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CANADA 
 
 NATIONAL LIBRARY 
 BIBLIOTHEQUE NATIONALE 
 
1 
 
 
 The Class Leader. 
 
i\ 
 
 THE 
 
 i\ CLASS LEADER: 
 
 i 
 
 
 HIS WOEK, AND HOW TO DO IT; 
 
 WITH 
 
 illti0trotion0 of JJrincipIes, mtbs, iSIctljoba, 
 
 anb HXcsnlts, 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN ATKINSON, M.A. 
 
 TORONTO f 
 SAMUEL ROSE. 
 
 HALIFAX: A. W. NICOLSON. 
 1875. 
 

 i 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 "§ HIS book meets a want long felt in Class Meeting 
 literature. It abounds in practical counsels that cannot fail to 
 render the Class Leader who carefully ponders it more efficient 
 in the discharge of his important duties. It is informed by a 
 devoutness of spirit that will be an inspiration to increased 
 zeal in Christian endeavor. It has been eminently iseful in the 
 American edition, the high price of which, however, almost 
 interdicted its circulation in this country. The Canadian 
 pubUsher, by omitting a preliminary chapter, and condensing 
 the others, has, without impairing its value, brought it within 
 the reach of almost every Class Leader in the land, and thus 
 widely increased its sphere of usefulness. 
 
, ! 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. PAGE 
 
 Six Things a Class Leader should have , , 7 
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 The Leader and the Church . . -« 
 
 CHAPTER HL 
 
 A Joyous Reugion 
 
 • . . , .33 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Mutual Edification ... ., 
 
 41 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Reclaiming Wanderers ..•.,. 49 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 The Stranger 58 
 
 CHAPTER Vn. 
 The Poor ^ ^ 
 
 CHAPTER VHL 
 The Leader in the Sick-Room 72 
 
• ft 
 
 vni CONIENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 The Troubled 80 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 Hindrances to Class-Meetings .... 84 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 How TO Lead a Class , . 100 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Different Methods of Leading Class . . ,116 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 The Tastor '. 124 
 
 *l CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 ji Revivals 130 
 
 ■ CHAPTER XV. 
 
 The Care of Converts 141 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 Children, and Children's Classes . . . .156 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 Training Christian Workers 164 
 
 
 ( I 
 
 » • 
 
 I .;. 
 
THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 » ■ »■ 
 
 CnAPTER L 
 
 SIX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HAVE. 
 
 What is it to be a Class Leader? Tl.is question is 
 not dilKcilt to answer. A Class Leader is one who leads 
 a class. But this answer makes one no wiser. To give an 
 answer which shall compass the whole question, and fur- 
 nish a real and vivid ,..raiture of a true Class Leader, is 
 not so easy. This T propose to tiy to furnish. 
 
 There are several elements necessary to make a Class 
 Leader worthy of the name. None of them can be absent. 
 A single vital deficiency is fatal. There are numerous 
 things that are desirable, and the possession of wliich would 
 contribute to the influence and efficiency of a Leader, such 
 as being a good singer, having an eloquent utterance, and a 
 pleasing countenance ; but they are not necessary. ' There 
 are other elements that are indispensable, lacking which 
 no man ought to be a Leader. Of the latter, and not the 
 former, I propose now to speak. 
 
 I. THE WORKING SPIRIT. 
 
 I once knew two men, members of th- «^ame Church, who 
 each held the position of Leader. They met their classes 
 regularly ; but they were seldom at the weekly prayer- 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
 8 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 I 
 
 ( 
 
 ■ meetin;*, and could not be induced to take part in revivi 
 
 ■work. In special meetings for the conversion of sinner 
 
 while from night to night the pastor and the earnest portio 
 
 of the membcrshii) were tolling at the altar, they were foun 
 
 . in stores, talking about the affairs of the town, and listenin 
 
 ! tothe general gossip. Standard-bearers in the Christian armj 
 
 they fled from the field in the time of serious engagemen 
 
 ! Were they Class Leaders 1 They bore the name, the 
 
 enjoyed the honour of the position ; but — I press the quei 
 
 tion — were they really Leadei's i 
 
 Another Class Leader I knew who was quite active i 
 
 I the work of the altar in the time of revival, but whose sea 
 
 ' in church when there was no revival was vacant at mor 
 
 I i than two-thirds of the services. Regular in meeting th 
 
 I class ; gifted in prayer, in song, and in speech ; yet habii 
 
 ually absent from the house of God more than two service 
 
 ' I in three — was this person a true Class Leader 1 I thin' 
 
 I ' there can be no hesitation in the mind of any one who ha 
 
 i iust views of this office in rendering an emphatic nay. 
 
 f , These three persons whom I have described are represer 
 
 I ' I tative cases. They belong to classes which are fearfull; 
 
 ' i large. Their counterparts «;an be found in all portion 
 
 of the land. Their sad example works evil, it is to b 
 
 feared, more than their counsels and prayers in the class 
 
 room can ever avail for good. They are heavy weights upoi 
 
 the Church. They are Class Leaders only in name. The; 
 
 are hinderances instead of helps to the spirituality of th 
 
 membership, and to the Church's aggressive warfare upo: 
 
 the worlcL 
 
 We get, then, in the light of these examples, a percej 
 
 tion of the first thing which is absolutely essential to cor 
 
 stitute a true Class Leader — namely, that he have a mm 
 
 to work, 
 
 i 
 
1 
 
 SIX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HAVE. 
 
 
 To be a Class Leader, in the tnie sense, is to be a Chris- 
 tian worker. It were bettor, I hesitate not to say, to have 
 no Class Leaders at all than to have the office filled by men 
 ■\/ho have no zeal for God, no lovo for souis, no heart for 
 earnest spiritual labour. The Leader of a class is, as we 
 have shown, in a sense, a pastor ; and his work is of such 
 a nature that he cannot perform it unless he be alive to it, 
 and have a love for doing it. 
 
 That he may be a useful worker in the Church it is not 
 only necessary that he have a disposition to labour, but 
 also that his example in the Church be good and wholesome. 
 What does it avail that the leader manifest much ardour 
 and emotion in a time of revival, and be instant in season 
 and out of season, if in other times he show no love for the 
 prayer-meeting or for the public worship of God on the 
 Sabbath 1 
 
 No man can exert a healthful spiritual influence in a 
 Church who is inconstant and irregular in his attendance at 
 his own Church. This is especially the case if he be a 
 Leader. Where is het will be the question that will 
 arise in the minds of scores as they see his seat vacant. 
 Why not here? Does he not love the house and 
 the word of God 1 Is he sleeping, visiting, recreating, 
 entertaining company, or wandering around to other 
 Churches in search of novelty and excitement 1 These, and 
 inquiries of like import, will be made mentally from Sab- 
 bath to Sabbath by numbers who will never speak them 
 aloud ; and perhaps by some who may not be so discreet. 
 
 Such a course cannot but impair the usefulness of any 
 Church member, and especially of a Church officer. No 
 matter how fluent his utterance, cr tearful his eyes, or 
 pathetic his tones when he addresses his members in the 
 class-room, or labours among the serious and penitent in 
 
I n 
 
 ! I 
 
 10 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 !i . . 
 
 j I revivals, there will be a sad lack in all his exercises of tha 
 
 power which only a good and well-directed personal influenc 
 can give. An indispensable rec^uisite in a real Class Leade 
 is, that he love the Church's ordinances and regularly atten( 
 them. lie must bo able to say, " I had rather be a dooi 
 keeper in the house of my God, than to d>vell in the tent 
 of wickedness." 
 
 I II. BLAMELESSNESS. 
 
 Another thing which cannot be dispensed with in a Clas 
 Leader, is hlamlessness of life. Ho is a teacher of experi 
 mental and practical religion, and it is necessary that hi 
 life be in harmony with his teachings. If ho be a busines 
 man he must illustrate the principles of Christanity in hi 
 business. His integrity must be beyond question. 
 
 I once knew a Leader who was a very active and pros 
 
 perous man of business, but who was quite generally spoke: 
 
 of, among even his brethren in the Church, as addicted t 
 
 suspicious business methods. Now and again it would b 
 
 j'l said that he was "tricky." Ho would not always faitl 
 
 fully represent his goods, and would take advantage of tli 
 ! ! M ignorance or weakness of a customer to secure the best ( 
 
 the bargain. Such, at least, was the reputation he bor( 
 While some would not credit these things, and adhered t 
 liim strongly, others had little confidence in his religion 
 professions. Now this man's influence was weak just s 
 the point where it should have been strong : it was ev: 
 where it ought to have been good. 
 
 Another Leader, who was a married man, was remarke 
 by his members for his special attentions to and familiaril 
 with a certain female member of his class. He was a] 
 parently very devout, his exercises in the class-room wei 
 very emotional, but his honour was suspected. So stror 
 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 
SIX TII'N^S A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HAVE. 11 
 
 became the siispicions tluat some o. his members resolved to 
 test them. Tlicir investi/^'ation resulted in the discovery 
 of grievous moral aberration, and he was displaced from 
 his office and cast out c.f the Church. Yet for some time 
 he liad exorcised the leadership while his influence was most 
 damo^'ng to the cause he professed to serve. 
 
 Another man whom I knew was a Leader, and continu- 
 ally accused of falsehood. It was difficult, i. not impossible, 
 to get direct ja'oof of pal])able lying, and yet such was his 
 volubility and recklessness o." speech that his word had very 
 little value with many who knew him. He did not have 
 an^ce sense o truth, nor did he always exercise strict fidelity 
 to it in his utterances. As a consequence many, l)oth in 
 and out Oi the Church, had no confidence in his veracity. 
 
 Such exam])lcs show the absolute necessity of moral 
 blamelessness in those who are leaders of the flock. They 
 must be men of good report. If they be slandered, they 
 must remove the slander and vindicate their integrity. If 
 the;' do not, no gifts, or social standing, or wealth, or any- 
 thing else, can render them influential Class Leaders. They 
 must be beyond re])roach and above suspicion or their reli- 
 gious counsels and admonitions, though given with tears' 
 will be worse than vain. 
 
 This purity of character is so vital that all Class Leaders 
 should exercise the utmost care in regard to it. I do not 
 mean that they should be so self-inspective and self-conscious 
 as to lose their freedom o* leeling and action. They should 
 not be alraid to give play to their natural aptitudes lest 
 they should seem to transgress the proprieties of thoir 
 oflice. No man can be a power for good in any great 
 degree unless he be natural, and this he cannot be unless he 
 be freely himself. 
 
 A man walking on moral stilts is a ridiculous spectacle. 
 
 v. 
 
n 
 
 
 ; i 12 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 J 
 
 The afTectation which says, " I am a Class Leader, and I 
 cannot wylk on the pavement of eveiy-day life, as ordinary 
 Cin-istians do, but must move with my feet above it," can 
 only nuider a man distasteful, if not disgusting, to sensible 
 people. Let him walk where others walk, a man with men ; 
 his heart in sympathy with every interest and pain and ]oy 
 and grief of humanity; putting on no airs oi superior 
 sanctity, but maintaining "a conscience void of otience 
 toward God, and toward men ;" watching against the 
 smallest violation ol truth, honour, justice ; against holding 
 fellowship with wrong in any form ; and he will be sure to 
 enjoy the confidence of all who know him, and the esteeuj 
 I and love of those who fear God. 
 
 I III. GOOD COMMON 8ENSE. 
 
 I; The Class Leader mu.sr not fail to have ijood sense. 
 
 What merchant woulu 'lace a man in charge of import- 
 
 [jj! ant trusts whose reason and discretion wluu'e at fault? who 
 
 lacked a ready perception of the litnessof things, and Avhose 
 
 judgment was erratic? The man who can be depended 
 
 jji upon to do about the right thing in the right way, and at 
 
 1 the right time, is the one that wise employera select to 
 
 ' manaixe and guanl lar<xe interests.. 
 
 The weightiest interest that a pastor can commit to any 
 of his members is that which he places in charge of the 
 person whom he appoints Class Leader. The licader has 
 in his lutnds the guiding a.nd shaping of the eternal destinies 
 of immortal beings. It is his olHce to lead his flock into 
 green pastures and beside still waters. He is to admonish 
 them when they do wrong, to recover them from their 
 wanderings, to animate and cheer them when weary and 
 ^, discouraged, to instruct them when ignorant, to counsel 
 
 them in their difficulties, and in general to watch over them 
 AS one who " must give account." 
 
1 
 
 SIX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD flAVE. 
 
 13 
 
 A work of such delicacy and responsibility requires the 
 exercise of such wisdom and skill as only sound common 
 sense can supply. Extraordinary piety and devotion, even, 
 cannot compensate for the want of this. A man may be 
 truly good, and thoroughly in earnest to do good, but if he 
 lack wisdom he cannot be relied upon as a safe guide. I 
 do not mean by wisdom, wide knowledge of the world, of 
 books, or of men, though this is desirable. Without such 
 knowledge a man may be a useful Class Leader ; but without 
 the wisdom which is born of good sense he cannot be, 
 because he cannot wisely counsel, admonish, reprove, 
 encourage, and otherwise edify the members of a class. 
 
 This quality supplies a Class Leader with tact. This 
 thing called tact is what wins on most of the battle-fields 
 of lite. It is this which renders some men so successful in 
 managing men, and making them subservient to their pur- 
 poses. It is this v/hich enables some persons so readily to 
 disentangle themselves from unfiivourable complications, to 
 repair with ease a mistake, or to settle a difficulty. Tact 
 gives a man the best use of his resources, and leads him to 
 do the best thing in an emergency. No man is or can bo 
 the poosessor of this ready skill in action, which we call 
 tact, only in proportion as he has common ser se. 
 
 How tact comes into use in the conduct of a class-meeting 
 is shown in the case of a Leader who ^vrites : "I hear 
 and respond to the evidences offered, unless they liave too 
 much sameness and become dull, and if so I suddenly turn 
 my experience into a prayer or singing meeting, get them 
 waked up, and perhaps as suddenly return to experiences." 
 
 Other men would go on with a somnolent influence deep- 
 ening in the class to the end, and have the members leave 
 with a feeling that the class-room is a dull place ; but the 
 Leader whose sense is clear and alert contrives to exorcise 
 
!i i 
 
 11 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 14 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 the tlomon of dullness, and makes the meeting lively and 
 j)roli table. 
 
 TJiis quality was also illustrated \>y a Class Leader in 
 England whoso time was so much occupied in business tliat 
 he could not always get the oi)})ortunity to cidl promptly 
 u])on his members whom ho missed from cl.ss-meeting, but 
 who yet saw tliat it was necessary to reach them somehow. 
 So he hit upon a device in the shape of a little card, a 
 specimen of which is here given, which he sent in an 
 
 Mr. FarnclVs kind regards, and icill be very | 
 
 Hi w 
 
 y hap^iy to sec you at Class on Tuesday next, at I 
 
 f - ? 
 
 ^ Eight o'clocic in the Evening, in Ko. 1 Vestry, i 
 
 I Bold Street Cluqiel* 
 
 envelope to each absentee, the cause of whose absence he 
 did not know, previous to the next class night, by some one 
 who would deliver it ; and he " almost always found it 
 efiectual in bringing them to the class." 
 
 Many a Leader has allowed a class intruKtcd to him to 
 dwindle to extinction, because he did not possess the tact to 
 place himself in connnunication with and bring back to the 
 class-room his absenting members. 
 
 I. am far from saying that all Leaders who do not use the 
 {} precise methods given above are deficient in good sense; 
 
 but I do say, that good sense leads a man to see and over- 
 come difficulties and hindcrances to efficiently leading a 
 class, as well as in other spheres of activity and success. 
 
 * On the reverse side tliis text is printed : "Come thou with us, 
 and we will do thee good." 
 
SIX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HA/E. 
 
 15 
 
 Other things being equal, tlie Learlor with genuine, ready 
 sonso will al\va3's greatly si'rjjasa him who hickg it. 
 
 The exercise of the vexy best judgment is often demanded 
 in rei)lying to the cxi)(riences related in class-meeting. 
 'Sometimes a Leader's tact will lead him to use languiige 
 t'lat to an observer would seem unsuitable, but which ho 
 pfceives is needful to divert tho thoughts of the person 
 addressed from morbid contemplations, and turn them to 
 more genial themes. 
 
 Captain Bilderback, who was a very successful Class 
 Leader for many years in Salem, New Jersey, when some 
 one had recited in his class a story of Satanic assault, 
 instead of replying by a discourse on the philoso])hy of 
 temptation and giving minute directions for overcoming the 
 temi)ter, in his })eculiar manner said, " Brother, the next 
 time tho devil comes to you take a big club to him." 
 
 Such a reply would not soon be forgotten by the person 
 addressed, and the novelty and homeliness of the simile, 
 and the manner of its utterance, probably did more to 
 relieve and assure his mind than would the most polished 
 sentences. It would not be best for every Leader to make 
 that reply in such a case, but Captain Bilderback was a 
 Leader who had tact, and judgment to use that tact ; 
 hence he was generally ready to meet an exigence in the 
 class-room skilfully and wisely. 
 
 David Taylor, of Jersey City, is one of the best Class 
 Leaders I over knew. One evening I was hearing him 
 lead his class when not less than fifty persons were present. 
 A member in speaking said that never since his conversion 
 had he desired to turn back to the world. The stereo* [led 
 reply to such a hackneyed declaration would have been 
 somewhat as follows : "Of course, brother, you do not desire 
 
ITT" 
 
 i 
 
 16 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 1 1 
 
 II 
 
 r\ 
 
 \ ■ 
 
 i;iH 
 
 ^iir 
 
 
 '\\ 
 
 to go l)ack. Why should you 1 Tlie joy a of roh'gion arc 
 so much superior to the |»]easiiTes of the world that no one 
 who possesses thoin would desiio to make the exchange 
 Hold on, tlien, to your religion, and never indulge a desii*e 
 to part with it." 
 
 With no sucli smooth words did Mr. Taylor reply. Bui 
 he almost startled me by saying, in tones full of earnesi 
 feeling, " I believe thot you have never desired to tun 
 back, but I do not think you are nuiking much progi'ess ;' 
 and then he exhorted him to advance. This was noi 
 com])limentary, certainly, to that scholar in the school o: 
 Christ, and I feared for the result. But I found that n( 
 harm was done, and just that sort of remark at tha' 
 juncture was what the roady tact of the Leader, who knev 
 his man, suggested as the best thing to be said to him t( 
 quicken his Christian i)aco. 
 
 A Christian woman was lying on a sick-bed in a rathei 
 low mood of mind. A friend called to see her, and ii 
 speaking with her said, 
 
 " You love Jesus ]" 
 
 ** So little," she replied, " that I am ashamed to say thai 
 I do." 
 
 The visitor struck a match and blew out the flame 
 leaving the fire on the end, and, holding it before her, said 
 
 « What is that ]" 
 
 " A spark of fire," she said. 
 
 *' Never mind about the spark. What is that 1" 
 
 "It is fire." 
 
 " Yes," answered the visitor, " it is fire ; it is not i 
 conflagration, but still it is firi , Now do you love th( 
 Lord Jesus V* 
 
 " So little that T am ashamed to say that I do." 
 
SIX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HA\T:. 
 
 17 
 
 ( 
 
 He tlien reached out to a glass oL water and dipped liia 
 finger in it, and lield up tlio finger, on which hung a glisten- 
 ing drop, before the woman. 
 
 ** What is Liat on my finger V he asked. 
 
 " A drop or water," she replied. 
 
 " Don't say any thing about the drop," he said, " but tell 
 me what it is that is on the entl ol my finger." 
 
 " It is water," said the woman. 
 
 " Yes," he remarked, " it is water. It is not an ocean, 
 but it is as really water as the sea is water. It is not the 
 ■quantity which determines what a thing is, but its nature 
 or quality. So it is with lovo to Jesus. It is not the 
 amount of your love to him that determines whether you 
 are a Christian, but it is the fact that you love him at all. 
 A little Ikjve to Christ is as genuine as though it were a 
 great deal. It is not the quantity that you are to concern 
 yourself about now, it is the thing itseb. Do you love 
 Jesus V* And the poor, desponding soul was obliged to 
 confess, 
 
 " Yes, I love him !" 
 
 Now who does not see that tact of a very high order was 
 displayed in this delicate, yet thorough, treatment of the 
 misgivings and despondency of that sincere but weak 
 believer] And such tact will often be of inestimable 
 value to the Class Leader in treating the various phases o: 
 experience that he must meet in the course Oi. his duties. 
 
 This quality is so important to the leader that I cannot 
 refrain from giving yet another illustration or two o. it. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. Payson, who was a distinguished and 
 saintly minister of Portland, Maine, in the early part of 
 this century, once visited a Christian sufferer who was in 
 a very gloomy state Oi mind because she could not keep 
 her thoughts concentrated on Christ, He said to her. 
 
18 
 
 THE CLASS LEADKU. 
 
 ! :|, 
 
 i I 
 
 i irif!, 
 
 *' SiiI>poRo you wore to soo a llttlo Riok clillJ lyinjcf in ils 
 niotlusr'H lap, with its fuciiltioa iinituii-ed by its Kuflurings, 
 80 tliJit it is gfncmlly in a troubled slrpp ; but now and 
 thvn it just opnns its pyes a little, and gots a glinii>so of its 
 inothtn-'s t'uco, so as to be rcealk'd to the rocol lection that 
 it is in its moth(>r's arms ; and stipjujso tliat always, at 
 Buc'h a time, it should sniilo faintly with evident pleasure 
 to find where it was, should you doubt whether that child 
 loved its mother ]" At once the sick woman saw the point, 
 her doubts instantly fled, and lier so\d was comfort(xb 
 
 On anotlier occasion the same minister was in a house of 
 ber(!avement, and found it his duly to minister to the 
 sorrow of a mother who had lost a l)eloved child. And 
 thus lie did it. " Suitpose now," ho said, " some one was 
 making a beautiful crown for you to wear, an<l that you 
 knew it was for you, and that you were to receive it and 
 wear it as soon as it should bo dono. Kow, if the maker 
 of it where to come, and, in order to make the ciown more 
 beautiful and splendid, were to take some of your jewels 
 to put into it, should you be sorrowful and unha})i>y, 
 because they were taken away for a little while, when you 
 knew they were gone to make uj) your crown }" It was 
 a word ^tly spoken ; and the weeper snnlcd to think that 
 her treasure was only taken for a time, to be restored to 
 her again when crowns shall be distributed in heaven. 
 
 Now this kind of skill, which, I repeat, is the product 
 of good sense, will enable the l^eader to successfully dispose 
 of the numerous cases of doubt, temptation, sorrow, inex- 
 perience, folly and backsliding that will every now and 
 then call for his treatment. No rules can be laid down to 
 meet these ever-varying cases The Leader must rely upon 
 his judgment, ai<led by experience, such knowledge as he 
 may be able to acc^uii-e, and the wisdom that is from above. 
 
 » 11 
 
 \ 
 
BIX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HAVE. 
 
 19 
 
 IV. INTELLIGENCE. 
 
 Tlio CImsss Leader nmst possess intelllgonco. This \h 
 indispensable. It is his duty to give fidviee, to help men 
 out of their spiritual diflicultiea, to direct their faith and 
 their walk, and to promote, by his instruction^^, tlieir 
 highest welfare. How can ho do all this unlcas ho ho 
 instructed 1 Ho cannot. 
 
 It is not necessary, liowovor, that ho bo v/hat is called jm 
 educated man, '.xcopt lliat ho bo able to read. Tho know- 
 ledge whif'h ho retjuires is that which is necessary to enable 
 hltn to do the work of his ollice. lEo cannot ac(piire it in tho 
 schools of this world: he must obtain it in the school of Christ. 
 He must know what it is to be a Christian and to live a 
 Christian life. He must bo familiar with the temptations 
 and snares with which a Christian is beset : ho must know 
 how to resist and foil tho tempter : Jie must understand tho 
 means of Christian growth, and the steps that lead to 
 lukowarmness and Ijacksliding. He must know how to 
 ap))ly Cod's word to the needs of his members, giving to 
 each their portion in due season. 
 
 A sensible and earnest Leader can readily acquire this 
 knowledge if lio bo but poorly furnished with it when 
 chilled to enter u^wn this work. He will continually enlarge 
 his acquisitions, also, if he faithfully improve his opportu- 
 nities, and will become ** furiiished unto every good word 
 and work." 
 
 It is very important that a Clasi^ Leader bo fi\miliar 
 with Bible truth, as tliis is the food which ho must 
 dispense to his flock. 
 
 The Ilev. Edmond Grindrod, p Wesleyan minister of tho 
 last generation, addressed to Class Leaders the following 
 wise words : 
 
 i 
 
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90 
 
 THE CLASS LEADETl. 
 
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 " I do not moan to say tliat a crltioal knowlrdgo of tlio 
 Holy Bil'lo is iioccissary. Thifi is a mro .ittaiiimciit, and 
 you havo in jronoral uoitlior Icisun; nor mcaiiH ior its pursuit. 
 It ia, howfivor, exjM'dient th;it you sliould luivo at loast a 
 gon(!nil ac([uaiutanco with tlio facts, doctiiiios, prucopts, 
 and iH()UUH(!.s of that Diviiui l)0()k. From tliis sacred source 
 you will at all times derive the host ar;^uuicnts, admoni- 
 tions, and oxh<n*tations to address to your classes. 
 
 " Make yourscilf very tainiliar with tlio <I/wotional jmrta 
 of Scripture, particularly with tho l*salins ; this will 
 sup})y you wiLh a richnrss, variety, appropriateness, and 
 beauty of language in prayer which you oauuot ac(piiro by 
 any other means. It is said of Martin Luther, that when 
 lio felt a dulness in the devotions of tho closet, he used to 
 take tho Tsalms and convert them into forms of prayer for 
 himself, and was often greatly blessed in this exercise. 
 Such an example is worthy of our imitation. Treasure in 
 your memories tho 2)7'eccj)ts of Divine truth. They are 
 scattered up and down in tho sacred pages, in short and 
 easy sentences, as if they were designed to be committed 
 to memory. These will sujiply you with infallible moral 
 maxims, and rules of conduct for yourselves and the 
 members of your classes. Have tho promises of God at 
 bantl, that you may, with wisdom, apply them to the 
 consolation of the sincere in all times of th^ir trouble. 
 
 " In order that you may attain this knowledge of the 
 Scriptures, read them every day by some well-arranged 
 method ; read them thoughtfully, with a design and effort 
 to understand them ; often pai se, and inquire what you 
 have learned by the paragraph, chapter, or book which 
 you have just finished ; read them with some good com- 
 comentary upon them, if you can procure one. Mr. 
 Benson's is the best that I know of for your purpose. Bead 
 
 :lll : 
 
BIX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HAVE. 
 
 21 
 
 tlicm prayorfiilly : tlio devout nniul is most Hlccly to bo 
 tau'jlit of (Jod. Mako yoursolvos acquainted with otlier 
 standard works in divinity, partioidarly Wesley's and 
 Fletclier's Works, and Watson's Tlniolo^acal InstitiitCH."* 
 Conversation with the niendu'rs of his class onfsidc? the 
 clas! "ooni on ndigious experionco and life, and wiiji sneh 
 niaturj and tliou<,ditful Christians as lio may kimw, will 
 bo found by tho Leader a highly useful means of increasing 
 Lis knowhnlgo of tho things of God, and will furnish him 
 with many 8Ugg(!Stions, thoughts, and illustrations which 
 ho may uso to advantage in his addresses in tho class-room. 
 Indeed, he may, in his daily life, and amid tho cares and 
 engrossments of his secular calling, bo constantly enlarging 
 his stock of knowledge, and rendering himself more and 
 moro competent as a religious counsellor and guido. 
 
 V. SYJirATIIY. 
 
 One who does not possess sympatliy is incapable of being 
 a genuine Class Leader. It is a work which calls for the 
 exercise of the purest and tenderest sensibilities. 
 
 A Lead(!r in a large city found in his class, when it 
 •was placed in his chtirge, a genteel-appearing, neatly 
 attired, intelligent-looking, elderly widow lady. There was 
 nothing in her appearance or manner that would have 
 suggested to any one that she was in distressed circum- 
 stances. But one winter afternoon he called upon her, and 
 
 • "The Duties, Qualifications, and Encouragements of Class 
 Leaders ; being the suhstance of Five Addresses delivered to 
 several persons appointed to that Office in the Wesleyan Methodist 
 Society m Hull. " By the Rev. Edmond GrindrocL l^ourth edition. 
 London : 1846. I agree with Mr. Grindrod in reconnnending 
 Benson's Commentaries, and would also especially roconunend 
 Whedou on the New Testament. 
 
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 22 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 learned during tlxo interview that, thongli lier house and 
 person sliowed great neatness, she was so destitute as to be 
 without necessary food. His compassion was roused. He 
 went forth from her humble abode and procured a baskot 
 filled with provisions, so heavy that it tired him to carry 
 it, and bore it through the street, in the darkness which 
 had now fallen, on his own arm to her door. He also saw 
 that she was supplied with coal throughout the winter, 
 and that she was cared for generally so long as she remained 
 in his class. 
 
 That was a case in which a Leader's sympathy was mani- 
 fested. What if, like the priest and Lev ice, he had coolly 
 left her to sufier ? Perhaps she might not have complained 
 or reproached him, but the spirit which would have made 
 him capable of such hcartlessness would have made him 
 incapable of being a good Class Leader. That he acted 
 'M he did showed him to possess the heart of a good 
 (Samaritan, and to be capable ot feeling for his flock in their 
 sorrows and misfortunes. 
 
 Now a Leader must foci for the members placed in his 
 care. He must sympathize with them in their temptations, 
 struggles, losses, crosses, sicknesses, poverty, weaknesses, 
 bereavements, and toils. He must be able to " rejoice with 
 them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." He 
 must bear their burdens, and, in a sense, " carry their 
 sorrows." He who would exercise this office in a mere 
 professional and perfunctory way, can never exercise it 
 with pleasure to himself or with profit to his class. 
 
 One who has been a T^eader nearly a half century says 
 very justly, " A Leader is not fit to be called a Leader 
 who is not ready to shake hands with all his class at all 
 times, and will not bear with and sympathize with all in 
 theii" trials and weakness." 
 
MX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HAVE. 
 
 23 
 
 Another, who has been evitlently a tnie Leader, writes 
 that a Leader, in connection with other traits, slioukl be 
 *' fervent, afFectionate." A man of cold spirit, and hiclcing 
 in afi'ectionatenoss, cannot minister to tired, and weary, and 
 burdened hearts in a way to encourage, lighten, and cheei 
 them. 
 
 While a student of medicine I was very pleasantly im- 
 pressed by tlie exhibition of this trait by the late Dr. Valen- 
 tine Mott, who was one of the most distinguished surgeons in 
 this country. At his public clinic in the college one day a poor 
 woman presented herself to receive gratuitous medical aid. 
 The students and professors were very apt to treat such 
 persons as though they did not possess ordinary human 
 sensibilities. Dr. Mott showed the poor child of adversity 
 gentle attention, and then remarked to the class that it was 
 his habit to treat such as she with delicate consideratioii, 
 because such treatment was due them. 
 
 A sympathizing mannei-, joined with kind words, are 
 often like balm of healing to the troubled, the poor, and 
 the desponding ones that we so frequently meet in life ; 
 and if a man so celebrated and refined as was Dr. Mott 
 could thus feel for a poor stranger, how ready ought a 
 Leader to be to sympathize with the meanest and least 
 loveab'e of his flock 1 
 
 VI. ENTHUSIASM. 
 
 No one, as a rule, succeeds in an undertaking without 
 enthusiasm. Whether the work be secular or religious, 
 the enthusiastic worker, unless he be otherwise incompetent 
 to do what he undertakes, almost always wins success ; 
 while, generally, those whose capabilities are adequate but 
 who lack enthusiasm succeed but poorly, or fail altogether. 
 
fll 
 
 24 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
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 ii, 
 ill 
 
 i, .-,■:! 
 
 111 
 Mi 
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 \ 
 
 A Class Loader can never attain large success in his 
 work unless he prosecute it enthusiastically. Very many 
 unsuccessful Leaders are po sim[)ly because thoy have no 
 enthusiasm. Tlioir ardour does not kindle as thoy a[>proach 
 their duties. Their s})iiit does not boimd to their work. 
 They consequently go through the routine of the class-room 
 in a dull and monotonous way, kindling no warmth in their 
 members, disi)ensing stale advice in j)hrases hackneyed and 
 threadbare, neither enjoying the service themselves nor 
 making it enjoyable to the class. It is not strange tlip.t 
 such Leaders complain that thoir members do not attend 
 class-meeting regularly, and talk so much aboiit resigning 
 their office. 
 
 One such Leader has written to me some passages of his 
 cx})orience which are instructive, lie has sixty-six members 
 in his class, and an average attendance of eight. Sometimes 
 sixteen are present and sometimes none. 
 
 *' Then, I say," he writes, " I am not fit to be a Leader. 
 I will give up my class and ask the preacher to a}»j)oint 
 some one else in my place. I have determined several 
 times to do this. Before giving up my book I will just 
 call once more on all my members, and write up my book, 
 so that my successor shall find all my sixty -six meiubers at 
 the correct residences as marked in the book. 
 
 " I leave my store at three o'clock some afternoon and 
 take a route of visitation. 
 
 " I find a lady who is infirm and has been deprived of 
 the means of grace. She says many flattering things about 
 my faithfulness, aiid the many good words I have spoken 
 in class. At another place I find the members have moved 
 away from the city without their letters. And so I find 
 work to do which I did not think of. The next Friday 
 evening I go to class hoping nobody will be there, so that 
 
SIX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HAVL'. 
 
 2.") 
 
 I can give it up. To my surprise I find sovcral person*?, 
 and otliers come in until the room is well fiWcA. The 
 singing goes well. I read a passage of Scripture, and I try 
 to speak on it. It seems so full of ""^ospel that I drink it 
 in as I speak, and I find myself filled with the glorious 
 promises which I am trying to explain to others. Then tho 
 members speak so well. We are like the disciples at the 
 mount of transfiguration. We say it is good to be here. 
 Then I sav, I am in the Lord's hands. If he wants mo 
 to l<?ad class I will do it, even if there bo no glory 
 in it." 
 
 i'^ow this Leader obviously lacked enthusiasm until his 
 class got so low that he resolved to lead it no longer. Then 
 he awoke and determined to give his members a visit l^efore 
 severing his relations with them — to close up with a little 
 enthusiasm. In doins so he awakened their interest in 
 liimself and in tho class- meeting, and the next class night 
 his room is well filled, he becomes more enthusiastic, the 
 members catch his spirit ; all feel a blissful uplifting, and 
 go away rejoicing ; while that one blaze of enthusiasm has 
 consumed the desire of the Leader to surrender his class 
 book, and inspired him with a purpose to continue his 
 work for the Master. Were he to maintain that spirit 
 steadily and increasingly, as he ought, that Leader would 
 no more talk about giving up his class, but would make his 
 work both a pleasure and a success. 
 
 I know of no better illustration of enthusiasm in this 
 service than the case of a sailor who was a Class Leader, 
 and had seven or eight members who belonged to the crev,- 
 of an it'ngllsh naval packet ship. While at sea they 
 suffered persecution from the officers and shipmates, but 
 they regularly held their class-meeting. They nuide the 
 time Oi tlie meeting suit their duties. Their class-room 
 
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 26 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 wa« tlio forepart of ilio ship, wliero tlioy had to Ho down, 
 side by siile, or ciso partly on one anothca* upon the cahlcs : 
 tho arrangcnioiit of their position allowing them to pass 
 whispers among themselves so that their voices would not 
 attract the attention of their opposcrs. They were 
 always glad of a gale of wind, so that the noise would 
 l)revent their voices being heard by others, and afford 
 them o})portunity of easily hearing one another. In this 
 manner they went through the exercises of the class-meeting, 
 and found it to bo the means of fortifving themselves 
 against the influences of their evil surroundings. A Leader 
 who will keep up his class under such dilliculties is an 
 enthusiast in his v/ork, and is not likely to have drowsy 
 and unprofitable meetings. 
 
