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

The annual subscriptions of the traveling preachers, to the preachers' fund, was to be reserved for
extraordinary cases, which the chartered fund might not reach. Some time after that, the
subscriptions were dropped altogether, and have never since been revived.
The 75th question was, "Is there any exception to the rule 'let the men and women sit apart' -- A.
There is no exception. Let them sit apart in all our chapels."
This rule has been established among the Methodists from the beginning, and every departure
therefrom, has been deemed a departure from the order and discipline of the Methodists.
At this time the prayer book, as revised by Mr. Wesley, was introduced among us; and in the large
towns, and in some country places, our preachers read prayers on the Lord's day: and in some cases
the preachers read part of the morning service on Wednesdays and Fridays. But some of the
preachers who had been long accustomed to pray extempore, were unwilling to adopt this new plan.
Being fully satisfied that they could pray better, and with more devotion while their eyes were shut,
than they could with their eyes open. After a few years the prayer book was laid aside, and has never
been used since in public worship.
The Superintendents, and some of the Elders, introduced the custom of wearing gowns and bands,
but it was opposed by many of the preachers, as well as private members, who looked upon it as
needless and superfluous. Having made a stand against it, after a few years it was given up, and has
never been introduced among us since.
The Methodists were pretty generally pleased at our becoming a church, and heartily united
together in the plan which the conference had adopted. And from that time religion greatly revived.
I will here insert some of the Articles of Religion which were received at that conference. There
were twenty-five articles in all; but I shall insert only twelve of them.
N. B. The whole of the articles may be seen in the Methodists' form of discipline.
I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts; of infinite power,
wisdom, and goodness; the Maker and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity
of this Godhead there are three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost.
II. Of the Word, or Son of God, who was made very Man.
The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the
Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that the two whole and perfect
natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one Person, never to be