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Church? The arguments on both sides were discussed for several days; and at length we agreed, without a dissenting voice, It is by no means expedient, that the Methodists should leave the Church of England.'

Can

"6. Nevertheless, the same leaven continued to work in various parts of the kingdom. The grand argument (which in some particular cases must be acknowledged to have weight) was this: The minister of the parish wherein we dwell, neither lives nor preaches the Gospel. He walks in the way to Hell himself, and teaches his flock to do the same. you advise them to attend his preaching?' I cannot advise them to it. What then can they do, on the Lord's day, suppose no other Church be near? Do you advise them to go to a dissenting meeting? or to meet in their own preaching-house?' Where this is really the case, I cannot blame them if they do. Although therefore I earnestly oppose the general Separation of the Methodists from the Church, yet I cannot condemn such a partial Separation, in this particular case. I believe to separate thus far from these miserable wretches, who are the scandal of our Church and Nation, would be for the honour of our Church, as well as to the glory of God,

7. And this is no way contrary to the profession which I have made above these fifty years. I never had any design of separating from the Church. I have no such design now. I do not believe the Methodists in general design it, when I am no more seen. 1 do and will do all that is in my power to prevent such an event. Nevertheless, in spite of all I can do, many of them will separate from it: (although I am apt to think not one half, perhaps not a third of them.) These will be so bold and injudicious as to form a separate party, which consequently will dwindle away into a dry, dull, separate party. In flat opposition to these, I declare once more, that I live and die a member of the Church of England: and that none who regard my judgment or advice will ever separate from it.

JOHN WESLEY."

Extracts from the late Reverend John Wesley's Last Journal.

1786 July 25-Page 9. "Our Conference began at Bristol; about eighty Preachers attended. On Tuesday, in the afternoon, we permitted any of the society to be present:

and

and weighed what was said about separating from the Church. But we all determined to continue therein, without one dissenting voice. And I doubt not but this determination will stand, at least till I am removed into a better world."

1756-August 25-Page 21. "I went to Brentford, but had little comfort there. The society is almost dwindled to nothing. What have we gained by separating from the Church here? Is not this a good lesson for others?"

At

1787-January 2-Page 26. “I went over to Deptford; but, it seemed, I was got into a den of lions. Most of the leading men of the society were mad for separating from the Church. I endeavoured to reason with them, but in vain; they had neither sense nor even good manners left. length, after meeting the whole society, I told them, If you are resolved, you may have your service in Church hours. But remember! From that time you will see my face no more.' This struck deep; and from that hour I have heard no more of separating from the Church.”

1787-Nov. 4-Page 85. "London: The congregation was, as usual, large and serious. But there is no increase in the society. So that we have profited nothing by having our service in Church hours; which some imagined would have done wonders. I do not know that it has done more good any where in England. In Scotland I believe it has."

1788-August 4-Page 122. "London. One of the most important points considered at this Conference was, That of leaving the Church. The sum of a long conversation was, 1st. That, in a course of fifty years, we had, neither premeditately nor willingly, varied from it in one article, either of doctrine or discipline. 2d. That we were not yet conscious of varying from it in any point of doctrine. 3d. That we have, in a course of years, out of necessity, not choice, slowly and warily varied in some points of discipline, by preaching in the fields, by extempore prayer, by employing lay-preachers, by forming and regulating societies, and by holding yearly Conferences. But we did none of these things till we were convinced we could no longer omit them but at the peril of our souls."

1789-July 3-Page 162. "Our little Conference began in Dublin, and ended Tuesday the 7th. On this I observe, 1st. I never had between forty and fifty such Preachers together in Ireland before: all of them we had reason to hope alive to God, and earnestly devoted to his service. 2d. I never saw such a number of Preachers before, so unani. mous in all points, particularly as to leaving the Church,

It is no

which none of them had the least thought of. wonder that there has been this year so large an increase of the society."

SECTION V.

A View of the Increase of the Methodists in GreatBritain and Ireland, for the last thirty years: with a few observations on the Influence of Methodism, by Dr. Whitehead.

THE

HE increase of the Methodists, is much beyond the increase of any other denomination of Christians, which have ever appeared in this or any other country, since the days of the Apostles, not immediately supported by the State or 'Civil Power.

