LIVING THOUGHTS OF JOHN WESLEY A COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION OF THE LIVING THOUGHTS IN HIS MISCELLANEOUS WORKS BY JAMES H. POTTS NEW YORK: EATON & MAINS PREFACE. THE works of Rev. John Wesley are a gold-mine of doctrine and instruction; but, like other gold-mines, they contain a few things which are not gold. The two volumes of his sermons are nearly all pure gold. His journals and correspondence are also rich and valuable. His miscellaneous writings, however, require some sifting before their circulation in this country can be much revived. There is so much of the controversial element in them, so much of personal or merely local reference having no present significance, and so much of general discussion and argumentation pertaining to the Old World of a century ago that Americans do not feel much interested in them. Many trivial matters are also to be found, and several of the important treatises, like the French, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew grammars, have become obsolete. But scattered along among these old documents are many literary and doctrinal gems of rarest value, needing only a new typographical background, better mechanical finish, and more modern arrangement and setting to be appreciated at their worth and eagerly sought for by all good people. To separate these gems from their old surroundings, group them in convenient and attractive form, and to preserve them from loss in the transition has been the undertaking of the present compiler. From the seven volumes of Mr. Wesley's works, sermons excepted, we have chosen such articles and paragraphs as seemed to us of greatest permanent value, and have formed them into this one volume, which will, we believe, be found of liveliest interest and rarest excellence. Here Mr. Wesley as a teacher is seen at his best. Most of these compositions were designed by him for the permanent page. They were written at different stages of his public career, and, with few exceptions, contain his most vigorous and mature thought upon the various subjects treated. The public is invited to a careful perusal. Every thing that Mr. Wesley wrote is worth reading, and his best writings admit of long-continued and thorough study. The present and scuceeding generations of his followers especially ought to be well informed in those teachings so vital to the existence and welfare of early Methodism, and never without their deep significance and forceful bearing upon the cause of righteousness while the world continues to sin, and antichrist approaches to his reign. JAMES H. POTTS. |