mas to the Lady Day Quarterly Meeting-of which contributions they had most adroitly, but dishonorably, possessed themselves. Still, however, I sincerely pity these misguided men, and earnestly pray-" Lord, lay not these sins to their charge!"

AQUILA BARBER.

THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION AND ITS SUCCESS.

It is a saying which demands universal consent, that "he is the best physician who performs the most cures." We would sanctify this proverb by giving it as our opinion, that the form of ecclesiastical polity which best contributes to the purity and extension of the kingdom of Christ, is the most excellent. Let the much calumniated Wesleyan system of church order be tried by this rule, with candor and impartiality, and the result of such an investigation will powerfully speak in its favor. We are well aware that a certain class of fierce democrats in the religious world, will boldly and indigcantly deny our statement. Attempts have been repeatedly made to demonstrate that the republican government of another Methodist community is better calculated than the polity established by Mr. Wesley to secure the multiplication of the Redeemer's people. Facts are said to corroborate this position. We have read in number 25 of the Lantern, the following boasting declaration, which is made by a New Connexion Minister" that the New Methodists have increased during the last ten years-from 1825 to 1835-more than one-third; while the Wesleyans, during the same period, have increased about one-fifth." This assertion induces us to ask a few plain questions, to which we invite the attention of our readers.

cause

We can

Why is this comparison of the amount of good produced by the two systems confined to the last half-score years? As the New Connexion was formed in 1797, why did not the writer in the Lantern extend it to the last thirty-eight years? assign only one reason: he is a very prudent man, and he did not wish to ruin his He well knew that if he went beyond his prescribed limits, the glory which he had thrown around his form of church government would, like Halley's comet, entirely disappear. The New Connexion in 1797, consisted of 5,000 members; and these have been augmented, as the Lantern states, to the number of 17,746. Does this thirtyeight years' prosperity so far exceed that of the Old Body for the same length of time, as to be "more than one-third to about one-fifth ?" Let the subjoined facts answer this inquiry. The Wesleyan Methodists amounted at the period of Mr. Kilham's division to 110,159; a number which has so multiplied as to appear on the Minutes of 1835, to consist of 371,251! If we add to these, 15,106 Methodists in Upper Canada, who have connected themselves with the British Conference, by whose instrumentality they were remotely gathered out of the world, we shall have a grand total of 386,357!! The New Connexion, therefore, cannot, on the ground of utility, from the year of its commencement, claim any superiority over the Wesleyan community. We may inquire again-Why has the ratio of increase in the New Connexion during the last ten years been greater than in the Old one? It is asserted, that the former has increased from 10,837 to 17,746: while the latter Body has advanced from 283,057 to 386,357. This augmentation of Wesleyan Methodists since 1825, is more than one-fourth, and not merely about "one-fifth," as is stated in the Lantern. Notwithstanding this correction in our favour, we are willing to admit that the ratio of increase in the New Connexion is greater than in our community. We can, however, without much difficulty, account for it.

The Wesleyan Connexion has had during the last half-score years, an unusual number of secessions from its fellowship. Though there has been, in the mean time, a net increase to the Body of 103,300 souls; yet some have been expelled, and many

These

others have voluntarily withdrawn from the Connexion. Through the disturbances which originated at Leeds, in 1827-at Derby, in 1832-at Manchester, Gateshead, &c. in 1834, not less than three distinct communities of Methodists have been formed out of the Wesleyan Body. Some of these demanded a change of our doctrines, and others of them a subversion of our discipline; but as the Conference would not betray its trust, by allowing either a corruption of the theology, or a revolution of the polity of Methodism-though disguised under the imposing name of reform-the malecontents have been obliged to leave us, and to establish Societies of their own. divisions have, of course, made a considerable deduction from our numerical prosperity. While our Connexion has thus been the unhappy abode of strife and division, the New one has been, in a great measure, at peace. We are not aware it has had any secessions, except in the Dudley Circuit. The fact is, this Body has been too tranquil. Anti-methodistical Preachers have been received into its Ministry, and some of the laws of the Connexion have been despised and violated; and yet, there has not been heard any war against either heterodoxy or radicalism. Most liberals wish to do what is right in their own eyes; and some of them in this Body have their heart's desire. It is one of the fundamental laws of this Connexion, that meeting in class shall be essential to membership. It reads as follows:

"Every person admitted into church fellowship with us, shall be required to meet regularly in class. Those who shall omit attending four times successively, without assigning a satisfactory reason, shall first be visited and admonished; and if they shall afterwards wilfully neglect for the same period, they shall then be excluded from our Societies.'

