common edification and the glory of Christ. As soon as two or three converts were made to those earnest personal views of religion he promulgated, the inclination and necessity for association commenced. It was seen in his Oxford praying coterie; seen in his fellowship with the Moravians; and afterward fully exemplified in the mother society at the Foundry, Moorfields, and in all the affiliated societies throughout the kingdom. The simple object of these associations was thus explained in a set of general rules for their governance, published by the brothers Wesley in 1743. The preamble states the nature and design of a Methodist Society to be "a 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 another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation. There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies-a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." They were further to evidence this desire:-"1. By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind. 2. By doing good, by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men. And, 3. By attending upon all the ordinances of God. Such are the public worship of God; the ministry of the word, either read or expounded; the supper of the Lord; family and private prayer; searching the Scriptures; and fasting or abstinence." Whether we regard the design of association given in these terms, or the specification of duty, we seem to trace a virtual copy of the articular definition of the Church recently cited. Wesley never failed to recognise the Scriptural |