History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

segregation complained of, is intensified as a remedy for disaffection. There is an age-old story of
the Israelites in Egypt. When they murmured that their task was too hard, the masters reported, and
from the reigning Pharaoh came the interpretation, "Ye are idle," and the mandate went forth: not
the tale of bricks only but they must now find their own straw. How did the American Bishop
propose to manage it — after much prayer and reflection it must be assumed? Let Lee tell; for he
knew more about it than others except O'Kelly, and his story does not give the text, but is rich as to
the manipulation of the plan. "At these Conferences in 1789, a plan was laid for the holding of a
Council. The Bishops said they had made it a matter of prayer; and they believed the present plan
was the best they could think of. After some opposition had been made to the plan, and there had
been much debating about it, a majority of the preachers agreed to the following plan, which was
published in the minutes." It will be remembered that Coke and Asbury traveled together from
Charleston in March, to Baltimore in May, and they were together at the Conferences. It was
Asbury's plan, this is not disputed, and it was opened to the preachers from Conference to
Conference, Coke, no doubt, furthering it; for he was now in a personal presence that had become
awesome to him. To eat and sleep and travel with Asbury was to feel the strange magnetism of his
reverent behavior, his persuasive logic, his unquestioned sincerity, and his dominating will. All great
leaders have this spell about them, and he was one of the greatest of great men in his sphere in the
world's history. At each Conference there was opposition, and some debating despite the presence
of two Bishops advocating it, and when it is summed up a "majority" only agree. The moral courage
of the dissenters is something to admire in those times, and evidently from the sequel they were not
few and embraced among them a number of the leaders in several of the Conference groups. Not a
few of them, if they did not openly aver it, asked among themselves: Is this what we have gained by
our barter in 1784, and 1787, of Wesley for Asbury? The Episcopacy was bursting into full flower.
They were having time to repent of the unseemly haste of 1784, and the change of masters in 1787.
What was it to which the "majority agreed"? Did they vote? If so, it was the last time any of them
were to vote, with a meaning in it. Thus it is writ in the minutes: "Q. Whereas the holding of general
conferences on this extensive continent would be attended with a variety of difficulties and many
inconveniences to the work of God; and whereas we judge it expedient that a council should be
formed of chosen men out of the several districts, as representatives of the connection, to meet at
stated times; in what manner is this council to be formed, what shall be its powers, and what further
regulations shall be made concerning it? A. 1st. Our bishops and presiding elders shall be members
of this council; provided that the members who form the council be never fewer than nine. And if
any unavoidable circumstance prevent the attendance of a presiding elder at the council, he shall
have authority to send another elder out of his own district to represent him; but the elder so sent by
the absenting presiding elder shall have no seat in the council without the approbation of the bishop
or bishops, and presiding elders present. And, if after the above mentioned provisions are complied
with, any unavoidable circumstance, or any contingency reduce the number to less than nine the
bishop shall immediately summon such elders as do not preside to complete the number. 2d. These
shall have power to mature everything they shall judge expedient. (1) To preserve the general union:
(2) to render and preserve the external form of worship similar in all our societies through the
continent: (3) To preserve the essentials of the Methodist doctrines and discipline pure and
uncorrupted: and lastly, they are authorized to mature everything they may see necessary for the good
of the Church, and for the promoting and improving our colleges, and plan of education. 3d.
Provided, nevertheless, that nothing shall be received as the resolution of the council, unless it be
assented to unanimously by the council; and nothing so assented to by the council shall be binding