594 History of Methodism 



has been proposed to institute a fund, commonly called the Publish- 

 ing Fund, in connection with our Book Concern at New York, the 

 proceeds of which should be exclusively applied to the reduction 

 of the prices of our charitable publications to as low a rate as pos- 

 sible. A more commendable object, brethren, or one more impor- 

 tant to the Church, could scarcely be presented to your notice, and 

 as such we recommend it to your liberal patronage. We also rec- 

 ommend that the Quarterly Conferences take special cognizance of 

 the Sunday-schools in their respective circuits, authorize their 

 members to form schools in their different neighborhoods, ascertain 

 what books are Avanted for their use, and open subscriptions for 

 the purpose of supplying them. The preacher in charge of the 

 circuit will always be a suitable medium of correspondence with the 

 agents at New York. 



Finally, brethren, give yourselves to God, and the word of his 

 grace. Consider your profession, and hold fast unto the end. 

 Great has been the mercy of the Lord toward you, and propor- 

 tionably great is your just responsibility for what you have received. 

 We beseech you, by the doctrines you profess to believe, by the 

 Discipline you have acknowledged, by the abundant means of grace 

 you enjoy, and still more by the power of the quickening Spirit 

 which has wrought mightily among you, be vigilant, be sober, be 

 heavenly-minded. Flee the spirit of the world — the love of dress, 

 of pageantry, of popular distinction. Drink no ardent spirit. Take 

 no part in that whereof the whole is evil. Remember our rule in 

 this respect, and what you have professed before many witnesses. 

 Give no countenance to sin. Be faithful and affectionate in admon- 

 ishing one another. Be much in prayer. Attend strictly on all 

 the means of grace. "Be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain 

 riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to 

 enjoy." Do good; be rich in good works — ready to distribute, will- 

 ing to communicate ; laying up in store a good foundation against 

 the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life. 



From the beginning the members of the South Car- 

 olina Conference themselves v/ere held to a rigid ac- 

 count for the faithful discharge of all ministerial as 

 well as Christian duties. From the passage of Dough- 

 erty's resolution, in January, 1807, that "if any 

 preacher should desert his station through fear in 



