Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-12-16
FIRST RULES FOR METHoDIsTs.
Reported Find of An Interesting Document
Relating to the Methodist Church.

Reported Find of An Interesting Document
Relating to the Methodist Church.
At st. Louis an original copy of the
"Rules for the Society of the People
called Methodists'' was found Sunday.
1t was published by John and Charles
Wesley over their own signatures in
174S and contains the neucleus of the
literature of the Methodist Church.
The circular is OF four pages and is
falling to pieces from age and handling.
The paper is yellow and the print is
unreadable in placrs from the stains
OF time. The first paragraphs are as
follows:
II. In the latter end of the year 1889
eight or ten persons came to London,
who appeared to be deeply convinced
of sin and earnestly groaning for re.
demption. They desired las did two
or three more the next day. that
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 we might have more time
for this great work, I appointed a day
when they might all come together,
which from thenceforward they did
every week, viz: on Thursday, in the
evening. To these and as many as de-
sired to join with them (for their mum
ber increased daily 1 gave those ad-
vices from time to time which Judged
most needful for them, and we always
concluded our meetings with prayer
suitable to their several necessities.
'2. This was the rise OF the United
Society. First in London and then in
other places. Such society is none
other than company of men having
the form and seeking the power OF god
Illness; united in order to pray together
to receive the word of exhortation,
and to watch over one another in love
that they may help each other to work
out their salvation.
"3. That it may be more easily dis
cerned whether they are indeed work
ing out their salvation, each society is
divided into smaller companies, called
classes, according to their respective
places of abode. There are about
twelve persons in every class, one Of
whom is styled the leader"
The rules for the use of these leaders
are then set forth, together with a list
of the occasions of temptation that be.
set mankind Prominent among the
latter is drunkenness, buying or sell.
ing spurious liquors or drinking them,
unless in cases of extreme necessity. -
The exhortation warns the mem bers of
the society against doing what we
know is not for the glory of God-as
the putting on of gold or costly ap.
parel; the singing of those songs or
reading of those books that do not tend
to the knowledge or love of God; soft.
ness and needless self indulgence; lay.
ing up treasures on earth; borrowing
probability Of paying"
Although most of the pronouns in
the document are in the first person
singular 1t is signed by ". and G. Wes.
ley;" the date is May /, 1743, and at
the bottom is the imprint, Printed by
I. Cordeaux, IA City Road, London" f"
1t was just about this date that the
Society of People Called Methodists"
obtained possession of their first house
Of worship. 1t was an old cannon foun.
Try, near the present site of Finsburg
Square, in London, and the Wesley's
lived in an old house in the rear of it.
They conducted sort of religious
book store in one OF the rooms of the
foundry. The church was ALWAYS
Known as THE Foundry" aud was
never more pretentious than a bare.
vailed, comfortless room, with rough
wooden benches, upon which sat the
congregation in separate groups of men
Ind won en-.