The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-07-31

to convince England tha. every man had .
soul and that hic Nhs an immortal stair
way, up or down. II taught OF Twins
God and the powers OF an endless life, IL
reviewed that standing article OF the Ret
OFmati0n. classification by faith IL car
ried the truth aheld and again il lifted the
cotters' roof tail u touched the stars. IL
trod the bottom oi human longing, and
while IL arraignei sin in fearful terms, 10
brought the news OF hone and JOY. No
wonder that gusto came with the rain upon
the barren land. No wonder that turbid
emotion accompanied the flood OF fee,ing.
Many things always are rent when Satan
is east out Always such upheayals AIRY
stubh,e upon their currents such tides
swing loose unanchored spirits. But par
ody Is a counting proof of power, and the
forces of eternity were shaking a people TO
its centre. Much was unweeome when all
was unready.
What real prophets have not met opposi.
tiong These men were shut out OF the
synagogues" OF the establishment. They
laced frowning world" They knew all
indignities. Mobs led by sluires and clergy.
men dragged them through horse ponds and
howled against their lives. Nothing was
too foul 10 fling at them with hand and
tongue. Not a man of all the bishops save
Samuel Butler took their part. But despis.
ing hardships aud dangers. they grew. and
upon the church that disowned them they
put an indellible mark. Belng detained,
they entreated, and they lived 20 see opsn-
ION change.
What a diocese waited this apostolic man
John Wesley! He touched two hemis'
pheres. Nav, all the ends OF the earth.
and his hand is stretched out still. In 1860
Methodism began in America, Wesley at
his death declared, The, best of all, God
is with US" There were then SlS of his
preachers in England: in the United States,
- nr,s
600 communicates, IN Canada 200 900. IN the
United States G,000O0 who recur To that
new Pcntecost. At length in 1876 Dean
Stanley unveiled in Westminster Abbey n
tablet with the shining profiles of John
Wesley and Charles. Tardily but at last
did state ehureh-whleh IN their. day
knew not the time of its yisitation"-at-
test the reflex influence OF it's prophets and
own work ~ grandly donel
In John Wesley tremendous toll and n
rare gift for organization and order and
the loftiest spiritual enthusiasm and n sim
pie purpose 10 do one thing were united in
the proportion OF genius. Great he was by
any test. Time rs stern criterion and by
that estimate Wesley survives as Paul does
| and Luther and Loyola. He il of the few
| who make eras. He had large sense and
| system. lie wrought with mighty industry
for half a century. No moment was
wasted. With giant energy he preached
Jb tlines Il year 1oT nttN wears. ana Vet
| with this passion for work he had pure
and calm mind Se!f-denying, refined.
sweet tempered, considera,e, he had the
scholars vision and sanity heart. In
seventy wears" he said, j have not los, "A
nights sleep" II save all | can and give
all get" Make all You can bv industry.
save all YOU can by economy. give all you
can bv hberality." Thus he was rich to-
ward God Peculiarites he had; let small
| souls count them. Strifes there were, but
who cares for the logical differences be-
tween Wesley and Whitfield. since both
preached the evangel of a holy and imme-
| date decision. Thank God for that good
| home az Epworth and for that Susannah's 5
| sons
Let us all see that religion rs not in ru-
| bric and rite, but IN devoted hearts and
lives, unsophisticated by the brihes Of cus-
| tom undnunted by the oppositions of hol-
| low tradition, instant to serve. tireless to
effect results, believing God For one may
have all the apparatus OF regularity and die
n starveling. Power is granted only To
those who W i'll pay its whole price! Love
| IL catholic when II IL apostolic and can ut
| ter Wesley's "All the world is my parish -
| The methodical in Gods service are the
| conquerors.
Oh, let me say to you Wesey's great
| text. Seek ye the Lord while He may be
found call ye upon Him while He is near!"
Emulate such a man! And considering
| the issue of totally surrendered life, imi.
| tate its faith. IL IL success. /; is triumph.
| IL is attainable. Let me quote Wesley's
| hymn:
Give to the winds thy fears
HOPE and be undismayed:
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears.
God shall lift up thy head