sessed of, while it is practised, in such a way, at least, as to attract the attention of the ignorant, by many illiterate persons, that have a larger share of confidence and presumption than often falls to the lot of the wise and pious, it is regarded not only as a token of superior zeal, but as a singular gift of Heaven, and an argument of the truth of the doctrines they enunciate. Various objections are made indeed to the extempore preaching of many, who are accustomed to this practice; but they are not sufficient to prove, that it is not a most impressive and interesting mode of address, when properly conducted, as it is more generally found to engage the attention of our congregations, and particularly of the lower orders of the people. It is not indeed recommended to every clergyman to attempt it, that has not been accustomed to it, and finds that he cannot acquit himself with propriety. But it is certainly to be wished, that every person designed for the church were initiated in the practice of it from an early period, and that it were a part of his education; and the early habit would then obviate the effect of that timidity, which is so natural to men of real worth. (To be continued.) STATE OF METHODISM IN CORNWALL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCHMAN'S SIR, MAGAZINE.. YOUR correspondent Cyprian, in your number for September last, page 196, has called on the clergy and others, to oblige the public, through the medium of your excellent Miscellany, with a statement "of the condition of the Church of England, in different places," on the plan that the Methodists and other sectarists do, in their different journals: which I the readier comVol. XI. Churchm. Mag. for Nov. 1806. Z z ply ply with, as my opinion is in unison with his; that if such a plan was adopted from time to time in your Magazine, the progress and views of the different sectarists in different parts of Great Britain, would be ascertained by a single glance of the eye over your pages: and then we should be able to inform ourselves easily, whether they are making the rapid progress, and the church is in that real danger, it is often reported to be; at least, if such a plan was adopted, the commonalty, the great bulk of the body of the people, as well as the clergy, would be able to acquaint themselves, with the causes and reasons why Dissenters so much prevail in some places, and why they decrease in others; what means are found successful in opposing them; and what the best to advance the interests of the church in increasing our congregations, procuring a larger number of communicants at our sacraments; and, lastly, the best way to be pursued in order to reconcile separatists to the church. The Arminian Methodists, who have deprived our congregations of more of the common people than any other sect, are subject to great fluctuations: this, doubtless, must originate in some specific cause; and this being known, it would greatly aid the clergy, in bringing those plans, which have been adopted with success in other places, to bear in their own parishes against Methodism, which could not fail, in the end, to advance the views of the establishment. Still, at the same time, I hope I shall never see your pages stained with those fulsome conversions, we see in some of the Methodistical journals, particularly the Arminian: which ever sets forth, how little the means and ordinances of the church comparatively availed in the relief and happiness of the convert, as their own views and notion of faith did; where the odious system is pursued even to the assassination of some clergyman's character, who is sure to be designated as a monster in vice, and all this to advance their own party: I trust you will ever consider such ways of promoting the interests of the church as highly dishonourable and unchristian-like. So far back as 1803, in your number for May of that year, you were kind enough to allow some strictures of mine, to appear, on certain strange assertions of Mr. Benson's, respecting the inhabitants of Cornwall, where in I besides gave you some account of the number of Arminian Methodists in this county. For having kept an observant eye on them ever since the year 1801, their progress amongst us must be better known to me, and I must consequently be the better able to comply with Cyprian's request; hoping that both the clergy and laity of other parts will follow my example. · In the year 1801, and the year preceding, there was a controversy betwixt the clergy of this diocese and Dr. Hawker, supported by some of the preachers of the Wesleian connection, which turned chiefly on Dr. Hawker's itinerancy, and the views and conduct of the Methodists at that time in this county; and though disagreeable, as all wrangling must ever be about religious matters, yet, I believe, it powerfully operated to check enthusiasm from encroaching further amongst us, for they have since been dwindling; and we do not hear of the numerous conversions, and the immense concourse of people, flocking after those self-constituted preachers, as we then did. Religion is now a soberer thing amongst them. All these circumstances considered collectively, tend to shew, that the bulk of