_Q._ 72. How may we raise a _General fund_?
_A._ By a yearly subscription to be proposed by every assistant when he visits the classes at _Christmas_, and received at the visitation following.
To this end he may then read and enlarge upon the following hints in every society.
1. Within these twelve or fifteen years several of our brethren in various parts, having no room which would contain the congregation, by the advice of the preachers have built houses for preaching, capable of containing the usual number of hearers: but this has necessarily involved them in large debts. Their debt at _Halifax_, for instance, amounted two or three years ago to two hundred pounds: that at _Leeds_ to more than three hundred pounds: that at _Manchester_ to three hundred and fifty pounds: that at _Liverpool_ to four hundred pounds. So that the whole debt contracted by building was, I apprehend, little short of four thousand pounds. This the societies to whom those houses belong, are by no means able to pay: but the whole body of Methodists joining together can do it without inconvenience. Only let them chearfully exert on so pressing an occasion the ability which God hath given them.
2. But there is a greater difficulty than this. Where there are houses, there are not preachers. Though the harvest is plenteous, the labourers are few. And what can we do for supply? We cannot purchase them for money: we cannot hire, or make them. God alone can do this. And he has in some measure done it already. In several parts of _England_ there are local preachers, who have both gifts and graces equal to those of most itinerants. “Why then do they not travel?” They are willing so to do: but they are afraid of bringing a scandal upon the gospel; because, they have contracted debts, which, though very small, they are not yet able to pay. So they are bound hand and foot: but shall we suffer this? Shall we not set them at liberty? We cannot _buy_ a preacher for ten thousand pounds: but we may _release_ one for ten or twelve. Can any money be better bestowed? Let us, in the name of God, send these labourers into his harvest? Men who desire only to give their bodies, souls, time, all, for him that was given for us.
3. But still how shall we send them into those parts, where they are most of all wanted? Suppose the northwest of _Ireland_, and the north of _Scotland_? Many are willing to hear: but not to bear the expence. Nor can it as yet be expected of them: stay till the word of God has touched their hearts, and then they will gladly provide for them that preach it. Does it not lie upon _us_, in the mean time, to supply their lack of service? To raise a general fund, out of which from time to time that expence may be defrayed? By this means, those who willingly offer themselves may travel thro’ every part, whether there are societies or not, and stay wherever there is a call, without being burdensom to any. Thus may the gospel, in the life and power thereof, be spread from sea to sea. Which of you will not rejoice to throw in your mite to promote this glorious work?
4. It is true, when want of money to defray the expence is removed, another hindrance will often arise. Satan will stir up his trusty servants, to fight lest his kingdom be destroyed. But is there no way to quell riotous mobs, even when magistrates will not do their duty? There is one and only one way: move the king’s-bench for an information against them. This is a way which has never failed us yet: no, not in a single instance. The only objection is the expence. A suit in the king’s bench usually costs fifty or sixty pounds. But if we all join hand and heart together, cannot we make this easy too? Cannot we raise a common stock, which shall suffice for this as well as for the preceding purposes? By the blessing of God we can. And who would not gladly contribute toward it?
5. Let then every member of our society in _England_; once a year, set his shoulder to the work; contributing more or less as God has prospered him, at the _Lady-day_ visitation of the classes. Let none be excluded from giving something, be it a penny, a half-penny, a farthing. Remember the widow’s two mites! And yet those who are able to give shillings, crowns, and pounds, do it willingly. The money contributed will be brought to _Leeds_, _Bristol_, or _London_, at the ensuing conference. Two-thirds of it at least will be allotted for those public debts which call the loudest. The rest will be partly employed in setting at liberty such local preachers as are tied down by small debts: partly reserved for propagating the gospel, where there are none to bear the expences of the preacher.