patristic lore, the practices of former ages, the opinions of men long ago gone hence, to be no more seen below? After Mr. Jackson's complete exposure of his misrepresenta tions, Dr. Pusey's authority will not be regarded as of much value by any but the blindly-devoted adherents of his party. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. WESLEYAN CONFERENCE IN IRELAND. THE Wesleyan-Methodist Conference was held this year in the city of Dublin. The period of its session will long be remembered by all who were connected with it, as one of peculiar spiritual influence and profit. The usual preparatory Committees began their meetings on Tuesday, June 21st, and the Conference on the following Friday, June 24th, at six o'clock. The Rev. James Dixon, President of the British Conference, had been appointed to preside in the Irish Conference. He was accompanied by the Rev. Robert Newton, and also by the Rev. John Scott, one of the General Treasurers of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. The Rev. Walter Oke Croggon attended as Superintendent of the Irish Missions and Schools. The Conference was favoured with the presence of the Rev. Bishop Soule, Representative of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America, to the British Conference; and likewise with that of the Rev. Thomas Sargent, also from the United States, the Bishop's travelling companion. The accounts given by these esteemed brethren, of the progress of religion in America, were very cheering to the Irish Ministers. Of these, about eighty were present at the Confer ence. The religious services held in the different Wesleyan chapels in the city and its environs, during the time of Conference, were numerously attended; and the various discourses which were delivered, were heard with evident and great seriousness; and it is hoped that the fruit of them will be abundant, and encouragingly visible. During the past year only one Minister, of those whose names were on the Minutes, has died; namely, the Rev. Thomas Wade Doolittle, a man respected and beloved by all who knew him. Four of the Itinerant Ministers have become Supernumeraries; but three who were last year entered on the Minutes as Supernumeraries, have resumed their accustomed position. Six junior Ministers, who had passed regularly and satisfactorily through the usual period of probation, were received into full connexion with the Conference, and ordained by imposition of hands. Of nine candidates for the ministerial office, who had likewise passed regularly and satisfactorily through their respective District-Committees, some were appointed to Circuits, others selected for the Theological Institution, and the remainder placed on the President's List of Reserve, to be called out into the regular work of the Wesleyan itinerancy, should their services be required. We learn with great pleasure, in reference to the state of the Wesleyan Connexion in Ireland, that it has pleased the great Head of the church to accompany the labours of his servants, during the past year, with his blessing. Notwithstanding the dark clouds of superstition that hang over the land, and the numerous and opposing influences against which Wesleyan Methodism has had to contend; and although emigration has occasioned the removal of not fewer than eight hundred and sixty-nine members; there has still been a net increase, on the total number of members in society, of three hundred and sixty-two. The Mission daily schools have also increased,their number now being fifty-two, containing more than four thousand child ren. These schools are in addition to the Sunday-schools in the different Circuits; and in them all, daily or Sabbath, the Scriptures are read, and religious instruction given. We are glad to be able to add, that the different Funds connected with Irish Wesleyan Methodism, amidst much distress prevailing through the country, have sustained no loss; but, on the whole, have advanced. The contributions to the Missionary Fund have increased about £400 during the past year, affording proof of a growing interest in the cause of religion and humanity; for such is the cause of Christian Missions. We recommend the Irish brethren, and their labours, to the continued and prayerful recollection of our readers. They have much against which they are called to contend, and little encourage ment save that which the promises of the Gospel, and the tokens of the divine presence and blessing, afford them. They have many adversaries, and not many friends. They greatly need, and they greatly deserve, the sympathy and pray. ers of the friends of Methodism in England. METHODIST CONFERENCE OF 1842. THE Wesleyan-Methodist Ministers, according to the appointment of the Conference of last year, held their annual Conference this year in London, upwards of five hundred being present, who were affectionately and hospitably entertained by the members of the Wesleyan societics and congregations in London and its vicinity. As usual, the different Committees, to whom is intrusted the arrangement of the various departments of connexional business, so as that all may be prepared for the consideration and judgment of the Conference, met some days before the commencement of the regular sessions. The Stationing Committee met on Monday morning, July 18th, at the City-road chapel, and the other Committees on the days