To the Methodifi ConneSion at Large. ■— A CIRCULAR letter, figned by Meff. Mather, Thompfon, and Benfon has fallen into our hands, the general defign of which we greatly approve, yet think the plan of reconciliation highly objeftionable ; but its merits we leave, adverting only to a note fubjoined, refpe&ing the introdu&ion of the Lord's Supper into the Methodifi Chapel at Trowbridge, that appears totally repugnant to the pacific fpi- rit it profefTedly breathes. We are utterly at a lofs to exprefs our aftonifhment at the publication of an account fo extremely erroneous in almoft every particular. This feems more ftrange, we learn from the beft authority, Mr. Mather was altogether ignorant of its insertion, and we have reafon for believing Mr. Thompfon equally unacquainted therewith. Finding Mr. Harper had written to Mr. Benfon on the fubjeft, we judged it expedient for Mr. S e to go immediately to Briftol, on purpofe to give more authentic infor¬ mation : he heard Mr. H's letter, and explicitly pointed out to Mr. B. what circumftances in it were true, what untrue, and what mifreprefented. This further excites our furprize, that a man of Mr. Benfon's refpeftability, fhould thus knowingly and deliberately propagate a relation fo oppofite to the truth, on Mr. Harper's authority, and, as we find, without his knowledge, or consent; and to give the greater fan&iort, introduce it into a letter with the fignatures of a Mather and a Thompfon whofe bare names might ftamp infallible certainty on whatever they advanced. It is much to be lamented that Mr. B. fhould fo degrade himfelf to fervea party : we hope this is the laft; effort to keep alive the dying embers of a bad caufe. Little did we expeft to be called on to make a public defence ; but after fo fevere an attack, it feems quite neceffary, in juftice to ourfelves, our brethren in general, and more efpecially Meff. Byron and S e, Preachers juftly efteemed, pidus, and ufeful, whom we are fully perfuaded have afted on the bed principles, and from the pureft motives, fteadily fupportingtheir Mailer's caufe in themidil of oppofition, reproach and contempt, and in the moil noble and dif- interefted manner upholding the poor, weak, and defpifed of Chriil's flock in Trowbridge, againft the united efforts of wealth, influ¬ ence, and bigotry. Ere we proceed to animadvert on the note above referred to, we mall ftate things as they really were, at, and for fome time previous to the laft Conference. * Soon as we heard the Road fociety was favored with the Sacrament, our defire was excited of its immediate introduftion here ; and the fame evening (it being Sunday) the people were detained, after preaching, to take the matter into confideration ; but before their minds were knowh, S.W n+propofed a fortnight's delay, for prayer and delibera¬ tion ; this was readily acceeded to ; meetings were appointed, at which there was (unlefs we are deceived) a remarkable out-pouring of the Spirit, and it was generally concluded to be the will of God we fhould have it ; indeed the confidence wherewith E. C e, ^ S.S e, |J and others expreffed themfelves at thofe feafons will not eafily be forgotten. The Society were then examined individu¬ ally, when there appeared for the ordinances gy—neuter 25—againft 5 : the latter included W. P y,§ and S. W n; the other g, private members. Our opponents fay, ft 14 obje&ed, which is the utmoft they pretend did at that, or any fubfequent period, till after Conference: but even this we totally deny; if thofe perfons be allowed to explain their own meaning, which all, except the 5, uhequL vocally declared was, they were " againft only for themfelves, not for the reft." Yet we judged it bell: to poflpone it, hoping bv kindnefs, if poflible, to prevail on our brethren to fubmit; time has evinced the bad effefils of this delay. When Dr. Coke was in Trowbridge, two or three months before Conference, Mr. W. being the only Trustee then againft the Sacrament, and likewife the only perfon it was thought neceffary to confult, was applied to by Meff. Kane, Holmes, and another, to permit him to adminifter in the chapel : he replied, he " would rather it were deferred till Conference promifing, " if then granted, he would oppose no more. When Mr. H. came into the Circuity he found the case of Trowbridge had been misrepresented. We are ignorant what ieprefentatiori was given, or by whom, but fuppofe Meff. Kane and Holmes : if fo, Mr. Harper impeaches their veracity ; however as they certainly were better acquainted with the ftate of the Society than he poflibly could be, they can eafily refute him. We maintain the truth of the above ilatement, wherein no other alteration had taken place when he came than the