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in the number of members, and he adds them to that number; thus bringing up the grand total to 4,795,116, as constituting the vast Methodist Family scattered over the face of the earth. Adding the Methodist hearers to the registered members, it certainly is not too much to say that, at the present time, there are twenty millions of adult persons connected with Methodism, besides children.

In order to carry out the idea of a General Conference, committees were necessary. These were constituted-after it had been determined to have the meeting in London-more largely, of course, of the British section. These committees comprised a General Executive Committee, a Business Committee, and a Publication Committee, formed from the Eastern and Western Sections combined. In addition, there were the Reception, the Finance, and the Plan Committee. These committees had their work to do; and, as far as we were able to judge, they did it well.

A sermon was preached in the morning of the first day, Wednesday, Sep. 7th, by Bishop Simpson from America; after which the Lord's Supper was celebrated. In the afternoon an address of welcome was delivered by Dr. Osborn, President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference. Topics were given for the subsequent days as follow: Methodism, its History and Results; Evangelical Agencies of Methodism; Methodism and the Young; The Lord's Day and Temperance; Possible Perils f Methodism; Education; The Use of the Press; Home Missions; Foreign Missions; and Christian Unity.

A Chairman was chosen for each day; selected, we think with sound judgment and unquestionable impartiality; distributing the honour equally over the East and West, and giving to each prominent body a share.

High commendation is due to the proprietors of The Methodist Recorder, for their public spirit in arranging for a daily issue of their paper; which, as far as we were able to judge, was not only carried out promptly, but efficiently; for the work was done well. We were not able to attend the Conference more than four days, but the reports in the Recorder put us in possession of the doings of each day.

After attending the morning session of the second day, we had occasion to transact some business in a Methodist establishment near the chapel. Two gentlemen came in; and, as near as we can remember, one said to his comp anion:

"Well, if Job had been alive now, and had attended this Conference, he must have had his patience tried. Why, what have we learned ? A morning wasted. If this be attending an Ecumenical Conference, may I be kept out of it!"

When the gentleman had relieved himself of this utterance, I broke in and said:

"I must say, in coming to this Conference my expectations were not

very great; but I have been agreeably disappointed. I have received both instruction and benefit."

My friend said something about my years, and intimated, "that if I could be satisfied with such an exhibition as we had witnessed that morning, I had not great expectations."

I very modestly replied: "The very fact of such a gathering of Christian brethren, black and white, from all parts of the world, was one of the most gratifying scenes I had ever looked upon." My friend admitted there was something in that, and he and his companion departed.

After he had gone I inquired of the manager, "Who was that gentleman ?" He replied, "That was the Rev. S. ****, Wesleyan Minister." I looked in the Minutes when I reached home to see how long he had been in the work. 1863! How unwise, I thought, for a Wesleyan Minister to speak in such a supercilious way of the Conference just held, to the manager, before his two young assistants and an aged stranger. This led me to think I had met with a few supercilious men in my time. Did I ever meet or read of a truly great man who was supercilious? The answer was, "never."

In addition to the chairman, there were seats and tables on the platform for four secretaries, chosen from the principal sections. John Bond and J. S. Withington from the Eastern Section; Dr. George and Dr. Sutherland from the Western. No doubt a great part of the preparatory work had fallen upon John Bond, who had now to take the leading part; and no fitter person could be found. Prompt, patient, ready, genial. As I sat directly opposite to him in the front seat of the gallery the first morning I attended, I was greatly taken with him (nothing supercilious about him).

The Conference really began on Tuesday morning, Bishop Peck presiding. Dr. W. Cooke, of the New Connexion, came forward to read the first address, on "The grateful recognition of the hand of God in the Origin and Progress of Methodism." He said he understood that thirty minutes would be allowed him, but he found he had only twenty, and he looked towards the secretary, by way of inquiry, if his time could not be extended; but John Bond shook his head; and when the doctor had occupied the twenty minutes and the president's bell rang, the secretary seemed really to enjoy his being cut short. The President, while he was as courteous as possible, was as firm as a rock. An essay followed on "Statistical Results," by Dr. A. Edwards, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Each leading paper was followed by an "invited address," the person being allowed ten minutes; the speakers on the floor five minutes only. We think this was a judicious arrangement.