 A lawyer in the North of England, of ability and 
 reputation, and successful in his profession, was accustomed 
 to break away from his oflice, no matter how engrossing 
 his labours might be, and hasten to meet the class of 
 which he was the Leader. Ho once said, " I owe more 
 than I can tell to the weekly enjoyment of my class. 
 I entered upon public life with a prayerful determination 
 not to be deprived, if I could help it, of that weekly 
 refreshment of my soul; and, with very few excejjtions, 
 my way has been made plain. I have often had to 
 nin directly from the office after a whole day's occupa- 
 tion in court ; if, however, I could but secure five minutes 
 before the time to kneel, or sit and select a suitable 
 hymn, I have never found myself unready for the duty of 
 giving, or the privilege of receiving, spiritual blessing. How 
 sweet I have found it to get away for an hour in the course 
 of a week's exposure to worldly influences, and from dealing 
 with selfish principles and doubtful customs, to enjoy a 
 little holy talk with my fellow-pilgrims in the Master's 
 
6IX THINGS A CLASS LEADER SHOULD HAVE. 
 
 L'< 
 
 I 
 
 company ! I am sure that witliout it I ylioulJ not Lavo 
 stood my ground." 
 
 Theodore itunyon, of Newark, the ClianccUor of New 
 Jersey, though occupying the first judicial position in the 
 State, is an enthusiastic Chiss Leader. He has been hjiovvn 
 to rush from tho cai)itol, where ho vas sitting in cliancery, 
 that ho might get to his class-room, nearly <ifty milus 
 away, in season to lead his class. 
 
 These Leaders had enthusiasm in their work, aud no 
 wonder the class-room was found, under their lead, to be u 
 place of refreshing and a Bethel of praise. 
 
 At the close of a revival in which a good many convc rls 
 had been received into the Church, I ap])ointed a man, 
 who had never had any experience as Leader, to take 
 diarge of a class of probationers. He was disposed to 
 resis tho appointment, but I insisted, and he s ■ -ed. I 
 believed he would illustrate in the office all the elements 
 which I have here inculcated as necessary to every 01a::s 
 Leader. He became at once enthusiastic, and of course, 
 successful in a high degree. After more than a year 
 had elapsed since his appointment, he wrote me, " You will 
 excuse me if I say I have been, by God's blessing, so far 
 successful in my work, and but very few of the lambs 
 committed to my care have gone back to the world. I 
 ]>'^lIove my class, without exception, love me, and I trust 
 m;- influence with them will do them no harm. One thing 
 1 do know, it has been a great blessing to me to work in the 
 capacity of Leader; and, though fully conscious oj. my 
 inability in almost all respects, I feel encoui^aged to 
 work on." 
 
 Thpso words reveal the presence of the spirit of entliu- 
 eiasm which every successful Leader possesses, and give the 
 secret of his success in saving "the lambs." Neither 
 
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 28 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 Ill 
 
 knowledge, wit, blam(;lossncss, regularity, or any thing 
 else, will mako a truly live Leader if ho have no entha- 
 siasm. This quality, even if some others are but poorly 
 developed, will almost always insure success in this work. 
 I do not wish to have any LeadfT who may read tliia 
 book feel that ho is not fit for his office, unless he have, in 
 a large degree, all these cpialities which I have tried to 
 illustrate. I merely insist that he must have them ; but 
 do not say that ho must possess them to the extent that 
 another does. He may have them imperfectly, and yet he 
 may be very useful, and, indeed, necessary to the r'hurch a3 
 a Leader. We must not despise the day of small things ; 
 and all these qualities are susceptible of culture and 
 increase. A man who has but a fair stock of good sense, 
 intelligence, and grace, but who devotes himself with 
 enthusiasm to the work of the leadership, with a steady 
 effort to improve his qualifications, will grow in his work, 
 and v/ith scarcely an exception, will make it a blessing and 
 
 £i SUCC \>3. 
 
 ■Ill ■; i- 
 
 » <•» » 
 
 II 
 
TUE LEADER AND THE CIIURCn. 
 
 29 
 
 m 
 
 CHArXER II. 
 
 THE LEADER AND THE CHURCH. 
 
 No one, exce})t the pastor, sustains a more interesting 
 and important relation to the Church tlian tlie Chiss 
 Leader. Tf he be worthy of his office, his influence in the 
 Church is powerfid. lie stands forth before the meml)er- 
 ship and the outside world among the Churcirs best and 
 most useful representatives. Men confide in him as an 
 exponent of that which is most vital in Christianity, and 
 as an example and guide in faith and morals. They trust 
 to his counsels, and lean upon him for support in their 
 weakness. They wish him to comfort them when they are 
 i in trouble and sickness, and to whisper to them words of 
 hope and i)romise when they are dying. 
 
 None are more valued and loved by the Church than are 
 its faithful and devoted Class Leaders, They are frequently 
 objects of veneration to those whom they have helped in 
 the way to heaven. Deference is given to their opinions, 
 and their words are potential. They often are pillars in the 
 Lord's temple, and prophets who receive honour in their 
 own country and from their own people. 
 
 It is a most happy thing for a Church to have Leaders 
 Worthy to be thus trusted and cherished. The pure, 
 perennial inflaence of a good man and beneficent worker in 
 a Christian congregation is like a health-givintj fountain in 
 a sickly land. 
 
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 30 
 
 TUB CLASS LEAPER. 
 
 The afTiiira of tlio world generally aro carried on hy 
 means of leadership. In politics, linanco, art, medicine, 
 conimoice, government, thero aro leaders who direct tho 
 opinions and work of their followers, and shape tlio 
 measures that control tho thinking and conduct of llio 
 muUitudo. A true leader, who can guide a country safely 
 through its j)erils, or wlio can lead the muid of a generation 
 to tho recognition of nobler ideals and to tho perce^jtion 
 and acceptance of loftier truths, is a benefactor whoso value 
 to the world no figures of arithmetic can represent. Such 
 men, after they aro dead, aro often mightier than kings 
 through tho ideas they have uttered and tlie influence tliey 
 created. 
 
 Luther, who led tho Reformation, conferred a boon upon 
 tho world which no mind can measure. John Wesley, the 
 architect of tho vast fabric of Methodism, was the leader 
 of the faith of millions now in the skies ; and to-day he is 
 a living force throughout Christendom, and by his spirit 
 and genius is ins})iring and guiding tho conquering ' osts 
 of the Church militant, as they aro marching on over 
 tho falling idolatries of the earth to its conquest for 
 Jesus Christ. And I ha\'o known a poor and illiterate 
 mechanic, who held no ofllcial position, to shed tho influ- 
 ence of his sanctity over a whole city congregatioi where 
 he worshiped Aviiilo b'vmg, and in which when he "86 dead 
 his influence remained like a sweet odoun 
 
 Every enterpnso has its guiding minds, even orgaiazar 
 tion its leading spirits — and the Church must have them. 
 
 I know that sometimes tho men who stand foremost in 
 the Church as the managers of its affairs and the captains 
 of its host are looked upon with , ritical and jealous eyes 
 by those who perhaps covet their honour, but who have 
 neither the heart nor ability to perform their service. Ail 
 
THE LEADER AND THE CnUUCn. 
 
 31 
 
 wlio umlcrstand liuman nature and tlio needs of tho 
 Church, and who pray for its prosperity, rojoico that God 
 gives it such servants, and " esteem them very highly in 
 love for their work's sake." Every Church has wliat are 
 called " the leading men ;" and tliey are a necessity, and, 
 as a rule, a great blessing. 
 
 Among such the Class Leaders are conspicuous. Tlicir 
 offico clothes them with a certain iulluence. That tho 
 pastor has selected them from the rest of tho men of tho 
 Church to till this position attests his high estimate of 
 their character and gifts. It stamps theui, so far as liia 
 judgment and authority can, as superior men. 
 
 By means of tho influence of their olEce, and tho 
 publicity which it gives them in tho congregation, they are 
 rendered equal in weight and force to tho chiefest in the 
 Church, unless they have serious personal deliciencies. 
 Assuming that they answer in a good degree to tho iileal 
 presented in the last chapter, the Class Leaders of a given 
 Church may safely be regarded as its first men in moral 
 force and religious usefulness. In a good degree they hold 
 in their trust its honour and power, and bear the res})on- 
 sibility of its success or failure. 
 
 They lia /e in their care the piety of the Church. The 
 class-meeting is a school for the training of Christians. 
 According as the members of the Church aro there trained 
 will be the tone of their spirituality and the consistency of 
 their lives. The Leader is a personal teacher of the religion 
 of the heart. It is his office to hear from week to week a 
 statement of the spiiitual condition of each member of liis 
 class from their own lips, and to caution, advise, admonish, 
 encourage, instruct and stimulate, according to the indica- 
 tions they give. His chief duty is to so teach, influence and 
 aid them, as that from week to week they sliali " grow in 
 
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 ll-Hi -I 
 
 III II 
 
 
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 I 
 
 83 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 grace, anil in tlio knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesua 
 Cliri.st." 
 
 Tlu) ontiro moml)erHlilj> of tlio Methodist Cliurcli is, or 
 Hliould bo, under the spiritual oarf of our Class Lcailcrs, 
 and all tliose souls are made, in a good degree, what they 
 boconic through tlu; help and guidance they got in the class- 
 mo(^ting. Theie all the grades of our people arc brought 
 iogf'tlicr to tell of the Divine dealings, and to receive such 
 insj)iration and assistance as they inay in the Christian life. 
 
 llosv vital thon, to the Church is the Leader's work. 
 Whether its nieniljcr,; shall bo living branches of tlie True 
 Vine, bringing forth much iiuit, or whether they shall 
 answer to the descrij)tion of the Laodicean Church — 
 neither cold nor hot — depends largely on the Class L(!ader8. 
 Let the Leader endeavo«r to make his elass-room attractive 
 by liaving it tilled witli the sjurit of love, faith, and joy ; 
 let lilni strive to make it a place where weary hearts shall 
 find rest ; the troubled, comfort ; the desponding, hope ; a 
 Pisgah whence longing eyes shall see the promised land, 
 and hearts enraptured by the sense of a nearing heaven 
 shall carol forth their triumph. 
 
 Such a class-room cannot fail to be a place of delightful 
 resort to those who are seeking a better country, and must 
 pi:ove a quickener of piety. f i class-meetings cannot 
 but assist the faith and nourisn the graces of Christians, 
 and send them forth week by week to " adorn the doctrine 
 of God our Saviour in all things." But a class-meeting 
 that is rendered irksome by cold formalities rather than 
 alluring by the beauty of holiness, will be ?ikely to retard 
 the sijiritual improvement of its members, and so tend to 
 depress instc^ad of elevating the piety of the Chiu-ch, 
 
A JOYOUS RELIGION. 
 
 83 
 
 CIIArTER III. 
 
 A JOYOUS RELIGION. 
 
 The Leader lias much infliionco in dctorniiiiln^ tlio char- 
 acter of the Cliuich's piety. Many pious people liavo 
 misrepresented religion, caricatured it even, by tlieir mo- 
 roseness. They have illustrated the notion so false and 
 pernicious, that religion is a gloomy thing, and that it 
 begets a solemnity both of spirit and denu-anour which 
 destroys much of the gladness of life. On this principle 
 the Quakers ja-oscribe music, not only in their meeting- 
 houses, but also in their homes. On the same principle 
 many ministers dress in a manner which is calculated to 
 mark them in the eyes of the people as ascetics — men who 
 may not feel the buoyant freedom of a normal human life 
 — and to make the public think that the faith which they 
 profess and teach tends to asceticism. 
 
 Now Christi \nity is not ascetic. It is the brightest and 
 most gladsome thing in the world. It is a rainbow, that 
 spans the cloud-mantled sky of our life ; a harp, that fills 
 the temple of the soul with melody ; a day star, that over 
 shineth on the path of the pilgrim. Austerity belongs not 
 to it, but gentleness and peace. Kindliness and joy are 
 its earliest and abiding fruits. It knows no dry, sterile, 
 repulsive moods ; but its boundless and perennial blissful- 
 ness is imaged by the Saviour as "a well of watei 
 springing up into everlasting life." 
 2» 
 
3i 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 '^1 
 
 If 
 
 lllii: 
 
 Moth 0(1 Is in lias Mwavs hold forth to tho world an 
 attractive and joyous ri'li<,Mon. Frotn th.o day that its 
 foundor cscapivl from tho gloom of ascoticisni, in wjiich ho 
 liad boon so long ln'ld, and folt IiIh " heart Htrangoly 
 warruod," it has discfird(!d tliat dismal oxporionco which 
 doos P'^t; go boyond ** O wrotchod man that 1 am!" and has 
 tostificd to u "joy unapcakablo and full of glory." Its 
 exultant songs and hallelujahs have rovorbcratod ov((r tho 
 world, and its pooplo have passed through lifo and through 
 death with shouting's. 
 
 Tho vast success of Methodism as nn cvangolizing 
 power has, doubtless, been largely owing to tho joyona 
 character of its piety. Its radiancy of hope, its rapture of 
 love, its triumph of faith, have won ui)on the hearts of 
 men ; and, drawn by the power of a coh^stial attraction, 
 uncounted multitudes have abandoned tho sinful pleasures 
 of tlie world for its blissful fellowship. 
 
 And this is the power of our Chinch to-day. Tho secret 
 by which it is to continue its glorious concpiests doos not 
 consist in its institutions of learning, or its costly and 
 sjjlendid temples, or rtjfined modes of worship, or a3sthetic 
 and scholarly preaching, but does consist in its experi- 
 mental religion. " The joy of the Lord is " its " strength." 
 
 Its members must continue to be able to sing the songs 
 that resounded from tho lips of the fathers and mothers 
 who have gone up to their coronation, and by wliich they 
 thrilled and moved the people in their revivals, at camp- 
 meetings and elsewhere, such as : 
 
 " Jcaus, my all in all tliou art ; 
 
 My rest in toil, my ease in pain ; 
 The med'cine of my broken heart ; 
 
 In war, my peace ; in loss, my gain ; 
 My smile beneath the tyrant's frown ; 
 In shame, my glory ami my crown. 
 
 
And— 
 
 And— 
 
 A JOYOUS RELIGION. 
 
 " In wnnt, my plentiful supply ; 
 
 In wralvDcsH, my ftliiiijL,'hty power J 
 In lionilrt, my perfuct liltorty ; 
 
 My li^'Iit, in Satan's darkent hour j 
 Inyriof, my joy unspuakaMo ; 
 My life in death, my all iu all." 
 
 ** what a hlessed hope is ours I 
 
 Whilo hero on earth we stay, 
 We more than taste the heavenly powers, 
 
 And antedate that day : 
 Wo feel the resurrection near, — 
 
 Our life in Christ eonceal'd, — 
 And with his glorious presence hero 
 
 Our earthen vessels lilltd." 
 
 "The promised land, from Pisgah's top, 
 
 I now exult to see ; 
 My hope is full (() ^jlorious hope !) 
 
 Of immortality." 
 
 as 
 
 An ex2)ericnce which was told in such words a3 
 
 " ExuUs our risinw soul, 
 
 Dishurdeu'd of her load. 
 And swells, unutterably full 
 
 Of glory and of God—" 
 
 was the charm of early Methodism, and it is the weapon hy 
 wliicli our Church is still to conquer. Hush the ecstatic 
 song, arrest the victor shout, quench the radiance of the 
 faitli-illumined eye, pull down the divinely emancipated 
 spirit from its free soarings and fasten it in the fettei-s of 
 formalism, expel the heavenly antepast from tlie thrilled 
 breast, and hut little will remain in Methodism worth 
 preserving. 
 
36 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 
 ■* tjjii, 
 
 In irinintMlnincf and promoting lliis typo of ])iv'ty tlio 
 agency ol" ('hiss liCiulorH is iiionuMiUjiis. If tifcy bu indiirer- 
 fiTit to tliiit vvliich is bi-iglit, inspiring, and hlissrul in 
 (Jhiistian oxpciienco, tliat indiffoicuico will, asHUi'cdiy, tend 
 to lower th(! spii'i^tual tcnnporature of our clasH-roonis, a'\d 
 to diiiiinisli tlu; fervour of oui" p(.M)[»l«i. Should tliey ceaso 
 to riilish and to teach a religion which consists not in 
 "nu^atand drinlc," but in " righteoasneKS, and p(^ace, and 
 joy in the Jloly < J host," and attempt to substituU; for it an 
 SL'stheiic formalism, oi a religion merely of princi[)lo, HO 
 called, much that is beautiful in our Church will vanish. 
 Our class-rooms will, in a great degrcK!, c(!aso to bo vocal 
 with insj)ircd and inspiring songs and tostimonioH, and our 
 altars will no longer bo crowded with multitudes secsking 
 this j)r(!cious faith. 
 
 As tlu; warmth of spring causes tho vorduro to spon- 
 tan(!ously cov<'r the li.jlds, and th(! trees to ])ut forth their 
 leaves, so does .i joyous religion s))i'ing forth and flourish in 
 the atmosph(!re of a class-meeting in which experimental 
 testimoni(!S are weekly given, and an (>\'p(>rimental and 
 liappy knowledge of Jesus and his salvation is insisted 
 upon by a Leader who himself abides '* under tho siiadow 
 of tin; Almighty." And as the frosty chill of tho autumn 
 wiiuls willuM's tlu) vcsrdant beauty of nature;, so will tho 
 atm(jspher(^ of a class-nuicting in which tho ecstasies of an 
 exi)erim(!ntal salvation ar(! repressed aim. btiiled sear tho 
 lov(!liest (lowers of grace. 
 
 There; is no doubt but that individuals may live joyous 
 Christian lives without tlu; class-meeting, but that that 
 general and pervasive rciligious joyousness which has char- 
 acterized the Methodist (Jhurch foi moro than a century, and 
 which is still its strength, can bo maintaintjd without s[)iritual 
 Class Leaders and class-nioctings, 1 think is veiy doubtful. 
 
A JOYOUS RELIGION. 
 
 87 
 
 And iifl tho Loaders cliitflly ^'ivo tone to llio class mooiliigR, 
 BO must tiicy tlioniliy lar^'cly sljajx! tlu5 (Icvoiional H|)iiit of 
 tlio Climcli, and dtiUuMniiio, in a groat dcgroo, its aLtrac- 
 tivoness to tlioso wlio nva without. 
 
 A lady wlio Ixscanic intcrostod in Mctliodisrn 11n-(>M,L,di a 
 friond dctcu-niined to know nioro of the (Miurdi to wliicli 
 her friend Ixdonged, and so " Hiie went to a class nutating, 
 ■which she liad dr(iad(!d as a sort of confc^ssional." She tlius 
 de8cril)es its joyful cliaracter and its infhuMicc; upon liei- : — 
 
 " it was a small class of some seven or eigiit ladies, with 
 tlio ])iist()r ill (;hargo for a Jjcader. After solemn and 
 imjti'(!ssive j»i'ay(^r lu; rose and s^oao to tlio puj'})ort that the 
 Lord still was with him. and Ik; felt his jn-esence a blessing 
 and an honour ; and ho hoped tluiy wonld all aid him in 
 his prayeis to make his heart a tit temple for the indwelling 
 of tlics Holy Spirit. 
 
 " The n(ixt that rose vas a lady in the prime of liO', hut 
 tho cheek was fun-owed, and the onco jetty tresses wito 
 gl(!amin<^ with tin; silv(!r threads of ])remature i\<^(\ Soii'ow 
 had left its im]»ress, friend after fri(M)d ii.id pusscd away, 
 and oth(>rs had liiii^ei'e' hy her side only to wound where 
 they should have soothed ; been a cui\s(! wiier(! they should 
 have l)(u 11 a hl<;ssinj^. And ther(^ she stood, calndy telling 
 us it was for a wise; purpose if human ends were defeated 
 and hujuaii Ik, pes hliglitiid, aiKl, warming with i\u^ sul>ject, 
 1k!)- f u;(! shone with the pc^ace that passoth all understantling, 
 and 1 felt it was good to ]>v. Iher'-, 
 
 "AiK)th(!r sj)ok(! of the douht^s and fears hesetiin;^' hei* 
 }3athway, and of tho prayers and sti'cngth nicpiiicd to over- 
 conui tlKfm. 
 
 '' Another one, burdened with the weight of years, whoso 
 footsteps were fast tending to tho dark valley, s]»oke of hor 
 
1 
 
 m 
 
 
 i iitii 
 
 I, 
 
 38 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 willingness to go when called ; she was calmly waiting the 
 summons ; but if it was tho will of her Master that sho 
 should still linger on this side of eternity, and even he 
 deprived of friends or home, of everything but lier pros- 
 pect of heaven, she would still be content. 
 
 "Another pictured the glories of the heaven she was 
 striving for, and she, +00, was willing to take up the cross 
 for this life-time, that she might wear the crown of tho 
 redeemed. 
 
 " The beloved pastor asked mo in an earnest, tender 
 voice if I were striving for the joys of that better land. 
 I was, but O how utterly insignificant were all the promises, 
 the prayers, the strivings 1 had ever been engaged in ! how 
 unworthy had I been of all that I had ever received ! But 
 never was God so manifest to my soul as in this my first 
 class-meeting. So much love and reverence for the great 
 Giver ; so much sympathy for each other ; hearts were 
 softened and tears of penitence flowed freely, 
 
 " I had bowed my head in many a sanctuary where the 
 lofty si)ire pointed heavenward, where the light streamed 
 in through stained-glass windows, and where the deep-toned 
 . organ's notes fell in prolonged vibrations on my ear : but 
 never did I so feel God's presence shining in our midst. 
 If we could so feel it here, how must it be in heaven. I 
 did not wonder how they who thus meet once in each 
 week could so well understand Divine teachings. It is 
 almost needless to say, my aversion to class-meetings was 
 overcome, and now, as I look back through the dim vista 
 of years, I feel its influence still, and have never regretted 
 I J ; the hour it led me to add my name to its list." 
 
 How may the Leader make his class-room exercises best 
 |;;i promotive of a rich and happy Christian experience] is 
 
 I 
 
A JOYOUS RELIGION. 
 
 89 
 
 an interesting and weighty question. I think I cannot 
 better answer it than by giving the pleasant words of a 
 Class Leader wliosc experience in this office extends over 
 more than a quarter of a century ; together with the views 
 of a veteran preacher who has given nearly threescore years 
 to ministerial service. The Leader writes : — 
 
 " We love each other as classmates. When we meet on 
 the street we have a kind word for each other. We take 
 an interest in all, rich or poor, old or young. We never 
 discriminate between any, but in the class-room we meet as 
 a family — as one band of brothers and sisters in Christ the 
 Lord. And we never have dry class-meetings, but we have 
 pleasant, profitable, spiritual heavenly waitings before the 
 Lord .... In presenting to the weaker or younger members 
 the higher Christian life, I always do it in the most winning 
 way ; kindly, gently leading : helping, not driving, nor belit- 
 tling the mosb ordinary attainments. I have the assurance 
 that my class love me, and they knov^ that I love them ; and 
 so ^/e are going on by the grace of God, (the Holy Spirit 
 helping our imperfections,) from grace to grace, and from 
 glory to glory." 
 
 In :iu-;h a class-room as that here described piety must 
 thrive, and the most beautiful and joyous features of the 
 Christian lite find development. It is not surprising that 
 there is a larsje avera»je attendance of the members of that 
 class throughout the year, for such inspiring and helpful 
 class-meetings must always be attractive. It is not singular, 
 either, thai this licader has a high appreciation of the 
 importance of <he class-meeting to the Chvu'ch, and that he 
 should write, as he does, " I love class-meetings. I believe 
 they are th*^ backbone of our beloved Methodism," 
 
 The venerable Dr. Brunson, who during a ministry ot 
 
■Ill 
 
 i^ 
 
 Ml 
 
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 ■ I 
 
 I 'I 
 
 (1; 
 
 nil! I 
 
 40 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 fiftj-nine years, liJis made, as he says, class-meetings "a 
 specialty, and almost a sine qua non,^' writes : — 
 
 " Without class-meetings it is next to impossible to keep 
 young converts alive in religion, or for oL'.or profea crs to 
 grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. '*ufc to 
 render them useful, spiritual, and lively, tho Leader must 
 be in the spirit. Tho leader of an army, to bo ; successful, 
 must infuse his own spirit into his soldiers. Tlie Preacher 
 or Leader who would sav others must bimsf^lf bo saved. 
 A lifeless hoaJl can never have a lively body." 
 
 In regard to t]io metliod of best promoting a joyous 
 religious life in the class-room Dr. Brunson's w rds are 
 pertinent and weighty. He says: "After two or f'lroe 
 have spoken, sing a single appropriate verse, and sing, not 
 witli artistic skill, but with spirit, life and power. I never 
 liked long talks in a Leader, unless they were specially/ 
 spiritual and powerful. I never liked loud, boisterous 
 harangues, nor cold and formal set words uttered in a 
 whisper. The conversational style, unless of a very earnest 
 character, is not so apt to bo spiritual as the declamatory. 
 I like to see earnestness, tears, and some agitation of the 
 frame, as if the soul within was moving, and to hoar a good 
 hearty amen or glory. But, unless in very extraordinary 
 cases or blessings, I prefer not loud shoutings. Never drag 
 these meetings to heaviness, dulness, or deadness ; let 
 them end with animation — with a rising feeling; each 
 apparently hungering and thirsting for more. In such case 
 all will feel anxious to return to obtain more of like 
 precious food.^ 
 
 i-v 
 
 _L^^ 
 
MUTUAL EDIFICATION, 
 
 41 
 
 .1 I 
 
 ciiArTER ly. 
 
 n 
 
 MUTUAL EDIFx'CATION. 
 
 One of tlie purposes for wliicli the Cliurcli exists is, that 
 its members may give and receive help in their Christian 
 life and warfare. They stand side by side, mutally encour- 
 aging and supporting each other. This is not only their 
 privilege, but their imperative duty. They are Divi "^y 
 enjoined to help one another. " Wherefore comfort ^ar- 
 selves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." 
 
 This language of St. Paul is good authority for the class- 
 meeting : for that is simply a means by which the end 
 which he proposes is secured. It is a regular and very 
 available method for mutual comforting and edifying. It 
 makes this the specific work once at least, each week, of 
 the members of the Church. 
 
 This end may be reached in private gatherings of 
 Christians, and by the social intercourse which they will 
 maintain incidentally ; but such methods do not fall directly 
 under the care of the Church, and are intermittent and 
 desultory. Our Church has provided in the class-meeting 
 a systematic and formal mode of fulfilling the law of 
 edification. 
 
 '• Christian fellowship cannot be earned on to any con- 
 siderable advantage without stated times of assembling. 
 The meetings held for this purpose must have a name to 
 distinguish them. We call ours class -meetings. Here we 
 
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 43 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 must notico that it is the thing itself. Christian fullowsliip, 
 and not the namo, which we contend for."* 
 
 Men arc greatly aflected by the influences which act upon 
 them. " Evil communications," says the a]iosile, "corrupt 
 good manners ;" and Solomon says, '* He that walketh with 
 wise men shall be wise." Companionship — mind acting on 
 mind and soul communing with soul — has in all ages been 
 recognized as one of the most eflTecuve means of forming 
 character, whether good or bad. 
 
 The eflect of one mind upon another is often seen in 
 assemblies where, by the power of the speaker, hundreds 
 are at once moved involuntarily to smile or to weep. The 
 same thing is very frequently witnessed in social circles, 
 where peals of laughter ring responsively to the facetious 
 remark or jest, and sadness and tears show the eflect of 
 painful allusions or the recital of touching narratives. 
 
 Christianity recognizes this social power and provides for 
 its exercise. It calls upon its disclploo to minister to each 
 other by admonition, by comforting, by bulluing up, by 
 restoring when any have fallen, and by inspiring one 
 another by the singing of " psalms and hymn? and spiritual 
 songs." It requires the maintenance of godly companion- 
 ship by believers "forsaking not the assembling of" them- 
 selves " together." 
 
 In this the great power and usefulness of the class- 
 meeting largely consist. The institution means Christian 
 companionship, fellowship, sympathy, and brotherly help- 
 fulness. It means that believers shall "comfort and edify 
 one another." 
 
 To edify means, literally, to build up. Charles Wesley 
 expresses it in the lines, 
 
 •Coke and Asbury. Notes on Discipline, 
 
MUTUAL EDinCATION. 43 
 
 " Help us to Imiltl -^ach other up, 
 Our little stock to improve ;' 
 
 and it sliould be the care of tlie Leader to make the class- 
 meeting as ellieiont as i)ossible in doing ilua work. 
 
 He should remember that it is not his office to edify the 
 persons composing the meeting by his own exercises only, 
 but also to draw out the thoughts and feelings of all in 
 such a manner as that each shall contributt sometliins: to 
 the edilication of the rest. How this may bv lone is shown 
 by the method employed by a success! ul Lemuel in oonducting 
 Lis class-meeting. He says : — 
 
 " Wi oi)en with singing and prayer, t'uen i>)ad t portion 
 of >Scripture suited to the gen-jial state ti the class, and 
 sometimes make a few remarks ; sometimes not. A verse 
 is sung, and one of the older ones is then asked to apeak. 
 Aftei this the s])eaking is from old or young, as the case 
 may suit. .1 have one experience meet another ; one clasa 
 of thought offset another, and in this way the members 
 instruct, edify and electrify each other. A verse is now 
 and tlien sung applicable to the last experience, the Leader 
 encouraging or helping with a vei'se read or quoted from 
 memory. Sometimes in the middle of the exercises we 
 liave a short, fervent prayer. The object aimed at, and 
 generally accomplished, is to let an old member's experience 
 balance a young member's ; a somewhat methodic style is 
 met by a fervent one ; and an experience of a person very 
 much cast down or depressed is met by a happy, trium})hant 
 one. Of course all this implies a very complete knowledge 
 by the Leader of the peculiar temperament of each member 
 of his class." 
 
 ] t is necessary, also, that the Leader have special regard 
 to .he spirit of the meeting. If it be too formal, and the 
 
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 '1 
 
 1' 
 
 <ti 
 
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 < 
 
 1 '. 
 
 u 
 
 •-' 
 
 I 'bilii 
 
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 44 
 
 THE CLASS LEADEIl. 
 
 moni1)crs RufTur a feeling of restraint, tiicro will be littlo 
 edifying. There mnst bo freedom, a genial wanntli, a 
 sweet blending of si)irit, a rising and flow of synii>athetic 
 feeling, or the full measure of good will not be secured. 
 
 It is of great import aico, therefore, that the Leader 
 himself enter the class-room in a suitable frame of mind. 
 His spirit should be attuned to the situation. He should 
 bo absorbed in the thoughts and feelings that befit the hour. 
 Thus hri will give tone to the meeting, and his influence 
 will be electric, dissipating the indiflt'rcnco and dulncss of 
 other minds, and imparting animation and freedom to the 
 whole service. 
 
 On this important point a Leader of long experience 
 says " I have always found that to profit a class, and to 
 keep a class alive in attendance and spirituality, it was 
 necessnry myself to go to the class-room from the closet, 
 full of faith and love ; to carry the holy unction into the 
 class-room ; to commence at the time ; to read a few verses 
 of selected Scri])ture ; to select a hymn of sj)irit and life ; 
 to read two or three verses at most and sing ; then to pray, 
 or call on some brother to lead in prayer, short, direct, 
 and pointed. Then, after singing, rise, and in as few 
 words as possible enter into the sjjirit of the meeting, 
 avoiding a lengtiiy experience of my own — to say as little 
 as possible a])out self — and insist that every member enter 
 into t)io work of faith and of devotional exercise ; never 
 say many words in reply to any experience ; if the class is 
 LirgG &i\y nothing to most of the members, especially to 
 audi as are old and experienced," 
 
 Another, who was a Leader many years, writes : " If the 
 Leader is not aw^ake the members are a})t to get stereotyped, 
 and tji.cn comes a sameness and indefiniteness in their 
 experience, and then follows decline and spiritual death. 
 
 u. 
 
MUTUAL EDIFICATION. 45 
 
 Tlio claRS-TncotIn<?, wlion conducted by a tliouglitful, cliecrftil, 
 and intelligent Leader is a most blessed means of grace." 
 
 Thus the Leader, by approacliing his weekly service in a 
 befitting frame of mind, and by direct, pitliy and fervent 
 exercises at the opening, adjusting the meeting to its 
 intended object, places the members present in a position to 
 comfort and edify one another. By suitable remarks and 
 advices, brief and stirring, during the progress of tho 
 meeting, he may still further promote this object. 
 
 The pertinence and brevity which the Leader observes 
 in his exercises should be imitated l)y the members. Tho 
 design of s])eaking in class is not to exhibit oratorical gifts, 
 or to utter an harangue, but to edify. Long, cold, formal 
 speeches are rarely adai)ted to such a purpose. A set form 
 of words soon becomes distasteful. Frtishness, point, life, 
 unction, brevity, are the chief requisites of good class- 
 meeting sy)eaking. Prosy, long, in'elevant addresses, are 
 not admissible, because they are not edifying. And without 
 edification the class-meeting becomes worthless. 
 
 Some of those loquacious speakers who destroy the good 
 feeling of the class-room by their tedioas speeches, were 
 probably in the mind of the pastor who, when a female 
 member of his church was comi)laining to him that her 
 inability to express her fpclings deterred her from going to 
 the class-meeting, said, " Well, sister, don't be discouraged 
 by this, for some can express all tlicy feel, and a great deal 
 more." 
 
 It is a delicate thing for a Leader to reprove a member 
 for lengthened and desultory speaking, and it sometimes is 
 a perplexing question how to best treat such cases. A 
 gentle suggestion in private may sometimes do the work. 
 If it be necessary to bring them under discipline in the 
 
^1: 
 
 li 
 
 fi 
 
 46 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 cl.'iHS-room to prevoiit harm to tlio meeting, t]ui method of 
 IVIr. WoIlT, wliicli has proved (-ffiwient in his hands, may be 
 found useful. He says, ** We have some who wish from 
 time to time to h.-cturo tlie chiss or the Church. We 
 i I head olf sucli hy reading a verse or two suited to his or her 
 
 case, or ask tlu.m to lead in pray»'r, and it always cures 
 them. All this is done in great kindness — never using 
 liarsh means in word or deed." 
 
 Variety in the exercises of the class-mooting is an 
 edifying feature. The comi)()sition of the class itself oftisn 
 secures this in a good degree. There are the old, the 
 young, and the middle aged ; the male and female ; the 
 man of leisure and the man of toil ; the cultured and the 
 illiterate ; the ardent nature and the stoical ; those who 
 are exulting in victory and those who are wrestling with 
 th(! tempter. In such a mi'oting there nu^«D be much 
 variety in the remarks if the meml)ers speak from their 
 experience, and in such variety there will 'generally be 
 a word in season for all present. 
 
 In view of the need of variety in the experiences related, 
 a class ought never to be composed of one sex, nor of one 
 class of persons, exckisi^ ely. For years, as pastor, 1 led 
 we(!k-day afternoon classes of women, and I always found 
 them the most unsatisfactory because of this lack of 
 variety. A Western Leader writes on this point as follows : 
 " Have no droning in singing — better have none. Always 
 manage to have several female voices. The driest class- 
 meeting I ever attended was in Methodist Church in 
 
 , one Sunday morning in May, 1872. There were 
 
 present about twenty men and not one woman — and such 
 singing ! The atmosphere was warm on the street, but it 
 ■was exceedingly cool in the class-room." 
 
 >il 
 
MUTUAL EDIFICATION. 
 
 47 
 
 TTone ahouM sliiink from spoaking in class, because to 
 edify is a j)rivilt'go, and tlio hmubloat and tlie focblost may 
 say somo word wliicli, Hi)ok(;n from tho heart, shall go to 
 other hoarts, and prove an insjjiration and a joy. Tho 
 faintost uttorancti, a single scntunco, may do this work. 
 And surely ono who loves Ciu'ist can speak a word for him 
 and for the comfort of his disciples. 
 
 8till, many stay away from the classroom because they 
 are not willing to aj jak. They should go, even if they do 
 not say anything, that they may be edified in hearing 
 others. Their presence alone would be a help to some of 
 their fellow members, though their lips were scaled. It 
 would demonstrate their interest in spiritual things, and 
 their sympathy with those who are striving to be holy. 
 
