What is. the essential part of heaven? Un-
106.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
July 21.
What is. the essential part of heaven?
Undoubtedly it is to. see God, to know God, to love God, We shall then know both his nature, and. his. works of creation and providence, and of redemption— JOHN WESLEY.
But their greatest happiness, Their highest joy shall be, God their Saviour to possess, To know, and love, and see.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.—Matt. v, 8.
July 22.
Whatever other ends are answered by prayer, this is one, that we may have the petitions which we ask of him.
Asking is the appointed means of receiving; as we may learn partly from reason itself, but more fully from our own experience, and more clearly still from revelation.—JOHN
WESLEY.
Come in thy pleading Spirit down, To us who for thy coming stay ; Of all thy gifts we ask but one— We ask the constant power to pray:
Indulge us, Lord, in this request, Thou canst not then deny the rest.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
John xiv, 14,
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
July 23.
From what you have already experienced, you know there is one happiness in the earth
'below, and in heaven above.
You know God alone can satisfy your soul either in earth or heaven.
Cleave to him with full purpose of heart.—_ JOHN WESLEY.
Turning then from earth away, Seeks my soul the joys above, Solid joys without alloy:
Saviour, in thy heartfelt love Heavenly comfort I possess, True, substantial happiness.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
All my springs are in thee.-- Psa. Ixxxvii, 7.
July 24.
It is a blessed thing to have fellow-travelers to the New Jerusalem.
If you cannot find any, you must make them, for none can travel that road alone.—JOHN WESLEY.
What a mercy is this; What a heaven of bliss ; How unspeakably happy am I!
Gathered into thy fold, With thy people enrolled, With thy people to live and to die!
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.—_Num. x, 29.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
July 25.
We know there is nothing deeper, there is nothing better, in heaven or earth, than love!
There cannot be, unless there were something higher than the God of love!
So that we see distinctly what we have toaim at.
We see the prize, and the way to it!—JOHN WESLEY.
God only knows the love of God:
O that it now were shed abroad In this poor stony heart!
For love I sign, for love I pine:
This only portion, Lord, be mine, Be mine this better part!
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.
Eph. v, 2.
July 26.
A measure of zeal and activity is given to every one when he finds peace with God.
If he earnestly and diligently uses this talent it will surely be increased.—JOHN WESLEY.
Mercy and grace are Thine alone, And power and wisdom too:
Without the spirit of thy Son, We nothing good can do.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath—Matt. xxv, 29.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
July 27.
It is, doubtless, the will of the Lord we should be guided by our reason; so far as itcan go.
But in many cases it gives us very little light, and in others none at all.
In all cases it cannot guide us right, but in subordination to the unction of the Holy One.
So that in all our ways we are to acknowledge him, and he will direct our paths.—_JOHN WESLEY.
Thou wast my Guide in infancy, Thou art in life's decline ; My Guide in death thou soon shalt be, And then—forever mine.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.—John xvi, 13.
July 28.
O how pure in heart must he be, who would rejoice to appear before God at a moment's warning !—JOHN WESLEY.
O let us put on thee In perfect holiness !
And rise prepared thy face to see, Thy bright, unclouded face.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.—Rev. xxi, 27.
-A\CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
July 29.
Let who will speak, if what is spoken be true, I am ready to subscribe it.
-If it be not, I accept no man's person.
Magis amica veritas.
— JOHN WESLEY.
No, my God ! if from the Way, From the Truth if I remove, Must I not forever stray, On in error's mazes rove, Rove from peace to troublous strife, Rove to death from endless Life ?
~—CHARLES WESLEY.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me.—Psa. xxv, 5 July 30.
I do not make any learning necessary even for a minister—the minister of a parish, who, as such, undertakes single to guide and feed, to instruct and govern, that whole flock—but the knowledge of the Scriptures; although many branches of learning are highly expedient for him.—_JOHN WESLEY.
Furnished out of thy treasury, O may we always ready stand, To help the souls redeemed by thee, In what their various states demand:
To teach, convince, correct, reprove ; And build them up in holiest love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
An eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures.—Acts xvili, 24.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
July 31.
I still believe the episcopal form of Church government to be scriptural and apostolical.
I mean, well agreeing with the practice and writings of the apostles.
But that it is prescribed in Scripture, I donot believe.
I think Bishop Stillingfleet's "Irenicon" has unanswerably proved that neither Christ nor his apostles prescribe any particular form of Church government; and, that the plea of divine right for diocesan episcopacy was never heard of in the primitive Church.
—JOHN WESLEY.
See the Gospel Church secure, And founded on a Rock; All her promises are sure ; Her bulwarks who can shock ?
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
--] Thess. v, 21.
August 1.
O, let us preach and live the whole Gospel!
—JOHN WESLEY.
Witnesses of the all-cleansing blood, Long may we work the works of God, And do thy will like those above:
Together spread the Gospel sound, And scatter peace on all around, And joy, and-happiness, and love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Ye shall be witnesses unto me.—Acts i, 8.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 2.
I would observe every punctilio of order, except where the salvation of souls is at stake.
Here I prefer the end before the means.- JOHN WESLEY.
O that I could all invite, This saving truth to prove ; Show the length, the breadth, the height,
And depth of Jesus' love!
Fain I would to sinners show The blood by faith alone applied:
Only Jesus will I know, And Jesus crucified.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
What shall a man give in exchange for his soul ?—Mark viii, 37.
August 3.
In every point of an indifferent nature we obey the bishops, for conscience' sake; but we think episcopal authority cannot reverse what is fixed by divine authority—JOHN WESLEY.
Here, then, to thee thine own I leave; Mold as thou wilt thy passive clay; But let me all thy stamp receive,— But let me all thy words obey:
Serve with a single heart and eye, And to thy glory live and die.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.—1 Cor. xi, 1.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 4.
Why should any of us live in the world without doing a little good init ?...See that you are not weary in well-doing ; for it will often be a cross.
But bear the cross; the best fruit grows under the cross.—JOHN WESLEY, By faith we see the glory To which thou shalt restore us ; The cross despise for that high prize Which thou hast set before us.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeththe peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.—
Heb. xii, 11.
August 5.
The very design of a love-feast is a free and familiar conversation, in which every man, yea, and woman, has liberty to speak whatever may be to the glory of God.—_ JOHN WESLEY.
Sanctify us, Lord, and bless!
Breathe thy Spirit, give thy peace ; Thou thyself within us move ; Make our feast a feast of love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it.—Mal. iti, 16.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 6.
What need have we, while we do live, to live in earnest !—JOHN WESLEY.
In me thine utmost mercy show, And make me like thyself below, Unblamable in grace ; Ready prepared and fitted here, By perfect holiness, to appear Before thy glorious face.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.—John ix, 4.
August 7.
If there be a law, that.a minister of Christ, who is not suffered to preach the Gospel in the Church, should not preach it elsewhere; ora law that forbids Christian people to hear the Gospel of Christ out of their parish church, when they cannot hear it therein, I judge that law to be absolutely sinful, and that it would be sinful to obey it
JOHN WESLEY.
With calm and tempered zeal, Let me enforce thy cail, And vindicate thy gracious will, Which offers life to all.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
We ought to obey God rather than man.— Acts. v, 29.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
Ausust 8.
In practical writings, I studiously abstain from the very shadow of controversy.
Nay, even in controversial, I do not willingly write one line, to which any but my opponent would object.
For opinions, shall I destroy the work of God?
Then am I a bigot indeed.—JOHN WESLEY.
O let us find the ancient way Our wondering foes to move, And force the heathen world to say,— "See how these Christians love !"
—CHARLES WESLEY.
The fruit of the spirit is love,...... peace, gentleness.—Gal. v, 22. ee eeee August 9, What marvel the devil does not love field preaching!
Neither do I.
I love a commodious room, a soft cushion, and a handsome pulpit.
But where is my zeal, if I donot trample all these under foot, in order to save one more soul!—JOHN WESLEY.
Master, I own thy lawful claim, Thine, wholly thine, I long to be!
Thou seest at last, I willing am, Where'er thou goest to follow thee ; Myself in all things to deny; Thine, wholly thine, to live and die.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.— 1 Cor. ix, 22.
116 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 10.
I know, were I myself to preach one whole year in one place, I should preach both myself and most of my congregation asleep.
Nor can I ever believe, it was ever the will of our Lord, that any congregation should have one teacher only.
We have found, by long experience, that a frequent change of teachers is best.—JOHN WESLEY.
