.

no

discharge of every duty incumbent upon required, has not been aimed at. The us, let us impress the character of ear- object bas at no time been to make a nestness on all our exertions, give to sect; but to extend the Christianity of them the influence of a decided piety, the Scriptures throughout the land ;and in our prayers place them with a not to give currency to a mere system holy confidence under the succeeding of opinions, but to bring men every and effectual blessing of God.

where under the effectual influence of The general absence of all strifes and the “ truth wbich is according to Godlidivisions throughout our now widely- ness," and, in the degree to which God extended Connexion, is another circon- should give his blessing to these efforts, stance on which we congratulate you; to fold the gathered lock from danger, and for a blessing so intimately con- and to supply to it wholesome and suffinected with your religious prosperity, cient pasture. These, beloved Bretbren, and with our ininisterial usefulness, we are the principles which explain your offer our thanks to Him, who is the history as a religious Society; princi. "God of peace and consolation This ples which lead us to God alone, who blessing we have long enjoyed, and we has made us “ a people who were not a rejoice in the prospect of its perma- people,”-and which constantly remind nence; though attempts, arising out of us of the purposes for which we were offences, peculiar views, and other mo- thus gathered in his name, and that our tives, may occasionally be made to di- only business on earth is to show forth vert the attention of the unwary from the praises of Him “who hath called us the great ends of our common vocation, out of darkness into marvellous light.” and to sow discord among brethren.

Review then the unity of the whole What we are, as a religious body, we work, thus settled and established by the have become, both in doctrine and in grace of Him who first gave it birth. discipline, by the leadings of the Provi. Your ministers and you are not in any dence of God. But for the special visi- sense different parties ; nor can they be, tation of the Holy Spirit, that great work so long as both walk by “the same rule" of which we are all the subjects, and as that committed to us from the beginwhich bears upon it marks so unequivo- ning. There are between us and

you cal of an eminent work of God, could rival interests, no conflicting rights ;not have existed. In that form of disci- so interwoven and identified are we in pline and government which it bas as- all things. From yourselves your min. sumed, it was adapted to no pre-con- isters bave risen, and are continually ceived plan of man. Our venerable rising :-they, while among you as priFounder kept one end only in view,-- vate members, are made partakers of the diffusion of scriptural Christianity the same grace ; and their bigber call, throughout the land, and the preserva- and fitness for their office, are in all cases tion of all who had believed, through submitted, before they are received even grace, in the simplicity of the Gospel. on trial into our ministry, to your godly This guiding principle he steadily follow- judgment :-under your sanction their ed; and to that he surrendered, cau- work is officially committed to them hy tiously but faithfully, whatever, in his their Fathers and Brethren ; and to you preconceived opinions, he discovered they must, year by year, “ commend to be contrary to the indications of Him themselves” as “able ministers of the whose the work was, and to whom he New Testament,” as well as to the Conbad yielded himself up implicitly as his ference for their "holy conversation in servant and instrument. in the furtber the world," and their faithful oversight growth of the Societies, the same guid- of you in the Lord. The objects for ance of providential circumstances, the which your pious contributions are of.

signs of the times,” led to that fered,- whether for the support of the full provision for the direction of the ministry at home, -the assistance of the Societies, and for their being supplied poorer circuits, and the formation of with all the ordinances of the Christian new ones,-the relief of the Trustees of Church, and to that more perfect pasto. burdened Chapels,-the public Schools ral care, which the number of the mem- of the Connexion,-ibe Foreign Mis. bers, and the vastness of the congrega. sions, or the Auxilliary Fund for Super. tions, (collected not out of the spoils of annuated Preachers and for Widows,other churches but out of " the world” are all known and specified; the receipts which “lieth in wickedness,") impera- and expenditure are published in detail; tively required. Less than this the de- and, the last only excepted, all our funds mands of piety and conscience would are managed by respectable and enlightnot allow; more than those interests ened men from yourselves, acting in con..

