putations, I pledge myself, if spared, seriously, and in good earnest, to defend Methodism from the schisms which it is supposed to have engendered.

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But as I regard such argumentation as a mere begging of the question, I proceed to notice a statement so grave in its character, communicated in such a tone of authority, and involving in it such important results, that it merits special attention. "Wesley intended the Confer ence to be a convocation of Clergy and laity." This is certainly a novel announcement. On what authority is it made? At present the authority is anonymous. Persons accustomed to the rules of evidence know that an anonymous testimony is very dubious, and scarcely entitled to credit. As, however, the writer is alive, perhaps he will let the public know that he possesses a local habitation and a name." What evidence is adduced to support this anonymous affirmation? Not a tittle! And is the testimony of contemporaneous witnesses, the "venerated colleagues of the Founder of Methodism," to be nullified, and rendered void, by the anonymous and unsupported testimony of a popular writer?" the temper of the present times," however bad that temper may be supposed, such an assumption of dictatorial authority, which, if not "unmixed" with any thing else, is obviously "irresponsible," will not be endured. It would be a libel upon the British public to suppose that they are so changed in temper and principle as to give implicit credence to the unsupported testimony of an anonymous writer, contradicted as it is by the living testimony of men whose character for integrity and rectitude is unimpeached and unimpeachable. But the matter at issue is not suspended upon the testimony of living witnesses; though that evidence, with candid and thinking men, would be deemed conclusive. The written, and solemnly recorded, testimony of Mr. Wesley himself is adducible, as confirmatory of the evidence of his venerated colleagues. I once more

"In

refer to the Deed of Declaration, a legal document, the importance of which generations yet unborn will more fully estimate than some of the present generation, who appear to have neither the ability nor the inclination to appreciate its value. This Deed contains the names of one hundred Preachers, nominated by Mr. Wesley himself, and whom he styles, Gentlemen, being Preachers or Expounders of God's holy word, under the care and in connexion with the said John Wesley;" and it proceeds as follows: "have been, and now are, and do, on the day of the date hereof, constitute the members of the said Conference, according to the true intent and meaning of the said several gifts and conveyances wherein the words, Conference of the people called Methodists,' are mentioned and contained; and that the said several persons before named, and their successors for ever, to be chosen as hereafter mentioned, are and shall for ever be construed, taken, and be, the Conference of the people called Methodists." (Wesley's Works, vol. iv., p. 507.) Is it possible for words to be more precise or definite in their meaning? Can any

evidence be adduced more satisfac

tory, or more decisive of the point at issue? Will the unsupported assertion of an anonymous writer induce any man, capable of comprehending the question, and it is only to such that I appeal,- to hesitate for one moment, as to the verdict which he is bound to give on the subject at issue? The clauses which have been previously adduced, and which prescribe the conditions on which Preachers are to be received on trial, and elected members of the Conference; and also a subsequent clause, which provides that when "the said Conference shall be reduced under the number of forty members, the Conference of the people called Methodists shall be extinguished;" contain not a vestige of probable or possible evidence to support the statement, that Mr. Wesley intended the Conference to be a convocation of Clergy and laity. To protract an argument on a case to clear would

be to insult the reader, and “darken counsel by words without knowledge."

It may not be improper to remark, that, though this important document contains the names of one hundred Preachers, yet only four of them were Clergymen, namely, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Thomas Coke, and James Creighton. The other ninety-six were, in the sense of the word as contradistinguished from the Clergy, laymen. How much of imagination, but how little of truth, is there in the following pompous passages!" His legislative and administrative assembly, therefore, the Conference, was, in his view, a mixed convocation of Clergy and laity; the latter being predominant in numbers. But this arbitrary and artificial distinction, a mere canonical fiction, necessarily grew fainter and fainter every year, and soon completely disappeared. Yet the silent change was of vital consequence; for thenceforward the society fell into the despotic form of a purely hierarchical polity." Is it possible that any sensible man, supposing him to have the slightest regard for candour, would have written such unmeaning bombast, if he had read the evidence which has been adduced? If he had not read it, how admirably qualified must such a writer be to instruct the public on matters of Methodistical polity, and admonish the Wesleyan leaders for not "long ago having discerned the danger, and prevented the schisms, that have actually happened, by rendering the Conference what Wesley intended it to be!" when it appears by evidence which cannot be controverted, that the constitution of the Conference really is what it always was, and, according to Mr. Wesley's intention, always must be,-an assembly of Preachers and Expounders of God's holy word," and not "a convocation of Clergy and laity."

