ley, "and the five following days, we spent in conference with our preachers, seriously considering by what means we might the most effectually save our own souls, and them that heard us; and the result of ur consultations we set down to be the rule of our future practice "

weigh what is contained therein, that if he has any doubt it may be removed."

"To the above it may be useful to add," says Mr. Benson, "a few remarks on the method pursued in the choice of the itinerant preachers, as many have formed the most erroneous ideas on the subject, imaginSince that time a conference has been helding they are employed with hardly any annually, Mr. Wesley himself having pre-prior preparation. 1. They are received as sided at forty-seven. The subjects of their deliberations were proposed in the form of questions, which were amply discussed; and the questions with the answers agreed upon, were afterwards printed under the title of "Minutes of several Conversations between the Rev. Mr. Wesley and others," commonly called Minutes of Conference.

private members of the society on trial.—2. After a quarter of a year, if they are found deserving they are admitted as proper members-3. When their grace and abilities are sufficiently manifest, they are appointed leaders of classes.-4. If they then discover talents for more important services, they are employed to exhort occasionally in the smaller congregations, when the preachers cannot attend.-5. If approved in this line of duty, they are allowed to preach -6. Out of these men who are called local preachers, are selected the itinerant preachers, who are first proposed at a quarterly meeting of the stewards and local preachers of the circuit: then at a meeting of the travelling preachers of the district: and, lastly, in the

As to their preachers, the following extract from the above-mentioned Minutes of Conference will shew us in what manner they are chosen and designated; Q. How shall we try those who think they are moved by the Holy Ghost to preach" A. "Inquire, 1. Do they know God as a pardoning God? Have they the love of God abiding in them? Do they desire and seek nothing but God And are they holy in all manner of conver-conference; and, if accepted, are nominated sation?-2. Have they gifts, as well as grace, for the work? Have they, in some tolerable degree, a clear, sound understanding? Have they a right judgment in the things of God? Have they a just conception of salvation by faith? And has God given them any degree of utterance? Do they speak justly, readily, clearly-3 Have they fruit? Are any truly convinced of sin, and converted to God, by their preaching?

amination, Amendment, and Acceptance of the Members of the Methodist new Itinerancy." The plan was examined by select committees in the different circuits of the

accepted by the conference of preachers and delegates. The preachers and people are incorporated in all meetings for business, not by temporary concession, but by the essen tial principles of their constitution; for the private members choose the class-leaders; the leaders' meeting nominates the stew ards; and the society confirms or rejects the nomination. The quarterly meetings are composed of the general stewards and representatives chosen by the different societies of the circuits, and the fourth quarterly meeting of the year appoints the preacher and delegate of every circuit that shall attend the general conference. For a farther account of their principles and discipline, we must refer the reader to a pamphlet, entitled, "General Rules of the United Societies of Methodists in the new Connection."

The Calvinistic Methodists are not incorporated into a body as the Arminians are, but are chiefly under the direction or influ ence of their ministers or patrons.

