“Born of the Spirit.”

V.

A Call to the Ministry.

The Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is a system of instruction. It contemplates the instruction of the ignorant until the whole world shall be enlightened; until the knowledge of Christ shall cover the whole earth as the waters cover the sea. It makes provision for having this instruction perpetuated. God provides for every department of this stupendous work of bringing this wicked world back from her revolt to Christ and God. To this end the ministry were appointed. Under the old dispensation God appointed men to preach and teach. They were termed prophets. They spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. Enoch was a preacher. He taught the doctrine of a general judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and a just retribution for our conduct in this life.

He taught the duty of repentance of all wrong deeds. He enforced his preaching by a godly life. “He walked with God!” “God spared not the old world, but saved Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness.” In these far off ages they were blessed with teachers. Abraham was a preacher of righteousness in his day. Other patriarchs said of him: “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” Samuel, Elijah and Elisha were of that number that taught the people.

The Christian dispensation had in its very beginning teachers appointed directly by divine authority. Take one text among many: Eph. 4:11-13. “And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

Again: “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

God has ordained that by a holy ministry the Gospel shall be preached, and the world brought back to Christ. Thus far the call to the ministry has been stated by way of preface. God makes choice of His own laborers for this, the grandest of all positions in this life, preaching the Gospel. We cannot take this responsibility upon ourselves, if we do we are simply hirelings, as is the case, we fear, with too many that occupy the sacred desk.

Many, I have no doubt, have been called to the pulpit by their parents. They have looked upon the ministry as an exalted and an honorable position, and have entertained an all-absorbing desire that their boy should preach the Gospel. They may have been pious and devout people, but have made a very common mistake of supposing their desire to be the voice of the Spirit calling their boy to the ministry. In order to meet the obligations of the ministry, what God requires, and what the people demand, the call to this high and holy position must come from God. In these days of compromise and corruption there are too many pulpits, instead of being a light-house erected upon a dangerous coast, to warn the mariner of their imminent danger, giving an uncertain sound.

God’s ministers have all been called into the ministry. They have not taken it upon themselves. It has come to them like an awful night-mare in the still hours of the night; when about their daily cares; sleeping or waking; journeying by land or sea; among friends or foes; whether suffering from poverty or abounding in wealth; woe is me if I preach not the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This will look like a stupendous job, almost like an insurmountable task to the person truly called of God to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. At the same time they will feel, O, how poorly qualified I am for such an undertaking. And the more they look at themselves the greater the burden seems to grow. To be an embassador of the Lord Jesus Christ, chosen of Him, commissioned to treat with a rebel government, those in open rebellion to His divine majesty, is higher honor than was ever bestowed upon any other mortal. The crowned heads of this world might well envy the very smallest man or woman that wears the royal diadem that Christ puts on the brow of His servants. To me, there was always a sacredness connected with the ministry of Christ. From my earliest recollection I have looked upon the minister of God as occupying the very highest position and receiving the highest honor awarded to any of earth’s subjects; and how men thus called, can come down from so high and holy a calling to mingling in the rottenness of the day, is a profound mystery to me, and how men can consent to be put in a semi-nude state, cable-towed, hoodwinked, and then take upon themselves obligations too horrible for humanity, and by those professedly called to be a minister of Christ, to me is certainly incomprehensible.

The Master says, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” When God calls a man to preach it embraces all there is of the individual, with all possible development: mental, moral and physical; so that the man of God will improve every chance of doing good and of getting good, including hard study for the development of the mind; practicing the laws of health for the development of our being for greater efficiency in the Master’s service.

The word of the Lord is: “Study to show thyself approved unto God.” Success comes on this line of action. I believe that the minister should study and write as though the whole thing depended on this for success; and then he should pray as though everything depended on prayer; and when he gets into the pulpit he should trust alone in God the Holy Ghost as though entire success depended on help from above. On this line the stream of salvation will flow into the pulpit and into the pew, and the results will be the salvation of precious souls and the sanctifying of believers. Glory to God. Amen.

We are to glorify Him with our physical powers, as these belong to Him. Hence, we will carefully study ourselves, the laws that govern our own being, eat and drink, labor and rest so as to produce the greatest development for His glory.

The mission of the minister of Christ is of the utmost importance, because it has to do with those that must live forever with God and angels and the redeemed of earth in the world that is to come, or with those that reject Christ and everything that is good, and together are cast out into outer darkness, where the flames of their torment will ascend up for ever and ever. And then to think that a single word, or look, may change the destiny of a soul! Well might the apostle exclaim, “And who is sufficient for these things?” The Gospel must be proclaimed with great tenderness of spirit, and in deep love for the souls of those that are in their sins; love that is all aflame for the perishing. A minister should keep as near the head of the church as possible. He should pattern after the Master in simplicity, in naturalness, in literalness, in appropriateness and in holiness. As He is in the world, so are we, so clean and pure; morally speaking, the minister should be transparent—Christ shining out in all his ways—looking, speaking, doing the right thing at the right time and in the right manner. Speaking as one that must give an account in that day for words uttered. Looking like one that has been with Christ and learned of Him. How often a word from the man of God has been like the pouring of oil on the troubled sea. A man called to minister in holy things must remember that he is a peacemaker. In almost every place there is a marvelous chance to stir up strife. This must be avoided. “Study to show thyself approved,” says the apostle. Appropriateness is an essential element in the minister of God. A congregation of idiots could not appreciate a discourse on moral philosophy. Neither would a mass of unsaved men and women enjoy a sermon on entire holiness!

Much labor has been lost, and the work greatly retarded, because of unwise action. Words, style, or the manner in which it has been presented, has been so presented, that opposition has been aroused, and the work of soul-saving has been greatly hindered, if not entirely destroyed.

A great many have been driven from the penitents’ altar because of unkind treatment at the altar. They were sinners, to be sure, and came to the altar as such; and in their great distress of mind, before God had a chance to do much for them, some unwise person would, in commanding tones, ask them to pull off their feathers, gold, or something attached to their person. This would have been proper at the right time, but the hammer came down before the iron was hot. The results were in these cases they flew off in a tangent, mad. The blacksmith knows about how hot his iron must be to work and weld; precisely so with human hearts; they must be under the direct rays of the Holy Ghost and kept there until made tender, then it can be worked. Glory to God! Brother, don’t try to work cold iron—the iron of cold hearts. It will be in every case a failure. Keep baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. This has been your great need in the past. As you go forth to labor in God’s vineyard, go with the baptism of power, love and the Holy Ghost. On this line, success will come.

Doubtless some are called to the ministry early in life. Samuel was called to the prophetic office when but a lad. It has been stated by a great many that labored long as embassadors of our Lord Jesus Christ, that very early in life they felt an undefinable impression resting upon them, and at times this impression would be very strong, that some time in the near future, they would have to preach the gospel.

This was the condition of your humble servant. Early in life he felt that that would be his employment in after years. Of all the innocent amusements of childhood, what he called preaching to other children, to the chairs placed in the order of a congregation, or to a field of pumpkins, (for he would often do that) was to him greater diversion than any other kind of amusement.

At the age of fifteen I was standing near State street bridge, Albany, N. Y., a couple of officers were conveying a crazy man from the cars to the steamboat, as they were going down the river to Hudson with him. The crazy man caught hold of one of the chains used to draw up a portion of the bridge to let vessels through, screaming and making a great ado. This drew the attention of the people, as many were crossing, it being car time, so that in a moment the draw part of the bridge was literally covered. It was estimated that some three hundred, besides three horses, were on this part of the bridge. I moved along on to the bridge to see what the matter was. No sooner had I reached the highest point on the bridge, than it broke off on both sides, letting this mass of humanity suddenly into the water. I was suddenly hurled into the river with the rest. I had to swim some six to ten rods before I found anything that I could cling to. I came to a small boat into which I climbed, then onto a canal boat and went back where I could see that crowd of people struggling and screaming for life. This was an awful sight. Groups of men, from one to six or more were making a desperate effort for life. Without a moment’s warning they were put in this awful condition, and now, eternity was staring them in the face. Presently the dead and dying were all around me. The thought came: “Why was not I drowned with the rest?” for some forty had passed suddenly into eternity. This answer came to the inquiry, “I have saved you to preach my gospel.”

After years of wandering in sin, and man’s estate had been reached, with family cares and responsibilities, I erected a family altar, sought and found the pearl of great price; and with this new experience came a strong and an abiding conviction that I must preach the Gospel. In whatever direction I would try to turn my attention, this thought would loom up above all others, “Preach my Gospel.” I had but little conception of the awful responsibility connected with the ministry. And yet I had some idea of the vastness of the work, and in looking at myself it did seem to me that I never could attain unto the ideality of the work as I then viewed it. I was timid, ignorant, culture limited. Can God qualify me for this exalted position? These were serious considerations. The call was as clear to me as the sun at noonday. Notwithstanding the clearness of the call by the Spirit, I was often making bargains with the Lord, as Gideon did. He would ask for a wet fleece, and the fleece would be wet. And then for a dry fleece, and the fleece would be dry.

In the beginning of my ministry I would say to the Lord something like this: O Lord, if Thou hast called me to preach Thy Word, give me a soul to-day, as evidence that I am called to preach. Asking for evidence of this character continued for several years; and I would say to the glory of God, that on these occasions souls were always saved. Though the enemy would often say: “That is no evidence, for these have been prayed for by these old saints for years. They were saved through the instrumentality of these gray-haired saints.” For the time it would trouble me quite a little, so I would continue to ask for evidences.

Every one truly called of God to preach His Gospel, understand some of the many obstacles to be overcome before he reaches the holy of holies, where, under a clear sky, with his eye on the Judgment, and the condition of the lost before him, he can proclaim the everlasting Gospel to perishing humanity, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. One of the greatest barriers to my entering upon the ministry, was my dear companion. While she was a dear, good woman, she could not bear the idea of her husband becoming a preacher; and would on all occasions when she thought the subject was going to be introduced, talk discouragement, and say to her husband, “I think that you would make a good class-leader but not a preacher.” I was marvelously attached to my wife, because of her intrinsic merits; hence, her views of his duty to his family, to God and His church were very great obstacles to surmount.

The time came when, according to my vows, I must leave all and follow Christ, or lose my religion. What could be done! A field was opened, my services were wanted. Wife refuses to go; with light around the cross but a heavy burden on my soul, I took my leave of the dear home; yea, the dearest spot on earth, for there had nothing but love dwelt in that family circle. Parents and children were passionately devoted to each other.

I found myself very much at home in the work of the ministry. After an absence of six weeks I returned home, hoping that my wife had changed her mind, and would accompany me to my field of labor. In this I was disappointed. She was just as unwilling to go then as at the first. I returned to my circuit with a heavy heart. I felt that I was in God’s order, so I asked the Lord to let my dear companion see it as in the light of eternity. After the elapse of another six weeks I returned for the same purpose, and with the same results as above stated.

I succeeded in getting her at this second visit home, to go with Brother and Sister Roberts to a camp-meeting which was coming off at Ackron, N. Y., and I returned to my circuit. Eternity alone can tell the soul burden and mental conflict during these days.

The camp-meeting had not been running many days before a fearful cyclone made its appearance. The sky put on her fearful robes of thunder and lightning, with other sounds of a dismal character. Darkness spread over the encampment. Nature was in strange commotion. Alarm and terror was manifested by nearly all that were at that encampment. As the storm came nearer and nearer, with the awful roar of destruction, suddenly an appearance, like an elephant’s trunk, dropped down from the clouds above and swung around the circle of tents, throwing down seventy-five good-sized trees. Wife and a Baptist sister were washing dishes in the Buffalo tent. They were giving each other their experience. Said the Baptist sister: “If I should die this moment, I’m saved.” No sooner had she said that than a tree nearly two feet in diameter was blown down from the inside of the circle of tents, going directly over the Buffalo tent, crushing it down, and with it the Baptist sister. All that saved the dear wife from the same fate was our little two-year old girl, hearing the noise of the storm, went to the tent door to see what the matter was, the mother going in great haste after her, escaped having the tree fall upon her. It was a narrow escape. There was only a step at that time between her soul and death. The Baptist sister was killed instantly. She had no sooner declared that she was ready to die, than she was ushered into eternity! How important it is to always be ready.

This awful scene caused many to turn pale with alarm for their future condition. Eternity seemed so near. Every one on the ground felt the importance of being saved, having a clean heart. They did not need much urging to commence the work in right good earnest. Among the many that were made wise by this awful storm and were at the altar seeking, in the very depths of humility, the blessing of perfect love, was my dear wife. She, with others, did not seek in vain. She found the blessing. She went down on the line of confession, and was mightily resurrected to a state of heart purity, by a living faith in the Almighty power of Christ to save. It was stated to me by those that were present, that the whole camp-ground shook when she struck the Rock! Glory to God!

At this time I was at a camp-meeting in another part of the state helping Bro. William Cooley. Hearing of the great blessing that my wife had received, I concluded that it would not be necessary for me to take another long trip, to go home to see if I could not persuade her to come with me, but that she would immediately pack up and move on to the big circuit with me, which, thank God, she did. But O, how changed! I had emphatically a new wife. I had always thought her the best woman on earth; now I knew that she was. We then saw eye to eye in the great work to which God had called us. And O, how precious the communion we had with each other and the Lord, during her brief stay on earth after this occurrence. In less than two years she peacefully passed away to be forever with the Lord.

I relate this circumstance to show what things we have to overcome sometimes, in order to enter the ministry. And then, how strangely God manages to bring us where our eyes may be opened to see just what he wants us to see. It is well expressed by the poet:

More than a quarter of a century has passed into eternity since most of the events narrated occurred; and in looking over the past, and the way in which God led us into the ministry, the trials, conflicts, victories, and the many times in which He has marvelously delivered us out of the hands of all our enemies, and brought to our aid reinforcements, and just the help needed, and just at the right time, our heart goes out in wonder, love and praise.

The promise of the Lord to me was: “For as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” O, how comforting that Scripture has been to me. When on hard fields of labor, and when it seemed as though very little if anything, accomplished, the above word of the Lord would come to my heart with such an assurance, and in such sweetness that I have been made to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord to me.

We are often placed in a position, allowing the world to judge, would call it a tremendous defeat. But in obeying the voice of God there is no defeat. We may not always see just what we have done, the good accomplished. Perhaps it is best we should not. Spiritual pride might find way into our heart and destroy us.

