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"Q. 15. What can be done to promote the Work of GOD in this country?

"A. On the morning following the receiving of the Preachers into full Connexion, the Conference, deeply impressed with the solemn feelings of that occasion, were led to review the state of the Work of GOD in Ireland, and the most probable means of furthering it amongst our Societies. In a general conversation upon various subjects, it was recommended,-that, as Ministers, we should, in deep humility, and unreserved devotion, under the influence of the HOLY SPIRIT, give ourselves up to GOD, and to his work: and that, to this ⚫ end, we should attend, more faithfully and laboriously than ever, to preaching in the open air,-meeting the Classes in the country Societies frequently, and meeting the Societies in cities and large towns,-visiting our people from house

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to house,-rendering our Leaders' Meetings more useful and spiritual,-inviting strangers to attend the preaching of the Word of GOD, and the ordinances of his grace amongst us,-distributing and lending cheap and religious Tracts among the poor and ignorant of the people,— and, also, establishing local Schools through Ireland, under the immediate patronage of the Methodist Connexion.

"These subjects were considered with the best feelings; and at no period in the remembrance of the oldest of our Brethren, did a more gracious and blessed influence of GOD rest upon our souls."

"The third Friday in September shall be observed in all our Societies, as a day of special humiliation and fasting; that our whole Connexion may present, at the same time, their united supplications to Almighty GoD, for a more abundant out-pouring of his HOLY SPIRIT."

WESLEYAN-METHODIST GENERAL CONFERENCE IN LONDON.

OUR account of the recent Meetings of Ministers connected chiefly with particular portions of that spiritual vineyard, which the Methodist Preachers are em

ployed in cultivating, is naturally fol lowed by a Sketch of the Proceedings of the General CONFERENCE. This is usually among us denominated emphatically The Conference; and is with strict propriety so designated, as being the Assembly which all our Societies in the British Empire, both at home and abroad, and in the Missionary Stations connected with them, agree to recognize as over them in the LORD," and to which some report of the state and prospects of the whole Denomination is annually presented.

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The late Conference held in City-Road Chapel, London, is numbered as the Seventy-ninth. About three hundred and forty Ministers from different parts of Great Britain were present. The REV. SAMUEL WOOD, and the REV. WILLIAM STEWART, attended as the Representatives of the Preachers in Ireland. They were all most kindly and liberally accommodated, during their visit to the Metropolis, in the houses of Friends, whose attention to their comfort well deserved, and by a special vote received, their cordial thanks. Much important business was dispatched, subject to the general review and final determination of the Conference, by preparatory Committees, which met from Saturday, July 20th, to Tuesday, July 30th. Several of these Committees, particularly those for Missionary Affairs, and for the concerns of the General Chapel-Fund, derived important assistance from the presence

and counsels of various Gentlemen, resident in London or the neighbouring Districts, who had, according to Rule, been appointed as Members. On Wednesday morning, July 31st, at six o'clock, the Conference assembled. After the usual devotional exercises, and other preliminary arrangements, they proceeded to choose by ballot a President and Secretary for the year; when the REV. A. CLARKE, LL.D., &c., was elected, for the third time, to the former office, and the REV. ROBERT NEWTON was re-elected to the latter. The session of the Conference was continued, by repeated adjournments, from that time till the forenoon of Wednesday, August 14th, when it finally terminated, in the greatest harmony of brotherly affection, and under a very blessed feeling of the Divine Presence and Influence. The last act of the Preachers, before their separation, and when most of them were on the point of departing for their respective scenes of labour, (not expecting that all of them should ever meet again on earth,) was to confirm their love to CHRIST and to each other, and the vows they had made of renewed devotedness to the best of services and of Masters, by partaking together of the LORD's Supper, which was administered by their PRESIDENT, assisted by the EX-PRESIDENT, (the REV. GEORGE MARSDEN,) and by the REV. H. MOORE.

