_His employment among his Christian brethren, and the treatment he met with from the world._
*THE treasure of light and love, which God had put into the soul of his servant, began now, to shine clearly to others. They could easily discern an amazing change in his very aspect, as well as tempers, and conduct in general. The calm, and at the same time, divine chearfulness and serenity of his soul, rendered him a desirable, as well as useful member of their religious meetings. And the loving zeal which he felt for promoting the glory of his dying God, prompted him to exert himself with much fervour in the service of his neighbour.
Thus with a heart set on fire, to pay, at least some small returns, for all that ocean of mercy, and love which he had experienced in himself, he sought opportunities, and embraced every occasion of imparting all the good which he possibly could to others; till it seemed good to those who directed their religious exercises to appoint him leader of a class, (so called) that is, a little company of Christian friends, mutually agreed to meet together weekly, in order to their furtherance in the way of godliness: one person of which was stiled leader.
This was the little office assigned him at present, in which “My business (says he) was, 1st. To see each person in my class once a week, and if any were absent, to enquire into the cause. 2. Whenever we met together, to sing psalms or hymns, and to pray with them. 3. To examine how their souls prospered, and what progress they had made the preceeding week in the way of the Lord?” Whether they were unanimously determined to serve God with their whole heart? If any had fallen into sin, they were reproved; if tempted, they were comforted and encouraged; and those who ran well, adorning their profession in all things, were exhorted still to press forward, and give glory to God.
After a faithful, and friendly examination of each other (between which and the Popish _Auricular Confession_, with which some have erroneously or unkindly ♦parallel’d it, there is scarce the most distant resemblance) they concluded with praising God and prayers suited to their several conditions.
♦ “parrallel’d” replaced with “parallel’d”
But besides this, he met with the whole society two or three times a week, when with praises and prayers, there was always a word of exhortation preached or read. And it pleased God, to testify his approbation thereof, by the singular display of his presence amongst them; by replenishing their souls with abundance of his grace and heavenly benediction.
*And, “O (adds he) how wonderfully did we experience the power, and love of God, whenever we made prayer and supplication to him! We had a heaven among us; a paradise within us! The Lord poured such peace and joy into our hearts, and we were often so happy that we did not know how to part. We lived as brethren, and strove together for _the hope of the gospel_. We were of one heart, and of one mind, in the presence of God. And is not this the communion of Saints?”
So dear the tye, where souls agree In Jesu’s dying love; Then only can it closer be, When all are join’d above!
Mean time, his hitherto undisturbed repose, began to be sorely assaulted. His relations now took a second alarm. “They thought (says he) That I was turned heretic altogether.” To forsake the church of _Rome_, and declare himself a member of the church of _England_, was bad enough, and with them matter of much displeasure; but to become a _Methodist_ beside!¹ This they judged the very consummation of apostacy, and gave him up as undone for ever. And it was not only his kindred, who so judged of him, “But (adds he) my neighbours in general were like-minded with my relations, and not only those of the church of _Rome_; but several likewise who called themselves Protestants. They were extremely angry that I should, as they called it, ‘change my religion.’”
¹ In _reality_ this is no alteration of the case; it is in this respect no more than a _name_: a true _Methodist_ (for _they are not all Israel who are called Israel_) being no other than a true Churchman. They make not so much as a pretence to be a distinct, independant body of people. They are properly a _religious society_, (not a new thing in _England_) consisting, for the most part of professed members of the church of _England_; whose only design is to promote among each other, and mankind in general, the genuine religion of Jesus Christ.