cluded themselves!! Solomon says,*" He that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.' The official death of these men is the necessary result of the principles by which they were actuated, and the courses they have long pursued. The borough was so utterly rotten, it was impossible to keep it out of Schedule A, for, in the absence of other agency, it has disfranchised itself by the operation of its own incurable wickedness!

After the expulsion of one of these gentlemen, he stood up and informed the meeting how exceedingly happy he felt in his own mind! Expulsions are like imprisonments in their effects on human character. A youthful offender, on his way to the house of correction, for the first time, will be a little troubled; that trouble will be sensibly abated on his second visit, and no wonder if he feel quite comfortable during the ceremony of a third committal. When a certaint youth was put out of society, for the first time at Chester (he knows what for), the event would perhaps be felt to be an affliction; when afterwards reproved by Mr. Newton, in the Mount Pleasant vestry, by order of the leaders' meeting, he would suffer still less. At present, he is so far advanced that an expulsion does not at all disturb his habitual tranquillity! Like the fox in the fable who had lost his tail, he wishes it to be understood that the happiest Methodists in the world are those who have been expelled the society. People of blighted characters will, perhaps, become converts to such a doctrine; and it may be some relief to the Methodist preachers to know that, with all their "tyranny," they occasion but little misery, for even a state of expulsion is perfectly delectable !

As the retired leaders are fond of telling tales, we give the following as a specimen of the accuracy with which this is done, and to show the necessity of caution in receiving them. In a note, addressed to the superintendent by themselves, on the 18th Dec. it is stated, that they found "the vestry door closed against" them. The fact was, on that evening the vestry was not closed at all! They entered, as usual, without the

* Proverbs, xi. 19.

† Our worthy correspondent need not have been so mealy-mouthed respecting this youth (!); we can assure him that he is no chicken in concocting schemes of agitation and discord: he can receive the smart birchings of an ecclesastical rod, with all the non-chalance of an old offender, and, like many an evil-omened bird, his voice is heard only at the approach of foul weather! With such a man (youth indeed!) among the leaders of the illegal Association, we are by no means surprised at the loud complaints we hear of the abominable trickery which they are still practising on the religious world.-This man (youth!) talks vociferously about the purity of his character, of which he would appear as jealous as a maiden of her fame, We advise him to forbear; or we shall, ere long, from a multiplicity of documents already in our possession, fully discharge our duty as Illuminators, and, without fear or favour, throw such a flood of light upon certain parts of his history, which he and his coterie must devoutly wish were "shrouded in Egyptian darkness." Deluded soul ! if he is still panting for publicity and popularity, we promise him quantum sufficit to his heart's content.-ED.

In referring to the DARK Lantern, we read, p. 30-" On Thursday evening, the 18th of December, the leaders assembled IN the vestry of Leeds-street chapel, as usual.” The letter to which our correspondent refers is dated, "Leeds-street vestry;" and yet our veracious host of the White Lion, Dale-street, Liverpool, commits to paper the glaring falsehood that "the vestry door is closed against the leaders and stewards."ED

slightest obstruction; the note itself was read and approved in the vestry; they stayed as long as it was thought proper, and went away when they pleased. Yet they "venture to assert, "the vestry door was closed

against them!

A solemn protest has been signed by these men against the conduct of the superintendent preacher, as un-Methodistical, unconstitutional, and unjust; and we suppose it is for this-that they have since invited him, by letter, more than once, to come and preside at their several meetings; for certainly, if it be his character, they cannot have a more suitable head. Having foretold that the time is at hand when "no honest man can remain connected with" the Methodist preachers, they think the prediction will be partly fulfilled, when one of that body is placed in the Pilotoffice, or in the Music Hall, and surrounded by themselves.

Miscellanea.

