The first conference, held in London, commenced June 25; The Band Rules published, December 25 Ten preachers this year began to travel: three were clergy men Mr. Grimshaw, vicar of Haworth, unites with the Methodists Probably circuit stewards were now appointed 1744 1744 1744 1744 1745 1745 1745 1746 1746 1746 1746 Fourth conference in London, June 16: present, 17 preachers 1747 Now 22 assistants, and 39 local preachers Ireland first visited by Mr. Wesley, August 4 Twelve preachers join, one a clergyman Kingswood school opened for the education (chiefly at first, altogether afterward) of preachers' children, June 24. A yearly collection in the congregations to aid the school commenced, and continued to this day Mr. W. began the compilation of the Christian Library," published in 50 volumes. 1749 Union again established between Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitefield 1750 Persecution of the Methodists in Cork 1750 Mr. Wesley married a Mrs. Vizelle: after 20 years' disturbing, she left him, and died 1781 Scotland first visited by Mr. Wesley James Wheatly expelled the connection: the first expulsion. of a preacher. June 25 Disputes respecting union with the Church of England now commenced Mr. John Bennet and others separated from Mr. Wesley The Form of Renewing the Covenant first used in the London society, August. The chapel debt now amounted to nearly 4,000l. Mr. Fletcher first assisted Mr. Wesley, March 13 Mr. Charles Wesley ceased his itinerancy, and settled in Mr. Wesley published his Twelve Reasons against separating from the Church of England At the 16th conference the subject of Christian perfection again largely considered, and soon after Mr. W. published "Thoughts on Christian Perfection" George III., succeeding his grandfather, declared, in his first speech from the throne, his determination to "maintain the toleration inviolable" The work of entire sanctification, languishing for 20 years, greatly revived among the Methodists in England and Ireland, and grew for some years Thomas Maxfield and others separated from Mr. Wesley, A Greek bishop ordained one of the preachers "The Preachers' Fund" instituted for relieving old and sickly Minutes of Conference now first published 1756 1756 1757 1757 1758 1759 1760 1760 This year 96 preachers occupied 39 circuits, and 24 preachers began to itinerate [Here ends the first race of Methodist preachers: it began 1739, ended 1765, and included 26 years. This race comprised 220 preachers, a few of whom were only local preachers, but men zealous for the cause. 1. Of this race 15 were clergymen before they became Methodist preachers; and 16 were made clergymen after. 2. There died in the work 83 traveling preachers. 3. There departed from it, from lack of health, or zeal, or support for families, or from change of doctrines, or other causes, 111. 4. Expelled from the office, eight. 5. This race was more noted for ardent piety than extensive learning. Yet some were men of deep erudition; and the most were men of good natural understanding, of sound religious experience, of great knowledge of the Scriptures, and of VOL. IX. July, 1838. 37 noble spirit. 6. Their ministerial labors were vast, as they usually traveled 20 or 30 miles a day, besides preaching twice or three times. Their zeal astonished the nation, and roused the regular clergy.] Mr. Whitefield attended the 24th conference in London This year there were 40 circuits, 104 preachers, and 25,911 members Quarterly fasting first appointed to the societies Mr. Asbury admitted on trial Remarkable work of God among the children in Kingswood At the 25th conference a great want of preachers felt. First resolved that preachers should not work at trades Mr. Whitefield died at Newburyport, New-England, Sept. Mr. Joseph Benson admitted on trial Preachers signed "Articles of Union" at this conference and Mr. Samuel Bradburn admitted on trial 1767 1767 1767 1767 1768 1768 1768 1768 1769 1769 1770 1770 1775 In Great Britain and Ireland 155 traveling preachers First volume of the Arminian Magazine published Mr. Henry Moore admitted on trial The large Hymnbook published. Dated Oct. 20, 1779 and friends of the Methodist societies, requesting aid for the Preachers' Fund; and the people cheerfully contributed. Agreed, That no more married preachers be called to itinerate, as we have neither money nor houses for any more wives Mr. Wesley preached to a congregation of 23,000 persons in Dr. Coke delegated to hold a conference in Dublin. In Ire- Mr. Wesley visited Holland Consultation about sending missionaries to the East Indies; 1781 1781 1781 1783 1783 1783 1783 1783 1784 1784 Four preachers, offended by the Deed, left the connection Dr. Coke ordained by Mr. Wesley, and sent to superintend the societies in North America Rev. Mr. Perronet, vicar of Shoreham, died May 9 Sunday schools, begun 1784, recommended to the societies for their adoption, by Mr. Wesley Rev. John Fletcher, vicar of Madeley, died August 14 Methodism introduced into Jersey by a gentleman named 1784 W. Bramwell and Jon. Edmondson admitted on trial The Conventicle Act not being repealed, Mr. Wesley was induced to have preachers and preaching houses licensed 1787 Mr. Wesley ordained three other preachers Mr. Charles Wesley departed this life, March 29 A conference, first and last time, held in Scotland Trustees of Dewsbury Chapel, claiming the right of rejecting preachers, and meeting with a denial, withheld their chapel, and another chapel was built Rules published by Mr. Wesley for "Strangers' Friend Societies:" a charity begun by the Methodists in London in 1784 * A resolution embracing the same sentiment passed the Conference in NewEngland in 1777. Why the general departure from this example and the above advice? Mr. Wesley preached his last field-sermon at Winchelsea, Attended the 47th conference, the last he visited 1790 1790 Now the connection had greatly increased: there were in 65 circuits, 195 preachers, 52,832 members. England Ireland Wales Scotland Isle of Man West Indies. British America Mr. Wesley preached his last sermon at Leatherhead, from "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found," &c., Feb. 23 Sickened Feb. 25; died, March 2, in the 88th year of his age and 65th of his ministry; and buried March 9 1791 1791 3. The [Here ends the second race of Methodist preachers: it lasted 25 years, and embraced 476 men. 1. This body possessed more knowledge than the preceding. 2. Nine were clergymen before they became Methodist preachers; and nine were made such after. members increasing, the circuits were contracted, and the preachers more at home. 4. As the preachers were now better known, they were less persecuted. 5. During this period the circuits, members, and preachers trebled the number of the former period.] The 48th conference assembled at Manchester: more than 200 preachers present. Mr. W. Thompson, a preacher for 34 years, the first president; and Dr. Coke, the secretary 1791 Married men, becoming preachers, required to possess an income to support their wives independently of the connection Connection agitated on the union with the Established Mr. Wilberforce sent a present of 102 volumes on the slave trade, and a letter, to the conference, desiring them to as"sist in petitioning for the abolition of the trade in negroes; they cheerfully complied 1791 1791 1791 1791 Alexander 1792 The circuits now formed into districts, each to have not less Dispute with Dr. Whitehead concerning the "Life of Mr. Seditious publications causing national uneasiness, the conference resolved, "None of us shall speak lightly or irreverently of the government" Decided by lot that the societies this year should not receive Conference addressed the people for the first time The conference addressed Mr. Asbury and the American His majesty annulled the act of the assembly of St. Vincent, |