In South Carolina. 257 



sible for you to obtain this blessing? How does it come? The an- 

 swer is, By faith. I wish as Methodist preachers we read Mr. 

 Wesley and Mr. Fletcher more. I sit down and read Mr. Wesley's 

 articles, and it seems to me I get at the truth better than when I 

 read what book-makers have said since his time. 



I have seen Methodist preachers who said they did not believe in 

 this doctrine of Christian perfection. But these same men, once 

 when they stood before me, said they did believe it. Now, how- 

 ever, they are afraid of being thought too Methodistic, or too old- 

 womanish, or something else. They have been influenced by other 

 Churches, doubtless, in this matter. 



If ever you do much good as preachers, you must seek that bless- 

 ing. He who loves God with all his heart cannot but love his 

 neighbor, and he who loves as he should will labor for souls with 

 an undying zeal. 



Do not expect to get this blessing by works, but by faith. 



In traveling, I frequently meet with men who enjoy perfect love, 

 and who live it. They live as the gospel teaches. There is a power 

 in the ministry, and I want you to get hold of it. 



I may seem a little rambling, but I am talking as a father would 

 talk to his children, and I hope my own son will in due time stand 

 before one Avho shall talk to him on this subject. When I look at 

 the power we have now, and compare it with the influence we once 

 wielded, I am led to fear that our present power is not equal to what 

 we formerly had. He who has power with God will have power 

 with men, as Jacob had. 



In order that you may be the better prepared to look into this 

 matter, let me suggest another thing. What made you become 

 preachers ? [Answer (by the class), A sense of duty, and the love of 

 souls.] Very well. A very important matter. 



I love to read the history of the old-time preachers of Wesley's 

 day. They shook the whole empire. They did it, and why ? Be- 

 cause the burden of souls was upon them. Sinners were dying. 

 These holy men did not merely seek for the favor of the people, but 

 they were distressed because souls were being lost. The burden of 

 the Lord ! The prophets called it so, and so it is in reality. 



Start right, my young brethren. Let your foundation be properly 

 laid. Begin under proper influences, and then there is a prospect 

 of success. When I look and see what Methodist preachers can do 

 — when as an old man I look over all our Church's machinery, and 

 see how beautiful this machinery is, and when I see it occasionally 

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