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Rules for building Chapels, and raising Collections for defraying the Expences of them.

At the English Conference in 1786, it was asked, Question. Is there any further direction to be given to secure the proper settlement of our Preaching-houses? Answer. Let no assistant make, or suffer to be made, in his respective Circuit, a collection for any Preachinghouse, till every step be previously taken to secure it on the Conference plan, by a trust-deed, a bond, or sufficient articles of agreement.

And in 1788, it was added, Let no house be built on any consideration, till the ground be first settled on the Conferenceplan.

In the large minutes published in the year 1789. 2. 70. May any new Preaching-houses be built? A. Not unless, 1. They are proposed at the Conference: No nor, 2. Unless two thirds of the expence be subscribed. And if any collection be made for them, it must be made between the Conference and the beginning of February.

At the Conference in 1792, it was asked, "What directions are to be given concerning the raising of money in the Circuits for erecting and paying the debts of houses? A., 1. No collection shall be made in any Circuit for the abovementioned purpose, without the consent of the Conference. 2. No collection shall be made by any other person than a travelling Preacher.

And in 1795, it was added, No steps shall be taken towards the building of Preaching-houses without the consent of the Conference first obtained.

SECTION

SECTION IX.

The Conclusion, extracted from Myles's Chronology.

THE following is a Statement of the comparative increase

of the Members of the Societies, and of the Itinerant Preachers and their families, in Great Britain and Ireland, from the year 1770 to the 1800.*

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In the year 1770, a Preacher was supported by two hundred and forty-five members, and a family by six hundred and eighty-three. One-third of the Preachers were married.

In the year 1780, a Preacher was supported by two hundred and forty-six members, and a family by eight hundred and forty-three, nearly one-third of the Preachers were married.

In the year 1790, a Preacher was supported by two hundred and forty-five members, and a family by seven hundred and thirty. One third of the Preachers were married.

In the year 1800, a Preacher was supported by two hundred and sixty-three members, and a family by five hundred and nine. Above one half of the Preachers were married.

From this statement it appears, that the Preachers have not increased in a greater proportion than the people, as some who departed from the work have invidiously asserted. But the families certainly have increased since the year 1790 in a

greater

Just as this part of the work was preparing for prefs, an interesting account of the state of the Methodist Societies in America came to hand, as publithed by the venerable Dr. Athbury, who has long prended over the connexion there, and whofe labours God has greatly bleffed. It relates to the increase within 36 years, and announces, that in the United States and Canada, 120,000 perfons are in fellowship, and that one million attended their minifty, so as to include a feventh part of the whole population of the United States! The fuccefs attending the preacting of the gospel in America has been unexampled! There are now in America 400 travelling and 2000 local preachers. The Doctor ob ferves that the caufe has profited much fince the Conference in May 1802, and lately they have held 2 or 300 extraordinary meetings, with great effe&.

greater proportion than formerly; nor is it possible to prevent this without making unscriptural rules.

In this great work, which we have now traced from its rise to the present time, the blessing and protection of the Lord has been abundantly manifested. At the beginning the Preachers were often treated in the most brutal manner by lawless mobs; but a tolerant and upright government have always afforded relief in these persecutions. Two instances (and two only) of legal persecution, one in the Island of St. Vincent's in the West Indies, in the year 1793, the other in the Island of Jersey, in the year 1798, were soon suppressed. The King refused his assent to laws purposely made to deprive the societies of the blessing of religious liberty. The throne of our King is thus established in righteousness, and it is more than ever the duty of the Methodists to pray, that no weapon formed against him may prosper.

In the year 1801, the Missionaries in the Islands of St. Christopher and Nevis, presented an address to Lord Lavington, on his re-appointment to the office of Captain General and Governor in chief in and over the Leeward Charibbee Islands, expressive of their satisfaction at his appointment, and esteem for his person, together with professions of their loyalty and attachment to the King and Constitution.

Part of his Excellency's answer was as follows. "I have it in command from his Majesty, to allow throughout my government full liberty of conscience, and the free exercise of all such modes of religious worship as are not prohibited by law. My own private disposition is in perfect unison with the royal pleasure upon this subject; and I am persuaded, that your quiet and peaceable enjoyment of this toleration, and your prudent care, that government have at no time, cause to take offence at your indiscreet exercise of it, will prove you deserving of the protection which you solicit, and which is extended to you."

At the beginning of this great work, the Preachers and people had but few rules to walk by, but they were powerfully influenced by a spirit of holiness, and an earnest desire to promote it in all people. It is now our duty to pray, that our many excellent rules may increase, not lessen this great vital principle.

We shall close this history with a short view of the doctrines which the Methodists believe and teach.

1. They set out with professing to be Bible Christians. They receive the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the rule of their faith and practice,

2. They

2. They believe and teach the doctrine of the Trinity in Unity, declaring that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God; and yet there are not three Gods, but one God.

3. They believe and teach, that all men are by nature, sinful, guilty, and helpless, and without the grace of Christ can do nothing that is good. And they labour in all their discourses to make men sensible of their fallen and lost estate.

4. They believe and teach, that the Son of God became a son of man, and died as an atonement for the sins of all mankind. The divinity of Christ, and his atonement, they consider as essential truths of the gospel.

5. That Christ by the grace of God tasted death for every man, and that he is able to save from all sin in this life, those that come unto God through him.

6. That we must be inspired by the Spirit of God, in order that we may be enlightened, quickened, comforted, purified, and made meet for heaven.

7. That it is through the exercise of repentance and faith a sinner comes to a saving experimental knowledge of God, and that Christ is exalted at the Father's right hand to give repentance and remission of sins to all that call upon him.

8. That a believer should grow in grace, glorifying God in that station in life in which the providence of God has placed him, and looking to be filled with all the fulness of God.

9. That a believer need never fall from grace; but that he assuredly will, if he neglects to watch and pray. He will fall into sin, and thereby lose the favour and image of God.

10. That a believer should constantly live in the exercise of faith and prayer, and that all the means of grace are intended to feed these heavenly graces in their hearts, as well as to be instrumental in turning sinners from the error of their

ways.

11. That the souls of the faithful are present with the Lord after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh; and that Christ will come to judge the world in righteousness; that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

12. That the righteous shall inherit eternal life; and the wicked be doomed to eternal misery.

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