METHODIST CHURCH, FREE, organized in 1866 at Pekin, N. Y., by a convention of ministers and laymen who were, or had been, members of the 3lethodist Episcopal church. The various reasons which led to the movement may be summed up in the conviction avowed that the Methodist church had declined from its original simplicity and spirituality. In proof of this it was alleged that many converts had been received without sufficient evidence of repentance and conversion; that worldly practices were tolerated, and engaging in unlawful business was allowed; that the direct witness of the spirit was wanting in many professed Methodists; that power over all sin was not pos 4sessed, and that, while entire sanctification was not often even professedly attained, the preaching concerning it was widely divergent and contradictory; that discipline was generally neglected, and by some abandoned; that simplicity in dress had given place to fashionable attire; that free seats had been exchanged for pews; that choirs and organs had broken up .congregational praise; that sermons were often read instead of being preached; that very costly church edifices were built and church fairs held; and that oath-bound fellowship in secret societies with irreligious men was tolerated, and even encouraged. In the new organization, bishops were exchanged for general superin tendents,•to be elected every four years. Quadrennial, annual, quarterly, and district conferences are held, and lay delegates equal in number to the ministers are admitted. The official board is retained. Attendance at class meetings is made a condition of church membership. The preachers in charoe nominate, and the classes elect their leaders. The office of presiding elder is retaieed under the name of district chairman.
The articles of faith are the same as those of the Methodist Episcopal church, with two • additional : one designed to give emphasis to the doctrine of entire sanctification, and the other to that bf endless future rewards and punishment. No persons are admitted to church membership, even on probation, without professing to exercise savino. faith in • Christ. All members are also required to lay a.side all superfluous ornaments oedress, to abstain from the use of intoxicating beverages and of tobacco, and not to join any society requiring an oath, affirmation, or promise of secrecy as a condition of member ship. The denomination has made some progress and cherishes the hope of reviving the spirit of primitive 3Iethodism. Their religious services have much of the early warmth and zeal, and congregational singing is universally practiced among them. They have two literary institutions, one at North Chili, N. Y., and the other at Spring Arbor, Mich.: they are conducted in strict accordance with the principles of the denoim Ration, and are making fair progress. The work of the church has been among the poor and less educated classes, whence chiefly their ministers have been taken. They have not as yet had tiru or opportunity to build up a denominational literature. A rnonthly magazine entitled The Earnest Christian, and a weekly paper, The Free Methodist, are well sustained. Several writers of considerable practical power are highly esteemed within and beyond the denomination. In 1880 they reported 271 itinerant ministers, •328 local preachers, and 12,642 lay members.