The polity of the Methodist Episcopal church in the United States...

Front matter

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Introduction

Origin of the work, — Correspondence between " A Meihodist" and the Author, — Remarks on the foregoing correspondence. — The spirit and manner of the performance, &c. &c — pp. 9 — 25.

Chapter I. Methodist Episcopacy

Its dubious origin, — in all probability " surreptitiously" introduced. — If understood in the prclatical sense, it is utterly spurious and invalid, — if not regarded as prelatical, the manner in which it is spoken of is supremely ridiculous. — The application of " Bishop" Coke to Bishop White for re-ordinalion. — The validity of the Presbylerial ordination of Methodist preachers. — The admissions of Bishop White relative to the validity of Presbyterial ordinations. — According to the Scriptures there is but one permanent order of ministers in the church of Christ. —pp. 27—56.

IV CONTENTS.

Chapter II. Government And Discipline

The government is anti-republican, because all the legislative and executive power is in the hands of their clergy — the laity have no representation in the General or Annual Conference, and of course have no voice in ihe Government. — The discipline is tyrannical, because the members are amenable to any rules and regulations which it may please their clergy from time to time to agree upon — and because the usual forms of law and justice are not constitutionally prescribed and secured in the trial of church members, — such a system is, in its tendency, dangerous to public liberty and the free institutions of the land. — The truly republican character of the government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church. — pp. 57—96.

Chapter III. Clerical Control Of Church Property

The Methodist meeting houses and parsonages under the control of the itinerant clergy. — Deed of settlement analyzed. — Unanimous opinion of seven lawyers — and the decision of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. — The chartered fund and book concern also under the entire control of the clergy. — Printed circular of 1842, showing the capital of the book concern to be upwards of six hundred thousand dollars — Laymen expressly excluded from any share in the management or appropriation of these funds — Dangerous tendency of such proscription. — Testimony of others on these subject. — The system of Methodism in these respects contrasted with Pre.sbyterianism.— pp. 97—134.

CONTENTS.

Chapter IV. Ministerial Support

Extracts from the Discipline. — the amount of their " annual allowance" fixed by the Methodist clergy themselves. — Their salary greater than that of the clergy of other denominations. — Probable average amount of the salary of a country circuit preacher, — of one stationed in a large town or city. — Provisions made for the support of supernumerary and superannuated preachers, — for the widows and orphans of deceased clergymen. — The amount of the allowance of Methodist ministers several times increased by themselves. — The testimony of others on these subjects.— Competent and faithful ministers entitled to a liberal support.— The salary of Presbyterian pastors regulated by the people.— The average amount of their salary less than that of the Methodist preachers. — No provision is made for disabled or worn out Presbyterianministers— nor for their widows and orphans. — pp. 135—190.

Chapter V. Financial Measures, Or Mode Of Raising Supplies

Class meetings. — Comparative cost of " free seats" and rented pews.— Love feasts. — Special subscriptions and collections. — Book concern, periodicals, &c— The immense aggregate amount raised from great numbers, by small, yet frequent contributions. — These methods contrasted with the system adopted by the Presbyterian Church. — pp. 191—208,

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter VI

PRACTICAL METHODISM ITS MORAL MACHINERY RELIG- IOUS CHARACTER AND FRUITS.

Importance of distinguishing between mere excitements and true revivals of religion. — The illiterate character of Methodist preaching generally. — Their habitual and shameful misrepresentation of other Christian churches — their disparagement of the Christian character and piety of other denominations. — Methods employed by Methodists in collecting members into their church, and in proselyting from other denominations — boasting of numbers — camp-meetings — protracted services — enrolment of names — prejudicing serious and inquiring individuals against other denominations— tampering with the members of other churches with a view to proselyte them to their sect — special object of their camp-meetings and frequent Excitements to proselyte from other churches. — The alleged efficiency of Methodist preachers compared with the fruits of Presbyterian ministers. — Effects of Methodism — in lowering the standard of qualification for the Gospel ministry—the little value they place upon Christian instruction — the perverted taste which Methodism creates for hearing the word of God — the improper notions it begets in regard to divine truth — its unhappy effects upon the world. — Illustrations of the amazing' credulity and gross fanaticism of Methodism. — pp. 209 — 270.

Chapter VII. New Measures For Promoting Revivals Of Religion

Extracts from an able article in the Princeton Repertory on the moral machinery or new measures of certain modern "revivalists," so called,

CONTENTS. Vll

in which the true character of such excitements, and the means by which they are manufactured, are exposed. — Letters of the Rev. Drs. Alexander and Miller, Professors in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, on the subject of revivals and revival measures. — The great importance of genuine revivals of religion, and the necessity of greater diligence, on the part of orthodox Christians, in the use of God's appointed means, for their promotion.— pp. 271—326.

