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Robert Strawbridge, from Ireland, settled in Frederick County, Maryland, preaching there and forming Societies. In 1769 Mr. Wesley sent to America two Itinerant Preachers, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor, and in 1771 two others, Francis Asbury and Richard Wright. The work thus begun was signally owned of God, so that, at the close of the Revolutionary War, the number of Traveling Preachers was about eighty, and of Members in Society about fifteen thousand.

When the independence of the United States was acknowledged by the treaty of 1783, the American Methodists, most of whom had been members of the Church of England, were, according to the express declaration of Mr. Wesley, "totally disentangled both from the State and the English hierarchy." He added: "They are now at full liberty simply to follow the Scriptures and the Primitive Church, and we judge it best that they should stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has so strangely made them free." The parish clergy had mostly returned to England. The Methodist Societies were without ordained Pastors, and "for hundreds of miles together" were destitute of the Christian Sacraments. As his children in the Gospel, they appealed to Mr. Wesley for advice and help.

He responded by ordaining the Revs. Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey as Presbyters (or Elders) for America; and also (since he preferred the Episcopal form of Church government) by setting apart, by prayer and the imposition of hands, the Rev. Thomas Coke, Doctor of Civil Law, and a Presbyter of the Church of England, to be a Superintendent, "to preside over the flock of Christ" in America. In these services he was assisted by other ordained ministers. He also commissioned Dr. Coke to ordain, as joint Superintendent with himself,

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the Rev. Francis Asbury, then General Assistant for the American Societies. Mr. Wesley also prepared "Articles of Religion " and a Sunday Service," both abbreviated from the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England. In the "Sunday Service were included forms for the Administration of the Sacraments and for the ordination of Ministers.

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At the "Christmas Conference," begun in Baltimore, Maryland, December 24, 1784, sixty Preachers met Dr. Coke and his companions. The plan of Mr. Wesley was submitted to them, and was unanimously and heartily approved. Thereupon they organized the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, and adopted the Articles of Religion and the Sunday Service prepared by Mr. Wesley, adding to the Articles one containing a recognition of the new Civil Government, and inserting in the Ritual a prayer for the Supreme Rulers of the United States. They also enacted all laws necessary for the government of the new Church. Mr. Asbury was elected to the Episcopal office conjointly with Dr. Coke, by whom, with the assistance of several Presbyters, he was duly consecrated a Bishop. Other members of the Conference were ordained Deacons, and of these twelve were ordained Elders, two of them for missionary work in Nova Scotia and one for like work in Antigua, in the West Indies.

Such was the origin of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the first with an Episcopal form of government to attain an independent existence in the new Republic. While its polity and administrative rules have from time to time been modified to meet changing conditions and opportunities, it remains unchanged in doctrine and in ministerial offices. Coeval with the Republic, it has expanded with it, and ministered to its moral and religious life. At this date (1896) its communicants, not including

adherents, number more than two and three quarter millions. Other Methodist Churches, derived from the original root, flourish by its side. Obviously its founders were wise and godly men, fulfilling the purpose of the great Head of the Church.

It has always believed that the only infallible proof of the legitimacy of any branch of the Christian Church is in its ability to seek and to save the lost and to disseminate the Pentecostal spirit and life. Its chief stress has ever been laid, not upon forms, but upon the essentials of religion. It holds that true Churches of Christ may differ widely in ceremonies, ministerial orders, and government. Its members are allowed freedom of choice among the debated modes of Baptism. If any member has scruples against receiving the Lord's Supper kneeling, he is permitted to receive it standing or sitting. In ordinary worship its people are invited to unite in extemporary prayer, but for the Administration of the Sacraments, Ordinations, the Solemnization of Matrimony, the Burial of the Dead, and other special services, a Liturgy, much of which has been sanctioned by the universal Church from most ancient times, is appointed.

The sole object of the rules, regulations, and usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church is that it may fulfill to the end of time its original divine vocation as a leader in evangelization, in all true reforms, and in the promotion of fraternal relations among all branches of the one Church of Jesus Christ, with whom it is a coworker in the spiritual conquest of the world for the Son of God.

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PART L

THE CHURCH.

1. ARTICLES OF RELIGION

11. GENERAL RULES.

III. SPECIAL ADVICES.

IV. MEMBERSHIP.

V. WORSHIP.

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