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in reference to the above meeting-"If he was present, and means to assert that a vote of the meeting was taken upon the appointment of these 'managers,' or that the meeting was ever consulted at all on the subject, he utters what he knows to be an untruth; or lies designedly." It is quite clear that somebody "lies designedly," and the public will judge whether it be the circuit book and the stewards, or the men who openly boast of having issued some hundreds of forgeries, under the name of "fac-simile" tickets.

REV. ROBERT AITKEN.-This gentleman, in a pamphlet recently published, has tendered his services as mediator between the contending parties. His project is to bring back that vile leaven of Antinomianism recently expelled from the connexion, to ferment and disturb it again. Although the polity of Methodism had cost Mr. Wesley fifty years of care, and was the subject on which Thompson, Mather, Pawson, and others, had bestowed their deep and ceaseless attention, it is now to be tinkered and improved by a young convert, who has so little leisure as to be unable to read over his manuscript before sending it to press. We very meekly submit to the censure passed upon us for our bad temper, as the mediator was like to show his impartiality. Mr. Aitken says he has met the Liverpool Association in a truly friendly and Christian spirit; and as, even "sinners, love those who love them," we suppose the good feeling must have been mutual. They have had one single interview, and a report of it has already appeared in the Lantern, but much more favourable to themselves than to him. It is said, the Rev. gentleman conceived it possible that he might be misrepresented, and has published the present pamphlet partly in self-defence. It is very kind certainly in Mr. Aitken to invite us to share in the advantages of such "peace," "brotherly love," and "Christian fellowship" as this; but some of us have had quite enough of "interviews" which end in a published report—which report may prove a malignant personal attack, and require to be met by a published defence; and so must say,

me excused."

66

pray thee have

We had intended to have given a detailed account of Dr. Warren's proceedings at Sheffield; but upon second thoughts we do not deem them worthy of this distinction. His lecture was even to its phraseology the same which he has been delivering in other towns; and his behaviour in the negotiations which some of our Sheffield friends had with him exhibits, the same combination of clumsy craft and cowardice which from the beginning of his reforming career he has shown. He was offered the use of one of our chapels that he might address an exclusively Wesleyan audience. But this liberal offer he refused. He was asked if he would allow the Wesleyans to speak in their own defence; but this liberty he would not grant. The Rev. J. M'Lean, after having listened to his slanders, and those of his associates, for the space of three hours, rose to reply; but although several Manchester men had been secretly sent for, and the audience had been packed by a private issue of tickets, the poor Doctor durst not risk an exposure. He and the whole set of his associates seemed panic-stricken when Mr. M'Lean stood up, and immediately escaped from the place in the most abrupt and cowardly manner. To save appearances, the Doctor announced by advertisement that he was favourable to discussion, but when Mr. M'Lean took him at his word, and offered to meet him in the presence of the Wesleyan Methodists of Sheffield, he professed to he highly offended with such a proposal-declaring, in plain terms, that the Wesleyan Methodists of Sheffield were as unable to judge fairly of his case as the members of "the notorious, the infamous, the disgraceful Manchester district meeting." Poor Dr. Warren, what will come next? He is now as distrustful of the Wesleyan laity as he has hitherto professed to be of the ministers. Even lay delegation will not meet his case! It is delightful to learn that our societies in Sheffield are in a most peaceful and united state. The friends have come forward with unprecedented liberality to accommodate the preachers at the approaching Conference; and it is confidently anticipated that a glorious effusion of the Spirit of God will be vouchsafed, in connexion with its sittings and services. The visit of the agitators has been beneficial. They have only succeeded in inducing one member to join their Association; whilst hundreds have been driven to more earnest prayer, and to take a more decided stand in favour of our long-tried and divinely-honoured institutions.

We feel no hesitation in informing our Warrington correspondent that his conjectures respecting the delegate from that town at the late unfortunate meeting of delegates in Manchester, are perfectiy verified by fact. His present opposition to Wesleyan Methodism appears to have arisen from some disappointment which he experienced while resident in the Rotherham circuit. This delegate (so called), is neither connected with the town nor the Methodist society of Warrington; and for a long time we wondered what led him to leave his occupation on the Sankey canal to interfere with the affairs of a religious society to which he never belonged. We opine, that were certain phrenologists to interest themselves about his skull, the bump of obtrusitiveness would be found prominent. We can assure this gentleman that he will meet with no game in our Methodist preserves, which will recompense him for the trouble he and his associates may experience, and trust that he will profit by the things which he has already learned. We inform our correspondent "Aliquis" that his papers are peculiarly acceptable; and we hope to receive a constant supply.