Notwithstanding this rule threatens the persons who despise class-meetings with expulsion from Society, yet individuals who never attend these means of grace are reckoned members in the New Connexion. One Circuit-the first on the Minutes-(and how many more Circuits we have not the means of knowing; but as there is one, it is evident there may be others)-IS WITHOUT CLASS-MEETINGS!! These prudential means of godly edification, together with those of a kindred nature, such as band-meetings and lovefeasts, have been swept away as nothing better than popish trumpery! We wish "a New Connexion Minister," when he next writes in the Lantern, to answer this question: How long has the New Methodist Society in Alnwick been without class-meetings; and, like an Independent church, made sitting down at the Lord's table the only test of membership? His reply will be deeply interesting to us, and also to the "Grand Central Association."

We may also remark, that this Alnwick case really shows-what we verily believe that no part of Methodism is safe in the keeping of New Connexion polity. Why were not these Alnwick Methodists-if such they may be styled-who refused to meet in class, expelled, according to the law of the Body ?-The Preachers who have been sent there have not had power to enforce it, for they are only the passive agents of the people's will. The New system empowers the people to govern themselves; and if they choose to reject Methodist doctrines and discipline, how can a Ministry which is teaching, but not ruling, prevent them going "to the moles and to the bats ?" The Conference, indeed, might have abandoned Alnwick for contemning and trampling upon one of its fundamental laws; but such a procedure was too much to expect from lay-delegation. We cherish a hope that the above statements will not be lost in their instruction and admonition to Wesleyan Methodists. We trust they will have the same effect upon their minds which they produce upon ours-that of binding them more cordially and firmly. to Methodism as it was, and is, and shall be, "long as the sun and moon endure."

Another reason which we must give why the ratio of increase has been rather greater in the New than in the Old Connexion for the last ten years is, that the former Body has been enriched with an unexampled accession of proselytes from other religious Societies. It is greatly to the praise of our community that its zeal and labours have been too heavenly and sacred to be proselyting. It commenced its hallowed career on the ground of self-condemnation and self-reform; and as it began so it has nobly continued to the present time. Hence, it has been, under God, pre-eminently successful in seeking and saving the lost.

But the New Connexion set out with finding fault with others, rather than with themselves; and in this censorious spirit the Body has, almost without intermission, conducted its operations. We cannot enumerate all the slanders which it has cast upon the Ministry of the parent Connexion; nor shall we now stop to specify all the plans which it has adopted to weaken and destroy the confidence and attachment of our people toward it, and thereby to draw some of them into its own communion.When this Body, therefore, sends forth its pompous announcement of unequalled success, in the Lantern, or in any other publication, we must remember that its system is partly evangelizing and partly proselyting. Had the New Connexion not been fa

vored with any increase from other churches during its progress, instead of having seventeen, we sincerely question whether it would have now contained twelve thousand members! During the last ten years, it has reaped a golden harvest of proselytes. Some of the old Circuits have grown rich at the expense of other people. Nearly all their new Circuits-such as Bilston, Boston, Dawley Green and Madely, Gateshead, Norwich, Truro, &c.-have been formed out of other sections of the church of God. Such being the plain and true state of things, we must tell the Minister of the New Connexion who has instituted a comparison to prove their prosperity superior to ours, for the last half-score years, that his comparative estimate is dishonorable, unjust, and illiberal ! This writer in the Lantern has placed, in juxta-position, systems which materially differ. He cannot be ignorant that the increase of his Body is not like that of our Connexion-the pure and grand result of turning ungodly men, by the zealous and faithful preaching of the word of reconciliation, "from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God." Moreover, he must be aware, that as it is more easy to spread disaffection among Christian people than to diffuse holiness among the lovers of unrighteousness, so it is much less difficult to turn saints into radicals than to change rebels into saints. Indeed, many facts of recent occurrence have furnished him with abundant proof to confirm the saying of the celebrated Hooker-" He that goeth about to tell people they are not so well governed as they might be, shall never want attentive hearers." Such has been the unhallowed occupation of his Connexion, and it has, in consequence, enlarged its territory.

