.{J^^c IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) M 1.0 1.1 13,0 ^^^ mHH u& iU 12.2 2.0 lis ■ 4.0 WUU L25 IIUIU 11.6 ^ >^ V /; '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WIBSTIt,N.Y. I45M (716)172-4903 4^ \ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVl/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical iVIicroraproductions / institut Canadian da microreproductions historiquas \ \ ^. O Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notas tachniquaa at bibliographiquaa The Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain the iMat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua, which may altar any of tha imagaa in the raproduction, or which may significantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow. D D D D Colourad covars/ Couvartura da coulaur I I Covars damagad/ Couvartura andommagia □ Covars rastored and/or laminatad/ Couvartura rastaurte at/ou palliculAa |~~1 Covar titia miasing/ La titra da couvartura manqua Colourad maps/ Cartas gtographiquaa an coulaur Colourad ink (i.a. other than blue or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autre que blaue ou noire) I I Coloured plataa and/or iiiuatrationa/ D Planchaa et/ou iiiuatrationa en couleur Bound with other material/ Relit avac d'autrea documenta Tight binding may cauae shadowa or diatortion along interior margin/ La re liure aerrAe paut cauaar da I'ombre ou de la diatortion la long de la marge int6rieure Blank laavea added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever poasibie, theae have been omitted from filming/ II ae paut que certainea pagea bianchea ajouttea lore d'une reatauration apparaiasant dans la texte, mala, lorsque cela Atait poaaible, cea pagea n'ont pea 4tA filmAes. Additional commenta:/ Commentairea suppl6mantaires: L'Institut a microfilm^ la meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a AtA possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemipiaira qui sont paut-Atre uniquea du point da vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dana la mAthoda normale de filmage aont indiqute ci-deaaoua. I — I Coloured pagea/ D Pagea de couleur Pagea damaged/ Pages endommagtes Pagea restored and/oi Pagea rastaurtae et/ou pellicultea Pagea discoloured, stained or foxe« Pagea dAcoiortea, tachetiea ou piqutee Pagea detached/ Pagea dttachtea Showthroughy Tranaparence Quality of prir Qualit* intgala de I'impreaaion Includea aupplemantary materii Comprend du material auppKmentaira Only edition available/ Seuie Mition disponibie I — I Pagea damaged/ nn Pagea restored and/or laminated/ ryi Pagea discoloured, stained or foxed/ r~~| Pagea detached/ rri Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes aupplemantary material/ I — I Only edition available/ Pagea wholly or partially obacured by errata aiipa, tiasuea, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible Image/ Lea pagea totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un fauillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont tti filmtes A nouveau de fa^on i obtenir la meilleure image poaaible. Thia item la filmed at tha reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document eat film* au taux de reduction indiquA ci-deaaous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X V 12X 16X aox MX 28X 32X Th« copy filmad h«r« hat baan raproducad thanka to tha ganaroaity of: Library of tha Public Archivas of Canada L'axamplaira film* fut raproduit grAca k la gAnAroait* da: La bibliothAque daa Archivas publiquas du Canada Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha baat quality poaaibia conaidaring tha condition and laglbiiity of tha original copy and in Icaaping with tha filming contract spaclflcationa. Original copiaa in printad papar covara ara filmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or liluatratad impraa- sion, or tha bacit covar whan appropriata. Ail othar original capias ara filmad baginning on tha first paga with a printad or liluatratad impras- sion, and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or iliustratad imprasslon. Tha last racordad frama on aach microflcha sh'Si! contain tha symbol — ^- (moaning "CON- TIML*EL>"), or tha symbol V (moaning "END"), whichavar applias. Laa imagaa suivantas ont AtA raprodultas avac la plus grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat« da l'axamplaira f llmA, at an conformity avac las conditions du contrat da filmaga. Las axamplalras origlnaux dont la couvertura an papiar aat imprimte sont fiimte an commanpant par la pramiar plat at an tarminant soit par la darniara paga qui comporta una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illustration, soit par la sacond plat, salon la cas. Tous las autras axamplalras origlnaux aont fllmte an commanpant par la pramlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'impracsion ou d'illustration at an tarminant par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una talla amprainta. Un daa aymbolaa auivants apparaitra sur la darnlAra imaga da chaqua microflcha, salon la caa: la aymbola — ► signifia "A SUIVRE", la aymbola V signifia "FIN". IMapa, platas, charts, ate, may ba filmad at diffarant raduction ratloa. Thoaa too iarga to ba antiraly includad in ona axpoaura ara filmad baginning in tha uppar laft hand cornar, laft to right and top to bottom, aa many framaa aa raquirad. Tha following diagrama iiluatrata tha mathod: Las cartaa, planchas, tablaaux, ate, pauvant Atra filmte A das taux da rMuction diff^rants. Lorsqua la documant ast trap grand pour Atra raproduit an un saul cliche, 11 ast film6 A partir da I'angla aupAriaur gaucha, da gaucha d droita, at da haut an baa, an pranant la nombra d'Imagaa nteassaira. Las diagrammas suivants illustrant la mithoda. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 ' • « O O <.' « '•" Oct o o <■• 1 u 1 (■ ^1 1^ I' THE- MINUTfiS ox* THK ANNUAL CONFERENCES OF TH£ toeslcBait'^iMetljobist €l)txxt\) in Canalra. FROM 1824 TO 1845, INCLUSIVE ; WITH MANY OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS. NOT BEFORE PUBLISHED. TO WHICH '1 ADDKD X5 THE MARRIAGE ACT:. (V^ n ^ ^ ■itv -i « o TORONTO: PUBLISHED BY ANSON GREEN, CONFERENCE OFFICE^ No.. 9, Wellington Buildings, Kino Staext. 1846. ^ » r 1) f i<_'i^i^ I ' V- A -'10 J. H. LAWRKNCE, PRINT2R. »i— • %/ INTRODUCTION. " Methodism is Christianity in earaest." Every fragment of its history is important, and will be sought for with avidity by those who may hereafter write the history of the Churches. It is no longer considered a mere experiment, but a wise system of vital and practical godliness, the efficiency of which has long sine** Hpftn felt and acknowledged in most parts of the world. The Weslktak-Mkthodist Chorch in Canada is the third and youngest branch of the Wesleyan household. Legitimately descended from the parent stock, she takes her stand on th« mutually-acknowledged platform of Wesleyan identity, and rejoices to co-operate with the elder branches of the family io the great work assigned us. This volume is offered to the world as well to show her sentiments, strength, and operations, as to instruct and comfort those who are " fellow -heirs with us of like precious faith." It is both pleasing and profitable to look back upon the achievements of by-gone days, and reflect upon the labours and sacrifices of those men, through whose instrumentality, God has " turned a barren wilderness into i| fruitful field, and made the desert rejoice and blossom like the rose." Th e jili nutes of Ccnfer^riee-contain the authentic statistics of the Church in detail ; and great pains have been taken to have these statistics correct. As a book of reference^ this volume will be found very useful, while the Oi.icial documents it con* tains, and the instruction herein given to the different officers of the Church, cannot fail to be of great service to those whos^ duty it is to conduct the affairs of our Zioq. *"' INTRODUCTION. The Compiler regrets that he has not been able to obtain a copy of the printed Minutes for each year ; though, by much additional labour^ the deficiency has been mpstly supplied from, authentic sources. The Marriage Act has been added for the convenience of* Ministers who frequently have occasion to refer to it. In this volume will be found the Minutes of one Special, and tieenty-two Annual Conferences, arranged in order of time as they occurred. They have been re-printed by order of Con- ference, mainly for the benefit of the Ministers and ofiicial membersof the Church, whocanri'^tbp too well acquainted with our history, general economy, and official acts. But these pages, containing as they do, the Pastoral Addresses, and Biography of those Ministers who have died amongst us, and gone to their dernal reward, will also be found highly interesting and useful to all the members and friends of the Church who may takt; the trouble to peruse them, It will be perceived that we have published, in this volume, the Annual Minutes of the Canada Conference from its com- mencement to the present time, including four years previous to the organization of the Methodist Church in this country, as. a distinct and independent body. This has been done to make the compilation as complete and satisfactory as possible ; and we commend it to the patronage of the friends of the Church at Ijarge, confidently relying upon their friendship and support in securing for it a general circulation. ANSON GREEN. TbRONTO, J;^ 4th, 1846 \ I ' - ; * to obtain a 1, by much pplied from, v^enience of' t. Special, and of time as er of Coa- and ofHcial aiiitod with hese pagea,. Biography 5ne to their ; und useful J may take lis volume, its corn- previous ountry, as. le to make ble; and Church at support in .EEN.. \\ ! i ,- Q '■ ■ MINUTES ,,,,„„,„, •':•'-' OF THE •••.:'-. J. ''^ n>!' '•• 1* CANADA CONFERENCE. , TAKEN AT HALLOWELL, AUGUST 25th, 1824. Bishops George and Heddino presiding. William Case, Secretary. \i^ v\^;v^ Question 1. Who are admitted on trial 9 ' = *' Rowley Heyland, Joseph Messmore, Edmund Stoney, George Sovereign, D. Breckenridge, jun'r, George Bissell — 6. Quest. 2. Who remain on trial % William Ryerson, Robert Corson, Wm. Griffis, Jacob Pool, David Wright, Joseph Castle, Solomon Waldron — 7. • • 1.5 Quest. 8. Who are admitted into full connexion f John Parker^ William Slater, Joseph At wood — 3» Quest. 4. Who are the deacons ? John Ryerson, Franklin Metcalf, John Parker,* William Slater,* Joseph Atwood* — 5. Those marked thus (*) were ordained this year. Quest. 5. Who have been elected and ordained elders this year ? James Jackson, Thos. Demorest, Philander Smith, Wm. H. Williams, Kenneth M'K. Smith— 6. Quest. 6. Who have located this yearf .■>(•.; Ji Ezra Adams. •- \ ■ -i 1 9 MINUTES. [1824. Quest. 7. Who are the aupemutnerary preachers f None. Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers f Thomas Whitehead, William Brown, James Wil- son, Peter Jones, Kenneth M'K. Smith — 5. Quest. 9. Who have been expelled from the con^ nexion this year f None. Quest 10. Who have wji^raipn Jrom, the con^ inexion this year ? None. Quest. 11. Were all the preachers* characters ex- amined ? This was strictly attended to by calling over their names before the (inference. Quest 12. Who have died this year ?- "^ None. Quest 13. What numbers are in the Societies? Bay QuinU DittrieL WhitM CoL In. BayQuinte 517 Augusta 567 Cdrawail 400 Ottawa 125 Rideau 336 1 Perth 231 HalloweU ...... 519 .. Belleville 207 ; Smith's Creek .. 425 3327 Niagara District. Wbitet Col. In. Niagara 45.1 U Lyons' Creek.... 107 Ancaster 342 . Long Point 292 ,,, Dumfries 120 Westminster .... 300 • ' Thames 293 9 30 London 254 1 New Seltle't Mis. 162 Grand River Mis. 64 36 Yonge Street ... 330 York 31 RXCAPITULATIOK. Members in the socicues this year .... Travelling preachers 2745 21^56 WhitM CoL In. 6072 22 56 ~36 ' 1824.] lUNUTBfl. ^ Quest. 14. Where are the preachers eltUioned thU year? NIAGARA DISTRICT. * Thomas Maddvn, Presiding ^Mer, Niagara — Thos. Demorest, Wm. Ryeraon. Lyons Creek — Isaac B. Smith. Ancaster — David Culp. Long Point — ^D. Shepardson, T. Sovereign. , ,;^ .' Westminster — George Ferguson. , . Thames — James Jackson, Joseph Messmore. St. C/air— William Griffis. London — Edmund Stoney. \.v Dumfries — Robert Corson. Yonge Street ^ York—Wm, H. Williams, Joseph Atwood. New Settlements — Rowley Heyland. '^'' Grand River Mission — Alvin Torry. r' Henry Ryan, M issionary to Chippeway and Grand River Falls, and the new destitute settlements in those parts. , . <^ BAY QUINTE DISTRICT. ' > William Case, Presiding Elder, Smithes Creek — David Breakenridge. Belleville — Samuel Belton. !v :. x Hallotoell — Franklin Metcalf, Jacob Poole. Bay Quinte — John Ryerson, William Sinter. ilf^iw/a—Wyatt Chamberlin, P. Smith. Perth — Ezra Healy. JJitfffOtt— David Wright > Cornwall — Solomon Waldron. >? Ottawa — ^George Bissell. Quest 15. Where and when shall our ^ext Con" firence he heldf September 14, 1826, at Fifty-Mile^redk, tdwn- fihip of Saltfiedt, Upper Canada. '^ 'v -♦ ***.'; • -> IKt i-fV \t f .% :4 MINUTES. [1824. rVi The following Resolutions were adopted by the Conference : — • -' « Resolved, That this body consider it contrary to the spirit of the gospel and the feelings of its members, for any Methodist Minister to become a member of, or fi;equent any Masonic Lodge ; and, in order to prevent the evil arising from this source, we resolve, secondly. That if any travelling Minister is known to join or frequent such Lodges, he shall be dealt with as in other cases of improper conduct. Resolved, on the recommendation of Bp. George, That we, the Ministers and Preachers of the Canada Conference, will observe the first Friday in each month as a day of fasting and prayer. ,,,,•,, The following Circular, having reference princi- pally to the separation of the Societies in Canada from the jurisdiction of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, was unanimously adopt- ed by the Conference, and sent to all the Societies in the Province — the Conference then not having adopted the plan of printing their Minutes in a sep- arate pamphlet : — »*■ To iht Members qf the Methodist Episcopal Churefi in U. Canada. VsRT Dear Brethren, We, the Ministers and Preachers who com- pose the Canada Conference, are desirous, through this medium, to express the ardent desire we feel that your peace may be established, and that your hap- piness and prosperity may still continue and increase more and more. As it respects the subject of separ- ation, we are happy to state, that the momentous concern is now so adjusted as to give, we hope, gen- ^- '^' 1824.] MINUTI8. 0* eral satisfaction. This has heen accompliBhed by a conciliatory plan, judiciously concerted and adopted, to unite the views of the travelling and local ministers in obtaining the object, (t. e. a separate Connexion in Canada,) through the proper channel. And as our views are now harmonising, we are led to expect that our beloved brethren on the various circuits in Canada will, with us, cordially unite in this respect, that we may look forward, with humble confidence, for a favourable issue. For a further explanation of our views, and the measures going into operation, relative to the subject, we refer you tothe Presiding Elder of your District. And now, dear Brethren, may the God of peace and truth be with you, and guide you in all your ways ; that, in all wisdom and goodness, you may still abound more and more, is the sincere and daify prayer of your devoted servants, who are still per- mitted to labour amongst you in word and doctrine. Brethren ! pray for us. ..^ a\i •'.»}*■>, Signed in behalf of the Mifiisten and Preachers who eompose the Canada Conference, JAMES WILSON, SviSecretartf, ii:,>; \;. --;■!..'£. ■■ ,'■» ij-..V ,-vfl .... ■ l(i / ' J^t^ ■rn "5 , -?r1 ^4*5^ MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT SALTFLEET, (FIFTY-MILE-CREEK,) i*.fl he A . SEPTEMBER 14th, 1825. Bishop Heddino in the Chair. ' " .' William Case, Secretary. Question 1. Who are admitted on trial? ' James Richardson, Timothy Martin, Egerton Ryerson, Daniel McMullen, John Black, Anson Green — 6. ►, >-. ...;,*,, ' Quest. 2. Who remain on trial? Rowley Hc^ylan^, Joseph Messmore, Edmund Stoney, George Sovereign, D. Breakenridge, jun'r, George Bissell — 6. "'''' Quest. 3. Who are admitted into full connexion 1 '- William Ryerson, Robert Corson, William Griffis, Jacob Poole, David Wright, Solomon Waldron — 6. Quest. 4i Who are the deacons ? William Slater, William Ryerson,* Solomon Wal- dron,* Robert Corson,* Wm. Griffis,* Jacob Poole,* David Wright*— 7. Those marked thus (*) were ordained this year. Quest. 5. , Who have been elected and ordained elders this year ? John Ryerson, Franklin Metcalf — 2. Quest. 6. Who have located this year ? David Gulp. , ,. Quest. 7. Who are the supernumerary preachers ? None. Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers ? Thomas Whitehead, William Brown, Peter Jones, Kennith M'K. Smith, Isaac B. Smith, H. Ryan — 6. -^^. 1825.1 MINUTES. u Quest. 9. Who have been expelled from the con- nexion this year ? -i4— -V^ None. Quest. 