Monday, May 1. The return of my brother’s
illness obliged me again to hasten to London
This evening our little society began, which afterwards met in Fetter
Lane
In obedience to the command of God by St.
James, and by the advice of Peter Böhler, it was agreed by us—
1. That we will meet together once a week
to ‘confess our faults one to another, and pray for one another that we may be
healed’.
2. That the persons so meeting be divided
into several ‘bands’, or little companies, none of them consisting of fewer
than five or more than ten persons.
3. That everyone in order speak as freely,
plainly, and concisely as he can, the real state of his heart, with his several
temptations and deliverances, since the last time of meeting.
4. That all the bands have a conference at
eight every Wednesday evening, begun and ended with singing and prayer.
5. That any who desire to be admitted into
this society be asked, What are your reasons for desiring this? Will you be
entirely open, using no kind of reserve? Have you any objection to any of our
orders? (which may then be read).
6. That when any new member is proposed
everyone present speak clearly and freely whatever objection he has to him.
7. That those against whom no reasonable
objection appears be, in order for their trial, formed into one or more
distinct bands, and some person agreed on to assist them.
8. That after two months’ trial, if no
objection then appear, they be admitted into the society.
9. That every fourth Saturday be observed
as a day of general intercession.
10. That on the Sunday sennight following
be a general love-feast, from seven till ten in the evening.
11. That no particular member be allowed to
act in anything contrary to any order of the society; and that if any persons,
after being thrice admonished, do not conform thereto, they be not any longer
esteemed as members.
