Christmas Greetings from

Wes & Patti McCallum

Wes is currently serving as an interim pastor in Cartersville, Georgia.

Patti is again working at a CVS photo lab.

We are living in a furnished apartment in the city.

We are enjoying the lovely winter weather!

We are learning to enjoy grits, cornbread, and collard greens!

]]> http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/12/19/christmas-greetings-2008/feed/ http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/12/19/did-john-wesley-drink-wine/ http://wes.themccallums.org/2008/12/19/did-john-wesley-drink-wine/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:38:06 +0000 wes http://wes.themccallums.org/?p=92 Hey Pastor… Did you hear about the John Wesley Wine Company ®? Did John Wesley really drink wine? Well YES and NO! It’s true that some wine distributors use John Wesley as a promotion for selling wine. One even uses this quote:

“Wine is One of the Noblest Cordials in Nature”

– Rev. John Wesley

Clearly John Wesley (1703-1791) opposed the buying, selling, and drinking of “spirituous liquors”. In fact, Wesley’s GENERAL RULES (1743) urged “avoiding evil in every kind” including “drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity”.

Bear in mind that John Wesley’s passion was for righteousness and social reformation. Public intoxication and alcoholism and was a significant social ill that destroyed lives, homes, and families. However, unlike his American followers, Wesley did not lead a temperance movement. Rather, his appeal to people was for transformation, not legislation. He believed that if people would “seek the righteousness of God” then alcoholism and addictive behaviors would cease to be an issue.

However, while Wesley forbade drinking distilled spirits and liquors, he had lesser concerns with fermented wine and ale. Perhaps, he was concerned about the elevated alcoholic content in the hard liquor. Regularly, John Wesley observed the Lord’s Supper with fermented wine mixed with water. It would take over 100 years before this communion tradition would change. American Methodists never used “unfermented communion wine” until 1864, yet this new tradition never became official until the 1916 annual conference.

John Wesley did see some health benefits to drinking fermented ale. In his “Instructions to Circuit Preachers (1763)” he encouraged the use of lemonade or “a little soft, warm ale” as a sore throat remedy after preaching. In 1789, he published a letter in the Bristol Gazette with home brewing tips for malt ale. He also allowed tobacco for medicinal purposes. But he discouraged Methodists from drinking tea, being a waste of time and money. He also discouraged the use of common medicines like opium and quinine.

In 1747, Wesley published health tips in a book called “Primitive Physick, or An Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases”. Some of these are as follows:

• Water is the wholesomest of all drinks; it quickens the appetite and strengthens the digestion most.
• Strong, and more especially, spirituous liquors, are a certain, though slow poison.
• Experience shows there is very seldom any danger in leaving them off all at once.
• Strong liquors do not prevent the mischiefs of a surfeit, or carry it off so safely as water.
• Malt liquors (except for clear small beer, or small ale, of a due age) are extremely hurtful to tender persons.
• Coffee and tea are extremely hurtful to persons who have weak nerves.

At age 44, Wesley wrote the following to the bishop of London in 1747: “Thanks be to God! Since the time I gave up the use of flesh-meats and wine, I have been delivered from all physical ills.” In this letter, he underscores the health benefits of a meat and wine free diet. Possibly, this remained his dietary pattern until his death at age 88.

In summary, John Wesley opposed distilled “spirituous liquors”, yet allowed liberty for unfermented wine and ale as a health remedy. He was too disciplined, diligent, and thrifty for social drinking. Traveling over 250,000 miles as a circuit-rider on horseback he was too busy preaching, praying, fasting, and writing sermons to drink socially. Today, he would be surprised to learn about the John Wesley Wine Company ®, or J. Wesley Vineyards®.

Okay, so Wesley forbade “spirited liquor”, but did he drink wine or ale?

• YES, in Holy Communion (for the soul’s sake).
• YES, medicinally (for the stomach’s sake).
• NO, as dinner wine (for thrift and health’s sake).
• NO, as social drinking (for the weaker brother’s sake).
• He wasn’t too keen about coffee or tea either!

