Columbia Stotoertfitp 
 
 mtijeCttpofJftttiltork 
 
 THE LIBRARIES 
 
 GIFT 
 
&g><^2^^- t/?^. 
 
 £- 
 
 -r^Z- 
 
 >^-t 
 
LIFE 
 
 or THE 
 
 REV. ALEXANDER KILHAM, 
 
 FORMERLY 
 A PREACHER UNDER THE REV. J. WESLEY; 
 
 AND 
 
 ONE OF THE FOUNDERS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION 
 IN THE YEAR 1797- 
 
 INCLUDING A 
 
 FULL ACCOUNT OF THE DISPUTES 
 
 WHICH 
 
 OCCASIONED THE SEPARATION. 
 
 " What I have done in regard to the Methodist Connexion, I rejoice In at 
 this moment. * * * * Oh, that I had done it more faithfully!" 
 
 MR. KILHAM'S DYING DECLARATION 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 T'l.'BLISHED BY R. GROOMBRIDGE, PATERNOSTER-ROW ; 
 
 AND AT 
 
 THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION BOOK ROOM, 
 MANCHESTER. 
 
 1838. 
 
I" 14- i 8 
 
 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNEs 
 PRINTED BY J. D. FALCONAR AND CO , PILGRIM STREET 
 
 K ss-3 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Within a year after the death of Mr. Kilham, an 
 account of his life was published, with a Preface, sign- 
 ed by the Rev. J. Grundell and Mr. R. Hall, Presi- 
 dent and Secretary of the Methodist New Connexion 
 second Annual Conference, held at Nottingham, in 
 June, 1799. The volume consisted chiefly of extracts 
 from Mr. Kilham's diary, and contained but little in- 
 formation of a definite character respecting the division 
 which had recently occurred in the Methodist Connex- 
 ion, in which Mr. Kilham had been principally engag- 
 ed. This omission of details may be accounted for by 
 the disputes, and the part Mr. Kilham had taken 
 therein, being so well known, that it was consider- 
 ed unnecessary to repeat them at the time. But 
 when a new generation had grown up in Methodism, 
 who had not been partakers in the controversy, and 
 the associates of Mr. Kilham had mostly follow- 
 ed him to their " long home," the case was different ; 
 and a want was felt, which his published Life was not 
 calculated to supply. A new Biography, containing 
 a fuller statement of his public conduct, became 
 therefore desirable, for the sake of others. It was also 
 due to his character ; for the scanty memorial referred 
 to, did justice neither to his talents nor his labours, 
 which were only spoken of in general terms ; so that, 
 after he ceased to have living oral witnesses of what he 
 had done and suffered, there was danger of those pecu- 
 liarities being entirely forgotten by which he was 
 distinguished from other preachers. 
 
 Many years ago, the writer of this volume became 
 sensible that Mr. Kilham did not occupy that position 
 
IV. 
 
 in the estimation of the christian public, which the im- 
 portant services he had rendered in the cause of religious 
 liberty ought to have secured for him ; which was only 
 to be attributed to the meagre account of him which 
 had been furnished to the world. This suggested the 
 idea of compiling the new Life which is now presented to 
 the public, and more particularly to the members and 
 friends of the Methodist New Connexion. 
 
 In regard to the assistance of which the author has 
 availed himself in the performance of his task, he may 
 state, that the former memoir of Mr. Kilham, his 
 published writings, together with contemporaneous cir- 
 culars and pamphlets, from various sources, have been 
 made considerable use of; but in addition to these, 
 many original documents have been procured, which 
 give to the present work an authority and value far be- 
 yond what would otherwise have belonged to it. 
 
 The kindness of the Rev. Saml. Hulme obtained 
 for the author, from the widow of the late Mr. James 
 Harrop, of Ashton-under-Lyne, the MSS. which he 
 left as Secretary of a Corresponding Association, which 
 was formed by the Methodists in the district around 
 Manchester, for the purpose of diffusing their opinions, 
 during the years 1795-6, and 7. These records threw 
 much light on many proceedings which he had but very 
 imperfectly understood before. About seven years 
 ago, Mrs. Biller, Mr. Kilham's daughter, being in 
 England on a visit from Russia, (see note, page 111,) 
 and learning that a new Life of her father was contem- 
 plated, she placed in the hands of the author the 
 pamphlets of Mr. Kilham, and also those which he had 
 collected, several of them containing his own observa- 
 tions written in the margin. These were found of much 
 service, as they brought the writer into contact with Mr. 
 Kilham's mind, when the publications in question were 
 
written, and, in some instances, with his views on cer- 
 tain points, as modified by subsequent events. 
 
 But the most important materials which have been 
 used in the preparation of Mr. Kilham's Life, have been 
 the voluminous correspondence, consisting of many 
 hundreds of letters, which passed between himself and 
 his contemporaries ; also his unpublished MSS., which 
 had been preserved by Mrs. Kilham, and, at her death, 
 (see note, page 386,) in pursuance of her last will, sent 
 to Mrs. Biller, St. Petersburgh, who, at the request of 
 the author, transmitted them to him, to be appropriated 
 as he might think fit, in illustration of her father's 
 Biography. 
 
 Thus favoured with ample means for arriving at the 
 truth, respecting many occurrences connected with Me- 
 thodistical disputes prior to 1797, and their connection 
 with Mr. Kilham and others, it is not too much for the 
 author to assume that he lias been enabled, in this vo- 
 lume, to present more correct views of the subject than 
 had previously been given. He has spared no expense 
 of time and labour to acquire a full knowledge of every 
 incident which he has related ; and not a single fact has 
 been introduced, as such, without taking due care to 
 have what was to his mind a sufficient voucher; and 
 being thus satisfied, he should have felt it to have been 
 a breach of trust on his part, had he not brought every- 
 thing forward which he judged necessary to give the 
 public just ideas, both of the character and proceed- 
 ings of Mr. Kilham, and of those with whom his name 
 and sufferings must ever be associated. It is the par- 
 amount duty of an historian to be faithful ; and the 
 writer of these memoirs believes he can, if expedient, 
 produce abundant evidence to prove that he has not 
 been unmindful of this obligation. 
 
 Besides a more complete account of Mr. Kilham's 
 
VI. 
 
 life, the present volume contains the only portrait of 
 him which can be considered as an authentic likeness. 
 The engraving which was published many years ago, 
 in the Magazine, having been understood to be from a 
 drawing taken immediately after death, it has never 
 been received as a correct delineation of his living 
 features ; and his friends and followers have often 
 regretted that there should be no representation of him 
 which could be confided in as genuine. For this no 
 remedy was expected, particularly when forty years 
 had nearly elapsed ; but on opening the letters received 
 from Mrs. Biller, one from Mr. Heamer, of Manches- 
 ter, was found to have the impression of a portrait of 
 Mr. Kilham on the first half of the sheet, and on the 
 other, Mr. Heamer had written to Mr. Kilham on dif- 
 ferent topics. The letter is dated Sept. 26, 1797. In 
 reference to the portrait, Mr. Heamer says, — " The 
 inclosed print is from a plate which is at your service, to 
 be sent wherever you please to order it, by your good 
 friend Slack [an engraver in Manchester] ; or vou may 
 have them taken off here, if you choose it," &c. Though 
 an engraving of his portrait had thus been furnished 
 without his knowledge, and at no cost to himself, it is 
 not improbable that Mr. Kilham hesitated as to its 
 publication, since vanity might have been laid to his 
 charge as the motive; — the matter was therefore, in all 
 likelihood, deferred, and the letter, with the likeness, 
 being folded up, remained in that state until Mr. Kil- 
 ham's papers were examined with a view to this work ; 
 when the portrait was discovered from which our en- 
 graving has been made, — and, we feel assured, it will 
 not be the less acceptable from the extraordinary cir- 
 cumstances under which it was obtained. 
 
 Newcastle-upon-Tyne, November, 1837. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY, — ON THE STATE OF METHODISM AT THE DEATH 
 OF MR. WESLEY, IN 1701. 
 
 Reasons for writing the Memoirs of Mr. Kilham— Three epochs in 
 Methodism — Mr. Wesley had no intention originally to found a 
 new sect — Had no fixed plan, but varied his course according to cir- 
 cumstances — Origin of Methodist societies — Class meetings— Field 
 and Street preaching— Lay preachers— Erection ol'Chapels-Stewards 
 — Conference — Attended by laymen at an early period — Mr. Wes- 
 ley's authority over the body — The relation in which the members 
 stood to him — Reasons for Mr. Wesley's unlimited controul— Dif- 
 ference between societies in their infancy and afterwards — Mr. 
 Wesley's power objected to by the preachers — His own statement of 
 the case —Grounds of Mr. Wesley's authority considered — Its effect 
 on the preachers and others. ... ... ... ... Page Y6 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 MR. KILHAM'S EARLY' LIFE, TO THE PERIOD WHEN HE BECAME A 
 CIRCUIT PREACHER UNDER MR. WESLEY, IN 1785. 
 
 Mr. Kilham's birth and parentage — Early religious impressions— Re- 
 lapses into sin — His convictions renewed — A dream — Becomes de- 
 cidedly pious — Usefulness of early Methodists — Mr. Kilham begins 
 to officiate at prayer meetings — Preaches — It. C. Brackenbury, 
 Esq., visits Epworth — Engages Mr. Kilham to travel with him— 
 The nature of the connexion which subsisted between them. — Mr. 
 Kilham accompanies Mr. Brackenbury to the Island of Jersey — 
 Preaches there — Persecution — Mr. Brackenbury offers to re- 
 commend Mr. Kilham to Mr. Wesley— Declined — Returns to Lin- 
 colnshire — Supplies the Grimsby Circuit, at the request of Mr. 
 Dufton — Interrupted by a clergyman while preaching — Disputation 
 between them — Is threatened with prosecution — Applies for a 
 license to preach — Obliged to profess himself a Dissenter — Im- 
 policy of the Law on the subject — Opposed while preaching at Al- 
 fbrd— 3s recommended to Mr. Wesley, and taken out to travel. 
 
 Page 41) 
 
VIII. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 FROM 1785, WHEN MR. KILHAM WAS FIRST STATIONED AS A CIR- 
 CUIT PREACHER, UNTIL MR. WESLEY'S DEATH, IN 1791. 
 
 Horncastle, Mr. Kilham's first Circuit— A Clergyman complained of 
 his preaching making people mad — Defended by M r. Brackenbury 
 — A dream— State of Mr. Kilham's mind— Controversy with Mr. 
 Fish on the subject of Dissent -Mr. Wesley's Deed of Settle- 
 ment - Investment of chapels — Fears of some of the preachers who 
 were not included in the Poll Deed — Mr. Wesley's letter — Consti- 
 tution of the Conference — The Laity not members of it — Account- 
 ed f r — Mr. Kilham's apprehensions of what might occur after 
 Mr. Wesley's death — His purposes— Letter from Mr Bracken- 
 bury to Mr. Kilham — Is removed to the Gainsborough Circuit, at 
 the Bristol Conference, 1786— His feelings when entering on his 
 new station— Threatened with a Consumption— Mr. Brackenbury's 
 letter on hearing of Mr. Kilham's illness -Is appointed to Scar- 
 borough Circuit, at Conference, 1787 — Enters afresh on his labours 
 — Has thoughts of going as a Missionary to the West Indies — Cor- 
 responds with Mr. Warrener, then stationed at Antigua — Qualifica- 
 tions for a preacher's wife — Mr. Kilham records his marriage to 
 Miss Sarah Grey, of Pickering— Writes to the Duke of Leeds re- 
 specting the persecuting conduct of his Grace's steward — Invited 
 to settle as a Minister at Helmsley — Birth of his first child — Con- 
 sequence of his visits to a sick female — Is stationed at Pocklington 
 — His desire after knowledge— Conduct of a Clergyman — Removes 
 to Whitby — Description of the Circuit— Letter to a Calvinist 
 minister — Account of the leading doctrines which he believed — 
 Letter containing advice to a young convert— Letter to Mr. Grun- 
 dell — Birth of his second child — Letter to Mr. Brackenbury — 
 Death of Mr. Wesley Pag'e 83 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 FROM MARCH 1791, TO AUGUST 1793, WHEN MR. KILHAM WAS 
 TRIED BY THE CONFERENCE, AND CENSURED FOR PUBLISH- 
 ING AN ADDRESS TO THE FRIENDS AND MEMBERS 
 OF THE NEWCASTLE SOCIETY. 
 
 Expectations of the preachers on the Death of Mr. Wesley— Origin 
 of Controversies— Mr. Kilham is led to write on Methodism, by an 
 Address from the Hull Trustees— His reply sent to Newcastle — 
 And published — Separation from the Church considered — A 
 p ra y er — Resolutions of a meeting in Cornwall — Dr. Coke and 
 Mr. Mather — Mr. Kilham writes to Mr. Bradburn — Manchester 
 Conference, 1791 — Trial of strength between the Church party, 
 and the Advocates for the Sacrament — Resolution of Conference 
 to follow the plan of Mr. Wesley — Mr. Kilham stationed at New- 
 castle-upon-Tyne — Account of his labours, in a letter to his father 
 — Death of Mr. Kilham's second child — Disputes at Newcastle re- 
 specting the administration of the Lord's Suppe. 1 -Mr. Cownley — 
 
IX. 
 
 Correspondence between Mr. Kilham and Mr. Grey — Publishes 
 an Address — Commended by Messrs. Pawson, Bradburn, Clarke, 
 &c— Letter to Mr. Benson— Mr. T. Taylor's letter to Mr. Kil- 
 ham— Mr. Kilham writes to Mr. Brackenbury — London Confer- 
 ence, 1792 — Mr. Kilham is charged by Dr. Coke and Mr. Thomp- 
 son with injuring the character of Mr. Wesley, in the address which 
 he had published — His trial — Mr. Bradburn supports Mr. Kilham 
 — His defence — Is censured — His feelings when expecting to be 
 aocustd — The question, whether the Sacrament should be admi- 
 nistered to the Methodists, decided in the negative, by the " Lot." 
 
 Page 125 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 FROM CONFERENCE 1792, TO CONFERENCE 1795, WHEN MR. KILHAM 
 LABOURED IN SCOTLAND. 
 
 Mr. Kilham's willingness to go to Scotland— Birth of his third child 
 at Newcastle — Arrives at Aberdeen — His Ordination — Adminis- 
 ters the Sacrament — Writes a circular signed " Truenian and 
 Freeman," in favour of the laity being allowed to co-operate with 
 the preachers, and to be represented in Conference — Refuses to act 
 arbitrarily in expelling members from Society — Death of another 
 child — Publishes a pamphlet against theatrical and other amuse- 
 ments — The players in Aberdeen announce the performance of the 
 " Hypocrite" in order to ridicule him— Chooses the play -bill for a 
 text, and preaches a sermon on the subject — Extracts from the 
 discourse — The performance of the " Hypocrite" a failure — Leeds 
 Conference, 1793— Mr. Bradburn's letter to Mr. Kilham— Mr. 
 Thompson's communication to the right hon. Wm. Pitt— Secret 
 meeting of several preachers at Litchfield — Bishops' plan — Mr. 
 Edmondson's letter and advice to Mr. Kilham — Extract from 
 " Martin Luther," animadverting on Mr. Mather and the proposed 
 Methodistical Bishops — Bristol Conference, 1794 — Mr. Kilham's 
 journey to London, and thence to Bristol — Contention respecting 
 the Sacrament — Bristol dispute— Mr. Pawson and Dr. Coke's 
 sentiments in favour of the people having greater liberty — Mr. 
 Kilham writes a pamphlet signed "Aquilla and Priscilla," explain- 
 ing the nature of the Bristol controversy — His feelings on sending 
 forth this publication — Letter to his brother on the death of his 
 wife — Publishes "Martin Luther 1 ' — Sentiments of different preach- 
 ers respecting it — Letter from Mr. Bradburn — Mr. Kilham's an- 
 swer — Mr. Bradburn changes his conduct — Mr. Mather reconciles 
 several of the leading preachers who had been divided in opinion — 
 The effect of this on Mr Kilham's case — The inconsistency of 
 some of the preachers accounted for— Mrs. Kilham's indisposition — 
 Her letter to him — Reasons for wishing to remain in Scotland — Is 
 invited to Newcastle — His pastoral labours — Publishes a farewell 
 address on leaving Aberdeen — Writes " Paul and Silas" — Journey 
 to the Conference at Manchester, 1G95 Page 1 73 
 
X. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FROM CONFERENCE 1795, TO CONFERENCE 1796, WHEN MR. K1L- 
 
 HAM WAS STATIONED IN ALNWICK, WHERE HE PUBLISHED 
 
 "THE PROGRESS OF LIBERTY." 
 
 Conference in Manchester, 1795 — Attended by Trustee-delegates — 
 propositions submitted to it — Articles of Pacification — Extracts 
 from Mr. Kilham's diary kept during Conference— Bishops' plan — 
 Protest of 58 preachers — Mr. Kilham's interview with Mr. Mather 
 — Mr. Kilham's conduct sanctioned by many preachers and 
 trustees — Letter of reproof to a local preacher — " Progress of Li- 
 berty" published — Some account of it — The manner in which it 
 was received— Letter to Mr. Pawson— Request sent to Mr. Hunter, 
 signed by ten preachers, that Mr. Kilham might be tried for pub- 
 lishing it— Mr. Kilham's reply — Meeting of the friends of Liber. 
 ty in Newcastle— Address to "Conference — Mr. Kilham's trial at 
 the Newcastle and Sunderland district meetings — The matter re- 
 ferred to Conference— Publishes * A Free Enquiry, &c." — Change 
 in several of the preachers who had acted with Mr. Kilham — Is en- 
 couraged — Address from Aberdeen — Letter from Nottingham — 
 Mr. Kilham's great labours — Mrs. Kilham Page 222 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 CONFERENCE 1796, MR. KILHAM's TRIAL AND EXPULSION FROM 
 THE METHODIST CONNEXION. 
 
 Anxiety for the meeting of Conference in London, 1796 -Notting- 
 ham address to district meetings — Reply of the preachers — Meeting 
 of delegates — Proposals to Conference — State of affairs — Mr. Kil- 
 ham's trial — Questions proposed to him — List of charges refused — 
 Dr. Adam Clarke — Dr. Coke— Mr. Kilham requests a trial by an 
 impartial jury —Refused — First charge— Second charge — Third 
 charge— Fourth charge — Mr. Kilham not allowed to be present at 
 the summing up of the evidence— Letter to the President — Is 
 condemned and expelled — Mr. Kilham's remarks — Efforts to per- 
 suade him to acknowledge his faults — Second letter to the Presi- 
 dent — A deputation appointed to meet Mr. Kilham — Proposals for 
 reconciliation, such as he could not accept — Observations — Letter 
 written at the time of his trial. Page2b% 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 FROM AUG'.ST 1796, TO AUGUST 1797, WHEN MR. KILHAM WAS OUT 
 OF THE METHODIST CONNEXION, AND EMPLOYED IN PUB- 
 LISHING THE " METHODIST MONITOR" AND PREACH- 
 ING IN VARIOUS PLACES. 
 
 Leaves London for Nottingham to prepare an account of his trial for 
 publication — Letter respecting the Methodist Monitor — Mrs. Kilham 
 removes from Alnwick to Newcastle— Her letter to Mr. Kilham 
 
XI. 
 
 — Letter from Mr. Smith — Mr. Kilham visits Lincolnshire — 
 Calumnies— Letter to Mr. Hall— Visits Leeds — Methodist Monitor 
 — Stockport address— Manchester address— Letter to Mr. Kilham 
 
 — Is invited to reside at North Shields — Milburn Place Chapel 
 
 Removes to Leeds — Visits various towns in Yorkshire — Reply to 
 Messrs. Mather and Pawson — Visits Cheshire and Lancashire — 
 Opposed at Liverpool — A separation in the Methodist Connexion 
 expected — Mrs. Kilham's illness and death — Visits Lincolnshire — 
 Mr. B ram well's letter to the preachers — Opening of Ebenezer 
 Chapel, Leeds — Mr. Taylor's and Mr. Bram well's letters — Mr. 
 Kilham visits Sheffield, Staffordshire, &c Page 290 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CONFERENCE, 1/97- UNSUCCESSFUL NEG0CIATION BETWEEN THE 
 
 FRIENDS OF LIBERTY AND THE PREACHERS : 3EPARATION, 
 
 AND FORMATION OF THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION. 
 
 Mr. Kilham's labours during the preceding year — Messrs. Mather 
 and Pawson's address — Mr. Kilham's disinterested proposal re- 
 specting himself— Delegates assembled at Leeds— Preparations 
 made for the meeting — Instructions given to delegates— Descrip- 
 tion of them — Their objects — Hunslet Trustees appoint Mr. Kil- 
 ham to attend the meeting — Is objected to — His letter to the 
 delegates — Three Plans submitted to Conference — All of them re- 
 jected — Articles of Pacification — Address to Conference — Reply — 
 Separation takes place, and New Itinerancy formed — Mr. Thorn — 
 Other preachers — Discouragements— Mr. Kilham visits Sheffield — 
 Returns to Leeds — Places which declared for the New Connexion 
 — Temporary arrangements — Mr. Kilham's desire for peace— His 
 Address quoted — Conference represents those who had separated 
 as republicans, &c — Remarks on this subject — Mr. Kilham de- 
 fends himself and the New Connexion — His political opinions — Is 
 stationed at Sheffield. Page 321 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 MR. KILHAM'S LABOURS IN THE NEW CONNEXION FROM AUGUST 
 1797, TO DECEMBER, 1798. 
 
 The manner of his reception at Sheffield — Extracts from his Diary — 
 His numerous engagements — Two letters to Mr. Harrop — Regu- 
 lar Ministry — Dr. Coke and Mr. Bradburn Reports respecting 
 the New Connexion — Refuted by Mr. Kilham — Passages from his 
 letters — Last interview with Mr. Brackenbury — Visits Leeds and 
 other places — Ireland — Mr. Kilham's second marriage — State of 
 the Connexion — Outlines of Constitution under consideration — 
 Different suggestions respecting the New Connexion — Observa- 
 tions — Persons who declined to separate at the division — Descrip- 
 tion of some who joined Mr. Kdham — The attacks made on 
 him — His conduct respecting a preacher who had acted im- 
 properly — His labours while at Sheffield — Letter from Mr. 
 Smith, of Newcastle— Conference held at Sheffield— Mr. Kilham 
 chosen Secretary — His memoranda respeeting Conference — Is 
 
xrr. 
 
 stationed at Nottingham— Disputes respecting chapels — Character 
 of the proceedings of Conference — Address -Mr. Kilham's happy 
 frame of mind — Extracts from several of his letters— Removal to 
 Nottingham — Visits Staffordshire and other places — Perplexing 
 conduct of some of his friends — Hull— Symptoms of an impaired 
 constitution, through excessive labour — His letters — Journey to 
 Wales — Returns home much exhausted Page 343 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 DECEMBER, 1798. MR. KILHAM'S LAST SICKNESS AND DEATH. 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Is reported to have occasioned uneasiness to Mrs. Kilham by his 
 opinions — Refutation— Mrs. Kilham — Sickness, and death — Inter- 
 red in Hockley chapel, Nottingham — Monument — Sensation occa- 
 sioned by the death of Mr. Kilham — Spoken of as a judgment — 
 Mr. Bramwell's testimony — Mr. Kilham's character as a Christian 
 not impugned before his expulsion — Messrs. Mather, Pawson, and 
 Benson's statement noticed — Also the charge of hi9 having been 
 a disturber of the Society — His disinterestedness — His veracity — 
 Misled by others — Too confiding — "Wanted worldly policy — His 
 talents and knowledge — His writings— Character as a preacher. 
 
 Page 384 
 
LIFE OF THE REV. A. KILHAM. 
 
 e 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY— ON THE STATE OF METHODISM AT THE 
 DEATH OF MR. WESLEY, IN 1791. 
 
 The biographical account, to which this essay is in- 
 tended to form an introductory chapter, has been sug- 
 gested by two considerations, which seem to warrant, it 
 not to require, such a publication. First, — Mr. Kil- 
 liam having been frequently mentioned, and oftener 
 alluded to, in connexion with disputes which have re- 
 cently engaged the attention of the Methodists, much 
 curiosity respecting his personal history has naturally 
 been excited, which it appeared proper to satisfy, 
 especially as occasion would, at the same time, be 
 furnished for doing justice, in some measure, to the 
 memory of one whose character and motives, in con- 
 sequence of being widely misrepresented and aspersed, 
 had long lain under the ban of a great majority of per- 
 sons belonging to the Methodist Societies. Almost 
 forty years have elapsed since the death of Mr. Kilham ; 
 and during that period nearly all his contemporaries, 
 whether friends or adversaries, have likewise, in the 
 course of nature, descended to the grave. With these 
 changes, many personal animosities, which unhappily 
 existed during his life, have become forgotten; and 
 the opportunity is now afforded of estimating his pro- 
 ceedings dispassionately, and more in accordance with 
 truth than could be done so long as prejudices on the one 
 hand, and partialities on the other, influenced the minds, 
 and warped the judgments, of those acquainted with him, 
 or who were in any way interested in his case. If his 
 
14 LIFE OF THE 
 
 admirers do not recognise a perfect example — a super- 
 human being, in the following pages, others, it is con- 
 fidently believed, who knew him only by means of co- 
 loured or falsified statements respecting the part he took 
 in the discussions previous to 1797, will meet with 
 excellencies and worth, not to mention intellectual abi- 
 lity, which they had been unaccustomed to associate with 
 his name. 
 
 A second inducement with the author, to write this 
 volume, has arisen from the fact, that the essential 
 principles of government which Mr. Kilham advocated, 
 and which lie at the foundation of the community (the 
 Methodist New Connexion) in the establishment of 
 which he was chiefly engaged, have, within the last 
 few years, begun to receive great attention, and to be 
 felt to have an important connexion with the well-being, 
 peace, and prosperity of religious, as well as of civil 
 society. The mind of the Christian public having be- 
 come thus elevated to an esteem for the individual who, 
 at a period when the subject was less understood, and 
 less popular than at the present day, fearlessly asserted 
 and nobly advocated the rights of the laity, and may al- 
 most be said to have fallen a martyr in their cause, it 
 seemed expedient to introduce him, and the doctrines 
 on church polity which he inculcated, and with which 
 he will ever be identified amongst the Methodists, more 
 fully to the view of all classes belonging to that body ; 
 more especially to those who had been, through misinfor- 
 mation, so unfavourably biassed, as to be rendered nearly 
 incapable of judging correctly of either. 
 
 A passing glance at the history of the world and of 
 the church, will shew that in all ages reformers of 
 abuses have generally been ill-requited by the people of 
 their own generation. Many persons are so insensible 
 to existing defects and their consequences, that they 
 cannot perceive the necessity of interfering with estab- 
 lished institutions, even for the purpose of improving 
 them ; and many more who see, have not the moral 
 courage to avow their convictions, and to advocate and 
 stand by what they believe, and privately acknowledge, 
 to be a righteous cause. Besides these, others are 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 15 
 
 found, apparently of a more champion-like spirit ; but 
 who, after an early, and sometimes intemperate, denun- 
 ciation of existing evils, are induced by sinister consi- 
 derations to repudiate their own professed principles ; 
 and those with whom they had, perhaps, for a season, 
 co-operated in the work of reformation, are forsaken 
 or betrayed in the hour of trial. The latter description 
 of persons are often the most clamorous for justice, and, 
 while in the camp, full of courage even to overflowing ; 
 but on the appearance of an enemy, and while quitting 
 their quarters for the contest, they are beset with faint- 
 heartedness; and, unmindful of their former protesta- 
 tions, are led to seek a dishonourable safety by flight, 
 or to make a cowardly surrender at discretion. Kilham 
 had bitter experience of this nature, as will be seen 
 more fully in the course of this memoir; but his was 
 not a singular case, the same having happened, al- 
 most invariably, to all his predecessors in similar 
 undertakings. When men commence war against ex- 
 isting systems, however absurd they may be in princi- 
 ple, or unjust in operation, it should be calculated, on 
 putting on their armour, that whatever honouis or re- 
 wards may ultimately await them, temporary obloquy 
 from the partizans of abuses, and abandonment and be- 
 trayal by timid or professed friends, will be experienced 
 during the struggle. This remark applies not only to 
 political and mercenary interests, where the agency of 
 merely worldly men is concerned, and the meaner pas- 
 sions of human nature are excited, but in connexion 
 with the church likewise ; and while contending for the 
 doctrines and discipline of the Christian faith, it is too 
 commonly found that personal considerations, for a 
 while at least, overbalance the love of truth, and that 
 rather than make sacrifices or suffer reproach, indi- 
 viduals are tempted to relinquish principles which 
 their judgments approve, and to which, if they could 
 retain them without cost, they would cleave to the end 
 of life. 
 
 Although Mr. Kilham died in his 27th year, the period 
 of his ministry, which began in 1781, and ended with 
 his last short illness and death in 1798, was one of the 
 
16 LIFE OF THE 
 
 most important in the history of Methodism. It 
 included a few of the latter years of Mr. Wesley's 
 life, which terminated early in 1791 ; and a few years 
 subsequent to that event, when a series of controver- 
 sies, relating to ecclesiastical power and authority; 
 and other subordinate points, agitated the whole Me- 
 thodist community. As these controversies hold a 
 prominency in the history of Mr. Kilham's life, it may 
 enable the general reader better to judge of their nature 
 and expediency, if we take a rapid survey of the state 
 and economy of Methodism at the period of Mr. Wes- 
 ley's death. Such a sketch is not only chronologically 
 in order, but will greatly disencumber the biographical 
 portion of the present volume, as well as render it in 
 many parts more intelligible and interesting to the 
 public. 
 
 The history of Methodism, from its commencement 
 in 1738, to 1797, when the separation occurred, maybe 
 divided into three epochs. The first includes the short 
 period when Mr. Wesley's labours were regarded by 
 himself as merely auxiliary in promoting the cause of 
 piety and religion generally; and when, as a system, 
 Methodism had no distinctive character, nor even ex- 
 istence. The second, from the time when Mr. Wesley 
 began to hold conferences, and, by particular rules, to 
 govern the Methodist body as its sole head, until his death 
 in 1791. The third, from 1791 to 1797. During these six 
 years, Mr. Wesley's authority over the Connexion was 
 exercised by the preachers solely, w r ho formed themselves 
 into an aristocratical government; and, after various 
 disputes with the societies, the celebrated articles of 
 pacification which were given to the Wesleyan people 
 proving unsatisfactory to a great number of members, 
 the Methodist New Connexion was established by 
 about five thousand individuals ; — who objected to all 
 plans of government, except that one which had for 
 its foundation-principle the union of the people with 
 the preachers in all legislative enactments, as well as 
 in the practical management of the entire system. This 
 division of periods would, however, extend the present 
 chapter to a great length : it may, therefore, be most 
 
REV. A. KILHA3I. IT 
 
 convenient not to preserve the formal arrangement 
 just stated, but to throw together, without particular 
 regard to dates, such facts and observations as will 
 most effectually illustrate the events so fully identified 
 with Mr. Kil ham's life. 
 
 Several late writers on Methodism appear in their 
 reasonings to assume, though in some instances pro- 
 fessing the contrary, that Mr. Wesley originally in- 
 tended to found a new sect, to be governed according 
 to rules previously digested and determined upon by 
 himself; and that consequently the whole Wesleyan 
 economy was settled from an early period, if not from 
 the very beginning. This supposition is, however, en- 
 tirely erroneous, and has led many astray in their 
 judgment respecting the primary views and purposes of 
 the father of Methodism. So far from having been pre- 
 concerted, the plan was formed by degrees, and in the 
 urgency of separate and successive circumstances. Mr. 
 Wesley neither looked forward to, nor made remote cal- 
 culations respecting, the ultimate workings of parti- 
 cular regulations, which, because of some present 
 emergency, were requisite to be adopted at the time de- 
 termined upon. He justified himself then, and indeed 
 he will be justified by posterity in what he did, by the 
 fact, that each measure was needed to remedy some 
 existing evil, or to secure some immediate benefit. It 
 is emphatically true, that Mr. Wesley simply went 
 about doing good, and lived, and preached, and legis- 
 lated day by day? and under the momentary pressure 
 of the wants of the people for whom he acted. If this 
 be borne in mind, and it is especially desirable that it 
 should be, this apostolic man will be cleared of all im- 
 putation of having had the least intention, originall}', of 
 founding a system, which, by reason of its defective 
 principles, or partial character, would, in time, interfere 
 with the rights and liberties of any class of persons 
 whatsoever. The form and individuality of Methodism 
 were not foreseen, and therefore it was impossible to 
 exercise that precaution in defining and securing differ- 
 ent interests which might rise up in the course of time, 
 and which there is no doubt would have been equally 
 
 b 3 
 
18 LIFE OF THE 
 
 protected, had Mr. Wesley, in the early part of his 
 course especially, anticipated the extraordinary results 
 of his itinerant labours. 
 
 Properly speaking, then, Mr Wesley, at first, had 
 no particular plan, if by that is understood a de- 
 fined method of proceeding, not to be departed from, 
 nor changed and modified as new circumstances might 
 arise. And in this he resembled the Apostles, who, 
 being commissioned by their divine master, went forth 
 to preach the gospel every-where, without being fet- 
 tered by fixed rules of action, which in the infancy of 
 Christianity might have hindered rather than promoted 
 the cause of Christ. Like these Apostles, Mr. Wesley 
 had an object — the diffusion of religious knowledge, 
 and the conversion of men ; and a motive, arising from 
 the love of God in his own heart : but plan, according 
 to the precise idea usually affixed to that term, he had 
 none. Indeed, his course was apparently so irregular, 
 that some who could not appreciate his aim, when they 
 saw him running here and there, adopting, or relin- 
 quishing at pleasure, one expedient after another, and 
 using or throwing aside, as might suit him, every 
 instrument which fell in his way — accused him of 
 fickleness, inconsistency, and even of madness. 
 
 In proof of what has been said, Mr. Wesley himself 
 has left on record abundant evidence, part of which 
 it may be well to cite. In his " Plain Account of the 
 People called Methodists," given in a letter written in 
 1748 to the Reverend V. Perronet, vicar of Shore- 
 ham, Kent, who, it seems, had applied for information 
 on the subject, Mr. W r esley states, in behalf of himself 
 and those who laboured with him in the beginning 
 — " I must first premise, that as they had not the least 
 expectation, at first, of any thing like what has since 
 followed, so they had no previous design or plan at 
 all ; but every thing arose just as the occasion offered. 
 They saw or they felt some impending or pressing evil, 
 or some good end necessaiy to be pursued. And many 
 times they fell, unawares, on the very thing which se- 
 cured the good, or removed the evil."'* Again, he says, 
 
 * Works, Vol. VIII. p. 218. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 19 
 
 in the same letter, " About two years ago, my brother 
 and I were desired to preach in many parts of London. 
 We had no view therein, but, so far as we were able, 
 to convince those who would hear what true Christi- 
 anity was, and to persuade them to embrace it."* We 
 have here Mr. Wesley's express assurance, exactly in 
 point, from which it is clear that neither himself, nor 
 those with whom he originally acted, looked beyond the 
 existing circumstances and wants of the people to 
 whom they preached. It would be easy to quote many 
 passages from his works in corroboration of this, but 
 ns the words just given are so conclusive, a multiplicity 
 of similar declarations must be unnecessary. 
 
 The object of Mr. Wesley was to promote the inte- 
 rests of the Establishment, to which he was strongly 
 attached, by drawing persons within her walls, and 
 bringing more prominently forward than the generality 
 of the clergy of that period were in the habit of doing, 
 the evangelical doctrines of repentance, faith, and per- 
 sonal holiness, as recognised and taught in the thirty- 
 nine articles. Mr. Wesley had at the time no ulterior 
 purpose different from this, as appears from the answer 
 to the third question in the large minutes, which, 
 with the question itself, we find given in these words : — 
 " Q. What may we reasonably believe to be God's 
 design in raising up the Preachers called Methodists ? 
 A. Not to form any new sect ; but to reform the nation, 
 particularly the Church ; and to spread scriptural holi- 
 ness over the landV'f This was the one object which 
 was held in view, and its accomplishment engrossed the 
 entire attention and energies of Mr. Wesley. While 
 others foresaw and foretold that the tendency of these 
 irregular proceedings, as they were termed, was to 
 establish a sect, he seems to have entered into no such 
 speculations, nor to have been troubled by any appre- 
 hensions of the kind. If he had, the effect probably 
 would have been to have stopped him in his course ; 
 for his attachment to the Church was so great, that he 
 could not, at that time at least, have endured the idea 
 of promoting a rival interest. A new sect was, it is 
 
 * Works, Vol. VIII. p. 248. f Ibid. p. 299. 
 
20 LIFE OF THE 
 
 true, the consequence of this preaching; but it is equally 
 true, that Mr. Wesley had no such design before he 
 began it. 
 
 Methodist Societies had their origin in a circum- 
 stance of apparently accidental character, and which 
 Mr. Wesley explains as follows, in his tract en- 
 titled "A Plain Account," &c. which has just been refer- 
 red to : — " Many of those who heard this began to cry 
 out that we brought ' strange things to their ears ;' that 
 this was doctrine which they never heard before, or at 
 least never regarded. They ' searched the Scriptures, 
 whether these things were so,' and acknowledged * the 
 truth as it is in Jesus.' Their hearts also were in- 
 fluenced as well as their understandings, and they 
 determined to follow < Jesus Christ, and him crucified.' 
 Immediately they were surrounded with difficulties ; — 
 all the world rose up against them ; neighbours, stran- 
 gers, acquaintance, relations, friends, began to cry out 
 amain, 4 Be not righteous over much ; why shouldest 
 thou destroy thyself?' Let not ' much religion make 
 thee mad.' One, and another, and another came to us, 
 asking, what they should do, being distressed on every 
 side ; as every one strove to weaken, and none to 
 strengthen their hands in God. We advised them, 
 ' Strengthen you one another. Talk together as often 
 as you can. And pray earnestly with and for one 
 another, that you may 'endure to the end, and be 
 saved.' Against this advice we presumed there could 
 be no objection; as being grounded on the plainest 
 reason, and on so many scriptures both of the Old 
 Testament and New, that it would be tedious to recite 
 them. They said, ' But we want you likewise to talk 
 with us often, to direct and quicken us in our way, to 
 give us the advices which you well know we need, and 
 to pray with us, as well as for us.' I asked, which of 
 you desire this ? Let me know your names and places 
 of abode. They did so. But I soon found they were 
 too many for me to talk with severally so often as they 
 wanted it. So I told them, ' If you will all of you 
 come together every Thursday, in the evening, I will 
 gladly spend some time with you in prayer, and give 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 21 
 
 you the best advice I can.' Thus arose, without any- 
 previous design on either side, what was afterwards 
 called a Society ; a very innocent name, and very com- 
 mon in London, for any number of people associating 
 themselves together."* In another place, having given 
 some account of field preaching, he says, speaking 
 of those who heard him, — " More and more of them 
 were cut to the heart, and came to me all in tears, 
 inquiring, with the utmost eagerness, what they must 
 do to be saved. I said, s If all of you will meet on 
 Thursday evening, I will advise you as well as I 
 can/ The first evening about twelve persons came; 
 the next week, thirty or forty. When they were in- 
 creased to about an hundred, I took down their names 
 and places of abode, intending, as often as it was con- 
 venient, to call upon them at their own houses. Thus, 
 without any previous plan or design, began the Metho- 
 dist society in England, — a company of people associ- 
 ating together, to help each other to work out their 
 own salvation. The next spring we were invited to 
 Bristol and Kingswood ; where, likewise, societies were 
 quickly formed. The year following we went to New- 
 castle upon Tyne, and preached to all the colliers and 
 keelmen round it. In 1744, we went through Corn- 
 wall, as far as Sennan, near the Land's End ; and, in 
 the compass of two or three years more, to almost 
 every part of England. Some time after, we were 
 desired to go over to Ireland ; and, in process of time, 
 to every county therein. Last of all, we were invited 
 to Musselburg, Glasgow, and several other parts of 
 Scotland. But it was in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, 
 Arbroath, and Aberdeen, that we saw the greatest fruit 
 of our labour. Such was the rise, and such has been 
 the progress, of Methodism, from the beginning to the 
 present time."f When Mr. Wesley formed his first 
 society, he had no intention that the persons united in 
 this respect should be regarded as his followers; nor 
 were their particular religious sentiments at all en (juried 
 into — the only qualification being, a desire to serve God. 
 Hence, when he first founded societies in different 
 
 • Works, Vol. VIII. p. 219. f Ibid. Vol. VII. p. 423. 
 
22 LIFE OF THE 
 
 places, he accepted persons of different persuasions 
 as members of his community, without desiring them 
 to leave the places of worship they had formerly 
 attended. This plan was productive of the happiest 
 consequences. A multitude of churchmen, and very 
 many dissenters, gave him the right hand of fellowship ; 
 and continued still in connection with their own commu- 
 nities. To use the words of Mr. Wesley, in the Armini- 
 an Magazine for 1790, "the Churchman might go to 
 church still ; the Presbyterian, Anabaptist, Quaker, 
 might still retain their old opinions, and attend their 
 own congregations. The having a real desire to flee 
 from the wrath to come, was the only condition required 
 of them. Whosoever, therefore, feared God and work- 
 ed righteousness, was qualified for this society." In his 
 discourse preached on the subject of our Lord's Ser- 
 mon on the Mount, and published in his Works, Mr. 
 Wesley repeats the same thing ; and there can be no 
 question of his having always acted up to it, or that 
 his hearers and members consisted of persons otherwise 
 belonging to nearly all the existing denominations of 
 that day. This will probably account for the term 
 Methodist having been originally applied generally, and 
 without particular regard to sect, to individuals who 
 were more decided in their profession of religion, and 
 whose life and morals were stricter than ordinary. 
 The natural course of things, however, was, that 
 those who w r ere thus brought together from various 
 quarters, and who held a great diversity of opinions, 
 should become in time more fully amalgamated and 
 identified both in their doctrinal views and mode of 
 worship ; and so it happened by degrees. The Cal- 
 vinists united and became a distinct body under the 
 Rev. George Whitfield ; and those who remained with 
 Mr. Wesley generally professed Arminian principles ; 
 and ail the ordinances of the Gospel having become gra- 
 dually established amongst them, the church, and other 
 parties to which many members had formerly belonged, 
 were seceded from step by step, and Methodism 
 was at length not so much the distinctive cha- 
 racteristic of persons of various sects, as the designation 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 23 
 
 of an individual christian body ? As established 
 by Mr. Wesley, Methodism closely resembled the 
 Bible Society in principle, — requiring no person, on 
 becoming one of its members, to relinquish on that 
 account his former religious connexions; and it ap- 
 pears to have been designed by its founder as a middle 
 link between all Christian parties, drawing them nearer 
 together by uniting them all in the interests of experi- 
 mental religion and scriptural holiness. 
 
 The same remark applies precisely to Class Meetings^ 
 which constitute a most distinguishing part of Metho- 
 dist discipline. So far from being first devised, and af- 
 terwards established, it was not until weekly interviews 
 had been arranged for a secular purpose, that their 
 utility as a means of grace ever occurred to the mind 
 of Mr. Wesley. His own account of their origin is 
 the best that can be given, and it corroborates what 
 has been said respecting their commencement. After 
 mentioning the inconvenience, or rather the impossi- 
 bility, of a preacher properly watching individually over 
 the persons who were united in society, and the* occa- 
 sional scandal brought upon the cause of religion by the 
 misconduct of some who were disorderly in their habits, 
 he adds, — " At length, while we were thinking of quite 
 another thing, we struck upon a method for which we 
 have cause to bless God ever since. I was talking with 
 several of the society in Bristol concerning the means 
 of paying the debts there, when one stood up and said, 
 ' Let every member of the society give a penny a week 
 till all are paid.' Another answered, 'But many of them 
 are poor, and cannot afford to do it.' 'Then,' said he, 
 'put eleven of the poorest with me; and if they can 
 give any thing, well: I will call on them weekly; and 
 if they can give nothing, I will give for them as well as 
 for myself. And each of you call on eleven of your 
 neighbours weekly ; receive what they give, and make 
 up what is wanting.' It was done. In a while, some 
 of these informed me, they found such and such an one 
 did not live as he ought. It struck me immediately, 
 ' This is the thing; the very thing we have wanted sd 
 long.' I called together all the leaders of the classes, 
 
24 LIFE OF THE 
 
 (so we used to term them and their companies,) and 
 desired that each would make a particular enquiry 
 into the behaviour of those whom he saw weekly. 
 They did so. Many disorderly walkers were de- 
 tected. Some turned from the evil of their ways. 
 Some were put away from us. Many saw it with fear, 
 and rejoiced unto God with reverence. As soon as 
 possible, the same method was used in London and all 
 other places. Evil men were detected, and reproved. 
 They were borne with for a season. If they forsook 
 their sins, we received them gladly; if they obstinately 
 persisted therein, it was openly declared that they were 
 not of us. The rest mourned and prayed for them, 
 and yet rejoiced that, as far as in us lay, the scandal 
 was rolled away from the society."* 
 
 Field-preaching r , and Street-preaching, to which Metho- 
 dism owes so much of its early success, come under the 
 same character as to the occasion of their commencement. 
 They were first practised by Mr. Wesley because he 
 had no other means left of calling sinners to repentance, 
 having, for reasons mentioned in the subjoined passage 
 from one of his discourses,f been prohibited from 
 preaching in the metropolitan churches. He had re- 
 cently returned from Georgia, whither he went in 1735, 
 and on landing in England on February 7, 1738, he 
 says, " I was now in haste to retire to Oxford, and 
 bury myself in my beloved obscurity; but I was de- 
 tained in London, week after week, by the trustees for 
 the Colony of Georgia. In the mean time, I was con- 
 tinually importuned to preach in one and another 
 church ; and that not only morning, afternoon, and 
 night, on Sunday, but on week-days also. As I was 
 lately come from a far country, vast multitudes flocked 
 together ; but in a short time, partly because of those 
 unwieldly crowds, partly because of my unfashionable 
 doctrine, I was excluded from one and another church, 
 and, at length, shut out of all ! Not daring to be 
 silent, after a short struggle between honour and 
 
 * Works, Vol. VIII. p. 252. 
 
 J r Preached on occasion of laying the foundation of City Road Chapel, 
 
 April 21 , 1777. See Works, Vol. VII. p. 422. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 25 
 
 conscience, I made a virtue of necessity, and preached in 
 
 the middle of Moorfields. Here were thousands upon 
 thousands, abundantly more than any church could con- 
 tain ; and numbers among them, who never went to any 
 church or place of public worship at all." Having begun 
 this primitive and apostolic mode of preaching, the bene- 
 ficial effects were too remarkable, and the will of God too 
 clearly indicated thereby, to allow him to desist. He ac- 
 cordingly went forth from that time into different parts of 
 the kingdom, preaching in churches where there were 
 any into the pulpits of which he could gain admission; 
 but where he found a population and no churches, or 
 churches shut against him, he adopted the plan of ad- 
 dressing the multitudes in the open air. Providence 
 led and he followed, in this as in other instances, in 
 the way in which he could be instrumental of doing the 
 greatest amount of good. 
 
 But the most striking evidence of Mr. Wesley 
 having been controuled by circumstances, is perhaps to 
 be found in his consenting to employ Lay, or unordained 
 preachers. All his high church principles and preju- 
 dices were strongly opposed to this, and he found it 
 hard to give way. It is probable, indeed, that had lay 
 preaching been deferred until Mr. Wesley's consent 
 had been previously obtained, his notions of episcopal 
 order and authority would have caused him to have 
 withstood every proposal of such a nature. Happily, 
 he knew nothing of it until the irregularity had occur- 
 red, and the fact stared him in the face of a man of the 
 name of Thomas Maxfield, unordained, and compara- 
 tively illiterate, explaining the way of salvation, and being 
 thereby the means of the conversion of his fellow-crea- 
 tures. The case standing thus, Mr. Wesley was not the 
 individual rashly to set himself against it, merely because 
 it did not accord with his preconceived notions of order 
 and propriety; neither could he bring himself at once to 
 sanction it, upon the mere evidence of its utility, until, 
 having conversed on the subject with his pious and judi- 
 cious mother, her advice and wise counsel had the effect of 
 doing away with his opposition, and then of reconciling 
 him to lay preaching. The words of this mother iij 
 
26 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Israel are beautifully characteristic. In reply to her 
 son's objections on the subject of allowing unordained 
 persons to preach, she said, " My son, I charge you 
 before God, beware what you do; for Thomas Max- 
 field is as much called to preach the gospel as ever 
 you were." 
 
 Thomas Maxfield's preaching being acceptable, and 
 undoubtedly the means of spiritual good to many, other 
 lay persons were also admitted to act as teachers under 
 Mr. Wesley's superintendence ; and these became 
 the first of as laborious and useful a class of ministers 
 of the Gospel as any Christian church has ever been 
 blessed with, since the days of the Apostles. 
 
 Some of these lay individuals were withdrawn from 
 their secular business, and employed entirely in travel- 
 ling through different parts of the kingdom, under the 
 direction of Mr. Wesley : these acquired the name of 
 Itinerant, or Circuit Preachers. Others continued at 
 their usual occupations, and, without any expense for 
 maintenance, went and preached at places around the 
 neighbourhood where they resided, and were called 
 Local Preachers. 
 
 The election of Chapels, or, as they were then called, 
 preaching houses, was a work of expediency, and when 
 begun, the mode of investment, and the particular rights 
 involved therein, had not been so much as considered. 
 The inconvenience of not having a place wherein to 
 assemble for worship being felt, a resolution was form- 
 ed to begin to build, trusting to Providence for the 
 means, without looking beyond the present moment. 
 All that seemed to be known, was, that circumstances 
 rendered a chapel necessary; — this constituted their 
 governing authority, and they left it to future circum- 
 stances to determine what plans should be adopted 
 respecting it. 
 
 In a more advanced section of this work, at a time when 
 particular parties began respectively to prefer claims of 
 authority over chapels, the subject, with the tenure 
 upon which chapels are held, will come under our 
 notice, when it will be proper to add a few observations. 
 The commencement of chapel building is merely 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 27 
 
 introduced in this place in proof of the general position 
 that all the institutions of Methodism had an apparently 
 casual or circumstantial origin — that, in fact, there was 
 no preconcerted plan, in conformity to which Mr. Wes- 
 ley acted. 
 
 We may proceed to instance Stewards, both as to 
 the occasion of their existence, and the manner of their 
 appointment, which will be found to agree strictly with 
 what has been said respecting other parts of Methodism. 
 When Mr. Wesley began to preach in the open air, 
 and to form societies, he had no intention whatever 
 of having any concern with money matters, except it 
 might be for the purpose of relieving the poor. His 
 end was not to create a new sect, nor to adopt a plan 
 which should render contributions from the people ne- 
 cessary. Hence, when the proposal of giving pecuniary 
 aid was first mentioned to him, his honest reply will at 
 once shew that the suggestion had never previously 
 occupied his thoughts ; and also that the office of 
 Steward was instituted amongst the Methodists, not in 
 conformity with any wish of Mr. Wesley's prior to 
 that occasion, but to fulfil a particular purpose which 
 circumstances had rendered necessary. Referring to 
 the members of society, he states that some of them, 
 who objected to enjoy the advantages of his preaching 
 without cost, proposed, if not permitted to assist in 
 maintaining him, to subscribe towards paying for the 
 lease of a preaching house called the Foundery ; and 
 that, on this being consented to, the individual who 
 offered to take charge of the money, and keep the 
 accounts, became the Steward. The appointment, 
 when it was made, was only intended for a temporary 
 and special object ; but other wants and subscriptions 
 arising out of new circumstances, the Stewardship was 
 continued, and became a regular part of the system. 
 The office of Steward, as at first instituted, was of a very 
 extensive character. As separate funds were not raised 
 for different and specific purposes, his province was to 
 take charge of all the moneys contributed, and to dis- 
 burse them for the benefit of the cause generally, 
 whether in the form of assisting to erect a chapel, paying 
 
28 LIFE OF THE 
 
 rent, furnishing the preachers with the means of subsist- 
 ence, relieving the poor, or in any other way which 
 the case required. Since then, however, the office has 
 been greatly modified ; but as we wished to notice it 
 merely in reference to its origin, further explanation 
 is unnecessary, enough having been said to show that, 
 like other departments of Methodism, it was created 
 on the suggestion, and under the controul, of circum- 
 stances. 
 
 The most important institution in Methodism is the 
 Annual Conference ; and its origin agrees with that of 
 other parts of the system already mentioned. Like 
 them, it arose from the necessity or expediency of the 
 time. Mr. Wesley having been labouring for several 
 years, his followers, and the opportunities for use- 
 fulness, had rapidly increased; and he beheld before 
 him an immense field which only required culti- 
 vation, to be made to bring forth fruit an hundred- 
 fold. His mind was strongly impressed with the 
 responsibility of his situation; and there were many 
 points of doctrine, as well as of christian experience, 
 about which, too, he was deeply anxious. His oppor- 
 tunities for consulting with others on the means of 
 carrying on and extending the great work which had 
 been begun, had been only few and casual ; and he felt 
 the need of the gravest and wisest counsel that could 
 be obtained. Under these circumstances, in 1744, he 
 wrote to several pious and zealous clergymen, and 
 to all whom he had employed as helpers or lay preach- 
 ers, to meet him in London, that they might confer 
 together as to the best steps to be taken for the purpose 
 of promoting the conversion of souls. A meeting took 
 place accordingly — and this was the first Methodist 
 Conference. The subjects which came under consider- 
 ation were those essentially connected with salvation, 
 and with the office of the Ministry; the object of the 
 meeting being chiefly the removal of any doubts, and 
 the clearing of each other's views concerning justifica- 
 tion, faith, sanctification, and other cardinal truths of 
 the Gospel. Another conference, composed of persons 
 similarly invited by Mr. Wesley, was held in Bristol the 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 29 
 
 following year, when some points which had been dis- 
 cussed at the preceding interview were reconsidered, 
 and various other topics introduced, nearly, if not quite 
 all of which were of a spiritual character, — the original 
 design of these meetings being to improve and edify 
 one another, that they might be the better fitted to 
 labour effectually in the great work of human salvation. 
 Secular matters were not mentioned; and legislation 
 for the people, so far as appears from the published 
 minutes, formed no part of the business at the first 
 conferences. The one great concern of Mr. Wesley 
 was to qualify himself and others as perfectly as possi- 
 ble for the high duties of their office, as Ministers of 
 the Gospel ; and in this only purpose every other was 
 completely absorbed. 
 As these yearly interviews* were repeated, one subject 
 
 • Though Mr. Wesley's invitations to conference were almost wholly 
 addressed to individuals devoted entirely to the ministry, — viz. to his 
 own preachers, and some few of the clergy of the established church — 
 they were not exclusively confined to them ; laymen having been present, 
 undoubtedly at Mr. Wesley's request, on some of these occasions. Dr. 
 Hamilton, of London, for instance, and Dr. Hey, of Leeds, are said to 
 have attended Mr. Wesley's conferences ; and certainly Mr. Wm. Smith, 
 of Newcastle upon Tyne, who married a daughter of Mrs. Wesley, and 
 became by that union Mr. Wesley's son-in-law, was at the conference 
 held at Leeds in 1781, and took an active part therein. This is ascer- 
 tained beyond doubt, from a letter which Michael Moorhouse, an 
 eccentric but apparently a pious and upright man, and one of Mr. 
 Wesley's preachers, published about the year 1785, as an appeal to the 
 public. In this address, the writer complains bitterly of ill usage, which 
 he had experienced from his brethren in different ways. One of Mr. 
 Moorhouse's charges of unkindness was preferred against Mr. Crook, 
 with whom as superintendent he had been stationed in the Newcastle 
 circuit for one year, at the Bristol conference in 1780. During this 
 year, Mr. Moorhouse's wife died in childbed, at Newcastle, partly, as he 
 alleges in his letter, in consequence of hard fare, and harsh treatment 
 which she had met with from the stewards and others. The annexed 
 is an extract: — "* * * I shall pass on to Leeds conference, about 
 five months after my wife's death. Here I mentioned before our brethren, 
 that I thought I had not been well used by Mr. Crook ; and that he had 
 charged me with misbehaviour, that I had not ' behaved with sufficient 
 respect to him,' &c. But Mr. Crook rose up and cried, ' I deny the 
 fact, I deny the fact ; and if any man wants my character, there is Mr. 
 Smith.' This was a short way of getting over the chasm ; although he 
 told wilful slanderous untruths before God and 70 or 80 preachers. Mr. 
 Smith stood up, and informed the preachers that the 'sensible people 
 and local preachers at Sunderland said it would be much for the glory 
 
 c 3 
 
30 LIFE OF THE 
 
 after another was taken up, and the plan was modified 
 and received additions according as the exigencies of 
 the time might require, in the judgment of Mr. Wes- 
 ley, who all along reserved to himself the power of 
 deciding upon every measure, without permitting any 
 participation therein by any one. 
 
 In reference to all the foregoing characteristics of Me- 
 thodism, it will have appeared that whoever, or whatever 
 might suggest them* the adoption of each was the act 
 of Mr. Wesley. Nothing could be incorporated into 
 the system against his wish, or without his consent; his 
 approval was every thing, and his decision final. 
 During the formation of the Methodist Societies, many 
 irregularities were started from time to time; but whe- 
 ther they related to doctrines or to discipline, they 
 were, on coming to the knowledge of Mr. Wesley, 
 
 of God if Mr. Moorhouse desisted from preaching; and with regard to 
 what Mr Moorhou e says concerning Mr. Crook, I believe it to be both 
 false and follndationless. , " Whatever may have been the merits of Mr. 
 Moorhouse's case, this account unquestionably shews that Mr. Smith 
 was a member of the Leeds conference in 1781. 
 
 Mr. Moorhouse's letter, or " Appeal to Honest Men," as it is entitled, 
 — of which possibly hardly a copy but the one now before us is extant 
 — is printed on a broad sheet, in the newspaper form, and consists of 
 1G columns of small type. It is, on the whole, a strange medley, yet 
 it contains some particulars respecting early Methodism, and especially 
 of several of the preachers and their wives, which are highly curious and 
 amusing, as contrasted with the state of things now, when the Methodist 
 body has acquired so great a degree of respectability. The writer was 
 quite an original, and conceiving himself to be out of favour with Mr. Wes- 
 ley, he regarded that as the cause of his being stationed in the poorer cir- 
 cuits; while he attributed the genteeler accommodations which were appor- 
 tioned to some of his brethren and their wives as the effect of their having 
 got into his good graces, by means of flattery. The following may be 
 selected as one amongst a number of caricature sketches found in 
 Mr. Moorhouse's letter: — '"But tell me, ye honest men, is it right that 
 Mr. Wesley should have all this power ? To fix his flatterers, or rather let 
 them fix themselves in the best of the circuits, where a servant is kept to 
 wait upon the mistress, while another preacher's wife whom he does not 
 like, (though of a far better bringing up,) may live and lodge in one room, 
 rise and kindle her fire, clean her iron things, sick or in health ; kneel 
 down to wash her house-floor herself; while another is gone on a visit — 
 probably an artificial pair of hips on, and her gown pieced across the 
 rump, that it may trail as she walks along, with a large Kitty Fisher's 
 bonnet, and her umbrella, and gives orders to 'Nancy if it rains you 
 must follow me with my great coat.' No wonder that these ladies 
 should pray for Mr. Wesley to live until he be 100 years old !" 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 31 
 
 obliged to be discontinued, and the parties who intro- 
 duced or sanctioned them were required to concur in 
 the general plan. The smallness of the work in the 
 beginning, and its having been effected solely by Mr. 
 Wesley, or under his guidance, will account for his 
 power over the whole being absolute, and without re- 
 sponsibility to any but God only, by whom he believed 
 himself called to the performance of this vast un- 
 dertaking. As the societies multiplied, he admitted 
 other preachers, class-leaders, and stewards to labour 
 therein under him as he might command, but no one 
 was allowed to participate in his authority. The uni- 
 form conditions on which those connected with him 
 were engaged, or permitted to act, were, that they should 
 give up their own will, and be in every thing regarding 
 Methodism governed entirely by Mr. Wesley's direc- 
 tions; and these terms were applied alike to all the mem- 
 bers and agents of the bod} r , without exception. Nor is 
 it conceivable that in its infancy the system could have 
 been worked on any other principle than that of com- 
 plete submission on the one hand, and of unrestricted 
 authority on the other. A series of moral experiments 
 were being tried upon the most neglected classes of the 
 nation, who were generally as ignorant and brutal as 
 heathens. When these persons became converted by 
 the grace of God, though the change was apparent and 
 almost miraculous as to general character, yet, being 
 spiritual, they did not become thereby divested of their 
 former roughness of manner, and endowed at once 
 with those qualifications of wisdom and prudence re- 
 quisite in the management of a Christian society. They 
 had been accustomed to act independently, and (oregard 
 their superiors as entitled to obedience only in pro- 
 portion as they possessed the power to coerce them, and 
 were altogether inexperienced in rational principles of 
 government. With such habits and feelings — which 
 religion does not necessarily set aside in a moment, and 
 which can only be subdued by degrees, as the mind 
 acquires knowledge and the faculties are exercised in 
 their new situation — they would have been unmanage- 
 able by simple rules of conduct, unless there had been 
 
32 LIFE OF THE 
 
 superadded the personal authority of Mr. Wesley, 
 whom they were taught to obey implicitly, and without 
 questioning in any way his right to the directorship. 
 
 Amongst Mr. Wesley's early followers, some who 
 had been converted under his preaching were discover- 
 ed to possess strong original powers of mind, which 
 might be profitably turned to the service of religion. 
 These were taken hold of and employed immediately, for 
 there was work enough for all who could be found to 
 do it. Though uneducated, these preachers had other 
 qualifications, more essential at that time than human 
 learning. Accustomed to hardships and privations, 
 they were prepared by their habits literally to labour 
 in their new vocation : their zeal knew no bounds, and 
 this almost fitted them for martyrdom, which they nar- 
 rowly escaped on many occasions ; and the natural gift 
 of eloquence which many of them possesseJ—and which 
 was abundantly furnished with materials for observa- 
 tion by their own experience of the grace of God, — made 
 their addresses, if homely and illiterate, far more interest- 
 ino* and impressive to the people amongst whom they 
 went, than were the finished compositions of the higher 
 class of theologians. Instead of adducing dry arguments 
 in proof of the Christian religion, which could not have 
 been commonly understood or appreciated, these plain 
 men went directly to the hearts of their hearers, by 
 standing forth as instances of the mighty change effect- 
 ed by the Gospel on themselves; and while they 
 contrasted their former with their present characters, 
 and detailed the process of their own conversion, the 
 audience, if not instructed systematically in its theory, 
 was made acquainted with the working of Christianity 
 on the soul in a way which, in many cases, bore down 
 all opposition, and by the Divine blessing was render- 
 ed extensively useful. In employing these individuals 
 as teachers, Mr. Wesley required that in all things 
 they should be guided by him. What else, indeed, 
 could they have done ? They had little or no know- 
 ledge of the world ; and though qualified to speak of 
 religion, because they understood and felt it, yet they 
 were totally unfit to be left to themselves in the difficult 
 
REV. A. KILI1AM. 33 
 
 matters of church discipline and legislation. There 
 were, it is true, some few of Mr. Wesley's first preach- 
 ers who had better intelligence of men and things; but 
 still even these were so much inferior to himself in 
 every qualification for managing the body, that though 
 they might be, and were on many occasions, consulted 
 with advantage, their admission to exercise co-au- 
 thority with himself would have endangered the 
 uniform and profitable working of the system. And, 
 besides, the early coadjutors of Mr. Wesley were not 
 covetous of power, but found it easiest and most satis- 
 factory to themselves to be directed by him, in whom they 
 reposed entire confidence, and whose plans they regard- 
 ed as maturer and better than any of their own. 
 
 These circumstances will fully account for Mr. W T es- 
 ley having been originally in possession of irrespon- 
 sible authority over his Societies, whether preachers or 
 people. It was a position he was unavoidably placed 
 in, and had he declined to act in an unlimited capacity, 
 the Connexion would either not have been formed, or, 
 if formed, would soon have been broken up ; the mate- 
 rials of which it was composed being so unshapen and 
 ill adapted to hold together of themselves, that unless 
 they had been kept fast by his agency, dissolution, 
 confusion, and ruin would have been inevitable. What- 
 ever, therefore, maybe thought of the propriety of Mr. 
 Wesley having re tained this power after the system had 
 become established, and the preachers and members 
 had acquired experience, there can be no question of the 
 policy, nor even of the necessity, of his standing in the 
 beginning invested with full and undivided authority. 
 There is in societies as well as in individuals a state of 
 infancy and incapacity, in which self-government can- 
 not be exercised with advantage. Hence, if we advert 
 to the origin of communities, we shall find the arbi- 
 trary principle to have been acted upon at first, — the 
 ruling power being placed in the hands of individuals 
 whom age, or conquest, or extraordinary talents had 
 elevated to controul the rest, according to their will 
 or caprice. As civilization advances, laws are made ; 
 and these, and not the mandates of single persons, 
 
34 
 
 LIFE OF THE 
 
 become paramount:, and are considered as alone entitled 
 to respect and obedience. Then, in proportion as the 
 arts are cultivated, and political science becomes un- 
 derstood, official authority is further defined and re- 
 stricted, and a participation, by representation or 
 otherwise, in the work of legislation is extended through 
 all gradations in the state, and rational liberty and 
 good government are secured thereby to all classes. 
 In a well-constituted family, where the paternal prero- 
 gatives are judiciously employed, we have a still more 
 familiar illustration of the manner in which authority, 
 absolutely exercised at first, is subsequently modified, 
 and ultimately superceded. During nonage the parent 
 has the entire controul of his children : while very 
 young, they are required implicitly to follow whatever 
 directions he may give them : but as they become edu- 
 cated and disciplined, the tone of authority is softened 
 more and more, and by degrees they are raised towards 
 an equality; until, on reaching their majority, they have 
 conceded to them all the rights and liberty enjoyed by 
 the parent himself, — who retains no power or influence 
 over them, except w r hat arises from relationship, riper 
 years, and a sense of those kindnesses which can never 
 be forgotten or unacknowledged by his affectionate 
 offspring. 
 
 Legislation and government require a perfection of 
 understanding and judgment, and a comprehensiveness 
 and sobriety of mind, which cannot be met with in in- 
 dividuals very early in life, nor yet in fraternities during 
 the first stages of their corporate existence. They 
 must therefore, for a while, be content to be ruled by 
 superiors, until their own faculties and experience 
 have ripened into a fitness for taking charge of their own 
 concerns. As soon as they are thus qualified, they be- 
 come entitled, of natural right, to participate in the 
 making and administration of all laws binding upon 
 themselves, or having for their object their personal 
 welfare and advantage. 
 
 However cordially Mr. Wesley might be submitted 
 to at first, we find dissatisfaction growing up in time, 
 and a desire manifesting itself on the part of some of his 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 35 
 
 followers to be admitted to a share of his authority. I lis 
 preachers were the first to murmur; and when he was 
 a})]) lied to, and charged with having monopolised all the 
 powers of government to himself, he often adverted, in 
 his own vindication, to the circumstances by which 
 he became invested with supreme controul. His con- 
 scientious conviction appeared to be, that as it was not 
 of his own seeking, but originally forced upon him, he 
 had the right, and was indeed bound in duty, to re- 
 tain it as long as he lived. The matter having been 
 fully gone into by Mr. Wesley, in reply to what he 
 understood to be the leading objections against him on 
 this head, it may be useful to give his own paper on the 
 subject ; more especially as it clearly specifies the rela- 
 tionship subsisting between himself and his people, 
 whether preachers, officers, or private members of the 
 society. The passage is remarkable for that pointedness 
 in speaking and writing which characterised the founder 
 of Methodism, whose frankness of manner may be 
 ranked as one of his many commendable qualities. The 
 case is introduced byproposingthe following question — 
 "What power is this which you exercise over both the 
 Preachers and the Societies ?" 
 
 To this Mr. Wesley answered at large in these 
 words : — 
 
 " Count Zinzendorf loved to keep all things close : 
 I love to do all things openly. I will therefore tell 
 you all I know of the matter, taking it from the very 
 beginning. 
 
 "In November, 1738, two or three persons who de- 
 sired to * flee from the wrath to come,' and then a few 
 more, came to me in London, and desired me to advise 
 and pray with them. I said, 'If you will meet me on 
 Thursday night, I will help you as well as I can.' 
 More and more then desired to meet with them, till 
 they were increased to many hundreds. The case was 
 afterwards the same at Bristol, Kingswood, Newcastle, 
 and many other parts of England, Scotland, and Ire- 
 land. It may be observed, the desire was on their 
 part, not mine. My desire was, to live and die in 
 
36 LIFE OF THE 
 
 retirement. But I did not see that I could refuse them 
 my help, and be guiltless before God. 
 
 " Here commenced my power ; namely, a power to 
 appoint when, and where, and how they should meet ; 
 and to remove those whose lives showed that they had 
 not a desire * to flee from the wrath to come.' And 
 this power remained the same, whether the people 
 meeting together were twelve, or twelve hundred, or 
 twelve thousand. 
 
 " In a few days some of them said, ' Sir, we will not 
 sit under you for nothing; we will subscribe quarterly.' 
 I said, 6 1 will have nothing; for I want nothing. My 
 Fellowship supplies me with all I want.' One replied, 
 ' Nay, but you w r ant a hundred and fifteen pounds to 
 pay for the lease of the Foundery ; and likewise a large 
 sum of money to put it into repair/ On this consider- 
 ation, I suffered them to subscribe. And when the 
 society met, I asked, 6 Who will take the trouble of 
 receiving this money, and paying it where it is needful?' 
 One said, 'I will do it, and keep the account for you.' 
 So here was the first Steward. Afterwards, I desired 
 one or two more to help me, as stewards, and, in pro- 
 cess of time, a great number. 
 
 " Let it be remarked, it was I myself, not the people, 
 who chose these stewards, and appointed to each the 
 distinct work wherein he was to help me, as long as I 
 desired. And herein I began to exercise another 
 sort of power ; namely, that of appointing and removing 
 stewards. 
 
 " After some time a young man, named Thomas Max- 
 field, came and desired to help me as a son in the Gos- 
 pel. Soon after came a second, Thomas Richards ; 
 and then a third, Thomas Westell. These severally 
 desired to serve me as sons, and to labour when and 
 where I should direct. Observe: these likewise de- 
 sired me, not I them. But I durst not refuse their 
 assistance. And here commenced my power, to ap- 
 point each of these when, and where, and how to la- 
 bour ; that is, while he chose to continue with me. 
 For each had a power to go away when he pleased ; as 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 37 
 
 I had also, to go away from them, or any of them, if I 
 saw sufficient cause. The case continued the same 
 when the number of preachers increased. I had just 
 the same power still, to appoint when, and where, and 
 how each should help me ; and to tell any, (if I saw 
 cause,) £ I do not desire your help any longer.' On 
 these terms, and no other, we joined at first : on these 
 we continue joined. But they do me no favour in be- 
 ing directed by me. It is true my c reward is with 
 the Lord :' but at present I have nothing from it but 
 trouble and care ; and often a burthen I scarce know 
 how to bear. 
 
 " In 1744 I wrote to several clergymen, and to all 
 who then served me as sons in the Gospel, desiring 
 them to meet me in London, and to give me their ad- 
 vice concerning the best method of carrying on the 
 work of God. And when their number increased, so 
 that it was not convenient to invite them all, for several 
 years I wrote to those with whom I desired to confer, 
 and they only met me at London, or elsewhere : till at 
 length I gave a general permission, which I afterwards 
 saw cause to retract. 
 
 " Observe : I myself sent for these of my own free 
 choice. And I sent for them to advise, not govern, me. 
 Neither did I at any time divest myself of any part of 
 the power above described, which the providence of 
 God had cast upon me, without any design or choice 
 of mine. 
 
 "What is that power? It is a power of admitting 
 into, and excluding from, the societies under my care; 
 of choosing and removing stewards; of receiving or 
 not receiving helpers ; of appointing them when, 
 where, and how to help me, and of desiring any of 
 them to confer with me when I see good. And as it 
 was merely in obedience to the providence of God, and 
 for the good of the people, that I at first accepted this 
 power, which I never sought; so it is on the same con- 
 sideration, not for profit, honour, or pleasure, that I 
 use it at this day. 
 
 " But ' several gentlemen are offended at your having 
 so much power.' I did not seek any part of it. But 
 
 D 
 
3S LIFE OF THE 
 
 when it was come unawares, not daring to ' bury that 
 talent/ I used it to the best of my judgment. Yet I 
 never was fond of it. I always did, and do now, bear 
 it as my burden ; — the burden which God lays upon 
 me, and therefore I dare not lay it down. 
 
 " But if you can tell me any one, or any five men, to 
 whom I may transfer this burden, who can and will do 
 just what I do now, I will heartily thank both them 
 and you. 
 
 " But some of our helpers say, c This is shackling 
 free-born Englishmen;' and demand a free Conference, 
 that is, a meeting of all the preachers, wherein all 
 things shall be determined by most votes. I answer, 
 It is possible, after my death, something of this kind 
 may take place ; but not while I live. To me the 
 preachers have engaged themselves to submit, to serve 
 me as sons in the Gospel; but they are not thus en- 
 gaged to any man or number of men besides. To me 
 the people in general will submit; but they will not 
 thus submit to any other. 
 
 " It is nonsense, then, to call my using this power, 
 c shackling free-born Englishmen.' None needs to 
 submit to it unless he will; so that there is no shackling 
 in the case. Every preacher and every member may 
 leave me when he pleases. But while he closes to 
 slay, it is on the same terms that he joined me at first. 
 
 " 'But this is making yourself a Pope.' This carries 
 no face of truth. The Pope affirms that every Chris- 
 tian must do all he bids, and believe all he says, under 
 pain of damnation. I never affirmed anything that 
 bears any the most distant resemblance to this. All I 
 affirm is, the preachers who chose to labour with me, 
 choose to serve me as sons in the Gospel. And the 
 people who chose to be under my care, choose to be 
 so on the same terms they were at first. 
 
 " Therefore all talk of this kind is highly injurious to 
 me, who bear the burden merely for your sake. And 
 it is exceedingly mischievous to the people, tending to 
 confound their understanding, and to fill their hearts 
 with evil surmisings and unkind tempers toward me ; 
 to whom they really owe more, for taking all this load 
 
ll£V. A. RlLIIAM. 39 
 
 Upon me, for exercising this very power, for shackling 
 myself in this manner, than for all my preaching put 
 together; because preaching twice or thrice a clay is no 
 burden to me at all : but the care of all the preachers 
 and a 1 1 the people is a burden indeed !" * 
 
 The preceding paper having been published in 1789, 
 when Methodism had existed more than fifty years, 
 and only two years before Mr. Wesley's death, it may 
 be regarded as his final statement and exposition of 
 the terms on which himself and his followers stood 
 connected. He was the head of the body of Metho- 
 dists, and in that capacity he claimed the entire direc- 
 tion of the whole community from first to last — not 
 only during the infancy of the societies, when the con- 
 verts were fresh and inexperienced, but after they had 
 been formed for upwards of half a century. Mr, Wes- 
 ley, it will be observed, adduces the following reasons 
 or grounds for claiming the absolute and irresponsible 
 controul of the entire connexion. 1. It had been form- 
 ed by himself. 2. The government had been originally 
 " cast" upon him, and had come into his hands " una- 
 wares." 3. All who had become members, or entered the 
 ministry, had covenanted to obey and serve him, as sons 
 in the gospel. 4. He had used his authority only for 
 the glory of God. 5. He knew of no one individual, nor 
 even of any five persons, competent to take the ma- 
 nagement at his hands, or on whom he could devolve 
 the government. 6, and lastly, Those who did not 
 approve of the conditions prescribed for membership, 
 could retire from all union with him whenever they 
 chose to do so. 
 
 The manner in which Mr. Wesley has spoken in the 
 preceding passage of Ins authority, seems to favour the 
 notion, ttiat by originating the body he had obtained a 
 legitimate title to govern it absolutely, according to his 
 own will. Now this is a doctrine to which we think 
 we may reasonably demur ; because, in founding a 
 church, the agent actively engaged acquires no proper- 
 ty thereby in the persons collected together as mem- 
 
 • Works, Vol. VIII. p. 310. 
 d3 
 
40 LIFE OF THE 
 
 bers, nor any authority over them except what strictly 
 relates to his office as their pastor. Neither in forming 
 a new society has he the option of instituting such terms 
 of membership as he may please to prescribe, but must 
 be guided in this respect, as in others regarding doc- 
 trine, by the New Testament, without superadding, of 
 his own mere will, anything which is incompatible with 
 its general tenor. Instead, therefore, of the circum- 
 stance of having raised up a church constituting a war- 
 rant for governing that church in whatever way the 
 minister may think proper, he is himself bound to con- 
 form to the gospel plan, and to see that others do the 
 same ; and if any conditions of union have been esta- 
 blished which are inconsistent with the rights of con- 
 science or the principles of christian liberty, all of 
 which are there laid down and guaranteed, they are of 
 no obligation or authority whatever. 
 
 It is also equally unsatisfactory to mention as a rea- 
 son for continuing to exercise supreme authority, that 
 the prerogative was at first necessarily forced by circum- 
 stances upon the party claiming it in perpetuity ; since 
 the title to such controul always ceases to be good when 
 the neccessity which warranted its use for a season is 
 removed. The proposition has been already laid down, 
 that the inherent rights of men and of christians are 
 in themselves inalienable, though they may be in 
 temporary abeyance; just the same as during infancy 
 it is expedient that persons and all their interests be 
 placed under the management of others who are of ma- 
 ture years, and competent to act in their behalf; but 
 as soon as the causes which created this necessity for 
 submission on the one hand, and unlimited controul 
 on the other, have ceased, there must be a restoration 
 of privileges to the parties from whom they had been 
 for a period withheld for salutary purposes. No axiom 
 in government can be more self-evident, or of more 
 general application, than this — viz., that authority ought 
 to be placed where it can be exercised to the greatest 
 content and advantage of all parties. There is also 
 another principle, fully as true, though not perhaps so 
 obvious, as the one just named. It is this — that with 
 
REV. A. KILHAM, 41 
 
 regard to his proper rights every member of society is 
 equally entitled to a share of power with every other 
 member ; and when this is withheld from any one for 
 his own or the common welfare, and invested in some 
 other, it is in the nature of a trust, to be restored to the 
 owner wholly or in part so soon as he becomes capable 
 of receiving and using it in a manner consistent with 
 the general objects of the social union. To affirm, there- 
 fore, that because power happened to be necessaril}- 
 placed in the hands of an individual or a party, at first, 
 it must continue there, notwithstanding any change of 
 circumstances, is to maintain a position as much at vari- 
 ance with equity and reason as it is opposed to com- 
 mon experience. 
 
 The third reason assigned by Mr. Wesley for re- 
 taining this authority, assumes the right to exact abso- 
 lute submission as a term of union ; and that this sti- 
 pulation was, moreover, to be permanently binding on 
 the part of his members and preachers — even after 
 they had, by long standing in the church, acquired ex- 
 perience and discretion. Now no minister is entitled 
 to make such a bargain for himself with individuals on 
 their entering a christian society, or the office of a 
 preacher of the gospel. St. Peter did not, nor did St. 
 Paul, or the first apostles, require the fulfilment of 
 such a condition, or in any way attempt to negociate 
 with those who became converted under their ministry 
 for personal submission to themselves. All which 
 they exacted was holy devotion in the worship and ser- 
 vice of God, the exercise of christian charity towards 
 each other, and a decent and orderly management of 
 the concerns of the church. These things were re- 
 quired as evidences of the sincerity of their faith in 
 Christ, and for the honour and prosperity of the cause 
 of religion ; and while they demanded nothing more, 
 they would be satisfied with nothing less; but if these 
 were attended to, the apostles were content — not 
 covenanting for anything beyond what the gospel 
 enjoined, and what was due to their common Lord and 
 Master. 
 
 There appears, too, something ungracious in supposing 
 
42 LIFE OF THE 
 
 the option to depart to be an adequate remedy in case 
 of unwillingness to submit to this authority. It is much 
 the same as for an arbitrary government to meet its 
 subjects, when pleading for liberty, with the offer of 
 voluntary expatriation, as an alternative if they do not 
 choose to be satisfied with the existing state of things. 
 No man, and especially no christian, ought to be put to 
 this choice. In commercial transactions, when the 
 market is open and public, and the only principle re- 
 cognized is individual convenience, it may be fair to re- 
 mind persons, when objecting to any termsproposed, that 
 they have perfect freedom to deal elsewhere ; but to 
 suppose it a parallel case, when the social feelings^ 
 church fellowship, and conscience are concerned, shows 
 a strange inattention to the nature of things. Christian 
 communion is appointed by God himself, as a means of 
 professing a belief in the gospel of his Son Jesus Christ; 
 attention to it is therefore a duty. It is, moreover, a pri- 
 vilege to be united to the people of God, — his churches, 
 to whom so many promises are made, being constituted 
 of faithful persons thus connected together in his name. 
 This fellowship, with all its attendant benefits, is part of 
 the inheritance which the children of God hold direct- 
 ly from their heavenly Father, and which they have a 
 claim to enjoy on such terms alone as he has pre- 
 scribed. No one has authority to interpose between 
 christians and their privileges conditions of his own, 
 and tell them if they do not think proper to be in 
 church fellowship, or the ministry, on these terms 
 they may depart elsewhere. This is a sort of taxing 
 of the immunities of the new covenant for the profit 
 of those, who, by attaching terms of their own, seek to 
 interfere with the charter of God's people. 
 
 There is besides another view of this subject, by 
 which, speaking generally, and in regard to its prin- 
 ciple, the injustice of proposing a departure from a 
 christian society as the alternative of not submitting 
 to hard terms of communion, is made if possible still 
 more apparent. It may be true, so far as concerned 
 Mr. Wesley personally, who was a man of large and 
 liberal mind, and full of charity, that those who 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 43 
 
 did not feel disposed to obey him were free to leave his 
 society whenever they pleased to do so. Yet this step 
 can seldom be taken without being attended with the 
 following painful incidents. 1st. A grievous con- 
 flict of mind has to be endured before any one can be 
 brought even to think of tearing himself from a com- 
 munity with which he has become united, and to which 
 he is perhaps attached by numberless ties. 2nd. 
 When, after a severe struggle between a sense of 
 duty and a natural disinclination to change under such 
 trying circumstances, he is compelled to separate — 
 the purity of his motives is often questioned, and 
 he is misjudged, and represented as acting under 
 the influence of disappointed ambition, or for sinister 
 purposes. 3rd. He is in too many instances vindic- 
 tively pursued by some of the party whom he has left, 
 and attempts are made to injure his character, and, not 
 unfrequently, his temporal interests likewise. For there 
 are, in almost every place, bigotted individuals, who 
 seem as if they thought it w r as doing God service to 
 traduce, and degrade, and punish with pecuniary loss, 
 those who entertain and act upon different opinions 
 from their own. With such a prospect before him, a 
 person of ordinary sensibility will be disposed to en- 
 dure almost any thing rather than leave the denomina- 
 tion in which he has so many inducements to abide, 
 and when there are so many deterring circumstances 
 against a removal. To represent,then,that he is at liberty 
 to depart does not at all, under such circumstances, de- 
 scribe his case. The offer is plausible in words, but 
 in reality it is a harsh alternative, involving such a 
 number of evils, if it be embraced, that their formidable 
 character has a tendency to throw back an individual 
 of but common nerve, upon the determination to remain 
 where he is, and submit to conditions which his judov- 
 ment disapproves, and which, if he were really free to 
 act, he would at once repudiate. Thus situated, the 
 infirmities and temptations of human nature are all 
 in favour of continuing stationary ; and it requires al- 
 most a super-human degree of grace and fortitude to 
 bring a man to a resolution to make the sacrifices, and 
 
44 LIFE OF THE 
 
 meet the inconveniences and losses, which such a change 
 must necessarily draw down upon him. 
 
 It is not improbable that the retention of power on 
 the part of Mr. Wesley, was attributable, in a great 
 measure, to the perplexity he felt as to whom it could 
 with safety be transferred. He knew of no one, nor 
 even of any five persons, competent to receive it at his 
 hands. It was believed, that had Mr. Fletcher survived 
 Mr. Wesley, he would have been chosen to the office 
 on account of his eminent gifts and piety ; but he died 
 several years before the founder of Methodism, and 
 there was no one left of apparent fitness to be entrusted 
 with the important charge. Mr. Wesley, therefore, seem- 
 ed to think he had no choice, but to continue to hold the 
 reins of government, or to relinquish them into the hands 
 of those in whom he had not sufficient confidence, 
 — which he did not feel disposed to do. Had there been 
 scriptural authority, or an unavoidable necessity for the 
 Methodist body having an individual temporal head, 
 or a standing committee of legislation and controul, the 
 duty, under such circumstances, would have been clear. 
 But no such supremacy is provided for, because it is 
 not required to be exercised in the Church, by the 
 word of God. Instead, therefore, of lamenting that 
 there was no single person, or five persons, to take the 
 power at Mr. Wesley's hands, the use we make of the 
 circumstance is this — that the power, which had most 
 properly been invested with Mr. Wesley for a season, 
 during the infancy of the cause, should have been given 
 back by degrees to the members generally, and such re- 
 gulations made for its exercise as would have combined 
 both preachers and laity in the management of the 
 general connexion. The life-time of Mr. Wesley would 
 have been exceedingly favourable for placing the govern- 
 ment of the body on a right foundation ; and had the 
 laity been invited to the Conference, and associated with 
 himself and the ministers in devising means for the ex- 
 tension of the work of religion, those jealousies which 
 prevailed amongst the preachers, "as to who should be 
 the greatest" after his death, would have been mostly 
 prevented, as well as many of the disputes which have 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 45 
 
 likewise occurred since, at various periods, respect- 
 ing the arbitrary exercise of power over the people. 
 
 It is remarkable, that though Mr. Wesley foresaw, 
 and said in express terms, that the societies would not 
 suffer any one to rule them as he had done, yet he 
 never adopted any plan for a proper division of 
 authority, but left the matter entirely for future adjust- 
 ment. This is much to be regretted, as his influence, 
 had it been exerted on the subject, would have had 
 a happy effect on all parties. But he does not seem 
 to have been disposed to interfere with the relative 
 position which others might assume eventually? since 
 be had made up his mind to continue to administer 
 the functions of government, at least nominally, during 
 his own life. 
 
 Those who are acquainted with the character of the 
 first societies will, it is probable, find it easier to justify 
 the original plan of Mr. Wesley, than to concur in the 
 above reasons which are given for continuing to exercise 
 it permanently. So long as his sole government is repre- 
 sented as resting on the foundation of expediency, 
 and made to apply to the early days of Methodism, it 
 may be successfully vindicated ; for it has been shewn 
 that in the infancy of the connexion some such autho- 
 rity must necessarily have been lodged with an indivi- 
 dual like Mr. Wesley, whose talents and acquirements 
 over others were so supereminent, that they would be 
 but poorly illustrated by any comparison which might 
 be instituted between him and the most gifted amongst 
 his followers. He was so much elevated above others, 
 that he naturally, at first, assumed the office of appoint- 
 ing and ruling — or rather, he accepted it ; for, as he 
 truly says, it was "cast" upon him — because none else 
 was qualified or willing to take such a leading part ; 
 and if he had refused also, the system, being neglected 
 or left to incompetent persons, would have gone to de- 
 struction. There can be no doubt, therefore, that Mr. 
 Wesley was in a manner forced to occupy the station 
 which he did, and that his motives were of the purest 
 character, — his only object being to promote scriptural 
 
46 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Christianity, especially amongst the lower classes in so- 
 ciety. 
 
 No profession of Mr. Wesley's ever deserved greater 
 credit than that wherein he declares he had throughout 
 acted and used his influence for the glory of God. His 
 whole life and labours confirm the truth of this; and 
 he will go down to posterity not only as one of the 
 greatest and most useful men who ever lived, but as 
 one who, in the plenitude of his authority, sought to 
 exercise it for the salvation of souls. Mr. Wesley, how- 
 ever, stands alone : no other man or class of men can be 
 expected to resemble him in disinterestedness and self- 
 devotion to the welfare of others. It is, therefore, not 
 in opposition to Mr. Wesley's having had great authority 
 that objections are raised — but against a particular 
 principle, which in the hands of any class of men, 
 constituted as human nature is, must sooner or later 
 work for evil rather than for good. 
 
 Mr. Wesley must also be distinguished from any 
 successor or number of successors in another particular. 
 He was no more to be classed with the preachers than 
 with the private members of the society, but had alike 
 the command of all; and his authority, though more 
 displayed in respect of the former, could be appealed 
 to by both parties, especially by the people, who looked 
 directly to him for protection, when particular instances 
 of arbitrary conduct occurred on the pert of individual 
 preachers, and had in general, such perfect confidence 
 in his kindness and goodwill towards them, that they 
 seemed to entertain little or no fear of being wronged 
 so long as their privileges were in his keeping. The 
 preachers, chiefly, were jealous and impatient of Mr. 
 Wesley's controul, which Often mortified them when 
 exercised, as it sometimes was, to repress their ambi- 
 tious aspirings ; and it was in opposition to their claims 
 and efforts to share the ruling power, that he so posi- 
 tively asserted his right to the entire direction and 
 government of the connexion. 
 
 Mr. Wesley's retaining the supremacy in his own 
 hands, operated variously on the minds of different 
 
REV. A. KILI1AM. 47 
 
 preachers. A majority of them, unwilling to appear to 
 oppose him in his latter days, were disposed quietly to 
 submit to his direction, and to await his removal to 
 his heavenly reward, before attempting any alteration 
 in the system. While a lew others, observing a diminu- 
 tion in his physical and mental energies — the necessary 
 consequence of extreme age — conceived the plan of 
 ingratiating themselves into his favour, as a means 
 of ruling indirectly in his name, both for pre- 
 sent gratification and preparatory to a formal assump- 
 tion of power after his decease. There was accordingly, 
 as might be expected, a good deal of favouritism to- 
 wards the latter end of Mr. Wesley's life. The societies 
 had greatly increased, and needed attention in propor- 
 tion to their augmented numbers ; and the time and 
 strength of Mr. Wesley — though he Mas almost a mira- 
 cle for his years— being inadequate to a personal superin- 
 tendance and visitation, he was necessarily obliged to take 
 many things on report from those who had gained his con- 
 fidence, (which was not always well placed,) who thus 
 acquired authority to act in his behalf. One effect of 
 this was, that in some instances Mr. Wesley's power, 
 delegated to others, was made to appear more arbitrary 
 than it would have been in his own hands. This natu- 
 rally proved a source of great dissatisfaction, both in 
 the minds of the junior and less officious preachers, 
 and also to the more observant and intelligent of the 
 people, which had its effect in preparing them for the 
 conflicts which afterwards ensued. 
 
 A further occasion of discontent in many places, was 
 the refusal to allow the Methodist Societies to have 
 preaching in Church hours, and the ordinance of the 
 Lord's Supper in their own Chapels. This latter was 
 not, however, a new subject of controversy, though it 
 was more extensively canvassed as the progress of 
 Methodism advanced, and the congregations became 
 settled. There had been occasional struggles for these 
 privileges for many years before Mr. W'esley's death; 
 and at the City Road Chapel, London, and one or two 
 other places, a concession had been made of the 
 Sacrament under certain restrictions ; yet the cases 
 
48 LIFE OF THE 
 
 where it had been granted were so few, and being re- 
 garded as peculiar, and coming under the character of 
 exceptions to the general rule, they were not allowed 
 to be pleaded as precedents. But these grounds of refusal 
 were not satisfactory, and there was, notwithstanding 
 Mr. Wesley's repeated injunctions on his members to 
 resort to the Church for the purpose of partaking of 
 this ordinance, a growing desire, and evidently a de- 
 termination in many societies, to have every ordinance 
 of the Gospel independent of the Establishment ; and 
 the only points which seemed to be undecided were as 
 to the most expedient method of obtaining them, and 
 whether to strive for them at once, or wait a little 
 longer, when a more favourable opportunity might 
 occur. Much disputation arose out of these things, which, 
 as it will have to be noticed hereafter, may be passed 
 over in this place. 
 
 The preceding outlines may be sufficient to give the 
 reader a general idea of the state of Methodism at, 
 and for some time previous to, Mr. Wesley's death. 
 The details of the measures taken to secure the ad- 
 ministration of the Sacrament, with other disputed 
 matters, and more especially of the stand made against 
 the assumed power which the preachers asserted, of 
 sitting alone in Conference, and being the sole legisla- 
 tors and governors of the Connexion, are so interwoven 
 with the conduct of Mr. Kilham, that they will pro- 
 perly form part, and the most important part, of his 
 personal history, which we now proceed to take up and 
 narrate in the order in which the circumstances oc- 
 curred. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 MR KJLHAM'S EARLY LIFE, TO THE PERIOD WHEN HE BECAJV1 I 
 
 A CIRCUIT PREACHER IN CONNEXION WITH THE 
 
 REV. JOHN WESLEY IN 1785. 
 
 It is a circumstance not unworthy of notice, that both 
 Mr. Wesley, the father of Methodism, and Alexander 
 Kilham, one of the founders of the Methodist New 
 Connexion, were born at Epworth,* a small market 
 town in Lincolnshire. Mr. Kilham, whose father's 
 name was Simon, was born on the 10th of July, 1162; 
 and his parents being pious members of the Methodist 
 Society, he had the advantage of a religious education. 
 It is recorded by Mr. Kilham, to the honour of his 
 father and mother, and as the occasion of his most 
 grateful recollections in after-life, that at the earliest 
 period when he was capable of receiving instruction, 
 they endeavoured to impress upon his mind the danger 
 and folly of living in sin, and the happy consequences, 
 both in the present and future world, of loving and 
 serving God. It was their practice to take him with 
 
 * After Mr. Kilham, by writing against the exclusive power of the 
 preachers, and what he regarded as the abuses of Methodism, hud be- 
 come obnoxious to the leading individuals who governed the body, almost 
 every thing relating to him was construed to his disadvantage. Even 
 the circumstance of his having been born at Epworth was tauntingly 
 mentioned ; and with a sor: of profane reference to the words of St. 
 .lames (Chap. iii. v. 11,), this was cited as an exception to the general 
 law in nature, that a fountain doih not "send forth at the same place 
 sweet water and bitter." Mr. Kilham noticed this allusion in the follow- 
 ing terms: — " Whatever may be thought by pome on the subject, I con- 
 sider it an honour to be born in the same town that gave birth to the 
 .Messrs. Wesley; and I hope I have been following the leadings of Divine 
 Providence in my contracted sphere, in what 1 have done to bring about 
 a redress of grievances, as the Messrs. Wesley did when they sought to 
 reform the national church. And as they rejoiced when they were 
 worthy to be cast out of the church, and went preaching the Gospel 
 wherever a door opened ; so I rejoice that I am counted worthy to be 
 cast out of the conference for what 1 have done, and hope to preach 
 wherever the Lord diiects my way," 
 
50 LIFE OF THE 
 
 them to hear preaching, and afterwards to talk over the 
 sermons, for the purpose of simplifying and adapting 
 what they had heard to his capacity. The effects of 
 this were, that his mind became enlightened, and his 
 conscience tender and scrupulous even while an infant 
 The first distinct impression which he could remember 
 respecting death, and eternity, and the necessity of 
 being always prepared for the change, was occasioned 
 by his mother calling with him, on their way to preach- 
 ing, to see the corpse of a man who had been killed by 
 lightning. This sight, and the thoughts it suggested, 
 never became obliterated from his memory. He was 
 likewise, while very young, much affected in overhear- 
 ing several conversations on experimental religion which 
 his father had with the Methodist preachers who came 
 to the house. 
 
 When he was under 13 years old, Mr. Shadford,* 
 probably at his lather's request, took an opportunity of 
 speaking with him alone. This good man's admonitory 
 conversation moved him to tears. His sins were 
 brought to remembrance, and he felt that punishment 
 from God might be justly inflicted upon him for them. 
 In this state of mind, he made his first resolutions to 
 live holily in future ; but these were soon broken, and 
 the solemn impressions of which he had been the 
 
 * Mr. Shadford went out as a Circuit preacher under Mr Wesley in 
 17CH, when he was 29 years old. He was born in Lincolnshire, not far 
 from Epworth, in which neighbourhood several of his family lived. Be- 
 fore his conversion his habits had been very irregular, which led him to 
 enlist into the militia, and while marching from place to place as a 
 soldier, he was frequently brought under the Gospel, especially at Gains- 
 borough, where his mind was deeply affected under a sermon by one of 
 the Methodist preachers. Still, he was not decidedly pious until after 
 being discharged from the army. His conversion took place in 1762. 
 No sooner had he become a partaker of saving grace than he began to 
 seek the salvation of others, and became the means of his parents and 
 other individuals beginning in earnest to serve God. After travelling as 
 a preacher a few years, on meeting with Captain Webb at the Leeds 
 Conference, and learning from him that there was an opening for, and 
 great need of, preachers in America, he offered his services, which being 
 accepted, he sailed within the year. On the rupture between America 
 and England, as he could not renounce allegiance to Great Britain, and 
 take the United States test oath, he obtained a passport and returned 
 home, where he resumed his station as a preacher, and laboured in that 
 capacity for several years. 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 51 
 
 subject became partly effaced in a short time ; and from 
 this period until his 18th year he seems to have been 
 exceedingly unhappy, in consequence of his general 
 conduct being so much at variance with the better 
 convictions of his mind. He states, in a private 
 journal which he afterwards kept, that he was guilty 
 of undutiful conduct towards his parents, that he 
 violated the Sabbath-day, and was moreover ad- 
 dicted to other wicked practices too common in youth. 
 These practices gave his father and mother great 
 uneasiness, and caused them to weep and lament over 
 their son with feelings bordering upon despondency. 
 The knowledge which he had of their distress frequently 
 had an awakening effect upon him, and reproduced 
 occasionally those anxieties respecting his soul which 
 he had experienced more strongly during childhood. 
 Referring to his eighteenth year, he says, — " About this 
 time, a youth of 14 years of age, with whom I became 
 acquainted, was made singularly useful to me; and from 
 the various conversations we had on religious subjects, 
 I began to make serious determinations to leave off 
 my wicked course of life, to discontinue my old com- 
 panions, and to devote myself to those religious pursuits, 
 which I was always convinced could alone make me 
 happy. My pious companion would often talk with 
 me on these subjects, and finding an increasing delight 
 in his company and conversation, we began to form a 
 useful intimacy, advising and encouraging each other 
 to continue in search of eternal happiness. I now be- 
 gan to resume the neglected practice of private prayer, 
 and frequently found much encouragement and draw- 
 ings from the Lord in that exercise, which elevated my 
 mind, and convinced me that the ways of wisdom are 
 the only ways of pleasantness. I began to have an 
 unusual peace and serenity of mind, which I had 
 hitherto been a stranger to, and my hours passed 
 cheerfully along. Not having then the privilege of 
 hearing the Methodists, I spent as much time as my 
 situation afforded in private duties, rising early in the 
 morning to secure a little leisure for that purpose. 
 My father, with several of the Methodists, seeing the 
 
52 LIFE OF THE 
 
 change that had taken place, embraced opportuni- 
 ties of speaking with me, and exhorting me to cleave to 
 the Lord with my whole heart. He frequently con- 
 versed with me on Sunday evenings in private, and 
 endeavoured to impress on me a due regard for my 
 immortal soul. I opened my mind to him, but it was 
 still with some degree of reserve ; for although I was 
 almost persuaded to be a Christian, yet, being young, 
 
 * The world, and its dread lenigh, 
 1 Which scarce the stern phiiosopher can scorn, 
 1 Hung on my side,' 
 
 and I could not reconcile myself to the reproach of 
 Christ. I felt unwilling to bear the then odious name 
 of Methodist, and when at any time the term was 
 applied to me, I was much ashamed of it, and endea- 
 voured to shun the Cross." 
 
 While in this hopeful state, a change of circum- 
 stances separated him from his excellent companion, and 
 he was thrown amongst other associates of a widely 
 different character, some of whom were his own relatives. 
 At first he refused to join with them in their foolish 
 and wicked practices, and retained his determination 
 of devoting himself entirely to the service of God. In 
 such company, however, his pious resolutions became 
 weaker and weaker ; and, — neglecting the wise precept, 
 ' My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not,' — 
 by continuing to associate with them, he fell, and be- 
 came one with them in all their evil plans and pursuits. 
 This relapse was a geat grief to his affectionate pa- 
 rents, more especially because, as is generally the case 
 when there is a return to sin, his undutifulness towards 
 thern, and his rebellions against the Almighty, were 
 greater than before. This, too, was at a critical period 
 in life, while his character was fast forming, and when 
 persons, humanly speaking, acquire principles and 
 habits which are the most permanently retained. 
 
 Before a year had passed over, since his return to Ep- 
 worth, a revival of religion took place in the neighbour- 
 hood, and a circumstance occurred which, although, as 
 he observed when repeating the relation, it might appear 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 53 
 
 to some to be trivial and undeserving of notice, had 
 such an effect upon his mind, that he had good 
 reason both to remember it, and to be thankful that it 
 had happened. It was a dream which a near neighbour 
 had, and which, if not therefore sent, was overruled for 
 the spiritual good of several members of his own family, 
 as well as of others to whom it was made known. Mr. 
 Kilham was deeply wrought upon on hearing of it ; and 
 as he records, in his diary, two or three of his own 
 dreams at subsequent periods, which seemed to have 
 had a correspondence with what befel him soon after 
 they respectively occurred, we may conjecture with 
 probability that the following was the means of his 
 paying more regard to them than people commonly do 
 to such nocturnal impressions. Whether Mr. Kilham 
 erred in regarding the dreams alluded to as pre- 
 monitory, the reader will have the liberty of judging 
 for himself, when they come under notice in a proper 
 place. The circumstance before-mentioned is thus 
 given : — " One of our neighbours who had lived in the 
 fear of the Lord for above thirty years, had a remark- 
 able dream. He had seven sons and daughters, all of 
 them willing subjects of Satan's kingdom ; they had 
 often been warned by their kind father of their danger 
 and exhorted to forsake their sins and turn to God, 
 but it was all to no purpose till this period. He had 
 often pleaded earnestly with God for their conversion, 
 but prayer in their behalf appeared to him to be in 
 vain. He dreamed that the day of judgment was 
 come: that he saw the Judge on his 'i^reat white 
 Throne,' and the holy Angels seated round him, and 
 all nations gathered before him ; that he and his wife 
 were on the right hand of the Judge, — but he could 
 not discover any of his children. Having, however, 
 searched, he at length found all seven together, in 
 anguish and distress, tearing their hair and cursing the 
 day in which they were born. When they saw him, 
 he imagined they cried out, ( Father, we will never part 
 more !' He thought he said, ' My dear children, I am 
 come to see if I can get you released out of your 
 miserable situation.' But when they came near to the 
 
 e 3 
 
54 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Judge, he thought he cast at them an angry look, ex- 
 claiming, 'What do thy children with thee now ? — they 
 would not take thy warnings on earth, and they shall 
 not now share the Crown with thee.' The Judge w r as 
 going to pronounce ' Depart ye cursed' on them, 
 when the parent awoke in great consternation, heartily 
 rejoicing that 6 it w r as but a dream !' — A little after 
 this, he invited all his children to his house, and with 
 much concern related his dream to them, which had 
 such an effect on their minds that several of them be- 
 gan to reform their lives and turn to God." Many 
 others did the same, and the work of religion was con- 
 siderably extended. 
 
 Mr. Kilham being of a social disposition, and 
 somewhat compliant, he was strongly influenced in his 
 conduct, as we have already seen, by the chai'acter and 
 pursuits of individuals with whom he became connected. 
 Happily, he contracted an acquaintance with several pious 
 young men, which he found to be of great benefit. He 
 was also emboldened to enter into serious conversation 
 with some of his former companions in wickedness, 
 which was not altogether thrown away upon them. They 
 talked freely about their former proceedings, and deter- 
 mined to leave them off, and return to God. There was 
 a general awakening in the Methodist society : many 
 persons in the town were alarmed, and numbers began 
 to forsake their evil ways, and seek the Lord with tears 
 of repentance. Three brothers and a sister-in-law of 
 Mr. Kilham, besides several of his late associates, be- 
 gan earnestly to devote themselves to the services of re- 
 ligion. Others were amazed at the change they saw in 
 persons whom they had formerly known to be so averse 
 to godliness ; and though some despised and derided 
 them, and attended their meetings for the purpose of 
 mocking, yet others began, by the grace of God, to 
 work out their salvation with fear and trembling ; and 
 not unfrequently those that came to ridicule, departed 
 from the place of worship with broken and contrite 
 hearts. 
 
