584 History of Methodism 



the essential parts should evaporate, what remains 

 will be dross. 



Said Mr. Wesley, in 1786: 



I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever 

 cease to exist, either in Europe or America ; but I am afraid lest 

 they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion 

 without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless 

 they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with -which 

 they first set out. It nearly concerns us to understand how the case 

 stands with us at present. I fear wherever riches have increased 

 (exceeding few are the exceptions), the essence of religion, the mind 

 that was in Christ, has decreased in the same proportion. There- 

 fore, do I not see how it is possible, in the nature of things, for any 

 revival of true religion to continue long. For religion must neces- 

 sarily produce both industry and frugality ; and these cannot but 

 produce riches. But as riches increase, so will pride, anger, and 

 love of the world in all its branches. How then is it possible that 

 Methodism — that is the religion of the heart — though it flourishes 

 now as a green bay-tree, should continue in this state? For the 

 Methodists in every place grow diligent and frugal ; consequently 

 they increase in goods. Hence, they proportionably increase in 

 pride, in anger, in the desire of the flesh, the desire of tlie eyes, and 

 the pride of life. So, although the form of religion remains, the 

 spirit is swiftly vanishing away. Is there any way to prevent this — 

 this continual declension of pure religion? We ought not to forbid 

 people to be diligent and frugal. We must exhort all Christians to 

 gain all they can, and to save all they can ; that is, in effect, to grow 

 rich. What way then (I ask again) can Ave take that our money 

 may not sink us to the nethermost hell? There is one way; and 

 there is no other under heaven. If those who " gain all they can " 

 and " save all they can " will likewise " give all they can," then 

 the more they gain, the more they will grow in grace, and the 

 more treasure they will lay up in heaven. 



How the doctrines, spirit, and discipline of Meth- 

 odism in original purity were maintained from the 

 beginning in the South Carolina Conference is at- 

 tested by the Eev. Lovick Pierce, D.D., who was for. 

 more than three-quarters of a century an eye-witness 

 of what he describes: 



