The Illuminator, designed to exhibit the true principles of the Wesleyan ...

ILLUMINATOR;

DESIGNED

TO EXHIBIT THE TRUE PRINCIPLES OF THE WESLEYAN CONSTITUTION; TO VINDICATE THE CHARACTER OF ITS AUTHORITIES; TO GUARD THE MEMBERS AGAINST THE ATTEMPTS MADE TO SEDUCE THEM FROM THE SOCIETY; AND EXPOSE THE SPIRIT AND OBJECTS OF THE SO CALLED GRAND CENTRAL ASSOCIATION."

No. 7.

TO BE PUBLISHED EVERY FORTNIGHT.

LIVERPOOL, APRIL 1, 1835. Price 14d.

REFLECTIONS ON THE ASSOCIATION.

"Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries; gird yourselves and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought: speak the word and it shall not stand; FOR GOD IS WITH US."-ISAIAH, viii. 9-10.

While certain members of this new body ecclesiastic are boldly advancing their avowed demonstrations, may we not be permitted, as humble sons and servants of our Wesleyan church, occasionally to record, on a subject so important to us, at least some dispassionate and cursory opinions? From the menacing position they have taken, it might seem that Methodism is all their own; and that their brethren of the same communion must not dispute one inch of the ground which the Associates have professed to occupy; but strike at once to their supreme authority, and the giant power of their unrivalled argumentation. Discussion they must therefore deem to be absolutely useless; and when, some time ago, they called loudly for public opportunities of contesting the debated points, it must of course have been with the full conviction, that their puny opponents would instantly consign themselves to the infamy of a defeated resistance; the doctrines of the Association being, in the judgment of the party, just as perfectly indisputable as those of Euclid, and of the great Sir Isaac Newton. Read their writings-listen to the tone of their measureless asseverations, and you will perceive their belief, that they have only to give universal announcement to their grand discoveries, and every man in England, possessed of common sense and common honesty, must yield his conviction in a moment to this unequalled burst of public virtue, truth, and talent. We must be content, however, to be odious exceptions in this case; still, we are not disposed to shrink from the task of expressing what, no doubt, will be deemed our very contumacious opinions on this subject. If sometimes we repeat, in part, what we have before observed, it will be because we judge the matter is important, and because we believe it has not yet received a satisfactory reply.

In the first place, we ask, by what means has this Association sprung into existence? How did it assume a distinctive character and form? We will not inquire if its members consulted the opinions and sought the consent of their ministers? For these were deemed undeserving of any deference or courtesy in regard to the project; or dolts and dunces; or selfish and servile; or tyrants and cowards; quite unfit to be talked

love, on the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, God would fulfil to their connexion, to an extent which he has not hitherto done, the word that he spake unto Abraham-" I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing."-EPSILON.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

and important as the judgment of the Vice-Chancellor is, in its bearing on the constitution and discipline of "Methodism as it is," our well-timed exultation shall be as soberly exhibited, as our very disinterested (!) advisers could wish. In truth, we are too much grieved at what we hear and see around us, to exult in any thing at present, "save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." The prejudices of many honest, but fearfully mistaken, members of our society are yet strong in favour of a set of practical Antinomians who have too long gulled them by "the pomp and circumstance" of their flaming professions, and time must be afforded for these performers to show themselves off to the eyes of their infatuated admirers, in their true character, unprotected by the sanctity of office, and the consideration and respect of those who are in authority. Little indeed do these persons reflect on the damage which they have sustained is the loss of that tender regard of character, that jealous suspicion of tale-bearing, that frowning down of whispering a backbiting, which have been faithfully inculcated from the pulpits of this town, for so many years, by those who have ministered to us in "the word and doctrine." Evils of this nature have, unfortunately, served as cover for many a deed which would not bear the light, and in a community too which insists, above all things, on the necessity of a walk suitable to the profession of godliLet these agitators know, that in their new position, they stand in a level with the rest of the world. Eyes which formerly, and perhaps culpably, too prone to be closed, are now no longer so; and let these men beware! For ourselves, we will judge nothing before the time: this we leave to Him who judgeth righteous judgment. We tender only a friendly hint to those who appear more ready to give than to take advice, and who shew by their conduct that they are much wiser than their teachers! But shall we conceal our satisfaction-our devout gratitude to God, at this new confirmation of the estimation which we have ever entertained of the stablity, purity, and safety of Wesleyan Methodism? This would be "ineffable hypocrisy," indeed! We calmly and thankfully acknowledge this fresh attestation of the care of our "Great Builder," and still we sing with humble relianc ve on his direction

ness.

