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There was no scheme at all previously formed, which was to be supported thereby; nor had I any other end in view than this, to save many souls as I could. (4.) Field-preaching was therefore a sudden expedient, a thing submitted to, rather than chosen; and therefore submitted to, because I thought preaching even thus, better than not preaching at all: First, in regard to my own soul, because, 'a dispensation of the Gospel being committed to me,' I did not dare not to preach the Gospel;' Secondly, in regard to the souls of others, whom I everywhere saw 'seeking death in the error of their life.""*

6

These extraordinary efforts were severely censured by many persons, as disorderly and irregular: but they were clearly justified by Scripture precedent, our blessed Lord and his Apostles frequently preaching in the open air, as well as in the Jewish temple and synagogues. They were also justified by the necessity of the case for it was only in this manner that the masses of ignorant and wicked people, with which England at that time abounded, could be effectually reached. They never attended any place of worship whatever; so that unless they had been followed to their haunts of ungodliness and dissipation, they must

* Works, vol. viii. pp. 111–113.

have perished without knowledge and without hope. The spiritual and moral benefit arising from field-preaching was incalculable; so that Mr. Wesley said, "It were better for me to die, than not to preach the Gospel; yea, and in the fields, either where I may not preach in the church, or where the church will not contain the congregation." * When he had been accustomed thus to preach in London for more than twenty years, he says, "A vast majority of the immense congregation in Moorfields were deeply serious. One such hour might convince any impartial man of the expediency of field-preaching. What building, except St. Paul's church, would contain such a congregation? And if it would, what human voice could could have reached them there? By repeated observations I find I can command thrice the number in the open air, that I can under a roof. And who can say the time for fieldpreaching is over, while, 1. Greater numbers than ever attend: 2. The converting as well as the convincing power of God is

present with them? "+

eminently

The self-denial of the men who thus went forth into the highways and hedges, that they might instruct the ignorant and reclaim the lost, is very

* Works, vol. xii. p. 79.

+ Ibid. vol. ii. p. 515.

For

obvious; especially when it is recollected that their talents and education were of the first order, and such as qualified them to occupy a place in the highest society, as well as to excel in every branch of polite learning. Mr. Wesley thus forcibly expresses himself in his "Earnest Appeal: ""Suppose field-preaching to be ever so expedient, or even necessary; yet who will contest with us for this province ? May we not enjoy this quiet and unmolested? unmolested, I mean, by any competitors. who is there among you, brethren, that is willing (examine your own hearts) even to save souls from death at this price? Would not you let a thousand souls perish, rather than you would be the instrument of rescuing them thus? I do not speak now with regard to conscience, but to the inconveniences that must accompany it. Can you sustain them, if you would? Can you bear the summer sun to beat upon your naked head? Can you suffer the wintry rain or wind, from whatever quarter it blows? Are you able to stand in the open air, without any covering or defence, when God casteth abroad his snow like wool, or scattereth his hoar-frost like ashes? And yet these are some of the smallest inconveniences which accompany field-preaching. Far beyond all these are the contradiction of sinners, the scoffs both of the great vulgar and the small; contempt

and reproach of every kind; often more than verbal affronts, stupid, brutal violence; sometimes to the hazard of health, or limbs, or life. Brethren, do you envy us this honour? What, I pray, would buy you to be a field-preacher ? Or what, think you, could induce any man of common sense to continue therein one year, unless he had a full conviction in himself that it was the will of God concerning him?

"Upon this conviction it is that we now do, for the good of souls, what you cannot, will not, dare not do. And we desire not that you should; but this one thing we may reasonably desire of you: Do not increase the difficulties which are already so great, that, without the mighty power of God, we must sink under them. Do not assist in trampling down a little handful of men who for the present stand in the gap between ten thousand poor wretches and destrucfind some others to take their

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When the Wesleys went forth into the open air, that they might preach the word of life, they in effect declared the depth of their religious convictions. Sometimes they met with a kind reception from the multitudes; but they often

* Works, vol. viii. pp. 230, 231.

experienced the rudest and most determined opposition, especially in the earlier periods of their itinerant ministry. In pursuance of their calling, they exposed themselves to the heat of the summer's sun, and to the winter's cold; the rain, hail, and snow often falling upon their naked heads; while stones, putrid eggs, and every other species of hurtful and filthy missile, flew in all directions, and profane men treated them either with contemptuous laughter or bitter scorn. "Howbeit certain men," enlightened and impressed under their word, in almost every place," clave unto them," and requested that they might be admitted to the benefit of Christian fellowship, and of pastoral care.

THE FORMATION OF SOCIETIES.

ONE unavoidable effect of the powerful preaching of the Wesleys was the formation of religious societies. Many of the people, being deeply impressed with the truth which they heard, became alarmed for the consequences of their sin, and desired further instruction in the way of salvation; and those who had been renewed in the spirit of their minds longed for those spiritual helps which Christian fellowship supplies. Hence such as were awakened to a right perception of divine things