Item 43 - Letter from Arthur Ransom to Henry Sidgwick

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In answer to Sidgwick's question, explains the stages through which the candidate for the Trevelyan Ministry has to pass, which includes preaching as a local preacher on trial, preaching before one of the Circuit Ministers, and an examination in doctrine at a Quarterly Meeting of Local Preachers. More trial sermons and examinations have to be carried out, before the District Meeting, and the Conference Committee. The latter decides the fate of the candidate, and , if successful, the latter is either sent out at once to a Circuit, or sent home again to await a call from the President when any vacancy occurs, or sent to one of the three Wesleyan Theological Institutions, at Richmond, [ ] and Headingley. At the end of the probation period, the candidate has to undergo another examination at District Meeting, another trial sermon, and a final examination in the Conference. The is followed by ordination, for which an abridged and altered version of the Church of England office is used. In answer to Sidgwick's second question, states that 'no doctrinal conditions are required of members.' Observes that 'it would be extremely unpleasant to an ultra-Calvinist to associate intimately with Americans, but there is nothing in the Methodist rules to prevent him if he pleased to do it.' Sends Sidgwick a copy of the Rules and his copy of the little code of regulations given to ministers at their ordination [neither included]. Recommends Sidgwick to read P[ ]'s Polity of Wesleyan Methodism, or Compendium of the Laws and Regulations of Wesleyan Methodism [E. Grindrod, 1842] for all the information he requires on the organisation of Wesleyan Methodism. Has no doubt that Mr Teal, who he believes is the Wesleyan Minister at Rugby, would lend one or both of the books to Sidgwick. Puts himself at Sidgwick's disposal to give him any further assistance in the matter, should it be in his power to do so.