The public religious services, in the various chapels, were in general well attended, and highly acceptable and useful. The congregations at the Cityroad Chapel, in particular, were usually

numerous, beyond the precedent of any former Conference. Some fruit of the seed sown has already appeared; and much more, we trust, will be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of JESUS CHRIST. The two official sermons, by the PRESIDENT and EX-PRESIDENT, were preached at City-Road, on Sunday, August 4th; the former (by DR. CLARKE) on PS.xcvii. 1,2; the latter (by MR. MARSDEN) on Matt. xvi. 18. The REV. HENRY MOORE also preached before the Conference, by their special request. His text was Philip. iv. 11.-Two Love-feasts, open to any member of the society, but in which the Preachers alone were the speakers, were held during the Conference; one in Great Queen-Street Chapel, the other in City-Road Chapel. These were seasons of much pleasure and profit, especially the latter. The brief accounts given by various Preachers, both old and young, of their own religious experience, and of the work of GOD in the different places from which they came, intermixed with edifying observations and exhortations, were characterized by zeal, wisdom, and heavenly unction, and left a blessing behind them which will not soon be forgotten. We believe the practice of holding a Conference Love-feast has hitherto been chiefly confined to London and Dublin; but we cannot refrain from hoping, that, in future, one evening will be devoted entirely to a meeting of that description, wherever a Methodist Conference shall be assembled. Its stimulant and encouraging effects on the Preachers themselves, and the gratification and instruction which, by the blessing of GOD, it would afford to the people, would amply repay the time allotted to it. It was thus that PAUL and BARNABAS, in the days of primitive Christianity, on their return to Antioch from one of their itinerancies," gathered the church together, rehearsing all that GOD had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles."Among the public services of the occasion, we must not omit to mention, that on Tuesday, August 13th, those friends who had received Preachers into their houses were, at the request of some of them, admitted by tickets to witness the proceedings of the Conference; during which several subjects, which stood in the regular order of business, were discussed and decided. And on the evenings of Monday and Tuesday, August 5th and 6th, an open Conference was held, in the presence of crowded and deeply-interested auditories, for the purpose of publicly re

ceiving forty-six Preachers into full connexion with the Conference, and of solemnly setting them apart to the full work of the Christian Ministry and Pastorship among us,-as persons who, after careful trial and examination, were judged to be duly called of GOD to that high office, and whom it was, therefore, now deemed proper, according to the general usage of the Church in all ages, formally to recognize as 66 partners and fellow-helpers," and to "recommend to the grace of GoD for the work which they" were required and charged to "fulfil." Of the Preachers thus admitted into the body, a few had been labouring in different circuits for the term of four years, (the usual period of ministerial probation in our Connexion,) but the greater part had travelled considerably longer, although their public admission had, till now, been omitted, on account of their having been unable, without much inconvenience, to attend at any former Conference for that purpose. On the first evening, after some excellent introductory observations by the President, explanatory of the views of the Methodists, on the subject of a Divine Call to the ministry, and of the close and repeated trials and examinations, in reference to their conversion to GOD, their doctrinal sentiments, &c. &c., to which the preachers now about to be received had been subjected, both in their Circuits, in their several DistrictMeetings, in the Conference on the preceding Saturday, and in special inquiries instituted officially by himself,-for the yet fuller satisfaction of the congregation, seven out of the fortysix, (being as many as the time would allow to speak at large,) were called upon, without any previous intimation that they would be so selected, to give to the Conference an of their religious experience, and of their views and purposes on devoting themselves thus publicly and solemnly to the service of the Church of CHRIST, This was done (by MESSRS. BROUGHAM, FORDRED, G. TAYLOR, METHLEY, STRACHAN, JOHN SMITH, 4th, and P. MOWAN) with much simplicity and propriety; and greatly, we believe, to the edification of all who were present. Indeed, the specimen annually brought, on these occasions, before the Methodist People, of that clear, distinct, and sound experience of the comforting and renovating power of religion on their own hearts, which is invariably insisted upon, as far as hu man sagacity can enforce a point of that nature, as an indispensable pre-requisite to the admission of candidates into the