 This experience, however it might denote him to be 
 ' not far from the kingdom of God,' did not amount 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 55 
 
 to full Gospel liberty and salvation. The spirit was 
 diawing him to the Redeemer, but as yet his ideas of 
 the privileges of believers were very imperfect. Hence, 
 he states how astonished he was, when lie heard a 
 number of individuals tell how happy they felt in the 
 enjoyment of the favour of God through Christ Jesus. 
 He had been the subject of some gracious visits from 
 the Spirit, which humbled him, but at the same time 
 afforded him encouragement to engage in the service 
 of God, which was so far satisfactory ; still this being 
 only of a general character, he had yet no distinct mani- 
 festation of the Divine favour. When, therefore, he be- 
 came conversant with persons who spoke ofknowing 
 their sins forgiven, of being made new creatures, and 
 of having the love of God shed abroad in their hearts, 
 by the Holy Ghost given unto them — and all this, too, 
 professed not in terms without a definite signification, 
 but in a manner which testified that they had the wit- 
 ness in themselves that what they said was truly so, — 
 it was so new to Mr. Kilham, that at first the mere 
 announcement of such things almost overpowered 
 him with amazement. An immediate consequence 
 of this was a keener sense of his sinfulness, with 
 deeper humiliation before an offended God. He was 
 invited to attend a meeting, and his own words 
 will best describe his state at this moment : — " I 
 was so much condemned and accused by my con- 
 science, that I thought myself the worst of sinners. 
 My companions surrounded me, speaking of the 
 wonderful dealings of God with their own souls, and 
 told me that the Lord would speedily deliver my soul, 
 if I would return to him. I was astonished to see the 
 change that was in them; my heart, or rather I may 
 say the Spirit of God, smote me, and I could not re- 
 frain from weeping; there were several others also in 
 great distress, who appeared more affected than I was ; 
 when the meeting had continued about an hour, I 
 could not help weeping aloud as well as they. Our 
 friends prayed with us; some of them exhorted us to 
 believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, while others were 
 praying alone for our deliverance. I continued two 
 
56 LIFE OF THE 
 
 or three hours weeping without comfort, finding 
 myself so exceedingly sinful : sometimes my heart was 
 broken down, so that tears flowed plentifully; at other 
 seasons I was so hard and stupid that I could not 
 weep. After I had remained thus for three or four 
 hours, I found a sudden change on my mind, — I could 
 not have wept if I might have had the world for it ; but 
 I found a great love to every one around me, and my 
 heart was filled with unspeakable joy. I did not know 
 what had passed in me, only that my heart was changed 
 from mourning to rejoicing; my friends rejoiced over 
 me, exhorting me to cast myself on the mercy of God; 
 they warned me of Satan's devises, assuring me that he 
 would endeavour to ensnare me with doubts and fears. 
 I returned to my father's house, where we rejoiced to- 
 gether for what God had done for our souls, and en- 
 deavoured to persuade all we saw to seek the same 
 happiness ; — for the change I found was attended with 
 a desire that all might experience the same. This led 
 me to search the Scriptures, that I might be able to 
 persuade others to flee from the wrath to come. I had 
 some temptations, and sometimes fears lest I should 
 have deceived myself; but the Lord again shined upon 
 my soul, and my doubts were gone. My peace re- 
 turned with a love to God and to all mankind, such as 
 I had never known before." 
 
 Christian experience may be genuine, although less 
 strongly marked in the beginning than in Mr. Kilham's 
 case; but still, in reference to a preacher's first convic- 
 tions of sin, of the process of his repentance, and the 
 manner of his obtaining the liberty of the sons of God 
 by exercising implicit faith in the Saviour — it must be 
 allowed that a distinct recollection of these things, and 
 of the time, and place, and circumstances of conversion, 
 though not an essential ministerial qualification, con- 
 duces materially to his own personal comfort, and has 
 frequently a most important influence upon his character, 
 and the efficiency of his subsequent labours in the Church 
 of Christ. A minister's conversion ought not only to 
 be sound and scriptural, but clear and undoubted ; and 
 when this is ascertained there cannot fail to be recognis- 
 
REV. A. KILI1AM. 57 
 
 ed, by every one, an identity and truth in all that he 
 advances on the subject of religious experience, as well 
 as a peculiar accuracy in his delineations of the workings 
 of Divine Grace on the human heart. When a minister 
 of Christ remembers the ' wormwood and the gall,' 
 and can refer back, in his own mind, to the hour of his 
 beino- himself brought out of darkness into marvellous 
 light, besides relieving him from embarrassing anxieties 
 respecting his own acceptance with God, and his spiritual 
 state generally, he is thereby better qualified to explain 
 the nature, and more zealously disposed topress upon his 
 hearers the necessity of their being born of the spirit, 
 in order that they may see the kingdom of heaven. 
 He can accompany them through all their painful ex- 
 ercises, and, while sympathising with them, administer 
 encouragement, by holding out the hope of the Gospel 
 to returning penitents. In looking over some hundreds 
 of outlines of sermons left by Mr. Kilham at his death, 
 the writer of these memoirs admired what he would re- 
 commend Christian ministers generally to imitate, viz. 
 a perpetual recurrence to the work of conversion, and a 
 fulness and a justness of description of the feelings of the 
 soul while seeking God, or under the renovating influ- 
 ence of the Holy Spirit. It is here that a true evan- 
 gelist will be found to differ from a dry, moral, though at 
 the same time, perhaps, an orthodox, and also an elo- 
 quent, preacher. The latter may be systematic, and even 
 theoretically sound in doctrine ; but his pulpit addresses 
 want vitality and power, and that pure scriptural complec- 
 tion and immortal freshness, which are so conspicuous in, 
 and which constitute the chief beauty and characteristic 
 excellence of the discourses of the former. Mr. Kilham's 
 style of preaching probably owed much to the manner 
 of his conversion. He remembered the great things 
 which had been done for his own soul, and he delighted 
 to point lost sinners to the Lamb of God, who taketh 
 away the sin of the world. 
 
 In the earlier times of Methodism* especially, no 
 
 * This practice ought, perhaps, to be referred to a higher date than 
 that of Methodism. In the evangelical history, we find men commenc- 
 ing teaching very soon after they had been themselves taught of God. 
 
58 LIFE OF THE 
 
 sooner did a person give evidence of his own conver- 
 sion to God, than he was exhorted to begin and di- 
 rected in what way to seek, the conversion of others. 
 The first Methodists, almost to an individual, had their 
 minds deeply impressed with that scriptural declara- 
 tion, * Truly the harvest is great and the labourers are 
 few;' and they were led under this feeling to endeavour 
 immediately, and with all their might, to glorify the Sa- 
 viour, by a life of usefulness as well as of holiness. To 
 this practical observance of the principle, that every one 
 was bound to do what he could in promoting religion, 
 maybe ascribed, under God, the successful establishment 
 and rapid progress of Methodism, in so comparatively 
 short a time, by Mr. Wesley and his helpers, who 
 never failed to give employment suited to the one, two, 
 five, or ten talents of their followers. Before Mr. 
 Wesley introduced his system of every one doing what 
 he could for God, the learned only were considered as 
 the instructors and officers of the church ; and persons 
 not of the clerical profession were mostly regarded as 
 having no concern whatever with religion, beyond the sal- 
 vation of their own souls. During such a state of things, 
 the engines and emissaries of sin being so much greater 
 in number and efficiency than the agents of the Gospel, 
 comparatively little good was done, and vice and im- 
 piety abounded every where. It was not until Mr. Wes- 
 ley was led to engage every kind of talent, and to press 
 every species of influence into the service of the Gos- 
 pel, that the singular utility of such a policy was made 
 evident by a general revival of the work of God through- 
 out these kingdoms. Such a system is not only valuable 
 
 See the calling of the Apostles, the conversion of Paul, &c. as recorded 
 in the Acts. It is also a remarkable fact, and worthy of particular 
 notice, that the improvements in the manner of modern education rest 
 upon this principle, viz. that as soon as a person has learned any thing, 
 he is qualified to teach what he knows, though he may not at the mo- 
 ment be competent to unfold the higher branches of knowledge to which 
 he has not attained. There was much good sense, as well as philo- 
 sophy, in the observation of a foreigner, who stated that he taught one 
 of the sciences in order that he might learn it. The same is true of re- 
 ligion ; if a person with humility, in a becoming spirit, and from proper 
 motives, attempt to teach what he knows of it, by instructing others in 
 this way, his own knowledge will be advanced at the same time. 
 
.59 REV. A. KILHAM. 
 
 as it provides a great number of active agents of religion, 
 but also because it has proved a nursery of rich and po- 
 pular ministerial talent, and a school for training for the 
 highest usefulness in the church. The history of Me- 
 
 o 
 
 thodism abounds with instances of individuals who be- 
 gan their official course by filling the humblest places, 
 in which the exerdses, by reacting on their own minds, 
 furnished experience and fostered powers which, thus 
 strengthened and matured, ultimately raised the posses- 
 sor to distinguished honour and usefulness in the cause 
 religion. 
 
 Mr. Kilham graduated in this manner. Shortly after 
 his own conversion, he began in an humble way to ex- 
 ercise at private prayer meetings, and then he shortly 
 afterwards officiated more publicly on similar occasions. 
 This was beginning at the right end, and besides bringing 
 down spiritual blessings on his own soul, his efforts de- 
 veloped his abilities, and prepared his way for serving the 
 church in a higher station. He seems constitutionally to 
 have been, though not of a violent, of a warm tempera- 
 ment; and when under the sanctifying anddirectinginflu- 
 ence of religion, very zealous in the cause of his Divine 
 Master. The measure of liberty he had enjoyed while 
 officiating in prayer meetings, and the desire which he 
 felt for the salvation of souls, stimulated him to em- 
 brace every opportunity of exhorting his friends and 
 neighbours to forsake their sins, and return to God. 
 This was preliminary to a more extended course of 
 usefulness, the commencement of which he thus de- 
 cribes : — " Five or six of us were desirous of spreading 
 the knowledge and love of Christ, and for that purpose, 
 we formed a plan of holding meetings, for prayer and 
 exhortation, in the neighbouring villages ; the power of 
 the Lord was present with us, — many were constrained 
 to cry out for mercy, and there was a glorious prospect 
 of sinners being brought to God. Thus the Lord 
 owned our endeavours, and his name becoming exceed- 
 ingly precious to many, numbers were added to our 
 society. However, some turned back again into their 
 former ways of sin and vanity, and I had much sorrow 
 on their account. I endeavoured earnestly to reclaim 
 
60 LIFE OF THE 
 
 them, but in several cases all my attempts proved 
 unsuccessful. Our company that attended the villages 
 now became very small, and at last was reduced to 
 myself and another young man, who had been in the so- 
 ciety some years. But we still endeavoured to keep 
 up the meetings we had begun, and the Lord blessed 
 these to our own souls, and made them useful to others. 
 Several friends advised us to desist from our attempts 
 to support our meetings, and we had much exercise 
 and trouble in our minds on that account. One Sa- 
 turday evening, as we were going into the country, we 
 had great uneasiness because of the many discourage- 
 ments which were before us, and after much conver- 
 sation and reasoning, and having prayed earnestly to 
 the Lord on the subject, we seemed to rest much on 
 the tokens we should have from God of his appro- 
 bation of our conduct on the approaching Sabbath. 
 The Lord was pleased to bless us by pouring out His 
 spirit upon us; several were led to cry to Him for 
 mercy; three in particular were brought to close in 
 with the overtures of mercy ; they became members of 
 our society, and I hope happy partakers of the love of 
 God. Our hands were lifted up like the hands of Mo- 
 ses, and we returned blessing and praising the God of 
 our salvation, being resolved, by Divine help, to con- 
 tinue to declare to all that would attend our meeting, 
 that Jesus Christ was the only way of salvation. 
 
 " Soon after I had joined the society, I had thoughts 
 of preaching, and was often led to think that God 
 would sometime call me to engage in that employment. 
 I spent much time in praying that the Lord would 
 make my way plain before me, promising that what- 
 ever he called me unto, to obey his voice, and follow 
 him whithersoever he would have me, though it were 
 to prison or to death. I frequently had passages of 
 Scripture impressed upon my mind, such as s Give at- 
 tendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine ;' ' Let 
 no man despise thy youth ;' 6 Neither count I my life 
 dear unto myself so that I may finish my course with 
 joy, and the ministry which I have received of the 
 Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God ;' 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 61 
 
 • A dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me, 
 and woe unto me if I preach not the gospel.' These 
 and many other such passages induced me to cherish 
 the thought of being engaged in the ministry. Several 
 of my friends, and two of the preachers in particular, 
 said they believed God had designed me to labour in 
 his vineyard. At my first setting out in prayer and ex- 
 hortation, my zeal was not according to knowledge. I 
 then did and said many things which a maturer judg- 
 ment caused me to regret; but the Lord overlooked 
 them with a pitying eye, and continued, to bless my 
 soul with peace and joy, and caused my heart to over- 
 flow with love to perishing sinners. Glory be given 
 to His name for ever, for not inflicting upon me the 
 judgments I deserved; w r hen I grieved His holy spirit, 
 He followed me with His loving kindness and tender 
 mercies. 
 
 " I went out with much fear and trembling, and 
 preached my first time at Luddington ; the Lord opened 
 my mouth and gave me favour in the sight of the peo- 
 ple, so that I found encouragement to proceed, — for he 
 was pleased to own my labours, by making me useful 
 to the people and happy in my own mind." 
 
 Within a short time after Mr. Kilham had begun to 
 preach, Robert Carr Brackenbury, Esq.,* of Raithby 
 Hall, near Spilsby, Lincolnshire, paid a visit to Ep- 
 worth, and this led to a connexion with Mr. Kilham, 
 which was the occasion of the latter becoming entirely 
 
 * R. C. Brackenbury, Esq. was one of Mr. Wesley's opulent 
 friends and supporters ; and being not only "possessed of piety, but 
 also of respectable ministerial talents, his services in the cause of Me- 
 thodism were very important at that time. He was for several years 
 regularly stationed as a circuit preacher, and to the time of his death, 
 which occurred Aug. 10, 1819, his name stood on the minutes of Con- 
 ference as a supernumerary preacher. It is to be regretted, in conse- 
 quence of an injunction, — dictated by extreme humility, and laid upon his 
 surviving friends during his last illness, — that nothing should be written 
 or published respecting him after his death, that the christian world is 
 precluded from knowing more of this exemplary and useful man. Some- 
 thing of the heavenliness of his temper and character may be inferred 
 from a treatise on the "Holy Angels," which was printed at Sheffield, in 
 1820, under the superintendence of J. Montgomery, Esq., at the charge 
 of his venerable and pious widow, for gratuitous distribution. This 
 
62 LIFE OF THE 
 
 .set apart as a minister of the Gospel. At the time Mr. 
 Brackenbury visited Epworth, he was as much devoted 
 to the work of the ministry as his circumstances and 
 imperfect health permitted ; and that he might be the 
 means of greater usefulness, he wished to engage, at 
 his own expense, a young man of the Methodist so- 
 ciety, possessing promising talents as a preacher, to 
 travel with him when itinerating for the purpose of 
 spreading the Gospel. This was in 1783, when Mr. 
 Kilham was twenty-one years of age. Mr. Bracken- 
 bury seems to have made known this intention, accom- 
 panied by enquiries for a proper person, in different 
 places where he had gone to preach ; and the matter 
 having been mentioned at Epworth, some individuals 
 there (not of Mr. Kilham' s family, for his parents were 
 at first unwilling that he should leave home,) having 
 formed a good opinion both of his piety and abilities, 
 urged him to offer himself to travel with Mr. Bracken- 
 bury. Mr. Kilham, whose mind had previously been 
 impressed with the thoughts of entering the ministry, 
 regarded this as a providential call ; and having at 
 length obtained the consent of his parents, he had an 
 interview with Mr. Brackenbury on the subject, and 
 agreed to accompany him in his travels to preach the 
 Gospel. 
 
 The exact relation in which the parties stood to 
 each other by this engagement is not now precisely 
 understood, although circumstantial evidence is af- 
 forded to enable us to form an opinion which cannot 
 be far from the truth. The matter, of itself, is of no 
 importance whatever, as the station of Mr. Kilham 
 previous to his being received as a circuit preacher by 
 Mr. Wesley, could have nothing to do with his cha- 
 racter as a minister, nor with the soundness of his views 
 
 posthumous work, which is anonymous, and consists of 56 octavo pages, 
 though not so bulky as some other discourses which have been published 
 on the same subject, is perhaps the best compilation extant of all that is 
 really known concerning the angelic world. Mr. Brackenbury has not, 
 by endless and fanciful conjectures, travelled out of the Scriptures, but 
 collected, arranged, and explained, with great judgment, what the word 
 of God, which is the oniy authority on the subject, teaches us respecting 
 those heavenly beings. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 63 
 
 on church government, when he was at issue with his 
 opponents. But as the fact of his having travelled with 
 Mr. Brackenbury was, at the time when he performed 
 a conspicuous part in the Methodist discussions and 
 afterwards, taken hold of somewhat ungenerously by 
 his adversaries, who insinuated that he had acted with 
 ingratitude, it may perhaps be deemed not undeserv- 
 ing of brief consideration. In an Address to the Me- 
 thodist Societies, written conjointly by Messrs. Mather 
 and Pawson,* during the agitation which prevailed 
 after Mr. Wesley's death, for the purpose of sinking 
 Mr. Kilham in the eyes of the public, he is mentioned 
 as having travelled with Mr. Brackenbury in " the ca- 
 pacity of a servant ;" and this phrase was no doubt 
 intended to be interpreted so as to make it believed 
 that the situation he occupied was, in its nature, menial. 
 Had such been the case, the first Methodist preachers, 
 who were nearly all of them taken from humble cir- 
 cumstances in life, should have been the last persons 
 in the world to have upbraided a brother with his lowly 
 origin. There is nothing reproachful in a man being 
 raised by superior talents and exemplary conduct from an 
 inferior to a higher station in society : on the contrar}^, 
 such advancement is doubly honourable. Responsibi- 
 bility cannot rest with an individual respecting the 
 circumstances of his parentage and early life, because he 
 could have no controul over either ; and should these 
 
 * Two of the senior preachers whose names often occur in the Me- 
 thodist disputes of that period. They were both good and useful men; 
 but in their controversial pieces, and towards Mr. Kilham personally, 
 there was a peevishness and an acrimony, which, it is hoped and believed, 
 did not belong to their general characters. Being among the oldest and 
 most influential Methodist preachers, they, and others of similar stand- 
 ing in the body, seemed to consider remarks levelled against objection- 
 able parts of the system as reflections upon themselves ; and this not 
 only in a great measure prevented them from weighing, as they ought to 
 have done, the arguments brought forward by Mr- Kilham, but too often 
 so far overcame their temper as to lead them, in their replies, to use hard 
 words instead of giving satisfactory explanations. The consequence of this 
 was exceedingly unfortunate on both sides, causing, as it very often did, 
 the real merits of a question to be lost sight of or disregarded, and bitter, 
 irritating personalities, to be uttered by either party, which must always 
 be fatal to that spirit of brotherly charity in which all disputations should 
 be conducted, especially amongst Christians. 
 
64 LIFE OF TH£ 
 
 have been unfavourable, he who overcomes such im- 
 pediments by his own abilities and personal exertions, 
 is surely deserving of commendation instead of reproach. 
 To the humiliating aspersion of Messrs. Mather and 
 Pawson, Mr. Kilham replied in a way which, though 
 concise, must have been well understood, and was pro- 
 bably felt to be unanswerable, as we are not aware that 
 it was ever controverted by the parties. He said, — " I 
 went to travel with Mr. Brackenbury in the same ca- 
 pacity that Mr. Bradford* travelled with Mr. Wesley." 
 This was the fact. There can be no doubt that one 
 and the principal duty of Mr. Bradford, while accom- 
 panying Mr. Wesley, was that of a general assistant 
 in the cause of the Gospel. Mr. Bradford^ though a 
 preacher, was subordinate to Mr. Wesley ; and beside 
 preaching and other similar performances for the so- 
 cieties, he did all in his power to promote the perso- 
 nal comfort of Mr. Wesley. But he was not there- 
 fore a menial servant — such as a footman or groom. 
 Neither was Mr. Kilham in this sense the servant of 
 Mr. Brackenbury, who, being but delicate in regard 
 to health,f was sometimes unable to preach, and for 
 his own comfort, as well as to prevent the places 
 where he was expected from suffering disappointment 
 by his indisposition, he determined, at his own cost, to 
 engage a young man to accompany him in his travels ; 
 and Mr. Kilham having been introduced to Mr. Brack- 
 enbury for this purpose, as before stated, journeyed 
 with him on these terms. Mr. Bradford's relation to 
 Mr. Wesley cannot, perhaps, be better defined by a 
 single word than by the term Curate. He preached 
 and otherwise laboured as Mr. Wesley directed, and 
 was maintained for so doing. Mr. Kilham stood in 
 precisely the same relation to Mr. Brackenbury. 
 
 A slight attention to the following particulars, given by 
 
 * A preacher who was one of the hundred, whom Mr. Wesley honour- 
 ed with a place in the Deed of Settlement for the Connexion. Mr. 
 Bradford travelled with Mr. Wesley many years as an attendant, or 
 junior companion. 
 
 f See several letters from Mr. Wesley to Mr. Brackenbury, Works, 
 vol. XIII, p. 1, where his poor state of health is often alluded to. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 65 
 
 Mr. Kilham, of his travels with Mr. Brackenbury, will 
 enable the reader to form an opinion of the capacity in 
 which the former stood to the latter. The narrative, in 
 the absence of a more detailed account of the usefulness 
 and piety of. Mr. Brackenbury, will also, as a slight 
 sketch, serve to show in some degree what a full por- 
 trait of that excellent man would have been, had he 
 not prohibited one from being given to the world. 
 Having stated the engagement into which he had en- 
 tered, to accompany Mr. Brackenbury, Mr. Kilham 
 goes on to say? — " Shortly after, I went to him at Gai 
 borough, after I had parted with my parents and friends, 
 committing each other to the protection of the Lord. 
 When I arrived at Gainsborough, I found Mr. Brack- 
 enbury considerably indisposed, which obliged us to 
 stay a fortnight at that place before we could proceed 
 on our journey. Blessed be the Lord for ever, for ap- 
 pointing me to travel with Mr. Brackenbury. I found 
 him a blessing to me ; I had assurance of the Lord's 
 approbation respecting this undertaking. I had now 
 great and blessed privileges put into my hands of im- 
 proving myself, and was determined not to let slip the 
 opportunities of acquiring every useful kind of know- 
 ledge. I had also many seasons for private devotion, 
 and of much mental improvement, that I should never 
 have had, had I continued at Epworth. 
 
 M I now became more acquainted with myself, and 
 began to see my own ignorance ; it appeared to me, 
 that I knew nothing when compared to my master: 
 this consideration quickened me to watchfulness and 
 made me resolve to improve my time as much as pos- 
 sible. I found my master's preaching and conversation 
 exceedingly profitable to me, and he did not disdain to 
 instruct me how I might be acceptable in the sight of 
 the Lord, and useful to the people; I found myself 
 much united to him, and was thankful to the Lord 
 for his goodness and love to such an unworthy worm. 
 About the end of May, we met Mr. Wesley, at Not- 
 tingham, and after we had spent a few days there, in a 
 comfortable manner among the people, Mr. Bracken- 
 bury went to London, and from thence to Holland, 
 
 f3 
 
66 LIFE OF THE 
 
 with Mr. Wesley? leaving me in the Gainsborough cir- 
 cuit till his return. Having been in this circuit some 
 time, I went to London to meet Mr. Brackenbury, 
 and was glad to find that he and Mr. Wesley were re- 
 turned, and both in good health. 
 
 "After having travelled with Mr. Brackenbury in 
 several parts, we left London, to go to Jersey : in this 
 I found a perfect resignation to the will of God, and a 
 desire to have every possible opportunity of living to 
 His glory, and of being useful to mankind. I wished 
 to devote my time as much as possible to study, and 
 the private and public duties of my calling. I found 
 my mind too much engaged with the thoughts of this 
 journey, and I was thereby prevented from carefully 
 watching over myself, and afterwards found the dissi- 
 pation of my mind brought heaviness and luke-warm- 
 ness upon me. 
 
 " We left London, recommended to the protection 
 of the Lord, by the earnest prayers of his dear children, 
 and arrived at Winchester in the evening. I was in- 
 disposed in body and mind while we staid there, but 
 proceeded forward to Southampton, and soon after 
 embarked for Jersey. Our lively friends at Winches- 
 ter, joined in earnest prayer for our safety, under the 
 Almighty protection, and for the spreading of the Gos- 
 pel by us in the places to which we were going. My 
 mind was much oppressed while at sea, being exceed- 
 ingly sick. I could not pray nor meditate from the 
 indisposition of body that I experienced. We arrived 
 at the isle of Guernsey in about twenty hours, and I 
 soon after was well and comfortable, both in body and 
 mind. I was refreshed to see the soldiers rejoicing at 
 our arrival ; those that were pious, soon flocked around 
 us, expressing their joy and thankfulness to God for 
 sending us amongst them. They had for some time 
 been destitute of the opportunity of hearing preaching, 
 and received us with every possible mark of joy, prais- 
 ing God that they should again be favoured with the 
 sound of the gospel. Mr. Brackenbury preached to 
 them in the Barracks, and we found the presence of 
 the Lord to be with us. 
 
REV. A. klLHAM. 61 
 
 u With respect to the inhabitants in general, it is 
 truly affecting to behold the manner in which they live, 
 and the length of wickedness to which they proceed. 
 They really live without God, and without hope in the 
 world. They have liquor so exceedingly cheap, that 
 they are slaves to drunkenness, swearing, gambling, and 
 every other vice : except among the soldiers and a few 
 poor of our society, we could not hear of one person 
 that either loved or feared God. My soul was grieved 
 at their practices, and I prayed to God to stop the tor- 
 rent of their wickedness, before it proved their over- 
 throw, and their isle became as Sodom. On Sunday 
 we embarked for Jersey, and reached it after a tedious 
 day and night spent in hearing the cursing and swear- 
 ing of the captain and his crew, all of whom were 
 extremely wicked, and would not be reproved by us, or 
 in any way refrain from their blasphemies, however we 
 might expostulate with them on the folly and wicked- 
 ness of such conduct. 
 
 " We arrived at Jersey extremely fatigued and weak 
 with our voyage. We soon found -some of the soldiers*' 
 who were pious, who rejoiced much to see us, and re- 
 ceived us with gladness. They conducted us to the 
 house of one of the very few T that feared God in this 
 place. There had been a Baptist Minister amongst 
 them, but they not having it in their power to support 
 him, most of them being very poor, and unhappily disa- 
 greeing amongst themselves, he had returnecl to Eng- 
 land some time before our arrival, and the few that had 
 formerly met together, were now dispersed already, 
 like sheep without a shepherd. However, the Lord 
 now inclined their hearts to be firmly united to each 
 
 * These soldiers were the means of introducing Methodism to the 
 island of Jersey. Some few of them, while stationed in an English sea- 
 port town, having heard the Methodist preachers, had become pious 
 christians. Shortly afterwards, the regiment was removed to this island, 
 and not finding a Gospel ministry there, they wrote to Mr. Wesley stating 
 this, and entreating him to send them a preacher. Mr. Brackenbury 
 happened to be present when Mr. Wesley received the letter, and on being 
 made acquainted with its contents, offered his services, which were ac- 
 cepted ; and it was partly for the purpose of carrying this the more suc- 
 cessfully into effect, that Mr. Brackenbury engaged Mr. Kilham, which 
 is a further proof that he was not treated with as ' a servant.' 
 
68 LIFE OF THE 
 
 other again, and kindly to receive exhortations to 
 brotherly love, so that they appeared mutually to lay 
 aside their prejudices, and willing to be again united 
 in christian fellowship. 
 
 " They had imbibed strange notions and prejudices 
 against Mr. Wesley and his preachers, from the repre- 
 sentation of a Captain B. and their former preacher, 
 who were both of them enemies to our doctrines and 
 discipline ; but when we had explained ourselves to 
 them, they were fully attached to us ; they were also 
 deeply affected by the Word, and declared they believed 
 God had sent us to them. But though they conformed 
 to our society rules, were loving and free with us and 
 each other, met regularly in their classes, and in many 
 respects w r ere proper members of our society, yet it 
 was easy to perceive, that their former communications 
 had considerably hurt them, and had removed that 
 zeal, which they had previously enjoyed. 
 
 " Not having a convenient place for our meetings, 
 we found the spreading of the word much hindered. 
 On the Sabbath we had indeed a larger place than on 
 the week-day, but as most of the people spoke French, 
 many could not understand us, and these circumstances 
 we found to be almost insurmountable impediments. 
 Owing to these, we could only preach at one town, ex- 
 cept at the Barracks and Fort, amongst the soldiers, 
 and the governor soon prevented us from preaching 
 there also. 
 
 " We now began to have considerable disturbance 
 and persecution from those that were enemies to the 
 truth and all righteousness. This made us cry to the 
 Lord for His aid and protection, and to look to Him, 
 who will never leave nor forsake them that trust in 
 Him. 
 
 " When I walked in the streets, and saw and heard 
 the people mocking and saying all manner of evil of 
 me and those of our society, I was enabled to say, 
 < Father forgive them, for they know not what they do/ 
 I was wonderfully assisted of the Lord in preaching, 
 and particularly in the chapel, when a part of the con- 
 gregation behaved unruly, and made such a noise that 
 
HEV. A. KILHAM. 09 
 
 I could scarcely be heard. Sometimes on these occa- 
 sions I made a pause, to see if they would be silent, 
 being scarcely able to hear my own voice. At other 
 times they behaved so rudely, (throwing stones and 
 dirt at me while I was preaching,) that I was obliged 
 to leave off* in the middle of the service. When I was 
 preaching one Sunday, a gentleman was very outrage- 
 ous, and offered money to the mob to take me to the 
 governor's house, or to plunge me into the water : but 
 the Lord restrained them from injuring me. When I 
 came out of the pulpit, he addressed me more like a 
 fiend out of hell, than a human being. He demanded 
 by what authority I preached, and said it was blasphemy 
 to proceed in the manner I had done. I replied, I 
 acted by the authority that the Lord Jesus had given 
 me, and left him to do as he thought proper. Another 
 gentleman took my part, and prevented him from of- 
 fering me any violence. 
 
 "The mob now finding themselves supported, as 
 they thought, by the magistrates and gentlemen of the 
 town, proceeded to further lengths. They came the 
 next Sabbath-day with sticks in their hands, and de- 
 clared they would carry me to the water ; a great 
 number were assembled to see them take me out of 
 the chapel and put me into a well, at a small distance 
 from it. When I had concluded my discourse, and 
 was beginning to sing, they began to make such a noise 
 that we were prevented from proceeding. One of my 
 friends stood at the bottom of the pulpit-steps to defend 
 me, and to oppose any person that attempted to injure 
 me. He took hold of my arm and led me out of the 
 chapel, and though the mob attempted by various 
 means to throw me down, I was supported as if by an 
 invisible hand, and escaped from them. I passed with 
 my friend through the field, in which the chapel stood, 
 without receiving any other injury than a few small 
 stones that struck me. We had also in the town a 
 considerable disturbance : when Mr. Brackenbury 
 preached, they threw fire and gunpowder ; broke the 
 windows, and made such a noise and tumult, that the 
 people were prevented from hearing to any advantage. 
 
70 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Before we left the isle, it pleased God to stay the mad- 
 ness of the people, by inclining the hearts of the Dean 
 and others to support us, by not only not forbidding us to 
 preach, but rather to encourage liberty of conscience. 
 
 " All the time of the persecution I found not the 
 least fear; the Lord wonderfully supported me with a 
 sense of His presence ; I found a firm confidence and 
 assurance that I was under His protection ; that the 
 ungodly could not proceed any further than He was pleas- 
 ed to permit ; and that these trials should prove for my 
 present and future advantage. I could truly say, ' The 
 Lord is my shield and buckler, my God in whom I 
 trust and confide ; I am thine, O Lord, do as Thou 
 pleasest with Thy servant; make me wholly Thine for 
 time and eternity ; purify my soul, and keep me from 
 sin, that it may not grieve me, and that I may be Thine 
 for ever.' 
 
 " Mr. Brackenbury, at this time, was seized with a 
 cold, which terminated in a fever, so that he was detained 
 from assisting us five or six weeks. We, however, pro- 
 cured a room that would hold about eighty persons ; 
 many now attended, and most of the gentlemen and 
 ladies in the town at one time or another heard the 
 word, and though many of them gave their approbation 
 to what was delivered, they still retained their wicked- 
 ness, and rejected these calls to repentance. Some 
 that seemed convinced in their judgment, appeared 
 ashamed of the reproach of the cross of Christ, and the 
 odious name of Methodist prevented their being joined 
 to us. Many took much pains to prove that we were 
 deceivers, but some, like the Bereans, searching the 
 scriptures to see whether what we advanced was agree- 
 able to the word of God, found our doctrines were 
 perfectly consonant to it. These, being convinced of 
 the great necessity and importance of being made new 
 creatures in Christ Jesus, cast in their lot with us, and 
 were made partakers of the sufferings of Christ. Thus 
 several were added to our society, and joined themselves 
 willingly to the praying remnant. Some of these had 
 found the witness in themselves of their interest in the 
 blood of Jesus, and others were earnestly seeking after 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 71 
 
 it. Some that had been in the way some time were 
 quickened and stirred up to greater diligence and 
 watchfulness : some were delivered from all fear and 
 doubt, haying fellowship with God through Christ Jesus: 
 others who had backslided, were restored; so that 
 when we left them in the month of June, 1784, they 
 were in a way which I trust would lead them to the 
 hill of Zion ; and though accounted the offscouring of 
 ail things by the ungodly, they esteemed the reproach 
 of Christ better than all worldly riches. 
 
 " We left the society under the care of those of our 
 friends who agreed to watch over them, and meet them 
 as often as possible. They were much troubled at our 
 leaving them, but were at length enabled to say, the 
 will of the Lord be done. On the first week in June, 
 we left them, and arrived at Southampton the day after 
 we had embarked. I was preserved from sickness on the 
 sea, and had reason to thank God for the many in- 
 stances 1 had experienced of his kind protection. I 
 was troubled at the wickedness of the persons on board 
 the vessel, and was far from being satisfied at myself, 
 for the great backwardness I found to reprove them. 
 The Lord, however, caused me to experience His 
 goodness, and refreshed my soul with the visits of His 
 grace." 
 
 This account of Mr. Kilham's travels with Mr. 
 Brackenbury, corresponds exactly with the kind of 
 travelling which took place with Mr. Wesley and Mr. 
 Bradford, and fully justifies Mr. Kilham's observation 
 — ■" 1 went to travel with Mr. Brackenbury in the 
 same capacity that Mr. Bradford travelled with Mr. 
 Wesley." 
 
 Mr. Brackenbury having been enabled to form an 
 estimate of Mr. Kilham's abilities and character, and 
 thinking favourably of both, he was anxious that he 
 should become regularly stationed to a circuit, as a 
 preacher under Mr. Wesley, and offered to recom- 
 mend* him for that purpose at the approaching 
 
 * Mr Wesley, during his life, had, as in every thing else, the sole 
 authority of taking out preachers to travel. His method was, when he 
 needed helpers, to enquire at places where he \vent,and of persons in whose 
 
72 LIFE OF THE 
 
 conference in 1784. This offer Mr. Kilham declined, 
 probably from a sense of the responsibility of the under- 
 taking, and a diffidence as to his fitness at that time for so 
 important an office. He was besides, as before express- 
 ed, so very happy in his connexion with Mr. Brack- 
 enbury, and finding the intercourse he had enjoyed for 
 about a year with that estimable individual so condu- 
 cive to his own improvement, that he felt unwilling it 
 should be broken off at such a short date. However, 
 what he declined to accept voluntarily was in a man- 
 ner forced upon him by circumstances shortly after- 
 wards. A few weeks after the conference, Mr. Brack- 
 enbury, having determined to visit the south of France, 
 proposed to Mr. Kilham either to stay at Raithby Hall, 
 Lincolnshire, where he then was, or go to the isle of 
 Jersey, where Mr. Brackenbury had likewise a small 
 establishment, and remain until he should arrive there 
 on his return from this excursion. Mr. Kilham pre- 
 ferred going to Jersey, which he had recently visited, 
 on account of the prospect of being useful to the inha- 
 bitants, who had much need of instruction in religion : 
 and he had made up his mind to repair thither. Be- 
 fore setting out on his intended journey, Mr. Dufton, 
 
 judgment he could place confidence, for suitable individuals, and on being 
 introduced to him, with a tender of their services, he engaged them if he 
 thought proper to do so. After Mr. "Wesley's death, the superintendent 
 preachers, without consulting either the societies or circuit meetings, 
 exercised the power of recommending whoever they might choose to 
 conference, to be taken out to travel. This was one of the first things 
 complained of by Mr. Kilham and others., as it was soon found that 
 while some preachers used this prerogative in a conscientious and unexcep- 
 tionable manner, others seemed to regard it as a species of patronage, 
 and bestowed it upon their favourites, without a due regard to their 
 fitness for the sacred office. It was therefore proposed that the superin- 
 tendent's power of recommending preachers should be restricted to such 
 individuals as had been previously approved by the society and circuit 
 to which they respectively belonged. Reasonable and precautionary as 
 this proposal evidently was, it gave offence, and was opposed by the 
 senior preachers, who construed it as implying a doubt as to the soundness 
 of their judgment and integrity. It ought, however, to be added, that 
 the Conference afterwards became sensible of the necessity of some 
 such restriction upon the authority of the superintendent, in reference to 
 his recommendation of preachers to travel, and the alteration, for origi- 
 nally proposing which Mr. Kilham was so severely blamed, was adopted, 
 and is now acted upon in the Wesleyan body. 
 
REV. A. KIT/HAM. 73 
 
 the superintendent preacher of the Grimsby circuit, 
 applied to him, stating that although four preachers 
 bad been appointed to that circuit, three only had come, 
 and as the fourth was not then expected, he wished 
 Mr. Kilham to take his place in the plan, and become 
 a regular travelling preacher. Mr. Kilham again 
 refused to be so appointed; but being desirous of doing 
 good, and having his time at his own disposal, he of- 
 fered to forego his visit to Jersey, and remain for a 
 short period in Lincolnshire, to preach on the Sunday, 
 and assist in the work as much as he conveniently could 
 at other times. This proposal being gladly accepted, 
 he laboured in the circuit for several weeks ; when 
 another of the preachers being taken ill of an ague, his 
 services became more than ever necessary, and he ful- 
 filled his appointments with the rest of the preachers 
 throughout the circuit during the year^ 
 
 While officiating in the Grimsby circuit under Mr. 
 Dufton, Mr. Kilham was brought by the following cir- 
 cumstance to engage in his first theological controversy. 
 He was preaching at a placecalled Skendleby, near Spils- 
 by, and in the course of the sermon, he stated that every 
 true christian had the Spirit of God witnessing with 
 His spirit that he was a child of God. This was 
 nothing more than uttering the sense and even repeat- 
 ing the words of St. Paul in his Epistle to the Romans. 
 (Chap. viii. v. 18.) However, the Rev. Edward Brack- 
 enbury, incumbent of the parish, who was no friend to 
 Methodism, though the brother of R. C. Brackenbury, 
 with whom Mr. Kilham travelled, being present with 
 another clergyman, and considering the doctrine erro- 
 neous, he interrupted Mr. Kilham, by contradicting 
 the assertion. This opposition was followed by a 
 debate on that and other points, which lasted near an 
 hour, in the presence of the congregation. Mr. Kil- 
 ham's popular address, and the readiness with which 
 he quoted scripture in proof of his doctrine, gave him 
 evidently the advantage in the discussion, which was at 
 length broken ofrj by Mr. Brackenbury proposing to 
 lend him a book, written, as he said, by a learned 
 
74- LIFE OF THE 
 
 bishop,* which would not fail to convince him of the 
 unsoundness of what he had advanced, and direct him 
 into the whole truth. Mr. Kilham having readily en- 
 gaged to read whatever might be put into his hands on 
 the subject, requested to be allowed to proceed to finish 
 his discourse without further interruption, which being 
 agreed to, he resumed the sermon, and at its conclusion 
 the congregation separated. 
 
 Whether Mr. Brackenbury felt chagrined at having 
 been somewhat foiled by a Methodist preacher, in a 
 debate which he had himself originated, or whatever 
 might be the cause, he soon altered his mind in refer- 
 ence to the arrangement which he had entered into 
 with Mr. Kilham; and, having consulted with others of 
 the clergy, instead of sending the book which had 
 been promised, and waiting the effect of its perusal, 
 they discovered what was deemed a much nearer me- 
 thod of settling the dispute, if not of producing a con- 
 viction, that they were in the wrong, upon the minds 
 of the Methodists, by at once putting an end to their 
 preaching in that neighbourhood. Mr. Bracken- 
 bury forwarded a message to this effect, — that being 
 a magistrate, he was determined to exercise his au- 
 thority in preventing their meetings, and that the 
 first preacher who should presume, after that no- 
 tice, to visit the place, should be taken up ; and 
 moreover, it was intimated to Mr. Kilham, that were 
 he not residing at his (Mr. Brackenbury's) brother's, 
 he would have sent him a prisoner to Lincoln Castle. 
 The affair having unexpectedly taken this turn, it be- 
 came the Methodists to resort to the best means they 
 could for their own protection. The place of meeting 
 was therefore immediately registered according to law ; 
 and the quarter sessions being near at hand, Mr. Kil- 
 ham appeared there to take the oaths required by the 
 
 * The work referred to was probably that published by Dr. Warbur- 
 ton, Bishop of Gloucester, " On the office and operations of the Holy 
 Spirit." It was written chiefly against Mr. "Wesley, and answered by 
 him in a letter to the learned prelate. See Wesley's Works, Vol. IX. 
 p. 117, &c. 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 7** 
 
 Toleration Act. The Rev. Edward Brackenbury being 
 on the bench with the rest of the magistracy, op- 
 posed the application with great warmth, and thinking 
 they had the option of a refusal, he wished it to have 
 been rejected at once. This led to a further dispute 
 between him and Mr. Kilham for about half an hour, 
 before a very crowded court. Another clergyman, 
 also a magistrate, being present, and not on the best 
 terms with Mr. Brackenbury, was desirous of perplexing 
 him a little, and for that purpose assisted Mr. Kilham in 
 urging his claim, producing at the same time a copy of 
 the Toleration Act, by which it appeared to be impera- 
 tive on the magistrates to grant the license in case the 
 applicant were willing to take the prescribed oaths. Mr. 
 Brackenbury finding this to be the case, then changed 
 his mode of opposition ; and knowing that the Metho- 
 dists professed to belong to the Establishment, he asked 
 Mr. Kilham in what character he sought to obtain a 
 license — whether as a churchman or a dissenter ? This 
 was a most inconvenient interrogation for Mr. Kilham, 
 and one which his friend, the clergyman who had just 
 been taking his part, could not help him in answering. 
 Mr. Wesley, fully conscious of the difficulty of the situa- 
 tion in which his preachers were liable to be placed on 
 such occasions, had wished them not to apply for licenses, 
 unless obliged to it as a defence against being inform- 
 ed of or maltreated ; and even in case of being driven 
 to make this application, he advised them not to do 
 so as dissenters, but, on taking the oaths, to profess 
 their attachment to the Church of England. This 
 might be practicable when there were no difficulties 
 thrown in their way, while appearing at a quarter ses- 
 sions to take the oaths; but if there existed on the part 
 of the magistrates, or a portion of them, an unwilling- 
 ness to grant the license, the disavowal by the preacher 
 of being a dissenter, was in fact putting himself legally 
 out of the provisions of the Toleration Act, which 
 was specifically for the benefit of dissenters, and dis- 
 senters only. The license consequently could not be 
 obtained with such an accompaniment. Mr. Kilham 
 was aware of this, and on the above question being put, 
 
76 LIFE OF THE 
 
 he felt he was placed in an unpleasant dilemma. He 
 made an attempt to extricate himself by adopting a mid- 
 dle course, and said he was a Methodist Dissenter, 
 trusting this would have been received as expressive of 
 a general regard for the church, at the same time that, 
 being an unordained preacher, he was obliged in law 
 to consider himself as a dissenter, and to make applica- 
 tion for a license accordingly under that character. 
 In this hope, however, he was mistaken : his reverend 
 opponent was not in a temper to concede any thing, or 
 to admit of any such qualification of dissenter, as was 
 implied in prefixing the term < Methodist' to the word. 
 
 Mr Brackenbury contended that the law recognis- 
 ed only two descriptions of christians in this country, — 
 churchmen and dissenters; and insisted upon Mr. Kil~ 
 ham declaring himself as belonging to either the one or 
 the other of these. If he was a churchman, he had no 
 need of a license from them to preach, nor could they, 
 indeed, grant one, that being the province and preroga- 
 tive of the bishop. They had only to deal with the 
 Toleration Act, which applied exclusively to dissenters; 
 and unless Mr. Kilham declared in plain terms, and in 
 the form required by the Act itself, that he was a dis- 
 senter, he was not entitled to a license, nor should he 
 have one. Being held to this point, after trying in vain 
 to obtain a license without going the full length of avow- 
 ing himself in an unqualified manner to be a dissenter, 
 Mr. Kilham was obliged either to give up all thoughts 
 of obtaining a license, and of preaching any more, or 
 to comply with what the law required, — and without 
 either mitigation or comment, to profess himself to be 
 a dissenter. He decided upon doing the latter, and 
 having taken the oaths as a dissenter, he received his 
 license, and went on preaching at Skendleby, and 
 elsewhere, as usual. 
 
 Mr. Kilham's notions of consistency were very strict 
 and uncompromising, which will in a great measure 
 account for the severity of some of his remarks at dif- 
 ferent periods, and in his writings, against persons in 
 whose conduct he beheld any thing which he considered 
 incompatible with their avowed principles and proper 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 77 
 
 character ; as he could not endure any thing which 
 partook of the nature of trimming or temporising. The 
 scene which had taken place at the quarter sessions, and 
 the conditions to which he had been forced to submit, in 
 order to procure a license, had the effect, in his own es- 
 timation, of dissolving all connexion between him and 
 the Church of England; from which he looked upon him- 
 self as having been in fact thrust out; and, alluding to 
 this, he said afterwards, — " From that time I considered 
 myself a real Dissenter''* He had previously regarded 
 Methodism as a part of the Establishment, without par- 
 ticularly analysing the nature of the relationship; but the 
 
 • It may, perhaps.be proper here to notice, that a meaning has latterly 
 been affixed to the appellation Dissenter, which differs much from 
 its former import. It was originally used in a large sense, to signify 
 generally any one who had separated from the Church of England, 
 whatever might be his reasons for so doing : all, therefore, who did not 
 in every thing conform to the church, were regarded as being dissenters. 
 But within the last few years the term has been frequently employed in 
 a far more limited sense, as denoting those who object to a national re- 
 ligious establishment. This change in ihe use of the word is improper, 
 inasmuch as one particular ground of dissent is thereby substituted for 
 all the others, and consequently it leads to wrong conclusions respecting 
 the opinions of many persons in a state of separation from the church. If 
 we advert to the Non-Conformists, Baxter was a dissenter, not because 
 he disapproved of a church and state connexion, but from other consider- 
 ations. The same may be said of Bates, Manton, and the Non-Con- 
 formists as a body, of whom it would be a misrepresentation to state, that 
 they stood opposed to church establishments, as such, when in fact they 
 dissented on quite different grounds. It is of much importance, in enter- 
 ing into any dispute as to who are and who are not dissenters, to have 
 the meaning of the term exactly understood in the first place, as the 
 whole case will often depend upon the application of the word. Un- 
 doubtedly, in a general and legal sense, all are dissenters who do not 
 communicate with the church of England ; but still many of these may 
 not be in principle opposed to an ecclesiastical establishment being pro- 
 vided for by the state ; and therefore when the term dissenter is em- 
 ployed to signify pointedly those who object to such establishment, such 
 individuals as do not come under that description, have a right to say 
 they are not dissenters — that is, not dissenters according to this view 
 of dissent. Many among the Wesleyan Methodists, and some indivi- 
 duals in the Methodist New Connexion, as well as in other Denominations, 
 are so situated ; and it is for their sakes that the above explanation is 
 given, for the purpose of relieving them, in some degree, from a charge 
 of inconsistency which has at times been hastily preferred against them 
 by parties who, being themselves dissenters in the more rigid sense, and 
 especially in reference to a church and state connexion, are often disposed 
 to regard those who do not agree with them on that one point, as hold- 
 ing principles which are irreconcilable with each oiher. 
 
 g3 
 
78 ii i in 
 
 above occurrence gave a new complexion to his character* 
 and he believed it would have been in him nothing 
 less than hypocrisy i<> have made any pretensions of being 
 connected w iili it, after he had been compelled) in order 
 to be allowed t<> preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ) to 
 avow thai he was a dissenter) and that) too) in n public 
 court of law, and with the solemn circumstance of an oath, 
 which he wasobligi d to take, in order to obtain the license. 
 The system <>l licensing places of worship and 
 preachers, is in every view of it inexpedient, and maj 
 with good reason be objected to by all Denominations. 
 As in- the case of Mr. Kilham, it maybe made annoying 
 to individuals, and perhaps drive them t<» regard the 
 avowal of dissent which is required to be made, in an 
 extreme sense. And besides, instead of being obliged 
 to register :i building or a person, before teaching tin; 
 doctrines of Christianity is to he considered as authorised 
 
 or propel', it on-dit to he inculcated, especially upon 
 persons of intelligence and influence, and in situations 
 
 where the ordinances of the gospel are neglected or 
 
 .scantily provided, as a sacred duty, binding upon every 
 
 christian, to do all in his power, by teaching as will 
 as by example, to promote a knowledge of the truths 
 mid the observance of tin- precepts of religion. 15m 
 the party having most reason to complain of the present 
 state of the law, which partially prevents tin* fulfilment 
 of this obligation, is the Church of England. In regard 
 to her, it is exceedingly impolitic, being equivalent to 
 a prohibition Prom establishing auxiliary services in 
 places at ;i distance from the parish church: and many 
 ^\\\i^ from old age, infirmity, or other hindrances, are pre- 
 vented from travelling two, three, or even five or 
 
 miles to Worship, are in consequence virtually CUt off 
 
 from her communion, and left to perish in ignorance 
 
 and vice. I ^SSenterS, therefore, though not without St ron<; 
 reasons for complaint, have often decided advantages 
 
 over the Establishment under the Toleration Act. 1 If 
 there be, for example, in a village several miles from the 
 
 ' Mr. 1 lardy, im. P, tor Bradford, recently introduced a bill into par- 
 linroent, tor the purpose of abolishing the necessity oflicensing places of 
 worship, as i measure of relief to the church of England, which was 
 thereby prevented from enlarging tin- sphere ol us usefulness: but, 
 
a. K1LHAM. t9 
 
 church, :i population without the institution of worship, 
 .1 dissenter can go and set up preaching there, but >< 
 churchman cannot j because ii is required that theplao 
 of meeting and the person officiating should be licensed. 
 ami they can only be licensed <>n being specified :is 
 dissenting from the establishment The churchman 
 is therefore held back, by the very circumstance of his 
 being a churchman, while the dissenter, registering 
 himself as such, has free liberty to conduct whatevei 
 religious services he may think proper i<> introduce! 
 
 The difficulty felt by Mr. Kilham, when seeking a 
 license, has been experienced by many individuals, who 
 would probably have stood connected with the Church, 
 if they could have done so without sacrificing their use- 
 fulness, or consenting to their own or other neighbour- 
 hoods remaining without the ordinances of salvation 
 hut when called upon to decide whether they would be 
 restricted from doing good, or comply with the require- 
 ments of the Toleration A.ct, they have, like him, been 
 
 obliged in conscience to adopt the latter, as l>ein<>- most 
 
 consonant with their duty to God <un\ their fellow-men. 
 
 The preachers frequently met with opposition, not 
 
 perhaps so formidable as that which has just been 
 
 Cribetl, but <>f a more rude description in many 
 
 es. Mr. Kilham mentions some disturbances which 
 were made at Boston, while he was officiating in the 
 chapel, when the mob, having collected at the out- 
 
 threw stones :ii the door, and otherwise ;inno\ed 
 
 him and the congregation. The annexed remarks re 
 specting his own feelings, and his petition lor those 
 who had so misconducted themselves on this occasion, 
 
 wire recorded in his dairy. Wl I never was more com- 
 fortable and happy, than when I was suffering in the 
 ■ of Christ, and I thought myself willing, at some 
 >ns, to die rather than run from his cause. Lord 
 
 have mercy <>n the sinners at Boston, and give them 
 repentance to the acknowledgment of Thy truth. " 
 
 •t range I • the lull was thrown ou( by a majority <>i memben of the 
 blithment, who Voted against ii. Ii is an extraordinary fact, that the 
 church which was intended to !»•• privileged beyond all other relij 
 denomination* in thin couutry ( ihouldi in one reaped at. least, be in a 
 condition so much inferior in them .ill; and it is more extraordinary stilli 
 tint the leading memben in the church will have it to ! 
 
80 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Mr. Kilham soon found his license useful as a pro- 
 tection at other places besides Skendleby. 
 
 On Sunday, June 11, he was preaching in Alford 
 market-place ; when they had just concluded singing 
 the first time, Mr. Kilham, while engaged in prayer, 
 was interrupted by a clergyman, who told him he was 
 acting contrary to the law. Having said this, he 
 waited a few minutes, to see what effect the announce- 
 ment would have upon the preacher ; but finding it was 
 disregarded, and that he was proceeding in his prayer, 
 the reverend gentleman backed it by a threat to send for 
 the constable ; and this also failing to produce silence 
 on the part of the minister, or the dispersion of the 
 people, the constable was brought. He, however, was 
 very unwilling to act ; but the clergyman insisted 
 on his going up to the preacher, which he at length 
 did, and asked for his license : it having been produced, 
 the constable handed it over to a lawyer who was also 
 present, to see if it was genuine and correct. Having 
 read it, he pronounced the license to be a good one, 
 and added, that Mr. Kilham had a right to preach, and 
 whoever hindered him was liable to be prosecuted. 
 This apparently was not only a proper forewarning to 
 the party interrupting the service, but friendly to the 
 preacher in whose favour the decision was given ; and it 
 would no doubt have been regarded as such, had not the 
 worthy gentleman's further love of justice immediately 
 crept out in the shape of the following hint, — that though 
 they might not personally molest the preacher, yet there 
 was no law against the ringing of bells, or the beating 
 of drums ! This sly suggestion was at once understood 
 by his clients, the rabble, who instantly set about pro- 
 curing the aid of those instruments; but by the time 
 they could set thera a-going, the preacher had nearly 
 finished, and consequently the anno3'ance was only 
 slightly felt by either himself or the congregation. 
 
 " At Spilsby, also," says Mr. Kilham, " I met with 
 some interruption : the people were very outrageous, 
 and threw dirt, eggs, &c. at us, but the Lord preserved 
 me, so that I was not injured nor even hit by any thing 
 they threw. Two eggs fell upon Captain B., but he 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 81 
 
 was not at all ashamed at suffering for the name of 
 Jesus. Amongst all this tumult the Lord was present 
 with us, and enabled me to speak with power, and to 
 invite sinners to the Saviour of mankind." 
 
 Being placed almost unavoidably in the situation 
 of a regular preacher, by occurrences which could 
 neither be foreseen nor disregarded; and as these were 
 seconded by repeated entreaties on the part of the 
 preachers and people for him to enter fully into the 
 sacred office, by taking a circuit, Mr. Kilham at length 
 consented, considering his call to the work satisfactorily 
 made out to be of God; and that disobedience on his 
 part, when Providence was so plainly leading him, would 
 be a breach of duty. He was accordingly recommended 
 to offer himself to Mr. Wesley, which he did, and was 
 accepted, and appointed at the conference* in 1785. 
 
 * For the purpose of degrading Mr. Kilham, after he had fallen under 
 the displeasure of conference, another account was given by some of the 
 preachers of the way in which he got out to travel. In one of the pam- 
 phlets written against him, it was stated that he came into the ministry 
 at the 'back door,' being "neither recommended by the stewards, 
 leaders, preachers, nor people, but only by a respectable individual with 
 whom he had travelled a short time in the capacity of a servant." The 
 respectable individual alluded to was Mr. Bracken bury, who, as already 
 mentioned, had offered to recommend Mr. Kilham to Mr. Wesley to be 
 employed as an itinerant preacher ; but the offer having been declined, 
 Mr. Brackenbury went out of the kingdom, leaving Mr. Kilham in Lin- 
 colnshire, with his time at his own disposal. The circumstances under 
 which he consented to go out as a preacher are detailed above ; but for 
 the sake of giving a more positive contradiction to the charge of his 
 having entered at the ' back door,' it is proper to quote Mr. Kilham's 
 own words, published at a time when the parties who understood and were 
 concerned in the matter were living, and might have corrected the state- 
 ment, had it not been faithfully given. Having mentioned some pre- 
 vious circumstances, he says, " The providence of God appeared to di- 
 rect my way. The preachers recommended me to travel. Most of the 
 people in every place did the same. At the quarterly meeting held in 
 Longham Row, June, 178o, the brethren there recommended me, and 
 Mr. Dufton recommended me to the conference, from a conviction that 
 I might be acceptable and useful. Now, so far. from Mr. Brackenbury 
 recommending me to travel, he was in the south of France, and did not 
 know that I was recommended at all, till several weeks after that con- 
 ference. I hope these brethren made use of this unguarded declaration 
 through ignorance or prejudice, and did not wilfully and deliberately 
 publish this false account of my coming out to travel." The allegation 
 that Mr. Kilham had been admitted as a travelling preacher by the "back 
 door,' had been put forth in justification of the then plan of individual 
 preachers taking out any one whom they pleased, without consulting 
 the societies where he had resided. This was one of the things which 
 
82 LIFE OF THE REV. A. KILHAM. 
 
 The frame of mind in which Mr. Kilham gave him* 
 self up to the ministry, is ascertained by the following 
 memorandum, dated June 6, 1785, which he drew up 
 on the occasion: — 
 
 " I am at last come to this resolution, that if God 
 is pleased to accept of me to labour in His vineyard, I 
 will freely offer up myself to Him, that my life may be 
 spent in His cause. I desire and pray that God would 
 account me worthy, and enable me to preach His word. 
 According to this resolution, I have, by the advice of 
 Mr. Dufton, written to Mr. Wesley, offering myself to 
 serve him as a son in the Gospel ; if God incline his 
 heart to accept of me, I hope (the grace of God assist- 
 ing me) to be a faithful soldier of Christ unto my life's 
 end. I have now offered myself up unto God, and 
 beseech Him to do with me according to His good plea- 
 sure. I believe the Lord will call me forth to be a 
 standard-bearer for the truth, to an ungodly generation. 
 I pray for gifts and grace to be useful to God and His 
 people, and to declare His truth with boldness and sim- 
 plicity of heart. I ask to be a zealous lover of Jesus 
 and the souls that he hath purchased with his own 
 blood. I request, O Lord, that I may so conduct my- 
 self as a Minister of Christ, that my works may be ap- 
 proved in the day of trial, and that I may receive a 
 reward at Thy right-hand for ever. Lord, hear and 
 answer, and bless me to the joy of my soul, for the 
 sake of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. 
 Amen." 
 
 Mr. Kilham enumerated as being improper and requiring to be reformed. 
 Having disposed of the charge as respected himself, and knowing that 
 his own case had nothing to do with the merits of the question on which 
 they were at issue, he very properly observed, — " Suppose that in the 
 times of my ignorance I had come in ' at the back door,' by ' the re- 
 commendation of a respectable individual,' is this any reason why I 
 should justify 'back door' entrance, now that 1 am better informed, 
 when a fore door may be opened by the preachers and people, to admit 
 every person of abilities for the work who has a respectable character ? 
 If the 'back door' admits improper persons, why should it remain open 
 when a more excellent door may be opened?" There is sound reason in 
 this remark ; for if it were once to be received as an axiom that an 
 individual who has happened, through ignorance or inconsideration, 
 to be connected with abuses, must by that circumstance be precluded 
 from mentioning them, or seeking their removal, their existence might 
 be perpetuated for ever. 
 
83 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 FROM 1785, WHEN' MR. KILHAM WAS FIRST STATIONED AS A 
 
 CIRCUIT PREACHER, UNTIL MR. WESLEY'S 
 
 DEATH IN 1791. 
 
 The conference at which Mr. Kilham was taken out 
 by Mr. Wesley to travel as a preacher, was held in 
 London, in 1785, when he was appointed for the Horn- 
 castle circuit, to labour under Mr. Dufton, who was 
 removed from Grimsl^, and whom, as an upright and 
 pious christian minister, he held in the highest esteem. 
 Mr. Kilham was then twenty-three years of age, 
 and having been favourably situated for improving 
 his mind, with a view to the ministry, especially 
 while connected with Mr. Brackenbury, and sup- 
 plying the Grimsby circuit during a part of the 
 previous year, he was better qualified than the gene- 
 rality of those who commenced travelling as Metho- 
 dist preachers at that time. He seems, notwithstand- 
 ing, to have had many misgivings on the subject of his 
 fitness, but these were alleviated by his station being 
 at Horncastle, where he was not unknown, and with 
 Mr. Dufton, who had already taken him by the hand, 
 and frequently encouraged him when he was cast down 
 under a sense of his own weakness, and the difficulty 
 and importance of the work in which he was engaged. 
 He repaired to his circuit immediately after con- 
 ference, and found himself both refreshed and com- 
 forted at the manner in which he was received at the 
 different places where he had to preach, and the assist- 
 ance he experienced in the prosecution of his ministerial 
 duties. Kaithby, the residence of R. C. Brackenbury, 
 Esq., being in the Horncastle circuit, the preachers had 
 to go there occasionally in their regular rounds. An in- 
 stance has been given of the opposition made to Mr. 
 Kilham by Mr. Brackenbury's brother, who was in 
 
84 LIFE OF THE 
 
 holy orders, on the ground that what he taught respect- 
 ing the witness of the Spirit, was erroneous. Mr. 
 Kiiham records another case of an objection made 
 to him by a different clergyman, who alleged that his 
 discourses drove people mad. This was a somewhat 
 common charge brought against Methodism when it was 
 first established, and it is still occasionally preferred by 
 ignorant persons, and those who deny that there is any 
 such thing as what is called christian experience. Mr. 
 Kiiham says, — " After I had preached one Sunday at 
 Raithby, and had just left the place to go to Keal, Mr. 
 W — , the clergyman and magistrate, came to the house, 
 (Raithby Hall,) and began to rage exceedingly against 
 me. His manner was so abrupt, and his passion so 
 great, as almost to prevent utterance; at first they did 
 not comprehend what he meant, or of whom he was 
 speaking, but when they understood him they were 
 quite surprised. He poured on me the bitterest re- 
 proaches, and amongst the many grievous things laid 
 to my charge, and which were equally untrue, he said, 
 if I were not stopped I should cause many to become 
 insane, and that I had done this in one case already. 
 He further threatened to lay hold on me, by the civil 
 power, and put me in prison. Mr. Brackenbury under- 
 took to reason with him, affirming that the gospel which 
 I had preached was the truth, and that if they imprisoned 
 me he would go with me ; and moreover so convinced 
 was he of its being according to scripture, that rather 
 than renounce it, he would seal with his blood the gospel 
 which I preached. Seeing he was saying so many 
 hard things against the Methodist preachers, Mr. Brack- 
 enbury began to be equally plain on his part, and told 
 him he and his brethren were dumb-dogs, and could 
 not bark, and appealed to his own conscience for the 
 truth of this assertion, telling him he did not preach the 
 truth, and that unless he repented, he would have a 
 miserable account to give of himself and his flock. 
 And as to the preaching making people mad, he told 
 him also, he wished that all the people in the town 
 were so crazed (as Mr. W — was pleased to call it,) 
 as to become distressed for their souls, and brought to 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 85 
 
 seek salvation through Christ Jesus. Mrs. Bracken- 
 bury also, at the same time, said several things to him 
 on the subject, which seemed to perplex him much, so 
 that he left them highly displeased ; but probably on re- 
 flection he had better thoughts, for he proceeded no 
 further against me. Glory be to God for His great 
 goodness and loving-kindness to me, in preserving so 
 unworthy a creature : may my future days be spent to 
 His glory!" 
 
 Mr. Kilham was the more disposed to mark the 
 foregoing occurrences from the circumstance of his 
 having had a dream just before they took place, and 
 which, he says, in concluding the account, he thought 
 was actually fulfilled in all respects. As it is comprised 
 in a very few words, it may be given : — "At Ash by I had a 
 dream, that I cannot but consider as extraordinary ; I 
 dreamed I was walking, and had to pass through a farm- 
 yard ; when I was in it, a great dog [Mr. W ,] came 
 
 out and endeavoured to come to me, but was prevented 
 by his chain. He was exceedingly violent, and seemed as 
 if he would tear me in pieces; at length there came a per- 
 son, [Mr. Brackenbury,] who endeavoured to pacify the 
 dog, so that by his help I was enabled to get away." 
 
 Having been a few months in the circuit, he felt his 
 mind greatly relieved from the fears which had distress- 
 ed him at the first He mentions the change in the 
 following devout and grateful terms : — " At present 1 find 
 my mind happy and comfortable in my situation, and 
 am, through grace, determined to go on in the way that 
 Providence has called me to walk in. What abundant 
 reason have I to praise God for causing me to be kindly 
 received in every place where I go. My soul is lost 
 in astonishment and praise: what shall I render unto 
 the Lord for all His benefits to me ? How ought I to 
 live to God, and devote my life to His service ! Help 
 me to preach Thy blessed word with power, and n a \ 
 it reach the hearts of those that hear it : grant, most 
 merciful God, that it may be productive of good; may 
 it always leave a lasting impression on my audience : 
 Oh ! do Thou give me grace and wisdom, that I may act 
 aright in every place where I am sent, — that I may be :\ 
 
 H 
 
86 LIFE OF THE 
 
 light to the people, and made an instrument in Thy 
 hands of good to their souls. Enable me to watch and 
 pray continually ; and grant me such a measure of 
 faith, as is necessary for one called into the vine-yard. 
 Take me now, O Lord, into Thy care ; I am Thine, may 
 I be Thine for ever ; that when Thou callest me to 
 appear before Thee, I may be found in Christ Jesus, 
 without spot and biameless, and be admitted into Thy 
 kingdom to praise Thee for ever ! — 17th Nov. 1785." 
 
 The annexed short passage from his diary, exempli- 
 fies the tenderness of his conscience, and shews how 
 severely he called himself to account in private, for 
 any inadvertency: — "I found my mind a good deal 
 oppressed, at having too much indulged an unprofitable 
 talkative disposition; I have great cause to be ashamed 
 of my want of watchfulness in this particular. It 
 would be much to my advantage frequently to bridle 
 my tongue, and particularly when persons are indulging 
 a back-biting, slanderous spirit. Lord, give me power 
 to watch against this evil ; may I never in this respect 
 grieve Thy Spirit, and wound my own peace." 
 
 It was one of Mr. Kilham's principles, that while 
 men ought to have right views of the essential doctrines 
 of religion, they should likewise, as far as possible, be 
 correct as to minor points and circumstances of wor- 
 ship. And he considered this duty so far obligatory, 
 as to render it imperative upon those who had the 
 means and opportunity of examining for themselves into 
 every subject proposed to their faith and practice, to do 
 so; that they might be able, if called upon, to assign a 
 reason for every truth they embraced, and for every 
 act they performed in the service of God. This he 
 felt to be more especially binding upon himself, as a 
 christian minister; who, besides having the care of his 
 own soul, had the charge of others, and might be call- 
 ed upon frequently to remove scruples of conscience 
 touching many things affecting the peace of individuals, 
 as well as ot the church. He was naturally inquisi- 
 tive ; and on coming under the influence of religion, 
 his thirst for knowledge, particularly on theological 
 subjects, had greatlv increased ; other circumstances 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 87 
 
 also occurred to urge him forward in the acquire- 
 ment of information. Having been obliged to pro- 
 fess his dissent from the church of England, that 
 subject necessarily engaged his attention, in order that 
 he might defend himself, if occasion should require it. 
 No sooner, indeed, had he made that profession, than he 
 was involved in a controversy with some of his brethren 
 — who seemed to think that what had taken place at 
 the quarter sessions, should be regarded as a matter of 
 form necessary to be gone through for a particular 
 purpose, and need not be followed up by corresponding 
 avowals afterwards, when the license had been pro- 
 cured. But Mr. Kilham had other sentiments and 
 nicer scruples on these points ; with him nothing was 
 regarded as indifferent, and to be passed over as having 
 been merely ceremonial, which had been sanctioned by 
 an oath. He therefore maintained, that having publicly 
 professed himself a dissenter, that profession must con- 
 tinue to be in force with him, so long as he retained 
 those opinions ; and that if he became convinced of their 
 unsoundness, he would be called upon to recant them 
 unequivocally and in public. Besides occasional con- 
 versation with other ministers, a Mr. Fish, at that time 
 one of Mr. Wesley's preachers, having been present 
 when Mr. Kilham spoke of the Methodists as being dis- 
 senters, entered into a controversy with him on the 
 subject. This led to an interchange of letters between 
 them afterwards, which was continued once a month for 
 two years ; Mr. Fish taking the Church, and Mr. Kil- 
 ham the dissenting side of the question. Mr. Fish was 
 at first exceedingly strong in his opinions ; however, 
 whether from conviction arising out of this discussion, 
 or other causes, is not known, but the fact is assertained, 
 that he shortly afterwards was ordained as a dissenter, 
 and went to the West Indies to preach the Gospel in 
 that character. 
 
 When Mr. Kilham went out to travel, a subject im- 
 mediately relating to the Methodist preachers them- 
 selves was the topic of much thought and partial 
 dissatisfaction. This was the celebrated Deed of Set- 
 tlement, which had been recently enrolled in Chancery 
 
88 LIFE OF THE 
 
 by Mr. Wesley; and as it appointed only one hundred 
 of the preachers to constitute the annual conference, 
 leaving the rest, among whom were several of the senior 
 brethren, unnoticed, it gave offence to many, who, 
 besides considering themselves slighted by the omis- 
 sion of their names, apprehended that, after Mr. Wes- 
 ley's death, they should be left entirely to the mercy of 
 those who were nominated in this important instrument. 
 
 As this deed has been denominated the Magna 
 Charta of Methodism, it will be proper shortly to no- 
 tice it, and more especially as its object and powers 
 have been the subjects of considerable attention and 
 debate since Mr. Wesley's death. 
 
 It has been stated in a previous chapter, that in com- 
 mencing to build chapels, the Methodists had no par- 
 ticular plan ; and in drawing up the writings for the 
 Chapels, the first intention was to invest them absolute- 
 ly in trustees, without any restrictions, except that they 
 should be used as places for worship.* Mr. Wesley 
 had no wish to be identified therein, or to secure to 
 himself any controul whatever over them. But it was 
 suggested to him, that in case the deeds were thus 
 formed, without any reference being made to the par- 
 ticular purpose for which the chapels were erected, he 
 would have no security for the occupancy of the pulpits 
 either by himself or his preachers ; and that in time, or 
 indeed so soon as the trustees might so determine, 
 even he, who had been the cause of their being built, 
 might be excluded from them; and they might be 
 placed in the hands of other preachers holding different 
 
 * Most of the old presbyterian chapels in England had their trust 
 deeds formed in this vague and uncertain manner ; the consequence of 
 which defect has been, that the trustees, having in many cases apostatised 
 from the evangelical faith professed by their original founders, the chapels, 
 in violation of the plainest principles of equity, have been transferred into 
 the hands of Socinians, who hold at the present day a great proportion of 
 the meeting-houses which were built by the orthodox non-conformists. 
 As a security against such misappropriation, it has become the usual 
 practice among dissenters to embody in the chapel deeds a definition and 
 an enumeration of the essential doctrines to be taught, and to specify the 
 particular purposes for which the buildings were erected. This is a 
 most important matter, and should always be attended to in the forma- 
 tion of chapel trusts. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 83 
 
 sentiments, and not even ministers of the same gospel. 
 This necessarily changed Mr. Wesley's views as to 
 the mode of settling the chapels on trust; and as the 
 connexion was in its infancy, the first remedy provided 
 against the possible consequences just adverted to, was 
 to reserve to himself a life interest in the chapels, so 
 that they could not under any circumstances be taken 
 from him. Shortly afterwards, and as regards some 
 of the chapels, a like interest was also reserved in 
 favour of Mr. Charles Wesley, by which, during life, 
 both or either of the Messrs. Wesley had the right of 
 the pulpit as their own. When the Itinerant plan had 
 come into full exercise, and conferences had begun to 
 be held, further modifications and securities for 
 Methodism were introduced into the trust deeds. Be- 
 sides reserving to Mr Wesley (and in many instances 
 to his brother, Mr. Charles Wesley,) the privilege 
 of occupying the pulpits, and appointing persons to 
 preach therein during his life, it was additionally co- 
 venanted, that after Mr. Wesley's death, the annual 
 Methodist conference should have the same power of 
 appointment for ever. This latter form became the 
 general and established mode of settling the chapels; 
 and, as the number built with such provisions in the deeds 
 already amounted to several hundreds, and was rapidly 
 increasing every year ; and, moreover, Mr. Wesley being 
 so very far advanced in life that he could not remain 
 long in the exercise of the power which he had secured 
 to himself individually, and his brother Charles was 
 also old and infirm, it became a grave question for consi- 
 deration — how the conference stood in a legal point of 
 view, and whether its position was such that it would be 
 able, on the event of Mr. Wesley's death, to claim the 
 rights of the pulpits, and exercise the functions of ap- 
 pointing preachers, according to the provisions made in 
 its behalf in the chapel deeds? On enquiry, it was soon 
 discovered that the conference, though a conspicuous 
 institution in Methodism, was, when legally considered, 
 a mere nonentity; and, consequently, neither itself nor 
 any privileges for which it might set up a claim ground- 
 ed on the trust deeds, could be recognized or maintained 
 
 h3 
 
90 LIFE OF THE 
 
 in any of the courts of law at Westminster Hall. In 
 this state of things, therefore, on the decease of Mr. 
 Wesley, all authority on the part of conference over 
 chapels must have ceased, notwithstanding mention was 
 made of, and certain specified powers were nominally 
 granted to it, in the chapel writings. To give a being, 
 therefore, to conference, in a technical sense, was of 
 course an object of great solicitude both with Mr. 
 Wesley and those preachers who understood the cri- 
 tical position of affairs as they then existed ; and for the 
 purpose of effecting this, Mr. Clulow,an eminent solicitor 
 in London, was referred to for advice, as was also 
 Mr. Maddocks, one of the seniors at the Chancery bar, 
 who recommended that a deed of declaration should 
 be drawn up, and enrolled in the high court of Chan- 
 cery, — defining the phrase "Yearly conference of the 
 people called Methodists," — appointing persons as 
 members constituting the same, — providing, in order 
 to its perpetuity, for the filling up of vacancies as they 
 might occur, — authorising the admission, stationing, 
 and expulsion of preachers, — and specifying the time 
 and manner of assembling and conducting the confer- 
 ence. Mr. Wesley accordingly had a deed prepared in 
 pursuance of this advice, and therein he appointed one 
 hundred preachers, whom he named, for the purposes 
 just mentioned ; and this instrument, having been 
 properly recorded in chancery in 1784, constitutes the 
 title deed of the conference to its power of assembling 
 and acting from year to year. 
 
 Only a few of the preachers having been privy to 
 the making of the Poll Deed, as soon as its existence 
 and enrolment became known to the generality, a loud 
 outcry was raised against it by a portion of them, 
 who said many severe things against the deed itself, 
 and against both Mr. Wesley and two or three of the 
 leading preachers, who, it was believed, having influence 
 over him, were the occasion of this transaction, for 
 the purpose of accomplishing their own ends after his 
 death. It was in vain that the discontented individuals 
 were told, that had not some such document been 
 created, the Methodist chapels might have become 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 91 
 
 lost to the connexion, — as they imagined, from the 
 circumstance of several of the older preachers not 
 having been included in " the hundred," and such 
 only being chosen as Mr. Wesley approved, or who 
 had been recommended to him by his favourites, that 
 some concealed object was about to be accomplished. 
 It was even alleged, by at least one of the dissatisfied 
 party, that Mr. Wesley was erecting himself into a 
 kind of Pope, and that a portion of his preachers had 
 been made the " select hundred" that they might serve 
 him as his " Cardinals !" 
 
 The blame of the deed being chiefly heaped upon Mr. 
 Wesley's head, near seventy of the most respectable and 
 influential preachers, in order to exonerate him, drew 
 up and signed a declaration, stating that what had been 
 done in reference to it was in consequence of an unani- 
 mous request of conference, which had previously been 
 presented to Mr. Wesley ; and that the subscribers ap- 
 proved of the matter entirely. This testimony was 
 produced at the conference in 1785, and afterwards 
 printed. Although it did not, at the moment, totally 
 silence all complaint, it abated it considerably ; and two 
 or three preachers having given up travelling,* partly in 
 consequence of the deed, or rather, perhaps, because 
 they were not amongst " the hundred," discontent seems 
 gradually to have died away, or at least to have been 
 so far suppressed as to have occasioned Mr. Wesley 
 little or no uneasiness afterwards. 
 
 Whatever may have been the opinion of Mr. Wes- 
 ley respecting the general conduct of those who had 
 condemned the deed of declaration altogether, he 
 seems, on reflection, to have regarded the fears of 
 some of the preachers, who hail not been named in the 
 hundred, as to the power of the conference to deal 
 hardly with them, if ever it should be so disposed, as 
 not entirely without foundation. And for the purpose 
 of preventing, if possible, any such consequences, he 
 wrote the following letter in their behalf, and commit- 
 ted it to the care of Mr. Bradford, who travelled 
 
 * Of these, the Rev. John Hampson, sen., and the Rev. John 
 Hampson, jun.j afterwards Rector of Sunderland, may be mentioned. 
 
92 LIFE OF THE 
 
 with him. It was produced and read at the first confer- 
 ence after Mr. Wesley's death ; and the conference 
 unanimously resolved to act upon it. The letter is 
 dated April 7, 17S5, being rather more than a year after 
 the enrolment of the Poll Deed, and six years before 
 Mr. Wesley's death: — 
 
 " My Dear Brethren, 
 
 " Some of our travelling preachers have expressed 
 a fear, that after my decease, you would exclude them, 
 either from preaching in connection with you, or from 
 some other privileges which they now enjoy. I know 
 no other way to prevent any such inconvenience, than 
 to leave these my last words with you. 
 
 " I beseech you by the mercies of God, that you 
 never avail yourselves of the Deed of Declaration, to 
 assume any superiority over your brethren : but let all 
 things go on, among those itinerants who choose to 
 remain together, exactly in the same manner as when 
 I was with you, so far as circumstances will permit. 
 
 " In particular, I beseech you, if you ever loved 
 me, and if you now love God and your brethren, to 
 have no respect of persons in stationing the preachers, 
 in choosing children for King swood School , in disposing 
 of the yearly contribution and the preacher's fund, or 
 any other public money : but do all things with a single 
 eye, as I have done from the beginning. Go on thus, 
 doing all things without prejudice or partiality, and 
 God will be with you even to the end. 
 
 John Wesley." 
 
 This timely and successful mediation with the hun- 
 dred, in behalf of the great body of preachers, shews 
 that whatever might be the privileged position in which, 
 for special purposes, Mr. Wesley placed any of his 
 assistants, his design was not that they should domineer 
 over the rest ; and it is probable, that had some one 
 been present to caution him of the possibility of 
 conference assuming, either at once, on his death, or 
 by degrees afterwards, undue powers over the lay part 
 of the connexion — viz. trustees and members — who 
 had not, in the Poll Deed, been provided with seats in 
 the annual assembly, the same regard for the just rights 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 93 
 
 of all, and the same goodwill towards every class of his 
 followers, which dictated the above solemn charge, or 
 letter of entreaty, would have led him to prescribe 
 some expedient for the prevention of any encroachment 
 upon the christian liberties of the laity, which would 
 cause uneasiness in that department of the connexion. 
 
 Mr. Wesley had nothing of suspicion or jealousy in 
 his composition ; and therefore he was not himself the 
 individual to make nice calculations for the future, or to 
 provide remedies against evils which were merely prob- 
 lematical, and perhaps remote. He dealt almost en- 
 tirely with things present; and, unless at the suggestion of 
 others he hardly ever, in adopting an expedient, took 
 into account the possibility of a measure instituted for 
 good, being in time corruptly perverted to opposite pur- 
 poses. He had little care on this head, his rule being to 
 reap the immediate benefit, and to rely upon some anti- 
 dote being discovered, in case it should be found to ope- 
 rate injuriously afterwards. The preceding letter throws 
 considerable light upon Mr. Wesley's peculiarity of 
 character in this respect; and it also shows, that if, in 
 making an important arrangement, there was at first 
 any imperfection or oversight, he was ever ready, on 
 being made sensible of it, to supply what was defective, 
 and to render his plans as universally acceptable as 
 possible. 
 
 In forming and enrolling the Deed of Declaration, 
 Mr. W T esley's anxiety seems to have rested on one ob- 
 ject ; — he looked only at the necessity of providing an 
 authority to station the preachers, and continue the 
 itinerant plan after his death. And in appointing the 
 hundred preachers for this purpose, it appears not to 
 have occurred to him, when only nominating part of 
 his preachers to constitute the conference, that this dis- 
 tinction might be deemed invidious, and prove unsatis- 
 factory, if not injurious, to the rest; that, in fact, by 
 dividing them into two castes, they ceased to be equal, 
 as to privilege; and that, as the natural tendency of 
 things, in such cases, is to increase the disparity, by the 
 ruling party taking care, as they mount higher them- 
 selves, to provide lower places for their non-enfranchised 
 
94 LIFE OF THE 
 
 brethren, so in the course of time all sympathy between 
 them would be annihilated, and their interests cease to 
 be identical. When the subject was placed before 
 Mr. Wesley in this light, and the grounds of suspicion, 
 as to the salutary operation of the Poll Deed in its 
 present form, were stated, he saw reason to do every 
 thing he could to extend its provisions to all the 
 preachers, and by that means to prevent any such con- 
 sequences as were apprehended. And it is not incon- 
 sistent with this part of Mr. Wesley's conduct to 
 conclude, that if any one, having influence with him, 
 had foreseen and mentioned the danger of that power 
 with which he was investing the preachers over the laity, 
 being eventually employed in the subversion of their li- 
 berties, lie would assuredly have taken up their cause in 
 the same spirit of impartiality and affection, as that in 
 which he interfered in behalf of the preachers. But un- 
 fortunately no one seems to have entertained suspicion 
 on the subject, or to have drawn Mr. Wesley's attention 
 to any point affecting the rights of his people, who were 
 entirely lost sight of in all the arrangements which were 
 made for the connexion in general. 
 
 The following additional considerations may perhaps 
 partly assist to account for this omission : — 
 
 From the time of its formation, the nature and ex- 
 tent of the powers created by the Deed of Declaration 
 have been subjects of much discussion in the Methodist 
 body. The preachers were the first to canvass its pro- 
 visions, inasmuch as they appeared to be the parties 
 chiefly, if not solely interested in it ; but since the 
 death of Mr. Wesley, the deed has been invested with 
 a comprehensiveness of character which exceeds every 
 thing that was originally anticipated as in any wise be- 
 longing to it. The intentions of Mr. Wesley, in drawing 
 up this instrument, have been interpreted in two ways, 
 which may be briefly explained. First, it has been 
 said, that in framing this deed, a threefold object, and 
 nothing beyond that, was intended to be accom- 
 plished; viz. (1.) To secure to Methodism possession 
 of the chapels which had been or should be built for its 
 use; (2.) To establish and continue the itinerant plan, 
 
IiEV. A. KILHAM. 95 
 
 which had proved of such singular utility in promoting 
 a revival of religion ; (3.) The perpetuating of the Me- 
 thodist ministry. The deed accordingly makes express 
 provision for all these ends. It gives the power of sta- 
 tioning preachers to the pulpits of all the chapels — of 
 removing those preachers to different circuits — and 
 of admitting into, and excluding circuit preachers 
 from, the connexion. The deed gives no further 
 power than what is absolutely needful for the accom- 
 plishment of these purposes. Making laws for the body 
 generally, and excercising authority over circuit or 
 local meetings, are not named, nor any where alluded 
 to. Yet, secondly, it has been maintained, that besides 
 the above prerogatives, secured by the Poll Deed to the 
 conference, it was the intention of Mr. Wesley that it 
 should be clothed with universal authority over the 
 entire connexion, and alone have the power to make 
 such rules and regulations as it might deem proper for 
 the discipline and government of Methodism. The 
 conference itself has acted upon this latter construc- 
 tion of the Poll Deed ; and from the period of Mr. Wes- 
 ley's death, it has exercised the functions of legislating 
 for, and controling, the whole Methodist community, 
 according to its own will and discretion. There are, 
 however, strong reasons for supposing that, in forming 
 the Deed of Declaration, Mr. Wesley had no design of 
 investing conference with those attributes of absolutism 
 which have since been claimed. Pie appears to have in- 
 tended the power of conference not to be supreme, but 
 separate from, and collateralwith, other prerogatives pos- 
 sessed respectively by different departments in the 
 connexion ; and which, while helpful in the general 
 cause, would serve as a check upon each other, and 
 be so exercised as not to destroy the harmony of 
 the whole system. For example — The chapels were 
 vested in the trustees, who had authority secured to 
 them by the chapel deeds, to see that the doctrines 
 taught therein were agreeable to Methodism, as ex- 
 plained in Mr. Wesley's Sermons and Notes on the 
 New Testament. Again, the different societies and 
 circuits, with their proper officers, had by long usage 
 
96 LIFE OF THE 
 
 been accustomed, at certain meetings of their own, 
 held weekly and quarterly, to transact their par- 
 ticular local church business, and form and carry out 
 plans for the promotion of religion in their own dis- 
 tricts. Such was the general economy of Methodism, 
 with Mr. Wesley at its head, long before the Poll Deed 
 was either executed or thought of: and all that seemed 
 to be wanting, w r as to provide for the continuance of 
 the system after Mr. Wesley's death. The preachers 
 were regarded as the occupants of the pulpits, and the 
 agents and guardians of the itinerant plan ; ■ and ac- 
 cordingly the Deed of Declaration was devised, to au- 
 thorise them to meet in conference annually for the 
 purpose of admitting persons into the regular ministry 
 — to station the preachers to the different circuits, — and 
 to do every thing which was requisite for the fulfilment 
 of tins part of the Methodist economy. The system, 
 reduced to these elements, is quite simple ; and provided 
 it could have been carried on apart from selfish 
 considerations, and in the pure spirit of christian pa- 
 triotism, which distinguished Mr. Wesley and his first 
 assistants, it would not have needed any of that more 
 complex and ponderous machinery, — that reference to 
 abstract principles,and the balancing of different interests, 
 which becomes necessary when there is discovered in one 
 class an ambitious desire, by incroaching upon or sinking 
 the rights of others, to engross to themselves the en- 
 tire rule and authority over the whole. In all Mr. 
 Wesley's arrangements, it seems to have been taken for 
 granted, that his preachers would in succession always 
 retain that meekness, self-denial, and singleness of pur- 
 pose, which marked the early days of Methodism ; and 
 no transition in the body from persecution to rest, from 
 reproach to honour, and from poverty to affluence and 
 its consequent temptations, was calculated upon in any 
 of his provisions for the future. 
 
 It has been matter of surprise with many judicious 
 persons, that in the formation of conference, Mr. 
 Wesley should have so far deviated from the principle 
 acted upon by other christian communities, as to have 
 made no provision for the laity being present at its 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 97 
 
 meetings. The Church of England, the Church of 
 Scotland, the Reformed Churches abroad, and the va- 
 rious dissenting denominations in Great Britain, have all 
 been constructed with a view to the union of both clergy 
 and laity in the functions of legislation and ecclesiasti- 
 cal discipline ; the Church of Rome being the only 
 community which has placed the entire management 
 and supremacy in the priesthood. No man could be 
 more opposed to popery than was Mr. Wesley, or 
 more keensighted in his perception of its corruptions 
 and apostacy having been the result of clerical ambition ; 
 and there is no authority for supposing that he intend- 
 ed to take her for a pattern in this respect, any more 
 than in her peculiar doctrines and discipline. The only 
 way, therefore, in which his having so constituted the 
 Conference* as to exclude the laity can be accounted for, 
 
 * The Conference being composed of preachers only, its designation 
 in the Deed of Declaration is strikingly inappropriate; which Dr. White- 
 head, in his Life of Wesley, has noticed in the following terms : — c It 
 would be improper," observes Dr. Whitehead, " to pass over the Deeil^ 
 without making an observation or two upon it. Now the first thing that 
 strikes me, is the title itself. ' A Declaration and Establishment of the 
 Conference of the People called Methodists.' This surely is a most in- 
 congruous title. It is well known, thai the people called Methodists, 
 never held a Conference since Meinodism existed. The Conference is 
 an assembly of itinerant preachers only (except two or three clergymen) ; 
 and its members are not assembled by any authority derived from the 
 people. When sitting, it exercises powers which are neither derived 
 from the people, nor under any controul by them. It elects members 
 into its own body, or excludes them at pleasure ; it makes regulations 
 and laws, not only for the itinerant preachers, but for all ranks and orders 
 of persons in the Societies: and while these things are transacted, neither 
 local preachers, trustees of chapels, stewards, leaders, or any of the 
 people, have a single voice or a single representative in the assembly ; 
 the people have no check, no balance of power, against any regulatiou 
 or law the Conference may choose to decree. It is difficult to conceive 
 why this assembly of a few preachers was called the Conference of the 
 People called Methodists ; unless it was to give the people a hint, that 
 they ought to have some representatives in an assembly where laws are 
 made by which they, as Methodists, arc to be governed." Vol. 2, 
 p. 412. It is necessary to remark that the above qnotation is from the 
 genuine edition of Wesley's Life, by Dr. Whitehead, ' lished in Lon- 
 don. in 2 vols. 8vo. A mutilated and spurious bool hortly after 
 
 its first appearance, printed in Dublin, also in 2 vols ,o., with Dr. 
 Whitehead's name in the title-page, but which omitted ah those passages 
 that were unpalatable to Dr. Coke and the high conference party. Dr, 
 Whitehead's Life is the best and most impartial account of Mr. Wesley 
 which has hitherto been written. It is now very scarce, and should bg 
 r -published, with some reyision, and illustrative notes, 
 
 I 
 
98 LIFE OF THE 
 
 is, that he regarded the trusteeship and circuit meet- 
 ings as respectively having, for local purposes, a para- 
 mount authority, and as standing on a kind of equality 
 with Conference; and his intention was, that each, hold- 
 ing peculiar powers in its own separate department, 
 should by that means be able to adjust its influence to 
 counterbalance any undue leaning on the part of the 
 others. Mr. Wesley estimated Conference, not as a ruling 
 authority elevated to exercise dominion over the whole 
 connexion, but as co-existent, for the purposes speci- 
 fied in the Poll Deed — precisely as parties who had 
 been appointed trustees existed for the purposes men- 
 tioned in chapel deeds ; and stewards and leaders for 
 society and circuit purposes. This will appear the 
 more probable when it is remarked, that there are the 
 strongest reasonsfor believing that Mr. Wesley regarded 
 the work of legislation as having been completed by him- 
 self. He had fixed the doctrines and the terms of mem- 
 bership : he had portioned out the duties of preachers, 
 trustees, leaders, and stewards ; and, having provided 
 for the continuance of the itinerant plan by the Deec] 
 of Declaration, he seems to have considered the frame- 
 work as perfectly constructed for all the purposes 
 of Methodism ; and all that remained to be done 
 was, for each department of the body, whether 
 preachers or people, to labour, according to the system, 
 as already settled, to do all the good which it might 
 be able to accomplish. Such appears to have been 
 Mr. Wesley's plan, and such his intention, respecting 
 the community which he had been the instrument of 
 raising up ; and if a different turn was given to the 
 system after his death, it was, we feel no doubt, as con- 
 trary to his design and expectation, as it has proved 
 detrimental to the harmony and liberty of the lay por- 
 tion of his people. 
 
 From some entries in Mr Kilham's diary, he seems, 
 shortly after he became a circuit preacher, to have 
 become apprehensive, that, on Mr. Wesley's death, many 
 changes would be effected in the body, which might not 
 prove generally satisfactory. There were, indeed, in- 
 numerable surmises in reference to this, amongst both 
 
REV. A. K.ILHAM. 99 
 
 the senior and junior preachers, who not unfrequently 
 alluded to it in their letters and private conversation. 
 But being himself young, and wholly occupied with 
 
 the immediate and more important duties of his office, 
 it does not appear that Mr. Kilham felt much interest 
 in the matter, or that till a few years after, at least, he 
 had any thoughts of taking a prominent part, or any 
 part at all, in discussions which might be originated 
 on the subject. So far, indeed, from purposing to 
 plunge into controversy, it is evident, from several 
 passages originally written only for his own use, that 
 his intentions were, in case of alterations being made 
 in the connexion which lie could not conscientiously 
 adopt, to have retired peaceably, without identifying 
 himself with any unpleasant disputations. Of the pas- 
 sages referred to, the two following, written about 1789, 
 may be selected : — 
 
 " I find my mind at present in a happy frame, and at 
 peace with all men, and I am more than ever deter- 
 mined to spend my life in God's service. I purpose 
 to preach as often as I can, to lay myself out in the 
 blessed work of the Lord, that I may, if possible, 
 all the souls that hear my words; I will, by God's help, 
 thrust myself into every place where I can gain admit- 
 tance, and as much as possible preach the Gospel in 
 those places where the blessed sound has not been 
 heard. I will use all my art and strength to pluck 
 sinners as brands from the burning. I am resolved to 
 continue an itinerant preacher, as long as my life and 
 health continue, provided there be no alteration after Mr. 
 Wesley's death, thai shall make it most advisable to de- 
 sist. U the world, the flesh, and the devil invite me 
 from this glorious work, I am determined to go on in 
 the work God hath called me unto, and continue in 
 the same to the end of my days, if such be the will of 
 God ; and what 1 now write, shall remain a witness 
 against me, if I ever deviate from my vow, unless (as 
 above) / have sufficient reason to the contrary." 
 
 The next passage, though brief, is equally to the 
 point : — "God knows my resolution is to continue in the 
 Connexion while I can do it with a clear conscience, and 
 
100 LIFE OF THE 
 
 when I cannot do that, I will enter some other sphere 
 of action: God has helped me thus far, and he will 
 help me unto the end." 
 
 In a few months after he had been appointed to his 
 first circuit, Mr. Brackenbury returned from France, 
 and a correspondence was begun between them. Mr. 
 Kilham was anxious, in his new situation, to avail him- 
 self of the earliest opportunity of communicating the 
 particulars of his state of mind, and of receiving such 
 assistance and advice as his kind and more experienced 
 friend might be able to impart. The following judicious 
 recommendations, which it may be useful to place on 
 record, were sent by Mr. Brackenbury, in reply to a 
 letter from Mr. Kilham : — 
 
 5 th Nov., St. Hellers, Isle of Jersey, 1785. 
 My Dear Brother its the Lord, 
 Your favour was extremely welcome. Glad am I to hear 
 of your soul's prosperity, and more especially of your pro- 
 vidential appointment to labour in the Vineyard, not doubt- 
 ing but he that called you to the good work will supply you 
 with all necessary qualifications. I rejoice to think you are 
 called to labour in our Circuit, and numbly pray God to 
 render your preaching and example a blessing- to the people. 
 You judge very right to set out on the principle of being 
 " a zealous preacher and lover of the Truth ;" and as you 
 request my advice, the following hints, which I have gathered 
 from observation and experience, may not, with the blessing 
 of God, be altogether useless. I. Do not entertain any 
 thoughts, unless necessity compels you, of changing your 
 state. Think it happiness enough to be espoused in the 
 Lord Jesus Christ. Begin to think of loving the creature, 
 and then all that is burning and shining in your character, will 
 presently be at an end. 2. Redeem the time, by spending 
 great part of it in private ; or when you cannot have con- 
 venience of retirement, read and study, instead of talking 
 familiarly with the people; don't mind if they think you re- 
 served ; your example will speak louder, and do them more 
 good than religious gossiping, and your preaching will there- 
 by be more lively and powerful, as you will find more freedom 
 and confidence towards God. 3. Make little of outward com- 
 forts ; use them with indifference and moderation, that when 
 you are deprived of them, as may sometimes be the case, you 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 101 
 
 may feel no inward uneasiness about them. 4 Cor.'. 
 only of the things of God ; and when you visit the peo 
 do not rest in generals, but suit your discourse as much as 
 possible to their particular slates ; and endeavour to impress 
 divine truths on their hearts and conscience. 5. Be short 
 in your exercises. You will thereby be more useful and 
 edifying to the people; and you will have abundantly morJ 
 satisfaction in your own soul. Lastly, in all your addresses 
 at the throne of Grace, and in your whole walk, be humbly 
 resigned to the divine will. When you are in trouble an 1 
 heaviness, don't strive to believe and think it is the only 
 means of finding relief; but resign yourself in the moment ; 
 go to the Lord just as you are, without reasoning or doubt- 
 ing, and embrace his will in the present trial, whatever it be, 
 as best for you, and you will find certain, nay, sometimes 
 almost unexpected deliverance. This is what few Christians 
 perceive. They seek ease in their trouble, and because they 
 do not presently obtain it, they grow impatient or unbelieving. 
 Suffice it for us, my dear friend, that the will of the Lord 
 is done, and that the sacrifice is so much the more accept- 
 able, as the flesh and naiure oppose it the most. Hoping 
 these few hints may prove a blessing, 
 
 I remain, with kind love to all enquiring friends, 
 
 Your affectionate Brother in the Lord, 
 
 R. C. Brackenbury. 
 
 He passed through this year with good acceptance 
 as a preacher; and from his letters, it appears his 
 ministry was useful to several who sat under it ; yet 
 he was by no means satisfied with himself, but lelt 
 the necessity of striving to obtain higher degrees of 
 grace and wisdom. 
 
 At the Conference held in Bristol, 1786, he was 
 stationed in the Gainsbrough circuit. Immediately on 
 his appointment, we find him pouring forth his h 
 in these words; — " I have found, and do find, a sincere 
 desire to give myself afresh to God, and am determined 
 to watch against that which most easily besets me. I 
 desire from my heart, that God would not suffer me to 
 be drawn aside, and earnestly wish I may be a humble 
 preacher, acceptable to all who hear my voice. Oh my 
 God! accept a heart that pants for thee; thou know- 
 est I would fain give myself to thee, and live to thy 
 
 i 3 
 
102 LIFE OF THE 
 
 glory; Oh ! give me grace to do it; I pray for wisdom 
 to direct me in every respect; enlighten my under- 
 standing that I may be able to divide the word of truth 
 aright; give me to abhor every thing of affectation ; 
 and teach me to be altogether such a one as may show 
 forth thy glory. May my walk and manner be accept- 
 able to all that hear; grant me grace faithfully to preach 
 thy word ; make me witling to receive instruction ; Oh ! 
 give me always to eye thy glory, and make me con- 
 stantly proof against all temptations ; let me have the 
 grace that would preserve me from whatever would 
 give just cause of offence to thy people; grant me 
 always thy Holy Spirit in preaching and prayer; and 
 help me truly to go forward to declare thy counsel to 
 sinners; give me whatever else may be to thy glory, 
 and my present and future good, for the sake of Jesus 
 Christ." This is a specimen of the manner in which 
 Mr. Kilham generally concluded his accounts in the 
 private journal which he wrote for his own use : his 
 observations are, throughout, much intermixed with 
 short ejaculatory expressions of prayer, which shew 
 the sincerity and excellence of the man, as well as the 
 genuine spirit of devotion, which pervaded his soul. 
 
 He had, from his first entrance into the ministry, a 
 trembling anxiety respecting his usefulness. Being con- 
 vinced that every call to this work was a call to do 
 good to the souls of men, his grief or joy greatly de- 
 pended upon the apparent effect of his preaching. On 
 this subject he writes as follows, shortly after he had 
 entered upon the duties of the Gainsbrough circuit: — 
 "I thought, with much concern, I had been labouring 
 many weeks without any success, but have of late had 
 some proofs that this was not the case. I found a 
 praying heart at Fereby, and had tolerable liberty in 
 speaking to the people. I visited a man to all appear- 
 ance near eternity ; he seemed in trouble for his soul, 
 and cried to God for mercy; he had many years heard 
 preaching, but was, as he said, eaten up with the world, 
 which prevented him from enjoying anything that was 
 spiritual. I conversed with him freely, and prayed 
 with him, and found the love of God in my own soul. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 103 
 
 I called the day after on him, and was comforted in 
 visiting him." 
 
 "I received a letter from Mr. Brackenbury, desiring 
 me to meet him at Raithby : I found I could comply 
 without inconvenience to myself or neglecting the cir- 
 cuit, and I was happy in having the opportunity. 
 When I arrived at Raithby, I found Mr. Brackenburv 
 just ready to depart. We rejoiced to meet and see 
 each other, and had a comfortable season together; I 
 rode with him to Syleby, and rejoiced in being with 
 him whom I loved, and to whom I found myself so 
 much united. W r e spent a good deal of time in secret 
 together, and conversed freely to each other respecting 
 the Lord's dealing with us, and of the things of eter- 
 nity. He told me many pleasing things respecting the 
 Lord's dealings with the people he had laboured 
 amongst, and we rejoiced together for what the Lord 
 had wrought, and for our future prospect of sinners 
 being converted to God. We travelled comfortably 
 together to Boston, and then parted, recommending 
 each other by prayer to the grace and protection of 
 God." 
 
 His exertions during this year were beyond his 
 bodily strength; and there were, towards the latter end, 
 some apprehensions that his constitution was seriously, it 
 not irrecoverably, impaired by preaching too frequent- 
 ly, and otherwise applying himself early and late to his 
 official duties. One of his brethren in the ministry, 
 with whom he had travelled in the former circuit, thus 
 admonishes him on the subject in one of his letters : — 
 "I hope you are better than you were. You must not 
 preach too often, nor too loud, nor too long. Remem- 
 ber the sixth commandment. If the local preachers 
 will not supply, take care of yourself." The fatigues 
 of hard labour having brought on an illness, Mr. Kil- 
 ham was recommended to remove to Hull for a few 
 weeks, which he did, and the effect of rest and sea-bath- 
 ing, by the blessing of God, was to restore him in a 
 sufficient degree, that he was enabled to return to his 
 own circuit, and resume preaching, before Conference. 
 A report of his bad health having reached Mr. 
 
104 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Brackenbury, he wrote to Mr. Kilham the subjoined 
 letter, which is equally affectionate and pious, and must 
 have had a consoling influence on Mr. Kilham's mind. 
 
 Raithby Hall, 20th June, 1787. 
 My Dear Brother, 
 I received your very accep table favour in Jersey, but was 
 prevented from answering it shortly by bodily weakness 
 and indisposition. Since my return I was somewhat better, 
 but am yet very poorly of a cold. I was very sorry to hear 
 on Sunday of your ill state of health, and that you went to 
 Hull in hopes of receiving benefit from bathing in the sea, 
 but that, being told it was not at all suitable for your case, 
 you were returned back again, — however, I could not 
 learn whether to Epworth or Gainsbro'. Upon hearing this, 
 I set out on Monday intending to come and see you, but 
 when T got to Horncastle I found myself very poorly, and 
 met with a very disagreeable affair which obliged me to go 
 to 01 ford the following morning. On these accounts I was 
 forced to postpone my journey, but as I expect to set out 
 for Buxton in about ten days time, I still cherish the hope 
 of calling upon you in my way, if the Lord permit, only you 
 must send me word, if you can, where you are repaired to. 
 It was a great comfort to me to find by your last, that you 
 were growing in grace, and ripening, perhaps — (for I learn 
 that your complaint is a deep consumption) — for a glorious 
 eternity. If this is the case, courage, my dear Brother 
 Pilgrim ! — a few more rolling billows and you will gain the 
 wished-for shore. I doubt not of your being sweetly sup- 
 ported by that God of unbounded love and never-failing com- 
 passion, whom you have sincerely served. As for me, I 
 still lag behind, and if my weak, crazy vessel, amidst rocks 
 and shoals, together with contrary winds and torrents, 
 should ever reach the harbour ; and if my poor sinking soul — 
 amidst ten thousand dangers, and a world of temptations 
 and corruptions — should ever get to Heaven, the blessed 
 haven of rest, 'tis as much, I often think, as it will do. It 
 will be nothing less than a miracle of mercy. I have several 
 things to communicate, if the Lord vouchsafe to favour us 
 with an interview in this vale of tears. Meantime, let me 
 exhort you, my dear brother, to faith and patience. They are 
 the graces for suffering times, and I rest assured they do 
 not fail you in this time of need. If your sickness be unto 
 death, I should esteem it a peculiar privilege to profit by 
 
REV. A. K1LIIAM. 105 
 
 your dying councils and prayers ; or if the gracious Lord 
 restore you again (which I humbly request, with submission 
 to his will,) believe it will be for your more abundant use- 
 fulness. Our family join kindest love to you. My brother, 
 it is probable, will accompany me as far as Epworth or 
 Gainsbro', where you happen to be. 
 
