Wesley Corpus

2. I saw it might be useful to give some advices to all those who continued in the light of God’s countenance, which the rest of their brethren did not want, and probably could not receive. So I desired a small number of such as appeared to be in this state, to spend an hour with me every Monday morning. My design was, not only to direct them how to press after per fection; to exercise their every grace, and improve every talent they had received; and to incite them to love one another more, and to watch more carefully over each other; but also to have a select company, to whom I might unbosom myself on all occa sions, without reserve; and whom I could propose to all their brethren as a pattern of love, of holiness, and of good works. 3. They had no need of being incumbered with many rules; having the best rule of all in their hearts. No pecu liar directions were therefore given to them, excepting only these three: First. Let nothing spoken in this society be spoken again. (Hereby we had the more full confidence in each other.) Secondly. Every member agrees to submit to his Minister in all indifferent things. Thirdly. Every member will bring, once a week, all he can spare toward a common stock. 4. Every one here has an equal liberty of speaking, there being none greater or less than another. I could say freely to these, when they were met together, “Ye may all prophesy one by one,” (taking that word in its lowest sense,) “that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” And I often found the advantage of such a free conversation, and that “in the multi tude of counsellors there is safety.” Any who is inclined so to do is likewise encouraged to pour out his soul to God. And here especially we have found, that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” IX. 1. This is the plainest and clearest account I can give of the people commonly called Methodists. It remains only to give you a short account of those who serve their brethren in love. These are Leaders of classes and bands, (spoken of before,) Assistants, Stewards, Visitors of the sick, and School masters. 2.