neglect meeting in class; we would nevertheless humble ourselves before God, and deplore our own unfaithfulness, and use this fact as an additional incentive to plead with him for a more copious effusion of his Holy Spirit, that the number of conversions may not only be sufficient to fill up all vacancies, but to swell the ranks of the church with a great increase. Still, however, let us be thankful for a discipline which preserves purity, even should the price be partly a diminution of numbers. Purity and holiness retained, eventual increase is certain. While the present distressing stagnation of trade continues, let our suffering people confide in the wisdom and goodness of God, and make known all their wants unto him by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Let them not be led into any rash or violent course of conduct by the representations of interested and turbulent partisans, and thereby engage in schemes which would lead to the wreck of all piety, but rather act in accordance with the belief, that "the very hairs of our head are all numbered," and that when God has tried them, they shall come forth as gold purified.

And now we separate to depart to our several spheres of duty. With an utter sense of human feebleness, we cast ourselves upon omnipotent grace, and upon your affections and prayers. We need your diligent co-operation. We have been refreshed by mutual counsel and intercourse, as well as by seasons of spiritual blessing in the public ordinances, and by an unshaken conviction, that God is still with us. "God is our record, how greatly we long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this we pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." (Phil. i. 8—11.)

Signed, by order of the Conference,
JOHN HANNAH, President,
ROBERT NEWTON, Secretary.
London,

August 13th, 1842.

Q. XXVIII. WHAT direction does the Conference give with respect to the present state of our country, and of our own societies?

A. 1. The Conference directs that the first Friday in October next shall be observed as a day of special fasting and humiliation before God in our societies; that public prayer-meetings shall be held on that day in all our places of worship; and calls upon our Ministers and people to unite in earnest supplication to Almighty God, that his blessing may rest upon the commercial interests of this country, so that the labouring poor may everywhere obtain employment, and be satisfied with bread; and that a more rich and copious effusion of the Holy

Spirit's influence may be vouchsafed to ourselves, our societies, and congregations, in rder that the ministry of the word, and the other means which are employed for the extension of the cause of Christ, may be rendered abundantly successful in the conversion of ungodly men, and the edification of believers. The Conference also directs, that on the Sabbath immediately preceding that day, the Ministers of our body shall, in their public discourses, enforce the duty of religious fasting, as connected in holy Scripture with the maintenance and improvement of personal godliness, and the prevalence of intercessory prayer.

2. The Conference also repeats its former Resolution, "That the Liverpool Resolutions of 1820, which are appointed to be read at the Annual District-Meetings, with the Twelve Rules of a Helper,' shall be read by the Preachers of each Circuit, at an early Preachers' Meeting after the Conference; and that a copy of these shall be given to each Preacher, by his Superintendent, when he is received on trial, and arrives in his Circuit."

exercise of an absolute and joyous reliance on his Saviour, "fell asleep in Jesus," April 22d, 1842.

17. EDMUND GRINDROD; who was born at Clay-Lane, near Rochdale, in the year 1786. When he was about fourteen years of age, he sought and found "C peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; and at the age of nineteen was admitted as a Local Preacher by the late Rev. John Barber. He was received by the Conference as a probationary Wesleyan Preacher in the year 1806; and for the remainder of his life "studied to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." His natural abilities were good; and he greatly improved them by dili. gent application and culture. His judgment was remarkably sound. With the works of the best English Divines he had a familiar acquaintance; and his attainments in general literature were very respectable. The views which he entertained concerning the sacred truths of revelation were comprehensive and accurate; and in the pure and primitive theology which the Wesleyan body embraces as scriptural, he was acknowledged to be a master. To the constitution and economy of Methodism he had paid unremitting attention; nor did he fail to give the fullest evidence of his skill in the administration of its affairs, and the enforcement of its discipline. His "Compendium of the Laws and Regulations of Wesleyan Methodism," which he published but a short time before his lamented death, will remain as a monument of his intimate knowledge of our ecclesiastical order and institu

tions. From the rich fund of information with which his mind was fraught, he drew ample stores of experimental and practical wisdom. His piety was most exemplary, calm, deep, active, and habitual. He was eminent for self-control, a strong sense of propriety, great moral courage, and an unflinching adherence to rectitude. When placed in circumstances of more than ordinary trial and perplexity, he was enabled to possess his soul in patience and peace. His temper was seldom moved. "Integrity and uprightness preserved him."

