History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

METHODIST REFORM
Edward J. Drinkhouse, M.D., D.D.
Volume I
CHAPTER 17
First American Annual conference in Philadelphia, 1773; those present — The minutes as printed
at several times — The Rankin-Asbury contention and its grounds — Principles of the Revolution
and the Methodist system in conflict; evidences — Boardman and Pilmoor return to England; other
early preachers — Character of Asbury; celibacy in practice and precept — Effect upon the preachers
and the people — Asbury and Rev. William Otterbein; sketch of the latter; their close friendship;
kinship of views.
The First American Annual Conference assembled at St. George's Church in Philadelphia, July
14, 1773, and continued three days. Those present were all Europeans: Thomas Rankin, Richard
Boardman, Joseph Pilmoor, Francis Asbury, Richard Wright, George Shadford, Thomas Webb, John
[1]
King, Abraham Whitworth, and Joseph Yearbry. Strawbridge's name appears in the printed
minutes, but he was not present, nor was Embury. The minutes were taken down in writing, and in
1795 John Dickins, first Book Agent, published all the minutes from 1773 to 1795 in one volume.
They were afterward republished by Daniel Hitt and Thomas Ware for the "Methodist Connection
in the United States, John C. Totten printer, 1813," and brought down to that date. They were again
republished and brought down to 1839 by Mason and Lane for the Book Concern, New York, 1840.
In the edition of 1813 sundry changes were made by Coke and Asbury on their own motion, of which
notice will be taken hereafter. The minutes of 1773 are very brief and follow the English model of
Questions and Answers. "The following queries were proposed to every preacher: (1) Ought not the
authority of Mr. Wesley, and that Conference, to extend to the preachers and people in America as
well as in Great Britain and Ireland? Answer, Yes. (2) Ought not the doctrine and discipline of the
Methodists, as contained in the minutes, to be the sole rule of our conduct, who labor in the
connection with Mr. Wesley in America? Answer, Yes. (3) If so, does it not follow that if any
preachers deviate from the minutes we can have no fellowship with them till they change their
conduct? Answer, Yes." Some other rules were agreed to: to avoid administering the ordinances;
attendance upon the Episcopal Church; restrictions as to love-feasts and selling books, and reports
once in six months to the superintendent. The Conference was held with closed doors, and this
practice was continued, also after the English plan, for more than fifty years. It must not be assumed
that there was voting as popularly understood. This Wesley discountenanced, and his American
appointees did the same. The title was unique: "Minutes of some Conversations between the
Preachers in Connection with the Reverend John Wesley." It was continued as a title until 1784.
Asbury did not get to the Conference of 1773 until the second day; the reason assigned by Stevens
that "he was detained on his New York circuit," does not seem supported by Asbury himself, who
says that "on the Lord's Day [previous] he preached twice with great plainness to a large number of
people; and then set off in company with Mr. J. toward Philadelphia. Came safe to the city on
[2]
Thursday, but did not find such perfect harmony as I could wish for." The Conference had met on
Wednesday. A ride of nearly one hundred miles in three days was not much for such a traveler as
Asbury on horseback, but it may be that it took him a day longer, and it may be also that he had other
reasons for delay. The appointments of this Conference were as follows: New York, Thomas Rankin;