Elements of Methodism: a series of short lectures addressed to one beginning a life of godliness

Preface

OFTEN, when desiring to recommend some small book to probationers and otter persons, for general information on the subject of Methodism, I have been at a loss to know what particular book to select. The Discipline I have sometimes hesitated to place in the hands of such persons, for the reason that, while it contains more of Methodism than any other book of its size, it contains it in the unattractive form of mere declaration and statement, unrelieved by explanation or illustration.

The little volume which is here given to the public is given with the hope that it may, in some measure, supply the need indicated. I have endeavored to embody in it as full presentations of the doctrines, discipline, work, history, and usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church as it has been possible for me to do consistently with the idea of making it a cheap elementary book.

The Twenty-five Articles of Keligion, though not given in it in the form in which they appear in the Discipline, are all included, being distributed under appropriate heads. The discussions in the chapters

PKEFACE.

devoted to these Articles have been made to conform to the doctrinal statements contained in the Articles. In this way the dry bones of the Articles have had some flesh put upon them; and if they shall not thereby have been rendered, to any extent, positively attractive to the ordinary reader, they will, I trust, have been rendered, to some little extent at least, less unattractive.

It is hoped that the book may be found especially useful in the training of probationers. These persons do not receive the kind of attention in the ordinary class-meeting which is requisite to fit them for the highest degree of usefulness in the Church. Some pastors are seeing the necessity of taking them under their own immediate supervision and instruction. The thought of the possible use of this book, in the hands of pastors and probationers, in a course of instruction of this kind, has had its influence with me in respect to the matter and form which I have given to it. But it is not designed exclusively for probationers. It is hoped that it may be found useful in the hands of many persons not in any way connected with the Church, and in the hands of some who are in full membership in it. Possibly, also, some of our young ministers may find it useful to themselves as a book of reference.

THE AUTHOR.

Contents

CHAPTEE I.

Greeting to One beginning a Life of Godliness — Only True Life — Effort needed — Emotion must be supported by Knowledge, Page 11

Chapter II

The Sacred Scriptures the Sources of the Knowledge required — Canonical Books enumerated in Fifth Article of Religion — " Contain all Things necessary to Salvation " — Same Article of Religion — Old Testament not Contrary to New— Sixth Article of Religion — The Two Testaments compose the Bible, 14

The Holy Ghost and His Work — Procession and Divinity of — Fourth Article of Religion— Reproves the World, comforts Believers — New Birth— Continued Presence of— " If Children, then Heirs," . . 39

Chapter VIII

The Christian Life — Twelfth Article of Religion — Sin Possible, but not Necessary, after Justification — God pardons Penitent Backsliders — Risks to be avoided — Good Works— Tenth Article of Religion — Works of Supererogation — Eleventh Article of Religion, .... 44

Chapter IX

The Future State— The Soul Alive after Death— Purgatory — Fourteenth Article of Religion — Restorationists — Resurrection — Souls and Bodies reunited — Judgment — Third Article of Religion, 48

Chapter X

The Church— Denned in Tenth Article of Religion— Members of— Spoken against — Rights of Property — Twenty-fourth Article of Religion — Relations to Civil Governments — Twenty-third Article of Religion — Oaths — Twenty-fifth Article of Religion— The Word preached— Sacraments administered — Of the Sacraments — Sixteenth Article of Religion — Services in Latin— Fifteenth Article of Religion— Marriage of Ministers— Twenty-first Article of Religion— Rites and Ceremonies— Twenty-second Article of Religion, 5o

CONTENTS.

Chapter XI

Baptism — Its Meaning — Defined in Seventeenth Article of Religion — Profession and Renunciation required of Candidates — Water and Spirit — Water Baptism and Spiritual Baptism — The Lord's-supper Memorial of Death of Christ — Water Baptism, Memorial of Gift of the Spirit, . k Page 62

Chapter XII

Baptism — Mode — Choice allowed, and why— Church not Indifferent — Holy Ghost Baptism Efficacious ; Water Baptism Significant — Holy Ghost descends; Water should descend — Quantity in Respect to the Water of Baptism Nothing — Baptism of Christ and Others — Summing up, 72

Chapter XIII

The Baptism of Young Children — Seventeenth Article of Religion — In Place of Circumcision — No Repeal of Rights — Christ — Peter — Household Baptisms — Objection, " Sign of Profession "—What Benefit ?— What Essential — Who to present — The Child's Rights — Baptized Children — Objection — Guardians, 84

Chapter XIV

The Lord's-supper — Its Meaning — Christ's Words— Transubstantiation and Other Romish Errors — Con substantiation — The True Doctrine — Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Articles of Religion, 98

Chapter XV

The Lord's-supper — By whom and in what Spirit to be received — Not Ordinary Supper — Who " rightly " receive it — Who " worthily and with Faith" — Effect of Proper Observance — Some Decline, 105

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE XVI.

Doing no Harm — Avoiding Evil — Profanity — Sabbathbreaking — Intemperance — Slaveholding — Contentiousness — Unlawful Trading — Usury — Evil-speaking — Violation of Golden Rule — Display in Dress — Improper Diversions, Songs and Books — Softness and Self-indulgence — Avarice — Improper Indebtedness, . . Page 110

Family and Private Devotions — Anciently observed — ■ Necessary — Morning and Evening— At Table — Parental Responsibility, 130

Chapter XX

Finances — The Support of the Gospel and the Benevolent Enterprises of the Church — Money required — Rule of Old — Gospel at Home — Benevolences: Worn-out Preachers, Missions, Sunday-school Union, Tracts, Church Extension, Freedmen, Education, Woman's Mission Work, Bible Society— Method, 134

CHAPTER XXL

The History of Methodism — Church of England formed — Condition afterwards — Reformation needed — The Instruments—The Wesleys at Oxford— In Georgia— Their

CONTENTS.

Eeturn — Herrnhut — Richer Experiences — Preaching — Whitefield and John Wesley at Bristol — Corner-stone of First Chapel — Class-leaders — Lay Preaching — Whitefield's Views — Alienation — Heroism — First Conference-Attitude of the Church — Charles Wesley — Methodist Sentiment — In America — Progress — Fletcher and Coke — Revolution — Coke ordained Bishop — Methodist Episcopal Church formed — Asbury ordained Bishop — Progress — Death of Charles Wesley — Adam Clarke — Death of John Wesley — State of Methodism at the Time — Predictions — Methodism in Great Britain and the United States — Coke and Asbury — Progress — Divisions — Methodism To-day, Page 145

Chapter XXII

Membership, Probationary and Full — Probationary Membership — Object and Origin of — Nature of — Pastor receives — Leaders' and Stewards' Meeting recommends for Full Membership — How received — Persons received from Other Churches — Withdrawal — Note of Recommendation — Certificate of Membership — Where Membership to be Held — Certificate not to be retained by the Receiver— Temporary Absence, 169

Chapter XXIII

How Long, and under what Circumstances — Many turn back — Previous Understanding of Difficulties necessary—Surprises — Doubts to be settled at Once — Have no Mental Reservations, . . * • 176