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Ministry of our Body, cannot fail to impress every thinking person in our Societies with feelings the most salutary, -feelings of deserved respect for the christian character of those who officiate among them as "stewards of the divine mysteries," and of gratitude to GoD, who thus from time to time preserves our Connexion from deterioration and decay, in a matter, which is, beyond all comparison with any other, of vital importance to our prosperity and usefulness. Such, we are persuaded, were the emotions excited in the hearts of many who witnessed the particular solemnity which we are now describing. On the second evening, the usual questions, as to their experience, doctrines, practice, and views of discipline, &c., were put to the candidates by the PRESIDENT, and briefly but satisfactorily answered. The questions are chiefly compiled from those which occur in the Ordination-Service of the Church of England, with the addition of others, relating to the peculiarities of the Methodist Ministry, taken from the Large Minutes of the Conference. Having heard from their young Brethren the good confession which they had witnessed before many witnesses, and being satisfied with the vows of entire devotedness to God and his work which they had made in his presence, and before his people, it was moved by the REV. JAMES WOOD, (the oldest Preacher now travelling in the Connexion,) seconded by the REV. HENRY MOORE, and determined by solemn vote of the Conference, that they should be admitted into full connexion. This vote was immediately carried into effect, by the PRESIDENT; the other Preachers all standing up, while he, in very impressive terms, declared to the young Preachers that, "In the name of the FATHER, of the SoN, and of the HOLY GHOST," and by the authority of the Conference, he recognized them as full partakers of the Methodist ministry, and admitted them to the exercise of all its privileges and functions; and, at the same time, laid it upon their consciences to give full proof of that ministry, by a faithful discharge of its various duties, and commended them to the blessing of Almighty GOD.-A Charge was then addressed to them, according to our usage, by the EX-PRESIDENT, replete with pious and useful advice.-The PRESIDENT WAS .assisted in the devotional exercises, which preceded and followed the other services of both evenings, by the REV. ROBERT NEWTON, (the Secretary) and by the REV. MESSRS. WRIGLEY, of London, and STEWART, of Ireland, in whose fervent prayers for the young

Brethren the whole congregation appeared to unite with more than common ardour. May they all be "vessels unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master's use;" and "save both themselves, and them who hear them."

Of the general business which came before the Conference, we must content ourselves, in this place, with a very brief notice; referring our readers for fuller particulars to the "Minutes," just published.

On the Examination of Preachers who were on trial, it appeared, that, besides those who were recommended for immediate admission into full connexion, there still remain on trial, in Great Britain, thirty; in the Foreign Missions, thirty-nine, and two Native Assistants; and in Ireland seven.

The number of Local Preachers, recommended by their Quarterly and District Meetings, as fit persons for our General Ministry, and accordingly received on trial this year, and appointed to Stations, is, in Great Britain, twentytwo; in Ireland one; and for Foreign Missions, four, besides two Native Assistants.

Others similarly recommended, but not yet wanted, are placed on a List of Reserve, subject to the call of the President, or, with his approbation, to that of the Missionary Secretaries.

During the last year, nine Preachers have died in Great Britain, of whom six were previously settled as Supernumeraries :-one in Ireland;-and seven in Foreign Stations.-The account given in the Minutes of these seventeen deceased Ministers, we have extracted for our Obituary. See page 614.

Twelve Preachers in Great Britain, one from the Foreign Missions, and several in Ireland, have been this year compelled, by age or various infirmities, to retire from the regular itinerancy, and to become Supernumeraries.- Methodist Preachers when worn-out in public service, have a claim to double honour. May their latter days be rendered comfortable by the consolations of GOD, and the attentions of his people; and may their rest be glorious!

