You will also, dear brethren, partake, of our joy in the success with which it has pleased GoD, to attend the labours of our brethren in our different foreign missions.

The leading particulars of their state and prospects you will have learned from our Magazine and Annual Reports, and it will therefore suffice to state, that, in this department of the work of GOD committed to our charge, upwards of one hundred and fifty of our preachers are employed; and that the zeal and liberality with which our people and the friends of religion generally cooperate with us in this hallowed work, answer to every call and seem only roused to greater activity and enlargement, as the sad condition of the pagan world is by new developements, displayed before them. In the formation of regular Missionary Societies in your church, to promote the universal establishment of the kingdom of our adorable Saviour, and "to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in GoD," we have greatly rejoiced; and in those encouraging dawnings of large success among the aboriginal tribes of your native continent, which have cheered the early efforts of those devoted men whom you have ordained to this blessed service. In addition to the doctrines in which we have been instructed, God has in his mercy given to us, as Methodists, a discipline adapted in a very special manner to missionary operations, to build up and establish infant religious societies among heathens, and to call forth in every place a supply of labourers for extending the work, and enlarging the cultivated field into the untilled and neglected wilderness. In the spirit of our great founder under God, who regarded the whole world as his parish, let the Methodists of Great Britain and America regard the whole world as the field of their Evangelical labours; and mindful of this our high vocation, let us enter in at every open door, trusting in GoD to dispose the hearts of our people to provide the means necessary to carry our sacred enterprizes into effect; striving together in our prayers that from us the word of the LORD may "sound forth to nations and kingdoms of men, of all colours and climates, now involved in the ignorance and misery of pagan idolatry, and sitting in darkness and the shadow of death."

More fully to declare unto you our state, and to be the witnesses of "the grace of Gop in you," we have appointed and hereby do accredit as our representative to your approaching General Čonference, the REV. RICHARD REECE, late president of our Conference, and have requested the REV. JOHN HANNAH, one of our respected junior preachers to accompany him on this service."Beloved in the LORD and approved in CHRIST," we commit them to the grace of GoD, and to your brotherly affection. We earnestly pray that your approaching assembly may be under the special guidance and benediction of our common Head, and that all your deliberations may issue in the lasting union and pros

perity of your numerous, and widely extended societies; that you may increase in faith and love; and that your labours may year after year continue to enlarge and establish in the Western World the kingdom of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST→ "to whom be glory in the church throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

Signed in behalf of the Conference,

Sheffield, August 11th, 1823.

H. MOORE, President.

The above having been read by the Secretary, MR. REECE rose and addressed the Conference in the following words:

MR. PRESIDENT,

THE paper which has just been read is an expression of the sentiments avowed by the British Conference, and in which I heartily concur;-sentinients of affectionate concern for the prosperity and advantage of our brethren on this side of the At→ lantic. It afforded us much satisfaction to receive from you, by your excellent deputy, the Rev. JOHN EMORY, an overture to more frequent intercourse and closer fellowship of brotherly love.Wesleyan-Methodism is one every where, one in its doctrines, its discipline, its usages. We believe it to be the purest, simplest, most efficient form of Christianity that the world has known since the primitive days. Doubtless, it is that which has had the sanction of Almighty God, in its rapid and extended success, beyond other in modern times. It commenced, nearly a century ago, any in the mother country, in one of her universities, with a few young men, "chosen vessels, meet for the Master's use." Then, it was the "cloud little as a human hand:"-now it has spread widely, and is still spreading over both hemispheres, while its fertilizing showers are descending upon Europe, America, Africa and Asia, producing fruit wherever they fall, the fruit of knowledge and holiness. Methodism is our common property. We are alike interested in its preservation and diffusion. It is a sacred trust committed to us. It is a heavenly treasure which we have to dispense for the benefit of man. Its spirit is not sectarian, but catholic, and embraces Christians of every denomination, who hold the essential truths of the gospel, and "love our LORD JESUS CHRIST in sincerity." Your brethren in England were never more concerned to preach its distinguishing doctrines of justification by faith, the direct witness of the Spirit in the hearts of believers, and salvation from all sin in this life, with simplicity, fidelity, and zeal, than at present;-never more concerned to enforce its discipline with firmness and love, and to "train up" a people in the "nurture and admonition of the LORD;"-never more careful that it do not deteriorate in their hands, but that it be transmitted, pure and entire, to "faithful men, who shall

succeed to their labours: for which purposes they are anxious in their instruction, and strict in their examination of the rising race of preachers, that these may be sound in the faith, and lovers of our discipline. Many of them are all we can hope, young men whose "profiting" has "appeared unto all," and to whom we can commit the deposit, without anxiety, believing that they will "obtain mercy of the LORD to be faithful."

The result of this care and pains to preserve a pure and effective ministry, has been, and is seen in the blessing of God upon our labours, in an extension of his work through every part of our country, where "great and effectual doors" are opening into new places, and the LORD is "adding to his church daily such as are saved." The members of our Society are also improving in personal holiness, and zeal for good works. They are more ready to concur with us in spreading the gospel abroad among heathen nations, as well as in tightening the "cords" of our discipline at home. On the whole, our prospects were never more bright, nor had we ever more reason to be encouraged.

