Methodism successful and the internal causes of its success

Front matter

METHODISM SUCCESSFUL,

AND THE

INTERNAL CAUSES OF ITS SUCCESS.

Preface

pal Church has been thus divided ; and the division was a severe shock to the Union."

Such statements, emanating in the one case from the best intellect, and in the other from the highest position among the people of this country, and in both cases from citizens of ripe age and extensive experience and observation, are enough to demonstrate the fact, that Methodism has at last become a power of no secondary importance on this continent ; and yet it is a question among Methodists themselves, who ought to know their own affairs, whether their denomination is not still higher, stronger, more influential and powerful in Europe than in the United States. One thing is certainly clear, that Methodism, which began in obscurity and feebleness, has achieved for itself everywhere a most wonderful success. This point is generally conceded ; but there are few persons, nevertheless, on either side of the Atlantic, outside of the pale of Methodism, who have taken the pains to learn the exact character and extent of this success; and there are fewer persons still, I think, either outside or within the denomination, who have so examined or studied its origin and progress, as to be able to state, with philosophical correctness, the organic causes to which its remarkable prosperity and growth are to be attributed.

The following pages were written for the twofold purpose of stating the fact, and the philosophy of the fact, of this unparalleled development of the Wesleyan Reformation ; and the author has aspired to such a style of treatment as to call the attention of the thinking portion of the American population to this subject. If such men as Webster and the President of the republic, when surveying the affairs of the nation of greatest magnitude, feel called upon to place

PREFACE.

vii

Methodism at the head of the religious and social influences of this continent ; if, on the other hand, Methodism is known to be at least equally important in the leading empire of the eastern hemisphere ; and if, as is frankly confessed, it took its origin as a repudiated and rejected movement, mourned over by the good, scorned by the bad, and ridiculed, despised, misrepresented and turned out of doors by the ruling classes of Europe and America alike, there is a topic of study in its success, a problem in its present rank and power, which no philosopher, no thinking man, of any nation of the world, can longer afford to overlook.

There is a demand, as I think, and a demand peculiarly imperative at the present crisis of the world's affairs, for a fundamental examination of the causes of the success of Methodism ; the history of the movement is very generally known ; but thoughtful men cannot rest their curiosity upon the mere facts of the case ; they wish to comprehend the force or forces that have propelled and developed the Wesleyan revival, till it has become what it now is in every quarter of the world ; and though they desire the truth, and nothing but the truth, they must be ready to acknowledge that the whole truth could scarcely be presented by any writer, however able and impartial, whose knowledge of the system is only such as is possible to those who study it from without. If it is only the spirit of a man that can tell what there is in a man, as we are told by revelation, it is equally clear, that no one but a living person existing within a great social organism can declare, correctly and completely, what that organism is, or may contain. The work produced by such a person would be, I know, egotistic ; it could not be otherwise than egotistic; but the egotism would be that of an autobiography, viii

PREFACE.

which, when limited carefully by self-respect and truth, constitutes the principal value and leading charm of this class of works.

It was by no cherished prepossession of any personal ability to perform such a service, or to meet this general demand, that I was prompted to the composition and publication of this work. It was by accident alone that I came to take up my pen at all upon the subject. In the year 1858, I was appointed a delegate of an annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States to a General Conference of Congregationalists in one of the ]N"ew England States. The duties of this office required me, if able, to attend the said General Conference, and to bear to it the fraternal regards and Christian salutations of the body whom I was appointed to represent, as well as to give some general account of the condition of Methodism, either within the limits of my conference, or as a whole, according to the amount of time that might be given for the purpose. Circumstances beyond my control rendered my attendance at the Congregational Conference impossible ; and I was therefore requested, by one of its leading and most respected members, to communicate what I had to say in writing. " "Write us," said the reverend gentleman, " a good, long communication, and let us know exactly what Methodism is doing in the world."

Though I could not but see that this was a very liberal commission, and one requiring a great deal of labor, I nevertheless sat down and wrote quite a lengthy and elaborate article on the general topic thus imposed upon me. But it was not finished in time for the occasion that had called it into being. The next year, I received the appointment as

PREFACE.

ix delegate to the same body the second time ; but I was again unable to leave home ; and so, having before written a little treatise, I now conceived the idea, from the very inadequacy of so brief a composition to do justice to so large a plan, and from the deep interest that had grown up within me in the enterprise so undesignedly undertaken, of taking up the general subject and treating it at a length in some degree commensurate with its magnitude and importance.

