Page:The Galaxy, Volume 6.djvu/106

92 The singing those songs or reading those books which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God.

Softness or needless self-indulgence.

Laying up treasure upon earth.

Borrowing without a probability of paying, or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.

It is expected of all who continue in these societies, that they shall continue to evidence their desire for salvation.

Secondly, by doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men.

To their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison.

To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with, trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, that "We are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it."

By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others; buying of one another; helping each other in business; and so much the more, because the world will love its own, and them only.

By all possible diligence and frugality that the Gospel be not blamed.

By running with patience the race which is set before them, denying themselves and taking up their cross daily, submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and offscouring of the world, and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them, falsely, for the Lord's sake.

It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation.

Thirdly, by attending upon all the ordinances of God: such are,

The public worship of God.

The ministry of the Word, either read or expounded.

The supper of the Lord.

Family and private prayer.

Searching the Scriptures, and

Fasting or abstinence.

These are the general rules of our societies, all which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written Word, which is the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these we know his spirit writes in truly awakened hearts. If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them, let it be known unto them who watch over that soul as they who must give an account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways. We will bear with him for a season. But if then he repent not, he hath no more place among us. We have delivered our own souls.

The assent to these rules I understand to be the "one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies;" and for this reason I have stated that it is a great Church without a theology. But had Wesley no doctrines, and does the Church hold none? Wesley had a theology and a form of doctrine. He was a member of the English Church and accepted and held by the Articles of that Church, excepting, I believe, its Calvinistic doctrines. These are still the doctrines held in the Methodist Church, and are to be accepted by preachers before becoming such, not by members before becoming such.

This one principle or sentiment of love, then, is the vital germ of the Methodist organization, out of which it has evolved itself, as the oak does from the acorn. It has had simply a natural growth, and, therefore, a strong and healthy one. It was personal spiritual life that Wesley sought; it was to be in harmony