We are confident it will both amuse and interest our readers to be informed by this New Connexion Minister how it is that his denomination has exceeded, in point of usefulness, the religious society that was founded by the Rev. John Wesley. Let him speak for himself:

"The time when the Wesleyans increased with the greatest rapidity was a time when the people, particularly the working classes, were buried in ignorance; knowledge, not only on religious but on general subjects, was possessed by the few, whilst the mass of the people were covered with intellectual darkness: the most prosperous period of the New Connexion has been that which has been distinguished for the rapid and extensive diffusion of knowledge-a period during which the public mind has risen to a higher state of improvement and energy than it ever previously attained; yet, during this period, the ratio of increase in the Old Connexion has diminished, whilst ours has increased. The truth is, that priestly domination will prosper most extensively whilst surrounded with darkness-its best friend, its native element," &c.

This declamatory paragraph assumes that the government of Wesleyan Methodism is incompatible with the diffusion of wholesome knowledge among the masses of the people. But this position is neither proved, nor proveable. So far are we from even suspecting that "darkness is the best friend" to the polity of our Body, that it is our earnest wish -and also the great desire of the Conference-to witness, and as much as in us lies, to promote, the extension of useful information among all classes of British society. It is ignorance, producing its natural fruits-such as pride, conceit, impatience of control, evil speaking, and reckless ambition-that most endanger its prosperity. We want our code of discipline to be generally known in its accordance with reason, and above all, in its agreement with the holy Scriptures. Its fundamental principles have been exhibited by the Illuminator as founded on the institutions, commandments, and precedents of the New Testament. An officer in the New Connexion, not long since, said to us-"Your Wesleyan government is unscriptural, and the Preachers know it." We believe the man who uttered this reproachful charge was truly sincere. Nor was it his sentiment alone, for it had a cherished existence in the minds of many persons. Mob orators asserted that our Ministers could defend the system by a dozen Methodistical arguments, but by none from the Scriptures." Many loud and sneering calls were addressed to us to put off our shoes from off our feet, and to stand upon this holy ground. We have attended to the summons, and our adversaries know the manner in which we have occupied the sacred ground. Not only have we justified the pastoral rule of our vast community, but strong and mighty in our cause, we have carried the war into the camp of our enemies, and shown that the form of ecclesiastical order advocated by the "Grand Associationists," and practised by the New Connexion, is contrary to the law and to the testimony.' And how is it that our accusations and scriptural proofs have not been answered? Why has the promised performance of Mr. Allin on this subject been so long delayed? We much regret that this intended publication has not yet made its appearance.

66

We will now give our readers what we conceive to be the right interpretation of the passage we have extracted from the Lantern. The progress of the New Connexion very much depends on the spirit of the world. When the people of this country, 66 particularly the working classes," are in an orderly and tranquil state, by the passion for revolutionary changes and mob rule being under the restraint of better principles, the

New Connexion makes only slow advancements; but when society is disturbed by an extensive spread of levelling politics, which so far infects religious people that they aspire to be " many masters," and are led to support, as very respectable and Christian," a periodical which clamours for the destruction of the hereditary peerage-the separation of Church and State-the spoliation of ecclesiastical property, and other kindred demands; the New Methodists can boast of their multiplication! It was a worldly spirit which originated this community, at the close of the last century, when Mr. Kilham. and his admirers imbibed the principles of the French revolution; and the powerful impulse that has recently revived it, has, in our deliberate judgment, proceeded, in a great measure, from the strongly-excited state of the political world!

Our beloved Connexion holds no sympathy with this restless, earthly, secularizing temper. It is too high and holy for its fellowship. Its object is to raise np a spiritual, peaceable, and useful people. And while it "walks by the same rule and minds the same thing," we have a most delightful assurance that God will be its defence. Infuriated democrats, glowing with revolutionary zeal, may cast some fire-brands into it, and hope for its destruction; but in vain; and when its history shall be written, it will be said, to the praise of its Divine Guardian, men "looked, and behold! the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed."

