Dr. Abel Stevens says: "As a preacher he remains a problem to us. It is at least difficult to explain, at this late day, the secret of his great power in the pulpit. Aside from the divine influence which is pledged to all faithful ministers, there must have been some peculiar power in his address which the records of the times have failed to describe; his action was calm and natural, yet pleasing and expressive; his voice not loud, but clear, agreeable, and masculine; his style neat and perspicuous." Cowper says he "Could fetch the records from earlier age, Or from philosophy's enlightened page His rich materials, and regale your ear With strains it was a privilege to hear. Yet, above all, his luxury supreme, And his chief glory, was the Gospel theme: There he was copious as old Greece or Rome, His happy eloquence seemed there at home; Ambitious not to shine or to excel, But to treat justly what he loved so well." Dr. Rigg says: "In his more intense utterances logic and passion were fused into a white heat of mingled argument, denunciation, and appeal, often of the most personal searchingness, often overwhelming in its vehement home thrusts." Dr. Whitehead says: "Wesley's style was marked with brevity and perspicuity. He never lost sight of the rule laid down by Horace: 'Concise your diction, let your sense be clear, Not with a weight of words fatigue the ear.' His words were pure, proper to the subject, and precise in their meaning." Mr. Wesley studied human character, and sought to adapt his preaching to the masses. One day he was passing Billingsgate market, with Bradford, while two of the women were quarreling furiously. His companion urged him to pass on, but Wesley replied, "Stay, Sammy, stay and learn how to preach." CHAPTER XIV. WESLEY AS A REFORMER. SLAVERY. THOSE moral reforms which have shaken the nations and in some cases revolutionized governments were scarcely known in the days of Wesley. He saw the coming storm and blew a trumpet-blast which gave no uncertain sound. In some of these reforms he was a hundred years in advance of his time. [Illustration: WESLEY'S TEA-POT.] [Illustration: WESLEY'S BIBLE AND CASE.]