preached much to the satisfaction and protit of an interested and overflowing congregation. It was a season to be remembered. The entire business of the Conference was conducted with great unanimity of sentiment, and cordiality of affection; and was despatched, with unusual expedition, in the short period of eight days. An aged Minister, the Rev. Zechariah Worrell, who had for several years, through declining health, been a supernumerary, was, shortly after the preceding Conference, called from a suffering life on earth, to his everlasting rest in heaven. Towards the close of the session, an affecting instance of the uncertainty of life occurred in the case of Robert Cranston, a Supernumerary Preacher, who had for several days taken part in the proceedings of the Conference. He was suddenly taken ill on Wednesday, July 8th, and on Saturday night, July 11th, he expired. On the morning of the Tuesday following, his remains were conveyed to the house appointed for all living. The members of the Irish societies who emigrated, during the year, chiefly to North America, amount to three hundred and seventy-one. Yet, from the returns of the different Circuits and Irish Missions, after filling up all vacancies occasioned by this and other causes, there appears upon the whole an increase of four hundred and twenty-three members above the returns of the preceding year, besides an encouraging improvement in the funds of the various departments of the Connexion; and the societies are generally in a peaceful and hopeful state, cordially united, and firmly attached to the doctrines and discipline of Methodism. The unhallowed attempts recently made in England, by certain disappointed and disaffected individuals, to revolutionize and modify the admirable system and economy of Methodism, called forth in the Conference the strongest expressions of disapprobation, and of attachment to their beloved fathers and brethren, whose motives and character have been so greatly maligned, while the peace and harmony of the Connexion have been so unrighteously and recklessly violated. Four young men, who had creditably fulfilled the usual term of probation, were publicly examined; and, having made a good confession before many witnesses, were, according to the usage of the body, unanimously received into full connexion with the Conference. The services on this occasion were deeply solemn and affecting. Seven young men, of considerable promise, who had, after the regular course of examination, been well recommended to the Conference, were received on trial, and appointed to Circuits. Three of them supply the places of Messrs. Archibald Murdoch, Charles Mayne, and William Douglas, who, through the infirmi. ties occasioned by accumulated years and toils, have been reluctantly obliged to retire from the regular work; and the remaining four have been granted, in compliance with most urgent solicitations, to places where it appeared that additional labourers were necessary, in order to preserve and promote the work of God. Various other openings and applications the Conference, through deficiency of means, have, for the present, been obliged to decline. One sitting of the Conference was devoted to the consideration of the question, "What can be done more effectually to promote the work of God in our societies and Circuits?" Many judicious and important observations were elicited on the subject, which, it is confidently hoped, will be remembered, and operate beneficially on the minds and labours of the brethren throughout the ensuing year. Whilst the Irish Preachers express their deep humiliation and regret that their labours have not been more successful in their native land, they rejoice in the Lord, who has not suffered them "to run in vain, or labour in vain." Satisfactory evidences arise every year, in proof that God is still with them; and if all the people who first joined the societies in Ireland had, with their family connexions, remained in the country, perhaps it would appear, at this day,even independently of the indirect good of which it has been confessedly instrumental, that the success of Methodism has not been much less in this part of the vineyard, than in any other portion of the widely-extended sphere of its operations. Probably there are few places in the world, where Methodism is known, where there may not be found some persons in connexion with it, whose first acquaintance and union with the society com. menced in Ireland. Methodism in Ireland labours under many and peculiar disadvantages, arising from the political and religious feuds and agitations with which the country has long been distracted and distressed. Added to this is to be regarded the flow of emigration, which annually carries away from their shores such multitudes of the Protestant population of different denominations, and with them many hundreds of the members and friends of the Methodist societies. The Wesleyan Methodists continue to be the sect that is every where spoken against, not merely by the rude and vulgar, but by persons of a very different description; whose bigotry, however, unhappily, will not suffer them to examine principles and character before they vituperate and condemn. Yet the Methodists hold no angry controversy, nor meddle with those who are given to change, either in civil or ecclesiastical polity. Such interferences they consider out of their proper line of duty. They have a nobler calling, and pursue their accustomed way amidst the prejudices of party, and the "strifes of tongues; visiting, as in the early days of their history, not only the cities, towns, and villages, but also the most neglected, and morally destitute, parts of the country, preaching righteousness, and calling sinners to repentance; offering, through faith in Christ, a free, full, and