Mr. Wesley had left it." This was by no means satisfactory to many of the preachers and people, who thought that religious liberty ought to be extended to all the societies which desired it. In order to fa-connection, and, with a few alterations, was vour this cause, so agreeable to the spirit of Christianity and the rights of Englishmen, several respectable preachers came forward; and by the writings which they circulated through the connection, paved the way for a plan of pacification; by which it was stipulated, that in every society where a threefold majority of class-leaders, stewards, and trustees desired it, the people should have preaching in church hours, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper administered to them. The spirit of enquiry being roused, did not stop here for it appeared agreeable both to reason and the customs of the primitive church, that the people should have a voice in the temporal concerns of the socie ties, vote in the election of church officers, and give their suffrages in spiritual concerns. This subject produced a variety of arguments on both sides of the question: many of the preachers and people thought that an annual delegation of the general stewards of the circuits, to sit either in the conference or the district meetings, in order to assist It is necessary to observe here, that there in the disbursement of the yearly collection, are many congregations in London, and else. the Kingswood School collection, and the where, who, although they are called Mepreachers' fund, and in making new or re- thodists, yet are neither in Mr. Wesley's, vising old laws, would be a bond of union Mr. Whitfield's, nor the new connection. between the conference and connection at Some of these are supplied by a variety of large, and do away the very idea of arbitra- || ministers; and others, bordering more upon ry power among the travelling preachers. the congregational plan, have a resident In order to facilitate this good work, many minister. The clergy of the church of Eng. societies, in various parts of the kingdom, land, who strenuously preach up her docsent delegates to the conference held at trines and articles, are called Methodists. Leeds in 1797, they were instructed to re- A distinct connection upon Mr. Whitfield's quest, that the people might have a voice plan, was formed and patronised by the late in the formation of their own laws, the lady Huntingdon, and which still subsists. choice of their own officers, and the distri- The term Methodist, also, is applied by way bution of their own property. The preach- of reproach to almost every one who maniers proceeded to discuss two motions; Shall fests more than common concern for the delegates from the societies be admitted in- interests of religion, and the spiritual good to the conference? Shail circuit stewards be of mankind. admitted into the district meetings? Both motions were negatived, and consequently all hopes of accommodation between the parties were given up. Several friends of religious liberty proposed a plan for a new itinerancy. In order that it might be car- From the minutes of the conference of ried into immediate effect, they formed the Wesleyan Methodists held in London, themselves into a regular meeting, in July 30, 1810, it appears that the number Ebenezer Chapel, Mr. William Thom be- of persons in their societies is as follows: ing chosen president, and Mr. Alexander In Great Britain, 137,997: Gibraltar 50: In Kilham secretary. The meeting proceeded the West Indies, Nova Scotia, and Newto arrange the plan for supplying the circuits foundland, 13,580. The Methodists in Ameof the new connection with preachers: and rica are not in immediate connection with desired the president and secretary to draw the Wesleyans here. Their church is Episup the rules of church government, in order copal, and according to their account in that they might be circulated through the 1809, contains 163,033 persons. Among the societies for their approbation. According-Calvinistic Methodists, there are also a conly, a form of church government, suited to siderable number of preachers, whose conan itinerant ministry, was printed by these gregations and societies are very extensive: two brethren, under the the title of "Out- some of their chapels in London are the lines of a Constitution proposed for the Ex-largest and best attended in the world: it is

V. Methodists, numbers and success of Notwithstanding the general contempt that has been thrown upon them, and the opposition they have met with, yet their numbers are very considerable.

from heaven, and be seen on earth, and reign there with servants.

4thly, That the saints, during this period, shall enjoy all the delights of a terrestrial paradise.

almost incredible to see the numbers of peo- || ple who flock to these places. As to their Success in doing good, it is evident, that though many ignorant enthusiasts have been found among them, yet no people have done more to moralize mankind than they; nor These opinions were founded upon sevehave they rested there: they have not only ral passages in scripture, which the Millenacontributed to render thousands better mem-rians, among the fathers, understood in no bers of society, but been the instruments of other than a literal sense; but which the promoting their spiritual and eternal inter- moderns, who hold that opinion, consider as ests. Their simplicity of language, fervour partly literal and partly metaphorical. Of of address, patience in opposition, unweari- these passages, that upon which the greatedness in labour. piety of conduct, and de-est stress has been laid, we believe to be the pendance on Almighty God, are certainly following:-" And I saw an angel come worthy of the greatest praise, and call for down from heaven, having the key of the the imitation of many who unjustly condemn || bottomless pit, and a great chain in his them. See History of Methodism; Gillies's hand And he laid hold on the dragon, Life of Whitfield, and Works. Coke's Life that old serpent, which is the Devil and of Wesley. Macgowan's Shaver. Wes- Satan, and bound him a thousand years, ley's Works. Benson's Vindication and and cast him into the bottomless pit, and Apology for the Methodists Fletcher's shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he Works. Rogue and Bennett's History of should deceive the nations no more, till the the Dissenters, vol. iii. Walker's Address thousand years should be fulfilled; and, afto the Methodists. ter that, he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judginent was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of MILITANT, from militans, fighting; a God, and which had not worshipped the term applied to the church on earth, as en-beast, neither his image, neither had receivgaged in a warfare with the world, sin, and the devil: in distinction from the church triumphant in heaven.

