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THE ^PRESENT STATE, PROSPECTS,
AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
OF THE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
APPENDIX OF ECCLESIASTICAL STATISTICS,
BY NATHAN BANGS. D.D.
JfetD^lilork :
PUBLISHED BY LANE & SCOTT,
200 Mulberry-strcct.
JOSEPH LONG KING, PRINTER.
1800.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by
LANE & SCOTT,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Coiirt of the Southern
District of New-York.
PREFACE.
From the time of the outpouring of the Spirit upon the
day of Pentecost, until the exaltation of Constantine the
Great, in the beginning of the fourth century, to the im-
perial government, Christianity had been rapidly winning
its way in the midst of violent oppositions, and some-
times of cruel persecutions, until it finally established
itself in the heart of the Roman Empire. Erom that in-
auspicious period it gradually lost much of its vital
principles, by accommodating itself to the maxims of
the world, and paying obeisance to civil rulers, and seek-
ing to shape itself according to the political views of
men invested with temporal power. It continued its
retrograde motion until finally it degenerated into a
" strange plant," nourished in a corrupted soil. Twelve
centuries of midnight darkness brooded over the Church,
and so beclouded the Sun of Righteousness that his
rays were scarcely perceptible, and even the stars of the
firmament gave but a twinkling light, to direct the weary
pilgrim in the path to life and immortality.
We may presume, it is true, that during this long
night of darkness, here and there were found pious souls,
breathing out their desires to God, while they mourned
over the general desolations which overspread the Church,
4 PREFACE.
for pure and undefiled religion among men. But they
were so few and far between, that their names scarcely
appear upon the page of ecclesiastical history. Monk-
ish superstition, bodily austerities, and a vain attempt to
discipline the mind to the rules of piety, by fasting,
prayers, pilgrimages, the collection and worship of re-
lics, founding monasteries and nunneries, were substi-
tuted for that heartfelt piety consisting in pure love to
God and man, by which the primitive Christians were
distinguished.
God, however, had not wholly forsaken the world ;
for had he done so, it would have perished in the tomb
of its own corruptions. In addition to the few sighing
ones to whom we have already alluded, arose, in the fif-
teenth century, in Bohemia, John Huss, an eloquent and
learned man, who preached vehemently against the vices
of the clergy. But his light was soon extinguished
by the fury of his enemies. Nor did John Wiclif, who
arose in England a little before Huss, and strove to re-
vive tlic flame of pure religion, share a better fate ; for
though he died a natural death, yet his enemies perse-
cuted him while living, and, after his death, displayed
their malice at this bold reprover, by causing his bones
to be dug up and publicly burned. To complete their
malignant projects, they finally inflicted the sentence of
death upon Jerome of Prague, the companion of Huss,
who was committed to the flames on the 14th of May,
1416.
But these acts of cruelty could not wholly extinguish
the flame of pure love which began to be enkindled in
PREFACE. 5
the hearts of a few; for soon after, namely, in 1517,
God raised up Luther in Germany, to stem the torrent
of iniquity, and to open the pure fountain of divine
truth and love. The events of the Reformation, brought
about through the instrumentality of Luther, Melanc-
thon, aud others, in Germany; of Arminius and his
compeers in Holland ; of Cranmer and his associates in
England; of Knox and his coadjutors in Scotland;
of Zwingle and his followers in Switzerland, are all
well known, and therefore need not be rehearsed here.
But, alas for the glory of the Church ! These lights
were extinguished by death, and their followers soon
sunk away into a dead formalism ; so that the whole
Protestant world, with but few exceptions, became wed-
ded to the State, and thus imitated the conduct of the
Church in the days of Constantine. The peculiar
glories of Christianity were obscured by the smoke and
dust of political strife, and by the pride and ostentation
of the dignitaries of the Church.
In this state lay the religious world when Wesley
arose, and preached anew the doctrine of justification
by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and holiness of
heart and life. What he did — the success of liis labours,
and the holy influence which he was instrumental in
producing — I have endeavoured to show in the follow-
ing chapters. If the positions I have attempted to estab-
lish be founded in truth, as I cannot but believe they are,
then may we hope and steadfastly believe tliat God is
about to visit the earth with a more copious shower of
divine grace than it lias ever heretofore witnessed. I
6 PREFACE.
would not indeed deceive myself, nor mislead my
readers ; but if it be a fact, as I have endeavoured to
demonstrate, that almost £dl denominations of Protes-
tant Christians are waking up to the vast importance of
vital godliness, of the absolute necessity of holiness of
heart and life, then have we not reason to believe that
Jesus Christ is about to take to Himself his great power,
and reign universal King upon the earth?
That tliis grand consummation may be fully realized,
those members of the Christian Churches, who can be-
hold the " signs of the times," and who see and feel the
necessity of persevering exertions in the cause of evan-
gelical truth, light, and holiness, must unite their ener-
gies, and use with conscientious diligence all the appli-
ances within their grasp, for the promotion of the vital
cause of Christianity. They must not stop to dispute
about non-essentials or minor points of doctrine, modes
of church government, or the mere ceremonies of reli-
gion, but must unite all their energies, and combine all
their influence, to oppose sin and sinful errors, and to
establish the kingdom of God, which consists in " right-
eousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
That this may be the case, is the sincere prayer of
the author.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
The state of the Methodist Episcopal Church— Erroneous views
—Diminution of Members for three years past allowed— How
accounted for— The Millerite delusion— Great increase in 1843
and 1844— Subsequent sifting— The present compared with
former diminutions — All this no proof of backsliding— So far
from it, that we now have a greater proportion of the popula-
tion than formerly — All this, cause of gratitude Page 15
CHAPTER H.
Decrease but temporary— Its causes— Disputes between the
North and South— The Mexican War— Compared with the
War of 1813-1815— Like results produced— The aboUtion ex-
citement—The fact, therefore, of a diminution in numbei-s
no proof of a departure fr.om vital piety — On the contrary, we
have evidence of improvement , 20
CHAPTER m.
Evils allowedto exist — These are exceptions — The majority truly
pious— Evidences of improvement— Temporally in wealth—
In church building — Comparison between our present and
former state in this respect 26
CHAPTER IV.
Education another evidence of improvement— Wesley's work in
this cause — Efforts of Coke and Asbury in this cause failed —
Effect of this failure disparaging— Recent efforts more success-
fiU— Some opposed to this cause— But God has sanctioned it
— Truly Wesleyan — The Methodists have done much to their
credit — Who will say that this is no evidence of improve-
ment ? 33
CH.VPTER V.
The Missionary cause an evidence of improvement— Origin of
the Missionary Society— Opposition encountered— Feebleness
8 CONTENTS.
of its beginning— Gradually advanced— Finally triumphs—
What it has achieved — All this a practical demonstration of
improvement Page 39
CHAPTER VI.
Home missions— Their blessed effects— Other benevolent move-
ments — Increased number of books another e\idence of im-
provement — Origin of the Book-Concern — Its feebleness — La-
bours under a heavy debt — No American writers — Its income
small — Its present prosperous state — This institution has been
sustained by Methodists 45
CHAPTER \TI.
Examination of doctrine— In what Methodism consists — Its pe-
culiarities — Sanctification — Mr. Wesley's views of this doc-
trine — This doctrine continues to be preached — There is there-
fore no deterioration here 53
CHAPTER \m.
Old-fashioned Methodism — In what it consists — Distinction be-
tween its vital principles and circumstanticd parts — The first
never change— The second may or may not be, though neces-
sary to its growth — Divine call of its ministry— This essential
— Circumstantials contribute much to its success — In these
there is a manifest improvement 61
CHAPTER ES.
Want of success no e\idence of a destitution of holiness, or of
a Divine call— Defects always apparent— Modification of the
itinerancy beneficial — Proved from a comparison of the former
and present state of the old Rliinebeck district — Advantages
of stations and small circuits 70
CHAPTER X.
Comparison between American and English Methodism— We
greatly outnumber them — Tlie cause of this — Apology for
the comparison— Respect of the Author for his Enghsh bre-
thren — The objection taken from them has no foimdation in
reality— In finances they exceed us— Our deficiency unneces-
sary—A remedy proposed 77
CONTENTS. »
CHAPTER XI.
Defects in the Church— In the primitive Church— Influence of
Methodism— Low state of religion at the time Wesley began
his ministry— This fact generally acknowledged— His qualifi-
cations for his work — Revival of the missionary work, the
effect of Methodism — Proved from the state of the several
missionary societies — In these the Methodists took the lead —
This stated as an historical fact Page 87
CHAPTER Xn.
Tract cause — Mr. Wesley took the lead in this — Reformed the
literature of the age— His object in writing, to do good— Title
of some of his tracts — Distributed one at the cliurch door in
London — Commences his printing establishment — His example
followed by others — Hannah More — Tract societies organized
in England and the United States — An example of the good
effects of a tract 99
CHAPTER Xni.
Sunday-schools — Originated with Raikes — Wesley among the
first to patronize them — Teachers labour gratuitously — Wes-
ley's account of them— Origin in Wales by the labours of Mr.
Charles— These gave rise to the Bible Societies— First taught
by Methodists in America- The glory of the good work due to
God 108
CHAPTER XIV.
The temperance reformation— Mr. Wesley takes the lead in tliis
— Extract from his sermon — From liis tract — General rule on
that subject incorporated in an altered form at the organiza-
tion of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784— The Church
vacillates on this subject— Intemperance gaining upon us—
The voice of Hewitt awakens us— Restoration of Wesley's
Rule— Importance of the cause 118
CHAPTER XV.
An apology — God the Fountain of all good — His servants to bo
esteemed — Disputes among Christians a hindrance to the
Gospel — Evangelical Alliance — Mr. Wesley proposed its prin-
ciples eighty-six years since — Extracts from his letter to the
clergy on this subject — Produced no immediate effect 127
10 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER Xn.
The same subject continued — Difference between Wesley and
Whitefield — Their interviews, in which Whitefield declines
the proffer of union— More mature reflection altered his raiad
—The sentiments of Wesley embody the principles of the
Evangelical Alliance— The author's publications on that subject
— Divine love essential to constitute Christian union. . Page 136
CHAPTER XSH.
A great reformation has been effected — So notorious that it is
useless to contend with those that deny it— Former opposition
to Methodism — Its causes — Pulpit and press agjiinst it — How
met and removed — Southey's Life of Wesley contributed to
make him better known— Wesley's Works published and read—
These seemed to remove prejudice, as they were read by other
denominations— Clarke's Commentary was pubhshed— Exa-
mined by other denominations— His learning and piety con-
ceded — Its good effects — The hciud of God shown in all these
things 145
CHAPTER X\TII.
God the original cause of aU good— At the time Methodism arose
pure reUgion at a low ebb — It was hence violently opposed —
The objections met and obviated— How— The cause steadily
advanced— The doctrine of sanctification avowed — It spread
among other denominations — Mahan and Upham advocate it
with ability — The blessed effects of this — The opposition in a
great measure ceases — AU evangeUcal ministers are uniting —
The names of several mentioned— Methodism contributed to
this — The author disclaims bigotry — Confirms liis love to all
sincere Christians 155
aLVPTER XIX.
Influence of the Gospel — United influence of Christians — Experi-
mentEil religion inseparably comiected with keeping the com-
mandments — The present state of the world liighly favourable
—Comparative \-iew— Its former state— The patriarchal— Mo-
ssdc— Israelitish— The time of our Saviour— Church and State
— The time of the Reformation — Later times — AU worse than
the present— Though many pure spirits were found in those
CONTENTS. 11
times, yet their sufferings prove the general wickedness-
Intolerance of Christians towards each other — These facts
prove that the present are better than the former times Page 167
CHAPTER XX.
The evils of civil or religious despotism — Altered state of things
for the better — Produced by pure religion — Tlie hand of God
seen in this — Labo\irs of Simpson and Buchanan, and other
Missionaries — British and Foreign and American Bible Socie-
ties — All these tended to break down bigotry and establish a
catholic spirit— The contrast between the present and former
times striking— Bright hope for the future 176
CHAPTER XXI.
The author expresses his conviction in the validity of his con-
clusions—Former incredulity in chronological interpretations
-Mr. Fleming's prediction of the downfall of the Pope in 1848
—These opened new views— Wesley and Faber approximate
near each other, and with Fleming— Causes of the difference
— This difference being so small, confirms the truth of the pre-
diction — All these things argue the near approach of the mil-
lennium — In what tliis is to consist — Further representations
of Fleming— Final overthrow of the Pope in the year 2000—
The reasons for this 186
CHAPTER XXn.
The millennium near at hand, though much remains to be
done before its realization— The present state of the world —
1,000,000,000 its estimated population— One-tliird only of these
are Christians — the others Mohammedans, Pagans, and Jews
— Probably two-thirds of the Christians either Roman Catho-
lics or Greeks— Among the 70,000,000 Protestants, not over
3,500,000 real Christians— Look at China— At Africa— At Eu-
rope — Prospects gloomy — State of the Protestant world — Evils
of Church and State— Look at America— Gloomy state of
South America and Mexico— Glance at the conquest— The
United States— Here things more favourable— Much remains
to be done — Calculation of the time for the general spread of
the Gospel— The holy Christian fixes his faith on the promises
of God— Present facilities for the spread of the Gospel iy7
312 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXm.
Statement of particular facts — These prove that evangelical
religion is reviving — European revolutions favourable to reli-
gious toleration — Extracts of letters from Italy — from Switzer-
land — from Hungary — from Germany — These all indicate a re-
vival of godliuess — Meeting of evangelical ministers in Wit-
tenberg—A spirit of union prevails— These facts prove that
pure religion is advancing — The fire of Divine love will burst
forth suddenly, and consume all before it Page 208
CHAPTER XXIV^.
We live in an eventful era— Tlie author confines his address to
liis own Church— Increase of means augments responsibility-
Wealth a blessing if used right — No sin in gold and silver, but
in their abuse— The blessings of life should create gratitude —
The maimer in which wealth becomes a snare — How it may be
made a blessing — Increase of wealth devolves high responsi-
bility — Surplus wealth enough to liquidate the debts of
churches— Covetousness must be eradicated 222
CHAPTER XXV.
Sanctification and benevolence go together— Those in middling
circumstances most liberal — If all were so, there would be no
lack— This not done— Why not— Importance of the subject-
Methodists generally thriving— Covetousness not confined to
the rich— To ascertain whether aU give according to their abi-
lity, the missionarj' cause examined — Great deficiency — The
same supposed in other departments — The duty of liberality
pressed upon all preachers and people 231
CHAPTER XXVI.
Holiness essential to vigorous action— The Church acts through
her ministers — Curse of mere formal ministers — Learning
sanctified by grace — Advantages of the present over former
ministers — This increases responsibihty- Eminent talents
compatible with deep piety — Examples of tliis — Does not ex-
clude others — The whole pressed upon the reader 240
CHAPTER XX\TI.
Erroneous method of converting sinners, particularly the Ro-
man Catholics— True method— (5nr example must be good —
CONTENTS. 13
Love and meekness must be exhibited — Contrast between
Popery and Protestantism — Religion of love must be propa-
gated by love — Erroneous method pursued towards Roman
Catholics — TJie parties in our country — Real Cliristians —
Nominal Christians — Semi-infidels and bare-faced infidels — •
The latter no indifferent spectators — Watching for faults
among Christians — True method to be pursued — Combinations
to put down any sect wrong — Not apostolic — Nor sanctioned
by either Luther or Wesley — Successful method — It must be
pvusued in love — After the example of our Saviour — Such will
succeed Page 252
CHAPTER XXVin.
Time for action — Claims superior to the ancient crusade — This
peaceful and saving — Home work — Common error to be
avoided — If the whole Methodist Episcopal Church were
deeply devoted and actively engaged, how much good might
be accomplished— Much more were the entire evangelical
world thus engaged — Sanctification gives enlarged views —
Contrast between such and others— Were ministers and peo-
ple thus devoted, how much good would be done — Tliis may
be accompUshed— Motives to try 2C6
CHAPTER XXrX.
Recapitulation— defects allowed— Facts and arguments unavail-
able — Thanks to those who have volunteered their aid —
Anonymous assailants unworthy of notice — Comparison be-
tween her present strength and former feebleness— Two
characters prone to find fault — The sleepy professor and the
one recently awakened— Bright prospects — Much yet remains
to be done — subjects chiefly dwelt upon — How the work must
be spread — The work of sanctification must be pressed — A
word to the Methodists — Entire consecration necessary to
the realization of our hopes 27y
APPENDIX
No. I.
An examination of the definition, " Methodism without pliiloso-
phy"— A reply to P. — Two errors do not constitute a truth—
The author deviates from his general rule, for the purpose of
testing the solidity of the above maxim — He acknowledges an
inadvertence in language— On tliis account excuses P. for
some tilings he has said, but rebukes him for others — These
tilings an evidence of human infirmity — The erroneousness of
the definition — It excludes doctrines, usages, and ordinances
— Makes Methodism without body and soul — The definition
denied — It contemns God's inspired messengers — The reform-
ers — Wesley himself — Theological schools not the nurseries of
heresies — Proved n sundry insitances — Nor are colleges — An
apology for these schools — May be useful — If Methodism be
rehgion without philosophy, then no true religion till Method-
ism arose— Tliis proved— What Methodism is Page 291
No. II.
No good perceived from the personal coming of Christ ; though,
if this were plainly revealed, we ought to believe it neverthe-
less—No such fact revealed — ^Examination of those texts
generally relied on — Do not prove the fact — If he were thus to
come, it would be as a man ; of course his personal appear-
ance must be restricted to a particular place — Hence he could
profit comparatively but few at a time — These difficulties
overcome by liis spiritual manifestation — This answers all the
ends of his intercession — In this way he can accomphsh
a great work in a short time — The character of the millennium
— Not all righteous — Proved from Daniel xii, 10, and Rev.
XX, 8-10 — Gog and Magog, what — During the period of MUlen-
nisd glory- some remain wicked — More important to have the
heart right than our mere speculations 308
STATE AND PROSPECTS
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUECH.
CHAPTER I.
The state of the Methodist Episcopal Church — Erroneous views
—Diminution of Members for three years past allowed— How
accounted for — The Millerite delusion — Great increase in 1843
and 1844— Subsequent sifting— The present compared with
former diminutions — All this no proof of backsliding — So far
from it, that we now have a greater proportion of the popula-
tion than formerly — All this, cause of gratitude.
Much has been written, of late, respecting the
state and prospects of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Some, indeed, have lamented over the
Church as though they believed it had achieved its
mission, or Avas about to be laid aside for having
abused its trust, or misapplied its energies, and
was therefore no longer to be an agent in the
hand of God in effecting good for the human
family. These melancholy conclusions have
been drawn from the fact that there has been a
diminution in the number of its members for
some years past ; though, latterly, tliere has
been an encouraging increase, which appears to
16 DIMINUTION OF NUMBERS.
be an indication that God is about to visit His
heritage again in mercy. I have read these la-
mentations with a mixture of sui'prise and regret,
believing that the writers have been led astray
by their prejudices, or have drawn their conclu-
sions from too superficial or contracted a view of
the subject.
The fact, however, is allowed, that there has
been a diminution in the number of church-mem-
bers. In 1845, there was a diminution of 3 1,763 ;
in 1846, 12,343 ; and m 1847, 12,741, making
the entire loss, during those three years, 56,847.
Now, in order to see how this loss may affect
the vital energies of the Church, we will com-
pare it with the unusually large increase in the
years 1843 and 1844.
In 1843, the increase was 154,634. In 1844,
the increase was 102,831, making the entire m-
crease for those two years, 257,465. Now, sub-
tract from this number the 56,847, which is the
estimated amount -of loss for the three years
mentioned, and it will leave 200,618, the net
increase during those five years. But for the
year 1848, there was an increase of 7,508; and
in 1849, of 23,249, making a net increase for
these two years, of 30,757 ; so that the entire
increase for the last seven years, after deducting
all the losses, is 231,375.
ACCOUNTED FOR. 17
To enable us to account for the diminution
during the years 1845, 1846, and 1847, we
must take into consideration the circumstances
which, it is highly probable, led to the large in-
crease of the two years previous. During those
years, and more especially in the year 1843,
the minds of the people were greatly excited
with the Millerite delusion, under the influence
of which thousands of the people were induced
to believe that the world was soon to come to
an end. In full view of this awful catastrophe,
they were led to call on God for mercy, and
perhaps most of them were soundly converted
to God ; while many others became apparently
religious, under the influence of an artificial ex-
citement. I say probably most of them were
soundly converted to God ; for, taking into view
the whole of the diniinution, it still appears,
from the facts above stated, that out of 257,445,
the whole number received during the preva-
lence of that excitement, all but 56,847 have
stood fast. The proportion which this loss bears
to the gain, is nearly the same as the proportion
between the loss of probationers received and
the whole number of those probationers ; for I
believe it is generally allowed, that no more than
three-fourths of those who liave been received on
probation, have graduated to full membership ;
18 DIMINUTION OF NUMBERS.
and this is about the proportion of those that have
been lost during the years above mentioned.
But if this loss is to be taken as a proof of a
low state of vital piety in the Church, and that
God has forsaken her, what shall we say of
other periods, in former days, when a greater
proportionate diminution in numbers was wit-
nessed? Thus, in HIS, when there were only
6,095 members in the Church, there was a di-
minution of 872, which was a loss of about 1 in 1.
In 1795, when the whole number of church-
members was 60,604, there was a diminution
of 6,317, which was a loss of about 1 in 9. In
1845, there was a diminution of 31,769, and
the whole number of church-members was
1,139,587, which was a loss of about 1 in 35.
So, then, notwithstanding the hue and cry about
the want of zeal and skill in the ministry, and
the lukewarmness and backsliding of the mem-
bership, the proportion of those that were lately
lost to the Church' was by no means equal to —
nay, it was nearly three-fourths less than — that
which happened in the years 1778 and 1795 ;
and yet God has been so eminently present with
his ministers and people, and has blessed the
labour of their hands so abundantly, that the
Church has increased in numbers so rapidly,
that in 1843 the membership had accumulated
NOT TERMANENT. 19
to the amount of 1,068,525 ; and in 1844,
1,171,356 ; and, notwithstanding the diminution
since that time, the present number of church-
members, including the North and the South, is
1,114,509. So propitiously has the Lord smiled
upon us !
There is another point of view in which this
subject may be considered, which will afford us
equal cause of gratitude to the great Head of
the Church. In 1795, our numbers were
60,604, and the number of inhabitants in our
country was then estimated at about 4,000,000.
This would give to our Church one member
for eveiy sixty of the population. Allowing
the present population of our country to be
20,000,000, and allowing the number of church-
members to be a little over 1,000,000, it will
give at least one church-member to every twenty
of the population ; so that we have not only
increased in the absolute number of our church-
members, but the ^^rqpor^w^ia^e number has
made a rapid advance upon the population,
having become just three times as great now as
it was fifty-three years ago. All this, be it re-
membered, notwithstanding the increase of
evangelical preaching, zeal, and efficiency, in
other denominations, in the midst of whom we
have been laboming.
20 DIMINUTION OF NUMBERS.
Instead, therefore, of lamenting over our de-
ficiency — although God knows we have faults
enough to humble us in the dust — we have
abundant cause of gratitude to the great Head
of the Chiu-ch for the merciful manner in which
he has favoured our feeble, though, I trust,
sincere endeavours to advance his cause upon
the earth.
CHAPTER 11.
Decrease but temporary- — Its causes — Disputes between the
North and South — The Mexican War — Compared with the
War of 1813-1815 — Like results produced — The abolition ex-
citement — Tlie fact, therefore, of a diminution in numbers
no proof of a departure from vital piety — On the contrary, we
have evidence of improvement.
It may be said by some, that the great increase
in the membership in 1843 and 1844, should
have been followed by a proportionate increase
for the following year, in order to prove that
the Church has not deteriorated in her piety, or
become lax in her appliances for the salvation
of men. To this I answer, that allowing this
should have been the case, such a conclusion by
no means follows, as the diminution may have
originated from other causes, and causes too
beyond the reach of human control, at least so
far as the Church, in her collective capacity, is
TEMPORARY CAUSES. 21
concerned ; and whatever the causes may have
been, I humbly trust they were but temporary
m their character, for it seems that akeady the
Lord is visiting his heritage again with the re-
viving influences of his Spirit, as there was an
increase, in 1848, of upwards of 7,000 ; and in
1849, of 23,240, making an increase for the two
past years of upwards of 30,000. Though it
might be expected, that after such an unusual
ingathering of souls in the two years above
mentioned, namely, upwards of 256,000, under
the impulses produced by such causes as were
then at work, all, to be sure, under the manage-
ment of Him, who made them subservient to
His purposes of love to the human family, yet
there were other causes at work during the
years 1845, 1846, and 184Y, which may be as-
signed as a reason for the diminution, without
supposing that any permanent departure from
our ancient landmarks, either in doctrine, disci-
pline, or practical piety, had taken place.
In the first place, the disputes between the
North and the South, during that ominous pe-
riod, no doubt had a deleterious influence upon
the interests of true rehgion. These disputes,
in the manner in which they were conducted,
certainly had a tendency to impair Christian
confidence in one another, and thus to unfit the
22 DIMINUTION OF NUMBERS.
mind of believers for close communion with God.
But as this unhappy state of things is noTv sub-
siding, and personal recriminations, so disgrace-
ful to the parties concerned, are giving place to
a return of brotherly love and mutual confidence,
I would touch upon this subject lightly, and
would not, indeed, have alluded to it at all, were
it not necessary to account for this temporary
depression of the Church. How far these things
may have afifected us, more particularly here in
the northern department of the Church, it may
be difficult to tell ; but it is a truth which cannot
be disputed, that we have suffered a greater
diminution in chm-ch-members than they have
in the South, if indeed they have suffered any
at all, for I believe they have had a steady,
though, comparatively, a small mcrease. But
leaving this part of the subject with this slight
allusion to it — for I have no wish to revive those
heart-burnings which, I trust, are now nearly
extinguished — I woiild remark in the
Second place, that the war-spirit which per-
vaded our land during the years above men-
tioned, no doubt contributed its full share toward
the result we here deprecate. This spirit has
always been found exceedingly imfriendly to the
diffusion of pure and undefiled reHgion ; for the
spirit and practice of war, and the spirit and
TEMPORARY CAUSES. 23
practice of piety, are generally incompatible
with each other, and cannot, therefore, long co-
exist in the same person. In 1814, during the
war between this country and Great Britain,
when the total number of our chmxh-members
was 211,129, (not as many as was our increase
in 1843 and 1844,) our decrease was 3,178, which
was one to about sixty -five, more than half the
proportionate decrease of 1846; and had the
like causes existed at that time as above men-
tioned in the latter case, the like result might
have been witnessed ; and as, in the former in-
stance, the injurious effects were but temporary,
and ceased with the cause which produced
them, so, I humbly trust, as the war with Mexico
has now happily ended, the spirit of piety will
resume its wonted tone, and revivals of religion
will again pervade our land, as indeed they have
already begun to do.
In 1836, there was a decrease of 2,283. This
was during the abolition excitement, which pro-
duced agitations and disputes similar to those
which arose at a later period, between the North
and the South, and had a like injurious influence
upon the interests of pure religion, and finally
ended in a small secession. These sad effects,
however, disappeared with the cause which pro-
duced them, and God afterwards visited the
24 DIMINUTION OF NUMBERS.
Churcli Tvitli one of the most remarkable revi-
vals of religion ever witnessed in our country.
And may we not hope that when the bickerings
above alluded to shall have entirely ceased, and
God's ministers and people shall give themselves
wholly up to his work, and stiive together for
the promotion of his cause, a like heavenly in-
fluence will be felt throughout all our borders ?
Notwithstanding the disastrous results we
have been considering in the diminution of
church-members, though it may not be — and
indeed is not, as I beheve — an undeniable proof
of a diminution of piety, the fact itself has been
overruled for our good. It has tended to hum-
ble us, has led to heart-searchinirs, to a thoroucrh
examination of ourselves, and has induced us to
investigate the causes of this seeminsf declension ;
and as far as they have been ascertained, to re-
move them out of the way ; and likewise to ex-
cite a spirit of fervent prayer and renewed dili-
gence, that God may be pleased to pour out his
Spirit, and revive and spread his work among
the people.
It will be perceived that while the fact is
allowed — as indeed it cannot be controverted —
that there has been a diminution of church-
members, and some of the supposed causes have
been detected and pointed out, yet it is believed
NO GROUKD OP ALARM. 2§
tliat tliese causes are but temporary in their
character, and might, indeed, have been avoided,
had prudent measures been adopted ; and that,
therefore, they do not prove that there has been,
on the whole, any essential deterioration in the
Church, any departure from her primitive doc-
trine or discipline, or in the general spirit and
practice of piety, either among the preachers or
people : on the contrary, I believe it is suscepti-
ble of substantial proof, that by a comparison
of the last twenty or thirty years, with any
former period of the Methodist Episcopal Chui'ch,
it will be found that there has been most mani-
fest improvement in almost every respect — im-
provements of a highly beneficial character — of
a character highly beneficial to the best interests
of mankind — temporal, intellectual, spiritual,
and eternal interests !
This opinion involves topics too numerous to
be discussed in this chapter, and will require a
statement of facts too numerous to be spread
out in a narrow space ; and they will, therefore,
be taken up in subsequent chapters, together
with such arguments as may be considered
necessaiy to sustain the opinion above expressed.
26 SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS.
CHAPTER III.
Evils allowed to exist^ — Tliese are exceptions— The majority truly
pious — Evidences of improvement — Temporally in wealth —
la church building — Comparison between our present and
former state in this respect.
I HAVE said that, comparing the present state
of the Church, or its state for twenty or thirty-
years past, with any former period, there has
been a manifest improvement in almost every
respect. This assertion I shall now endeavour
to demonstrate. Let no one suppose, however,
tliat I am so blind to the existence of facts, as
not to admit that there are, and have been, evils
among us — that there are individuals, both
preachers and people, who are not as they ought
to be — who are proud, vain, and criminally selfish
— that such seek then- own glory instead of the
glory of the Lord Jesus ; and that others have
disgraced themselves and the cause they had
espoused by gross apostasies ; but, I would ask,
at what period of our history have not these
evils existed ? Those who are acquainted with
our early history, know full well that obstinate
heretics sprang up at that time — that some,
even among the early preachers, became gross
apostates, and thus disgraced themselves and
their brethren by their evil deeds. I have been
INCIDENTAL EVILS. 2*1
acquainted with Methodism for about forty-nine
years, and I think I may say in truth, that I
knew as many, if indeed not more, in the early
days of my experience, in proportion to their
number, that were not as they ought to have
been, both among preachers and people, as may
be seen now. We were always troubled, more
or less, with uneasy spirits — with mercenary men
and women — with disgusting egotists, whose
vanity betrayed the emptiness of their brains,
whose ignorance made them invincible to the
impressions of truth, and whose selfishness ob-
truded itself into every society in which they
appeared ; with backsliders, hypocrites, and
apostates, whose vices were ultimately exhibited
to the view of all with whom they became ac-
quainted — and with covetous, mercenary beings,
who gave evidence they loved their gold (if they
were so fortunate as to have any, and, if not, by
their repinings at those who had it) better than
their God — I say these evil-minded persons
always were found among us, are among us still,
and I suppose always will be ; but I do not be-
lieve that they are more numerous now, in pro-
portion to our numbers, than they were in any
former period, if indeed they are as much so.
But these are exceptions — mortifying excep-
tions, it is true — to the general character of the
28 SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS.
Methodists. I firmly believe that the great ma-
jority of our church-members, including minis-
ters and people, and I have had a pretty good
opportunity of knowing them, have been sin-
cerely devoted to God, have been actuated by
the purest motives, have felt the love of God
and man to be the ruling principle of their
hearts, the evidence of which has been furnished
by the rectitude of then* conduct ; — they have
piBoved that they loved God hy keeping his
commandments. This belief is founded upon
an intimate acquaintance with them for about
fifty years, dming which time I have had an
opportunity of familiarizing myself with minis-
ters and people, from the highest order in the
ministry to the lowest — bishops, elders, deacons,
and preachers, and the various official members
of the Church, trustees, stewards, and class-
leaders, as well as the more private members —
having transacted business with them, mingled
in their councils, iri conferences, quarterly, an-
nual, and general, attended class-meetings, and
the various other means of grace ; and from this
intimate knowledge of all the affairs of the
Church, I certainly have had a favoui-able op-
portunity of judging of their motives, so far as
motives may be ascertained from words and
actions : and from all these soiu-ces of informa-
IN TEMPORAL THINGS. 29
tion, I am led to the conclusion that, whatever
may be said of certain individuals, whose cha-
racter may be considered somewhat dubious, the
great majority are as before described.
These things being premised, — and they have
been mentioned to prevent any one from sup-
posing that I am either so blind as not to see
faults, or so obstinate as not to admit them, — I
proceed to state some of the evidences of our
improvement.
We have improved temporally. The most
of those who embraced Methodism in its early
days were among the poorer class of so-
ciety. In consequence of their embracing the
religion of the Lord Jesus — and this is what I
understand by their becoming Methodists — they
have become sober, industrious, frugal in their
manner of living, and thus many have become
wealthy ; others are in comfortable and thriving
circumstances ; while comparatively few are
suffering from poverty, but most of them are
reaping the fruits of honest industry. And let
no one suppose that temporal good is not one
of the blessinjTS of the reli;]^ion of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Did not Jesus Christ present this
among the motives to induce the people to en-
ter Ilis service ? " Seek ye first the kingdom
of God and his righteousness, and all these
30 SUBSTANTIAL PKOGRESS.
things shall be added unto you," — that is, all
those temporal blessings of -which he had been
speaking. And did not the Saviour say to
Peter, in answer to his interrogatory, what he
should receive who had left all for Christ's
sake, — " No man that hath left houses, or lands,
wife," (fee, **but he shall receive an hundred
fold in this time, and in the world to come life
everlasting ?" Thus " godliness is profitable for
all things, having the promise of the hfe that
now is, and of that which is to come." So
far, therefore, from worldly prosperity being a
mark of imgodliness, it is enumerated by the
Lord Jesus himself, and included by his apos-
tles, among the blessings of God's kingdom ; and
many have experienced the fulfilment of the
promise, by receiving even a hundred-fold in
this life for the small sacrifice they were induced
to make for the kingdom of heaven's sake.
The danger is, of so setting their hearts upon
riches as to make them their principal treasure,
and neglecting to become rich toward God, by
dispensing abroad, clothing the naked, feeding
the poor, and making the hearts of the widow
and fatherless to rejoice, and thus laying by a
** good foundation against the time to come,
that they may lay hold on eternal hfe."
Whether or not the Methodists have done
IN CHURCH BUILDING. 31
this, and are still doing it, according to their
ability, let us inquire what they have done, and
are still doing, to advance the cause of Christ.
In the first place, they have much improved in
church building. Those who have been ac-
quainted with our circuits and stations for twen-
ty, thirty, and forty years past, and who can
compare our houses of worship then with what
they are now, will be struck with the contrast,
and will praise God for the improvement in this
respect. In former days, most of the preaching-
places, more particularly in the country villages
and settlements, were private houses, school-
houses, barns, and groves ; even when a church
edifice was erected, a site was generally selected
in some obscure retreat, remote from the centre
of population, as though the Methodists were
ashamed to be seen and heard by their neigh-
bours ; and even this small edifice was frequently
but half finished, and left to fall down under its
own rottenness. In this respect there is a mighty
improvement, such an improvement as must be
encouraging to the hearts of all God's people.
Now there are large and commodious houses of
worship, not only in our populous cities — where
indeed many have been recently rebuilt or en-
larged, and their number increased with the ad-
vancing population, — but in almost every village
32 SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS.
and considerable settlement throughout the coun-
try are found temples finished in a neat, plain
style, in ^Yhich the pure word of God is preach-
ed, and his ordinances duly administered. How
has this been accomplished ? Very few of the
rich men of this world have come to our aid.
The Methodist people, with their Umited means,
aided, to be sure, by a few of their more wealthy
brethren, have done this, and they have done it
with a hberahty and enterprise worthy of all
praise, and they ought, most assui-edly, to have
credit for the commendable zeal they have thus
exemplified in the cause of God. It is true
that some of these houses are deeply in debt ;
but the brethren are using means to liquidate
their debts, and I humbly trust that, by the
blessing of God on their pious efforts, they will
not only succeed in paying for those already
built, but that they will go forward, and erect
still more, as the increasing population of the
country and the Church shall demand.
EDUCATION. 33
CHAPTER IV.
Education another evidence of improvement— Wesley's work in
this cause — Efforts of Coke and Asbury in this cause failed —
Effect of tliis failure disparaging — Recent efforts more success-
ful—Some opposed to this cause— But God has sanctioned it
— Truly Wesleyan — The Methodists have done much to their
credit — Who will say that this is no evidence of improvement ?
Another evidence of the improvement of the
Church is, the revival and diffusion of the spirit
and practice of education. We know that it
was a favourite object of Mr. Wesley to provide
for the education of the youth, not only in piety,
but also in literature and science. Hence the
early establishment of the Kingswood school ;
and his followers have added another since his
death, and have likewise established two theo-
logical schools, for the training and education
of such young men in the local ministry as are
on the resen^e-list, in scientific and theoloo^ical
knowledge, that they may thereby become bet-
ter quahfied to instruct others.
At the organization of our Church in this
country, in 1784, Dr. Coke and Bishop Asbury
submitted a plan to the Conference for the oe-
tablishment of a college. Of this the Conference
approved, and it was speedily carried into exe-
cution ; the college buildings were creeled, and
34 SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS.
the scliool went into operation under favourable
circumstances, and continued to prosper for
about ten years, when the whole was consumed
by fire. A second one soon after shared the
same fate. These disastrous occurrences dis-
couraged the friends of education, and prevented
any efforts from being put forth in tins cause,
except some ineffectual ones in favour of district-
schools, for upwards of twenty years; and, in-
deed, such was the apathy manifested on this
subject, that Methodist preachers were accused,
not without some show of reason, of being ene-
mies of literature and science. Though this
was not true in its application to all concerned,
yet it must be confessed that there was too
much ground for the taunt against the great
body, if we may judge of the disposition of the
heart by the actions of the life.
But, whatever may be conceded to this mor-
tifying objection, for upwards of twenty years
past the Church has evinced a disposition to
redeem herself from the reproach, by exerting
her energies to establish academies and colleges
in different parts of her jurisdiction. The first
successful effort in this cause was made in New-
England, in 1817, by the founding of the New-
market Academy ; the next, in the city of
New- York, in 1810, by the establishment of the
EDUCATION. 35
Wesleyan Seminary. The first college which
obtained a permanence was the Augusta Col-
lege, located in the town of Augusta, State of
Kentucky, in 1823. In 1831 the Wesleyan
University was founded, and two others, namely,
Randolph Macon and La Grange.
The commencement of these academies and
colleges seemed to beget a general desire,
throughout the bounds of the several annual
conferences, to embark in the cause of educa-
tion ; and so widely has this desire been diffused,
and so deeply has it descended into the heart
of the Church, that there have been estabhshcd,
and are now in successful operation, between
thirty and forty academies, and fourteen colle-
giate institutions, including the North and South ;
besides a number of other academies, which
are so far patronized by the conferences that
they appoint boards of visitors, and recommend
them to the patronage of our people. Here
then is an improvement of vast importance to
the character, permanence, and prosperity of
the Church.
I am aware that there are those among us
who look upon these literary institutions with a
jealous eye, while others treat them with cold
indifference, and some few, perhaps, with hos-
tility. Cut I am happy to believe that the
36 SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS.
great majority of the most influential, both
among preachere and people, hail this improve-
ment as ominous of good to the Church. I
have indeed regretted to see this subject — the
subject of education — treated with a sarcastic
sneer by an aged writer, as though it was the
oflfspring of pride and vanity, indicative of a de-
generate state of the Church. It is believed,
however, that such a sentiinent has but few sym-
pathizers, and that the prevailing spirit of the
age, and the pious efforts of God's servants,
will ultimately sweep away all these objections,
and put to shame the cavilling caricatures of
those who attempt to hold up to ridicule these
nurseries of leaniing and religion.
That God has sanctioned them, is abundantly
manifest from the powerful re-vivals of religion
which have prevailed at diff'erent times among
the students. I presume to say that God has
visited them as often, and as powerfully, with
the reviving influences of his Spirit, as he lias
any other places, even the churches which are
under the stated ministry of the woid and ordi-
nances of the Gospel, Hence, young men have
been raised up, not only endowed with human
learning, but also deeply imbued with the spirit
of their divine Master, and have gone forth as
flaming heralds of the Gospel of the Son of
EDUCATION. 3Y
God; and from the colleges have issued men
competent to teach in the academies, and other
colleges, and are now acting as professors, prin-
cipals, or presidents of other institutions of
learning. Who, then, will dare to lift up his
voice against these nurseries of learning and re-
ligion ? No true son of Wesley, surely. He
who was so much indebted for his celebrity to
the learning he acquired at Oxford, who strove
so assiduousl}'- to promote it among his preach-
ers and people, (see his " Address to the Cler-
gy,") would be ashamed to acknowledge any
man as his genuine follower, who is an enemy to
those institutions which are designed to diffuse
the blessings of literature and religion among
the youth of our land, and more especially to
such as have been so eminently sanctioned by
the great Head of the Church as ours have
been.
Now, who have foimded these institutions ?
The answer is, The Methodists have done it.
For though some generous-minded individuals
not connected with our Church have made
liberal donations, and some of the States in
which they are located have made small appro-
priations for their support, yet the greater pro-
portion of the money which has been received
for this purpose has been drawn from tJie pockets
38 SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS.
of our people. And here we see one of the
many benefits resulting from the temporal good
with which God has blessed them. Had they
not embraced religion, they might have lived
and died in poverty ; but in consequence of their
having done so, by cutting ofif all needless ex-
pense, by being sober and industrious, they have
become wealthy, and have money to spare for
pious and benevolent purposes ; and here is an
outlet for their surplus wealth, where they may
bestow their goods for the benefit of themselves
and their posterity.
I do not say that our more wealthy friends
have given to these institutions all that they
might and should ; but for what they have done,
and are doing in this important cause, they have
our thanks : and when they shall fully feel how
much they themselves are indebted to Methodism
for what they are, and for what they possess,
and more especially for those literary institutions,
for which their bounty is solicited, they will come
forward with liberality to place our colleges be-
yond the danger of pecuniary embarrassments.
In the face of these facts, who will say that
we have made no improvement within twenty
or thirty years past ? Those who believe that
all this has sprung from pride and vanity, will,
of course, mourn over it as a calamity — as an
MISSIONARY CAUSE. 89
infallible mark of our degeneracy ; while tliose
who believe, as I do, that it has arisen from the
spirit of true piety, from an enlarged desire
to do good, and to advance the present and
eternal interests of men, will account it as an
evidence of improvement, and bless God " for
the consolation."
CHAPTER y.
The Missionary cause an evidence of improvement — Origin of
the Missionary Society — Opposition encountered— Feebleness
of its beginning — Gradually advanced — Finally triumphs —
What it has acliieved— All this a practical demonstration of
improvement.
A FOURTH evidence of the improvement which
this Church has made, within twenty or thirty
years past, is to be found in her Missionary de-
partment. I do not mean by this that she
lacked the missionary spirit in former days, for
indeed her ministry was always a missionary
ministry, always aggressive in its operations,
making, by its energetic labours, inroads upon
the territories of Satan. Among modern mis-
sionaries, none equalled John Wesley, eitlier in
the amount, extent, or success of his ministerial
labours. His sons in the Gospel imbibed his
spirit, and imitated his example, preaching the
40 THE MISSIONARY WORK.
Gospel of the kingdom, to the utmost extent of
their abilities, to " every nation and kindred on
the earth." It was this spirit that brought them
to this country, and the fire which they kindled
up here burned so intensely in the hearts of
those missionaries and their successors, that it
impelled them on in their work, until they
stretched themselves over the extended settle-
ments of this continent, visiting almost every
city, village, and settlement, even to the remotest
log hut in the wilderness. But still there were
many intervening places to be filled up, many
new settlements to be supplied, many an Indian
tribe to be evangelized, and many a heathen
nation to be converted to Christianity.
Over these desolations the more pious and
enlightened portions of the Church cast a pitying
eye, and sent up a prayer to God for their sal-
vation. On looking back upon the history of
our Church, and seeing what she had done ; on
lookinof forward and around, and seeincr what
was yet to be done, and considering at the same
time her capabilities, both temporally and spi-
ritually, of doing much more than she had done
for the salvation of the world ; excited to action
by a few benevolent spirits, she determined to
put forth her energies to " extend her missionary
labours throughout the United States and else-
ITS RISE. 41
where." This gave rise to the Missionary Society
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Consider-
ing the state of piety in the Church at that time,
one would be surprised at the objections which
were made, even by men of unquestionable good-
ness, against the formation of this society — some
impugning the motives of its originators, others
ranking it among visionary schemes, and not a
few lamenting over it, as calculated to weaken,
if not indeed to sap the foundations of the itine-
rancy. The friends of the measure, however,
were so conscious of the purity of their motives,
and the rectitude of their conduct, that they per-
severed in their work, not stopping to answer
objections, looking to God for aid and direction,
fully believing that He would sanction, and of
course prosper, their undertaking.
The event has justified their anticipations.
Never has a cause been more blessed than the
Missionary cause. Its commencement, to be
sure, was feeble. Though it was recognized by
the General Conference, which convened a year
after its formation, namely, in 1820, yet the
amount collected the first year was only $823 04,
and the amount expended |85 76. The next
year there was reported as having been received
$2,328 76, and expended $407 87. It seemed
more difficult to expend than to collect the
42 TUE MISSIONARY WORK.
money, though the collections were siifBciently
small ; so difficult indeed was it to diffuse the
missionary spirit among the preachers and peo-
ple, that our bishops were fearful of selecting
and appointing missionaries, lest they should
seem to trespass upon the funds of the Church.