Such is the accidental origin and history of this work ; and the reader of these pages is therefore to listen to what he reads, not as to something drawn up by a professional book-maker, who had no object in view beyond the making of a book, but as to the words of one called upon to utter, in the presence of a sister denomination, and before a promiscuous assemblage of intelligent citizens, what he could say from his own knowledge and experience of what the world calls Methodism. That assembly may be expanded, if the reader pleases, into an audience as wide as the nation, and as numerous as the reading population of the country, and yet these pages are but the language of a person, who, with the usual license of such an office, is simply relating what he has learned by personal experience and observation of a religious movement, whose success contains a problem of which every intelligent citizen must desire to obtain a philosophical solution.

The reader will see, at the first glance, that I have dealt largely in the names of the living and the dead, who, either as preachers, teachers, or writers, have made themselves a reputation in the annals of the denomination. It may be imagined, indeed, that I have labored to make some display of the illustrious ornaments of Methodism. This, however,

1*

X

PREFACE.

is not the truth ; and, in looking over what is here to be given to the public, I regret that my limits have compelled me to omit many names, English and American, as worthy of a record as any I have included. American Methodism, in particular, is rich with characters, whose names have not been so much as alluded to in this production. When it is considered that, among the pulpit orators of Methodism, no mention has been made of such men as Cummings, and Raymond, and Livesey, and Barrows, and Webber, and Curtis, and Cox, and Taylor, and Miley, and Corbitt, and Castle, and Bristol, and Goodwin, and Bingham, and Trimble, and Robinson, and Hargrave, and Haney, and Eddy, and Hamline, and Sewell, and Morgan, and Slicer, and Hamilton, and Keener, who have few or no competitors in the sections to which they have devoted their labors, it must be apparent that no effort has been made at ostentation. Then, of the authors of the denomination, there is a score of such names as those of Liscomb, and Thomas, and Luckey, and Gorrie, and Spicer, and Lorraine, and Brooks, and Loomis, and Harris, and Williams, and Thayer, and Warren, and Kent, and Mudge whose productions could not be omitted from a full list of the more able and successful writers ; the writings of Liscomb and of Harris, in particular, are to be ranked among the most marked and able of the denomination ; and in this way, the catalogue would extend to a length beyond the limits of a chapter, had it not been the idea of this work to give classes and specimens of the distinguished men of Methodism, rather than a complete account. But I cannot omit the names of those men, who, like Thomas Carlton, Leroy Swormstedt, Adam Poe, William M. Doughty and James P. Magee, have done marvels of good in manag-

PREFACE.

xi ing the publishing interests of the denomination, and in the diffusion of its literature over the breadth of the continent. The present generation owes them a debt which several generations to come will not be entirely able to discharge.

It may be thought, on the other hand, that the positions and productions of so many living men could scarcely be represented by a cotemporary without some show of the personal likes and dislikes so common to mankind. This, certainly, is a very natural presumption ; but I think those taking up the volume with this apprehension will meet with an agreeable disappointment. The work has been written to punish no enemies, to laud no friends, but to speak for a noble cause, and to utter the simple truth. No man's reputation has been taken upon rumor ; for rumor is apt to be, as I know and feel, cruel and unjust ; nor have I, in any instance, judged of a person's production by my opinions of the man. I have everywhere separated the man from his works, and then both from all relations to myself, that I might render a verdict which the severest historic candor must ever afterward approve. I shall consider myself well treated if my readers will follow the same rule in judging of what I have herein performed.

Though the very groundwork of this volume required me to speak of other denominations, and to compare them in some respects with my own, I cherish nothing but the most kindly feeling for their welfare and the sincerest interest in their success. I feel, indeed, that I have arrived at that period of life, when a person of any magnanimity or foresight can see little or no cause for maintaining other than the most cordial relations, with societies of men, or with any member of the great family of man. Not a line has been xii

PREFACE.

prompted, therefore, "by a sentiment of ill-will. The final triumph of our common Christianity is the object lying nearest of all things to the center of my heart. To God and humanity have I renewedly consecrated what remains to me of mortal life ; and though I am conscious, in no word I have written, in no transaction of any kind, of having the smallest intention to wrong or injure a human being, my future, I am resolved, shall proceed more exclusively than ever from that principle which I have made the center and substance of the system set forth in this production — the principle of eternal benevolence, the religion of universal love.

With these sentiments, and with a heart throbbing to make the days yet before me tell as much as possible for the spread of this heart-felt religion, and the progress of the race, I send this production on its errand of good, hoping that it may be yet doing something for mankind after its author has gone to his repose among the silent dead.