addition of eight, who had been neuter, becoming advocates for the Sacrament. He tells you, there loere four out offive Leaders, and four out of five Trustees utterly against its being administered by the Preachers. A more glaring untruth was never uttered. We readily allow Meff. W. P. & S. W. have been decid¬ edly fo from the beginning : we know of none other. It will be admitted on all hands that J. W y (a leader) has continued an invariable friend thereto from the firft to this time. E. C e, after Conference, gave irrefragable proof, in the prefence of feveral credible witneffes, her fentiments remained the fame. And S. S e hasrepeatedly defired to have it underftood, both before the feparation, and fince, fhe was not in the leaft againft the Preachers administering, and would even blame us were we to give it up. She, with Mifs C. became neuter about five weeks after Conference, profeffedly on Mr. W's account, and both then faid, they would take part neither way.** Here then are three leaders whom it it is evident were far from being utterly against. Let us next examine whether it will hold good refpefting the Truftees. Mr. J. D e's liberality of fentiment and unwavering attachment have been incontrovertibly manifefted. Mr. J. W-——• s has been uniformly defirous of our enjoying this liberty, as a letter figned by him, with others, addreffed to the Salford Truftees fully proves; likewife his continuing a Truftee. Mr. J. C r, feveral weeks fince Confe¬ rence, on being afked, before a number of perfons, replied; " God forbid that I fhould ever oppofe it!" and fome months after aftually received the Sacrament at Bradford, from the hands of Mr. Byron, faying, he " wondered any fhould oppofe," and declaring his readi- nefs to attend Mr. B. to Trowbridge, to introduce it into that chapel. Mr. J. M- >n|j: has ever approved, and does to this hour, neither would have had any objeftion to remaining a Truftee, if left to follow his own judgment. Where then can Mr. Benfon's four Truftees, who were utterly against, be found ? We leave him in full poffeflion of Mr. S. W n only. The next paragraph deferves notice. Finding should he attempt, (3c. &c. he spoke to both parties. While we proceed we are filled with amazement. At the end of five or fix weeks he took two of the brethren into his room, and told them, he had confidered the affairs of Trowbridge, and, after much deliberation and prayer, was fully convinced we ought to have the Sacrament; and accordingly appointed that day fortnight to adminifter it, defiring every thing might be prepared by the fet time ; meanwhile he held fome confultation with Mr. W. and was brought over to his fentiments. Here began the Strength ot the party ; and from this period we do not remember he ever advifed with any of us on that, or fcarce any other fubjefit, but his oppofition both to us and the ordinances has been firm and decided as it could be ; and to give a finishing llroke, he faid, before the ftewards and leaders, the Truftees had aright to prevent it. Those that desired it were at length prevailed on, 13c. Alas for the author ! pained are we fo flatly to contradict him. It was ourselves who firft propofed the private administration to Mr. H. and he rejefted it, till finding the others would fo far fubmit as to fuffer us te do what we would in our own habitations, he acquiefced. The feeing no profpeCt of enjoying it in public, alone induced us to have it privately for a feafon, however inconvenient, with an evident view to peace, which Mr. B. gives us credit for, by obferving, the gentleness and condescenfion manifes- ted by us was announced to the world in printed papers, and held up to the admiration of other societies. But our circular letter, fo far from. * Mr. ftenfon's note is as follows. " Trowbridge was mentioned laft Conference, and put down in the Minutes as a place •where the Society were unanimous for the Sacra¬ ment. But when Mr. Harper, appointed to be afliftant, came into the Circuit,; he found that the cafe had been mifreprefented, and that four out of five of the Leaders, and four out of five of the Truftees, and feveral of the people, were utterly againft its being ad- miniftered by the Preachers. Finding that fhould he attempt to introduce it into the Chapel, he would caufc great confufion and divide the Society, he fpoke to both paities, and thofe that defired it were at length prevailed upon to acquiefce in having it adminif- tered to them in a private houfe. In this ftate things continued for fome months, and the gentlenefs andcondcfcenfion marrifeftcd by theie brethren in this mftance, was an¬ nounced to the world in printed papers, and held up to the admiration of other focieties. However, it was not long before they grew diffatisfied with receiving it in this private, and, as they thought, difgraceful way, and they were determined, if poflible, to get it introduced into the chapel.