 I remain, my very dear Brother, 
 
 Yours affectionately in the Lord, 
 
 R. C. Brackenbuuy. 
 
 At the Manchester Conference, 1787, he was ap- 
 pointed for Scarbro' circuit, where he continued two 
 years. He says in his journal, — " I entered upon my 
 labours praising God for his mercies to me; I found a 
 jealousy over myself, lest I should do anything contrary 
 to the character I wished to maintain, and was deter- 
 mined to live in prayer and watchfulness, and be con- 
 stantly devoted unto God. 1 was grieved to see so 
 few people attend the preaching at one or two of the 
 places in the circuit, and desired the societies to plead 
 earnestly with God, for a display of his goodness in a 
 revival of his work amongst them; I besought them in 
 the name of Jesus to walk circumspectly themselves. 
 1 found myself happy amongst them, and was comfort- 
 ed with the hope of the work prospering, for I had 
 great liberty in preaching, and had solemn seasons 
 with some of the societies, and particularly at Scarbro'. 
 God blessed my coming amongst them, and gave me 
 some seals to my ministry. I went on my way rejoic- 
 ing, and met with a kind reception in every part of the 
 circuit. The air seemed to suit my constitution ; the 
 people were exceedingly kind and loving in most of 
 the places, and my entertainment in general very 
 agreeable, for the people everywhere did all they could 
 to make the preachers comfortably. The scene of 
 our travelling was a little varied on the moors, but 
 the inconveniences we experienced from the roads were 
 amply repaid by the kindness of the friends when we 
 got to them." 
 
 Mr. Kilham at this time entertained the thought of 
 offering himself to <ro to the West Indies as a mission- 
 arv, and wrote to Mr. Warrener, who was stationed at 
 
106 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Antigua, for information. It will be seen by the an- 
 nexed extract from Mr. Warrener's letter, what were 
 the enquiries proposed to him by Mr Kilham on this 
 subject: — 
 
 Antigua, June, 1788. 
 Dear Brother, 
 I received yours and brother Bear's both in one, some 
 time ago, and now intend giving you an answer to your 
 questions as well as I am able. The accounts of the West 
 Indies are so romantic and extravagant, as they are given by 
 many in England, that it is impossible to form any proper 
 idea of them. The climate is much more moderate than I 
 expected, although in the months of April, May, June, July, 
 and August, it is hot in the height of the day; but what 
 makes it tolerable, is the sweet trade breezes which mostly 
 blow from North-East to South-East, In the rest of the 
 months it is more cool, but more unhealthy. I find the 
 heat and mosquettous, and every thing disagreeable to an 
 European at first, become quite easy by care. I shall now 
 answer your questions : — 1st. "Is it possible for persons of a 
 consumptive constitution to bear the climate ?" I asked my 
 physician, and he told me the best thing in the world was to 
 come to the West Indies — many do it purely for that com- 
 plaint. 2nd. " Would it be possible for us who have been 
 used to preach in England to speak to the capacities of the 
 Negroes ? &c." You know, Brother, all the preachers here, 
 and on the other Islands, are English or Irish, and we find 
 no difficulties in this ; for though many of them cannot 
 read, yet thousands of them were born on the Island; and 
 those who have come from Africa are soon taught, as they 
 are daily spoken to in the English tongue ; no other language 
 is spoken on this Island ; they are able to understand very 
 well what is spoken to them of the Things of God ; glory be 
 to God ! many of them can not only understand, but speak 
 of them too. 3rd. You ask " Are they mild and teachable, or 
 savage and unruly ?" They are far from being \ nruly ; most 
 of them are better behaved than our own countrymen, espe- 
 cially the lower class of people ; as to their being mild, I 
 cannot say much for that ; they are naturally warm and 
 passionate, and show it to each other; but they very rarely show 
 any thing of the kind lo a white person. As to books, I make 
 no doubt you have a collec* ion of useful ones by you ; if you 
 come, bring them all and any others you think good. I have 
 
REV. A. KILIIAM. 107 
 
 bought several since I came here ; but it is your best way to 
 buy them in England. Lastly, as to clothes ; if I had any right 
 information when I came from England it would have been 
 good for me ; but I did bring many things I never expected 
 to wear ; but I find them all useful but worsted stockings, 
 and these are quite useless ; what suits this country is as 
 follows, kc. * * * May the Lord direct you in all 
 things, is the prayer of 
 
 Your affectionate Brother, 
 
 William Warrener. 
 
 It is probable that between the time of writing to 
 Mr. Warrener, and receiving an answer, Mr. Kilhain 
 had seen it his duty to remain in England, where he 
 was labouring both acceptably and usefully, rather 
 than go on a foreign mission; or perhaps such might 
 be the will of Mr. Wesley. It is evident, however, 
 that the subject was one in which he felt much interest, 
 which he showed by corresponding with Dr. Coke, 
 who had the chief direction of the mission; and, at the 
 Doctor's request, by enquiring out, while stationed in 
 Aberdeen, and recommending proper persons to engage 
 in that apostolic enterprise. 
 
 Shortly after entering the Scarbro' circuit, Mr. Kil- 
 ham began to think of marrying, and it was probably 
 because he had introduced this topic in one of his let- 
 ters to a brother preacher then at Grimsby, that he 
 received the following sketch : — 
 
 March IQtk, 1788. 
 Dear Brother, * * * 
 * * I will now draw you a picture of a Preacher's 
 wile. — 1. She must be a woman of solid piety ; or she will be a 
 burden to her husband, and a stumbling block to others. 2. 
 She must be well established in the Methodist Doctrine, and 
 zealous for our discipline; else there will be danger of her 
 doing harm among the people. 3. She should be a woman of 
 gifts as well as grace, able to preach by the tire-side and in the 
 class, or by a sick bed, as her husband is in the pulpit. 4. 
 She should have a good natural disposition ; else should 
 she fall from grace, she will be a very devil. 5. She must 
 be of a free open spirit ; if not, the people will dislike her, and 
 perhaps the husband too for her sake ; yet she must be able 
 to keep a secret, and not shew too great freedom with the 
 
108 LIFE OF THE 
 
 other sex. 6. She must be of a meek spirit, to bear contra- 
 dictions, which she must expect to meet with. 7. Of a 
 humble spirit ; or she will take too much on herself. 8. Pos- 
 sessed of christian fortitude ; or she will sink under trials. 
 9. Zealous and active, that she may be useful wherever she 
 goes. 10. Generous, without prodigality. 11. Notable and 
 frugal, without covetousness. 12. Cleanly, both in her house 
 and apparel. 13. Exceedingly exemplary in her dress, not 
 using gaudy nor costly apparel ; if she does, her husband 
 need never say one word against dress, as it will be all lost 
 labour. 14. Fully reconciled to a travelling life ; or she will 
 be perpetually teazing her husband to settle, and never let 
 him rest till he yields to her intreaties. \5. It would be 
 well if she had a good constitution, that the husband may 
 not be hindered in the business of the Circuit by nursing his 
 sick wife. 16. If to all these good properties, she have as 
 much fortune as will maintain herself, her husband, and chil- 
 dren, if need be, she will be no worse but better. I hope you 
 will be cautious how you take such a step ; much prayer, 
 with fasting and perfect resignation to the will of God, is 
 necessary in such an important affair. That the Lord may 
 direct you in all things, and prosper you in every prudent 
 engagement, is the earnest prayer of 
 
 Your affectionate brother, 
 
 Wm. C. Fish. 
 
 This portrait was sent to Mr. Kilbam within a few 
 days of his marriage with Miss Sarah Grey, of Picker- 
 ing, with whom, until her death, which occurred in 
 1797, he enjoyed as much happiness as sound piety, 
 eminent good sense, and, perhaps, as great a share of 
 affection and care for his welfare as ever was shown by 
 woman, could secure. In justice to her memory, as 
 well as because they are connected with some parts of 
 Mr. Kilham's public conduct, several of Mrs. Kilham's 
 letters will be given hereafter, and they will shew the 
 deep interest which she took in whatever concerned 
 him, both as her husband and as a minister of the 
 gospel. Mr. Kilbam records his marriage in these 
 words : — 
 
 " I had lonff entertained the wish of entering into 
 the marriage state, but as my situation laid me under 
 many difficulties, particularly in regard to the fitness 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 109 
 
 of the person for a wife, I had been hitherto prevented 
 from forming a suitable matrimonial connexion. I had 
 made this a matter of earnest prayer to God, and had 
 intreated his direction in an affair of so much impor- 
 tance : I wished to act with the greatest caution, and to 
 have resignation to the Divine will, and not to take 
 that step, which so immediately affected my happiness, 
 without using all possible prudence and circumspection. 
 Some time after I came into this circuit, a particular 
 friend pointed out Miss S. Grey to me, and told me he 
 thought she would make me a proper companion, and 
 supposed she would have no great objection.* * * * * 
 I was thankful to God for his goodness to me in this 
 particular} and I believed from my heart, that the Lord 
 had graciously pointed her out as a companion for me. 
 I have frequently found my heart overwhelmed with 
 gratitude and love to Him, for giving me such a help- 
 mate, for her whole study has been to glorify God, and 
 render herself agreeable to me. My heart has always 
 been deeply affected, on account of this undeserved 
 mercy and love so richly manifested in this instance to 
 me, who am infinitely beneath His notice. He has 
 given me a partner, in whom I find all the qualities I 
 ever desired, and many others which I never looked 
 for. Instead of her being my cross, she is the delight 
 of my eyes, whom, under God, I love, and ever shall 
 love, and highly esteem, to use the expression, as my 
 own soul. I have no hindrance from her in the bless- 
 ed work of the Lord, but am encouraged by her advice 
 and example, to be diligent in the Lord's vineyard. I 
 hope this unspeakable mercy will fill my soul with 
 gratitude, and cause my mouth to speak the praises of 
 God." 
 
 They were married at Pickering on Easter Monday, 
 1788, with the sanction of Mr. Wesley, whose consent 
 had always to be procured by the preachers before 
 they ventured on such a step. The propriety of this 
 will be perceived in the relation in which he stood 
 to the preachers and to the body — as the father of 
 both ; in the honour of the community, which lay near 
 his heart ; and in the general knowledge he had of the 
 
 K 
 
110 LIFE OF THE 
 
 members of the society, — enabling him to decide and 
 give advice on the subject of suitability. 
 
 Mrs. Kilham having brought a small property to her 
 husband, he never, during the whole time that he tra- 
 velled as a preacher, received any quarterage for her ; 
 a proof, if such were wanting, of his disinterestedness, 
 and that while his object was to render as much ser- 
 vice as he could to the cause of religion, he was wish- 
 ful to put the societies to as little expense as possible 
 for his maintenance. 
 
 In August this year, Mr. Kilham addressed a letter to 
 the Duke of Leeds, in consequence of the improper con- 
 duct of his grace's steward, in having taken upon him- 
 self to discharge one of his workmen — not, as the man 
 was assured at the moment of his being turned away, 
 that there was any charge against him as a servant, but 
 because he had become a Methodist. The same per- 
 son had also behaved outrageously to Mr. Kilham, 
 while attempting to preach in the Town Street of Sea^ 
 mer, by pulling the chair on which he was standing 
 from under him, pushing him down, and throwing filth, 
 eggs, &c, upon him. In addition to these acts of 
 persecution, the steward procured warrants against 
 several of the congregation, who, with the preacher, 
 appeared before the magistrates at Pickering. On the 
 case being gone into, however, the facts told so plainly 
 against the real offender, that not only were the 
 parties who had been summoned discharged without 
 censure, but a constable who had been present during 
 part of the time when these interruptions were going- 
 forward, and had refused to interfere to keep the peace, 
 was fined for his neglect of duty. Mr. Kilham's first 
 intention seems to have been, to have taken legal 
 proceedings against the steward for the assault, as it is 
 found by his papers that he laid the case before counsel^ 
 and obtained an opinion upon it in his favour ; but 
 the steward having threatened to dismiss other work- 
 men, for whom there could have been no legal redress, 
 and otherwise to oppose the preaching at that place, 
 Mr. Kilham, looking only to the interest of religion, 
 judged it expedient so far to lose sight of the outrage 
 
KLV. A. klLHAM. Ill 
 
 uiitted against himself, as not to have recourse to 
 law in the first instance, but rather to draw up a state- 
 ment of the steward's conduct generally in the affair. 
 This he did, and submitted it to the Duke, with some 
 suitable remarks on the subject of liberty of conscience ; 
 and his grace probably signified his pleasure in a proper 
 way, as it appears no repetition of such conduct as that 
 just described ever took place at Seamer. 
 
 While in the Scarborough circuit, Mr. Kilham was in 
 vited by a congregation of Dissenters, who had a chapel 
 at Helmsley, to become their settled minister, with the 
 offer of a comfortable maintenance if he would do so. 
 This he declined, alleging that he could not leave Mr. 
 Wesley's Connexion with a good conscience; but at 
 the same time proposed to them, if they wished to sit 
 under the Methodist preachers, that their chapel should 
 be regularly supplied according to the itinerant plan. 
 It was so supplied for some time, but the majority being 
 in favour of a fixed resident minister, this arrangement 
 did not continue to be followed. 
 
 In December, Mr. Kilham's first child was born — a 
 daughter, who was named Sarah;* and he states that 
 himself and Mrs. Kilham solemnly offered up their in- 
 fant to the Lord to be his for ever. 
 
 About this time he has the following entry in his 
 diary : — " I preached at two places on Sunday ; at one 
 of them the people behaved very well, and were atten- 
 tive, but at the other were very rude. I was informed 
 a few days after, that half-a-pound of gunpowder was 
 put under the place where I was expected to stand, 
 with a train secretly laid to some distance; but, without 
 having any reason for the change, I stood in another 
 place. I have reason in this instance to say, I will 
 praise thy name, O Lord ! thy counsels of old are faith- 
 fulness and truth." 
 
 In attending to that part of a minister's duty which 
 requires him to visit the sick, Mr. Kilham had the 
 
 * Now Mrs. Biller, of St. Petersburgh, who has for many years conduct- 
 ed a school in the Russian capital, under the immediate inspection and 
 patronage of the Imperial family. She was the only one of Mr. Kilham's 
 children who survived her parents. 
 
 K 2 
 
H2 LIFE OF THE 
 
 satisfaction of finding good reason to hope that in this 
 circuit he was made the means of bringing an indivi- 
 dual to a knowledge of salvation, when on the very 
 threshold of eternity. He was requested to visit a 
 young female in Scarborough, who was fast sinking 
 under a consumption ; and on calling, she was found 
 to be unacquainted with spiritual things, and indisposed 
 to speak or be spoken to on the subject, and was even 
 prejudiced against him. Still, however, he persevered 
 in his visits, and by prayer and conversation he soon 
 witnessed a rapid change in her mind ; — indiffer- 
 ence was succeeded by a deep concern for hei soul 
 — repentance followed — and, finally, having been en- 
 abled to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, she ob- 
 tained pardon through him, and died rejoicing in the 
 assurance of heaven. Mr. Kilham improved the cir- 
 cumstance by preaching a funeral sermon to a large 
 congregation. 
 
 Having been two years at Scarborough, the Confer- 
 ence which he attended at Leeds, in 1789, removed 
 Mr. Kilham to Pocklington, a neighbouring circuit. It 
 is one advantage of the itinerant plan, that, in changing 
 the scene of his ministry, a preacher is almost invaria- 
 bly led to renew his resolutions, and revise his schemes 
 for usefulness, so that by often commencing his work 
 afresh, and with accumulated knowledge and experience, 
 his zeal is kept up, and he labours with better effect than 
 he would be likely to do, provided he continued in one 
 place, and with the same people. We find, accordingly, 
 that Mr. Kilham, to use his own words, when he re- 
 paired to his new circuit, " devoted himself to God 
 again,'' resolving, at the same time, "to be more diligent 
 in improving his time in reading and writing." This 
 purpose was practically fulfilled, and he appears to have 
 been from this time closely engaged in the perusal of 
 ecclesiastical history, and in investigating theological 
 truth generally. His desire was first to know, that he 
 might afterwards prove all things, and hold fast that 
 which was good. He says, — " I find a great thirst after 
 knowledge, and am occupied in reading many authors 
 on various subjects ; I have been so much engaged in 
 
KEY. A. K1LHAM. 1 1 3 
 
 se employments, that I liave scarcely had time for 
 my usual seasons of private prayer and meditation. I 
 have also been much engaged in writing letters and 
 skeletons of sermons. I sometimes find a great back- 
 wardness to these exercises, but when I take up my 
 cross, I frequently afterwards find them a great blessing 
 to me. I begin often with great aversion, and after- 
 wards proceed with pleasure and satisfaction." 
 
 If we feel regret that such scenes as the following, 
 which were of almost weekly occurrence forty or fifty 
 years ago, have to be noticed, it ought not to be unac- 
 companied with thankfulness that they are rarely or never 
 witnessed in our own day : — " I went to preach at L — , 
 at four o'clock on Sunday ; the minister came to the 
 house, and demanded by what authority J came there. 
 When I told him, he spoke against the Methodists 
 in the most bitter language, and threatened vengeance 
 against us if we persisted in our meeting, — saying, it 
 was at our peril if we proceeded* 
 
 * s An old man, with a prayer-book under his arm, 
 came also and abused me, using very scurrilous terms ; 
 the house was in an uproar, there being a considerable 
 congregation, and many from the neighbouring villages 
 were present. I began by singing a hymn, but before 
 we had finished the minister came again, with a short 
 stick in his hand) and rushing through the people, 
 came boldly up to me; he pushed against me, and at- 
 tempted to strike me with his stick, but a farmer laid 
 hold of him, and prevented it ; he then used abusive 
 language, and even gnashed with his teeth, commanding 
 us repeatedly to desist. I appealed to his conscience, 
 and to his people, whether he acted according to the 
 spirit of the gospel. At length, finding that nothing 
 he could say would prevent our meeting, he and his 
 companion went away. Soon after, two or three ser- 
 vants came with eggs to throw at the people, but few 
 of them did us any injury : we were afterwards left to 
 conclude without further molestation." 
 
 The Pocklington circuit was extensive, and required 
 the preachers to be almost continually absent from their 
 families, the round taking them six weeks to travel it, 
 
 k3 
 
114 LIFE OF THE 
 
 during which time they could spare only five or sis 
 nights at home ; yet he was content, and even happy, 
 if the work of religion did but prosper, as was the case 
 in some places, for which he expressed his gratitude to 
 God. 
 
 It would seem, however, from Mr. Kilham's corres- 
 pondence with his friends, while in the Pocklington 
 circuit, that the coldness and formality in regard to re- 
 ligion, which too generally prevailed amongst the 
 people, gave him much concern and uneasiness. He 
 had some evidence of his not having preached in vain, 
 but on the whole he was far from satisfied with the state 
 of the societies. There was too little spiritual energy 
 amongst them, and no means which he could devise had 
 the effect of rousing them to earnest and laborious ser- 
 vice in the cause of God. He only remained one year 
 in Pocklington, though he was warmly pressed by the 
 circuit to stay a second ; nor does he appear to have felt 
 any great objection against returning ; but, not having 
 been the assistant or superintendent that year, the Con- 
 ference held at Bristol, 1790, as a matter of course re- 
 moved him, and he was appointed to Whitby circuit, 
 where, he says, he found an agreeable and affectionate 
 people, amongst whom he lived and laboured with great 
 satisfaction. In a letter to a friend, soon after his arrival 
 in this circuit, he gives, among other things, the following 
 particulars respecting the state of religion at Whitby ; — 
 
 W^hen we arrived at Whitby, we met with a kind recep- 
 tion from the friends. After I had spent two or three days 
 in the town, I went to my proper place in the circuit. The 
 people came with great readiness to hear the new preacher. 
 I found my mind a good deal refreshed ; but there is a great 
 want of life in many souls. We have about 250 in society 
 at Whitby : most of them meet in band. We have preach- 
 ing three mornings in the week by us ; the other mornings a 
 local preacher supplies, or they have a prayer meeting. 
 We have an intercession on Friday at 12 o'clock, and a 
 public prayer meeting every Saturday evening. Many of 
 the friends are greatly encouraged to hope for a revival. 
 Several of our places lie upon the sea-coast. The people in 
 general are guilty of smuggling in those places. We have 
 but poor societies in them, because of our not countenancing 
 
he v. a. kilham. 115 
 
 that vice. I find, after going four limes round the circuit, 
 the congregations as good, or better than before. I find my 
 mind more spiritual, and my heart more engaged in the 
 work. I am not satisfied with the good word of the people^ 
 unless I can see some fruit of my labour. My whole soul 
 is engaged for God. I am sure I desire nothing in preach- 
 ing but to save myself and others. I have many cor- 
 ruptions which war against the peace of my soul. Many 
 temptations are thrown in my way, from various quarters. 
 The Lord teaches me, in some measure, when to tight, and 
 when to fly. 
 
 I am, in truth, 
 Your affectionate Brother in Christ, 
 
 Alexr. Kilham. 
 
 Mr. Kilham was a sincere believer in the truth of 
 the doctrine of general redemption, as held by Mr. 
 Wesley and the Methodists, and, while in this circuit, 
 he felt it his duty, on more than one occasion, to stand 
 forth to advocate and recommend it, in opposition to 
 the Calvinistic system which was taught by several 
 ministers in Whitby, and other places which they 
 visited. His motive for addressing one of the preachers 
 of these doctrines, he explains, as well as the object of 
 liis writing to him, in a letter from which we may give 
 an extract: — 
 
 Rev. Sir, Sept. 6, 1790. 
 
 I hope you will pardon the freedom I have taken, in ad- 
 dressing you with these lines. You frequently express in the 
 pulpit the desire you have of doing good as a preacher of 
 the Gospel, and the grief that pervades your soul on account 
 of your having little or no success. It appears by what 
 you say, you would do any thing in your power to save 
 souls from eternal death. I am a little surprised at your 
 grief, when I consider you as a strong predestinarian. You 
 often inform your congregation of God's everlasting love to 
 the elect, of his determination to bring them through all to 
 glory, of their being in a state beyond the reach of men and 
 devils, &c. You imply in your doctrine, though seldom ful- 
 ly express it, that the greatest part of the world are reprobates. 
 You confine the merits of Christ to the elect, and solemnly 
 declare none shall miss of happiness who have been redeemed 
 by his blood. You mourn on account of so few attending 
 
1 16 LIFE OF THE 
 
 the word, and grieve that those who do attend continue 
 hardened in sin. You blame their conduct, and cry with 
 all your might against their proceedings. Yet you acknow- 
 ledge they cannot alter their conduct without an effectual 
 call, and that that effectual call must come from sovereign 
 grace, which is the purchase of the Redeemer's blood. Now, 
 if grace be not provided, the call cannot be given ; if that be 
 allowed, the sinner must perish in his sin, of necessity. 
 Pray, sir, who is to blame ? * * * If you would open 
 your heart, and preach a free and full salvation to all, laying 
 all the blame of rebellion and future misery upon the sin- 
 ner's own head, you would be blessed in your soul, and 
 owned in your labours. God is my witness, I write with sin- 
 cere affection, and with an earnest desire of real good. Let me 
 beg of you not to speak so much upon controverted points, 
 but lay the axe to the root in every sermon. Do not charge 
 your brother ministers with doctrines they never hold. They 
 place no more merit in good works than you can do ; nor do 
 they in any sense look on them as meritorious. Do not de- 
 spise their private meetings : they are consistent with the 
 Bible and sound reason. Many clergymen hold them, and 
 are much blest in their parishes. Wishing from my heart 
 your spiritual good and welfare, and praying earnestly for 
 your labours to be crowned with success, I conclude by 
 expressing myself 
 
 Your affectionate servant, &c. 
 
 The following contains an abstract of his faith in the 
 general doctrines of the gospel, and w r as sent, as he 
 states in a note, to a party whom he supposed to have 
 been the writer of an anonymous letter which he re- 
 ceived, charging the Methodist preachers with teach- 
 ing their hearers to build on a wrong foundation. 
 
 * * * If you were to read over Mr. Wesley's sermons* 
 and consult his other works, you would find he lays the 
 same foundation St. Paul does in his 3rd chap, to the Co- 
 rinthians, 1st Ep. We follow the steps of our aged father, 
 and constantly declare there is no other name given under 
 heaven whereby we can be saved. We constantly declare 
 that man is fallen and corrupt through body, soul, and 
 spirit ; that his corrupt nature leads to wickedness in his 
 life and conversation ; that all his own works, be they ever 
 so specious, are dead works before God ; that, of himself, he 
 is incapable of thinking, speaking, and acting, in any sense, 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 117 
 
 to please God ; that he is a vile sinner, condemned already ; 
 that he has no will nor power to save himself, in whole or 
 part ; that he will be dammed and ruined if he continue 
 in his present state. To encourage such, we constantly 
 inform them, that God is loving to all — wills not the death of 
 any sinner, but had rather they would return and live ; that 
 Christ has died for all — tasted death for every man ; has 
 paid down the price of redemption for the world — has fully 
 atoned for all sin, and for every sinner. We tell them the 
 Spirit is given — that he strives with all — that he convinces 
 of sin, of righteousness, &c. — that he waits to take the things 
 of Christ, and communicate them to the soul. We hold, that 
 the grace of God appears to all — that every man has a free 
 will through grace — that all have calls and help offered to re- 
 pent, believe in Christ, and be saved — that now is the ac- 
 cepted time and day of salvation. We also insist upon it, 
 that the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin — that the 
 Spirit roots out hellish, and plants heavenly tempers in the 
 soul — that he gives faith that works by love, and purifies the 
 heart. He creates anew in Christ to good works. We de- 
 clare to our people, they ought to be living sacrifices to God 
 — to seek a full recovery in Christ, that they may be a pecu- 
 liar people, zealous of good works — to cleanse themselves 
 from all filthiness, perfecting holiness in the fear of God ; 
 that they should daily be lights in the world — show their 
 faith by their works ; that they are to grow up in Christ- 
 press toward the mark — be exceedingly earnest in striving to 
 keep a conscience void of offence ; that they are daily to 
 watch and pray — follow Christ fully, and to the end. We 
 inform them, if they act thus, after their conversion, they 
 shall never fall, but shall grow stronger and stronger every 
 day. We caution them against sin, against lukewarmness ; 
 declare they may fall into sin and into hell — that they w.ll 
 be reprobate and cast off from God, unless they hold fast 
 the beginning of their confidence to the end. VVe ascribe, 
 justly, rationally, and scripturally, all glory to God for 
 man's salvation, in every sense : and we likewise declare, 
 with the same evidence, that all who lose their souls will 
 have none to blame but themselves. These are the doctrines 
 we hold and maintain, both in preaching and writing. We 
 can prove them from Scripture, and from the clearest evi- 
 dence manifested in the experiences of christians in all ages. 
 I apprehend the foundation you refer to, is election and 
 reprobation, as maintained by the people called Calvinists. 
 
118 LIFE OF THE 
 
 This foundation being unscriptural, we dare not build upon 
 it. We cannot represent the Author of our being as willing 
 and bringing about the damnation of the greatest part of 
 mankind, without any possibility of their escape. Were we 
 to hold this foundation, we should necessarily make God the 
 author of all sin ; should show that all are equally doing bis 
 will ; that there is # nothing in the world but a consistency 
 with the appointments of the Deity ; and that all is harmo- 
 niously moving by his necessitating influence. 
 I am, 
 
 Your affectionate friend, 
 
 Alexr. Kilham. 
 
 Having received from a young man belonging to a 
 methodist family in the Pocklington circuit, and for 
 whose salvation he had felt great concern, an account 
 of his conversion, w T hich had recently taken place, Mr. 
 Kilham, at his request, sent an answer containing much 
 excellent advice, with judicious cautions, which persons 
 just setting out in the christian life always need, but 
 have rarely the means of obtaining from persons of 
 competent skill and long standing in religion. 
 
 Whitby, Gt/i January, 1791. 
 Dear Brother, 
 I received your kind and welcome letter last night, about 
 nine o'clock. My wife and I rejoiced at the mercy of God, 
 manifested to you in the Lord Jesus. I am glad to find 
 your experience rational and scriptural. You have long had 
 light in your understanding, but have now gained life in 
 your soul. God has graciously heard prayer in your behalf. 
 Many fervent petitions have been put up to God for your 
 conversion ; those prayers have been watered with tears ; 
 God has at last answered ; — to his name be all the praise. I 
 would have you daily adore the riches of divine goodness 
 vouchsafed in Christ Jesus. According to your desire, I will 
 gladly communicate a few things, which I hope will be use- 
 ful. I would have you spend much time in secret prayer 
 and reading the Scriptures ; read much with the excellent 
 commentary which your father lately purchased. Read, if 
 you have time, all the lives of the preachers and others pub- 
 lished in the magazines from the beginning. Indulge your- 
 self as little as possible with any thing that is unnecessary. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 119 
 
 Rise early to your prayers and other cl alies. I would also 
 advise you to be diligent in attending upon all prayer meet- 
 ings ; and when you have opportunity to pray publicly, embrace 
 it ; but avoid a forwardness in this, which would be censured 
 by some. I do not mean you should be backward, but be 
 modest and prudent, as becomes a person of your years. If 
 the Lord help you, you may give a short exhortation at a 
 prayer meeting ; but avoid being long : you had better speak 
 only five minutes to edification, than half an hour to weary 
 the people. If you would go into the country with our 
 friends, it might be attended with good. There you might 
 speak without reserve; you must not be astonished if some 
 of the old methodists oppose your proceedings. My own 
 father opposed me more than any person I met with ; but 
 his opposition arose from a good principle. He feared I 
 should run before I was sent, but when he saw I was called 
 to the work, he ceased, saying, the will of the Lord be done. 
 However, the Lord is on your side, and if you ask wisdom 
 and council of him he will direct you in all things. You 
 may depend upon it, the devil will do all he can to prevent 
 your prosperity. He will strive by various ways to seduce 
 you from the hope of the gospel. You must look for him as 
 an angel of light. He will strive to make you think more 
 highly of yourself than you ought. He will get you to look 
 upon old professors as possessed of less experience than your- 
 self, and will use many artful methods to make you fall into 
 condemnation. I make no doubt but you will find many 
 corrupt principles rise up in your soul, jointly striving to 
 allure you from your God. Though the Lord has done great 
 things for you, yet it is likely even now you are much unac- 
 quainted with the plague of your own heart; when suitable 
 temptations offer, you will know what remains of corruption 
 in your soul. However, whatever arises in your heart con- 
 trary to God, you may with great confidence seek the removal 
 of it by the spirit of holiness. Internal holiness is the beauty 
 of Christianity. It adorns the soul and makes us like God. 
 It qualifies us for every good word and work. I believe by 
 your account God has given you a great release; but do 
 not be angry with me for suggesting to you that much of 
 your heart is yet unknown. Many roots of bitterness yet 
 lodge in your breast undiscovered. If you do not like this 
 doctrine, it proves my point, and witnesses there is yet pride 
 in your breast. I do not want to weaken your confidence. 
 
120 LIFE OF THE 
 
 but to lead you out of yourself entirely to the Lord Jesus. 
 The disease must be known before the cure can commence. 
 Often examine your heart, and you will soon perceive what 
 arises there contrary to the meekness and lowliness that is in 
 Jesus. Whatever you find an enemy to your peace, bring 
 it by faith before God, and he will slay it. I would have 
 you beware not to act the part of a vessel that lately sailed 
 from this port, with about half-a-score hands on board ; for 
 want of ballast, in a gale of w ind she was over-set, and all 
 hands perished. You have launched out into the ocean of re- 
 ligion. You have spread your sails of profession extensively. 
 The winds will blow from unfavourable quarters, and if you 
 are not well ballasted with deep humility, you will be over-set 
 in the gale, and all your grace will perish. Sink deep into 
 the valley, and that will cause you to rise high before God 
 and sensible men. You can never think too meanly of 
 yourself. This will help all your duties, and will make your 
 soul constantly to depend implicitly upon God. This is a 
 cardinal grace. It will adorn your soul in all places and 
 engagements. I would advise you to get a book with about 
 four hundred pages in it, and take skeletons from the ser- 
 mons you hear preached. You may retain the general and 
 particular heads if you are attentive. I would have you use 
 your own judgment in this. If you find any thing that 
 appears superfluous, cut it off. If any thing is wanting, sup- 
 ply it. If the Lord never call you to preach, this method 
 will be useful. But should you be called to a public life, 
 (which I hope will be the case,) you will find the skeletons 
 of real use. I do not mean they will be able to furnish your 
 mind with what is necessary to preach, but they will be 
 helpful. If you will but employ your time, you will have 
 none to spare for any thing trifling. I would have you buy 
 Dr. Watt's Improvement of the Mind (in both parts,) and read 
 it over as soon as you possibly can. Do not read it once 
 only, but again and again. It is one of the best books you 
 can read for improvement. Beg of God to give you an 
 understanding heart. Intreat him to open your capacity 
 that you may understand the Scriptures. The more true 
 wisdom you gain, the more you will see into your own 
 ignorance. May the God of Jacob be your defence, Amen. 
 
 Alexr. Kilham. 
 
 The next letter was addressed to the Rev. John 
 Grundell, who, though deprived of his sight, was a 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 121 
 
 popular preacher, and went out to travel in the Me- 
 thodist New Connexion shortly after it was formed 
 in 1797.* 
 
 Whitby, 17 th January, 1791. 
 Dear Brother, 
 For several weeks I withstood the temptation you left in 
 our house, but at last was overcome by unwatchfulness. I 
 sought up all the keys we had, and happily the last suc- 
 ceeded. I then came at a sight of your books, and had the 
 pleasure of perusing some of the most valuable. I made 
 this vow to myself, — " I will read no letters, nor suffer my- 
 self to look at any thing I find in his box which I have 
 reason to suppose he wants to be kept secret." T kept my 
 vow religiously. Booth Newton met me at Stokesley. He 
 told me you had sent him the key of your box, and had 
 given him liberty to read your books. As you had sent no 
 word to Whitby, I would not send the box away at that time. 
 However, I let him have a few volumes with a strict charge 
 to keep them clean, and be careful not to hurt the binding. 
 Since I saw you, I have had various exercises in different 
 ways. The people hear with great seriousness and attention, 
 but we do not win over many to Christ. I find a very kind 
 reception throughout the circuit ; many hear in most places, 
 but few appear to lay to heart what is delivered. * * * I 
 thank God for the privileges I enjoy in this place, particularly 
 for access to the gentleman's library. I am as much or more 
 devoted to reading than ever. I hope I improve something 
 by every book I read. * * * I am open to truth from 
 any — from every quarter. I have read Burnett's Treatise 
 on the Resurrection. Mr. Shelton recommended it to me 
 on your word. He is a curious writer. His Theory of the 
 Earth contains many things rational, and some not a little 
 extraordinary. I cannot take time to animadvert on the au- 
 thors I have been pleased and profited by. We have a iew 
 intelligent friends here. Your name is precious to many 
 souls in this place. I nm glad to find several who own you 
 for their father in the Gospel. I hope, my dear brother, 
 your late route has been a blessing to yourself, and a season 
 of good to many souls. I find it difficult to live and preach 
 in the spirit of the Gospel. It is easy to preach to satisfy 
 most who hear, but it is hard to persuade men to flee from 
 
 * Mr. Grundell died at North Shields, Dec. 1, 1815, and on the 
 5th of the same month, was buried near the pulpit of the Methodi t 
 New Connexion Chapel, Sunderland, of which town he was a native. 
 
 L 
 
122 LIFE OF THE 
 
 the wrath to come. I lay the axe to the root as much as 
 possible, but I cannot bring sinners to God without the 
 divine energy of his spirit accompanying the word to the 
 consciences of the people. I hope I am more serious than 
 when I saw you. I find great need of universal holiness to 
 make me truly careful. * * * Wishing you every 
 blessing purchased by the blood of the covenant that you 
 are capable of receiving, I am, with the utmost truth and 
 sincerity of affection, 
 
 Your affectionate Brother in the Gospel of Christ, 
 
 A. KlLHAM. 
 
 In March, Mr. Kilham' s second child was born, 
 and named Samuel, having been, like the first, which 
 was then more than two years old, solemnly devoted 
 to the service and disposal of God. The birth of this 
 son occasioned some altercation between Mr. Kilham 
 and one of the leading men in the Whitby society, 
 who being warmly attached to the Church, urged, 
 and even insisted upon Mrs. Kilham going there to 
 return thanks, and also that the child should be baptis- 
 ed by the clergyman. Mr. Kilham objected on princi- 
 ple, maintaining that as a dissenter it would be incon- 
 sistent to have recourse to the Establishment on such 
 an occasion. This gave some offence at the moment, 
 but nothing personally unpleasant appears to have fol- 
 lowed. 
 
 The next letter, to R. C. Brackenbury, Esq., em- 
 bodies many of the feelings peculiar to a faithful mi- 
 nister of the gospel ; and being written confidentially, 
 without the least expectation of its coming under the eye 
 of any one besides the individual to whom it was sent, 
 it helps to give us a better insight into the disposition and 
 religious character of its author than could be obtained 
 by a more elaborate communication. The impression 
 necessarily produced by the persual of Mr. Kilham's 
 private correspondence, is highly favourable to his piety 
 and zeal in the work of God. 
 
 Whitby, 5tk March, 1791. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 # # # * * 
 
 I have not in the least remitted my diligence in redeeming 
 time, nor my self-denial in the work, since I entered into a 
 
k£V. A. KILHAM. 123 
 
 marriage state. I have every blessing from a partner that 
 the creature can afford. I have no hindrance but help from 
 her in the way to heaven. Yet in the midst of blessings of 
 various sorts, I do not render the Lord such returns as he 
 requires. I accepted my appointment here with thankful- 
 ness, and came with great cheerfulness to labour in this 
 circuit. I met with a cordial reception from the people in 
 every place. They received me as a messenger sent from 
 God, and do still come with remarkable readiness to hear 
 me. I have a kind, serious, upright colleague, whose heart 
 and soul arc in the work. We are in our third year together, 
 and have known nothing but love. In the midst of these 
 most extraordinary privileges I am not sufficiently grateful to 
 the Giver. I do not find my heart at all times submissive to 
 him in all things. I do surrender body, soul, spirit, &c, freely 
 unto him, but do not gain that conformity to him, and holi- 
 ness, which appear so exceedingly desirable. I am convinced, 
 by multiplied experience as well as observation, that unless 
 Christ dwell in our heart by his spirit, and become the soul 
 of our soul, moving all the motions of our heart and life?, 
 it is impossible to live to God. I have not the least depend- 
 ence upon gifts and graces, any further than they are ma- 
 naged by the spirit of God, living and reigning in the heart. 
 My whole dependence is upon God for success in preaching 
 the word. I go out in his fear and name ; and according t<> 
 my ability speak to the consciences of all who attend. I direct 
 my discourse to the people before me, and frequently inform 
 them of the consequence of refusing the testimony of the Lord. 
 God does in some places own my word with success. I 
 have seen the travail of my Redeemer's soul, and am a little 
 satisfied. Last night, at a village near this place, a woman 
 stood up, after preaching, and informed the congregation 
 that God had set her soul at liberty. Another stopped in 
 the society, and declared God had powerfully awakened his 
 conscience while I was preaching. I rejoiced, and do re- 
 joice on that account. Though God has not left us without 
 witness in many places, yet our labours have not been attend- 
 ed with much success. Our own people are exceedingly re- 
 miss in self-denial and conformity to Christ. We have few 
 that are reaching to the things that are before. This place, 
 that has been noted for the piety of the society, is fixed in 
 lukewarmness ; I mean great numbers who are joined with 
 us here, have not the power of godliness. I tell you in the 
 confidence of friendship, that I never was among a people who 
 
 L 2 
 
124 LIFE OF THE REV. A. KILHAM. 
 
 have less of the mind that was in Christ, and the zeal that be- 
 comes his followers. We cannot prevail on them to re- 
 nounce the world and self, and be fully engaged for God. 
 * * * I hope God will manifest his love, and come 
 powerfully among us. I believe, could those of us who 
 preach the gospel prevail on ourselves to live and act as 
 messengers of the Lord, we should soon see the devil's king- 
 dom giving way to the kingdom of Christ. I cannot ex- 
 pect to be useful to many, till I gain a greater renewal of 
 soul. Were I in the holy of holiness myself, to burn and 
 shine like a seraphim in holy living and love to all, I be- 
 lieve my labours would be greatly blessed. There appears 
 a veil between this state and my soul ; I am wishing and 
 praying that the veil may be rent, and my soul speedily ad- 
 mitted. I find faith exceeding necessary to admit the sou! 
 into the depths of God. Unless faith carry the soul out of 
 self and the world, and lead her to live in God as her pro- 
 per element, the divine nature cannot be received, and its 
 fruits manifested in the heart and life. * * * We were 
 struck yesterday with the tidings of the death of Mr. Wes- 
 ley. God is wise in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 
 I hope he will raise up men to superintend, full of faith 
 and the Holy Ghost. * * * If he suffer any revolutions 
 to take place, they will be guided by infinite wisdom, to ends 
 most for the glory of God and good of souls. 
 
 I am, your affectionate servant, 
 
 Alexr. Kilbam. 
 
 Mr. Wesley's death, which Mr. Kilham notices in 
 the foregoing letter, occurred in London on the 2nd of 
 March, 1791. The intelligence occasioned great mourn- 
 ing throughout his societies, and funeral sermons were 
 preached in all the chapels belonging to the Connex- 
 ion. Mr. Kilham mentions having delivered one to a 
 crowded congregation at Whitby. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PROM MARCH, 1791, TO AUGUST, 1792, WHEN MR. KILHAM WAS 
 TRIED BY THE CONFERENCE, AND CENSURED FOR PUBLISH- 
 ING AN ADDRESS TO THE FRIENDS AND MEMBERS OF THE 
 NEWCASTLE SOCIETY. 
 
 The proceedings of the preachers and of the societies 
 immediately on the death of Mr. Wesley, serve to 
 illustrate the circumstances in which they understood 
 themselves to have been placed by that event, That 
 all parties expected to be put in possession of power, 
 and to enjoy privileges superior to what they had held 
 during the lifetime of the founder of Methodism, is un- 
 questionable. They, in fact, regarded themselves as 
 having outlived their minority, but their notions were 
 vague and undefined as to the precise benefits which 
 they should acquire by the change. This remark ap- 
 plies to the preachers as well as to the people : the for- 
 mer seemed to associate with the advantage of being 
 freed from the restraint* put upon them by Mr. Wesley, 
 
 " It is clear from the conduct ot the preachers that they did not at 
 that time consider themselves entitled to the entire government of the 
 Connexion ; nor, indeed, did they profess to aim at this : hence the peo- 
 ple were allowed to meet and adopt such resolutions as they judged 
 expedient, in reference to the Connexion, and even the Conference, 
 without their right to do so ever being called in question. The trustees 
 and societies acted and spoke as having paramount authority ; and the 
 preachers seemed intent only on two things — first, to perpetuate the 
 itinerant plan; second, to prevent any one or a few of themselves from 
 monopolizing the supremacy Mr. Wesley had told them, that the peo- 
 ple would never submit to them after his death as they had submitted to 
 him ; and they probably believed this, and were apparently only desirous 
 of securing themselves against oppression from each other. After this 
 object had been attained, then it was that step after step was taken to 
 set aside the influence and power, first of the trustees, and then of the 
 societies. Were the process by which this was accomplished fully and 
 impartially delineated, it would be found amongst the most curious and 
 instructive, and perhaps important, chapters connected with modern 
 ecclesiastical history. As indispensable qualifications, however, for exe- 
 cuting such a task, the individual undertaking it must have been of some 
 standing in the Methodist ministry, fully initiated into Conference pro- 
 ceedings, and have sufficient sagacity to mark the connection between 
 
 L 3 
 
126 LIFE OF THE 
 
 an opinion that the position in which they should be indi- 
 vidually placed in the Connexion, depended mainly on 
 their own immediate conduct and exertions. This gave 
 rise to numerous intrigues and meetings, for the pur- 
 pose of securing their own influence at the ensuing 
 Conference, when something would of course have to 
 be decided upon as to the future management of the 
 Connexion. The societies likewise met in many places, 
 not doubting that they were entitled to deliberate on 
 what would be likely to promote their interest, and 
 that of the body at large, at such an important juncture. 
 A correspondence was opened between the various cir- 
 cuits, and letters and pamphlets were written and dis- 
 seminated, w r ith a view to direct attention to those points 
 which were deemed to be of moment. There was, in 
 short, a general movement throughout the societies in 
 every part of the kingdom, accompanied by no small 
 degree of jealousy amongst the different sections into 
 which the Methodists were divided. 
 
 In tracing the history of every community, whether 
 spiritual or political, it will be found universally true, 
 that controversies which have ultimately developed and 
 established great principles of government, have hardly 
 ever originated in immediate connection with anything 
 in its nature affecting the foundations of society, 
 Disputes, having for their object the reformation of 
 abuses, have generally, at their commencement, been 
 
 certain measures of policy operating silently and imperceptibly, yet with 
 the utmost certainty, working by degrees such changes upon the so- 
 cieties as were sought to be effected, but which, if they had been di- 
 rectly and openly attempted, it would have been impossible to have pro- 
 duced. No such historian has yet appeared amongst the Methodists : 
 it is indeed remarkable, that from the time of Mr. Kilham until recently, 
 when Dr. Warren began to point out some of the arbitrary features in 
 the system, hardly an individual preacher had written and published, or 
 even uttered, any thing on the subject in this country. In America, 
 during the last few years, some able pieces have been produced on the 
 principles of Methodistical government, which deserve to be better known 
 than they are in England. A periodical work, begun at Baltimore in 
 1825, under the title of " The mutual Rights of the Ministers and Mem- 
 bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church," ought to be particularly men- 
 tioned, as displaying great research and power of argument, in asserting 
 the claims of the laity to participate with the preachers in the legislative 
 and governing functions of the religious community. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 127 
 
 about secondary things — such as a particular measure 
 adopted by those in authority ; some apparently tri- 
 fling circumstance in the administration of affairs; or 
 even the tone and manner of an official individual. Con- 
 tention beiii£ thus bemin, the parties therein ensrajred, 
 i i • i i • ft & ' 
 
 in order to rest their arguments and objections on some- 
 thing solid, have, in the course of investigation, been 
 obliged to refer to and open out the doctrine of abstract 
 rights,— to ascertain and define the relations of men to 
 each other, — and to limit the powers of different classes 
 under the social union. In studying a physical science, 
 the plan is to begin by acquainting ourselves with its 
 general principles, and then to pursue it in its details. 
 But the reverse of this is the case with regard to go- 
 vernment, and things pertaining to common life; and the 
 reason is plain, — men are more interested in what they see 
 and feel, than they can be with theoretical propositions. 
 It is therefore seldom that they are brought to pay at- 
 tention to them, until something occurs which imme- 
 diately affects their own welfare. Directly that a 
 benefit is arbitrarily withheld, or an act of oppres- 
 sion practised upon them, the hardship is understood; 
 and while seeking its removal, if the conduct they 
 complain of be persevered in and justified, the difficul- 
 ties thrown in their way occasion them to enquire into 
 the nature of that power which can inflict such injury. 
 On finding it to have been exercised without authority, 
 or used in an extreme degree, they are led to contend 
 against it, not merely because it has wronged them- 
 selves, but on higher grounds ; namely, that it is un- 
 reasonable, and opposed to the well-being of society. 
 It will be found, in conformity with the remarks just 
 made, that the disputes which were carried on in the 
 Methodist Connexion for several years after Mr. 
 Wesley's death, related at first to minor points, but at 
 length they assumed a more important character ; and 
 the division in the body to which they led, took place 
 in consequence of the assertion of a great principle 
 brought out in the course of the inquiries which were 
 made, and which the Conference would not allow to be 
 
128 LIFE OF THE 
 
 acted upon. That principle was, the scriptural right of 
 the laity to be present at all meetings, and to assist 
 in making laws for the government of the Connexion. 
 Mr. Kilham took part with the people in this conten- 
 tion;* and maintained their cause until, for so doing, 
 he was expelled from the body by the Conference heid 
 in London, in 1796. 
 
 Mr. Kilham was first led to take up his pen in con- 
 sequence of the following letter having been circulated 
 by the trustees at Hull, to the stewards of the larger 
 societies in Mr. Wesley's Connexion; the object of 
 
 * Early in October, 1 798, only a little more than two months before 
 he died, Mr. Kilham, in a preliminary notice to" An Appeal to the Me- 
 thodist Societies in the Sheffield Circuit," (occasioned by some aspersions 
 having been cast on him,) which he prepared for publication, but which 
 it appears was not printed, expresses himself in the following eloquent 
 and affecting terms, in reference to what he had been obliged to endure in 
 consequence of his efforts to promote a reformation in the religious com- 
 munity to which he belonged. The passage is transcribed from a manu- 
 script now before us in his own hand writing. — " When I first wrote 
 against the abuses and corruptions of the Methodist Connexion, some 
 of my friends imagined I should receive the thanks of the Conference, 
 and every thing be set right at once ; but I had read ecclesiastical history, 
 and a different prospect opened to my riew. Since the conflict began, I 
 have been represented as weak and insane — as mad — as possessed of the 
 devil — as given up to a reprobate mind — as the greatest deceiver and 
 hypocrite upon the face of the earth— as the man of sin which the scrip- 
 tures mention — as a devil with a bible under my arm — yea, as worse 
 than the devil. In a discourse delivered about a week ago, the travelling 
 preacher confessed one article of his faith to be this—" I believe Mr. 
 Kilham is that man, that he would prefer a high place in hell before a 
 low place in heaven." These, and a thousand other things, have been 
 said of me by the preachers, and those who are subject to them in all 
 things ;— many pray, and expect to be answered, that God would hasten 
 my destruction. They quote this passage to justify their conduct : " I 
 would to God that they were cut off who trouble you." If I had lived at 
 the dawn of the Reformation, such declarations, from persons so exalted 
 in profession, might have alarmed my poor conscience. But at present 
 my heart rejoices in being counted worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ 
 and his religion. I believe priestcraft, branched out into the different 
 nations, and prevailing in almost every country, if not in every sect and 
 party, is the greatest curse that ever God Almighty suffered to befall 
 his creatures — and until it is removed, the nations will groan, being op- 
 pressed. Could I give a deadly blow to one hair of this seven-headed 
 monster, I should think it amply rewarded all my sufferings. If I could 
 live to the age of Methusalem, and be fed every day with the bread and 
 water of affliction, I should exceedingly rejoice if I could, in all those 
 years, be instrumental in banishing this evil from the face of the earth." 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 129 
 
 which was threefold, namely, — to prevail upon the Me- 
 thodists — 1st. Not to profess themselves Dissenters; 
 2nd. Not to establish worship in Church hours; 3rd. 
 To repair to the Church for the purpose of receiving 
 the sacrament. 
 
 " Hull, At A May, 1791. 
 "Dear Brethren, 
 
 " Although we cannot but condole with you on the great 
 loss which the Methodist societies in particular, and the 
 christian world in general, have sustained in the death of our 
 venerable and honoured father, the Rev. J. Wesley ; yet we 
 rejoice with you that he has left us a testimony that God 
 was with him, even to the last period of his long and emi- 
 nently useful life. 
 
 "We pray that unity and peace may still prevail among 
 the preachers and people in the Methodist societies, and that 
 God may pour out of his spirit more abundantly among us. 
 And as a measure that may be for the furtherance of the gos- 
 pel, and the comfort and encouragement of many of the 
 Methodist preachers, we cannot but recommend to our 
 brethren, of the larger societies especially, to unite in declar- 
 ing, by letter or otherwise, to all the preachers, their determi- 
 nation, through grace, to adhere to all those rules, both with 
 regard to doctrine and discipline, which our departed father 
 and pastor established among us, and which have been bless- 
 ed with such signal marks of divine favour. We are all 
 convinced, the usefulness of the Methodists has been, and 
 will be greatly increased by their continuance in connection 
 with the church of England ; and we believe, as did the late 
 Rev. Mr. Wesley, those of them who separate from the 
 church of England, 'will dwindle away into a dry, dull, 
 separate party.' 
 
 " We cannot consent to have the sacrament administered 
 amongst us by the Methodist preachers, nor to have preaching 
 in the chapel here during the hours of divine service in the 
 church ; — and we most cordially unite with the Conference 
 in support of that annual or frequent change of preachers, 
 which has been so great a blessing both to preachers and 
 people, and one great mean of preserving and increasing 
 vital religion among the Methodists. So far as your senti- 
 ments agree with ours in these important matters, we shall 
 rejoice and esteem it a presage of future good. 
 
 " We wish you every blessing which the Saviour of sinners 
 
130 LIFE OF THE 
 
 has purchased for us; and praying that we may meet you in 
 the kingdom above, we remain 
 
 Your affectionate brethren in the gospel, 
 
 Thomas Good, George Walton, John Harrup, 
 William Kelsey, Joseph Gee, John Fox, 
 
 George Wilson, Richard Terny, George Mills, 
 William Headley, Wm. Ramsden, William Ombler, 
 Samuel King, William Sissison, Sam. Holdsworth, 
 
 Charles Moon, Wm. Webster, Thos. Thompson. 
 
 The Hull address was accompanied by the subjoined 
 extract from " Further Thoughts on a Separation from 
 the Church," printed in the Arminian Magazine, for April, 
 1791. 
 
 u * I never had any design of separating from the church. 
 I have no such design now. I do not believe the Metho- 
 dists in general design it, when I am no more seen. I do 
 and will do all that is in my power to prevent such an event. 
 Nevertheless, in spite of all that I can do, many of them will 
 separate from it (although I am apt to think not one half, 
 perhaps not a third of them). These will be so bold and in- 
 judicious as to form a separate party, which consequently 
 will dwindle away into a dry, dull, separate party. In op- 
 position to these, I declare once more, that I live and die a 
 member of the Church of England : and that none who regard 
 my judgment or advice, will ever separate* from it. 
 
 ' John Wesley.' 
 
 " At a meeting of the stewards, leaders, trustees, and other 
 of the Methodist society, at Hull, it was unanimously agreed, 
 • that printed copies of the above written letter and extract 
 
 • Mr. Wesley's words, in reference to a separation from the Church, 
 must be understood in a qualified sense ; otherwise, he may be quoted 
 as an authority against himself, which would involve a charge of incon- 
 sistency. His judgment on this subject seems to have included two 
 things — first, that the Methodists should, if possible, maintain a visible 
 nnion with the Church, by attending some, if not all, of her services: se- 
 cond, when this could not be, by reason of absolute impediments, their 
 separation should not be from the Church, considered in her form and 
 constitution, but by reason of something accidentally associated with her. 
 The following passage, by Mr. Wesley, printed in the Arminian Maga- 
 zine, in April, 1790. should be read in connection with the quotation 
 given in the Hull address : — 
 
 " The grand argument (which in some particular cases must be ac- 
 knowledged to have weight) was this : — ' The minister of the parish 
 wherein we dwell, neither lives nor preaches the gospel. He walks in 
 the way to hell himself, and teaches his flock to do the same. Can you 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 131 
 
 should be 6ent to the stewards of every principal society in 
 England. 4 It was also unanimously agreed, " that a copy 
 should be given to Mr. Thomas Taylor, and another to Mr. 
 John Shaw, the preachers of the Hull Circuit, from which 
 they might express to the next Conference the sentiments of 
 the society at Hull/ 7 
 
 The foregoing letter from Hull having come to the 
 knowledge of Mr. Kilham, who disapproved of the 
 objects sought to be obtained by it, he immediately sat 
 down and sketched an answer; and for the purpose of 
 having the weight and merits of his reply impartially 
 ascertained, he put it into the post-office at York, and 
 sent it anonymously to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, that the 
 friends there, who had already received the Hull cir- 
 cular, might do with it as they thought proper, without 
 knowing from what quarter it had come. It was no 
 sooner read, than the leading members, including the 
 society and circuit stewards at Newcastle, adopted Mr. 
 Kilham's reply, and, with some trifling alterations, and 
 adding a Postscript of their own, they caused it to be 
 printed and extensively circulated, as an antidote to 
 the communication from Hull. A short extract or two 
 will shew Mr. Kilham's opinion, and that of the New- 
 castle Society, on the points mooted by the Hull ad- 
 dress : 
 
 u We readily acknowledge your good intention, in ad- 
 dressing us in the affectionate manner you have done. With 
 you we bemoan the loss of so valuable a man from the head 
 of our Connexion : we wish to follow him both in doctrine 
 and discipline, as far as he followed Christ. Mr. Wesley 
 was always greatly attached to the establishment, and, in 
 the warmth of his zeal, wrote in defence of his people con- 
 tinuing to communicate in the church : but since God has 
 called him from us, would it not be advisable for us to enter into 
 
 advise them (the Methodists) to attend his preaching ?' I cannot advise 
 them to it. ' What can they do on the Lord's day, suppose no other 
 church be near ? Do you advise them to go to a dissenting meeting ? or 
 to meet in our own preaching house ?' \Vhere this is really the case, I 
 cannot blame them if they do. Although, therefore, I earnestly oppose 
 the general separation of the Methodists from the Church, yet I cannot 
 condemn such a partial separation. I believe to separate thus far from 
 these miserable wretches, who are the scandal of our church and nation, 
 would be for the honour of the church as well as to the glory of God. 
 
 " JOHN WESLEY." 
 
132 LIFE OF THE 
 
 an impartial examination of our principles and conduct, 
 before we proceed any farther ? If Mr. Wesley has left us 
 rules exactly agreeing with u the law and the testimony," we 
 should follow them with avidity ; but should it be found, 
 on near inspection, that in some things he has been mistaken, 
 (and who is not liable to mistake ?) ought we not, as soon 
 as possible, to lay those mistakes aside ? We are called on 
 by an apostle, to "prove all things, and to holdfast that 
 which is good" It is for the honour of any person or body 
 of people to renounce error and embrace truth." 
 
 In this passage, it is maintained, on true protestant 
 principles, that the scriptures, and not any earthly 
 being or tribunal, is the only authority in matters of re- 
 ligion ; and that to the test of the word of God, every 
 ordinance and institution should be brought, and if it 
 will not stand this ordeal, it ought then to be laid aside, 
 whoever may have been the occasion of its introduc- 
 tion. In regard to the sacrament, and the constraint put 
 upon the Methodists to receive it at church, the reply 
 observes, in continuation, — 
 
 " Many of our people, in various societies, never communi- 
 cate any where, because their consciences will not suffer them 
 to go among sinners to receive from the hand of an ungodly 
 minister. Others go with many doubts and fears, and are 
 condemned because they eat. Those who appear to go with 
 the greatest satisfaction, depend more upon what the reform- 
 ers and Mr. Wesley have said on the lawfulness of partaking, 
 than upon that Word that shall judge them at the last day. 
 Many go from us to the dissenters, because they can have 
 the ordinance in a more sacred manner among them. Many 
 of our preachers cannot insist much upon the necessity of 
 this ordinance, because they cannot send their people with a 
 good conscience to the church." 
 
 The reply then passes to the question of dissent, and 
 the rio-ht of the Methodist preachers, with their quali- 
 fications, to administer the Lord's Supper, as well as to 
 preach the gospel: 
 
 "We are dissenters in fact, though not in profession. Our 
 preachers and chapels are licenced in the same manner. All 
 our preaching and meetings are so many steps from con- 
 jormity to the church ; we are obliged to fly to the acts which 
 screen dissenters in times of persecution. It may be said 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. J 33 
 
 of us, with great propriety, u we eat our own bread, we 
 wear our own apparel, — only we are called churchmen to 
 take away our reproach." Let us ask, do you not believe 
 in your heart, your preachers are called of God to the work 
 of the ministry ? Have they not gifts for the work which 
 render them acceptable to most that hear them ? Are they 
 not in general men of sound experience and good morality ? 
 Do they not give proof of their piety in their life and con- 
 versation ? Are they not zealous in promoting the glory of 
 God in your salvation, and in the conversion of all that 
 hear them ? Do they not labour night and day for this, 
 preaching publicly, and from house to house ? Are you 
 not selected from the world, and, by your own choice, con- 
 nected with them ? Do they not instruct, exhort, encourage, 
 support, comfort, build up, warn, reprove, rebuke, censure, 
 suspend, &c, and in every sense watch over your souls as 
 they that must give an account to God for you ? Has God 
 given them this power, and called them to no other labours 
 of love for your furtherance in the divine life ? Has God 
 forbidden these men baptizing your children, and giving you 
 the sacrament ? Can you suppose that your preachers, who 
 are men of piety and ability to minister the word, should be 
 under the necessity of sending you among the ungodly for 
 that ordinance which is the most sacred in Christianity ? 
 Would it not be greatly to our advantage to have the sacra- 
 ment from those ministers who daily watch over our souls 
 in our own chapels, and among our own friends ? Would 
 not this shew our order and steadfastness in the faith, and 
 give the world to see we act consistent with truth ? All 
 who do not choose at first to comply, will, by degrees, con- 
 form to the conduct their reason approves, though their pre- 
 judice and custom may call it innovation. It is probable 
 this would not lessen, but add thousands to our Connexion. 
 How could this separation cause us to dwindle away into 
 " dull, dry formality" ? Does our union with the church 
 cause our life and activity ? The three grand causes of our 
 differing from other dissenters would continue ; i. e. 1. Our 
 preachers would insist on the same doctrines. 2, They 
 would exercise the same discipline, with improvements. 
 And, 3. The Itinerant plan would be continued. These,, 
 we apprehend, and not our union with the church, are., 
 under God, the cause of our differing from others. It ,s 
 a little astonishing, that you in Hull, who are sensible* 
 pious men, should so positively affirm our future dgadues . 
 
134 LIFE OF THE 
 
 should we be allowed these privileges ! —By what spirit 
 is your prediction given ? It does not, on trial, com- 
 port with either reason or revelation. Is it not a little 
 singular, that you, who are so highly favoured with lively 
 ministers in the church,* should strive to influence the 
 whole Connexion to follow your steps ? Ought you not to 
 have told the people that your ministers are pious, and their 
 lives spiritual ? If all the large towns throughout the king- 
 dom were favoured as you are, there would be some reason 
 for our communicating in the church. Let us, brethren, 
 stand open to conviction. Let us readily give up our own 
 will, and not oppose the leadings of Providence." 
 
 The Hull letter and the Newcastle reply, became the 
 parents of many meetings, and printed communications, 
 on both sides of the subject ; and the period between 
 Mr. Wesley's death and the following Conference, was 
 one of great activity amongst the Methodists, The 
 preachers assembled by themselves; and the friends 
 and leading members were convened together almost 
 everywhere, to ascertain each other's opinions as to 
 what ought to be done; and the proceedings, in nu- 
 merous cases, were published and circulated, for the 
 purpose of advising and influencing others. 
 
 The question of the expediency of the Methodists 
 separating from the Established Church, was one which 
 had occupied Mr. Kilham's thoughts for several years 
 — probably, indeed, from the time of his having been 
 obliged to become licensed as a Dissenter, in order that 
 he might preach the gospel ; and his opinion was in 
 favour of such separation being effected. His views 
 on the subject were embodied in a pamphlet, which he 
 wrote immediately after Mr. Wesley's death, but 
 wdiether it was published or not, has not been ascer- 
 tained. The MS. copy, found among his papers, is 
 complete, with a preface; and it is not improbable that 
 it was printed at the time, without his name. In this 
 work, Mr. Kilham, for the purpose of determining the 
 point whether the Methodists might leave the Esta- 
 blishment, considered, first, what constituted a Christian 
 
 * The clergy belonging to the Establishment in Hull were at that 
 time singularly pious and evangelical men, as Milner, Dikes, &c. 
 
KEV. A. KILHAM. 135 
 
 church ; and in this enquiry, finding that the Methodist 
 societies had all the marks specified in the New Testa- 
 ment as essential requisites, his inference naturally 
 was, that they were authorised to stand alone, and 
 entitled to have all the ordinances of the gospel insti- 
 tuted among themselves. One section of the pamphlet 
 is headed, — " How far is it justifiable to be connected 
 with the Church, and how far reprehensible?" Under 
 this division, Mr. Kilham states that he would not have 
 it understood he held it to be wrong for Methodists to 
 worship and communicate at church, or even to become 
 churchwardens, when circumstances required it: in 
 this sense, therefore, he wanted no absolute separa- 
 tion; but he maintained, at the same time, that the 
 law having marked their preachers, their chapels, and 
 their religious exercises, with dissent, it was inconsis- 
 tent, in the face of all this, for the Methodists to profess 
 to be churchmen, or to restrict themselves from the 
 enjoyment of any religious privilege in their own body 
 on that account. These are the principles which Mr. 
 Kilham laid down, avowedly with a desire that they 
 might be considered and tried by the Scriptures. His 
 object in writing the pamphlet appears to have been, 
 to call attention to the subject, on the part of both 
 preachers and members of society, at a moment when 
 all were anxious respecting the future state of Method- 
 ism, and preparatory to the meeting of Conference, at 
 which some decision would be come to on the subject. 
 The subjoined form of prayer, which Mr. Kilham gives 
 at the end of the pamphlet, as proper for the Methodists 
 under existing circumstances, shews he felt only desir- 
 ous that the best and most scriptural plan, whatever 
 that might be, should be adopted ; and that he had no 
 self-will, which he wished to oppose to what might be 
 judged to be the will of God concerning his people. 
 
 " O great and ever-blessed Lord God Almighty ! we 
 prostrate ourselves at Thy feet, and humbly adore Thy most 
 holy name. We thank Thee for sparing thy servant [Mr. 
 Wesley] so many years, and for calling him at last so tri- 
 umphantly to Thyself. We submit to Thy will in this with 
 thankfulness, and own the abundance of Thy mercy and 
 
 M 2 
 
136 LIFE OF THE 
 
 love. O our God ! do Thou become our Leader and Guide 
 in all our future life. Raise up, by Thy divine power, men 
 possessed of wisdom and grace to manage the cause we 
 have espoused. Do Thou, O God ! superintend our affairs, 
 and order every thing according as Thy infinite wisdom shall 
 direct. Let no divisions take place that will in any way in- 
 jure our Connexion. Let the world know that Thou art our 
 God. Let them see the cause is Thine, and that Thou canst 
 uphold it. If it be for Thy glory that we should separate 
 from the Established Church in these lands, dispose the 
 hearts of the people to submit cheerfully to it ; if it be 
 most for Thy glory to continue as we are, reconcile all our 
 minds to it. We are conscious, O Lord ! if Thou wilt direct 
 and influence, we shall be guided aright. Pour out Thy 
 Spirit, we beseech Thee, O God ! upon all our societies and 
 congregations ; let them know Thou art still with us. 
 Give us to see of the travail of our Redeemer's soul, and let 
 both us that preach, and those who hear, be truly satisfied. 
 We leave all in Thy hands — let Thy will be done, O Lord T . 
 by us, as it is by the angels that surround Thy throne. 
 Grant us these, with every other mercy, for the sake of Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. Amen." 
 
 The subjects more particularly relating to the church 
 and sacraments, were not the only matters that obtain- 
 ed the consideration of the Methodists at that time, 
 The following resolutions, adopted at a provincial, 
 or county meeting, held at Redruth, a few weeks 
 before Conference, shew that the necessity of im- 
 portant alterations in regard to government and the 
 administration of discipline had begun to be felt by the 
 societies ; and, moreover, that it was then believed they 
 possessed authority to determine by what rules they 
 would be regulated : — 
 
 u At a Meeting of the Delegates, and others, from the 
 Methodist Societies in the County of Cornwall, held 
 at Redruth, June 14th, 1791, it was agreed that 
 an amendment of our discipline is necessary.* 
 
 * It is necessary to be borne in mind, that at the time these resolu- 
 tions were passed, the preachers alone, and without consulting the 
 societies, had power to form classes — admit or exclude members — ap- 
 point stewards — divide circuits — recommend preachers to travel — and 
 were the sole arbiters and judges of each other's character and conduct. 
 This state of things continued until 1795, when Articles of Pacification 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 137 
 
 We therefore resolve, 
 
 1. That in the forming of classes, the members constitut- 
 ing every class (or a majority of them) shall choose their 
 Leader. 
 
 2. That the people in every society (or a majority of them) 
 shall choose the Society Stewards. 
 
 3. That no preacher shall admit into, or expel from, the 
 society, any member, without the consent of a majority of 
 such society. 
 
 4. That the Stewards assembled at quarter meeting, shall 
 choose the Circuit Stewards. 
 
 5. That there shall be no division of circuits, without con- 
 sent of a majority of the Stewards at the quarterly meeting. 
 
 6. That no person be recommended to Conference (or 
 sent out) as a travelling preacher, without a certificate from 
 the Stewards assembled at the quarterly meeting. 
 
 7. That if any preacher be charged with not walking wor- 
 thy of his vocation, or with being deficient in abilities, 
 the Circuit Stewards (on complaint to them made) shall 
 convene the Stewards of the several societies in their circuit ; 
 who, from among themselves, shall choose an equal number 
 with the preachers present, to judge of the charge or charges 
 that shall be produced ; and according to the decision of 
 the majority, such preacher shall be continued in, or ex- 
 pelled the circuit. 
 
 8. That We will on all occasions support the itinerant 
 plan, and cheerfully contribute our proportion of the ex- 
 pense. 
 
 We propose, 
 
 That every preacher coming from a distant circuit shall 
 bring a certificate of his good-conduct (while in that circuit) 
 from a majority of the Stewards assembled at the quarterly 
 meeting. 
 
 That for the advantage of the Connexion in general, the 
 preachers (who are not included in the Conference Deed), be 
 admitted to an equal share of the government, and have a 
 vote in all cases, the affairs of preaching-houses only ex- 
 cepted. 
 
 We highly disapprove of the proposal for dividing the 
 kingdom into districts, conceiving it would be injurious to 
 Methodism. 
 
 were granted by the Conference, in which certain concessions were made 
 to the people on the above points. — For a further account of these Arti- 
 cles, the reader is referred to the proceedings of Conference, 1795. 
 
 M 3 
 
138 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Resolved, 
 That a copy of these resolutions, proposals, &c, be trans- 
 mitted to every travelling preacher in the kingdom. Wish- 
 ing you peace, amity, and harmony at the ensuing Confer- 
 ence, our prayer is, that prosperity may attend the cause in 
 which you are embarked. We subscribe ourselves your 
 affectionate brethren, 
 
 Richard Cornish, &c." 
 
 [50 other names are also appended.] 
 
 Similar meetings were held, and resolutions nearly- 
 corresponding with the above were adopted, in other 
 parts of the kingdom ; clearly showing that the societies 
 understood themselves to have been left, at the death 
 of Mr. Wesley* with considerable means of self-eovern- 
 ment, and not that the whole legislative power was 
 vested in the Conference.* 
 
 * In judging of Mr. Wesley's intentions respecting the Conference, 
 it has been a common error to be guided in our opinion by the conduct 
 cf the Conference itself since his death, instead of being governed by 
 what he did in its constitution ; and because it has in fact exercised ab- 
 solute controul, and been changing its laws and extending and ramifying 
 its empire from year to year, the general conclusion has been — as if a 
 bold claim to an estate were identical with a good title — that such were 
 the plan and purpose of Mr. Wesley. All evidence is, however, on the 
 contrary side. Mr. Wesley never anticipated such an onward course of 
 legislation as that which has been taken : he looked upon the Methodist 
 code as completed by himself; and all that he supposed he had left to 
 be done was, for the system to be uniformly kept in operation - the 
 preachers meeting in Conference to receive, station, and expel preachers 
 — the trustees erecting chapels, and seeing that the Methodist doctrines 
 were promulgated by competent and worthy ministers so appointed — 
 and, finally, the society and circuit meetings, consisting of stewards, 
 leaders, trustees, and local and circuit preachers, admitting or excluding 
 members, and transacting their particular or provincial church business. 
 Such was the design of Mr. Wesley ; and this view of the case is further 
 confirmed by the circumstance of his having belonged to the Church 
 of England, which had a definite and fixed constitution, subject to little 
 or no legislative change, and which could not be altered but by the con- 
 sent of Parliament. He expected Methodism would continue the same as 
 be left it, exercising a direct and simple agency upon the souls of men, 
 purely with an aim to their conversion, and to the propagation of the 
 gospel of Jesus Christ in the world. 
 
 But it will be said,— however persuaded Mr Wesley might have been, 
 that adequate regulations had been made by himself for the efficient and 
 permanent government of the Methodist body, it soon became evident, 
 from a change of circumstances, and the progress of events, that modifi- 
 cations and additional laws were necessary, and unless these had been at- 
 tended to, the system would not have continued. All this is at once grant- 
 ed,— and we ground theiecn the right of the people to have been consulted 
 
REV, A. KILIIAM. 139 
 
 One of tlie Cornwall resolutions, it will be observed.) 
 expresses disapprobation of the Connexion being divid- 
 ed into districts, on the ground that it would be in- 
 jurious to Methodism. This refers to what had been 
 recommended, at a meeting which was held at Halifax, 
 by a number of the preachers, who had issued a circu- 
 lar letter in favour of such a change being made. 
 
 Mr. Kilham mentions in Ills diary the conversations 
 which he had with some of the preachers with whom 
 he was more particularly intimate, on the state of 
 affairs ; and he remarks, that while there seemed to be 
 a general agreement among them all, that some altera- 
 tions ought to be made at the Conference, much jealousy 
 was felt lest a few, who had evidently looked forward 
 to Mr. Wesley's death for acquiring great authority 
 and influence, should be tempted to regard their own 
 exaltation and power as paramount to all other consi- 
 derations. 
 
 The individuals on whom suspicion more particularly 
 rested, of having a design to seize the reins of govern- 
 ment after Mr. Wesley, were Dr. Coke and Mr. 
 Mather, especially the latter, who had exercised great 
 influence over him, and almost virtually ruled the Con- 
 nexion in his name for some time previous to his death. 
 Mr. Wesley was strongly attached to Dr. Coke, and 
 had reposed great confidence in him, on account 
 of his being a clergyman of the Established Church, 
 and having entered heartily into the Methodist 
 plan. Mr. Mather was one of his own assistants, of 
 considerable ability as a preacher, with great preten- 
 sions to sanctity, and very plausible in his manners, 
 especially towards Mr. Wesley, to whom he was quite 
 a courtier. Added to these qualities, Mr. Mather was 
 not wanting in ambition, and being a man of much 
 
 as to those circumstances and changes, and to have had a voice in any 
 new regulations which became necessary. We think that, antecedent to 
 this, the members of society had a scriptural claim to exercise their suffrages 
 in the government of the church : but, waiving this, it is obvious that as 
 soon as alterations became requisite after Mr. Wesley's death, no one 
 department of the community — neither preachers, trustees, nor members, 
 separately considered — were competent to determine upon new measures, 
 but the combined authority mid concurrence of all were indispensable. 
 
140 LIFE OF Tt±E 
 
 shrewdness and policy, in seeking an object he was 
 disposed to compass it artfully, by degrees, rather than 
 to make an open and a direct effort at its attainment. 
 He was therefore every way fitted for engaging in such 
 an enterprise, provided he were so inclined^ and saw 
 the least chance of being successful. Another circum- 
 stance which pointed out Dr. Coke and Mr Mather 
 as likely to become joint candidates or competitors for 
 supremacy, was, their having obtained ordination from 
 Mr. Wesley as Methodist bishops ; and it was antici- 
 pated they might possibly press this consecration in 
 favour of their claims to be acknowledged the head, or 
 heads of the Connexion, after the demise of its founder. 
 It happened, however, that Dr. Coke was abroad on 
 missionary business, when Mr. Wesley died. A friend 
 in London informed him of that event by letter, but 
 as he reached England only on the eve of Confer- 
 ence, he was prevented from becoming a promoter of 
 any scheme which might have been formed had he 
 been in the kingdom a few months earlier,* and 
 before any expression of feeling had taken place on 
 the part of the generality of the preachers and people 
 at their respective meetings, against having a succession 
 of rulers over the body with similar powers to those 
 enjoyed by their late venerable father. 
 
 * The probability of Dr. Coke having had an expectation of either 
 governing the body alone or conjointly with Mr. Mather, is perhaps fur. 
 ther strengthened by his conduct immediately on his return to England. 
 On reaching the Channel, he hired a fishing-boat, and was landed by 
 that means in Cornwall. In visiting the first travelling preachers he 
 could meet with, he was shown a circular letter containing the proceed- 
 ings of the meeting of preachers that had been held at Halifax, which 
 were in opposition to the Connexion being governed by the appoint- 
 ment of a successor to Mr. Wesley. On reading this, it was said the 
 Doctor, throwing himself back in his chair, exclaimed, — " This is not 
 to be borne," and seemed much agitated. He immediately posted from 
 Cornwall to Wakefield, where he expected to find Mr. Mather; and 
 not meeting with him there, he hastened to several other places, until he 
 found him. They were then closeted together for several hours, and it 
 is probable, after learning from Mr. Mather what was the general feel- 
 ing of the preachers and others respecting a governing head, they both 
 regarded the acquirement of that distinction as hopeless at that time. 
 A scheme for ruling by bishops was afterwards projected, which Mr. 
 Kilham was the great means of frustrating, for which he was never for- 
 given by Mr. Mather, 
 
r£v. a. kilham. 14 1 
 
 Tlie fears entertained of the designs of Mr. Mather 
 and Dr. Coke were much allayed by the confidence 
 which was placed in Mr. Bradburn, Mr. T. Taylor, 
 and several other leading preachers, who had often 
 opposed Mr. Wesley in Conference, and shewn them- 
 selves the friends of liberty, so far as regarded the 
 sacrament and having worship in church hours; and 
 who, it was believed, would not suffer the societies or 
 their brethren in the ministry, to be held in subjection 
 by one or a few individuals who might aspire to rule 
 over them. 
 
 Mr. Kilham addressed a letter on the subject to Mr. 
 Bradburn in April, in which, after reminding him of 
 the efforts which he had already made, though generally 
 without success, to effect the removal of many grievances 
 under which the Connexion laboured, he urged him to 
 another trial at the ensuing Conference, and suggested 
 several matters affecting the societies and preachers, 
 which he submitted to be worthy of consideration. 
 
 While each section was devising its own plan for 
 the future management of the Connexion, and propos- 
 ing to memorialize Conference accordingly, the time 
 for holding that annual assembly approached, and the 
 preachers began to repair to Manchester, where it was 
 appointed to meet. Mr. Kilham says, — "On the 18th 
 of July, brother H. and I, being recommended to 
 God by the prayers of the brethren, took leave of our 
 families, and set off on our journey to the Conference 
 at Manchester. We preached to many of the societies 
 on our way, and found ourselves much refreshed in 
 visiting and communing with the friends." 
 
 On the meeting of Conference, an immediate trial 
 of strength took place in the appointment of a Chair- 
 man or President, which office had invariably been 
 held by Mr. Wesley. Lest, however, the individual 
 elected at the first Conference after his death, should 
 suppose himself thereby invested with any of his 
 predecessor's authority, Mr. Mather, Dr. Coke, Mr. 
 Benson, and others, were passed by, and choice was 
 made of Mr. Thompson, who had preferred no claims 
 to supremacy, and respecting whose designs no jealousy 
 
i42 LIFE OF THE 
 
 had existed. And to be yet more secure against the 
 assumption of governing authority by any one person, 
 it was formally resolved that the power of the President 
 should cease on the rising of Conference, when he would 
 become in every respect like his brethren. These mani- 
 festations plainly indicated the temper of the preachers, 
 and were intended to shew that no individual or small 
 number of preachers need entertain the hope of being 
 constituted the head of the body, in the place of Mr. 
 Wesley. Having made this demonstration, the busi- 
 ness of Conference was proceeded with. The party 
 favourable to separation from the Church, was perhaps 
 stronger than that which inclined to the establishment; 
 and it is not improbable, but for the two following cir- 
 cumstances, something would have been decided upon 
 in reference to that subject. A few days before the 
 Conference assembled, a riot broke out in Birmingham, 
 professedly in favour of the Church and King, and the 
 parties engaged in it proceeded to great lengths of 
 violence against several Dissenters, particularly Dr. 
 Priestley, whose house and library were destroyed. 
 This had the effect of deterring the Methodists in 
 many places from taking any step which might be 
 considered inimical to the church at that moment; 
 and the occurrence was taken hold of by a party in 
 Conference, to prevent any declaration from being 
 made of a departure from the Establishment, lest a 
 popular cry, and perhaps a riot, should be raised 
 against them. Another event had recently happened 
 at Manchester, which strengthened these fears. A con- 
 viction had taken place at the quarter sessions, on a 
 charge of assault on two persons who had been pushed 
 out of the Methodist chapel, because they had at- 
 tempted to be present at a private meeting, after 
 having been put out of the society for reproving a 
 preacher at a love-feast for powdering his wig, and 
 several of the rich people for lining their pews with 
 cloth. At this trial, the law respecting dissenting cha- 
 pels, which requires the doors to be open to the public, 
 had been explained, with an intimation from the bench, 
 that the chapels, when in use, must in future be accessible 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 143 
 
 to all who might choose to attend, and that no per- 
 son should be prevented from entering. This height- 
 ened the apprehensions of Conference, who almost 
 expected the public would force their way upon them 
 during their sittings; and the preachers were easily 
 persuaded not to decide upon any thing which might 
 be regarded as opposing the church, lest the populace 
 should be irritated, and let loose its fury upon them. 
 The Conference, it must be allowed, had great difficulties 
 on all sides, and, every circumstance considered, it was 
 perhaps more perplexing than can now be conceived 
 how to determine for the best, amidst the conflicting- 
 opinions which existed both within and without that 
 assembly. At length, however, a decision was come 
 to, very general in its character and exceedingly speci- 
 ous in the terms in which it was expressed. It honour- 
 ed the memory of Mr. Wesley, which was dear to them 
 all ; seemed not to disappoint the hopes of those who 
 advocated the concession of certain privileges to the 
 societies; and tended to satisfy those who were op- 
 posed to any change in the system. The resolution 
 was, — to take up and pursue the plan their aged 
 father had left them, exactly in the manner he had 
 done. The ambiguity of this phraseology was a 
 great recommendation with the generality of the 
 preachers ; and each party designed to expound it in 
 the way that agreed with the line of conduct which was 
 intended to be pursued. While some regarded Mr. 
 Wesley's " plan" to be that of continuing to do only 
 what had been done before, and professing attachment 
 to the Church of England, to the exclusion of the sa- 
 crament, &c. from the Methodist chapels; according to 
 others, Mr. Wesley's "plan" was progressive, its chief 
 excellence being to follow the leadings of Providence, 
 (which was really the case with him) without restriction 
 in any way from doing good ; and under this compre- 
 hensive interpretation, these proposed to administer the 
 sacrament to such societies as requested it, as well as 
 to have preaching in church hours when it was deemed 
 expedient. Nor was this latitudinarianism concealed 
 during Conference; for in the discussions which had 
 
H4 LIFE OF THE 
 
 taken place previous to determining to follow " Mr. 
 Wesley's plan," the sense in which they understood 
 that phrase, was explained, by several of the preachers, 
 to be such as admitted them to exercise their discretion 
 in respect to the sacrament and other things ; and they 
 moreover added, that they might feel it a duty to give 
 that ordinance to some of the societies, where they should 
 be appointed to labour the following year. Not to pro- 
 long the disputation, this avowal was simply met by a 
 general observation on the part of the President, that 
 whatever any preacher did in his circuit, he must be 
 accountable for to the next Conference. Here the matter 
 was allowed to rest : for a number were willing to take 
 upon themselves this responsibility, not doubting, that in 
 case of imparting the elements of the Lord's Supper to 
 those Methodists who desired to receive it at the hands 
 of their own ministers, they should be able, if accused 
 of it as a crime, to justify their conduct to any future 
 Conference. Under this impression, and with this con- 
 ventional understanding, the decision to follow " Mr. 
 Wesley's plan" was unanimously adopted. 
 
 It was also resolved to divide the kingdom into dis- 
 tricts,* according to the recommendation of the preach- 
 ers, at the meeting which was held at Halifax previous 
 to Conference. 
 
 Numerous letters and petitions had been transmitted 
 to Conference by the societies in every part of the 
 
 * When it is recollected, that in a short time after the Connexion 
 had been thus divided, a proposition was made by a few of the leading 
 preachers for the appointment of Bishops amongst the Methodists, it 
 seems more than probable that the two measures co-existed from the first 
 in the minds of those who suggested them ; but for the sake of a better 
 chance of their being effected, if one were made to precede the other, the 
 latter was kept back for a season. No sooner, however, were the dis- 
 tricts (intended to be dioceses) formed, than the more episcopal part of 
 the plan was brought forward, but without success, though it was presented 
 in two or three different shapes, and supported by all the power and in- 
 fluence of the parties who, if it had been carried, expected to be raised 
 to the bench. The formation of districts was, however, in itself, a great 
 improvement; inasmuch as the Connexion, which, on account of its ex- 
 tent, had become unwieldy, was thereby rendered more manageable. If 
 a lay representation, possessing equal power with the preachers, had been 
 introduced into district meetings, it would have gone a great way towards 
 removing the most objectionable feature of the system. 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 145 
 
 kingdom, for the purpose of making it acquainted with 
 their sentiments and wishes in reference to the body. It 
 was of course expected that these documents would be 
 read, and their contents allowed to have due weight 
 in the deliberations of that assembly; but, extraordinary 
 as it may appear, nearly all, if not every one, of these 
 memorials were burnt without having been opened — 
 and this by way of shortening the business of Confer- 
 ence, and — as it was afterwards alleged in excuse for 
 such conduct — to enable the preachers the sooner to 
 return to the work of the Lord in their circuits ! For 
 some time, this slight upon the societies was kept se- 
 cret ; but when it transpired, the circumstance gave 
 rise to much dissatisfaction, and w r as afterwards used 
 with reason as an argument in favour of having a 
 more substantial representation at the Conference, than 
 the passive and frail messengers which had been thus 
 unceremoniously dealt with. 
 
 Mr. Kilham was removed from Whitby to the New- 
 castle-upon-Tyne circuit, to labour with Mr. Gualter 
 and Mr. Cownley. Of the latter, from what he had seen 
 of his liberal conduct and christian spirit during the Con- 
 ference, he had the highest opinion ; and he expressed 
 in his diary at the time, the satisfaction he felt at hav- 
 ing such a venerable and pious colleague. 
 
 Mr. Kilham's journey to Newcastle, and the routine 
 of his labours in that circuit, were described in a letter 
 to his father, written as soon as he had become settled 
 after his removal from Whitby: — 
 
 Newcastle, 6 th October, 1791. 
 Honoured and dear Father, 
 After waiting- with concern for several weeks, we at last 
 received your letter, and are thankful to hear of your conti- 
 nued welfare. When I returned from Conference to Whitby, 
 we made what haste we could to sail with the first vessel to 
 the north. We went on board on Saturday morning, at one 
 o'clock, and after tossing three hours in the harbour, we 
 were obliged to go on shore again, the wind being contrary, 
 This was exceedingly agreeable to me and the friends. On 
 the Sunday, I delivered my last message to that affectionate 
 people, from 1 Cor. 16-22. There was much sorrow among 
 
146 LIFE OF THE 
 
 the friends at our leaving them so soon, as they had no ap- 
 prehension of our removal till they heard from Conference. 
 I did not make any interest to continue, but left myself in 
 the hands of God, hoping he would direct for his own glory 
 and our good. On Monday morning we went on board again, 
 and soon got out of the harbour, several of the friends accom- 
 panying us into the roads : we then parted with them in love 
 and peace. In the evening, we contracted with some coble- 
 men, and were taken seven miles by them into the north 
 side of Sunderland harbour, and were kindly received by 
 Mr. Cairns, one of our friends. On the Wednesday evening 
 we came by coach to this place, and met with a very affec- 
 tionate reception. It was several days before Mr. Gaulter 
 and his little family came. He is about my age. We were 
 both admitted on trial and into connexion together. He is 
 a very pious, good man, and a very good preacher. His 
 wife is equally kind and obliging, and we shall be happy 
 and comfortable together. There has been a division of 
 opinion in this society several years, and matters ran high 
 at the conclusion of lasl year. It was feared a party would 
 fall off, but we have used all our influence to make peace, and 
 by God's blessing upon our endeavours we have succeeded 
 much in the business. There are a few leading men of the 
 high church party, who appear of the same spirit that Bon- 
 ner and Gardner were of. But the party which is by far 
 the strongest are possessed of the spirit of true religion. 
 They are willing to submit to Conference, and gladly sacri- 
 fice for the present the hope of having the sacrament among 
 ourselves, for the sake of peace. Reason and Scripture 
 have little weight while persons continue blinded by preju- 
 dice ; but it is exceedingly pleasing to see the contending 
 parties come near one another in brotherly love, and we are 
 resolved to do what we can for peace. Six weeks last Sun- 
 day, I entered regularly into my place in the circuit. I be- 
 gan by reading prayers and preaching at Howden Pans. 
 In the afternoon and night we preach at South Shields, 
 where we have a good society and congregation. We spend 
 Monday in the town. Tuesday, at 2 o'clock, we preach at 
 Philadelphia, and at night at Benton Square. We preach 
 at Gateshead Fell on Wednesday afternoon, and one Sun- 
 day in the fortnight, at 2 o'clock, and at St. Anthony's on 
 Thursday evening. We preach at North Shields, in Mr. 
 A damson's chapel, on Friday evening, and on Sunday, noon 
 and night. The two houses which were built here a few 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 147 
 
 years ago are taken from us. Mr. Atley preaches in one 
 and the other is seized by the Earl of Carlisle, which we are 
 in hope of getting again after a season. We preach in the 
 mornings at 5. On Saturday we preach at Hartley. We 
 come here onMonday, and stay in the town for a fortnight, 
 preaching on Monday, Friday, and Sunday evenings, and 
 once a fortnight on Sunday mornings. Mr. Cownley, a 
 very venerable, pious old man, and an excellent preacher, 
 preaches on Tuesday and Thursday evenings ; and on the 
 Sunday morning, we read prayers and preach at Byker. I 
 have engaged to lecture four mornings in the week at five 
 o'clock ; and also, to visit one of the workhouses once a 
 week, where there are 160 persons, who are obliged to at- 
 tend. We have several bands to attend, and other things to 
 do, which will take up all the time we can comfortably spare, 
 and we need not be an hour unemployed. We go out from 
 hence fon the Monday to Horsley ; Tuesday to Ovington; 
 Wednesday, Nafferton ; Thursday, Stamfordham; Friday, 
 Eachwick ; Saturday, Wiilington ; and on Sunday to How . 
 den Pans. In each of these places we have tolerable con- 
 gregations, and in most of them small societies. We meet 
 with great kindness and affection from the people. There 
 is a good prospect in many places ; and we hope, as Provi 
 dence has led our way here, he will make his goings to be 
 glorious before the people. I cannot write all that might 
 give you pleasure. My wife and children are well, and join 
 in love to brother, sisters, to your preachers, and to all 
 friends. 
 
 We are, your affectionate children, 
 
 A. and S. Kilham. 
 
 On the 15th of November, Mr. Kilham addressed 
 another letter to his father, informing him that on the 
 preceding day they had committed to the grave the 
 remains of their little boy, who had died of inflamma- 
 tion in the chest. He states, that though they loved 
 him as much as it was possible to do, yet by the grace 
 of God, which had sanctified the bereavement to Mrs. 
 Kilham and himself, they were enabled to say, "The 
 Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away, and blessed be the 
 name of the Lord." A few days after the interment, 
 he took occasion to improve the event by preaching 
 a sermon from 2nd. Sam., chap, xii, v. 21, 22, and 23, 
 
 n 2 
 
148 LIFE OF THE 
 
 in which he discoursed, first, on the conduct to be 
 adopted when friends and relatives are under affliction ; 
 and, secondly, the behaviour which is proper when 
 they are taken away by death. The sermon, which he 
 left written at full length, contains many appropriate 
 remarks, shewing his own mind to have been in a state 
 of humble resignation to the Providence of God, which 
 had bereaved him of his child ; and that his earnest 
 desire was, that both himself and others should regard 
 such dispensations as designed to moderate their at- 
 tachment to earthly objects, while their hopes and 
 affections were more fully raised to things which per- 
 tained to the eternal world. 
 
 A large majority of the society at Newcastle having 
 requested the sacrament, Mr. Cownley, who had been 
 ordained by Mr. Wesley, consented to administer it 
 at Byker chapel, two miles off, which had been erected 
 by Mr. Johnson, a gentleman residing there, at his 
 own expense. This place was chosen for the purpose, 
 on account of the proprietor of the chapel being willing, 
 and because the trustees and a few other individuals at 
 Newcastle were opposed to that ordinance being re- 
 ceived, except at the established church : it was, how- 
 ever, hoped this plan of accommodation would not 
 displease any party, as those who desired the sacrament 
 could have it by going a short distance, and others, 
 who disapproved of its being given by the Methodist 
 preachers, could not justly complain, since it was not 
 forced upon themselves, nor yet imparted in the chapel 
 at Newcastle. These expectations were, however, dis- 
 appointed. Three of the class-leaders in Newcastle, 
 and about twenty members, left the society; and one 
 of them (Mr. Robert Grey) addressed a letter to Mr. 
 Cownley on the subject, charging that venerable man, 
 who had been a preacher for nearly half a century, 
 with dishonesty, and with having violated his engage- 
 ments to Mr. Wesley ; and all this merely for having 
 administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper to 
 those who sat under him as their minister, and whom 
 lie had instructed in the doctrines and duties of the 
 Gospel. It is a thing hardly now to be credited, that 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 149 
 
 the discharging of such a duty should at any former 
 period have been imputed to the Methodist preachers 
 as a crime by their own class-leaders ; yet the fact is 
 unquestionable; and it may moreover be affirmed, that 
 as the pretext was groundless, the manner in which 
 they were attacked on the subject was often in a high 
 degree uncourteous. The following is a specimen of 
 Mr. Grey's style when writing to Mr. Cownley: — 
 
 "Oh, what a scene appears, — an old man, standing- on 
 the borders of eternity, playing this double game, shuffling 
 and prevaricating in the most solemn concerns. I ask where 
 is conscience now ? where is the honest man ? You have, 
 in compliance with the will of some of your friends, paid no 
 regard to your most solemn promises. Let those friends 
 come forth and answer, if not to God, at least to man ; — 
 you never before had so much need of them. The charge 
 is brought home. Let conscience speak, do you sustain the 
 character of an honest man, or falsify your most solemn en- 
 gagement. Indeed, sir, you have given me more advantage 
 against you than I will take. I will not push it — I spare 
 you." 
 
 Let the above be contrasted with Mr. Cownley's 
 reply : 
 
 " My dear friend, you are not required to deviate in the 
 least from the way you judge to be the best; no one pre- 
 tends to lord it over your conscience ; and will you not give to 
 others, what you justly claim for yourself? Surely we may 
 and ought, in things not absolutely necessary to salvation, to 
 think and let think, and agree to disagree." 
 
 Mr. Cownley having answered the first letter from 
 Mr. Grey, received a second, just as he returned from 
 a journey much fatigued, and was preparing to go into 
 the country part of the circuit : and having neither 
 time nor inclination to reply to it himself, he put the 
 communication unopened into Mr. Kilham's hands, and 
 begged him to write Mr. Grey in return. Mr. Kilham 
 did as Mr. Cownley requested, and the consequence 
 was, — several additional letters passed between them, 
 until Mr. Kilham, having pinched his antagonist rather 
 keenly, their correspondence ceased. This was in 
 January, 1792. In about three weeks afterwards, Mr. 
 
 n 3 
 
i50 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Kilbam was surprised to find that Mr. Grey had pub- 
 lished the letters in a pamphlet, with several devia- 
 tions from the copies, and had added a prefatory note, 
 an appendix, and some short remarks of his own. Not 
 liking the controversy to remain in this state, Mr. 
 Kilham immediately commenced a pamphlet, entitled 
 " An Address to the Members and Friends of the New- 
 castle Society," in which, besides giving an account of 
 the correspondence between Mr. Grey, Mr. Cownley, 
 and himself, he briefly discussed the question of the 
 Methodists having the sacrament in their own chapels, 
 and administered by their own preachers. This was 
 printed, and circulated as extensively as Mr. Grey's 
 pamphlet had been ; and as it was one of the first 
 pieces which had been issued respecting the ordinance 
 of the Lord's Supper, it gained great attention, and 
 was highly commended by the more liberal part of the 
 Connexion, preachers as well as private members. 
 Mr. Kilham received testimonials of approval from 
 several of his brethren. One letter may be given, 
 coming as it did from one of the oldest and most re- 
 spectable preachers in the Connexion, and as it conveyed 
 the sentiments of several others which were in unison 
 with his own, in regard to Mr. Kilham's performance. 
 
 Halifax, April 7, 1792. 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 I am much obliged to you for your kind and affectionate 
 letter, and for the books which you sent me. They came 
 when I was just setting out for Manchester, to meet 
 with the Committee of that district, so that I took some 
 of them along with me. The brethren approved of them 
 very much, and I will take care to send them to all the 
 neighbouring circuits in a few days, please God all is well 
 with me. 
 
 It seems the high church parly are of the same spirit every 
 where. Every one must be subject to their will, and act as 
 they do, or there is no peace to be expected. This same 
 Mr. Grey seems wonderfully ready to quote Mr. Wesley 
 when on his own side of the question : but on the other side, 
 Mr. Wesley^s authority weighs with him not so much as a 
 single grain of sand. He may think what he will, but it 
 stems to me very melancholy indeed to see an old man, 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 151 
 
 after about forty years' standing in the Church of God, so 
 entirely under the power of his own spirit and temper, and 
 such an utter stranger to meekness, gentleness, and the 
 whole mind of Christ. I do not know him, but be he who 
 he will, or what he will, his own letters bear full testimony 
 against him as a Christian, and show him to be very igno- 
 rant, yet extremely positive. A furious, hot-headed bigot to 
 what he calls the Church, and utterly devoid of all charity 
 for those who differ from him, although they have the whole 
 Bible on their side. Wretched bigotry ! O that it was for 
 ever banished from the face of the earth ! I doubt not but 
 Mr. Cownley will have wisdom and grace enough to enable 
 him to bear such unkind and unchristian treatment. He 
 has been labouring to do this man and his fellows good for 
 many years, but he has not succeeded according to his 
 wishes ; far from it. Yet his reward is from the Lord never- 
 theless. 
 
 I hope the time is now drawing near when our people 
 will be brought out of Egypt, and to the full enjoyment of 
 all the privileges and blessings of the Gospel. The Lord 
 hasten the happy day ! 
 
 You will find it highly necessary to act in this business 
 with great prudence, gentleness, humility, and love. This is 
 your comfort : you are engaged in the cause of God, and he 
 will stand by you, and I trust make you more than con- 
 queror. 
 
 All who met at Manchester seemed on your side more 
 
 especially Messrs. Thomas and Henry Taylor, Mr. Brad- 
 burn, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Snowden ; so that I hope at the 
 next Conference the matter will be established. 
 
 We have had the sacrament many times in some places 
 in this circuit, and the Lord has owned and blessed them 
 very much indeed ! Brother Entwhistle joins me in 
 kindest love to yourself, Mr. Cownley, Mr. Gaulter, and 
 all friends. May the God of peace and love be powerfully 
 present with you. I am, 
 
 Your affectionate brother, 
 
 J. Pawson. 
 
 In another letter, which Mr. Kilham received from 
 Mr. T. Taylor, he says, in reference to the same pub- 
 lication, " I have seen your pamphlet, and like it well 
 — send me a hundred. It bears my thoughts, and 
 almost some of my expressions." 
 
152 LIFE OF THE 
 
 It will astonish the reader when he is informed that 
 for writing this very pamphlet, to which the preceding 
 letter refers, and which was so greatly approved of 
 by the preachers whose names are mentioned by 
 Mr. Pawson, Mr. Kilham was called to account and 
 censured at the next Conference, as will presently be 
 more fully detailed, when the passages objected to, 
 and the proceedings instituted thereon, will be given. 
 Though Mr. Kilham had Messrs. Pawson, Taylor, 
 Bradburn, Clark, and Cownley in his favour, yet he 
 soon found several leading preachers ranging them- 
 selves on the contrary side ; among whom were Dr. 
 Coke, and Messrs. Mather, Thompson, and Benson. 
 The last of these wrote a letter to Mr. Grey, and those 
 who had withdrawn from the society at Newcastle on 
 account of the sacrament being administered at Byker 
 chapel, in which he condemned the introduction of this 
 ordinance, and otherwise reflected upon Mr. Cownley* 
 and Mr. Kilham. As Mr. Benson appeared either to 
 be unacquainted with the real facts of the case, or to 
 have had his mind strangely prejudiced, Mr. Kilham 
 wrote him respecting it, stating what had been the 
 conduct of the different parties, as briefly as possible. 
 The following portion of the letter more immediately 
 relates to the subject : — 
 
 "When Mr. Cownley come here, many of our friends re- 
 quested the sacrament of the Lord's Supper at his hand, and 
 he did not look on himself as bound by conscience to refuse 
 the request. So he gave the sacrament at Byker on the 8th 
 of January, and has done it three or four times since, to 
 the comfort and satisfaction of many communicants. Mr. 
 
 • A private memorandum, made by Mr. Kilham at the time of giving 
 the sacrament to the Methodists at Newcastle, states that the party 
 opposed to its being so administered, manifested as much abhorrence of 
 those who partook of the Lord's Supper at the hands of their own 
 preach* rs, as if they had perpetrated the greatest crime : and they 
 seemed also to expect some signal judgment from God to fall upon the 
 individuals who had been the means of introducing it to the societies. 
 The Methodists of the present day, when approaching the Lord's table 
 as to an ordinance long established amongst them, little consider the 
 odium and persecution— proceeding, too, from Methodists — which fell 
 ro the lot of those who were the means of securing to them this pri- 
 vilege, now 60 unquestionably theirs. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 153 
 
 Atmore gave it at Alnwick and Placey about the same time. 
 Cod blessed and comforted the people exceedingly, and 
 many who were prejudiced against these measures, surmount- 
 ed their prejudices a few weeks ago, and went themselves. 
 They dare not open their lips to speak against it in future, 
 but determine to go when they have opportunity. It was 
 never proposed to have the sacrament in the Orphan House ; 
 yet no sooner had Mr. Cownley given it at Byker, than Mr. 
 Grey, &c, gave up their tickets, and withdrew from the so- 
 ciety. They were told the sacraments should never be pub- 
 licly given here without the consent of Conference, but 
 nothing would satisfy them unless Mr. Cownley was pre- 
 vented from proceeding at Byker, and other extravagant 
 terms complied with. Mr. R — , who has also left, gave the 
 following-, as terms of reconciliation, — 1. That all the pews 
 in the gallery of the Newcastle chapel should be taken away, 
 and benches brought in again, the people having liberty to 
 sit as they pleased, without paying any thing. 2. That 
 the nine o'clock preaching- on the Sunday morning should 
 be removed. 3. That the Sunday schools should not be 
 taught in Church hours. 4. That the hour of meeting 
 should be brought back to five on the Sunday evenings ; and 
 the love-feasts at night instead of the afternoon. 5. That 
 no sacraments should be administered in any place in the 
 circuit, nor children baptised ; and the prayers should be 
 removed from Byker and Howden Pans on the Sunday 
 morning. 
 
 " The chapel holds about the same number of people as 
 it did before the alteration ; and the gallery lets for 501. in 
 the year. Three or four hundred people are frequently pre- 
 sent on a Sunday morning, and have sufficient time to at- 
 tend any other place of worship after the chapel looses. 
 Near 300 children are taught every Sunday. Six o'clock 
 suits the people much better than five on the Sunday even- 
 ings ; and two in the afternoon is a much better hour for a 
 love-feast here, than seven at night. The prayers and 
 sacraments have been attended with much of the presence 
 and blessing of God. 
 
 "If you will suffer your judgment to determine, you can- 
 not think we have given them just cause to leave the society, 
 and all the means established here, unless it be five o'clock 
 preaching in the morning. They have used every means they 
 could devise to hinder our labours from being blessed to the 
 
154 
 
 LIFE OF THE 
 
 outward hearers ; but God has given us many seals to our 
 ministry in the midst of their opposition. 
 
 " When Mr. Grey took upon him to abuse Mr. Cownley, 
 I could not suffer that man of God to be represented as the 
 vilest of the vile, without standing forth to clear his injured 
 character. Publishing the correspondence was their own 
 act. I wrote and published the address afterward, to give a 
 more clear account of the reasonableness of our conduct. 
 They have not attempted to confute our arguments in de- 
 fence of the steps we have taken." 
 
 ***** 
 
 " We by no means wish to force the sacraments on our 
 people. W r e only desire, when they cannot receive to their 
 satisfaction in the Church, they may have liberty to receive 
 it among themselves. If you can, by scripture and reason, 
 establish the old plan, do it ; but if you cannot, let your 
 brethren have liberty of conscience. Why should you and 
 a few respectable preachers wish to bind the consciences of 
 your brethren ? The people in most of the circuits exceed- 
 ingly respect their preachers ; and if liberty be granted at 
 Conference for any of the Methodists to have the sacraments 
 from their own- preachers, they will submit, and agree to love 
 one another. Their bible, their reason, and common sense 
 inform them that the privilege they request is according to 
 the revealed will of God ; and if any men lord it over them, 
 commanding their attendance at church, they will look on 
 such commands as contrary to God, and will obey him ra- 
 ther than any man. My kind respects to Mrs. Benson and 
 Mr Clark. Your's, &c, 
 
 A. Ktlham. 
 
 The preachers stationed in the Newcastle district, 
 were generally in favour of having the sacrament given 
 to the societies, when it was desired; and at the district 
 meeting, held on the 8th of May, they unanimously 
 expressed themselves to that effect ; and to ratify what 
 they believed to be the truth the more solemnly, the 
 preachers concluded their meeting by partaking of the 
 Lord's Supper amongst themselves. 
 
