As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ and James his apostle; so we judge that the Christian religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.
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A HUNDRED YEARS OF METHODISM By
Matthew Simpson THE GENERAL RULES
THE NATURE, DESIGN, AND GENERAL RULES OF OUR UNITED SOCIETIES (1) In the latter end of the year 1739, eight or ten persons came to Mr. Wesley in London, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption. They desired (as did two or three more the next day) that he would spend some time with them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to come, which they saw continually hanging over their heads. That he might have more time for this great work, he appointed a day when they might all come together;
which from thenceforward they did every week, namely, on Thursday, in the evening. To these and as many more as desired to join with them, (for their number increased daily,) he gave those advices from time to time which he judged most needful for them; and they always concluded their meeting with prayer suited to their several necessities.
(2) This was the rise of the UNITED SOCIETY, first in Europe, and then in America. Such a society is no other than a company of men having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation.
(3) That it may the more easily be discerned whether they are indeed working out their own salvation, each society is divided into smaller companies, called classes, according to their respective places of abode. There are about twelve persons in a class, one of whom is styled the leader. It is his duty,—
I. To see each person in his class once a week at least; in order, 1. To inquire how their souls prosper.
2. To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require.
3. To receive what they are willing to give toward the relief of the preachers, Church, and poor.
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II. To meet the ministers and the Stewards of the Society once a week; in order,—
1. To inform the minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly, and will not be reproved.
2. To pay the stewards what they have received of their several classes in the week preceding.
(4) There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies, a "desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." But wherever
this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
First, By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced; such as—
The taking of the name of God in vain.
The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein, or by buying or selling.
Drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity.
Slaveholding, buying or selling slaves.
Fighting, quarreling, brawling, brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling.
The buying or selling goods that have not paid the duty.
The giving or taking things on usury, that is unlawful interest.
Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates or ministers.
Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us.
Doing what we know is not for the glory of God; as,—
The putting on of gold and costly apparel.
The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God.
Softness and needless self-indulgence.
Laying up treasure upon 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 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 we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, that "we are not to do good unless our hearts 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 which 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 of which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written word, which is the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice.
And all these we know his Spirit writes on truly awakened hearts. If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them, let it be known unto them who watch over that soul as they who must give an account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways. We will bear with him for a season. But if then he repent not, he hath no more place among us. We have delivered our own souls.
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A HUNDRED YEARS OF METHODISM By
Matthew Simpson
BOOK AGENTS AND EDITORS
The following lists were compiled chiefly by Rev. Dr. De Puy, and published in the Methodist Almanac for 1875. The elections for 1876 have been added:—
BOOK AGENTS AT NEW YORK — 1789 John Dickins — 1799 Ezekiel Cooper — 1804 E.
Cooper, John Wilson — 1808 John Wilson, Daniel Hitt — 1812 D. Hitt, Thomas Ware — 1816, Joshua Soule, Thomas Mason — 1820, Nathan Bangs, T. Mason — 1824 N. Bangs, John Emory — 1828 John Emory, Beverly Waugh — 1832 B. Waugh, T. Mason — 1836 T. Mason, George Lane
— 1840 T. Mason, G. Lane — 1844 G. Lane, C. B. Tippett — 1848 G. Lane, Levi Scott — 1852 Thomas Carlton, Zebulon Phillips — 1856 T. Canton, James Porter — 1860 T. Carlton, J. Porter — 1864 T. Carlton, J. Porter — 1868 T. Carlton, John Lanahan, California, Eleazer Thomas — 1872, Reuben Nelson, John M. Phillips — 1876, R. Nelson, J. M. Phillips.
BOOK AGENTS AT CINCINNATI — 1820 Martin Ruter — 1824 M. Ruter — 1828 Charles Holliday — 1832 C. Holliday, John F. Wright — 1836, J. F. Wright, Leroy Swormstedt — 1840, J. F. Wright, L. Swormstedt — 1844 L. Swormstedt, John T. Mitchell — 1848 L. Swormstedt, John H. Power — 1852, L. Swormstedt, Adam Poe — 1856, L. Swormstedt, A. Poe — 1860, A. Poe, Luke Hitchcock — 1864 A. Poe, L. Hitchcock — 1868, L. Hitchcock, J. M. Walden — 1872, L.
Hitchcock, J. M. Walden — 1876, L. Hitchcock, J. M. Walden.
METHODIST QUARTERLY REVIEW — The new and enlarged series of the "Review" was recommended by the General Conference of 1840. Previously the editorship was generally attached to that of "The Christian Advocate" at New York. — 1840 George Peck — 1844 George Peck — 1848, 1852, John McClintock — 1856, 1860, 1864, 1868, 1872, 1876, Daniel D. Whedon.
THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, NEW YORK — 1828 Nathan Bangs — 1832 J. P. Durbin — 1836 S. Luckey, John A. Collins — 1840 Thomas E. Bond, George Coles — 1844, T. E. Bond — 1848, (Abel Stevens, declined,) George Peck — 1852 Thomas E. Bond — 1856 Abel Stevens — 1860 Edward Thomson — 1864, 1868, 1872, Daniel Curry — 1876 Charles H. Fowler.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ADVOCATE — 1844, 1848, 1852, Daniel P. Kidder — 1856, 1860, 1864, 1868, Daniel Wise — 1872, 1876, John H. Vincent.
SUNDAY SCHOOL JOURNAL — 1860, 1864, Daniel Wise — 1868, 1872, 1876, John H.
Vincent.
LADIES' REPOSITORY — 1840 Leonidas L. Hamline — 1844 Edward Thomson — 1848 Benjamin E. Tefft — 1852 William C. Larrabee — 1856, 1860, Davis W. Clark — 1864, 1868, Isaac W. Wiley — 1872 Erastus Wentworth — 1876 Daniel Curry.
WESTERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE — 1836 Charles Elliott, W. R. Phillips — 1840 C.
Elliott, L. L. Hamline — 1844 C. Elliott, Leonidas L. Hamline — 1848 Matthew Simpson — 1852 C. Elliott — 1856, 1860, Calvin Kingsley — 1864 John M. Reid — 1868, S. M. Merril — 1872, 1876, Francis S. Hoyt.
NORTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE — 1852, 1856, J V. Watson — 1860, 1864, Thomas M. Eddy — 1868 John M. Reid — 1872, 1876, Arthur Edwards.
NORTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE — 1844, Nelson Rounds — 1848 William Hosmer — 1852, 1856, Freeborn G. Hibbard — 1860 Isaac S. Bingham — 1864, 1868, 1872, (Jesse T. Peck, declined,) Dallas D. Lore, died June 20, 1875 — 1876 O. H. Warren.
CALIFORNIA CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE — 1852 S. D. Simmons — 1856, 1860, 1864, Eleazer D. Thomas — 1868, 1872, 1876, Henry C. Benson.
PITTSBURGH CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE — 1844, 1848, W Hunter. 1852, Homer J. Clarke.
1856, Isaac N. Baird. 1860, 1864, 1868, S. H Nesbitt. 1872, William Hunter. 1876, Alfred Wheeler.
PACIFIC CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE — 1856, 1860, Thomas H. Pearne — 1864, (S. D. Brown, declined,) Henry C. Benson — 1868, 1872, Isaac S. Dillon — 1876 John H. Acton.
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE — 1856 Joseph Brooks — 1860 Charles Elliott — 1864, 1868, Benjamin F. Crary — 1872, 1876, B. St. James Fry.
THE METHODIST ADVOCATE — 1868 E. Q. Fuller, (appointed) — 1872 Nelson E. Cobleigh
— 1876 E. Q. Fuller.
THE CHRISTIAN APOLOGIST (GERMAN) - 1840, 1844, 1848, 1852, 1856, 1860, 1864, 1868, 1872, 1876, William Nast.
GERMAN FAMILY MAGAZINE, and German Sunday School Publications — 1872, 1876, Henry Liebhart.
SOUTHWESTERN ADVOCATE — 1876 J. H. Hartzell.
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A HUNDRED YEARS OF METHODISM By
Matthew Simpson
MISSIONARY SECRETARIES
1836 Nathan Bangs — 1840 Nathan Bangs, W. Capers, E. R. Ames — 1844 C. Pitman — 1848 C. Pitman — 1852 John P. Durbin — 1856 J. P, Durbin — 1860 John P. Durbin, W. L. Harris — 1864 J. P. Durbin, W. L. Harris, J. T. Trimble — 1868, J. P. Durbin, W. L. Harris — 1872, R. L.
Dashiell, T. M. Eddy, (died October 7, 1874,) J. M. Reid, and J. P. Durbin, Honorary Secretary — 1876, R. L. Dashiell, J. M. Reid.
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A HUNDRED YEARS OF METHODISM By
Matthew Simpson ENDNOTES 1 "Wesley's Works"
2 Whatcoat, "Memoirs," p. 21 3 "Life of Ware," p. 130.
4 Lee, p. 126.
5 "Lee's history," p. 176.
6 Ibid., p. 179.
7 "Wesleyan Repository," Vol.. iii, p. 231.
8 "Lee's History," p. 204.
9 Including appropriation: from Freedmen's Bureau.
10 Meritt's "Letters"
11 The separation of the South occurred in 1845-6.
12 As far as it respects civil affairs, we believe it the duty of Christians, and especially all Christian ministers, to be subject to the supreme authority of the country where they nay reside, and to use all laudable means to enjoin obedience to the powers that be; and therefore it is expected that all our preachers and people, who may be under the British or any other government, will behave themselves as peaceable and orderly subjects.
13 This part refers to towns and cities, where the poor are generally numerous, and Church expenses considerable.
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THE END