WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. I. THE IRISH CONFERENCE, 1847. THE Annual Conference of the Irish Wesleyan-Methodist Ministers was held this year at Belfast, and commenced on Thursday, June 24th. Never, even in Ireland, that country of a mournful history, did the Wesleyan Conference assemble under such peculiar and most painful circumstances. Everywhere anxious and onerous, the ministry is so there to an extent of which elsewhere it is difficult to form a conception. The same opposing hinderances which are found in other countries, exist there in at least an equal degree; and combined with them is a state of things which makes them insurmountable by any power short of that by the possession of which the address was made applicable and proper: "Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain." Popery reigns there with an influence which it has preserved in only a few European countries, and in these, as well as in Ireland, it has produced the most deplorable results. The great evangelical change by which man becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus, Popery seeks not to accomplish. The restraints which it imposes on some forms of human viciousness, not only leave the principle unsubdued, but other forms strengthened and exasperated. One only advantage do we foresee as of possible production, and encouraging more cheering hopes. Wherever Popery reigns so entirely as to exert an unmixed, unmitigated influence upon a people, there not only is its utter powerlessness to compete with human corruption, but also its unfailing tendency to debase and embitter the condition of man, individually and socially, demonstrated. Political partisanship, operating, we are willing to believe, not unfrequently, on an unsuspecting, and even a generous, disposition, has persuaded many that Popery is altogether changed, and that its mischievousness belongs to the errors of a former age, now forgotten or rectified. Nothing but obstinate infatuation can resist much longer the clear and uncontradicted evidence of undeniable fact, that to the Popery of which the society of Ignatius Loyola is the living type, the crushing, demoralizing, degrading evils under which Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland are so wretchedly labouring, are to be traced. Against this pernicious system, now everywhere belligerent, and in Ireland both intrenched and aggressive, against Protestantism, and especially against that true Reformation-Protestantism of which justification by faith is the principle and watch-word, the Wesleyan Ministers have to contend, not only with fewer opportunities of access, but with less encouragement, particularly social encouragement, than ever. Honourable individual exceptions, indeed, may exist; but the two forms of Protestantism in Ireland are equally unfavourable to anything like a simultaneous attack on the common foe. Political latitudinarianism compliments its respectability, and eagerly disavows all the bigotry of controversy and proselytism; while, on the other hand, the Church party, identifying the Gospel with Episcopacy, fraternizes with Rome, though its ayowed and unconceding foe, and refuses all communion with Protestants under other forms of church order, however evangelical, however earnestly Protestant they may be. Wesleyanism, thus repaid for former services by haughty repudiation, is shut up to itself, and its labours almost limited to its own congregations and families. And in these disheartening circumstances, it has to sustain its share of 3 Q VOL. III.-FOURTH SERIES. the awful calamities which have visited the nation, and spread distress and alarm throughout the United Kingdom. In addition to ordinary difficulties, never trifling either in character or amount, this year Methodism has had to contend with famine, pestilence, and that distressing poverty which has driven so many to seek for at least some measure of relief in expatriation. It would not be easy to describe the feelings with which the Ministers of a portion of Christ's church, thus mysteriously called to pass through "great tribulation," would assemble; having no light but that which the guiding pillar shed upon their faith. Even although we had no more to say than what these general references to their position express, we believe we have said enough to secure for them the most affectionate sympathy, and earnest and continual prayers, of our readers. The power of the prayers of the church is shown by the value which the great Apostle of the Gentiles evidently attached to them: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit: and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly." Great as are the difficulties presented by the work to which our Irish brethren are called, still, even greater is its importance, and the necessity of persevering in it. We shrink not from the declaration, which we make advisedly and deliberately, that all hope for Ireland exists exclusively in the labours of themselves, and of such as they are. With legislative arrangements and provisions we have nothing to do; but of this we are sure, that the wisest, the best-intentioned legislation, will be utterly useless, when the mass of the people are obstinately ignorant, and glory in what is their real degradation. A prosperous condition of society can never be developed out of materials, the fundamental element of which is soul-slavery: where spiritual death broods, and the truth and love of the Gospel are absent from the soil, the fruits of righteousness can never be produced; nor can the deficiency be supplied by the utmost efforts of human wisdom and power. As usual, the Rev. William Atherton, President of the British Conference, occupied the same position in relation to the assembled Irish Ministers. The regular business was conducted with the accustomed order and care, and brought to a close on Thursday, July 1st. In reviewing the proceedings