Before  Mr.  Wesley  entered  upon  the  career  which  after-
ward  distinguished  him,  and  having  no  preconceived  plan


REV.  JOHN  WESLEY.  63

or  course  of  conduct,  but  to  seek  good  for  himself,  and  to
do  good  to  others,  he  visited  the  Moravian  settlements  in
Germany.  On  his  journey  he  formed  an  acquaintance
with  several  pious  ministers  in  Holland  and  Germany  ;
and  at  Marienbourn  was  greatly  edified  by  the  conversa-
tion of  Count  Zinzendorf,  and  others  of  the  brethren,  of
whose  views  he  did  not  however  in  all  respects  even  then
approve.  From  thence  he  proceeded  to  Hernhuth,  where
he  staid  a  fortnight,  conversing  with  the  elders,  and  observ-
ing the  economy  of  that  Church,  part  of  which  with  modi-
fications he  afterward  introduced  among  his  own  societies.
The  sermons  of  Christian  David  especially  interested  him  ;
and  of  one  of  them,  on  "  the  ground  of  our  faith,"  he  gives
the  substance ;  which  we  may  insert,  both  as  excellent  in
itself,  and  as  it  so  well  agrees  with  what  Mr.  Wesley  after-
ward uniformly  taught : —

"  The  Avord  of  reconciliation  which  the  apostles  preach-
ed, as  the  foundation  of  all  they  taught,  was,  that  '  we  are
reconciled  to  God,  not  by  our  own  works,  nor  by  our  own
righteousness,  but  wholly  and  solely  by  the  blood  of
Christ.'

"  But  you  will  say,  Must  I  not  grieve  and  mourn  for  my
sins  ?  Must  I  not  humble  myself  before  my  God  ?  Is
not  this  just  and  right?  And  must  I  not  first  do  this  be-
fore I  can  expect  God  to  be  reconciled  to  me  ?  I  answer,
It  is  just  and  right.  You  must  be  humbled  before  God.
