antients termed them; being of just the same force with the ἐπιστολαί
συστατικαί, _commendatory letters_ mentioned by the apostle) wherever
they came, were acknowledged by their brethren, and received with all
chearfulness. These were likewise of use in other respects. By these
it was easily distinguished when the society were to meet a-part, who
were members of it and who not. These also supplied us with a quiet
and inoffensive method, of removing any disorderly member. He has no
new ticket, at the quarterly visitation; (for so often the tickets are
changed) and hereby it is immediately known, that he is no longer of
the community.
V. The thing which I was greatly afraid of all this time, and which I
resolved to use every possible method of preventing was, a narrowness
of spirit, a party-zeal, a being streightened in our own bowels; that
miserable bigotry, which makes so many so unready to believe, that
there is any work of God but among themselves. I thought it might be
a help against this, frequently to read, to all who were willing to
hear, the accounts I received from time to time, of the work which God
is carrying on in the earth, both in our own and other countries, not
among us alone, but among those of various opinions and denominations.
For this I allotted one evening in every month. And I find no cause to
repent my labour. It is generally a time of strong consolation to those
who love God, and all mankind for his sake: as well as of breaking down
the partition walls, which either the craft of the devil, or the folly
of men has built up: and of encouraging every child of God to say, (O
when shall it once be?) _Whosoever doth the will of my Father which is
in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother_.
VI. 1. By the blessing of God upon their endeavours to help one another,
many found the pearl of great price. Being justified by faith, they
had _peace with_ God, _through our_ Lord Jesus Christ. These felt a
more tender affection than before, to those who were partakers of like
precious faith: and hence arose such a confidence in each other, that
they poured out their souls into each other’s bosom. Indeed they had
great need so to do: for the war was not over, as they had supposed.
But they had still to wrestle both with flesh and blood, and with
principalities and powers: so that temptations were on every side: and
often temptations of such a kind, as they knew not how to speak in a
class: in which persons of every sort, young and old, men and women,
met together.
2. These therefore wanted some means of closer union: they wanted to
pour out their hearts without reserve, particularly with regard to the
sin which did still _easily beset_ them, and the temptations which were
most apt to prevail over them. And they were the more desirous of this,
when they observed it was the express advice of an inspired writer,
_Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed_.
3. In compliance with their desire, I divided them into smaller
companies; putting the married or single men, and married or single
women together. The chief rules of these _bands_, (_i. e._ little
companies: so that old _English_ word signifies) run thus:
In order to _confess our faults one to another_, and pray one for
another that we may be healed, we intend,
“1. To meet once a week, at the least;
2. To come punctually at the hour appointed;
3. To begin with singing or prayer;
4. To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true
state of our soul, with the faults we have committed in
thought word or deed, and the temptations we have felt,
since our last meeting:
5. To desire some person among us (thence called a _Leader_)
to speak _his_ own state first, and then to ask the rest
in order, as many and as searching questions as may be,
concerning their state, sins and temptations.”
4. That their design in meeting might be the more effectually answered,
I desired all the men-_bands_ to meet me together every _Wednesday_
evening, and the women on _Sunday_; that they might receive such
particular instructions and ♦exhortations, as from time to time might
appear to be most needful for them: that such prayers might be offered
up to God, as their necessities should require: and praise returned to
the Giver of every good gift, for whatever mercies they had received.
♦ delete “such” per Errata
5. In order to increase in them a grateful sense of all his mercies, I
desired that one evening in a quarter, all the men in band; on a second,
all the woman would meet; and on a third, both men and women together;
that we might together _eat bread_ (as the antient Christians did)
_with gladness and singleness of heart_. At these _Love-feasts_ (so we
termed them, retaining the name, as well as the thing, which was in use
from the beginning) our food is only a little plain cake and water. But
we seldom return from them, without being fed not only with the _meat
which perisheth_, but with _that which endureth to everlasting life_.
6. Great and many are the advantages which have ever since flowed, from
this closer union of the believers with each other. They prayed for one
another, that they might be healed of the faults they had confessed:
and it was so. The chains were broken: the bands were burst in sunder,
and sin had no more dominion over them. Many were delivered from
the temptations, out of which till then they found no way to escape.
