due warning. On this account its publication at the present time is highly seasonable; and many of the author's descriptions of the places visited by him possess considerable interest.

Memoir of Harland Page; or, the Power of Prayer and personal Effort for the Souls of Individuals. By W’illiam A. Hallcock, Corresponding Secretary of the American Tract Society. 24mo. pp. 198. Religious Tract Society.

Se

Theological Treatises; viz., God's Prescience of the Sins of Men; the Vanity of this Mortal Life; and the Redeemer's Dominion over the Invisible World. lected from the Works of the Rev. John Howe, M. A. With a Memoir of the Author, by Thomas Taylor, Author of "The Life of Cowper," and "Memoirs of Bishop Heber." 18mo. pp. cxii., 304. 3s. 6d. Hatchard.-By the general consent of orthodox Christians John Howe is acknowledged to have been one of the greatest and best men of modern ages; equally remarkable for a catholic spirit, deep piety, and the comprehensiveness and originality of his views of divine truth. It is a sufficient commendation of this volume to say, that it consists of some of the choicest tracts of this great man, with a sketch of his holy and useful life, drawn up with fidelity and skill. It forms the twentieth volume of the "Sacred Classics," often noticed in this Magazine, and is perhaps the best of the entire series.

Sacred Poetry of the Seventeenth Century: including the whole of Giles Fletcher's Christ's Victory and Triumph; with copious Selections from Spenser, Davies, Sandys, P. Fletcher, Wither, Bishop King, Quarles, Herbert, Milton. Vol. I. With an introductory Essay and critical Remarks, by the Rev. R. Callermole, B. D. 18mo. pp. xxxiii., 351. 3s. 6d. Hatchard. This is the next succeeding volume of the "Sacred Classics ;" and consists of selections from the works of the elder English poets, in which are some fine specimens of sacred verse, at present little known to general readers. The compositions here given are very judiciously selected, and must be highly gratifying to the subscribers. As the volume is numbered I., we conclude that it will be followed by others of a similar character. They will afford an agreeable variety to the reader, and great. ly enhance the value of the entire publication.

Ecclesiastes Anglicanus: being a Treatise on the Art of Preaching, as adapted to the Church of England Congregation: contained in a Series of Letters to a

Young Clergyman. By the Rev. W. Gresley, M. A., Curate of St. Chad's, Lichfield, and late Student of Christ's Church. 8vo. pp. 472. 12s. Rivington.

Lectures on Homiletics and Preaching ; by Ebenezer Porter, D.D., President of the Theological Seminary, Andover. With a Preface, an Appendix, and copious Notes, by the Rev. J. Jones, M.A., Incumbent Minister of St. Andrew's Church, Liverpool. 8vo. pp. 366. Seeley and Burnside.-Both these works are worthy of the careful perusal of every Christian Minister, especially of such as are comparatively young and inexperienced. They are written with great care, and are evidently the result of patient research and thought, and contain indications of sincere piety in the writers. The volume of Dr. Porter, a learned Presbyterian Divine of America, is a very elaborate production, and gives an interesting history of preaching in the carly periods of the Christian church. It is enriched by some valuable notes by the Editor; but we think is also injured by too much abridgment, of which the title gives no intimation. We should have preferred a more exact reprint of Dr. Porter's book; but as very few copies of the American edition have found their way to Europe, the student will be thankful to possess it in its present form.

The Protestant Memorial, for the Commemoration, on the fourth day of October, MDCCCXXXV., of the Third Centenary of the Reformation, and of the Publication of the first entire Protestant English Version of the Bible, October IV., MDXXXV. By Thomas Hartwell Horne, B. D., of Saint John's College, Cambridge; Author of "The Introduction to the critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures." Second Edition, corrected and enlarged. 12mo. pp. 96. 1s. Cadell.-One of the greatest blessings bestowed by a merciful Providence upon this country, is the Protestant Reformation, which the spurious liberality of the present age is attempting to disparage. By its masses and penances, and the pretended prayers of the Saints, Popery diverts the attention of its votaries from the mediation of Christ, which the Scriptures declare to be the only means of access to God provided for fallen man; and thus, as a system of spiritual tyranny and wickedness, it corrupts not the circumstantials and forms of Christianity merely, but its very substance. This accursed system of error, and of priestly gain, converts into poison the very waters of salvation and the bread of life. Unhappily its atroci

The

The

tions of our Zion into the divine presence, and placed us and our cause in the hands of the Great Head of the Church. Lord has been entreated for us. religious services which preceded the Conference were seasons of peculiar power, and served to produce an animated tone of confidence towards God.

