WESLEYAN METHODIST CONNECTION OF AMERICA grew out of a sepa ration from the M.E. church, the result of the connection of that church with slavery, and the arbitrary character of its government. The revs. Orange Scott, J. Horton, and Le Roy Sunderland withdrew in Nov., 1842, beginning at the same time the publication of a weekly paper, The True Wesleyan. In December following a number of other min isters also withdrew. Secessions of churches and ministers also took place in different northern states; the most extensive being in Michigan, where a conference was organ ized. A. number of ministers and members also seceded from the Methodist Protestant church. The first local Wesleyan church was organized in Providence, RI., in 1842.
In Feb., 1843, a convention of the seceders was held iu Andover, Mass!, where a basis of organization was partially agreed upon. This resulted in a call for a general conven tion, which was held in Utica, N. Y., commencing May 31, 1843. A form of •church government was agreed upon, a "discipline" adopted, and about 3,000 members reported. The first general conference was held in Oct.,1844; the discipline was carefully revised, and the principles of the church clearly defined. About 6,000 members were reported. One great obstacle in the way of success at first was the want of church buildings. Societies were small, and generally far apart. They met with much opposi tion, hut churches and parsonages were erected as fast as possible.
In 1866 several prominent ministers attempted to form a union with the Methodist Protestant church. But the discipline of the Wesleyans laid down certain principles of civil government, and required its members to vote in accordance with these principles— that the republic is a nation, that equal rights are to be accorded to all its citizens, and that all laws should conform to the Bible, the rule of practice for nations as well as indi viduals. The discipline also excluded from church-fellowship all members of secret societies. For the love of these principles the great body of the church refused to go
into the union movement. The leaders, however, carried into the union a number of churches, with Adrian college in Michigan, and leaving the Book Concern at . Syracuse, N. Y.. practically bankrupt. The denomination seemed on the verge of extinction; but under the efforts of the rev. Adam Crooks, who was appointed publishing agent and editor, the claims against the Book Concern were paid off in a few years. He also raised by subscription some $25,000 toward the erection of a new publishing house. In 1874, in the midst of his arduous labors, he was suddenly removed by death. Rev. D. S. Kinney was appointed his successor, and has been equally successful. He has raised additional funds, and in 1879 completed the new publishing house at Syracuse, a fine four-story brick building, at a cost of $35.000.
In 1879 some thirty changes were made in the discipline. The distinctive features of the connection are these. In doctrine they follow John Wesley; in government they are half-way between Presbyterianism and Congregationalism; in regard to civil govern ment, they hold that God is the governor of nations, and that the sovereignty ,of Jehovah, and the supreme authority of his revealed will should be acknowledged by the constitutions of states and nations. Wesleyan Methodists oppose all kinds of oppres sion and monopoly, and exclude from their fellowship all members of secret societies. Their educational interests center in a flourishing institution of learning at Wasioja, Minn. At Syracuse, INT: Y., they have publishing interests to the value of $65,000. They publish there the American Wesleyan, a weekly eight-page paper, the Children's Banner, semi-monthly, and the Bible Standard, a monthly magazine. They have nineteen yearly conferences, in which are 400 ministers, and 25,000 members; churches and parsonages to the value of $600,000.