obtained for John, when seventeen years of age, a clerkship in the ordnance department, which situation he held till he resigned it for the purpose of taking a Circuit. Mr. Valton kept a journal, in which he gives the account of his conversion to God, and somewhat copiously describes his various mental exercises. Mr. Sutcliffe has, for the most part, allowed Mr. Valton to be his own biographer; but, where necessary, very judicious observations are interspersed among the extracts which constitute the body of the work. In the life and religious experience of Mr. Valton there is nothing peculiar and extraordinary in kind. And this, perhaps, is that which renders the volume most valuable. It can scarcely fail of coming home to the heart and conscience of every Christian reader. It is a beautiful picture of religion in every-day life; and furnishes, not only instruction, but also encouragement, and that in a very high degree, to all who are engaged in seeking to make their calling and election sure on those more ordi nary pathways by which God in his providence leads by far the greater number of his children to the glory which he has prepared for them. Mr. Valton's piety was deep and active, combining great humi lity with much zeal. Indeed, the chief lesson of the memoir seems to be this, that it is the happy privilege, not less than it is the bounden duty, of every spiritual believer in Christ, in the midst of the usual occurrences and circumstances of life, to seek to enjoy the richest influences of divine grace. Carefully and humbly walking with God, Mr. Valton experienced that support, at the close of life, the anticipation of which may animate both in labour and in suffering. One of his friends, we are told by Mr. Sutcliffe, went over to see him, and saw a glorious sight,- -a dying worm as happy as grace could make him on earth. Brother,' he said, 'my soul for the last four days has been in a state of inward glory.' "It was," his biographer adds, "the river of life which watered his spirit with a constant stream of glory, peace, and joy!" 66 RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST CONFERENCE IN IRELAND. THE Annual Conference of the Wesleyan Methodists in Ireland assembled this year in Dublin, on Friday, June 19th, after the usual preparatory Committees, when one hundred Preachers were present; all of whom received the kind hospitality of their friends, who have long been in the habit of showing their affection to the Wesleyan ministry, and of estimating the public services of the Conference as a high privilege. The presence of the Rev. Theophilus Lessey, the President, was hailed with gratitude and joy, as fears had been entertained of his inability to attend, in consequence of the delicate state of his health. His services were, notwithstanding his indisposition, constant and effective; and the impression made upon both the Ministers and congregations generally by his ministrations will not soon be forgotten. He was accompanied by the Rev. Thomas Jackson, the ExPresident, whose services, connected with the Centenary Meetings and Presidency in the Belfast Conference of the last year, had introduced him to the knowledge of the Irish Methodist Ministers. Six young Preachers, who had acceptably fulfilled their course of probation, were received into full connexion, and separated to the sacred office "by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." Nine others, having undergone the preparatory examinations, were admitted on trial. Four retired from active service, as Supernumeraries; and four, who had been Supernumeraries, were found to have died during the year. Methodism has been encompassed with difficulties in Ireland from the beginning of its history, owing to the prevalence of ignorance, superstition, bi gotry, and political agitations. Nor are these diminishing; yet, we rejoice to know, that it is at present in circumstances better fitted than formerly to grapple with opposing evils, and to accomplish its own holy and benevolent designs. Peace, unanimity, and zealous attachment to its principles and constitution, prevail among its Ministers and members, who are determined, with one mind and one mouth, to glorify God; and, trusting in the great Head of the church, to strive for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom through the land. Upwards of six hundred members of the Irish societies have emigrated during the past year; yet, an increase is announced to the amount of six hundred and sixty-four, a pleasing proof that the hand of the Lord is with his servants; so that they neither labour in vain, nor spend their strength for nought. The Wesleyan Ministers in Ireland, who endure many