but expel all that touch the accurs ed thing. And strongly advise our people to discountenance all treats given by candidates before or at elections, and not to be partakersy in any respect, of such iniquitous practices. SECTION XV. Of the Instruction of Children. Quest. 1. What shall we do for the rising generation? Answ. 1. Let him who is zealous for God and the souls of men begin now. 2. Where there are ten children, whose parents are in society, meet them an hour once a week: bat where this is impracticable, meet them once in two weeks. 3. Procure our instructions or catechisms for them, and let all who can, read and commit them to meniory. 4. Explain and impress them upon their hearts. 5. Talk with them every time you see any at home. 6. Pray earnestly for them: and diligently instruct and exhort all parents at their own houses. 7. Let the elders, deacons, and preachers, take a list of the names of the children; and if any of them be truly awakened, let them be admitted into society. 8. Preach expressly on education: "But I have no gift for this." Pray earnestly for the gift, and use every other means to attain it, SECTION XVI. Of employing our time profitably, when we are not travelling, or engaged in public Exercises. Quest. 1. What general method of employing our time shall we advise? Answ. We advise 1. As of ten as possible, to rise at four. 2. From four to five in the morning and from five to six in the evening, to meditate, pray, and read the scriptures with notes, and the closely practical parts of what Mr. Wesley has published. 3. From six in the morning till twelve (allowing an hour for breakfast,) read, with much prayer, some of our best religious tracts. Quest. 2. Why is it that the people under our care are not better? Answ. Other reasons may concur ; but the chief is, because we are not more knowing and more holy. Quest. 3. But why are we not more knowing? Answ. Because we are idle. We forget our first rule, "Be diligent. Never be unemployed. Never be triflingly employed: neither spend any more time at any place than is strictly necessary." We fear there is altogether a fault ia 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 four and twenty. "But I have no taste for reading." Contract a tate 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. 4 SECTION XVII. Of the Necessity of Union among ourselves. Let us be deeply sensible (from what we have known of the evil of la division in principle, spirit, or practice, and the dreadful consequences to ourselves and others. If we are united, what can stand before us? If we divide, we shall destroy ourselves, the work of God, and the souls of our people. Quest. What can be done in order to a closer union with each other? Answ. 1. Let us be deeply convinced of the absolute necessity of it. 2. Pray earnestly for, and speak freely to each other. 3. When we meet, let us never part without prayer. 4. Take great care not to despise each other's gifts. 5. Never speak lightly of each other. 6. Let us defend each other's character in every thing, so far as is consistent with truth. 7. Labour, in honour, each to prefer the other before himself. 8. We recommend a serious perusal of The Causes, Evils, and Cures of heart and church Divisions. SECTION XVIII. Of the method by which immoral travelling Ministers or Preachers shall be brought to trial, found guilty, and reproved or suspended in the intervals of the conferen ces. Quest. 1. What shall be done when an elder, deacon, or preacher, is under report of being guilty of some crime, expressly forbidden in the word of God, as an unchristian practice sufficient to exclude a per . For the trial of a bishop, see section IV. |