ENTKODUCTOEY LETTEK.

BY BISHOP JANES.

New Yoek, June 20, 1S60.

Rey. B. f . Tefft, D.D., LL. D.

Deae Sie : I have just seen and read a prospectns of your forthcoming work, entitled, " Methodism Seccessfee, and the Ixteenae Caeses of its Seccess."

Judging from its outline, plan, and table of contents, it cannot fail to be a useful and interesting work.

The success of any Christian agency, even though feeble and limited, is inconceivably important. " There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." "He which converteth a sinner from the error of his ways shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." The salvation of one soul is a more glorious success than gaining the whole world. The restoration of one fallen, but redeemed, rational, and immortal spirit, to goodness and to God, is of eternal importance. Any instrumentality that effects this result is of incalculable value and inexpressible interest.

If, as we believe, Methodistic Christianity has multiplied such results by hundreds of thousands, yea, millions, how vast the scale of its influence, and how immense the beatitude it has conferred.

A clear representation of its wonderful success would enable the Christian public to appreciate more properly its religious usefulness, and to sustain more earnestly its future operations. It must also be felt by all catholic and devout Christians to be cause of thanksgiving and praise, that God has been pleased to raise up and prosper this branch of his general church, which is doing so considerable a part in the evangelization of the world.

Your second topic — "The Internal Causes of its Success " — is perhaps of even greater practical importance. As a church, in all our religious prosperity, we have uniformly said, " The excellency of the

xiii xiv

INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

power is of God, and not of man." Yet we know that God employs agencies in carrying out the purposes of his love to our race. It is, therefore, exceedingly desirable to know what agencies have His more especial sanction, and are thereby rendered eminently successful. As Methodistic Christianity has been eminently, if not preeminently successful, (in modern times,) in its workings, and as its achievements are among the most signal and blessed the Church has witnessed during the past hundred years, if we can ascertain the causes of this efficiency and prosperity, we shall confer upon all the propagandists of Christianity a great favor, by showing them the means and measures by which they may expect success in this work of God. From the plan of your work submitted to me, and from my knowledge of your ability to investigate the subject philosophically and spiritually, and to present the results of your examination intelligently and attractively, I believe your book will be one of much interest and usefulness. This must be true, if, as I anticipate, it leads all Christians to renounce dependence on imposing forms and ceremonies, and on magnificent temples and human displays, and whilst intently plying their simple, well-directed instrumentalities, to feel and say, " Not by might, nor by power, but my Spirit, saith the Lord;" and both in life and death declare with Mr. "Wesley, " The best of it is, God is with us."

Yours, fraternally in Christ,

E. S. JA5JE8.

Chapter I. Page

The Fire at Ep worth, . . 26

Rescue of John Wesley, . . 28

Scrap from the Latin Testament, . 29

Character of Little John, . . 29

A Pupil to his Mother, . . 30

A Student of the Charter House, . 30

A Student at Oxford, . . 81

Correspondence with his Mother, . 32

His Mother's Influence, . . 32

His Little Club at Oxford. . . 33

First Members of his Club, . . 84

He becomes a Fellow of Oxford, . 34

Influence of his Mother, . . 34

Call to go to Georgia, . . 35

Crosses the Ocean, ... 36

Conversations with Moravians, . 36

Returns to England, . . 36

Goes to Germany, ... 37

PAGE

Conversations with Zinzendorf, . 37

Settlement of his Course of Life, . 87

His great Humility, . . 37

Character of his Preaching, . 38

His Future shaped by Providence, 38

Examination of his Conversion, . 38

His Conversation Fundamental, . 38

A Key to his Character and Life, . 39

Influence of the Fire at Epworth, . 40

How he became what he was, . 40

He the Founder of Methodism, . 41

Mrs. Wesley and Methodism, . 41

Charles Wesley and Methodism, . 41

Whitefield and Methodism, . 42

Wesley Rejected by the Church, . 42

Turned Out of all the Pulpits, . 43

Disheartening Prospect, . . 44 One ray of Hope from the Promises

of Scripture, ... 44

CHAPTER II. Numerical Strength of Methodism The Rejection of Jesus the means

of Spreading His Religion, Rejection of Luther favorable to the

Spread of the Reformation, Rejection of Wesley Advances the

Growth of Methodism, .

The Argument of Success, .

Pompey and Caesar, Francis Bacon and Mrs. Stowe, Mohammedanism and Methodism Era of Methodism, .

