tained-That the Wesleyan Methodists are one Body in every part of the world. (2.) That the British Conference have frequently rejoiced in the very favourable accounts which have been received, year after year, of the great and glorious work which God is graciously carrying on in the United States of America; but that it is with peculiar pleasure that they receive a Representative from the General Conference in America.-I he statement given by our beloved Brother, MR. EMORY, of the present state of Methodism in America, has been received with inuch joy; and the Conference hereby expresses its high satisfaction, not only in the declaration, but in the proof, of the love of our American Brethren in fully opening the way for a brotherly intercourse between the European and the American Societies. (3.) That the Conference particularly rejoices in the zeal which is manifestted by our American Brethren, in carrying the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Indian tribes, and in the success which God has already given to their labours in that natural and moral wilderness; and hopes, that the time is drawing near, when the aborigines of that vast Continent shall become the mild and gentle followers of our gracious Redeemer. (4.) That it is the earnest wish of this Conference, that the kind and friendly intercourse which is now opened between the British and American Conferences should be continued; and that, prior to the time of the next General Conference in America, the British Conference will appoint one or more of their Body to visit our Brethren in America, and to be present at their Generat Conference. (5.) That a letter shall be sent to the American Brethren, containing these Resolutions, and strongly expressing our high approbation of the selection of our highly-esteemed Brother, Mr. Emory, as their Representative to our Conference, and our earnest desire and prayer, that, in the spirit of Christian love, we may ever be one in Christ Jesus. (6.) That there shall be a regular exchange of Minutes, Magazines, Missionary Reports and Notices, and of all new original Works. published by the European and American Methodists, from their respective Book Rooms. Obituary. DEATH OF HENRY THOMAS FITZGERALD. Savannah, (Geo.) Sept. 25, 1820. Rev. Nathan Bangs and Tho. Mason, DEAR BRETHREN, You will oblige the South-Carelina Conference by giving the following brief sketch a place in your Magazine. We regret that we cannot speak of our beloved younger brother, more circumstantially. We have not ac cess to those, who, for the greater part of his life, were most intimately his associates. Excellent young man! could we tell all the hidden labours of his heart, the recollection which we have of him, assures us, they would give a lesson of no ordinary worth. LEWIS MYERS, Committee. His parents were members of the Protestant Episcopal Church; in which he was baptized. Upon their death (which occurred when Henry was about nine years old) he was confided to the care of the Rev. William Bingham, master of an academy in the interior of the state of North Carolina; and under the care and tuition of this gentleman, he continued, until after that happy event which exalted the amiable orphan boy into the adoption of grace. He was about fifteen years old when this took place; and always afterwards was distinctly remarkable for the consistency and purity of his Chris tian character. Nor do we mean by this purity of character, that idoled amiableness, HENRY THOMAS FITZGERALD, was which is but the result of a virtuous born on the 26th of August, 1797. in education;-nor do we intend, that the town of Wilmington, N. Carolina. undefined religiousness, which, by a current charity, is made to consist with a thousand improprieties, and to veil or to sanctify them all, because the Christian is a youth. His was the religion of the gospel, as it is ministered to the soul by the Holy Ghost, with power; and in him, were to be discerned those tempers and habits, which are declared in the scriptures to be peculiarly Christian, and to be only of the operation of God through the Spirit. Just what the believer professes to experience when at forty years old, he is born again," and "** passed from death unto life," did this excellent youth experience at fifteen. And, by the very same rule of judgment, which would decide for the aged, when the history of his life is ascertained to accord with his professed experience, do we declare of our beloved younger brother, that he was a most consistent Christian. Soon after his conversion he returned to Wilmington;-in reference it would seem, to a permanent establishment and the business chosen for him was that of a dry-good merchant. How minute is the providence of God! Our young convert had now attached himself to the Methodist Church; and in Wilmington there lived a minister of this branch of the church who was himself a merchaut. It is easy to determine why the pious and interesting youth, should become the minister's clerk. He became so: and afterwards (and before he was yet twenty years old) commenced business for himself. But other things were intended for him. In vain the enemy sought through his native modesty and diffidence, to counteract the convictions of his heart. In vain the consideration of his youth, was urged against his assuming an of fice so sacred, and involving a responsibility so awful; and the reluctance of nature, to a most cross-bearing life, was felt in