case, cannot be obtained, and therefore ought not to be demanded, there is every reason for believing it. No person who fairly considers the question can doubt this, whatever value he may attach to it. But Wesley knew its value. He was neither so deficient in feeling, or in sagacity, as not to know, that the sentiment which connects us with other ages, and by which we are carried back, is scarcely less useful in its influences than the hopes by which we are carried forward. He would rather have been a link of the golden chain, than the ring from whence a new one of inferior metal was to proceed.

Charles Wesley disapproved his brother's conduct on this occasion, as an unwarrantable assumption of authority, and as inconsistent with his profes ed adherence to the Church of England. His approbation could never be indifferent to John, whose fortunes he had, during so many years, faithfully shared, for honour and for dishonour, for better, for worse. But Dr. Coke had now succeeded to the place in Methodism from which Charles had retired, and in him Mr. Wesley found that willing and implicit obedience, which is the first qualification that the founders of a sect, an order, or a religion, require from their immediate disciples. The new superintendent, with his companions, sailed from Bristol for New-York. Among the books which be read on the voyage, was the Life of St. Francis Xavier. Through all the exaggerations and fables with which that life is larded, Coke perceived the spirit of the man, and exclaimed with kindred feeling, "Oh for a soul like his! But, glory be to God, there is nothing impossible with Him. I seem to want the wings of an eagle, and the voice of a trumpet, that I may proclaim the Gospel through the east and the west, and the north and the south."

Asbury was not at New-York when they arrived. Dr. Coke explained the plan which had been arranged in England, to the travelling preachers who were stationed in that city, and had the satisfaction of hearing, not only that such a plan would be highly approved by all the preachers, but of being desired

to make it public at once, "because Mr. Wesley had determined the point, and therefore it was not to be investigated, but complied with." This, however, was not done, because it would have been disrespectful to Mr. Asbury, with whom he was instructed to consult, and act in concert. On his way southward to meet him, Dr. Coke found that Methodism was in good odour in America. He was introduced to the governor of Pennsylvania; and, at an inn in the state of Delaware, the landlady, though not a Methodist herself, entertained him and his companion sumptuously, and would not receive their money; esteeming it an honour to have harboured such guests. When he had finished preaching one day, at a chapel in this state, in the midst of the woods, to a large congregation, a plain robust man came up to him in the pulpit, and kissed him, pronouncing, at the same time, a primitive salutation. This person, as he readily supposed, proved to be his colleague. Dr. Coke was prepared to esteem him, and a personal acquaintance confirmed this opinion. "I exceedingly reverence Mr. Asbury," he says, "he has so much wisdom and consideration, so much meekness and love, and, under all this, though hardly to be perceived, so much command and authority."

Asbury, expecting to meet Dr. Coke in this part of the country, had collected as many preachers as he could to hold a council. They agreed to convoke a Conference of all the preachers at Baltimore, on Christmas eve, and Freeborn Garretson was sent off on this errand, "like an arrow, from north to south," with directions to send messengers to the right and left. This was in the middle of November; and, that Coke might not be idle in the meantime, Asbury drew up for him a route of about a thousand miles, borrowed a good horse, and gave him, for a guide and assistant, his black, Harry, of whom the Doctor says, "I really believe he is one of the best preachers in the world, there is such an amazing power attends his preaching, though he cannot read; and he is one of the humblest creatures I ever saw." Of eighty-one American preachers, sixty as

sembled at the Conference; and, at their meeting, the form of church government, and the manner of worship for the Methodists in America, which Mr. Wesley had arranged, was accepted and established. The name of Superintendent, and the notion that bishops and presbyters were the same order, were now laid aside; they were mere pretexts, and had served the purpose for which they were intended. Methodism was constituted in America as an