Few know that the founder of Welch’s grape juice began as a Wesleyan Methodist preacher and an outspoken activist for the temperance movement. Thomas Bramwell Welch, gradated from the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary in 1844 and served Wesleyan Methodist congregations at Pound Ridge and Herkimer County, New York.* He retired from active ministry after his voice and health failed him. In 1851, he graduated from medical college and served as a dentist until 1880 in Vineland, New Jersey. Vineland was also the center for National Camp Meeting Association for the Promotion of Holiness. Undoubtedly, Welch was influenced by these camp meetings that attracted crowds of over 20,000 people annually. In 1865 he began grape processing plants at Vineland, New Jersey and later at Watkins and Westfield, New York. Throughout his life he was an outspoken temperance activist and fought against the devastating effects of alcohol in Vineland, Millville, and Bridgeton, New Jersey and also at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Wesleyan heritage includes Thomas Welch, a preacher who resisted the social evils of his day and changed the communion tradition in America. However, the novelty of grape juice served in tiny cups didn’t catch on right away as few parishioners saw the need for such innovation. Thomas Welch and his son, Charles, spent years promoting this new tradition in many churches that resisted change. By 1893, Welch’s grape juice became a national favorite as thousands sampled it at the Chicago World’s Fair. Possibly, it was the World’s Fair that brought the cultural acceptance of grape juice to the church. 1893 was the same year that a Methodist preacher, Rev. R. W. Ryan, published several articles defending his novel invention of individual communion cups. Many resisted the idea of serving communion in a “shot glass”. Another innovation was the use bleached leavened bread. This idea gained acceptance in the 1930’s when Wonder Bread™ introduced sliced bread.

Some traditions are hard to change. Someone gave me an antique communion pitcher and chalice. Whenever I use it, I am humbled to think of my predecessors who served communion long before I was born. I am sure that they resisted change too!

A Timeline of Communion Changes

1864 Methodist General Conference urges the use of unfermented juice.

1869 Dr. Thomas B. Welch experiments with pasteurized grape juice.

1880 Methodist General Conference standardizes the use of unfermented juice.

1893 Rev. R. W. Ryan introduces individual communion cups.

1893 Welch’s grape juice introduced at the Chicago World’s Fair.

1930’s Wonder Bread™ introduces “sliced bread”.

* Thomas Welch’s ministry in the Wesleyan Methodist Church is documented in an obituary written by his son, Dr. Charles E. Welch. http://www.vineland.org/history/welchs/DrTBWelch.html

1.
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down;
fix in us thy humble dwelling;
all thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.

2.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in thee inherit;
let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.

3.
Come, Almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

4.
Finish, then, thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee;
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Words: Charles Wesley, 1747
Music: John Zundel, 1870

LISTEN TO AUDIO: Thanks to God for my Redeemer

THANKS to God for my Redeemer,

Thanks for all Thou dost provide!

Thanks for times now but a memory,

Thanks for Jesus by my side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,

Thanks for dark and stormy fall!

Thanks for tears by now forgotten,

Thanks for peace within my soul!

THANKS for prayers that Thou hast answered,

Thanks for what Thou dost deny!

Thanks for storms that I have weathered,

Thanks for all Thou dost supply!

Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,

Thanks for comfort in despair!

Thanks for grace that none can measure,

Thanks for love beyond compare!

THANKS for roses by the wayside,

Thanks for thorns their stems contain!

Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,

Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!

Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,

Thanks for heavenly peace with Thee!

Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,

Thanks through all eternity!

1891 – by August L. Storm, translated from Swedish to English.

August Ludvig Storm was born on October, 1862, in Motala, and converted to Christ in a Salvation Army meeting. He joined the Salvation Army Corps and became one of its leading officers.

Carl Ernest Backstrom, the original text translator pastured Evangelical Mission Covenant churches in Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio. He translated it for the Covenant Hymnal, 1931.

Thanks to God for My Redeemer

This outline is from my recent teaching series on the Principles of Spiritual Restoration. A believer who sins often needs help to be restored to the family or church. Adapt these principles according to the circumstances and the severity of the situation.

KEY SCRIPTURES

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. –1 John 2:1

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:7-9

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. — Galatians 6:1-3.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. — James 5:16

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. — 2 Corinthians 7:10

RESPONDING TO GOD

• Avoid justifying or rationalizing your actions.
• Make an honest confession and repentance of sin.
• Forgive yourself, accept Christ’s cleansing.
• Forgive others who may have harmed you.
• Ask the pastor(s) to receive Holy Communion.
• Consecrate yourself afresh to God and His will.
• Ask God to sanctify your attitudes, thoughts, and motives.
• Pursue holy living and the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
• Develop spiritual disciplines of worship, prayer, fasting, scriptures, etc.
• Safeguard yourself against repeating the same sin.
• Never think that you are above sin or temptation, even Jesus was tempted.