10. Who have withdrawn from the con- nexion this year ? None. Quest. 11. Were all the preachers' characters ex- amined ? This was strictly attended to, by calling over their names before the Conference. , Quest. 12. Who have died this year f , None. Quest. 13. What numbers are in the Societies ? Niagara District. Whites CoL In. Niagara 480 12 Lyons' Creek ... 89 Ancaster 345 '"'' Long Point 292 Westminster .... 341 Thames 336 St. Clair 50 London 235 Dumfries 209 YongeSt.&York 406 New Settlements 356 Grand River Mis. 84 4 104 Bay of Quinte District. Whites CoL In. Smith's Creek .. 472 Belleville 206 Hallowell 495 Bay of Quinte . . 518 Augusta 590 Perth 300 Rideau 406 Cornwall 423 Ottawa 122 3532 ,;■%. CoJM Indians 16 104 22 56 . . 4 , ,, 3223 16 104 U- ti f'->^- •■•',' •''''' R E C A P I T U L A T I ON. .«i'-Vfxr;wf ^Mh Whites Members in the societies this year .... 6755 " " last year .... 6072 ^ : ' Increase this year .... 683 dec. 6 inc. 48 Quest. 14. Where are the preachers stationed this year ? NIAGARA DISTRICT. Thomas Maddrn, Presiding Elder f JInd Super^t of the Ind'n Misan SehooU witkin the boumdtofkit JH»t*t. :,Fort George 8f Queenston — William Ryerson. - Niagara — Thoi^nas Demorest, William Griffis. 8 MINUTES. [1826. il«c<»<«r— Joseph Gatchell. i Lyons* Creek — Joseph Messmore. Long Point — Rowley Heyland, Timothy Martin. Westminster — ^James Jackson. Thames — George Ferguson, Daniel McMullen. St. Clair — ^To be supplied. London — Edmund Stoney. Dumfries — Robert Corson. Yor^e Street 8f York — James Richardson, Egerton Ryerson. Toronto — William H. Williams, George Sovereign. Grand River Mission — Alvin Torry. BAY OF QUINTY DISTRICT. William Case, Presiding Elder, Bay of Quinty Sf Kingston-— Fhi\&nder Smith, Solo- mon Waldron. Augusta — Wyatt Chambeiluin, Jacob Poole. Cornwall — Czra Healy. Ottawa — William Slater. Rideau — David Wright. Perth — ^John Ryerson. Belleville — James Wilson. Cobourg — David Breakenridge, jun'r, John Black Rice Lake — George Bissell. - Hallowell — Franklin Metcalf, Anson Green. Samuel Belton, missionary to the newly settled townships between the Mississippi and Ottawa Rivers. Quest. 15. Where and when shall our next Con- ference he held? At Hamilton, Newcastle District, Upper Canada, August 31, 1826. The following Resolutions were adopted by the Conference : — That the Conference view with concern the want of intellectual improvement among our young preachers generally, — ^that it is expedient and neces* 5. m n. 0- r 1825.] MINUTES. 9 sary, in order to meet the wants of society, now im- proving in literary acquirements, that our. young men should have more advantages for the improve- ment of their minds ; therefore, resolved further, that the Presiding Elders, and other of our senior brethren, be requested to pay special attention to this matter ; takiiig the oversight of, and affording to, our young men all the aid in their power for the attain- ment of this object. Resolved, That our superannuated brethren be permitted to make collections in all places where they may labour, and where such collections do not interfere with the labours of the circuit preachers ; and that they account for the same, together with all which they may receive in consideration of their services. [In answer to an enquiry from the Yonge Street Circuit, it was — ] Resolved, That no person be received or retained in our societies who have two wives or two husbands living, unless they produce sufficient evidence that they are separated from the first partner, either according to civil law, or the Scriptures. Resolved, That the scriptural rule tolerates no second marriage while the first partner is living, except in the case of adultery or fornication. Resolved, That no charge shall hereafter be taken up by this Conference against any brother until the preliminary labours, prescribed by discipline, have been attended to, except in cases of immorality. Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be presented to the good poople of this neighbourhood, for their kind hospitality during our stay with them ; and that the sense of the Conference on this subject be presented by the officiating minister next Sabbath morning. \-i;:;i 10 , MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT HAMILTON, NEWCASTLE DISTRICT, AUGUST 31 St, 1826. ■^5t!4i'^' -i-'; ■■4. Bishop George presiding. William Case, Secretary, " Question 1. Who are admitted on trial? George Farr. Quest. 2. Who remain on trial? '" James Richardson, Egerton Ryerson, Daniel Mc- Mullen, John Black, Anson Green, David Breaken- ridge — ^. Quest. 3. Who are admitted into full connexion, Rowley Heyland, Joseph Messmore, Edmund Stoney, George Sovereign, George Bissell — 5. Quest. 4. Who are the deacons? William Ryerson, Solomon Waldron, Robert Cor- son, William Griffis, Jacob Poole, David Wright, Rowley Heyland,* Joseph Messmore,* Edmund Stoney,* George Sovereign,* George Bissell*-— 11. Those marked thus (*) were ordained this year. Quest. 5. Wlio have been elected and ordained elders this year ? ■. : William Slater. ^ Quest. 6. Who have located this year? Kenneth M'K. Smith. Quest. 7. Who are the supernumerary preachers ? None. Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or worn^-out preachers? •' Thomas Whitehead, William Brown, Peter Jones, Isaac B. Smith, Henry Ryan, James Jackson — S, c, 1- 1626.] MIN0TE8. if' Quest. 0. Who have been expelled from the con- nexion this year ? . , ^ . , . None. Quest 10. WhQ have xoithdr awn from the con^ nexion this year ? None. Quest 11. TFere all the preachers^ characters ex^ . amined f This was strictly attended to, by calling over their ■ names before the Conference. ' ^ ^\i'fe *. Quest 12. Who have died this year ? None. Quest 13. What numbers are in Societies f TT;r>i; Niagara JDistru^ WhitM C9L In Fort George and Queenston .... 36 Niagara ........ 417 4 Ancaeter 393 3 Lyons' Creek .... 91 Long Point 243 Westminster .... 331 Thames 317 20 21 St. Clair 93 1 London 228 1 Dumfries 219 3 YongeSt.&Tork 459 3 Toronto 305 Grand River Mis, 36 1 36 Credit Mission . . 110 Biiy qf QuirUe District, WhitM Col. In. Bay of Quinte and Kingston 930 Augusta 666 \ '^i Cornwall 470 Ottawa 40 Rideau 410 Perth 250 Belleville 218 83 Cobourg ...... .. 452 Rice Lake 110 Hallowell. 463 ' Mississippi Mis- sion 40 4048 83 3167 36 167 RECAPITULATION. Wbitea CoL In. ' i; Total number in the societies this year 7215 36 259 " ; .c. /<*.^^ last year .. 6755 16 104 {' Increase this year .. 460 20 146 Quest 14. Where are the preachers stationed this v year f 1 1 }f >fj 12 MINUTES. [1826. " NIAGARA DISTRICT, '"f - ?^» Thomas Madden, Presiding Eiders "vf Amd Superintendent of the Indian Mianone in ihe bound* of hie Dietriet. Fort George and Queenston — James Richardson. Niagara — John Ryerson« William Griffis. ■Lyons^ Creek — Joseph Messmore. ^^ » cvi^st Ancaster — Joseph Gatchell, Anson Green. :^''*"^ Dumfries — Thomas Demorest r. n .H l >hi> Long Point — Rowley Hey land. • Westminster — Robert Corson. ,; , i ; : , ' - London — Daniel McMuIlen. !.>j .jj : Thames — Edmund Stoney. -yY Amhersthurgh — George Ferguson. ' * Grand River Mission — Alvin Torry. BAY OF QUINTY DISTRICT. William Case, Presiding Elder, And Superintendent of the Indian Mitaiona in the bounds of hie Diatriet. Bay of Quinte — Ezra Healy, Samuel Belton. fl«//o«je//— Solomon Waldron. Belleville — David Breakenridge. Cobourg — William Slater. Rice Lake — -To be supplied. Whitby — James Wilson. York and Yonge Street — Wi!liafn Ryerson. Toronto — George Sovereign, t ;-.!_,.. Credit Mission — Egerton Ryerson. iy AUGUSTA DISTRICT. ' Philander Smith, Presiding Elder, Augusta — Franklin Metcalf, David Wright. Cornwall — Wyatt Chamberlin. . Ottawa — George Farr. Hull — George Bissell. Rideau — Jacob Poole. Perth and Mississippi Mission — Wm. H. Williams, and another to be supplied. Quest. 15. Where and when shall our next Con- ference be held ? if!- -) V .... , ,. . .. /, *> * ;J At Hamilton, District of Gore, August 80, 1827, S\{ 1827.] MINUTES. 13 The following Resolutions were adopted by the Conference : — The Book Agents having informed the Conference that they had determined on publishing a weekly Newspaper — therefore Resolved, That we highly approve of the publication of said paper ; and we pledge ourselves to encourage its circulation. Resolved, That the first Friday in November be set apart for fasting and prayer^ for the promotion of internal holiness, and the spread of the work of God in general ; and particularly for an increase of labourers in God's vineyard. MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT HAMILTON, GORE DISTRICT, FROM AUGUST 30th, TO SEPTEMBER 7th, 1887. Bishop Hedding in the Chair. William Case, Secretary. Question 1. Who are admitted on trial? Matthew Whiting, John H. Huston, John C. David- son, Geo. Poole, Richard Jones, John S. Atwood, Peter Jones, Cyrus Allison, James Norris— -9. Quest. 2. Who remain on trial? George Farr. B 14 MINUTES. [1827. Quest. 3. Who are admitted into full connexion ? James Richardson, Egei ton Ryerson, Daniel Mc- MuIIen, John Black, Anson Green — 5. Quest. 4. Who are the deacons ? Rowley Heyland, Joseph Messmore, Edmund Stoney, George Sovereign, George Bissell, James Richardson,* Egerton Ryerson,* John Black,* Anson Green* — ^9. Those marked thus (*) were ordained this year. Quest. 5. Who have been elected and ordained elders this year f William Ryerson, Solomon Waldron, Robert Cor- son, William Griffis, Jacob Poole, David Wright — 6. Quest. 6. Who have located this year ? Thomas Demorest, Daniel McMullen — 2, Quest. 7. Who are the supernumerary preachers ? None. Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers ? Thomas Whitehead, William Brown, Peter Jones, Isaac B. Smith, James Jackson — 5. Quest. 9. Who have been expelled from the con- nexion this year f None. Quest. 10. Who have withdrawn from the con- nexion this year ? Henry Ryan. Quest. 11. Were all the preachers' characters ex- amined ? — This was strictly attended to, by calling over their names before the Conference. Quest. 12. Who have died this year ? None. Quest. 13. What numbers are in the Societies f 1827.] MINUTES. 15 Niagara District. MTUtM CoL In. Fort George and Queenston .... 35 Niagara 480 Lyons' Creek.... 115 Ancaster 500 Dumfries 202 Long Point 248 Westminster .... 413 London 328 Thames 173 Amherstburgh ..234 1 21 Grand River Mis. 8 50 2 3 1 4 1 2636 11 71 Bay of QtuxniU District WhitM Col. U. Cobourg 325 Rice Lake 96 166 Whitby 94 Yonge Street and York 589 Toronto 356 Credit Mission . . BayofQuinte.... 931 Hallowell 670 3291 Augusta District. Augusta 983 Cornwall 442 Ottawa 90 Hull 125 Ridcau 287 Perth and Missis- sippi 207 1 43 118 1 451 'V 2134 Col. In. 12 572 36 250 35 Belleville 230 90 RECAPITULATION. Wliites Members in the societies this year . . . 8061 " " last year ... 7215 Tncrease this year ... 846 dec. 24 inc. 272 Quest. 14. Where are the preachers stationed this year? '^ V ^ NIAGARA DISTRICT. .J t ^ John Ryerson, Presidiiig Elder, .find Super^t of the Ind'n Mist'n if Schools toithin the houndt of hi* Ditt't* Niagara and Fort George — David Youmans, Rowley Hey land. . > « Lyons' Creek — Joseph Gatchell. Ancaster — ^Thomas Madden, Anson Green. Dumfries — George Sovereign. Long Point — William Griffis, Robert Corson. Westminster — Matthew Whiting. London — John Huston. ' Thames — George Ferguson. » ^i| 16 MINUTES. [1827. Amheratburgh — Edmund Stoney. Grand River Mission — ^Joseph Messmore. BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. William Case, Presiding Elder, Jnd Snptr't of the Indian Mi»i$ tf SehooU witkim the baunde of hit Diat, Bay of Quinte — Samuel Belton. Hallowell — Wyatt Chamberlaiiif John Davidson. Belleville — ^John S. Atwood. Cobourg — William Slater, Egerton Ryerson. Cavan — James Norris. York — William Ryerson. Tonge Street and Whitby — James Wilson. Toronto — John Black. Credit Mission — James Richardson. Orape Island Mission — Solomon Waldron. Native Tribes of the Chippeways — Peter Jones. AUGUSTA DISTRICT. Philander Smith, Presiding Elder. Kingston — Ezra Healy, Cyrus Allison. Augusta — ^Franklin Metcalf. Crosby — ^Jacob Poole. Cornwall — David Wright. Ottawa — Richard Jones. Richmond Mission — George Poole. Rideau — George Bissell. Perth — George Farr. Mississippi — William H. Williams. Alvin Torry transferred to the Genesee Confe- rence. Quest. 15. Where and when shall our next Con^ ference be heldf At Emesttown, Switzer's Chapel, Midland District, Upper Canada, Oct. 2, 1828. 17 MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT SWITZER'S CHAPEL, ERNESTTQWN, FROM THE 2ad TO THE 8th OCTOBER, 1828. Bishop Heddino in the Chair. James Richardson, Secretary, Question 1. Who are admitted on trial ? William Smith, John Beatty, Richard Phelps, Asahel Hurlburt, Alvah Adams, Ephraim Evans, Hamilton Biggar, George Ryerson, Chas. Wood — 9. Quest. 2. Who remain on trial ? Matthew Whiting, J. H. Huston* J. C. Davidson, George Poole, Richard Jones, J. S. Atwood, James Norris, Cyrus Allison, Peter Jones — 9. Quest. 3. Who are admitted into full connexion^ George Farr, Quest. 4. Who are the deacons? ' ''■ George Farr,* John Black, Daniel McMullen,* Anson Green, J. Richardson, Egerton Ryerson — 6. Those marked thus (*) were ordained this year. i Quest. 5. Who have been elected and ordained elders this year ? Joseph Messmore, George Bissell, Geo. Sovereign, Edmund Stoney, Rowley Heyland, elect — 5. Quest. 6. Who have located this year? None. ■ : • • Quest. 7. Who are the supernumerary preachers ? None. ' ' • '^ Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers ? Thomas Whitehead, William Brown, Peter Jones, b2 iS m ^"^r 18 MINUTES. [1828; Isaac B. Smith, James Jackson, Andrew Prindle, W. Chamberlain — 7. Quest. 9. Who have been expelled from the coit' newioji this year f None. Quest. 10. Who have withdrawn from the con^ nexion this year ? None. Quest. 11. Were all the preachers^ characters ex' amined ? This was strictly attended to by calling over their names before the Conference. Quest. 12. Who Jiave died this year f None. Quest. 13. What numbers are in the Societies? Niagara District. WbitM Col. In. Niagara and Fort George . . 523 Lyons' Creek ... 117 Ancaster 515 Dumfries 177 Long Point 342 Westminster .... 425 London 268 Amherstburgh... 231 1 21 Thames 193 Grand River Mis- sion 20 2 2 1 1 4 105 2811 10 126 Bay Quinte District. Bay Quinte 551 Hallowell 719 Belleville 424 Gobourg 317 Rice Lake 96 WbitM Col. In. 176 York Yonse Street and Whitby 576 Credit Mission . . Grape Island Mis. Lake Simcoe.... Toronto 400 3259 Augusta District. Kingston 427 Augusta 789 Crosby 237 Cornwall 489 Ottawa 115 Richmond Miss'n 200 Rideau 200 Perth 175 Mississippi 51 194 RECAPITULATION. 2683 132 118 345 789 Whites CoL In. Total number this year 8753 10 915 1828.] MINUTES. 10 Quest. 14. Wfiere are the ^preachers stationed this year ? NIAGARA DISTRICT. J. Ryerson, Presiding Elder, Fort George — S. Belton, Anson Green. Niagara — James Richardson, Joseph Gatchell. Ancaster — William Slater, Egerton Ryerson. Trafalgar — James Wilson. Long Point — William Griffis. London — Matthew Whiting. Westminster — George Sovereign, Richard Phelps. Thames — John H. Huston. Amherstburgh — Edmund Stoney. Grand River Mission — Joseph Messmore. BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. William Ryerson, Presiding Elder* Wlliam Case, Superintendent of all the Indian Mittione and Mission Schools in the Conference. Bay of Quinte — Solomon Waldron, Rowley Heyland. Belleville — John S. Atwood. Hallowell — George Ferguson. Grape Island Mission — William Smith. Cobourg — J. Norris, Ephraim Evans. Whitby and the Schoo^og Indiana — Robert Corson. Cavan and Rice Lake mission — Hamilton Biggar. Yonge Street — David Youmans. Daniel McMullen. Newmarket and Lake Simcoe Indians — John Beatty. York — Franklin Metcalf. River Credit Mission— George Ryerson. Peter Jones, Missionary to the Indian tribes. AUGUSTA DISTRICT. Philander Smith, Presiding Elder, Kingston — David Wright, J. C. Davidson Brockville — Ezra Healy, A. Hurlburt. \ . 1^0 MINUTES. [1828. Augusta — George Bissell, Charles Wood. Cornwall — William H. Williams, Jacob Poole. Ottawa — Cyrus Allison. Bytown — George Poole. Richmond Mission — Richard Jones. Rideau — Thomas Madden. Perth — John Black. Mississippi — Alvah Adams. Bonchire Mission — George Farr. The following Resolutions were adopted by the Conference : — Resolved, That this Conference decidedly disap- prove of any of our preachers marrying before they have travelled at least four years, according to dis- cipline ; and in order to prevent the evil of such premature marriages for the future, it is resolved, that any marrying before he shall have travelled, at least, TWO YE A us, shall be dropped from the Con- ference. Resolved, That a Committee, consisting of Wil- liam Case, George Ryerson, and James Richardson, be appointed to correspond with the British Confer- ence, in order to establish a friendly relation and intercourae between the two connexions. At this Conference the Societies in this Province were organized, by and with the consent of the General Conference of the United States, into a separate and independent Church in Canada; and William Case was appointed General Superintendent pro tempore^ until the ensuing annual Conference. Quest. 