I. English Methodism,

1. British Wesleyan Conference,

2. Eastern Brit. Am. Conference,

3. Canad. Wesleyan Conference,

4. Australian Conference, .

5. French Conference,

6. Cluster of Smaller Bodies,

II. American Methodism , .

1. Methodist Episcopal Church,

2. Methodist Episcopal Church South, ...

3. Wesleyan Method, of U. S.,

4. Canada Methodist Episcopal Church,

5. Protestant Methodist Church of United States,

45-75

45 47 47 47 48 48 49-50

50 50 50 50 50-51 50

III. Missionary Methodism,

1. Home Dep'tment of Brit. Meth,

2. Foreign Department of British Meth.,

3. Missionary Department of Me thodist Episcopal Church,

4. Missions of Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

5. Missions of Smaller Societies, General Aggregate of Methodism A Grand Array of Numbers, Methodism and the Primitive

Church,

Methodism and the Church of England,

Methodism in the United States, Methodism and the Protestant

Episcopal Church, Methodism and Congregationalism Decline of Congregationalism, Slow Growth of Episcopalianism, Success not an Argument, .

Small Beginning of Methodism, Remark of Dr. Channing, .

Methodism hard at Work, .

Literary Character of Methodism What Methodism proposes to Do, Methodism and Education, xvi

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Schools of British Methodism, . 67 Schools of American Methodism, . 68 Character of Methodist Schools, . 69 Courses of Study in them, . . 70 Ministerial Education, . . 70 Methodist Biblical Schools, . 71 Education of Early Methodists, . 71 Law Schools of Methodism, . 72 Medical Schools of Methodism, . 72 Publishing Houses of English Methodism, .... 73

PAGE

System of Cheap Publications, Methodistic, .... 73

Publishing Houses of American

Methodism, . . .. 74

Periodicals of American Methodism, .... 74

Literature of American Methodism, 75

Concessions of other Denominations, .... 75

So much in so Youthful a Denomination, .... 75

Chapter III

Rank and Power of English Methodism, .... 76-147 Recovery of Rank in England, . 76 How Persecuted at First, . . 76 Progress, . ... 76 Notoriety given it by Opposition, . 77 Wesley confessed to be a Remarkable Man, .... 77 Methodism still Progressing, . 77 Most Learned Man of England a

Methodist, ... 77

Religious Rank and Power, . 78

English Methodism very Literary, 79 Samuel Wesley and the Athenian

Mercury, .... 79 Samuel Wesley and Pope, Richardson, Tate, and Swift, . . 79 Works of Samuel W r esley, . . 79 Samuel Wesley and his Poetry, . 80 Susannah Wesley, ... 80 Her Intellectual Character, . 80 Her great Attainments, . . 80 Her Writings and Influence, . 81 Samuel Wesley, Junior, . . 81 His Brothers and Sisters, . . 82 His great Abilities, ... 82 His genius as a Poet, . . 82 His Associations with the Learned, 83 Emilia Wesley, ... 83 Her Mother's Care of Her, . 83 Her remarkable Memory, . . 84 Her general Character, . . 84 An Artistic Reader of Milton, . 84 Her Portrait by her Sister, . 85 Susannah Wesley, Junior, . . 86 Her Unhappy Marriage, . . 86 Her Mental Character, . - . 87 Hilarity of her Disposition, . 87 General Estimate of Her, . . 87 Mary Wesley, ... 88 Her great Beauty, ... 88 She Died in early Womanhood, . 88 What her Sister says of Her, . 89 Mehetable Wesley, . . . 89 Her great Precocity, . . 89 Her Beauty of Person, . . 90 Wit, Humor, Mirthfulness, . . 90 Poetical Portrait of Her, . . 90 Her Poetic Genius, ... 91 Her Poetical Works, . . 92 Quotation from her Poetry, . 98 Anne Wesley, ... 94 Her brother Samuel's Epithalamium, .... 94

Her Marriage, ... 94

Her manner of Life, . . 94

Not spurred to Labor by Necessity, 95 Compared, in this Respect, with

Kindred Spirits, ... 95 Compared with Shakspeare, Milton, Addison, Smollett, Goldsmith, Cowley,Collins, Johnson, Dryden,