privations, and whose labours are, in many instances, very severe and wasting, are earnestly recommended to the sympathy and prayers of every sincere lover of God and man. The opposition which they have to encounter is formidable and appalling; but their judgment is with the Lord, and his especial blessing undeniably rests upon them, and upon their labours. METHODIST CONFERENCE OF 1840. ACCORDING to the appointment of the Wesleyan Conference, held last year at Liverpool, the succeeding one, being the ninety-seventh, was to be held "in Brunswick chapel, Newcastle-uponTyne, commencing on Wednesday, July 29th, 1840." Most of the readers of this Magazine will be aware that this was the first Conference held at Newcastle. The valuable and esteemed friends of Wesleyan Methodism in that town, as well as in some others in its neighbourhood, believing that the time was come when the Annual Meeting of the Ministers of the Connexion might be accommodated there, made known their opinion and wish to a former Conference, which promptly agreed to this gratifying expression of affectionate respect; and, to the list of places at which, in rotation, the regular annual assemblies of the Wesleyan Ministers are held, added Newcastle-upon-Tyne, one of Mr. Wesley's early and favourite fields of labour, and where his apostolic ministry had been eminently owned of God. Indeed, the importance which he attached to the place may be gathered from the circumstance, that, when he published, for the first time, "The Rules of the United Societies," he described them as existing "in London, Bristol, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and elsewhere." It was here that he erected his "Orphan-house;" which, though not now used according to the purpose of its original erection, still remains, a monument of the benevolent and practical character of his piety. From Newcastle, as from a centre of operations, he proceeded to extend his untiring labours, and surround his "northern home " with societies and Circuits. The various preparatory Committees began to assemble, according to the di̟rections of the last Conference, on Tuesday, July 21st. The reports which they had, for the most part, to draw up, were of such a pleasing kind, indicating so much usefully-directed energy in the different branches of Connexional labour, that, at an early period, anticipations were confidently indulged that the sessions of the Conference would possess a very gratifying character. We are glad that it is our duty to state, that these anticipations were abundantly realized. The business of the Conference commenced on Wednesday morning, July 29th. Owing to indisposition, the President, the Rev. Theophilus Lessey, was unable to attend; and the Ex-President, the Rev. Thomas Jackson, was, immediately on the announcement being made, unanimously called to take his place, in conducting the opening services of the occasion, and attending to the important preliminaries for holding the Conference, according to Mr. Wesley's "Deed of Declaration." Subsequently, the Rev. Robert Newton was elected to the Presidency, and the Rev. Dr. Hannah was chosen to be Secretary; the Rev. Isaac Keeling and the Rev. John Bowers were appointed the Sub-Secretaries. The Rev. Messrs. William Stewart, Thomas Waugh, and James B. Gillman were the Representatives of the Irish Conference. The Canadian department of service was represented by the Rev. Joseph Stinson, General Superintendent of the Missions in Canada, the Rev. M. Richey, Superintendent of the Wesleyan Academy in Upper Canada, and the Rev. Messrs. William and Egerton Ryerson. About three hundred and eighty Preachers, from all parts of the kingdom, were present this year in Newcastle. For the results of the various deliberations of the Conference, our readers are referred to the usual "Annual Minutes," published at the same time with the present Number of the Magazine. As far as our limits will allow, we shall subjoin a few extracts; but still, recommending a reference to the "Minutes " themselves, as best calculated to afford a correct view of the present state, prospects, and plans of the Wesleyan-Methodist Connexion. A novel but very pleasing incident occurred during the sittings of the Conference; which, we think, deserves record, and from which, we are persuaded, by the divine blessing, valuable consequences will result. The two Ashantee Princes, who are at present in England, (and receiving a thorough English education,) happening to be at Newcastle, on their tour through the more northern portions of the country, on Saturday, (August 1st,) Dr. Bunting moved for permission to introduce them, together with their travelling Tutor, the Rev. Thomas