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Download PDF - Free Methodist Church

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Tlie Bv. J. S. Willis took the ToungAmerican side of the case, and was readyto vindicate it. anywhere. He combatedthe idea that they urged, that a change inthis particular would produce laxity ofdoctrine and work injury to tile <strong>Church</strong>;and I demonstrated that the Unitarian defection. from Congregationalism, was owingnot to a laxity of doctrine in the latter,but to the introduction of political tacticsin church elections. The question wasconsidered of such prime importance, andso many persons wanted to speak on it,that it was continued over until the nextmeeting.COBBESPOKDEKCE.ANN ABBOB COBBESPONDENCE.About four weeks ago, I joined the <strong>Free</strong><strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>Church</strong>. I think I had been onefor three years, but was not fully aware ofit. I had heard something about them, audfrom what I learned, they were " a sect ecerytclierespoken against "—especially bythe Old <strong>Church</strong>, to which I belonged.I was so engaged most of the time, thatI knew and cared but little about them. 1had all I could do at home. Here, most ofthe time it was one continued conflict, dinof battle, and shouts of victory personally,and in public, in the name of the Lord,following each other in rapid succession.But iu the order of Providence, I wascompelled to notice them. I made a contractwith a stranger for a quantity ofwood. It was delivered according to agreement,and corded with a conscience—a rareoccurrence. When he called for his mon-«y, his wife came to the city with him.—sie said they were <strong>Free</strong> <strong>Methodist</strong>s. " Isit! possible!". I exclaimed. I never sawbut oue before—a senior student of theDniversity—a " peculiar " young man.—Hiey also told me they were going to have•iQuarterly Meeting in their place (Moreville,)in a few weeks, and gave me notonly a pressing, but a warm invitation toattend. It was fifteen miles away, and beingdestitute of public or private conveyance,I said I would be glad to attend, butfiought it would not be possible. Theyfeadily and cheerfully ofiered to send outajcarriage for me, and bring me back.COBBESPONDENCE. 161I felt my heart strangely drawn out inprayer for them, an3 the contemplatedmeeting for the next four weeks, and abuming desire to participate in the QuarterlyMeeting. I did attend, and heard thepreaching, the singing, the praying, thecries for mercy, the shouts of the redeemed,and the testimony of the saints. I waspleased—and more than this, I was delightedand edified. There was evidentlya strong bond of Christian- fellowshipcoursing through all hearts, and through'all the services. I thought in my heart,nearly loud enough to be heard. Eureka!(I have found it)—surely, their garmentsare off the same piece I have been wearingfor the last three years! Verily, " Methodismis Christianity in eamest," whentranslated into life, and action, and power,•—when unmasked and free. Hallelujah !Glory be to God in the highest! for Hehath visited His people, and not left Himselfwithout witnesses.I discovered that the fact of their being"a sect which was everywhere spokenagainst," was their crowning glory,—oneof the most striking evidences of their divineorigin and apostolic mission.Well, after a three years' drill, such as Ihad undergone in connection with the<strong>Methodist</strong> Episcopal <strong>Church</strong> in the city ofAnn Arbor, is it at all strange that I sliould•" understand and know the joyful sound "'!My duty vvas clear. I did not hesitate andparley, nor even wait to obtain first a letter,but ofiTered myself to the F. M. <strong>Church</strong>,and obtained my letter the next day. Imade the choice which Moses made beforeme—viz., " To sufier afHiction with the peopleof God, rather than enjoy the pleasuresof sin for a season," or be called the son ofthe Pharaohs. I felt called upon to makethis choice publicly, which I did then andthere, for the Lord's sake, 1 feel, whilewriting, to exclaim," Happy day, that fixedmy choice !"As already intimated, I have been passingthrough a remarkable ordeal in thiscity for the last three years, while strugglingfor spiritual freedom and religiousliberty, which .leems almost without a parellel.For nearly thirty consecutive years.

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