desire to flee from the wrath to come, and be saved from their sins:" But wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein, that they should continue to evidence their Desire of Salvation, First, By doing no harm, by avoiding evil in every kind: especially that which is most generally practised. Such as The taking the Name of God in vain: The profaning the Day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work thereon, or by buying or selling: Drunkenness; buying or selling spirituous liquors; or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity: Fighting, quarrelling, brawling; brother going to law with brother: returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling: The buying or selling uncustomed goods: The giving or taking things on usury, i. e. unlawful interest. Uncharitable or unprofitable Conversation: particularly speaking evil of Magistrates or Ministers. us. Doing to others as we would not they should do unto Doing what we know is not for the Glory of God: as, The putting on of gold or costly Apparel: The taking such Diversions as cannot be used in the Name of the LORD JESUS: The singing those songs or reading those Books, that do not tend to the knowledge or love of God: Softness, and needless self-indulgence: Borrowing without a probability of paying: or taking up Goods without a probability of paying for them. V. It is expected of all who continue in these Societies, that they should continue to evidence their Desire of Salvation; Secondly, By doing good, by being in every kind merciful after their power, as they have opportunity; doing good of every possible sort, and as far as possible to all men ; To their Bodies, of the ability that God giveth, by giving Food to the Hungry, by clothing the Naked, by helping or visiting them that are Sick, or in Prison : To their Souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic Doctrine of Devils, that "We are not to do good, unless our Hearts be free to it." By doing good, especially to them that are of the Household of Faith, or groaning so to be: employing them preferably to others, buying one of another, helping each other in Business and so much the more, because the World will love its own, and them only. By all possible Diligence and Frugality, that the Gospel be not blamed. By running with patience the Race that is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily: submitting to bear the Reproach of CHRIST; to be as the filth and off-scouring of the world; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely for the Lord's sake. VI. IT is expected of all who desire to continue in these Societies, that they should continue to evidence their Desire of Salvation: Thirdly, By attending on all the Ordinances of God: such are, The public Worship of God. The Ministry of the Word, either read or expounded. The Supper of the Lord. Family and private Prayer. Searching the Scriptures; and, Fasting or Abstinence. VII. THESE are the General Rules of our Societies; all which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written Word, the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these we know his Spirit writes on every truly awakened heart. If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them, let it be made known unto them who watch over that soul, as they that must give an account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways: we will bear with him for a season But then, if he repent not, he hath no more place among We have delivered our own souls. us. May 1, 1743. J. & C. WESLEY. THE following Resolution was entered in the Minutes of the Conference, 1797 : "WE have determined, that all the Rules which relate to the Societies, Leaders, Stewards, Local Preachers, Trustees, and Quarterly-Meetings, shall be published, with the Rules of the Society, for the benefit and convenience of all the Members." Agreeably to the arrangement thus announced, and subsequently published, the Rules alluded to will be found: and, in addition to them, others that have since been adopted, and which will be distinguished from the former by a separating line. produced and shewn forth to the Preachers, and all and every other the person and persons assembled at such Quarterly-Meetings, all and every the book and books of account, papers, and vouchers of the said Trustees for the time being, relative to the said Chapel and Premises, and the receipts and disbursements relative to the said Trust Estate and Premises, and permit extracts to be taken therefrom. AND UPON THIS FURTHER TRUST, that in case at any time hereafter the Society of Methodists, usually assembling at the said Chapel, shall be dissolved, or become extinct; or if in consequence of any act of Legislature, or otherwise, the said Chapel cannot consistently with the general system, of the Methodist Doctrines and Discipline be used as a place of Religious Worship by them, or in case the said Trustees, or the major part of them, for the time being, shall be of opinion that a larger or more convenient Chapel hath become necessary, then, and in either, or any of the said cases, they, the said Trustees for the time being, do and shall, either by public sale or private contract, sell the said Chapel and Premises to any person or persons who shall be willing to become the purchaser or purchasers thereof, for the best price that can be reasonably obtained, and at any such sale by auction to buy in the said Premises, or any part thereof, and again to sell the same in the manner aforesaid, without incurring any personal liability thereby, and do and shall enter into, make, sign, and execute all such agreements, acts, deeds, and conveyances as shall be necessary for effecting such sales, and making effectual conveyances of the Premises sold to the respective purchasers, and to his, her, or their heirs and assigns. AND it is hereby declared and agreed, that the receipts and receipt of the Trustees for the time being shall be a legal and sufficient discharge for all sums of money, which shall be paid to them under the trusts herein contained, and that after having obtained such receipts or receipt, the person or persons paying any such sum or sums of money shall not be answerable for the same, or be in any wise bound or concerned to see to the application of the same or any part thereof. And upon this further Trust that they, the said Trustees for the time being, do and shall stand possessed of the money to be produced by such last mentioned sale or sales in trust by and with the same, or a competent part thereof, in the first place to discharge all the debts which shall be then owing on account of the said Chapel and Premises. And in the next place, in case the said Chapel and Premises shall have been sold in consequence of the Society usually assembling there having been dissolved, or become extinct, or in case the same shall have been sold because the said Chapel could not consistently with the general system of the Methodist doctrines and discipline be used as a place of Religious Worship by them, do and shall apply and distribute the residue or surplus (if any) of the said money among such poor persons in the Methodist Society as the Superintendent Preacher of the Circuit, comprising the said Chapel and the said Trustees for the time being, or the major part of them, shall think proper and fit. But in case the said Chapel and Premises shall have been sold in consequence of a larger or more convenient Chapel being necessary as aforesaid, then that they the said Trustees for the time being do and shall lay out and apply such residue or surplus in or towards the purchase or building of another mare suitable and convenient Chapel, and do and shall hold the same when so purchased or built, upon and for the same trusts, intents, and purposes, as are herein expressed and contained of and concerning the said Chapel and Premises. AND it is hereby further agreed and declared, that |