25G History of Methodism 



gave tlie necessary stimulus to the great orator, and 

 nerved the arm that wielded the thunderbolt. His 

 ministry everywhere was instrumental in bringing 

 souls to the knowledge of salvation and building up 

 the Church of the living God. He had the power of 

 eloquent speech on the platform, as well as in the pul- 

 pit, and was often exceedingly happy in addresses to 

 the young preachers. The following was made to the 

 deacons at the Charleston Conference in 1858: 



My Beloved Young Brethren: — You have been for two years 

 known as Methodist preachers. Whatever may have been your early 

 advantages, or your educational training, your business has been to 

 preach the gospel — to live it and preach it — to preach the gospel as 

 itinerant Methodist preachers, who have no fixed home, who are 

 evangelists, going from place to place preaching Christ. 



It is fair to infer that before you entered this ministry you had 

 the experience of the grace of God in your souls ; that before you 

 went out to publish to others the way of salvation you had learned 

 it yourselves. If this be not the case, you are not fit to preach. No 

 man is fit to preach who does not know Christ. 



Have you faith in God? that faith which justifies, which brings 

 you into communion with the whole Trinity? — that faith which i s 

 followed by the witness of the Spirit of God, which recognizes him 

 that is invisible, and which walks by and in communion with him? 



Without this faith you cannot be preachers — you cannot get to 

 heaven ; without it, you cannot get others there. If you have it, 

 what are the fruits of it? Do you in your own souls have com- 

 munion with God ? 



If a minister does not mind, the fact that he is so often at church, 

 and ministering in holy things, will become a sort of routine busi- 

 ness without the spirit. It is so common a thing with many to sing, 

 preach, pray, go to the communion-table, etc., that they rest in that 

 which is outward, and fail of the grace of God in their individual 

 experience. 



If you have this faith it will stir you up to seek larger measures of 

 this grace than you have yet known. Mr. Wesley taught the doc- 

 trine of Christian perfection. We ask the young ministers: Do you 

 expect to attain perfection in love in this life? Do you intend to 

 seek it, and never cease till you obtain it? Do you believe it is pos- 



