The affairs of Methodism were at this period, in a very fermented state. Many of the trustees of chapels struggled for a larger share of power than many of the preachers thought could be conceded to them without endangering and injuring the cause.

But what most engaged and agitated the Connexion was a struggle about what was called keeping to the old plan, on the admission of innovations or alterations. The innovations were, the having service in the Methodist chapels at the same hours the service was at the churches, at the respective places; the preachers baptising children, giving the Lord's Supper, and burying the dead, where burying - grounds were provided. Very little of any of these was allowed in the life-time of Mr. Wesley; and many did seriously think, that if these innovations were introduced, that the prosperity of Methodism would come to an end. Much stress was laid upon the necessity of keeping to the old plan. It is a tribute due to the memory of Dr. Coke to say, that he was a warm and firm advocate for such plans of proceeding as were the most liberal, and best calculated to meet the various circumstances of the Connexion. In a strong contention which took place in the city of Bristol, in the summer of 1794, he gave very ample proof of this. The trustees of the two oldest of the Methodist chapels in that city were strenuous advocates for the old plan: the Conference was there that year, and experienced much embarrassment from those trustees; and one of the preachers, Mr. Henry Moore, being rather in favour of allowing the people to have the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper among themselves, and the service in church-hours, where they desired those privileges, the trustees in Bristol objected to his being appointed for their circuit;

and when the Conference, notwithstanding their remonstrances, did fix him for Bristol, the preachers had scarcely left the place, when the trustees employed an attorney to inform him, that no. person or persons had a right to appoint preachers for their chapels but themselves; that they had not so appointed him, and it was at his peril that he should attempt to trespass upon their premises.

From the high tone of power and authority that was expressed in this mandatory address, it is not difficult to discover, that there was an intention of effecting something more than the mere support of the old plan, that is, of preventing the introduction of the ordinances and service in church-hours: it is evident that this was little more than a pretext: a higher object was the assumption of paramount authority in the appointment of the preachers, and consequently in every thing. But had this been confined to the trustees in Bristol, the alarm would not have been so great; but there was too much reason to believe that there was a sort of combination among many of the principal trustees throughout the Connexion, for assuming and exercising such a power as in all probability would highly impede, if not totally destroy the itinerant plan. Dr. Coke was upon the spot, and instantly took a most vigorous part in defence of Mr. Moore and the authority of the Conference, together with the privileges of the people. A considerable part both of the preachers and people, throughout the Connexion, espoused that side of the question, while many took the other side. This dispute caused a great agitation among the Methodists during the whole of that year very much depended upon the issue, for it was very justly called the Crisis of Methodism. But though the more liberal party had greatly the advantage in point of numbers, as well as argu

ment, they were willing to agree to such a compromise as might accommodate all parties.-In this the good spirit of Dr. Coke was very conspicuously displayed. However, nothing could be effectually done till the meeting of the Conference; and almost as soon as the preachers were assembled, the Doctor moved-" That a committee should be appointed to draw up a plan of pacification; that is, such a plan as might pacify those who are now dissatisfied, and preserve peace in future."

A committee of nine preachers was accordingly chosen by the ballot of the Conference, of which committee Dr. Coke was a distinguished member, while he was at the same time the secretary of the Conference. Such a plan was drawn up as was generally approved of both by the preachers and people, and which served generally to restore and preserve the peace of the body. This was in the year 1795, and the Conference was held at Manchester.

But by taking such a decided and active part against one considerable branch of the Connexion, the Doctor made some of his former friends into enemies, from which he experienced considerable inconvenience when he went about collecting for the support of the missions, especially as many of those persons were of the more wealthy description. And he had such a persuasion resting upon his mind of his peculiar call to promote the missions, and consequently to conduct himself in such a way as would do this the most effectually, that he openly declared, after the termination of the above dispute, that "he would never sacrifice himself any more."

As when the ocean has been agitated by a violent storm, it is some time after the wind ceases before it becomes tranquil, so it was now with the Methodist Connexion.

There were some who were not satisfied with the adopted plan of pacification, and some who, having been conspicuously active, and with some measure of approbation, did not seem willing to sink down again into quiet obscurity. The most notable instance of this was Mr. Alexander Kilham, who had been a travelling preacher about ten or eleven years, but without any thing very remarkable about him either as to his superiority or inferiority, excellencies or deficiencies. He had, however, attracted some notice by his writings during the dispute which originated in Bristol; and having contracted a taste for writing, he still went on, The writer of these sheets does not think that Mr. Kilham was what is commonly called a bad man, or that he was actuated by bad motives; but he wished to be doing something, and if possible something new. He seems to have over-rated his own abilities and influence, and was deficient in foresight, prudence, and candour; he had also imbibed the levelling principles which then so greatly agitated the political world, and applied them to religion.-Of course he attacked the in stituted authorities, and especially those that were the highest. But neither his friends nor his enemies seem to have noticed one thing, namely, that his conduct as a writer, between the Conference of 1795 to that of 1796, was the reverse of that of the preceding year. In the former year he obtained his notoriety by writing against the attempt of the trustees to exercise dominion over the preachers and people; but in the latter year he advocated the principle he had before opposed, only he was for putting it in other hands, or rather indeed, generally in the same hands, only in a new office; for had his scheme been adopted by the Methodist Connexion, the same men who had sought for dominion as trustees, would have exereised rule and authority at the head of their

respective societies, and as lay-delegates. And this has been clearly proved by those who ranged themselves under Mr. Kilham's banner, or have since been preachers in what is called the New Connexion. So that while Mr. Kilbam accused some of his former friends and correspondents of dereliction of professed principle, it was himself who was the real changeling, and who was propagating a system, which, while it robbed the preachers of their legitimate scriptural authority, would not add any thing to the real liberty of the people. He published a book which he entitled" The Progress of Liberty," in which, among things of a better description, there were sundry paragraphs that were highly exceptionable. Some of these were gross reflections upon the characters of some of the preachers, in support of which, when called upon, he could adduce no proof: and being supported by a number of friends among the people, though his best friends among the preachers could say nothing in his vindication, he stiffly refused to make concessions, so that there seemed to be no alternative but that either he should proceed in a lawless unjustifiable way, or that the Conference should dismiss him. They accordingly did renounce him. If some more lenient measure could have been adopted, it might, perhaps, have prevented the convulsions and divisions which followed in sundry parts of the Connexion. In several places which he now visited he represented himself, and was considered by many as a martyr: and when the Conference next assembled, which was at Leeds, in the year 1797, Mr. Kilham and many of his friends appeared in the town, and erected the standard of separation. About five thousand in the different circuits, chiefly in Yorkshire and Lancashire, renounced what they now called the Old Connexion, and declared in favour of the new itinerancy.