accustomed to worship. It was in
the old place that Whitefield and Wesley attended, and where, as Southey
writes, "they encouraged each other in excesses of devotion which, if
they found the mind sane, were not likely long to leave it so," but of
which Wesley writes in very different language. Let us hear what he
says. "About three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in
prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried
out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground. As soon as we were
recovered a little from that awe and amazement we broke out with one
voice, 'We praise Thee, O God! we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.'" "It
was a Pentecostal season indeed," wrote Whitefield. Let me add that it
was there, and not in the present meeting, that Wesley stood up and read
from a written paper such of their doctrines as he contemned, especially
that of there being no degrees of faith short of perfect assurance. He
had learnt much from the Moravians. They had found him a mere Ritualist,
they had left him a converted man, but he had outgrown his teachers, the
mild and loving and placid Germans of Fetter Lane. "I have borne with
you long," said he at the end of his discourse, "hoping you would turn;
but, as I find you more and more confirmed in the errors of your ways,
nothing now remains but that I should give you up to God. You that are
of the same judgment, follow me." When he had thus spoken he withdrew.
This breach was never healed, and from that day to this Moravianism has
never in this country, and especially in London, recovered from the blow.

It may also be said that the impulse given to the religious life of
England by the Moravians has tended naturally to their decrease. Their
speciality was to preach the atonement made for sin by the blood of
Jesus, and happiness in communion with Him. In the dark days, when they
came over, this doctrine was far less commonly believed than now, and in
proportion as it has been preached by Churchmen and Dissenters has there
been a decline of Moravian influence. In reality, what they came here to
do has been done by others who had learned how to do it from them. All
Evangelical sects teach now what they teach, and even where they now
break fresh ground it is found those whom they have influenced prefer to
take part with churches of a more native origin or British character. As
regards London the position of their chapel is very much aga