Treatise Plain Account Of The People Called Methodists
| Author | John Wesley |
|---|---|
| Type | treatise |
| Year | None |
| Passage ID | jw-treatise-plain-account-of-the-people-called-methodists-009 |
| Words | 399 |
About this time, I was informed that several persons
in Kingswood frequently met together at the school; and, when
they could spare the time, spent the greater part of the night in
prayer, and praise, and thanksgiving. Some advised me to put
an end to this; but, upon weighing the thing thoroughly, and
comparing it with the practice of the ancient Christians, I could
see no cause to forbid it. Rather, I believed it might be made
of more general use. So I sent them word, I designed to
watch with them on the Friday nearest the full moon, that we
might have light thither and back again. I gave public notice
Wo ://
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of this the Sunday before, and, withal, that I intended to
preach; desiring they, and they only, would meet me there,
who could do it without prejudice to their business or families. On Friday abundance of people came. I began preaching
between eight and nine; and we continued till a little beyond
the noon of night, singing, praying, and praising God. 2. This we have continued to do once a month ever since,
in Bristol, London, and Newcastle, as well as Kingswood;
and exceeding great are the blessings we have found therein:
It has generally been an extremely solemn season; when the
word of God sunk deep into the heart, even of those who till
then knew him not. If it be said, “This was only owing to
the novelty of the thing, (the circumstance which still draws
such multitudes together at those seasons,) or perhaps to the
awful silence of the night:” I am not careful to answer in
this matter. Be it so: However, the impression then made
on many souls has never since been effaced. Now, allowing
that God did make use either of the novelty or any other in
different circumstance, in order to bring sinners to repentance,
yet they are brought. And herein let us rejoice together. 3. Nay, may I not put the case farther yet? If I can pro
bably conjecture, that, either by the novelty of this ancient
custom, or by any other indifferent circumstance, it is in my
power to “save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of
sins,” am I clear before God if I do it not, if I do not snatch
that brand out of the burning? IV. 1.