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

There were twenty-two questions asked and answered; and the last was, "When and where shall
our next conferences be held?" -- This was the first time that this question was ever found on the
minutes. It was now settled and fixed to have two conferences in each year.
One of the questions was, "What shall be done to revive the work?" Ans. "Hold evening meetings,
and preach in the morning in convenient places."
There was a new regulation made at this time, that the preachers might more certainly receive
their quarterage.
All the gifts received by the preachers, whether it be money or clothing, shall be brought to the
quarterly meeting, and be valued by the preachers and stewards: and the preacher who has received
the gifts shall be considered as having received so much of his quarterage: and if he is still deficient,
he shall carry an account of such deficiency to the next conference, that if possible he may have it
made up out of the profits arising from the sale of books, and the yearly collections.
In order to guard more effectually against disorderly traveling preachers, it was agreed, that there
should be written at the bottom of every certificate given to the preachers, at conference, "The
authority which this conveys, is limited to the next conference."
To guard more effectually against disorderly local preachers, they agreed to write at the bottom
of their certificates, "This conveys authority no longer than you walk uprightly, and submit to the
direction of the assistant preacher."
And to guard against disorderly members, it was concluded, that no member of our society should
remove to another part of the country, without a certificate from the assistant preacher. And if they
did not carry with them such a certificate, they should not be received into society.
The 19th question was a very important one, as follows: "Do the brethren in conference
unanimously choose brother Asbury to act according to Mr. Wesley's original appointment, and
preside over the American conference, and the whole work? A. Yes.
It was agreed we should have the next conference in Virginia, on the first Tuesday in May
following; and the conference in the north in Baltimore, on the last Wednesday in the same month.
The general fast days were continued to be held on the first Thursday in June, September, January
and April.
The minutes were concluded thus, "Every assistant preacher must so order his circuit, that either
himself or one of his helpers may travel with Mr. Asbury in the circuit."
As Mr. D. Jarratt, a church minister of Dinwiddie county, in Virginia, had paid particular attention
to the Methodist preachers and people, this conference expressed themselves in the following
manner: "The conference acknowledge their obligations to the Rev. Mr. Jarratt, for his kind and
friendly services to the "preachers and people, from our first entrance into Virginia: and more