They were built up in our most holy faith. They rejoiced in the Lord
more abundantly. They were strengthened in love, and more effectually
provoked to abound in every good work.
7. But it was soon objected to the _bands_ (as to the _classes_ before)
“These were not at first. There is no scripture for them. These are
men’s works, man’s building, man’s invention.” I reply, as before,
these are also prudential helps, grounded on reason and experience,
in order to apply the general rules given in scripture according to
particular circumstances.
8. An objection much more boldly and frequently urged, is that “all
these bands are mere _popery_.” I hope I need not pass a harder censure
on those (most of them at least) who affirm this, than that they
talk of they know not what, they betray in themselves the most gross
and shameful ignorance. Do not they yet know, that the only _popish_
confession is, the confession made by a single person to a priest? (And
this itself is in no wise condemned by our church; nay, she recommends
it in some cases) whereas, that _we_ practice, is, the confession
of several persons conjointly, not to a priest, but to each other.
Consequently, it has no analogy at all to _popish_ confession. But the
truth is, this is a stale objection, which many people make against any
thing they do not like. It is all _popery_ out of hand.
VII. 1. And yet while most of these who were thus intimately joined
together, went on daily from faith to faith: some fell from the faith,
either all at once, by falling into known, wilful sin; or gradually,
and almost insensibly, by giving way in what they called little things;
by sins of omission, by yielding to heart sins, or by not watching
unto prayer. The exhortations and prayers used among the believers, did
no longer profit these. They wanted advice and instructions suited to
their case; which as soon as I observed I separated them from the rest,
and desired them to meet me a-part on _Saturday_ evenings.
2. At this hour, all the hymns, exhortations and prayers, are adapted
to their circumstances: being wholly suited to those, who _did_ see
God, but have now lost the light of his countenance: and who mourn
after him, and refuse to be comforted, till they know he has healed
their back-sliding.
3. By applying both the threats and promises of God, to these real
(not nominal) _penitents_, and by crying to God in their behalf, we
endeavoured to bring them back to the great Shepherd and Bishop of
their souls: not by any of the fopperies of the _Roman_ church,
although in some measure countenanced by antiquity. In prescribing
hair-shirts, and bodily austerities, we durst not follow even the
antient church: although we had unawares, both in dividing οἰ πιστοὶ
the believers from the rest of the society, and in separating the
_penitents_ ♦from them, and appointing a peculiar service for them.
♦ added catch word “from” omitted from start of next page
VIII. 1. Many of these soon recovered the ground they had lost. Yea,
they rose the higher for their fall: being more watchful than ever, and
more meek and lowly, as well as stronger in the faith that worketh by
love. They now out-ran the greater part of their brethren, continually
walking in the light of God, and having fellowship with the Father, and
with his Son, Jesus Christ.
2. I saw it might be useful to give some advices to all those, who thus
continued in the light of God’s countenance, which the rest of their
brethren did not want, and probably could not receive. So I desired a
small number of such as appeared to be in this state, to spend an hour
with me every _Monday_ morning. My design was, not only, to direct
them, how to _press after perfection_; to exercise their every grace,
and improve every talent they had received; and to incite them to love
one another more, and to watch more carefully over each other: but
also to have a _select company_, to whom I might unbosom myself on
all occasions, without reserve: and whom I could propose to all their
brethren as a pattern of love, of holiness, and of good works.
3. They had no need of being incumbered with many rules; having the
best rule of all in their hearts. No peculiar directions were therefore
given to them: excepting only these three.
First, let nothing spoken in this society, be spoken again.
(Hereby we had the more full confidence in each other.)
Secondly, Every member agrees, to submit to his minister in all
indifferent things.
Thirdly, Every member will bring once a week, all he can spare
toward a common stock.
4. Every one here has an equal liberty of speaking, there being none
greater or less than another. I could say freely to these, when they
were met together, _ye may all prophesy one by one_ (taking that word
in its lower sense) _that all may learn, and all may ♦be comforted_.
