Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/28

18 situation, and they made much noise; they courted, and obtained the attention of my father, and he now joined their society. They urged him to become a preacher, but his great humility, and his disbelief of Arminianism were insuperable bars. He was nevertheless a powerful assistant to the Methodists. Mr. John Wesley was a great admirer of my father, and he distinguished him beyond any individual in the society; perseveringly urging him to become the leader of a class, and to meet the society in the absence of their preachers: to all which my father consented. I think I have before observed, that I was devoted to the Methodists, and for the very reason that rendered my father apprehensive of them,—they were very social. The Methodists in this, as in every other place, where they sojourned, by degrees established a permanent residence. They first preached in the streets, practised much self-denial, and mortification, inveighed against the standing religion of the country, as impious and hypocritical, declaring the new birth only to be found among them. To this general rule, they, however, allowed my father to be an exception; and his open espousal of their cause contributed greatly to building them up. They gained many proselytes, it became the fashion for multitudes to become religious; and it is in religion as in every thing else, where once it is followed by a multitude, multitudes will follow. The very children became religious. A meeting-house was speedily obtained, a society was formed, and classes of every description regularly arranged. There was one class of boys; it consisted of forty, and Mr. John Wesley appointed me their leader. Twice in the course of every week this class met in a private apartment. The business of the leader was to see that the members were all present; for this purpose he was furnished with a list of their names, and when they were all assembled, the leader began by singing a hymn. I was once pronounced a good singer, and although I never had patience to learn music by note, I readily caught every tune I heard, and my notes were seldom false. I repeat, that I was delighted with the music introduced by the Methodists. I collected their most enchanting tunes, and singing them frequently in my class, I obtained much applause. Prayer succeeded the hymn; I was accustomed to extemporary prayer, I had usually prayed in sincerity, and my devotion upon these occasions was glowing, and unfeigned. Examination followed the prayer; I examined every individual separately, respecting the work of God upon his heart, and both the questions, and responses, evinced great simplicity, and pious sincerity. A word of