The command is, “Go forward.” We are not to stop to analyze results, in order to get at exact accomplishments, but move on, laboring with all our might, and leaving results with God. In that day, and under the light of judgment fires, it will appear in all the grandeur of eternal blessedness. “Your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” What precious opportunities God has given us of laying up our treasures on high. Look out in what direction you may, the fields are white already to harvest. Golden opportunities for doing good, and getting good, are constantly placed within our reach, and to be like our divine Lord and Master, who went about doing good, so must we, looking mainly for our reward in that day when He shall come to make up His jewels. O how blessed to hear in that day, “Well done!” Notwithstanding the glittering crown that often seems so nigh to the Christian soldier, he feels as expressed in the following lines:

I apprehend that the richest spot in heaven will be given to those that have lived the nearest to Christ while on earth; that have been instrumental in turning many from darkness to light; that have been one with Him in the great work of human redemption; that have borne the cross, labored incessantly to bring souls to Christ and build up His kingdom on earth. It may have been in poverty, amidst great suffering, of physical ailments, in persecution; but the joy to such on earth exceeds that of all others; and in the world to come, “They shall shine as the brightness of the firmament forever and ever.”

VI.

A Particular Providence.

How cheering to the heart of a good man to believe that God, the Infinite, loves, and tenderly cares for all the creatures which He hath made, and that He daily provides for, and feeds, and clothes the teeming millions of earth. How vast the conception that the Almighty this morning provided food for and fed, one billion, and five hundred million of human beings; and beside the fishes of the sea, and the birds of the air, and the cattle upon a thousand hills; and that this care commenced when the morning stars sang together for joy, and will continue through time, and to all eternity. He that created us is able to provide for all our needs, and to perpetuate our existence. It would be folly indeed, to suppose our Heavenly Father capable of creating us, but not able to sustain us. He that paints the lilies with rainbow tints, and covers the earth with its carpet of green, can supply all our need in this world, and in the world to come. Wherever in nature a real want is manifest, near by may always be found the supply. “My God shall supply all your need.” To doubt His ability or willingness to do this, would be sinful. The smallest speck in creation is not lost to sight, nor removed from His tenderest care. “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” “And if He so clothe and beautifies the grass of the field which to-day is, and to-morrow is cut down and cast into the oven, shall He not much rather clothe you, oh, ye of little faith.”

He sends rain and sunshine, stormy wind and hoar frost, heat and cold, the changing seasons, causing earth to bring forth her increase for the sustenance of man and beast. Away back in by-gone ages, doubtless, the creator of this vast universe provided, or made ample provision for this earth and all its dependencies. I seriously doubt if a mistake was made or any need that might arise in any member of the human family, but that was thoroughly considered and all needful supplies provided for. “Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Why then so much suffering, famine, pestilence, war, murder, and the great amount of evil arising from intemperance? These are all the results of sin, not the penalty for sin, but the legitimate fruit of sin; and God has provided a complete remedy for all the ills which flesh is suffering because of sin. Wherefore, He is able to save us to the uttermost, and to present us faultless before His presence, with exceeding joy. Suffering and need may be employed at times as a corrective agency, and in all these things we should learn wisdom and abandon all wrong doing and learn to do well. We read of some that were always learning, and never coming to the knowledge. Perhaps nearly all Christian men and women would endorse in a general way, God’s providential care over His children, but doubt His special providences. Nevertheless, He does hear and answer prayer for special blessings.

When Peter was in prison prayer was offered for him, which God heard and answered, sending an angel to unlock prison doors, calling Peter’s attention to the fact that deliverance had come; and in obeying the command, his chains fell off, and those massive doors, seemingly of their own accord, swung back, and he following his guide, was a free man, walking at liberty. When Israel had been scourged for three years and six months by a severe drouth, Elijah petitioned the Lord for help, special help! Rain, was the all-absorbing need at that time, and blessed be the Lord Almighty that hears and answers prayer, rain came in great abundance. Every answer to prayer, whether it be for soul or body, is a special gift or blessing from our God. But in every case, there must be on our part, a special need, and faith must be normal, believing, trusting, without any reserve whatever. If you have the reserve of a big farm, or bank stock, or cash in abundance at your command, it will greatly hinder your faith! hence, those in the ministry blessed with such means, never reach such depths of richness of experience, as those that are compelled by force of circumstances to trust alone in God. Ministers that have means to fall back on if things do not move to suit them, generally in a pinch, fall back on means! God has nowhere in His Word promised to supply all we want, but all we need. If a man is not sick, he does not feel much on the subject of being healed. If he is well clothed and housed he does not feel the need of clothes and shelter. If he is well supplied with food, or can at will, put his hand on the greenbacks, he does not have a very big feeling of need.

This class of characters never become spiritually educated up to the supreme summit of implicit trust in Jehovah. In order to prove the great Fatherhood of God, there must be on our part a consecration that is not only in word but in deed, and in truth, embracing all we have, all we are, all we ever expect to be, and a divine consciousness of the complete transfer made of all to Christ, and His Spirit with our spirit bearing witness to this holy transaction; then the heart will sing:

For nearly thirty years the author of this, has been like the birds of the air, trusting entirely in the Lord, for soul and body; and often blessings have come that were needed, when it seemed as though a miracle must be wrought in order to supply the demand.

When I came into the Susquehanna Conference, there were just four circuits: Rose and Clyde, Nelson and Fenner, Binghamton and Union and New York City. It was emphatically a missionary field. I left what seemed to be a good paying business, to preach the Gospel in this new conference. Although our work was largely among the poor, yet God marvelously cared for us, in providing for our souls and bodies. Blessings came at times when greatly needed, as direct from God as the manna that fell in the wilderness to satisfy God’s ancient people.

The last year that my now sainted companion was on earth, we were far away from markets. Her desire for food was very fluctuating. Occasionally she would want some kind of food that seemed impossible to obtain; but whenever she expressed a desire for any kind of food, it came. One morning I asked her what she could eat if we had it. She replied, “I could eat a brook trout, if I had it.” My son, Lester, then about fourteen years old, was attending school in the place where we then lived. At recess he went back a little way from the school house, where was running a little brook, the outlet of springs: He saw therein a remarkably fine trout. By some means it was out of the main channel and could not make its escape. My son saw the situation, and remembering what his sick mother had said in the morning, marked the spot, and as soon as school closed he took the fish up to his mother. As soon as she saw it she recognized the hand of the Lord, and with a heart full of love and gratitude, and eyes sparkling with tears, we unitedly joined in thanking God for the supply so much needed. On another occasion during her sickness, when asked what she would like to eat if we had it, she replied: “I could eat some lamb, if I had it.” It was in the month of March, and it did not seem as though such a thing could be had short of New York City. A farmer living some three miles away, had five lambs that were born in December or January. They were very nice and highly prized by their owner. The day my companion expressed a wish for lamb, the owner was moving them from one stall in his barn to another; one accidentally broke its leg; so the farmer was compelled to kill and dress it. While at this work and feeling very bad, he said a voice, as plain as human voice, and a good deal more impressive, said: “Take part of this lamb to Sister Osborne,” which he did. Praise God!

The next circuit that we occupied was Seneca Falls, Auburn, Owasco, Niles and Canandaigua. I felt that God wanted me to live at Seneca Falls. My chairman thought that I had better settle at some other point, as the Seneca Falls pilgrims were very poor and discouraged. We went to Seneca Falls on Thursday, met the pilgrims at Sister McKee’s. I think there were less than a dozen poor, discouraged ones. They received us with not a little indifference, and were sure that a house could not be found anywhere in the place. They said that others had been there looking for houses, but could find none. However, they were going to leave it all with the Lord. In this they were like a great many that I have met with, awful willing to let the good Lord do it all. They really believe that Jesus paid it all, consequently, let Him do it all.

This did not disturb my convictions that God wanted me to live there, and that He had a house for me at that place. I prayed much that night, and as Friday morning dawned upon us I felt all through my being that in such a part of the town there was an empty house, and that I could hire it. I knew but little of the place, but after prayers I started off in the direction of the empty house, according to my conviction. I came to that part of the town indicated by my feelings. I met a lad and said to him, “Where is that house where the family moved out a few days ago?” Said he, “Right around the corner.” I moved on a few rods when I met another boy and made the same inquiry of him. He replied, “That house across there.” It was really a neat house owned by a merchant’s wife, they occupying the wing part. All the upright part, consisting of seven neat rooms, she wanted to rent until spring. Inside of ten minutes I made a bargain for the house, paid one month’s rent, and the next week we moved in and remained there for two years. We had the house for six dollars per month, when a great many others wanted it and would have paid ten or twelve dollars per month.

I want to say a little more about this affair, as it was so clear a case of the Lord’s doings; as clear as when Peter was led out of prison by the angel of God. I thought so then. I think so now, after the lapse of nearly twenty-five years, and look back to that event with the profoundest feelings of love and veneration for the special leadings of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus at that time, and all the way since. A gracious revival commenced from the very beginning of our ministry at that place. As we commenced house-keeping right away, I appointed a meeting for holiness at our house. In my notice of the meeting I excluded all that did not want something special of the Lord. The meeting was good and lasted until after ten o’clock. We had quite a struggle for a lady that came there expressly for her soul’s salvation. She finally came through with a tremendous shout, and this she continued for some time. I had a sort of feeling that these shouts greatly disturbed my landlady in the other part of the house. Immediately after breakfast the next morning she sent for me to come in, she wanted to see me. As soon as I entered she looked me square in the face and stated in very emphatic language that I must procure another house immediately. Said she, “I did not let you have my house for public meetings. I cannot and will not have such confusion in my house. It was perfectly ridiculous—such a noise—such a pow-wow—husband and I did not sleep a wink all night, you must move right out.” I looked her steadily in the face and said nothing until she had spent her force, and then made my statement. I knew my rights and purposed to stick to them. I said, “True, Mrs. Ingmire, you did not rent me your house for public meetings; it was not of that class—it was a select meeting. I stated from the pulpit that none need come except those that wanted something from the Lord. It was a meeting for holiness. You know the Methodists believe in that. (She was a Methodist.) We believe in being good—like our Master, who went about doing good to the souls and bodies of men.” I then referred to that poor widow that God converted last night; what a hard time she had, caring for five little children, working late at night and early in the morning with but little to eat and poorly clad and without the comforts of salvation. I saw that she was deeply interested in my talk, and that I had the inside track. At this point I said, “Let us pray,” at the same time dropping on my knees, I commenced praying for God to bless the work at Seneca Falls, and especially my landlady. She knelt while I prayed. The good Lord heard and answered prayer. When I came to the Amen, she responded, Amen. We arose. She said with tears rolling down her face, “God bless you, Brother Osborne, I believe the Lord sent you here; I think you will do good here; just the man needed.” I assured her that God sent me there, and that I meant to do good, and bade her good morning. No more was said about our leaving the house, but they made much effort to keep us there; and when the first year was up, they circulated a petition for our being returned the second year. We remained there two years and God gave us a continuous revival. For weeks souls were saved in every meeting at Seneca Falls, and at every point on this circuit we had a revival.

The people that we were laboring with and for, were very poor, so that we were compelled to pray the Lord’s prayer daily: and blessed be the name of the Lord, He fed and clothed us. It would be impossible to tell the many peculiar ways that God had in supplying our needs. On one occasion my entire suit of wearing apparel had become badly worn and looked decidedly seedy. My coat was so feeble that it would not hold together under the arms, though wife had darned it much, and every time that I would raise my hand, when preaching, there would be an exhibition of cotton, which somewhat annoyed me. I prayed over the matter. I believed that God would supply my need. I said, “Lord, thy servant ought to be in a presentable shape.” It did not seem to me that in a country like ours, where there was such an abundance on every side, that God wanted me to go dressed so poorly. After much care, and thought and prayer, I called at the Post Office and received two letters. I did not open them until I reached home. My first letter contained a fifty dollar post office order. It seemed as if I could not believe my own senses. Tears of gratitude so filled my eyes that I could hardly read for the time being, while the Spirit said, “This means an entire suit of clothes.” Of course this sent afresh the doxology coursing, vibrating and thoroughly permeating all of our redeemed powers. O, how precious it is to live where God feeds and clothes the body and satisfies our immortal nature with Himself. Well might the poet sing—

Every law governing this vast universe, with all its intelligencies, are under the direct control of our Heavenly Father. Nothing is lost to His sight. “If I ascend up into Heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in Hell, behold Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.”

Every effect has its own legitimate cause. It is not necessary that we should understand perfectly the law governing cause and effect in order to have implicit trust and confidence in God. Things about us may have a strange and a very forbidding appearance, yet we are to get good out of all the events of life. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” This will keep the soul cheerful and make life a pleasant pilgrimage. Having this constantly before our minds, that God directs or permits all of life’s operations; and all for His glory, and the eternal well being of His dear children. Glory to God and the Lamb forever! “Heaven and earth would sooner pass away, than one jot, or one tittle, of His law, should fail.”

We believe God; the uncreated, that was, from everlasting, to everlasting; that was, away back in the eternal solitudes of nature. With this profound mystery before us, and mysteries all along the way, we have the revealed will of God before us, which makes the way so plain, that, “The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”

How numerous the cases where God’s special providences have been made manifest in delivering, in the time of great danger; in sustaining in the time of drouth and famine; when wasted and worn by disease. Truly, our God, is a present help, in time of need.”

In the fall of 1871 we were sent by our conference, and we believe by the Lord, to Philadelphia, Pa. We had felt, through the summer preceding, that we ought to go there in the fall. We arrived at our destination, and at Bro. Overing’s about 6 o’clock P. M. As we sat down to tea, soon after our arrival, Sister Overing said to me, “Bro. Osborne, did you know that the small pox was very thick in this part of the city?” I said, “No!” I then asked, “How long has it been at work here?” She said, “About three months.” Immediately my appetite for food left me, as suddenly as the unwelcome news approached me. I arose from the table without tasting of any food—powerfully tempted. The enemy said to me, “You see now what a fool you have made of yourself. You have brought your family here to die of the small pox.” I thought for a few moments that I should sink. I found my way into the parlor and then into a bed-room. I fell on my knees and cried unto the Lord. I told the Lord that I came there in good faith, and I could not bear to have my family all destroyed by the small pox. While on my knees the Lord telephoned me in these words, “No plague shall come nigh thy dwelling.” I recognized the communication as coming from my Heavenly Father, and immediately replied in these words: “Yea, Lord, be it unto Thy servant according to Thy word.” The burden rolled off and I felt as secure all the year from that moment, as though pestilence and death were not in the city. It spread until every part of the city was scourged with small pox. Hundreds died every week with it, and thousands during the year. Wife and I visited those that were sick. Almost every day I was in a small pox procession; and all through the year I felt perfectly secure from all of its destroying power.