Conclusion

THE POLITY

OF THE

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

INTRODUCTION

For many years, and without the slightest provocation, " The General Tract Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church," under the care and control of the General Conference, have been issuing hostile and offensive publications against the Presbyterian Church — assailing not only her doctrines, but endeavouring to destroy the character and influence of her ministry and people. In addition to the extensive circulation of these tracts, incessant efforts have been made, both from the pulpit and from house to house, to misrepresent the Presbyterian church, and to prejudice the community against us. Yea, even the members of our flocks have been tampered with, and various dishonourable means employed to seduce them from the church of their fathers. All this was patiently borne, from an extreme reluctance to have any controversy with our neighbours; until one of their controversial tracts, on the subject of election, was left, on a sabbath morning, at my private residence ! This I could not but consider as a personal insult, and as an impudent challenge to a defence of the doctrine as held by our church.

Accordingly, on the same day, I informed my people of what had taken place, and announced my determination to commence, on the following sabbath, an exposition and vin- 2 dication of our belief on the subject of the Divine decrees. On that day, and the sabbath succeeding, the two lectures were delivered, which, at the request of the congregation, have since been published.* In those lectures, I confined myself, almost exclusively, to a defence of the doctrine as held by the Presbyterian Church, and barely alluded to, what we consider, the errors of the Methodist Episcopal Church; referring, in a note, for proof and fuller information, to a work entitled " The Difficulties of Arminian Methodism." Exception, however, was taken to one or two expressions, contained in the lectures, on the subjects of clerical control of church property, and ministerial support, by a writer in the " Clipper," and the charges implied flatly denied — without naming the author to whom I had referred in proof. Still desirous of avoiding an offensive controversy with that denomination, I replied through the same channel; and having furnished the public with the reference which he had omitted, I was disposed to leave the whole matter to their examination and decision. His first card, and my answer, were as follow:

" To the Editors of the Baltimore Clipper.

u Gentlemen — In a pamphlet, entitled a 'Brief Exposition and Vindication of the Doctrine of the Divine Decrees.' &c, by Rev. G. W. Musgrave, Bishop of the Third Presbyterian Church of Baltimore, I have noticed the following passage in reference to Methodism. c The government and discipline of that sect are anti-republican and tyrannical — the entire control of all church property by their clergy, is both

* An edition of these lectures has been more recently issued at Philadelphia, by " The Presbyterian Board of Publication;" and copies may be had, in this city, at the store of the Presbyterian Tract Society.

ynjust to the people who contribute the funds, and dangerous in its tendency to public liberty.' (Page 38.)

" My object in calling attention to this passage, is to correct an error which seems unaccountably to prevail, about the control of Methodist church property. You will perhaps be surprised to learn that the clergy of the Methodist Episcopal Church do not own a church or a parsonage in the United States — and that the acknowledged pastor of a Methodist Church cannot take up a collection in it, or even invite any other than a Methodist preacher to preach in it, without the assent of the trustees. You will also be surprised to learn, that the Methodist Churches in this city belong to a corporation consisting of all the male members above the age of twenty-one years. The preachers have no control over the current funds of the church. The means of ministerial support are raised by weekly contributions in class meetings. These are received by the leaders, who are all laymen, and by them paid over to the stewards, who are laymen. When a preacher is sent by the bishop to a particular station, he is met by a committee of laymen appointed by laymen, who inquire into the probable wants of his family, and fix the amount of his salary. The preacher has no right to stipulate for compensation. He must take what is offered him; and should the stewards not be able to pay what they promised, (which unfortunately often happens,) by an express article of the discipline, it is provided that the church shall not be accountable for the deficiency, as in case of debt. " On the other hand, if a preacher be sent to a station, and the stewards, sustained by the membership, refuse to make any provision for him, he has no means of obtaining a cent.

" The only church property controlled by the clergy, besides an inconsiderable fund in Philadelphia, is the book establishment in New York. This establishment is a benevolent one, being instituted with a view to the assistance of the worn-out preachers, and the widows and orphans of such as die in the ministry. To this end, with the exception of so much as is required for the salaries of the bishops, the profits of the concern are devoted; and when you learn that these profits are divided between thirty-three Annual Conferences, and by them subdivided for the relief of necessitous cases, you will, I trust, dismiss any apprehension that the liberties of the country are in danger from this source.

