No note of discord had been heard between the preachers and other officers of the church, and members of the society; and, if expressions are to be taken as the index of thought and feeling, all parties in these societies were equally satisfied and happy.

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Besides this, the ordinances of religion were not left destitute of the scriptural evidences of the divine presence and approbation. The spirit of prayer was given in a very eminent measure to many who engaged in this exercise; numerous seekers of salvation at different times entered into the liberty of the people of God; an almost universal thirst for an increase of grace and holiness appeared to be felt by the society; an ardent and lively faith, as to the salvation of souls, the larger effusions of the holy spirit and the triumphs of the gospel, was manifest in zealous efforts to promote these objects. If this is not the work of God, then religion is a delusion! A church which ministers the gospel in power and not in word only," can present numberless trophies of pardoning love and converting grace; it administers in its ordinances peace and edification to believers, and leads them on to purity and holiness; and it can only do this by the immediate sanction and agency of God. We do not affirm on our own independent authority that this was the state of things, but we appeal to you, who are eye-witnesses, and the persons to whom our description relates, whether, in the main, it is not accurate. If true, it follows that the Methodist connexion is not so corrupt as to cause God to depart from its ordinances, or to withdraw the grace of his good and holy spirit. Whatever others may think and say respecting religion being an accident, an excitement, and the fanaticism of weak, minds, you, our beloved brethren, who enjoy its privileges, know that it is the work of God. Then what shall we think of the men who can deliberately break in on this state of holy and prosperous tranquillity? We can easily conceive how infidels or mere men of the world might consistently plant their hostile batteries for the purpose of demolishing the citadel of God, but how men professing to regard religion as his work can dare to adopt means with an express design of throwing his church into confusion, and agitation, to the manifest injury of all its interests, and the probable ruin of many souls, is a secret we cannot divine. If they can calmly reflect on the account to be given to him who redeemed the souls of these ruined men with his own blood, and must finally be the judge of all, they are in possession of an obtuseness or hardihood, which we have little ambition to share.

"But all are not Israel who are of Israel.' It was well known in the midst of our general tranquillity and peace, from the best of all evidence-the evidence of their whole life-that a few, and but

a few men in the societies, though seeming to share the common good, were waiting for a pretext, no matter of what description, to resume the work of agitation and mischief. It is evident that the growing stability and prosperity of the Wesleyan connexion has long been to them a subject of sickening disgust; what they profanely call "a providential opening" was only necessary to be made by some accidental trifle, no matter where, for them to put off their assumed peaceful demeanour, and instantly to sound the shrill note of disturbance and war. As birds of prey flap their wings to the wind, screech in the storm, and wait with ferocious eagerness to fasten their talons and fatten on the spoils of death, so these lovers of discord and confusion have no sooner the opportunity, than with instinctive avidity, and natural pleasure, they hasten to the work of destruction, revel in the confusion they have occasioned, and trumpet forth their exploits as achievements of merit and glory-so true it is that "where the carcase falleth, there the eagles gather themselves together."

It may perhaps deduct somewhat from the vanity and selfcomplacency of these champions of desolation, to be told that no great wisdom is necessary to do evil, and the greater confusion and mischief they are able to accomplish, the more complete is their identity with him, who, "as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour." devour." Let these sons of discord know, that destruction is an easy task-that any ruthless barbarian can disjoint the stones of the most splendid edifice, though it required the genius of a Wren or Smirke, to raise it—that the most thriftless driveller in factious folly, may, by fair speeches and patriotic pretences, sow suspicion in the minds of our societies, although it required the sanctified labours of Wesley and his able coadjutors to found them; and that whilst the wisdom, the goodness, and the omnipotence of God, combined to create this great universe, to form man a transcript of his own image, and after adorning paradise with its beauties and making it the abode of happiness and life, it only required "the serpent more subtle than any of the beasts of the field," to tempt man to sin-to poison the stream of life-turn Eden into a wilderness-and the world into a field of blood! (To be concluded in our next.)

Correspondence.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ILLUMINATOR.

A day or two ago, I heard that a publication was about to be issued, termed the Illuminator, and I must acknowledge that the title, at least, pleased me; for so many publications have lately issued from the press, on the conflicting subject connected with the present disputes among the Methodists, that I wished for light. As for the Watch

man's Lantern, (which is a title assumed by a pamphlet recently published) I must acknowledge that my hopes are not very sanguine of receiving much illumination from it. The lantern of a watchman is often rendered dark designedly; and, at other times, though the bull's eye may be of good glass, yet the oil is often impure-the wick not true to the pipe-and the lantern, instead of giving a clear, steady light, is often full of smoke or soot, and the smell foul and offensive. Besides, sir, the Watchman's Lantern is to assist him in discovering persons who are not generally very partial to the light of day; and who, I ask, are so likely to assist in that business as those who have been associates with such characters in their deeds of darkness? I shall, therefore, leave the Lantern to its darkness, and address myself to you.

