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

under Mr. Wesley's direction, at London, Bristol, or Leeds; but he did not annually publish the
Minutes till the year 1765.
The subject of their deliberations at these conferences were proposed in the form of questions,
which were fully discussed, and then with the answers written down, and afterwards printed under
the title of "Minutes of several conversations between the Rev. Mr. Wesley and others." But now
they are called "The Minutes of the Conference."
On Friday, August 24, 1744, Mr. Wesley preached for the last time at Oxford, before the
university. He had preached to them twice before, after he began to declare the truth in the fields and
highways. He then makes this observation, "I am now clear of the blood of these men -- I have fully
delivered my own soul; and am well pleased that it should be the very day on which, in the last
century, near two thousand burning and shining lights were put out at one stroke. Yet what a wide
difference is there between their case and mine! They were turned out of house and home, and all
that they had; whereas I am only hindered from preaching, without any other loss; and that in a kind
of honorable manner; it being determined, that when my next turn to preach comes, they will pay
another person to preach for me." And so they did twice or thrice; even to the time of his resigning
his fellowship.
December 25, 1744 Mr. Wesley drew up directions for the Band Societies, and recommended
them, with the Band Rules.
I will here insert the friendly Epistle to the Reverend Mr. George Whitefield, which was written
in the year 1755, by the Reverend Charles Wesley, A. M.
COME on, my WHITEFIELD! (since the strife is past,
And friends at first are friends again at last)
Our hands, and hearts, and counsels let us join
In mutual league, t' advance the work Divine.
Our one contention now, our single aim,
To pluck poor souls as brands out of the flame;
To spread the victory of that bloody cross,
And gasp our latest breath in the Redeemer's cause.