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V^ (^iihli'.shcTi at tl)p vc()uc*'f of U)r ClXunvtfvli' ftfleetfiifl ) " I am made all things unto all men, that I might by all means save some."—! Cor. ix. '22, "Anil it should rejoice ibc hearts of all who desire the kir.gdom of God should come, that so many have been snat'-'icd already from the mouth oC the lion, liy an uncommon., thongii mt unlawlu! way."— 7'/'f" Rt'i'. ,, 'Vrsleii\ Appeal, in thr year Y1V>, lo Men nf Hcnson and lliirrroii- • iUKHKC : TRINTEn ANIl snin by WUIIAM NKir.SON, CJA/KTTK OIKIOF; AND IIAV UTI HAD Of TIIF WESI.EYAN MJNISTFUS, OR TimOI'GH ANY nOOK St I I.I' U, IN VVrW. ANn TOWER f'AN^nA ; rilICK, ONH QirARTEH OF A DOLLAR. ADVEll TISEMENT. The (luthor considers it Just to observe that not a line of the ensuing discourse was written^ nor even the tooct decided, until the day on which it was delivered ; when only hut a part of it was thus embodied, and that wHhow' any design of publication. Personal ajfliciion and domestic bereavement, have since con- curred to unfit him for the severer and more anxious duty of pre,' paring so hasty a composition for a public perusal : ivhich his too-favourably -judging friends, will admit as a sufficient excuse, for the delay of its appearance. With their request that it might be printed for general circula- tion, he did not hesitate to comply, because he hcli&ved it to contain " the truth as it is in Jesus :" and in this " manifestation of the truth" he would earnestly and with real I'espect, commend himself " to every man's conscience in the sight of God." Wcslcynn Mission-Housr, (.iUKBKC, Lower Canada. ! A DISCOURSE, &c ACTS XIII. 40, 41. " BeiDare, therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the Prophets : — * Behold ye despisers, and wonder^ and perish ; for I work a work in your days ; a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you :* " In the year 1814, one of the first Wesleyan Methodist Mis- sionaries to the East Indies, resided for some months at the Presidency of Bombay ; where he opened his dwelling-house, for the public worship of Almighty God ; and where there was often an, encouraging attendance of persons, acquainted with the English language, who, listened, with grateful interest, to "the word of truth" On one of these occasions, a Major J , had mingled with the small congregation ; and, being favorably impressed by what he had heard, remained after the service, for the purpose of giv- ing utterance to his friendly sentiments of good-will. Extending his hand to the preacher, and courteously referring to the ser- mon, he expressed his sincere regret to see him engaged in so hopeless an undertaking, as that of endeavouring to promote the conversion of the idolatrous Hindoos to the Christian Faith : adding ; « I have lived among these people for many years, and know their various superstitions well : and such is their inveterate attachment to them ; and especially to the distinctions of Caste 5 that I verily believe you will never be able to convert a single one of them." Thanking the Major for his kind expressions, the Missionary begged to assure him, that his associates and himself were fully aware of the difficulties to which lie had referred ; and which, confessedly, str.od jn fhe way of their arduou,^ work : but they m^mi 4 SPKCIAL EH'onrs did not forget, that the Holy Apostles and first propagators of the Gospel, had to contend with obstacles of no lees magnitude, than tiioso which still remained : yet, by the diversified aids of the Holy Ghost, they had been enabled most triumphantly and ex- tensivelyvto surmount them : and that his small Missionary party did not doubt, in humbly endeavouring to^ promote the same great object, and in the same Scriptural way, that they should be favoured with a similarity of success. Such an idea, was as novel to the mind of the respected officer, as it appeared to be gratifying to his feelings ; and, with a cheer- ful satisfaction beaming in his generous countenance, he replied, " O, I beg your pardon : I was not aware that you depended for success, upon any supernatural assistance ! If that be the case, I do not think you have any reason to despair ; and I heartily wish you all the success, you can desire for yourself." On this point, the case of the military gentleman, is but too nearly resembling that of very many other professing Christians. They truly reverence the Religion of Christ. They attend its ordinances : they esteem its ministers : they rejoice in its ac- complishments : they are heartily willing to promote its interests ; and sincerely desire its universal extension throughout the world. But they lose sight of the essential divinity of its character : and that " the right hand of the Lord" is in all its devout adminis- trations. They have not the least idea, that, in its promotion, the agencies of the Gospel are favoured with any advantages, but those which are purely natural ; and would, perhaps, suspect, as infected with delusion, any of them who would hope for superna- tural aid. They behold and admire, its peculiar trophies through the magnificent work of conversion ; but in that work itself, they recognise only the visible and human agency, which may be employed : they think and speak of its natural adaptness and efficiency, as the sole cause of the efi'ect ; not being aware, that in every instance of real conversion to God, there is in ope- ration, also, an invisible and Divine agency ; which is, in truth, the real reason of the success, of the instrumentality ; and to which alone all the praise and the glory of that success, belongs, both now and ever. Amen. t \ \ J i FOR THE SOULS OF MEN. I i i 6 To carry our thoughts back to the immediate Apostles of Christ ; of them it is said : " And they went forth and preached every where^ the Lord working tvith them^ and conjirminy the word with signs following* .** These « signs,'' were, as the word indicates, significations of a Divine co-opEnATiONi, in the accomplishment of their great object, the conversion of the world. The fact of " their word" being ^* followed,'' with sucii signs, variously and mightily forwarded their evangelical mission. These " sigris," were supernatural. They were effects produced out of the ordinary course of nature ; or they could not have demonstrated any supernatural sanction of the Gospel. They were termed " miracles" or wonders. And they were intended, of God, so to excite the astonishment of men, as to secure their attention to the Gospel, and invite their investigation of its facts ; and thus, by the gracious influence, also vouchsafed to the truly sincere, to conduce to their reception of it, and salvation by itf. Surely, nothing could be more rationally adapted, to recover an intelligent creature to God, than to behold, in eflBcient operation, a moral instrumentality, the agents of which were so sustained by a supernatural sanction, as to render it UNDE- NIABLE, that " THE Lord" was " working with them," in saving men from their sins! In this ample provision for the world's faith, we see the world's Gospel accountability. Nor can we reasonably wonder, that the punishment of the unbe- liever's contumacy, should be, an eternal abandonment to a per- dition previously merited, and at length awfully aggravated, to a degree we are unable adequately to estimate^. My brethren. It argues at least a criminal inadvertency, to suppose that " the glorious Gospel of the Blessed God,'' has, at length, been deprived of all its "signs" of a Divine co-operation; and that these were merely confined to the primitive ages of the Christian Church. This assertion has been made : but it would be greatly to the dishonour of any individual, who deems himself a competent person, to make such an assertion. We admit that, in this respect, a ^^ difference of administration," has taken place. * Mark, xvi. 20, t Hebrews, ii. 4. t Mark, xvi. 16 i Ezek. xyiii. 4 ; John, iii 18, 19. M 6 SPECIAL EFFOUTS liut « the same Spirit still abides, with His Church ; and lias ;^iaciously promised never to leave or forsake her*. The «5e^w*," which the first Apostles possessed, of "Me Lord working luith them," were of two kin<ls ; physical and moral ; the former con.usted, partly, of miracles on the bodies of men; the latter, of wonders performed on their souls. By some per- sons, these are entirely overlooked. IJoth were of equal worth, in point of fact, as to their proof of a Divine co-operation ; but, in point of degree, the latter description of " sigjis," was far more miraculously wonderful, and of far more interesting and momentous a character, than the former—as far as the worth of the soul exceeds that of the body, or the things of eternitv, those of time. And herein is to be found, " the difference of ad- ministration:' The physical " signs folloivinff," the preaching of the first Apostles, have in great measure, ceased; but the same moral miracles, remain unto this day, and will never cease to remain, until " the end of the worldf." The conversion of a sinner to God, is an effect produced, as completely out of the common course of moral causes and effects, as the raising of the dead to life, would be, in the physical world. Were it possible to collect, into one point, all the efficiency of the whole universe of morals— all the entire machinery of moral suasion — and to bring this mighty and concentrated essence, to bear on the regeneration of one, even the least offending, of all the children of Adam ; unless a Divine and supernatural agency, were to render it efficient ; it would avail no more to his conver- sion to God, than the wing of a sparrow. The Almighty Creator must work, to the production of a new creation. And " in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncir- cumcision, but a new creature ;" literally, «' a new creationX" Every converted person, therefore ; every real Christian ; is, in the sense of the word, for which we here contend, a real mira- cle ; an undeniable evidence, that there is still a Divine co-ope- ration, with those who are instrumental in the conversion of John, xiy. 16, 17 ; Car. xii. 3 to 6. f 1 Thes. 1, 5 ; Mafth. xxviii. 20. t Galat. vi. 15. FOR THE SOULS OF MEt^T. J sinners: "Me Lord working with them still, and confirming the word, with signs foUoiving." Our text primarily refers to a divine ** work" of threatened judgment, on those who should despise this previous work of hin proffered mercy. Hy directing his hearers to the one, St. Paul bespoke their becoming attention to the other. The expressive- ness of the phraseology will be our apology for its present applica- tion. The latter as well as the former is a irurk which multitudes in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto them. Yet every case of conversion, by the means of the Gospel, speaks in the voice of God, and specially to those who still remain unconvert- ed : " I work a work in your days." «/ au. working among you." " / ayn come down to help you—to save you !" And a dis- regard of " the Church," when sinners are converted by her agency, is like an insult offered to a royal palace, in which the Sovereign is actually administering the affairs of the empire.— " GOD is in the midst of her !"~Psal. xlvi. 5. It cannot be sufficiently lamented, that men so generally lose sight of the presence of God, with His holy Gospel, when they hear it preached ; since, by that means, they are the more easily beguiled to disregard it, and to despise it. Hence, while to some it has become '" the savour of life unto life ;" yet to others, (alas, how many !) it is "the savour of death unto death!"— To prevent this tremendous result, was the compassionate design of St. Paul, in these words. They form part of the application of one of his powerful sermons, in the Jewish synagogue, at Antioch. After having given to his gainsaying hearers a luminous outline of evangelical truth, and a direct offer of God's pardoning mercy, on their truly repenting, and unfeignedly believing in the Name of Christ ; he then addresses to them, this solemn and affec- tionate warning: « Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets: « Behold ye despisers, and tvonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days ; a work ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.' " We have chosen this scripture. Respected Friends, as the ground-work of the present discourse, understanding that some m ® SPECIAL EFFORTS have expressed dissatisfaction with the special services, recently adopted, with the view of promoting a religious revival amon^r «J8. We think it due to every emulid an.l inquiring individual, to hirnish the materials of our justification for having so <lone. But since God has been pleased to encourage these proceedings hy rendering them the humble but hor.ored means of great spiritual benefit to many; we would affectionately urge on you, also; and, in relation to those services; the solemn Admonition! which our text contains. Your attention is earnestly solicited to the foil lars : — owing par tic u- I.— The Conversion of Sinners to God; a Work ac- complished IN Connection with a Divine Agency, only. II.— The occasional Use of Special Efforts, in P moting the Conversion of Sinners to God. RO- III — The Apostolical Admonition, of our Text, in RELATION to THAT DiviNE WoRK : « Iktvare, there/ore}' ^r. I.—The Conversion of Sinners to God; a Work accomplished in connection with A Divine Agency, only — " / work a work in your days.'' Your dictionaries will define the word Conversion; to be, '' change from one state to another— from one Religion to ano- ther." On which we simply remark, that it is perfectly possible for a person to be changed, even from a bad state to a better— from a religion that is false, to the only one that is true ; yet, after all, not to be " converted to God." And for the informa- tion of such as may desire to know the views of our own Section of the Church, on that important subject, we observe, that the terms, convert, conversion, and the like ; being Scriptural expres- sions ; by them, we understand the Holy Ghost to signify a change of heart ; from the love of sin, to the love of ho- liness; from the service of Satan, to the service of God. So, in Acts xxvi. 17, 18; St. Paul, who was sent as the messenger of mercy to the Gentiles, to become the instrument of their conver- > I ^ I t I VOH THE SOfLS OV MtN. 9 sion ; was thus instructed in the nature of the work, which ho was commissioned, by God's grace, to accomplish ; «« to open their eyes, and to /',m them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God" C0NVER.J10N commences with a true and heartfelt conviction, on the part of an individual, that he has offended against the holy laws of God— that he is a sinner, « by nature" and by prac- tice—and that he is, every moment, in danger of going down to " the bottomless pit" of everlasting perdition ! In some per- sons, this conviction produces the most distressing alarm and agitation of soul ; but, invariably, and in all persons, it is attend- ed by the sincerest grief and sorrow of lieart, on account of sins against so gracious a God ; " the remembrance of which is griev- ous, and the burden, oftentimes, intolerable." This is also accom- panied by the most genuine renunciation and loathing of sin and of self— a turning from every evil way ; « stedfastly purposing," by Divine grace, « to lead a new life ;"--and a returning to God, through Christ, with lamentations and supplications, for His pardoning mercy. This is called, " Repentance toivards God." /fc?5xx.2l. 2a>r. VII. 10. ZwAe xiii. 3. The progress of Conversion, becomes completed in the heart, through the grateful and humble trust, which a penitent sinner is led, by the Holy Ghost, devoutly and confidently to exercise, in the sin -atoning passion and death of the Eternal Son of God ! This is followed by the regenerating exprience of the Divine fa- vour and love. The sacrificial blood of the Redeemer ; « as of a lamb, tvithout spot and blemish ;" was the ample reparation which He compassionately " offered up," in behalf of a ruined and rebel- lious world, to the violated Law and Government of Heaven ! " The precious blood of Christ," was the all-availing ransom-price of our pardon and " eternal salvation" The agonizing and in- finite cost, at which his dying love procured for us, that inestima- ble blessing ; places it within our reach, on terras so amazingly easy, as almost to exceed om poivcr of believing : especially when we deeply feel the awful demerit of our manifold sins. Hence, the special help oUliQ Holy Spirit, is necessary, to this special 10 SPKCIAL fiFtOHTS act of juiitifying faith. As our own Wesley, has taught us to sing '.