Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-04
FInsr RULES 70 a AZ arnoDis1s.
An Original Copy OF lat Valuable Printed
Work Found In ST. louis.

Work Found In ST. louis.
An original copy of the first printed
RULES for the Society of the People called
Methodists," has been found in st. Louis.
1t was published by John and Charles
Wesley over their own signatures in 1I43,
and contains the nucleus Of the literature
of the Methodist Church.
The circular is of four pages and is fall
ing to pieces from age and handling. The
paper is yellow and the print is unreadable
in places from the stains of time. The
first paragraphs are us follows;
Il. In the latter end Of the year 1880
eight or ten persons came to London, who
appeared to be deeply convinced of sin and
earnestly grooming for redemption. They
desired las did two or three more the next
day. that l 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, / appointed day when they
might all come together, which from
thenceforward they did every week, viz:
On Thursday, In the evening 70 these
and as many as desired to join with them
(for their number increased dailylI gave
those advices from time to time which |
judged most needful for them, and we al
ways concluded our meetings with prayer
suitable to their several necessities.
80. This was the rise of the United So
ciety. First in London and then in other
places. Such a society is none other than
company of men having the form and
seeking the power of godliness; united in
order to pray together, to receive the word
of exhortation, and to watch over one an
other in love that trey may help each
other to work ont their salvation.
"3. That it may be more easily dis
| ccrred whether they are indeed working
| out their own salvation each society is
| divided into smaller companies, and
| 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 list of
the occasions of temptation that beset
mankind. Prominent among the latter is
drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous
liquors or drinking them, unless in cases
\ of extreme necessity" The eNhortntion
warns the members of the society against
doing what we know is not for the glory
of God-as the putting on of gold or costly
apparel; the singing of those songs or
| reading of those books that do not tend
| " tiic hlloN VI lOte VI sullH'Ss
and needless self-indulgcnce; luying up
treasures on earth; borrowing without a
probability of paying"
Although most Of the pronouns in the
document are in the first person singular
it is signed u. and c. Wesley" the date
is May /, 1913, and at the bottom is the
imprint, "Printcd by 7. Cordcaux. IA
City Road, LohGon."
1t was just about this date that the $50
ciety of People Called Afcthodists" OBJ
tanned possession of their first house of
worship. II was an old cannon foundry
near the present site of Finsbury Square
in London, and the Wesleys lived in an
old house in the rear of it. They con
Quoted sort of a religious hook store in
one of the rooms of the foundry. The
church was always known as "The Forn
dry" and was never more pretcntious thar
q barc-walled, comfortless room, with
rough wooden benches, upon which sat
the congregation in separate groups Of
men and women.