The Penn's Grove record., 1903-07-31

TO convince England that every man had a
soul and that life was an immortal stair
way, up or down! 1t taught of a 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 aield and again it lifted the
eotters' roof till it touched the stars. 1t
trod the bottom Of human longing, and
while it ~arraigned sin in fearful terms, it
brought the news of hope and joy. No
the barren land. No wonder that turbid
emotion accompanied the flood of feeling.
Many things always are rent when Satan
is cast out. Always such upheavals AIRY
stubbie 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 unwelcome when all
was unready.
What real prophets have not met OPPOSE
ton? These men were Shut out of the
synagogues" 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
howied against their lives. Nothing was
too foul to fling at them with hand and
tongue. Not a man of all the bishops save
Samuel Butler took their part. But despis.
ing hardships and dangers, they grew, and
upon the church that disowned them they
put an indelible mark. Being DETAINED,
they ,entreated, and they lived to see opin-
ion change.
What a diocese waited this apostolic nan
John Wesley! He touched two hemis-
pheres. Nay, all the ends of the earth,
and his hand is stretched out still. In 1896
Methodism began in America. Wesley at
his death declared, 'eThe best of all. God
is with u.s." There were then 3I3 Of his
preachers in England; in the United States,
1873. Now in Great Britain there are 7O0,-
900 communicates. in Canada 300, 900, in the
United States 100000, who, recur to that
new Penteeost. AT length in 1876 Dean
Stanley unveiled in Westminster Abbey a
tablet with the shining profles of John
did a state church-which in their day
knew not the time of it's visitation"-at-
test the reflex influence of its prophets and
own a work so grandly donet
In John Wesley tremendous toll and a
rare gift for organization and order and
the loftiest spiritual enthusiasm and a SIM
pie purpose to do one thing were united in
the proportion of genius. Great he was by
any test. Tim is a stern criterion and by
that estimate Wesley survives as Paul does
and Luther and Loyola. He is of the few
who make eras. He had large sense and
system. He wrought with mighty industry
for half a century. No moment was
wasted. With a giant energy he preached
800 times a year for fifty years. And yet
and calm mind. Self-denying, refined,
sweet tempered, eonsiderate. he had the
scholars vision and a sanity heart. 'In
seventy years" he said, Il have not lost a
nights sleep" II save all / can and give
all / get" Make all you can by industry,
save all you can by economy, give all you
can by hberality.' Thus he was rich to-
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 a holy and imme-
date decision. Thank God for that good
home at Epworth and for that ~Susannah's
sonsi
Let us all see that religion is not in ru-
hric and rite, but in devoted hearts and
lives, unsophisticated by the brides Of Gus
tom, undannted by the oppositions Of hol-
low tradition, instant to serve. tireless to
effect results, believing Godi For one may
have all the apparatus of regularity and die
a staryeling. Power is 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"
The methodical in Gods service are the
conquerors.
Oh, let me say to you Wesley's great
text. Seek We the Lord while He may be
found; call We 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
hymn:
"Give to the winds thy fears
Hone and be undismayed;
God hears thy signs and counts thy tears
God shall lift up thy head"