 The annexed letter, from Mr. Taylor to Mr. Kil- 
 ham, transmitted with a pamphlet which he had just 
 published in defence of liberty among the Methodists, 
 will show that he was co-operating in the same work, 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 1.55 
 
 and that lie expected, as a reward for so acting, the 
 reverse of courteous treatment from those who stood 
 on the other side. 
 
 Liverpool, 23>y/ June, 1792. 
 My Dear Brother, 
 
 I am glad at what passed at your district meeting. 
 I could have heen glad if you should go to Conference. 
 Mr Mather is raising all the forces he can to overturn com- 
 mon sense, scripture, and experience. Thompson has veered 
 about again ; so that I suppose there will be a warm con- 
 test at the Conference. 
 
 In my pamphlet, 1 am constrained to own that Mr. Wes- 
 ley was fallible. I doubt that will be high treason, and that 
 I shall be thought a disaffected person to Mr. Wesley. I 
 knew him well for more than thirty years. I was in the 
 cabinet for some time. I esteemed him highly. I knew him 
 to be a great man ; but I knew he was fallible : as such, 
 the impertinent appeals to what he has said, have obliged me 
 to appeal to what he did ; and if there be any contradiction, 
 the crime of divulging must lay upon such as rest their cause 
 upon what Mr. Wesley hath said, rather thait what the bible 
 hath said. In matters of such importance as we plead for, 
 nothing will satisfy me short of "Thus saith the Lord." An 
 apostle was once withstood to the face, because he was to be 
 blamed. I love the memory of Mr. Wesley, but I must 
 love the truth better, and in that consideration must know 
 no man after the flesh. 
 
 1 have administered the Lord's supper twice here, and 
 God has crowned the ordinance each time. Two sent notes 
 of thanksgiving the last time for a sense of pardon ; and I 
 don't think any waited in vain. I permitted serious persons 
 to be present each time, who did not communicate. I be- 
 lieve it was attended with good. 
 
 But nothing will move our bigots. I believe they use 
 every means to keep the people away. They are encourag- 
 ed by some preachers, and are made to believe that all will 
 turn in their favour at the Conference, and that all I have 
 done will meet with a fatal overthrow. How that will be, 
 the event must prove. I wish every preacher to count the 
 cost, and see the cause is right before he engages in it, and 
 then to remain unshaken. I am, my dear brother, 
 
 Your's affectionately, 
 
 T. Taylor. 
 
156 LIFE OF THE 
 
 P.S. Give my love to Mr. Cownley ; and tell him I am 
 obliged to him for his letter. But tell him I would not have 
 him now to sit by as an unconcerned spectator, but enter 
 the lists fairly ; and if he should sustain a few bruizes, it is 
 in a good cause. I dread our government falling into cer- 
 tain hands. For my part, 1 expect to be beaten till I am 
 sore on all sides. But I remember one property of our English 
 bull dog is, to die before he quits his hold. I am perfectly 
 sure our cause is good. Engage all the lovers of Zion to 
 pray. A few, I see, want to have pre-eminence, and they 
 see no way of coming at it but by stickling for the church. 
 May God Almighty maintain the light ! T. T. 
 
 While Mr. Kilham was receiving from some of his 
 brethren assistance and encouragement in the work he 
 had undertaken, he had reason to apprehend, as Con- 
 ference drew near, that attempts would be made to 
 bring him into trouble for what he had done. This 
 expectation he expressed in a letter written to R. C. 
 Brackenbury, Esq., dated July 16, 1792, from which 
 an extract may be taken : 
 
 "Most of our leaders, with the people, earnestly re- 
 quest to have the sacrament in the chapel here the next year. 
 They would receive it after the Sunday evening preaching. 
 We should not interfere with the church hours any more 
 than we do. They are men of piety, and most of them men 
 of good understanding; and the Conference cannot justly 
 refuse their request. As the people begin to read and think 
 for themselves, it is impossible to restrain them to the church 
 as they have been. They only wish for liberty to worship 
 God as they are persuaded will be most acceptable in his 
 sight. This request is not to bind any from going to church, 
 or other places, but for full liberty to all to follow the light 
 the Lord has caused to shine into their hearts. I hope God 
 will dispose our brethren to grant them what the bible and 
 reason so powerfully recommend. 
 
 " By several letters we have lately received, I am appre- 
 hensive I shall be called up to London to answer for my 
 conduct in writing and publishing the pamphlet. As the 
 steps I have taken in this are according to the revealed w ill 
 of God, I have no doubt but he will stand by me. If I had 
 acted contrary to the truth of God, I should be apprehensive 
 of danger; but as my rejoicing is in the testimony of my 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 157 
 
 conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with 
 fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, I have had my 
 conversation among my brethren and in the world, I have 
 no fear but God will stand by and own me. It seems 
 strange to me that men w ho have professed to be accepted 
 into the favour of God, and declare they now walk in the light 
 of his countenance, should so violently oppose what is ac- 
 cording to God and to the scriptures of truth." 
 
 The trial of Mr. Kilham, which took place on his 
 arrival in London, w r as afterwards drawn up by him- 
 self with a view to publication ; but he appears not to 
 have printed it, probably at the request of Messrs. 
 Bradburn, Taylor, and other of his friends at that 
 time, w T ho, although they felt strongly the impropriety 
 of many of the proceedings of those who had the chief 
 power at Conference, were unwilling the world should 
 be made acquainted with the imperfections of the sys- 
 tem. As, however, the public have seldom the means 
 of observing the process of a Conference trial, and the 
 grounds on which a sentence is pronounced against 
 an offending brother by that assembly, it is the more 
 necessary the judicial enquiry should be given. Besides 
 the intrinsic evidence which it bears of being an authen- 
 tic statement, at the conclusion of a short preface Mr. 
 Kilham makes the subjoined appeal respecting the 
 truth of his narative — " The following is a faithful ac- 
 count of the trial. The author appeals to the preachers 
 that were present for the truth of his assertions. He 
 defies any preacher from disproving any thing that 
 relates to the history." 
 
 Mr. Kilham having being called to the bar of Con- 
 ference to answer for the publication of his pamphlet 
 at Newcastle, Dr. Coke, in opening the business, 
 observed that the memory of Mr. Wesley was so ex- 
 ceeding precious to them all, that no one would bear to 
 hear anything said of him thatwas in theleastprejudicial 
 to his character. After he had spoken at some length 
 on this subject, he proceeded to reflect on Mr. Kilhain's 
 pamphlet, as being a reproach upon Mr. Wesley. I Ie de- 
 clared it was like dragging his ashes from the tomb, and 
 exposing them in a most infamous manner. He furtf;< \ 
 
 o 
 
15S LIFE OF THE 
 
 remarked, that what was said of Mr. Wesley was so con- 
 trary to truth, and socontrary to the opinion of the preach- 
 ers and people, that none would hesitate a moment in 
 condemning it as unjust, and worthy to be execrated, 
 The pamphlet, he said, was written with a design to 
 blacken the name of that excellent man, and to di- 
 vide and destroy the work of God. He then charged 
 the author with arrogance and pride, alleging how 
 presumptuous it was in a person of his years to take 
 such a step, under any circumstances, and how vile 
 in the present case. He concluded by proposing, that 
 if Mr. Kilham w r ould not immediately confess his wick- 
 edness, and ask pardon of the Conference, he should 
 be expelled the Connexion. 
 
 Mr. Thompson rose to second the motion, and to 
 explain more fully the nature and design of the pam- 
 phlet. He entered into a long detail of the mischiefs 
 it might cause in various respects. The pamphlet 
 itself, he said, was designed to rend the Connexion ; 
 and if its author were permitted to pass with impunity, 
 other persons might step forward and distress the 
 cause with their heretical opinions. He thought the 
 preachers ought in conscience to preserve the memory 
 of Mr. Wesley, and to support their own characters, 
 by condemning the book and its author. 
 
 Mr. Bradburn, in defence of Mr. Kilham, observed^ 
 that their proceedings were exceedingly unjustifiable. 
 They were acting contrary to every thing he had 
 ever seen. He declared no man ought to be condemn- 
 ed before he was heard ; nor ought the pamphlet to be 
 condemned before it was examined. He said, they all 
 respected the memory of Mr. Wesley, and the author 
 of the pamphlet as much as any of them. He noticed, 
 that many then present had never seen it, and did not 
 know what it contained. They were incapable of judg- 
 ing upon it, unless it was fairly read. They would 
 degrade their judgment, if they passed sentence against 
 a book of which they had no knowledge. He re- 
 peated, the pamphlet ought to be fairly read, and no- 
 thing should be done till the matter was examined. It 
 was a serious business, and should not be passed over 
 
hev. a. Kim am. 159 
 
 without being properly attended to. None could object 
 to a fair trial on the occasion. 
 
 With a good deal of difficulty, Mr. Kilham obtained 
 permission to read a paper he had written, explaining 
 vvhat he had done, and what were the motives which 
 induced him to take the part he had adopted. He 
 observed, that soon after the death of Mr. Wesley, the 
 Leaders and Trustees of the societies in Hull, wrote a 
 circular letter in behalf of the old plan, and to prevail on 
 other societies to determine against any alterations. 
 That letter so grieved him, that he could not refrain 
 from writing an answer to it. While he was consider- 
 ing how to circulate his reply as far as the other 
 had spread, he was informed by a friend that the 
 Leaders, &c. of the Newcastle society were preparing 
 an answer to the letter. He therefore sent his by 
 the next post to them, under a signature which they 
 knew to be anonymous. They approved of his senti- 
 ments, made a few slight alterations in it, and published 
 it with a postscript of their own. After his appoint- 
 ment to Newcastle, he laboured very peaceably with 
 the people for several months. But when Mr. Cownley 
 yielded to the pressing entreaties of the people, who 
 wished to have the sacrament in their own chapel, and 
 gave it them at Byker on the 8th of January, he found 
 himself under the necessity of standing up in defence 
 of Mr. Cownley's conduct Mr. Grey and his friends 
 violently opposed him, anddideverythingintheirpower, 
 after they had left the society, to injure his character. 
 Mr. Grey wrote him a letter full of abuse, which Mr. 
 Cownley would neither read himself nor suffer to be 
 read to him. He gave it to him (Mr. K.) to read, and 
 to answer if he pleased. After he had read it with at- 
 tention, he wrote an answer to Mr. Grey, which drew 
 on a correspondence between them. When he thought 
 the business was ended, Mr. Grey published the letters, 
 and they were circulated far and near. Every clergy- 
 man had a copy of them sent to him, and they were 
 given to any person they met with. As he (Mr. K.) 
 was the principal person concerned in the dispute, he 
 thought it his duty to write the pamphlet which was 
 
 o 2 
 
160 LIFE OF THE 
 
 then before the Conference, to explain more fully hi* 
 own and the sentiments of many of his friends. He 
 solemnly declared he had not the least design to injure 
 the character of Mr. Wesley, but to show that they 
 should not build too much upon any man, but only 
 follow him as he followed Christ. After begging jus- 
 tice might be done him in this matter, he entreated the 
 following favours at their hands, which he thought thev 
 could not equitably deny : — 1st. That the correspond- 
 ence between Mr. Grey and himself might be publicly 
 read, with the pamphlet he had written ; or that every 
 preacher might read them in private before his trial 
 came on. 2nd. That no detached word or sentence 
 of any thing he had said might be brought against him, 
 but that the sense of the passage might be fairly deduc- 
 ed from its connection with what preceded and with 
 what followed. If that were not submitted to, he 
 should look on himself as injured. He requested, in 
 the 3rd place, that what he had said might be tried 
 by the scriptures of truth, which would be the rule 
 of judgment at the last day. He then appealed from 
 human authority to the law and testimony, saying 
 he should look upon himself as condemned unjustly, if 
 they did not convict him from the oracles of God, and 
 prove from that divine source of knowledge, that he had 
 acted a part contrary to the Gospel. He then called on 
 every person that favoured his righteous cause to come 
 forth to his help; and offered, in conclusion, if they 
 could convict him, that he had done wrong from the 
 word of God, to make any submission they required. 
 He did not mean to be stubborn. But he begged with 
 all his heart that he might not be condemned without 
 the clearest evidence. 
 
 This address produced a strong impression on the 
 preachers, who were much moved. Dr. Coke even 
 shed tears, and owned he felt himself greatly affected, 
 and could not but weep while he heard what was ad- 
 vanced ; but he said Mr. Wesley's character was so 
 sacred, that nothing should by any means prevent justice 
 from being done to it. He thought they ought to re- 
 strain their feelings on such an occasion, and to vindicate 
 
ItEV. A. KILHAM. 16*i 
 
 the character of that most excellent man of God. lie 
 begged they would not act an unmanly part to their 
 deceased father; but show themselves his friends on 
 that occasion. For his part, he could not look on the 
 author of that pamphlet as worthy of a place with them, 
 unless he would oiler something as a compensation for 
 what he had done. And he thought still, he ought to 
 be expelled unless he would submit to confess himself a 
 transgressor, and promise amendment. 
 
 It was then desired by many of the preachers, that 
 the pamphlet might at once be fairly read through. 
 They thought they ought in justice to know what 
 it contained, before they could sit as judges upon it. 
 Many of them were ignorant of everything it contained, 
 and could by no means act with propriety unless 
 they were acquainted with the matter of the pamphlet. 
 But this request was not complied with. It was then 
 proposed, that the passages might be read which were 
 objected to, and that they should be fully examined. 
 Dr. Coke then stood up and read what were regarded 
 as the worst parts of the pamphlet, which were the 
 following: — " We have often been represented as ene- 
 mies to Mr. Wesley, and the interests of Methodism, 
 but this charge is exceedingly unjust. W r e declare in 
 the sight of God, and before all the world, that his 
 memory is exceeding dear to us. We are conscious he 
 was much owned of God, and signally blessed to thou- 
 sands in his labours. But we cannot think Mr. Wes- 
 ley was infallible. The doctrines essential to salvation, 
 he explained and enforced with great judgment and 
 success; and the discipline he established in his so- 
 cieties, is hardly to be equalled in any denomination of 
 Christians in the world. His plan of changing preach- 
 ers so frequently, has been productive of the happier, l 
 effects. But is it reasonable to suppose, that Mr. 
 Wesley, amidst so many excellencies, had no infirmities? 
 Shall we consider his determinations as conclusive in 
 every thing, and follow his council, without daring to 
 examine it by the word of God ? Are we enemies to 
 this great apostolical man, because we think he held 
 some notions which are not founded on the Scriptures; 
 
 o3 
 
1G2 LIFE OF THE 
 
 and are now desirous of laying them aside ? If we 
 were to take every thing he has said, and maintain it 
 with warmth against his opponents, we might be justly 
 reproached as enemies to the character we wish to es- 
 tablish." 
 
 The second passage is in the fifth page, as follows : — 
 i: Our Connexion has not reached the perfection which 
 is held out to us in the Gospel. Several things must 
 be removed and others substituted in their place, to 
 bring about the desired end. If a few bigoted persons, 
 who never think fur themselves, call this innovation, every 
 sensible man will highly esteem our conduct." 
 
 The third passage is in the 20th page, as follows : — 
 s; It appears that our being closely united with the es- 
 tablished Church, is founded on reasons not justifiable 
 on the Scriptures. It is more honourable to attend 
 service at the church, than to worship among the Dis- 
 senters ; it takes away a good deal of the scandal of 
 the cross ; it may be advantageous to our business in 
 the world ; it may bring us to fill up places in the na- 
 tion, which may be greatly helpful to our families, 
 that we could not occupy, were we Dissenters of any 
 denomination. Our being connected so closely with the 
 church, cannot be looked on in any other light than 
 a species of trimming between God and the world. We 
 never met with any arguments for continuing closely 
 united with the church, but what are political, or, in 
 other words, carnal, and sold under sin." 
 
 After these passages were distinctly read, Dr. Coke 
 entered upon an explanation of the first of them. He 
 observed, there was a great deal of art and ingenuity in 
 what was advanced. Several things were said of Mr. 
 Wesley that were great and glorious. But he begged 
 every person would attend to the design of them. It 
 was only to gild over what was intended to poison and 
 corrupt their minds. The first part of the passage he 
 approved with all his heart, but that Mr. Wesley held 
 notions contrary to the Scriptures, was a vile slander 
 upon his character. It was a character he never de- 
 served, and was so contrary to truth, that every person 
 must be shocked at hearing it. For his part, it 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 163 
 
 brought such conviction to his mind of the author's 
 guilt, that he would not, in consequence, give him the 
 right hand of fellowships unless he would own his 
 offence, and behave with circumspection in future- 
 He desired that the sense of the Conference might be 
 taken, and judgment passed accordingly. 
 
 Mr. Moore said he was surprised at what the Dr. had 
 uttered. He had never seen the pamphlet until it had 
 been put into his hand while the Dr. was speaking. 
 I Ie said he had no knowledge of its author, nor any con- 
 nection with him, and wished from his heart every 
 thing of that nature had been kept from the public. 
 But he was bound by principles of justice to see a per- 
 son have fair play. He observed, the Dr. had read the 
 words improperly, and then read them himself as they 
 were written. The author only asked, " Are we enemies 
 to this great apostolic man, because we think he held 
 some notions not founded on the Scriptures ?" He 
 said, these words did not assert Mr. Wesley did hold 
 such notions. It was a question which intimated the 
 writer supposed he held some notions not founded 
 on the word of God. He said, whether it was right or 
 not to publish that Mr. Wesley held such notions, he 
 was sure there was not a person in the assembly but 
 believed he held many notions which were not founded 
 upon Scripture. It would be an insult upon their un- 
 derstandings to say he did not. He would name seve- 
 ral subjects on which Mr. Wesley had advanced notions 
 which had no connection with the Scriptures, and was 
 astonished how any person could criminate the author of 
 the pamphlet for saying modestly, "we think he held no- 
 tions not founded on Scripture." Mr. Moore spoke at 
 some length on the subject, and before he concluded, 
 declared again, that he wished every man might be 
 dealt fairly with who had any cause to try in that place. 
 It would be a disgrace to them to act contrary to truth 
 and uprightness. 
 
 Mr. Thompson rose to vindicate Dr. Coke's remarks. 
 He observed, Mr. Wesley was a very great and good 
 man; his character was sacred. No man ought to 
 allow himself that liberty in speaking and writing which 
 
T64 LIFE OF THE 
 
 was manifest in the pamphlet before them. He de- 
 clared, for his part, he would not countenance the con- 
 duct of persons who spoke and wrote against men of 
 such distinguished piety and abilities. He then de- 
 nounced the book, and declared that it ought to be ex- 
 ecrated by every man in that Conference. He then 
 entered into a history of the labours and sufferings of Mi*. 
 Wesley, and called for the production of those notions 
 which it was alleged Mr. Wesley held contrary to the 
 Scriptures. Mr. Bradburn begged they would invests 
 gate the business with moderation, and not suffer any 
 undue warmth to warp their judgment. He said the 
 author would bring forth his notions if they would give 
 him time, and then they might examine whether they 
 were founded on the Scriptures or not. 
 
 The following views were then presented to the 
 Conference, upon the sacrament, &c, that Mr. Wesley 
 held, and which Mr. Kilham declared, according 
 to his judgment, were not founded upon Scripture; 
 nor were they supported by reason. He said, Mr. 
 Wesley held, in the first place, that the Methodist 
 preachers were called of God to preach the gospel, and 
 form societies. They were to watch over the souls 
 committed to their charge with great diligence and care. 
 They were to do every thing they could to help them 
 in the way to heaven. But they had no right to give 
 them the sacrament. They had no call from God to 
 this. It was not their place to meddle with the ordi- 
 nances. 
 
 In the second place, they were not to preach in church 
 hours on any pretence whatever, unless in very singu- 
 lar cases ; but were to go to church, and take their peo- 
 ple with them. They were not to give the sacrament 
 to any, but go to the church with their people to re- 
 ceive that ordinance wherever they could. Thirdly, 
 where the preacher neither preached nor lived the 
 gospel, they ought to go to church. It was said the 
 ordinance was not in the least injured by an ungodly 
 minister giving it; even if the persons sitting down to 
 the table were like himself, no Methodist ought to 
 scruple in these cases. The preachers ought to lead 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 165 
 
 the way, and attend with as many of the society as 
 possible. This he strictly required, as was known to 
 them all. In the last place, he held and taught, that if 
 ever the Methodists left the church, God would leave 
 them. They would naturally lose the life of God, and 
 dwindle away into dull, dry morality. They would 
 become like other Dissenters, having only the form, 
 while they were destitute of the power of godliness. 
 
 Mr. Thompson then declared that one passage call- 
 ed every person biggoted that did not think as its 
 author did; and it was a reflection upon all the preach- 
 ers. He then called on his brethren to agree in con- 
 demning a person who had dared to reflect on their 
 character in that manner. Mr. Mather took up the 
 pamphlet, and read the title page. "An address to 
 the Members and Friends of the Methodist Society in 
 Newcastle." He said no person who attended to the 
 title of the book, could suppose that it was a reflection 
 on the preachers. He then called on Mr. Kilham to 
 answer them whether he meant the people in society, 
 &c, or the whole Connexion; and Mr. K. answered that 
 his principal design was to address the society of Metho- 
 dists, which was the immediate object of his writing it; 
 but if any person choose to apply it to himself, he 
 could have no objection. 
 
 Mr. Benson, who had hitherto taken no part in the 
 discussion, said there would be no end in going for- 
 ward in that manner. Thev had not set out at first on a 
 right plan, and would never be able to proceed to their 
 satisfaction unless they altered their ground. It was 
 not the matter of the pamphlet which they had so much 
 to do with. That might not be found contrary to truth, 
 yet the person who wrote it might be worthy of blame. 
 He moved that they should adopt another mode of try- 
 ing the matter. He thought all that was required was 
 this, to take the sense of the Conference whether they 
 
 thought Mr. Kilham had done right or wrong in writ- 
 es o . Q 
 
 ing the pamphlet. He thought this would be the 
 shortest and the most effectual way to proceed in the 
 business. This proposal was received with approbation. 
 A majority of the Conference censured the author, as 
 
166 LIFE OF THE 
 
 having done wrong * in writing the pamphlet ; and the 
 Chairman then received authority to pronounce it as 
 the sense of the house, that Mr. Kilham had acted im- 
 prudently in writing and publishing the pamphlet. 
 
 Mr. Thompson then moved that the book should be 
 condemned as well as its author. He said, it availed 
 nothing passing sentence upon the writer, unless the 
 work, too, was censured. This occasioned several 
 warm debates. Mr. Benson thought they had acted a very 
 cowardly part, in passing by Mr. Bradburn and Mr. 
 Taylor ; and intimated that they ought to have been 
 tried first for what they had written. He declared, if 
 that pamphlet were censured, all the pamphlets and 
 sermons that related to the subject ought also to be 
 condemned. It was acting with partiality to condemn 
 one, and let the others pass with impunity. Of the 
 three pamphlets written on the subject, that which they 
 were about to condemn was, in his judgment, the most 
 innocent. Mr. Moore said, he would not give his con- 
 sent for Mr. Kilham's pamphlet to be condemned, 
 unless all the pamphlets and sermons, with the circular 
 
 * The ground on which the sentence of condemnation was placed is not 
 very intelligible. From what Mr. Benson said, — and which seemed to be 
 concurred in by the majority of Conference, — the censure had no reference 
 to the contents of the pamphlet, as being true or otherwise, but the simple 
 act of writing and publishing was what they blamed. This must either 
 have been because Mr Kilham was a junior preacher, and therefore 
 they deemed it improper that he should have taken upon himself to ex- 
 ercise a judgment on the subject; or, secondly, because they supposed 
 it impolitic for the blemishes of Methodism to have been exposed by 
 one of themselves; or, thirdly, as a warning for the future against 
 preachers — the younger ones more especially— calling in question the 
 propriety of any of the rules or usages of the Connexion. At all events, 
 to justify the conduct of Conference towards Mr. Kilham in this in- 
 stance, some one of the following propositions must be affirmed. 1. That 
 Mr. Wesley was infallible, and every part of the discipline of Metho- 
 dism strictly scriptural ; or, 2, that in case of there being any defects or 
 inconsistencies in the system, they were to be continued or kept secret, 
 and not pointed out with a view to their being remedied ; or, 3, that 
 whatever there might be which was objectionable, a preacher so young 
 as Mr. Kilham (he was then thirty years old) was deserving of 
 censure for interfering at all ; or in other words, even if he were right as 
 to his statements, the mere act of making them was wrong in respect of 
 himself. It would seem that the last of these three particulars was 
 what the Conference maintained against Mr. Kilham,— whether pro- 
 perly or not, the reader may form his own judgment. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 167 
 
 letters on both sides, were likewise condemned, not 
 excepting Dr. Coke's Ordination sermon, which he 
 preached in America. Mr. Thompson declared (but 
 his words were never accomplished) that Mr. Bradburn 
 and Mr. Taylor should both be tried, and their pam- 
 phlets be condemned also. He contended, that as they 
 had tried and censured the author, they ought to go 
 through with their work, and leave the others to some 
 future opportunity. 
 
 Mr. Kilham then addressed the Conference, desiring 
 that no preacher would degrade his judgment so far as 
 to condemn what he did not know. He begged of 
 them to consider what they were going to do. It would 
 be a stain on their characters if they suffered themselves 
 to be dragged into a measure so contrary to their own 
 interests. How would they face God or their con- 
 science in condemning what they had no knowledge of? 
 
 The motion was, however, put, and a majority of the 
 preachers rose up to condemn the book, as designed 
 to spread division and dissension among the Methodist 
 societies. 
 
 It was then considered what punishment should be 
 inflicted upon the author. Mr. Mather, from the chair, 
 informed Mr. Kilham of what the Conference had 
 done, and the censure they had passed upon him and 
 his pamphlet ; and desired he would make some ac- 
 knowledgment, and ask forgiveness as far as he could 
 consistent with judgment and conscience. He was then 
 requested to retire, and bring, in writing, after he had 
 prayed to God for direction, how far he might deem 
 himself culpable, with respect to the things which 
 had been alleged against him. They entreated him 
 not to be stiff, but to own his offence with candour and 
 openess, that he might be continued with approbation 
 among them. 
 
 Mr. Kilham having retired, soon brought the follow- 
 ing confession in writing before them. He declared 
 solemnly that he highly honoured and loved Mr. Wes- 
 ley. He was sure he felt as much affection for him as 
 any in that place. He was born in the same town, 
 had known him from a child, and had always loved 
 
168 LIFE OF THE 
 
 and honoured him. He declared, he had not the least 
 thought of slandering the character of Mr. Wesley : 
 nor was he convinced that anything he had said was a 
 reproach to that excellent man of God. He wrote the 
 pamphlet to vindicate that faithful and worthy servant 
 of God, Mr. Cownley, from the reproach which 
 was poured upon him, and to maintain the truth 
 against the opinions of Mr. Grey and his friends. He 
 had written chiefly for these reasons. He believed 
 he had done the will of God in writing the reply to the 
 Hull letter, and in writing that pamphlet ; and he was 
 sure the Lord did not condemn him for it. If he con- 
 fessed any other, he should lie against his own con- 
 science. He then owned he was grieved, that he had 
 given the Conference any pain or trouble ; and though 
 he was confident the Lord did not condemn him, yet 
 he was willing to own he was sorry, that he had taken 
 any steps that had offended them, and hoped they 
 would forgive anything they could not approve in his 
 conduct. He added, though he had then an oppor- 
 tunity of fixing to his temporal advantage, if he chose 
 to leave the Connexion, yet he was determined to con- 
 tinue as long as he could with a good conscience. And 
 however some of them might look on him as a conse- 
 quential person in his own eyes, he was their servant 
 for Christ's sake. He acted from conviction in what 
 they opposed, and was willing to bear any censure they 
 pleased to load him with. 
 
 Mr. Thompson and Dr. Coke, with others, said it 
 was no confession, but a justification of what he had 
 done. It w 7 as only an acknowledgement that he was 
 sorry he had grieved them. He was not sorry he had 
 done wrong, but gloried in the answer of his consci- 
 ence. 
 
 Mr. Bradburn and other preachers declared it was 
 quite sufficient. The sense of the Conference was then 
 taken, and a great majority rose up to show they ac- 
 cepted the confession. This business was then con- 
 sidered as finished. 
 
 Mr. Kilham's frame of mind, when expecting to un- 
 dergo the trial of which an outline has been given, and 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 169 
 
 the purposes he formed respecting his conduct, if 
 required to give an account of what he had done, will 
 be ascertained from the annexed prayer, which he made 
 and inscribed in his diary shortly before the Confer- 
 ence began : — 
 
 " Now, O Lord, if thou sufferest me to go to the Con- 
 ference, enable me to bear insult and reproach with pa- 
 tience, and give me grace to render good for evil ; and 
 help me to speak boldly and calmly in thy name, on 
 subjects that require courage and firmness. Let me 
 never desert the cause that is for thy glory, and the 
 good of thy church : thou canst purge our Connexion, 
 and make us holy and unblameable before thee. O 
 God, do thou enlighten the minds of the people, that 
 they may see the privileges of the gospel, and embrace 
 them. Incline the preachers to give liberty to the so- 
 cieties ; and let every thing that belongs to arbitrary 
 power be removed from their minds. Dispose us, O 
 Lord, to examine our doctrines and discipline by thy 
 unerring word of truth, and to expunge every thing 
 that is contrary to thy will. If any charges are brought 
 against me at the Conference, help me to defend my 
 character and thy truth, O Lord ; through grace I am 
 determined to be thine for ever. Bless our Connexion 
 and thy church every where, through Jesus Christ our 
 Lord. 13th July, 1792." 
 
 The proceedings just detailed may be left to make 
 their own impression on the mind of the reader, with- 
 out in the least endangering the reputation of Mr. 
 Kilham, who, although in one sense condemned, was, 
 in regard to his cause and conduct, so manifestly in 
 the right, that there can be little doubt of his having 
 been more satisfied in his conscience with his defeat, 
 than his accusers were with the victory they had gained 
 over him. It would indeed be difficult to show that 
 the crime for which he was cited to Conference to sub- 
 mit to the foregoing trial and reprimand, was any other 
 than what the Reformers were guilty of in the sixteenth 
 century ; and, moreover, the same may be laid to the 
 charge of all who hold Protestant principles to this 
 day. He seems to have offended in two points— first, 
 
 P 
 
170 LIFE OF THE 
 
 in making an avowal that Mr. Wesley, though a most 
 nseful, great, and holy man, was, notwithstanding 
 these high qualities, not infallible. Second, in saying 
 that the Methodist plan, though eminently good in its 
 general character, included some things which had bet- 
 ter be changed ; and that in order to be safe it would 
 be proper, as the Connexion was entering upon a new 
 era, to bring the whole system to the test of Scripture, 
 for the purpose of modifying it by the word of God, 
 We see no other offence of which Mr. Kilham was 
 guilty ; and some such impression was evidently on the 
 minds of his accusers ; who, feeling he could not with 
 decency be condemned on these grounds, changed the ac- 
 cusation ; and, on the recommendation of Mr. Benson, 
 it was maintained against him that his writing at all 
 was reprehensible — that the correctness or incorrect- 
 ness of what he had said was out. of the question — the 
 fact itself of his having published any thing on the sid> 
 ject was wrong and for this, and this only, he was 
 condemned. 
 
 Besides the insufficient grounds, as he conceived, for 
 censuring him, Mr. Kilham regarded himself as hav- 
 ing been unfairly dealt with by the Conference in an- 
 other respect. Two of the preachers (Mr. Bradburn 
 and Mr, Thomas Taylor), besides himself, had pub- 
 lished pamphlets on the same subject; and both their 
 names had to be called over at the Conference before 
 his : consequently, charges should have been preferred 
 against them in the first instance, but they were passed 
 over without observation, and Mr. Kilham, who should 
 have taken his trial the third in rotation, was criminated 
 the £ j st — and either it was never intended to try the 
 others, or by the time the Conference had disposed of his 
 case, it was so tired of the subject, that the matter was 
 dropped, and neither Mr. Bradburn nor Mr. Taylor 
 was called to account. It will have been observed, that 
 the former stood firmly by Mr. Kilham during his ex- 
 amination, and contributed greatly to his defence. 
 
 At this Conference another extraordinary step was 
 taken with respect to the sacrament. After the ques- 
 tion whether it should be administered or not in those 
 
IlEV. A. KILHA.M. 171 
 
 chapels where the members of society requested it, had 
 been discussed at great length, without the probability 
 of any decision being come to which would be gene- 
 rally satisfactory, Mr. Pawson proposed lor the matter 
 to be determined, for the ensuing year, by drawing "the 
 lot." This suggestion, being made at a moment when 
 almost all the members of Conference were weary of 
 debating the subject, was received by the generality 
 as if it had come by inspiration; and after prayer 
 the lot was drawn by Mr. (afterwards Dr. Adam) 
 Clarke, and proved to be as follows : — " There shall 
 be no sacrament in the Methodist Connexion as it re- 
 fers to England the next year, unless when a clergy- 
 man officiates in London." When this decision by 
 lot was announced, a majority of the Conference sig- 
 nified their concurrence, and directed that a letter 
 should be drawn up and addressed to the societies, thai 
 it might be understood how the matter bad been deter- 
 mined. The minutes of Conference for 1792 notice 
 the lot in these words : — 
 
 " After debating the subject time after time, we were 
 greatly divided in sentiment In short, we knew not 
 what to do, that peace and union might be preserved. 
 At last one of the senior brethren (Mr. Pawson) pro- 
 posed that we should commit the matter to God by 
 putting the question to the lot, considering that the 
 Oracles of God declare, that 6 the Lot causeth conten- 
 tions to cease, and parteth between the mighty:'* And 
 again, that ' the Lot is cast into the lap, but the whole 
 disposing thereof is of the Lord :'f And considering 
 also that we have the example of the Apostles them- 
 selves, in a matter which we thought, all things con- 
 sidered, of less importance. 
 
 " We accordingly prepared the lots ; and four of us 
 prayed. God was surely then present, yea, his glory 
 filled the room. Almost all the preachers were in tears, 
 and, as they afterwards confessed, felt an undoubted 
 assurance that God himself would decide. Mr. Adam 
 Clarke was then called on to draw the lot, which was, 
 
 * Prov. xviii. 18. + Prov. xvi. 33. 
 
 r 2 
 
172 LIFE OF THE 
 
 6 You shall not administer the Sacrament the ensuing 
 year.' All were satisfied. All submitted. All was 
 peace. Every countenance seemed to testily that every 
 heart said, * It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth 
 him good.' A minute was then formed according to 
 the previous explanation of the lots, that the sacrament 
 should not be administered in our Connexion, for the 
 ensuing year, except in London." 
 
 To say that all were satisfied, was going too far. 
 Mr. Kilham was one of the few preachers present 
 who regarded the lot as unauthorised and wrong as 
 applied to the Lord's Supper; believing that as the ob- 
 servance of it was expressly enjoined in the New Testa- 
 ment, the duty was plain and imperative, and that it 
 ought not to have been dealt with in any such manner. 
 The use of the lot, he maintained, could only have been 
 justified, had there been no guide to a proper conclu- 
 sion, which was not the case with regard to the Lord's 
 Supper. He always condemned this mode of decision, 
 and though the societies submitted to it for that once, 
 it was with great reluctance and dissatisfaction ; which 
 were so evident that the expedient was not repeated 
 the following year. 
 
 The letters and petitions from the people to this 
 Conference were almost as numerous as those sent the 
 preceding year ; and they were similarly disposed of, 
 viz., destroyed without having been read. 
 
 Mr. Kilham was appointed to Aberdeen in Scotland, 
 where he continued to be stationed the three following 
 vear?. 
 
173 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 PllOM COXFERRVCC 1793, TO CONFERENCE 1795, WHEN" 
 MR. KILHAM LABOURED IN SCOTLAND. 
 
 It was at the particular request of Conference thai 
 Mr. Kilham consented to go to Scotland, which, on 
 account of the small progress Methodism had made in 
 that kingdom, had never been a favourite field of labour 
 with the preachers. It is not, however, unlikely, that 
 the decision of Conference respecting the sacrament in 
 England, had contributed to his willingness to be sta~ 
 turned there, as the Lord's Supper was freely adminis- 
 tered by the preachers to all the societies North of the 
 Tweed. The presumption, too, seems to be well founded, 
 that those who had observed the zeal of Mr. Kilham, 
 in procuring this ordinance for the Methodists gene- 
 rail}', were also naturally anxious that he should not be 
 placed in England, where, by opposing scriptural liber- 
 ty to Conference restrictions, he might occasion them 
 some uneasiness. For their sakes, as well as his own, 
 he was glad of the opportunity of labouring in a part 
 where he could fulfil all the duties of Ids office, without 
 becoming liable to trial and condemnation lor so doing. 
 Mr. Kilham' s removal to Aberdeen was delayed for 
 a few weeks by the state of Mrs. Kilham, who was 
 confined of their third child shortly after Conference, 
 at Newcastle. The infant being a boy was named Samuel, 
 after the one which had died about a year before. 
 He thus speaks of his entrance upon his new circuit : 
 "Having, by the blessing of God, arrived safe at Aber- 
 deen with my wife and children, I opened my mission 
 on the 27th of October, and preached three times; I 
 had much liberty, and the people appeared satisfied. 
 If I had been an angel from heaven, they could not 
 have received me with greater affection, and I found 
 
 p3 
 
174 LIFE OF THE 
 
 my spirit greatly revived and blessed amongst them* 
 When I reflected on the kindness of God, in bringing 
 us safely to this place, the reception I met with, and 
 the prospect before me of doing good, I was fully satis- 
 fied with my situation." On the same subject he further 
 observes : " Everything appeared strange to us on our 
 first going into Scotland. But the kindness of the 
 people, and the privileges we enjoyed, more than com- 
 pensated for every difficulty we were called to encoun- 
 ter. My wife soon found her mind perfectly reconciled 
 to the place, and thankful to God for bringing us into 
 such a peaceable situation. She endeavoured to shew 
 her love to God and his cause, by filling her station, 
 in the church and her family, to his glory." 
 
 While Mr. Kilham advocated the claims of the Me- 
 thodists to have the sacrament at the hands of their 
 own ministers, he seems to have been of opinion that 
 ordination, by the laying on of hands, was required as a 
 qualifying authority for a preacher to administer that 
 ordinance. The same, indeed, was generally held by 
 those who had contended for the sacrament, and in 
 pursuance of such conviction several of them procured 
 ordination. This was derived intermediately from Mr. 
 Wesley, who had ordained Dr. Coke, Mr. Mather, 
 Mr. Cownley, Mr. Moore, and other preachers, with 
 the view to some of them officiating in America, and 
 others in Scotland; — and they conceived themselves enti- 
 tled afttrwards to perform the same act on such of their 
 brethren as desired it. In this way Mr. Bradburn, 
 Mr. T. Taylor, Mr. Atmore, and others, had under- 
 gone the ceremony of laying on of hands ; and while 
 in the Newcastle Circuit, Mr. Kilham and Mr. Gaul- 
 ter were ordained by Mr. Cownley and Mr. Atmore. 
 On being stationed in Scotland, where there was no 
 restraint upon the Methodists in reference to the Lord's 
 Supper, Mr. Kilham began to administer it to the so- 
 cieties, and the satisfaction which he observed amongst 
 them in the use of this ordinance, with the blessing of 
 God which often accompanied it, tended more than 
 ever to confirm him in the belief that it ought to be 
 freely given to the members of all Christian churches; 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 1/5 
 
 and that every obstacle thrown in the way of their re- 
 ceiving it, was an interference with their just privileges 
 under the New Testament. 
 
 In being appointed to labour in Scotland, where the 
 Presbyterian form of church government was establish- 
 ed, in which the clergy and Taity co-operated in every 
 department, Mr. Kilham had the opportunity of ob- 
 serving how that system worked ; and of contrasting 
 it with the Methodist plan, which vested the power of 
 legislation, and the enforcement of discipline,exclusively 
 in the preachers. And it is highly probable, that, 
 what he saw confirmed him in a conviction that by 
 uniting the above excellent presbyterian principle, of 
 letting the ministers and people always act together, 
 with those parts of Methodism which related to doctrines, 
 itineracy, and class-meetings, they should most effectu- 
 ally secure the peace, satisfaction, and permanent pros- 
 perity of the societies. The right of the Methodists 
 to have, the sacrament in their own chapels, had, hitherto, 
 been all that had been contended for by Mr. Kilham and 
 others ; but his views now began to be extended beyond 
 this ordinance to the relative situation of the preachers 
 and people, and he felt that unless some means were 
 adopted for limiting the authority of the former over 
 the latter, it were vain to expect that its abuse would 
 be prevented. He thought he saw the irresponsible 
 power which the preachers had, producing injurious 
 effects in various ways, and unless it were checked, he 
 feared still worse consequences. A few months after 
 his arrival at Aberdeen, and as soon as he could spare 
 a little time, when he had laid his plans for being useful 
 in that circuit, of which he was the superintendent, his ac- 
 tive mind set to work to draw the attention of the body 
 to a number of evils which he conceived to have re- 
 sulted from their present rules. This he did in a 
 circular letter, which he printed under the signature 
 of " Trueman and Freeman,'' and sent to the most 
 influential persons throughout the Connexion. In 
 this letter, after noticing the ineffectual efforts which 
 had been made by a number of societies, who had ad- 
 dressed memorials and petitions to Conference, to 
 
176 LIFE OF THE 
 
 obtain a redress of grievances, but which petitions lie 
 states, on a motion made by a certain preacher, had 
 been destroyed without examination, by the vote oi 
 a majority of Conference — Mr. Kilham starts this ques- 
 tion in the name of the members generally — " Would 
 it not be proper for us to have some concern in man- 
 aging such matters as materially affect ourselves ?" He 
 then proceeds to show what alterations should be made 
 in the appointment of leaders, stewards, local preachers; 
 in the management of the temporal affairs of the circuit ; 
 and in taking out preachers to travel : and instead of the 
 sole authority being, as it then was, with the preachers, 
 he suggested that every thing should be done by a 
 majority at meetings composed of the preachers and 
 officers in the societies or circuits. He also added — 
 
 " Would it not be proper for every circuit, or every 
 district, to be represented in Conference by a delegate 
 of its own choosing? He could carry in the collections, 
 see how the monies are expended, and would be able 
 to give a particular account of our money matters, to 
 such of our friends who might wish to be informed. 
 These delegates should be present when the preachers' 
 characters are examined, and when they are stationed 
 for their circuits. They would furnish the Conference 
 with much useful information, and prevent many im- 
 proper appointments, and see that our funds are rightly 
 managed. Honesty will never shrink from responsi- 
 bility." 
 
 In support of these proposed changes, it was alleged, 
 that if the people had representatives in Conference, 
 the funds contributed by the societies would in many 
 respects be more judiciously expended, and other be- 
 nefits realised, which would have an important influence 
 on the Connexion. The letter concluded with the fol- 
 lowing exhortations : — 
 
 " If the preachers had paid a proper degree of atten- 
 tion to your addresses last year, we should not have 
 troubled you with these observations. We have written 
 freely, without the least design of doing any harm to 
 the cause. On the contrary, we have been influenced 
 by a desire of doing good. If success should attend 
 
KEV. A. KILHAM. ITT 
 
 our endeavours, God shall have the praise ; but if not, 
 we shall at least have the testimony of our conscience, 
 that our attempt was well meant. We have now done 
 our part towards the reform of the above-mention- 
 ed abuses. Do you yours. Enlighten the people. 
 Read or lend this letter to as many of them as you 
 possibly can, and do not suffer yourselves to be discour- 
 aged by timorous or interested men. In so doing, 
 you will contribute to the prosperity of Methodism, and 
 do honour to God." 
 
 This circular, as it attempted to account in some 
 measure for the disturbed state of the Connexion, by 
 ascribing it to the circumstance of the sole authority 
 being in the preachers, could not fail to lead many 
 into whose hands it went, to become more intent 
 upon ascertaining the correctness of that view of the 
 matter ; and it was in all probability the means of pre- 
 paring the minds of many to concur in those plans 
 which were afterwards proposed for remedying the evil, 
 by admitting the people to share the government with 
 the preachers. Many enquiries were made respecting 
 the authorship of this address, but though several of 
 Mr. Kilham's confidential friends knew him to have 
 been the writer, the secret was kept until such time 
 that he did not care to acknowledge its paternity. 
 
 In removing to a new circuit, and more especially if 
 it be very distant from his former station, a Methodist 
 preacher, going amongst a strange people, is in danger 
 of being misled in his opinions respecting the characters 
 of particular individuals or societies, should he happen 
 at first to lend his ear to prejudiced individuals ; who 
 often present themselves on his arrival, and officiously 
 volunteer to inform him of the persons with whom he 
 will have to do in the different places where he has to 
 labour. The parties who shew this readiness to make 
 his acquaintance, will frequently be found to have a 
 two-fold object, viz., — to prepossess him with a favour- 
 able estimation of themselves, which they may not de- 
 serve; and to set him against others, of whose influence 
 they may be jealous. If a preacher allow his mind to 
 
178 LIFE OF THE 
 
 be biassed, and much more if he begin at once to act 
 under the advice of such persons, he is not only liable 
 greatly to hinder his own usefulness, but to commit 
 injustice towards some of the most worthy and pious 
 members of society. When Mr. Kilham went to 
 Aberdeen, had he not been prevented by his own good 
 sense, and a feeling of what was due to others from 
 him as a minister of the Gospel, he would have fallen 
 into the above error, in consequence of communications 
 made to him by an individual whom he afterwards faith- 
 fully reprehended for his conduct. This person, who 
 was a local preacher, and belonged to the society at New- 
 burg, had, it seems, quarrelled with several of the leaders; 
 and on Mr. Kilham being appointed as superintendent 
 of the circuit, he made representations respecting them, 
 which, if they had been well founded, would have shewn 
 them to be unworthy of a place in the Church. After 
 saying what he thought would be sufficient to induce 
 Mr. Kilham to exercise his power to excommunicate, he 
 suggested the following method of treating the objects 
 of his dislike ; which it is best to give in the words of 
 Mr. Kilham, in a letter reprimanding the party after he 
 had become fully acquainted with the case : — 
 
 " You proposed a plan to me, which I never think 
 of without wonder, that a man of your sense should give 
 place to prejudice so far as to wish it might be adopted. 
 It is the same plan the Inquisition pursues at Rome, 
 and the old French government pursued to fill the 
 Bastile with state prisoners. You proposed for me to 
 receive your testimony, and the testimony of another or 
 two, and then expel the accused out of our society with- 
 out giving them to know who were their accusers. This 
 plan you were pleased to call a good one, and recom- 
 mended it to me, if I could follow it. But you remem- 
 ber I spurned the very thought of it; I told you I 
 would give up preaching before I would act such a 
 part. No person should be put out of society without 
 having a hearing. The very Romans did not condemn 
 unheard, and we would not be worse than the Hea- 
 thens. * * * As you would not bring evidence 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 179 
 
 against the persons you accused, nor have tliem before 
 me, you were angry because I could not in conscience 
 comply with your proposal." 
 
 Now if, instead of treating thisman's recommendation, 
 as he did, with the reprobation which it deserved, Mr. Kil- 
 ham had been disposed, from whatever motive, to have 
 carried his wishes into effect, he could have done so 
 without being accountable to any one, the preachers 
 having the absolute power to exclude members when- 
 ever they chose to exercise it. This was one of the 
 things which he was convinced ought not to be, because 
 it made every person in society dependent on him for 
 the continuance of his membership, and in case of his 
 becoming unjustly prejudiced, or inclined to act arbi- 
 trarily, the people had no remedy against an act which 
 might deprive them of their christian privileges, and 
 perhaps of their characters also. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Kilham had, during the first year of 
 their residence in Scotland, to undergo the loss of an- 
 other child, which he mentions in these words : — " After 
 we had spent about ten months in Aberdeen, it pleased 
 God to call our second Samuel to himself. He died 
 of the measles. This was a very trying scene to us 
 both. We endeavoured to offer him to God, as we 
 had done the child that died in Newcastle, and found 
 power to surrender him freely to the Giver of all our 
 mercies. Before his death, we were enabled to say 
 from our hearts, ' Thy will be done.' It is probable, 
 however, that the fatigue she had during the child's 
 affliction and death, with what she felt in her mind on 
 account of his removal, laid the foundation of a nervous 
 disorder, which, in the end, called her to join her friends 
 and children in another world." 
 
 While in Aberdeen Mr. Kilham published a small 
 pamphlet against horse racing, card playing, and theatri- 
 cal and similar entertainments, on theground of theirim- 
 moral tendency. This tract, as he might have expected, 
 brought upon him a host of adversaries from amongst 
 the patrons of such amusements; and though he found 
 his assailants difficult to deal with, his ingenuity devised 
 means to manage them with better success thanheproba- 
 
180 LIFE OF THE 
 
 bly feared he should have done, when he was first apprised 
 of the mode in which they were about to attack him. 
 No sooner had the appearance of Mr. Kilham's piece 
 been advertised, than the players, who happened to be 
 performing in the place at the time, considered how 
 they might retaliate upon the author for this interfer- 
 ence with their profession ; and as great strictness in 
 religion, and especially Methodist preachers, have often 
 been regarded as choice objects of ridicule by a certain 
 description of persons, this was deemed a fine op- 
 portunity for holding up Mr. Kilham to the laughter 
 of the public, by personating him in the character of 
 Cantwell in the play called the " Hypocrite." This 
 comedy was immediately put in rehearsal, for what pur- 
 pose was soon understood ; and while it was preparing, 
 two of the players went to Mr. Kilham's house on the 
 pretext of obtaining one of his pamphlets, but in reality 
 to notice his appearance, that the most fitting individual 
 in the company might be appointed to personate him 
 on the stage. On the Saturday before the " Hypo- 
 crite" was to be performed, one of the play-bills was 
 sent to Mr. Kilham, and he states that he went to bed 
 taxing his ingenuity to find out some method of counter- 
 acting their design. " In the morning," he says, "after 
 much anxiety, I resolved to preach from a passage in 
 their bill." He accordingly, at the conclusion of the 
 early meeting at the chapel, announced his intention to 
 deliver a discourse from this uncommon text, that same 
 evening. The chapel was crowded to excess, and most 
 of the players were also present. After reading from 
 the playbill the passage — referring to hypocrisy in reli- 
 gion — from which he was about to speak, Mr. Kil- 
 ham apologised for deviating on that occasion from the 
 usual practice of taking a portion of Scripture for his 
 text, by citing a few instances of pulpit discourses hav- 
 ing been grounded on incidents which justified parti- 
 cular notice, and might be applied to the edification 
 and profit of the audience. He then added, " I have 
 this night stepped out of our ordinary way, and chosen 
 for my text, a passage in the play-bill which will be 
 circulated through this city to-morrow. At nine o'clock 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 181 
 
 last night, a gentleman was kind enough to send it to 
 me. Do not be shocked, my dear brethren, at my tak- 
 ing a text from a play-bill, for I hope,in the course of my 
 sermon, to justify every thing I advance, from the word 
 of God." Having thus introduced the subject, he pro- 
 ceeded, 1. To describe the character of a hypocrite, 
 which he admitted might belong to some who professed 
 religion. 2. He proved the injustice of making gene- 
 ral and sweeping charges of hypocrisy against all strict 
 professors, which was confounding the bad and the 
 good. — Under this head he showed that there was such 
 a thing as genuine religion, and sincerity in its profes- 
 sion ; and that as the reality existed as well as the coun 
 forfeit, indiscriminate imputations of falsehood were 
 indefensible. 3. That the truly pious and devout Chris- 
 tian was a great and valuable character. In this dis- 
 course, Mr.Kilham, knowing that, drawn by mere curi- 
 osity, many present were not in the custom of hearing 
 the gospel faithfully preached, contrived, in a very 
 ingenious, and at the same time natural manner, to treat 
 his subject so as to introduce and explain the leading- 
 principles of religion; and by delivering himself in a 
 christian spirit, and with a manifest desire for their 
 salvation — the impression could hardly be otherwise 
 than favourable, both as to his motives and abilities. 
 A short passage or two may be given, where he presses 
 the subject upon his hearers towards the conclusion of 
 the sermon : 
 
 " As there is such a thing as true religion, exj> 
 ing itself in the tempers and conversation of all 
 that possess it, let us seek this while we have time and 
 opportunity. Except we obtain a living faith in the 
 Lord Jesus, which will work by love, purifying our 
 hearts, we cannot be happy or safe. Let us, then, re- 
 nounce everything which we know to be sinful, and 
 come to God in the way he has appointed, that we 
 may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of 
 need." 
 
 " Let us not be ashamed of openly avowing our sen- 
 timents to the world. Many may suppose we are a. 
 people who carry our opinions too far. They consider 
 
 2 
 
182 LIFE OF THE 
 
 us as singular in our conduct, and you may think we are 
 enthusiastical, because we cry out against the amusements 
 which others contend for. You may imagine, that we 
 ought to let people alone, and permit them to go in 
 the way which they think right, without disturbing their 
 quiet — But should we be justified in the sight of God, 
 if we were ashamed to declare our minds fully on these 
 subjects? We are commanded to warn sinners of 
 their danger, and to intreat them to flee from the wrath 
 to come. We are fully persuaded, it is sinful to attend 
 the play-house. Theatrical amusements in general 
 are exceedingly contrary to vital religion, and we con- 
 sider all who attend them in danger of losing their souls. 
 We are to warn them faithfully, that their blood may not 
 be required at our hands. Can you suppose our being- 
 singular on these subjects, is of any advantage to us ? 
 Are we not mocked and despised even by many who call 
 themselves christians, because we are resolved to use 
 our influence to prevent these evils? Is it any plea- 
 on the streets, because of his religious opinions ? I 
 sure to a man to be derided and reproached, as he walks 
 cannot go from my house into any part of this city, but 
 I am a laughing stock to many. They shake their heads 
 to each other, and reproach me for being righteous over 
 much, — but shall I shrink from my duty because of 
 these things ? God forbid. I am not in the least afraid 
 or ashamed to declare the whole council of God, according 
 to my ability. You may curse me as I pass on the 
 streets ; you may act me on the stage — you may do what 
 you please with me — I am determined, in the midst of 
 all your insults, to seek your salvation. While you re- 
 proach me and my brethren, we will plead with God 
 for the blessings of the Gospel to rest on your heads." 
 " Do not mistake me, my brethren. We do not hate 
 the persons who act on the stage. W T e have no malice 
 in our hearts against them. God is our witness, we 
 speak these things for their welfare; and wish them 
 every privilege purchased by Christ Jesus. We believe 
 their conduct is contrary to the will of God, and that 
 they are likely to ruin themselves, and those who follow 
 them. By their present pursuits, they greatly injure 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 183 
 
 themselves and the public. Many of them are men of 
 excellent parts, with a good education, and might be use- 
 ful in various departments in life, were they delivered 
 from the influence of their present infatuation. And 
 should they call me a canting hypocrite, on account of 
 what I have said since we met together, it will not move 
 me — I will still study to render them good for the evil 
 they may do to me, or to any of my brethren." 
 
 " We shall all soon appear before the judgment seat 
 of Christ, and then it will be known who is in the right. 
 I call on all that hear me this night, in the name of the 
 Lord Jesus, to come out from among them and be sepa- 
 rate, and touch not the unclean thing \ and to escape for 
 their life from every place where they might receive a 
 deadly hurt to their souls." 
 
 The Tuesday evening following, was the time announced 
 for the performance of the " Hypocrite" on the stage; 
 but on the Monday — the day after the sermon had been 
 preached — the manager appeared as if he felt reason to 
 think he had taken a false step in the choice of the 
 play. That respect for religion, owing to education and 
 moral principle, which so generally prevails in Scotland, 
 began to show itself; and many whom the players had 
 expected to gratity by the performance, were displeased 
 at their project to cast ridicule upon a minister of the 
 gospel. However, as the comedy had been advertised, 
 it was determined to proceed to act it; but when the 
 time came, the public opinion was clearly manifested ; 
 — the boxes and the pit had not more than ten persons 
 in them, and the gallery was only half filled. They 
 also changed their purpose in regard to personat- 
 ing Mr. Kilham, and instead of him, an individual 
 was introduced (dressed as a minister) who was made 
 to say, he " came from Dundee, sometimes preached, 
 sometimes made candles, and sometimes sold tobacco, 
 or did any thing to obtain his bread." The performance 
 went heavily forward, and the theatre closed about an 
 hour earlier than usual. The play had been announced 
 to be acted twice, but no repetition took place ; and on 
 the whole, this attempt to bring the laugh of the public 
 upon Mr. Kilham was as complete a failure as he could 
 
 22 
 
181 LlEE OF THE 
 
 have desired. The sermon was published a few days 
 after it had been preached, and, considering the hurry 
 in which it had been prepared, both for the pulpit 
 and the press, it entitled him to great credit, and 
 had an extensive sale. Mr. Kilham' s remarks against 
 horse-racing, cards, and dancing, were replied to by two 
 or three persons, who published short tracts on the 
 opposite side of the subject, which he again answered, 
 and the controversy dropped. 
 
 Mr. Kilham did not attend the Conference which 
 was held at Leeds, in 1793, but he had largely corres- 
 ponded during the year, on topics affecting the govern- 
 ment of the body, and on the subject of the sacrament, 
 with the principal brethren in England who favoured 
 the claims of the societies to that ordinance; and such 
 an accession of strength on that side had been g-ained, 
 both among the preachers and people, that the Con- 
 ference found it necessary to suspend the decision of 
 the " lot," and to pass the following resolution, which, 
 though expressed in negative terms, and placed on an 
 almost impossible condition, viz., that of perfect unani- 
 mity in the society, nevertheless conceded something, — 
 and on that account was better than the absolute pro- 
 hibition which had been in force from the last Confer- 
 ence. It was decided by a large majority — 
 
 " That the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper shall 
 not be administered by the preachers in any part of 
 our Connexion, except where the whole society is unani- 
 mous for it, and ivill not be contented without it ; and, 
 in even those few exempt societies, it shall be adminis- 
 tered, as far as practicable, in the evening only, and 
 according to the form of the Church of England." 
 
 By a letter from Mr. Bradburn to Mr. Kilham, it 
 will be observed, that while the friends of liberty re- 
 ceived this as being all they could obtain at that time, 
 it was regarded merely as an earnest of still greater 
 concessions which were expected to follow : 
 
 Bristol, December 12, 1793. 
 My Dear Brother, 
 Through the mercy of God, I am returned in safety to this 
 city, after an absence of six weeks, which I spent to good 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 185 
 
 purpose, in visiting the churches in Taunton, Callumpton, 
 Plymouth, St. Austle, Redruth, and Penzance circuits. Bless- 
 ed be the Lord, the good cause is prospering in every place 
 I visited. I gave the Lord's Supper at Plymouth Dock to 
 about five hundred people, and truly God was with us. 
 Mr. Rhodes assisted me, and is quite hearty in our cause. 
 While T was away, my youngest son died, which greatly 
 afflicted Mrs. Bradburn. At the same time I was laid up 
 in Cornwall, having hurt both my feet in viewing the won- 
 ders of nature in that amazing county. The sprain brought 
 on a touch of the gout, which cost me several days, though 
 not one Sunday ; for Timothy Crowther (a sound man) car- 
 ried me on his back to chapel, and I preached sitting, in the 
 very fit, which, I suppose, no one was ever mad enough to 
 do before. Yet, I do not repent it, though my pain was 
 exquisite. While I was away, your letter arrived, which ac- 
 counts for your not receiving this sooner. Be assured, it 
 was not want of love that prevented your hearing from 
 me when at Conference ; but I could send you no pleasing- 
 news, and I determined the unpleasant should find its own 
 way, which I knew it soon would. But fear not, all will be 
 well. Every thing is in a good way. We make no laws 
 but what we can rescind. I was glad to get some ground 
 to begin to build upon. Mr. Thompson was the chief opposer 
 of the liberal plan. But I have no great doubt of throwing him 
 again into the minority. I baptize and bury without controul : 
 and last Sunday week I gave the Lord's Supper at Kings- 
 wood to about four hundred people, many being there from 
 Bristol. Just as I gave the cup to a poor trembling soul, 
 the Head of the Church justified her fully. She proclaimed 
 his love aloud, and great was our rejoicing. That forenoon 
 will tell well in eternity. Our Church bigots here dare not 
 molest me, though Rodda has espoused their cause with all 
 the art of Lucifer. I have told him my mind freely, with- 
 out anger, and all is (and has been ever since the Conference) 
 outwardly peaceable ; and 1 hope to keep it so till it comes 
 round again. Elliot is a staunch friend, and helps me much. 
 I purpose to give the Lord's Supper again on Christmas 
 day, when I hope to see more of the Bristol friends. The 
 people are very, very kind to me. My health and spirits are 
 charming. I have not a doubt, that, in the next Conference, 
 a simple majority of any society will be allowed the Lord's 
 Supper, and something more than that. Remember I tell 
 you this day, the high-flyers among us are coming clown 
 
 Q 3 
 
186 LIFE OF THE 
 
 a-pace, and great will be their fall. I will not give my pri- 
 vileges away, to please a few inconsistent ignoramuses, though 
 I submitted for a season to their unreasonable decrees. Mr. 
 Moore gives the Lord's Supper every month regularly at 
 Bath, and has a blessed work going forward. I really be- 
 lieve the little interruption we met with will do us good. Do 
 not destroy your gown and bands, nor suppose they are for 
 ever done with. You will know better soon, if the Lord 
 will. We must have a Methodist constitution or plan of 
 discipline explained, and we shall in due time. (I wish I 
 durst tell you all I know and propose ; but a letter may mis- 
 carry, and I am bound to secrecy. This parenthesis to your- 
 self must sacredly). I will send you a hundred sermons 
 soon ; the other pamphlets are all gone. Never mind the 
 money. Sell what you can easily, and give the rest away 
 to any that will use them. My love to Mrs. K., Mr. San- 
 derson, &c. Write soon and often to, dear brother, 
 
 Your's in Chrisl, 
 
 S. Bradburn. 
 
 It would seem from the latter part of Mr. Bradburn's 
 letter, that there was a project in hand, to which he was 
 a party, for procuring a constitutional plan of discipline 
 for the Methodists ; and from his manner of alluding to 
 it, as well as from Mr. Bradburn's known liberal prin- 
 ciples at that time, there can be little doubt that what- 
 ever the scheme was, its provisions were such as he 
 believed Mr. Kilham would approve. If so, it must 
 have had some agreement with the suggestions contained 
 in Mr. Kilham' s letter before noticed, signed "Trueman 
 and Freeman," a copy of which Mr. Bradburn had seen, 
 and probably knew the author, as he was then in 
 Mr. Kilham's confidence. 
 
 As an act of justice, it is proper to remark these 
 circumstances as we proceed, because Mr. Bradburn and 
 several other preachers, who had coincided with Mr. 
 Kilham, and even gone beyond him in complaining of 
 he existing plan of Methodism, afterwards turned 
 round and became his greatest enemies. 
 
 Very few r of the leading preachers were neutral ; 
 while one class were co-operating for the purpose of 
 procuring for the societies a greater measure of liberty, 
 those of the high party were taking an opposite course 
 
KET. A. KILHAM. 187 
 
 with the view of keeping them nominally connected with 
 the Established Church. It would, indeed, almost 
 appear from the intelligence contained in the annexed 
 letter, written by Mr. Jonathan Crowther to Mr. Kil- 
 ham, that, as regards certain individuals at least, there 
 was some other — it might not, we fear, improperly be 
 called sinister — object. Mr. Crowther asks — 
 
 " Did you hear of the famous letter sent last year bv 
 Mr. Thompson, to Mr. Pitt? It seems this Solomon of 
 ours, who made such a mighty pother at the London 
 Conference,* about the junior preachers taking so much 
 upon themselves, wrote, nevertheless, without the least 
 authority, to Mr. Pitt, in the name of the Methodist 
 Preachers, or of the body of the Methodists. I am in- 
 formed the sum of his letter was, 1st. to know whether 
 Mr. Pitt, &c, wished the Methodists to give a fuller 
 and stronger proof of their attachment to the govern- 
 ment than they had done. 2nd. To desire him and 
 his colleagues to bring about a closer union between 
 the Methodists and the Church. 3rd. To desire Mr. 
 Pitt to aid the preachers against the rebellious trustees 
 in London, respecting the New Chapel .f What was 
 this but (to give the comment of a shrewd man,) to sav 
 to Mr. Pitt — Help us in the affair of the New Chapel, 
 and the Methodists shall be anything government 
 chooses : if desired, like Sampson they shall hew wood 
 and draw water, for the Philistines. After he had writ- 
 ten what he had to say, it seems he added, and would 
 you know Sir, who I am ? — I am one of the preachers 
 appointed by Mr. Wesley to preach in the new chapel, 
 and the person that was chosen the president of the 
 first Conference after his death. Here's for you, my 
 friend ; it seems some thing was said about this the last 
 Conference ; but Mr. Thompson being a great math 
 
 * When Mr. Kilham was tried and censured for writing the Address 
 to the Newcastle Society. 
 
 f This refers to law proceedings then pending between the trustees of 
 the above chapel and the Conference, respecting the power of appointing 
 preachcrsto the pulpit, which the former had claimed, and for which the la'- 
 tcr instituted a Chancery suit against them. After expending from 1,5001, 
 to 2,0001., it was abandoned. 
 
188 LIFE OF THE 
 
 and a senior brother, no punishment was inflicted on 
 him. Your's &c. 
 
 J. Crowther. 
 JVaterford, \2th Jan., 1794. 
 
 This letter, which is very curious in its character, 
 was first published while all the parties were living and 
 as its authenticity was not disputed, nor its contents 
 explained, the only conclusion is, that Mr. Thompson's 
 conduct was considered to be unjustifiable, and therefore 
 improper. We do not see how Sir. Pitt could regard his 
 communication in any other light than as an offer from 
 the Methodists to promote any state purpose which he 
 might desire, provided he would be equally obliging in 
 return for this service. It does not appear, however, 
 that any preacher, or other individual, was concerned 
 with Mr. Thompson in this questionable transaction ; 
 nor are we aware that Mr. Pitt took any step indicating 
 a wish to avail himself of the tender which was made 
 to him by " the president of the first Conference after 
 the death of Mr. Wesley." 
 
 About this time, a project which acquired the name 
 of the " Bishop's Plan" was originated. This scheme 
 was first communicated to Mr. Kilham by Mr. Thomas 
 Taylor, who described it in a letter as follows : — 
 
 " Messrs. Mather, Pawson, Clarke, Rogers, Coke, 
 Bradburn, Moore, and myself, met a few weeks ago 
 at Litchfield, to see if any accommodating plan could 
 be hit upon, previous to the meeting of the Conference. 
 I hope our meeting was not in vain. We were unani- 
 mously of opinion, that some kind of ordination is ne- 
 cessary to prevent confusion ; and that every preacher 
 that is admitted, shall be admitted by being ordained 
 deacon ; and when he is permitted to celebrate the 
 Lord's Supper, he must be ordained priest; and wher- 
 ever a majority of a society desire the Lord's Supper, that 
 they ought to have it. Our friends thought we should 
 assemble without being known, and therefore fixed 
 upon Litchfield, a place where no Methodists are, for 
 that purpose. I was pretty certain we could not be hid ; 
 and, accordingly, it was known in a day or two. Mr. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 189 
 
 Benson was not invited, and he is making a horrible 
 stir, as though we had been consulting how to get the 
 whole government of the Methodist Connexion into 
 our power; and this, I suppose, he will propagate far 
 and wide. I expect, when Thompson is informed, he 
 will storm at no small rate : and yet the above is the 
 substance of the meeting,- — excepting that a proposal 
 will be laid before the Conference of having a number 
 of superintendents, who may have a kind of executive 
 power between Conference and Conference, as it 
 is thought the districts do not answer the end. The 
 only reason why one preacher is to attend from Scot- 
 land at the Conference is the expense, and leaving the 
 places destitute of preachers ; and by a preacher from 
 each circuit, meeting at Edinburgh, every thing may be 
 easily settled, and one may do as well as twenty. Ire- 
 land is more extensive, and there are many more 
 preachers than in Scotland ; and yet, by thus meeting, 
 one does all the business at the English Conference. 
 You may call your meeting at Edinburgh a Confer- 
 ence, if you please. We are excessively straitened for 
 money, and have need to save all sve can." 
 
 The meeting at Litchfield was reported to have been 
 attended by a circumstance or two which Mr. Taylor 
 does not mention, but which ought perhaps to be no- 
 ticed. It will be recollected that it was held at a period 
 of great suspicion, and when many persons were appre- 
 hended on charges of sedition. As the French Revolu- 
 tion had just occurred, and much political excitement 
 was abroad in consequence, the coming together of 
 eight strangers, and their secret deliberations, which 
 lasted for several days, caused considerable surmisings, 
 as to their object; and it is said, that notice was given to 
 the magistrates and local authorities, who directed them 
 to be watched. It was not impossible but they might 
 even have been placed in a still more unpleasant posi- 
 tion, had it not happened that a commercial traveller, 
 who came to the inn, knew one or more of the preachers; 
 and in his surprise at finding them there, he began to 
 enquire respecting them, which occasioned their cha- 
 racters to transpire, — and they were allowed to depart 
 
190 LIFE OF THE 
 
 without being called upon to give that account of them* 
 selves which, under other circumstances, they might 
 have been obliged to do. This meeting was soon 
 noised abroad through the Connexion, which rendered it 
 expedient for them to explain what they had assembled 
 for — and possibly was one cause of Mr. Kilham know- 
 ing anything on the subject, which might otherwise 
 have been kept secret until Conference. 
 
 ^ Mr. Kilham, disapproving of the appointment of 
 bishops, — for this was what was intended, though they 
 are smoothly mentioned as superintendents to " have a 
 kind of executive power,"— began at once to oppose it on 
 the following grounds: — First, that no such officers were 
 wanted in the Methodist Connexion ; second, because 
 there were few, if any, who could be found possessed 
 of sufficient grace and humility to preserve them from 
 abusing the vast power which must necessarily be placed 
 in the hands of persons so situated ; third, that it would 
 occasion great and unnecessary expense, the funds to 
 meet which, might be more usefully appropriated ; fourth, 
 because the tendency of such a plan would be, to lessen 
 the influence and independence of the generality of the 
 preachers, whose usefulness would be proporticnably 
 impaired; and, lastly, that it would open a door to 
 official stateliness and formality, which might in the end 
 corrupt and destroy that honest simplicity which had 
 characterized Methodism from the beginning. Mr. 
 Kilham urged these and other arguments against the 
 appointment of bishops, with equal energy and success, 
 and the plan was generally disapproved of by the people 
 and preachers, though two or three of the latter, who 
 had hitherto co-operated with him in attempting to pro- 
 cure the sacrament for the societies, looked with a fa- 
 vourable eye upon this new proposition; and, had it taken 
 effect, they would in all probability have been amongst 
 the first to have attained the episcopal office. It could 
 not be carried, however, to the great mortification of 
 several, especially Mr. Mather, who approved of this 
 plan next to that of having an individual, as head, to 
 succeed Mr. Wesley in the government of the commu- 
 nity. Mr. Mather was quite restless on the subject ; 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 19 1 
 
 and in the fear that he might at length contrive some 
 plausible expedient for bringing it into operation, — no 
 matter under what name or form, at first, — Mr. Kilham 
 was led, at the request of others (particularly Mr. Jon. 
 Edmondson,* who, in a lei :>r, urged him strongly on the 
 subject, and offered to assist him,) to animadvert upon 
 Mr. M. in very severe terms, which he was not likely 
 either to forget or forgive; and which, perhaps, may 
 be accounted for and excused from the consideration 
 of Mi*. Kilham being fully convinced that the plan, if 
 adopted, would, either then or ultimately, have a most 
 injurious effect on the Connexion ; and that Mr. Ma- 
 ther's ingenuity and perseverance were such, that he 
 would sooner or later accomplish his object, unless he 
 
 * The following extract from Mr. Edmondson's letter to Mr. Kilham 
 ought to be published, showing, as it does, that some of the most personal 
 strictures, found in his writings, were suggested by others : — " From the 
 first I have opposed, as far as I could, the episcopal scheme, formed by 
 our leading men. Among other objections I had to it, the following 
 weighed much with me: — First, it appeared unscriptural — the words 
 bishop and presbyter being used to express the same office Second, it 
 was not followed in the first ages of Christianity, as Lord King and 
 others have proved to a demonstration. Third, it is downright priest- 
 craft. We must have some kind of external pomp arid show, to keep 
 vulgar minds in awe, is the language of the High-Piiest ; and what so 
 likely to answer this end as the creation of bishops ? They will be looked 
 upon as a kind of demi-gods. Their sayings will be attended to, and 
 their silly dogmas pass into laws, and therefore we must have bishops. 
 Lastly, the men who formed the plan wished to govern with a rod of iron . 
 But shall we be such foois as to put ourselves under their power? lam 
 resolved, the moment bishops are appointed, to bid adieu to the itinerant 
 plan, and become a local preacher. I suspect Mr Mather of having 
 formed the idea long befoie Mr Wesley's death. What else could have 
 induced him to get ordained — first a Deacon; secondly a Priest; and 
 thirdly a Bishop? It is certain he has been a laborious and useful 
 man in the work ; but he has always had something of despotism in his 
 very form and constitution. Bradburn would make as good a bishop as 
 any of them, for he is a liberal soul ; but perhaps his rising to the emi- 
 nence might cramp him, and, therefore, he is better where he is. Jona- 
 than Crowther, I am informed, is going to publish his thoughts upon the 
 subject; and if I am not much mistaken, he will pun- some of them in 
 a tender part. I wish he may flay them till their bones are b.ire. I 
 know no person so fit to whip them as he, except my friend Kilham, 
 who, if he once began, would not only skin them, but would break all 
 their bones. What do you say to it? If you will begin, Til promise to 
 stand by and render you all the service I can ; at any rate, Til pray 
 stoutly for your success. Excuse the freedom of a friend !'* 
 
192 LIFE OF THE 
 
 were at once struck down, and the whole scheme put 
 out of countenance. 
 
 We shall now quote the passage referring to Mr. 
 Mather, from a pamphlet written by Mr. Kilham, and 
 signed " Martin Luther." It was not published until 
 a few months later ; but that portion of it may here be 
 introduced which has connection with the Bishop's plan, 
 and the meeting at Litchfield : — 
 
 " It is impossible to point out any foibles in useful 
 men, without exposing one's self to censure ; but the 
 necessity of the case often sanctifies this disagreeable 
 work. Few men have laboured harder, or been more 
 useful in the Methodist Connexion, than Mr. Mather. 
 God grant that he may always abound in the work of 
 his Divine Master ! While Mr. Wesley lived, he was 
 considered as Prime Minister in our Israel, and many 
 things which Mr. Wesley did, were laid to his account. 
 As Mr. Mather is a Scotchman, it is natural to suppose 
 he was educated in the Presbyterian religion, from his 
 earlv days. Nothing can be more opposite, than the 
 Church of England and the Church of Scotland. The 
 very name of a Bishop, in the latter, is grating in the 
 ears of the people. He was very friendly in helping 
 the Methodists in his own nation, to all the privileges 
 they enjoy. What strange turn his mind took, when 
 he suffered himself to be created a sham Episcopal 
 Methodistical Bishop, is beyond the comprehension of 
 many. This good man, after he had travelled upwards 
 of thirty years, and been very useful in our Connexion, 
 was all at once throw r n into a strange chaos. Gospel 
 ] i«rht — christian experience — presbyterian principles — 
 and hio-h-church notions, like the four elements, were 
 jumbled into one mass; and it took Mr. Wesley and 
 his helpers three days to create from this chaos the 
 following persons : — 1 . Mr. Mather a Deacon. If I am 
 informed right, the business began at five in the morn- 
 ing, and before night, an old travelling preacher was 
 metamorphosed into a Deacon. The office of Deacon 
 is described in the sixth of the Acts, — to receive the 
 collections for the poor — provide for them — serve tables 
 visit and pray with the sick — and occasionally preach, 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 193 
 
 glorious employment, for a man that had run to and fro 
 through the nations, for so many years! — The scriptures 
 say, < He that humbleth himself, shall be exalted !' 
 2. On the second day, Mr. Mather was made a Priest. 
 As none of the ministers of Christ in the New Testa- 
 ment are distinguished by this name, we must have 
 recourse to the Old Testament — read the book of 
 Leviticus. The priest's office was to kill sheep — slay 
 oxen — burn the fat of lambs — offer the ashes of a hei- 
 fer — inspect an old leprous wall, &c, &c. Here we 
 find our worthy friend sent back to the school of the 
 law, and to the covenant of works. But hear him 
 quoting what St. Paul says on this subject: 1. Cor. ix. 
 20. : * And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I 
 might gain the Jews.' Where is the christian minister 
 that would not be circumcised to save that people ? I 
 dare say Mr. Mather would, if he were as old as Abra- 
 ham. — This was a noble day's work ! 3. On the third 
 day, Mr. Mather was made a sham Episcopal Metho- 
 distical Bishop. It was not with an intention to take 
 care of a congregation, or feed the flock of Christ with 
 the sacraments, &c, that he was made a bishop, but to 
 be in readiness to set apart others to these offices, 
 provided the people should become a separate body. 
 He, and another preacher, (whose name I shall not 
 mention, as he took no part in the late disputes,) were 
 made bishops, as a { corps de reserve ;' and were to hold 
 themselves in readiness to come from their obscurity, 
 if they should see it necessary. — Read over, in Mr. 
 Wesley's prayer book, the solemn promises Mr. Ma- 
 ther made upon his knees before God, and enquire 
 whether he has attempted to fulfil them or not. To 
 trifle with such sacred engagements, is what many could 
 not think of, without horror. God loves truth in the 
 inward parts ; and when we promise upon our knees 
 to engage in * duly administering the sacraments,' &c.,' 
 and never attempt to execute our solemn engagements, 
 what can we expect from a 'God that is of purer eyes 
 than to behold iniquity ?' 
 
 "After Mr. Wesley's death, it was supposed by many 
 that he wished, either alone, or with u helper, to tak< 
 
194 LIFE OF THE 
 
 the reins of government, and be a king in our Israel. 
 To prevent this evil, several preachers met at Halifax, 
 and laid the foundation of our present excellent con- 
 stitution. But did not Mr. Mather show evident signs 
 of discontent and mortification, when he found how 
 the business was to be settled, and saw another fill the 
 president's chair? From the Manchester Conference 
 to the Litchfield meeting, did he not oppose the liber- 
 ties of our dissenting brethren, and wish to bind them 
 to the Church for ever ? Do you ask, what made him 
 attend the convention at Litchfield ? Probably to help 
 in dividing the kingdom into dioceses, and ' to cast 
 in his mind,' which would suit him best. It is confi- 
 dently asserted, that had they continued another day in 
 their convention, the magistrates would have taken 
 them up, and seized their papers. It seems, then, their 
 reverences escaped by the skin of their teeth !" 
 
 This passage certainly presses hard upon Mr. Mather, 
 — some will say too hard, in which opinion, consider- 
 ing his age and usefulness, we should freely concur, 
 did we not keep in mind, that, for a long period, even 
 prior to the death of Mr. Wesley, he had shown a de- 
 sire for power to which there seemed to be no limit ; 
 and that, while the measures which he sanctioned, or 
 promoted, tended, in many respects, to gratify this pas- 
 sion, it was admitted that part of them were of very 
 doubtful utility to the cause of religion. Several of the 
 preachers saw and felt this, and feared the consequences: 
 but as his influence in the body was great, the generality 
 dared not to speak out or oppose his proceedings. Mr. 
 Kilham understood the case; and, moreover, he knew 
 that, to make an impression, and frustrate his purposes, 
 which was what he determined to do, he must set aside 
 reserve, and bring every species of artillery which he 
 could muster, to bear upon him. This, too, was evi? 
 dently Mr. Edniondson's opinion, which he illustrates 
 by very intelligible figures of speech in the letter from 
 which an extract is inserted in a previous note. 
 
 The original intention of those who were friendly to 
 the Bishop's plan, was to have it introduced for consi- 
 deration at the approaching Conference: but it had 
 
REV, A. KILHAM. 195 
 
 been so ill received by the Connexion, that nothing 
 was said pointedly on the subject when the preachers 
 met : though in private conversations, its merits were 
 warily canvassed, for the purpose of ascertaining how 
 particular individuals stood affected towards it. The 
 opinion of its advocates, however, was, that it had bet- 
 ter be allowed to stand over for a year, without any 
 discussion being then sought for on the subject. 
 
 The Conference assembled at Bristol in July, 1794; 
 and Mr. Kilham having been appointed at the Aber- 
 deen district meeting to attend in behalf of Scotland — 
 which had the privilege of sending only one member — 
 he had previously to go to London, where a committee 
 or delegation of preachers met to draw up a rough 
 sketch of the stations, and transact other business pre- 
 paratory to the general Conference. On reaching 
 London, he found, assembled from different circuits, a 
 convention of trustees of the High Church party, who 
 had formed a project for preventing the Methodists 
 seceding from the Establishment, or having the 
 Sacrament administered in their own chapels. Their 
 design* was to bring on a separation between the li- 
 beral preachers and those who were for the Church, 
 and, if possible, to prevail on a majority of the 'hundred', 
 whose names were in Mr. Wesley's Poll Deed, to de- 
 clare for the latter, and then to proclaim themselves to 
 be the legal Conference, — and so to assert their right 
 to the pulpits of the chapels throughout the Connexion. 
 If this scheme had succeeded, all, both members and 
 preachers, who would not have agreed to strict terms 
 of union corresponding with the views of the anti-liberal 
 party, must have been cut off from the body. The 
 expedient could not, however, be carried into effect ; 
 but when it is remembered, that such a project was 
 entertained by a large number of trustees, we cannot 
 be surprised at the jealousies and contentions which 
 subsequently prevailed. 
 
 In a letter to Mr. Brackenbury, Mr. Kilham details 
 
 • Mr. Kilham states, in a letter to a friend, that he had his informa- 
 tion from Dr. Whitehead, Mr. Wesley's biographer, who obtained it 
 from some of the trustees that met in London. 
 
 B 2 
 
196 Life of the 
 
 several matters relating both to his journey from Scot- 
 land and to the Conference, which it may be proper to 
 introduce here: — 
 
 " In my journey to Bristol, I stopped a few days in 
 Newcastle, and a few more with my dear wife's rela- 
 tions and friends in Yorkshire. The revival in the 
 latter place was going on gloriously ; and in York and 
 all that neighbourhood, many were flocking to the 
 Lord Jesus. I spent three or four nights in Epworth, 
 with my aged father and brethren. The work of God 
 has been dull in those parts for several years. The 
 society and congregation were remarkably reduced, and 
 every thing looked like winter among them. I found 
 a degree of satisfaction in preaching several times, and 
 they came to hear with very great cheerfulness. Since 
 that time, they have had a change of preachers, and the 
 work is a good deal revived. My aged father has 
 known the grace of God, in truth, upwards of 60 years. 
 He is very much altered, but holds fast his confidence, 
 and appears ripening for eternity. Being threatened 
 with a complaint which is likely to remove him very 
 suddenly, he is apprehensive that the time of his de- 
 parture is at hand. When I took my leave of him, it 
 was a very solemn time. He clasped me in his arms, 
 and wept over me, declaring he should see my face 
 no more on this side of the grave. We all wept, and 
 parted in the spirit of prayer, hoping to meet at last 
 in the kingdom of glory. I spent five days in Lon- 
 don, and was there at the time the convention of trustees 
 met, to alter our plan. I learned from one of their 
 friends the nature and design of their meeting together, 
 which very much grieved my mind. But I prayed and 
 hoped that God would frustrate their intentions. In 
 the meeting of delegates, we had many things talked 
 over, and matters were conducted with great peace and 
 sincere affection, and we got through the rough draft 
 of the stations sooner than was expected." 
 
 After travelling from London to Bristol, Mr. Kilham 
 proceeds to say, — 
 
 " The Conference was going on delightfully, when 
 the trustees from various parts desired liberty to bring 
 
nKV. A. KILHAM. 19'T 
 
 in a paper [requiring, in substance, that the old plan 
 should be strictly adhered to, the sacrament in the chapels 
 
 prohibited, &c] from the convention of trustees that had 
 lately assembled in London. They were admitted into 
 the Conference, and read their proposals to the preach- 
 ers, and left them to be considered by us. This was 
 the beginning of our sorrows. Several warm debates 
 took place on the subject, and the Conference broke 
 up in great confusion that night. I went to my lodg- 
 ings near Portland chapel with a very heavy heart, and 
 spent a good deal of time in prayer, resolving to give 
 myself up to God, and follow his will as far as I could 
 learn it from his word. The matter appeared so very 
 clear to me, that I wondered how any preacher could 
 doubt what to do. If we took the word of God for 
 our rule, we were safe; but if we followed the counsel 
 of men, and leaned to worldly prudence, I saw the 
 spirit of God would be grieved, and we should act 
 contrary to the truth. While I was in this state, I 
 wrote a sheet of post paper on every side, with my 
 thoughts on the subject, in an address to the Confer- 
 ence." 
 
 The address spoken of, which was of a liberal cha- 
 racter, and advocated the concession of the Lord's 
 Supper to those societies in which it was requested, 
 after having been read, was opposed by Mr. Mather* 
 and others, who objected to its being taken into con- 
 sideration, and at length they so far prevailed with 
 Conference as to obtain a vote for its being destroyed. 
 
 A number of petitions were sent to the Conference, 
 as usual, from the societies, for the sacrament ; and 
 several were also presented from trustees against it. 
 A deputation of trustees belonging to Bristol, likewise 
 waited on Conference, with an address containing com- 
 plaints against some of the preachers, who had advocat- 
 ed the administration of the Lord's Supper among the 
 Methodists; and as Mr. Moore, who was put down for 
 
 • In a letter to Mr. J. Edmondson, Mr. Kilham says, — " Mr. Ma- 
 ther told me the next day, in an apology he made for his conduct, th;it 
 he believed the address was true, arid its sentiments just, but for po'iii- 
 eal reasons he saw it necessary to set his foot upon it." 
 
 R 3 
 
M>8 LIFE OF THE 
 
 that circuit, had acted a liberal part, it was requested 
 he might be changed, and another appointed in his 
 place. For the better understanding of what follows, 
 it is necessary to remark, there were three chapels in 
 Bristol at that time, viz., Portland Street, Guinea Street, 
 and Broadmead : the trustees of the two latter were for 
 the old plan of going to Church for the sacrament; but at 
 Portland Street, it was wished for that ordinance to be 
 given to the society. Now, if they could have agreed 
 to have left each other to the guidance of their own con-* 
 sciences, no particular difficulty would have been felt; 
 but unfortunately, in Bristol, as in Newcastle and other 
 places, those who stood up for receiving the sacrament 
 at the Church, could not be content to do so themselves- 
 and leave others who differed from them to partake of 
 it in that way which they most approved ; but they 
 must insist also on their brethren doing exactly as they 
 did. This was the hardship under which a portion of 
 the Methodists laboured? and of which they justly com- 
 plained as an infringement on that liberty which they 
 had a right to enjoy ; they did not wish to interfere 
 with those who thought proper to go to Church, nor 
 with those preachers who objected to administer the 
 sacrament ; — but when their consciences led them 
 to believe they ought to have it in their own chapels^ 
 and they had a preacher who was willing to administer it 
 — they considered it unreasonable, as well as unscriptur- 
 al, for others who had different views, and who were 
 free themselves to act accordingly, to interfere with 
 them, and say — You shall either take the sacrament 
 where we do, or not at all. This was the case at Bris- 
 tol ; and the Hi.oh Church trustees of Guinea Street 
 and Broadmead, being determined to prevent the ordi- 
 nance of the Lord's Supper from being introduced 
 amongst any of the Methodists, when they saw that it 
 was likely to be granted to the Portland Street society, 
 they requested that chapel might be transferred to the 
 Bath Circuit, in order to avoid having any connection 
 with either it or the people. The Conference, however, 
 did not think it expedient to effect this change, but 
 that the administration of the sacrament might be as 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 199 
 
 little offensive as possible to the party who had opposed 
 its introduction among the Methodists, Mr. Vasey, then 
 a circuit preacher, but who had been ordained in Amer- 
 ica, and afterwards served a curacy in the Established 
 Church in England, and who was consequently a regular 
 clergyman, was appointed to administer the ordinance 
 in Portland Street chapel. Mr. Moore had also leave 
 granted to assist Mr. Vasey in giving the Lord's Sup- 
 per, but the trustees did not know of this at the time 
 they acquiesced in the compromise. 
 
 It should have be observed, that the Bristol Conference 
 relaxed, in some degree, the rule respecting the sacra- 
 ment which had existed the previous year; and, instead 
 of requiring complete unanimity, it was agreed "that the 
 Lord's Supper shall not be administered in future, 
 where the union and concord of the society can be pre- 
 served without it." If this did not realize Mr. Brad- 
 burn's expectation, who, in his letter to Mr. Kilham, 
 said he hoped a simple majority of the society would 
 be empowered to determine the matter, still the altera- 
 tion was much in favour of liberty. 
 
 On the first Sunday alter Conference, Dr. Coke, 
 who had not yet departed from Bristol, administered 
 the sacrament at Portland Street chapel — and was as- 
 sisted by Mr. Moore, which the trustees of Guinea 
 Street and Broadmead being informed of, their soli- 
 citor was instructed to write a letter to Mr. Moore on 
 the following day, prohibiting him from preaching in 
 either of those places; and soon after, the trustees of 
 Portland Street retaliated upon Mr. Benson, another 
 preacher who had identified himself with the Church 
 party, by forbidding him to enter the pulpit of that 
 chapel. A division in the Bristol society than took place, 
 when about 300 members left, headed by Mr. Benson, 
 Mr. Rodda, and Mr. Vasey, and the trustees of the 
 two chapels before mentioned. These occurrences soon 
 becoming known throughout the Connexion, produced 
 a commotion in the body greater than had existed at 
 any previous period, and were the occasion of more 
 than fifty pamphlets and circulars being printed ; and 
 meetings without number were held for the purpose of 
 
ZOO LIFE OF THE 
 
 supporting or condemning the conduct of the trustees, 
 according to the views taken by parties by the adminis- 
 tration of the sacrament. In the controversy which was 
 carried on, the preachers who assisted the High Church 
 trustees of Broadmead and Guinea Street, were princi- 
 pally Messrs. Benson, Rodda, Vasey, Mather, and 
 Thompson. Those on the opposite side, were Dr. 
 Coke, and Messrs. Bradburn, Pawson, Moore, Crowther, 
 and Kilham. After the dispute had reached its height. 
 a special district meeting was held, and resolutions, ex- 
 pressed in strong terms of condemnation, were entered 
 into against the conduct of Mr. Benson, the other 
 preachers who had acted in conjunction with him in the 
 Bristol affair, and the trustees. Two new chapels were 
 also commenced building in the room of the two from 
 which Mr. Moore had been excluded. On the other hand, 
 a correspondencewas opened with nearly all the trustees 
 in the kingdom, to request their co-operation with the 
 Bristol plan, and Mr. Benson wrote individually to "the 
 hundred" preachers, to ascertain if a majority were 
 on his side, with a view, no doubt, of prevailing on 
 them to act in his behalf under the Deed of Declara- 
 tion. It was also proposed to hold an extraordinary 
 Conference immediately on the subject, but many of 
 the preachers objected, and on further consideration 
 it was abandoned : as the Poll Deed only authorised 
 one yearly meeting, which would have rendered the 
 acts of any intermediate Conference void ; the assem- 
 bling therefore would have been useless, as well as ex- 
 pensive. 
 
 The Bristol controversy, about which so much was 
 written and said at the time, involved this question : — In 
 cases where societies wished to have the sacrament, (as, 
 indeed, any other privilege which the preachers were 
 willing to grant,) had the trustees the power to hinder 
 its bestowal ? — The affirmative being maintained by the 
 trustees in question, who contended they had authority 
 to prevent any alteration being made in the plan as 
 left bv Mr. Wesley, the struggle was against this as- 
 sumed prerogative. Those preachers who held High 
 Church principles, such as Mr* Mather and Mr. Benson, 
 
REV. A. KII.HAM. 201 
 
 supported the trustees in making this claim, and 
 tor the moment appeared as if they could be content 
 for them to exercise a kind of absolute sovereignty in 
 the Connexion; while those who advocated the sacra- 
 ment being si ven to the societies, resisted the trustee- 
 power, and called upon the body at large to aid them in 
 opposing the attempted encroachment upon their chris- 
 tian privileges. It is curious to contrast the language 
 used during this conflict by several of the preachers on 
 the liberal side, in reference to the rights of the people, 
 with their conduct afterwards, when the ascendancy of 
 the trustees had ceased to be a subject of apprehen- 
 sion. Mr. Pawson, for example, published a pamphlet, 
 dated Jan. 20, 1T95, containing the following passages, 
 with others equally strong. Addressing the people, he 
 says, — 
 
 " You have not only built our chapels, but you bear 
 every burden of a temporal kind. Why, then, should 
 you be excluded from having a proper share in the 
 government, or at least in the regulation of the Church 
 of God ? Can a few trustees be your representatives ? 
 Are your consciences to be wholly subject to their 
 will ? Do you not know, that, as to many of them, 
 their judgment stands directly opposed to your's? Can 
 even the preachers be your representatives, so as to de- 
 cide absolutely tor you in things not enjoined of God ? 
 They are your servants for Christ's sake, and I trust a 
 very great majority are willing to comply with your 
 wishes, and to serve you in every thing which tends to 
 the glory of God, and your soul's salvation. But others 
 of them differ in judgment from you ; therefore you 
 must maintain your freedom, and assert your right to 
 every ordinance of God." 
 
 u At any rate, brethren, keep your liberty. If you 
 think it not safe to trust the Conference with your spiri- 
 tual privileges, then, in the name of the Lord, I intreat 
 you to keep them in your own power, and insist upon 
 it, whenever it shall so happen that any consider- 
 able number of your society shall wish either to have 
 preaching in Church hours, or the sacrament in your 
 own chapels, that your assistant shall call the trustees, 
 
292 LIFE OF THE 
 
 lenders, stewards, and local preachers in that circuit 
 together, and these shall take the matter into serious 
 consideration. And if it shall appear to a majority of 
 them, that it would be most for the glory of God, 
 either to have the one or the other, or both, then in 
 God's name let it be so. Or if this method do not 
 meet with your approbation, then let your whole society 
 assemble together, and consider the matter as in the 
 presence of God ; and if it shall be found agreeable to 
 the majority that you shall have the above privileges, 
 let it be done accordingly. And let this christian and 
 brotherly method be always taken, in order to make 
 known your mind to the Conference. Remember, O 
 ye Methodists ! that the reign of popery is past and 
 gone ; let it never be restored to you under any 
 shape or name. In the name of him who bought you 
 with his blood, maintain the rights and liberties of your 
 own consciences." 
 
 It is exceedingly probable, that, while apprehensive 
 of being brought under the controul of trustees, there 
 was, on the part of several of the leading preachers 
 who afterwards resisted all overtures of that kind, a 
 serious intention of dividing the power with the people. 
 Mr. Pawson must have been prepared for some such 
 result, when he wrote the pamphlet from which we 
 have just quoted. Dr. Coke, too, in a letter to Mr. 
 Kilham, which was sent with some propositions for an 
 arrangement with the Bristol trustees, and for securing 
 peace to the societies, had evidently an impression that 
 justice required certain changes to be made, which 
 w r ould admit the laity to a participation of the power 
 previously enjoyed by the preachers — though it would 
 seem the Doctor was for surrendering as little as pos- 
 sible. The following is an extract from his letter : — 
 
 " In respect to the 2nd article, — religious liberty 
 requires that the people or their representatives 
 should have some negative in respect to their ministers. 
 Hitherto, we have been, since the death of Mr. Wes- 
 ley, the most perfect aristocracy, perhaps, existing on 
 the face of the earth. The people have had no power : 
 we, the ivhole, in the fullest sense that can be conceived. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 203 
 
 If there be a change in favour of religious liberty, 
 the people certainly should have some power. Less 
 than what is offered them in this article, it appears to 
 me they cannot have. And, indeed, what preacher 
 would wish, or at least ought to wish, to labour in a 
 circuit, where the majority of the trustees, leaders, and 
 stewards disapproved of him ? The little power given 
 in this instance to the trustees, is, I think, no more 
 than they have a claim to ; as we cannot do without 
 men who will be responsible for our debts, and we are 
 very much obliged to them for becoming responsible : 
 and their votes, when united to the stewards and leaders 
 of the whole circuit, become (of consequence) of small 
 weight in so numerous an assembly." 
 
 The various discussions which were promoted in con- 
 sequence of these misunderstandings, though in many 
 respects to be regretted, had, however, the effect of calling 
 attention generally to the constitution of Methodism; and 
 it was admitted by almost every one, that some further 
 regulations, and a better arrangement of the system, were 
 required, to secure its peace and permanent prosperity. 
 
 Mr. Kilham had no sooner returned to Aberdeen, 
 than he was made acquainted with the disputes which 
 had arisen out of the Bristol case ; and being so imme- 
 diately connected with the rights of conscience, thev 
 soon engaged his attention, as well as that of other 
 preachers at a distance from the place where the con- 
 test originated. He wrote a small pamphlet in Novem- 
 ber, and signed it " Aquila and Priscilla," detailing the 
 particulars of the difference which had occurred, the 
 principles involved therein, and the conduct proper to 
 be adopted under existing circumstances: this piece 
 was pronounced by many to be the best and clearest 
 statement that had been written on the subject. 
 
 In sending forth this publication, while Mr. Kilham, 
 as appears from his private diary, piously wished it 
 might be useful, he had his fears, in connection with 
 past experience, that, so far as regarded himself, the 
 effect might be unpleasant. Under this impression, lie 
 prayed as follows : — " Pity, O Lord ! the distracted 
 state oi' our Connexion ; break the influence of those 
 
204 LIFE OF THE 
 
 that would lord it over the consciences of others, and 
 let the present struggle end in our people having liber- 
 to worship Thee according to the direction of Thy 
 word. Thou hast blessed my former attempts in this 
 cause — bless the letter I have written, and make it 
 answer the end intended : let it be read without pre- 
 judice — let it appear that Thou standest by to defend 
 the truth, and all glory shall be ascribed to Thee. I 
 am content to suffer insult and abuse, as I have former- 
 ly done, — only let popish arts be banished from our 
 Connexion, and I am willing to bear the consequences. 
 Do Thou disappoint the expectations of those who 
 would oppress us ; and let their system be broken as 
 far as it is opposed to Thy will." 
 
 While Mr. Kilham was so much engaged in promot- 
 ing the cause of liberty amongst the societies generally, 
 he was not negligent of those more immediate duties 
 which belonged to his office as a Methodist preacher ; 
 and these he performed with a zeal and diligence which 
 were equalled by few, and which gained him appro- 
 bation in the circuits where he laboured. As a proof 
 of this it may be stated, that during the last winter he 
 was in Scotland, which was more severe than the oldest 
 inhabitant could remember, when his horse could not 
 travel on account of the depth of the snow — instead of 
 making this an excuse for staying at home, and leaving 
 the country parts until the season was more favourable 
 — he travelled the circuit on foot as well as he could, 
 and almost at the hazard of losing his life, rather 
 than the places should be without their regular supply 
 of preaching. It is under such circumstances as these 
 that a minister's energy of character, and his regard 
 for the spiritual welfare of souls, are put to the test; and 
 when thus tried, Mr. Kilham was never found to be 
 deficient. 
 
 If Mr. Kilham's general temper and disposition were 
 to be judged of by the severity of some parts of his 
 controversial writings, he would be much wronged. 
 His love of liberty, the sternness of his moral principles, 
 and the indignation which filled his mind when he 
 saw any conduct which he deemed inconsistent in 
 
 A 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 205 
 
 christians, more especially christian ministers, or incom- 
 patible with the golden rule, which requires the reci- 
 procal rights of men to be respected, sometimes made 
 him lash the offenders with an almost unsparing hand; 
 yet his nature was replete with kindness, and those 
 who knew him intimately — even if they differed from 
 him in opinion — had a great respect for him on account 
 of his piety, and the sterling worth of his character. 
 Apart from the excellent remarks which it contains, the 
 following letter to his brother Simon, on the death of 
 his wife, ought to be given, to shew the affection which 
 Mr. Kilham bore to his relatives, and his sympathising 
 spirit towards them when under affliction : — 
 
 Aberdeen, iSt/i February, 1795. 
 My Dear Brother, 
 
 Last night, about 10 o'clock, we received my father's 
 letter, in which we had the melancholy account of the 
 death of your dear partner. You may be sure we felt very 
 keenly for you ; and poured out our souls to God for bless- 
 ing upon you and the dear children she has left behind. 
 Our fervent and constant addresses to the throne of grace 
 shall be continued in your behalf; and may the God who 
 hears the cry of the needy, grant you such supplies of spiri- 
 tual blessings and temporal mercies, that you may rejoice 
 with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 
 
 Several circumstances led me to suppose when I saw her, 
 that she would not be long an inhabitant of this world. She 
 appeared much more spiritual than I had formerly seen her ; 
 and was conscious of her approaching dissolution. When 
 I spoke to her about eternal things, she told me, with tears, 
 that she was soon to quit this mournful vale, and seemed 
 assured that I should see her no more in this liie. Her 
 children lay near her heart, but she appeared to have power 
 to give up all to him who died for her and rose again I 
 have no doubt but since that time, her happy spirit has been 
 ripening for eternity ; and she would endeavour to set her 
 house in order, that when her Lord called she might have 
 nothing to do but to rest in his kingdom. The very pros- 
 pect of a future state would animate her soul to seek to be 
 found in Christ without spot and blameless ; and as her de- 
 parture was not sudden, she would have oppotunity to trim 
 her lamp, and make ready to meet her glorious bridegroom 
 
206 LIFE OF THE 
 
 This would reconcile her to every thing she met with in the 
 valley of the shadow of death. 
 
 Dr. Heath, in a funeral sermon he preached, observes, 
 there is something very awful in sudden death, provided we 
 are prepared for it. Jf we could have our choice to leave 
 the world in a gentle, easy manner, it would be much more 
 agreeable, than going in a moment from a state of health to 
 the right hand of God, This opinion has been adopted by 
 many. There is something so reasonable in it, and at the 
 same time so consonant to our feelings, that such a death 
 seems most desirable. But as our life is in the hand of 
 God, it is our duty to leave every thing to him. If he should 
 call us in a moment to appear at his bar, if we are only 
 found meet for the inheritance of the saints in light, we shall 
 die happy and be for ever with the Lord. 
 
 Mr. Whitfield prayed for a sudden death, and was heard 
 in that which he requested. But he was such an holy, 
 exemplary follower of the Lord Jesus, that death could 
 hardly at any time find him unprepared for glory, after his 
 conversion to God. And the very nature of his disorder, 
 often induced him to expect that his death would be sudden 
 as well as glorious. Very few persons are of his mind in 
 this matter. I apprehend, we should be careful 1o have a 
 meetness wrought in our souls, that whether the Lord come 
 suddenly, or give us intimation of his approach, we may be 
 ready to join the blessed spirits around his throne, and be 
 happy for ever. 
 
 You, my dear brother, have many things that should bear 
 up your spirit in this trying dispensation. The Lord suf- 
 fered jou to live many years together, enjoying many tem- 
 poral advantages in the midst of little difficulties. 1. You 
 have found the Lord your God to bless you in your basket 
 and in your store in your going out, and in your coming in, 
 2. God Almighty called you both at the same time to seek 
 his face ; you started together in the race set before you. 
 Since that time (though you may have many things to 
 humble you before the Lord Jesus) you have gone together 
 to the house of God ; you have taken sweet counsel to- 
 gether in the w ay of life and peace ; and mingled your 
 prayers before the throne of grace for blessings on yourselves, 
 and on all that have been united with you. 3. Both your 
 relatives have been a blessing to you in different respects. 
 You have received many mercies from those that were near 
 to her j and she has been blessed by being united to our 
 
ftEV. A. KILIiAM. 207 
 
 Family. 4. By the blessing of God upon your mutual endea- 
 vours, you have increased considerably in the things of this 
 life, since you came together. 5. God has given you several 
 lovely children, which are likely to be a comfort to you in 
 your widowhood. 6. You were suitably warned of the ap- 
 proaching dissolution of your dear partner. You had time 
 to prepare for the solemn event. This would not hinder you 
 from wishing the continuance of her life, with submission to 
 the will of your heavenly Father ; but you would see the 
 inefficacy of your prayers, and be constrained to prepare for 
 what has happened. This great privilege would induce you 
 to make a freewill offering of your own flesh and blood 
 to the Lord, that he might grant her full salvation. 7. Her. 
 happy death cannot fail to lead you, in your distress, to jus- 
 fy the conduct of the Lord our God. She has done with 
 fhis present evil world— her soul has been conveyed by an- 
 gels into Abraham's bosom —she is become an inhabitant of 
 Paradise— she retires from all her labours and exercises to 
 that glorious place where the wicked cease from troubling, and 
 where the weary are at rest — she will be led to living foun- 
 tains of water, and God will wipe away all tears from her eyes 
 for ever. You may be sure she has not a desire to be again 
 involved in the cares of this life, but rejoices in the happy 
 change that has taken place. Perhaps she has found several 
 of her own relations, and our dear mother, and they are joy- 
 fully declaring to each other what miracles of mercy the 
 Lord has wrought out for them. May we prepare to follow 
 after, that whenever the Lord shall call, we may mount up 
 to join them in singing the praise of redeeming love for ever 
 and ever. 8. Though you are left with several children, you 
 have many things to comfort you in this respect. You have 
 plenty to supply their little wants ; yet how many families 
 are left destitute of every thing but poverty and wretched- 
 ness since the commencement of the war. But you have 
 everything that could make your little ones comfortable and 
 happy. Besides, you have kind friends, who will either take 
 your children beneath the shadow of their wing, or will 
 endeavour to help you to bear up beneath the weight of your 
 troubles. 
 