This apathy, however, did not originate from
any want of zeal in the cause of God, nor from
any lack of piety in the heads, or in the Church
generally, but chiefly from too scrupulous a re-
gard for the other interests of the Church, and
a fear of appropriating money unconstitutionally.
To remove these scruples, and to obviate these
objections, I remember perfectly well that the
Board of Managers appointed a committee to
correspond with the bishops, the object of which
was to induce them to appoint missionaries, and
to draw the funds for their support.
But the cause gradually advanced — so slowly,
however, that from 1819 to 1832, there was a
balance reported in -the treasury each year, not-
withstanding the greatest amount received for
any one year was only 814,176 11. In 1832
the Liberia Mission was commenced, and from
that time a new spring seemed to be given to
the Missionary cause, for the funds have gradu-
ally increased, and the fields of labour have en-
larged, imtil m 1839, when the available funds
ITS RESULTS. 4S
amounted to 8139,521 94 ; and in 1840 there
were expended $140,498 58, which I believe
were the largest amounts ever received and ex-
pended in any one year.
Though after this there was a falhng off, for
a short time, it may be accounted for without
supposing any derehction of evangehcal piety
and zeal in the Church, as is manifest from the
fact that latterly the sphit of Hberality has ex-
panded ; so much so, that the amount received
in 1848, including the North and South, was
$144,223 6G, which is 84,701 62 more than had
been received for any previous year; which,
though not in proportion to the increase of
numbers and wealth, shows that the missionary
spirit is rising among us. This, together with
the enlargement of the missionary field, particu-
larly in China and California, is an encouraging
omen, and should serve as a memento of the
goodness of God.
Now let us see what this Society has done,
not merely in raising money, and supporting
men, but in awakening and convertmg sinners.
I presume to say that in this latter work it has
far outstripped every other Missionary Society
in existence. Let any one read its history, fol-
low its missionaries, and look at the evidences —
most manifest and palpable evidences — of the
44 THE MISSIONARY WORK.
conversion of souls, among the aborigines of our
country, the slave population of the South, in
the new States and Territories of the West, and
among the Germans, as well as in Liberia and
South America — though in this last place I grant
but little comparatively has been done — and he
will be convinced that God has given his sanc-
tion to this Society in a most eminent degree.
During the thirty-one years of its existence,
notwithstanding its feebleness 'for about thirteen
years of its infancy — though during that period
its friends marked with pleasure its gradual
growth, and perceived signs of health and vigour
which promised the future strength of its man-
hood — I presume that it has been instrumental
of bringing upwards of GO, 000 souls into the
bosom of the Church, directly, besides its benign
influence in its indirect action in stirring up the
spirit of prayer, in diffusing a spirit of hberality,
and laying a foundation for the future growth
and prosperity of the cause of God in places
where it first planted the Gospel, and has since
left them to be provided for in the more regular
way ; for it has always been the policy of this
Society, as soon as any place became able to
support itself, to withdraw its pecuniary aid,
and confine itself to more new and destitute
places.
HOME MISSIONS. 45
Here is another evidence of improvement ;
and if the missionary spirit enters into the very-
essence of the Gospel, and unfolds it in all its
loveliness, and displays it in all its energies — as
it undoubtedly does — then is the manifestation
of this spirit a practical demonstration of an
improved state of piety in the Church. Here,
also, is another outlet for the surplus wealth of
our people, in the application of which they may
make it tell on the eternal destinies of immortal
beings. Instead of hoarding it up for those who
may come after them — and they know not
whether they shall be wise men or fools — let
them deposit it, at least a suitable proportion of
it, in this treasury of the Lord, and when he
shall come in judgment, he will reward them
accordingly.
CHAPTER VI.
Home missions — Their blessed effects — Other benevolent move-
§ ments — Increased number of books another evidence of im-
provement — Origin of the Book-Concern — Its feebleness — La-
bours under a heavy debt — No American writers— Its income
small — Its present prosperous state — This institution has been
sustained by Methodists.
In addition to the general field of missionary
labour, the Home Missions ought not to ])0
overlooked. These have sprung ujj within six
46 PROOFS OF TROGRESS.
or seven years past, and have exerted a power-
ful and salutary influence wherever they have
operated. I know not, indeed, how many of
these exist ; but I know they have one in Balti-
more, another in New-York, and another in
Brooklyn, and perhaps also in some other places.
They have been instiimiental in enlarging the
work in the destitute portions of the cities, and
have built several new churches. The one in
the city of Brooklyn, which was commenced in
1847, has built one new church, and paid for it,
enlarged another, and has been instrumental in
bringing between one and two hundred sinners
from darkness to hght. This has been effected
chiefly by Christian women, belonging to the
Methodist Episcopal Church in that city; and
all this has been done by the several churches,
in addition to the support of the stationed
preachers, and contributing their proportion to
the general missionary cause, and other inci-
dental expenses of the Church. And had I the
statistics of the other Home Missionary Societies^
I have no doubt but that I could state a hke
encouraging result. Is this no improvement?
no evidence of an increase of pious zeal in the
cause of God? Let those who look on with
cold indifference, and consume themselves in
complaining of the degeneracy of the age, and
HOME MISSIONS. 4T
whine over tlie desolations of the Chm'ch, arouse
themselves from thek lethargy, enter into the
spirit and practice of this holy cause, and they
v^ill soon see a different state of things, and find
their own hearts warming with love to God
and the souls of men ; and likewise feel a glow-
ing gratitude to God for what he has done, and
is still doing, for the souls and bodies of man-
kind.
There are various other benevolent movements
which might be mentioned, some of which have
been in existence from the beginning of the
Church ; such as love-feasts, and sacramental
collections for the poor ; others have been formed
more recently, and are therefore evidence of an
improvement ; such as associations in individual
churches for visiting the sick, providing food and
clothing for the needy : all of which arc the
genuine fruits of that expansive benevolence
which the Gospel inspires in the hearts of all
true behevers. These, however, are only men-
tioned by the way, not, indeed, because they are
insignificant in themselves — for they are the
genuine offspring of that religion which Jesus
Christ imparts to all his followers — but because
they do not belong so generally to the whole
Church.
The next thing I would bring forward more
48 PROOFS OF PROGRESS.
prominently, as an evidence of intellectual im-
provement, is the increased number of our pub-
lications. We commenced our Book-Concern
as early as 1789 ; its beginning was small, and
its progress exceedingly slow. This, to be sure,
miglit have been expected, from the infancy of
the Church, and the want of capital to set up
with — of facilities for printing and circulating
books. Yet these circumstances could not jus-
tify the apathy on this subject ; for so little zeal
was displayed in favom* of printing and circu-
lating books, that in the year 1813, there were
only twenty-four diflferent publications on sale at
the Book-Room ; and one of these. Coke's Com-
mentary, was imported from England. Leaving
this out of the account, a copy of each work
published might be purchased for 829 7o ; and
among these were but three American publica-
tions, namely, Abbott's and Watters' Life, and
the Scriptural Catechism. All the rest were
reprints of books majiufactured in England. And
such was the lack of zeal in this cause, that
though the General Conference, in 1812, in tlie
midst of opposition from several delegates — for
I distinctly remember all these things — ordered
a resumption of the Magazine, and appointed
committees to collect materials for a history of
uiu- Church, yet nothing wiis done in either one
PUBLICATIONS. 49
case or the other. No Magazine was published
until two years after the next General Confer-
ence, in 1816, nor any materials collected for a
history. And such was the languishing state
of this Concern, that it was in dano-er of sinkinp'
under its own weight ; no new publications of
any consequence were added ; but only the same
books were reprinted, so that its debts were
accumulating, without any adequate means to
liquidate them ; and it would, in all probability,
have become bankrupt, and have gone down, to
the disgrace of the Church, had not new means
been used to invigorate its energies, and to ex-
pand its capacities. This was done by adding
to the list of its publications, by resuming the
Magazine, by pm-chasing Clarke's Commentary,
by setting up a bindery and printing-office,
by altering the plan of selling the books, -and by
establishing weekly periodicals ; and, finally, by
enlisting the talents of our preachers in the art
of writing for the public.
During the dark days I have been reviewing,
we had scarcely a single writer on this side of
the water, who dared to put his pen to paper.
Excepting the Scriptural Catechism by the
Rev. John Dickens — a most estimable man —
Garrettson's, Abbott's, and Watters' Lives, and
a few pieces which l^ad appeared in the Armi-
4
50 PROOFS OF PnOGRESS.
nian Magazine in 1'789 and 1790, not an Ameri-
can publication appeared, unless now and then
a straggling pamphlet, "whicli hardly breathed the
breath of life, and the most of which, as Hume
said of one of his Essays, " fell still-bom from
the press." This was the general state of things
for about thirty years, namely, from ITSO to
1818, when new life began to be infused into
our press, and it has been gradually growing
and impro\Tng from that day to this.
During these periods, though for the most of
the time there were but seven annual conferences,
the Book-Concern never paid over $300 a year
to each conference, and sometimes not over
$150, and even this came out of borrowed
money ; for, as I have before said, the Concern
was so deeply in debt, though it was not gene-
rally known at the time, that it was in danger
of sinking under its own weight, as it indeed
commenced its business on borrowed capital.
Those who now manage its affairs know but Httle
of the difficulties with which it had to contend,
particularly from 1812 to 182 4, during all which
time it was strugghng for its existence, though
during the latter part of the time it was adopting
measures which its managers were fully confident
would ultimately put it upon a permanent foun-
dation, which indeed proved to be the fact.
THE BOOK-CONCERN. St
What is its present state ? On looking over
its catalogue of books, I find, if I have counted
accurately, no less than 236 different publica-
tions, small and great, among which are Clarke's,
Benson's, Wesley's, and Watson's Commenta-
ries, Bibles and Testaments, and almost every
species of hterature, on theological, historical,
and biographical subjects, as well as experi-
mental and practical piety. To furnish one's
self with a copy of each of these will cost, at
the retail price, between $200 and $300. Now
compare this with the publications in 1813,
when there were only 23 several books, the cost
of a copy of each of which was only about |29,
and then reflect that the average price is nearly
one-half less now than then. Are here no
signs of improvement ?
In addition to these, look at the list of Tracts,
amounting to upwards of 360, of from 4 to 60
pages each, besides a Sunday-school hbrary,
and books for Sunday-school scholars. There
are also published, including the North and
South, two Quarterly Reviews, one monthly,
seven weekly papers, a Sunday-School Advo-
cate, and a Missionary Advocate; and as to
writers, there is no comparison between the
present and former periods of tlie Church.
But has it increased in its available funds ? It
52 PROOFS OF PROGRESS.
has. After liquidating all its debts, purchasing
lots, erecting buildings, &c. ; and notwithstand-
ing the conferences have increased from seven to
twenty-eight, excluding the Southern portion,
but, including that, to forty-one, it paid, in 1848,
$400 to each, making an aggregate of 89,200
for the twenty-eight conferences, or of 816,400
for the forty-one ; whereas, in the former days,
when it paid 8300 to each conference, when
there were but seven, the whole amount was
$2,100 ; or when it paid only 8150, as it some-
times did, it amounted to no more than 81,050.
Now who have sustained this institution?
The answer is. The Methodists have done it. I
think therefore that here is substantial evidence
of improvement, such an improvement as ought
to fill our hearts with gratitude to God, and
make us praise him for all his benefits.
DOCPRINE. 53
CHAPTER VII.
Examination of doctrine— In wliat Methodism consists— Its pe-
culiarities— Sanctification — Mr. Wesley's views of this doc-
trine— Tliis doctrine continues to be preached— There is there-
fore no deterioration here.
We have hitherto surveyed the Church in her
external features, counted her numbers, esti-
mated the value, so far as we were able, of her
improvements in temporal and intellectual ac-
quirements ; and if I have not, actuated by too
strong a bias in her favour, very much mistaken
her present condition, she is greatly improved
m these respects. That she has rapidly in-
creased in numbers, notwithstanding the diminu-
tion in 1845, 1846, and 1847, is unquestionable.
But this of itself, I allow, is no proof of an in-
crease of spiritual strength, nor, consequently,
of real piety ; for were we as numerous as the
sands upon the sea-shore, yet, destitute of solid
piety, we should be none the better, nor could
we furnish any substantial evidence that God
sanctions our labours. Dismissing, therefore,
these calculations, let us inquire whether there
be any evidence of a deterioration in doctrine,
or in experimental and practical piety ? That
we may judge accurately upon this subject, it is
necessary to ascertain what those doctrines are
64 DOCTRINES OF METHODISM,
which were first promulgated by Mr. Wesley
and his followers, and what is the standard or
measure of experimental and practical piety by
which they were distinguished. In surveying
these, however, we need not dwell upon those
which are common among all orthodox Chris-
tians — such as, the being and existence of God ;
the primeval perfection of the universe; the
original purity of man, his fall, and consequent
depravity of himself and of his ofiFspring ; the
Deity, incarnation^ and atonement of Christ;
the necessity of repentance ; justification by
grace through faith in Jesus Christ ; the resur-
rection of the dead ; the final judgment, and its
momentous consequences. These great cardi-
nal truths of God our Saviour are common to
all orthodox Christians, and therefore contain
nothing to distinguish ua from them, or to dis-
tinguish one denomination from another. Kor
will I say, as a wiiter has recently said, that
** Methodism is religion without philosophy," (see
Appendix, No. 1,) lest I should seem to in-
sinuate, either that true religion and philosophy
cannot coexist, or that rehgion was always poi-
soned by philosophy until Methodism arose to
separate the foreign and poisonous admixture
therefrom, and thus present the pure, unadul-
terated balm to the woimded souls of sinners ;
PECL'LIAii. 55
either of which alternatives would be unbe-
coming a sound divine, or a consistent pliilo-
soplier.
By Methodism I understand those peculia-
rities of the system by which it is distinguished
from all other is?ns ; hence it not only includes
the doctrines above enumerated, by which it
proves its orthodoxy, but it brings out more
prominently than is done by other denomina-
tions, and that, as it believes, on the authority
of God's word, that of Christian perfection, or
the entire sanctification of the whole man to
God, or holiness of heart and life ; and that this
holiness is evinced by a uniform obedience to
the commands of God. It holds to the danger-
ous possibiUty of apostatizing from the grace of
hfe, and hence urges upon all its disciples the
necessity, that they may inherit eternal happi-
ness, of persevering in every good word and
work to the end of their probationary existence.
And that these doctrines may have as diffusive
a spread as possible, it has adopted an itinerant
ministry, hereby imitating the apostolic exam-
ple of preaching the Gospel to " every creature"
within its reach : with various other peculiar-
ities, such as class-meetings, love-feasts, &c., for
all of which we are ready, when called upon, to
give a Scriptural reason. And I know not but
56 METHODIST DOCTRINES.
that I sliould add, the doctrine of the direct
witness, and its inseparable results — the fruits
of the Spirit ; as these, however closely they
may be incorporated in their Articles of Faith,
and alluded to in their formularies of devotion,
are not insisted upon by other denominations, as
they should be, in their public instructions, or
in the inculcations of the pulpit.
When Mr. Wesley first set out in his Chris-
tian career, he made holiness the mark at which
he aimed, though he did not then clearly com-
prehend its nature; but very soon, his eyes
being enlightened, he saw that a sinner must be
justified by grace through faith before he is
sanctified. He accordingly sought and found
justification, and then pursued after sanctifica-
tion or holiness, both internal and external, with
all his might, until he found the one to the joy
of his heart, and exemplified the other by the
righteousness of his life, by " keeping the com-
mandments of God "'to the end of his protracted
and most laborious days. And never did the
pen of Wesley touch upon any subject which it
illuminated more clearly, or explained more
definitely, explicitly, Scripturally, experimen-
tally, and practically, than it did the doctrine
of Christian perfection. To be convinced of
this, let any man, who has a tolerable know-
SANCTIFICATION. 67'
ledge of the subject, or sincerely wishes an ac-
curate knowledge of it, read attentively his ser-
mons, " On Sin in Behevers," " The Repentance
of Behevers," '^ The Great Priviles^e of those
that are Born of God," " On Christian Perfec-
tion," and more especially his " Plain Account
of Christian Perfection," and compare them
with the Sacred Scriptures, and he need go no
further for light and information, only to God
in earnest prayer, that his own heart may be
warmed and sanctified by this hallowed flame
of Divine love.
Indeed, I consider his "Plain Account of
Christian Perfection" the most masterly pro-
duction upon that subject which ever dropped
from an uninspired pen : stating its nature and
extent ; defining it with nicety and precision ;
and pointing out the way to attain it ; its evi-
dence and fruits, and those infirmities with which
it may coexist ; in language plain, explicit, and
every way suited to the capacity of every reader.
I do not wish to undervalue others who have
written upon this subject. They all may have
their use in attracting attention to it, in inducing
penitent behevers to seek after it, and in placing
it in somewhat new aspects before the reader's
understanding ; but their twinkling light disap-
pears before that brighter lummary, as the stars
68 METUODIST DOCTRINES.
bide themselves when the orb of day mounts
the horizon.
The reader will pardon, I trust, this seeming
digression from the main topic on which I am
writing, for I could hardly refrain from paying
a merited tribute to au author who has shed
such a flood of light upon a subject so impor-
tant, so deeply experimental and practical, and
so intimately, and perhaps I might say indisso-
lubly, connected with the present peace and
futm-e happiness of mankind. " Great peace
have they that love thy law, and nothing shall
offend them," or be an occasion of their stum-
bling. " Without holiness no man shall see the
Lord." ** Blessed are the pure in heart, for
they shall see God." These texts of sacred
Scripture are quoted to sustain what I had as-
serted, namely, that the subject of hohness is
intimately connected with our present peace
and future happiness. The first pronounces pre-
sent peace to those who love, and, of course,
Jceep the law ; the second and third show what
is necessary to fit us to see the face of God in
glory everlasting, namely, holiness or purity of
heart.
Now, have the Methodist preachers ceased
to preach this doctrine, and to urge it upon
their people as an experimental and practical
SANCTIFICATION. 69
thing ? I know tliat they alwq^s, from the be-
ginning of their ministry, held it prominently
before their hearers, not only as a pri\alege,
but as a duty, to be " holy in all manner of con-
versation." But did they all profess to enjoy
it ? They did not : nor did the members of the
Church. Some did, both among preachers and
people ; but I believe a majority did not. Many
of the preachers preached it more as a theory,
than as sometliing which they knew from their
own experience ; while all, who were rightly in-
structed, and were sincere believers in its attain-
ableness, professed to be "groaning after it."
This, I believe, has been the general state of
the Church from the beginning, though there
were " times and seasons," when this work of
holiness was more prevalent than at others. I
may be under a mistake, but I have thought,
and I have drawn my conclusion from reading, and
conversation, and attending meetings in various
places, that this subject has very considerably
revived within six or seven years past ; and that
a more than usual number have sought and
found the blessing of " perfect love." I know,
indeed, that there are some dhidc, unscriptural,
anti-Wesleyan notions prevalent on this topic ;
but I know equally well that there are many,
and I believe their numbers are increasing,
60 METHODIST DOCTRINES.
deeply devoted souls, both male and female,
both among preachere and people, who give
evidence of holiness of heart by the holiness of
their Hves.
I allow that this great and mvaluable bless-
ing is not pressed upon the people so generally
and so earnestly as its importance demands ;
but this is not peculiar to the present time.
This lack in the ministry and the membership
was always a defect painfully manifest. To be
convinced of this, read the works of Wesley,
the biographies of the older Methodists, and
consult those aged professors now living who
can remember the former days, and I believe
they will all corroborate the truth of my state-
ment. There is, therefore, I apprehend, no
falling off here, no abatement of zeal in the
cause of holiness ; but, as I think, at least in
some sections of the Church, an increase of holy
love, and a more urgent inquiiy waked up on
this very subject.
Let us, therefore, give God the glory for what
he is still doing for the sons of men, and " be
strong in the Lord of Hosts, and in the power
of his miofht."
OLD-FASHIONED METHODISM. 61
CHAPTER VIII.
Old-fashioned Methodism— In what it consists— Distinction be-
tween its vital principles and circumstantial parts— The first
never change — The second may or may not be, though neces-
sary to its growth — Divine call of its ministry — Tliis essential
— Circumstantials contribute much to its success — In these
there is a manifest improvement.
If I have not very much miscalculated the com-
parative state of this Church, I think I have so
far succeeded in proving that, instead of de-
generating from its primitive purity, it has much
improved in its general character, as well as in
its means and capabilities of doing good ; and
that it has actually put forth its energies, in
various ways, to advance the cause of Jesus
Christ. This leads me to notice another feature
in Methodism.
Some ignorant enthusiasts, whenever anything
new is introduced, have a very short, but, in
their estimation, an irresistible argument against
it, and that is, "This is not old-fashioned Me-
thodism." If you ask these persons what " old-
fashioned Methodism" is, perhaps they are at a
loss for an answer. Wliat I understand by Me-
thodism, whether old-fashioned or new-fashioned,
is this : —
That it lays hold of, and holds fast to, those
cardinal doctrines of the Gospel, enumerated in
62 OLD-FASmOXED METHODISM.
the preceding chapter, and then apphes itself
with all its might to propagate them far and
near, embracing every opening of Divine Pro-
vidence, and taking advantage of every new
development in the administration of the world,
using all the appliances within its grasp, to
advance the cause of Christ.
Understanding it in this sense, we must dis-
tinguish between the vital principles of Method-
ism, and its circumstantial parts, or its external
features. The former are essential to its exist-
ence, because they are vital, — the latter may or
may not be, because they are mere circumstan-
ces, though for the time being they may be
necessary to its growth and expansion.
To explain myself more particularly upon this
head : — By the vital principles of Methodism, I
undei-stand those doctrines of the Gospel which
embrace the Deity, the fall of man, the redemp-
tion of the world by Jesus Christ, repentance,
faith, justification, -and sanctification, and all
those doctrines by which we are distinguished
from other denominations. By its circumstan-
tial parts, those prudential regulations and ap-
pliances for doing good which have grown out
of the improvements of the age, the progress of
society, and the demands wliich these things
make upon us.
ITS VITAL PRINCIPLES. 63
These vital principles must never be changed,
whatever changes may take place in human
society. No new developments of events, no
mutations in the affairs of men, nor any im-
provements of the age, must be allowed to make
any innovation upon the cardinal doctrines of
Christ, all of which Methodism holds fast. If,
for instance, we were to relinquish the doctrine
of the atonement, as generally understood by
orthodox Christians, or that of justification by
grace through faith, sanctification, the possi-
bility of falling from grace, the witness and
fruits of the Spirit ; or were we to break up the
itinerancy, or lay aside class-meetings, or cease
to hold love-feasts, we should no longer be Me-
thodists, because these doctrines form our vital
principles, and these usages form those pecu-
liarities by which we are distinguished from all
other denominations, and in the use of which
our success, by the blessing of God, has mainly
resulted. And that which has given life and
energy to the whole system, is not only the
fact that these doctrines have been held and
propagated, but that they have been held and
propagated by men that professed to have, and
indeed actually had, an experimental knowledge
of them, so that whenever they spoke, they
spoke of the things which they '^ had felt and
64 OLD-FASHIONED METHODISM.
seen ;" — tliey said, and their lives demonstrated
that they said the truth, that those truths had
been sealed upon their consciences by the Holy
Spirit. Hence they spoke, " not in the words
of man's -wisdom," but " in the demonstration
of the Spirit and power," ''with much assu-
rance in the Holy Ghost." All those things are
so essential to the existence and vitality of Me-
thodism, that, were any of them to be laid aside,
or used as mere forms, the system would be
marred. Were the Methodist ministry, for in-
stance, to cease to experience the life-giving
principle of an active faith, and no longer insist
upon the necessity of an inward call to their
work by the Holy Ghost, and to preach under
the influence of that Holy Spirit, urging upon
the people the necessity of the witness and fruits
of the Spirit, because they themselves have been
made partakers of these things, however ortho-
dox they might be in other respects, they would
cease to be Methodist preachers, would have
sunk into mere formalism, having the "letter
which killeth," but destitute of the "Spirit
which giveth hfe."
I wish to be emphatic upon this subject,
more especially because I consider it one of the
most vital principles in Methodism. Whatever
impi'ovements we may make, however learned.
ITS VITAL PRINCIPLES. 65
refined, and ortliodox in our general creed, deep
and profound in our researches, eloquent and
pathetic in our addresses, systematic in our ser-
mons, unless the whole be accompanied by the
internal energies of the Holy Spirit, and we have
such an experimental knowledge of justification
and sanctification — or, at least, so far a know-
ledge of the latter as to be earnestly seeking
after it, — and they that thus seek shall soon
find — we shall be nothing more than " a sound-
ing brass and a tinkling cymbal." This has been
the boast — if I may be allowed that heretical
expression — of the Methodist ministry from the
beginning. It was this holy panoply with which
Mr. Wesley was armed. And it has been the
secret of the astonishing success of his ministers
in the awakening and conversion of sinners. If,
therefore, they ever lay it aside, as a part of
** old-fashioned Methodism," and substitute in
its place the tinsel of human embellishments, —
if they cease " living by faith in the Son of God,"
and substitute for this living faith the chaff of
outward forms and ceremonies, — if they substi-
tute human philosophy for the ** pure word of
God," and theory for experience and practice, —
if they so far lose sight of their high and holy
calling as to seek their own fame, ease, or self-
aggrandizement, instead of the glory of God in
5
G6 OLD-FASHIONED METHODISM.
the salvation of souls, — if tliey substitute wit
and sarcasm, and the tinsel of human oratory,
for the " words of truth and soberness," — if they
descend to personal recriminations resulting from
envy and jealousy, instead of cultivating the
mutual respect and good-will which flow from
brotherly love, — then shall God write "Ichabod"
upon all our borders, for the " glory" will have
" departed from us," because one of the most
vital principles of Methodism will have been
abandoned.
It is equally necessary that the whole Church
should be deeply imbued with these same prin-
ciples. This is what I understand by " Old-
fashioned Methodism." Nor do I desire to see
anything substituted in its place.
Now for the circumstantials of Methodism.
Time was when we had no ordinances; yet
Methodism existed without them, only so far as
its disciples received them from the hands of
ministers of other denominations. They were
provided at the organization of the Church in
1784 ; and though I doubt not but this circum-
stance has been greatly beneficial in enabling us
to diffuse the blessings of the Gospel, yet facts
prove that we could have existed without them.
Since then a Book-Concern, the establishment
of academies and colleges, the Missionary So-
ITS CIRCUMSTANTIAL FEATURES. 67
ciety, Sunday-schools, and various charitable in-
stitutions — besides the Bible cause, and the Co-
lonization Society, into which we have entered
in conjunction with other denominations — have
been added as useful adjuncts to the main cause.
Now, though these things are not essential to
the existence of Methodism, they are great helps
in developing its principles, in diffusing its spirit,
and in extending its influence far . and wide,
among all orders and ranks of men ; and although,
if they were laid aside, we might still exist, and
perhaps retain our vital principles ; yet, I appre-
hend, Methodism would be greatly circumscribed
in its usefulness ; as, without them, we certainly
never could have obtained that commandino- in-
o
fluence, and taken that elevated stand which we
now hold in the community ; and hence, were
we to lop off these flourishing branches from
the living tree, it would no longer afford that
broad shelter to the weary sons of men which
it now does, and promises yet more extensively
to do.
These are the branches, living and flourishing,
that have grown from the main stock ; wliich,
by their thrift, show that the vital energies of
the original trunk are by no means exhausted.
So long, therefore, as this Hving tree shall re-
main grounded apd rooted in the rich soil in
08 OLD-FASniONED METHODISM.
which it was first planted, being continually
watered with the " dew of heaven," it shall con-
tinue to feed and nourish these living branches ;
and likewise be sufficiently vigorous to send forth
others, which the progress of events, and the
improvements and wants of the age, may dictate
to be necessary or expedient.
By " old-fashioned Methodism," then, we
are to understand that system of doctrine and
discipline by which we have all along been distin-
guished ; in the mean time adapting itself to the
state of society, and the progress of events, so
as to take advantage of every new opening of
divine Providence, which may call for the inter-
vention of auxiliary helps and fresh appliances
for extendin<2f the Redeemer's kinordom amon<r
men.
Now, has not Methodism improved in this
respect? And has it not entered — and that
with energy and success — into every open door,
by adding the missio'nary, educational, and other
benevolent institutions, as branches to the ori-
ginal stock ? And has it not shown, and does it
not continue to show, that, deriving all its power
of doing good from the great Head of the
Church ; and receiving from that supreme
Fountain of life unceasing supplies of grace and
truth ; it sends forth to every limb and branch
ITS IMPROVEMENT. 69
sap and nourishment, to feed and strengthen
them, so that their ** leaves are always green ?"
I do not say that it has done all this as vigor-
ously and faithfully as it ought and might have
done, had all its sons and daughters, and espe-
cially its ministers, acted up to their high and
holy calling with a diligence proportionate to
their distinguished privileges, and their conse-
quent high responsibilities.
But while a retrospect of the past ought to
inspire us with gratitude to God, for what he
has done by our feeble instrumentality, a pros-
pect of the future should stimulate us to in-
creased activity in the important cause in which
we are engaged. The first will exclude all
needless complaining and captious fault-finding ;
and the second will remove all distrust in the
goodness of God, and all gloomy apprehensions,
or doubtful forebodings, of what is yet to come ;
while a knowledge of what is now passing
around us, will fill us with humble adoration of
Him who is the "Author of every good and
perfect gift."
70 MODIFICATIONS OF THE ITIKERANCY.
CHAPTER IX.
Want of success no evidence of a destitution of holiness, or of
a Divine call — Defects always apparent — Modification of the
itinerancy beneficial — Proved from a comparison of the former
and present state of the old Rhinebeck district — Advantages
of stations and small circuits.
Though I believe the work of holiness is ad-
vancing among us as a people, I doubt not but
that in particular places there is a declension,
owing, perhaps, to unfaithfulness or unskilful-
ness in the ministry, or to other causes too re-
condite for the human mind to fathom, or too
mighty for man, or even for a divine Hand, to
control, without destroying human hberty.
Let it be remembered that a minister's holiness,
or fidelity, or skilfulness, is not to be measured
by his success. In one place it is said that even
Jesus Christ could " do no mighty works, be-
cause of their unbeUef." And if unbehef was
so potent as to resist the power of omnipotence,
when wielded by the God-man himself, are we
to expect that it will always yield to the force
of truth, though this truth may be wielded by
the hand of a man as holy as Enoch, or Noah,
or St. Paul, or any other holy man of God?
" Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but it is
God that giveth the increase." Though it must
DEFECTS KEVEK WANTING. 71
be admitted that God does not call and send
forth an ungodly man into the work of the
ministry, yet many a godly minister has been
led to adopt the language of the prophet, " I
have laboured in vain, and spent my strength
for naught."
These things being conceded in favour of
those who contend that Methodism has de-
chned in some places, and of those who labour
without any visible effect, I would ask. In what
period of the Church have not these sad effects
appeared? Those who doubt this have been
very inattentive to the history of events. I can
remember, in the early days of my ministry,
when whole societies were nearly broken up,
and scattered abroad, through perhaps the mis-
conduct of a preacher, or the obstinacy of some
of the members ; and these difficulties were al-
ways occurring, more or less, in particular places,
while the great body of the Church, in her
collective capacity, remained sound and healthy,
and accordingly put forth her energies for the
promotion of the cause of God. Those who
look for such a perfection in the Church as
shall exclude these defects, calculate too highly
upon human nature, and do not make sufficient
allowance fur human infirmities, mixed indeed
with the remains of hereditary depravity, as it
72 MODIFICATIONS OF THE ITINERANCY.
is found in every Christian not yet entirely
sanctified to God.
After all, it is contended by some, as an evi-
dence of our declension, that our circuits are
shortened, and cut up into stations, and that
thus the labour of the ministry is abridged, and,
of course, its usefulness curtailed. The fact is
allowed, -while the consequence is denied. On
the contrary, I contend that this very fact is an
evidence of our improvement. I hope I may
not be accused of egotism, by relating the fol-
lowing facts from my own experience : —
Under the joint superintendency of Bishops
Asbury and M'Kendree, I was appointed, in
1813, to the Rhinebeck District, which then
comprehended what are now Poughkeepsie,
Rhinebeck, !N"ew-Haven, and Hartford districts,
in all of which there was but one single station,
and that so feeble as scarcely to show signs of
life. After going around the district once or
twice, I said to the preachers, *' You might as
well go home and go to sleep, as to preach in
the manner you do, so far as building up Me-
thodism is concerned. You may indeed be in-
strumental in the awakening and conversion of
sinners ; but while you preach once in two
weeks in a place on week-days and Sabbaths,
and are absent from your appointments all the
ATTENDED WITH GOOD EFFECTS. 73
rest of your time, though sinners may be
awakened, yet, during your absence, other de-
nominations, who liave their stated ministra-
tions every Sabbath, and whose ministers are
constantly among the people, will gather the
principal part of them into their churches, and
thus you lose all your labour, so far as the Me-
thodist Episcopal Church is concerned." " What
shall we do ?" it was asked. I answered, *' We
must go to work and build meeting-houses, and
have a preacher stationed in every city and con-
siderable village in the country, in order to es-
tabhsh Methodism." In this they generally
acquiesced. But how we were to accomplish
it, was the grand question. We had, to be
sure, small, feeble societies scattered through
the country, some of them more numerous than
others, but none of them were able to support a
preacher, and but few to build a church, while
many of these societies were so small and in-
significant that they had not courage to lift up
their heads in the community. And this was
the case generally in these northerly regions,
particularly in the New-England States.
Well, we made a beginning, as well as we
could. Not much indeed was done during the
four years that I remained on the district. I
endeavoured, however, by conversation and
74 MODIFICATIONS OF THE ITINERANCY.
preaching, to diffuse the spirit which I felt ought
to pervade the societies, and to convince all,
both preachers and people, that our plan o£
preaching must be modified in the manner above
specified. A foundation was thus laid, and it
has been gradually built upon from that day to
this. What has been the result ? In that re-
gion of country, such have been the blessed
effects of this plan and these labours, that in-
stead of one district we now have four ; instead
of twenty-five preachers, the number employed
in 1817, the year I left it, we have one hundred
and twenty-nine ; and instead of 4,718 mem-
bers of the Church, the number returned on the
Minutes for 1817, we now have 18,142; and
instead of being compelled to preach in private
houses, school-houses, and barns, as we were in
those days — for there were but very few chiu-ches,
and those so small, and located in such obscure
places, as hardly to be known, and many of
them but half finished — we have now commo-
dious chm-ches erected and neatly finished in
every city, and in almost every village and con-
siderable settlement throughout the country.
And I verily beheve that if we had gone on in
our old method of four and six weeks chcuits,
preaching only once in two weeks in a place,
oiu- labours would lla^■c been comparatively
ATTENDED WITH ADVANTAGES. 75
"in vain," and we, of course, should never have
seen the benign results above recorded.
I presume to say that similar results have
been witnessed all over the country, where
similar means have been used. The fact is, a
competent preacher stationed in one place, if as
diligent as he ought and may be, will soon fa-
miliarize himself with his people ; can visit the
sick, the delinquents, and incite them forward
in the discharge of duty ; bury the dead, per-
form the marriage ceremony, meet the classes,
attend prayer-meetings, and perform all other
pastoral duties, and then have time enough for
study, — for whenever I hear a minister say that
he has no time for study, or for the discharge
of any other indispensable duty, I take it for
granted that he is either indolent, or knows not
how to economize his time.
Now these are the advantages arising from
changing the old circuit system into stations, as
the above statistical facts abundantly demon-
strate, and to the truth of which those of us
who can remember our former days of feeble-
ness, and compare them with our present strength,
can bear ample testimony. Indeed, the great
revival of religion and consequent increase of
membership in 1843 and 1844, have occurred
since this modification of the itinerancy had been
76 MODIFICATIONS OF THE ITINERANCY.
introduced, and afifords another proof of the
practical benefits resulting from it. Our old
plan of extending over so large a surface — which,
under the circumstances, might have been the
best for the time being, as our preachers were
few in number, and we had no societies only as
we succeeded in forming them — was ill calcu-
lated to build up churches and establish con-
gregations, whatever might have been its effects
in arousing the slumbering multitude to the
concerns of eternity ; but as the population in-
creased, the societies and their numbers multi-
plied, additional preachers became necessary,
ministerial labour more urgent, and the calls
for pastoral oversight more frequent and con-
stant.
The present system, therefore, of a more con-
tracted sphere of labour, is the natural result of
the improved state of society, of the greater
populousness and compactness of the villages
and settlements. As to the larger cities, they
were always considered as being of sufficient
importance to demand the presence of stationed
ministers. We might therefore as well wish
that our thickly settled parts of the country,
and our populous cities and villages, should re-
vert to their former wilderness state, with only
here and there a log hut, as to desire that our
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN METHODISM. 77
present short circuits, numerous and flourishing
stations, and comparatively contracted districts,
should relapse into their former enlarged condi-
tion ; for the one would no more militate against
the advance of agricultural, mechanical, mer-
cantile, and professional prosperity and the bless-
ings of civilization, than the other would be in-
jurious to the growth, compactness, and conse-
quently the prosperity of the Church of God.
Allowing the views above expressed to be
accurate, as I fully believe they are, then here
is another evidence of improvement. The very
fact, therefore, that we have so far modified our
itinerant system, that we may bestow more la-
bour on any given place, instead of being an
evidence of deterioj-ation, is found to be a proof
of directly the reverse.
CHAPTER X.
Comparison between American and English Methodism— We
greatly outnumber them — The cause of this — Apology for
the comparison — Respect of the Author for his Enghsh bre-
thren — The objection taken from them has no foundation in
reality — In finances they exceed us — Our deficiency unneces-
sary — A remedy proposed.
Still it may be said by some, that our method
of cutting up the circuits is not the best, inas-
much as our English brethren do not do the
18 ENGLISH AND AMERICAN METHODISM.
like. Their example is often quoted to prove
the inutility of the measure.
This objection, however, allowing its truth,
so far from militating against the modification of
the itinerancy for which I contend, is an argu-
ment in its favour, as the following facts will
demonstrate. Notwithstanding Methodism had
been in operation for about thirty years in Great
Britain before it commenced its leavening effects
in America, it does not, even now, number half
the members in its commimion that we do. The
numbers in tiie societies in the Wesleyan Me-
thodist Connexion, including all their missions,
and those in the Canada Conference — the latter
of Avhich, by the by, were raised up principally
through oiu* instrumentality^ — are 483,296, and
the preachers, 1,903 ; whereas, we enumerate,
including the North and South, 1,114,509 mem-
bers, and 5,243 travelling preachers. Look at
the difference.
Members. T, Pr.
Number in tlie United States and Territo-
ries, and on the Missions 1,114,509 9,138
Number in Great Britain, Ireland, Canada,
and Missionary Stations 49i,274 1,903
620,230 3,340
giving more than double the number of both
preachers and people to the American branch.
Now there must be some adequate cause for
COMPARED. YO
this great disparity in the success of the minis-
try in these two departments of the same
Church. It cannot be in the density of the
population, for they are not only more nume-
rous than we are, but they are confined to a
surface of country not one-thirtieth part as large
as that over which our population extends ; so
that they can preach to a given number of peo-
ple in a much smaller space than we can, and,
of course, with a proportionally less degree of
physical labour. Neither can it be for lack of
talent in the British ministry, as they certainly
embody in the itinerancy men of eminent en-
dowments and acquirements, fully equal, if, in-
deed, not superior to any that we possess. It
is true that, with all these superior advantages,
they are encumbered with an enormous Church
establishment, of which they have always, very
injudiciously, in my judgment, professed them-
selves to be members, and to the support of
which those of them who are land-holders
have to contribute, in proportion to the value
of their estates, in addition to supporting their
own institutions. This, no doubt, has very much
impeded their career of usefulness, and pre-
vented the growth of their own societies, how-
ever much it may have contributed to advance
the cause of evangelical piety in the established
80 ENGLISH AND AMERICAN METHODISM.
Church, or among the dissenting denominations.
We, on the other hand, have free scope, are
trammelled with no State establishments, but
have all the rights and privileges of citizens and
Christians guarantied to us by the equitable
Constitution under which we live ; so that we
can walk forth unfettered by any State or United
States laws, or exclusive privilege of one sect
above another, husbanding all our means, tem-
poral, intellectual, and spiritual, for our own ex-
clusive benefit, or rather for the benefit of man-
kind. This is doubtless a great advantage over
our British brethren, and one which we derive
from our civil institutions, more than from any
difference in church organization, or any other
incidental circumstance ; and for which we are
indebted to the pro\'idence of God, which gave
us our independence as a nation.
But these comparative advantages and disad-
vantages are insujSicient of themselves to account
for the diflerence in the results of our respective
efforts. The chief cause of this, I am inclined
to believe, is, that while we have cherished the
spirit of revival, they have suffered it to lan-
guish. This belief is founded not only upon
the fact above adduced, of the great disparity
in the respective numbers in communion in the
two branches of the same Church, but more es-
COMPARED. 81
pecially upon the observations of travellers who
have visited that country, and whose opportu-
nities of comparing the two connexions have
been favourable. Among others, the late emi-
nent Dr. Fisk, whose memoiy I love to cherish,
whose piety and talents adorned the Church of
which he was a member and a minister, men-
tions an instance in which one of the Wesleyan
preachers asked him, if he thought our revivals
did us any good. To this the Doctor answered,
with some amazement, that he was surprised to
hear such a question from a son of Wesley,
whose journals recorded so many instances of
the work of God, and more especially as the
very existence of Methodism was owing to a re-
vival of pure and undefiled religion. This, how-
ever, may have been an isolated case ; and though
not characteristic of the whole body, yet it is to
be feared that this indifference to the spirit of
powerful revivals of religion too much pen'ades
the body of Methodists in England. They may,
indeed, go on enlarging their mental powers,
and systematizing their theology ; but unless
they, in the mean time, dive proportionately
deep into the ocean of Divine love, and drink
large draughts from that perennial fountain, so
that they can pour forth its refreshing streams
to water the thirsting souls of men, they will
6
82 ENGLISH AND AMERICAN METHODISM.
see but little fruit of their labours. In a word,
they imist strive for revivals, if they would avoid
the curse of formalism.
But comparisons of this sort are always in-
vidious, and more especially when made by the
more favoured party. I will therefore pursue
them no further ; and offer, as an apology for
introducing them at all, the apparent necessity
of meeting and obviating the objection which
has been so often made, by referring to our
English brethren, as an example for us to fol-
low, as though all perfection concentrated in
them, while so many imperfections cling to us,
that they operate as a clog to stop the wheels
of our itinerancy ; whereas, with all their per-
fection and all oui* imperfection, we have far out-
stripped them in the race, and in winning souls
to Christ. And certainly no man who under-
stands the subject, and is acquainted with the
writer, will attribute these remarks to any want
of respect for our British brethren ; for no one,
I presume to say, feels a more profound respect
for that elder branch of the Wesley family than
I do, or more highly appreciates the many ad-
vantaores we have derived from John and Charles
o
Wesley, the founders of Methodism, and from
their successors in the ministry. So long as
pure Christianity shall exist in our world, shall
COMPARED. 83
the name of Wesley, of Fletcher, of Clarke, of
Benson, of Watson, and of Moore, be venerated
as among the best, the most holy, and the most
useful and highly gifted of men ; and when I
shall cease to remember them with a grateful
recollection of their many excellences, and their
highly useful services in the Church, may " my
right hand forget its cunning, and my tongue
cleave to the roof of my mouth." But this
veneration should not, as it does not, blind me
to the faults which I think I perceive have crept
in among them, and which, if not timely cor-
rected, may prove alike injurious to themselves
and to the world at large. If in error, I pray
God and my brethren to forgive me ; but if my
views are correct, a timely warning will do them
no harm, and may be a lasting benefit to our-
selves, in guarding us against a like defect.
But, after all, the objection I am considering
has little foundation in truth ; for while they
link several stations together, and thus form a
circuit, by means of which they secure an inter-
change of ministerial gifts and labours, one or
the other is always on the spot to attend to
pastoral duties, while one only is absent at a
time in the remoter parts of the circuit. And
these circuits, what are they ? They are no-
thing more than stations in close proximity to
84 ENGLISH AND AMERICAN METHODISM.
each other, for they have some dozen of them
in the city of London.
I grant that were our preachers in the larger
cities more frequently to interchange pulpits, it
might be better for themselves and the people ;
but I never would advise a relapse into the for-
mer mode, not even in the country places, of
extended circuits ; for I believe it would be
greatly detrimental to the work of God, and I
have seen the operation and effects of both
modes, and much prefer the latter, for the rea-
sons already assigned.
In another respect I allow that our British
brethren are far in advance of us : I allude to
their financial affairs. Following the example
set them by Wesley, they hold themselves un-
der obligation to pay every claimant his and her
full demand. To enable them to do this, they
have adopted a system of finance so regular and
uniform in its operation, that every member of
their communion, the poorest not excepted, is
expected to give something, at least a penny a
week, while the more wealthy average sixpence
a week. To meet extraordinary cases, arising
from sickness or unexpected losses, and to raise
the amounts necessary to sustain their schools,
theological or other, they make special collec-
tions, and have hkewise stated subscriptions;
COMPARED. 85
and whatever amount is allowed to any preacher,
efficient, supernumerary, or superannuated, is
fully paid him ; and the same is true respecting
widows of deceased preachers, and their orphan
children. This is as it ought to be.
Instead of this being done among us, we per-
mit our superannuated preachers, our widows
and orphan children, to go with one-half, one-
third, and in many instances, with one-fourth, of
the small pittance allowed them by the Disci-
pline. This is a burning shame, and it is our
own fault. We have adopted the absurd, yea,
I might say, the dishonest principle, and have
always acted on it, that if we have the money
in hand, we will pay it, and if not, the depend-
ent claimants must go without their just de-
mands ; we make no effectual effort to make up
tbeir deficiency ; whereas we might, with the
utmost ease, were a suitable system of finance
arranged, and if every one concerned would
carry it into practical effect, collect and pay to
every claimant his and her entire allowance.
