MYLES’S HISTORY OF THE METHODISTS. 
them, nor could any conference be held 
unless he were present, or had appointed 
a.deputy. The advantages of this year- 
ly meeting are stated to be, that it brings 
the preachers into a closer union, quick- 
ens their zeal, and terminates their dis- 
putes; and, by changing them from one 
circuit to another, it proves a blessing 
to the people, giving them the benefit 
of the gifts and abilities of the preachers 
in general, while it gratifies an innocent 
curiosity. Of the minutes of this con- 
ference, this part is important. 
«* Q. Do we separate from the church? 
A. We conceive not: we hold communion 
therewith, for conscience sake, by constantly 
attending both the word preached, and the 
sacraments administered therein. 
«© Q. Whai then do they mean who say, 
*you separaic from the church ?’—A. We 
cannot certainly tell; perhaps they have no 
determinate meaning, unless by the church 
they mean themselves ; 7. e. that part of the 
clergy who accuse us of preaching false doc- 
trine. And it is sure we do herein separate 
from éhem, by maintaining that which they 
deny. 
~ & Q, But do you not weaken the church? 
A. Do not they whoask this, by the church 
mean themselves ?—A. We do not purposely 
weaken any man’s hands, but accidentally 
we may thus far :—they who come to know 
the truth by us, will esteem such as deny it, 
Jess than they did before. But the ek in 
the proper sense, the congregation of English 
believers, we do not weaken at all. 
** Q. Do you not entail a schism on the 
church? i.e. is it not probable that your 
hearers after your death, will be scattered 
* into all sects and partics? or, that they will 
form themselves into a distinct sect?—A. 
1. We are pemaded that the body of our 
hearers will even after our death remain in 
the church, unless they be thrust out. 2. 
We believe, notwithstanding, either that 
they will be thrust out, or that they will 
leayen the whole church. 8. We do, and 
will do, all we can to prevent those conse- 
quences which are supposed likely to happen 
after our death. 4. But we cannot with a 
good conscience neglect the present oppor- 
tunity of saving souls while we live, for fear. 
of consequences which may possibly or pro- 
bably happen after we are dead.” 
- The select society, or band, was insti- 
tuted in 1745; the persons admissible 
were “ those who were earnestly athirst 
_ for the full image of God, those who 
continually walked with the Father, and 
with his Son Jesus Christ.”” Nothing 
spoken in this society was to be repeated 
out of it. I could say freely to these 
when they were met together,” says 
Wesley, “ ye may all prophesy one by 
205 
one, (taking that. word in its lowest 
sense) that all may learn, and all may 
be comforted.”? The writer of this his- 
tory expresses his regret, that so few of 
the people embrace this privilege, and 
that every preacher does not warmly 
espouse such profitable meetings. 
In 1747, the rules for the stewards 
were drawnup. Their business is some- 
what more than the name implies. . Be- 
sides receiving and expending the funds 
of the society, and sending reliet to the 
poor, they are to inform the minister 
if any of the rules of the society are not 
punctually observed, and to tell the as- 
sistants, in love, if they think any thing 
amiss either in their doctrine or life. 
During all this period, and for many 
years afterwards, the preachers received 
no money except what individuals vo- 
luntarily bestowed upon them, and a 
little from the stewards for their travel- 
ling expences ; in consequence, some po- 
pular preachers possessed abundance, 
while others were comparatively desti- 
tute. In 1752, it was determined that 
they should receive a yearly stipend.of 
twelve pounds; in 1800 it was increased 
to sixteen. About this time two emi- 
nent preachers got independent congre- 
gations for themselves, and forsook 
the itinerant plan; but it was probable 
that they would not have ceased to tra- 
vel, if there had been a provision for 
their families. This led to an allowance 
for preachers wives, at first of four shil- 
lings weekly. 
‘The ceremony of renewing the cove- 
nant was the next device which Wesley 
invented cr adopted. The words of a 
covenant to serve God, as given by 
Richard Ailen, are recited in the meet- 
ing, and the people hold up their right 
hands in token of assent. ‘his is now 
generally practised in all the larger so- 
cleties, on the last night of the old, or 
the first Sunday of the new year. It is 
generally, says the writer, a very solemn 
sermon, and productive of blessed ef- 
fects. 
A great revival of religion, as it is 
called, took place among the methodists 
in 1760. Many persons, men as well as" 
women, professed that they were cleans- 
ed from all unrighteousness, and made 
perfect in love, in a single moment, 
often while hearing the word, but more 
frequently while at prayer, cr while 
others were praying for them. , The la- ° 
titude thus knavishly given to -folly, 
fraud and frenzy, led to frequent extra- 