15. Where and when shall our next Con- ference he held? At Ancaster, Bowman's Chapel, District of Gore, Upper Canada, August 26, 1629. III! lli 21 MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT ANCASTER FROM THE 26th AUGUST TO THE 4th SEPTEMBER, 1829. William Case, Gen'l SupH pro tern. Rev. James Richardson, Secretary, Question 1. Who are admitted on trial? John Armstrong, Henry Shaler, Simon Hunting- ton, William Patrick, John Carroll — 5. Quest. 2. Who remain on trial ? John Huston, William Smith, John Beatty, Rich'd Phelps, Hamilton Biggar, Asahel Hurlburt, Alvah Adams, Ephraim Evans, Charles Wood, George Ryerson — 10. Quest. 3. Who are admitted into full connexion ? John C. Davidson,* George Poole,* RichM Jones,* John S. Atwood,* James Norris,* Cyrus R.Allison,* Matthew Whiting,* Peter Jones,*. — 8. Those marked thus ( * ) were elected to deacon's orders this year. Quest. 4. Who are the deacons ? John H. Huston, James Richardson,f Egerton Ryerson,f Daniel McMullen, John Black,t Anson Greent— 6. Those marked thus (t) were elected to the Elder's orders this year. Quest. 5. Who have located this year ? George Sovereign, Quest. 6, Who are the supernumerary preachers f William Brown. Quest. 7. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers ? Thomas Whitehead, Wyat Chamberlain, Peter Jones, elder — 3. '! |l: I I! 22 MINUTES. [1829. Quest. 8. Who have been expelled from the con- nexion this year f James Jackson. Quest. 9. Who have withdrawn from the con* nexion this year ? Isaac B. Smith. Quest. 10. Were all the preachers' characters ex- amined ? This was strictly attended to, by calling over their names before the Conference. Quest. 11. Who have died this year ? William Slater. He was bom in Derbyshire, England, on the 1st day of De- cember, 1787. Respecting the circumstances and character of Mr. Slater's parents — the peculiar circumstances of his conversion — the period of life at which he commenced his ministerial career — the time of his emigration to America, and the particular providences which opened the way for his entrance into the travelling connexion in Canada, we are altogether ignorant, and have not access to the proper sources of informa- tion. However, it appears, from several circumstances, that he was blessed with moral, if not religious, parents, who instructed him in the elementary principles of Christianity ; and were also enabled, from their respectable competency, to impart to him the additional advantage of a good English education. From the influence of early religious instruction, Mr. Slater has been heard to say, that he never entirely departed, but always retained a respectful sense of his moral obligations, until divine truth was, at length, applied to his heart with more than human energy, and brought him to an experimental knowledge of that Saviour whom to know aright is life eternal. Mr. Slater was a local preacher among the Wesleyan Meth- odists in England some years before he came to America. He joined the Canada Conference on trial, in 1820, at Lundy's Lane, and was sent on the Thames Circuit. On this circuit he willingly endured the inconveniencies of extremely bad roads, extensive rides, and more than ordinary labour. His labours were considered useful, especially in the Societies, >v\ !ili [1829. Ihe coH' he con* zters ex' ver their 1829.] MINUTES. 28 lay of De- l character ces of his oenced his lerica, and lis entrance altogether of informa- :ances, that rents, who tianity; and y, to impart education. Mr. Slater parted, but ations, until h more than knowledge cyan Meth- nerica. He at Lundy's this circuit ;remely bad abour. His e Societies, The following year he was sent, with the Rev. John Ryerson, on York and Yonge Street Circuit, where he laboured with dili- gence, acceptance, and usefulness. The third year of his itine- rant life, Mr. S. was appointed, with the same colleague, to labour on the Bay of Quinte Circuit. This circuit was then very extensive, including what are now called the Bay of Quinte and Kingston Circuits, which require the labours of four efficient preachers. The Bay of Quinte Circuit presented a gloomy prospect indeed to Mr. Slater and his colleague at the com- mencement of their labours. It had long been rent and agitated by divisions and party spirit, but by their judicious and perse- vering exertions, it was restored to a state of general harmony and peace. They went forth in the conciliatory spirit of their Master, weeping and bearing precious seed, but did not enjoy the satisfaction of reaping the fruit of their toils. However, their successors, the following year, continuing to labour in the same spirit, gathered an abundant harvest in the conversion of between 3 and 400 souls. The Bay of Quinte Circuit, from that time to this, has stood firm and impregnable against every repeated attack of schism and faction, and at this day remains firmly established in the evangelical doctrines and long-tried economy of Methodism, and participates abundantly in the bles- sings of a peaceful Gospel. The next year, Mr. Slater was sent on the Ottawa, and the year following, on the Cobourg Circuit, where he remained two years. While on this circuit, in the winter of 1827, he was married to Miss Abigail Farley, who, during the two years of their connubial life, made him a kind, judicious, and pious wife. To the feeble efforts of afflicted and impoverished industry, and the slender and precarious assist- ance of christian charity, Mrs. Slater is now left with two little infants, to mourn the loss of an attentive and affectionate hus- band. May God supply the widow and the fatherless, as he did in the days of Elijah, and make them rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom ! At the Conference of 1828, held in Ernestown, Mr. Slater was appointed in charge of Ancaster Circuit. On this circuit he laboured only about three months, when he was called to his reward. He closed his earthly career on his circuit, about 16 miles from home, at the house of Elijah Secord, Esq. From this gentleman and his family, he received every possible expres- sion of kindness and attention during the ten days of his painful ! i u MINUTES. [1829. !,' i illness. For this voluntary and unremunerated kindness, Mr. Secord and his family enjoy, no doubt, a rich reward here, in the consciousness of well-meant charity and in the sincere grati- tude of Mr. Slater's friends ; and if they will attend to the advice of Mr. Slater's last text, Jeremiah 8th chapter and 16th verse, they will doubtless receive a much more abundant reward hereafter in the happy society of those whose wants they supplied on earth, and the applauding approbation of an Infinite God. Mr. Slater's useful life was terminated by an inflammation on his lungs, occasioned by a violent cold which he caught a fews days previous to his death. During the principal part of his illness, his mind was wandering ; but in his rational mo- ments, he manifested perfect resignation to his approaching fate ; although he, at first, expressed an anxious feeling respect- ing the future condition of his " poor family." When asked by a pious friend concerning the slate of his mind he answered, "I have peace — my work is done — lam willing to die. " In this state of mind he continued until about seven o'clock in the morning of January 17th, 1839, when, without a struggle or a groan, he breathed out his soul into him that gave it, we trust, ''insure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection to ever- lasting life." As a marii Mr. Slater was possessed of most honourable principles — was unsuspecting, honest, open, ancl candid. Per- haps his greatest misfortune was, too great openness in une- quivocally and plainly declaring his opinion respecting men and things. But when this freedom of speech is considered as originating in an honest and upright, rather than a fastidious mind, it is more praise-worthy than censurable. — As a friend* Mr. S. was warm, uniform, disinterested, and firm. — As a christian, he made small professions ; but he was sincere and humble, known by his intimate friends to be a man who spent much time in private prayer. As a minister, he was attentive to his appointments, fervent, faithful, and laborious. As a preacher, Mr. Slater was above mediocrity ; and frequently excelled on practical subjects. He always observed that clause of discipline which says "take the plainest texts;" and his texts were always useful ones, such as were peculiarly adapted to the great end of preaching— to glorify God in the salvation of men. i F< Ni Ai Di Lc Lo W Ri An Gr Mu fiay Bell Hal Gra] Cobi Whi Schc M Me Q pear [1829. >S8, Mr. B, in the •e grati- d to the and 16th tbundant ants they a. Infinite 1829.] MINUTES. 2& Quest. 12. What numhera are in the Sodetiet f \ Niagara District' Whites Colt In. Fort George .... 1,84 Niagara 434 Ancaster 520 2 Dumfries 132 Long Point 359 London 235 Westminster .... 294 River Thames ..228 6 Amherstburgh... 170 18 Gran "-. River Mis. 45 175 Muncy Town do. 35 2601 8 228 Bay of Quinte District. Bay of Quinte . . 651 6 Belleville 435 39 Hallowell 838 Grape Island Mis. 3 120 Cobourg 359 1 Whitby 205 Schoogog Lake Mission 75 Whi(M CoL Ijk. Cavan 112 Rice Lake Miss'n 2 100 Yonge Street ... 530 Simcoe Circuit . . 100 Lake Simooe Mis. 350 York 171 8 Toronto 422 Creidit Miesfon . . 140 3828 15 824 Augusta District, Kingston 563 Brockville 625 Augusta 385 Cornwall 274 Ottawa 207 Rideau 210 Perth 167 Mississippi ..... 71 Richmond Miss'n 150 Bytown 75 RECAPITULATION. Wbitea Members in tl^e societies this year .... 9156 last year .... 8753 (( «« 2727 Col'd Indians 23 1052 10 915 Increase this year .... 403 13 137 ''^ Quest. 13. Where are the prea,chers stationed this year ? NIAGARA DISTRICT. John Ryerson, Presiding Elder. ' ' '' Fort George — S. Belton, Anson Green. Ancaster — William Smith, James Wilson. Dumfries and Grand River Mission — Wm. Grijffis. Long Point — ^Joseph Gatchell, William Patrick. London — Matthew Whiting. Westminster— Asahel Hurlburt, (another to be em- ployed). 96 MINUTB8* [1829. Thames — Richard Phelps. , < • Amherstburgh — ^Joseph Messmore. Muncy Mission-— (To be supplied). BAY OP QUINTE DISTRICT, William Rtbrson, Presiding Elder, Bay of Quinte'^B.ovfley Heyland, George Bissell. Belleville — John Beatty, (another to be employed.) Hallowell^Georee Ferguson, Hamilton Biggar. Cobourg — David Wright, John Carroll. Whitby— 'Robert Corson. Cavan and Rice Lake Mz^^zon— Daniel McMullen. Yonge Street — James Norris, Simon Huntington. il/Aion-^Henry Shaler. York — Franklin Metcalf. Toronto— David Youmans. John Armstrong. Credit Mission — George Ryerson. Lake Simcae Mission — John S. Atwood. Peter Jones, Native Preacher, Missionary to the Indian Tribes. AUGUSTA DISTRICT. Philander Smith, Presiding Elder, Kifigf^/on-^Ephraim Evans (another to be employed.) Brockville — Ezra Healy, J. C. Davidson. Augusta^ — Thomas Madden, Richard Jones. Cornwall — Charles Wood. Ottawa — Cyrus R. Allison. William H. Williams, without a station. Jacob Poole, without a station. RIDEAU DISTRICT. William Brown, Presiding Elder, Rideau — Solomon Waldron. Perth — Alvah Adams. Mississippi — John Black. 1829.] MimjTBS. ^ Richmondr— John H. Huston. , ^ .. Bytoton — George Poole. . ' Bonchire Mission — (To be supplied.) Egerton Ryerson— Editor of ChristianGuardian, Franklin Metcalp — Assistant Editor. William Case, Superintend't of Indian Missions. The following is the Report of a Committee, consisting of Franklin Metcalf, William Ryerson, Philander Smith, David Wright, James Richardson, Thomas Madden, and Anson Green, appointed to take into consideration the propriety of establishing a Religious Newspaper, under the direction of Con- ference, and to devise ways and means for accom- plishing the same : — ' 1. That it is the opinion of your Committee, that a weekly paper should be established under the direction of the Confe- rence, of a religious and moral character, to be entitled the *' Christian Guardian.** 2. That the place of its location be the town of York. 3. That the sum of $700 is sufficient to purchase all the appa- ratus for a printing establishment. 4. That the sum of $2050 will meet the annual expense of such a paper. 5. That the annual income of the office will be at least $2800, leaving a balance in favour of the office of $750 annually. 6. That stock to the amount of $2000 be raised, by dividing it into 100 shares of $20 each, half of which to be paid imme- diately, and the remsdnder subject to the call of the persons who may be appointed to superintend the publishing of the paper ; the said stock to be repaid with interest, as soon as the avails of the concern will admit of it. 7. That the members of the Conference do take up the shares among themselves ; but if all be not disposed of in that way, that they use their influence with their friends to have the remainder taken up immediately. MINUTK8. [1620. 8. That a committee of five personB be appointed annually by the Conference, to superintend the publiahiiig of the paper and other printing that may be done in the office ; and that the general superintendent of our church, and the preacher in charge of the station at York, be ex-officio members of said committee, three of whom shall form a quorum for transacting business. 9. That the Conference appoint an editor or editors of the paper annually, by ballot, without debate, who shall be respon- sible for his or their conduct as editor or editors to the publishing committee in the interval of Conference. 10. That the editor be appointed an agent to procure the apparatus and materials necessary for commencing the paper. 11. That the price of the paper be 12s. 6d., currency, per annum, if paid in advance, or 15s. if not paid previous to six months from the time of receiving the first number, exclusive of postage. 12. That all our ministers, travelling and local, be agents to the paper ; and every agent who may procure 15 subscribers, and use his best endeavours to make collections and obtain Bttbscribers annually, shall be entitled to a paper, gratis. (Signed) F. Metcaxf, Chairman. Committee to Superintend the Printing Establish- ment — James R. Armstrong, William Patrick, James S. Howard, Esq., Thomas £>. Morrison, M. D., and Barnabas Brennan. Committee to Correspond with the British Confe- rence — Franklin Metcalf, Egerton Ryerson, George Ryerson. The following Constitution for a Sunday School Union was adopted by the Conference : — Article I. — This Society shall be called the " Upper Canada Sunday School Society of the Methodist £. Church," the object of which is to promote Sabbath School instruction among the rising generation in this Province, by means of Auxiliary and Branch Societies. [1829. innually le paper that the n charge mimttee, ines8. irs of the e respon- ublishing 3h Confe- i, George ly School aper Canada [»» the object among the luxiliary and 1829.] MINUTBS. 29 Art. n.— Each person paying annually two shillinga and sixpence into the funds of the Society, and subscribing his name hereto, shall be a member thereof ; and persons paying five dollars shall be members for life. Art. III.— The affairs of this Society shall be conducted by a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and twelve Managers ; who shall have authority to make by-laws and regulations for their own transactions. Art. IV.— It shall be the duty of the board of Officers and Managers to use their best exertions to establish Auxiliary and Branch Societies wherever it is practicable ; to procure books^ at the lowest prices — giving a preference, when books can be had on equal terms, to those published at our own Book Room. Art. V — Auxiliary and Branch Societies shall, in all cases, be entitled to the same privileges, in respect to the price of books, as the Parent Society. Art. VI. — The Annual Meeting of the. Society shall be held at the time of the meeting of the Canada Conference, at which time the Annual Report shall \fe presented,, and Officers and Managers elected. Art. VII. — Each Auxiliary and Branch Society shall, have authority to regulate its own internal concerns— appoint its Managers, Superintendents, and Teachers — and do all other matters that may advance the object of its association, and report annually to the Parent Society. Art. VIII.-tAU Auxiliary and Branch Societies that shall report themselves to this Society, shall be recognized as such« The Officers for the present year are — Rev. Thomas Whitehead, Preswicn*. Rev. John Ryerson, Vice-Presid^t. Rev. Anson Green, Secretaryy ' Rev. James Richardson, Treasurer, Quest. 14. Where and when shall our next Qoil^ ference be held f At Kingston, August 17th, 1830, c^ I i i . m MINUTES OP CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT KINGSTON AND BELLEVILLE, FROM THE 17th TO THE 30th AUGUST, 1830. William Cask, Gen'l 8up*t pro tern., tFith tpuiml ehmrgt of Qrap$ Island MMm. Rev. James Richardson, Secretary, Question 1. Who are admitted on trial? L. S. Church, Thomas Bevitt, Ezra Adams (Local iBlder), Gilbert Miller (Local Deacon), Conrad Van- dusen, James Evans, James Currie, John Bailey — 8. Quest. 