Thus was God’s special providence made manifest in this fearfully alarming time of pestilence and death. Some two hundred thousand left the city in fearful alarm and dismay. At another appointment where our people were very poor and very much scattered, a rich man was saved and joined the feeble band. He agreed that if conference would let me stay with the poorest part of the circuit the second year, he would support the work, if it cost a thousand dollars, and beside, he would build a church for the pilgrims. This, doubtless he would have done, had he lived. He died soon after conference, having paid but one hundred dollars, leaving us to trust alone in God for our support. The house that we occupied was sold so that we were compelled to find another. There was just one house to be rented in the place for six months, the balance of the conference year, and this was owned by a hard-fisted landlord, and he wanted his rent monthly in advance. What could I do? I had nowhere to look for help, but to God alone. I must have a house, and get out of the one I then occupied, or be turned into the street. What a dilemma! How it would look to have a Free Methodist preacher, with wife and children, as good as ever graced the earth, turned into the street, because why? I seemed to be forced to bargain for the house, and agree to pay monthly in advance. The price was eight dollars per month. These were days of sore trial and anxious care. Much time we spent on our knees with strong crying and tears before God for the salvation of souls, food and shelter. Three days before we were to make our first payment, just the amount came, and we secured the house. Money came so that we were able to pay our rent always on time, and with two exceptions, it came three days before time. This has not always been the case, when we have trusted in boards, official or otherwise. But when we have been shut up alone with God, we have fed on the good of the land—the finest of wheat, with honey out of the Rock.

A few years later on, we were shut up for trust, to a large official board. They managed the parsonage, or hired one, and were responsible for the rent, and we supposed that everything was moving along grandly—when one morning I was called out by an officer of the law, and then he read a paper stating that three months rent was due, and unless it was paid immediately, I was to be thrown into the street, kit and cargo. This hard-hearted landlord said to me when the bargain was made for the house, “the garden is good for nothing.” It was a large one, but it had not been worked in ten years; it had grown up to weeds and thistles, year after year, so I need not expect anything from that source.” I thought, how bad it would look to have the preacher’s back yard covered with weeds and thistles. I made up my mind that I would not let the weeds grow. I would have it plowed and worked—if no more. After it was plowed, I was impressed to plant it, which I did. I spent quite a little time in working my garden. The Lord wonderfully blessed it, so that it was the best in the place. I worked it with hoe and axe. This I had to do right after it had rained. I made up my mind that my field could be made fruitful if well worked, with God’s blessing. I have often heard it said that such places were so hard, that nothing could be done. They meant Spiritually. All such expressions indicate a small amount of faith. They seem to forget that “all things are possible with God,” “and to him that believeth.”

Our work has been largely of the faith mission character, and wherever the ministry and laity have gone forth in that spirit, victory has crowned their labors. Much has been said and written about India and Africa’s faith missions, but too little about home faith missions. Is faith needed in those darkened lands for the salvation of the heathen? much more is mighty faith needed for the cultured heathen of America. “O, breath of Heaven, come on us, that these dry bones may live.” I am satisfied that too many of us, have too little faith in the Almighty. We do not seem to take into our minds the fact, that, all power in Heaven, and earth belongs to Him, and He that spake world’s from nought, could, if necessary, create unnumbered worlds for the accomplishing of His designs in saving the human family.

Remember, O, remember precious soul, that with every felt need, your loving, Heavenly Father has the blessing in readiness, waiting for your contending faith to claim it!

VII.

A Peculiar People.

The elect, the Chosen of God, those who are ordained unto life eternal, are God’s peculiar people; they were in the past, they are now, and will be for all time to come. Hear the declaration of Holy Writ:

“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice, indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar people, or treasure, unto me above all people, for all the earth is mine.—Ex. 19:5. For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.—Deut. 14:2.” Then in 26th chapter and 18th verse the same thought is expressed: “And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be His peculiar people, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldst keep all His commandments.” The Psalmist caught the inspiration and gave thought and expression in like manner: “For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar people.”

Under the blazing light of the new dispensation, with a heart and tongue all on fire with love divine, and vision turned upon the redeemed of God, he declares what God would have us understand more perfectly that, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

The condition rendering God’s people peculiar is of a twofold character—internal and external, and both internal and external are likewise of a twofold character, the positive and negative.

A person may be very peculiar, and yet be far away from God. There is much that is odd, very odd, yea, very peculiar, connected with some very good people which is no part of Christianity. A few years ago I had the pleasure of attending a Sabbath School Convention of the M. E. Church at Black River, N. Y. A part of the program was a discussion of this proposition:

“Shall we teach the peculiarities of Methodism in our Sabbath Schools?”

There was much said, but nothing that had any special bearing on the subject. Rev. Mr. D—— said that he had a right to speak on the subject, as he was a Methodist, of Methodists parents; two of his sisters married Methodist preachers; and beside he had two brothers that were Methodist preachers, and his father’s house was a home for Methodist preachers. He related many pleasant things that occurred among the preachers, and many peculiar things. He said there was one Bro. Lovice that was often at his home, a holy man. He really enjoyed holiness. At the table one day, mother, at the close of the meal, took the platter containing a custard pie, passed around the table and gave to each a piece. When she came to Brother Lovice, she said, “My dear brother, will you have a piece of pie?” He replied, “Yes, ma’am,” holding out both hands, and received his pie in that peculiar way. This he related, and then said, “I believe in the peculiarities of Methodism.” There are too many, I fear, who entertain similar views of the qualities that go to make up what constitute a peculiar people.

It is not eccentricity—though people lay much stress on that. It is not in being careless or indifferent, to any of the claims that God, or our neighbor has upon us; nor indifference in regard to our personal appearance. The dress question is one of great importance. God requires us to adorn our bodies in modest apparel. Now, to meet the conditions, some things are necessary: First—The color and quality of goods purchased. Secondly—The style or manner in which they are made. It is not for the glory of God to have your clothes cut and made so that all who see you would never mistrust your clothes were made for you, but for some person of a much larger make-up. There are some people who are real saints, but in their manner of dress, they have no respect for the “terms” modest or adorn. I maintain that the saints are the best-looking people the world has got, and they ought to dress the best. Thank God, some do! The material should be becoming, age, and condition in life, embraced in a thus saith the Lord. In the next place, garments should be made to fit. We should dress ourselves with care and neatness—not slovenly, or in a careless and untidy manner. Many seem to have no respect for the fitness of things, especially for how their clothes fit. We should be in a presentable condition: “adorned in modest apparel.” Many have lost measurably their influence for good by their untidy, and utter disrespect of God’s requirements in the matter of adornments.

A real saint, has the outside, and the inside of real salvation, which renders them God’s peculiar people; inside, and outside, righteousness. It consists first, in having our sins taken from us—removed as far as the east is from the west, so that it has no more dominion over us, having our inner being washed and set free from all the remains of the carnal mind. This is preceded by a real death to carnality—a death which too few experience, but necessary in order to prove the heights and depths of love divine.

It is to be so dead to sin and self, that we shall be just like clay in the hands of the potter, fashioned by Him as he wills and we lovingly submit and say, “Thy will be done, O, Lord! my God, and my Redeemer.”

To be a peculiar people, means death to the tricks and wiles of the devil—so that in presenting his claims with all his Satanic art, there is no response within, but a repelling power springs up immediately. He will tempt you to disbelieve in Jesus Christ, that is, don’t expect Him to save you so thoroughly as some claim. He will persuade you if possible to tone down a little; but with this death, and this resurrection power, you are more than a match for him.

He will follow you all the way down to death. Everywhere he will present his claims, and with the least possible chance, he will overcome you.

We are not above our Master. The world, with all its grandeur, will make its demands. As Christ was tempted to bow the knee, so will it be with us. The flesh will clamor for indulgencies, but the child of God that is dead indeed to sin and alive to Him, will overcome by the word of their testimony and the blood of the Lamb. The internal evidence that you are one of that family, a peculiar people, is grandly pronounced in the following manner:

The first noticeable manifestation after you have made clean your escape from the land of bondage and destruction, will be a state of peace that will thrill your entire being. This will appear strange, after the awful conflict that you so recently passed through. Coming into a state of reconciliation—everything about you will seem to be in a lovely mood. As you move on in the divine life, this state of joy and gladness will increase, so that your peace will flow as a river; and as you continue faithful in the grace already given, you will soon have what the Psalmist called “Great peace.” “Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.” That is, if you are sanctified wholly, made perfect in love, you have a peace that will not stumble over anything that may occur; the ungodly things that are on all sides will not turn you out of the direct way to Heaven. Everlasting joy belongs to this people; it comes natural to them, as rays of light from the sun, or as rain from the clouds. The command is, “Rejoice evermore.” This would be impossible without a pure heart and a holy life. “The redeemed come to Zion, with songs and with everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

While the saints all have joy, they do not all have the same degree of joy; neither will they in the world to come. St. Paul says that “one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection.” Holy joy is like a musical scale, with its added lines. Every note of praise has its positive, comparative and superlative development. The first note of holy joy that will be discovered in us will be in singing the songs of Zion. The redeemed come with songs; and yet there may be the joy, not only of the justified believer, but of the wholly sanctified. Glory to God. While this may be true, not all that sing the songs of Zion are blessed with this holy, triumphant joy. Only the redeemed have it.

The second degree of joy, in the natural scale, will be found in the hearty amen; especially if it be born of the Spirit. A great many amens were never born of the Spirit; they are counterfeits. How blessed are the sanctified amens. How rich the service that is well interspersed with them. The amen corners in our churches are of inestimable value; as much so as the Urim and Thummim in the Mosaic dispensation. It clearly revealed the presence of the Most High; so do the spirit-inspired amens. How encouraging the unctious amens to the saints. How it lifts the preacher while proclaiming the everlasting gospel. Oh, that God would baptize the church with more sanctified, Holy Ghost amens.

The note of praise running still higher in the scale of holy joy will be, “Praise the Lord.” How little we hear of this, to what we ought to hear. But as we advance in the divine life, the praises of God will increase in our hearts, and upon our lips, and we shall feel like saying: “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.”

The next higher note of joy will be “Glory.” This will spring up so natural if you occupy just the right spot on the scale of experience. You cannot pump it up, if the well is dry. There must be living water in the well. Jesus said, “The water that I give you shall be in you a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.”

As you ascend the mount of holiness, the next higher note struck will be “Hallelujah!” This note is sweeter than honey and the honey comb. In order to understand music on this key, you must live in the promised land. Thus far in the scale of everlasting joy we have language to express in a very faint degree the heaven that reigns within. But there comes a condition in our onward flight when all the language employed by mortal beings fail to express the joy that floods the soul. St. Paul, master of the Greek language, which is said to be very expressive, could not give it in that, so, doubtless, he gave it in the language employed by angels. “For,” says the Apostle, “Believing, ye rejoice with joy which is unspeakable and full of glory.” That must be a little of the bliss that we shall know when we surround the throne; bliss without alloy; joy unspeakable and full of glory. “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” God grant that the reader and the writer may have a great deal of this joy, regardless of the outer manifestation.

But in this condition of salvation, there will be outer manifestations; outer developments. Life is not an even spun thread. Rivers are not all the way through, the same, width and depth. The earth is not a dead level—a vast prairie—not all hill—not all valley, but a variety. The beauty of creation, is this endless variety. Who could bear to gaze forever on a vast plain, or mountain scenery? I believe that Heaven will be made up of change. It will take all of eternity to develop God’s creative power. It is true, there will be some general features that will abide; it is so with Christian life; but outwardly there will be new developments, new manifestations.

“Good works,” will be the most marked, demonstration. This people are “zealous of good works.” The work of beneficence occupies a large place with all that truly belong to Jesus. In this they will be like Him, who went about doing good to the souls and bodies of men; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, and so far as we have the power, helping in every legitimate way:

Christian men and women are stewards for God. Their income, after economically providing for their own needs, goes for God’s cause. How this cause would move, if all that profess to be disciples of Christ, were thus actuated. The secret of living where the great Shechinah will shine full-orbed upon your soul; where, not a cloud will arise to intervene for a moment, to darken the soul’s vision, comes when you are under, and daily bearing the cross. What blessed opportunities are presented daily, for denying self, and making glad hearts which have long been in the deepest sorrow, and affliction. How we may cheer the broken-hearted, if we will, and help the pilgrim on his way.

The very best investments come on this line. But woe to him that is greedy of gain, that is constantly seeking to lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that, shall he also reap,” is the fiat of fate; the unchangeable law of Him that made and controls all things on earth, and in Heaven.

This people will have another class of manifestations, peculiar and marvelous. When the Holy Ghost comes on an individual, as it will, when a complete surrender has been made, there will be at times, visible evidences of that fact. This manifestation will not be the same with every individual, neither will it be always the same with the same person. The Spirit’s operations are differently presented; some will fall—others will laugh—some will cry—run—jump—shake as with the ague—shout—praise God—sing—and in various peculiar ways, God the Holy Ghost will manifest Himself. This has been the condition of things in the church of God from the beginning down to the present time when the church has been alive in Him, earnestly seeking to do His will. But when a church is dead—plucked up by the root—cold, frozen, stiff, formal, backslidden, why, then they have things “decently, and in order.” There are lots of churches in these days that, a legally constituted amen, would give them all a severe run of fever!

I suppose that if David, the King of Israel, should come to worship with you as he worshiped before the ark, dancing with all his might, you would have him stop, or put him out. I have no doubt but that you would set as umpire and cry out fanaticism, wild-fire.

Jesus, on his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, was followed by the crowd; the children that were there worshiped Him, crying out Hosannah to Jesus, the King of Israel! The old Pharisees then acted just as they have ever since when God blesses His children, requesting them to stop their noise. Jesus gently reproved them in the statement made. Said He: “If these should hold their peace, the stones would cry out.” How this truth has been verified again and again. When one people stop praising God in the way the Spirit directs and operates, then another is raised up to take their place, thus it has ever been. The Free Methodist church was raised up to take the place made vacant by others, to offer the tribute of praise in its various moods and tenses to the Lord Almighty. Beware how you put your hands on the Ark! Death comes on that line. “Quench not the Spirit.” Alas! the fumes of the dead killed in that way cover the land like a malaria, and the odor in many of our churches is stifling. O, for a breeze of salvation’s life and power on all the churches.

But to return. The man healed at the beautiful gate by Jesus Christ through Peter, went off leaping, and walking, and praising God. It must have looked very strange to those who saw it. A man, lame from his birth, performing in such a peculiar manner. Why did he not after the healing power came on him, walk off quietly? Why excite curiosity? Doubtless it was for God’s glory. If he had gone to his home in a quiet manner, but few would have taken notice of the circumstance; whereas leaping, and walking, and praising God, drew the attention of the people and of those who never had known him, to the marvelous fact, that a miracle had taken place on this man, and while their curiosity was in lively exercise, Jesus Christ was preached unto them as the Physician for soul and body. He wants the glory for what He does for our souls and bodies.

The day of Pentecost was a sample day of what we might have every day, during this dispensation, if the church wanted it and would put herself in the same condition to receive it, and doubtless with as peculiar, and marked demonstrations. On that occasion, it sat upon each like a tongue of fire, and they all began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. It has been said that some seventeen different languages were spoken on that occasion. What other outer demonstrations there were on that occasion we are not informed; but it is quite evident from what followed, there were some, for Peter’s denial of the charge of drunkenness would indicate the fact that they did take place. “These are not drunken as ye supposed.”

