First, by doing no harm; by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practised. Such as The taking of the name of God in vain; The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work thereon, or by buying or selling; Drunkenness, or drinking spirituous liquors, unless in cases of necessity; The buying and selling of men, women, and children, with an intention to enslave them. Fighting, quarrelling, brawling; brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling; The buying or selling goods that have not paid the duty; Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us; The putting on of gold and costly apparel; The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus; The singing those songs, or reading those books which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God; Softness and needless self-indulgence; Borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them. 5. It is expected of all who continue in these societies, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, Secondly, by doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power, as they have opportunity-doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as is possible, to all men; To their bodies, according to the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick, or in prison; To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with: trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, that "we are not to do good, unless our hearts be free to it." By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be: employing them preferably to others; buying one of another; helping each other in business, and so much the more, because the world will love its own, and them only. By all possible diligence and frugality, that the gospel be not blamed. By running with patience the race which is set before them; denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ; to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely, for the Lord's sake. 6. It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, Thirdly, by attending upon all the ordinances of God: such are, The public worship of God; The ministry of the word, either read or expounded; The Supper of the Lord; Family and private prayer; Searching the scriptures; and Fasting or abstinence. 7. These are the general rules of our societies; all which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written word, which is the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these we know his Spirit writes on truly awakened hearts. If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them: let it be known unto them who watch over that soul, as they who must give an account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways; we will bear with him for a season. But, if then, he repent not, he hath no more place among us. We have delivered our own souls. Efforts have been made and are now making to restore the rule relating to drunkenness to the phraseology in which Mr. Wesley left it; but as these rules are declared to be unalterable by the restrictive regulations which bind the action of the General Conference, except on the recommendation of three-fourths of all the members of the several annual conferences who shall be present and vote on such recommendation, and then by a vote of two-thirds of the General Conference: a sufficient number of votes has not been procured to effect the alteration. With these introductory remarks we proceed to a few historical sketches of the rise and progress of Methodism on this continent. The first Methodist society in America, was established in the city of New York, in the year 1766. The circumstances attending this event were somewhat peculiar, and mark the providence of God over his people, in a very striking manner. A few pious emigrants from Ireland, who, previously to their removal, had been members of the Methodist society in their own country, landed in this city. Among their number was Mr. Philip Embury, a local preacher. Coming among strangers and finding no pious associates with whom they could confer, they came very near making "shipwreck of faith and a good conscience." In this state of religious declension they were found the next year on the arrival of another family from Ireland, among whom was a pious "mother in Israel," to whose zeal in the cause of God they were all indebted for the revival of the spirit of piety among them. Soon after her arrival she ascertained that those, who had preceded her, had so far departed from their "first love," as to be mingling in the frivolities and amusements of the world. The knowledge of this painful fact excited her indignation; and, with a zeal which deserves commemoration, she suddenly entered the room in which they were assembled, seized the pack of cards with which they were playing, and threw them into the fire. She then addressed herself to them in terms of expostulation, and turning to Mr. Embury, she said: "You must preach to us, or we shall all go to hell together, and God will require our blood at your hands!" This pointed appeal had its intended effect, in awakening his attention to the perilousness of their condition. Yet, as if to excuse himself from the performance of an obvious duty, he tremblingly replied: "I cannot preach, for I have neither a house nor congregation." "Preach in your own house first, and to our own company," was the reply. Feeling the responsibility of his situation, and not being able any longer to resist the importunities of his reprover, he consented to comply with her request, and accordingly he preached his first sermon "in his own hired house," to five persons only. This, it is believed, was the first Methodist sermon ever preached in America. As they continued to assemble together for mutual edification, so their numbers were gradually increased, and they were comforted and strengthened by "exhorting one another daily." Notwithstanding the fewness of their number, and the secluded manner in which they held their meetings: they very soon began to attract attention, and