He who runs his head against

get a broken pate for his pains!

Fitly framed in Him we are,

All the building rises fair,

Let it to a temple rise,

Worthy Him who fills the skies."

the adamantine walls of this edifice will, he may depend upon it, only This truth the Association faction are now discovering, to their great astonishment, and their faith is becoming more and more shaken, as to the virtue of m the plasters applied by the dear Doctor and his assistants, Messrs. Farrer, Beynon, Barnes, and Rowland, to the sore contusions and lacerations which they and their patients have inflicted on themselves, in a` is "most foul-strange and unnatural"!

contest which

'ace when

slander Words bm his tif we rsed

We sincerely regret that-solely for want of room—we are unable to insert the telling letter of Mr. M. Gibson in this number. Whoever forwarded an account of the proceedings which took pl tickets were given to Mr. G.'s class, to the editor of that dark depôt of misrepresentation and the Lantern, has—either through ignorance or something worse-mis-stated the whole affair. are said to have been uttered by a man of the name of Bew which never on that occasion fell fro lips. By the Lantern's own showing (No. 9,) these mis-statements are of very common occurrence, only take his "Notices to Correspondents" as speaking the truth. On these topics, we have determin to illuminate shortly. Really, if the editor and his correspondents have no regard to their character, ove hope they will have some respect to the sacred cause of truth!

"-shall al L

The communications from "Edward Jones,"-" Z,"-" Philalethes," and "Polycarp,"if possible, have a place in our next number.

We have also received valuable articles from "An Observer,"-" Mentor,"-" Alpha,"-" An Old Methodist,"-" S. H. H.,”—“Delta," and "W. Davies."

Printed and Published by R. DICKINSON, 67, Pool-lane, Liverpool, to whom all communications (pos paid) to the editor, are to be addressed; Sold also by J. MASON, 14, City-road, and J. HUTTON, 1City-road, London; LOVE and BARTON, Manchester; SPINK and CULLINGWORTH, Leeds; ATKI N SON, Bradford; SAXTON and CHALONER, Sheffield; the CHRONICLE OFFICE, Chester; PEAR .T, Birmingham; OGLE, Bolton; WILSON, Whitehaven; JEFFERSON, Carlisle; DICKINSON, Workington; and may be obtained, by means of the Methodist Preachers, in any part of Great Britain and Irelaris d

ILLUMINATOR;

DESIGNED

No. 7.

TO BE PUBLISHED EVERY FORTNIGHT.

LIVERPOOL, APRIL 1, 1835. Price 13d.

REFLECTIONS ON THE ASSOCIATION.

