came inconvenient for all the preachers
to convene at one time and place; they
were therefore divided into several an-
nual conferences, at a suitable time and
distance from each other, for the super-
intending bishop to meet with them,
direct their councils and assign each
man to his work. But these separate
assemblies, unless they all agreed in
each others regulations, could ordain
nothing that should be binding upon the
whole; and therefore, to supply this
deficiency of the government, a general
conference, composed of all the travel
ling elders, was found expedient and
necessary. But from the continual in-

to America with powers to constitute | ritory, for they soon spread over all the
the Methodist societies in this country settlements in the United States, it be-
into an independent church. Hitherto
the societies had been dependent on
other churches for the ordinances of
baptism and the Lord's supper, as the
Methodist preachers were considered
only lay-preachers, and according to the
uniform advice of Mr. Wesley, had de-
clined administering the ordinances.
This had occasioned much uneasiness,
among both preachers and people, in
this country. They therefore earnestly
requested Mr. Wesley to interpose his
authority, and furnish them with the
ordinances independently of other de-
nominations. After maturely weighing
the subject in his own mind, he finally
resolved, as the United States had be-crease of preachers and extension of
come independent of both the civil and
ecclesiastical polity of Great Britain,
to send them the help they so much
needed. Accordingly, being assisted
by other presbyters of the Church of
England, by prayer and imposition of
hands, he set apart Thomas Coke,
L. L. D. and a presbyter of said church,
as a superintendent of the Methodist
societies in America; and directed him
to consecrate Mr. Francis Asbury for
the same office. In conformity to these
instructions, after his arrival in the "1. The general conference shall be
United States, a conference of preach-composed of one member for every five
ers was assembled in Baltimore, De- or seven members of each annual con-
cember 25, 1784, amounting in all to 61. ference, to be appointed either by se-
Having communicated his instructions, niority or choice, at the discretion of
and the contemplated plans for the fu- such annual conference: yet so that
ture government of the societies, which such representatives shall have travel-
were generally approved, Mr. Asbury, led at least four full calendar years from
being first elected by the unanimous the time that they were received on
voice of the preachers, was ordained by trial by an annual conference, and are
Dr. Coke first to the office of deacon, in full connexion at the time of holding
then elder, and then superintendent or the conference.
bishop. Twelve of the preachers were
elected and ordained elders at the same
conference.

their work, it became quite burdensome
for so many elders to convene together,
from so great a distance, and at such an
expense of both time and money: hence,
to exonerate the church from this unne-
cessary burden, in the year 1808, notice
being previously given to the annual
conferences of the intention, the gene-
ral conference resolved on a delegated
general conference, whose powers and
privileges were defined and restricted
in the following words:

2. The general conference shall meet on the first day of May, in the year of our Lord 1812, in the city of New-York, and thenceforward on the first day of May, once in four years perpetually, in such place or places as shall be fixed on by the general conference from time to time: but the general superintendents, with or by the advice of all the annual conferences, or if there be no general superintendent, all the annual conferences respectively, shall have power to call a general conference, if they judge it necessary at any time.

These proceedings gave very general satisfaction to preachers and people. The number of members in society at this time was 14,988, and of preachers 83. And as an evidence of the benefits resulting from the recent organization of the church, the work of God grew and multiplied more than ever, and many were added to the church. Mr. Asbury being thus commended to the grace of God and the affections of his people, took a more general oversight of the whole church, travelling from one part of the continent to another, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and assembling the preachers at different times and places, and appointing *The last general conference fixed the numthem to their several stations. In conse- ber of delegates at one for every seven memquence of extending over so large a ter-bers of the annual conferences.

3. At all times when the general conference is met, it shall take two-thirds of the representatives of all the annual

conferences to make a quorum for transacting business.

4. One of the general superintendents shall preside in the general conference; but in case no general superintendent be present, the general conference shall choose a president pro tempore.

This number has been raised up, exclusive of the thousands who have gone to rest, by the labours of Methodist preachers, without funds, without colleges, often in the midst of persecutions and reproaches, in the short space of 56 years. Upon a moderate calculation, 5. The general conference shall have there are not less than one million who full powers to make rules and regula- are constant attendants upon the 'Metions for our church, under the follow-thodist ministry, which is about the tenth ing limitations and restrictions, viz. part of the population of the United

1. The general conference shall not States.f revoke, alter, or change our articles of || In 1819 the Missionary Society of the religion, nor establish any new standards Methodist Episcopal Church was formor rules of doctrine contrary to our pre-ed; and it received the sanction of the sent existing and established standards general conference in 1820, according of doctrine. to the following constitution:

2. They shall not allow of more than "1. This association shall be denomione representative for every five mem-nated The Missionary Society of the. bers of the annual conference, nor allow Methodist Episcopal Church; the obof a less number than one for every ject of which is, to enable the several annual conferences more effectually to extend their missionary labours throughout the United States, and elsewhere.

seven.

3. They shall not change or alter any part or rule of our government, so as to do away episcopacy, or destroy the plan of our itinerant general superintendency.