 Now, put these things together, and see if there be not 
 every reason in the world for you to say, — ** It is the Lord, 
 let him do as seemeth him good." While you sorrow accord- 
 ing to the nature of your loss, let hope bear up your spirit, 
 and induce you to follow the Lord Jesus faithfully, in the 
 
 s 2 
 
208 LIFE OF THE 
 
 regeneration. Not to feel in such a state would be stoicism, 
 which is a disgrace to religion ; but to give up yourself to ex- 
 cessive distress, would be equally contrary to the will of God. 
 Let the Lord be your refuge, and he will put underneath you 
 the everlasting arms of his mercy. He will not suffer you to 
 be tempted above what you are able to bear; but will, with 
 the temptation, make a way for your escape. 
 
 My dear wife truly sympathises with you, and joins me 
 in love to our father, yourself, brothers and sisters. 
 
 God bless you, and keep you for ever, 
 
 Your's affectionately, 
 
 A. KlLHAM. 
 
 Early in 1795, Mr. Kilham printed a circular, ad- 
 dressed to the preachers, signed " Martin Luther," 
 which attracted more attention than any thing which 
 he had previously published. This epistle, which oc- 
 cupied seven quarto pages, was written at the sugges- 
 tion of some of his brethren, who, in their letters, had 
 expressed a wish that he would undertake to expose 
 and counteract a plan of ordination, then in favour with 
 several of the leading men, which would class the Me- 
 thodist preachers into bishops, priests, and deacons, 
 in imitation of the clerical orders in the Church of 
 England. Having already made an extract from this 
 piece, of what applied personally to Mr. Mather, it 
 will only be necessary to state further, that Mr. Kil- 
 ham's object was, to advocate a simple primitive kind 
 of dedication to the office of the ministry, not pom- 
 pously performed, but in a manner comporting with the 
 responsibility of the parties, and the solemn duties they 
 would have to perform for the souls of men. For this 
 purpose, " Martin Luther" gives a summary of Lord 
 Chancellor King's Treatise on the Constitution of the 
 Church during the first three centuries; he then sketches 
 the Methodist plan, and compares its institutions with 
 the synods, councils, &c, of the primitive church ; and, 
 finally, he shows, that, with a few alterations, which would 
 admit of the lay members co-operating more fully with 
 the ministry, the system had no need of such "bishops" 
 as were proposed to be appointed; but, with its present 
 ministers, it was capable of fulfilling all the purposes 
 
RKV\ A. KILHAM. 209 
 
 required in the scriptures. The appropriation of the 
 signature of the great German reformer was quite in 
 keeping with the contents of this letter; — the style of 
 " Martin Luther" being bold and uncompromising in the 
 highest degree; showing, as was observed by several of 
 Mr. Kilham's brethren, who expressed their approbation 
 of his performance, the writer to be fearlessly resolved 
 to maintain the truth, at whatever cost, or whoever 
 might be opposed thereunto. The annexed informa- 
 tion is from Mr. Kilham's memorandum, made shortly 
 after " Martin Luther" had been sent to the preachers 
 throughout the Connexion : — 
 
 u By several letters from different friends, I am in- 
 formed Mr. Mather is expected to be very severe on 
 me at the next Conference. If he and his coadjutors 
 resolve to bring me to an account, I trust I shall not 
 be destitute of that help from God, that I have found 
 on other occasions ; I hope God will open the eyes of 
 all our societies to see and claim their privileges, and 
 not suffer any attempts to deprive them of these to 
 prosper. May he break in pieces all undue influence, 
 and cause his spiritual blessings to rest upon us ; and 
 may he baffle the schemes of those that would hinder 
 the people from having liberty of conscience, that his 
 work may prosper in all our societies. I had also a 
 comfortable letter from Mr. Thomas Taylor, who 
 approves of my circulars, and still seems determined to 
 promote the glory of God, — he has been bold and 
 courageous in defending the liberties of the people. 
 The same day brought me an agreeable letter from Mr. 
 Bradburn ; he too appears determined to stand by the 
 truth. There are several remarks in his letter on civil 
 and religious liberty, breathing a good and generous 
 spirit, and shewing that he is still for promoting the 
 interests of the people, who are struggling for liberty. 
 I have, however, received a letter from Mr. Smith, of 
 Newcastle, who informs me, that, notwithstanding Mr. 
 Bradburn's pretences, he is turned to the other side. 
 Should this be so, he will not draw his friends with 
 him: most of whom will condemn his conduct, how- 
 ever they may be pleased with his abilities." 
 
 S3 
 
210 Life of the 
 
 The letter from Mr. Bradburn, just mentioned, is 
 before us, and it is proper to insert a passage or two 
 on the subject alluded to, with Mr. Kilham's answer : 
 
 Frome, April 11, 1795. 
 My Bear Brother, 
 
 # «• * * 
 
 I think with you that the schemes of the Trustee party 
 will be frustrated. The people in our societies will vindicate 
 their rights, and convince their would-be-masters of their 
 error. Indeed, I am so sure that religious liberty will soon 
 become universal, that I have no fears on this occasion. I 
 rather feel disposed to break the fall of honest bigots, and 
 let them down as gently as possible. * * * 
 
 I am quite diverted with your caricatures of the gentle* 
 men you bring forward in your letter; and though you are a 
 sad fellow, yet, I hope when you come upon the mercy of 
 your peers, you will have a good deliverance. My being 
 here, prevented your receiving my answer in time for your dis- 
 trict meeting. I wonder why you have it so soon ; however, 
 as I have nothing new to offer, it wont signify. 
 
 We have a negoeiation on the carpet ; but how it will turn 
 out, I know not. We must not divide — a division would 
 be horrible ! When we meet, please God, I will tell you 
 many things about our affairs in this quarter, which will 
 make you stare. Fear not my firmness to the side 1 have 
 espoused, and endeavoured to help forward. I am at work- 
 but my agents are at Manchester, &c. I find this the most 
 likely method to gain my point. I will do all J can, con- 
 sistent with our keeping together, to have religious liberty ; 
 but I will, for the present, give up a good deal, rather than 
 divide the body. We have really nothing to fear; the 
 people are the radix of all power in our connexion, and 
 they are not to be trifled with any longer. All in Bristol is 
 in statu quo. I have reasons for keeping away from there 
 nil our district meeting, which will be on the 26th of May. 
 I am, as ever, your's affectionately, 
 
 S. Bradburn. 
 
 Aberdeen, 9th May, 1 795. 
 My very Dear Sir, 
 Your last letter was kindly and thankfully received. 
 Every thin^ that comes from your pen, is to me like the 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 211 
 
 shadow of a great rock in a weary land. I hope our Con- 
 nexion will not be divided. 
 
 The work of your agents at Manchester came to hand, 
 when we met our district last month. We thought at the 
 time, it was too much for any of them to accomplish. It 
 will be attended with infinite advantage to our cause. The 
 texts of Scripture, as mottos, are yours; and every thing that 
 is material in the letters. * * * * 
 
 I stop the press to insert a passage which I have received 
 in a letter from England ; but 1 am determined not to be- 
 lieve it, unless it be afterwards supported by incontestible 
 evidence. " Have you heard of Mr. Bradburn's changing 
 sides, and going over to the other party ? This will strength- 
 en their interests much, but no power can stand against 
 Omnipotence. The Lord will laugh them to scorn. God 
 will have them in derision." If God has forsaken you, and 
 suffered the devil to lead you captive at his will, then this 
 might be true. But your last to me speaks a different lan- 
 guage. I apprehend some rider, which you describe in your 
 sermon on " Ministers being the Messengers of Churches/' 
 has been at the place where my friend wrote from, emptying 
 his store of slander, to prevent our confidence in you. It is 
 impossible that our general should fly till they have sub- 
 dued him. If in any unguarded hour a temptation of this 
 nature should have presented itself, you would have spurned 
 it in the name of the Lord. 
 
 I apprehend you have not been so warm as some democrat 
 wished you to be, and this has opened his mouth to revile 
 and persecute you : should the wicked have laid a snare, and 
 even entangled you a few moments, you would soon 
 burst your cords, and rise superior to their power. * * 
 
 Though I have named the report, and made a few obser- 
 vations upon it, I still hope better things of you ; and should 
 think it very wicked to believe any thing that would in the 
 least injure your worthy character. You will pardon the 
 liberty I have taken, and if you have time, give me a few lines 
 before I set out for the Conference. 
 
 I am appointed delegate to help in drawing up the rough 
 plan of stationing, and hope to see you in that meeting, and 
 be edified as usual with your heavenly remarks. 
 
 Peace and blessings attend you for ever ! 
 
 I am, your affectionate servant, 
 
 Allxr. Kilham. 
 
212 LIFE OF THE 
 
 There is no record of Mr. Bradburn having made 
 any reply to this letter ; and it is probable the corres- 
 pondence between him and Mr. Kilham here terminated ; 
 which will not be surprising, when it is added, that 
 the report of his having changed sides was soon con- 
 firmed by his subsequent conduct; and a few months 
 later, Mr. Grant, who was stationed at Bath with Mr. 
 Bradburn, in a letter to Mr. Kilham, has the following 
 passage respecting him: — "My bishop (Bradburn) 
 is your mortal enemy. He exclaims against you and 
 your books ; but I tell the people to read and judge for 
 themselves." 
 
 The first question which naturally arises in the mind, 
 in regard to the conduct of Mr. Bradburn, who, after 
 having said so much in favour of liberty, and in approv- 
 al of Mr. Kilham's principles, had now turned round 
 against him, is, — What could be the cause of so complete 
 a change ? An answer will partly be obtained from a 
 communication made in a letter from Mr. Jon. Crow- 
 ther to Mr. Kilham, stating, that the leading preachers, 
 by taking different sides on the Bristol case, and in other 
 matters, had found, that instead of being likely to ac- 
 complish their respective objects, they had only been the 
 means of weakening each other's influence over the Con- 
 nexion; and that, if they did not come to some agree- 
 ment amongst themselves, by accommodating each 
 other, the consequence would be that they would lose 
 a great portion of their power. Mr. Mather, with his 
 usual sagacity, first discovered this, and was disposed to 
 apply a remedy, which Mr. Crowther thus describes : — 
 " Mather, after having found his weakness at the 
 Manchester district meeting, has adopted another plan. 
 He has drawn up a very mild, pious, plaintive letter, 
 addressed to both parties in Bristol, telling them how 
 much he loves them all; what a sad thing it will be if 
 they continue asunder, and if the Connexion be divided 
 by them ; and desiring them to have a day of fasting 
 and prayer — to appoint a number of persons of each 
 party to negociate a reconciliation, &c. And he has 
 got Mr. Pavvson to sign it along with him." 
 
 This proposal, originating professedly in the purest 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 213 
 
 affection, and having peace and concord for its ostensi- 
 ble objects, was, at least in part, successful. Several meet- 
 ings took place, in consequence, between the preachers 
 who had ranged themselves on opposite sides in the 
 Bristol affair, when each party was greatly softened 
 down by the interviews which they had with each other] 
 and at the ensuing Conference, the plan of accommo- 
 dation assumed the form of " Articles of Pacification" 
 which were then adopted. From this time, Mr. Kilham 
 not only ceased to have the assistance of several of 
 the leading men, who had previously acted with him, in 
 endeavouring to effect certain alterations in the Con- 
 nexion favourable to the liberty of the societies, but 
 they threw the weight of their influence into the other 
 scale, and became, to all intents and purposes, identifi- 
 ed with Mr. Mather and his party— leaving Mr. Kil- 
 ham, so far as regarded the preachers, to maintain the 
 conflict almost single-handed. The generality of readers 
 will be ready at once to ascribe this defection, on the 
 part of Mr. Bradburn and others, to instability, or the 
 want of principle ; but, on a full investigation of the 
 circumstances which governed their conduct, we feel 
 inclined to furnish another solution to this problem, 
 which we shall proceed to give as briefly as possible. 
 
 It must be kept in remembrance, that, at the death 
 of Mr. Wesley, there were, if we may so express it, 
 four different interests connected with Methodism ; — 
 1st. the Established Church, to which the cause was an 
 auxiliary ; 2nd. the preachers ; 3rd. the trustees ; and 
 4th. the members of society generally. As to the 
 position of each class, in regard to authority, the people 
 were not recognised as having any power — the trustees 
 had influence in respect of chapels — the preachers sat 
 alone in Conference, made laws, and governed the so- 
 cieties — and the Church of England was looked up to 
 for the administration of the sacrament. 
 
 Let us now advert to the first subject of contention 
 which occurred after Mr. Wesley's decease, viz., the 
 sacrament, which the liberal party maintained ought to 
 be received by the Methodists in their own chapels, 
 and at the hands of their own preachers. In advocating 
 
214 LIFE OF THE 
 
 this change, Mr. Kilham's object was to add to the 
 privileges of the societies — whereas, as it afterwards 
 appeared, others, who co-operated with him, chiefly 
 intended thereby, in opposition to the clergy, to assert 
 the qualification of the Methodist preachers to adminis- 
 ter the sacrament, as well as to preach the gospel ; 
 and by that means they, in fact, endeavoured to extend 
 their own authority. Hence we see these preachers 
 labouring with Mr. Kilham in the same cause, but for 
 reasons very different from his. The privilege of the 
 members constituted the actuating principle in his mind, 
 but with others this was an accidental circumstance, 
 while their paramount motive was to magnify their own 
 office. Religous liberty were the common watchwords ; 
 but, when used by Mr. Kilham, they meant that enfran- 
 chisement to which the members of all churches are enti- 
 tled ; while, in the minds of some of his fellow-labourers, 
 they merely signified that the Methodist preachers had 
 as good a right to administer the Lord's Supper as any 
 other class of ministers, the clergymen of the Establish- 
 ed Church not excepted. 
 
 The next controversy in the Connexion arose out of 
 the conduct of the trustees at Bristol, who had taken 
 upon themselves to exclude a preacher from two chapels, 
 because he had assisted in the administration of the 
 sacrament, contrary to their wishes. By this act, they 
 stood alike in opposition to Conference, which had 
 granted leave for the Lord's Supper to be administer- 
 ed by Mr. Moore, and to the people, whom they en- 
 deavoured to deprive of an important ordinance. Mr. 
 Kilham wrote against these trustees, because they had 
 encroached upon the christian liberty of the members. 
 Dr. Coke, and Messrs. Bradburn, Pawson, Taylor, 
 &c, agreed with Mr. Kilham, and commended him 
 in the highest degree for what he did on this occa- 
 sion ; but on their part it was through fear that the 
 trustees' authority, if unchecked, would compete with 
 their own, and perhaps obtain the ascendency. In 
 this dispute, the people were earnestly called upon by 
 Mr. Pawson to come forward to resist tyranny, and 
 maintain their liberties against the trustees ; and, as 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 215 
 
 before stated, in the words of Dr. Coke and other 
 preachers, it was admitted, during the panic which the 
 trustees had occasioned, that the societies ought to have 
 greater power in the Connexion than they had hitherto 
 possessed. But when an arrangement with the trustees 
 was proposed, and all apprehension from them had ceased, 
 nothing more was said respecting the claims of the socie- 
 ties ; and most of those preachers, who had been crying 
 up the rights of the people, when they wanted their aid to 
 build new chapels, and otherwise to resist the Bristol 
 trustees, became silent, and they wished all discussion on 
 the subject to be put an end to. Now it seems to be ra- 
 tional to conclude, from the foregoing facts, that many of 
 the preachers who had used the name of liberty, and who 
 had ostensibly connected themselves with the cause of 
 reform, had, during the whole struggle, only sought 
 to be invested with official authority to administer the 
 sacrament, or to put down the trustees who had rebel- 
 led against Conference; and, as soon as these objects 
 were accomplished, their work was done. But Mr. 
 Kilham had throughout engaged in a more extensive 
 and patriotic undertaking, which was, to place the laity 
 in the Connexion on a similar footing with the mem- 
 bers of all other Protestant churches, by obtaining 
 for them a participation in the making and executing 
 of the laws of the Methodist body. It is probable that 
 Mr. Bradburn and the other preachers, who now turned 
 their backs upon Mr. Kilham, never had such an end 
 in view ; and consequently, when Mr. K.'s avowed ob- 
 ject was to reduce the absolute power of the preachers, 
 by granting a portion to the people, in accordance 
 with the wise provisions of the best governments, both 
 spiritual and secular, for the mutual satisfaction of all 
 parties, as well as for the purpose of preventing abuses 
 — the men who had hitherto been his co-adjutors 
 and friends, fell off, and became his enemies. This 
 construction of the case seems natural, and explains 
 what otherwise is nearly unaccountable in the con- 
 duct of several of the leading preachers towards Mr. 
 Kilham. But if, in the preceding statement, we admit 
 there might be no absolute dereliction of principle, 
 
216 LIFE OF THE 
 
 their intention throughout having been different from 
 his — it is not so easy to acquit them of having acted 
 towards him with great disingenuousness, and personal 
 unkindness ; as they could hardly help knowing that his 
 main purpose was, all along, to carry out a plan for 
 giving a share of legislative power to the societies; yet, 
 while availing themselves of his services, so long as thev 
 found them useful in promoting the particular measures 
 which they wished to secure, they never communicated 
 to him that they could not go the full length to which 
 he intended to proceed ; but as soon as their own de- 
 signs were fulfilled, they at once deserted him, and 
 eventually promoted his expulsion. Whether this 
 construction of the proceedings and motives of the 
 parties alluded to, and implicated in the charge of hav- 
 ing unworthily sacrificed Mr. Kilham, be correct or 
 otherwise, it is the most charitable that suggests itself, 
 and for that reason we are disposed to adopt it. In 
 this place we say nothing of the subsequent conduct of 
 the preachers towards Mr. Kilham, since many addi- 
 tional particulars will have to be given in the account 
 of his trial, as well as after he had been cut off from 
 the Connexion ; — we may therefore pass on at present 
 to other topics. 
 
 As the time for holding the Conference in Manches- 
 ter approached, Mr. Kilham prepared to attend it, and 
 to take his final leave of Scotland, where he had la- 
 boured during three years. In order to avoid breaking 
 in upon details referring to public matters, we have 
 omitted mentioning, in the present chapter, one or two 
 things of a personal and domestic character, respect- 
 ing Mr. Kilham and his family, which may now be 
 introduced. 
 
 Shortly after being stationed at Aberdeen, Mrs. 
 Kilham's health, in consequence of going abroad too 
 soon after a premature confinement, became so much 
 impaired as to threaten the speedy termination of her 
 life, which was a cause of great anxiety to him, especi- 
 ally amidst his many important undertakings. Her 
 affliction was the more distressing, both to him and 
 herself, as it often affected her nerves so as to produce 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 217 
 
 mental grief and perplexity almost amounting to 
 distraction. This rendered it no small trial for Mr, 
 Kilham to be obliged to leave her to fulfil his engage- 
 ments in the circuit, and at Conference ; yet such were 
 her piety and zeal, that in her most painful state she 
 would not hear of his staying at home when his presence 
 was required elsewhere to do the work of his Divine 
 Master; and she often constrained him to depart, when 
 his duty to her would have led him to have remained, 
 to comfort and support her when she was almost 
 overwhelmed with trouble. Her affection for him, and 
 her unwillingness, even by her affliction, in the least 
 degree to be the means of hindering him from the per- 
 formance of any of his duties, are apparent from her 
 letters to him when absent. The following is only a 
 specimen of several in which she endeavours to sooth 
 his mind, and remove his fears on her account: — 
 My dear Alexr. 
 With great thankfulness and many tears I read thine 
 this morning. Be not unhappy concerning the latter part 
 of my letter ; thou alone art privy to my complaints, and 
 shalt be, and I pray that the severest part of them may be 
 sanctified to us both to all eternity. I bless the God of our 
 mercies that I have better tidings now, for my health is 
 much restored within the last ten days, and my strength 
 and spirits have greatly returned. I am almost a wonder 
 to myself ; t am low sometimes, but it does not continue, 
 long, and through the blessing of God, I find myself getting 
 daily advantage over my weakness ; and I have cause to hope 
 the Lord will be pleased to continue me a little while longer 
 for thy sake. He has not forsaken us in the darkest hour, 
 and if we live to him, he will set our feet upon the rock of 
 ages, and bring us into peace and liberty, for his name's sake. 
 Stay the time of thy appointment, and be happy ; and come 
 the best way that offers, not thinking of us — we will wait 
 patiently. * * * I want nothing but what reason, guided 
 by religion, will freely grant. I wish to bear a part of every 
 burthen that falls to our lot, as we pass through this wilder- 
 ness world, and with the greatest cheerfulness and readiness 
 of mind to make thy nay as smooth as my poor abilities are 
 capable of making it. Sarah is well ; she says, I must Ik 
 lather and mother to her, since her father stays so long away 
 
 T 
 
218 LIFE OF THE 
 
 I must once more bid adieu, and leave all thy concerns in 
 the hands of Him who watches over us by night and by day. 
 "When it is well with thee, remember us ; that while we are 
 spared we may go hand in hand along the thorny path of 
 life, and keep the promised land in view. The blessing of 
 the Most High rest upon thee, and give patience to suffer 
 his righteous will. 
 
 I am, thy affectionate, 
 
 S. KlLHAM. 
 
 On being removed from Aberdeen, it was the wish 
 of Mr. Kilham still to remain in Scotland, for the sub- 
 joined reasons, which he enumerates in a letter to a 
 brother preacher, dated July 3rd, 1795 : — " 1. It appears 
 the Lord has pointed out my way here, and blessed 
 my labours a great deal more I think this year than 
 the last. 2. Both our minds (Mr. and Mrs. Kilham) 
 are averse to going to England, till there be complete 
 liberty to worship God as we do in this kingdom. 3. 
 My dear wife is perfectly resigned to Scotland, and 
 wishes to continue in it, if my efforts might be accept- 
 able and useful." He had accordingly, at the Aberdeen 
 district meeting, been put down for Dundee, with a re- 
 commendation for Conference to confirm this appoint- 
 ment ; but it did not think well to do so, and he was 
 fixed in the Alnwick Circuit for the following year. 
 Previous to the Conference, a request was n;ade for him 
 to be re-stationed in Newcastle, where he had laboured 
 the year before he went to Aberdeen. The invitation 
 was conveyed by Mr. Wm. Smith, son-in-law to Mr. 
 Wesley, a liberal-minded and excellent man, with whom 
 Mr. Kilham had continued to correspond occasionally 
 during the whole term of his residence in Scotland, 
 and who, in a very kind letter, says, " You have now- 
 had a fair opportunity of trying your strength in Scot- 
 land, where you have scattered abundance of sacred 
 truth, which I doubt not will take root and spring up 
 on a future day ; but notwithstanding your success and 
 usefulness in Aberdeen, 1 am sorry to observe the 
 country does not appear to agree with dear Mrs. Kil- 
 ham. Ought you not for her sake, (if for no other) to 
 endeavour to be in England next year; and, if so, have 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 219 
 
 you any objection to Newcastle? If you could accom- 
 plish tiiis, it would be highly acceptable to me, and 
 many others both in the town and country." 
 
 It was not solely as a public teacher, that Mr. Kil- 
 ham gave satisfaction, and acquired respect, in the cir- 
 cuits where he laboured, but, in great part, from the 
 manner in which he fulfilled the pastoral duties of the 
 sacred office. He was a common friend, and found 
 time for doing every thing which could gain the affec- 
 tions, and promote the welfare, of the members of soci- 
 ety, each of whom he knew and visited — caring for, 
 councilling, and assisting them in every way which was 
 likely to promote their best interests. Among the copies 
 of his letters which are preserved, we find several writ- 
 ten for other persons, who had recourse to him for help 
 on particular occasions, and whom he furnished with suit- 
 able remarks to be sent to those whom they wished to 
 address. For the purpose of giving some idea of what 
 we refer to, we may state that one of these letters is 
 
 noted as "written at the request of Mr. and Mrs. , 
 
 to endeavour to reclaim their son." Another, "for , 
 
 to his brother, who had forsaken his lawful wife, and 
 gone to live with another woman." Many more might 
 be mentioned, relating to different cases, were it neces- 
 sary. They are all on spiritual subjects, and intended 
 to benefit the soul ; shewing that while, as a minister 
 of the gospel, among other duties, he inculcated upon 
 christians the necessity of seeking the salvation of their 
 ungodly relatives, he was willing, on application, to help 
 them to perform these fraternal acts of kindness in as 
 faithful and efficient a manner as possible. 
 
 Mr. Kilham concluded his ministry in Scotland by 
 publishing " A Farewell Address to the Methodist Con- 
 gregations in Aberdeen, and the Circuit ;" in which, 
 after enumerating the doctrines which he had preached 
 among them during three years, he speaks to each 
 particular class of persons, into which his hearers 
 might not improperly be divided, according to charac- 
 ter. His principal object in this, was to encourage the 
 pious to persevere in their christian course; and to ad- 
 monish and warn those, who, amidst the many spiritual 
 
 t2 
 
220 LIFE OF THE 
 
 privileges which they possessed, had hitherto neg- 
 lected the salvation of their souls, not to venture any 
 further in the way of sin, lest they should become 
 hardened in unbelief, and be finally lost. But in con- 
 nection with this purpose of doing good, Mr. Kilham , s 
 design in printing the Address, was, to leave behind him, 
 with a people who had shown both to himself and 
 family the greatest kindness, a token of the affection 
 which he bore for them, and which he did not wish to 
 be extinguished by any local separation which might 
 take place between them. 
 
 Before setting out for Conference, Mr. Kilham wrote 
 another pamphlet,* intended for the preachers only, and 
 which he directed to be put into their hands on their as- 
 sembling in Manchester. His object was to prevail 
 on the brethren, who met from different parts of the 
 Connexion to legislate for the general body, not to 
 make any rules which should trench on christian liber- 
 ty. With this in view, he shewed, 1st. that the plan of 
 Mr. Wesley, properly understood, admitted of every 
 change which might be found necessary for the pro- 
 motion of vital religion. 2nd. That, while professing 
 to imitate him, they had done many things, to which, 
 had he been living, he would never have consented ; 
 such as deciding on the sacrament by the "lot," &c. 
 3rd. That, as there was no certain guide in religion 
 
 * It ought to be mentioned, as affording strong evidence of Mr. Kil- 
 ham's object in printing being to do good, that he circulated his pam- 
 phlets at his own cost, except in one or two cases, when those brethren 
 who agreed with him in sentiment, voluntariiy contributed to bear a 
 portion of the expense of printing. Had he sold his pamphlets, when 
 he first began to write in favour of reform in Methodism, among other 
 imputations, a desire of gain might perhaps have been alleged against 
 him ; but as he distributed his works freely, no one could say that he 
 aimed at pecuniary profit for himself. As to his having published under 
 the assumed signatures of " Trueman and Freeman," " Martin Luther," 
 &c, Mr. Kilham, in his private letters, assigns the two following reasons 
 for not attaching his name to several of his early pieces. First, — he consi- 
 dered the circumstance of his being a junior preacher made it inexpe- 
 dient for him to appear formally as an author, on controversial subjects. 
 Second, — he was afraid that if his name were prefixed to what he wrote, 
 he should have been put to more cost for postage than he could afford 
 to bear, by the number of letters which would have been sent to him 
 from different quarters. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 221 
 
 but the Scriptures, their authority only ought to be 
 recognised. Mr. Kilham also added several suggestions 
 as to the proper manner of conducting the Conference 
 business in the greatest peace, and to most advan- 
 tage. From a remark in one of his letters, we are led 
 to think he took the MS. of this pamphlet with him to 
 Manchester, and had it printed there after his arri- 
 val. It was signed " Paul and Silas," and consists of 
 24 pages 12mo. 
 
 " On Tuesday the 7th of July," observes Mr. Kilham, 
 " I took leave of my family, after having offered our 
 prayers for the protection of the Almighty, and left 
 Aberdeen, accompanied by several friends, who kindly 
 went a few miles with me. When I stopped at an 
 Inn, near Stonehaven, I humbled myself before God, 
 and adored his name for his unspeakable mercies be- 
 stowed on me since I came into Scotland ; I saw myself 
 unworthy of a place among his people, and I mourn- 
 ed over my unfaithfulness in the work of the ministry. 
 I was fully determined to give myself to God, and to 
 watch diligently over my heart for the future. I pur- 
 sued my journey under these impressions and resolu- 
 tions. I met brothers Ingham and Thompson, at Mon- 
 trose, where I preached that evening: I had the oppor- 
 tunity of preaching to the societies as I travelled, and 
 arrived at Newcastle in safety, though frequently un- 
 comfortable from the extreme heat of the weather. 
 Mr. Bogie preached the first night, and we held a 
 watch meeting the second, and were blessed together. 
 We went forward to Manchester; Mr. Bogie and I 
 were appointed to Mr. Thomas Heamer's, Princess 
 Street, Sal ford. Many of the friends having read 
 ' Martin Luther' were inclined to think favourably of 
 its author, and had invited me to stay with them during 
 Conference, and I had all the kindness and affection 
 shown me that the heart could wish." 
 
 t3 
 
222 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FROM CONFERENCE 1795, TO CONFERENCE 1796, WHEN MR. KIL- 
 HAM WAS STATIONED IN ALNWICK, WHERE HE PUBLISHED 
 THE PROGRESS OF LIBERTY, &c. 
 
 The Conference at Manchester, in 1795, was more 
 numerously attended than any similar meeting since 
 the establishment of Methodism; which was attributed 
 to the agitated state in which the Connexion had been 
 placed during the whole of the previous year, owing to 
 the disputes on the Bristol affair. And as it was ex- 
 pected some decision would take place, which might 
 give a future preponderancy to one party, the preachers 
 holding High Church principles, and those on the libe- 
 ral side, each class being jealous of the other, had re- 
 spectively exerted themselves to bring together as many 
 as they could prevail on to attend in Manchester, for 
 the sake of having all the votes they could muster on 
 so important an occasion. 
 
 The trustees, also, having taken the alarm, had been 
 corresponding with each other, and holding meetings 
 — in some cases, with a view of supporting and making 
 common cause with those at Bristol, in order to pre^ 
 vent the introduction of the sacrament; and in others, 
 to encourage those preachers and societies -who sought 
 to have all the ordinances established among the Me- 
 thodists; and trustee-delegates had been appointed in 
 great numbers, on both sides, to meet at Manchester at 
 the time of Conference, that, if possible, some plan 
 might be fixed upon for their future government. It was 
 evident on all hands, that the Connexion had arrived 
 at a crisis, and was in the greatest danger of becoming 
 divided;-— of course, much anxiety prevailed. 
 
 The deputations of trustees all met together at Man- 
 or in the first instance; and in their discussions, 
 ?h differing widely in some respects, they seemed to 
 
LIFE OF THE REV. A. KILHAM. 223 
 
 be agreed on one point, which was, that the preachers 
 possessed too much power. The Bristol trustees, and 
 those who supported them as a party, moreover con- 
 tended, that whatever authority the preachers might be 
 induced to relinquish, should be attached to the trustees; 
 while the liberal party maintained that the members 
 of society ought to have more influence in Connex- 
 ion matters than they then possessed. At length, 
 two propositions were submitted to the meeting, — 
 one by the High Church trustees, for an address to 
 Conference, requesting a sort of Act of Uniformity to 
 be passed, which should make the whole of the societies 
 uniform in discipline, by bringing them back to the ori- 
 ginal plan of Methodism. The other proposition, intro- 
 duced by those trustees who were in favour of the societies 
 having greater liberty, was for them to receive the sa- 
 crament either at church or at their own chapels, with 
 other privileges of a similar nature. The contention be- 
 tween the parties, however, became so sharp, that they 
 could not continue to meet together with satisfaction ; 
 and those who advocated the principle of toleration 
 withdrew, and began to assemble by themselves. Each 
 party of trustees appointed a deputation to wait on 
 Conference with an address drawn up according to the 
 opposite views which they had taken : and when these 
 addresses had been received, the Conference nomi- 
 nated a committee to devise a plan of accommodation, 
 for the purpose of negociating a peace with the 
 contending interests which existed in the Connex- 
 ion. After spending several days in considering the 
 matter, the committee produced a set of propositions, 
 which, after having been approved by Conference, were 
 sent to the trustees for their acceptance or animadver- 
 sion. Several alterations being proposed, the Conference 
 appointed a few preachers to confer with the trustees 
 personally on the subject ; and at length a number 
 of particulars were agreed to, which were adopted, 
 and became known in the Connexion as " Articles of 
 Pacification." These relate, — First, to the Lord's 
 Supper, Baptism, &c. And under this head it was 
 ordinances n: 
 
224 LIFE OF THE 
 
 except the majority of the trustees of the chapel, 
 and also the majority of the stewards and leaders, 
 were agreed as to their allowance; and in all cases 
 the consent of the Conference had to be obtained. 
 2nd. Concerning Discipline. The appointment of 
 preachers was to remain solely with the Conference, 
 but if the majority of trustees, or of the stewards and 
 leaders of any society, believed that any preacher ap- 
 pointed for their circuit was immoral, erroneous in 
 doctrine, deficient in abilities, or that he had broken any 
 of the rules, they had authority to summon the preach- 
 ers of the district, and all the trustees, stewards, and 
 leaders of the circuit, to meet. And if, after examining 
 the case, the majority judged the accused preacher 
 guilty, he was to be considered as removed from that 
 circuit : and the district committee should appoint ano- 
 ther preacher. The meeting had, moreover, authority 
 to suspend the said preacher from all public duties till 
 the Conference. 
 
 It was also added, among other rules, in the shape of 
 addenda, — 
 
 " We all agree, that the pulpit shall not be a vehicle 
 of abuse. 
 
 " It has been our general custom, never to appoint or 
 remove a leader or steward, without first consulting the 
 leaders and stewards of the society ; and w T e are resolved 
 to walk by the same rule. 
 
 "To prevent as much as possible the progress of strife 
 and debate, and consequent divisions in our Connexion, 
 no pamphlet or printed letter shall be circulated among 
 us, without the author's name, and the postage or car- 
 riage paid." 
 
 As the preachers still retained the whole legisla- 
 tive power, this arrangement was not satisfactory to 
 many of the trustees; yet, since the majority were agreed 
 to accept it, the rest submitted, at least for a season. 
 The changes made were, indeed, so far as they went, 
 very important improvements upon the former plan ; 
 inasmuch as the w T ill of the majority was therein recog- 
 nised as authority for having the sacrament administer- 
 ed ; a method was also appointed for trying preachers, 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 225 
 
 which gave the people some means, if they were judged 
 unworthy, of suspending them until Conference; and 
 lastly, it seemed to be admitted, though in terms much 
 too loose and indefinite, that the leaders and stewards 
 were not to be appointed or removed by the preacher, 
 without consulting the other leaders and stewards of 
 the circuit. These alterations were certainly favourable 
 to the laity, and, as such, were in every respect valuable. 
 If those trustees and preachers who held liberal opi- 
 nions, were disappointed in the Conference not extend- 
 ing the privileges of the people further, the High 
 Church trustees were, especially at first, dissatisfied 
 that it had gone so far ; and perhaps, all things con- 
 sidered, the Conference did nearly as much as it could 
 at that time, and the future w T as looked to for the com- 
 pletion of the work. 
 
 Mr. Kilham kept a diary of the proceedings at this 
 Conference, which filled forty-three pages of post quar- 
 to paper, very closely written. The particulars which 
 he noted down, shew that he and others aimed at 
 much larger concessions than could be obtained, and 
 that, having done all they could in the cause of chris- 
 tian liberty, they submitted, under the testimony of a 
 good conscience. 
 
 A few extracts from this MS. may be acceptable, as 
 they throw some light on subjects which have frequently 
 been referred to. Speaking of that part of the plan of pa- 
 cification which refers to the sacrament being granted to 
 the majority, with certain restrictions which were deemed 
 objectionable, Mr. Kilham states, that the considerations 
 which induced those preachers who had argued for full 
 toleration, to give in, were, " 1. We have gained a 
 great deal more than we expected. 2. Our people are 
 not prepared for more at present. 3. In two or three 
 years we shall have all that we wish. These are 
 the sentiments of many of us." " August 2nd. We 
 learned yesterday, that the High Church trustees had 
 rejected our proposals in toto, and that they would enter 
 a protest against our measures, and retire from Man- 
 chester as soon as possible, in order to prevent us 
 from having power over the people. This was fully 
 
226 LIFE OF THE 
 
 determined on Saturday night, but they softened before 
 morning, and seemed more pacific." 
 
 "Monday, 3rd August. A letter was read from the 
 trustees, to know whether our proposals were our ulti- 
 mata or not. Mr. Benson and others conversed with 
 several of them yesterday, and endeavoured to explain 
 our rules. They were a good deal satisfied. A letter 
 was sent to prevent any ill consequences, and at the 
 same time we gave them two rules which were made 
 this morning. The first is to prevent the preachers 
 from disturbing the societies on either side by preach- 
 ing, exhortation, or conversation. The second is to bind 
 up local preachers, trustees, and leaders from conver- 
 sation. We opposed both these rules, as being against 
 liberty of conscience and liberty of speech, urging that 
 they would prevent that freedom which was necessary 
 to our welfare, and expose us to the rage of those who 
 are our enemies ; but our influence could not prevent 
 them passing, and we were constrained to submit. 
 However, we entered our protest against these mea- 
 sures, and hoped this would satisfy our minds, and be 
 of use hereafter. 
 
 " In the evening, after our debate, it was agreed that 
 the committee of preachers should attend the conven- 
 tion of trustees, and do every thing in their power to 
 bring them to a right mind : they were to go as far as 
 possible in seeking reconciliation, and endeavour to ob- 
 tain peace on the best terms they could." 
 
 " Tuesday morning. After breakfast, the committee 
 reported what had passed between them and the trustees. 
 Several alterations to our propositions were proposed. 
 They wished us to add, £ where there will be no divi- 
 sion or separation by the introduction of the sacra- 
 ment.' This was objected to by many, as bringing us 
 back to the unanimity rule. A long debate took place 
 on the subject. Messrs. Thompson, Benson, and Brad- 
 burn explained the word separation, by stating it did 
 not consist in one, five, ten, twenty, a hundred, or any 
 number of persons leaving us, unless they had apreacher 
 at their head. This new and curious definition we were 
 charged to conceal from the trustees, though we might 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 227 
 
 keep it in remembrance ourselves. Many of us protested 
 against it; we told them before it passed, that it was 
 Jesuitical, and bordered on dissimulation; but a majo- 
 rity of preachers bore down all before them, and we 
 were obliged to yield. In this debate, we discovered a 
 deep-laid scheme to bring in a committee of five, to 
 inspect our buildings and superintend our affairs in 
 critical cases between Conferences. Though this was 
 couched in great subtlety of words, it was rejected, and 
 we were resolved not to become subject to such influ- 
 ence." 
 
 " Wednesday, 5th. In the afternoon, as soon as we 
 were returned from dinner, Mr. Bradburn brought 
 forward a motion for travelling bishops.* He used all 
 
 * Mr. Kilham was fully set against the Bishop's plan, from a convic- 
 tion that its effect would be injurious both to people and preachers, by 
 bringing the great body of the latter under the influence and controul of 
 a few individuals; and that, however meekly they might bear themselves at 
 first, either they or their successors would afterwards assume a tone and 
 authority which nothing could satisfy or conciliate, but the unqualified 
 submission of those in the ordinary ranks. And in reference to the 
 laity, it was Mr. Kilham's opinion that they ought to have the means 
 granted for governing themselves, instead of appointing any new order 
 of officers from among the preachers to rule them without their being 
 consulted. The Bishop's plan, therefore, had his entire disapprobation ; 
 but it was a favourite scheme with Mr. Bradburn and several of the 
 preachers, who had acquired the reputation of being liberal on account 
 of having advocated the giving of the sacrament in the Methodist 
 chupels ; and as Mr. Mather and the High Church party agreed with 
 Mr. Bradburn in promoting the Bishop's plan, — when Mr. Kilham wrote 
 against it, so as to exhibit its tendency, and bring it under ridicule — 
 those preachers who had hitherto been at variance were easily brought 
 to act together against him In his " Progress of Liberty," Mr. Kilham 
 having noticed the Bishop's plan in a way which made it impossible for 
 it to be proposed for adoption any more, it will not be surprising that its 
 friends, in their disappointment, should avail themselves of some pretext 
 for expelling him from the Connexion. The passage referred to is an- 
 nexed : — 
 
 "Three times u-ider different forms, did the Bishop's plan make its 
 appearance last Conference. It was brought forward and supported by 
 men of the first-rate abilities in our Connexion : but they had the mor- 
 tification of seeing it rejected, by a vast majority of the preachers, in full 
 connexion. It first appeared under the idea of a committee of five, to 
 be called by the humble name of a building committee. Their office 
 was to examine any affair like that of Bristol last year, and to determine 
 whether a new chapel should be built or not, in case of a .similar divi- 
 sion. We had, however, read of the feigned humility and power of popes 
 
228 LIFE OF THE 
 
 his rhetoric to recommend this plan, and its benefits 
 were held up as highly advantageous to the people ; 
 different gifts would, he said, be useful, and the preach- 
 ers who thus travelled would be a universal blessing. 
 After labouring the subject to the utmost of his power, 
 when he had done, a general clamour took place to 
 'down with the bishops !' We endeavoured to over- 
 throw his scheme by shewing — 1. That it would give 
 these men undue power and influence. 2. It was cal- 
 
 and bishops, and we prevented their lordships from mounting the scaffold. 
 One would have ascended with his plumb line and the square, — another 
 with his apron and trowel, — a third with a burden of bricks,— a fourth 
 with a hod full of mortar, — and my lord primate with the corner stone, 
 that after he had laid it with the grace of voluntary humility, they might 
 all stand above us and our brethren, on the tower they had built, and 
 command cur steps, while we moved in a circle below them. When 
 they were defeated in this scheme, after they had breathed a little, they 
 came directly to the point, and wished to have men appointed to travel 
 through the circuits, not to interfere with the concerns of the preachers, 
 but purely for the benefit of our souls, and the souls of others. They 
 were to be the servants of all : and only to do good by their word and 
 doctrine. One of them preached up the advantages of itineracy ; another 
 told us of the sayings of Mr. Wesley on this head ; while many looked 
 with a wishful eye towards the office of a methodistical apostle. All 
 was meekness and humility in proposal. No titles above their brethren, 
 —no power or influence, but by the gospel, — no honour or reverence, 
 but purely for their works' sake, — no revenue, but what they should pick 
 up among the people, in their free donations. But, alas ! our faith 
 failed us, and we opposed with success this humble, primitive plan. 
 When they were defeated a second time, they endeavoured to quiet 
 themselves, by believing in hope against hope, that the time might come 
 when we should see into the advantages and necessity of their plan. 
 After this defeat, it was some time before their hearts sufficiently reviv* 
 ed to make their last effort. It was, however, at length brought for- 
 ward, with all the art and eloquence of our chief speaker, under the pro- 
 posal of a committee of three, to be called an executive head, and to be 
 in three parts of the kingdom, remote from each other, to give energy to 
 our laws. This head of influence, placed upon our body in a triangular 
 form, like a three-cocked hat, was to do wonders to and for us. The 
 very men were named, who might be suitable for this curious head, and 
 everything proposed which was necessary to put them upon our shoulders. 
 But we either saw, or supposed we saw, in one of them, the face of a 
 calf, to give us simple, innocent looks, and do nothing but blare at us, — 
 in another, the face of an eagle, to pluck out our eyes, and then soar a 
 vast height above us,— and in the third, the face of a lion, to frighten us 
 by his roaring, or to break us in pieces, if we could not make our escape, 
 by his unmerciful teeth. This led us again to reject the humble propo- 
 sals of our venerable fathers and brethren ; and being the same majority 
 as before, we easily prevailed. Here ends the chapter of bishops." 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 229 
 
 culated to create divisions amongst the societies. 3. 
 It would be expensive. A majority being of this opi- 
 nion, the plan was condemned. Bradburn would then 
 have persuaded us that he was only in jest, but we 
 saw through the matter, and beheld his defeat with 
 thankfulness." 
 
 " Thursday. Mr. Bradburn moved again to have 
 bishops under another form. He proposed for a few 
 individuals to have executive power lodged in their 
 hands, and named three of the preachers for that pur- 
 pose ; but this was resisted, and it was obliged to be 
 given up." 
 
 On referring to the "Articles of Pacification," as 
 published in the Minutes of Conference, it will be ob- 
 served that several expressions are ambiguous, and lia- 
 ble to be variously construed. It is due to Mr. Kil- 
 ham, and other preachers who on that occasion acted 
 with him, to state, that an effort was made to prevent 
 any thing equivocal in the rules, by having them put 
 into the plainest and clearest language. The blame, 
 therefore, of ambiguity in construction, does not rest 
 with them. 
 
 On this subject he says, — 
 
 " In the time of the Conference, many of us refused 
 to vote for different Articles of Pacification. We enter- 
 ed our protest against them at the time they were read. 
 When we saw an appearance of some of our rules being 
 capable of two meanings, I drew up the following ad- 
 dress to the Conference, which was signed by 58 of the 
 preachers. Many more would have signed it, if they 
 had had an opportunity. Most of those that did sign, 
 were very respectable men, as their names would testi- 
 fy, were I to publish them.* 
 
 • As the names of the preachers who signed this address are ap- 
 pended to the copy in Mr. Kilham's hand-writing, it may be satisfactory 
 now to print them. They are the following : — Thos. Hanby, Richard 
 fleece, Samuel Taylor, C Kirkpatrick, Robert Lomas, James Rogie, A. 
 Suter, J. Stamp, John Hickling, John McKersey, James Rogers, C. 
 Atmore, J. Cole, John Furness, John Atkins, Joseph Peseod, Joseph 
 Sutcliffe, Miles Martindale, Robert Miller, John Renyolds, Joseph 
 Entwistle, John Kershaw, Jos. Anderson^ Win. Thorn, Philip Hardca.stle s 
 Wm. Jenkins, Thos, Rutherford, Thos. Snnionite, John Gaulter, Ben; 
 
 U 
 
230 LITE OF THE 
 
 " Honoured Fathers and Brethren, 
 " We are extremely sorry that anything should cause 
 us to differ in sentiment from a majority of the Confer- 
 ence. We are constrained to do it, from a principle 
 of truth and honesty. It appears to us, that no rule 
 made in this house should be capable of bearing a 
 double meaning. We are sorry to find an appearance 
 of duplicity in some of our rules. We exceedingly 
 object to the addition which is made to the first pro- 
 position of reconciliation, unless you add to it Messrs. 
 Thompson, Benson, and Bradburn's explanation of the 
 word separation. If this be not granted, we jointly 
 enter our protest against that, and every other rule of 
 the same nature. And entreat the preachers met in 
 Conference, to respect their character, by making their 
 rules so explicit, that no person may misunderstand 
 them. We are, your affectionate brethren in the Gos- 
 pel," &c. 
 
 " Is there anything,"added Mr.Kilham, when he pub- 
 lished this document, "in this address, but what reason 
 and the Bible require ? A clamour, however, was 
 made against us before it was read, and the president 
 actually suppressed it, without its being publicly read 
 to the preachers. Several cried out it was designed to 
 divide us : and it was some time before they would 
 cease complaining on this head. Does not this address 
 breathe the spirit of the gospel, in advising the Confer- 
 ence to make its rules and laws so explicit, that they 
 may be known by all — and in recommending truth 
 and honesty in all our measures? If this divide us, 
 what is it that keeps us together ? If our opposing 
 brethren had suffered it to have been read, it is very 
 probable they would have been of a different mind." 
 Sq far as regards himself, this Conference passed 
 
 Leggatt, Thomas Greaves, Thomas Rogerson, Wm. Heath. A Kilham, 
 John Grant, Jonathan Crowther, Timothy Crovvther, James Jay, John 
 Denton, William Shelmardine, Abraham Mo^eley, Thos. Roberts, James 
 Buckley, Ai drew Mayer, Thomas Dunn, William Blackburn, George 
 Whitfield, Edward Jackson, Robert Smith, Thomas. Cooper, Thomas 
 Gill, William Stephenson, William Palmer, Theophilus Lessey, ChaSo 
 Kyte, Jonathan Cousins, Alexander Cummin, William Simpson, 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 231 
 
 over more agreeably than Mr. Kilham had anticipated. 
 He had expected that some charge would have been 
 preferred against him by Mr. Mather, on account of 
 the passage respecting him in "Martin Luther;" but 
 the subject was not introduced to Conference. On 
 Mr. Kilham's arrival in Manchester, Mr. Mather very 
 formally, and in the presence of several preachers, de- 
 livered a letter into his hands, apprizing him that he 
 should require him to answer before his brethren for 
 what he had written against him. This seemed, how- 
 ever, only done for the purpose of intimidating Mr. Kil- 
 ham, and to bring him, if not to confess that he had acted 
 wrong, to some terms, which should prevent similar 
 animadversions for the future ; but Mr. Kilham, instead 
 of being afraid, replied to Mr. Mather's letter, in writ- 
 ing, in a way which indicated no dread of meeting him 
 before Conference. The matter was then allowed to 
 rest for some days by Mr. Mather, who afterwards 
 sought a private interview with Mr. Kilham, to which 
 he consented; and when it had taken place without 
 Mr. Kilham having been induced thereby to profess 
 sorrow for what he had written, Mr. Mather still threat- 
 ened to bring the matter before Conference, — but he 
 did not do so, and the affair was allowed to drop. The 
 reason of this may be inferred from the following pas- 
 sage in Mr. Kilham's diary ; — 
 
 " I was very happy to find, that not only trustees, 
 leaders, and many respectable members of the societies, 
 were on my side, but a majority of the preachers ex- 
 pressed their satisfaction, and seemed thankful for what 
 I had done; and some of them contributed towards 
 the expenses I had been at in publishing the pamphlets, 
 — declaring I deserved the thanks of every friend to 
 liberty, and of the Methodists in general." 
 
 Mr. Kilham proceeds to say, — 
 
 u After the most important business was finished, I 
 and a few more of the preachers left the Conference. 
 Many reflections arose in my mind on leaving Man- 
 chester. I could not but bless God for his kindness 
 manifested to me — he had been better to me than all 
 my fears ; for I found I had the affections of the most 
 
 u 2 
 
232 LIFE OF THE 
 
 respectable preachers, and many of the trustees, who 
 are liberal. These showed me every kindness in their 
 power, and such as I am conscious I by no means de- 
 served. By the desire of my friends at Leeds, I called 
 to see them, and spent a day in that place : many of 
 them are warm advocates for the truth, and for the 
 liberty of the people. They are zealous in the cause, 
 and I gave them all the advice and encouragement I 
 could, and spent some time comfortably among them. 
 They generously offered to bear any part of the expense 
 I had contracted in printing, and to render me any 
 other assistance in their power, and appeared desirous 
 to strengthen my hands in the good work of the Lord. 
 I arrived in a day or two in my circuit (Alnwick), and 
 soon after my wife and child came by sea from Scot- 
 land, having been advised to it by the physician, who 
 recommended a voyage as likely to prove beneficial to 
 her health. I found great thankfulness to the Father 
 of mercies on meeting them well, and in safety, after 
 an absence of nearly two months. I immediately en- 
 gaged in the duties of my office, and found many en- 
 couragements. May I have grace to live in every 
 place as a true minister of the Gospel, that I may save 
 my own soul, and also the souls of all that may hear 
 me !" 
 
 The following letter may be given, as illustrative of 
 Mr. Kil ham's faithfulness in reproving sin, when de- 
 tected ; and of the spirit in which he acted towards 
 those who violated the rules of Christian duty : — 
 
 etk Oct., 1795. 
 Dear Brother, 
 You may be sure I was greatly surprised on Saturday, 
 when I learned your name, and was informed that you were 
 the person who frequently preached at Felton, and in other 
 places, among our people. If I had not seen you intoxicated 
 myself, and had not had others to grieve with me on that ac- 
 count, I should not have believed a flying report of your being 
 overtaken with that sin. Since that day, however, I have been 
 informed by several persons, that you have previously been 
 in the same condition ; and as such is the case, your preach- 
 ing cannot be acceptable to our people, nor is it probable 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 2o3 
 
 that God will own your labours with success. If you had 
 been surprised into this sin once or twice, and had then 
 humbled yourself before God, and sought pardon, and grace 
 to help in future, it would have been a different matter. 
 
 As I wish to do every thing openly and fairly before my 
 brethren, your case will be considered in our quarterly meet- 
 ing on Friday next. If you can come forward, and let us 
 hear what you have to say on the subject, you may depend 
 upon it, every step shall be taken which is necessary on the 
 occasion. Or, if you will write us a few lines, directed for 
 me at the Methodist chapel in this town, we shall hear with 
 meekness what you have to advance in your own justifica- 
 tion. God is my witness, that it is far from my purpose to 
 behave to you in any thing contrary to what Jesus Christ 
 and his Apostles direct. 
 
 I am, your's, 
 
 Alex. Kilham. 
 
 To Mr. , Local Preacher, Alnwick. 
 
 P.S. It is probable, if we hear nothing from you on Fri- 
 day, we shall be under the painful necessity of preventing 
 you from preaching at Felton, till it be manifest to all that 
 you are living soberly, righteously, and godlily. 
 
 The individual to whom tbe foregoing letter was ad- 
 dressed, wrote to Mr. Kilham in reply, acknowledging 
 his misconduct, and professing repentance ; so that it 
 may be hoped this faithful admonition was a means of 
 his recovery from the. sin into which he had fallen. 
 
 We now come to notice another of Mr. Kilham's 
 publications — " The Progress of Liberty," which he 
 wrote at Alnwick, in the latter end of 1795, and for 
 which he was expelled from the Connexion at the next 
 Conference. As this pamphlet came under the con- 
 sideration of two district meetings, which will have to 
 be mentioned shortly, and of the preachers at their 
 annual assembly, when Mr. Kilham was accused and 
 condemned, it is not necessary at present to specify the 
 passages which were objected to ; they will necessarily 
 be cited in the account of his trial. We shall there- 
 fore, in this place, merely furnish an idea of his design 
 in writing it, and of its general content?, so far as they 
 
 u 3 
 
231 LIFE OF THE 
 
 relate to the changes and reforms which he wished 
 to be introduced into the body. 
 
 Mr. Kilham states, that on returning from Confer- 
 ence, when the Articles of Pacification had been adopt- 
 ed, he felt, on reflection, considerable dissatisfaction 
 that so little had been accomplished towards establishing 
 real liberty in the societies : and as a likely means of 
 securing to them the full measure to which they were 
 entitled, he judged it would be useful to enumerate 
 the steps already taken, and the regulations which 
 had been made, since Mr. Wesley's death ; and also 
 to supply an outline or plan of what he considered 
 ought to be done, in order to give content to, and 
 establish peace in the Connexion. 
 
 In a preface to the t; Progress of Liberty," Mr. Kil- 
 ham, anticipating an objection which had been made 
 against him before, says, — " It may be supposed by 
 many of our brethren, that I have taken too much upon 
 myself, in offering this pamphlet to the public ; but I 
 hope they will candidly examine the steps which have 
 led to it, before they pass sentence against me. I shall 
 give a brief sketch of the different occurrences which 
 have engaged me to act the part I have done ; leaving 
 every person that reads these pages at full liberty to 
 acquit or condemn me, as his own judgment shall de- 
 termine." 
 
 He then proceeds to state how it happened that he 
 had taken so active a part in the discussions which had 
 occurred in the body since Mr. Wesley's death, — 
 showing that he had been almost forced, by a series of 
 circumstances, to do what he had done ; and that having 
 been so fully committed in the cause of liberty, he had 
 no option but to go forward in endeavouring to com- 
 plete the work which had been begun. He adds, — "I 
 have no design to injure the cause of Methodism, or to 
 lessen any of our brethren in the esteem of the people; 
 but to prevail, if possible, on the preachers every where, 
 to fix such a constitution as shall unite us to our fol- 
 lowers in such bonds as shall never be broken. 1 make 
 no apology for what I have done : but humbly intreat 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 235 
 
 all that read these pages, to believe that I have aimed 
 at glorifying God, and being useful to our Connexion, 
 in all I have written. It" I am deceived, I hope God 
 will prevent me from continuing in that state." 
 
 Besides the preface, the pamphlet consists of two 
 parts, — the first being intended to prove, that as Mr. 
 Wesley's object in establishing Methodism was to pro- 
 mote the salvation of souls, he had always adapted his 
 proceedings to the circumstances in which he was 
 placed ; and that he had throughout often changed his 
 plans to meet the wishes of the societies ; and had, 
 moreover, foreseen and foretold that other changes 
 would be required after his decease. Mr. Kilham then 
 proceeded to notice the alterations which had been 
 made by the Conference, and the occurrences which 
 had taken place in the Connexion since Mr. Wesley 
 died, in 1791 ; and, — notwithstanding the preceding 
 Conference had passed certain Articles of Pacification, 
 which lie examined, and showed to be defective in 
 many points, — he maintained, that other regulations 
 were still indispensable, and must be conceded before 
 the societies would be satisfied, or their christian liber- 
 ty secured. 
 
 The second part of the " Progress of Liberty" con- 
 sists of " Outlines of a Constitution humbly proposed 
 to the People called Methodists." He introduces the 
 proposals with the following passage : — " As a spirit of 
 jealousy has entered into the hearts of many of our 
 leading men, upon different parts of our conduct, it 
 would be our wisdom and interest, to remove it as far 
 as possible. In many places, they have had just cause 
 to complain. Their complaints have not exceeded the 
 bounds of moderation. And the only way to remove 
 their jealousy and silence their complaints, is, to act in 
 concert with our people in every thing. In those cir- 
 cuits where the preachers do this, the people are hap- 
 py and satisfied. They consider themselves highly 
 favoured, and bless God for their privileges. But 
 when other preachers of a different conduct are ap- 
 pointed, it exceedingly grieves them. They wanUsome- 
 thing to be fixed, to prevent any preacher from acting 
 
236 LIFE OF THE 
 
 contrary to the interests of the societies, as well as to 
 make the preachers act in concert with each other. It 
 is probable, we may meet their views, without injuring 
 ourselves in any thing. Let us only fix our plan in 
 such a way, that every preacher shall be bound to 
 maintain their interests as well as our own, and they 
 will be perfectly satisfied. We cannot do this more 
 to their satisfaction, and our own advantage, than by 
 separating, as far as possible, the temporal and spiritual 
 concerns of our societies, and giving them a suitable 
 place in all our affairs. With a view to satisfy every 
 reasonable person in our Connexion, and to help for- 
 ward the salvation of the people, I shall humbly pro- 
 pose, what appears to me, an equitable plan, — and 
 which must sooner or later be adopted, if we would 
 render ourselves extensively useful in the vineyard of 
 Christ. I do not mean that this plan must be adopted 
 exactly as it stands : but I mean, that something of 
 this nature must be appointed, otherwise there will be 
 continued complaints, from almost every part of our 
 Connexion." 
 
 In conformity with the principle here introduced, 
 Mr. Kilham sketched a plan which he believed would 
 be fair and satisfactory, recognising and guarding, as it 
 did, all the interests of the community. A few parti- 
 culars may be given. First, instead of the preachers 
 having the sole discretion in their own hands, Mr. 
 Kilham laid it down, that " members ought to be re- 
 ceived into and excluded from the society, by the con- 
 sent of our people." Second, that " when a leader is 
 wanting, the people have a right to choose a person 
 that shall watch over their own souls ;" and " when a 
 preacher removes leaders without the consent cf the 
 people, and appoints others contrary to their mind, 
 it is a lording over their consciences." Third, in re- 
 gard to local preachers, Mr. Kilham proposed for 
 them, instead of being appointed by the circuit preach- 
 ers, to be examined and approved by the leaders and 
 quarterly meetings, which should have the power of 
 receiving or dismissing them. Fourth, that u as it is 
 impossible to allow our people to choose their ministers, 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 237 
 
 on account of the itinerant plan, yet ought we not to 
 give them all the satisfaction in our power, both in re- 
 ceiving and continuing preachers to tiavel with us? 
 What°do they desire on this head? That every local 
 preacher be a sufficient time on trial, before he is pro- 
 posed to travel; and that he be proposed to tra- 
 vel in the March quarterly meeting, previous to the 
 district meeting: and if a majority of those who attend 
 that meeting object to his going out, that he be 
 proposed no more that year." Fifth, he submitted, that 
 lay delegates, from the quarterly meetings, should at- 
 tend the district meetings. Sixth—" Lastly," says Mr. 
 Kilham, " With submission to the preachers, and the 
 Connexion at large, to appoint one or two lay delegates 
 from every district meeting, to attend the Conference. 
 That is, the delegates from the quarterly meetings 
 shall have full liberty to choose out of their body one 
 or two men to attend the Conference, to lay before the 
 preachers the minutes of the district meetings, and to 
 transact the affairs both spiritual and temporal, as far 
 as they can, of the districts they represent." 
 
 These form a summary of the leading principlesmain- 
 tained by Mr. Kilham, in his " Progress of Liberty," 
 the soundness of which it would be exceedingly diffi- 
 cult to disprove, whatever modifications might be pro- 
 posed to be made in the manner of their application. The 
 pamphlet, being written in a free style, and containing 
 severe animadversions on the way in which the Con- 
 nexion had been managed, with the pointing out of a 
 number of abuses which had occurred in different 
 places, necessarily rendered it unacceptable to those 
 preachers who had acted a prominent part in Method- 
 ism. Nor did Mr. Kilham, with that precaution which 
 perhaps ought to have been exercised under the cir- 
 cumstances, take very particular care to distinguish 
 between the conduct of individual preachers, who had 
 availed themselves of the arbitrary authority which they 
 possessed to commit injustice, and the general body, 
 who were unquestionably men of deep piety and mo- 
 deration in the exercise of their ministerial prerogatives. 
 
238 
 
 LIFE OF THE 
 
 It will be perceived, when we come to his trial for 
 writing this publication, what advantage was taken of 
 this ; notwithstanding he declared again and again, both 
 before and at his examination, that nothing could be 
 farther from his intention than to bring charges against 
 his brethren at large, whose usefulness he admitted, and 
 for whom he had the highest possible regard. 
 
 In writing the " Progress of Liberty," Mr. Kilham 
 intended to prove, first, that the Methodist government, 
 being arbitrary in regard to its principle, was liable to 
 be abused. Second, that it had, in fact, been abused 
 in many cases. And, third, as a consequence, that such 
 changes ought therefore to be made as would render the 
 system as useful as possible, and equally protect all 
 classes in the Connexion against wrong. These parti- 
 culars constitute what may be termed the doctrine of 
 the pamphlet ; indeed, every thing else, — the language 
 used, and the examples adduced — belongs merely to 
 the mode of treating this doctrine, which may be in 
 good or bad taste, correct or incorrect, without invali- 
 dating its substantial character. 
 
 The unreserved manner in which Mr. Kilham wrote 
 his " Progress of Liberty,''* will be accounted for by 
 observing, that he did not intend it for the public 
 eye, but only for the preachers, and a few of the 
 leading friends, as appears from his own statement in an 
 address to the Alnwick circuit, respecting the way in 
 which it transpired, contrary to his wish and the un- 
 derstanding which he had with the printer, who, before 
 the pamphlet was published, and unknown to Mr. Kil- 
 ham, sold a few copies to some of the dissenters, which 
 immediately caused it to get abroad. 
 
 When the work had been forwarded to a number of 
 places, Mr. Kilham was soon made acquainted with 
 the sentiments of different individuals respecting it. 
 The following letter was written by Mr. M. Longridge, 
 who had published several things, and taken an active 
 part in promoting liberty among the Methodists ; and, 
 being a man of sound judgment and excellent charac- 
 ter, his influence was considerable. 
 
REV. A. K.ILHAM. 239 
 
 Sunderland, 8th December, 1 795. 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 The receipt of your letter and pamphlet would not have 
 been so long unacknowledged, had I not waited an opportu- 
 nity of reading it carefully over, before I wrote to you. The 
 purport of it I do so perfectly approve, that (the Lord 
 being my helper.) I wish by every scriptural means to 
 cry aloud in the ears of the Conference, that unless a* 
 greater union is established between the different parts, 
 of the body, we appear to have no human or scriptural 
 ground to prevent the most destructive division. A cry for 
 mastery will be heard in our camp — a struggle for power 
 must take place — the relation of christian brethren will cease 
 — human policy, with all its infernal effects, will sever the 
 Connexion — love will be lost — so far as we depart from 
 scriptural principles, it must be so — the people (many of 
 them) see it — they love, they revere the Conference, and for- 
 bear in hopes the preachers will prevent a contest, and gra- 
 dually promote such measures as will support an union, on 
 simple and New Testament grounds, applicable to the Con- 
 nexion. 
 
 Every step, which supposes a division of interests between 
 preachers and people, originates in that wisdom, which is 
 earthly, sensual, and devilish. If we are not brethren, let 
 us separate. If we are, let us act as such :— confide in each 
 other, and keep close to the rule of God's word. Let the 
 politicians of this world sustain their tottering plans by arti- 
 fice. The Gospel needs it not. But why do I enlarge on 
 a subject I have already so fully explained myself on to you? 
 
 The principle and general tendency of your pamphlet 
 has my unfeigned prayers, that the Conference may very 
 soon adopt some measures to incorporate the body at 
 large with themselves, in every thing which respects our go- 
 vernment. As I firmly believe this is the New Testament 
 plan, I have no hope of lasting peace till it is fixed. 
 
 * # * * x wish my friend had avoided the levity 
 and keen irony in some few lines of his book. You know 
 they do not suit my views. I shall give one to each of out 
 preachers, and do my best in other respects. 
 
 I write you without reserve. I believe you will not readi- 
 ly misunderstand me. 
 
 My love to Mrs. Kilham, and believe me sincerely 
 Your's, 
 
 M. LONGRIDGE. 
 
240 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Mr. William Smith, of Newcastle, and many more, 
 both preachers and lay members, wrote to Mr. Kil- 
 ham in a similar way, generally approving of the prin- 
 ciples he had laid down in the " Progress of Liberty," 
 and hoping he would persevere in advocating the cause 
 which he had so largely benefited by his writings. Mr. 
 Kilham, however, soon saw that a tempest was collecting 
 around him, and that he must make every preparation 
 in his power to meet it. The first intimation of this, 
 was in a letter from Mr. Pawson, charging him with 
 attacking the whole body of preachers, and applying 
 personally what was intended only to be general in 
 the pamphlet. Mr. Kilham replied, with a view of re- 
 moving this impression, but to no purpose, as the of- 
 fence was taken, and the plan to be adopted determined 
 upon. We may insert a passage or two from Mr, 
 Kilham's letter to Mr. Pawson, for the purpose of 
 showing how ready he was to assure him that he 
 meant nothing disrespectful towards himself: 
 
 15th December, 1795. 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 * * * * 
 
 But why are you alarmed ? Have I forged and published 
 a number of falsehoods to blacken our Connexion ? Or 
 have I basely and wickedly misrepresented our affairs to 
 make us to be abhorred by our people ? If either of these 
 are facts, then expel me from among you, without showing 
 the least mercy. But if I have stated facts which cannot be 
 controverted, and have suppressed many circumstances, in- 
 stead of exaggerating those facts, why am I accused ? If I 
 have shown the grievances under which the people groan, 
 and have endeavoured to point out a way in which we may 
 fully satisfy them, without injuring ourselves, why do you rise 
 up and persecute me ? God is my witness, that I have 
 spoken the truth as far as I know it, with no other view 
 than to bring about such a reformation as the necessity 
 of our affairs requires. I foresaw the storm that would ga- 
 ther, but determined to meet it in the name of the Lord 
 Jesus. And instead of repenting of what I have done, I 
 bless God for giving me courage to come forward in such a 
 good cause. I am not in the least discouraged by what you 
 have written. I had counted the cost, before my pamphlet 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 211 
 
 went to the press, and if you cast rne out of the synagogue, 
 the Lord Jesus will amply provide for me and my family. 
 Can you suppose that I would have ventured my all to the 
 stake, in publishing this pamphlet, if I had not eyed the 
 glory of God in the good of our Connexion ? The persecu- 
 tion I expect from my brethren, instead of being pleasant, 
 is painful; but to bear it for the sake of Jesus Christ, is 
 what I glory in before all. And I shall cheerfully, under 
 the influence, of divine grace, go without the camp, to bear 
 the reproach of the Son of God, even from my brethren. 
 
 I cannot tell what part of my pamphlet you apply to 
 yourself. There is not an aged preacher in the Connexion I 
 respect more than I do you. And I believe you are striv- 
 ing to glorify God and save your own and other souls. 
 But you either do not see the evils my pamphlet complains 
 of, or you think them trifling. Perhaps our people will not 
 tell you, or many of our aged fathers, their minds ; but they 
 tell us, and do not fail to throw out many severe hints, while 
 they insinuate that many of the senior preachers have been 
 so long in the habit of exercising undue power and influence 
 over the people, that they will not, on any account, give up 
 any part of it, unless they are constrained to do it by the 
 members. I think you often suffer your judgment to be 
 warped from what you had proposed, on account of politi- 
 cal manoeuvres, without duly weighing them. 
 
 * * * I cannot tell how you twist what I have said, 
 when you insinuate that I reproach the whole Connexion. 
 I have guarded my expressions repeatedly against the in- 
 fluence of such insinuations. I hope you will read over the 
 pamphlet ajjain, and see the impropriety of your reflections. 
 ]f you refuse to examine impartially, I am apprehensive 
 many of our friends will act otherwise. * * * * 
 Your affectionate servant, 
 
 A. KlLHAM. 
 
 But while Mr. Pawson and other preachers were 
 faking personal offence at what Mr. Kilhani had writ- 
 ten, there were some of his brethren who viewed in a 
 different light, and expressed their approbation of, the 
 pamphlet. A very respectable preacher addressed him 
 thus:— "I entirely approve of your outlines. The 
 plan is most certainly comprehensive, simple, and all 
 its parts properly adapted to the purposes of our good 
 government. In case such a constitution should t. 
 
 v 
 
242 LIFE OF THE 
 
 place, I cannot forbear an anticipation of the pleasing 
 consequences. And I am confident that herein 1 am 
 expressing the sentiments of the greatest part of the 
 preachers into whose hands your Progress will come. 
 There are two reasons which I think will induce a few 
 to oppose it, with no small degree of violence. The 
 first is, that your scheme is too developing : it will not 
 let the public cash lie behind the screen. The second 
 
 is, that it was not conceived in the sage garret of , 
 
 nor brought forth with all the dignity of Bps, 
 
 but acknowledges for its father one who was in his 
 
 cradle when were travelling preachers ! If the 
 
 High Court, City-road, London, have not altered its an- 
 cient rules since the last assizes, the author of the Pro- 
 gress will be arraigned and tried. But I suppose his 
 childish fondness for truth, and his recollecting that 
 persecution always rendered more illustrious and tri- 
 umphant, will fill him with zeal for its support, and 
 make him bold where others would blush. I wrote 
 
 a few lines to attend your Progress to " 
 
 Another, a senior brother, has the following passage: 
 — " I write partly to encourage you, because I foresee 
 you will have some powerful opposers among your 
 brethren ; and partly to advise you to be cautious in 
 your proposals for a new- constitution, lest your op- 
 ponents should accuse you of self-sufficiency. A great 
 part of your plan I approve of; especially respecting 
 finances — the preacher's fund — admitting the people to 
 assist us in these things — and consulting them about 
 local preachers, and even admitting some of those to 
 travel. For I have long been persuaded, if we take 
 the people with us in all our affairs more than we 
 have done, it will be better for us. I have heard many 
 complaints from some of the most sensible of them ; 
 and I am sorry to say there is too much truth in their 
 assertions. They say there is an appearance of dupli- 
 city in many of us, and therefore they cannot put con- 
 fidence in us. There is nothing in the christian religion 
 that need to be concealed. Let us do every thing in 
 our power to convince both the world and our people 
 that real Methodism is nothing else butreal Christianity." 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 213 
 
 These testimonials were, however, ineffect, as nothing, 
 when weighed against the disapprobation of the most 
 influential preachers, which was made known in a 
 formal manner by the following communication, which 
 they sent to Mr. Hunter, then stationed at Newcastle, 
 and who was chairman of the district in which Mr. 
 Kilham laboured, calling upon him to convene a meet- 
 ing on the subject: — 
 
 To Mr. WILLIAM HUNTER, Chairman of the 
 Newcastle District. 
 
 London, 5th December, 1795. 
 Dear Brother, 
 We have met together solemnly to consider the pamphlet 
 lately published by Alexander Kilham, entitled " The Pro- 
 gress of Liberty," and think ourselves obliged to write to you 
 on the subject, as the chairman of that district in which Mr. 
 Kilham labours. 
 
 We detest the spirit of the book, and are persuaded it 
 contains most malicious expressions against the body of 
 preachers in general, and against respectable individuals in 
 particular. We have no doubt the pamphlet has an im- 
 mediate tendency to prejudice our people against their preach- 
 ers, and to destroy the work of God. If it go into the world 
 at large, it must give the public the most unfavourable opi- 
 nion concerning us ; it also tends to destroy our preachers' 
 fund, by holding out the assistants as a company of whin- 
 ing Jesuits, and consequently atrocious knaves. So bad a 
 book has not been published among us, since the first revival 
 of the work of God. 
 
 We, therefore, as persons implicated in Mr Kilham's 
 charges, immediately advise and claim a district meeting. 
 For Mr. Kilham can do us no harm as an open enemy, but 
 he will do us unspeakable hurt as a secret one. If Mr. 
 Kilham continue among us after such gross and malicious 
 assertions, we to all intents and purposes plead guilty, and 
 must by the public be supposed to be a company of villains. 
 
 We look up to you and the other members of the district 
 committee for redress. Our wounded cause, and the charac- 
 ters of preachers in general, call for it immediately. The 
 cause of God is at stake, and if justice is not done in this 
 case, we may take our farewell of primitive Methodism. 
 We desire you will read this our testimony against the malice 
 
 x 2 
 
244 LIFE OF THE 
 
 pride, and audaciousness with which the pamphlet under 
 
 consideration is replete. 
 
 We are, your affectionate brethren, Thomas Coke, John 
 Pawson, Francis Wrigley, William West, Thomas 
 Rankin, George Story, Adam Clarke, Weaker 
 Griffith, George Whitfield, Richard Reece. 
 
 It is worthy of remark that the preceding letter care- 
 fully avoids all allusion to the principles which Mr. 
 Kilham had maintained in his Progress of Liberty ; 
 and he is treated as having merely made a personal 
 attack upon the preachers. This was not a fair repre- 
 sentation of the matter ; and even if it had been so, 
 however strongly the individuals who signed this 
 document, (said to have been drawn up by Dr. Coke,) 
 objected to the "spirit of the book" written by Mr. 
 Kilham, and to the severity of some of his expressions, 
 they certainly did not themselves, in this instance, furnish 
 a better specimen either of christian temper or concili- 
 atory language, than was to be found in the most ex- 
 ceptionable parts of his pamphlet. And in case he had 
 taken all the freedom with them which they charge 
 upon him, we are much mistaken if the reader will 
 not be of opinion, after the ample retaliation includ- 
 ed in the terms " enemy," "gross and malicious asser- 
 tions," "malice," "pride," and "audaciousness," that 
 they might, without injustice to themselves, have for- 
 borne all further proceedings against him. 
 
 Mr. Kilham immediately w r rote an answer to this 
 requisition, which he addressed to the parties who had 
 signed it, and which he not inaptly denominated a 
 " Methodistical Bull," in allusion to the papal mani- 
 festos which used to create so much terror before the 
 Reformation. This answer he afterwards published, 
 together with the letter, or Bull, and some additional 
 remarks in his own vindication. 
 
 Mr. Hunter, who was a most kind and moderate 
 man, expressed himself, in a letter to Mr. Kilham, as 
 being in great perplexity what to do, and for a time he 
 seemed disinclined to comply with the requisition for 
 a district meeting; at length, however, he convened one, 
 which was held at Newcastle on the 18th of Feb., 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 245 
 
 1T96, and two following days, when a kind of investi- 
 gation of Mr. Kilham's conduct took place, but without 
 any decisive step being taken respecting him. The 
 day before the trial commenced, a number of leading 
 persons who coincided in Mr. Kilham's views, and ap- 
 proved generally of what he had done in promoting 
 reform, assembled in Newcastle, and at a public meet- 
 ing held for the purpose of sanctioning the cause of 
 liberty, Mr. William Smith being in the chair, 
 
 " It was unanimously resolved, 
 
 1st. That the present is a suitable opportunity for stating 
 the sentiments of the fore-mentioned societies upon the fol- 
 lowing subjects, to the Connexion at large. 
 
 2nd. That the prosperity of religion amongst the Metho- 
 dists is in danger from the want of a fuller communication 
 between the circuits and Conference, and from assistants 
 having a power to act independently of their people, in the 
 government of the societies. 
 
 3rd. That the following address fully expresses the sen- 
 timents of the meeting. 
 
 4th. That it be printed, and sent to the principal societies 
 and preachers throughout the kingdom. 
 
 And 5th. That the following brethren be appointed a 
 committee, for carrying the above resolutions into effect- 
 
 William Smith, George Jefferson, Robert Frost, New- 
 castle. John Grundell, Byker. Ralph Annett, 
 Luke Mattison, Alnwick. Robert Cairns, Monh- 
 wearmouth. Robert Hutton, Michael Longridge, 
 Sunderland. Robert Whitfield, Hexham" 
 
 The address appended to these resolutions asserts, — 
 
 " 1st. That according to the present existing rules of 
 Conference (as far as we understand them) the Me- 
 thodist preachers rule their people without consulting 
 them. 
 
 2nd. That this is contrary to reason, revelation, and 
 the natural order of society. 
 
 3rd. That this is one of the principal causes of the 
 evils which prevail among us. 
 
 4th. That it has already shaken the confidence which 
 ought to subsist between preachers and people. 
 
 5th. That the Conference only can open such an 
 x3 
 
216 LIFE OF THE 
 
 intercourse with the societies, as will reconcile all par- 
 ties, and remove every existing grievance." 
 
 The address occupies nearly five printed quarto 
 pages, and, besides the foregoing, it contains some very 
 plain and pointed statements, — such as the following: — 
 
 " Who can deny that we are a society in which the 
 people have no voice? in which they are not permitted 
 to deliberate on the choice of their own officers, form- 
 ation of their own laws, or distribution of their own 
 property ? We have no alternative on any of these 
 subjects but resistance," * * 
 
 " As it is contrary to Scripture, so it is also contrary 
 to the natural order of society. We know but of two 
 precedents to countenance it ; the one is, the papal 
 authority ; the other, tyrannical civil governments. 
 Both these assume a power of dictating to their people, 
 and require implicit faith and passive obedience. We 
 are decidedly of opinion, that the evils complained of 
 may be attributed to this anti-scriptural and oppressive 
 system. There are three evils which particularly 
 threaten us. 1st. An increase of a worldly spirit. 
 2nd. Division in the societies, 3rd. Want of love to 
 the preachers." ****** 
 
 "These remarks sufficiently prove, that a want of de- 
 liberation with the people is the great source of all 
 those evils that exist among us; and that it has already 
 greatly shaken the confidence of many, we appeal to 
 recent circumstances to prove. We hear the murmurs 
 of the people ; the preachers do not : they amount to 
 this : — « Conference will do their own way ; they do 
 not wish to consult their people ; they strive to act in- 
 dependently of them.' These are the complaints of 
 those, who, from both good and bad motives, do not 
 speak openly." 
 
 This address was extensively circulated throughout 
 the Connexion, and being signed by a great number 
 of resnectable individuals, in addition to those who 
 were present at the meeting when the preceding reso- 
 lutions were adopted, it produced a strong sensation 
 in many places. 
 
 As soon as the district meeting was opened, and its 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 247 
 
 object stated to be, " to take into consideration a late 
 publication entitled The Progress of Liberty among 
 the Methodists, by Mr. Kilham," Mr. Hunter, the 
 chairman, read the following note which had been pre- 
 viously handed to him : 
 
 Newcastle, 17 th February, 1796. 
 Honoured Fathers and Brethren, 
 
 There are four things which I particularly request you to 
 resolve me in. 1. By whose influence and authority is this 
 district meeting called ? 2. What are the particular charges 
 you mean to prefer against me ? — Please to favour me with a 
 list of them as soon as possible, that I may prepare my de- 
 fence. 3. By what law do you mean to judge me ? 4. I 
 earnestly entreat that my trial may be open to all the lead- 
 ing friends, that shall be assembled in Newcastle to-morrow : 
 and that I may have a jury chosen from among our people; 
 half of them appointed by you, and the other half by me. 
 If this reasonable, equitable request be not granted, I shall 
 consider myself exposed to many things which are contrary 
 to the feelings of an Englishman. 
 
 I entreat you to weigh these matters calmly before God, 
 and act in them as the Bible directs ; ever considering, 
 that the eyes of our people are upon you ; and unless you 
 act an open, honourable part, in this matter, the minds of 
 very many of our best friends will be exceedingly grieved. 
 I am, 
 
 Your affectionate Servant, 
 
 Alex Kilham. 
 
 In reply to the first of these'enquiries, Mr. Kilham 
 ascertained that the meeting was held in consequence 
 of the London letter signed by Dr. Coke and others. 
 As a matter of principle, he contended, and it would 
 seem with great propriety, that they had no right what- 
 ever, by the rules of the Connexion, to interfere with 
 the Newcastle district or the preachers stationed therein. 
 The second request, referring to the particular charges 
 against him, the meeting refused to grant. Mr. Kil- 
 ham made the third enquiry, in consequence of havino- 
 received the joint opinion of three of the preachers, 
 which agreed with his own, that if he had done any 
 thing to subject himself to be tried at all, the investiga- 
 tion ought not to take place by a court composed of 
 
218 LIFE OF THE 
 
 preachers only, but as appointed by the Articles of Pacifi- 
 cation passed at the preceding Conference. The an- 
 nexed, which is the letter alluded to, written by three 
 of the circuit preachers, will explain the case: 
 
 May, 1796. 
 Dear Brother Kilham, 
 
 A few of us being together at and engaged in free 
 
 and friendly conversation, among other things we. took oc- 
 casion to say a little concerning your case, and the rules of 
 Pacification, with which it seems to be connected. After a 
 good deal had passed on these subjects, we were unani- 
 mously of opinion, 1. That if you have broken any of our 
 rules, by publishing your Piogress of Liberty, it is Article 
 the 7th, under the head of Discipline. 2. That you cannot be 
 legally suspended by the district meeting, but ought to be 
 tried by a court consisting of preachers, trustees, and stew- 
 ards, as specified in R. 2, and alluded to in R. 5. 3. That the 
 friends in London had either lost sight of the above-mention- 
 ed rules, or were disposed to set them aside, when they ad- 
 vised and claimed a district meeting, to have you tried and 
 suspended — (by which we presume they meant a meeting 
 of the preachers only). 4. That the district meeting, in re- 
 fusing to admit trustees, stewards, and leaders, to attend at 
 your trial, according to what is specified in the said rules, 
 have acted contrary to their own laws. 5. That what you 
 seem to have requested as a favour; you might have de- 
 manded as a just right; namely, to be tried by a jury 
 consisting of preachers and people. 6. That you need not 
 (except you please) submit to the sentence of the district 
 meeting, should they be disposed to suspend you ; but may 
 appeal to such a court as is mentioned in the rules of Paci- 
 fication. 
 
 We submit our opinion to your consideration. You are 
 at full liberty to make what use of it you please. We re- 
 main, your very affectionate brethren in Christ, and hearty 
 well-wishers in the cause of Truth and Liberty, &c. 
 
 The preachers assembled at the district meeting- 
 would not, however, allow this, but determined to try him 
 themselves, according to the plan acted upon before 
 the Articles of Pacification were passed. Mr. Kilham 
 finishes his account of the preliminary arrangements, by 
 adding, " They denied my fourth request, and would 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 249 
 
 neither suffer my trial to be open to our people, nor a 
 jury to be appointed from among them. I then en- 
 treated that a few select friends might attend, to see 
 that justice was done, but this reasonable request they 
 would not grant. After frankly declaring, with a 
 heart full of grief, that my trial was according to the 
 rules of the Inquisition, and a burlesque upon common 
 sense, 1 submitted to their will, not in the least fearing 
 what they could do unto me. A number of addresses 
 were sent to the chairman, from individuals and socie- 
 ties, which ought to have been read before the trial 
 commenced ; but they were not so much as laid on the 
 table till within a iew hours of the examination being 
 ended." 
 
 After this settlement respecting the constitution of 
 the court, the preachers present proceeded to ex- 
 amine the pamphlet; but what they did amounted only 
 to something like giving a number of criticisms upon 
 particular passages, which it is unnecessary to furnish 
 in detail, as we shall have to state them in the account 
 of his trial at the following Conference. 
 
 The investigation ended at that meeting, so far as 
 Mr. Kilham was concerned, in an arrangement between 
 him and his accusers, that the matter should lie over 
 until the regular district meeting, to be held at Sunder- 
 land in May ; and in the mean time he engaged not to 
 print and publish the proceedings, unless it were in 
 reply to any person who might appear against him in 
 print It is only necessary to add, that when another 
 district meeting was held at Sunderland, after a short 
 discussion, it was resolved to refer the whole case to 
 Conference; so that, at the conclusion of two exami- 
 nations, no judgment was passed on Mr. Kilham by 
 the meetings. He published the particulars of these 
 trials in a pamphlet, a short time before Conference. 
 
 The effect of the London letter, signed by Dr. Coke 
 and others, was highly prejudicial to Mr. Kilham, in- 
 asmuch as it signified to the preachers generally, sever- 
 al months before the Conference met, what were the 
 intentions of the leading men respecting him. If no such 
 manifestation had proceeded from them, until he had 
 
250 LIFE OF THE 
 
 been brought to trial before the annual assembly, he 
 would probably have been supported by a strong body 
 of his brethren, as on former occasions ; but it having 
 been ascertained beforehand, by the sentiments of that 
 letter, that the governing party in the Connexion were 
 agreed to condemn him, there were inducements, and 
 also time, for numbers who had hitherto acted as his 
 friends and coadjutors, to hesitate, and even to turn 
 round and prepare to vote against him. On referring 
 to his correspondence at this period, we perceive clear 
 indications of what followed shortly after. From some 
 who had written him in commendation of The Progress 
 of Liberty, when it was first published, he received 
 letters stating that they had read it again more attentive- 
 ly, and disapproved of this and that passage ; others 
 qualified the approbation they had formerly given ; 
 others, again, who had been accustomed to write him 
 long and frequent letters, now apologized for the delay 
 and brevity of their communications, and shunned those 
 points, which, until lately, they had most largely and 
 freely dwelt on ; and, finally, others who had contended 
 for the privileges of the Methodists, began to express 
 doubts whether they would make a good use of 
 liberty if they had it conceded. In short, there were 
 many intelligible signs given that he was about to be 
 deserted by numbers who had afforded him every reason 
 to expect they would have stood by him to the end. 
 
 Mr. Kilham, however, was not dismayed under these 
 discouragements ; and that which would have broken 
 down common minds, braced and nerved him for more 
 vigorous action. Since so many who had advocated 
 the principles of liberty, when contending for the 
 Sacrament, and independent public worship, against 
 the established Church, and also against the arbitrary 
 conduct of the trustees of Bristol, and other places, 
 were now becoming the opponents of freedom — the 
 idea suggested itself to him of publishing a pamphlet in 
 which should be embodied the opinions which had 
 been once inculcated by these individuals. He men- 
 tioned the project to several friends, who heartily ap- 
 proved of it, and offered to assist as far as they could 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 251 
 
 in its completion. Mr. Kilham thus refers to the sub- 
 ject in his diary : — "As I was now so deeply engaged 
 in this contest, I found myself under the necessity of 
 proceeding, and of taking steps that I had not foreseen, 
 and which became necessary from the circumstances in 
 which I was now involved. 1 began therefore to prepare for 
 another pamphlets and to endeavour to execute it as soon 
 as possible; this I entitled, 'A Free Enquiry, exempli- 
 fied from the avowed sentiments of the most respectable 
 preachers and leading friends in our Connexion,publish- 
 ed in near fifty pamphlets and letters, since the death 
 of Mr. Wesley.' As it contained a variety of extracts 
 from publications which had been circulated amongst 
 the Methodists for a year or two preceding, it mi<dit 
 be considered as a general retrospect of what had been 
 done by the societies, in claiming their liberties of the 
 Conference. Mr. Longridge came over to Alnwick to 
 help me in preparing this pamphlet, and spent two 
 days with me in private : I found him very useful in 
 arranging the subject, and in throwing the book into a 
 proper form, and he gave me many hints which were of 
 great advantage to the publication." 
 
 Again he writes, — "I hastened my work to the utter- 
 most, and was determined not to lose a moment till it 
 was finished : after I had proceeded as far as I could, 
 I rode to Morpeth to meet Messrs. Longridge and 
 Grundell, to read them what 1 had prepared, and have 
 their further advice ; we spent a considerable part of 
 the night, and the next day, in perusing and altering 
 what 1 had written ; before we parted we fixed on several 
 things that were to be corrected, and to undergo con- 
 siderable alterations, and which created fresh labour 
 for me, but they appeared of consequence, and I cheer- 
 fully submitted." 
 
 This pamphlet, which was printed in Bristol, placed 
 several of the preachers, who now stood opposed to 
 him, in the very unpleasant position of being equally 
 as much at variance with their former selves as with Mr. 
 Kilham ; but as the course of proceeding in reference 
 to him had been determined upon, their being in danger 
 
252 LIFE OF THE 
 
 of becoming convicted of inconsistency had not the 
 effect of changing their purpose or conduct. 
 
 Mr. Kilham's path of duty being plain to his own 
 judgment and conscience, he went straight forward. 
 Speaking of the future, he sa} T s : — 
 
 " I feel my mind fully determined to pursue the 
 way that appears most for the glory of God, and the 
 good of mankind. The Lord is undoubtedly on the 
 side of them that trust in him, and I am determined to 
 live devoted to his service : may the Lord sanctify 
 the present contest in our Connexion to his glory ! 
 The preachers are making every possible opposition 
 to a reform, and to the interests of the people, but the 
 people seem determined in many places to claim their 
 privileges. Accept, O Lord, of this last labour of love 
 in the pamphlet I have written; may it spread through 
 the societies, and become useful to them, in causing 
 them to see their privileges, to claim them with 
 meekness, and with that firmness which the truth 
 inspires. 
 
 " From a letter I received from J. Crowther, he 
 seems to be lukewarm in the cause to which he formerly 
 gave his full and hearty approbation. He seems now 
 not sufficiently willing that the people should have 
 their privileges, for he supposes, according to the old 
 doctrine, that they will not make a right use of them. But 
 I think it sinful to act upon it: we have no right to 
 monopolize the rights of the people, under the idea 
 that we are their guardians." 
 
 A few days afterwards, Mr. Kilham records another 
 letter from Mr. Crowther, wherein he says, "he is bewil- 
 dered, and hardly knows how to act; he still fears the 
 people are incapable of properly using their privileges." 
 These communications, as the reader will have an- 
 ticipated, were preliminary to Mr. Crowther changing 
 sides: and, notwithstanding all that he had said and writ- 
 ten for liberty, when Mr. Kilham's cause came to be 
 tried at Conference Mr. Crowther was among those 
 who gave judgment against him. 
 
 In the midst of these desertions, however, he received 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 253 
 
 some assurances and tokens of fidelity. Mr. Kilham 
 observes : — 
 
 " Our friends at Nottingham wrote me a very kind 
 letter, offering any pecuniary supply I might be in 
 want of, and also professed themselves willing to as- 
 sist me in any other way in their power. I hope the 
 Lord will bless and reward all that shew kindness to 
 his unworthy creature ; that society has come forward 
 freely to my help." 
 
 While Mr. Kilham was apprised of many, on whose 
 countenance and assistance he had calculated, falling 
 off from the cause of liberty at this critical moment, he 
 received strong pledges of support from other quarters. 
 In addition to the approbation of individuals, addresses 
 were voted b} 7 several societies and circuits, thanking 
 him for the services he had rendered to Methodism, 
 and strengthening his hands in the work in which 
 lie was engaged. Nottingham, Manchester, Plymouth, 
 Leeds, Newark, Lancaster, and other places in Eng- 
 land, wrote to Mr. Kilham, approving generally of 
 what he had done. The following, from Aberdeen, is 
 a fair specimen of the rest: — 
 
 Aberdeen, Sth March, 1796. 
 
 To Mr Alex. Kilham, Methodist preacher, at Alnwick, 
 Sir, 
 
 We whose names are hereto subscribed, having called a 
 full meeting of the leaders and managers of the Methodist 
 society in this place, have met this evening, to consult about 
 the tendency of your pamphlet intituled "The Progress of 
 Liberty," Sec, and likewise, to consider if the charges brought 
 against you, on its account, be just; and after having ex- 
 amined the subjects, and conversed together, resolved to lay 
 our sentiments before you, and embrace this opportunity 
 to do so. We approve of the pamphlet in general, except 
 some sentences, which we think rather sarcastical. But more 
 particularly — 1st. We believe, because we have felt, that 
 many of the evils which you point out do really exist among 
 us, and therefore ought immediately to be laid aside. 2nd. 
 Wc highly approve of the liberty you contend for. 3rd. We 
 sincerely wish that Conference may establish a discipline 
 among us, similar to what you have pointed out in your out- 
 lines ; and we are persuaded, that if it please God to dispose 
 
 Y 
 
254 LIFE OF THE 
 
 the hearts of Conference to do this, it will be a mean of 
 settling these disputes and divisions, which unhappily have 
 distracted our Connexion for some years past, to the grief of 
 every well-wisher to our cause. 4th. We are astonished at 
 the proceedings of those good men (and good men we be- 
 lieve they are) who demanded your trial, as well as those who 
 brought such charges against you ; we cannot think they in- 
 tended a combination against the interests of truth and liberty, 
 and resolved to smother them while young ; but we are sorry 
 to say, their conduct has that appearance. 5th. We think 
 some of the charges made against you are so far from 
 being crimes, that they will meet with the approbation of 
 every unprejudiced mind, especially if disinterested. 6th. 
 We think some of the charges are exceedingly unjust, and can 
 never be fairly inferred from your pamphlet. 7th We believe 
 your motives are pure, and we are convinced you plead for 
 the cause of God, and therefore think it our duty to support 
 you, and the cause you have espoused, by every peaceable 
 and prudent method in our power, and are resolved to do so, 
 the Lord being our helper. May the God of peace, the giver 
 of peace, and the lover of peace, send peace among us, and 
 continue it among us for e\ermore ! 
 
 We are, Dear Sir, 
 
 Your sincere well-wishers, 
 (Signed, &c.) 
 
 Mr. Kilham also received from Liverpool, Notting- 
 ham, &c, several sums of money to be appropriated in 
 promoting the interests of reform. The Nottingham re- 
 mittance was accompanied by the following letter : — 
 
 Basford, 20th April, 1796. 
 ])ear Friend, 
 
 The committee of Methodists, at Nottingham, have 
 desired me to remit you five guineas, for which they expect 
 you to send them such pamphlets as you judge best calcu- 
 lated to forward the cause of liberty among us ; they do not 
 expect you to balance this by value in books, but leave it to 
 your discretion, and will give you further assistance if you 
 want it. 
 
 With respect to our affairs here, we have written letters to 
 most of the principal societies in the district, requesting them 
 to send delegates to meet at Nottingham, to demand our 
 liberties; they are to meet the day before the district meet- 
 ing, on the 22nd of May, and as far as we can judge, our 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 255 
 
 letters have been well received, and the people enter into our 
 views; we should by all means have a supply of pamphlet* 
 by that time. 
 
 We never were so well satisfied with our preachers as at 
 this time ; they all behave liberally in the present dispute ; 
 and we should be sorry to have any part of our conduct consider- 
 ed aslevelled at them : this we shall endeavour to avoid by a 
 proper explanation. Mr. Hanby desires his love to you and 
 your friends now 
 
 Wrestling in the glorious cause, 
 
 Of truth, of freedom, and of equal laws ; 
 
 and I am persuaded, were all the preachers of his spirit and 
 liberality, the contest would soon be at an end. 
 Believe me, Dear Sir, 
 
 Your sincere friend, 
 Robt. Hall. 
 
 As the time for holding the Conference approached, 
 it became more and more evident, from the steps al- 
 ready taken by the leading preachers in reference to 
 Mr. Kilham's pamphlets, that they had resolved upon 
 condemning and expelling the author. He accordingly 
 went to London, where this assembly was to take place 
 in July, 1796, fully anticipating what would be the re- 
 sult. Many of his friends were of the same opinion ; 
 and Mr. Longridge, of Sunderland, with a forethought 
 for his temporal comfort which cannot be mentioned 
 without praise, kindly offered Mr. Kilham and his fa- 
 mily an asylum, or temporary home, in his house, in 
 case he were cast out from among the preachers. 
 
 The amount of labour which Mr. Kilham had to 
 perform at this time, and afterwards, was exceedingly 
 great. He neglected none of his duties as a preacher 
 and the superintendent of a circuit; while his writings, 
 his frequent and long journeys to consult with friends, 
 and his extensive correspondence, occasioned him many 
 times to sit up whole nights, which, with the mental 
 anxiety necessarily induced by the circumstances in 
 which he found himself placed, were certain to make an 
 inroad on his constitution, though this might be im- 
 perceptible at first, both to himself and others. Bu t 
 in all his letters which we have seen, he never so much 
 
 Y 2 
 
256 LIFE OF THE 
 
 as bints at any weariness, though some of them 
 are dated " three o'clock in the morning," at which 
 hour he had not been able to retire to rest. The 
 imperfect state of Mrs. Kilham's health was, moreover, 
 a cause of grief to him, yet in all other respects he 
 had every reason to rejoice in her. Though afflict- 
 ed, and needing assistance, she more than made up to 
 him for his sympathy and attention, by her pious con- 
 duct, and, it may even be added, by her co-operation 
 in the labours which he had to perform. 
 
 After he had published the Progress of Liberty, and 
 found a host of enemies standing up against him, so far 
 from offering any discouragement, or endeavouring to 
 prevail upon him to relinquish, as a thankless and trou- 
 blesome undertaking, the part be had sustained in pro- 
 moting Method istical reforms, she frequently exhorted 
 him to follow the convictions of his own mind, and the 
 openings of Divine Providence, not in the least fearing 
 the consequences ; often professing a willingness to live 
 in the humblest situation, rather than he should be 
 afraid of declaring himself faithfully to the preachers. 
 Mr. Kilham observes, while writing her memoirs, after 
 her death, that u the abusive, insulting letters we re- 
 ceived from many quarters, together with the provok- 
 ing language made use of by individuals, only moved 
 her to be more earnest at the throne of grace, and 
 more resolved to be fully and for ever the Lord's. If 
 her spirits were depressed, she always found relief in 
 the religion of Jesus. She placed death frequently 
 before her, and had divine impressions upon her mind, 
 in meditations upon- it." 
 
 The following are passages from her letters to him 
 when at Conference, and undergoing his trial and expul- 
 sion : — " If I could bear more of thy burthen for thee 
 than I do, my heart would rejoice, even mine. None 
 can be more willing to help, though many are more 
 able. May the Lord bless, and send thee help from 
 heaven !" 
 
 When she heard of his condemnation by the preach- 
 ers, she wrote, — "Language fails to tell thee of the dis- 
 tressing time we have had to pass through. I had 
 
REV. A. KILI1AM. 257 
 
 many friend? uniting to comfort me : others, that be- 
 fore * appeared friendly, were rejoicing at what they 
 supposed to be our downfall. In the midst of these 
 deep waters, the Lord has kept me from sinking. His 
 blessed word lias been my support and my stay. I 
 will hope that these dark clouds will pass away, and 
 the dawn of better days will appear. Do not, my dear, 
 be unhappy about us. I am willing to go any where. 
 As soon as we can find a suitable place, a little room 
 or two, with peace, will make me happy. May the 
 Lord be ever present with thee, and lead thee into the 
 paths of truth and peace; and deliver thee out of the 
 hands of thy formidable enemies, for they are many ! 
 I recommend thee to His gracious protection, for He 
 careth for thee " 
 
 In another letter, wTitten to a friend, she said, — "I am 
 hoping, with humble submission to the divine will, to 
 see better days. There is but one thing I am at pre- 
 sent careful for, which is, the injury my dear husband 
 may sustain in his character, unless he wipe off the 
 various slanders his enemies have laid upon him. I 
 hope I can be happy with any situation the providence 
 of God may point out for us. His smile will bring 
 peace into the meanest cottage." 
 
 The devout and self-denying spirit shewn by Mrs. 
 Kilham, justifies the notice which we have taken of her 
 conduct in making the preceding extracts. She would, 
 indeed, have been wronged by their omission. The 
 affectionate terms in which she expresses herself, and 
 her conscientious disregard of suffering in what she be- 
 lieved to be a good cause, cannot fail to secure a high 
 degree of respect for her character. 
 
 The time of Conference having arrived, Mr. Kil- 
 ham set out for London, staying a day or two in Leeds 
 on his way, where the friends encouraged him by their 
 kindness and prayers. On leaving them, he said em- 
 phatically, — " I am going to be judged by the Great 
 Sanhedrim, but may God be glorified, and — the will of 
 the Lord be done." 
 
 y3 
 
258 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 CONFERENCE, 1796,— MR. KILHAM'S TRFAL AND EXPULSION 
 FROM THE METHODIST CONNEXION. 
 
 The meeting of Conference in London, 1796, was 
 looked forward to with even greater anxiety than the 
 Manchester Conference had been the preceding year. 
 Mr. Kilham's writings had exposed several abuses in 
 the Connexion, which were considered as naturally re- 
 sulting from a system where the legislative and execu- 
 tive power was placed in the hands of one class of 
 individuals, who were not responsible to any other 
 class for their conduct. The opinion was gaining 
 ground, among the preachers* as well as the people, 
 that representatives from the societies might, without 
 danger, be admitted to Conference; and deputations 
 from trustees, which had before assembled in Man- 
 chester, had again been convened in London, where 
 
 * This may be exemplified by the following document, shewing that 
 in the Nottingham District all the preachers, with the exception of one* 
 who merely had doubts on the subject, were willing for delegates from 
 the people to be admitted to Conference : — 
 
 " At a meeting of delegates from societies in this district, to consult 
 on the grievances under which we labour, in consequence of the unequai 
 distribution of power in our church government, a letter was written to 
 the meeting of preachers held this week at Nottingham, complaining of 
 and stating these grievances. The assembly of preachers having taken 
 our letter into consideration, they have favoured us with the following 
 reply. Which letter, as we think it reflects honour on the preachers 
 that composed that meeting, we rejoice in communicating to our breth- 
 ren in general. We think it a very extraordinary and singular instance 
 of their liberality and candour, and are happy in having the opportunity 
 of showing to our friends their impartial attachment to the cause of reli- 
 gion, and their willingness to establish it in its pristine and genuine 
 simplicity. We do most heartily and sincerely rejoice in the prospect of 
 that peace and universal love that we think we see approaching, and hope 
 that mutual confidence and general liberality of conduct and sentiment, 
 will entirely supplant those jealousies and discords that have unhappily 
 
LIFE OF THE REV. A. KILHAM. 259 
 
 they passed several resolutions, and presented an ad- 
 dress to Conference, in which they stated " that 
 jealousies, destructive to the work, are spreading 
 
 so long distracted our religious community. We hope that both preach- 
 ers and people will shortly make it manifest to all men, that they have 
 but one cause at heart, one interest to defend ; and that their joint 
 prayers, their wishes, and their actions, all converge towards that desir- 
 able point, the glory of God and the salvation of mankind. 
 
 " Samuel Barlow, Thomas Tatham, Joseph Woodhouse, Charles 
 Sutton, Nottingham ; Robert Hall, Basford ; Joseph Finch, 
 Mansfield : William Huddlestone, Arnold ; William Joyce, 
 William Burton, Ashby; John Welch, Derby; John Bradley, 
 Coventry. 
 " Nottingham, May 2Gth, 1796." 
 
