Page:The Galaxy, Volume 6.djvu/105

1868.] Do you believe in original sin?

What are your views upon justification?

Do you think heaven a place or a state?

No such questions as these perplexed the anxious penitent or the hardened sinner. By no means. Only—Do you wish to live in the sunlight of God's love, and flee from the wrath to come?

Then come with us—"to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, to watch over one another in love, to help each other to work out our salvation."

That was all—simple, easy to understand, acceptable to the whole world. And it is this simplicity and manifest truth, which commends it to the universal world, high and low, rich and poor, bad and good, wise and foolish.

So remarkable does this seem in the history of religions, that I cannot forbear giving in full to non-Methodists the "Rules" which Wesley drew out for the use of his friends, and which remain to this day the canons of the Church. They are as follows:

That it may the more easily be discerned whether they are indeed working out their salvation, each society is divided into small companies, called classes, according to their respective places of abode. There are about twelve persons to a class, one of whom is styled the leader. It is his duty—

I. To see each person in his class once a week at least, in order—

1. To inquire how their souls prosper.

2. To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require.

3. To receive what they are willing to give toward the relief of the preachers, church, and poor.

II. To meet the minister and stewards of the society once a week, in order—

1. To inform the minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly and will not be reproved.

2. To pay the stewards what they have received of their several classes in the week preceding.

There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies—"a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." But, wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It is, therefore, expected of all who continue therein, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

First, by doing no harm, avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practised, such as,

The taking of the name of God in vain.

The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein, or by buying and selling.

Drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, except in cases of extreme necessity.

Slave-holding, buying or selling slaves.

Fighting, quarrelling, brawling, brother going to law with brother, returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying and selling.

The buying or selling goods that have not paid the duty.

The giving or taking things on usury—that is, unlawful interest.

Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation, particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers.

Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us.

Doing what we know is not for the glory of God; as,

The putting on of gold and costly apparel.

The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.