—{Hymn 2G.) " Wliat arc our vorks, but sin and death, I'ill thou thy quickening Spirit breathe !— Thou givest the power Tliy grace to move :— 0,M'o«£/rMfs grace ! , boundless love !" " Faith i?iour Lord Jesus Christ;^ is absolutely indispensable, on the part of a contrite sinner, in order to his Conversion. There can be no middle state, between the condition of a con- demned, and that of a pardoned, sinner. « He that helieveth not, the wrath of God ahideth on him:' While his day of grace con- tinues, « the Lord waiteth, that he may be gracious:' But the deluy of believing— occasions the delay of the pardon ! The one is instantaneovsly consequent upon the other. When the sinner comes to God's terms, not a moment elapses, before His mercy comes to the sinner's heart* We undertake to maintain, that in no case, did there ever occur, nor can there, by any possibility occur, even the smallest conceivable delay, on God's part. « Let God be true, and every man a liar,'' who v^ould so far attempt to impugn the Divine veracity, as to assert the contrary of this. In the words immediately nreceding those of our text, we have the following inspired summary of the Gospel message, from God to man : « Through this man, (Jesus,) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins ; and by Him all that believe, are freely jr stifled," and accepted of God, for His sake ! Hear, also, the word of God, by Jeremiah the prophet ; Chap, xxix. 13; ''And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye search for me, with all your heart:' His gracious assurance by the prophet Isaiah, is no less to the same i)oint ; Chap. lxv. 24 ; ^' And it shall come to pass thatj^ETORE (hey call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Punctuality in performance, is the very soul of » promise. The promise of God, is firmer than the pillars of heaven. 2 Cor. i. 20. As soon as, by the help of the Holy Spirit, the contrite sinner, becomes a Christian believer— the moment he is first brou^ ht to rest down Irs « weary and heavy-laden'^ sp?: it, in h.i m-f of jusfifyinir tkust, on the atoning » ' I'OR THi; SOULS OF MEN. n » ' i' virtue of the blood, which was shed on Calvary's Cross !~that very, very moment, commences his covenant-relation to his reconciled Father : then, is he pardoned and regenerated, and adopted into the family of Heaven ; or, in other words, is " Converted to God'^r Conversion, is known, in the inmost scil of the converted person, by a Divine attestation to the momentous work, which has been so Divinely effected. So, St. Paul, Rom. viii. 16. " The Spirit itself bear eth witness with our spirits, thai we are the children of God." And again, in Galatians, Chap. iv. 6 ; " Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son, into your hearts, crying, < Abba ! Father !' " And, once more ; " Noiu we hai e received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might hnow the things that are freely given us of God." 1 Cor. ii. 12. As the sovereign and beneficent orb of aay, at once, removes the gloom of night, and proclaims his own accomplished ascendancy, by pouring forth into our atmos- phere, his vivifying influences; so doth « the Sun of Righteous- ness arise, with healing in His wings\ ;" and Converted per- sons, are enabled most joyfully to testify : « And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us" Rom. v. 5:}:. Con- version, is characterized by peace with God— access of soul to His throne of grace— love to Him— delight in Him— an ability to serve Him—a desire to resemble Him ; and a firm and fixed resolution and purpose to profess His holy Name, among men, and, by His grace, to live and die in His sei vice. It is the obvious duty of every person, to use all the means of grace, in furtherance of his own Conversion to God ; just as a sick person, would pursue tne means, prescribed for his recovery from physical disease ; and with a similar regard to requisite *" His ofTering pure wc call to mind, There, on the goklen iiltar, laid, Whoso Godhead with the juanhood joined, Vox every sronl ufonement uiade ; And have whatexn- we ask of God, '.Vliroitgh faith in that all-^iaving bloorl !"'— W \ Malachi iv, > rsj,KY*s HvM>'«!. (575 ) \ Appriidix, K<' 1 12 SPECIAL EFF0RT.1 precautions. In both respects, the means are ours, the blessing is alone from God. In the one case, as in the other, the result of the final failure of means, must unavoidably, be most fatal I While the death of the body, is produced, by its separation from the soul ; that of the soul, consists in its eternal separation from God! 3 Thess.i. 7, to 10. The just penalty of the culpable neglect of a Divine Conversion ! To avoid this "dreadful end;" a sinner should earnestly agonise in prayer to God ; that he would so pity him, for the sake of Christy as to " endue him with the grace of His Holy Spirit;" whereby the appointed means, may become effectual to his Conversion and salvation. Haggai i. 5 ; Joel II. 13 ; Luke xiii. 23, to 30 ; Matth, vii. 7 ; Luke xi. 9, to 13; Eph. II. 18. Conversion, is followed, by " holiness and righteousness" of conduct and spirit. It is the point from whence an individual be- gins " to serve God acceptably, with reverence, and godly fear" That memorable transaction of his life, puts him in possession of the master-principle of all evangelical obedience ; which is, Love to God ! From that moment, he may truly be said to be " a new creature" — 2 Cor. v. 17— to be " born of God." John I. 12, 13. And, without this, an individual " cannot see the kingdom of God," John iii. 3. Such a change, is Divine ! It were to betray the most complete ignorance of the moral state, " by nature" of every child of Adam^ f Eph. ii. 3.)— it were to deny the whole tenor of the Word of God — it were blasphemous— to maintain, that such a Conversion, could be accomplished, without the imme- diate operation of the Holy Ghost. Whatever may be the visible instrumentality employed in its production ; it is an effect com- pletely out of the ordinary course of nature : and hence, strictly and properly, a " sign" or evidence, of a Divine and supernatu- ral agency ; which ought never to be denied, as it never can be disproved. Of course, the decision of an inspired apostle, will be deemed sufficiency conclusive. Speaking of himself, and all other Converted persons, St. Paul's declaration, is, " We are His workmanship^ created in Christ Jesus, unto good ivorks, which God hath before ordained, (or commanded,) m^^ t ^ i von THE SOULS OF MEN. 18 mi^ t ^ that we should walk in them" Eph. ii. 10. When, therefore, sinners are Converted to God ; then and there, to adopt the phraseology of our text, God is performing His « Work," of Divine grace and mercy : " / work a work in your days ;" which was the first point to be considered. The aggregate of Converted persons ; of all names and na- tions ; living upon earth, at the same time ; forms the spiritual and " Holy Catholic Church," of our adorable Redeemer ; the mystical body, of which Christ alone is the Divine, life-giving, and supremely-governing head. To that Church, in its various sectional divisions. He has committed the visible agency, neces- sary, and sufficient, and " mighty, through God," for the con- version of the whole world. (Mark xvi. 15. 2 Cor, x. 4.) The Divine ordinances, of— the Sabbath-Day — Prayer— the Preaching and Reading of the Word of God— the Due Adminis- tration of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper and the Faithful and Salutary Exercise of Ecclesiastical Dis- cipline—have been the means, by Him appointed, for the Conversion of sinners ; as well as for their preservation and maturity in the holy character, thus conferred upon them. These ordinan<5es, our Divine Lord has promised to bless with His own supernatural operation and superintendency, to those ends. (Matth. xxviii. 19, 20*.) And it cannot but be matter of most heartfelt gladness and thanksgiving, to behold the regular and periodical observance of those ordinances, attended by fre- quent instances* of individual conversion to God. Yet are spe- cial efforts, as we humbly conceive ; (at all events, the occasional adoption of such efforts ;) with a view to the more ample and sufficient promotion of that end ; fully to be justified. And to such justification, we now proceed ; while considering, as was proposed : f * Archbishop Williams, once said to a friand of his : " I have passed through many places of honour and trust, both in church and state ; more than any of my order, in England, these seventy years back. Yet, were I but assured, that, by my preaching, I had but converted one soul to God, I should take therein, more spiritual joy and comfort, than m all the honours and offices, wliich have been be«tovved upoa me \"—Cobourg " Church^' April 20, 1839. 14 SPECIAL EJFFOIITS II. The occasional Use of Special Efforts, to Ad- vance THE Work op God, in the Conversion of Sinners, We particularly wish to be understood, that it is not our aim to apologize for efforts or expedients which go, either wholly or partially, to set aside any of the instituted ordinances of God. And, specially, would we bear our testimony, against underva- luing that great and gracious institution of Heaven, the faithful, intelligible, and fervent, public preaching of the Holy Gospel. This is the divinely-intended, and well adapted, means of bring- ing men to God*. This was the invincible weapon, with which the First Apostles, assailed, so successfully, the kingdom of darknessf . Nor would we, for a single moment, forget, that, in this holy war, we must, as for others, so also for ourselves, perse- veringly continue to make a manful and plentiful use, of " the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of Goof." Any thing attempted to be substituted for men's conversion, as preferable, or even not immediately, contributory, to the preaching of the Gospel, and connected with it, should be regard- ed by us, as an insufferii])le oiFence against the Divine Head of the Church ! It would be an act of insubordination to " the Captain of our salvation,'' which would justly produce his displea- sure against us, and his disownment of us ! Under such circum- stances ; to the world, it would be an act of mercy, as to ourselves, of righteous retribution ; were he to refuse; as he mostsurely would refuse ; to " go forth with onr armies'' Crowds, we might pos- sibly collect, by other expedients ; but con#rsions to God, through our means, would not be seen to "follow," And the worldlinessand ungodliness of our adherents; would demonstrate our having no Divine sanction, in our unscriptural enterprise. Our accumulations of the morally dead, would but throv/ around our most solemn services, a worse than sepulchral coldness ; and our misnamed religious sanctuaries, would awfully resemble " the valley of vision," which was "fullofoones ;" and of which, as no spirit from God, had entered into them, it is instructively record- + * Cor. I. 17, 21. Rom j. ID to 17. t 2 i'or. x. 4, 5. ,ict$ u. \ Ephe.9. vi. 17, FOR THE SOULS OF MEN. Id + ed, " and lo, they oere very dry*.^' — " So let all thine enemies^ perish^ O Lord ! But let them that love Himf, be as the sun, when he goeth forth in his mightX. But, while wp plead not for any new moral remedies, for the world; we have a justification to offer, at least, in behalf of an occasional, and unforbidden variation, from the ordinary method of placinj!^ the remedy Divine, before the sin-diseased children of men. There is an infirmity of our nature, which is capable of being favourably affected by variety : and, in so far as is consis. tent with a good conscience, we would fain, under the Divine sanction, have that natural infirmity over-ruled, to our restora- tion from moral depravity. Our apology, however, is to be un- derstood, as only justifying special efforts, in endeavouring to bring to bear, " the Word of God, and Prayer^'' on the conver- sion of sinners, and on the advancement of " Scriptural holiness in the earth." Such were the nature, and such the objects, of the religious services, now more immediately in question ; and of which the followinor is a brief and candid account. The members of the Wesleyan Society, in this place, desiring a greater measure of success, in the conversion of souls ; and, withal, their own en- creased devotedness to God ; resolved, to those ends ; and in humble dependence on the Divine blessing ; so to arrange their secular engagements, as that they might have the Word of God preached to them, forenoon, afternoon, and evening, for four days in succession; the last of the four, being the Lord's Day. The meetings for hearing the Divine Word, were preceded each day, by a meeting for prayer, at six o'Clock in the morning ; and followed by a prayer-meeting, after each evening sermon. The first of the appointed days, was observed, by many of the Society, and some of the devout in the Congregation, as a day of special fasting, in connection with earnest and importunate prayer, that God w^, 'd be pleased to render the intended ser- vices efficacious " to salvation^^ And it was soon found, that ' 1 * Ezekiel xxxvii. 1, to 14. f John xiv. 15 ; Mark xvi. 15, 16 ; Lxike xxiv. 44, to 47 ; 2 Cor. iv, 2, to 7. X Juds^es v. 31. § Mntt. xvu. 19, to 21. 16 SPECIAL EFFOUTS several individuals, were earnestly enquiring, " WJiat must I do to be saved* ? These, during the meetings for prayer, were affectionately invited, to evince the sincerity of their desire for the mercy of God, by coming forward, and kneeling around the communion-rails, or some other appropriate place ; where they might have the advantage, of being spoken with, by a few suit- able persons, appointed to explain to them, «< the way of God moreperfectly\:' Not a few, have availed themselves of this assistance ; and it is believed some will praise God, for the same, through a blessed eternity. The first appointment of days, was found to have been rendered so great an instrumentality of re- ligious benefit, that an additional week has, subsequently been em- ployed, in the same manner. And these extended services, we are about to bring to a close^ as speedily as we may be enabled to do ; in consistency with our duty to God, and to any who may yet be desirous of the help of these means of grace:]:. Of course we are aware, that an arrangement of religious exer- cises, such as those here described, forms no part of the usages of our Connexion, in the Parent Country ; and, indeed, that such an observance, is scarcely adopted, by any other Religious Commu- nity, in the United Kingdom. A slight experiment or two, has been made by another Denomination of Christians, in a few places, in England. The plan is there regarded, as wholly of transatlantic origin : and, very probably, it arose from some of the peculiar requirements, of a newly-settled country. Yet, so well has this species of service been known, in the United States ; under the name of " Protracted Meetings ;" and so effectually has it been found to contribute, there, to the advancement of religious re- v'ivals ; that, we understand, it is adopted, by various Churches, in that nation ; and by not a few, of the most unquestioned re- spectability. Devoutly and suitably carried into operation, we think it possesses some advantages, with respect to religious utility ; and which we intend, in conclusion to notice ; which may well recommend it to a very general, if not a universal adoption, throughout the whole world. ak ♦ dd^ XVI. 30. t Acts xviu. 2»; J U(br. mii,, 17 . I VV/f.s.;, n 7, 8, FOR THE SOULS OF MEN". 