Part 6

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.