At the annual conference of his ministers, held in August, 1770 (the year of Whitefield’s death), John Wesley drew up his fateful minute on Calvinism.  Intended solely for the guidance of his own preachers, Wesley apparently had not contemplated the use to which these statements might be put in controversy; if so, they would in all probability have been more carefully guarded.  He also expected them to be considered as a whole, and could hardly have foreseen the use soon to be made of fragments torn from their context.  However this may be, soon after their publication the sky was overcast, and Wesley found himself in the centre of an embittered theological controversy, in which, after he had in vain striven to maintain peace by explanation and concession, he vigorously maintained what he held to be the truth.  He did this the more because the Calvinism of the eighteenth century found itself face to face with a dangerous Antinomianism.  This was rife among the Moravians; some of Wesley’s own preachers adopted it; John Nelson fought it to the death in Yorkshire; and it was in the face of this state of affairs that the minute was penned.

Lady Huntingdon from the first took great umbrage at the teaching of the minute.  She apprehended “that the fundamental truths of the Gospel were struck at and considering Mr. Wesley’s consequence in the religious world, as standing at the head of such numerous societies, thought it incumbent on them to show their abhorrence of such doctrines.”  She further declared “that whoever did not wholly disavow them should quit her college.”

Wesley, on the other hand, thought the time had come when it was his duty to act the part of a faithful pastor towards the good Countess.  “For several years I had been deeply convinced that I had not done my duty with regard to that valuable woman; that I had not told her what I was convinced no one else would dare to do, and what I knew she would hear from no other person, but possibly might hear from me.  But being unwilling to give her pain I put it off from time to time.  At length I dare not delay any longer lest death should call one of us hence; so I at once delivered my own soul by telling her all that was in my heart.”

Lady Huntingdon on her part acted promptly and vigorously.  Mr. Benson having defended the minute, was dismissed from Trevecca.  Fletcher, by whom Benson’s appointment had been arranged, visited the college in March, 1771, preached under great difficulties, and proffered his resignation, which Lady Huntingdon accepted at once.

All hope of a peaceful settlement was now at an end.  Lady Huntingdon drew up a circular inviting the clergy of all denominations to assemble at the Wesleyan Conference at Bristol in August, 1771, and protest against the obnoxious minute.  It is needful to quote some extracts from this circular in order that the position of the Countess may be fully perceived.  “The minutes given by John Wesley we think ourselves obliged