4. They shall not revoke or change the general rules of the united societies. 5. They shall not do away the privileges of our ministers or preachers of trial by a committee, and of an appeal: Neither shall they do away the privileges of our members of trial before the society, or by a committee, and of an appeal.

6. They shall not appropriate the produce of the book concern, or of the charter fund, to any purpose, other than for the benefit of the travelling, supernumerary, superannuated and wornout preachers, their wives, widows and children. Provided nevertheless, that upon the joint recommendation of all the annual conferences, then a majority of two-thirds of the general conference succeeding, shall suffice to alter any of the above restrictions."

2. The business of this society shall be conducted by a president, thirteen vice-presidents, clerk, recording and corresponding secretary, treasurer, and thirty-two managers, all of whom shall be members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The president, first two vice-presidents, clerk, secretaries, treasurer, and the thirty-two managers, shall be elected by the society annually, and each annual conference shall have

the privileges of appointing one vicepresident from its own body.

* Perhaps the charter fund may be considered an exception to this remark. But when it is known that it yields only about 1200 dollars annually, and is divided among seventeen conferences containing 1272 preachers, besides a number of widows, it may be asked, What is that among so many?

From the Minutes of the conference held

in Sheffield, England, July 30, 1823; it appears there were

Members, in Great Britain

This conference was composed of about 120 members from the several annual conferences. At that time there were but seven annual conferences; but in consequence of the great increase of preachers and people, scattered all over the United States and their terri- India tories, including Upper Canada, it became necessary to multiply these conferences, so that there are now (1824,) seventeen. These include, according to the Minutes of their conferences for 1824,

Travelling preachers..

in Ireland.

The number in Foreign Stations.
in Gibraltar and France

in Ceylon and Continental

in New South Wales and Van Dieman's land.

in Africa..

in the West Indies
in British North America,
including Newfoundland..

Total under the care of the Bri-
tish and Irish conferences...
Travelling preachers in the Bri-
tish and Irish conferences inclu-

White members..

1,272 280,427

Total preachers and people.. 329,739 || ding those on foreign stations..

219,398 . 22,039

144

.490

178

352

26,171

4,076

272,848

1,021

4. The board shall have authority to make by-laws for regulating its own proceedings, fill up vacancies that may occur during the year, and shall present a statement of its transactions and funds to the society at its annual meeting: and also lay before the general conference, a report of its transactions, for the four preceding years, and state of its funds.

3. Thirteen members at all meetings || state of the funds and of the amount for of the board of managers, and twenty- which drafts may be made thereon, for five at all meetings of the society, shall the missionary purposes contemplated be a quorum. by this constitution; agreeably to which information, the superintendents shall have authority to draw on the treasurer for the same, and to pay over the amount to the missionary or missionaries appointed by them, either wholly at once, or by instalments, at the discretion of the superintendents; provided the drafts of all the superintendents together shall not amount to more than the sum thus authorised to be drawn for, and that the appropriation for the support of any missionary or missionaries shall always be regulated by the rules which now are or hereafter may be established for the support of other itinerant ministers and preachers of the Methodist episcopal church; and pro||vided also, that the appropriations and payments which may be made by the superintendents under this article, shall be communicated as soon as practicable thereafter to the board of managers for insertion in their annual report.

5. Ordained ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, whether travelling or local, being members of the society, shall be ex officio members of the board of managers, and be entitled to vote in all meetings of the board.

6. The board of managers shall have authority, whenever they may deem it expedient and requisite, to procure Bibles and Testaments for distribution, on such terms as they may judge most advisable, provided they shall not at any time apply to this object more than one-third of the amount of the funds received for the current year.

7. Each subscriber paying two dollars annually, shall be a member; and the payment of twenty dollars at one time, shall constitute a member for life.

14. This constitution shall not be altered but by the general conference, on the recommendation of the board of managers."

A number of auxiliary and branch societies have been formed, and their 8. Auxiliary societies, embracing the number is increasing. In 1819 a mission same objects with this, shall, if they re- was established among the Wyandott quest it, be supplied with Bibles and Indians at Upper Sandusky; and in 1821 Testaments at cost: provided the same another among the Creeks. Several shall not amount to more than one-third other missionaries are employed in desof the moneys received from such Aux-titute parts of the country under the pailiary societies, and that after supplying tronage of the society. their own districts with Bibles and Testaments, they shall agree to place their surplus funds at the disposal of this

society.

9. The annual meeting of the society shall be held on the third Monday in April.

10. The president, vice-presidents, clerk, secretaries, and treasurer for the time being, shall be ex officio members of the board of managers.

11. At all meetings of the society, and of the board, the president, or in his absence, the vice-president first on the list then present, and in the absence of all the vice-presidents, such member as shall be appointed by the meeting for that purpose, shall preside.

12. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the chairman.