2. Who remain on trial? Henry Shaler, Simon Huntington, Wm. Patrick, John Carroll, Charles Wood, George Ryerson — 6. Quest. 3. Who are admitted into full connexion ? William Smith, John Beatty, Asahel Hurlburt, John H. Huston, Alvah Adams, Richard Phelps, Hamilton Biggar, Ephraim Evans — 8. Quest. 4. Who are the deacons? John C. Davidson,* Geo. Poole,* John S. Atwood,* James Norris,* Cyrus R. Allison,* Peter Jones, 2nd,* Matthew Whiting,* John H. Huston,* Wm. Smith,t John Beatty,t Asahel Hurlburt,t Alvah Adams,f Richard Phelps, t Hamilton Biggar, f Ephraim Evansf— 1^. * Those were elected last year and ordained this, t Those were elected and ordained this year. Quest. 5. Who have been elected and ordained elders this year ? Edmund Stoney, James Richardson, Egerton Ryerson, John Black, Anson Green, Daniel Mc- Mullen— 6. Quest. 6. Who have located this year? None. 1830.] MiNtrrit. 81 Quest. 7. Who are the tupemumerary preachers f None. Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers ? Thos. Whitehead, Peter Jones, 1st, Wyat Cham- berlain, Philander Smith, William Brown — 5. Quest. 9. Who have been expelled from the con- nexion this year ? None. Quest. 10. Who have withdrawn from the con- nexion this year f None. Quest. 11. Were all the preachers^ characters ex- amined 1 This was strictly attended to by calling over their names before the Conference. Quest. 12. Who have died this year 7 None. Quest. 13. What numbers are in the Societies ? Niagara District. Whites Col. Fort George or Stamford .... 21 fi Niagara 456 2 Ancaster 493 2 Dumfries 195 Long Point .... 373 London 280 Westminster ... 278 River Thames . 228 Amherstburgh . . 139 Grand River Mis. 4 Muncy Mission 2 In. 11 170 70 2,664 4 251 Bay Quinte District. BayQuinte .... 680 6 Belleville 444 67 Hallowell 709 Grape Island Mis. 5 120 Cobourg 519 Whitby 324 Rice Lake, in- cluding Schoo- and Mud tea 3 175 Whites CoL lu Cavan 132 Yonge Street . . 510 1 Albion 108 Lake Simcoe, Majadushk and Saugeen Mis'n 2 400 York 176 Toronto 530 Credit Mission . . 4 4,146 7 Augusta District. Kingston 657 3 Brockville 668 Augusta 474 Cornwall 289 Ottawa 283 Rideau 243 1 Perth 148 Mississippi .... 115 Richmond Mis'n 368 Bytown & Bon- chire 125 140 902 t I 3,370 4 il I I ! I I I ' , 1 83 Minutes. [1830. XKCAPITULATION. Members in the societies this year 10,180 " " last year 9,156 Col. la. 15 1153 23 1052 11,348 10,231 Increase this year 1,024 dec. 8 101 1,117 Travelling preachers last year " ** this year 53 62— Increase 9. Quest. 14. Where are the preachers stationed this year? NIAGARA DISTRICT. John Ryerson, Presiding Elder, Stamford — Joseph Messmore, James Wilson. Niagara — Edmund Stoney, Ephraim Evans. Ancaster — William Griffis, John S. Atwood. Dumfries — Andrew Prindle. Long Point — Joseph Gatchell, Asahel Hurlburt. London — John Baily. Westminster — Samuel Belton, Simon Huntington. River Thames^-^To be supplied.) Amherstburgh — Matthew Whiting. Grand River Mission — George Ryerson. Canhorough — Richard Phelps. BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. William Ryerson, Presiding Elder. Bay Quinte — George Ferguson, George Bissell. Belleville — John Beatty, Willium Patrick. Hallowell — Rowley Heyland, Thomas Bevitt. Cobourg — David Wright, Daniel McMullen. Whitby — Hamilton Biggar, C. Vandusen. Cavan — Gilbert Miller. Rice Lake Mission — James Evans. Yonge Street — Ezra Adams, James Norris. Albion — Jacob Poole. Yellow Head and Majudushk Missions — Cyrus R. Allison, James Currie. li,! [1880. MINUTES. IB yor*— William Smith. Toronto — Robert Corson, H. Shaler. Credit Mission— 'David Youmane. AUGUST. \ DISTRICT. . Franklin Metcalf, Presiding Elder, Kingston — James Riclmrdson, Richard Jones. Brockville — Anson Green, William H. Williams. Augusta — Thomas Madden, Solomon Waldron. Cornwall — John Black. Ottawa — George Poole, L. S. Church. Rideau — Ezra Healy. Perth — John Carroll. Mississippi — Charles Wood. Richmond Mission — John H. Huston. Bytown — John C Davidson. Bonchire — Alvah Adams. Missionary to the Indian Tribes — Peter Jones. Editor of Christian Guardian — Egerton Ryerson. The following Resolutions were adopted by the Conference : Resolved 1st. That this Conference feel highly gratified with, and grateful for, the visit of Bishop Redding amongst us. 2nd. That he is respectfully invited to take a seat in this Conference, and to assist us by his counsel and advice. 3rd. That Bishop Hedding is most respectftilly requested to preside during the religious services of the next Sabbath, and ordain those preachers who may be presented as suitable candidates for the same. Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be given to the Printing Committee at York, for their diligent and valuable attention to the irtorest of the Conference E^stablishment during the past year. f-\ ^ \ I I il! Si ii.i 34 MINUTES. [1830. Resolved, That the following persons be requested to act as Printing Committee, at York, during the ensuing year, viz : Dr. Thomas D. Morrison, J. R. Armstrong, W. P. Patrick, Matthew Walton, and Thomas Vaux ; and that the General Superintendent, the Presiding Elder of the Bay of Quinte District, and the stationed Preacher in York, be ex-officio members of it, with power to fill up vacancies. Resolved, That the Stationed Preacher in York be the Assistant Editor of the Christian Guardian. Resolved, That a Committee of nine be chosen by ballot, consisting of three from each District, to fix the location of the Seminary, according to some general instructions to be given them by the Con- ference. The following persons were chosen by the Preach- ers of each District respectively, viz : J. Ryerson, T. Whitehead, S. Belton, David Wright, J. Beatty, Wm. Ryerson, Thos. Madden, Wm. Brown, James Richardson. The following Constitution for the Upper Canada Academy was adopted by the Conference : 1. That nine Trustees be appointed by the Con- ference, (three of whom, the first on the list, shall go out of office annually,) who shall hold and man- age, in trust, all the property belonging to the Insti- tution. 2. That a Board of Visiters, consisting of five, be chosen annually by the Conference, who shall be associated with the Trustees in appointing the Prin- cipal and Teachers of the Academy ; in fixing their salaries, and in framing the regulations and by-laws ; in fixing the course of study ; and in all other mat- ters which relate to the proper regulation, govern- ment, dii^oipline, and instruction of the students. iM [•ray for a and upon )n cause ; God may that they hren, and » that you lierly love isaoj MINUTES. 39 all our brethren, and of all that feel friendly to the promotion of education among the youthful part of our population. We would also recommend Temperance Societies to your Attention and zealous patronage. These associations are design- ed to place ardent spirits where they ought to be placed — among the drugs of the apothecary ; and to confine their use (if they may be used at all) to cases of extrerne necessity, or when the use or application of them may be prescribed by a temperate physician : and we fervently hope, that not one member of our Church will either be so attached to the use of ardent spirits, or so indifferent to the sobriety and welfare of his fellow-creatures, as to withhold his name or support from an association which is so admirably adapted to accomplish the object it avowedly con- templates — the banishing of the use of ardent spirits from among us. Temperate persons should join a Temperance Society, fo. the same reasons that religious persons should join a society of religious people ; and that intemperate persons ought to reform and become temperate, is not disputed by any. It is the design- of our Discipline, and it has ever been our aim, to make our Church emphatically a Temperance Society ; and it is devoutly to be wished, that every member of our Church should be a member of a Temperance Society, as he thereby unites his co- operating example and influence with the temperate of every name and creed, to accomplish a common object and promote a common interest. And lastly, it gives us pain, dear brethren, to have to state, that some of our brethren came up to our Annual Conference, embarrassed in their circumstances, for the want of temporal support, which the Word of God and our Discipline authorises them to expect from the people of their charge. Small as their annual allowance is, yet the prompt payment of it would have supplied their wants, and ministered to their comfort, and pro- vided for the education of their families ; but this they have not received. You will doubtless say, *' this ought not so to be." We confess that it ought not. God loves a cheerful giver, and he cannot be pleased when the faithful labourer is deprived of his hire, and when his own injunctions, that " he who preaches the Gospel should live of the Gospel," is either neglected or contemned. We hope, dear brethren, the full allowance of your preachers will be made up quarterly; and to insure this in M i i I:! 'l:l i;ii a if!- l' ill !(! Ml 40 MINUTES. [1830. the easiest possible way, we strongly recommend the adoption of weekly class collections, especially in towns. To conclude, your ministers are about to go forth to meet the people of their charge — they come in the spirit of love, ardently desirous of your happiness and salvation. Receive them, dear brethren, with confidence and affection — sustain and help them by your prayers — supply their wants ; and may the God of peace be with you and your families : and may " He who minis- tereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for yovrfood, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righte- ousness ! ** We are, dear brethren, your sincere and affectionate Minis- ters and servants in the Gospel for Christ's sake. By order of the Conference, William Case, President. Jamks Richardson, jun'r, S^ecretory. August 2, 1830^ ,r!.. li! M 41 MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT YORK, FROM THE 3l8t AUGUST TQ THE 9th SEPTEMBER, 1831. ' WaLiAM Case, GenH SupH pro tem^ With special charge of Grape Island MUtion. James Richardson, Secretary, Question 1. Who are admitted on trial? James Brock, Edmund Shepard, Henry Wilkin- son, John Armstrong, Horace Dean — 5. Quest. 2. ^Wfio remain on trial? Thomas Bevitt, Gilbert Miller, Conrad Vandusen, James Evans, James Currie, John Bailey — 6. Quest. 3. Who are admitted into full connexion f Simon Huntington, John Carroll, Henry Shaler, William Patrick, Charles Wood — 5. ' ' ■ "^ ' Quest. 4. Who are the deacons? John C. Davidson, George Poole, John S. Atwood, James Norris, Cyrus R. Allison, Peter Jone^ 2nd, Matthew Whitjn^, John H. Huston, Richard Joii^s, William Smith, JohnBeatty, Asahel Hurlburt, Alvafa Adams, Richard Phelps, Hamilton Biggar, Ephmim Evans — 16, ' / Quest. 5. Who have been ordained elders this year? None. Quest. 6. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers? Thos. Whitehead, Peter Jones, 1st, Wyat Cham" berlain, Philander Smith, William Bro^n, Joseph Gatchel, D. Youmaris, A. Prindle, King Bartoti— 9. Quest. 7. Who have located this year? None. Quest. 8. Who have died this year f . None, ■'■■ v2 "' VI f -sM ' f ! I w ! I lill: li.i,j! it iiiii: 42 MINUTES. [1831. Quest. 9. Who have been expelled from the coti' nexion this year ? Jacob Poole. Quest. 10. Were all the preachers^ characters ex- amined ? This was strictly attended to by calling over their names before the Conference. Quest. 11. What numbers are in the Societies? 280 132 2 115 10 365 3 2 18 78 220 Whites CoL Ik Rice Lake, and Schoogog Mis. 2 210 Yonge Street .. 477 Albion 128 Yellow Head Is'd and Majedushk 4 350 York 206* Toronto 590 Credit Mission .22 110 4375 6 877 Aiigusta District. Kingston 613 Augusta 416 Cornwall 290 Ottawa 277 Rideau 415 Perth.... 200 Mississippi .... 142 Bytown 135 Richmond 461 Brockville 518 Bonchire 40 3507 » RECAPITULATION. Whites CoL la. Toiml. Members inthe societies this year.. 11,310 20 1,233 12,563 last year.. 10,180 15 1,153 11,348 Niagara District. Whites Col. In. Niagara 676 6 Stamford 336 Ancaster 677 Dumfries 200 London 363 Westminster . . . 276 River Thames . Amherstburgh . . Muncy Mission Canborough .... Grand River Mis. Long Point .... Sahgeenjr Mis., Lake Huron . 40 3441 14 356 Bay Quinte District. Grape Island ... 5 Belleville 402 Hallowell 660 Bay Quinte .... 8'7 6 Cobourg 5'38 Whitby 425 Cavan 99 120 87 (( (( Increase this year.. 1,130 5 Travelling preachers this year ..... 65 last year 62— Increase 3. f 80 1,215 <« (( * Thirteen of these are Military. X By referring to the ttationa, it will be aeen that teveral preachen are mployed whoM namei do not appear in the Minutei. I [1831. MINUTES. 43 Quest. 12. Where are the preachers stationed this year f NIAGARA DISTRICT. James Richardson, Presiding Elder^ And Superintendent of Mieaiona within the bounda of kia DiatritU Stamford — Edmund Stoney, Ephraim Evans. Niagara — Joseph M?ssmore, James Wilson. Ancaster — Samuel i^elton, William Griffis, jun'r. Canhorovgh — Richard Phelps. Toronto — Robert Corson. Another to be employed. York — John Ryerson. Yonge Street — David Wright, George Bissell. ^ Albion — John H. Huston. ' Grand River Mission — To be supplied. Credit — James Evans. Lake Simcoe and Majedushk — Gilbert Miller, James Currie. LONDON DISTRICT. * ' Ezra Adams, Presiding Elder, Misaionary to Muncytoun, and Superintendent of Mitaions within the bounda ofhia Diatrict. Long Point — Henry Wilkinson, John Armstrong. London — John Bailey, Hamilton Biggar. Westminster — Horace Dean, another to be employed. Thames — Asahel Hurlburt. Amiierstburgh — Matthew Whiting. Dumfries — John S. Atwood. BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. William Ryerson, Presiding Elder, And Superintendent of the Rice Lake and Mokatak Miaaiona, Whitby — James Norris, William Patrick. Cavan — Conrad Vandusen, another to be employed. Cobourg — Rowley Heyland, E. Shepard. ^1 I '\ I l1 . I' 1,! ^'^ M' :i 44 MINUTES. [1831. Hallowell — Daniel McMullen, Thomas Bevitt. Belleville — Richard Jones, another to be employed. Bay Quinte — George Ferguson, Alexander Irvine. Kingston — William Smith. Waterloo — Henry Shaler, another to be employed. Rice Lake Mission — To be supplied. AUGUSTA DISTRICT. Fbanklin Metcalf, Presiding Elder, Brockville — Anson Green. Elizahethtown — Thomas Madden, Wm. H. Williams. Augusta — Ezra Healy, John Black. Matilda — Solomon WaWron. Ottawa — George Poole, another to be employed. Bytown — John C. Davidson, Alvah Adams. Richmond — Charles Wood. Mississippi — Simon Huntington. Perth — John Carroll. Rideau — Cyrus R. Allison. Bonchire Mission — James Brock. Missionary to the Indian 2\'ihes^Peter Jones. Editor of Christian Guardian — Egerton Ryerson. GenU Agent for the TJ, C. Academy — John Beatty. The following Resolutions were adopted by the Conference : Resolved, That in future no claims made by the effective members of the Conference on its funds, for deficipnQies in their allowance, b'^ admitted unless accompanied by proper documents from the Stewards of the Circuits on which they have laboured, exhibit- ing the amount they have received, and jstating that the deficiency is not attributable to the neglect of the preachdr. - ^f - 1832.] MINUTES. 45 Resolved, That every Preacher in charge be re- quested to leave his successor a Schedule of his Circuit or Station, containing, not only the aggregate number, but also the names of all the official and private members thereon, to be kept in a book pro- vided for that purpose. Resolved, That this Conference recommend to its members, and to their brethren the Local Preachers, to appropriate during the ensuing four years such fees as they may receive for the celebration of mat- rimony to the erection and use of the Upper Canada Academy. Quest. 13. Where and when shall our next CoU" ference be held ? At Hallowell, August 8th, 1832. •^« ««##««*«#««»«««#«««« MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT HALLOWELL, FROM THE 8th TO THE 18th AUGUST, 1832. William Case, Gen^l 8upH pro tern. , ' With special charge of Orape Island Miuion. James Richardson, Secretary. Question 1. Who are admitted on trial? * O John Sunday, John Baxter, Lewis Warner, Edwy M. Ryerson, Matthias Holtby, James Musgrove, Alexander MacNab — 7, 1 ni H i! I'iji ! r'i fell 46 MINUTB8. [1882. Quest. 2. TFAo remain on trial? Conrad Vandusenf James Brock, James Currie, John Bailey, Edmund Shepard, Henry Wilkinson, Horace Dean, John Armstrong, Gilbert Miller — 9. Quest. 3. W7io are admitted into full connexion t Thomas Bevitt, James Evans — 2. Quest. 4. Who are the deacons t John C. Davidson, George Poole, John S. Atwood, James Norris, Cyrus R. Allison, Peter Jones, 2nd, Matthew Whiting, John H. Huston, Richard Jones, William Smith, John Beatty, Asahel Hurlburt, Alvah Adams, Richard Phelps, Hamilton Biggar, Ephraim Evans — 16. Quest. 