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

I have consulted every author that I could find, which I thought would afford information on this
subject; especially Wesley's Journals, his Ecclesiastical History, and his Life, written by Dr. Coke
and Mr. Moore, and that by Dr. Whitehead. Also, the Methodist Memorial, published by Mr.
Atmore. Mr. William Myles's Chronological History of, and Mr. Joseph Benson's Apology for, the
people called Methodists. Mr. Francis Asbury's Journals, bound, and unbound. And the Magazines
published by the Methodists. Also, Mr. Freeborn Garrettson's Travels, and William Waters's Life,
published by himself. -- I have also read over more than 2000 pages of my own manuscript Journals,
and consulted many of the traveling and local preachers, in order to ascertain historical facts, and to
find out useful things which have never yet been published.
There has been, in general, very many errors and imperfections in the Minutes of the Annual
conferences; but I have used my utmost endeavors to avoid those errors, and to send into the world
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. In order that every one may understand what the
principles, doctrines, and discipline of the Methodists are, and what is the economy and government
of their Church and Society. I also wish the Methodists to see what great things the Lord has done
for them, and for their fathers and friends before them.
I desire to show to all our societies and friends, that the doctrines which we held and preached in
the beginning, we have continued to support and maintain uniformly to the present day. We have
changed the economy and discipline of our church at times, as we judged for the benefit and
happiness of our preachers and people; and the Lord has wonderfully owned and prospered us. It may
be seen from the following account, how the Lord has, from very small beginnings, raised us up to
be a great and prosperous people. It is very certain, that the goodness of our doctrine and discipline,
our manner of receiving preachers, and of sending them into different circuits, and the frequent
changes among them from one circuit to another, not allowing them in general to stay more than one
year in a station or circuit, and in no case more than two years, has greatly contributed to the
promotion of religion, the increase of our societies, and the happiness of our preachers.
I have in some cases stated things which took place among us, that were not approved of by all
the preachers, and that were afterwards given up. I have likewise made mention of some of the errors
of the conferences and COUNCILS; and of the preachers who continued among us, as well as those
who separated from us: that it may be seen and understood, that I have not written with partiality,
and thereby kept back things necessary to be known.
I am sorry to say, that some of the preachers who separated from us, became bitter enemies to us,
and wrote and spoke many things against us which were not true: which things did no honor to the
inventors or retailers of them.
I have been particular in collecting the names of all the traveling preachers who have been
itinerants, and have been so entered on the annual minutes, with the dates when they began to travel,
and also when they stopped; showing at the same time, by certain marks, whether they were expelled
or located; or whether they died in the work, or left the connection.