stance that the Methodists of this country are at the present time labouring to establish their claims to a legitimate Episcopacy. The following statement and correspondence, will clearly shew, in what light the early founders of Methodism in America, viewed the schism into which they had inadvertently and reluctantly fallen : "To guard against misconstruction, at some future time, of the correspondence between Dr. Coke and the author, he records it here. in a destitute, dispersed, and broken state; and it seems surprizing, that in collecting its scattered membersin reorganizing its system-and in settling its local order, worship, and discipline, the rude hand of innovation was permitted to interfere so little in the work. The present Memoirs, however, sufficiently explain the mystery, and strikingly exhibit the superintending care by which a kind Providence preserved entire, amid the turbulence of civil revolutions, that standard of faith and bond of Christian unity, the Liturgy of the Protestant Church. At the close of the revolutionary war, professed Churchmen were found, who, by injudicious and unnecessary innovations, would willingly have marred the beauty and destroyed some of the essential characteristics of this admirable and truly scriptural and evan gelical form of devotion. But to the watchful care of the English prelates, and the prudence and unremitted exertions of the venerable author of the present work, and those who acted with him, may be ascribed, under God, the preservation of the Church from the evil consequences of any measure of this nature. It appears, after all, that some alterations were made, for which the Engfish prelates could discover no sufficient reason, and to which they felt inclined to object. And on the other hand, the American Church might and would have carried the variations somewhat farther, but for the fear of exciting unnecessary jealousy on the part of the mother Church.ence to the utmost, for the accomThe remarks and documents on this subject are highly interesting, and give a peculiar value to the work; and more especially as no man, except the author, could have thrown so much light on this part of our church history. I cannot dismiss the present article, without calling the attention of the reader to a subject, which derives importance from the circum "In the spring of the year 1791, the author received from that gentleman a letter, containing plan of what he considered as an union of the Methodistical Society with the Episcopal Church. The plan was, in substance, that all the Methodist ministers, at the time in connexion, were to receive episcopal ordination, as also those who should come forwards in future within the connexion; such ministers to remain under the government of the then superintendants and their successors. Dr. Coke's motive to the proposed union, as stated in his letter, was an apprehension entertained by him, that he had gone further in the separation than had been designed by Mr. Wesley, from whom he had received his commission. Mr. Wesley himself, he was sure, had gone further than he would have gone, if he had foreseen some events which followed. The doctor was certain, that the same gentleman was sorry for the separation, and would use his influ plishment of a re-union. Dr. Coke's letter was answered by the author, with the reserve which seemed incumbent on one, who was incompetent to decide with effect on the proposal made. "It happened that Dr. Coke, before he received the answer to his letter, hearing of the decease of Mr. Wesley, the news of which reached America during the short interval be tween the dates of the two letters, set off immediately from Baltimore for Philadelphia, to take his passage for England.-On reaching this city, and calling on Dr. Magaw, he was much disappointed on hearing of the early answer, lest it should fall into the hands of his colleague, Mr. Asbury. He visited the author, in company of Dr. Magaw; and in speaking of the above incident, said, that although he hoped Mr. Asbury would not open the letter, yet he might do so, on the supposition that it related to their joint concern. The conversation was general; and nothing passed, that gave any ground of expectation of a re-union, on the principle of consolidation; or any other principle, than that of the continuing of the Methodists as a distinct body and self-governed. In short there were held out only the terms of the letter; in which there does not seem to be contemplated any change in the relation of the Episcopal Church to that society, except the giving of them access to the episcopal congregations, while there was sufficient security provided, to prevent the clergy of the latter from having access to congregations of the Methodists. At least it is here supposed, that these things would have been unavoidably the result. "The author saw Dr. Coke twice after this; once, by appointment at Dr. Magaw's, where nothing material passed; and again, alone at the author's house, where Dr. Coke read a letter which he had written to Bishop Seabury, similar to that which he had written to the author; but with the difference of his suggesting to Bishop Seabury as follows-That although the Methodists would have confidence in any engagement which should be made by the present bishops; yet there might in future be some, who, on the arrival of their inferior grades of preachers to a competency to the ministry, would not admit them as proposed in the letter That to guard against the danger of this, there would be use in consecrating Mr. Asbury to the Episcopacy--And that although there would not be the same reasons in his (Dr. Coke's) case, because he was a resident of England; yet, as he should probably, while he lived, occasionally visit America; it would not be fit, considering he was Mr. Asbury's senior, that he should appear in a