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the Established Church ; we separated in 1797 , from the « Methodists of the Old Connexion , " now distinguished by the appellation of the " Wesleian Methodists . " This separation , we deem it proper to state .
was totally unconnected with political considerations ; although a contrary report has been industriously propagated . The various publications to which this event gave rise , and to which we refer the reader ,
will furnish the most satisfactory information on this particular . * Neither did this separation originate in points of doctrine , for here we know no difference ; the same peculiar doctrines , together with the same general mode of discipline , being heLd and enforced in both bodies . The foct is , our separation from the Old Connexion arose purely from matters of church
government : — -matters , in our opinion , affecting the rights of conscience , of reason , and of religious liberty , as revealed in the Scriptures ; ' and involving in them , not only our own Christian privileges , but the most valuable rights and liberties of our posterity . -
As Englishmen , our excellent constitution , and the general practice of Dissenters , taught us to claim for our people a participation in our church government , a voice in the enactment o £ its laws , ( those laws by which we were individually to be ruled , ) and a share in the management of its temporal concerns . Through these
important functions being exclusively assumed hf one set of men , whether the clergy or the laity , both history and experience bear record that the church has frequently and severely suffered . To these sufferings the Methodist body was peculiarly exposed about the close of the last century ; in consequence of which , many of its members
were anxious to adopt a more liberal system , with a view to their happy termination . Influenced by the spirit , a . number of the leading and intelligent Methodists represented to the Conference then assembled at Leeds , that it was not reasonable for the
preachers to meet and legislate alone , as they had been accustomed to do , without the interference and co-operation of the people > they therefore requested that the annual Conference might be composed of an equal number of ministers and of laymen , the latter to be chosen by the people , so that each circuit in future should be
represented by one minister and one layman : thus giving to both orders that natural influence and interest in the system , which sound policy , and the best precedents , have proved to be indispensable * See the Methodist Monitor , —Minutes of the First Conference , —Life of the BeV . Alexander Kilhata , —lie view of clitto , &c . Sold by Messrs . Button and Son . lorrdon .
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to lasting union , purity and stability . The Conference thought proper to reject this reasonable proposition , and in atone which gave no encouragement to repeat the application . It is neither consistent with our purpose , nor congenial with our feelings , to scrutinize the motives which led the Conference to this determination :
we have only to say , that whether or no their consciences approve them in this matter , we fear not to be justified before God and man , for preferring to retire from a body which its ministers governed , and still govern with little less than arbitrary power , rather than surrender ourselves and our children to a domination insupportable by freemen in a free country .
Many circumstances , of which the prejudices and passions of mankind will afford a ready illustration , contributed to the formation of the Methodist New Connexion on a Vary limited scale * of extent $ ? but the system , founded as it is on scripture , experience , and the fitness of things , has
justified in its practice the best expectations of its friends ; and , in proportion as it becomes known , will recommend itself to the approbation even of its enemies . Hen * ministers and people are seen uniting in
the government of the church , blending their kind offices , without distinction of interest , or fear of improper ascendancy ; and all , by the admirable adaption of its parts , realizing a happy picture of our unrivalled constitution . '
Since its institution , our community has increased from five to ten thousand , and our stated ministers from four to forty-four , besides more than two hundred local or occasional preachers . We have erected one hundred chapels , and formed two hundred societies : and , as appendages to
the Connexion , we have a book-room amongst us , for printing a monthly magazine , and for supplying our people with hymn-books , and other religious publications , f We hare also succeeded in providing a fund for the support of our superannuated preachers , their widows ^ and families : and are now employed in
establishing a Home Mission , for spreading the gospel in different parts of the United Kingdom . As a Christian body , we are entitled to say , it has been our grand object to increase by means of con verting souls to Qod , and not by making proselytes from other denominations : and though we feel it our duty to improve the openings of Providence , whenever our help is solicited from motives
? See Apology for the Methodists t > f the New Connexion . Sold by Messrs . Button and Son , London * -f See the New Methodist Magazine . —»* Rules , —Minutes of Conference , &c . Sold as above .
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Register of Ecclesiastical Documents . 145
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VOL . XJII . tr
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1818, page 145, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2473/page/65/
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