In every genuine revival the church has had from the very beginning up to the present time, powerful manifestations of God’s presence in a way calculated to arouse the most hardened and wretched sinner to a realization of their awful danger while in their sins, causing them to cry out from the very depths of despair, God be merciful to me a sinner. We often hear persons pray for the influences of the Spirit. Under certain conditions that would be right, but what we always need, is the mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, just as it came on the sample day, and if I read the scriptures aright, the promise is that God will pour out of His Spirit in this dispensation, upon all flesh, not sprinkle us with an influence but saturate and fill us. For He says, “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Methodism, in the days of Wesley, Whitfield, Asbury and Peter Cartwright, was marked by very peculiar outer demonstrations. Falling, like the dead slain in battle, was a very common feature. At a camp-meeting held in about the year 1803 in Kentucky, five hundred at one time fell under the power of the Holy Ghost. “Somewhere between 1800 and 1801, in the upper part of Kentucky, at a memorable place called Cane Ridge, there was appointed a sacramental meeting by some of the Presbyterian ministers, at which meeting seemingly unexpected by ministers or people, the mighty power of God was displayed in a very extraordinary manner, many were moved to tears, and bitter and loud crying for mercy. The meeting was protracted for weeks. Ministers of almost all denominations flocked in from far and near. The meeting was kept up both night and day. Thousands heard of the mighty work, and came on foot, on horseback, in carriages and wagons. It was supposed that there were in attendance at times during the meeting from twelve to twenty-five thousand people. Hundreds fell prostrate under the mighty power of God, as men slain in battle. Stands were erected in the woods from which preachers of different churches proclaimed repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and it was supposed by eye and ear witnesses, that between one and two thousand souls were happily and powerfully converted to God during the meeting. It was not unusual for one, two, three, and four to seven preachers to be addressing the listening thousands at the same time from the different stands erected for that purpose. The Heavenly fire spread in almost every direction. It was said, by truthful witnesses, that at times more than one thousand persons broke out into loud shouting all at once, and the shouts could be heard for miles around.” The Methodist preachers that were at this meeting possessed some of the John Wesley ability to utilize whatever might aid in advancing the Redeemer’s Kingdom, saw in the meeting just described a glorious opportunity, which they immediately embraced, and out of which evolved the notorious camp-meeting referred to in another place as a child of Methodism. Bishop Simpson said in a sermon that he preached to a large congregation of class-leaders at Philadelphia, Pa., from these words, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire,” “that the Methodists owed their success to this baptism; and what made them peculiar was the fire.” This was a double blessing, producing intensity of life and action, with visible manifestations of God’s presence and power often manifested in peculiar ways. I remember well for more than fifty years, how the Lord graciously poured out His Spirit on our beloved Zion. The times of refreshing, cries for mercy, the songs of praise, the amens and the glorious Hallelujahs that I heard half a century ago, come welling up in my soul as though it were yesterday. I attended a quarterly meeting at Albion, N. Y., in the old brick M. E. Church, L. Stiles pastor, in 1857. This was one of the original meetings gotten up by Rev. B. T. Roberts, and Rev. L. Stiles. It was a four day meeting. I had never been away from home before to attend a meeting of this character. I had a good deal of anxiety to know what kind of people I should see at that meeting. An old class-leader that lived near me was on his way to that meeting with me. Said I, ‘Brother, what kind of folks will attend the quarterly meeting?’ Said he, ‘The very cream of the church.’ As we came near the church we could hear the saints as they met each other coming in from the regions round about, greeting one another with ‘Praise the Lord, I am so glad to see you, how does your soul prosper, well? glory to God.’ Then would ring out Spirit-born amens. This was before the meeting had commenced. I was captured by these greetings. This meeting commenced at 9 o’clock A. M., with a prayer meeting, first was five minutes of secret prayer. In about two minutes an old gray-haired pilgrim got blessed, sprang up and commenced shouting glory, Hallelujah, with what I thought, unearthly power. He jumped to his feet and I to mine. He continued to shout, and I gazed with wonder, and shook from head to foot as though everything around me was moving heavenward. Very soon I got on my knees again and asked the Lord to steady my nerves, for I felt that I must have something, for the element around me was perfectly awful and solemn. I had been on my knees but a short time before a Bro. in the back part of the church sprang to his feet and with such lung power as it seemed to me at that time I had never heard before shouted with all his might—‘Hallelujah’—and this he repeated until the house was full of glory, and of God. This was a Pentecostal meeting. Here the saints received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, fitting them up for the awful ordeal of expulsion from their own home, consecrated by the dearest ties of nature and grace; made dear by every recollection of bygone days. Here in the beginning of our Christian life, were Spiritual fathers and mothers, who cared for us with great tenderness and solicitude. Now, to be thrust out from our dear old home, simply because we loved her and were trying to maintain her rights, was cruel indeed. But God had a purpose in this, as much as He had in the selling of Joseph into Egypt. Benjamin must be cast out to man the LIFE-BOAT, to rescue the perishing. Nearly thirty years has come and gone with trials, conflicts, persecutions, broadside after broadside from the old craft, and other crafts, yet, the Captain has maintained his place at the mast-head, holding high the insignia that brought us to the front, ‘HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.’” May his life and health be preserved for years to come to maintain the same work that he has so tenaciously held to in the past, amen. While others have been raised up to help in bearing aloft the banner of heart purity, noble men and women, our brother has not become puffed up by great prosperity, but maintains the simplicity of the gospel as in other days.

Rev. Amos Hard lived in the town of Murry, N. Y., five miles from Albion and four from Holly, I lived neighbour to him. Perhaps there was not another man in Genesee Conference that did so much to stir up war as Bro. Hard. As a Sister remarked on the old Bergen camp ground, “Bro. Hard is all heads and points.” His relation to his church was supernumerary. This relation he occupied for twenty-five years, so that he was at liberty to go and come when he pleased. It was expected that when the Free church was organized, he would come right in, but he did not. If he had been expelled, as others were for doing some of the same work that he did, doubtless, he would have come in. There was just one thing that prevented his expulsion, and that was, his two sons that were in Genesee College. His character was arrested several times, and the only thing that saved his head from the axe, was his superior sons. It was argued like this, “You expel Brother Hard, and we lose two of the smartest students we have in the college,” and the last time that our Brother was put through the crucible, it was added, “and the Free Methodists will get them.” This statement I had from Sister Hard. His home was a rendezvous for those engaged in making war on church idols.

Much harm has been done to the cause of Christ by not properly estimating religious demonstrations. Some have laid too much stress upon them. While blessed in the past, they had peculiar manifestations, and then come to this conclusion, that, when blessed of God, they would always have the same outer demonstrations; and if they did not have the same, readily concluded that they were not right with God, when at the same time they had not knowingly grieved the Spirit in any way. The next step with them has been to cast away their confidence in Christ, quit doing duty and of course, they were soon far away from the Lord. We should always hold fast the profession of our faith, if we have not committed sin, regardless of everything else. If we have done wrong, hasten to make it right. The cause of Christ has suffered great damage and in many places it has been completely smothered by those that sit in judgment and condemn every phase of experience that does not meet their preconceived notions of just how a person should act when blessed of God; condemning what may seem peculiar and strange because they do not understand it, is not wise. The Holy Spirit has been grieved, yea, blasphemed in too many cases in that way. Charges and conferences have been greatly checked, and in some cases dried up by the root, by harshly condemning the Spirit’s operations. I have no doubt but that they honestly sought to remedy what they supposed was a serious difficulty—greatly hindering the work of the Lord. Their efforts were not blessed of God, and worked ruin, because they resorted to wrong measures. I believe that the devil has power to imitate the Spirit, especially in demonstrations. But suppose that he has? We need be a little cautious how we give him credit. John Wesley and others at Fetterlane fell into the same difficulty which grieved the Spirit and brought deadness to the work at that place, and leanness into their souls. They sought unto the Lord to know the difficulty and God let light upon them, just as He would do by you if you are guilty of a like offense.

Wesley and others made the following confession: “We acknowledged our having grieved Him by our divisions; one saying, I am of Paul, another, I am of Apollos; by our leaning again to our own works and trusting in them, instead of Christ, by our resting in those little beginnings of sanctification, which it had pleased Him to work in our souls, and, above all, by blaspheming His work among us, imputing it to nature, to the force of imagination and animal spirits, or even to the delusion of the devil. In that hour, we found God with us as at the first. Some fell prostrate upon the ground. Others burst out, as with one consent, into loud praise and thanksgiving. And many openly testified there had been no such day as this since January the first preceding.” (Wesley Journal, Volume 3, page 140.)

After confessing their faults, one to another, the blessing of the Lord came as on former occasions. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, is not the above remedy what we need among us, as a people? especially in some places. Wherever it has been tried, it proved gloriously successful. In fact, it is the only remedy for the like difficulties. A good square confession is always health to the soul, it works like a charm. If you have grieved the Holy Spirit, try it.

During more than fifty years I have witnessed a great many powerful revivals, and from what I have seen I come to this conclusion, that it is impossible to have a revival of God’s salvation where the real burden of the Lord will rest on Zion, so she will feel a little as Christ felt when in the Garden, when such conviction will come on sinners that they will see themselves and their real danger, leading them to cry for life, without manifesting much that will be decidedly peculiar. But to stop and spend, or waste time in trying to regulate the Holy Ghost, is exceedingly foolish. You might as well try to regulate chain-lightning as it came from the clouds. When there is much fire in the furnace clinkers are formed, but you don’t spend your time working at clinkers, it’s the fire you want. A great many have tried to manage the train to suit their views of things, but the result has been in too many cases, a fearful smashup. Others through their blinded zeal have got on the train just in time to be side-tracked or ushered suddenly into eternity. How many have come into the Free Methodist church apparently with a desire to run this train according to their schedule time, but were soon side-tracked, or ceased to be.

God Almighty’s train must be managed according to the old time-table. Jobbers—compromisers—and all that love and make a lie, off from the track at once. But few brakemen are needed on this train, but a premium is offered for first-class firemen. Beloveds, up with the brakes, and let the train move on, and don’t become alarmed if she gets under big headway.

In 1863 Brother and Sister Cooley and the writer held a camp-meeting at Blood’s Corners, N. Y. After the Sabbath we were helped by Brother and Sister Roberts. Brother James Matthews and others came in from a meeting that had just closed at Akron. It was a very hard place to run a meeting from the fact that in that section of country nearly all professed to be Christians, when it was plain to be seen that in most cases they were in a backslidden state if they had ever been converted, which was doubted. Crowds came on the ground and openly and in other ways opposed the work that we were called to do, that was to spread “scriptural holiness.” On one occasion when Brother Cooley was exhorting a large crowd on this subject, a local preacher belonging to some church, jumped up and commanded Brother Cooley to stop at once, “they did not want to hear such stuff.” Brother Cooley paid no attention to this but continued to exhort. Then the fellow turned on Brother C., and cried out with all his might for the Holy Ghost to knock our brother down. This he repeated, declaring they would not hear such talk. This was a hard fought battle field but victory came on this wise. On Tuesday night about twelve o’clock it was thought by a number of real saints that came on the ground from New York City, and from Illinois, and by those that had been there from the beginning that God could and would give the victory if we should make a more thorough effort. Accordingly twenty or more (and they were members of eight denominations) went into Brother Roberts’ tent and engaged in earnest prayer to this end.

Our praying was characterized by intense earnestness, all that were in that meeting felt that way. Some took a very humble position, especially Brother Belden of N. Y. He was a Presbyterian minister. He confessed he had compromised, but would do so no more. He would preach a whole gospel the remainder of his life, if compelled by so doing to beg from door to door. It seemed to take us until four o’clock in the morning to reach the spot where faith sprang up claiming the Holy Ghost and the fire. At this point it came on all in that tent. It made no difference because we belonged to different organizations, all fell as slain in battle, except one. At this meeting our dear Brother Roberts fell under the power of God several times. He approached the person that did not fall to lay his hands on their head, but when his hands came within one foot of them he fell the quickest of any person that I ever saw fall. This was one of the most glorious meetings that I ever knew anything about. After this salvation flowed in upon us like a mighty river, souls were saved, believers were sanctified wholly, and the Free Methodists struck an abiding place at that time, and from this point it has gone out to bless others in regions beyond. In those days we made it a point to have the victory on all occasions. If at first we did not succeed we would try again, let the drill go down until we struck the living stream. There is no such thing as failure with those whose faith and trust is in God. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Free Methodism is a child of Providence, born in due time. She is a spontaneous production of the Holy Ghost, and all legitimate children are made so by the same power. It cannot be learned from any other source. A great many come in with us from other churches, but when our machinery gets under full headway, they become alarmed at what they see and hear and then try to adjust things to their primary knowledge of the science. In trying to do this as preachers, they have gotten themselves and the societies over which they were placed into serious difficulty. Not having a natural induction into the science of Free Methodism, they did the best they knew, but when they should have raised the valve and let on more steam, down went the brakes, and when faith should have been encouraged, personal grievances were introduced. Now to illustrate—You may have carried a watch for many years and know much about the object of a watch, but if you were to go into a watch maker’s establishment to make watches, you would have to commence at the very foundation in order to know how to make a watch. It is precisely so in this science. To work understandingly and in harmony with it, one must be born into it, BORN OF THE SPIRIT. Our machinery is the very best ever devised, providing that it is well worked. It must be worked in order that its beauty and symmetry may be seen and appreciated. But if it is allowed to go on the dry dock, it presents a forlorn appearance. It is only when under sail with a stiff breeze, that her grand proportions are visible.

VIII.

The Free Methodist Church a Necessity.

Completeness in all the works of God are everywhere manifest. Harmony prevails in the vast system of worlds above, and all around us. By the aid of the telescope, we view with delight the increasing magnitude of those heavenly bodies, from the asteroid, up to that mysterious orb that gives life and light to the vegetable and animal kingdoms, and the worlds that move in space. The chain is complete. Every link is in its proper place. This is correct in both kingdoms. You may trace with profound interest the smallest insect that crawls upon the leaf to the giant mastodon that roams the forest. This law prevails likewise in the kingdom of grace. As one star differeth from another star in glory, so also is the resurrection. And when we stand upon the sea of glass mingled with fire, and gaze upon that innumerable company that have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, the law of necessity, and development will be manifest. Heaven would be very incomplete if this were not true. If there were none but arch-angels and matured saints; if the children of all grades, those just blooming into life were not there; if men and women with the feeblest intellect redeemed to God by the blood of the Lamb were not there, then indeed, the chain would be broken, and Heaven would be incomplete. What joy comes to the Christian parents, when compelled to lay their dear child, that had already given them so much real pleasure, away in the cold silent grave, to feel that we shall meet again, and be forever with the Lord.

We now come to a different consideration, that is, the Christian church or churches. This is of a twofold character, internal and external. It may have an existence where it does not appear externally; and what often has an external appearance as the church of Christ, may have no relation to Him. Nevertheless, it does possess the invisible and the visible organization. The invisible or spiritual church of Christ, is one, in Heaven, and on earth. The visible organization is manifold. She might well be compared to a family with many members, all striving to do the will of the parent. All have not the same office. Every branch of the Christian church have their mission, and will be required to do just what they are fitted for by nature, culture, and by grace. Where much has been given, much will be required. Responsibility measures up to the above rule.

