History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

when actively employed, and provision was made for their trial under charges. A stringent law
against the use and sale of spirituous liquors was enacted. An attempt was made by the reforming
party of preachers to secure the election of presiding elders by the Annual Conferences, but, as
already noticed, it failed for reasons given. An Address was ordered to the British Conference in
response to one brought over from it by Dr. Coke, and presented to the American Conference, which
was couched in the most fraternal language, but carefully guards any recognition either of Asbury
as a "Bishop," or of the Conference as " The Methodist Episcopal Church." Neither of these terms
is found in it. As exposed already, the British brethren would not be compromised with the
proceedings of 1784 in America, because believed by them to be utterly subversive of Wesley's
intent the mission of Coke to Asbury. It is in this American Address that the fling is made at O'Kelly
and his followers already noted. It is worth the mention in passing that Dr. Coke brought with him,
in 1796, as a companion, Pierre de Pontavice, a nobleman of a distinguished house in Brittany and
a convert from Romanism to Methodism. Though he could not preach in the English tongue, he was
cordially received and hospitably entertained. A General Fast had been ordered by the Conferences
of 1795, for the first Friday in March, 1796, and a General Thanksgiving for the last Thursday of
October, 1796. Lee puts the Fast on the last Friday in February, 1795, and the Thanksgiving on the
last Thursday of October, 1795. He is probably in error as to the year; Bangs and Stevens are for
1796.
The two most material actions of the General Conference are yet to be noted. Asbury was in
failing health, though but fifty-one years of age, and it was manifest that his labors were too onerous.
By his own election he must keep himself in actual touch with every part of the Methodist machinery
in America; he felt that his Primacy depended on it. It is not known whether he suggested it, or
whether the Conference first moved in the matter, but it is known that a proposition was introduced
and carried to elect another Bishop for the Church, to cooperate with him. Stevens says, "A
discussion ensued for two days, not without some partisan feeling on the manner of his
appointment." For this information he is indebted to Dr. L. M. Lee in his "Life of Jesse Lee," written
many years afterward, as compiled from Lee's papers. Lee says only in his "History": "At that time
it was thought proper to have another bishop elected and ordained, and the Conference voted that
it should he done during the sitting of that Conference. After the vote was taken, a difficulty arose
about the manner of choosing or electing a man to be ordained a bishop." Why a difficulty, is a query
arising in every thoughtful mind. Did they not have the action of the Conference of 1784, which
quite a number of them had attended, and knew precisely how it was that Coke and Asbury were
"elected or received" as Superintendents? Of course they had, and it revives the old question as to
that muddle, never satisfactorily explained to this day. Lee continues, "and before the point was
settled Dr. Coke begged that the business might be laid over until the afternoon, which was done.
When we met in the afternoon, the Doctor offered himself to us, if we saw cause to take him; and
promised to serve us in the best manner he could, and to be entirely at the disposal of his American
brethren, and to live or die among them." Had he consulted with Asbury in the meantime? Who can
doubt it. The truth of history would be helped very much if the fine work put in as to this business
were known. The Conference of 1787 had cashiered him, and exacted that humiliating abdication
already given to the readers. He went back to England, and suffered the displeasure of Asbury until
the winter of 1791-92. The paper of abdication with his sign-manual and attested by three
Conference witnesses Asbury had preserved. But times had changed. He is now restored, and is the
ready instrument of Asbury's dominating will in everything. Hear Lee again: "The Conference at