CONFESSION

• Confess public sins publicly, and private sins privately.
• Keep your confession brief (use carefully selected words).
• Express genuine repentance and remorse for sin.
• Focus only on your own sin (not the sin of others).
• Confess to specific sins (not generalized mistakes or errors).
• Guard against details that may hurt the reputation of others.
• Apologize directly to those that you may have harmed.
• Express your desire to make restitution and reconciliation.
• Request forgiveness and prayer support.
• Exalt Christ (avoid a self-centered confession).

RESPONDING TO OTHERS

• Make restitution with those who you have wronged.
• Respond with humility and limit strong emotions.
• Limit your conversation to only those directly involved.
• Discontinue discussing resolved matters.
• Avoid the appearance of evil (to restore your character).
• Preserve the witness of your church or family.
• Submit to those in spiritual leadership over you.
• Be accountable to a respected partner.
• Accept that fact that some people may never forgive you and move on.
• Ask God for grace to deal with difficult people.

CONSEQUENCES

• Some people may be hurt, disillusioned, or angry.
• Some people may avoid you, your family, or church.
• Some people may spread rumor and gossip.
• Your witness may be compromised.
• Your character may be questioned.
• Some people will doubt the sincerity of your repentance.
• Some consequences may never be reversed.

PRACTICAL TIPS

• It takes time to heal emotions and restore confidence.
• It takes time to rebuild trust, respect, and leadership.
• Very little sin is private; most issues have an impact upon others.
• Un-confessed sin will keep you and others in spiritual bondage.

OTHER SCRIPTURES

1 John 1

5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Matthew 3

5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by (John) in the Jordan River.

Luke19

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Ephesians 4

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Luke 14:11

11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

James 4

6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Romans 12

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 18

15“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18“I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” 21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

1 Thessalonians 5

12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.

My call for ministry was more a process than an event.  It began in 1978 with a heavenly vision that distinctly got my attention in the early morning hours.  Sometime later it was confirmed during a sleepless night of prayer.  Later still it was reaffirmed through opportunities for ministry that continued to open up.  Ultimately, it was confirmed through other ministers who mentored and ordained me.  These scriptures and images are displayed in my office as a reminder of a vision when God revealed himself to me.   When life gets tough, I recall that God called me to serve Him.

THE HEAVENLY VISION

Acts 26

13 b … I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me…

16 b … I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.  17b… I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 “So then, … I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

Jesus’ greatest influence was not with the 12 disciples or the crowds.  Rather, it was with intimate disciples like Peter, James, and John.  He mentored Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  He also warmed the hearts of two disciples on the Emmaus Road.  This model of leadership likely influenced 12 disciples, 70 commissioned disciples (Luke 10:1), and 120 Pentecost disciples (Acts 1:15).  The best Christian leaders are mentored for ministry by other mature spiritual leaders.  Here are several Biblical examples of mentoring:

Moses to Joshua

Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. 

– Exodus 24:3

So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses.  – Exodus 27:18-23

Eli & Samuel

So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.” Hannah … said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always.”

 …they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” — 1 Samuel 1:20-28

Elijah and Elisha

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”  “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.  “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.” 

He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. — 2 Kings 2

Mordecai to Esther

Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai…

Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.  – Esther 2:5-7, 20

Jesus to the 12 Disciples

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15and to have authority to drive out demons.   – Mark 3:13-14

Jesus with Peter, James, and John

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.  – Mark 9:2-4

Jesus to the 70 Disciples

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”  At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. — Luke 10

Jesus with Mary, Martha, & Lazarus

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  – Luke 10

Paul to Timothy

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.  – Timothy 2:1-2.

Lois to Eunice to Timothy

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. — 2 Timothy 1:5-6

Paul to his Leaders

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. — Romans 1:11

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.  – Acts 18:23

On the first Sunday after the Resurrection, I preached on “CHRISTUS VICTOR – CHRIST IS VICTORIOUS” from I Corinthians 15.  The message developed several of the following theories of atonement.  The message focused on the final two theories listed below:

1. The Ransom Theory (God pays off Satan).
Introduced by Origen Adamantius in the third century — Eastern Orthodox?

2. The Satisfaction Theory (Jesus appeases God by being a ritual human sacrifice).
Introduced by Anselem, in the late 11th century — Roman Catholic

3. The Moral Theory (Jesus’ death is an example for the rest of humanity to emulate).
Introduced by Abelard in the 12th century. — Liberal Christians

4. The Acceptance Theory (Atonement comes from the arbitrary choice of God).
Introduced by Scotus circa 1300.

5. Penal-Substitution Theory (God’s mercy replaces his wrath). Introduced by Reformation theologians circa 1520.  – Reformed.

