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President of the Annund Assembly of the United Methodist Tre Churches. 1363

4

THE

United Methodist Free Churches'

MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1864.

The United Methodist Free Churches in London. Nor inappropriately has the present century been designated "The Age of Great Cities." The gregarious tendencies of humanity have received, especially in this country, a mighty impulse from the development of commerce amd the increase of manufactures. As the consequence of this, insignificant villages have sprung up into large towns, and towns, relatively important in the last century, have grown to an extent, and now boast of populations, the mention of which, two hundred years ago, would have lit up the countenances of our worthy ancestors with the smile of incredulity. The tendency of population to flow into towns, it is true, has just now received, in some districts, a check from the stagnation of one of our most important manufactures, consequent on the American civil war; this, however, can only be regarded as temporary, and it requires not the gift of prophecy to foresee, that the prospect of improving their temporal condition will continue to entice multitudes of those born and reared in agricultural districts to the commercial centres in which labour, however inadequately, in some instances, rewarded, is much more valuable, considered as a marketable commodity, than in the country. Nor can we regard this as an evil; the remuneration, in many localities, of the agricultural labourer is shamefully small; and, should the migration of many to large towns, by decreasing the competition for employment among those who remain, cause their labour, which is their capital, to be more productive than it now is, every philanthropist will rejoice in the result.

The aggregation, however, of human beings in large masses, under the existing conditions of society, is not an unmixed good. An increase of wealth does not necessarily imply an increase of happiness; nor does association, as a matter of course, lead to moral improvement. The intellect may be developed and sharpened, while the moral faculties remain untouched for good, or become

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degraded and brutalized. We fear that, to an awful extent, this is the case in many of our large towns, and how the depravity and wretchedness of which they are the receptacles can be most effectually grappled with is one of the most important, as well as one of the most difficult, problems which the Christian Church has to solve.

London, viewed in its various aspects, deserves to be regarded as the most important "Great City" which the world contains. With a rapidity which excites the astonishment of foreigners, it extends its borders in every direction; the natural increase of its population, aided by the constant influx of provincials seeking to improve their condition, will probably, soon cause it to embrace within its borders not less than 3,000,000 souls ; its commercial relations bring it into contact with every part of the world; and it is the centre of moral influences which, we trust, are fast hastening the period when all nations shall be civilised and blessed by the glorious Gospel.

In London, as in other "Great Cities," there is a fearful amount of vice. The moral statistics of this metropolis of a professedly Christian country, tell anything but a flattering tale; they prove that a large proportion of its population, both adult and juvenile, are not, save in a very indirect manner, influenced by the religious and educationary institutions by which they are surrounded; while many thousands subsist on the produce of crime. This ought not to be; and we rejoice that the Christians of London are awakening to a deeper sense of their responsibility to these godless multitudes.

Methodism, viewed in relation to its evangelistic agencies, seems to us peculiarly adapted for making inroads on the vice of this "Great City." It is now nearly a century and a quarter since John Wesley began to preach" Christ crucified" to the infuriated rabble of Moorfields, and ever since then Methodism has held an important position in London, contributing, with other Churches, its quota of influence to stem the threatening deluge of impiety. It must, however, be admitted, that Methodism has not taken that hold on the Metropolis which, judging from its successes among other large populations, might have been expected. For this various reasons may be assigned; we suspect that the chief ones are,- -a culpable neglect, on the part of the Methodist societies, of those evangelistic efforts by which Methodism was originally established, and their failure to furnish their share of adequate chapel and school accommodation for the rapidly increasing population of the city.

Nor is the position of Free Methodism in London, or the influence it exercises on the perishing multitudes around it, such as its friends can regard with unmixed satisfaction. Of

other liberal Methodist communities we, at present, have naught to say; but on our own position in the Metropolis we venture a remark or two. Previous to the Amalgamation of 1857, the Wesleyan Methodist Association had here a small membership, and maintained a struggling existence. The two London Circuits then comprised a total of 587 members, 44 travelling and local preachers, 13 chapels and other preaching places, 12 schools, 1805 Sunday School Scholars, and 196 Teachers. These numbers which, had they been located in a country district, would have formed a respectable and influential community, were but as a drop in the ocean, in the great Metropolis. To those who adhered to liberal principles for a series of years, amid many discouragements, our tribute of admiration is due. A complete answer to the question, which might not unreasonably be asked, "How did it happen that the agitation of 1834-35 did not tell more powerfully on London Methodism than the figures just quoted indicate ?" would require more space than we have at our disposal; we may, however, remark, in brief, that it is much more difficult to influence public opinion in the Metropolis, owing to its extent, and the multifarious objects constantly craving the attention of its inhabitants, than in the provinces. This many of the leaders of movements for political and social reform have found, to their cost; and this the "agitators" -as they were complimentarily designated by their Conference friends-experienced. Besides this; many, liberally disposed, but not made of the stuff which leads men to the stake for a principle, were, doubtless, unwilling to break off old associations, and leave their large and comfortable chapels for such defective accommodation as, for some time, was likely to be the lot of the dissidents.

The "agitation" of 1848-49, consequent on the expulsion of Messrs. Everett, Dunn, and Griffiths, told much more powerfully on Methodism in London than any previous one. Many were expelled, and thousands, sympathising with them, left the Conference pale and formed themselves into distinct Churches. In 1857 most of these "amalgamated," and Free Methodism, in connection with the United Churches, now occupies a comparatively respectable and influential position. The four London Circuits contain 3245 members, with 12 Itinerant and 102 Local Preachers. But still it may be asked, "What are these among so many?" The Third Circuit, in the East, covers a vast extent of ground, and contains some good chapels and flourishing societies. same may, also, be said of the Fourth and Seventh Circuits, situated respectively we pretend not to speak with minute accuracy-in the South and West. But in the Northern and central parts of London, occupied by the First Circuit, the United Churches are, relatively, feeble. The four hundred members composing them are, indeed, few, when compared with the dense

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