5. Who have been ordained elders this year f None. Quest. 6. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers ? Thos. Whitehead, Peter Jones, 1st, James Wilson, William Brown, David Youmans, King Barton, Wyat Chamberlain, Joseph Gatchell — 8. Quest. 7. Who have located this year f None. Quest. 8. Who have died this year? None. Quest. 9. Who have been expelled from the con- nexion this year 9 None. Quest. 10. Who have withdrawn from the con- nexion this year 1 None. Quest. 11. Were all the preachers^ characters ex- amined ? This was strictly attended to, by calling over their pames before the Conference. 1882.] MiNUTca. 47 Quest. 12. What ntunhers are in the Societies f Niagara District. WhitM CoL In. Niagara 850 Stamford 453 Ancaster 840 Canborough .... 248 Toronto 734 York Station .... 264 Yonge Street ... 575 Albion 154 Grand River Mis. 2 Credit Mission . . 11 Lake Simcoe and Cold Water Mis. 8 4139 Lond&n District. London 420 Dumfries 363 Westminster .... 346 River Thames .. 253 Long Point Cir't. 489 Muncy Town Mis. 5 Amherstburgh .. 180 Sahgeeng Misdion 2056 158 101 223 482 Bay qf Quinte District. ■ WhiU* CoL la. Bay of Quinte ... 749 Whitby Circuit . . 556 Cavan 218 Cobourg 560 Hallowell 789 Belleville 600 90 Kingston Station 138 Waterloo Circuit. 900 Schoogoe &> Rice Lake Mission . . 2 Grape Island .... 3 86 10 47 143 4513 Augusta District. Augusta 629 Brockville Station 75 Elizabethtown .. 555 Matilda 360 Ottawa 290 Bytown and Hull 150 Richmond Miss'n 340 Mississippi 205 Perth 205 Rideau 236 Bonchire Mission 56 Sault St. Marie.. 3201 210 105 405 .60 H RXCAFITULATIOir. WhitM Col In. mml. Total number this year 13,909 1,090 14,999 last year 10,195 1,153 11,348 « Increase this year ..*. 3,714 3,651 Quest 13. Where are the preachers stationed ' LONDON DISTRICT. Ezra Adams, Presiding Elder, MUrionarjf to Munctftown, and Superintendent of Mi$»ion» within the bound$ of hit District. London — Wm. Griffis, another to be employed. Thames — Horace Dean. ■ Amherstburgh — To be supplied. Westminster — Hamilton Biggar, another to be em-* ployed, v ■ ': 3 , ' Long Point — Henry Wilkinson, A. Prindle. . ■,, . Oxford — ^John Bailey. Dumfries — John S. Atwood, another to be employed, BAY QUINTE DISTRICT. ' * ' . John Ryerson, Presiding Elder, And Superintendent of the Rice Lake, Mud £«&«, and Mohawk Mi$*i»na. Kingston — William Smith. f> Waterloo — George Ferguson, Henry Shaler. " Bay of Quinte — ^Matthew Whiting, George Poole. Hallotoell — Rowley Heyland, A. MacNab, John Baxter. Belleville — Thomas Devitt, E. Shepard. Cobourg — Richard Jones, J. C. Davidson. '' Whitby — James Norris, James Musgrove. • J u L8dd. 4» 1, M. H»trUU 3d. ■ . ■-■ if ' ,» * ; be em-* iployed. I Mi»n»*'' [oole. I, John 1832.] MINUTE8. Cauan— Conrad Vandusen, James Currie. Rice Lake Mw«ion— Daniel McMullen. Grape Island Mission — W. Case. AUGUSTA DISTRICT. Anson Green, Presiding Elder, Brockville — William Ryerson. Elizabethtown — Thomas Madden, Charles Wood. Augusta — Ezra Healy, another to be employed, Prescott — Philander Smith. Matilda — Solomon Waldron. Ottawa — John Black, John Carroll. Bytown — Alvah Adams, Lewis Warner. Richmond — W. H. Williams. Mississippi — James Brock. PerM— William Patrick. Rideau — Asahel Hurlburt Bonchire Mission — Simon Huntington. Peter Jones, Missionary to the Native Tribes. John Sunday, Missionary to the Sault St. Marie, and other bodies of the Natives. John Beatty and Cyrus R. Allison, Agents for the Upper Canada Academy. James Richardson, Editor of Christian Guardian, Egerton Ryerson, Representative to the Wesleyan Conference, England. Quest. 14. Where and when shall our next Con- ference be held ? In York, on Wednesday, October 2, 1833. Ill p '-'f "I I r ' ' i t i :i:il ■!i Mil. M ! .';f ■*''] :.li 50 MINUTES. [1832. RESOLUTIONS ON THE SUBJECT OF A UNION BETWEKN THE ENGLISH AND CANADA CONFERENCES. That this Conference, concurringf with the Board of Missions on the inexpediency of establishing two distinct Methodist Connexions in Upper Canada, and deprecating the evils which might arise from the collision, and believing that the cause of religion generally, and the interests of Methodism in particular, would, by the blessing of God, be greatly promoted by the united exertions of the two Connexions ; it is resolved, — 1. That a Union between the English and Car a. la Confe- rences, duly securing tlie rights and privileges of the Societies in this Province, is an object highly important and desirable. 2. That, in order to accomplish this object, the discipline and economy of the Wesleyan Methodists in England be introduced into the Societies in this Province, as far as circumstances and prudence will render advisable.* - 3. That Episcopacy be superseded by an Annual Presidency ; unlessi it will jeopard our Church property, or as soon as it can be legally secured. 4. That the usages of the English Conference be adopted in the admission of Candidates into the Itinerant Ministry amongst us. 5. That Ordination be administered amongst us after the same form as that in which Missionaries are set apart to the office of the Ministry in the English Conference. 6. That the English Conference shall have authority to ap- point, as often as they see fit, a President from their own body in England, to preside over this Conference ; provided the same shall not be eligible oftener than once in four years, unless desired by this Conference. * The General Rules of the Methodist Societies in England and in tiiis Country are the same ; but there is a difference in several particulars in the mode of transacting business. [1832. IN ION ,S. Missions lethodist lis which cause of articular, A by the [a Confe- Societies sirable. ipline and introduced tances and •esidency ; n as it can pted in the nongst us. the same le office of ity to ap- own body d the same irs, unless and in tiiis articularain 1832.] MINUTES. 51 7. That, when the English Conference does not appoint a President as aforesaid, one shall be elected by this Conference from amongst its own members. - * 8. That tlie Missions which now are or may be hereafter established by this Conference, be considered Missions of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, under the following regulations : The Wesleyan Missionary Committee in London shall appro- priate the amount necessary to carry on the Missions ; but this amount shall be applied to the support of tlie several Mission stations, by a committee of seven or nine persons, (one of whom shall be the President of the Conference,) members of and ap- pointed by this Conference. The Methodist Missionary Society in Canada shall be auxiliary to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and the funds raised be transmitted to the Treasurer of the Parent Society and appropriated as aforesaid. The Missionaries shall be appointed by the Canada Conference, subject to the sanction of the Wesleyan Missionary Committee. 9. That, In pursuance of the arrangements above proposed, it isunderstoodth.it n Missionaries sent by the Wesleyan Com- mittee into Uppei. ,, Ja shall be members of this Conference. 10. That nothing contaiuiMl in the foregoing resolutions shall be understood or construed so as to nfFect the rights of our Gene- ral Conference, or the standing and privileges of our present Itinerant and Local Preachers. n. That none of the foregoing resolutions shall be binding on this Conference, or of any force whatever, until they shall have been acceded to on the part of the Wesleyan Committee and Conference, and the arrangements proposed shall have been completed by the two Connexions. 12. That a Representative be sent home to England, to nego- tiate with the Wesleyan Committee and Conference on the several subjects embraced in these resolutions.* * The Rppresentatlve appointed tn leave this CJountry for England in March next, in order to meet the Weslevan Committee in London by the first of May. Ho is to return to Ciuti d i in Aupnst, after the meeting of the English Conference, which commences the last weeic in JuJy, I' i if:.;:i; 52 MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT YORK, TROM THE 2nd TO THE 11th OCTOBER, 1833. Georoe Marbden, President, EoERTON Rterson, Secretary. Quest. 1. What Preachers are admitted into full connexion with the Conference, and Ordained ? Gilbert Miller, Conrad Vandusen, James Currie, Jas. Brock, Edmund Shepard, John Armstrong — 6. The following persons had been received into full connexion heretofore, but not ordained, on account of there being no person present at the two preceding Conferences who was authorised to ordain : — John C. Davidson, George Poole, Richard Jones, James Norris, Cyrus R. Allison, Matthew Whiting, Peter Jones 2nd, (Indian Missionary), Will'm Smith, John Beatty, Asahel Hurlburt, Alva Adams, Hamil- ton Biggar, Richard Phelps, Ephraim Evans, Thos. Bevitt, John H. Huston, Simon Huntington, John Carroll, Henry Shaler, William Patrick, James Evans— 21. Quest. 2. Who remain on trial f Henry Wilkinson, Horace Dean. Theae have travelled two years. John Sunday, John Baxter, Lewis Warner, Edwy M. Ryerson, Jas. Musgrove, Alexander MacNab — 8. These have travelled onb year. 1833,] MINUTES. 53 Quest. 3. What Preachers are now received on trial ? Thomas McMullen, John K. Williston, John Wat^ son, Thomas Fawcett, John Law, William McFad- den, Peter Ker, Samuel Rose, Heman Davis, Moses Walker, (Mohawk Chief.)— 10. Qn.est. 4. What Preachers have died since the last Conference ? None. Quest. 5. Are there any objections to any of our Preachers ? They were all examined one by one. Quest. 6. What Preachers have desisted from travelling ? John S. Atwood and John H. Huston : the former solely for want of health ; the latter at his own re- quest. Quest. 7. Who are the supernumeraries ? . There are none. Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers ? Thos. Whitehead, James Wilson, David Youmans, Wm. Brown, Peter Jones, 1st, Wyat Chamberlain, Joseph Gatchell, King Barton, Thomas Madden — 9. Quest. 9. How are the preachers stationed this year ? As follows, viz : — I.— NIAGARA DISTRICT. Stamford — David Wright, Edwy M. Ryerson. St. Catherines — James Evans, John Baxter. Cdnhorough — William Griffis. Ancaster — Henry Wilkinson, John Armstrong. Long Point — Hamilton Biggar, John Watson, Westminster — Samuel Rose, Peter Ker. London — John Beatty. One wanted. e2 ! 1:i 54 ■'A MINUTES. [1833. Thames — John Burgess. Gosford — Horace Dean. One wanted. Oxford — Richard Phelps. Goderich — John Bailey. Franklin Metcalf, Presiding Elder, II.— YORK DISTRICT. York — Alexander Irvine, Joseph Stinson. Dumfries — Conrad Vandusen, Thomas McMullen. Nelson — George Bissell, John Williston. Toronto — Thomas Fawcett. Yonge Street — Edmund Stoney, Robert Corson. Albion — Gilbert Miller. Whithy — Solomon Waldron. Brock — One wanted. James Richardson, Presiding Elder, III.-BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. Kingston — William Ryerson. Bay Quinte — Matthew Whiting, James Musgrove Waterloo — George Ferguson, James Currie. Hallowell — Rowley Heyland, Edmund Shepard. Belleville — John C. Davidson. Cobourg — Richard Jones, Thomas Bevitt. Cavan — John Law, Thomas Harmon. Murray — George Poole. Sidney — James Norris, Heman Davis. John Rterson, Presiding Elder IV.— AUGUSTA DISTRICT. Augusta — Alvah Adams, Simon Huntington- Matilda — Ezra Healy. One wanted. Ottawa — John Black. One wanted Bytown-^Sohn Carroll* m w 1833.] MINUTES. 55 Richmond — William H. Williams. Mississippi and Bonchire — James Brock. P«rM— William Patrick. Rideau — Henry Shaler, Lewis Warner. Brockville — William Smith. Km//— William McFadden. Elizabethtown — Charles Wood, Asahel Hurlburt. Prescott — Alexander MacNab. Anson Gi"' w residing Elder. v.— MISSIONS. Joseph Stinson, Superintendent of the Missions. William Case, General Missionary to the Indian Tribes, who will also pay special attention to the Translation of the Sacred Scriptures into the Indian Languages. Credit — William Case, Peter Jones, 2nd, who is also to visit the Indian Tribes under the direction of the Superintendent, Lake Simcoe — Samuel Belton. Rice Lake — Daniel McMullen. Muncy — Ezra Adams. Grape Island — To be visited by Belleville Preacher. Coldwater — To be visited by Lake Simcoe Mission'y. Amherstburgh — One wanted. Mohawks, Bay of Quinte — To be visited by the Bel- leville Preacher on week days. Sahgeeng — Ore wanted. Grand River — ^Joseph Messmore. John Sunday, Missionary to the Indians. Egerton Ryerson, Editor of Christian Guardian. Ephraim Evans, Cyrus R. Allison, Agents for the Upper Canada Academy. l!;; h|!:;|l \- ■ 1 i ii 1 ' I! 1 i 1 56 MINUTES. [1833. Quest. 10. WfuU is the number of meralers in our Societies, and what has been colleried for the con- tingent expenses, and for ?na/dng up the alloioances of Preachers ? As follows, viz. : — Circuits. Stamford .... St. Catherines Canborough . Ancaster .... Nelson Toronto XOIiv •••• •••• Yonge Street Albion London Hull Thames Long Point .. Bytown Oxford Eramoea .... Dumfries .... Rideau Kingston .... Mississippi -lem. lAm't Collected 521 401 530 608 555 £10 7 11 10 Nothing. 3 1 lU 5 15 18 18 o 6.1 3 7 6 485 255 i 5 951 I 21 414 i 8 698 1 5 70 25 240 Nothing. 5n0 15 159 Nothing. 1»0| 1 10 y 122 j Nothing. 4161 6 10 282 Nothing. 130 3 _^ 183 I Nothing. Collections by Brother J Collection at Conference From the Book Committee Circuits. Waterloo.... Bay of Quinte liallowell . .. Richmond... Belleville ... Ottawa Cobourg .... Vvliitby ('avail Brock IJrockville. .. Elizahtlitowii \nLni.=ta .... Prescott Amherstburg, Perth WesiminsiLT. Matilda ..... Boncliire ., , Marmora Gatchell .. , Mem I Ain't Collucted 855. £8 3 780 813 327 536 310 400 580 230 76 98 660 584 340 177 338 400 47 55 10 Total Nothing. 2 .5 Nothing. 10 6 3 5 1 11 10 Nothing. 15 Nothing. 3 17 0^ Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. 1 Nothing. Nothing. 10 9 2^ 14 1 8 200 340 14 5 Indian Missions. Missions Member.'; Credit 85 Grand River 170 Lake Simcoe 130 Cold Water 70 Rice Lake..., 2l0 Grape Island 81 Muncy 108 Mohawk 39 Amherstburgh 20 RECAPITULATION. Whites. Indians. Members in the societies this year . . 15,126 913 •* ** last year .. 13,909 1090 (( Total. 16,039 14,999 Increase this year 1,217 dec. 177 1,040 'i \ 1833.] MINUTES. 67 Quest. 11. How has the amount collected for the contingent expenses been paid f To whom paid Thomas Whitehead £ Widow Slater Wyat Chamberlain Joseph Gatchell James Wilson David Youmans Peter Jones, 1st Alva Adams Wm. Griffis, during 3 months' sickness John H. Huston Amount due 25 25 12 10 25 50 50 50 50 50 50 387 10 Total due £ Late Secretary, for stationary and printing Ordina- tion parchments Special appropriation for the relief of Brother T. Madden's Family Total paid £ Amoant paid 21 4 4 21 4 4 42 8 8 42 8 8 42 8 8 42 8 8 42 8 8 42 8 8 10 7 2 21 4 4 1 17 10 4 6 9 340 14 5 Deficiencies of worn-out and afflicted Preachers, without any allowance to their families £340 14 5 Quest. 12. What are the arrangements of the Con- ference wivh regard to Books 7 Resolved, 1. That a Depository of Books be estab- lished at York, and that a Book Committee be ap- pointed, consisting of the Chairman of the York District, the Superintendents of York Station, and the Yonge Street Circuit ; Brothers William Case, Joseph Stinson, and Egerton Ryerson, who shall have power to order books from Great Britain and the United States, to examine accounts, and otherwise manage the Concern. 2. That the Book Committee render to each Con- ference a detailed account of the state of the Concern. 3. That Brother Egerton Ryerson be appointed Book Agent. 1 1 i 1:1 i I 58 MINUTES. [1833. 4. That no Preacher shall order, or in any way procure books for sale, except through the Book Agent or Committee. 5. That the Preachers bo respectively held respon- sible for all the books they order, and that they bo tillowcd a discount of 10 per cent, on all sucii books. Quest, l'^. What is iJie decision of (Jui Ccuf( rcnce in regard to tlir, Articles of Union agreed to hy the British Conference ? It was Resolved unanimously. That this Conference cordially concurs in the Resolutions of the British Conference, dated IManchester, August 7th, 1883, as the basis of Union between the two Conferences. Quest. 