crucified Redeemer, and urging upon believers the attainment of a full salvation, visiting our people from house to house, preaching more frequently in the mornings and in the open air, securing sufficient time for meeting all the classes regularly at the quarterly visitations, and speaking to each member as the case may require, and diligently applying ourselves to the important work of meeting and catechising the children of our people and congregations, and preaching occasional sermons for their improvement and spiritual instruction. "3. That we frequently meet the societies, after preaching, on the Sabbath evenings; examine the Class-Books, and converse with the Leaders on the state of their respective classes, at our weekly meetings, give all encouragement to prayer-meetings, wherever they can be conveniently held, and embrace opportunities of preaching in private houses, wherever a congregation can be collected, and appointing preaching on the weekday evenings, at such an hour that the people shall not be kept too late from their habitations. 4. The Conference further recommends the uniform and conscientious observance of all our rules of discipline, and especially urges a particular attention to watch-nights, private and public bands, and quarterly days of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, that the Head of the church may pour out his Holy Spirit, that the kingdom of our God and of his Christ may be extended and established in the earth." A similar feeling pervades the Pastoral Address of the Conference to the various societies under their care, an extract from which will close this statement : "As to our beloved Methodism, there never were so many members, so many Preachers, such rapidly augmenting finances, or so much peace and harmony in our body, as now. Never were conversions more frequent, never was holiness more deep, or more widely diffused among our spiritual children. "Let us not regard the piety of our fathers, of the former race of Methodists, as a glory which has passed away, or suppose that it is impossible for us to follow Christ as they followed him. Your privileges are more abundant. Christianity is shedding a brighter glory on our world; its beauties, its riches, its resources, are daily developed on a scale of increasing grandeur. Remember, therefore, that as the people of God, the followers of Christ, you are invited by him to be a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people.' Yours is a high calling: prayerfully endeavour to let your walk be worthy of the Gospel of Christ;' see that 'walking in the path of the just,' you 'shine more and more unto the perfect day,' and that you show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. In obedience to his precious call, shine as "lights in the world,' by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love un feigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, and by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." "Bear with us, while we affectionately recommend to you a more exten sive acquaintance with Mr. Wesley's Sermons, and our other well-known Wesleyan publications and periodicals. As Wesleyans, you should know our views, understand our doctrines, and become conversant with those admirable works, which God has blessed to the spiritual edification of thousands, now before the throne. "Believing as we do, that the instruction of the young and rising generation is a matter of the highest possible moment, steps have been taken by us to provide a more efficient and extensive system of education, by which the children of our people shall receive sound, useful, and scriptural instruction; and we confidently hope that our people, more especially our wealthy friends, will give to this important and interesting object, their affectionate and liberal co-operation. "Finally, brethren, in the midst of the unhallowed political strife, and the strangely extensive agitation of questions of an ecclesiastical nature, which occupy the public mind, we would earnestly advise you not to allow your minds to be carried away from your own private and personal duties as Christians. In your patience possess ye your souls;' keep your place in the church of God, maintain your principles of high religious integrity, 'meddle not with them that are given to change;' 'but in every thing, by prayer and sup plication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your heart and mind, through Christ Jesus.'" THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST CONFERENCE OF 1844. THE revolving year has again