Wesley Corpus

And in order to this, allow sufficient time for the visiting of each society. (2.) Let each Leader carefully inquire how every soul in his class prospers; not only how each person observes the outward Rules, but how he grows in the knowledge and love of God. (3.) Let the Leaders converse with the Assistant frequently and freely. Q. 12. Can anything farther be done, in order to make the meetings of the classes lively and profitable? A. (1.) Change improper Leaders. (2.) Let the Leaders frequently meet each other's classes. (3.) Let us observe which Leaders are the most useful; and let these meet the other classes as often as possible. (4.) See that all the Leaders be not only men of sound judgment, but men truly devoted to God. Q. 13. How can we farther assist those under our care ? A. (1.) By meeting the married men and women together, the first Sunday after the visitation,--the single men and women apart, on the two following,-in all the large societies: This has been much neglected. (2.) By instructing them at their own houses. What unspeakable need is there of this ! The world say, “The Mcthodists are no better than other people.” This is not true. But it is nearer the truth than we are willing to believe. N. B. For (1.) Personal religion either toward God or man is amazingly superficial among us. I can but just touch on a few generals. How little faith is there among us! How little communion with God! How little living in heaven, walking in eternity, deadness to every creature ! How much love of the world; desire of pleasure, of ease, of getting money! How little brotherly love 1 What continual judging one another ! What gossiping, evil-speaking, tale-bearing ! What want of moral honesty! To instance only in one or two particulars: Who does as he would be done by, in buying and selling, particularly in selling horses! Write him a knave that does not. And the Methodist knave is the worst of all knaves. (2.) Family religion is shamefully wanting, and almost in every branch. And the Methodists in general will be little the better, till we take quite another course with them. For what avails public preaching alone, though we could preach like angels? We must, yea, every travelling Preacher must, instruct them from house to house.