“ If any man be

junction with us. Our accociation in one spects the order, the administrations, religious body is wholly voluntary, and and the regulations of a Christian Sohas no bond whatever but the spiritual ciety, is vain without it; and that our benefit which it is felt to supply, and mutual safeguard, happiness, and useful. that mutual confidence which is the re- ness in the world, as well as our salvasult of it; so that reasonings taken from tion, rest on this, and on this alone. To the constitution of churches which have the cultivation of practical and experithe power to enforce their laws and re- mental religion, then, let our renewed gulations, are wholly inapplicable to as. efforts be directed. Let no man trust The Preachers, assembled in their An- in his professions, nor in his attachment nual Conference, are thus, from their to outward privileges, nor in bis zeal, identity of interest with you, and their nor in bis opinions. mutual sympathy with the whole body, in Christ, he is a new creature; old your natural, and only entire represen- things are passed away, and all things tatives, in all those affairs to which the are become now.” The genuine work Conference directs its cares ;-united of God in the heart is the same, in every with the whole Connexion, as that in period; and through the same way of which they have resolved to live and repentance towards God, and faith in die ; and yet, because of their itineran. our Lord Jesus Christ, must all pass into cy, never so connected with any indi. the liberty of a sonship attested to the vidual society as to become the organs heart by the Spirit of God. By the same of those changes and innovations, which faith we stand, and by it only can we in particular places might be often advo- live, and grow up into Christ, in all cated; sufficiently dependant to be one heavenly affections, deadness to the with their people; but sufficiently dis- world, and entire conformity to the tinct, in order and office, to be the effec. spirit and example of our Lord. Withtual guardians of that which has been out this we are dead and fruitless branchcommitted to their trust, as those wbo es, which, if a relaxed discipline should must give the final account of their stew- suffer them to remain, must be " taken ardship not to man but to God.

away' by the pruning-knife of the great Thus God has led us; and the seal of Husbandman. Let us be glad then in the whole is that effectual working of his the great tbings wbich the Lord hath grace in every part, 6 by which all the done for us; but let us

rejoice with body, by joints and bands having nour- trembling." "Let us fear lest a promise ishment ministered, and knit together, being left us of entering into his rest, increaseth with the increase of God.” any of us should seem to come short of The great practical ends of our union, it;" and give “all diligence,” that, at the only ends worthy of a Christian So- the coming of our Lord, we may ciety, are all answered ; no one can be found of him in peace, without spot, and injured without appeal; no evil can in- blameless.” troduce itself among us, but we have the To this end, we exhort you, Brethren, means of purifying ourselves from it; all to the constant use of all the means of encouragement and help are given by grace, as God's appointed ways of increaour blessed institutions for the advance. sing your faith and love, your strength ment of piety in individuals, and of reli- to do, and your patience to suffer, all gious knowledge and influence in the his will concerning you. Neither let country at large; and thus “ God has your attendance be irregular; nor late set before us an open door, which no as to the hour; nor remiss as to the

can shut," unless we ourselves spirit, which would frustrate your edifiprove unfaithful to our vocation. Our cation, and induce that careless babit of work is before us. We have nothing to mind which would lay you open to do with sectarian objects and feelings. temptation, and give advantage to your We have no controversy with nthers. ever-watchful enemy. Let the Sabbath We war not upon other churches; we of the Lord especially be to you honourdesire no mere proselytes. We give ac- able, and a day of delights. Consider cess to all who wish to be helped on in well how “good it is to draw near to their way to heaven ; and we go forth God;" and by the due observance of the into the wilderness “ to seek and to save hours appointed for his worship, and by that which was lost”

man

by a hurried withdrawing from them, af- els in that country. In every place they ter the benediction has been pronounced, were welcomed with fraternal affection and by mingling in converse which, even by our American Brethren, and bave if innocent in itself, has no tendency to received the cordial expression of the fix in the mind and heart the truths satisfaction and gratitude of the Conferwhich have been heard, or to strengthen ence, for the manner in wbich they have their impression. Let these sacred en- fulfilled the mission confided to them. gagements be considered as your great We have been refreshed by their reports business, especially on the Lord's day; of the great and growing extent of the to which every thing else is secondary American Societies, and of those successand subservient, and from which nothing ful efforts in which they are now engaged shall divert you. So shall you worship for the conversion of the Indians of that God without distraction; you shall bring Continent. The number of Members in forth much fruit; and your fruit shall the American Societies, when last taken, remain.

also in earnest supplications to God, solves, and with sentiments of renewed that he would send down upon them all anxiety, to save ourselves and you bow the gifts and graces of his Holy Spirit, hear us. Unite with us in every effort ; to qualify them for their great work, suffer us to rejoice over you as a chosen and make them able and most success. generation, a holy nation, a peculiar ful Ministers of the New Testament, people ; and may “the God of peace, “Brethren, pray for us,” “that utterance who brought again from the dead our may be given unto us, that we may Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the open our mouth boldly to make known sheep, through the blood of the everthe mystery of the Gospel,” and “that lasting covenant, make you perfect in the word of the Lord may be glorified, every good work to do his will, working even as it is with you."

in you that which is well pleasing in his “And now, Brethren, we commend sight, through Jesus Christ.” To Him you to God, and to the word of his be glory for ever and ever, AMEN! grace." God is our witness that we

Signed, on behalf and by order of the Conference feel for you an increasing affection, and

ROBERT Newton, President “ seek not yours, but you."

Jabkz BUNTING, Secretary We depart to our respective stations

Leeds, August 10th, 1824. among you, animated by renewed re

that we

Poetry

From the Boston Evening Gazette. The following lines were written by a lady of Massachusetts—and reflect no little credit both on ber

head and her heart.