brought to us the pleasing task of directing the attention of our readers to the Annual Conference of WesleyanMethodist Ministers, held in Birmingham, according to the appointment of the Conference immediately preceding; and never did we enter upon this part of our duty under stronger feelings of gratitude to the Great Head of the church for the peace and concord which pervade the Connexion at large, and for the tokens of his gracious presence with which the sittings of the Conference have so greatly been distinguished. Of a truth, "The best of all is, God is with us!" The more we reflect upon the proceedings of the late assembly, the more we see reason to be satisfied with the high moral position which the Wesleyan Ministers occupy. We conceive it matter of honest congratulation, that, amid good report, and evil report, they have maintained a character so free from fear, and from reproach. They constitute an important portion of the machinery of Christianity, and cannot be drawn from the department which they fill, by the disciples of the Tractarian school on the one hand, or by the supporters of a fierce and levelling democracy on the other, without injury or derangement to the whole. They are not "lords over God's heritage," but shepherds of the flock, which, in the absence of the owner, would fare indifferently without them. They are ambassadors from an omnipotent Sovereign, offering terms of reconciliation, which it will be the wisdom of those they address cordially to accept. They are stewards of the household, so that, while they act according to the instructions of their Master, the whole establishment is benefited by their care in a word, they are brethren who have received grace to minister in holy things, and who rest their claim to be highly esteemed on the ground of their works, "and labour of love." Thomas Waugh, and the Rev. John Nelson, attended as the Representatives of the Irish Conference. According to custom, the various preparatory Committees assembled some days previous to the official commencement of the Conference, to prepare Reports for the inspection and final decision of that body. The Educational Committee presented a most interesting report. It appeared, that, including a grant from the Centenary Fund, about £12,000 had been contributed, or promised, to carry out the projects of the Committee. There had been one hundred and ten candidates for training as Masters and Mistresses; forty-two of whom had been accepted, and sent to the Glasgow Normal Seminary. Since August, 1843, about thirteen had finished their preparatory course, and had been appointed to various localities; a number of other applications for Tutors would also be met within a few months. There had been an increase during the year of one hundred and forty-three Sunday schools, and fifteen thousand six hundred and twenty-seven scholars. Of week-day and infant schools, there were one hundred and eighty-three for boys, one hundred and nine for girls, and forty for infants, containing thirteen thousand one hundred and thirty-eight boys, eight thousand seven hundred and seventy-six girls, and three thousand three hundred and forty-nine infants, making a total of twenty-five thousand four hundred and sixty-three children, being an increase during the year of four thousand six hundred and fifty-nine. After the usual devotional exercises, and preliminary proceedings, the assembled Ministers chose the Rev. Jabez Bunting, D. D., to be their President for the fourth time. The Rev. Robert Newton, D. D., was elected to the office of Secretary. The Rev. Isaac Keeling, and the Rev. John Farrar, were appointed Sub-Secretaries; and the Rev. William Barton, Journal Secretary. The Rev. William Stewart, the Rev. Twenty-four of the Ministers have exchanged mortality for life, during the year, two of whom had been elected to the office of President of the Conference: we allude to the Rev. Henry Moore, and the Rev. George Morley. Our Obituary department will contain, as usual, official notices respecting the character and demise of the departed, several of whom had long borne the burden and heat of the day in the Lord's vineyard, where they had toiled with considerable ability and success. "They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." The ordination services were not only interesting and delightful, but scenes of holy, spiritual, and devout profit, which will be long remembered by the Ministers and people composing the overflowing congregations which were present. Most earnestly do we join in the prayer of the Rev. the Ex-President, in