17 ! ' •tti JL Other species of special effort, for the souls men, are happily- becoming encreasingly frequent, both private and public, and among all classes of devout Christians : to mention, particularly, faithful, kind, and individual, conversation with the unconverted, relative to their spiritual state; and inviting strangers to the means of grace; the distribution of short, pointed, and heart-searching re- ligious tracts : as also holding meetings for religious purposes, in the open air ; for the benefit of neighbourhoods, but scantily- furnished with Churches, as well as of individuals, so unhappy as never to be found in attendance on any of the usual places of Divine worship. These we must, after the example of our Divine Lord, "seek, in order to save." It is now more than a hundred years, since our venerable and immortal Founder, Mr. Wesley ; with the devoted and eloquent Whitfield, and the rest of their zealous co-adjutors,in usefulness; had the Christian magnanimity, to brave the obloquy, of this last-mentioned method of doing good. Their uninviting course, has not been, indeed, one of very general imitation. But, of late years, there has been a re- commencementof these heroic measures, in various parts of the United Kingdom ; by ministers of the Church of England and Ireland, as well as the clergy of other Churches*. Honoured, and supported may they be ; both by God and man ! Amen. But, without wishing to confine our present attention, exclu- sively, to any one particular mode of usefulness ; which, in every case, perhaps, will be best determined, by the circumstances, in which, and the agents by whom, it may have to be employed ; we proceed to address ourselves, to two classes of persons — those who disapprove of any effort whatever, in advancement of re- ligion ; thinking that men should be left entirely to their own convictions on the subject — and those who condemn any other efforts, to promote the conversion of sinners, than the regular Sabbath-services of their sanctuary ; concluding, that they had, really, better not be saved at all, than in any mode, not perfectly agreeing with their own ideas of ecclesiastical order and regula- rity. In friendly, but most fervent, opposition, to both of these JpiKudw, IS'o. Id SPECIAL EFFOUTS views ; we respectfully undertake to maintain, that special efforts, of any kind ; adapted, by God's blessing, to promote the conversion of souls; are to be fully justified ; and are, indeed, solemnly binding-, on the part of all who acknowledge the autho- rity of Christ, or who look for the retributions of " the life to come." 1. We shall attempt to justify Special Efforts, for the souls of men ; from, The conduct of Secular Men, truly in earnest topro' mote any earthly object ; tvhich may fail to succeed, according to their estimate of its importance and utility. Suppose a rail-road, or any other concern, tending to the pub- lic good ; and presenting a desirable and advantageous opportu- nity for the employment of capital. Suppose that, by some means or other, shareholders are not obtained in sufficient number, to meet the unavoidable demands, of the Board of Directors. Can we, at the same time, suppose, that such in- dividuals would be content with, and confined to, the mere regu- lar meetings, prescribed by the Constitution of their Corporation ^ Would it not be highly probal)le, that there would be special, and repeated, and even "protracted" meetings, of the Board; for the consideration of ways and means? Does it appear unlikely ; un- der circumstances of general misapprehension, of the nature of the speculation ; that even a Deputation would be employed, to visit particular places, to call nieetings, and by means of the va- rious journals, to enlighten and prepossess the public mind in favor of the undertaking ? Should we wonder ; or, were we ourselves interested in its success, should we be displeased, to behold the words, " Rail-Road Company," whenever we opened a newspaper, or turned the corner of a street ? Would the *' men of the ivorld,'' condemn this display of commercial zeal ; as, " most unreasonable, fanatical, and enthusiastic !"— as " abso- lutely carrying the matter too far !" &c. &c. ? " Now ; they do iff to obtain a corruptible crown, hut ive an incorruptible /" — 1 Cor. IX. 25. The Religion of Jesus Christ, furnishes the only means of as- certained communication, with the regions ot the blessed 1 Acts IV. 12. It is no uncertain contrivance, of short-sighted FOR THK SOULS OF MEN. 19 i man ; but an unerring revelation from the Eternal God ! Never, in a single instance, has it disappointed a real and sincere expe- riment. In its returns of advantage, it is unparalleled. It is known, to be " profitable unto all things ; having the promise of the life that now is, and also of that which is to come*". By the bestowment of present peace, power and purity, it rationally pledges an hereafter-recompense, of " a treasure in the heavens, thatfaileth not\'' Its tendency thus to bless, is demonstrated, at this very moment, in all the various climates of our globe, and under almost every possible diversity of human condition. Nevertheless ; to use a mercantile phrase ; and not " an angel from heaven,^ would utter the sentiment, without a holy indigna- tion ; « IT REALLY, DOES NOT TAKE, WITH THE PUBLIC MIND!" How, GENERALLY, is Religion considered to be a mere bubble-speculation ! Among those who confess it to be an eternal reality, how few-deem it worthy of a single instalment of tempo- ral sacrifice ! Where are we to look for those, who, by this uncontingent undertaking, have become " rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which God has promised unto them that love HimX ?" How small is the number of those who have acquired any real, regenerating, " part or lot in this matter^ !" And yet, it is intended and adapted to save and sanctify every son and daughtei of Adam. To " every creature," among them, it is commanded to be offered. Without it, they must pine away, in interminable poverty and distress ! Meanwhile, even in the hands of its authorized agents, its character is too frequently compromised, by failures of obligation, to the famishing creditor ; who perishes "^br lack of knowledge," which they are divinely entrusted, and which they have solemnly undertaken, to place in universal circulation. To refer, again, to the illustration, which has just been dismiss- ed : the visible Church, resembles an important trading Com- pany ; whose weight of debt is already immense ; and whose most prosperous and successful returns, absolutely fail to prevent, * 1 r?w. IV. S \ fA(kr w:i. XJavmn'S, § ,^(7.vvui. 21. c 20 SPErrAL EFFOllTS t i ■5' the continual augmentation of that debt. Its friends may well take the alarm, and be most special in their efforts ; since the ordinary instrumentality, has proved to be so insolvently deficient. This state of things must become still more alarming, unless some extraordinary exertions are made ; and upon a very extended scale ! Our affairs, can no longer be concealed. How can we, ourselves, revert to them, without feeling that we bear our re- proach ; and hailing with thankfulness, any agency, which may aid the common treasury? In these circumstances, an ungodly world; vain in its own undisputed majority; is emboldened to treat with contempt, a moral Corporation, whose charter has actu- ally received, even the signature of Heaven ! It dares to deny that our sanctions are Divine! It rejects, with scornful and ma- lignant disdain, the offer of our most invaluable securities. Our very credit, is at stake* ! And, with the reputation of the Church, are involved the eternal destinies of the universe ! This, naturally, brings before us, another ground of defence^ of Special Efforts for the Souls of men ; 2. The deplorable State of the World ; and the defective Con- dition of the Churchi in relation to the Conversion of Sinners. To more than three-fourths of the human family, even the idea of a Supreme Creator, is perfectly unknown ! Eight Hundred Millions, of immortal and accountable creatures, absolutely unacquainted with that first element of all true piety towards God, and correct morals among men ! A very large por- tion of them, daily render divine honours, even to devilsf. Their consequent miseries and atrocities, defy any accurate description^ ! Of the remaining fourth, of our race, alas ! the greatest part are under a similar enthraldom of ignorance and sin, through Judaism and Mahometanism ; from which, it is to be lamented, that we cannot, with truth, except, even millions who are called Christians. Who can portray their folly, wickedness, or sufferings. We speak not now of distant coun- tries only. Remember the crowds and the crimes, which attend our own Races ! Let the announcements of our Theatre. Jiom. n. 21 t 1 Cor. x. 20 ; Luke iv. 7. t Eph. v. 12. 4 I.;l FOH THE iOUr.S OF TJKN. 21 re- + divul;^e the tuste, by wlilch its baneful benches, possess their power of attraction. " Out-of-door services," and " Pro- TRACTKD Meetings," these, indeed ; and attended witli " irre- gularity," and "animal passions," enough; in all reason. — Permit me to ask, did you ever desire the promoters of such " proceedings," to give a justification of Mcir Special Efforts AGAINST THE SouLs OF Men! For you cannot but be aware, that by these means, the motion of millions, has been accelera- ted, in the downward road of endless destruction ! So much, for " the drama !" So much, for " the improvement of the breed of horses!" What multitudes of infatuated victims, are now lifting up their despairing eyes, in the tormenting *'/ame*!" But, to return to our melancholy review, of the deplorable state of the unconverted part of mankind. Making a due allow- ance for the lovely exceptions of virtue and morality ; which, by the unsolicited retraints of Divine Grace, are found among them; how unconcealable, and how flagrant are the abomina- tions, of the general rule ! Let us spare you, any more than the mere enumeration, of their pride, vanity, and frivolity — their deception, falsehood, over-reaching, fraud, and dishonesty — their drunkenness, gluttony, and debauchery — their various des- criptions of unkindness, cruelty, unmercifulness, and murder ! — their irreligioa, infidelity, ungodliness, ani impietyf ! Can you conceive the vast amount of provocation, thus offered to " High Heaven!" — from one single town, only — from one single habita- tion — from one individual human heart ? " The wrath of God is revealed from heaven, agai7ist" themj. Very often, a transgres- sor, the most hateful, dies, to use a common expression, " like a lamb." This, therefore, however fondly chosen, cannot be safely taken, as a j ust criterion, of the eternal portion of a de- parted soul ! But, how frequently do the mental agonies of h dying sinner, but too probably betoken the approximating pu- nishment, of his living sins ! It is computed that more than six hundred human beings, leave this world, every hour! And; • jAike XVI. 23, 24. f Ephcs. v. 3, to 6. I Colos. rir, 6 ; Jiom. i. IS. 28 ■FECIAL EFFOUTS i. if men, generally, die as they live ; fearful must be the eternal consequences, of the mortality, even of one single day! Now; it belongs to professing Christians, to promote the work of Conversion, among these perishing myriads, liut, let us ask, in what state are they, in relation to this work ? A large number of these, have, themselves, never been converted. Some of them, even deride the idea of Conversion ; and often, in the inconsistencies of their temper and behaviour, present the most formidable obstructions, to the conversion of others. And though, in many cases, it is dilKcult to exercise ecclesiastical discipline upon such ; yet, as Christians, they are despised, by those who know them best ; and who, unhappily, believe them to be, but ^* whited walls, a?id painted sepulchres* " But, of the number of professors, who have, really and truly, been convert- ed ; too many arc, at least, in a condition of heart-backsliding 5 and have left their "Jirst love." Some of these, are distinguish- ed by an unsanctified zeal for non-essentials, of forms, and cere- monies, and unimportant points of doctrinal disputation ; "easili/ provoked," and habitually provoking. Others, arc ungraciously formal and rigid, in their manner and spirit ; having but little happiness, themselves, they are calculated to impart but little to others. Some are self-indulgent, sensual, niggardly, covetous, and unapproachable ; while others, are frivolous, indolent, and worldly-minded ; habitually, either negligent of the means of grace, or a discredit to them ! How little, can it be expected, that either of these descriptions, would feel the burden of a world, that " lieth in wickednessf ;" or, that those who so neglect their own souls, would use any special efforts, for the souls of others ! Compared with the general whole of professors ; it is fco be feared, the number is exceedingly small, of those whose he{.vts are anxiously set on the conversion of sinners ; who pray, and labour, and live, in reference to that object. And hence, it can be no matter of astonishment ; how truly soever it is of deepest lamentation ; fL^n genuine godliness has made so little progress in the wurki The e is, indeed ; and it is supposed, by some t y 1! ♦ Matt. xxiu. 27; 28. 1 1 Jofni v. ly. i^i^ roll THK HOULH 0¥ MEN. 23 t u ecclesiuMtlcul histuriuiiM, that, from tite hegiiutitig, there ever has been ; a small proi^ressive advance, in tlie influence of heartfelt religion, upon earth. But, if you make the subject a matter of comparative calculation, the result will be most awakening, and distressing, to those who love God, and the souls of men! It is admitted, that the aggregate of the world's population, is continually increasing; by the gratifying excess of human births, above the number of those who die, and disappear from among us. But, is there not too much reason to apprehend, that the increase in the number of the converted, does not, by any means, keep pace with the increase in the amount of the world's inhabitants? Every year, therefore ; if that be the case ; the number of those, who live to sin, and die but to suffer, receives a continual, and a tremendous, augmentation ! And we ask, if facts, like these, are not adapted to be irresistible in their appeals, to minds capa- ble of appreciating tlieir force ? They teach us, to brave the sneer of the delirious worldling! They force uf, to disregard the censure of thcr cold-blooded formalist; who scorns to quicken his slothful pace, though to save an undying soul, from an eternal woe ! They compel us, to fall in penitent abasement, under a mournful conviction of our own cruel and criminal apathy! — What can we refuse to do, which, even in the smallest degree, may tend to meet the distressing case? " My God ! I feci tlic moiunful scone ; My bowels yearn o'er dyi)ig men ; And tliin my pity would reclaiiti And pluck the fire-brands, from tlie llamc !" (Doddriiige.) Let us urge, still further, as a justification of Special Efforts for the Souls of Men ; 3. The Precepts and Precedents, of the Word of God; in con- nexion ivith the Divine Willingness to afford His Blessing to such Efforts. Under the Dispensation of Moses ; which afforded but an im- perfect elucidation of spiritual things ; the people were di- vinely enjoined, not to suffer men to remain under the guilt of their sins. To prevent this, they were commanded, to avoid be- ing themselves the occasions of sin, to otlicrs ; at all seasons to 24 SPECIAL EFFORTS I promote godly conversation and intercourse ; and, on no account, to shrink from a courageous pursuit, of tlie salvation of their fel. low -mortals*. The followers of Christ, were taught, that the saving knowledge God had bestowed upon them, was, that they might become the means of imparting the same, to others, also. In promoting the moral recovery of such ; they were to be like labourers in the harvest-field ; whose peculiarity of employment, obliges them to be regulated by the immediate influences of heaven ; and who are wont, far more, to be governed by the quantity of work to be done, and by the favourable opportunities of doing it; than by punctilios and circumstantials as to the mere mode of its pcrformancef . In saving souls, they were to be " instant, in season, and out of season.