He

was a firm and valuable friend, and an able counsellor. In his deportment and manners, while he preserved an unassuming Christian dignity, he was uniformly kind, courteous, and gentle. As a Minister of God's holy word, he particularly excelled in the gift of teaching. His style and composition were correct;

his language well-chosen and appropri ate; his expositions of the "mind of the Spirit" clear and convincing; and his appeals to the conscience, at some times especially, very powerful. He laboured to "win souls," and watched over the flock of Christ as one who felt that he "must give an account." In the several Circuits to which he was appointed, he enjoyed a very high degree of public esteem and love. He temperately yet faithfully maintained the just rights of Wesleyan Methodism; and, in the defence of these against unreasonable and factious men, he sustained a shock in his health and constitution from which he never fully recovered. As a testimony of the attachment and confidence of his brethren, he was appointed, for a series of years, to offices of great trust and responsibility; and was at length, in the year 1837, elected as President of the Confer ence, of which he had previously been Secretary. During a protracted and painful affliction, his mind was kept in great peace; and from the truths which he had zealously preached to others he derived comfort and support in that hour of need. Perceiving that his "sickness" was "unto death," he meekly resigned himself into the hands of God, and devoutly attended to a Christian preparation for his departure hence. Occasionally he was assailed by tempta tion, which he was, however, most graciously enabled to resist and overcome. He said one day to his colleague, with a feeble and tremulous voice, "I have had a severe conflict; but my faith has conquered." Full of holy tranquillity, but completely worn out by the force of disease, he fell asleep in Jesus, without a struggle or a groan, on Sunday, May 1st, 1842, in the fifty-seventh year of his age, and the thirty-sixth of his ministry.

18. JOHN HENLEY; who was a native of Torquay, in Devonshire, and in early life was converted to God. His piety was, in every respect, exemplary. He enjoyed the grace of our Saviour in its power and comfort, and was ready for every good work. His conscience was tender, his spirit benevolent and kind, and he felt the responsibility of being an example to those around him. For seve ral years he professed to live in the enjoyment of perfect love; and none whe knew his walk before God and men would be disposed to question the truth of his profession, so apparent were his heavenly-mindedness, and entire conse cration to his Saviour. As a Minister of Christ, his preaching was plain, evangelical, instructive, and energetic. His

information was considerable, and he was studious to increase it; so that his hearers were interested and edified. He was a good Pastor, and cared for the flock; and the Lord gave him success in every Circuit to which he was appointed. His mind was consoled throughout his affliction, but more especially as his end drew near. To a friend at Weymouth, where he died, he said, "I never expected this. I expected to die in peace; but I cannot describe the joy which I feel. I am very happy. I never felt my Saviour so precious; I never loved him so much. I am full of Christ, full of glory." He died May 10th, 1842, aged forty-two

years.

19. JOSEPH COLLIER; who, when a youth, experienced divine influence, to which he yielded, and was soon brought to the enjoyment of the favour of God. He became a member of the Methodist society, and, in the enjoyment of its privileges, walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Animated with the love of Christ, and burning with zeal for the conversion of the world, he was admitted into our ministry in 1795, in which he continued faithfully to fulfil its sacred duties till the year 1837, when, through personal affliction, he was obliged to retire. He was a man of an amiable spirit, of agreeable manners, of deep piety, and eminently spiritual in his conversation. As a Minister he was diligently pastoral, visiting from house to house, and zealously promoting the spiritual interests of the several members of the families of his charge. His latter days were especially days of praise and prayer. confidence in God was unshaken, and his joy in the Lord was great. His death, though daily expected, was somewhat sudden. He retired to his chamber; sat down upon his bed; bowed his head; and, without a groan, fell asleep in Jesus, May 27th, 1842.

His

rant ministry. He spent his last years in prayerful retirement, looking for the call of his Lord, and grateful for the attention of his Christian friends. He died in peace, May 28th, 1842, in the eightyfirst year of his age.

21. WILLIAM HOWARTH; who in early life was brought to the enjoyment of peace with God, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. After being employed as a Local Preacher a few years, he was received on trial into our ministry in 1794, and was fully admitted into it in the year 1799. He travelled with a spotless reputation till laid aside by infirmity, in 1832, since which time he resided in Bristol. He died in peace, June 3d, 1842, in the forty-eighth year of his ministry, and the seventy-eighth year of his age.

22. JONATHAN EDMONDSON, M. A.; who was early a subject of religious convictions. Having joined the Methodist society, he perseveringly sought the favour of God, in the appointed means of grace; and by faith in Jesus Christ obtained the pardoning mercy of God, with its accompanying peace and holiness. Under the influence of the love of God, he began to exhort sinners to repent, and believe the Gospel. Whilst entertaining the thought of entering upon the ministry in the established Church, he was appointed by Mr. Wesley to labour in the Epworth Circuit, in the year 1786. Regarding this as a call from God, Mr. Edmondson went forth in the name of the Lord, and laboured abundantly in the word and doctrine. His preaching was pithy and sententious; and was highly acceptable to the people. Having acquired a large fund of information by extensive reading, and laborious study, his sermons exhibited great variety of matter, and edifying topics of Christian truth. He was mild and urbane in his disposition, affectionate and steady in his attachments. In the course of his public life, he was called upon to occupy some of the chief offices in our Connexion, and honourably discharged the duties of Missionary Secretary, and President of the Conference. He was the author of several useful works, which have obtained a large circulation, and which exhibit much thought, soundness of judgment, and extensive acquaintance with mankind. After fifty years of ministerial toil, his constitution failed, and he was obliged to retire from the more active duties of the itinerancy. As a Supernumerary, he continued to preach and to write, till repeated attacks of disease prostrated his strength. When

