A comprehensive history of Methodism

Front matter

f LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.!

I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, f

COMPREHENSIVE

Preface

IN presenting this volume to the public, the author deems it appropriate to say that he does not pretend to any new discovery. The arrangements of Methodism require its operations to go upon record in some shape from year to year. Besides, it has been fortunate in its historians. To say nothing of the earlier writers, Dr. Bangs's History of . the Methodist Episcopal Church," in four volumes, will always be valuable as a repository of important documents, some of which are nowhere else in print; but few of our young people take the trouble to read them. Dr. Abel Stevens's seven volumes, three on Methodism generally, and four, giving the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, are intensely interesting, but too voluminous for the masses. Multitudes have not the means to purchase, or the time to read them. Furthermore, both of these authors leave the strange and startling events of the last thirty-five years entirely out of sight, closing their volumes at the dawn of their occurrence, leaving important principles and measures,

PREFACE.

to say nothing of men, under reproach, which the providence of God has since vindicated.

Mr. Stevens's condensed "History of American Methodism," in one octavo volume of 608 pages, runs hastily over some of these events, reaching to 1866, but is still so large and expensive as to render it inconvenient to many of our people. Besides, it overlooks interesting facts, which the honor of the Church now requires to be developed, since others are taking credit to themselves that properly belongs to us.

The object of the writer has been to combine the most instructive features of Methodist history from the beginning in their chronological order, and in a manner to bring them within the reach of the masses of our people, both as to price and the time necessary to compass them. In doing this, he has tabulated many statistics, to which few have ready access, that must often be very useful, even to ministers. His aim has been to make the work correct and convenient for every body who desires to mark the providence of God in the wonderful achievements it details.

Back of all this, and underlying the whole plan, is the profound conviction that many of our people, young and old, are suffering in their faith, feeling, and power of usefulness, by not having a better understanding of what God has done, and is doing, for and through the Church. Many are restricted in

PREFACE.

their undertakings by not appreciating the probability, if not positive certainty, of divine assistance. By reading of His wonders, they will acquire confidence to trust Him and go forward.

Methodism originated in a Httle book, which awakened its founders, and led them to prayer. It has been largely stimulated and promoted by other books. The press and the pulpit have worked together. Where one has failed, the other has succeeded. When the Church stops reading she will stop growing. She needs to be filled with facts, not fiction. The strongest incitements to faith and right action are found in what God has done by small means and under difficulties. The true history of Methodism is its best vindication. We have aimed to place such a history within the reach and comprehension of our young people, that they may be inspired, and carry forward the work to its grand consummation.

THE AUTHOR.

Brooklyn, August 21, 1875.

Chapter I

The State of Religion in the World, with some Preliminary Arrangements for the Introduction of Methodism — The Birth of John Wesley — His Peculiar Training — His Narrow Escape from the Flames — His Education — Ordained — The Fervor of his Piety, and Movements at Oxford, Page 17

CHAPTER n.

Further Particulars of the Leading Spirits Concerned in the Origin of Methodism — Birth and Education of Charles Wesley — George Whitefield — The Wesleys in America — Their New Discovery — Whitefield's Conversion — His Ordination — Wesley Nearing the Point — Charles Wesley's Conversion — John's Heart "Strangely Warmed" — Visits to the Moravians, 35

Chapter III

The Organization and Early Progress of Methodist Societies, with the Origin of Several of their Peculiarities — Origin of Field Preaching — The First Chapel — The Progress of the Work of God — Lay Preaching Resisted — Separation from the Moravians — Whitefield's Defection — The First Lay Preacher — John Nelson Called — Leanings toward the Moravians — Death of Susanna Wesley, . 52

Chapter IV

The Personal Sacrifices of the Leaders — New Devices, and Violent Persecutions — Origin of Class-meetings — Watch-meetings —

CONTENTS.

Band-meetings — The Work in Germany — John Evans Converted — Wesley Mobbed — Other Exciting Scenes, . . . Page 74

Chapter V

The Progress of the Work — The First Conferences — Wesley Reasons with the Clergy — The Proper Status of IMethodism — The Preachers — Their Qualifications — Plans for Suitable Books — The Kingswood School — Character and Duty of Stewards — Methodism Carried to Ireland — Wesley's Adherence to the Church — Trouble with Maxfield and Enthusiasm — Mr. Whitefield and Lady Huntingdon, .91

Chapter VI

Remarkable Circumstances — Wesley's Views Changing — Exhorters Provided for — Miscellaneous Modifications — The Call to the Ministry — Leanings Toward Independency — First Mention of Salaries — A Dangerous Point Safely Passed — Of Minutes and Statistics — Death of Whitefield — The Calvinistic Controversy — The Bitterness of Lady Huntingdon, . . . . . . . . iii

CHAPTER VH.