Pyne. This was readily granted; and the young Princes, with Mr. Pyne, having taken their seats on the platform, were addressed by the President. Mr. Pyne made a very appropriate reply. We cannot but regard this, though a slight, yet a favourable, occurrence in reference to the Ashantee Mission. der God, it may assist in throwing open more widely a door for those who will, we hope, soon be sent to Ashantee by the Missionary Committee, as encouraged and enabled by the "Special Effort" for that purpose. Un We feel it right, likewise, to notice another occurrence of a very pleasing character. In a former Number we directed the attention of our readers to the "Centenary Picture," representing the deliverance of young John Wesley from the burning parsonage-house at Epworth. Mr. Parker, the artist, belonging himself to Newcastle, embraced the opportunity of presenting the original painting to the Conference; expressing, at the same time, his wish, that it might be deposited in the Centenary-Hall, London. In the reply to Mr. Parker's communication, the Conference say, that "they accept, with the same pleasure which Mr. Parker felt in presenting, this splendid fruit of his genius and industry." For this "highly-valuable donation" the unanimous thanks of the Conference were presented to Mr. Parker. It was reported that twenty-eight of the Ministers of the Connexion had died in the course of the year. The usual notices of them will be given in the extracts from the Minutes in the Obituary department. To supply the places of those who thus "rest from their labours," or who are unable to labour any longer, or to enter upon those new or enlarged fields of labour which divine Providence may present, one hundred and twenty candidates were, in the usual way, recommended to the Conference, including three or four on the Mission stations, who are recommended as Assistant-Missionaries. Fifty-four junior Ministers, having completed the regular term of probation, and undergone the usual examinations, were received into "full connexion" with the Conference, and publicly ordained by the President, assisted by several of the senior Preachers. The "Charge " to the newlyordained Ministers, usually delivered by the Ex-President, was this year, on account of the lamented indisposition of Mr. Lessey, addressed to them by the Secretary and Theological Tutor, the Rev. Dr. Hannah. As, by the unanimous request of the Conference, this admirable address is to be published in a permanent form, it is not necessary that we should say more on the subject than that Dr. Hannah's "Charge" was worthy of the author and of the occasion. We are sure that our readers will rejoice to learn, that it has pleased God to crown the labours of his servants in their various stations, during the past year, with very gratifying success. The net increase to the Wesleyan societies, at home and abroad, was reported to be as follows; namely,-in Great Britain, 16,110; in Ireland, 664; ou the Mission stations, 5,777; making a total of 22,551. We are glad to say, that the congregations attending on the numerous services held in Newcastle, and the neighbouring towns and villages, were very large, and characterized by deep devotional feeling. Knowing, as we do, both the zeal and the prudence of the men who, in that particular neighbourhood, are, in various ways, connected with those plans of use. ful labour which exist in the WesleyanMethodist societies, we not only hope, but believe also, that the effects will be permanent. Although this was the first time of holding a Conference at Newcastle, and although the number of Preachers who attended was very large, yet sufficient accommodations were most kindly provided by the various friends in the two Newcastle Circuits, Gateshead, Sunderland, and North and South Shields; the Preachers whose lodgings were in these more distant places being conveyed to them by the rail-road carriages, the trains accommodating them with respect to time. It is our very pleasing duty to add, that never were the Wesleyan Ministers, assembling for their annual Conference, received with greater affection and respect, and never were they treated with more cordial and generous hospitality, than by their kind friends at the places already mentioned, or in the vicinity of each of them respectively. When, therefore, the Conference terminated its sittings, the Preachers left Newcastle with feelings of respect and gratitude towards the Methodist societies in the north, and with a deep impression of the importance of the Circuits in that part of the kingdom, arising from the number, intelligence, and piety of the persons who statedly attend the Wesleyan ministry. The Conference closed its sittings on the evening of Friday, August 14th. THE STATIONS OF THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST MINISTERS FOR 1840-1. GREAT BRITAIN. [N. B. Each of the places mentioned in these Stations, and numbered consecutively from 1 to 411, is the head of a Circuit. The 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 direction of the Superintendent Ministers.] I. LONDON DISTRICT.