 It is n'lated of a venerable minister who attended a 
 cam])-mGeting near the city of Oiarlcston, that though he 
 was so deaf he could not hear a word of the preaching, yet 
 he went regularly, and seated himself in the stand each 
 time a sermon was delivered. His brother, the distinguished 
 Rev. Dr. Lovick Pierce, said to him : — 
 
 " Brother, why do you weary yourself going to the stand 
 every time, seeing that you cannot understand a word ]" 
 
 " I go to fill my place, as every one ought," was his 
 emphatic reply. 
 
 And so, if some of our people cannot or will not speak 
 in class-meeting, they ought at least to go and fill their 
 2)lace in the class-room, and thus be edified themselves, 
 and by their presence edify others. 
 
 When Church-members are unwilling to speak, and yet 
 are ready to attend class if they can be excused from 
 speaking, I think the course of the Leader is plain. 
 Speaking should be left to their option. 
 
 
 m 
 
48 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 t. 
 
 i 
 
 «^ 
 
 'I 
 
 li 
 
 Tlio cftso of inanv hucIi monil)ora iH w«>ll stated in a lottrr 
 I liiivo received from a lady in lirooklyii in re;,'arJ ) this 
 matter. Slio RayH : **lf tho cuHtom of re(iuirin^ every 
 one to speak, wliether tlioy liavo anything to say or not, 
 couhl 1)0 ^'hanjnfod, leaving it optional to speak or listen only 
 to others' experience, I think from observation and the 
 exi)erience of fil'ty-five years' membership, that it would bo 
 one of tho most [deasant and prolltablo meetings that could 
 possibly be held. Tho [jresent form keeps many good 
 people from joining us, and causes others to leave. 
 
 " Persons wishing to join our Church have objected to 
 mo that our members were required to meet once a week 
 and make a speech, saying they were sure they could not 
 do that, and that tho thought of it was giving them 
 trouble. I have endeavoured to answer those ol»j('ctions by 
 saying, they were not expected to make a speech, only to 
 answer any questions tluit might be put to them ; or, if 
 requested to speak of the state of their mind, and if they 
 did not think they could relate anything that would be 
 edil'ying to others, they could just say that and nothing 
 more. 
 
 " T se it is liardly possible for you strong men to 
 
 Tc ij dilliculty wo weaker vessels find, sometimes, in 
 
 c. ,»sing ourselves before others. There are many pious, 
 intelligent persons who, from a natural d"ilidence, cannot 
 Bpeak freely in a social gathering of a dozen or twenty 
 peo})lo on common subjects with which they are familiar : 
 how much more dillicult to speak of the deep experiences 
 of tho lieart 1" 
 
RECLAIMING WANDEIIERS. 
 
 40 
 
 RECLAIMING WANDERERS. 
 
 ** Do you know," said a Christian Sabhatli-scliool toaclior 
 
 to a fiieml, *' tiiut , wlio is a nienibor of my Siinday- 
 
 Bclioul class, lias bcoumo very wicked, and is throwing 
 himself away ]" 
 
 " Has his Class Leader visited him T was the reply. 
 
 " I inquired of him," said the teacher, " and ho said 
 that his Leader had nut visited him and ho was glad h i 
 hac. nob." 
 
 " How many arc lost," remarked the other, " hccause 
 their Class Leaders do not visit them !'* 
 
 " That recalls mv own case," said the teacher. " Onco 
 my employer oirendod me, and I gave way to anger, felt 
 condemned, and did not go to class that week, and 
 concluded not to go any more. On the next Sunday, while 
 in church, I rolloctetl on what my Leader had said, .and 
 concluded to go to class again, and did go, and this day I 
 am holding fast, and shall ever thank Cod that my Leader 
 visited me." 
 
 A Class Leader, in looking over his class-hook, found 
 that one of his members had been absent from olass- 
 meetinur four times. It was his habit to visit a member 
 'vho had ])een absent two successive weeks, and sometimes, 
 if absent but once. This case he had forgotten, but now 
 hastened to see the dcliu(iuont. The man fiankly acknow 
 
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 O 
 
 •»! 
 
 CHArTER V. 
 
 :vl' 
 
I 50 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 ledger!, after his Leader had afFectionately conversed with 
 
 him, that he had neglected his duties, burst into tears, 
 
 and said that ho had never had religion. Tlie next day 
 
 |: the Leader again visited him, talked and w ont with liim, 
 
 and left a suitable book for him to read. The next class 
 
 night ne called by appointment for him, and took him to 
 
 11 f I the class-meeting. The wanderer obtained an exi)erience of 
 
 grace, continued to attend the class, and remained steadfast 
 in the faith. 
 
 The late Rev. Tobias Spicer, long an able minister of the 
 I Gospel, related the following incident in his own histoiy : — 
 
 " When young in Christian experience, and somewhat 
 ignorant of Satan's devices, I became much grieved with a 
 member of the Church by whom I supposed I liad been 
 injured. Under afflicted feelings I stayed away one 
 Sabbath from church and from class, and had well-nigh 
 ' come to the conclusion to have nothing more to do with the 
 
 Church. 
 
 " But the Leader missed me, and the next day came 
 
 to see me. He spoke kinds words, calling me brother, 
 
 i||||;jj- telling me he had feared I was sick, as I was not at church 
 
 the day before. He showed himself an affectionate friend, 
 1 and made some explanation as to the matter of grievance. 
 
 This affectionate care and kind attention of the Leader 
 broke the snare of the tempter, convinced me that I had 
 got among the right kind of Christians, whose economy 
 V, as well calculated to help the feeble and build them uj) in 
 their most holy faith. Although more than forty years 
 have since passed, i look back to tins event with much 
 gratitude to God and my faithful Leador. Blessed man 1 
 I believe he is now in heaven." 
 
 Fidelity in visiting and restoring the erring members of 
 
 M tei'"^ I ' 
 

 RECLAIMING WANDERERS. 61. ' 
 
 his flock is one of the highest excellencea of a Class Leader. %m 
 
 The above examples show the vast importance and the 'j!f 
 
 blessed results of such service. " "^ather Reeves," who ■ i^ 
 
 was probably one of the most useful Leaders in English ii^, 
 
 Methodism, ^vas a most lubourious visitor. " Taking his 
 class-books from 1825 to 1852, neai.y thirteen thousand 
 visits may bo traced — an average of four hundred and fifty 
 a year ; and during the last live years they averaged six 
 hundred and fifty a year. These arc exclusively to his 
 classes — to those detained by sickness, business, or temp- 
 tation." "A poor woman, who with her husband met in 
 Father llceves' class, writes : * If we have been absent 
 from the class through illness, he has been sure to call the 
 next morning befor« nine o'clock.' " * 
 
 Many persons enter the Church under serious disadvan- 
 tages. They ha^'e been devoted to sinful follies, and even 
 addicted to proiligate vices. But in a powerful revival thoy 
 have been suddenly converted. They intend to lead a new 
 life, but old habits strive to regain theii wonted mastery. 
 Old associatea also are tlieir tempters. Inexperienced, unin- 
 structed, they have to battle witli cunning and powerful 
 foes. It is not surprising, iherefore, though it is sad, 
 that they should stumble, and even fall. 
 
 But should they be given up 1 By no means. Dreadful 
 as w;as the fall of the king and psalmist of Israel, " the 
 TiOrd sent x'^athan to David." The hand of sympathy 
 timely extended, the loving word, the pitiful tear, may 
 break the spell of temptation, awaken contrition, and lead 
 to renewed and more constant efforts for a better life. To 
 neglect them is to let them perish, They need help both 
 to rise and to stand. The Church should watch and nurse 
 
 ^Father Heeves : Methodist Ukss Leader. Nelson Sn Phillips, 
 
<■■ III 
 
 52 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 ■,i:' 
 
 III 
 
 'i 
 
 
 them like a mother her infant. It should keep them 
 surrounded with an atmosphere of love, and hold them to 
 the right by its personal and sacred ministries. 
 
 Many, also, who enter the Church in our revivals are 
 young, volatile, easily influenced by circumstances, accus- 
 tomed to the sway of impulse, and therefore very likely at 
 first to be unsteady in their movements in the path of life. 
 They must be trained to stability and consistency of Chris- 
 tian chnractcr. Thoy will not have the firmness and steadi- 
 ness of old Christians at once. If they stumble, pains must 
 be taken to help them to regain their footing ; and if they 
 wand(?r, they should be followed by ycnirning sympatliies, 
 tender remonstrances, loving ai)peals, and fervent prayers, 
 until they are induced to return. By such means how 
 many might be happily saved who now are hopelessly lost ! 
 
 The duty of restoring the wanderers from his class 
 devolves chiefly upon the Leader. Of course the pastor 
 has a res2)onsibility in such cases ; but so intimate is the 
 relation of a Leader to the members of his class, that 
 no one, not even the pastor, can fill his \AacQ. Ho should 
 be the good she})herd ever ready to leave the ninety and 
 nine sheep that are stife in the told, and, with deep 
 solicitude and unyielding ]:)ersistence, seek the one that is 
 lost in the wilderness. 
 
 To do this he must see them cdone. He must make 
 them feel, by liis personal atteiition, that they are on his 
 heart. Tin's will greatly strengthen his influence over them, 
 and make them receptive of his appeals. Such faithful 
 and kindly eflbrts will seldom prove vain. 
 
 Going after the lost is Christ-like. He said, " I came 
 not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." " The 
 Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was 
 
RECLAIMING WANDERERS. 53 
 
 lost." And a Class Leader can find no liiglipr or more 
 blessed employment than that of imitating the "Master by 
 personally seeking those who are thus running to their 
 ruin. 
 
 lie is under sacred obligations to do thi.^. TTe has 
 accepted the care of souls. A class has been committPfl to 
 his charge containing persons who are weak, w.iyward, 
 impulsiv^e, tempted, and who, if instructed, encouraged, 
 and reclaimed from their errors and stumbliu'^s by his 
 faithful and sympathizing ministry, may be saved to Christ 
 and to heaven, but who. if he neglect them, will probably 
 strav to destruction. lie cannot treat their absence from 
 the class-room, and their aberrations and lapses, with 
 ifidilFerence, and be faithful to his conscience and to their 
 souls. He must seek the"^ and find them, and not give 
 them up until he has exhausted his resources of invention 
 and persuasion to bring them back. Ho must seek them 
 at their homes, or wheresoever he can. best get access to 
 them, and thi'ow about them the safeguard of his watch- 
 care. 
 
 It frequently happens that class-members are so situated 
 that a Leader can rarely obtain interviews with them 
 for private religious conversation. Many dwell in boarding 
 houses, and work in establishments where they are con- 
 stantly surrounded by fellow-workmen. In the case of 
 many who live in their own homes it is difficult for their 
 Leader to see them apart from the family, so as to be able 
 without restraint to say the things that are in his heart. 
 Even in such cases he should not fail to visit them often 
 enough to show them his interest and sympathy which 
 only his presence can fully reveal, but his admonitions and 
 appeals can, perhaps, be best conveyed by another method. 
 
, ■ I 
 i t 
 
 f 
 
 I"' 
 
 1 
 
 64 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 The affectionate epistle will often admirably meet such 
 casos. 
 
 It is related of an Episcopal clergymnn who was ia 
 charge of a large congregation in riiiladel[»ln'a, that, 
 though he was very laborious in pastoral visitation, he yet 
 found it impossible to perform all the personal ministra- 
 tions which his solicitude for the spiritual good of his 
 people prompted him to do. He, rhercfore, as parishioners 
 came to liis knowledge requiring admonition or exj)ostu- 
 lation, wrote pastoral letters to them, expressing his deep 
 concern for them and his wish to do them good, and 
 conveying such counsels and appeals as he thought to be 
 necessary. By this means he promptly reached such as 
 needed the timely word of admonition or counsel. 
 
 The Leaders of Methodism may profit by this example. 
 They can secure the attention and interest of delinquent 
 members by sending them suitable epistles, if in no other 
 way. This practice, too, has sacred authority. St. i*aul 
 wrote to those who needed his interposition as their spiritual 
 guide when he could not commtinicate with them otherwise. 
 So also did St. Peter, St. John, and other of the first 
 teachers of the Church. So did Wesley, our founder, and 
 Summerfie) '., our mopt eloquent preacher. Some of the 
 most useful Leaders, such as Carvosso and Father Reeves, 
 have done the same. Christian letter-writing has been an 
 effective means in many hands in turning the sinner from 
 the error of his way, and encouragmg believers in the 
 work of righteousness. It is a method of doing good, 
 which, in cases where it is appropriate, may be very use- 
 fully employed by discreet and faithful Class Leaders. 
 
 The Leader should also employ his members in restoring 
 and helping one another. It will often prove an effectual 
 
RECLAIMING WANDERERS. 55 
 
 way o. reaching absentees and wanderers to depute snitablo 
 pei-aons belonging to the class to see them, and try to 
 influence them to return. How successful such efforts may 
 prove is shown in the following fact, which was printed 
 many years ago in one of our Church papers : — 
 
 There was a man, a conspicuous Church-momber, who, 
 though blameless in life, could not be induced to attend 
 class-meeting. One day a follow-membcr of his class asked 
 him if he knew that he was a stumbling-block in the 
 Church'? He replied that he did not, and that he would 
 not be for the world. He was then told that his absence 
 from class was a cause of di3tress to many of his weaker 
 brethren. They did not see how he could occupy so prom- 
 inent a place in the Church, when, by his example, ho aimed 
 a blow at one of her most vital institutions. In a Christian 
 spirit the reproved member re])lied, that if such were tho 
 case he would neglect the class-meeting no longer. He went, 
 acknowledged it to be a heavenly place in Christ Jesus, and 
 continued to be a regular attendant. 
 
 Such fidelity shown toward each other by class membera 
 must be very useful in maintaining the spirituality and 
 constancy of the membership : and while the Leadci- 
 should never try to lay his responsibilty upon others, he 
 may wisely and profitably employ the co-operation of his 
 members in looking after such as need to be helped in their 
 spiritual struggles, or recovei^ed from their aberrations and 
 backslidings. 
 
 Some classes have had Assistur.t Leaders who divided 
 with the Leader the work of caruig for the class. Such 
 Assistants can often meet calls from those who re<|iiire 
 attention to Avhieli the Leader may not be able to respond. 
 Ono who has had a long exp.ricnce as Leader says : " We 
 
66 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 shoTild have assistant loaders or class stewards, wliose duty 
 it should bo, in unison with the regular Leader, to visit 
 every absentee, sick or well, and kindly induce them, by 
 every laudable incentive, to attend steadily these blessed 
 services of spiritual comn^union." 
 
 Every class in which there are many female members 
 ought to have a lady assistant. Her services would be 
 useful in various ways among those of her own sex whom 
 the Leader often finds difficult to approach. She could see 
 absent females and bring them again to the class-room, who, 
 without her interposition, might finally wander from the 
 Church. 
 
 The English Methodists employ women largely as Leadeiu. 
 ]\Ir. Farnell writes : " I should say there is not a circuit 
 in England without them. We had four in the church I 
 came from, and very excellent Leadei-s. Some of them 
 
 were of large classes of females When I came to the 
 
 United States I was surprised to find there were no female 
 Leaders. Whenever females take anything in hand they 
 do it with a will." 
 
 It probably is often the case that the delicacy of a 
 Leader restrains him from following up absentees as he 
 should. He suspects that the reason for their absence may 
 be that they do not altogether like him personally, or his 
 manner of conducting the class. He therefore hesitates to 
 press them to attend. He feels that he must be modest in 
 pursuing them from week to week, as they absent them- 
 selves from the class-room, lest he should be thought too 
 importunate in his endeavors to secure their attendance at a 
 meeting in which he presides. Thus many Leaders, -who have 
 mourned and prayed in secret over their absent members, 
 
RECLAIMING WANDERERS. 
 
 57 
 
 have been prevented from using such vigorous and persistent 
 efforts as were necessary to bring tJiem to tljo class-meeting. 
 Assistant Leaders, whetlier male or female, would bo of 
 the highest service in such exigences. They would not bo 
 restrained by modesty from pressing with frequency and 
 energy the duty of class attendance upon such members as 
 neglected it. Such assistants, too, might profitably assist in 
 conducting the class-meeting, and in the necessary absence 
 of the Leader Uike liis place in the class-room. 
 
 • ^•» • 
 
08 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER, 
 
 CllArTER VL 
 
 THE STRANGER. 
 
 In this coiintrj tho people are migratory, Tlils is so 
 espuciully in t)ur larger towns and cities. In most urban 
 
 coniinunities there is a ceaseless outflowing and inllowing of 
 
 population. 
 
 Very many are lost to our Church by removal through 
 their neglect to take with them certiticates of membership, 
 or from their failure to connect themselves with the Church 
 where they tix their new residence. This is one reason why 
 the ai)parent gain of members from our yearly probation 
 ranks is no larger. If all the Methodists who chanire 
 the i)lace of their abode could be prom])t]y introduced into 
 the Church where they locate, nuich of the fruit of arduous 
 toil and prayer would be preserved which is now lost to 
 the cause of God. 
 
 When a Church-member settles in a town as a resident, and 
 is unac(\uainted with any one, there comes over his feelings 
 an irresistible sense of strangeness and loneliness. The place 
 is strange ; each form and countenance he meets on the street 
 or sees in the church is strange. Gentleness and intelli- 
 gence may beam from the stranger eyes tbat glance upon 
 him, but there is no gleam of friendly recognition. No 
 loving " IIow are you ? I am glad to see you," thrills his 
 ear. Images of dear ones far away throng in the temple 
 of his thoughts ; memories of fond companionships and 
 holy communings flit through his mind, like breathings 
 
THE STRANGER. 
 
 59 
 
 from a bettor sphere ; the mclodios of the distant class- 
 room and clmrcli float on his ear until he " hears the aon<;3 
 of other days;" familiar voices, soft and sweet, echo around 
 him ; but he w«kes to feel that they are only echoes, and 
 his deli^htfid reverie dissolves into the cold rc'ality of 
 aljsence IVom home. 
 
 The ellcct of this trying experience of the Christian 
 stranger is sometimes to lead him to make himself known 
 to the Church and to form the acipiaintance of its mem- 
 bers. It frefpiently, however, drives him to seclusion. 
 Ditlidfuce and his solitary feelings hold him aloof, and ho 
 fancies that the people of the church lie hai)pens to 
 attend are distant in their bearing toward him, and that 
 any notice he receives is cold and critical, rather than 
 sympathetic. lie, perhaps, is thrown into contact with 
 worldly persons, or those of another denomination, whose 
 cordiality wins his interest, and whose attentions attract 
 him to other })aths ; and so his sense of alienation from the 
 Church of his choice deepens, and most likely an experience 
 of religion that was bright and hojieful becomes shaded by 
 an isolation that darkens into worldliness. 
 
 To care for the stranger is one of the most delicate and 
 important duties of the Church. " I was a stranger, and 
 ye took me in," is the encomium which the Master will 
 j>ronounce upon many a saint when he passes into the 
 enjoyment of his eternal reward ; and " I was a stranger, 
 and ye took me not in," will be the words that shall fix 
 the doom of many a neglecter of Christ's disciples. 
 
 The class-meeting has an admirable adaptation to a 
 Christian stranger's needs, in that it affords him a ready 
 means of making himself known to and forming the 
 acquaintance of earnest Christians, and of securing at once 
 
CO 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 : 
 
 m 
 
 .lit 
 
 tlie boncfits of a fervid, siiintly communion. Many strnnjLjpra 
 have there speedily fouiul an aHyhnii from their exih;, and 
 luive tliero fcdt the timely chisp of a brother's hand relieve 
 their dreary sense of solitade. 
 
 'J'he members of classes can do much for the stranger by 
 fraternal salutations, l)y inviting him to the class-room, 
 and making liim feel that they enjoy his presence there, 
 ;iud by manifesting Hymi)athy for him in his trial in being 
 sundered from those with whom he " took sweet counsel, 
 and walked to tla^ liouse of God in company." Delicate 
 little attentions have an almost magical elVect frequently 
 ui)on a stranger's feelings — -a smile, a softly spoken word, 
 going a little out of the way to notice him — are small acts, 
 but their effects are often very precious. 
 
 The Leader, however, beai"s a special relation of respon- 
 sibility to the Christian stranger. In the case of the Leader, 
 ollicial is added to personal influence. He speaks and acts 
 in the name of the (Jhureh. His words and doings have 
 a v/eiglit which does not ai>})ertain to those who are not 
 invested with the dignity of ollice. Besides he, as a sub- 
 pastor, is specially charged with the duty of caring for souls. 
 It is his oflico to seek out strancrers, and introduce them 
 into his class and into the Church. Notice and attention 
 from hhn will usually be more prized, and more productive 
 of good impressions on strangers, than the same amount of 
 attention from unofficial members. 
 
 To far too great an extent Class Leaders neglect this 
 work of caring for strangers. They are not searched out 
 as they ought to be. There is not enough personal atten- 
 tion given them. SuHicient effort is not made to induce 
 tlvem to go to the class-meeting, and to introcbice them into 
 the fellowship of the Church, and as the result we are 
 constantly suffering loss. 
 
THE STRANGER. 61 
 
 A writor in ono of o\ir Church joumnls many years ago, 
 in speaking of tlio work and duty of Leaders, put tho 
 following HJgnilicant question concerning them : " Are 
 they busy seeking out awakened persona, and strangers 
 \vho profess religion and from time to time come into the 
 puj»lic assemblies with certificates from other Churches, 
 which they are retaining in their possession?" It is to be 
 feared that in too many instances the truth would require 
 a negative answer to this inquiry. 
 
 Whenever a Leader learns of a Methodist who has come 
 to reside in his neighborliood, he ought to invito him per- 
 sonally to the class-meeting, take an interest in his sjtiritual 
 welfare, and try to secure his confidence and atlection. 
 He should find his residence and call u^jou him, introduce 
 liim to such of the members as would be likely to be 
 specially congenial to him, and make known the case to 
 the pastor, that ho also may have an opportunity to fulfil 
 his part of the work of curing for the stranger, and then 
 see that the pastor docs it. By nuch fidelity very many would 
 be retained in the Church who now are lost to it altogether. 
 
 Mr. Farnell, when a Leader in England, was accustomed 
 to place his card of invitation to his class-meeting in the 
 hands of strangers whom he saw in the church, and whom 
 he judged to be either serious or converted persons. This 
 card is given on page 14, and such a device might be 
 employed with good results, probably, by very many of oui 
 Class Leaders. 
 
 It is often the case that in looking after strangers per- 
 sons will be found who left their former homes without 
 certificates of membership. They should be induced to send 
 for them without delay. By whatever means the Leader 
 can employ he should bring them under the Church's care and 
 into the enjoyment of its comforting and helpful fellowship. 
 
63 THE CLASH LEADER. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE rooR. 
 
 INfosT of tlio men wlio aro couspicnoua and uspful in our 
 Clin It'll wore onco poor. Many of them hiivo acquired 
 wealth, and are noMy \isin<,' it in proniotinn^ the Church's 
 j i enterprises and in ameliorating and ehrvatiiig the condition 
 
 of niankiutl. They were attracted to our Cliurcli in tho 
 days of their poverty, chiefly because of its adaptation to 
 and sympathy with the ])Oor. IT^'y identilied their Uvea 
 and destinies with it. Under God, it has saved them. 
 Its inlluence has guided and ennobled them, and made 
 them successful in the world. Had Methodism not courted 
 the pioor, and ministered to their moral and sj)iritual needs, 
 nearly everything that is splendid and lieroic in its history 
 would be wanting, and instead of a vast ecclesiastical 
 organization, whose arms reach to the ends of the earth, 
 we should witness only a diminutive body, without popular 
 and aggressive power. 
 
 " The i>oor ye have always with you," said the Master. 
 
 It is as true now as ever. In all the world the men and 
 
 women who are compelled with sweat to wring from 
 
 reluctant nature their daily bread are an immense majority. 
 
 The brightest glory of Christianity is, that " the poor have 
 
 : the Gospel preached unto them." The Church that turns 
 
 I from them is accursed. And thrice accursed will the 
 
 i !Methodist Church be if it over shall become indifferent to 
 
 'lit 
 
THE POOR. 
 
 68 
 
 tlio class who hiivo built it up in magnificence from founda- 
 tion to topHtono I 
 
 Tho fuiivst jewels in the coronet of Methodism have 
 lieen gathered from lowly places. That Mfthudist girl 
 whose beautiful life, glorious experience, an^ saintly death, 
 as told by Legh riiehnu)nd in his simple story of ** Tho 
 Dairyman's Daughter," havo charmed Christendom, and 
 converted midtitudes, was a girl in humblo life. Now 
 princes in intellect and piety wander to her tomb to pay 
 homage to her faith, and to breathe reue^\ d vows of devo- 
 tion over her dust, while throughout the Christian world 
 tho name of Elizabeth Wallbritlge is " like ointmout poured 
 forth." 
 
 The chief founder and apostle of Methodism in America, 
 Bishop Asbury, was a cliild of povc^rty, who wj s converted 
 and led to preaching while only Ji lad, but who lived such a 
 life, and did such a work, that he ranks evei'moi'o with the 
 grandest heroes of the Church of God. 
 
 All over the records of Methodism glitter names of men 
 and women of whom the world was not worthy, who 
 wrought righteousness and put to flight the armies of the 
 aliens, and who were redeemed from poverty, ignorance, 
 and sin by means of its eflective agencies. And if, because 
 it has grown to wealth and power, the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church sliall cease to adapt its worship to or care for this 
 class, and neglect and despise them, "Icliabod" wiU ilaunt 
 from the door-i)osts of its temi)les, and its splendor will 
 expire. Its glory is not derived from the wealth and 
 retinement of its people, but from the saving faitli, enrap- 
 turing hopes, self-denying and useful lives, and happy 
 deaths of those who surround its altars. 
 
 Our fidelity to and success in our work among the lowly 
 demand the maintenance of our class-meetings. Those 
 
 f i*;i 
 
64 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER, 
 
 Mi MW t 
 
 wliom poverty had hitherto doomed to ignorance, hut who, 
 being now gathered into the Cliurcli, require special ruli- 
 mentary instruction in the Chrstian life, and extraordinary 
 care in theii* moral and religious ti'aining, must be especially 
 nourished. They also greatly need the aid of the pleasant 
 fellowship of the class-room, for they especially cannot 
 stand alone. They requii-e a cordon of strong arms to help 
 them to stand. 
 
 The peculiar method of edifying which the class-meeting 
 furnishes is admirably adapted to the wants and condition 
 of such people. The doctrinal statements and ethical 
 teachings of the pulpit are frequently too abstract for them. 
 They want truth in concrete forms, especially at first. 
 The vivid experience of a living Christian, artlessly related, 
 will strike their minds with more force, and convey more 
 instruction to them, than would often the most eloquent 
 address. They are not able to bear " strong meat," and 
 must be fed with the " milk of the word." An inspiring 
 class-meeting will tone up their souls for the spiritual 
 batUes of the ensuing week as scarcely any other service 
 can do. 
 
 This condition also makes it necessary that they should 
 have special pastoral attention. Visiting the poor is an 
 important department of the Christian pastorate, and they 
 are so numerous in our Churches, or should be, particularly 
 in cities, that the pastor requires assistance in meeting their 
 demands upon his care. The Class Leaders are brought 
 into contact with them once a week, learn their experience, 
 and if they are absent from class-meeting, should visit and 
 bring them back. 
 
 The Leaders, therefore, can appropriately and usefully 
 minister to them privately and in their families as their 
 spiritual exigencies require, and maintain supervision of 
 
THE POOR. 
 
 65 
 
 their life and walk generally. Without the Leadership 
 much that is necessary to be done in the si)iritual culture 
 and training of the Lord's poor must be left undone. This 
 subpastoratc in our Church is of the highest importance to 
 this valuable and numerous class of people. If the Meth- 
 odist Church shall so adml lister the Gospel as that none 
 shall trutlifully say, " No man careth for my soul," it 
 must everywhere maintain a faithful and efficient Leader- 
 shii>. 
 
 A Church which is continually gathciing the poor from 
 the highways and liedges into its communion, must expect 
 to frequently have occasion for the display of its pecuniary 
 benevolence. Sickness, dearth of em[)loymcnt, death, and 
 other causes, often bring want and distress to the homes of 
 Christ's poor, who are in a special sense his representatives. 
 Out of lowliness and want he %vill bring them soon to dwell 
 in palaces of light, and to sit on thrones. Then he " shall 
 feed them, and shall lead tiiera unto living fountains of 
 waters : and God shall wipe away all tears from their 
 eyes." 
 
 But while they are here he intrusts them to the care of 
 his Church. If they be naked, he requires disciples to 
 whom he has vouchsafed a better store, to clothe them ; if 
 they be hungry, to feed ihem ; if they be sick, to visit 
 them. And he declares that what we thus do for them \e 
 accepts as though done unto Himself. 
 
 It is the delicate but pleasant duty of the Class Leadei 
 to see that such of his members as are thus suffering the 
 bitterness of adversity are comforted and relieved. For 
 him, who in the anv .^ement of Providence is hound to 
 them by more than common Christian bonds, to neglect 
 them in their want and trouble, is to grieve their Lord. 
 
66 THE CLASS LEAPER. 
 
 lie (Iocs not forsake them. Their lowly homes are glorified 
 by his presence. He soothes their aching hearts. He 
 calms their throbbing, weary brows. He makes all their 
 beds in their sickness. When they are dying his minister- 
 injj angels wait around them to bo their escort to Paradise. 
 
 The Leader, too, must tenderly care for such. Ko 
 delicacy must prevent him from ascertaining and relieving 
 their necessities. Nothing in their condition must deter 
 him. What if there be an absence of ornament and attrac- 
 tiveness about their rude dwellings, and themselves little 
 and unknown among their more favored neighbors 1 Their 
 worth and claims consist not in such external things, but 
 in themselves — their divinely created and redeemed bodies 
 and souls. Though unknown to the great world, they are 
 members of the household of faith, and their names are 
 written in heaven. 
 
 I have sometimes found in the Churches a sad lack of 
 both delicacy and system in caring for poor members. In 
 many places the chief reliance for this pur[toso is u})on the 
 collection taken at the monthly sacrament. This commonly 
 goes into the hands of a steward, who may or may not have 
 a Christ-like disposition toward the poor. If he have not, 
 he is not dis]30sed to be very industrious in searching for 
 suitable ojtportunities to disburse it ; and if such o})por- 
 tunities are brought to his notice, he is inclined to be very 
 sparing in the distribution of the funds. 
 
 While it is proper to allbrd the Church an opportunity 
 at the sacrament to give to the poor, I think the Class 
 Leader is, by the nature of his office, and by his relation to 
 his members, the person, above all others, to bear tlie res- 
 ponsibility of administering to them. He knows them, 
 Even the pastor, who every three ycuis at most gives place 
 
THE POOR. 
 
 C7 
 
 to a successor, cannot be expected to know them so well. 
 The Leader usually abides, lie has only the menibera of 
 his class to caro for, while the pastor, much of the time a 
 stranger, is engrossed with the whole membership, and the 
 multiform interests and demands of the Church. Eveiy 
 true pastor's heart is in sympathy with the poor, but from 
 the necessities of the case, he must, in large churches, 
 depend chiefly upon assistants to attend to the details of 
 ministering to them. 
 
 The Leaders are the appropriate assistants of the pastor 
 in this work. They should see that all needy members be 
 suitably and tenderly provided for. They, Avith their influ- 
 ence, gift of speech, and knowledge of the case, can secure 
 from the Church the needed supplies, and in this the pastor 
 will readily and successfully co-operate. They should 
 especially enlist the interest of those of their class members 
 who ai-e in better circumstances, in behalf of their less 
 fortunate brothers and sisters. Each class might thus bo 
 led to care for its own needy ones. 
 
 My friend, Ilev. J. Longking, has told me of a class 
 composed of wealthy pe()j)le, in which there is a poor mem- 
 ber. The class hold her directly under their care, and see 
 that she does not want for anything. Delicacies are sent 
 to her as well as the more substantial supplies, not in a 
 way to make her feel the humilitition of dependence, but 
 rather the strength of her fellow-members' aflcction, and 
 the tenderness of their care. Almost all our classes, 
 whether composed of the wealthy or otherwise, could, by 
 proper attention to the needy ones among them, sue that 
 tlicir necessities are delicately and lovingly met. 
 
 In this work the services of a woman are often of th^ 
 greatest value. Her native delicacy and grace, her gentio 
 
68 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 #1 
 
 iJil.[ 
 
 lii 
 
 way of approach, lier tender sympathy, her readiness of 
 access to sull'ercrs of her own sex, lier quick insight into 
 the condition of a liousohold, render her a most befitting 
 and useful minister to the unfortun;itc. In such ministries 
 I liave found her to be almost indispensable. What is 
 said in a preceding chapter about female assistant Leaders 
 of classes is aj)plicablc hero. 
 
 I have found in my observations that tlieso needy class 
 members are not always the recipients of such th ughtful 
 care from Leaders as they should be. Because they ara 
 needy, it has seemed to me, they are neglected. This is a 
 special reason why they should be attended to. " We then 
 that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak." 
 " Bear ye one another's burdens." " God is not unrighteous 
 to forget your work and labor of love, in that ye have 
 ministered to the saints, and do minister." " Pure 
 religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this : 
 To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and 
 to keep himself unspotted from the world." 
 
 Once while I was visiting a class member, who by unex- 
 pected misfortune had for the time been brought to almost 
 utter destitution, she said to me, speaking the name of her 
 
 Leader, " I thought brother would have come to see 
 
 me.' She made no further allusion to him. She did not 
 censure him, though he knew of her case. But these 
 ■words, filled with unconscious pathos, showed that her 
 heart turned to him and had met disappointment in the 
 time of tribulation. These things ought not so to be. 
 
 Sometimes the unworthy foist themselves upon the 
 Church, and through their hypocrisy secure the means of 
 living in idleness or vice ; and such cases may be used as 
 reasons why tliere should be hesitation in ministering to 
 
THE POOR, 
 
 69 
 
 tho temporal needs of poor members. Ouglit tlio worthy 
 to be left to suffer because tlie Churcli's confidence and 
 sympathy is occasionally misdirected ? There cannot in 
 this world be absolute freedom from mistake. And it wero 
 far better that now and then the Churcli sliouhl be imposed 
 n})on by the liaudulent, than that tlirou<jfh foar of such 
 imposition one of the weakest of Christ's little ones should 
 go unvisited and unrelieved. 
 
 Churclies with free sittings are a necessary provision for 
 the poor. The pew system in churches is well adapted to 
 exclude the very class that most need their ministrations. 
 That system assumes that if the godless multitudes wish to 
 hear the Gospel they will hire pews in the churches. Now 
 the truth is, that most of them do not desu-e to hear it, 
 and if they did their poverty would often prevent them on 
 such terms. They need to be invited and persuaded to go 
 to the house of the Lord. They require to be made 
 welcome, and to be placed upon an equality of privilege 
 while there with other worshipers. If they are not they 
 will not go, only in exceptional cases. The masses of the 
 poor and perishing will be excluded. 
 
 The class-meeting and Class Leaders have m important 
 relation to the system of free churches which in most of 
 this country has distinguished Methodism. This system 
 is one of the secrets of our marvellous success among the 
 poor. And the weekly or monthly contributions in classes 
 have been the financial reliance and strength of the sysl-em. 
 
 For the efficient maintenance of free churches it is neces- 
 sary that the Leaders exercise skill and energy in securing 
 the class collections. Some Leaders, otherwise effective, 
 are sadly deficient in this particular. It should not be. 
 Efficiency in maintaining the financial system in the class- 
 
 ^M 
 
70 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 Jil 
 
 f 
 
 ^1 
 
 meeting is vital to the cause of free churches, and every 
 Leader ought to feel, tlierefore, that he is nobly serving 
 God and humanity in helping to keep the church free for 
 all by diligently working the system of class c ctions. 
 