The whole family of churches evolved one after another from the old Catholic church: and all, seem to have a mission in the world’s drama. Just what that mission is, I am not able to define. Perhaps some are to operate as parasites on others. The mission of the church of Christ was to seek and save the lost and perishing. The Wesleyan Methodist church declares in her book of discipline that they were raised up to spread scriptural holiness over these lands; and while she was true to her mission, nothing could stand before her. Where ever she unfurled the banner of the cross, rebellion ceased, and Jesus Christ was crowned Lord of all. At least multitudes were saved to God and joined the ranks of the redeemed.

The doctrines of the M. E. Church were ordained in heaven, honored of God, and blessed to the salvation of millions. Her general rules were a strong tower; mighty bulwarks, rendering her when within that fortification impregnable. For nearly a century she stood the assault and rage of earth and hell without flinching, and the glory cloud did rest upon her. But the time came when she fell; not by the mighty invading forces without altogether, but by internal foes that she had taken to her loving embrace. Her manner of life is entirely changed, or nearly so. Humility has given way to pride and ostentation. The doctrines that she once placed such stress upon, the witness of the spirit, entire holiness, a confession of sin, restitution, plainness of dress, she now largely ignores. Those internal foes that she cares for so tenderly have robbed her of her Spiritual life and power. The glory manifested during the service of preaching, prayer or class-meeting, has in many places entirely disappeared. Beside the enemies already mentioned, she had taken within her pale, members that belong to speculative Free Masonry, who are opposed to Jesus Christ and his gospel; hence, war was waged within the church by this army of Satan, against Christ and His army, the saints. This division of purpose by the two armies within the church was everywhere manifest: each party, seeking for the supremacy. While the saints held tenaciously to the ancient land-marks which our fathers set, Satan’s wing labored to introduce the new order of things.

One of the great mistakes made by this church is in receiving members that were never converted, but simply had a lukewarm desire to go to heaven when they had exhausted every round of earthly pleasure. Bishop Peck made this statement in a sermon that he preached a short time before his death, “I am persuaded that more than three-fourths of all the members in my beloved church, were never converted.” A sad confession indeed; but observation proves his statement correct. No wonder, with these elements within, our mother sought to array herself in gorgeous apparel. What a contrast between these days of pomp, and vanity, and worldly mindedness, and the days of blessed memory, when arrayed in Christ’s righteousness. No wonder that there was war in the church, when Susie and John came home from boarding school, backslidden completely from good desires, with the new order of things fresh in their minds, were ashamed of mother’s old fashioned style, determined that there should be a change in the programme. So they commenced by banging mother’s hair and putting rings in her ears and on her fingers. The bustle, put in its horrid appearance with extra yards of cloth, buttons, ribbons, all of which gave our dear old mother the appearance of a stranger. Of course, she was urged to comb her hair back as in the days of her simplicity, and decorate herself in modest apparel, without gold, or pearls, or costly array; but she was obstinate, and has been ever since.

The time was when the Methodists were a plain, clean, Godly class of people. Their churches were built plain with free seats, good enough for the rich, and none too good for the poor; and all were welcome, rich and poor. The principle that actuated them in bygone days was, the house of God should be as free as the gospel we preach, and both as free as the air we breathe; and on this line the glory of the Lord was manifest in the salvation of souls, and in the sanctification of believers.

The new order of things brought with it a new order of church edifices; seemingly just to accommodate the rich to the great neglect of the poor! Of course, in all churches where the seats are sold, a few are reserved for the poor, and for colored people. After a poor man or woman have accepted the paupers’ seat for a Sabbath or two, they get tempted over it, and stay away from church altogether; when if the seats had been free, they would have continued their attendance upon divine service, and likely been converted to God, and made a great blessing to the church, and to the world.

It is a tremendous mistake, the practice of dedicating a church to God, and then selling it out to whom? why, anybody that have a mind to buy it; and in a multitude of cases, wicked, ungodly wretches have bought the best seats in the house, giving them power over that society, so that in ninety-nine cases out of every hundred, the preacher in the pulpit of such churches, is gagged; some subjects he dare not touch, because forsooth, his bread and his butter is at stake; that because of this system, millions have been kept away from the house of God and have perished.

One of the most embarrassing things the learned clergy of to-day have to meet constantly is, what shall we do with this great estrangement of the poor from the house of God?

My answer to the above proposition is, free churches throughout the land, baptized with the Holy Ghost, and with fire, will solve this mighty problem. This is the only solution.

Instrumental music is another innovation. The music that pleases God, is that which comes from a heart, consecrated to Him, inspired by love divine, springing up like a fountain of life; the spontaneous outgoings of the spirit. We must sing in the spirit, and with the understanding also.

This part of divine service should be free to all present, not marred by the instrument, neither by the select few. In this, we should study to show ourselves approved unto God. I cannot believe that He loves ignorance in the service of song, any more than in preaching His gospel. We should aim at the greatest efficiency in all the service rendered. This was the original plan as it came to our fathers. But with the new order of things came the organ, and the distressing few, to do the most precious part of divine worship.

Preaching the gospel was the means ordained of God for the salvation of the lost, and where this is done with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven, the work is accomplished. God never ordained the reading of essays as a means to bring sinners to Christ. His prophets anciently spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and success crowned their efforts.

Carnal Amusements are a great hindrance in carrying forward the work of the Lord in any church. They grieve the Spirit and cause those that indulge in them to backslide and become worthless as laborers in the cause of Christ.

The Sabbath School should be the nursery of the church; and is, when the salvation of the school is the primary object. When time, talents and means are employed to that end, but if carnal amusements are held up as the object for which they aspire, then indeed, much of our labor will be in vain.

Camp-meetings are an American institution and a child of Methodism. Eternity alone can tell the good accomplished by these means of grace. Thousands have been attracted to God’s leafy temple where the greatest amount of Spiritual freedom generally prevails, especially when ancient simplicity and earnestness prevails, because there is always something inviting, something grand and glorious about these God ordained gatherings. Can you imagine a place more lovely to behold, and to enjoy, than a beautiful forest dotted with Israel’s tents, and a company of those that are in earnest to get to Heaven? the songs of praise, the shouts of new-born souls, and on every side to feel that God and angels are there. Truly, such a place has a charm for all that love the good and the beautiful. But when the camp-meeting becomes a place for trade and speculation, a place for visiting, for idleness and feasting, for airing one’s opinions, for anything and everything but self-denial and earnestly seeking the baptism of the Holy Ghost on their own souls and on the souls of the unsaved, then the ancient glory departs, and as a substitute culture in style, from the tent, to the magnificent cottage, the exclamations of holy joy in the electric amen—praise the Lord—glory to God—Hallelujah—give way to jesting, to light and trifling conversation, and to engaging in those things that produce the most fun. Then, indeed, it becomes necessary that another people should be raised up to do camp-meeting work as in former days, when the glory of the Lord rested upon this branch of Zion.

In too many cases the camp-meeting of to-day is simply a huge Pic-Nic! I believe the real difficulty has been, and is, in failing to preach, experience to live, and enforce sanctification, or perfect love. This was the central thought with this church, and should be with every Christian denomination. It should tower above every other consideration. It is true that the doctrine of holiness has become quite popular in some directions, but that kind that contains the cross that kills, and produces resurrection life and makes a complete separation from all carnality, is no more popular to-day, than it was in the beginning. This was the issue in the M. E. Church more than thirty years ago resulting in the foundation of the Free Methodist church. Other things came in which greatly enlarged Satan’s army, so that on almost every occasion there was war. This continued with increasing force until the powers of darkness were in the ascendancy, resulting in the expulsion of some of the best the old Genesee Conference had. This occurred in 1858. In one of Dickens’ works, I think it is, this statement is made: “The first settlers of England were what are now, the Welsh that occupy Wales. They were at war with the Scots and Picts. Before this they had been harassed for a long time by the Romans. Now the Saxon comes in and makes war upon them, and then takes possession of the country, forcing the Britons back to the mountains of Wales; so, ever since the Saxon have been masters of Great Britain, Scotland and Ireland.”

This bit of history clearly illustrates the condition of our mother church. As the Britons were driven to Wales, so Christ and His followers have been driven out by the new order of things. Perhaps a streak of salvation might be sandwiched in, in some country church; or in a classroom far away from public gaze, where if the ancient power and glory should come in, no one would be hurt. But this order of things that the ancient power and glory should have no more place in this church, was decreed by many in authority nearly thirty years since, which my ears heard, and my eyes have seen performed in the expulsion of the good and the true from that body. During this war I became acquainted and was for a time quite intimate with Rev. John Robie, then Editor of the Buffalo Advocate, the organ of what was then known as “The Regency Party.” On one occasion visiting this Brother quite a number of ministers from this conference met in his office to do what they considered very important business, and that was to strengthen each other’s hands in the horrid work already begun, in expelling every one in that conference that endorsed B. T. Roberts, Styles, and all that class that did not stand by the new order of things. This I lived to see accomplished, to the very letter, both in the ministry and with the laity. They not only expelled, but they bought up and removed all so far as they had the ability, that believed in the life and power of salvation, or “Methodism,” as she was in the early days of her espousals to Christ, when the glory cloud was everywhere manifest. This work was not confined to the Genesee Conference, of making war on those that were true to their vows to Christ and to this branch of His church, but extended to other parts. Other Conferences are guilty of proscription, past, and present. That the forces which brought Methodism into existence, that gave to the world the grandest model ever planned for the salvation of the lost, should be forced to abandon its birthplace, is strange indeed. “Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon!”

In this expulsion the best blood of the church was forced out; and by the spiritual law of gravitation they came together and formed a conglomerate, which they named, “The Free Methodist church.” It has been called “The Free Methodist life boat.”

The organization took place in perilous times. Many societies were being engulfed by formalism, and death. This life-boat was a timely aid to rescue the perishing. Thousands will thank God to all eternity for their salvation through this instrumentality. The casual observer might have entertained grave doubts in her ability to navigate the stormy sea of life, and cope with other crafts claiming to be engaged in the life saving service, but presenting sails of a decidedly different character; but no where drawing fire from the enemy, but worldly commendation. It is true, her external appearance did not, and does not, give to those that merely gaze upon the outer appearance, much to hope for.

When the Ericsson Monitor steamed up Hampton Roads, rebels laughed and our fleet were in great alarm, expecting complete destruction by the iron-clad Merrimac. She had already destroyed several ships. Now, what the rebels called the Yankee cheese box puts in her appearance just in time to save the balance of the fleet from utter destruction. The Monitor had a power out of sight that deceived those that merely saw the outside. This is true of our beloved church. When first launched, she was called a Cheese box—a Dug-out—an old Scow—a Theatre, and many other names she received. Nevertheless, wherever this life-boat touched in former days she took passengers aboard, some from the hedges, lanes, by-ways, the poor, the lame, the halt, the blind, and many from other churches; and with former equipments, rebels are taken upon all seas for King Emanuel—even to-day.

It is an acknowledged fact, past and present, that the F. M. church has been of untold value to all other evangelical bodies, and to Christianity in particular—especially in the United States. It has caused them to consider in a new light the claims that God had upon His people, that holiness of heart and life was binding upon all. I have heard some of the most eminent for piety and usefulness in other churches say that above stated; and that they hoped the free church would continue to succeed, because of the great value she had been to them.

Her position as standard-bearer in all the moral reforms of the day, gives her a prominent position. Our schools, papers, periodicals, are all on that line. Other church papers have often used our editorials, but did not always give due credit.

We are under great obligation to the Almighty, for the schools that have been raised up to us; where the young may be educated in a pure atmosphere, and from these schools many are going out to bless the world with a richer experience; a life more completely consecrated, educated, mentally, morally, socially, and physically. In the moral and social rank, we claim the pre-eminence for our schools and for our literature. There was, and there is, and there will continue to be, a need, for a people to do just this kind of work; and while we continue humble and obedient, God will use us to this end. “But if we forsake Him, He will forsake us.” If we turn aside to other Gods, He will cast us forth as a branch that is withered, and we shall be like other nations.

One of the most wide spread evils of the day, filthy in all its make up, disgusting in the extreme to a clean, well-bred person, robbing men of their manhood, and of their mental and physical powers, is tobacco. Forty years ago it was considered ungentlemanly to smoke in the presence of ladies, but now, in almost every mode of travel, on the street, in the stores, and in nearly all public places, ladies and all are insulted by the filthy fumes of the pipe or cigar, compounded with decayed teeth, and the deadly Upas of the saloon, forming a drug that produces mental derangement, insanity, crime, pauperism, poverty and shortens the life of its victims. The use of tobacco is a bar to membership in the F. M. C. In this, she stands supremely above all other churches. She is doing a glorious work in making war on tobacco, and exposing its effects on the human system. It has been said that some of our preachers were raised up to make tobacco a specialty, as it occupied a corner in every sermon regardless of the text. Well, suppose that is true, is it not a fact that all reformers dwell on the thing that needs reforming? Perhaps this class of preachers are better acquainted with this evil in its length and breadth, and know by a blessed experience the source of deliverance from the habit, and all longing after the same. Such preaching is worth a great deal more than that from those who never knew by experience the power of the habit, and the virtue of the blood that cleanseth from all sin, and all desire for the unclean.

Fashion brings its devotees into servile compliance with its most debasing demands. Those that wear this yoke, are lost, to that which makes humanity lovely, good and beautiful. A remark so commonly made, “that you might as well be out of the world as out of fashion,” is true of this class.

In adhering to this tyrant, millions of women and men have been ruined for life. Those that have labored to live so as to equal or go beyond certain others in matters of equipage, have been compelled to abandon, in order to meet fashion’s demands, the honest mode of life, and resort to fraud and speculation to obtain what their souls lusted after.

Our jails, and portions of Canada, are largely made up of that class. The pressure brought upon men to supply the wife and daughters with fashion’s demands, have driven them to the lodge, the gambling hell, the brothel—and the worst of all—the saloon! What can be more appalling than a lady martyred to fashion? from head to foot out of shape—distorted—compressed—pulled out—cut off in trying to fit the fashion plate. Alas! Alas! We are imitative beings. In this the poor ape the rich so far as they are able. If they cannot wear the glittering gems of great value, they will decorate themselves with shoddy finery. Is it not time to call a halt to this wicked, ungodly mode of life? For any man or woman to come out from this style of things, and endorse plainness in dress, and righteousness all the way through by precept and example, requires a holy heart, filled with love divine. And this manner of life pays bountifully in this present world, and will in the world to come, even life everlasting. During the past fifty years I have noticed those that the Lord blessed the most, and were the most useful in the church and world around them, were that class that conscientiously carried out in their lives the Apostolic plan already referred to.

