History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

METHODIST REFORM
Edward J. Drinkhouse, M.D., D.D.
Volume I
CHAPTER 4
The first "Conference" — Who were present — Extension of Methodism — Subsequent
Conferences — Kingswood school — Wesley's loves and marriage — Break with his brother
Charles — Personal authority and its effects upon the brothers — Apology for the course of John
— Philosophy of the situation.
A new chapter in Methodist history opens. The first Conference was convened by Wesley at the
Foundry, London, June 25, 1744. Some considerable difference of opinion obtains as to who were
invited and who were present on the memorable occasion. Watson gives no intimation. Moore says
generally, "He summoned annually a considerable number of the preachers." Whitehead records:
"June 20th, he returned to London, where he met his brother, two or three other clergymen, and a few
of the preachers, whom he had appointed to come from various parts to confer with them on the
[1]
affairs of the society." He italicizes the word confer, and it is significant as suggesting the official
name of these after convocations. Stevens says, "He wrote letters to several clergymen and to his lay
assistants, inviting them to meet him in London, and to give him their advice respecting the best
[2]
method of carrying on the work of God." He gives the names of the four clergymen of the National
Church, who with the brothers Wesley, as good an authority as Jackson says, composed the first
Wesleyan Conference. But Stevens gives the names of four of the lay-preachers who were also
present, Maxwell, Richards, Bennet, and Downes. There is no evidence that more were either present
[3]
or invited than is intimated in Stevens' statement. The Conference remained in session for five
days and discussed a wide range of subjects; doctrine, teaching, discipline, and a seminary for
laborers in the cause. The interview took the form of conversations, questions and answers, which
were afterward published. The Plan of appointments had not yet come into vogue; Wesley sent his
workers at pleasure, and recalled them at will. The meeting adjourned without making provision for
any future assembling, but they followed in order; and Wesley lived to attend and preside over
forty-seven of these Conferences.
Methodism had now extended over England from Land's End to Newcastle, and the whole area
was traversed by Wesley, superintending the work amid persecutions and sufferings shared fully by
his brother and his devoted helpers. Some of them were impressed for the army, others met heroic
deaths, either directly or indirectly, the result of their consecration to their divine minister and the
cause of religion as represented by Methodism. The new religion broke out in the army of Flanders
on the Continent. Some of the soldiers had taken it at home and now began preach, and hundreds
were converted, a moral miracle, as the depravity of this soldiery is perpetuated in the legend —
"They swore like the army in Flanders." Not a few of these converts died in Christian triumph on the
field of battle. Meanwhile, August 1, 1745, the second Conference was held at Bristol and continued
two days, Whitehead says, "with as many of the preachers as could conveniently be present." It was
much in character with the first meeting, and all that is known of it is preserved in the "Minutes of
the Conversations" which were published together in 1747. England was threatened with an invasion
by the Pretender, but amid the commotion Methodism grew and had its signal triumphs in divers