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

In the latter part of this year, Mr. Wesley in England, wrote a letter to America, which agreed with
the last minute; the following is an extract from that letter.
Bristol, October 3, 1783.
1. Let all of you be determined to abide by the Methodist doctrine, and discipline, published in
the four volumes of sermons, and the notes upon the New Testament, together with the large minutes
of the conference.
2. Beware of preachers coming from Great Britain or Ireland, without a full recommendation from
me. Three of our traveling preachers here eagerly desired to go to America; but I could not approve
of it by any means; because I am not satisfied that they thoroughly like either our discipline or
doctrine; I think they differ from our judgment, in one or both. Therefore, if these or any others come
without my recommendation, take care how you receive them.
3. Neither should you receive any preachers, however recommended, who will not be subject to
the American conference, and cheerfully conform to the minutes both of the English and American
conferences.
4. I do not wish our American brethren to receive any, who make any difficulty of receiving
Francis Asbury as the general assistant.
Undoubtedly the greatest danger to the work of God in America, is likely to arise either from
preachers coming from Europe, or from such as will arise from among yourselves, speaking perverse
things, or bringing in among you new doctrines, particularly Calvinian. You should guard against
this with all possible care, for it is far easier to keep them out than to thrust them out.
I commend you all to the grace of God, and am your affectionate friend and brother,
JOHN WESLEY.
In 1784, the twelfth conference began at Ellis's chapel, in Virginia, on the 30th day of April, and
ended in Baltimore, on the 28th of May. It was considered as but one conference, although they met
first in Virginia, and then adjourned to Baltimore, where the business was finished.
This year we took in seven new circuits; four of them were in Virginia, Amherst, Bedford,
Hampton, and Accomack; the other three were in the north part of our connection, which were
Juniata, Trenton, and Long Island. We also admitted on trial twelve young preachers, and added to
the society 1248 members. We had now forty-six circuits, and eighty-three traveling preachers.
There were four preachers who desisted from traveling this year, David Abbott, James Thomas,
James Mallory and John Coleman.* [2]
A new question was introduced into our minutes this year, which was thus;