 The following is the reply of the preachers : — 
 
 " Dear Brethren, — We feel it our desire to promote, as much as pos- 
 sible, the credit and prosperity of that cause in which we (as ministers 
 of the Gospel) are engaged. With this view, we honestly declare our 
 wish that the grievances of which our people complain may meet with 
 the redress of Conference. We only speak the sentiments of our hearts, 
 when we say, that we sincerely love the brethren, and feel it the greatest 
 pleasure of our lives to spend, and be spent, for their present and fu- 
 ture advantage ; and we are fully persuaded, that while we act disinterest- 
 edly, we have nothing to fear, but every thing to hope. We are hap- 
 py to find, that Mr. Benson has no objection that all preachers should 
 come into Connexion with the voice of the people ; this (to say nothing 
 of prudence) we consider to be no more than equity and justice will 
 claim. Agreeable to such principles, (principles we wish ever to abide 
 by) we further observe ; that members of society should be admitted or 
 excluded by a majority of the leaders :— that the circuit and society 
 stewards should be the voluntary choice of a majority of onr people, to- 
 gether with the preachers : —and that all other regulations which con- 
 cern us, (as a religious body,) should be grounded on a foundation as 
 lasting, as it is just ; and as prosperous, as it is prudent. W 7 e see no 
 reason to object to the admission of delegates from our societies, into our 
 district meetings; nor of delegates from our circuits into the Confer- 
 ence ; to assist and advise with us, in all matters which properly concern 
 them, as representatives of the people. As the friends of our common 
 cause — as children of one heavenly father — as fellow-brethren in Christ 
 Jesus, we entreat you, ' Pray for us,' that He who governs in Zion, may 
 ever preside over us, and determine in all our councils. 
 
 " W r e are, dear Brethren, your servants for Christ's sake, 
 
 " Thomas Hanby, Simon Day, John Beaumont, Thomas Dunn, 
 George Sargeant, Thomas Greaves, J. Penman, Thomas 
 Longley, Jonathan Parkin, John Atkins, John Nelson, 
 George Dermott, George Morley. 
 
 " I have my doubts that the alterations proposed will not be for the 
 furtherance of the gospel. " Samuel Bardsley. 
 
 " Nottingham, May the 27th, 179G. 
 
 '• Sent by order of the meeting, T. Greaves, Secretary." 
 
^60 LIFE OF THE 
 
 through the Connexion ; whilst every thing that we have 
 known, on a calm and unbiassed view of the parties 
 concerned, and the circumstances existing, compels us 
 to conclude, that one principal cause of these jealousies 
 is owing to a want of fuller communication between the 
 Circuits and Conference; and to a want of rules in 
 some parts of our discipline, which might guard the 
 whole Connexion from the improper influence of indi- 
 viduals." The following proposals were added for the 
 consideration of Conference : — 
 
 1st. That an intercourse by delegates, or a public letter, 
 subsist between the Circuits, Districts, and Conference. 
 
 2nd. That all our rules of discipline be so expressed, that 
 no individual, or small number of individuals, may be the 
 sole judges of the meaning of rules which affect the whole 
 body — or be intrusted with a power to act in opposition to 
 whole Societies and Circuits without controul. 
 
 3rd. That all our public accounts be kept in such a man- 
 ner that individual characters may not easily be rendered 
 suspicious. 
 
 4th. That the admission of local and travelling preachers 
 among us may be manifestly attended with the sanction 
 of numbers instead of individuals. 
 
 We are decidedly of opinion that our rules, on these 
 subjects, as they now stand, are not sufficiently explicit, and 
 that the want of something more explicit has occasioned so 
 much contention. 
 
 We entreat the Conference, as they regard the peace of the 
 Societies, to form some additional rules that will render the 
 executive power more effectual. 
 
 Willing to contribute our mite to terminate the discords 
 around us — we wait the reply of Conference, to suggest any 
 further particulars on these points. 
 
 Signed, by order of the meeting, 
 
 RICHARD SAUSE, Chairman. 
 THOMAS DAY, Secretary. 
 
 Subsequently, a memorial to Conference was agreed 
 to by the deputation of trustees, containing the follow- 
 ing propositions : — 
 
 1st. That no person be recommended to travel without the 
 sanction of the leaders of the Society where he has lived, 
 and the quarterly meetings. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 261 
 
 2nd. That no preachers admit or exclude Members, 
 Stewards, Leaders, or Local Preachers, in opposition to the 
 judgment of a Leader's and Quarterly Meeting. 
 
 3rd. That no person be admitted into full Connexion to 
 travel, till he has the approbation of the two last Quarterly- 
 Meetings in the Circuit where he labours, before the Confer- 
 ence. 
 
 4th. That all business (except stationing preachers) neces- 
 sary to be transacted between the Circuits, Districts, and 
 Conference, be done in a public general letter, the outlines 
 of which to be drawn up by a Committee of Conference. 
 
 5th. That this be transmitted to the Districts and Con- 
 ference, either by the preacher or a delegate, whichever is 
 determined by a quarterly meeting. 
 
 6th. That delegates meet with the preachers in the dis- 
 trict meetings and Conference. 
 
 71 h. That all collections and public monies be entered 
 into the Society books where they are made, and when they 
 become Circuit collections, be transferred to the Circuit 
 books ; — and that minute details of all public monies be 
 communicated to the Societies. 
 
 The preceding are substantially what Mr. Kilham 
 had been contending for ; and if Conference had been 
 willing to concede these points, there would not have 
 been any insuperable difficulty in adjusting all disputes 
 in reference to him ; for it appears, throughout the 
 whole of his conduct, that so far as regarded particular 
 expressions, he had no objections to admit, that, in his 
 maturer judgment, they were not the best which might 
 have been chosen ; and that terms of too great severity 
 were to be found in his writings.* But though his lan- 
 guage was taken hold of as a pretext for condemning 
 
 * That too much censure may not be attached to Mr. Kilham on this 
 subject, it is proper to observe, — 1st. That in writing to and of each 
 other, the preachers of that day were accustomed to adopt the plainest, 
 and even most uncourteous style ; and in conveying blame, they often 
 made use of terms which, if taken in a strict literal sense, would suppose 
 them destitute of almost every thing morally good. But they had no 
 intention of conveying such meaning, nor were their expressions so taken 
 by those to whom they might be addressed ; a rigid interpretation of what 
 they sometimes said, would, therefore, be unjust on the part of the 
 reader ; and knowing this, as the Conference did, it cannot be believed 
 that they really understood, when they condemned Mr. Kilham, that he 
 had written every word as a mere philologist, and nothing rhetorically, 
 
232 
 
 LIFE OF THE 
 
 him, the principles of constitutional liberty which he 
 inculcated were what his opponents really disliked, and 
 which they were determined, if possible, to put down. 
 The state of affairs was such, that Conference found 
 itself obliged to do one of two things — either to let the 
 people participate in the government of the Connexion, 
 or to take some step which might have the effect of caus- 
 ing them to desist from claiming this privilege. The 
 leading preachers being unwilling to part with any of 
 their authoritv, and regarding Mr. Kilham as the chief 
 cause of the laity having claimed to exercise a voice in 
 making and executing the laws of the community, it 
 was resolved to try the experiment of deterring any of 
 their own body from taking a similar course, by 
 humbling him, and bringing him to acknowledge his 
 conduct to have been wrong, accompanied by a solemn 
 pledge not to repeat his advocacy of the people's rights — 
 or, at all hazards, to expel him from the Connexion. 
 He was accordingly cited to the bar of this Conference 
 to take his trial, the particulars of which may now 
 be given. 
 
 On the first day, Mr. Mather, with the sanction of 
 
 or according to the free use and loose application of expressions which 
 then prevailed amongst themselves. 2nd. When Mr. Bradburn, Dr. 
 Coke, Mr. Taylor, and others, had been opposed to Mr. Benson, Mr. 
 Mather, &c, as in the Bristol dispute, they had said as severe things 
 as any that are to be found in Mr. Kilham 's publications ; and which 
 were far more personal in their application. In fact, it may be repeat- 
 ed, that in cases where only venial errors or mistakes were referred to, 
 language highly criminatory was common — too common, in all their 
 controversies. 3rd. As soon as Mr. Kilham saw that some of his ex- 
 pressions were taken hold of by his opponents, he at once admitted them 
 to be objectionable, and made every concession which could be required 
 of him. And as evidence of his sincerity in regretting this error, it may 
 be stated that we have before us a copy of his Progress of Liberty where 
 all such passages are expunged, and more appropriate terms, to which 
 fastidious exceptions could not be taken, substituted in his own hand-writ- 
 ing. These corrections appear to have been made immediately after 
 the pamphlet was first published, and they were probably intended to 
 have been introduced in a future edition ; but in consequence of the 
 steps taken by the preachers, when Mr. Kilham republished the Pro- 
 gress of Liberty in the Methodist Monitor, it was printed verbatim ac- 
 cording as it originally appeared, that the whole extent of his offence 
 might be contrasted with the grievous charges made against, and the 
 heavy penalty of expulsion which had been inflicted upon him. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 263 
 
 the preachers, handed to Mr. Kilham the following 
 questions, in writing, to which he returned the annex- 
 ed replies immediately: — 
 
 Question 1. Do you acknowledge the pamphlet, entitled 
 an Appeal to the Methodist Societies of the Alnwick Circuit, 
 dated the 24-th May, 17U6 ? 
 
 Answer. 1 do. 
 
 Question 2. Do you intend to support the third paragraph 
 in the first page of that pamphlet; which declares that 
 " there are several parts of our plan both unscriptural and 
 oppressive to the people ?" 
 
 Answer. I desire time to consider. 
 
 Question 3. Do you intend to support the second para- 
 graph in the second page of that pamphlet; declaring that 
 " no government under Heaven, except an absolute mo- 
 narchy, or a papal hierarchy, is so despotic and oppressive 
 as ours," or words to that purport ? 
 
 Answer. 1 desire time to consider. 
 
 Question 4-. Do you intend to support the second para- 
 graph in the third page of that pamphlet, which declares 
 that " Priestcraft is the same in every sect and party," &c. ; 
 and do you mean to support this as our character, according 
 to the implication of that paragraph ? 
 
 Answer. I desire time to consider. 
 
 Question 5. How long have you been received into con- 
 nexion ? 
 
 Answer. I have travelled nearly twelve years. 
 
 Question 6. Did Mr. Wesley receive you into full con- 
 nexion, and did he give you the Minutes of the Conference ? 
 
 Answer. Mr. Wesley did receive me into full connexion, 
 and, I think, did give me the Minutes of the Conference. 
 
 Question 7. Did you then promise and intend to sup- 
 port and execute those minutes and rules, as far as your 
 situation enabled you ? 
 
 Answer. I did, according to my knowledge of them. 
 
 Question 8. Will you abide by that engagement, or do 
 you retract it ? 
 
 Answer. I desire time to consider. 
 
 A Committee of the preachers was then appointed, to 
 examine his recent writings, (for the enquiry was not 
 confined to the Progress of Liberty,) and draw up a list 
 of charges against him, founded on what were deemed 
 the most objectionable passages they contained. 
 
264 LIFE OF THE 
 
 On Tuesday morning, Mr. Kilham delivered in his 
 replies to such of the above questions as he had been 
 allowed time to consider. A list of charges was then 
 preferred against him. of which, for the purpose of pre- 
 paring his defence, he earnestly entreated to be favour- 
 ed with a copy ; but this was repeatedly refused.* He 
 further made application, " in order that he might not 
 
 * To the honour of one preacher, who afterwards became distin- 
 guished as the most learned individual whose name has ever been as- 
 sociated with Methodism — we refer to the late Dr. Adam Clarke — it 
 should be recorded that, as an act of sheer justice, he urged on Con- 
 ference to furnish the accused with a fair opportunity of justifying 
 himself. Mr. Kilham says, — " Mr. Adam Clarke pleaded with the 
 preachers for me to have an exact copy of the charges, as drawn up by 
 committee, with time to make my defence. When he found they were 
 determined to withhold it, he took me aside privately, and professed his 
 love and tenderness for me, declaring, if I would give him a promise 
 not to inform of what he should do (or words to that effect), he would 
 mark all the places in the pamphlets that the charges alluded to. I 
 gave him my promise, and he fulfilled his engagement." For this in- 
 formation, Mr. Kilham was indebted to the favour of Dr. Clarke, and 
 not to the justice of the Conference, which, by withholding what the 
 veriest criminal is entitled to, and allowed to have in every court of 
 law, did all it could to prevent him from making any reply to its 
 accusations, except under the greatest disadvantage. But this is not 
 all. "When Mr. Kilham published an account of his trial and expulsion 
 by Conference, and stated what was strictly true, that it had refused 
 him a copy of the charges, Messrs. Mather and Pawson, in a publica- 
 tion which* they entitled " An affectionate Address" to the Connexion, 
 having by some means become acquainted with the circumstance of Dr. 
 Clarke's kindnes*s to Mr. Kilham, insinuated that he had misrepresented 
 the case in the following words : — " When he has so loudly complained 
 of the injustice of the Conference in withholding a copy from him, he 
 had the books marked, and put into his hands by a member of the Con- 
 ference. In the name of all that is sacred, what has this wonderful re- 
 former done with his conscience?" This is a striking instance how a 
 true fact may be stated for the purpose of making a false impression. 
 The intention of Messrs. Mather and Pawson in what they said, was 
 unquestionably to have it believed that the " member of Conference" 
 who gave Mr. Kilham a copy of the charges, did this with the knowledge 
 and %mder the direction of Conference — which was contrary to the truth. 
 In befriending Mr. Kilham, Dr. Clarke, under the impulse of his own 
 sense of what was due to another, acted against the decision of the 
 Conference, and in violation of its wish ; — yet, when the injustice of 
 Conference, in refusing to give a list of charges to an accused party, 
 became known to the public, an unworthy attempt is made not only 
 to appropriate to Conference the credit of an act of justice secretly done 
 by an individual, contrary to its will, but to charge Mr. Kilham with 
 a false statement ! We regret to observe, this is not the only instance 
 of the kind which might be given ; and yet the parties conducting them- 
 selves in such an unfair manner, could express a concern to know what 
 Mr. Kilham had "done with his conscience !" 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 265 
 
 be exposed to any thing which was contrary to the 
 feelings of an Englishman," to be tried by a jury of re- 
 spectable friends, one-half to be appointed by the 
 Conference, and the other half by himself;* and to have 
 the investigation conducted in public, before the socie- 
 ty in the New Chapel. To show that he had a right 
 to have these requests granted, he read a few emphatic 
 sentences from some remarks made by Dr. Coke, a few 
 years before, in a dispute with the trustees on the state 
 of Dewsbury meeting-house. "Has not every man," 
 said the Dr., " a right to an impartial trial ? And can 
 that trial be impartial when the same persons are ac- 
 cusers, jury, judges, and executioners ? Can any process 
 be more absurd — more inconsistent with the essence of 
 justice, than this? And can itbe supposed that it ever could 
 enter into the mind of so wise a man as Mr. Wesley to 
 accede to a proposal so contrary to every idea of law 
 and equity? And yet this is the very power which the 
 trustees require!" Dr. Coke had affirmed, that in all 
 his reading he had " never met such an instance of 
 bare-faced tyranny and injustice, except in the histories 
 of the Popish inquisition." Now, the power said to 
 have been claimed by the Trustees, and so warmly de- 
 nounced in this passage, Mr. Kilham contended was 
 the self-same power about to be exercised in his case 
 by Conference ; and yet, he adds, "no sooner had I 
 finished reading this excellent passage, than the Con- 
 ference immediately became my accusers, jury, judges,. 
 
 * Had Conference been disposed to have complied with this request, 
 there was the fullest opportunity of doing impartial justice in his case, 
 a number of trustees, and of the most nspectable lay individuals in the 
 Connexion, being present in London. It could have been arranged for a 
 committee, composed of preachers and trustees, in equal numbers, to have 
 investigated his conduct, and given in a written report or opinion respect- 
 ing it to Conference ; and it might have passed judgment upon him ac- 
 cordingly. But this would have been virtually committing Mr. Kilham 
 into the hands of parties who would decide his case on its merits, "with- 
 out fear, favour, or affection, " which might have frustrated the inten- 
 sions of the leading preachers respecting him. His proposal to be tried 
 by an unprejudiced and disinterested jury was, therefore, treated by them 
 as preposterous. They had him in their power, and determined to 
 run no risk of losing their hold, by entrusting him, even in part I . 
 ylhers, 
 
266 LIFE OF THE 
 
 and, in due time, my executioners !" The preachers, in 
 short, refused to grant any of the requests above stated. 
 
 It was then argued by some of the brethren, that — as 
 Mr. Kilham had stood up, at that Conference, with the 
 other preachers, to declare, first, that "they en- 
 gaged to follow strictly the plan which Mr. Wesley 
 left them at his death ;" and, second, that " they were 
 unanimously determined to abide by the large Minutes 
 of the Conference, in every thing which respected 
 doctrine and discipline contained therein," — he had, by 
 giving this sign of assent, recanted all his late publica- 
 tions. To this Mr. Kilham replied, that he had, in a 
 pamphlet signed Paul and Silas, published in the pre- 
 ceding year, shown that Mr. Wesley, at his death, 
 left them to follow the openings of Providence ; and 
 that, as to the Minutes, he meant, by standing up, to 
 imply that he agreed thereto so far as they were con- 
 sistent with the Scriptures. A good deal was said to 
 induce him to promise that he would conform to them 
 without putting in any conditions; and Mr. Benson 
 having, among others, pressed him to adopt that course, 
 he referred that gentleman to the following remarks 
 contained in his (Mr. B.'s) answer to Dr. Tatham : — 
 
 " No creeds, confessions of faith, or articles of religion, 
 are further to be regarded than they can be proved by the 
 Scriptures, the only rule, and the sufficient rule, of both 
 faith and practice. And with regard to this, every indivi- 
 dual must examine and judge for himself, calling no 
 man, let his abilities or integrity be what they may, Master, 
 or Father, on earth ; and crediting no man's doctrine fur- 
 ther than it is, in his judgment, proved from Scripture; — 
 in his judgment, I say ; for as every man must give an ac- 
 count of himself to God, so must every one judge for him- 
 self." 
 
 On this being read, Mr. Kilham remarks, — " Mr. 
 Benson seemed a good deal confused while I referred 
 to this passage ; and when I was reminding him of his 
 own words, Mr. Bradburn smiled and sat down. Per- 
 haps he thought I should be quoting a few passages 
 from his own excellent sermon on Equality. The subject 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 261 
 
 was immediately changed, and other tilings occupied our 
 attention." 
 
 These preliminaries having been settled, the Con- 
 ference came to their first charge. It originally stood 
 thus: — 
 
 "He charges the preachers with want of abilities for the 
 work they have undertaken." 
 
 But, after the trial, in the account which was pub- 
 lished of it at the instance of Conference, it was in- 
 serted : — 
 
 "Mr. Kilham has advanced, that many of the local and 
 travelling preachers want abilities for the work in which they 
 are engaged." 
 
 The passage on which this charge is founded, is in 
 the Progress of Liberty, page 30, and is as follows : — 
 " Are there not many local, not to say travelling 
 preachers, who cannot explain to the satisfaction of any 
 sensible Christian, a number of doctrines which are 
 essential to our salvation ?" Mr. Kilham , s object in 
 making this remark, was to show that the practice of 
 taking preachers on the plan, and to travel, on the single 
 authority of a circuit preacher, and without the suffrages 
 of the society or quarterly meeting, had a tendency to 
 introduce into the ministry incompetent persons ; who, 
 by obtaining the patronage, by whatever means, of a 
 superintendent, might thus get out to travel. It was no- 
 torious that many very poor preachers had been in- 
 troduced into the Connexion in this way; yet Mr. Brad- 
 burn solemnly declared he did not know any travelling 
 or local preacher who was unable satisfactorily to explain 
 the doctrines of the gospel : and Mr. Kilham, (after sig- 
 nificantly asking Mr. B. if that was according to what 
 he had formerly said on the same subject) proceeded 
 to enquire whether this passage charged the preach- 
 ers at large (as set forth by the Conference on the trial) 
 as men wanting in abilities for their work ? Its words 
 were — " Are there not many local, not to say travelling 
 preachers," &c. ; and he felt certain that thousands 
 would be ready to answer in the affirmative, from their 
 own knowledge, without at all impugning the abilities 
 
 z 2 
 
268 LIFE OF THE 
 
 of the preachers as a body. The fact, he said, was so 
 well known, that he declined mentioning names to sub- 
 stantiate his assertion, as it was unnecessary to do so. 
 
 The second charge was, " that Mr. Kilham had ac- 
 cused the preachers with being guilty of spiritual 
 tyranny ;" which was partly founded on the following 
 sentence quoted by the preachers from the Progress, 
 p. 19 : — " We detest the conduct of persecuting Neros, 
 and all the bloody actions of the great whore of Baby- 
 lon, and yet, in our measure, w r e tread in their steps." 
 
 On this allegation, thus supported, being read, Mr. 
 Kilham asked if it were generous of the brethren to 
 choose a detached sentence in a paragraph to suit their 
 purpose, when they were convinced the whole of it 
 would make against them ? If quoted at all, it ought 
 surely to have been accompanied by that portion of the 
 context which immediately related to it, and which 
 modified the aspect of the paragraph in a material de- 
 gree. In its entire state, the passage is as follows : — 
 
 <r Is it not amazingly strange, that any sect or party 
 should refuse to give to their brethren what the laws of our 
 country so cheerfully allow ? Is it not cruelty and persecu- 
 tion to restrict one another in those things which are not es- 
 sential to the salvation of the soul ? Does not every man 
 that would force his brother to any modes of worship against 
 his own mind, act the part of a spiritual tyrant, and lord it 
 over God's heritage ? We detest the conduct of persecuting 
 Neros, and all the bloody actions of the great whore of Ba- 
 bylon, and yet, in our measure, we tread in their steps. If 
 a man of any sect or party should force his creed of faith 
 upon us, and constrain us to worship in his way, contrary 
 to our will, or prevent us from worshipping according to the 
 convictions of our own mind, he is a Nero to us — a true son 
 of the great whore of Babylon." 
 
 Other passages were quoted from his Examination 
 of the London Methodistical Bull, from his Short Ac- 
 count of the District Meeting Tria s, &c. to sustain 
 this charge ; for further answer to which he referred 
 the Conference to the written paper which he had de- 
 livered in reply to their former questions. The an- 
 nexed is a copy of this document: — 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 2(>9 
 
 Question. " Do you support the third paragraph, in the 
 first page of that pamphlet [called An Appeal to the Metho- 
 dist Societies in the Alnwick circuit,] which declares that 
 there are several parts of our plan, both unscriptural and op- 
 pressive to the people." 
 
 Answer. According to my judgment, after all that 
 Messrs. Benson, Mather, Pawson, and Crowther have said, 
 our people are " ruled without being consulted, " as it refers 
 to " the choice of their own officers, the formation of their 
 own laws, and the distribution of their own collections." 
 What is mentioned in the second page of that pamphlet, ac- 
 cording to my views of the subject, is fairly deducible from 
 our present plan. " 1. An assistant preacher has power, 
 with the help of a single leader, to receive or exclude mem- 
 bers into or from the society, without the knowledge or consent 
 of the people. 2. He can alone place or displace leaders, 
 stewards, or local preachers, 3. He can of himself, without 
 consulting any of the preachers that are travelling with him, 
 recommend persons and get them placed among the travel- 
 ling preachers. 4. He can make all the collections, such as 
 yearly, Kingswood school, and preachers' fund, without 
 being obliged to give a single individual any account of what 
 he has received, till he come to the Conference. 5. The 
 preachers in the Conference make laws for the people with- 
 out consulting them, and transact all the affairs of the Con- 
 nexion, without the people having a single voice or repre- 
 sentative in the assembly, 6. All the collections are disburs- 
 ed by the preachers alone, and the expenditure is only 
 published in gross sums, which prevents the people from 
 knowing how the money is applied. This is the case v\ith 
 them all, except the preachers' fund collection." 
 
 After examining the subject on every side, I am obliged 
 to own, that whatever respect is paid to general custom, our 
 present plan of discipline admits of every thing I have named. 
 Those passages of scripture which inform us that christians 
 are brethren— that ministers are not lords over God's heri- 
 tage, but ensamples to the flock — that they are the servants 
 of the people for Christ's sake — according to my judgment, 
 militate against our present plan. And it is my opinion, 
 our Lord's words, " do unto others, as ye would that they 
 should do unto you," are against our present mode of go- 
 vernment. Acts vi. I — 6, and the xv. 22, 23. and the xvi. 
 2. with 1 Tim. iii. 10, according to the commentaries of 
 Messrs. Poole, Henry, Doddridge, Weslev,8cc. "which clearly 
 
 z 3 
 
270 LIFE OF THE 
 
 prove that the primitive christians were virtually consulted 
 in these things ; and that ministers in all ages ought to con- 
 sult their people in them." Where preachers avail them- 
 selves of the liberty our plan admits of, and appoint leaders, 
 stewards, local preachers, &c. to their office, without consult- 
 ing either the people at large, or the present leaders and 
 stewards, I think their conduct is unscriptural ; and as 
 our system of rules does not bind a preacher to consult 
 the people, whatever may be said respecting general cus- 
 tom, I consider it in these things as not founded on the 
 scriptures. 
 
 It appears to me to be oppressive to the society. Is it 
 not oppressive to any body of people to have members re- 
 ceived to, or excluded from them, without their knowledge 
 or consent ? And may not this be done among us by a 
 single preacher, in conjunction with a leader ? If general 
 custom were converted into positive law, this, perhaps, 
 would not be the case. 2. Is it not oppressive to have 
 leaders, stewards, and local preachers, appointed to their 
 office by the [travelling] preachers alone, should they avail 
 themselves of the liberty our plan allows ? General custom will 
 admit of this. 3. Is it not oppressive to have preachers ap- 
 pointed to travel, without their knowledge or consent ? 
 Was not this done last year in several instances ? Does not 
 general custom admit of it ? 4. Have not the Conference 
 power to form and execute what laws they please for the 
 people, without consulting them ; and is not this oppressive ? 
 6. Have not the preachers power to receive and disburse 
 collections of themselves, and is there no oppression in this ? 
 When any persons are told, if they do not approve of a 
 discipline that admits of such things, they may leave us, 
 is there nothing oppressive in the idea of either leaving the 
 people they sincerely love, or of submitting to several things 
 which are grievous to them, according to their present views 
 of our economy ? 
 
 Question. '« Do you intend to support the second para- 
 graph of the second page of that pamphlet * declaring 
 that no government under heaven, except absolute monar- 
 chies, or the papal hierarchy, are so despotic and oppressive as 
 our's is ? 3 ' 
 
 Answer. These words are connected with the six par- 
 ticulars I have quoted above : and they refer entirely to our 
 plan of discipline. I do not mean by these expressions, 1. 
 That the Methodist preachers are like the rulers of absolute 
 
REV. A. KILKAM. 271 
 
 monarchies and the papal hierarchy, as it refers to their life 
 and conversation. 2. Nor that they have intentions to en- 
 slave and oppress their followers, as those governments do. 
 3. Nor do I mean, that, had they equal civil power with 
 them, they would use it in the same way. 
 
 If I understand absolute monarchies and the papal 
 hierarchy, our government bears some resemblance to them 
 in the following' particulars : 1. The rulers in them have 
 power to make laws, for themselves or the people, without 
 their knowledge or consent. 2. They can abrogate, alter, or 
 suspend laws at their pleasure, without consulting the 
 people. 3. They can create new offices and places of them- 
 selves. 4. If they consult with their people, they have pow- 
 er to act independently of them. 5. They can prevent the 
 people, by their representatives, from having any access to 
 their councils, or grand assemblies. 6. They can levy taxes 
 and expend the money, without being accountable to any for 
 their conduct. 7. They can prevent free enquiry, and keep 
 the people ignorant of many things, which are of great im- 
 portance to them. 8. They can arraign, accuse, try, cast, con- 
 demn, as well as execute any of their brethren in office, 
 without the interference of the people. 9. They can force 
 the inhabitants to submit to their rules, or leave the country, 
 and seek refuge in other nations. 
 
 Now [ ask, do we not, in some measure, resemble them 
 in these particulars ? Cannot we make laws for ourselves 
 and our followers, without their having a single representative 
 in our Conferences? Cannot we abrogate, alter, or suspend 
 our laws, at our pleasure, without consulting the different 
 societies ? Cannot we elect and appoint new officers in our 
 Connexion ? And, were we disposed to do it, could we not 
 make new places for new orders of officers ? If we consult 
 with our people, have we not a power to act independently 
 of them, in a number of things ? Cannot we prevent the lead- 
 ers, or any representatives of the people, from having access 
 to our district meetings, and to the Conference ? Cannot we 
 appoint col'ections and disburse the money, without consult- 
 ing our followers, or giving them an account in detail, of 
 what we receive and distribute ? Cannot we, in a great 
 measure, prevent free enquiry, and in consequence of this, 
 keep our people ignorant of many things which concern 
 their welfare ? Have we not power to arraign, accuse, try, 
 cast, condemn, and execute judgment upon each other, without 
 the interference of the societies p Cannot we compel the 
 
272 LIFE OF THE 
 
 people to submit to laws that are made by us alone every 
 year, or force them to leave the Connexion ? — Viewing our 
 plan of discipline, as bearing some resemblance to these op- 
 pressive governments, in this light, I was led to conclude the 
 paragraph alluded to by asking, can it be supposed that a 
 system of this nature would never be abused to the reproach 
 of our Connexion ? Does it not open a way for men to act 
 tyranically and dishonestly ? Is it not calculated to create 
 jealousies and distrust in our leading men ? And if it be con- 
 tinued, will it not soon destroy itself? Is it not the duty of 
 every sincere lover of Methodism to seek to have it removed, 
 and a better established ?" 
 
 Question. " Do you intend to support the second para- 
 graph in the third page of that pamphlet, which declares, 
 that priestcraft is the same in every sect and party. It loves 
 to deal with ignorance and credulity. It abhors the light, 
 and ever strives to keep its votaries from free enquiry ? And 
 do you mean to support this as our character, according to 
 the implication of that paragraph ?" 
 
 Answer. The words this question refers to are a general 
 maxim, which I never thought of applying to the Conference 
 as it now stands. All I mean by it is this. If we, as a body 
 of preachers, conform to maxims of this nature in any respect, 
 so far as we act in conformity to them, we are under the in- 
 fluence of principles that cannot be justified. 
 
 In his published account of his trial, Mr. Kilham 
 said he would ask the candid and impartial, after 
 reading the above document, to decide whether there 
 was no spiritual tyranny among the Methodists ; and 
 whether he had not proved sufficient to show r that he 
 had committed no offence under this second charge for 
 which nothing short of his expulsion would atone? — 
 It may be remarked here, that the Conference had, 
 after considering the answers just referred to, judged 
 them " to be no answers at all, but merely a repetition 
 of what he had advanced before in his pamphlets." It 
 is the province of the reader to judge between Mr. 
 Kilham and his accusers, and to say whether his ac- 
 count, or this declaration, be best supported by 
 evidence. 
 
 The next accusation, — " That Mr. Kilham had 
 clwrged the preachers with immorality," was embodied 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 273 
 
 in the following particulars: — 1, That the preachers 
 had imposed upon the people, by bringing out im- 
 proper persons from selfish motives ; 2, That they 
 made only mock examinations into each other's cha- 
 racters ; 3, That they had wasted the public money ; 
 4, That they had been guilty of swindling; 5, That 
 they had been guilty of criminal secrecy in transacting 
 their business. 
 
 The 1st of these Articles, as they were called, was 
 grounded upon Mr. Kilham having, in the Progress of 
 Liberty, attempted to show that, at that time, the mode 
 of bringing out persons to travel admitted of great 
 abuses ; and that while the people were, not allowed to 
 have a voice in the matter, very improper persons 
 might be taken out every year, through interested 
 motives on the part of the preachers. In confirma- 
 tion of this, he mentioned at the trial several indivi- 
 duals who had been brought out to travel since the 
 death of Mr. Wesley under such circumstances ; and 
 offered to prove his statements by the Minutes for the 
 last 4 years, if allowed to examine them — which, how- 
 ever, was refused. If, he then observed, he had used 
 strong expressions on the subject, it was with the de- 
 sign to stimulate the preachers and the people to unite 
 in establishing a plan of positive laws, which would 
 not admit of an individual bringing out improper per- 
 sons to travel. He doubted whether there was a 
 leader's or quarterly meeting that could not come for- 
 ward and substantiate before the world what he had 
 stated. 
 
 As to No. 2, which charged him with saying the 
 preachers connived at a S3'stem of mock examination 
 into their own characters, the Conference referred to 
 the first sentence of the paragraph on page 38 of the 
 Progress, viz., — " Our present mode of examining each 
 other's characters, onty makes sensible people laugh 
 at us." There they stopped, and declined stating that 
 the paragraph proceeded to argue, that those chiefly 
 were called on to answer as to the conduct of their 
 brethren, who lived at a distance so remote from them, 
 that in all probability they did not see each other from 
 
274 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Conference to Conference, and knew nothing of their 
 conduct, unless it had been grossly and notoriously im- 
 moral; while others, living on the spot, and belonging to 
 the Societies, who could have given correct information, 
 were never consulted, either personally or by delegation. 
 There were no rules which required the characters of 
 preachers to be examined in quarterly or district meet- 
 ings, but only by those who could not be well acquainted 
 with them ; — and had he not, then, he begged to ask, 
 sufficient reason for declaring, that all the examinations 
 into character taken in Conference, without the people 
 having a single voice by themselves or their represent- 
 atives, were mock examinations ? Mr. Kilham then 
 offered to prove, that in certain districts where he had 
 been, many of the friends had considered this mode of 
 examination in no other light than as a solemn farce : 
 and to exemplify his meaning, as well as to establish what 
 he said, he mentioned that, in some places, preachershad 
 been at variance for several months before Conference, 
 and had each said very unchristian things respecting 
 his opponent ; — but, when they met annually in that 
 assembly, they had no charge to prefer against each 
 other, though no reconciliation had taken place in the 
 meantime. These statements, however, the Conference 
 did not require him to substantiate. 
 
 In reference to the charge of wasting the public 
 money, Mr. Kilham entered into some details to show 
 that this had been the casein such instances as the follow- 
 ing, — Preachers attending Conference who had no busi- 
 ness to transact, and who were excluded by the rules of the 
 former Conference ; leaving their horses behind them, 
 and travelling by coach ; riding inside of coaches, when 
 they might have travelled outside ; removals of families, 
 sometimes to places 3 or 400 miles distant from their 
 previous residences. Of the three former allegations, 
 he was not required to offer any proof, for, he says, the 
 preachers knew they were too self-evident to require 
 examination ; and as to the 4th, respecting long 
 removals, he showed that such had taken place in 
 journeys from Liverpool to London, from London by 
 land to Dundee, from Lancaster to Aberdeen, &c. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 275 
 
 Was he not justified, therefore, asked Mr. Kilham, in 
 declaring that much public money had been wasted 
 every year by the four things which he had mentioned? 
 And would the people, did they think, join in the judg- 
 ment of Conference, that lie was highly criminal for 
 declaring such to have been the fact? 
 
 The next charge, under this head, was that of swind- 
 ling. This was certainly an objectionable word to have 
 used ; but Mr. Kilham offered a good deal of evidence 
 to show that transactions had taken place, particularly 
 in the purchase and 'sale of horses, which might, he 
 contended, be characterised as deserving of that 
 epithet. The want of a better plan of economy, he 
 said, opened a way for designing persons to act 
 contrary to the gospel, — every Assistant, for instance, 
 had the power to conceal from the people what he 
 received in the collections which were carried to Con- 
 ference ; and he might be dishonest if he pleased, 
 without any person being able to detect him. It could 
 not, now, serve any good purpose to repeat here the 
 cases of which he went into particulars to confirm what 
 is above alleged, — which he himself cited rather to show 
 what might take place under the system which then ex-. 
 isted, and the necessity of having it reformed, than for the 
 purpose of bringing individual cases into notice. But 
 after the proofs he had tendered, he could not help ex- 
 pressing his surprise that the Conference should per- 
 sist in saying he had not substantiated his charge. — 
 Under this article, Mr. Kilham was also accused of 
 having unfairly and unjustly obtained a letter, written 
 by Mr. Rodda to Mr. Mather, intimating, among other 
 matters, his fears for the recovery of some of the public 
 money. Mr. Kilham explained, that a friend of his, 
 Mr. Heamer of Manchester, found, in the Vestry-room 
 of Salford chapel, a paper, unsealed, and hardly 
 looking like a letter, on perusing which he instant- 
 ly saw the importance of the matter which it con- 
 tained, and sent it to Mr. K., in order that its 
 contents might beconsidered, and brought forward, if ne- 
 cessary, in his defence. Mr. Kilham offered to give 
 the letter up to the President, without reading it ; but 
 
276 LIFE OF THE 
 
 a majority of the preachers would have it read.* Upon 
 Mr. K. mentioning that the letter had fallen providen- 
 tially into his hands, one of the older preachers declared 
 it was a devilish providence that had brought it to him; 
 and Mr. Bradburn said, every thing that had been 
 alleged against him was trifling, in comparison to the 
 manner in which he had obtained that letter. 
 
 Lastly, as to the charge of secrecy in money matters 
 (for Mr. Kilham denied their right to use the word 
 " criminal," which he had never employed), he showed 
 that several sums for travelling expenses and removal 
 of families had been set down at considerably beneath 
 their actual amount ; and enquired, if any of the people, 
 or even the preachers, knew how much money the 
 book room brought in, or what it was applied to ; or 
 how much the London law-suit cost, when they had to 
 pay the expenses on both sides ? The charge of secre- 
 cy, he maintained, could not be denied; but it amount- 
 ed to nothing more than a want of publication by the 
 preachers of their expenditure in detail, so that the 
 
 * Mr. Kilham, in his account of the trial, gives the following particulars 
 of this very curious letter: — " Mr. Rodda was severe upon me in the 
 first page, and quoted the words of Job on the occasion: 'But now 
 those that are younger than I have me in derision — whose fathers I 
 would have scorned to have set with the dogs of my flock.' He told 
 Mr. Mather, that several of the preachers that signed the London Bull 
 have been deeply impressed for some time with many fears lest they 
 should soon have to take their farewell of Primitive Methodism. He 
 
 then asked him, in words to this effect, ' what would a K [that 
 
 is a Kilham] say if he knew that Dr. C and H. M took 
 
 eighteen guineas at a time out of the book money, against the consent 
 of the book committee, when they had been remonstrated with by Mr. 
 Creighton, Mr. Bradburn, and myself, at the time J was a member of 
 ihat committee ? Or of J. Rogers secreting the deed of the goods of 
 the house in London, from the gentlemen whose names were at it ? 
 Or of the late peculation in the Kingswood money?' He adds, 'If Mr. 
 Mather had been at the helm, [that is, if he had filled Mr. Wesley's, 
 place] he would not have suffered such things to have passed unnoticed.' 
 In this letter, Mr. Rodda also observes, — ' The day you stood upon your 
 feet in the Conference, and did not use them, in the quick or slow 
 march, you might say in the evening, - my friends I have lost a day.' 
 That is, Mr. Mather lost a day when he did not divide the Connexion 
 into two parts. Lastly, Mr Rodda declares that Methodism is near to 
 Its Ne plus ultra — is likely to be broken into a thousand pieces, &c. 
 In the Conference," adds Mr. Kilham, " Dr. Coke and Mr. Henry 
 Moore, explained their matter respecting the eighteen guineas. Ji. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 277 
 
 different societies might judge how far their collections 
 were properly applied ; and he declared that it never 
 was his intention to charge the preachers with criminal 
 secrecy in any such respect, nor had he used the word 
 " criminal" in this matter. 
 
 The 4th general charge was, that he had published, 
 in his tracts, paragraphs highly derogatory to the cha- 
 racter of Mr. Wesley. A number of passages were 
 cited on the trial in proof of this, of which perhaps the 
 following, from Mr. Kilham's Appeal to the Societies 
 of the Alnwick Circuit, page 1, may suffice: — 
 
 " When he (Mr. Wesley) was called to his reward, 
 the preachers did not enter upon a particular examina- 
 tion of his plan, but took it up, and adopted his laws 
 
 Rogers' business was never examined. — The peculation of the Kings- 
 wood money I at first considered could not be brought to any bearing, 
 but circumstances were subsequently brought forward which placed the 
 subject in a different light." 
 
 What Mr. Rodda, in his letter referred to, calls the Kingswood 
 " peculation" was the deficiency of eighty pounds from the collections 
 which had been made for the support of Kingswood school. Mr. Paw- 
 son declared that he had paid the full amount at Conference to Mr. 
 Bradburn, who denied receiving more than he had accounted for, which 
 was £'80 nhort of the whole sum collected. What became of this money 
 was never ascertained ; but the circumstance showed that the pecuniary 
 transactions of the Connexion were not always executed with perfect 
 accuracy, which was one of the things affirmed by Mr. Kilham — and 
 which formed one of the charges preferred against him at his trial. 
 
 My. Kodda's letter to Mr. Mather had an important bearing on 
 Mr. Kilham's case, inasmuch as it shewed that while the leading 
 preachers were charging him with slandering them and the Connexion, 
 by falsely representing the money matters as improperly conducted, 
 his very accusers, in their correspondence with each other, were ad- 
 mitting' and complaining of the identical evils which he reprobated. 
 
 When Mr. Heamer, who picked up this unsealed letter, in the chapel 
 
 vestry at Salford, in the way above mentioned, — found he had the 
 means of enabling Mr. Kilham to justify his own statements under 
 the hand of his accusers, — who at the same time became convicted 
 of exceedingly unfair conduct towards him, — he considered himself 
 warranted, under the circumstances, in handing over the letter to 
 Mr. Kilham. Whether Mr. Heamer was correct or not in this view, 
 is immaterial, so far as Mr. Kilham is concerned, who, we do not hesi- 
 tate to maintain, had the most perfect right, situated as he then was, 
 both to receive this letter, and to make such use of it as his own defence 
 required. If what Mr. Rodda wrote were true, it established Mr. 
 Kilham's case ; and he was entitled to have Mr. Kodda as a witness in 
 his favour: and as he did not come forward, openly and voluntarily, to 
 state what he knew of the conduct of the preachers in respect of pecu- 
 niary affairs, Mr. Kilham, for the purposes of justice, was authorize 
 ed to bring him into court by any means which might be in his power, 
 
 2 A 
 
278 LIFE OF THE 
 
 and rules, as he left them. It cannot be supposed that 
 Mr. Wesley, who travelled about four thousand miles 
 every year, and preached so very often, would closely 
 attend to a well-organized form of church government 
 for his people after his decease. When individuals 
 began to examine different parts of our plan, they found 
 several things in it both oppressive and unscriptural." 
 
 It will be recollected that a similar accusation, and 
 on similar grounds, was preferred against Mr. Kilham, 
 at the Conference, 1792, by Dr. Coke, the particulars 
 of which, and Mr. Kilhanf s defence, have been given 
 in a previous chapter. (See page 157, &c.) 
 
 In reply to this repetition of the charge, Mr. 
 Kilham introduced the following considerations to 
 Conference : — 1. Mr. Wesley never professed him- 
 self to be infallible. He often declared how frail and 
 weak he was. 2. He often called upon the people that 
 heard him, not to receive even what he delivered, with- 
 out examining it by the word of God. 3. As he wrote 
 his sermons and other things in haste, it could not be sup- 
 posed that he could so strictly attend to every thing, as 
 he would have done, had he had more time. If pas- 
 sages might be found in his notes, sermons, and other 
 writings, which cannot be reconciled to the scriptures, 
 such is what might be expected from a person in his 
 situation, and what sensible readers can pass over 
 without censuring his character. 4. He considered 
 himself as the father of his people, and thought he had 
 a right to make laws, and govern, as the head of the 
 Connexion. 5. He was frequently imposed upon, 
 by different persons, and was led to accept of men to 
 travel in the Connexion, who were a reproach to the 
 cause. 6. In the latter part of his life, he employed a 
 few persons, who were like a privy council to him : 
 from the year 1784, when the Deed of Declaration was 
 made, appointing one hundred preachers to be the 
 Conference, to the time of his death, many rules and 
 laws were made, which could not with propriety be im- 
 puted to him. They were the laws and rules of the 
 pieachers acting as a privy council. 7. The peo- 
 ple in general cheerfully submitted to his government 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 279 
 
 while he lived, but expected, after his death, many al- 
 terations would take place in their favour. 8. Mr. 
 Wesley never expected that the societies would sub- 
 mit to the preachers as they had done to him. What 
 was with pleasure conformed to under his govern- 
 ment, when claimed by the Conference as its right, 
 without the consent of the people, became of conse- 
 quence, unscriptural and oppressive. 9. And for the 
 present Methodist preachers to wish to have the same 
 dominion over the different societies that Mr. Wesley 
 had, without their consent, appeared to him exceedingly 
 unjust. 10. He refered to pages 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the 
 Progress of Liberty, for his account of Mr. Wesley's 
 character. — Heintreated the Conference to examine that 
 account, and not take detached passages, to make 
 him guilty of a crime which his soul abhorred. " But" 
 says Mr. fcilham, "they knew too well, if that account of 
 Mr. Wesley vvereexamined by our people,itwouldentire- 
 Iv defeat the end they had in view, in producing these 
 detached passages, and calling them, when collected, a 
 charge s highly injurious to our late venerable father in 
 the gospel.' According to my judgment, all things con- 
 sidered, even in the detached paragraphs they have 
 quoted, I have not 'said any thing derogatory to Mr. 
 Wesley's character.' And I cannot suppose myself 
 ' highly criminal,' for what I have published of him." 
 In reply to the 5th charge, " that he had been guilty 
 of indecent and slanderous language," Mr. Kilham at 
 once admitted that upon different parts of their eco- 
 nomy he had expressed himself with a great deal ot 
 warmth, particularly in exposing the rules of the 
 preachers' fund. He acknowledged that all such 
 epithets were unjustifiable; professed his sorrow for 
 them ; and asked the preachers' pardon. 
 
 The preceding are all the charges that were brought 
 against Mr. Kilham by the Conference, according 
 to the account which he published of the trial — 
 from the beginning to the end of which, he protested 
 against the constitution of the court by which he was 
 condemned. At the same time, he was ready to 
 own that, according to its nature and tendency, the 
 
 2 a 2 
 
280 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Conference treated him with respect, and that his ex- 
 amination was as fair as the inquisitorial character of 
 such a court would admit. 
 
 The Conference was occupied during the whole of 
 Tuesday, the second day, with the above charges ; and 
 on Wednesday they were re-discussed until 11 o'clock 
 a. m., when Mr. Kilham was desired to withdraw, 
 while the evidence was summed up against him.* 
 The particulars of the succeeding transactions will be 
 best gathered from his letters to the President of the 
 Conference, and his own published statements of inter- 
 vening circumstances. On Thursday morning, he sent 
 a letter to Mr. Taylor, President, of which the sub- 
 joined are the principal paragraphs : — 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 I hope you will be so kind as to read to the preachers the 
 following: — When I was called to your bar on Monday 
 morning, and received a number of questions in writing to 
 answer, I exceedingly rejoiced ; hoping that I should have 
 a fair trial, But, on my returning a written answer to those 
 questions, on Tuesday morning, I soon perceived that a fair 
 
 * The reader who understands how judicial enquiries are conducted 
 in this country, cannot fail to be as much astonished that 31 r. Kilham 
 was not allowed to be present when the evidence was summed up, as he 
 must have been when the Conference refused a copy of the charges pre- 
 ferred against him. The verdict of a jury must always very materially 
 depend on the recapitulation of the evidence, and the judge's comments 
 thereon, which immediately precede it ; and if there be one period more 
 than another, during the trial of an accused party in a court of justice, 
 in which he would not on any account be absent, it is when the sum- 
 ming up takes place. All men are liable to err; and a single misap- 
 prehension of a party's testimony may impart an unfavourable com- 
 plexion to the whole case. During this process, indeed, the judge is 
 always watched to the very syllable, in order that no erroneous colour- 
 ing may be given to the evidence; and counsel for the defence have 
 repeatedly been known to set judges right when they have mis- 
 understood what has been stated. And yet, not only was Mr. Kilham 
 required to be absent during the summing up of his case — which lasted 
 from eleven o'clock in the morning till five in the afternoon — but no 
 person whatever was present in his behalf, so that any unfair advantage 
 might be taken both of whatever slips were made by himself, and of any 
 misconceptions on the part of others, which the accused, had he 
 been there, might have . c et right in a moment ; and, what looks still 
 worse as to the character of the proceedings, the preachers present were 
 required sacredly to promise not to divulge any thing that transpired 
 during all this time, until the injunction of secrecy was taken off them. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 2S1. 
 
 trial could not he obtained. It appeared extremely un- 
 reasonable to me to be called to your bar to answer charges 
 which 1 had no previous knowledge of, without having ;i 
 single advocate among you to plead my cause; but as this 
 was your will, I was obliged to submit. After you had 
 spent the whole of Tuesday in bringing charges against me, 
 debating upon them, and taking down short notes of what 
 passed upon each, I hoped you would have cheerfully given 
 me a copy of the whole, when it was completed. Yesterday 
 morning, I entreated you to give me a copy of the particu- 
 lars you had drawn up the day before, and to allow me a few 
 hours' retirement, that I might give you a written answer to 
 them ; but this equitable request you refused to comply 
 with ; and began immediately to read over the list a second 
 time, that new observations might be made upon it. When 
 you had finished the second reading, without giving me a 
 copy of the improved list, you desired me to retire, that you 
 might sum up the evidence, and come to a conclusion. On 
 that part of the trial which most concerned me, you would 
 neither allow me to be present, nor have an advocate in 
 your assembly; but made every preacher stand up and 
 pledge himself before God, neither to tell me, nor any other 
 person without doors, what passed in the debates, till the 
 restraint should in some future period be taken off. From 
 eleven o'clock in the morning, till five in the evening, you 
 had this business entirely to yourselves ; at that hour J was 
 called like a criminal to your bar, not to hear your debates, 
 and the evidence summed up, but to receive sentence of ex- 
 pulsion. It was with difficulty I prevailed on you 1o read 
 over those charges which you grounded my expulsion upon ; 
 and, when you put off confirming the sentence till four 
 o'clock this afternoon, you refused to give me a copy of the 
 particulars you had collected, with your remarks and re- 
 solves upon them :— I pledged myself not to copy a line of 
 them, but to return the whole exactly as I received them. I 
 wanted them, that I might weigh each particular in my 
 closet before God, and make every concession I possibly 
 could on my appearance at your bar this afternoon ; but you 
 determinately refused to comply with my request. 
 
 As far as you have convinced me that I have erred, so far 
 I have frankly owned my offence, and asked your pardon. 
 Two things I have cheerfully acknowledged : I. That in 
 my warmth I have made use of several expressions which 
 
 2 a 3 
 
w ^82 LIFE OF THE 
 
 cannot be justified : 2. That a few of the accounts I have 
 published, respecting the persons that receive from our 
 funds, are not correct. Only produce evidence of my guilt 
 on any of the charges 1 have not acknowledged, and, if you 
 require it, I will publicly ask your pardon in the New Chapel. 
 If you will suffer your charges, after I have animadverted in 
 writing upon them, to be laid before a jury of the friends 
 that are now in London (you choosing one-half of the num- 
 ber, and I the other), their determination shall be final. If 
 you refuse this proposal, I have nothing further to add upon 
 the subject. I particularly request, that you will inform me 
 in writing, when I appear at your bar, this afternoon, by 
 v. bat law of the bible— of justice — of the nation — or of Con- 
 ference, you try and expel me ? Do you expel me in the 
 first place, for immorality ? or, secondly, for preaching er- 
 roneous doctrines? or, thirdly, for want of abilities for the 
 work I have engaged in ? or, lastly, for want of diligence 
 and faithfulness in the work ? If these things are not the 
 cause, tell me honestly when I appear before you. 
 
 There are two things which will follow my expulsion. 1. 
 Irreparable injury to my character throughout these nations. 
 2. Considerable loss to myself or family. I have subscribed 
 eleven years to the preachers' fund ; and, according to its 
 rules, whoever you choose to expel, loses the advantage of 
 it. Will you abide by the consequences of my expulsion ? 
 If I cannot have justice done by you, cannot I have it by 
 putting my cause into the hands of those that have it in 
 their power to see the injured righted ? And, should you go 
 to extremities, my character and property may both be 
 secured by the laws of our land. 
 
 I am sorry that you should so industriously labour to per- 
 suade the people where you go, that I cannot make good 
 any of the charges I have brought against the persons alluded 
 to. Some of the particulars which you have selected from my 
 pamphlets, and called charges, are no charges; others are 
 only made such by your inferences. If you will give me 
 a copy of the particulars you have collected, I pledge my- 
 self to justify every thing I have asserted (except in those 
 instances where I have made concessions, and asked your 
 pardon,) to the satisfaction of every impartial reader. Only 
 forbear the shouts of victory, till our people have a fair op- 
 portunity of examining both sides, and then let the event 
 determine whether you or I have the most cause to triumph. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 283 
 
 Earnestly entreating the God of glory to direct your steps 
 aright in this matter, I am, 
 
 Your affectionate servant, 
 
 Alex. Kilham. 
 
 Wood Street, 28M July, 1796. 
 
 Mr. Kilham then, addressing his readers, proceeds 
 to say, — "At four o'clock, I appeared again at the bar of 
 Conference. I requested to know what answers they 
 designed to return to the questions proposed, in 
 the letter they received from me in the morning ? The 
 President informed me it had been read, but that the 
 brethren did not think it required any answer. He 
 then, after a few more remarks, pronounced the sen- 
 tence, in words to this effect : ' You, Mr. Alexander 
 Kilham, are judged to be unworthy of a place in this 
 body ; and, therefore, I now inform you, that you are 
 no longer a member of it, but are expelled from the 
 Connexion.' After two of them had prayed, they 
 offered to return what I had subscribed to the preach- 
 ers' fund : but I informed them, that I should advise 
 with my friends, before I received it ; and it was pro- 
 bable 1 should apply some other way for it." 
 
 " The same day, they had a short letter prepared to 
 circulate through the nation, in case I did not make 
 suitable acknowledgment of my offences, and engage 
 to renounce what I had published. When I appear- 
 ed at their bar and received the final sentence of ex- 
 pulsion, the preachers did it by their President, with all 
 the gloom and silence of an Inquisition. To make my 
 expulsion secure, it was not only confirmed by the 
 preachers standing up, and unanimously agreeing to it, 
 but every person was required to sign a paper with his 
 own hand, of the justness and uprightness of their pro- 
 ceedings in that matter. The paper was taken to the 
 communion table, and laid on the place where the 
 memorials of the body and blood of Christ are present- 
 ed every sabbath day ; and Mr. Bradburn, {I cannot 
 relate the tragical story without weeping,) who had 
 formerly professed himself a friend to liberty and 
 the rights of the people,— Mr. Bradburn, I say, stood 
 
284 LIFE OF THE 
 
 by the rails of the Lord's table, like the governor of 
 an Inquisition, to see that all his brethren signed. 
 Here we find about 150 preachers of the gospel of 
 Christ, confirming the sentence of condemnation, in a 
 way unheard of in the records of Methodism, if not in 
 the records of ecclesiastical history. This is a sufficient 
 proof, that the leading men in that process considered 
 what I had written (to enlighten and save our people 
 from many evils that they groan beneath) as worse 
 than any crime that had ever been examined in any 
 former Conference. The letter they had prepared was 
 instantly circulated. That night it was sent off by post 
 to many places. After attacking the passions of the 
 people, by a new account of my having injured the 
 character of Mr. Wesley, they complain of my behav- 
 ing with levity before them. Perhaps this will not ap- 
 pear in such a detestable light, when my readers are 
 informed of the cause of my smiling. Soon after my 
 examination was entered upon, a dispute took place 
 among the preachers to know whether I was trying 
 them, or they were trying me. Many arguments were 
 brought forward that I was their judge, and they were 
 criminals before me. After a long dispute on the sub- 
 ject, a great majority of the Conference determined 
 the point, and solemnly declared, I was trying them. 
 This was so curious, since I was arraigned and brought 
 from Alnwick, in Northumberland, on purpose to be 
 tried by them, that I could not help smiling. I told 
 several of the preachers, if I were trying them, they 
 ought to let me sit in the President's chair. The dis- 
 pute was resumed the next day. Dr. Coke could not 
 be reconciled to the idea of my trying them, when it 
 was to be printed, and the people knew r they had been 
 trying me ; therefore he altered the expression, and 
 called the passages they had collected, charges against 
 me." 
 
 " Every day during the Conference, several of the 
 preachers urged me to acknowledge my offences, and 
 to return to them with suitable penitence. But my 
 constant answer was this, — I will cheerfully confess any 
 thing you shall convince me is wrong, but I cannot play 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 285 
 
 the hypocrite, and feign myself sorrowful, when I feel 
 a contrary principle in my heart." 
 
 Though Mr. Kilham's expulsion was one incidental 
 cause of a separation from the Methodist body, he 
 gave every proof that could be required, that no such 
 occurrence formed any part of his plan ; nor, indeed, 
 did the separation take place until twelve months had 
 elapsed after his trial, and when every hope of an ef- 
 fectual reform had been extinguished. But as his op- 
 ponents had repeatedly, both before and at the time 
 of his examination, insinuated it to be his intention to 
 divide the Connexion, he deemed it proper to refute 
 the imputation officially, in a letter to the President of 
 Conference, immediately after the sentence had been 
 pronounced against him. A portion of this letter 
 may properly be inserted : — 
 
 To Mr. Thomas Taylor, President of the Conference. 
 Dear Sir, London, 5th August, 1796. 
 
 You will greatly oblige me, by reading the following lines 
 to the preachers, and returning me their answer, as soon as 
 it is convenient. 
 
 Ever since I came out to travel, I never had the least de- 
 sire to leave the Connexion, but wished to spend and be 
 spent in the work of the ministry. The circuits where I have 
 travelled can bear witness, that I have not only endeavoured 
 to preach according to the regular plan, but to publish the 
 good tidings of salvation in many new places. 
 
 When I heard that my pamphlets had given great offence 
 to many of the preachers, and that my expulsion was deem- 
 ed necessary on that account, many can testify, that I always 
 declared, should that be the case, I had no intention of at- 
 tempting to head a party, or joining immediately any com- 
 munity of dissenters. It has been my fixed opinion for 
 several months, and continues the same at this moment, 
 that the preachers will in due time be convinced I am neither 
 a secret nor an open enemy to the cause of Methodism. If 
 I have acted contrary to the views of many, it has been 
 from conviction of the importance of the steps which I have 
 taken. And if I have erred, it has been with a design to 
 serve the Connexion at large. I have weighed all the charges 
 brought against me with the greatest attention ; and lest my 
 own heart should deceive me, I have asked counsel of several 
 
286 LIFE OF THE 
 
 very respectable friends : but after all, I cannot, without 
 sacrificing my own principles, make any other acknowledg- 
 ments than I have already made to you in the Conference, 
 and in writing. If I had different views, you may depend 
 on it, I would cheerfully submit to their influence. It is 
 probable, before another Conference return, our views on 
 these subjects may be the same. We may then unite with 
 thankfulness, to build the temple of the Lord together. You 
 allege nothing against my moral character ; yet you have 
 cast me off, after allowing me one day to consider upon the 
 subject. 
 
 But what I principally desire you to consider is this. If 
 it were possible, I could wish to preach as much this year, 
 as I have done in any former. But it is probable this can- 
 not be allowed. I should, however, wish to spend every 
 Sabbath, in publishing the Gospel of the grace of God. — 
 I am determined still to consider myself a Methodist preach- 
 er, and am resolved, by the grace of God, for this year, to 
 shew to the Connexion at large, that I have still the interests 
 of Methodism at heart. In consequence of this (unless 
 something very particular happen to alter my purpose) I 
 shall join no sect or party of dissenters, but consider my- 
 self the friend of all. — Do you, my dear brethren, by expel- 
 ling me from among yourselves, exclude me also from hav- 
 ing a place among the local preachers ? If this be the case, 
 do you also expel me from the society ? Or do you admit 
 me to be a member of your community, and a local preach- 
 er? I shall wait your answer to this letter with a degree of 
 anxiety, as a great deal depends on it to me and my family. 
 Praying that God may direct you in all things, 
 I remain, your affectionate servant, 
 
 Alex. Kilham. 
 
 It appears this communication to Conference w r as 
 construed to be a step, on the part of Mr. Kilham, to- 
 wards submission and reconciliation, which led to a 
 deputation being appointed to meet him ; but after an 
 interview of some length, the terms required of him 
 being equivalent to a recantation of what he had writ- 
 ten against the absolute pow r er exercised by the 
 preachers, as well as a pledge not to agitate the ques- 
 tion in future, Mr. Kilham finally declared that his 
 understanding and his conscience alike prohibited him 
 from acceding to any such conditions. The meeting 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 287 
 
 therefore ended, without having effected the object for 
 which it was appointed ; and all intercourse between 
 Mr. Kilham and the Conference ceased from that 
 time. In connection with the account of his trial, Mr. 
 Kilham makes a number of remarks, a few of which 
 may be quoted as particularly deserving of notice : — 
 
 "1. The preachers throughout the trial, carefully 
 avoided attacking my principles. Though they threw 
 out many hints of the absurdity of many things con- 
 tained in the * Outlines of a Constitution', yet they never 
 attempted to confute them. 
 
 " 2. If every thing I have been tried about had been 
 found false, this would not have invalidated what has 
 been advanced, upon the necessity of a better constitu- 
 tion being established among us. 
 
 " 3. Every impartial reader will be convinced, that 
 had my cause been as bad as the preachers have repre- 
 sented it to be, it would have been their wisdom to 
 have tried me by a jury of the people, before the so- 
 ciety ; and then, had I been found guilty, they would 
 have been blameless. By obstinately refusing an hon- 
 ourable trial, many suspicions are raised; and had I been 
 ever so guilty, our sensible friends cannot be reconciled 
 to such a process. Every man that values the privi- 
 lege of an Englishman, must be dissatisfied with such 
 a trial." 
 
 In the prefatory note to his trial, Mr. Kilham says, — 
 
 " There are two things, which I beg the candid reader 
 seriously to consider. 1. In all the pamphlets I have 
 published this year, I have one object in view. That 
 is, to show that our people live under an oppressive 
 system of rules of discipline, which does not admit of 
 their having any share in the government of the Con- 
 nexion, but by the good will of an assistant; and this 
 is not of necessity, but of choice in him. This is the 
 object of my attack throughout the whole. And where 
 I have introduced the character of different individuals, 
 it has been with no other intention than to place in a 
 strong point of view the necessity of a reform in our 
 constitution. If this be kept in mind, every impartial 
 reader will observe the design of my writing, and be 
 
288 LIFE OF THE 
 
 able to form a proper judgment of the steps which I 
 have taken in this matter. 2. It appears to me, that 
 those preachers who had the management of my 
 trial, determined to keep my design (which was a general 
 reform,) out of sight, and to accuse me upon detached 
 and trivial parts of my writings. They were conscious, 
 if the end 1 aimed at was always kept in view, the 
 charges brought against me would be of little or no 
 importance : but if this could be hid, and little things 
 magnified into crimes, my condemnation and expulsion 
 might be obtained. I shall conclude by observing, — the 
 reader must not forget, that I was called to the bar of 
 the Conference without the least knowledge of the 
 charges they meant to prefer against me. And when 
 they read what they called charges, I was required to 
 answer immediately, and could not obtain liberty to 
 examine them alone, and prepare my defence. With- 
 out a single advocate, I was obliged to give extemporary 
 answers to any questions they were pleased to ask, or 
 liable to be reproached for refusing. And it often hap- 
 pened, that five or six persons were speaking at once. 
 Can itbe supposed,thatin a situation so extremely trying, 
 I should always be ready to defend myself to advan- 
 tage ? Can it be imagined, that I should never be con- 
 fused in a meeting of this nature ? Would it not have 
 been a great miracle to have made the best of my cause 
 in that state? When these things are properly considered, 
 the reader will be able to judge, how far the Conference 
 had a right to declare, that I "was not able to sub- 
 stantiate a single charge." 
 
 The following letter was written by Mr. Kilham at 
 the time of his trial, to a friend in Manchester : — 
 
 London, August 5th, 1 796. 
 My dear Brother, 
 You would learn from the printed letter, which was for- 
 warded from Leeds, that my fate is fixed, and by other 
 means you would see what is done. I have been waiting 
 for a week for their account of the trial, but though it has 
 been printed since Tuesday, they will not suffer one of them 
 to be seen by me. I cannot tell what they mean by such 
 measures, except they design to send them into the country 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 2*1 9 
 
 first, and then circulate them here, or are waiting to see 
 whether I will repent and return. I have written my mind 
 freely to them to day, but have not yet received their an- 
 swer. This prevents me from going forward with the ac- 
 count of my trial. You will be kind enough to inform our 
 friends of the cause, and assure them, if they think that I 
 answered the charges of the Newcastle District, I can an- 
 swer these with equal satisfaction to every unprejudiced 
 mind. If they will only wait a little, they will perceive how 
 far I am worthy of expulsion. And as my cause is the 
 cause of the people, if they suffer me to be crushed in this 
 dark popish manner, T shall submit, knowing that I have at- 
 tempted at the hazard of my all to serve them. I have ad- 
 vised with our friends in the delegate meeting, and find 
 they all agree for me to wait this year to see what they will 
 do. I hope the Lord will keep and prosper my way. My 
 dear wife is very poorly, but I am hoping to hear that she 
 is recovered. We go to Mr. Longridge's at first, and then 
 consult with our friends what will be best for us to do for 
 this year. I make no doubt but the Lord will provide ; and 
 we shall then see what will be the consequence of the friends 
 examining and trying these matters. I have so many letters 
 to write that I cannot enlarge. T expect my expulsion, and 
 their refusing to make better rules, in most cases will have 
 a good influence on our people. Many of the preachers 
 are pressing on me to make a confession of having done 
 wrong on the whole, that I may be restored. But I tell 
 them, without conviction of guilt, confession is hypocrisy. 
 Remember me to all friends.— I am, &c, 
 
 A. KlLHAM. 
 
 Having given the facts, so far as they have been as- 
 certained, of Mr. Kilham's trial and expulsion, we 
 shall leave them, without comment, to be weighed and 
 judged upon by the reader; who can form his own 
 opinion, as to whether Mr. Kilham had really com- 
 mitted any moral offence, whether the examinations of 
 the charges brought against him were conducted ac- 
 cording to those principles which are commonly 
 acknowledged in the administration of justice, and 
 lastly, whether the sentence of excommunication pro- 
 nounced upon him by the Conference, was warranted 
 by the Scriptures. 
 
 2b 
 
290 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 FROM AUGUST 1796, TO AUGUST 1797. WHEN MR. KILHAM WAS 
 OUT OF THE METHODIST CONNEXION', AND EMPLOYED IN 
 PUBLISHING THE METHODIST MONITOR, AND PREACHING IN 
 VARIOUS PLACES. 
 
 The first step taken by Mr. Kilham, after his con- 
 demnation by the Conference, was to print a short 
 Address to the Methodist Connexion, as an antidote 
 to the letter which had been sent to all parts by the 
 preachers, affirming that Mr. Kilham had not been 
 able to prove anv of the allegations contained in his 
 pamphlets. In this circular, Mr. Kilham announced 
 the fact of his expulsion from the body, with a brief 
 notice of the manner in which his trial had been con- 
 ducted ; and also apprised his friends that he was pre- 
 paring to publish the particulars of his case, which 
 would be circulated at the very earliest moment. In 
 the meantime, he begged that a premature judgment 
 might not be formed respecting his conduct; and offer- 
 ed, if they would wait for his statement, to bear any 
 consequence which might follow, as he had the fullest 
 conviction of being able to show that he had answered 
 the charges made against him, in a way which would 
 satisfy every unprejudiced person. 
 
 As* soon as the sittings of Conference had closed, Mr. 
 Kilham left London for Nottingham, for the purpose 
 of having his own account of the trial printed,* and in 
 
 ■ Mr. Kilham's trial was printed by the late Mr. C. Sutton, of Not- 
 tingham, who was one of his most zealous friends. As we happen to 
 have the statement afterwards rendered by Mr. Sutton to Mr. Kilham 
 of the distribution of the copies of the trial, it may satisfy curiosity, and 
 also serve to indicate the places which were most interested in Mr. Kil- 
 ham'a case, to insert it. There were sent to Canterbury 40 copies, to 
 Yarmouth 40, Plymouth Dock 100, London 200, Bath 50, Bristol 100, 
 Birmingham 150, Manchester 250, Liverpool 100, Darlington 10ft, 
 !r w.iideriand 220. Pickering- 4'), Maitou 50., Huddersfield 50, Ashtos U% 
 
LIFE OF THE REV. A. KILHAM. 291 
 
 order that the opinions of his friends in various places, 
 to whom he had written respecting his future proceed- 
 ings, might be collected. The counsel which he re- 
 ceived from all quarters was, that he should not connect 
 himself with any congregation or party, but travel from 
 place to place for one year, to visit the societies where 
 he might be invited. This exactly accorded with his 
 own judgment, and was what he had first suggested, 
 hoping, as he said, that by the time twelve months had 
 elapsed, the grievances in the Connexion which he had 
 complained of might be removed; and at all events, if 
 they were not, no blame could then be attached either to 
 himself or others for acting rashly in the adoption of 
 any future plans which might become expedient. A 
 recommendation for Mr. Kilham to commence a perio- 
 dical publication having been made from Leeds, he wrote 
 to his principal friends on that subject. The following 
 letter will explain the project therein named : 
 
 Nottingham, \3tk Aug., 1796. 
 My Dear Friend, 
 Your kind letter I received yesterday, and I am thankful 
 to God for raising- me up so many friends whom I have 
 never seen. I find a number of places are like Manchester ; 
 the people consider my cause to be theirs, and are deter- 
 mined to support me in the trying hour. I make no doubt 
 but the Lord will enable us to be bold and firm, that we may 
 reap the advantages of our labours. I am grateful for the 
 steps which have been taken on my account. These, when 
 properly laid before the people, will have the desired end. 
 * * * A friend from Leeds has proposed for me to 
 publish, in numbers, every thing that is important in my 
 own pamphlets, and in other publications, relating to Me- 
 thodistical reform. Many original pieces are also at hand. 
 The friends here strongly recommend this measure, as they 
 think it the best that could be devised to get our sentiments, 
 
 Flanley 80, Chester 40, Leeds 240, Wigan 50, Preston 00, Blackburn 
 50, Newcastle upon Tyne 200, Alnwick 112, Sheffield 270, Nottingham 
 208, Mr. Kilham 120. Three thousand copies are here accounted for, 
 which was the number ordered by Mr. Kilham ; hut it is probable 
 another edition was issued, as we find by Mr. Sutton's letter, that sub- 
 sequent orders had been received which he had not been able to supply, 
 and he requested of .Mr. Kilham either himself topublish the trial again, or 
 to allow him to reprint it on his own account. 
 
 2 b 2 
 
292 LIFE OF THE 
 
 without any thing unconnected with them, properly circulat- 
 ed. Every thing that is inflammatory should be left out ; 
 and nothing be offered, but what will bear the test of strict 
 examination. Perhaps the whole might be comprised in 12 
 or 15 numbers of 40 full pages, to come out fortnightly, or 
 every three weeks. Will you weigh this matter, and give 
 me your sentiments upon it in a few days ? I have written 
 to many places upon the same subject, and shall have their 
 answers about the same time. If the friends encourage this 
 measure, I shall publish proposals at the end of my trial, 
 that the first number may be published early in October. 
 * * I expect it will be ten days before I can leave 
 this place. I shall then hasten as fast as possible to the 
 north, and take up my abode for a little while in Sunderland 
 or in the neighbourhood. I am, your affectionate servant, 
 
 A. KlLHAM, 
 
 To Mr. Jas. Harrop, Ashton-nnder-Line. 
 
 Immediately after Mr. Kilham had been expelled, he 
 gave directions for his family to remove from the 
 Chapel-house at Alnwick, to make room for his suc- 
 cessor. It has been mentioned that Mr. Longridge, of 
 Sunderland, had offered him a home, in case he were 
 cast out by the Conference; and it w^as arranged 
 that Mrs. Kilham and their daughter should remove 
 thither at their convenience. The following letter from 
 Mrs. Kilham, when at Newcastle, furnishes some par- 
 ticulars which deserve to be given :— 
 
 My very dear Alexander, Aug. 20, 1796. 
 
 I received thy welcome letter this morning, from Sunder- 
 sand. We left Alnwick on the 16th, stayed two days at Mr, 
 Tweddle's, and came to Newcastle on the 18th. Mr. An- 
 net sent Wm. Turner with our boxes last week. Both he 
 and Mrs. A. were very kind. We were with them some 
 days, and they were very unwilling to part with us in the 
 end. Mrs. A. made me promise to write to her when I got 
 to Sunderland : they are living in expectation of seeing thee 
 in due time. The people in different parts of the circuit 
 are crying, "surely he will not forsake us now/* I have en- 
 deavoured to encourage those that were cast down to look 
 forward and expect brighter days. The friends of the Confer- 
 ence said, they must give credit to 150 good men, before 
 one individual; and that one held by them in much dis- 
 esteem. Others, again, urged, what chance had an honest 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 293 
 
 man against 150 , for such they were ? Mayst thou, 
 
 my dear love, be directed by the unerring wisdom of the 
 great Jehovah in all thy future ways, that not one step may 
 be taken to grieve or turn out of the way of peace such as 
 desire to be led and guided by the testimony and word of 
 God, and to do all to his glory ! 
 
 We are now in Mr. Smith's house, where we are treated 
 with every mark of kindness and respect by all the family. 
 Mr. J. Stamp is here, and is very friendly to me. We have 
 many friends to see, but I cannot walk much at a time, my 
 foot being weak, and apt to swell when I use it too much. 
 Mr. Grundell has called to see us, and has invited us to his 
 house, for which I thanked him. Thy dear father wrote me 
 a very affectionate letter. Thank the good old man, for his 
 kind offer, for me. I should esteem it a pleasure to spend 
 a few days with him at his house, at a convenient season. I 
 have received two letters for thee, one from Liverpool, and 
 one from Newcastle-under-Line, both replete with generou* 
 kindness, and professions of friendship ; — the one from Li- 
 verpool signed J. Speceall, the other Wm. Smith. 
 
 I hope the Lord will enable me to conduct myself in wis- 
 dom before all. I have peace in Him, and every thing I 
 stand in need of. May the blessing of God this day rest on 
 thee, and supply thy every want by the riches of His grace. 
 Do make thyself easy on our account, and do that, which 
 will be most agreeable to thy friends. Happy would I be 
 to see thee ; but 1 willingly sacrifice all for thy good. Adieu, 
 my dear love — I thank thee for all thy kindness to me since 
 we parted. I am, thine affectionate wife, 
 
 S. KlLHAM. 
 
 Mr. Wm. Smith, of Newcastle, wrote to Mr. Kilham 
 at the same date, mentioning Mr. Moir's suggestion 
 of the Methodist Monitor, which was shortly afterwards 
 acted upon in Leeds : 
 
 My dear Friend, 
 We are favoured with the company of your good wife and 
 daughter, whom we wish to render as comfortable as is in 
 our power. I have received an excellent letter from Mr. 
 Moir, of Aberdeen, which I have this day sent to Mr. Long- 
 ridge, saying, if he approves of the plan there recommended, 
 he may send it to you, with his observations thereon. His 
 proposals are somewhat of the same nature of those recom- 
 mended to you by our friends at Leeds. He thinks a 
 2 ii 3 
 
294 LIFE OF THE 
 
 monthly publication of 24 pages might cast great light oa 
 the subjects now agitating among us. He would entitle it 
 " The Methodist Monitor/' &c, and he supposes letters and 
 essays would be received sufficient to furnish matter for the 
 publication. As I expect Mr. Longridge may probably 
 send you the letter, T say no more about it Wishing you 
 a safe journey to Newcastle, I am, your's, &c, 
 
 Wm. Smith, 
 
 When Mr. Kilham had fully prepared his trial for 
 the press, he went from Nottingham into Lincolnshire, 
 on a visit of a few clays to his relations, where he 
 preached several times in Methodist chapels, the use of 
 which was offered to him by the trustees, though often 
 contrary to the wishes of the preachers, who generally 
 opposed him to the utmost. It has been more than 
 once remarked, that the objections raised by the lead- 
 ing individuals in the Connexion, and at the Confer- 
 ence, against Mr. Kilham, w r ere chiefly in relation to 
 particular expressions which he had employed in his 
 writings, implying disrespect to the memory of Mr. 
 Wesley,or severe censure on the preachers \ and that he 
 had never been fully met on the true ground on which he 
 professed to stand, — viz., as advocating a better system 
 of government for the body. No sooner, however, had 
 he been expelled, than a number of insinuations began 
 to be made$ of a different character from those charges 
 which he had hitherto had to encounter; and these new 
 allegations were calculated to take effect in many minds, 
 when the former failed to raise a prejudice against 
 hhn. For instance, hints were thrown out of his not 
 being sound in doctrine ; that he was a jacobin, and an 
 enemy to the existing government ; that he was intend- 
 in o- to set aside the itinerant plan, and substitute Inde- 
 pendency for it, &c. On reaching Epworth, Mr. Kif- 
 ham ascertained that the preacher who was stationed in 
 the Thorne circuit, finding the people there generally 
 favourable to his proposed reforms, had been trying 
 lo set them against him by an imputation* which roused 
 
 * It would be difficult fully to characterise such attempts as this to 
 ruin his reputation with the* public, — but from the time that Mr, 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 295 
 
 him to repudiate it with the utmost indignation, in a 
 letter from which we extract that part which refers to 
 the subject: — 
 
 Epworth, 28*// Aug., 1 796. 
 Mr. Hall— Sir, 
 
 I was exceedingly surprised in finding- that you had gone 
 to Mr. Sauce, in London, to propagate one of the most hor- 
 rible falsehoods of me that ever was invented by the prince 
 of the power of the air. And I find that you have been de- 
 claring the same in this place before respectable witnesses. 
 You declare, you heard me wish damnation to all crowned 
 heads two years ago, in Bristol. Now, Sir, I am obliged 
 to inform you that this is as contrary to truth as light is from 
 darkness. I never wished any thing of the kind to any per- 
 son under heaven. I could not do it to the worst enemy I 
 have in the world. I could not even wish such a wish of 
 you, who have acted such a base part to me, without sinning 
 against my own soul. ****** 
 
 I am, &c, A. K. 
 
 We are not aware that any reply to this letter was 
 made by the individual to whom it was addressed ; 
 and as Mr. Kilham, in another part of it, intimated 
 that in case his character continued to be "injured by 
 him in a way so contrary to the Gospel, he should be 
 brought into a court to answer for it," it is probable 
 the slander was not repeated. 
 
 Leeds was the next place which Mr. Kilham visited, 
 both on account of its being on his way to the north, 
 where his family remained, and because it was connect- 
 ed with his plan of proceeding during the year. While 
 
 Kilham became obnoxious to the leading men in the Connexion on ac- 
 count of his proposed changes in the system, there seemed to be no con- 
 science exercised in speaking evil of him; and in saying this, we do not 
 mean so much to impute generally a deliberate intention of doing hj m 
 wrong, as to observe that Conference, having fixed upon him the odium of 
 treating Mr. Wesley's memory with disrespect, and of being an enemy to 
 .Methodism as established by its founder, numbers were prepared to' be- 
 lieve every thing which was bad of him ; and when reports were invented 
 by (we hope only a t\i\v) unscrupulous individuals, they were taken up 
 by others without enquiry or consideration, and propagated as undoubted 
 facts. In this way Mr. Kilham was injured by thousands who had no 
 personal ill-will against him, and by many, coo, who probably thought 
 
 they were doing God service by repeating what they had heard and 
 
 what they regarded as strictly true— of one whom the Conference had 
 reprobated. 
 
296 Life of the 
 
 in that neighbourhood, the trustees in several parts of the 
 circuit were anxious for him to preach in their chapels ; 
 and the pulpits of three dissenting places of worship in 
 the town were also offered to him, which he repeatedly 
 occupied. Mr. Benson, the superintendent then sta- 
 tioned at Leeds, was greatly opposed to Mr. Kilham's 
 being allowed to preach ; and at Hunslet, where he 
 had many warm friends, who invited him to give them 
 a sermon in the Methodist chapel, an individual under 
 Mr. B.'s influence took away the keys before the time 
 of service, so that the congregation could not enter. 
 This circumstance, as might well be anticipated, only 
 strengthened the determination of those trustees who 
 were desirous of hearing Mr. Kilham. They procured 
 the window to be opened, and by that means the door 
 was unfastened within to admit the people, and Mr. 
 Kilham preached to a large congregation. Before leav- 
 ing this part, Mr. Kilham finally arranged for the pub- 
 lication of the Methodist Monitor, and immediately 
 wrote a preface, and provided matterfor the first number, 
 which was to appear in October. The reader will have 
 understood the general design of this work from the 
 letters suggesting the undertaking, already given. Two 
 passages from the introductory advertisement in the 
 first number, will further explain its object : — 
 
 "There are several things that encourage me to undertake 
 this work : ] . I believe it will be for the glory of God, and 
 the furtherance of the gospel. 2. It will give our people, 
 and others, suitable views of religious liberty in general, and 
 what ought to be established among us in particular. 3. It 
 will, in some measure, state the subjects that now agitate 
 our Connexion in a proper light; and may awaken our 
 friends in the largest circuits to a sense of our danger, and 
 lead them to make use of such efforts as will save our Con- 
 nexion from ruin. 4. I hope the Lord will make it instru- 
 mental in His hand, to destroy the influence of any that 
 oppress the people, under a pretence that the glory of God, 
 and the cause of Christ, require the measures which they 
 pursue. If their undue power could be broken, Methodism 
 would lift up its head, supported by equitable laws. 5. This 
 work will contain many things that are not immediately 
 connected with our disputes, and which may, undei the 
 
ItEV. A. KILHAM. 297 
 
 blessing of God, be of infinite service to thousands yet un- 
 born. 6. I have a prospect of help from many pious, sen- 
 sible preachers and friends, belonging to our Connexion, 
 and from respectable persons of other religious communities. 
 7. It will give me another opportunity of shewing my love 
 to the preachers in general, to the Connexion at large, and 
 to persons of every denomination. This alone outweighs 
 every consideration of the reproach and contempt I may 
 meet with from any quarter. " 
 
 "It is painful to differ in judgment, on some occasions, 
 from those we love — from the persons we have taken sweet 
 counsel with in our way to heaven : but when the solemn 
 rights of conscience are invaded, we are called upon by the 
 Lord our God to sacrifice every thing that would bring guilt 
 upon our souls. To be separated from my brethren, with 
 whom I have travelled for twelve years, on account of what I 
 have written, is far from being pleasing in itself; but when 
 I am conscious that I have aimed at the glory of God, and 
 the welfare of Methodism, in all that I have written, this bears 
 up my spirit in the midst of reproach and persecution. Yet 
 as I feel a disposition in my breast that would lead me 
 to acknowledge, with grief, anything that can be proved 
 contrary to the gospel in my conduct, and to ask pardon of 
 my brethren, the Connexion at large, or the whole world, 
 this gives me a degree of satisfaction that cannot be describ- 
 ed. If I had nothing in view but blackening the characters 
 of the preachers, that our people and the world might abhor 
 them — to sow strife and discord among the different societies 
 — to divide and devour the followers of Christ — and to raise 
 myself to the head of a party, I should act like a fiend, and 
 every sincere lover of Christ ought to look upon me with 
 indignation, and spurn what I have written with suitable 
 abhorrence. While we are assured the existing evils 
 among us are calculated to ruin our Connexion, and that our 
 exposing them in the manner we have done, is the direct 
 way to have them renounced, whatever consequences may 
 follow, from the opposition of preachers, trustees, stewards, 
 leaders, or private members in any place, we have the satis- 
 faction of reflecting that we are merely the innocent cause 
 of them; and in the midst of the conflicts which happen, our 
 rejoicing is this, — the testimony of our conscience, that in 
 simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but 
 by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the 
 world. n 
 
298 
 
 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Mr. Kilham now proceeded to Newcastle, where 
 Mrs. K. and his daughter had been residing from the 
 time they left Alnwick ; and shortly after his arrival, 
 having visited his friends in the town and neighbour- 
 hood, from whom he received every encouragement, 
 they removed to Sunderland to sojourn a short time 
 with Mr. Longridge, agreeably to his invitation given 
 before the Conference, to make his house a home, on 
 the supposition that he might possibly be expelled by 
 the preachers from the Connexion. By this time, Mr. 
 Kilham's account of his trial had been printed and ex- 
 tensively circulated throughout the Methodist body : 
 the Conference had likewise published their statement, 
 so that the societies had the means of judging of his 
 case for themselves. The effect of reading the particu- 
 lars of his examination appears to have been, not only 
 to have bound his friends faster to him, under the con- 
 viction that he had not been fairly treated, but lo have 
 stimulated them to contend more resolutely than ever 
 against the arbitrary authority of the preachers, under 
 which they felt as if the liberty and character of no one 
 weresafe. In Manchester, Stockport, Leeds, Liverpool, 
 Sheffield, and other places, meetings were held, and 
 central committees of correspondence formed, whose 
 object was to co-operate in securing those reforms in 
 the system which were deemed to be essential to the 
 peace of the Methodist Connexion. Many addresses 
 and circulars were published by those Committees, em- 
 bodying the views of the parties on these subjects, and 
 several also expressed an opinion respecting Mr. Kil- 
 ham's conduct and trial. The Stockport address, which 
 was signed by Mr. Geo. Beaumont, Secretary, says, — 
 Dear Brethren, 
 
 We feel it our duty, as members of the Methodist societies, 
 in this hour of danger, to entreat you, to take into your se- 
 rious consideration the urgent necessity of a fuller communi- 
 cation being opened between the preachers and people, that 
 those evils may be prevented which we fear are coming upon 
 us. We suggest a few things which appear calculated to 
 remove jealousies, and to confirm the good opinion the people 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 290 
 
 have hitherto had of their preachers. The outlines we lay 
 before you are as follow : 
 
 We think the enquiry ought to be made immediately, 
 what power should be lodged with the preachers ? and what 
 authority the people should have in the direction of affairs ? 
 so that proper bounds may be fixed, that all parties may har- 
 monize, and act for the general good. Our reasons for the 
 above, arise, in part, from the preachers having the sole ma- 
 nagement of affaire, supported by general collections. This 
 naturally creates jealousies ; and the most likely mode of 
 doing them away is, by admitting a suitable number of lay- 
 men, deputed by their brethren, to have a proper share in the 
 management of our concerns. It must be acknowledged 
 that they who are the supporters of any public good, ought 
 not to be excluded from knowing how it is effected ; and from 
 having equal power in the exercise of the means by which it 
 is carried on. We are persuaded that upright dealing al- 
 ways gains credit by examination ; and if the preachers have 
 dealt uprightly, and mean to do so still, (the distrust of which, 
 nothing can give confirmation to but their rejection of such 
 an equitable plan,) their little loss of power will be their great 
 gain of esteem and approbation. 
 
 Although many persons may think that Mr. Kilham has 
 gone too far, yet they must confess that there are remarks in 
 his pamphlets well worthy their attention, and that go a 
 great way towards developing those grievances we still groan 
 under. If his labours should prove ineffectual, and he him- 
 self be deserted, what hope is there of others coming for- 
 ward ; and where is the preacher who dare> after him, make 
 so noble a stand against the evils that do still exist among us ? 
 We think (without entering into the merits of Mr. Kilham'g 
 conduct) it is a blot upon his accusers, and an insult to 
 common sense, to become, (after the articles of agreement 
 for general pacification and discipline were entered into,) 
 both his judges and jury, when another mode of trial might 
 have been adopted agreeable to the rule, which would have 
 kept the preachers from any blame had Mr. Kilham been 
 found guilty; and have silenced both himself and friends for 
 ever in the eyes of honest men. If any of us had been in 
 Mr. Kilham's place, we should, like Charles of old, have de- 
 nied the authority of such a self-made court, and have ap- 
 pealed to a fair open trial by jury, and of whom a fair 
 challenge should have been granted. For an Englishman to 
 be tried by his accusers, it almost makes one shudder at thfl 
 
300 LTFE OF THE 
 
 consequences. The trial of Mr. Kilham before the London 
 Conference, we think, is a most flagrant species of despotism ; 
 and what renders the preachers still more formidable to the 
 people is, their making themselves absolute governors, and, 
 in virtue of that, seizing upon all the rights of the people; 
 and making only such laws or rules for them as the}' think 
 proper. So that, upon the whole, they are the only makers, 
 judges, and interpreters, and, in nearly all cases, likewise, the 
 executioners of their own laws, which have no other limits 
 than their own arbitrary will. Mr. Kilham may well say, 
 "If the people suffer me to be crushed in this dark popish 
 manner, I shall submit, knowing that I have attempted, at 
 the hazard of my all, to serve them." 
 
 The Manchester address has the following, — 
 
 Dear Brethren, 
 
 We do not attempt to charge the great body of our 
 preachers with having designedly assisted in taking away 
 our liberty, nevertheless we see, with grief, that we are not 
 in possession of it. They abrogate rules or laws just as they 
 think proper, without the consent or even the knowledge of 
 the people, requiring passive obedience to all the laws so 
 imposed upon us. We are very willing to believe that many 
 of our preachers have nothing in view but the glory of God 
 and the good of his people ; but the system is oppressive, 
 and may subject the people to many inconveniences. 
 
 We will not here enter into a discussion of the various 
 sentiments of preachers and people upon the justness or un- 
 justness of the Conference laws, or the degree of power to 
 be vested in it ; nor will we investigate the various plans of 
 reform which have been proposed : but we will venture to 
 propose what appears to us to be the more excellent way. 
 
 It is our opinion that a proper number of delegates ought 
 to be chosen every year to sit in Conference, to assist in its 
 deliberations, having equal power, by vote or otherwise, with 
 the preachers : by this, even the shadow of a fear for the 
 people's interest would be done away, and we should love as 
 brethren. 
 
 That nothing may be clone without due deliberation, we 
 think it would be proper — yea, is highly necessary, for the 
 people to assemble in the different societies and maturely 
 weigh these things— consider what each can do for the general 
 good — appoint a committee in every large society, to procure 
 and communicate every information that may be judged 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 301 
 
 useful. This may prevent the convulsion, which, from the 
 present state of our affairs, we have much cause to fear. — 
 For ourselves, we have appointed such a committee, and 
 earnestly request every friend to Methodism to communicate 
 every thing- important upon this subject, directed to Thomas 
 Heamer, No. 2, Princes' Street, Sal ford. 
 
 We know this is contrary to a rule of the late Conference, 
 published in the New Minutes ; but as that, as well as many 
 other rules, were framed, exacted, and published without our 
 consent, or even our knowledge, we do not account them 
 binding to us. We have never delegated a power to Con- 
 ference to make laws for us, therefore its laws cannot be 
 binding without our consent, 
 
 Signed in behalf of the meeting, 
 
 John Shore, Chairman. 
 
 P. S. The important case of Mr. Kilham lies near our 
 hearts ; we have carefully weighed what has been said on 
 both sides, and are of opinion that he has sufficiently an- 
 swered the charges brought against him, and made all the 
 concessions that Christians could ask, or a Christian make ; 
 consequently, we deem his expulsion unmerited. 
 
 We hope Conference will see this in a proper light, and 
 recal him to the Connexion: if not, we believe the people 
 ought to take the matter into their own hands, to see that 
 justice be done to an injured brother. For ourselves (con- 
 sidering his cause to be a just one) we have determined to 
 support him so long as it appears to be so, and he does not 
 oppose the itinerant plan. 
 
 If we are asked, — do we wish to foment division in the 
 church ? we answer, — God forbid : but we ask, — has not Con- 
 ference done it by expelling one of its most useful members, 
 without proving anyone charge of immorality, want of abili- 
 ties, or diligence in the work against him r We will not 
 foment divisions, but if pleading the cause of an injured 
 servant of Jesus Christ be accounted such, we are content. 
 
 In addition to the preceding testimonials in his fa- 
 vour, Mr. Kilham received from individuals the strong- 
 est expressions of sympathy and regard. Indeed, the 
 letters sent to him from different quarters on the subject 
 of his expulsion, would of themselves (ill a volume: 
 some of these were from persons who did not, for 
 reasons which they assigned, appear very prominently 
 
 2c 
 
302 LIFE OF THE 
 
 as his friends, but who, nevertheless, deemed it right to 
 communicate their sentiments, and to encourage him 
 more privately and confidentially. The following letter 
 is of this description : — 
 
 London, September 23, 1796. 
 My Dear Friend, 
 I received your kind letter, and was much rejoiced to find 
 you met with so much encouragement in the places where you 
 have been. You mentioned your intention of publishing a 
 periodical work. Be so good as set down the names of John 
 and Eliza B — in the list of your subscribers, and we shall 
 expect two copies of each number, as soon as published, 
 from your agent in town. If you publish a list of names, 
 would it not be better to publish only the initials of ours, as it 
 might create ill-will in a house not a hundred miles from the 
 New Chapel, with whom we are on very intimate terms ? — 
 Not that I should mind my name being published all over 
 the kingdom, as one of your supporters; but my sisters, 
 though not less firmly attached to your cause, are less 
 courageous. * * * I have not been able to render you 
 much assistance, and my sisters are afraid to intermeddle for 
 fear some terrible anathema should be launched against 
 them from the holy office, for aiding and abetting the heretic 
 Kilham ! You will have the goodness, I know, to take the 
 will for the deed ; that, I can assure you, is heartily at your 
 service. * * * In reading over your account of your 
 mock trial, the satisfaction I felt at finding you so ably 
 clear yourself of the futile charges laid against you, was 
 much allayed, when I perceived there could be so much gross 
 injustice, among a set of men whom I had been taught from 
 my childhood to respect. I can scarcely depict to you the 
 antipathy I felt against the person you describe as standing 
 at the door of the communion table, to see that none of the 
 preachers refused to set his hand and seal to the scroll which 
 at that moment polluted the altar of the Lord. — I should 
 have written before this time, but I feared my letter might 
 possibly get to Sunderland before you. Depend upon it, I shall 
 diffuse your writings with the utmost industry, as I believe 
 your cause to be closely connected with that of truth and 
 liberty in general. My sisters desire to be remembered, with 
 me, to you and Mrs. K. — Your sincere friend, J. B. 
 
 In a letter dated Leeds, Sept. 5, when he was on his 
 journey home from Conference, Mr. Kilham says, — 
 
RET. A. KILIIAM. 303 
 
 u By the persuasion of friends, I am fixing to come 
 and live here; that is, my little family, while I will 
 wander up and down. I am going to Newcastle to- 
 morrow, and hope to be hack in a month." 
 
 As soon as it had become known that Mr. Kilham 
 had been excluded by the Conference, he received a 
 a letter from the managers of Milburn Place Chapel,* 
 North Shields, inviting him, with his family, to occupy 
 furnished apartments which were provided for a mini- 
 ster there, and to supply the pulpit at least for a season ; 
 but as his intention was not to settle, for the present, 
 in any particular place, and being about to issue a peri- 
 odical work in Leeds, he declined the offer, and pre- 
 pared for removing into Yorkshire. 
 
 Mr. Kilham left the north of England, and went to 
 Leeds, in the beginning of October, and resided at Mr. 
 Christopher Heaps', Kirkgate, where every kindness 
 was shown to himself and family. 
 
 The applications made to Mr. K., to visit different 
 
 • Milburn Pluce Chapel had been built under singular circumstances, 
 the particulars of which were written by Mr. Edward Coates, and after- 
 wards published. They were in substance as follows:— In 1783, the 
 Methodists requiring a chapel to be built at North Shields, two plots of 
 ground offered themselves for that purpose, and the friends differing in 
 opinion as to which should be selected, became divided into two parties, 
 who respectively applied to Mr. Wesley for his sanction to the building 
 being placed on the scite which each preferred. Mr. Wesley was un- 
 derstood by both to countenance the separate applications made 
 to him, with a promise to send them preachers; and as it was admitted 
 that one chapel only was to be received into the Connexion by him at 
 that place, each, of course, believed the other would be rejected. It was 
 indeed positively said, that both Mr. Wesley and Dr. Coke, who had 
 also corresponded with them on the subject, had given a pledge to that 
 effect. Under this impression, both parties began to build, affirming 
 to their respective friends that they did so with Mr. Wesley's consent. 
 During the progress of the erection, application was made for the chapels 
 to be settled on the Conference plan ; but the Milburn Place people, — 
 in consequence of some things which had come to their knowledge, tend- 
 ing to create misgivings that they had not been ingenuously dealt with, 
 and that the opposition chapel which they had all along been told would 
 not be received by Mr Wesley, had, in reality, been going on with his ap- 
 probation, — hesitated to invest the premises as requested ; and wished to 
 have some explanation, before they permitted them togo out of their power. 
 In a long disputation, both by letter and verbally, Dr. Coke made 
 use of an expression which, as they conceived, exhibited the whole 
 policy of which they had been the dupes. The Doctor, being pushed on 
 
 2 c 2 
 
304 LIFE OF THE 
 
 parts where he had warm supporters, were too nume- 
 rous to admit of his remaining long in one place ; and 
 the urgency of circumstances soon warranted his own 
 description of the life he would have to lead that year, 
 which, indeed, was an incessant "wandering up and 
 down." This he found to be indispensable, that he 
 might encourage and counsel the friends of liberty in 
 their struggle for Methodistical reforms, as well as to 
 counteract the designs of his enemies, who, he observes 
 in his diary, had set a different calumny afloat respect- 
 ing him in almost every circuit where he was known ; 
 and, lastly, that he might preach the gospel, as he had 
 resolved to do, wherever a door was opened for his ad- 
 mission. His first visits, after coming to Leeds, were 
 to Huddersfield, Halifax, York, Sheffield, Hull, and 
 other towns in Yorkshire within a convenient dis- 
 tance, where he preached nearly every day in the 
 week, and two or three times on the Sabbath, — some- 
 times in Methodist Chapels ; and sometimes in Inde- 
 pendent places of worship, which were obtained when the 
 former were refused ; and sometimes, when neither could 
 
 the subject, tacitly admitted that the chapel built in opposition to Mil- 
 burn Place had been encouraged, and — apparently while off his 
 guard,— assigned as a reason, that Mr. Wesley had some suspicion 
 they might not settle Milburn Place on the Conference plan ; so lie was 
 resolved, by way of " having two strings to his bow," to promote the 
 erection of both — rt that he might, by rubbing them together," get them 
 made over to Conference. On hearing this, the Milburn Place Trustees, 
 to shew that they had not any private ends in view, offered to re- 
 linquish the chapel to Dr Coke or Mr. Wesley, in case they were re- 
 lieved from responsibility ; but this being declined, they refused to part 
 with their authorityover it. It was, however, supplied with preachers by 
 Mr. W 7 esley for some time, in the hope that the trustees might at length 
 make it over to the Conference ; but the refusal to do so, unless on the 
 terms before-mentioned, being persevered in, Mr. Wesley, in the end, 
 withdrew the preachers; they then obtained a supply for the pulpit as 
 well as they could. The Rev. John Atlay, who had been a preacher 
 under Mr. Wesley for many years, but who had settled at Dewsbury as 
 the minister of a chapel there, frequently went to North Shields, and 
 spent a few weeks at a time preaching at Milburn Place. The chapel 
 was thus situated when Mr. Kilham was expelled by the Conference; 
 and as he was well known and much respected there, the invitation al- 
 ready noticed was given him to take up his residence in the house. When 
 the separation occurred in 1797, Milburn Place Chapel became united 
 with the Methodist New Connexion. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 305 
 
 be had, or when the congregations were larger than 
 they could contain, he preached in the open air. The 
 numerous audiences which attended, were partly attract- 
 ed, no doubt, by the curiosity which was excited to 
 hear one who had become the subject of so much con- 
 troversy ; but, besides this, Mr. Kilham's style of 
 preaching, being of a pathetic and popular character, it 
 was always acceptable, and brought together a consider- 
 able number of persons as hearers. 
 
 The "Methodist Monitor"* had no sooner begun to be 
 published, than its importance was made manifest : the 
 effect of it, as well as the account of his trial, was to 
 compel the leading men belonging to the Conference, 
 who were opposed to Mr. Kilham, to speak in vindica- 
 tion of their proceedings against him ; and their state- 
 ments being replied to by him in this periodical, it had a 
 tendency to strengthen his cause more and more. Mr. 
 Kilham freely animadverted on the proceedings and re- 
 solutions of Conference, 1796, at which he had been 
 expelled, noticing several alterations which had been 
 made in the rules of the Connexion ; and while he ad- 
 mitted that, in some particulars, the changes made were 
 improvements, he maintained that, in other respects, li- 
 berty had become even more restrained than ever ; and 
 above all, as the Conference still adhered to the prin- 
 ciple of excluding the laity from its meetings, every 
 objection which had been urged against its authority 
 was still in force. The parties who appeared most 
 conspicuously against Mr. Kilham in print, were Messrs. 
 Mather and Pawson. Besides other matter contained 
 in their publications, relating to topics which have 
 
 * The Monitor ought to be republished by the Methodist New Con- 
 nexion Book Room, in a volume corresponding with the Magazine, to 
 which, properly speaking, it is an introductory work. Besides a number 
 of valuable hints on practical and experimental religion, the information 
 which it contains on church government and circumstances connected 
 with the separation, renders it almost indispensable that the Methodist 
 Monitor should be preserved by the community on whose origin and 
 establishment it throws so much light. The publication of the Monitor 
 ceased in September, 1797, and preparations wee immediately made 
 for issuing the New Methodist Magazine, which has been continued to 
 the present time. 
 
 2 c 3 
 
306 LIFE OF THE 
 
 ceased to deserve notice, they were occasionally led to 
 make remarks with a view to defend the exclusive power 
 of the preachers at Conference. The following is one 
 of their statements, which Mr Kilham answered in 
 the Methodist Monitor. Messrs. Mather and Pawson 
 say, in a joint address, — 
 
 *' We seriously declare, as in the presence of God, that 
 although we have attended near forty Conferences, we never 
 knew a single rule made (where the people were concerned) 
 but their interest and happiness were kept in view, and the 
 prosperity of the work of God was principally considered ; 
 and so it always ought to be. And we would ask any rea- 
 sonable man under heaven, if the preachers are not the pro- 
 per representatives of the people, who are ? Who, in the 
 name of common sense, are so likely to have their interests 
 at heart, as their spiritual fathers ?" 
 
 Mr. Kilham has the following remarks upon this 
 passage : — 
 
 " 1. The present Methodist preachers are not the spiritual 
 fathers of, perhaps, one tenth of the people now in society. 
 Thousands have joined us by means of those who now rest 
 from their labours; and tens of thousands more, by the in- 
 fluence of the blessing of God attending prayer-meetings, 
 [and it might have been added, by means of the labours of 
 Local preachers.] 2. If * common sense' requires spiritual 
 fathers to be the representatives of their children, these fa- 
 thers ought not to assume a right to represent those that do 
 not stand in this relation to them. 3. I apprehend, that 
 even spiritual fathers ought not to claim a right to represent 
 their children except during the time of their non-age. Our 
 fathers according to the flesh, only claim this right till we 
 come of age. Our spiritual fathers ought to claim no more. 
 4. The non-age of Methodism, as it refers to most of the 
 principal places, is past. The societies are old and experi- 
 enced. Many of them were established long before half of 
 the preachers who now call themselves their spiritual fathers 
 were born. 5. c In the name of common sense/ then, have the 
 preachers a right to represent the people in general, without 
 being fairly elected to this office ? If they claim it without 
 the consent of the different societies, is it not usurpation ? 
 6. If rules are made in the Conference, where the people 
 have not a single voice or representative, however 'their 
 
REV, A. KILHAM. 307 
 
 interest and happiness may be kept in view, and the pros- 
 perity of the work of God be principally considered/ ac- 
 cording to the views of the preachers, yet, as they are not 
 made by the concurrence of the different societies, our friends 
 cannot be satisfied. 7. Let any examine the rules and laws 
 made since Mr. Wesley's death, particularly the rules 
 of the last Conference, and they will see how far the ' in- 
 terest and happiness' of the people have been kept in view. 
 When the priests of the church of Rome made veiy arbi- 
 trary, oppressive, and even bloody laws, the same declara- 
 tions have been made use of. Reason and common sense 
 both declare, that the people ought to have persons chosen 
 from among themselves, to sit in district meetings, and in 
 the Conference." 
 
 Having spent several weeks in Yorkshire, Mr.Kilham 
 was pressed to pay a similar visit to Lancashire and 
 Cheshire. His friends there being both numerous and 
 exceedingly kind to himself and family, Mrs. Kilham 
 (in the hope that a change of air might benefit her 
 health), and his daughter, accompanied him to Man- 
 chester early in November. While there, he preached 
 very often, chiefly in places of worship belonging to 
 Independent congregations, which were freely granted. 
 On more than one occasion, when circumstances ap- 
 peared to require it, in consequence of attempts having 
 been made to mislead the minds of the Christian public, 
 as to the cause of Mr. Kilham's expulsion from the 
 Methodist Society, he entered into explanations on the 
 subject, which created a strong sympathy in his behalf 
 on the part of individuals belonging to different deno- 
 minations of dissenters, who showed him the greatest 
 respect. 
 
