vinistic Methodists, they need not 1. To see each person in his be inserted here, as the reader will class once a week, at least, in orfind the substance of them under der to inquire how their souls the article CALVINISTS. prosper; to advise, reprove, comIII. Methodists, government and fort, or exhort, as occasion may discipline of. A considerable num- "require; to receive what they are ber both of the Calvinist and Ar- || willing to give to the poor, or tominian Methodists approve of the ward the Gospel.-2. To meet the discipline of the church of Eng- minister and the stewards of the land, while many, it is said, are society once a week, in order to dissenters in principle. Mr. Wes- inform the minister of any that are. ley and Mr. Whitfield were both sick, or of any that walk disorderbrought up in, and paid peculiarly, and will not be reproved; to respect to that church. They did not, however, as is well known, confine themselves to her laws in all respects as it related to disci-and to shew their account of pline. what each person has contri|buted. pay to the stewards what they have received of their several classes in the week preceding; Mr. Wesley having formed numerous societies in different parts, "There is only one condition he, with his brother Charles, drew previously required of those who up certain rules, by which they desire admission into these sociewere, and it seems still are, go-ties, namely, A desire to flee from verned. They state the nature the wrath to come; to be saved and design of a Methodist society from their sins: but wherever this in the following words: is really fixed in the soul, it will be shewn by its fruits. It is, therefore, expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation. "Such a society is no other "than a company of men having "the form and seeking the power "of godliness: united, in order to .. pray together, to receive the "word of exhortation, and to "watch over one another in love, "that they may help each other "to work out their salvation." "First, By doing no harm; by avoiding evil in every kind; especially that which is most generally practised, such as the taking the name of God in vain; the profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work thereon, or by buying or selling; drunkenness; buying or sel "That it may the more easily be discerned whether they are indeed working out their own salvation, each society is divided into smaller companies, called classes, according to their respec-ling spirituous liquors, or drinktive places of abode. There are about twelve persons (sometimes fifteen, twenty, or even more) in each class; one of whom is styled the leader. It is his business, ing them, unless in cases of extreme necessity; fighting, quarrelling, brawling; brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or not to do good, unless our hearts selling; the buying or selling un-be free to it.' customed goods; the giving or taking things on usury, i. e. unlawful interest. "Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates, or of mi nisters. “Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us. "Doing what we know is not for the glory of God: as the putting on gold or costly apparel; the taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Je sus. "The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God; softness, and needless selfindulgence; laying up treasure upon earth; borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them. "By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others; buying one of another; helping each other in business; and so much the more, because the world will love its own, and them only; by all possible diligence and frugality, that the Gospel be not blamed; by running with patience the race set before them,denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ; to be as the filth and offscouring of the world, and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely for the Lord's sake. "It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, "Thirdly, By attending on all "It is expected of all who con- the ordinances of God: such are, tinue in these societies that they-The public worship of God; should continue to evidence their the ministry of the word, either desire of salvation, read or expounded; the supper of the Lord; family and private prayer; searching the scriptures; and fasting and abstinence. "Secondly, By doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power, as they have opportunity; doing good of every possible sort, and as far as possible to all men; to their bodies, of the ability which God giveth; by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick, or in prison to their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine of devils, that We are "These are the general rules of our societies, all which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written word; the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice; and all these we know his Spirit writes on every truly awakened heart. there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them, let it be made known unto them who watch over If that soul, as they that must give an account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways; we will bear with him for a season; but then, if he repent not, he hath no more place among us: we have delivered our own souls. May 1, 1743. John Wesley. Here, and here only, were they to labour for one year, that is, until the next conference. One of the preachers on every circuit he assisted Mr. Wesley in superintending the societies and other preachers; he took charge of the round some principal society in those parts, and which were so situated, that the greatest distance from one to the other was not much more than twenty miles, and united them into what was called a circuit. At the yearly conference he appointed two, Charles Wesley." three, or four preachers to one of In Mr. Wesley's connexion, these circuits, according to its exthey have circuits and confer-tent, which at first was often very ences, which we find were thus considerable, sometimes taking in formed:-When the preachers a part of three or four counties. at first went out to exhort and preach, it was by Mr. Wesley's permission and direction; some from one part of the kingdom, and some from another; and was called the assistant, because though frequently strangers to each other, and to those to whom they were sent, yet on his credit and sanction alone they were re-societies within the limits assigned ceived and provided for as friends him; he enforced the rules every by the societies wherever they where, and directed the labours of came. But, having little or no the preachers associated with him. communication or intercourse Having received a list of the sowith one another, nor any subor-cieties