20. JOHN TAYLOR; who was born in Rochdale, where he became an exemplary Christian, and a Local Preacher. Having been recommended to Dr. Coke, who then superintended our Missions, he was appointed, in 1798, as a Missionary to the Negroes in the West Indies. He laboured faithfully, and with considerable success. His simplicity, and the Christian consistency of his character, secured him great respect and influence. He was beloved by the West-Indian societies. In 1808 his state of health obliged him to return, and he was stationed in England till 1827, when he was no longer able to discharge the duties of the itine

laid on the bed of death, he faintly exclaimed, "Jesus is my salvation!" He fell asleep in Jesus, July 7th, 1842, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.

23. CHARLES RAWLINS; a young man of genuine piety and promising abilities. He laboured with acceptance and usefulness in the Circuits to which he was appointed. During his last affliction he manifested great patience, and resignation to the will of God, relying confidently on the atonement and grace of the Lord Jesus. He died July 29th, 1842, in the thirtieth year of his age, and the fourth of his ministry.

II. In Ireland :—

THOMAS WADE DOOLITTLE; who from a child knew the holy Scriptures, which are able to make men wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. During his apprenticeship in a mercantile establishment in Dublin, he joined the Methodist society, and was led to "the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins." Shortly after his conversion, with a heart full of Christian love and zeal, he began to call sinners to repentance; and was, in 1803, admitted into the public ministry amongst us. He was a man of an amiable spirit, of unquestionable piety, and uniformly consistent deportment, diligent in labours, and much respected and beloved in the Circuits where he travelled. He possessed, in a high degree, the confidence and affection of his brethren, by whom he was repeatedly chosen to fill some of the most weighty offices in the Connexion. In later years he was providentially exercised by the sickness and death of his excellent wife, and two sons, grown up to young men. Whilst as a husband and a parent he felt those bereavements, being persuaded that his wife and children died in the Lord, he bowed with submission to the divine will. He persevered in his ministerial and pastoral labours, until, by a series of complicated personal afflictions, which lasted about eighteen months, he was obliged to retire from all public exercises. His protracted sufferings, which he endured with invincible patience and fortitude, excited the tenderest sympathies of his friends, who were much affected and edified by his remarkable exemplification of the Christian graces. No murmuring expression escaped his lips; and with unshaken confidence in the atonement and grace of the Saviour, he maintained his confidence in God, and the rejoicing of his hope firm unto the end. He died March 8th, 1842, in the

sixtieth year of his age, and thirty-ninth of his ministry.

III. In our Foreign Missions, eight have died; viz.,

THACKWRAY; a

1. WILLIAM young man of amiable disposition and manners, and of entire devotedness to God and to his work. According to his own earnest wish, he proceeded to CapeCoast, in December, 1840; and at every place which he visited he gained the affections and respect of the people. The society at Domonasi, whose Pastor he was for a few weeks only, have deeply and sincerely mourned his removal from them. He died at Anamabu, May 4th, 1841, after an illness of about eight days, which he bore with great fortitude, and resignation to the will of God.

2. WILLIAM REDFERN; who was converted to God in early life. At the Conference of 1837 he was accepted as a candidate for the Missionary work, and in 1838 was sent to the island of Jamaica, after having enjoyed the advan tages of a few months' residence in the Wesleyan Theological Institution. His labours, as a Missionary, were distinguished by zeal and usefulness; but were cut short by a fatal attack of malig. nant fever, which was at the time prevalent in Jamaica. He expired, happy in God, on the 15th of July, 1841.

3. CHARLES WALDEN; who proceeded to Western Africa in December, 1840. It was only for a brief season that the infant church at Cape-Coast enjoyed the advantage of his earnest ministry of the word of God, his pastoral affection, and his pious example. He had safely passed through the seasoning fever, and had nearly recovered his usual health and strength, when, by premature exposure to the sun, an illness was induced which terminated his valuable life on the 29th of July, 1841.

4. JOHN CAMERON; who, being divinely called into the Christian minis try, was sent as a Missionary to the West Indies, at the close of the year 1833, where he laboured with much acceptance and success. He was a man of strong understanding and clear judg ment, combined with much natural cau tion and self-control. As a Missionary he was deeply devoted to his work. His labours were eminently successful, in his last station especially; and he was led to use exertions too great to be sustained in so unhealthy a climate. He died in Dominica, after twelve days' severe suffer ing, on the 22d of September, 1841, aged thirty-three years.

5. WILSON LOFTHOUSE. In the