ture" for the use of our Ministers, and "miscellaneous" matters. It may be remarked, however, that, as the body increases, the items under these heads respectively may be expected to multiply. And if we value the system established among us, even on these grounds additional aid should be afforded.

But the assistance given to the dependent Circuits is the principal subject to be considered. These Circuits amount to about one hundred and eighty. Allowing that there are fifteen societies in each of these Circuits, on the average, then we have, what by others would be designated" churches," to the amount of two thousand seven hundred and eighty aided by this fund; and without which aid many of them must be left without pastoral care. These churches are watched over by three hundred and thirty-seven Ministers, who are in part supported by the assistance of this fund.

Not

a few of these servants of Christ live in a very humble style indeed, whether as it regards the furniture or character of their houses, and other particulars coming under this designation. But, moderate as the "grants" are, some of these breth ren would have to be withdrawn from their scenes of toil and usefulness, were the help obtained from this fund withheld.

Under the pastoral care of these Ministers are placed upwards of seventy-five thousand members of the Christian church, and many thousands of Sunday-scholars. Think, then, of the importance of supporting efficiently a system which is so closely and extensively connected with the weal of the church and our country. The system is organized, and is in mighty operation; and, like some other great causes, is now producing great and blessed results, silently and almost insensibly. The freshness of novelty is gone; and, having been long accustomed to the working of this mighty machine, we are in danger of overlooking or underrating its power and advantages. On account of our familiarity with its operations, our admiration may have

ceased; and because we see the motion kept up, we are liable to look upon it as though it had acquired some self-supporting principle, which renders our assistance unnecessary; forgetting that the same prayer, diligence, and liberality, as in the beginning, are requisite to produce the same result, even the enlargement of the kingdom of Christ.

There is one item of expenditure, however, which requires especial notice: the sums "allowed to certain junior Ministers, for lodgings, &c." This expenditure is rendered necessary by many Circuits having failed to provide houses for the accommodation of additional families, according to their engagements, when additional Preachers were called out, in compliance with their request. In some instances, no doubt, these failures have arisen from unforeseen changes in the circumstances of the Circuit; but, in some cases, has there not been a want of discretion in Circuits applying for Preachers, before they were in a situation to provide for them? And, in others, has there not been an unfaithful shrinking from those burdens which were necessarily entailed upon the Connexion, as the result of a compliance with earnest solicitation? The honesty and honour of such Circuits are appealed to, whether, with returning temporal prosperity in trade, the Contingent Fund ought not at once to be relieved from those burdens which, through them, have been brought upon it, by their providing suitable habitations, according to our rules.

But the whole subject rises immensely, both in magnitude and interest, when viewed in connexion with the movements now in progress, in reference to the religious training of our youth. In many Circuits more ministerial aid is required, that the religious interests of the junior branches of Wesleyan families may be properly cultivated. The system of itinerancy possesses many advantages; but, like every other merely human arrangement, it is marked by defects. It affords an opportunity of spreading over a large surface; and thus was spe

cially adapted to the state of things in the country at large, when the nation was to be roused by Mr. Wesley and his coadjutors. But, by enclosing a large extent of land, we are exposed to the temptation of not cultivating every “part and parcel" of it with sufficient care and good management. By stretching our influence and attention, we lessen their power; and, in a given locality, do not exert that moral energy which it is desirable to bring to bear upon it, to produce those results which might be realized. But, then, a settled ministry is in danger of sinking into supineness. Hence we would not give up itinerancy, but endeavour to obviate its defects. Frequently a Minister has now to go and preach to a dozen people; who is thereby deprived of the opportunity of religiously training thirty youths in the town he leaves. Every reflecting mind, taking a comprehensive view of the subject, must see that the latter far exceeds the former in importance ultimately, and as to the probable amount of good that may be effected. In the former case, the effect of ministerial labour, to a great extent, terminates in the hearers exclusively; but in the latter, the Minister is forming the character of the next generation, of heads of families, of future Ministers, Stewards, Leaders, Local Preachers, and Sabbath-school agents. Thus it is quite possible there may be a faithful and diligent application of time, although it may not be the most judicious. Hence, in the present state of our country, and of the Wesleyan church, it is quite apparent that more ministerial aid is required. We cannot now be viewed as existing in a supplemental form or relation to another section of the universal church. This was assumed to be our position for many years; and the deficiencies of one section might, in theory, be allowed to be supplied by the other. It was so, however, only in theory. But the current of events, under the guidance of divine Providence, has placed the Wesleyan church in a separate and independent position. And it has become

