had only twenty circuits this year, which was the same number that we had the year preceding. We had thirty-six preachers to travel in the above number of circuits. They admitted fourteen young preachers on trial.

At this conference it was concluded on, 1st, for all the preachers to change circuits at the end of six months. 2d, That all the assistants should see to the settling of all our meeting houses by trustees; and for regular deeds to be taken for the houses. 3d, That all the preachers should take a written license from the conference, certifying that they were either assistants or helpers in connection with the Methodists, and that these certificates should be signed by Mr. Asbury in behalf of the conference.

It was also concluded on, that every local preacher and exhorter should have a license every quarter (if required,) to speak in public, and that none of them should attempt to speak in public without such license.

They also made a rule for all our preachers to rise at four o'clock in the morning, or at farthest at five o'clock.

They also agreed for the first time to allow the wives of our travelling preachers as much money for each quarter (if they needed it) as was allowed to the preachers.

They also advised for our quarterly meetings in future to be held on Saturdays and Sundays, where it was convenient. Before this plan was adopted, the quarterly meetings were generally held on the week days.

They also concluded to have a fast day in each circuit on the Friday after each quarterly meeting.

The conference disapproved of the practice of distilling spirits out of grain, and they agreed to

disown our friends who would not renounce the practice.

They concluded that the preachers should meet the black people in class; and appoint white men to lead them, and not let them stay late at meeting, nor allow them to meet by themselves.

The conference took under consideration the subject of slavery, and required all the travelling preachers who belonged to the Baltimore confer ence to promise that if they held slaves they would set them free. They went farther, and said, that they believed that keeping of slaves was contrary to the laws of God, of man, and of nature, and that it was hurtful to society, and contrary to the dictates of conscience, and pure religion. They then say, "We pass our disapprobation on all our friends who keep slaves."

It is evident that the preachers in this case went too far in their censures; and their language in their resolves was calculated to irritate the minds of our people, and by no means calculated to convince them of their errors.

The whole of the conference that met in Baltimore agreed in disapprobating the conduct of the preachers in Virginia, in respect to their ordination, and their administering the ordinances, and concluded that they did not look upon the Virginia preachers as Methodists in connec tion with Mr. Wesley, and that conference; neither could they consider them as such unless they came back to their former standing, and to their elder brethren.

The Baltimore conference then appointed brother Asbury, brother William Waters, and brother Freeborn Garrettson to attend the conference in Virginia, and to inform the preachers in that conference of what had been determined on in the Baltimore conference; and to let them know

withal that the only condition upon which they could be united was, that they (the Virginia preachers) should suspend the administration f the ordinances for one year; and then all the preachers to meet together at the next annual conference to be held in Baltimore.

In the spring of the year, some time in April, Mr. Asbury left his quiet retreat in Delaware state, where he had been lying by, (and for the most part of the time at Thomas White's) for two years and one month; and then met with the preachers in conference at Baltimore, as has been already mentioned. He then visited his brethren in Virginia, and attended the conference at the Manakin town, which began on the 8th day of May, 1780. At that time Mr. Asbury had to exert all his powers, and to use all possible prudence in order to bring about a settled peace and union among all the preachers. The most influential preachers in that separation in favour of the ordinances, were Philip Gatch, John Dickins, and James O'Kelly. These men were much respected for their usefulness in the ministry.

After much contention, and distress, Mr. Asbury proposed to the southern preachers a plan for union which was this; that they should not administer the ordinances for a twelve-month, and that they should all then meet together in conference at Baltimore-And in the course of the year they would write to Mr. Wesley in England, and lay their situation before him and get his advice. The plan took with the Virginia preachers, and they consented to the proposal. By this prudent step a division was prevented, and a blessed union restored. The preachers pretty generally went from that conference to their circuits, with thankful hearts that the breach was healed, and union restored to the connection.

A few of the preachers were so fond of their new self-made ordination, that it was with some reluctance that they gave it up, and submitted to the proposed plan for union.

Mr. Asbury then travelled through the different circuits in the south parts of Virginia, and from thence into North Carolina, through Roan. oak, Tar River, and New-Hope circuits; and by his being often with the preachers, and among the people in the south, the devisive spirit died away; and the preachers and people by degrees became more reconciled to the old plan, and to the old preachers; and peace and harmony were once more established throughout the connection.

Notwithstanding the difficulties which were found among the preachers on account of the ordinances, there was a gracious revival of religion in many places this year, and especially on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Yet in many places the circuits and societies were so much interrupted by the armies, both of our friends and of our enemies, which were marching through the country, that we had not as many members in society at conference, as we had the year before. Indeed, some of the circuits were wholly forsaken, and no return of the members could be made.

There were some heavy persecutions this year also. Freeborn Garrettson says, that on the 25th day of February, he was judged, and condemned in Dorchester county, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, for preaching the gospel; and two days after he was thrust into Cambridge prison, and the keys were taken away to prevent his friends from administering unto him.

If a person was disposed to persecute a Methodist preacher, it was only necessary to call him a Tory, and then they might treat him as

cruelly as they pleased. For in many places existing laws were little regarded. But the Lord stood by us and protected us from being destroy

ed. 1781-On the 24th day of April, the ninth conference met in Baltimore. But previous to this, a few preachers on the Eastern Shore, held a little conference in Delaware state, near Choptank, to make some arrangements for those preachers who could not go with them, and then adjourned (as they called it) to Baltimore; so upon the whole it was considered but one conference, at which six new circuits were taken in. The circuit in New Jersey being divided into two, one was called West-Jersey, and the other East-Jersey. In Pennsylvania was taken in, one called York. In Maryland three, Somerset, Talbot, and Calvert; and one in Virginia called Isle of Wight. We had at that time 25 circuits, and 54 travelling preachers to supply them.

At this conference there were 20 young preachers admitted upon trial, and sent into the circuits. We had added 2035 members to the society in the course of the year. The Lord wonderfully favoured the travelling preachers, so that we spread our borders, and our numbers increased abundantly.

At this conference, most part, if not all the travelling preachers who were present, resolved, and to give the greater sanction, they subscribed their names, to the resolution to discountenance a separation among either preachers or people. They also agreed that they would preach the old Methodist doctrine, and inforce the discipline which was contained in the Notes, Sermons and Minutes published by Mr. Wesley.

It was also again determined, not to take a young preacher into full connection before he had