of the year, much that was painfully affecting was disclosed. Affliction, disease, and death had prevailed to an extent never before known. As nearly as could be ascertained, the number of deaths was not less than one thousand; while fifteen hundred and twenty-one persons had been compelled to emigrate. To Ireland itself this is a serious loss; as, independently of the character of these emigrants, both for piety and industry, most of them possessed, at all events, some little property, with which, in other lands, they would seek to begin the world anew. In consequence of these large deductions, the number of members in the Irish Wesleyan Connexion is two thousand nine hundred and nine less than it was last year; but the deaths and emigrations amounting to two thousand five hundred and twenty-one, the absolute decrease is only three hundred and eighty-eight; no surprising amount when the melancholy and agitated character of the past year is considered. The several funds of the Connexion have suffered; but it is to the honour of our Irish friends that the deficiency is less than might have been anticipated from the causes undeniably in operation. The Ministers separated to repair to their appointed stations of selfdenying and arduous labour, serious, for they could not but see that the judgments of God were abroad, and that his hand was lifted up,—but not disheartened, for still, not less than in brighter days, their trust was in the Name of the Lord. They went forth in the spirit of men feeling that with circumstances and issues they had nothing to do but to leave them with God, while they fixed their attention on the path of duty, and on the faithful promise of blessing to those who steadily walk in it. Again, therefore, do we remind our readers of the claims on their sympathy and prayers which are presented by the situation of the Irish Wesleyan Ministers. Through what scenes they will have this year to pass, no one can prognosticate; but this we do know, that though they go forth weeping, as well they may, they bear precious seed with them. God grant that they may have opportunities of sowing "plentifully," and that even yet, and in Ireland, they may return, bringing whole sheaves with them, the produce of the blessing of the Lord of the harvest in their labours. II. THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST CONFERENCE, THE Wesleyan-Methodist Ministers held their Annual Conference this year at Liverpool, commencing their regular session on Wednesday, July 28th. For nearly a fortnight previously, the various officers and Committees had been in attendance, preparing the several branches of connexional business intrusted to them, for being presented to the Conference itself in a state, as far as practicable, ready for final examination and decision. But for these divided and preparatory labours, the numerous, and in many respects complicated, affairs of a section of the church so extensively ramified and spread, could not possibly receive that close and serious attention which is demanded by their importance, and the solemnity of the interests which they involve. We have remarked on former occasions, and we take the present opportunity of remarking again, that they who, in judging of the ecclesiastical constitution of Wesleyan Methodism, only look at the composition of the Annual Conference, derive their conclusions from exceedingly imperfect premises. The Conference itself, it is true, is only composed of Ministers; but, laying no particular stress on the fact, which yet, in the consideration of the entire question, is a vital one, that these Ministers, as deriving not only their power of carrying out their plans and operations, but their very means of subsistence, from the voluntary contributions of the people, furnished as the need for them arises, can possess no ability for action independently of popular observation and control,-passing by this fundamental fact, and only attending to what is constructed upon it, it is obvious, to all who are acquainted with Wesleyan Methodism, that the system, while recognising the right of ministerial superintendency and direction, includes a large amount of efficient lay-agency, operating with especial power in all financial concerns and arrangements. This is exhibited in every Circuit and District; and decisive instances are furnished by almost all the Preparatory Committees which assemble previously to the meeting of the Conference. In practice, as well as in theory, Wesleyan Methodism seems to have solved the problem which has occasioned so many difficulties in all ages of the church,—the harmonious co-operation of ministerial and lay agency, the especial direction of each to that which is chiefly its own province, and their usefully-conjoined application to interests in which Ministers and people are alike concerned. It is a pleasing fact, and not the less so for being one of regular and constant recurrence, that the Committees which assembled this year at Liverpool, were as cordially united as they were active and diligent, and furnished Reports which greatly facilitated the subsequent business of the Conference. The Conference assembled at nine o'clock in the morning, Wednesday, July 28th, at Brunswick Chapel, Moss-street, Liverpool, under the Presidency of the Rev. William Atherton, whose office only closed when his successor was chosen. After the usual preliminary business, the Rev. Samuel Jackson was elected to be the President for the ensuing year, and the Rev. Dr. Newton was again chosen to be Secretary. For the proceed ings of the Conference in detail, we must refer the reader, as usual, to the "Annual Minutes," published simultaneously with the present Number. Whoever examines that small volume, recollecting that each article of its (for the size) numerous contents, is only the answer to a previouslyconsidered question, or the issue of a previously-conducted (and often