3. As Preachers: Have you thoroughly considered your duty? And do you make a conscience of executing every part of it? Do you meet every society and their leaders?

These means may be used without fruit. But there are some means which cannot: namely, watching, denying ourselves, taking up our cross, exercise of the presence of God.

1. Do you steadily watch against the world? Yourself? Your besetting sin?

2. Do you deny yourself every useless pleasure of sense? Imagination? Honor? Are you temperate in all things? Instance in food: (1) Do you use only that kind and that degree which is best both for body and soul? Do you see the necessity of this? (2) Do you eat no more at each meal than is necessary? Are you not heavy or drowsy after dinner? (3) Do you use only that kind, and that degree of drink, which is best both for your body and soul? (4) Do you choose and use water for your common drink? And only take wine medicinally or sacramentally?

8. Wherein do you take up your cross daily? Do you cheerfully bear your cross,

however grievous to nature, as a gift of God, and labor to profit thereby?

4. Do you endeavor to set God always before you? To see his eye continually fixed upon you?

Never can you use these means but a blessing will ensue. And the more you use them, the more you will grow in grace.

SECTION IV.

The Necessity of Union among ourselves.

Let us be deeply sensible (from what we have known) of the evil of a 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 everything so far as is consistent with truth.

7. Labor in honor 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 V.

How we can Employ our Time profitably, when not Traveling, or engaged in Pub lic Exercises.

Quest. 1. What general method of employing our time shall we advise?

Answ. We advise you, 1. As often 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, wherever it is practicable, let the time be spent in appropriate reading, study, and private devotion.

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 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 talktalk 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 nc books." Be diligent to spread the books, and you will have the use of them.

SECTION VI.

The Matter and Manner of Preaching.

Quest. 1. What is the best general method of preaching?

Answ. 1. To convince: 2. To offer Christ: 3. To invite: 4. To build up: And to do this in some measure in every sermon. Quest. 2. What is the most effectual way of preaching Christ?

Answ. 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.

SECTION VII.

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

Quest. 1. Is it advisable for us to preach in as many places as we can without forming any societies?

Answ. By no means.

We have made the

trial in various places, and that for a considerable time. But all the seed has fallen