6. The Governmental Theory
God publicly demonstrated his displeasure with sin by punishing his own sinless Son as propitiation. Christ’s suffering and death served as a substitute for the punishment humans might have received. Introduced by James Arminius & Hugo Grotius.  – Wesleyan / Holiness

7. Christus Victor Theory

Christ voluntarily dies to defeat the power of evil and liberate humanity from the slavery of sin.  The Orthodox Church view is based upon Irenaeus’ theory of “recapitulation” where Jesus became what we are so that we could become what he is.  — Eastern Orthodox & Lutheran

GROUP                                                PREDOMINATE THEORY
Roman Catholic Church                          Satisfaction Theory
Eastern Orthodox Churches                    Ransom Theory
Eastern Orthodox & Lutheran              Christus Victor Theory
Conservative & Mainline Protestants        Penal Substitution Theory
Wesleyan / Holiness                            Governmental Theory
Word-faith Movement                              Ransom Theory
Liberal Christians & post Christians         Moral Theory or a non-violent theory

Many churches set membership commitments for their constituents. Here is an interesting set of

GENERAL RULES set by John & Charles Wesley in 1743 for those attending the class meetings. Initially, only one condition was required to attend — a desire “to flee from the wrath to come, to be saved from their sins”. However, to continue attending one was expected to observe THREE AREAS OF WEEKLY DISCIPLINE:

1. Doing no harm by avoiding all evil;

2. Doing good towards others; and

3. Attending all the means of grace (worship, communion, prayer, scriptures, fasting).

A lay leader was responsible to guide a group of 12 persons in their spiritual disciples. Typically, a class meeting had more seekers than perfected Christians. This class meeting model was observed in many churches for over 200 years but phased out of use in the 1960’s.

WESLEY’S GENERAL RULES (1743).

THERE IS ONE ONLY CONDITION PREVIOUSLY REQUIRED IN THOSE WHO DESIRE ADMISSION INTO THESE SOCIETIES, — A DESIRE “TO FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME, TO BE SAVED FROM THEIR SINS:” But, wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

FIRST, BY DOING NO HARM, BY AVOIDING EVIL IN EVERY KIND; especially that which is most generally practiced: Such as,

— the taking the name of God in vain;

— the profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work thereon, or by buying or selling;

— drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity;

— fighting, quarreling, brawling; brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling;

— the buying or selling unaccustomed goods (that have not paid the duty);

— the giving or taking things on usury, that is, unlawful interest;

— uncharitable or unprofitable conversation, particularly speaking evil of Magistrates or of Ministers;

— doing to others as we would not they should do unto us;

— doing what we know is not for the glory of God, as

— the “putting on of gold or costly apparel;”

— the taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus;

— the singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God;

— softness, and needless self-indulgence;

— laying up treasures upon earth;

— borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.

It is expected of all who continue in these societies, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

SECONDLY, BY DOING GOOD, by being, in every kind, merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and as far as is possible, to all men;

— to their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick, or in prison;

— to their souls, by instructing reproving, or exhorting all they have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine of devils, that “we are not to do good unless our heart be free to it.”

— By doing good especially to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others, buying one of another; helping each other in business; and so much the more, because the world will love its own, and them only:

— By all possible diligence and frugality, that the gospel be not blamed:

— By running with patience the race that is set before them, “denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily;” submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and off-scouring of the world; and looking that men should “say all manner of evil of them falsely for the Lord’s sake.”

It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

THIRDLY, BY ATTENDING UPON ALL THE ORDINANCES OF GOD.

Such are,

— the public worship of God;
— the ministry of the word, either read or expounded;
— the supper of the Lord;
— family and private prayer;
— searching the Scriptures;
— and fasting, or abstinence.

These are the GENERAL RULES of our societies; all which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written word, the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these, we know, his Spirit writes on every truly awakened heart. If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them, let it be made known unto them who watch over that soul as they that must give an account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways; we will bear with him for a season: But then if he repent not, he hath no more place among us. We have delivered our own souls.
— JOHN WESLEY, CHARLES WESLEY.
May 1, 1743.