** Ministers, espe- cially, were compared to shepherds ; who should *^feed the flock of God,** in their best approaches towards a proportion, to the priceless cost of their redemption. They were to take " the oversight** of the ransomed sheep, of the Saviour of the world ; so as to secure the final approval of " the Chirf Shepherd,** who purchased them, with " Blood Divine:}: !" For an exemplification of tliese imperative precepts, of Holy Scripture, we have but to bring to remembrance the devotedness of those sainted individuals, who, from the beginning, have suc- cessively sustained holy office, in the Church of God. The time would fail us, duly to enlarge upon the sacred toil of the pa- triarch Noah, for the conversion of the anti-deluvian world§ ; the long-continued labours, and fervent intercessions, of Abraham, Moses, Joshua and Samuel ; the special and periodical services, of David and Solomon, before the ark, in the tabernacle, and in the temple ; the special efforts of Jehoshaphat, Josiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah, for the religious revival of the people, in their days ; as, also, of the active and wearisome endeavours of the prophets, at large§. The powerful and persevering zeal, of these worthy and venerable exemplars, most happily resisted, the relentless - Dcut. VI. 6, to 9 ; Lvcii. xtx. 17. \ Mali. v. 13, to IP ; Luke x.2; 2 Tim. i\. 2 ; 1 Tim, IV. 15. X 1 Pet. v. 2, 3, 1. § 2 Chrmi. xxjx. 4 to 11 } Ezra VII. 10, 2.'>, 28 ; ix. 1, to 1.5 , x, 6, to 1-1 ; «Ve/je/?i. VIII. IX. and xiii. ron, TtiE SOULS oi* men. 25 freezings of oar wintry world ; and vigorously urged on, its often rapid and unhesitating course, of moral energy. Their love for the souls of their fellow-men, proceeded " out of the throjie of God, and of the Lamb." Its source was too elevated, to subject its current, to the laws of an inferior region. Like our noble Canadian waters; which gently and silently move on, in channels favourable to their progress; it majestically foamed its unyielding' defiance, over all the opposing obstructions of rugged nature; and forced its triumphant way ; through a number of unpreseribed yet unprohibited avenues; to the serious attention of the ungodly, the depraved, and incorrigible. It thus, most effectually, conveyed to sinful men, in circumstances otherwise inaccessible, the means of a thorough conversion, and an everlasting salvation ; and fain would have carried them onward, on its bosom, to the fathomless Ocean of Eternal Mercy. The incessant, and, not unfrequently, special efforts of our Divine Lord, when he appeared, among men, in " the form ff a servant," evince to us, how vain would have been the attempt to limit his love for soulsj to the mere " doing duty," of a customary routine, of unproductive appointments. He waS found, indeed, on the Sabbath, in the temple, and in the synagogue ; as well as on other occasions. But instead of regarding that as a " chief end ;" he reversed the order ; or rather re-instated an order, already reversed ; and used it, as a means to an end. In place of our censurable, lifeless, formality ; and our worse than foolish complacency, in sanciuary services, too often, most inefficient, insignificant, unacceptable, and even offensive, to the Almighty ; the Son of God, sought for the fruit of conversion ; and " luent about doing good" Hence, He " was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners" Hence arose. His searching and savoury conversation ; His midrlght prayers, in the mountain, and His constant preaching, in private houses, streets, and fields ; to which we may reverently add, His Protracted Meetings, " in the ivildei'ness ;" at one of which ; having kept the people together, for " three days," m succession ; a compas- sionate miracle, was wrought, to furnish them with food; that so 26 SPECIAL EFFORTS they might not faint, on their return to their own homes*. Hi? immediate successors, cheerfully trod in the footsteps of their adorable Master! Would that there had been, " in deed and in truth^^ an actual, " Uninterrupted Succession," until now ! And then ; as for the fact of a Divine Co-operation : when have there been, any sincere and faithful efforts, for the Conver- sion of souls, which God did not sanction, with the outpourings of the Holy Ghostf ? It may be confessed, that instances have occurred, in which the labours of the most devoted men, have proved to be apparently unsuccessful; the real causes of which, we are incompetent fully to explain. Yet, even these ought not to be regarded as any disproof; since in some of them, the fact of a Divine co-operation, with those labours, is so ob- vious, as to throw all the responsibility of such lamented ill-suc- cess, on a stubborn and unyielding heart. During the long period of a hundred years, at least, the patriarch Noah, proclaimed the oifers of Divine mercy, to the men of his generation ; and only ^^ eight persons,^* were saved in the ark. But St. Peter expressly teaches us, that the unhappy spirits, of those to whom he then ^^ preached f and who are now, in the final ^^ prison!" had their previous day of grace — had the mighty workings of the Holy Ghost, attending the faithful ministrations of Noah ; and which were designed to conduce to their salvation:}:. Thus Christ was preached to them, " ivith the Holy Ghostf sent down from heaven ;" and thus they might have been saved ; (" Heaven but persuades; Almighty man decrkes !") In the succeeding ages, also, of which we have spoken ; in the days of Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Josiah, of Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel and Jonah§, the same kind of record has been made, of the Divine sanction, of special efforts for the souls of men. The last-mentioned individual, was, previously, so well assured that his special preaching, in Ninevah, would bo attended by God's blessing, and followed by the salvation of the people; that, under * Matt. XV. :W, to 38. t Mirah. ii. 7. f 1 Peter nt. l^, to 20 ; Clrii. vr, 3 ; 1 Cor. xir. fi, 7. § .1 CImm xi.\, ij, U , xxix. '^Jr Ezra vii- ti. 9, 27, 28 ; Jonah iv> I, fn n. FOR THE SOULS OF MEN. 27 .i * the influence of temptation, he was unwilling to risk his prophe- tical character, on the result of his foretelling even their con- ditional overthrow. Infatuated multitudes attended in vain the personal ministry of Christ ! They exclaimed, " Never man spake like this man*." He was anointed " with the Holy Ghost, and with power." At the same time, the free-agency of his hearers, was so generally determined by their own unbelieving carnalityf, that many who listened to his heavenly eloquence, and were filled by his benevolent miracles, ensured thereby but their own greater re- sponsibility, and heavier condemnation:]:. StiH, " to as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God ; even to them that believe in his name§." The Holy Apostles of our Lord, ascribed all their animating success in the conver- sion of sinners, unto this Divine co-operation. Our own ho- noured and immediate predecessors of the last century ; the venerable instruments, divinely used in commencing the present revival of religion, which is going through the world ; uniformly, made the same grateful acknowledgement of entire obligation to God. Nor is it difficult to discern, in the present day, that those Christians are the most useful, in the conversion of sinners, who are the most spiritual and energetic, and the most addicted to the use of the regular and special efforts for the promotion of that end. Thus, do the Word of God to us, and the Working of God with usj combine to justify the most frequent, and the most varied use of the means which are adapted to save ihe souls of men. — With so much divine truth has it been said, and may still be said, *' All things are now ready," that the right use of the means will in every case be attended by the requisite bestowment of the blessing. However this statement may encounter previous opinions, we entreat you to receive it and to reiterate it. It is with profound reverence and self-abasement we proceed to say, that on these terms, " times of refreshing shall come from the * Joh7i vii. U) t Matth. xiii. 10, to 15. 4: John vi. 26 xMatth. xi. 20 10 24. § John i. 12. XV. 22, to 25 , 28 SPECIAL EFFORTS I I III III il w ' •| ft presence of the Lord," whenever you choose. The offer lias been made centuries of years ago, by the voice of Heaven it- self*. On these simple and intelligible conditions, the speedy conversion of the whole human race is placed within the reach of our common Christendom. We may well be affected even to tears of distress at this view of the solemn responsibility under which we are placed, and have so long been placed. Let us make the most penitent confessions to God, and ask his forgive- ness of our unfaithfulness. Is there not reason to fear that our moral inefficiency has even retarded the salvation of many ? A holy Church would soon behold a holy and happy world ! Ask us not, then, for reasons in favour of our poor inconside- rable services, but demand of us our deepest humiliation for past omissions of duty, and tl^at whatever our hand may yet find to do in this work, we may do it with our might. If we would render any service, therein, let us bear in mind the short and uncertain period of our further existence in the present state of proba- tionary being. How many are in the dreadful gulph, for whom none have put forth any effort ! Deliver us from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of our salvation ! The time which has been irrecoverably lost, may surely justify awakening Christians in cultivating a holier industry in a work in which they have so long been indolent. It was, probably, some similar impression by divine grace, which aroused the powerful zeal of the im- mortal Luther. On one of his journeys, the friend sitting by his side was suddenly killed by the lightning of a thunderstorm. Luther instantly felt his awful proximity to the grave, in a way in which it had never previously affected him. He determined at once to commence a religious course, and to devote himself to the rescue of his dying fellow-men from the " bitter pains of eternal death." In the several spheres in which an unerring Providence ?iiay have placed us, let us " go, and do likewise" — One present effort, by God's blessing, may become productive of an eternity of efficacy. * Matth. xxviii 19, 20 ; Luke xi. 13 ; Mai. lii. 10, to 12 ; Isaiah xxxii. 15 to 20. t 1 f 4. FOR THE SOULS OF MEW. 29 T t 1 f 4- Some objections to our recent services, unaccompanied by the names of their authors, have been kindly placed before us, for the purpose of eliciting explanatory remarks ; which we proceed to subjoin. And, first ; we do not expect that all observers will cordially and imrnediately concur lu every peculiarity which marks a " Protracted Meeting. " We know individuals for wliom nevertheless we retain the highest respect and affection who withhold their approval from that class of means. Indeed, there are i(i^ of our- selves, but have commenced our acquaintance with them under strong feelings of prejnd against them. Sentiments which have been removed by nothing "short of the happy results of candid experiment*. We are, therefore, well prepared to honour the motives of such devout persons as may view these services unfavour- ably, while they generously concede to others that right of judgment in the matter which they claim for themselves. But the interests of godliness require that objec- tors ot another description should have their appropriate notice ; however painful to us it may be to iierform that part of our duty. II. It occurs not, to those who condemn us, because precisely the same routine ol services is not found in the Holy Scriptures, that many other Churches are in the same predicament as to some of their most prevailing minor religious observances. In some cases it is so to a much greater extent than their fondest supporters iiave imagined. Nor do we make the allusion in any unfriendly spirit ; but to shew the disqualifying ignorance of this class of arbiters ; which certainly befits the bar, better than the bench, of judgment. The Scriptures furnish the servants of God with the great principles which should guide them in endeavouring to be useful to the souls of men ; leaving their enUghtened judgment and conscience to adapt the minor cir- cumstantials of their proceedings, to the most effectual accomplishment of the great end proposed. And pertinaciously to adhere to the same modes, under varying circumstances, would be as unworthy of commendation as for a mariner invariably to restrict himself to the same number and position of sails, in all winds and in all weathers. These may admit of change, without any injury to the vessel or its cargo. Indeed the security of both, and the furtherance of the voyage, may render such adaptations absolutely indispensable. III. Some have objected, that in these services the understanding of our auditors IS too greatly disregarded, and that we encourage persons to " work themselves up to a state of feeling," which they merely " fancy" to be religion. How sincerely soever this charge may by some be adduced, it is impossible to be altogether insen- sible to the ill compliment it conveys. Yet, with the most perfect good-feeling, we venture to express our belief, that those who give us the advantage of a hearing be- lore they decide on the question, will not deny our earnest and painstaking endea- vours to render religion truly understood. Our public instructions embrace all its various particulars ; v/hof her of history, evidence, or doctrine— precept, promise, or penalty— divine influe .ce, and human effort— moral obligation, present privi- lege, or hope of future blessedness. And, in the same spirit, we fearlessly assume The Wesleyan Methodists may truly respect the involuntary prejudices of pious- people, even to their own pain and inconvenience ; since their venerated Founder thus candidly avows the feelings of repugniince with which he first contemplated the Jield-preaching irregularities of his justly-celebrated friend, the Rev. Geo. WHITFIE1.D. Mr. Wesley's own words are : " On his arrival I could scarce re- concile myself at first to this strange way of preaching in the fields, of