8. Society meetings are convened by the preaclier, and consist of members of the society usually. Alter singing and prayer, the preacher delivers an address respecting their religious duties. Christian experience, and general conduct. The rules of the society are oc- casionally read and expounded, and their principles en- forced. Seriously disposed persons are permitted to be present, and they are invited to become members of so- ciety. These meetings are frequently held on Sunday evening after the usual public worship. They are held to stimulate members to meet in class when there have been neglect and indifference manifested,
9. Love-feasts are a revival of a custom practiced by the early Christian Church, They are conducted by a minister, who, after singing and prayer, desires the stewards to give to each person a small piece of bread or cake and a drink of water, after which a collection is made for the poor. The minister then relates his Christian experience, and those present follow him in giving their own experience. About two hours are oc- cupied for tliese meetings; they are usuallj' held quar- terly, soon after the visitation of the classes, when the tickets of membership are given. Those tickets en- title their owners to attend class and society meetings, band meetings and love-feasts,
10. Praijer meetings are appointed by the superin- tendent of each circuit. They are open to the public, and are held at such times as best suit the convenience of each locality. One should be held in each society at seven o'clock on Sunday morning; in some places one is held for half an hour before the evening service, and again after the evening service. One week-day evening is devoted for one hour for public prayer, and once a month, generally the first week of the month, home and foreign missions are specially prayed for. Much good has been done by holding such meetings in cottages, with the permission of their occupants. A monthly prayer meeting held by Sunday-school teach- ers and the older scholars has been a great blessing in many schools; and in other ways the union of officers and members with the public in such meetings has been the cause of many revivals. The first meeting in the month of society classes is generally a prayer meet- ing instead of an experience meeting; by this means many gain that confidence which they need to encourage them to pray in the larger gatherings. In some places members are employed as prayer -leaders, to conduct such meetings in cottages, halls, warehouses, and facto- ries. Cases are on record of very poor persons, .who had a remarkable gift in prayer, acquired by close and frequent communion with God in private, having been made a special blessing in the locality where they re- sided, and often revivals of religion have resulted from their persistent devotion to prayer. Any church which
WESLEYANS
950
WESLEYANS
• has well attended prayer-meetings, and earnest short prayers I'ruin many members, is sure to be in great prosperity. Prayer is power, and gives courage and strength.
These notices on the rules and ordinances of Meth- odism are an original compilation from William Peirce's Principka and I'uli/i/ of the Wesley an Methodists; Min- utes of Conference ; and the personal experience of a tifty years' membership in the society.
iv. JSIatistics (numbers of members, etc.). — 1. Sta- tistics ofEuijHsh Methodism. — During twenty-five years from the origin of Jlethodism no records or "Minutes" of Conference were published; and if any statistics were taken of the societies generally, they have not been |irinted, excepting part of those relating to the societj- in l^ondon. Tlic year 1700, whicii witnessed the com- mencement of Methodism in America, was memorable also as that in which the first record was printed of the number of jMethodists meeting in class in England. From that year we have a continuous record to the present time.
Year.
Circuits.
Preachers.
Members.
Increase or Decrease.
1766
40
92
21,000
1707
41
104
25,911
1768
40
113
27,341
1769
46
117
28,263
1770
50
128
29,406
1771
48
143
31,338
1772
48
145
31,984
1773
48
150
32,274
1774
50
151
33,600
1775
51
152
35,145
1776
55
152
34,820
1777
58
153
38,274
177S
56
157
41,057
1779
62
162
4'>,48e
1780
64
166
43,830
1781
63
171
44,161
1782
66
178
45,723
1783
69
180
45,995
1784
74
181
49,137
1785
130
216
52,400
17S6
142
267
58,146
• 1787
163
327
62,088
1 17S8
105
345
66,375
1789
1U9
362
70,305
' 1790
119
382
61,463
1
DeiUh
Of Mr.
Wesley.
1 1791
131
380
72,476
1792
135
405
75,273
1793
145
419
75,248
1794
1.58
435
83,368
1795
156
443
90,347
1790
164
45S
95,906
1797
154
474
99,519
1798
163
494
101,712
1799
170
514
107,802
1800
177
515
109,961
1801
1S2
517
113,762
3,801
1802
187
541
119,654
7,S92
1803
197
553
120,304
1,150
' 1804
212
570
12(1, '222
D. [.582]
1805
213
588
12.'>,276
5,054
' ISOO
222
608
134,616
9,341
' 1807
237
618
143,115
9,499
ISOS
256
620
141,185
D. [1,930]
; 1809
280
031 Ireland
157,921 excluded.
10,730
1810
234
619
137,997
5,911
1811
269
626
145,614
7,017
1812
277
640
15.%124
9,510
18 J 3
2S9
661
162,003
7,876
1814
292
685
173,885
11,882
1815
306
736
181,709
7,824
1816
309