present salvation to all who hear them; circulating the holy Scriptures, to which they refer as the source and test of all their ministrations; establishing and superintending Sunday and daily schools, where the Book of God is recognised and employed as the only proper basis of education; and promoting the great cause of Christian Missions at home and abroad. And thus, as far as in them lies, they endeavour, in dependence on the divine blessing, to stem the overflowing of error and ungodliness, and spread scriptural holiness throughout the land. Having concluded one of the best Conferences the Irish Preachers have witnessed for many years, they have proceeded to their respective appointments, trusting in the Lord, and resolved, with increased diligence, to persevere in his blessed service, unmoved by opposition; not counting their lives dear unto themselves, so that they may finish their course with joy, and the ministry they have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. WESLEYAN-METHODIST CONFERENCE LATELY HELD IN SHEFFIELD. THE Annual Conference of the Wesleyan-Methodist Ministers was this year held in Sheffield. It commenced on Wednesday, July 29th, and was continued till the evening of August 18th, the longest period to which it could be protracted; Mr. Wesley's Deed of Declaration, by which the Conference is defined, and invested with the powers which it has hitherto exercised, having limited its duration to twenty-one days. The multiplicity and importance of the business which cane before the Conference at its late sitting, account for its unusual length. To this Conference many persons had looked forward with anxiety, because of the momentous questions which it would be unavoidably called upon to decide; and, in many places, prayer was made without ceasing to God, that his servants might be wisely directed in all their deliberations and acts. The most strenuous attempts having been made, in the course of the year, by unhappy and misguided men, to produce confusion and every evil work in the societies, and to render the people universally dissatisfied with their Ministers and institutions, the Rev. Joseph Taylor, the late President, judged it expedient to invite a number of influential lay members of the Methodist body, residing in different parts of the kingdom, to meet him in Sheffield, before the assembling of the Conference, that he might ascertain their views concerning the state of the Connexion, and the reme dies to be applied to existing evils. With a promptitude worthy of the occasion, and of the character which they had long sustained, these friends obeyed the summons, and met the President and several of the Preachers on Friday, July 24th,a day which can never be forgotten by those who had the privilege of attending this truly Christian assembly. After the object of the meeting had been stated, there was a general call for Dr. Bunting, who was requested to give the persons present his opinions respecting Methodism, and the means to be adopted in order to its preservation, and increased efficiency. He obeyed the call, and spoke, with admirable clearness and force, at considerable length. On the subject of church government, he observed, there had been a diversity of opinion among Christians of equal intelligence and piety, some of whom had preferred Episcopacy; others, Presbyterianism; and others, again, Independency. None of these questions were they assembled to discuss. He remarked, that, although Christians might innocently espouse various forms of church government, there are certain great principles which all churches are bound by the New Testament to maintain, and which they cannot violate without sin. There is, for instance, the law of purity, the law of peace, the law of courtesy, the law of fidelity. Every Christian community is bound to preserve purity of doctrine and of manners; to resist all attempts to innovate upon the vital truths of the Gospel, and to exercise a salutary discipline upon all that walk disorderly, whether they be Ministers or private individuals.-No duty is inculcat ed in the apostolical Epistles with greater frequency and earnestness than that of cultivating and preserving peace in all "the churches of the saints." Peace is "the bond" by which the unity of the Spirit" is perpetuated; and it is our Lord's legacy to all his disciples. While Christians are directed, "if it be possible, as much as lieth in them, to live peaceably with all men," they are expressly charged to "be at peace among themselves." -In all their intercourse with each other they are peremptorily required to treat one another with due esteem and respect; to "be courteous; to be subject one to another; inasmuch as "charity," which is the sum and substance of their religion, is neither "puffed up," nor "behaveth itself unseemly."-In their collective, no less than in their individual, capacity, they are required to show "all good fidelity." This is one of the "things " which are of "good report," and by the neglect of which the Gospel is often blamed, to the injury of "them that are without." No man is bound, in the first instance, to embrace the Wesleyan form of Christianity; but when he has embraced it, it is his duty to conform to its order, and transmit it unimpaired to others; or, if he cannot do this, quietly to withdraw from his connexion with it. It is unjust to Mr. Wesley's memory, and a breach of public faith, for any man to assume the profession of Wesleyan Methodism for the purpose of subverting its vital principles, and of changing its form. It is also an act of flagrant injustice to other parties, for a number of men, belonging to the Methodist body, to promote incessant agitation for revolutionary purposes, to the grief and annoyance of their brethren, who conscientiously deprecate the