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

"Let the evening service consist of singing, prayer, and preaching.
"But on the days of administering the Lord's supper, the two chapters in the morning service may
be omitted."
This rule was never attended to by our preachers, except in a few places, in large towns or cities.
In some cases our preachers read one chapter in public on Sabbath days, either before or after the
first prayer, and always before preaching.
In the 24th section we had this request made by the conference, which carries with it the nature
of a command, "The preachers are desired not to encourage the singing of fuge tunes in our
congregations.
"We do not think that fuge tunes are sinful, or improper to be used in private companies, but we
do not approve of their being used in our public congregations, because public singing is a part of
divine worship, in which all the congregation ought to join."
We have also this direction: "Let it be recommended to our people, not to attend the singing
schools, which are not under our direction."
Before these rules respecting singing were formed, many of our preachers, especially in the
Northern States, had made too common a practice of singing fuge tunes in the public congregations;
and by that means they had prevented many of the old saints from singing at all, and singing in
public worship was likely to be wholly confined to a few; and they mostly the young people, who
were particularly acquainted with the notes, and the rules of singing.
It was always a custom among the Methodists, for all the people in the congregation to sing if they
could. Singing being a part of divine worship, we encouraged all to worship God; and of course we
advised all to sing.
At this conference there was some alteration made in the "Directions given to the Band Societies:"
and after the direction "To use no needless self-indulgence:" the words "Such as taking Snuff or
Tobacco," were left out.
The use of tobacco has been more common among the traveling preachers since, than it had been
before that time. Some of them say it is an advantage to their teeth, and others that it is good for their
health.
At this conference we made the following rule in addition to the former one respecting the trial
of private members, "If a member of our church shall be clearly convicted of endeavoring to sow
dissentions in any of our societies, by inveighing against either our doctrine or discipline, such
person so offending shall be first reproved by the senior preacher of his circuit; and, if he afterwards
persist in such pernicious practices he shall be expelled the society."