long) investigation, will be able to form some notion of the character and extent of the business which these Annual Conferences are called to transact. We may observe, however, in general, that perhaps never were matters of greater importance considered by any former Conference than some which have occupied the attention of the one just concluded. Among them we may specify-" Pastoral Visitation," " Catechumen Classes," "Education," and the "Observance of the Sabbath." One fact we regret to mention. On a review of the numerical state of the several Circuits, it was seen that, in connexion with Ireland, a decrease to the amount of nearly five thousand had been sustained during the past year. One reason of this was found to exist in the large number of deaths and emigrations in Ireland, amounting to about two thousand; while from Cornwall upwards of one thousand had emigrated to Australia, and elsewhere. The remarks we have made on this subject in our brief account of the Irish Conference render it needless to say here any more, than that we commend to the serious notice of the reader the observations contained in what we may be allowed to term, the excellent "Address" of the Conference to the Societies. On the last day of the Conference, (Saturday, August 14th,) Dr. Alder, who had been detained at Halifax, (Nova Scotia,) by indisposition, on his return from his Mission to Canada, announced the successful termination of his labours there, in the re-union of the Canadian Conference and societies, with those under the direction of the British Conference. During the sittings of the Conference, a pleasing incident occurred, which deserves, we think, to be recorded. James Heald, Esq., a well-known and long-tried member of the Wesleyan society at Stockport, having been elected as one of the Representatives of that town in Parliament, being in Liverpool, was introduced to the Conference, and congratulated in its name by the President for the honourable position which he had attained. Mr. Heald, in thanking the President and Ministers, assured them of his unaltered and even increased attachment to Wesleyan Methodism, with the interests of which he had long, and from deep and growing conviction, identified himself. He trusted that he should have the aid of their sympathies and prayers in his new and responsible position, that he might ever act in a manner that should be worthy of his profession, as a Christian, a Wesleyan, and a Protestant. Mr. Westhead, likewise a member of the Wesleyan society, having been elected as one of the Representatives for Knaresborough, the Conference resolved that he should be in like manner congratulated by letter. And as the matters brought before the Conference for consideration were of a very important character, so were they investigated and decided with the carefulness which they required. Among the assembled Ministers, 66 along with the spirit of Christian frankness and fidelity, there was diffused, if possible, a larger measure than usual of holy esteem and affection for each other. At an early period in the session, attention was called to certain anonymous publications," of a wicked and slanderous character, the object of which was to excite the Ministers to distrust and disunion, and the societies to strife and disaffection. These publications were universally condemned, and a strong resolution to that effect was passed. But we must again refer our readers to the "Annual Minutes," which we believe they will find this year to be more than usually interesting. We may be allowed especially to refer to the Annual Pastoral Address. We hope this will be read, and most seriously considered, by every Methodist. We ought not to conclude without referring to the very kind hospitality which the members of the Conference received from their numerous entertainers during their sojourn in Liverpool. Circumstances had occurred, connected with the "Irish visitation," which at one time occasioned fears whether so large a number of Ministers as were likely to attend could be as conveniently entertained as on former occasions. But if such difficulties had ever existed, no traces of them were to be found when the Conference assembled; and at its close, cordial thanks were voted to the families by whom they had been received with so much Christian affection. III. THE STATIONS OF THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST [N.B. Each of the places mentioned in these Stations, and numbered consecutively from 1 to 435, is the head of a Circuit. The Superintendent and other Minister or Ministers stationed in, or appointed to, the several Circuits under mentioned, is and are appointed by the Conference to preach and to perform all acts of religious worship and Methodist discipline in each and every of the Wesleyan-Methodist chapels already erected, or to be erected, within each Circuit respectively, within the space of twelve calendar months, at such time or times, and in such manner, as to him or them shall seem proper; subject nevertheless to the Superintendent Minister.] SAMUEL JACKSON, PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE. ROBERT NEWTON, D.D., SECRETARY. I. LONDON DISTRICT-Samuel Jackson, Thomas H. Squance, Financial Secretary. George Cubitt is our Editor; John S. Stamp is Assistant-Editor; John Mason is our Book-Steward. Jabez Bunting, D.D., John Beecham, D.D., Dr. Bunting is re-appointed as the President of the Institution. Southern Branch, Richmond, Thomas Jack son, Theological Tutor; John Farrar, Classical Tutor; William W. Stamp, House-Governor; John D. Geden, Assistant Tutor. Uxbridge, Luke Tyerman. N.B. Brother Tyerman shall act under Northern Branch, Didsbury, John Bowers, 2 Second London, (Great Queen-street, &c.,) 3 Third London, (Spitalfields, &c.,) John Scott, N.B. Brother Taylor is appointed to assist Thames Mission, Richard Chapman. (Welsh, St. Mary Axe, &c.,) John Jones, 3d. 4 Fourth London, (Southwark, &c.,) John |