14. Where and lohen shall our next Con- ference he held? In Kingston, at eix o'clock in the morning of the second Wednesday in June, 1834. ANSWER OF THE BRITISH CONFERENCE To THE Address and Puoposals of Union by the Confkrknce HKLD AT HaLI.OWELL, AuGUST, 1832. To the General Superintendent and the Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Upper Canada. Dear Brethren : The Address of your Conference has afforded us cause of devout thanksgiving. We rejoice in the success with whioh Almighty God has crowned your hibours in general during the past year, and dwell with peculiar satisfaction on tue good resulting from your Missionary operations among the Indian tribes. To you has been awarded the honour of paying some considerable por- tion of the debt which we owe as a Nation to those interesting aboriginal inhabitants of British America. In regard of our- selves, the Methodistical year which is now closing on us has 18:; 1833.] MINUTES- 59 been most eventful. Wc Imvo o.xporienced some of the moat ntTlictivc bcrcavciniMits ever siiatuincd by us as n body. Some of our brightest liuniuarioa have been extinfijuislicd : many of our most respected and moat useful fellow-labourers have been removed. IJut, in the midst of our trouble, God has been emi- nently with UH, and has made our labours successful to an unpre- cedented extent — our increase this year bcinj^ L*:},(l:2:{ in Great Britain, 1C)QI in Ireland, and 1,*J:]7 in our Foreign Mission stations. Your proposals of union have been received by xxh with great satisfaction. Wc are anxious to have a closer connexion with a religious body to which we are so nearly related ; which holds the same doctrines, and walks by the same rule as ourselves. The few alterations which we have made in your plan, have for their object to secure more ellectiudly a vital ami beneficial union, without interfering with the privileges of your Preachers or Societies, or alfecting your chapel projjerty. We have ascer- tained '"'•om your Missionary Rei)ort the aid required for your Missionrj, ;ind have agreed to allow a yearly sum for their sup- port, not exceeding £1000, and have determined that, on your ratification of the union, £1000 shall be the grant for the first year. Wo are truly thaidiful for the appointment of your excellent Representative, the Rev. Egerton Ryerson. The urbanity of his manners, his pious deportment, and his efficient public labours, have strengthened the general feeling in favour of the proposed union ; and the talent and temper with which he has negotiated the business entrusted to his management, have proved him worthy of your confidence. We have received with great pleasure the expression of your regard for our beloved brother, the Rev. Robert Alder ; but his appointment to an ofiicial situation at home prevents our send- ing him on a second visit to you. We have, however, appointed as our Representative to your Conference, our highly-esteemed brother, the Rev. George Marsden, who has twice honourably filled the office of President, and whose knowledge of Canadian affairs, acquired in his office of General Treasurer to our Mis- sions, especially qualifies him for the business now confided to him. And we send, as his companion, the Rev. Joseph Stinson, formerly Missionary in Canada, and whom we regard as a fit person to remain with you as the General Superintendent of the Missions. do MiKttBd. [Idd3. We earnestly pray, that the blessing of the Great Head of the Church may rest upon you in all your deliberations ; that you may be led to the adoption of those measures which will be best calculated to extend our common cause in your rising country ; and that you will be enabled successfully to prosecute your noble plans for the benefit of the young. We trust that you will continue to watch over your doctrines with holy jealousy, that they may be preserved in their purity, and that you will be enabled so to train your candidates for the Ministry, that they may be found in due time, " workmen, approved of God, rightly dividing the word of truth." And we have confi- dence in you, dear Brethren, that you will incessantly labour, while disseminating a pure faith, to lead your people onward to the highest attainments of experimental religion, and to the most elevated christian practice. This we ourselves are deter- mined to do. We are resolved still earnestly to recommend christian holiness in all its branches, teaching those among whom we labour to perform their duties to all men, and, avoid- ing the mere politics of this world, to render, for Christ's sake, all due obedience to " the powers that be." Anticipating the happiest results from the negotiations so prosperously commenced, ,^ We remain, dear Brethren, In behalf of the Conference, Richard Treffrt, President. Edmund Grindrod, Secretary. Manchester^ August 7, 1833. 18! REPLY TO THE BRITISH CONFERENCE. To the President and Members (^ the Wesley an- Methodist CoTiferenee. Vert Dear Fathers and Brethren : Most gratefully do we acknowledge your paternal and affectionate Reply to the Address of our last Conference. We sympathize with you in your unprecedented bereavements, and rejoice in your unparalleled prosperity; and we most devoutly pray, that the light of this blessedness may continue to shine 1883.] MINUTM. 81 more and more upon you until the perfect day of untversal illu- mination. We have been blessed with peace and harmony in all our Societies during the past year. It has been a ]^r of building up what had been previously gathered in by numerous and extensive revivals, rather than of large accessions to our num- bers. Our numerical increase is 1,217, making a total of church members, 16,039. The work among the Indian Tribes is still on the advance. The Christian converts are, with very few individual exceptions, steadfast, and improving in civiliza- tion, in industry, in knowledge, in all the virtues and comforts of christian and domestic life. New openings for the establish- ment and extension of Missions among these aboriginal inhabit- ants of our country are presented before us, and the Missionav); fields to the north and west are already white to harvest. The Articles of Union, as amended and unanimously and cordially adopted by your Conference, have been unanimously and cordially agreed to on our part. We do rejoice that a foun- dation is thus harmoniously laid for the permanent unity of Methodism, and indefinite extension of the work of God, in British North America. We should have been gratified to have seen our esteemed and excellent friend and benefactor, the Rev. Robert Alder ; but we are happy to learn that the appointment which prevented his return to Upper Canada is one which will enable him to serve us perhaps more efficiently than he could have done on this side of the Atlantic. We are unable to express the obligations we are under, and the gratitude we feel, for the appaintment of your venerated and beloved Representative, the Rev. George Marsden, to preside over us. His despatch in business, the fervent, ever- burning piety of his heart, the wisdom of his counsel? > urt admonitions, the constancy of his labours, and the gre^t accept- ance and usefulness of his public ministrations, have imposed Upon us a debt of gratitude that we can never dischst^'e, and more deeply than ever impressed upon our minds 'he great advantages which we are likely to derive from the annual visit of a member of your Connexion. Mr. Marsden leaves us' with our unanimous and sincere thanks for his services, with our earnest prayers for his safe return to his family and friends, and F f: *..< 1 / ,. 1 i ■i 1 t; 1 ■ i -i 'mi III ■i|iil 03 mmmm, [1888^ with an aiudoiig request that he may be re-appointed to visit vm again as soon as it will be agreeable to his sense of duty and die interests of your Connexion for him to do so. Nor can we omit expresnng our cordial approbation of the pious and amia- ble deportment of the Rey. Joseph Stinson, the excellent Agent of your Missionary Committee, whom we receive as a fellow labourer in the work, and from whose piety, talents, and zeal we anticipate pleasure and profit to our :;vMves and people, and especially to the Missions under his superintendence. We beg to express our humble and hearty thanks for your attention and kindness to our Representative ; and are happy to learn, that every part of his deportment and proceedings were as highly approved of by you as they have been servicea- ble to us. We tender you our most grateful acknowledgments for the liberal assistance you have afforded us in carrying on our inter- esting and important Missions. Our co-operating exertions in this great work shall not be wanting ; but, over and above the ■upplies which we can raise in this new country, our circum- stances and the extent of the work are such as will require, at least for some time to come, such assistance as you can grants— with the addition this year of from six to twelve young men, should you be able to spare them. We feel it in our hearts to attend to your parental advice, and to do all in our power, in humble dependence upon Divine agency, to have our Ministry keep pace with the intellectual improvement of the country, to guard our congregations against a secular and political party spirit, to live peaceably with all men, and perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, and to promote religious education among the rising generation. Believing that this negotiation has been commenced, con- ducted, and completed in the fear and under the smiling appro- bation of God our Saviour— entreating an interest in your prayers — and humbly imploring the blessing of Almighty God upon us on both sides of the Atlantic, until the tree of Method- ism shall flourish in every part of the British Empire, and every family and tribe pluck life-giving fruit from its branches, We remain, very Dear Fathers and Brethren, . By order and on behalf of the Conference, EoKRTOM Rtxksok, Secretary, , York, U. C, Octobers, 1833. 1888.] HINUTK8. 63 tii'ini o?l ARTICLES or UNION { T>* ^miii \^ Between the Briiiah WesUymi'Methodiet Conference tmd tk§ Conferenee of the Wesleyan-Methoditt Church m British North America. ; /^^•jt.'i^l The English Weslesran Conference, concnrring in the eommu* aication of the Canadian Conference, and deprecating the evil* which might arise from collision, and believing that thecaaseof religion generally, and the interests of Methodism in particular, would, under the blessing of God, be greatly promoted by the united exertions of the two Connexions ;— considering, also, that the two bodies concur in holding the doctrines of Metho- dism as contained in the Notes of Mr. Wesley on the New Testament, and in his four volumes of Sermons, do agree in the adoption of the following Resolutions :— > I. That such a Union between the English Wesleyan and Canadian Connexions as shall preserve inviolate the rights and privileges of the Canadian Preachers and Societies on the one hand, and on the other, shall secure the funds of the English Conferenee against any claims on the part of the Canadian Preachers, is highly important and desirable. II. That, (as proposed in the second and third resolutions of the Canadian Conference) in order to effect this object, the Disci^ pline, Economy, and Form of Church Government in general of the Wesleyan Methodists in England be introduced into the Societies in Upper Canada, and that in particular an annual Presidency be adopted.* III. That the usages of the English Conference, in reference to the probation, examination, and admission of Candidates into the Itinerant Ministry, be adopted* IV. That Preachers who have travelled the usual term of pro- bation, and are accepted by the Canadian Conference, shall be Ordained by the imposition of the .hands of the President, and * This is undenitood, both by the Canadian Conference and the Repre- aentativea from the British Conference, to refer to no other niodifleatiuns in the Feonomy of Methodism in Upper Canada, tnan those which have talteR place at this Conference and that the Canadian Book of Ulacipllae baa heretofore provided for. if P:l!i H 1 ' ;■■ i;| 1 11 ' , 1,1 lit-ll 0^ MINUTES. [1833. pf three or more of the senior Preachers, according to the form contained in Mr. Wesley's •* Sunday Morning Service of the Methodists," by which the Wesleyan Missionaries in England are ordained, and which is the same as the form of ordaining Elders, in the Discipline of the Canadian Conference. V. That the English Conference shall have authority to send, from year to year, one of its own body to preside over the Cana- dian Conference ; but the same person shall not be appointed oftener than once in four years, unless at the request of the Canadian Conference. When the English Conference does not send a President from England, the Canadian Conference shall, on its assembling, choose one of its own Members. The proposal of the Canadian Confereice is understood to include, as a matter of course, that the President of the Confe- rence shall exercise the same functions generally as the present General Superintendent now actually exercises : he shall not, however, have authority to appoint any Preacher to any circuit or station, contrary to the counsel or advice of a majority of the Chairmen of Districts or Presiding Elders, ailsociated with him as a Stationing Committee. VI. That the Missions among the Indian tribes and destitute settlers which are now, or may be hereafter, established in Upper Canada, shall be regarded as Missions of the Einglish Wesleyan Missionary Society, under the following regulations : 1. The Parent Committee in London shall determine the amount to be applied annually to the support and extension of the Missions ; and this sum shall be distributed by a Committee^ consisting of the President, the General Superintendent of the Missions, the Chairmen of Districts, and seven other persons appointed by the Canadian Conference. A Standing Board or Committee, consisting of an equal number of Preachers and Laymen, shall moreover be appointed, as heretofore, at every Conference, which during the year shall have authority, in con- currence with the General Superintendent of Missions, to apply any moneys granted by the Parent Committee, and not distri- buted by the Conference, in establishing new Missions among the heathen, and otherwise promoting the Missionary work. 9. The Methodist Missionary Society in Upper Canada shall 1833.] MINUTES. 65 be auxiliary to the English Wesleyan Missionary Society, and the moneys raised by it shall be paid into the fiinds of the Parenti Society. 3. The Missionaries shall be stationed at the Canada Confer- ence in the same way as the other Preachers ; with this proviso, however, that the General Superintendent of Missions shall be associated with the President and Chairmen of Districts in their appointment. 4. All the Preachers who may be sent from this country into the work in Upper Canada, shall be members of the Canadian Conference, and shall be placed under the same discipline, and be entitled to the same rights and privileges as the native Preachers.* 5. Instead of having the Annual Stations of the Mission- aries sent home to the English Missionary Committee and Conference for their *' sanction," as is the case with our Mis- sions generally, and as the Canadian Conference have pro- posed, the English Conference "hall appoint, and the Parent Committee shall meet the expense of supporting, a General Superintendent of Missions, who, as the Agent of the Com- mittee, shall have the same superintendence of the Mission Stations as the Chairmen of Districts, or Presiding Elders, exercise over the Circuits in their respective Districts, and shall pay the Missionaries their allowance as determined by the Conference Missionary Committee, on the same scale as the Canadian Book of Discipline lays down for the Preachers on the regular Circuits ; — but who being at the same time recog- nised as a Member of the Canadian Conferance, shall be accountable to it in regard of his religious and moral conduct.-- This General Superintendent of Missions representing the Parent Committee in the Canadian Conference, and in the Stationing and Missionary Committees, the appomtments of the Missionaries at the Conference shall be final. J I 19. shall * The understanding of this article is, that the Canadian Conrerene* ■hall employ such youne men in Upper Canada as they may Judge are ' called of Gud into the iiinerant work ; but should not a aiifflcient number be found in Upper Canada properly qualified, the British Conference will send out as many young men from England aa may be requested by ; the Canadian Conference. , .. f2 ■■■^ ■'■■■■"• it i :;,; .1' r fifn'! ij II FllHli il kiM 66 MINUTE8. [1833. Vfl. That the Canadian Conference, in legislating for its own Members, or the Connexion at large, shall not at any time make any rule, or introduce any regulation, which shall infriiiir these Articles of Agreement between the two Con- ligned by order and on behalf of the Conference, Richard Treffrt, President. Edmumo Grijidpod, Secretary. Manchester, August 7th, 1833. ADDRESS To THE Methodist Conference in the United States. To the Bishops and Members of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. Rzr. Fathers and Brethren : We rejoice to avail ourselves of this occasion to declare, in the words of the venerable Wesley, in his last letter to America, " that the Methodists are one people in all the world, and that il .o their full determination so to continue, *' Though mouniains rise and oceans roll, To sever ue In vain." In connexion with you we were born and nourished ; — in connexion with you we have laboured and prospered ; — and £rom your example and liberality, and the counsels of two of your venerable Bishops, and several of your highly esteemed Preachers, we have derived assistance and advantages which have enabled us greatly to extend the work of God in this new country, and the grateful recollection of which will never be e^aced from our minds. When the full period arrived in 1828, in which the welfare, harmony, and safety of our Church rendered it expedient for us to be organized into a separate independent body, you candidly took into consideration our local circumstances, and generously complied with our wishes — and at the same time continued to 1833.] MINUTES. 