forming his circuit, he took dination among themselves, they his own station in it, gave to the must have been under the necessity other preachers a plan of it, and of recurring to Mr. Wesley for di-pointed out the day when each rections how and where they were should be at the place fixed for to labour. To remedy this incon-him, to begin a progressive motion venience, he conceived the design round it, in such order as the plan of calling them together to an an-directed. They now followed one nual conference: by this means he brought them into closer union with each other, and made them sensible of the utility of acting in concert and harmony. He soon found it necessary, also, to bring their itinerancy under certain re-work was appointed beforehand; gulations, and reduce it to some each knew, every day, where the fixed order, both to prevent con- others were, and each society fusion, and for his own ease: he when to expect the preacher, and therefore took fifteen or twenty how long he would stay with societies, more or less, which lay them. another through all the societies By It may be observed, however, will shew us in what manner they that Mr. Wesley's design in calling are chosen and designated: Q. the preachers together annually "How shall we try those who was not merely for the regulation think they are moved by the Holy of the circuits, but also for the Ghost to preach" A. "Inquire, review of their doctrines and 1. Do they know God as a pardiscipline, and for the examina- doning God? Have they the love tion of their moral conduct; of God abiding in them? Do they that those who were to administer desire and seek nothing but God? with him in holy things might be And are they holy in all manner thoroughly furnished for every good of conversation?-2. Have they work. gifts, as well as grace, for the work? Have they, in some tolerable degree, a clear, sound understanding? Have they a right judgment in the things of God? Have they a just conception of salvation by faith? And has God given them any degree of utterance? Do they speak justly, readily, clearly?-3. Have they fruit? Are any truly convinced of sin, and converted to God, by their preaching? The first conference was held in June 1744, at which Mr. Wesley met his brother, two or three other clergymen, and a few of the preachers whom he had appointed to come from various parts, to confer with them on the affairs of the societies. "Monday, June 25," observes Mr. Wesley, "and the five following days, we spent in conference with our preachers, seriously considering by what means we might the most effectually save our own souls, and them that heard us; and the result of our consultations we set down to be the rule of our future practice." "As long as these three marks concur in any one, we believe he is called of God to preach. These we receive as sufficient proof that he is moved thereto by the Holy Ghost." "A proper time for doing this is at a conference, after solemn fasting and prayer; every person proposed is then to be present, and each of them may be asked, Since that time a conference Q. "What method may we use has been held annually, Mr. Wes-in receiving a new helper?" A. ley himself having presided at forty-seven. The subjects of their deliberations were proposed in the form of questions, which were amply discussed; and the questions, with the answers agreed upon, were afterwards printed under the title of "Minutes of several Conversations between the Rev. Mr. Wesley and others," commonly called Minutes of Conference. As to their preachers, the following extract from the abovementioned Minutes of Conference "Have you faith in Christ? Are you going on to perfection? Do you expect to be perfected in love in this life? Are you groaning after it? Are you resolved to devote yourself wholly to God and to his work? Have you considered the rules of a helper? Will you keep them for conscience sake? Are you determined to employ all your selected the itinerant preachers, time in the work of God? Will who are first proposed at a quarteryou preach every morning and ly meeting of the stewards and local evening? Will you diligently in- preachers of the circuit; then at a struct the children in every place? meeting of the travelling preachers Will you visit from house to of the district; and, lastly, in the house? Will you recommend fast-conference; and, if accepted, are ing both by precept and exam-nominated for a circuit.-7. Their ple? characters and conduct are exa "We may then receive him as mined annually in the conference; a probationer, by giving him the and, if they continue faithful for Minutes of the Conference, in-four years of trial, they are rescribed thus:- To A. B. You ceived into full connexion. At think it your duty to call sinners these conferences, also, strict into repentance. Make full proof hereof, and we shall rejoice to receive you as a fellow-labourer.' Let him then read and carefully weigh what is contained therein, that if he has any doubt it may be removed." quiry is made into the conduct and success of every preacher, and those who are found deficient in abilities are no longer employed as itinerants; while those whose conduct has not been agreeable to the Gospel are expelled, and thereby deprived of all the privileges even of private members of "To the above it may be useful to add," says Mr. Benson, "a few remarks on the method pursued | the society." in the choice of the itinerant preachers, as many have formed the most erroneous ideas on the subject, imagining they are employed with hardly any prior preparation. 1. They are received as private members of the society on trial.-2. After a quarter of a year, if they are found deserving, they are admitted as proper members.-3. When their grace and abilities are sufficiently manifest, they are appointed leaders of classes.-4. If they then discover talents for more important services, they are employed to exhort occasionally in the smaller congregations, when the preachers cannot attend.-5. If approved in this line of duty, they are allowed to preach.-6. Out of these men, who are called local preachers, are IV.Methodists, new connexion of. Since Mr. Wesley's death, his people have been divided; but this division, it seems, respects discipline more than sentiment. Mr. Wesley professed a strong attachment to the established church of England, and exhorted the societies under his care to attend her service, and receive the Lord's supper from the regular clergy. But in the latter part of his time he thought proper to ordain some bishops and priests for America and Scotland; but as one or two of the bishops have never been out of England since their appointment to the office, it is probable that he intended a regular ordination should take place when the state of the connexion might render it necessary. During his |