Lightfoot, and Chatterton, . 95 Her Service to the Literature of

Methodism, ... 97 Martha Wesley, ... 97 Dr. Clarke's Opinion of Her, . 98 She was the Associate of Dr. Johnson, .... 98 Her Conversations with Johnson, . 99 The friend of Garrick, Burke, etc., 100 The greatness of her Genius, . 101 Kezziah Wesley, . . . 101 Her Talents very marked, . . 101 She Dies Young, . . .102 Sarah Wesley, . . .102 Charles Wesley, Junior, . . 102 Charles a Musical Prodigy, . 103 Surpassed by his brother Samuel, . 103 Samuel a Poet at eight years of

A Specimen of his Powers, . 104 Samuel compared with Pope and

Milton as a Boy-Poet, . . 105 General Review of these less noted

members of the Wesley Family, 105

Charles Wesley, the Poet, . . 106

His Style as a Prose Writer, . 106

His rank as a Lyric Poet, . . 106

Compared with Dr. Watts, . . 106

Portraiture of Watts as a Poet, . 107 Watts, Stennett, Steele, Addison, and Opie, as a School of Lyric Poets, . . . .108

Cowper as a Lyric Poet, . . 109

Milton's Lyrical Genius, . . 110

Defence of Milton, Cowper, etc., . Ill

It will not apply to Watts, . . Ill

Charles W T esley's Lyrics, . . Ill

Free from the Faults of Watts, . 112 Watts' Appreciation of Charles

John Wesley's estimate of Charles, 113

Comparison of Watts and Wesley, 114

Watts' Masterpiece, . . 114

Criticism on it, . . 114

Watts describes too much, . . 114

Wesley does not describe, . . 115

CONTENTS.

xvii

PAGE

Comparative Specimen from Wesley, . . . .116 Watts and Wesley contrasted as to

several other points, . . 117 Distmguishing peculiarity of Wes-

Wesley, like Shakspeare, enacts

his parts, not describes them, . 118 Wesley presented under a great variety of aspects as a Lyric Poet, . . . .120 Wesley compared with David, . 121 Wesley's position as the Poet of

Methodism, . . .122 Final Comparison of AVatts and

Wesley, . . . .124 John Wesley, . . .125 John Wesley as a Poet, . . 125 His Corrections of Dr. Watts, . 125 John Wesley as a Translator. . 125 Dr. Milner's Concession, . . 126 Specimens of Wesley's Improvements upon Watts, . . 126 John Wesley as a Scholar, . . 128 His Services to English Literature, 128 He introduces it to the Fountains

in the German Language, . 129 Anticipates Carlyle, etc., in this, . 129 John Wesley as an Author, . 130

Extent of his Labors, . . 131

Popularity of his Productions, . 131 More Read than any English

Author, . . . .132 More Read than any of the Classics, 133 John Fletcher, . . .133 His Character, by Dr. Southey, . 134 His Talents as a Writer, . . 134 What he did for Methodism, . 135 Isaac Taylor's Opinion of Him, . 135 Thomas Coke, LL.D., . . 136 An Apostolic Man, . . . 136 His eminence as a Literary Man, . 136 His Writings, . . .136

His Labors in behalf of Methodism, .... 136 The first Lay Preachers, . . 13T Dr. Southey's Opinion of them, . 137 Then strong Sense and Education, 137 The great Learning of some of

