Undated — Address of the General Conference of 1812, To The Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America

ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1812, TO

THE MEMBERS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL

CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Dearly Beloved Brethren,

When we retrospect the Divine goodness toward us as a people, our hearts are animated with sentiments of praise and thanksgiving. We have been favoured with repeated manifestations of the power and grace of God. The Redeemer has planted his standard in the midst of us; He has given astonishing success to our labours, and annually made accessions of thousands to our number. From the cold provinces of Canada to the sultry regions of Georgia; from the shores of the Atlantic to the waters of the Mississippi; in populous cities, improved countries, and dreary deserts, God has extended the triumphs of his grace. Infidelity trembles in the presence of the Cross; superstition yields to the mild influence of the Gospel, and ignorance vanishes before the auspicious beams of Truth. In the revolution of a few years, our number has amounted to nearly 200,000, exclusive of the many happy souls who have departed in the faith, and gone to their reward in Heaven. We have mutually participated in the prosperity of Zion; frequently in our solemn assemblies we have witnessed the effusions of grace, and experienced the overwhelming showers of Redeeming love. The blessings we have received from God should humble us at his feet, while a recollection of his mercies inspire us with gratitude and love. All the Divine benedictions conferred upon us, have been unmerited and free. Undeserved blessings have been strewed in our paths, and distinguishing goodness attends us in all our ways. While myriads of our fellow creatures grope in Pagan darkness, and Mahometan delusion, we enjoy the light and truth of the gospel of Christ. In the midst of civil and ecclesiastical convulsions, the Lord has favoured us with tranquility and repose; we are therefore under peculiar obligations to Grace. “By Grace are we saved, through Faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God.” To God therefore let us ascribe the glory and praise of our past and present mercies.

Dear Brethren, We are bound to you by ties which death itself cannot dissolve: With you, we again renew our covenant, to live and die your servants in Jesus Christ. You will therefore, we hope, receive from us the word of exhortation.

The spirit of internal religion, in all its branches, we most ardently recommend and insist on. Bible religion does not consist barely in rites and ceremonies; in subscribing creeds and becoming violent partizans; in the reveries of a heated imagination, nor the paroxisms of agitated passions; but in the mind which was in Christ Jesus, in a victory over sin, and a conformity to the will of God; in love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance; in all the amiable virtues which centre in the moral character of Christ. Without holiness of heart we can never enter into the kingdom of glory. “Be ye holy, for I am holy,” saith the Almighty God. And no unclean thing shall enter in the kingdom, saith the Lord Jesus. We therefore exhort you to go on to perfection, to pursue after holiness with all the ardour of faith and hope. Never give sleep to your eyes nor slumber to your eyelids, until you awake with the lovely likeness of Christ.

While we insist on internal, we do not forget external religion. You are commanded to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven;” to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, and to be careful to maintain good works. The duties which God hath enjoined on us should be discharged with all possible fidelity. His eyes are upon us, and all our ways; the enemies of religion mark our steps, and our consciences will accuse or excuse us: God will render to every man according as his work shall be. Therefore be holy in manner of conversation and godliness. “Search the Scriptures,” said the adorable Saviour, “for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.” God has not left us to learn his attributes and will merely from his works and providence; he has revealed himself in his holy word, with all the perspicuity necessary to make us wise unto salvation. This holy revelation should be studied with serious attention, candor, and prayer. We beseech you to read it in your closets and in your families. A proper knowledge of, and conformity to the Holy Scripture will render you happy to all the calamities of life, support you in the pangs of death, and prepare you for an endless enjoyment in heaven.

A strict attention to the Christian Ordinances we deem indispensably necessary. Christ himself instituted the holy sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and his followers should never neglect them. “Go, (saith he) teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” and in reference to the Holy Supper he said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”

The Sabbath of the Lord deserves your serious consideration and attention. It should be consecrated wholly to his service. All labour, vain conversation, worldly employments and visits should be carefully avoided. Prayer, praise, searching the scriptures, and the worship of God should be the only employment of that day. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, is the language of the Holy One of Israel.

It is with regret that we have seen the too frequent use of ardent spirits, dram-drinking, &c. among the professors of religion. We have endeavoured to suppress the practice by our example; it is necessary that we add precept to example. We do sincerely think it not consistent with the christian character to be immersed in the practice of distilling, selling, and drinking an article so destructive to the morals of society. And we most earnestly recommend and exhort our people to join with us in making a firm and constant stand against an evil which has impoverished, disgraced, and ruined thousands, both in body and soul.

“Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds,” said the apostle. Let us unanimously oppose the vain fashions and evil maxims of this ungodly world: We are creatures of a moment, hastening to the grave, and soon shall stand before God in judgment; therefore let us not copy the fashions of the gay and thoughtless, especially in putting on gold and costly apparel; but dress with simplicity and modesty, with gravity and neatness.

The important duty of Fasting has been too much neglected. This we fear has been, and will be productive of melancholy effects. We have abundant cause for deep humiliation before God and one another. Our country is in jeopardy, calamities stare us in the face, iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold! O let us be more diligent in every good word and work, particularly in Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer.

The propriety and importance of religiously educating your children, we wish seriously to impress on your minds. To instruct them in the arts and sciences may be useful in this life, but the knowledge of God, and their own heart, is absolutely necessary for the life to come. It is religion only which can make them truly happy in life, and triumphant in death. The unhappy effects of indifference to the education of children, must be seen and lamented by every friend to religion. Children whose religious education is neglected by their parents, generally grow up in iniquity, become obdurate in sin, and are prepared for almost every species of vice, and frequently terminate their unhappy career in ruin, covered with disgrace; therefore, instruct your children in the doctrines and practice of the Christian religion. While young, take them by the hand, and lead them into the salutary paths of wisdom, virtue, and piety. Your labour shall not be in vain; for saith Solomon, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Finally, brethren, be sound in the faith, uniform in practice, obedient to all the precepts of the gospel. Consider the various relations and obligations of life, as men and as christians; and walk worthy of your high calling and holy profession, so shall you be the children of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ, throughout all ages, world without end— AMEN.

Signed in behalf of the Conference.

FRANCIS ASBURY,

WILLIAM MCKENDREE,

DANIEL HITT, Sec’ry,

New-York, May 23, 1812.

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