Wesley Corpus

On Tuesday I preached again at the new House, and many were greatly comforted. On Wednesday evening I read over to the Leaders the following paper: 1. That it may be more easily discerned whether the members of our societies are working out their own salvation, they are divided into little companies, called classes. One person in each of these is styled the Leader: It is his busi ness, 1. To see each person in his class once a week; to inquire how their souls prosper; to advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort them: 2. To receive what they are willing to give toward the expenses of the society: And, 3. To meet the Assistant and the Stewards once a week. April, 1771.] JOURNAL, 427 2. This is the whole and sole business of a Leader, or any number of Leaders. But it is common for the Assistant in any place when several Leaders are met together, to ask their advice, as to anything that concerns either the temporal or spiritual welfare of the society. This he may, or he may not do, as he sees best. I frequently do it in the larger societies; and on many occasions I have found, that in a multitude of counsellors there is safety. 3. From this short view of the original design of Leaders, it is easy to answer the following questions:-- Q. 1. What authority has a single Leader? He has authority to meet his class, to receive their contributions, and to visit the sick in his class. Q. 2. What authority have all the Leaders of a society met together? They have authority to show their class-papers to the Assistant; to deliver the money they have received to the Stewards, and to bring in the names of the sick. Q. 3. But have they not authority to restrain the Assistant, if they think he acts improperly? No more than any member of the society has. After mildly speaking to him, they are to refer the thing to Mr. W. Q. 4. Have they not authority to hinder a person from preaching? None but the Assistant has this authority. Q. 5. Have they not authority to displace a particular Leader? No more than the door-keeper has. To place and to displace Leaders belongs to the Assistant alone. Q. 6. Have they not authority to expel a particular member of the ciety?