And fifty-two an Itinerant Preacher:
He lived to see, in these KINGDOMS only,
About three hundred Itinerant,

And a thousand Local Preachers,
Raised up from the midst of his own people;
And eighty thousand persons in the Societies under
his care.

His name will ever be held in grateful remembrance
by all who rejoice in the universal spread
of the Gospel of CHRIST.

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

Whatever diversity of sentiment may exist relative to the correctness of Mr. Wesley's views of Christian doctrine or ecclesiastical discipline, it is now pretty generally acknowledged that by his abundant labours he has been the instrument of effecting a vast and incalculable aggregate of moral good, which it is probable would have been effected by no other means. At the period when he entered upon his public labours, the nation was in an awful state of defection from the doctrines of the reformation. Socinianism and atheism were making rapid strides, and their attendant consequences, immorality and profaneness, had assumed a fearful aspect. To check and destroy these destructive evils was the great and uniform object which Wesley proposed to himself; and to accomplish which no labour was too great, and no suffering too severe. In the contemplation of this noble enterprise he relinquished the acquisition of every earthly good, and entered upon a course of unremitting toil. "Leisure and I," said he, “have taken leave of each other. I purpose to be busy as long as I live, if my health is so long indulged to me;" and never was resolution more punctually observed. His uniform prayer was, "Lord, let me never live to be useless but may I

66

My body with my charge lay down,

And cease at once to work and live."

Of the result of these labours little need here be said. Of the tendency of his doctrines the reader will judge from the following sheets; but of their actual fruits a few words may be allowed. In estimating the moral effects of Methodism, it should not be forgotten that it was originally designed for the poor. The labours of Mr. Wesley were primarily directed to that class of society, for whom it might truly be said "no man cared." The prisons were the first scenes of his labours; and afterward, when the churches were shut against him, he, in the highways of the most depraved neighbourhoods called upon men to repent, and do works meet for repentance." And upon these persons the most beneficial effects were immediately produced. In many cases of the most brutal depravity and habitual vice, the completest reformation was effected. To such cases, and they were by no means uncommon, the founder of Methodism appealed, and that successfully, in proof of its extraordinary character and holy tendency. "I appeal," said he, "to every candid, unprejudiced person, whether we may not discern all those signs (understanding the words in a spiritual sense) to which our Lord referred John's disciples: 'The blind receive their sight.' Those who were blind from their birth, unable to see their own deplorable state, and much more to see God, and the remedy he has prepared for them in the Son of his love, now see themselves, yea, and 'the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.' The eyes of their understanding being now opened, they see all things clearly. The deaf hear.' Those that were before utterly deaf to all the outward and inward calls of God, now hear not only his providential calls, but also the whispers of his grace. The lame walk.' Those who never before arose from the earth, or moved one step to

The

ward heaven, are now walking in all the ways of God; yea, running the race that is set before them. lepers are cleansed.' The deadly leprosy of sin, which they brought with them into the world, and which no art of man could ever cure, is now clean departed from them. And surely never, in any age or nation since the apostles, have those words been so eminently fulfilled, 'the poor have the gospel preached unto them,' as they are at this day. At this day the gospel leaven, faith working by love, inward and outward holiness, or, (to use the terms of St. Paul,) righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, hath so spread in various parts of Europe, particularly in England, Scotland, Ireland, in the islands, in the north and south, from Georgia to New-England and Newfoundland, that sinners have been truly converted to God, thoroughly changed both in heart and in life, not by tens, or by hundreds only, but by thousands, yea, by myriads. The fact cannot be denied: we can point out the persons, with their names and places of abode; and yet the wise men of the world, the men of eminence, the men of learning and renown, cannot imagine what we mean by talking of any extraordinary work of God."

The case of the Kingswood colliers is well known. Out of the midst of a horde of the most barbarous savages a Christian church was raised, "whose faith is spoken of throughout all the world." In its immediate effects, the powerful principle of religion which Mr. Wesley and his preachers diffused, has reclaimed many from a course of sin, has supported many in poverty, sickness, and affliction, and has imparted to many a triumphant joy in death. Nor have the effects of Methodism been confined, to the lower classes of society: it has leavened all ranks, and imparted its influence to all existing establishments. "In estimating the effects of Methodism," says Mr. Southey, "the good which it has done indirectly must not be

overlooked. As the Reformation produced a visible reform in those parts of Christendom where the Romish Church maintained its supremacy, so, though in a less degree, the progress of Wesley's disciples has been beneficial to our Establishment, exciting in many of the parochial clergy the zeal which was wanting. To the impulse also which was given by Methodism, that missionary spirit may be ascribed which is now carrying the light of the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth."

WESLEYANA.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

SECTION I.

Their Importance.

I AM a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: just hovering over the great gulf; till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen! I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing, the way to heaven: how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end he came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book! O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri, a man of one book. Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: only God is here. In his presence I open, I read his book, for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does any thing appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of lights-Lord, is it not thy word, "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God?" Thou "givest liberally, and upbraidest not." Thou hast said, "If any be willing to do thy will, he shall know." I am willing to do: let me know thy will. I then search after