ference, and an equal number of repre- the General Conference, they cannot do sentatives chosen by the members of less for the love of Christ, than they each circuit or station, to form a con- would oblige themselves to do out of stitution which shall be binding upon love for authority. each member of our Church :" Or, "that a representation of the local preachers and the membership be introduced into the General Conference," either by electing delegates separately, or that the membership be represented by the local ministry, they being elected by the united suffrage of the local preachers and lay members. To these memorials, as well as to others praying the continuance of our government in its present form, we have given an attentive hearing in full Conference; and after much reflection, we reply; We are glad to be assured that there exists but one opinion among all our brethren, respecting the importance of our itinerant ministry; and that they who desire a change, whether of the form of the General Conference alone, or of the Annual Conferences also, are moved to solicit it, rather by their zeal to support the itinerancy, than for want of attachment to it. They would relieve the preachers of the delicacy of fixing the amount of their own salaries; and as in this matter they could act more independently, so they would also provide more liberally. We respectfully acknowledge the candour of brethren, who, although they intimate that it is unseemly for the preachers to determine their own salaries, yet do not pretend that their allowance is excessive, nor that they claim a right to demand it. It is true that the deficiency of quarterage is so general, in such large proportions, that the Conference collections, and the dividends from the Book Concern and Chartered Fund have never been sufficient to supply it: and indeed, the Conference Stewards usually settle with the preachers, at a discount of from thirty to sixty per cent. But we presume that these facts have been generally known; so that whatever injury may be sustained from the scantiness of our support, is attributable not to the improvidence of the rule which limits the amount, but to some other cause; and whatever that cause may be, we at least have no information that the people refuse to contribute, because they are not represented. Indeed it would grieve us to know this: for even though they should refuse to acknowledge us as their representatives in We rejoice to know that the proposed change is not contemplated as a remedy for evils which now exist in some infrac tion of the rights and privileges of the people, as defined to them by the form of discipline; but that it is offered, either in anticipation of the possible existence of such evils, or else, on a supposition of abstract rights, which in the opinion of some, should form the basis of our government. The rights and privileges of our Brethren, as members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, we hold most sacred. We are unconscious of having infringed them in any instance; nor would we do so. The limitations and restrictions, which describe the extent of our authority in General Conference, and beyond which we have never acted, vindicate our sincerity in this assertion By those "restrictions," it is put out of the power of the General Conference "to revoke, alter or change our articles of religion; or to revoke or change the general rules, or "to do away the privileges of our members of trial before the Society or by a committee, and of an appeal. The general rules and the articles of religion, form to every member of our Church distinctively, a constitution, by which, as Methodists and as Christians, ye do well to be governed; and we, assembled together to make rules and regulations for the Church, most cheerfully acknowledge that the restrictions above mentioned, are as solemnly binding upon us as the general rules are upon both us and you individually. These restrictions are to you the guarantee of your "rights and privileges ;" and while we shall be governed by these as such, we will also regard them as the pledge of your confidence in us. But if by "rights and privileges," it is intended to signify something foreign from the institutions of the Church, as we received them from our fathers, pardon us if we know no such rights, if we do not comprehend such privileges. With our brethren every where, we rejoice that the institutions of our happy country, are admirably calculated to secure the best ends of civil government. With their rights, as citizens of these United States, the Church disclaims all interference; but, that it should be inferred from these, what are your rights as Me thodists, seems to us no less surprising, than if your Methodism should be made the criterion of your rights as citizens. We believe the proposed change to be inexpedient: 1. Because it would create a distinction of interests between the itinerancy and the membership of the Church. 2. Because it presupposes that, either the authority of the General Conference "to make rules and regulations," for the Church, or the manner in which this authority has been exercised, is displeasing to the Church; the reverse of which we believe to be true. 3. Because it would involve a tedious procedure, inconvenient in itself, and calculated to agitate the Church to her injury. 