The afternoon session was opened with an essay by the Rev. W. Arthur, M.A., on "Methodism: A Power Purifying and Elevating Society." He was followed by Bishop L. H. Wolsey, coloured Methodist Episcopal

Church of America: and a second essay by Dr. Wilson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, on "The influence that Methodism has exerted on other religious bodies, and the extent to which they have modified Methodism."

It is not now necessary to enlarge, but just to give the subjects and the names of the introducers.

Third day, Friday, Sept. 9.-"The Itinerant Ministry; " essay by Dr. S. Antliff, Primitive Methodist. "Lay Preachers: " essay by Hon. J. W. F. White, Methodist Episcopal Church. “Women, and their Work

in Methodism : 99 essay by Rev. F. W. Bourne, Bible Christian. "Scriptural Holiness, and the special fitness of Methodist means of grace to promote it:" essay by Dr. Newman, Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Fourth day, Saturday, Sept. 10th.-" The training of Children in Christian Homes, so as to bring them to Christ, and attach them to Methodism : essay by Rev. Jos. Wood, Primitive Methodist." The Training of Children in the Sunday School and Church, so as to secure the largest evangelical denominational results:" essay by Dr. H. A. Thompson, United Brethren Church.

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Fifth day, Monday, Sept. 12th.-" Methodism and the Lord's Day: " essay by Rev. John Baker, British Wesleyan Church. "Relation of Methodism to the Temperance Movement: essay by Bishop Payne, African Methodist Episcopal Church. "Juvenile Temperance Organisations, and their promotion through the Sunday School and Church: " essay by Charles Garrett, British Church. "Civil Measures to suppress Intemperance, and the relation of the Church to such movements : essay by Dr. Walden, Methodist Episcopal Church.

Sixth day, Tuesday, Sept. 13th.-"The Papacy, Sacerdotalism, and its connected Errors: " essay by Rev. J. Guttridge, United Free Churches. "Modern Scepticism, in its different forms and manifestations: " essay by Dr. Daniel Curry, Methodist Episcopal Church. "Formality, Worldliness, and Improper Amusements among our own Members: essay by Dr. J. W. McKay, Irish Methodist Church. "Innovations upon established Methodist usages and institutions: " essay by Bishop Thompson, Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

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Seventh day, Wednesday, Sept. 14th.-"The Higher Education demanded by the Church in our time: " essay by Mr. T. S. Osborn, British Methodist Church. "The Duty of the Church to maintain Schools which are Christian in their influence and character: " essay by Dr. C. S. Andrews, Methodist Episcopal Church South. "The Education and Special Training of Ministers in Theological Schools:" essay by Dr. W. B. Pope, British Methodist Church. "The Education and Special Training of Ministers while engaged in ministerial and pastoral work: " essay by Dr. E. J. Budgeley, Methodist Episcopal Church, Canada.

Eighth day, Thursday, Sept. 15th.-" Denominational Literature, and its Publication:" essay by Rev. J. S. Withington, United Methodist Free Churches. "The Newspaper, and the use to be made of it by the Church" essay by Dr. C. H. Marshall, Methodist Episcopal Church South. "Methodist Hymnology:" essay by Dr. Geo. Osborn, President of British Conference.

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Ninth day, Friday, Sept. 16th.-"The Maintenance of Home Missions. among the most degraded populations: " essay by Hon. James Ferrier, Methodist Church, Canada. "The Important Work which the Methodist Laity have performed in this direction, and the great opportunities which they have in the future: essay by Mr. T. H. Bainbridge, British Methodist Church. "The best methods of reaching the Unconverted Sections of the Richer Classes: " essay by Dr. Southerland, Methodist Protestant Church. "Methodism, and its work for Orphans, for the Aged, aud generally for the dependent classes: " essay by Dr. T. B. Stephenson, British Methodist Church.