them, . . . .137 Scholarship of Thomas Walsh, . 137

PAGE

Wesley's estimate of his Abilities, 137 Dr. Adam Clarke, . . .139

His wonderful Learning, . . 139

His numerous Literary Works, . 139

And yet always an Itinerant, . 139 Richard Watson, . . .139

His breadth of Intellect, . . 139

His Theological Productions, . 139

Joseph Benson, . . . 140

His Abilities as a Preacher, . 140

His Commentary and other Works, 140 More recent Magnates of English

Methodism, . . . 140

Rev. William Arthur, D.D., . 140

Rev. John Beecham, D.D., . . 140

Rev. Jabez Bunting, D.D., . . 141

Rev. G-eorge Cubitt, . . 141

Rev. James Dixon, D.D., . . 141

Rev. Dr. Etheridge and his Works, 141 Rev. Thomas Jackson, D.D., and

his Works, . . .141

Rev. F. A. West, D.D., and his

Writings, . . . .142

Rev. F. J. Jobson, D.D., and his

Rev. G. Turner and his Works, . 142

Rev. A. Scott and his Works, . 142

Rev. Robert Young and his Works, 142

Rev. J. H. Rigg and his Works, . 142 A large class of English Methodist

Rev. W. H. Rule, D.D., and his

Rev. G. Smith and his Works, . 143

Orators of English Methodism, . 144

George Whitefield as an Orator, . 145

Dr. Franklin's Opinion of him, . 145

John Wesley as a Preacher, . 145

Thomas Walsh as a Preacher, . 145

Joseph Benson as a Preacher, . 145

Richard Watson in the Pulpit, . 145

Dr. Bunting and his Eloquence, . 145

Dr. Newton and his Eloquence, . 145

Dr. Dixon and his Eloquence, . 146

Dr. Arthur as an Orator, . . 146 Rev. W. M. Punshon the Prince of

living English Pulpit Orators, . 146

Compared with Spurgeon, . . 146

Punshon and P. T. Barnum, . 147 General Review of the Rank and

Power of English Methodism, . 147

CHAPTER IV. First planting of Methodism in America, .... 148

The work begun by Wesley and Whitefield, . . .148

Influence of the Revolutionary

Labors and Success of Coke and

Wonderful Growth of Methodism, . 149

Character of its Early Preachers, . 150

What Judge M'Lean says of them, .... 150

He puts Bishop M'Kendree at the head of American Pulpit Orators, 151 Rev. Jesse Lee, . . . 152 Rev. Freeborn Garretson, . . 152 Rev. Nathan Bangs, D.D., . . 152 Influence of Methodism upon Eloquence, .... 152 Produced a new School of Oratory, 152 Rev. John Summerfield, M.A., . 153 Rev. John N. Maffitt, . . 153 Rev. Willbur Fisk, D.D., . . 153 Rev. George Cookman, . . 153 Rev. H. B. Bascom, D.D., LL.D., . 153 These compared with H. W. Beecher 153

• xviii

CONTENTS.

Popularity of Bascom, . . 154 |

Popularity of Maffitt, . 154 | Living Pulpit Orators of American

Meiliodism, . . . 155

A Methodist Platform of Orators, . 156

Rev. Thomas H. Stockton, D.D., . 150

Rev. John M'Clintock, D.D. LLD., 156

Rev. Edward Thomson, D.D. LL.D., 156 Rev. Geo. P. Pierce, D.D., . .156

Rev. W. A. Smith, D.D., . . 156

Rev. Joseph Cross, D.D., . . 156

Rev. Edward Sehon, D.D., . . 156

Rev. Abel Stevens, LL.D.,' . . 156

Rev. W. H. Milburn, A.M., . 156

Rev. Jesse T. Peck, D.D., . . 156

Rev. R. S. Foster, D.D., . . 156

Rev. J. P. Durbin, D.D. . . 156 Oratory of the Bench of Bishops

of the M. E. Church, . . 156 Oratory of the Bench of Bishops

of the M. E. Church, South, . 159

Literature of American Methodism, 161 Its first Efforts, . . .161

Coke and Asbury as Authors, . 162

Rev. Jesse Lee as an Author, . 162

Rev. Valentine Cook as a Scholar, 162 Rev. Mr. Beauchamp as a Thinker

and Writer, . . .162

A Literary Prodigy, . . 162

Another Literary Prodigy, . . 164 Rev. Charles Elliott, D.D. LL.D. as

a Scholar and Author, . . 165 His leading Works, . . .166 Rev. Stephen Olin, D.D. LL.D., as the leading Metaphysician of

American Methodism, . . 16T

His great Abilities and Learning, . 167

His great Literary Projects, . 168

Those classed with him, . . 169 Rev. T. Merritt, . . .169

Rev. J. P. Durbin, D.D , . . 169

Rev. Israel Chamberlayne, D.D., . 169

Rev. John Dempster, D.D., . 169

Rev. H. M. Johnson, D.D., . 169

Rev. Ignatius A. Few, LL.D., . 169

Rev. Augustus B. Lonestreet, LL.D. 169 Rev. John M'Clintock, D.D. LL D., and his School of Classical Scholars, . . . .170

Rev. G-. R. Crooks, D.D., . . 170

Rev. Isaiah McMahon, A.M., . 170 Rev. N. C. Brooks, A.M , . .171

Great number of Classical Scholars, 171 Augustus W. Smith, LL.D., and his School of Mathematical and

Scientific Writers, . . 172

John Johnston, LL.D., . . 172

Rev. Geo. C. Whitlock, LL.D., . 172

Rev. H. Mattison, A.M., . . 173 Professor S. L. Loomis, A.M. and

M.D., . . . .173 Rev. D. W. Clark, D.D., as a Mathematician, .... 173 Rev. J. P. Durbin, D.D., as an Editor of Scientific Works, . . 173 Remarkable familiarity of Methodist Ministers with the Bible, . 178