HISTORICAL STATEMENT. THE doctrine and spirit of Primitive Christianity have existed at different times and in different degrees in all branches of the kingdom of Christ among men. were embodied in a new form on this wise: They "In 1729 two young men in England, reading the Bible, saw they could not be saved without holiness, followed after it, and incited others so to do. In 1737 they saw, likewise, that men are justified before they are sanctified; but still holiness was their object. God then thrust them out to raise a holy people." This was the rise of Methodism, as given in the words of its founders, John and Charles Wesley, of Oxford University, and Presbyters of the Church of England. Their evangelical labors were accompanied by an extraordinary divine influence; other Ministers and many Lay Preachers were raised up to aid them; and throughout England and in Scotland and Ireland arose United Societies of men having the form and seeking the power of godliness. These subsequently became the Wesleyan Churches of Great Britain. In the year 1766 Philip Embury, a Wesleyan Local Preacher from Ireland, began to preach in New York city and formed a Society, now the John Street Church. Another Local Preacher, Thomas Webb, captain in the British army, soon joined him, and also preached elsewhere in the city and its vicinity. About the same time |