ic Methodists in Wales are very numerous.--See _Biographical
Sketches_ of Whitefield, Wesley, and Lady Huntingdon.

NONJURORS.

Those who refused to take the oaths to government, and who were, in
consequence, under certain incapacities, and liable to certain severe
penalties. The members of the Episcopal church of Scotland have long been
denominated Nonjurors; but perhaps they are now called so improperly, as
the ground of their difference from the established church is more on
account of ecclesiastical than political principles.

NONCONFORMISTS.

Those who refuse to join the established church. Nonconformists in England
may be considered of three sorts:--1. Such as absent themselves from divine
worship in the established church through total irreligion, and attend the
service of no other persuasion.--2. Such as absent themselves on the plea
of conscience; as, Presbyterians, Independents, Baptists, &c.--3. Internal
Nonconformists, or unprincipled clergymen, who applaud and propagate
doctrines quite inconsistent with several of those articles they promised
on oath to defend. The word is generally used in reference to those
ministers who were ejected from their livings by the Act of Uniformity, in
1662. The number of these was about two thousand. However some affect to
treat these men with indifference, and suppose that their consciences were
more tender than they need be, it must be remembered that they were men of
as extensive learning, great abilities, and pious conduct, as ever
appeared.

CHRISTIAN CONNECTION.

This denomination, among themselves, are generally called simply
_Christians_. This they do merely to denote their character as the
followers of Christ; but, when applied to them collectively, it
necessarily becomes the name of a denomination. They are sometimes, by
their opposers, called _Christ-ians_; but this pronunciation of the word
they universally reject as very improper.

The Christians began to associate and to form a distinct people about the
beginning of the nineteenth century, so that they may be said to have
existed but about forty years. They seem to have sprung up almost
simultaneously in different and remote parts of the country, without any
interchange of sentiments, concert of action, or even knowledge of each
other's views or movements, till after a public stand had been taken in
several parts of the country.

The first branch arose in Virginia and North