Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/31

the residue of the day in saddening glooms; at five o'clock, the Methodist meeting again opened, to which the multitude flocked; there I saw, and there, with affectionate admiration, I was seen; there, when the terrors of the law were exhibited, I was delighted by the assurance of eternal security therefrom; and there, when the children of the Redeemer were addressed in the soothing and plausive strains of consolation, my heart throbbed with pleasure, and tears of transport copiously evinced the rapture of my soul. Society meeting succeeded the close of public service; three classes of the people were denominated Methodists: The congregation, who, as outer-court worshippers, were only hearers, and seekers; members of the society, who were classed; and members of the band society, who were genuine believers. The two latter met every Sunday evening after meeting, and no individual, who was not furnished with a ticket, could gain admittance. This ticket was a badge of distinction; it gave the possessor entrance, all others were shut out, and the door was locked. No words can describe my sensations, when I obtained a seat inside the closed door; when I listened, while the preacher in a low voice addressed the children of God. The house was not unfrequently filled with the dissonant sounds of terror, and joy, issuing from the discordant voices of those, who were in the valley, or on the mount. From this society, I returned home, to unite in family devotion, repeat the fundamental points in my religion, retire to my private devotions, and then to bed. Monday morning, I arose at five o'clock, and, after the same preparation as on Sunday, attended meeting, returned to breakfast, occupied myself with the business of the day, until dinner; after dinner, and an interval passed in private devotion, to secular affairs again, until evening; then once more to the Methodist meeting, returned, attended family and private devotions, and to my chamber: often not to rest, but to my book, till midnight. Thus was my time spent, two evenings in the week excepted, which were devoted to my class, and one night in the week, when the society assembled, as on Sunday evening; but, alas! the fervour of spirit, excited on those occasions, cannot, in the nature of things, be very durable. There were individuals in my class who proved untoward, they began to be weary in well-doing; this was a source of sorrow, the first I had experienced for a long time; added to this, repeated complaints reached my ear, and not unfrequently slanderous reports—reports one against another! This tortured me; I consulted the preachers, disputes ran high, the interposition of parents became indispensable,