Let this allowance be considered as a just debt
which the Church owes to her servants, which
she is bound in honour and conscience to pay ;
and then let a systematical plan, — such a plan
as shall bear equally upon all, — be adopted to
raise the money ; and let the necessity of the
86 ENGLISH AND AMERICAN METHODISM.
case be explained to and enforced upon tlie peo-
ple, and this sickening complaining would soon
be silenced throughout all our borders.
But though these defects are very apparent,
in consequence of which there is much indivi-
dual suffering, yet there is a great improvement
even in this respect. There is not half the de-
ficiency now as formerly, notwithstanding the
increased allowance to the preachers and their
families. It was not until 1816 that any pro-
vision was made for fuel and table expenses.
Before and until that time the preacher was
allowed only 880 a year and his travelling ex-
penses, and his wife, if he had one, the same ;
$16 a year for each child under seven years of
age, and 824 for aU from seven to fourteen ; and
even that small pittance was seldom paid ; and
scarcely a parsonage fit for a decent family to
inhabit was found in all our borders, except per-
haps in some of our larger cities. In conse-
quence of the loose, manner of managing the
financial concerns of the Church, the poverty of
the societies, and the general impression, often
made by the injudiciousness of the preachers
themselves, that the Gospel was to be preached
literally " without money and without price," but
few of our early preachers received enough to
clothe them comfortably, and they were gene-
COMPARED. Sir
rally treated as paupers, dependent upon the
cliarity of the public.
Thank God, this state of things is somewhat
altered for the better ; and when our financial
system shall be perfected, and the truth deeply
engraven upon the hearts of all, that we are un-
der a religious obligation to redeem our pledges,
by giving to every claimant the full amount we
have solemnly promised to him and her, then
will Methodism stand erect, and challenge its
enemies to lay aught to its charge on the score
of bad faith in its temporal matters.
CHAPTER XI.
Defects iu the Church— In the primitive Church— Influence of
Methodism— Low state of religion at the time Wesley began
his ministry— This fact generally acknowledged— His qualifi-
cations for his work— Revival of the missionary work, the
effect of Methodism— Proved from the state of the several
missionary societies— In these the Methodists took the lead—
This stated as an historical fact.
I THINK I have succeeded in showing that there
has been an encouraging improvement in almost
every respect in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
I do not say that these improvements have been
as deep and extensive as they might, and there-
fore should have been. How fiir we might
have been in advance of what we now are, had
88 MISSIONARY CAUSE.
we wisely availed ourselves of every opening
door for usefulness, and exerted ourselves with
the utmost diligence in the use of those religious
appliances within our reach, who can tell ? Had
we all, preachers and people, been as entirely
devoted to God, in soul and body, in time and
substance, as we should have been ; had we
consecrated unitedly all our powers to God,
seeking and obtaining that '' perfect love,"
which we all profess to believe attainable in this
life, by which we should have been impelled
forward in the discharge of every duty, there
can be no doubt but that we should have ex-
tended our borders far more extensively than we
have done. But this is a state of perfection in
the Church hardly to be expected in this hfe,
constituted as mankind are, not only encom-
passed with numerous infirmities, exposed con-
tinually to temptations from without, and weak-
nesses from within, a hability to error from a
variety of causes, but also, imtil we are wholly
sanctified to God, exhibiting less or more of the
infection of hereditary depravity.
Indeed, such a perfection never yet was seen,
not even in the primitive Church. Even in our
Saviour's time, a traitor appeared among his
twelve apostles ; and in the apostolic Church,
after the day of Pentecost, Ananias and Sap-
THE EARLY CHURCH. 89
pliira were struck dead for lying unto the Holy
Ghost. And whoever reads over with attention
the Epistles, more particularly those of St. Paul
to the Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians, will
be convinced that there were disorders which
needed removal, acts of immorality which called
for apostolic rebuke, as well as errors in doc-
trine and practice which could be checked and
rectified only by the exercise of a strict disci-
pline. It is true the Philippian Church seemed
to be a rare example of purity, and hence it
called forth the highest eulogy from the Apos-
tle Paul, causing him to " rejoice exceedingly
for the joy of their faith," and for the fidelity
with which they had received and held fast the
doctrines and precepts of Jesus Christ. With
this happy exception, all had subjected them-
selves to rebuke ; and the five Churches of
Asia, to which the Revelator directed his in-
spired epistles, had all something to correct,
for the Lord said to them, " I have somewhat
against you."
These remarks have been made for the pur-
pose of showing that, however perfect may be
our doctrine or discipline, it can scarcely be ex-
pected, in the present state of human society,
that no " spot or wrinkle" should be found to
disfigure the face of the Church. There will,
90 MISSIONARY WORK.
in fact, always be some loiterers, some back-
sliders, and probably many formalists ; and if
St. Paul could say in his day, " All seek their
own, and not the Lord Jesus," need we be sur-
prised to find upstarts, both in the ministry and
membership, who manifest more solicitude for
their own aggrandizement than they do for the
glory of God in the salvation of souls ? But
leaving all such to find their way through the
world as they best may, let us inquire into the
influence which Methodism, with all its imper-
fections, has had on the world, and more espe-
cially on the religious world. It is now about
one hundred and ten years since the first Me-
thodist Society was formed in London, under
the direction of that eminent seiwant of God,
the Rev. John Wesley. What was the general
state of the religious world at that time ? It
will be admitted, I think, on all sides, that, with
but few exceptions, the Christian Church, so
called, whether Papist or Protestant, had gene-
rally sunk away into lukewarmness, while many
portions of it had abjured the pecuhar doctrines
of the Reformation, substituting in their place
mere forms and ceremonies, or a rational me-
thod of interpreting the Holy Scriptures, by
which they were deprived of all their energy,
and stripped of their characteristic excellence.
JOHN WESLEY. 91
namely, the grand promise of the Holy Spirit to
awaken, to regenerate, and sanctify the sinner.
In a word, the greater proportion of the Chris-
tian world had fallen asleep, as it respects spirit-
ual and Divine things, so much so that Bishop
Butler observed, " That it seems to be taken for
granted that Christianity is but a fable." Hence
the shafts of infidelity were hurled at its vitals,
and it seemed to have little left with which to
defend itself but to resort to tradition, to exter-
nal rites and ceremonies ; and these were mostly
torn to pieces by the " cunning craftiness" of
skeptical men who knew not God. In this sad
condition was the great mass of Christendom
when John Wesley arose, to stem the torrent
of infidelity and iniquity which was rolhng over
the land, and threatening to sweep oflf the httle
remains of truth and righteousness that were
still found upon the earth.
I shall not be accused of partiality, by any
competent to form a candid judgment, when I
say that no man could have been better fitted,
from erudition, strength of intellect, acuteness
of understanding, deep experimental and prac-
tical piety, for the task of reforming mankind
than was John Wesley. Nor can more substan-
tial evidence be adduced of the general corrup-
tion of morals and manners which then pervaded
92 MISSIONARY TVORK.
all ranks of society, than the opposition with
which he had to contend at the commencement
of his ministerial career. In consequence of his
preaching the doctrine of justification by ^ace,
through faith in the atoning merits of the Lord
Jesus, and urging the necessity of sanctification,
and holiness of heart and life, he was ejected
from the pulpits of the establishment, branded
as a heretic, by bishops, priests, and deacons ;
hooted at by the ignorant rabble as a disturber
of the peace, and persecuted in a variety of
ways, by dissenters as well as by members of
the established Church, all agreeing to load
him with contumely and reproach as a " pesti-
lent fellow." None of these outbreaks of de-
praved hearts did for a moment move him from
his purpose, nor produce any other emotion
than the tenderest pity for those who spake all
manner of evil of him.
See the effect which has been produced.
Not only has this .outward opposition ceased,
but almost the entire evangehcal world has
adopted, or at least revived, in a greater or less
degree, his sentiments, and the different branches
of the Church are moving heaven and earth to
caiTy them into effect. Let us see if this be not
the case.
The grand missionary cause has received an
EARLY MISSIONS. 03
impetus, since Wesley began his energetic minis-
try, to which it had been a stranger from the
days of the apostles until that time. It is true
that some missions had been undertaken by
various Protestant denominations at different
times, and in different places, but they had been
productive of but little practical result, with
the exception of the Moravian missions in the
West Indies, and among some of the North
American Indians, and the labours of Elliot and
others, whose laudable efforts were directed to
the conversion of the Indians in their more im-
mediate vicinity ; but even these latter missions
produced no lasting benefit, as scarcely any
trace of true Christianity was found among the
natives of our forests at the beginning of the
present century ; and as to the former, they had,
and have still, but a limited influence ; though
we should not forget that John Wesley himself
was indebted to a Moravian missionary for the
light he received on the doctrine of justification
by faith, and the witness and fruits of the Spirit.
But since Mr. Wesley commenced his evan-
gelical labours, setting such an example as he
did, by his astonishing efforts to diffuse the
blessings of a living Christianity among man-
kind, travelling from one end of the kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland to another, pro-
94 MISSIONARY WORK.
claiming with a loud and distinct voice, to all
classes of men, that they must " fear God, and
give glory to his name," missionary societies
have sprung into existence in almost every di-
rection, among all denominations of Christians,
and their missionaries have been sent to the
four quarters of the globe, " preaching Jesus
and the resurrection." A glance at the date
of the several missionary societies will verify the
fact above stated, that the most of these have
been commenced since Wesleyan Methodism be-
gan its leavening influence upon the community.
With the exception of the Moravian missions,
before alluded to, and one established in Lap-
land, by the king of Sweden, in 1559, and those
among the American Indians, by Elliot and
others, in 1646, and another on the coast of
Coromandel, in the East Indies, in 1705, and
one more in Greenland, in 1721, there was no
Protestant mission in existence until 1786, when
Dr. Coke was compelled, by adverse winds, to
change his course towards Nova Scotia, to which
he had intended to go, and land himself, and
the missionaries who accompanied him, in the
island of Antigua, where he established a mis-
sion.
In 1793, the Baptist Missionary Society was
organized, and sent missionaries to Bengal. In
REVIVED BY METHODISM. 95
1*796 the London Missionary Society commenced
its operations by sending missionaries to the
South-Sea Islands. In 1799 Dr. Coke opened
a mission to the native Irish. In 1800, the
New- York (Baptist) Missionary Society com-
menced a mission among the Tuscarora Indians.
In 1808, the Edinburgh Missionary Society
sent missionaries to explore the country between
the Caspian and Black Seas. In 1803, the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
established a mission among the Cherokee In-
dians. In 1809, Dr. Coke began a mission for
the benefit of the French prisoners on the Eng-
lish coast. In 1810, the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions was organ-
ized in the city of Boston. In 1813, Dr. Coke,
in company with seven missionaries, embarked
for the East Indies. In 1814, the Wesleyan
Methodist Missionary Society was formed. In
1819, the Missionary Society of the Methodist
Episcopal Church was formed. In 1816, the
New- York Protestant Episcopal Missionary So-
ciety was organized ; and the Protestant Epis-
copal Missionary Society for the United States
was established in 1823. In 1826, the Ameri-
can Home Missionary Society was organized.
From these facts it will be perceived that all
these societies were organized after, and some
,9^ MISSIONARY WORK.
of them long after, Methodism had been work-
ing in the hearts, and exemphfying its principles
in the lives of mankind, and that Dr. Coke, a
disciple of Wesley, took the lead in this God-
like enterprise, by establishing a mission for the
salvation of the slave population of Antigua.
It is, therefore, as evident as the shining of the
sun at noonday, that Wesleyan Methodism has
exerted an influence of a highly beneficial cha-
racter upon other denominations, in, first, excit-
ing a spirit of experimental piety, and, secondly,
in leading them forth in the grand work of con-
verting the world to Christianity, by means of
missionaiy labours.
This is not said by way of vain boasting.
" God forbid that we should glory save in the
cross of the Lord Jesus Christ." It is recorded
as an historical fact, now very generally acknow-
ledged by all impartial, candid Christians, and
hence it would be false modesty to attempt its
concealment. That other denominations have
felt more or less the genial influence of Method-
ism, and have thereby been re^^ved in evan-
gelical principles and experience, is a fact which
I delight to record, not merely because I be-
long to the Methodist Episcopal Church, but
chiefly because it demonstrates a diftusive spread
of evangehcal light and love, and is an encourag-
REVIVED BY METHODISM. 97
ing omen of the near approach of that day when
all nations shall acknowledge Jesus Christ as
the King of saints, and the " knowledge of the
Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters do the
great deep." And I would say of them all,
** Would to God they were all prophets," that
is, that they were all " holy in all manner of
conversation and godliness ;" for those who are
so will labour together for the faith of ihe. gospel,
for the furtherance of the cause of Christ, irre-
spective of sects and parties, knowing that in
this holy family there is but "one Lord, one
faith, and one baptism."
By what means Methodism has produced this
salutary effect, will be more fully stated here-
after, should God permit me to pursue my train
of thoughts to its close. In the mean time,
allow me here to remark, to prevent misunder-
standing upon this subject, that it was not by
the invention of any new doctrine that Wesley
effected the reformation which accompanied his
and the labours of his coadjutors and successors
in the ministry, but it was by reviving and bring-
ing out prominently, explicitly, and definitely,
before the people, truths which lay hidden in
their articles of faith, and were found scattered
in their formularies of devotion, and so present-
in o- them to the understandings, and pressing
7
98 MISSIONARY WORK,
their solemn weight upon the consciences of all
who were within the sound of his and their
voice, that their high importance miglit be duly
appreciated, and their experimental and practi-
cal bearing felt in the heart, and exemplified in
the life. These great truths of God had long
been laid aside by the generality of Christians,
and so entirely forgotten, that but few seemed
aware that they had ever been taught. These
truths Wesley resuscitated, dragged them from
the tomb, clothed them in a new garb, and pre-
sented them to the people in so living and lovely
a fonn, that while the wicked at first hated and
persecuted them, and him that proclaimed them,
those who became "wise in heart" discerned
their beauty, appreciated their excellence, be-
lieved and embraced them with their whole
hearts, and thus became, in their turn, witnesses
of their saving power. In this way the work
spread, and in this way it is still spreading, and
I most ardently pray that it may continue to
spread, until " all shall know the Lord, from the
least to the greatest."
THE TRACT CAUSE. 99
CHAPTER XII.
Tract cause — Mr. Wesley took the lead in this — Reformed the
literature of the age — His object in writing, to do good — Title
of some of his tracts — Distributed one at the church door in
London — Commences his printing establishment — His example
followed by others — Hannah More — Tract societies organized
in England and the United States— An example of the good
effects of a tract.
It is not alone in the missionary department
that the influence of Methodism has been felt.
In the various benevolent institutions of the
day, which are now blessing mankind with their
hallowing effects, the Methodists have not only
taken a prominent part, but in many of them
they have taken the lead. The first of these
which I shall mention is the Tract cause,
chiefly because it is well calculated to scatter
religious knowledge in the cheapest and most
expeditious form, among the great mass of the
community.
Mr. Wesley was the first in modern times to
avail himself of this method of diff'using reli-
gious truth, and that too in the most pointed
manner; aiming his rebukes and instructions
directly to the conscience of the sinner, by
means of short, pithy tracts. I say the first
among modern writers ; for though Wiclif
100 THE TRACT CAUSE.
published and circulated small tracts for the in-
struction of the common people, and Luther
issued his German translation of the Bible in
small fragments at a time, and hkewise sent out
some doctiinal theses in short pieces by them-
selves, they had long ceased to circulate : and
most of the book-knowledge -was either locked
up in the cabinets of princes, or confined in
private or public libraries, and found chiefly in
large tomes too bulky for an ordinary man to
read, and much of even this was hidden from
the common people in the learned languages.
This was the general state of the literature of
the world when Wesley commenced the publi-
cation of small books, written in the plainest
possible style, compressing much matter into
few words; abridging large fohos by leaving
out all superfluous words, and erroneous or un-
profitable matter, as well as composing sermons
and small tracts of his own, so as to bring them
within the reach of the greatest number of
people. In this way he became not only a re-
former of the hearts and lives of the people, but
also of the Hterature of the age, and introduced
a method of circulating small tracts upon a
variety of religious and literary subjects before
unknown to the community. Hear his reason
for this. Under date of March 17, 1769, after
STARTED BY JOHN WESLEY. 101
giving an account of an abridgment he had been
making of Dr. Watts' pretty Treatise on the
Passions, he says, ** Why do persons who treat
the same subjects with me, write so much larger
books ? Of many reasons, is not this the chief —
We do not write with the same view ! Then'
principal end is to get money : my only one to
do good." This indeed was the only object of
not only his writing, but of all he did ; for not-
withstanding he had the fairest opportunity
imaginable of accumulating riches, he died not
worth £10 sterling, independent of his books,
after his debts were paid ; not one five-hun-
dredth part of what Southey is said to have
made for writing the Life of Wesley, in which
he branded that holy man of God with the base
motive of unholy ambition in all his movements,
and in the compilation of which he proved his
utter incompetency to estimate the worth of the
character, to understand the principles, or to
appreciate the motives of the man of whom he
wrote.
But I was about proving that Wesley was
the first in modern times to write small tracts,
and circulate them gratuitously among the peo-
ple. His tracts entitled, ** A Word to a Sab-
bath-Breaker," "A Word to a Swearer," "A
Word to a Drunkard/' *'A Word to an Un-
102 TRACT CAUSE.
happy Woman," '^A Word to a Smuggler,"
with others of a hke character, admirably suited
to the times, were written about the year IT 6 7,
nearly sixty years before any tract society was
organized in the United States. And whoever
will take the trouble of reading those tracts —
and they may be seen in the seventh volume of
his works, pp. 355-377 — will be convinced that
more pointed. Scriptural, experimental, and
practical tracts cannot be found in the English
language ; all expressed in language plain, pithy,
and home to the point, and admirably calculated
to awaken the sinner's conscience, and to lead
him to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.-
Amonsj othei-s, there is one entitled, " A Word
to a Protestant," which I would take the liberty
of recommending to those who are blustering
about the Roman Catholics, and they will learn
how to treat them so as to convert them to the
knowledge of the tmth, instead of spending
their time and strength in denoimcing the curse
of God upon them indiscriminately. " The
wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of
God."
I said above,, that the tracts mentioned were
written about the year 1767, though most of
them are without date ; but it appears from his
Journal that he commenced this work at a much
JOHN WESLEY. 103
earlier time ; for I find, under date of Wednes-
day, December 18, 1745, twenty-two years
anterior to the time above mentioned, the fol-
lowing entry : —
" We had, within a short time, given away some thou-
sands of little tracts among the common people. And
it pleased God hereby to provoke others to jealousy.
Insomuch that the lord mayor had ordered a large num-
ber of papers, dissuading from cursing and swearing, to
be printed and distributed to the trainbands. And this
day ' An Earnest Exhortation to Serious Repentance '
was given at every church door, in or near London, to
every person that came out ; and one left at the house
of every householder who was absent from church. I
doubt not but God gave a blessing therewith. — Works,
vol. iii, p. 361.
Mr. Wesley, perceiving the immense benefit
resulting from scattering among the people re-
ligious tracts, and other books on a variety of
subjects, in the cheapest possible form, was led
to establish a printing-press of his own, that he
might control it in the manner he saw best.
Here his books were printed under his own di-
rection, freed from those restraints and inter-
ruptions with which he had often been per-
plexed by the carelessness of those who had
heretofore printed his works. And what a
mighty revolution has this example effected in
the religious world ! Not only have the Wes-
104 TRACT CAUSE.
leyan Methodists in England, and the American
Methodists, book estabhshments, but the Pres-
byterians, the Protestant Episcopahans, and the
American Tract Society, have publication offices,
at which are printed a vast variety of tracts,
Sunday-school books, and other publications ;
each denomination selectins: and issuing such as
may please it best, or which it may judge most
suitable to answer its object.
In tliis good work also, as well as in the pre-
paration of small tracts, Wesleyan Methodism
took the lead, setting an example for using this
mighty lever, the printing-press, for diffusing
religious knowledge throughout the world.
But to pursue the history of the tract cause.
We have already seen that Mr. Wesley began
in this work as early as 1745; and the next
author of any emmence who adopted this method
of instructing the ignorant and reforming the
vicious, was the pious and celebrated Hannah
More. Seeing the progress of infidelity among
the lower class of society, her spirit was stirred
within her to adopt some suitable means to
check its pernicious influence. Hence she was
led to write small tracts, and put them in circu-
lation for the special benefit of those whose time
and means would not allow them to purchase
and read lai-ger works. These, and other ex-
RESULTS. 105
amples, led to the establishment of the Religious
Tract Society in England, and various Tract So-
cieties in the United States, and finally the
American Tract Society in the city of New-
York, in 1825, just eighty years after Mr. Wes-
ley gives an account of distributing the tract
entitled "An Earnest Exhortation to Repent-
ance," at the doors of the churches in London.
Long before this or any other similar society was
formed, Bishop Asbury was in the habit of
distributing small tracts, some of which he got
printed at his own expense, among the people
he visited, as well as circulating Bibles and Tes-
taments for years anterior to the organization of
the American Bible Society. Other benevolent
individuals, of various denominations, did the
same.
While employed as a missionary on the River
Thames, in Upper Canada, to which place I had
volunteered my services in 1804, not having
any printed tracts, I wrote several very short
ones, in as plain a hand as I could, entitled,
" A Word to the Swearer," " A Word to the
Drunkard," &c., that I might, as I was fre-
quently under the necessity of lodging in taverns,
surrounded with such characters, slip them into
their pockets, that they might perchance after-
wards find and read them.
106' TRACT CAUSE.
One instance I remember perfectly well hap-
pened at a tavern, where was a large company
of Scotch immigrants, who were returning from
a settlement which had been formed by Lord
Selkirk, which proved so imhealthy that many
of them had died, and the remainder, the present
company, were fleeing for safety. They were
verj' noisy, some half dnmk ; and one of their
number accosted me, supposing I was a clergy-
man, in a very incoherent manner, on the subject
of religion. I put into his pocket, as secretly
as I could, one of my written tracts, " A Word
to the Drunkard." Some one, however, saw
me do it, and informed the other of what I had
done. He read it, and then another read it,
and then another, and so it passed around.
They all became silent, and apparently solemn.
I then arose and gave them an exhortation, read
them a chapter from my pocket-Bible, and
prayed with them. We had no more noise nor
drinking; and I parted with them the next
morning with their good-will, and many good
wishes. How thankful should I have been,
could I have furnished myself with a few short
printed tracts, such as those written by Mr.
W^esley, before described ! But those were
days of small things in comparison of these in
which we hve ; days in which tens of thousands
METHODISM. 107
of these little silent mentors are sent out in every
direction, " flying," like the angel in the Apoca-
lypse, " in the midst of heaven, having the
everlasting Gospel to preach to them that dwell
on the earth," and proclaiming it in almost every
tongue under heaven.
Such is the influence of Methodism on the
method of writing and printing tracts, and other
good books. I rejoice exceedingly that others
have taken knowledge of us, or rather of John
Wesley, in this respect, and are combining their
influence in bringing the press to bear, with all
its ponderous weight, upon the spiritual and
eternal interests of men. May they not cease
to apply themselves to this work, until *' the
ends of the earth shall see the salvation of
God."
108 SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
CHAPTER XIII.
Sunday-schools— Originated with Raikes— Wesley among the
first to patronize them — Teachers labour gratuitously — Wes-
ley's account of them— Origin in Wales by the labours of Mr.
Charles— These gave rise to the Bible Societies— First taught
by Methodists in America— The glory of the good work due to
God.
We have seen that Methodism has taken the
lead in modern missionary enterprises, and in
furnishing the community with small cheap
publications, and particularly with tracts, suited
to the times, and adapted to the capacities and
wants of the common people. This led to fur-
ther and more beneficial results in the Sunday-
school enterprise. For though this movement
was begun by Raikes, who was, I believe, a
member of the Established Church — and to
whatever church he might have belonged, he
was an ornament to the Church of Christ, and a
philanthropist of the purest sort — in the city of
Gloucester, in 1782, yet John Wesley was
among the first to patronize Sunday-schools,
and recommend them to his people. In his
Magazine for January, 1*785, only about three
years after Raikes began his Sunday-school in
Gloucester, Mr. Wesley published an account of
them, and exhorted his societies to imitate the
WESLEY PATRONIZES THEM. 109
example set them by Mr. Raikes ; and they
took his advice, nay, they went far beyond him
in the philanthropic character of the schools;
for the teachers engaged in that service be-
stowed their labours gratuitously, whereas the
teachers who were engaged by Raikes were
paid for their services, he agreeing to give them
a shilling sterling a day for teaching a Sabbath-
school. We claim, therefore, for Wesley, the
merit of introducing gratuitous instruction in
Sabbath-schools, and thereby, in conjunction
with the Christian instruction which was im-
parted, of giving them a decided and thorough
religious character. In the same year, 1785, a
Methodist Sabbath-school was formed at Bolton
le Moor, and, under date of April 16, 11 86, Mr.
Wesley says, "The house was crowded the
more, because of 550 children who are taught
in our Sunday-schools : such an army of them
got about me when I came out of the chapel,
that I could scarcely disengage myself from
them." And so rapidly did they multiply in his
societies, that they were soon found in almost
every part of the kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, and they were constantly taught without
fee or reward.
Mr. Wesley's delight in beholding the pros-
perity of the Sunday-schools, must have been
110 SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
exquisite. Speaking of his visit to Bolton, un-
der date of April 19, 1788, he says, —
" And this 1 mnst avow, there is not such a set of
singers in any of the Methodist congregations iu the
three kingdoms. There cannot be, for we have nearly
a hundred such trebles, boys and girls, selected from the
Sunday-schools, and accurately taught, as are not found
together in any chapel, cathedral, or music-room within
the four seas. Besides, the spirit with which they all
sing, and the beauty of many of them, so suits the melody,
that I defy any to exceed it, except the singing of angels
iu our heavenly Father's house."
On the 20th of the same month he remarks : —
"About three, I met between 900 and 1000 of the
children belonging to our Sunday-schools. I never saw
such a sight before. They were all neatly clean, as well
as plain in their apparel. All were serious and well-
behaved. "WTien they all sung together, and none of
them out of tune, the melody was beyond that of any
theatre ; and, what is best of all, many of them truly
fear God, and some rejoice in his salvation. These are
a pattern to all the to\\Ti. Their usual diversion is to
visit the poor that are sick, sometimes six or eight, or
ten together, to exhort, comfort, and pray with them.
Frequently ten or more get together to sing and pray
for themselves, sometimes thirty or forty, and are so
earnestly engaged, alternately singing, praying, and
crying, that they know not how to part. You children
that hear this, why should you not go and do likewise ?
Is not God liere as well as at Bolton ? Let God arise
and maintain his own cause, even out of the mouths of
babes and sucklings.''
CROwrnERS account. Ill
Surely they must have applied themselves
with a rare diligence to bring* these schools to
such a degree of perfection within six years after
their commencement by the philanthropic Raikes.
And it shows with what hearty zeal, as well as
wisdom, the Methodists entered into this benevo-
lent work, under the sanction, and at the re-
commendation, of their founder. And the holy
enthusiasm with which Wesley speaks of those
Sunday-school children, evinces the ardour with
which he beheld this new development of Di-
vine Providence in providing means for the in-
struction and salvation of the rising generation.
Under date of Madeley, March 24, 1790, in
a letter to a friend, he says, —
" I am glad you have set up Sunday-schools at New-
castle. This is one of the best institutions which have
been seen in Europe for some centuries, and will do
more and more good, provided the teachers and in-
spectors do their duty. Nothing can prevent the success
of this blessed work, but the neglect of the instruments ;
therefore, be sure to watch them with all care, that they
may not grow weary in well-doing."
Mr. Crowther, in his portraiture of Method-
ism, states, ** that since the establishment of
Sunday-schools, the Methodists have done more
to support them than all other denominations in
Enorland." Mr. Charles, a Calvinistic Methodist
112 SU>T) AT- SCHOOLS.
preacher, was either the first, or among the first,
that introduced these schools into Wales. To
him is ascribed the honour of originating that
philanthropic institution, *' The British and Fo-
reign Bible Society," which has been significantly
called " the bloominof daufditer of Sabbath-
schools," because the want of the Holy Scrip-
tures in the Sunday-schools in Wales, as com-
municated by Mr. Charles, led to the formation
of that noble institution, and this finally led to
the establishment of the American Bible Society,
in 1826. It appears, therefore, that the gigantic
efforts that have been put, and are now putting
forth in the Bible cause, may be distinctly traced
to the influence of Methodism. Thus has this
" plant of renown," despised and persecuted at
first, and for a considerable time after it began
its growth, spread out its branches in different
directions, sheltering many of the weary sons
and daughters of man.
And it should not be forgotten, that while it
is stated that the Simday-School Society in Eng-
land, during the first fifteen years of its exist-
ence — that is, from 1785 to 1800 — expended
£5,000 sterling in paying the wages of teachers,
the Methodist teachers refused all compensation
for their services, as is well known to all who
are acquainted with the subject, thus showing
THEIR ORIGIN IN AMERICA. llo
the charitable spirit by which they have been,
and are, actuated ; and such has been the influ-
ence of their example in this respect, that all
others have copied it, none receiving, so far as is
known to the writer, any pecuniary reward for
their services.
But, notwithstanding the above facts are
notorious in regard to Sabbath- schools in the
Old World, it had been asserted that their com-
mencement in America was owing to the labours
of Bishop White and Dr. Rush, and some per-
sons connected with the society of Friends in
Philadelphia ; and it had been announced as an
indisputable fact, that the school established by
Mrs. Bethune, in 1815, was *' the first Sunday-
school in the New Worlds These announce-
ments were generally considered as authentic,
until the formation of the Sunday-School Union
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in April 2d,
1827, which, on account of the clamour that
was made concerning this event, led the mana-
gers to investigate the subject, when the fol-
lowing facts were elicited, which were laid
before the public in the first Annual Report in
1828:—
" We shall not now present the many facts in our
possession, which go to defeat the pretensions thus made
to the claim of priority in this country, but shall content
8
114 SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
ourselves for the present with recording, that in the
year 1786, a Sabbath-school was taught in the house of
our aged brother, Thomas Crenshaw, now living in
Hanover count}', Va. ; and in the following year, forty-
one years ago, the Rev. John Charleston was converted
to God in that school, and he also still lives, having
laboured with zeal and success for thirty-nine years past
as a minister in our Church. About the same time
there were many more in successful operation, as may
be seen by a reference to Bishop Asbury's Journal,
vol. ii, p. 65, and Lee's History of Methodism, pp. 162-3.
And from these facts, we apprehend, it will not be denied
that these schools were established several years before
any other denomination participated in our labours, or
shared our reproach. For about this time there were
persecutions instituted against the brethren engaged in
these schools, which might damp the ardom* of most of
our modern teachers. By a letter lately received from
the Rev. Stith Mead, an old veteran of the cross, now
labom-ing within the bounds of the Virginia Conference,
we learn that not long after, the Rev. George Daugha-
day, stationed preacher at Charleston, S. C, was severely
beaten on the head with a club, and subsequently had
water pumped on him from a public cistern, for tlie
crime of conducting 'a Sabbath-school for the benefit of
the African children of tliat vicinit}^ Thus he and others
'both laboured and suffered reproach,' and we live to
reap the fruit of their doings.
"From these statements, which we regret have not
been published before, of what our fathers and brethren
have done in this good cause, all will agree that at this
late date something ought to be expected of us, as the
descendants of such progenitors. And we rejoice that
the formation of the Sunday- School Union of tlie Me-
MR. RAIKES. 115
thodist Episcopal Church has given an impulse to these
institutions, which, we trust, under the blessing of Hea-
ven, will be seen and felt, wuth continual augmentation,
to the latest posterity. And it is with mingled emotions
of pleasure and gratitude, that the Board now invite the
attention of the friends and patrons of our infant insti-
tution to the interesting details of this their first Annual
Report."
Though Mr. Raikes commenced his Sunday-
school for the exclusive benefit of those idle and
profligate children whom he found playing in
the streets on the Lord's day, in the town of
Gloucester, and, perhaps, at first, designed
nothing more than to teach them the elementary
piinciples of the English language, yet to what
important results has that simple circumstance
led ! Now the Holy Scriptures are read and
explained, and children of all classes, those
regularly taught in the common schools of the
country, and those otherwise instructed in the
principles of rehgion, are gathered into Sunday-
schools, and placed under the tuition of teachers
who *' fear God and work righteousness." Nor
is the practice confined to one denomination of
Christians, but happily extends among all, not
excepting even the Roman Catholics.
Now, although Raikes was not a Methodist,
yet Methodism had been at work for nearly half
a century before he commenced his public
116 SUXDAY-SCHOOLS.
career of a patron of Sunday-schools. And how
far he was indebted to the indirect influence of
Methodism, for it peiTaded all the ranks of
evangelism more or less, who can tell ? At any
rate, as we have seen above, no sooner was the
experiment made, than Wesley availed himself
of this auxiliary means to do good to the souls
and bodies of men, hailing it with the most ex-
quisite delight, and enlisting all his societies in
this work of benevolence to the rising genera-
tion. And if we have reason to bless God for
the existence and powerful operation of the
British and Foreign, and the American and
other Bible Societies, then have we abundant
cause to praise Him for raising up Methodism,
for it was througjh this influence that these ojod-
like institutions were organized.
These things are not said for the purpose of
assuming a glory which belongs exclusively to
God. Were we to do this, we might anticipate
His frown instead of His smile. " The good
that is done upon the earth, He doeth it." But
while historical accuracy requires the facts to be
stated as they were, a just sense of our depen-
dence on the grace of God in Christ Jesus, con-
strains us to ascribe to Him, and to Him alone,
the honour and glory of *' every good and per-
fect gift." It was God that raised up Wesley,
GOD'S WORK. 117
and made him instrumental of so much good to
the Churches. It was God that raised him up
such efficient helpers in the field of labour, and
thrust them out to convert " sinners from the
errors of their ways." It was God that directed
the immortal Raikes to devise ways and means
to rescue those forlorn children, who were pro-
faning the holy Sabbath, from their thraldom,
and gather them into Sabbath-schools. It was
the same almighty Spirit who inspired his ser-
vants to seize hold of this moral lever, that they
might raise the degraded sons of men from their
** low estate," and exalt them among the " princes
of the people." And He, by the same influ-
ence, has raised his willing people, of every
name and denomination, to take hold of this in-
strument, and wield it manfully, in the tnie
spirit of Christian charity, for the destruction
of error and vice, and for the establishment of
truth and righteousness in the world.
May "many" continue "to nm to and fro,
until the knowledge" of God's salvation shall
" extend from sea to sea, and from the rivers to
the ends of the earth."
118 TEMPERANCE.
CHAPTER XIY.
The temperance reformation— Mr. Wesley takes the lead in this
—Extract from his sermon— From his tract— General rule on
that subject incorporated in an altered form at the organiza-
tion of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784— The Church
vacillates on this subject— IntemperaJice gaining upon us—
The voice of Hewitt awakens us— Restoration of Wesley's
Rule— Importance of the cause.
Among the many means which have been used
in modern times for the good of mankind, we
may include the Temperance Reformation as
one of the most efficient. The evils of intem-
perance are so numerous ; in many instances so
appalling, so comphcated in their character, so
direfully destructive to present peace and pros-
perity, and to future hopes and happiness, that
it seems needless to enumerate them ; there is,
indeed, no one vice that has been productive of
so great an amount of misery, temporal and
eternal, as di-unkenness. How many wealthy
famihes have been reduced to poverty; how
many vrives have been made widows ; how many
children have been left orphans; how many
crimes have been perpetrated, in consequence
of inebriety, what pen can write, or what
arithmetic can calculate, or what mind can even
conceive ?
To check an evil of such magnitude, what
INTEMPERANCE. 119
miglity efforts have been put forth within the
last half century ! And yet how many there
are who remain under the power of this tyrant !
But among all the writers or speakers against
drunkenness, and in favour of temperance, none
has wielded a more powerful pen, or spoken
with a more distinct and loud voice, than did
John Wesley. And he spoke and wrote long
before the present temperance reformation com-
menced its onward march. Even as early as
1743, the rule was inserted in the "General
Rules of the United Societies," forbidding " Drun-
kenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors, or
drinking them, unless in cases of extreme neces-
sity." In this rule, not only the drinking of
spirituous liquors, but all trafficking in them, the '
huying or selling them, is absolutely prohibited,
unless in cases of extreme necessity ; by which
we are to understand the using them only as a
medicine. Here, then, was the germ of a strictly
temperance society, and all the societies founded
by Mr. Wesley recognized this as one of their
binding mles. Mr. Wesley, therefore, in this,
as well as in many other respects, lived a hun-
dred years in advance of his age, as he actually
anticipated the era of the temperance reforma-
tion for nearly that length of time. Let us see
liow he attempted to enforce the rule upon the
120 TEMPERANCE.
consciences of mankind, by his preaching and
writings. Among all the warnings to the ine-
briate, or exhortations to induce him to forsake
hh cups, and " flee for refuge to lay hold on
the hope set before him," there is none to be
found so pointed, and, I might add, so tremen-
dously eloquent, because expressed in the sim-
plest language of truth, addressed directly to
the understanding and conscience, as the follow-
ing, taken from his sermon on *' The Use of
Money." He says, among other things by
which a man may acquire riches unlawfully : —
" Neither may we gain by hurting our neighbour in
his body. Therefore we may not sell anything which
tends to impair health. Such is, eminently, all that
liquid fire, commonly called drams, or spirituous liquors.
It is ti-ue, these may have a place in medicine ; they
may be of use in some bodily disorders ; although there
would rarely be occasion for them, were it not for the
imskilfulness of the practitioner. Therefore such as
prepare and sell them only for this end, may keep their
conscience cleai'. But who are they who prepare them
only for this end 1 Do you know ten such distillers in
England ? Then excuse these. But all who sell them
in the common way, to any that will buy, are poisoners
general. They murder his Majesty's subjects by whole-
sale, neither does their eye pity or spare. They drive
them to hell like sheep : and what is their gain ? Is it
not the blood of these men ? TVTio then would envy
their large estates and sumptuous palaces ? A curse is
in tlic midst of them : the curse of God cleaves to the
WESLEY'S WORDS. 121
Stones, the timber, the furniture of them ! The curse
of God is in tlieir gardens, their walks, their groves ; a
fire that bm-ns to the nethermost hell ! Blood, blood is
there ; the foundation, the floor, the walls, the roof, are
stained with blood ! And canst thou hope, O thou man
of blood, though thou art ' clothed in scarlet and fine
linen, and fnrest sumptuously every day;' canst thou
hope to deliver doTvn thj Jields of blood to the third
generation 1 ISTot so ; for there is a God in heaven :
therefore, thy name shall soon be rooted out. Like as
those whom thou hast destroyed, body and soul, ' thy
memorial shall perish with thee !' " — Works, vol. i, p. 443.
One can hardly read these words without a
shudder ! Such awful curses denounced upon
these "murderers general," these "men of
blood," are enough to make the flesh quiver,
and to beget a " fearful looking for of fiery indig-'
nation, which shall devour the adversaries."
Nor are the following remarks less pointed
and solemn : —
" Are you a man ? God made you a man ; but you
make yourself a beast. AVherein does a man differ from
a beast ? Is it not chiefly in reason and understanding 1
But you throw away what reason you have. You strip
yourself of your understanding. You do all you can to
make yourself a mere beast ; not a fool, not a madman
only, but a swine, a poor filthy swine. Go and wallow
with them in tbe mire ! Go drink on, till thy nakedness
be uncovered, and shameful spewing be on tby glory !
" how honourable is a beast of God's making, com-
pared to one who makes liimself a beast ! But that
122 TEMPERANCE.
is not all. You make yourself a devil. You stir up all
the devilish tempers that are in you, and gain others,
whicli perhaps were not in you ; at least you heighten
and increase them. You cause the fire of anger, or
malice, or lust, to bum seven times hotter than before.
At the same time you grieve the Spirit of God, till you
drive him quite away fi'om you ; and whatever spark of
good remained in your soul, you drown and quench at
once.
" So you are now just fit for every work of the devil,
lia\ang cast off all that is good or virtuous, and filled
your heart with everything that is bad, that is earthly,
sensual, devilish. You have forced the Spirit of God to
depart from you ; for you would take none of his re-
proof; and you have given yourself up into the hands
of the devil, to be led blindfold by him at his will.
" Now what should hinder the same thing from be-
falling you, which befell him who was asked, which was
the greater sin, adultery, drunkenness, or murder ; and
which of the three he had rather commit? He said
drunkeimess was the least. Soon after, he got drunk ;
he then met with another man's wife, and ravished her ;
the husband coming to help hex-, he murdered him. So
drunkenness, adultery, and murder went together.
" I have heard a story of a poor wild Indian, far wiser
than either him or you. The English gave him a cask of
strong liquor. The next morning he called his friends
together, and setting it into the midst of them, said,
These white men have given us poison. This man,'
(calling him by his name^ 'was a wise man, and would
hurt none but his enemies ; but as soon as he had drunk
of this he was mad, and would have killed his own bro-
ther. We will not be poisoned.' He then broke the
cask, and poured the liquor upon the sand.
GENERAL RULES. 123
" On what motive do you thus poison yourself? only
for the pleasure of doing it ? What ! will you make
yourself a beast, or rather a devil 1 Will you run the
hazard of committing all manner of villanies ; and this
only for the poor pleasm-e of a few moments, Avhile the
poison is running down your throat? 0, never call
yourself a Christian ! Never call yourself a man ! You
are sunk beneath the greater part of the beasts that
perish."
The above extracts are a part of a tract, en-
titled, '* A Word to the Drunkard," which was
extensively circulated, and, I doubt not, was in-
strumental of rescuing many of that imhappy
class of men.
I have already quoted the item in the Gene-
ral Rules, which prohibits buying, selling, or
drinking spirituous liquors, unless in cases of
extreme necessity. At the organization of the
Church, in 1*784, in this country, the same rule
was adopted, with the exception of the words,
" unless in cases of extreme necessity," which
were omitted, so that the rule was more strin-
gent than as it came from the hands of Mr.
Wesley. And I believe the Methodist preach-
ers of that day, and the people also, acted up
to the requirements of the rule ; for they have
been made the " song of the drunkard " often
for refusing to partake of the poisonous liquid
when offered them, in the early days of their
124 TEMPERANCE.
ministry. After a while, however, they began
to relax, and the rule itself was altered in 1790,
by inserting the words, '' unless in cases of ne-
cessity," and omitting the words, " buying or
selling;" thus absurdly screening the seller and
buyer, while it condemned the drinker ! Thus
the rule stood until the General Conference of
1848, when Mr. "Wesley's original rule was re-
stored to the Discipline, so that the Methodist
Episcopal Church may now be considered a
strict temperance society, prohibiting its mem-
bers all use of spirituous liquors, except in cases
of extreme necessity ; by which I understand,
that they are to be used only medicinally ; in
which way, like other drugs, they may some-
times be of service.
I have given the above facts for the purpose
of showing, not only that Mr. Wesley and his
compeers took the lead in the cause of tempe-
rance ; but also to exhibit the manner in which
the Methodists, in this coimtry, vacillated from
one extreme to another, imtil finally they have
settled down upon the true pnnciple ; namely,
a total abstinence from all intoxicating liquoi-s,
unless used as a medicine. It is, indeed, a fact,
which I am almost ashamed to confess, that at
the time the temperance reformation commenced,
by the organization of the American Temperance
THE RULE A DEAD LETTER. 125
Society, notwithstanding our rule against the use
of spirituous Hquors, many of us, both preachers
and people, were in the habit of drinking, if not
to excess, yet drinking moderately, cider, beer,
wine, and brandy ; and the probability is, that
had not the temperance measures been adopted,
they would soon have been carried away by the
flood of intemperance. The rule had become
almost a dead letter, and the Church had fallen
asleep upon this subject, so that the evil was
creeping in, as it were imperceptibly, when the
voice of warning was heard, deep and loud,
sounding in our midst; this broke the dead
slumber, and caused us to look around, to search
our " Jerusalem, as with a lighted candle," and
soon the " abomination which maketh desolate' '
was found lurking in the secret places of the
sanctuary. From that time to this, we have
been striving to banish the evil from the pre-
cincts of the Church ; and it is confidently be-
lieved that the restoration of Mr. Wesley's ori-
ginal rule, and the steady eftbrts of God's min-
isters and people, will finally gain a complete
triumph over alcohohc drinks ; and, in conjunction
with all others who are engaged in this noble
cause, be instrumental in establishing the strict
principles of temperance in every part of our
land.
126 TEMPERANCE.
It will be perceived by the attentive reader,
that there has been a mighty improvement since
1826, when the temperance reformation began
its movements, even in the Methodist Episcopal
Chm-ch. And herein I am glad to acknowledge
our indebtedness to a Congregational minister,
the Rev. Mr. Hewitt, whose name ought to be
enrolled among the benefactors of mankind, for
reviving the principles and practice of tem-
perance, and thus beginning the work which
has eventuated in so much good to the souls
and bodies of men; and for urging upon the
churches the indispensable duty of setting an
example to the world, of a strict adherence to
the principles and duties of temperance ; while
he and his friends must acknowledge that Mr.
Wesley first broached the fact, that drimken-
ness was destroying its thousands ; and that
there was no other effectual way to save them
from perdition, than by inducing them to break
off from their sins by tm-ning to God ; by re-
pentance, and faith in Jesus Christ ; by which
a thorough reformation would be effected — so
thorough that the drunkard would become a
sober, self-denying Christian.
We will acknowledge that th^se warnings of
the founder of our Chm-ch had become indis-
tinctly heard by many among us at the time
1
ITS IMPOKTANCE. 127
Mr. Hewitt began to lift up bis voice in favour
of temperance. But by whatever instrumen-
tality the reformation has been effected, we re-
joice in beholding this manifest improvement,
not only among ourselves, but also among all
denominations of Christians ; and I should deeply
lament any relapse into the former practice of
moderate drinking; much more, should the
same " excess of riot " be revived, either in the
high or low places of our nation. And here I
wish to record my solemn conviction, that the
temperance reformation is to be ranked among
the most important, because among the most
useful, the most highly beneficial, and the most
intimately connected with the present peace and
prosperity of mankind, and with their future
hopes and felicity, of any other cause whatever.
