METHODISM
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METHODISM
against them. Many dignitaries of the Church were above measure enraged at this new wat/. and zealous in opposing it. '' Some clergymen," says Wesley, '• ob- jected to this "new doctrine.' salvation by laith; and, because of my unfashionable doctrine, I was excluded from one and another church, and at length shut out of all." In many places, too, AVesley and his associates were treated as disturbers of the peace, and subjected to annoyance and persecution. They were reviled, mob- l)ed, imprisoned. They bore everything with patience. '• Not daring to be silent," says Wesley, " it remained only to preach in the open air; which I did at first not out of choice, but necessity. I have since seen abun- dant reason to adore the wise providence of God here- in, making a way for myriads of people who never troubled any church, nor were likely so to do, to hear that ^\'urd wliich they soon found to be the power of God luito salvation."
The result of these labors was not oidy the conver- sion of many souls, but the formation of religious socie- ties. The young converts, neglected, and in many in- stances treated contemptuously by the established clergy, were as sheep having no shepherd. They naturally lunged for the fellowship of kindred spirits. At their own nMUKsl. they were united together for mutual comfort and cdilieation. Wesley gives the following account of the origin of what was then called simply '"the United Society." The rules wliich were drawn up for them are to the present day rt<ci-nisi(l. with two or three very slight alterations. ";is i hr (,, „■ ml Rnh-a of all branches of the great ]Methoili>t laniily in England, in the United States, and elsewhere :
"1. In the latter end of the year IT.'i!) eight or ten per- sons came to me in London, wlio apjieared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly {jroaniiiL: for redenijjtion. They desired (as did two or three more the next day) that I Avoidd spend some time with them iu jjrajcr, and "advise them how to flee from the wrath to come, which they s-aw continnally hanging over their heads. That we niii^ht have more time for this great work, I appointed a day when tliey niiy:ht all come together; whicli, from thence- forward, tliey did every week, viz. on Tliinsday in the eveniiii;. To these, and as many niori! as desired to join with tlieni (for their number increaseil daily), I fjave those advices from time to time which I jiulu'ed most needful for Iliein: and we alway.s concluded our meetings with prayer suitable to their several necessities.
"•2. This was the rise of the United Society, first iu London, and then in other places. Sucli a society is no other than 'a company of men having' the form and se.k- ing the power of trodliness ; iniited in order to |ii:iv I i- gether, to receive tlie word of e.xliortation, and to w'alrh over one another in love, Iliat they may help eacli otlicr to work out their salvation.'
"3. Tliat it may the more easily he discerned whether they are indeed working out their'own salvation, each so-
cieiv is divided into smaller e iKinies, called classe.*, ac-
cordini: to ilieir respective plai e:, ol' abode. There are about twelve persons in (s.rv rl:i>s; one of whom is Btyled the Leader. It is Ids liu^iiiess,
"(L) To see each person in Ins class once a week, at least, in order
"To inquire how their souls prosper;
"To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require ;
"To receive what they are willing to give towards the support of the Gospel ;
"(2.) To meet the ministers and the stewards of the so- ciety once a week, in order
"To inform the minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly, and will not be reproved ;
"To pay to the stewards what they have received of their several classes in the week preceding; and
"To show their account of what each person has con- tributed.
"4. There is one only condition i)reviouslv required of those who (le-ire aduussioii into these societies; viz. 'a desire to lUe from the wrath to eouie, and bo saved from their sin:-.' Hut wlierever this is really fixed in the soul, it will he shown by its fruits. It is therefme expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evi- dence their desiie of salvation,
"First, hy doing no harm, by avoiding evil in every kind ; especially that which is most generally practicecl. Such as .
"The taking the name of God in vain ;
"Theprofaniii<: the ilav of the Lord, eitlier by doing or-
"Drunkenness; buying or selling spirituous liqnors ; or drinking theiu, unless in cases of extreme necessity;
the
"Fighting, quarrelling, brawling; brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or raihng fur rail- ing; the using many words in buying or selling;
"The buying or selling uncustomed goods ;
"The giving or taking things ou usury, viz. unlawful interest;
" Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation ; particular- ly speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers ;
"Doing to others as we would not they bhould do unto us;
"Doing what we know is not for the glory of God : as,
" The putting ou of gold and costly apparel ;