Wesley Corpus

United Societies, London, Bristol, King fwood, and Mewcastle upon Tyne. The SixTa EDITION. Printed by S. PowEIL in Crane: lane, 1758. (Erice One Penny) | ee -- . = . * v 22 ---- r * . * * [id (a 0-7 \ VS N \ g \ -- x vv -- 8 $ - 2 ( r 5 WE S Wv 1 = 0 { t: IN the latter End of the Year 1739. eight or ten Persons came to me im London, who appeared to be deeply ? convinced of Sin, and earnestly groaning for Redemption, They desir'd (as did two or three more the next Day) that I 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, I appointed a Day when they might all come together, which from thencefors ward they did every Week, namely on Thursday, in the Evening. To these, and as many more as desired to join with them, (for their Number increased daily) I gave those Advices from Time to Time which I judg'd most needful for them; and we always concluded our Meeting with Prayer suited to their several Necessities. 2 !.. 7, PLEX Ac; EEC : * l hag 4 RuLes, @&c. of the 2. This was the Rise of the UNITED SOCIETY, first in London, and then in other Places. Such a Society is no other than “4 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 belp each other to work out their Salvation.” 3. That it may the more easily be dif- cern'd, whether they are indeed working out their own Salvation, each Society 1s divided into smaller Companies, called Classes, according to their respective Places of Abode, There are about twelve Persors in every Class ; one of whom is stiled The Leader, It is his Busineis, „„ I. To see each Person in his Class once a Week at the least; in order To enquire how their Souls prosper. To advife, reprove, comfort or exhort, as "Occasion may require.