Correspondence.

WESLEYAN METHODIST REFORM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ILLUMINATOR.

SIR-I happen to reside in a part of the country where a good deal has been said about Dr. Warren and the "Wesleyan Methodist Association ;" I have read in the newspapers their "Appeal to the British Public against the priestly and political Power of the Conference;" and I have seen, placarded in the streets, handbills headed "Wesleyan Methodist Reform," containing the most injurious imputations against the Preachers. This has induced me to examine the claims of the party making all this noise, and courting all this publicity, and having weighed them in the balance," verily I have found them wanting.

I will not trespass on your time and patience by dilating on the negative demerits of these men, their evident want of Christian charity, and the utter absence in them of the spirit and temper of Jesus. Neither will I offer any comment on their " great swelling words of vanity; since, by dropping their former distinctive appellation, they appear to have felt the unsuitableness and ridicule of their former grand-eloquence! I shall, therefore, confine my remarks at present to their objects, the means by which they seek to promote them, and the striking contrast between the liberality of their profession and the intolerance of their practice.

Their immediate object evidently is to lower and degrade the Ministerial character and office; and to effect this object they have recourse to the basest calumnies against the Conference as a body, and against individual Preachers by name; some of the best and worthiest of whom have, from week to week, had "all manner of evil spoken of them falsely," for the last three years. But the frequency and enormity of the falsehoods propagated have long since produced an effect the opposite of that intended by their authors. The persons who were to have been the victims have escaped, while infamy has recoiled on the heads of the calumniators.*

Another object of these "Reformers of Methodism" is, to set themselves up as "Lords over God's heritage ;" and to the accomplishment of this object the degradation of the Preachers is designed as a step. The disappointment of the agitators, in the

*The public, it must be acknowledged, has a tolerably strong appetite for scandal; but the quantity provided by the Advocate was an over-dose, which has produced nausea, with its usual results. The agitators, therefore, in imitation of their Popish model, have been endeavouring to establish a "rent" for its support. But, like the emperor who set fire to Rome, and laid the blame on the Christians, the Advocate may say to its tardy friends-"It is too late. Is this fidelity?" Already, according to the statement of its conducters-(see "Appeal of the Christian Advocate begging fund; Advocate, Nov. 23)-it has "become to all legal intents and purposes, totally defunct;" yet, like a galvanized felon, it has been "resuscitated" by "the semblance of a miracle" and (for certain illegal purposes, I presume) remains alive, for the present. The next time that it shall undergo suspension, something more, I trow, than "the semblance of a miracle" will be necessary to bring it back to life.

Whether

rejection of their scheme of lay-delegacy by the Preachers and the people,† like that of their collegiate champion, Dr. Warren, is personal; for who but themselves, if their scheme had been adopted, should be lay-delegates, and rule the Connexion ? they have shown themselves to be intellectually, morally, or religiously qualified, is another question, and one respecting which their own opinion, probably, differs from that of most other people. To observe the workings of their vanity, and the puffing and swelling of their ambition, forcibly reminds us of the frog in the fable. In the Sheffield meeting of Delegates, the Wesleyan Connexion was addressed by them much in the style of a king's speech, as far as the difference of circumstances would admit, and "Brethren"- "Preachers of Conference"- -"Christian Brethren," introduce the separate members of this officious document, as substitutes for "Gentlemen"- -"My Lords and Gentlemen"- "Gentlemen of the House of Commons." In the report of the "debates" we are told, that "at three o'clock the Meeting resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House." At another stage of the proceedings-"The Committee then rose, and the House resumed." On Thursday morning-" Mr. Matthews presented the report of the Finance Committee."- "Mr. Redstone trusted that all present would be faithful to their constituents." But, as if conscious of the necessity of an effort to escape the insignificancy which they felt awaited them, Dr. Turton said-"The Delegates were now called upon to maintain their dignity." Thus, day after day, did these self-chosen and self-appointed Delegates strive to impress the public mind with a sense of their importance, and to convince the world how well qualified they were to sustain the character and exercise the functions of LEGISLATORS!*

