Neither spend any more time at any place than is strictly necessary." We fear there is altogether a fault in this matter, and that few of us are clear. Which of us spend as many hours a day in God's work as we did formerly in man's work? We talk-talk-or read what comes next to hand. We must, absolutely must, cure this evil, or betray the cause of God? But how? 1. Read the most useful books, and that regularly and constantly. 2. Steadily spend all the morning in this employment, or at least five hours in the four and twenty. "But I have no taste for reading." Contract a taste for it by use, or return to your former employment. "But I have no books." Be diligent to spread the books, and you will have the use of them.

Of our Deportment at the Conferences.

¶ 131. It is desired that all things be considered on these occasions as in the immediate presence of God; that every person speak freely whatever is in his heart.

¶ 132. In order, therefore, that we may best improve our time at the Conferences,

1. While we are conversing let us have an especial care to set God always before us. 2. In the intermediate hours, let us redeem all the time we can for private exercises. 3. Therein let us give ourselves to prayer for one another, and for a blessing on our labor.

The Matter and Manner of Preaching.

¶ 133. The best general method of preaching is, 1. To convince; 2. To offer Christ; 3. To invite; 4. To build up: And to do this in some measure in every

sermon.

T 134. 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.

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

¶ 135. It is by no means advisable for us to preach in as many places as we can without forming any societies. We have

made the trial in various places, and that for a considerable time. But all the seed has fallen by the way-side.

scarcely any fruit remaining.

There is

¶ 136. We should endeavor to preach most, 1. Where there is the greatest number of quiet and willing hearers. 2. Where there is most fruit.

¶ 137. We ought diligently to observe in what places God is pleased at any time to pour out his Spirit more abundantly, and at that time to send more laborers than usual into that part of the harvest.

Visiting from House to House, guarding against those Things that are so common to Professors, and enforcing Practical Religion.

T 138. We can further assist those under our care 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

How little

little communion with God! living in heaven, walking in eternity, deadness to every creature! How much love of the world! Desire of pleasure, of case, of getting money! How little brotherly love! What continual judging one another! What gossiping, 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 Traveling Preacher must, instruct the people from house to house. Till this be done, and that in good earnest, Methodists will be no better.

§ 3. Our religion is not sufficiently deep, universal, uniform; but superficial, partial, uneven. It will be so till we

Can

spend half as much time in this visiting as we now do in talking uselessly. we find a better method of doing this than Mr. Baxter's? If not, let us adopt it without delay. His whole tract, entitled "Gildas Salvianus; or, The Reformed Pastor," 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 dullness 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 people perish rather than lose their love; we let them go quictly to hell lest we should offend them. 3. Some of us have also a foolish bashfulness. We know not how to begin, and blush to contradict the devil. 4. But the greatest hinderance is weakness of faith.

Our whole motion is

weak, because the spring of it is weak. 5. Lastly, we are unskillful 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!

¶ 139. 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