CHAPTER XV.
An apology — God the Fountain of all good — His servants to be
esteemed — Disputes among Christians a hindrance to the
Gospel— Evangelical Alliance— Mr. Wesley proposed its prin-
ciples eighty-six years since— Extracts from his letter to the
clergy on this subject— Produced no immediate effect.
I HAVE some fears that I shall fatigue the reader
by extending these chapters to an undue length ;
but I must beg his patience. As the naturalist
128 GOD'S INSTRUMENTS.
delights to trace a stream to its source, and the
philosopher an effect to its cause, so does the
Christian delight to trace the various philanthro-
pic movements of the present day to their be-
ginnings. In doing this I have no pride of sect
to gratify — no human vanity to feed or inflame
- — nor yet any selfish ends to accomphsh.
*' The good that is done upon the earth, God
doeth it." " Not by might, nor by power, but
by my Spirit, saith the Lord."
But though God is the Fountain whence pro-
ceed all the streams of wisdom, truth, and good-
ness, with which the children of men are re-
freshed, yet the instruments He has seen fit to
raise up, qualify, and send forth into his vine-
yard, are to be honoured by his Church ac-
cording to their worth, and we are commanded
to " esteem them very highly in love for their
works' sake," and to have them " in everlasting
remembrance." Some, indeed, while they pro-
fess a high regard for the honour and glory of
God, endeavour to cover his most faithful ser-
vants with reproach, as though they reflected
the glory of God by falsifying tlie character of
his servants. Let such remember, that in load-
ing his servants with reproach, they indirectly
aim a blow at the Godhead, whose perfections
are shadowed forth in his most faithful servants.
CHRISTIAN PROFESSORS. 129
«
These are indeed the visible representatives of
Jesus Christ, and therefore if we hate and per-
secute them, we thereby show oiu- hatred to
Him whose image they reflect.
One of the greatest hindrances to the spread
of pure and undefiled religion, has been the ani-
mosity manifested by the professed followers of
the Lord Jesus towards one another. Though
this has not been more apparent among pro-
fessed Christians, with the exception of those
persecutions which have been fomented at differ-
ent times by the Roman Catholics towards the
Protestants, and by some Protestants towards
other Protestants, than it has among the sects
of philosophers, yet it has ever been seized upon
by the enemies of Christianity as an infalhble
mark of the insincerity, or at least of the incon-
sistency of professed Christians ; for these say,
and say very justly, that while Christians pro-
fess a religion which breathes naught but love
and good-will to men, they exhibit all the ran-
cour of demons, slander and persecute each
other in a variety of ways, and thereby give
evidence that they are destitute of that very re-
ligion which they profess to believe in, venerate,
and enjoy. Now it must be confessed that
there is too much ground for this objection.
Though it be true that the real disciple of Jesus
9
130 ^ CHRISTIAN UNION.
Christ, in eveiy age of the Church, has fur-
nished irrefutable evidence that love is the pre-
dominant principle of his heart, yet there have
not been wanting fiery bigots, whose intemperate
zeal has impelled them to acts of impiiidence,
of injustice, of persecution, by which they have
disgraced themselves and the cause they pro-
fessed to defend. These lamentable evils have
always been a source of grief to the sincere fol-
lower of Jesus Christ, and have led him to
" weep between the porch and the altar, and to
say, Spare thy people, good Lord, and give not
thine heritage to the heathen."
This state of things, and this view of the sub-
ject, have recently induced some of the evan-
gelical Christians to adopt measures to remedy
these evils, and to strive to bring all true lovers
of the Lord Jesus into a closer harmony one
with another.
Whether the "Evangehcal Alliance" shall
ever obtain a permanent existence or not, it has
already produced a result highly beneficial to
the interests of true religion. It has tended to
soften the asperities of sectarian feeling, to pare
down the pride of sect, and to make the dijQfer-
ent denominations feel that they are embarked
in a common cause, and that therefore, notwith-
standing they differ on minor points of doctrine,
WESLEY'S EFFORTS. 131
and vary in their modes of worship, and their
formularies of devotion, they agree in the fun-
damental truths of the Gospel, in all those
facts and doctrines which are essential to salva-
tion, and may therefore unite as " brethren be-
loved" in one common brotherhood, bound to-
gether in the strong cords of love and Christian
fellowship. Having gained thus much, if the
friends of the cause shall persevere in the same
spirit of mutual good-will with which they have
begun, they will acquire more and more strength,
will commend their cause to the approbation of
the good and pious of all orders, and thus be
instrumental in diffusing the spirit of mutual
forbearance, teaching all with whom they come
in contact, that Divine Love " hopeth all things,
beareth all things, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but
rejoiceth in the truth."
But how has Methodism contributed to this
result ? To this I answer, that John Wesley
was the first to broach the idea of uniting all
the evangelical clergy in one common brother-
hood, and that too on the very principles adopted
by the Evangelical Alliance as the basis of its
union. Under date of April 19, 1*764, he says :
" I wrote a letter to-day, which after some time
I sent to forty or fifty clergymen, with the little
preface annexed : —
132 CHRISTIAN UNION.
"■Dear Sh\—1{ has pleased God to give you both the
will and the power to do many things for his gloiy ; al-
though you are often ashamed you have done so little,
and wish you could do a thousand times more. This
induces me to mention to you what has been upon my
mind for many years, and what I am persuaded would
be much for the glory of God, if it could once be ef-
fected ; and I am in great hopes it will be, if you heart-
ily undertake it, trusting in him alone.
" Some years since, God began a great work in Eng-
land : but the labourers were few. At first those few
were of one heart ; but it was not so long. First one
fell off, then another and another, till no two of us were
left together in the work, besides my brother and me.
This prevented much good, and occasioned much evil.
It grieved our spirits and weakened our hands ; it gave
our common enemies huge occasion to blaspheme. It
perplexed and puzzled many sincere Chiistians ; it
caused many to draw back to perdition ; it grieved the
Holy Spirit of God.
" As labourers increased, disunion increased. Offences
were multiplied ; and instead of coming nearer to, they
stood farther and farther off from, each other ; till, at
length, those who were not only brethren in Christ, but
fellow-labourers in his Gospel, had no more connexion
or fellowship with each other than Protestants have with
Papists.
" But ought this to be ? Ought not those who ai-c
united to one common Head, and employed by him in
one common work, to be united to each other ? I speak
now of those labourers who are ISIinisters of the Church
of England. These are chiefly —
" Mr. Perronct, Romaine, Newton, Shirley; Mr. Down-
ing, Jesse, Adam; Mr. Talbot, Kiland, Stillingfleet,
WESLEY'S VIEWS. 133
Fletcher; Mr. Johnson, Badclily, Andrews, Jane: Mr.
Hart, Symes, Brown, Kouquet; Mr. Sellon; Mr. Venn,
Richardson, Burnet, Furly ; Mr. Conyers, Bently, King ;
Mr. Berridge, Hicks, J. W., C. W., John Richardson,
Benjamin Colley ; not excluding any other clergyman,
who agrees in these essentials, —
"I. Original sin.
" II. Justification by Faith.
" III. Holiness of heart and life ; provided their life
be answerable to their doctrine.
" ' But what union would you desire among these V
Not a union in opinions. They might agree or disagree,
touching absolute decrees on the one hand, and perfec-
tion on the other. Not a union in expressions. These
may still speak of the imputed righteousness, and those
of the merits, of Christ. Not a union with regard to
outward order. Some may still remain quite regular,
some quite irregular; and some partly regular and
partly irregular. But these things being as they are, as
each is persuaded in his o\^ti mind, is it not a most de-
sirable thing that we should, —
" 1. Remove hindrances out of the way? Not judge
one another, not despise one another, not envy one an-
other ? Not be displeased at one another's gifts or suc-
cess, even though greater than our own ? Not wait for
one another's halting, much less wish for it, or rejoice
therein ? Never speak disrespectfully, slightly, coldly,
or unkindly of each other; never repeat each other's
faults, mistakes, or infirmities, much less listen for and
gather them up ; .never say or do anything to hinder
each other's usefulness, either directly or indirectly ? Is
it not a most desirable thing that we should —
" 2. Love as brethren ? Think well of, and honour
134 CHRISTIAN UNIOX.
one another ? Wish all good, all grace, all gifts, all
success, yea, greater than our own, to each other ? Ex
pect God will answer our wish, rejoice in eveiy appear-
ance thereof, and praise him for it ? Readily believe
good of each other, as readily as we once believed evil ?
Speak respectfully, honourably, kindly of each other;
defend each other's character ; speak all the good we
can of each other ; recommend one another where we
have influence ; each help the other on in his work, and
enlarge his mfluence by all the honest means he can 1
" This is the union which I have long sought after ;
and is it not the duty of every one of us so to do ? "Would
it not be far better for om-selves ? A means of promot-
ing both our holiness and happiness 1 Would it not
remove much guilt from those who have been faulty in
any of these instances ? and much pain from those who
have kept themselves pure ? Would it not be far bet-
ter for the people, who suffer severely from the clashing-3
and contentions of their leaders, which seldom fail to
occasion many unprofitable, yea, hurtful disputes among
them ? Would it not be better even for the poor, blind
world, robbing them of their sport, — ' O, they cannot
agree among themselves !' Would it not be better for
the whole work of God, which would then deepen and
widen on every side ? ,
" ' But it will never be ; it is utterly impossible.'
Certainly it is with men. Who imagines we can do
this 1 that it can be effected by any human power 1
All nature is against it, every infirmity, every wrong
temper and passion; love of honour and praise, of
power, of pre-eminence ; anger, resentment, pride ;
long-contracted habit, and prejudice lurking in ten thou-
sand forms. The devil and all his angels are against
PROPOSED BY WESLEY. 135
it. For if this takes place, how shall his kingdom stand ?
All the world, all that know not God, are against it,
though they may seem to favour it for a season. Let us
settle this in our hearts, that we may be utterly cut off
from all dependence on our own strength or wisdom.
"But surely 'with God all things are possible;'
therefore ' all things are possible to him that believeth ;'
and this union is proposed only to them that believe,
that show their faith by their works. When Mr. C.
was objecting the impossibility of ever effecting such a
union, I went up stairs, and after a little prayer opened
Kempis on these words : — Expecta Dominum : Viriliter
age : Noli diffidere : Noli dicedere ; sed corpus et animam
expone constanter pro gloria Dei. [Wait for the Lord : act
manfully : do not distrust : do not give up ; but con-
stantly expose body and soul for the glory of God.] I
am, dear sir, your affectionate servant. J, W.
''Scarborough, Ap'il 19, 1764."
Here then is the very union among all the
evangelical clergy, proposed by Mr. Wesley
eighty-six years since, and which he tells us
had long been on his mind. And though this
earnest appeal to his brethren in the ministry
was unheeded by most of them, yet the love
that burned in his heart emitted a constant, even
flame, irradiating in diflferent directions, soften-
ing and illuminating all that came within its in-
fluence, until it led the several sects of evan-
gelical Christians to make a mighty efibrt to
bring all pure-minded men under its controlling
power.
136 CHRISTIAN UNION.
CHAPTER XVI.
The same subject continued— Difference between Wesley and
Whitefield — Their interviews, in which Whitefield declines
the proffer of union— More mature reflection altered his mind
—The sentiments of Wesley embody the principles of the
Evangelical Alliance— The author's publications on that sub-
ject— Di^'ine love essential to constitute Christian union.
In the last chapter I endeavoured to show that
the principles of the Evangelical Alliance had
been broached by Mr. Wesley in the early pe-
riod of his ministry, and that he strove to exem-
phfy them in his spirit and practice in eveiy
possible way. Perhaps no doctrine at that time
caused greater uneasiness, or was the occasion
of a sharper controversy, than the doctrine of
high predestination, as taught by John Calvin
and his followers. It was on this point that
Wesley and Whitefield separated, being divided
in opinion, though not in heart and aflection —
for they who knev each other's piety and in-
tegrity always loved one another " with a pure
heart fervently" — and even went so far as to
preach against each other's peculiar opinions.
Notwithstanding this partial separation, such
was the strength of his attachment to White-
field, and his ardent desire to unite with him in
the great work in which they were mutually en-
MR. WIIITEFIELD. 137
gaged, that Wesley wrote a letter to him,, in
which he made all the concessions a conscien-
tious man could, and even went further than we
could now do, to conciliate his brother in the
ministry, that they might unite their strength
and influence in opposing sin and winning souls
to Jesus Christ. [Wesley's Worl's, vol. iii,
p. 239.)
What effect this had upon Mr. Whitefield I
cannot tell, but it is presumed that he remained
in the same mind he before manifested towards
his old friend and fellow-labourer in the Gospel
field. What that was may be seen in the fol-
lowing extract from the Journal of Wesley : un-
der date of Jan. 23, 1741, he says : —
" Having heard much of Mr. Whiteficld's unkind be-
haviour, since his return from Georgia, I went to him to
hear him speak for himself, that I might know hoAv to
judge. I much approved of his pLainness of speech.
He told me he and I preached two different Gospels,
and therefore he not only would not join with, or give
me the right hand of Christian fellowship, but was re-
solved publicly to preach against me and my brother,
wheresoever he preached at all. Mr. Hall, who went
with me, put him in mind of the promise he had made
but a few days before, that, whatever his private opinion
was, he would never publicly preach against us. He
said, that promise was only an eflfect of human weak-
ness, and he was now of another mind."
i have made this quotation to show the sin-
138 CHRISTIAN UNION.
cere desire of Wesley to live in Christian and
ministerial fellowship with Wliitefield, notwith-
standing he strongly dissented from liim on some
doctrinal points. It appears, however, that the
latter rejected this brotherly overture, because
he thought that Wesley, in opposing the pecu-
liarities of Calvinism, thereby sapped the foun-
dation of the Gospel. Time, and more mature
reflection, however, convinced him of his error
in this respect, and taught him to beUeve that
even the Arminian Wesley could be a good
man, for in his will he left a mourning ring for
his friend, as a token of his indissoluble fellow-
ship with him, and likewise requested that, if he
should die abroad, he should be selected to
preach his funeral sermon — with which Mr.
Wesley complied.
This strong desire for a union with all the
evangelical clergy was frequently expressed,
and sometimes proposed in direct terms, but
was uniformly rejected by most of them, the
causes of which it is not necessary nor expedient
now to trace. In Wesley's sermon, entitled
** Catholic Spirit/' he expatiates more largely
upon this topic, showing that a difference of
opinion on some speculative points of minor im-
portance need not hinder that union which re-
sults from Divine love. He says : —
THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. 139
" But although difference of opinion or modes of wor-
ship may prevent an entire extenial union, yet need it
prevent our union in affection ? Though we cannot
think alike, may we not love alike ? May we not he of
one heart, though we may not be of one opinion ?
Without all doubt we may. Herein all the children of
God may unite, notwithstanding their smaller differ-
ences. These remaining as they are, they may forward
one another in love and in good works."
These sentiments embody, so far as I un-
derstand them, the principles which lie at the
foundation of the Evangelical Alliance, and are
to govern its members and friends in their in-
tercourse one with another. Mr. Wesley did
not ask those who differed from him in opinion
on some speculative points of doctrine, modes
of worship, or forms of church government, to
sacrifice any of their peculiarities in order to
form the union which he desired ; provided they
held to the Divine Head of the Church, be-
lieved in his sacrificial death, the necessity of
the Holy Spirit to enlighten and convict the sin-
ner of his sinfulness, to enable him to repent, to
beheve in Jesus Christ ''with a heart unto
righteousness," and actually enjoyed the love of
God and man in the heart, he was not barely
willing, but intensely desirous to unite with
them in extending the Redeemer's kingdom
among mankind.
140 CHRISTIAN UNION.
And are not these the principles on which the
Evangelical Alliance is founded ? Hence Pres-
byterians, Congregationalists, Protestant Epis-
copalians, Lutherans, Baptists, Methodist Epis-
copalians, have agreed to sacrifice their respec-
tive peculiarities, to forego their sectarian par-
tialities, without at the same time abjuring any
part of their creeds, or altering their modes of
worship, or abrogating any part of their church
order or government, and unite on the broad
basis of God's universal good-will to man, and
in the sweet principle of brotherly affection :
and though each may preach his own peculiar
doctrine, and beheve and practise according to
his views of Gospel order and ordinances, he
may nevertheless recognize in his brother of
another denomination a servant of the Lord
Jesus Christ, engaged in the common cause of
man's salvation ; and they may strive together
for the faith of God's elect, and to " keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace." And
as I have before said, if no formal alliance shall
be permanently established, the effort that has
been put forth, and the exertions which are now
making to diffuse these catholic principles, and
to stretch this bond of union around all loving
hearts, have had, and still exercise a most salu-
tary effect on the views, the hearts, and the
THE AUTHORS VIEWS. 141
lives of all evangelical Christians who come
within the range of this benign and heavenly-
principle.
I trust my readers will bear with me for in-
troducing myself so frequently in these pieces,
and attribute it to the right motive, as it seems
to me necessaiy to illustrate my views, and show
the consistency of my conduct. I have been a
man of war almost all my days. I have fought
the Christ-mus — the reader will put the empha-
tic accent on the first syllable, as the word de-
signates a sect nearly allied to the Arians — the
Hopkinsians, Calvinists, and Protestant Episco-
palians ; or rather have striven to defend the
Methodists when they have been assailed by
either of these denominations ; but in doing this
I have been generally careful to distinguish be-
tween what I considered the errors which I felt
it my duty to combat, and the persons and
Christian character of my antagonists ; that
while I would give no countenance to the for-
mer, I could fellowship the latter, provided only
that their experience and life were in conformity
to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And though I
will not attempt to justify every expression I
may have used, yet upon a review of my life
and writings, I can reflect with unspeakable
satisfaction upon the motives with which I have
142 C'HillSTIAN UKION.
been actuated, and humbly adore the " God of
all grace" for preserving me from indulging in
any bitterness of spirit, or from feeling any-
other than love and good-will to my antago-
nists. For my numerous infirmities I have rea-
son to be deeply humbled before God and man,
and need continually the atoning merits of Jesus
Christ to render either my person or works ac-
ceptable in the sight of God. I thmk, under the
like circumstances, I should do the same again,
notwithstanding my love of Christian imion.
These remarks have been made for the pur-
pose of introducing the following facts in respect
to what I have done and written on the subject
under consideration. In 1815 or 1816 I wrote
a piece on Christian union among the different
denominations, which was published in the
Commercial Advertiser of this city, under an
anonymous signature, embracing nearly the same
principles as those embodied in the Evangelical
Alliance. I saw soon after extracts from that
piece in several papers, accompanied with com-
ments favourable to the sentiments therein ex-
pressed ; and the subject continued to be agi-
tated until finally a small volume was published
on the subject of Christian union, which doubtless
led ultimately to the formation of the Alliance.
While editor of the Christian Advocate and
ITS NECESSARY BASIS. 143
Journal, I think about the year 1830, I wrote
an article on the same subject, which was copied
into a religious paper in London, came back to
New- York, was republished, I believe, in the
Religious Intelligencer, and its credit given to
the English paper. This error I corrected at
the time, giving the true paternity of the article.
It is certainly matter of rejoicing to behold
the different sects of evangelical Christians lay-
ing aside their warlike character, so far as de-
nouncing each other merely on account of dis-
sentient views of minor importance are con-
cerned, and agreeing to unite their influence to
push forward the great principles of Divine
truth, to the utmost extent of their strenorth, to
the utmost bounds of the earth. To do this
effectually, there must be a union of heart, such
a union as can be cemented only by the " love
of God being shed abroad in the heart by the
Holy Ghost." A union established merely upon
certain leading principles, however true those
principles are, will have no lasting effect. The
heart must be imbued with holy love, which
alone can beget a pure motive, and form the
*' single eye," the oneness of desire to promote
the glory of God, among all those who Avould
come into this union, or they never can work
together for the faith of the Gospel. Oil and
144 CHRISTIAN UMON.
water can as soon unite as an unconverted man
can unite with a truly converted man. " Make
the tree good, and the fruit will be good also."
The heart must therefore be changed by the in-
ternal energies of the Holy Spirit, applying the
merits of Jesus Christ, by which sin is washed
away, and the soul is cleansed " from all filthi-
ness of the flesh and spirit," in order to qualify
a man to enter into that holy fraternity in which
he can work successfully for the conversion of
the world. This, and this alone, breaks down
that supreme love of self by which all fallen
men are distinguished, and which, so long as it
predominates, prompts them to seek their own
selfish ends, their own fame, riches, ease, self-
aggrandizement, whatever may become of their
neighbour ; and so long as this selfish principle
reigns in the heart, and thereby becomes a mo-
tive to action, the man can never unite to pro-
mote any object that has not this same selfish
end in view. And how diametrically opposite
is this from the principle that actuates the holy
Christian ! He strives in all his words and ac-
tions to promote " peace on earth and good-
will to men." Hence he is ready to unite his
energies, to devote his time and substance, with
all those of a kindred spirit, to advance the cause
of Jesus Christ amons: men.
GREAT REFORMATION. 145
CHAPTER XYII.
A great reformation has been effected— So notorious that it is
useless to contend with those that deny it — Former opposition
to Methodism — Its causes — Pulpit and press against it — How
met and removed— Southey's Life of Wesley contributed to
make him better known — Wesley's Works published and read—
These seemed to remove prejudice, as they were read by other
denominations— Clarke's Commentary was published— Exa-
mined by other denominations — His learning and piety con-
ceded—Its good effects— The hand of God shown in all these
things.
We have seen the influence which Methodism
has exerted on the rehgious world, in producing
those exertions in the missionary, tract, Sunday-
school, and temperance cause, which have been
beheld with exquisite delight by every pious
mind, as well as in attracting towards each other
all those whose hearts have been electrified by
the fire of Divine love, which has been exempli-
fied in uniting these together in extending the
kingdom of " righteousness, peace, and joy in
the Holy Ghost."
That a mighty reformation has been wrought
in these respects, less or more, among all de-
nominations of Protestants, none competent to
judge will attempt to deny. But should any
one interpose his .negation to this fact, I have
nothing to say to him ; for he that can summon
10
146 METHODISM OPPOSED.
up courage enough to question its truth, will,
with equal pertinacity, and imbecile ignorance,
deny any fact, however notorious, which stands
on the records of history ; and to undertake to
answer such a *' fool according to his folly "
would be as great a waste of time and strength
ns it would be to attempt to silence the clamour
of him who betrays his vanity and petulance by
"answering a matter before he heareth it;"
cither of whom may well be left to himself, as
being " wiser in his o\^ti conceit than seven men
that can render a reason."
To those, however, who are dispassionate
enough to judge impartially, and who have not
committed themselves to an opposite theory, I will
submit i\ few evidences of the fact in question.
The entire history of Methodism will show
that in its commencement, and its onward pro-
gress, until within a few years, it was violently
opposed, by profane wit, by obscene sarcasm,
sometimes, indeed, by sober argument, but much
oftener by ridiculous caricatures, by all deno-
minations, with but few exceptions, Papists and
Protestants. Much of this opposition originated
from ignorance — ignorance of the doctrines we
taught, of our motives and manner of life —
while its great moving cause was that hatred
found in every unrenewed heart to the pure
CAUSE OF THE OPPOSITION. 147
doctrines of Christ, and especially to that great
and leading truth of Di\ine revelation, justifica-
tion hy grace, through faith in the atoning merits
of the Saviour of tlie loorld, and sanctification
through the same medium. This grand doctrine
struck at the root of all sin, namely, unbelief.
It proposed to tear up, root and branch, that
infidelity of the heart which impels men — not
to reject Divine revelation, for the devil himself
cares not how many of his subjects thus em-
brace the truth of revealed religion, but — to
reject the Lord Jesus Christ as an almighty
Saviour, as a present Saviour, as now able and
willing to *' save to the uttermost all that come
unto God by him." This cardinal truth of God
the Methodists insisted upon with peculiar ve-
hemence, and preached it because they pro-
fessed to have an experimental knowledge of it
in their own hearts. To maintain and to propa-
gate this vital truth, and its con-elatives, " love,
peace, gentleness, goodness, joy, long-suffering,
temperance," including external obedience to
the commands of God, they sacrificed ease and
worldly honours, went out "into the highways
and hedges," persevered ** through good and
evil report," not counting their " lives dear unto
themselves, if they could win Christ, and be
found in him, not having their own righteous-
148 METHODISM OPPOSED.
ness which is of the law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith." In proclaiming this
truth, urging it upon the people everywhere as
a subject of personal experience, the evidence
of which might, therefore, be tested by every
believer's conscience — for they taught most dis-
tinctly and explicitly that the " Spirit beareth
witness with our spirits that we are the children
of God" — they met, as I have before said, with
violent opposition, not only from the ignorant
rabble, but from "priests and Levites." The
pulpits rang with fearful warnings against the
dangerous heresies of these wild and ignorant
fanatics, those "wolves in sheep's clothing," as
they were contemptuously called, " who would
deceive, if it were possible, the very elect."
Not only the pulpit, but the press, was made
to groan under the burden of the heavy com-
plaints uttered against us. The pamphlet and
the newspaper combined to blacken our charac-
ter, to propagate the news of our heresies, and
to render us odious in the public estimation. In
the midst of all this opposition and obloquy, we
held on our way, continued to preach the
" same thing, and to mind the same rule."
Some of the objections were answered. Tliese
answers were published. Our books were mul-
IT GAINS GROUND. 149
tiplied, and at length we seized hold of the pe-
riodical press, and this spoke out plainly and
fearlessly, repelling the onsets of our antagonists,
and stating our doctrines as they are, without
reservation or disguise. This had the desired
efifect. The ignorant were enlightened, so that
they could understand what Wesleyan Metho-
dism is, and, when thus understood, it did not
appear like that frightful monster they had been
taught to believe it to be. Wesley's Works
were published. His Journals, Sermons, Doc-
trinal Tracts, and miscellaneous pieces, were
read by ministers of other denominations ; and
though they did not agree with him in all things,
they formed a favourable opinion of his piety,
began to rehsh his evangelical principles, and
Avere struck with admiration at the immensity
of his labours, and the wisdom of his plans.
Indeed, God seemed to make even the luke-
warm and mistaken friends of Wesley contri-
bute to exalt his worth. Southey may be con-
sidered as such ; for I do not believe that he
really meant to blacken his character. Being-
ignorant of that principle of Divine love by which
Wesley was actuated, he, of course, could not
understand the holy motive which guided all
his actions, and, probably judging others by
himself, he attributed to Wesley an imholy am-
160 METHODISM OPPOSED.
bition to which he was an utter stranger. This
led him to confound pure rehgion with enthu-
siasm, and, in fact, to caricature it. But he
published the life of Wesley. His fame as a
writer induced thousands to read it who had
known nothing more of Wesley than what com-
mon report had told them. And even looking
at him through this perverted medium, they
perceived excellences which won their admira-
tion. Their attention and curiosity were roused
to look deeper into the subject; and the more
accurately they searched, the more were they
convinced of their former erroneous views of
Wesley's doctrine, character, and modes of ope-
ration. In many instances their prejudices yielded
to the force of truth, and were succeeded by a
candid acknowledgment of the power of that
genuine piety which dwelt in the heart, and
was exemplified in the life, of Wesley.
Tims, through the misguided judgment of
man, the wisdom of God shone out, and " turned
the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness,"
causing even the erring pen of Southey to por-
tray the character of Wesley in such a light that
its excellences shone all its imaginary deformities
into darkness. Tliis, indeed, was the fate, not
only of the efforts of his mistaken friends, who
misunderstood his character, and therefore placed
CLARKE'S COMMENTARr. 151
it in a false position ; but also of his avowed ene-
mies, who designedly aspersed him, caricatured
his theological sentiments, and vilified his mo-
tives and conduct ; for his defences, whether
written by himself or his friends, triumphantly
vindicated him against all defamers.
Other circumstances contributed to the same
result. Clarke's Commentary was pubhshed.
His fame as a scholar had preceded his Com-
mentary on both sides of the Atlantic. When
the Prospectus was issued for its publication in
this country, in 1810, Dr. John Mason was re-
quested to become its Editor. He replied, that
he would do it from respect to its author, hav-
ing formed an acquaintance with Dr. Adam
Clarke in London, and therefore highly esteemed
him as a man of profound learning and deep
piety. This Commentary was subscribed for by
ministers and others of different denominations,
and I was told that several copies of it were
taken at the Theological Seminary at Andover,
in Massachusetts. How far this, and other oc-
currences, might have contributed to modify the
divinity taught in New-England, I presume not
to say ; but that it has undergone a very con-
siderable modification within a few years past,
is evident to every person at all acquainted with
the history of the Congregational and Presbyte-
152 METHODISM OPPOSED.
rian Churches ; so much so, as to split the latter
into two parts, denominated the Old School and
New School Presbyterians.
These, and other kindred pubheations, tended
to make the Methodists better known; and
though some of the doctrines set forth were
sharply controverted by some, yet this fact is
an evidence that they were read ; and the very
controversy itself contributed to make them
more extensively known, and the more exten-
sively they were known, the more highly they
were appreciated ; for the writers above alluded
to were no novices in literature and theological
knowledge ; but some of them were thorough
scholars, deeply read in the sacred Scriptures,
and could therefore " bring from their treasury
things new and old." Dr. Clarke, especially,
-was acknowledged on all sides to be a man of
thorough and extensive learning, of sohd piety,
of high classical and scientific attainments ; and
though some aflfected to treat him with contempt
on account of his peculiarities, and others strongly
opposed him on those points on which he dis-
sented from high-toned Calvinism, yet all were
convinced that he was a commentator of emi-
nent acquirements, of indefatigable industry, and
thoroughly versed in Biblical literature. What
renders his Commentary doubly valuable, in my
CLARKE'S COMMENTARY. 153
estimation, is, in addition to his able criticisms
upon the original text, and his learned labours
in philosophical, astronomical, and chronologi-
cal researches, interspersed throughout his
work, the deep vein of experimental and prac-
tical piety which runs through the whole, and
gives thereby a sanctified aspect to the entire
volumes. A work of this character could not
do otherwise than produce a salutary effect, just
as extensively as it was read and heeded. That
it was extensively read we know, and that it
was even critically examined by some, is demon-
strated from the fruitless efforts made to over-
turn some of his positions ; and, perhaps, there
are those who are much indebted to him for
light and information, who are unwilling to ac-
knowledge the source whence they derived their
knowledge. Be this as it may, Dr. Clarke's
writings contributed to\enlighten the Christian
world on the subject of Wesleyan Methodism —
for he was thoroughly Wesleyan in all his dis-
tinctive features — and thus to remove the un-
founded prejudice which had been engendered
against it by those who either misunderstood
its character, or wilfully maligned it, from self-
ish or bigoted motives.*
- I must not be understood, from the above remarks, as
endorsing all that Dr. Claike has said, nor as acq^uiescing
164 CLOSING REMARKS.
How far these, and other causes, which were
at work, have tended to eftect a change for the
better in the rehgious community, must be re-
served for a future chapter. In closing this,
allow me to say, that I have not adverted to the
above facts with a view to exalt Methodism as
such, but simply to show the hand of God in so
directing the course of events, as to make even
" the wrath of man to praise him," while " the
remainder" of wrath he will restrain; for Me-
thodism, simply considered as an is7n of human
contrivance, is of no more account than any
other is7n of the same origin ; but it is because
I believe it to be, in its origin and progress, the
work of God, that I hail it as a messenger of
*' good- will to men."
in all his criticisms : though I think it highly becomes me
to say, that when I find myself induced to dissent from such
men as "VVesley and Clarke, I. generally pause, review my
ground, and deliberate long and prayerfully before I make
up a decisive judgment. Those whose fertile imagination
and expanded understanding may enable them to decide
upon every subject presented to them, without any painful
thought, may dispense with this sober deliberation, and,
bringing the previous question to their aid, may despatch
the business with but a moment's reflection. For my own
part, I profess no such intuitive knowledge, and therefore
think best to search, review, revise ; and more especiaUy
when I find myself in opposition to those giants in litera-
tme and science, of tlicological knowledge and experience,
i\h>j have iiTudiated the world by theii* light.
THE SOURCE OF GOOD. 155
If any are disposed to dispute this fact, namely,
that Methodism was raised up, and has been
thus far sustained by the good hand of God,
and therefore is eminently his work ; I hereby
notify all such, that I am prepared to prove, by
undeniable facts and irrefutable arguments, that
it is so, though by no means exclusively so.
CHAPTER XVIII.
God the original cause of all good— At the time Methodism
pure religion at a low ebb — It was hence violently opposed —
The objections met and obviated— How— The cause steadily
advanced— The doctrine of sanctification avowed — It spread
among other denominations — Mahan and Upham advocate it
with ability — The blessed effects of this — The opposition in a
great measure ceases— All evangelical ministers are uniting— '
The names of several mentioned — Methodism contributed to
this — The author disclaims bigotry— Confirms his love to all
sincere Christians.
In the former chapter we have examined certain
causes by which Methodism has exerted a salutary
influence upon the Christian community. These
causes, however, considered in connexion witli
other agencies, are but effects, — as all secondary
causes are — produced by the first cause. So
Methodism, with all its adjuncts, instrumentali-
ties, or means of operation, is but an effect of
that grace of God in Christ Jesus, which
wrought mightily in the heart of Wesley, his
156 INFLUENCE OF METHODISM.
coadjutors and successors ; and this grace itself
is the effect of the love of Jesus Christ, which
caused him to die for the world ; and the death
of Christ, with the whole scheme of redemption
and salvation, was the effect of God's unbound-
ed love to a lost world — *' God so loved the
world as to give his only begotten Son, that
whosoever beheveth on him should not perish,
but have everlasting life." He, therefore, who
accuses me of dealing in trifles, because I treat
principally upon effects, would do well to re-
member, that whatever subject is under investi-
gation, considered relatively to the great First
Cause, is but an effect, and an effect dependent
upon an antecedent cause, which may often be
too recondite, only as it may be referable to the
original cause of all things, for human research
to decipher.
But without contending on a point so plain, let
us inquire into the influence which Methodism
has exerted on the religious world in respect to
experimental and practical piety. It will be ac-
knowledged on all hands, I believe, that at the
time Methodism arose, pure religion — experi-
mental religion — the relirrion of the heart — that
which is " spread abroad in the heart by the
Holy Ghost," was at a very low ebb among all
sects and denominations, both in Europe and
SANCTIFICATION. 157
America. This has already been sufficiently-
demonstrated in my preceding chapter. Well,
how is it now ? Not only the doctrine of the
new birth, or justification and its inseparable ac-
companiment, regeneration, but that of sanctifi-
cation, has gained ground, not only among
ourselves — as I humbly trust it has of late years
— but among other denominations.
It is well known that this doctrine has met
with more violent opposition from certain quar-
ters than any other truth preached by us. To
talk about being made " perfect in love " in this
life, to be made **free from sin, properly so
called," however cautiously guarded and mi-
nutely explained, was considered, by most deno-
minations, as among the wildest of fanaticism — as
one of the most fatal presumptions that could
delude the minds of mortals. It was in vain
that we appealed to the sacred Scriptures, both
of the old and New Testament, and to the ex-
perience and prayers of God's people in every
age of the Church, for the truth of this doctrine.
It was opposed, and treated with contempt by
all orders of Christians, and, I would charitably
hope, chiefly because it was misunderstood by
most of those who so violently opposed it.
To the objections that were seriously made, we
answered. We produced proofs from Scripture
158 INFLUENCE OF METHODISM.
which declare, that " If the Son make you free,
you shall be free indeed." "Likewise reckon
ye yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but
alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
" What shall we say, then ? Shall we live in
sin that grace may abound ? God forbid. How
shall we that are dead to sin live any longer
therein?" These and the like texts of sacred
Scripture were quoted and explained in confor-
mity to Wesley's view of the doctrine, and quo^
tations were made from his writings on this
subject ; his ** Plain Account of Christian Per-
fection " was printed in a tract, and extensively
circulated, in which he states the doctrine clearly,
defining his meaning accurately, obviating objec-
tions, and showing the distinction between sin,
properly so called, and those infirmities insepa-
rable from human nature. The luminous writ-
ings of Fletcher were also widely cu'culated,
and more especially those parts which treat
upon this branch of Christian experience and
practice. Others wrote, and in addition to ar-
guments drawn from Scripture and reason, con-
firmed the truth by relating their own experience.
A periodical, called a " Guide to Holiness," was
and is pubhshed in Boston, Mass., in which va-
rious writers plead the cause of entire sanctifica-
tion to God, while many relate their experience
MAHAN AND UPHAM. 159
of this great blessing. All these are so many
streams issuing from the same fountain of Divine
love, and flow forth to water Immanuel's land.
Nor have they lost themselves in the barren
desert, or been absorbed in the sands of formal-
ism, or yet confined their refreshing influences to
our own enclosures. They have, in fact, over-
flowed the banks thro^vn around our own fields,
and have watered the fields of our neighbours.
As an evidence of this, I may mention the writ-
ings of President Mahan, of the Oberlin Insti-
tute, whose treatise upon this subject, in which
he relates his own experience, clearly demon-
strates his altered views in the right direction,
and proves him to be a holy minister of the
Lord Jesus, and an able advocate of the doctrine
of Christian perfection. I should be ashamed
to contend with him on account of some discre-
pancies between us of minor importance, so long
as he holds fast, as I think he does, to the fun-
damental parts of Christian holiness, and recom-
mends it as a subject of personal, heartfelt,
conscious experience.
Professor Upham, also, whose writings in the
department of Mental Philosophy have won for
him a wide reputation, as an able and acute
metaphysician, clothing his thoughts in language
of classical elegance and chaste simplicity, has
160 INFLUENCE OF METHODISM.
dedicated his pen to this important subject, a
subject of all others the most important to the
best interests, present and eternal, of mankind.
I have read his treatises with unmixed delight ;
and although I might not agree with him in all
his phraseology, yet he certainly accords with
the Methodists in all the leading particulars
which go to make up the essence of the interior
hfe, the life of faith, and the entire sanctification
of the soul. And certainly he has the same
right to select his own phraseology, provided he
keeps to the Scripture standard, as I believe he
does, as I have to adopt my own.
I cannot but consider the acquisition of such
a man from another denomination, so widely
known as a writer on metaphysics, so deeply
read in the human heart, and in whose integrity
all have the utmost confidence, as ** great gain '*
to the cause of truth and holiness.
How many converts these two eminent men
may have made I cannot tell. But they doubt-
less have exerted a powerful influence among
their respective readers, and many would beheve
them whose sectarian prejudices would not al-
low them to listen to a Methodist writer. And
it matters but little by what insti-umentalities
converts are made, so that they are converted
to ** the truth as it is in Jesus."
REVIVAL OF RELIGION. 161
These facts prove most incontestably that ex-
perimental rehgion, in its deepest and most holy-
form, is on the advance among other denomina-
tions of Christians. I do not say that this doc-
trine of entire sanctification is generally received
and taught by other churches. All I wish to inti-
mate is, that it has attracted the attention of some
eminent writers, who have heartily embraced it,
and have, accordingly, recommended it to their
readers, with all the ardour of sincere believers,
and all the ability of acute and profound theologi-
ans ; and that thus an entrance has been made into
the citadel of prejudice, so that we may hope
that it will ere long yield to the force of truth
— truth plied by the hands of such men as
Mahan and Upham, and others engaged in the
same holy warfare.
But, though this grand doctrine of the Gospel
is formally embraced by comparatively few of
other denominations, yet it is evident as any de-
monstration in Euclid, that experimental religion,
in the common acceptation of these words, has
revived, less or more, among almost all orders
and denominations of professed Christians. Time
was, and that not long since, when the doctrine
of the new birth, with the knowledge of forgive-
ness of sins, the witness and fruits of the Spirit,
was ridiculed by many Protestant ministers as a
11
162 INFLUENCE OF METHODISM.
groundless fancy, having its seat in a heated
imagination, and as only fit to delude ignorant
fanatics, or to lead " silly women astray, laden
with their sins." There were, to be sure,
always some honourable exceptions to this heavy
censure, but the generality were leagued against
what now are popularly called "revivals of
religion."
How is it now ? Though there may be some
who do not heartily embrace the doctrine above
designated, and do not, therefore, zealously ad-
vocate religious revivals, very few, comparatively,
will risk their reputation as Christian ministers
by openly opposing them ; while the great pro-
portion, indeed all who may be rightly called
evangehcal, preach and pray for the revival and
spread of inward and outward piety. I could
mention a number of distinguished ministers,
both in Europe and America, both in the island
of Great Britain and on the Continent, in the
Established Church' of England and among the
dissenters, in the Free Church of Scotland and
among the Protestants of France and Germany,
as well as among the Protestant Episcopalians,
Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, and the Con-
gregationalists, in this countiy, who are zeal-
ously engaged for the promotion of experimental
and practical piety, some of whom are adopting
PIOUS MEN. 163
every means within their grasp for its revival
and diffusion, both at home and abroad. It
might seem invidious to single out individuals as
belonging to this class of evangelical ministers,
but I can hardly deny myself the pleasure of
mentioning a few of the most distinguished of
their respective denominations, such as Baptist
Noel, lately of the English Church ; Bickersteth,
of the same Church; Monod, of France; Tholuck,
of Germany ; D'Aubigne, of Geneva ; Wardlaw
and Anderson, of Scotland;* James and Jay
among the dissenters of England ; M'llvaine and
Potter, Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States ; Tyng, of the same
Church ; Spring and Baird, of the Presbyterian
Church; De Witt, of the Reformed Dutch
Church ; Stuart and Cheever, of the Congrega-
tional Chmxh, and Cone, of the Baptist Church.
These all, and how many others I cannot tell,
agree in urging upon mankind the necessity of
inward, experimental religion.
It must not be understood that I suppose that
all these agree with us in many particulars,
' The late Dr. Chalmers exerted a powerful influence in
favour of experimental religion while he lived, and his
works are speaking for him since his death. His eulogy of
Methodism — that is, ♦•Christianity in earnest," — has been
often quoted.
164 INFLUENCE OF METHODISM.
which are considered of great importance, and
about which we may innocently dispute ; nor
that they agree among themselves concerning
certain rites and ceremonies, or on some specu-
lative points of doctrine and church order ; all
I contend for is, that these, and others of a like
sphit, will agree to disagree on those points re-
specting which they cannot think and believe
alike, while they are prepared to " contend ear-
nestly for the faith once dehvered to the saints,'*
as it regards the fall of man, the necessity of
repentance, of faith in Christ, justification
through the blood of Christ, regeneration by
the Holy Spirit, and the necessity of furnishing
an evidence of the reality of this change of
heart by a blameless life and conversation.
They may not agree with us in our definition
of the new birth, nor accord to our phraseology
concerning the direct witness, and its inseparable
companion, the fruits of the Spirit; while re-
specting the thing itself, the reality of the new
birth, or justification by grace, through faith,
and regeneration, and that this is uniformly fol-
lowed by obedience to the commands of God, I
apprehend there is no essential or material
difi"erence ; and that while we hail them as eflS-
cicnt co-workers in the Gospel field, they will
allow that we are so far orthodox that they can
BIGOTRY DISCLAIMED. 165
fellowship us as co-labourers in the same field.
And if we are indeed in possession of that Di-
vine love which is *' shed abroad in the heart
by the Holy Ghost," as we unquestionably are
if we are truly regenerated, and have received
the "Spirit of adoption, enabling us to cry,
Abba, Father," though we may dispute on mi-
nor points, we shall dispute in love, not betray-
ing that anger which stirs up strife, but exhibit-
ing that " charity which is not easily provoked,
is not puffed up, but is kind, thinketh no evil,
beareth all things, hopeth all things."
Now, that Methodism has contributed much
to bring about this altered state of things, is
what I most conscientiously and most fully be-
lieve, and therefore hope I may not be accused
of narrow -hearted bigotry for proclaiming the
fact. At my time of life, there is but a slender
motive for the indulgence of bigotry ; and if at
any time I may have been tinctured with it, the
knowledge I have acquired from nearly fifty
years' experience, among a people who have ex-
hibited their full share of human infirmities, has
had a great tendency to do it away ; while the
same knowledge enables me to say, with equal
sincerity, that the great majority, both preachers
and people, have been, and are now, striving to
establish the cause of pure religion on the earth.
166 INFLUENCE OF METHODISM.
Yet if any contend otherwise, tliat this refoiina-
tion has been effected independently of Metho-
dism, and by other instnimentahties, I will not
disturb either my own or his tranquillity by con-
troverting the point with him, but w^ill still re-
joice in the knowledge of the fact that " Christ
is preached, whether in pretence or in truth ;'*
that his rehgion is prevailing among the apostate
sons of men, by whatever instrumentality,
whether by Methodists, Presbyterians, Pro-
testant Episcopalians, Baptists, or Congrega-
tionalists, or whether by all and each of them.
In this behef, and in this state of mind, I enjoy
unspeakable satisfaction, and am prepared to
unite with all those who "love the Lord Jesus
Christ in sincerity," whether they stand or
kneel in prayer, whether they pray with or
"without a book, whether they dress with or
without a surplice, in extending the Redeemer's
kingdom among men. If they treat me as a
heretic I cannot help it. I may love them still,
and that in spite of them. If my more immedi-
ate brethren think me too charitable, neither
can I help that, nor does it diminish my affec-
tion for them. I must still enjoy the pleasing
belief that the rehgion of love is advancing in
the world.
EXPERIMENTAL RELIGION. 167
CHAPTER XIX.
Influence of the Gospel— United influence of Christians— Experi-
mental religion inseparably connected with keeping the com-
mandments — The present state of the world highly favourable
—Comparative view — Its former state — The patriarchal — Mo-
saic— Israelitish— The time of our Saviour — Church and State
—The time of the Reformation— Later times— All worse than
the present — Though many pure spirits were found in those
times, yet their sufferings prove the general wickedness —
Intolerance of Christians towards each other— These facts
prove that tlie present arc better than the former times.