Calvinistic Methodism — Its Mission to Georgia — Its Future in Europe — Wesley and his Work — Joseph Benson — Samuel Bradburn Appears — Methodism Thought to be Declining — Its Sympathy for Prisoners — Dr. Coke Called — Henry Moore Converted — Wesley Ordaining Ministers — The Deed of Declaration Drawn — Mr. Wesley's Letter to the Conference — His Deed Carried into Successful Operation, 132

CHAPTER VHL

Wesley's Labors — His Later Conferences — The Cabinet — Adam Clarke Received — The Deed of Declaration Confirmed — Service During Church Hours — William Bi-amwell Received — Wesley's Last Conference and Labors — His Death — Honored and Loved at Last — Numerical Progress of INIethodism — Other Evidences of Usefulness — New Measures — The Secret of Wesley's Power over the Preachers, 1 50

CHAPTER IX.

The Situation Stated — Dr. Coke Hastened Home — The Issues Involved — The First Legal Conference — The Second Conference —

CONTENTS.

The Controversy Alarming — How the Matter was Settled — Alexander Kilham and his "New Connection" — Advance of the Cause — A New Contest Encountered — New Missionary Plan — Bramwell's Experience — Weeping Preachers — Radical Modifi cations — Primitive Methodist Church Formed — Its Present Status, . Page 165

CHAPTER X.

Further Missionary Operations — In the West Indies and Other Places — Their Effect on Slavery — Emancipation Proclaimed — Mission to India — Dr. Coke's Death — Other Missions Established — Status of Australia — The Present Missionary Work Under the British Conference — State of the Work at Home — The Ministry Amply Provided for — Methodism in Ireland — Gideon Ouseley — Ireland Saved for America — More Trouble — A New Sect by Adam Averell— The Bryanites, 185

CHAPTER XI.

Origin of our Standard Books — Another Secession — Its Results — Relations to the Methodist Episcopal Church — The Centenary of Methodism — Other Important Events — The Fly-sheet Secession — Educational Movements — Theological Schools — Other Schools and Colleges — Conference Ofhce and Book Room — Organism of the Wesleyan Connection, ..... 207

CHAPTER Xn.

The Appointment of Preachers — How Made — Negotiations Sought — Of the Benevolence of the Wesleyans — That of its Founder — How Employed — The Contingent Fund — The Chapel Fund — The Preachers' Auxiliary Fund — Missionary Collections — Practical Suggestions, .... ^ ... . 229

CONTENTS.

Chapter I

The Settlement of the Country — Providential Preparation for the Introduction of Methodism — Its Origin and Early Progress — The Rigging-loft — The First American Chapel — Of Philip Embury and Captain Webb — Strawbridge in Maryland — Robert Williams in New York — John King — Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore on the Field — Francis Asbury and Richard Wright Arrive — Their Labors and Triumphs, ...... Page 241

CHAPTER H.

Arrival of Thomas Rankin and George Shadford — Rankin made Superintendent in the Place of Asbury — The First Conference — Its Loyalty to Wesley- — The Appointments — The IMembers — How Distributed — The Progress of the Cause — Benjamin Abbott Converted — Powerful Awakenings — Interruptions from the Revolution — Origin of the United Brethren," .... 261

CHAPTER HL

The Situation Stated — The Methodist Episcopal Church Organized — The Working of the System — Jesse Lee's Standing and Labors — The First College Started — Proper Title Assumed — Progress of the Cause — Congratulatory Address to Washington — Methodism in New England — Long Island — A Council Devised — Of Books and Tracts — Sabbath-schools Originated — The Work Commenced in Massachusetts — In Lynn — Our True Policy, . 275

CHAPTER IV.

