The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-22

thing, the way to heaven: how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end He came from heaven. He hath written 1t down in book! o give mo that book! have 1t; here is knowl- edge enough for me. Let me be man of one book. Here then am far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone; only God is here. In His presence open. I read this book: for this end to find the way to heaven. Is there doubt con- corning the meaning of what read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? lift up my heart to the Father of lights. Lord. is it not Thy word. If any man lack wisdom let him ask of GodT Thou 'givest hberally and upbraidest not Thou hast said, If any be willing to do Thy will he shall know I am wiling do, let me know Thy will. then search after and consider parallel passages of Scriptures, comparing spiritual things with spiritual I mediate thereon with all the attention and earnestness of which
 my mind Is capable. If any doubt still remains, consult those who are ex- perienced in the things of God; and then the writings whereby being dead. they yet speak. And what thus learn that teach" What a noble spirit is here! No indolent stupid spirit of superstition nor yet the ,conceited inflated spirit of. inno- vation! How far removed from the pert ness which prates of modern versions" advanced thought and progressive theology" And yet he was ever open to receive or obey the truth whether 1t fell from the lips of the learned or the plain Moravians of Alderscate Street and Fet- ter Lane. There was no cherished opin. ion, no fond association. no. venerated usage. no dear friendship with which he would not willingly part in obedience to the truth as God gave him to sec it. This seflrenouncing submission to the divine leading often brought him into incon- sistencies that are among his chief glories today. although they once exposed him to censure.
 Averse to field preaching at the first. he finally went to the fields, his natural repugnance being overcome by the con- viction that God had thrust him out" :" Of the strength of that conviction we may judge from his own words: "It were better for me to die than not to preach the gospel; yea, in the fields when may not preach in the church, or when the church will not contain the congrega- tion."
 Providence Leading.
 So. also, the class meeting was the pro- duct of providential Headings, and 1t in turn brought on lay preaching. During Wesley's absence from London for brief
 season, Thomas Maxneld, a class leader.
 began to preach without his knowledge or consent. On his return he was de- termined to silence peremptoriIy the un- authorized preacher; but he was dissuad-
 ed by his wise and devout mother from
 taking the step immediately before he
 had heard Maxheld for himself After
 hearing the young class leader, he said:
 Tt Is of the Lord; let him do as seem- eth him good. What am I that I should withstand God?" Thus lay preaching was begun. However, when subsequently he perceived that Maxfield walked not up- rightly according to the truth of the gospel he withstood him because he was to be blamed
 He ordained Coke to the office of gen. eral superintendent and in turn commits stoned Bishop Coke to ordain Francis fishery to a like ofice. that the Amer fcan Methodists might be organized into church Of their own, and receive the ordinances-acting as he declared under the pressure of what he called "an un- common train of providences," which jus tifed him, a presoyter in the church of England, in taking such a step accord ing to the principles and traditions of the primitive church. He defends the act against possible censure in csc words: If any one will point out a more ra- tional and scriptural way of feeding and guiding those poor sheep in the wilder ness, will gladly embrace it. At pres ent I cannot see any better method than that I have taken" And the event has vindicated his wisdom far beyond all his hopes or antieipations. How amazed would he be at the outcome if he were with us to-day! When his followers were no more than 5000 soule. he sang:
 ''Oh, the fathomless love that hath deign-