The characters of all the Travelling Preachers in the Connexion were, as usual, individually examined; and a Report concerning each required by the PRESIDENT from the Chairman of the District in which he was last stationed, or from the Missionary Secretaries, if he be on foreign service. This is always a solemn and admonitory part of the business of a Methodist Conference.— This year, three were expelled as unworthy to remain Members of the Body; and two or three others, for impro

prieties of conduct, or violations of discipline, were officially consured and reproved. We have no hesitation in making this circumstance public; for we think that, next to the clear religious experience required on admission into the Methodist Ministry, the care annually taken to preserve its general and substantial purity, by a DISCIPLINE which in its execution tempers justice with mercy, is one of its distinguishing glories; and while it occasionally, in a few rare instances, brings to light facts which are matter for grief and humiliation, it, on the other hand, suggests to Preachers and People, on the whole, abundant reasons for gratitude and satisfaction.

The Stations of the Preachers for the ensuing year, in Great Britain and Ireland, we shall insert, as usual, at the close of this article, in our present Number. The Stations of the Foreign Missionaries will probably be given hereafter in the Missionary Notices.

We perceive, from the "Stations," that a considerable number of Additional Preachers have been appointed this year to various Circuits. For some increase of Preachers the great increase of Members evidently called; in order that the pastoral care, so essential to the consolidation and permanency of the work of GOD, might be made in some degree coextensive with the enlargement of the Societies. This will explain the reasons of the additional Preachers in several cases. In others, those reasons are to be found in the laudable commiseration felt for some comparatively dark or destitute parts of the kingdom, where the harvest is great, but the labourers are few. Such is the case particularly of the Shetland Isles, to which two of our Preachers have been, for the first time, appointed, and to which our Connexion seems to have received a very marked call of Divine Providence. Of this new station some further account may be hereafter communicated to our Readers. We earnestly hope that this increase of Preachers has been so judiciously adapted to the real exigency of circumstances, as not to involve the danger of any material pecuniary embarrassments in future years, either to the Circuits thus favoured with additional privileges, or to the Public Funds of the Body. We are most thankful to be able to report, that the Contingent Fund, which is expended for the support and spread of the Gospel at Home, the Children's Fund, and the General ChapelFund, are all in a state of progressive improvement. We trust that they will every year become yet more efficient to the truly pious and noble purposes to which they are severally applied.

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Total number of Members in the Wesleyan Methodist Societies, throughout the world, exclusive of Travelling Preachers statedly employed in the work of the Ministry . 815,014

Among other subjects, which engaged the deliberations of the Conference, were -a Plan for Encouraging the more general Distribution of Religious Tracts,the completion of a scries of standard Catechisms, two of which, drawn up by MR. WATSON, are already in forwardness, a Proposal, (which has been referred to a Committee,) for preparing a List of Books for the Improvement of Junior Preachers, which they shall be required to read during their years of probation, and in reference to which they shall be annually examined,-and various measures for assisting the Methodist Preachers of Ireland to prosecute their useful and laborious ministry in that country, by affording them temporary relief in the present pecuniary difficulties of their Connexion.

The Annual Pastoral Letter, addressed by the Conference to the Societies, will appear in a future Number.

DR. CLARKE has liberally presented to the Conference the valuable MS. of his "Memoirs of the Wesley Family," which was acknowledged in an unanimous vote of thanks.

The Resolutions respecting the promotion of more fervent prayer for the general out-pouring of the HOLY SPIRIT, passed at a Meeting of the First London District in April last, of which a Copy was inserted in our Magazine for May, (p. 320,) were considered and approved by the Conference, and solemnly adopted, mutatis mutandis, as expressive of the feelings and purposes of the whole Body of Methodist Ministers, in reference to that most important subject.