That the dissensions which have occasionally disturbed Methodistic societies have attracted the attention "of disinterested spectators," cannot be doubted, any more than it can be

doubted, that the schisms of Protestantism have engaged the attention of the hierarchy of the Papal Church. But it is to be regarded rather as an indication of what perhaps is a "consummation most devoutly wished," and not a true record of what really is the fact, when the writer affirms, that "disinterested spectators cannot but grieve to see a system, so excellent originally, and which has effected so much good, breaking up, and generating feud upon feud,-scandal upon scandal." This is the very tone in which prophecies have been uttered, and interested wishes recorded, by Monks, Friars, Cardinals, and Popes, respecting Protestantism; but hitherto they have prophesied falsely: and, though we do not dissemble our grief, yet we have no fears to record respecting the future existence of Methodism. That admirable system, SO excellent originally," which we confidently affirm has been perpetuated in its purity, and which has effected so much good, is not yet" breaking up." Spectators, whether interested or disinterested, may reserve their sympathy for some other occasion. The system has endured many a conflict, and subsequently become stronger and more influential; and we doubt not but such will be the issue of the present contest. The tallest cedars that ornamented the tops of Lebanon, and cast their shadows into the valleys, were exposed to many a storm and tempest; but they cast their roots deeper and wider. So, also, we confidently believe, it will be with Methodism; and for this reason,-that we regard it, not as a device of man, but the work of God. The winds of calumny have roared in loud and continuous blasts around the heads of some of the tallest cedars in the mountains of Methodism; but, thank God, those cedars have stood, conscious of their integrity, and rejoicing in their uprightness.

"As some tall cliff, that lifts its awful form,

Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm,

they rejoice to recognise as their Father who is in heaven, have supported them in a season of intense anxiety, and great discouragement; and still embolden them to persevere, "through evil report and good report," to perpetuate, in its vitality and independence, the system which they recieved as a sacred deposit from the great and the good John Wesley. They look forwards to the approaching Conference with anxiety, but not with alarm; having joyful confidence in Him who rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm; who has so frequently interposed at critical seasons in the eventful history of Methodism, and shown himself to be the Guide and Protector of his people. They cannot, they will not, they dare not, doubt his gracious and holy interposition, when they shall meet their brethren to confer on matters of deep interest

and importance. As an individual, I would urge their beloved flocks to pray fervently and believingly, that the great Head of the church may preside in the sittings of the next Conference, and that he would favour them with a copious outpouring of the Holy Spirit. To secure this desirable and necessary blessing, I would take the liberty most earnestly to suggest, that the first day of the Conference should, by that body, and by the whole Connexion, be made a day of fasting and prayer; a day of humiliation and adoration; a day of praise and of supplication: and who can doubt the result? God himself will show his goodness and power, and every heart respond, in the language of our venerated Founder, whose mantle we are solicitous to catch, The best of all is, God is with us."

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M. S.

Journal of a Residence and Tour in the United States of America, from April, 1833, to October, 1834. By E. S. Abdy, Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge. In Three Volumes. Small 8vo. pp. 395, 415, 408. 30s. Murray. The Americans are a powerful off-shoot from the British family; and as they are said to have adopted institutions more liberal and enlightened than those of the parent state, authentic information respecting the practical working of their social system possesses a peculiar interest, especially in these times of agitation and change. In this view the publication of Mr. Abdy's work is highly seasonable and important. Being in somewhat delicate health, he accompanied two friends to the United States, one of whom was sent by the British Government to inspect the plan of prison discipline, as practised in the New World. Having spent about seventeen months in itinerating that vast continent, and preserved notes of the principal facts and scenes

that came under his observation, he has been induced to commit them to the press, in the hope of serving the cause of justice and mercy. The most prominent subject of his well-written and deeplyinteresting volumes, is the condition of the black and coloured population, two millions of whom, it appears, are there held in abject slavery, attended, in innumerable instances, with the most barbarous cruelty, and in every case with a distinction of caste directly at variance with the very first principles of humanity and religion. Some persons, it would appear, especially in the southern states, make it their business to raise human beings for the slave-market; just as English farmers and graziers supply the cattle-markets of our large towns. Parents are thus separated from their children under circumstances of the most heart-rending description. Religious slaves, being industrious and trust-worthy, as a matter of course, are advertised by the merchant at higher prices than