Let all with thankful hearts confess Thy welcome messengers of peace, Thy power in their report be found, And let thy feet behind them sound.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.—1 Cor. xii, 4.
August 1].
I search for truth, plain Bible truth, without any regard to the praise or dispraise of men.
If you will assist me in this search, more especially by showing me where I have mistaken my way, it will be gratefully acknowledged—JOHN WESLEY.
The Truth that makes us free indeed, We cannot learn it from our creed.
The Truth that sanctifies, To bring us faith returns from heaven, And, Father, Son, and Spirit given, Conducts us to the skies.
~CHARLES WESLEY.
Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.—Psa. Ixxxvi, 11.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 12.
I entirely agree with you, that religion is love, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; that, as it is the happiest, so it is the cheerfulest thing in the world ; that it is utterly inconsistent: with moroseness, sourness, severity, and indeed with whatever is not according to the softness, sweetness, and gentleness of Christ Jesus.—
JOHN WESLEY.
Who has a right like us to sing, Us whom his mercy raises ?
Merry our hearts, for Christ is King ; Cheerful are all our faces.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.—Psa. xcvii, 11.
August 13.
' We are always open to instruction, willing to be wiser every day than we were before, and to change whatever we can change for the better.—_JOHN WESLEY.
Teach me, O my Guide, my Friend, Heavenly Counselor divine ; To thy secret purpose bend This obedient heart of mine:
Make thine utmost pleasure known:
All thy will on me be done.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way.—Psa. xxv, 9.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 14.
I "follow peace with all men;" but if a man set upon me without either rhyme or reason, I think it my duty to defend myself, so far as truth and justice permit. JOHN WESLEY.
Soldiers of Christ, arise, And put your armor on, Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through his eternal Son.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.— Jude. 3.
August 15.
By repeated experiments, we learn that, though a man preach like an angel, he will neither collect, nor preserve a society which is collected, without visiting them from house to house.—JOHN WESLEY.
Thou, only thou, the kind and good, And sheep-redeeming Shepherd art ; Collect thy flock, and give them food, And pastors after thine own heart.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.—Acts. xx; 28.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 16.
"Ts a man a believer in Jesus Christ, and is his life suitable to his profession ?" are not only the main, but the sole, inquiries I make, in order to his admission into our society.—JOHN WESLEY.
Brethren in Christ, and well-beloved, To Jesus and his servants dear, Enter, and show yourselves approved ; Enter, and find that God is here.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Whosoever shall do the. will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.—Matt. xii, 50.
August 17.
I am not for a stern, austere manner of conversing.
No; let all the cheerfulness of faith be there, all the joyfulness of hope, all the amiable sweetness of love.— JOHN WESLEY.
How happy every child of grace, Who knows his sins forgiven !
"This earth," he cries, "is not my place; I seek my place in heaven:
A country far from mortal sight ; Yet O, by faith I see The land of rest, the saints' delight, The heaven prepared for me."
—CHARLES WESLEY.
For the joy of the Lord is your strength.— Neh. viii, 10.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August [8.
I cannot understand how any minister can hope ever to give up his account with joy, unless (as Ignatius advises) he knows all his flock by name; not overlooking the men-servants and maid-servants.—JOHN WESLEY.
True yoke-fellows by love compelled To labor in the Gospel field, Our all let us delight to spend, In gathering in thy lambs and sheep, Assured that thou our souls wilt keep, Wilt keep us faithful to the end.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Feed my lambs...Feed my sheep.—John xxi, August 19.
They who teach children to love praise, train them for the devil,...Fathers and mothers who give children every thing they like, are the worst enemies they have.—JOHN WESLEY.
Made apt by thy sufficient srace, To teach as taught by thee, We come to train in all thy ways Our rising progeny :
Their selfish will in time subdue, And mortify their pride ; And lend their youth a sacred clew To find the Crucified.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.—Prov. xxix, 15.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 20.
Food and raiment I have; such food as I choose to eat, and such raiment as I choose to put on: I have a place where to lay my head: I have what is needful for life and godliness: and I apprehend this is all the world can afford.
The kings of the earth can give me no more.—
JOHN WESLEY.
Thy gifts, alas! cannot suffice, Unless thyself be given; Thy presence makes my paradise, And where thou art is heaven.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.— 1 Tim. vi, 8.
Ausust 21.
One great reason why the rich have so little sympathy with the poor, is, because they so seldom visit them.—JOHN WESLEY.
The poor supply thy place, Deputed, Lord, by thee, To exercise our grace, Our faith and charity:
And what to thee in them is given Is laid up for ourselves in heaven.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their afflicton, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.— James i, 27.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 22.
I make no opinion the term of union with any man; I think and let think.
What I want is, holiness of heart and life.
They who have this, are my brother, sister and mother.—JOHN WESLEY.
This is the bond of perfectness The spotless charity ; O let us (still we pray) possess The mind that was in thee.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.—Psa. cxix, 63.
August 23.
I began expounding the deepest part of the holy Scripture, namely, the First Epistle of St.
John, by which above all other, even inspired, writings, I advise every young preacher to form his style.
Here are sublimity and simplicity together, the strongest sense and the plainest language.
How can any one, that would speak as the oracles of God, use harder words than are found here ?—JOHN WESLEY.
Open their mouth and utterance give ; Give them a trumpet-voice to call, A world, who all may turn and live, Through faith in him who died for all.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
; Sound speech, that cannot be condemned.— Titus ii, 8.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 2+.
If lam a heretic, I became such by reading the Bible.
All my notions I drew from thence.
—JOHN WESLEY.
While in thy word we search for thee, (We search with trembling awe !) O;en our eyes, and let us see The wonders of thy law.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein.—Josh.
August 25.
Formerly, we thought one saved from sin could not fall.
Now, we know the contrary.
We are surrounded with those who lately experienced all that I mean by perfection.
They had both the fruit of the Spirit and the witness ; but they have now lost both.
There is no such height of holiness as it is impossible to fall from.
—JOHN WESLEY.
Lest that my fearful case should be, Each moment knit my soul to thee ; And lead me to the mount above, Through the low vale of humble love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.—Phil. 11, 12.
124 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 26.
The loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength, and the loving all men as Christ loved us, is, and ever was, for these thirty years, the sum of what I deliver, as pure religion and undefiled —_JOHN WESLEY.
Fully in my life express All the heights of holiness :
Sweetly let my spirit prove All the depths of humble love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
He that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.—Rom. xiii, 8.
August 27.
There are two things in all modern pieces of music which I could never reconcile to common sense.
One is, singing the same words ten times over; the other, singing different words by different persons, at one and the same time.
This can never be defended by all the musicians in Europe, till reason is quite out of date.—
JOHN WESLEY.
Thine own musician, Lord, inspire, And let my consecrated lyre Repeat the psalmist's part; His Son and thine reveal in me, And fill with sacred melody The fibers of my heart.
—CHARLES WESLEY
I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.— I Cor. xiv, 15,
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 28.
As to the word perfection, it is scriptural.
Therefore, neither you nor I can in conscience object to it, unless we would send the Holy
Ghost to school, and teach him to speak who made the tongue.—JOHN WESLEY.
Let down from heaven, the ladder see, And mount, till all the steps are past.
Perfection is the last degree, Perfection is attained at last.
—CHARLES WESLEY,
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.— Matt. v, 48.
August 29.
My dogmaticalness is neither more nor less than a "custom of coming to the point at once," and telling my mind, flat and plain, without any preface or ceremony.
I could, indeed, premise something of my own imbecility, littleness of judgment, and the like: but, first, I have no time to lose; secondly, I do not think any other course frank or ingenuous.—JOHN WESLEY, Equip me for the war, And teach my hands to fight ; My simple, upright heart prepare, And guide my words aright.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.—1 Pet. iv, 11.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
August 30.
From this time, I! trust, we shall all suffer God to carry on his own work in the way that pleaseth him.-- JOHN WESLEY.
Shall man to God a method show, Or teach the Spirit how to blow ?
He passes all our fancied bounds, Our systems, plans, and rules confounds ; Our marks and states, in vain defined By the blind leaders of the blind ; Who all at Jast with shame shall own The unerring Guide was Christ alone.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good. -- 1 Sam. iti, 18.
August 3].
As to gold and silver,...I trample it under my feet; I esteem it just as the mire of the streets.
I desire it not; Iseek it not;I only fear lest any of it should cleave to me, and I should not be able to shake it off before my spirit returned to God._JOHN WESLEY.