 In regard to collections in classes I quote the following 
 from a good authority : — 
 
 " Let there be a meeting of the Stewards and Leaders of 
 the circuit or station, in order to ascertain the amount 
 necessary to meet the expenses for the year, and to devise 
 means for raising it. Let this amount be divided among 
 the several classes, according to the privileges they enjoy 
 and the means they possess ; and let each Leader pledge 
 himself to raise the sum ai>portioned to his class. In order 
 to accomplish this, let him inform the members belonging 
 to his class what amount is necessary, and how much his 
 class is expected to raise. Let the Leader remind his 
 brethren of the value of the privileges which they enjoy, 
 and the propriety of their bearing tlieir jiroportion of the 
 expenses necessary to sustain these privileges. It is as 
 much the duty of Leaders to instruct their members in 
 these matters, and to reprove them for covetousness when 
 they neglect their duty in this particular, as it is to inquire 
 how their souls prosper, or to comfort them in aflliction. 
 And, especially, let the Leader incpiiro of each member 
 personally wluit he will give toward making up the sum 
 ap})ortioned to his class ; and let him set down on his class- 
 book opposite each name the sum promised, and when paid 
 credit it in another column, opposite the name." 
 
 None need fear that the introduction of money-matters 
 at the close of a spiritual and edifying class-meetijig will 
 detract from its usefulness. On the contrary, as God hjves 
 a cheerful giver, the very act of contributing to sustain his 
 
THE rOOR. 
 
 71 
 
 Clmrch in its great work of saving men becomes an adiH- 
 tional means of blessing. If the poor are to bo largely 
 reached and saved by the Gospel, especially in cities, tliere 
 must be an adequate number of free churches. And their 
 maintenance depends largely upon the fidelity of Leadera 
 in gathering weekly or monthly contributions from theii 
 classes. 
 
 -♦♦■ 
 
■^i 
 
 Ifwi 
 
 72 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 f ' 
 
 ■■ s 
 
 L^ 
 
 CIIArTER viir. 
 
 THE LEADER IN THE SICK-ROOlf. 
 
 In defining the authority of the Chiss Leader Mr. "Wesley 
 says : " lie has authority to meet his chiss, to receive 
 their contributions, and to visit the sirk in his class." 
 
 The care of the sick was, therefore, in tlie view of the 
 founder of class-meetings, one of the chief jiortions of a 
 Leader's work. It is a part of his work, too, wliich no 
 Leader can afford to nogU'ct ; for whatever his gifts, a 
 Leader could hardly maintain a successful class if ho 
 habitually overlooked his sick and afilicted members. 
 
 All persons love to receive affectionate attention, and 
 especially do those who have a nervous and impressible 
 temperament. If ever one's mood is of that sort, it is when 
 both body and mind suffer the annoyance and debility of 
 sickness. To ))e neglected then by those we most trust 
 and cherish is a trial gi-ievous to bear. 
 
 Many able preachers have seriously damaged their influ- 
 ence with their congregations by neglecting to care for the 
 afflicted. Those who, while well and busy, are ready to 
 excuse a pastor for any lack of personal attention, are often 
 not so lenient when they are visited by sickness and 
 deprived of their ordinary occu}>ation and means of enjoy- 
 ment. They then more fully realize their need of religious 
 ministrations. They look to their spiritual teacher and 
 guide for help and comfort ; and for a pastor to be indiffer- 
 ent to them is frec^uently to forfeit both confidence and 
 respect. 
 
THE leadf;i in the siCK-noo:.'. 7C 
 
 A rcHgI.)US newspaper lately said : " A slater who Las 
 been alflicteJ with illness for years, and Loen confmed to 
 her room months at a time, writes iiss that she has had 
 occasional calls from her pastor, but thai at such times she 
 has not heard a prayer from him, nor any 8i)iritual conver- 
 sation, unless it was drawn out by herself. She adds, 
 * Please tell me if eA'upiette is the commission modem 
 ministers labour under, instead of the great commission, 
 ' Go preach V I am hungry for comfort.* " 
 
 This siiflerer may have been morbidly critical and exact- 
 ing, yet she shows the common feeling of Christians in 
 aftiiction. She wished to hear her pastor pray at her bed- 
 siile, and to have him cheer and help her by conversation 
 about the things that were, most precious to her. And 
 because he did not freely respond to this want she was 
 grieved. 
 
 The relations of the Leader to the sick of his class are 
 scarcely less intimate and imi)ortant than those of the 
 pastor. He is an assistant pastor. His sick members, 
 who have been accustomed to his prayers and spiritual 
 conversation in the class-mom, now that illness prevents 
 them from being chere, desire to hear the same in their 
 sick-room. And if he would maintain and increase his 
 influence and usefulness as a Lea<ler he must gratify that 
 desire. A Leader writes that *' on visiting an absent 
 member another person in the house remarked that she had 
 been very sick for many weeks, and never saw her Leader, 
 and might have died without seeing him." 
 
 Many years ago a preacher wrote : "I have, in the 
 course of a few years, examined a number of class-books, 
 and have found, in too many instances, that they have not 
 been marked as they ought to have been. Sometimes 
 there are but two different letters to show the attendance 
 

 I 
 
 t: 
 
 THE CIAS3 LEADER. 
 
 i 
 
 in A non-attentlance of racmbcis. that is, A. for absent, and 
 P. f»i. ijieseuL ; soj ictinicis, though but Htlcluni, S. for fclck- 
 110S3. It coo fiL'(j[iiciiily Iwippcns wlien a iiienibcr ia not 
 piesent that A. is i)Ul down oppositf his or her nanio 
 Avitliout furlhcr incjinry, \>y whith course sonio class-bookd 
 have more of A. than any other letter, presenting a sad 
 jueturo indeed. Frequently, when a long string ot \*s is 
 attached to a name, tho Leader, in carrying forward his 
 class-list, leaves the name out, or tells the preacher, ' there 
 is no use to have such members — they don't attend — they 
 4o us no good — cross them off.' But I say. Stop. Wo 
 will go and visit them ; and to our surprise we often find 
 them afflicted, or aged and infirm, rejoicing in a sense of 
 tho love of God, but no longq^ able to assemble themselves 
 with the people of their choice. They have borne tho 
 burden and heat of the day, and are now waiting for their 
 final reward." Such cases show the necessity of Class 
 Leaders caring for their sick members. 
 
 There is need of tact in visiting the sick. They are not 
 as they were when they were well. Infirmities weigh 
 them down. Suffering tries their patience. Privation and 
 weakness worry and depress them. The demure face and 
 lugubrious tone of a sanctimonious interlocutor are alto- 
 gether out of place at the bed-side. The visitor should bo 
 bright and cheery, yet not hilarious. Gentleness should 
 mark his bearing, and his speech should be genial and kind. 
 He should manifest tender sympathy, and easily accommo- 
 date himself to the whim or caprice of the sufferer. 
 
 It is reported of a distinguished Baptist pastor of New 
 York, who was formerly a Methodist preacher, that he has 
 a conservatory from which he gathers floral gifts which he 
 carries to the sick rooms he is called upon to visit. He 
 
THE LEADER IN THE SICK TIOOM. 
 
 illuRtratos tho ppiiit of INIra. Ilcmaut)' jioem, 
 Flowers : " 
 
 75 
 
 " Eilng 
 
 " lliey have *alcR of tho jnyons woods to tell, 
 C)f the free Itlue atrt'iinia and tlic gk).\ing «ky, 
 Ami tlie liiiglit WDrl.l sliut fr<>iii hia hvii^uid eye; 
 Tht y will ifjir hiiu a thou^'iit <>i' the Miiiiiy hmirs, 
 ^nd the dream of his youth — hriiig him th)\ver^^, Mihl flowers ! 
 
 " Bring llowora to the sliiino wliere we kneel in prayer, 
 
 Thoy are nature's olTerin;,', their place is there / 
 
 Tliey sptak of hope to the fainting lieart ; 
 
 AN'ith a voice of pmniise they come an I part ; 
 
 '1 hey sltej) in dust through the Aintry hours ; 
 
 Tliey break f.rth in glory — bring llowers, bright flowers." 
 
 Thoir beautiful liiu^s and frapjvanco rondor tliom oliarming 
 to the senHes of tlie invalid, while, as shadows of tho Divine 
 beauty, they sweetly appeal to tiie trust and hope of the 
 sull'ering believer. 
 
 On a Sabbath in early s]>riiig-time a Christian lady, who 
 liad recently been left to the woes of widowhood and 
 poverty, with several children, was reclining ujtun her bed 
 oppressed with her calamities and secretly bemoaning tho 
 darkness of her h)t, when one of her cliihlren, a lad, entered 
 her room holding one of the lirst flowers of the season 
 which he had somewhere found, and said : 
 
 " See, mother, what a pretty flower ! " 
 
 It at once ai)peided not only to her eye but to her heart. 
 It recalled to lier mind the words of Jesus, " Consider the 
 lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil not, neither do 
 they spin : and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in 
 all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, 
 if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and 
 to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall ho not much moi'O 
 clothe you, ye of little faith 1 " 
 
if 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 1! 
 
 70 THE CLASS LEATHER. 
 
 Tliat flowor was to hor an cloqiirnt Kormon of faiili ; it 
 Wiis tlio nipans of disclosing' to licr the wrong of distrusting 
 lior heuvenly Fatlior ; and .»iaj'ing in Inn- lioart, " I will 
 trust God," slio rose brav«'ly to face adversity and tlio 
 future. That faith was gloriously rowardcd. Cud did for 
 her ijoyond all that she could have thought. 
 
 The New "'''ork i>astor is right. Tako flowers to the 
 chambers of God's sullering ones. They will speak to 
 them of him — of his loveliness oud love, his care and faith- 
 fulness. Where a Leadei- has access to a conservatory, or 
 the means to procure a bouquet, ho can minister very 
 sweetly and profitably to the sick by frecpiont gifts of 
 flowers. T^>y such little tokens of thoughtfulnesa and 
 sympathy he can l)(>guilo many a solitary and weary hour 
 of the sufibrer, strengtlum his own influence in the afilicted 
 household, and so increase his power for doing good. 
 
 Tlie more friends a good man can make in a community 
 — the more love he can win — the greater, of course, must 
 be his influence and consequent possibilities of usefulness. 
 A man whom no one cares about or loves can do but little 
 to religiously benefit any one. Confidence and a favorable 
 regard are necessary to usefulness among a people. Every 
 one, therefore, who would be useful, ought to seek the 
 confiilence and afTection of those whom he would l)onefit. 
 And one of the best ways ol doing this is to show a delicate, 
 kind, and helpful interest in persons who are in aflliction. 
 
 Visits to the sick should not be prolonged, and should 
 always be made pleasant. Long and loud talking is inad- 
 missible, because it wearies the sick one. Thoughtlessness 
 on this point often causes many well-meaning visitors to be 
 an annoyance in the sick-room. Do not stay long, and 
 wliile there shed all the sunshine you can. Then your 
 coming will be hailed with gladness. 
 
THE LEADER IN THE SICK-HOOM. 77 
 
 In visiting tlio sick tlio T^oiuler rIiouM especially aim at 
 tho spiritual good of tlio sullcier. ITo should l)o skilful in 
 ehiiping tlio couvcrsution to this end, and should hrriitho 
 such a s])irit aud drop such words aa will bo likely to Bucuro 
 that result. 
 
 Tlio Loader should pray at tho bedside of tho sick. Aftci 
 all olso is done, tho right sort of praying in tho sick-room 
 amounts to more than all. It is not every prayer that ia 
 offered in chambers of sickness that is so useful. Loud, 
 long, formal, discursive prayers with little reference oi 
 adaptation to the place and sufferer, evidencing no syni})athy 
 and tenderness of feeling, are of littlo worth in the sick- 
 room, only so far as being honestly offered, God may 
 answer them. But the same sincerity can infuse itself into 
 prayers that by their delicate reference to tho sick one's 
 needs and sufferings, by their gontlo and quiet utterance, 
 their tenderness of thought and language, and suitableness 
 of petition, excluding all that is irrelevant, shall be at once 
 a means of light, comfort, and strength. Such prayers, 
 poured forth with fervor, are more than all besides in the 
 chamber of affliction. They shed the aroma of heaven 
 there. Nothing can take their place. Flowers are delight- 
 ful, but such prayers are still more delightful, and leave a 
 better and more abiding fragrance. 
 
 The sickness of his members must sometimes be unto 
 death. In such cases it becomes iL? Leader's mournful 
 duty and privilege to accompany them to the gates of the 
 invisible world, and minister to them as they pass beyond 
 the vail. 
 
 Such a scene must aroxise his profoundest interest. He 
 stands beside one with whom he has been joined in loving, 
 holy fellowship — whose recitals of hopes, fears, joys, sor- 
 
78 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 II' 
 
 I' 
 I 
 
 \f 
 
 J 
 
 
 ilil' 
 
 M 
 
 rows, trialfi, victories liavo been pourod into Lis ear, and 
 to wlioin lio often has ofFored encourugomeiit, counsel, and 
 help. Together they stood, together they fouglit, together 
 they rf^joiced and triuniplied. Now the one witli whom he 
 " took sweet counsel," and for whom he has borne a fond 
 and i)rayerful solicitude, has come to the last hour of earth!/ 
 existt'nce: the hour of which mention has frequently been 
 made in the class-room, and to which his counsels and 
 avlmonitions have had reference : the hour of " failing flesh 
 and heart," of soul emancipation, and heavenly coronation. 
 The Ijoader weeps and yet rejoices — weops f(jr the parting, 
 l)ut rejoices at the glorious consummation of a career over 
 whose progress he has watched with tenderest interest. 
 His soul is thrilled with the rapture of the hour in which 
 hciaven is dawning on a spirit he has helped to guide thither. 
 Could the departing one frame the exi)eriences of the linal 
 moment in words, they might be such as these : — 
 
 ■1,? 
 
 I am passing through the valley, 
 
 And its gloom is on my eyes ; 
 But I hoctr celestial voices 
 
 Sou.iding sweetly from tho skies : 
 And they sing of coronation, 
 
 And of triumph with the blest : 
 O I feel the touch of angels 
 
 Ge3?tly soothing me to rest. 
 
 On the rod and staff I'm leaning 
 
 Of my Shf^herd, Saviour, Guide; 
 IIo protv-wts ray trembling footsteps, 
 
 I am sheltered near his side. 
 On before, the gates are gleaming, 
 
 And I see the fountains ahino 
 In the radiancy of glory, 
 
 With a v,cauty all Divine 
 
THE LEADER IN THE SICK-ROOM. 79 
 
 There are ranks of •white-rol)cd beings; 
 
 liaiuls of ohcriaheJ friends I see ; 
 And they wave their palms immortal, 
 
 And extend their anna to me. 
 Now I fly to their embraces ; 
 
 JiO, 1 shout beneath the dome 
 Of the everlaating temple, — 
 
 IJ alleluia ! safe at home ! 
 
 Thus have died multitudes of Methodist class mcmhers. 
 Fi'om such scenes of more than royal triumph many a 
 Leadfu- has returned with new inspiration to his class-room 
 to help his members yet left behind in their Btruggies 
 onward toward the heaven wliere 
 
 " - all the ship's company meet 
 Whf sailed with the ' aviour beneath ; 
 
 With shoutings each other they greet 
 And triumph o'er sorrow and death." 
 
 Legh Riclimond, the Church of England cleipyman who 
 was « illi;ri Lo at lend th.it dyin^ \^ ithodiat maiden, " .he 
 Dairyman's "Onu^dfT," in her lav' hours, was not accus- 
 tomed to such death scenes. TTo describes his last inter- 
 view with the enraptured saint ; gives hei last words, so 
 familiar to Class Leaders mul pastorb who have been accus- 
 tomed to see our people die, " 1 jtm going— but ail is well, 
 well, well— ; " +ells of the last pressure of her hand \\hen 
 speech had failed, and then i-emarks, " I never had witnessed 
 a scene so impressive as this before. It completely filled 
 my imagination as I returned home." 
 
 Class L iders who nrr devoted to their work are not 
 unfamiliar with suoh scenes, however strange they m;iy 
 have been to that jrood minister of tho Established ('hurch. 
 No. "Our pe pie die weU." The hap] ly death of Lliza- 
 beth Wallbridgo lias had its counterpart in umiuiubercd 
 
MWii 
 
 80 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 I 
 
 Hi-' 
 
 l!ll^ 
 
 m 
 
 u 
 
 I 
 
 ill' 
 
 i: n ^ •^fi'' 
 
 .;. ■!, 
 
 MctlioJIst death-chambers. And we believe that Methodist 
 class-nieotings and faithful Class Leaders contribute much, 
 under God, toward the prejiaration of our poojdo for such 
 glorious dying — dying which is like a translation in a 
 cliariot of fire, 
 
 Tjct the Leader go with his dying members do^vn to the 
 banks of Jordan. Lot him stand closely by them while 
 yet uiiey linger there, though the cold spray m(nsten liis 
 garments. Let liim hold them by the hand until they slip 
 from liim to receive the pilotage of angels, and the welcome 
 of the triumphant host on the other shore. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE TROUBLED. 
 
 Human life is clouded with sorrow. To every life there 
 is an outer and an inner side, ilie former is often wreathed 
 with smiles, out the latter is as frequently bathed in tears. 
 !None Hesitate to exhibit ".miles, but most are careful to 
 conceal tears. Persons mingling in society are fond of 
 occasion for laughter, Out tliey seek seclusion for weeping. 
 They laugh in the open day, but " night is the time to 
 weep," and then they water their "couch with tears." 
 
 Thus men are deceived in ^'egard to the troubles of their 
 fellows. They see the signs and hear the exclamations of 
 their joy, but are not admitted into the privacy of their 
 griefs. And so society receives credit for far more enjoy- 
 ment than it has. Could all the secret pla^^es of weeping 
 be disclosed, and all the sore and troubled hearts be 
 unveiled, the words of the suffering patriarch would be 
 seen to be a tn.e picture of human life — " Man is of few 
 days, and full of trouble." 
 
THE TROUBLED. 
 
 81 
 
 No one can thouglitfuHy read tlie Scriptures williout 
 observing the prominonco wliicli is given to tliis fact. It 
 is conspicuous in the liistories, the biographies, tlie experi- 
 ences, the teacliings, and the promises of tlie Bilde. " Faw 
 and evil have been the days of the years of ray pilgrimage," 
 said the venerable Jacob to the monarch of the land of his 
 refuge. " Out of the abundance of my complaint and grief 
 have I spoken," said the weeping Hannah. " I am the 
 man that hath seen affliction," exclaimed the tearful 
 Jeremiah. " My face is foul with weeping," declared the 
 sufferer of Uz. " All thy waves and thy billows are gone 
 over me," sang the pathetic singer of Israel. " She goeth 
 unto the grave to weep there," is the affecting picture 
 which is given us of Mary of Bethany. " In weariness and 
 painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in 
 fastings often, in cold and nakedness," was the experience 
 of Paul ; and the Master said to his disciples, " In the 
 world ye shall have tribulation." " Many are the afflic- 
 tions of the righteous." 
 
 The Class Leader should know, therefore, that his must 
 be largely a ministry of comfort. He should listen to God's 
 voice saying, " Comfort ye, comfort ye my people." He wili 
 have no member who will not frequently need comforting 
 and it should be his endeavor to be a comforter of the troubled. 
 
 The causes of trouble will be various. In the case oi 
 one there will be overwhelming bereavement ; of another, 
 frustration of worldly plans and business disaster ; another 
 will suffer from lack of employment ; another, from loss of 
 health ; yet another will be bowed with domestic grief, the 
 result, perhaps, of the waywardness and misconduct of a 
 prodigal, rebellious child, inducing the cry of the royal 
 weeper, " O Absalom, my son, my son ! " 
 4* 
 
■ ' 
 
 l.,t 
 
 Rlf!;i 
 
 \ 
 
 83 
 
 TUE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 Sym])atliy is essential to tlie work of comforting. If the 
 Leader can " wee}/ with tlieiii tliat weep," lie will certainly 
 be a minister of consolation. "A brother is born for 
 adversity ; " and if the Leader can show a ])rother's heart 
 to his troubled members, that heart will be to them a 
 shelter from the tenjpest, and its free and flowing syni- 
 l)athies like " streams in the dccert." 
 
 Those in trouble should receive the Leader's special 
 attention and care. " God is a very present help in 
 trouble." It is then, especially, that he comes near to his 
 people. His ministers should do likewise. Every Leader 
 called in God's providence to minister to sorrowing saints, 
 should, for their sake and their Master's, take scrupulous 
 pains to tenderly and faithfully impart to them the conso- 
 lations of the Gospeh 
 
 He shoidd make the class-room a sweet asylum for 
 troubled souls. Its prayers, its songs, its teachings, its 
 encouragements, should be such as will cheer the fViinting 
 and disconsolate. AVhile the spirit and exercises of the 
 meeting ought to be such as will enkindle an immediate 
 glow of comfort in the tried and the distressed bosom, they 
 should especially be such as will inspire hope of the future, 
 that hope which is as *' an anchor to the soul, both sure 
 and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the 
 vail; whither Jesus, the forerunner, hath for us* entered." 
 
 Some persons have criticised the songs that are nKJst 
 used in social meetings, because they contain so much about 
 heaven : " The River of Life," " The Shining Shore," 
 " The Sweet By and By," " The Robes, the Palms, the 
 Crowns," and much more of the like ; but there is a reason, 
 for the universal popularity of such songs, and that reason 
 lies in the deep pathos of Christian experience. Christians 
 
THE TROUBLED. 
 
 83 
 
 are " pllgrimg and strangers." Here tliey " have no con- 
 tinuing city," but they are seeking " one to come." Hero 
 they dwell in the gloom of a troubled night, but they have 
 heard that " there is no night there." Here they part with 
 friends, but they " hope to meet again." Here they hunger 
 and thirst, but they are told that there " they shall hunger 
 no more, neither tliirst any more." Here they weep, but 
 they have learned that tliere " God shall wipe away all 
 t^ars from their eyes." Here they are familiar with, and 
 must experience, death, but they have heard that in that 
 counti-y there shall not " be any more death." Here they 
 wander in an exile land, beside streams that are turbid and 
 sickly ; they hear that there they shall be at home, and 
 that " the Lamb shall lead them unto living fountains of 
 waters." Here their nerves are jarred by incessant dis- 
 cord ; they are told that there the inhabitants " sing a new 
 song." whose melody never dies. Here they see the fairest 
 things wither and perish, but they have learned that that 
 inheritance beyond the sky is " incorruptible, undefiled, 
 and fadeLh not away." 
 
 How, then, shall such songs be repressed ? They cannot 
 be. Criticise Niagara if you will, but you cannot repress 
 it, nor stifle the thunder of its voice. And so you may 
 criticise the hymns that flash with imagery of the world of 
 light ; but no more can be hushed the pathetic songs of a 
 better life, that gush from the lips of troubled pilgrims 
 going home. Sing them they must ; sing them they may, 
 sing them they will. Let the class-rooms resound with 
 songs of heaven. Let the members sing, as I heard a class- 
 member sing while dying, 
 
 |ii 
 
 "We're going home, to die no more," 
 
\ 
 
 li '.■ '■ 
 
 % 
 
 V 
 
 *■ ;!^ 
 
 n 
 
 I :' 
 
 \< i 
 
 hr 
 
 
 .11 
 
 '!«:. 
 
 
 84 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 Let tlio wcpping ones be thrilled into ecstasy in hearing 
 tlieii' class-iiuites sing, 
 
 " My sufl'ring time shall poon be o'er ; 
 Then shall I bigh and weep no more j 
 My ransom'd soul, shall soar away, 
 To sing Thy praise in endless day," 
 
 CHArXER X. 
 
 HINDRANCES TO CLASS-MEETINGS. 
 
 ij; liji' There arc various hindrances to the success of class- 
 
 W' meetiiicia. Amoncj the cliief of these is the aversion to 
 
 ttl them of some Church members, and the indiiiereuce and 
 
 I j;^ neglect of many others. 
 
 il It The exam})le of such members often is a heavy burden 
 
 to a faithful and zealous Leader. Without suiiicient relish 
 for spiritual communion to move them to seek the society 
 of the class-room, their influence causes these meetings for 
 ||i;;;j devout and earnest Christian fi-llowship to be lightly 
 
 esteemed by others. In a Church where such things exist, 
 a Leader's work must be very diflicult. 
 
 Quito often sucli persons speak against the class- meeting. 
 
 !ii|ij|i; Tliey deride its services by describing them as monotonous 
 
 |t| and profitless, and by descanting upon the hackneyed 
 
 pi stories related by the members. Jn relation to this the 
 
 Rev. Dr. Levings has well said : — 
 
 *' We have the united testimony of thousands to the 
 great value of class-meetings as a means of grace ; and it 
 should not be forgotten that the most i:)ious and devoted of 
 our people throughout the Connexion not only love clasa- 
 meetings, but are constant attendants at them. And these 
 
HINDRANCES TO CLASS-MEETINQS. 85 
 
 growing Christians do not toll the same old stereotyped 
 etory over and over from week to week ; but being in tho 
 way of cultivating tlieir minds and hearts by a regular 
 course of reading, meditation, and prayer, they always havo 
 Bonietliing new to say at every meeting. There is a fresh- 
 ness and interest in their testimony which show that they 
 are growing in gi-ace and in the knowledge of our Lord and \.^- 
 
 Saviour Jesus Christ." 
 
 The evil of this aversion to, and negleot of class-meeting 
 by our members is strongly portrayed by the same writer, 
 who says : " An inward feeling of dislike to the exercises 
 of the class-room is evidence of a low state of religio »3 
 exi^crience, if it does not indicate the absence of all feeling 
 in favor of the subject. One of the partijijular covenant 
 engiigoments into which we entered when we joined the 
 Church was, that we would be governed by the Discipline 
 in this matter, and yet how general is this neglect ! We 
 Bpeak not of unavoidable detention from class, but of that 
 neglect which is the result of indifference to the means of 
 ■grace. Vast numbers of members in our Churches do not 
 enter a class-room from month to month ; and why ] Be- 
 cause they have no relish for the exercises of the place. 
 This was not the case once, if they were ever truly con- 
 verted. 27ien they were glad when it was said, * Let us 
 go up to the house of the Lord.' 
 
 " But some tell us that they derive little or no benefit 
 from class-meetings, and therefore dislike them. And 
 whose fault is it 1 Dare such pei'sons charge it upon the 
 institution itself, amid the ten thousand testimonies to the 
 contrary 1 Was it always so with them f 
 
 In respect to the error and inconsistency of such mem- 
 bers Dr. Leving^ again employs very earnest language. lie 
 
■v ", 
 
 86 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 says: "Persons who haLitucally and willingly neglect to 
 meet in class show thereby a reckless disregard of their 
 solemn covenant engagements with the Church of Christ. 
 My heart has been pained to witness the strange inconsist- 
 ency of many members in regard to this Christian duty — I 
 shor.ld say, privilege. Visit them at their houses and 
 O) verse with them respecting their delinquency, and 
 numbers of thsi^ will tell you that they would like to 
 attend, but their health is not sufficient ; or that their 
 circumstances are such as to render it impossible for them 
 to attend their class ; while at the same time numbers of 
 these same persons may be seen shopping among the stores, 
 or visiting their neighbors and chatting by the hour. Now, 
 what shall we say of such conduct ] Not of the shopping 
 or visiting, both of which may be well enough in their 
 places ; but of the excuses offered for the neglect of a 
 religious duty for want of health, while manj'' of the same 
 persons find no difficulty whatever in doing anything or 
 going anywhere they choose 1 Do such persons expect to 
 give an account of their conduct at the bar of God ] How 
 will they do it : With joy or grief 1 " 
 
 Indifference to the cluss-meeting on the part of our mem- 
 bei-s is rebuked by the fact that thoughtful and pious 
 members of other denominations have discerned the value 
 of this institution, and have even sought to secure its 
 introduction into their own Churches. 
 
 In a communication to the author an earnest advocate 
 of class-meetings says : " Durmg the last forty years I have 
 never known a living, active member of the Methodist 
 Church but loved the class-meeting. When good old 
 Dr. Bond was editor of the Christian Advocate, writing 
 on class-meetings, he said he never knew a member to 
 
 ii^. 
 
HINDRANCES TO CLASS-MEETINGS," 87 
 
 backsliilo who was punctual in attending class and pra3'^cr- 
 mecting ; on tlio coi.trary, ho never knew ono to grow in. 
 grace wlio wilfully and frccjuontly neglected tlicm." 
 
 A writer in Zlona Herald, over a generation ago, 
 ohscrves : " To this means of grace is the Mothodiyb 
 Church indebted for its prosperity mor(j than to any other, 
 if we except the public ministration of tho word. ]\Ir. 
 Wesley said tho formation of classes was a scliemo for 
 which ho never covdd sulliciently praise God ; and after 
 testing their value for many years, he declared their useful- 
 ness to be more and more apparent. How careful, then, 
 ought we to be to cherisli them, and to avoid everything 
 subservient in the most remote degree to bring them into 
 disrepute. The non-attendance of members, except in cases 
 of urgent necessity, is directly calculated to do this." 
 
 Bishops Coke and Asbury, in their Notes on tho Dis- 
 cipline, say : *' We confine these meetings to Christiiin 
 experience, only adjoining singing and prayer in the intro- 
 duction and conclusion. And we praise the Lord they have 
 been made a blessing to scores of thousands. ... In short, 
 we can truly say that, through the grace of God, our classes 
 form the pillars of our work." 
 
 One who has long Ijeen familiar with this subject writes : 
 " To class-meetings, in a great measure, eai'ly Methodism 
 ov^ed its aggressiveness and spirituality. Through the 
 direct instrumentality of class-meetings myriads of souls 
 have l)een nursed, kept in tlie way of life, and at last pre- 
 sented before the throne of God with exceeding great joy." 
 
 A minister says : '* Lack of interest in the class-meetings 
 LS a heavy weight upon the Church, and one that must be 
 laid aside before she can achieve her full measure of 
 success." 
 
88 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 II 
 
 
 ■ 'L 
 
 
 fi'ij;;. 
 
 A veteran Loader writes : " I have often thonu;lit if 
 oin- people would attend more punctually to tlicir classes 
 tliere would not bo 80 many formal professors and back- 
 sliders in tlio world. It is there we often have our hearts 
 cheered when wo go bowed down. I have often heard a 
 good oM father or motlier in Israel arise and tell what the 
 Lord liad done for their souls, and how ho liad kept them 
 for twenty, thirty, and forty years ; it would encourage my 
 heart; I woukl think, if lio has kept them ho is able to 
 keej) me ; and, bless his name ! he has kept me for more 
 tlian forty years." 
 
 Still another, writing on this point, says : 
 
 In class-meetings Christians " can cast upon the Saviour 
 all their care, and realize the blessed truth that he caieth 
 for them. Here the burdened spirit is relieved of its load ; 
 here the disconsolate receive comfort ; here the weak are 
 made strong, the bowed-down are raised u\), the spiritually 
 blind have their eyes opened ; here Methodists are built up 
 in their most holy faith. 
 
 " Who shall gainsay the virtue of class-meetings 1 There 
 ai*e but few who would have the temerity to declare them- 
 selves the open enemies of this heaven-born privilege ; but, 
 alas ! this institution is beset by nuniP' ous secret foes, 
 who, using that powerful weapon, example, are waging a 
 most disastrous war against the best interests of Methodism. 
 
 " How many scores and hundreds are there who belong 
 to the Methodist Church, and who professedly love all her 
 institutions, and are even bold in defence of them, but 
 when personally called to comply with the requirement of 
 the class-meeting are found careless and indifferent. Tliey 
 acknowledge it to be a means of grace, but seldom or never 
 think it necessary to partake of its privileges. They would 
 
HINDRANCES TO CLA5S-MEETIN0S. 89 
 
 not givo tlicir public consent to abolLsh it, "but by tlieir 
 clieui'ful nogligcnco yield their socrot inlliionco to ciroct this 
 en<l." 
 
 How shall a Leader overcome this indisposition to attend 
 class-niectinsf, and secure the attendance of indiflerent 
 menibora] This done, a great victory is secui'cd. 
 
 One who was successful in doing this says : — 
 
 " TiCt me give you some of my experience on this point. 
 Take the last class I had. At the first meeting I read tliat part 
 of the Discii)line which relates to the duty of the Leader, 
 and told thoni tliat the Disci}>lino made it my duty to see 
 each member every week, and that by taking the ofiico of 
 Leader I agreed to perform the duties of one as laid down 
 by tlie Discipline of Iho Church ; and that every week, if 
 they were not at class, I should call on them. I did so ; had 
 eighteen members; and on looking over my class-book I 
 found that for twelve months the absent marks amounted 
 to seventy-five, being an average attendance of sixteen and 
 a half. 
 
 " I feel sure their attendance can always be had; but to 
 get it the absentees must invariably be visited. Let the 
 members know that if they are not .at class they will be 
 called on at their residence, talked to, prayed with, and 
 asked for the reason of their absence. Let them know this, 
 and very many times they will come when otherwise they 
 would stay away .... If a Leailer has eighteen members, 
 and does not visit them, he may have an attendance of say 
 eleven, and will say, ' I cannot visit seven a week.' Only 
 let them know you will do it, and five of the seven will 
 come. They may at first stay away on trilling excuses ; but 
 when they find you are faithful, that you never fail, they 
 will come. Your practice will force upon them the convic- 
 tion that you care more for their souls' welfare than they 
 
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90 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 
 themselves do. One member was only absent twice in the 
 year, who tlic year previous did not go half the time. She 
 said slio * could not have her I^eadcr call on her, she must 
 go.' None but the faithful Leader knows the closeness of 
 the bonds that grow around the liCader and his members in 
 pursuing this course. O how many souls, now lost, would 
 have been saved if, on the first neglect, the first spell of luke- 
 warmness, the Leader had visited and performed his duty 
 in the fear of God. How many now, dead weights on the 
 Church, would bo warmed to life, and become useful mem- 
 bers, if their Leaders would thus visit them." 
 
 A Leader who was very successful in reviving a class which 
 had suffered from this evil, tells how he did it : — 
 
 " When the class-book was placed in my hands I found 
 that the class had dwindled down to a few old members, and 
 they, seemingly, had lost all individual interest. I began to 
 pray and wonder over this apathy. I made up my mind 
 that it was necessary to devise some way to interest as well 
 as draw tlie class out. The Leader before me had strictly 
 adhered to that old and time-honored custom of ours, to wit : 
 to commence with the corner-man and ask each one in turn 
 to ' tell us how you feel this morning.' I, for the sake of a 
 change, would frequently have a general talk mcetlrtg — call 
 on no one in particular, but every one in general — would 
 frequently sing a verse and call on some one to pray — would 
 have some talk, and pray again. I studied to vary the ex- 
 ercises, and to not be abrupt, but make the change at the 
 right time and place. 
 
 " I went personally to each one of our young members at 
 the beginning of the year and requested that they would 
 all be present at a certain time, as I had something I 
 wished to communicate. At the appointed time they were 
 all present. I then told them my plan, to wit : that I 
 
IIINDEANCES TO CLASS-MEI TINGS. 01 
 
 intended to keep a correct book of tlieir presence and 
 their absence, and at tlio close of the year I expected 
 to make up a yearly summary of tlieir attendance, and read 
 it at watch-night meeting. I made some comments on the 
 possible results, wondering how many times during the year 
 each one would testify for Jesus, etc. . . , We have regular 
 attendance by both old and young." 
 
 Bishop Janes, in discussing this subject in his *' Address 
 to Class Leaders," expresses strong confidence in the success 
 of earnest and skilful efforts to overcome the aversion of 
 members to attendance at class. He says : " 'i'hough I have 
 been pp? ' •' several years, and of very large Churches some- 
 times, T nover found an instance in all my pastorate where 
 I could not induce members to attend class — not one. It 
 required some patience, some perseverance, and it required 
 some man;\gement." The Bishop furti)er says : " I believe 
 that any person who has even *a desire to flee from the wrath 
 to come ' can be induced to attend this means of grace ; and 
 I doubt whether I would consent, if I were a preacher or 
 Leader, to report them as delinquents unless I had made the 
 most persistent and earnest efforts to save them. If they 
 did not come to the class-meeting I would go to their houses. 
 I woidd take ■'•wo or three sisters and brethren with me and 
 go to their houses and say, * I have come to hold class-meet- 
 ing wiih you,' and commence it in. the parlor, and have it 
 there. There are various ways, means, influences, and 
 agencies by which this result can be reached ; and I now 
 say before God that in my judgment the great delhiqueucy 
 in this respect in the Church is mainly owing to the dcii- 
 ciencies of the pastors and Leaders. I have a better opinion 
 of the members of the Church. I believe that all persons 
 who are under gracious influences can be led to both love and 
 attend class-meetings." 
 