67 UB the expression of your kindness and liberality. That sepa- ration, however, was not on our part, any more than on yourp, Sseparation of doctrine, or discipline, of motive, or of affec- d^, but only of political, geographical and ecclesiastical boun- dary ; still with you we are one in heart, in aim, in doctrine, and discipline. Under the influence of this co . xction. and feel- ing, we sought to obtain a General Superintendent from your Connexion, and made successive application to no less than four members of your Conference to fill that highly important office over us. But all our applications were unsuccessful, and our efforts to establish and settle our economy were fruitless. In this unsettled state of anxious suspense we have been involved for the last five years, during which time we have been with difficulty but mercifully preserved from agitation, division, and encroachment. Providence has at length opened the way for the settlement of our economy upon a permanent foundation. By the large influx of British emigration to this Province, and especially of persons who had been connected with Methodist Societies and congregations in Great Britain and Ireland, the attention of the Wesleyan Missionary Committee in London was particularly attracted ; and pressing appeals were made to the christian feelings and benevolence of the British Conference, from many of their former flocks, for a supply of those ordinances which they had enjoyed in the land of their fathers. These circumstances, together with the admitted and notorious fact of our inadequacy as a body, both in regard to men and means, to supply all the religious wants of the white settlements and Indian tribes, induced the Wesleyan Missionary Committee, about a year since, to determine on sending a number of Mis- sionaries into Upper Canada. For this purpose the Committee sent the Rev. Robert Alder, as their Representative, to this Province, to enquire into its religious condition. Between Mr. ^'ier and this Conference a negotiation was commenced, which has now resulted in a union between the Canadian and British Connexions. This measure has been accomplished upon a principle of perfect equality, without any sacrifice of principle or independence on either side, and with merely those changes in one or two features of the prudential part of our economy "which our local circumstances require" — as stated and provided for in the articles of separation from your con- nexion in 1828. So that, without departing from either the letter P • m l!Kl H ;i i ,''J' III!! i «m )\'t 68 MINUTES. [IddS. or spirit of the resolutions of your body in generously granting us our request for a separation, we have, through the Divine blessing, been able to adopt a plan — the only and most efficient plan — by which divisions may be prevented amongst our own Societies, and misunderstandings with others ; a plan which will secure the unity of Methodism throughout the Province, and bring to our assistance a large addition of means and men to carry on the work of the Lord among the white population and the Indian tribes of British North America ; a plan which has been adopted unanimously and- cordially both by this and the British Conference. In this Providential and gracious opening we recognise the peculiar hand of God ; and we are persuaded you will rejoice with us in thus witnessing Methodism throughout the British Empire, as throughout the United States, cemented in a common bond of union, and sustained and extended under a common management. Nor are we in this necessary and beneficial arrangement the less united and grateful to you as our Fathers, Brethren, and Benefactors ; and we devoutly hope that no cir- cumstance will occur which may tend to weaken our mutual confidence and affection in the final adjustment of those claims, the justice of which has been recognised and sanctioned by the majority of your body at two successiv e sessions. We shall rejoice to co-operate with you, and to assist you with native labourers, as far as in our power, until, by the bles- sing of Grod, the western wilderness shall be illuminated with the light of the Gospel, and the banners of the Lamb shall be unfurled to the Pacific Ocean. We enjoy perfect harmony and peace throughout all our So- cieties, and great prosperity in many places. Our Church members amount to 16,039 ; and the blessing of the Lord our God is abundantly upon us. We rejoice to hear of your great success, and most devoutly pray that you may go on prospering more and more. By order and on behalf of the Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in British North America, Georok Marsden, President. EoERTON Rtersoit, Secretary. Yorkf October 9, 1833. M Mbd : • 69 r'i. <:,' V; \.>4,''-'.::. 1 ■' i a' ..utri MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, ■•i - TAKEN AT KINGSTON, FROM THE llth TO THE ' : '■ ' 20th JUNE, 1834. the Edmund Grindrod, President James Richardson, Secretary. Question 1. What Preachers are admitted into full connexion with the Conference^ and Ordained f Henry Wilkinson, Edwy M. Ryerson, Alexander MacNab, Lewis Warner, James Musgrove, John S. Atwood, who located last year, because of ill health, is restored — 6. Quest. 2. Who remain on trial? Horace Dean. *"; , He has travelled three years. , • . John Baxter, John Sunday.* These have travelled two years. Samuel Rose, John Watson, Peter Ker, Moses Walker,* Thos. Fawcett, John K. Williston, Thos McMullen, John Law, Heman Davis, William Mc- Fadden— 13. . ' .1.. v>T These have travelled one year. Those marked (*} are Native [ndian Missionaries. Quest. 3. What Preachers are now received on trial? George Playter, Stephen Brownell, and six young men, recommended from England. .'■ ». to MINUTES. [1834. til. :'■: ! i! ^ u Quest 4. TFAat PreacA«r« Jiate died t Thomas Madden. He WM born in Cambridge, N. T., in 1780. In 1795 his ftither and family emigrated to Ernesttown, Upper Canada. In the 17th year of hia age he visited his friends in Cambridge, where, under the preaching of the Word, he was awakened, and soon after brought to the saving knowledge of the truth, and under its influence he returned to Canada, happy in mind and deeply pious. For several years he exercised his gifts as an Exhorter, and afterwards as a Local Preacher, till the year 1802, when he was admitted on trial at the New-York Conference. After two years in the travelling connexion, he was ordained at the New 'York Conference, by Bishop Asbury, first as Deacon, and at the same Conference, a few days after, was admitted to Elder's orders. This was in view of his returning to Canada as a Missionary. Brother Madden has travelled very extensively through this country, having been appo:nted to the following Circuits and Stations : Long Point, Nicgara, Osioegochie, Montreal, Ottaica, Augusta, Bay Quinte, Hailowell, Belleville, Smith's Creek, the Niagara District, Rideau, und Elizabethtoum. And, beside these, he travelled the Charlotte and Brandon Circuits, in the State of New-York. He has spent 31 years as an Itinerant Preacher. Our junior preachers will form an idea of the toils of their elder brethren, when they know that the Osioegochie Cir- cuit once embraced what are now the Elizabethtown, Augusta, Matilda, and Rideau, including all the country between Gana- fioque and Cornwall, and extended north as far as the Rideau and the township of Mountain. To perform this. Brother Madden travelled 340 miles, and filled about 30 appointments every four weeks. In these labours he spent a useful life, and died in Christian triumphs at his own house in Augusta, the 23nd May, 1834. As a Preacher of the Gospel, Brother Madden was considered a sound divine. On various subjects which he discussed, he showed a clear and discriminating judgment; and was admired for the promptitude and firmness of his proceedings, whether in his pastoral charge or the deliberations of the Conference. These important qualities rendered him peculiarly useful to the Church, and secured the respect and esteem of his brethren. :i|!r 1884.] MINUTES. n and >ours own lered 1, he lired in *nce. lo the During a protracted illness of mora than a year, Bro. Madden was a severe sufferer ; but endured his affliction with much patience : he often spoke of it as providential, and was greatly supported by the consolations of the Holy Spirit. These were given by his Saviour with increasing measure as he drew near the close of life. In some instances he was so enraptured with divine things, that he was constrained to praise and glorify God with a loud voice. His last efforts were to deliver a so- lemn charge to his family, which he did with great composure, and took an affectionate leave of his wife and children, one by one, soon after which he expired. Quest. 5. Are there any objections to any of our preachers t They were all examined cne by one. : i Quest. 6. What preachers have desisted from travelling f Peter Jones, 1st, Alvah Adams, Geo. Bissell — 3. Quest. 7. Who are the supernumeraries f Alexander MacNab, Wyat Chamberlain — 2, Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or worn-^mt preachers 7 Thos. Whitehead, James Wilson, David Youmans, William Brown, Joseph Gatchell, King Barton, Franklin Metcalf, Philander Smith, A. Prindle — 9. Quest. 9. How are the preachers stationed this year? - As follows, viz : — L-NIAGARA DISTRICT. Stamford — David Wright, Alexander Irvine. 8t. Catherines — Edwy M. Ryerson, John Armstrong. Canborough — John S. Atwood, John Baxter. Ancaster — Ephraim Evans, John Watson. Long Point — Hamilton Biggar. One wanted. Westminster — Samuel Rose. One wanted. if- m .!!! 72 MtNUTXt. [1834. J; 4 iiondon— ^William Grifiis. One wanted. < t; Gotfield* — Horace Dean, Peter Ker, v.., ,..?.. Oamn'd — Richard Phelps. ;*< .' ; v.; Thames^ — To be supplied. . William Rterson, Presidhtg Elder * These Circuits will be visited occasionally by the Rev. Ezra Adams. . ••. - •■i,j.- •. M ■..•■■ ■ . . I i ■'■' 1 •••.•;.-•- - . II.— YORK, OR TORONTO DISTRICT. City of Toronto — William Squires, Egerton Ryerson, who is our Editor. Dumfries — Conrad Vandusen, John Law. Nelson — James Norris, Lewis Warner. ^ Toronto — John Beatly. One wanted. ' ' ' Yonge Street — Edmund Stoney, John Williston. Newmarket — Robert Corson, Thomas Fawcett. Whitby — Solomon Waldron, Thomas McMuUen. Brock — One wanted. / >W^^'v-.^*'^ James Richardson, Presiding Elder. Ill— BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. ',■■''1 r ;■"'.'■• Kingston North and Gananoque — Joseph Stinson, Stears. Kingston West — John C. Davidson. Bay Quinte — Rowlej"^ Heyland, Edmund Shepard. Waterloo — Matthew Whiting, James Musgrove. Hallowell — Richard Jones, Geo. Poole ; Alexander MacNab, supernumerary,, „. Belleville — Henry Wilkinson. Cobourg — Thomas Bevitt, Heman Davis. Cavan — John Black. v' Murray — Daniel McMullen. ...- >vr:;v ■ Sidney — George Ferguson, Thomas Harmon. v*.V^% ii-:J is John Rterson, Presiding Elder, \ 1634.] MINUTES. 78 IV.-AUGUSTA DISTRICT. BrocifcvtVZc— William Smith. Prescott — William Patrick. Matilda — John Carroll, George F. Playter. Augusta — Simon Huntington, William H. Williams. Elnahethtown — Cyrus R. Allison, Asahel Hurlburt. Rideau — Henry Shaler, J. G. Manly ; Wyat Cham- berlain, supernumerary. Perth — James Brock. Mississippi — William McFadden. One wanted. Richmond — James Currie. Bytown and Hull — Ezra Healy, who shall visit Richmond and Ottawa Circuits ; Vincent B. Howard. Ottawa — Charles Wood, Stephen Brownell. Anson Green, Presiding Elder* v.— MISSIONS. Joseph Stinson, GenH Superintendent of Missions, Credit — William Case, Peter Jones, who shall pav particular attention to Translation, and visil the various Missions under the direction of the General Superintendent. Lake 8imcoe and Coldwater — Samuel Belton. One wanted. Rice Lake and Mud Lake — Gilbert Miller. One wanted. The brethren at this Mission shall visit the neighbouring settlements. Muncytown and Delaware — Ezra Adams. One wanted. Chape Island and Mohawk, Bay of Quints — One to be sent. Amherstburgh — One to be sent. 8ahgeeng and Goderichr-^One to be sent. Grand River — Joseph Messmore. One wanted. Clarendotir^One to be sent. r^\: 't:K. «i MINUTia. [13^4 8t, Clair — James Evans. tsh of Tanti — One to be sent. Guelph — One to be sent Egerton Ryerson and William Squires, Editors of the Christian Guardian. John Sunday, Native Missionary. Quest. 10. What is the number of members in our Societies^ and what has been collected for the con- tingent expenses, and for making up the allowances of Preachers ? As follows, viz. :— 1 I Circnita. Mem. Dumfries.... 445 Nelson...... 495 Toronto 502 Albion 387 Yonge Street 842 Toronto (late York) 218 Brock 102 Whitby 366 Stamford.... 438 8t. Catherines 415 Canborough . 370 Ancaster .... 506 Long Point . . 507 Westminster. 384 London 200 Thames 270 Gosfietd 294 Oxford 164 Walpole .... 35 Kingston .... 134 Sundry smal Am't Collected £4 11 2i 8 16 6 2 16 6 18 7 17 2J 3 10 2i Nothing. 15 6 8 2 10 3 10 9 2 1 m 5 6 m 1 7 Nothing. Nothing. 12 6 3 5 5 6 1 3 Collections by Bro. J. Gatchell (Canboro*) Circuita. Mem. BayofQuinte 609 Waterloo .... 713 Hallowell... 590 Murray 280 Cobourg .... Belleville ... 447 122 Sidney 370 Cavan 222 Augusta .... 598 Prescott 57 Matilda 467 Ottawa...... 351 Bytown Marmora.... 169 50 Clarendon... 55 Richmond... 299 Mississippi . . 171 Perth 167 Rideau 544 Elizabthtown 612 Brockville... 68 Hull 85 coUectionB Collection at Conference Am't Collected £2 5 3 5 5| 6 6 6 2 17 3 1 4 1 17 18 1 8 15 15 2 5 1 13 2k Nothing. Nothing. 17 4k 1 9 1 5 1 8 11 2 18 6 13 6 1 7 6 1 15 2 3 4 2 10 2| 6 8 6 7 2 6 6 Total .....£108 1 9 1884.] MINUTES. IiTDiAir Mmsioms. 76 MiMiOM Mambtn Credit 78 Lake Sitncoe 191 Rice Lake 142 Amherstburgh SO MUtioiu Bay of Quinte, Mohawk . 42 Saugeeng 55 Grand River 155 Muncy 127 Children in the Mission Schools. Grape Island 48 Rice Lake 37 Mohawk, Bay of Quinte, 24 Credit 41 Lake Simcoe 63 Muncytown 77 Saugeeng 43 Grand Rivejr 45 Total 376 RXOAPITULATION. WhltM. Members in the societies this year .. 14,015 last year .. 15,126 $\ %' I it' fr i j t i i : 1 i i '■ ' I.I ; i 1 n JilNUTSS. [1834. The following Resolutions were adopted by the CiHirerence : — Resolved^ That a form of Class-fiook be prepared and printed, which, in addition to the usual form, shall contain ledger lines in which the amount paid by each member quarterly shall appear opposite to his name : and that the Superintendents be instructed to see that each Leader be furnished with said form at the expense of the Circuit Resolved, That printed forms for the use of the General B ecording Stewards, in keeping the Circuit accounts, le furnished to each Circuit. : [ ,|iili| II Resolved, That Egerton Ryersoii and Joseph dtinson be a Committee to draw up a form for keep- ing the Circuit Stewards' accounts and a form of ClassBooks, and that the Editor of the Christian Guardian be ordered to have them printed imme^ lately. ^ Resolved, That, in order to the more effectual raising of Funds for the support of the Superannuated Preachers, and the Widows and Children of those Prcachors who have died in the work, it shall be the duty of the Superintendents of Circuits to see that the public collections required by the Discipline be taken up in every congregation on the route round their respective Circuits, commencing on the first Sabbath in February in each year. ;l 834. the tared brm, paid lie to icted form f the rcuit seph teep- Tk of Uian :tual ated lose the that be >und first ♦ ^ 77 THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE. To the Members qf the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada. Djbarlt BxLOTED Brxthrxn : ^*^ We regret, that in consequence of the flEulure of the ap- pointed Committee to prepare a Pastoral Address to our Societies at our last Conference, we did not present to you the usual Annual Address ; as there were some matters of importance connected with the Union lately agreed upon between this Body and the British Conference; and as we were prevented from offering to you, more directly and formally, some pastoral ad- vices, and the expression of our continued and increased esteem and affection. We gladly avail ourselves of this occasion to address yov. Our present Session has been a protracted and laborious one ; during which was transacted much important business, which we ardently desire may be (as intended) productive of the bei^t interests of our Zion. We are happy to learn that several of the circuits have, duffng the past year, been favoured with a gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, by which the cause of religio : has been strengthened and promoted, and souls brought to God : yet, we regret to find, from the returns of the numbers in