The first society that was formed in that circuit, was in Stratfield, on the 26th day of September, and there were only three women that joined; and they remained alone for some months before any one else united with them. The next class that was formed, was in Reading, on the 28th day of December. There were only two, one man, and one woman, that join. ed at first. It was some months after before any other person joined with them. At length the society increased, and religion revived. Aaron Sanford, the first man that joined, bẹcame a preacher; his brother also, and a law. yer, (Samuel S. Smith) joined with them and became preachers; and then another of the society began to preach. Though they were few and feeble in the beginning, they at last became a flourishing society, and four preachers were raised up among themselves.

This circuit was first called Stamford, since 'then it is called Reading.

The first Methodist meeting house that was ever built in New England, was in this circuit, near the upper edge of Stratfield, and is now called Lee's Chapel.

On the 27th day of February 1790, three preachers came to my help from Maryland, namely, Jacob Brush, an Elder, George Roberts, and Daniel Smith, young preachers, They met me at a quarterly meeting at a place called Dantown, on the state line between New-York and Connecticut. Their presence was reviving to the brethren, and to me in particular. On Sun. day preaching was in a new unfinished dwelling house. In the time of preaching the Lord visited the people in mercy; and a great cry was raised among them, such as was not common in that part of the world. The people were

alarmed; some ran out of the house, others that were above in the loft, ran to the end of the house and jumped out on the ground. In the midst of all the confusion, the christians were exceedingly happy.

At these conferences in 1789, a plan was laid for the holding a Council. The Bishops said,. they had made it a matter of prayer; and they believed the present plan was the best that they could think of.

After some opposition had been made to the plan, and there had been some debating about it, a majority of the preachers agreed to the following plan; which was published in the an

nual minutes.

Q. "Whereas the holding of general con. ferences on this extensive Continent would be attended with a variety of difficulties, and many inconveniencies to the work of God; and whereas we judge it expedient that a council should be formed of chosen men out of the several districts as representatives of the whole connection, to meet at stated times; in what manner is this council to be formed, what shall be it's powers, and what further regulations shall be made concerning it ?"

A. 1st. "Our bishops and presiding elders shall be the members of this council; provided, that the members who form the council be never fewer than nine. And if any unavoidable circumstance prevent the attendance of a presiding elder at the council, he shall have authority to send another elder out of his own district to represent him; but the elder so sent by the absenting presiding elder, shall have no seat in the council without the approbation of the bishop or bishops, and presiding elders present. And if, after the above mentioned provi

sions are complied with, any unavoidable circumstance, or any contingencies reduce the number to less than nine, the bishop shall immediately summon such elders as do not preside, to complete the number.

2dly. "These shall have authority to mature every thing they shall judge expedient. 1. To preserve the general union: 2. To render and preserve the external form of worship similar in all our societies through the continent: 3. To preserve the essentials of the Methodist doctrines and discipline pure and uncorrupted: 4. To correct all abuses and disorders: And, lastly, they are authorized to mature every thing they may see necessary for the good of the church, and for the promoting and improving our colleges and plan of education.

3dly. "Provided nevertheless, that nothing shall be received as the resolution of the coun cil, unless it be assented to unanimously by the council; and nothing so assented to by the council, shall be binding in any district, till it has been agreed upon by a majority of the confe. rence which is held for that district.

4thly. "The bishops shall have authority to summon the council to meet at such times and places as they shall judge expedient.

5thly." The first council shall be held at Cokes. bury, on the first day of next December."

This plan for having a council, was entirely new, and exceedingly dangerous. A majority of the preachers voted in favour of it, but they were soon sensible, that the plan would not an swer the purpose for which it was intended. The council was to be composed of the bishops, and the presiding elders: the presiding elders were appointed, changed, and put out of office by the bishop, and just when he pleased; of

course, the whole of the council were to consist of the bishops, and a few other men of their own choice or appointing.

One dangerous clause in the plan was this: "Nothing unanimously assented to by the Council, shall be binding in any district, till it has been agreed upon by a majority of the conference, which is held for that district." If then, one district should agree to any important point, and another district should reject it; the union between the two districts would be broken and in process of time our United Societies would be thrown into disorder and confusion. This I saw clearly, when the plan was first proposed; and to which I then objected.

In the latter part of this year, the council met according to appointment; but not at the place where they were to meet. The annual minutes said they should meet at Cokesbury. But they met in Baltimore.

I will here transcribe the whole of the minutes of the council,

"The Proceedings of the Bishop and Presid ing Elders of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Council assembled, at Baltimore, on the first day of December, 1789."

The following members which formed the Council were present.

FRANCIS ASBURY, Bishop.

Elders.

After having spent one hour in prayer to ALMIGHTY GOD, for his direction and blessing, they

then unanimously agreed, that a general conference of the bishop, ministers and preachers of the Methodist Episcopal church, on the continent of America, would be attended with a variety of difficulties, with great expence and loss of time, as well as many inconveniences to the work of God. And, as it is almost the unanimous judg. ment of the ministers and preachers that it is highly expedient there should be a general council formed of the most experienced elders in the connection; who, for the future, being elected by ballot in every conference, at the request of the bishop, shall be able to represent the several con ferences and districts in the United States of America they therefore concluded that such a coun cil should be so appointed and convened.

The council then proceeded to form the following constitution, to wit:

The aforesaid council, when assembled at the time and place appointed by the Bishop, shall have power to mature and resolve on all things relative to the spiritual and temporal interests of the church, viz.

1. To render the time and form of public wor ship, as similar as possible through all their con. gregations.

2. To preserve the general union of the minis ters, preachers and people in the Methodist doctrine and discipline.

3. To direct and manage all the printing which may be done, from time to time, for the use and benefit of the Methodist church in America.

4. To conduct the plan of education, and manage all matters, which may, from time to time, pertain to any college or houses built, or about to be built, as the property of the Methodist connec tion.