GENERAL DECLARATION OF THE METHODIST PREACHERS. This document, we are happy to say, has just reached us. It furnishes a most triumphant refutation of the abominable slander which has been so industriously disseminated by the illegal Association: that a “considerable number of the preachers in the Methodist connexion are secretly inclined to a change in the essential principles of our constitution, and that they are only waiting for a favourable opportunity of declaring the sentiments which they have long cherished." No man or number of men, who had a character that was worth keeping, would have staked their reputation on such an assertion. It is a most diabolical falsehood! Deny it who can! This "Declaration," which is still in a course of signature (as the brethren in some of the extensive and distant circuits have not had time to transmit their answers), has already received the names of not less than Eight Hundred AND THIRTY-THREE Preachers, who publicly announce, that such an insinuation as the above is an "impeachment of their character, not only as a body of Christian ministers, but as upright men." Nevertheless, with an assurance unparallelled in the annals of impudence, this illegal Association has published an address "to the members of the Conference," forsooth, who are "unwilling parties to its infractions of the constitution of Methodism," and which bears marks of the ravings of a maniac more than the sound reasonings of a man who is sincerely intent upon leaving the world better than he found it. If report says true, it is the production of a love-sick youth, whose head is full of the nonsense he has scraped together from novels and other trash, of which, it is said, he is passionately fond. Like Hotspur's fop, "he talks like a waiting-gentlewoman of guns and drums and wounds;" for what, in the name of common sense, have the following to do with his address to certain disaffected preachers, which his feverish and over-excited brain dreams are now to be found in the Conference, and who cowardly shrunk

from declaring their own opinion on the present state of affairs in Methodism: viz.-"present explosion of public opinion"!—"combustible materials long collecting "!-"application of the match to the train"!!not the explosion of a few shells"!" the explosion of the contents of a magazine”!—“a mine has been sprung"!—"hostile turrets quivering"! "citadels tottering to their fall"! Heaven defend us!-but we have given enough of these maniacal effusions. Infatuated boy! does he really think, with his equally infatuated admirers, any Methodist preacher will prove himself such a compound of folly and madness as seriously to listen for a moment to such rhapsodic stuff? Our grave advice is—more tò the friends of the youth than to himself personally-that a kind companion be constantly about him, that all weapons by which he may injure himself be studiously kept out of his reach, and that his medical adviser be in immediate attendance; otherwise we tremble for the result.

STOKESLY AND THE SO CALLED "METHODIST ASSOCIATION."

It is generally known that the above unauthorised Association has, through its secretary, a Mr. W. Wood, of Manchester, forwarded a circular to various circuits in the Wesleyan connexion, addressed to the stewards, calling upon them, in very affectionate and brotherly strains, to strengthen their hands in the work of agitation and dissension, by forming branch associations in their respective neighbourhoods; all of which shall have one object in view-to disturb the peace of the connexion by destroying that confidence which ought ever to subsist between the pastor and his flock, and by withholding support to those funds of the Methodist body, which in their operation have been so remarkably blessed by the Great Head of the Church, in the conversion of men from sin to holiness, until their unholy and overturning purposes are realized.

It will be highly gratifying to our readers to learn, that a vast proportion of those circuits to whom these inflammatory addresses were sent, manifested through their various officers a spirit worthy of him whose name they bear; and answers were returned to Mr. Secretary which were calculated (if his conscience were not too much "seared,") to make him rue the day that ever he embarked on an enterprise so wild and reckless. The following reply was received by this Mr. Wood, from the stewards of the Stokesly circuit.

"Sir-We duly received your circular letter, addressed to the circuit stewards of the Wesleyan society, Stokesly. Nothing but the pressure of business prevented our giving it an answer the day it arrived. We observe, with surprise and sorrow, that a quarterly meeting of the Manchester First circuit has assumed to itself the right of choosing a superintendent, setting aside the authority of a district meeting, and imposing laws on the Conference. After thus discarding all legitimate authority, it ceases to be matter of astonishment that the same meeting has not feared to arrogate the prerogative of the Supreme Judge of all, and to vote the conduct of his ministers, 'disgraceful to their character, and unrighteous in the sight of God.'

