332 History of Methodism 



nounced for his text Mark v. 13: a Ancl the herd ran 

 xv. ilently down a steep place into the sea, and were 

 choked." He commenced with'some striking remarks 

 upon the general policy of Satan, showing that he 

 cared not what means he used for the accomplishment 

 of an object if they might only prove successful. 

 Thus, when he was dislodged from a man, he was well 

 satisfied to enter swine, if by so doing he could prej- 

 udice men against Christ. In this maneuver he was in 

 the instance here Tecorded very successful. But, said 

 the preacher, let us consider the text in the order of 

 the thoughts which it suggests : First, we will notice 

 the herd into which the devils enter; secondly, the 

 drivers employed; and thirdly, the market to which 

 they are going. Never, perhaps, was effort made un- 

 der similar circumstances that equaled this. It was 

 pertinent, awful, loving, scathing, and unique. It 

 was the attack of a master-mind in a last resort, and 

 was entirely successful. He sw T ept along his pathway 

 like a blazing comet, drawing such life-like pictures 

 of vice and diabolical intrigue that the miserable 

 creatures before him seemed spell-bound; though 

 they were all standing, scarcely a man among them 

 broke ranks. When he reached his imaginary market 

 with them, the end of an abandoned life, of a dark 

 and soul-destroying course of wickedness, the picture 

 took on such an appalling hue that an involuntary 

 shudder came manifestly over the vast audience ; they 

 seemed actually to see them, in successive columns, 

 disappearing from mortal view and sinking into the 

 everlasting abyss. The most stout-hearted sinners 

 present seemed overwhelmed with amazement, and 

 when the preacher closed they left in wild confusion, 

 and were soon en route for home. 