4. Because it would give to those districts which are conveniently situated, and could therefore secure the attendance of their delegates, an undue influence in the government of the Church. With respect to lesser matters, mentioned in the memorials, we respectfully refer you to the revised copy of the discipline forthwith to be published. Signed by order of General Conference. WILLIAM M'KENDREE. ENOCH GEORGE. ROBERT R. ROBERTS. Baltimore, May 25, 1824. Extract from the Report of the Committee on Education. "IN considering this subject your committee have been happy in believing that no arguments were necessary to impress this Conference with a sense of its importance. The cultivation of the human mind, with a view to prepare it for the full exercise of its powers, and thereby to render it capable of answering the noble purposes of its creation, may be reckoned among the first and greatest objects of a civilized community, The nature of this work is such, that it requires an early commencement, and hence, in every enlightened nation, the education of children has been deemed necessary to the well-being of Societies, as well as individuals; and Christian people have held it among their most sacred duties. In the early establishment of Methodism, in the very beginning of our religious institutions as a Christian denomination, it was recommended to our people, made the duty of our ministers, and the fruit of it already realized sufficiently shows its utility. proper attention to the rising generation under our care, we may anticipate unhappy consequences. The children of our hearers, and especially those of our Church members who have received baptism at our hands, may be considered as standing in a relation to us, different from that of children in general and fully entitled to all the attention from us which their age and situation require. If properly taught and educated, they will be prepared to become valuable members of our Societies, and heirs of salvation. But if neglected, we may expect them to become vessels of wrath, fitted to destruction. "Your Committee, nevertheless, are fully impressed with the unpleasant fact, that this subject, so intimately connected with the vital interests of our Church, and with the salvation of so many thousands of souls, has been, and is at this moment, much neglected. While we are happy in believing that in many duties and labours we have done much more than several other denominations, we think it must be admitted that in the instruction of children some of them have exceeded us. And unless effectual measures can be adopted for securing "On the subject of schools and semin. aries of learning, your Committee have obtained all the information their limited time and means would allow; and are of opinion that in this also we are deficient. In 1820, a resolution passed the General Conference, recommending that each Annual Conference should establish a Classical Seminary within its own boundaries, and under its own regulations. Three or four Seminaries have been established in conformity to this resolution, some of which are in successful operation, and it is, in the opinion of your Committee, desirable that such an institution should flourish under the patronage of each Annual Conference in the Union. "Our Church contains multitudes of young men, not called to the ministry, who are qualified to teach, and many of whom would be more useful in such employment than they can be in any other. If these, as well as some of our local preachers, were made sensible of the good they might do our Church, even as teachers of schools, it is believed there would be no difficulty in supplying numerous schools of our country with teachers who would be in favour of the doctrine and discipline of our Church. "In closing these remarks your Committee beg leave to offer for the consideration of this Conference, the following resolutions, namely: "1. That as far as practicable it shall be the duty of every preacher of a circuit or station, to obtain the names of the children belonging to his congregations, to form them into classes, for the purpose of giving them religious instruction, to instruct them regularly himself, as much as his other duties will allow; to appoint a suitable leader for each class, who shall instruct them in his absence, and to leave his successor a correct account of each class thus formed with the name of its leader. "2. That we approve of the resolution passed in the General Conference of 1820, on the subject of Seminaries of Learning, and hereby recommend that each Annual Conference not having a Seminary of Learning, use its utmost exertions to effect such an establishment. "3. That it shall be the duty of every travelling preacher in our Church, to keep in mind the importance of having suitable teachers employed in the instruction of the youth of our country, and to use his influence to introduce teachers into schools, whose learning, piety, and religious tenets, are such as we could recommend." Extract from the Report of the Committee on Missions. "The Committee view with pleasure, be prosecuted with increased vigour, laythe success attending our Missionary exertions for the last four years; and think that we are loudly called upon to make our acknowledgements to the God of Missions for the special manner in which it has pleased Him to own our efforts. "We began feeble, but God has strengthened us. We began fearful, but God has encouraged and assured us. So limited was our knowledge, and so numerous the claims upon our benevolence, that we