which he set the example on the Sunday ; having been all my life (till very lately) so tenacious of every point relating to decency and order, that'l should have thought the saving of souls almost a sin, if it had not been done in a Church." Works, Vol. I. p. 185. m SPECIAL EFEORTS that lull 19 much, on these all-important subjects, is intelligently and savingly un- derstood by the regular members of our congregations, as by individuals of the same order comiucted with any other Christian Community : the courteous objectors, themselves, by no means excepted. Reliijious feeling, we are not ashamed to avow we expect all who are connecteil with US, most carefully to cultivate. We enjoin upon tliem to •' stir up the Gift of God*," which is in them; and earnestly to pray lor those aids of the Holy Spirit, by which alonn they can possess emotions such as become a reasonable and accountable being, in relation to that cl;iss oroljjects. These tilings we main- tain and " contend^ are as capable of reai and actual transaction, between God and the soul ; and of transaction, as reasonable, too ; as any ever witnessed in thi^ •store of the trader, or the counting-house of the merchant|. But we are greatly misunderstood, if we are suspected of favouring, even for a single moment, any thing like fancies, in an affair of such fearful character. If we know ourselves, we ever aim to deal in eternal realities, not in teiniJorary ima- gmations. Our people will bear us witness, that we are accustomed todiscourse with them of a real soul and Bible, of a real Saviour, and of real sins, of a real grave and judgment-day, a hell and a heaven unutterably real. We urge upon men, a REAL thoughtfulness and self-acquaintance, a real contrition for sin, and air UNDENIABLE abandonment of it, a real turning to God, and trust in th(! atoning blood of Christ, in order that they may delightfully possess a real unfancied pardon of all their past transgressions, and have thereby a real change of heart, evidenced in a not less unequivocal change of life. Those who hear us, know this to be the case. And we assure all who may need the information, that among us these things are never trusted, but when they are tested. Allow me to say, fellow-sinners, (and who without an aching heart can advert to the tragical fact .') that on these subjects there are, indeed, real fancies, mon; than enough. But they are found among such as " work themselves up" to the ignorant fancy that the transactions of " vital godliness," are altogether a fancy ; or who wickedly fancy it to be a real folly to be at all religious ; or who foolishly FANCY it best to take their fill of sin before they begin to fear God ; or who ruin- ously fancy it will be time enough to think of settling the affairs of their souls, after the irrevocable bankruptcy of death, shall have closed up forever, their entire concern, and left to the fancying and fraudulent debtor no other alternative than that of a perpetual imprisonment in the final dungeon of a fathomless hell ! — Matth. v. 26. IV. It has been alleged against these services, that they are marked by too much endeavour to excite " the animal passions." " T/ie children of this world" have their own various " cant expressions ;" and this is one of them, " Animal passions ! — We disapprove of appeals to the animal passions, and of alarming de- lineations of future punishment," say they ; " religion should be promoted by rea- soning, not by alarming I" But, where you design to urge the adoption of some expedient for the safety of an individual, having explained your plan of escape, .surely it is a most natural method of reasoning, to expatiate on the magnitude of the approaching evil ; and still more especially, should the individual he under the influence of morbid insensibility to the danger from which you propose to have him rescued : which is one distressing feature of the case of all unconverted persons. And we would resjiectfully ask to be shewn either the honesty or the philosophy, of concealing an important feature of a case, on which you are aflecting to reason ! It is on this principle, we have deemed ourselves in the use of the most truly rational and intellectual means, when endeavouring to promote the present efforts of slum- bering sinners after eternal safety, by the most awakening descriptions of immediate exjjosure to eternal danger.^ Thus much may suffice in self-defence. But the yearning pity of our souls com- pels us to the duty of a faithful but friendly dealing with our objectors. " The children of this world" impose on us the necessity of saying, that they are not honest in this matter. A certain class of the unconverted profess to employ their higher * 2 Tim. 1, 6. t JudeZ. Rom. an. 1 t Denter. xxx. 19 FOR THE SOULS OF MEUf. 81 It . faculties in the affairs of religion and salvation ; while they refuse us any influence over what they call their «' animal passions." But the truth is, with the exception of those who adopt it in ignorance of its real bearing, the objection is but a shame- less excuse, as infamous as it is impotent, for employing neitlier the one nor the other in the momentous business. Let those men of pure intellect and unimpassioned intelligence, candidly inform us what theii " higher facuUies" are actujUy doing, in regard to the salvation of their souls from everlasting wo ! What reason can they give — what justification can tliey otfor, for a course of sin, a contempt of God, a rejection of Christ, a supreme regard to the things of this perishing world ? Behold, in all the pride of intellect, the abstract idiot, senselessly clinging to the tinsel treasure, which is rapidly sinking hiin into the dreadful deep of the bottomless ocean. In ordinary life " the children of this world" behave with more evident sincerity. Should the lilc of un individual be unconsciously placed in peril, by some falling timber or fearful animal, his most endeared friends, even the tender females of his family, will be alfected to a degree bordering upon distraction. By the most piercing cries and the most frantic and extravagant gestures, they strive to transfer to his breast the alarms which are agitating their own ; if thereby he may be driven to adopt the only alternative which remains for hia safety. And should they be so happy as to succeed in exciting his fears and effecting his deliveiance, he himself too grateful!'.' appreciates their motives to be disposed to blame such an awakening appeal to his " animal passions." But, when the curse of God is falling upon im- penitent transgressors— when Satan is pursuing them to destruction, their intellects ahsolutely unserviceable to them in the matter, from the want of a due feeling of their state of danger— and at the same time your humble attempts, by the grace of God, to awaken and alarm them, absolutely contemned and despised— who can for- bear remembering and adopting those despairing expressions of Christ to persons of the same class, who attended his own personal ministry ; " How can ye escape the damnation of hell ?" The final "perdition of ungodly men" is truly an affecting and unwelcome subject. To keep it from the minds "of such, would be a virtue of die highest order, were our silence conducive to their safety. Our own fears concerning ourselves is, that we are more defective than excessive in heart-stirring allusions to these unut- terable realities, which God has disclosed to us in the Scriptures, for the awakening the ''dead in trespasses and in sins." On one side, there may be an unwisely offensive, a vulgar and uncompassionating introduction of the mournful topic, which we would not fail most severely to reprehand ; yet, on the other, there is a studied avoidance of it, and an endeavour to divest of its fearfulness, which are not only a most insane outrage on allconect taste, but there is in them, also, a misleading and a Satanic cruelty , which we can never sufFicienily execrate*. This is a point on which of all others, it behoves all Cliristian ministers to speak and spare not. They are spiritual watchmen ; and in them it would become an impious offence against the blood of Christ, poured out for the safety of sinners, as well as an odious betrayal of trust, were they to shrink from giving them due alarm of their approaching danger. It was in divine reprobation of such ecclesiastical inertness, that the prophet Isaiah thus complains :— " His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are dumb dogs, they cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumberf." That was a thrilling remark of the learned and laborious Richard Baxter, that he feared comparatively few ministers would themselves be saved. Such are their re^ sponsibilities to God and man, and such their temptations to be unfaithful to their solemn trust 1 The only conditions of safely retaining holy ofhce, are thus explained * «' You put me in mind of an eminent man, who, preaching at St. James's, said, ' if you do not repent, you will go to a place which I shall not name before this audience.' I cannot promise so much, either in preaching or wrjting, before any au- dience or to any person whatever. ♦ * * ♦ For, to say the truth, I desire to have both heaven and hell ever in my eye, while I stand on this isthmus of life, Vjetween die two boundless oceans : and I verily think the daily consideration of both, highly becomes all men of reason and religion." Wesley's Letter to Archbishop Secker ; Works, Vol. xii. p. 89. London, 8vo. edit. 1830. f Isaiafi, Ivi- 10 32 SPECIAL EFEORTS to the prophet Ezekicl, by his divine Master*. •• O son of man, I have set thee a watchman. If' thou dost not apeak to vmrn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I requirk at "thy hand !" Should they meet, in llio sud abode of the lost, imagine the unspeakable reproach- ings olthat glance of despair, with which the unsaved sinner surveys his once reve- rend betrayer, while addressing him, in terms like the following : " Is this the consummation of our ecclesiastical connexion— of thy prayers, and sermons, and sacraments ? Was it for tliis I contributed to the support of thy sacred order, and cheerfully paid so unbounded a tribute of respect and confidence to thy exalted ollice and station ? And didst thou really know of ' thin place of torment,' as the Hnal lot of the unconverted, and at the same time not apprize me of my dreadful danger ? Had I been duly atfected with my liability to so direful a calamity, dost thou think that for ^the pleasures of sin for n season,' 1 should have risked ' the bitter pains of eternal death ?' Could any ihiiii; in yon perishin:? world, have re- conciled me to the choice of « the deoourin^ Jlamei' And didst thou deal with my INTELLECT, and profess to REASON 'with me, on everlasting concerns; and yet attach so little importance to this material part ov the argument ? Alas! to my imperishable soul, of what service has been all thv famed learning and celebrated eloquence ? Why didst thou not iVequently and forcibly place be° tore me this inevitable consequence of living and dying in sin ? Why didst thou not make use of every means, to endeavour duly to affect my heart with the salutary fear of falling into this fiery gulph ? Why not psblickly discourse upon it, and paint in it its real colours, and amplify upon it, and incessantly disturb me with alarms, in . . pretensionsf. Most cruel hateful betrayer of all my eternal interests ! Thee I was taught to recog- nise as « a minister of Christ,' but to me thou hast proved truly and tremendously ' a messenger of Satan!' Unprepared by holiness, thou hast fatally beguiled me to hope for heaven ; and now, behold, ' lam tormented in thisjlame\\ !' " V^ We think it proper to meet the objection that exiiressions of feeling are per- mitted in our religious services, imsuited to the sacred dignity of Divine worship. To indulge a spirit of levity or irreverence, before the throne of grace, we should deem not only an act of indecorum but also of iniquity. And yet, for the congre- gation to express their feeling by the devout utterance of the emphatic "Amen," as in the Church of Scotland, as well as others, or " Glory he to thee, Loid," as in the rubric of the English Church ; either at the conclusion of a prayer, or at any sentence in which the worshippers may feel an especial interest, from its adaptness to their individual case ; should not be condemed as irreverent, provided the utter- ance proceed from the real fervency of the heart. There is an extreme, tor which we would not wish to plead. But it may be asked, is not the opposite extreme, still less defensible, and far more displeasing to God .' (" Devotion, when lukewarm, is indevout !") in the house of prayer, we may be as solemnly silent, as the marble statues upon our monumental tablets, and at the same time as litde interested as they are, in any renovating life-giving worship performed in their presencei^. We do not wi.sh to become the censors of such as may diifer from us on that head ; but we candidly avow our preference of the usages of diose Churches, among whom the people take an active and an audible part with the minister, in the celebration ol public worship. We think the custom not only venerable and Scriptural, but that it may be made subservient to highly beneficial, moral and religious results. Between such of our brethren and ourselves, then, the point of difference is not the simple expression of feeling in God's worship, on the i)art of the cong-regation, but whether that expression should be invariably according to a precomposed form, or sometimes also unpremeditated and extemporaneous. A point this, on which surely wo may tolerate in one another a diversity of opinion. Ezek. xxxm. 7, S. f Isaiah, xiv. 9, 10. % Mark, xii. 38, to 40 ; 2 Cor. xi. 13, to 15. II Luke, xvi. 24. § Isaiah, Lxiv. 7 ; John, iv. 23, 24, FOR THE SOULS OP MEN. dd r At some of our special prayer-meetings there have been, on the part of those who have come forward in the c)iaracter of penitents, an occasional expiession of feolini? which has been unusual among us. Under a sense of sin and guilt, before God their distress of soul has produced the sigh and the groan, and oven the cry of sor- -— • Wo make no apology to those persons, whose obduracy of nature on such row ■riftecting occasions, has considered one to bo necessary. Even in the savage the fear of sympathy has often started, unbidden, at the sight of human sorrow, 'fiut in the case of these criminal triliers, the levity of their depravity, has, unhappily absorbed the tenderness of their humanity. Little do they expect that, on a greater occasion still, which in its approach " slumbereth not,'' unless a timely repentance prevent, there will be a bitterer and more justifiable withholdment of sympathy liom sighs and groans no less sincerely uttered by themselves*. ' VI. To individuals of a '« more 7toft/e" description we most cheerfully turn, with a friendly explanation of certain appearances of confusion, during our servicesf. That more than one person should bo ollering public prayer, at the same time, has occurred so seldom as scarcely to need a notice ; and we should say it is not allow- cd among us, excepting when the parties are sulliciently distant from each other, as not to bo heard respectively by one another. When so situated, and each may be earnestly interceding for some individual in special distress of soul, such a procedure may be permitted as a very pardonable irregularity ; especially since it creates no real conlusion. The advantages to bo expected from penitent persons approaching the altar lor prayer, at the invitation of the minister, are various and considerable. Among others, it enables us fb ascertain their spiritual