The Lord my righteousness I praise, I triumph in the love divine ; The wisdom, wealth, and strength of grace,
In Christ to endless ages mine.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
He that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.—Prov. xxviii, 16.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 1.
Joy in the Holy Ghost is a precious gift of God; but, yet, tenderness of conscience is a still greater gift. JOHN WESLEY.
I want a principle within, Of jealous, godly fear ; A sensibility of sin— A pain to feel it near.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.—Heb. x, 22 September 2.
Absolute or infallible perfection I never contended for; sinless perfection I do not contend for, seeing it is not scriptural.
A perfection such as enables a person to fulfill the whole law, and so need not the merits of Christ,
I do not acknowledge.
I do now, and always did, protest against it.
But is there tio sin in those who are perfect in love?
I believe not: but, be that as it may, they feel none.—JOHN WESLEY.
O that I now the rést might know; Believe, and énter in!
Now, Saviour, now the power bestow:
And let mé cease from sin.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Whosoever is born of God doth not corimit sin.—1 John iii, 9.
128 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September: 3.
I have frequently observed great fickleness and great stubbornness meet in the same mind.
—JOHN WESLEY.
Grant that every moment I May believe and feel thee nigh ; Steadfastly behold thy face, *Stablished with abiding grace. he tt
—CHARLES WESLEY.
But Bist. 'oO man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.—1 Tim. vi, 11. oe September 4.
The testimony of the Spirit is an inward impression on the soul; whereby the Spirit of God directly witnesses to my spirit, that I ama child of God ; that Jesus Christ hath loved me, and given himself for me; and that all my sins are blotted out, and I, even I, am reconciled to God.—JOHN WESLEY.
' Come, Holy Ghost, all-quickening fire, My consecrated heart inspire, Sprinkled with the atoning blood:
Still to my soul thyself reveal :
Thy mighty working may I feel, And know that I am one with God. ve M2 i
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God.— 1 John iii, 2.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
'September 5.
Gain all you can; save all you can; give all you can.— JOHN WESLEY.
Father, into thy hands alone T have my all restored:
My all, thy property I own:
The steward of the Lord.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness ; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.—Luke xvi, 9.
September 6.
I would not advise you to imitate the Quakers, in those little peculiarities of dress, which can answer no possible end but to distinguish them from all other people.
Tobe singular merely for singularity's sake is not the part of a Christian.
ButI advise you to imitate them, first in the neatness, and secondly in the plainness, of their apparel. JOHN WESLEY.
Whate'er my sinful flesh requires, For thee I cheerfully forego; My covetous and vain desires, My hopes of happiness below ; My senses' and my passions' food, And all my thirst for creature good.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.—Rom.—xiii, 14.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 7.
We have need to use all the common sense God has given us, as well as all the grace.—
JOHN WESLEY.
Wisdom divine! who tells the price Of wisdom's costly merchandise ?
Wisdom to silver we prefer, And gold is dross compared to her.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.—Prov. ii, 10, 11.
= September 8.
This is the first time I have appeared in controversy, properly so-called....... I now tread an untried path, "with fear and trembling ;" fear, not of my adversary, but of myself.
I fear my own spirit, lest I "fall where many mightier have been slain."—JOHN WESLEY, Pierce, fill me with an humble fear:
My utter helplessness reveal!
Satan and sin are always near, Thee may I always nearer feel.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
He that is.slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.—Prov. xvi, 32.
A CALE FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 9.
QO! let none think his labor of love is lost because the fruit does not immediately appear.
Near forty years did my father labor here, [at Epworth;] but he saw little fruit of all his labor.
But now the fruit appeared.
There were scarce any in the town on whom either my father or I had taken any pains formerly, but the seed, sown so long since, now sprung up, bringing forth repentance and remission of sins.—-JOHN WESLEY.
Teach me the happy art, In all things to depend On thee; O never, Lord, depart, But love me to the end!
—CHARLES WESLEY.
God gave the increase.—1 Cor. tii, 6.
September i0.
I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty, to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.—_JOHN WESLEY.
Lord, if at thy command The word of life we sow, Watered by thy almighty hand, The seed shall surely grow.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.—Mark xvi, 15.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September Li.
I take no thought for the morrow.
To-day I am determined, by his grace, to do the work of him that sent me.—JOHN WESLEY.
Jesus, I fain would walk in thee,— From nature's every path retreat ; Thou art my Way,—my Leader be, And set upon the rock my feet.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Son, go work to-day in my vineyard.—Matt.
¥Xi,.co.
The morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.-_Matt. vi, 34.
September 12.
I believe a consciousness of being in the favor of God, is the common privilege of Christians, fearing God, and working righteousness.
Yet I do not affirm there are no exceptions to this general rule; but, I believe, this is usually owing either to disorder of body, or to ignorance of the Gospel promises.
Therefore, I have not, for many years, thought a consciousness of acceptance to be essential to justifying faith—_JOHN
WESLEY.
Give me a new, a perfect heart, From doubt, and fear, and sorrow free; The mind which was in Christ impart, And let my spirit cleave to thee.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Fear not: believe only.—-Luke viii, 50.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 13.
I desire tohave a league, offensive and defensive, with every soldier of Christ.—JOHN WESLEY.
Then let us ever bear The blessed end in view, And join, with mutual care, To fight our passage through ; And kindly help each other on, Till all receive the starry crown.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
All ye are brethren.
Matt. xxiii, 8.
September 14.
I believe a few, but very few, Christians have an assurance from God of everlasting salvation ; and that is the thing which the apostle terms full assurance of hope.
I believe more have such an assurance of being now in the favor of God as excludes all doubt and fear; and this, if I do not mistake, the apostle means by the full assurance of faith— JOHN WESLEY.
O what a blessed hope is ours!
While here on earth we stay, We more than taste the heavenly powers, And antedate that day.
—CHARLES WESLEY,
We desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.—Heb. vi, 11.
134 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 15.
No person must be allowed to. preach or exhort among,our people whose life is not holy and unblamable; nor any who asserts any thing contrary to the Gospel which we have received.
And, if he does not own his fault and: amend it, he cannot be a leader any longer.—JOHN WESLEY.
Their hearts from things of earth remove, Sprinkle them, Lord, from sin and fear, Fix their affections all above, And lay up all their treasures there.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.—Isa. lii, 11. paniameeies ee September 16.
Brother, is thy heart with mine, as my heart is with thine?
If.it be, give me thine hand.
I am indeed, a poor, foolish sinful worm ; and how long my Lord will use me I know not.
But so long asI am continued in the work, let us strengthen one another's hands in God. My brother, my soul is gone forth to meet thee ; let us fall upon one another's neck.—JOHN WESLEY.
Let us join, ('tis God commands, ) Let us join our hearts and hands:
Help to gain our calling's hope, Build we each the other up.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.—Eph. iv, 3,
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
135.
September 17.
It can scarce be conceived what advantages have been reaped by this little prudential regulation,
[the class-meeting.] Many now experienced that Christian fellowship of which they had not so muchas an idea before.—JOHN
WESLEY.
Hence may all our actions flow, Love the proof that Christ we know; Mutual love the tcken be, Lord, that we belong to thee.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.—Gal. vi, 2.
September 18.
I never meant any more by perfection, than the loving God with all our heart, and serving him with all our strength.
But I dare not say less than this If there be a mistake, it is far more dangerous on the one side than on the other.
IfI set the mark too high, I drive men into needless fears: if you set it too low you drive them into hell-fire—JOHN WESLEY.
Nothing less will I require ; Nothing more can I desire:
None but Christ to me be given ; None but Christ in earth or heaven.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.—1 John iv, 8.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 19.
I will thank you for showing me any mistake Tamin.
Indeed, I am not fond of any opinion assuch.
[read the Bible with what attention I can, and regulate all my opinions thereby, to the best of my understanding.
ButI am always willing to receive more light JOHN WESLEY.
Only thee content to know, Ignorant of all below:
Only guided by thy light ; Only mighty in thy might.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Before honor is humility.—Prov. xy. 33. sake 5 Bell aan Bs ee September 20, I am convinced, as true religion cannot be without cheerfulness, so steady cheerfulness cannot be without true teligion.
I am equally convinced that religion has nothing sour, austere, unsociable, unfriendly in it ; but, on the contrary, implies the most winning sweetness, the most amiable softness and gentleness.— JOHN WESLEY.
Thee, Jesus, alone, The fountain I own, Of my life and felicity here:
And cheerfully sing, My Redeemer and King, Till his sign in the heavens appear.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Rejoice in the Lord,O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.—Psa. xxxiii, 1.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 21.