METROPOLITAN, a bishop of a mother church, or of the chief church in the chief city. An archbishop. See articles BISHOP, EPISCOPACY.

MILLENARIANS, or CHILIANISTS, a name given to those who believe that the saints will reign on earth with Christ a thousand years. See article.

MILLENNIUM, "a thousand years;" generally employed to denote the thousand years, during which, according to an ancient tradition in the church, grounded on some doubtful texts in the Apocalypse and other scriptures, our blessed Saviour shall reign with the faithful upon earth after the first resurrection, before the final completion of

ed his mark upon their foreheads, nor in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection," Rev. xx. 1-6. This passage all the ancient Millenarians took in a sense grossly literal, and taught, that, during the Millennium, the saints on earth were to enjoy every bodily delight. The moderns, on the other hand, consider the power and pleasures of this kingdom as wholly spiritual: and they represent them as not to commence till after conflagration of the present earth. But that this last supposition is a mistake, the very next verse but one asThough there have been no ages of the sures us; for we are there told, that, "when church in which the millennium was not the thousand years are expired, Satan shall admitted by individual divines of the first be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out eminence, it is yet evident, from the writ- to deceive the nations which are in the four ings of Eusebius, Irenæus, Origin, and others, quarters of the earth;" and we have no among the ancients, as well as from the reason to believe that he will have such histories of Dupin, Mosheim, and all the power or such liberty in "the new heavens moderns, that it was never adopted by the and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righwhole church, or made an article of the es-teousness." We may observe, however, the tablished creed in any nation.

beatitude.

About the middle of the fourth century, the Millenarians held the following tenets:

1st, That the city of Jerusalem should be rebuilt, and that the land of Judea should be the habitation of those who were to reign on the earth a thousand years.

2ndly, That the first resurrection was not to be confined to the martyrs, but that, after the fall of Antichrist, all the just were to rise, and all that were on the earth were to continue for that space of time.

3dly, That Christ shall then come down

following things respecting it: 1. That the scriptures afford us ground to believe that the church will arrive to a state of prosperity which it never has yet enjoyed, Rev. xx. 4, 7. Psal. Ixxii. 11. Is. ii. 2, 4. xi. 9 xlix. 23. lx. Dan. vii. 27.-2. That this will continue at least a thousand years, or a considerable space of time, in which the work of salvation may be fully accomplished in the utmost extent and glory of it. In this time, in which the world will soon be filled with real Christians, and continue full by constant propagation to supply the place of those who leave the world, there will be

the Millennium will commence cannot be
fully ascertained, but the common idea is,
that it will be in the seven thousandth year
of the world. It will, most probably, come
on by degrees, and be in a manner introdu-
ced years before that time. And who knows
but the present convulsions among different
nations; the overthrow which popery has
had in places where it has been so dominant
for hundreds of years; the fulfilment of pro-
phecy respecting infidels, and the falling
away of many in the last times: and yet,
in the midst of all, the number of Missiona-
ries sent into different parts of the world, to-
gether with the increase of Gospel ministers;
the thousands of ignorant children that have
been taught to read the Bible, and the vast
number of different societies that have been
lately instituted for the benevolent purpose
of informing the minds and impressing the
hearts of the ignorant; who knows, I say,
but what these things are the forerunners
of events of the most delightful nature, and
which may usher in the happy morn of
that bright and glorious day when the
whole world shall be filled with his glory,
and all the ends of the earth see the sal-
vation of our God? See Hopkins on the
Millen. Whitby's Treatise on it, at the end
of the 2d Vol. of his Annotations on the
Robert Gray's Discourses
New Test.
dis. 10. Bishop Newton's Twenty fifih
Diss. on the Proph. Bellamy's Treat. on
the Millennium. There are four admira-
ble papers of Mr. Shrubsole's on the sub-
ject, in the 6th vol. of the Theol. Misc.
Lardner's Cred. 4th, 5th, 7th, and 9th
vol. Mosheim's Eccl. Hist. cent. 3, p.
11, ch. 12. Taylor's Sermons on the Mil-
Illustrations of Prophecy, ch.
lennium.