I HAVE substituted the word Gospel for Metho-
dism, for the purpose of comprehending the seve-
ral denominations of orthodox Christians in the
grand work of conquering the world to Jesus
Christ. So far as they lend their influence in
favour of experimental and practical religion, so
far they work jointly in promoting the cause of
man's salvation. And when I speak of experi-
mental and practical religion, I mean to be un-
derstood as expressing something in opposition
to mere formalism, to mere creeds and confessions
of faith ; for these, however orthodox they may
be, do not constitute the essence of that religion
of the heart which is comprehended in the phrase,
experimental and practical religion ; and I join
these two together for the purpose of showing
that they arc inseparably connected ; that wher-
Idd THE GNOSTIC UERESY,
ever this religion exists in the heart, it will show
itself in the life ; for St. John says, ** If any man
saith that he loveth God, and keepeth not his
commandments, he is a liar." The keeping the
commandments of God, therefore, is, in the opin-
ion of the apostle, a practical illustration of the
love of God in the heart; and by keeping the
commandments he must have meant an outward
obedience, else he did but use a senseless tauto-
logy, for he had already spoken of the internal
principle by calling it " the love of God ;" and
hence to say that he meant by ''keeping the
commandments of God," the same as ha\'in£j the
love of God in the heart, amounts to this, and
nothing more ; " He that saith he loveth God,
and loveth him not, is a liar," which, though true
in itself, would be such a mere truism as would
have been unworthy of the lips of the apostle.
His object doubtless was, to annihilate, with the
smgle stroke of his pen, the Gnostic heresy, that
all religion consisted in knowing God, so that,
however vicious men's Hves, if they did but know
God as a God of love, they were nevertheless
good Christians. In flat contradiction to this
shameless heresy, the apostle affirms, '' He that
committeth sin," by not " keeping the command-
ments of God," "is of the devil, for the d«\il
sinneth from the begimiing."
I
THE WORLD IMPROVED. 169
It is in fact one of the most practical demon-
strations a person can give of Gnosticism, to pre-
tend that he can wilfully violate any precept of
the moral code, as expressed in the ten command-
ments, and yet enjoy the love of God in his heart,
for *' love is the fulfilling of the law."
Having made these remarks, to prevent any
one from supposing that I advocate a religion
that is not an active principle, that does not ex-
emplify itself by a righteous life, I proceed to
show how this religion has contributed to effect
that altered state of things in the world which is
now beheld with such exquisite delight and glow-
ing gratitude. To do this, however, we must
glance at the former state of things, that our-
present privileges may appear the greater from
contrast.
I presume to say that the world, taking that
word in the most comprehensive sense, as in-
cluding every part of the inhabited world, whe-
ther Pagan, Mohammedan, Catholic, or Protes-
tant, never was in so favourable a state since the
introduction of sin as it is at the present time, for
the propagation of pure and midefiled religion.
We may select any period we please in the his-
tory of the Avorld for the comparison, and the
scale will turn in favour of the present period.
How soon was it after the sin of Eve and Adam
170 STATE OF THE WORLD.
that the earth drank the blood of Abel, by the
murderous hand of his brother Cain, and mere-
ly "because his own works were evD, and his
brother's righteous ?" And so rapidly had crime
accumulated, that about the middle of the seven-
teenth century from the creation, God swept all
the inhabitants, with the exception of eight per-
sons, from the earth by an overwhelming flood.
And who that reads the history of our race from
that memorable period, but must be struck with
seeing the abominations which prevailed among
the great proportion of the inhabitants of oiu"
fallen world ! Look at the history of Abraham,
of Moses, of the children of Israel, and see with
what virulent persecution, blood, and murder
they had to contend !
How was it at tlie time our Saviour appeared
in the form of man ? Alas for the wickedness of
the times ! Trace the history of the Church es-
tablished at Jerusalem till the time of Constan-
tino, and what cruel persecutions and martyrdoms
did the Christians suffer during all that period
of above three hundred years ! Crimes of the
deepest dye stained not only the hands of the
ignorant rabble, but disgraced forever the noblest
of the nations, and stamped heathen Rome with
everlasting infamy.
And what shall be said of the Chuixh from
CllUllCU AND STATE. l7l
the time it was incorporated with the State, un-
der the imperial banner ? Instead of that being,
as some have imagined, the happy era when the
Kew Jerusalem came down from heaven to dwell
among men, it was rather the hour when smoke
issued from the bottomless pit, obscuring the
peculiar glories of the Gospel, until they were
finally enveloped in midnight darkness. No
sooner were the bishops exalted to honour by
the munificence of Constantino, whose conversion
to Christianity was of a very doubtful character,
than pride began to show itself, pompous rites
and ceremonies were adopted, until, finally, step
by step, Popery was established in all its unscrip-
tural aspects, and its anti- christian features."
Hence the dark ages of the Church, which lasted
for nearly twelve centuries, during all which time,
though there was doubtless here and there a pure
spirit, and also small isolated communities, who
sighed in secret over the abominations of the
earth, yet the great majority were carried away
with the floods of ungodliness, and pure religion
was lost amid the whirlpools of human ambition,
sensual pleasure, and worldly glory. So it re-
mained until the Reformation commenced.
And need we any other evidence of the wicked-
ness of the nations, from the time Wiclif arose in
England, Huss and Jerome in Bohemia, Luther
1*12 STATE OF THE WORLD.
and Melanctlion in Germany, Calvin m Geneva,
Knox in Scotland, Granmer and his coadjutors
in Great Britain, until the Revolution efiected by
the reign of William and Mary, in 1688, than to
behold the opposition, the cruel persecutions, im-
prisonments, and deaths, which were inflicted
upon all who dissented from the established re-
ligion ? Even the soil of New-England, the land
of the Puritans, was drenched with the blood of
the Quakers, and WilHams was banished from
Massachusetts for preaching what he conscien-
tiously beheved to be the truth. Indeed the
whole history of the Reformation, from its incipi-
ent steps down to its completion, is but a record
of " wickedness in high places" on the one hand,
and of patient suffering on the other; and no
sooner did the Protestants obtain the dominion
than they exhibited the intolerance of their spirit
by persecuting those who dissented from them.
So httle was the spirit of religious toleration un-
derstood in those times !
If we come down to later times, we shall find
the same evidences of the wickedness of mankind
exhibited in their conduct one toward another.
Not only among the nations of Europe, Asia, and
Africa, but also in our own country, in the mid-
dle of the eighteenth centuiy, during our revo-
lutionary struggle, and for some time thereafter.
SAINTLY VIRTUES. iVf
infidelity was rife in all our borders, profane
swearing, drunkenness, and almost every abomi-
nation, infected nearly all ranks of society.
Now I do not mean to say that there were none
righteous duiing all this time. Such a saying
would be in the highest degree preposterous.
We know that there appeared at different times,
both under the old and new dispensations, some
of the noblest spirits which ever adorned and
dignified human society. And never did saintly
virtue rise to a higher pitch, or shine out more
brilliantly, than it did in some of the ancient pa-
triarchs, in the primitive Christians, among the
reformers, and among the Puritans and others.
But what I mean to say is, that the very manner •
in which those saintly yrtues were tested, the
sufferings and the deaths which were inflicted
upon those saints, prove to a demonstration that
wickedness reigned triumphantly, and that in the
most favoured times the piinciples of religious
toleration were but imperfectly understood, and
less exemplified in practice. The fires of perse-
cution, among Pagans, Catholics, and Protestants,
which burned so furiously against the minor sects,
sending them to the prison, to the scaflfold, and
to the stake, attest the truth of the above state-
ment, while, since the penal laws against dissen-
tient Christians have been either repealed or
1Y4 STATE OF THE WORLD.
treated as a dead letter, the opposition •wliich has
been manifested against, and the ridicule which
has been poured upon experimental Christianity
by mere nominal professors of religion, show how
unwilling such are that pure and undefiled reli-
gion should predominate in the hearts of men,
Nothing shows more strikingly the imperfect
manner in which the true spirit of Christianity
was understood than the fact, that no sooner did
one sect gain the predominance in any countiy
than it enacted and executed penal laws against
all other sects, vainly supposing that conscience
could be forced to acquiesce in the dogmas which
it could not believe, and that the religion of love
could be propagated "by knocks and blows/'
Thus, while Luther was contending against Leo
X., Leo X. persecuted Luther; but when Lu-
theranism was established by law it could pro-
scribe all others. While Calvin was contending
against Romanism he cried out against pei-secu-
tion ; but when Calvinism became predominant
in Holland, it could condemn and proscribe the
Arminians, in the persons of the Remonstrants
at the Synod of Dort. While Cranmer and his
associates were labouring to effect a reformation
in England, they were persecuted unto "the
death" by their enemies ; but no sooner was the
Church of England established bv law than it
SIGNS OF PROGRESS. l75
turned persecutor of tlie Puritans, and all others
who dissented from the religion of the State.
And no sooner had these very Puritans establish-
ed themselves in their new abode in the wilds
of America than they turned around and perse-
cuted the Quakers, and hung the witches.
I have alluded to these facts to show how very
imperfectly the laws of reciprocal rights were
understood by our ancestors, and how much they
were under the influence of that ancient code,
done away by our Saviour, " An eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth," and governed by the
false maxim, " that power gives right." Hence
those exclusive laws which- protected one sect
and condemned all the rest. Hence also I say
that the principles of toleration, which secure to
all equally the right, and those laws which pro-
tect every one equally in the privilege of worship-
ping God according to the dictates of his own
conscience, were neither understood nor practised
by any sect that happened to have the predomi-
nance in the state. Thank God! this age of
intolerance is passed away in the gTeat portion
of Christendom, as well as in some heathen lands,
and I humbly trust, nay, I fully believe, that it
is fast passing away in those portions of the world
where superstition and intolerance still reign.
The illustration of this fact must be reserved for
176 RELIGIOUS TOLERATION.
a future chapter, and it will present one of the
most cheering prospects, next to the heavenly-
vision, upon which the pious mind can possibly
dwell. In the mean time let us adore the God
of all grace for what he has done, and is now
doing for the children of men.
CHAPTER XX.
The evils of civil or religious despotism— Altered state of things
for the better — Produced by pure religion — The hand of God
seen in this — Labours of Simpson and Buchanan, and other
Missionaries— British and Foreign and American Bible Socie-
ties—All these tended to break down bigotry and establish a
catholic spirit— The contrast between the present and former
times striking — Bright hope for the future.
We have taken a short survey of the state of
the world, from the sin of Adam nearly to the
present time, and have seen how generally wick-
edness prevailed, and more especially how the
principles of intolerance were incorporated in all
the religious establishments then existing. But
since the beginning of the eighteenth century there
has been a gradual improvement, until now the
principles of religious toleration are more gene-
rally understood and exemplified in practice
among the several nations of the earth.
What has produced this alteration for the bet-
ter ? To this I answer, and I believe it is the
CIVIL LIBERTY. ill
only correct answer which can be given, tJuit it
^s the influence of Gospel truth upon the under-
standings and cmisciences of manhind — that in-
fluence which penetrates the lieart, converts the
sinner into a saint, and makes him a " new crea-
ture." When the sinner is thus created anew,
the laws of God are wiitten upon his heart, and
that law which requires us to do as we would
be done by, in a change of circumstances, exerts
a controlling effect upon the conscience ; and
hence those who are governed by it can no more
oppress their fellow-men, abridge any of their
rights, or inflict pains and penalties for diff'e-
rence of opinion, than they can wish those acts
of injustice should be visited on themselves.
The hofht of this truth, reflected from the throne
of God on the renewed Christian's heart, is not
confined there; its rays shoot forth in every
direction, and the world around him becomes
enlightened. And so the principles of civil as
well as religious liberty have been widely dif-
fused among the nations, by which means the
bands of sectarian jealousy have been broken,
denominational pride and bigotry have been,
in a great measure, destroyed, and, as a conse-
quence, ci\dl despotism has lost its hold in many
places, and is fast losmg its hold in others.
Through this benign influence the minds of sUitcs-
12
1*78 MISSIONS,
men have been enliohtened, reliprious and civil
bigotry has been weakened, and the principles of
civil liberty have imbedded themselves in the hu-
man heart, and the folly of religious intolerance
is seen in its own odious and hateful character.
It is easy to trace the hand of God in bring-
m<r about these delio-htful results. What a
flood of light was shed on this subject by Simp-
son's "Plea for Religion," and how was this
light increased by Buchanan's "Star in the
East," in which is related how that intrepid
missionary penetrated the dungeon of Roman-
ism in Goa, in the Portuguese dominions in the
East. Ward, Morrison, and Coke, and a host
of other men of God, either went themselves, or
were instrumental in sending others, to explore
the dark dominions of superstition, error, and
idolatry, and they sent back their reports of the
sad state of things which they beheld, and called
for additional labourers to enter the rugged
field. They went at the call, and thus the mis-
sionaries of the cross visited almost every land
and nation under heaven, at first indeed very
timidly, finding a cautious prudence necessary,
to prevent or allay prejudice, and to " prepare
the way of the Lord " in those dense and dark
wildernesses where the rays of Gospel light had
not penetrated.
MISSIONS. 179
These missionaries of different sects and deno-
minations, meeting together in foreign and heathen
lands, soon felt the necessity of leaving their secta-
rian partialities and denominational pecuharities
at home, for bigots to contend about, and of miit-
ing their forces and combining their strength for
one undivided onset upon the strongholds of sin
and Satan. Having to combat the spirit of intole-
rance which they found reigning in Mohammedan
and heathen countries toward Christianity, they
saw its hateful character, deplored its withering
effects upon the human soul, and lamented over
those despotisms which had long bound the con-
sciences of men in their " slavish chains ;" and
accordingly they set themselves at work to coun-
teract its influence, by softening, through the
bland truths of the Gospel, the hearts of the
oppressors of mankind, and to plead for liberty
to worship Him ** who hath made of one blood
all the nations of the earth," according to the
dictates of an enlightened conscience.
Thus the labours of the missionaries contri-
buted mightily to relax the hold by which in-
tolerance had long held so many nations in
bondage. They felt, indeed, that if it was
wrong for Mohammedanism and heathenism to
abridge their rights, it was equally Avrong for
Christians, so called, to proscribe each other;
180 BIBLE SOCIETIES.
and that, if it was essential for them, in order to
pursue their high vocation with success among
the heathen, to love one another, and to exem-
plify that love by a imion of affection and effort,
it was equally so among Christians at home.
Thus the light of divine truth which shone upon
their minds in heathen lands, by a reflex action,
tended to enlighten the lands whence they
came.
Almost simultaneously with these movements
among the churches of Jesus Christ, the Bible
Society commenced its operations, first in Eng-
land, and then in the United States. At the
formation of this society in England, the rare
siHit was beheld in its board of manaorers, of
Episcopalians, Independents, Methodists, Bap-
tists, and Quakers, all uniting together to send
the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment,
to all the nations of our globe. The same
catholic spirit was exhibited at the establish-
ment of the American Bible Society. And
never, surely, was a fitter or broader platform
laid for all sects to stand upon than that of a
Bible Society so formed and conducted ; for
who that believes in divine revelation can with-
hold his assent from, or refrain from giving his
hearty assistance to, an association formed for
the purpose of inculcating, as extensively as
THEIR GOOD EFFECTS. 181
possible, that Bible which contains such a reve-
lation in all its perfection ?
That this noble and truly philanthropic insti-
tution has mightily contributed to do away de-
nominational jealousies, and to pare off the sharp
edges of sectarian rivalship, not only by uniting
all the orthodox Christians in its counsels, and
employing them as equally as may be in its
agencies, but in distributing its Bibles among all
classes that will receive them, whether infidels,
Jews, Mohammedans, heathens, Catholics, or
Protestants — excluding none from the embrace
of its charity who will not exclude themselves —
who will attempt to deny ? What a monument of
the most enlarged benevolence is this ! What
an honour to the Christianity of the nineteenth
century! And what a demonstration of the
catholicity of that religion which the Bible in-
culcates !
That the labours of these, namely, The British
and Foreign, and American Bible Societies, and
their various auxiliaries in Europe and America,
have greatly tended to advance the cause of
Christian liberality, to sap the foundation of re-
ligious intolerance, and thereby to open the way
for the imiversal spread of the Gospel, who can
doubt? Their boards of managers are com-
posed of members of different churches, their
182 IMPROVEMENTS.
agents are ministers of several denominations,
and thus Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Me-
thodists, and Episcopahans fraternize together,
and interchange — with the exception of the latter
— each other's pulpits, particularly when they
plead the Bible cause. This makes them better
acquainted with each other, and consequently
leads them more justly to appreciate one ano-
ther's " gifts, grace, and usefulness."
But by whatever causes, means, or instrumen-
talities these happy results have been effected,
the fact itself is indisputable, that such a refor-
mation has been wrought among almost all na-
tions, that those external barriers which origi-
nated from civil despotism and religious intole-
rance have been, in a great measure, removed,
and that a way is thus opened for the feet of
the missionar}^ with the Bible in his hand, the
love of God in his heart, and the words of truth
on his lips, to enter unmolestedly and proclaim
*' Jesus and the resurrection." What a revolu-
tion has thus been eflfectcd ! And how striking
the contrast between these and former days!
Formerly, in every age, with but few excep-
tions, the minority was persecuted by the ma-
jority, and often the sincere Christian had to
wade through rivers of blood in order to main-
tain his integrity, and arrive at the end of his
IMPROVEMENTS. 183
race. Now he passes along, not only in peace,
but generally protected in his rights and privi-
leges by the state in which he resides. Even
in Mohammedan and heathen lands, the mis-
sionary is permitted to enter, to reside, to travel,
to preach and pray, to build churches, to circu-
late the Bible, and to do all which the Lord his
God has commanded him, without let or hin-
drance from any man.
Hence these men of God are scattered in
Africa, in Asia, and different parts of Europe, in
the islands of the seas, among the aboriorines of
our own country, and indeed in every state and
kingdom under heaven, with the exception of
those under Papal influence, and even in these
the way appears to be preparing for the Lord in
a very remarkable manner. In France, since
the late revolution, and in other states of Eu-
rope, free toleration is allowed for all sects to
exercise themselves, and to preach their respec-
tive pecuharities. In Palestine, the land where
Isaiah sung and prophesied, where Christ, the
Messenger of the new covenant, was born,
preached, died, and rose again, and from which
he ascended to heaven, but which has long been
under the iron sceptre of Mohammedan des-
potism, even here in Jerusalem, around whicli
cluster so many endeared recollections, is the
184 ENCOURAGING FACTS.
Gospel preached in its purity. In Constanti-
nople, so long the " nest of every unclean bird/'
the " seat of the false prophet," Protestant mis-
sionaries are actively engaged in preaching the
Gospel, and the Holy Scriptures are circulated.
China, by a very mysterious providence, has
opened her gates to the missionar}^ of the cross,
and he is entering them -with words of peace on
his lips. In fact, the whole land of the East,
— once the theatre of so many astonishing events,
that has furnished such varied themes for the
poet, the historian, the antiquarian, the philoso-
pher, whether heathen, Jew, or Christian —
seems now opened, or opening, for the recep-
tion of Him who " bringeth glad tidings of great
joy to all people."
Time indeed would fail me to undertake to
enumerate all the instances which demonstrate
the truth of the proposition, tliat the present
days are better than the former. We may
therefore say to those who question the fact,
in the language of inspiration, " Say not thou.
What is the cause that the former days were
better than these? for thou dost not inquire
wisely concerning this," Eccles. vii, 10. Those
who will take the trouble to contrast the pre-
sent with the past, from the records of history,
will be constrained to acknowledge that the pre-
CAUSE OF THANKFULNESS. 185
sent is incomparably better in every respect,
civilly, religiously, scientifically, artistically, agri-
culturally, and commercially ; and if the Chris-
tian -will be wise and diligent, he will find that
he can use all these immense advantages for the
glory of God, in the advancement of the Re-
deemer's cause in the earth.
Now I certainly envy not the heart of that
man that can sit down and calmly meditate on
this most desirable and delin^htful state of thino^s,
and not be animated with a bright hope in the
future, and will not send up his grateful ac-
knowledgments to the God of all grace for his
manifold mercies. He that can, amidst these
scenes — scenes which unfold the wisdom, power,
and goodness of Almighty God so conspicuously
and gloriously — indulge himself in repinings
over the degeneracy of the age, and the desola-
tions of the Church, instead of catching fire
from the holy altar, and bursting forth in songs
of praise and thanksgiving to God "for his
wonderful goodness unto the children of men,"
— why, I must leave him to his own musings, and
join with all those of every name and order who
will unite with me in ascribing ** honour, and
glory, and dominion to Him that sitteth upon
the throne, and unto the Lamb forever."
186 CHRONOLOGICAL COMMENTATORS.
CHAPTER XXI.
The author expresses his conviction in the validity of his con-
clusions — Former incredulity in chronological interpretations
— Mr. Fleming's prediction of the downfall of the Pope in 1848
— These opened new -views — Wesley and Faber approximate
near each other, and with Fleming— Causes of the difference
— This difference being so small, confirms the truth of the pre-
diction — All these things argue the near approach of the mil-
lennium—In what this is to consist— Further representations
of Fleming— Final overthrow of the Pope in the year 2000—
The reasons for this.
If I have not very much misunderstood the
state of things — and I have tried to be impar-
tially accurate — the prospects before the Church
are of the most encouraging character. I cer-
tainly have not intentionally allowed my imagi-
nation or my feelings to bias my judgment, but
have endeavoured to draw all my conclusions
from indisputable facts. I claim, however, no
infallibility ; and, therefore, if any one will con-
vict me of en-or, in a Christian spirit, my ac-
knowledgment shall follow such conviction just
as speedily and frankly as I am capable of per-
forming it.
For a number of years, my confidence has
been very much weakened in the accuracy of
the chronological commentators upon the pro-
phecies of Daniel and St. John, because I thought
UNWORTHY OF CREDIT. 18*7
they had proved themselves false prophets, by
the events not harmonizing with the predictions
which they professed to found upon the pro-
phetic Scriptures. About thirty years since,
from reading Faber and some others, I spun
out a fine theory for myself, with which I was
much pleased for the time, and could dilate
upon with great delight; but soon events oc-
curred which tore my theory into fragments,
and I was forced to abandon it as utterly un-
tenable. And surely the late frenzied delu-
sion, conjured up by the disordered imagination
of Miller, by which so many weak but honest
minds were maddened by the wildest specula-
tions that ever bewildered and bewitched the
human soul, and all professedly founded on the
chronological prophecies of Daniel and St. John,
has had no tendency to remove my perplexities,
or to strengthen my faith in the truth of these
prophetic interpretations.
Nor do I now pretend to have arrived at any
sure data on which to found an undoubted con-
fidence in the interpretation of these mysterious
prophecies. But on looking over, a short time
since, Benson's Commentary on the twelfth
chapter of the Revelation, I found he quoted a
passage from the writings of Mr. Fleming, in
which that eminent commentator, in his inter-
188 FLEMING'S CALCULATION.
pretation of this prophecy respecting the woman
fleeing into the wilderness, where she should be
fed twelve hundred and sixty days, predicted,
from a chronological calculation derived from
this symbolical representation, that the Pope
should be put down in 1848. Mr. Fleming
wrote his Commentary upon the book of Reve-
lation in 1701, just one hundred and forty-seven
years before the event took place. This re-
markable coincidence, I must confess, struck
me with great force ; for we had just been in-
formed that Pope Pius IX. had fled from Rome
to Gaeta, in the kingdom of Naples, and sub-
sequent events have attested the fact that the
Provisional Government of Italy had deposed
the Pope from all his temporal power.
This opened a new scene for reflection. I
recollected that Faber, predicating his calcula-
tion of the same symbolical prophecy, had pre-
dicted the overthrow of the Pope in 1866, and
that Wesley, borrowing from Bengelius, had
intimated that the same event would occur in
1836.
These men of God differ thus in respect to
the time of the overthrow of the Popedom, on
account of their disagreement as regards the
time of the commencement of the twelve hun-
dred and sixty days, Faber placing it in six
FLEMING AND FABEK. 180
hundred and six ; and Wesley not only dissents
from Fleming and Faber, both in his date of the
commencement of the important era of the wo-
man's fleeing into the wilderness, but also in the
length of the time of the twelve hundred and
sixty days, making it extend from about 800
to 1836. The reason why Faber differs from
Fleming is, that the former reckons a day for a
calendar year, and thus, by adding twelve hun-
dred and sixty years to six hundred and six,
brings the fulfilment of this chronological pro-
phecy down to 1866 ; while Fleming makes
them prophetical years, which leads him to de-
duct eighteen from the calendar years,* and
thus to bring it down to 1848. This sym-
^' Tlie difference between a prophetical and a Julian, or
calendar year, consists in this — a prophetical year is made up
of twelve months, of just thirty days each month, making
three hundred and sixty days in the year ; while a Julian
year includes twelve months of different number of days, as
thirty, thirty-one, twenty-eight, with the exception of leap-
year, when February has twenty-nine days ; so that a Julian,
or our common year, has three hundred and sixty-five days,
five hours, forty-eight minutes, forty five and a half seconds.
This, by leaving out the fractions of minutes and seconds,
■will make a difference, in eighteen hundred and sixty jears,
of about eighteen years. It is by this mode of calculation
that Mr. Fleming, deducting eighteen from twelve hundred
and sixty, and adding the twelve hundred and forty-two to
six hundred and six, terminates the reign of the Pope in 1848
ijistead of 18G6.
190 SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
bolical language has been doubtless used that
its meaning might be understood only by the
coming to pass of the events. And I certainly
shall not add to the immense pile of baseless
conjectures which has been accumulating by the
folly or presumption of fallible men, who have
vainly attempted to draw aside the veil which
hides futurity from human view, by trying to
unfold the meaning of a prophecy before its
truth is declared by its fulfilment. On the con-
trary, wisdom would seem to dictate the pro-
priety of waiting patiently for time to develop
that hidden meaning of those prophecies which
is now wrapped up in that symbolic language
which is hard to be understood, and which
seems to have been so recorded for the express
purpose of preventing vain mortals from know-
ing those things which are in future, that they
may attend more diligently to those which God
hath revealed, as the object of their faith and
the measure of theii* duty.
In the mean time we may remark, that the
" signs of the times," which now appear in the
political and religious horizon, seem to indicate
the near approach of that day, when the king-
dom of the Lord Jesus " shall extend from the
river even to the ends of the earth ;" when the
" stone that was cut out of the mountain without
FAVOURABLE SIGNS. 191
hands, shall break in pieces the iron, the brass,
the clay, the silver, and the gold ;" and when
the "great God" shall establish his kingdom
universally among men, and Jesus Christ shall
reign " God over all, blessed forever."
I say, the signs of the times seem to indicate
this. Look at the free toleration for the propa-
gation of the Gospel already noticed, among
almost all the nations of the earth. As God
anciently overruled the wickedness of Pharaoh,
of Sihon, of Nebuchadnezzar, of Cyrus, and a
thousand other rulers of men, to subserve his
purposes of wisdom, truth, and goodness, to the
children of men, so he has been " preparing the
way of the kings of the earth," by the wars in
Europe, occasioned by the revolution in France
in 1789, from which sprang Bonaparte — one of
the most renowned warriors of the world — and
his veteran generals, for the development of his
own benevolent purposes of mercy, and for the
final establishment of the kingdom of his Son on
the earth. How marvellously did the providence
of God manifest itself in overruling the attack
of the British arras upon the Chinese, which, to
all human appearance, was an act of flagrant
injustice, so as to make it eventuate in such a
treaty of peace as should secure the free en-
trance of missionaries into that populous and
192 SIGNS UF THE TIMES.
superstitious empire ! And wherever the British
government holds sway in the East or West,
there freedom of conscience in religious matters
is secured to the people. In this light, what a
blessing to the world is that government, with
all its imperfections ! May it not abuse its
powers by becoming intolerant, but so use its
dominion, as to fulfil its high trusts for the ad-
vancement of true religion !
But what an opening does this present for
the spread of the Gospel ! And how animating
the prospect when we look abroad — East, West,
N^orth, and South — and behold everywhere
" the fields white for the harvest !"
Nor must we forget, or overlook, our own
happy country, as one of the agents in effecting
this glorious revolution. The principles of civil
and religious liberty, early planted in these
feeble colonies, continued their heavenly influ-
ence, until the eventful period arrived which de-
clared and achiev.ed our independence. Since
then what wonders has God wrought in this
and other countries ! Here especially have those
principles grown to maturity, and they have af-
fected, less or more, all the kingdoms of Europe ;
and they will continue, I most devoutly pray, to
diffuse themselves more and more, until the
despotisms of the old world shall be annihilated,
THE MILLENNIUM. 193
and all men eveiy where may sit down " under their
own vine and fig-tree," and worship God without
any other restraint than what the word of God
imposes upon an enlightened understanding and
a well-instructed conscience.
Now, take all these things into the account,
and then connect with the pleasing view the
facts heretofore stated, namely, the exertions
which are now making, by nearly all denomina-
tions of Christians, both at home and abroad ;
by building churches, filling the pulpits with
holy and spiritual ministers ; by sending out
missionaries into every land, to which access
can be had ; by circulating the Bible in almost
every language and dialect under heaven, and
the increased spirit of holiness, of holy living
and acting; ; and then let us ask ourselves,
whether we have not abundant reason for be-
lieving that God is about to take to himself his
great power, and reign universal King on the
earth ? — in other words, whether he is not,
even now, ushering in the millennium, as^it has
been not unaptly called, from the "thousand
years " of Christ's reign, mentioned in the Reve-
lation ?
Let us not, however, deceive ourselves by
anticipating an imaginary millennium. I do not
believe — and the reasons for this unbelief "ftre
13
194 THE MILLENNIUM.
too numerous to mention here — (See Appendix
No. 2) — either that Jesus Christ will ever appear
personally among men on this earth, or that
such a time ^yill ever come, before the " new
heavens and new earth " shall be formed, as
that all and every one of the inhabitants of our
world shall be really and personally righteous ;
and that, consequently, all wickedness shall be
swept from among men. But I believe the
millennium that we are authorized to expect, is
such a one as shall put " down all rule and au-
thority " but such as is according to godliness,
or such as Christianity shall sanction ; that all
false systems of religion, and unrighteous civil
governments, shall be destroyed, so that Chris-
tianity shall be the only religion professed by
any people or nation ; that thus an offer of life
and salvation shall be freely and fully made to
every living man and woman, upon the terms
of the Gospel ; so that if any perish in his sins,
it will not be because he was born a Jew, a
Mohammedan, or Heathen, but only because he
willingly and wilfully refused to believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of the
world.
When this period shall have arrived, and the
Gospel has been thus preached among all na-
tions, I believe the end of the world will come :
Fleming's calculations. 195
and then " he that is holy shall be holy still,
and he that is unholy shall be unholy still." I
beheve that the commencement of this happy
period is nigh, even at the door, if it be not
indeed already begun.
Since the remarks upon Fleming's interpreta-
tion were written, I have, through the kindness
of a friend, procured a copy of his work, and
find that he calculates the complete destruction
of the Papacy in the year 2,000, from the fact
that the Pope was not invested with the full
title of Universal Bishop until '758, under the
reign of the emperor Pepin. According to this,
the Papacy may be gradually wasting away,
under the unerring, but just hand of Divine
Providence, overruling the events of the world,
and causing them to crush by slow degrees the
power of the Pope, both in its head and limbs,
until the time predicted shall come, when the
entire fabric, as such, shall be destroyed.
Though, therefore, it be true that Mr. Fleming
predicted the fall of the Pope in 1848, and
though we have seen this literally accomplished,
so far as respects his temporal power, he yet
retains his spiritual office as bishop, and may
continue to exercise it for one hundred and fifty-
two years, or until the two thousandth year of
the Christian era.
196 THE MILLENNIUM.
I merely give these facts as the result of
Mr. Fleming's calculations, without uttering any
opinion respecting their truth. Time will de-
velop all these things in the due course of events.
We may therefore safely wait for this infallible
interpreter of the mysteries of Divine providence
to unfold the meaning of the prophetic Scrip-
tures, and make everything plain. ** What I do
thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know here-
after," applies with equal force to all those fu-
ture events which are wrapped up in the dark-
ness of a hidden providence, as it did to the
question of the disciples, when they asked the
Lord Jesus if at that time he would " restore
again the kingdom to Israel."
GREAT WORK TO BE DONE. 197
CHAPTER XXII.
The millennium near at hand, though much remains to be
done before its realization — The present state of the world —
1,000,000,000 its estimated population — One-tliird only of these
are Christians — the others Mohammedans, Pagans, and Jews
— Probably two-thirds of the Christians either Roman Catho-
lics or Greeks — Among the 70,000,000 Protestants, not over
3,500,000 real Christians— Look at China— At Africa— At Eu-
rope — Prospects gloomy — State of the Protestant world — Evils
of Church and State — Look at America — Gloomy state of
South America and Mexico— Glance at the conquest— The
United States— Here things more favourable— Much remains
to be done — Calculation of the time for the general spread of
the Gospel — The holy Christian fixes his faith on the promises
of God— Present facilities for the spread of the Gospel.
I HAVE intimated that the time is drawing nigh
for the millennial glory to be ushered into the
world. I do not wish, however, to be misunder-
stood upon this subject. Though the time of
its commencement may be near at hand, if in-
deed it has not already begun, it may neverthe-
less be a long time, as we measure time, in pro-
gress, and that time will be long or short, ac-
cording to the rapidity with which the work is
pushed forward. But whether the time be long
or short, and whether the spiritual reign of
Christ on this earth be a thousand or ten thou-
sand years, it is most manifest that a great work
remains to be done before that happy consum-
mation shall be fully realized.
lUS telATE OF THE ^V(JKLD.
To be cominced of tliis, let us look at the
present condition of the world in respect to the
actual stcite of pui^e and undefiled religion.
Though it is highly favourable as it regards the
prevalence of civil and religious hberty, and
therefore for the revival and spread of evangel-
ical piety, yet the greater portion of the -world
is still under the power of sin, superstition, and
idolatry, which even now overspread more than
two-thirds of the inhabitants of the earth, while
among those who profess a belief in Christianity
only a small minority are genuine believers in
Jesus Christ.
It is estimated that there are now about
1,000,000,000 of inhabitants on our globe. (See
Appendix, Xo. 3.) Out of these 1,000,000,000
there are only about one- third, or say 300,000,000,
that even profess the Christian religion. The
other two-thirds, say 700,000,000, are either
Mohammedans, Jews, or Pagans. Among those
who profess a belief in Christianity, more than
one-half, some say two-thirds, belong to the
Roman Catholic and Greek Churches. Among
those denominated Protestants, numbering about
"70,000,000, probably not over one in twenty,
that is, about 3,500,000, have an experimental
knowledge of God by a living faith in Jesus
Christ. I do not sav that all the rest are re-
CHINA. 191)
probates. There doubtless might be found those
among the diflferent sects, unknown to all but
God, who conscientiously improve the light they
have ; who, not having the written " law, do by
nature the things contained in the law, are a
law unto themselves, which show the work of
the law >vritten in their hearts, their conscience
also bearing witness, their thoughts meanwhile
accusing or else excusing one another ;" for " in
every nation, he that feareth God and worketh
righteousness is accepted of Him." Such are
saved through the merits and mediation of
Christ, though they never heard of him, just as
infants and idiots are saved by His merits, though
incapable of believing in Him " with a heart imto
righteousness."
But leaving these out of the question, let us
for a moment consider the great work to be ac-
complished before Christianity shall be univer-
sally established. Look at the vast empire of
China, containing probably 150,000,000 of in-
habitants, all, with but few exceptions, bowing
down to idols, which can neither hear nor speak.
What a mighty mass of corruption, of supersti-
tion, and idolatry to be removed ! Persia, the
land of Palestine, — the exact number of their in-
habitants I cannot tell, — and other countries of
Asia, are still under the dominion of Mohamme-
200 STATE OF THE WORLD.
dan imposture, Jewish prejudice, or pagan su-
perstition. And these false systems of rehgion
are strengthened in the hearts of the people hj
the manner in which they administer to their
sensual indulgence. These countries indeed pre-
sent an arid wast€, a barren desert, with here
and there a green spot, which has been culti-
vated by the missionary, and which, like an
oasis in the sands of Africa, aflfords the Christian
pilgrim a means of refreshment to his weary
spirit.
Look at Africa, though never thoroughly ex-
plored by the scientific traveller, containing pro-
bably 90,000,000 of souls, with the exception of
here and there a Christian society, all under
either Mohammedan delusion or pagan idolatry,
many of whom are as ignorant of God, and the
arts of civilization, as her Sahara desert is des-
titute of vegetable hfe. Though some few of
her numerous tribes, who inhabit the seacoast,
ha.ve embraced the Gospel, and though a Chris-
tian colony is rising in Liberia, yet the great pro-
portion of her vast population are given up to
all the comiption peculiar to Mohammedan and
heathen principles and modes of worship. Egypt,
the cradle of the arts of civilized life, and once
the seat of a Christian bishopric ; Carthage, for-
merly the city of refinement, of literature, and
EUROPE. 201
the arts, and once the theatre of Christian pole-
mics, now in ruins ; Ethiopia, once famous for
its attachment to Christian worship ; Hippo, cele-
brated in ecclesiastical history as the seat of Au-
gustine, a Christian bishop — all these places,
with hundreds of others, included within the do-
mains of Africa, have become the "habitation
of the dragon, a nest for every unclean bird," or,
in other words, are given over to a bewildering
delusion. And as to the interior of Africa, no
man knows its condition, for it has never been
fully explored. What a mighty work is to be
done here before Christ can reign in the hearts
of the people, and subdue them to himself !
Nor do many parts of Europe, though nomi-
nally Christian, present a much brighter prospect.
In France, Austria, Italy, Naples, and some other
minor kingdoms and principalities, the Roman
Catholic religion predominates ; while Russia,
containing upward of 56,000,000 souls, is mostly
under the hierarchy of the Greek Church. And
though we may hope that in these Churches, in
which the cardinal truths of divine revelation are
maintained, there may be found some pious souls,
who, like De Rente, Madame Guion, Fenelon,
and a Kempis, " worship God in the spirit, and
have no confidence in the" fleshly ceremonies
with which their religious systems are surround-
202 tJTATi: UF THE WUKLD.
ed and encumbered, yet we know that infidelity
abounds in their midst, that sensuahty debases
the great mass of priests and people, and con-
sequently that purity of heart and practice is
rarely found among them.
And what shall we say of the Protestant world
in general? Do the professors of this form of
Christianity, generally speaking, afford any ex-
ample to their Catholic or Greek neighbours of
a superior cast to induce them to change their
Cathohcism for Protestantism? I fear not. I
greatly fear that, on a comparison of those coun-
tries where Protestantism is estabhshed by law,
where Church and State are united, and where
of course religion is supported by the state, there
has been but little of the genuine spirit of Chris-
tianity to commend it to the acceptance of either
Catholics, Greeks, Mohammedans, or pagans,
until quite recently, and this has been produced
by the bland influence of the Gospel, as preach-
ed and exemplified' by the dissentient sects of
Christians, and that too in opposition to the power
and influence of the predominant religion—
the same overbearing spirit of intolerance, the
same disregard to honour and justice in their in-
tercourse one with another, the same spirit of
intriorue, of war and bloodsheddins^, have been
exhibited by Protestant nations, and even by
AMERICA. 203
Protestant denominations, as have been hereto-
fore manifested by Cathohc kingdoms, or even
by heathen nations. Is it any wonder, then, that
Catholics and heathens should have imbibed an
inveterate prejudice against Protestants ? Thank
God that a brighter day seems to be dawning
upon some portions, at least, of the Protestant
world.
Our remarks, so far, have had reference to the
state of things in Asia, Africa, and Europe. How
is it in America ? As to Mexico and South Ame-
rica, so far as pure religion is concerned, and the
general state of morals, there seems to be nothing
to relieve the general gloom. What cruelties
were perpetrated by the Spanish conquerors of
Mexico and South America toward the hapless
natives of these countries ! To convert them to
Christianity, their inhuman conquerors held the
crucifix in one hand, and the sword in the other,
commanding them to bow and kiss the crucifix,
or feel the point of the sword. And when tJms
converted, they were reduced to a state of vas-
salage more degrading than that of the negi-o
slave in our own country — they were instantly
doomed to all the drudgery of working the gold
and silver mines of the country, tilling the soil,
or otherwise performing menial services for their
haughty conquerors.
204 STATE OF THE WORLD.
What has been the result of all this ? Alas for
the state of religion and morals in those ill-fated
countries ! Intolerance reigns triumphant, ^■ice of
almost all sorts degrades both the clergy and
laity, while sanguinary wars have drenched the
soil with human blood. A land blessed with a
genial climate, a rich soil, many of its mountains
and rivers impregnated with silver and gold, and
yielding every vegetable fruit almost sponta-
neously, cursed with a system of religion as heart-
less as that of the Hottentots, with a tyranny as
relentless as the Turkish, and with morals as low
as the haram of Constantinople ! Is this picture
too highly coloured ? Let the records of the con-
quest and its subsequent history answer. It
would seem indeed as if a reaction of Divine Pro-
vidence was exemplified toward the states of
South America and Mexico, in punishment of
their treacherous cruelty toward the natives — na-
tives whom they inhumanly butchered, conquer-
ed, enslaved, and converted to the Catholic faith
by a process as unlike the apostolic example as
the Koran is unlike the Bible. Hence the com-
mand issued respecting another people, " Give
them blood to drink, for they are worthv," seems
to have been executed upon them. Ever since
the revolutions which emancipated these provin-
ces from the dominion of Spain, there has been
UNITED STATES. 205
revolution after revolution ; one chieftain rising
up and supplanting another, and, in achieving his
object, shedding the blood of the unhappy peo-
ple like water. God ! how long shall this be ?
They are nevertheless objects of commisera-
tion, and demand the pious exertions of the Chris-
tian missionary. The way, indeed, seems to be
opening for the entrance of the Gospel into that
land of superstition, where the people have been
taught to worship the Virgin Mary as the mother
of God, and to eat the wafer as the real soul,
body, and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ !
How is it in the United States? Every man
is supposed to be partial to the land of his birth,
the land of his forefathers, the home of his child-
hood and manhood. Making all due allowance
for this partiality, I presume to say that there is
not, nor ever has been, any country so favoura-
ble to the spread of the Gospel, and for the es-
tablishment of Christian and benevolent institu-
tions, as the United States. Here the tree of
liberty was early planted ; here it has been water-
ed, nursed, and pruned ; here it has accordingly
grown and flourished, until its spreading branches
have extended all over our free soil, so that un-
der its umbrageous foliage the weary sons and
daughters of men may shelter themselves, while
the stormy blasts are passing over the old world.
206 STATE OF THE TTORLD.
Here also the Church of Jesus Christ was early
planted, and it has imparted its sap to nourish
the tree of liberty, and they have mutually sup-
ported and fed each other, and they are now
calmly reposing under the shadow of His wing
which formerly sheltered the children of Israel
in the wilderness.
But even here, under all these advantages,
there are many vices to correct, and much infi-
delity to be conquered. The aborigines of our
country are to be reclaimed, converted, and civi-
lized; the slaves are to be emancipated and
saved ; and though the good work of converting
the natives has been begun with encouraging suc-
cess, there remains much to be accomplished be-
fore the " wilderness shall blossom as the rose."
But I need not speak more particularly of the
state of things here, as it is generally understood
by most of my readers, and it has been sufficient-
ly adverted to in my former chapters. It only
remains, therefore, for the evangelical denomina-
tions to exert themselves unitedly, with becoming
diligence and exemplary piety, that they may se-
cure a complete triumph to pure Christianity ia
our own happy land.
The above imperfect \-iew of the state of the
world will show what Christians have to do be-
fore the "new heaven and tlie new earth" are
PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION. 207
created. And they may make a calculation, if
able, from what has been done, and is now doing,
and strive to ascertain how long it will be before
that grand event shall arrive. But such a calcu-
lation would present too slow a process, and too
discouraging a prospect, for the lively and strong
faith of the holy Christian to look at. He de-
rives his faith and fomids his hope, not merely
on past events, on the history of what God has
heretofore done, but more especially on what God
has promised to do, and from what arises out of
the present aspect of things. Such a time as the
present never before was beheld by mortal man.
Not only the general state of the world is favour-
able for the advancement of pure religion, but
everything in the civihzed world seems to favour
the progress of the Gospel. Steamboats, rail-
roads, the electric telegraph, all facilitate, not
only commerce, political and artistical knowledge,
but may be made subservient to the extension of
the Redeemer's kingdom. Never was there a
time when it could be said with so much truth,
to the missionaries of the cross, *' Go, ye swift
messengers," to every part of the habitable globe,
as the present. Never was there a time like the
present when the flying angel mentioned in the
Apocalypse could so literally fulfil his high mis-
sion, by " FLYING in the midst of heaven, having
208 STATE OF THE WORLD.
the everlasting Gospel to preach unto" the
dwellers upon the earth, in the seas, and the
islands of the seas. News may be spread with
the speed of lightning, and the " swift messen-
gers" may go with all the velocity of steamboats
and railroads from land to land, from island to
continent, and everywhere proclaim the glad
news of salvation.
In my next I shall endeavour to present some
more facts to show the encouraging prospect
arising out of the present movements in the Chris-
tian world for the general spread of the Gospel.
CHAPTER XXIII.
statement of particular facts— These prove that evangehcal
religion is reviving — European revolutions favourable to reli-
gious toleration — Extracts of letters from Italy — from Switzer-
land — from Hungary — from Germany — These all indicate a re-
vival of godliness — Meeting of evangelical ministers in Wit-
tenberg — A spirit of union prevails— These facts prove that
pure religion is advancing — The fire of Divine love will burst
forth suddenly, and consume all before it.
