can enter into and retire from them volun-* tarily.

The appointing power of the Methodist episcopacy I have shown to be one of the most essential features of our polity: when it is abolished our itinerancy will become a nullity. And yet this is the peculiarity of our system which is most abhorred by " reformers," so called. And why this hostility to it? Is not its chief pressure on the ministry; and is it not a creation of the ministry itself? Our bishops do not usurp this high prerogative, but the ministry itself maintains it, and appoints the bishop to bear it. The ministry can repeal it, if it pleases. Why, then, this outcry against an authority which is voluntarily sustained by those who suffer its chief inconveniences? Is it said that "such a prerogative involves undue power? It is inconsistent with the republican principles of the country?" etc. I reply, that it is not more so than some usages which the civil policy of our country creates and sanctions.

The

country sustains an army. The power of military command is absolute, even unto death. The soldier's only maxim in the field is, "Obey," if it carries him to the mouth of the cannon. And yet, he is a free citizen of this republican government, in all his civil relations. I men

tion this case merely to show the absurdity of that indiscriminate cry of "republicanism," "personal rights," etc., which is so unceasingly uttered by reformers. I love republicanism: my attachment to it grows with my growth; but I love it too much to see it abused to the purposes of anarchy. By the sweeping generalizations of such logicians, we must not only abolish our military and naval regimen, but also the government of our colleges and academies, and of most of our voluntary organizations. There is no leading denomination in the land whose system is strictly modeled after that of the civil government. The Methodist community are as true to their country as any other sect; but they have found their religious economy peculiarly successful. It was not devised, but grew up providentially; and, being assured of the protection of their individual rights by the civil law, they have not deemed it wise to risk its efficiency by attempting to adjust it to the relative and abstract rights of its different subjects; but consent to a mutual sacrifice for the common good. Their only object being the "spread of holiness," their only inquiry is, "How shall we most effectually accomplish it?"

Third, the influence of this single impression will be powerful. Let it be the universal idea of

Our

the church that we may lead on the aggressive movements of Christianity, and our zeal will be redoubled. Hitherto we have been surprised at our own success, without a definite inference of its future results. We have exclaimed, "What hath God wrought!" and wondered whereunto it would tend. Standing now far in front of the religious bodies of this great nation, and prominent in the van of those of Europe, we ought to project plans for the future; and they should be sublime ones, befitting the gospel, and comprehensive as our lost world. zeal should look forward to the time when Methodist itinerants shall traverse the wilds of Africa and the deserts of Tartary, and shout for joy along the Andes and the Himalaya. "But this is enthusiasm :" yes, it is; yet it does not transcend the power or the promise of God. It is the enthusiasm that inflamed the prophets and bled on the cross for our redemption; and it must yet thrill through the church before she will put on her full energy. Heretofore she has moved by occasional impulses. Ever and anon a glory, as of the latter day, has dawned upon her, but been followed by darkness. But now good men are looking at the signs of the moral heavens with new eagerness and hope. In all lands great and effectual doors are opening.

New means of spiritual warfare are constantly arising. A special providence seems to control the course of civil events. The political arm of antichrist at least is broken, and the crescent of the false prophet but gleams on the horizon. Great revivals are waking up Christendom; and the idea is becoming general in the church that the morning of the latter day is upon us, and the final battles are at hand. In these circumstances, how stands Methodism? One of the largest corps of the evangelical host, disciplined and hardy by nearly a century of conflicts, possessing energies unequaled by any other sect, and lacking only a more definite conception of its true capability to enable it to scatter dismay and trembling among the powers of darkness. We have a tolerable idea of the nature of our mission, but not of its extent. We work well at the posts which have fallen to us, but show a culpable hesitancy in assuming our true position. Denominations of much less strength are before us in their efforts for education, missions, etc., and their influence on the public mind. Being first in numerical strength it devolves on us to be first in all Christian efforts; but we are not yet second. Our missionary contributions are an example: our present income would be quadrupled by each member

paying only a cent a week. Let the idea of our special mission be generally received, and it will at once arouse us from this apathy; and, when once awakened, we shall find our resources a hundred-fold greater than we have apprehended them to be. O that the young generation of Methodists, to whom is committed the future, may understand their "high calling," and "acquit themselves like men!" Let them be admonished that theirs will be a rare responsibility, and, if faithfully sustained, as glorious in honor and reward as in responsibility.