To judge whether any action be lawful on the Sabbath or no, we are to consider whether it advances the end for which the Sabbath was ordained.
Now, the end for which the Sabbath was ordained is the attainment of holiness.
Whatever, therefore, tends to advance this end, is lawful on this day—JOHN WESLEY.
May I, throughout this day of thine, Be in thy Spirit, Lord, — Spirit of humble fear divine, That trembles at thy word.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath —Mark ii, 27.
September 22.
If you can do but one, either follow your studies, or instruct the ignorant, let your studies alone.
I would throw by all the libraries in the world rather than be guilty of the perdition of one soul.— JOHN WESLEY.
My soul with thy whole armor arm ; In each approach of sin alarm, And show the danger near ; Surround, sustain, and strengthen me, And fill with godly jealousy And sanctifying fear.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.—James v, 20.
138 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 23.
I try every Church and every doctrine by the Bible.
This is the word by which we are to be judged in that day.—JOHN WESLEY.
O let them all thy mind express, Stand forth thy chosen witnesses, Thy power unto salvation show, And perfect holiness below.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
To the law and to the testimony : if they speak not according to this world, it is because there is no light in them.—Isa. viii, 20.
September 24, I know it is the will of God that I should enjoy every pleasure that leads to my taking pleasure in Him, and in such a measure as most leads toit.
We are to do nothing but what, directly or indirectly, leads to our holiness ; and to doevery such thing with this design, and in such a measure as May most promote it.—JOHN
WESLEY.
He wills that I should holy be:
That holiness I long to feel; That full divine conformity To all my Saviour's righteous will,
—CHARLES WESLEY,
God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.—2 Thess. ue 13:
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 25.
I advise allour preachers not to preach above an hour ata time, prayer and all: and not to speak louder than the number of hearers require.
—JOHN WESLEY.
O let them spread thy name, Their mission fully prove ; Thy universal grace proclaim, Thine all-redeeming love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.—Matt. x, 16.
September 26.
Lo, I come, if this soul and body may be useful to any thing, to do thy will, O God.
IE it please thee to use the power thou hast over dust and ashes, here they are to suffer thy good pleasure.
If thou pleasest to visit me either with pain or dishonor, I will humble myself under it.
Hereafter no man cantake any thing from me, no life, no honor, no estate; since I am ready to lay them down, as soon as I perceive thou requirest them at my hands.—_JOHN WESLEY.
We cannot speak one useful word, One holy thought conceive, Unless, in answer to our Lord, Thyself the blessing give.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Ye are bought with a price.—1 Cor. vi, 20.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 27.
All reading should be joined with meditation and prayer.
Read a little; pray and meditate much.—JOHN WESLEY.
O may the gracious words divine, Subject of all my converse be:
So will the Lord his follower join, And walk and talk himself with me:
So shall my heart his presence prove, And burn with everlasting love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
My meditation of him shallbe sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.—-Psa. civ, 34.
September 28.
How soon may you be made a partaker of sanctification!
And not only by a slow and insensible growth in grace, but by the power of the highest overshadowing you, ina moment, in the twinkling of an eye, so as utterly to abolish sin, and to renew you in his whole image !—JOHN WESLEY.
O that I now, from sin released, Thy word may to the utmost prove ; Enter into the promised rest, Thy Canaan of thy perfect love!
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us.
. sanctification.—1 Cor. i, 30.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
September 29.
Be exact in every point of discipline.
Keep our rules, and they will keep you.
— JOHN WESLEY.
I must the fair example set ; From those that on my pleasure wait The stumbling-block remove; Their duty by my life explain, And still in all my works maintain The dignity of love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.—Eph. v, 21.
September 30.
It is well we know that trouble springeth not out of the dust; but that the Lord reigneth.
But still, even when we can say, "It is the Lord," it is hard to add, "Let him do what seemeth him good." ... But our comfort is, He that made the heart can heal the heart.—JOHN WESLEY.
To thy blessed will resigned, And stayed on that alone, I thy perfect strength shall find,— Thy faithful mercies own; Compassed round with songs of praise, My all to my Redeemer give; Spread thy miracles of grace, And to thy glory live.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
My grace is sufficient for thee.—2 Cor. xii, 9.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 1.
If you seek your happiness in God alone, you will never be disappointed ; if in any thing else, you surely will; for all creatures are broken cisterns.
Let your eye be single.—JOHN WESLEY.
Dark and cheerless is the morn, Unaccompanied by thee ; Joyless is the day's return, Till thy mercy's beams I see , Till thou inward life impart, Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
O satify us early with thy mercy ; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.—Psa. xc, 14.
Octobex 2:
When the witness and the fruit of the Spirit meet together, there can be no stronger proof that we are of God._JOHN WESLEY.
The Father hears him pray, His dear anointed One:
He cannot turn away The presence of his Son:
His Spirit answers to the blood And tells me I am born of God.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.—1 John ii; 29.
A&A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 3.
You have nothing to do with the things that are behind: the prize and the crown are before you.
Sorun, that you may obtain: desiring only to apprehend that for which you are apprehended of Christ Jesus. JOHN WESLEY.
Patient the appointed race to run, This weary world we cast behind; From strength to strength we travel on, The New Jerusalem to find:
Our labor this, our only aim, To find the New Jerusalem.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
So run, that ye may obtain.—1 Cor. ix, 24.
October 4.
It is undoubtedly our privilege to "rejoice evermore," with a calm, still; heartfelt joy.
Nevertheless, this is seldom long at one stay Many circumstances may cause it to ebb and flow.
This, therefore, is not the essence of religion ; which is no other than humble, gentle, patient love—_JOHN WESLEY.
Joyful in hope, my spirit soars To meet thee from above:
Thy goodness thankfully adores:
And sure I taste thy love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
If a man love me, he will keep my words.— John xiv, 23.
144 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 5.
To believe the being and attributes of God, -is the faith of a heathen.
To believe the Old Testament and trust in him that was to come, was the faith of a Jew.
To believe Christ gave himself for me, is the faith of a Christian. JOHN WESLEY.
By faith I to the fountain fly, Opened for all mankind and me, To purge my sins of deepest dye— My life and heart's impurity.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.—2 Tim. i,
October 6.
Gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity —JOHN WESLEY.
While in affliction's furnace, And passing through the fire, Thy love we praise, which knows no days,
And ever brings us nigher:
We clap our hands exulting In thine almighty favor:
The love divine, which made us thine, Can keep as thine forever.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
When he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life—James 1, 12.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
a October 7.
Let us receive every trial with calm resignation, and with humble confidence, that he who hath all power, all wisdom, all mercy, and all faithfulness, will first support us in every temptation, and then deliver us out of all: so that in the end all things shall work together for good, and we shall happily experience that all these things were for our profit, that we "might be partakers of his holiness." —JOHN WESLEY.
Thee, Son of man, by faith we see, And glory in our Guide; Surrounded and upheld by thee, The fiery test abide.—CHARLES WESLEY.
Though he slay me, yet will I trustin him.— Job xiii, 15.
October 8.
I find the engaging, though but a little, in these temporal affairs, is apt to damp and deaden the soul: and there is no remedy, but continual prayer.—JOHN WESLEY.
Careless through outward cares I go, From all distraction free:
My hands are but engaged below, My heart is still with thee.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.—1 John 11,15,
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 9.
O what a pearl, of how great price, is the very lowest degree of the peace of God.—JOHN
WESLEY.
Happy, beyond description, he Who knows the Saviour died for mz!
The gift unspeakable obtains, And heavenly understanding gains.
To purest joys she all invites,— Chaste, holy, spiritual delights ; Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her flowery paths are peace.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Let the peace of God rule. in your hearts.— Col. ii, 15.
October 10.
When our mind is hurried, it is hardly possible to retain either the spirit of prayer or of thankfulness.
But still, he has called you by his providence to this way of life ; and he is able to preserve youin the midst of the world as well as in a desert.—_JOHN WESLEY.
Thou, O Lord, in tender love, Dost all my burdens bear!
Lift my heart to things above, And fix it ever there !
Calm on tumult's wheel I sit, '*Midst busy multitudes alone, Sweetly waiting at thy feet, Till all thy will be done.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
The Lord is thy keeper.—Psa. cxxi, 5.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 11.
I have seen more make shipwreck of the faith ina calm than ina storm.