In addition to the general view presented in my
last, I wish to state some particular facts, for the
purpose of strengthening the faith and animating
the hope of the sincere Christian. These facts
arise out of the movements which are makinor ia
EUROPEAN REVOLUTIONS. 209
dififerent parts of the world in favour of pure,
heart-felt religion.
The revolutions which have occurred during
the past few years in France, in Germany, Prus-
sia, and Italy, have all been favourable to the
principles of religious toleration, and of course
to the propagation of evangelical religion. Hence
in Hungary, in Germany, in France, and even in
Italy, in Rome itself, the very seat of the Pope,
as well as in Switzerland, evangelical ministers
have risen up in the strength of God, and pro-
claimed aloud, for a time at least, the pure truths
of the Gospel. It would appear that there was a
general and simultaneous impulse felt among the
different bands of pious Christians in favour of
experimental and practical piety.
In confirmation of the truth of this statement,
I will quote the following extracts from corre-
spondents who write for the " Christian Union,"
a periodical published under the patronage of
the American branch of the Evangelical Alliance
— a work intrusted to the immediate editorship
of the Rev. Dr. Baird, whose catholic spirit com-
mends him to all sincere Christians as a " brother
beloved," and guarantees the character of the
work he edits, as containing nothing inconsistent
with impartial truth and brotherly affection. A
correspondent, writing from Florence, afteff
14
210 STATE OF THE WORLD.
making some general remarks on the state of
things in Italy, says : —
" That which impresses me most favourably, upon my
inquiries into the religious affairs of Italy, is a manifest
awakening among pious Protestants throughout the
country, in reference to their duty towards Romanists.
I believe this to be a revival of the spirit of Christ in
their hearts, because it expresses itself in great charity
towards the misguided people ; in judicious efforts to en-
lighten them, and reach their consciences by truth, with-
out drawing them into ecclesiastical controversy: and
in prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon
themselves as well as others. I frequently hear, from
persons not interested in the conversion of Romanists,
the most contemptuous remarks in reference to our Pro-
testant efforts, and the accusation of bitterness and in-
tolerance brought against the agents in them. But such
persons are strangers to the little reunions where these
matters are discussed. Would they but attend one such
gathering, or converse to the point with individuals en-
gaged in these movements, they would very quickly feel
their own spirit reproved in reference to both parties.
Such I have knowTi to be the case in more than one in-
stance.
" At all the reunions Avhich I have had the pleasure
of attending in Italy, and also in conversation with mem-
bers of different Protestant communions, I have been im-
pressed with the evidence that God is moving upon the
hearts of his children here to make them of one mind and
spirit in view of the coming of his kingdom."
This proves that a spirit is stirring the hearts
of Christians in Italy, which, if it be not repress-
SWITZERLAND. 211
ed by the hand of bigoted intolerance on the one
hand, nor smothered by dead formalism on the
other, nor yet kindled by the fire of bitter zeal
against Roman Catholics, will yet burst forth in
flames of divine love towards all men, and evince
the purity of its source and the strength of its
principle in acts of beneficence to the souls and
bodies of men.
Another correspondent writes as follows con-
cerning the state of things in Switzerland. Af-
ter giving a short account of the hypocrisy mani-
fested by most of the professors of religion, after
the establishment of the national Church, in stig-
matizing the " true believers as Momiers, or in
more polite terms, Methodistes,'* the writer adds
the following remarks : —
" You must not suppose, however, that everything is
dark and gloomy in the present condition of the Canton
of Vaud. That God who can draw good out of evil, and
has promised to be with his children even unto the end
of the world, has not left himself without witnesses here.
If the men of the world are exhibiting more and more
plainly the materialism by which they are guided, the
little flock of the Lord Jesus Christ, following in the foot-
steps of their Divine Leader, are daily evincing an increase
of love, faith, and knowledge. The Free Church — al-
though oppressed, deprived of all liberty and publicity
in the services of divine worship, compelled in most of
the parishes to assemble in secret for prayer and preach-
ing, separated from its chobcn pastors, who are di*aggcd
212 STATE OF THE WORLD.
away like criminals by the soldiery of the State— is never-
theless prospering in the greater number of the locations
where it has been established.
" Nationalism is giving way to independence, formal-
ism to life, traditional errors to a more enlightened
knowledge of the Word of God, and to Christian free-
dom. The pastors hare been brought nearer to their
people by the bonds of sympathy and daily connexion.
They have become real pastors, spiritual conductors,
who are consulted and appealed to, not only in the hour
of death, but in seasons of interaal doubts and difficul-
ties, of outward joy, or of ti'ouble and mourning. The
eldei-s and deacons (whose very names were scarcely
known a few years since) are of the utmost utility in
the Free Church, in assisting, and, when necessary, tak-
ing the place of the pastors, when the latter are expelled
from their parishes by the public authorities. The con-
gregations feel that the breath of life exists among
them ; they are no longer silent bodies, listening only,
and leaving to other hands the care of their salvation.
The members of the Church arc making progress in all
respects ; and in general they feel it to be a privilege to
suffer for the name of Christ. There is certainly a
bright prospect before the Free Church of the Canton of
Vaud, in spite of all the persecutions of its foes."
Even in Hungary,* a country wliich Austria is
endeavouring to crush by her arms, it appears
that the spirit of true piety is reviving. The
'^ Since the above was written, the Hungarians have been
crushed by the united forces of Austria and Russia, and
their liberties, for the present, annihilated : but still the
spirit of liberty, though apparently suhdued, yet breathes
its aspirations to Heaven, and uill, I humbly trust, sooner
HUNGARY. 213
writer, after expatiating upon the means used
by the enemies of vital religion to abridge the
Protestants of their liberties, says that Satan
could not by these means " prevent the return
of hope." And to show the independent spirit
by which the clergy are actuated, though poor
as respects this world's goods, he recounts the
manner in which they rejected a tempting offer
of the Papal government to furnish them with a
"public salary." After discussing the subject
in two separate synods, acting independently
and without the knowledge of each other, they
unanimously, and at length conjointly, resolved
to decline the proffered aid, assigning the fol-
lowing as their reasons : —
" Christ hath provided for us all that was necessary
for our temporal estate, during long centuries of perse-
cution ; He will not now forsake us. As to the govern-
ment, kindly disposed, no doubt, but nevertheless papist,
sooner or later, as a reward for the favour it bestows, it
would insinuate itself hito the internal government of
or later, receive an answer, and God will proclaim their
emancipation. Indeed, the despotism seems to be regaining
its ascendency ; yet it is certain that it will not long hold
its dominion, but will itself fall under its own weight,
when the human mind shall be emancipated from its thral-
dom, and the principles of civil and religious liberty shall
be universally established. Let all the lovers of God fer-
vently pray for this consummation.
214 STATE OF THE WORLD.
our Church. We cannot, like Esau, sell our birthright
for a mess of pottage."
What pious heart can avoid honouring, and at
the same time deeply sympathizing with, this
devout band of Protestants, who, while strug-
gling imder the double pressure of poverty and
tyranny, nobly disdained to accept the pecuniary
assistance offered them, lest it might be a means
of their conniption, by giving their enemies a
pretence for meddling with the internal affairs
of their Church !
In Germany, the signs of the times seem to
indicate spiritual prosperity. Had I room I
should like to quote the entire speech of Mr.
W^ichern, in which he urged the necessity of
forming a Home Mission, more especially for
the benefit of the poor, and particularly the
journeymen mechanics : " hundreds of thou-
sands of them," he said, *'were compelled to
wander about in search of employment," and
were thus exposed to all the allurements of vice,
and to the corrupting influence of an infidel
philosophy with which the country abounds.
The following account of a meeting in behalf of
the Home Mission will show the spirit by which
this veteran of the cross of Christ is animated : —
" In the public meeting, -which was soon after held in
Hamburg, for the promotion of the Home Mission,
GERMANY. 215
Candidate Wichem bore testimony to the Christian
zeal and self-sacrificing devotion with which Miss Sieve-
king, of that city, had long laboured to promote the
spiritual well-being of her towns-people, and the success
which had attended her unwearied efforts in the forma-
tion of a Female Visiting Society, in establishing
schools for the young, and asylums for the old, in which
not only their bodily but their soul-necessities met the
most evangelical attention. He likewise noticed the
fearless and zealous exertions of the Rev. G. Oncken,
Baptist minister in Hamburg ; and, while avowing his
dissent from the reverend gentleman on the subject
of infant baptism, he bore glad and just testimony to
the truly Gospel preaching and practice of that confes-
sor, and even martyr, for the truth as it is in Jesus, in
those evil days — now, it is to be hoped, forever past —
of Hamburg's persecuting oligarchy.
" He further stated, that a Berlin clergyman having
avowed his desire to labour for the Home Mission, but
his ignorance of how it might best be accomplished, ' I
told him,' said Wichem, ' to follow the example of our
English brethren; to place himself at the comer of
some street, and preach Christ crucified to all the pas-
sers by. But it is not clerical missionaries only, nor
even chiefly, that we want,' continued Mr. "Wichem ;
* we want lay preachers, and that of every class. We
want, as Lord Ashley most truly said, in respect of
London, ' neither money nor old clothes, but living men,
to penetrate to the homes and hearts of the poor.'
The blight of infidelity has fallen on our land chiefly
through the instrumentality of an artisan propaganda ;
it must be met by the counteracting influence of a
Christian artisan propaganda. We must have believing
Bchoolmasters, believing handicraftsmen of every grade
216 STATE OF THE WORLD.
and description, wlio. from love to God and the sonls of
men, will go among those of their own occupation, and
labour to displace the rank and poisonous weeds of
false doctrine and licentious practice, by the ' good seed
of the word.' If the people will not come to the Gospel,
then truly, as Lord Ashley says, ' We must carr}' the
Gospel to the people ;' and if we seek to know how
England, of all European countries, has escaped revolu-
tion, we may see in her Sunday-schools, her city mis-
sions, her freely preached and generally received Chris-
tianity, the sole, the all-sufl&cient solution of the
problem. Even in our own sphere, experience has
taught us in late years a weighty lesson ; and the report
of our brother, Candidate Gleiss, respecting his attempted
city mission during 1847, may well confirm our hopes
and stimulate our endeavours. From this report it ap-
pears that two hundred and thirty families have been
visited, during the past year, in one subm-b of Hamburg
alone, and that chiefly with the ostensible object of inquir-
ing what children would be disposed to attend Sunday-
schools. And although suspicion, and even dislike and
repulsion, occasionally met the first approaches of the
Christian visitant, yet these were speedily overcome by
the conviction which persevering, disinterested kindness
never fails to bring home to the most obdurate bosom.
The visits of Mr. Gleiss are now looked forward to with
eager pleasure by many a household, who at first
scowled upon him with a most repelling coldness ; and
such will be, undoubtedly, the cheering result of a more
extended Home Mission. Let us try to show, as well
as to feel, love for those who have erred from the right
way ; and He who loveth mercy better than sacrifice
will doubtless bless the attempt.' 'But let it not be
supposed,' continued Mr. Wichem, ' that the Christian
ITALY.
217
missionary duty is all without doors. Every family has
a sphere of its own ; and by family worship, instruction
of children and servants, and the conscientious per-
formance of every relative duty, should contribute its
share to ' leavening the whole lump' of society with
Christian principle.' The result of this meeting, which
was not only numerous, but comprised the elite of
Hamburg's population, was the formation of a society
pledged to the promotion of the Home Mission by every
practicable means.
" One lady undertook the personal instruction of
twelve destitute children. Others joined themselves to
Sunday-schools already formed, or avowed a readiness
to assist in forming new ones. Subsequent meetings
have been occupied in suggesting and maturing various
schemes of city missionary labour ; and the spirit of
Christian charity, thus powerfully aroused, and sup-
ported by the daily accumulating proofs of pressing
necessity, will doubtless, within a brief space of time,
assume a form and substance, before whose illuminating
and warming influence the spirit of darkness will re-
treat abashed."
These extracts prove most incontestably that
the spirit of evangelical religion is reviving in
the hearts, and exemplifying itself in the practice,
of God's ministers and people in those countries.
Recently, also. Dr. Baird informs us that a Bible
Society, auxiliary to the British and Foreign
Bible Society, has been formed in one of the
chief cities in Italy, and that English, Ameri-
cans, Swiss, French, and Itahans took part in
218 STATE OF THE WORLD.
its organization. " This," he says, "is the first
Bible Society, as far as our knowledge extends,
that has ever been formed in Italy proper."
We most heartily join in the prayer of Dr. Baird,
that this organization may be succeeded by that
of hundreds of others, before very many years
shall have passed away."
In a subsequent number of the same work,
namely, for May, 1849, I find an account of a
meeting of Evangehcal Clergymen in Witten-
berg, the very place where Luther published,
Oct. 21, 1517, the ninety-five theses, so cele-
brated as the beginning of the Reformation, to
concert measures for the spread of pure religion
throughout Germany, Many great and good
men were there. The conference lasted three
days. Dr. Baird says : —
" Its object was emphatically the promotion of Chris-
tian Union. There were present men from the four
principal Protestant communions of Germany, — the
Lutherans, the Reformed, the Evangelical Church, (a body
much larger than all tte others, and composed of those
Lutheran and Reformed Churches which coalesced in
the reign of the late King of Prussia.) and the Moravians.
" After a free interchange of opinion, and no little
discussion, an Evangelical Alliance was formed, to be
composed of all those who shall declare their faith to be
in accordance with the Confessions of their respective
Churches or Communions, and shall engage that their
acts in the Alliance assemblies shall be in conformity
EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. 219
with these confessions. Such, in substance, is the basis
upon which this movement rests ; and it would be diffi-
cult to form one which would be either more simple or
more appropriate."
The principal objects of this Evangelical Al-
liance were set forth to be : —
"1. To shoAv the fundamental unity of the Protestant
Churches.
" 2. To bear a common testimony against the various
adversaries of the truth.
" 3. To give mutual aid and advice.
" 4. To mediate in case of difficulties which may arise
between Churches that are members of the Alliance.
" 5. To maintain and defend the rights of the Protes-
tant Evangelical Churches, secured to them by the Em-
pire, or by the several governments of Germany.
" 6. To give aid and advice to isolated Evangelical
Churches, both in and out of Germany.
" 7. To promote and maintain union with all the
Evangelical Churches of Europe and the world.
" 8. To prosecute works of charity, and especially
that of Home Missions, for the evangelization of the
nominally Christian world."
The following reflections, by Dr. Baird, fully
accord with my own views and feelings : —
" Such are the great objects of this noble movement ;
and it must be confessed that they are of the greatest
importance. How cheering it is to see such a move-
ment at this time, commencing in the very heart of Ger-
many! Blessed be God, a brighter day is about to
dawn upon the world ! Who can estimate the good
220 STATE OF THE WORLD.
which will follow fi-om such an effort to bring together
the various evangelical branches of the Protestant Church
in Germany, at a time when God is breaking down all
the barriers wliich have for almost three centuries pre-
vented the spread of the truth into the Papal portions
of it? The new constitution of the German Empire
throws open all parts of that empire to the Gospel, by
establishing religious liberty. And, what is still more
wonderful, the new constitution of the Austrian Empire
throws open all the portions of that empire to all judi-
cious efforts of the friends of the truth. How wonderful
this day ! And how appropriate to the times is this
blessed movement of the evangelical Christians of Ger-
many to form a Christian union, and unite their efforts
to promote the regeneration of nominally Christian
lands, and especially their own great country ! May
God crown then* exertions with abundant success ! "We
feel confident that he will. Already we learn that the
conference at "Wittenberg has produced good fruits. In
view of the deplorable spiritual state of Germany, the
conference recommended days of fasting and humilia-
tion, which have been obseiwed by many churches with
happy results. The ' Call to Repentance,' a short but
admirable tract, addressed to all German brethren of the
evangelical communions, which the conference, before
its dissolution, resolved to publish, is obtaining a wide
circulation, and is doing great good."
Now do not these facts, together with the
cursory view heretofore taken of the general
state of the world, present a most encouraging
prospect to the Church of Jesus Christ, and
visibly foreshadow the coming of the Lord of
PLEASING PROSPECTS. 221
Hosts, to scatter his enemies, unbelief and sin,
and to gather his elect from the four quarters
of the earth into one fold, and to appoint over
it one Shepherd, even Him -whose " going forth
is from of old, from everlasting ?" These scat-
tered groups of pious Christians, breathing forth
their aspirations to Almighty God that His
kingdom may come, are not unlike to a train
of powder that has been laid for the purpose of
blowing up the citadel of a besieged fortress,
when no sooner is the match applied than the
magazine takes fire, and the citadel is scattered
to the four winds of heaven ! These bands of
holy souls, scattered throughout Europe, Asia,
some parts of Africa, in America, and in the
islands of the seas, uniting their prayers toge-
ther before the throne of God — crying, " How
long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not
judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell
on the earth ?" — shall sooner or later receive an
answer to their prayers, and God will send the
fire of His Holy Spirit, and suddenly a blaze of
pure love shall burst out in every direction,
which will burn up the " hay, wood, and stub-
ble," and God will take to himself the kingdom,
and reign universal King forever and ever.
In the next chapter I shall, by the permission
of a gracious God, attempt to show what is to be
222 ADDRESS TO METHODISTS.
done for the accomplishment of this grand event.
And I beseech that no one will pronounce me a
wild enthusiast till he hears all I have to say on
this subject. " He that beheveth shall not
make haste."
CHAPTER XXIV.
We live in an eventful era— The author confines his address to
his own Church — Increase of means augments responsibility —
Wealth a blessing if used right — No sin in gold and silver, but
in their abuse— The blessings of life should create gratitude —
The manner in which wealth becomes a snare — How it may be
made a blessing — Increase of wealth devolves high responsi-
bility-Surplus wealth enough to liquidate the debts of
churches— Covetousness must be eradicated.
That the "signs of the times" call aloud for
renewed exertions among all Christians, appears
indisputable. But I have no right to speak to
any except to those of my own denomination,
and therefore shall not assume the task of ad-
monishing, reproving, or exhorting any but those
of om* own communion, in regard to duty — a
duty indeed of high import — of tremendous re-
sponsibility — a duty originating from the rela-
tion we sustain to God, to the world around us,
to each other, as fellow-Christians who have a
common interest at stake, and who are there-
fore called upon to labour with all fidehty to
MEANS OF DOING GOOD. 223
advance this interest by every lawful means
•within our power.
In the view we have taken of the present
state of the Church, compared with what it was
formerly, we have seen the vast improvements
which have been made in temporal, intellectual,
and spiritual enjoyments — how God has merci-
fully enlarged our borders, increased our sub-
stance, and in a variety of ways multipHed our
resources and capabilities of doing good. These
certainly have proportionately augmented the
amount of our responsibihty, imposed upon us
new and higher duties, and that in exact pro-
portion as we have increased in wealth, in know-
ledge, and spiritual attainments.
All these, I grant, are but means, or a power
put into our hands for good or evil. Wealth,
intellectual endowments, literary advantages and
acquirements, religious privileges, and even the
enjoyment of religion itself, in its deepest and
most holy form, are all but so- many talents,
with which the God of providence and grace
has intrusted us, and has commanded us to "oc-
cupy," or faithfully to improve them, until He
shall come to call us to an account. But wliile
it is freely admitted that all these are but means
to be conscientiously used for the attainment
of an ultimate end, it must, I think, be also ad-
224 ADDRESS TO METHODISTS.
mitted that they are advantages of a highly-
beneficial character — of such a character as
should, and will, excite the gratitude of every en-
lightened understanding, and of every pious heart.
Solomon says, " Money answers all things ;"
but he also says, " If riches increase, set not thy
heart upon them." While it must be acknow-
ledged that without money, that is, wealth, in a
greater or lesser degree, no extensive good can
be achieved, no churches built, no colleges erect-
ed and endowed, no professors supported, and
of course no students educated, no missions es-
tablished and sustained, no Bibles printed and
circulated, nor any other good books issued and
read, no Sabbath-schools conducted, and finally
no ministers supported — I say, that while it is
self-evident that all these things involve the
necessity of wealth, they equally demonstrate
that a spiiit of liberality must accompany its
possession, and characterize its possessor, in or-
der to avoid that inordinate love of riches indi-
cated by the wise man when he exhorted his
readers not to set their heart upon them. There
is no sin in riches, any more than there is virtue
in poverty. The poor man may be as vicious in
his poverty, and manifest all the malignity of
an unsanctified heart, by indulging an envious
disposition toAvurd his richer neighbour, and
J
RIGHT USE OF MOXEY. 225
evince all the idolatry which the apostle denomi-
nates covetousness to be, just as effectually as
the rich man may exhibit the malevolence of his
unholy nature by that proud disdainfulness with
which he looks down upon the poor man, neglect-
ing and despising him on account of his poverty,
and by refusing to give of his abundance to
" make the heart of the widow and fatherless to
rejoice" at the reception of his bounty.
I said that there is no sin in riches. The sin
consists in so setting our hearts upon them as to
make them our god, or our chief good — in lay-
ing them up as our treasures — in using them,
or rather in abusing them, as instruments for
selfish, luxurious, and sensual purposes. Surely
there is no sin in gold or silver, nor in any of
the productions of the earth or seas ; God indeed
has given us all these things for our comfort, and
we are allowed to ''use them as not abusing
them." He has not only made the earth pro-
lific for the support of man and beast, but He has
beautified the heavens over our head, studded
the canopy with the moon and innumerable stars
to guide the traveller by night, as well as for
other grand and beneficent purposes, and caused
the sun to shine by day, not only to exhibit his
own ineffifible majesty, but also for the benefit of
his intelligent ^.ndl uniatelligent creatures, ^^j
226 ADDRESS TO METHODISTS.
These things considered, I do not like to hear
a Christian man speak contemptuously of the
worid, understanding that term as including
"whatever God has made, and as excluding what-
ever is sinful in the world. If, when we say we
despise the world, we mean the sinful world, let
us say so, and thus spare that beautiful world
which God has made for our habitation, and so
richly furnished with everything needful for life
and comfort. I never yet knew a man or woman,
however devout and holy, but what would eat his
or her meal of victuals, when hungry, with as ex-
quisite a zest, and drink water, when thirsty, with
as keen a relish, and enjoy as much the luxury of
a warm and comfortable room in cold weather, as
any other person ; and they vrould be fools if they
did not, for our heavenly Father has wisely and
benevolently furnished us with all these things for
our benefit. And he that can look abroad upon
the earth, and view its variegated productions,
and lift his eye to the heavens and behold the
sun, moon, and stars, without feeling his heart
kindled by the fires of devotion, and his soul
drawn out in streams of gratitude to the great
Architect of heaven and earth, I envy not his
enjoyment.
Forgive this seeming digression from the main
subject under consideration, for I could hardly
ABUSE OF WEALTH. 227
avoid this short tribute of praise to God for thus
fitting up this beautiful world for the residence
of man, and for thus opening so many sources
of enjoyment — enjoyment not unworthy of the
most holy, sanctified Christian.
I was about to say, that if God has said, " The
hand of the diligent maketh rich," he has said,
with equally emphatic language, "Lay not up
for yourselves treasures upon earth." The sin,
therefore, of the rich man does not consist in tlie
simple fact of his having an abundance of wealth,
but in his laying it up for himself y instead of em-
ploying it for the glory of God, by dispersing it
abroad, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry,
supporting missions, and in all other works of
benevolence and charity.
Here then lies the sin of wealth. It consists
in hoarding it up, or in spending it in extravagant
living, in sumptuous furniture, in loading our
tables with needless luxuries, in adorning our
persons with superfluous ornaments, and in
making it an excuse for ** needless self-indul-
gence," for living in idleness and dissipation.
In this way wealth becomes a snare, and naturally
tends to inflate the heart with pride, and to puff
up the mind with the wind of vanity. And hence
there is, I fully believe, no other cff"octual way
to prevent these sad eff'ects but for the rich man
228" ADDRESS TO METHODISTS.
to get and to keep his heart right toward God,
to obtain the sanctification of his affections, and
then he will consecrate his all, his wealth and
influence, to the cause of God. He that does
this, the more wealth he possesses, the more use-
ful he becomes. The more influence he wields
in consequence of his wealth — for, in spite of
philosophy, a good man will be honoured in pro-
portion to his riches — the wider will be the cir-
cle of that influence, the more will he draw in
his wake, and the more vast will be his reward ;
for if he that giveth only " a cup of cold water
to any, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose
his reward," how great shall be the reward of
that holy rich man who consecrates all that he
can spare from his own immediate wants and the
wants of his family, and after reserving a suffi-
cient capital to carry on his business, to the cause
of God, to the demands of humanity !
I have made these remarks to show the great
advantages we possess in consequence of our in-
crease of wealth, and likewise to exhibit the
higher responsibihty God has devolved upon us
to be proportionably useful in our day and gene-
ration. "Where much is given much is re-
quired." And I verily believe that God has
prospered the work of our hands, and, as the
fruit of honest industry and prudent economy.
RIGHT USE OF WEALTH. 229
has increased our temporal prosperity, with the
express design of enabUng us to enlarge the
sphere of our usefulness, that we may propor-
tionably extend our circle of doing good to the
souls and bodies of our fellow-men. All these
temporal goods are the gifts of his beneficence,
bestowed upon us that we may more perfectly
fulfil the end of our existence. Those among us,
therefore, who possess wealth, hoard it up, be-
come proud and vain, evince that spirit of covet-
ousness which the apostle ranks among idola-
tries, that seek their own ease and self-aggrandize-
ment, indulge in a luxurious mode of living, in-
stead of exerting themselves to extend the cause
of Christ in the various ways now presented to
us — those who thus devote the wealth with which
God has intrusted them, will inherit the curse
instead of the " blessing of him that is ready to
perish." O how much good might the wealthy
Methodists do, were they to consecrate their sur-
plus money to the cause of humanity !
If the surplus wealth possessed by the Metho-
dists in the city of New- York — and I speak of
them merely because I know them better here
than elsewhere — was devoted to the cause of God
as it should be, they Avould very soon liquidate
the debts of their churches, and have capital
enough left to carry on their business, and with
230 ADDRESS TO METHODISTS.
the ordinary blessing of God on the labour of
their hands, they would still be able to meet cur-
rent expenses, and have Tvithal to contribute their
proportion to send the Gospel to more destitute
parts of our country, and to foreign lands ; as
well as to aid in the cause of education, &c. And
the same may be said, I doubt not, with equal
truth, in behalf of the Methodists very generally,
both in the cities and country villages. The de-
fect is not in the lack of abihty, nor, in general,
of a disposition, but the absence of a suitable
stimulant, and a well-devised system of finance,
that should bear as equally as may be on all
concerned.
That spirit of penuriousness which distin-
guishes some of our more wealthy brethren, both
in the cities and country places, but more par-
ticularly in the latter, must be put down, con-
quered, and rooted out, or it " will eat as doth a
canker," and finally destroy all the good they
may possess. The temporal blessings which
they possess — and they possess them chiefly in
consequence of their becoming Methodists — must
be consecrated to God, if they would secure the
continuance of the " good-will of Him who dwelt
in the bush."
I
BENEVOLENCE. 23 1
CHAPTER XXV.
Sanctification and benevolence go together— Those in middling
circumstances most liberal — If all were so, there would be no
lack — This not done — Why not — Importance of the subject —
Methodists generally thriving — Covetousness not confined to
the rich — To ascertain whether all give according to their abi-
lity, the missionary cause examined — Great deficiency — The
same supposed in other departments — The duty of Uberality
pressed upon all preachers and people.
In the former chapter we have seen how the
Methodists have increased in their means of do-
ing good by an augmentation of their wealth,
and hence the high responsibihty which rests
upon them of extending the circle of their in-
fluence in exact proportion to their means. This
they unquestionably will do, provided the work
of sanctification be simultaneously carried on in
their souls with the increase of riches, for this
lioly work always begets in the heart a spirit of
liberality which flows out in acts, not only of
justice — for a sanctified soul certainly exhibits
this stern attribute of the divine nature in all its
purity — but also in deeds of charity, displaying,
on all fitting occasions, an expanded spirit of
benevolence.
Now I know full well that there are many
members of our Church, both among the rich
and poor — and by the poor I mean those who
232 BENEVOLENCE.
live by hard labour, and who nevertheless are
not able to lay up much, if anything, for a fu-
tiu^e day — who have been, and are, distinguished
for their liberality. These are they who are
ever ready to contribute of their substance to
build churches, found colleges, support missions,
and feed the poor, (ire, according to their ability ;
yea, they are glad of an opportunity to do this,
knowing that they are but stewards for God,
and that as such they are " required to be faith-
ful." K therefore they " let out the Lord's mo-
ney," and they receive the stated increase, it is
that they may expend it the more hberally in
advancing the cause of Christianity ; and thus
become " rich in good works, and are laying a
good foundation against the time to come."
Such are an honour to the Church of Christ, a
blessing to the world, and the blessing of God
shall accompany them through life, and he will
reward them a hundred-fold, and in the time to
come they shall hav-^ everlasting life. And if
all were equally liberal, if all would contribute
according to their ability, there would be no
lack in any department of our work, none would
suffer in penury, no means would be wanting to
send as many men to preach the Gospel as God
should raise up and qualify for that purpose ;
churches, colleges, and academies would be
DEFICIENT LIBERALITY. 233
built, and every minister, whether efficient in the
field of labour, or superannuated, would be com-
fortably supported.
But as this is not done, there must be some
deficiency somewhere, among some class or
classes of our people. I think it highly proba-
ble that the fault is more among the richer class
than among those in middling circumstances.
These latter, I am inclined to beheve, contribute
much more than the former, in proportion to
their ability, for the support of the general
cause. There are those among us whose wealth
would justify them in giving $20,000 to found
a professorship in a college, and then, after re-
serving a sufficient capital to carry on their busi-
ness, have enough left to support their families,
and to contribute their full quota for the ordi-
nary calls of the Church, who think it a great
stretch of liberality to give $100 or $200, or
perhaps $500, toward such an object. Let
such remember that God requires of them a due
proportion of what he has bestowed upon them ;
and that he that layeth up treasure for himself,
and is not " rich in faith," cannot be an heir of
the grace of life. How admonitory is the lan-
guage of the Saviour, " How hardly shall they
that are rich enter the kingdom of heaven."
I have dwelt the longer upon this branch of
234 BE>'EVULENCK.
the subject, because I consider it of vast impor-
tance. Wealth has naturally a corrupting in-
fluence. And I verily believe that at this mo-
ment the Methodists are in greater danger of
being corrupted by riches, than they are of suf-
fering from poverty. Though there may be, and
doubtless are, those among us that are extremely
poor, and may therefore suffer somewhat for
the lack of the comforts of life, yet such are
comparatively few — the most are in thri\'ing cir-
cumstances, others are abounding in wealth;
and while some of the latter exhibit in their con-
duct all the liberahty of noble -hearted, genuine,
holy Christians, it is to be feared that others
manifest that love of the world which is incom-
patible with that enlarged love to God which
characterizes the sanctified heart. Let such be
admonished by the words of the apostle, " They
that will be rich" — that u'ill be rich, in spite of
every demand of justice, tiiith, and honesty, of
mercy and benevolence, that make all their
plans bend to the attainment of this one object,
at the expense of everything else — they that
will be thus rich, " fall into divers temptations,
and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful
lusts, which droAvn men in destruction and per-
dition." If, instead of acquiring riches in the
exceptionable way above indicated, wealth flows
J
COVETOUSNESS CONDEMNED. 235
in upon a man as the fruit of honest industry
and prudent economy, and he expends it to the
glory of God, by contributing to build up the
Redeemer's cause among men, why then the
more he gets the more blessed is he, and " look,
what he hath laid out shall be paid him again."
Not so with the miser, who makes gold his god,
who is "greedy of filthy lucre," and who hoards
up his wealth as the most precious treasure of
his heart.
But this spirit of covetousness does not be-
long exclusively to the rich. There may be
those among the poorer class who evince all
the spirit of avarice ; who hug their pennies
as closely, and who are as restless under their
comparative poverty, as they would if they were
worth their tens of thousands. Such manifest
as much inordinate attachment to the world by
their envious disposition, by living beyond their
income, by aping the manners of the rich, and
by refusing to give according to their ability, as
the rich miser does by hoarding up his wealth.
And I have frequently known the comparatively
poor man disgrace himself by making a poor
mouth, in order to excite the compassion of his
more wealthy brethren, that he might filch from
them something to supply his assumed wants.
However disgusting this practice is to the modest,
236 BENEVOLENCE.
upright mind, it is exemplified, more or less,
in every-day life, and it demonstrates that cove-
tousness is not confined to any one class, but is
an inherent propensity of the human heart, and
shows itself as eflfectually under a plain garb
and a modest exterior as it does under the fop-
pery of fashion and the lordly deportment of
the haughty aristocrat. Grace — the grace of
God alone, in Christ Jesus, operating upon the
heart, producing a radical change within, and
hallowing all the affections — can root out this
covetous disposition, and make "the churl a
liberal man."
Now to ascertain whether the Methodists, as
a body, do their duty in contributing according
to their ability, I will examine one department
of benevolence in which they are engaged, and
are pledged to sustain — I mean the missionary
department — and I select this because it affords,
from its annual exhibit of income and expendi-
ture, a more sure 'datum to found a calculation
upon than any other. From the minutes of
1848 I find the numbers in the Methodist Epis-
copal Church to be 008,978 — I will say, for the
sake of avoiding fractions, 700,000 — and from
the annual report of the Missionary Society for
1848, there were collected 878,646 84, and for the
purpose of avoiding fractions, we will put it at
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. 237
$80,000. Now divide 700,000 by 80,000, it
will give not quite nine cents each. This cer-
tainly is a very small amount — an average of
about nine cents, for each member to contribute.
And if we recollect that some pay five, ten,
twenty, fifty, and even one hundred dollars a
year, it will appear that there are many who
contribute nothing at all. Who will say, from
these facts, that the Methodist people give ac-
cording to their ability to sustain the missionary
cause ?
Though, therefore, there is an encouraging
improvement in this department of benevolence,
in comparison to what was done twenty or
thirty years since, yet it is very manifest that
there is room for a much further improvement.
Were a regular system of finance carried into
execution, universally — such a system as should
call forth the liberality of all, according to each
one's ability — I see not why $350,000 might not
be realized just as easily as the $80,000 has
been— ^for this would be only fifty cents each.
Nor do I suppose that a much better result
would appear from an examination of other de-
partments of benevolence, such as erecting col-
leges, and the' supporting supernumerary and
superannuated preachers, their widows and
orphans. I find from the amounts collected and
238 BENEVOLEXCE.
paid over to these last-named claimants upon
the justice and charity of the Church, that from
twenty to fifty per centum is all that these most
worthy objects of our aflfection and veneration
receive yearly, including the income of the Book-
Concern and the Chartered Fund. This defi-
ciency arises, in my opinion, more from the
want of a simultaneous and systematic effort
among preachers and people to meet the de-
mand, than it does from the lack of either an
ability or disposition to supply the requisite
means.
Now what I wish to press upon all concerned,
both preachers and people — for there are some
preachers as able to give as any others, and a
few, I fear, who evince as strong an attachment
to "filthy lucre" as do the most penurious
among the private members — is the urgent neces-
sity, to prevent their riches from "eating as
doth a canker," of their giving a due proportion
of their goods, and that statedly, and according
to " weight and measure," for the support of
the cause of God, in the various departments
already indicated. Instead of " laying up trea-
sure for themselves,'" or hoarding it up for then:
posterity, — and they know not who shall come
after them, whether " wise men or fools," — let
them so dispose of it as to " lay up a good foun-
WEALTH A TALENT. 239
dation against the time to come, that they may-
lay hold on eternal life." " To the pure all
things are pure." And those who have purified
their souls from " all filthiness of the flesh and
spirit," have likewise consecrated their all upon
the altar of God — have devoted to his service
their time, their talent, their substance, and they
dare no more use their money for sensual grati-
fication, merely to adorn their persons, to pam-
per their appetites, or let it he idle, merely for
the benefit of their posterity, than they can em-
ploy their tongues to deceiye, to blaspheme the
name of God, or to defraud their neighbour in a
bargain. The one is as strictly prohibited as
the other, and therefore is as incompatible with
holiness of heart as any other vicious practice.
I greatly fear this subject is not generally
duly considered. Money, or wealth, is as much
a talent with which we are intrusted, and for
the use of which, therefore, we must give an
account, as intellect, as time, or the various op-
portunities of doing good are. And a minister
of splendid endowments, and shining acquire-
ments, is no more accountable to God for the
manner in which he improves his advantages,
than the rich man is for the manner in which he
employs his wealth. And if a minister should
be so fortunate as to possess, in addition to his
240 THE MINISTRY.
mental endowments and acquirements, wealth,
and should exemphfy the avarice of the miser,
the littleness of the niggard, and screw, and twist,
and oppress the poor, in order to increase his
riches, and otherwise demean himself in his
neighbourhood, so as to acquire the character of
a covetous man, he will not only disgrace his
high and holy profession, but also render him-
self odious in the estimation of every hberal-
hearted Christian, and be a stumbling-block,
over which sinners will stumble into hell ! What
an awful consideration is this I Let those who
are guilty think of it in time to repent, " lest,
after they have preached to others, they them-
selves should become castaways."
CHAPTER XXYI.
Holiness essential to vigorous action— The Church acts through
her ministers — Curse of mere formal ministers — Learning
sanctified by grace — Advantages of the present over former
ministers — This increases responsibihty — Eminent talents
compatible with deep piety — Examples of this — Does not ex-
clude others — The whole pressed upon the reader.
In an effort to ascertain the responsibility of the
Church, we have been led to estimate the more
ample means she possesses now than fonnerly,
in consequence of an increase of wealth. This
enables her to enlarge the sphere of her useful-
HOLINESS Essential. 241
ness by multiplying her books, building churches,
erecting colleges, sending out and sustaining
missionaries. But, after all, these are but sub-
sidiary means, mere outward appliances, all of
which may be used for good or evil, and that in
exact proportion to the motive with which they
are used, or the holiness or unholiness of the
internal principle which gives life and anima-
tion to the external machinery. And this mo-
tive will be good in the same proportion that
the heart is made pure by the sanctifying ope-
ration of the Holy Spirit applying the merits of
Jesus Christ ; and this principle of action will
be strong and vigorous in the exact proportion
with which it is fed and strengthened with the
** bread that cometli down from heaven, and
giveth life unto the world ;" for nothing, indeed,
hath such a tendency to enlighten the under-
standing, to invigorate the heart, to set and
keep all the intellectual powers in motion, as
well as to give them a right direction, as this
continual influx of the Holy Spirit, this nourish-
ing the soul with divine food. When the heart
of the Church is thus pure, freed from those
gross passions which defile the soul — when
pride, anger, unholy desire, the inordinate love
of the world, and the supreme love of self are
expelled from the heart, and meekness, long-
IG
242 THE MINISTRY.
suflFering, a pure desire to glorify God, and a
supreme love to Him, are implanted within-
then the Church is prepared to act vigorously,
and will put forth all her energies to advance
the cause of man's salvation.
But the Church acts through her representa-
tives. It has always been according to the
order of God to save the world by means of a
Jiving ministry. I say a livinfj ministry — and
I desire these words to be understood most
emphatically.
The greatest curse which ever came upon the
Church, and, of course, upon the world, has
been the imposition of a dead, formal, lifeless
ministry upon the Church. While the holy
fire which burned in the hearts of the apostles
and primitive evangelists continued its heat in
the hearts of their successors, its radiating rays
fell upon all who came within its influence,
melting their hearts, and moulding them into
the image of Jesus Christ. Like electricity,
which needs but the power of friction to call it
into action, so this heavenly fire, by the con-
stant action and re-action between the ministry
and the people, reciprocally affected each other,
and by their simultaneous exertions they were
instrumental in diffusing the pure flame of divine
love all around them. But that this fire may
ITS PRESENT ADVANTAGES. 243
continue to burn, it must be unceasingly fed
from the altar of God. " Without me ye can
do nothing," says Christ. And though this is
true in respect to all Christians, it is more espe-
cially true in regard to all his ministers. The
weapons of their warfare are only "mighty
through God." It is therefore by constant
communion Avith God, through faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ, that the minister of the sanctuary
is fully qualified to the successful discharge of
his high and holy functions.
Whatever may be his natural or acquired
abilities — however learned, or trained in the
school of theology — and how many soever his
advantages from position or profession — unless
he is anointed with the Holy Ghost to preach
the Gospel, and unless he daily and momenta-
rily lives under the influence of this same Holy
Spirit, however canonically he may be set apart
for the ministry, however orthodox may be his
creed, systematic and able his sermons, and
even outwardly irreproachable his conduct, he
is but " dead while he liveth " — he belongs not
to the living ministry.
Now that the present Methodist ministry
possess many advantages which the earlier minis-
ters did not, is fully evident. They have the
advantage of an education, even allowing that
244 THE MINISTKY.
tbey have not had a collegiate course of mental
training, which most of their predecessors did
not possess. It is well known that most of the
early Methodist preachers were taken from the
common walks of hfe ; and in those days even
common schools were scarce, and those that
existed were taught by masters and mistresses
who now would be deemed unfit to teach the
merest rudiments of an English education.
From this class of the population the first Me-
thodist preachers were principally taken. Books
also were exceedingly scarce and expensive.
The chief books were a pocket Bible, Hymn-
Book, and Discipline, and if at any time they lit
upon a commentary, Wesley's or Burkett's
Notes on the New Testament, or perhaps occa-
sionally Henry's Commentary, it was considered
a great treat. But they were men of God,
they lived and moved in Him, and furnished
irrefutable e\idenc.e that they were called and
sent by God, by the reforming efi'ects of their
labours.
How is it now ? In addition to the advantages
of a common-school education, now offered to all
the children of our country, many of our minis-
ters have had the opportunity of a classical edu-
cation ; books of all sorts, historical, philoso-
phical, theological, whether in commentaries on
TALENTS AND PIETY. 245
the Holy Scriptures or otherwise, are put into
their hands. If any, therefore, remain ignorant,
it is either because he is too stupid to learn, or
too indolent to study ; and permit me to say that
either of these defects unfits a man for a minister
of the Gospel. I cannot, indeed, believe that
God calls a man to be a minister in holy things,
who is either destitute of holiness himself, or is
too ignorant to instruct others in the things of
the kingdom. We have, however, I presume to
think, but very few such ministerial drones in
the Church.
• Well, now, does not our responsibihty increase
in exact proportion to these hterary and scientific
advantages? Are not these additional talents
with which God has intrusted us, and for the use
of which we must give an account ?
To say that eminent talents, high literary and
scientific acquirements, are incompatible with an
elevated state of holiness and of extensive useful-
ness, is to contradict the facts of all history. To
go no farther than our own denomination for a
proof of this, what do we find there ? Were not
the Wesleys endowed with talents of the first
order, and adorned with the highest literary and
scientific attainments? And was not Fletcher,
the holy and indefatigable Fletcher, equally emi-
nent for gifts and acquirements ? And what shall
246 THE MINISTRY,
we say of Benson, Clarke, and Watson ? Were
they behind any of theh' contemporaries for either
natural or acquired abilities ?
And what shall be said of some in our own
country ? Of the hving I may not speak, for I
doubt the propriety of writing the biography of
men while they live, or of praising them to their
face. But of the honoiu-ed dead we may speak
without reserre. What, then, shall be said of
Asbury, whose praise is in all the churches?
Though not classically educated, yet we know
that he was a close student, that he acquired a
knowledge of the original languages in wliich the
Holy Scriptm-es were written, and that he possess-
ed an expanded intellect, and a highly improved
understanding. Of Emory, whose acuteness of
mind, and comprehensive judgment, evinced the
powers of a great man, and whose mind had been
highly improved by literar}' and scientific culture ?
And what shall be said of Fisk ? He was both
classically educated and highly adorned with scien-
tific acquirements, and all these were ingrafted up-
on a mind richly endowed with every natural gift.
Were not all these men "bricrht and shininor
o o
lights" in their day and generation? Did they
not go in and out before the churches, exerting
a hallowing influence all around them? They
were, in fact, so many "golden candlesticks,"
EXAMPLES OF TALENT. 247
emitting a pure flame wherever they moved,
being ht up by the Spirit of the Almighty. They
were, indeed, the "anointed ones that stood by
the Lord of the whole earth," into whose hearts
the "golden oil" was poured continually, by
which their souls were fed and strengthened,
and their tongues became eloquent in the cause
of God.
To say, therefore, that strong mental powers,
and high literary and scientific attainments, are
incompatible with deep and ardent piety, with a
flaming and untiring zeal in the work of man's
salvation, and with extended usefulness in the
cause of God, is to contemn the founders of our
own Church, to question the piety of some of
the brightest ornaments of human nature, and to
pour contempt upon some of the purest spirits
with which any denomination has ever been bless-
ed. It not only falsifies the facts of all history,
but it goes to impugn the wisdom and goodness
of Almighty God, who called such men as Moses,
who was skilled in all the learning of Egypt, as
Paul the Apostle, as Luther and Melancthon,
as Wesley and Fletcher, as Clarke, Asbury, and
Fisk, and a host of others that might be named,
all of whom may be ranked among the giants
of the Church, not only in the depth of their
piety, and the activity of their zeal, but also in
248 THE MINISTRY.
the greatness of their intellects, and their high
literary and scientific acquirements.
I do not say, indeed, that such men are the
only ones whom God calls into his vineyard.
We know that the fishermen and tax-gatherers
of Galilee were among the first of the apostles
of the Lord Jesus, and that in every age he has
magnified his grace in calling and sending. forth
men of small literary attainments, and not of very
expanded intellects, that he might "confound
the wisdom of the wise," and save the world by
the " foolishness of preaching."* But while it
is allowed that he has done, and still does, this,
it is contended, with equal earnestness, that he
shows his sovereignty no less conspicuously in
selecting instruments of a more pohshed charac-
ter to accomplish his purposes of mercy to the
fallen sons and daughters of men ; and that, in
the same proportion that these advantages are
auo^mented amonor us, our oblisration for their
right improvement becomes stronger and
stronger.