Episcopal Church. The clergy were to consist of three orders, bishops, elders, and deacons. The deacons were to be ordained by a bishop, after a probation similar to that of the travelling preachers in England. The elders were of two orders: the presiding elders were to be unanimously elected by the General Conference; they were to be assistants to the bishops, to represent them in their absence, and to act under their direction. The travelling elders were to administer the ordinances, and to perform the office of marrying; they were to be elected by a majority of the annual Conference, and ordained by a bishop and the elders present, by imposition of hands. A deacon might not be chosen elder, till he had officiated two years in his inferior degree. A bishop was to be elected by the General Conference, and consecrated by two or three bishops: but in case the whole order should be extinct, the ceremony might then be performed by three elders. The business of the bishop was to preside in the Conferences, station the preachers, admit or suspend them during the interval of the Conferences, travel through the Connexion at large, and inspect the concerns, temporal and spiritual, of the societies. Besides the General Conference, in which the supreme authority was lodged, and which had power of suspending, judging, and expelling the bishops, as well as electing them, there were to be six yearly Conferences: the extent of the country rendered this necessary. The circuits, during the time of the Conference, were to be supplied by local preachers, engaged for the purpose, and paid in the same proportion and manner as the travelling preachers for

whom they acted. A local preacher was not eligible to the office of deacon, till after four years' probation nor might be preach, till he had obtained a certificate of approbation from his quarterly meeting. The discipline differed little from that of the English Methodists; the ritual more. In condescension to the puritanic notions which might be expected among the old Americans, the sacrament might be administered to communicants sitting or standing, if they objected to kneel; and baptism might be performed either by sprinkling, affusion, or immersion, at the option of the parents; or, in adult cases, of the person.

At this Conference, in pursuance of Mr. Wesley's instructions, and by virtue of the authority derived from him, Dr. Coke consecrated Mr. Asbury bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. In the name of that church, an address to General Washington was drawn up, congratulating him on his appointment to the office of president, and professing the loyalty of the members, and their readiness, on all lawful occasions, to support the govern ment then established. This was signed by Coke and Asbury, as heads of the Connexion: the former, upon this occasion, in his capacity of American bishop, performing an act inconsistent with his allegiance as a British subject. He, who was always more ready to act than to think, did not, perhaps, at the time, perceive the dilemma in which he was placed; nor, if he had, would he have acted otherwise; for whenever a national and a sectarian duty come in competition with each other, the national one is that which goes to the wall. It exposed him to some severe animadversion in England, and to a semblance of displeasure from Mr. Wesley, which was merely intended to save appearances. General Washington returned a written reply, addressed to the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States." It should be his endeavour," he said, “to manifest the purity of his inclinations for promoting the happiness of mankind, as well as the sincerity of his desires to contribute whatever

might be in his power towards the civil and religious liberties of the American people. It always afforded him satisfaction, when he found a concurrence and practice between all conscientious men, in acknowledgments of homage to the Great Governor of the Universe, and in professions of support to a just civil government. He would always strive to prove a faithful and impartial patron of genuine vital religion; and he assured them in particular, that he took in the kindest part their promise of presenting their prayers for him at the throne of heaven; and that he likewise implored the divine benediction on them, and their religious community."

At their first interview, the two bishops agreed to use their joint endeavours for establishing a school, or college, on the plan of Kingswood, and, before they met at the Conference, they had got above a thousand pounds subscribed for it. Relying, therefore, upon that bank of faith, which, when religious interests, real or imaginary, are concerned, may safely be drawn upon to a surprising amount, Dr. Coke gave orders to begin the work. Four acres of ground were purchased, at the price of sixty pounds sterling, eight-and-twenty miles from Baltimore: the spot commanded a view of the Chesapeake and of the Susquehanna flowing towards it, through a great extent of country, the sight extending from twenty to fifty miles in different parts of the splendid panorama. The students were to rise at five, summer and winter; upon this rule the masters were to insist inflexibly, the founders being convinced, they said, by constant observation and experience, that it was of vast importance, both to body and mind; for it was of admirable use in preserving a good, or improving a bad constitution; and by thus strengthening the various organs of the body, it enabled the mind to put forth its utmost energies. At six they were to assemble to prayer, and the interval, till seven, was allowed for recreation; the recreations being gardening, walking, riding, and bathing; and, within doors, the carpenters', joiners', cabinetmakers', and turners' business. Nothing which the