We are apt in sunshiny weather to lie down and sleep; and who can tell what may be done before we awake ?—JOHN WESLEY.
Let the winds blow, the billows roll, Hope is the anchor of his soul.
But can I by so slight a tie, An unseen hope, on God rely ?
Steadfast and sure, it cannot fail, It enters deep within the vail, It fastens on a land unknown, And moors me to my Father's throne.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Feed me with food convenient for me.— Prov. xxx, 8.
October 12.
You have need of courage and steady resolution ; for you havea thousand enemies:...... and the grand enemy within.
What need have you to put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day.—
JOHN WESLEY.
Stand, then, in his great might, With all his strength endued ; But take, to arm you for the fight, The panoply of God.—CHARLES WESLEY.
Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
148 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 13.
You will overcome trifling conversation, and the fear of man, not by yielding, but by fighting.
This isa cross which you cannot be excused from taking up; bear it, and it will bear you-
—JOHN WESLEY.
From strength to strength go on; Wrestle, and fight, and pray ; Tread all the powers of darkness down, And win the well-fought day.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.—Matt. xii, 36.
October 14.
The comfort is, that in a moment God can repair whatever is decayed in our souls, and supply whatever is wanting.
What is too hard for him? Nothing but our own will.
Let us give up this, and he will not withhold from us any manner of thing that is good.—JOHN WESLEY.
To do, or not to do; to have, Or not to have, I leave to thee :
To be, or not to be, I leave:
Thy only will to be done in me.
All my requests are lost in one; Father, thy only will be done.
— CHARLES WESLEY.
No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly—Psa. Ixxxiv, 11.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 15.
What a blessing it is to have these little crosses that we may try what spirit we are of.
We could not live in continual sunshine.
It would dry up all the grace of God that is in us.
—JOHN WESLEY.
Thou didst the meek example leave, That I might in thy footsteps tread ; Might like the Man of Sorrows grieve, And groan, and bow with thee my Head; Thy dying in my body bear, And all thy state of sufferings share.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
He that taketh not his cross, and followetk after me, is not worthy of me.—Matt. x, 38.
October 16.
The doctrine of a particular providence is what exceeding few persons understand, at least not practically, so as to apply it to every circumstance of life.
This I want, to see God acting in everything, and disposing all for his own glory, and his creature's good.—JOHN WESLEY. ft Casual howe'er our steps may seem, Directed and o'erruled by him Who for his people cares, Where providence appoints we go; He orders all our ways we know, And numbers all our hairs.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.—
Phil. iv, 19.
150 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 17.
I believe the holiest man that ever lived was the Apostle John; yet he seems to have suffered very little JOHN WESLEY.
'Tis not of him that wills or runs, That labors or desires :
In answer to my Saviour's groans, Thy love my breast inspires.
The meritorious cause I see, That precious blood divine :
And I, since Jesus died for me, Shall live forever thine.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight.—Heb. xiii, 21.
October 18.
Better forty members should be lost, than our discipline lost.
They are no Methodists that will bear no restraints
JOHN WESLEY.
Awake, Jerusalem, awake!
No longer in thy sins lie down:
Thy garment of salvation take ; Thy beauty and thy strength put on.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.—Titus iii, 10, 11.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 19.
Good breeding I love; but how difficult is it to keep it quite clear of affectation, and of a something which does not well agree with that mind which was in Christ.—JOHN WESLEY.
Thine image if thou stamp on me Let others, Lord, the brightness see, By me unseen, unknown:
Nor let them on a creature gaze, But all the glory of thy grace Ascribe to God alone.-— CHARLES WESLEY.
Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the wotid,—- Cor 3, 12 October 20.
We know no Gospel without salvation from sin.—JOHN WESLEY.
I want the spirit of power within, Of love, and of a healthful mind; Of power, to conquer inbred sin :
Of love to thee and all mankind; Of health, that pain and death defies, Most vigorous when the body dies.
— CHARLES WESLEY.
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil—1l1
John iui, 8.
152 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 21.
Whoever is pleased or displeased, keep to this: to Christian, primitive simplicity JOHN
WESLEY.
Happy the souls that first believed, To Jesus, and each other cleaved ; Joined, by the unction from above, In mystic fellowship of love.
Meek, simple followers of the Lamb, They lived, and spake, and thought the same ;
They joyfully conspired to raise Their ceaseless sacrifice of praise.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
I fear, lest by any means ... your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is. in Christ.—2 Cor, xi, 3.
October 22.
If dancing be not evil in itself, yet it leads young women to numberless evils.x—JOHN WESLEY.
I want a godly fear, A quick discerning eye, That looks to thee when sin is near, And sees the tempter fly; A spirit still prepared, And armed with jealous care ; Forever standing on its guard, And watching unto prayer.
—CHARLES WESLEY,
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.—Prov. iv, 26.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 23.
I would recommend very few novels to young persons, for fear they should be too desirous of more.—JOHN WESLEY.
Unite the pair so long disjoined, Knowledge and vital Piety:
Learning and Holiness combined, And Truth and Love let all men see In those, whom up to thee we give, Thine, wholly thine, to die and live.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word—Psa. cxix, 9.
October 24.
Continue in private prayer, in spite of all coldness and wanderings, and you shall soon pray without ceasing.—- JOHN WESLEY.
O, Lover of sinners extend To me thy compassionate grace !
Appear, my affliction to end, Afford me a glimpse of thy face!
That light shall enkindle in me A flame of reciprocal love ; And then I shall cleave unto thee, And then I shall never remove.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.—John vi, 37.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 25.
What I peculiarly advise is, that you will never omit private duties, whatever hurry you may be in, and however dull and dry your soul may be; still they shall not be without a blessing. - JOHN WESLEY.
Visit then this soul of mine; Pierce the gloom of sin and grief:
Fill me, Radiancy divine:
Scatter all my unbelief:
More and more thyself display, Shining to the perfect day.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.— Isa. xl, 31.
October 26.
By all means, miss no opportunity.
Speak, and spare not. Declare what God has done for your soul; regard not worldly prudence; be not ashamed of Christ or of his word, or of his servants.
Speak the truth in love, even in the midst of a crooked generation ; and all things shall work together for good, until the work of God is perfect in your soul.--JOHN WESLEY.
Strong in the Lord of hosts And in his mighty power, Who in the strength of Jesus trusts Is more than conqueror.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
And ye also shall bear witness. —John xv, 27.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 27.
It is good for you to be in the fiery furnace : though the flesh be weary to bear it, you shall be purified therein, but not consumed: for there is one with you, whose form is as the Son of God.—JOHN WESLEY.
While in affliction's furnace, And passing through the tire, Thy love we praise which knows no days, And ever brings us nigher:
We clap our hands exulting In thine almighty favor:
The love divine, which made us thine, Can keep us thine forever.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.—Isa. xlviii, 10.
October 28.
It is but a little thing that men should be against you, while you know that God is on your side. Ifhe give you any companion in the narrow way, it is well; and it is well if he do not. So much the more will he teach and strengthen you by himself.— JOHN WESLEY.
Come, divine and peaceful Guest, Enter our devoted breast:
Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire, Kindlé there the Gospel fire.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Fear not; Abram:
I am thy shield, and. thy exceeding great reward.—Gen. xy, l.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 29.
The knowledge of ourselves is true humility ; and without this we cannot be freed from vanity; a desire of praise being inseparably connected with every degree of pride.—JOHN
WESLEY.
O that to thee my constant mind Might with an even flame aspire, Pride in its earliest motions find, And mark the risings of desire.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.- Psa. xc.,
12; October 30.
You can never speak too strongly or explicitly upon the head of Christian perfection.
If you speak only faintly and indirectly, none will be offended, and none profited.
But if you speak out, although some will probably be angry, yet others will soon find the power of God unto salvation.—JOHN WESLEY.
Then let us make our boast Of his redeeming power, Which saves us to the uttermost, Till we can sin no more.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ.—1 Tim. iv, 6.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
October 31.
Ten persons of a quiet temper are better than thirty contentious ones.—JOHN WESLEY.
Rebuke our rage ; our passions chide ; Our stubborn wills control ; Beat down our wrath, root out our pride,
And calm our troubled soul.
Subdue in us the carnal mind:
Its enmity destroy ; With cords of love our spirits bind, And melt us into joy— CHARLES WESLEY.
Better isa dry morsel, and the quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.— Prov. xvii, 1.
November 1.
This [the Sunday-school] is one of the best institutions which have been seen in Europe for some centuries, and will do more and more good, provided the teachers and inspectors do their duty.