the people are coming to their right senses with regard to Methodism, and perceive that no ways are like the old way of the church, which teaches us "to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.” In the year 1800, the number of Arminian Methodists in this county was 9659, as given by the Conference in that year, viz. It appears from the above statement, that the Methodists in this county have added two new districts to those they had before; yet since the year 1800, the number of Methodists in connection, has gradually decreased 2487 2487. Now this, as I conceive, happens from some specific cause, and the cause I consider to be this: in conjunction with the controversy above alluded to, are the exertions of the clergy in adopting a mode of preaching more level to the capacities of the common people, a stricter discharge of their pastoral duties, and a more regular performance of all the duties belonging to the clerical function. For, Sir, I really believe, though God is not bound to modes or measures in the dispensation of his blessings; yet I believe, that the great happiness enjoyed by all ranks of people in this nation, is principally to be ascribed to the purity of faith and manners that distinguish the bulk of the followers of the church of England, and that enforced and encouraged by the doctrine and example taught and afforded by the venerable body of the clergy; however the importunate buz of those hornets, the sectarists, may be disposed to assert the contrary. An evident advantage ever attends a regular and active ministry in the church, and so long as it continues so, neither the artifices of sectarists, the enmity of open or concealed enemies, nor "the gates of hell shall ever prevail against her." Our Sion is safe if her ministers are faithful. But I am sorry to observe, at the same time, if the Arminian Methodists have decreased, the Calvinistical have increased amongst us; and these are far more dangerous and hostile to the church, than the former. They have erected several meeting-houses in this county, within the last four or five years, though I can't discover that they have made any conversions from the church; their gatherings chiefly consist of those they have been able to pick up from the outcasts of the Wesleians. Their preachers have in general more learning than those in connection with the followers of Wesley, and as they have more time to dispose of, they have opened seminaries for the instruction of youth, which will not only ingraft in the minds of their pupils, the seeds of religious, but political dissension: in both these particulars, they approximate closely to the conduct and principles of their forefathers. Whilst I am glad to give this pleasant statement of the condition of the church and the sectarists in these parts, I am sorry to observe, that the Wesleian Methodists, at their last Conference at Leeds, write to their bre thren in Ireland, that the conversion goes on very well in England, England, and that in Yorkshire, North and South Wales, they have been very successful in gaining proselytes, and that on the whole, they have added 8000 souls last year to their connection, and are now building 50 chapels in Great Britain. It certainly behoves the clergy in those parts where they are making those rapid conversions, to enquire into their causes, and devises some method to stem the tide of schism. But whilst I would seriously recommend this to their consideration, I would advise consistent methods only to be practised. The stake and the faggot are totally repugnant to any refor mation the church of England would effect; I would advise the strictest diligence in their discharge of the pastoral duties, a discreet mode of preaching; where the leading doctrines of our church are tenaciously maintained; where original sin, the fall of man, his justifi cation and regeneration, are held up to constant view; where the atonement and satisfaction by Christ's blood, his intercession and meritorious death, are ever insisted on; where necessity of divine grace in our conversion and salvation is preached, and where the Trinity in the Unity of three persons in one God, of one substance, power, and eternity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, is to be worshipped, and this on no other foundation than what the 39 articles and the homilies inculcate; and where the style of preaching is adopted as nearly resembling the good Bishop Wilson's as possible, I am convinced, that the clergy of our church will have a decided advantage over sectarists of every denomination; their congregations will increase, and they will reconcile thousands to the church who are now in the gainsaying of Corah. The condition of our churches in Cornwall is good, our congregations numerous, and the sacraments well 'attended; and it is from long observation, that I am enabled to say, that when the lives of the clergy are consistent, their preaching energetic and conformable to the tenets of the church, sectarists will dwindle into insignificance, and she will triumph over all her enemies; which that she may, is the sincere prayer and hearty wish of, Sir, your humble servant, Penryn, Cornwall, AN OLD MINER. PROPOSAL |