92 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 UJI 
 
 k 
 
 m 
 
 Learlers sometimes do harm to the class-meotiiig by the 
 exhibition of an unsuitable spirit and manner. Gentleness 
 and alTeclionateness ought always to characterize the Ijoader 
 while leading the class. A rontrh, boisterous manner is 
 wholly unsuited to the place and the work. Earnest ho 
 should be, but never stern ; faithful, but not seven ; honest 
 and plain in reproving and admonishing, but kind and 
 tender. His manner throuLchout should be such as will win 
 and not repel. He ought to study to make his class room 
 one of the most delightful places liiF members can find this 
 side of heaven ; and while ho ought never to sacrifice, in 
 the sliglit(\st degree, truth or righteousness to do this, there 
 should nf'vcr ])e anything in himself to detract from tho 
 enjovableness of the meeting, but much to promote it. 
 While he ought not to wink at wrong or suffe)' it to pass 
 unrebuked, his speech and action should bo so ruled by 
 love as that the most sensitive may not be unnecessarily 
 hurt or ofTendcd. 
 
 " I recollect," says Bishop Janes, " some years ago T wp.s 
 present when a Leader was very zealously leading hip; class. 
 He came to a tinud voung female, and asked her, as he did 
 others, to state her religious experience. She had not the 
 courage or the strength to rise and speak as others had 
 done. He addressed her at once sternly in this language : 
 * The Lord will have no dumb dogs that cannot bark.' I 
 felt there was more dog in him that did bark, than in that 
 poor, timid child of Christ in her seat. If that Leader had 
 been gentle and aflectionate, and asked her kindly some 
 question about her sjiiritual state, and allowed her to answer 
 him in a monosyllable, and shown interest in her welfare 
 and concern for her religious growth, he would have won 
 her contidence. She would have been there next time, and 
 in a little while she would have had strength and fidelity 
 
niNDIcANCES TO CLASS-MELTINGS. 93 
 
 to bear her cross and take her part in the service as did tlie 
 other members." Such a spirit and manner as tliis fact 
 iihistratcs must always prove detrimental to a T omlcr's 
 6ucces3. 
 
 " A Leader," says Rev. T. Spicer, " shouhl become 
 BufTiciently acquainted with Inmian nature to know how to 
 reprove without giving ofTence. If he do not show a kind 
 sj^irit wlion he administers reproof, if his ro]n'Oofs are rathei 
 reproaches, he will not succeed in doing much good. Much 
 de})ends on the manner of reproofs to render them effectual. 
 In general they should be g[\eii privateli/ ; few persons are 
 ■willing to be reproved publicly, or in the presence of theii 
 friends, especially to l)e reproved sharply. Although the 
 rule makes it the duty of the Leader to reprove when 
 necessary, as well as to comfurt or exhort, yet it may be 
 questioned whether it designs he should do this in a public 
 way, or even in the presence of the class. He must be 
 very much unacquainted with human nature who genei-ally 
 takes this course. There are certainly but very few cases 
 which require it." 
 
 For a Leader to speak so loud as to transgress propriety, 
 and cause the voice to grate upon the nerves of the mem- 
 bers, is a hindrance to a class. Bishop Janes well says : 
 *' The class-room is not a very suitable place for rhetoric or 
 elocution, yet the manner of speaking there is highly im- 
 portant The Class Leader, in a small room, speak- 
 ing to twelve, twenty, or even forty persons, need not raise 
 his voice like a general giving orders to soldiers in battle ; 
 this would be so incongruous as to destroy the effect of his 
 Bi)eaking." 
 
 The Leader's voice while conducting class-meeting should 
 be distinct and pleasant, not loud and strained. A g(mtly 
 modulated voice is always more musical than when pitched 
 
H 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 
 Jii:, 
 
 "T' :. 
 
 to a very liigli key. Persons appreciate this in (Le social 
 circle. It nllVirds, too, far more opportunity for giving 
 suitable emphasis to words and sentences that need to bo 
 made em})hatic. 
 
 Tlie Ijoader should adapt his voice to the space " it has 
 to till. To some it is peculiarly painful to sit in a small 
 room and have a volume of voice pouriuy upon them, so 
 that its reverberations are almost dcafenini/- ; and in antici- 
 pating a confinement so irksome thoy begin to count the 
 remaining members to be spoken to, in order to make an 
 estimate of the cpiantity of patience they must exj,f^ d in 
 passing through this present tiial." 
 
 In so f;ir as an undue expenditure of voice and physical 
 energy is likely to prove a hindrance to the Leader's success 
 it should be studiously refrained from. 
 
 Another hindrance is unreasonable lenirth. These meet- 
 ings should be short ; with ordinary sized cIushcs, not more 
 than an hour long, and, in the case of very large classes, 
 not to exceed an hour and a half. Mr. T.i^'Ior, of Tilnity 
 Church, Jersey City, has usually about fifty persons at his 
 class, and lie never protracts his meetings be3-ond ninety 
 minutes. Mr, Samuel Sterling, of the same Church, has 
 from thirty to forty in attendance, and lie nov/ confines his 
 meetings to seventy-five mjnutes. Smaller classes can well 
 be limited to one hour. 
 
 A sensilde writer says : — 
 
 *' I know not that I ever witnessed a profitable lengthy 
 class-meeting, but I have witnessed, to my sorrow, for my 
 own sake and f( v that of the class, protracted meetings 
 grow dull and tedious, and apparently every spark of life in 
 the soul expire, whereas the meeting commenced well, and 
 had it closed at a proper time, tlie members would have 
 
niNDRANCES TO CLASS-MEETINGS. 
 
 05 
 
 gout, from tlio plrco with the holy fire biirnlnfi' in ihclr 
 soula, and longing for the class hour to return again." 
 
 Tiio Iit'v. James B. Finley once visited an intelligent 
 lady on account of her neglect of the class-meeting, when 
 elie gave him her reason for her absence, as follows : — ■ 
 
 " My pastor I love, my class-room I love. The class 
 hour is a source of great comfort to my soul, and I would 
 seldom if ever miss it ; but my good Loader k^f^ps me from 
 two to three hours every time J '^x You see my chai-ge. 
 There are four little children, one quite young, and I have 
 no one to leave with them except my husband occasionally. 
 I could leave them for an hour, but it is impossible for me 
 as a mother to leave them much longer, and do my duty. 
 So you see I am dei)rived of this blessed privilege by my 
 Leader, who now comi)lains to you of my neglect, when I 
 am driven by his tediousness to this neglect." 
 
 In regard to the length of class-meetings the late Piev. 
 Tobias Spicer pertinently says : — 
 
 " I think a class-meeting should not generally occupy 
 over an hour ; this is a suliicient time to answer all the 
 purposes of a class-meeting unless there should be an un- 
 usual number of persons present. Sometimes, when but 
 few are present, half an hour is all-sufficient. It often 
 happens that class-meetings immediately precede or immedi- 
 ately follow the public service, and when this is the case, if 
 they are extended to any great length, they often become 
 fatiguing, and detain persons^ especially women who have 
 families to care for, longer than is convenient. 
 
 " I have known Leaders, after the public service was 
 concluded, call the members to class-meeting, and after 
 giving out a long hymn, and singing it, would pray at a 
 considerable length, and tlion deliver an exhortation occu- 
 pying ten or fifteen minutes, giving theii' views, perhaps, of 
 
Ik 
 
 9G 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 ii!' 1 
 
 tlio scrinon they luul just hoard, and tlien commence 
 s^jeaking to tho members. Each memhor is exi)ected to 
 make a speech of some length, or at least several of the 
 members do so, and the Leader makes a reply to each, 
 occupying five or six minutes, and thus the class-meeting is 
 extended to an hour or an hour and a half. Some, who 
 are fond of hearing themselves speak, and have nothing to 
 refjuire their attention at home, are well pleased ; but 
 m.'uiy find it very inconvenient to be thus detained, and 
 will seldom attend class under such circumstances. And 
 who can wontler at it ? " 
 
 That the class may always close at a suitable time a 
 proper hour should be fixed for beginning, and the service 
 should commence exactly at the time. Little things are 
 often potential in their influence, and punctuality in com- 
 mencing at the appointed hour is not without healthful 
 efiiect upon a class. I have never known such ciiiss- 
 meetings for attendance and interest throughout the whole 
 year as those of Mr. Taylor and Mr. Sterling, in Trinity 
 Church, Jersey City, and those Leaders are always pronipo 
 in beginning at the time. 
 
 In the early days of Methodism in 'New England the 
 Rev. Jesse Lee inculcated punctuality in Class Leaders. 
 Enoch Mudge, afterward a distinguished minister, was then 
 Leader of a class in Lynn. lie once went to his class- 
 room, waited till the time, and no one came. Resolved on 
 strictly adhering to the advice of Mr. Lee, he began the 
 service with singing and prayer. Still no one appeared. 
 He then spoke his experience, knelt again in jorayer, arose, 
 and went home. His members, it is said, were never again 
 delinquent in that particular. 
 
 That is the correct principle. Fix an appropriate time 
 
HINDRANCEa TO CLASS-MEETINQS. 97 
 
 for tlio class-meeting to begin, and tlien conmicnco at tlio 
 time fixed, whoever is absent. 
 
 In a paper on Leading Class, the Rev. J. B. Finloy 
 says : — 
 
 " Let me show the Loaders of classes the most ofTcotnal 
 way in the world to kill their classes, and make the mem- 
 bers stay away from tliom. 
 
 " 1. Do not go to your mooting until after the time : 
 keep your class waiting for you fifteen or twenty minutes. 
 
 " 2. When you get there hunt up a long-metre hymn, 
 with eight or ten verses, and sing it to the tune of Old 
 Hundred. 
 
 " 3. Then get down and pray half an hour. 
 
 " 4. Tf tliere is any person there, no matter whether Iio 
 belongs to the C^liurch or not, get him to mc^et your class, 
 or go at it yourself, and let every member tell an experience 
 of from ton to fifteen minutes long, and then you preach a 
 short sermon to each one about as long, and so continue the 
 class from two to three hours, and you will make almost 
 every member you have hate the class. You will, on an 
 average, hav^e from three to six at class, and you will bo 
 complaining all along that your class does not meet. It is 
 no wonder. I do not blame them. To go there to be 
 droned at two or three hours is most distress in i;. I have 
 never known one of these drones as Leader that would not 
 kill in six months the best and most lively class in the 
 world." 
 
 Every Leader should carefully guard against giving 
 ofience to any of his members by slighting them, or by 
 austerity in his bearing toward them. He should every- 
 where show himself the friend and brother of all alike. 
 None should be allowed any reason to think that he dis- 
 criminates against them ; for to the extent that this is tho 
 5 
 
98 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER, 
 
 case will LIh svorlc 1)0 liindorcd. " ITis poclal ImLits f-;lioiilJ 
 1)0 ag)('t'iil)lo, au<l lie slionld fcsol a tondor concorn for the 
 Bpiritnal iiitorcsts of all his iiioiuhcra. If a Leader koops 
 at. a distanro from liia lueTnlx'r.s, and docs not seem to know 
 tlicin when lie nicfsts tliem in tlio ovcry-day coiir(M';,H of 
 life, or is unsocial with tlieni in a manner cnlculated to 
 make an impression on their n)inds that lie feels himself 
 somewliat ahove them ; or if in chiss-meetiiig he does nob 
 show a kind s])irit and regard for them, ho will not bo 
 eminontly useful. lie must not do his duty to his chissas a 
 professional niiin, but as a kind brother, who deeply feels 
 for tho interests of hia brethren, and is evidently laboring 
 to promote their good in all possible ways. Such a course 
 cannot fail to endear liim to all the mendjei's of the class, 
 and vender him emireutly useful and much beloved by tho 
 whole Church. 
 
 *' He should treat the poor of liis class with as much 
 respect as he does the rich. \\'lien a Jjeader is observed 
 to pay more attention to the rich than he does to the poor 
 it cannot fail to awaken jealousies among his poor brethren, 
 and will greatly lessen his influence over them, and of 
 course, prevent his general usefulness. Many that aro 
 poor possess as retined feelings as the rich, and if they do 
 not, tliey can, however, see when a difl'erence is made in 
 matters of religion between them and the rich, and many 
 of this class are greatly tempted wlien they see this differ- 
 ence, and are apt to think they are reproached, or at least 
 slighted because of their poverty. A Class Leader would 
 do well to give no occasion for such a tem])tation." 
 
 " The Class Leader," says an eminent authority, "should 
 be a man of kind and social feeling. We have seen very 
 good men, men of unquestionable piety, occupying this 
 relation, whose natural austerity of disposition and manner 
 
HINDRANCES TO CLASS-MEEtInGS. 09 
 
 gre.'i^ly InipodfHl tlicir usofulnoss. Tlioy seemrd to consider 
 themselves railicr the police ollicers of the Church than as 
 slicplierds, and wlieii they discovered any delincpioncy in a 
 member, they seemed to Iiave no idea of any other duty 
 than bringing the d(;lin(jnent to trial — the very last thing 
 to be thought of, and never to bo resorted to until all 
 possible means of reclainn'ng tlie dclintpU'nt have been tried. 
 And these to bo successful nmst be accompanied with un- 
 mistakable manifestations of lovini^-kindness and tender 
 concern for the s})iritual interests of the erring brother." 
 
 The Rev. Dr. Thomson, (IJishop Thomson), writes that 
 " feeling above tla^ work is fatal to it — fatal to one's self. 
 A lovo of this work, and ft-eliug honored by it, give rich 
 meanini; to stammered words — Divine force to the feeblest 
 instruments. lioving work makes amends for almost ar;y 
 mental deficiencies, intensilies any mental endowments. A 
 right s})irit in the liCadei- catches like fire in the hearts of 
 the members. Lacking this, the most perfect management 
 and the severest sense of duty can only make the class a 
 place of forms as dead as the })erfection of Jewish templo 
 service at the time of the coming of Christ." 
 
 A Leader's w^ork will be hindered bv toleratinij wrong 
 tempers toward each other in his members. Divisions 
 among professed Christians greatly harm the Christian 
 name. When such divisions arise between classmates the 
 eli'ect can only be evil ui)OU the class and the Church. 
 
 ** The sheep he never can d-evour, 
 Unless he iirst divide.'' 
 
 Much self-poise and skill will often be required to arrest 
 such evils and bring into harmony the discordant elements. 
 It is the Leader's office and duty, however, at whatever 
 pains, to do this to the extent that he is able. 
 
100 
 
 THE CLA83 LEADER. 
 
 " SiinTcr no bickeriiigH," says llcv. J. I>. Fliilcy, "or 
 biU'kltitiiigH, or littl(! (jUiiinlH in your cluss ; but jus soon as 
 you hear of any, go dirccLly and liav(! tUo parties face to 
 face, and niako tlioni Kettle tlicir dillicultirH ; for if you 
 snller it to run on it will grow worse and worse, until your 
 whole Hock is infected with the disease, and, |)erhaps, your 
 whole class ruined." 
 
 Other hindrances than these will arise, doul)tless, to 
 embarrass Leaders and hinder their work. reeuli:irities of 
 locality, of circumstances, and of individuals, will often 
 originate disturbing and depressing obstacles. It must bo 
 thti study of the Leader to surmount them. IIo should be 
 fertile in devices to meet and remove such hindrances as, 
 fi-oin time to time, he will encounter, and in sjiite of aU 
 diilicuUies strive to achieve success in his lii^h calling. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 now TO LEAD A CLASS. 
 
 Tiis interest and usefulness of class-meetings depend 
 chielly, so far as their human as[)ect is concerned, upon the 
 character of the men who lead them, and the manner in 
 which they do it. 
 
 " We must have devoted, spiritual, wide-awake Leaders ; 
 no half-hearted, worldly-minded professora ; but well- 
 experienced, talented men ; apt to teach, consistent in their 
 own lives, full of faith, and ' fruitful unto every good 
 
 work. 
 
 It is possible, as so many have seen with sadness, to 
 make the class-meeting dull and insipid. It can, on the 
 other hand, be so conducted as to render it an occasion of 
 rich spiritual refreshing. The great, urgent need of the 
 
 1 
 
now TO LEAD A CLASS, 
 
 101 
 
 Cliiu'cli, with roapoct to this institution, ia, tliat it bo nuido 
 fjvorvwhoro attmctivn and ofllfvini; to its nirnibciH. 
 
 Tho Loadt'i* should always go to his class-room as well 
 furnishod as possildo for tho inimodiato demand that is to 
 be mado ujjou him. Too many Leadors go to tlio class 
 with littlo or no preparation for tho sfirvico. As a couso- 
 quer. f^ their oxcrcises are defieiont in frcsliness and life, 
 the mf^mbera are not intorcstiid, and but little good is done. 
 Thought and study, as well as prayer, are essential to real 
 and abiding success in this work. 
 
 " I have found it very necessary," writes a Loader, " to 
 make some preparation beforehand, and to avoid running 
 on the same line all the while." 
 
 I have read of a Class Loader who, on the evening that 
 his ^ass met, was accustomed l»oforo going to the meeting 
 to spend an hour alone ; " and ^ ) than once he has beea 
 seen by mcibors of his family, when uni)erceived by him, 
 on his knees in his chamber, with his class pai)er before 
 him, pleading at the throno of grace on their behalf ; and 
 from papers found after his decease it was discovered that 
 his practice was to keep a record of tho spiritual state of 
 each member of his class." It would be strange if such a 
 Leader's exorcises in his class-room were not instructive 
 and edifying. 
 
 A writer very sensibly and justly says : — 
 
 "The Class Leader must have his members upon his 
 mind, not only in their presence but much more in their 
 absence. Ho wdll not then address them week after week 
 with an unedifying sameness; with pointless generalities, 
 or in terms so superficial as to show himself destitute ot 
 discrimination. Each address, though briei", will be to the 
 point ; for the individual, a hit. The garment will tit 
 because it was made expressly for tho individual. Hia 
 
102 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 measure was taken before the clotli was cut. Tlio dose Is 
 the rif,dit one, for the surgeon has taken pains to know the 
 case, and to apply his rcnicJies accordingly. Ho does not 
 come into the room with a profuse supply, in a large vessel, 
 of one compound. He brings his medicines in scpaj'ate 
 l)hials and packets, and each consists of different ingredi- 
 ents, for he has studied each patient's case, and scarcely 
 two are preciholy alike. 
 
 '■ A man of thoughtful habits, accustomed to weigh a 
 matter before he pronounces an opinion or proffers counsel, 
 more desirous to give a safe answer than a ready one, and 
 to utter a weighty saying than a smart one, is a man from 
 whom as a Leader, other things being equal, a class will 
 derive most profit. 
 
 " It is no easy matter, week by week the year through, 
 for years in succession, to bring forth things both 'new and 
 old ' that shall be profitable to the hearers assembled in 
 tlie social quiet of the class-room. Patient, plodding, 
 habitual, discriminating thought is necessary to attain this 
 power as a Class Leader. Gems of truth, like gems of 
 commerce, are not picked up in the street by careless strag- 
 glers except on rare occasions. They lie in the mine, and 
 must be dug out one at a time, and at some intervals, 
 after i)atient, but not useless labour. For such labor is its 
 own reward. 
 
 " Such a Class Leader comes every week well furnished. 
 His hive is never empty, for he is ever on the wing 
 when any nectar lies distilled in the cup, whether on the 
 extended wild of heath or in the cultivated garden. Such 
 a Leader — his members bless him. His weekly counsels 
 are inestimable. Intelligent and earnest piety hastens to 
 sit at the feet of such a guide. His lips drop wisdom. 
 The retu;ra of the hour of edification is looked for with 
 
now TO TEACH A CLASS. 
 
 103 
 
 anticipation. The hour is a short one. The moments are 
 golden. Their price is above rubies. The member goi.^1 
 home refreshed, instructed, counseled." 
 
 In opening the service, let the Leader announce and read 
 an appropriate hymn, and confine the singing — which should 
 be animated and sot to . a suita])le tune — to three or four 
 stanzas. The prayer, offered either by himself or another 
 on whose sense of propriety he can depend, should not bo 
 hurried nor immoderately extended, but should be the out- 
 pouring of a prostrate soul in adoration, confession, self- 
 abnegation, praise, supplication, and trust. It should 130 
 the prayer of faith that goeth not out of unfeigned lips. 
 The Leader should intercede for the members of his class — 
 for the absent as well as for those present ; for their fami- 
 lies ; and should introduce in a becoming way any case of 
 trouble, sickness or temptation, and anything else in connec- 
 tion with his class that awakens his concern and his sympa- 
 thy. If penitents or new converts are present their case 
 should be suitably noticed. The prayer should not be 
 general in its character, but should be a class-meeting 
 prayer — suited to the time and the company. 
 
 " We think that the prayer of the Leader at tlie com- 
 mencement should be confined to the persons and ob- 
 jects immediately before him. There, are other occasions 
 altogether more suitable to pray for various other objects, 
 not having immediate connection with the object of the 
 meeting." 
 
 It is appropriate after prayer and another brief song foi- 
 the Leader to read a short portion of Scripture, well selected, 
 and to make a few terse and suggestive remarks illustrating 
 and enforcing the words read, and opening the way for the 
 speaking of the members. He should relate modestly and 
 
 
\r\ 
 
 101 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 in few words his own expcilonco, and not discuss matters 
 that arc not relevant to tlie mceiinir. 
 
 " Instead of giving a long exhortation, as is sometimes 
 the case, Lci the Leader briefly state the exercises of his 
 mind, and wliat progress ho has made in the way to heaven 
 the week past. To take up ton or fifteen minutes in an 
 exhortation is, in ordinary cases, out of place, and is un- 
 profitable." 
 
 Says another writer : We meet to obtain fresh supplies 
 of grace and encouragement on o\ir way to our abiding 
 home in the skies ; and while at class-meeting our minds 
 should not be occupied with abstruse thoughts, or consum- 
 ing those precious moments in discussing points in Christian 
 theology which belong exclusively to our leisure moments, 
 in our studies, or in conversinir with a divine when time 
 and ch'cumstances will justify the exercise. I>ut let us not 
 forsake the simplicity of class meetings, — to talk of the 
 love of God in the soul, of our hopes and prospects, our joys 
 and our sorrows ; then we shall contiiuie to witness joyful 
 seasons while waiting on God in this means of gi'aoe." 
 
 In calling forth the experiences of the members some 
 persons attach great importance to questions being put to 
 tliciu by the Loader. " To inquire how their souls pros- 
 per " is certainly, according to the Disci i)line, a Leader's 
 duty. Mr. Charles Perronet stated the design of the class- 
 meeting to include the following particulars : — 
 
 " To know who continue mem])ers of Society. 
 
 " To inspect their outward walking. 
 
 " To inquire into their inward state. 
 
 " To learn what are their trials, and how they fall by or 
 conquer them. 
 
 " To instruct the ignorant in the first principles of re- 
 
now TO LEAD A CLASS. 
 
 105 
 
 lij^'on ; If need be to repeat, explain, or enforce what has 
 been said in public ju'eaching. 
 
 "To stir them up to belie vo, lovo, obey; and to clieck 
 the first spark of offoncc or discord." 
 
 To which Mr. Wosloy said : " I earnestly exhort all 
 Leaders of classes to considor tho preceding observations, 
 and to put thcMu in execution with all tho underistanding 
 and courage that God has given them," 
 
 The line I have italicised in the above quotation showi? 
 that it was the intention of the founder of class-meetings 
 that the Leader should make inquiry into tho inward ex- 
 perience of his members. To do this, however, in a suitable 
 and effectual way, requires no little skill and forethought 
 Such qaestions, addressed to members in the presence of 
 their brethren, ought never to be ili[>pant or pointless. Tliey 
 should never seem to be prompted by curiosity, but by a 
 desire to help the person addressed. They should be asked 
 with the utmost kindness of both spirit and manner. In 
 no part of his work will a Leader's last reserve of good 
 sense be more called into exercise than in this. 
 
 It is said that a half century ago it was the custom in 
 leading class " to put such questions as these to every mem- 
 ber : * Do you pray in secret ] How often 1 Do you read 
 our Discipline 'i Do you understand our rules 1 Do you 
 love them 1 Do you observe fasting ]' " Says a writer : — 
 
 " Instead of the unmeaning question, * How do you enjoy 
 your mind ? ' let it be ' How does your soul prosper 1 ' or 
 ' Are you growing in grace ? ' or ' Do you feel the love c'' 
 God in your heart 1 ' A man may enjoy his mind pretty 
 well and yet not be growing in grace ; and, on the other 
 liand, there are cases where Christians are fast growing in 
 grace, and yet they have sorrow upon sorrow." 
 
 5* 
 

 » • 
 
 •:' !■ 
 
 106 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 w 
 
 An intelligent Cliristian writes that " at a late class- 
 meeting, I was much ple;isedand profited by the course pur- 
 sued by our teacher in charge. The course was as follows : 
 After previous notice had been given to the class that a close 
 examination would be made on a day appointed, the Society 
 being convened, questions, plain and pointed, were asked, 
 such as these : * Do you pray in secret 1 ' * How often ? ' 
 etc. * Have you family prayer '} ' * How often 1 ' * Do you 
 unifor4iily read a portion of Holy Writ when you attend 
 family worshi])?' I must acknowledge that I was nuicli 
 surprised to lind many there that day who neglected these 
 duties. . , , 
 
 *' One brother said to me, in a conversation I liad with 
 liim after the examination alhided to, * I will henceforth pray 
 in my family. My heart tremilnd that I could not stand 
 an oxauiination before my brothix ; and if not there, how 
 shall I stand before God?' " 
 
 The judicious writer first quoted on this point says in re- 
 gard to questions : " In the hands of a skilful interrogator, 
 one who would not sulFcr rejn-oof by them himself, they 
 would im]);u't new interest to one of the most useful religious 
 exercises. To commend the duties to which they refer 
 in genera] terms is insullicient. An affectionate inquiry into 
 the individual's personal habits, made to illustrate the pre- 
 sent state of the heart and of religious progression, would 
 be of more service than a whole homily of precepts. The 
 common and almost unvaried, set of questions relating to 
 'enjoyment' tends to a tedious monotony. If enjoyment is 
 wanting, nothing is so necessary as interrogations of sufficient 
 point to probe the heart and extract the lurking ])oison. If 
 enjoyment abounds, it ought to be known whether there is 
 sufficient principle a.id religious action to form it a basis and 
 a- safeguard." 
 
1 ■ 
 
 now TO LEAD A CLASS. 
 
 107 
 
 An eampst writer, from Virginia, speaks on this snl»jcofc 
 thus : — 
 
 *' According to the Discij^line, it is his duty ' to inquire ' — 
 for the purpose of ascertaining — ' how tlieir souls prosper.' 
 How mucli is this neglected ! How often is this ini])oi'tant 
 question, wlien asked, evaded on the part of tlie members, 
 by thanking God that ' it is as well witli them as it is,' 
 etc. — and so might every sinner who is yot a stranger to the 
 torments of the damned — and, after all, no one pivsenf can 
 tell anything about their religious experience at all. or what 
 their prospects are for another and a better world ; and, con- 
 sequently, the Leader is not prepared to give them the most 
 suitable advice. 
 
 " But in order to an efficient discharge of duty, and the 
 greatest possible degree of usefulness, he must press the sub- 
 ject, probe deep, and find out wluvt is in the heart. The 
 Leader is to the souls of his members, in some sort, what 
 the i)hysician is to the bodies of his patients. If he cannot 
 give a definite character to the case, he can only make an 
 effort at a venture. He may hap[)ily meet the case, and 
 accomi)lish the good desired, or he may miss the mark, and 
 acconn)lish nothing but a solemn failure. And if the faihire 
 be the result of negligence, let him remember it is said, ' Woe 
 to him that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully,' or care- 
 lessly." 
 
 In a very sensible and suggestive essay on class-meetings, 
 Ls the following pertinent passage : — 
 
 " Probal)ly one of the most marked departures from the 
 old and beneficial features of class-meetings, is the lack of 
 directness and point which formerly so generally prevailed. 
 Class Leaders once knew the habits conducive to holy living 
 in each of their members, not by inference, but by direct 
 questionings, and we imagine if any were dis^josed to tejl 
 
108 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 the same stcrectypcd story from week to week tlicy vero 
 startled by the iu(iuiry, * Do you habitually pray iu secret ? 
 or arc f'auiily prayers observed iu your household I' 
 
 " The work of salvatiou among our peo[)le would doubt- 
 less be furthered by learning from each if they have private 
 and family prayer, or more exactly, ' Do you use private 
 prayer every morning and evening] Do you forecast daily, 
 icherevcr you arc, to secure time for private devotion 'i Are 
 you searching the Scriptures by reading habitually with 
 meditation ? Do you attend the ordinance of the Lord's 
 Supper?: Are your children baptized ? What particular 
 rules have you in order to grow in grace? What arts 
 in holy living? Are you tem])erate in all things?" 
 
 In his roj)!i('8 to the experiences of his members the 
 Leader should study to be apt and discreet. lie ought not 
 to consume much time in s])ectking to any member in the 
 class-room. If there be anything in the case of any one 
 that requires a very extended r('[)ly, the person should be 
 soen and conversed with privately. " I always," says Mr. 
 Favncll, '' made a point of concluding at the end of the hour, 
 and of being short and pointed in speaking to the members." 
 
 Mr. Wolllb says of his class : " The old jtlan has long been 
 avoidrd. I njoan when the Leader preached a little sermon 
 to each member, walking up and down all the time, and 
 wearing out the most jnitient by repeating some things 
 more than a dozen times." 
 
 "If the members made a clear deliverance," says Dr. 
 Biunson, •' which indicated prosperity, I never took the 
 time of the meeting for mere com[)limentary remarks, but 
 passed on, and made such general remarks at the end as 
 would apply to all present." 
 
 In legard to the exercLses of both Leader and members a 
 
now TO LEAD A CLASS. 
 
 100 
 
 writer judiciously deserves : " In tlie first place, lot all the 
 membors l»o present; and as to the hour, nn ])UU('tuul as 
 possible. Tiien, with fervent and holy aspirations, let every 
 member iinii.", with the Leader in a feeling, ahurt, and a[)i>ro- 
 priate prayer. Let each be modest as to the time occupied 
 in detailing cxperio'ice, yet never so brief, or spoken in so 
 low and timid a manner, that none can be edilied. I like to 
 SCO the Leader exercise a candid yet afFcctionate manner, 
 and throw as many kind, encouraging words into as small a 
 compass as jjossible to thos^ who need this mode of treat- 
 ment. To those who have much to say, especially if it bo 
 with a little self-complacency, I like to hear a mild rebuke 
 by a short and plain reply." 
 
 The llev. J. B. Finley says to Class Leaders: " Lead your 
 class, and do not sufler them to lead you. Do not fear to 
 conu3 home, in your oversight, to tlie heart and conscience 
 of your charge. Tell tliem plainly of their neglect of duty. 
 
 " Know of every member of your class whether they pray 
 daily in secret ; and whether family prayer is constantly 
 kept up in all families. Let none escape. Make no exempt 
 case, lest their blood be found on your skirts. Reprove all 
 who neglect to coumiune at the Lord's talde and attend to 
 the ordinance of baptism, and if they will not reform after 
 proper dealings with them, then hand them over to the 
 preacher in charge to be dealt with according to rule." 
 
 The Leader should confine the meeting to the object for 
 which it is held. The class-meeting is not a prayer meet- 
 ing ; it is not a love feast ; it is not a meeting for social and 
 literary improvement. It is a meeting which the Church 
 requires shall be held once a week for the purpose of pro- 
 moting the experience and practice of godliness by means of 
 the relation of the religious state of the members, and the 
 
110 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 application of tho truth to thoir cose by a Leader in tLc form 
 ' of adv'co, admonition, instnictiou, warring, or encourago- 
 
 mont, aa tlicir condition may reciiiire. 
 
 If more praycr-moctings are desired or needed than are al- 
 ready provided, in any particidar Church, let them be ap- 
 pointed and held ; but the class should not be turued into a 
 })rayer-mefttipg, unless it be at special times and for special 
 I reasons, such as praying for a ]-evival or seeking the conver. 
 
 sion of j)ein*tent8. This distinctive means of grace canru:)t be 
 surrendered by a Leader for any other without violating a 
 sacred trust. lie should not, therefore, change it from a 
 class to any other service, nor should lie as a rule make it a 
 meeting for the delivery of formal religious addresses, or 
 roiiding of essays ; but should conduct it as a class-meeting, 
 as he is apj)ointed to do. 
 
 I "A minister met a class at the quarterly visitation. It 
 ■was very large, and had in it a majority of young men. It 
 ■was found that one .secret of the poi)ulaiity of the class and 
 its Leader was in the fact that the meeting was allowed to 
 
 ! j; atlbrd opportunity for exercise in religious oratory or elo- 
 
 ; ! quence. The minister found himself called to listen to a 
 
 succession of trial sermons, until stern dutv oblijicd him to 
 
 I I enforce a check. One member, after a quarter of an hour's 
 ; i: How, closed by remarking that so many things pressed on his 
 I i mind that he was at a loss to know how to choose a point. 
 
 f: The minister handed his ticket to him, quietly saying that he 
 
 found himself in the same ditlicalty among the many things 
 to which he had so long listened. Nor \vould the history of 
 class-meetings be barren of evidence that it is possible to 
 make them dry, catechetical, literary reading clubs, rather 
 than means of spiritual interchange of sym})athy, and mutual 
 encouragement to heart meditation and prajer." 
 
 I !| i When the class becomes an occasion for speech-making, its 
 
 ii;.' 
 
now TO LEAD A CLASS. Ill 
 
 clistinctivc o1)joct is in a good degree sacrificed, and evil is 
 done >y deUnring from iittondjuico those wlio tU'iik they 
 cai'.uot attain to the class-room standard of oratory, '' Being 
 young, and hasliful in the prescnco of mature Christians, 
 they cannot ex{)ress themselves, and soon lose all desire for 
 the class-room." A most intelligent Christian gentleman 
 once related how in eiirly life he was unfortunately connected 
 with a class which was conducted on the si)cech-nuiking [>lan, 
 and though very sincere in the pursuit of spiiitual blessing, 
 he at times felt himself unequal to what ho believed to be the 
 demand upon him, when his excuse to himself for absence — 
 and he once oflered it to his Leader — was tliat he had not 
 *' got up anything " for the class. 
 
 A pastor in Illinois organized sixty young people into a 
 class, which he conducts personally very much on the princi- 
 ple of a prayer and literary association. At the opening of 
 the meeting eight or ten of the members make short prayers. 
 " One reads a five minutes essay on a religious or moral 
 topic, such as Prayer, Faith, Conversion, etc. ; and one other 
 reads a five minutes account of his or her conversion, thus 
 combining mental and religious culture. It udds great in- 
 terest to the class. Average aitendance forty." 
 
 This meeting is, no doubt, very attractive and useful, in 
 both a religious and literary sense, and such attention to the 
 mental and sj)iritual nurture of young Christians by a pas- 
 tor is very praiseworthy ; but it could not properly be called 
 a class-meeting. Eight or ten prayers, even though brief, 
 and two short essays, if there be singing, would seem to bo 
 nearly enough for one evening. How, then, with forty in 
 attendance, could time be found to lead the class ] It seems 
 impossible. 
 
