The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
The worship of God was attended with great solemnity and reverence,
with much tenderness and many tears, and there was some appearance of
divine power upon those who had been awakened some time before.
After repeated prayer, I led them to a solemn renewal of their
_baptismal covenant_, wherein they had explicitly given up themselves
to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, avouching him to be their
God; and at the same time renouncing their heathenish vanities, and
solemnly engaging to take the word of God for the _rule of their lives_,
promising to walk together in love, to watch over themselves, and one
another; to lead lives of seriousness and devotion, and to discharge
the _relative_ duties incumbent upon them.
This solemn transaction was attended with much seriousness; and at the
same time with the utmost readiness and chearfulness; and an union and
harmony of soul seemed to crown the whole.
April 26. I catechised those that designed to partake of the Lord’s
supper the next day, upon the institution, nature and end of that
ordinance; and had abundant satisfaction respecting their knowledge.
They likewise appeared, to have an affecting sense of the solemnity
of the ordinance, and to be humbled under a sense of their own
unworthiness; and earnestly concerned that they may be duly prepared
for an attendance upon it. Their hearts were full of love one toward
another, and this they seemed much concerned to maintain, and bring to
the Lord’s table with them.
I administered the Lord’s supper to _twenty-three_ Indians, (the number
of _men_ and _women_ being nearly equal,) divers others, to the number
of five or six, being now absent at the Forks of Delaware.
The ordinance was attended with great solemnity, and with the utmost
tenderness and affection. In the performance of the _sacramental_
actions, especially in the distribution of the _bread_, they seemed
to be affected in a most lively manner, as if “Christ had been”
really “crucified before them.” And the words of the institution, when
repeated, seemed to be entertained with the _same full_ and _firm_
belief and affectionate engagement of soul, as if the Lord Jesus Christ
himself had _personally_ spoken to them.
*Having rested some time after the administration of the _sacrament_,
I walked from house to house, and conversed particularly with most of
the _communicants_, and found they had been refreshed at the Lord’s
table “as with new wine.” And never did I see such an appearance of
_Christian love_ among any people. One might well have cried with an
agreeable surprize, “Behold how they love one another!”
Toward night I discoursed on the immediate design of Christ’s death,
“To redeem his people from all iniquity.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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