-Jabez Bunting, D. D., Chairman of the District. John Farrar, Financial Secretary. 1 First London, (City-road, &c.,) Richard Reece, Robert Newstead, William Kelk, Henry Davies, William Barton, George Osborn; Henry Moore, Supernumerary. 2 Second London, 3 Third London, Romford, Thomas Jackson is our Editor; George Cubitt is Assistant Editor; John Mason, jun., is our Book Steward; Jabez Bunting, D.D., John Beecham, Robert Alder, D. D., and Elijah Hoole, are the Resident Secretaries for our Missions; Walter O. Croggon is the Superintendent, under the direction of the Missionary Committee, of the Irish Missions and Schools. Dr. Bunting is appointed the President of the Wesleyan Theological Institution; Richard Treffry, Governor of the Institution-House at Hoxton; John Hannah, D.D., the Theological Tutor; Samuel Jones, A.M., the Classical and Mathematical Tutor; John Farrar is the Tutor and Governor of the Abney-house Branch of the Theological Institution; Samuel Wilkinson, John Hartley, Richard Chapman, Robert Nightingale, are Students in the Institution, and regarded as having travelled one year. (Queen-street, &c.,) Isaac Keeling, Abraham Stead, Robert Young; William Jenkins, John Kershaw, Supernumeraries. (Spitalfields, &c.,) Thomas Martin, William P. Burgess, Frederick J. Jobson. Francis Ward, who shall change once in four weeks, on the Lord's day, with the Preachers of the Third London Circuit. (Welsh,) Edward Jones. 4 Fourth London, (Southwark, &c.,) William Atherton, William Clegg, John H. James. 5 Fifth London, (Lambeth, &c.,) Edmund Grindrod, Henry Fish, Henry Castle; John Stephens, Supernumerary. 6 Sixth London, (Hinde-street, &c.,) John Scott, Theophilus Lessey, John P. Haswell, William Peterson; Joseph Sutcliffe, Supernume rary. 7 Deptford, William Naylor, Stephen Kay. 10 Leyton Horsham, James Aldis, Richard Petch; Edward Chapman, Richard Eland, who shall change once in six weeks on the 11 Bishop-Stortford, William Culcheth, John Vanes. 12 Windsor, 13 Chelmsford, 14 Colchester, 15 Manningtree, James Brownell, William Hudson. John Morgan, John M. Kirk, John Watson, 3d. John Bell, William Burnett. John Hannah, jun., Jabez Palmer, Anthony Simpson. Joseph T. Milner, Samuel R. Hall, William Way. 19 Lewes and Eastbourne, George Oyston, Robert S. Ellis. 16 Ipswich, 17 Hastings, 18 Sevenoaks, 20 Brighton, 21 St. Alban's, 22 Guildford, Samuel Young, William B. Dennis; Joseph Brookhouse, Joseph Floyd, John Gay. Isaac Harding. N. B. Authority is given by the Conference to the London Financial District-Meeting to make and conclude a new arrangement of the Croydon and Horsham, Lewes and Eastbourne, Brighton, and Guildford Circuits. II. BEDFORD AND NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT.-Maximihan Wilson, Chairman. Thomas Staton, Financial Secretary. 23 Bedford and Ampthill, Maximilian Wilson, Thomas P. Clarke, John Gostick. 24 Leighton-Buzzard, Joseph Wilson, John Piggott, Joseph Gostick, jun. 25 Luton, 26 St. Neot's, George Taylor, Robert Maxwell, Samuel Wesley. N. B. Brother Wesley resides at Dunstable. Everett Vigis, John Maysey. 27 Biggleswade and Hitchin, Thomas Staton, William Sanders, Dixon Naylor; 28 Huntingdon, 29 Northampton, 30 Towcester, 31 Daventry, Francis B. Potts, Supernumerary. N.B. Brother Sanders shall reside at Hitchin. Robert Bryant, William J. Bullivant, William H. Bam- George H. Rowe, William Hales, John D. Julian; William Samuel Brown, sen., Edward Bramford. Thomas Hickson, Thomas J. Walker, Edwin Blake. 32 Newport-Pagnell, Jonathan Williams, Charles Carter. 33 Higham-Ferrers, Moses Dunn, James Lees; Thomas Hewitt, Supernume rary. 34 Wellingborough, William Piggott, Robert Lewis. 35 Kettering, Thomas Newton, Henry Young; John Rossell, 1st, Supernu merary. 36 Market-Harborough, John Haigh, Thomas H. Beswick; John Wood, Super James Ray, Thomas Rowe. John Ingham, Edward Crofts. Benjamin Gartside, Samuel Walker. John Brown, jun., John W. Dawson. George Birley, Aaron Langley, Philip Fowler; Isaac Aldom, III. KENT DISTRICT.-Benjamin Andrews, LL.D., Chairman. 42 Canterbury, 43 Rochester, 44 Gravesend, John H. Adams, Financial Secretary. Benjamin Andrews, Thomas Baker, Charles Howe; William Welborne, Supernumerary. John Bicknell, Henry Turner, William Williams. John Bustard, James Osborn. |