LETTERS TO THE PROTESTANT

METHODISTS.

PREFACE.

IT is well known that the writer of this tract disapproves of instruments of music in public worship; that he was not satisfied with everything done by the trustees and preachers, in reference to the organ question, and the disputes which arose out of it; and that he spoke his mind at considerable length on these subjects at the London Conference. Whatever the errors of the preachers might be, however, he was satisfied they were errors of the judgment and not of the heart; and not of sufficient magnitude to justify a separation from the connexion. Those ministers are surely to be pitied, who are neither allowed to profess infallibility, nor to make a mistake. He gave the complainants, too, credit for their assertions, that their opposition to the organ was the dictate of conscience; and that their minds were fully made up not to make a division. Upon both these latter points his charity was soon obliged to give up the ghost.

He was astonished when he was assured that the dissentients had an organ in one of their chapels near Leeds. By way of apology for this piece of inconsistency, he was informed that the organ at Brunswick was opposed, not on its own account merely, but because it was viewed as the precursor of the liturgy. By and by the Protestants' yearly meeting was held, and the new code of laws was issued with the stamp of their legislative authority. It was soon whispered, that they had granted to their London friends the use of the liturgy!

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The author was very much stunned with the sound of the organ at Burley; but he was not prepared to give his assent to this report: he thought that even impudence must have some limits; and that they could not go quite so far as to make a conscientious dread of the liturgy a pretence for their separation, and immediately enact its use in their own communion. A sight of the rules, however, instantly banished all delusion; and the fact is now in black and white, that they have adopted the liturgy as well as the organ- the two terrible scare-crows which frightened them from the old connexion.

Their rules will give a practical illustration of the credit due to their other professions. They affected to be mightily in love with the laws of Methodism, and wanted nothing more of the Conference than a strict observance of them; and in framing their own code, they professed to take Mr. Wesley as a guide. It was naturally expected from such declarations, that the power would remain with the travelling preachers, only guarded against abuse by some efficient checks. Instead of this, however, they have stripped their itinerants of every particle of power, both legislative and executive, and modestly assumed to themselves, as will be shown in this pamphlet, much greater prerogatives than the Conference preachers ever claimed ; not allowing the people any means of redress, in cases of mal-administration. The secret is now out, and the mystery explained. No one can doubt that what they have done to their own ministers, they wished to do to ours. Their aim was to govern the preachers, and trample them under foot; and now that they can be gratified in this matter, in their own connexion, their consciences no longer boggle at organs or liturgies; both missionaries and people are welcome to flutes and forms of prayer, if they will but patiently wear their fetters. The writer respects conscience, even in its wanderings, and reverences it when under the direction of divine truth; but he abominates, from the depths of

his soul, the man who under its guise is aiming at his own aggrandizement.

Many more particulars in the rules and conduct of the faction deserve exposure, if leisure could be found for it. In preparing this letter for the press, the writer could seldom devote more than fifteen minutes to it without interruption; but when he considers how he was imposed upon by their hypocrisy; how his name has been abused, as though he were favourable to their proceedings; and how many precious souls have been led astray by their impious libels on his brethren, generally, in that vile repository of falsehood and malignity, the Protestant Magazine; he thinks it due to himself, and to the church of Christ, to testify his abhorrence of their principles, and to show that they are fighting against God's word, as well as against his ministers.

LETTER I.

The Rules of the Protestant Methodists brought to the Test of Holy Scripture, in a letter addressed to the Private Members of that Community.

RESPECTED FRiends,

Ir is not my intention to enter largely into the dispute which occasioned your secession from what you call the "Conference Connexion." Till something like plausible answers shall be given to the productions of Messrs. Watson, Welsh, and Beecham, little more on that side of the question seems to be wanted. But as your rulers have framed a new ecclesiastical constitution, called the attention of our people to it, and invited them to participate in your glorious liberty; you cannot, I hope, be offended that I should lay before you the result of my investigation of it. When I read that your new code was to be framed "in accordance with the usages of the New Testament, and as consistent

as possible with the original rules of the late Rev. John Wesley, "* I felt quite certain that these guides had not drawn you from us, and that if you would follow them, you would soon return to us. I shall try your

rules by your own test.

In an article which appeared in your Magazine for August and September last, "The employment of, and provision for, itinerant ministers, evangelists, or missionaries," is discussed; and the writer, Mr. Tucker, shows very clearly that both the New Testament, and Mr. Wesley's rules, recognise such a class of officers in the church of Christ. Your yearly meeting accordingly "resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, that the time has now arrived when we should employ missionaries in promoting the work of God amongst us." These missionaries are to be entirely devoted to the ministry, and to be supported by the people. So far, well. Mr. Tucker considers the terms, itinerant ministers, evangelists, and missionaries, as synonymous; and so must your people, generally for as missionaries are not once mentioned in the New Testament, if the word did not mean the same as itinerant ministers, or evangelists, you would stand chargeable with appointing an order of officers not recognised by the christian revelation. I shall, therefore, in the following remarks, use these terms interchangeably, as of similar import. You have also an order of officers denominated elders; and I take it for granted that you wish them to be considered as answering to the elders of the New Testament. So far you agree with the Bible.

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The next point of inquiry shall be, which of these two orders has precedence in the word? Here we shall find you directly opposed to the sacred records. Timothy was an evangelist; and in the discharge of the duties of this office, he was to make full proof of his ministry. (2 Timothy iv. 5.) The connexion of the passage deserves your serious consideration: "I charge Mag. for Sept., p. 348.

* Rules, p. 4.