—Accordingly Sunday, March 8, was privately fixed upon, and without fo much as confulting the Afliftant, or the Truftees, Stewards, or Leaders, Mr. S. from the Shepton-Mallet Circuit, was engaged to come over and aflift Mr. Byron to carry the favorite point. Means were found to get the bread and wine conveyed fe- cretly into the chapel the evening before, and hid under the pulpit. However before the time for the adminiftiation of the facred ordinance arrived, their defign was dif- covered, and the Leaders and others judged it to be their duty to oppofe them. The conl'equence, Mr. H. fays, was fuch (hocking confufion, that the people in the ftreet cried out " shame upon them!" + S. W' n, a Truftee, Steward, and Leader till the feparation. £ E. C e, Leader till the feparation ; who, when Mr. Moore was in this Circuit, was perpetually (as himfelf declares) fpeaking to him on the fubjetl, being the only perfon Who then appeared defirous of its introduction here, faying, " The Society would never profper till they had it." After this fhe went twice to Road, (a few miles diftant) to communicate with the people there (Mr. Moore officiating) ; and at each time expreffed to feycral who accompanied her the abundant peace and confolation fhe found therein; what manifeftation of the divine prefence, and fatisfaftion refulting thence ; giving all poflible room for concluding, fhe was fully allured it was from God. || S. S——e, Leader till the feparation. We have a paper figned with her own hand and that of feveral others now in oppofition, exprefllng in the ftrongeft terms their wifh for the Preachers to adminifter, giving their reafons for the fame, with their full deter¬ mination of obtaining this objeft. Mils C. was in London at this time, or we fuppofe her 'name would alfo have appeared. f) W. P y, who was, till the feparation, a local Preacher and Leader; and fome time before, a Steward and Truftee.; but, being averfeto the Conference plan, refigned both thofe offices when the chapel Was fettled. ft Two circumftances refpefting one of thefe maybe worth relating. Being afked. among the reft, he replied, " I am for the Church."—" Pray how often do you attend the Church ? Once in fix months ?"—" No."—" Do you ever go ?"—Yes."— " You go to receive the Sacrament, don't you ?"—No reply! Did you ever receive the Sacrament ?"—Not yet.—It was added, " he intended it." Another of a more ferious nature afterward occurred ; giving a finking pifture of the man, and a fpecimen of the duplicity praffiled by many who have left us. At the laft appeal he was again afked, and without hefitation anfwered, " I am for the Sacrament." Soon after he went to Mr. W. and obferved, " I voted for the Sacrament, becaufemy bread was depending ; but you know I am againft it !" ** Various reafons have been afligned for this change taking place in their fentiments and thofe of others. The firft was Mr. H's unfitnefs for his appointed office; thence the charge extended to the Preachers in general ; but foon thinking this too weak an ar¬ gument, recourfe was had to the propriety of (landing by Mr. W. ; yet for fome time they remained only neuter, then turned direftly againft, vilifying the Preachers, and ufing every method to depreciate their chara&ers in the eyes of the people. $+ Mr. M n has made declarations to this import times without number, notwith- flandir.g we learn he really has figned a paper of a contrary tendency that will be pro¬ duced in Conference. RefpeCling this paper he frankly acknowledges, he never law it; it was read to hivn in a great hurry, and of its truth he cannot be certain. J from producing thefe effects, was condemned in the fevered terms, by Mr. H. and all his friends, who would, if in their power, have entirely fuppreffed it. From this time we were looked upon as a feparate party, treated with fhynefs, and guarded againft as dangerous perfons, our fentiments and conduft being reprefented as -inimical to Methodifm, the friends whereof were perfuaded to have nothing to do whji us: the profit and confdlation imparted in the f^cr-ed ordinaries'was-deemed imaginary, imputed to the force of novelty, fell- gratification, &c. Thus were we fet up as a mark, and condemned and defp ifed by thofe who had given us to underhand, did we receive it in private,- they would take it with us ; but fo far from doing this,, they, as before noted, oppofed to the utter trio if of their power : no idle ftory was too infigmficant, no argument too contemptible to-be ufed in endeavouring to warp the minds of even fuch as had communicated with us. Mr. B. tells you, It was not long before they grpw dissatisfied with receiving it in private houses. And wm rat wonder after the above treatment ? About this time Mifs C. wentto Briftol, and returned full of the fire of diviuon, telling the people from houfe to houfe, how haopy, how profperous, how full of God and heaven thofe were fince the rubbish zoasremoved 'from Broad-mead.