Those who wish for more extensive information on this highly interesting subject, may consult a publication by DR. POLE, entitled, "The History of the Origin and Progress of Adult Schools; with an account of the beneficial effects already produced on the moral character of the labouring Poor: and an Appendix, containing Rules for the Government of Adult School Societies, and for the organization of the Schools." ON SUNDAY-RAMBLING, AND SERMON-HUNTING. To the Editor of the Methodist Magazine. SUNDAY-RAMBLING and SERMON-HUNTING are practices so common among many professors of the holy religion of JESUS CHRIST in this nation, and pregnant with such evil consequences to the Church of GOD, and to the immortal souls of men, that I am not a little surprised to find hardly any notice taken of either the one or the other in any of the periodical publications with which I am acquainted. This neglect to oppose growing and destructive evils, I am certain, does not arise from the want of ability or of piety in the conductors of these useful vehicles of religious information, but from the multiplicity of their other important engagements. I send you these hints in the hope that, as soon as their attention is called to this lamentable subject, they will not hesitate to unite in warning their respective readers against the practices of which I complain. "There is," says a recent writer, "a class of the professing world which is usually denominated 'Sermon-Hunters,' from their habit of running up and down to see fine congregations, and to hear strange preachers. They never continue in one stay.' This Sabbath they will be here, the next they will be there, and on the following one, half-a-score miles from home; answering the description of Holy Writ, beguiled, unstable souls; clouds without water, tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine; ever learning, and never coming to the knowledge of the Truth.'” "This is the day of Sermons; hence appears A tribe whose godliness lies in their ears; Mere Sermon-hunters, roving here and there, Alike untaught, unsettled every where; For ever on the bustle to be wise, But, wanting patience, never reach the prize; They trudge ten miles to hear some fav'rite preach; Such persons, Sir, may pretend that they desire to get good; but I cannot see how they can acquit their consciences before GOD, and especially with such a plain command as the following before their eyes: "Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD." And it is greatly to be feared, unless a deeper work of grace be wrought in their hearts, that notwithstanding their running and talking, many such will at last be weighed in the balance and found wanting. P-B-, July, 1821. A METHODIST. THE LAST MOMENTS OF THE VENERABLE BEDE, (Extracted from the Second Volume of MR. HUGHES's Horæ Britannica.) THE Account given of the last moments of the venerable BEDE, by one of his own Scholars, is so very affecting, and displays so high a strain of devotion, that I think proper to annex it to the concluding papers of this Volume, as an eminent instance of the peaceable and happy consummation of a good man's days. "See with what peace a Christian can expire!" The ancient narrative states that, about two weeks before Easter, he was much troubled with a difficulty of breathing, yet without pain; so that he led his life cheerful and rejoicing, employing his time in devout exercises, until the day of our LORD's ascension, which was that year on the first of the calends of June. He daily read lessons to his disciples, and spent what remained of the day in singing of psalms; he also passed the night in joy and thanksgiving, unless when a short sleep prevented it; but awaking, he presently repeated his wonted exercises, and ceased not to give thanks to GoD with hands expanded. He sang antiphons, says the Narrator, according to our and his custom; one of which is, "O glorious KING! LORD OF HOSTS! who, triumphing this day, didst ascend above all the heavens; do not forsake us orphans; but send down the promised FATHER'S SPIRIT OF TRUTH upon us. Hallelujah!" When he came to the words, "do not forsake us," he burst into tears, and wept much; and, when in an hour after he began to repeat what he had commenced, we wept with him: by turns we read, and by turns we wept; nay, we always read with tears. He often said and repeated, that "GOD scourgeth every son whom he receiveth," and much more out of the Scripture; as also the sentence of ST. AMBROSE, "I have not lived so as to be ashamed to live among you; nor do I fear to die, because we have a good GoD." During these, days he laboured to compose two works, well worthy to be remembered, besides the lessons we had from him, and singing of psalms; that is, he translated the Gospel of St. John into our own tongue, [the Anglo-Saxon] for the benefit of the Church, and some colTections out of the book of Notes of BISHOP ISIDORUS; saying, "I will not have my scholars read a falsehood, and to labour herein after my death, without any advantage."