 ]\Iectings of young Christians, and even of older ones, 
 
112 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 conluctotl with a view to tlio ini])rovcmc»nt of moutil and 
 spiritual gifts in cuiUAoctioii wiLli prayors. essays, uin.; ad- 
 droHsos, aro valual>L') ns woll uh enU^rtaiiiing, iiiiU miylit bo 
 prnlitahly iutrodiictd in many Cliurclios wiiorc they do T.ot 
 exist ; but tlioy should not Inj nuuh'sub.stitutos for the '-lasa- 
 meeting. That is an institution of tho Chuivh wliirh nouo 
 may subvert for any cauao. Lca<lurs may hero prolitably 
 liccd tlu! injunction of tho D.'sciplino, to " noo menu our 
 rules but keep them for conscience' sake." 
 
 It h right and needful often to vary tho oxercisos of tlie 
 claos-meeting in ojder to a\ert apathy and didnuss, and 
 there aro occasions 'vhen tho time may profitably be du voted 
 to ])ray{3r ; but the essential j)urpose of the iustitutioii 
 should be constantly in tin? Leader's mind, and to that pur- 
 pose he should seek to mako every meeting contribute. 
 
 It may be profitable to unite in prayer with tho class for 
 any memluu- who asks prayers for deliverance from tempta- 
 tion or trouble, or for strength to endure any unusual ♦^esito 
 which his or lier faith, patience, or courage is subjected. 
 Dr. Brunson says that, in loading class, *' if I found one in 
 dee[) distresss, struggling for ])ardon, or deliverance from 
 deep, powerfid temptation, I would fall on my knees and 
 pray for that one." It is both appropriate and scriptural to 
 "pray for one another;" and it would seem not unsuitable 
 to dc> so in tlie class-room when their are cases which seem 
 to recjuire it. 
 
 Good singing is an important element of a class-mooting. 
 It intensifies the interest, dispels dulness, and enkindles devo- 
 tion. Melody liings a pleasing and inspiring spell over the 
 heart. 
 
 M usic is adapted to the sensibilities and passions of man- 
 kind, and moves and sways them as readily as the clouds 
 
now TO .'r\D A CLAS3. 
 
 113 
 
 drop r.'iin. In all lands, and from flnrly tlnio, it has swept 
 the cli.ji- la 01 iimnan aoulo, and licUl tlio muUitudos ])y ita 
 rr>urfic cliinii. Tlio strains of IToincr and Virj-'ll were so en- 
 cluinliii^ that tlicy liavo floated tliroii'di tliu couluiios to our 
 ears. 'I'li- witchery of song is as great now as over, and 
 Will continue until men's lieMi'Ls no lon-^'er throb amid tho 
 tears, anxieties, and hopes of life. 
 
 During tlie baLLle of Waterloo, Wcfllincrfon diseoverod at 
 fi critical momnut that the Forty-second I Figlilandcrs wore 
 wavering. On learning that tho band had ci-asiil playing, 
 he gave immcMliato comtnand for it to resume ; and as tho 
 martial strains agiin roiled forth, thedis[)irited men rushetl 
 anew to the clinrgo, ant' bore their tattered banner forward 
 in a vahn'ous struggle for victory. 
 
 The founder of (Mirlstianity, knowing tlio power of music, 
 appropriated and liallowrd it to his own service. lie sang 
 with his disci[)les ; his (,'jiurch sang while passing through 
 its experience of p(,'rs(!cuting torture; and still tho duty 
 abides to " sing and make melody in your hearts unto tho 
 Lord." 
 
 A singing Church, that sings with tho sjiirit as well as 
 tho understanding, will always bo a cun({uering Church. A 
 Church that lightly esteems melody, ono of the brightest of 
 God's gifts, will, like the Quakers, fail to bo aggressive. 
 Tho final triumph of Christianity will be achieved in a good 
 degree through the influence of sacred song. 
 
 Many a Christian warrior has had his courage revived by 
 the biuging of the battle hynni, 
 
 "Am I a soldier of the cross ? '' 
 Many a fainting pilgrim has been stimulated as with a cor- 
 dial by the refrain, 
 
 "There I shall bathe my weary soul 
 lu seas of heavenly rest," 
 
Hi 
 
 TTTE CT.ASa LEADER. 
 
 IVruiiy a liomo-sick exilo has folt his breast thrill with joy 
 wiiilu hearing the ^ong, 
 
 " We're going home." 
 
 Many a prinitont has bohold (ho cross dm Iji;j: tho singing of 
 
 "Five blcofli"^ wnun<lg ho bears, 
 Received on Calvary." 
 
 Tho hoarty singing of an a|»[»roj)iiaio and siiggostivo stanza 
 or chorus at suitabh) int(U'vals is essential to tlie higliest in- 
 terest and usefulness of class-meetings. No leader should 
 allow his class-mroting to lack such singing. If he cannot 
 lead the sinj^ing himself, hu should, if jfossible, securo tho 
 presence of sonu; one at every lueeting who can and will do 
 it. Let tho right words and tunes be always selected, for 
 much of the power of singing in the class-room consists in 
 its adaptation. 
 
 *' The singing ought not to bo heavy, dull, and formal. 
 Neither should it, on the other hand, approach the style of 
 dancing tunes or jigs. The character of tho singing should 
 be that of chaste simplicity, flowing, lively tunes, easy to 
 learn and easy to sing." 
 
 " Let the singing," says another, " bo in the spirit. In- 
 troduce singing books. Engage in silent prayer for a moment 
 or two as preparatory to one who shall audibly pray not into 
 heaven to bring God down from above, but believing that lie 
 is nigh them, even in their hearts." 
 
 The class-meeting should be closed wit!i prayer. A Leader 
 ought not to send his members away w^tiiout first commit- 
 ting them to God. It may be as profitable, however, for him 
 to invite one of the members to lead in the closing prayer, 
 especially if he prayed himself at the opening. But after 
 the experiences have been told, and the advices have been 
 given, and the members of the class arc about to separate 
 
■ 
 
 now TO LEAD A CLASS. 11. *) 
 
 for tlin Nvopk, tliey hIiouIiI bow down together in [irnyor for 
 tho Divine i^Miidimoe luul protection. 
 
 Bt'forfj <liHniissii"^ the clasH, tlio T^oaik-r sliouhl cmH the 
 names of the nionihers nml earofully mark liis chiss-hook. 
 
 '* I foinitl it MHeful," says Dr. Brunson, *' if not necessaiy, 
 in ineetinp; cla- - to have tho chiss-book with jtencil in hand, 
 and mark it uccordino; to usage. If tho hook was duly marked 
 I could know how each mombor attended, and whether 
 the absence of any one was from negligence, sickness, dis- 
 tance, or absence from homo, and consequently, who should 
 bo looked after." 
 
 Another writer savs that a Loader " should mark his 
 chuss-book correctly every week. In order to do this ho 
 ou^lit to call each name in the class-room, so that if any 
 were sick or at a distance, some one present liaving a know- 
 ledge of the fact may report the case, und the book be marked 
 accordingly, and not marked absent merely because they are 
 not i»r(.!.sent and no one knows the cause thereof. Bh'sidcs, 
 wh(!n tlie preachers come to meet tlie class, or examine tho 
 class-book, thiy can see precisely how every member attends 
 class." Of those who are not present to resjiond when their 
 names are called, the same writer says : " Tlic Leader should 
 try to ascertain as far as ])ossibIc the cause of their absence. 
 They may be sick and need the prayers of the bretluen ; or 
 if poor, some temjioral relief ; or they may be sonjly tempted, 
 and need special encouragenient , or they may have par- 
 tially deviated from the path of propriety, and are about 
 to give up all effort to serve God and save their souls, and 
 need special help to recover their footsteps and renew their 
 covenant with God." 
 
 " Never forget or neglect," says the Rev. J. B. Finley, 
 " to mark your class-book in the 2)resence of your class, and 
 
IIG 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 inquiro ahont (.liose wlio are al)Sont. Never omit this. And, 
 if possible, pjo right from your class-rooin to see the absentees, 
 and you will not have to do this more tliau twice or thrico 
 until your d(!linquent brother or sister will say, * I must go 
 to class or my Leader will be after me. 
 
 > )) 
 
 CIIArTEP. XII. 
 
 DIFFERENT METHODS OF LEADING CLASS. 
 
 DiFEERENT men, employed in the same work, do not 
 commonly use the same methods. Their individual charac- 
 teristics are shown in their way of working. Though the 
 work be the same, the plnns fur doing it differ, and bear 
 the stamp of the individuality of the worker. 
 
 What work is there which affords no scope f(n- the inven- 
 tive faculty? The rudest labors have been relieved of their 
 more repulsive as})ects, and the ease and etliciency of the 
 hdtorer enhanced by means of this faculty. While progress 
 has distinguished our age, ami has permeated and elevated 
 every sphere or toil, is it unreasonable to su})pose that the 
 means of Christian work would also be simpliiied and ren- 
 dered more effective 1 
 
 The same method is not equally good fov all workers. 
 Wh.'.t one man can do best in one way, anotaer can best do 
 in another. It is a wasio of energy to trammel a man by 
 a method unsuited to him. It is, therefore, the right of 
 each to adopt the means wdiich will best enable him to ac- 
 conqdish the intended results. 
 
 This I i as true of a Class Leader s work as of any other 
 department of religious activity. While the design and 
 character of the class-meeting have been lixed by the 
 
DIFFERENT METHODS OF LEADING CLASS. 
 
 117 
 
 autliorlty of tlio Cliurcli, and tlie Leader must bow to tliat 
 autlioi'ity in the conduct of his office, yet there is abundant 
 scope for the display of individual gifts and the exercise of 
 special aptitudes. Every Leader is rcnjuired to ascertain 
 the spiritual state of his members, and to be aopiiiintod 
 •vvith their walk, and to instruct them accordini::;ly. But 
 how lie shall answer this requirement the ('hurch dues nob 
 determine. It leaves him free to do it in the way which he 
 Cads to be for him the most natural and eliciitis o. 
 
 One Leader, for instance, is erpially skilful in drawing out 
 the ex})eriences of his members by asking them questions. 
 Another is equally ha];)py in reaching the same result l)y 
 means of the conversational method. — that is, having the 
 members converse freely and informally about tlieii- reli- 
 gious experience, while he directs the conversation, and im- 
 parts to it the interest of his suggestions and advice. Still 
 another is never so much at home in the class-room, nor so 
 efficient as Leader, as when tlie members each speak in 
 their turn, and ho replies to them with force and wisdom, 
 giving to each " a portion of meat in due season." 
 
 This latter metliod is pursued with very decided success 
 by Mr. Taylor, of Trinity Church, Jersey City. He reads 
 a brief Scripture lesson after prayer and singing, and makes 
 pertinent and earnest remarks, vrl ;h are not improperly 
 protracted ; presents his own experience in a few words, 
 and then proceeds to ask those present to relate tlieir ex- 
 perience one by one. He either sits or stands, according to 
 his inclination or convenience, while the speaking is going 
 on. His re2)lies ai-e short, quick, sagacious, revealing often 
 a good knowledge of his members when they are out of the 
 class-room, and his spirit and manner are with unction. He 
 is evidently very earnest and happy, and infuses his spirit 
 
Il> 
 
 ^-i* 
 
 113 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 into the exercises. lie is prompt to approve wli.it ho sees 
 is praiseworthy in a member, and hesitates not to rebuke, 
 Gilt of a loving heart, when he bel'^'ves fidelity to his holy 
 trust requires it. His class is largely attended always, and 
 every meeting is a season to be remembered. He is a 
 genera' in the class-room, and his class-meetings contribute 
 much towards the maintenance of a healthy and happy 
 si)iritual life in the Church in which they are held. 
 
 ^Ir. Sterling, of the same Church, conducts his class after 
 substantially the same plan, and with marked efSciency and 
 success. Letter class-meeting work and results are seldom 
 seen than these leaders exhibit, in following the old method 
 of leading class. 
 
 Another very efficient Leader, who steadily maintains 
 the interest of his class-meetings, and the attendance of his 
 members, describes his way of leading class as follows : 
 
 " I devote one evening in a month to prayer and singing 
 exclusively. One to an experience meeting, either voluntary 
 or solicited, with an occasional word of encouragement, re- 
 proof or advice, as may seem best adapted, intersi)ersed, of 
 course, with appropriate songs. On such occasions I gener- 
 ally read at the opening one or more verses from the Bible, 
 making a few remarks to draw out from the members the 
 real spiritual condition and feelings of their hearts. I de- 
 vote generally, in the course of a month, two evenings to 
 Scripture recitations, bearing on some subject previously an- 
 nounced, and 1 find tliem very interesting and profitable. 
 Two weeks ago the subject which was given out the preced- 
 ing week, was, 'Who are the blessed] Am I among the 
 blessed ] and, Where shall I find a verse adapted to express 
 my feelintjs ] ' This plan has the tendency to keep our 
 mmds fixed on spiritual matters during the week, affords 
 
 li 
 
DIFFERENT METHODS OF LEADING CLASS. 
 
 119 
 
 food for tlionglit, and fiimiliarizcs yonng converts with the 
 word of God. Last night, as previously announced, our 
 suhject was * heaven.' Num1)er in attendance, nineteen ; 
 many of whom testified that they had given it much thought 
 during the week, and had often asked tliemselves during that 
 time * Shall I gain that blessed abode ? ' The meeting was 
 very interesting, and I really felt * heaven begun below.' " 
 He adds, " I have made every effort to make my meetings 
 as varied as possible." He also says, " Freedom, ease, 
 sociality, with becoming reverence in the class-room, is what 
 I am continually trying to effect." 
 
 Ano< ' method for eecuiing the object intended by the 
 class-me^. .ng is thus stated by a successful pastor : 
 
 " After opening oho meeting I announceil the topic of con- 
 versation, and gave my own experience concerning it, and 
 then asked for volunteers to do the same, all the while 
 making all they say come out in the form of natural conver- 
 sation. I forewarned them that there must be no discus- 
 sion — nothing but experience. One had the liberty to in- 
 terrupt another at any time by questions, and sometimes this 
 privilege was imjjroved and enjoyed very much. I proposed 
 no subject but such as related to the inner li:ie, as, for ex- 
 ample, * Faith in the promises,' ' the witness of the Spirit,' 
 * answers to prayer,' * secret prayer.* I did not continue 
 these meetings many weeks in succession in either j)laoe, 
 because to some they were too novel ; wliile others pro- 
 nounced them sjuritual, very instructive, and interesting." 
 Another Brother says : — " Disliking the old method 
 of a brief testimony from each person, and a reply from the 
 Leader, because of the monotony, and because of so little 
 real thought being awakened, I have tried various experi- 
 ments in diilerent places. I am fully convinced that methods 
 
1-0 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 must vary according to tlio circumstances of tlic people and 
 tlioir iiiti'lk'ctual and s})ii-itual advancement. But the plan 
 wliicli I liavc found to work to the great(;st advantage is to 
 have a free talk. To avoid raiiildiiig and unprofitaLlc con- 
 Mersation, and also to lead to thought both before and after 
 the meeting, tlio Leader gives out a Scrii)ture promise at the 
 close of a meeting for the succeeding one. Something of a 
 system of texts, beginning with the Christian life, and then 
 exj)ressing dillerent stages of advancement, has been profit- 
 ably used in several classes. With two or three persons of 
 considerable experience there is no dilliculty in occupying an 
 hour or more in illustrating and enforcing a text from practi- 
 cal experience and observation. Young Christians being en- 
 couraged to ask questions and present any dilliculties which 
 may hinder them, soon find these meetings sources of know- 
 ledge and strength. In a class of six or eight, or even 
 twenty, nearly every regular attendant will soon have some- 
 thing to say, if the Leader is skilful in drawing out the dif- 
 fident. In a class of fifty, as my present one often contains, 
 all do not have the opportunity to converse, yet all acknow- 
 ledge themselves profited. Frequently unconverted persons 
 are present, and several quite regular attendants. Much de- 
 pends upon the Leader in giving variety and in making home 
 ap])licationsof the promises used." 
 
 No method should be so employed as to deprive any mem- 
 ber of the class of the privilege of speaking, and allow to 
 those who are inclined to bo loquacious an opportunity to 
 monopolize the conversation of the class-room. All the mem- 
 bers have equal rights there, and a Leader ought not to per- 
 mit those of the humblest to be infringed. 
 
 The following are also good suggestions : — 
 
 **L Get the best men for Loaders, pious, thoughtful, 
 laborious. 
 
DIFFERENT METHODS OF LEADING CLASS. 121 
 
 " 2. Have Loaders' prayer-mootings once a month, to sug- 
 gest iin])rovoments and seek tlie Divine blrssiiig. 
 
 " 3. Commence on time ami close promptly. 
 
 *' 4. Never fail to have class. A merchant never closes 
 Lis store because it is rainy. 
 
 " 5. Variety is good, but within limits. 
 
 " G. Follow up decided impressions on the young, through 
 the week, either yourself, or by asking a suitable person, by 
 a cai'd, to do what you want to have done. 
 
 " 7. Conversation, free and yet under control, brings out 
 conditions no other system docs. 
 
 " 8. Avoid formality. 
 
 " 9. Seek frequent baptisms of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 " 10. Have a special subject occasiiuially, and encourage 
 praying for certain persons in the class," 
 
 Another pastor writes : — 
 
 " An ex[)ericnce of seventeen years as a minister has 
 taught me the following requisites ior successlal meetings : — 
 
 '* 1. A pastor who believes in class-meetings. 
 
 ** 2. A religious Leader — a sensible man. 
 
 *' 3. Good singing. 
 
 " 4. Social and religious conversation, questions and 
 answers, instead oi set stereotyped speeches^ 
 
 ** 5. A suitable room. 
 
 *' 6. Briel services." 
 
 As to " social a7id religious conversation," we doubt. 
 The class-meeting is a strictly religious meeting though it has 
 a social character. Religious conversation carried on in a 
 social way is what we suppose to be intended by the writer 
 in this suggestion. If the various domestic, and business 
 topics which frequently enter into the social conversation of 
 Christians —and properly enough at the right time and 
 
V2 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 I 
 
 place — aro to be introduced, it should be either before tho 
 class begins or after it is closed. 
 
 An ox|»erienced Leader says that in leading class ho varieg 
 tho exercises, which are enlivened by " good, earnest, quick 
 time singing; sometimes I have volunteer speaking, a'; 
 other times close, searching meetings of in(|uiry as to how oujf 
 souls prosper, and work iu all the good material to the besfi 
 advantage. If the interest keep up I hold an hour ; but if 
 few are }U'esent, and the interest is about to flag, close at 
 once, if the meeting has only run fifteen minutes. 
 
 *' Sometimes, and in some places, frequent conversational 
 meetings aro interesting and profitable. After the opening 
 ^exercises let the Leader say, ' The class is open for conversa- 
 tion.' Some topic may bo introduced occasionally." 
 
 Another Brother writes, " I sometimes announce a par- 
 ticulartheme fur prayer and study during the week. Asoftcu 
 as every three months I re(|uest all tho m(!mbers to try 
 and live nearer the cross than th(!y ever did, and say to 
 tliem ' I want you on next Sabbath to tell how you liavo 
 lived during the week.' When the time arrives, I say ' I 
 don't care anything about any of your past life excei)t the past 
 week. What have been your daily and hourly enjoyments i 
 Have you made any growth in grace ? Do you feel you aro 
 one week nearer home and heaven 1 ' Oh such meetings as 
 follow these individual weeks / Such witnessings for Jesus ! 
 Such sweet seasons — to hear them tell how hai)py they have 
 been all the week — to hear one recount his troubles over, 
 and another recount her treasures above ! I believe this to 
 be a very successful way of promoting pure holiness ; at least 
 it has proved a great success with us. We have glorious 
 meetings everv time we meet — have a revival all the time — ■ 
 have had for the last year." 
 
 None will wonder that this Leader is able to say, as he 
 
DIFFERENT METHOrS OF LEADING CLASS. 
 
 123 
 
 he 
 
 docs, that 't'> has a " reguhar attenchinco by both ohl and 
 ^oinii'." Jivoly and prolitablo chiss-mectings arc always 
 alluiing. 
 
 ' is not always necessary to conduct the exercises in the 
 F im< wa^. Cultivate a social, cheerful spirit. Do not be 
 purtnibod if one of the members should ask for the singing 
 t. a hymn which expresses the heart-hunger of the asker. 
 loo much formality might be prevented by rea<ling in con- 
 cciv a selection of Scripture. There need be no fe.ir of fli])- 
 panc\ and iweverenco, for class attendance involves a deep- 
 scuti" solemnity. Once a week, at least, the so\d seems to 
 be opened for Divine inspciction. Occasionally ask a good 
 rcaUcr to read the opening hymn, calling special attention to 
 it. . . . The need of all our meetings is, to impress the 
 trudi ot God's word on all, that whenever two or three are 
 met tog.j licr in his name, there is he in the midst. Let the 
 expectation of the class bo expressed in the hymn, ' Talk 
 with us. Lord, thyself reveal.' 
 
 lather lleeves, the noted English Class Leader, was ac- 
 customed occasionallv to hold a deliiihtful JJible service in 
 his class. And thus he gave vaiiety to his meetings luid 
 incited his members to study the sacred word. 
 
 Thus do earnest Leaders em})l()y ditlerent devices to make 
 the class-meeting interesting and usefuh IIow best to secure 
 such an oV)jeet is worthy of every Lea<ler's most thoughtful 
 and patient study. AVhatever method he can devise or adopt 
 winch will increase the Interest and profit of his meetings, 
 he should employ with v/hatever skill he can command. lie 
 shoidd keep m mind ilie following directions, given in the 
 Discipline, foi' conducting class-meetings : " Let care be ob- 
 serveci that they do not fall into formaliu , through the use 
 of a uniform method. Let speaking be voluntary, or iho 
 
124. THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 exercises conversational, tlio Leader taking sucli uieasiiresan 
 may best assist in making tlio services frobli, spiritual, and 
 of peniuin'jiit religious proUt." 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE PASTOR. 
 
 The relations of the Leaders and the pastor ouglit to bo 
 of the most cordial and conlidential character. Thoy should 
 know everything needful to be known in relation to tho 
 moral and religious condition of the Church, and should 
 freely consult together. They shovtlu '* see eye to eye," and 
 act in accord with reference to the s[)iritual work and dis- 
 cipline of the Church. Tiicsy should be in harmony, es- 
 pecially in their views of Christian life, doctrine, and duty, 
 so that there maybe no conllict between the teachings of tho 
 pul})it and of the class-room. 
 
 The relation of the pastor of a Church and its Leaders is 
 that of jti-iucipal and assistants. Ife is responsible for the 
 s})iritual oversight and instruction of the membership ; they 
 are a})pointcd to assist him in this work. While he, on his 
 part, should not " lord it over Cod's heritage," they ought 
 not, because of the influence of their office, to disregard his 
 authority as the overseer of the Church. Pastor and 
 Leaders ought ever to labor in perfect agreement in caring 
 fur t!ie Hock. 
 
 The Discipline of the Church wisely intrusts to the pastor 
 the a})pointment of Class Leaders. " If it be right," says 
 Bishop Janes, "that a general, who is responsible for tho 
 results of a campaign, shoidd select his staff, is it not just 
 as proper that the pastor, who is to lead ' the sacramental 
 
' 
 
 THE PASTOR. 
 
 125 
 
 host,' and who is rnsponsiltlo to God and his Church for tho 
 spiritual weal of tho ptjoplc, shouM select tlioso who an; to 
 reiu'csent and assist liini 1 It seonis to mo that tliero cm lie 
 none but an allirniativo answer to the inquiry." 
 
 It is tlie pastor's business to know how tho Lea<U'rs do 
 their work. As they receive their autliurity from him, and 
 are his agents or assistants, duing his woik, it is needful 
 that he be acquainted with their way of doing it. 
 
 lie can ascertiiin tliis by visiting tlio classes, and hear- 
 ing tho Loaders for himself. I think it is a serious mistako 
 for a pastor, when he visits a class, to always accept an in- 
 vitation to lead. If he has anything to say to tho members 
 he can say it at the close, and by quieMy sitting among them 
 during the meeting ho can know just how the Leader does 
 his work. Then if he discovers anything imi)roper in the 
 method of the Leader, or sees how his eflieiency might be 
 increased, ho can give suggestions and advice with a full 
 knowledge of tho case. It is a part of tho work of the pastor 
 to hear his Lcadei-s with sutHcient frequency to know to 
 what degree they instruct and edify their members. 
 
 It is, therefore, a pastor's duty to visit the classes. Tho 
 old rule was, that he should do this quarterly ; but it is prob- 
 able that most pastors would find it useful to make their 
 visits more frequent. And yet they should not bo too fre- 
 quent, lest there should be occasion for the Leader to feel 
 that he is under surveillance ; nor should visits bo made to 
 one class much more frequently than to others, unless for 
 special reasons. 
 
 The pastor can make his visitations to the classes hcl}>ful 
 to the Leaders in several ways. In the first place, if he will 
 announce his intended visit from the pidpit on the pre- 
 vious Sabbath, and kindly invite all the members of the 
 
 / 
 
 ^ 
 
12C 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER, 
 
 class to meet liim in clnsp-mpoting, givhig tlicm to iindorstand 
 that it will ivfrord liiin plfisisure to see thorn, he will niako 
 liis visit an ocoHsioii for a s})ocial rally, and will bo likely to 
 (Uaw out those who need ar. extraordinary incontivo to 
 attend. TIib result will be, increased interest in the class- 
 nieiLing. In this way let the pastor go regularly through 
 the classes of the Church, and his visitaiions will bo means 
 of help and of blessing. 
 
 lie can aid the Leader and class by rafinlfestlng, in suit- 
 able ways, his interest an<i syuiitathy; by addressing 
 inspiring and encouraging words to the mciubers; by be- 
 comingly commending tho Loader and his work ; and by 
 8uch counsels as will tend to an incroaso of eliiciency and 
 enlhusiasm. 
 
 The class-meetings shotild recoivo attention from tho 
 pastor in tho pulpit. If ho do not preach esjiecially on tho 
 subject, ho can at least give them a place in his ministrations 
 incidentally, and occasionally stir uj) the membership in 
 respect to the privilege and duty of class attendance. A 
 warm appeal now and then from the pulpit will help the 
 class-meetings and the Leaders. Tiie pastor should also 
 regularly announce the time of the meeting of classes. 
 This might bo done with advantage ce, at least, each 
 Sabbath. It gives the classes promii^ience, it serves as a 
 reminder to tho members, informs strang(n'S. and shows the 
 pastor's own concern in an important interest of the Church. 
 
 The pastor can also greatly contribute to the success of 
 the Leaders' work by giving suitable prominence to the class- 
 meeting in his piistoral conversations with the members. 
 Es})ecial]y should he inquire of them concerning their 
 habits in attending class ; encourage them to be regular in 
 this duty, and remove any hindrance or prejudice from their 
 
THE PASTOR, 
 
 127 
 
 minds, sliouM any exist, so far ns liis skill anil knowlodgo 
 may enaMo him to do so. ITe hIiouUI also aim to siistaia 
 tlic lA'adeis und strengthen tlu'ir inlliu'nco hy s^toaking 
 favorably of them, and inducing their mombcrs to rally 
 round them. 
 
 In the samo manner ought (ho Loaders to aid tho pastor. 
 They slKiuld never, on any account, speak disparagingly of 
 hiui. 1'hey ought to endeavour to strengthen his hold upon 
 tlio Ch Tch and increase his usefulness, hy commending him 
 and his teachings to tho favour of their nuinhcrs. They 
 Bhould insist on their members regularly hearing the word 
 which it is his business to proclaim from Sabbath to Sab- 
 batii. They ought to look as closely after Lhem on the 
 Lord's day, to see that they are in their places in ehvirch, as 
 they do on the class-night, to see that tliey are in th<! class 
 room ; and especially slioukl they see that they attend tho 
 sacrament of the Lord's Supper. 
 
 It is aaid of that rare Class Leader, Father Reeves, that 
 at the meeting " prior to Sacrament Sunday he "was sure to 
 make the announcement, together with the ' hope of meet_ 
 iji;; all mv dear members at the Lord's Table.' And ho 
 looked after them too. For many a long year tho gootl old 
 man took his stand just under the corner of the pulpit stairs, 
 gently aiding to form the line of waiting communicants, and 
 narrowly acanning each line for the members of his own 
 Hook." By such care and faithfulness a Leader can greatly 
 contribute to the success of the pastor's ministry, and to tho 
 unity ;iud prosperity of the Church. 
 
 The pa.sior shoidd ^eek tO promote, in all suitable ways, 
 the personal improvement of the Leaders. He should not 
 only be dolicitous for their spiritual progress, but also for 
 their meutal growth. In proportion as they increase iri 
 
 (.< 
 
123 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 kno\vlr<];;;o nnd in grace will tliclr usefulness be augmontccl. 
 It is tlio duty of a Leader to study, that iio luay .ii»ow him- 
 self "u workuuui that niM'deth not to bo aHhamud, rightly 
 dividiu"^ the word of truth." It in not necefctary that his 
 studies should lead hiiu into very diversilijd regions of 
 knowledge; but in the domains of I>il>lo history, biogra[»hy, 
 precept and promise, ho should bo a steady explorer. Ho 
 should .study K'.xh books as arc rich iu Christian experience, 
 and clear in the statement of Christian doctrine. Lcadero 
 ought to become familiar with tire best h3ninsof the Church, 
 and with work.s that have a si)ccial relation to tia.ir oflice. 
 In fine, they bhould apply themselves to whatever st'ulies 
 "will increase their (lualitications as religious teacher;:^, and 
 render them more elective as Ciiristiun workers. 
 
 It should bo the pastor's care to supervise the studies of 
 his assistants in the great work of the pastorate, lie ou^'^ht 
 to be able to direct their attention to books suitable for them, 
 and in the study of which they would receive spiritual 
 nourishment and mental quickening. It would bo well for 
 him to meet them at stated times, for the ])urpo.so of learn- 
 ing how they progress ; of discussing with them the subjects 
 of their investigations; assisting them by such suggestions 
 and information as he can giv^e them, and directing their 
 attention to whatever might h(^lp them in their work. If 
 all the pastors of the Church would thus labor for the 
 improvement of the Leadership, the class-meetings would 
 greatly increase in interest and usefulness, and tlie i)ovver of 
 the Leaders would })robably be doubled. If Sunday-school 
 teachers need the aid of the jiastor in seeking better qualifi- 
 cations for their work, so also do the Leaders ; for their 
 service is at least no less dillicult, important, and re- 
 sponsible. 
 
 v- 
 
THE PASTOR. 
 
 129 
 
 In viow of tlin groat intoront tho Cliurcli has in its Claaa 
 Loadci ■«, and tlio vast itnportaiico of tluMr woik, it ovi;L,dit, T 
 iMiil., to [irovitlo for thorn a H«M'ics of voluinoa, Rpocillcally 
 adaptol to tlioir ucodn. A "Class Loaflorn' Library," con- 
 Hislltig oi a score, more or loss, of inoxpntihivo volumes, 
 tliorouylily prepared liy coinpotont writers, would be one of 
 the most useful puUlishing enterprises in whieh our Euok 
 Concern could euga^^e. 
 
 Eviiry liOador ought to ho instructtvl in regard to tho ne- 
 cessity of ii I ade(|uate ktiowlcdgo of words and of tho use of 
 them. The Leader should be able so to oni}>loy words in 
 his class-room addresses as to convey precisely the meaning 
 lie intends. The haj)py use of language is an art whiclv 
 every religious teacher should labor to acquire. Tho TiCadcr 
 should, like tho preacher of whom the author of Ecclcsiastea 
 writes, seek "t<i find out acceptable words." His .should bo 
 words of truth, but they will not be such in the fullest sense, 
 if through failure to select them intelligently he shall cause 
 tluMn to convey to his hearers a moaning which ho does not 
 intend, thereby making them, it may be, vehicles of error. 
 
 In res[)ect to this subject Father Reeves showed nice dis- 
 crimination. " I have learned," ho says, " that thci-e is a 
 vast dilference in tho force that diilercnt words carry with 
 them, as much diireronce as there is between tho sound of a 
 Bhee])-bell and tho great bell of St. T'aul's." And a wiser 
 than he says, " The words of the wise are as goads, and as 
 nails fastened l)y tho masters of assemblies." Tho Leader 
 should be so well furnished for the e^vprossion of his thoughts 
 as that he may not let any comnmnicatior proceed oui ofliia 
 month ** but that which is goof' to thr u.se of edilying, that 
 it mav ministei eraco unto the hearers." 
 
 Tbf best and most suitable words effectively uttered, add 
 
 9* 
 
uo 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 much to a Leader's addresses. Tliey go far to constltnto 
 eloquence, i'lio class-room utterances of a Loader, because 
 of their necessary brevity, ought to be crowded tlie more m itli 
 pungent tliouglit and eloquent emotion. And words iitly 
 chosen are the best vehicle of both. 
 
 Thus in harmony and lo'\e should the pastor and Leaders 
 live and serve. Counseling, encouraging, and inspiring one 
 another, and rejoicing in one another's success, they should 
 labor together as " true yoke-fellows " in the Gosi)el. Their 
 mutual ,sym})athy and help Mdl^ lighten the burden of their 
 toils, and greatly conduce to the felicity of the Church. Their 
 unity of mind and effort will give efliciency to their plans 
 for promoting Zion's prosperity. They will have the hap- 
 piness of seeing their part of the great "sineyard made beau- 
 teous and fruitful under the culture of their united hands 
 
 > 
 
 and also the blissful anticipation of the final reward, when 
 together they " shall diine as the brightness of the firma- 
 ment," yea, " as the srn in the kingdom of their Father." 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 REVIVALS. 
 
 Revivals are the Church's harvests. They are as legi- 
 timately the result of the fervent prayers, the ital faith, 
 and zealous work of the Chulch, as fields of grain waving 
 before the sickle are the product of the sowing and culture 
 of the husbandman. 
 
 The Church of Jesus Christ is essentially and successfully 
 aggressive. Pentecost sounded the opening trumpet of 
 militant Christianity, as it started at Jerusalem on its con- 
 C[uering march over the world; and cvtsr «Ince the skies 
 
REVIVALS. 131 
 
 liavc trembled witli " tlie noise of its captains ami tlio 
 fchoutings " of its hosts, while falling ramparts and tottering 
 principalities of darkness have proclaimed its trium[)lis in 
 tliO earth. 
 
 In nature God accomplishes his purposes by lightning 
 and thunder, as well as by star-beams and zephyrs. ITo 
 shakes the world with earthquakes, and moistens it with 
 de'v. The night winds t.iat "creep from leaf to leaf" are 
 his missengers, and so are the tornadoes that rouse the seas 
 into fary, and blacken the heavens with wrath. The small 
 and tlio great, the weak and the mighty, tl.\e gentle and 
 the terrible, are alike the instruments of his will. 
 
 So, also, is it in the realm of grace. God spoaks in " the 
 still small voice, " and also in the whirlwind, and he an- 
 Bwcreth by fire. His gracious economy includes the quiet 
 influence that opened Lydia's heart, and the rushing mighty 
 wind that overwhelmed the multitudes in Jerusulem. 
 
 Methodism is the fruit of a revival. Commencing in 
 England, it "set the kingdom in a Ib.ze." Unchecked l»y 
 floods, ic leaped across the ocean, and began to flame over 
 North America. It flashed the liirht of life into vast re- 
 gions that were envelo[)ed in the darkness of spiritual dtsath. 
 The Are became shut up in .he bones of hundreds, and they 
 rushed forth on saddle-baj's, throu'di forests and waters 
 over valleys and mountains, shouting: "Whosoever will, 
 let him come." Tears fell. Weird sounds of an<'uish filled 
 the air, Halleluias broke forth. "Glory" resounded to 
 " glory," as though the seraphic choir of Bethlehem had re- 
 turned to repeat their song. Classes were formed. Class- 
 meetings gave an outlet to strange raptures. Temples rose. 
 Schools opened. The [)ress was harnessed to the saddle- 
 bags. The work was organized into a mighty system, and 
 the re&ult is — the Americau Methodist Church. 
 
l'^2 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 Xo gonniiio INtetliodi.st is without the revival afllatus, for 
 MctliodisTii is a revival. It is a providential medium 
 tlirougli Avliicli is poured into the world tlie (ire of the Holy 
 Ghost of the Pentecoist. Millions are not converted in a 
 century by a single agency, .and scores of tliousands of 
 cliurclies are Jiot huilt in the saniopei-iod for their accommo- 
 datif)n, ])y a slow and languid movement. Such results can 
 only bo produced by a revival of momentous power. 
 