There is much connected with fashionable attire that is supremely wicked. First, the cost of the material; secondly, precious time spent in its making; thirdly, the wearing of such is in violation of the word of the Lord. 1 Peter 3:3, 4. The only organized opposition to this mode of life is the Free Methodist church. She has stood like a beacon light for nearly thirty years, warning men and women of their imminent danger.

Holiness unto the Lord—is the key to the arch that spans the temple of the living God. It is that which gives symmetry to life and character, a state that we enter into when the soul has been swept and garnished by the Holy Ghost and the blood of the Lamb, which greatly enlarges our views of Christ and His powers to save, that brings perpetual sunshine to the soul, that makes earth a paradise, that causes flowers to bloom in the desert, and the water of life to spring from the flinty rock, and the heart of the needy to rejoice with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. It is food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, and comfort to the weary and heavy laden. It is full of hope; big with immortality. Over this boundless plain comes the odor of Eden, fresh from the throne of God. This holiness is a state, an experience, “where only Christ is heard to speak, where Jesus reigns alone.”

It does not reflect upon the character of others in their absence. It is long suffering, it behaveth not itself unseemly, is not provoked, is not puffed up, thinketh no evil, bears the burdens and responsibilities of life meekly, rejoiceth in the truth, believeth all that God hath said. This grace never faileth, but will shine brighter, clearer to all eternity. You may have the tongues of men and angels, and lack this experience, you are nothing but a sinner in the sight of God.

A church armed with this power is more than a match for all the powers of darkness. The first church under the gospel dispensation were poor, uneducated men and women. They tarried at Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire, and with this blessing upon them the powers of darkness fled in dismay. Nothing could stand before them. It was said, “ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This was literally true. Ancient systems of idolatry which had grown gray with age, melted away like the mist at noon-day as God’s army advanced, and over every battle-field the blood-stained banner of King Emanuel was unfurled. Deserts were made to blossom as the rose, and woods, and fields, and rocks, and rills, all seemed to offer the tribute of praise and thanksgiving for the wonderful display of God’s power in the salvation of the nations round about them. This power is forever the same, and when the church meet the conditions, it comes as on the day of Pentecost, with visible manifestations of His presence and power to save, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day and forever.”

I believe that the Free Methodist church was born of the Spirit. God owns her as a legitimate child. In every place where she meets the requirements, times of refreshing, and the salvation of souls are reported. No church, in my opinion, so fully meet the conditions on which the precious promises are made. She is an important link in the family of churches. May she ever reflect a certain light, live in the experience of perfect love, be true to all the vows that she has made to God, constantly making war upon the enemies works until every rebel flag shall trail in the dust, and Jesus Christ crowned Lord of all. Amen.

IX.

Dreams and Presentiments.

“Man is fearfully, and wonderfully made,” with capabilities as boundless as eternity. This is true so far as our moral and intellectual make up is concerned. We may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, while this life shall last, and forever, in the life that is to come. Progression is the law of our being. God, who made us, has his own peculiar way of imparting knowledge to his children, or the creatures which he hath made.

In our public school system we have the primary, and the higher grades. It is so in the school of Christ; there is the primary, and the higher grades of instruction. The primary grade consists in what we learn from the schools, books, and papers. The higher grade is confined to the teaching of the Holy Ghost. Too many are satisfied with the primary grade, and treat insultingly the Holy Ghost. But where He is received with loving embrace, and allowed to have his own way, He will lead us into all truth.

Preconceived notions gathered from theological schools, very much interfere at times with our receiving and being instructed by the Holy Ghost. Science has done much to facilitate culture. News gathered from all lands, comes to us with lightning speed. The improvements of to-day annihilate time, and bridge over vast distances. In the evening we receive the doings of the morning in continents far away. But with all the improvements in science and art, it cannot compete with the Holy Ghost.

The great mistake of to-day, is substituting the arts, and sciences, and the wonderful discoveries made in Biblical literature, for the Holy Ghost and its teachings. There is nothing that can take its place. We can learn more, comprehend more, experience more about the things pertaining to our spiritual and eternal well-being in a moment of time, when under the direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost, than can be gained in all coming time from every other source.

One pentecostal flash of the Holy Ghost on a consecrated heart, and mind, brings intelligence that all the culture of the day cannot fathom, nor in any way comprehend. Some people are afraid of this power, and being led of the spirit, because individuals have been mistaken, and were under a wrong spirit when they thought that they were really under the influence of Christ. It is true, we may be moved by a wrong spirit, our intellectual machinery is very sensitive to the touch of a good, or a wrong impression.

How shall we know when an impression comes upon us, from whence it comes? There are certain rules laid down in God’s blessed book, which if we are careful to observe, we shall not go astray: “It will be a lamp to our feet, and a light unto our path.” God has not set us to navigating the broad ocean of life without chart, or compass. Thank God, we have a chart, and the Holy Ghost to make it plain; so plain, that the wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein. The impression that comes upon us, if it leads us to exalt Christ, it’s all right.

The soul’s pressure that comes on all at times, may be from either the following causes. Condemnation, conviction of sin, or an advanced state in Christian life; temptation, or a burden for souls.

1—If it be a burden of sin, the spirit will direct us to the sin for which we should repent.

2—If it be temptation of the devil—while he will accuse us of something wrong, he will be very indefinite in regard to what the thing is that we have done or have not done that was wrong. “He is the accuser of the brethren.”

3—If the pressure that comes upon us is for an advanced state in holiness, how our hearts will cry out after God, the living God! It will be thus expressed—“My heart-strings groan with deep complaint, my heart lies panting, Lord for thee; and every limb, and every joint, stretches for perfect purity.”

While the spirit of God comes upon all men, for he said, that, it should come to pass in the last days, “I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh; and one notable result would be, Dreams and Visions.” Not all dreams are chargeable to the Holy Spirit. The mind of man is supposed to be always in operation, though not under the control of our judgment, or will, when the body is asleep. God does make impressions upon our minds in our sleeping state, of things that are coming to pass, with the person thus impressed. We are sometimes conscious of the mind’s operations when in deep sleep; when the spirit of the Lord may not have anything to do with it. It would seem that God often warns poor sinners of their danger by dreams; this being the only way seemingly, when the Holy Spirit can find way to their heart; as then, they are quiet; the cares of life are for a moment hushed into silence. The great difficulty in bringing sinners to Christ, is their constant stretch after the amusements, pleasures, and the riches of the world. So God, in his infinite love and mercy, comes in this way to the sinner, to warn him of his danger, and the sleeping state being the most favorable, reveals the on-coming storm.

Folger, Secretary of State, had a short time before he died, one of those alarming dreams. Political life had worn upon him so that he thought retirement from business, and a trip to the Bermudas necessary in order to regain health and strength. The awful scene presented to him in the dream completely changed his mind so that he gave up the contemplated trip. The dream as related by his near friends is as follows: “The steamship on which the party had taken passage was sailing along serenely; the sea was as smooth as glass, and everybody was happy, when suddenly a great dark cloud was observed on the forward horizon moving rapidly toward the vessel, accompanied by an incessant and terrific rumbling. The heavy cloud soon reached the ill-fated craft, overspreading the sea with the darkness of Egypt, great sheets of lurid flame shot forth in all directions; the vessel tossed and quivered, and the sea was lashed in mountainous billows. The Secretary saw the forms of his party and the crew enveloped in fire, playing through the angry elements. Suddenly, he stood alone on the deck, with the vessel sinking beneath him into a sea of fire, and he awoke trembling like an aspen, and covered with cold beads of perspiration, to find that it was a dream.” A short time after this, he passed suddenly into eternity, and for aught we know, just as he had lived, without Christ, and hope for the life that is to come.

Job had knowledge of the revelations of dreams from God, and that they were for divine instruction. He said, “When I say, my bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint; then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrified me through visions.” Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. I suppose that the King was so given up to wine, women, and debauchery, the only time that God could make an impression upon the wicked ruler, was when deep sleep was upon him. God warned Abimelech in a dream, not to come near to Sarai, “Abraham’s wife assuring him if he did, he was a dead man.”

“Jacob dreamed, and behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and, behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it.”

This dream was given to Jacob, doubtless to point out to him the intercourse that exists between heaven and earth, and the connection of both worlds by means of angelic ministry.

This doctrine is clearly taught in the old and new testament. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” It was probably a type of Christ, in whom both worlds meet, and in whom the divine and human nature are united.

The ladder was set up on earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; for God was manifested in the flesh, and in him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Jesus Christ himself, took this view of the dream. He said to Nathaniel, “Hereafter ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

The Almighty appeared to Abraham in dreams, gave him instruction, and very encouraging promises; assuring him of boundless prosperity, to him and his seed, which should be as numerous as the sand of the sea, forever and ever, which he believed, and received the honor which comes only from God. And this honor which he received for believing what God said to him in a dream, will pass down to the latest period of time. O, what honor there is, in believing God, even life eternal.

God warned Laban the Syrian, to take heed to what he said to Abraham, either good or bad. So the Lord takes care of His own. Joseph dreamed, and he told it to his brethren, and they hated him, yet the more, and he said unto them, hear ye the dream which I have dreamed. For behold we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said unto him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us; and shalt thou indeed have dominion over us; and they hated him yet the more for his dreams and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brethren, and said, Behold I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun, and the moon, and the eleven stars, made obeisance to me—and he told it to his father, and to his brethren, and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I, and thy mother, and thy brethren, indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee, to earth? The history of Joseph is one of the most interesting contained in the oracles of God. It is replete with interesting matter, from beginning to end. I presume that Joseph knew the interpretation of his dreams when they were given. I think that with the dreams, came the interpretation also. When others dreamed, he knew what it meant.

What an impressive dream was that of Pharaoh, standing on the river’s bank and gazing intently on that beautiful stream, when lo, he sees with wonder and amazement living objects emerging therefrom. They prove to be kine, fat-fleshed, and well-favored. And as he continued to gaze and wonder, other sights did appear more wonderful than the former scenes. Other kine came up from the river very lean and ill-favored, and they devoured the fat and well-favored, and as this scene passed he awoke. God sent an angel to warn Joseph in a dream to go down to Egypt and stay there until He, the Lord, should send them word to return, until the danger of Herod had passed. Pilate’s wife warned Pilate to have nothing to do in condemning Christ, because she had suffered much in a dream because of Him this day! I suppose that the impression came upon her with such force and with such clearness that Jesus Christ, that was then before the Jewish court, was the true Messiah, the Lord of life and glory, He that came to make an atonement for the sin of the world, and this was doubtless in her wakeful moments. I suppose it is what would be called a presentiment. An intuition, a knowledge of facts that will occur, or that are now transpiring. It might be called a wakeful dream, or an inspiration. Just as the Almighty has in the past, and does now, and will to all eternity make known His will to the sons of men. And these divine impressions, whether they come in our wakeful moments, or when deep sleep is upon us, will always be in harmony with a thus saith the Lord.

Our intellectual machinery is so wonderfully made up with receptive powers so vast that God the Holy Ghost coming upon us, can, when it is for his glory, impart to us more in a moment of time, than we could receive from all other sources combined.

I remember how interested I was when passing the United States Mint to see them stamping the stars and spread eagle on the gold coin. It took a tremendous power to do it. So when the Almighty puts the stamp of divinity on us, knowledge comes with power and clearness, lasting as time. I can never forget the impression that came on me when a lad about fifteen years of age. I was distant from home about one hundred miles. Had been absent some four weeks. All were well when I left. I had a brother that I loved very much, away from home at this time, I visited him just before I left. This impression came on me as sudden as a flash of light, and with it this thought. “There is trouble at home and I must return as quick as possible.” The impression was that some of the dear ones were very sick and that my presence was greatly needed. My feelings were intense, and my mind like the needle that points always to the pole, pointed steadily toward home as the place where I should be. My employer did not want me to leave him and tried to discourage me from yielding to my feelings. I could not eat, nor sleep much. The impression that was on me was painful and for two days I suffered this intense agony before I got started for home. The only way of traveling in those days was by stage, or the two mile per hour on the Erie canal, or go on foot. I took each of these modes of conveyance, and after about thirty-six hours travel, I reached home to find a house of deep mourning. My dear brother that I loved so tenderly was dead, and the time for his funeral had just arrived. The people were there for the funeral service. They had written to me but it had not reached me. I knew nothing of my brother’s sickness and death until I was within one mile of home. From whence came this impression that there was trouble at home, and that I must hasten to their assistance? I know that some entertain peculiar notions about the relation that mind sustains to mind, and the strong sympathy that exists between such minds, and the peculiar, invisible, and undefinable way such minds have of communing with each other. Whatever there may be in the above philosophy, I know not. But the impression that came to me on the above occasion I believe was from the Lord. During my brother’s sickness he often called for me and would say, “Has not Zenas come yet?” At this time I was not a Christian, but a sinner, well rounded out. The promise made, “That in the last days God would pour out of His spirit upon all flesh” is true. I think that it came upon me at that time. Years after this occurrence, I had another experience, quite similar to the one just related. I was doing business for M. Tilden & Co., New Lebanon, N. Y. I had a wife and one child at this time, and was living in Canaan, N. Y. I had gone into the western part of the state expecting to be gone from home some six weeks. After an absence of about two weeks, an impression, or a presentiment, came on me with such force that I could not work, nor eat, nor sleep, and with this impression, came the thought that, wife, or my first born son was very sick. I had received a letter from my wife only the day before, stating that they were well and did not expect me home for at least six weeks. This impression came on me about four o’clock in the afternoon. My feelings were so intense, that I arranged my affairs, took the stage early the next morning, rode fifteen miles, and took the express train for Albany, where I remained all night, or the rest of the night, as we did not reach there until eleven o’clock. That was a night of intense anxiety, and mental suffering, for it seemed to me that my wife or child was very sick, nigh unto death. Imagine my feelings as I stepped from the cars on arriving at Canaan four corners, when one of my neighbors approached me with this question, “Mr. Osborne, is your boy alive?” The same hour of the day when the impression came on me, my dear wife was washing, she dipped out a pail of scalding water from the boiler, set it down, went out to hang out some clothes. My little boy, Henry Z., went up to the pail, pulled up his dress, and put his foot in this pail of scalding hot water. He screamed. His mother rushed into the house, took the boy from the pail; but oh, what a sight! The dear child’s flesh drops off, in places, near to the bone. The boy went into spasms. The physician had doubts of his recovery. This was an anxious time for my dear companion; she wrote me right away, but I had not received her message, but the Almighty had telephoned me most emphatically, and I obeyed the summons, and found the impression was not a delusion, but a divine impression. After my dear child had so far recovered as to be considered out of danger, I returned to my field of labor in western N. Y. Was it not the Lord that made known to me the serious sickness at home, and inspired my heart to hasten to the suffering family? And was it not kind in the blessed Lord, to help in such a time of need? Truly, God is good, in all His works and ways; and His loving care is graciously manifested to all the creatures that He hath made. How much of earth’s storm and tempest we might avoid, if we would only keep our eyes and our ears open to see and hear what God would have us see and hear.