And I often found the advantage of such a free conversation, and that
_in the multitude of counsellors there is safety_. Any who is inclined
so to do, is likewise incouraged, to pour out his soul to God. And
here especially we have found, that the effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth much.
♦ “he” replaced with “be”
IX. 1. This is the plainest and clearest account I can give of the
people, commonly called _Methodists_. It remains only, to give you
a short account, of those who _serve_ their brethren in love. ♦These
are _leaders_ of classes and bands (spoken of before) _assistants_,
_stewards_, _visitors_ of the sick, and _school-masters_.
♦ “There” replaced with “These” per Errata
2. In the third part of the _appeal_, I have mentioned, how we were led
to accept of _lay-assistants_.
Their office is, in the absence of the minister.
1. To expound every morning and evening:
2. To meet the united society, the bands, the select society,
and the penitents once a week.
3. To visit the classes once a quarter.
4. To hear and decide all differences:
5. To put the disorderly back on trial, and to receive on trial
for the bands or society:
6. To see that the stewards, the leaders, and the school-masters
faithfully discharge their several offices:
7. To meet the leaders of the bands and classes weekly, and the
stewards, and to overlook their accounts.
X. 1. But long before this, I felt the weight of ♦a far different care,
namely, care of temporal things. The quarterly subscriptions amounted,
at a mean computation, to above _three hundred pounds_ a year. This was
to be laid out, partly in repairs, partly in other necessary expences,
and partly in paying debts. The weekly contributions fell little short
of _eight pounds_ a week; which was to be distributed as every one had
need. And I was expected to take thought for all these things: but it
was a burthen I was not able to bear. So I chose out first, one, then
_four_, and after a time, _seven_ as prudent men as I knew, and desired
them to take the charge of these things upon themselves, that I might
have no incumbrance of this kind.
♦ insert word “a” per Errata
2. The business of these _stewards_ is
To manage the temporal things of the society:
To receive the subscriptions and contributions:
To expend what is needful from time to time;
To send relief to the poor:
To keep an exact account of all receipts and expences;
To inform the _minister_ if any of the rules of the society are
not punctually observed;
To tell the preachers in love, if they think any thing amiss,
either in their doctrine or life.
3. The rules of the stewards are,
1. Be frugal. Save every thing that can be saved honestly.
2. Spend no more than you receive. Contract no debts.
3. Have no long accounts. Pay every thing within the week.
4. Give none that asks relief, either an ill word or an ill
look. Do not hurt them, if you cannot help.
5. Expect no thanks from man.
4. They met together at _six_ every _Thursday_ morning: ♦consulted on
the business which came before them: sent relief to the sick, as every
one had need, and gave the remainder of what had been contributed each
week, to those who appeared to be in the most pressing want. So that
all was concluded within the week; what was brought on _Tuesday_, being
constantly expended on _Thursday_. I soon had the pleasure to find,
that all these temporal things, were done with the utmost faithfulness
and exactness. So that my cares of this kind were at an end. I had only
to revise the accounts, to tell them, if I thought any thing might be
amended, and to consult how deficiencies might be supplied from time to
time. For these were frequent and large, (so far were we from abundance)
the income by no means answering the expences. But that we might not
faint, sometimes we had unforeseen helps, in times of the greatest
perplexity. At other times we borrowed, larger or smaller sums. Of
which the greatest part has since been repaid. But I owe some hundred
pounds to this day. So much have I _gained_ by preaching the gospel!
♦ “consult” replaced with “consulted” per Errata
XI. 1. But it was not long before the stewards found a great difficulty,
with regard to the sick. Some were ready to perish, before they knew
of their illness. And when they did know, it was not in their power,
(being persons generally employed in trade) to visit them so often as
they desired.
2. When I was apprized of this, I laid the case at large before the
whole society: shewed, how impossible it was, for the _stewards_
to attend all that were sick in all parts of the town: desired
the _leaders_ of _classes_ would more carefully enquire, and more
constantly inform them, who were sick: and asked, “Who among you is
willing as well as able, to supply this lack of service?”
