demand our liberties; they are to meet the day before the district meeting, on the 22nd of May, and as far as we can judge, our letters have been well received, and the people enter into our views. We should by all means have a supply of pamphlets by that time. We never were so well satisfied with our preachers as at this time; they all behave liberally in the present dispute, and we should be sorry to have any part of our conduct as levelled at them. This we shall endeavour to avoid, by a proper explanation. Mr. Hanby desires his love to you and your friends now "Wrestling in the glorious cause Of truth, of freedom, and of equal laws.' And I am persuded were all the preachers of his spirit and liberality, the contest would be at an end. "We shall be glad of every necessary information, and believe me, dear sir, with prayers for your prosperity, "Your sincere friend, "ROBT. HALL." The preceding letter to Mr. Kilham refers to a meeting of delegates, to be held preparatory to the Wesleyan district meeting. That meeting of delegates was held at the time specified, when an address was adopted and sent to the preachers then holding their district meeting. The address stated their views as to the important points of Methodistic reform, agreeing substantially with the system which was subsequently adopted by the founders of our Connexion. This address, so far from giving offence, was cordially responded to by all the preachers except one. The justice of the people's claims was admitted, and the following reply was sent. "TO MESSRS. HALL, BARLOW, Tatham, &c.—Dear Brethren,—We feel it our desire to promote, as much as possible, the credit and prosperity of that cause in which we, as ministers of the Gospel, are engaged. With this view, we honestly declare our wish, that the grievances of which our people complain may meet with the redress of Conference. We only speak the sentiment of our hearts when we say, that we sincerely love the brethren, and feel it the greatest pleasure of our lives to spend and be spent for their present and future advantage; and we are fully persuaded that while we act disinterestedly, we have nothing to fear, but everything to hope. We are happy to find that Mr. Benson has no objection that all preachers should come into connection with the voice of the people; this, to say nothing of prudence, we consider to be no more than equity and justice will claim. Agrecable to such principles, (principles we wish ever to abide by,) we further observe, that members of society should be admitted, or excluded by a majority of the leaders; that the circuit and society stewards should be the voluntary choice of a majority of our people, together with the preachers; and that all other regulations which concern us, (as a religious body,) should be grounded on a foundation as lasting as it is just, and as prosperous as it is prudent. We sec no reason to object to the admission of delegates from our societies into our district meetings, nor of delegates from our circuits into the Conference, to assist and advise with us in all matters which properly concern them as representatives of the people. As the friends of our common cause, as children of one heavenly Father, as fellow-brethren of Christ Jesus, we entreat you "pray for us;" that he who governs in Zion may preside over us, and determine in all our councils.-We are, dear brethren, your servants for Christ's sake, THOMAS HANBY, SIMON DAY, JOHN BEAUMONT, THOMAS DUNn, George SargEANT, THOMAS GREAVES, J. PENMAN, THOMAS LONGLEY, JONATHAN PARKIN, JOHN ATKINS, JOHN NELSON, GEORGE DERMott, George MORLEY." This is an important document, and bears witness to the fact that the above sober-minded ministers did not see any legal barrier, nor apprehend any danger to the interests of the Church or the prerogatives of the ministry, in the admission of lay representatives to the district meetings and the Conference. Happy would it have been for Methodism had those important measures been conceded at that time. That they must ultimately be granted can admit of no doubt by any considerate mind. This interesting document was printed, and Mr. Hall immediately sent a copy of it to Mr. Kilham, accompanied by an affectionate epistle. which now lies before us. It breathes the same firm, but gentle and affectionate spirit as his other epistles. A few months afterwards Mr. Hall wrote again to Mr. Kilham, from which letter it appears that, though he had prepared a pamphlet on the cause of Methodistic reform, and was equally firm in the maintainance of his principles, he with many others hoped that a reformation would be effected without a division in the body. Neither he nor others fought for the fame of victory, but for principle. "DEAR FRIEND,-When you were at Nottingham, I promised to write my thoughts on the present state of our affairs, to be laid before the public; this I have now done, and it would make a small pamphlet of fifteen or twenty octavo pages. I have had a jury of friends to give their verdict on it, and they have voted their hearty and unqualified approbation, and advise me to publish it. I am in a strait and don't know how to act. I wish I had some person to advise with in this business of more general knowledge than any I have consulted at present. I pray to God for his direction. I see many sincere souls hurt in this contest, and my heart bleeds on their behalf. But I cannot be satisfied that this is a sufficient reason that I should give up one truth, or forfeit the principles of reason and equity. A Church established on laws as weak and unequal as ours can never ultimately prosper. I cannot adopt the maxim that we ought to make a resignation of truth and substitute error for the sake of peace. You see, I am in a situation that I doubt not you have often experienced. I have a mind at variance with itself. I really love the cause of religion, and particularly that