vain. His faith and confidence in God his Saviour-his well-instructed conscience-his ardent love, and zeal for the souls of men gave him the victory; and after many prayers, and strong cries to God for direction and support, he offered himself to the Quarterly Conference, to be licensed to preach; and was, by that Conference, recommended to the South Carolina Annual Conference (held in December 1817) as a proper person to be employed in the itinerancy. The Conference admitted him, and he was appointed to the Little-river circuit, (Georgia) for the year 1818. Here, in the stripling preacher, was early recognized the man of God; and the sprightliness of his genius, and the urbanity of his manners, joined with an ardent piety, gained him universal esteem. For the year 1819, he was appointed one of the junior preachers for the city of Charleston; where be closed his short but valuable life. His senior colleague upon this station, thus speaks of him: "In Charleston, he laboured with zeal and success: preaching, visiting the sick, and attending upon the various duties of the Church, as a son in the gospel, with readiness and cheerfulness. "He was respected by the members It affords an interesting contempla- of our church, and by all who knew tion to behold a young man, while him. He was very studious: very few yet upon the threshhold of life, turn- of his age have made equal progress ing away from the enchantment of its in the various studies connected with business, its pleasures, and emolu- his calling. Had be lived, he would ments; and, patient of the cross, rea- probably have shined as a star of the dy to resign himself to the service of first magnitude in the firmament of the church. the church. But the Lord does all things well: On Saturday, the 11th of September, he was attacked with the yellow fever. Medical aid was imme. diately had, but to no avail; and on Friday the 17th of September, he expired. His disease was extremely violent, and sometimes seemed to affect the sanity of his mind; but at all times he was patient and resigned, and appeared entirely devoted to God. Our beloved brother had already, in part, entered upon this service; and to those who are acquainted with the economy of Methodism, it will be regarded highly recommendatory, that earlier than his twentieth year, he had been the leader of a class. But his soul was labouring under the impression of a higher duty :-his spirit was stirred up within him to declare abroad the unscarchable riches of Christ. "Nor was he without peculiar manifestations of the Divine favour. At THE INCARNATION. LONG had the voice of prophecy foretold Heaven's high determination. Joy was felt They heard each whisper which concerned And watched each personage of note; that they Might first ingratiate themselves with him. Thus when a mariner, whose ship the winds And waves have wrecked, and left him but a boat, Watches for land, and thinks he spies it now: For God's Messiah; be in Bethlehem A servant's form he took, tho' destined soon He hid behind the veil of human flesh. Their harps symphonious, and higher raised To bless and praise the God of love. Louder To those few shepherds, near to Bethlehem, A multitude soon followed in his train. Grew pale, and trembled at the awful sight. Around them shone, the_light ethereal, said. "Behold, glad tidings of great joy I bring "This day, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, "And this shall be your sign, the babe you'll find "Wrapp'd round with swaddling-clothes; and, mark it well, "Not in a mansion, but a manger laid." This said, the seraph ceased, and now the host Of angels which attended him from heaven, Broke out in praise to God: each vied with each shone From heaven around them, nocturnal darkness Astonished stood all those who heard: wonder Possessed their hearts Anew the shepherds praised And glorified their gracious God: their hearts The east of heaven, and there refulgent stood. Like as a mirror, placed before the sun, came, To see the new-born King: arrived they saw Meanly attired, the King of heaven and earth. Prostrate they fell, the incarnate God ador'd, Then opened all their treasures, and to him Offer'd their gifts: sweet smelling frankincense Arabian myrth, with valuable gold. Emmanuel, hail thou King of glory, bail! Shall then resound from shore to shore, and all Ride on, O King Messiah, to possess Messiah's reign's begun on earth, but hear, For the Methodist Magazine. ON GRATITUDE. HAFL heavenly muse! assist the trembling lyre, Which has so long in listless silence lay, Breathe o'er the harp, celestial warmth inspire, While I to GRATITUDE my tribute pay. A pleasing theme, ennobling to the mind, That seeks in God for all its bliss below; Which to dull sense no longer is confin'd, But well prepar'd diviner joys to know. Around the minstrel which Urania swells, Angelic spirits 'twine their flow'ry wreathes, And melting numbers on each accent dwells, When'ere the sacred lyre immortal breathes. No fulsome adulations to mankind, Flow in her strains in sycophantic lays; Her subjects are of nature too refin'd, To ask a fading world for empty praise. 'Tis to the mighty builder of the skies, This is a wealth which riches cannot bring, Which to the humble heart so soon finds way. Go, humble souls, and ask if e'er was found A gift more pleasing than the grateful heart; Then at heav'ns altar let these gifts abound, And never from the sacred shrine depart. New-York, Nov. 2, 1820. MIRANDA |