* Our minds'were pained beyond meafure at this feparating fpirit ; hitherto we had exerted every meafure to promote peace, but henceforward- concluded we were not called to be trodden under foot; we knew it was not the intention of Conf erence we fhouldgo in private, we faw the evils con- fequent on this ftep, which would be increafing as long as it was continued, and therefore fome of us propofed quietly to withdraw from the connexion, as we were not permitted to remain at peace in it. Twenty-four or twenty-five fent their reafons for withholding their fupport to Meff. Harper and Byron ; the + former not chufing to do any thing in the .bufinefs, the latter thought it incumbent on him to take fome immediate ftep; therefore on the following Sabbath briefly explained his defign to the Society (the greater part of whom were pre fent). On calling over their names he found only one who oppofed the introdu&ion "of the ordinances; all befide teftified they had no objeflion, provided it could be done in peace.;]; Hereupon (contrary to what Mr. B. has afferted) we'fent a note to Mr. Harper, informing him, we were diffatisfied with things as they then flood, and had concluded to take the Sacrament in private no more. He ftill evaded the point; but at length being weary with his own equivocations, faid twice, before many evidences, he would leave the Sacrament in future to Mr. Byron, and never forbade his adminiile.ring it in the chapel. Mr. B. therefore conceived him¬ felf at liberty, and accordingly both he and feveral of the Society invited Mr. S- -e to aflift him. Yet to preferve ourfelves free from every imputation of blame, we propofed to Mr. W. to call a DiftriHl-meeting (offering to pay half the expence), which we had ground for imagining they would approve, themfelves having written to Mr. H. to the fame effefil. Obtaining no anfwer, we, by the enfuing §abbath, got every thing ready for celebrating the' propofed communion, though not fo fecretly as is pretended ; it was known for more than a week before ; and the concealment (as termed) under the pulpit was none other than the ufual pra&ice'and. place ref- pefting Love-Feafl cakes, &c. The Leaders and others judged it their duty to oppose. Does Mr. Benfon think they could poffibly conceive it their duty to acl in the mapper they did? ihe consequence was such shocking contusion the people in the sdreet cried Out " shame upon themj It might be fo,and indeed there was juft caufe. But.to whom does this shame belong? To the Preachers who were obeying the orders of Conference ? The people who only defined to enjoy what the laws of God and man allowed in a quiet and peaceable manner ? Or thofe who but a month before under that very roof declared, in the prefer) ce of God and his people, they had no o.bjeftion? and a Truftee who had received the Sacrament, and folemnly protefted he never would oppofe ; yet after this to come forward in the fpirit of determined violence, and info shocking* manner to attempt thrufting afide the facred Ordinance, dragging the cloth" from the table, pulling the hymn-book out of the Preacher's hands wringing his fift, and with the. mo ft horrid afpeft threatening defiance, calling another of the Truftees, Rafcal and Puppy," becaufe he would not countenance fuch abominable proceedings ? I| We alk Mr. B. whether any particle of fhame refls here? Ox; whether any attaches itfelf to a good Sifter who cried out, when Mr.' S. of¬ fered to indemnify the Fruftees, " his word is not to be taken." Who compared the Sacrament to a hobby horfe, an idol, and only one temove from a dancing affembly, afferting, 'twas no better than robbery to introduce.it there; and fhe fhould confider the d li'hing the wine againft the floor as doing God fervice? Perhaps Mr. Benfon can tetH us how fuch. condutl is to be juftified, 'or he would hard¬ ly have flood forth as its defender. We ihall beg leave to alls, .him, on what ground he attempts to vindicate thofe people who would thus rob us of our birthright as EngLiflimen, and our privileges as Chriftians ? Who fet them- in the place of the Moft High, invading his fole .prerogative over the consciences of men ? and how. durfl they prefume to.aft as proprietors over that which is public property ? Or facri'egioufty lay hands on what is dedicated to holy ufes ? Mr. Benfon's vindidlive pen feems chiefly levelled againft Bvron. It is alked,. Why had he. not brought forward the direful.effefts of his introducing the Sacrament at Bradford? We will- inform our Brethren; this cafe did not Tub his purpofe, (for although his friends, the forts of difcord, had been thither, their efforts todeilroy peace .and unity proved fruitlefs); that Society will, have reafon to blefs God they ever faw Mr. ByrOn's face ; they with truth fay, through his jnftrumentality they are now more harmonious, more-profperous, and have larger congregations than for many years paft.