REGULATIONS, DISCIPLINE AND GOVERNMENT
OF
THE METHODIST CHURCH IN IRELAND
CHAPTER 1
THE METHODIST CHURCH
1.01. "The Church of God which He purchased with His own blood"[1] has been ordained and established by Him for calling people into fellowship with Himself and with one another, according to His eternal purpose in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord.
Within this Church the Methodist Church holds a true place. For the Church of Christ exists as a visible community wherever two or three are gathered together in His Name and in obedience to His Spirit. It is the company of His disciples, consisting of such as confess Him to be the Son of God, accept Him as their Saviour and Lord, love one another and unite in the fellowship of those who serve the coming of His Kingdom on earth. In the providence of God the Methodist Church has been raised up to spread scriptural holiness through the land by the proclamation of the evangelical faith and experience. It preaches the gospel of "a free, full, present salvation"[2] for everyone who repents and believes upon the Lord Jesus Christ. This gospel is the offer to the most unworthy of a new heart and the power to live a new life.
The Methodist Church declares that all believers in Christ may know their sins forgiven, live day by day with the peace of God in their souls and, rejoicing with "joy unspeakable and full of glory,"[3] may be enriched with all the privileges that belong to the children of God. It proclaims also the possibility, here and now, of Christians being made perfect in love through the obedience of faith.
Membership in the Methodist Church is not conditional upon the acceptance of any theological tests, nor dependent upon any traditional authority or ecclesiastical ritual. All persons are welcomed into membership who seek salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who evidence the same in life and conduct and service, and who seek fellowship with Christ Himself through fellowship with His people.
After adequate training, those who are approved by the Church Council are admitted to the full privileges and obligations of membership, and, at the earliest opportunity, are recognised at a service conducted by the minister in the presence of the congregation; the observance of the Lord's Supper being associated with this service. In the case of any persons about to be received into membership who have not been baptised, the Sacrament of Baptism shall be administered either before or in connection with this service. Those who take upon themselves the duties and privileges of membership of the Methodist Church have their names entered upon a Class Book and are placed under the care of a Class Leader. They are also expected, as far as they are able, to contribute to the funds of the Church and to engage in some form of Christian service.
The Methodist Church makes due provision for the regular and ordered Service of Holy Communion. It is the duty and privilege of all its members to avail themselves of every opportunity to partake reverently and in faith of the Lord's Supper. For in His Sacraments the presence of Christ, through His Spirit, is realised in response to the obedient faith of His people.
As the law of love is the law of Christ, the spirit and practice of Christian love is the supreme test of membership in the Methodist Church and an indispensable condition of abiding faithfully therein. Upon the same foundation of Christian love rest the social obligations and the sacrificial service for the Kingdom of God to which those who confess Christ commit themselves, after the example of their Lord and Master.
As union in Christian fellowship is the natural expression of Christian love, the distinctive Methodist institutions, and especially the Covenant Service, are based upon the assumption that those who love the Lord Jesus will become helpers one of another. Fellowship is, therefore, incumbent upon all the members of the Church. None may be counted as discharged from this debt of love, save those who are debarred, or physically unable to attend at themeans of grace, and to these the Church owes special and tender care.
Methodism in Ireland
1.02Methodism was introduced into Ireland in 1747. It met with formidable difficulties but the lives and labours of its preachers and leaders overcame persecution and prejudice, until in every part of the land its Divine mission was manifested by the multitudes turned from darkness to light, the quickening influence exerted on other Churches, and the raising of the standard of public morals.
Throughout the entire period of its history hundreds of its members annually found a home in other lands, where many of them were the earliest standard bearers of the Cross. Its numbers and influence in world-wide Methodism have been so great that the Methodist Church in Ireland is one of the least results of the Methodist Revival in this land.
