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

From the long acquaintance I had with Mr. Gill, and knowing his public and private worth, I am
led to conclude, that we had scarcely a preacher left among us to equal the deceased, either in
knowledge or in goodness. Indeed, I knew of no one who had such a depth of knowledge, both of
men and things, as he possessed. His company was agreeable and his conversation entertaining: his
public preaching was with wisdom and animation; and he proved the goodness of his doctrine by the
goodness of his life.
In the latter part of the minutes for this year, we had the following explanation of a certain rule,
about which there had been some uneasiness among some of our local preachers, and private
members.
"As a very few persons have in some respect, mistaken our meaning, in the 32d section of our
form of discipline, on bringing to trial disorderly persons, &c.-we think it necessary to explain it.
"When a member of our society is to be tried for any offense, the officiating minister or preacher
is to call together all the members, if the society be small, or a select number, if it be large, to take
knowledge and give advice, and bear witness to the justice of the whole process; that improper and
private expulsions may be prevented for the future."
In the course of this year we had the fifth edition of our form of discipline published, and
circulated throughout our connection, containing 35 sections, and 69 questions and answers. Also,
the articles of religion; the scripture doctrine of predestination, election and reprobation: Serious
thoughts on the infallible, unconditional perseverance of all that have once experienced faith in
Christ, and a plain account of CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. All these pieces were bound together
in one volume.
In this edition, we had some new regulations about the trial of private members for improper
conduct. The substance of which is as follows:
"If the accused person be found guilty, and the crime be such as is expressly forbidden by the
word of God, sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and glory, and to make him
a subject of wrath and hell, let him be expelled. If he evade a trial by absenting himself after
sufficient notice given him, and the circumstances of the accusation be strong and presumptive, let
him be esteemed as guilty, and accordingly excluded.
"But in cases of neglect of duties of any kind, imprudent conduct, indulging sinful tempers or
words, disobedience to the order and discipline of the church: First, let private reproof be given by
a leader or preacher; if there be an acknowledgment of the fault and proper humiliation, the person
may remain on trial, &c. If there be a murmur or complaint that justice is not done, the person shall
be allowed an appeal to the quarterly meeting, and have his case reconsidered before the preachers,
stewards and leaders who are present. After such forms of trial and expulsion, such persons as are
thus excommunicated, shall have no privilege of society and sacrament in our church."
This rule for trying private members has been altered since in a few points; but the most of these
regulations have continued, and been in force from that day till the present.