scarcely knew to what particular point to direct our first attention. God, however, we humbly trust, has given a direction to our labours which has been highly important and beneficial, not only on account of immediate effects, but because a great and effectual door has been opened for the further prosecution of our Missionary plans. "By avoiding that prodigality of expenditure so evidently seen in some, and that partiality of appropriation so manifest in others; and by observing, economy and prudence in the management of our Missionary affairs, we cannot fail, under the continued blessing of God, to succeed in the great work of evangelizing even the barbarous nations around us. "While an eye to economy is had in the appropriation of the funds of the Institution, your Committee are of opinion, that the Missions among our Indians ought to ing a proper foundation for facilitating their future conversion in the education of their children: and that, for every Missionary station men should be selected as Missionaries, of hardy constitutions, of enterprizing spirit, able and willing to labour, to sacrifice all for God and His cause. "But, in the midst of all these labours abroad, we should not forget that much remains to be done within the bounds of our respective Conferences. While Zion is lengthening her cords and enlarging her borders, she ought also to strengthen her stakes; otherwise her enlargements will be her weakness. Let all the intervening sections of our country not enclosed in our fields of labour be examined, and, if Providence open the way, be occupied. Let missionaries be appointed, whose duty it shall be, not to wander over a whole Conference, nor to preach generally, if at all, in old societies made ready to their hands, except in places where societies are very small; but to fix upon certain places still in the enemy's hands, and where there is rational ground of success, and then by siege or assault as the case may require, carry, in the name of the Lord, the strong holds of prejudice and sin. When this is done let it be taken into a regular circuit, and the missionary be at liberty to pursue a similar course in other places. In this way, if we are steady and faithful to our purpose, we shall be enabled, by the Divine blessing, ultimately to establish ourselves in all the sections of our country until the power of our doctrines and the purity of our discipline shall renovate every part. "Your Committee take the liberty further to state, that, in their opinion, an open and candid statement of the condition of the Missions will be profitable, not only as it will convince the public that we mean to act in good faith, but because the information so communicated from time to time, will gladden the hearts of thousands who have contributed, or may by this means be induced to contribute, to this benevolent object." The following resolutions were submitted by the Committee and adopted ed by the Conference. 1. "It shall be the duty of each Annual Conference, where Missionaries are to be employed, to appoint a Committee, whose duty it shall be, in conjunction with the President of the Conference, to determine on the amount which may be necessary for the support of each Missionary, (agreeably to the regulations of discipline) from year to year; for which amount the President of the Conference for the time, shall have authority to draw on the Treasurer of the Society in quarterly instalments in behalf of the Missions. 2. "That the 13th Article of the Constitution of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, be, and hereby is, so amended as to read as follows, viz: "Article 13. The Treasurer of this Society, under the direction of the Board of Managers, shall give information to the Bishops annually or oftener if the Board judge it expedient, of the state of the funds, and of the amount for which drafts may be made thereon, for the Missionary purposes contemplated by this Constitution; agreeably to which information, the Bishops shall have authority to draw on the Treasurer for any sum or sums within the amount at their disposal, which the Missionary Committee of the Annual Conferences, respectively, shall judge necessary to the support of their Missionaries and of the Mission schools under their care. Provided always, that the sums so allowed for the support of a Missionary shall not exceed the usual allowance for other itinerant preachers; and that the Bishops shall promptly notify the Treasurer of all drafts which shall have been granted and payments made under this article. And provided further, that quarterly communications shall be made by the Missionaries to the Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Managers, giving information of the state and prospects of the several missions in which they shall be employed; and that no one shall be acknowledged a Missionary, or receive support out of the funds of this Society, who has not some definite field assigned to him, separately from the usual division of our work into districts and circuits; or who could not be an effective labourer on a circuit." QUADRENNIAL REPORT OF THE Managers of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. IN obedience to a requisition in the Constitution, the Managers of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, beg leave to present to the General Conference, the following account of the pecuniary transactions of the Society, since its formation in 1819: |