Each of the great bodies or sects, with which most of our religious communities here are connected, has its particular constitution, which is its law of confederation and great bond of union, and may be said to be no less definable than our boasted and admired English Constitution. All these sectarian constitutions answer pretty well the end of their formation; but do not all discover equal legislative capacity, or profoundness of judgment in the different framers of them. Some of them are such as can reflect but little credit on the skill or judgment of their constructors, while others discover such profound sagacity, deep penetration, and accurate knowledge of mankind as would not have disgraced a Solon or a Lycurgus. Of this latter sort is the constitution of those respectable sectaries called _Friends_ or _Quakers_, as appears from _Barclay’s Apology_, and _Clarkson’s Portraiture_. Of this sort too is _the constitution of the Arminian or Wesleyan Methodists_, of which the fairest, and fullest, and best account this writer has seen, or knows of, is in _Nightingale’s Portraiture of Methodism_; which is a moderate size octavo volume, and well worth the perusal of all who wish to become more intimately acquainted with the history and character of this rapidly increasing sect, which is said to be likely soon to swallow up all the rest. However that may happen, it seems very certain that Methodism, from the nature of its constitution and organization, is calculated for a wide and rapid increase, far beyond any otter existing sect now within the British dominions. What may render this more credible to the reader is, that there are now about 30 preachers of this denomination, (including those called _local_) belonging to this town and circuit, all in very constant employ here, or in the surrounding villages; which seems a pretty fair specimen of their present state throughout the realm. This is not mentioned to disparage their exertions. If they think their cause of superlative importance to mankind, let them persevere, while they use no other, or worse means to insure success, than pious persuasion and fair argument. If they succeed and become the most numerous body of religionists in the country, let them by all means be the _established church of England_. Where would be the harm of that? We know of none: at least, if they were to be constrained at the same time to renounce and quit forever every remnant of a bigoted or intolerant spirit towards their dissenting neighbours. {1116} SECTION III. _Hints relating to the state of Deism_, _Scepticism_, _Free-Masonry_, _&c. in this town_.