I have been reading the first number of the above-mentioned Lantern, which naturally led me to the following reflections: I find that Messrs. Rowland, Shirley, Farrer, and Widdows have been expelled from the Methodist society, in Liverpool, and that those gentlemen are highly offended on that account. However, on examining a number of resolutions which those respectable gentlemen published in the newspapers a few weeks ago, I find they have there affirmed, that no honest and upright man can remain in the Methodist society, as it is now constituted. Why, then, do they grieve on account of being expelled? Surely no conscientious and upright man ought reluctantly to leave a society where there is not an honest man to be found. However, I shall leave it to those gentlemen to solve that difficulty; it is evident that they would have gladly remained in that society, notwithstanding all its vileness, if they had not been legally expelled!

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But here, sir, another difficulty arises: so extremely unwilling were they to leave this dishonest company, that they now say, they have been expelled illegally. I find in reading their own publication, that there is the following law in Methodism :-" Let no man, nor number of men, in our connexion, on any occasion, circulate letters, "call meetings, do, or attempt to do, any thing new, till it has been appointed by the "Conference." The preamble of a law generally assigns the reason why such a law is enacted. I ask, why have the gentlemen left out the preamble-or according to the Conference mode, the question? I suppose, it did not suit their purpose, and therefore I insert it here:-"Question 39-WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT UNRULY OR UN"THINKING MEN FROM DISTURBING OUR PEOPLE?" Really, sir, these characters are so clearly and accurately described in the question, that I am not surprised at their having left it out of the Lantern.

The individuals who have been expelled seem disposed to quarrel with the law by which they were excluded. This is perfectly natural. We seldom find in criminal courts, convicted and condemned culprits, approving the laws by which they were sentenced to punishment. In the trials which have recently taken place in the Liverpool Methodist society, there is something of the same nature. A private member reads over the ordinary rules for a member of society and because he does not find there the law which is enacted against illegal associations any more than a law against forgery, he demands to be tried only by them. A leader reads over the rules which apply to such officers in the society, and not finding there the law above referred to, demands to be tried only as a leader; and a local preacher peruses the rules pertaining to that class of men in the church, and not discerning the above regulation there, he complains that he is not tried by a jury of local preachers. What is the bearing of all this, but that a local preacher deems a leaders' meeting too mean a tribunal for him? and also, though he may violate the laws of a member of society, he ought to continue acting as a local preacher? Such quibbling is utterly unworthy any person professing godliness! There are laws for the regulation of the conduct of mayors and magistrates; but if a mayor or magistrate be placed at the bar, charged with sedition, would it avail him to say to the judge, "I demand to be tried by the laws which regulate the conduct of magistrates, and not by the common law for private subjects!" Such an appeal would not only be ineffectual, but meet with merited repulse.

What is the grand object to be accomplished by all the contention and strife which is now promoted? Why are public meetings held in Music and Town Halls-as in Bolton, Leeds, Liverpool, &c.? Why are the corners of the streets placarded with large bills respecting Methodism? Why are deputations appointed to harangue the populace in our large commercial towns; and by a show of hands determine concerning

the church of God: no matter whether the hand held up, be that of a pious, uniform Christian, or the hand of the most abandoned drunkard and libertine in the town; the majority of hands raised, is to determine important questions connected with the church of a meek and lowly Jesus?

The public may judge of the object of the agitators, and of their wisdom in legislating, when they are informed, that out of the three grand ends to be attained by the "central association," so called, one is-that the preachers, when assembled in Conference, shall vote by ballot. The avowed design of this wonderful regulation is, that they may vote unfettered and unbiassed by any dominant party; and that no man may know how his brother votes! But to secure righteous ballots, another of their equally wise regulations is, that four hundred strangers are to be admitted to sit in the gallery, in perfect silence, to see that all the preachers ballot righteously! Most wonderful legislators! Let the central association govern the Methodist connexion, and we shall undoubtedly have wise laws! Certainly they do not commence with the wisdom of Solomon, and I am persuaded that neither the Conference nor the members of our society will renounce the wise plans of Mr. Wesley, to place themselves under their jurisdiction. I only lament, (to use St. Paul's language)" that, by good words and fair speeches, they deceive the hearts of the simple." After all, I cannot but pity the men; they have wandered out of the way of peace-they have brought trouble into their families and into their own souls, while they are awfully disturbing the peace of our Zion.

