John Cennick joined IMr. Wesley at Bristol, and was very useful in that city and at Kingswood; but, not agreeing with ]\Ir. Wesley's views on general redemp- tion, he joined iMr. Whitefield, and became a useful min- ister in many parts of the United Kingdom.
In 1740 Mr. Wesley preached against predestination, and ]Mr. Whitefield published a reply to it in 1741, in which he advocated unconditional election, irresistible grace, and final perseverance. Charles Wesley's IJymns and John Wesley's Sermons being directly opposed to Mr. Whitefield's doctrinal views, a separation took place, which continued for many years; hut Providence brought good out of what appeared to many, at the time, a serious evil.
July 23, 1740, Mr. Wesley separated from the Mora- vians.
In December, 1741, several disturbances having tak- en place at the services held by Mr. Wesley, one of the leading London magistrates voluntarily waited on the king, George II. In a few days. Sir John Ganson called on Mr. Wesley on behalf of tlie city magistrates, and re- ported "that the Middlesex magistrates had received orders from above to do j-ou justice whenever you ap- ply to us." That spontaneous kindness checked the disturbances, and the London societies had peace ever afterwarils.
In 1742, the societies having greatly increased, and numbering several thousand members, they were formed into classes of twelve or more persons, with a properh' qualified person to lead them. In February, at Bristol, the same year, tlie debts on buildings were mentioned, and offers were made to contribute a small simi weekly as the best way of paying the debts. Leaders were desired to collect what each member would give week- ly, and a steward was then appointed to receive these amounts from the leaders weekly. Class-leaders and stewards were thus early chosen and appointed. The Select Society, or Band Society, consisting of justified persons only, was established in 1742. Members meet- ing in band hail on their quarterly ticket, besides the usual distinguishing marks, a large B. Band tickets have been provided in England regularly each quarter ever since, but they are usually given now as ordinary tickets. Indeed, some of the preachers do not know what the letter 15 on the ticket represents.
Watch-night services began as early as April, 1742. The converted colliers at Kingswood first began them as a substitute for their midnight meetings held at the ale-house. They began at eight or nine o'clock, and continued until midnight. Mr. Wesley at once ap- proved, and fixed them, first monthly, at the full of the moon, then quarterly, and recommended them to all his societies. They are now held oidy on the last night of the year.
Quarterly society tickets were first given in 1742. For over twenty years these were issued in three or four localities, each having a different design. Incon- venience having arisen from these varieties, the ticket of one district not being known or recognised in anoth- er, the Conference in 17G5 ordered a uniform ticket to be issued from London, the first of which is dated Feb- ruary, 17G0. I'or fifty years these tickets were oidy about an inch square — a very simple record — contain- ing the date, a text of Scripture, and a large capital Ko- man letter enclosed in a simple border, with the mem- ber's name written by the preacher who gave it on the margin. In 1816, at the suggestion of the Eev. Jabez Bunting, the ticket was a little enlarged to give space within the border for the member's name. In 1822, when Mr. Bunting was Connectional editor, he again altered the ticket, making it twice as large as before, and adding the name and origin of the society at the head. The design was thought by the Conference too fanciful, and three tickets onlv of that kind having been issued, it next was printed with a ray border around it in 1823, and in that form it has appeared ever since. The tickets were used to admit the members to love- feasts, society meetings, and the Lord's supper. The i addition of a few lines by the preacher at the back of the ticket made it a passport for a member to any so- ciety of Methodists either in England or the colonies. Recently a proper form for the removal of members has been provided.
In 1742 Mr. Wesley and John Nelson itinerated through parts of Yorkshire and Cornwall, establishing Methodism in many places. During that year the or- ganization of ^Methodism was nearly completed.
On May 1, 1743, the rules of the society were first published in a small tract of eight pages, with the title The Nature, Design, and General Rules of the United Societies in London, Bristol, Netccastle - on -Ti/ne, ate. They recite briefly the origin of the societies, and then describe the objects and characteristics of IMethodism. Twenty editions of that tract were issued during Mr. Wesley's lifetime.
In 1743 sick-visitors were appointed, the leaders of classes furnishing the names of persons to be visited, and the stewards supph'ing pecuniary aid when needed.
In June, 1744, the first Conference was held. Mr. Weslc}'^ invited six clergymen and five lay preachers to meet him in London, at the Foundry, and five days were occupied with its deliberations. The first included preliminary plans and a discussion on justification ; the second, a discussion on sanctification ; the third, on the Church; the fourth, on discipline; and the fifth was de- voted to the appointment of officers and defining their duties. A full record of their deliberations was pre- served, and it shows how completely the whole scheme of Metliodist discipline was outlined in their earliest de- liberations. It came almost perfect from the first de- liberative assembly.