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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 !
" 0 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. 0 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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