many thousands born and live on the earth,
to each one that has been born and lived in
the preceding six thousand years; so that, if
they who shall be born in that thousand
years shall be all, or most of them saved
(as they will be,) there will, on the whole,
be many thousands of mankind saved to one
that shall be lost-3. This will be a state of
great happiness and glory. Some think that
Christ will reign personally on earth, and
that there will be a literal resurrection of the
saints, Rev. xx. 4, 7; but I rather suppose
that the reign of Christ and resurrection of
saints alluded to in that passage, is only
figurative; and that nothing more is meant
than that, before the general judgment the
Jews shall be converted, genuine Christi-
anity be diffused through all nations, and
that Christ shall reign, by his spiritual pre-
sence in a glorious manner. It will, how-
ever, be a time of eminent holiness, clear
light and knowledge, love, peace, and
friendship, agreement in doctrine and wor-
ship. Human life, perhaps, will rarely be
endangered by the poisons of the mineral,
vegetable, and animal kingdoms. Beasts of
prey, perhaps, will be extirpated, or tamed
by the power of man. The inhabitants of
every place will rest secure from fear of
robbery and murder. War shall be entire-
ly ended. Capital crimes and punishments
be heard of no more. Governments placed
on fair, just, and humane foundations. The
torch of civil discord will be extinguished.
Perhaps Pagans, Turks, Deists, and Jews,
will be as few in number as Christians are
now. Kings, nobles, magistrates, and rulers
in churches shall act with principle, and be
forward to promote the best interests of
men: tyranny, oppression, persecution, bigo-
try, and cruelty, shall cease. Business will
be attended to without contention, dishones-
ty, and covetousness. Trades and manufac-
tories will be carried on with a design to pro-
mote the general good of mankind, and not || thoughts as to the improvement of the

with selfish interests as now. Merchandize between distant countries will be conducted without fear of an enemy; and works of ornament and beauty, perhaps, shall not be wanting in those days. Learning, which has always flourished in proportion as religion has spread, shall then greatly increase, and be employed for the best of purposes. Astronomy, geography, natural history, metaphysics, and all the useful sciences, will be better understood, and consecrated to the service of God; and I cannot help thinking that by the improvements which have been made, and are making, in ship-building, navigation, electricity, medicine, &c. that "the tempest will loose half its force, the lightning loose half its terrors, and the human frame not near so much exposed to danger." Above all, the Bible will be more highly appreciated, its harmony perceived, its superiority owned, and its energy felt by millions of human beings. In fact, the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.-4. The time when

31.

MIND, a thinking, intelligent being; otherwise called spirit, or soul. See SouL Dr. Watts has given us some admirable

mind. "There are five eminent means or methods," he observes, "whereby the mind is improved in the knowledge of things; and these are observation, reading, instruc tion by lectures, conversation, and meditation; which last, in a most peculiar manner, is called study. See Watts on the mind, a book which no student should be without.

MINIMS, a religious order in the church of Rome, founded by St. Francis de Paula, towards the end of the fifteenth century. coarse black woollen Their habit is a stuff with a woollen girdle of the same They are not colour, tied in five knots. permitted to quit their habit and girdle night nor day Formerly they went barefooted, but are now allowed the use of shoes.