the conclusion of his excellent Charge to the newly-ordained Ministers, when, after alluding to the divine unction which had so manifestly rested upon the previous services, he expressed a sincere and confident hope, that they would realize all the expectations of the church, be a blessing to the world, and finally be welcomed by their Great Master with the approving sentence, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." In glancing at the various returns from the different Circuits and stations, we discover the increase in the number of church-members at home to be sir thousand nine hundred and seventynine, (including four hundred and five in Ireland,) and on the Mission stations six thousand two hundred and fifty-three, making a total of THIRTEEN THOU SAND TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTYTwo. The number on trial for churchmembership ascertained at the March visitation of classes, was upwards of twenty-two thousand. This accession to the numerical state of the Connexion is confessedly not so great as the ardour of Christian zeal and attachment might have contemplated and desired: it is nevertheless sufficiently extensive to prove that the divine presence has not been withdrawn from the assemblies of our Zion; that an awful Ichabod is not yet inscribed, either upon our pulpits or our pews; and that the eager anticipations of our open and secret adversaries, who have not been backward to prognosticate the decline and fall of Wesleyan Methodism, are not even about to be verified. We refer these hostile individuals to the sentiment of the Jewish Doctor: "Refrain from these men, and let them alone for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found to fight against God." The brethren were entertained by the friends in Birmingham with their wellknown hearty and sincere hospitality, among whom, we doubt not, has been left a wholesome and spiritual influence, which will be felt and perceived "after many days." In conclusion, we do not " hesitate to say, that the recent Confer. ence has been distinguished by unbroken harmony and affection, equal to any that has preceded, and also by an ardent desire to promote "the work of God," and to "spread scriptural holiness throughout our land, and to the ends of the earth. May the mantle of our ascended Elijahs descend upon this collective body of Christian Pastors, and with it a double portion of their spirit! May those who have recently been ordained to the full exercise of the Christian ministry, be able and successful Ministers of the New Testament, holding fast the deposit of those sacred and precious truths, which have given spiritual life to our country, and are imparting it to the world! May peace be to them, and to the Jerusalem upon whose walls they shall be the watchmen ! May our people, the objects of our pastoral solicitude and care, remember, that, if it be the Pastor's duty to instruct, to warn, to lead, it is theirs to observe the lesson, the monition, the pattern, with the docility of a disciple, and the meekness of wisdom. If it be the Pastor's vocation to "watch for souls" as one "that must give account," it is theirs to make the watch pleasant, and the account satisfactory. If it be the place of the Pastors to break to them the bread of life, it is theirs to receive it as from stewards of the household of faith, and dispensers of the mysteries of God. Let this reciprocity of interest, of feeling, and of duty, be recognised and adopted, and the faith of the church will be vigorous and sanctifying: faith in the word of God relative to the spiritual condition of man ;-in his laws, requiring us to be diligent and profitable servants;-in his promises that he will be with us, and establish upon us the work of our hands; and also, in his prophecies, which declare the universal spread of the Gospel, notwithstanding the evil machinations of the Papal and Pagan antichrists. "Then had the churches rest, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied; ""the whole body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." THE STATIONS OF THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST MINISTERS FOR 1844-5. GREAT BRITAIN. [N. B. Each of the places mentioned in these Stations, and numbered consecutively from 1 to 426, is the head of a Circuit. The Superintendent and other Minister or Ministers stationed in, or appointed to, the several Circuits under-mentioned, is and are appointed by the Conference to preach and to perform all acts of religious worship and Methodist discipline in each and every of the Wesleyan-Methodist chapels already erected, or to be erected, within each Circuit respectively, within the space of twelve calendar months, at such time or times, and in such manner, as to him or them shall seem proper; subject nevertheless to the Superintendent Minister.] JABEZ BUNTING, D.D., PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE. N. B. The President of the Conference retains his official connexion with the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and with the Theological Institution. ROBERT NEWTON, D. D., SECRETARY. I. LONDON DISTRICT.