During my pastorate at Seneca Falls, N. Y., I not only preached at Seneca Falls, but at Auburn, Owosco and Niles, N. Y. Every other week I would preach at Owosco and Niles on the Lord’s day, and on my way back to Seneca Falls, I would stop at Auburn and preach the word of life, on Monday evening at sister Osborne’s; and this was my home when at Auburn. On the occasion of which I now speak, I was requested to stop, and take tea at another place, where I had never been before. The family where I was to stop was made up of three persons, father, daughter, and an aunt of the daughter. Father and sister-in-law were perhaps fifty years of age. The daughter I should judge, twenty-five years of age, and a member of the M. E. Church in that place. I had never met with any of this family prior to this meeting, except this young lady, and her, only one week before, and that at a Quarterly meeting. I called at this place according to agreement to take tea, and spend a couple of hours before service. It was in mid-winter. I entered the house, the young lady met me very politely, took my hat and overcoat, and I took a seat. This was a well-to-do family; they had an abundance of this world’s goods. The house was large, and well furnished. I had not been in the house five minutes, before a strange impression came on me, bewildering, sickening, and with it, came this thought, “unclean devils, unclean devils.” It seemed to me that I should die, if I did not leave that house. I called for my hat and coat, and left. This woman followed me for several weeks, and always when she came near me, the same impression would come over me, unclean devils. Suffice to say, she was a bad woman. She had been too intimate with a married man, who was a class-leader in one of the churches. Was she actuated by the same spirit that those women were that followed Paul and Silas around and declared that they were the real servants of God; and is it not a fact, that the quickest way to destroy the work of God in any place, is to have doubtful characters, professedly, embrace it? and herald abroad the praises of the servants of God? And these persons being so well understood, their lives and their character so well pronounced as to become a stench in the nostrils of the community, and a tremendous bar to the progress of Christianity in every community where such exists. I am always troubled when some people endorse me, and feel like saying, The Lord have mercy on me now! God gave me great prosperity on this big charge, a revival prevailed through the two years. More than one hundred professed conversion at Seneca Falls, besides many were converted at the other points. At Seneca Falls, at one time during our stay there, souls were converted in every means of grace for several months, more than one hundred professed to be sanctified wholly. Some of the richest displays of God’s saving power that I ever saw, was at points on this field of labor. Many that were poor, and wretched slaves to intemperance and licentiousness, were washed, and made clean during our stay here, gems were gathered in, that will deck the Saviour’s Crown forever and ever. More than twenty years have come and gone since we left that field of suffering, cross-bearing, and victory, and yet we would not have the time we spent there blotted out of life’s work for any amount of earth’s riches; and I want to record right here, while this subject is before us, praise and thanksgiving to my heavenly Father, for blessing us, and opening our eyes to see danger, and grace to avoid it, especially in the case referred to at “A”—I have no doubt, but that the devil in some way, wanted to use that wicked woman to destroy the work of God on that big charge.

Did not Bramwell have knowledge given to him to see the deception of the man that professed he wanted help for God’s cause, when Bramwell was led to see, it was a bastard child, help was sought for?

The church has suffered much in the past by the deception of wicked men and women which might have been different, had the church been baptized with the Holy Ghost as it was her privilege to be. Peter saw at once the fraud practiced by Ananias and Sapphira and justly rebuked them. And what a blessing it would be to the church and the world, if the ministry, and laity, had the anointing—the eye salve of the Holy Ghost. I have been perfectly surprised at the success that these saintly appearing frauds have had in playing their tricks upon credulous, godly people. The real saint, the wholly sanctified, the pure in heart, have the eye salve daily applied; Yea, they carry with them, a bank note detective; their coin, is weighed and measured at sight. Perhaps all clearly saved people have not so clear a conception of character, and are not able to judge so readily, of their merit, or demerit as others. However that may be, I believe that all clearly saved people, have remarkable good judgment in regard to character as well as in other matters.

But to return to the theme before us, Dreams, Presentiments—Dreams come, when sleep is upon us, Presentiments come upon us in our wakeful moments; and both may be of the Lord as already shown, though not always. It is wise, however, to try the spirits, and hold fast to that which is good. I have had mapped out to me in my dreams, and I think by the spirit of the Lord, fields of labor that I afterwards occupied, as clear as a sunbeam; and the peculiar phases of my field of labor, and the peculiar characters of the new field, as though written out by the hand of inspiration. I will give but one or two incidents. Three months prior to my being stationed at Oswego, N. Y., I found myself in my dream at Oswego, on my way home from conference, to look over the situation, and arrange for moving on. I met a few, very poor saints, discouraged, and ready to give up and die out. I was told in my dream that I had better look at Brother L. H. R’s. house, perhaps it would suit me. At this time Brother Robinson was preacher in charge at Oswego, and what was still more strange about this dream, this was his first year at Oswego, and some three months before conference. I was very much concerned about a four gallon jug that I had full of very rich, sweet milk. I was anxious to have it kept sweet. A brother pointed out to me a living stream that run near by, and said that I could put my jug of milk in that stream and it would keep. Conference sent me to Oswego that fall, and every step that I took in my dream came literally to pass, looking at the former preacher’s house, and all, except my jug of milk. I soon discovered what my milk meant. The saints at that place had been very much soured up over the conduct of some laborers that they had placed great confidence in, so that the smut covered them deeply. I found my big jug of sweet milk just what they needed. The pure unadulterated gospel, was to them the sincere milk of the word. They received it gladly and grew thereby. In many of the fields of labor that I have occupied, I have previously occupied in dreams when sleep was upon me. A short time before, being stationed at Binghamton, God, by His holy Spirit when deep sleep was upon me, printed upon memory’s tablet, that beautiful Parlor City; surrounded by those lovely hills, covered with green foliage; and those beautiful streams, clear as crystal, reflecting the sunlight of heaven; reminding one of that “stream that makes glad the City of our God.” I saw Court street as clear as day; our church and parsonage; I also saw our society. At that time they were having a little that was unpleasant, a church trial. I saw the division of feeling, one party stood a little way off from the other, shaking their fists at the other party, but as soon as I approached them, they came together and all was lovely.

X.

Healing Faith.

Much has been said and written on the subject of healing faith. God has said much on that subject for our benefit. “The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.” Many scriptures might be introduced bearing upon this subject; but the statement above so clear, and emphatic, will suffice. Genuine faith is begotten of the spirit. It is not born of simple desire. Here a great many good people have made great mistakes, they have had great desires for those that were sick, that they should recover—they have prayed to this end, and have gone so far as to make statements very positive that they knew they would recover, because God had told them so, when the facts were very clear—their supposed faith was nothing but desire. This has proved true in a great many cases, the subject of prayer passing into eternity soon after these positive statements were made. If they had had genuine faith, the sick would have recovered. In no case, have we ever discovered the Almighty arrayed against Himself, but in every operation we find it in exact harmony with a “thus saith the Lord.”

Take the case of President Garfield. The nation prayed for his recovery. Many said—“He will recover,” but he died. Why did he not recover? good people prayed for him—and thought—and said that he would be spared to the nation. To this I answer,—The prayer offered for him, was not inspired by the Holy Ghost; if it had been, God would have raised him up. The word of the Lord is—“The prayer of faith shall save the sick.” Doubtless, the inspiration of this class was purely carnal.

The word of the Lord is, “That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven.” Now, a great many were united in praying for the President, and they were good people; but they put in an if in every prayer; and that if, in every case sums up a tremendous doubt, which reveals as clear as day, the lack of that faith, begotten of the “Spirit,” which brings health immediately to its possessor. Faith begotten of the spirit is very positive: it amounts to a divine assurance—and utters forth its triumphant voice, “It shall be done”—and it is done. This kind, has no ifs in it. It makes its possessor bold to move on to the aid of the sick and suffering; and has an intuitive perception, that the “power of the Lord is present to heal.” Good-will was, doubtless, the great incentive in the President’s case. The scriptures very clearly indicate that the power of the Lord is not always present to heal; likewise experience by those that have been healed by faith, and have at times had faith that has brought health immediately to the bodies of others, are not always thus blessed. St. Paul, left his co-laborer, TROPHIMUS, sick at Miletus, which he would not have done, had he been in possession of that faith, which so wonderfully characterized his labors on other occasions.

William Bramwell, a man of mighty faith in the power of God to heal, had prayed for a certain person and God had raised them up in answer to his prayers on several occasions, but the last time that he was called upon to pray for this person, he could not, and said they must die, or that in substance.

I praise God, that I was ever put in possession of that faith, which brought health to my body, when sick, and suffering. When stationed at Utica, I was taken one Sabbath evening while preaching, with the dysentery. I was very sick until Friday. I had quite frequent bloody evacuations, with tenesmus, of a very severe character. My dear companion was very much alarmed in regard to my very dangerous symptoms, and thought she had better go for the doctor. I felt all through me—I want no doctor but Jesus. In that direction I continued to look. My symptoms became more alarming. Anxiety on the part of my family increased. Conviction with me, that Jesus Christ was coming to check disease, and heal my body, seemed to grow more and more like a living reality. Friday morning dawned upon us, and to all appearances, I was rapidly yielding in my physical powers, to the destructive power of the fearful disease that was preying so rapidly upon my body. After much solicitation on the part of my very precious wife, I consented to let her go after the doctor. A moment after she left the house, Jesus came—laid His hand upon me, and made me every whit whole: Bless His holy name! The doctor did not come until Saturday. He left me two very small bottles of pills, and charged me not to go to church on the coming Sabbath. However, I went to church, preached twice at Utica, rode twelve miles and preached, making three sermons; and with such a blessing, it did seem to me that my soul would leave my body if God should let another drop of love on me. Growing out of this, I had an experience where I knew what the statement meant, “For I am sick of love.” On another occasion after this, when sick, and much worn down by overwork, I went to the Murray camp-meeting with a view of recuperation. I felt peculiarly led of the spirit to go. On arriving there I was powerfully tempted to leave the ground and return home. As it was about tea time I was invited to take tea with an old friend. After tea we had prayers. The Lord blessed me—I felt better, but did not get the healing power on my body which I so much needed. I was very much helped all through the meeting. The day the meeting closed, Brother Roberts was tying up his tent, Sister Roberts asked me if I had received the help in my body that I needed—I said no; but while in conversation with her, the blessing came with such force that disease and weakness oozed out from the very center of every bone in my body, and instantly I was covered with perspiration; and for months after this, I felt as though I was made up of iron. I could preach, visit, sing, pray and study a good share of the hours out of every twenty-four. On a good many occasions, the blessed Jesus has wonderfully blessed, and healed, both soul and body. God has at times, touched my heart, and given to me faith for others, and in answer to prayer, I have seen them raised up to health. I have not always had faith for myself, nor for others.

I have been sick, have suffered pain, but could not cause the heavens to bend, seemingly a single inch towards my deliverance—when at the same time my soul was blessed and happy in God. I will mention a few cases where God in answer to prayer healed them almost instantly.

Twenty-five years ago our conference was held at Binghamton, N. Y. A number of preachers were kept at Sister Sparks. One of them was very sick, with an intense fever. We sat down to the table for our tea. The burden came on me for this suffering brother, I could not eat, and proposed that prayer should be offered for him. In a few moments the fever was checked, and a copious perspiration followed. The brother got up, took tea, went to church, exhorted after the sermon as though he had never been sick in all his life.

At a camp meeting, a sister, one of my members, tenting with the Rose pilgrims as we had no tent on the ground, was taken sick with what seemed to be, Asiatic cholera. Her case was so alarming after a night’s suffering the Rose preacher came to me and said, Brother Osborne, that sister is so sick that you must have her taken off the ground as none can stay in the tent except those that wait on her. Instantly my faith took hold on God for her recovery. I did not know until that moment that she was sick. I went into the tent where she was. I saw she was very sick. I said to her, “you know that Jesus can make you well in a moment.” She answered, “Yes.” I said, “don’t you think that He wants to make you well now?” She replied, “I think He will if you ask him.” In less than three minutes she was on her feet praising God with all her might. She dressed herself, ate her breakfast, went about her Master’s business and enjoyed the meeting the rest of the time as though she had been on Pisgah from the beginning.

Sister Francisco of Rome, was to all appearance, nearly used up with what a number of the great doctors called cancers. One in her throat, nearly choked her to death. Another on her upper gums. The first time that I visited her, I said, “Sister, you know that Jesus Christ can make you well.” She replied, “Yes, but the doctors all say that I must die.” She became so bad off—the odor emanating from the cancer was so offensive, that it was with difficulty that anybody could be in the house with her. I thought on several occasions as I went to visit her, this will be, in all probability, the last time that I shall visit her until I go to preach her funeral sermon. The last time I called upon her before she was healed, she said to me, “Brother Osborne, the Lord Jesus is going to make me well.” I replied—“Praise the Lord, it is just like him to do so.” Two days after this the Lord touched her; the cancer left her throat—dropped off her gum—and she ran about that part of the city and reported what great things the Lord had done for her. Immediately she went at hard work, and now, more than three years have passed away, and she is still strong and healthy.

Another case at Rome, Sister Conrad had been very sick for about two months, with fever and other difficulties. Her right lung had lost its power of action; her left arm had become paralyzed. The neighbors thought she could not live but a short time; the doctors considered her case hopeless. Wife and I thought that we ought to visit her that Wednesday. On that day she looked more like a corpse, than a living being. We sang, and prayed—The Lord was present to heal. Such a display of God’s power to heal I never saw before. First she was made clear in the blessing of perfect love. This was glorious. After this, came a mighty wave of liquid love and fire—and health. When it touched the withered lung, how she did shout forth the praises of our God. This aroused the people in that region who came around to see what the matter was. Then the power struck the palsied arm, and that began to move about to the tune of “Glory Hallelujah,” and this she continued for more than two hours. She got up, dressed herself, went to supper, ate a hearty meal, and slept the soundest, the sweetest, that night, that she had done for a long while before. She rose early the next morning, mended her husband’s pants, ate her breakfast, and moved about as well as ever.

I must mention one more occasion when the good Lord wrought seemingly a miracle on my body, when very sick. I had just finished my fourth camp-meeting. At the last one I had taken the worst cold I think that I ever had. A severe rain the first night of the meeting had moistened all the bedding in the tent where I made it my home. The bed that I occupied, was wet from head to foot; I suppose that was the secret of my cold; it covered me from head to foot—and all through my being. The next morning after my arrival at home, and during the morning’s hour of prayer and worship, the Lord touched the heart of my wife for me, and showers of blessings came down on my soul and body—and such an operation! My cold broke up like the breaking up of a river after a severe winter. It oozed out from every pore. If I had been put through one of Dr. Strong’s Turkish baths, the operation could not have been any more marvelous.