" With regard to the Rev. Mr. Musgrave's opinion of Methodism or Methodists, I have nothing to say. I believe that he is entirely honest both in the entertainment and avowal of his sentiments upon this subject. Mr. Musgrave is an able, pious and useful man; and I would be sorry, even by a defence of what is as dear to me as my own life, to draw him into a controversy which would divert him from the nobler work of an evangelist. I prefer to wait until a better acquaintance with the people he thinks so badly of shall correct the erroneous opinions he has hastily formed about them.

" As to the error which I have taken the liberty to correct, I have no doubt that Mr. Musgrave has fallen into it by placing too much confidence in the statements of a writer, whose book is entirely unworthy a place in a clergyman's library."

"A Methodist. "

"To the Editors of the Clipper.

" Gentlemen: — A friend has called my attention to an article, published in your paper of Friday last, and signed <A Methodist.'

" If the respected writer had named the author to whom I referred in support of the statements to which he takes exception, so that the public might be able to examine the official and documentary proofs upon which they rest, I should not have thought it necessary to reply. But as he has not done this, and as many who may read his article may not read the pamphlet, I judge it expedient to state, through your columns, that the proof of what I had briefly alluded to in my lectures, can be seen in a work entitled 'The Difficulties of Arminian Methodism,' letters 7th and 8th — and which can be had at the bookstore of Owen & Son's, Market street, a few doors east of Gay street. The respectability of that author, and the credibility of his work are not to be destroyed by a dash of the pen, especially when recommended by such men as the venerable Drs. Alexander and Elliott; — and besides, his statements are substantiated by the 'Book of Discipline,' and other authorities, which are decisive.

" I sincerely reciprocate the respectful and kind feelings of f A Methodist;' and if all of that sect would manifest the same charitable feelings towards Presbyterians, and desist from their unprovoked assaults upon our church, we should have no occasion to say anything, in self-defence, that could wound their feelings, or interrupt our mutual intercourse and Christian fellowship." " G.W. Musgrave."

August 1.

Contrary to my expectation and wishes, the writer published a second article in the Clipper, thus:

" To the Editors of the Clipper.

" The Rev. Mr. Musgrave's card is very unsatisfactory. In the common walks of life, nothing justifies a man in holding up another to public odium, unless the accuser has taken all possible pains to acquaint himself with the facts in question, and is prepared to sustain the accusation by the facts. If such caution be required in the ordinary affairs of life, it cannot be dispensed with when a clergyman avails himself of the authority of the sacred desk to arraign a large number of respectable people before the bar of public opinion as enemies of the commonwealth. Mr. Musgrave has volunteered to accuse the Methodist Episcopal Church of certain things, the very mention of which, is calculated to create distrust and hatred towards the preachers and people of that denomination, and when opportunity is given him to sustain his charges, it will not do to refer to another man, and cast the responsibility upon him. We do not choose to take Mr. Annan as Mr. Musgrave 's substitute. By endorsing the assertions of Mr. Annan, Mr. Musgrave has deliberately made himself responsible for the truth of them. It is with us to choose with whom the issue shall be made, and we choose the endorser rather than the drawer, for the reason that Mr. Musgrave's is by far the more respectable and influential name.

" There are various reasons why no man who values his own respectability ought to put himself into an antagonist position to Mr. Annan or his book. To all who know any thing about the economy of Methodism, the following extract from the 'Difficulties' will be sufficient warrant for this opinion. 'Preachers pass the revenue laws — preachers collect the tax — preachers meet in secret conclave and divide the spoil — in other words, fix the amount of their own salary, and allow themselves the sums, they in their wisdom, may consider lawfully due for their important services — but no eye or hand of a layman must presume to interfere in these transactions.' (Page 297.)

" It would be hard to find in any apocryphal writing more untruths in so few lines. To have been able thus to economize words in such a profusion of misstatements, argues a natural ability for misconception, and an amount of experience in slander, which is as curious as it is rare. It would be as wise to controvert Baron Munchausen as Rev. Mr. Annan.

" But Mr. Musgrave appeals to the 'Discipline.' It is much to be regretted that he did not quote the passages which he has so egregiously misinterpreted, for I cannot find any that could be easily misunderstood.

" The Discipline certainly does not sustain Mr. Musgrave. It distinctly recognizes that all contributions for the support of the gospel shall be voluntary — no man is taxed. Some give much, many give a little, and many more give nothing; every man doing as he sees fit — the Discipline merely £ recommends,' that collections be taken up for this purpose. Again, the Discipline directs the money to be paid, not to the preacher, but to certain laymen, called stewards — who are responsible, not to the preacher, but to the Quarterly Meeting Conference, essentially a lay body, ' which shall have power to dismiss or change them at pleasure.'

