in his
preconceived opinions he discovered to be contrary to the indications of
Him whose the work was, and to whom he had yielded up himself implicitly
as His servant and instrument. In the further growth of the societies
the same guidance of Providential circumstances, the same signs of the
times, led to that full provision for the direction of the societies, and
for their being supplied with all the ordinances of the Christian Church,
and to that more perfect pastoral care which the number of the members
and the vastness of the congregations (collected not out of the spoils of
other churches, but out of the world which lieth in wickedness)
imperatively required." Thus, practically abhorring the name of Dissent,
Methodists became Dissenters themselves, and certainly as a sect put
forth, as the above extract teaches, the strongest claims to a Divine
origin and sanction.

In 1784 Conference had a legal habitation and a name. All power was then
placed in its hands as regards the Wesleyans. "The duration of the
yearly assembly of Conference shall not be less than five days nor more
than three weeks." It has to fill up vacancies by death, elect a
President and Secretary, expel or receive preachers--who must, however,
have been in connexion with it as preachers for twelve months,--and
regulate all the affairs of the body. Appointments of preachers are
limited for three years. According to the original rule, no person could
be a member of the Methodist Society unless he met in class. If he
neglected to do so for three weeks in succession (if not prevented by
sickness, distance, or unavoidable business), he was considered by such
neglect to exclude himself. Consequently, the meeting in class is still
made a fundamental condition of membership, and is indeed the only gate
of admission into society. Once a quarter each of these classes is
visited by one of the travelling preachers, for the purpose of
ascertaining the spiritual state of every member, and giving to each a
ticket or printed badge of membership, by the production of which he is
admitted to any of the more private means of grace. The preachers are
instructed to give notes to none till they are recommended by a leader
with whom they have met at least two months on trial. If in the opinion
of a leader any reasonable objection exists to the character and conduct
of any person who is on trial, such may be stated, and, if established to
the satisfaction of th