Ireland, however, was not to be so much benefited by these labors as other countries. Methodism would have been mighty in that country' had not emigration, continuing year by year for half a century, deprived it of thousands of its Methodist converts. In fifteen years fully ten thousand members were reported at successive conferences as having emigrated to America. Nor was this the only drawback to the progress of the work. In 1801 the English Conference, unable to meet the claims of its own societies, and having to borrow money to sustain its own agencies, was obliged to dis- continue the pecuniary assistance it had cheerfullj' ren- dered the Irish Conference. Dr. Coke immediately vis- ited Ireland. To provide for that emergency a fund of £1200 was raised by special effort, out of which the debts were paid, and a book-room established as a means to raise money. Tiie institution was of great utility to the cause ; but instead of being financially helpful, mon- ey had to be borrowed to keep it going, and soon the debts were £8000, the interest on which absorbed all the public collection on behalf of the book-room. The preachers taxed themselves yearly for many years to reduce the debt. Their difficulties from limited re- sources continued nearly twenty years, and after the di- vision in the society in 1818, the burden on the Irish preachers became so oppressive that the English Confer- ence generously granted them £000 a year from the con- tingent fund. Still the debt was not cancelled, and in 1828 the Irish preachers again taxed themselt-es, and by a special effort raised £1850 towards clearing off the
£8000 still remaining of debt. During the year follow- ing the people raised £7200, so the debt was cancelled. But who can tell the sacrifices the preachers had to make to raise that sum in maintenance of their several agencies V During sixteen years they almost staggered under heavy financial burdens, but they slackened not in their devotion for the salvation of their benighted countrymen.
The great trouble of the Methodists in Ireland was the sacramental question. Unlike their English breth- ren, they were barely content with their position as a society without full church privileges. When the Eng- lish Methodists agitated for and obtained permission in 1797 for their ministers to administer the sacraments, the Irish, having Dr. Coke and Mr. Averell so frequent- ly with them to administer the sacraments, did not claim for their preachers generally their full pastoral rights. After the death of Dr. Coke the members in society had so often to be taken either to Church or to the I'resbyterians for the sacraments, according to the leaning of the preacher, that they became greatly dissat- isfied, and in 181G there arose a strong determination in the minds of many of the people to have the sacraments from their own ministers. There was also another par- ty equally determined to abide by the old rule and go to Church for the ordinances. For more than two years the contention continued, both parties being equally de- termined to have their own way. The Kev. Adam Averell had long been the apostle of the Irish Method- ists, travelling constantly among them, giving his mon- ey, relieving their sufferings, directing their official meet- ings, and administering the sacraments. Several thou- sands resolved to adhere to the old plan, and at the Con- ference of 181G, Dr. Adam Clarke presiding, the Eev. Adam Averell and IMr. Tobias were the chief speakers — the former for, the latter against, continuing the old plan. Throughout the societies the people were divided, and in the autumn of 1816 a Conference was held at Clones of those represen tati ves who favored the old plan. Through hope of avoiding a separation, there was too much hesi- tation and deliberation. In 1817 two conferences were held, the second one at Clones, presided over by Mr. Av- erell, who was unanimously chosen their president. The naain body of the preachers voted for tlie sacraments; the party led by Mr. Averell maintained the original plan. In January, 1818, a meeting of representatives of circuits was held at Clones, when those who adhered to Mr. Averell and primitive custom resolved on a form of general principles, and formed the Primitive Wesley- an Methodist Society. They were not a Churcli ; their preachers claimed no ministerial rank, assumed no min- isterial titles, and performed no proper ministerial func- tions. They preached to the people, and led them to other churches for the ordinances. In that uncertain condition they certainly prospered for a time, and dur- ing 1818 over two thousand members Avere added to them, and in 1819 over four thousand additions were made. This section of the original society was led by Mr. Averell during the rest of his protracted life. In years following they maintained their separate condi- tion amid various vicissitudes, and for just sixty years they endured hardships and privations greater than they need have done. Happilj' they came to an end at the Conference of 1878. In the address from the Irish to the English Conference of that year is this record, " This Conference has been notable for the con- summation of the union with the Primitive Wesleyan Society, so long under consideration. The final discus- sion of the subject was marked by great thoroughness and good feeling, and the decision arrived at with a hearty unanimity. When the two conferences came to- gether it was a time long to be remembered, and it was evident to all that the spirit of God was eminently in their midst. Tlie only breach which has occurred in Irish Methodism was thus healed."