The General Conference of 1792 — Restriction of the Appointing Power Attempted — O'Kelley, and his Secession — The Election of Presiding Elders Proposed — The Progress of the Work — The Chartered Fund — Incidents of the Work — Remarkable ]\Ien and Occasions — Calvin Wooster — Henry Boehm — The General Conference of 1796 — First Conferences in New England — Origin of Camp-meetings — Their Power — General Conference of 1800 — Bishops Asbury and Coke — Whatcoat Elected Bishop — Other Measures Adopted —

CONTENTS.

Powerful Revivals Followed — Pro-slavery Mobs Inaugurated — Foi-- bearance Triumphant — A Conference in Boston, . Page 298

CHAPTER V.

Of the General Conference of 1804 — Fanaticism Among Presbyterians — Death of Bishop Whatcoat — General Conference of 1808 — A Delegated General Conference Provided for — William M'Kendree Elected Bishop — His Travels — A Specimen of Conversion — The Work in the East — The First Delegated General Conference — Ordaining Local Preachers Approved — Of Education — The Book Concern Again — The War of 18 12 — The Brett Secession — The African Methodist Episcopal Churches Formed — The Stilwellites — Death of Dr. Coke — Another Prince Fallen — Methodism Formally Assailed — The General Conference of 1816 — New Bishops, . 321

CHAPTER VI.

The Organization of the Tract Society — Educational Institutions Started — Death of Jesse Lee — The Missionary and Bible Society Formed — General Conference of 1820 — Of the Appointment of Presiding Elders — Our Relations to the British Conference — To Canada — Origin of our Hymn-book — Free and Pewed Churches — District Conferences — Circumstances Following the General Conference of 1820 — General Conference of 1824 — Of Lay Representation — Other Measures — From 1824 to 1828 — Of Denominational Periodicals — The Sunday-school Union Established — Four Days' Meetings — The Work Extending — Death of Freeborn Garrettson, 344

CHAPTER Vn.

The General Conference of 1828 — Trouble with Reformers — Methodist Protestant Church Organized — New Arrangements for Canada — Events Following the General Conference of 1828 — The Publishing Fund — Death of Bishop George — New Sources of Controversy — Progress in Several Particulars — Of the General Conference of 1832 — Achievements that Followed — The Flat-head Indian Mission — The Departure of Two Bishops, .... 371

CHAPTER VHL

The General Conference of 1836 — New Measures — Three Bishops Elected — Dr. Fisk's Character and Death — Locating

CONTENTS.

Preachers Without Their Consent — Of Slavery and Abolition — Remarkable Losses — Missions in South America and Texas — Origin of our Missions Among the Germans — The Mission to Oregon Largely Reinforced — The Centenary of Methodism — The All-absorbing Question — A Passing Reflection — The General Conference of 1840 — The Bishops' Address — New Rule for Receiving Members, etc., from Other Denominations — Other Measures Adopted — The Close, ......... Page 394

CHAPTER IX.

Great Revivals — Millerism — Conference Rights — Of the General Conference of 1844 — Of Bishops — Powers of the Bishops Defined — New Restrictions on the Itinerancy — The Ground Assumed — The Argument For It — Conflict with Providence, . . . 409

CHAPTER X,

Slavery, and its Early Treatment — Wesley's Position — The Attitude of Early Methodists in America — A Turn in the Tide — Original Principles Reaffirm.ed — The Colonization Society Formed — Antislavery Societies Organized — Origin of Methodist Abolitionism — The New England Conference Leads Off — The New Hampshire Follows — Addresses of Bishops Fledding and Others — Injustice to Abolitionists — Zion's Watchman — The General Conference of 1836 — ■ Anti-abolition Resolutions — No Southern Bishop Elected, . 422

CHAPTER XI.

Antislavery Conventions — Leaders Arraigned — A Plan of Pacification — Conference Action Allowed — Outside Operations — Secessional Indications — General Conference of 1840 — Secession Completed, and its Early Effects — Its Proper Title and Strength — The General Conference of 1844 — The Separation of the South — Opposed by Northern Conservatives — Other General Conferences — Errors Overruled by Providence — Effect of Methodism on Emancipation — In the West Indies — In America — Influence of Conflicting Agencies — The Providence of God Manifest, , . . 444

CHAPTER XII.

The Effect of the General Conference of 1844 — Plow Opposed — Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church South — Its Receipts in Members and Money — Its Present Status — The Colored

CONTENTS.

Methodist Episcopal Church — The General Conference of 1848 — Death of Bishop Hedding — A Noble Character — The General Conference of 1852 — The Business Done — The National Magazine Authorized — Of the State of the Church — The Four Years Following — General Conference of 1856 — The Action of the Conference — A New Court Provided for — A Step Toward Ritualism, . Page 472

CHAPTER XIII.