"In reference to the Grand Central Union,' we have only, as private members, to say Oh my soul come not thou into their secret, and unto their assembly

mine honor be not thou united.' If any member of our quarterly meeting wishes to have the question discussed, we promise you we will do our best to obtain him a fair hearing; and we have little fear of our esteemed superintendent refusing to put any resolution, "not contrary to the rules and usages of the body.' We have, however, the pleasure of assuring you that the misguided agitation you mention has not reached us. We are thankful for the tranquillity and union we enjoy, and have no expectation that any member of our societies will desire to exchange the superintendence of the Conference for the dominion of a self-constituted Association, which has nothing to offer but a church without discipline, and preachers without education.

"We are sorry to find you recommending our brethren to withhold their pecuniary supplies till your plans are submitted to by Conference. Christian beneficence, then, it seems, is to be no more a generous and self-denying virtue, founded on the love of God and man, but a selfish contrivance for purchasing personal power in the church. Christ is to be honored, and his people's wants supplied, when our private views are gratified; but when other counsels are followed, then his aged ministers are to be deserted and his missions abandoned. So then, while the people are aiming at all the power, the Conference are to be solely interested in the cause, and solely responsible for its success!

"We beg, however, to suggest the propriety of your explaining in your next circular, how it happens that your circuit has 'tacitly acknowledged the duty' of supporting ministers whose conduct it denounces as disgraceful and unrighteous in the sight of God,' and yet has not tacitly acknowledged the duty of supporting expensive missions and schools, with which it has no fault to find, and which were undertaken on the reasonable expectation that the usual supplies would be continued.

"We further suggest to you the propriety of explicitly disclaiming all part in the disgraceful outrage upon Mr. Newton, in two of your chapels, on the Sabbath day, and in the exercise of his ministry; and of your expressing to him the deep regret which, we have no doubt, you feel that so painful a circumstance should have occurred under the pretext of your principles.

"We fear it would be unreasonable to ask you also to explain how you reconcile your avowed object and the means by which it is to be carried into execution, with your professed attachment to Methodism, love of peace and unity, dislike to innovation, and concern for spiritual religion.—We are, your obedient servants,

"THOS. MEASE,

"JOHN BLACKET,} Stewards

Stokesly, 1st Dec. 1834."

SHEFFIELD AND THE SO CALLED "METHODIST ASSOCIATION."

At a meeting of trustees, stewards, and leaders of the Wesleyan society, Sheffield East, held in the band-room of Brunswick chapel, on Tuesday evening, November 25th, 1834, the following resolution was passed, and ordered to be printed and circulated forthwith :

"Resolved-That we, the undersigned, being trustees, stewards, and leaders, in the Sheffield East circuit, view with feelings of deep regret and indignation the base and violent measures now employing, under deceitful and covert pretences, to alienate the members of our society, to overturn the constitution of Methodism, and to calum niate and malign the character and conduct of our beloved ministers generally, and of some in particular, who, from their lengthened, consistent, and meritorious labours, are especially deserving of the confidence and affectionate support of the connexion at large. We feel ourselves, in consequence, called upon publicly and decidedly to express our firm and unshaken attachment to the constitution of Methodism, as it now exists, and as it has been handed down to us by our fathers. We do, therefore, determine to resist, to the utmost of our power, the attempts at innovation which are now making, and which are in many instances instigated by men who have no connexion with the body, but who nevertheless are actuated by the most inveterate hostility to its interests. And we further avow our unshaken attachment to, and confidence in our ministers, in whose labours we rejoice, and for whom we fervently implore the grace and blessing of Almighty God."

Signed by fifty-two official members of the Methodist society.