meditated changes, and have connected themselves with the system under the distinct impression that it should be preserved to them and their posterity entire and unaltered. To change the constitution of the Conference, by the admission of lay delegates, for instance, as contended for by some agitators, would be a violation of Mr. Wesley's Deed of Declaration, and a breach of that trust which he committed to his sons and successors in the Gospel. Every man is at liberty to form his own theory of church order, and to frame both Conferences and other institutions upon whatever model he pleases; but no man has a right to tamper with the plans and arrangements which Mr. Wesley introduced into the Connexion established by him, and which have been adopted by hundreds of thousands of people, with a reference to their own personal salvation and usefulness. If a man is dissatisfied with the accommodations which the Methodist house affords him, let him quietly retire, and provide for himself a residence more suited to his taste; but let him not remain to keep up a perpetual disturbance in the family, by attempting to force upon them pretended improvements, which they believe would be ruinous both to themselves and their children.Dr. Bunting also remarked that, in his judgment, the principle upon which the Conference has long acted, of having mixed Committees for the management of the different funds of the Connexion, should be carried to a still greater extent; that additional guards against the abuse of ministerial power in the expulsion of members of society should be provided; and that the Circuits should have greater facilities afforded them, in expressing their views and wishes to the Conference. These sentiments, so just and appropriate, were received with every mark of cordial approbation; and the friends present, many of whom were till that day perfect strangers to each other, gave ample proof that they were of one heart and of one soul. They expressed an unwavering attachment to the principles of Wesleyan Methodism ; their fixed determination to support its institutions, both with their influence and property; and their readiness to concur with the Conference in resisting the iniquitous proceedings of the agitators who had so greatly dishonoured the sacred name of religion, and in preserving the system of Wesleyan Methodism in all its integrity. This meeting was continued till the evening was considerably advanced; and even then the persons present were so united in affection, that they seemed unwilling to separate. meeting altogether was one of the most delightful ever witnessed. The Resolutions which these Christian laymen spontaneously adopted, and to which they affixed their signatures, will be found in a subsequent part of this narrative. The On Tuesday, July 28th, the Special Missionary Committee met in the Car ver-street chapel, to review the proceeding of the Managing Committee. The success with which it had pleased God to crown the labours of the Missionaries through the year, and the liberality with which the Society had been supported, called forth expressions of unmingled gratitude and delight; while every one seemed to regard with horror the cruel and wicked attempt of the agitators, by cutting off the supplies, to involve the unoffending Missionaries and their families in ruin, and deprive the perishing Heathen of the means of life and salvation. The calls for more labourers in the Mission-field were so urgent and pressing, that the proposal to send forth thirty-five additional Missionaries met with a cordial reception; and several of the speakers pledged themselves to renewed liberality and effort to meet the increased expenditure which this measure would occasion. Many admirable sentiments were advanced on the duty of Christians to consecrate their property to the high and holy objects of evangelical philanthropy. a These meetings, with others of a similar nature, were justly regarded as token for good, and inspired cheerful anticipations in regard to the Conference, and the spirit which would actuate and guide its decisions. On the assembling of the Conference the Rev. Richard Reece was chosen President, and the Rev. Robert Newton, Secretary. Mr. Reece delivered a concise and impressive address on taking the chair. He adverted to the storms which had been recently raised against the bark of Methodism, and threatened it with destruction; but remarked that it was safe under the guidance of "The Pilot of the Galilean lake," and its precious cargo of immortal souls would be safely brought to land. The base and unjust treatment which Mr. Newton had endured through the year, on account of his fidelity to the Connexion, and his recent recovery from a very dangerous illness, rendered him an object of peculiar interest among his brethren; and many were the cordial congratulations which he received, and the thanksgivings to God which were presented in his behalf. The spotless character which he had been enabled by the grace of God to maintain, under circumstances of the severest trial, served to strengthen that esteem and affection for him which his brethren have so long and deservedly cherished. Conference was unusually large. About four hundred and eighty were present; who were entertained with truly Christhodists and other friends in Sheffield tian kindness and hospitality by the Meand its neighbourhood. Among them were several Missionaries from different parts of the world; and the Rev. Messrs. Stewart, Deery, and Waugh were present as the Representatives of the Irish Conference. leyan Ministers, during the past year, were The ravages of death among the Wesfound to have been very extensive; and in the obituary department of this Magazine will be found the honoured name of many a useful and devoted servant of Christ, whose