Nothing can prevent the success of this blessed work, but the neglect of the instruments. - JOHN WESLEY.
Then infuse the teaching grace, Spirit of truth and righteousness ; Knowledge, love divine impatt, Life eternal to my heart,
CHARLES WESLEY
These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach Bram diligently unto thy children.—Deut. vi, 6,
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 2.
The more closely we are united to Him, the more nearly we shall be united to each other.
--JOHN WESLEY.
While we walk with God in light, God our hearts doth still unite; Dearest fellowship we prove, Fellowship in Jesus' love:
Sweetly each with each combined, In the bonds of duty joined, Feels the cleansing blood applied, Daily feels that Christ hath died.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
For ye are all one in Christ Jesus.—Gal. iii, November 3.
Surely it isa most uncomfortable thing to lose any part of what God hath wrought in us.
I wonder how any that have lost the pure love of God can find any rest in their souls till they have tegained it.-_JOHN WESLEY.
Speak, and by thy word detain Every word inclined to stray ; Speak, and let thy love constrain, Every fugitive to stay.
That we may no more depart.
Speak thyself into our heart.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Return unto me, and [ will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.— Mal. iii, 7.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 4.
Whatever opposers you meet withs.i. have a particular care that they do not take up too much either of your thoughts or time.
You have better work: keep to your one point, Christ dying for us and living in us.—JOHN WESLEY.
Come on, my partners in distress, My comrades through the wilderness, Who still your bodies feel :
Awhile forget your griefs and fears, And look beyond this vale of tears, To that celestial hill.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you ?—Nenh. vi, 3.
November 5.
In all my experince, I have not known one, who fortified himself in sin by a presumption that God would save him at the last, that was not miserably disappointed, and suffered to die in his sins.
To turn the grace of God into an encouragement to sin, is the sure way to the nethermost hell.—JOHN WESLEY.
I will accept his offers now :
From every sin depart ; Perform my oft-repeated vow, And render him my heart.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.—Isa. lv, 6.
160 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 6.
Sometimes, indeed, we may go through abundance of business, and yet have God in all our thoughts. But is this the case always? Are not even lawful, nay, necessary things, at other times a grievous hinderance; especially when we undertake them without any suspicion of danger, and, consequently, without any prayer against that danger ?— JOHN WESLEY.
Summoned my labor to renew, And glad to act my part, Lord, in thy name my task I do, And with a single heart.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.—Col. iii, 17.
November 7.
I have learned, by the grace of God, in every state to be content.
What a peace do we find in all ci1cumstances, when we can say, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt !'—JOHN. WESLEY.
Determined all thy will to obey, Thy blessings I restore ; Give, Lord, or take thy gifts away, I praise thee evermore.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.—Heb. xiii, 5.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
by November 8.
It is an observation of one of the ancients, that it is far easier not to desire praise, than not to be pleased with it. A bare conviction that it is, generally speaking, deadly poison, may prevent our desiring it; but nothing less than humble love filling the heart, will prevent our being pleased with it: for the sense of honor is as natural to man as the sense of taste or feeling.—JOHN WESLEY.
My spirit, Lord, alarm, When men and deviis join:
all the powers of Satan arm, In panoply divine. —-CHARLES WESLEY.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain. - Rev. iii, 2.
November 9.
God hath given you a tongue:
Why?
That you may praise him therewith; that all your conversation may be, for the time to come, 'meet to minister grace to the hearers."
Such conversation, and private prayer, exceedingly assist each other.—JOHN WESLEY.
Thou hast on us the grace bestowed, Thy greatness to proclaim ; And therefore now we thank our God, And praise thy glorious Name.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!—-Psa. cvii, 8.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 10.
There may be some rare cases wherein God had determined not to bestow his perfect love till a little before death; but this, I believe, is uncommon: he does not usually put off the fulfilling of his promises.
Seek, and you shall find; seek earnestly, and you shall find speedily.— JOHN WESLEY.
Holy Ghost, no more delay ; Come, and in thy temples stay Now thine inward witness bear, Strong, and permanent, and clear:
Spring of life, thyself impart ; Rise eternal in my heart.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.—Eph. iii, 20.
November Li.
"Are you going to hear Mr. Wesley?" said a friend to Mr. Blackwell.
"No," he answered, "Lam going to hear God; I listen to him, whoever preaches; otherwise I lose all my labor."—
JOHN WESLEY.
Give them an ear to hear thy word; Thou speakest to the Churches now :
And let all tongues confess their Lord,—Let every knee to Jesus bow.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.—Heb. ii, 20.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 12.
I love the poor; in many of them I find pure, genuine grace, unmixed with paint, folly, and affectation.— JOHN WESLEY.
Still let us own our common Lord, And bear thine easy yoke; A band of love, a threefold cord, Which never can be broke.
Make us into one spirit drink ; Baptize into thy name ; And let us always kindly think, And sweetly speak, the same.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.—Rom. xii, 16.
November 13.
I desire no apathy in religion: a Christian is very far from a Stoic.—JOHN WESLEY.
O for a thousand tongues, to sing My great Redeemer's praise ; The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace.
My gracious Master, and my God, Assist me to proclaim,— To spread, through all the earth abroad,
The honors of thy Name.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing. —Gal. iv, 18.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 14.
I am never so busy as to forget my friends.—JOHN WESLEY.
While with just peculiar kindness, We each other's soul embrace, Save us from that doting blindness Fatal to our fallen race ; From the mean contracting passion Keep us free and unconfined; ~ Raise our generous inclination, Fix our love on all mankind.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.— Prov. xvii, 17.
November 15.
You are hindered chiefly by not understanding the freeness of the gift of God.
You are perpetually seeking for something in yourself, to move him to love and bless you.
But it is not to be found there; it is in himself, and in the Son of his love: —JOHN WESLEY.
Nothing ye in exchange shall give ; Leave all you have and are behind; Frankly the gift of God receive ; Pardon and peace in Jesus find.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son tobe the propitiation for our sins.—1 John iv, 10.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 16.
All who expect to be sanctified at all, expect to be sanctified by faith.
But, meantime, they know that faith will not be given but to them that obey.
Remotely, therefore, the blessing depends on our works; although immediately, on simple faith.—JOHN WESLEY.
Save us by grace, through faith alone, A faith thou must thyself impart; A faith that would by works be shown, A faith that purifies the heart.
—-CHARLES WESLEY.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
~- James ii, 26.
November 17.
I want you, not to be a convert to my opinions, but to be a member of Christ, a child of God, and an heir of his kingdom.
Be any thing, as to outward profession, so you are lowly in heart ; so you resist and conquer every motion of pride, and have that mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus.—JOHN WESLEY.
A heart in every thought renewed, And full of love divine ; Perfect, and right, and pure, and good, A copy, Lord, of thine.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.—
Rom. x, l.
166 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November. 18.
Begin, soldier of Christ, child of God!
Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith thou art called!
Remember the faith!
Remember the Captain of thy salvation ! Fight!
Conquer!
Die—and live forever !—JOHN WESLEY.
O may I triumph so, When all my warfare's past ; And, dying, find my latest foe Under my feet at last.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Put-on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,—Eph. vi, 11.
November 19, The Scripture gives not the least intimation, that I can find, of any higher, or indeed any other, love of God, than. that mentioned by St. John:
"We love him, because he first loved us."
And I desire no higher love of God, till my spirit returns to him.—JOHN WESLEY.
O let thy love my heart constrain !
Thy love, for every sinner free, That every fallen son of man May taste the grace that found out me ; That all mankind with me may prove Thy sovereign, everlasting love.
—CHARLES WESLEY,
This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.— 1 John v, 3.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 20.
Prayer is certainly the grand means of drawing near to God; and all others are helpful to us only so far as they are mixed with, or prepare us for, this —JOHN WESLEY.
The praying spirit breathe, The watching power impart, From all entanglements beneath Call off my peaceful heart ; My feeble mind sustain, By worldly thoughts oppressed ; Appear and bid me turn again To my eternal rest. CHARLES WESLEY.
Pray without ceasing.—1 Thess. y, 17.
November 21.
One thing we know, that whatever is, is best!
O let us look to him that orders all things well!—JOHN WESLEY.
God of my life, whose gracious power Through various deaths my soul hath led, Or turned aside the fatal hour, Or lifted up my sinking head; On thee my helpless soul is cast, And looks again thy grace to prove:
I call to mind the wonders past, The countless wonders of thy love.
