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the past, then the history that tells us of that past is, in a great measure, an unknown tongue to us, and the study of it is of little advantage. Doubtless you will agree with me in this statement, but as the issue involved seems to me important, I will venture an attempt to enforce it by somewhat of argument and proof.

Over on yonder hill, within the corporate limits of this city, a plain granite shaft towers heavenward, reared there to commemorate a great event in the history of this land. That monument has a language; it speaks with eloquent and impressive tongue. But it is not simply the language which speaks of an historical fact; not simply the tongue which tells of a battle fought and lives sacrificed. He who stands there, and sees, hears nothing more, does but partially and poorly interpret the meaning and the worth of that granite column. It not only tells of a battle, of carnage, and death, but also, and much more, it tells how much men loved liberty and how much they were willing to do and give for it; it tells of patriot love, patriot zeal and devotion ; it tells that fact among the grandest, the most inspiring of all history's recitals, how men would rather die than resign the God-given rights of manhood. Of what use, what profit, is that lesson to any man who cannot enter into sympathy with the men who gave it; who feels not in his own heart patriot love, nor coursing in his veins patriot blood; who finds not in him to do and die in like manner at the call of country and liberty? In vain would it be that a man admire and praise the example of those men who there "fired the shot that was heard around the world," if he could not also imitate that noble example. He is little, if any more, profited by it than the granite blocks of which the monument is composed.

In like manner, of what valuable use, what practical benefit, are the examples of which our earlier Methodist history is so grandly full,— examples of toil, and devotion, and sacrifice, and faith,-if there be not in those who know, who study these examples, the spirit, the disposition to imitate them? We waste our time in the study of history, we waste our breath in the eulogy of its worthy characters and deeds, if we have not in us the qualities that will lead us to follow in the footsteps of these illustrious predecessors; if we cannot, will not, as occasion calls us to, do, dare, suffer as they did. Would it not be well for us to inquire whether we are not at this point in the presence of a peril, a peril too real, too great not to be heeded, not to call for some cautionary signal? In the midst of the materials of luxury, and ease, and self-indulgence with which the age abounds, and in the midst of so many temptations to moral and spiritual enervation as now beset the Church, are we in no danger of losing some of those better

qualities, those higher virtues which history calls us to contemplate and admire?

To bring the matter practically, and, if we may, profitably home to ourselves, is the average Methodist preacher or layman of to-day the equal of his historic predecessor in his devotion to the Church and to the work of God, in readiness to toil, to sacrifice, to suffer for their sake? Or is there more of a disposition now to avoid, as far as may be, the hard, the disagreeable things in Christian service, and to seek those which do not impose so heavy a tax on the selfish principles of our nature?

History tells us of a Methodist preacher who went cheerfully to hard, uninviting fields of labor, "fields where there was much toil and little money," much to endure in many ways, not much except religion to enjoy. Yea, more, history affirms that men even desired, asked for such fields; they were eager for the fray; they panted for the fight into which they might there enter. Their zeal for God, for souls, burned for heroic exploit ; their souls were on fire for some daring, some noble action. They conferred not with flesh and blood; indeed, they sometimes seemed fascinated by the place, the service where there was no opportunity for this. When the difficult, the trying service must be rendered, rarely was there lack of men to spring to the front and cry, "Here am I, send me."

Those were days of Gospel chivalry, and we have no reluctance to admire, to praise those gallant knights of the cross. But can we do no more than admire and commend? Can we not also imitate? Do such men and such deeds live only on the pages of history? If so, history for us has been written to little purpose; its valuable lessons prove to us of little value. I know that this type of men has not wholly passed away. Some of them yet survive, and here and there give flashes of that olden valor and devotion. But is he not too much a rara avis, an unusual bird? does not his wing too seldom cut the air in our modern sky?

I know that some may remind me of my own statement that there is not now a call for such men and such deeds, the day that demanded them has gone. But has it altogether gone? Are men of heroic mould, of self-denying courage, zeal, and devotion not now needed? Is the Kingdom of God so thoroughly established, its enemies so fully subdued, that such soldiers of the cross are no longer required? Are the barren, the sterile, the forbidden fields all under cultivation, and bearing plentiful harvests? Surely no one would dare claim this! The need, the demand still exists and must exist for many long and weary years. Are we training, furnishing the men? Our systems of

training, of discipline and preparation are evidently different, and he can scarcely be called an alarmist who fears for the result. The saddle and the circuit, with all their exposure and privation, were a different thing from our modern universities and luxurious theological halls, with every appliance for personal convenience and comfort. What wonder, then, if we turn out a different class of men? What wonder that they pant for a good church, a furnished parsonage, a wife, and an ample salary, as soon as they leave those halls? What wonder that they shrink from the small place, small salary, and hard lot? Whatever one may think of the existing facts, whether or not he sees in them any peril, he will, I am sure, admit this: that it will be an evil day for the church and for the Kingdom of God on earth, when that spirit of apostolic chivalry and devotion, of which the early Methodist preachers were such illustrious examples, is found no more among their successors. The true church must ever be a militant church, and so must ever call for men who can endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. If that call does not meet response from the ranks of the ministry and membership of the Methodist Church, then the history of that church has been written to little purpose; the example of noble sires will appeal in vain to degenerate sons.