The "Wesleyan reformers" have a further end in view-an ulterior object. Their views are not limited to any changes which may be effected in the Connexion, nor to any merely religious (!) design. They extend to matters of state; and, as they do not find Methodism a fit instrument for the accomplishment of their political designs, they wish to make it so. "Other questions and other interests, says a correspondent of the Advocate (Jan. 25), are involved in this great struggle than those affecting the Wesleyan Methodists."- "The separation of Church and State," says the Advocate, "will never take place till the Wesleyan Conference is revolutionized." ("We thank

At the Sheffield Meeting of Delegates, in August last, Mr. Hughes said "Though the members of the Association were numerous, they were not the majority. Mr. Farrar, of Liverpool, contended, that even if Conference were disposed to grant lay-delegation, the Connexion was not in a condition to receive it. There was scarcely one-third of the people for it." Dr. Warren contended, that "the people out of doors were almost unanimous." The other contradictions in the speeches of these sapientissimi were equally amusing:-Mr. Sigston "objected to the word agitation." "Mr. Redstone contended for the use of the word agitation." Mr. Cruickshanks "wished to get done with agitation." Mr. Matthews said "Those who at their baptism made a vow to renounce the devil and all his works, did, in effect, pledge themselves to become agitators to the end of their lives." Mr. Cruickshanks, speaking of the Preachers, said "They had stolen the rights of the people, and the people wanted their stolen rights back again." "Mr. Redstone was convinced that the persons whom the majority of the delegates represented, would not be satisfied with any thing short of lay-delegation." Mr. C. Parker "contended.. that they had no moral right to ask for lay-delegation....because lay-delegates were never in the Conference. The Conference had not, in that respect, deprived him of any right; he could not ask for laydelegation as the restoration of a privilege, because, when he entered the Society there was no such thing in existence." "Mr. Parker was called to order." "The Gloria Patri was then sung, as an expression of gratitude for their unanimity !"'-(Extracted from the report of the adjourned meeting of delegates, in Sheffield: Advocate, Aug. 10.) Truly, their unanimity was not wonderful, especially when we consider the means employed to secure it. Witness the following ORDERS:-"With regard to the principle of lay-delegation, we confidently anticipate entire unanimity; and shall be much disappointed if any individual-much more if any one who was present at the Manchester meeting-should offer it, directly or indirectly, the slightest opposition; and ill as any one can be spared....we had rather any member of the small minority who formerly dissented....staid at home, than that he should consume valuable time, engender unavailing strife, or expose himself to injurious suspicions, by any attempt to hinder the brethren," &c. Bravo! This is liberty! After this, no wonder Mr. Parker was called to order. The only wonder is, that a man who (judging from his speech) possesses some common sense, happened to be found in such company.-The following is a sample of the manner in which the same august assembly were able to blow hot and cold with the same breath, just as it suited their immediate purpose. In their "Appeal to the members of the Societies throughout the kingdom" (see Christian Advocate, Aug. 24,)-the prudence and piety which characterised the Conferences of 1795 and 1797, are contrasted with the want of those qualities in " the present race of Preachers." But in the debates which preceded or accompanied the adoption of this appeal, Mr. Sigston "feared the Conference were trifling with them, and that the old Satanic plan of 1797 was being played over again." Mr. Gordon said-" In 1797 the Conference sent forth its falsities before the truth could be circulcated." The prudence of these delegates, in publishing both appeal and debates, may be questioned, to say nothing of the piety exhibited in these charges against the fathers of the Connexion, many of whom had been so long in their graves!

"Who authorised them to go to Sheffield in an official character? Whom do they represent?None but their conceited selves."-Advocate, July 27.

After all the hollow and hypocritical pretences of the Christian Advocate party, about reforming Methodism to low Independency, they now avowedly give their adhesion. "We have no particular affection," they tell us, "for Conferences or Congregational Unions. It would not break our hearts if every such assembly were broken up."-Advocate, Jan. 25. To this, as we always said would be the case, it is come at last!