From the commencement of the Conference, the brethren have endeavoured rightly to estimate the exact position in which they stand. Their own ministerial calling and responsibility, their obligations to the vast majority of their faithful and affectionate people living in peace, and firmly attached to the institutions of Methodism, the discontent and divisive proceedings of those who clamour for theoretic changes, and, above all, their accountableness to Him who has put them into the ministry, have caused them to review their principles, and again to pledge themselves to the support and extension of that cause which is so pre-eminently the work of God. This resolution has been taken in good faith, and with a unanimity unexampled in the annals of Methodism. Had there existed any considerable feeling of distrust, any alienation of affection, or any serious difference of judgment, this would have been a ground of just alarm; but the harmony of the Conference is a proof that the God of love and peace is still among us, and may well inspire us with increased confidence in the stability of the Connexion.

All the leading features of those agitations which have disturbed our societies in the course of the past year are gross violations of our rules and economy. The Wesleyan Methodists are not a number of isolated and independent societies or churches, but of societies united in one body; and from their commencement they have existed under

one

common system of government. Every person who chooses to unite himself to these societies is bound, as the condition of his fellowship, to abstain from violating the laws of that union, to live peaceably, and by all the means in his power to promote the piety, prosperity, and establishment of the community. The late attempts to subvert the Connexion have therefore been a violation of faith on the part of the agitators. And it must be obvious to all, that, as a community subsisting for no purposes but those which are religious and spiritual, it is impossible that we can maintain such simple conditions of admission into our societics, without this understanding, that, though all may retain their peculiar opinions on minor

points, yet all must consent to live in peace, and abide by the objects and conditions of their union; pursuing, in their connexion with the body, the only purposes of their religious fellowship.

The first great violation of the prin ciples of our compact during the past year, and the occasion of the confusion which has resulted, was the refusal of the leader of the opposition to submit to the well-considered decision of his brethren; and then his appeal against them to the societies at large, and to the world. Having thus commenced a series of acts, independent of the jurisdiction of the Connexion, and set up the standard of revolt, in palpable contradiction to all his engagements, tacit and avowed, he proceeded so far as to make an appeal to the Courts of Chancery, and by various violent proceedings to lead on the people to overthrow the institutions of the Connexion. Nothing therefore remained to us, but, by a final sentence, to confirm the virtual separation of the several Preachers who had thus combined with him to produce a "schism in the body."

The formation of what has been called "the Grand Central Association," with its various branches, is equally an outrage on the peace and union, as well as on the rules, of the Connexion. No community, whether civil or religious, can long exist, if a large combination of its members be allowed to control its administration, and violently to beat down its constitutional barriers: the very existence of such a combination within the body must, in the nature of things, if tolerated, overthrow its whole economy. The officers of society, who have united in the Association, have done so in direct violation of their engagements and obligations. When Leaders and Local Preachers are admitted to their respective trusts, they assent to the discipline of the Connexion, place themselves under its authority, and bind themselves to a strict and conscientious observance of all its rules. No injury had been done to the men who have thus betrayed the trust reposed in them; no invasion of their rights and liberties is alleged; the economy remained as it was when they entered upon their respective offices; and yet, in a moment of temptation, many were induced to place themselves in hostility to the system they were pledged to obey and support. Not only is the Association illegal in principle, but its acts have also been opposed to the principles of Christian philanthropy, duty, and piety, and are acts of hostility against the kingdom of Christ.

We are thankful to God, that the greater number of our beloved people have proved themselves faithful in their opposition to this unhallowed combination; and, instead of uniting in "stopping the supplies," have, by their increased liberality, preserved the Connexion from the embarrassment into which the agitators designed to plunge it. Indeed we never could imagine that any great number, instructed in the doctrines, and devoted to the noble designs, of Mr. Wesley, would entertain sentiments so opposed to every thing that bears his name. As these confederates stood pledged to their principles, and avowed, through their leader, in the presence of the Conference, their determination to adhere to their revolutionary designs, you will see that it was impossible to hold any fellowship with them without compromising the constitution and interests of Wesleyan Methodism. open a negotiation with such men, in their confederated character, would be to acknowledge its legitimacy, to allow their equality with the great body of the people living in a state of peace and happy union, to yield to their threats, to palliate the scandal and dishonour so wantonly thrown on our pastoral character and office, and to wink at the crimes by which they have attempted to carry on the war of discord and agitation. We deplore the loss of many who were once united with us in holy fellowship; yet we know that it would be an evil to the parties themselves, to yield to their views; and when they come to a better mind, they will be thankful that their clamours were resisted, and a religious system preserved, which, in their recovered state, may nurture their piety, and train them up for heaven.