From the preceding sketch, in which much has been omitted for the sake of brevity, for which we must again refer to the Minutes" such as desire further information, it will be seen that the state of the Methodist Connexion, as far as can be ascertained from the accounts laid before the late Conference, is, on the whole, highly satisfactory, and such as demands the tribute of unfeigned gratitude to Him "from whom all blessings flow." Another Methodistical Year has now commenced. May it be as peaceful, and as successful, as that which preceded it! May it

be in prayers, and in pious labours of every kind, on the part both of our Ministers and of our Societies, in every quarter of the world, yet more abundant! And may a yet richer harvest of spiritual good be reaped in every portion of the field assigned to us for cultivation!-"O LORD, SAVE NOW, WE BESEECH THEE: O LORD, SEND NOW PROSPERITY."

N. B. The next Quarterly Day of Fasting and Prayer, which it is hoped that all our Societies will unite in observing, according to our standing Rule, will be Friday, October 4th.

THE STATIONS OF THE PREACHERS FOR 1822-1823. GREAT BRITAIN.

1. THE FIRST LONDON DISTRICT.—Walter Griffith, Chairman. Walter Griffith, George Morley, John Burdsall, Thomas

1 London East,

2 London South,
3 Waltham-Abbey,

A Deptford,

5 Chelmsford,

6 Leigh, Essex,

7 Colchester,

8 Manningtree,

9 Ipswich,

10 Brighthelmstone,

11 Hastings,

12 Chichester,

Jackson, Edmund Grindrod; Robert Jones, Welsh
Preacher; Thomas Vasey; Francis Wrigley, John
Newton, James Everett, Supernumeraries.

Jabez Bunting is our Editor; Thomas Blanshard is our
Book-Steward; Jabez Bunting, Joseph Taylor, jun.,
and Richard Watson, are the Secretaries for our Missions.
John Stephens, Richard Waddy, Josiah Hill.

Peter M'Owan; who shall change with one of the Preachers of the London East Circuit every sixth Sunday.

John Reynolds, sen., James Buckley.

Ambrose Freeman.

Samuel Ward; who shall change with Brother Freeman at least one Sunday in six.

William M. Harvard, Thomas Rowe.

James Gartrell, William Pollard.

Corbett Cook, George Banwell.

William Lord, William W. Annetts, Samuel Young.
John Geden.

John Piggott; who shall change with one of the Portsmouth
Preachers once in six weeks, on the Lord's-day.

II. THE SECOND LONDON DISTRICT.-John Gauller, Chairman.

13 London West,

14 Hammersmith,

15 Windsor,

16 High Wycomb,

17 Huntingdon,
18 St. Neot's,
19 Biggleswade,

20 Bedford & Ampthill,

21 Leighton-Buzzard,

22 Luton, 23 Reading,

24 Sevenoaks,

John Gaulter, Charles Atmore, Samuel Warren, John
Scott; William Jenkins, Jos. Fielden, Supernumeraries.
Richard Gower, J. W. Pipe.

Richard Cooper; who shall change with the junior Preacher
of the Hammersmith Circuit once a month, on the
Lord's Day.

John Furness, Charles Colwell; Wm. Holmes, Supenumerary.
Jonathan Porter, Richard Eland.
Joseph Walker, Aquila Barber.
Benjamin Millman, W. H. Clarkson.
John H. Rowe, George Rowe.

Jonathan Williams, James Jarratt.
William Brocklehurst, George Taylor.
Samuel Lear, Joseph Dunning.

Francis B. Potts, Thomas Ludlam; John King, Supernum.

III. THE CANTERBURY DISTRICT.-Jonathan Edmondson, Chairman,

25 Canterbury,

26 Rochester,

27 Gravesend,

28 Sheerness, 29 Margate, 30 Dover,

Frederick Calder, James Methley.

Jonathan Edmondson, Richard Treffry.

Abraham Watmough, Alexander Strachan.

Thomas Rought, James Rosser.

Barnard Slater, James Whitworth.

Anthony B. Seckerson, James Golding.

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