difliculties, and to afford them suitable advice. Should they be labouring under religious discouragement, or are not suHiciently acquainted with the proper way of coming to God through Christ ; which are often features of such a case ; a single suggestion from the Holy Scrip- tures may tend, by divine grace, most cheeringly to surround them with light and comfort, in their anxious pursuit of divine mercy. In an under-tone, as they are kneeling at the appointed place, without any interruption of the public devotions, individual instruction has thus been afforded them, which in innumerable instances has " through grace greatly helped" them. However, even to an ingenuous ob- server, unacquainted with the real nature of the transaction, this may present an appearance of confusion. But such may be assured, it is appearance only. Each one, whether inquirer or adviser, knows his own momentous business. Nor isone in ii/idual in the least distracted, by the corresponding attentions which may be afforded to the ease of another. This may admit of very helpful illustration, from our recollections of any place ol general secular business. How common in the Exchange, for instance, to behold separate groups of mercantile men engaged in tbeir several transactions, at one and the same time and place ; and notwithstanding there may be the general inarticu- late sound of discordant voices pervading the assembly, yet is there not theleastcon- fusion or interruption of the business. Samples are examined, and terms are dis- cussed ; character is ascertained, and credit is regulated ; thousands of pounds are in question, and vast sums pass from hand to hand ; each individual as surely making provision for his own temporal interest, as if he had been placed in the silence and solitude of the uncleared wilderness. He may indeed have been quickened in his commercial energies, by the supreme importance he has observed his abstracted as- sociates to attach to their own concerns, and the intensity of application they have shewn to the means connected with their own welfare. That is just our case. Never did you hear a merchant complain that all the other gentlemen in the Ex- change did not instantly suspend their operations, and remain in the most profound silence and inaction, while himself was engaged in some business which lay nearest to his heart. A universal silence would, in fact, have proved an inconvenience to himself. It would have destroyed his simplicity, awakened his suspicions, abated his ardour, unhinged his mind, and dissolved that great undefinable charm, which * 2 Peter, ii. 3 ; Prov. i. 24, to 31. f -^cts, xvii, 11. 84 SPECIAL EFFORTS adapts the plnco to the purposes for which it was erected. <• The children of thi, world are Wi.er m their frerieration than the childre^i of liiht^TiZnfd the day arrtvo when mon wi I generally cure as litilo Ibr their wffily sub tancc a* thoy now do for the.r souls' salvation; you will then behold ihem a son^^^^^^^^^^^ formal in their .tore, as they are now in their sanctuaries, they will b^as seldc^n m the countmg-house as now in the closet, as much opposed to pubhc umrSts as „w they are to " Protracted Meetings." and as unwor'thy the na nc ol n en o»-'businer as they now arc, ol tho appellation of earnest Christians. business, Ou the day ol Pentecost, among tho first disciples of our blessed Lord it has been ' 2 h T ''XTar ••' wa";EeTf "r"'"'' ?' ''"^" ." appearance^" of conTus'r i nougn &t. reter, was the chiet preacher on that memorable occasion • vet nf7hr'l\T .'J^' ^''"n " «"""''^"«°"« "Ppioach of penitent sinners to '"//e lent o 'j^; "r''^'^.; - JVC I as unto him, enquiring «• Jen and brethren, v,ha 7hal .f;l.. • • 1 ' ° themselves understand the need there often is, or individual direction in such cases, but will conclude there was > ivoidably some deS.m trom our usual order, certainly from prevailing custom, when tlL ousanT e sons "were pricked m their hearts r with a deep conviction of hi ^Tm^^th. •tame rf«v" were brought to repose the cheerful trust of thdr com he' S ts on the Name ot Christ, lor pardon and eternal salvation|. ' U rirn 1 ^""tf ''''°°""!^ ''l,'^' interruption of tho silence and order of his store which s proceed by crowds of customers, earnestly enquiring for the commoditv in w rh K, trades, to be most le icitous aud unregrettcd. He speaks of TZZ\ cheerfu countenance and a gladdening bosom : if he be a trader of rclig ous p ii^ples t £l Inl'^T'" P'-°^''»«"^'«..^"^» yet with devout submissions to the wiU S God that such interrup ions may be permitted often to occur on his premises And whatever may be the foolish and froward fancies of the fastidiously fomaT we clo not scruple to declare, that, after the melancholy levies on tht sLessTve Jnera tions of our human family, which have been made and marched olf'o perdition bJ he soul-destroying Apollyon ; it will be perfectly agreeable to s at any S ^o him'Sm drfi'elf '"Sof .rZr;'"=" ";' counferaming influence w" idi^nrdriv: mm irom tnc neia. IN or shall wo ever object to the interruption of our npr.ii«ir„««H order by the recurrence among us of a Pentecostal «« confusiSi7o?nen tm a ?r?es^ OWiw' '."''"''' ^""l^^r '^'"-'''' ^°'^^^^' '' "WPlease the GrSSadofth^^^ ™ Goi''"' "' """'^ '''' '"'^'" recompence of the Pentecostal convefsSn Til VII With as httle sensibdity as discrimination, it has boon said that these .Pr vices have a direct, if not an unavoidable tendency to produce hypocrhcs h S not be denied that we are as well able to judge of this our-el ve« as anv mero nbl ^b:;Js^^£^s:SbyS---?t ^sr or=r?ch -^^^ tsi^r LS t?^; ^ oo.J!isten7n!'pnn!?f r"''^"?' ' f 'T/ "'' ^^^°'" S"»«'^' ^""'^"^t and spirit are not so consistent as could be wished. Ministers of other communities have to mike ^C same hum.hatmg confession. But such I would rathe? regard as iico^sidera^e wrrr//.t°""''' ""rr^' ^'^^^ ^^^tentional and execrabt deceiverrof tho ^ who have the oversight of them. RespecUng such, our principle is • "If Sere S ar:y among us who habitually break any of ou rules, let ? be made known aSln 'r,""^" 7^"'^ °"^^ ^''^^ ^°"'' ^^ ^l^^y 'hat inust'g ve ace^unT wt win admomsh hm. ol the error of his ways, we wiU bear with him for a season Bu Luke^ xvi. 8. f -flct s, ii. 87. t Acts, u. 41. FOn THE SOl^LS OF MKN. 35 " tlien, if he repent not, he hatlk no muro place among us. " own sonls*." Wo havu dolivorod our VIII. Thtit Homo have "fallen away" (io\n the holy profcflsion, alter having been siuUlonly brought to ouibrtice rt'lit;i(ni by the instrutnenisility of special services, must be the cniiso ol'deepcjsi roj^rot ; uiui the uioio soa:i it is nioiirnfiil matter ofnn* <kiii!iblij Ihct that some who have thus declineil Iroin '• the way of riglitooiisness," have benoino fiir inoio wiciied and dogrudcd l)y sm tlian they liml even previously been. Tiiis, however, but proves tho ptT'evorinj; niaiuio of Satan, in templing those who had " clean escaped" from his doniinatiun — the liability of ournatiire to sin, while on earth, even in its bcHt estate — i\\r nece^ssity of habitual watchfulness and prayer '• hst we enter into tcmptafin/i" — mid tho more than parental care which is retjuisitfi, on the part of those who have the charf^o of sonls. fSlionld we admit, which wo caiuiot fora moment, that the moral defection of an individual is a valid objection to the liict of his previous soundness of jjrinciple, wo should invalidate even the holine-'s in which the innocent inhabitants of the primi- tive Eden came from the immacMlalo hands of their Inellabie Creator.^ But, that there is a greater jiroportion of such uidiappy failures from among those brought to Go(i dining occasions of special service, tlian have been found to occur among those whose religious character may be traced, under God, to thomore or- dinary services, is (;onlidontly denied. And so far as I have been able to investigate, I am free to conless myself a convert in tiivom-of such denial. I demur considera- bly to the proposition, that the quality of a man's [)iety necessarily derives any ad- vantage from the length of time it has taken to convert him to God. I believe the reverse to be tbu fact ; and that as a general rule, the longer he hesitates in the first stage of Iris spiritual life, the less of steadiness there will be found in his subsequent career. There may be exceptions. But where shall we iind greater energy and fidelity displayed in the service of Heaven, than we behold in that celebrated man, who, in tho short space of seventy-two hours, was brought from the bitterest en- mity against Christ Jesus, to the most adoring love to Him, from being the cruel per- secutor, to become the constant promoter of the faith of the Gospelf •' Ihave been strongly inclined to the opinion that the average of clearness of con- version, decision of ehaiacter, and energy and ctliclency of instrumentality in the conversion of others, is not a little in favor of that class of believers who have been brought to God, by the divine blessing on special ctlbits, or whose conversion, by whatever means produced, hns been accomplished suddenly or within but a short space of time. And I ask myself why siiould we so much plead the need of many days or years, in order to the production ofan instance of conversion, when we know all, that " the excellency of the power" is " of God, and not ofusX-" It may be considered not an unimportant fact, as bearing on this part of the argument, that this very congregation presents the most encouraging evidence of tho stability of individuals, brought to God by this species of sanctified instrumen- tality. The regular ordinances of our sanctuary have long been divinely owned in successive instances of real conversion of the clearest and most honourable and eon- sistant character ; for which wo arc humbly thankful to Uie gracious Head of the Church. Not a few estimable individuals, thus saved from their sins, are now praising God in heaven ; while others still remain with us, to live to his praise on earth. But it is rather a singular fact, that the result of a specific examination into the subject in 1837, was the discovery, that in addition to the numbers removed to the better world, during the soleiui) cholera years, full one-half of the surviving i:iembeislup at that time, had bee ;i brought into the h'ip[)y enjoyment o^ heartfelt religion, through the means of special elforts of this description. I make this state- ment on the authority of a respected brother in the ministry, now present, and long and intimately acquainted with our Society in this place. IX. Complaints have been made that these special services have a tendency to imsettle the members of other churches. And it is lamented, tliat in our present * Rules of the .Society of People (;allecl Methodists, drawn up by the Revd- .ioi\n and Charles Wesley, M;.y J=t, ITIM. — f Arts ix. 1,9, 20, 22.— | 2 Cor. iv. 7. 80 SPECIAL EFlOims NutcoJ impcrlection, mid orteri of miminfJcr.stnmling, rt'lativc to eacli other's reiil IHWt.on. It UL-ro VHiri to cxpoct tlint all .^In.rcl.cM woi.l.l iiiiito in u.iy oi.u cla^s of >«liKious ffloit. Would tiuit •• tlio sacmi.uMUal lioi.t ..( God's eluol," co.dd tliin in ono coiimitr.'.l liiu- niiiko.u'oinirion and (.oMniuui.Jiiig advanie on sin tlie common toe . It must ni,d be thai wo coiitimio lor a short suii.soi. loiiKor, (;l.i.j||y to ulI in our separate divj-ioiiM ; Mill, m.dor Ono common n.-ad.. And sh.-idd it pruvo an oecidL-ntal evil, that the divisio.i in action shoidd ilms attract to itM.Han mdividuul or two Irom some oilior section uftlu! ainiy ; winiu tliat muy in iti^cll' ho a mailer of regrot, tliere are nnverthclesB rcconcihng cacumbtancc«, by whitli the uvil bccomua iicalcnlahly outweij^hfd*. Thut these etlbrts may, l)y divine grace, tend to tlio increase of piety in individuals 01 other c hurdles, who have been " settled on tlieir lee.sf " will smely not be deemed inidesira,)le, tlioush it blioiild prove a souri'e of mimerical diininntion, to the u-hola umountol such '* sinners in Zionl" Hut that these nervic.is have a neeessaiv operation to abitruct holy and lively individuals from holy and lively churches., can- not be seriously supposed. .Since the commcmrment of our recent meetinas Uinstians ol other eoMnnunitieshave often min;;led with our p>Mjp!e m their special devotions, and proil-ssed to be truly edilied in so .loing. In a few instanc.-s they Jiave Riven hopchil evidence of having by that means learned •' the wau of God more perfcct/,,\\,;uul have thus been brought to tlio experience of pardon and re- generation. Yet It 13 not our desire that any of them should join us ; unless it may be loimd essential to their continuance in the happy statu into which, by ourinstiu. mentality, the grace of (Jud has l..rought them. ^ Wo had, by far, much lather such should remain and exercise an influence for good in their present circle of professing acquaintance, than merely by their enrol- inent with ourselves that our own individual community should become aii<'inented In each case, wo have said to the esteemed IViend, " Go shew thtmlf to the pncst:^. Let your own minister, from your own lips, be the first tJ hear of tho imppy improvement m your sfiiritual condition, for he watches for your soul, «< as they that WHM<if,«eactw//j< ;" lament to him your frequent inattemion to the sav- ing trutlis which arc the subject of his ministry ; ask his counsel ; and express your liopo, since God has converted you, that your future moral proficiency may afford ium comfort in his arduous toil. Should their former friends mihappiiy persecute them for righteousness' sake, or should they fall to receive the spiritual nurturo tlieir new-born souls require, and they be unable to preserve their piety i- their existing relations ; then, us a mere alternative M-hich we deprecate, we have affec- tionately promised them a family asylum, " in thename of the Lord." It will be obvious that a moral movement in any religious body must, for a season at least, give n the advantage of inllnence in tlie community at large. Tho^e who desire a cure, will usually tend to the point whore healing efliuacy is said to have been found. And this we hold to be no inoonsidciable argument in favour of a re- vival-movement. But during the advantage of this description, which our own im- proved circumstances may have afforded to us, we cheerfully appeal to any who have heard us, if we have ever made unfriendly rellecliona on any other Christian church, sect or party .' We are not conscious of having at any time introduced allu- sions which might be deemed to bear unfavourably on any. No, brethren. Our only aim has been to be instrumental, through the divine blessing, of convincing men of these two facts ; that thev are sinners ! and that Christ is a bAviouR ! and then, of inducing them, by the same aid, to make an immediate and dLlermined application to God, for pardon and salvation " in His JVume'^ !" _X. It is possible tliat these special services, with men of n certain complexion of mmd.may lead loan imdervaluingof the regular and divinely-instituted ordinances : Phihp 1. 18 ;\C„r XV'. ll.-t Jerem. xLviii. 11 ; Zcph. i. 12.-t Isaiah xxxiii. 14. H Jlcfs xviu. 2b,— ^ Matth. viii. 4. It will be conceded that circuinsiante- must, in every case, determine as to the propriety of this. In some instances, it would be compelling tlie defenceless lamb to apinoach a roarina lion : while in others It would resemble tiie sending of a now-hon, infant to a moio miparcntal uiialo-' mist, who-^oonly snlioitude woul.l 1;^ fhr ihc L'vsf ofjis dissectiun. 1 Kings iii. Lnlic xxiv. 17. 2ti, 27. Dmiciou. xxvii. 