I find also in history the portrait of a Methodist layman which seems to me worthy to be held up and studied by that layman's descendants to-day. One feature of it is to my thought worthy of special note. He was a true, loyal Methodist; a Methodist from principle. He loved Methodism for what it was in doctrine, spirit, purpose, and work. And though it was poor, humble, and often despised, yet he was true to it-true to its ministry in his co-operation and support, true to its denominational claim and honor. Other denominations might offer more of worldly attraction, more of social position, of money, and of respectability,-the offer did not have charm for him. He was a Methodist and was neither ashamed nor afraid to have it known. It was a badge of honor which he not only never hid, but gloried in displaying. I have gazed with profoundest pleasure on this portrait of the early Methodist layman, as it hangs side by side in the gallery of history with that of the early preacher. I have in my heart thanked God for him, as I have thanked God for the preacher. I turn to look for his counterpart in the layman of to-day, and I am glad I do not look in vain. The race is not extinct; they live yet to strengthen, keep, and bless our beloved Methodism. But when I look into the ranks of other churches, other denominations, and see them so filled with those who were born and reared at Methodist altars; when I see how awfully thin those ranks would some

times be without these Methodist recruits; when I look at the motives which in many, not to say most cases have led these deserters to the places they now hold,—a higher place, as they think, in the social scale, a larger, costlier church edifice, a more numerous body, ing, knowing all this, I cannot but say to myself, "Methodist history, Methodist traditions, spirit, and power have existed for these people in vain." Little has Methodism done for them.

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But I must relieve your patience. Brethren, founders, supporters, friends of the N. E. Methodist Historical Society, if this society shall accomplish these purposes which I have so imperfectly presented, it seems to me it cannot have a useless existence; it will serve a noble end, and all your efforts in its behalf will be abundantly rewarded. If those of the present and the future shall find in these records of the past which you garner up and preserve, the lessons I have specified, and shall so learn as to practice them, they must surely be richer in true wisdom and so better prepared for the work which, in their day, God calls them to do. If they can learn to follow in the steps of those who have gone before in things worthy of following; if they can learn that work equally great, equally important with that of the fathers is given to them also to do; and if they can find in themselves the spirit and the power to do their work as well as the fathers did theirs, then the examples of history will serve a most excellent purpose. And for this we may well devoutly labor and pray.

PROCEEDINGS.

The Eighth Annual Meeting of the New England Methodist Historical Society was held in Wesleyan Hall, 36 Bromfield Street, Boston, Mass., January 16, 1888, at 10.30 A. M.

The President, Hon. Jacob Sleeper, in the chair.

Prayer was offered by Rev. Lewis B. Bates, D. D., of East Boston, Mass.

The Recording Secretary, Rev. Edward A. Manning, read the records of the December meeting, and they were approved.

The President made an interesting address, calling attention to the fact of the awakening of interest in historical matters in political, civil, and religious circles, and referring especially to the marked growth and commanding importance to which our own society had attained.

The Annual Report of the Board of Directors was presented by Rev. Edward A. Manning, which was read, accepted, and ordered placed on file.

Reports of the Corresponding Secretary were presented by Rev. Ralph W. Allen, D. D.; of the Treasurer and Librarian by Mr. Willard S. Allen; of the Historiographer by Rev. Daniel Dorchester, D. D.; and of the Committee on Papers and Essays by Rev. Samuel L. Gracey, D. D.; which were severally read, accepted, and ordered placed on file.

One gentleman was elected to resident, and two to corresponding membership.

The Committee on the Nomination of Officers reported the list which appears on the third and fourth pages of this Report, and they were elected by ballot.

The Annual Address was delivered by Rev. George S. Chadbourne, D. D., of Cambridgeport, Mass. Subject: "The Uses and Benefits of a Methodist Historical Society."

A vote of thanks was passed for this excellent and instructive address, and a copy requested for publication in our Annual Proceedings. The following were appointed a committee to prepare and print one thousand copies of the Annual Proceedings: Hon. Jacob Sleeper, Mr. Willard S. Allen, and Rev. Edward A. Manning.

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