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

We had also this N. B. "From this time forward no person shall be owned as a member of our
church, without six months trial."
This rule continues in force still, and all our members are considered on trial for six months;
during which time, if they wish to leave us, they may do it without any form of trial; and if we are
dissatisfied with their conduct, we may cast them off without calling them to trial.
At the conference this year, the bishops proposed a new plan for directing our letters to each other,
which was to this effect, that we should leave out the word reverend, and say "To A. B. Bishop,
Elder, Deacon or Preacher." Many of the preachers adopted the plan; but others who did not favor
the alteration, directed as they pleased, or as they had formerly done.
In the course of this year religion was pretty lively and prosperous in our societies, and in some
places it was very remarkable. In Baltimore town it exceeded any thing that had ever been known
in that place. I will just mention a particular time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. At a
quarterly meeting held in Baltimore on the 8th and 9th of August, 1789, and during the following
week, the kingdom of Satan suffered great loss. The first day of the quarterly meeting was profitable
to numbers: many cried and wept bitterly for mercy, and some souls were born of God. Sunday, the
second day, was most awful and glorious. In the love feast at eight in the morning, the society
enjoyed a little Pentecost, and dwelt as it were in the suburbs of Heaven. The presence of God was
awfully felt, while the people one after another feelingly declared what God had done for their souls.
In public preaching, the word was so accompanied by the energy of the Holy Ghost, that there
were few but felt its mighty power. Some of the greatest revilers of the work were constrained to
tremble and weep. The congregation broke up on Sunday night very late, after many had been
converted. Some were two, three or four hours on their knees, others were prostrate on the floor,
most earnestly agonizing for mercy, till they could rejoice in God their Saviour. What power! What
awe rested on the people!
Some, after they went home, could not sleep, but wept and prayed all night. The next day was
such a time as cannot be sufficiently described.
Early in the morning, a preacher was sent for to visit a young woman, who was under conviction.
He exhorted her to believe in the Lord Jesus, and then sung and prayed with her.
A considerable number of the members of society were collected to supplicate the throne of grace
in her behalf. At last the Lord suddenly shed abroad his love in her heart, so that she lifted up her
voice with others in loud praises to God.
This was only a small part of that day's work. About ten in the morning, a company of mourners
assembled together at a private house, where the work of conversion began. First one, and then
another, entered into the liberty of the children of God. The news spread; the people collected till the
house and street were filled with a crowd of believers, and a wondering multitude: and this continued
without intermission till night. They then repaired to the church which was presently filled, and they
continued there until two o'clock the next morning before they broke up.