-This is one of the earliest accounts we have of any vernacular version of the Scriptures in Britain; and it shows that BEDE had no mind to keep the Word of GOD locked up in a foreign tongue." When the Tuesday before the Ascension of our LORD came," adds the Narrator, "he began to be more vehemently seized with difficulty of breathing, and a slight swelling appeared in his feet; but he passed all that day pleasantly, and dictated now and then, saying, Go on quickly; know not how long I shall hold out, and whether my Maker will soon take me away.' But to us he seemed well to know the time of his departure; and so he spent that night waking in thanksgiving; and the morning appearing, that is, Wednesday, he ordered that we : should speedily transcribe what he had begun to pen. One of us said to him, "Most dear Master, there is still one chapter wanting: do you think it troublesome to be asked any more questions?' He answered, "It is no trouble: take your pen, and make ready, and write fast. This he did: but at the ninth hour he said to me, 'Run quickly, and bring the priest of our monastery to me.' He then spoke to every one, admonishing and entreating that they would carefully say masses and prayers for him, which they readily promised; but they all mourned and wept, especially because he said, They should no more see his face in this world. But they rejoiced when he said further, It is time that I return to him, who formed me out of nothing I have lived long; my merciful Judge well foresaw my life for me; the time of my dissolution draws near; for I desire to be dissolved, and be with CHRIST.' Having said much more, he passed the day rejoicing till the evening, when the above-mentioned youth said,Dear Master, there is one sentence not yet written. He answered, Write quickly.' Soon after the young man said, "The sentence is now written.' He replied, "Well, you have said the truth. It is ended. Receive my head into your hands, for it is a great satisfaction to me to sit facing the sacred spot, where I was wont to pray, that I may also in my sitting call upon my FATHER.' Being lifted out of bed, and sitting upon the floor, he then sung, "Glory be to the FATHER, and to the Son, and to the HOLY GHOST' and he immediately breathed his last. "All that beheld this blessed Father's death said, they had never seen any other expire in so much devotion and tranquillity; for as long as his soul continued in the body, he never ceased, with uplifted hands, to give thanks to the true and living GoOD*." Such is the account of the happy exit of one of the greatest men of the christian church, within his age and country. We may, perhaps, discern some tincture of superstition, in his desiring masses to be said for him: but there is no mention of purgatory; no fear of death; no application to the intercession of saints; nor use of the extreme unction. So much of ardent piety and devotion, in conjunction with unremitting regard for literature, are seldom instanced, even in a purer age of the church. HINT FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF TIME IN To the Editor of the Methodist Magazine. In the course of my reading, I happened to meet with the Travels of NICOLAI KARASEM through Persia, Germany, Switzerland, France, and England. In that work, I noticed the following passage, referring to what took place at the house of a friend of the celebrated LAVATER :-" After dinner we sat down to play; (not at cards;) we seated ourselves round a table; each took a piece of paper, upon which he wrote any question that occurred to him. The papers Preface to STEVENS's Translation of BEDK. were then mixed, and again distributed; and every one had to answer the question he had received, and write down a new one. This game continued till the paper was full, and then they were all read aloud; many of the answers were well adapted to the subject, but those of LAVATER differed from the rest as the moon from the stars."-It struck me, Mr. Editor, when I read this extract, that it would be a profitable mode of spending an hour in the evening at our social and friendly meetings, if something of this kind could be occasionally practised, though not as a play or game, but seriously, and in reference to moral and religious subjects. The questions should have some relation either to doctrinal, experimental, or practical Christianity. And if any Minister be present, he should be requested to sum up the amount of what is advanced in the several answers to the questions which have been proposed, and to conclude the conversation with Prayer. Would not some such plan as this, if managed with prudence and piety, rescue our social meetings from mere idle and useless chit-chat, increase our spiritual knowledge, strengthen our graces, and minister to general edification? August 28, 1821. Y. Z. d LATE METHODIST CONFERENCE IN MANCHESTER.-In addition to what has been published on this subject in our Numbers for September and October, we deem it proper to lay before our Readers, for the sake of that numerous class of them who do not happen to possess the "Minutes of the Conference," the following Extract from that Pamphlet; judging that too much attention cannot be excited to the important topics which are included in the Resolutions here recorded: "Question XXIV. What are the spiritual state and prospects of our Societies in general? by MR. WESLEY; which are, the first Fridays after Michaelmas-day, Christmas-day, Lady-day, and Midsummerday; on which occasions, Public PrayerMeetings shall be held in all our Chapels, at those hours which may be deemed most convenient for the attendance of our people. At the Annual DistrictMeetings, the Chairmen are directed to make particular inquiries concerning the conduct of the Brethren, in reference to this regulation. 