To

not such as marked the labours of our fathers in the ministry. Where confidence once reigned, distrust and jealousy now occupy the minds of many of our injured people. Peace, union, and brotherly love have been supplanted by discord, strife, and division. Congregations who once delightfully waited on God, and drank the word of life from the lips of his messengers, have been filled with suspicion, and have turned their backs on the house of prayer. Promising openings of usefulness, and 'revivals, have been blighted; and effusions of grace, which evidently rested on our ordinances, have been succeeded by the drought of summer. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, and such like;" and "they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance against such there is no law." Hence it is evident, that herein a great religious duty is involved. The Scripture admonitions on these subjects are urgent and impressive. "Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them." (Rom. xvi. 17.) "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.' (1 Cor. i. 10.) "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Eph. iv. 31, 32.) These and similar commands abound in the holy book which we profess to receive as divine, and adopt as the rule of duty, as well as the covenant of promise. No one can indulge in a spirit of debate, strife, slander, and division, without as plainly violating the law of Christ, as if he indulged in acts of gross immorality. Should the system of agitation be continued by the threatened visits of the hired agents of the confederacy, we beseech you, beloved brethren, cordially to unite with your Preachers in their resolution to stand by the ark of Methodism; and render them in the hour of trial your countenance and support. Cultivate a spirit of union, confidence, and brotherly love. Diligently attend your

The disorder designedly carried into many societies by the agency of the agitators, the Conference cannot but consider as a gross violation of every principle of religion. This assumed commission of agitation is of a nature contrary to all the agencies specified in the New Testament as employed by Christ to promote his work; and this sufficiently marks its character and origin. We are

instructed that the Great Head of the Church calls his servants to gather the lost souls of men into the Christian fold; but we never heard of a commission from heaven to scatter the sheep of his flock. Persons who venture on such a course need to have their commission proved by supernatural evidences; for it is certainly not found in the inspired volume. The results of their efforts are

different means of grace, with a view, not merely to promote the life of God in your own souls, and to invigorate the Christian graces, but also to render effective the ordinances of religion amongst you. Let special prayer be constantly offered to God, both in private, and in your different meetings, that He would avert from you the evils of division. And, above all, let it be the aim and labour of every person to promote by all means the enlargement and growth of the work of God; and thus, by a union of strength and piety, you will be preserved from discord and anarchy.

While we are inviting your cordial and affectionate co-operation in behalf of Wesleyan Methodism, we wish to remind you that it possesses all the evidence which the subject admits, that it is a work of God. The ministry amongst you, against which so much malignity is manifested, is that very ministry by which the Connexion has been brought to its present state of efficiency, both at home and abroad. May not the Ministers of our body say, in the reproving language of the Apostle, "Need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistles of Christ ministered by us, written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." "If we be not Apostles unto others, yet doubtless we are to you: for the seal of our apostleship are ye in the Lord." And we are bound to say, in the present state of our societies, that it is the duty of our people to inform themselves from the New Testament, on the true nature of the pastoral office; and not merely to abstain from the open and wicked slanders which are thrown upon it, but to regard it as an ordinance of God for the perpetuation of religion, and the salvation of the world: an ordinance to which our Connexion owes its existence and prosperity, and by which those who now endeavour to subvert it were themselves brought to a knowledge of the truth. It is not, however, on the mere ground of its good effects, that we claim for the office the respect of our people, but on the fact of its divine appointment, and the place which it holds in the entire Christian economy. We are not ignorant that attempts are now made to place the ministerial office on a level with offices of worldly appointment, subicct

in its exercise to the modifications of human opinion and caprice. The acknowledgment of the divine call and appointment of the Ministers of our body to their office is essential to your own comfort and edification in receiving their message; and if this conviction is felt, it must create a conscientious respect for their pastoral character, and effectually guard you against casting any injurious imputations on their name.

Another consideration, to which we beg to invite your attention, is, that the discipline of the Connexion, now 80 violently assaulted, is that which has hitherto maintained the purity of the body, the means of preaching the Gospel on a large scale, the security of all parties in the possession of their respective rights, and the wide extension of the cause of religion. When a system has been found, during a long course of time and in all quarters of the globe, to answer all the purposes of its formation, any alteration should be adopted with extreme caution, and attempts to destroy it resisted as the highest sacrilege. The system is associated with the highest purposes of religion. The Gospel is not only preached in our cities and populous towns to large and respectable congregations, but the remotest villages and hamlets of the country enjoy the same privileges; and the word of God has sounded forth from this nation to the ends of the carth. Indeed we now address a people who can bear testimony to the facts which we state, and who are themselves the fruits of this gracious work. The agency chosen of God to awaken you to repentance, to point you to the Saviour, to bring you home to your heavenly Father's house, to lead you to the liberty, peace, and comfort of the Gospel, to open a quiet resting-place for your weary and afflicted spirits in the midst of the toils and dangers of life, to soothe and edify you in the perplexities and temptations of your probation, to implant and foster the seeds of Christian purity, and to give you an ennobling view and hope of immortality, is an agency furnished by the deeply calumniated system of Wesleyan Methodism. But for this, you, and indeed ourselves also, should in all probability have been wandering in a course of error, guilt, and just exposure to the penalties of a violated law. The Ministers and charities of Methodism found us "in a waste howling wilderness," conducted us to its own sacred enclosures, and fed us with the "finest of the wheat." It has a right to eur affectionate allegiance, and most real.