3. The next morning, many willingly offered themselves. I chose six and
forty of them, whom I judged to be of the most tender, loving spirit;
divided the town into twenty-three parts, and desired two of them to
visit the sick in each division.
4. It is the business of a _visitor_ of the sick,
To see every sick person within his district thrice a week;
To enquire into the state of their souls, and advise them, as
occasion may require;
To enquire into their disorders, and procure advice for them;
To relieve them, if they are in want;
To do any thing for them, which he (or she) can do;
To bring in his accounts weekly to the stewards.¹
¹ The leaders now do this.
Upon reflection, I saw how exactly in this also, we had copied after
the primitive church. What were the antient deacons? What was _Phebe_
the _deaconess_, but such a _visitor_ of the sick?
5. I did not think it needful to give them any particular rules, beside
those that follow:
1. Be plain and open in dealing with souls;
2. Be mild, tender, patient:
3. Be cleanly in all you do for the sick;
4. Be not nice.
6. We have ever since had great reason to praise God, for his continued
blessing on this undertaking. Many lives have been saved: many
sicknesses healed, much pain and want prevented or removed. Many heavy
hearts have been made glad; many mourners comforted. And the _visitors_
have found from him whom they serve, a present reward for all their
labour.
XII. 1. But I was still in pain for many of the poor that were sick:
there was so great expence, and so little profit. And first, I resolved
to try, whether they might not receive more benefit in the _hospitals_.
Upon the trial, we found, there was indeed less expence: but no more
good done than before. I then asked the advice of several physicians
for them: but still it profited not. I saw the poor people pining away,
and several families ruined, and that without remedy.
2. At length I thought of a kind of desperate expedient. “I will
prepare, and give them physick myself.” For _six_ or _seven_ and
_twenty_ years, I had made anatomy and physic the diversion of my
leisure hours: though I never properly studied them, unless for a few
months, when I was going to _America_, where I imagined I might be
of some service to those who had no regular physician among them. I
applied to it again. I took in to my assistance an apothecary, and
an experienced surgeon: resolving at the same time, not to go out of
my depth; but to leave all difficult and complicated cases, to such
physicians as the patients should chuse.
3. I gave notice of this to the society: telling them, that all who
were ill of _chronical_ distempers (for I did not care to venture upon
_acute_) might, if they pleased, come to me at such a time: and I would
give them the best advice I could, and the best medicines I had.
4. Many came: (and so every _Friday_ since:) among the rest was one
_William Kirkman_, a weaver, near _Old-Nichol Street_. I asked him,
“What complaint have you?” “O sir, said he, a cough, a very sore cough.
I can get no rest day nor night.” I asked “How long have you had it.”
He replied, “About _threescore_ years: it began when I was _eleven_
years old.” I was nothing glad, that this man should come first;
fearing our not curing him, might discourage others. However I looked
up to God and said, “Take this _three_ or _four_ times a day. If it
does you no good, it will do you no harm.” He took it _two_ or _three_
days. His cough was cured: and has not returned to this day.
5. Now let candid men judge, does humility require me to deny a
notorious fact? If not, Which is _vanity_? To say, _I_ by my own skill,
restored this man to health? Or to say, God did it by his own almighty
power? By what figure of speech this is called, _boasting_, I know not.
But I will put no name to such a fact as this. I leave that to the Rev.
Dr. _Middleton_.
6. In five months, medicines were occasionally given, to above five
hundred persons. Several of these I never saw before; for I did
not regard, whether they were of the society, or not. In that time
seventy-one of these, regularly taking their medicines, and following
the regimen prescribed (which three in four would not do) were entirely
cured, of distempers long thought to be incurable. The whole expence of
medicines during this time, was (nearly) _forty pounds_. We continued
this ever since, and by the blessing of God, with more and more success.