18 ; I Thes )f^ tor I he -^yatt 7. s... II. ; ■^i^^-Mk».m»,^&.m^.gn lOH TIIF! SOIJLS OF MFN. .'37 4k nn evil agmnst which .hoy shoul.l he duly guarded, Tho priulonlid armnpemer.li. even of the best o ,non, mo oi ...tiniiely «,uullor iinpurtance ilun. the poMtivo an ,K„n .Mont. of tho K.omal (Jo, . It wonl.l seen, hardly needtui to .nako th stn - in.M.t, hut our u..dcnsta„.huKs have b.-on .o iu,,u.cd hy tho C.unuou Full ; that iu the thiuA'H ot (,od wo ueu<l " hue upon Hue, pnc,U upon pnnpt. " Wo joouiro to le ronmulod, that tho u.«uht. Sabbath au.l .vmcL o/thoAIo.l 111^1.. have u ab uat claun on our earnost a.toutmn. which we <:au never u.lf.liy dishonour but at ho everlastuig endanKonueiit ol our own souls. .n.^Jl'ir'^'''* «"''^';"'>' """ '"">■ 'i"^^ ''''"^■*''' ff"'" "'e«n9 orgiaco in some respects spccKd su„;e U-. have an " ///n'/um.rtaA/." Object ol' wor.h.>, it is tho privilolo of o l.n, noes. And Ihey imvo a powerlul arguu.eut (u. their believing' expeetaiou. in a^teruluneo on such or.hnar.ee.. drawn Irou. tl.e .l.ecality ofthe.rchviue appl.u t" mont. 1 hanklui tha by tho ^raeo of (lod tlieir sense, lu.ve been •• currcLstJ^ thus h.n'rr''n '^ shouhl habitually do honour ,o the .iiviuo wisdon. and lidol ty. by a duo an.l eddyu,^' attendaueo o.. lus Sabbaths and Sacraments. Wo may. ,u deed reverently apply to tins purj.ose. the argun.ent ofthe apostle, in allu.ion t ) son o of tho specahncansol the prnnit.ve a^o, and .siv ofonr p'u.lential arrangements, tha they are a xiirn, not to thnn that beUnn', but to tluL that beluvr mt*" A low us to hope, beloved Iru-nds ; «uch oryoua..have appeared to rcriuiro the«o reeuhar services, a.s a .pecal kind of moral resin.en, tluoui-h tho pou'erof^n'g thseaso; hat you will now leel Urn keener appetite lor "the chUd,en\. bread." bmeo the lamdy order has lor a *hort season been inte.tupteil, from a kin<lly regard to your sn..s,ek eoud,t;on_an.l since tho Good Physician has conni.enced ou^pi^^ bv vo ur r, 1 r T'T^' ''' "'" •-■^i'^'"^^ "'' ''"-''^" ''^" ^'^-^^^^oual discomposure, n f^ . •, and coiise.entious npholding of tho faniily discipline, and b^ Master and HeaT'' ^^^-"-^'""^ '•" aial appointed ordi.ianees of their Divhre l.nwL'^^r "''•"™^ tendency of these moral expedients to improve the current of holy aneet.on.ui its general and regular llowing.hus been one of its principal excel- lencios lu our estimation. «frL^^i-"' "r '"'^'i" '",'"''' "^^'^^'O"^! continuous religious services must have the Sed ' An?i 11" !" ''"""" ';''^^-:;l' ■""^•^ ''^^^'^"'^^'>' """'•-»' ^^'-ncmbered, and re- garded. And his happy result w,ll bo still more considerable and triumphant, when b.gotted and lukewarm prolossors of religion shall feel that, on their part, it would be a grievous sin. to aid the ungodly in suicidally endeavouring to treat with scora tho means sincerely us.jd ibr their conversion. .v»i t^ T '"''"i""' °' "'", ^'^'""^"'?i""-fail or some other convenientplacc as already explained, we have another consideration to oiler iii justilication of the measure.- 1 ■mL'ln'/l' o- ^""'r''^ '" ' "'^'' '-''"■'•^ '"t^'»Pt«to become religious, areoften held iu o s ^x [^ KnZ' ^'y,^''''''f ^'^^^""ngs which ncu.ralizethe.r sharpest convictions of sin and danger. These keep out oi sight the only considerations which ought to actuate an awakened sinner, and to which the.e services give a powerfully-assistin" prominence m their eyes. The uncompromising eharaerer of these meet^ings leads he penitent sinner absolutely to ibrget everything but theconsiderations which ought to inlluence Ins decision On these occasions the Cliurch of God takes an attitude h <; b u ? .,TT'?"'^''{ ■ V''f- '? '•'''' ''''^'^ °^ '^'^ '"^J"''"'"-'^' ^'""'^^ ^^'^^'^^ "'^ 'nipo^- hS.r T r )T ' ." '^''^'"'i.'"'" "'? eminy and hatcul skeleton, as it crouches beneath tho ootstool of the «' JiTino; of Kin^R and Lord of Lords," Then truth \hT''Vh^f\'^ ^'"'^ lT''"r- ^'"'^' '^ ''^'' '" ''^ ^l'^ -altogether /ot,e/y," a d the « cnrfest anvms; ten thousand." At that auspicious moment, an invitation nrnl r ^T'^ ""'' ^"^''i'-/«*«" »" 'U'P'oach the appointed pl^ce of spec'i^rl l<^l\l\.7 V '^''■«'"«/'Vicouraging crisis of decision, and by divine grace Tas o ve"/ ;?/"/'''?• r,"* ^ ''?'^ <I^^tt.nnination. - for God to live and d,e," which nn! To • ''^''' '° "'^ '--■■""' ^^'"l^"^^-- ^^'"^ h^s '^«°" to them the happy bT^pented7" '" """'' ""^ " '«'^^-^"*«-^'" «« ^^'^^ «-^ ^n act i.r itself " „« '^ ^.W. xiv. 22. 38 SPECIAL EFFOIirs 3. 1 he mitltiphcalion and lengthened continuance, ut siioh times, of meetin'-s for prayer and supphcatioii to God, witli faith in Christ, ibr the exercise of his d'.vi.ie prerogative ol mercy, independently of the immediate success of those means has a tendency to improve the devotional instrumentality of a Church. And the culture coiieentniig, and co-operation of its moral and sjrritual energies, both clerical and iaical, under circuinstancBS to interestingly and allecliugly helpful, cannot hut leave the connnunity, as to its accustomed services, in a tone more elevated than belbre andhencobetteradapted, by th(^ blessing of God, to promote its own individual piety and to contribute to the conversion of tlie world at large. XII. As a congregation, we have abundant reason to copy the example of St 1 aul, when on u certain occasion of religious refreshment, he " thanked God anil too/c courage. Several of our own members are in a higher and better state of mmd than they previously enjoyed. " Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are opened, all desires known, and from whom no secrets arc hid, has so cleansed the thoughts oi their hearts by the inspiration of his Holy Sp;rit,tliat they noxv perfectly love Hun, and arc intendmg in future worthily to magnify His holy Name, throu'rji Christ our Lord. Amen " Tiiey feci themselves happy in God. and are adorning tlieir renewed profession by an improved temper and conduct. A very encoura-in- number of persons who were not making a profession, some of whom had sustuTned a shipwreck ol faith and a good conscience— have Iblt the awakening inlluence of t/ie truth as it is m Jesus"— h-^ve sought and Ibund the forgiving mercy of God— and have begun to evince the same, by " loalldng inncwness of life." Other-^ are still m cearch ol the same blessings. May they be enabled to be fliithful unto death, that they may receive the crown of life. «« JVot unto us," my fellow-labourers ex- claim, " JVot unto us, O Lord, but unto thy J\amc, give glory." ^ In the artless history of John the Baptist, St. Luke with inimitable simplicity records of the sainted mother of that cele- brated man at the time of his birth, that " her ?ieighbours and cousins heard hoiv the Lord had shewed great mercy to her, and they rejoiced luith her*. Such exhibitions oi' social sympathy are specially touching, and tend to shew the provision made by the God of Nature for the dignified union together of his intellio-ent creation. Nor is the more select and regenerated circle of\u- manity within the sacred enclosure of the Christian Church found to be divested of those beautiful emotions of family interest. In an evil and envious world, it is most gratifying to behoM the* generous and catholic pleasure entertained by the truly pious when their ''neighbours" of other churches are favored with spe- cial tolv.^Ls of divine " mercvf." Seraphic hosts, and saints below, To the same King allegiance owe : When to the contrite, from above, He points the sceptre of his love, JJeholding angels, " bright and fair," In heaven's rejoicings largely share. So should earth's " sacramental liost," Glad in the common triumph, boast ; With joy behold each other's toil In gathering their Redeemer's spoil . — Whoe'er succeeds, 'tis Jesus' grace Gives the success, and claims the praise. ' f Mi Chap. i. 58 — t Ln/,c xv. 7. ron THE SOULS of men. ;39 k Often, however, on sncli omisions instead of admiiinff the con- vertin,<< work of God, or co-operating with the instruments divine- ly used m Its promotion, individuals are Tound unhappily prefe-- nnj>-to rank amono- the number of its '' despisers," and even emlcavourino. to hinder its influence with resuect to others*. J'ar from being gratified at beholding « Special' Efforts for the boulsof Men," attended by special contrition for sin, special sup- plications for mercy, and special rejoicings on account of sins forgiven ; a spectacle which would afford gladness to an arcii- angelf; these persons, at best evince but a negation of interest therein. The more gentle-natured among them, display a scorn- ful evity at the most affecting stages of the eventful procedure- while the more irascible are moved thereby to the highest deo-ree ol displacency and sometimes to the bitterest and most passionate expressions of their disapprobation^. In place of kindly expressions of holy encouragement, of hea- venly counsel, and of fraternal congratulations, addressed to those who jnay be earnestly labouring for the conversion of souls||, persons of this unhappy species, as though under a judicial infa- tuation, seemed resolved to misunderstand if not mirepresent their motives, and despise their conduct, if not asperse their characters. In the hostility of their spirit towards them, the words of Christ to his first disciples are affectingly fulfilled ; ''t/ie time cometh, that ivhosoever kiUeth you, will think that^hedoeth God service^:' Lven 111 modern times, not a few of his ^I'vants, ''of whom the world tvas not worthy,'' have thus been hurried pr3maturely to the grave ; while others for this same cause only, « are made as thejilth of the loorld, and the offscouring of all things unto this dayT We would carry the mournful impression of these melancholy facts with us, to the consideration of the only remainino- topic of our discourse. ^ III. The Apostolical Admonition of our text, in rela- tion TO THE Divine Work. ''Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the Prophets,'' ike. This friendly and impressive counsel assumes the dano-er vvhich exists, with respect to the work of God, that its observers should become its " despisers." And against this threatening danger would we affectionately and earnestly endeavour to pu't you upon your guard. * Matt, xxiii. 13.-t TMke^. 10 • Isai. liii. 11, _| Lnke xlii, 14, 15.-II Isai. sli. 6 ; Galat. vi. 2.—^ John xvi. 2.—'^ Set Wesley's Journals, Centenary of Hes/eyan Met/nxfism. London, Hvo. edit. p. 3 10, &c " 40 SPKCIAT, KFVOUTS tlnfflf. P T"'^'''' ''''■"^"' ^'^'•^^^^^^ «^'t''e divine opera- anv n iH r'n '^'"^^^^^^"^V^'T; may he said to Lave been more thau any other, he .crreat national sin of the Jewish people. This has variously characterized them, in all periods of Iheir political his! th7wnil" ' '' the instructive and admor.itorv explanation, to the wo Id at large of the remarkable national iud.r,„onts of that venerable but incorrigible branch of the human' fUmily * Of l>e ijffooff, among them ; they were the observers and " despisers'^ S '"ofT'" T ""t'^' ^^' ""''' "'''''^''^ ^^dcsphcdLdre. <!id sin /^""'l ?^'Y'- '' wicked hands^^ was he "crucified phemed"! " evil hearts'' abhorred and blas- Zrllnft Y^' ' '7^^?'^^; ^"°""^« -despiser^' of those who we e « ofhs honsehMW •" It was in vain St. Paul addressed the warning counsel of our text to his infatuated countrymen in d^v HP A* ?'^ ^'f '° ^' '^'''^''^ ^^'^ H«ly GLost, as that tiie imne Agent was about to leave them to fix their own eternal des- tmy accoramg « to their oicn lusts^r At the close of the chap- Zt7 TTi'f ^r'^'^'^'l '^ '''' '''''^- ^^"^ "^^^^'^ the return of rr^t/fr^ i;""^^^^^^^ ^° put away from them ^^the Word of God, as to adjudge themselves "' umcorthy of eternal ire. We have termed the national judgments of the Jewish people remarkable," and refer to two especial eras of their history in conhrmation of the sentiment. Those who treated with scorn the ministry of Christ and lys apostles, were destroyed by the Bomans, as their perverse and unbelieving ancestors had' been by the Chaldeans In our text there is an evident allusion to the fore- telling of those tragical eventslf. Never was there a prophecy more correctly and pointedly applied. Nor shall we in any oth^r miseTs '''''"''' '"^^twith a parallel of their justly-inflicted "The Judge of all the earth'' seems to have intended in their punishment an admonitory correspondence with their sin. Thev transgressed by disbelieving his marvellous work of mercy ; and his alternative work of judgment was so marvellous in its features, that they could ^' itino icise believe" in its probability, though * ^cfs \ ^ Isniah xxviii. \A,to'12: Uabak to 10. 1? & m i< vi. 3 ; Ho sen iv. 17. Foil THi: SOULS OF MEX. 41 t, i& m J 3/ T "^^"^^^'^^ «^''t to « (/../«r." unto thorn its ap. roach 1 here was also as much of natioual Jnfktuation iu their ime of suffonn.o: as during, their day of trausirressiou. Having- been " dcspiscrs'^ of d,e appointed precautions of their moral de? iverance, so when « destruction came upon them;^ they unbe- levingiy neglected those precautionary measures which would have mi , gated much of their individual suffering, even had they r.ot conduced to the national security. Thus w?s the divine in- ^^ A f ;^,^^:^! "8'!y aggravated. Their habit of disbelieving the W ord of God having beguiled them into the disregard of every warning they were by that means the more defencelesslv laid open to the descending floods of the divine displeasure hands oj the living Godr -Beware, therefore, lest that also come upon you^ An oflended Deity cannot be at a loss for the means of rendering even you the infatuated aggravators of your awn ruin, should you also prove so criminal as to become the infatuated "^e^^^/ser*" of > our own mercies. In the lano-uao-e of good Mr. Burkitt, « sin is as odious to God at one timers "ano- ther, and in one people as in another : particularly, the sin of obstinate nifidel, ty and unbelief, is a God-provoking wrath-pro- curing sin !'; The danger of falling into this sin is Is great now as ever: seeing it arises from the influence of an « evil world'* the seductions of the original ^^ tempter,'' ^m\ the base depra- vities of -the carnal mind^' which - is enmitij against God* ^ And, as a pious Reformer expresses it, in the margin of the first edition of the authorized version of the En_o-lish Biblef « The the"m1'' ""^ ^'°^ ^"'" ^^ ^^'^ ""^' ""^^^^"^ o? those who contemn It is important to remember that every thing attended bv a divine co-operation produces individual eff-ect according to the state of the heai-t towards God, This is the real reason of the favorable or unfavorable aspects in which either the work or Word of God may appear in the eyes of men. The Gospel of Christ IS a moral touoh-stone, and thus becomes « a di.cerner of the thoughts and intents of the heartt." The individuals implica- ted may be unaware of this, and may imagine themselves to be influenced by other than the real reasons in their acts and feel- ii.gs. Ihe Jews m their hostility to Christ and his Gospel, con- ceived Jiey were moved by the most patriotic and even reli-ious zea for their peculiar and divinely appointed institutions. But in the passage already quoted our Saviour has disclosed the ge- Bom. Vlll. -t Piiined liy Baii;cr lu 1608 | Hcbr, iv. 12. 