the imperative duty of that church to provide for the educational and religious wants of all classes of persons connected with it, or standing in relation to it, in any capacity, from the child, through all the stages of human life, to the man of hoary hairs. Doubtless, many changes will have to take place before this altered and improved state of things can be realized,-changes in the views of hearers and members, in the plans of working Circuits, and in the habits and opinions of some Ministers. These have been formed by a state of things which has long existed among us; but, in a new position, there must be an alteration in many of these particulars. This change must be gradual; but it may be more or less rapid, according to the spirit in which it may be attempted. Let it be promoted in the spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance, and then it will proceed with increased velocity. But it is desirable that the members of our church should be convinced of the necessity of this change; for when once this conviction is effected, there need be no fear as to the results. Ordinarily, our members have only to be convinced that a measure is needful to the real and permanent welfare of the body, and they will readily support it. Instead, then, of spending many hours of the Sabbath in riding from place to place, merely to preach, and then to depart with as much haste as may be prac ticable, the whole day must be given to places where there is a considerable population, that the Minister may devote his attention more fully to the formation and superintendence of "catechetical classes," the religious oversight of our Sabbathschools, and other pastoral duties. And, during the week, opportunity must be afforded for the constant superintendence of all those Committees and Meetings which are connected with the various institutions

that exist among us. It is quite clear, from general observation, that none of our institutions will long retain much life or vigour, unless they are constantly watched

over by the Ministers of the Gospel. God gives them an influence, as a whole, which no other class of men possess; and, with their opportunities, and varied experience, they make a bad use of their time, if they are not qualified for great usefulness in all those cases.

This mode of proceeding may also be considered of equal importance to our foreign work, as to other departments. The higher the monumental pillar is raised, the broader and firmer must be its foundation. On this undeniable principle, the more our interests and connexions at home are strengthened and consolidated, the more advantageous will it be for the work abroad. Agents will be multiplied in all the varied capacities in which they are needed: the number of subscribers will be increased. But another consideration, which rises above these, is, there will be the spread and establishment of true Christian principle, by which these concerns are to be governed and sustained. And this will form a solid ground, on which the support of Christian Missions may safely repose.

Now, one principal means by which the work at home may be promoted is, by the increase of the "Yearly Collection" in the classes. Its chief object was, and still is, home Missionary operations; and it is requisite, in its application, that this object should constantly be kept in view. It is, therefore, a question which ought to be seriously considered by those Quarterly Meetings which have long been receiving assistance from this fund, whether they are not now able to carry their own burdens. There have been cases where the assistance derived from this fund has been so long perpetuated, that the continued reception of it, in the views of some persons, appeared to be essential to the existence of the Circuit. A CircuitSteward has been heard arguing for the continued grant of five or ten

pounds, as though it were a question of life or death; when, perhaps, he ought to have given the whole of it, according to the rule of proportion,

assuming that the Circuit required such assistance. Such instances, however, are not frequent,-to the honour of that valuable and liberal class of officers, the Circuit-Stewards, be it recorded. A very large sum has been expended, of late, in providing lodgings, &c., for "junior Ministers :" now, as the grants for this purpose may be lessened from time to time, by the Circuits, as in duty bound, obtaining the requisite number of habitations, it is hoped this sum, which last year amounted to £2,700, may be devoted entirely to the extension of the work of God,not exclusively by extending over a larger space, but by providing for the better cultivation of the ground already enclosed. In this way a considerable amount may be saved to the fund. But this can be effected only gradually; and, therefore, it is necessary to bring the subject of increased support to this fund before the subscribers. When there are so many contributors, if only a small addition were made individually, the total would be considerable.

