204. 
evening. To these, and as many more as 
desired to join with them, (for their number 
increased daily) I woe that advice which I 
judged most useful for them, and we always 
concluded the meeting with prayer, suited 
to their several necessities.” This was the 
rise of the methodist society, firstin London, 
then in other places. Such a society is no 
other than ‘* a company of persons, 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.” [t ap- 
pears from this account that he did not con- 
sider this as‘a division from the established 
chureh, but simply as a religious society.— 
Tt was not till May 1, 1743, that he and his 
brother Charles drew up rules for the united 
societies. This period must be considered 
as the fourth in methodism.” 
Schisms now began: the Moravians 
and methodists differed concerning the 
nature of faith, and how to attain it; 
the Moravians taught that there were no 
degrees of faith, and that the way to at- 
tain it was to be still. Wesley asserted 
that there were degrees, and that it was 
to be gained by constantly attending on 
all the ordinances.of God. This was the 
first separation; the next was of more 
importance.. Whitfeldand Wesley dif- 
fered concerning unconditional election, 
irresistible grace, and final persever- 
ance. ‘The second separation took 
place, and the methodists were divided 
into Calvinists and Arminians, the latter 
being now known by the name of Mr, 
Wesley’s connection. 
“In 1742, the societies having greatly in- 
creased, were divided into classes, each class 
consisting of twelve persons or more, who 
were committed to the care of one person 
stiled the leader. Mr. Wesley thus records 
the oecasion of this: 
«« Web. 15, 1742, he observes, ‘* many were 
met tozether at Bristol to consult concerning 
a proper method of paying the public debt 
contracted by buildmg, and it was agreed : 
1, That every member of the society that 
was able should contribute one penny a 
week. 2. That the whole society should be 
divided into little companies or classes, about 
twelve in each class. 3. That one person in 
each should receive the contribution of the 
rest, and bring it in to the stewards weekly. 
Thus began, says he, that excellent institu- 
tion, merely upon a temporal account, from 
which we reaped.so many spiritual blessings, 
that we soon fixed the same rule in all our 
societies. 
<« April 0, 1742, the first watch-night was 
held in Lowdon. . The service at these times 
begins at half past eight o'clock, and conti- 
nues till midmght. “The custom was begun 
THEOLOGY AND ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 
at Kingswood by the colliers there, who, be+ 
fore their conversion, used to spend every 
Saturday night at the ale-house. After they 
were taught better, they spent that night in 
rayer. r. Wesley hearing of it, ordered 
it first to be once a month, at the full of the 
moon, then once a quarter, and recommend- 
ed it to all his societies. 
«« His account of it is, ‘* I was informed, 
“that several persons in Kingswood frequently 
met together at the school, and’ (when they 
could spare the time) spent the greater part 
of the night in prayer, and praise, and 
thanksgiving. Some advised me to put an 
end to this: but upon weighing the thing 
thoroughly, and comparing it with the prac- 
tice of the antient christians, I could see no 
cause to forbid it. Rather, 1 believed, it 
might be made of more general use. So I 
sent them word, ‘I designed to watch with 
them, on the Friday nearest the full of the 
moon, that we niente have light thither and 
back again.” I gave public notice of this 
the Sunday before, and withal, that I intend- 
ed to preach, desiring they, and they only, 
Fite meet me there, who could doit with- 
out prejudice to their business or families. 
On Friday abundance of people came. I 
began preaching between eight and nine, and 
we continued till a little beyond the noon of 
night, singing, praying, and praising God.” | 
*« In this year commenced also in London 
the visitation of the classes, once a quarter, 
by the preachers, which gives them an op- 
portunity of conversing four times every year 
with the people, concerning the state of their 
souls; as also of ascertaining who continue 
to be real members, by giving to each person 
a ticket, with a text of scripture on it, as a 
mark of their approbation. This is now 
universally practised, and the ticket is the 
same in every place. On the band tickets 
the letter B. is marked. The increase of the 
socicties, together with the probable suppo- 
sition that improper persons would endea- 
vour to come amoung them, led to this pru- 
dential measure.” 
Visitors of the sick were now ap- 
pointed. The visitor is to see every sick 
person within his district thrice a week, 
to enquire into the state of their souls, 
and advise them as occasion may re- 
quire ; to enquire into their disorders, 
and procure advice for them; to relieve 
them if they are in want; to do any 
thing for them which he or she can do; 
to bring in his account weekly to the 
steward. The rules given to the visi- 
tors. were, only these:—Be plain. and 
open in dealing with souls; be mild, 
tender, patient; be cleanly in all you do 
for the sick; be not nice. 
The first confe,ence was held at Lon- 
don in 1744; Wesley invited the per- 
sons who attended, and presided among 