We regret exceedingly that an article respecting the outrageous proceedings of the Association at Whitehaven, and concerning the ludicrous figure which these worthies cut in the Isle of Man, on account of press of matter, are postponed until our next. These mischievous and misled men certainly are not aware that conduct similar to that which took place in the above places, is re-acting much to their disadvantage. Detestation and abhorrence are now the prevailing feelings toward the reckless and wicked Association.

To our Warrington correspondent we are under peculiar obligations, and shall not fail to make ample use of his correspondence in our future number.

We thankfully acknowledge communications from "Mentor;" "Delta;" "J. W.;" "Epsilon;" 'A. B.;" "Q.;” “J. D.;" “Č. J.;" "C. H. J.;" "A lover of Constitutional Methodism ;" and "An Observer."

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,

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. 16.

66

TO BE PUBLISHED EVERY FORTNIGHT.

LIVERPOOL, SEPT. 2, 1835.

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

(From the Watchman.)

Price 2d.

IN our last number we furnished our readers with a brief account of some of the early proceedings of the Conference assembled at Sheffield, and we now proceed to lay before them a more detailed statement of the deliberations of that venerable assembly. As we have already stated its sittings commenced on Wednesday the 29th of July, which day was chiefly occupied with the official and other arrangements which usually occupy the first day of the Conference, and with two public Prayer Meetings.

THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 30.

The Minutes of the Manchester Special District Meeting on the case of Dr. Warren were read.

During the reading of this document, it was stated to the President, that Mr. EMMETT, a preacher under suspension, was present in the Conference. He was requested to withdraw; but refused to do so. After he had been affectionately addressed by Mr. ENTWISTLE-the PRESIDENT stated that he was much surprised at Mr. Emmett's conduct; for that, during a period of 48 years, he had never seen any preacher behave in a similar way under such circumstances. At length he withdrew.

Mr. GRINDROD having finished reading the Manchester Minutes, the PRESIDENT enquired whether Dr. Warren appealed from the decision of the District Meeting to the Conference? To which Dr. WARREN replied, "Unquestionably; my presence here this day speaks this." The PRESIDENT then said, the Conference must decide whether a preacher who has neglected to give notice in the regular way, of his intention to appeal, has the right now to appeal? On this subject a long discussion took place, at the close of which the following resolutions were passed :

1. That the Notice of Appeal, usual and fitting in such cases, has never been given.

2. That Dr. Warren has forfeited the right of now making his appeal to the Conference, by his having previously appealed, in violation of an established rule of our body, and of the injunction of the New Testament, to a civil jurisdiction; instead of appealing first to the Conference, according to our rules, and awaiting the result of their determination on his case, before he appealed elsewhere; as well as by connecting himself with a certain association formed and conducted in utter violation of the laws and of the peace of our Connexion; and, in conjunction with them, appealing to public meetings for the express purpose of agitating our Societies; this being done with the view, as he himself substantially admits, of enforcing on the Conference when it should assemble, by the pressure of an external influence, a decision favourable to his views.

3. That Dr. Warren has also forfeited the right of appeal by those calumnious, divisive, and mischievous proceedings, in various parts of the kingdom, during the last eight or nine months, which are now matters of public notoriety, and were altogether inconsistent with his duty, if he really considered himself still a Methodist Preacher, retaining the wish or intention to claim, by an appeal to the Conference or otherwise, any of the rights and privileges connected with a ministerial relation to our body. These grounds for maintaining the opinion that Dr. Warren has forfeited the right of appeal were stated by the President to Dr. Warren, and he was heard in reply. The Conference resolves on this part of the case:

That, on the three grounds above mentioned, Dr. Warren has, in the judgment of the Conference, clearly and entirely forfeited the right of appeal in the present stage of these proceedings. But that, under all circumstances, and as a matter, not of right or justice, but of indulgence, the objections shall in this instance be waived: and the Conference will hear both the District Committee and the parties who may think themselves aggrieved by Dr. Warren's proceedings on the one hand, and Dr. Warren himself or any member of the Conference favourable to his views on the other hand, in reference to the whole of these unhappy transactions up to the present period, all merely technical and formal objections being dismissed on both sides, and regard being had entirely to the substantial merits of the case. But that the deviation, on this instance from our ordinary rules and requirements, though consented to by the District Committee, is considered by the Conference as being made solely in the way of indulgence on a peculiar occasion, and shall not, on any account be drawn into a precedent.

