The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-12

to convince England that every man had a
soul and that life vas an immortal stair
wav, up or down! It taught Of living
God and the powers Of an endless life. 1t
reviewed that standing article of the Ref
ormation. Justification by faith" 1t car
ried the truth afeld and again it lifted the
cotters' roof till it touched the stars. 1t
trod the bottom of human longing, and
while it arraigned sin in fearful terms, 1t
brought the news of hope and Joy. No
wonder that gusto came with the rain upon
the barren land. No wonder that turbld
emotion accompanied the food of feeling.
Many things always are rent when Satan
is cast out. Always such upheavals AIRY
stubble 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 people to
its centre. Much was unwelcome when all
was unready.
What real prophets have not met opposi-
svnagogues" of the establishment. They
"faced a frowning world" They knew all
indignities. Mobs led by squires and clergy.
men dragged them through horse ponds and
howled against their lives. Nothing was
too foul to fling at them with hand and
tongue. Not man of all the bishops save
Samuel Butler took their part. But despls,,
ing hardships and dangers, they grew, and
upon the church that disowned them they
put an indellible mark. Being DETAINED,
they entreated, and they lived to see opln-
What diocese waited this apostolic man
John Wesley! He touched two hemis'
pheres. Nay, all the ends of the earth.
and his hand is stretched out still; In 1855
Methodism began in America. Wesley at
his death declared, "The best of all, God
is with u.s." There were then 3l3 Of his
preachers in England: in the United States,
1873. Now in Great Britain there are 7O0,'
900 communicates, in Canada O,OOO, IN the
United States 100000, who recur to that
new Pentecost. At length. in 1915 Dean
Stanley unveiled in. Westminster ABBEY
tablet with the shining profiles OF John
Wesley and Charles. Tardily but at last
did a state church-which in their day
'knew not the time of its visitation at.
test the reflex influence of its prophets and
own q work so grandly done!
In John Wesley tremendous toll and a
rare qift for organization and order and
the loftiest spiritual enthusiasm and sim
pie purpose to do one thing were, united in
the proportion of genius. Great he was 6y
any test. Time is a stern criterion and by
that estimate Wesley survives as Paul does
and Luther and Loyola. He is of the few
system. He wrought with ighty industry
for half a century. No moment was
wasted. With giant energy he preached
500 times year for fifty years. And yet
with this passion for work he had q pure
and calm mind. Selt.denying, refined,
sweet tempered, considerate, he had the
scholars vision and a sanity heart. In
seventy years" he said, It have not lost a
nights seeP~ 81 So save all can an ;nanIsrW and gye
save all you can BY s essonoIy' CIV give all you 70"
ward God. Peculiarities 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 holy and imme.
diate decision. Thank God for that good
home at Epworth and for that Susannah's
sons!
Let us all see that religion is not in m:
| brio and rite, but in devoted hearts and
lives, unsophisticated by the bribes Of Gus.
tom, undaunted 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 de
a. starveling. Power ia granted only to
those who will pay its whole price! Love
is catholic when it is apostolic and can ut.
ter Wesley's "All the world is my parish" I"
The methodical in Gods service are the
conquerors.
Oh, let me say to you Wesley's great
text, "SeeE We the Lord while he may be
found; call ye upon Him while He is near!"
Emulate such a mani And considering
the issue of a totally surrendered life, imi-
tate its faith. 1t is success. 1t is triumph.
1t 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"