Year: 1875

Being lately in neighboring city,
l was glad to take advantage of an un-
occupied evening to attend a religious
service with denomination of Gods
people with whom had not worship
ped for some time. 1t was the largest
and finest church structure in the place,
and the largest congregation, having
minister of real note, and people OF
high respectability, with a good religi-
GUS name. remembered the old-fash-
ioned Methodist way of proceeding. l
knew, also, that these brethren had
changed in their standard of minister
ial education every ones eyes could
see there was no peculiar distinction Ct
dress from others it was understood
that the exciting style of preaching
and praying, and laying hold of sinners
was much toned down, and was not
afraid of any unbrotherly fling at those
who were supposed to differ from them
in doctrine, in the way of showing
the spirit of devotion, or in managing
their solicitude for sinners salvation.
will confess to some curiosity, but
it was a godly curiosity, unmingled
with ill-minded criticism. AS the reli-
giouc services had been in progress for
u number of successive nights with
good success, thought, that at such
time, in such q congregation and under
such pastor, would enjoy first-ratc
opportunity of taking note on genuine
church history in this division of the
Christian camp, and had no doubt l
should be able, heartily and happily, TO
join in the holy service nor was dis
appointed.


The meeting was held like the others,
in the lecture-room, on an intensely
cold night, and lasted from half-past
seven to half-past nine, with good atten-
dance.


At the commencement no one was
inside the railing but the pastor and u


white-haired discipline, whom | sup
posed to be brother in the ministry,
| invited to assist and preach the sermon;


but when this person, after giving out


la hymn to be sung and Offering prayer,


left the altar and took scat in an ad-
Joining pew, set him down as an as


sisting brother of the church, or possi
bly, local preacher. This older bro
ther subsequently took part in tlc
! meeting, by exhorting, heartily sing
ing and holding private conversation
with mourners at the altar, and L no
ticed that he, more than other, and in
deed he alone, moderately eXemplified
| what remember of the old demonstra-
tive Methodist fashion, which was
mainly SHOWN in the loud voice of
PRAYER, a little catching of the breath,


and what took for slight concussion


of the hands. But the prayer itself


was one l could readily join in, in its
calling upon Jesus, its delineations of


sin and supplication for Gods Holy


Spirit.


In the meantime another brother,
whom afterwards found to be an or
dained, by his bestowing the benedic-
ltion, entered the altar and took the


vacated seat, being welcomed by the
pastor with slight, friendly nod,
which was in the same easy, friendly
Iepirit returned.


The Introductory hymn and prayer


were followed instantly by the singing
of the hymn, 81 love to tell the story
of Jesus and his love-" voluntarily in
troduccd; after which the pastor said
few words of an animating, encourag-
inr and exhortatory character, striking
ly yTemarkingthat whilst the.intense cold


might kept some away, there was One


who would not be absent, meaning the


Holy Spirit Of God. He spoke of re-


markablc prayer-meeting held that af-


ternoon, and of his own sense of devo
ton to the Lords work, and his de
light in it, without boasting, but with
confidence in the reality of his expert
ence. He then gave the congregation


thirty minutes for expressing theil
views and telling, calling upon Older
: -tChristians, and the young men ant
lwomen who had recently come ou
3 | from the Notwithstanding that the,
II Continued on third page.)