love, on the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, God would fulfil to their connexion, to an extent which he has not hitherto done, the word that he spake unto Abraham-“ I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing."-EPSILON.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The Association gravely advises us not to exult too much at the disgrace and rebuke which Dr. Warren and his coadjutors, have recently received for going to law with their brethren. This advice is altogether gratuitous. We are not accustomed to make "much ado about nothing." Conduct of this description we leave to be followed by the Association, who pride themselves in trying to agitate the connexion to its centre, for the sake of a few principles which they co fess are not worth a rush! and who have been hallooing loud enough to make our heads ache for the last three months, when it now appears they are not half out of the wood! No; we scorn to imitate their "ineffable hypocrisy," and important as the judgment of the Vice-Chancellor is, in its bearing on the constitution and discipline of "Methodism as it is," our well-timed exultation shall be as soberly exhibited, as our very disinterested (!) advisers could wish. In truth, we are too much grieved at what we hear and see around us, to exult in any thing at present, "save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." The prejudices of many honest, but fearfully mistaken, members of our society are yet strong in favour of a set of practical Antinomians who have too long gulled them by "the pomp and circumstance" of their flaming professions, and time must be afforded for these performers to show themselves off to the eyes of their infatuated admirers, in their true character, unprotected by the sanctity of office, and the consideration and respect of those who are in authority. Little indeed do these persons reflect on the damage which they have sustained the leg of that tender regard of character, that jealous suspicion of tale-bearing, that frowning down of whispering a backbiting, which have been faithfully inculcated from the pulpits of this town, for so many years, by those who have ministered to us in "the word and doctrine." Evils of this nature have, unfortunately, served as cover for many a deed which would not bear the light, and in a community too which insists, above all things, on the necessity of a walk suitable to the profession of godliLet these agitators know, that in their new position, they stand in a level with the rest of the world. Eyes which formerly, and perhaps culpably, too prone to be closed, are now no longer so; and let these men beware! For ourselves, we will judge nothing before the time: this we leave to Him who judgeth righteous judgment. We tender only a friendly hint to those who appear more ready to give than to take advice, and who shew by their conduct that they are much wiser than their teachers! But shall we conceal our satisfaction-our devout gratitude to God, at this new confirmation of the estimation which we have ever entertained of the stablity, purity, and safety of Wesleyan Methodism? This would be "ineffable hypocrisy," indeed! We calmly and thankfully acknowledge this fresh attestation of the care of our "Great Builder," and still we sing with humble reliance on his direction—

ness.

"Fitly framed in Him we are,

All the building rises fair,

Let it to a temple rise,

Worthy Him who fills the skies."

He who runs his head against the adamantine walls of this edifice will, he may depend upon it, only get a broken pate for his pains! This truth the Association faction are now discovering, to their great astonishment, and their faith is becoming more and more shaken, as to the virtue of m plied by the dear Doctor and his assistants, Messrs. Farrer, Beynon, Barnes, and Rowland, to the sore the plasters apcontusions and lacerations which they and their patients have inflicted on themselves, in a contest which is "most foul-strange and unnatural"!

'ace when

slander Words bm his tif we rsed

We sincerely regret that-solely for want of room—we are unable to insert the telling letter of Mr. M. Gibson in this number. Whoever forwarded an account of the proceedings which took på tickets were given to Mr. G.'s class, to the editor of that dark depôt of misrepresentation and the Lantern, has-either through ignorance or something worse-mis-stated the whole affair. are said to have been uttered by a man of the name of Bew which never on that occasion fell fro lips. By the Lantern's own showing (No. 9,) these mis-statements are of very common occurrence, only take his "Notices to Correspondents" as speaking the truth. On these topics, we have determin to illuminate shortly. Really, if the editor and his correspondents have no regard to their character, ve hope they will have some respect to the sacred cause of truth!

The communications from "Edward Jones,"—“ Z,"—" Philalethes,”—and "Polycarp,"-shall al↳ if possible, have a place in our next number.

We have also received valuable articles from "An Observer,"-" Mentor,"-" Alpha,"—" An Old Methodist,"-" S. H. H.,"-" Delta,"-and "W. Davies."

Printed and Published by R. DICKINSON, 67, Pool-lane, Liverpool, to whom all communications (pos paid) to the editor, are to be addressed; Sold also by J. MASON, 14, City-road, and J. HUTTON, 10, City-road, London; LOVE and BARTON, Manchester; SPINK and CULLINGWORTH, Leeds; ATKIN SON, Bradford; SAXTON and CHALONER, Sheffield; the CHRONICLE OFFICE, Chester; PEAR Birmingham; OGLE, Bolton; WILSON, Whitehaven; JEFFERSON, Carlisle; DICKINSON, Workingto and may be obtained, by means of the Methodist Preachers, in any part of Great Britain and Irelaris d

.T, n;

ILLUMINATOR;

DESIGNED

No. 7.

TO BE PUBLISHED EVERY FORTNIGHT.

LIVERPOOL, APRIL 1, 1835. Price 14d.

REFLECTIONS ON THE ASSOCIATION.

In the first place, we ask, by what means has this Association sprung into existence? How did it assume a distinctive character and form? We will not inquire if its members consulted the opinions and sought the consent of their ministers? For these were deemed undeserving of any deference or courtesy in regard to the project; or dolts and dunces or selfish and servile; or tyrants and cowards; quite unfit to be talked

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