 Mr. Mather, who was stationed at Manchester, made 
 several efforts to counteract this feeling in favour of 
 Mr. Kilham, and not being able to succeed in this ac- 
 cording to his wish, he deemed it a fit cause of quarrel- 
 ing with those communities who supported, or in any- 
 wise sanctioned, Mr. Kilham, insinuating that they were 
 opposing Methodism, and adding many severe reflec- 
 tions upon them for so doing. 
 
 Mr. Kilham then visited the city of Chester, where 
 
308 LIFE OF THE 
 
 a chapel* had been built by the more liberal-minded 
 members of the Methodist Society, for the purpose of 
 having the Sacrament administered therein ; the trustees 
 of the other chapel having refused to allow that ordi- 
 nance. From Chester, Mr. Kilham went to Liverpool ; 
 previous to his goino; there, a written communication, 
 signed by a large majority of the trustees of two chapels 
 in the town, was made to Mr. Moore, the superinten- 
 dent of the circuit, informing him that Mr. Kilham was 
 about to visit them, and begging him not to oppose his 
 preaching in those places. Sir. Moore's reply was not 
 only a refusal to comply with this request, but it included 
 a severe reprimand of the trustees for countenancing, 
 as he said, a man whom the Conference had expelled. 
 This led to much disagreement and strife between 
 the trustees and other friends of Mr. Kilham, and the 
 preachers, which, as it could serve no good purpose to 
 perpetuate the remembrance of, may properly be pass- 
 ed over here, - after observing, generally, that by many 
 contrivances, on the part of Mr. Kilham's supporters, 
 which his opponents did their best to frustrate, he 
 preached several times while in Liverpool ; and, an at- 
 tempt having been made by one of the preachers, 
 while in the pulpit, to represent Mr. Kilham as an 
 enemy to Methodism, he took an opportunity to ex- 
 plain the leading circumstances of his case, and detail- 
 ed some of the causes why, as well as the manner how, 
 
 * When this second place of worship had heen erected, and applica- 
 tion made to Conference for the Lord's Supper to be given therein, the 
 preachers objected to issue directions to that effect, or to have any 
 thing to do with it, until it should be made over to Conference. The 
 Trustees did not feel disposed so to invest the premises, knowing, as 
 they did, that in case they thus committed themselves, constituted as 
 Conference was, they should be entirely deprived of all power, and 
 might possibly be prevented from enjoy : ng those privileges for which 
 the chapel was expressly built. After much negotiation, the Conference 
 refused to appoint preachers, and it was left in a similar manner that 
 Milburn Place Chapel, North Sliields, had been, some years before. 
 The Trustees, therefore, provided supplies of preachers as well as they 
 were able, until the separation occurred in 17^7, when the Society and 
 chapel were united with the Methodist New Connexion. The late Mr. 
 Mort assisted to supply the chapel at Chester before the division, wben 
 he came out to travel, and was one of the most judicious and respectable 
 preachers iu the Connexion. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 309 
 
 Conference had expelled him from the Connexion. 
 This information being read to the great body of the 
 members of society, and the hearers, excited much in- 
 terest, and made a strong impression in Mr. Kilham's 
 favour. Mr. Kilham's next visits were to Bolton, Wigan, 
 Preston, Blackburn, and several neighbouring places, 
 where he had friends in the societies, by whom he had 
 been invited, and was received with every mark of re- 
 spect. In these, as in other towns, he preached fre- 
 quently, sometimes in the Methodist Chapels, when his 
 supporters had influence to procure them for him, and 
 when the preachers were not decidedly bent on keeping 
 him out of the pulpits. 
 
 Between three and four months had now elapsed since 
 Mr. Kilham's condemnation by the Conference, and 
 nothing had occurred on the part of those who had 
 promoted his expulsion, which in the least indicated a 
 disposition to retrace that step, or to effect those re- 
 forms for which he had contended. Yet Mr. Kilham 
 still hoped, if he did not even fully believe, that an ad- 
 justment would take place, to the satisfaction of all 
 sides. His judicious friends, however, began to be 
 of another opinion. They saw the most influential 
 preachers resolved to maintain the high ground which 
 they had taken, in regard to their own exclusive autho- 
 rity, without the slightest apparent disposition to yield 
 anything of importance which the laity claimed : and, 
 moreover, there was a union and correspondence in 
 the movements of the preachers, which fully showed 
 that they had waived all other differences, and entered 
 into an agreement to act together in resisting any in- 
 terference witli the functions of government as exercised 
 by themselves at Conference. This being the case, in 
 the judgment of those who were unwilling longer to 
 submit to such rules in the church, a separation seemed 
 to them to be inevitable. Some friends in Leeds, in 
 writing on this subject to Mr. Kilham, suggested the 
 propriety of a subscription fund being formed to meet, 
 certain expenses which such an occurrence might 
 occasion, and to encourage those preachers who 
 were friendly to a reformation, to come forward 
 
310 LIFE OF THE 
 
 and assist in the establishment of a new Itinerancy. 
 Mr. Kilham's answer to this proposal shows how unwill- 
 ing he was to entertain the thoughts of dividing the Con- 
 nexion, or, if that could not be avoided, of doing any 
 thing which might by possibility bring individuals un- 
 der the suspicion of other than the purest motives.— 
 His words in reply were' "I disapprove of it altogether 
 — I yet hope that a division will be prevented; but 
 whatever be the issue, if the preachers will not act from 
 the conviction of their own minds, the Lord will pro- 
 vide. I am determined never to countenance the 
 holding out a golden bait to allure them. Shall we 
 make the love of filthy lucre our condemnation ? Let 
 us put our confidence in Jehovah, and pursue the paths 
 of uprightness, and all shall be well." These, and other 
 circumstances, fully clear Mr. Kilham of the imputa- 
 tions frequently cast upon him, of having a design to 
 rend the Connexion, and of establishing himself as the 
 head of a new sect. He had no such purpose whatever 
 when he wrote against abuses and arbitrary principles 
 in Methodism; but was persuaded at the time, that, by 
 so doing, he was using the best means of consolidating 
 and perpetuating the system, as well as rendering it 
 more efficient in accomplishing the end for which it 
 was established. 
 
 From the time they left Leeds, Mrs. Kilham had 
 been residing at Mr. Heamer's, in Salford, in feeble 
 and evidently fast-declining health. Yet she was un- 
 willing for Mr. Kilham's invitations to different places 
 to be refused on her account, and urged him to make 
 the visits before alluded to, as well as to preach almost 
 daily in the neighbourhood of Manchester, when there. 
 The following particulars of her state to the period of 
 her death, which occurred on the 23rd Feb., 1797, are 
 taken from a brief memoir by Mr. Kilham : — 
 
 " While I was at Chester, I received a letter inform- 
 ing me of the situation of my dear wife, whose pain 
 and weakness increased every day : this induced me to 
 alter my plan, and return to Manchester as soon as 
 possible. On reaching Salford, I found her very ill 
 indeed ; but the Lord bore up her spirits, and enabled 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 311 
 
 her to rejoice in his love. I truly sympathized with 
 her in her affliction, and earnestly entreated God on 
 her behalf. I was thankful that she had every possible 
 attention shewn to her by the friends, and I hope I 
 shall ever retain a grateful remembrance of their kind- 
 ness in her trying situation. Ill as she was, she was 
 quite unwilling that any place should be neglected on 
 her account ; I therefore went to Bolton, according to 
 appointment, and preached in the Independent chapel 
 twice, and in the evening at the Presbyterian chapel, 
 at both which I had good congregations, and found 
 great liberty. Mr. Hopper came to hear me ; the old 
 gentleman commended my sermon, and said he could 
 not justify the Conference in many of the steps they 
 had taken. In a few days, I came to Manchester again, 
 and found my wife still worse ; but yet she would not 
 consent that I should omit visiting any place where I 
 had engaged to go, on account of her state of health. 
 I therefore went to Blackburn, but returned as soon as 
 possible. When I came to Manchester, I found all 
 the medical help which we had been able to procure 
 seemed to be of no use to her ; nor could she obtain 
 any relief from the constant pain and sickness with 
 which she was so much oppressed. I was much troubled 
 at her affliction, and earnestly besought her recovery, 
 if consistent with the will of God. She spake very free- 
 ly respecting her situation, and of her entire resignation 
 to Divine Providence : she desired I would not be 
 anxious for her recovery, for she said, she believed her 
 sickness would be unto death. Her mind appeared 
 happy, and she seemed to have no wish but to promote 
 the glory of God, saying that death would be her eter- 
 nal gain. She spake to me about the child and other 
 matters, which shewed her willingness to leave all tran- 
 sitory things. While she was thus conversing, I was 
 deeply affected, and wept much; but she begged I would 
 not oppose the will of God, but cheerfully submit to it. 
 She exhorted me to cleave close to God, and pursue the 
 way that lay before me, not fearing the face of any adver- 
 sary. When she had opened her mind, and had conversed 
 freely on these subjects, she appeared more comfortable* 
 
312 LIFE OF THE 
 
 and expressed her happiness and thankfulness for her 
 glorious hope of future felicity. Notwithstanding her 
 extreme illness, she would not hear of me neglecting 
 my intended visit to Sheffield. When I left Manches- 
 terto go there, it was strongly impressed on my mind, 
 that I should return again to bury my dead ; I wept 
 and prayed for several miles on the road, and the im- 
 pression seemed to be irresistible. On my return, I 
 found her truly in the furnace of affliction, but she was 
 still happy in God ; and rejoiced to see me again, re- 
 questing now, for the first time, I would not leave her 
 any more, — which was a plain proof to me, that she was 
 convinced her end was swiftly approaching. Being- 
 advised to remove her into the country, we went to 
 Redhall, where we w r ere kindly entertained, and after 
 three days went forward to Ashton, intending by easy 
 stages to reach Leeds, but soon found it impossible 
 to proceed further. We therefore remained with the 
 kind family of Mr. Wm. Heginbottom for about six 
 weeks, when, after a violent conflict, she left the world 
 without a sigh. Through all her affliction, her mind 
 was wonderfully supported by the Lord ; she found the 
 fear of death removed, and gave a blessed account of 
 the hope and confidence she had in God ; she was fully 
 persuaded,throughout the whole of her affliction, that she 
 should not recover, and when she had any freedom 
 from pain, and was apparently something better, she 
 still did not entertain any hopes of amendment, but al- 
 ways supposed her sickness would be unto death, and 
 was fully determined to prepare for that awful event. 
 Many were the gracious truths that fell from her lips ; 
 her conversation was truly edifying and instructing, 
 and when she could speak no longer, it was evident 
 from her gestures, that her heart was engaged w T ith 
 God, and that she experienced in her last moments those 
 true consolations, and that triumph over death, which 
 are the peculiar privileges of them that have followed 
 Him, and have devoted their lives to His service. At 
 the first of her affliction, for some time we both earnest- 
 ly in treated God for her recovery ; but w T hen I began 
 to perceive the nature of her complaints, and also from 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 313 
 
 the disposition of her mind, that she was evidently ripen- 
 ing for eternity, I began to conclude she would not 
 long remain an inhabitant of this world; and though I 
 was much troubled at the thought of what was coming 
 upon me, and at the great loss I should sustain, I was 
 at length enabled to say, "Thy will be done," and by 
 earnest prayer, my mind became comforted, and I was 
 assisted to cast my care on the Lord." 
 
 The effect of such a bereavement on the generality of 
 persons, would have been to disqualify them for a time 
 for the performance of every public or official duty; but 
 Mr. Kilham, frequently, as it will have been observed, 
 by the persuasion of Mrs. Kilham, had been accustom- 
 ed not to allow any thing to interrupt his labours to do 
 good ; and, concurring in the opinions of the eminent 
 Matthew Henry and Dr. Doddridge, (both of whom 
 improved the deaths of members of their own families,) 
 he considered that mourning ought not to hinder in- 
 dividuals from appearing in the house of God, nor from 
 taking their proper part in His service. On the day 
 on which Mrs. Kilham was interred, he, therefore, ac- 
 cord ing to previous engagements entered into before 
 that event was anticipated, preached thrice ; and in 
 so doing, lie took occasion to select subjects suitable 
 for the improvement of the afflictive dispensation of 
 Providence which had befallen him, to his own good, 
 and the benefit of others. He describes his feelings 
 on this occasion in these words : — " It was the most so- 
 lemn day of my life ; my tears were my meat, in the sense 
 David wished those words to be understood. The 
 mercy of God, the kindness of friends, the loss of my 
 dear partner, my own unworthiness, and a thousand 
 other things, melted me before all. Yet the Lord 
 helped me to speak to the people." The effect produced 
 by these sermons was very powerful, and at the request 
 of those who heard them, they were afterwards pub- 
 lished, together with an account prefixed of the Chris- 
 tian life and experience of Mrs. Kilham. 
 
 It may be mentioned, as exemplifying the disposition 
 which prevailed at this time, to convert every thing 
 which occurred to Mr. Kilham into an occasion for 
 
 2 D 
 
314 LIFE OF THE 
 
 saying something to his injury, that no sooner was Mrs. 
 Kilham dead, than it was rumoured by his adversaries 
 that she had died of a broken heart, occasioned by the 
 course he had taken in reference to Methodism. The 
 circumstances in her conduct, together with her letters, 
 which we have already noticed, contain a satisfactory 
 refutation of this calumny. Mr. Kilham animadverts 
 on the rumour as follows: — 
 
 " Some have been so cruel as to affirm, that her afflic- 
 tion and death were occasioned by the measures I have 
 pursued in opposing the preachers. But nothing can 
 be more false than this assertion. I can appeal to the 
 friends in Alnwick circuit, and in every place where we 
 have been since the Conference, whether she ever gave a 
 single hint of being dissatisfied with my conduct, or the 
 consequences of it. The friends in Leeds and in Man- 
 chester can bear testimony, that an insinuation of this 
 nature is extremely unchristian. Her letters to me 
 prove the contrary, to a demonstration. 
 
 " But had she died of a broken heart, (which is utterly 
 contrary to truth,) was it my conduct, or the conduct 
 and cruelty of the Conference that led to this ? Setting 
 aside the persecution I met with before the Conference, 
 my expulsion, and being published through the nation 
 as the vilest of the vile, also the manner of my being ex- 
 pelled, might have affected a heart less susceptible of feel- 
 ing than her's. After I had served the Connexion twelve 
 years, and the preachers never attempted to charge me 
 with any thing immoral, yet they expelled me. My 
 wife had never received a farthing for quarterage, and 
 vet they turned her out of house and harbour, without 
 allowing one shilling, either to remove from Alnwick, 
 or begin house-keeping with, in any place. Now I 
 appeal, whether these things were not enough to break 
 a heart of stone? But so far from their having this 
 effect on my dear wife, she bore them as part of her 
 cross, and cheerfully submitted to the will of God." 
 
 Almost immediately after the death of Mrs. Kilham, 
 he went into Yorkshire, and from thence to Lincoln 
 -.Jiire, for the purpose of placing his daughter under 
 vhe care of his father ; and, having visited different 
 
REV. A. KILHAM 315 
 
 places which lay conveniently within his reach, he re- 
 turned to Leeds. The following letter was written 
 when on his journey: — 
 
 Thome, 2Uh March, 1797. 
 My Dear Brother, 
 
 The sermons you have mentioned, I have some thoughts 
 of publishing ; but I think it cannot be in the Monitor. We 
 have other matters that must come into it. I had given up 
 the thought of printing them, till your last letter, but I 
 think at present they may remove prejudice from some, and 
 help others; I hope, therefore, to get forward in writing 
 them out for the press, though I have been very much 
 engaged by night and day, for the Monitor, at Leeds, 
 and now I must do what I can at spare hours here, 
 and where I go; — but my letters take up so much of my 
 time. May the Lord help, and bless abundantly, that we 
 may do all to His glory. 
 
 While I was in Leeds, I had an opportunity of preaching 
 in several places, and things appear more prosperous than 
 before. Mr. Bramwell's letter* has been a nail in a sure 
 place; we hope the Lord will own us with his presence, 
 and cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us 
 more than ever. 
 
 * The letter alluded to bad been written by Mr. Bramwell, and pub- 
 licly addressed to th > preachers in November, for the purpose of stirring 
 them up to greater zeal and personal piety ; and, as was observed by many 
 at the time, if it had been construed with a view of criminating its author, 
 in the same way that Mr. Kilham's writings were, it furnished occasion 
 for greater offence than any thing which he had published. The fol- 
 lowing passages convey a far more sweeping condemnation of the 
 preachers than Mr. Kilhara ever pronounced in his pamphlets. Speak- 
 ing of the ministry, Mr. Bramwell says: — "We want the power 
 of religion among ourselves. This alone can perpetuate the union of 
 love, and then all things would be done in peace and harmony. When 
 were we asked the state of our souls, since we were received into the 
 Connexion ? We may be proud, passionate, envious, malicious, covet- 
 ous, self-willed, brawlers, and triflers, given to jesting, yea, tiplers ; we 
 may oppose the real work of God, may turn hundreds out of the way, 
 and yet remain travelling preachers. Whatever we ax*e, when we enter 
 upon the great work of the ministry, we may lose our first love, zeal, 
 faith, patience, hope, yea, every grace, and yet go round the circuit, 
 carrying about the ghost of a preacher, who being dead, yet speaketb. 
 Brethren ! — Brethren ! is it not time that something should be done to 
 reform ourselves ? Have we not for years been labouring for forced 
 unity and external peace, debating on forms and shadows, and thereby 
 departing more from our centre ? And could things be brought into 
 unity this way, would it not settle us in formality, and unscripture still- 
 ness ? Must not the cause be removed before the effects can cease ? 
 
 2 d 2 
 
316 1IFE OF THE 
 
 On Wednesday, my little girl and I came to Barnsley. 
 There we have many friends. I preached that evening in 
 the Independent Chapel. Yesterday, we met my father and 
 brother, in Doncaster ; they took the child to Epworth, and I 
 came here. Two of the trustees forbade me the chapel, but 
 five were on our side. We had a large congregation, and 
 very attentive. I am to preach six days in this neighbour- 
 hood, and then go to Epworth. I hope to see Hull in a 
 fortnight, to go from thence, by Pockiington, Pickering, 
 Thirsk, and York, to Leeds ; in four weeks I hope to be in that 
 place. Remember me most affectionately to your dear 
 partner, and all the friends. Thank them, whenever you 
 see them, for their kindness to me and mine. 
 
 One of the outcasts of Israel, a travelling preacher, Mr. 
 Thos. Shaw, is come to talk with me. I cannot enlarge. I 
 will write whenever I have any thing particular, or spare 
 time. Do you the same — I am, in haste, 
 
 Your affectionate servant, 
 
 A. KlLHAM. 
 
 In the month of May, Mr. Kilham appears to have 
 been compelled, by a variety of circumstances which had 
 occurred, to surrender his hopes of the Conference ac- 
 ceding to the proposals which had been so often made, 
 for establishing a constitutional, and, what he believed 
 
 The axe must be laid to the root, and then our preaching, conversation, 
 and example, will produce, under God, the principle and effects of faith 
 and love, and we shall all be one in Christ Jesus." In a communica- 
 tion to Mr. Kilham, dated January 20, 1797, Mr. JM. Longridge, of 
 Sunderland, thus notices Mr. Bramwell's statement : — " I was much 
 affected with Mr. Bramwell's letter ; yet I doubt the propriety of 
 publishing it. Is it not an infinitely greater attack upon the cha- 
 racters of the preacheis than any thing you have written ? Is 
 it not more unkind ? — That is, — your charges amount to a want 
 of vigilance in making or applying rules, but does he not imply 
 ' that immoral characters may knowingly continue amongst tbe 
 Methodist Conference ?' I believe his intentions are very good, and 
 that there is too much reason to suspect there is a decay of zeal ; 
 but when he says, 'we maybe proud, passionate,' &c, he certainly 
 brings a very strong accusation against the moral character of the 
 preachers ; and that in a very different point of view from what either 
 you or the ' Newcastle Address' has done. These manifestly imply, 
 that 'improper rules will produce improper preachers — improper preach- 
 ers will destroy souls.' But Mr. B. seems to think the ' glory is de- 
 parted.' I cannot think as he does ; yet we have too much cause to 
 mourn." It was confidently expected by some, that Mr. Bramwell 
 would have been tried for writing this letter, at the ensuing Conference ; 
 but no notice was taken of the matter. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 317 
 
 to be, a scriptural plan, in which the preachers and 
 people should be united, and co-operate in the govern- 
 ment of the Connexion ; and as this seemed to be the 
 only foundation on which a solid and permanent peace 
 could be built for the societies, both himself, and a great 
 number of individuals in different parts, felt it impossi- 
 ble to continue, with a good conscience, to belong to a 
 community where one class of persons monopolized the 
 authority which ought to be placed in the whole church. A 
 separation appeared, therefore, unavoidable. Mr.Kilham 
 was far from being one of the first to arrrive at this con- 
 clusion, but when it could no longer be resisted, he gave 
 way, and began to prepare for it. About this time, a 
 chapel which had been occupied by the Baptists, in 
 Leeds, was on sale, and the friends having purchased 
 it, Mr. Kilham preached a sermon at the opening, May 
 7, 1797, from Eccles., v. chap, and 1st verse, which he 
 published at the request of the hearers, with a short 
 preface, explaining the intentions of the parties in pro- 
 curing that place of worship, as well as a large room, 
 which had previously been occupied for three years, 
 for the purpose of having the Sacrament administered 
 to the Methodists, and preaching in church hours, which 
 were not then allowed in their own chapels. 
 
 During this year, Mr. Kilham, though opposed by 
 the generality, had been in friendly intercourse with 
 several of the preachers, a few of whom encouraged him 
 to proceed as he had done, and professed a determina- 
 tion, if matters were brought to a point in the Con- 
 nexion, to stand by the cause of liberty and the people. 
 Of that number were Messrs. Bramwell and H. Tay- 
 lor, then stationed at Sheffield; from whom Mr. Kilham 
 received the following letters, which occasioned him to 
 pay them a visit ; and from thence he made a tour, to 
 ascertain the sentiments of his friends in other places. 
 
 Sheffield, May 5, 1797. 
 
 My Dear Brother, 
 
 You will wonder at my silence in not answering your kind 
 
 letter sooner, but the wonder will cease when I tell you that 
 
 I have been near three weeks from home, and only returned 
 
 last night. I have been visiting my friends in Liverpool, 
 
 2 d 3 
 
318 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Warrington, Preston, Bolton, Blackburn, &c. I most 
 certainly would have complied with your request, had it 
 been in my power, but, strange as it may seem, I never saw 
 the printed paper you mention. Secret publications are as 
 carefully kept from us, as from you. Will you consider me 
 as writing to you in the confidence of friendship, and at the 
 present keep it to yourself? I believe you will, and therefore 
 write freely. By this time, I think you must have lost all 
 expectation of a reform taking place in our Connexion. If 
 you have not, I must own I have. Depend upon it, a large 
 majority of the Conference are determined to risk every thing, 
 rather than make the alterations so much wished for by the 
 people. Methodism can only be preserved, by reducing it 
 to scriptural simplicity, and by uniting preachers and 
 people together by those ties which bound them in the first 
 ages of the gospel. In Methodism there is an excellent out- 
 line for this purpose, if it were well filled up ; and I think 
 the time is not far distant, when all the preachers who are 
 friends to such a plan, should meet together, and perfectly 
 understand each other on these subjects, and with firmness 
 join together in forming circuits accordingly. This will be 
 lifting up a proper standard for the people, who would flock 
 to it from all parts of the kingdom. A Conference might 
 soon be formed of travelling and worthy local preachers, 
 agreeable to the views of the people. Those who choose might 
 stay with the old Connexion quietly, and the friends of 
 genuine christian liberty, might walk in love, and go on 
 their way rejoicing, and increase daily. A division may 
 take place without those dreadful effects which we sometimes 
 fear. These things have lately been much on my mind. I 
 have committed my thoughts to paper, and if I could see 
 you alone, I would let you see them. Write soon, and tell 
 me all you think of this strange letter, but be sure you keep 
 it to yourself, as I do not yet see the time when we ought to 
 act publicly. It will appear, I think, before long. — Wishing 
 you every blessing, I am, your's affectionately, 
 
 Henry Taylor. 
 
 Sheffield, \\th May, 1797. 
 Mr. Bramwell is now in the room with me, and what I 
 now write you must consider as coming from both of us. 
 We want to see you, and indeed we must see you here as 
 soon as possible, and we intreat you, let every other plan 
 give place to this. Your visit to us must be without any 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 319 
 
 person, directly or indirectly, knowing any thing about it : 
 the nature of the business requires this secrecy, and when 
 you know the particulars, you will be of the same opinion. 
 It may be as well for you to send your friends at Sheffield 
 information of the night you intend to be here, and that you 
 will preach in one of the Dissenting Chapels; this will be a 
 proper cover for an interview with us ; but you must keep 
 the matter from all your friends here, and from every one : 
 you can easily apologize to them for coming sooner than you 
 expected. We advise you to stay one night only, and for 
 that to be Tuesday or Wednesday. When you have fixed 
 on the night, send me a private letter, and meet us the next 
 morning by four o'clock. Our business we think of such 
 importance, that we wish to see you before our district meet- 
 ing at Leeds, the 24th instant — Your's, &c. 
 
 H. Taylor. 
 
 " After making a few necessary preparations for the 
 journey," Mr. Kilham states, "I set off for Sheffield; 
 the next day I met Mr. Taylor, and early the morning 
 after, I had a secret interview with him and Mr. Bram- 
 well. They both spoke freely on the necessity of a re- 
 form, and seemed determined to have this effected or 
 leave the Connexion. I saw the paper they had writ- 
 ten on Church government, and dictated some altera- 
 tions, which had their approbation. They both ap- 
 peared timorous, but if their professions are deserving 
 of credit, they are determined to have a reform at afl 
 events, or to risk the consequences. I preached several 
 times to large congregations, with much satisfaction; 
 many persons seem resolved to have a redress of griev- 
 ances, and appear confident that their preachers at 
 Sheffield would either see this effected or separate from 
 the Conference. Nevertheless, I found much reason- 
 ing in my own mind on the conduct of Messrs. Bram- 
 well, Taylor, and Emmet, — they appeared so exceed- 
 ingly afraid of the higher powers. I expressed my fears 
 to one or two particular friends, but they had the fullest 
 reliance on their firmness and integrity. From Shef- 
 field, I went to Nottingham and Birmingham ; when I 
 was at Chesterfield, I was kindly entertained by Mr. 
 Robinson, and spent an afternoon agreeably with a few 
 
320 LIFE OF THE REV. A. KILHAM. 
 
 friends ; in the evening. I preached and explained the 
 state of our Connexion. On my way, I passed about 
 a week at Basford with Mr. Hall, and preached once 
 at Nottingham, and several times in the neighbourhood. 
 While at his house, I had a good deal of conversation 
 with Mr. Hall, upon the general state of our affairs, 
 and found his sentiments in general accorded with my 
 own." Mr. Kilham then proceeded to visit the Stafford- 
 shire potteries. " At Hanley," he says, "I had the plea- 
 sure of spending several days with some valuable friends ; 
 I preached to large congregations in the chapels and 
 out of doors. We have a good opening in these parts. 
 If the preachers will not accede to the measures of 
 reform which have been proposed, many are deter- 
 mined to separate, and build two or three chapels in 
 that neighbourhood." He then went to Liverpool, 
 where the friends of liberty had begun to occupy a 
 chapel of their own, with a determination to act 
 for themselves, in securing what they regarded 
 as being their privileges under the New Testa- 
 ment. Having spent a short time there, he re- 
 moved to the neighbourhood of Manchester and 
 Ashton, where the recollections of the trials he had 
 recently passed through, rushed upon him with great 
 force. *He says, "I found my heart much affected, at see- 
 ing the place where the remains of my dear partner 
 were deposited; and the memorial which my friends 
 had placed over her, containing a suitable inscription." 
 The kindness of the people to him was again renewed, 
 with such marks of affection that he could not but be 
 gratified with the repetition of their great goodness. 
 He returned to Leeds in July, and in conjunction with 
 the friends of reform, immediately began to prepare for 
 the Conference which was about to be held in that 
 town, and at which a great number of delegates were 
 expected to attend, with a view to assist in making 
 some settlement with the preachers, which might termi- 
 nate the differences that had so long disturbed the 
 Connexion. 
 
321 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CONFERENCE, 1797. UNSUCCESSFUL NEGOCIATION BETWEEN 
 THE FRIENDS OF LIBERTY AND THE PREACHERS; SEPARA- 
 TION, AND FORMATION OF THE METHODIST NEW CONNEX- 
 ION. 
 
 It is unnecessary to observe, that the preceding year 
 had been a time of incessant labour and anxiety for 
 Mr. Kilham. He had preached as frequently, perhaps, 
 as if it had been his only employment; not to mention 
 the account of his trial and expulsion, he had, more- 
 over, edited, and was in great part the author of, the 
 " MethodistMoinitor," in two volumes, containing be- 
 tween seven and eight hundred pages, which publication 
 would constitute, of itself, sufficient work for a year's li- 
 terary toil : and in addition to these, the number of letters 
 which he wrote was beyond all computation, as he was 
 obliged to be in daily correspondence on methodistical 
 affairs with persons in every part of the kingdom. In 
 short, he had enough to have occupied three or four 
 persons, and that, too, during the severe affliction and 
 death of his wife, and while travelling from place to 
 place, as circumstances required his presence. 
 
 The Conference was held in Leeds, and commenced, 
 as usual, at the latter end of July. By means of 
 the Monitor, Mr. Kilham had diffused an immense 
 mass of information through the societies on disputed 
 points in the Connexion ; and consequently, the im- 
 pression on all sides was, that at this meeting some- 
 thing decisive must be done, as it was admitted to be 
 impossible for the body to continue any longer in its 
 then agitated state. All parties had provided for the 
 struggle as well as they could. The preachers felt the 
 necessity of giving way to a certain extent, but not so 
 as to admit the laity to participate in their legislative 
 
322 
 
 LIFE OF THE 
 
 authority, which was the great object sought after by 
 Mr. Kilham and his friends,— as they rationally con- 
 cluded, that if, on the one hand, this were obtained, every 
 other salutary regulation which might be necessary would 
 follow in due time ; while, on the other, if this continued 
 to be withheld, whatever else might be conceded, it 
 would be both unsatisfactory in itself, and uncertain in 
 its tenure; — for so long as the power to alter and make 
 laws for the Connexion remained solely with the preach- 
 ers, they who gave at one period, could take away at 
 another, which left the privileges of the societies in a 
 state of complete insecurity. 
 
 In the early part of the month, Messrs. Mather and 
 Pavvson issued a joint address to the preachers, in- 
 viting them to fix upon a few preliminaries, as the 
 ground-work of any negociation which might be enter- 
 ed into with the delegates who should attend Confer- 
 ence in behalf of the Trustees and Societies; and the 
 first thing which they proposed was the following: 
 " We cannot in conscience treat with any who design 
 to make Alexander Kilham's re-admission as a condition 
 of our union." A writer, signing himself " A Trustee 
 Delegate," in a short reply to Messrs. Mather and 
 Pawson, dated Leeds, August 1st, asked, in reference 
 to this point, — If it were a good or scrupulous conscience 
 which led these individuals to prefer continuing the 
 Connexion in a state of agitation for an indefinite 
 period, to the receiving back of Mr. Kilham ? and then 
 he appealed to the consciences of the delegates, whether 
 a man who had sacrificed his all to serve them, and had 
 been persecuted and loaded with reproach from Pen- 
 zance to Inverness, ought to be deserted in the hour 
 of danger. Mr. Kilham had, however, already provid- 
 ed that his friends should be placed in no difficulty on 
 his account, by a voluntary act of disinterestedness, 
 which perfectly accorded with every part of his cha- 
 racter and conduct. It had been proposed at several 
 meetings, held for the purpose of appointing delegates 
 to attend at Leeds during the Conference, that justice 
 to him, including a restoration to his former position in 
 the Connexion, should be made a foundation principle 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 323 
 
 of any arrangement between the preachers and so- 
 cieties ; but on hearing of this suggestion, Mr. Kilham 
 at once insisted that nothing relating to himself person- 
 ally should be made a condition in their negociation 
 for peace and liberty. He was not only willing for, 
 but required, his individual interests to be left entirely 
 out of the question, and even lost sight of. He ex- 
 pressed himself as content, if a system of equitable 
 church government might be agreed to, which should 
 secure the Christian privileges of all classes of Metho- 
 dists, both ministers and members ; — and his friends 
 were told, they were perfectly free to offer or to accept 
 any terms which they judged to be scriptural, without 
 mixing up his case at all with the matter. Indeed, he 
 would not allow of its being identified with the great 
 objects for which they were contending ; so that the 
 proscription of Messrs. Mather and Pawson was as 
 uncalled for, as it seemed to be uncharitable. When 
 such personal feelings as they manifested, are contrast- 
 ed with his public spirit and self-devotion, Mr. Kilham's 
 disposition and proceedings appear to great advantage. 
 
 In May, a long address was drawn up by Mr. Kil- 
 ham, and being signed by a number of trustees, leaders, 
 stewards, and local preachers, from many societies, it 
 was circulated through the Connexion. It pointed out 
 the unsettled state of Methodism, and showed what would 
 effect a cure from the distractions which then prevailed. 
 The different circuits were requested to examine it, 
 and to appoint delegates to meet in Leeds at the time 
 of the Conference, to use their influence to obtain a re- 
 dress of grievances : and, if that: could not be obtain- 
 ed, to prepare their minds to follow the openings of 
 Divine Providence. 
 
 In June, another letter was also circulated from Stock- 
 ton-on-Tees, sanctioned by the committee who published 
 the Newcastle Address in February, 1796, requesting 
 tli at trustees, leaders, stewards, and members of the 
 Methodist society, would take into consideration the 
 state of the body, and send delegates to the Conference. 
 
 In July, Mr. Stonehouse, of Manchester, by the re- 
 quest of trustees, &c. } sent a circular through the 
 
324 LIFE OF THE 
 
 different districts, intreating the friends to send dele- 
 gates. 
 
 These communications, influenced a number to as- 
 semble in Leeds at the time appointed. Some of them 
 were deputed by the trustees alone — others by the so- 
 cieties, in conjunction with the trustees — and others by 
 the people, who had either left the Connexion, or were 
 dissatisfied with the rules of the Conference. Several 
 also attended as trustees, without a delegation from the 
 places where they resided. 
 
 The indhiduals nominated had, in some cases, parti- 
 cular counsel given them as to the principles upon 
 which they were to proceed. Those sent from several 
 places (as Ashton-under-Line, Mosley, Red- Hall, &c.) 
 in the Stockport circuit, were to be guided by certain di- 
 rections with which they were furnished. The follow- 
 ing is a copy of the instructions given to Mr. Thornely, 
 who went from Red-Hall : — 
 
 " We, the trustees, &c, of Red-Hall, having considered, with 
 the deepest concern, the convulsed situation of the Methodist 
 Connexion, think it the duty of every friend to Methodism 
 to come forward at this important crisis. We therefore wish 
 to contribute our mite towards the establishing of peace and 
 union upon a proper foundation, that preachers and people 
 may again rejoice in worshipping God together. 
 
 «< In order thereto, we appoint Joseph Thornely (one of the 
 trustees for Red-Hall) to attend at Leeds during the next 
 Conference of preachers, and to join with the other delegates 
 then assembled, and to co-operate with them, in devising 
 a proper plan for bringing about a reform in the present 
 system of Methodism, by strengthening the power of Dis- 
 trict Meetings, and establishing the right of delegates attend- 
 ing these meetings and the Conference ; the delegates to be 
 chosen without the interference of preachers, — to have equal 
 authority with them in the management of all our affairs— 
 to have all our laws or rules clear and explicit, incapable of 
 a double meaning — to bring about the proposed laws, dated 
 Salford, Manchester, November 10th, 1796 — to have the 
 case of Mr. Kilham thoroughly and impartially investigated, 
 and a report made, that justice may be done to him without 
 delay. We recommend our delegate to use his utmost efforts 
 to obtain a peaceable reform — to give up every thing that 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 
 
 will not infringe on the rights of trustees and people; but we 
 charge him never to forego the ad mission, of delegates into 
 District and Conference Meetings. 
 
 " Should a general division take place, the delegate shall 
 not give his voice either way, till he has sent word to the 
 committee in his circuit, and received their answer." 
 
 The delegates assembled in Leeds were about se- 
 venty in number. Lest the reader should mis 
 derstand their precise intentions, it ought to be m< 
 tioned, that, though there was a general agreement, 
 among them that the preachers should, if practicable 
 prevailed on to give up a portion of their 
 to the laity, the persons deputed were of diffei 
 sentiments on other points. They may be properly 
 classed under three different heads. First, those 
 desired to obtain this concession from the preachers, il 
 possible; but in case they could not succeed, they w 
 still willing to submit to the existing system. These, 
 of course, were opposed to a separation being i 
 the Connexion under any circumstances v 
 Second, such as were determined either to persuad 
 compel the preachers to renounce what they beiu 
 to be an unscriptural and pernicious domination, or 
 felt bound in conscience to assist in the establishment 
 u? another Itinerancy, which should be free from this 
 objectionable feature, and founded on the princ 
 uniting the ministry and societies in every depj 
 of its management. The third class of delegates 
 as anxious as the ethers to have a reform eflec . 
 but they had not made up their minds, nor had 
 parties by whom they were sent to Leeds, what course 
 to take, in case things were carried to an extremity. 
 
 It should also be remarked, that in seeking adra 
 to Conference, the motives of the several delegal - i 
 the objects sought by them to be accomplished there 
 were widely different. A number of trustees deputed 
 to visit Leeds, were of the high church party, win; 
 blamed the Conference for having allowed the Si 
 ment to be administered in the Methodist Chapels, and 
 preaching during church hours : these wished to 
 come members of Conference that they might pre ■ 
 
 2 E 
 
326 LIFE OF THE 
 
 vent the continuance of such ordinances, and bring 
 tilings back to the state in which they existed at the 
 death of Mr. Wesley. These parties were naturally the 
 very wannest opponents of Mr. Kilham, with whom 
 they differed in nearly every thing, except as to the 
 mere introduction of the laity to Conference, and even 
 in this one particular their design was the reverse of 
 his. He desired to extend the privileges of the socie- 
 ties, by putting them in possession of more authority ; 
 whereas the high church trustees wanted to have pow- 
 er only as a means of restraining the preachers from 
 conceding any of those things which might give to Me- 
 thodism the character of being separated from the 
 Church of England. 
 
 Mr. Kilham having been more connected with Leeds 
 and its neighbourhood than any other place during the 
 past year, in consequence of the Methodist Monitor, 
 which he had conducted, being printed there, he was re- 
 gularly appointed by the trustees of the Hunslet Chapel 
 to attend the meeting of delegates on their behalf. But 
 his admission to that meeting was strongly opposed by 
 the high church party, ostensibly, because they profess- 
 ed to regard him as still being a circuit preacher and 
 under the censure of Conference, but really, from a fear 
 that his presence would frustrate some of their pur- 
 poses. A majority having divided against his being 
 present, lest the preachers should take offence, and 
 make that an excuse for throwing fresh difficulties 
 in the way of coming to any arrangement, Mr. Kilham 
 transmitted his views on several points to th dele- 
 gates, in a letter from which we make an extract : — 
 
 Dear Brethren, 
 
 I apprehend there is not a person in your meeting that 
 will question my right to attend. This is clear beyond 
 dispute. Yet I am determined not to claim a place with 
 you, but leave the matter to your better judgment. 
 
 I should be thankful, if the brethren would candidly weigh 
 the following particulars. 1. Ever since I began this contest 
 with the preachers, the glory of God, in the prosperity of Me- 
 thodism, has been the object of my pursuit. Nothing but a 
 conviction of duty, which I could not oppose without guilt. 
 
REV. A. KILIIAM 327 
 
 urged me to the steps which I have taken. If I have erred, 
 the Lord will discover this in due time. 2. You all know, 
 the Conference never charged me with any thing immoral ; 
 nor have they attempted to invalidate my right to publish 
 the good tidings of salvation. 3. I believe you are all con- 
 vinced, that the trials I had last year, both in the district 
 meetings and in the Conference, — where my accusers were 
 my judge and jury, — cannot be justified either by scripture, 
 by argument, or by precedent, in these nations this century. 
 4. Would the Conference suffer me to have a fair open trial, 
 by a jury from amongst your body, I would cheerfully sub- 
 mit to your decision. — Whether you acquitted or condemned 
 me, I would be satisfied with such a trial. 5. I have no 
 desire to divide the Connexion. If the preachers would only 
 remove existing grievances, and allow the societies to help 
 in managing all their affairs, I should rejoice in their unity 
 and happiness. 6. If the Conference will grant you all the 
 privileges you have a right to demand, -provided I am left out 
 of the question, I shotdd rejoice to be forgotten for ever, if 
 peace on gospel terms could be established. 
 
 Earnestly praying that God may direct your steps in all 
 things, and influence your hearts by his Spirit, 
 I am, your affectionate servant, 
 
 Alex. Kilham. 
 
 The delegates began to hold their meetings on the 
 first of August, and on the third a motion was carried 
 to request the preachers to admit two or more lay re- 
 presentatives from each district meeting, to meet with 
 them in Conference, and transact the general business 
 of the Connexion. This proposal having been sent in 
 to the Conference of preachers then sitting, it was almost 
 immediately met by a refusal to accede to it. It was 
 then requested that delegates might be admitted into 
 each district meeting, to co-operate with the preachers 
 in the general administration of its affairs ; but this was 
 also refused. A third plan, afterwards submitted 
 to the preachers, was, that delegates should be sent 
 from the different circuits to assemble at the time oi 
 Conference — not with the preachers, but — in an apart- 
 ment by themselves, to constitute a second legislative 
 house; and that the sanction of this lay convention 
 should be obtained before any new law or alteration 
 
 2 e 2 
 
fc£8 LIFE OF THE 
 
 was rendered valid, and carried into effect. But this 
 last and final suggestion met with a similar reception 
 to the two former ; all three being rejected by the Con- 
 ference, with a clear intimation that the preachers were 
 resolved to retain the supreme governing authority, as 
 heretofore, in their own hands. 
 
 At the same time, the Conference consented to revise 
 some of its rules, and several changes were made there- 
 in, as to the mode of receiving members into socie- 
 ty, expelling them, appointing and removing leaders, 
 stewards, local preachers, &c; also as to the manage- 
 ment of the finances, and holding meetings. These 
 t rations were, on the whole, improvements; but in 
 
 y instances where concessions seemed to be made, 
 were so limited by qualifying provisions, and also 
 expressed in terms so capable of being variously con- 
 strued, that, after all, the power of the superintendent, 
 
 arily exercised, might be applied with almost as much 
 absoluteness as ever. This modification of the system 
 was regarded as the completion of the constitution 
 partly agreed to at Conference 1795; and, taken 
 together, the rules made on these two occasions have 
 
 :\s been spoken of as the charter of Wesieyan 
 Methodism, under the denomination of " Articles of 
 Pacification." 
 
 The Conference having thus cut off all hopes of the 
 societies being allowed to participate in the ma?:- 
 ment of the Connexion, it now remained to be decided 
 what was to be done by those who had assembled to 
 promote the admission of representatives to Confer- 
 ehce; and on this subject the reader will have been pre- 
 pared by what has already been stated, to find that there 
 was a wide difference of opinion among those pre- 
 sent from various circuits, — some advocating and 
 others opposing a separation. During the period that 
 the delegates generally had been negociating with the 
 preachers, a number of those who, from the begin - 
 mg, entertained no expectations of prevailing with the 
 Conference to allow lay members to enter that assem- 
 bly, had been employed (in conjunction with other 
 friends oflike sentiments whowere not officially appointed 
 
REV. A. KILI1AM. 329 
 
 to act with them, and therefore not permitted to take any 
 part in their meetings, but were attending in Leeds to wit- 
 ness the result of the present proceedings,) in making 
 conditional arrangements for another Itinerancy. These 
 individuals were consequently prepared to declare them- 
 selves so soon as the determination of the preachers, re- 
 spectingthe plans submitted by the meeting of delegates, 
 became fully known. Immediately, therefore, that the 
 communication from Conference, rejecting lay assistance, 
 was received, an official announcement was made by 
 this party to Conference, the substance of which was 
 as follows: — 
 
 Dear Fathers and Brethren, 
 
 We came to Leeds with no other design than to seek the 
 glory of God, in the future prosperity of Methodism. When 
 the major part of the trustee-meeting did not think proper 
 to admit several of our friends to meet with them, we thought 
 it necessary to meet together, to converse upon such subjects 
 as the present state of our affairs suggested. — However, lest 
 any should declare, that our meeting was an avowed separa- 
 tion, without any provision for future unity, we mutually 
 agreed to draw up, and preface what we should attend to, 
 by the following declarations : — 
 
 " At a meeting of the people's delegates, held at Leeds, 
 the third of August, 1 797, in Ebenezer chapel, it was unani- 
 mously agreed, — That the meeting should proceed to organ- 
 ize their plan of future conduct, according to the utmost 
 of their ability and information ; and that all their de- 
 cisions should remain in full force until the issue of the 
 committee of preachers and delegates should be known ; 
 but if the issue of that meeting should be favourable to our 
 views, all the proceedings of this evening, in regard to mak- 
 ing provisions for a new Itinerancy, should be null and void." 
 
 When the preachers rejected the proposal from the trus- 
 tees, and refused to admit delegates from the district into the 
 Conference, our hopes of reconciliation languished : but when 
 we heard the result of the meeting held between a commit- 
 tee of delegates and some of the preachers, we were con- 
 scious that nothing could restore peace and unity, without the 
 singular interposition of Divine Providence. But as all 
 things are possible with God, we have agreed to send in to 
 the Conference the particulars we have drawn up and agreed 
 to, for our future Conduct. If the preachers can unite with 
 2 e3 
 
330 LIFE OF THE 
 
 r.s, upon this, or a, similar plan, we shall exceedingly re- 
 joice, but if they are resolved not to do it — we must divide ; 
 because all that we propose appears to be founded on the 
 scriptures, and is in every respect both reasonable and just. 
 Signed in behalf of the Friends, 
 
 John Shore. 
 
 The preceding notification to Conference was ac- 
 companied by a series of regulations, agreeing in sub- 
 stance with what Mr. Kilhamhad laid down in the "Pro- 
 gress of Liberty," to which we have already referred, 
 (see page 236,) and which constituted the basis of the 
 Methodist New Connexion. The Conference replied 
 to this by the following note, together with a copy of 
 the rules as altered according to the Articles of Pacifica- 
 tion. 
 
 Dear Brethren, 
 
 We received your letter, and it was read in the Conference, 
 and the enclosed is the answer. In behalf of the Conference 
 we are affectionately, your's, &c, 
 
 T. Coke, President. 
 
 S. Bradburn, Secretary. 
 
 Leeds, August 5, 1797. 
 
 This was intended as the ultimatum of the Confer- 
 ence, and being so regarded by the parties receiving 
 it, a separation was formed forthwith; and after a ge- 
 neral meeting of the delegates, convened in Ebenezer 
 chapel, had concluded, the friends who were favourable 
 to a plan of church government which should unite the 
 clergy and laity, assembled in the same place on the even- 
 ing of the 9th of August, 1797, and decided upon the 
 adoption of that principle. Mr. Thorn, (who had sent in 
 his resignation to Conference the moment that the pro- 
 posal to admit representatives had been finally rejected,) 
 having been chosen president, and Mr. Kilham secretary, 
 steps were immediately taken to organiseanewplan.There 
 were only two preachers, besides Mr. Thorn,* who se- 
 
 * Mr. Thorn was a fliild, considerate, judicious man, and deserv- 
 edly held in great esteem by all who knew him. He had not 
 taken an active part in the discussions which preceded the separation, but, 
 with his characteristic prudence, he silently weighed the subjects in dis- 
 pute, without prematurely committing himself in any way to either party. 
 When the final resolution of Conference was taken, not to admit dele- 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 
 
 B 
 
 ceded from the Conference on the separation takin_ 
 place, viz., Mr. S. Eversfield and Mr. A. Cummins . 
 In addition to these, Messrs. Bramwell, H.Taylor, and 
 M. Etnmett, had afforded every reason to expect they 
 would join the new Itinerancy, and Mr. Taylor had 
 even tendered his resignation along with Mr. Thorn — 
 hut, when the matter came to a point, all the three re- 
 linquished the cause, which, up to that instant, they had 
 done their utmost to promote. Several others, who were 
 not circuit preachers, but had taken an active part 
 against the Conference, also turned their backs at this 
 crisis upon the principles which they had strenuously ad- 
 vocated ; and, as Mr. Kilham, the year before, had been 
 personally deserted by many professed friends on his 
 trial, so now, a similar abandonment took place in re- 
 ference to the system which he and they had been seek- 
 ing to establish, as alike agreeable to reason and the New 
 Testament. In reference to the state of things at this 
 juncture, Mr. Kilham writes as follows : — 
 
 " Some of the friends expressed their fears, and others 
 were quite discouraged at the irresolution and dupli- 
 city that appeared in many of the preachers, on whose 
 professions they had relied ; and many, seeing our weak- 
 ness, went back, and walked no more with us. We 
 » brought low indeed, but the Lord helped us at 
 
 gates from the societies into its meetings, Mr. Thorn, who had previ- 
 ously made up his mind conditionally, immediately sent in his resigna- 
 tion, which was expressed in very respectful terms ; and, still professing 
 his affection for his brethren with whom he had laboured as a minister 
 for tueniy-two-years, he conscientiously withdrew from that communi- 
 ty, to co-operate with others whose views of church government accord- 
 ed with his own, and were, as he believed, consistent with scripture. Mr. 
 Thorn travelled six years as a preacher in the Methodist New Connex- 
 ion, and then became editor of the Magazine, and book-steward, having 
 been appointed to those offices by the Conference. He continued therein 
 until Dec. 10, 181 J, when he died at Shooter's Hill, in the Stafford- 
 shire Potteries, the residence of Wm. Bailey, Esq., who had kindly in- 
 vited him to his house for the benefit of his health. Among Mr. Kil- 
 ham's papers, are a number of Mr. Thorn's letters, chiefly relating to the 
 business of the Connexion on its first formation, all of which discover a 
 sound discriminating mind, and a christian temper and moderation, 
 which fully account for the deference paid to his judgment by his friend*, 
 as well as for the respect in which his memory has been held by those 
 who remember him. 
 
332 LIFE OF THE 
 
 the time of our extremity. I still found encouragement 
 from God, and exhorted the brethren to cast their care 
 on Him. We bore up our heads in the midst of the storm, 
 and found the Lord to be our refuge and deliverer. 
 When we had time for recollection, and had calmly 
 recovered ourselves, a plan was made for supplying 
 those societies that requested our assistance. We ne- 
 cessarily laboured under many inconveniences for want 
 of preachers ; but in this the God of Jacob was our 
 protection and defence. — Our local brethren stepped 
 forward, and engaged to assist us as much as possible. 
 We now formed the places into circuits as well as we 
 could, and devised a scheme for future movements ; 
 many of our brethren then began to revive, and to trust 
 that the Lord would cause us to see better days. The 
 most bitter persecuting sermons were preached against 
 us, and some of the preachers whom we had left repre- 
 sented us as the offscouring of all things. It was deem- 
 ed advisable for me by all means to go over to Shef- 
 field before the Conference was entirely broken up, for 
 the Conference was sending the preachers in every di- 
 rection to give us all the opposition in their power. I 
 therefore set off, and though it was nine o'clock at night 
 when I arrived, I attended a meeting at which five hun- 
 dred persons were present. The next morning, I preach- 
 ed at Howard- street chapel, and in the afternoon at 
 Mr. Briant's chapel, in Scotland-street. After preach- 
 ing, I met about 600 of the society. The next day the 
 leaders and local preachers, who had determined to 
 unite with us, met together at twelve o'clock, when 
 we conversed freely to each other, and I laid our plan 
 before them ; after preaching again in the evening, and 
 having had further conversation with the leaders, I de- 
 termined to return to Leeds the next day." 
 
 As soon as they had separated themselves from the 
 Wesleyan Conference, the first business of those preach- 
 ers, and delegates present at Leeds, who had seceded, 
 was to adopt a few principles as the basis of a consti- 
 tution which would unite the ministry and laity in 
 every department of the body, — leaving it to the next 
 Conference, to be composed of preachers and repre- 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 333 
 
 sentatives chosen by the societies, to enter into details, to 
 fix upon particular rules, and to organise the system 
 generally. There was only time for this at the outset : 
 nor, perhaps, would it have been proper to havedone any 
 thing besides making temporary arrangements to supply 
 with preaching such places as had declared themselves 
 in favour of the new plan. The principal of these wen- 
 Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool, 
 Chester, Macclesfield, Bolton, Ashton, Stockport, Han- 
 ley, Newcastle, Alnwick, &c, comprising, in the whole, 
 about five thousand members. The great difficulty 
 felt was, to provide a sufficient number of preachers, 
 which was met as fir as possible, by stationing as man; 
 had offered their services, and appointing a committee to 
 arrange with others who might be willing to help; the 
 local preachers also rendered very important assistance 
 : : travelling preachers could be obtained, — many 
 o{ them preaching regularly two, three, or even four 
 or five times in the week, and travelling from ten to 
 fifty miles, — thereby giving ample evidence that their 
 hearts were in the work. 
 
 In coming to the determination to establish a new 
 section of Methodists, as the only means left of secur- 
 ing that degree of liberty for which he had been con- 
 tending, but which was denied to the members by those 
 from whom they had separated, it appears to have been 
 the design of Mr. Kilham thenceforward to desist from 
 controversy with his late brethren, and to proceed 
 peaceably forward in the path marked out for his own 
 usefulness in the church of Christ. And to furnish 
 right notions on the subject, as well as to promote a spi- 
 rit of charity and religion among the members of the 
 Methodist New Connexion, he published in the last 
 number of the " Monitor" a paper signed " Servetus," 
 of which he was the author, faithfully inculcating such a 
 disposition and conduct as showed that, though he had 
 strenuously contended for many things of importance 
 secondary sense, he was most of nil concerned that 
 by living a holy and useful life, they should approve 
 themselves both to God and man. A few passages 
 
334 
 
 LIFE OF THE 
 
 from this address will fully exemplify and bear out our 
 meaning. Mr. Kilham says, — 
 
 " As a division has actually taken place, there are several 
 things which ought to be considered for the general good. 
 If they are candidly examined, they may, under the blessing 
 of God, be attended with advantage to the reader. 
 
 "The first thing we should carefully attend to, is, that our 
 motives be pure. Jesus Christ informs us, if our eye be 
 single, our whole body shall be full of light. If we have 
 nothing in view but to check the influence of the preachers 
 — to set up an independent church against them — to be at 
 the head of a party — to obtain temporal advantage, or be 
 avenged of any that have opposed us, our eye is not single 
 — our motives are not pure. On the other hand, if the 
 glory of God — the peace of our own souls — the welfare of 
 our christian brethren — spreading the gospel, and bringing 
 sinners to the Lord Jesus, are the objects which influence 
 our conduct, then our eye is single, and he that searches the 
 heart, reads our intentions, and is privy to all our desires. 
 
 "2. We should secondly examine our cause, to know 
 whether it be according to God or not. A man may have 
 pure motives, and yet have a bad cause. If we have pure 
 motives and a good cause, we have nothing to fear. What 
 we have long pleaded for, appears so reasonable, that we 
 are astonished how any men should attempt to withhold 
 from us our just rights, as the followers of the Son of God. 
 
 "3. Support your cause by argument, and not by calum- 
 ny. It is easy to call names, and to load those who differ 
 from us with reproach ; but when nothing is advanced in 
 support of a cause, but mere declamation, and bitterness and 
 wrath supply the want of meekness and patience, we are 
 moved to pity the declaimer, and to beseech God to be graci- 
 ous to his soul. Show your opponents that both reason and scrip- 
 ture require, that preachers and people ought to act in unison 
 together. Both ought to unite, and to walk together in love. 
 Be kind and affectionate; exercise all the graces belonging 
 to your profession one towards another, that God may be 
 glorified. If others are determined to use bitter language, 
 and suffer themselves to be led aside by tempers which re- 
 proach their profession, let us be careful that we do not fall 
 into the same snare. 
 
 " 4. Let us not be earnest in seeking to proselytize our 
 brethren. If they examine for themselves the subjects which 
 
REV. A. KILHA.M. 335 
 
 have agitated us, and plead with God for direction, he will 
 show them what is his good, and acceptable, and perfect will. 
 If our brethren, with whom we have formerly walked, can 
 give us the right hand of fellowship, we ought to rejoice. 
 But if they are not convinced that our's is the most excellent 
 way, it would be wrong to attempt to force them into our 
 measures. 
 
 " 5 Avoid anxiety about a great increase of numbers. 
 If we are but few in number, we should all be of one heart 
 and soul ; and we shall find that God will dwell in the midst 
 of us. When any sect or party are more anxious to increase 
 their numbers, than they are to have suitable members for 
 christian society, we cannot suppose they are walking in the 
 most excellent way. But if we seek an increase of numbers 
 from pure motives, the Lord will cause his goodness to pass 
 before us, and grant us the desire of our hearts. 
 
 "We shall have several difficulties to encounter. But 
 nothing can harm us while we disinterestedly follow that 
 which is good. Perhaps our greatest difficulties may arise 
 from the following considerations : 
 
 " 1 . Very few, if any popular preachers, are come out to 
 our help. 
 
 "2. The rich and great, in many of the societies, are op- 
 posed to you. 
 
 " 3. The prejudices of many run high. They talk of 
 the good old way — the old tried ground — the old ship — 
 and positively declare none ever prospered that left the Con- 
 nexion. 
 
 " 4. Reproach and persecution are manifest from quarters 
 w e did not expect. 
 
 " 6. But these things ought not to move us. If God be 
 for us, who can be against us ? If the Lord stand by and 
 help, we have nothing to fear. -Let us cast our care upon 
 Him, knowing that He careth for us. 
 
 " If we attend to the following particulars, we shall never 
 be moved : — 1. Let us live near to God. Let us seek to 
 glorify God in our body and spirit, which are his, and deter- 
 mine to know nothing among men, but Jesus Christ and him 
 crucified. 
 
 " 2. Let us be careful whom we admit into society. Per- 
 sons may embrace our liberal sentiments, and wish to give 
 us the right-hand of fellowship, whose lives are immoral. 
 We should guard against sin. If we are but few in number, 
 and sincere in our profession, the Lord will bless us But, 
 
336 LIFE OF THE 
 
 if we are many, and have persons united with us whose 
 lives will disgrace their principles, the spirit of Gcd will be 
 grieved, and his influence withheld from our worship. The 
 preachers have been too anxious for numbers. This has 
 greatly injured the work. Let us learn wisdom by what 
 they have suffered. If all who join us are sincere, God, even 
 our own God, will dwell with, and in us for ever. 
 
 " 3. Let us be careful whom weadmitto exercise in public. 
 Let us not push forward those who may have zeal without 
 knowledge. 
 
 ff 4. Follow truth and peace with all men. Let the truth 
 as it is in Jesus be your first object, and peace the second. 
 Determine to place these before you in all your engage- 
 ments. Sacrifice every thing that stands in their way. 
 Resolve to suffer the loss of all things, rather than renounce 
 them. 
 
 " 5. Never make the pulpit a vehicle of abuse. A good 
 cause needs not bad tempers to support it. Abusive language 
 may irritate, but it wounds and distresses those who are sin- 
 cere. Bless those that curse you. Do good to those who 
 hate you ; and, unless in cases of absolute necessity, let 
 neither the pulpit nor the press be employed in mentioning 
 these subjects. When necessity requires this service at your 
 hands, let it be done in such terms as cannot justly offend 
 any candid follower of the Son of God. 
 
 <• 6. Follow the openings of Divine Providence. If your 
 work and counsel be of God, he will open the way before 
 you. 
 
 " 7. Lastly, let prayer ascend to God continually, for his 
 blessing to attend you in all your undertakings." 
 
 It seems much to be regretted, when a separation had 
 actually taken place, and each party could adhere to a 
 system, whether the old or the new, which it preferred as 
 being the best, that all animosity was not immediately 
 set aside, and a resolution formed to love as brethren, and 
 manifest a deportment towards each other compatible 
 with the spirit of the gospel and those great principles 
 of Christianity which all, on both sides, equally main- 
 tained in common. The preceding extracts evince 
 Mr. Kilham's desire for this ; it appears, indeed, from 
 his private memoranda as well as by his more public 
 professions, that, before the division occurred, he had 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 33? 
 
 become weary of contention, and that he continued the 
 controversy merely as a duty which he owed to truth, 
 and in the hope that, shortly, some decision would be 
 come to which might end the strife — either by the 
 preachers so far reforming the plan, as to enable him to 
 resume his work among them with satisfaction, or by 
 the Conference doing some act which should extinguish 
 all expectations of those changes being effected in the 
 body, which, he was convinced, justice to the laity, 
 and the Scriptures, alike required. In the first of 
 these alternatives, Mr. Kilham would have rejoiced 
 exceedingly, as it might have re-united him with 
 that community from which he had been cut off; and 
 in the latter, he had decided in his own mind, either to 
 settle as a minister over one congregation, or to take 
 his lot with those, who, agreeing with the views he held 
 on church government, might resolve upon instituting a 
 New Methodist Itinerancy; — but in any case, he anxious- 
 ly longed for peace, and to be allowed quietly to proceed 
 on his way as a minister of the gospel, whose only busi- 
 ness was to save souls. His anticipations were, however, 
 soon disappointed. Instantly upon the division, and be- 
 fore Mr. Kilham and his friends had time to act as a 
 body, they found themselves branded, by the Conference 
 publishing them to the three kingdoms and America, as 
 almost every thing which was bad ; and, moreover, it was 
 attempted to render them objects of suspicion to govern- 
 ment, if not indeed to bring the civil power to act against 
 them, by representing their sentiments as being iden- 
 tical with the republicanism which then prevailed in 
 France and elsewhere. This was not likely to be 
 endured silently, by Mr. Kilham especially, who em- 
 braced an opportunity offered by the publication of 
 the " Articles of a Constitution for the Methodist New 
 Connexion" (written conjointly by himself and Mr. 
 Thorn), of annexing the vindictive insinuations of the 
 Conference Minutes, with his own refutations of the 
 charges therein made against himself and his brethren 
 who had separated. The following are the passages 
 which Mr. Kilham replied to. In addressing the 
 American Methodists the Conference says : — 
 
 2f 
 
338 LIFE OF THE 
 
 " In the midst of all, we have experienced some violent 
 convulsions. For some have arisen, who, under the pretence 
 of liberty, (but in reality making it a cloak for licentious 
 ness) and from the desire of being the heads of a party, en- 
 deavour to overturn our itinerancy and discipline, and to de- 
 stroy them root and branch. We may truly, in the pro- 
 per scriptural sense, apply those words of the apostle to them : 
 ' They went out from us, but they were not of us : for if 
 they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued 
 with us : but they went out that they might be made mani- 
 fest, that they were not all of us/ — However, they have 
 been but too successful in drawing disciples after them : and 
 though they have been sowing the seeds of discord for two 
 years past, their plan has been but just brought to maturity ; 
 and they are now exerting themselves to the utmost of their 
 power, to scatter and destroy the flock. But we have a full 
 confidence, that the Great Governor of the church is on our 
 side : and if so, who can be against us ? Nevertheless, it is 
 our duty to use every prudential means to stem the torrent, 
 as well as pray mightily to God for his assistance." 
 
 Mr. Kilham, after quoting the preceding, says, — " Upon 
 this passage I shall make the following remarks: 1. The 
 Conference have unchristianized all who leave, them. The 
 text they quote, they say, ' Is applied in its proper and 
 scriptural sense/ If this be true, we have always been hy- 
 pocrites, and therefore have gone out from them that we 
 might be made manifest to the world. The plain grammatical 
 sense of their expressions leads us to consider, that the Con- 
 ference firmly believed that all who have left them never 
 were christians. What sort of charity must they possess, 
 who can thus apply the scriptures to those who refuse to 
 walk any longer with them ? 2. They represent us as bare- 
 faced hypocrites. We only pretend liberty as a cloak for 
 licentiousness, that we may be able to accomplish our pur- 
 pose. I would ask the Conference, and all the world, whether 
 we are encouraging licentiousness or not, in any of our mea- 
 sures ? 3. We are charged with attempting to be heads of 
 a party, and ' endeavouring to overturn our itinerancy root 
 and branch/ So far from this being the case, we are striv- 
 ing to establish a plan that will not admit of any head but 
 Christ. Lordship, or headship, will be discarded by us. 
 We shall be brethren : and instead of seeking to * destroy 
 itinerancy and discipline root and branch/ we are seeking 
 to establish both on a scriptural, rational foundation. 4. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 339 
 
 We are represented as exerting ourselves to ' the utmost of 
 our powers to scatter and destroy the flock/ This charge 
 is extremely uncharitable. We are striving to feed the flock, 
 and to save the world." 
 
 The following paragraph, which is taken from the address 
 of the Conference to the Irish preachers, was, if possible, 
 more unjustifiable than the preceding, considering the time 
 when it was published ; and the associating of those who 
 had left with the name of Paine, notorious for his infidelity, 
 as well as for his levelling political principles, was a great 
 wrong — we had almost said, an outrage, utterly unworthy of 
 an assembly of near 200 ministers of the Gospel. The 
 words of the Conference to which we allude are these : — 
 
 " We thank you for sympathizing with us on account of the 
 contentions which have so injured our Connexion. The Lord 
 has been with us, and over-ruled all for the best. A division 
 has taken place; but in the gentlest manner we could expect : 
 only three travelling preachers have left us ! We shall lose all 
 the turbulent disturbers of our Zion — all who have embrac- 
 ed the sentiments of Paine, and place a great part of their 
 religion in contending for (what they call) liberty. The 
 vine which the Lord has planted among us with his own 
 right hand, needed to pass through this pruning and purga- 
 tion. At the same time, all our watchfulness and diligence 
 should he employed, that the wheat may not be destroyed 
 with the tares. For the loss of the latter we have reason 
 to be thankful to God." 
 
 Mr. Kilham notices these imputations as follows : — 
 "Upon this passage I shall remark, — 1. The Conference 
 have represented all who join the new Itinerancy as tares — 
 as turbulent disturbers of Zion — as disciples of Paine — as 
 acting under the influence of the devil — and placing a great 
 part of their religion in contending for liberty. Did that 
 charity that thinketh no evil dictate this passage ? Thou- 
 sands, who have united together in the new Itinerancy, have 
 ornamented their profession for a number of years. While 
 they were subject in all things to the preachers, they were 
 considered as the excellent of the earth. They now are liv- 
 ing to the glory of God, and walking worthy of their great 
 vocation. If Jesus Christ have any wheat on earth, they 
 are a part of it; they have refused to place implicit faith 
 in their teachers, and despised the doctrine of passive obedi- 
 ence and non-resistance. They lawfully contended for then- 
 privileges, and when they could not prevail, they quietlv 
 2 f 2 
 
340 LIFE OF THE 
 
 withdrew, and joined the New Connexion. They have 
 neither discovered turbulent tempers, nor a turbulent con- 
 duct." 
 
 " It seems extremely cruel, to desire the civil powers may 
 be awakened against us. If wishing that oppression and 
 corruption may be banished from the universe ; that war, 
 with all its horrid consequences, may cease for ever, — and 
 that peace and good will may attend all mankind, be a crime, 
 — we are guilty, and glory in our guilt. We love our king 
 and country.* We peaceably submit to the law. We seek 
 and pray for the happiness of these nations. And we resolve 
 to lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and ho- 
 nesty. There are thousands in the Old Connexion of the 
 
 * This is perhaps the proper place to say a few words in regard to 
 Mr. Kilham's political opinions, which, like other parts of his conduct, 
 were greatly misrepresented at the time of the separation, as, indeed, 
 they have been since, with a view to create prejudice against himself 
 and the community to which he belonged. Instead of enumerating in 
 detail the political principles of Mr. Kilham, we may observe, for the 
 sake of brevity, and also to render them better understood at the present 
 day, that they were of the reforming Whig character, the same as those 
 held by Earl Grey, Lord Erskine, Mr. Fox, &c, and which, though un- 
 popular with the higher and more influential classes 40 years ago, ar2 
 now generally recognized as constituting the soundest bases whereon to 
 rest not only the liberty of the subject, but the security of the throne itself. 
 We have Mr. Kilham's own authority for associating his opinions with 
 those of the eminent personages just named. He was stationed in the 
 Newcastle circuit when Charles (now Earl) Grey, who then represented 
 Northumberland, attended a county meeting at Morpeth in 1792, in 
 favour of parliamentary reform. A few days before the meeting took 
 place, Mr. Kilham wrote a letter signed " Independent," addressed to 
 Mr. Grey, and published, we believe, in the newspapers. In this letter, he 
 expressed his approval of the reforms sought to be obtained, and his con- 
 viction that they would neither lead to republicanism nor to the downfall 
 of the state, but would have the contrary effect. About three years after 
 that period, when Mr. Kilham was in Aberdeen, a woman belonging to 
 the Methodist Society, having been deserted by her husband, traced him 
 to be in the service of the Hon. Thomas (afterwards Lord) Erskine ; 
 and as she was sick, if not in actual want of the necessaries of life, Mr. 
 Kilham was made acquainted with her case, and wrote to that distin- 
 guished individual to state the circumstances on her behalf. The trials 
 of Hardy, Thehvall, and several others, who were prosecuted by go- 
 vernment on account of the part they had taken in promoting reform, 
 had recently been concluded ; and Mr. Erskine having defended the ac- 
 cused parties, Mr. Kilham took occasion, in his letter, to thank him for 
 the service which he had in those instances rendered to the public liberty, 
 Aft well as for his other patriotic exertions in the House of Commons. 
 Mr, Erskine's autograph reply being before us, we copy it, as being 
 
R£V. A. KILHAM. 341 
 
 same mind and spirit. They are as much the disciples of" 
 Paine as we are. Perhaps two thirds of the Conference 
 are the same in sentiment and profession, though they hold 
 out different colours, now that they want to excite the secular 
 arm against us. God is our witness, that politics are not 
 our object, any farther than they are connected with Chris- 
 tianity. They are never mentioned in our meetings. They 
 are hardly ever named in private conversation. We are 
 not afraid of having all our conduct examined before any 
 magistrate, or number of magistrates. We are as loyal to 
 our King and the nation, as those who raise a hue and cry 
 against us. While they have recourse to the disgraceful 
 shift of attempting to bring us under the influence of re- 
 proach and persecution, we have recourse to the Lord Je- 
 
 highly honourable to his humanity, as well as for the notice which it con- 
 tains of Mr. Kilham's reference to politics : — 
 
 London, Feb. 28, 1795. 
 Sir, — John Nichol, the husband of the poor woman mentioned in 
 your letter, is just dead. He lived with me a great many years, and was 
 very faithful and affectionate. I am sorry for the neglect of duty in the 
 manner you mention. He had, when he died, 9 guineas in money and 
 a watch, which he delivered to one of my servants to be sent to his 
 wife; and at the time I received your letter, I was making enquiry 
 where she was to be found, which I am glad to learn correctly from your 
 letter. I will take the earliest opportunity of remitting them to her ; and 
 you may therefore safely, in the meantime, supply her with what her 
 necessities, mere especially at this rigorous season, may require, and I 
 will send the money to you to deliver to her. I will also take an op- 
 portunity soon of sending her something from myself. 
 
 I am much obliged to you for the kind manner in which you estimate 
 my humble exertions for the protection of innocence and the public liber- 
 ty. There never was, perhaps, a season in which the exertion of every 
 man in his station to resist oppression and corruption, has become a more 
 solemn duty. I am, Sir, 
 
 Your most humble servant, 
 
 T. Erskine. 
 
 We have preferred to exemplify Mr. Kilham's political views by the 
 preceding facts, as they appeared likely to be more satisfactory and con- 
 clusive than any^abstract statement on the subject; though his own 
 declarations in the passage which we have quoted from his answer to 
 the Conference, would be sufficient to clear him and his brethren, so 
 falsely accused, of being the disciples of Paine. He was no more a re- 
 volutionist than either Mr. Grey or Mr. Erskine, who were themselves 
 often loaded with the reproach which, at that time, was attempted to be 
 attached to every man, strenuous in maintaining what, in reality, were 
 nothing else than the true principles of the British constitution, in op- 
 position to a party then in power, who endeavoured to infuse therein a 
 portion of the spirit of continental despotism. [See also a subsequent 
 note, page 34-8.] 
 
 2 f3 
 
I4g LIFE OF THE REV. A. KILHAM. 
 
 hovah ; and determine to cast our soul and our all into his 
 hands. We fear no evil, because God is with us. His rod 
 and his staff comfort us. We bless him for his mercies, and 
 find the Captain of our salvation with us. We adore him 
 for counting us worthy to suffer for his sake. To him we 
 commend ourselves and our cause, not fearing but he will 
 help and bless, even to the end. 
 
 A. Kilham." 
 
 The publication of such serious charges as the pre- 
 ceding, which struck at the root of the piety and civil 
 integrity of the parties assailed, in a solemn document 
 like that of the Minutes of Conference, was no trifling 
 injury to the Methodist New Connexion in the begin- 
 ning ; especially as it had no adequate means of setting 
 the public right on the subject. For although Mr. 
 Kilham did all in his power to remove these imputa- 
 tions, he could not carry the remedy to the extent to 
 which the evil had been spread, nor yet counteract th^ 
 personal influence exerted against him. There was no 
 alternative, therefore, but for himself and the New 
 Connexion to wait for justice until intemperate feelings 
 should have subsided, and, by the slow proces of time 
 and other circumstances, the real character and prin- 
 ciples of the body became fully developed. 
 
 The division in the Methodist Connexion, as already 
 stated, took place on the 9th of August; and the mem- 
 bers of the new Itinerancy having sat in Conference 
 two days, to arrange, with the utmost despatch, those 
 matters which were indispensable, and required imme- 
 diate attention, the meeting separated on the 11th, 
 when Mr. Kilham being stationed for Sheffield, went 
 to that circuit, after having remained in Leeds a few- 
 days, while the first Minutes of Conference were pre- 
 pared and printed. 
 
 It is probable that his feelings, when relieved from 
 the suspense in which he had been so long held 
 as to the final issue of the contest which had been go- 
 ing on, were those of self-gratulation ; and for the mo- 
 ment he was apparently like one who had entered into 
 rest ; but he soon found his labours so increased as to 
 have become greater than ever. 
 

 CHAPTER X. 
 
 MR. RlL HAM'S LABOURS FN THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION 
 FROM AUGUST, 1797, TO DECEMBER, 179^. 
 
 Mr. Kilham's popularity was very great at Sheffield, 
 and he was received with open arms by numbers on 
 being appointed thereat the commencement of the New 
 Connexion. It was not possible, however, for him ac- 
 tually to spend half his time in his own circuit; indeed, 
 wherever he had been nominally fixed, his presence 
 being frequently required to help in the difficul- 
 ties which occur at the formation of new societies, 
 his services must necessarily have been distributed 
 among many places. He made the following entry in 
 his dairy on going to Sheffield: — 
 
 *' My soul exceedingly rejoiced in the Lord, and I 
 found myself quickened and comforted : I had strong- 
 confidence of the Lord's approbation of our measures, 
 and found great peace from the prospect of success, 
 and the prosperity of our cause. 
 
 " When I had regulated a few affairs relative to the 
 society, I went to attend a meeting of our friends at 
 Manchester ; I proceeded first to Ashton, which place 
 I reached just at the time for preaching. I was ex- 
 ceedingly fatigued, but found great satisfaction in 
 preaching to many of my old friends, and in recollect- 
 ing their former love and esteem: the next evening, Mr. 
 Thorn preached at Manchester, and the day after we 
 held a public meeting, to consider on the best plan of 
 forming the circuits, and of supplying the societies in 
 those parts of the kingdom. 
 
 " When I returned to Sheffield, I was comforted at 
 the reception I met with from the friends." 
 
 Mr. Kilham was naturally looked up to from all 
 quarters, and expected to render assistance in every 
 
344 LIFE OF THE 
 
 arrangement connected with the establishment of a new 
 cause. The correspondence which he has left would 
 justify us in saying that he was absolutely worried by 
 applications, and if he could have divided himself into a 
 hundred parts, when thus multiplied, he would still have 
 been incompetent to fulfil all the engagements which were 
 continually attempted to be forced upon him. The 
 numerous letters he received, and the representations 
 made in so many instances, that unless he were person- 
 ally present, nothing could be done effectually for the 
 New Connexion, were enough to have distracted and 
 harassed him to death. Yet he never uttered a word 
 of dissatisfaction, nor put any restraint upon himself, 
 but laboured night and day, with all his might, to carry 
 the burthen which he considered was placed upon him 
 by Providence. The idea of promoting the salvation 
 of souls, and securing the christian liberties of the 
 church, reconciled him to all the fatigues and sufferings 
 which he had to pass through in the performance of 
 his duties. 
 
 Had there been no other claims upon him than those 
 belonging to Sheffield, his exertions, as appears by 
 the following letters to Mr. Harrop, of Ashton, would 
 have been sufficiently great — too great, indeed, for his 
 strength ; but, besides his own circuit, the applications 
 from other places for advice and assistance were so 
 numerous, as to create a weight of care which was 
 almost unsupportable. 
 
 Sheffield, 23rd September, 1797. 
 My Dear Friend, 
 
 I have had so much labour and writing since I saw you, 
 as entirely to prevent me from sending you a few lines soon- 
 er, and for near a fortnight I have been very much distressed 
 with sickness at my stomach, and want of sleep. The la- 
 bour is so great here, that none could go through what I have 
 to encounter, unless his bones were like brass, and his flesh 
 like iron. We have increased so much lately, that our 
 chapel is quite too small ; I think it may be said in truth, 
 that I never preach on Sunday morning at eight, or a work 
 night, without having about 1500 hearers, and on Sunday 
 evenings we do not know what to do. Our society in 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 345 
 
 Sheffield is very large, and we have many joining us in the 
 country places — above twenty places have been provided in 
 the country. The people are ready to pull me to pieces, to 
 go to see them — I go as much as possible, but cannot visit 
 them all at present. I must have some person to help, or they 
 will help me into a world of spirits. The people beg of me 
 to spare myself; but how is it possible, when the harvest is 
 so white already ? I hope God will give me health, and make 
 his face to shine upon us more gloriously than ever. We 
 have blessed meetings. The people taste of the good word 
 of life, and of the powers of the world to come. There is a 
 general quickening in the old members ; and about 50 new 
 ones, with backsliders, have come forward to our help. 
 Many have been awakened and set at liberty. We have the 
 power of God present to heal in our public exercises. Last 
 Sunday I was in the circuit, while the people crowded into 
 the town to hear a local brother deliver to them the word of 
 salvation. 
 
 We have very good singing — the chapel rings from end to 
 end. Should you come this way soon, we should be happy 
 to see you. 
 
 We have good accounts from Nottingham. 
 
 I hope you will not fail to write soon, as I want to hear 
 how you are going forward ; - tell me all the particulars, that 
 my heart may rejoice. I hope we shall never be a rich 
 people — if we are, the devil will be sure to show himself in 
 some form, and then, farewell religion. I trust God will 
 neither give us poverty nor riches, but his grace and peace 
 for ever more. My love to all, as though named — God bless 
 and keep you for ever. A. Kilham. 
 
 Sheffield, 28th October, 1797, 
 My Dear Friend, 
 I received your lines and the manuscripts* soon after they 
 were safe in Sheffield. Since that piece was read here, our 
 adversaries have not been able to lift up their head against 
 us. The Lord has blessed us with prosperity, and we have 
 rejoiced abundantly in his love. The people continue to 
 come over to us. O that we had a heart to praise God 
 sufficiently for all his mercies. ! 
 
 • Alluding to a icfutation of some slanderous imputations which had 
 been circulated with a view to injure the New Connexion. 
 
346 LIFE OF THE 
 
 We have just found a suitable preacher for Ireland, who 
 will pass through Manchester on Tuesday week, if nothing 
 prevent; and another for Northumberland; — the latter be- 
 longed to this circuit. He is gone out in the following 
 order; first, all the local preachers to an individual recom- 
 mended him, and secondly, the leaders. Last Monday 
 night he preached to a large congregation— the society stop- 
 ped after the public service, and several belonging to the Old 
 Connexion and others continued — T told them what had been 
 done at the previous meetings, and as they had heard him, 
 it remained with them either to confirm, or set aside the steps 
 we had taken — they unanimously rose to sanction his 
 going out, and when the question was reversed, not one stood 
 up to oppose him. He is gone forth in the name of God, 
 being commended by the prayers of the people to his pater- 
 nal care. 
 
 I have received a letter from Leeds, informing me that 
 they are almost fast for money in the printing line— they beg 
 of me to help them — I cannot help, unless my friends* can 
 help me. I wish you could make it convenient to give me a 
 good lift— -If you could see brother George Beaumont, per- 
 haps he would help a little also, and our good friend Wood 
 of Bolton. I have written to Mr. Heamer on the subject, 
 as it respects Manchester. I am to be in Leeds next Saturday, 
 and continue there for two or three days — if you could make 
 it convenient to see friends Beaumont and Wood, I know 
 they will do all they can; do help this once, that I may pay 
 part of my debts, and assist them. I have had some money 
 to advance to relieve my brethren, and should rejoice to be 
 able to assist on the present occasion ; the money will be 
 lent to them, and heaven must be my security, for any thing 
 I know. 
 
 I should be happy to see you, but at present I must not 
 go so far, unless I make an excursion to Hull while I am at 
 Leeds. My friends here are not willing to spare me many 
 days, unless Mr. Thorn come over to assist. Whenever I 
 can afford a little time, I shall rejoice to spend a few days in 
 Lancashire, if a way opens. Let us only live near to God, 
 and he will bless us abundantly in his love. 
 
 * The individuals here referred to had taken charge of the books 
 which Mr. Kiiham had sent for sale in different places, and the applica- 
 tion here made is tor a remittance on account, that he might be able to 
 day the printer's bill, as well as to afford assistance to others. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 347 
 
 I have not time to enlarge. Our new constitution pro- 
 posed for your examination, &c, is in the press. 
 I am, 
 
 Your affectionate servant, 
 
 A. KlLHAM. 
 
 The concluding sentence of the last letter, referred to 
 a pamphlet which appeared under the following title, — 
 " Outlines of a Constitution, proposed for the Examina- 
 tion, Amendment, and Acceptance of the Members of 
 the Methodist New Itinerancy, by Wm. Thorn and 
 Alex. Kilham." This publication was in consequence 
 of a request, made by the delegates at Leeds, that 
 Messrs. Thorn and Kilham would draw up, in an ample 
 form, the principles on which it was determined to 
 establish a new Connexion of Methodists, that they 
 might be circulated in the different societies, who 
 would thereby have the means, as well as time, for ma- 
 turely considering the subject, preparatory to the adop- 
 tion of specific rules at the next annual meeting, to be 
 held at Sheffield at Whitsuntide, 1798. 
 
 In applying a remedy to particular evils, from which 
 individuals have suffered injury, there is often a tempo- 
 rary disposition to run to a contrary extreme; and, 
 judging from the replies made to some of his letters, 
 Mr. Kilham was not, perhaps, entirely free from this 
 danger. He had seen, for example, much selfishness 
 among, and the ministerial authority abused by, per- 
 sons in the sacred office ; and when providing adequate 
 protection for non-official members of society, he part- 
 ly entertained the project of not having stipendiary 
 teachers at all, in order to escape the pernicious conse- 
 quences of that exclusive spirit which is too often asso- 
 ciated with spurious official dignity. This change was 
 never, that we are aware of, formally propounded to the 
 New Connexion, but the idea was certainly at one period 
 in Mr. Kilham's mind, and was mentioned to several of 
 hi-, correspondents; but no countenance appears to 
 have been given to it by them, and it was therefore 
 abandoned. After the utility of having individuals en- 
 tirely set apart to the pastoral duties of preaching the 
 Gospel, and overseeing the flock of Christ, has been so 
 
348 LIFE OF THE 
 
 generally experienced for many centuries ; and, on the 
 contrary, since there has been an uniform failure to do 
 good on an extensive scale, without such an order of 
 men in the church, it would be superfluous labour to 
 enter further into this subject, except just to remark, 
 that the motive, however inexpedient it might have been 
 to have acted upon it, was another proof of Mr. Kil- 
 ham's disinterestedness ; inasmuch as it shows, that, 
 while exercising his talents in the service of religion, 
 lie was willing to concur in a plan which should require 
 him, like the Apostle Paul, to seek his maintenance in- 
 dependently of any contribution from the church, so as 
 not to be a burden to any one. 
 
 It might have been expected that when the charge, 
 already noticed, of disloyalty on the part of Mr. Kil- 
 ham and those who had separated with him from the 
 Conference, had been met by so unequivocal a denial, 
 the accusation, if not directly withdrawn, would never 
 have been repeated. Yet the following passage, in a 
 letter from Mr. Thorn to Mr. Kilham, shews that this 
 unjust attempt to fix a stigma upon the New Connex- 
 ion was persevered in. Mr. Thorn says, — " Dr. Coke* 
 
 * It will be recollected that Dr. Coke was President, and Mr. Brad- 
 burn Secretary of the Conference, 1797, when the allegation of republi- 
 canism was first made against the New Connexion at the division. Now 
 it is curious to think, that if, instead of the Conference preferring such a 
 charge against Mr. Kilham and his friends, the case had been reversed, 
 and those who separated had imputed the same thing to the "Wesleyans, 
 there were not, perhaps, two individuals in the body whose conduct 
 could have been cited so successfully to countenance the charge, as Dr. 
 Coke's and Mr. Bradburn's. A fact or two will confirm this statement. 
 First, in regard to Dr. Coke, — When the independence of America had 
 been effectually asserted against England, and peace was concluded, Dr. 
 Coke was sent over by Mr. Wesley to ordain Methodist preachers in 
 the United States. While the Doctor was in America, it was deemed 
 expedient for the Methodists to present a congratulatory address to 
 General Washington and the Congress. In this address, they praised 
 God for freeing them from their oppressors ; for bringing about such a glo- 
 rious revolution ; for the great privileges they enjoyed under the new con- 
 stitution ; professed the warmest attachment to the republican govern- 
 ment ; and finally prayed that it might be preserved inviolate for ever. 
 It was signed, in behalf of the Methodists, by Francis Ashbury, the 
 superintendent for America; and by Thomas Coke, then on a mission 
 from England. Dr. Coke returned home shortly after this address had 
 been presented ; but before his arrival, an American newspaper was put 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 349 
 
 has been at Liverpool, and told the congregation that 
 he foretold the division many years ago ; yea, prayed 
 for it ; and, to close all, he assured them the New 
 Connexion were republicans, &c." 
 
 Another report concerning the New Connexion, was, 
 that it was fast wasting away, and that the parties who 
 had left the old body were returning. This ru- 
 mour having been traced to Sheffield, by Mr. Thorn, 
 who was supplying at Hull, he wrote to Mr. Kilham 
 to enquire into its truth. Mr. Thorn says, — 
 
 "A letter from Sheffield was read in the Leaders' Meeting, 
 at the old Chapel, last time the preacher met them, informing 
 them that a great number were gone back at Sheffield, and 
 thanks were returned to heaven. If you will state the matter 
 to me, by return of post, I shall make a proper use of it 
 here." 
 
 into Mr. Wesley's hands, containing the address to Washington, signed 
 by Dr. Coke and Mr. Ashbury, as before stated. The venerable founder 
 of Methodism was so indignant at the conduct of Dr. Coke, in having 
 thus sanctioned republicanism, that he declared he would have done 
 with him, and he should not preach again in any of his pulpits in Eng- 
 land. When Dr. Coke landed, and was informed that Mr. Wesley had 
 seen the address, and what were his determinations respecting himself, he 
 was for the moment greatly cast down ; but knowing, as he did, Mr. 
 Wesley's aptness to forgive, on repentance and submission, he resolv- 
 ed, after some hesitation, to go directly to him, which he did, and suc- 
 ceeded in effecting a reconciliation. One would have thought that the 
 preceding adventure, whatever other effect it might produce on Dr. 
 Coke, would at all events have prevented him from casting the odium of 
 republicanism upon others ; but he seems to have learned no such lesson 
 by his own conduct. Mr. Bradburn had gone a long way into politics, 
 and in a sermon on Equality which he published, he laid down principles 
 on both civil and religious liberty, which Mr. Kilham never had exceeded. 
 So that, if advocating a just and equitable mode of government were repub- 
 licanism, Mr. Bradburn was fully as guilty as any of those who were thus 
 implicated. It therefore ill became Dr. Coke and Mr. Bradburn, especi- 
 ally the former, to stand foremost in charging the New Connexion with 
 republicanism. Politics had no concern with the separation among the 
 Methodists, and the subject ought not to have been mixed up with that 
 occurrence ; but it lias ever been the policy of parties in power to brand 
 those who' have advocated changes in existing systems with being disaf- 
 fected to government. The charge was first preferred against the Savi- 
 our and his Apostles ; and it has been repeated ever since, when conveni- 
 ent, against all reformers in church or state, by those who have an in- 
 terest in maintaining things on their established footing, and who have 
 found it less difficult to bring their opponents into disrepute, than to 
 answer their arguments. 
 
 2 G 
 
350 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Mr. Kiiham sent an immediate answer to Mr. Thorn , 
 contradicting the statement; and having ascertained 
 that a similar account had been given by one who 
 had, up to the time of the division, been strenuous 
 in his advocacy of Methodistical reforms, and very 
 severe in his censure of the preachers, he sent him an 
 admonitory epistle, from which an extract or two may 
 be made, for the purpose of contrasting the spirit of 
 Mr. Kiiham with that of some of his accusers. After 
 referring to what this individual had done and said 
 when he was friendly to reform, Mr. Kiiham observ- 
 ed, — 
 
 " You told me, near three months ago, that you and Mr, 
 Wood were determined to prevent the people, as much as 
 possible, from giving way to bitterness and uncharitable re- 
 flections. But I would ask, have you never set the example 
 in the pulpit, since that time, in the discourses you have 
 delivered ? Have you not directly and indirectly endeavoured 
 to represent us as deceived and likely to be ruined? And 
 have you not taken circumstances, not founded on facts, and 
 represented them to the Society as authentic ? Which way, 
 my friend, went the Spirit of the Lord with you, when you 
 pursued this plan ? Never forget that God's cause is sup- 
 ported by truth, and that measures contrary to truth will 
 not stand in the day when he calls the nations to his 
 bar. I have been exceedingly grieved at the proceedings you 
 have lately taken among our people. No person would re- 
 joice more than myself at your calling upon, and praying 
 with, our friends, were you to do it in simplicity and godly 
 sincerity ; but when you do it to persuade them that they 
 are dead and lifeless, and the cause is owing to their having 
 left Norfolk Street Chapel, with covert insinuations, that we 
 shall dwindle tonothing, — what can we think of your conduct ? 
 If you and others really wish to do us good, let your steps 
 be according to God, and then he will help and bless. W r ere 
 you to compare your conduct with the measures which the 
 catholic priests took at the reformation, perhaps you would 
 discover something similar in many respects. I cannot tell 
 which of you have written to Hull, to inform Mr. Benson 
 and his friends that a great number of our people are 
 gone back to you. When the letter was read a few days 
 ago, thanks were publicly given to God in the Leaders 
 
rev. A. KILHAM. 351 
 
 Meeting. Now, I appeal to your conscience, is it true or 
 false that many have left us and returned to you ? Can 
 you bring forward ten persons who have done it since we 
 divided ? — Can you bring five ? Come and examine our 
 class papers, and see whether we have lost a vast number or 
 not. Have we not joined more who have left you the last 
 month, than you have joined of our friends, and can you 
 suppose that sending false accounts to Hull or other places 
 will answer any good end ? Had you not better take the 
 advice given in the 5th Acts, v, 38th and 39th, w I say unto 
 you, refrain from these men and let them alone: for if this 
 counsel or work be of men, it will come to nought. But if it 
 be of God ye cannot overturn it : lest haply ye should even 
 light against God." I shall conclude this letter with a few 
 remarks. 1st. The steps you have taken in Sheffield and in 
 the circuit, have been the cause of many joining us. You 
 first endeavoured to open their eyes, and called upon them to 
 plead for their privileges. 2nd. Though you renounced 
 your avowed principles, and became a warm supporter of 
 the measures you formerly opposed, yet you never gave 
 any satisfactory reasons for the change in your conduct, — 
 and the people determined to follow the convictions of their 
 own mind, rather than your example. 3rd. What you 
 say of God being with you, and his not being with us, may 
 affect weak minds, and work upon the passions of particular 
 individuals, but others will examine whether God be with 
 us or not, and act accordingly. 4th. We wish to promote 
 the interests of religion as far as our influence will go ; and 
 we sincerely pray for God to quicken his work among us, 
 and also among you. 5th. I would appeal again to your own 
 conscience whether you are happy or not ; does not your past 
 changeable conduct occasion sorrow ? Do you not feel that 
 the loss of the confidence of many gives you some uneasi- 
 ness ? Is not the way which lead;s to happiness an uniform 
 following the word and spirit of God, according to the con- 
 victions of our own mind, leaving consequences to the Al- 
 mighty ? Have you done this, or have you acted contrary 
 to it? 6th. If you can convince us that we are wrong, by 
 conversation or writing, we will gladly attend to your argu- 
 ments, and promise to follow the truth, as far as it appears to 
 us. Examine the "Out-lines of the Constitution" we have just 
 published — examine our conduct— and if our principles or 
 
 2 G 2 
 
352 LIFE OF THE 
 
 life be wrong, point it out to us in the name of the Lord 
 Jesus. " I am, 
 
 " Your affectionate servant, 
 
 "A. KiLHAM." 
 
 This was not the first time that Mr. Kilham had felt 
 obliged to write to the party addressed in the preced- 
 ing note, in consequence of rumours to his disadvantage 
 which he had set afloat. By the following quotation it 
 will be seen that he had been held forth (by the same 
 individual) as insane, just after his trial and expulsion 
 had taken place in London, for the purpose, no doubt, 
 of preventing the public from paying proper regard to 
 his statements respecting the conduct of the Confer- 
 ence. The following is Mr. Kilham's allusion to this 
 circumstance in a letter : — 
 
 " You have not forgotten that, on your return from the 
 London Conference, you represented me as being deranged, 
 in the Leaders' Meeting ; and, if I mistake not, either you or 
 your friends insinuated that this was a family complaint. 
 Had such been the case, my insanity could not have been 
 a crime. Now, my dear friend, was it kind in you to reflect 
 on me in this way, when you had no ground for your reflec- 
 tions ? Any person might as justly say that our family has 
 always been subject to the plague as insanity. They told 
 the Son of God that he was mad and had a devil. You 
 may suppose, my friend, that your changing sides is of 
 God, and that your pulling down what you built up be- 
 fore the Conference, is an acceptable service; but let me in- 
 treat you to be cautious how you act, lest you destroy what 
 God has wrought." 
 
 While Mr. Kilham was represented by those oppos- 
 ed to him, as actuated by the worst motives, in the mea- 
 sures which he adopted both before and after the divi- 
 sion, individuals most intimately acquainted with him 
 were assured, from what they had both seen and heardy 
 that his conduct throughout was dictated only by a su- 
 preme regard for the truth. And at the very moment 
 when he was spoken of in the bitterest terms, and said 
 to be employed in poisoning the minds of all under his 
 influence, by instilling into them principles which would 
 be ruinous to religious experience and the christian cha- 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 353 
 
 racter, he was, in fact, enjoining upon himself and others 
 the necessity of striving to be made more and more 
 holy. Let the reader consider the following passages 
 from his letters to his friends, and compare the disposi- 
 tion therein pourtrayed, with the charges so frequently 
 made against him, that he was injuring the work of 
 God:— 
 
 " December 31st, J 797. 
 
 r< If I know my own heart, I am seeking the truth on every 
 subject, and would sacrifice every thing in my power to ob- 
 tain it. So far from being obstinate in my own opinion, I 
 would freely yield to argument, and give praise to God for 
 being delivered from error. 
 
 " Since I entered the field to fight the battles of the Lord, 
 I should have thought it going into paradise to have retired ; 
 yet afterward the Lord has convinced me that my way was 
 directed of him. Scripture and reason are sure guides — 
 frames and feelings often deceive. 
 
 " Many times, while others sleep, my rest is banished by 
 earnest desires and fervent prayers for the church of God. 
 I often wish I could live without sleep, that I might accom- 
 plish the work more fully which the Lord has given me to do. 
 
 " My soul longs to get through every thing to the princi- 
 pal object of our calling, that the people may be blessed 
 with life and peace through believing. May the Lord mer- 
 cifully put an end to strife and division, that we may be able 
 to serve him in peace all the days of our life, and be happy 
 through the ages of eternity. 
 
 n Bear me in fervent prayer before the throne of God, and 
 plead with the Father of our mercies that he may bless us. 
 I long for the salvation of God to appear out of Zion, that 
 the people may rejoice abundantly in his love, and be hap- 
 py. O could we only live to him fully, and in heart 
 and soul be devoted to his will, we should surely find 
 * glory begun below ;' indeed, a degree of heaven is ex- 
 perienced in our breasts. Let us consider the little difficulties 
 we have to encounter as unworthy to be noticed, when com- 
 pared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. We have 
 the highest encouragement in the Scripture. The Lord is 
 our refuge and help : his promises bind him to pity and save 
 us. May we follow the Lord Jesus fully, that our hearts 
 may continually rejoice in him." 
 
 2g3 
 
354 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Mr. Kilham was one of the earliest friends to Sunday 
 Schools, the value of which he fully appreciated when 
 many, who subsequently became their supporters, were 
 yet in doubt as to their utility ; and we find him, a few 
 months after the separation, encouraging the society at 
 Sheffield to establish one of these institutions, for which 
 he drew up and furnished a judicious set of rules. 
 
 In the month of January, 1798, he was supplying the 
 pulpit for a few weeks at Nottingham ; partly for the 
 purpose of his presence counteracting attempts which 
 had been made, by means of a number of mis- 
 representations (proceeding from individuals who 
 had formerly professed to favour reform,) respecting 
 himself and the Connexion, to grieve the minds 
 and discourage the friends in that circuit. Before re- 
 turning to Sheffield, Mr. Kilham visited Leicester, 
 where he had an interview with Mr. Brackenbury, who 
 happened to be passing through that town. Mr. 
 Brackenbury was one of those who had disapproved of 
 many parts of the Conference proceedings, especially 
 in withholding the Sacrament from the Societies ; but 
 he was opposed to the division which had taken place. 
 Nevertheless, Mr. Kilham and he spent an hour to- 
 gether on terms of Christian charity ; and, when part- 
 ing, engaged to pray for each other's welfare and salva- 
 tion. Mr. Kilham's death occurring within a year from 
 this period, they never saw each other afterwards. 
 
 "Early in March," says Mr. Kilham, "I spent a few 
 days with my good friends at Leeds and the neighbour- 
 hood ; and visited the societies at Otley, Bramley, Hol- 
 beck, and Hunslet, and found the work of the Lord 
 increasing, and many were disposed to unite with us. 
 The friends at Bradshaw accepted our preachers. On 
 the fast-day I preached at Leeds, Birstal, and Hudders- 
 field, and returned the next day to Sheffield, with a 
 heart filled with gratitude to God for all his mercies." 
 
 About this time Mr. Kilham was intending to visit 
 Ireland, in consequence of applications made by a num- 
 ber of persons at Cork and other places, who had been 
 expelled by the Old Conference for petitioning for re- 
 form in the body, and who wished to have a preacher 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 355 
 
 belonging to the New Connexion. Two or three times 
 were fixed for him to cross the Channel, to ascertain 
 their circumstances, and make such arrangements as 
 might be necessary ; but his friends in England dis- 
 suaded him from his purpose, on the ground that his 
 services were absolutely required at home; and by re- 
 presenting to him that, in the politically disturbed state 
 in which Ireland then was, it would be imprudent, be- 
 cause dangerous, for him to go where he was personally a 
 stranger, and only known in name, by his enemies having 
 stigmatized him as disaffected to government; and that, 
 as many parts of that kingdom were declared under 
 military law, he might be seized, and even murdered, 
 without having any means of defending either his per- 
 son or principles. He had no such apprehensions 
 himself, but his friends had ; and since he could not 
 remove their fears, he consented to remain in England, 
 where his character was known, and the law afforded 
 protection. After some delay, in consequence of not 
 being able to provide a preacher for Ireland, one was 
 sent, and from that time the New Connexion has had 
 an interest in that country. 
 
 Mr. Kilham had now been a widower about fourteen 
 months, and having entered anew the field of labour as 
 a minister, with a people who had united in Christian 
 communion on terms of which he approved, as be- 
 ing according to Scripture, he began to feel that he 
 was, in all probability, fixed for life; and as a con- 
 sequence, the desire of having a home of his own once 
 more naturally returned upon him. It may also be 
 presumed that this idea was cherished by the. circum- 
 stance of having become acquainted with an intelligent 
 and accomplished lady in Sheffield, whose decided 
 piety and amiable disposition, gave the fairest promise 
 of happiness to himself, as well as of increasing his 
 usefulness in the church. 
 
 In April, Mr. Kilham therefore entered a second time 
 into the marriage state. The event is recorded by 
 himself in the following terms : — 
 
 " Having some months since contracted an acquaint- 
 with Miss Spurr, I had frequently taken the opportu- 
 
356 LIFE OF THE 
 
 nity of spending a little time in her company, when I 
 was at Sheffield, and had corresponded with her while 
 I was absent in the other circuits. The consequence of 
 this acquaintance was, that we agreed to be united in 
 matrimony, if we should be spared till the next summer. 
 All things that relate to ourselves we think of great 
 importance, and we frequently suppose we see the hand 
 of Providence directing our steps, and opening our way 
 in those transactions in life, with which our happiness 
 is immediately connected; and I am much inclined to 
 draw the same conclusions in the present case. We 
 were married on the 12th of April, 1798. We have 
 both cause to believe, that in this we were acting ac- 
 cording to the order of Providence. I thank God for 
 having provided me a second partner according to my 
 own heart, and one fully capable of giving me every 
 assistance in my present undertakings. 1 saw myself 
 utterly unworthy of such a mercy, and was determined 
 to devote myself and her to God, that we might live to 
 his glory in all things. When we were fixed, I found 
 my mind deeply affected at the recollection of my for- 
 mer situation ; I had once more the pleasure of having 
 a family, and habitation of my own ; my wife and child 
 were anxious to do every thing that could render my 
 life comfortable. We lived happily together, and all 
 our delight was in seeking the things that relate to our 
 eternal interests." 
 
 In regard to the general state of the Connexion 
 at this time, Mr. Kilham writes : — 
 
 u Many circumstances in our affairs now gave us a 
 most pleasing prospect, and caused us to rejoice in the 
 Lord's goodness to us. Several places opened to re- 
 ceive us, and the people prospered that had come for- 
 ward to unite with our societies ; we saw a prospect 
 of the work spreading considerably. When our Con- 
 ference drew near, I was happy to find our people willing 
 to open their houses to entertain the preachers and de- 
 legates, who were expected at Sheffield on that occasion ; 
 we had a sufficient number of places for the reception 
 of all that could come, and besides shewing a willingness 
 to exert themselves to the utmost in making preparations 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 357 
 
 to accommodate us hospitably, the prayers of the friends 
 were offered up with fervour for God to bless the com- 
 Lng-up of his servants amongst us." 
 
 It has already been stated, that "Outlines of a Con- 
 stitution," had been published by Messrs. Thorn and 
 Kilham, with a view to obtain for the principles em- 
 bodied therein, the sanction of the societies generally, 
 before particular rules were adopted by the Conference : 
 and the proposed regulations were subject to any mo- 
 difications which might be deemed advisable, when 
 the annual meeting should be held at Sheffield. For 
 some months, this code of laws for the Methodist New 
 Connexion had been under the consideration of the 
 friends in numerous places; and during their discussions 
 on the subject, it became distinctly apparent, for the first 
 time, that Avhile the parties who had left the Old Con- 
 ference were unanimous in their disapproval of that 
 system, they were not at all agreed in their judgment 
 as to what should be the character of the New Con- 
 nexion, — save that it should admit the laity to unite with 
 the preachers in the entire management of its affairs. 
 In this, they were unanimous, but hardly in any thing 
 else ; and there was great danger of the diversities of 
 opinion which existed, proving elements of discord, if 
 not of disunion. The letters sent to Mr. Kilham from 
 different quarters, while these matters were in agita- 
 tion, were calculated to fill him with the greatest anxi- 
 ety as to what would be the consequences. It would 
 not be keeping within the province of the biographer, 
 to go largely into the particulars of what occurred in 
 various parts of the Connexion, while the " Outlines" 
 were under consideration, and the societies preparing 
 to give their sentiments to the Conference ; but the enu- 
 meration of the principal things which were desired by 
 some parties, may not be so foreign to the object of the 
 present volume. We shall, therefore, specify some of 
 these. First, it appears by a letter to Mr. Kilham from 
 Mr. Thorn, who had visited Bolton and other parts ad- 
 jacent, that the point on which they insisted had re- 
 ference to the office of local when compared with itiner- 
 ant preachers, and that the former wished it to be made 
 
358 LIFE OF THE 
 
 the rule, for both to be equal; and for their appoint- 
 ments in the circuit to be in rotation, without fixing the 
 latter in the more important places, or larger chapels, 
 either in the town or country. The disputes on this 
 subject ran so high between the parties, and such 
 unkind feelings were consequently produced among the 
 brethren, that Mr. Thom had been sent for as a peace- 
 maker. Second, it was proposed in other places, for the 
 Conference to be composed, two-thirds of laymen and 
 one-third preachers : the reasons assigned for making 
 the number of the former double that of the latter, 
 were, that the preachers might be "properly checked," 
 and not have too much influence ; and also, because 
 " if the power, or any power, which the preachers may 
 think belongs to them be touched, they will of course 
 combine as one man, and be sure to have some dupes 
 amongst the delegates." Third, it was maintained 
 that a power independent of Conference should belong 
 to societies and circuits, to make particular laws for 
 themselves, with which the rest of the Connexion 
 should have no authority to interfere. Fourth, it was 
 pleaded for every society to have the right to send its 
 own representative to Conference, as its interests might 
 not be taken proper care of, if circuits only had dele- 
 gates. 5th. The phrase " Preachers and People" was 
 proposed to be abolished ; and the word " Brethren" 
 substituted, in order to absorb the right of power which 
 seemed to be implied in the terms — Preacher, Steward, 
 Leader, &c, and make all the members equal. And 
 sixth. — Besides the parties properly authorised to sit in 
 Conference, it was insisted on that any person belonging 
 to the Connexion who chose to attend, should have 
 the right to be present at its meetings, though not to 
 vote or speak. 
 