amongst the Methodists, but I abhor its present system of government. How glad I should be to have an hour's conversation with friend Grundall, and a few of your other acquaintances, of whom you speak so highly, in your neighbourhood. I hope a division will not take place. I don't see that it is necessarily connected with the present contest. I rather should suppose they would prevent a separation, for I can hardly suppose, ignorant as many of the people are, that they would combine against their own interests, and fall in love with the persons that would enslave and oppress them. I hear Mr. B is opening the campaign at Leeds, and is rallying all his forces for the attack. I am sorry to say I much disapprove of that man's conduct. I think I see through and through his mean soul. I believe if his whole frame, mental and corporeal, was submitted to chemical analysis, neither the sublimate nor caput mortuum would afford one grain of that liberality that is the principal ornament of mankind. I beg you will give my kind love to my old friend Grundall. Tell him I intend to write to him shortly; indeed, I have not used him well. I have been long indebted to him, but hope to pay him in a little time, and I know his friendly and forgiving spirit. You see I acknowledge my faults, which is the first step towards reformation. My wife joins me with her kind love to you, and she will be glad to see you whenever you can pay us a friendly visit. "I am, dear friend, yours affectionately, ROBT. HALL." "Mr. Alexander Kilham. Mr. C. Sutton, father of the present Mr. Richard Sutton, of Nottingham, took an active part with the faithful men of Nottingham in their honourable contest for religious freedom. We have a number of his letters to Mr. Kilham, but most of them are on matters of business. Thé following brief extract is valuable as indicative of the spirit which actuated him and his colleagues in their arduous efforts. "Nottingham, Aug. 30th, 1797. "DEAR SIR,-Am happy to find your prospects so promising in your quarter. I have no doubt but our cause will be found to be a growing one. We only have to engage in it in the name of the Lord, with firmness and moderation, and prosperity will be the certain consequence. 'Who can harm us, if we be the followers of that which is good?' I have the happiness to inform you that the leaders and local preachers are all firm as ever, and what is the best, we find that the ark of the Lord is with us also. We had a blessed season last Thursday evening at the bands. I never knew a more melting time. "I am, dear sir, yours respectfully, "C. SUTTON." There were doubtless other correspondents, but we have not found any of their letters. The above are honourable to the men and their noble cause. To the friends at Nottingham we would say, Go on and prosper. Your cause began in the love of truth, freedom, justice, and mankind; it has been fostered by the blessing of God, and it shall be consummated in complete and universal triumph. We of this generation, who, without a struggle or a sacrifice, have entered into the enjoy ment of the liberties for which our fathers fought and laboured, owe a debt of gratitude and esteem to their memory. We would honour their names and hold fast their principles, and hand them down to posterity unimpaired, that the next generation may share the same advantages and blessings. The state of society is favourable to our sentiments, and we have nothing to do but hold fast the privileges we have, and peaceably and faithfully labour for the salvation of souls and the glory of God. People of Nottingham, be holy, united, diligent, and zealous. Members and friends of the New Connexion, everywhere be holy, diligent, united, and zealous; and God, even our own God, shall bless us, and make us a thousand times as many as we are. EDITOR. HYMN FOR THE NEW CONVERTS OF SALEM CHAPEL, NORTHL SHIELDS, AND IN COMMEMORATION OF THE SIGNAL OUT-POURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN TILAT PLACE, AUGUST 26TH, 1849. SALEM! place of peace and rest, Mocking night with transient blaze; Shining bright and shining far. "And when death shall break the urn "There behold the Father's grace, W. G. TATE. THIRTEEN REASONS WHY THE MEMBERS OF THE BE THANKFUL, AND TAKE COURAGE. Mark stirring appeal to our sympathies and our prayers. "Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."-PSALM xlviii. 11, 12, 13. It is well for our people to review their privileges and blessings. Ours are not a few, and they demand our gratitude. Though we ought never to glorify ourselves, we ought to appreciate our blessings, and to glorify God. Let us, then, survey a few of the favours God has given us to enjoy. 1. We have a system of sound doctrine, drawn not from the decrees of councils or the traditions of men, but from the infallible teachings of holy Scripture; a system so definite and stringent on all vital points, as to exclude fatal heresy, yet so benign and comprehensive as to hold forth the blessings of a full, free, present, and universal salvation for mankind. 2. We have the ordinances of religion maintained in their integrity, disencumbered of all unmeaning ceremonies, of all popish and puseyitical inventions, and administered with seasonable frequency, and in their original simplicity. 3. We have an intelligent and useful ministry, which, though not embellished with academic honours, consists of men who, in the main, have clear heads, warm hearts, and respectable acquirements; who are, indeed, workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 4. We have spheres of exertion and usefulness adapted to every capacity, and every variety of talent and opportunity. Local preachers, exhorters, leaders, stewards, class leaders, prayer leaders, Sunday-school teachers, tract distributors, &c., &c. There is work for all, and all are invited to work for God and immortal souls. 