In the years 1797-8 a controversy concerning the course taken by the Conference, in regard to the administration of the Sacraments and as to lay representation in the District Meetings and the Conference, resulted in a small secession which became united with the English Methodist New Connexion in 1799, and was the nucleus of the mission established by that Church in Ireland in the year 1825. Another and a more serious division took place in the years 1816-18, when the Conference permitted its ministers to administer the Sacraments, and the Primitive Wesleyan Methodist Society was then formed. Happily both these divisions have now been healed. In the year 1878 the Wesleyan Methodist Society and the Primitive Wesleyan Methodist Society united as the Methodist Church on terms made possible by an Act of Parliament obtained by the latter body in 1871. In the year 1904 the Methodist New Connexion successfully negotiated the transfer of its stations in Ireland to the Methodist Church, while in 1910 the few societies in Ireland belonging to the English Primitive Methodist Church were also transferred to the care of the Irish Methodist Conference.
General Rules of the Society of the People called Methodists
1.03No code of rules can comprehend all the obligations of membership, but "The Rules of the Society of the People called Methodists," drawn up by John and Charles Wesley in 1743, still enshrine the spirit of fellowship and universal goodwill to which members of the Methodist Church acknowledge allegiance in the social, civic and economic conditions of the present day.
These Rules, published in the year 1743, under the title, "The Nature, Design, and General Rules of the United Societies in London, Bristol, Kingswood, Newcastle~upon~Tyne, etc." are as follows: -
1.In the latter end of the year 1739 eight or ten persons came to me in London, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption. They desired (as did two or three more the next day) that I would spend some time with them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to come, which they saw continually hanging over their heads. That we might have more time for this great work, I appointed a day when they might all come together; which, from thenceforward, they did every week, viz., on Thursday, in the evening. To these, and as many more as desired to join with them (for their number increased daily), I gave those advices from time to time which I judged most needful for them; and we always concluded our meetings with prayer suited to their several necessities.
2.This was the rise of the United Society, first in London, and then in other places. Such a Society is no other than "a company of men having the form, and seeking the power, of Godliness; united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation."
3.That it may the more easily be discerned whether they are indeed working out their own salvation, each Society is divided into smaller companies, called Classes, according to their respective places of abode. There are about twelve persons in every Class; one of whom is styled the Leader. It is his business-
(a)To see each person in his Class once a week, at least, in order to inquire how their souls prosper; To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require; To receive what they are willing to give towards the relief of the poor.
(b)To meet the Ministers and the Stewards of the Society, once a week in order to inform the Minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly, and will not be reproved; To pay to the Stewards what they have received of their several Classes in the week preceding; and To show their account of what each person has contributed.
4.There is only one condition previously required in those who desire admission into these Societies, viz., "a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and be saved from their sins." But wherever this is really fixed in the soul it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
First~By doing no harm, by avoiding evil in every kind; especially that which is most generally practised. Such is: The taking the name of God in vain; The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work thereon, or by buying or selling: Drunkenness; buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity. Fighting, quarrelling, brawling; brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling: The buying or selling uncustomed goods: The giving or taking things on usury; i.e., unlawful interest: Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation, particularly speaking evil of Magistrates, or of Ministers. Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us: Doing what we know is not for the glory of God; as, The "putting on of gold, or costly apparel"; The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus. The singing those songs, or reading those books which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God: Softness, and needless self-indulgence: Laying up treasure upon earth: Borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.
5.It is expected of all who continue in these Societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
Secondly~By doing good, by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and as far as is possible to all men:
To their bodies, of the ability that God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison:
To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all they have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine of devils, that "we are not to do good, unless our hearts be free to it."
By doing good especially to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others, buying one of another, helping each other in business; and so much the more, because the world will love its own, and them only. By all possible diligence and frugality, that the Gospel be not blamed. By running with patience the race that is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ; to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely, for the Lord's sake.
6.It is expected of all who desire to continue in these Societies, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation.
Thirdly-By attending upon all the ordinances of God: such are,
The public worship of God;
The ministry of the Word, either read or expounded;
The Supper of the Lord;
Family and private prayer;
Searching the Scriptures; and
Fasting or abstinence.
7.These are the General Rules of our Societies; all which we are taught of God to observe, even in His written word, the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these we know His Spirit writes on every truly awakened heart. If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them, let it be made known unto them who watch over that soul, as they that must give an account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways: we will bear with him for a season. But then if he repent not, he hath no more place among us. We have delivered our own souls.
(Signed)John WESLEY
May 1, 1743CHARLES WESLEY
[1] Acts 20:28 AV
[2] MHB 316 v.3
[3] 1 Peter 1:8 AV