MINISTFR, a name applied to those who are pastors of a congregation, or preachers of God's word. They are also called divines, and may be distinguished into polemic, or those who possess contro

versial talents; casuistic, or those who re-facility of communication, should be ob solve cases of conscience; experimental,||tained.-4. They should be diligent as to those who address themselves to the feel- their studies. Their time especially should ings, cases and circumstances of their hear-be improved, and not lost by too much ers: and, lastly, practical those who insist sleep, formal visits, indolence, reading useupon the performance of all those duties less books, studying useless subjects. Every which the word of God enjoins. An able day should have its work, and every subminister will have something of all theseject its due attention. Some advise a united in him, though he may not excel chapter in the Hebrew Bible, another in in all; and it becomes every one who is the Greek Testament, to be read every a candidate for the ministry to get a clear day. A well-chosen system of divinity idea of each, that he may not be deficient should be accurately studied. The best in the discharge of that work which is definitions should be obtained, and a conthe most important that can be sustained stant regard paid to all those studies which by mortal beings. Many volumes have savour of religion, and have some tendency been written on this subject, but we must to public work.-5. Ministers should be be content in this place to offer only a extensive as to their benevolence and canfew remarks relative to it. In the first dour A contracted bigoted spirit, ill beplace, then, it must be observed, that min- comes those who preach a Gospel which isters of the Gospel ought to be sound as breathes the purest benevolence to mankind. to their principles. They must be men This spirit has done more harm among ali whose hearts are renovated by Divine grace, parties than many imagine; and is, in my and whose sentiments are derived from the opinion, one of the most powerful engines sacred oracles of Divine truth. A minister the devil makes use of to oppose the best without principles will never do any good; interests of mankind; and it is really and he who professes to believe in a system, shocking to observe how sects and parties should see to it that it accords with the have all in their turns, anathematized each word of God. His mind should clearly per- other. Now, while ministers ought to conceive the beauty, harmony, and utility of tend earnestly for the faith once delivered the doctrines, while his heart should be to the saints, they must remember that deeply impressed with a sense of their men always will think different from each value and importance-2. They should be other; that prejudice of education has great mild and affable as to their dispositions influence; that difference of opinion as to and deportment.-A haughty imperious non-essential things is not of such importspirit is a disgrace to the ministerial cha- ance as to be a ground of dislike Let the racter, and generally brings contempt. ministers of Christ, then pity the weak, They should learn to bear injuries with forgive the ignorant, bear with the sincere patience, and be ready to do good to every though mistaken zealot, and love all who one; be courteous to all without cringing love the Lord Jesus Christ-6. Ministers to any; be affable without levity, and hum-should be zealous and faithful in their ble without pusillanimity: conciliating the public work. The sick must be visited; affections without violating the truth; con- children must be catechised; the ordinannecting a suavity of manners with a dignity ces administered; and the word of God of character; obliging without flattery; preached. These things must be taken up, and throwing off all reserve without run- not as a matter of duty only, but of pleaning into the opposite extreme of volubility sure, and exccuted with faithfulness; and, and trifling-3. They should be superior as as they are of the utmost importance, to their knowledge and talents. Though ministers should attend to them with all that many have been useful without what is sincerity, earnestness, and zeal, which that called learning, yet none have been so importance demands. An idle, frigid, inwithout some portion of knowledge and different minister is a pest to society, a wisdom. Nor has God Almightys ever disgrace to his profession, an injury to the sanctified ignorance, or consecrated it to church, and offensive to God himself.-7. his service; since it is the effect of the|| Lastly, ministers should be uniform as to fail, and the consequence of our departure their conduct. No brightness of talent, from the Fountain of intelligence. Minis- no superiority of intellect, no extent of ters, therefore, especially, should endeavour knowledge, will ever be a substitute for to break these shackles, get their minds this. They should not only possess a luenlarged, and stored with all useful know-minous mind, but set a good example. ledge. The Bible should be well studied, This will procure dignity to themselves, and that, if possible, in the original lan-give energy to what they say, and prove a guage. The scheme of salvation by Jesus Christ should be well understood, with all the various topics connected with it. Nor will some knowledge of history, natural philosophy, logic mathematics, and rhetoric, be useless. A clear judgment, also, with a retentive memory, inventive faculty, and a

blessing to the circle in which they move. In fine, they should be men of prudence and prayer, light and love, zeal and knowledge, courage and humility, humanity and religion. See DECLAMATION, ELOQUENCE, PREACHING, and SERMONS, in this work; Dr. Smith's Leet. on the sacred Office.