598 History of Methodism. 



time past that I dressed too Avell and kept myself too clean for a 

 Methodist preacher. One of the old brethren once remarked to me 

 that "if I did not look so much like a lawyer I could convert half 

 the world myself." But it does not follow that vanity is commend- 

 able. The way to overcome the disposition to be extravagant in 

 dress, the foolishness of wearing jewelry, and the neglect of class- 

 meeting, is by frequent special social conferences between pastors 

 and people on this subject. The people are not prepared to be taken 

 up and disciplined with reference to this matter, but by some script- 

 ural lessons, Christian conferences, and fervent prayer, Methodism 

 can be put back in three years where it was fifty years ago, and 

 nobody be hurt, but everybody remarkably improved and delighted. 