42 SPECIAL EFFOUTS nuine occasion of their enmity and opposition : « And thtse thimjs will they do unto you, because they have not known the father nor me*:' The same principle actuated their unbeliev- ing progenitors, of wliom the Almitrhty thus compLiins : «/^ is a *^' people that do err in their hearts, and they have not known my ' ivays : unto whom I sivare in my wrath that they shall not enter " into my rest-\:' Fellow.sinners ; I most tenderly beseech you to examine if there be not too much reason to suspect a disti essino- similarity between your case, and that of the g'race-resistinAearers re- corded in this cliapter. Many of you at our recent services, and cUl ot you on the present occasion, have heard " the Word of Crod, "the Gospel of your salva::on:' And in instances not "a • tew the Holy Ghost" hath evidently borne His testimony to liis own divmo message. In your former companions in sin and tolly, some of you have seen the converting influence of that ' hordr You have been witnesses of their cries to God for mercy through Jesus Christ. You have beheld their renounce- ment ofasintul course. Nor can you doubt the sincerity with which they declare that their experiment has proved to be a most •blessedly successful one! Let me entreat you to observe the real state of the question. God arrays you before himself. You are in the same house together ; and He is shewing you what He is able and willing to do for YOU ! In all this Jehovah speaks to you most specially, and in a way of helpfulness of which you must Jiereafter give account! Should you live even another hour, without returning like the prodigal, to your offended yet recon- cileable lather ; it must be at your everlasting peril;}: ! But come, thou mourning sin-forsaking penitent ! .Dry un thy tears, and listen to the warrant we bring thee for the exercise of thy faith in Christ. « Believe on the Lord Jesus Chris^, and thou shall be saved:' He hath ''once suffered for sins the just Jor the unjust, that he might briny us to God:' " This day is salvation come to this house ;" for « IhJiold NO TV is the accepted time Behold NOW is the day of salvatpn !" Permit us to speak for thee to-night to the King of Kings. Draw near to th_e altar of God, thy exceeding joy^:' On the throne of grace lie waitethto be gracious to thee, and is ready on thy ap- proach to extend to thee the golden sceptre of his saving mercy. «' Tlicre tliy exalted Saviour stands, 'I'liy mercil'id High Priest ; And r-till extends his; wounded hands, To take thee to his breast." 'Jolmxvi. \l~\ Psahiixcv. 10. H.-| Firh, . xu.2:^.~-^ /',sr// x,,,„. 1. KOK THE SOULS Ol MEN. 4>3 and Our limits unhappily demand a conclusion ere justice has been done to the subject. We iiave placed before you, respected triends, the actual character iind divine origin of a Scriptural " Cowi'emW— that "wwA" of mercy by which '^ the God of heaven" still gives the sanction to His people's work of means ; " the truth as it is in Jesus" thus being rendered elHcient to the subjugation of " the rebellious'' to « the obedience of faith." And while we have honoured the regular and periodical services of the sanctuary we have earnestly pleaded in justification of " at least the occasional use" of Special Efforts for the souls of Men ; leav- ing the modification of the effort in every case to be intelligently and conscientiously determined by its *own peculiarities. We grieve to review the contracted breadth and other defective qua-- hties of the discussion. And desire that our "humble attempt" mav" provoke some abler" advocate to press with greater pro- bability of success this particular brancli of the " ffreat aro-u- ment." ° The notices we have offered of some objections against the de- scription of special effort, which has recently and but too feebly commanded our endeavours, will, we do not doubt, fully put us right with any well-intending persons who may have misunder- stood us. We hope our valuable "felloiv-helpers" will be en- couraged again to render their well-appreciated co-operation with the same species of instrumentality, whenever an occasion may present itself. Tliey have truly «' laboured, and have not fainted," nor has their labour been " in vain in the Lord." We publicly offer them our devout thanks ! Alas, l\)r us, that " we are not sufficient of ourselves to thinh any thing, as of ourselves, hut our sufficiency is of God." « The Lordcf Hosts is with us, the God oj Jacob is ovr refrnje." Yes, beloved brethren, " The best ot all is, God is with us !" We are not without the hope that an occasional " rebuked may reach the understandings and consciences of " unruly and vain talkers," '' whose mouths must be stopped," either in' their day of grace, or "before the judgment-seat of Christ." That class ot transgressors may be assured it is no small offence " in the sight of God" to discourage attempts to save souls " for whom Christ died*." In His infinite love, may He grant them true " repentance to the acknoiMedqi.ngofthe truth, that they may recover themsch-es out of the snare of ih-' UevU, who hare been fahcn captive by him at his yiU," W>ll) \u 15 ; ( or. vjii. lii. 44 si'F.ciAT FFronrs " VVliciicver it has pleascMl God t<» work fiiiy ^ fjreat work'' upon the eartli, even from the earliest times, lie huth stept more or less out of the common way ; whether to excite the attention of a greater number of people than mi^ht otherwise have regard- ed it, or to separate the proud and ])aug'hty of heart from those of an humble child-like spirit ; the former of whom he foresaw trusting in their own wisdom would ^^Jhll on the sf.onn" and " be broken,'^ while the latter enquiring with simplicity would soon know of the work that it was " of God*." We solemnly implore all Christian people to lay to heart, the unenlightoncd, and, we fear, not unbhrr'^able inadequacy of their present and customary eiforts to save Ashing world. In our National History are distinguished n. . s not a few, whose ho- noured deviations from antiquated principles of warfare, have saved our beloved country from impending humiliation. It was the enterprising discrimination of such intelligent and heroic men as Nelson and Wellington, which by God's Providence laid the foundation of their professional celebrity. Assured of the correctness of their principles, they had the bravery to triumph over the inglorious feor of a salutary innovation ; and in consequence were recompensed with victories by which they at the same time taught philosophy to the universe, while they gua- ranteed immortality to our empire. Wliy, then, should not the soldiers of the cross re-investigate their militant maxims? Shall we not entail disgrace upon our- selves, if we make no alteration in our tactics, after the failure of ninnerous campaigns ? " JVhat do we ?" Among other things, let us be willing to merge our regimental distinctions, in an over- whelming zeal for the supremacy of the Sovereign and " Captain of our safvafion." Let us unite our efforts against the common enemy, and fearlessly carry the conflict into his very camp. If we reconnoitre the relative position of the Church and the world, it will be obvious that the moral artillery of heaven, has never yet been brought fully to bear upon the daring antagonistsof the Most High. Our heaviest cannon harmlessly pass over the in- trenchments of our adversaries; while they securely sleep beneath our batteries, and are even presumptuously dreaming of yet hav- ing the triumphant possession of our towering citadel. Surolv it cannot be to the dishonour of the Church Universal, at once to ungarrison her unopcrative forces and to send them out to an immediate combat in the field. She will thus accelerate the pro- mised crisis of complete victory, and behold " M ^' armies of the i IVcshn'a .']p2icnf to Men of Rrrisnn aini B^.iisxiori hull IIIE SOULS or AfKN. 45 al'niii&^^' tliioug'h till' blessing- of (ilod, on tlit- power of Ijo'- com- bined supjvorters, tlirowintr awjiy the weapons of their wjirfure, and fleeing ^\for rcfiKje. to lay hoM upon the hope set before tts." If it would not bo deemed preSumptuous, we wou'd take the liberty very respectfuliy to invit to the question of "Si>ecial Effouts for the Souls or Men," the most earnest and prayerful attention of Christian Ministers in general. — " JVoiild God'' that we may all become more actuatingly familiar witii the dread circumstantials of our own sacred responsibilities ! — " Let the dcdd Itunj their dcaii, but go tee eind preach the Kuit/dom of (lod" — " fVith the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." And }) reach we, — " As il wt; ue'ci shuulJ jireach again, •Awil a.i a 'lyiii. man ♦n Jyiin' iiipn " 'tmmmm^Makmm.^ » No. 1. PACiK 11.—" APPENDIX. d divine iittestation to IhcininniutiJiis work whirli fins hcni DO divitu'hj ijfcttcd." Tlio following ronthmutory opiriious m- satisly the (:uiisi;ii-iitons .MKiiiirtir, that 111 tho foregoing diicourso the teachings oi . ^ Holy Scriptiues ou tins suhiect liave not beuii niisiepresontfd ; and they are adiliMi, " that in the month of two ur three imlncms, every word may be established.'"— ( Mutth. xviii. IG.) 1. Extract froin the Pastoral Jlddresn of the British Weslkyan Methodist CoNFEHKNCE hi IS.'IS : " Froiu the begiunirjg we have always believed and tanght that personal religi(jn implies a ])err^oiial oxiterience of the i)ardoning mercy ol God. As wo miderstaud Christian doctrine, tlie witness of the Holy Spirit to tho hict of the bchovui's adoption ink) the family of God, is intimately connected, not only with Ins coinlbrt, but with his holiness. The venerahle Wesley repeatedly quoted the emphatic declaration of St. John : ' We luve Him, because He hath luvtdus, as biieJiy expressing his own view of religion. If evc-r we depart from this, 'Jhe glori/ will be departed lioin us."— (1 Sum. iv. 22.) 2. From a Sermon on the subject by the lievd. John WesiIey :— " We must be holy in heart and life before we can be conscious tliat we are so. Eut wo must love God bolorc we can be holy at all ; this being the root of all holiness. Now, w ^ cannot lovo God, till we know He loves iis ; and we cannot know His love to us, till His Spirit witnesses it to our spirit. Since, therelore, the testimony of His Spirit must precede ijie lovo of God and all holiness, of eonsequeuce, it must precede our consciousness thereof" 3. From the celebrated John Cai.vin, on Rom. viii. 16:—" St. Paul means that the Spirit of God gives such a testimony to us, that He being our (iuide and Teacher, oiirspiiit concludes oiu adopiion of God to be certain. For our mind of itsell, indepeiulciit of//tt' preceili/itr tesiimoiiy of the S[>irit, coidd not produce v'lis persuasion m u.«. For wiiilst the Sjjirit witnesses that we are the sons of God, He at tile same tune inspires this coniuleucc uito our minds, tliat we a.«* IjcJld to call God our I' at her.'' 4. r'rom JJr John Owen, on the tiame pa-'i.sai^e:—'' The witness which our osvn sjMnts do give unto our adojjtion, is the work and ellect of the Holv Ghost in us. It he declare not our sou.--liip to us and in us, wo cannot know it. (1 Cur. ii. 11.) How doth He then bear witness to our spirits .' What is the distinct testimony .' It must be some such act of His a? evidenceth itself to be from Him immediately, unto them that are concerned in it, tliut is, those to whom it is given." 5. From the learned Poole, on the same passaa;e : — " Tluj Spirit of adojjtiotx doth not only excite us to call upon God as our Father, but it doth ascertain and as,sure us, as before, that we are His children. And this it doth not by an outward voice, as (\oA tl>e Father to Jesus Christ, nor by an angel, as to Daniel and the Vtrgin Mary, but by an inward and secret suggestion, whereby He laisodi our hearts to this persuasion, that God is our Fatlier, and we are His children. This is not ilie testimony ol the graces and operations of the Spirit, but of ' the Spirit itself' " {Gi: " the .self-same Spirit.") 6. From IJr. Watts :— " Come Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove ! With all thy quickening powers ; Come, shed abroad a Saviour's love. And th'if sfial/ kindie our.H." 7. " Bishop Pearson, in his elaborate work o)ifhe Creed, and Dr. Uakkow, iii his Sernio/is, are equally 'xijlicit in slating this Sciipluial doctiine." See Wat- son's Theoloiiicat JJictionary. Art. "■ Hoi.v (lirtjsi ' (\ f \ 4 AHPKNDIX. i i i\u. 2 Pagk Ui.-~"Jif/mini>itn\inftkt Churcit uj England and Ireland, «.< /*£'// ///( fltriiy itj othtr C/iurcUes." It 1- liwpc.l lliiU tlio Cliristiaii luiiiistt!!, uf whatcvui' Cliurcli. may I'fol hi? spirit lit!l[jlully iiilliioiiood, wliilc ponisiiig tiio uxtracts cnijiiirig, on tliis isiibjout. 1. From the Ilunurablc and iUvcrind Uaptist VV. Nokl, of the Church of hlni^land, to a minifiitr of the snmc church, who condcuined his uniting with Christians of other rhurches in cndcavourini:; to save souls, in " the ne- fleeted /larts" of London, and had advised him to korbeau such union, as CONTRARY TO THK I.AWS OF HIS CiiuucH ! Fkbruary ti, 1839 :— " Thecli'ect ^ol'yoLir advice would be. to tuin thousand.-^ of imiiiostal souls ' If you would not leave behind you the incniory ^^f havini,' hindered the truth l)eifl| addressed to thou- sands, who might have heard it from plain, pious, sensible, experienced Christian men, with no other object in view than to save tiieir souls, I beseech you strengthen the efforts which you have labouretl to destroy. Every one of your pieinises is fallacious, as I could easily shew ; but I do not want to enter into controversy. But I Jo entreat you for Christ's sake, if you have any love to Him, do not oppose His Cause, do not hinder the ignorant hearing of His love in any way, till you can shew a better way hi which diat knowledge may be imparted. Let me beg you, as be- comes a^Christian, to retrace your .^teps, and aid us in trying to save some of these jK)or creatures from ETERNAL DEATH !" 2. Fnm) the Qui:bec Mercvry , Jlugnst 3, 1839 :— " The practice of preaching uiit of doors has been revivfed in Great Britain." 3. From Weslkv's Works, fol. I. p. 185, London, Hvo edit. 1830. ^la con- tinuationof the note in page 25, it should be added, that on the following day, Mr. VVhitefield having left Bristol, Mr. Wesley says,] " At four in the afternoon, I submitted to be ' more vile,' and proclaimed in the highways the glad tidings of sal- vation, speaking from a little eminence in a ground acljoffting to the city, to about three thousand people. The scripture on which 1 spoke was this, f is it possible any one should be ignorant tliat it is fulfilled in every true Minister of Christ .'> ' The. Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He hath sent me to heal the brohc7i-hearted : to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind. To set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke iv. 17, to 19. This occurrence took place en Monday, April the second, 1739. 4. From the Revd. T. Jackson's invaluable " Centenary of IVeslcyan Method- ism ;"_«' This was not the first time that Mr. Wesley had preached in the open uir. He did this in Georgia, before Mr. Whitelield was ordained ; but it does not appear that he had any intention of resuming the practice in England, till he was stimulated by the example and urgent advice of his friend. But having once adopt- ed this mode of nnparting religious instruction to the neglected classes of the com- munity, he never abandoned it to the end of his life, being deeply convinced of its utility, and strenuously recommending the frequent use of it t(j all the Preachers who laboured in connexion with him.'' 5. From the same :—"■ When Mr. Wesley had been accustomed thus to preach in London for more than twenty years, he says, ' A vast majority of the mimense ' congregation in Moorfields were deeply serious. One such hour might convince ' any impartial man of the expediency of field-preaching. What building, except ' St. Paul's Church, would contain such a congregation ? And if it would, whathu- • man voice could have reached them there ? ;By repeated observations, I find I ' can command thrice the number in the open air that I can under a roof. And ' who can say the time for field-preaching is over, while, (i.) Greater numbers than * ever attend, (ii.) The converting as well as the convincing power of God i.s ' cmhicntly present with them V—lVeslry's Works, Vol. X. p^. 515 "