My opportunities of intercourse with you since my arrival in this Country, together with the satisfaction I have had in attending two of your Annual Conferences, where I met with many of my American Brethren, render this one of the most interesting periods of my life. I have witnessed the disinterested and laborious zeal which distinguishes your character and conduct. I have seen the fruit of your labours in the excellent Societies in NewYork, Boston, Philadelphia, Winchester, and this City. The doctrines and discipline of Methodism, when rightly applied, do, under the blessing of GoD, produce a scriptural conversion, and form the genuine Christian character every where; and either at home or abroad, I find that a Methodist, who lives according to his profession, is a "fellow-heir" of the same "grace of life." My prayer is, in accordance with the prayers of the Body whom I represent, that you may go on and prosper, until, as the honoured instruments of GOD, you have diffused gospel light and life through every part of this vast continent, and every class of its interesting population; that the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST may be every where glorified in his disciples. Amen.

The rules for the government of the Conference being adopted, the bishops made the following communication:

To the Delegates of the several Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in General Conference assembled.

DEAR BRETHREN,

We have thought it advisable, at the opening of this General Conference, to communicate to you our views in relation to some of the subjects which will properly come before you.-Assembled

as you are from various parts of the continent, and having been associated with societies of people not entirely the same in manners and customs, it cannot rationally be expected that your views on every subject should be uniformly the same. But after candidly considering and discussing such points of interest to the church as may require your attention and decision, we trust you will be able to unite in such measures, as shall best serve for the prosperity of our Zion and the glory of God.

During the last four years, we have not been favoured with extraordinary revivals of religion, yet the work of God has gradually advanced, and we have had constant accessions to the church, both of ministers and members, as well as an increase of circuits and districts. On the whole, we are happy to say, that amidst all our difficulties and obstructions, our prospects are encouraging, and we are permitted to hope, that the great Head of the church will prosper our way and crown our labours with abundant success. Your superintendents have endeavoured to do what was in their power, towards supplying the Annual Conferences with their official services, and have in most instances succeeded; but owing to a failure of health in some of them, and to other uncontrolable circumstances, two cases have occurred in which the Conferences were under the necessity of providing for themselves. And as the present health of your superintendents is more likely to decline than increase, while their labour will become every year more extensive, the subjects of administration, and the propriety of increasing the number of superintendents, will claim your early attention.

In the progress of the work, new doors have been opened for the spread of the gospel, the borders of our Zion have been enlarged, and the number of circuits and districts so increased as to render it necessary that there should be some alterations in the form of the Annual Conferences. The way seems to be prepared for dividing some in order to form new ones, and for making some changes in the boundaries of others, so as to render them more convenient.

On the subject of church government, some of our friends have entered into various speculations, and it seems probable that memorials will be laid before you both from local preachers and private members. In order to give full satisfaction, as far as possible, on this point, it may be expedient to appoint a committee of address, to prepare circulars in answer to such memorials as may be presented.

In fixing the boundary lines of the Annual Conferences, it must not be forgotten, that a part of our charge lies in Canada, beyond the limits of the United States. The situation of our brethren in that remote part of the country, seems to present to view a subject distinct in itself; and the most judicious measures to secure VOL. VII.

35

their prosperity and welfare, will claim the exercise of your united counsel and wisdom.

The book concern, considered in a moral and pecuniary point of view, is an important establishment in our church, and will be, if proper exertions should be made in the circulation of books, not only a source of relief and support to our itinerant ministry, but a most effectual medium of conveying light and knowledge to the thousands among whom we labour, and perhaps to multitudes who do not attend our preaching. If any improvement can be made in its present plan of operation, so as to render it more extensively useful than it now is, it is desirable that it should be done.

In the course of your deliberations, the Local District Conference, the financing system, and the proper instruction and education of children, may require some attention; as well as several other subjects not necessary now to mention.

The importance of supporting the plan of an itinerant ministry, and of maintaining union among ourselves, cannot have escaped your recollection. They are subjects involving the vital interests of the church, and our prayer is, that the wisdom of the Most High may guide us in such a course as shall be favourable both to the one and to the other.

ENOCH GEOrge.

R. R. ROBERTS.

W. M'KENDree.

Baltimore, May, 1824.

The several subjects embraced in this communication were referred to Committees, and reported on in their order, some of which will be found below.

EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF COMMITTEES WHICH WERE
ACCEPTED BY THE CONFERENCE.

The Committee to whom were referred, Petitions, Memorials, &c. presented the following Report, which was accepted:

Resolved by the delegates of the several Annual Conferences in General Conference assembled,

1. That it is inexpedient to recommend a Lay-delegation.

2. Resolved, &c. That the following Circular be sent in reply to the petitioners, memorialists, &c.

Beloved Brethren, SEVERAL memorials have been brought up to the General Conference, proposing to change the present order of our Church Government. By one or more of these it is proposed, "to admit into the Annual Conferences, a lay delegate from each circuit and station; and into the General Conference, an equal

delegation of Ministers and lay members:" Or, to admit a representation of local preachers and lay members into the General Conference; to be so apportioned with the itinerant ministry as to secure an equilibrium of influence in that body:" Ór," that the General Conference call a convention, to consist of representatives from each Annual Con