= It ought, perhaps, to be remarked, that the apostle, in
the above words, does not admit that he himself, and others
engaged in the same work, were weak, foolish preachers.
But allowing what their enemies alleged against them to be
true, namely, that the preaching of Christ crucified was, as
the Greek philosophers alleged it to be, foolishness, yet God
had so put his seal upon it as to make it " the power of God,
PIETY ESSENTIAL. 249
This is the point I wish to press upon myself
and all my readers. Like the central fires in the
bowels of the earth, the intensity of whose heat
is in proportion to their depth, so does the fire
which burns in the heart of a holy, devoted minis-
ter increase in its intensity in exact proportion
to its "length, and breadth, and height;" and,
like the former, which occasionally burst from
their confinement, and pour forth their volumes
of flame in an impetuous torrent, the anointed
minister of Jesus Christ, feeling his heart agitated
with the fire of Divine love, pours it forth in
streams of burning eloquence, carrying away
with him, by the impetuosity of his zeal and the
force of his arguments, the understandings and
consciences of his audience.
Let all such ministers, those whose hearts are
and the wisdom of God" — that is, the powerful instrument
of man's salvation. So conspicuously did the wisdom and
power of God shine forth in this scheme of salvation, wrought
out by Christ Jesus, as to confound all the wisdom of the
Greek philosophers, and so aptly was it applied to the con-
sciences of those who heard it proclaimed, that they felt its
powerful influence to the salvation of the soul. In this sense
it was tei-med the "foolishness of preaching." But let it be
remembered that a fool can never exhibit tide foolishness of
preaching, for he will but preach folly, inasmuch as a stream
can never rise higher than its foimtaiu — though it be true
that an illiterate man, possessed of strong common sense,
filled with the Divine Spirit, may still preach the Gospel in
the "power and demonstration of the Spirit."
250 THE MINISTRY.
penetrated with a consciousness of the worth of
inomortal souls, who sigh for the abominations of
the land, and who, of course, glory in naught but
the cross of the Lord Jesus, look up and abroad,
and while viewing the vast fields that are already
" white for the harvest," " cry aloud, and spare
not," but point continually to the "Lamb of
God that taketh away the sin of the world."
Such will not sit down, and supinely say,
"In vain we tune our formal songs,
In vain we strive to rise, —
Hosannas languish on our tongues,
And our devotion dies ;"
but, feehng the love of Christ constraining him,
he cries out from the depths of his soul,
" The love of Christ doth me constrain
To seek the wandering sons of men,
With cries, entreaties, tears, to save,
To snatch them from the gaping grave.
"My life, my blood, I here present,
If for thy truth they may be spent :
Fulfil thy sovereign coimsel, Lord,
Thy will be done, thy name adored."
The first is expressive of a heart languishing
under a consciousness of luke warmness utterly un-
becoming an ambassador of the King of kings ;
while the latter stanzas are expressions of a heart
heaving under a pressure of responsibility to
God and the world, and declaring its willingness
to spend and be spent in the tremendous work
THE HYMN-BOOK. 25 1
of man's salvation. Hence lie exclaims with
holy fervour, mixed with strong, steadfast faith,
" Still will I strive, and labour still,
With humble zeal to do thy will,
And trust in thy defence ;
My soul into thy hands I give,
And, if he can obtain thy leave.
Let Satan pluck me thence."^
^ This verse, which is among the most sublime, poetical,
deeply spiritual, and expressive of the strongest and most
scriptural faith in God, of any in the entire collection of
hymns, has been left out in the last edition of the Hymn-
Book. I know not a single stanza in all the hymns in the old
book which could not have been spared better than this.
"WTiile I live I shall continue its use, for "we two axe so
joined" that naught but "death can us part."
The Committee of Revision, I am sure, will allow me this
favour, out of respect to the prejudice, if they please so to
call it, of old age, rendered, in this instance, more inveterate
from long association, and the delights arising from habits
of thought, and a similarity of feeling — allow me to say,
without being accused of vain boasting — with the immortal
bai-d of Methodism. Had the Committee retained this ini-
mitably sublime and poetical stanza, I could the more easily
have forgiven them for laying so many others of my favourites
under their ban, and devoting them to the excision of their
critical scissors. I console myself, however, with the reflec-
tion that the hymns thus condemned are still in being, and
may be resorted to as we occasionally resort to the graves of
our depM-ted friends, that we may remind ourselves of their
past services and virtues. At any rate, this verse shall live
in my heart and affections, as a memento of my venera-
tion for its merits. The reader will please examine Matt.
X, 27-29 and Rom. viii, 33-39, for a reason for my wishing
to retain that stanza in the Hymn-Book.
252 PRACTICAL ERRORS.
CHAPTER XXYII.
Erroneous method of converting sinners, particularly the Ro-
man Cathohcs — True method— Our example must be good —
LoA-e and meekness must be exhibited — Contrast between
Popery and Protestantism — Religion of love must be propa-
gated by love — Erroneous method pursued towards Roman
Catholics — The parties in our country — Real Christians-
Nominal Christians — Semi-infidels and bare-faced infidels —
The latter no indifferent spectators — Watching for faults
among Christians — True method to be pursued — Combinations
to put down ciny sect wrong — Not apostolic — Nor sanctioned
by either Luther or Weslej' — Successful method — It must be
pursued in love — ^After the example of our Saviour — Such will
succeed.
One of the most pernicious practical errors into
which professed Christians have been betrayed,
is the efforts to convert others to their faith by
unscriptural means. Though the maxim, " that
we may do e^'il that good may come," is gene-
rally discarded in theory, yet it has been too
often exemplified in practice. Hence " Jesuiti-
cal cunning" has passed into a proverb, from
the "cunning craftiness" resorted to by the fol-
lowers of Ignatius Loyola, in order to accom-
plish their object. And this same exception-
able conduct has been exemplified in one way
or another by some professed Christians in every
age of the Church. Hence the false miracles,
the many "lying wonders" which have been
THEIR EFFECT. 253
invented by designing men, and palmed upon
the people, in order to excite their admiration,
and inveigle them into a belief in the infallibility
of the Church.
Would that this censurable conduct were con-
fined to only one denomination of Christians.
As if to retaliate upon them with similar arts of
deception, some Protestants have attempted to
oppose the Roman Cathohcs with weapons, if
not of the same sort, yet equally unworthy of
the cause they have espoused. It has, indeed,
appeared to me that a greater desire has been
manifested to render the Roman Catholics odious
than simply to do them good. Hence the ef-
forts to make them appear ridiculous, by cari-
caturing their doctrines and usages, by invent-
ing and propagating falsehoods, such as those
contained in Maria Monk's book, as base an im-
position as was ever played off upon a credu-
lous multitude, all of which has only tended
to injure the cause of Protestantism, and to
strengthen the hands of the Roman Catholics.
In none of the controversies that I have seen —
and I believe I have read the most that has
been written upon this subject, besides attend-
ing several lectures which have been delivered in
opposition to Roman Catholicism — has the spirit
of candoui' been exemplified, much less that
2o4 PRACTICAL ERKOK&.
spirit of love wliich ought to characterize po-
lemical writings of this sort. These writings
and lectures were calculated more to irritate the
passions, and stir up a spirit of hatred toward
the persons censured, than they were to excite
that tender sympathy 'which ought to be in-
spired in the heart toward the erring sons of
men. To do good to the Roman Cathohcs, they
must be treated precisely in the same spirit that
we treat all others in similar circumstances.
In the first place, if we would win them over
to our faith, we must exhibit before them a su-
perior example of piety, that thus the claims of
pure Christianity may be pressed upon them
from its living practical effects upon our hearts
and lives. Nor are any other weapons than
truth and love, plainly and powerfully addressed
to their understandings and consciences, to be
used for their conversion. We may indeed de-
tect and expose their errors, and denounce their
sms, but it should be done in that spirit of
meekness and love which will convince them
that we seek their salvation, and not their de-
struction. What would be gained by merely
the overthrow of Popery, unless we substitute
in its place not merely Protestantism as a sys-
tem of doctrine and church government, how-
ever preferable this may be to that system, but
EVILS OF POPERY. 255
more especially a living temple, composed of
holy souls — souls that shall exhibit in their tem-
pers and conduct the purity and excellence of
Christianity. An unconverted, unsanctified Pro-
testant is no better in the sight of God than an
unconverted, unsanctified Roman Catholic. They
are both under the curse of God's law, and of
course are alike exposed to the malediction of
Heaven. While in this impenitent state, the
one is as much included under sin as the other,
and therefore both equally exposed to futm-e
wrath, and equally need a change of heart, and
an application of the blood of Christ to wash
away their sins, and the purifying influence of
the Holy Spirit to fit them for an acceptable ser-
vice here, and for the enjoyment of God here-
after.
There is undoubtedly a difference in the two
systems. While Popery is encumbered with
numerous unscriptural ceremonies and burden-
some requisitions, which clog its wheels, and
greatly obscure the peculiar glories of Chris-
tianity, Protestantism presents the truth freed
from these encumbrances, and unobstructed
from these ceremonious observances, which hide
the truth, and prevent its beams from shining
forth luminously upon the human mind. So
far the contrast holds good, and so far Protest-
256 PRACTICAL EKROltS.
antism presents its superior claims to the be-
lief and homage of every rational, intelligent
mind, and hence proves itself much more likely
to be an instrument in the hand of God for the
conversion of the world than Roman Catholicism
does. Yet if I, as a Protestant, manifest all
the pride and pomposity of an unhumbled
Pharisee in my intercom-se with Papists, I can
present no evidence that I am any more a fol-
lower of the meek and lowly Jesus than they
are, and therefore can lay no superior claim to
the character of a genuine Christian, to induce
them to change their religion for mine. The
fact is, we are all, in our unconverted state,
ahke an abhorrence in the sight of a holy God.
Let, then, the religion of love be propagated
by such means as love sanctions, and all false
systems will disappear in the same ratio as this
rehgion prevails. First "make the tree good,
and the fruit will be good also." Let the truth
of God be aimed at the heart, and in such a
spirit as shall convince the sinner, whether Pro-
testant, Roman Catholic, Mohammedan, Jew, or
Pagan, that we are seeking his present and eter-
nal welfare, and we shall succeed, if God see fit
to second our endeavours, in effecting his saha-
tion, by producing a radical change of his na-
ture, and thus stripping him of all false depend-
m
ERRORS OF PROTESTANTS. 257
ence upon either himself or upon lifeless rites
and ceremonies. Any conversion that stops
short of this will be of no lasting benefit* A
mere formal conversion from one system of reli-
gion to another, though it may be from a false
to a true one, which is unaccompanied by this
thorough change of heart, inseparably connected,
as such a change always is, with a righteous
life, only affects the sinner's outward relation,
leaving him, at heart, an impenitent sinner still.
Here, then, has been, in my judgment, the
grand error of most of those who have arrayed
themselves against the Roman Catholics. They
have, apparently at least, sought to load them
with disgrace, stigmatized them with oppro-
brious epithets, calhng them nicknames, refusing
even to recognize them by the name by which
they have chosen to be distinguished, caUing
their Church the " whore of Babylon," and its
members the descendants of the "beast and
false prophet," (kc, and have finally formed an
association with the professed object to "put.
them down." I very much doubt the propriety
of all this. These imprudent measures have pro-
duced directly the contrary effect to what was
anticipated by their authors and abettors. Both
in Great Britain and the United States the Pa-
pists have steadily, and indeed rapidly, increased
17
258 PRACTICAL ERRORS.
in numbers and influence since these measures
have been in operation.
There are three parties in our country -which
compose society, and of course which form the
pubhc, out of which the pubhc sentiment is
formed. The first is the Christian party — those
who are sincerely desirous of promoting the
present and eternal welfare of themselves and
their fellow-men, regardless of sects and deno-
minations. These are the minority, though they
are gradually increasing. The second is what
may be called nominally Christian, or pohtico-
religious, and are swayed pretty much by the
wind of poHtics, and are urgent to go the way
this wind blows the strongest. The third is
made up of mere politicians, and it is composed
of semi-infidels, skeptics, or open, bare-faced in-
fidels, forming, to be sure, a small minority.
They are looking on with a suspicious eye upon
the movements of the Christian world, watchino^
for their faults, espying with the keenness of a
vulture's eye any and every misstep that is taken
by Christians, that they may find something to
feed their infidelity, or to strengthen their pre-
judice against Christianity. They do not dis-
criminate between one form of religion and an-
other, but look upon all its forms alike, and
use them just so far as thev will answer their
IMMiaRANTS. 259
political purposes, and no farther. Their sympa-
thies are enlisted with the weaker party, and
more especially if they appear to be persecuted
or oppressed in any way by the stronger. The
Roman Catholics are the minority in our coun-
try, and yet, as they generally vote all on the
same side, these wily politicians are anxious to
secure their suffrage, and in ordei- to this, will
promise them offices in the state, flatter then-
vanity, attend their meetings, and otherwise fa-
vour their religious institutions.
These men have been no indiflferent specta-
tors to the contest which has been going on be-
tween the Protestants and Roman Catholics,
and they have considered, and very justly too,
in my opinion, the latter as the injured party,
and therefore have very naturally sympathized
with them, and have thus increased their num-
ber and influence. This, together with the con-
stant influx of Irish and German immigrants,
has tended to swell the number of this class
among us to an enormous amount, and it is still
augmenting with an increasing ratio.
Now the question to be answered is. What
methods shall be adopted to do them good?
They are in our midst — they mingle in our fami-
lies — associate with our children — do our work
— and consequently we have it in our power to
260 PRACTICAL ERRORS.
instnict tliem in the principles of pure and im-
defiled religion, and to set them an example, in
our daily intercourse with them, of exemplary-
piety. If they behold in us the same pride,
love of self, Tain glory, love of money, of sen-
sual pleasure, as are exhibited among themselves,
what motive will they have to change their re-
ligion ? If a Protestant priest manifest the
same hauteur, the same luxm'ious indolence, the
same love of power and pomp, as the Roman
Catholic priest does, by what argument shall
the latter be convinced that the former is any
better than he ? All argument, in these circum-
stances, will be absolutely unavaiUng. The best
way, and indeed the only way, to convert the
Roman Cathohcs, as Wesley said, is " to out-
live them, and out-preach them."
The fact is, and I rejoice that it is so, all com-
binations among professed Christians, formed
with the avowed object to put down another
sect, however erroneous that sect may be, will
always be considered, by the enlightened, im-
partial part of the community, as a species of
persecution incompatible with the genius of
Christianity, and hence will inevitably tend to
enlist the pubHc sympathy, and turn the pubhc
sentiment in favour of the persecuted sect. And
I scruple not to say tliat all such combinations,
ERROKS ABJURED. 261
gotten up with such objects, are unscriptural,
anti- Christian, deriving no sanction from apos-
tolic example. The apostles went forth under
the sanction and direction of their divine Master,
unaided by any human authority, to proclaim
the willingness of Almighty God to save sinners
of every description, whether Jews or Gentiles,
knowing full well that all who embraced their
message with believing and obedient hearts
would be saved, not only from their sins, but
also from all those erroneous forms by which
they had been held m bondage. This was the
apostolic example. This same example was
followed by Luther, by Wesley, and by every
successful reformer. They began by first em-
bracing the truth themselves ; and, feeling its
transforming power in their own hearts, were
constrained to preach it to their fellow-sinners.
In doing this they were soon led to see and ab-
jure the errors in which they had been so long
held, and, without suspecting it at first, they gra-
dually undermined the foundation of that vast
fabric of error on which the rotten superstruc-
ture had so long rested, and all the genuine
converts fled from it as from a baseless edifice
which could not shelter them from coming-
destruction.
Had Wesley entered the arena of controversy
262 PRACTICAL ERRORS.
respecting Church order, the power of bishops,
and the various corruptions which infested the
Church of England, he would have spent his
strength for naught, and wasted his energies in
empty declamation. Instead of this useless
warfare, he aimed the truth directly to the sin-
ner's heart, knowing perfectly well that if a re-
formation were effected there, all the rest would
follow as a necessary consequence. The same
course he pursued toward the Roman Catholics,
and many of them were soundly converted
through the searching appeals of his ministry to
their consciences.
This method will prove successful, for I am
fully persuaded that there is no disease in the
human heart so inveterate but that it may be
removed, provided the remedy of the divine
Physician be timely and suitably applied, and
belie\ingly received. Nor is there any error,
however complicated, but what may be detected
and scattered by the bright and penetrating
rays of eternal truth. Remove prejudice from
the heart, break down its opposition to God,
and the clouds of error which hannf over the
understanding will easily be dispersed by the
presentation of truth — simply the truth as it is
in Jesus. And when the understanding is thus
opened for the reception of this truth, the dis-
THE REMEDY. 263
ease of tlie heart is revealed to the sinner him-
self, so pressingly as to extort the humiliating
confession, " I abhor myself, and repent as in
dust and ashes." When the spiritual disease is
thus revealed to the sinner himself — no matter
what his profession may have been before,
whether Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jew, or
heathen — and is confessed with an ''humble
and penitent heart," then is the time to apply
the remedy, to bring as \ividly as possible be-
fore the mind's eye the all-sufficient Physician
of the sin-sick soul, and to urge upon his ac-
ceptance, with a beheving heart, the sovereign
balm for his wounded spirit. No one ever
prayerfully and believingly tried this remedy in
vain. On the contrary, thousands of living wit-
nesses have been raised up, in every age of the
Church, who could feelingly testify to the ex-
perimental efficacy of this divine remedy, and
tens of thousands are now living who can corro-
borate the truth of their testimony.
Now that this remedy may prove efficacious,
it must be presented in the same spirit of love
with which the Saviour provided it. And let it
be remembered, that while he boldly rebuked the
scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, and
condemned them for trusting in outward ob-
servances for salvation, he did not in the first
264 PRACTICAL EliRORS.
instance assault their system of religion, but
even sent those whom he had healed to the
priests, that they might be purified, ac-
cording to the prescriptions of the Levitical
law : but that trait in his character which I
"would more particularly recommend, is the love
that he manifested even to his most inveterate
enemies, offering for his very crucifiers, while
suffering the agonies of the cross, that most ex-
pressive prayer, " Father, forgive them, for they
know not what they do!" thus making an apo-
logy for his murderous enemies, while suffering
the effect of their malice. Let a portion of this
love possess and actuate the hearts of God's
ministers and people, in all their attempts to
convert sinners, whether they be Roman Catho-
lics or others, and the God of love will crown
their efforts with success, so fai- at least as to
smile upon their labours, and leave a favourable
impression upon their hearts, and upon the hearts
of their hearers.
If all our missionaries, at home and abroad,
were deeply imbued with this heavenly spirit,
whether they labom- among Roman Cathohcs,
Protestants, Mohammedans, Jews, or heathens,
addressing themselves directly to the heart,
trusting in God alone for " the increase," who
can doubt that the walls of prejudice, supersti-
BIGOTRY. 265
tion, and idolatry would speedily fall before the
blasts of truth ? Let fiery, narrow-hearted big-
ots contend about their peculiarities, dispute
concerning little, unimportant matters, and
labour to build up their sect merely, while the
insph-ed messenger of the cross, with his heart
filled and expanded with the lore of God and
man, shall distinguish himself as a flaming
herald of good news to all men, regardless of
creeds and confessions, any further than they
interfere with the essentials of Christianity.
Such a man will never be confounded. God
will give him a mouth, which, however wide
he may open it, shall be filled with words
and arguments — so filled with truth, that all his
enemies shall not be able to gainsay him. He
will proclaim a risen, living Saviour, and his
hearers will know for themselves that " He ever
liveth to make intercession for them," because
he hath shed down upon them the gifts and
graces of his Holy Spirit.
266 TIME FOR ACTION,
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Time for action — Claims superior to the ancient crusade — Tliis
peaceful and saving — Home work — Common error to be
avoided — If the whole Methodist Episcopal Church were
deeply devoted and actively engaged, how much good might
be accomplished — Much more were the entire evangelical
world thus engaged — Sanctification gives enlarged views —
Contr^ust between such and others — Were ministers and peo-
ple thus devoted, how much good would be done — Tliis may
be accomplished — Motives to try.
Keyer was tliere a time which called louder for
self-sacrifice, for active and untiring zeal in the
cause of God, than the present. God is, in-
deed, pouring hjs blessings upon us in rich profu-
sion. And to those who can discern the " signs
of the times," it must appear most manifest that
doors are opened and opening in almost every
land and nation for the promulgation of evan-
gelical truth. These doors must be entered by
the man of God, the *' land must be possessed,"
the walls of prejudice, superstition, and idolatry,
must be demolished, the " tall sons of Anak "
must be conquered in the name of the Lord of
hosts. The priests and the Levites must enter
the enemies' territories sword in hand — but it
must be the " sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God," — and take peaceable possession
of the goodly land. This land must be culti-
HOLY WARFARE. 26*1
vated until the "wilderness becomes a fruitful
field." In a word, heathenism, and every other
false system of religion, must be assaulted by
this sword of the Spirit, until they yield to the
reiterated strokes of truth, and fall prostrate be-
fore the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.
A very diflferent crusade this from that under-
taken by the valiant knights who girded on the
sword and helmet, and marched in military
array for the conquest of the holy land, and to
rescue the holy sepulchre from the profane
hands of infidels. These were impelled by an
enthusiasm kindled by military ardour, fed and
inflamed by the preaching of Peter the Hermit,
and by the prospect of civil and temporal do-
minion, connected, to be sure, with the false
hope of future reward. But if these chivalrous
knights could be induced to sacrifice their do-
mestic comforts for the purpose of embarking
in such a hazardous and distant enterprise, and
all for the sake of so uncertain a reward, and in
the accomplishment of their object must subject
themselves to such hardships, and expose their
persons to death on the field of battle, and hke-
wise carry death and destruction to every land
they conquered, with what holy ardour should
the Chiistian soldier be inspired, who marches
forth protected by the ** powers that be," all of
268 TIME FOR ACTION.
whom God has so far either chained, or so sof-
tened down, as to make them favour the cause
of his Divine Master — who, instead of carrying
devastation with him, goes proclauning " peace
and gDod-will to man" — who is inspired with
the certain prospect of a present and eternal
reward !
Here then is an object sufficiently grand to
call forth all the energies of the Church, to
awaken all her sympathies, and to employ all
her means and capabihties of doing good, of ex-
erting all her miited strength for the conquest
of the world to om- Immanuel.
But while we are looking abroad, we must
not be mimindful of our work at home. Indeed,
if we neglect om- own heaiis — if we cease to
cultivate a spirit of deep piety in the churches
in our own immediate neighbourhood — if we do
not urge upon om-selves and all with whom we
have intercourse the necessity of " forgetting the
things which are behind, and reaching forth to
the things which are before" — if we do not con-
tinually press upon ourselves and all our peo-
ple the absolute necessity of " going on to per-
fection," of attaining that *' perfect love which
casts out fear" — we shall soon sink into a spirit
of lukewarmness which will unfit us for ener-
getic action, and render us powerless in the
ERRORS TO BE AVOIDED, 269
work in which we are professedly engaged. If
we allow the love of the world to absorb our
attention, the pursuit of wealth to engage our
affections, we shall thereby render our ministra-
tions flat and insipid. If we suffer the spirit of
intrigue to insinuate itself into our counsels, by
which the strong tries to supplant the weak, the
selfish to triumph over the honest, faithful dis-
ciple of the Lord Jesus, and an unholy rivalship
to jostle us against each other, so as to give e\d-
dence that we are more ambitious for places of
honour and profit, than Ave are to occupy posts
of labour and sacrifice in the cause of Christ,
we shall have departed from the simplicity of
the Gospel, and forfeited the character of holy
Christian ministers.
I said we must not forget or neglect our own
hearts. Here is an error into which we are very
prone to fall. Like " busy bodies in other men's
matters," we become extremely anxious for
others, while we are quite neglectful of our own
aflfairs. Like tattlers, who employ their tongues
in aspersing their neighbours' characters, while
they are entirely heedless of their own conduct
any farther than in backbiting their neiglibours ;
so it is with many professed Christians who de-
lio^ht in findino: fault with neisfhbourincf churches,
and casting the stigma of reproach upon all who
2*70 TIME FOR ACTIOX.
cannot pronounce the sliibboleth of their party,
while they totally neglect their own hearts, and
are therefore strangers to that deep experience
of the love of God which distinguishes the holy
Christian, and that intimate communion with
God, throuo;h faith in Christ, which results
from a sanctified nature. The spirit of deep
experimental and practical piety must be kept
up in the Church, if we would have the work
of religion prevail abroad. The fire of divine
love must be kept continually burning upon our
domestic and Church altars, in order that its
pure flame may be irradiated all around us ; and
when this is the case, our " light will so shine
before others, that they will see our good works,
and glorify our Father v.hich is in heaven."
Xow, if the whole Methodist Episcopal Church,
or even the great majority of its members, minis-
ters, and people, consisting of up wards of 700,000,
were thus deeply devoted to God, the ministers
taking the lead in every good work, going be-
fore the people, devising and executing plans
of usefulness, setting them an example of holy
living and acting, so that they could confidently
say to them, ** Follow us, as we follow Christ ;"
— if this were exemplified, what a vast amount
of good might be accomplished in a veiy short
time ! If the whole Methodist family, in Europe
ALL SHOULD UNITE. 271
and America, numbering upwards of 1,500,000
souls, were thus devoted, tlius holy, thus ac-
tively engaged in the cause of God, how much
more extensively would their influence be felt !
But were the whole evangelical world to lay
aside those little points of discrepancy on which
they may not perfectly agree, and unite their
strength and combine their energies, and make
one simultaneous onset upon the empire of sin
and Satan, how long would it be ere its gigantic
power should crumble to the dust ? And why,
I ask, in the name of our common Christianity,
Avhy may not this be done ?
That enlarged benevolence which is begotten
in the heart by the sanctifying operation of the
Holy Spirit, gives that expansive view of things
which leads the individual who is under its in-
fluence to lose sight of those little, unimportant
things, concerning which the narrow, contracted
soul is chiefly sohcitous, and to fix his attention
on those essential truths which emanate from
God, concentrate in Jesus Christ, and which are
revealed and exemplified in the Gospel of our
salvation. Under the influence of these truths,
which, penetrating the depths of his soul, burn
within him like " fire shut up in his bones," he
is impelled forward in the grand work of con-
quering the world to Jesus Christ. While the
272 TIME FOR ACTIO^'.
hard-hearted bio^ot is toi'tnentinor himself about
all his little peculiarities, and is so scrupulous
about comparatively trifling rites and ceremonies
as to neglect the " weightier matters of the law,
justice, and the Iotb of God," the man whose
heart is enlarged by the love of God and man,
and his intellect expanded by a comprehensive
view of things, will look at these essential truths,
and throwins: himself, with all the weight of his
talent and influence, upon the broad ocean of
God's unbounded goodness, he launches forth in
quest of immortal souls — he becomes a success-
ful "fisher of men." The httle, cramped-up
soul, will dispute for an hour whether a presby-
ter should be called an elder or a bishop, or
about some other equally unimportant matter,
as whether we may wear a strait or double-
breasted coat ; while the deeply devoted minister
of Jesus Christ, leaving these trifles to be settled
by those Avho have nothing else to do, is reach-
ing forth his hand to the lost world, is devising
hberal things for the extension of the Redeem-
er's kingdom, and is preaching with all his
might, " peace to him that is near, and to him
that is afar off."
Behold the contrast between the man whose
soul is drivelled up by the withering influence
of a selfish sectarian prejudice, whose heart is
TRUE MEN OF GOD. 273
contracted by a childish attachment to the pue-
rilities of unessential peculiarities, and he whose
heart palpitates under an emotion created by-
God's universal love to mankind, this love filling
all the avenues of his soul — whose understand-
ing is so enlightened that he can take a compre-
hensive surs^ey of the divine administration ; —
the latter loses sight, in some sense, of himself ;
and while he surveys the state and wants of the
human family, he cries out, in the language of
the apostle, " The love of Christ constraineth me,"
and impels me on to " reach even beyond my-
self," far beyond my own little sphere of action,
by exciting others as well as myself in this holy
warfare. This is the man of God ! While the
hlliputian soul, contracted by a supreme love
of self, draws a circle around himself, and makes
everything contribute to his own self-exaltation,
calling all that move within that circle his friends,
and repelling all others as enemies ; the man
of God, whose soul is expanded by the eternal
Spirit, draws a circle around the universe, and
though he may not count all within it his per-
sonal friends, he is sure that no one has any cause
to be his enemy, because his heart overflows
with love and good-will to all men — and with
his heart throbbing and heaving with pulsations
of compassion for the souls of the whole world,
18
2*74 TIME FOR ACTION.
basing his declaration upon the broad commis-
sion of his risen Lord and Master, he adopts the
memorable saying of the immortal Wesley,
" The world is my parish.'"'
How great the contrast ! The narrow mind
and contracted heart of the selfish egotist, ^nih.
his views limited to the little sphere in which he
moves, and his eyes dimmed with the love of
ease, or the more contemptible passion, the love
of money, indulges himself in esppng and ex-
posing the faults of others, in transmuting a
foible into a crime, and magnifying an innocent
infirmity into a wilful sin, until the corroding
-jealousy of his heart eats out every good and
kindlier feeling he might have once possessed,
and he finally settles down into a moody mel-
ancholy, by which he makes himself and all that
come within his reach discontented, and un-
happy because he and they are discontented.
Not so the holy man of God. His heart con-
tinually palpitates with a delightful view of the
goodness of God, and dilates with pious grati-
tude for the profusion of His past mercies, from
a consciousness of present blessings, and from
the blooming prospect which looms up before
him. So far from complaining, and whining
over the failings, whether real or imaginary, of
his brethren, stunning the ears of his friends
DEVOTION TO GOD. 275
with his piteous moanings on the infirmities of
others, he marches forward, hke Bunyan's Pil-
grim, sword in hand, boldly encounters difficul-
ties as they occur, avails himself of every favour-
able opportunity of enlarging the sphere of his
usefulness, and encourages all with whom he
has intercourse, by reminding them of the bright
prospect before them, as well as by admonishing
them of the dangers which surround them,
provided they faint in the way, to persevering
dihgence in the cause of God. This is the man
— this the minister, who fulfils the high behests
of his Sovereign !
Now, if the Methodist mmisters and people
were thus actively engaged — were thus to con-
secrate their all, soul and body, time and sub-
stance, to the service of mankind, how extensive
would be their influence ! If all our academies
and colleges were thus hallowed, thus sanctified
to God, what noble-hearted youth would pour
forth from their sacred enclosures, fully prepared,
not only by literature and science, but also by
pure religion, for the ministry of reconciliation,
and for any other useful profession. With what
soul- stirring eloquence would these youth, thus
"baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire,"
*' preach the unsearchable riches of Christ !"
Instead of entertaining their hearers with a dry,
2*76 TIME FOR action:
monotonous sound of words without meaning,
and lulling them to sleep with curious disquisi-
tions on mere speculative points of philosophy,
or even of divinity, they would enter into the
soul, dive into the depths of the human heart,
and make the sinner feel the weight of his sins,
and tremble under a sense of his high responsi-
bility to God — he would believingly point the
penitent mourner to the "Lamb of God that
taketli away the sin of the world," nor leave
him until he is thoroughly washed fi'om all his
sins, and made '•' white in the blood of the
Lamb."
And who will say that this cannot be
done ? Who will say that it is impossible for the
Cbm'ch thus to arise in the strength of God, be
clothed with the garments of salvation, be tho-
roughly equipped for the warfare, and " go forth
from conquering to conquer ?"
Let him say it who has not faith in God, Let
him whose gloomy apprehension is always fore-
boding evil ; who delifrhts — if indeed he has
any delight — in looking upon the dark side of
eveiything — who distrusts the promises of God,
has no confidence in the prophetic ScriptiTres,
nor any expectation of the universal spread of
the Gospel — let such a one sit down and pine
over the sad state of this world, and the back-
HOLY COURAGE. 2*I1
slidings of God's people, and discourage all
with whom he comes in contact, by saying
'' that there are giants in the land," with whom
it is in vain for these feeble few, already " shorn
of their strength," to contend, while the Calebs
and Joshuas among us shall silence their dis-
heartening clamour by asserting, "We are well
able to go up and possess the land." Let such
*' gird up the loins of their mind," and putting
on the " breast-plate of faith, and for hope the
helmet of salvation," look up to the God of all
grace, in the full confidence of earnest prayer,
and go forth in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and they shall prosper in the glorious
work in which they are engaged.
I must beg permission for one more chapter,
in which I shall endeavour to make a short re-
capitulation of the whole subject, and bring it
to bear with solemn weight upon the consciences
of all concerned.
278 RECAPITULATION.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Recapitulation — defects allowed — Facts and argnments unavail-
able — Thanks to those who have volunteered their aid —
Anonymous assailants unworthy of notice — Comparison be-
tween her present strength and foiTner feebleness — Two
characters prone to find fault — The sleepy professor and the
one recently awakened — Bright prospects — Much yet remains
to be done — subjects chiefly dwelt upon — How the work must
be spread— The work of sanctification must be pressed— A
word to the Methodists — Entire consecration necessary to
the reaJization of our hopes.
I HAVE endeavoured to show tliat the Methodists
have made rapid improvements in numbers, in
wealth, in chm-ch-building, in missionary and
tract operations, in publishing books, in sup.
porting their preachers, in founding academies
and colleges, in literatm'e and science, as well
as in holiness of heart and life. The question
has not been whether or not we are deficient in
any of these particulars, but whether we are
more deficient now than formerly. I have al-
lowed all along that we are not as holy as we
might be, nor, consequently, as extensively use-
ful in the above departments as we might have
been, had we been as unreservedly and as
universally devoted to God as we should have
been.
Who that surveys our past history, and com-
pares our former feebleness in respect to num-
COMPARISON OP NUMBERS. 2*79
bers, -wealth, intellectual and spiritual enjoy-
ments, with our present state and our present
advantages, but must be filled with adoring
gratitude to God for what he hath wrought ?
In 1Y66 there were but five members, all immi-
grants, in the Methodist society in the city of
New- York, and these were so poor and obscure
that they assembled for divine worship in a pri-
vate room, and Philip Embury, a local preacher,
preached to them the first Methodist sermon
ever preached in America.* But " behold how
* I heard it asserted, not long since, by a minister, that
he did not believe we had as many church-members now in
the city of New- York, in propox-tion to the population, as
we had when we possessed only the old John-street church.
This assertion led me to search and compare. I do not
know to what particular year he alluded, and, indeed, he
must have made a random shot, or he never would have
shot so wide of the mark.
On looking at the Minutes for 1773, which is the oldest
record we have, I find the number at that time in the Me-
thodist society, in the city of New- York, to have been one
hundred and eighty. I have no means of ascertaining the
entire population of the city at that time, but I presume it
did not exceed 25,000, as in 1790 there were 33,131, which
is the oldest record of the population I can find. This
would give one Methodist for about every one hundred
and thirty-eight of the population. The present population
cannot be over 500,000, and the number of church-members
is 9,313, which will give one for about fifty -three.
So near the truth did this speaker come ; that is to say,
he fell about three times short of the actual truth ! So little
reliance can be placed upon vague conjectures, for I presume
280 RECAPITULATION.
great a matter a little fire kindleth !" The fire
of Divine love which burned in their hearts soon
kindled in others, and it has continued to bum
and blaze until thousands have been melted
do^m, and nm into the mould of the Gospel,
and they are now shining in all the likeness of
the Lord Jesus Christ. Those five have multi-
plied so fast, that in eighty-four years they
have mcreased, mcluding the ^orth and South,
to upwards of 1,100,000. And, if we may
judge from present indications, from the revi-
vals now going on in different parts of the coun-
try, we may console ourselves in the belief that
the fire contmues to buni as intensely as ever;
and I humbly trust that the many waters of
strife, that the army of croakers shall throw
upon it, will not be able to extinguish its pure
flame.
It is now forty-seven years since I was re-
ceived on trial in the New- York Conference.
At that time there were 86,734 members in the
United States. Now, as before said, there are
upwards of 1,100,000, besides, perhaps, 100,000
connected with other bodies of Methodists, who
that this speaker had never made a calculation with a view
to ascertain the comparative strength of Methodism at the
time to which he alluded. It shows, moreover, the danger
of allowing our prejudices to guide our decisions, lest the
tongue inadvertently utter an untruth.
TWO CHARACTERS. 281
have seceded from us, but hold fast to our doc-
trine and moral discipline, making, in all, about
1,200,000.
I wish those especially who are mourning
over the desolations of the Church, and whin-
ingly predicting the overthrow of pure religion,
to look at these facts, and then to connect with
them the further facts I have exhibited, namely,
the increase of evangelical religion among other
denominations, and see if they cannot derive an
argument against their own melancholy hypo-
thesis, that spiritual darkness is again spreading
its gloom over the world.
There are two characters which are perpetually
tormenting themselves, and filling all others with
whom they come in contact with unbelief. The
one is asleep himself, and therefore disqualified
to see and judge of things as they are. Judging
others by himself, he persuades himself that all
others are asleep, and consequently he is dream-
ing over things in his morbid imagination, all of
which are as unreal as the fitful visions conjured
up in the brains of the wildest enthusiast. He
is not unlike the drunkard, who imagines that the
trees and the houses are falling over his head,
and every person in the street is staggering,
merely because he has his own brains turned by
intoxicating liquor. The only difficulty is with
282 RECAPITULATION.
himself. Let his own head and heart get right,
and he will feel and judge accurately respecting
others. So let sleepy, dreaming professors of
reho-ion '' awake to ric4iteousness," and no lonorer
indulge in their sinful sloth, and they will see
things as they are, and will no longer torment
themselves, and render all over whom they may
have influence imhappy, by their doleful com-
plaints that spectres cind hobgoblins are infest-
ing the Church with their foul and pestiferous
breath.
The other probably has been dozing for years
in a comparatively dormant state of religious pro-
fession ; but, by some fortunate circumstance, he
has been recently aroused from his slumbers, had
his "eyes anointed with eye-salve" — with the
oil of God's grace — and he en'oneously imagines
that all his fellow-professors are in a similar state
to that from which he has been so mercifully de-
livered : in this excited state he sounds the alarm,
as though the entire Church, except himself and
a few others of kindred spirit, were all still asleep
in the arms of Satan. His puny attacks excite
only the smile of contempt on the face of all well-
disposed persons, whose maturity of experience
and enlightened judgment qualify them to give
an impartial decision, while a feeling of pity is
begotten in the breasts of those who take an
GOOD PROSPECTS. 28S
enlarged and comprehensive view of the whole
subject, and consequently draw their conclusions
from indisputable data.
These erroneous views, arising from a partial
and contracted survey of the subject, do immense
harm. They not only tend to cast a gloom over
the mind of the devoted Christian, — that is, so
far as they are heeded, — but they discourage the
timid believer, make the faint-hearted still more
faint, and, like the irresolute spies who brought
up an evil report from the land of Canaan, they
spread death over the camp of our Israel, and
beget unbelief in the hearts of those who other-
wise would be " strong in the Lord of hosts, and
the power of his might." Let then the Calebs
and Joshuas arise, and put to flight this army of
everlasting croakers, who are ever and anon cry-
ing out, the Methodists are fallen — the ministers
are shorn of their strength, and the people are
sharmg in their weakness.
Instead of indulging in these mournful com-
plaints, let us
" Praise God for all that is past,
And trust him for all that's to come."
We have seen how the expansive power of
this religion has swelled the hearts of God's peo-
ple, until they have overflowed with love and
good-will to man ; and those streams of divine
284 RECAPITULATION.
love have flowed out so plentifullv that they have
watered the fields of our neighbours. Hence
the several members of the great sphitual
family are acting unitedly, combining their
strength and influence to carry destruction into
the enemies' territories, and to introduce and
establish therein the kingdom of " righteousness,
and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." These
things considered in connexion with the "signs
of the times," namely, the difl'usion of the prin-
ciples of civil freedom and religious toleration
among the heathen and Mohammedan nations,
the prostration of the temporal power of the
Pope,"* the crushing of civil despotism, seem to
* Since tlie above was wTitten, I see there is a prospect of
the return of the Pope to his temporal dominion. But though
the French nation has disgraced itself by thus falsifying the
principles on which its late revolution was founded, and vio-
lated its constitution by interfering in the government of other
nations — and though it may succeed in reinstating the Pope
in his former position — it, remaias to be seen whether he will
long hold his power, and whether the fire of liberty which
has been kindled up in Italy and other states of Europe shall
be extinguished, or whether it will not again break forth
with increased violence, and bum up the "hay, wood, and
stubble," which have so long encumbered the ground on
which those kingdoms have been built, and on which their
rotten superstructures now rest, though in a very insecure
state.
These thoughts induce me to leave the sentence in the text
the same as I wrote it, more than a year since.
MUCH TO BE DONE. 285
indicate the near approach of that day of millen-
nial glory, so long- since predicted, and so long
expected by the Christian Church.
Notwithstanding, however, these favourable
sj^mptoms in the body politic, and these evi-
dences of new life in the body ecclesiastic, there
still remains much, very much indeed, to be done
before the universal reign of Jesus Christ shall
be seen and felt. To accomplish this grand con-
summation, the Clmrch must arise in the majesty
of her strength, or, rather, in the strength of
her divine Head, and in His Name put forth her
utmost energies, regardless of danger, regardless
of the sacrifice of wealth, of labour, both in the
ministry and membership, and unitedly go forth
to the conquest of the world. So far from this
being a time to pause in our career of usefulness,
to rest from our labour, or to relax in any mea-
sure in our efforts, it is the time — the very time —
for renewed exertions — for renewed sacrifices —
and for the exercise of strong faith in God — for
unremitting and prayerful diligence in the cause
of man's salvation.
These are the subjects chiefly dwelt upon in
the preceding numbers. How far they are cal-
culated to accomplish their design, I presume
not to determine ; but this one thing I am fully
conscious of, and that is, that they have been
286 RECAPITULATION.
penned under a high sense of responsibility;
and hence I have found my own heart much en-
larged and warmed with divine love while thus
employed, and feel therefore that I have not
run without being sent.
Should then any one find himself quickened
into new life and activity by reading what I have
written, let him give God the glory, and then
enter upon his work with renovated faith and
courage. If only thus much is done, I shall not
lose my reward ; for he that is thus affected will
communicate the holy impulse he may feel to
another, and that other to his fellow- Christian,
and so the work will spread from heart to heart,
until, finally, "Many shall run to and fro, and
knowledge shall be increased," and the wake,
though small in the beginning, will continually
enlarge its circumference until it shall be co-ex-
tensive with the whole himaan family. As to
making a general and simultaneous impression
upon the whole Church, much less upon the
whole world, at one and the same time, I have
no faith in it, though doubtless the work of re-
formation will become more and more general,
more and more deep and genuine, as it progresses,
— the work of justification and sanctification will
continually increase in power and influence, and
the holy example of God's people will be more
DEDICATION TO GOD. 287
and more powerfully felt, and hence will be of
more and more beneficial influence. We must
therefore first excite one to renewed action, by
strengthening his faith in the promises of God,
and he will lead another, and then others, and
thus a powerful stimulus will be applied to the
hearts of God's people, and so the movement
will continually enlarge its circumference, until
finally the whole Christian world will be in a
vigorous motion in the right direction. "The
Spirit and the bride" must first "say, Come,"
and then those who obey the invitation will join
their fellows in saying "Come," and they will
ultimately all unite in one simultaneous cry, utter-
ing the thrilling invitation, " Let whosoever will,
come, and take of the waters of life freely."
What I wish above all other things is, that I
may be instrumental, in the first place, in causing
the Methodists, in the way just now indicated,
to see and duly appreciate the high obligations
they are under to Almighty God, in consequence
of their innumerable and unmerited blessings, to
dedicate themselves, in soul and body, in time
and substance, to God — that they should seek
after — seek with earnestness — with persevering
faith and prayer, — an entire sanctification of
their natures — to make an entire consecration of
their all to the service of God. Let this be their
288 KECAPITULATION.
primary object — the mark at which they con-
stantly aim. Let the ministers, from a deep con-
viction of its attainableness, press the necessity
of this home upon themselves and all their peo-
ple. Let the ministers especially remember that
they who bear the vessels of the Lord should
have clean hands and pure hearts. God's de-
sign is that the sons of Levi should be holy, for
then shall their offerings be well-pleasing in His
sight.
This accomplished, they will feel the energies
of the Holy Spirit working mightily in them,
begetting a holy ardour in the cause of God,
which will prompt them to every good word and
work. Their " work of faith and labour of love"
will be acceptable, and their prayers will be
heard and answered. The pride of sect, the
pride of self, that cursed love of money, by
w^iich so many souls are ruined, and the charac-
ter of some ministers blasted forever — the love
of personal aggrandizement, and the pride of
Pharisaism, will all be destroyed, and the love
of God and man, that burning desire which
prompts its possessor to continual acts of self-
denial, to deeds of noble heroism in the cause
of Christ, will have taken the place of those
earth-born passions, and all such will move for-
ward in one firm and harmonious phalanx against
EFFECTS OF DILIGENCE. 289
error and sin, and never lay down their arms
until the world is conquered to Christ.
To my more immediate brethren I beg per-
mission to say, " Be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord." That God
had a special design, and that a benevolent one,
in raising up the Methodists, I have no doubt.
So long as they continue to be " co-workers with
Him," strive to promote His cause with all pu-
rity and sincerity, He will continue to smile upon
them, and prosper the work of their hearts and
hands. If, however, they should cease thus to
do, but should " turn aside to vain janghng,"
preach or write from vain glory, seek to be
great instead of studying to be good, they may
expect God's frown to be substituted for His
smile, and they will soon sink down into a spirit
of lukewarmness, will gradually imbibe a vain-
glorious spirit, and finally be distinguished for
having a "form of godhness, but denying the
power thereof."
