A Short History Of The Methodists... - Media Sabda Org

On the first day of November, 1792, the first regular general conference began in Baltimore. Our
preachers who had been received into full connection, came together from all parts of the United
States where we had any circuits formed, with an expectation that something of great importance
would take place in the connection in consequence of that conference. The preachers generally
thought that in all probability there would never be another conference of that kind, at which all the
preachers in connection might attend. The work was spreading through all the United States, and the
different territories, and was likely to increase more and more, so that it was generally thought that
this conference would adopt some permanent regulations, which would prevent the preachers in
future from coming together in a general conference. This persuasion brought out more of the
preachers than otherwise would have attended.
By this time the plan of the former council had become exceedingly disagreeable to the greater
part of our brethren, both preachers and people; and it was expected that some of the preachers
would try, in that conference, to revive and establish it. But we were agreeably disappointed. For
soon after we met together, the bishops and the preachers in general, shewed a disposition to drop
the council, and all things belonging thereunto. And the bishop requested that the name of the
council might not be mentioned in the conference again. No one attempted to bring forward that
business afterwards.
The conference proceeded in the first place to form some rules and regulations for conducting the
business which lay before them. To that end there was a committee appointed of the oldest preachers,
and a few chosen from those that were younger in the work. This committee was to consider matters
among themselves, and when a majority of them agreed to make any alteration in our form of
discipline they were to make report to the conference. One of the rules for the regulation of the
conference was this; "It shall take two thirds of all the members of the conference, to make a new
rule, or abolish an old one: but a majority may alter or amend any rule."
The committee was afterwards increased, by adding more preachers to it: but after all, it was
found to be of no real use; for if a few of the committee were opposed to any thing that was adopted
by a majority of their brethren, when the business was brought before the whole of the conference,
those that were dissatisfied before, would take an active part in the debates: and all the arguments
that had been brought forward in the committee would be taken up again; which did not answer the
end intended. It had been thought that a committee would arrange matters so as to expedite the
business; but after trying it, we found that it had the contrary effect. The committee was then given
up, and any preacher was at liberty to bring forward any motion; and the conference proceeded to
establish or reject it, according to the above regulation either by the voice of a majority, or two
thirds, as the case might require.
One amendment to our former plan, and to the form of discipline, was offered by Mr. J. O'Kelly,
which was this: "After the bishop appoints the preachers at conference to their several circuits, if any
one thinks himself injured by the appointment, he shall have liberty to appeal to the conference and
state his objections; and if the conference approve his objections, the bishop shall appoint him to
another circuit."