In conformity with the preceding decision the Conferenee then entered on the careful consideration of Dr. Warren's appeal, and of the transactions on both sides, from the commencement of the proceedings of the District Committee up to the present period.

The official statement of the Manchester District Committee, containing their views and resolutions on the varfous parts of Dr. Warren's case, was read to the Conference. He was then heard at great length in his own defence; and, at his request, Mr. Bromley was also heard on his behalf. After some of the members of the Manchester District Committee had spoken on points referred to in the defence, and after several questions calculated to elicit more fully the facts of the case had been proposed by other members of the Conference, and Dr. Warren had been allowed full opportunity to answer and explain accordingly, he was told that, if he had any further remarks to offer, the Conference was ready to hear him. He declined, however, to say more on the subject.

Mr. GRINDROD then proceeded to give a statement of the whole case on the part of the Manchester District Meeting.

Dr. WARREN-I rise to order. If any charges are to be brought against me arising from transactions which have taken place subsequent to my suspension, ought I not to have received previous notice of such charges?

PRESIDENT-In all ordinary cases this is the rule; but in the resolution which has just been adopted, it is explicitly stated, that all technical objections as to mere formalities, are to be given up on both sides, of which arrangement you approved.

The Doctor then withdrew his objection.

Mr. GRINDROD then read the new matter in the statement, together with the Minutes of the regular District Meeting which was held in May.

Dr. WARREN rose exactly at twelve in order to reply. He commenced by complaining of the number of charges preferred against him. He spoke of his attachment to Methodism, and of his unwillingness to leave the Connexion. He entered also at great length into the various circumstances connected with the Special District Meeting at Manchester-the Juvenile Missionary Society connected with the Oldham-street Circuit and stated the reasons which induced him and his partizans to form the Grand Central Association. He complained that no attention had been paid to their representations. Dr. Warren, in conclusion, stated his fixed determination to stand or fall with the Central Association; and to maintain to the utmost of his power the principles which the members of that combination have avowed.

The EX-PRESIDENT said he had met with promptitude every case of grievance that had been mentioned to him.

Dr. WARREN-Some of your Superintendents have closed up the only avenuethe Quarterly Meeting-by which they could have reached your ear; when matters of grievance have been introduced into the Quarterly Meetings, they have said, we cannot admit them. They have acted in such a way as Mr. Taylor's piety and good sense would never approve. What remained? Either they must be quiet and say nothing at all, or express their opinions elsewhere. In this latter case, they are declared schismatics, and are separated from society. Between these two horns of a dilemma, hundreds and thousands of your people have been cut off.

Dr. BUNTING-One of these horns is of their own making; and if they have run upon it, it must be because they have a strange propensity to be gored. There was a regular mode of redress open to them. An aggrieved member should have appealed to the Chairman of the District, and then, should he have refused redress, he should bring him here, and we would teach such a Chairman his duty, and make him promise to do better. There are some points in Dr. Warren's address on which Mr. Newton, had he been present, would have made some remarks. One is, that a charge of fraud and trickery has been preferred against the Conference, in reference to the plan of Pacification not being found in the journals. Now, certainly, we modern preachers are not answerable for this any more than we are answerable for journals of events, of which we never heard. Nor do I think that we are compelled to impute fraud to our 'predecessors to the Pawsons, and Mathers, and Bensons, and Bradburns, and Cokes, and Clarkes-yes, Clarke! whose name has been brought against us, as if he were indignant at our wickedness-and the Moores-for Henry Moore belongs to the age of which I speak; I say, I think we may explain the matter, without imputing fraud to those honoured men who were, in that day, entrusted with the affairs of Methodism. Their characters, their lives, their deaths, forbid the imputation of trickery and fraud to them. Another point taken up by Dr. Warren is, that we who are now enquiring into this case are prejudiced men-that our having signed the Declaration has committed us to one side of the question. Now, the truth is, that the document in question says not a word about Dr. Warren. It contains only general principles, and I could

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very consistently have signed that document at the time I did, and still, if I found sufficient reason, on investigating Dr. Warren's case as it stood when that Declaration was adopted, pronounced a verdict of acquittal on Dr. Warren, and censure on the District Meeting.