lower character than this gentleman. These were, in substance, the sentiments expressed; and on reading this part of the letter, he desired the author to take notice, that he did not make a condition of what he had there written. There was no comment, and he proceeded. "In this conversation he said, that Mr. Asbury had opened his letter, but he had heard nothing from him on the subject. With this interview, all intercourse ended. Dr. Coke soon afterwards embarked for England; and was reported to have had an interview with Mr. Asbury somewhere down the river, on his journey to the ship. The author avoided speaking on the subject, until the Convention in 1792; and then mentioned it only to the Bishops; towards whom there was understood to be a latitude. It was evident from some circumstances which passed in conversation with Dr. Coke, that there was a degree of jealousy, if not of misunderstanding, between him and Mr. Asbury. Whether this had any influence in the enterprize of the former; or he perceived advantage likely to arise to him, under the state of things which would take place in England on the decease of Mr. Wesley; are questions, on which there is no judgment here formed. The determination was adepted, not to hinder any good which might possibly accrue hereafter; although it was perceived, that this could not be on the terms proposed."-(p. 211-214. Copy of the letter of Dr. Coke, and the au- Protestant Episcopal Church to reunite. thor's answer. BIGHT REV. SIR, Permit me to intrude a little on your time upon a subject of great importance. You, I believe, are conscious that I was brought up in the Church of England, and have been ordained a Presbyter of that Church. For many years I was prejudiced, even I think to bigotry, in favour of it: but through a variety of causes or incidents, to mention which would be tedious and useless, my mind was exceedingly biassed on the other side of the question. In consequence of this, I am not sure but I went farther in the separation of our Church in America, than Mr. Wesley, from whom I had received my commission, did intend. He did indeed solemnly invest me, as far as he had a right so to do, with Episcopal authority, but did not intend, I think, that an entire separation should take place. He, being pressed by our friends on this side of the water for ministers to administer the sacraments to them, (there being very few clergy of the Church of England then in the States,) went farther, I am sure, than he would have gone, if he had foreseen some events which followed. And this I am certain of that he is now sorry for the separa tion. But what can be done for a re-union, which I much wish for; and to accomplish which Mr. Wesley, I have no doubt, would use his influence to the utmost? The affection of a very considerable number of the preachers, and most of the people, is very strong towards him, notwithstanding the excessive ill usage he received from a few. My interest also is not small; and both his and mine would readily and to the utmost be used to accomplish that (to us) very desirable object; if a readiness were shown by the Bishops of the VOL. I. No. V. 20 It is even to your Church an object of great importance. We have now above 60,000 adults in our society in these States, and about 250 travelling ministers and preachers; besides a great number of local preachers, very far exceeding the number of travelling preachers; and some of those local preachers are men of very considerable abilities. But if we number the Methodists as most people number the members of their Church, viz. by the families which constantly attend the divine ordinances in their places of worship, they will make a larger body than you probably conceive. The society, I believe, may be safely multiplied by five on an average to give us one stated congregation; which will then amount to 300,000. And if the calculation which, I think, some eminent writers have made, be just, that three fifths of mankind are unadult (if I may use the expression,) at any given period, it will follow that all the families, the adults of which form our congregations in these States, amount to 750,000. About one fifth of these are blacks. The work now extends in length from Boston to the south of Georgia; and in breadth from the Atlantic to Lake Champlain, Vermont, Albany, Redstone, Holstein, Kentucky, Cumberland, &c. But there are many hindrances in the way. Can they be removed? 1. Our ordained ministers will not, ought not, to give up their right of administering the Sacraments. I don't think that the generality of them, perhaps none of them, would refuse to submit to a re-ordination, if other hindrances were removed out of the way. I must here observe that between 60 and 70 only out of two hundred and fifty, have been ordained Presbyters, and about 60 deacons (only.) The Presbyters are the choicest of the whole. 2. The other preachers would hardly submit to a re-union, if the possibility of their rising up to ordination depended on the present bishops in America. Because, though they are all, I think I may say, zealous, pious, and very useful men, yet they are not acquainted with the learned languages. Besides, they would argue,-If the present bishops would waive the article of the learned languages, yet their successors might not. My desire of a re-union is so sincere and earnest, that these difficulties almost make me tremble; and yet something must be done before the death of Mr. Wesley, otherwise I shall despair of success; for though my influence among the Methodists in these States, as well as in Europe, is, I doubt not, increasing, yet Mr. Asbury, whose influence is very capital, will not easily comply; nay, I know he will be exceedingly averse to it. In Europe, where some steps have been taken, tending to a separation, all is at an end. Mr. Wesley is a determined