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

A. Yes.
2. Ought not the doctrine and discipline of the Methodists, as contained in the English minutes
to be the rule of our conduct, who labor in the connection with Mr. Wesley?
A. Yes.
3. If so, does it not follow, that if preachers deviate from the minutes, we can have no fellowship
with them till they change their conduct?
A. Yes.
The following rules were agreed to, by all the preachers present:
1. Every preacher who acts in connection with Mr. Wesley and the brethren who labor in America,
is strictly to avoid administering the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper.
2. No person or persons to be admitted to our lovefeasts oftener than twice or thrice, unless they
become members; and none to be admitted to the society meetings more than three times.
3. None of the preachers in America to reprint any of Mr. Wesley's books, without his authority
(when it can be got) and the consent of their brethren, &c.
It was also recommended to all our people, and especially to those in Maryland and Virginia to
attend the church, and to receive the ordinances there.
These regulations were made at that conference, with a few others of but little consequence to the
world in general, and the preachers were much united together in love and brotherly affection.
At that time, the Methodists in America considered themselves as much under the direction of Mr.
Wesley, as were the European Methodists; for they were dependent on him to send them preachers,
and such directions as he thought best. Of course the preachers agreed to submit to Mr. Wesley's
authority, and to abide by his doctrine and discipline as established in England. This resolution
entered into by the preachers was both wise and prudent; and tended to keep them united together;
and afterwards, it had the same good effects amongst the private members.
The conference also agreed, that none of our preachers should administer the ordinances of
baptism or the Lord's supper. The necessity of this rule appeared in the conduct of Mr. Strawbridge,
a local preacher, who had taken on him to administer the ordinances among the Methodists without
the consent of their preachers, who at that time were all lay-preachers. We were only a religious
society, and not a church: and any member of any church, who would conform to our rules, and meet
in a class, had liberty to continue in their own church.
But, as the most of our society had been brought up in the church of England (so called) and
especially those of Maryland and Virginia, it was recommended to them to attend on the service of