13. The treasurer of this society, under the direction of the board of managers, shall give information to the superintendents annually, or oftener, if the managers judge it expedient, of the

Doctrines of-At the time of the organization of the church, the following articles of religion were adopted as the doctrines of the church:

I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity— "There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, visible and invisible.-And in unity of this Godhead, there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity;the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

II. Of the Word, or Son of God, who was made very Man.-The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood, were joined together in one person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very man, who truly suffered, was

crucified, dead and buried, to reconcile | his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.

Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk) but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man III. Of the Resurrection of Christ.—is very far gone from original righteousChrist did truly rise again from theness, and of his own nature inclined to dead, and took again his body, with all evil, and that continually. things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he return to judge all men at the last day. IV. Of the Holy Ghost.-The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

V. The sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation. The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture, we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the church.

The names of the canonical Books. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, the First Book of Samuel, the Second Book of Samuel, the First Book of Kings, the Second Book of Kings, the First Book of Chronicles, the Second Book of Chronicles, the Book of Ezra, the Book of Nehemiah, the Book of Esther, the Book of Job, the Psalms, the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher, Cantica, or Songs of Solomon, Four Prophets the greater, Twelve Prophets the less: all the books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and account canonical.

VIII. Of Free-Will-The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and works, to faith, and calling upon God; || wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.

IX. Of the Justification of Man.We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own works or deservings;-wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort.

X. Of Good Works.-Although good works which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God's judgments: yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known, as a tree is discerned by its fruits.

XI. Of Works of Supererogation.Voluntary works, besides, over and above God's commandments, which are called works of supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety. For by them men do declare, that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake than of bounden duty is required: whereas Christ saith plainly, When ye have done all that is commanded you, say, || We are unprofitable servants.

VI. Of the Old Testament.-The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament, everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Media- XII. Of Sin after Justification.-Not tor between God and man, being both every sin willingly committed after jusGod and man. Wherefore, they are not tification, is the sin against the Holy o be heard, who feign that the old Fa- Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore thers did look only for transitory pro- the grant of repentance is not to be demises. Although the law given from nied to such as fall into sin after justifiGod by Moses, as touching ceremonies, cation: after we have received the Holy and rites, doth not bind Christians, nor Ghost, we may depart from grace given, ought the civil precepts thereof of neand fall into sin, and by the grace of cessity be received in any common- God, rise again and amend our lives. wealth: yet, notwithstanding, no Chris- And therefore, they are to be condemntian whatsoever is free from the obedi-ed, who say they can no more sin as ence of the commandments, which are called moral.

VII. Of Original or Birth Sin.-Original sin standeth not in the following of

long as they live here; or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

XIII. Of the Church.-The visible church of Christ is a congregation of

faithful men, in which the pure word of [[ that Christians ought to have among God is preached, and the sacraments themselves one to another, but rather duly administered according to Christ's is a sacrament of our redemption by ordinance, in all those things that of ne- Christ's death: insomuch, that to such cessity are requisite to the same. as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ.

XIV. Of Purgatory.-The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon, worshipping, and adoration, as well of images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to the word of God.

Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread and wine in the supper of our Lord, cannot be proved by holy writ, but is repugnant to the XV. Of speaking in the congregation plain words of Scripture, overthroweth in such a tongue as the people under-the nature of a sacrament, and hath stand. It is a thing plainly repugnant given occasion to many superstitions. to the word of God, and the custom of the primitive church, to have public prayer in the church, or to minister the sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people.

The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the supper, only after a heavenly and scriptural manner. And the means whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the supper, is faith.

XVI. Of the Sacraments.--Sacraments ordained of Christ, are not only The sacrament of the Lord's supper badges or tokens of Christian men's was not by Christ's ordinance reservprofession: but rather they are certained, carried about, lifted up, or worshipsigns of grace, and God's good will to-ped. wards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him.

There are two sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.

Those five commonly called sacraments; that is to say, confirmation, penance, orders, matrimony, and extreme unction, are not to be counted for sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have partly grown out of the corrupt following of the apostles: and partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures, but yet have not the like nature of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, because they have not any visible sign, or ceremony ordained of God.

XIX. Of both kinds.-The cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay-people: for both the parts of the Lord's supper by Christ's ordinance and commandment, ought to be administered to all Christians alike.

XX. Of the one Oblation of Christ, finished upon the cross.-The offering of Christ once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual: and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of masses, in the which it is commonly said, that the priest doth offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous fable, `and dangerous deceit.

XXI. Of the Marriage of Ministers. The sacraments were not ordained of -The ministers of Christ are not comChrist to be gazed upon, or to be car-manded by God's law either to vow the ried about; but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation: but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves condemnation, as St. Paul saith, 1 Cor. xi. 29.

XVII. Of Baptism.-Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized: but it is also a sign of regeneration, or the new birth. The baptism of young children is to be retained in the church.

XVIII. Of the Lord's Supper-The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign

estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage; therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christians to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve best to godliness.

XXII. Of the Rites and Ceremonies of churches.-It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same, or exactly alike: for they have been always different, and may be changed according to the diversity of countries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's word.-Whosoever, through his private judgment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the rites and ceremonies