enemy to it, and I have lately borne an open and successful testimony against it. Shall I be favoured with a private interview with you in Philadelphia? I shall be there, God willing, on Tuesday, the 17th of May. If this be agreeable, I'll beg of you just to signify it in a note directed to me, at Mr. Jacob Baker's, merchant, Market-street, Philadelphia; or, if you please, by a few lines sent me by the return of the post, at Philip Rogers's, Esq. in Baltimore, from yourself or Dr. Magaw, and I will wait upon you with my friend Dr. Magaw. We can then enlarge on these subjects. I am conscious of it, that secrecy is of great importance in the present state of the business, till the minds of you, your brother Bishops, and Mr. Wesley, be circumstantially known. I must therefore beg that these things be confined to yourself and Dr. Magaw, till I have the honour of seeing you. Thus, you see, I have made a bold venture on your honour and candour, and have opened my whole heart to you on the subject as far as the extent of a small letter will allow me. If you put equal confidence in me, you will find me candid and faithful. I have, notwithstanding, been guilty of inadvertencies. Very lately I found myself obliged (for the pacifying of my conscience) to write a penitential letter to the Rev. Mr. Jarratt, which gave him great satisfaction; and for the same reason I must write another to the Rev. Mr. Pettigrew. When I was last in America, I prepared and corrected a great variety of things for our magazines, indeed almost every thing that was printed, except some loose hints which I had taken of one of my journeys, and which I left in my hurry with Mr. Asbury, without any correction, entreating that no part of them might be printed which would be improper or offensive. But through great inadvertency (I suppose) he suffered some reflections on the character of the two above-mentioned gentlemen to be inserted in the Magazine, for which I am very sorry; and probably shall not rest till I have made my acknowledgment more public; though Mr. Jarratt does not desire it. I am not sure whether I have not also offended you, Sir, by accepting of one of the offers made me by you and Dr. Magaw, of the use of your churches, about six years ago, on my first visit to Philadelphia, without informing you of our plan of separation from the Church of England. If I did offend, (as I doubt I did, espe cially from you said on the subject to Mr. Richard Dellam, of Abington,) I sincerely beg yours and Dr. Ma gaw's pardon. I'll endeavour to a mend. But, alas! I am a frail, weak creature. I will intrude no longer at present. One thing only I will claim from your candour-that if you have no thoughts of improving this proposal, you will burn this letter, and take no more notice of it (for it would be a pity to have us entirely alienated from each other, if we cannot unite in the manner my ardent wishes desire.) But if you will further negotiate the business, I will explain my iny mind still more fully to you on the probabilities of success. In the mean time permit me, with great respect, to subscribe myself, Right Rev. Sir, Your very humble servant in Christ, THOMAS COKE. Richmond, April 24, 1791. The Right Rev. Father in God, Bishop WarTE. God, My friend, Dr. Magaw, has this day put into my hands, your letter of the 24th of April, which, I trust, I received with a sense of the importance of the subject, and of the answer I am to give to God, for the improvement of every opportunity of building up his Church. Accordingly, I cannot but make choice of the earliest of the two ways you point out to inform you, that I shall be very happy in the opportunity of conversing with you at the time proposed. You mention two difficulties in the way of the proposed union. And, there are further difficulties which suggest themselves to my mind. But I can say of one and of the other, that I do not think them insuperable, provided there be a conciliatory disposition on both sides. So far as I am concerned, I think that such a disposition exists. It has not been my temper, Sir, to despond in regard to the extension of Christianity in this new world: And in addition to the promises of the great Head of the Church, I have always imagined that I perceived the train of second causes so laid by the good Providence of God, as to be promoting what we believe to be his will in this respect. On the other hand, I feel the weight of most powerful discouragements, in the increasing number of the avowed patrons of infidelity, and of others, who pretend to confess the divine authority of our holy religion, while they endeavour to strip it of its characteristic doctrines. In this situation, it is rather to be expected, that distinct Churches, agreeing in fundamentals, should make mutual sacrifices for a union, than that any church should divide into two bodies, without a difference being even alleged to exist, in any leading point. For the preventing of this, the measures which you may propose cannot fail of success, unless there be on one side, or on both, a most lamentable deficiency of christian temper. I remember the conversation you allude to with Mr. Dellam : I hope I did not express myself uncharitably, or even indelicately. As to personal offence towards me, it is out of the question: for I had not at that time any connection with St. Paul's Church. But this, as well as the other parts of your letter, may be discoursed of at the proposed interview. Therefore, with assurance of the desired secrecy, and with requesting you to accept a like promise of candour to that which I credit from you, I conclude myself at present, Your brother in Christ, [The author states in a note, the canses which led to a disclosure of this correspondence. It is sufficient to say, that they were such, that there was no improper violation of the pledge of secrecy.] |