The motto and experience of the Wesleyans has hitherto been, "Onward." Let us still keep it in view. Union, co-operation, and generosity will yet realize the object of our wishes. If we desire to see the real welfare of the Wesleyan church promoted, let this fund be liberally supported; and, by our contributions, let us say to her, "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." Then may we hope to see that prophecy fulfilled: Thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited."

Grimsby.

66

J. S.

before me, dated from "the Hague, March 17th, 1794." It embraces a period of six years, from August, 1787, to August, 1793. “Examined and approved by the Committee of our general Conference, John Pawson, Alexander Mather, William Thompson, Thomas Rutherford, Thomas Rankin, Joseph Cole, William Blagborne, J. Braithwaite, and George Whitfield."

The Doctor was Treasurer, Secretary, and Collector; and made his own report viva voce. The largest amount raised in any one of these years (namely, 1787) was £1,167. 12s. 2d.; and the smallest, in 1790, was only £339. 15s.; to which the following note is appended :-"The smallness of the sum subscribed this year arose from my having so little time to apply to the pious and benevolent,-there being nothing done during my absence." Among the "pious and benevolent," the names of Whitbread, Wilberforce, and the Thorntons, are invariably found, together with the Right Hon. the Earl of Dartmouth, Earl of Belvidere, Lord Elliott, Lady Mary Fitzgerald, Lady Maxwell, Sir Charles Middleton (afterwards created Lord Barham), Sir Richard Hill, Sir John Carter, Sir William Forbes, Lady Smythe, Hon. Mrs. Carterett, and the Hon. Mrs. Bouverie. Of the Clergy who aided the Doctor, the following will be read with interest: the Rev. Mr. Dodwell, of Lincolnshire; Melville Horne, of Madeley; Berridge, of Everton; Abdy, of Horsleydown; Dr. Gillies, of Glasgow; Simpson, of Macclesfield; Pentycross, of Wallingford; Easterbrook, of Bristol; Kennedy, of Teston, &c.

The average of the six years is only £1,002. 9s. 4d.: the first, 1787, left the Doctor a small balance in hand; but the remaining five years had placed a debt on the opposite side, of £2,167. 17s. 2d.; respecting which he says, "The large balance due to me will never again be brought into account: it is my subscription to this great work." In consequence of the rapid sale of the Doctor's Journals, he was induced, January 25th, 1790, to publish the

whole of them collectively, with the following neat and affectionate Dedication to the Rev. John Wesley :

"HONOURED AND VERY DEAR SIR,-Permit me to lay at your feet the first publication of any magnitude that I have ventured to offer to the public eye. In you I have, for thirteen years, found a father and a friend; and feel a peculiar happiness on every opportunity afforded me of expressing my obligations to you. I know you hate flattery; and, therefore, I must avoid all panegyric. To say but little of you, would derogate from your due; and to do you justice would offend you. I must, therefore, only subscribe myself, with great respect,

"Dear Sir,

"Your dutiful, affectionate, and most obliged son,

"THOMAS COKE."

In December, 1787, Mr. Wesley allowed him £10 out of the profits arising from the sale of his Journals; but though he accepted this in the first instance, to avoid giving offence to Mr. Wesley, he returned it, soon after, to the Mission Fund. (Statement, p. 17.) The Doctor entered into a particular examination of the expenditure of the Missionaries once in two years, when he visited the West-India Íslands. "When the Missionaries," says he, "sailed from England in the winter-time, I generally sent them in the packet from Falmouth, though the expense was five guineas more, beside the journey from London to Falmouth. I thought that the life of a Missionary was so precious, that he ought not to be obliged to run the hazard of coasting England, from London to the Land's End, in the wintertime, for the sake of saving about ten guineas. The hazards of the torrid zone were quite sufficient for those valuable men." (Ibid., p. 18.)

Mission-schools had a commencement about the close of this year, as appears by the following entries:

"Feb. 9th. Printing one hundred and twenty sets of Lessons for Children,' £3. 3s. 10d."