The chairman is to see that all the rules be punctually observed, and
LONDON AND THE WESY
5. You are to take it in turn, month by month, to be chairman.
The chairman is to see that all the rules be punctually observed, and immediately to check him who breaks any of them.
6. You are to do nothing without the consent of the minister, either actually had or reasonably presumed.
7. You are to consider, whenever you meet, ' God is here.'
Therefore be deeply serious ; utter no trifling word ; speak as in His presence, and to the glory of His great name.
8. When anything is debated, let one at once stand up and speak, the rest giving attention.
And let him speak just loud enough to be heard, in love and in the spirit of meekness.
9g. You are continually to pray and endeavour that a holy harmony of soul may in all things subsist among you; that in every step you may ' keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace.'
10. In all debates you are to watch over your spirits, avoiding, as fire, all clamour and contention, being ' swift to hear, slow to speak'
; in honour every man preferring another before himself.
11. If you cannot relieve, do not grieve, the poor.
Give them soft words, if nothing else; abstain from either sour looks or harsh words,
Let them be glad to come, even though they should go empty away.
Put yourself in the place of every poor man, and deal with him as you would God should deal with you.
These instructions we whose names are under-written (being the present stewards of the Society in London) do heartily receive, and earnestly desire to conform to.
In witness whereof we have set our hands.
N.B.—If any steward shall break any of the preceding rules, after having been thrice admonished by the chairman (whereof notice is to be immediately given the minister), he is no longer steward.?
During his short visit to London John Wesley's pen was busy.
It is only necessary to mention the fact that on June II he finished his well-known Letter to the Bishop of London.
In it he defended the Methodists against the charges which Dr. Gibson had brought against them.
Those charges had been the subject of friendly conversations between Wesley and the Bishop ; it was surprising that they should be repeated in the face of the public.
But good came out of evil.
The Letter deeply affected the Bishop, and he wrote no more against Wesley.* On Sunday, June 14, John Wesley preached again in St.
Bartholomew's.
He was much pleased with the conduct of the congregation.
There was no sign of lightness or inattention, and he was persuaded that all the seed sown there would
4 John Wesley's Journal, iii, 300-301.
2H. Moore's Life of Wesley, ii. 415.