They issued circulars on the subject to the ministers and to the leading and influential laymen.

But this proper calling involves first a systematic and periodical recommendation of its claims by the clergy and influential laymen.

The Order also began the idea of affiliating to itself, under the form of a third class, influential laymen who would help in its work.

Seeing this, sundry clergymen and influential laymen of what were known as the "evangelical denominations" attempted to refute his arguments and discredit his practices.