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

They also formed themselves into little bands, and drew up rules to live by, nearly, if not quite
in the order of our present Band Rules.
It was not until the year 1739, that the Methodists were formed into regular societies. The rise of
these societies is thus related by Mr. Wesley: "In the latter end of the year 1739, eight or ten persons
came to me in London, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for
redemption. They desired, as did two or three more the next day, that I would spend some time with
them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to come, which they saw continually
hanging over their heads. That they might have more time for this great work, I appointed a day
when they might all come together, which from thence forward they did every week, namely, on
Thursday in the evening. To these, and as many more as desired to join with them, (for their number
increased daily) I gave that advice which I judged most needful for them, and we always concluded
our meetings with prayer suited to their several necessities." This was the rise of the Methodist
society, first in London and then in other places. Such a society is no other than "a company of
persons, having the form, and seeking the power of godliness; united in order to pray together, to
receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other
to work out their salvation." All the members of these societies were at liberty to commune in any
church, or with any denomination, as they pleased.
This must be considered the fourth period in Methodism. The first at Oxford in 1729; the second
in America, at Savannah, in 1736; the third in London, in 1738; and now this in 1739.
This last was properly the first regular society that was formed, on the plan which has been
pursued ever since.
The first itinerant preachers who travelled under the direction of Mr. Wesley, engaged in that
work in 1740. His account of it is as follows -- after mentioning that he formed the first society in
1739, he says, "After a time a young man named Thomas Maxfield, came and desired to help me as
a son in the gospel. Soon after came a second, Thomas Richards; then a third, Thomas Westall.
These severally desired to serve me as sons, and to labour when and where I should direct." We
conclude that this was in the beginning of the year 1740.
Thomas Maxfield was the first Lay Preacher that travelled under the direction of Mr. Wesley.
In the latter end of the year 1740, Mr. Wesley printed a sermon against the Calvinistic notion of
Predestination, and sent a copy of it to commissary Garden, at Charleston in South Carolina, where
Mr. Whitefield then was. Mr. Whitefield, having some time before embraced that doctrine, wrote
a reply, and published it in America. When he returned to England in 1741, he republished this reply
in London. The points in dispute were, 1, Unconditional election -- 2, Irresistible grace -- 3, Final
perseverance. Each party remained firm in his opinion, and a separation of course took place between
them. From that time they had different places of worship, and formed different societies. They had
then two societies of Methodists, and Mr. Whitefield became the head, or leader, of the party that
adhered to the Calvinistic doctrine of Predestination.