Wesley Corpus

A. I think this would be throwing money away; (1.) Because this form was drawn up by three eminent Counsellors: But, (2.) It is the way of almost every Lawyer to blame what another has done. Therefore, you cannot at all infer, that they think a thing wrong, because they say so. (3.) If they did in reality think it wrong, this would not prove it was so. (4.) If there was (which I do not believe) some defect therein, who would go to law with the body of Methodists? But, (5.) If they did, would any Court in England put them out of possession; espe cially when the intent of the deed was plain and undeniable? Q. 63. Is anything farther advisable with regard to building? A. (1.) Build all preaching-houses, where the ground will permit, in the octagon form. It is best for the voice, and, on many accounts, more commodious than any other. (2.) Why should not any octagon House be built after the model of Yarm? any square House, after the model of Bath or Scarborough? Can we find any better model? (3.) Let the roof rise only one-third of its breadth: This is the true proportion. (4.) Have doors and windows enough; and let all the windows be sashes, opening downward. (5.) Let there be no Chinese paling, and no tub-pulpit, but a square projection, with a long seat behind. (6.) Let there be no pews, and no backs to the seats, which should have aisles on each side, and be parted in the middle by a rail running all along, to divide the men from the women; just as at Bath. (7.) Let all preaching-houses be built plain and decent; but not more expensive than is absolutely unavoidable: Otherwise the necessity of raising money will make rich men necessary to us. But if so, we must be dependent upon them, yea, and governed by them. And then farewell to the Methodist discipline, if not doctrine too. (8.) Wherever a preaching-house is built, see that lodgings for the Preachers be built also. Q. 64. Is there any exception to the rule, “Let the men and women sit apart?” A. In those galleries where they have always sat together, they may do so still. Butlet them sit apart everywhere below, and in all new-erected galleries. Q. 65. But how can we secure their sitting apart there?