At this time John Wesley was organizing his followers in England in classes, appointing over each a leader who was to look after their spiritual interests ; and a Methodist society, as it existed in England in 1740, was composed of Gospel Christians in a town or village drawn toward each other by their common trust in Jesus the Christ, formed into a class, with a leader, and governed by the rules laid down by Wesley for their guidance.

The people having no acceptable minister, neglected religious worship, and a general decline and deadness in matters of religion followed. While in this sad condition the new Methodism in England, with its simple, social and informal worship, which was exactly suited to the condition of the people, naturally attracted their attention and enlisted their feelings.

At this time the Rev. James Wetmore, a minister of the Church of England, sent by the Propagation Society, placed over this people by the power of the Governor, and supported by oppressive taxation, was the minister of Rye and the White Plains -- the White Plains being then, and until 1783, within the town bounds 6f Rye.

Mr. Wetmore was required to report to the society several times a year the condition of his parish, and it is from his communications, which follow, that the existence of an organized Methodist society in this town as early as 1741-43 is established.

Under date of September 28, 1741, not quite a year after the Whitefield visit, the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, in a letter to the secretary of the Propagation Society, says : " The etlorts of the sectaries in this parish have been various the past year, and their endeavors indefatigable to weaken and destroy the Church. However, by God's help, we maintain our ground, and though some of our members are corrupted with the wild enthusiasm of the new sect, I hope the measures I use to strengthen and establish my people in the faith of Christianity according to the doctrines of the Church of England, will by God's blessing prevent this new Methodism, or, rather, down-right distraction in the shape it now appears among the itinerant sectaries, from gaining much ground among us."