• IN ITS OF ORIGIN, ECONOMY, AND PRESENT POSITION. BY REV. JAMES DIXON, D. D. EX-PRESIDENT OF THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. REVISED BY THE EDITOR. NEW-YORK: PUBLISHED BY G. LANE & P. P. SANDFORD, J. Collord, Printer. 1843. 467455 ADVERTISEMENT. IN preparing for the press the Sermon delivered before the conference, it was found necessary to recompose the whole. The arrangement and topics remain unaltered; but liberty has been taken in introducing new arguments and illustrations in support of the several positions then laid down. It has been thought best to divide the discourse into three distinct parts, as each subject-though it is hoped the whole is in unity with itself-may be regarded as complete. Whatever reception the Sermon may meet with among his brethren and the people in general, the author feels it a happiness to bear his humble testimony to the great work which God has wrought in the world by the instrumentality of Methodism. To his brethren, in conference, who unanimously requested the publication of the Sermon, the author owes, and tenders, his warm 13170 est acknowledgments. But in the circumstances in which it now appears, it would be wrong to claim for it their official confirmation. A general approval-without being pledged to every sentiment-is all that the author understood as meant by the vote for its publication; and if, in its enlarged form, it may secure this, together with a promotion of a spirit of increased confidence and piety in the body, his highest hopes will be gratified. Manchester, March 11, 1843. CONTENTS. THE POSITION OF THE METHODIST BODY EXAMINED IN I. Sketch of the faith and effects of primitive Christiani- ty-This faith experimental-Apostolic preaching -Justification and other blessings attained only by II. The agreement of the doctrines and ordinances of the Methodist Church to the primitive model in these respects-1. Methodism originated in the adoption of an experimental faith-The case of the founders of Methodism personally-Salvation by faith only, adopted as the basis of operations by the united ministry at the first conference-The stead- fastness with which this faith has been held-The steady progression of the work by the operation of this fundamental truth-Its efficiency shown in the effects produced in the church and nation on the profligate masses of the country, and especially in |