Some of them may imagine they are too deeply pledged as ringleaders, to withdraw from the faction; but others, who have been misled by such ringleaders, would do well to renounce a scheme fraught with so much mischief—and which, in all probability, will terminate in the everlasting ruin of many precious souls. Peaceable societies are already divided into parties-the husband has been set against the wife, and the wife against her husband-parents against children, and children against parents. The avowed determination of the faction is, to proceed in that bad work; as one of the chief of them declared, a few days ago—"I will agitate—I will agitate to the very centre!" That the God of Peace may restore peace to our disturbed societies, is the prayer of A LOVER OF METHODISM.

P.S.-I have heard that a love feast has been held at the Music Hall, on the Lord's day, and that Mr. David Rowland was in the chair. Now, sir, the line of demarcation is fairly fixed; and the question to every pious, thoughtful member of the Methodist society in Liverpool is "Shall I be a Wesleyan Methodist, or shall I be a ROWLANDITE?"

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ILLUMINATOR.

SIR-I was much gratified some time ago by receiving an intimation that a periodical was about to be commenced "to expose the spirit and principles of the so called Grand Central Association," and, I may add, to act in some degree as an antidote to the poison which is attempted to be infused into the minds of the artless and unsuspecting through the medium of the paper which acts as the official organ of the abovenamed "association ;" and, sir, I must confess, I was no less gratified by a perusal of your pages. Such a publication for some time has been a great desideratum. With regard to those subjects which are now agitating the Methodist world, I will not say much. If Methodism needs reforming, surely those who have undertaken that work are not the proper men to accomplish it. Is our constitution to be subject to the revisal of men who scruple not wilfully to pervert the truth? Are our laws to be remodelled by men who, in the framing of their own resolutions, commit such blunders as are apparent in those of the Central Association ? I answer, Certainly not.

And, sir, those who wish the system of Methodism to remain as it is, are not only the most numerous, but, so far as we are able to judge, the most intelligent, and the most disposed to support that system. It cannot be supposed that the preachers will abandon the great mass of the people whose attachment has been tried, and whose friendship is steady, for the sake of pleasing those whose attachment, to say the least, is doubtful. But I conclude. On some future occasion, I may resume the task. My design on the present occasion was to testify my pleasure at the commencement of your paper, in which sentiment numbers will join me. Wishing you success on your undertaking, I remain, yours truly, PHILALETHES.

Manchester, Jan. 12th, 1835.

SPIRIT OF THE FACTION.

We have not hesitated in our first number to refer to the abominable trickery which had been practised by the illegal" association." We now present our readers with one specimen from a many which we have in the back ground, and which shall also soon serve our purposes by throwing light on some of the curtain manœuvres of this motley combination. When the sanguinary Jehu was prosecuting his schemes of desolation and bloodshed, one great object which he had in view, was to obtain the sanction of a certain influential and great man of his day called Jehonadab, who was in great repute among the people. Jehu treated him with a ride in his carriage, and paid him very great attention and respect, to the intent that the people might come with facility to the conclusion that Jehu certainly was right, otherwise Jehonadab would not have countenanced him with his company, while prosecuting his blood-thirsty schemes. Just so is it with these association men. Our people are too powerfully attached to the excellent constitution and discipline of Methodism to be drawn aside by every silly adventurer in Methodistical politics; of this fact, these disturbers of the peace of our Zion are fully aware, and, therefore, they find it necessary to proceed with all the caution and wariness of the midnight plunderer, who is convinced that the success of his predatory movements depends altogether on the plots which he has artfully laid, and the promptitude, secrecy, and vigour with which they are carried into operation. To obtain the names of certain preachers who were well known in the neighbourhood, which they might attach to their projects of discord and revolution, was certainly a great desideratum with these honest, upright, and conscientious men. How to obtain the sanction and consent of those preachers to whom they might direct their attention, for a moment led them to hesitate; nevertheless, on the principles which they have laid down and recommended to others, they did not boggle long. Everlastingly are they ringing the changes on a certain passage which they have found in some of the fugitive productions of John Pawson :-"Remember, O ye "Methodists! that the reign of Popery is past and gone; let it never be restored among you in any shape and name. "name of him who bought you with his blood, maintain the rights "and liberties of your own consciences;"-this they quote, as though the expression were intended to refer to, or as if it had any connection with, circumstances similar to those, which, in a few isolated spots, are now agitating the Methodist societies. These ignorant and foolish men of the "association," so called, ought to have known that the language used by Mr. Pawson, above quoted,

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In the