Curiosity has led many persons to conjecture, what could be the reasons of this rapid increase of Methodism. Νο doubt but several circumstances, by which the Methodists have been peculiarly distinguished from all other denominations of Christians, have had a considerable influence on their increase. Their being of no party, but holding a friendly relation to all: the itinerancy of the Preachers: their times of preaching their class and band meetings, &c. &c. But the artless simplicity, the zeal and integrity, of the Preachers; and their manner of preaching, have, under the blessing of God, had the most extensive influence on their affairs. They not only preached the grand truths of the Gospel, but they brought them home to every man's actual state and condition, however ignorant or wretched. They shewed the necessity of repentance to prepare the heart for Christ; the necessity of faith in him, to be personally interested in the benefits of his death; and then urged the necessity of going on to purity of heart, and holiness in all manner of conversa tion. They constantly spoke of these things in this order, and almost in every discourse. The people rapidly emerged out of darkness into light, learned how to judge of their own spiritual state, and of the degrees of Christian experience; and by the influence of Divine grace, were happily led on through the different stages of the Christian life.

It

It is not necessary to add much on the general tendency of Methodism. This appears evident to every impartial observer. Methodism has had some influence in meliorating the spirit of controversy: it has diffused knowledge, and promoted industry and good order among the lower classes of the people: it has enlightened the most ignorant, and reformed the most wicked. These effects, through the blessing of God on the labours of the Preachers, have been so conspicuous in many parts of the kingdom, that the bitterest enemies of Methodism, have been forced to acknowledge them. In judging of the tendency of Methodism, we are not to look at the conduct of a few mistaken individuals, but at its general influence on the great body of the people. Thousands and tens of thousands of these, have been ornaments of their Christian profession; and have died rejoicing in God their Saviour: many tens of thousands are now running the Christian race set before them, endeavouring to be followers of the humble, holy Jesus. The Methodists are not Angels, but they are in general what they profess to be, pious Christians, striving to escape the pollutions that are in the world, and to save their own souls.-May Methodism be preserved in its original integrity: may any thing proved to be wrong in the general system, be corrected; and what is praise-worthy be established and improved: and may its beneficial influence on the people, extend wider and wider, till, The whole earth be filled with His Glory, who is the Author of all our mercies. Amen.

JOHN WHITEHEAD.

SECTION VI.

Character of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley, Extracted from Dr. Haweis's Church History.

BEFORE

EFORE I quit this subject, it my be worth a moment's attention, to sketch a portrait of the two great characters *

He includes Mr. Whitefield,

who

us.

who eminently contributed to this revival of religion among As both favoured me with their cordial regard, I have ever desired to give honour to whom honour is due, and hope never to be ashamed of the friendship of JOHN WESLEY.

JOHN WESLEY was of the inferior size, his visage marked with intelligence; singularly neat and plain in his dress; a little cast in his eye, observable on particular occasions; upright, graceful, and remarkably active. His understanding, naturally excellent and acute, was highly stored with the attainments of literature: and he possessed a fund of anecdote and history, that rendered his company as entertaining as instructive. His mode of address in public was chaste and solemn, and there was a divine simplicity, a zeal, a venerableness, in his manner, which commanded attention, and never forsook him in his latest years; when at fourscore he retained still all the freshness of vigorous old age. His health was remarkably preserved amidst a scene of labour and perpetual exertions of mind and body, to which few would have been equal. Never man possessed greater personal influence over the people connected with him. Nor was it an easy task to direct so vast a machine, where amidst so many hundred wheels in motion, some moved eccentrically, and hardly yielded to the impulse of the main spring. I need not speak of the exemplariness of his life, too many eyes were upon him to admit of his halting; nor could his weight have been maintained a moment longer, than the fullest conviction impressed his people, that he was an eminently favoured saint of God, and as distinguished for his holy walk, as for his vast abilities, indefatigable labour, and singular usefulness.

His enemies reviled him, and would if possible rob him of the meed of well-deserved honour, by imputing to him objects below the prize he had in view. Never was a more disinterested character; but he was a man, and he must have been more than man, if with the consciousness of his own devotedness, the divine blessing on his labours, and the high admiration, in which he was held by his followers, he had not sometimes thought of himself more highly than he ought to think. We exhibit no faultless monsters. Elias was a man of like passions as ourselves.

Mr. Wesley is gone to give an account of himself to his proper Judge, by whom I doubt not all his iniquity is pardoned, and his infirmities covered. And now that envy / and enmity have been some time laid asleep in his grave, I rejoice in observing his character rise in general estimation,

VOL. II.

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