The promises of God are for the comfort, and special benefit of the saints. The theory already advanced of faith healing, we believe is the doctrine of the Bible. We might introduce many more important experiences bearing upon the correct theory of faith healing, but what we have already said, may be sufficient.

There are other theories of faith healing, that contain some truth, and much error. For instance, the theory that in the atonement, a perfect state of health was secured for the body, the same as perfection for the soul. Some scriptures are introduced to substantiate this theory.

The following are some of them. “The prayer of faith shall save the sick;” and, “Who, healeth all thy diseases;” “Ask and ye shall receive;” and many others are quoted to prove their doctrine. I cannot see that they prove the theory. The experience of the saints in all ages prove the contrary. Job was a representative saint. God endorsed him as being correct according to His standard of righteousness. I maintain that sickness, is a part of God’s plan for disciplinary purposes, just as much as changing seasons are necessary for the growth and development of vegetation. Suppose that perpetual sunshine was to cover the earth; it would soon become sterile, barren and desolate. For the well-being of the human family, and the production of earth’s blessings to sustain the same, the changing seasons, sunshine and cloud, stormy wind fulfilling His word, are all necessary. We are so made up, that a great strain of prosperity, very much endangers our remaining meek, and humble, like our divine Lord and Master. Perhaps one scripture will be sufficient to prove this theory. “Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” Sickness, is a tremendous scourge, and some people have a great deal more of that kind of discipline than they would have, if they were more studious, and tried to learn the lesson God designed.

The mind cure, falsely so called, is perhaps, the most subtile humbug of the day. While it contains some truth in small homeopathic doses, its heavy coating is profound deception. Its assumptions in the main, are false. Without going into a thorough analysis of this science, falsely so called, we proceed to notice what little truth it contains. It is a well-known fact to the learned, that the mind, has a marvelous power over all of our physical nature. Many have been made sick, by simple imagination. In times of pestilence, doubtless, one of the greatest means of spreading the disease, has been, the imagination. History tells us that men condemned to death have been given over to physicians in order to test the power of the mind over matter; and in many cases death was the result, where the patient was not harmed in any way, but simply made to believe that a vein had been opened in their arm, and that they were slowly, but surely bleeding to death.

Thirty years since, I was living in western N. Y. In the place Spiritualism was running high. A canal boat stopped, a man on board they thought had the cholera, they sent for a doctor. A spirit-medium near by heard the request, and without being asked, stepped aboard the boat, and went into the cabin where lay the sick man. The medium commenced about this kind of talk, “What are you laying here for you lazy fellow? get up, and go out on deck, or you will die sure,” assuring him there was nothing the matter of him. He continued this kind of talk—would pull and haul the fellow, and finally succeeded in getting him on deck; and in a little while, he was declared well—and the boat moved on. The next morning, a neighbor of mine, strong in the faith of this humbug philosophy, came into my house just as we had finished our morning meal. The following dialogue ensued. “Now, Mr. Osborne, what have you got to say when spirits come right into this place and cure a man, sick, nigh unto death with the cholera?” I replied, “it was simply the power of mind over matter; and I can illustrate my meaning, and all there was of that. Here is my little boy, seven years old, perfectly healthy, he has just finished a hearty meal. Now, by the same process, I can make him vomit up his hearty breakfast.” I commenced by telling him that he was sick! I repeated it. I made sickening faces, groaned and said, “Lester, you are sick!” Inside of three minutes, he vomited as heartily as though he had taken an emetic. This was accomplished without the aid of departed spirits.

The Wesleys were quick to discover the good there was in the surroundings of life, and utilize it for the Glory of God. The wicked in their Bacchanalian sports, used some grand tunes, for their songs of mirth. Charles Wesley said, “Music alas! too long has been pressed to obey the devil;” and many of these tunes he rescued from their perilous associations, clothed them in the garb of saintly purity, and sent them forth to bless the saints of all ages; and thus, men and women have learned something of the God given law that mind has over matter, and have connected to this power, the illegitimate monstrosity, born of delusion, and speculations, and named it “CHRISTIAN SCIENCE, or MIND CURE.”

Now, about how far, and in what way may we be benefited by this knowledge?

1—It is a well-known fact, that good nature, hopefulness, and cheerfulness, are great preventives to sickness. I believe that many are made sick by simple anticipation; and to disabuse their minds of such an idea, often works wonders.

2—Business men often use this power to create a panic in the “Stock market.” On Wall street, N. Y., they have their Bulls and Bears. One class are ready to buy, the other to sell. One cry up stock, the other cry down stock, as the case may be. This procedure affects the market all over the country. Speculators understand this much of the “Science.” It has been truthfully said, “That the children of this world in their generation, are wiser than the children of light.” Oh, that we might be as wise, and press good out of all the events of life.

3—We should on all occasions, cry up stock! health for soul and body, and prosperity for Zion—Amen.

I have heard it said that one scurvy sheep, would affect the whole flock. A minister, class leader, steward, or any prominent member of a society, will, if always complaining, murmuring, fault-finding, breed death and desolation, where ever they go. Such characters, should never be allowed to enter a sick room. That class carry gloom and discouragement in their very appearance; and instead of being a comfort and help, they produce in many cases, a dangerous relapse. Preachers, sometimes, linger about the sore spots, until all, seem to be putrification. Instead of looking at the fountain of life, its immensity, enough for each, enough for all, enough forevermore, and receiving its fullness in themselves, always ready to help others, come short by the former process.

Don’t say much about your troubles; cry up stock to the best of your ability, and as God, and your conscience will allow, but don’t report for the devil.

There is great force in always looking on the bright side of every question. But this, you cannot, nor will not do, unless you live on the sunny side of the Rock. It is right, and proper, to turn the attention of the sorrowing ones of earth to the bright side—yea, to the sun bright clime of Paradise, where the shadows of sorrow will never strike across our pathway; where the inhabitants will never say “I am sick!”

Here, is where the real saint lives, under the wing of the Almighty, “where God the Son forever reigns, and scatters night away.”

This is not all in eternity, but on this side of the boundary line of time, we have the sunshine of heaven, and breezes from the land where flowers forever bloom.

Abstractly considered, aside from the influence the Holy Spirit has upon the Christian character and life, the mind has a marvelous power over our entire being; and this, has been prostituted, for worldly purposes. Here, is where the great wrong comes in. The term, “Christian science, or mind cure,” is misleading. It does not claim to depend upon the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, for any of its accomplishments; but upon the knowledge they have of the power, the mind has over matter. To be a Christian science, it must draw its inspiration from Christ Jesus the Lord. Some of its advocates, openly, and unblushingly deny the divinity of Him, and the glory of whatever is accomplished by this power, they give to humanity, and the force of nature, and some to departed spirits, and not to Jesus Christ.

As an example of Christian Science superstition exceeding anything attempted by the most ignorant advocates of patient Faith Healing, read the following, taken verbatim from a text-book on Mind Cure, issued by the president of the “New York School of Primitive and Practical Christian Science,” who states that his school will be free from “eccentricity, pretension, and fanaticism!”

“Prayer for a Dyspeptic.”

“Holy Reality! We believe in Thee that thou art EVERYWHERE present. We really believe it. Blessed Reality we do not pretend to believe, think we believe, believe that we believe. We believe. Believing that thou art everywhere present, we believe that Thou art in this patient’s stomach, in every fibre, in every cell, in every atom, that Thou art the soul, only Reality of that stomach. Heavenly, Holy Reality, we will try not be such hypocrites and infidels, as every day of our lives to affirm our faith in Thee and then immediately begin to tell how sick we are, forgetting that Thou art everything and that Thou art not sick, and therefore that nothing in this universe was ever sick, is now sick, or can be sick. Forgive us our sins in that we have this day talked about our backaches, that we have told our neighbors that our food hurts us, that we mentioned to a visitor that there was a lump in our stomach, that we have wasted our valuable time which should have been spent in thy service, in worrying for fear that our stomach would grow worse, in that we disobeyed Thy blessed law, in thinking that some kind of medicine would help us. We know, Father and Mother of us all, that there is no such a thing as a really diseased stomach, that the disease is the CARNAL MORTAL MIND given over to the WORLD, the Flesh, and the Devil; that the mortal mind is a twist, a distortion, a false attitude, the HARMATIA of Thought, Shining and Glorious Verity, we recognize the great and splendid FACT that the moment we really believe the truth, disease ceases to trouble us, that the truth is, there is no disease in either real body or mind; that in the mind there seems to be a disease is a false belief, a parasite, a hateful excrescence, and that what happens in the body is the shadow of the LIE in the SOUL. Lord, help us to believe that ALL EVIL is utterly unreal; that it is silly to be sick, absurd to be ailing, wicked to be wailing, atheism and denial of God to say ‘I am sick.’ Help us to stoutly affirm with our hand in Your hand, with our eyes fixed on Thee that we have no dyspepsia, that we will never have dyspepsia, that there is no such thing, that there never was any such thing, that there never will be any such thing Amen.”—Hazzard.

Mrs. Eddy of Chicago, and others, have written much on “Christian Science.” In some of her writings she disclaims affinity with Spiritualism; but according to my knowledge of the matter, it was evolved from that source. Some thirty-five years since, I sat with them in a seance, where a lady, almost gone with consumption was operated upon by the same treatment that the “Christian scientists” practice to-day. From a helpless, speechless condition she revived so that she was able to dress herself and walk about the yard. She continued to improve for about three months, then suddenly relapsed, and died.

Where disease has been located simply in the mind, which is often the case, some marvelous cures have been effected by this class of doctors; and because they found a supposed mental cause adequate to a cure in a few cases, leaped to a wild conclusion that all causes were mental, and would yield to the same treatment. They claim that our bodies are sensationless; they do not suffer, they have no pain, that all suffering is in the mind; then to work up a belief, that we do not suffer, and some are really made to believe that doctrine.

Whatever pretensions the teachers of this “Science,” present to the public, as a curative power; and however much they may claim sympathy for the sick and suffering, the real gist of the matter seems to be, they are after cash. They charge enormously for teaching the “Science,” and the same for helping the sick; as I have been informed, they do not teach, or give aid to the sick, without pay in advance. How unlike Jesus, is all such operations, who, went everywhere doing good, without money, and without price. Whoever heard, of a real child of God, asking pay, for going to pray to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for a sick brother, or sister, or the wickedest person on earth? We come to this conclusion, that, their foundation is on the sand; and not on the merits of the precious blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

XIV.

Rest, But Not Loiter.

There is a bridge crossing the river Thames, at London, and at one end of this bridge, there is a seat prepared for the weary pilgrim to rest himself; and just above this seat hangs a sign, with these words, “Rest, but not loiter.”

In the great plan of salvation, God has provided a mercy-seat, where all may find rest; rest to the weary soul; rest from the commission of sin, rest from the inbeing of sin, rest from all moral defilement;—rest from slavish fear, rest from the fear of evil tidings, rest from the fear of man; rest from the fear of what the people will say; rest from the fear of want; rest in prosperity, when all goes well, and in adversity when all goes ill, rest in the fire, rest out of the fire; rest in sickness, rest in persecution, in necessities, in cruel mockings, in stripes, in imprisonments; rest under all the ills which flesh is heir to; and, O! what a blessed prospect of rest in death—in the resurrection morn; rest, rest forever in the paradise of God.

How few have found this rest. The multitude are loitering about Christ, as in bygone days, for the loaves and fishes. You find them thronging holy places, and in fact, their names are on the church record—they call themselves Christians,—but, O! how destitute of soul-rest. They talk of rest, but how easily is their rest turned into unrest, their humility into vain pomp and show; their love into downright anger; their benevolence, into God-dishonoring covetousness; their separation from the world into commingling with those that hate God and trample his law under their feet. The lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, sits enthroned in their hearts. Many thronged the Saviour when he was on earth, but how few got near enough to touch the hem of his garment. On one occasion, a poor woman pressed her way into the crowd, touched the Saviour and found rest; yes, glory be to God, she found rest for soul and body. Hallelujah! We may rest, and not loiter.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Thank God! there is a place of rest. You need not be fretful, peevish, impatient, cross, proud, vain, fierce, heady, high-minded, jealous, full of deceit—evil speaking—tale-bearing, covetous, filthy, fearful, unbelieving. No! there is power in Jesus’ blood to wash these all away, and give perfect rest to the soul. “For we which have believed do enter into rest.”

How refreshing to the weary pilgrim, after the toils of the day are o’er, the sun sinking in the west, the shades of night coming on, to have a place of rest,—a place where the cares of life are for the time-being forgotten, and the mind is at liberty to roam the vast fields of thought, and revel in all the delights of fancy. How blessed it will be, after the toils and conflicts of life are o’er, to have an eternity of rest—to be forever shut in with God, “Where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.”

Rest, but not loiter.

XXVI.

Lock Up.

Boats, when running on canals, do not go far on a level, before they come to a lock. This is made of solid masonry, with two sets of gates, upper and lower. The water above the lock is from five to fifteen feet higher than the water below. In order that the vessel may pass through and pursue her journey, she must enter the lock, shut the lower gates, turn a wicket in the upper gate which will let in water from above, filling the lock, and raising the boat to the level above; the gates will then open, she will pass out and pursue her journey.

Now, is it not very much so in our religious experience? When converted, we enter the channel of life. We run on this level for a season; with some, much longer than others; all, perhaps, too long. On some canals, levels are very short; but all, that are born of the Spirit, very early in their experience come to a point where they must take advance ground, lock up! or go back. We must go into the lock, shut the gates behind us, leave no possible chance for retreat. This locking up might represent reconsecrating ourselves to God. In doing this, we ought to be very specific. Discriminate under the blazing light of the Holy Ghost. Humble yourself under the hand of God, by confessing your failures, making wrongs right, and God will lift you up. Be thorough. Do not be satisfied to run on the same experience, day in and day out; week in and week out; month in and month out; year in and year out. Alas! alas! how many run in this way, on the same level until it becomes a dead level! In some cases it would be impossible to tell whether there was any current either way. When we first enter the channel of life, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God; and not only so, but we glory in tribulation also knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope: and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” What we greatly need in many places among us, is to lock up into the faith that will give us access into the rich experiences that were once delivered unto the saints; Elijah, Paul, Hester Ann Rogers, Carvosso, Bramwell, Fletcher, Wesley, Madam Guvon, Muller, and a host of others. Then, the communion of faith and love will bear us up to things above. I said that to elevate a boat from a lower level to a higher one, water was let in from above. It is precisely so in the Christian life. If we aim at obedience, becoming more holy, of living a purer life, in walking in all of God’s ordinances blameless, we must go often into the lock of crucifixion; then the water of life will come in from above in living streams, and our experience will be clearer than the noonday sun. Like the tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in its season, our leaf also will not wither.

I want to ask, my dear brethren and sisters of our beloved Zion, don’t you think it is time that you locked up? Why tarry? Remember your vows to God and the church. Press for the mark! “Ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” Bend all your energies for the summit level.