Early Teaching of Methodism.
By C. H. Bliss
THE following are a few extracts from the “Preachers’ Manual,” published in 1842, for the use of Methodist preachers. The part from which the extracts are taken was written by Dr. Adam Clarke. Concerning the deportment of the minister, he lays down the following rules:— “1. Be diligent. Never be unemployed. “2. Be serious. Let your motto be, Holiness to the Lord. Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking. “3. Be ashamed of nothing but sin; not of fetching wood or water, &c. “4. Never disappoint a congregation unless in case of life or death. “5. Choose the plainest text you can. “6. Be sparing in allegorizing or spiritualizing. “7. Beware of clownishness. “8. Be merciful to your beast; not only ride moderately, but see that your horse be rubbed, fed, and bedded. “9. Everywhere recommend cleanliness. Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Concerning the preaching of the law, he says, “Now, as no man can see the worth of salvation till he be convinced of his want of it, therefore preach the law and its terrors, to make way for the gospel of Christ crucified.” Of the use of texts he says:— “Seldom choose a very short one. ‘When imagination and invention are put to rack to supply the the place of the word of God, the hearers may admire the address of the preacher, but are not likely to be fed with the bread of life.’ Again, “but without all controversy, the literal meaning is that which God would have first understood.” How few there are among the Methodist ministers or those of any other popular denomination, who observe strictly the above rules. C. H. BLISS.