5. We have a missionary establishment, which employs fifty missionaries in the work of diffusing the gospel in those parts of the world to which our personal efforts cannot extend. Here, then, is an open channel for our benevolence, and a 6. Our chapel debts are being reduced, our Educational Committee is doing good service, the subject of day schools is awakening attention, Sabbath school instruction is becoming more effective, Bible classes for elder scholars and Normal classes for teachers are adopted, the Home Mission is brought into operation, and various other means for promoting our temporal and spiritual welfare, for diffusing knowledge and piety, are in operation, and promise good fruits to persevering diligence and prayerful dependence on God. 7. We have a system of church go vernment which, in its fundamental principles, harmonizes with reason and Scripture, with the inalienable rights of mankind, and the usages of the church in its pristine age-in those best and brightest days, which preceded the rise of spiritual despotism and the usurpations of the man of sin. 8. We have personal freedom. Each member is protected against all arbitrary censures, all unjust degradations, and cruel expulsions. As no man can be received into communion without the approval of the church, so no man can be censured, degraded, or expelled without conviction, nor convicted without evidence of guilt, and that evidence adduced before a regular tribunal, where ministers and laymen are conjoined in the solemn act of discipline, determining, in their united capacity, both as to the nature of the offence, and the punishment to be inflicted on the offending brother. 9. We have a voice in the choice of all our church officers. The classes choosing their own leaders, and the societies electing their own stewards. 10. We have a system of representative government, which carries the just and righteous influence of our people into those higher courts where the general business of our circuits and of the Connexion at large is transacted. Thus our quarterly meetings, special circuit meetings, and district meetings, are composed of representatives of the people. Our annual Conference, also, is composed of an equal number of ministers and laymen, who, unitedly, are the messengers of the churches, thus giving the people a voice in appropriating the moneys they contribute, in making the laws by which they are to be governed, in the righteous administration of those laws, and in choosing, from year to year, the ministers who are to labour among them. If 11. The rights of the people, and the prerogatives of the ministry, are so effectually guarded, that the one cannot infringe upon, or exercise undue authority over, the other. the system allowed the people no voice by representation in courts of legislature, the ministry would possess an unjust, arbitrary, and unscriptural authority over God's heritage; but, on the other hand, if the system allowed the people a power to exclude the ministry from those courts of legislature, they must possess a power to oppress and degrade the ministry whenever they may please; and, indeed, the abstract existence of such a power is a degradation to both ministers and people. No such power, on either side, exists in our Connexion; but an honest equilibrium, which secures the prerogatives of the ministry in combination with the just rights of the people. 12. Another privilege to be thankful for is the possession of the right by the churches to appoint men to the holy ministry. Amongst us, no man can be introduced to the sacred office without the free election of the circuit, and also of the people composing the church of which the candidate is a member. This is a most important privilege, and it is especially guarded by wise and salutary regulations, excluding the results of favouritism, local prejudice, and other sinister influences, and providing for the purity and efficiency of the ministry. 13. In enumerating the reasons for our gratitude, we ought not to forget the substantial blessings of peace and harmony in all our borders, and of general prosperity in our circuits. Ministers and people are happily united. There never was a time when a more fraternal spirit, a more cordial, united, and true connexional feeling existed, and mean while God is visiting us with the outpouring of his Holy Spirit. Blessed be his glorious name. But some may ask, Why refer to these matters, seeing the people know all about them? We answer, Thousands of the people know and think too little about them. We wish them to understand and appreciate their privileges. We wish them to study our excellent rules, and compare our doctrines, our ordinances, our means of grace, and our system of church order and government, with the word of God. Every member ought, especially in the present day, to understand our system, and be able to give to every man a reason why he prefers it to other systems of Methodism. There is no bigotry or sectarianism in this. It is only a just appreciation of our blessings and privileges, which we may cherish in perfect harmony with the most enlarged benevolence towards other denominations. What, then, is our duty? First to be thankful. Thankful to God, and to those devoted and self-denying men of the past generation, who originated these privileges, and to those fathers and senior brethren of the present generation, who, amidst much obloquy and many trials, have contributed to preserve them unimpaired. Secondly. To be active, devoted, liberal, and prayerful. We have the privileges enumerated. They are not now to be sought, or contended for, we possess them as our inheritance. Let us, then, not only appreciate them, and hold them fast, but work them out to great practical results. Let us live not for ourselves, but for the world; to help on the conversion of the world; to transform the earth into a paradise; to fil it with light, holiness, and love. |
