Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-02-03

Herald" of the 22d Dec. exhibits not only the
views Of the late venerable John Wesley. re.
stive to certain ex~trayagancies p~racti'ed among
| the Methodists; but also the sentiments Of a
majority Of the best informed preachers, and
members of the Methodist Church. Its pub
l%ication may have a tendency to correct the va
! rious opinions on this subject.
LETTERS TO THE MErHoDlSTs,
Br A PREACHER.
Dear BrethFen,
Ii is matter of reioicingthat we can
say, "The gospel came not unto you
in word only, but IN pow er, and in the
Holy Ghost, in much assurance"
That Kingdom of God which is with
in you sis not in word but in power"
Bot while Christians universally hold
this language, they unfortunately diff.
fer about the thing intended. Some
consider the power of the gospel as
manifested in The revolutions of states
and empires, in the establishment of
Christianity and empires, in the esta-
blishment of Christianity by civil au.
thorIty, the subversion of ~Paganism,
and the overthrow of idolatry, &c.
especially if these be accompanied
wltbthe profession oil religion and a re-
gular life. Yet it is evident that all
these things may be attributed to
worldly motives and the heart remain
cold aud uninteres.ed These are for
a rational, philosophical religion, which
leaves the subject of it where it found
him, without spiritual light. animation
or comfort. With these the power of
religion is considered the worst kind
of enthusiasm.
On the other hand, many, seeing
the danger of trusting in such a religion
having run into the opposite extreme,
and spoken of the power of religion,
without attaching any other idea to
that phrase, than that of ablindimpulse
upon the soul, or an extraordinary ex-
citement of the passions. These PEG
pie take their own vain conceits and
unwarrantable imaginations for the
immediate Influence Ofthe Holy Spirit.
Their religion is generally the religion
ola moment. 1t is fire of their own
kindling, With, perhaps, the assistance
of others like themselves, who know
how to play upon their imaginatious
and work up their feelings to the de-
sired pitch. Their bodies are often
as much operated upon as their souls,
and both together as violently agitated.
And this is dignified by the misappli.
cation of the phrase, the power of re-
lig'on, or the power of God.
But does not the powerofG God move
the passions and often agitate the bo-
dy? Undoubtedly it does; but it also
does much more; it enlightens the
mind rectifes the moral principle, re-
news the whole inward man, and
brings peace and JOY into the SOUL
And here is the grand distinction be-
tween enthusiasm and true religion;-
the one operates upon the passions and
the body principally, the other not on
ly upon these, but also upon the IN
derstanding and the moral principle
The religion OF the gospel, therefore,
consists in hringing;ogether inthe same
person the two extremes above men.
toned; in uniting what men often put
asunder-the illumination ofthe under
standing and the renewal of the heart,
and whenthis is done, the passions
are very naturally and properly en-
pIoyed, and if the whole body is NOV
ed. it is no injury or disparagement to
religion. Nay las man is a compound
being, made up of spirit and matter,
ofsoui and body, and is required to
glorify God in his body and spirit, in
the former as well as the latter, it is
reasonable that the whole mar should
feel the influence and exhibit the eff.
fects of the power Of God. But then
the different parts and faculties of man
must be held in their proper places,
and performtheir assigned offices, and
if they be not well adjusted and bal
anced, there will be confusion and
every evil work. In renewing fallen
man, the power of God is first exerted
upon The understanding, TO enlighten
it, and to give mar the knowledge of
his divine Sovereign, his law, his own
state as a sinner, and the way OF reco.
very tts ough Jesus Christ; enthrough
the understanding the power of God is
exerted TO rectify the moral principle
and renew the heart. The uDdcrstan.
ding being enlightened holds a lamp 10