- Nor is-tbis peculiar 'to- them; his miniftry has been owned of God, and bleft to the fouls of many throughout.the Circuit : and even at Trowbridge the congregations, when He preaches, are full as large,as they have been for at leaft two years.. While Mr. B. has attempted to prevent his future mfeiulnefs, by left'ening hini in the efteem of: fuch as he may hereafter be providentially placed with, he will not be able to deprive him of'the. affections pf-thofe among whom he now labours. When Mr. Benfon reflefts "how injurioufly he has treated a worthy man,, and defamed a bociety with whom he never had any perfonal acquaintance, we cannot think he- will 'rejoice in his work : we hope.it will prove a. caption to him in f uture how he fpeaks with To great certainty on fuch a flender foundation. It may be imagined we Have borne hard on certain cijara&ers. Extremely, fprry are we the neceflity of the cafe conftrained us:. we love their perforts,' "and venerate their piety, but for many of. their atfions cannot account; our moll favorable judgment inclines us.to i-mptite Hhem-to the ■amazing power of prejudice; .when: the force of this-abates, we hope they will return to their former feltfeg. 'Would they once more unite with us, in the:fpirit and meeknefs.of Jefus, we fhould inexpreflibly rejoice in convincing them of our fervent efteemy receiving them as brethren,; with open, arms, andburying all that is -paft in eternal oblivion. u. ' GAMES SILCOCKSM C( A JOHN WHATLY, / Sew<^s- . U-TOVT A U utt t T7T s Trowbridge, June. 10, 1795. In behalf of ourfelves ' :and Brethren. JAMES POND, THOMAS BILLET, RICHARD AMER, - EVAN ROBERTS, - WILLIAM LOOSEMOORE, STEPHEN BLAKE, JAMES BOARD, k m WE have examined the above ; and to fome of the important, particulars therein contained are pofitive evidences', and from the. He ft information we can collehl, haye no doubt but. the whole is a true reprefentation oTfafts, and we beg 'leave to add; it is o ur firm determination to maintain the juft rights of the Trowbridge Society, and the Preachers ; efteeming ourfelves the proper guardians of their religious liberty on the one hand, ana the independance of the Conference on the other. JOHN DOLE, 1 ■ Bradford, July 8, 179,5. f ROBERT WHEREAT, VTruftees. THOMAS STRATTEN, J Mr. fames Watts fiyrng in 'the country has had no 'perfonal knowledge of this tranfa&ion; \yc therefore judged it highly improper even to.apply for his fignature. Mr. S—■—e, the remaining 'Truftee', declines from an obvious point of delicacy. He,'will anfwer for himfelf at Conference. . : •* It was gt this time the o'd. .plan and. the church" was brought forward, by Mifs C. .Wbaeks.to Mh JkTor his falutaty jnftru&k>n$}; rifi«jg;.up as one of their ttrongeft bul¬ warks. With what an ill grace docs this come from a perfon who has for years, both by precept and example,, been drawing people from the eftablifhment, meeting band in church-hours, and recommending others, who conftantly attended, to.do th? fame. It is worthy remark, two of the leading on-s, and feveral more of thefe, high church people. * have, fince the reparation, regularly attended one or another diffenting meeting. The. ideas of fome refpeftingU/V old plan may be gathered from the following. We had been accuftomrd to hold, a prayer-meeting, on a week evening, at a houfe in the . neighbourhood : after, this affair turned up, we went as ufual; but they fliut their doors againft ps, faying, 'twas-contrary to Mr. Wesley's rules ! To ftiev/ Mr. S. W's attachment to the old plan it may be noticed, that prior to the adnriniftration of the Sacrament, he publickly declared, neither Diftrift-mceting or Conference were any. thing,- to them; the chapel \vas theirs, and neither we nor tlje Preachers could rightourlelv.es. t This letter was prefented to Mr. Harper before the Stewards and Leaders of Brad¬ ford Society : he. would not read, or fuffer it to be read, nor even when intreated, confii.lt with Mr. B^ron what was bell to be done. Nay, they aver he behaved in a majmer highly unbecoming his office, running about the room, {lamping with his feet, ar«