Tenth day, Saturday, Sept. 17th.-"The Results of Methodist Missions in Heathen Lands:" essay by Dr. J. M. Reid, Methodist Episcopal Church. "How to avoid waste, rivalries, and confusion, arising from different Methodist bodies occupying the same or contiguous fields: " essay by Dr. J. H. Rigg, Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Eleventh day, Monday, Sept. 19th.-"The Establishment and Support of training Schools for Native Converts and Native Ministers on the foreign field:" essay by Dr. W. H. Potter, Methodist Episcopal Church South. "The Use of the Press in non-Christian Countries for the promotion of the Gospel: " essay by Rev. J. S. Banks, British Wesleyan Methodist Church. "The Missionary Work required in papal and semiinfidel nations: essay by Rev. A. Subzberger, Ph.D., Methodist Episcopal Church.

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"The Resources of Methodism for the work of the World's Conversion, and the duty of developing and employing these Resources: essay by Rev. C. C. M'Kecknie, Primitive Methodist.

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Twelfth day, Tuesday, Sept. 20th.-"How Christian Unity may be Maintained and Increased among ourselves, and made Manifest in the World." Essay by Dr. A. C. George, Methodist Episcopal Church. "The Catholicity of Methodism." Rev. John Myers, United Methodist Free Churches. "Methodism as a Bond of Brotherhood among the Nations." Dr. Allison, Methodist Church of Canada.

There being only one address this afternoon, singing and prayer followed, and a very hallowing time it was. Dr. Osborn delivered the parting address, which was responded to by Bishop Simpson. The doxology was then sung, and the Conference was brought to a close.

Those who gave the Essays, and those who followed, adhered pretty closely to the topics on which they had engaged to speak. Nor were the free utterances from the floor less interesting or less to the point. The meetings cannot but do good. Thousands of miles travelled by our

visitors and thousands of pounds spent in bringing four hundred representatives together for twelve days, will, we trust, hasten the fulfilment of the Saviour's prayer, "That they all may be one."

THE WESLEYAN METHODIST LOCAL PREACHERS'
MUTUAL-AID ASSOCIATION.

IN MEMORIAM.

EDWARD CRESSWELL.

GENERAL SECRETARY FOR TWENTY-TWO YEARS TO THE LOCAL PREACHERS' MUTUAL-AID ASSOCIATION.

WE first met with Brother Cresswell at Hart's Temperance Hotel, July 18th, 1849. On returning home after that meeting in company with a brother local, he said, "Well, Mr. is a clever fellow. I replied,

"I can't tell how it is, but I have not that confidence in him which I have in Cresswell." These were first impressions; and upwards of twenty years' association with Bro. Cresswell only confirmed these impressions of his sterling worth. In working with him we did not always see eye to eye. In one instance, although he was a most exact man, yet I thought the entrance of the subscriptions in the Magazine was not clear, and suggested that the free subscribers and the benefit members should be arranged under two distinct columns. "Oh no," said he, "I see what you are aiming at, it will give me a great deal more trouble." And as they say in the house sometimes, "the subject dropped." Not long after, I received a note from him to the following effect: "Dear Brother, I see that the subscriptions can be entered as you suggested, and it will be no more trouble." If any one will look in the volume for 1864, and look at 1865 when the new editors began their work, he will see the difference in entering the subscriptions.

His sympathy was only equalled by his transparent honesty. "Just after "Grandfather Johnson" appeared, he came into our office and said, "Have you seen Grandfather Johnson'?" and then added, "I know the man, and intend to send him a post-office order. I believe I know the writer too." It had laid hold of Brother Cresswell as an isolated undoubted fact.

It would have been a treat to have witnessed some of his interviews with the treasurer, Mr. Wild. On one occasion when they were together settling their accounts, there were some differences we suppose, when the treasurer in his quick abrupt way, perhaps to play off upon his sensitiveness, exclaimed, “Ah, I have lost enough by you!" Poor Bro. Cresswell staggered under this blow as though it had been given in earnest, and it was a long time before he recovered from it.

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