to have become incapable
of any form of self-indulgence. He took the smallest room in the house
for his study, though he might easily have commanded one more light,
airy, and in every way more suitable; and chose for his sleeping
chamber an attic which he shared with a younger brother. The furniture
of the latter might have answered for the cell of an anchorite, and
consisted of a hard mattress on a cot-bedstead, plain wooden chairs and
table, with matting on the floor. It was without fire, and to cold he
was throughout life extremely sensitive; but he never complained or
appeared in any way to be conscious of inconvenience. 'I recollect,'
says his brother, 'after one most severe night, that in the morning he
sportively thus alluded to his suffering: "If my bed were my country,
I should be somewhat like Bonaparte: I have no control except over the
part which I occupy, the instant I move, frost takes possession."' In
sickness only would he change for the time his apartment and accept a
few comforts. The dress too that he habitually adopted was of most
inferior quality; and garments were constantly worn which the world
would call mean, though an almost feminine neatness preserved him from
the least appearance of neglect."[177]

[177] Memoirs of W. E. Channing, Boston, 1840, i. 196.

Channing's asceticism, such as it was, was evidently a compound of
hardihood and love of purity. The democracy which is an offshoot of
the enthusiasm of humanity, and of which I will speak later under the
head of the cult of poverty, doubtless bore also a share. Certainly
there was no pessimistic element in his case.

In the next case we have a strongly pessimistic element, so that it
belongs under head 4. John Cennick was Methodism's first lay preacher.
In 1735 he was convicted of sin, while walking in Cheapside--

"And at once left off sing-singing, card-playing, and attending
theatres. Sometimes he wished to go to a popish monastery, to spend
his life in devout retirement. At other times he longed to live in a
cave, sleeping on fallen leaves, and feeding on forest fruits. He
fasted long and often, and prayed nine times a day.... Fancying dry
bread too great an indulgence for so great a sinner as himself, he
began to feed on potatoes, acorns, crabs, and grass; and often wished
that he could live on roots and herbs. At length, in 1737, he found
peace with God, and went on his way rejoicing."[178]

[178] L. Tyerman: Th