earth; borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.

"5. It is expected of all who continue in these societies, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

"Secondly, by doing good, by being, in every kind, merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and as far as is possible, to all men ;-to their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick, or in prison; to their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all they have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine of devils, that' we are not to do good unless our heart be free to it:' by doing good especially to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others, buying one of another; helping each other in business; and so much the more, because the world will love its own, and them only: by all possible diligence and frugality, that the gospel be not blamed by running with patience the race that is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily;' submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely for the Lord's sake.'

"6. It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

"Thirdly, by attending upon all the ordinances of God. Such are, the public worship of God; the ministry of the word, either read or expounded; the supper of the Lord; family and private prayer; searching the Scriptures; and fasting, or abstinence.

"7. These are the General Rules of our societies; all which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written word, the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both

of our faith and practice. And all these, we know, his Spirit writes on every truly awakened heart. If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them, let it be made known unto them who watch over that soul as they that must give an account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways; we will bear with him for a season: but then if he repent not, he hath no more place among us. We have delivered our own souls.

"May 1, 1743."

"JOHN WESLEY,
"CHARLES WESLEY."*

These Rules, as thus drawn up by the Wesleys, were adopted without alteration by the first Methodist societies in America.† They do not seem, however, to have been published in any edition of the Discipline until 1789, when we find the following alterations :

The historical introduction, which precedes the definition of the United Society, is omitted, and the section begins, "Our society is nothing more than 'a company, &c."" Under the duty of a leader, for "relief of the poor," it reads, "relief of the preachers, church, and poor," and it is added in a note, "This part refers wholly to town and cities, where the poor are generally numerous, and church expenses considerable." It omits the requisition that the leaders shall "show their account of what each person has contributed." Under the rule about drunkenness, it omits the clause, "unless in cases of extreme necessity." It is in this Discipline that we find, for the first time, among the General Rules, one respecting slaves. It reads, "The buying or selling the bodies and souls of men, women, or children, with an intention to enslave them."

In the expression of the original rules," that enthusiastic doctrine of devils," the words "of devils" are omitted. After the direction about "buying one of

*Wesley's Works, vol. v, pp. 190-2.

+ See Lee's Hist. of the Meth., pp. 29-33. † See above, p. 82

another," it is added, (“ unless you can be served better elsewhere,") but this clause was omitted in 1792. The only rules that have since undergone any change are those which relate to spirituous liquors and slavery. The various alterations in them are presented below. Spirituous liquors.

The rule on this subject has been at different times as follows:

1743. Mr. Wesley's original rule,-"Drunken ness, buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity."

1789. "Drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them."

1790. "Drunkenness, or drinking spirituous liquors, unless cases of necessity."

1791. "Drunkenness, or drinking spirituous liquors, unless in cases of necessity."

Slaves.

There is nothing on this subject in the General Rules of Mr. Wesley. But we find the following in

1789. The buying or selling the bodies and souls of men, women, or children, with an intention to enslave them."

1792. It reads, "The buying or selling of men, women, or children, with an intention to enslave them." 1808. It reads, "The buying and selling of men, women, and children, with an intention to enslave them."

SECTION II.

Of Class Meetings.

This section contains five questions, the changes in which will be noticed in order.

Quest. 1. How may the leaders of classes be rendered more useful?

The answer to this question remains substantially the same as in 1784. (See Quest. 13, p. 29.)

*For this alteration (if indeed it be not a purely typographical error) no authority is found in the journal of the General Conference.

Quest. 2. Can any thing more be done in order to make the class meetings lively and profitable?

The answer to this remains precisely the same as in 1784. (See Quest. 14, p. 29.)

Quest. 3. How shall we prevent improper persons from insinuating themselves into the church?

1784. Quest. 16. How shall we prevent improper persons from insinuating into the society?

66

Ans. 1. Give tickets to none till they are recommended by a leader, with whom they have met at least two months on trial.

"2. Give notes to none but those who are recommended by one you know, or till they have met three or four times in a class.

"3. Give them the rules the first time they meet.” 1789. The probation was extended to "six months."

1836. "Give tickets to none," was changed to, "Let none be received into the church;" and, "Give notes to none," into, "Let none be admitted on trial." It was now made a requisite for admission into the church, that the candidates "have been baptized." For admission on trial, it was now made sufficient to have met "twice or thrice" in a class, instead of "three or four times."

1840. The following was added to the requisites for admission into the church:

"And shall on examination by the minister in charge, before the church, give satisfactory assurances both of the correctness of their faith, and their willingness to observe and keep the rules of the church. Nevertheless, if a member in good standing in any other orthodox church shall desire to unite with us, such applicant may, by giving satisfactory answers to the usual inquiries, be received at once into full fellowship."

Quest. 4. How shall we be more exact in receiving and excluding members?

1784. Quest. 17. When shall we admit new members?

"Ans. In large towns, admit them into the bands at the quarterly love-feast following the quarterly meeting: into the society, on the Sunday following the quarterly meeting. Then also read the names of them that are excluded."

1789. The following was substituted :

"How shall we be more strict in receiving and excluding members?

"Ans. In large societies, we may read the names of those that are received and excluded, once a quarter." 1792. The answer is, "The official minister or preacher shall, at every quarterly meeting, read the names of those that are received and excluded."

1836. The last clause of the answer reads, "those that are received into the church and also those that are excluded therefrom."

Quest. 5. What shall we do with those members of our church who wilfully and repeatedly neglect to meet their class. The answer to this question remained substantially the same as in 1784, (see Quest. 65, p. 59,) until

1836, when the second answer was changed so as to read, "If they do not amend, let him who has the charge of the circuit or station bring their case before the society or a select number, before whom they shall have been cited to appear; and if they be found guilty of wilful neglect by the decision of a majority of the members before whom their case is brought, let them be laid aside, and let the preacher show that they are excluded for a breach of our rules, and not for immoral conduct."

SECTION III.

Of the Band Societies.

The rules for the bands were drawn up by Mr. Wesley at the dates prefixed to them severally. But they were not introduced into our Discipline until 1791.* The original rules were as follows:

* Wesley's Works, vol. v, pp. 192--4.