" With regard to the salary of the preacher, the amount allowed for their house, furniture, and table expenses, if they have families, or for their board, if they have not, is estimated by a committee of laymen, as I before stated. The only amount named by the Discipline, in connexion with a preacher's support, is, that each preacher shall be allowed annually 100 dollars, if single; and 200 if married; together with an allowance of 16 dollars for every child under seven, and 24 for all between the age of seven and fourteen years. This regulation is obligatory upon one side only. It prevents the preachers from receiving more, but does not require the people to pay so much. The necessity for naming a sum, arises from this, that all the overplus of funds raised by one circuit may go to lessen the deficiency of another — of course, there must be some standard by which this overplus and deficiency may be regulated. Again, unless there was some nominal allowance of this kind, the funds raised to eke out deficiencies could not be fairly distributed, as it would be impossible to make an equitable dividend to claimants. There must be an allowance before deficiency can be made apparent. (Sec. in. and iv.)

" As to the church property, the Discipline recommends a deed of settlement, (page 161) in which the property is conveyed to trustees 'for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal church.' The only right reserved to the preachers, is the right to preach in the church when regularly appointed to do so. Less than this could not secure the property for the use of the members of the church, as otherwise the trustees might shut out the Methodist preachers and give up the church to our friend Mr. Musgrave, or somebody else, who might preach very disagreeable doctrines.

" The preacher has the power of nominating trustees in case of vacancy. This has been said to give him control over them. If so, the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, controls the judiciary of this country, as he nominates the judges of the supreme court. The security of the judiciary is, that the judges are not responsible to or removable by the president. And so with us, the stewards and trustees are neither responsible to nor removable by the preacher. In fact, but few of our churches are held under this deed of settlement. In this city the trustees fill their own vacancies, and in most of the eastern conferences the trustees are elected by the membership.

" The Methodists of this city now wait for whatever evidence Mr. Musgrave may adduce in substantiation of his charges. He must make good his assertions, or frankly acknowledge his mistake, unless he would abide under the imputation of 'bearing false witness against his neighbour.' "

August 3. " A Methodist."

In reply to the above, I issued the following: — ■ "A Card.

" Since my return to the city, I have seen the second article, signed ' A Methodist.' I had hoped that the reference which I gave, in reply to the first article, would have been sufficient, as I did not wish to be forced into an offensive controversy with that denomination. It appears, however, that my card was c very unsatisfactory,' and that the Methodists are l waiting' for the proof of what I had briefly alluded to in my recent lectures.

" Well, as they insist upon it, they shall have it. I will not, however, confine myself to the single points excepted to by ' A Methodist,' but shall take the liberty of discussing the general subject of the government and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and as soon as my pastoral and other engagements will allow, I will publish, in pamphlet form, the results of my examination.* In the mean time, I may be permitted to say, that I am fully convinced

*In consequence of previous engagements, a considerable period elapsed before I could find time to devote to this work. I then prepared a short pamphlet, agreeably to my original intention; but, on further reflection, and at the instance of some, for whom I have the highest respect, I resolved to publish a more full and extended exposure of the whole subject. This will account for the delay in the publication, as well as for the form in which it appears. 3 of the truth of all that I have stated, notwithstanding what has been written by £ A Methodist,' and will, in due time 7 exhibit the proof to the satisfaction of the public." August 10. " G. W. Musgrave."

Having thus given a brief sketch of the circumstances under which I have been forced, contrary to my inclination, to this painful task, I will now proceed to redeem the pledge which was thus extorted from me: and after having done this, the public may judge, whether my reluctance to enter upon it has proceeded from any want of confidence in my ability to substantiate the facts to which I had only briefly alluded in my lectures, or from a sincere desire to avoid all unnecessary exposure of the errors and faults of a Christian denomination. Even in this compulsory performance, it is my purpose to say no more than is, in my judgment, indispensible, to protect myself against the public threat of dishonor and falsehood! — and if, in exhibiting the proof, any damage should be done to those who have so pertinaciously insisted upon its exhibition, on them, not on me, must rest the responsibility.

Before I proceed, however, the reader will indulge me with a few remarks.