XIII. 1. But I had for some years observed many who, although not sick,
were not able to provide for themselves, and had none who took care to
provide for them: these were chiefly feeble, aged widows. I consulted
with the _stewards_, bow they might be relieved? They all agreed,
if we could keep them in one house, it would not only be far less
expensive to us, but also far more comfortable for them. Indeed we had
no money to begin. But we believed He would provide, _who defendeth
the cause of the widow_. So we took a lease of two little houses near:
we fitted them up, so as to be warm and clean. We took in as many
widows as we had room for, and provided them with things needful for
the body: toward the expence of which I set aside, first, the weekly
contributions of the _bands_, and then all that was collected at the
Lord’s supper. It is true, this does not suffice: so that we are still
considerably in debt, on this account also. But we are persuaded, it
will not always be so; seeing _the earth is the _Lord_’s and the
fulness thereof_.
2. In this (commonly called, _The Poor House_) we have now _nine_
widows, _one_ blind-woman, _two_ poor children, _two_ upper servants,
a maid and a man. I might add _four_ or _five_ preachers. For I myself,
as well as the other preachers who are in town, diet with the poor,
on the same food, and at the same table. And we rejoice herein as
a comfortable earnest, of our eating bread together in our father’s
kingdom.
3. I have blessed God for this house, ever since it began: but lately
much more than ever. I honour these widows; for they _are widows
indeed_. So that it is not in vain, that without any design of so doing,
we have copied after another of the institutions of the apostolic age.
I can now say to all the world, “Come, and see, how these Christians
love one another!”¹
¹ This has been since dropt for want of support.
XIV. 1. Another thing, which had given me frequent concern, was the
case of abundance of children. Some their parents could not afford to
put to school. So they remained like _a wild ass’s colt_. Others were
sent to school, and learned, at least, to read and write: but they
learned all kind of vice at the same time: so that it had been better
for them to have been without their knowledge, than to have bought it
at so dear a price.
2. At length I determined, to have them taught in my own house;
that they might have an opportunity of learning to read, write, and
cast accompts (if no more) without being under almost a necessity of
learning heathenism, at the same time. And after several unsuccessful
trials, I found two such school-masters as I wanted: men of honesty,
and of sufficient knowledge; who had talents for, and their hearts in
the work.
3. They have now under their care, near sixty children: the parents of
some pay for their schooling, but the greater part, being very poor, do
not; so that the expence is chiefly defrayed by voluntary contributions.
We have of late cloathed them too, as many as wanted. The rules of the
school are these that follow:
First, No child is admitted under six years of age:
Secondly, All the children are to be present at the morning
sermon:
Thirdly, They are at school from six to twelve, and from one to
five:¹
¹ Now they begin later.
Fourthly, They have no play-days:
Fifthly, No child is to speak in school, but to the masters:
Sixthly, The child who misses two days in one week, without
leave, is excluded the school.
4. We ♦appointed two stewards for the school also. The business of
these is,
♦ “appoint” replaced with “appointed” per Errata
To receive the school subscriptions, and expend what is needful;
To talk with each of the masters weekly;
To pray with, and exhort the children twice a week:
To enquire diligently, whether they grow in grace and in learning,
and whether the rules are punctually observed:
Every _Tuesday_ morning, in conjunction with the masters, to
exclude those children that do not observe the ♦rules:
♦ deleted word “said” per Errata
Every _Wednesday_ morning, to meet with, and exhort their parents,
to train them up at home in the ways of God.
5. An happy change was soon observed in the children, both with
regard to their tempers and behaviour. They learnt reading, writing,
and arithmetic swiftly; and at the same time they were diligently
instructed, in the sound principles of religion, and earnestly exhorted
to fear God, and work out their own salvation.
XV. 1. A year or two ago, I observed among many a distress of another
kind. They frequently wanted, perhaps in order to carry on their
business, a present supply of money. They scrupled to make use of a
_pawn-broker_: but where to borrow it they knew not. I resolved to try
if we could not find a remedy for this also. I went (in a few days)
from one end of the town to the other; and exhorted those who had this
world’s goods, to assist their needy brethren. _Fifty_ pounds were
contributed. This was immediately lodged in the hands of _two_ stewards:
who attended every _Tuesday_ morning, in order to lend to those who
wanted, any small sum, not exceeding _twenty shillings_, to be repaid
within _three_ months.