 Such a revival Methodism has been and is, and such it 
 should continue to be. It has no reason for existing except 
 to spread '* scriptural holiness /' or, in other words, to turn 
 the world unto God. 
 
 Every one who iilcntifics himself with this movement, 
 and enters heartily into it, becomes an instrument of revi- 
 val. Whether in the puli)it or in the obscurest pew, every 
 soul converted through Methodism, and united with it by 
 the bond of that conversion, is a part of this wonderful re- 
 vival agency, and contributes in his measure to its force and 
 its increase. 
 
 Whatever regulations and adjustments human hands have 
 given to Methodism as a system are intended to adapt it 
 more fully to its mission. This is the position of the class- 
 n^.Geting. It is a revival institution. It is a conspicuous 
 part of a mighty spiritual enginery. '* The class meeting," 
 says an authority, '* is the nursery of Mothodistic revival 
 power." 
 
 " The secret," says the same authority, " of power on tho 
 part of Methodism in its aggression on the v.orld, has been 
 from the beginning its own internal brotherly culture of 
 spiritual life, in obedience to its own tested rules of weekly 
 ffUowship. While it has kept these rules 'for conscience' 
 sake,' the Lord has added to its numbers. But when there 
 lias been an evident lack of the ' converting power/ it hus 
 
REVIVALS. 133 
 
 been invariahly in {issoclation with loosonosg of internal 
 discijilinp, and llio decay of class-meeting life and enjoyment. 
 Mctliodism still shows that its loss of order in tho use of its 
 distinctive means of mutual edification is always answered 
 by a loss of saving power over the outer world. It Favos 
 others just as it saves itself; no fiirther than it diligently 
 uses the moans which the IMcthodist conscience knows to be 
 most efloctivc. Its condition as a converting agency at any 
 period his l)een the condition of its classes." 
 
 To n»e extent tliat the class-meetini]' is a means of mnin- 
 taining and developing tho si)iriual life of tho Church, is it 
 an agency for promoting revivals ; for the stronger and 
 more vivid is that life, the greater are its triumphs over sin 
 and sinners. Thus the class-meeting is the training school 
 in wliich the hosts of our Zion are fitted for conquest. It 
 is a forge in whose heat their weaj)Ous receive celestial 
 temper. 
 
 In describing a wonderful revival in Virginia in I7S7, 
 the Rev. Jesse Lee, tho first historian of American IMotho- 
 dism, says : " The work was not confined to meetings for 
 preaching," and he adds : '' In class-meetings the Lord fre- 
 quently set mourning souls at liberty." 
 
 Tliis has been the case througout the history of the in- 
 stitution. In class-meetings the impressions made by the 
 preaching of the word have very often developed into con- 
 version, and the class-rooms of Methodism from the begin- 
 ning liave resounded with the testimonies and the slioutings 
 of souls there disenthralled by redeeming grace ; and in 
 them many timea have been enkindled the fires that have 
 enwrapped Churci»'^'? ami communities in a glorious blaze. 
 The power of the class-meeting as a revival agency is demon- 
 strated by its entire history, and cannot bo adequately 
 measured. 
 
131 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 Tlie early Mutliodist preachers wer'^ accustomed to follow 
 up the impressions produced by their })reaching with per- 
 sonal a[>peals in the class-meeting directly after the sermon. 
 Tiiero they met, not alone the members, but serious and 
 awiikoned persons. Thus they made the class a powerful 
 auxilitiry of the pulpit in T)romoting the salvation of the 
 people. 
 
 To illustrate this statement 1 will give a pleasant sketch 
 from the pen of one of the early heroes of our ministry, the 
 late venerated Peter Vanncst. 
 
 "In the year 1799," he says, "on TiHsfield Circuit, at 
 a place called Groenbush, I held a meeting in a sciiool-house. 
 After ^)ublic meeting I held a class-meeting. In passing 
 through the class I came to an old man, a German, not a 
 member of the class. I asked him if he had reliuion. lie 
 said he had. I asked him if he belonged to any Cluux'h. 
 He said that he belonged to a Lutheran Church in Germany. 
 I asked him if God liad converted his soul. lie said, ' I 
 do not knov. what you mean.' I asked liim if lie knew, 
 that God for Christ's sake had pardoned his sins, lie said, 
 
 * I do not know any ting about dom tings.' ' Then,* said I, 
 
 * you have got no religion; for the Lord says you must bo 
 born again or vou cannot enter the kin2;dom of heaven.* 
 So I passed on till I came to his wife, and found her in the 
 same state. They both began to weep. I talked to them, 
 and prayed with and for them ; but their distress increased. 
 
 " I invited them to attend a prayer-meeting that evening 
 in a private house. They did so, and when they came they 
 were in great distress. The man said, ' I feel so bad as if 
 I can't liff.' I said, ' You must pray to the Lord to pardon 
 your sina for Jesus Christ's sake.' * coot Got, what shall 
 I do ■? I cannot pray English.' I said, * then pray Dutch.' 
 
4 
 
 BEVIVALS. 135 
 
 llo said, * Can de Lort understand dat 1 * I said, * Yes.' 
 k>o the old man and Lis wife both began in earnest to cry to 
 the Lord in Dutch and English, all mixed together. When 
 they used English words it was, * Good Lort, give me dat 
 religion of Jesus ! ' So they prayed and cried to the Lord, 
 and others joined them in A;rvent prayer; and the good 
 Lord came down in power nnd filled the hoiisc with his 
 glory and tho old man gotoul of the prison-house, and such 
 shouts of glory to God, in Dutch and English; it was like 
 heaven begun below. The man of the house also was 
 brought under conviction, and the next morning about day- 
 break the Lord set his soul at liberty." 
 
 Thus did the class-meeting prove in tho hands of tho fathers 
 a powerful agency for the conversion of souls. And it is still 
 capable of cqiuil efTcctiveness, not only for tho edification f 
 believers, but for the salvation of sinners. Every Leader 
 should constantly endeavour to make his class-meeting pro- 
 motive of conversions and revivals. 
 
 Class Leaders bear a very important and responsible rela- 
 tion to the revival work of the Church. While tho pastor 
 is the commander of the spiritual forces, they are his chief 
 lieutenants. While he gives general directions for the move- 
 ments of the army, they should see that their own battalions 
 are valiant in the fight. They should bravely support thi.'ir 
 captain, by seeing that his orders are carried out in battle. 
 
 Bishops Coke and Asbury clearly show what is the rela- 
 tion of tho Leadership to revivals when they say, " Tlie 
 revival of the work of God does perhaps de])end as much 
 upon the whole body of the Leaders as it does upon tlie 
 whole body of the preachers." The Avords of Bishop Thomson 
 are of the same import. ** There can be," he says, •* no 
 question that the united influence of our Leaders in any 
 

 13G THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 c]iargc wlicrc our system is proiieily worked Is greater tlian 
 that of its minister." Cuko ami Asbury likewise say, " A 
 spiritual body of Loaders may coiintoract tlio otliervviso 
 pernicious conscqucncos of a languid ministry." Still agaia 
 they adlrm, " Our Leaders, under God, are the sinews of our 
 society, and our revivals will ever, in a great measure, rise 
 or fall with them." 
 
 A writer in Now England, more than a quarter of a cen- 
 tury ago, tridy and forcibly said : " How much depends upon 
 the Leaders to preserve the purity and spirittiality of tho 
 Church, and to increase its members 1^ the awakening of 
 sinners and the conversion of penitents ! Each class :s a 
 little Church by itself, and if every one is duly active and 
 diligent, the main body is thriving, an , activo, and powerful. 
 But not single class can languish without a wasting and 
 deadening influence upon the cause, avll that is peculiuily 
 valuable in our system depends, therefore, in a very eminent 
 degree, upon the fidelity of tlio Class LeadtTS. ThciiO arc 
 the mighty men of ourlsraJ, the captains of the tens, under 
 whose conduct the spiritual host is \ept in order and carried 
 into the conflict. Taken together, they have a good ('eal 
 more power over tho fortunes of the Church than tho 
 ministry. Without them but little can bo accomplished — • 
 with them everything." 
 
 The vast power which the Leaders are capable of wielding 
 for the world's salvation is scarcely exaggeratevl by thlj 
 writer, who says : " Fifty thousand Class Leaders can put a 
 new aspect on the state of religion in this nation, If, In tho 
 name of Him who was Leader of the first twelve, they 
 resolve it shall be done." 
 
 The Leader can make Iiis office promotive of revivals by 
 teaching his membei*s to labor for the conversion of sinners. 
 This object should be held steadily before them, and tho 
 
REVIVALS. 
 
 107 
 
 burden of tlio prayers In class meeting sIijuM (-Tton he, " O 
 Jjord, revive tliy work ! " 
 
 Personal appeals slioul I be mado to t^io unoonvorted, and 
 they slioukl be invited to tlie class room. Persons who aro 
 in the liabit of attending the Church services on the k:'abbiitli 
 should be address'^d tcndcriy by the Leader hiiusclf, oi" by 
 members deputed to do it, and they should understand tha'o 
 they would receive a warm welcome at the class-meeting. 
 There are in every congregation persons who are serious 
 about rclif'ion, and who would be irlad if thov could become 
 Christi;iiiS, but who lack the courage and resolution to come 
 out 1)')M]y for Christ. Yet, perhaps, none take them by the 
 hand and ofTtT to lead them to Jesus. Wh;it th.ey need is 
 the oviii^j offices of some one who yearns for their salvation. 
 
 The Class Leaders, as tlio pastor's assistants, should be 
 continually i joking afte- such, and supersising the eilbrts 
 of their members in behalf of them, that they may be gath- 
 ered .iito tlio f>i d. 
 
 When the unconverted come to the class-nrieoting with 
 serious concern for their souls the meeting shoukl often 
 be sliapoa h: their interest. The speaking, the singing, and 
 praying should bo largely for them. The class-hour might 
 often thus become memorable on account of displays of con- 
 vertinir grace. AVhile believers receive encouraujement and 
 strength, penitents should chere be led to lose their burden 
 at the cross. 
 
 Father Peeves gave much attention as a Leader to the 
 work of saving souls. Had he *' a number of peaiitents in 
 his class, the next prayer-meeting would be specially for 
 them, penitential hymns selected, and an address of encourage- 
 ment with Scripture references would bo delivei-ed. ^^'ere 
 penitents set at liberty, wcU-cliosen verses of praise to God, 
 
133 THE CLASS LEADER." 
 
 [)reviously marl.ed, wci*c heartily kiid^. ITiul tlio clasi 
 received, as into a hospital, soino poor Ijuck-slidorb, the fol- 
 lowing prayer-mcetiii;; was for them ; for them the li) nms, 
 for them the exhortatic^n, for tliom the Scripturo f-ict and 
 Scrijjtiire promise, and for them the earnest, importunate, 
 and prevailing prayer," 
 
 Says liis biographer, from v.-hom also the ahove passage 13 
 quoted : " Some of the prayer-meetingri in his chisses wevo 
 distinguished by niucli of the Divine presence : at one peni- 
 tent prayer-meeting twelve souls were sat at liberty. Again, 
 in 1838, Father Ileevca writes according to his wont lu hia 
 class-book : — 
 
 "Glory be to his holy name, ho has been fulfilling tliat 
 great and glorious promise which he so clearly and fully gavo 
 mo one Sunday morning, about the year 18H0, when on my 
 knees praying for my classes : ' Tiie Lord shall increase you 
 more and more, you and your children ; ye are the blessed of 
 the Lord which made heaven and eartli.' Oh, my ever 
 blessed Father, keep mo humble at the feet of Jesus while 
 thou savest poor sinners. Oh, what have mine eyes seen ! 
 The Lord has added in this class-book — 
 
 To my Sunday afternoon class 9 
 
 " Sunday evening " 8 
 
 " "Weauesday " " 12 
 
 *♦ Fiiday '* •< 8 
 
 37 
 
 And the blessed Lord has set twenty souls at happy liberty." 
 The class-room of this devoted Leader frequently witnessed 
 
 scenes of revival, as shown by the following extracts from 
 
 his journal : — 
 
 " December, 1832. The number of those who have boon 
 
 convinced of sin, those who have been converted, the 
 
REVIVALS. 130 
 
 Kaolc-slMors n'storod, and tlic liiippy tlcatlis, in my three 
 classes this last year : — 
 
 Convinccil of sin T.O 
 
 Fduiid |ic'aoe 40 
 
 liackslulors recovered G 
 
 Happy deaths 2 
 
 " Wliiff^unday, IS.'O. Clory ho to Cod, my chissos pros- 
 per. AlLhuugli those are troiihUius tiiirjs, yai we are adding 
 poor sinners* names to our classes eveiy week. And as tlio 
 penitents increased in numhor v.'c set apart tliis (hiy to ja-ay 
 to Ahiiiufhty God that he wonhl pour out his Spirit as on the 
 clay of PentecOot. And, glory to Cod ! it was a season of 
 triuui[)li. No sooner had we begun to pour out our souls in 
 fervent prayer and faith, than there came down an over- 
 whelming power of the Spirit. Penitents ])egan to cry aloud 
 for mercy, and, glory be to Jesus ! +hey did not cry in vain. 
 Five poor sinners found peace by I'aith in the blood of the 
 Lamb. One poor old backsli(hn' was so overcome with the 
 joy ot pardoning love that ho was some minutes before lie 
 could speak to toll us ; one ])oor stranger found mercy 
 irom Cod ; and I believe several of tlie old members were 
 made jieifect in love. 'J'ho spiri\, of love was poured 
 out mightily on all, so that we scarcely could part. 
 It was a Whit-Sundav, a dav of Pentecost, never to be for- 
 gotten. To the triune God be all the glory, to whom alono 
 it is due. It so overcame my weak body that I coidd not 
 rest day or night for pain ; but I could have wishcil for 
 another body, to be spent for the Lord and the salvation of 
 poor sinners, in the same work," 
 
 For such seasons and results should every lieadcr labour. 
 If such scenes were common in all the class-rooms of Method- 
 ism its Churches evervwiiere would be radiant with revival 
 glory, and the world would soon fall at theieet of Immanueh 
 
no 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 My reader, aro you a Class Leader ? Tlion romoni^or tliat 
 you atiiiul at tho head of a company of Christ's Wiirriors. 
 You hold iriyour liands a [)Ot<Mit woa[)Oii. Wield it for Uoil 
 and for siuncrH. Ho wise to win soul^j. For this study, 
 pray, talk, phm, and work. Push tho battle. Rally your 
 whole force. See that all your soldiers aro ecjnipped au<l in 
 the li,L,dit ; and, trusting to the Captain of your salvation, 
 be determined on victory. 
 
 Lciulers bear a weighty responsibility in relation to tlio 
 special revival labors of the Church. When it is (nigagod 
 in a campaign for souls, led by the pastor, the duty of tho 
 L(;ader is to stand by his side, foremost in the conflict. 
 They should remember tiiat they are his lieutenants — Aarons 
 and Hurs, who are to hold up liis hands, and if they fail to 
 do this, the battle will most likely end in defeat. How 
 <Jreadful the disaster of such a defeat ! 
 
 During tlie progress of revivals the Leader should see 
 that his class is fully enlisted, and that it has its appropriate 
 place and shai-e in the contest. He should be ambitious to 
 bring up his whole force. He should encourage and stimu- 
 hite all, and see that none desert tlie tield. Not only should 
 tliey be engaged in the contlict in the Church, but ho should 
 direct them in the hand-to-hand encounter with the enemy 
 in the outside skirmishes during the day. In tliis he should 
 be to them an exan?.i)le. Nothing should be left undone. 
 The whole t'nAd should be kept under vigilant oversight, and 
 at u) j)oint should the ranks be allowed to waver, nor tho 
 battle to slacken. 
 
 Ought the class-meetings to be omitted during revivals ? 
 I think not. At such times of interest and exigence the 
 Leader needs especially to see his members together as often 
 as once a week, that he may counsel with them in regard to 
 tlie struggle andrally them anew to the onset. New converts, 
 
THE CAUE or CONVERTS. 
 
 141 
 
 too, npcil to 1)0 gutliciT.l into the classes wliilo in tlio (vcsh 
 I'Mptui't's of tlicii* first lovo. Tiie cliiss nieotirig lines sliouUl 
 bo ke|it nnln-okou tlirouglioiit every revival caini>iiign. 
 
 Of course the class n».eot lugs slioiiM thou be brief, and 
 directed specirR'ally to the promotion of the revival. In such 
 times for action it is not necessary that all slioidd s)>eak, 
 nor should the Loatler indulge in lengthened remarks. 
 Pertinent, earnest, stin-ing prayers, \vith ad<kesses and 
 Bongs, should be the ordev, coneluded in thirty to forty-five 
 minutes. l>v commenciie' a litth^ before the time for open 
 ing the CMiurch servico, the nu^mbers of the class may be in 
 their places in tlio congregation shortly after the peo]>lc arf 
 asseml)led. 
 
 Shall not every Leader and every class in Methodism 
 .,.ius come "up to tlu^ help of the Lord, to the help of the 
 Lord against the mighty i " 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THE CARE OF CONVERTS. 
 
 Converts should be gathered into the classes without 
 delay, and taught to be regular and punctual in their 
 attendance upon them. The clas is the convert's traiidng 
 school. 
 
 Converts commoidy prosper who are faithful in attending 
 class, while often the earliest indication of backsliding is 
 absence from it. If all our probationers could be lield to 
 the class-meeting, very few of them would be " dropped." 
 
 A long and wide acquaintance with the personal history 
 of many who were young Methodists during the earlier life 
 of the writer, has left an impressive recollection of known 
 
112 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 facts. Multlttnles ui)on nmUltudcs wore gatlicred into tlio 
 fold, for tho most jHirt in times of «,'riui()iis revival. Tvo 
 things arc still clear. Those who leiirn to prtjdiro them- 
 selves for cliisH inecsting hy privaiu heart soarch In;; and prayer 
 in tlic li;,dit of God's word, and who attended the class as 
 regularly as they rdurned to tluiir closets, have almost with- 
 ont exception, left most pleasant and holy memories; whilo 
 those who hegan their use of tho weekly class loosely, or fell 
 into a fitful and nnpnncluid ohservance of it, have; heen seen 
 to pass over the horderof worldliness, one after another, and 
 to sink into cloudy regions where at last they have shown 
 tho sad results of throwing themselvt'S open to the world I^y 
 neglecting s})iritnal culture in regulated fellowshij*. 
 
 Elsewhere in this volume I have shown tlait tho class- 
 meeting has connnended itself to Lhoughtful persons of other 
 denonnnations. The followinij remarks of a minister of 
 another Church show how important foi- tho nurtm-e of con- 
 verts are such meetings in the estimation of eai-nest Cliris- 
 tians who are not ^lethodists. The writi-r is not speaking 
 of class-meetings, but only of training eon^■erts, Ho snys : — 
 
 " How are all tho ends contem})latcd in this ])roeess of 
 training host '^ched ? That, so far as mutJwds arc concerned, 
 must bo le** e judgment of the individual pastor. Bub 
 
 this r .1/ bo said, whatever the methods selected, 
 
 they X .be discriminating, specific, i)ersonal in their 
 character. Preaching will do something, the fr cr form of 
 lecture-room address will do more, but neither are adequate 
 to the exigencies of the case. As a general rule, no expedi- 
 ent has proved more ellicicnt than the plan of convert classes, 
 meeting week by week, and following the Socratic method of 
 question and answer. Personal vi(!ws are thus elicited, and 
 personal misap})reliensions corrcctea, whilo each secures the 
 benefit of the experience of all tho rest. Until experience 
 
THE CARE OF C0^' VERTS. 113 
 
 hlio'.va snmo better niotliuil to 1)0 pmcticaljlo, this must strmrl 
 iLS llu! iiKKit Bcrv icon bio, tlio t'llli'st of proiiii 50, and onlU 
 luiiily tin; richest in results oi any tliat has yet been trie(b" 
 
 Oilier (U.noiiiiiuitions luivo f iiuul that soiuetliiiig besides 
 the regular {icrvicos of the Churcli is nociJ^U t'ur the training 
 01 convertH, ami tlicy nonietiiiiea adopt fur this purpo.io a 
 uioaua equivalent to tlie chisa-mceting, as tho writer just 
 (juoted shows. IJut they su'Kr tho disadvantage oi its not 
 b.'hjiiging to tiieir pidity, and oi its uso being regarth-d per- 
 haps by some among tiunu as an innovation ; whereas 
 Methodists enjoy tho advantage of ita being a regular and 
 essential part of tho Ciiureh's machinery. Others employ it 
 fitfully and irregularly, for special purposes, and on occasions 
 Oi. exigence ; wo have it constantly, every week of every 
 year, conducted by an approved Leadership. What a superi 
 ority over others does this give us in 'the nurture of con- 
 verts 1 
 
 Periiiips the best tiling that other denominations can do 
 is to form '' convert classes," because they have no others 
 into which tluiv can introduce them. Wit.' the Methodists 
 it is dilVeront. And as one of the objects of the " converts' 
 class," as tised by noa-j^f.ethodists, is to give to each " the 
 benellt of tho experience of all the rest," we can best secure 
 that end by i)iacing tho converts where they shall hoar tho 
 experiences of veterans in the service, and Oi those who arc 
 in the various stages o. Christian i)rogression, as well as of 
 those who are novitiate in Christianity. The young disciple 
 needs tho symi)atliy and assistance of class-mates who have 
 passed through the initial temptations and ox})criences of the 
 Christian life, and ho should not be deprived of such an 
 advantage by being appointed to meet exclusively with those 
 who are on the same plane of experience with himself. 
 
Ill 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 *' Beginners in tlio Cliiistlan life need the assistance of ma- 
 tnrcr Christian expovionee to help them out of the practical 
 diiilcultics with which they liud themselves face to face." 
 
 Besides this, the introduction of new converts into a class 
 coTuposed of persons of longer experience is a blcssiucf to it. 
 Th(ir simplicity of spirit and freshness of religious feeling 
 will fp.ii('ken the members, and thrill them with a sweeter 
 joy. Such additions are quite sure to be corrective of ajxithy 
 and monotony in the meetings. 
 
 But it is often said the existing classes are sufTiciently 
 Ir and therefore no more should be added. If this is 
 really so, ought they not to be divided to make room for the 
 converts? I doubt, however, if there is not frequently an 
 undue fear of numbers. X know originallv there were 
 " about twelve ijersons in a class, one of whom was styled 
 the Leader." i^ut this rule is practically obsolete. How 
 many classes are regulated by it 1 Experience has demon- 
 strated that a larger number is needful to maintain what 
 may bo called the esprit de corps, or in other words, the spirit 
 and mutual animation of the members. 
 
 There can be only two valid olwections urged against largo 
 classes. The first is, that the Leader may not be able to 
 give to each member the necessary personal attention and 
 oversight ; and the other, that he cannot furnish so many 
 with the requisite amount of advice in the class-room with- 
 out improperly protracting the meeting. On the other liant', 
 it can be affirmed that some Leaders, though engaged in 
 })usinpss, by forethougiit, system, and diligence, do give all 
 the personal super v'ision necessary, and by the exercise of 
 mental agility and tact in the class-room he:>r all, and make 
 the necessary replies within a reasonable time, with sixty or 
 more members. Then there is the enthusiasm of numbers. 
 
T 
 
 Tiili CAr.E OF CONVERTS. 145 
 
 the enLavgcfl sympatliy, power of song, and greater variety 
 of experience and expression, that pertain to largo classes. 
 
 The most influential classes and interesting class-meetings 
 with which I have been acquainted have \ A the advantage 
 of consiilo/able numbers. Fathor Reeves was Leader of a 
 class of eighty members. *' It l.'as often been a matter of 
 surprise," says one who well knew his method, " that he 
 could manage so largo a class and do justice. It was 
 immense labor, certainly, but he knew his work, and, witii 
 much tact and skill, he always acquitted himself well. His 
 soul held close communion with his Glotl ; therefore bustle 
 and hurry he could not endure. Serene, calm, and collected, 
 with much fervor of spirit, and abundance of material care- 
 fully arranged in a well-disciplined mind, he could as 
 well meet sixty members as six. Our meeljiigs were always 
 orderly and quiet — never dull. In some of our prayer-meet- 
 ings, when rich blessings have been given, and many peni- 
 tents set at liberty, there was no confusion." Says his 
 biographer : *' When his members were at the li'ghest, before 
 one of the later divisions of the Sundav class, conversation 
 had arisen in the Lambeth Leaders* meeting respecting very 
 large classes. Father Reeves did not always defend his 
 position on the instant as fully as he migiit have done ; but 
 on this occasion, as on others, he went home, thought, and 
 wi-ote. And here is the statement and defence : — 
 
 " ' It has been said, at our Leaders' meeting, and very 
 reasonably, too, when they consider the number of members 
 (eighty) in my Sunday class, that it is impossilde the end oi 
 class-meeting can be answered. Now what is the end of 
 class-meeting 1 
 
 " ' That th 5 members may be instructed to know their lost 
 state by sin. 
 
 7 
 
liG 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 " ' T]iat tlioy maybe led into a state of justlficaHon by 
 faitli ill tlio blood of Jesus, and f(H.'l the spirit Oi adoptioD 
 enabling tlieni to cry "Abba, Fatlirr," without a doubt. 
 
 " 'Tliat tlioy may be led on to perfect love, to holiness of 
 heart and life, till they are made meet for glory. 
 
 " ' Xow let me say to my beloved friends, (and I do indeed 
 say it iis a fool,) let them take out of that class twenty 
 members, whom they will, and compare them with any other 
 twenty members from another class in Lambeth, and see if 
 tlioy do not come up to the aljovo standard as fully as those 
 who have been fed with the finest wheat, although we have 
 been, like Daniel and his three brethren, led upon pulse.' 
 
 " This was no empty boasting, nor does it evidence to 
 
 lose who knew the man any ieeling contraiy to humility • 
 but ho lo\ed his members and was jealous of their honor." 
 
 Though a mechanic, working every day at his trade, and 
 having several classes to care lor, this remarkable Leader 
 somehow managed to fully meet the requirements of his 
 office. lie, however, gives the secret of his being able to 
 ccoin})lisli so much work as Leader. " To be a Christian," 
 he says, " and yet to have no control over business, I do not 
 understand. I have been more than twenty-live years a 
 Leader, and yet, though I have business, I never missed once 
 through business, and never should while I have two such 
 swift helpmates as ' Forethouylit * and ' Redeeming the 
 Timer' 
 
 The fact, therefore, that tlie classes are large, ought not to 
 prevent the admission of converts. '* In some of our city 
 churches," saj Mr. Richards, " there are classes Avhere 
 seventy persons are enrolled as members, and a large majority 
 attend. It is probable that such meetings are as proiitable 
 and interesting to all attendants as any of the smaller classes 
 would be." 
 
THE CARE OF CO^'^'EnTS. 147 
 
 Tlio qiKJotion of llio size of clasrics, however, is one aLoiib 
 
 wliicl) there will be did'erences of opinion, and it is certain 
 
 that they ought not to be too large. When, therefore, thero 
 
 is an in-gathering of souls, and the existing classes aro 
 
 believed to contain so many members that the formation of 
 
 new ones is necessary for the accommodation of probationers, 
 
 let not the latter be [tlaced by themselves ; but let the; classes 
 
 be reconstructed, and the converts suitably placed in class- 
 
 fellows]!i[) among their nwvo experienced brethren. Mr. 
 
 Itichards sa3's justly : " Fo]' the purposes of an intei'esting 
 
 and profit able meeting, and the present and futurt; growth 
 
 of the members, we think young and old of both sexes should 
 
 usually meet in the same class ;" and the IXev. C. M. Morse, 
 
 Jun., says, with erpial discretion, " Take the young converts 
 
 into the regular class-meetings, and nurse them." 
 
 After they luue been place/ ai the classes the responsi- 
 bility of the Leaders b;\gins. It is a delicate and weighty 
 task to watch over the trembling footsteps of those who have 
 but just begun to walk in the way of life. It has been sai<l 
 that it is well fur a Cliristian to be afraid that lie nuiy back- 
 slide, because the recognition of the possibility of such a 
 disaster, iind the consequent dread of it, will incite him to 
 ■watchfulness against it. On the same principle a Leader 
 should fear for his i)robationers. He should not contem])late 
 the jjossibility of tlicir making " shipwreck of faith and of 
 a good conscience " without shuddering, for such a wreck is 
 woe unspeakable. 
 
 A long time ago, at a preaching place where many con- 
 verts had been gathered, an old Christian took up the class- 
 paper, and, on " reading the long list of accessions to the 
 Church, burst into a flood of tears, exclaiming, * Ah, what 
 a falling oti' to come !' " The bare thought of the possibility 
 of such a calamity is indeed enough to turn the eyes into 
 
148 
 
 THE CLASS LEADEP.. 
 
 ** a fountain of toai-s." It, too, sliould awaken a finii pur- 
 poses in tlio ijoadci' to avci-tsucli a result, in so far as ho can, 
 by faithful watch caro. There can bo no doubt that timely 
 and adecpiati! nurtin-o will [>revont any larijfo " falling' off." 
 
 There is far too mueh faitldcKsnesy res]i(>eting converts. 
 When they enter the Church in considerable numbers, it is 
 too commonly expected that defection will soon thin their 
 ranks. So it will, if they are not sheltered from the storms. 
 But if the Chur.'h, and especially the class, is made a warm 
 and [)l(\asant fold for the lambs of the Hock, in most cases 
 they will live and thrive. 
 
 The history of our Church demonstrates this truth. It 
 has continued to steadily and rapidly increase in numbers 
 notwithstanding^ the doleful ciy has rung through the land, 
 that the fruitof. Methodist revivals, though lu'illiantas gardens 
 of flowers gemmed with morning dew, is <piite as evanescent. 
 Its ranks have been constantlv thinniu'j: to aurjment the 
 ranks of the Church triumphant. Expulsions, and with- 
 drawals, are always depleting the mombershii), and the va- 
 cancies must be tilled by additions fi-om the world. After 
 repairing the losses caused by death and sin -losses not 
 peculiar to one denomination — there has nearly every year 
 been a large sur})lusage to swell the hosts of our Zion. How 
 could this be if apo'^;-acy makes such havoc of our probation- 
 ers. ?3 some have proclaimeil ? 
 
 A leading religious newspaper published, some time ago, 
 a statement to the effect tliat a vast pro])ortion, seven-eighths, 
 I tliink, of Methodist probationers are not received into tull 
 membership. I called the attention of its editors to the 
 manifest error, and cited them for its refutation to the 
 growth of Methodism in a hundred years — a growth unpa- 
 ralleled in the history of modern Christianity. I said to 
 one of those gentlemen, that if the statement were true 
 
THE CARE OF CONVERTS. 
 
 149 
 
 it would nocossltaie tlio arlmlssion that the Melhoilist 
 Churoh alone, to have reached its numei-ical niugniliidc 
 by savfng only such a fraction of its probationers, must 
 have had the whole nation on probation. Tliat journrd 
 proin})tly corrected its error. Such extra valiantly fallacious 
 pictures of the failure of Methodism to protect and keep its 
 converts show their own deceptiveness. 
 
 Still it must be confessed that there is too mucli bacl:- 
 filiding, and consequent loss of probationers, fallowing our 
 revivals. This calamity is often the result of tlie guilty 
 carelessness of those who are intrusted with the care of con- 
 verts. Faithful jiud gentle nursing will generally avert it. 
 But if neglected, and left without sympathy and iustruclion, 
 they are likely to fall out as prccipitautly as they came in. 
 
 A Leader, writing res})ecting the care of converts, says : '* I 
 feel tlie responsibility of a Class Leader. I feel tliat tliese 
 souls are in my keeping. I do feel that all Class Leaders 
 need to bo in earnest." Says Dr. Branson : " If he is wise 
 who wins souls to Christ, he is twice wise that retains tliom." 
 Earnestness and wiadom are, indeed, reijuired in Leaders for 
 this vital work of convert-nurture. 
 
 The veteran preaclicr just quoted says : " The rearing of 
 young children requires tender caie. Their lood must be of 
 a suitable character; babies must have milk, not strong meat. 
 So of young converts. Like young children, they require 
 to be fed often, and on that which nourishes spiritual life." 
 
 Jesus said, "Feed my sheep;" •* feed my lambs;" that 
 is, act toward them the part of the shepherd, — guiding them, 
 protecting them, nourishing them, — this is a command to all 
 Christian Leaders. And we question whether the Churches 
 yet fairly begin to apprehend the duty of bestowing culture 
 upon the young members of the flock — the lambs of Jesu^j. 
 From this cause half the benefit of revivals is lost. 
 
150 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 *■ The force of this thought is onhanced hy considering that 
 the convert is in the ductile, shapable period. The wax is 
 now warm, and readily takes the seal ; the clay is moist, 
 and the hand of the potter mjiy form it as ho wills. There 
 in but one convert-period, as there is but one child period ; 
 and whatever* is done then to mould the character will exert 
 a far more decisive influence than anything done at a future 
 period ; and upon the counsels and directions which an indi- 
 vidual rt'ceivos at such a moment depends, in a very great 
 degree, tlu; amount of good which ho is to accomplish during 
 his whole life." 
 
 One of the best means for the growth and safety of con- 
 verts, is to keep them einployed. A bishop of the ML'thodict 
 Episcopal Church recently gave a narration of severe labours 
 through Vvdiicli he had just gone, and said that with him 
 work is a means of grace. And the remark is verily true. 
 Activity is the law of life, of si>iritual equally with ]»hysical 
 llio. Converts should be kept so busy lor the Master that 
 they will not have time to backslide, or even to think of it. 
 
 *' In religion," says an authority, " they who work tho 
 most for God, grow most in grace. Hence those who, being 
 often in the house of God, and especially in the ])riiyer and 
 class-meeting and the Sunday-school, in the work of which 
 they i)articipate — speak and praj'', however small the effurt 
 may be — will find themselves improving, their peace of mind 
 widening and deepening." 
 
 Says another : " It would be absurd to let a child grow 
 up in ignorance and then demand a dissertation on mathe- 
 matics or astronomy. Our members must be taken when 
 weak and ignorant, and educated to be workmen that need 
 not be ashamed." 
 
 They should be taught that " God requires of his people 
 
THE CATIE OF CONVERTS. 
 
 151 
 
 tliat thoy «liall gladly tako up every cross and porfomi every 
 known duty. Particularly their attention should be called 
 to tlio necessity of rehuking sin, of constant prayer, and of 
 witnessing for Jesus at every opportunity." 
 
 Says the Rev. E. S. Atwood, " Give every convert from 
 the start somtthing to do, suiting the work to the talents 
 and op[)ortunities of th(^ individual. Insist upon it that no 
 drones can live in the Chi-istian hive." 
 
 A Leader writes of his method with new disciples : 
 *' With regard to young converts I have adopted t^is plan : 
 To teach them as soon as possible that it is their duty to at- 
 tend to all the means of grace, and at all times to take part 
 in them. I tell them that every time they neglect the class 
 or ))iayer-meeting it is sure to weaken them. Our Tuesday- 
 night i)rayor-meeting for young people is always well 
 attended, and that meeting has been, I think, one of the 
 very best means of kee{)ing them. Any one, out of aomi? 
 forty or fifty, is willing to open the meeting. Some make 
 crooked })rayers, but God can straighten them ; and I know 
 that this meeting is daily growing in earnestness. I have 
 Endeavoured to instruct all my young class-mates that they 
 must not be idlers in the vineyard of the Lord, and I will 
 say, and I give God the glory, that all who do work cheerfully 
 are growing in grace." 
 
 It is diHicult to retain converts, or to render them of much 
 use to the Church, unless they keep the joy of religion. If 
 religion does not make them hap])y they will seek ha[)piness 
 in something else. So great is the thii*st of the young for 
 bliss, they will strive for its gratification. When they find 
 the Chi'istian profession a restraint, and not a delight, they 
 will commonly cast it off. They will not carry the yoke 
 except they *' find rest to their souls." The constant and 
 
■}l ■ 
 
 152 
 
 THE CLASS LEADETl. 
 
 prayerful aim of tlu'ir instructoTs oii<:;lit to bo, tlicreforo, to 
 promote their spiritual blesse'lness. 
 
