“Answer. No; not by one assistant out of three. For instance, every
assistant ought (1) To ‘see that the other preachers behave well.’
But who has sent me word whether they did or no? (2) ‘To visit the
classes, regulate the bands, and deliver tickets quarterly.’ How few
have done this! (3) Lovefeasts for the bands have been neglected. (4)
Nor have persons been regularly taken in, and put out of, the bands.
(5) I fear many of the quarterly meetings are formal, not spiritual.
(6) The societies are not half supplied with books; not even with
‘Kempis,’ ‘Instructions for Children,’ and ‘Primitive Physic,’ which
ought to be in every house. And why should not each of you do like
William Pennington—carry books with you through every round? Exert
yourselves in this. Be not ashamed. Be not weary. Leave no stone
unturned. And let none print anything of his own, till it has been
approved by the conference. (7) How few accounts have I had, either of
remarkable deaths or remarkable conversions! (8) How few exact lists
have we received of the societies! Take more time and more pains in
preparing them. (9) Who of you has met the married and single men and
women once a quarter, even in the largest societies? (10) You have
not provided a private room everywhere for the preacher; nor a bed
to himself; neither the ‘Library,’ for want of which some still read
trash. Till this can be done, let there be, immediately, in every
place, at least the ‘Notes,’ and the tract on original sin.”[544]