husbands, and sons, and brothers, of every neighborhood, are in the battle-field, amidst carnage and death, it is impos sible to fix the public mind on any other subject, even where there is the utmost harmony in relation to the cause and objects of the war. But one unfortunate feature cf this war was, that the community were divided about it, a part contending earnestly for independence and the other part for continued subordination to the mother country. On this question the father was often found arrayed against the son, and the son against the father; the husband against the wife, and the wife against the husband, for the women were nearly as strong politicians as the men. So that, had the ministers of the sanctuary been angels, they would have been exposed to the cruel jealousy of both parties, and, therefore, unlikely to convert either to the Lord. But they must have been more than angels to have gained great spiritual victories amid so much excitement, even in the absence of all jealousy.

But it was unfortunate for Methodism that most of our prcachers were Englishmen. This exposed them to peculiar suspicion. It was still more unfortunate that some of them allowed their patriotism to betray them into imprudencies, which justly exposed them, not only to suspicion, but to other evils; and finally compelled them to leave the country The difficulty was greatly augmented by a pamphlet pub lished by Mr. Wesley, and addressed to Americans, condemning their conduct, and taking sides with the English Cabinet. In the existing state of the public mind, these intimations of denominational toryism were of no doubtful character. But, as if to leave no room to doubt, a backslider must needs set himself to enlist three hundred men for the British standard, which cost him his life, and his

old Methodist friends considerable trouble, as they were supposed to be parties to the plot.

The excitement arose to such a pitch that the preachers were grea:ly interrupted. Most of the missionaries returned to England; Mr. Asbury concealed himself at Judge White's, in Delaware, for almost one year. Mr. Garrett son and others, who ventured to continue in the field, were severely mobbed, persecuted, and imprisoned.

The question of the sacraments was another source of difficulty that came near destroying the unity of the body. The missionaries, and many others, were intent upon cleaving to Mr. Wesley and the church, and would not countenance the administration of the sacraments on any account; while some believed that Methodists had as good a right to the sacraments as churchmen, and repudiated the practice of depending upon the English clergy, who were generally irreligious, if not immoral and profane. They, therefore, broke away from the old custom, and administered the sacraments as the people desired. Hence the action had at the first Conference. After this the subject was called up and discussed from time to time, till 1779, when the war had driven most of the clergy out of the country, changed our relations to England, and had thus created a new argument for the sacraments in the society. The Southerners could stand it no longer, and, therefore, as they were in the minority, and could not get a vote in the Conference to carry out their wishes, they called the preachers together at Fluvanna, Va., on the 18th of May, 1779, where, in spite of many entreaties, they set up their standard, and appointed a committee to ordain ministers. The committee first ordained each other, and then they ordained their brethren, whereupon they all went forth preaching the

gospel of the kingdom, and administering the sacraments. Mr. Asbury labored hard to reclaim them, but in vain, till the Conference of 1780, when he persuaded them to suspend their new order for one year. This suspension was continued till Mr. Wesley provided for the necessities of the society in a way that gave general satisfaction.

It was during this period, too, that Methodism commenced its conflict with slavery, and received its first onset from slaveholders. It dared then to say, in Baltimore, that

slavery is contrary to the laws of God, man, and nature, and hurtful to society; contrary to the dictates of conscience and pure religion, and doing that which we would not that others should do to us and ours." It spake out, also, against distilling liquor, and warned the people against these evils, as too wicked to be tolerated. But in the midst of all their perplexities they prospered. God wrought mightily upon the public heart, and many were born of the spirit. Mr. Rankin's account of what he saw and felt gives a pretty clear view of what was rather common in those times. He says:

"At four in the afternoon I preached again, from 'I set before thee an open door, and none can shut it.' I had gone through about two-thirds of my discourse, and was bringing the words home to the present now, when such power descended that hundreds fell to the ground, and the house seemed to shake with the presence of God. The chapel was full of white and black, and many were without that could not get in. Look wherever we would, we saw nothing but streaming eyes, and faces bathed in tears; and heard nothing but the groans and prayers of the congrega tion. I then sat down in the pulpit; and both Mr. S. and I were so filled with the divine presence that we could only

say,

'This is none other than the house of God! this is the

gate of heaven!" Husbands were inviting their wives to go to heaven, wives their husbands, parents their children, and children their parents, brothers their sisters, and sisters their brothers. In short, those who were happy in God, themselves, were for bringing all their friends to him in heir arms. This mighty effusion of the spirit continued for above an hour; in which many were awakened, some found peace with God, and others his pure love. We attempted to speak or sing again and again, but we nad no sooner begun than our voices were drowned.

6

"Sunday, 7. I preached at W.'s Chapel. I intended to preach near the house, under the shade of some large trees. But the rain made it impracticable. The house was very greatly crowded; four or five hundred stood at the doors and windows, and listened with unabated attention. I preached from Ezekiel's vision of dry bones: And there was a great shaking.' I was obliged to stop again and again, and beg of the people to compose themselves. But they could not; some on their knees, and some on their faces, were crying mightily to God all the time I was preaching. Hundreds of negroes were among them, with the tears streaming down their faces."

Thus, by the divine blessing, the society stemmed the current, and gained a little every year, so that, in 1784, it numbered eighty-three travelling preachers, and 14,98€ members.

The question that now seemed to command particular attention was that of ordinances, before mentioned. It was plain that something must be done, or there would be a division in the body. Mr. Wesley had watched the progress of the controversy, and was prepared for the crisis. Ac

cordingly, by the aid of Dr. Coke and Rev. Mr. Creighton, presbyters of the Church of England, he ordained Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey presbyters for America; after which, he ordained Dr. Coke a superintendent, and sent them out with all proper testimonials of orders and of office.

These good men arrived in New York on the 3d of November, 1784. After consultation with Mr. Asbury, and others, it was agreed to call a Conference of all the preachers, to convene in Baltimore the ensuing Christmas. The time arrived, and sixty of the eighty-three travelling preachers then in the connection, appeared. Dr. Coke presided, assisted by Mr. Asbury, whom Mr. Wesley had appointed joint superintendent. The first act of the Conference was to elect Dr. Coke and Francis Asbury superintendents. This was done to accommodate the scruples of Mr. Asbury, who declined acting on the appointment of Mr. Wesley, without such an election; not that he doubted the authority of Mr. Wesley, but he wished to know that his appointment was approved by the body over which he was to preside. He was then first ordained deacon, afterwards elder, and finally consecrated, by Dr. Coke and others, to the office of superintendent, all according to Mr. Wesley's directions. The Conference then elected twelve others to the order of elder, who were duly consecrated by the imposition of hands.

It was at this Conference that our present articles of religion, and the general system of discipline by which the church has since been governed, were adopted. The pru dential arrangements of the church have, of course, experienced various modifications, and prudence will dictate others; but the main features of the discipline agreed upon at that time have been sacredly maintained to the present.