 But tliis cannot bo done unless tlioy work for Clirlst. 
 Tlioir fervor will surely fail if it is not fed by activity. 
 Th(ur faith will wane without exercise. Their beautiful 
 hope will vanish liko a rainbow dissolved in clouds if they 
 do not keep under the beams of the Sun of Tlighteousness. 
 And ho only shines on those who work. No counsel or 
 comfort that a Leader can give them will avail anything 
 unless they 
 
 *' Toil in tho vineyard here, and hear 
 The heat and burden of the day." 
 
 There is as inseparable a relation between service rendered 
 to Jesus, and religious joy, as there is oetweeu taking 
 physical exercise and the exhilaration of health. If tho 
 convert would be happy he must talk for his Saviour, try to 
 induce others to love him, and, in the best way he can, 
 employ his time and talents for his glory. Then there will 
 not be any complaint of leanness, but his peace will be " as a 
 river 
 
 , '> 
 
 Speaking of new disciples, the Kev. C. M, Morse says : 
 " Organize them at once for work. It is the Christian's 
 gi'eatest safeguard. Have a young converts' prayer-meeting. 
 See that each one attends and that each one prays. After 
 the first timidity has worn off, a wonderful growth in graco 
 and in power will be manifest. It has been found very 
 beneficial in many instances, after a short prayer from each, 
 to have every one present speak a word for Jesus." 
 
 Converts should especially be preserved from irreligious 
 society. The spirit of worldliness is fatal to their religious 
 growth, and the Leader should endeavour to keep them 
 from its influence. Multitudes of promising young Christiana 
 
THE CARE OF CONVERTS, 
 
 153 
 
 have l)Ocn injiircl, and many otluTS ruinod, tlirouLjli evil 
 conipiiiiy. Tlio early experience of Dr. IJruuson is liero 
 jK'rtinent. " When I was young," he says, " the fascination 
 of youLLfal company and amusements was my chief besetting 
 sin, and 1 Hpt mo several years from seeking the Saviour, 
 tliough under conviction most of the time. Nor could I, 
 nor did I, yield to be saved by grace till I severed myself 
 from such associations. The charm once broken, I sought 
 the company of the aged, the grave, the pious. 1 read only 
 such books as tended to the knowledge and love of Clod. I 
 went to my closet three times a day. I attended every 
 preaching, prayer, and class-meeting within reach — Sunday- 
 schools were not known then — and took such })art in their 
 exercise? as were fitting for me ; the result was, I grew in 
 grace and in the knowledge of the truth, and in less than 
 nine months I obtained the evidence of sanctification ; and 
 had I been better informed on the subject I might have ob- 
 tained it sooner. And now, in my eighty-second year, and 
 the sixty-sixth of my religious pilgrimage, T see no cause to 
 change my views on holy living, and training young converts 
 for heaven." Beginners in religion should be encouraged to 
 imitate such examples. The Church should See that they 
 have pleasant Christian associations, and should guard them 
 from the insidious enticements of a vain and illusive world. 
 
 The Leader needs to cultivate his own spiritual exi)erience 
 in order that he may be able to guide and nourish the lambs 
 committed to his care. He must take heed to himself and 
 to his doctrine, that he may save both himself and them. 
 
 The words of Bishops Coke and Asbury are here strikingly 
 apposite. " We have almost constantly observed," say they, 
 ** that wiien a Leader is dull, or careless, or in;ietive, the 
 class is, in general, languid ; but, on the contrary, when the 
 Leader is much alive to God, and faithful in his office, the 
 
154 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 clusH is also, in goncifil, lively an<l s])il•itlla^" TTow iiiijior- 
 tiint, then, is the spirituality of tho Lcuilciship to the nur- 
 ture of converts. 
 
 Tho newly saved ones, who are introduced into tho 
 classes, should be loved. How Jesus enjoined upon his 
 disciples the exercise of mutual allection ! " hove ono 
 another," he said, *' as 1 have loved you." The *' disciplo 
 whom Jesus loved," and who loaned on his bosom, said, 
 " We ought also to lay down our lives for tho brethren." 
 What yearning and solicitude, such as only love could excite, 
 do the letters of St. Paul breathe for those under his guid- 
 ance. A Cliurch or a class that is without love is hollow 
 und worthless, and its services are but " sounding brass and 
 a tinkling cynd)al." It wtn-e as reasonable to exi)ect that a 
 tender babe would live and grow without milk, as that con- 
 verts will prosper in a class wliere they get no love. If the 
 Leader cannot love them he shoidd not attemjjt their nur- 
 ture, for that requires that he bear them on his heart and 
 enshrine them in his atfections. If he love them he will 
 not permit them to sutler for lack of attention, sympathy, 
 and counsel. 
 
 All Leaders having the care of probationers should aid 
 them in the culture of their minds, which, quickened by the 
 inspiration of a new life, crave knowledge. It is highly im- 
 portant that they be encouraged to read and to think, and to 
 form correct mental habits, while in the freshness of that in- 
 spiration. Intelligent piety every religious teacher should 
 seek to promote, and there is no way of doing it so fruitful of re- 
 sults as that of assisting young Christians to right methods for 
 mental improvement. Encourage them, especially, to study 
 the Bible ; particularly, at first, those portions that are elo- 
 quent w^ith the lofty ond glowing conceptions of seer and 
 
' 
 
 THE CAUE OF CONVERTS. 155 
 
 psalmist, mv\ rich with tlio cxpoiicncefl of sjiints of old. 
 Warn them agnlnst fi-ivolous and dissiiKiting rending. Lot 
 tho Itouks and porit)dioals to whioli they aro directed ho sui-h 
 as will condiico to a healthy lifo, hoth sjtiritual and intellec- 
 tual. Jjooks a(bn»tcd. to their condition and wants should he 
 placed in their hands either hy gift, loan, or aalo. Vt)hinics 
 for converts need to bo ijiultii)lied by our l-*ul)libhing House, 
 and Leaders should see that they reach the persons for whom 
 they are designed. 
 
 A conveii/s' Library would be highly serviceahlo in this 
 training. Ono or two hundred dollars wisely expended for 
 attractive hooks, suited to stimulate and enrich the minds 
 and souls of the probationers, and to which they all could 
 liave weekly access, would be one of tho best and most 
 productive investments a Church could make. It would bo 
 sowing seed tliat would bring forth bountiful harvests. It 
 would bo casting " bread upon the waters," which would he 
 found •' after many days." It would be an clhciont means of 
 promoting their growth in grace, and their knowledge 
 of the Ijord Jesus Christ, and it would contribute to the 
 stability and symmetry of their Christian character, and 
 to their influence and usefulness in the Church and in 
 the world. 
 
 Finally. The Leader should never permit himself to lose 
 sight of his responsibility for the care and safety of Christ's 
 lambs, })Liced by tho Church in his charge. T>y his accept- 
 ance of tho sacred trust ho has bound himself to be faithful 
 to it. Whether they shall perish, or reach a happy maturity, 
 depends largely on the nurture he gives them. If they 
 become faint, and he do not animate them — per[>lexed, and 
 he do not try to solve their perplexities — tempted, and he 
 oiler them no succor — troubled, and he do not comfort them — 
 if they stumble and he attempt not theii* rccovoiy — w]u> 
 
13G 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 can wonilcr if thoy are lost. Lot it bo his deliglitful care to 
 guard tilt) liiinljs from duii^'or and to ever lead them " into 
 green paaturea." 
 
 CIIArTER XVL 
 
 CHILDREN, AND CHILDREN'S CLASSES. 
 
 A CEriKBRATED German professor is reported to have 
 said : — 
 
 ** Wlionovcr T appear heforo my pupils I feel like making 
 my most respectful bow, and that I ought to pay them my 
 respects." 
 
 *' Why ? " asked a friend. 
 
 " Because I see before mo the men of the State and of 
 the n !,'{(." 
 
 With a similar feeling the Church should look upon chil- 
 dren. They are its future nuMi and women. From them 
 are to come its pastors, leadt'rs, teachers, and members. 
 They are to form its families and to man:ige all its cnter[)rises. 
 In fine, the childhood of to-day will make the Church what 
 it shall bo in the near future. 
 
 With what profound interest and solicitude, then, ought 
 the Church to watch over its children ! With what tender 
 love and unwearying pains should it nurse them ! How 
 earnestly should it present them before the mercy-seat ! At 
 whatever cost of time, thought, labor, or money^ it should 
 seek to instruct and train them for their future service and 
 solemn responsibilities. 
 
 The grave and pernicious error, so long and widely i)reva- 
 lent, that the very interesting aiv^ " ^portant ])eriod of child- 
 hood should be passed without religion, and that only when. 
 
■ 
 
 CIIILDIIEN, AND CHILDREN'S CLASSES. 157 
 
 persons como to maturo years sliouM thoy bo rescue J from 
 bin and Siitaii, is nearly exftloilod in tlioory, but not sulli 
 ciontly in practice. A withcrnvl flower, wliososwectufssljas 
 exhaled, nii;^dit bo acco]»ted if it woro tlio only {,'iffc which 
 lovo could oir(!r ; but how much more fitting for that love to 
 bestow is one whoso fresh petals have just revealed theii 
 beauty and perfume. So when a heart has been bli<,dited by 
 sin, and the fragrance of its innocence Iwis vanished, and it 
 is all that can be given to the Saviour, he will receive it ; 
 but it were far better to ofier it to him ere sin has deliled its 
 loveliness. 
 
 " A flower, when offered in tho bud, 
 Is* no vain sacrifice," 
 
 " Suffer little children to come unto me." 
 
 Tho religious principle and graces require sedulous culture 
 in childhood. A lady asked her gardener why tho weeds 
 always outgrow and covered up tho flowers'? 
 
 " Madam," ho answered, " the soil is tho mother of 
 "weeds, but only stei)-mothor of tho flowers." 
 
 So with a child's heart. Tc has inherited evil tastes, im- 
 pulses, and principles. Tliese are native to it, as the weeds 
 are to tho soil. To it spiritual graces are exotics. There- 
 fore they will not grow spontaneously. Careful and perse- 
 vering culture is requisite to their vigor and perfection. 
 How, then, should the Church, with prayer and loving labor, 
 cultivate the dimmest and feeblest manifestations of sp' rit- 
 ual life in its children ! 
 
 Our Church has recognized its responsibility and duty in 
 this matter. It requires that suitable attention shall be 
 given to tho religious training of cliildhood in all its 
 societies. 
 
 The argument which is presented in the preceding chapter 
 
153 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 in behalf of converts being adiiiitted into classes of experi- 
 enced Christians, applies with nearly equal force to chikUoa. 
 I question if it be wisest to ])Ut iheiu by tlieniseivea. Should 
 not the youngest lambs be allowed the freedom of the same 
 pastures with the rest of the flock 1 
 
 If older disciples need the aid of the experiences of mature 
 Christians, equally so do the children. They have every- 
 thing to learn in experimental and practical godliness. Their 
 imaginative minds are alert at the recital of narratives and 
 incidents by older persons. Tlic relation of experiences in 
 the class-meeting by intelligent Christians is, therefore, au 
 indispensable means for their best religious training. Far 
 better instruction in the h: ghcst things will they thus derive, 
 because of its adaptation to their taste and understanding, 
 than from any didactic teaching whatsoever. 
 
 As most of the adult classes meet at an hour when it is 
 impracticable for the m^ijority of those who are of a tender 
 age to atten<l, their needs can be best met by the child's 
 class. As soon, however, as circumstances warrant, they 
 should be promoted to the regular classes, where they will 
 receive larger nurture. 
 
 There is one advantage of the children's class which is im- 
 portant. The attention of the Leader is devoted exclusively 
 to them. lie has none but the little ones to watch over and 
 provide for. He thinks and devises for them. He, like the 
 great Shepherd, carries " the lambs in his bosom," and 
 nestles them near his heart. His is an office of peculiar 
 sac redness and beauty. 
 
 There should be provision by which the little ones can, at 
 stated times, hear the adult Christians relate their experi- 
 ence and participate in their goodly fellowship, even though 
 they do not go to the regular class meeting. This provision 
 is furnished by the general class and love-feasts, I was taken 
 
CHILDREN, AND CHILDREN'S CLASSES. IHO 
 
 from my early cliildliood by my parents to tlie quarterly love- 
 feast ; and liow vivid in my memory are some of those scenca 
 of thirty years ago. To my ear " the old, old story " was ne-sv, 
 andfull of fresh interest. Iwell rememherthe falling teai-, the 
 ten<ler words, the tremulous voice sweetly musical, the plain- 
 tive song, the exultant chorus, the shout of rapture, the 
 swelling emotion that swept ir melting tides over the as- 
 sembly, and the forms, both youthful and venerable, that 
 are now in the grave. 
 
 My father stands before mo now, distinct to my mind's 
 eye as he was then to niy child-eye, in one of those love- 
 feasts, ITis position is near the altar of the old church. He 
 is speaking of his experience in a love-feast twenty years be- 
 fore, and asks, " Where shall 1 be twenty years hence 1 " 
 I hear his thrilling tones, and I see his triumphant attitude, 
 as he points to the graveyard near and exclaims, " Ah ! my 
 head will then lie beneath the clods of the valley. But 
 when I die, should it be to-day, I shall live forever." Soon 
 afterward he went up to " the b-ight forever," saying as he 
 rose, " Good-bye." 
 
 Expunge from my mind the effect of the memories and 
 impressions of those scenes of childhood, and I am another 
 man. Their influence largely shapes my thoughts and feel- 
 ings, my writing and my speech, at this hour. Nor can the 
 (Jhurch to-day afford to deprive its children of such means 
 for inspiring and ennobling their lives. Let them go to the 
 love-feasts and to the general class-meetings, and there learn 
 how to live and how to die. 
 
 A Leader of a children's class in the West has kindly sent 
 me an account of the working of the general class, to which 
 the children are admitted ii; '' 3 Church to which he belorga. 
 He says : — 
 
IGO THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 " Wo have the five adult classes meet the first Suntlav of 
 each month in general class, as tlicy did yesterday morning, 
 [August 2, 1874,] and my children's class is gathered in. I 
 was ghid to see so many of my children present — on count 
 there were sixty-five. We had a glorious meeting. The 
 children's voices aided very much in. the sweetness of 
 the singhig. The presence of the children stimulated many 
 of the adults to speak well, giving good advice and encour- 
 aging words. Had it not been for my children's class there 
 would not have been a dozen children present. In our other 
 Churches here, on general class occasions, children do not 
 attend. The interest is greatly promoted by having general 
 class once a month, and having the children present. The 
 cliild-like faith of the little ones proves a lesson to grown 
 peo[)le. The Lord will bless al^ such meetings." 
 
 Children ought to be taught that it is their privilege and 
 duty to attend the rcgulai? services. It is not sufficient that 
 they go to the special meetings which we have considered 
 and attend class. They also should go regularly to the 
 house of God, and join in his worship, and hear his word 
 read and expounded. Their interest in the preaching may 
 be enhanced by frequently asking them to give the text of 
 the sermon, and to repeat some thouglit or illustration 
 which it contained. 
 
 It is sad that children are so generally remiss in this duty. 
 Notwithstanding all the benefits of the Sabbath-schooL, it is 
 to be feared that it works injury also in causing parents to 
 think that attendance at its sessions is sufficient excuse for 
 their children's absence from public worship. The school is 
 an auxiliary of the Chur;h, not a substitute for it; and if 
 the child can attend but one, the Church ought, by all 
 meaiis, to have preference. The Leaders of children's classes 
 
CHILDREN, AND CHILDREN'S CLASSES. 161 
 
 slioald make this duty prominent in tlieir instruction to tlieir 
 young members. The wliole Church, indeed, shoukl awake 
 to this suhject, and rjtrive to train up a generation wlio 
 sluill 1)6 worshippers on the Lord's day in his house. 
 
 The Sunday-school, liowever, may be rendered a higlily 
 serviceable means of promoting the class-meeting instruction 
 of the children. An illustration of this is affovdcd by the 
 following nari-ative, kindly furnished mo by the lwev^ Dr. 
 De Puy, associate editor of the " Christian Advocate," in 
 renjard to his method of encouvniiing this sort of reliLcious 
 training while in charge of St. John's Sunday-school, Brook- 
 lyn, New York, "one of tlie largest, best regulated, and 
 most successful Sabbath-schools in the whole Church." 
 
 " Our school," he writes, " numbered on register over 
 eleven hundred pupils, many of them from among the best 
 families in that portion of the city. They were in cha>-ge 
 of about eighty teachers. How shall we best lead the chil- 
 dren to Christ 1 was one of the chief questions kept con- 
 stantly before the Teachers' Meeting. We talked over the 
 matter, and praj'ed over it together, until our hearts were 
 charged with it as a special care. This was a great point 
 gained. Each teacher felt the pre.^sure of his privilege and 
 duty to ask his pupils to give their hearts to the Saviour oiow, 
 and the conversations with them. v.'I'^oh were thus incited, 
 with their precious fruits, may not be fully revealed this side 
 the better land. 
 
 " A special class, to meet immediately after the close of 
 each session of the school, was provided, and placed under 
 the leadership of one of the most devoted, sympathetic, and 
 winning hearts to be found in the Sunday-school board. 
 Into this class every serious-miiidcd pu})il was sent by his 
 teacher as soon as there was manifested the least desire for 
 piety. The whole work was quietly done. Nothing was 
 
162 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 Baicl conccrrnng the muttor before the schooh No list of 
 niiinos WHS road before either the school or class. But each 
 Sunday afternoon, on dismissal of the school, such pupils as 
 had been selected by the teachers immediately repaired to 
 the private room assigned for the Children's Class. Indi- 
 vidual instruction and devotions followed. Every meeting 
 was a revival service. The young hearts were led to 
 Jesus. 
 
 " I need not say that the children willingly continued 
 their attciidanre; they loved the services. In due time the 
 Leader and Superintendent recommended those who re- 
 mained faithful as suitable })ersons for record in the lists of 
 Church membership. Said the father of one of those chil- 
 dren to me afterward : * Both my boy and myself will thank 
 you in heaven for that Children's Cluss-meeting ;' and 
 several notes were sent me by other parents ex})ressive of 
 their grateful appreciation of special class services, by 
 means of which their little ones had been led to Jesus. It 
 was a precious work." 
 
 The instruction given to the little ones in class should be 
 rudimentary and fundamental. They should be taught the 
 alphabet of Christianity. God's love of the world, and his 
 gift of his Son to be a Saviour and Mediator ; the jirivilege 
 of coming to God by him ; the duty of trusting, loving, and 
 obeying him ; the cultivation of gentle and forgiving tem- 
 pers, and of maintaining a habit of prayer, should all be pre- 
 sented with a simplicity adapted to their intelligence, and in 
 a manner suited to win their attention and awaken their 
 interest. 
 
 The description of his child's class, and his way of con- 
 ducting it, by the Leader last quoted, will fittingly close this 
 chapter : — 
 
 *' The past six years I have been a Leader of a children's 
 
CIIILDllEN, AND CHILDREN'S CLASSES. 1G3 
 
 clasf5, and tlio class has failed to meet but twice in all tliat 
 time, once on account of a feaifiil storm and once because of 
 a camp-meeting. We commenced with twelve members, 
 and the number soon increased to fifty, and it has been as 
 high as seventy-two. It requires more preparation and 
 variety to successfully keep up a children's chiss than it does 
 a class of adults. We have children from six to fourteen 
 years of age — all the baptized childrcai of the Church that we 
 can get, and quite a number besides. 
 
 "In a year I suppose I have just fif^y-two difTerent 
 methods of conducting this children's class. I always com- 
 mence promptly at half'q)ast nine in the morning, and hold 
 from thirty to forty-five minutes, according to circumstances. 
 This is the sure way of having fidl and good classes of 
 adults. When these children grow to l)e men and women 
 they will not fail to attend class, and they will always 
 be ready to speak without embarrassment, as the Lord may 
 bless them. 
 
 " I will give some idea of mv method of leading children's 
 class. Well, last Sunday, I went in and shook hands with 
 all that were present and those who afterward came, talk- 
 ing to them fiimiliarly, and asking how the folks were at 
 home, learning if any of the class were sick, etc Then I 
 call INlaggie to the organ, as it is a bright, cheerful morning, 
 and we sing, ' Praise God.' I then call on Charles to make 
 a short prayer ; he was taken out of a saloon four years 
 since, and came into our class and was converted, and is now 
 teacher of a class of boys in our Simday-school ; he is fifteen 
 years of age. Then IMaggie plays and we sing, 
 
 ** ' I am so glad that Jesus loves me.' 
 
 Then I say, Stand up, one at a time, and all give me a verso 
 of Scripture, and I comment on the most pointed passages, 
 
164 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 tiiking up with tliis exercise from fifteen to twenty minutes. 
 Tlic [)iistor tlien comes in and makes a few remarks, and wo 
 .sing, and lie dismisses tlio class with the benediction. Next 
 Sundiiy I will read a few verses, * As Moses lifted up the 
 .serpent,' etc., and make it plain and simplify it for the litl 
 ones. Maggie plays and wc sing, 
 
 '* ' I will sing for Jesus.' 
 
 Then I make a short prayer, and we sing, 
 
 '* ' Jc3U8 liA'es me, this I know.' 
 
 Then I state my experience of the [)ast week, and have as 
 many oi the class to speak as will have time, and we closo 
 with the Lord's Prayer, and so on diifering every Sunday." 
 
 ■ • « 
 
 CITArTER XVII. 
 
 TRAINING CHRISTIAN WORKERS. 
 
 The urgent need of the world is Christian workers who 
 can accomplish results. Not names, nor titles, nor parade, 
 does it ref[uire, but achievement. TJiis, also, the Master 
 asks. " Herein is my Father glorified that ye bring forth 
 much fruit." Successful work for God covers the worker 
 with a glory which shall never vanish. " They that be wise 
 shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that 
 turti many to riyhceousness, as the stars for ever and 
 ever." 
 
 What earthly joy is comparable with the exquisite and 
 profound delight of one who, having spent a life in religious 
 service, can. thus contemplate not only work done, but results 
 achieved, and in the gathering shades of the eventide can 
 shout, " I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." 
 
TRAINING CHRISTIAN WORKERS. 1G5 
 
 To insure the largost miccess of Cliristian workor.s thoro 
 must commonly bo training. "Tlio timo is short." Tlio 
 work is great and ])rossing. " The night comotli wlion no 
 man can work." ]Iow needful, therefore, that the hand of 
 tlie worker have cunning, that it may dispatch the most in 
 the little timo allotted. To possess that cunning it must bo 
 trained. ** It cannot be too often re])eated that all extra- 
 ordinary skill is the result of preparatory training, i'acility 
 of every kind comes by labor. Nothing is easy, not even 
 walking or reading, that was not difficult at first." Prac- 
 tice itself is training. The fingers becomes dexterous by 
 use. 
 
 " "We are not only to work, but to make the most of our 
 power to work. The training may be very simple, and can 
 Beldom be elaborate ; for the work is to be done by those 
 whose hands seem already full. It may be no more than 
 placing the inexperienced in the company of the ex])erienced. 
 Tliose who would nurse the sick can have the opportunity of 
 a hosi)ital. Those who would teach in a Sunday-school can 
 have lectures and attend a training class. Those who would 
 visit a district may be shown the most effective way. Such 
 help and culture are possible without imposing a strain on 
 such as are already overworked." 
 
 For training in religious labor the class-meeting affords 
 special and priceless advantages. There the young, who 
 stand at the entrance of their life-field, which stretches away 
 full of invitingness before them, are taught that essential 
 lesson for the Christian laborer, namely, to speak for Christ. 
 Older disciples, too, are there incited to zeal and effort, and 
 reminded that the day is waning, and are inured to bearing 
 the cross, and become accustomed to " stand up for Jesus." 
 The class-room is, indeed, the field of training for the work- 
 ers of Methodism. Some of the most successful toilers " in 
 
IGO 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 the kins^dom and patienco of Jesus " would never have at- 
 tained tlielr glorious art but for the inspiration, tlio guidance, 
 and the practice which the class-inocting afforded them. 
 
 Very many successful winners of souls have, by means of 
 this uniciue but powerful agency, Ijeen thrust forth into their 
 work. Many of the past and present ministers of tho 
 Church would never have learned to speak publicly, nor be- 
 couK^ acipiainted with their own gifts, had it not been for tho 
 class-meeting. It was in talking there that their lips 
 received the kindling touch, and their tongues were traiiu^d 
 to holy eloquence. Bishops Coke and Asbury say that the 
 class-meetings are " in a considerable degree, our universi- 
 ties for the ministry." In those universities the whole 
 ministry of our Church received its initial cidture, for the 
 time has not been when a man could stand in a INIethodist 
 j)ul}iit who did not reach it through the class-room ; and it 
 is safe to say, that, judged by results, better universities for 
 training ministers have not existed since the pentecostal age. 
 
 Multitudes of Leaders have had the joy of seeing such 
 heralds of salvation go forth from their classes. JNIany 
 could give recitals like these : " Out of my class sprung five 
 or six local preachers." " For thirty years I have tried to 
 lca<l a class, and during that time I have had the honor (I 
 say it with all humility) of seeing four of my boys, as I 
 have familiarly called them, become preachers of the 
 Gospel." Of one of the Presidents of the Wesleyan Con- 
 ference, in England, the following interesting fact was 
 inserted by Father Reeves in a memorandum which he kept 
 to show what became of his members. " Samuel D. Waddy. 
 After meeting with me sixteen months, left to become a 
 travelling preacher. November, 1825." How sublime is 
 the work of the Leader who thus educates men for the 
 
THATNINO CHRISTIAN WORKERS. 
 
 1G7 
 
 ministry of reconciliation — mon who, perchance, shall " shine 
 ae lipfhts in the world." 
 
 Never can I forget how, shortly after my conversion, a 
 Leader yet living, in addressing me in the class, said : " Our 
 prayer ia that you may be a laborer in the vinoyard." 
 Thus should the Leader watch for indications of aptitude for 
 the Chtirch's work in his youthful members. Should he see 
 signs of preaching power, accompanied with suitable discre- 
 tion and zeal, he should encourage its possessor to aim at the 
 highest usefulness, and should also seek to guide his im- 
 pulses and develop his gifts. He should counsel him to 
 study the word of God, and such heli)s to a right under- 
 standing of it as he can obtain ; to be much in prayer ; and 
 to engage in such public exercises as he suitably may. 
 
 The Leader ought also to direct the mind of such a young 
 man to the importance of literary culture, and incite him to 
 strive for its acquisition. If it be practicable, he should be 
 induced to enter such .an institution as will afford the needed 
 facilities for such pursuits. If he lack the means to follow 
 a course of study, let the Leader set about obtaining it for 
 him from such friends as God hath prospered ; for what are 
 a few hundred dollars compared to the advantages, resulting 
 to the Church and the world from a life of service of " a 
 faithful minister of Christ ? " Or, if the Leader possess money, 
 let him assist himself. He could scarcely exercise benevo- 
 lence in a more grateful or productive way. I know a 
 Leader who has just sent a youthful meml)er of his class to 
 a literary institution at his own expense, tliat he may get 
 the necessary intellectual furniture for the work of the 
 ministry. 
 
 Among the most necessary and useful laborers in the 
 Church, next to the pastors, are those who sing and pray. 
 
1G3 
 
 •HTE CLASS LEADEH. 
 
 "Without tliom thrvo could Im?, comparatively, but littla 
 aggressive work. Tho singing power of Methodism has 
 always been conspicuous, and is a potent means for main- 
 taining its vitality and promoting its revivals. " It was," 
 says tho Rev. S. W. Christophers, " in these happy scenes 
 of weekly fellowship that Methodists learned to sing. 
 There it wa.s heart singing. And from those heavenly 
 places there came every week those thrilling voicos which 
 inspired tho multitudes, and gave a resistless powor to tho 
 glorious hymns which arose throughout the united kingdom.** 
 For these Charles Wesley composed thoso deeply spiritual 
 ■songs of mutual delight, and those triumphal hymns of lovo 
 and full assurance, which form so largo a siicLion of tho 
 Methodist hymnology." Again he says : ** Without class- 
 iiaeetings songs like these would never have burat from 
 Methodist lips ; without its class-meetings songs like thcKO 
 would necessarily die from the lips of Methodism. They 
 were made for a class-mooting people. And tliey fell from 
 the pen of an author whose rich variety of Christian follow- 
 8hi[) songs prove that he could never conceive of Methodist 
 Societies without such means of pouring spiritual melody 
 into one anotlier's hearts ae the classes and Society meetings' 
 jtfTord. 
 
 A young man who had recently left his homo and native 
 land wandered alone on a Sabbath morning in one of our 
 pleasant American cities, and at length seated himself in a 
 park. It was summer, and the voice of song, floating from 
 the open windows of a church in tho neighborhood, fell 
 sweetly on his ear. Though a careless and wild youth, un- 
 accustomed to religious worship, the singing attracted him, 
 and he arose and walked in the direction of it. It led him 
 to a Methodist church, whei'e some of the members wero 
 
TRAINING CIiniSTIAN WORKERS. 
 
 IGO 
 
 lioMing a prayor mooting provionsly to tlio hour for public 
 Borvico. IIo entered and was quickly convicted of sin. lie 
 iisked tho prf.yers of the peo)»lo, and they at onco responded, 
 praying fervently for hia salvation, and then and tliero ho 
 experienced tho great transition from darkness into liglit. 
 IIo remains to this day a devoted, happy, useful Christian. 
 Almost innumerable havo been tho like instances of the 
 saving influence of Methodist singing. 
 
 The praying power of our peo})le has also been largely 
 devolo])ed in tho class-meeting under the guidance of skibal 
 Leaders. Mr. Farnell was accustomed to coucluf'e his meet- 
 ing at an hour which would enable him to give two or tiire« 
 of liis members an opportunity to lead in prayer before sepa- 
 rating, " This," he says, " gave them courage to pray in 
 public, which they never would have acquired elsewhere." 
 Says Mr. Christophers : " Many a raw, uncultivated lad has 
 been led into the class-meeting under strong religious feeling. 
 There, at first, he would scarcely have sufficient command 
 of his native tongue to intelligibly expix3ss the feelings of his 
 soul, and, perhaps, under ordinary circumstances, would 
 never utter a pure or correct sentence ; but, unaccountably 
 to all but those who acknowledge the work of a Divine 
 teacher, that same lad, in his weekly intercourse with his 
 Leader and classmates, begins to talk with propriety about 
 spiritual things, and at length, by dint of exercise in sincei-e 
 prayer, he learns to pray with the spirit and with the under- 
 standing also, and might gracefully and with holy effect lead 
 the devotions of an intelligent and even educated congi-ega- 
 tion. The praying ranks of Methodism derive their most 
 useful power from such trained reciniits.** 
 
 Again the same authority says : " This reserve of prajnng 
 power is, in a great measure, i)€culiar to Methodism. No 
 
170 TUE CLASS LEADEA. 
 
 jtcopU' hiivo shown tliomsdvos ho full of dovotional gifts, and 
 HO [loHSOHsed of piv valent onvv^y umoii^ giithciiu^ ciowds of 
 «ani(!st HcckerH. Thu rapklly giowiiii; numbers wlio, from 
 time to timo, Iiavc prosBod into tho Societies, could never 
 have been guidcul to the mercy-seat or permanently brought 
 under saving grace but for this abundant spirit of prayer. 
 Tills is essential to Mc^thodist nuccess. Wh(>re did this gift 
 tirst show itself I Where was tlio power first felt ] Wliere 
 was the grace nurtured and by exercise brouglit up to its 
 maturity ] In the class-meeting. The class-meeting is the 
 school for the development of its grace and expression of 
 prayer." 
 
 A body of laborers peculiar to Methodism are the Class 
 Leaders. A really good and efficient Leader is of untold 
 value to a Qhurcli. His influence, constant as that of the 
 atmosjjhore, is, like it, healthful and invigorating. A 
 Church cannot well languish which has a band of such 
 devoted servants. Even should the pastor be weak and fail, 
 they would keep the ensign flying, and the host in order. 
 The Methodist Church well knows how useful and necessary 
 to her weal are these gifted workers. It cannot dispense 
 with them. Yet, " under Divine grace, they have all been 
 the fruit of class-meetings." 
 
 A Leader gives an experience touching this point which 
 is similar to that which could be given by very many others. 
 " For some years," he says, " I had the training and advan- 
 tage of sitting every week under the instructions of a judici- 
 ous, devout, and most princely Leader — the late Joseph 
 White, of Urbana, Ohio. There I was nui*sed, built up, 
 established, and made strong, until I was appointed to a 
 class over which I had happy and successful charge." Thus 
 are Class Leaders trained. 
 
I . I ^ J. 
 
 TRAINING CHIUSTIAN WOItKERS. 171 
 
 To the class-iufieting is liirgoly <liie, also, tho power of ex- 
 hortation which (listinmiislies Mj^thodism. It may ho siiftily 
 H:(i(l that no people can exhort like Methodist layineu. it ia 
 in tho class-room tluy learn tho art of pu\»lic address. 
 Th(!re they not only spc^ik, hut constantly listen to the 
 Rpnaking of othern, and thus tin^y actpiin' skill in the appro- 
 priate; expression of thou;,'ht and feeliiifj; which renders them 
 80 etiective in exhortation. Divest the Methodist laity of its 
 hortatory power and you de])rivo the Church of an arm of 
 its strength. That power is tho fruit chielly of class-meet- 
 ing training. 
 
 Shall not the Methodist class-meeting, tlien, bo maintained 
 in all its original efliuiency 1 Shall not its Ix3aders and 
 members rally to its support, and increase, as far as they 
 may, its interest and usefulness 1 It is a groat means for 
 training workers in Christ's vineyard, and of promoting an 
 emotional religion, which is none other than the religion of 
 the heart, the religion of the Bible, the religion which St. 
 Peter so eloquently describes when he says, " Whom having 
 not seen, ye love ; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet 
 believing, yo rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of 
 glory." 
 
 I know there are those who deprecate an emotional 
 religion. They would have it chiefly of the brain. They 
 recoil from any demonstration of strong religious feeling. 
 But God's ways are not their ways. He has made man an 
 emotional being. He has placed in his nature capabilities 
 for the most profound and diverse feelings. And so inti- 
 mately has he joined the intellectual aud emotional natures, 
 that they go hand in hand, acting by and through each 
 other. Man lives, thinks, learns, works, and achieves 
 largely by means of hia emotions. Only through their 
 
172 
 
 THE CLASS LEADER. 
 
 medium does the intellect apprehend the highest and divinest 
 truths, for with " the heart man believeth unto righteous- 
 ness." Religion swap's tlie whole of the em«jtional nature. 
 
 Those who deride Methodism for the encouragement and 
 culture it gives to religious feeling are as unphilosophical ay 
 they are uncharitable and unscriptural. They might as well 
 deride the electricity which flames and roars in the atmos- 
 phere. Such critics, could they do so, would muflle the 
 tliunders, and tone down the tempests to softly sighing winds. 
 Despite criticism and scornful derision, our soul-thrilling 
 Christianity has gone on its way shouting and triumphing, 
 and time shall never witness the hush of its rejoicings. 
 Above the din of critics sounds the command from the 
 heavens, " Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous j 
 and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart." The 
 cb 13 -meeting is necessary to the general maintenance of this 
 joy, and the belittiug and scriptural expression of it in 
 Methodism. 
 
 The devoted, genial, and gifted Eddy, of the Methodist 
 Missionary Society, has just illustrates this joy and triumph 
 in his death, Dr. Dashiell, who was much with him in his 
 last hours, says : '' He went down into the valley like 
 a crowned and conquering king. He stretched out his 
 hands, trembling in death, and pronounced upon his family 
 the apostolic bsnediction. He attempted to clap Lis hiinds 
 together, but he was so weak they passed each other, and he 
 shouted, Halleluia ! Halleluia ! Halleluia ! " His last 
 words were " Eternity dawns 1 "