—CHARLES WESLEY,
Clouds and darkness are round about him : righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.— Psa. xcvii, 2.
168 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 22.
Is" voluntary transgression of a known law" a proper definition of sin?
I think it is of all such sin as is imputed to our condemnation.
And it is a definition which has passed uncensured in the Church for at least fifteen hundred years.— JOHN WESLEY.
He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free ; His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord.—Rom. vi, 23.
November 23.
You want to know God, in order to enjoy him in time and in eternity.
All that you want to know of him is contained in one book, the Bible.
Therefore your one point is, to understand this.
And all you learn is to be referred to this, as either directly or remotely conducive to it.--JOHN WESLEY.
Now let our darkness comprehend The light that shines so clear:
Now the revealing Spirit send, And give us ears to hear,
—CHARLES WESLEY.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.—1 John ii, 4.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 24.
One thing in particular which I frequently desire is, "a calm evening of a various day;" that I may have no conflicts at the last, but rather, if God sees fit, before " my flesh and my heart faileth."—-JOHN WESLEY.
In hope of that immorta) crown I now the cross sustain, And gladly wander up and down, And smile at toil and pain.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.—
Psa. xxxvii, 37.
November 25.
There is no weakness either in our body or mind, but Satan endeavors to avail himself of it.
That kind of dullness or listlessness I take to be originally a pure effect of bodily constitution.
As such it is not imputable to us in any degree, unless we give way to it.
So long as we diligently resist, it is no more blamable than sleepiness, or weariness of body.~ JOHN
WESLEY.
Thy power, in human weakness shown, Shall make us all entire ; We now thy guardian presence own, And walk, unburnt in fire.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.— Psa. citi, 14.
170 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 26.
I feel more want of heat than light: ty value light; but it is nothing compared to love.-—JOHN WESLEY.
Be thou, O Lord, whate'er I want:
Support my feebleness of mind:
Relieve the thirsty soul, the faint Revive, illuminate the blind:
The mournful cheer, the drooping lead, And heal the sick, and raise the dead.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
O love the Lord, all ye his saints.—Psa.
XK, 23:
November 27.
It is a blessing indeed, when God uncovers our hearts, and clearly shows us what spirit we are of.
But there is no manner of necessity that this self-knowledge should make us miserable.
Certainly the highest degree of it is well consistent both with peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Therefore how deeply soever you may be convinced of pride, selfwill, peevishness, or any other inbred sin, see that you do not let go that confidence, wherey you may still rejoice in God your Saviour.—
JOHN WESLEY.
Scatter the last remains of sin, And seal me thine abode 2 O make me glorious all within— A temple built by God!
—-CHARLES WESLEY.
The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.~-1 John G7,
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 28.
Every one, though born of God in an instant, yea, and sanctified in an instant, yet undoubtedly grows by slow degrees, both after the former and the latter change —JOHN WESLEY.
O make me all like thee, Before I hence remove ; Settle, confirm, and 'stablisb me, And build me up in love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.—
1 Peter ii, 2, 3.
November 29.
Nothing contributes to seriousness more than humility, because it is a preparation for every fruit of the Holy Spirit; the knowledge of our desperate state by sin has a particular tendency to keep us earnest after deliverance ; and that earnestness can hardly consist with levity.~ JOHN WESLEY.
O God, mine inmost soul convert, And deeply on my thoughtful heart Eternal things impress:
Give me to feel their solemn weight, And tremble on the brink of fate, And wake to righteousness.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved ... humbleness of mind.—Col. iii, 12.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
November 30.
The last scene of life in dying believers is of gteat use to those who are about them.
Here we see the reality of religion and of things eternal; and nothing has a greater tendency to solemnize the soul, and make and keep it dead to all below.—JOHN WESLEY.
O that without a lingering groan I may the welcome word receive :
My body with my charge lay down, And cease at once to work and live!
—CHARLES WESLEY.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory ?—1 Cor. xv, 55.
December 1.
Conviction is not condemnation.
You may be convinced of useless thoughts or words, and yet not condemned for them.
You are condemned for nothing, if you love God, and continue to give him your whole heart.— JOHN
WESLEY.
No condemnation now I dread, Jesus, with all in him, is mine; Alive in him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.—Rom. viii, 1.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 2.
Keep close to your rule, the word of God, and to your guide, the Spirit of God, and never be afraid of expecting too much.... O what heights of holiness are to come!—JOHN
WESLEY.
That heavenly Teacher of mankind, That Guide infallible impart,— To bring thy sayings to our mind, And write them on each faithful heart.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.— Psa. Ixxxi, 10.
December 3.
It has a little surprised me, that several who are, I believe, filled with love, yet do not desire to die.
It seems as if God generally does not give this desire till the time of death approaches.
Perhaps in many it would be of little use.
First let them learn to live.—JOHN WESLEY.
Father, the narrow path To that far country show; And in the steps of Abrah'm's faith Enable me to go:
A cheerful sojourner Where'er thou bidd'st me roam, Till, guided by thy Spirit here, I reach my heavenly home.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.—James v, 7.
174 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 4.
In the thirteenth of Ist Corinthians you have the height and depth of genuine perfection; and it is observable, St. Paul speaks all along of the love of our neighbor: flowing indeed from the love of God.--JOHN WESLEY.
Pure love to God thy members find 3 Pure love to every soul of man:
And in thy sober, spotless mind, Saviour, our heaven on earth we gain,
—CHARLES WESLEY.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.—1 John ii, 10.
December 5, There is so close a connection between right judgment and right tempers, as well as right practice, that the latter cannot easily subsist without the former.—JOHN WESLEY.
Enlarge my heart to make thee room:
Enter and in me ever stay ; The crooked then shall straight become :
The darkness shall be lost in day.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever [ have said unto you. -John xiv, 26.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 6.
The most desirable prayer is that where we can quite pour out our soul, and freely talk with God.
But it is not this alone which is acceptable to him.
"TI love one," said a holy man, "that perseveres in dry duty."
Beware of thinking even this is labor lost.
God does much work in the heart even at those seasons.—
JOHN WESLEY.
Breathe on us, Lord, in this our day, And these dry bones shall live :
Speak peace into our hearts, and say, "The Holy Ghost receive."
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.—James iv, 8.
December 7.
Always remember, the essence of Christian holiness is simplicity and purity; one design; one desire ; entire devotion to God.
But this admits of a thousand degrees and variations, and certainly it will be proved by a thousand temptations ; but in all these things you shall be more than conqueror.—JOHN WESLEY.
My one desire be this, Thy only love to know:
To seek and taste no other bliss, No other good below.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
"As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. — 1 Petr 15,
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 8.
It is true we cannot judge of ourselves by the measure of our joy; the most variable of ail our sensations, and frequently depending, in a great degree, on the state of our blood and spirits.
But if you take love, joy, peace, meekness, gentleness, and resignation together,
I know no surer rule whereby to judge of your state to God-ward._ JOHN WESLEY.
His Spirit which he gave, Now dwells in us, we know; The witness in ourselves we have, And all its fruits we show.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
For every tree is known by his own fruit. — Luke vi, 44.
December 9.
Persons who are eminently dutiful to their parents, hardly ever fail of receiving a reward even in the present world.—JOHN WESLEY. a Meek and lowly may I be; Thou art all humility.
Let me to my betters bow ; Subject to thy parents thou.
Let me above all fulfill God my heavenly Father's will :
Never his good Spirit grieve, Only to his glory live-—CHARLES WESLEY.
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord.— Col. iii, 20.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 10.
_Entire resignation implies entire love.
Give Him your will, and you give him your heart:—
JOHN WESLEY.
Nay, but I yield, I yield:
Ican hold out no more:
I sink, by dying love compelled, And own thee Conqueror.
Though late, I all forsake My friends, my all, resign ; Gracious Redeemer, take, O take, And seal me ever thine.
— CHARLES WESLEY,
I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.—John v, 30.
December 11.
You need not be at all careful [in prayer] whether you apply directly to one person, or the other, seeing He and the Father are one.
Pray just as you are led, without reasoning, in all simplicity.
Be a little child, hanging on him that loves you.—JOHN WESLEY.
Lord, that I may learn of thee, Give me true simplicity:
Wean my soul, and keep it low, Willing thee alone to know.
—CHARLES WESLEY
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.—Heb. iv, 16.
December 12.
The praying much for those we love much is doubtless the fruit of affection ; but such an affection as is well-pleasing to God, and is wrought in us by his own Spirit. Therefore it is certain, the intercession that flows from that affection is according to the will of God.—JOHN WESLEY.
