license annually renewed by the Presiding Elder, or the preacher having the charge, if approved by the Quarterly Conference.

N. B. The preachers who have the oversight of circuits are required to execute all our rules fully and strenuously against all frauds, and particularly against dishonest insolvencies; suffering none to remain in our Church on any account who are found guilty of any fraud.

For the mode of procedure in case of insolvency of members, and in settling disputes, &c., as to the payment of debts or otherwise, see part i, chapter ix, section 4, quest. 2, 3, pages 100-102.

Quest. 3. What can be done to supply the circuits during the sittings of the Conferences?

Answ. 1. Let all the appointments stand according to the plan of the circuit.

2. Engage as many local preachers and exhorters as will supply them; and let them be paid for their time in proportion to the allowance of the travelling preachers.

3. If preachers and exhorters cannot atcend, let some person of ability be appointed in every society, to sing, pray, and read one of Mr. Wesley's sermons.

4. But if that cannot be done, let there be prayer meetings.

SECTION XII.

Of the Matter and Manner of Preaching.

Quest. 1. What is the best general me thod of preaching?

Answ. 1. To convince: 2. To offer Christ: 3. To invite: 4. To build up: And to do this in some measure in every sermon. Quest. 2. What is the most effectual way of preaching Christ?

Answ. The most effectual way of preaching Christ is, to preach him in all his offices; and to declare his law, as well as his gospel, both to believers and unbelievers. Let us strongly and closely insist upon inward and outward holiness in all its branches.

SECTION XIII.

Rules by which we should continue, or desist from, Preaching at any Place.

Quest. 1. Is it advisable for us to preach in as many places as we can, without forming any societies?

Answ. By no means. We have made the trial in various places; and that for a ccnsiderable time. But all the seed has fallen by the way-side. There is scarce any fruit remaining.

Quest. 2. Where should we endeavour to preach most?

Answ. 1. Where there is the greatest number of quiet and willing hearers.

2. Where there is most fruit.

Quest. 3. Ought we not diligently to observe in what places God is pleased at any time to pour out his Spirit more abundantly?

Answ. We ought: and at that time to send more labourers than usual into that part of the harvest.

SECTION XIV.

Of Visiting from House to House, Guarding against those things that are so common to Professors, and Enforcing Practical Religion.

Quest. 1. How can we further assist those under our care?

Answ. By instructing them at their own houses. What unspeakable need is there of this! The world says, "The Methodists are no better than other people." This is not true in the general: but, 1. Personal religion, either toward God or man, is too superficial among us. We can but just touch on a few particulars. 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 brot' rly love! What continual judging one another! What gossipping, evil-speaking, tale-bearing! What want of moral honesty! To instance only one particular;

who does as he would be done by in buying and selling?

2. Family religion is wanting in many branches. And what avails public preaching alone, though we could preach like angels? We must-yea, every travelling preacher must-instruct the people from house to house. Till this be done, and that in good earnest, Methodists will be no bet

ter.

Our religion is not sufficiently deep, universal, uniform; but superficial, partial, uneven. It will be so till we spend half as much time in this visiting, as we now do in talking uselessly. Can we find a better method of doing this than Mr. Baxter's? It not, let us adopt it without delay. His whole tract, entitled Gildas Salvianus, is well worth a careful perusal. Speaking of this visiting from house to house, he says, (p. 351,) "We shall find many hinderances, both in ourselves and the people."

1. In ourselves there is much dulness and laziness, so that there will be much ado to get us to be faithful in the work.

2. We have a base, man-pleasing temper, so that we let them perish rather than lose their love; we let them go quietly to hell, lest we should offend them.

3. Some of us have a foolish bashfulness. We know not how to begin, and blush to contradict the devil.

4. But the greater hinderance is weakness of faith. Our whole motion is weak, because the spring of it is weak.

5. Lastly, we are unskilful in the work. How few know how to deal with men, so as to get within them, and suit all our discourse to their several conditions and tempers: to choose the fittest subjects, and follow them with a holy mixture of seriousness, terror, love, and meekness!

But undoubtedly this private application is implied in those solemn words of the apostle: "I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering."

O, brethren, if we could but set this work on foot in all our societies, and prosecute it zealously, what glory would redound to God! If the common lukewarmness were banished, and every shop, and every house, busied in speaking of the word and works of God, surely God would dwell in our habitations, and make us his delight.

And this is absolutely necessary to the welfare of our people, some of whom neither repent nor believe to this day. Look round, and see how many of them are still in apparent danger of damnation. And how can you walk and talk, and be merry with such people, when you know their case? When you look them in the face, you should break forth into tears, as the prophet did when he looked upon Hazael, and then set on them with the most vehement exhortations. O, for God's sake, and the sake of poor souls,