-John Scott, Chairman of the District. Robert Young, Financial Secretary. 1 First London, (City-road, &c.,) John Scott, Henry Fish, A. M., George Steward, John C. Pengelly, William Arthur; Joseph Brookhouse, Seth Morris, John Langston, Supernumeraries. N. B. William Arthur remains under engagement to the Missionary George Cubitt is our Editor; John S. Stamp is Assistant John Beecham, Robert Alder, D.D., and Elijah Hoole, are Wesleyan Theological Institution : Southern Branch, Richmond, Thomas Jackson, D. D.,_ Theological Northern Branch, Didsbury, John Bowers, House-Governor; John 2 Second London, (Great Queen-street, &c.,) Joseph Fowler, William Barton, Benjamin Gregory, jun.; John Kershaw, Richard Allen, Samuel Jones, A. M., Supernumeraries. 3 Third London, (Spitalfields, &c.,) Thomas H. Squance, Israel Holgate, Charles Prest, John H. Lord; Robert Wheeler, James Baker, Supernumeraries. Romford, Joseph Pechey, who shall change once in every four weeks, on the Lord's day, with the Ministers of the Third London Circuit. (Welsh, St. Mary Axe, &c.,) John Rees. 4 Fourth London, (Southwark, &c.,) James Methley, Samuel R. Hall, James Osborn. 5 Fifth London, (Lambeth, &c.,) Jonathan Crowther, Richard Felvus, William Peterson; Jonathan Williams, Thomas Harrison, Supernumeraries. 6 Sixth London, (Hinde-street, &c.,) Robert Young, James Dixon, D. D., James Little; Joseph Sutcliffe, A. M., Supernumerary. 7 Seventh London, (Chelsea, &c.,) Robert Wood, John Smith, 3d; John Bick nell, Supernumerary. 8 Eighth London, (Islington, &c.,) Peter M'Owan, William M. Bunting, Alfred Barrett, Henry Kirkland. 9 Deptford, 10 Hammersmith, 11 Croydon, 12 Leyton, Timothy C. Ingle, Samuel Simmons; Thomas Rogers, Super numerary. Samuel Tindall, John Hartley; James Catts, Supernume rary. Samuel Trueman, James S. Haigh; Edward Chapman, Robert Colman, who shall change twice in every quarter of a N. B. Brother Colman shall reside at Woodford, Essex. 13 Bishop-Stortford, Joseph K. Tucker, Anthony Ward. 14 Cambridge, 15 Windsor, 16 Chelmsford, 19 Ipswich, 20 Hastings, 21 Sevenoaks, Robert Maxwell, John I. Dredge. James Rosser, John Fletcher. George Hobill, James Haughton, George Blencowe. John B. Whittingham, Theophilus Pugh, Ebenezer R. Matthew Cranswick, Joseph Payne, George Clement; George Edward Jennings, Luke H. Wiseman. Samuel Young, John Philp, John I. Muff. N. B. Brother Philp shall reside at Tunbridge Wells, and brother 22 Lewes and Eastbourne, William Culcheth; William W. Annetts, Supernume 23 Brighton, 24 St. Alban's, rary. N. B. Brother Culcheth shall change regularly with the Ministers John Baker, Robert H. Atherton, William Edwards, 2d. N. B. Brother Bramford shall reside at Rickmansworth. 25 Guildford and Alton, James Lees, John Tucker, Joseph Mood. N. B. Brother Tucker shall reside at Alton. 26 Dorking and Horsham, Aaron Langley, William Wilson, 5th. N. B. By the special request of the President, the standing rule that the President of the Conference shall be ex officio the Chairman of the District in which he may be stationed, is, this year, dispensed with. II. BEDFORD AND NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT.-Maximilian Wilson, Chairman. Robert Sherwell, Financial Secretary. 27 Bedford and Ampthill, John Pickavant, Thomas Rowe, Philip Fowler. 28 Leighton-Buzzard, Maximilian Wilson, James Golding, Thomas Rodham. 29 Luton, 30 Dunstable, 31 St. Neot's, 32 Biggleswade, 33 Hitchin, 34 Huntingdon, 35 Northampton, 36 Towcester, 37 Daventry, John Crofts, Thomas P. Clarke. John Knowles, 1st, Thomas Flower. Thomas Hickson, Francis S. Keeling; Francis B. Potts, Super numerary. Thomas Jones, 1st, who shall change on one Sunday in every month with the Ministers of the Biggleswade Circuit. Richard Cooper, George Croft, William Way. Robert Sherwell, John Hobkirk, James Hirst; William Hinson, Supernumerary. William Piggott, Henry Young. Thomas Brothwood, William Hopkins, John Bonsor. 38 Newport-Pagnell, William Dalby, Uriah Butters. 39 Higham-Ferrers, John Brown, 2d, Samuel Wesley. |