the
top of Sandgate.

The Methodists had now chapels or meeting-houses in Bristol, London,
Kingswood, and Newcastle, and societies were being formed in a great
many other places. When Mr. Wesley found the work was spreading so fast,
he saw it was necessary to draw up some general rules for all the
members to follow.

His brother Charles helped him in this difficult task. These are some of
the rules which together they drew up, and which all who joined the
Methodists had to promise to obey.

Members of society must not swear.

Must keep the Sabbath Day holy.

Must not buy or sell intoxicating liquor.

Must not drink intoxicating liquor, except as medicine.

Must not fight.

Must not quarrel.

Must return good for evil.

Must not speak evil of any one.

Must do to others as we would have them do to us.

Must not wear a great deal of jewellery or expensive clothes.

Must not go to any place of amusement where they would not like to meet
Jesus.

Must not sing songs or read books that will not help them to love God
more.

Must not buy anything unless they are quite sure they will be able to
pay for it.

Must be kind to everybody, and give help to all, as far as they are
able;

By feeding the hungry;
Clothing the naked;
Visiting the sick and those in prison;
By "running with patience the race that is set before them;"
By denying themselves and taking up their cross daily.

They must go to chapel regularly.

Must take the Sacrament.

And, lastly, have family and private prayer every day.

Were not these strict rules? But the people were so much in earnest, and
had such trust in their leader, Mr. Wesley, that they were quite willing
to agree to them.

The next thing Mr. Wesley did was to send out his helpers, generally two
together, to certain districts where they usually remained for a year.
They had to preach in all the places round about, and each particular
district or tract of country was called a "circuit." This was the
beginning of the "circuits" which we have in Methodism to-day. I dare
say you have often heard father or mother say, "Oh, Mr. So and So has
gone to another circuit;" or, "Mr. So and So is in our circuit now."

London and Bristol always remained the chief circuits; but before very
long Newcastle became the next in importance.

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CHAPTER XXIV.

Another peep into the Magic Mirror.--A pret