464 METHODISM AND THK CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 



answer to all the parts* of this question is broadly and roundly, and 

 without hesitation NO ! We are aware this will be met by an appeal 

 to their professions on many occasions ; but professions are trifles, if 

 unsupported by practice : deeds, and not words merely, are authority 

 with us ; for professions may be cheaply nay, even profitably, made, 

 while the conduct is contradictory of this lip-service. There can be no 

 hesitation, in such cases, in determining whether we are bound to form 

 our judgment of what a person is, by what he says or by what he does 

 as his life, and not his word, gives the truest exposition of his prin- 

 ciples. We ask, then Who is a Churchman ? Is he not one who 

 subscribes to her doctrines who attends her services and who, 

 according to his means and opportunities, promotes her prosperity ? He 

 loves her, is united to her, and he lives for her. But does this descrip- 

 tion apply to the Methodist ? Most surely not. He has set aside her 

 formularies, he adores not within her walls, he labours not for her. 

 His worship is after another manner, in another house, under a minister 

 not especially appointed, and every act of usefulness performed by him 

 is not to serve the church, but a sect. Can he, then, be a Churchman ? 

 Impossible. One who never goes near the church, who does nothing 

 for the church, and who gives his presence, his aid, and his influence, to 

 a meeting-house a Churchman ! The picture is a fraud, and ought to 

 be denounced as such whenever made. We feel no objection against 

 every man possessing the right of choosing for himself in religion ; and 

 as the matter is between himself and his Maker, whatever may be his 

 preference, we hold it to be sacred, and no one is entitled to interfere. 

 Let the Methodist be a Methodist, and welcome, we say ; but let him be 

 satisfied with this liberty, and be withal consistent ; and not, while in fact 

 and in reality he belongs to one Christian body, profess, in the face of 

 this, to belong to another. This we hold to be rank imposition, and 

 alike incompatible with a good conscience and common honesty. We 

 are aware, that in answer to the statement of the Methodists being 

 distinct from the Church, it has been alleged, that though separate from 

 her, they stand united in affection that they do not oppose, but wish 

 her well ; with a great deal more to the same purpose. If by this is 

 only meant, that the Methodists, regarding the Church as an orthodox 

 community, are in charity with her, it may be true ; but this is likewise 

 true of other denominations, and therefore no title can be derived by 

 the Methodists from the circumstance, to announce themselves as 

 Churchmen or supporters of the Church. But if more than this be laid 

 claim to if it be said, the Methodists approve of the Church, we refer 

 to the tests already mentioned, and ask, why, if they approve of her, 

 have they deserted her, and given their presence and services to a rival 

 interest ? Let them explain this, before it be demanded of us to give 

 them credit for their professions of regard for the Church, with whom 

 they do not worship, nor stand in any way identified, beyond the empty 

 pretence of attachment. 



But this profession of regard is often made in another form, which, 

 being plausible, must be more particularly noticed. The Methodists 

 affirm they are not enemies, but helpers or auxiliaries, of the Church ; 

 and therefore entitled to be numbered amongst her children, or at least 

 her friends. This, however, is nnlv the case in the same wav that other 