Author of faith, we seek thy face For all who feel thy work begun ; Confirm and strengthen them in grace, And bring thy feeblest children on.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Brethren, pray for us.—1 Thess. v, 25.
December 13.
Nature and the devil will always oppose private prayer; but it is worth while to break through.
That it is a cross, will not hinder its being a blessing ; nay, often the more reluctance, the greater blessing.-- JOHN WESLEY.
To help our soul's infirmity, To heal thy sin-sick people's care, To urge our God-commanding plea, And make our heart a house of prayer, The promised Intercessor give, And let us now thyself receive.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret.— Matt. vi, 6.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 14.
It is a rule with me to take nothing ill that is well meant.—JOHN WESLEY.
We cannot think a gracious thought, We cannot feel a good desire, Till thou, who callest worlds from naught,
The power into our hearts inspire ; And then we in the Spirit groan, And then we give thee back thine own.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Charity .
. is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.—1 Cor. xiii, 4, 5.
December 15.
Wisdom is the faculty of discerning the best ends, and the fittest means of attaining them.
The end of every rational creature is God: the enjoying him in time and in eternity. The best, indeed the only means of attaining this end, is
"the faith that worketh by love."—JOHN WESLEY.
Thy gifts I clamor for no more, Or selfishly thy grace require, An evil heart to varnish o'er ; Jesus the giver I desire, After the flesh no longer known:
Father, thy only will be done.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.—John xvii, 3.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 16.
If any man asks, Who is my neighbor? we teply, Every man in the world; every child of his, who is the Father of the spirits of all flesh. or May we in any wise except our enemies, or the enemies of God and their own souls. —
JOHN WESLEY.
Not in the tombs we pine to dwell, Not in the dark monastic cell, By vows and grates confined :
Freely to all ourselves we Sive, Constrained by Jesus' love to live The servants of mankind.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.— Matt. xxviii, 19.
December 17.
Whereinsoever I have mistaken, my mind is Open to conviction.
I sincerely desite to be better informed. I say to God and man, "What I know not, teach thou me." —JOHN WESLEY.
Take my soul and body's powers :
Take my mem'ry, mind, and will ; All my goods, and all my hours:
All I know, or all I feel :
All I think, or speak, or do; Take my heart, but make it new.
——CHARLES WESLEY.
Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.— Psa. cxix, 73.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 18.
Be a Methodist all over.
Be exact in every thing.
Be zealous; be active. Press on to the one thing, and carry all before you.--JOHN WESLEY.
Still stir me up to strive With thee in strength divine ; And every moment, Lord, revive This fainting soul of mine.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.—
2 Peter i, 10.
December 19.
Visit the poor, the widow, the sick, the fatherless, in their affliction ; and this, although they should have nothing to recommend them, but that they are bought with the blood of Christ.
It is true, this is not pleasing to flesh and blood. There are a thousand circumstances usually attending it which shock the delicacy
our nature, or rather our education. But yet the blessing which follows this labor of love will more than balance the cross.—JOHN WESLEY.
End of my every action thou.
Thyself in all I see:
Accept my hallowed labour now ; I do it unto thee.—CHARLES WESLEY.
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.—Matt. xxv, 40.
182 A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 20.
Grace is the source, faith the condition, of salvation.—_ JOHN WESLEY.
Must I not do all I can ?
Yes, and own the labour vain :
Feel my utter helplessness, Feel salvation is of grace, When Ihave my utmost done, Lord, I look to thee alone.
Help my unbelief, or I Must with all my doings die.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be of grace.—Rom. iv, 16.
—_—S December 21.
How far is love, even with many wrong opinions, to be preferred before truth itself without love!
We may die without the knowledge of many truths, and yet be carried into Abraham's bosom.
But if we die without love, what will knowledge avail ? Just as much as it avails the devil and_ his angels !—_JOHN WESLEY.
A heart in every thought renewed, And full of love divine ; Perfect, and right, and pure, and good, A copy, Lord, of thine,
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.
. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself—Mark xii, 30, 31.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 22.
Being saved from guilt, they are saved from fear.
Not indeed from a filial fear of offending, but from all servile fear; from that fear which hath torment; from fear of punishment ; from fear of the wrath of God, whom they now no longer regard asa severe Master, but as an indulgent Father.—JOHN WESLEY.
Jesus !—the Name that charms our tears.
That bids our sorrows cease ; *Tis music in the sinner's ears, Tis life, and health, and peace.
— CHARLES WESLEY.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.—
1 John ivy, 18.
December 23.
Christian faith is, then, not only an assent to the whole Gospel of Christ, but also a full reliance on the blood of Christ; a trust in the merits of his life, death, and resurrection; a recumbency on him as our atonement and our life, as given for us, and living in us——JOHN WESLEY.
This is the faith we humbly seek, The faith in thy all-cleansing blood ; That faith which doth for sinners speak,
O let it speak us up to God!
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.—Acts xvi, 31.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 24.
He that is, by faith, born of God, sinneth not ... by infirmities, whether in act, word, or thought: for his infirmities have no concurrence of his will; and without this they are not properly sins.—JOHN WESLEY.
Since thou wouldst have us free trom sin.
And pure as those above:
Make haste to bring thy nature in, And perfect us in love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not: but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.—-1 John v, 18.
December 25.
As Satan turned the heart of man, from the Creator to the creature: so the Son of God turns his heart back again, from the creature to the Creator. Thus it is, by manifesting himself, he destroys the works of the devil.—JOHN
WESLEY.
Jesus, descended from above, Our loss of Eden to retrieve, Great God of universal love, If all the world through thee may live, In us a quick'ning spirit be, And witness thou hast died for me.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost._-Luke xix, 10.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 26.
Beware of indulging gloomy thoughts: they are the bane of thankfulness. You are encompassed with ten thousand mercies; let these sink you into humble thankfulness.—JOHN WESLEY.
Infinite God, to thee we raise Our hearts in solemn songs of praise; By all thy works on earth adored, We worship thee, the common Lord ; The everlasting Father own, And bow ourselves before thy throne.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Be thankful unto him and bless his name.— Psa. c, 4.
December 27.
These [rites and forms] are good in their place; just so far as they are in fact subservient to true religion.
And it were superstition to object against them, while they are applied only as occasional helps to human weakness.
But let no man carry them farther.
Let no man dream that they have any intrinsic worth; or that religion cannot subsist without them.— JOHN WESLFY.
I do the things thy laws enjoin, And then the strife give o'er ; To thee I then the whole resign, I trust in means no mote.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.—Gal. 1, 16.
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 28.
What law do we establish by faith?
Not ritual law; not the ceremonial law of Moses.
In no wise; but the great unchangeable law of love of God, and of our neighbor—JOHN WESLEY.
That blessed law of thine, Jesus, to me impart ; The Spirit's law of life divine, O write it on my heart!
Implant it deep within, Whence it may ne'er remove,— The law of liberty from sin, The perfect law of love.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
I live by the faith of the Son of God.-- Gal.
0. ia, December 29, The plain scriptural notion of justification is pardon, the forgiveness of sins.
It is that act of God the Father, whereby, for the sake of the propitiation made by the blood of his
Son, he "showeth forth his righteousness (or mercy) by the remission of sins that are past."
—JOHN WESLEY.
To him that in thy name believes, Ecernal life with thee is given; Into himself he all receives, Pardon, and holiness, and heaven.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.—Rom. ili, 24
A CALL FROM THE HEIGHTS
December 30.
Two persons may do the same outward work; one of these may be truly religious, and the other have no religion at all; for the one may act from the love of God, and the other from the love of praise.
So manifest it is, that although true religion naturally leads to every good word and work, yet the real nature thereof lies deeper still, even in "the hidden man of the heart."—JOHN WESLEY.
O thou who camest from above, The pure celestial fire to impart, Kindle a flame of sacred love On the mean altar of my heart.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
Keep thy heart with all diligence ; for out of it are the issues of life.—Prov. iv, 23.
December 31.
At whatsoever time thou truly believest in the name of the Son of God, all thy sins, antecedent to that hour, vanish away as the morning dew.
Now then, "stand thou fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made thee free." —JOHN WESLEY.
Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on thee:
Leave, O leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me.
—CHARLES WESLEY.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.—John ii, 36.
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Printed and Published by C.'O. Forsgren, at the Lucknow Publishing House, Lucknow.—1799—3-'38, Schoo! of Theology at Claremont