The General Conference of i860 — Death of Bishop Waugh — First Colored Bishop — Progress of the Cause Generally — Lay Delegation — Its Beginning and Consummation — Signs of the Times Portentous — How Regarded, ...... 494

CHAPTER XIV.

The General Conference of 1864— The Condition of the Church— The State of the War — The Action of the Conference Reviewed — Delegates from Other Bodies— New Bishops Elected — Of the Itinerancy — Of Temperance — Another Want Supplied — The Church Extension Society — The Close — The War Opposed — Republicans Triumphant — Lincoln's Second Inaugural — Lee's Surrender — The Real Centenary Celebrated — The Financial Result — The Freedmen's Aid Society — New Southern Conferences — The Ladies' and Pastors' Union — General Conference of 1868 — Chicago and Methodism — Important Circumstances — Action of Missionary Conferences — Other Incidents of the Session, ...... 506

CHAPTER XV.

Methodism a Grand Fact — Progress from 1868 to 1872 — Woman's Foreign Missionary Society — The Management of our Benevolences Improved — Of the General Conference of 1872 — The Minard Home — Mortality Among the Bishops — New Bishops Elected — Tabular Record of all the Bishops — Missionary Statistics — Our Numerical Progress — Methodists in the United States — Connected with the British Conference — Official Statistics — Status of Different Denominations — Collections of the Methodist Episcopal Church — Conference Statistics — Educational Institutions, . 531

CHAPTER XVL

The Methodist Book Concern — Its Origin and Early Policy — Changes Adopted — Removal to Mulberry Street — Agents Elected — i6

CONTENTS.

The Cincinnati House — Success of the Business — Sales — Profits Since 1836 — Magnitude of the Business — Integrity of the Agents — A Further Word About Profits— The Utility of the Concern— Of the Late Difficulty — The Report of the Book Committee — Report of Mr. Kilbreth — One More Ordeal — Conclusion, . Page 553

CHAPTER XVH.

Relative Progress of Methodism — Reasons for its Rapidity — Points of Vital Interest — Distinguished Laymen Called — Defenders of the Faith — Popular Preachers — Summerfield — George Cookman — John N. Maffit — Edward T. Taylor — Closing Remarks, 576

Part First. HISTORY OF METHODISM IN EUROPE

CHAPTER 1.

THE STATE OF RELIGION IN THE WORLD, WITH SOME PRELIM- INARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

NE hundred and thirty-six years ago the reHgious world was divided into sects and parties, much as it is at present. Roman Cathohcs were in the ascendant, and claimed universal jurisdiction by divine right then, as now, and enforced obedience to their mandates as far as practicable by pains and penalties. The Church of England, which had gradually separated from Rome, and in the early part of the sixteenth century become entirely independent, with Henry VIII for its supreme head, was much like its abandoned mother, spiritually: proud, pretentious, hierarchal, and oppressive. Baptists had been in organized existence more than two hundred years, pressing their distinctive views of baptism, and had made considerable headway, both in Europe and America. Presbyterians, Independents, Quakers, Dutch, and Dutch Reformed, Puritans, Congregationalists, and other classes of Christians were all at work

OF METHODISM.

i8

HISTORY OF METHODISM.

in their respective ways to enlighten and save the world. But there were no Methodists. The name was unknown as the representative of any religious denomination, though it had been reproachfully applied to a class of non-conformists more than a hundred years before, of whom little has been since heard.

Now we find this name familiar in the four quarters of the globe, representing a numerous people, holding about the same faith, maintaining much the same religious order, and all working with more or less zeal for the conversion of the world to Christ. The latest reports show that nearly ninety thousand ministers, traveling and local, and four millions of members, bear this novel name, and all claim John Wesley as their founder and leader under God. And yet they have never had State patronage, or been much favored by the rich or great, but have been persecuted almost every-where, and sometimes even unto death.

A work so wonderful, surpassing every^ thing of the kind in the history of religion, is worthy of consideration. The object of the present writing is to furnish a brief outline of its history for the encouragement of its friends to cleave to the old appliances which God has so highly honored, and push forward heroically to still greater achievements.

THE STATE OF RELIGION AT THE BEGINNING.