The author of the work entitled " The Difficulties of Arminian Methodism," has been spoken of, by " A Methodist," with the greatest contempt, and his book denounced as unworthy of credit. This is a very easy and convenient method of getting rid of testimony which is too conclusive to be disproved! and if every party accused were allowed thug to decide upon the character and credibility of witnesses brought to testify against them, their acquittal would indeed be certain and triumphant! But whatever may be the peculiarities of u medical jurisprudence," it is believed that, in every other department of law and justice, the court, or jury, — and not the accused, — determine the competency and credibility of witnesses: and in this case, the public, — and not u A Methodist," — must decide. In referring to the Rev. Mr, Annan's work, I was not so immodest as to insist upon the sufficiency of my endorsement, against the protest of so distinguished a personage as 3 alias " A Methodist;"

— but I did venture to think that, notwithstanding his opinion, the recommendation of such men as the venerable Drs. Alexander and Elliott, would be regarded by the public as ample security for the respectability and credibility of the witness. The truth is, such an expression of contempt, by u A Methodist," of the character and work of a gentleman so recommended, could only excite a smile, were it not so disgustingly unbecoming and reprehensible. I desire to excuse, as far as possible — for no doubt the able work of Mr. Annan has greatly disturbed their equanimity and self-complacency — but such expressions of contempt of the character of a minister of the gospel, who has been convicted of no crime, is highly offensive, and deserves to be gravely and pointedly rebuked. But while I have felt it to be due to an absent gentleman to say thus much iii vindication of his reputation — and now re-affirm that I have the utmost confidence in the truth of the general statements contained in his book — I wish it to be distinctly understood, that I am not dependent upon his testimony for the proof of what I referred to in my lectures. — They can be fully established by other writers, and by authorities entirely independent, as will presently appear.

The attempt of u A Methodist" to represent me as the aggressor is futile. The truth is, I had repeatedly heard of the gross and vulgar caricatures of the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church by one and another of the Methodist clergy, and had often been informed of the misrepresentations which had been privately made by many members of that sect with a view to disaffect the people of my charge against my ministry and the denomination to which they are attached, and yet, until the tract to which I have previously referred had been left at my private dwelling, I had never,, in the whole course of my pastoral life, preached a single contro- ¥ / versial discourse on the doctrine of Divine decrees. And the lectures which I then delivered were almost exclusively defensive, and contain only a few brief allusions to the polity, &c, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. How justly might I therefore retort on many of the preachers and members of that sect, who have been engaged for years, both in public and in private — from the pulpit and the press — and from house to house, in endeavouring not only to render our sentiments abhorrent, but to make even our persons and character odious? "What a pity that those who seem to be so sensitive, when the slightest allusion is made to their doctrines and polity, and that, too, under circumstances so provoking — should appear to have so little regard for the reputation and feelings of others, quite as " respectable," if not as numerous as themselves; and that they should, in their violent and unprovoked attacks upon their neighbours, remain apparently so insensible to their own responsibilities!

The quotation from the work of Mr. Annan, in connexion with the regret expressed by "A Methodist," that I had not cited the passages from the Discipline, which prove the statements of Mr. Annan, is about as candid as his attempt to represent me as having been the unprovoked assailant of the Methodist Church. Where, had I " appealed to the Discipline" in proof of the particular statements and expressions contained in that quotation? Besides, did he verily believe, that Mr. Annan used the word "tax" in the sense in which he represents him as having employed it? Or was he ignorant of the fact, that, at the time Mr. Annan wrote, the sessions of the General Conference (which is composed of clergymen exclusively,) were secret, and that it has only been within a few years past that any laymen are permitted to be present as spectators? But after all his affected contempt of the credibility of Mr. Annan, and his regret that I had not cited the Discipline in proof of the statements contained in that quotation, the very next sentence of Mr. Annan, reads thus: — "In proof of these statements, we refer to the Discipline, (pp. 167—172.)" !!! It is almost incredible, but it is even so, as any one may see, by referring to Mr. Annan's work, p. 297. Now, how are we to account for this? How could any one thus stop short with a quotation, and express his regret that no reference had been given, when in fact, the reference was before his eyes in the very next sentence to that which he has quoted! — And not only so, but in the same breath to denounce a minister of the gospel as unworthy of credit — yea, as an unparalleled falsifyer and slanderer!!! Nor is this the only instance, I am sorry to say, in that short article, in which a quotation is abruptly terminated: — there is another, the remainder of which, had it been given, would have proven the very contrary of what the part was produced to establish ! This latter instance I shall have occasion to expose when treating of the subject to which it refers, and shall therefore, for the present, pass it by.

Besides these, there are several things contained in the articles of " A Methodist," on which I should animadvert, if it were my intention to enter upon a personal controversy. But I have no such design. I will not, therefore, take any further notice of him; and shall only advert to what he has stated, when such advertence would serve to elucidate the subjects on which I propose to write. His public demand for the proof of what I had alluded to in my lectures, has indeed been the occasion of my writing: but I shall use the occasion, not merely for the purpose of furnishing the evidence called for, but also for the purpose of discussing the whole subject — so far at least, as it shall appear to me to be desirable.