A COMPENDIUM
OF
THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
OF
WESLEYAN METHODISM.

WITH NOTES AND AN APPENDIX.

BY EDMUND GRINDROD.

THROUGH all C.. I find the societies have suffered great loss from want of discipline. Wisely said the ancients, " The soul and body make a man ; the Spirit and discipline make a Christian." WESLEY.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR:

AND SOLD BY JOHN MASON, 14, CITY-ROAD,
AND 66, PATERNOSTER-ROW.

1842.

Contents

[note only those sections which give some necessary background to the Local Preachers etc are currently scanned]

 Introduction

PART 1. THE ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS OF WESLEYAN METHODISM.

I THE CONFERENCE.

Composition of the Conference-Election of Members into the Conference-Of the President and Secretary-Their Powers and Duties--Provision in Case of the Decease or protracted Illness of a President-Assembling of the Conference Admission of Ministers into full Connexion-Examinations in Order thereunto-Ordination by Imposition of Hands Preachers on Probation-Admission on Trial ...............

II THE CONFERENCE.

Expulsion of Ministers--Appointments to Circuits and Connexional Offices--Legislation-Reports of Financial Com mittees - Ministerial and pastoral Duties--Irish Conference -Conclusion of the annual Session of the Conference- Order of Proceedings in the Conference .... 29

III. DISTRICT-MEETINGS.

Origin of the District-Meeting-Authority of the Chairman to convene the Committee-Power of the Committee to try and suspend the Chairman-Annual District-Meeting- Page. Its Business-Examination of the Characters of its Members-Of Persons proposed as Candidates for the Ministry -Financial Affairs -Miscellaneous ecclesiastical Business -Pastoral and ministerial Duties considered-Financial District-Meeting-Order of Proceedings at the annual District-Meetings . 68

IV DISTRICT-MEETINGS.

The Special District-Meeting-Its Constitution-Subject, in all its Proceedings, to the existing Laws of Methodism When advisable to be convened -The Mixed District~Meeting - Its Constitution in the "Plan of Pacification" Remarks upon its Design and Functions-The Minor District-Meeting-Of two Kinds-The Trial of accused Preachers, and Hearing Appeals-Summary of the Duties of Chairmen . ................................. 105

V.LOCAL COURTS.

The Quarterly- Meetings--Origin of them-Their Constitution not defined-The Business chiefly financial-Case of Preachers proposed to travel-Power of Quarterly-Meet ings relating to new Laws-Appointment of Stewards-~ Practice of Petitioning for Preachers-Leaders'-Meeting Origin of the Office of Leaders and of Leaders'-Meetings Powers enlarged since the Decease of Mr. Wesley-Composition of Leaders'-Meetings-Their Duties 127

VI. LOCAL COURTS.

The Local Preachers'-Meeting-Held quarterly-Its Business -Manner of admitting Local Preachers-.Discipline- Trustee-Meeting-Remarks--Rules relating to Trustees -Special Circuit-Meeting-Its Origin, Design, and Constitution-Summary of the Duties of a. Superintendent 152

PART II.

THE COMMUNITY OF WESLEYAN METHODISTS.

CHAPTER VII.

The original Rules of the Society-Rules of the Band-Societies -Directions to the Band-Societies-Regulations to pre vent improper Persons joining the Society-For the efficient Exercise of Discipline in large Towns-Relating to Attend ance upon Society-Meetings and Love-Feasts-Observance of the Lord's-Day-Public Worship-The Lord's Supper -Baptism- Family Religion-Marriage-Evils prohibited -Rules relating to Bankruptcies 170

PART III.

THE INSTITUTIONS OF WESLEYAN METHODISM.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The Origin of our Missions-Formation of the Wesleyan Missionary Society-Rules-Deputations to Auxiliary Societies-Instructions to Missionaries-Particular Inquiries to be made concerning Candidates-Appointments, Stay, and Return of Missionaries 193

IX.

THE WESLEYAN THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.

Preliminary Measures to the Formation of an Institution contemplated by Mr. Wesley-Proposed at the first and second Conferences--Again mooted in 1806-Appointment of a Committee in 1823-Similar Appointment in 1833 Outline of their Plan approved and adopted-Additional Regulations--Provision for an enlarged Number of Students-Results--Labours of the Tutors and Students President-Committee of Management and Sub-Committees 223

CHAPTER X.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

Kingswood and Woodhouse-Grove Schools-Foundation and original Design of Kingswood-School-Becomes a School for the Education of Preachers' Sons-Strong Recommendation of it by Mr. Wesley-Wesleyan Academy at Woodhouse-Grove-Plan of Education for both Schools--Miscellaneous Regulations on Admissions and Finance-Sunday Schools-Their Commencement-General Principles and Rules-Week-Day Schools-Plan of Education in them -Wesleyan Proprietary School at Sheffield noticed 237

XI.

THE WESLEYAN TRACT-SOCIETY AND BOOK-ESTABLISHMENT.

Origin and Progress of Wesleyan Tract-Distribution-Resolutions of the Conference on the Subject of Tract-Distribution -Outline of the Plan of Local Tract-Societies-Methodist Book-Establishment-Rules for its Management-Concerning the Committee-Editor-Book-Steward-Publications -Sale and Return of Books-Privileges 269

PART IV.

THE CONNEXIONAL FUNDS OF WESLEYAN METHODISM.

CHAPTER XII.

The Contingent-Fund-lts Origin and Objects-CommitteeRules for its Appropriation - Childien's-Fund - When instituted - lts Regulations-Chapel-Fund-lts Origin-Regulations-Beneficial Operation-Loan-Fund-Extinction of Chapel-Debts-Chapel-Building Committee -Regulations for its Guidance-Auxiliary Preachers' Fund-Its History -Rules ............................................................... 284

CHAPTER XIII.

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. Committee of Privileges-Its Origin and Constitution-City and Town Missions-Regulations respecting unauthorized Collections and Preachers--Entertainment of Strangers at Preachers' Houses-On Cleanliness--Women- Preaching - Organs in larger Chapels-Various Regulations relating to Preachers ......................... 334

APPENDIX.

1.

A SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE CONFERENCE TO INQUIRE INTO THE ELIGIBILITY OF A PLAN FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF METHODIST CHAPELS, &C.: WITH AN EXTRACT FROM THE " MODEL-DEED," CONTAINING A RECITAL OF MR. WESLEY'S "DEED OF DECLAMATION .... 341

THE TOLERATION ACT AMENDED ................ 357

THE DECISIONS OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, SIR LANCELOT SHADWELL, AND 0F THE LORD-CHANCELLOR LYNDHURST, IN DR. WARREN'S CHANCERY SUIT 371

IV.

ADJUDICATION OF THE CONFERENCE ON THE CASE OF DR. WARREN 409

V.

RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONFERENCE, SUGGESTED BY THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CONNEXION (1835)-418

VI.

THE JUDGMENT OF THE CONFERENCE UPON THE DISPUTES WHICH OCCURRED IN THE SOCIETY AT LEEDS, 1827 .................................... 421

VII.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE, IN RELATION TO THE REV. JOSEPH RAYNER STEPHENS, AND ON CERTAIN PARTICULARS CONNECTED WITH THE SUBJECT OF HIS CASE, 1834 427

VIII. CENTENARY OF METHODISM ....................... ....... 433

GENERAL INDEX ................ .................. ..................... 448