appointed, as published in the "Minutes of Conference" for 1841. The Conference began on Wednesday morning, July 27th, at the City-road chapel. After the necessary preliminaries had been attended to, by calling over the names of the hundred Ministers constituting the "legal Conference," and filling up the vacancies occasioned by death and superannuation, the Rev. John Hannah, D.D., was chosen President; the Rev. Robert Newton, Secretary; the Rev. Isaac Keeling, and the Rev. John Farrar, Sub-Secretaries; and the Rev. William Barton, Journal Secretary. As we shall give, as usual, the obituary memorials of the Ministers who have died since the last Conference, the "Pastoral Address" of the Conference to the Wesleyan societies, and a few extracts from the "Annual Minutes," we have the less to say in the present article. The Conference had only its ordinary business to transact, and this was transacted in the usual spirit of Christian fidelity and fraternal affection. It was eminently a Conference of peace and harmony. When the regular business of the Conference had commenced, the assembled Ministers were informed that the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States had sent the Rev. Joshua Soule, D. D., one of their Bishops, to be their Representative to the British Conference. The Rev. T. Sargent had likewise been chosen to accompany him as his travelling companion. The Bishop and Mr. Sargent were then introduced to the Conference, and welcomed by the President. Both of them likewise addressed the Conference. The presence of these esteemed brethren was very gratifying, and was hailed as a pledge of union between the two churches. The Conference unanimously requested Bishop Soule to furnish for publication the sermon which he preached in the City-road chapel, on Sunday evening, July 31st; and, as the request was complied with, we hope, before long, to be able to present it to our readers. During the sittings of the Conference, the Ministers present were highly grati. fied by a visit paid to them by the truly venerable Dr. Steinkopff, and the Rev. Mr. Sydow, a Prussian Clergyman, from Potzdam. These esteemed Ministers were introduced by the Rev. Dr. Bunting, and were received and welcomed, in the name of the Conference, by the President. Both Dr. Steinkopff and Mr. Sydow addressed the Conference, assur ing their Wesleyan brethren, that their proceedings were not unnoted on the continent of Europe; and that especi ally their Missionary labours had at. tracted the general attention of all evangelical Christians. Mr. Sydow stated, also, that several Wesleyan publications had been translated into German, and had had a very beneficial influence, They both of them gave some encouraging accounts of the revival of religion on the Continent; and that, not only in its profession, but also in its power: they expressed, likewise, their earnest desires for the increase of brotherly affection among Christians, holding the Head, though of different communions, An occurrence of a similar character occasioned great pleasure to the Ministers in Conference. They were informed, that the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, at its recentlyheld Session, had resolved to open a friendly correspondence, and to allow ministerial intercourse, with other portions of the Christian church; and that the resolution to this effect had been so worded as to include the Wesleyan Methodists. A letter, written by the authority of the General Assembly, signed by the Rev. the Moderator, addressed to the Wesleyan Ministers assembled in In this letter Conference, was read. there is a distinct recognition, expressed in the language of true Christian affection, of the Wesleyan Methodists, as constituting a branch of the true catholic church of the Lord Jesus, and a prayer that the intercourse and correspondence proposed might be for the honour of God, and the salvation of souls. May this example be imitated by others. Union of affection, and fra ternal recognition, would furnish an inconceivable increase of strength and influence to Christian Protestants, now, unhappily, too much divided, and vigorously assailed both by modern infidelity, and their ancient enemies, the adherents of the Papacy, as well as by those pseudo-Protestants, who, though dwelling in Protestant communions, repudiate Protestant principles, and confess themselves to be opposed to the ProIt is to the honour of the established Church of Scotland that she has taken this important step. testant name. We regret to have to say, that when the numbers of "members of society" in the various Circuits and stations were reported, although there had been an increase during the year, in the Mission To em brace the opportunities, and successfully to resist the opposition, much holy wisdom and zeal is required from the labourers in the Lord's vineyard, and the abundant blessing of God upon their labours. And for this, all who desire the revival and spread of true religion, will pray earnestly; and especially for the Ministers of Christ's Gospel, that "the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified," THE STATIONS OF THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST MINISTERS FOR 1842-3. GREAT BRITAIN. [N. B. Each of the places mentioned in these Stations, and numbered consecutively from 1 to 419, is the head of a Circuit. The Preacher or Preachers 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 Preacher.] JOHN HANNAH, D. D., PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE. I. LONDON DISTRICT.