THE SACRIFICE. The morning's sun rose bright and clear

The mother rais'd a speaking eye, On Abraham's tent it gaily shone;

And all a mother's soul was there And all was bright and cheerful there,

"She feard the desert drear and dry! All, save the Patriarch's heart alone.

She fear'd the savage lurking there!"While God's command arose to mind,

Aliraham beheld, and made reply: It forced into his eye the tear;

“On Him, from whom our blessings flow, For though his soul was all resign'd,

My sister we with faith rely; Yet nature fondly linger'u there.

'Tis he commands and we must go !"The simple morning feast was spread,

The duteous sou in baste obey'd, And Sarah at the banquest smil'd;

The scrip was fill'd, the mules prepard; Joy o'er her face its lustre shed,

And with the third da's twilight shade
For near her sat her only child.

Moriab's lofty hill appear’d.
The charms that pleas'd a monarch's eye, The meniąls then at distance wait-
Upon her cheek had left their trace:

Alone ascend the son and sire;
His highly augured destiny

The wood on Isaac's shoulder's laid, Was written in his beavenly face.

The wood-to build his funeral pyre The groaning father turn'd away,

No passion swayed the father's mind, Avd walk'd the inner tent apart

He felt a calm, a death like chill He felt his fortitude decay,

His soul, all chastened, all resign'd, While Nature whisper'd in his heart:

Bow'd meekly-though he shuddered still, “0! must this son to whom was given

While on the mountain's brow they stood, The promise of a blessed land,

With smiling wonder, Isaac cries, Heir to the choicest gifts of heaven,

My father, lo! the fire and woodBe slain by a fond parent's band?

But where's the lamb for sacrifice !" This son, for whom my eldest born

The lloly Spirit stay'd his mind, Was sent an outcast from his home,

While Abraham answered low, aside And in some wilderness forlorn

With steady voice, and look resiga'd, A savage exile dooni'd to roam ?

God will himself a lamb provide ! But shall a feeble worm rebel,

But let no pen profane like mine, And murmur at a father's rod!

On holiest themes, too rashly dareShall he be backward to fulfil

Turn to the Book of Books Divine, The known and certain will of God?

And read the blessed promise there. Arise my son ! the cruet fill,

Ages on ages roll'd awayAnd store the scrip with due supplies;

At length the hour appointed came; For we must seek Moriah's bill,

And on the Mount of Calvary And offer there a sacrifice !"

God did himself provide a Lamb!

CONTENTS OF VOL. VII.

DIVINITY.
Sermon on Job vii. 17, by the Rev R. Watson, 3,41 Sermon on John i 1, 2,

281, 321 Sermon on the Spirituality and Truth of Specimen of Bishop Dupra's Preaching, 361, 401 Divine Worship, 81, 121 Christ the Light of the World,

441 An Essay on Atonement,

201, 241, 281

.

BIOGRAPHY.
Plemoir of the late Rev. David Simpson, M. A. Memoir of Mrs. Dawson,

288 14, 47, 90 Memoir of wir. Samuel Beaven.

331 Memoir of the Rev. Louis R. Fechtig, 130 Memoir of the Rev. Henry Foxall,

367 Memoirs of Mr Lancaster B Dusinbery, and Memoir of the Rev. George Erwin,

406 Harriet his wife,

161 Memoir of the Rev. Samuel Bushnell, - 408 Memoir of the Rev. John Hagerty,

209 A Short Account of the Experience and Death Memoir of the late Rev. Edward B. Lloyd, 212 of Mrs. Tbeodocia Petherbridge,

447 Memoir of Mrs. Rebecra Peters, 251 Memoir of Mrs. Sally Randal,

450 Memoir of the Rev. Josias Randle,

256

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATED. Biblical Illustrations,

20 Moses' Prayer to be blotted out of God's book, 293 Illustrations of Psalms xv. 3, 55 Remarks on Scripture Characters,

398 Remarks on Matt. v. 16, 182 Remarks on Romans ix. 13,

371 Remarks on Ronans vii. 14, 15, to the end, 221 Kemarks on Matt. ix. 25,

415 Illustration of 1 John ii 19; 258 Remarks on the Vision of Eliphaz,

458

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD DISPLAYED. Description of the Tornado.

23 Narrative of the Shipwreck of the Princess Reflections on Volcanos,

25, 66,98
of Wales,

260 Loss of the Ship Paris, 138 Cure of Epilepsy,

415 The Innocent Acquitted,

416

GRACE OF GOD MANIFESTED.
A Sketch of the life, sickness and death of Memoir of Mr. Peter Bonnett,

183 Mrs. Frances Cook,

60, 101 Memoir of the late Rev. Alexander Cummins, 225 Memoir of the late Mr. John Cory,

141