2. We agree strongly to advise the Members of our Society, especially in large towns, to meet in those Classes which are the nearest to their respective places of residence; in order that their attendance may be less liable to interAnswer. The Conference having ap-ruption, and that they may be visited pointed a time, as last year, for special with greater facility by their Leaders. conversation on the state of Religion in our Societies, and on the best means of further promoting the work of GOD, were thankful to receive much pleasing and encouraging information from various parts of the Connexion; and from the statements given by several of the Preachers, respecting the means which appear to have been especially owned of GOD, were led to agree upon the following particulars: viz. 1. We resolve that there shall be a regular observance of the Quarterly Fasts in all our Circuits, as appointed VOL. XLIV. NOVEMBER, 1821, 3. We earnestly exhort all our Preachers to be increasingly diligent in pastoral visits to the families of our people; endeavouring to render such visits eminently profitable to all present, by prayer, and by spiritual conversation. 4. We recommend to the Preachers, in all cases where it is practicable, the establishment and superintendence of Prayer-Meetings in private houses; as being calculated not only to call into exercise the gifts of our people, and to promote their religious improvement, but also to awaken the attention of the *5 E* ignorant and profligate to the concerns of their souls, as well as to obtain the special blessing of God upon the public ministry of his word. work, our only reliance for success is upon the promised grace of the HOLY SPIRIT; by whose inspiration alone it is, that the Gospel in any instance is rendered the "power of God unto salvation.” 10. The Conference also requires, that in every Circuit, the plans for the Quar terly Visitation of the Societies shall be so arranged, as not to crowd too many Classes together, but to afford proper time for a minute examination of the Members, and for suitable advice, encouragement, and admonition. 5. We strongly advise the Preachers in their respective, Circuits, particularly in the more populous Districts, and where there is a general neglect of the means of grace already established, to avail themselves of every opportunity to preach in. private houses, especially in the cottages of the poor; not for the purpose of superseding the regular exercise of their ministry in our Chapels, or other places of pub-......... 11. We once more solemnly call upon he worship, but in order to obtain access the Members of our Society conscien to the more neglected part of the people, tiously to sanctify the Sabbath-day, both and to bring those who are at present individually and in their families; espeliving without God in the world under cially by a regular attendance upon the such a concern for the salvation of their public Worship of ALMIGHTY GOD in the souls, as will induce them to become stated forenoon, as well as on the subsequeat attendants upon the ordinances of the services of that sacred day, and by sufferLORD's House. ing as few persons under their care as possible to be detained at home. 6. The distribution of Religious Tracts having, in many instances, been followed by the most beneficial results, the Conference recommends it to the Preachers and to our people in general, to form Associations, in the different Circuits, for a regular and systematic circulation of Tracts, especially of those written by MR. WESLEY, in the way of loan and otherwise, as may be deemed expedient. 7. We again exhort all our People, who have opportunity, to meet in Band; as an old-established usage in our Connexion, and an important means of improvement in personal religion: and the Preachers are directed to hold General Meetings of the Bands in every Society where it is practicable. 8. For the spiritual benefit of our people, and in order that the blessing of God may rest upon their families, we earnestly press upon them the orderly and devout exercise of family-worship, accompanied by a deliberate reading of the Holy Scriptures. In order to a due discharge of this most important duty, a suitable portion of time should be conscientiously set apart on the morning and evening of every day, when the attendance of all the members of the family, including the servants, should be required. 9. We again solemnly resolve, after the example of our venerable Fathers in the Gospel, with all plainness and zeal, to preach a free, present, and full salvation from sin;-a salvation flowing from the mere grace of God, through the redemption which is in CHRIST JESUS, apprehended by the simple exercise of Faith, and indispensably preparatory to a course of practical holiness. And in this great 12. We also advise the Preachers occasionally to invite, after preaching on the LORD's Day, such persons as may be seriously concerned for the salvation of their souls, to call upon them, and converse with them, on the following day, at an hour which they may appoint for this purpose. 13. The Conference directs, that the Twelve Rules of a Helper, and the Results of the Conversation on carrying on the Work of GOD, inserted in the Mmutes of 1820, page 68-76, shall be annually read by the Chairman in every DistrictMeeting, and proper time allowed for examination, and for useful conversation, on the several subjects to which they refer. 14. The Preachers are peremptorily required to read the PASTORAL ADDRESS of the Conference to all the Societies in their respective Circuits." We find in the Minutes of this Conference another Article, which, from its direct reference to those Purchasers of this Magazine, who obtain it through the Superintendents of their respective Circuits, we think it necesary here to reprint. It is as follows: "The Conference directs, that payment on delivery for our Magazines and other Books shall be strongly recommended to the Subscribers and Purchasers by the Preachers, and also occasionally on the Cover of the Magazine, as one means of materially assisting a Concern, on the Profits of which the carrying on of the Work of GoD in our own country so mainly depends." |