That is a place none of us like to be in at
school; then don't let us be content to keep that place in Christ's
school; let us all seek and obtain top places.

When Mr. John Wesley visited his brother, he found he had got above him
in Christ's school; he had taken a top place in the class, and John
could not rest until he had got a top place too. So he prayed very
earnestly, and got the people that had helped his brother to talk to
him, but still he did not seem to understand. Four days after he went to
a little service, and while the preacher was explaining the change that
comes in us, when we trust in Jesus alone, John Wesley saw it all, took
a top place in Christ's school, and joyfully went and told his brother.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XIV.

Methodist rules.--Pulpits closed against Mr.
Wesley.--A visit to Germany.--A walk in
Holland.--Christian David, the German
carpenter.--The Fellow of Lincoln College takes
lessons in a cottage.

I DARE say many of my readers go to Wesleyan Chapels, and understand
some of the Methodist rules. Most of these rules were made by the two
Mr. Wesleys and their friends more than one hundred and fifty years ago,
and they have been kept by their followers ever since. I want to tell
you about a few of them.

The people who attended the Methodist meetings were divided into little
bands or companies, no band to have fewer than five persons in it, and
none more than ten. They were to meet every week, and each one in turn
was to tell the rest what troubles and temptations they had had, and how
God, through Jesus Christ, had helped them since the last meeting.

Every Wednesday evening, at eight o'clock, all the bands joined together
in one large meeting, which began and ended with hymns and prayer.
There were many other rules, some of which I will tell you later on,
others you can read about when you are older.

All this time you must remember that Mr. Wesley was a church clergyman.
He loved the Church of England very dearly, though there were a great
many things in it with which he did not agree.

Wherever he preached he told the people just what he believed, and as
very few clergymen thought as he did, they did not like him speaking his
opinions so freely. At last, first one and then another said he should
never preach in their churches again. Yet the message Mr. Wesley gave to
the people, was the very same message that