 The foregoing particulars will give some idea of the 
 spirit of distrust which prevailed in the body, and of 
 the danger which existed, of extreme jealousy? instead 
 of a sound judgment, dictating the laws which should 
 be made at the first Conference, for the government of 
 the Methodist New Connexion. It happened, too, as 
 it almost always does in such circumstances, that the 
 
RET. A. KILIIAM. 359 
 
 parties whose plans were the least eligible, were the 
 most strenuous and dogmatical in supporting them. 
 One of these, in a letter to Mr. Kilham, dated May 12, 
 after stating that he was coming to Conference, and 
 describing the propositions he should make, adds, in 
 conclusion, with something like oracular self-confi- 
 dence, "I consider the laying the basis of a constitu- 
 tion of such vast importance, that I told them, that if 
 it was laid improperly, according to my opinion and 
 the opinion that prevailed at that meeting, I would im- 
 mediately leave the Conference, as I would not assist in 
 erecting a building upon an improper foundation." 
 A state of excitement is necessarily unfavourable to 
 legislation, the functions of which should be performed 
 when the mind is in the undisturbed possession of all its 
 faculties ; which perhaps was hardly the case, in regard 
 to particular individuals and societies, when the opini- 
 ons previously given were formed, as to the constitution 
 of the new Itinerancy. The recollection of abuses in 
 the old system was too vivid, and the time since the 
 parties had their feelings lacerated, during the struggle 
 they had been engaged in for liberty, was too recent, to 
 have allowed them to settle down into that calmness 
 which is essential for sober deliberation and wise de- 
 cisions. They could only think of the wrongs which 
 they had endured, and their attention appears to have 
 been so fully bent on finding out the most effectual methods 
 of restraining the preachers from exercising undue 
 authority over the people, that they overlooked other 
 evils which would be certain to follow, if a system were 
 established under which the ministerial office should be 
 divested of respectability. But there were also others 
 who were not thus inadvertently led into extremes. 
 Not a few, we fear, were actuated by self-love and 
 envy ; and because their vanity was not likely to 
 be gratified in their own elevation, they were 
 anxious for rules to be made of such a levelling 
 character, that none might acquire influence or 
 honour beyond the rest. There were many, how- 
 ever, who took a more just and enlarged view of things, 
 and who recommended in the various circuits in which 
 
360 LIFE OF THE 
 
 they lived, a medium plan, which should respect the 
 privileges of all parties in the Connexion; and if these 
 discreet friends could not in every instance carry their 
 wishes into effect, yet they so far prevailed as to modify 
 many objectionable particulars which had been at first 
 contended for by the more violent members.* 
 
 Mr. Kilham being chiefly referred to on all sides, 
 before the Conference took place, he found great diffi- 
 culty in so composing the minds of those who were 
 bent on extremes, as to make them willing to forego 
 most of the propositions, which he knew from his own 
 experience, if attempted to be carried into practice, 
 
 * The prosperity of the Methodist New Connexion was much injured 
 in the beginning by two circumstances. First, — a great number of re- 
 spectable and influential individuals, who had endeavoured to introduce 
 the system which was adopted at the division, into the Wesleyan Con- 
 nexion, and who still approved of its leading principles, declined to 
 separate themselves from the old body. Their reasons for this conduct, 
 so far as an opinion can be formed on the subject, may be enumerated 
 as follows: — 1. Fearing the loss of property, in connection with chapel 
 trusts ; — 2. Looking on a division as unsettling the minds of members, 
 and by that means endangering the salvation of souls ; — 3. Inconse- 
 quence of friends, and members of their families, being opposed to the 
 division, and a reluctance to separate from old acquaintances ; — 4. Ahope 
 of existing evils being corrected in the course of time ; — 5. Being partially 
 satisfied with the Articles of Pacification ;— 6. The persuasions of the 
 preachers, and others who had influence with them. The New Con- 
 nexion was consequently deprived of the important services which these 
 parties would have rendered in its establishment, had they acted 
 according to the sentiments which they professed to hold. But, second ; 
 — when the division took place, many persons of a turbulent character 
 joined the New Connexion, without having imbibed its principles, and 
 merely because they had taken offence, or were personally dissatisfied 
 with some particular occurrences in the old body; and no doubt also under 
 the impression that they should obtain their own way, and become of 
 great consequence in the new community. Whatever may have been 
 the occasion, it is undeniable that a considerable number of this descrip- 
 tion were found in the New Connexion, when first established. The 
 self-will which they manifested, and the violence of their conduct 
 in many respects, towards the preachers and others, caused great 
 trouble ; and the minds of some worthy members were so much grieved, 
 that they retired from the Connexion. The success of the body was thus 
 retarded, as well as its peace greatly disturbed, by these individuals ; and 
 it was not until some of them had departed from it, when they found it 
 impossible to gain their own ends, and others had so far improved in their 
 tempers as to have become manageable, that the cause began to prosper, 
 and the value of its principles was made fully to appear. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 361 
 
 would be highly injurious to the infant cause in which 
 they were engaged ; as well as contrary to the judgment 
 of the better-informed and more moderate party. He, 
 however, succeeded in some degree ; and a number of 
 things were so much softened, that on the Conference 
 meeting, the differences were so far diminished that there 
 was a fair prospect of unanimity. 
 
 As regarded the state of religion amono; the New 
 Connexion, and the conduct of the friends towards him, 
 Mr. Kilham had great satisfaction in Sheffield. It 
 was impossible to have been more honoured than he 
 was, or to have had more decided tokens of christian 
 affection than he received from them ; yet it was a time 
 of severe trials from other quarters. One circumstance? 
 especially, gave him much trouble, which perhaps ought 
 not to be passed over without some allusion being- 
 made to it, though it is unnecessary to introduce names, 
 or to give details, all the parties being dead, and nothing- 
 important remaining connected with it; except it be to 
 clear the character of Mr. Kilham, which was attacked 
 in this instance with more than ordinary virulence. 
 
 A preacher with whom Mr. Kilham had once travel- 
 led in the North of England, had been guilty of some 
 improper conduct. Of this Mr. Kilham knew nothing 
 until several years afterwards, when the party professed 
 to have repented and obtained pardon from God. This 
 was only a short time before the separation took place, 
 and the individual was then advocating those reforms 
 which Mr. Kilham was striving to bring about in Me- 
 thodism. Being popular in the pulpit, there was a 
 desire on the part of many that he should join the 
 New Connexion. Mr. Kilham had objections, on ac- 
 count of the misconduct alluded to; but since he could 
 not formally oppose him, without assigning his reasons 
 for such a step, and as this would have led to an exposure 
 which, supposing he had sincerely repented and was 
 restored, (as he solemnly assured Mr. Kilham was the 
 case,) might almost be doing him a wrong, he considered 
 he ought not to make it, on the grounds of christian charity 
 towards one overtaken in a fault, as laid down in Scrip- 
 ture : he therefore concurred in the general willingness 
 
 2 h 
 
362 LIFE OF THE 
 
 to receive him as a preacher at the division. It so 
 happened, however, that the individual, of his own ac- 
 cord, declined to join the New Connexion ; a number 
 of circumstances also occurred, which to Mr. Kilham's 
 mind clearly proved that he had all along been acting 
 a double part ; and also that the instance of misconduct 
 with which Mr. Kilham was acquainted, was not the 
 only one of the same nature of which the party had 
 been guilty. Several things, indeed, subsequently 
 transpired, w T hich seemed to show that what Mr. Kil- 
 ham had considered a solitary instance of dereliction 
 from duty, was not so by any means. While a change 
 in his views was thus effected, Mr. Kilham himself, 
 and those who had separated, were continually being 
 represented as the refuse and dregs of Methodism ; 
 and the Conference was spoken of as now pure, since it 
 had been relieved of those who troubled and disgraced 
 it; with many other reproaches of a similar character. 
 This conduct was more especially pursued in Sheffield 
 towards the New Connexion ; and for the purpose of 
 putting an end to such attacks, Mr. Kilham was led to 
 make a communication to two official individuals of the 
 old body, who had been most active in casting asper- 
 sions on the new, of what he knew of the improprieties 
 of the preacher in question, who still continued to travel 
 amongst them — to show them that they had better re- 
 frain from the course which they had proceeded upon, as 
 an exposure might easily be made to their own dis- 
 credit. The effect of this was not, however, as he had 
 expected, to silence these parties, but to occasion them 
 to assail Mr. Kilham in another form, by publishing in 
 the societies, that he was attempting to take away the 
 character of a preacher, because lie had not joined the 
 New Connexion. Corresponding representations were 
 also made in every place where the New Connexion 
 had an interest, greatly to the prejudice of Mr. Kil- 
 ham, who had not then told even his most intimate friends 
 what had been the conduct of the preacher ; but he 
 now felt himself under the obligation of drawing up a 
 full statement of the whole case, both for his own 
 vindication, and the satisfaction of his brethren, who 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 363 
 
 with good reason applied to him for an explanation. It 
 was at first intended to be printed; but on further con- 
 sideration, and by the advice of several whom he con- 
 sulted, as well as from a merciful regard to the feelings of 
 several innocent and worthy individuals belonging 
 to the family of the guilty party, the design was 
 given up, — since the end (a justification of Mr. Kil- 
 ham's conduct) had been answered, without hav- 
 ing recourse to publication. We have before us 
 this document, as written out by Mr. Kilham, with 
 the letters of the parties in their own hand-writing, 
 as vouchers for the correctness of his statements ; but 
 we do not deem it necessary to say more than we have 
 done, as a particular examination of the matter is not re- 
 quired, nor would it, indeed, be interesting after the lapse 
 of forty years. It is enough to be able to observe, on the 
 authority of many of their letters sent to him, after being 
 made acquainted with the circumstances, that Mr. Kil- 
 ham's friends were perfectly satisfied with the upright- 
 ness of his motives and conduct. The same conviction 
 is made on our minds, at this distant period, on read- 
 ing the account just mentioned; — it was evidently 
 written in the full consciousness of his own integrity. 
 
 The Conference was now at hand, and Mr. Kilham 
 was about to terminate his labours in the Sheffield cir- 
 cuit — other places being too anxious to have him ap- 
 pointed to them, to allow him to remain in his first 
 station longer than one year. He was, indeed, applied 
 for at the Conference by almost every circuit in the 
 Connexion, and each had some strong representation 
 to make why he should be sent to it. In truth, they all 
 had great difficulties to encounter, or important exer- 
 tions to make, in the infancy of the cause ; and they 
 reasonably supposed that Ills influence would essenti- 
 ally benefit them under existing circumstances. Mr. 
 Kilham, however, made no promises to any place, but, 
 with a willingness to go any where, he left himself to 
 the Conference, to be disposed of by his brethren. 
 While in Sheffield, not to mention his exertions for 
 the Connexion generally, his labours in the circuit had 
 been incessant. He preached (sometimes in the open 
 
 2 h 2 
 
364 LIFE OF THE 
 
 air*) three or four times on the Sabbath-day, and nearly 
 on every evening of the week besides ; and these public 
 duties were perhaps the smallest part of what he per- 
 formed, — the time he employed in pastoral visits, in ad- 
 ministering to the sick, and in numberless other matters 
 which required his attention, being such as hardly left 
 him what was necessary for bodily refreshment and 
 sleep. And he seems to have had no power of restrain- 
 ing himself, but with an utter disregard as to what 
 might be the consequence on his health or constitution, 
 he went forward to discharge every duty which was de- 
 volved upon him. 
 
 The frequent mention which has had to be made of 
 individuals, who from being the friends and coadjutors 
 of Mr. Kilham, became his enemies and traducers af- 
 ter the separation, may perhaps have led the reader to 
 conclude that all by whom he continued to be esteemed 
 had associated themselves with him at the division; and 
 that, consequently, those who remained with the old body, 
 ceased to entertain the good opinion which they had 
 once formed of him. This, however, was not the fact ; a 
 considerable number, though they did not decide to 
 become members of the New Connexion, still retained 
 their personal regard for Mr. Kilham, and desired his 
 correspondence. Mr. Longridge, of Sunderland, and 
 Mr. Smith, of Newcastle, were of this class, and friendly 
 letters were exchanged between them and him occasion- 
 ally; andMr.Kilham,with the concurrenceof some of the 
 friends in the Connexion, even invited these individuals, 
 with a few others not united with it, to attend the first 
 Conference at Sheffield. The reply of Mr. Smith will 
 shew what an amicable feeling subsisted between them. 
 He says : — 
 
 "You kindly invite me to your Conference; this is a 
 privilege I cannot avail myself of; the journey is long, and 
 my ties at home very many. I find my labour increases as 
 
 * It was on one of those occasions that the writer of these Memoirs, 
 then a child of six or seven years old, was taken by the hand to hear 
 Mr. Kilham preach at the corner of a street in Sheffield Park; and 
 though it was the only time he ever saw him, he retains to this day a 
 somewhat distinct recollection both of his personal appearance and the 
 manner of his preaching. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 365 
 
 my strength declines, yet I am willing to employ my re- 
 maining powers in recommending that religion which is so 
 excellent in its nature, and so beneficial to mankind. In 
 proclaiming these glad tidings of salvation, I consider my- 
 self free from the prejudice of any party, — a lover of all men, 
 a debtor to all ; and cheerfully go where the Divine Provi- 
 dence points out my way. I still visit those societies in the 
 north called yours, and for these two years past more fre- 
 quently than ever. I am expected at Saughouseon Sunday 
 first, to administer the Lord's supper. I trust we shall have 
 the Lord's presence with us. I remember the last time 
 I was there, on a like occasion, in December last, 1 was 
 mightily strengthened and comforted ; a taste of heaven was 
 vouchsafed us on earth. These societies, I believe, retain 
 their spiritual life, and are satisfied with their present preach- 
 ers and the privileges they enjoy ; yet it is easy to observe 
 the division occasions considerable difficulties on both sides ; 
 whether the two will ever become one again, time must de- 
 termine. Have you any thoughts of visiting the North this 
 summer ? If you come, I shall be glad to see you as usual." 
 
 We feel assured that Mr. Kilham would gladly have 
 lived on the same terms as he maintained Vith Mr. 
 Smith, with others still in connexion with the Wesley- 
 an Conference ; but this w r as unfortunately prevented 
 by the spirit manifested towards him by the generality, 
 which was so different from that of kindness, that he 
 found himself treated as if he were an enemy to the 
 gospel, and was even charged with being a destroyer 
 of souls. 
 
 On the meeting of Conference, Mr. Thorn was 
 chosen president, and Mr. Kilham secretary. Fifteen 
 preachers attended, and seventeen lay delegates, mak- 
 ing thirty-two members, who were sent from ten cir- 
 cuits, — that being the number which had then declared 
 for the New Connexion. The members in society w r ere 
 5037. An account of the proceedings and decisions of 
 the Conference was published immediately after the con- 
 clusionof itssittings, andw r ill shewthe general sense of the 
 majority of the members. The following memoranda, 
 which have been found among Mr. Kilham's papers, 
 will, however, give a more distinct view of his own sen- 
 timents, than can be obtained from the printed Minutes. 
 2h3 
 
366 LIFE OF THE 
 
 They were written before the meeting of Conference, and 
 Intended to lead to the particular business which 
 would have to be transacted. By comparing the heads 
 with those inserted in the Minutes of 1798, it will be 
 ascertained how far the decisions of Conference were 
 according to the suggestions of Mr. Kilham, and in 
 what respects his opinions became modified by the 
 majority. 
 
 Memoranda respecting the Conference. 
 
 Question. Who are to compose the Conference ?— Delegates 
 and preachers, either in equal numbers, or otherwise, as may 
 be agreed on. 
 
 Q. Is a testimony of the characters of preachers and 
 delegates to be received from the circuits, or to be taken at 
 Conference? — The former seems most reasonable, and that 
 both preachers and delegates should receive it from the last 
 quarterly meeting. 
 
 Q. Shall the preachers be president and secretary always, 
 or shall it go by ballot? — It must go by ballot, in regard to 
 both. 
 
 Q. What are the duties of the president and secretary ? 
 The president is to keep order, attend closely to the argu- 
 ments advanced on both sides of the question, to stop debates 
 when the general opinion is that they have gone far enough, 
 to sum up the arguments, to take the sense of the meeting 
 when called for, &c. The secretary is to keep minutes of 
 what passes, which are to be read after every motion is put 
 and carried ; to write letters, &c. 
 
 Q. Shall the powers of the president and secretary cease 
 immediately after the Conference is ended ; and shall they 
 have no opportunity of being elected again for two or three 
 y ears ? — This will probably be the best, especially as it refers 
 to their powers ceasing after their work is done. 
 
 Q. What preachers are now in full connexion among us ? 
 — Answer, . 
 
 Q. How long have those been on trial who are now em- 
 ployed ?— To be considered. 
 
 Q. How long shall persons be on trial ? — We judge four 
 years, at least, and in dubious cases longer. 
 
 Q. Shall any restrictions be laid upon the preachers on 
 trial, respecting marriage ? — For them to act very prudently, 
 and not to disgrace their character and the Connexion by 
 their conduct. 
 
REV. A. KILHA3I. 367 
 
 Q. Shall the preachers on trial be equal in every respect 
 with those in full Connexion, both in their circuits and at the 
 Conference ? — We think not ; but it must be considered, and 
 a proper plan attended to. 
 
 Q. Are superintendents necessary for the circuits? — We 
 judge they are, with limited power— always to be accountable 
 to the Quarterly Meetings and the Conference. 
 
 Q. Shall the superintendents be appointed at the Quarterly 
 Meetings or at the Conference ? — We think the latter, only 
 the Quarterly Meetings shall have power to examine, try, 
 and suspend from that office, and appoint another till the 
 Conference, when any preacher acts contrary to the nature 
 and design of his office. 
 
 Q. How many circuits are there, and what number of 
 preachers will be wanted D — Answer, . 
 
 Q. Who can come out to help us the next year ? — Answer. 
 
 Q. How shall the preachers be stationed ? — As well as we 
 can. 
 
 Q. What can be done to make the circuits as equal as 
 possible, that there may be no clamouring for good circuits ? 
 — Let the allowance of all the circuits be as much alike as 
 possible — that is, let a preacher be as well provided for in 
 poor circuits as in those that are rich. 
 
 Memorandum. A committee to be appointed in some 
 place near each other, for purposes to be named, between the 
 Conferences. 
 
 Memorandum. People attending Conf 
 
 The foregoing suggestions, comi v did from 
 
 Mr. Kilham, received that attentio ii ihey were 
 
 entitled, and most of his propos' ' were adopted 
 by the Conference. They were, indc<j founded on the 
 principle of justice towards all \ titles, and became 
 thereby recommended to the sober-minded and mode- 
 rate members both in and out of that meeting. 
 
 While the following passage in the public Minutes is 
 strongly confirmatory of the statement which has previ- 
 ously been made, (see note, page 360, ) respecting one class 
 of persons who had united with the New Connexion, it 
 also shews that the Conference, much to its credit, 
 was resolved, from the very first, not to be overawed 
 by the menaces of certain parties, who, failing to 
 carry their measures by reason and argument, 
 
368 LIFE OF THE 
 
 had recourse to threatenings— by which is presum- 
 ed to be meant, intimations of leaving the New 
 Connexion to re-join the Old. This actually took 
 place in many instances, especially at an early period 
 alter the division, which created much discouragement 
 to die friends, particularly as such occurrences were 
 often held forth as triumphs by the other party. We 
 refer to the annexed question and answer : — 
 
 Q. Shall the Conference be deterred from following the 
 convictions of their own minds, by any verbal or written 
 threatenings, either from individuals, or any number of per- 
 
 sons 
 
 A. Should this be admitted, our liberty is at an end. 
 Any thing that wears the aspect of compulsion ought to be 
 rejected. 
 
 Mr. Kilham was stationed at Nottingham for the 
 ensuing year. The appointment was not only suitable 
 from the importance of the place, but his services were 
 required there more especially, on account of diffi- 
 culties which were connected w r ith the chapel — as a 
 dispute was going forward between the Old and New 
 Connexion respecting its occupation by the preachers,* 
 
 * The dispute may be briefly explained as follows : — At the division, 
 the legal bearings of some provisions in the Trust Deeds, referring to 
 the power of Conference to appoint preachers, were misunderstood, as 
 was also the one with regard to the extent of the authority of chapel 
 trustees. The opinions which generally prevailed were these, — that 
 the Conference not being a body corporate, was in law rendered unable 
 to hold real property ; and itsright to occupy the pulpits of the Methodist 
 chapels, was looked upon as dependent on the concurrence of the trustees, 
 in whom the premises were legally vested ; and since chapels were un- 
 derstood a3 having been erected for the use of the societies and congre- 
 gations worshipping therein, for whom the trustees acted, it was supposed 
 that they could secure the occupancy to such societies and congregations 
 under all circumstances. When the division took place, a large majo- 
 rity of the trustees and societies at Nottingham, Huddersfield, Brighouse, 
 and perhaps a few other places, declared for the New Connexion ; in 
 these cases, the fullest confidence was felt by the trustees, (and their legal 
 advisers were also of that opinion,) of their having the right to admit the 
 preachers belonging to the new body into the pulpit, which they ac- 
 cordingly did. The "VVesleyan Conference objected to this transfer, and 
 on good legal grounds, as it afterwards proved ; and required the pulpits 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 369 
 
 which rendered his advice and presence almost indis- 
 pensable. 
 
 The most laborious duties of the Conference fell on 
 Mr. Kilham, as secretary ; and he was so much fatigued 
 with the writing he had to get through, and the want 
 of rest, that Mrs. Kilham became alarmed at his appa- 
 rent exhaustion ; and she had fears lest he might sink 
 under the burthen which was upon him, and which, for 
 the first time, seemed to be too great for his strength. 
 But her mind was soon relieved by the improvement 
 which she saw in his health and spirits shortly after, 
 when he seemed again to possess all his wonted zeal 
 and vigour. 
 
 He was exceedingly gratified with the proceedings 
 of Conference ; there was a disposition on the part of 
 the members generally, since they had become a sepa- 
 rate body, to go forward peaceably in the enjoyment 
 of the privileges which they had obtained, and to cease 
 from contentions with the community from whom they 
 
 to be open to their preachers as before. Hence arose the disputes al- 
 luded to, which continued for several years, involving certain law pro- 
 ceedings ; and eventually the chapels so situated were given up to the 
 old Conference. There were difficulties and hardships on all sides 
 connected with these cases ; but there can be no question, upon an im- 
 partial consideration of all the circumstances, that the ultimate deci- 
 sion was the most proper one. For, although it seems strange that so-* 
 cieties and trustees should have been deprived of places of worship 
 which they had built for their own accommodation, yet on the other 
 hand, if it were allowed that a place of worship, after it has been regu- 
 larly settled, and certain interests therein, whether relating to the pulpit 
 or any other matter, vested in different parties by a Trust Deed, may 
 be so changed in its use, as to exclude any one from the privileges ori- 
 ginally secured to it— there would bean end of all confidence, and those 
 engaged in erecting chapels would not know to what party or purposes 
 they might in course of time be appropriated. Whether it was wise or prudent 
 for the society and trustees of these chapels, to give the power over the 
 pulpit to a Conference composed entirely of preachers, and in which 
 the people had no voice, is a question into which we need not enter : 
 but the proper time for considering such points is when chapels are 
 built, and before they are settled on trust, and not afterwards. When 
 the terms and provisions of a trust deed have been fixed, it is of the 
 greatest importance, as a matter of principle, (though in particular cases 
 it may, as we have observed, involve hardships,) that no change can 
 possibly be made, except with the consent of every party having an in- 
 terest therein, and the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor, who i9 in 
 law the universal guardian of such property throughout the kingdom. 
 
370 LIFE OF THE 
 
 had lately parted, unless forced into further controversy 
 in their own defence. 
 
 There is not a sentence nor a word in the Minutes 
 of Conference (which were drawn up by Mr. Kilham) de- 
 noting unkindness towards any individual, or any party. 
 The subjoined extract from the address will prove, that 
 while a just value was put upon their own institutions, 
 there was no longer a wish to cast reflections on others, 
 but only a supreme concern that God might be ho- 
 noured in all their performances : — 
 
 When we take a view of the progress of religious liberty 
 in the Connexion with whom we are united, we feel the 
 greatest consolation arising from the sincerity of those prin- 
 ciples upon which we have acted. It was not from an affec- 
 tation of singularity, nor a pertinacious adherence to our 
 own opinions, that determined us to proceed in supporting 
 the rights and liberties of the people. No ! It was a con- 
 viction, arising from scripture evidence, and the usages of the 
 primitive Church, that all the members of Christ's body are 
 one ; and that the various officers of it should act by the 
 general approbation and appointment of the people. 
 
 This purity of principle has supported and encouraged us 
 to go on through all the difficulties we have had to encoun- 
 ter, and the reproach with which we have been loaded. 
 
 The success of our proceedings, in establishing a scriptural 
 and rational plan of government in our societies ; the revi- 
 val of vital religion in many parts of the New Connexion, by 
 the band meetings and classes, by prayer meetings, preach- 
 ing the Gospel, &c. give us reason to believe, that the Lord 
 of the harvest, the head of the Church, approves of our plan, 
 by blessing our endeavours. In many places, the societies 
 are much alive to God— backsliders are restored, and sinners 
 are brought to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. 
 
 From this blessed state ofthings among the people, and the 
 judicious choice of delegates, arose the love and unity of our 
 Conference. In the examination of the preachers' characters 
 — the stationing of the preachers — the disbursements of the 
 collections — and the public debates which took place on dif- 
 ferent parts of the Constitution proposed to the societies, per- 
 sonal reflections were avoided, and undue warmth of expres- 
 sion guarded against : — all seemed solicitous to establish a plan 
 that would give general satisfaction to the societies, and fix 
 and perpetuate the liberty of the Gospel among us. And 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 371 
 
 the most grateful sensations which arose in our minds on the 
 occasion, will, we trust, lead us to praise and adore the 
 Father of Lights, who has pointed out our way, and strength- 
 ened us to walk in it. 
 
 The above passages exhibit nothing of the mere 
 sectarian ; but are characteristic of the true christian, 
 who values his privileges for the opportunities which 
 they furnish for glorifying God ; and whose chief joy 
 arises from the circumstance of having tokens of the 
 divine presence and approbation, in the revival and 
 extension of the work of salvation. 
 
 The "Magazine," which had been published'monthly 
 since January, and chiefly under the direction of Mr. 
 Kilham, was also free from every thing calculated to 
 irritate the old body. It was, indeed, entirely devoted 
 to the promotion of personal religion in the strictest 
 sense ; and the fact that every subject on which contro- 
 versies had been going forward in the Methodist Con- 
 nexion for several years, was carefully avoided in 
 the first volume of that periodical, proves most satisfac- 
 torily that Mr. Kilham had no intention to perpetuate 
 strife, but, on the contrary, was anxious to direct his 
 mind solely to his ministerial duties, with a special re- 
 ference to the edification and salvation of souls. 
 
 The following extract from one of his letters about 
 this time, exhibits a state of mind highly honourable to 
 Mr. Kilham's character as a christian ; and it shews how 
 he endeavoured to reconcile himself to sufferings when 
 brought upon him while performing his duty. We 
 do not find him indulging a vindictive temper, nor con- 
 triving how he might annoy those to whom he was op- 
 posed, and whose conduct towards him would perhaps 
 have justified retaliation, under the old Mosaic law of 
 " an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;" but this 
 was not the rule by which he acted, especially after the 
 separation, when he could walk according to the sys- 
 tem of liberty which he had laboured to establish. He 
 observes, in the letter alluded to : — 
 
 < ; When I felt my mind exercised before the sepa- 
 ration, it arose from the unreasonableness of my oppo- 
 nents, and from a deep conviction of their acting con- 
 
372 LIFE OF THE 
 
 trary to their calling. I was grieved to think that men 
 professing godliness, should have so little grace, and 
 that they should seek to injure me, though I was seek- 
 ing to do them all the good in my power ; but I see 
 that sufferings of this nature were what Jesus Christ 
 himself endured, and he has assured me, that if I suffer 
 with him, I shall also reign with him. I am now wil- 
 ling, through his grace, to bear reproach from any 
 quarter, so that his glory may be advanced upon earth. 
 — indeed, I expect to have my name cast out as evil. 
 I look for crosses daily, and seek for a mind to bear 
 them to the glory of God. By this means, hard things 
 become easy, rough ways are smooth, and my soul both 
 sees and feels the salvation of God. The more I am 
 resigned to the will of God, the more comfortable I 
 feel myself in all the conflicts which infinite wisdom 
 appoints. I frequently feel that my soul rejoices under 
 the cross, because while we suffer for following Christ, 
 the spirit of glory and of God rests upon us. I wish to 
 learn to be content in every state, and to thank God 
 for every affliction. 
 
 " It is our duty to endure hardships as good soldiers 
 of Jesus Christ. It is necessary that we should be 
 sifted as wheat. Jesus Christ, however, prays for us ; 
 and while we have his intercession before God, we 
 shall not be left comfortless : — let us go, therefore, with- 
 out the camp, bearing his reproach." 
 
 In another letter, sent to one who had complained 
 to Mr. Kilham of ill treatment from a certain indivi- 
 dual, for the purpose of dissuading the party from ren- 
 dering evil for evil, he says, — « Perhaps no person has 
 suffered more persecution, nor had a more harassing 
 life than I have for the last two years [since his trial 
 and expulsion by the Conference in 1796] ; and yet I 
 have found, and do find, such happiness in the Lord 
 Jesus, as enables me to go on my way rejoicing. I 
 commit my soul and my all to God, not fearing what 
 men or devils can do against me. If all the world call 
 me a hypocrite and a deceiver, God knows my heart, 
 and reads truth and sincerity engraven upon it. I be- 
 lieve that he will be my defence and salvation for ever. 
 
REV. A. K1LHA3L 373 
 
 Mr. — — and his friends have done every tiling in 
 their power to injure, but God has defended and bless- 
 ed me; I cast my all into his hands and fear not the 
 frown of any adversary." 
 
 Before Mr. Kilham went to Nottingham, according 
 to the appointment of Conference, he paid a short visit to 
 Leeds; and we find him again writing in the same pious 
 strain, declaring his confidence in God, and the fullest 
 submission to his will. In a letter to Mrs. Kilham, 
 dated June 17, he says, — "God has blessed me since I 
 wrote last. The weather has been exceeding hot, and 
 my riding [on horseback] and labours hard — but still 
 God has blessed and does bless, and to his name shall 
 be ascribed all the praise for ever. Let us only live to 
 him and we shall be happy. Do all the good thou 
 canst, — let us work while it is called to-day, for the 
 night cometh when no man can work. I am happy 
 and content, because the Lord calls me to my present 
 work : only let us serve him, and we shall always both 
 meet and part to his glory." In another letfer, lie 
 says, — " My soul longs to get through every thing to the 
 principal object of our calling, that the people may be 
 blessed with life and peace in believing. May the Lord 
 mercifully put an end to strife and division, that we 
 may be able to serve him all the days of our life, and 
 be happy through the ages of eternity." Mrs. Kilham 
 observes, — " Previous to our leaving Sheffield, he in- 
 formed me that his soul had been more lively towards 
 God, and more fervently engaged for his glory, than 
 he had ever experienced before." We may introduce 
 another passage from a letter dated July 6, to shew his 
 anxiety for the conversion of mankind, his opinion of 
 the description of preaching most likely to be useful, 
 and how heavily the responsibility of the minister of 
 the Gospel rested upon his mind: — "I am," he says 3 
 " more than ever assured that the people in every place 
 have need of close, searching discourses. To amuse 
 them with fine things, would only be beating the air ; it 
 would be a curse to ourselves and to them. I long to 
 see sinners awakened ; the Lord encourages me ; I 
 pray and he hears and blesses; I wish that all my works 
 
 2 i 
 
374 LIFE OF THE 
 
 may be wrought in God. I want faith to believe the 
 word in expectation of success ; may he strengthen 
 me to do this for the sake of Jesus Christ our glorious 
 Redeemer." 
 
 In this frame of mind, Mr. Kilham removed to the 
 Nottingham circuit, and commenced his labours there. 
 As we approach the period, when, after a very short ill- 
 ness, he was taken away by death, it is most satisfactory 
 to find him manifesting the temper and dispositions 
 which appear so prominent in his letters. Controversies 
 among christians are not of themselves favourable to 
 the growth of grace in the heart, — even as to those who 
 are contending for the truth, and for purer modes of 
 worship, — on account of the danger there is of the atten- 
 tion being withdrawn from those things which more im- 
 mediately relate to personal holiness and salvation ; but 
 Mr. Kilham, throughout all the disputations in which 
 he was engaged, seems to have been able to retain 
 that spirituality of mind which belonged to him previ- 
 ously ; and the reforms which he strove to effect in 
 the Methodist system, were to him chiefly desirable be- 
 cause, in his judgment, they would tend to the diffusion 
 of practical and experimental religion, besides proving 
 conservative of the purity of the church. And as soon 
 as the New Connexion was established, he was above 
 all things anxious that its excellency should be made 
 to appear as well in the usefulness of its members, as 
 on account of the constitutional principles upon which 
 it was founded. He was therefore assiduous to a de- 
 gree which could not have been long endured by the 
 hardiest constitution ; and before leaving Sheffield, his. 
 strength was evidently overborne by excessive toil ; still 
 he had no intention of relaxing in his endeavours to be 
 useful, only — as if he had foreseen that his days were 
 numbered — he wanted to concentrate his energies more 
 than he had been able to do for some time, in fulfilling 
 the immediate duties of his ministerial office ; but none of 
 his friends anticipated that, in a few months, he would 
 be snatched away both from the church and the world. 
 
 Mr. Kilham, in consenting to be stationed in this 
 circuit, was wishful to show, that if he could by any 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 375 
 
 means contribute to the adjustment of the differences 
 respecting the chapel, he was at the service of the 
 friends for that purpose ; but from a letter to Mr. 
 Hall, written just before Conference, he seems to have 
 had small, if any, hope of effecting that object, after 
 the unsuccessful efforts which had been made at nego- 
 ciation by the parties. Mr. Kilham says, in reference 
 to something which Mr. Hall had done in the matter, — 
 " I am apprehensive it will be as water spilt on the 
 ground ; however, let the thought comfort your heart, 
 that you have spent a good deal of time, and been at 
 considerable expense, in attempting once more to serve 
 the cause." We shall only add, on this subject, that 
 nothing was accomplished towards a settlement of the 
 chapel during Mr. Kilham' s residence at Nottingham ; 
 indeed, he scarcely had the opportunity of entering into 
 the affair, having been much employed in travelling 
 and other things immediately on going there — and then 
 he was removed by death in December. 
 
 Shortly after the Conference, the idea of Mr. Kil- 
 ham visiting Ireland was revived, in consequence of the 
 urgent letters received on the subject from individuals 
 in that kingdom who had embraced the principles of 
 the New Connexion. To prevail with him, they en- 
 treated him, "in the Lord's name, and for their sakes, to 
 come over, if it were for ever so brief a period ;" but 
 the purpose was, however, again deferred, in conse- 
 quence of some other engagements which he was 
 obliged to attend to, and which would take him from 
 his own circuit several weeks. One of these was to 
 open a chapel, which had been built at Hanley, in the 
 Staffordshire Potteries. He also went to Birmingham, 
 Sheffield, Leeds, York, and Hull. Some of these visits 
 were probably intended to compensate for Mr. Kil- 
 ham not having been stationed in those circuits, which 
 had requested him at the Conference. On his appoint- 
 ment to Nottingham, it was therefore agreed for him to 
 go and see them as soon as possible afterwards. 
 
 Persons in the situation of Mr. Kilham are some- 
 times more perplexed by the conduct of certain of their 
 over-zealous friends, than by the malice and opposition 
 
 2 i 2 
 
376 LIFE OF THE 
 
 of their enemies. He was often put to trouble by the 
 morbid sensibility shown by a number of his support- 
 ers as to his reputation and character ; which led them 
 to listen to every rumour, however absurd, which they 
 heard to his disadvantage, and which they conveyed to 
 him, — that he might refute it. This was most unwise, 
 and did harm instead of good to Mr. Kilham in every 
 way, inasmuch as it gratified those whose object was 
 merely to annoy him ; and it also put him into the dis- 
 agreeable position either of seeming unmindful of his 
 friends, when he did not attend to their recommenda- 
 tions in reference to noticing, in the manner they 
 wished, what was said against him (which was often too 
 vague and ridiculous to deserve contradicting); or of 
 wearying himself -continually by attempting to chase 
 down reports which could be multiplied without end, 
 — there being no limits to the inventive faculties and 
 hatred of some of his opponents. The following extract 
 from a letter by a respectable individual in Hull, in- 
 clines us to believe that his visit to that place might be 
 partly in consequence of something which had been 
 alleged against him, and which the writer wished to be 
 gravely investigated, — very unnecessarily, as the reader 
 will admit, we have no doubt, when he has heard the 
 statement. A person, during one of those jarring in- 
 terviews which frequently occurred between Methodists 
 who were ranged on different sides, in the neighbour- 
 hood of Hull, at the division, made the monstrous 
 affirmation that he knew something about Mr. Kilham 
 which might cost him his life, if it were divulged. This 
 seemed to be a heavy charge indeed, and it very natural- 
 ly stimulated his friends who were present, or who heard 
 of it, to urge the party who threw out the insinuation 
 to explain his meaning, which he refused to do ; and, 
 to shuffle the matter from himself, if possible, he at 
 length said, it was nothing of which he had any know- 
 ledge, but what a preacher had told him. He was then 
 asked to name the preacher, if he would not speci- 
 fy the offence imputed, but neither would he comply 
 with this request ; which occasioned some of Mr. Kil- 
 ham's supporters to threaten the individual with legal 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 377 
 
 proceedings, — and the case was left in this state for 
 some time. Now the proper course for Mr. Kilham's 
 friends would have been, to have treated the party, and 
 the libel too, with the contempt which they deserved ; 
 but instead of doing so, they manifested the deepest 
 mortification, (which unquestionably was the precise 
 effect intended to be produced by the slander,) and 
 wrote to Mr. Kilham, desiring him to prosecute the 
 party? as one of his friends had (of his own accord) 
 pledged him to do, if the author were not revealed 
 within a given time. He sent an expostulatory letter, 
 and wished it to be read to his accuser, rather out of 
 deference to the feelings of his friends, than from a con- 
 viction of that or any other step being necessary to be 
 taken in so ridiculous a business; and because he 
 thought this would put an end to the affair. His friends 
 in Hull, however, w r ere not for passing it over in any 
 such way, and one of them addressed him on the sub- 
 ject as follows: — 
 
 * If the business be suffered thus to subside, the public 
 will have a just right to believe every false report or scandal 
 which the Methodist preachers or their adherents may think 
 proper to invent ; for if a man's character be thus stabbed 
 in the dark, and no notice be taken of it, certainly it will be 
 supposed that every assertion is fact, and that you dare 
 not offer to controvert it. 
 
 "We have no doubt but if any preacher could have cri- 
 minated you in any respect whatever, he would have es» 
 teemed it as doing God service — so much are they incensed 
 against you. But more will believe them than will believe 
 you, until their scandalous practices be made yet more ap- 
 parent. Men must have line upon line, precept upon pre- 
 cept, fact upon fact, to make them dislike and forsake errors 
 which they have been accustomed to, and embrace truths 
 which are discordant to their feelings and interests. I am 
 no lawyer, but I know of no other method with * * * 
 but law ; he is callous to every thing else ; but after all, 
 you must act as you think proper; — you must, however, ex- 
 cuse the freedom of a friend." 
 
 If Mr. Kilham had been governed by the advice of 
 such of his warm, but not very discreet admirers, as 
 
 2i3 
 
378 LIFE OF THE 
 
 the writer of the above letter, he would have com- 
 menced, at the least, fifty actions at law against differ- 
 ent persons who originated or gave currency to false 
 find injurious reports ; and which were ten-fold more 
 troublesome to him on account of the annoyance which 
 they gave to his friends, than they would have been 
 had he seen others less concerned about them. We 
 are unable to state how the preceding circumstance 
 ended: probably, the allegation like many others, was 
 soon forgotten ; or if the excitement it produced con- 
 tinued for any length of time, Mr. Kilham's death 
 would put an end to all thoughts of taking any mea- 
 sures with the party who brought it forward. We 
 have mentioned it principally with the view of shewing 
 that his officious friends, by their over-anxiety and 
 touchiness, were sometimes the means of giving im- 
 portance to attempts to injure him, which, if they had 
 been indifferently treated, would have hurt no one but 
 the slanderers themselves.* 
 
 While his enemies were thus employed against him, 
 . his thoughts were directed to subjects of a different 
 nature, and he was laying himself out to the utmost in 
 the service of religion; his desires and endeavours 
 to promote a spirit of devotion, as well as practical 
 godliness, seem to have increased daily. The follow- 
 ing is from one of his letters : — 
 
 " The Lord seems to have set me at the hottest post, to 
 endure reproach and shame for his sake : yet amidst all, the 
 cross of Christ is precious, and I am happy in being ac- 
 counted worthy to suffer for his sake. Oh ! that I may 
 ever do it as a christian. I long to be made perfect through 
 suffering, that God may be glorified in my life and death. 
 When I am fully engaged in preaching and writing, my 
 
 * Mr. Eversfield, in a letter to Mr. Kilham, alluding to the weakness 
 of some of his friends, in being so easily moved by improbable stories 
 invented respecting him, and propagated with art industry corresponding 
 with the effect which they were allowed to produce on the minds of his 
 supporters, humorously says, — " I did not forget to give them a hint 
 respecting their credulity. I told them it was my opinion, that if any 
 person were to come to Sheffield, and report that you had begun to 
 make another moon, some of them would be so weak as to believe it. 
 There is no accounting for it." 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 379 
 
 soul rejoices to run its course. I am happy and comfortable 
 in any situation, and am full of inward satisfaction : I am 
 conscious the Lord requires me to take the steps I am now 
 pursuing, and therefore my heart rejoices, and my joy is 
 frequently unspeakable and full of glory." 
 
 The last paper which he wrote for the " Magazine," 
 and which probably was the last printed piece of which 
 he was the author, shews how much he valued prayer. 
 It was written in September, when he was on a visit at 
 Birmingham ; his object was to direct and induce chris- 
 tians to "pray with the spirit, and with the understand- 
 ing also." For this purpose, he recommended proper 
 and intelligible words to be used in prayer, — a rever- 
 ential awe of God — a knowledge of the wants to be 
 supplied — humility in asking, confidence in being heard, 
 a hope of receiving, and also, perfect resignation to the 
 Divine will. He then urged the performance of this 
 duty in a manner which evinced his own sense of its 
 importance, and the beneficial effect of rightly attend- 
 ing to it. 
 
 However strong and robust might have been Mr. 
 Kilham's constitution originally, it now became evi- 
 dent to some of his most intimate friends, and such as, 
 from their knowledge of him, were the best capable of 
 judging, that his health was greatly impaired. He ap- 
 pears, indeed, for some time to have been sensible that 
 his labours had been too great; and under a convic- 
 tion that he could not sustain the fatigues which he 
 had endured for the last three or four years, he deter- 
 mined to decline travelling so much in future, as he 
 had done recently. Two or three extracts from his 
 letters will shew his own consciousness of inability to 
 exert himself as heretofore : — 
 
 u Leicester, September 25. I am, just harrassed out of 
 my life by preaching, travelling, and want of rest — my mind 
 is comfortable and happy — pray for me. Rest seems desir- 
 able : but — [alluding to the many calls made upon him from 
 different quarters], — I must not have it in this world. God 
 bless you — May we hasten to the coming of the Lord Jesus." 
 
 It unfortunately happened, that, while Mr. Kilham 
 
380 LIFE OF THE 
 
 was in this state of debility, he lost the horse on which 
 he usually rode, which compelled him to travel between 
 the more distant places in the circuit, by a coach which 
 ran at inconvenient hours : he had therefore to be out 
 in the night occasionally, and this added to his indispo- 
 sition. Being much wearied with a journey at the end 
 of October, he wrote from Hull as follows : — 
 
 "If I live to get through my journey to Wales, I intend 
 in future to travel as little as possible out of my own circuit; 
 I find it exceedingly harassing, both to body and mind, to 
 be in my present state. So far, however, as Providence 
 seems to require this at my hands, the Lord's will be done.'* 
 
 On another occasion, he expresses the same feelings; 
 but, as the reader will perceive, he always qualified his 
 purposes, respecting his own ease and convenience, by 
 a determination to submit to the will of God under all 
 circumstances. He says, — 
 
 " I am exceedingly weary in being harassed from place 
 to place ; I want rest and tranquillity ; — I must endure 
 for the present, but think I must shortly resolve to confine 
 myself to my circuit, and leave it as little as possible," 
 
 The journey to Wales, which Mr. Kilham mentions, 
 was taken in the early part of November, in conse- 
 quence of pressing invitations from a Mr. L. Lewis of 
 Penydarron, Merthyr Tydvil, who, with a number of 
 others, approved of the principles of the Methodist 
 New Connexion, and wished Mr. Kilham to visit the 
 place, with a view of establishing an interest there. 
 After it had been arranged for him to go to Wales, 
 the debility which Mr. Kilham had begun to be con- 
 scious of, rendered the journey a formidable undertak- 
 ing both to himself and in the estimation of Mrs Kil- 
 ham, who felt unusual anxiety on his account. In a 
 letter written to a friend, a short time after his death, 
 she says, — 
 
 " My mind was much sunk the day he set out. I had 
 always dreaded that journey more than any one he had taken, 
 perhaps because it was so long, and quite among strangers. 
 On the evening when he left us, I said to Mrs. Sutton, » If I 
 were superstitious, I should think my husband was going 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 381 
 
 to die, and that I should never see him again.' The same 
 apprehension dwelt on my mind the last few days of his 
 absence ; but with thankfulness, we met at the appointed 
 time. The Lord, however, for reasons beyond our under- 
 standing, called him away in less than three weeks after 
 his arrival." 
 
 Having had occasion to forward a letter, which had 
 come to Nottingham just after his departure, she took 
 the opportunity of writing a note, in which she thus 
 expresses her concern for him : — 
 
 " I wish this letter may give me an opportunity of hearing 
 from you. If not, I shall be satisfied until I do. Write, my 
 love, as soon as convenient, but never let me in any way 
 prevent you from being better employed. I do not know 
 that ever I found it so hard to part from you as yesterday ; 
 but the will of the Lord be done. Oh that this absence, 
 longer than any we have yet experienced, may be sanctified 
 to our good, and the happiness of others ! God bless you, 
 my dear ; pray for me. I will pray for your prosperity and 
 happiness every night at six o'clock : meet me, if you can. 
 The Lord will bless us; — we have cause of thankfulness on 
 every side." 
 
 A few particulars of Mr. Kilham's last journey, which 
 he travelled on horseback, will not be unacceptable. 
 They are collected from his letters. He says, — " 1 reach- 
 ed Birmingham, November 12, at four o'clock; the roads 
 were very dirty, and the weather cold: I found myself 
 extremely cold on the road, which caused me afterwards 
 to be afflicted with the head-ache. I rose the next 
 morning with a good deal of weakness, but trusted in 
 the Lord for help in my exercises. I setoff by six 
 o'clock, and travelled that day as far as Leominster. It 
 rained part of the day, the roads were excessively bad, 
 and I was benighted, having several miles to ride in 
 the dark. I slept at a comfortable inn, and proceeded 
 the next day. I rode twenty-four miles on a very dirty 
 road, without stopping ; indeed I had no opportu- 
 nity of resting where I could be in any degree com- 
 fortable. When I reached the first town in Wales, 
 I halted to refresh myself and horse, as both wanted 
 rest, and having travelled twelve miles in the rain, I 
 
382 LIFE OF THE 
 
 was very wet. I had a comfortable little room and fire, 
 and endeavoured to dry myself as soon as possible. My 
 heart was filled with gratitude for past mercies, and I 
 found encouragement to go forward. I left the place 
 in the afternoon, and had a good road to Brecon, 
 though it was hilly part of the way. The rain came on 
 again very heavily, so that I was wet through a second 
 time that day. I met with Mr. Lewis's son at Mr. 
 Watkinson's; here I found the people very friendly, 
 and they showed me every kindness, and did every 
 thing in their power to make me comfortable. After 
 breakfast next morning, Mr. Lewis and I set out from 
 Brecon, and reached Merthyr Tydvil about two o'clock. 
 I had a thankful heart at having arrived in safety, and 
 found a resolution to live in every place to the glory of 
 God. From all appearances, there will be an opening 
 for us in this place, as soon as we shall have it in 
 our power to supply them with a preacher that is suit- 
 able. I went on Tuesday, and preached at Cardiff to a 
 good congregation; many of the Methodists were pre- 
 sent. The next day, I returned in one of the coldest 
 days I ever travelled, unto Merthyr ; it was with diffi- 
 culty we could proceed on the road, as the horses were 
 not prepared for the frost. On Thursday morning, we 
 found the snow deep, but I was obliged to go forward* 
 For 18 miles there was not a moment of fair weather, 
 and the snow was so deep in some places, that I could 
 scarcely get my horse on ; I stopped that night at 
 Brecon, and preached in a chapel belonging to Mr. 
 Whitfield's people; many were present and I found 
 comfort and peace in speaking to them." 
 
 Again he writes to Mrs Kilham, — "I sit down with 
 pleasure to write to you ; truly the Lord Jehovah is with 
 us, the God of Jacob is our defence; O that we could 
 praise him for his goodness, and adore him for his 
 love for ever. Surely my lines are fallen in pleasant 
 places, and I have a goodly heritage. After morn- 
 ing preaching, I could not but weep for joy; the 
 Redeemer appeared so precious, and his ways so de- 
 lightful, that my mind was full of consolation. I was 
 exceedingly busy writing till I went to the preaching; 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 383 
 
 when I came to the place, I rejoiced to find so many 
 present, and we had a comfortable season. It is im- 
 possible to express the joy I felt in seeking the salvation 
 of my fellow-creatures. In the society meeting, I felt a 
 lively hope that God would grant us his protection, 
 
 that we may adore him for ever. At H I met 
 
 with much unjust reproach, but when I go to God, I 
 always find power to cast my care into his hands : I 
 can appeal to him that I am jealous for his adorable 
 name, and desirous of promoting his praise. Labour 
 is delightful when the heart is truly engaged; perhaps 
 very few have more exercises than I have at present ; I 
 can seldom spare more than five hours for sleep, and I 
 am frequently much fatigued ; but still I find that wis- 
 dom's ways are ways of pleasantness." 
 
 Had Mr. Kilham been in competent health, the fa- 
 tigues of this journey would hardly have been felt by 
 him ; but in his reduced state, the badness of the roads, 
 the inclemency of the weather, and those inconveniences 
 which necessarily attended a long absence from home, 
 were all against him, though, it will be observed, he 
 uttered not a word of complaint : on the contrary, he 
 was evidently sensible of the goodness of God at all 
 times, even in his sufferings, and he never lost an op- 
 portunity of expressing his gratitude for the mercies he 
 enjoyed, and his willingness to submit to the Divine 
 pleasure, whatever it might be. In the last letter which 
 he ever wrote to Mrs. Kilham, he says, — " I am happy 
 in doing and suffering the will of God — he is my refuge 
 and song ; may his grace influence and help me to the 
 end." He returned from Wales at the end of Novem- 
 ber, evidently weak and much exhausted, but without 
 betraying any symptom to excite alarm ; and as he had 
 kept clear from other engagements which might again 
 have taken him from home, for the purpose of resting 
 as much as possible, which seemed to be all that he re- 
 quired, it was hoped a few weeks, or, at the most, a few 
 months, passed tranquilly and with only moderate la- 
 bour, would have the effect of restoring him to health. 
 
384 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 DECEMBER, 1793. MR. KILHAM'S LAST SICKNESS AND DEATH. 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 We have now reached the last month of Mr. Kilham's 
 life, and there remain only two or three particulars to 
 be noticed, before we describe the circumstances of his 
 death. It will be recollected, that immediately on Mr. 
 Kilham losing his first wife at Ash ton, it was asserted 
 by his adversaries that her days had been shortened by 
 anxiety and distress, which he had occasioned by his 
 writings and conduct while seeking to effect changes in 
 Methodism. No charge could be more unfounded than 
 this was, as Mr. Kilham showed at the time ; yet in- 
 stead of being withdrawn, as it ought to have been, 
 another, almost as cruel, was added to it, on his subse- 
 quent marriage, having reference to his second wife. 
 By a letter written in September, it would seem that 
 Mr. Kilham had heard of it at that time in Notting- 
 ham ; but being on the spot, it is probable he thought 
 the presence of himself and Mrs. Kilham, and the 
 happiness they enjoyed in each other, would be a suffi- 
 cient refutation of the rumour, without his taking any 
 particular trouble to contradict it. But on his return 
 from Wales, he received a letter from Mr. Styan, a 
 preacher belonging to the New Connexion, then sta- 
 tioned at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, informing him that 
 one of the leading preachers in the old body had been 
 on a visit to that quarter, and that he had repeated both 
 the reports alluded to in different places where he had 
 been, with the intention of setting the minds of the 
 friends against him. Mr. Kilham was much affected 
 on hearing this, and instantly addressed the individual on 
 the subject. His letter is dated Dec. 10, and it was 
 probably the last which Mr. Kilham ever wrote. We 
 shall extract a few sentences, immediately referring to 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 385 
 
 the occasion of its being sent. Mr. Kilham evidently 
 was in great grief when he took up his pen : — • 
 
 Nottingham, Dec. 10, 1798. 
 Sir, 
 I am extremely sorry that I should he compelled 
 to address you at this time ; it is a painful task to me, 
 but my conscience urges me to comply with what duty 
 requires. * * * Not content with your attack 
 on my character in * * case, I am credibly 
 
 informed that you have been into the North, and, to preju- 
 dice our friends against me, you represented me as having 
 already in effect killed my late partner, and gone a great 
 length toward ruining my present wife with my erroneous 
 principles.* I challenge you or any other person to prove 
 that my late wife ever manifested the least sorrow at the 
 steps which I took in exposing the system which you en- 
 deavour to uphold ; on the contrary, she expressed the great- 
 est satisfaction in the course which I had taken, and on her 
 death-bed requested me to pursue my way, whatever re- 
 proach or shame might be my portion. And every person 
 acquainted with my present wife is able to bear witness that 
 she rather glories in being accounted worthy to suffer with 
 me for the sake of Jesus, than repents of the steps she has 
 
 * Lest it should be suspected that Mr. Kilham held any principles 
 which were not strictly orthodox and evangelical, (though such a thing 
 can hardly be even imagined, after the abundant evidence which has ap- 
 peared of the soundness of his faith, in the course of this volume,) it may 
 be proper to state, that he had not changed his sentiments on any doc- 
 trinal point whatever, which he held as a Methodist preacher while in 
 connexion with Mr. Wesley. The only subject on which he could be 
 thought to have been merely speculative, was, his leaning to the notion 
 of a universal restoration ; but even in this respect, while the preachers 
 in general thought differently, there were several who held the same opini- 
 on. The writer of these memoirs believes the doctrine without founda- 
 tion in Scripture; yet, like some other notions respecting the locality of 
 the eternal world — the millennial reign of Christ— the resurrection, and 
 other events, which are now variously interpreted, but which will doubt- 
 less be understood in due time,— being hypothetical and unconnected 
 with the great essentials of religion, considerable latitude may, without 
 danger, be allowed in their construction. Judging of Mr. Kilham by 
 what he has published, by the plans and outlines of sermons which he 
 has left behind him, and by the testimony of those who knew him, and 
 recollect his ministry, there scarcely could be a preacher less disposed to 
 be fanciful in his expositions of sacred truth, or who confined himself 
 more exclusively, when in the pulpit, to topics immediately connected 
 with holiness and salvation. 
 
 2 K 
 
386 LIFE OF THE 
 
 taken. She never had a moment's uneasiness from my opini- 
 ons on the doctrines of the Gospel. The worst thing T wish to 
 befall you, is, that you may always live as happily and as 
 comfortably with your partner and family as we live to- 
 gether ;* then I am sure you will not have many sorrowful 
 moments. 
 
 I sincerely entreat you in the name of Jesus to act accord- 
 ing to your own preaching. * * * If your cause can- 
 not be supported without slandering characters, and publish- 
 ing falsehoods, it were better to renounce it than to submit 
 to such pitiful shifts. Yours, &c, 
 
 A. KlLHAM. 
 
 * The above is Mr. Kilham's description of their happiness ; it so 
 happens that from a letter written some time after his death, we are en- 
 abled to adduce Mrs. Kilham's testimony, also — which completely falsi- 
 fies the statement made in regard to his having been the occasion of any 
 uneasiness to her. " While my husband lived, 5 ' she says, "the comfort 
 I felt in my attachment to him was such as made me ready to wonder 
 sometimes why life had been painted in gloomy colours. We had that 
 perfect confidence in, and affection for each other, which constantly unit- 
 ed us as the heart of one ; and it was the remembrance of what I experi- 
 enced in this union, that caused me to say when he was dying, 4 If a 
 human being could have given happiness, thou hadst given it to me.' 
 But the Lord has seen it good to make me an example of the uncertain- 
 ty of human happiness ; mine was short, in proportion as the enjoyment 
 had been great." She also observes, in the same letter, — " Sometimes I 
 feared I had loved my husband too much, and that the Lord saw his con- 
 tinuance in the world would have endangered the prosperity of our souls, 
 and had therefore called him away. At other times I thought with pain 
 of his having had such a life of labour, and, ia some respects, of suffering: 
 the cheerfulness and vigour of his mind were beyond the strength of his 
 body ; and I think it cannot be doubted by any who knew him that his 
 uncommon exertions hastened his death." These sentiments show the 
 value which Mrs. Kilham put upon the affection of her husband, and 
 the sense she had of her loss, when he was taken away by death ; and 
 even if there had been at any time a misunderstanding between them, it 
 would have been impertinent in others to have busied themselves with the 
 matter in the way spoken of in the above letter; but there was no such 
 difference, — the allegation therefore was entirely an invention. Every 
 word uttered by Mr. and Mrs. Kilham proves that it was the paltry spite 
 of those who wished to wound him in the tenderest part, which made 
 them say he had, either by his principles or conduct, been the occasion 
 of distress to his wife. On the contrary, the union was a most happy 
 one for both parties, and their regard for each other was such, that it might 
 be characterised by the term fondness, rather than by any other word. 
 About two years after Mr. Kilham's death, Mrs. Kilham became a mem- 
 ber of the Society of Friends, and was deservedly held in great estimation 
 for her piety and consistent conduct as a christian, as well as for her more 
 public labours in the cause of education. On becoming a widow, at 
 Nottingham, she continued to reside there for some time, and then 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 387 
 
 Two days after the preceding letter was written, Mr. 
 Kilham's illness commenced, and proved fatal in little 
 more than a week. The following account of his 
 sickness and death, was given by Mrs. Kilham soon 
 after the event. It was communicated in a letter to 
 Mr. Grundell, and was read at the conclusion of a 
 funeral sermon which he preached for Mr. Kilham. 
 The statement was also transcribed for the use of other 
 preachers in the Connexion, who improved the event 
 in a similar manner. The description of Mr. Kilham's 
 last days from the pen of his wife, is affectingly graphic; 
 and the whole of the circumstances furnish an instruc- 
 tive lesson to those who are interested in knowing " how 
 a christian can die." 
 
 " On Wednesday, December 12, 1798, it was thought 
 my husband took a violent cold in walking home from 
 the country between four and five miles after preaching. 
 The reason of his returning that evening was, a small 
 piece of bone had lodged in his throat at dinner, which 
 had given him considerable pain, and he wished, if not 
 speedily relieved, to obtain help from a surgeon. He 
 had not been able to take any solid food during the 
 afternoon, indeed, we were only beginning to dine 
 when be took the bone, and he had afterwards en- 
 deavoured in vain to force it down, by eating a crust of 
 bread. The night was very cold, and he appeared to have 
 suffered from it as soon as he came in. He took some- 
 thing warm and retired, but did not rest well during 
 the night. The next morning he had a violent pain in 
 his back and shoulders, which he at first supposed to 
 proceed from his throat; he found he should be unable 
 
 remored to Sheffield, her native place, where she conducted a ladies' semi- 
 nary, her pupils being chiefly of the Society of Friends. Her mind 
 becoming much concerned for the diffusion of education among the 
 Africans, she acquired some knowledge of the language, in which she 
 composed an elementary work. In 1821 she was so deeply impressed 
 with its being a duty to labour for the instruction of African children 
 that she gave up her school, and engaged in a mission to Sierra Leone 
 in furtherance of that object. After returning to England, she left 
 home to visit Africa a second time, and died at sea on the 31st March, 
 1832, having been the widow of Mr. Kilham for more than thirty-three 
 years. She had a posthumous daughter born to Mr. Kilham, called 
 Mury, who died in January, 1802. 
 
 2 K 2 
 
388 LIFE OF THE 
 
 to fulfil his appointment in the country that evening, 
 and engaged a person to preach for him. A surgeon 
 was afterwards sent for, who examined his throat, but 
 could hardly believe, from appearances, that any bone 
 was lodged there : he proceeded, however, to use the 
 instrument which is commonly employed in such cases, 
 and a very small bit of bone was brought up ; yet the 
 pain in his back and shoulders increased that night to 
 a very great degree ; and on the Friday morning it was 
 so violent, that he compared it to the effects of boiling 
 lead being poured on the part. Both the surgeon and 
 himself now conceived the pain to be rheumatic, and 
 on that account it was thought proper that he should 
 be electrified, which was done on Friday at noon. 
 From this operation he immediately experienced con- 
 siderable relief. In the evening, he would have been 
 electrified again, but the weather having become very 
 damp, the machine could not be made to work proper- 
 ly. It was wished to perform the operation as he lay 
 in bed, but not being able to effect this, he sat up in 
 the bed for a while, and afterwards arose; by this 
 means he took fresh cold, and his pain returned, yet 
 not with that violence which he had experienced in the 
 morning. On Saturday evening he was electrified 
 again, and found relief from it. A blister was also ap- 
 plied that night, from which he suffered a great deal, 
 especially during the night, and on Sunday morning he 
 appeared to be in a very weak state. In the course of his 
 affliction he would ask me to pray by him, and though 
 I suffered much in seeing his situation, I found the 
 Lord near to help in time of trouble. When his pain 
 was great, he would frequently call on the name of his 
 Redeemer and his God, praying that, if consistent with 
 his will, he might experience some relief; but would 
 add, < Not my will, but thine be done.' Part of the sab- 
 bath-day he appeared to sleep comfortably, and in the 
 evening was much better ; the blister had taken a good 
 deal of effect, and he thought it was of great use. — 
 He observed to a friend this day, who asked him about 
 his throat, that he believed it was quite healed ; it had 
 been rather sore for a day or two after the bone was 
 
REV. A. KILHAxM. 389 
 
 taken out, but he said that now he did not feel any thing 
 of it.* He slept but little on the Sunday night, yet on 
 Monday morning lie appeared to be much better. He 
 said his pain was nearly gone, but was much troubled 
 with sickness at his stomach. He came down stairs 
 that afternoon, but at night was very restless. 
 
 "On Tuesday morning he still appeared to be recover- 
 ing, notwithstanding he had had so little sleep, yet his 
 stomach remained sickly. This evening, after tea, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Smith of Hanley being with us, and Mr. 
 Smith's weak state making it necessary for him to re- 
 tire soon to rest, my husband proposed we should join 
 in prayer; and he prayed with an enlargement of heart, 
 with a depth of feeling, such as I had never known be- 
 fore. His soul indeed appeared to be deeply engaged 
 with God, and his desires for the prosperity of our souls, 
 for the good of the church, and for the world, more 
 affectionate than ever. He expressed a profound and 
 tender sense of the mercy of God, in that < he had not 
 left us to wander in our sins/ Oh ! what did my soul 
 feel while we were engaged in that solemn hour. My 
 mind was powerfully impressed with the thought, that 
 we who were present should soon be separated by 
 death ; but I did not apprehend that the Lord was going 
 to call away my dear husband; I thought of Mr. 
 Smith, who had that day been very ill. — Our dear child 
 was so much struck with her father's manner of praying, 
 that when she went into the kitchen, she observed to 
 the servant, that she had never heard him pray so be- 
 fore. This night he was more restless than ever. I 
 do not know that he had five minutes' good sleep du- 
 ring the night ; notwithstanding this, he still appeared to 
 be better on Wednesday, and went out. — The doctor this 
 day took leave of him, supposing his presence to be no 
 longer needful. In the evening, when we were alone, 
 my husband made an observation, which led me to ask 
 
 * An eminent surgeon gave it as his opinion, that since Mr. Kilham's 
 death was not till nearly a week after the lodgment of the bone, and the 
 operation to extract it, the hemorrhage of which he died could not be at- 
 tributed to that as a cause. It was, indeed, evident that he had recover- 
 ed from it, when he was subsequently attacked in another form, for 
 which there was no remedy. 
 
 2 k3 
 
390 LIFE OF THE 
 
 him if he thought he should die soon? He answered, 
 6 I am quite resigned either to life or death, which- 
 ever is the will of God.' I felt my mind much affect- 
 ed. I could not but shed tears while I asked him again, 
 s Do you think you shall recover ?' He answered, 
 6 1 have no other apprehensions ; I should like to live 
 longer, if it be the will of God.' Brother Shore spent 
 some time alone with him this evening, and was much 
 profited by his conversation ; he afterwards observed 
 to a friend, that he thought he was in a very weak state, 
 and that if he did recover, he would never be able to 
 go through the labours which he had been accustomed 
 to. There was a meeting of leaders and local preach- 
 ers this evening, at which my husband was present 
 different times; he prayed at the conclusion of the 
 meeting, and several were much affected with a sense 
 of the uncommon power he had in his prayer.* He 
 coughed a little this evening, and said he was not quite 
 free from the pain in his back. He took some meat to 
 supper, for the first time during his illness. "W hen I 
 asked him of his pain, he said he had been very com- 
 fortable since supper, and added, ' if I can only sleep, 
 I shall do well ;' but he was that night more restless 
 than ever. 
 
 " On Thursday morning, about five o'clock, he com- 
 plained much of restlessness ; he said he would take 
 some opium in the evening, observing that he could not 
 live long, if sleep were not obtained. I wished to rise 
 and endeavour to get something to make him sleep, 
 but he would not suffer me, saying it would not take 
 immediate effect if I got any thing; so he would try to 
 compose himself without ; — as it would only be two 
 hours before he should rise, and he would get some- 
 thing in the evening. Between six and seven o'clock 
 he started up saying, he could not bear to lie any 
 
 * Considering the critical state of Mr. Kilham's health at this time, 
 it is not improbable that his exercising in prayer on this occasion, at a 
 public meeting — and, as appears, with more than usual energy — was the 
 immediate cause of the rupture of the blood-vessel which was so quickly 
 followed by death. He was so much debilitated and broken down, 
 previously, that the slightest circumstance was sufficient to produce a 
 crisis. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 391 
 
 longer, it seemed as though a sword darted through his 
 left breast, (he had complained of a pain in that breast 
 all the week, sometimes dull, at others acute) ; he im- 
 mediately spit and vomited blood. Mr. Taft was sent 
 for, who bled him in the arm ; he then returned to bed, 
 that he might have hot trenchers applied to his back 
 and breast, where he had much pain. Not having any 
 thought of a blood vessel being broken, I hoped that 
 the symptoms my husband had that morning experi- 
 enced might be favourable, and that he would now be 
 delivered from the sickness which had distressed him 
 so much for the last few days. Yet I was much affect- 
 ed by the thought, that if an uncommonly sweet and 
 heavenly frame of mind were to be considered as a sign 
 of an approaching change, my dear husband would 
 soon be called away. He said he was much relieved 
 by the application of the trenchers, and I expressed 
 my thankfulness to God with tears. About ten o'clock 
 he vomited a much larger quantity of blood than be- 
 fore. I called to the girl to go for the doctor; she not 
 being within hearing, I had to go out of the room for 
 her. When I returned, my heart sunk within me at 
 the sight of my husband; he had vomited again during 
 my absence, and now appeared as though the hand of 
 death was upon him. He saw my distress, and looking 
 earnestly at me as I gave him some cold water, said, 
 ' God is love, my dear.' The girl called in a neigh- 
 bour ; two friends also came in, and I said to them, 
 * he is dying.' The soul of my dear husband appeared 
 to be engaged with God, as he said, ' Though I walk 
 through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear 
 no evil, for thou art with me.' In a short time I re- 
 peated, ' he is dying.' He answered, ' I am not dy- 
 ing, my dear, I am very easy.' In a little while the 
 vomiting came on more violent than ever, and as soon 
 as he was able to speak, he said, ' I am going to my 
 Redeemer, I shall mount up with wings as eagles ;' and 
 again, * If I am dying now, tell all the world that Jesus is 
 precious.' His whole soul appeared to be fdled with 
 divine power while he spoke, and he added, • he is 
 working gloriously in my heart ; glory be to God.' A 
 
392 LIFE OF THE 
 
 friend who was present said < he would go for a phj'si- 
 cian :' my husband answered, ' No ; no doctor ; I want 
 none but Jesus Christ/ He went, however, soon after, 
 and brought Dr. Storer ; who thought if the vomiting 
 did not return immediately, my husband would recover. 
 He prescribed a blister and some medicine, but by the 
 time they arrived, my husband was too weak to have 
 them applied. When we were distressed at the 
 thought of his sufferings, we heard him say, ' As the 
 afflictions of Christ abound, his consolations abound in 
 my soul.' His life was now wasting away very fast ; 
 he appeared sensible of it, and left a dying profession 
 of his confidence in the goodness of a cause his heart 
 had been engaged in : he said, ' What 1 have done 
 in regard to the Methodist Connexion, so far from 
 repenting, I rejoice in it at this moment.' When in a 
 yet more exhausted state, he observed, < Some may say 
 this is a judgment upon me ; but what I have done in 
 opposing the corruption in the church I believed my^ 
 duty ; I bless God that he made me an instrument of 
 doing it : — Oh, that I had done it more faithfully !' He 
 o-ave some directions respecting his dear child, and ex- 
 pressed his wish that she might be brought up in the 
 fear of the Lord. Mr. Sutton came in, and though my 
 husband was too weak to speak out, he was so recollect- 
 ful as to desire me to remind Mr. S. that a preacher 
 should be provided for the chapel that evening. The 
 last words he was heard to speak were, ' Lord Jesus, 
 receive my spirit !' He then clasped his hands, and 
 his soul appeared to be engaged with God. Soon af- 
 ter this, he turned towards me, and fixing his eyes up- 
 on me,* I saw he was departing. My mind had till 
 
 * The last look of a dying friend always lives in the memory of the 
 survivor. Mrs. Kilham seems to have had a vivid recollection of the 
 manner in which the eye of her husband was fixed upon her at the mo- 
 ment when he was departing, and she comforted or distressed herself 
 according to the interpretation which she was led to put upon it. In a 
 letter, she speaks on the subject as follows : — " Sometimes, after I had 
 lost my husband, I suffered from the idea that he had almost forgotten 
 me in his last hours ; and at other times I was much more distressed with 
 the fear that he might feel too much concern about us [herself and 
 daughter]. His dying look has dwelt upon my mind, and the fear, lest 
 in that moment he felt compassion towards me that gave him pain, has 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 
 
 393 
 
 now been suspended between hope and despair, and I 
 was silent; but now I began to speak to him ;— I saw 
 his faithful soul was going to his Redeemer ; and, in the 
 fulness of my heart, declared, < I would call on all the 
 world never to seek happiness in any thing but God ; 
 I assured him, if a human being could have given hap- 
 piness, he had given it to me. I would bring his dear 
 child with me to heaven : I told him my heart was last 
 bound to her's; we would join him again; we would 
 fly to God for refuge ; we would seek to glorify him ; 
 in him we should have peace.' I continued speaking 
 to him till I was sure he was dead, but could not tell 
 the moment when he ceased to breathe." 
 
 The christian fortitude and resignation of Mr. Kil- 
 ham when on his death bed, and in his last moments, 
 had the effect of sustaining the minds of all around him, 
 especially of Mrs. Kilham, who was so much elevated, 
 almost to extacy, by the glory which shone upon her de- 
 parting husband, as to be forgetful of the loneliness 
 which awaited herself. She afterwards felt, and be- 
 moaned her loss in terms of the most affectionate regard 
 for him ; yet she murmured not, but acknowleged the 
 severity of the dispensation to have been moderated by 
 many mercies. 
 
 The remains of Mr. Kilham were interred in the 
 chapel at Hockley,* Nottingham, amongst a large con- 
 course of spectators, the society and friends singing, as 
 the corpse was being removed from his residence to the 
 
 been a source of suffering to me such as I cannot express. But what- 
 ever might be the case as to the exercises of his mind, that he was fully 
 prepared to meet death cannot be doubted ; and I remember with thank- 
 fulness the calm assurance with which he expressed his willingness to 
 die, at a time when there was every reason to believe he would be con- 
 tinued with us; I mean the night before his death, when he appeared 
 in a great measure freed from every complaint." 
 
 • Hockley chapel was then occupied by the Methodist New Connex- 
 ion, having been brought over, at the separation, by a majority of trus- 
 tees, &c. ; but being one of the places which were afterwards litigated, it 
 was eventually given up to the Old Connexion, according to a decision 
 come to by arbitration. On the erection of another chapel, in Parlia- 
 ment-street, by the New Connexion, leave was granted for the removal 
 of Mr. Kilham's monument to that place of worship, where it is now 
 erected. The remains of Mr. Kilham were not disturbed but continu- 
 ed as originally deposited in Hockley chapel. 
 
394 LIFE OF THE 
 
 place of burial, the hymn in the Methodist Hymn Book 
 beginning with, — " Rejoice for a brother deceased," 
 &c. Within a short time afterwards, a handsome 
 marble monument was erected by subscription to his 
 memory, bearing the following inscription, into which it 
 will be observed, some of the sentiments and dying ex- 
 pressions of Mr Kilham are incorporated : — 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF 
 
 ALEXANDER KILHAM, 
 
 MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL. 
 
 A FAITHFUL SERVANT IN THE VINEYARD OF CHRIST, 
 
 A ZEALOUS DEFENDER OF THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE, 
 
 AGAINST ATTEMPTS TO FORCE ON THEM 
 
 A PRIESTLY DOMINATION. 
 
 DESERTED BY MANY OF HIS FRIENDS, 
 
 HE LIVED TO SEE THE CAUSE FLOURISH 
 
 IN WHICH HE DIED A MARTYR. 
 
 IN PROMOTING THE GLORY OF GOD 
 
 AND THE HAPPINESS OF HIS BRETHREN, 
 
 HE COUNTED NOTHING TOO DEAR A SACRIFICE : 
 
 IN THIS PURSUIT, 
 
 EASE AND INDULGENCE WERE DESPISED BY HIM. 
 
 HIS LAST HOURS 
 
 WERE PEACEFUL AND TRIUMPHANT, 
 
 UNEMBITTERED BY A MOMENT'S REPENTANCE 
 
 FOR HAVING OPPOSED CORRUPTION IN THE CHURCH ; 
 
 HE BLESSED GOD 
 
 THAT HE HAD MADE HIM INSTRUMENTAL IN DOING IT. 
 
 AND ONLY REGRETTED 
 
 THAT HE HAD NOT DONE IT MORE FAITHFULLY, 
 
 COMMITTING HIS SOUL TO HIS REDEEMER, 
 
 HE TOOK HIS FLIGHT TO A BETTER WORLD, 
 
 DECEMBER 20TH, 1798, 
 
 AGED 36. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 395 
 
 It will easily be conceived, that the sensation natur- 
 ally produced among the Methodists by Mr. Kilham's 
 death was very great — greater, indeed, than had been 
 witnessed on the death of any one connected with the 
 body since the demise of Mr. Wesley. The members 
 of his own community were distressed beyond measure 
 at the loss they had sustained, by the removal of one, to 
 whom they had looked up more than to any other in- 
 dividual, for assistance under the difficulties which sur- 
 rounded them ; and so confidently was Mr. Kilham re- 
 garded by the other party as the main support of the 
 New Connexion, that, on his death, it began imme- 
 diately to be predicted the cause would soon come 
 to an end. Nay, further ; his being so suddenly taken 
 away was spoken of as a special act of Providence, to 
 show his displeasure at those who had seceded from 
 the old Conference. The language, used on the subject, 
 in some cases, was exceedingly strong. It is remember- 
 ed that Mr. Grundell used to repeat several instances, of 
 preachers and others, from whom Mr. Kilham had dif- 
 fered, having expressed themselves on his death in terms 
 which could hardly be softened down so as to be regard- 
 ed as bearing even an equivocal meaning respecting his 
 condition in the future life. In one pulpit, for exam- 
 ple, he was alluded to as having gone to " his own place ; " 
 and, to fix the impression that his death was a divine 
 judgment upon him, it was described generally as 
 occurring under most awful circumstances, from a 
 bone sticking in his throat — by which many under- 
 stood him to have been actually choked. Whereas 
 the accident respecting the bone happened before 
 his serious illness, and was, in fact, completely cured ; 
 so that, strictly speaking, it had no more to do with 
 his death than any other event which took place pre- 
 viously. This is proved by the testimony of his medi- 
 cal attendant, of Mrs. Kilham, and of individuals who 
 had intercourse with him at the time. But while 
 noticing the uncharitable conduct of those who mis- 
 represented Mr. Kilham in his death, we ought not to 
 omit mentioning that there were others, still in the 
 Wesleyan body, who had known him, and though they 
 
396 LIFE OF THE 
 
 did not concur in all his views, they had the Christian 
 feeling and candour to speak of him as they thought 
 his character deserved, especially at his decease. The 
 writer regrets much that the exact words have escaped 
 his memory, which a friend told him, some years ago, 
 Mr. Bramwell had used on first hearing of Mr. 
 Kilham's unexpected and sudden death ; but he per- 
 fectly recollects they were to the effect, that whatever 
 might be said of some of Mr Kilham's principles and 
 proceedings, in christian piety he had few equals, and 
 as an honest, straight-forward man he had not left any 
 superior behind him. Mr. Bramwell was himself 
 eminently spiritually-minded ; and having been well 
 acquainted with Mr. Kilham, he was very competent, 
 so far as one man can be the judge of another man's 
 state, to form an opinion of his heart and character. 
 We consider, therefore, the testimony of Mr. Bram- 
 well, spontaneously bursting from his lips, as it did, 
 when the tidings reached him of Mr. Kilham's death, 
 as equally honourable to him who gave it, and to the 
 memory of him in whose behalf it was rendered. 
 
 Certainly, if a magnanimous and happy death 
 were allowed to be conclusive evidence of a just cause, 
 and of sincerity in him who had supported it, the cir- 
 cumstances and peace of mind in which Mr. Kilham de- 
 parted, would not allow a doubt to remain on the subject. 
 It is admitted, however, that the soundness of particu- 
 lar principles must be tested by other means than the 
 frame of mind, or the individual feelings, of their ad- 
 vocates ; yet when we find, in Mr. Kilham's case, that 
 his death was first attributed to a wrong cause, and 
 then interpreted so as to make it believed that the 
 Divine Being had thereby signified his displeasure at 
 the part he had taken in the Methodist Connexion, — 
 we are called upon to recite his fearlessness, his resig- 
 nation either to live or die, just as it might please God, 
 his tranquillity, his confidence of being taken to heaven, 
 and lastly, his dying avowal that what he had done in 
 promoting reform was not a source of regret but of 
 glorying in that solemn hour, except that he had not 
 done it more faithfully ; — these things, w r e say, ought 
 
REV. A. K1LHAM. 397 
 
 to be prominently put forth, if not to establish the truth of 
 Mr.Kilham's system, to counteract the allegations of his 
 adversaries, at least, and to show that they had no au- 
 thority for pronouncing him to have been in error, 
 from any thing which transpired in connection with 
 his death. A more triumphant departure out of this 
 life into the eternal world, has seldom been recorded ; 
 and if it prove any tiling, in reference to his principles, 
 it is, that they were founded in truth, and maintained 
 by him in righteousness to the end of his days. 
 
 It is deserving of notice, that amidst all the odium 
 which was attempted to be thrown on Mr. Kilham, 
 the goodness of his moral character was never ques- 
 tioned before his expulsion. When his trial was about 
 to take place in London, since many things had been 
 said against him, after writing the Progress of Liberty, 
 and said, too, in such general and sweeping terms that 
 it was impossible to know exactly what was meant, the 
 idea occurred to Mr. Kilham, that it might be expedi- 
 ent to procure testimonials from the different circuits 
 in which he had laboured, respecting his demeanour as 
 a Christian minister, — to be a protection, in case the 
 Conference should accuse him in regard to it. He was 
 led to think of this step from not having had the 
 charges, which were intended to be brought against 
 him, specified, which prevented him from preparing a 
 proper defence; and therefore he had no alternative but 
 to fortify himself at every point, and in any way which 
 he could think of. This precaution was, however, 
 deemed on all hands to be unnecessary, it being admit- 
 ted that his personal moral conduct had been, not only 
 unexceptionable, but exemplary ; so much so, that even 
 the most inveterate of his opponents could have no pre- 
 text for impugning it in any part. He was, consequent!}', 
 dissuaded from adopting this course in reference to his 
 general life. On his trial in London, not a word was 
 uttered tending to throw a doubt on his sincerity or con- 
 sistency as a christian ; and, at the conclusion of it, when 
 he was about to be cut off, Mr. Kilham reminded the 
 Conference that no charge had been preferred against 
 his moral character. This was to show that he had been 
 
 2l 
 
398 LIFE OF THE 
 
 condemned on other grounds, and in effect he challenged 
 them to criminate him in that respect, if they could ; — 
 but they did not, even then, accuse him, which proves 
 they were unable to do so. Yet after his rejection, an 
 attempt was made to fix on him something which was 
 intended to impeach the integrity of his motives; 
 and as it was, doubtless, the most that could be said 
 for the purpose of making out a case against him, it 
 ought not to pass without observation. 
 
 In a pamphlet entitled " A Defence of the Conduct 
 of Conference in the Expulsion of Alexander Kilham, , ' 
 published by Messrs. Mather, Pawson, and Benson, 
 and addressed to the Connexion, in order to abate the 
 ferment which had been caused by what the Conference 
 had done, it is said, — 
 
 <e Some of you, however, are of opinion, that he is sincere, 
 and means well in all the steps he has taken, having no in- 
 tention of making a division among the people. We con- 
 fess, we thought so ourselves till lately, and therefore have 
 been the less severe upon him. But we now see cause to 
 alter our judgment, and that for the following reasons : — 1. 
 If he be sincere, and believe himself what he publishes to 
 the world, respecting the corruption, oppression, and tyranni- 
 cal nature of our plan, and the dishonesty and knavery of 
 our conduct, why does he seek so earnestly to labour in con- 
 nexion with us, &c. 2. If he mean well, and have no in- 
 tention to make a division in the societies, why does he use 
 such art to render himself popular, and attach a party to 
 himself, and that among the trustees and preachers, as well 
 as people, not in the least regarding the strife, contention, 
 and subsequent convulsion this may make in the societies ? 
 That he may induce the people to favour him, he compli- 
 ments them on their good sense, and tells them, ' It is their 
 cause he is pleading, and that on that account he is expelled, 
 &c.' His judgment of the trustees and of their power, you 
 are, some of you at least, no strangers to, &c. What busi- 
 ness had he, a young, unexperienced stripling, to meddle 
 either with the trustees at Bristol, or in London," &c. 
 
 Here, then, we have the considerations which in- 
 duced these individuals to alter their opinion of Mr. 
 Kilham, as to his intentions and his sincerity in what 
 he had done. They say, in substance, that they had 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 399 
 
 once thought him a good but misled man, but after- 
 wards they judged differently of him ; and, fortunately, 
 as they give reasons for this change of sentiment, 
 their validity can be enquired into. Mr. Kilham an- 
 swered these statements when they were first made ; 
 and it is proper to adduce what he says in reply. He 
 observes, — (1.) "I have not represented the preachers in 
 general, in the horrid light this passage holds out ; that 
 is, as a 'set of knaves and tyrants.'" Here he took 
 away the premises on which they had founded their 
 accusation against him, and they were at issue as to the 
 fact of his having represented the preachers as they de- 
 scribed. Mr. Kilham was correct in his denial of the 
 charge — he had never spoken of the preachers as being 
 knaves : the fact was, these brethren had chosen, for the 
 purpose of implicating him, to construe some of Mr. 
 Kilham's animadversions, referring to individual cases 
 and persons, into general accusations ; and then, by sub- 
 stituting or adding* exaggerating terms of their own (for 
 he had not used any such epithets as they ascribed to 
 him), they endeavoured to make it appear that he had 
 condemned them in the mass. He had assured the Con- 
 ference that he highly estimated the great body of the 
 preachers, and that nothing could be further from his 
 intention than to render them disreputable with the 
 public. He repudiated the version which Conference 
 had given of what he had written, and wished them to 
 adhere to his words, and not to introduce terms of their 
 own for them : this he protested against ; yet it was per- 
 severed in ; and after he had been expelled, these three 
 preachers came forward, and attempted to justify their 
 
 * it was by this practice, in a great degree, that some of the senior 
 preachers succeeded in inflaming the minds of others against Mr. Kil- 
 ham. They sometimes misquoted him, or detached incomplete sen- 
 tences or paragraphs from his writings, omitting what would have qualifi- 
 ed or explained his meaning ; and they even interpolated words of their 
 own, and then, after magnifying what he had said, they made him an- 
 swerable, not only for his own terms, but for their construction of them, 
 and also for others which they introduced. On his trial, an unwarrant- 
 able instance of this kind occurred (see page 27G), which gave an offen- 
 sive character to a passage which it was not intended to bear, and 
 whch it would not have borne, had no such addition been made by his 
 accusers. 
 
 2l2 
 
400 LIFE OF THE 
 
 change of opinion respecting Mr. Kilham, by attribut- 
 ing to him words and phrases which he had not 
 employed. (2.) As to his desire to labour with them 
 proving any inconsistency or insincerity in him, he 
 evinced that it did no such thing ; because this willing- 
 ness was connected with a determination to promote 
 reform in the system. He might, indeed, have continu- 
 ed in the Connexion, if he would have foregone his at- 
 tempts to effect changes; but he refused all offers which 
 would prohibit him from correcting abuses or from 
 advocating just principles. This shews that he was 
 not willing to labour with them unconditionally — which 
 is the impression calculated to be made on the mind 
 by reading the passage as worded in the defence of 
 Conference. (3.) Mr. Kilham is spoken of as having 
 used art to render himself popular, and to unite a party 
 to himself, by representing the cause in which he was 
 engaged as the cause of the Methodists generally. 
 How he could have spoken of it otherwise, it is difficult 
 to comprehend. Mr. Kilham contended for the ordinance 
 of the Lord's Supper being administered to the societies 
 — was not this their cause ? Also, that the lay members of 
 the Connexion ought to be admitted to associate with 
 the preachers in making laws and governing the body 
 — was not this their cause too ? Then it may be asked, 
 wherein consisted Mr. Kilham's " art," in speak- 
 ing as he had done, of the work in which he had la- 
 boured? But (4.) let us leave matters of opinion, and 
 notice a fact or two, for the purpose of judging how 
 far the writers were under the influence of prejudice, 
 and whether there were sufficient grounds for charging 
 Mr. Kilham with insincerity and bad motives. They 
 mention him as a "young unexperienced stripling,"* 
 who had no " business to meddle with the trustees at 
 Bristol." If this be a fair specimen of the recklessness 
 Mr. Kilham's opponents in the use of language, when 
 
 * There was the less excuse for thus describing Mr. Kilham, ina' - 
 much as it was equally inapplicable to his appearance and to his years : 
 he was rather above than below the middle size, and manly in his fea- 
 tures and demeanour ; so that there was nothing about him to justify 
 the term ' 4 stripling" being applied lo him. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 401 
 
 referring to him, very little authority indeed ought to 
 be attached to their assertions when animadverting on 
 his conduct. For instance, Mr. Kilham was upwards of 
 thirty-two-years of age when he "meddled" with the 
 Bristol trustees; yet these brethren describe him as a 
 "stripling." He had been employed ten years as a re- 
 gular minister of the Gospel, when they pronounced him 
 "unexperienced;" and it was because the Bristol trustees 
 had excluded a preacher from the pulpit, for assisting in 
 administering the Sacrament, that Mr. Kilham wrote a 
 short pamphlet against their conduct; yet it is asked 
 what " business" he had to " meddle," &c. Now these 
 are particulars, in which there is nothing to be conjec- 
 tured — all were plain facts, well known to the parties — 
 who, notwithstanding, were so much biassed against 
 Mr. Kilham, that, when he was a man, arrived at nearly 
 middle age, they could designate him a youth and a 
 stripling; when he had been a fellow-labourer with 
 them for ten years, — he was said to be without experi- 
 ence ; and, though a minister of Jesus Christ of such 
 standing in the Church, on a number of trustees at 
 Bristol uniting to deprive the society of the Sacrament, 
 and to exclude a brother preacher from the pulpit, it 
 is represented as impertinent in him to interfere, by 
 showing the wrong which had been done. How these 
 gentlemen — who, while sitting as judges on Mr. Kil- 
 ham's writings, had taken hold of some of his expres- 
 sions in the manner they did, aggravating their signifi- 
 cation beyond the intended meaning, and tieing him 
 down most rigidly to the literal sense, — could so far 
 forget their own rules of construction, as to use such 
 language respecting him, is astonishing; it demonstrates 
 how greatly they were misled by their excited feelings, 
 and the necessity there is that the severe things which 
 they said should be received with caution, and allow- 
 ance made for that licence which they assuredly 
 took with words, when they spoke of one who had 
 offended them. The truth is, a few of the senior 
 preachers had anticipated that, on the death of Mr. 
 Wesley, they should be allowed in every thing to have 
 their own way in the Connexion ; and on being opposed, 
 2l3 
 
402 LIFE OF THE 
 
 they became petulant and unmeasured in their censures 
 of those who were the means of thwarting them. Mr. 
 Kilham, by advocating the Sacrament and a division of 
 power with the laity, had incurred their displeasure, 
 and they did not hesitate to denounce him as an enemy 
 to the work of God. He fell before their authority at 
 the Conference; but the sentence pronounced upon 
 him by that tribunal was by no means final as to his 
 christian character ; nor yet are the opinions expressed 
 afterwards, by those who were interested in his condem- 
 nation and disgrace, entitled to much weight; particular- 
 ly when they are found connected with such glaring in- 
 stances of misrepresentation as those which have just 
 been noticed. The personal history of Mr. Kilham, as 
 given in this volume — and this opportunity is embraced 
 of avowing, that the truth has been strictly and conscien- 
 tiously adhered to in the narrative — both respecting 
 his experience and conduct, leaves not a reasonable 
 doubt as to his integrity and moral worth. That he was 
 a good man— infallible, and free from error, we do not 
 say — we think his life has afforded as strong and deci- 
 sive evidence as can be expected to be found in a mortal. 
 And this conviction is, if possible, strengthened by the 
 consideration, that he was watched and proved at every 
 point, — and there were not wanting those who would 
 magnify his infirmities into crimes, while his excellen- 
 cies were attempted to be obscured, and even bad mo- 
 tives attributed to him, when the worthiness of the 
 actions themselves could not be disputed. 
 
 The character frequently given of Mr. Kilham has 
 been, that he w r as a disturber of the peace of a Christian 
 society; and this general representation of him, when 
 unaccompanied by correct information as to the nature 
 of the disturbance which he made, and its causes, has 
 necessarily produced an unfavourable impression as to 
 his temper and purpose. To unsettle the members of 
 a church, is of itself an evil ; and if there be not a just 
 occasion for it — viz., some error to be removed, or 
 some neglected good to be obtained — it should be de- 
 precated as injurious to the interests of religion. But 
 when circumstances are such as render it a duty to pro- 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 403 
 
 mote particular measures for the advantage of a com- 
 munity, those who engage therein are warranted in so 
 doing ; and if they be opposed by others, the parties 
 standing in the way of improvement should bear the 
 blame, if there be an interruption of peace and har- 
 mony. The welfare and purity of the church must be 
 secured at all events : and should the attainment of these 
 be the accidental cause of contention, as is too frequent- 
 ly the case in this world, still they must not be neglect- 
 ed. If the mere circumstance that some opposition 
 and commotion would follow, were allowed to be a 
 sufficient reason for desisting, then there would be 
 an end to all reformation. Our Lord and his Apostles 
 disturbed the Jews; the Protestant reformers dis- 
 turbed the church of Rome ; Mr. Wesley disturbed 
 the church of England ; and there have never been 
 any improvements sought to be effected, be they ever 
 so great, but some have been found to object, and dis- 
 turbances have been the consequence. Now the princi- 
 pal question to be resolved in Mr. Kilham's case, is 
 — did he create agitation without just cause? And 
 in order to ascertain this, let the two particular mea- 
 sures which he advocated be kept in mind — which were, 
 first, the administration of the Lord's Supper, and, 
 second, the admission of the lay members of Metho- 
 dism to Conference, as a means of correcting existing 
 abuses, and to prevent their future recurrence. That 
 he was right in regard to the first of these, is now 
 admitted even by the Wesleyan body itself, which has 
 established what Mr. Kilham contended for — the Sacra- 
 ment — in its fullest extent ; and with regard to the 
 second, which the Wesleyans have not yet adopted, it 
 may be remarked, that while only about five thousand 
 persons had embraced it at Mr. Kilham's death, there 
 are now at least one hundred thousand in the United 
 Kingdom* who have preferred it to the system which he 
 
 * The members of society in the Methodist New Connexion are 
 upwards of 20,000 ; the Wesleyan Association has about the same num. 
 ber; and the Primitive Methodists have 6*0,000 members,— making, 
 altogether, 100,000. These three communities, though differing from 
 each other in some particular details as to church government, are all 
 
404 LIFE OF THE 
 
 opposed, and which excludes the laity from Conference ; 
 which proves, that as time advances, and greater light is 
 given, the stronger disposition there is to concur in 
 and adopt Mr. Kilham's principles. 
 
 There was nothing in Mr. Kilham which was even 
 akin to what is generally denominated selfishness. 
 Few public characters have been so entirely free from 
 this taint, as he was. He had no bye-ends of his own 
 to serve in what he did. His heart was set on placing 
 the government of the Methodist Connexion on a con- 
 stitutional foundation, and he was willing to be nothing 
 himself, if he could only succeed in that one object. 
 Such was his profession, — and he never performed an 
 action which might justly cause his sincerity or single* 
 ness of purpose to be suspected. Numberless instances 
 could be given of his disregard of himself, which was ma- 
 nifested on every occasion ; more especially when 
 arrangements were being made for negociating with 
 the Conference at Leeds, in 1797, and his friends wish- 
 ed one condition of peace to be, that Mr. Kilham 
 should be restored by the Conference to his former 
 position as a preacher. But he would not hear of such 
 a proposal as a term of union; and was not only con- 
 tent, but determined, to be lost sight of, and to leave 
 them free to act, without the least regard to his feelings 
 or interests. In this he did what not one in ten thou- 
 sand would have done in his circumstances ; but it was 
 only an individual proof, among many, of his devotion 
 to the good of others, without thinking of his own. 
 
 One circumstance has made a strong impression on the 
 mind of the writer of these memoirs, in favour of Mr. Kil- 
 ham's veracity, which it would be unpardonable not to 
 mention. It is this, — after examining, with great atten- 
 tion, his correspondence and private memoranda, 
 and comparing these with his public professions and 
 
 agreed in the great principle which constituted the foundation of Mr. 
 Kilham's system,— the associating of the laity with the preachers in all 
 meetings held to legislate for, and to govern the general body. This fact 
 shows that the cause for which Mr. Kilham was tried and condemned 
 has greatly prospered, the friends of constitutional Methodism in the 
 United Kingdom having increased at least twenty- fold since 1797. 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 405 
 
 writings — he can say that he has found the most perfect 
 agreement between what he did or said before the 
 world, and the materials and notes in his own posses- 
 sion. Not a sentence, nor even a word, has exhibited 
 either a contradiction or a discrepancy ; which estab- 
 lishes his character for speaking the truth according 
 to his knowledge and belief. It ought also to be stated, 
 in extenuation of what has been admitted by his friends 
 as Mr. Kilham's principal fault, (which he regretted 
 himself, and asked pardon for of the Conference which 
 expelled him) that, when he used the harshest language 
 in his writings, and was the most personal in his attacks, 
 it was at the instigation and request of others. His 
 own disposition was mild and kind almost in the ex- 
 treme ; and it has been repeatedly observed, by those 
 who knew and enjoyed intercourse with him, that his 
 benevolence and good nature were in contrast with 
 some parts of his publications ; which they were at a 
 loss to account for. The above is the explanation. His 
 animadversions on Mr. Mather were the result of Mr. 
 Edmondson's advice, as already stated (see page 191); 
 and, as appears from the correspondence of other 
 preachers, he was furnished by them with information 
 on different topics, and regarding particular individuals, 
 which they urged him to make use of according to their 
 suggestions. He did so, and by this means he was led 
 to say many bitter things, in the belief not only that they 
 were true, but, also, that, as soft words had proved in- 
 effectual to the correction of existing evils, stronger 
 observations, even if made at the expense of personal 
 feeling, would serve a salutary purpose. In the sim- 
 plicity of his heart, he had no doubt that those would 
 have stood by him, whatever might be the consequences, 
 who had given him hints and materials, and who, — ex- 
 cusing themselves from performing the task, on the 
 ground that they had neither the courage nor the abili- 
 ty which he possessed, — pressed it upon him as a duty, 
 faithfully to reprove what was improper. Here he mis- 
 calculated ; - they were not to be found, or had made 
 their peace with his adversaries, when the day of trial 
 came to him, — for having done what they had so stre- 
 nuously recommended ! 
 
406 LIFE OF THE 
 
 Mr. Kilham was too confiding : which subjected him 
 to die charge of not having sometimes acted with that 
 caution, which a greater degree of prudence would have 
 suggested. There is certainly much propriety in this 
 view of his disposition ; but it implies only that he had 
 a relative failing — namely, that he gave particular per- 
 sons more credit for being truthful and firm, than they 
 deserved to have. It is characteristic of such candid 
 and sincere minds as Mr. Kilham's was, to be without 
 suspicion respecting the integrity or stability of others ; 
 and this led to an overrating of their virtues in too 
 many cases; but had they been as sound in principle, and 
 as consistent in their proceedings, as they ought to have 
 been, and as he expected them to be, — trusting them, as 
 he did, would not have appeared in the end as unwise, nor 
 have laid him open to the above accusation. Had he 
 been more jealous, or had they been more consistent, 
 no such reflection would have fallen on him. 
 
 Every qualification for making a good soldier was 
 found in Mr. Kilham, yet he wanted some things essential 
 to a general. He had courage and perseverance, with 
 a disregard of suffering, to fit him for any undertaking; 
 but he was sometimes too direct and open in his move- 
 ments to succeed well. Whatever honesty and faithful- 
 ness could do, he was competent to achieve, but he 
 had no cunning, and knew nothing of circuitous paths 
 to compass an object indirectly ; nor had he the art of 
 marshaling his strength so as to assume the most for- 
 midable appearance, or act to the greatest advantage. 
 His opponents were vastly his superiors in policy and 
 contrivance. If he had been possessed of a greater de- 
 gree of worldly sagacity, he would have been careful 
 that those who thrust him into the front of the battle, 
 should not have had such facilities as they possessed 
 for running awa} T , or hiding themselves, while he w r as 
 maintaining the conflict almost alone. 
 
 The talents and knowledge of Mr. Kilham have been 
 much underrated, in consequence of being depreciated 
 by those who endeavoured disparage him in every possi- 
 ble way. But even if all that he has written were 
 lost, the mere circumstance of one, who died soon after 
 
REV. A. KILHAM. 407 
 
 he had completed his thirty- sixth year, and who had 
 no advantages connected with birth or education, — hav- 
 ing acquired so much influence as he had in the Me- 
 thodist community, is alone sufficient evidence that he 
 was not an ordinary man. His acquaintance with the- 
 ology was extensive, embracing ecclesiastical history as 
 well as doctrinal subjects; thisprogress may be attributed 
 to his thirst for information, his laboriousness in seek- 
 ing it, his natural aptness to learn, and a good memory. 
 He scarcely forgot any thing, and consequently his 
 knowledge accumulated constantly, as every new acqui- 
 sition was so much added to his former stock. He was 
 also in the habit of writing down both his own thoughts 
 and the thoughts of others, which greatly assisted him 
 in retaining them. The mechanical operation of using 
 his pen, was to him rather an agreeable employment, 
 which is not the case with the generality of persons ; 
 and he wrote with such ease and facility, that his sen- 
 timents appeared almost spontaneously to be transcribed 
 on paper, without requiring those additional efforts to 
 render them tangible which others are obliged to be- 
 stow. Several who remember Mr. Kilham, have men- 
 tioned, that, when pressed for time, as he often was, 
 it was no uncommon practice with him to be writing 
 letters while taking his part in conversation, in a com- 
 pany of several persons, who did not appear either to 
 incommode him by their presence, or to intercept his 
 flow of ideas, if speaking on topics different from those 
 on which he happened to be treating. 
 
 As a disputant, he possessed many advantages. His 
 perceptions were clear, and he could analyze what was 
 said by his opponents, and separate truth from error, with 
 great facility. His powers of satire were also consider- 
 able, which he sometimes used to the great provocation 
 of those who were the subjects of his remarks. These 
 qualifications, and the readiness of his replies, might 
 well make him formidable to those who took the opposite 
 side of a question, to whom he was more than equal 
 on almost every subject which he contested. 
 
 With regard to the published compositions of Mr. 
 Kilham, — as they were written in haste, and amidst a 
 
408 LIFE OF THE REV. A. KILHAM. 
 
 variety of engagements, which precluded him from 
 bestowing more labour upon them than was necessary 
 to render them intelligible, and efficient for their in- 
 tended purpose, the value of them is not to be deter- 
 mined by their beauties of style or literary accuracy, 
 but rather according to the information they afford, 
 and the effect produced by them in the promotion of 
 reform among the Methodists. The natural current of 
 his thoughts, and the freedom and energy with which he 
 expressed himself, gave much interest to his pieces, 
 which they retain even now, though many of the topics 
 have become obsolete. He was one of those authors 
 who seem to think aloud, and whose works take hold 
 of the reader by affording such a picture of the writer's 
 own heart, that all whom he addresses seem to be taken 
 unreservedly into his confidence. If Mr. Kilham had 
 survived the stormy period in which he lived, so that 
 his mind could have been more fully devoted to study, 
 it is probable he might have produced something which 
 would have associated his name with those of the eminent 
 divines who have done honour to the Christian name. 
 
 Mr. Kilham's preaching was plain and evangelical, 
 — his aim being, in the first place, to render the plan 
 of redemption, as revealed in the Gospel, understood 
 by all; and in the second, to prevail upon his hearers 
 to believe in, and to embrace the truth, in order to 
 their salvation. He had nothing violent in his manner; 
 yet was most earnest in his appeals to the conscience : 
 and the pathos with which he preached, and the deep 
 feeling evinced by his own mind that the truths he de- 
 livered were all-important to the eternal interests of 
 mankind, contributed to give effect to his discourses, and 
 rendered him popular wherever he laboured; so that 
 his friends had not greater cause for sorrow at his 
 early death, than the church had for mourning the 
 loss of an affectionate and faithful minister of the Gos- 
 pel. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 J. B. FALCONAR AND CO., PRINTERS, NEWCASTLE. 
 
,' 
 
 • 
 
 '& 
 
COLUMBIAUN.VERSITV 
 
 0035521465 
 
 . 
 
 BRITTLE DO NOT? 
 PHOTOCOPV