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Warwickshire, and Nottinghamshire, as well as the southern parts of Yorkshire, And those in London, Bristol, and Kingswood, were much increased.

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January 1, 1743. He reached Epworth; and the next day being Sunday, he preached at five in the morning; and again at eight, from his father's tombstone. Many (says he) from the neighbouring towns, asked, if it would not be well, as it was Sacrament-Sunday, for them to receive it? I told them, by all means; but it would be more respectful first to ask Mr. Romley, the curate's leave. One did so, in the name of the rest. To whom he said, Pray tell Mr. Wesley, I shall not give him the sacrament; for he is not fit."-It is no wonder, that a mind so wholly divested of christian charity, should be totally destitute of gratitude. This Mr. Romley owed his all in this world, to the tender love which Mr. Wesley's father had shewn to his father, as well as personally to himself.

January 8. He came to Wednesbury, in Staffordshire, which his brother had already visited. At seven in the evening he preached in the town-hall. It was crowded with deeply attentive hearers. Mr. Egginton, the minister, seemed friendly disposed; and the prospect of doing much good, was fair and promising. From hence Mr. Wesley went on to Bristol, and then to London. His stay was not long in either of these places. For February 14, notwithstanding the season of the year, and the badness of the roads at this time in many parts of England, he again set out on horseback for the North. On the 19th, he reached Newcastle: and here, and in the neighbouring towns and villages he spent near six weeks, in preaching and exhorting, in praying and conversing with the people, and in regulating the societies. A great

A great number of these societies were already formed exactly on the same principles, in various parts of the kingdom, though at a considerable distance one from another. But hitherto no general rules had been made to govern the whole. The two brothers, therefore, now drew up a set of rules which should be observed by the members of all their societies, and as it were, unite them all into one body; so that a member at Newcastle, knew the rules of the society in London, as well as at the place where he resided. They were printed under the title of "The Nature, Design, and GENERAL RULES, of the United Societies, in London, Bristol, Newcastle upon Tyne, &c. and here it will be proper to insert them.

I. They state the nature and design of a Methodist society in the following words, "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."

"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 respective places of abode. There are about twelve persons in every class; one of whom is styled the Leader. It is his business, 1. To see cach person in his class once a week at least, in order to inquire, how their souls prosper. To advise, reprove, comfort or exhort, as occasions require: to receive what they are willing to give toward the relief of the poor. 2. To meet the minister, and the stewards of the society once a week, in order to inform the minister of any that are sick; or of any that walk disorderly, and will not be reproved: to

VOL. II.

M

pay

pay to the stewards what they have received of their several classes, the week preceding; and, to shew their accounts of what each person has contributed.

II. "There is one only condition previously required in those who desire admission into these societies, A desire to flee from the wrath to come, to be saved from their sins. But wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

1. "By doing no harm, by avoiding evil in every kind; especially that which is most generally practised, such is

"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 selling spirituous liquors, or drinking 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 selling: The buying or selling uncustomed goods: The giving or taking things on usury; i. e. unlawful interest: Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates, or ministers: 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 Jesus: The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God: Softness, or needless selfindulgence: Laying up treasures upon

earth: Borrowing

Borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.

"It is expected of all who continue in these societies, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation.

2. "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 is 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 they have intercourse with; trampling underfoot that enthusiastic doctrine of devils, that, we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it.

"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 that is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and off-scouring 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.

"By attending upon all the ordinances of God. Such are, The public worship of God: The ministry

of the word, of the Lord

either read or expounded: The supper Family and private prayer: Searching the scriptures; and fasting and abstinence.

"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. If 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 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 if he repent not, he hath no more place with us. We have delivered our own soul.

May 1, 1743.

"JOHN WEsley,

"CHARLES WESLEY."

The reader will take notice, 1. That the account here given of the nature and design of a Methodist society, differs essentially from the definitions hitherto given of a church. There is no mention of sacrament or the Lord's supper, which was never administered except in a few of the larger societies, and then by a regular clergyman. The members were desired to attend this ordinance at the respective places of worship to which they belonged, and thereby continue their former church fellowship. Mr. Wesley, and the preachers with him, disclaimed every thought of making proselytes, and only sought to make Christians, among people of all denominations. 2. That, by the minister here mentioned, is meant a clergyman, the laymen who assisted being never called ministers, but simply preachers, or helpers of the ministers. One of these preachers, was afterwards called the Assistant, because

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