Mr. WAUGH-I feel great interest in one question, which I beg to propose to Dr. Warren. Did he say that the Ex-President, Mr. Taylor, is a man of piety and good sense, and averse to arbitrary proceedings?

Dr. WARREN-I did.

Mr. WAUGH-Then he is not like Judge Jeffries.

[Mr. W. alluded to that part of Dr. Warren's pamphlet, in which he compares the Ex-President to that infamous Judge.]

FRIDAY MORNING.

In compliance with a wish expressed by Dr. Warren, Mr. BROMLEY addressed the Conference on his behalf, and explained certain facts connected with the Manchester Special District Meeting.

After Mr. Bromley had concluded his speech, several preachers addressed the Conference, amongst whom the venerable JAMES WOOD (the oldest minister of the Connexion), stated-As a Member of the Methodist Conference, I have been charged as an oppressor, as trampling on the liberties of the people. Dr. Warren is the person bringing the charge. I care nothing for myself, but I cannot hear my brethren slandered without sympathy and indignation. In all my life I never knew, in any Conference, nor in any case, such a mass of inconsistency, of vanity, pride, and ambition, and, above, all, of malignity against the body, as I have witnessed from Dr. Warren on this occasion. I believe that his conduct in going from place to place, and agitating large bodies is inconsistent with justice, truth, and the simplicity of the gospel.

I am

Mr. BEAUMONT-I wish to ask Dr. Warren, before he retires, whether he is willing to express his sorrow for the steps he has taken since his suspension? anxious to know whether he feels any regret, or any portion of regret, for what he has done?

Nothing satisfactory was elicited in reply to this question.

Dr. WARREN having stated, in reply to a question from the President, that he had nothing further to say in his defence, was requested to retire-with which request he immediately complied, it having been previously intimated that the Members of the Manchester District would not be allowed to speak or vote on the case. Dr. Bunting stated that he also intended to take no part in it.

After Dr. Warren had withdrawn, several preachers addressed the Conference at great length on the different subjects connected with his case. We regret that our limits do not allow us to furnish our readers with more than an outline of two or three of these addresses.

Mr. GALLAND stated that he now doubted whether he was right in withholding his name from the General Declaration which almost all his brethren had signed. He was convinced of the propriety of Dr. Warren's suspension, and expressed the strongest disapprobation of the conduct of that individual, which, he stated, had been of such a nature, that even if he had expressed regret for it, it would be the duty of the Conference to expel him. Another reason, which he (Mr. G.), wished to take a part in this business was, the probable reproach and calumny which might arise from the misrepresentations that would be circulated, respecting their just and righteous decision. He was willing to share in the reproach of his brethren, and in such a cause would say, "All hail reproach, and welcome shame!"

Mr. BROMLEY spoke in favour of Dr. Warren, but his speech was rather a defence of his own conduct than of that of the appellant. He did not attempt to justify any of the proceedings of Dr. W., and condemned many of them. He was, however, opposed to his expulsion, and urged that it would be good policy to continue his suspension another year.

SATURDAY MORNING.

After the Conference had, as usual, been opened with singing and prayer, the consideration of the case of Dr. Warren was resumed.

Mr. LESSEY delivered an impressive speech, in which he depicted the evils that would result to the Connexion if Dr. Warren should be permitted to retain his place as a Minister of the Connexion.