On the other hand, if they shall live up to
their high and distinguished privileges, im-
prove their advantages with conscientious dili-
gence, and unitedly go forward in their work,
preaching their doctrine, enforcing their disci-
pline, so as to " purge out the old leaven of
mahce and wickedness," wherever it is found,
19
290 KECAPITULATIOX.
whether in high or low places, God "will make
them still a praise in the earth, and they shall
continue to be instrumental in diflfusing light
and heat — the hght of truth and the heat of
love — throughout the wide circle of their in-
fluence.
That this may be done, and that these an-
ticipations may be fully realized, let us conse-
crate ourselves anew to the service of God.
Laying aside our bickerings about little, unim-
portant things, and " forgetting the things which
are behind, let us press towards the mark of
the prize of our high calling of God in Christ
Jesus," May God send his choicest benedic-
tions upon his Church, and cause her to become
"the perfection of beauty," out of which he
*' shall continue to shine" until the whole world
shall become enlightened, and raise one univer-
sal song of praise to God, " who hath washed
them, and made them white in the blood of the
Lamb."
I
APPENDIX.
No. I.
Au examination of the definition, " Methodism without philoso-
phy" — A reply to P. — Two errors do not constitute a truth —
The author deviates from his general rule, for the purpose of
testing the solidity of the above maxim — He acknowledges an
inadvertence in language— On this account excuses P. for
some things he has said, but rebukes him for others — These
things an evidence of human infirmity — The erroneousness of
the definition — It excludes doctrines, usages, and ordinances
— Makes Methodism without body and soul — The definition
denied— It contemns God's inspired messengers — the re-
formers — Wesley himself— Theological schools not the nur-
series of heresies — Proved in sundry instances — Nor are col-
leges — An apology for these schools — May be useful — If Me-
thodism be religion without philosophy, then no true religion
till Methodism arose — Tiiis proved — What Methodism is.
Is " Methodism religion without philosophy ?" I think
not. For dissenting, however, from this assumed
apothegm, I have been taken to task by an anony-
mous writer in the Christian Advocate and Journal
of March 8, 1849, in which he endeavours to make
it appear that I have been equally inconsistent with
the author of the above definition of Methodism.
Allowing this to be true, I perceive not how it can
prove the accuracy of the definition, unless the
writer absurdly supposes that two inconsistencies
can produce one consistency, or that two errors
can constitute a truth.
*292 APPENDIX. NO. I.
For the i~)iirposc of an examination of the truth
of this definition of Methodism, and of testing the
solidity of the reasoning of P., as my anonymous
and friendly antagonist has chosen to designate him-
self, I have concluded to deviate, in this instance,
from my general rule, not to notice an anonymous
assailant, and endeavour to furnish an answer to
some of his allegations. I can do this now the more
leisurely, and, I trust, also in the spirit of brotherly
love, as I have finished my numbers on the State
and Responsibilities of the Church, and have con-
sequently liad time to pray over and to dehberate
upon it. Indeed, I was determined not to be di-
verted from the course marked out for me by any
trivial cause, until I had completed what I had to
say on those subjects. My friend P. will please ac-
cept this as an apology for delaying so long to no-
tice his brotherly strictures.
In the first place, I have to acknowledge a little
inadvertence in my language in the piece on which
P. animadverts, in saying that the Methodists had
"added" to the cardinal doctrines I had just enu-
merated that of " entire sanctification of soul and
body to God, or hohness of heart and life," which
inadvertence has afforded P. a gracious opportunity
of displaying his wit, by an unmeaning play upon
words, as though, because I had perpetrated a blun-
der, therefore his friend was unquestionably right.
This is just as logical as it would be for me to con-
clude, that because B. is guilty of drunkenness,
therefore A. is justified in profane swearing.
1
ArPEKDIX. NO. I. '299
But, in consideration of the above inadvertence
in language, I excuse P. for some things he has said,
though they amount to just nothing in his favour,
as we shall more fully see presently ; and proceed to
remark, that it by no means excuses him from quot-
ing me wrong in another particular. He represents
me as saying that we had " added" " the direct wit-
ness of the Spirit, with its inseparable fruits ;" whereas
my words are, " I know not but that I should add the
doctrine of the direct witness, and its inseparable re-
sults, the fruits of the Spirit ; as these, however close-
ly they may be incoi'porated in their articles of faith,
and alluded to in their formularies of devotion, are
not insisted upon by other denominations as they
should be, in their public instructions, or in the incul-
cations of the pulpit." Now, is not here a full ac-
knowledgment that this doctrine of the witness and
fruits of the Spirit was held by the other denomina-
tions to which I allude ? — and therefore I intro-
duced the remarks by the hypothetical phrase, " I
know not," intimating thereby that I doubted the
propriety of saying that this should be added, be-
cause I was aware that it was " incorporated in their
articles of faith, and alluded to in their formula-
ries of devotion," and hence I mentioned it merely
because it was not " insisted upon as it should be in
their public instructions."
The same should have been said, I allow, in re-
spect to " entire sanctification, or holiness of heart
and life," as this doctrine is also contained in their
" articles of faith, and alluded to in their formula-
294 APPENDIX. NO. I.
ries of devotion," " but it is brought out more promi-
nently by us than it is by other denominations,"
which is the alteration I have made in the copy I
have to print by, should the numbers be printed in
a book.
Thus much I have thought it right to say, both in
justice to myself and in excuse for my anonymous
critic, as well as by way of rebuke for his inadvert-
ence in misrepresenting me, by quoting my words
erroneously. I have had too much experience in
composing and transcribing not to know the diffi-
culty of expressing one's self always accurately, or
of selecting the most suitable word to convey the
idea that occupies the mind, to attribute the above
inaccuracy of P. to wilful misrepresentation ; but he
was so elated with the thought that he had caught
me in a trap, and therefore could involve me in the
same dilemma in which I had involved his friend,
that he not only overlooked the illogical inference
which he drew, namely, " that two wrongs make
a right," but also, unintentionally, misquoted my
words.
Lea-ving him and our readers to meditate upon
these sad evidences of human infirmitj', and taking,
for the present, no further notice of the criticisms
of my unknown friend P., whose remarks speak
more favourably for his heaii; than they do for his
head, I will now endeavour to test the soundness of
the maxim, that " Methodism is rehgion without
philosophy." That I might not misapprehend the
author, I have re-read the article on that subject ia
APPENDIX. NO. I. 205
the Methodist Quarterly Review, and am more
deeply than ever convinced of the utter absurdity
of the definition.
TMioever will read that article with attention,
will find that its author excludes from Methodism
all its doctrines, whether peculiar or otherwise, even
the witness of the Spirit, the doctrine of regenera-
tion and sanctification ; all its peculiar modes of
operation, such as class-meetings, and the itinerancy,
or any other peculiarity by which we have been all
along distinguished ; none of these things, according
to him, make any part of Methodism. Why not ?
Simply, the author says, because it existed without
and before them. Well, then, according to this
writer's opinion, Methodism could exist and flourish
independently of the doctrine of the eternity and
unity, and other perfections of God ; the Deity, in-
carnation, and atonement of Christ ; the doctrine of
repentance, justification, and sanctification of the
sinner, and all those cardinal truths by which we
have been characterized from the beginning, and
likewise all those usages by which we have been
distinguished from other denominations.
These excluded, what have we left ? Why, a
" religion without philosophy" Yes, and without
divinity too. For if all our doctrines are discarded
as constituting no part of Methodism, then we have
a Methodism that is a religion without doctrines I
But, according to him, both our class-meetings and
itinerancy may be laid aside, as neither do they
constitute any part of Methodism, because, says he,
29G Al'PEXDIX. NO. I.
it existed before them. Here, tlien, vre have a Me-
thodism stripped of all its doctrines, of its mode of
propagating them, in a word, of all its cardinal prin-
ciples, and all its external features ; for he says that
its church organization is no part of it, inasmuch as
it existed before any such organization, and finally
stripped of its philosophy. Pray tell us what we
have left. It has neither a soul nor a body. It
may, therefore, be classed with Berkeley and Hume's
ideal world, having no existence but in the imagi-
nation of deluded mortals.
What perception can we possibly form of a reli-
gion destitute of all its fundamenti\l principles, and
of all its peculiar modes of operation, and which,
therefore, has neither shape nor consistence ?
It has, in fact, neither doctrines, organization, or-
dinances, nor any peculiar means of procedure,
such as class-meetings and the itinerancy, and
hence it is bereft of every feature of either shape
or substance, not having even the meager form
of ^^philosophy" to distinguish it among its fellow
isms.
But, independently of these absurd puerilities, I
positively deny that " Methodism is religion without
philosophy," unless the author meant by philosophy,
a false, spurious, skeptical philosophy, which, from
the subsequent parts of his article, it appears he did
not ; for surely he did not mean to assert, as censo-
rious as he was upon Methodist preachei's, that they
had adopted such a system of infidel philosophy, by
the adoption of which they had vitiated their ^Metho
APXENDIX. NO. I. 297
dism, and rendered their ministrations inert, ineffi-
cient, and powerless. He mnst have meant, there-
fore, that philosophy which is distinguished by a
course of consecutive reasoning, otherwise his obser-
vations could have no point, no appropriateness ;
for surely he did not spend his strength to prove
that pure religion was not mixed up with an infidel
philosophy, and that the Methodist preachers, for
whose special benefit he wrote, had incorporated
this spurious offspring of a disordered imagination
into their method of preaching.
Now, to say that philosophy, or a method of con-
secutive reasoning, is incompatible with Methodism,
or pure religion, is to contemn God's inspired pro-
phets, the Lord Jesus, and his apostles, who all rea-
soned with the people in the most cogent manner,
as well as dehvered their messages in an authorita-
tive or commanding style. To quote the numerous
texts of sacred Scripture in support of this assei'tion
would be almost an endless task, as the Bible
abounds with examples of this sort.
It is to contemn Wesley himself — to say nothing
of all the reformers who preceded him — who was
among the most acute and accomplished logicians of
his age, whose writings abound with philosophical
disquisitions, and whose treatise upon logic is among
the most erudite, as well as short and compreliensive
treatises we have upon that subject. And how se-
verely did he criticise Locke for his aversion to
logic ! He teach a " religion without philoitoply !'*
Never ! Read his sermons, his appeal to men of
298 ArPENDix. — NO. I.
reason and religion, and his various tracts upon dif-
ferent subjects, and you will soon find yourself in
company with a man that could bring all his vast in-
tellectual powers to bear with luminous effect upon
doctrinal, experimental, and practical religion, illus-
trating the whole by the finest touches of reason, or
true philosophy. He could show, and did show,
that the religion of the Bible was perfectly conso-
nant with the purest dictates of reason ; that it is
founded in the immutable relations subsisting among
God's rational creatures — their relation to Gk)d, to
one another, and to the world, both animate and in-
animate, around them. This was no '' religion with-
out philosophy," without doctrines, without forms of
worship, a mere ideal thing — if it be not nonsense
to caU such an imaginary phantom a thing — exist-
ing I know not where.
But the object of the writer I am considering is
obvious enough. He aimed a blow at theological
seminaries. His remarks upon these show either a
total misapprehension of their history and character,
or, what is far worse, a culpable misrepresentation.
He says, " that almost, if not fully, all the pestilen-
tial errors which have become prevalent in the seve-
ral branches of the Church, may be traced to these
seminaries."
This assertion, to say the least of it, betrays great
prejudice against institutions which, though liable
to great abuse — and what good thing has not been
abused by the ignorance, selfishness, and pride of
men, even the purest system of religion ever re-
APPENDIX. NO. I. 299
vealed to the world* — have been instrumental of
diffusing much light upon the world. But to say-
that " nearly all the pestilential errors in the several
branches of the Church may be traced to theological
seminaries," shows an inexcusable inattention to ec-
clesiastical history, or a want of an accurate acquaint-
ance with the current of events. This, coming as it
does from a man who has made the profound dis-
covery that " Methodism is religion without philoso-
phy," is deserving of a severer rebuke than I shall
take it upon me to administer.
It is but sixty-five years since the first theological
seminary was established in the United States, and
this was founded by the Dutch Reformed Church,
in New-Brunswick, N. J., in 1 784. The next was
established by the CongregationaHsts, in Andover,
Mass., in 1808. Then followed the one in Prince-
ton, N. J., in 1812, under the patronage of the
Presbyterian Chiu'ch. Since that time they have
been established by nearly all the orthodox deno-
minations in the country, and now amount to thirty-
five,! including the one among the Methodists, in
Concord, N. H.
Have these generated neariy all the heresies with
" *' For naught so vile that on the earth doth live
But to the earth some special good doth give ;
Nor aught so good, but, strain'd from that fair use,
Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse :
Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied ;
And vice sometimes by action digni&ed."—Shaksp€ar«,
t See American Almanac for 1848,
300 APPENDIX. XO, T.
which the Church has been afflicted, and the pure
truths of the Gospel corrupted ? Unless our author
counts the peculiarities of Calvinism among heresies,
I know not a single heresiarch who has been fos-
tered in any of these schools ; and even allowing
these to be heresies, they did not originate in these
seminaries, for they were propagated long before
these were founded. And Arianism, which sprang
up in the 4th century, and Socinianism, or Unita-
rianism, which originated in the 16th centur}', or
Universalism, which sprang up among the Re-
formers of the 17th century, allowing them to be
heresies, did not originate from theological schools,
but from men of a disputatious spirit, and too cu-
rious in their speculations on the Divine character,
and of his designs to our fallen world.
As to mere modern heresies, such as INlilleriteism,
Mormonism, and other kindred sects of heretics, no
man who is acquainted with their originators will ac-
cuse them of being over learned, or as having re-
ceived their lessons in theological seminaries. In a
word, though some of the heresiarchs were both
learned and wise in \vorldly wisdom, the far greater
number of them, and especially those who were dis-
tinguished by the grossness of their errors, were
more characterized by their stupid ignorance, mixed
it is true with much low cunning, than they were
for either learning or piety. So far are these
schools from being responsible for the absurdities
involved in the above heresies, they have produced
men of the most profound theological knowledge
APPENDIX. NO. I. 301
and deep piety of which any age of the Church can
boast.
If our author aUudes to the ancient schools of the
Church, which I presume he did not, his assertion is
equally wide of the mark. Whence sprang the
Gnostics, the Cerinthians, the Nazarenes, and the
Ebionites, of the first and second centuries ? Cer-
tainly not from theological schools, for there were
none such in existence.* And whence originated
Mohammedanism, the most corrupt and gigantic of
* I know that Mosheim supposes that there were such
seminaries in the first and second centuries ; but his learned
fa-anslator, Murdock, very justly doubts the fact, and in-
deed makes it evident that the schools referred to could
have been no higher than catechetical schools, designed for
the initiation of young people into the principles of Chris-
tianity. They were not intended for the theological instruc-
tion of ministers. The schools afterwards established iu
Alexandria, and other places, I grant, by being taught by
men who were but half Cluristians, at best, became the pro-
lific source of numerous errors. By endeavoiu-ing to blend
the Platonic philosophy with Christianity, they gradually
corrupted the latter, until it finally degenerated into a
gloomy system of monkery and superstition.
From this same source originated the scholastic theology,
which professed to explain Scripture facts and truths by
the rides of metaphysics. But these schools were not es-
tablished for the exclusive benefit of ministers, though many
of them were educated in them. They were as unlike our
modern theological seminaries as the cloak of St. Paul Avas
to a modern surplice. But I presume our author had no re-
ference to those ancient schools, but to modern theological
seminaries. See Mosh., vol. i, pp. 81, HI, 168, 177, 178,
182, 262, 320, 387, 408, 135.
302 APPE^•D1X. NO. I.
all the heresies which ever brooded over our "world ?
Was its author educated in a theological seminary ?
He arose in the seventh century ; and was so ignorant
of letters that he could neither read nor write, from
which his followers inferred the divinity of his mis-
sion. And this proves incontestably that error or
heresy is oftener associated with unlettered igno-
rance than with sound learning ; for the more
deeply and soundly learned a man is, and especially
if he be pious, the more modest and humble he is ;
whereas an ignorant fanatic — and all errorists are
fanatics — is characterized by unblushing effronter)-.
Of the truth of this Mohammed is a witness — and
the father of Mormonism another.
These pestilential heresies originated from that
pride which is always associated -Nnth ignorance,
and displays its folly in being " wise above what is
written." And so all the destructive heresies which
originated from time to time in the early ages of the
Church, may be traced, not to Christian schools, of
which there were exceedingly few, and those few
were designed chiefly for catechumens, but to the
morbid imagination - of men who endeavoured to
blend Christianity with the fanciful reveries of hea-
then mythology, Platonic philosophy, and Jewish
fable. But what have these to do with theological
seminaries, as now constituted and conducted ?
If the writer under review means by theological
seminaries, those colleges where the arts and sciences
are taught, together with such theological studies as
are pursued by those students who are designed for
APPENDIX. NO. I. 303
the Gospel ministiy, then his declaration is equally-
erroneous, as comparatively few of these have been
heretical, though they have generally fallen short
of a thorough training in experimental and practi-
cal divinity. And as to these schools or colleges,
we are indebted to them, under the grace of God,
for some of the greatest lights the world has ever
seen. All the reformers, Luther, Melancthon,
Knox, Cranmer, were thorough scholars, learned in
all the arts and sciences, deeply read in history and
philosophy. And were not Wesley and Fletcher
taught in colleges, and were they a whit behind any
of their fellow-students in sound learning, in deep
experience, as well as in true philosophy ? Here-
sies are oftener found, as before remarked, asso-
ciated with unlettered ignorance, than with those
whose minds have been expanded with learning.
And who shall defend Christianity when it is as-
sailed by the cunning artifices of an infidel philoso-
phy, by the ingenious sophistries of learned skeptics ?
Can ignorance grapple with these giant intellects ?
Can unlettered men meet learned infidels, who pro-
fess to derive their objections from history, ancient
and modern, from verbal criticisms upon the mean-
ing of the learned languages, and from philosophical
disquisitions which profess to dive into the nature
of things ? If the Church had been left to such un-
lettered defenders, she would have been long since
buried beneath the rubbish of error, of heresy, and
unbelief
1 am no advocate for theological seminaries, con-
304 AFPEInDIX. MO. I.
sidered distinct and apart from our colleges, though
I am far from believing that they either have been
or are the nurseries of heresies. Nor can I see any
reason -why sound theology may not be taught,
guarded, and defended as thoroughly in a theologi-
cal school, as it can be in the closet or in the pulpit.
May not these schools be put under the tuition of
orthodox ministers, deeply experienced in divine
things? and may they not urge upon their pupils
Scriptural doctrines, the necessity of heart-felt reli-
gion, of experimental and practical piety, just as
zealously and successfidly as it can be done in the
pulpit, and at the same tune much more systemati-
cally and efficiently ? The fact is, heresies of all
kinds spring up from the corrupt pool of human de-
pravity, are fostered in the school of ignorance, and
strengthened and perpetuated by prejudice and
pride ; and therefore the most effectual way to
guard against them is to imbue the mind with sound
learning, to have the heart purified by the fire of
the Holy Spirit, and to keep up a constant obe-
dience to all the commandments of God.
But I intimated t,hat if "Methodism be religion
without philosophy," if he meant by Methodism, as
I suppose he did, pure religion, in distinction from
all other systems of religion, then it foUows of ne-
cessity tliat until Methodism arose pure religion had
no existence. If this be its distinguishing feature,
its characteristic peculiarity, by which it is distin-
guished from all other denominations, it follows in-
evitably that all others have religion with philosophy ;
APPENDIX. — XO. I. 305
and hence It follows, -witli equal conclusiveness, that
until Methodism arose there was no pure religion in
the world ; that until this " religion without philoso-
phy" made its appearance, under the guise of Me-
thodism, all other isms were poisoned with the
foreign admixture of philosophy ; and this there-
fore alone purified the coiTupt mass, and presented
the religion of the Lord Jesus in a pure, unadul-
terated state.
So far therefore from turning aside, or " flying off
in a tangent," with a view to smite unjustly " a cer-
tain writer," and thereby giving evidence that I
had lost my balance, as P. has represented me as
having done, I think that in defining Methodism
differently from him I pursued a straightforward
course, and finding that stumbling-block in my path,
it was incumbent on me to remove it out of the way,
lest others should stumble over it into the pit of
error. Nor can I perceive that I have drawn an
illogical conclusion from the assumed apothegm that
" Methodism is religion without philosophy," namely,
that if this be so, then there was no true religion
until Methodism arose, with its healing balm, to
eradicate from human souls the spiritual disease
with which they were afflicted — that if neither its
doctrines nor peculiar mode of operation, class-meet-
ings, itinerancy, nor its organization, form any part
of its characteristic peculiarity, it has nothing left
but a floating idea, not having even the meager
form of philosophy to cover its nakedness.
These inferences appear to me perfectly legiti-
20
306 APPENDIX. NO. I.
mate, as much so as the following: — There can be
no religion of the heart of that man whose life con-
travenes the commandments of God ; but G, who
professes this religion, contravenes the command-
ments of God; therefore G is deceived, having no
religion of the heart.
Let us try it.
There can be no pure rehgion ivith philosophy ;
but all the systems of religion were mixed with phi-
losophy until Methodism arose, which Is " religion
■ivithout philosophy ;" therefore there was no pure
religion until Methodism arose to purify it from
philosophy.
If there be any flaw in this argument I cannot
perceive it. And the major and minor propositions
are contained in the piece in the Methodist Quar-
terly Review. The conclusion is mine, which inevi-
tably follows from the premises.
I thought it my duty, therefore, and still think so,
to remove the flimsy veil under which the erroneous
definition was hidden, and to unravel the sophistry
by which it was defended, and thus to present the
truth without a mask to the reader, that Methodism
might appear with all its substantial forms, adorned
with all its lovely features, resting upon the founda-
tion of solid doctrines, clothed with a garment of
pure philosophy, and actuated by a living soul,
breathing the breath of life infused into it by the
'' inspiration of the Almighty" — that thus exhibiting
a living, moving form, beautified by the gi-aces of
the Holy Spirit, its '* faith's capacity- stretched
APPENDIX. NO. I. 30^
wider and yet wider still," it may be seen even
now marcliing forward in its career of usefulness,
while its symmetrical proportions may be scanned
by the impartial beholder, and still be adhered to
according to its intrinsic excellence, and its saving
power, and holy influence, felt and experienced far
and wide.
If I have succeeded, as I cannot but flatter myself
that I have, in my main design, let the reader thank
God, who, I humbly trust, has enlightened the un-
derstanding and assisted the pen of his unworthy
servant, and be encouraged to persevere in the
" work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of
hope," believing that God has not yet forsaken this
plant of His own right hand planting, but that it
still flourishes under His fostering care, like a fruit-
ful vine, in the garden of the Lord. Let him above
all things strive so to live that he may give no occa-
sion to the enemies of Methodism, that is, pure
Christianity, to blaspheme that worthy name by
which he has been called.
308 APPENDIX. — XO. II.
No. n.
No good perceived from the personal coining of Christ ; though,
if this were plain!}- revealed, we ought to believe it neverthe-
less — Na such fact revealed — Examination of those texts
generally relied on — Do not prove the fact — If he were thus to
come, it Avould be as a man ; of course his personal appear-
ance must be restricted to a particular place — Hence he could
profit comparatively but few at a time — These difficulties
overcome by his spiritual manifestation — This answers elU the
ends of his intercession — In tliis way he can accomplish
a great work in a short time— The character of the millennium
— Not all righteous — Proved from Daniel xii, 10, and Rev.
XX, 8-10 — Gog and Magog, what— During the period of Millen-
nial glory some remain wicked— More important to have the
heart riglit than our mere speculations.
As to the personal reign of the Lord Jesus on this
earth, I can see no good to be accomplished by it,
though this, I grant, is not a sufficient reason for its
rejection ; because many things are predicted, the
reasons for which far surpassed the comprehension
of the human mind, while their fulfilment demon-
strated the wisdom, power, and goodness of God,
and developed their fitness by the coming to pass
of the events themselves. If, therefore, this were a
plain matter of fact, unequivocally declared in the
word of God, that Jesus Chi'ist should come in his
own proper person to reign among men, we should
be compelled to receive it as an article of faith,
however mysterious it might appear, and however
much it might be beyond the depths of human rea-
son to fathom. But I find no such unequivocal
revelation, either in the character of a prediction or
ArPENDIX. NO II. 309
a declared fact ; and therefore those who profess to
believe it are forced to deduce it from doubtful
symbols, from predictions which will easily admit of
a different interpretation, or by those uncertain in-
ferences on which we may or may not rely, accord-
ing to the probabiHty of the data on which they are
founded.
The only text that I know of which seems to
speak of this personal appearing of the Lord Jesus,
to set up his kingdom on this earth, is that in Acts
i, 11, in which it is stated that " two men," — whether
celestial or terrestrial messengers we know not,
though most probably the former, being angels of
God sent to instruct the disciples, whose doubtful
minds hung trembling in the balance between hope
and fear — " stood by them in shining apparel, which
said. Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up
into heaven ? this same Jesus which is taken up
from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner
as ye have seen him go into heaven." This text,
however, is so far from being an unequivocal proof
of the doctrine of Christ's personal appearance on
this earth, where he will reign a thousand years,
that the generality of commentators believe that it
refers to his coming in the clouds of heaven to judge
the world — a truth most clearly revealed in nume-
rous places in the Holy Scriptures. It is much safer,
therefore, to be content with these plain and un-
equivocal declarations of divine revelation respect-
ing the second coming of Jesus Christ to judge the
world at the last day, than it is to resort to any
310 APPENDIX. NO. II.
forced or mystical interpretation of those solemn
predictions which relate to future events, and which
aj-e, to make the most of them, but of a doubtful
character.
I said that I could see no good to be accomplished
by the personal appearance of Christ among men.
If He were thus to appear, it must be as a man, and
he must associate with men, as he did in the days of
his incarnation ; must be located, for the time being,
to a particular place, and could therefore only be
seen and heard by comparatively few people at one
and the same time. Hence he could profit but com-
paratively few with his personal presence at a time,
and therefore it would consume a long period for
him to travel all over the world, for the purpose of
showing himself to all its inhabitants ; and although
the news of his having come might, and doubtless
would, spread rapidly from city to city, and from
one country to the other, yet this would not satisfy
the curiosity of men, nor produce that immediate
conviction of its truth necessiiry to effect a change
of heart, and the consequent reformation of life.
Many doubts would be raised in one place respect-
ing the truth of the reports in another, and a long
time would elapse before they were removed, either
by the personal presence of the Sa^'iour himself, or
those evidences of the fact essential to produce con-
viction. All these things seem naturally to arise
out of the actual state of things, considered in re-
ference to the constitution of the human mind.
If it be said that all these obstacles may be over-
Ai'pjb;.\Di.>:. — i\o. II. 311
come Ly the operation of bis Spirit u})OU the human
heart, and by sending His messengers in every di-
rection upon the face of the earth, for the purpose
of proclaiming the fact that Jesus Christ had actu-
ally appeared ; it is answered, that all this can be
done just as effectually while He is seated at the
right hand of God, as it could be on the supposition
of his being personally among men. This, in fact,
is done — the Spirit is sent everywhere, to enlighten
every understanding, to penetrate every heart, to
arouse every conscience, to help the infirmities of
all God's people in prayer, and praise, and in the
performance of every good word and work : God's
ministers — those who have an inward consciousness
of His presence, and therefore speak under the
dictates of the Holy Spirit — are sent out in every
direction, for the purpose of proclaiming the fact,
not indeed that Jesus Christ has appeared person-
ally on this earth, but that He is risen from the
dead, and that He now liveth at the right hand of
God, where He is ever making intercession for us.
Here, then, we have all the purposes for which the
advocates for the personal reign of Christ plead, as
the consequence of his thus appearing, fully accom-
plished by his spiritual manifestation, and by the
methods he has adopted, and does still adopt, for the
propagation of his Gospel among the nations of the
earth. While, if He were personally to appear —
assume a human form — which he unquestionably
must do if he make a visible manifestation of him-
self — he must restrict himself to one particular place
312 APPENDIX. NO. II.
at a time, and thus adopt the slow process of travel-
ling from city to city, and from one country to an-
other, in order to make himself known to all the in-
habitants of our world. By adopting the method
we have supposed, and which he has actually
adopted, namely, the spiritual manifestation of him-
self to the understandings and consciences of all
men, he can accomplish a great work in a short
time. And, then, by raising up, inspiring, and send-
ing forth his messengers everywhere, to proclaim
him as the living God, to whom all things are com-
mitted, — these, confirming the truth which the " Spirit
writes on all truly awakened hearts," will co-operate
together for the speedy salvation of the world.
This, it appears to me. is the way in which God
will usher in the glorious millennium. '' Many shall
run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."
;Many are running to and fro ; the number of faith-
ful missionaries is increasing, and they are going
forth in different parts of the world, " proclaiming
salvation in Jesus' name ;" and, as a consequence,
knowledge — the knowledge of forgiveness of sins by
faith in Jesus Chris't — is everywhere increasing.
Thus the new covenant which God promised to es-
tablish -with his people, namely, that he would " write
his law upon their hearts, and imprint it upon their
inward parts ; so that they should all know him, from
the least unto the greatest," is even now opening,
expanding, and being accomplished in all its power
and glory ; so that very soon we shall no longer
be under the necessity of " saving one to the other,
Appendix. — no. ii. 31b
Know the Lord ; for they shall all know him, from
the least to the greatest."
And that this is to be understood in general terms,
not hterally, is manifest from various passages of
sacred Scripture. Thus, in Daniel xii, 10, where
the prophet is evidently speaking of the latter day
glory, and of the end of time, it is said, " Many shall
be purified and made white, and be tried; but the
wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked
shall understand." These words certainly indicate
that when the Lord shall establish His kingdom upon
the earth, by the purifying process of his Spirit, by
which many " shall be made white" " in the blood
of the Lamb," there shall be wicked men mingling
with the righteous, who, in resisting the operations
of his Spirit upon their consciences, will become
more and more hardened in sin, and hence will con-
tinue to do wickedly, will wax " worse and worse,"
until they become so blinded that they cannot " un-
derstand" either the judgments or mercies of Al-
mighty God.
So also in Rev. xx, 7-10, it is said, "When the
tliousand years are expired," which all allow is a
prediction of the end of the millennium, " Satan
shall be loosed from his prison, and shall go out to
deceive the nations which are in the four quarters
of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them toge-
ther to battle ; the number of whom is as the sand
upon the sea. And they went up upon the breadth
of the land, and compassed the camp of the saints
about, and the beloved city ; and fire came down
31-1 ArPEXblX. — ^O. II.
from God out of heaven, and consumed them. And
the Devil that deceived them was east into the lake
of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false
prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night
forever and ever." Gog and Magog appear to be
mentioned here as a personification of the wicked in-
habitants which will be found upon the earth at the
close of the millennial period, and whom God shall
destroy with the breath of his mouth, or consign
them over to the devil and his angels, to be tor-
mented forever and ever in the lake of fire, whence
the " smoke of their torment ascendeth up without
end." Now, if every individual person were really
righteous during the thousand years of Christ's reign
upon earth, whence came this mighty army of His
enemies, represented as being as numerous as the
'• sand of the sea," and who will exemplify their en-
mity by encamping around the saints, with a view,
no doubt, to destroy them ? It is hardly to be sup-
posed that such a multitude would suddenly aposta-
tize from the faith, and turn open enemies to the
gospel of Christ ; such determined enemies as to
fight against them, with a view to exterminate them
from the face of the earth. To suppose that such an
immense multitude, who had actually tasted that the
Lord is gracious, had beheld His glory unveiled to
their souls, and had beheld his person visibly mani-
fested to their bodily eyes, should suddenly re-
nounce his authority, abjure his religion, and blas-
pheme his holy Name, and, as a consequence, join
affinity with his enemies, is to suppose a phenome-
APPENDIX. KO. II. 315
nou in the religious world far beyond any compari-
son in the history of the Church, and totally unac-
countable on either the principles of Divine revela-
tion, or of human nature, as mutable and perverse
as it unquestionably is.
It is much more rational, therefore, as well as
agreeable to the analogy of things, and in accord-
ance with the declarations of God's word, to believe
that during all that period of millennial glory, there
were some that remained " blinded by the god of
this world ;" that by the evil influence of their ex-
ample the number of the wicked gradually increased ;
continually resisting the hght of Divine truth, they
*' waxed woi-se and worse," corrupted and corrupt-
ing each other ; until, finally, they became so nume-
rous, and so maddened in their folly, as to suppose
they might overcome the saints of God ; and hence
they are represented as encamping around them,
when God appears to vindicate his own cause and
people, and hurls his vengeance on his enemies, by
casting them, and the devil who deceived them, into
the bottomless pit.
These are some of the reasons for the doctrine
contained in the text, and they appear fully suffi-
cient to warrant the beUef that the millennium for
which we are to look is such a one as therein de-
scribed, and no other. Those, however, who think
differently are at full liberty to enjoy their opinion,
provided only they will allow the same liberty to
me and others who think fit to dissent from them,
for the reasons above assigned.
316 APPENDIX. — NO. II.
After all, it is a matter of much more importance
to haAe our hearts right in the sight of God, than it
is to be accurate in our ^^e"ws respecting a mere
speculative point of such a character as the one
herein discussed. While I entertain no doubt of
the correctness of my opinion on this subject, I am
perfectly willing that others should enjoy theirs un-
molestedly.
APPENDIX. — NO. III. 317
No. in.
Population of the World.
Asia 570,000,000
Europe 280,000,000
Africa 90,000,000
South America 14,000,000
North America 28,000,000
Oceanica 18,000,000
1,000,000,000
Estimated division of the Religious Denominations.
Pagans 630,000,000
Mohammedans 100,000,000
Greek Church 56,000,000
Armenians and Jews 14,000,000
Roman Catholics 130,000,000
Protestants 70,000,000
1,000,000,000
Note. The above is not set down as perfectly accurate,
but approximates as near the truth as can well be ascer-
tained from the various documents which I have consulted.
And fi-om this statement of the religious condition of the
world, we may see the great work to be accomplished before
' ' the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the
waters do the great deep."
318
APPENDIX. NO. III.
Statistics of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The following table will show the number, together with
the increase or decrease, from year to year, of ministers and
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, from the time
of the first Conference held in America, in the year 1773 ;
and likewise the per centum of increase and decrease, as
well as the average per centum for the whole seventy-six
years. The number of travelling preachers includes the su-
pernumerary and superannuated as well as effective.
Note. — In this table the numerous errors which have crept
into the printed Minutes have been carefully corrected, so
that those who compare the results here brought out with
those in the Minutes, will find a discrepancy in many places ;
though it is probable that errors may still be detected, not-
withstanding the endeavour to be accurate.
Year.
Preachers.
Members.
Increase.
Decrease.
Per cent, of
inc. and dec.
1773
10
1,160
1774
17
2,073
913
79
1775
19
3,148
1,075
52
1776
24
4,921
1,773
56
1777
36
6,963
2,047
42
1778
29
6,095
873
13
1779
49
8,577
2,482
73
41
1780
42
8,504
nearly 1
1781
54
10,539
2,025
1782
59
11,785
1,246
12
1783
83
13,740
1,955
17
1784
83
14,983
1,248
9
1785
104
18,000
3,012
20
After this year the white and coloured members were re-
turned in separate columns, and then the whole were added
together to make the sum total, which method will be fol-
lowed hereafter.
APPENDIX. NO. III.
319
Per cent, of
Year.
Prclirs.
117
Whites.
Colour'd.
Total.
Increase.
Deere.
increase &
decrease.
1786
19,791
1,890
20,681
2,681
15
1787
133
21,949
3,893
25,842
5,161
25
1788
166
30,899
6,545
37,354
11,512
45
1789
196
35,019
8,243
43,262
5,908
16
1790
227
45,949
11,682
57,631
14,369
33
1791
259
50,385
12,884
63,269
5,639
10
1792
266
52,109
13,871
65,980
2,711
4
1793
269
51,416
16,227
67,643
1,663
3
1794
301
52,794
13,814
66,608
1,035
2
1795
313
48,121
12,170
60,291
6,317
9
1796
293
45,384
11,280
56,664
3,627
6
1797
262
46,444
12,218
58,663
1,999
4
1798
267
47,867
12,302
60,169
1,506
3
1799
272
49,115
12,236
61,351
1,182
2
1800
287
51,412
12,452
64,894
3,543
6
1801
307
57,186
15,688
72,874
7,980
12
1802
358
68,075
18,659
86,784
13,860
10
1803
383
81,017
22,453
104,070
17,336
19
1804
400
89,003
23,531
113,134
9,064
9
1805
433
95,029
24,316
119,945
0,811
6
1806
452
103,313
27,257
130,570
10,625
9
1807
516
114,727
29,863
144,590
14,020
11
1808
540
121,687
30,308
151,995
7,405
5
1809
597
131,154
31,884
163,038
11,043
8
1810
636
139,830
34,724
174,560
11,522
7
1811
668
148,835
35,732
184,507
10,007
6
1812
678
156,852
38,.505
195,357
10,790
6
1813
700
171,448
42,859
214,307
18,950
9
1814
687
168 098
42,434
211,129
3,178
2
1815
704
167,978
43,187
211,105
36
^V
1816
695
171,931
42,304
214,235
3,070
1
1817
716
181,442
43,411
224,858
10,518
5
1818
748
190,477
39,150
229,027
4,774
2
1819
812
201,750
39,174
240,924
11,297
5
1820
896
219,332
40,558
259.890
18,966
8
1821
977
339,087
42,059
281,146
21,256
8
1822
1,106
252,045
44,377
297,022
15,876
6
1823
1,226
207,618
44,922
312,540
15,518
5
1824
1,272
289,427
48,096
328,523
15,983
5
1825
1,314
298,658
49,.537
347,195
19,672
G
1826
1,400
309,550
51,334
300,889
12,680
4
1827
1,576
1.327,933
51,005
381,997
21,113
6
320
APPENDIX. NO. III.
Per cent.
Year.
Prchrs.
Whitea.
Colomed.
Total.
Increase.
Deere.
of dec. &
inc.
1828
1,642 359,533
59,394*
418,927
36,930
10
1829
1,817 1382,679
65,064
447,743
39,816
10
1830
1,900 '402,561
73,592
476,153
28,410
6
1831
2,010 437,024
76,090
513.114
36,961
8
1832
2,200 , 472,364
76,229
548,595
35,470
7
1833
2,400 519.196
80,540
599,736
51,143
9
1834
2,625 : 553,134
85.650
638,784
39,048
7
1835
2,758 1 566,957
85,571
652,528
13,744
2
1836
2,920 ; 564,974
85,271
650,245
2,283
\
This year, and the subsequent years, the numbers of local
preachers were returned in the Minutes, and they are ac-
cordingly set down in a separate column in the years which
follow : —
v.„
T.Pr.
L. Pr.
1
Wliites. [Coloured
Total.
Increase.
Per
eax
1S37
3,147
4.954
570,123 79,670
654,756t
4,511
f
183S
3,332
5,792
615,212 81,337
702,332
47,576
7
1S39
3,557
5.856
650,3571 90,192
746,315
43,983
fi
1840
3,657
6,339
698,777, 96,668
801,784
55,469
7
1841
3,865
6,893
748,442 104,476
859,811
58,027
7
184-2
4.044
7,144
803,988 109,313
921.045
61,234
7
1843
4,2^6
7,730
936.736 131,789 1,076.255
155,210
17
1^44
4,627
8,087
1,021,818 145,409
1,175,314
99,059
9
1845
4,828
8,109
985,698 153,-89 1,147,696
27,618
2
1846
3,280
4,985
613,125; 31,174
649,344
498,352^
43
1S47
3.642
4,913
600,941 30,617
636,471
12,873
2
1848
3,471
5,191
608,917; 30,088
644,196
8,735
1
1S4'J
3,984
5,154
632,773-29,542
667,469
23,273
4
Average per cent, of increase 9|.
Add the number of travelling preachers to that of the mem-
bers for the year 1849, and we have a total of 671,453.
* The numbers of Christian Indians are included in this and
the subsequent numbers of coloured members.
t The number of local preachers is included in the sum total.
+ Tliis great decrease is owing to the secession of the slave,
holding conferences.
APPENDIX. — NO. III. 321
General Summary.
Number in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in-
chiding travelling preachers 671 ,453
Number in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, including travelling and local preachers . . 496,586
Number in the Wesleyan Connexion in Great
Britain, Ireland, and the Missionary Stations. . . 470,011
Number in the Canada Conference 24,268
1,662,318
Add to these the following, who have seceded
from us in this country and in Europe,
namely : —
The Primitives and others in Gieat Britain
and Ireland 200,000*
Methodist, Protestants 64,313
Reformed Methodists 3,000
Wesleyan Methodists 20,000
Grand total 1,949,631
* I am not certain that this number is accurate, as I have not
been able to find any authentic document to verify it, though
I judge it not far froax the truth.
21
INDEX
Activity commended, page 266.
Africa, population of, 200.
Bible Societies, good influence of, 180; promote union
among Christians, 18i.
Bigotry reproved, 272; contrasted with true Catholi-
cism, 273.
Book Department, apathy in the, 48.
Christian Perfection, 57.
Christ, spiritual reign of, 311; good effected thereby,
312 ; how accomplished, 312.
Denominations, Religious, — Armenians Greeks, Jews,
Mohammedans, Pagans, Protestants, Roman Catho-
lics, 317.
Education, apathy in, 34.
Errors, practical, pointed out, 252.
Europe, state of religion in, 201.
Evangelical Alliance, 130 ; Wesley laboured to pro-
mote it, 131 ; his principles of union, 133 ; good effects
of, 134 ; not carried into effect, 135 ; the Author wrote
in favour of it, 142 ; how it is to be effected, 143.
risk. Dr., quoted, 81.
Fleming, his calculations, 189 ; his account of the down-
fall of papacy, 195.
Florence, state of religion in, 210.
324 INDEX.
Grermany, state of religion in, 214.
God the author of all good, 128 : gratitude to, inspired,
185 ; gratitude to, for what he hath wrought, 179.
Gospel, influence of, 177.
Hungary, state of religion in, 212.
Home-work essential, 269.
Improvement, evidences of, 29; temporal, 29; in
church building, 31 ; in education, 33 ; in the mission-
ary work, 39.
Intemperance, Wesley on, 119; his pointed remarks
against, 120; extract from his tract, 121 ; provided
against in General Rules, 123 ; the INIethodist Church
vacillates on, 124 ; our rtde against it, 125 : Rev. Mr.
Hewitt's labours acknowledged, 126.
Methodism compared, 27 ; doctrines of, 55 ; not religion
without philosophy, 291 , absurdity of that idea, 295 ;
it excludes doctrines, itinerancy, class-meetings, and
church organization, 296 ; the rnaxim denied, 296 ; it
contemns the prophets, the Lord Jesus and his apos-
. ties, Wesley and the Rcfonners, 297 ; the error of the
maxim exposed, 304 ; Methodism presented in its
true light, 306 ; old-fashioned, 61 ; its circumstantials,
66; declined in some places, 71; its improvements,
72 ; British and American compared, 77 ; latter more
prosperous, 78; the reasons for it. 81 ; its missionary
work, 94 ; its labour in the tract cause, 99 ; establishes
Sabbath schools in America, 113 ; had been at work
nearly half a century before Raikes commenced, 116;
its influence, 145; opposed, 146; its distinctive fea-
tures, 147 : the pulpit and press arrayed against it,
148 ; its cause, 155 ; taught sanctification, 157.
Methodists, their increase in wealth, 231; middling class
most liberal, 232 ; deficiency in liberality, 233 ; ability
ample, 234 ; their covetousness rebuked, 235 ; their
deficiency in missionaiy collections, 236 ; not much
better result in other departments, 238 ; whole family
of, can do much, 271.
Millennium, in what it consists, 193 : drawing near, 197.
IKDEX. 325
Ministers, how qualified to preach, 243 ; how raised up,
244 ; eminent talents in, compatible with holiness,
245 ; examples of such, 246 ; importance of piety
pressed upon them, 249 ; evidences of this, 250 ;
necessity of deep devotion of, 275 ; must duly appre-
ciate their high obligations, 287 ; should be filled with
the Holy Spirit, 288 : otherwise will sink into luke-
warmness, 289; names of eminent, mentioned, 163;
wherein they agree, 164 ; Methodism contributed to
this result, 165.
Missionaries, Ward, Morrison, Coke, 178; their influ-
ence, 179 ; how qualified for their work, 264 ; success
of such, 265.
Missions, home, 45.
Movements, benevolent, 47 ; in the number of publica-
tions, 48.
North and South, dispute between the, 21.
Numbers, diminution in, 16 ; its causes, 17 ; comparison
between this diminution and that in 1778 and 1795,
18.
Religion, pure, hindrances in the way of, 129 ; how to be
removed, 130 ; experimental, 167 ; practical, 168 ; ge-
neral state of, 207.
Rhinebeck, old district, 72.
Riches, increase of, among the Methodists, 223 ; a means
of doing good, 223 ; necessary for the spread of the
gospel, 223 ; sin of, in abusing them, 225; right use
of, a blessing, 226 ; lead to luxury, 227 ; how to guard
against, 228 ; Methodists warned against its influence,
229 ; the remedy, how to be used, 263.
Schools, Sabbath, Raikes originates, 108 ; Wesley pa-
tronizes, 109 ; his delight in beholding them, 110 ; in-
troduces gratuitous instruction in, 112.
, Theological, heresies did not originate in, 299 ;
but from unlearned ignorance, 300; proved, 301, 302.
South America, state of religion in, 204.
Spirit, witness and fruits of tlie, 56.
States, United, state of religion in the, 206.
326 INDEX.
Success, want of, no evidence of lack of piety. 71.
Switzerland, state of religion in, 21 1.
Times, signs of the, 191 ; very pleasing, 193 favourable,
222.
■Doleration, promoted, 183 ; produced a better state of
things, 184.
Union, Christian, 162; "Wesley's proposition to White-
field for, 137 ; rejected, 138 ; embodies the spirit of
the evangelical alliance, 139.
"Works, "Wesley's published, 149 ; caricatured by Southey,
149 ; yet his character exalted, 150 ; world much im-
proved by, 169.
World, the, compared with its former state 1 70.
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