spiritual children survive to cherish his memory. Yet the Head of the Church is graciously mindful of the spiritual wants of his people, and of the world, and still raises up men, to make known his mercy and salvation, ignorance and sin. and to carry on the holy warfare against hundred and eight young men were No less than one able to be employed in the regular recommended to the Conference, as suitministry. Ninety-eight of these have societies at home, and not a few of them been raised up in connexion with the offer themselves as Missionaries to the Heathen; the remaining ten belong to the societies abroad, and are mostly the God be all the glory! direct fruits of Missionary labour. To The religious services connected with the Conference were remarkably well atrefreshing from the presence of the Lord." tended, and were eminently "times of regular preaching at five o'clock in the At two or three of the chapels there was morning. The Conference requested the publication of the charge addressed by the Rev. Joseph Taylor to the Preachers who were admitted into full connexion with their body; together with two sermons delivered by Mr. Hannah, one by Mr. Lessey, and another by Mr. Dixon. These able and edifying discourses, it is hoped, will be placed in the hands of the the ensuing year. readers of this Magazine in the course of Against three individuals, who had rendered themselves conspicuous in the late agitations, the Conference, as in duty bound, passed a unanimous sentence of exclusion. When men, sustaining the sacred office, so far lose sight of their true character and obligations, as to become the apostles of discord, and the open revilers of their brethren, thus leading to perdition the souls which they ought to save, they justly forfeit that official sance 2 Z The attendance of the Preachers at the tion which they had previously received. He who bids such men "God speed," is a "partaker of their evil deeds," and must ultimately share in their guilt and punishment. The attempt made by these unhappy men to justify their unholy proceedings, was exceedingly lame and unsatisfactory, and presented sad proof of the evil influence of unsanctified controversy upon minds once pure and upright. The public have been long told that, during the sitting of the Conference in Sheffield, there would be a numerous meeting, in the same town, of persons connected with the self-styled "Grand Central Association," who would demand of the Conference extensive alterations in the discipline and order of the Connexion. Accordingly, dissatisfied persons, favourable to their projects, were invited by advertisement to assemble, in the hope that their number might intimidate the Conference, and induce that body to betray the trust which Mr. Wesley had confided to them for the benefit of the societies raised up by his instrumentality. This notable scheme, though announced with great pomp and confidence, was a complete failure. Neither the number nor the character of the parties was such as to make any serious impression, either upon the Conference, or the society in Sheffield. Several of the men had been expelled for misconduct; and some of them had not, for many years, been connected with the Wesleyan body. It was apprehended that some of them, at least, considering their former practices, would proceed to acts of violence; but this proved to be a mistake. Soon after their assembling, they applied to the Conference for a personal interview, which, of course, was declined; the applicants having forfeited all title to confidence by the unmeasured abuse which they had for months heaped upon the body of Wesleyan Ministers, regardless of truth, and even of the decencies of life. The attempt to practise a fraud upon the Conference, by assuming the name of "Wesleyan delegates," and avoiding all reference to the "Association," to which they in fact belonged, was easily detected, and justly exposed by the Conference in the answer which was transmitted to them. Loud boastings are not always followed by corresponding action. When the self-appointed "delegates" learned that the Conference would not recognise them, either under that or any other character, because of their connexion with the notorious "Association," after holding one or two noisy public meetings in Sheffield, for the purpose of abusing the Methodist Preachers, The first is the answer unanimously adopted by the Conference, after solemn and careful deliberation, to an address received from certain parties connected with the self-called "Grand Central Association." The second is a Declaration, voluntarily prepared, signed, and transmitted to the Conference, by a large number of the most respectable laymen of our Connexion, who, at the request of the late President, met in Sheffield, on Friday, July 24th, in order to afford him the information which he had solicited, as to the general views and feelings of the large and sound majority of our people, on the subject of the late agitations, and of the measures most fit to be adopted at the present period. The These documents are submitted to the consideration of our friends, with the addition only of one observation. Conference have the unspeakable satisfaction of assuring their beloved societies, and they state the fact with the deepest feelings of gratitude to God,that, during their present assembly, an unexampled and most delightful unity, both of judgment and affection, has prevailed among the Preachers on every subject that has yet come before them. This, and other circumstances, the Conference consider to be "tokens for good." They devoutly "thank God and take courage.' "The best of all is, God is with us. "The things which happened" shall fall out "rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel." Reserving other communications for |