IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 2.8 IM IIIM IM 11= U i 1.6 V] s^ <5»' A ^ My ^ ^ x' c^l <•>;■ ^m os? /. 0^////y M Phntnoranliir Sciences Corporation V ^v vV ^^ :\ \ Cv^ rv <^ ri^^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^ M.^. %j6 & CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques (C J iQ** # Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibiiographiques The Institute has attempted lO obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D Coloured covers/ Couverture de coulaur □ Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde □ Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur^e et/ou peiliculde n Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque □ Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en coulaur □ Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) D Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur d with other material/ avec d'autres documents □ Bound with other material/ Relii □ D Tight binding may causa shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion ie long de ia marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que cartainas pages blanches ajout^es lors dune restauration apparaissent dans le texta, mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas iti filmdes. L'Institut a microfilme le meilleur axemplaire qij'il lui a eti possible de se procurer. Lds details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger una modification dans ia m^thode normale de filmage sont indiqui^s ci-dessous. r~n Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagees Pages restored and/or Pages restaur^es et/ou pelli'^ulees Pages discoloured, stained or foxei Pages d^colorees, tachet^es ou piquees Pages detached/ Pages ddtachees Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of prir Quality indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary mataris Comprend du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible I I Pages damaged/ I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ r~7 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages detached/ r~7 Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies.' I I Includes supplementary material/ I I Only edition available/ n Pages wholly or partially obscunid by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. une pelure, etc., ont it^ filmees d nouveau de facon a obtenir la meilleure image possible. Q Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires; [Printed ephemera] 4 p. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Oe document est film* au taux de reduction indiqu* ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 12X 16X 20X 26X 30X 24X 28X 32X Th« copy filmed hara has baan raproducad thanks to tha ganarosity of: D. B. Weldon Library University of Western Ontario (Regional History Room) Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality possibfa consjdaring tha condition and lagibility of tha original copy and in Icaaping with tha filming contract spacif ications. Original copiaa in printad papar covers ara filmod beginning with tha front cover and ending on the laat page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the baci< cover when appropiiata. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated imprea- sion, and ending on the last page with a printad or illustrated impreasion. The laat recorded frame on each microfiche 3hall contain tha symbol ^^> (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the syml^ol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Mapa, piataa. charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratioa. Thoae too large to be entirely included in one expoaura are filmed beginning in the upper left hand comer, left to right and top to bottom, as many framea aa required. The following diagrama iiluatrata the method: L'exemplaire filmi 'ut reproduit grice it la gin^rositi da: D. B. Weldon Library Univerr'ty of Western Ontario (Regional History Room) Lee imagea suivantea ont 6ti reproduites avec ie plus grand soin. compta tenu de la condition at da la nattet* de l'exemplaire fUtni. et en conformity avec lea conditions du contrat de fiimage. Lea axemplairaa originaux dont la couverture en papier eat imprim^ sont filmte en commandant par la premier plat et en terminant soit par la darni^re page qui comporte une smpreinte d'Impreaaion ou d'illuittration, soit par la second plat, seion Ie cas. Tous les autras •xempiairos originaux sont filmte an commandant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impresaion ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dee symboiea suivants apparaitra sur la deniiAre image de cheque microfiche, seion Ie caa: la symbols -♦• signifie "A SUIVRE", Ie symbols V sign^fife "FIN". Lea cartea, planchea. tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre fllmte A dee taux de rMuction diffirents. Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour itre reproduit en un seul cliche. 11 est filmi ^ partir de i'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche d droite. et de haut en baa. en prenant la nombre d'Imagea n^assaire. Las diagrari^mes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 THE METHODIST CHURCH. THE dDrtgin, '§tsx%n, mi"b general | OF OUR UNITED SOCIETIES. Extracted from the Rules op our Church. (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 si. , 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 Thurs- day, in the evening. To these, and as many more as desired to join with them (for their numbers increased daily), he gave those advices from time to time which he judged most needful for them ; and they always concluded their meetings 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 godlinesSj united in order to pray together^ to re- ceive the word of exhortation^ and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation." ( 2 ) (3) That it may the more easily b^ uiscerned 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 — First. 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 towards the support of the Ministers, Church, and Poor. Second. To meet the Ministers and Stewards of the So- ciety 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 the 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 be saved from their sins." But wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits. (5) Tfc i? therefore expected of all who continue therein, that they ..lould continue to evidence their desire of salva- tion — First, By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practised, such as — The taking of the name of God in vain. The profaning of the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work t^ierein, or by buying or selling. Drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in case of extreme necessity. The buying or selling of men, women, and children, with the intention to enslave them. ( 3 ) Fighting, quarrelling, 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 on usury, that is, unlawful interest. Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of 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 or 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. (6) It is expected of all who continue in these Societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salva- tion, Secondly, By doing good ; by being in every kind merci- ful 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 visit- ing 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 are free to it" By doing good, especially to them who are of the house- hold of faith, or groaning so to be ; employing them prefer- ably to others, buying one of another, helping each other ( * ) in business ; and bo much the more beceuse the wo. Id 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 tlieir cross daily ; submitting to bear the reproach of Ohrist, 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. (7) 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 as — 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 ; Fasting or abstinence. (8) 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 ide, 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 observes them not, who habitually breaks 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. TORONTO: WILLIAM BRIGGS, 78 & 80 KING STREET EAST. 0. W. COATES, MoNTRBAL, QuB. I S. F. HUESTIS, Halifax, N.S. I