 As such, he likewise wrote that "efforts to manifest true faith would be 'quickened' by self mortification and entire obedience".Moreover, he "spoke approvingly of 'voluntary instances of mortification' in his journals".Methodist circuit riders were known for practicing the spiritual discipline of mortifying the flesh as they "arose well before dawn for solitary prayer; they remained on their knees without food or drink or physical comforts sometimes for hours on end".