Mr. DIXON rose and said-I have found it difficult to subdue my mind to that calmness which is proper in coming to a judgment on the conduct of a person who was once a brother. Whatever be the result of this struggle, I have determined to fight

with you the last battle, and to die with you in the last ditch. But, sir, I have no fear as to the result of this trial of our faith. From this time I am sure we shall love each other better, our misunderstandings will be made up, and we shall agree to act in concert on the great principles of Methodism. In this case, in my judgment, we have no alternative but expulsion, or the destruction of Methodism. I have endeavoured to fish out of a great deal of sophistry, brought out during the examination, the real state of the Doctor's case. He said he had lived up to this time in all good conscience. How he can have done this, I am at a loss to understand. Has he not maligned the characters of some of your best men, and done all he possibly could to render them odious? Has he not injured the piety of some of your spiritually-minded members, and spread discord and confusion throughout the Connexion? Look too, sir, at the principles of the Association. This is a great and wicked confederacy. I hold Dr. Warren accountable for all the mischief done at Liverpool. His conduct has been denominated irregularity. And are we to call such conduct as that which has been under examination, mere irregularity? We have heard much of the doctrine of expediency—it is doubtless a popular doctrine;-but what, I ask, is the expediency of the New Testament? I understand it to be this-to do a right thing in a right way. And is such expediency discoverable in the conduct of Dr. Warren? He will not adhere to your Deed-poll; he tells you he objects to your doctrine of usage. Now, are you prepared to yield to him in these particulars? Are you to show mercy to a man who has set up a kingdom within your kingdom? The principles of the Association have been carried into awful effect in a few of our Circuits; and the evils done by Dr. Warren deserves a thousand expulsions.

Mr. SCOTT, amid cries of question, rose and said-It would do them no discredit to spend so much time on a subject of such great importance. He had attentively noticed every thing which had fallen from Dr. Warren since he appeared before the Conference, and had studied the subject throughout the year. No doubt could be entertained as to the decision; but it was necessary to be cautious as to the mode. He was pleased with the moral courage displayed by Mr. Galland, and would be glad if the same feeling pervaded every mind. He had attentively waited to hear some reason for the agitation which all deplored, but could discover no principle. Dr. Warren spoke of the necessity of setting himself right with the body which, he alleged, had misunderstood him; and from this little point of vanity he had ventured to disturb the Connexion. He advanced to fresh ground, but when additional pretences were adopted, they developed no principle. The Doctor had vacillated and shifted from one thing to another; and that in a spirit any thing but manly and dignified. Who could respect a man capable of this? As to the modes adopted by Dr. W. in compassing his purpose, they were such as every man of candour must disapprove. He had violated the sacred proprieties of civility-he had trampled on the spirit, laws, and usages of Methodism. He would now ask, to what circuit could he be sent with safety? He would further demand, what preacher would they station with him? Never did a man, bearing the name of a Methodist preacher, go to such unwarrantable lengths. He concluded by expressing his readiness to vote for Dr. W.'s expulsion.

"If

Mr. ROBERT Woon read a letter addressed by his father in November last, to Dr. Warren, in which he tells the Doctor that he would not have his responsibility upon him for the wealth of all the world, and affectionately entreats him to repent. you will give hope of this," he says, "I will come, notwithstanding all my infirmities, to Manchester, and kneel at your feet to gain this point."

After the Preachers had expressed their sentiments, the Conference with one exception (and he afterwards withdrew his opposition) unanimously resolved as follows:

I.-That the District Committee, at their special Meetings on this case, have not exceeded nor misapplied that right of jurisdiction, according to the laws and usages of the Connexion, which two decisions in the Courts of Equity have been recognised; but their proceedings were proper and regular, and required by the circumstances of the case :-For,

1. Had the District Committee omitted to call Dr. Warren to account, they would have been guilty of a dereliction of duty; because,

The New Testament, which we regard as our supreme and permanent law, enjoins that we
watch over each other, and exercise vigilant and mutual controul; and because,
It is indispensably necessary to the purity of our ministry, and the spiritual welfare of our
societies to retain, and on all proper occasions to use, the right of fully enquiring into the
conduct of its own members, and judicially dealing with them, which the Conference in
its annual assemblies, and (during the periods intervening between its yearly meetings),
by means of its District Committees, has hitherto exercised. And,

2. The grounds on which Dr. Warren refused to continue on his trial, before the District Committee specially assembled for the purpose, were, in the judgment of the Conference, insufficient and untenable; and for so refusing, the District Committee were in duty bound to suspend his functions as an accredited minister of our Connexion; because,

To allow or connive at such contumacy, is incompatible with the nature and principles of society in general, and with the constitution and discipline of our Connexion in particular; for if, on any occasion, or under any pretext, a preacher were allowed to refuse trial, and

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