"GOOD FARMer Dawson."-The excellent and sensible letter which this deservedly popular local preacher addressed to poor Dr. Warren, has been published in a separate form, under the title of "More work for Dr. Warren." As soon as our circumscribed limits will permit, we intend to give the letter, for the benefit of our readers; who will then judge for themselves, whether Mr. Dawson be not too doughty a champion for either the sapient editor of the DARK Lantern, or his recanting protegé to encounter. The former, in page 31 of his mendacious publication, instead of offering anything in the shape of an answer to the queries with which the good farmer's epistle abounds, contents himself with following the example of many a mongrel cur, springing out of some dark cellar, in the inferior parts of Liverpool-follows the passenger, and tries to bite his heel! "He hates the excellency he cannot reach. But what will our readers think of the gratuitous advice which our editor gives the "farmer," on the last day of the year 1834? Why, "to tend his haycocks and sheer his sheep, in peace"! Every man of the plough in the land will at once set such an adviser down to be a madman—or a child still in the bondage of his leading-strings!

A FRAGMENT.-***"We regard the endeavour now made by a portion of the people to legislate in reference to the proceedings of the Conference as demonstrably unscriptural,-as subversive of the settled Constitution of the Body,-and as a measure the most absurd and inconsistent, when originated by those whose jealousy of the power of the Conference over them is so incessant and so sensitive. We view with feelings of the greatest abhorrence all attempts to withhold from the different departments of the Work of God, as carried on by our community, that pecuniary support which is essential to their maintenance, and the obligation of which we believe to be felt by every enlightened conscience. No sadder proof can be afforded us of the delusion under which many, as we fear, now labour, than the fact that, having voluntarily availed themselves of the peculiar and inestimable privileges of membership with the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, and having virtually and repeatedly pledged themselves to promote the objects of that Society, they are now denying the power which has protected them in all their Christian enjoyments,-employing what should be an apparatus of extensive blessing in an unnatural and destructive rebellion,-attempting to deprive many of those who are either now labouring, or have exhausted all power to labour, in their service, and the widows and children of men whose memory even they love and reverence, of the means of subsistence,-striving to withhold from thousands of their Brethren, both in the poorer circuits at home, and in foreign lands, religious means and ordinances,-using every effort to crush the innocent Trustees of Methodist Chapels throughout the kingdom, and, in effect, thus vainly endeavouring to extinguish that light which Wesleyan Methodism has so long contributed to diffuse.— We declare our perfect confidence in the constitution, character, and conduct of the Wesleyan Conference, and our unalterable belief that, whatever decisions that Body has adopted, its members are men of sound and hearty piety, of unprejudiced judg ment, and of unimpeachable Christian integrity,-men of fearless independence and incapable of the undue domination or influence of any person or party,-men as to whose proceedings any further proposals of lay inspection, or of individual secrecy, are unnecessary, unjust, and calumnious.-We especially take this opportunity of recording our grateful opinion of the services rendered to Wesleyan Methodism, by the Reverend Jabez Bunting, and the Reverend Robert Newton. We "esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake." We concur in the judgment so often and so decidedly expressed by the Ministers of our Community, as to the long-tried integrity and pre-eminent usefulness of these honoured brethren. And, believing them to be actuated by the purest motives, and to be eminently endued with "the spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind, we assert our entire disbelief of any aspersions upon their character, whether public or private."-Declaration of the Methodists in Manchester. Printed and Published by R. DICKINSON, 67, Pool-lane, Liverpool, to whom all communications (post paid) to the editor, are to be addressed; Sold also by J. MASON, 14, City-road, J. HUTTON, 16, City road, and WHITTAKER and Co., Ave Maria-lane, London; LOVE and BARTON, Manchester; SPINK and CULLINGWORTH, Leeds; DEARDEN, Nottingham; ATKINSON, Bradford; SAXTON and CHALONER, Sheffield; the CHRONICLE OFFICE, Chester; PEART, Birmingham; OGLE, Bolton; WILSON, Whitehaven; JEFFERSON, Carlisle; DICKINSON, Workington; and may be obtained, by means of the Methodist Preachers, or respectable Booksellers, in any part of Great Britain and Ireland.