178 History of Methodism 



First Day. Four elders and four deacons, who composed the Con- 

 ference, were present, and four other preachers who had business 

 with it — in all twelve. One was received into full connection, and, 

 together with a local preacher, was elected to deacon's orders ; one 

 located ; two were admitted on trial ; two of the preachers were 

 called on to relate to the Conference their religious experience, and 

 then the body adjourned until next day. 



Second Day. Three of the preachers were examined by the Bishop 

 before the Conference, first of their debts, second of their faith in 

 Christ, third of their pursuit after holiness. Bishop Asbury preached 

 from Deuteronomy v. 27 : " Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord 

 our God shall say ; and speak thou to us all that the Lord our God 

 shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it." Hope Hull 

 preached from 1 Corinthians i. 23, "But we preach Christ crucified." 

 In the afternoon Stith Mead was called on to relate his experi- 

 ence to the Conference. In the evening the appointments were 

 read out. 



Third Day. All were examined by the Bishop as to their con- 

 fession of faith and orthodoxy of doctrine ; two were found to be 

 tending to Unitarianism. The Bishop requested all the members of 

 Conference to bring forward as many texts of Scripture as they could 

 recollect to prove the personality of the Trinity, and especially that 

 of the Holy Ghost. The two preachers recanted their errors, and 

 were continued in fellowship. Bishop Asbury preached from Titus 

 ii. 1, " But speak thou the things that become sound doctrine," and 

 was followed by Hope Hull from 1 John iv. 17, " Herein is our love 

 made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; 

 because as he is so are Ave in this w T orld." Deep feeling pervaded 

 the audience ; the sacrament was administered ; the services were 

 continued until near sundown ; many sinners were awakened, and 

 ten souls converted. 



Fourth Day. Three were ordained elders and two deacons, after 

 which Conference adjourned about ten o'clock. 



The early Quarterly Conferences were of the like 

 character. The brethren from twenty to forty miles 

 around assembled together. The congregations on 

 these occasions were accordingly very large, and the 

 meetings always continued two^ clays, and often three 

 or more. At these meetings all the traveling preach- 



