History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

of subordinates drawing the people after them: "Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and
ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads, and his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven."
Ignorance is not pleaded for the fact that hierarchism is disclaimed by the officialism of the
Methodist Episcopal Church in emergencies, and under the exactions of criticism. Its true genius will
come under review at a later period. The objection lodged against it is, that to the degree of its
hierarchal complexion, however neutral the colors as to administration under the modifying
influence of surrounding ecelesiasticisms, its law-structure classes it as a hierarchy, and this is
inconsistent with the basic principles of the primitive Church and apostolical methods. It is efficient
and potential, and those who are wedded to it have their rights of preference, and a hail of
"God-speed" is sincerely sent them and exultation indulged with them over the magnificent results
which the old glorious doctrines have achieved under it throughout the world.
During this decade of Wesleyan Conference history, like tall oaks amid the smaller growths of
the forest, stood Newton and Watson and Clarke and Bunting, while Bramwell and Dawson and
Seville and Hicks and Carvosso, in humbler spheres, gave proofs of the power of a heart religion in
winning men to Christ. Reference has already been made to these stalwart leaders, each supreme in
his sphere. The Conference itinerancy, or restrictive rule, was three years, one year more than
prescribed by the Deed of Declaration, and its virtual extension beyond three, was a necessity
pressing upon the ever growing connection. Evasion of the spirit of the law was the consequence.
Newton spent thirty-five years on five circuits, being transferred from one to the other and back again
in technical obedience to the three-year rule. Twenty years of his ministerial life were spent in
London and Manchester. Bunting spent the whole of this decade in London; during one year he was
President and during three, editor at its Book Room. Like Newton, he was also incessantly engaged
in special missions in the counties. Adam Clarke's failing health compelled a virtual location. In
1815 he purchased a rural home near Liverpool. There he pursued his learned labors and preached
as opportunity allowed. Among those whose names and deeds will not die were John Smith and
Hodgson Casson. The shifts of the Conference in evading the restrictive rule that foremost men
might be utilized where most needed, is an adverse commentary upon the unwisdom of irrepealable
and inflexible legislation binding upon a new generation amid new environments. It will receive
frequent illustration in the course of this History.
It seems in order in connection with the English restrictive rule to take brief notice of the fraternal
visit of Rev. Dr. John Emory of the Methodist Episcopal Church to the Wesleyan Conference in
1820. He will be a conspicuous figure in American Methodism. His visit to the British Conference
was the first of such interchanges. He was charged with an adjustment of the Canadian question, a
contention between the missionaries of the Methodist Episcopal Church and those of the English
Conference. He was cordially received, and made the most of the occasion. He was struck at the
Conference session with the essential and radical differences of the mode of appointments as
modified since Wesley's time. Stevens says: "The discussion of the appointments was a novel fact
to the visitor, and in contrast with the American usage. A list prepared by a committee before the
meeting of Conference was reported to it and published throughout the country, and preachers and
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people had opportunity of petitioning or remonstrating. "This," Emory remarks, "is often done in
strong terms and gives not a little trouble; a preacher of any standing is seldom sent where he is not
willing to go." During his Address to the Conference, he ventured upon a laudation of the Episcopal
system which he represented. It was not altogether palatable, and, despite his presence and the