To form a proper estimate of the work, it will be necessary to glance at the condition of affairs at the outset. It is not enough to say that spiritual religion was in a very low state. Infidelity was rampant. Voltaire, the notorious French infidel, was

STATE OF RELIGION.

born in 1694, and shook the world by his atheistical writings. Much of the Hterature of the age was not tainted merely with his sentiments, but thoroughly corrupted. He did not speak without apparent reason when he predicted that Christianity would be overthrown throughout the world in the next generation. The Church was little better than the State. Sin in all its vulgar forms reigned every-where. Vital piety was unknown except to the few, and they were accounted fanatics. "It was just at the time," said Mr. Wesley, ''when we wanted little of filling up the measure of our iniquities that two or three clergymen of the Church of England began vehemently to call sinners to repentance." Think of it, ^'tivo or three'* out of thousands.

Bishop Burnet, in his seventieth year, in his profound love to his people, says, "I can not look on without the deepest concern, when I see the imminent ruin hanging over this Church, and, by consequence, over the whole reformation. The outward state of things is black enough, God knows; but that which heightens my fears rises chiefly from the inward state into which we have unhappily fallen. . . . Our ember weeks are the burden and grief of my life," referring to the ignorance of young men coming to be ordained without any knowledge of the Scriptures or even of the Catechism. Watts spoke of a general decay in vital religion, not in the Church only but among dissenters, and urged ''every one to use all possible efforts" for its recovery.

It was a sporting, godless age. Frolic and fun seem to have eaten out the vitals of religion, and ungodliness reigned. ''Ungodliness," said Wesley, "is our universal, our constant, our peculiar character," in confirmation of which we might fill volumes from the writings of both friends and foes. The darkness of that day was so intense that Whitefield, with all his religious advantages, when agonizing with conviction, had no idea of vital religion ; for, he says, ' ' I knew no more that I was to be born again in God, born a new creature in Christ Jesus, than if I was never born at all." And Mr. Wesley though brought up in the Church under the most favorable circumstances, was equally ignorant, and had to leave the country and the Church to obtain the light necessary to his salvation, as we shall see hereafter. His brother Charles was no better off, for when John was earnestly seeking God, and confessed himself a sinner, he was "very angry," and thought he had done great mischief.

The fact is, the Romish Church had long since reduced religion to a mere ceremony, and her English daughter had followed her example. That ceremony duly observed, nothing remained but to enjoy life without any satisfactory evidence of acceptance with God, and await the result. Some, however, were rigidly pious, according to their light. They were servants of God, trembling and quaking before him, but not happy sons and daughters, rejoicing in his love.

THE BIRTH OF JOHN WESLEY.

In this state of society, John Wesley the distinguished founder of Methodism, was born, at Epworth, England, June 17, 1703, old style. There was

STATE OF RELIGION.

nothing peculiar about his birth, nor was a birth any strange event in his father's family, he being the sixth child that had appeared there in a very short time. His father. Rev. Samuel Wesley, was rector of the Epworth Church, having but little income, and had no prospect of doing much for his rapidly growing family, which at last increased to nineteen children. With no outward manifestation of divine interest, as in the case of the babe in the manger, the outlook was not very encouraging. Yet, as in that case, there was some peculiarity in the family stock. His ancestors had been distinguished for intelligence, piety, and especially independence of thought and action. His great grandfather, Bartholomew W^esley, a clergyman, renounced the established Church and joined the Puritans, for which he afterward suffered great persecution from the government, not being allowed to live within five miles of any of his old parishes. His son, John Wesley, inherited his scruples, and stood up for the right like a hero, but was pursued, fined, imprisoned four times, and worried into the grave, just as he was contemplating escape to America, at the age of thirty-four years, thus overwhelming his venerable and admiring father with sorrow and death. And all for non-conformity to the ritualistic ceremonies of the English hierarchy.

Samuel Wesley, the father of John, was a man of great practical wisdom and piety, according to the times in which he lived. Inheriting the independence of his ancestors, however, he rejected their non-conformity, though he admired their character, and took orders in the Church. His career at Oxford was strikingly illustrated by that of his worthy sons.

HISTORY OF METHODISM.

