KILHAM, A.LExAxuErt, 1762-98 the founder of the "New Connection of Wesleyan .lethodists," often called Kilhamites. He was the first to advocate the representation of the lay element in the government of the church; was converted at the age of 18; and in 1785 received by Wesley into the regular itinerant ministry After the death of WeSley there was much controversy among his followers as to the duty of continuing their submission the established church. At the first conference after Wesley's death :in 1791 it was decided to "'take the plan as Mr. Wesley had left it." But the contro versy continued, some from their attachment to the establishment opposing any change, while others were determined to administer the sacraments as well as preach the word, and urged a total separation from the church of England. Kith= was of the latter class. Three years before Wesley's death he had declared, "Let us have the liberty of Englishmen, and give the Lord's supper to our societies." At the next conference he
was severely criticised for his assertion of the popular rights, and for the publication of a pamphlet on the Progress of Liberty, in which he urged a distribution of the powers of .government between the clerical and lay element. For severe remarks which he made that the preachers regarded as defamation of the society, he was formally arraigned at the conference held in 1796, and expelled from the connection. This resulted in the formation of the independent body now called " New Connection Methodists." He did not long survive the censure. All acknowledged him to be a man of fervent piety, and zealous for the success of the Wesleyan cause.
KiLIA, a t. in the portion of Bessarabia ceded by Rumania to Russia in 1878, is situated on the left bank of the Kilia branch of the Danube, 25 m. n.e. of Ismail. Com merce is carried on here to some extent; pop. MOO.