Early Teaching of Methodism,
By C. H. Bliss
(Extracts from the Preachers’ Manual, Continued.) In regard to the use of tobacco, on page 132, he has the following: “Concerning that abominable and fatal drain of human life, the pipe and the quid, I need here say nothing. My opinion has long since been before the public. I am sorry to say that I know several young men who are to this day murdering themselves in this way, but they are by me incorrigible. I leave them in the hands of God, and say to you, ‘Never imitate them; they disgrace themselves and would disgrace you.’” On page 119, speaking of indolent preachers, he says: “They idle away that time which is an invaluable gift of God; and either sleep away their moments, or become what one justly terms ‘the most detestable of all negatively sinful characters, smokers of tobacco.’ There are some, it is true, who smoke and study too. The latter they should do, and leave the former undone. But these are angels compared with those who read little, study none, and are continually at the pipe.” From the preceding extracts we can form some idea of the earnest devotion, sacrifice, and holy life, of the early Methodist preachers; but what is their condition now? Alas! alas! they are fallen. A good share of them now are in the habit of using tobacco: some in both its forms, smoking and chewing. And almost all of them must have their strong tea or coffee, and it is considered almost an insult should you inform them that you think it wrong to use those poisonous drinks. The laws of health are but little regarded. In fact, judging from the actions of some, it seems as though they were anxious to get rid of this “tenement of clay” and fly away and be at rest. And why not, if “death is the gate to endless joy”? Are not the words of the angel applicable? “I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love.” Did they realize it, there might be hope; but they say, “I am rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing.” And is not this the condition of most of the churches? “Truly the standard of piety and practical godliness has fallen; but shall it remain thus?” No; for God has called out a people who have raised it from the dust, and are lifting it still higher and higher. But may not this same class of people learn a lesson from the history of the past? Is not the following the history of nearly every Protestant denomination that has ever arisen? First, a spirit of devotion and sacrifice, and a holy life characterized the first leaders; and this perhaps had a greater tendency to multiply adherents than soundness of doctrine. But, by-and-by, a spirit of rivalry enters the church, and in their desire to excel, especially in numbers, the standard of piety has been lowered to gratify the desires of an unconverted multitude. Thus many of the churches have “become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” On this account God has forsaken them, and another people have been raised up who would lift up the fallen standard. And now, in these last days God has in mercy called out another class of people, to stand in defense of his truth; but what is to be the result? One thing seems quite plausible that before the second coming of Christ the true church of God is to stand again upon apostolic ground, divested of all the traditions and commandments of men, and keeping the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” being without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.