In the beginning of the year 1735, Mr. Wesley for the first time preached extempore, which practice is now followed by all the Methodist preachers. In the latter part of this year Mr. Wesley and his brother Charles consented to leave their native country, and to come over to America as missionaries to the Indians; and on the 14th day of October 1735, they set off. After a passage of more than three months, they landed on the 6th of February 1736, over against Tybee, near Savannah, in Georgia..

In April 1736, Mr. Wesley formed a society at his own house in Savannah, and instructed them weekly in the things belonging to their peace. This he used to consider as the second rise of Methodism. But in the end of the following year, Mr. Wesley left America, and sailed from Charleston, in South-Carolina, for England on December 24th, 1737, and never more returned to America; of course that society fell through, and there was no society of Methodists formed in that town for seventy years afterwards. It was not until the year 1807 that a regular Methodist society was formed in Savannah. Mr. Charles Wesley embarked for England in July 1736, about six months after his arrival in Georgia.

May 1, 1738, Mr. Wesley and some Moravian brethren formed themselves into a religious society, which met at Fetter-lane, in London. This he calls in his Ecclesiastical History, vol. 4, page 175, the third period of Methodism. Mr. Wesley, speaking of this society, says, "Our little society began in London, when forty or fifty of us agreed to meet together every Wednesday evening, in order to a free conversation, began and ended with singing and prayer."

They also formed themselves into little bands, and drew up rules to live by, nearly, if not quite in the order of our present Band Rules,

It was not until the year 1739, that the Methodists were formed into regular societies. The rise of these societies is thus related by Mr. Wesley : "In the latter end of the year 1739, eight or ten persons came to me in London, who appeared to be deeply couvinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption. They desired, 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 they might have more time for this great work, I appointed a day when they might all come together, which from thence forward 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 that advice which I judged most needful for them, and we always concluded our meeting with prayer suited to their several necessities." This was the rise of the Methodist society, first in London and then in other places. Such a society is no other than "a company of persons, 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." All the members of these societies were at liberty to commune in any church, or with any denomination, as they pleased.

This must be considered the fourth period in Methodism. The first at Oxford in 1792; the second in America, at Savannah, in 1736-the third in London, in 1738; and now this in 1739.

This last was properly the first regular society that was formed, on the plan which has been pur. sued ever since.

The first itinerant preachers who travelled under the direction of Mr. Wesley, engaged in that work in 1740. His account of it is as follows:after mentioning that he formed the first society in 1739, he says, After a time a young man named Thomas Maxfield, came and desired to help me as a son in the gospel. Soon after came a second, Thomas Richards; then a third, Thomas Westall. These severally desired to serve me as sons, and to labour when and where I should direct." We conclude that this was in the beginning of the year 1740.

THOMAS MAXFIELD, was the first Lay Preacher that travelled under the direction of Mr. Wesley.

In the latter end of the year 1740, Mr. Wesley printed a sermon against the Calvinistic notion of Predestination, and sent a copy of it to commissary Garden, at Charleston in South-Carolina, where Mr. Whitefield then was. Mr. Whitefield, having some time before embraced that doctrine, wrote a reply, and published it in America. When he returned to England in 1741, he republished this reply in London. The points in dispute were, 1, Unconditional election-2, Irresistible grace-3, Final perseverance. Each party remained firm in his opinion, and a separation of course took place between them. From that time they had different places of worship, and formed different societies. They had then two societies of Methodists, and Mr. Whitefield became the head, or leader, of the party that adhered to the Calvinistic doctrine of Predestination.

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Mr. George Whitefield came first to America in May 1738; he came over a second time in 1739, and then visited New-England in 1740-afterwards he returned to England, and parted with Messrs. Wesleys in 1741.

In 1742, the societies having greatly increased, they were divided into classes, each class consisting of about twelve persons, who were committed to the care of one person styled the Leader.-Mr. Wesley observes on this occasion as follows:

"Feb. 15. 1742-Many of us were met toge ther in Bristol, to consult on a proper method of paying the public debt contracted by building; and it was agreed, 1, That every member of the society that was able, should contribute a penny a week-2. That the whole society should be divided into little companies or classes, of about twelve in each class-3. That one person in each class should receive the contribution of the rest. Thus began, says he, that excellent institution, merely upon a temporal account, from which we have reaped so many spiritual blessings: we soon fixed the same rule in all our societies."

April 9, 1742-The first watch-night was held in London. It is said this custom began first at Kingswood by the colliers there, who, before their conversion, used to spend every Saturday night at the Ale-house. After they were taught better, they spent that night in prayer. Mr. Wesley hearing of it, ordered it first to be once a month, at the full of the Moon; then once a quarter, and then recommended it to all his societies.

Mr. Wesley says of it, "I was informed, that several persons in Kingswood frequently met together, at the school, and (when they could spare the time) spent the greater part of the night in prayer and praise and thanksgiving. Some advised me to put an end to this; but upon weighing the thing thoroughly, and comparing it with the practice of the ancient Christians, I could see no cause to forbid it. Rather, I believed, it might be made of more general use. So. I sent them word, 'I designed to watch with them on the

Friday nearest the full of the moon, that we might have light thither and back again.' I gave public notice of this the Sunday before, and withal, that I intended to preach, desiring they, and they only, would meet me there, who could do it without prejudice to their business or families. On Friday abundance of people came. I began preaching between eight and nine, and we continued till a little beyond midnight, singing, praying and praising God."

May 26, 1742-Mr. Wesley visited Birstal, in the county of York, where he met with John Nelson, a Lay-Preacher, who was instrumental in turning many of his neighbours from darkness to light. After some time Mr. Nelson, who heartily joined Mr. Wesley in his work, published a journal of his travels and Christian experience, which has been rendered a blessing to thousands, and is still in circulation among the Methodists in the United States.

In the year 1744, June 25, the first conference was held in London. Mr. Wesley invited the persons who attended, and also presided among them. There were six clergymen, and four tra velling preachers present. The names of the clergymen were, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, John Hodges, Henry Piers, Samuel Taylor, and John Meriton. The names of the preachers were, Thomas Maxfield, John Downs, Thomas Richards, and John Burnett. From this time the conference met every year under Mr. Wesley's direction, at London, Bristol, or Leeds; but he did not annually publish the Minutes till the year 1765.

The subject of their deliberations at these conferences, were proposed in the form of questions, which were fully discussed, and then with the answers written down, and afterwards printed un