"EDINBURGH, July 17th, 1839.

“I just had time to take dinner at Stockton on the day I left you, preached at Sunderland in the evening, and went that night in a late coach to Newcastle. I came by the Jedburgh and Melross line of road to this city the following day, and arrived in time to take part in the service with the president that evening.

"On Wednesday we went to Glasgow; and here we had an excellent missionary meeting that evening. The next morning we had a centenary breakfast, and at one o'clock I preached in St. George's Church to a large congregation: Dr. Smith, the minister, was most kind and brotherly. Dr. Forbes spoke at our missionary meeting. On Friday night I preached in our Tradeston chapel, and arrived here on Saturday evening by the boat. We had two large congregations yesterday. Several clergymen were there in the evening. The Rev. Dr. B. (Episcopal) told me he should be happy to see me in his pulpit.

"This evening we hold our centenary meeting here: in the morning I start by the six o'clock coach for Glasgow; and then go by steam to Greenock, where I am requested to preach in the large parish church in the evening. What a change has taken place in the public mind respecting us! I hope to be in Belfast on Thursday next. May I be enabled to make the best use of the extraordinary opportunities for doing good, which Providence has given me in this country! My two doctors were hearers last night. Dr. John called upon Dr. Coldstream to bring him to the kirk to hear their old patient. Mrs. Drummond and Jane are very kind, and we talk over old times. We often wish you were here. I had great liberty in St. George's church."

At the commencement of the centenary Conference, which

was held in Liverpool, he writes in a still more joyful strain. Addressing his daughters, he says: "This has been a glorious year to Methodism. Nearly seventeen thousand members

have been added to our societies. To God's name be all the praise! We have also one hundred and eighteen candidates for our ministry. We do not ask, as if it were a doubtful matter, 'Is the Lord among us or not?' We have glorious news from the mission stations, especially from New Zealand and Africa. In spite of infidelity, popery, and worldly cupidity, the gospel is doing its work, as the power of God unto salvation.

"Probably you have heard that Mr. Lessey is our president, and that I have again been appointed to the office of secretary.

"We are likely to have a happy Conference. The sentiments of the brethren made a most triumphant outburst on the education question, when thanks were given to the president and secretary of the past year.

"I am more and more convinced that Divine Providence designs Wesleyan Methodism to be the great moral breakwater, right and left, against the inundations of infidelity, Socinianism, superstition, and false religion. May we be faithful!

"We are to have a high day on Monday next. The expresident will deliver his centenary sermon. God bless you all!"

The Centenary Conference was in full accordance with these anticipations. It was very numerously attended both by ministers and laymen, from all parts of the kingdom, and even from Ireland, and was characterized throughout by harmony and concord, and by a spirit of humble and earnest devotion.

CHAPTER X.

THE Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America is divided into many distinct Conferences, which meet annually, under the presidency of the bishops; and, in addition to these, there is a General Conference, which is held every fourth year, and consists of delegates, who are sent from all the other Conferences. Between that General Conference and the British Conference a fraternal intercourse is maintained by means of representatives, who are alternately sent from one to the other.

At the Centenary Conference, which was held in Liverpool in the year 1839, it was requisite that the ministers then assembled should select one of their number to represent them to their American brethren. Every eye was, of course, directed to Mr. Newton, as the most suitable man to undertake this service. His Christian and manly bearing, his self-possession, his pulpit-talents, and especially the evangelical character of his preaching, recommended him as eminently quali fied for the task; and hence the Conference requested him, if he found it practicable, to be the bearer of their salutations to their transatlantic brethren.

When this proposal was first made, he declined to give a direct answer. There was in him a willingness to comply with the wishes of the Conference; but having for so many years, and to so great an extent, taxed the forbearance of his wife by frequent absence from home, he felt that he ought not

to undertake this mission unless she were a consenting party. Her answer to his letter, in which he had stated the project, is worthy of her high character, and in perfect consistency with that unselfish course which she had invariably pursued from the time of her marriage. She doubtless thought that, being blessed with such a husband, she ought to share in the inconvenience which was unavoidably connected with his popularity. If her sacrifices were great, so were her privileges. It is not every woman that has the honor of being the wife of a Robert Newton. Her answer is as follows:-" The vows of the Lord, you know, are upon me; and I think I have never interfered with any thing that appeared to be your duty to the church. If therefore it is the opinion of your brethren, that you would be most in your providential way in going to America, I will make no objection, whatever I may feel. Our God can and I trust will preserve you. But when they take into consideration the fact, that your services as a beggar would be lost during the two months that you would be upon the sea, and how much you are and are still likely to be absent from your family, and the loss of a good father's presence and example to his children, they will perhaps think that you may be as useful, if you be allowed to remain in your own country, where, should you be unwell, or should those who are dear to you be so, a few hours or days might bring us together."

With this permission, he consented to cross the Atlantic Ocean as a 66 messenger of the churches," sent to convey to the Methodists of America the greetings of their English brethren; thus recognizing the principle that the Wesleyan Methodists are one throughout the world. The American General Conference was to be held in the month of May following: it was therefore necessary that he should embark early in the spring; and with a reference to this undertaking, he made

his arrangements during the intervening months, taking leave of his numerous friends in different parts of the country, requesting an interest in their prayers, and expressing a hope that they should meet again at their religious anniversaries with a joy equal to that which they had long been accustomed to feel.

A deep sympathy in his behalf was awakened, and many trembled at the thought, that a life of such transcendent value should be exposed to the perils of a long voyage. One incident may be mentioned as illustrative of the affection with which he was regarded. He attended a missionary meeting at Bridlington quay, in company with Mr. William Dawson, a man of kindred spirit, of great energy and versatility of genius, but occasionally eccentric in his manner. In the course of his speech Mr. Dawson referred to his friend Newton's anticipated departure from England; and then, addressing the chairman, he said, "By your leave, Sir, we will sing a verse." Then, walking to Mr. Newton, who was with him on the platform, he took hold of the breast of Mr. Newton's coat, and gave out,

The entire congregation rose simultaneously and sang the lines with heart and voice; and the representative to America stood in mute astonishment, overpowered with the unexpected burst of kind and generous feeling. His friend Dawson was no poet, but he contrived to make a tolerable stanza by placing in juxtaposition the lines of different hymns; and the stanza which was thus formed was a means of expressing the pious and benevolent sentiments of a Christian assembly in refer