In recent research, I came across the following quote in Francis Asbury’s Journal:
In meeting the society at night, I spoke plainly of some who neglected their bands and classes; and informed them that we took people into our societies that we might help them become entire Christians, and if they willfully neglected those meetings, they thereby withdrew themselves from our care and assistance. (June 12, 1774, vol. I Journal, p. 118)
This is an interesting quote because it is towards the beginning of Asbury’s ministry in America and is before he was the undisputed leader of American Methodism. It is also ten years before Asbury was ordained and Methodism in America became a Church in its own right.
Yet, from what I have read about Asbury, this was not an isolated sentiment that radically changed after 1784. Rather, it is pretty typical of his understanding both of the importance of the classes and bands for helping people “become entire Christians” as well as his understanding that this was the basic purpose of Methodism (helping people become entire Christians).
Kevin M. Watson 
Yes– and this sentiment (with the specific language of “entire Christians”) was carried over into the Disciplines of the Methodist Episcopal Church through 1842. It vanishes in 1848, however.
Back then, the Disciplines were written in question and answer format. When the question was “What shall we do about those who fail to attend class meetings?” the answer was “Remind them that failure to do so will lead to removal from the church.” Those aren’t verbatim quotes (I don’t have those Disciplines before me at the moment) but the gist is there.
No class meeting– no membership.
Peace in Christ,
Taylor Burton-Edwards
I am currently reading through Wesley’s Journals. When I am done it looks like Asbury might be a good follow up. Is it still in print or is it available for download at a sight on line?