Methodist Worthies; Characteristic Sketches of Methodist Preachers of the Several Denominations, with Historical Sketch of Each Connexion Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ...on his evangelistic labours in the Midland Counties of England, with the abundant blessing of God on his efforts. In 1819, Mr. Clowes opened a new mission at Hull, which was soon made a circuit, and extended its influence nearly to York. During the same year a circuit was formed at Scot tor, which included Epworth. the birth-place of the Wesleys, and twenty-seven other places. In the same year John Garner began a new mission at Loughborough. Indeed so rapidly was the cause spreading in all directions, that it became necessary to arrange for a more complete supervision. Accordingly a preliminary meeting was held at Nottingham, in August, 1819, to arrange for a regular annual meeting of representatives of the Connexion, and the first Conference was appointed to be held in the town of Hull. Fifteen persons formed the meeting, and they then established the basis of representation for future Conferences. They resolved that it was desirable to organise a system for the general management of the Connexion, and that it was desirable to establish annual meetings, to be composed of three delegates from each circuit, one only of whom should be a travelling preacher. They were to be chosen by the quarterly boards of each circuit, on the first day of meeting, the proportion of lay delegates to be considered and approved in the meantime by each of the circuits. It thus appears that the preliminary meeting at Nottingham was really a legislative body, as the proposed basis was accepted by the societies, and on that basis the first regular Conference was held in Hull, on the first Tuesday in May, 1820. The statistics presented on that occasion showed as follows: 8 circuits, 48 preachers, 277 local preachers, 7842 members. The fact that this important step had...