-John Scott, Chairman of the District. 1 First London, (City-road, &c.,) Richard Reece, Robert Wood, John Scott, I. Muff; Henry Moore, Seth Morris, Supernumeraries. George Cubitt is our Editor; John S. Stamp is Assistant Jabez Bunting, D.D., John Beecham, Robert Alder, D.D., Dr. Bunting is appointed the President of the Wesleyan Theological Institution; Thomas Jackson is the Theological Tutor, and John Farrar the Classical Tutor and Governor, of the Southern Branch of the Institution at Abney-house. Dr. Hannah (the President of the Conference) is the Theo logical Tutor, Philip C. Turner the Governor, William L. Thornton the Classical Tutor, and Theophilus Woolmer Assistant Tutor, of the Northern Branch of the Institution at Didsbury; Samuel Wilkinson is the President's private Secretary. James D. Brocklehurst, John Eaton, John Harvard, Edward Lightwood, Joseph Portrey, Charles Povah, Thomas Sheldon, Ebenezer R. Talbot, and William Williams, 2d, are Students in the Institution, and regarded as having travelled one year. 2 Second London, (Queen-street, &c.,) Joseph Fowler, William M. Bunting, Robert M. Wilcox, John Relph; John Kershaw, Samuel Jones, A. M., Supernumeraries. 3 Third London, Romford, (Spitalfields, &c.,) Thomas Martin, Charles Prest, Frederick J. Jobson, John Vanes; John G. Avery, Supernumerary. John M. Kirk, who shall change once in four weeks, on the Lord's day, with the Preachers of the Third London Circuit. (Welsh,) Lewis Williams. 4 Fourth London, (Southwark, &c.,) James Methley, Samuel R. Hall, James Osborn. 5 Fifth London, (Lambeth, &c.,) Henry Fish, A. M., John M‘Lean, William Chambers. 6 Sixth London, (Hinde-street, &c.,) Robert Young, John C. Pengelly, William Peterson; Joseph Sutcliffe, A. M., Supernumerary. (Chelsea, &c.,) John Bicknell, John Smith, 3d. 7 Seventh London, 8 Deptford, 9 Hammersmith, 10 Croydon, 11 Leyton, William Clegg, sen., Benjamin Clough; Thomas Rogers, William Naylor, John Hartley. Samuel Trueman, Jabez Palmer, Richard Chapman; Edward John Mason, 1st, who shall change once in six weeks on the 12 Bishop-Stortford, William Drewitt, William Way. 13 Cambridge, 14 Windsor, 15 Chelmsford, 16 Colchester, 17 Manningtree, 18 Ipswich, 19 Hastings, 20 Sevenoaks, Robert Maxwell, George Turner, 2d. James Brownell, Robert H. Atherton; Richard Treffry, James Aldis, Charles Carter, Luke H. Wiseman. John Baker, John Norton. Joseph Lowthian, William H. Rule, William Exton. John Philp, Henry Banks. John Chettle, Joseph Stinson, John Gostick. 21 Lewes and Eastbourne, William Culcheth; William W. Annetts, Supernume 22 Brighton, 23 St. Alban's, rary. N. B. Brother Culcheth shall change regularly with the John Crofts, Thomas Rowe; Joseph Brookhouse, Supernu merary. William Bytheway, Henry Young, James Wheeler. N. B. Brother Young shall reside at Watford. 24 Guildford, Dorking, and Horsham, Isaac Harding, Samuel Beard, John Lam bert, 2d. N. B. Brother Beard shall reside at Dorking. 11. bedford AND NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT.—William Bacon, Chairman. George H. Rowe, Financial Secretary. 25 Bedford and Ampthill, William Bacon, James Ray, James P. Dunn; Frederick Calder, Supernumerary. 26 Leighton-Buzzard, Moses Dunn, Francis Ward, John Maysey. 27 Luton, 28 St. Neot's, 29 Biggleswade, 30 Hitchin, 31 Huntingdon, 32 Northampton, 33 Towcester, 34 Daventry, George Taylor, James Cooke, 1st, John F. England, Thomas N. B. Brother Cooke shall reside at Dunstable. Robert Sherwell, Henry B. Botterell; Francis B. Potts, James Cheesewright, who shall change on one Sunday in every John B. Whittingham, James Lees, John W. Dawson. George H. Rowe, James Golding, William Hales; James William Wedlock, William Bramford. Thomas Hickson, William Hopkins, Richard Riley. 35 Newport-Pagnell, Richard Eland, Thomas Standring. 36 Higham-Ferrers, John Brown, 2d, Samuel Wesley; Thomas Hewitt, Super numerary. 37 Wellingborough, William J. Bullivant, Robert W. Broomfield. 38 Kettering, John Hannah, 2d, John I. Dredge. 39 Market-Harborough, Samuel Brown, 1st, George Hurst; John Wood, Super numerary. James Waller, William H. Bambridge. Wright Shovelton, William Ford; Isaac Aldom, Supernu merary. III. KENT DISTRICT.-John Davis, Chairman. 42 Canterbury, 43 Rochester, 44 Gravesend, 45 Sheerness, 46 Margate, 47 Dover, 48 Deal, 49 Rye, 50 Tenterden, 51 Ashford, 52 Sandhurst, 53 Maidstone, Benjamin Andrews, LL.D., Financial Secretary. Benjamin Andrews, LL.D., John D. Carey, Samuel John Davis, Henry Turner, Robert M. Macbrair. Robert Wheeler, who shall change on one Sunday in every James Rosser, Edward Jennings. John Geden, Thomas Robinson, 1st, George Blencowe; James Jarrett, Supernumerary. William Wilson, 1st, Josiah Mycock; James Gartrell, Supernumerary. Thomas Baker, Joseph K. Tucker. John Knowles, 1st, Reuben Partridge. John Sharman, who shall change once in six weeks with the Henry B. Britten, James Hirst. Samuel Young, James Mole. IV. NORWICH AND LYNN DISTRICT.-John Hanwell, Chairman. 54 Norwich, 55 Bungay, Thomas R. Fisher, Financial Secretary. John Hanwell, William Parker, William Baker, jun. 56 North- Walsham, Richard Greenwood, George Millsom. 57 Yarmouth, Ninian Barr, William Williams, 1st; William Fowler, Super numerary. |