John and Charles, to which we shall hereafter refer, being poor, economical, liberal, religious, and active in ministering to the souls and bodies of the unfortunate and neglected. He was a good scholar, and a voluminous writer, with strong proclivities to poetry, which kept him ''beating rhyme" all through his life. His preaching is said to have been pointed, which, with his High Church and State politics, subjected him to much annoyance from his parishioners, who drummed, and fired guns about his door, injured his dog, cattle, and other property, and twice fired his house. Once, too, they arrested him on some slight pretense as he Avas leaving his Church, and took him to jail, from which he wrote to the Archbishop of York, "Now I am at rest, for I am come to the haven where I have long expected to be; and I don't despair of doing good here and, it may be, more in this new parish than in my old one."

But all this did not break down his spirits. He set himself to benefit his fellow-prisoners, reading prayers daily and preaching Sundays. Nor did his equally heroic wife forsake him. Writing to the archbishop again he says, "'Tis not every one who could bear these things; but I bless God, my wife is less concerned with suffering than I am in writing, or than, I believe, your grace will be in reading them. When I came here my stock was but little above ten shillings, and my wife's at home scarce so much. She soon sent me her rings, because she had nothing else to relieve me with, but I returned them."

We mention this not to approve of ministers holding on to an unwilling people, (for we think that when they are persecuted in one city they had better "flee

STATE OF RELIGION.

into another "), but to indicate the energetic character of the man. He had a will and power of endurance that knew no surrender where he was sure that he was right. This characteristic, though highly commendable, and its opposite equally despicable, often leads people into many ridiculous embarrassments, especially where it is connected with religious bigotry. It did so with this good man. He was an intense loyalist, and, observing one evening at the close of family prayers, that his wife did not respond *'Amen" to the prayer for the king, asked her the reason. She replied that she did not believe in the title of the Prince of Orange to the throne. ' ' If that be the case," he replied, ''we must part; for if we have two kings we must have two beds." His wife being ''inflexible," he soon left, and was gone about a year, when the king died, and Queen Anne ascended the throne. Being now agreed again, he returned, and matters went on harmoniously between them as before.

With all this apparent austerity, he was genial, and often not a little humorous, which relieved his other peculiarities. On the whole, he was a strong, good man, ahead of his times in Christian enterprise. Dr. Stevens justly says: "He had the zealous energy of his Methodist sons; and, had it not expended itself in incipient literary labors, it would probably have led him into extraordinary evangelical schemes, like those which resulted in Methodism." But, as it was, he seemed to foresee better days for religion. "Be steady," he said to his son Charles, when ncaring his end; "the Christian faith will surely revive in this kingdom. You will sec it, though I shall not."

Mrs. Susanna Wesley, the mother of John and Charles, was a woman of extraordinary character and capacity. Her father, Dr. Samuel Annesley, Avas an eminent Non-conformist minister, and suffered much persecution. Richard Baxter pronounced him ''totally devoted to God." Too much can hardly be said in his praise as a man or a Christian. Still, his daughter, imitating his independence, took sides in the argument with the Church against the Dissenters at the age of tJiirteen years, and six years after was married to Samuel Wesley — a thoroughly educated, beautiful young lady, ''one of the completest characters, moral and intellectual, to be found in the history of her sex." Dr. Adam Clarke, speaking of her, says: "Such a woman, take her all in all, I have not heard of, I have not read of, nor with her equal have I been acquainted." . . . "Many daughters have done virtuously, but Susanna Wesley has excelled them all."

She seems to have been a woman of high common-sense, of vast capabilities for her position, and wonderful effectiveness. Though she had so large a family, and guided and educated them all as few mothers ever did, she found time to keep herself posted on the questions of the day, so that she was able to correct the errors of her talented sons, and keep them out of trouble to which they were exposed. Seeing that John was becoming a little m3^stified by brooding over Thomas a Kempis's "Imitation," she wrote him, "I take Kempis to have been an honest, weak man, who had more zeal than knowledge," hitting the nail of his error square on the head. How she could find an hour each morn-

STATE OF RELIGION.

ing and evening for meditation and prayer, with all her domestic cares, it is difficult to understand, to say nothing of several important literary projects which she devised. But this is aside from our point. It is the stock which we are considering, and we find it to be of the first order on both sides.

FAMILY TRAINING.

The education of the Wesleys was commenced at the rectory, under the sole direction of their mother. The family school was opened and closed with singing, and continued from nine till twelve and from two till five. No one was taught to read until five years old. The system was perfect, and did much to lay the foundation of our ecclesiastical economy, which has attracted so much attention.