they accordingly found that they must either procure a larger place, or preclude many from their meetings who were desirous to attend. This led them to rent a room of larger dimensions in the neighbourhood, the expense of which was paid by voluntary contributions. An event happened soon after they began to assemble in this place, which brought them into more public notice, and to attract a greater number of hearers. This was the arrival of Captain Webb, an officer of the British army, at that time stationed in Albany, in the State of New York. He had been brought to the knowledge of the truth, under the searching ministry of the Rev. John Wesley, who, under God, was the founder of Methodism, in the city of Bristol, England, about the year 1765; and, though a military character, such was his thirst for the salvation of immortal souls, that he was constrained to declare unto them the loving kindness of God. His first appearance as a stranger among the "little flock" in the city of New York, in his military costume, gave them some uneasiness, as they feared that he had come to "spy out their liberties," or to interrupt them in their solemn assemblies; but when they saw him kneel in prayer, and otherwise participate with them in the worship of God, their fears were exchanged for joy, and on a farther acquaintance they found Captain Webb had "partaken of like precious faith” with themselves. He was accordingly invited to preach. The novelty of his appearance in the badges of a military officer, excited no little surprise. This, together with the energy with which he spoke in the name of the Lord Jesus, drew many to the place of worship, and hence the room in which they now assembled, soon became too small to accommodate all who wished to assemble. But what greatly encouraged them was, that sinners were awakened and converted to God, who were added to the little society. To accommodate all who wished to hear, they next hired a riggingloft in William Street, and fitted it up for a place of worship. Here they assembled for a considerable time, and were edified in faith and love, under the labours of Mr. Embury, who was occasionally assisted by Captain Webb. While the society was thus going forward in their "work of faith and labour of love" in New York: Captain Webb made excursions upon Long Island, and even went as far as Philadelphia, preaching, wherever he could find an opening, the gospel of the Son of God; and success attended his labours, many being awakened to a sense of their sinfulness through his pointed ministry, and were brought to the "knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins." In consequence of the accession of numbers to the society, and the continual increase of those who wished to hear the word: the rigging-loft became also too small, and they began to consult together on the propriety of building a house of worship. But in the accomplishment of this pious undertaking, many difficulties were to be encountered. The members in the society were yet but few in number, most of them of the poorer class, and of course had but a limited acquaintance and influence in the community. For some time a painful suspense kept them undetermined. But while all were deliberating on the most suitable means to be adopted to accomplish an object so desirable: the elderly lady, whose pious zeal has been already mentioned, while earnestly engaged in prayer for direction in this important enterprise, received, with inexpressible sweetness and power, this answer, I, the Lord, will do it. At the same time a plan was suggested to her mind, which, on being submitted to the society, was generally approved of, and finally adopted. They proceeded to issue a subcsription paper, waited on the mayor of the city and other opulent citizens, to whom they explained their object, and received from them such liberal donations, that they succeeded in purchasing several lots in John Street, on which they erected a house of worship 60 feet in length, by 42 in breadth, calling it, from respect to the venerable founder of Methodism, Wesley Chapel. This was the first meeting-house ever erected for a Methodist congregation in America; this was in the year 1768; and the first sermon was preached in it October 30, 1768, by Mr. Embury. This, therefore, may be considered as the beginning of Methodism in this country. While this house was in progress, feeling the necessity of a more competent preacher, they addressed a letter to Mr. Wesley, urging upon him the propriety of sending them the needful help. So zealous were they in this good cause, that, after describing at large the general state of things here, they say: "With respect to money for the payment of the preachers' passage over, if they could not procure it, we would sell our coats and shirts to procure it for them." Such an appeal had its effect. Mr. Wesley immediately adopted measures for complying with their request, and two preachers, namely, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pillmore, volunteered their services for America; and Mr. Wesley sent with them fifty pounds, "As," he says, "a token of our brotherly love." These were the first regular itinerant preachers who visited this country; and they landed at Gloucester Point, six miles below Philadelphia, October 24, 1769. They immediately entered upon their Master's work, Mr. Boardman taking his station in New York, and Mr. Pillmore in Philadelphia, occasionally exchanging with one another, and sometimes making excursions into the country. Wherever they went, multitudes flocked to hear the word, and many were induced to seek an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ. About the same time that Mr. Embury was thus laying the foundation for this spiritual edifice in New York, and Captain Webb was, to use his own words, "felling the trees on Long Island," and some other places: Mr. Robert Strawbridge, another local preacher from Ireland, came over and settled in Frederick county, Maryland, and commenced preaching "Christ and him crucified" with success, |