Society, that, upon the whole, a considerable decrease appears. This, however, is not to be attributed so much to a falling off in the Societies, as to erroneous returns from certain circuits made at our last Con* ference, either through mistake or inattention in those who made them ; the discovery of which will, we trust, lead them to be more particular and attentive in future. We regret .to learn, that there are some among the brethren who have been betrayed, in an unguarded hour, into the indul- gence of a censorious and uncharitable spirit, and that othecB have been tempted to alienate themselves from the communioof of the church. But we hope, and earnestly pray, that those who have indulged this spirit, or who have been incautiously misled by erroneous representations, will, on serious and prayerful deliberation! return in meekness and love to that fellowshiD o2 • 'riiiii 78 MiNtrrBS. [1834. ^Which now exists under precisely the same general rules and doctrines as when they first received their spiritual birth and Consolations through its instrumentality, and which the Great Head of the Church has signally owned up to the present hour, in building up of believers, the conversion of sinners, and the spread of experimental and scriptural holiness. To effect this reconciliation, we affectionately assure them, that whilst it is our unanimous determination, through the Divine blessing, to preserve our present doctrines, and rules, and relationship, un- altered, nothing shall be wanting on our part, consistent widi truth, and justice, and discipline. We invite them to return to the bosom and privileges of the Church ; to walk in holiness, and keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. One of the ancient Fathers in the Church has said, " Where there is charity, there is humility ; and where there is humility, there is peace." You have been told, dear brethren, that your "rights and privileges'* have been invaded ; and invaded too, by those whom you have been accustomed to respect and love as your ministers and friends, by whose labours many of you have been born into the kingdom of God — some have already entered triumphantly into their eternal rest — and under whose ministry you have been comforted and profited during many years. You must be sen- able, dear brethren, that you can have no rights or privileges, as Methodists, but such as are common with us. We have one and the same object in view — the same cause to maintain and promote. Is not our }oy your joy, and our happiness yours ? Have we not laboured, and wept, and rejoiced with you ? And are not our own best interests one with yow 6 '. What have we ever done since your fellowship with us, tl. it could induce any one for a moment to suppose that we feel a desire to injure you 7 Ye are our witnesses, that we have endeavoured to watch over you, not as " Lords over God's heritage ;" but, as faithful shep- berds, we have endeavoured to feed the Church of God, over which He hath made us overseers, that we might present every man. perfect in Christ Jesus. It has been alike our aim and our duty to avail ourselves of every Providential opening for the edification of our people, and the preaching of the word of life to every neighbourhood and tribe in the land; and our more direct co-operation with our fathers and brethren in Great our the life nore 1834.] MiNtJTEff. 79 Britain, we regard as a Providential means brought within our reach, whereby we may be enabled, with additional labourers and means, to spread scriptural holiness over the land, — which is the great end of our existence as a body, and the sole object of our united prayers and labours. In this more immediate junction with the parent stock of the Methodist family, not a single rule of our societies has been altered or affected. Some of the regulations relating to the Conference, and the members of it, have undergone some modification ; but these, according to the original and fundamental principles of the Methodist economy, and the usage of the whole body, both in Europe and America, from the beginning, have been placed under the direc- tion of the Conference, upon the same footing with its authority to appoint preachers to these circuits. We therefore cannot conceive, that in firmly maintaining the right of the Conference to regulate the manner of transacting its own business, the conditions upon which its members are received and retained, and the order by which their movements and appointments shall be made — a right this, founded alike in propriety, good order, and the invariable usages of Methodism from its commencement — we are in any way interfering with any rights or privileges which you, as members of Methodist societies, possess ; oxt the contrary, we think that the mutual rights of both you and us are thereby secured and perpetuated. So far from being disposed to infringe upon what may Ie\> deemed your privileges in the slightest degree, we have intro- duced clauses and restrictions into the discipline, which effec- tually secure them. In accordance with this, the altctatlons lately made relative to the Local Preachers, were required to he laid before the Quarterly Meetings, for their consideration) and concurrence ; and having been approved of by a mpjc; Ity of more than two-thirds of them, they are now become the estab- lished rules by which that department of the Church is to be regulated. And, notwithstanding, some of the minority have expressed dissatisfaction with them, and manifested a desire to have them rescinded, or altered, or added to ; and however much we respect and highly esteem many of the brethren, who have expressed this opinion, yet, to rescind, or alter, or add to any of these regulations, under present circumstances, would, we think, be not only inconsistent in itself, but it would manifest #9 MINUTES. [1834. great indifference to the yiews and feelings of that large majo- rity of the Quarte rly Meetings which have so recently adopted ibem. We think these regulations are eminently calculated to promote the spiritual interests of the Church. We affectionately call the attention of those who m»y be die* posed to create and promote dissatisfaction in the Church to the danger and responsibility of such a proceeding. ** To sepa- rate from a Christian community, with feelings which involve an alienation of affection from the people of God, solely on account of matters which, if allow^ed to be of some importance, are yet confessedly of minor consideration, is, at all times, we conceive, so infinitely beneath the noble and generous spirit of the Gospel — so obviously opposed to reason and moderation — BO contrary to the example of the holiest and best of Christians, in every age of the Church— and is so clearly a snare of Satan to divert the minds of men from the great and momentous sub- jects of experimental and practical religion, that we are, in conscience bound, especially on this occasion, to warn our societies at large against the very appearance of so great an evil. Such alienation of affection, whether it lead to open separation, or manifest itself only in internal broils and agitations, is, ac- cording to the Interpretation of the venerable Wesley, strictly and properly the schism which St. Paul has mentioned, as occa- aioning such mischief in the Corinthian Church ; and which has been frequently more injurious to the cause of God than the attacks of infidelity itself. " Should persons inclined to eiatbark in plans of opposition and disunion, profess to ground their proceedings, not so much on points which are unessential as on questions which are vital, (such, for example, as the rescinding of our fundamental rules, and changes in the very constitution of our Connexion,) their conduct must then appear, to every friend of Methodism, altoge- ther unwarrantable ; because those who have voluntarily united themselves to a community like ours, are under moral obligation to observe its standing laws, and to refrain from d'sturblng, while they remain within Its pale, Its established order and tran- quillity. Such contentions are especially censurable, when tixey are commenced In haste and violence, — If they be carried on In private and unauthorised assemblies; the convening and holding of which, by a mere party in the society, are acts of God» 1834.] MINUTEB. 81 great unfairness to other brethren, subversive of all order, and amounting to a gross invasion of the privileges and functions of the regular meetings. These projects of innovation are marked by peculiar guilt and mischief, if the persons who abet them proceed forthwith to disobey and set at nought our estab- lished rules, and to act as if their local and individual opinion, formed in the heat or haste of some temporary struggle or dis- sension, should be substituted for the matured and proclaimed judgment of the Connexion at large, and of its constituted juris- dictions and authorities. '*If there be an individual amongst you, who can be tempted to a factious opposition to the rules of the body, let him pause with deep seriousness before he proceed to active measures. Let him ask himself— Am I clear as to the truth of the facts on which I found my resistance ? Can I accurately trace out the evils of the principle or rule which I oppose ? Have I person- ally felt them, or witnessed them in others, to any serious extent? And am I certain that such evils must unavoidably result from the present system of Methodism, unless the change which I demand shall be conceded? Havel more knowledge of the nature and tendency of our rulea than the thousands of my brethren, who seem disposed to live in peace by the observance of them? Can I obtain the change desired, without some rent in the Connexion, which may be the means not only of grieving God's people, but also of occasioning the eternal rnin of many souls? Is the object of my wishes so vastly iniportant, as to warrant me to risk these dreadfu) consequences ? "Has not the system hitherto been signally '^ -:cces6r imaginary faults, and exposing them to the view of the ^7orld ? Do I bring to this dispute, not only zeal and competent information, but the best graces of the Christian character, in their holiest and loveliest exercise — such as humility, which places me at the feet of my brethren ; meekness, gentleness, patience to endure reproof and contradiction with a sweet and grateful spirit ; and a tenderness of affection for those from whom I differ, which will constrain me to treat them with Christian respect and courtesy » These are some of the ques- tions which we earnestly and affectionately entreat our beloved people seriously to press on their minds, before they allow them- selves to engage in schemes of disorganization and disturbance." *'Now v/e beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you ; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and *n the same judgment." fie eet&bliahed and settled in doctrinks ; those doctrines so clearly explained, so ably defended, so faithfully preached, and fully exemplified by our venerable Founder and his coadjutors ; cloctrines according to the mind of €rod, and abundantly set forth in His Holy Woifd ; doctrines which have been delivered, ,ea so and tors ; y set eredi 1834.] MINUTES. 83 and preserved, and made known to you, in the purity of their Divine Original. Avoid novelties and daring speculations, which tend to unsettle long established doctrines. " Be not children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and the cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive ; but, speaking the truth in love, grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ." To purity of Doctrine, add soundness and depth of Experienccm Be living witnesses of the truth that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins — of justification by faith in the sacri- ficial death of our Lord Jesus Christ — of the direct and abiding w'.tness of the Holy Spirit to our spirit that we are adopted into the family of God — entire renovation of our nature and sanctifi- cation throughout spirit, soul, and body, by the Holy Ghost — intimate and habitual communion \/ith God. Continually sink into all the depths of God ; abide in him ; " apprehend that for which also you are apprehended of Christ Jesus." Press to the mark for the prize ; aim at nothing short of an entire con- formity of heart and life to the will and image of God. With entire holiness of heart, and all the consolations of the Holy Spirit, let a faithful discharge of all the Duties of life be associated. " If we live in the Spirit let us walk in the Spirit." Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy ; forsake not the assembling of yourselves together ; be punctual and attentive to all the public and private means of grace — the preaching of the Word, the Lord's Supper, social and public prayer and class-meetings, family and private prayer, the frequent and prayerful reading of the Holy Scriptures, maintaining a devo- tional frame of spirit, justice between man and his fellow-man, and good-will towards all men. Be vigilant in support of Sabbath Schools and other Missionary and benevolent institu- tions ; cast a veil over the infirmities of your brethren, and cultivate that charity which never faileth. We beseech you, brethren, to know them that labour among you and are over you in the Lord to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Your mmisters are depending en- tirely upon your voluntary contnhutions for pecuniary support in the discharge of their arduous and holy duties, notwithstand- :'-^.: ,* 1, ■•J vV '«'"*■ »4 MINUTES. [1834. ing the various and oft-repeated reports that have been put in eirculatioa the past year, asserting that Government grants of money have been made to this Conference ; than which nothing is more erroneous. Many of the Preachers fell far short of their small disciplinary allowances during the past year. Some of them have not received one half of what was due them. Is it not hard for a man, especially a poor man, to be deprived of half his living ? Brethren, is not this unequal ? Is it not- needless, unjust, and ungenerous? The laborer is surely worthy of his hire ; and he that is taught in the word is in duty bound to communicate to him that teacheth. We are happy to be able to say that, some of the circuits have made up the allowances of their preachers during the year past. We hope that few or none of all the circuits will this year suffer their preachers to leave for Conference deficient in their discip- linary allowance. It is as much a duty to support, as to hear the Word of Life. At the approaching General Election, many of you will be called upon to exercise a valuable privilege and discharge an important duty. You should discharge this, like all other duties, in the fear of God and for the public good. We dis- claim all connexion with any political party ; we do not desire to influence your choice in these matters ; not that we admit that we have no right to an opinion, and to the expression of that opinion on public affairs, were we disposed to do f o ; but as Ministers of Jesus Christ, ministering to persons of conflict- ing political opinions and different party predilections, and especially in the present unsettled times, we judge it most prudent to waive the exercise of our right in these political affairs, as a sacrifice to Christ and his cause, leaving secular affairs to be managed by secular men. On this ground we have unanimously resolved and directed that the Christian Guardian be an exclusively religious and literary journal) under special limitations ; an arrangement which we doubt not will be acceptable to our people generally, and we hope will secure to the Guardian an extensive circulation and efficient support. Our only advice on this point is, that what- ever side you may take in the proper and unrestrained exercise of elective and civil rights, you will avoid the manifestation ftnd indulgenpe of a party feeling, which is unbecoming in a 1834.] MINUTES. 89 disciple of the meek and lowly Redeemer ; a spirit which ia injurio-js to the unity and tranquillity of the Church, and detri- mental to personal piety and growth in grace. All extremes are dangerous ; and we are liable to injure our own spiritual enjoyments and interests in a good cause, by the spirit in which we may strive to promote it. To the various branches of our Pastoral Office it is our fervent desire, and firm determination to devote ourselves more zealously than ever. We deeply feel that there never was a time when we were more strongly called upon to go back to first principles, — to the simple Scriptural tioctrines and rules of our excellent discipline, which, by the grace of God, we are resolved to exemplify, to explain, to recommend, and enforce in all our ministrations and deportment. Brethren, pray for us — for neither is he that planteth, nor he that water- eth any thing, but God that giveth the increase. '* Finally, brethren, be strong in the Lord, and iu the power of his might : Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, meek- ness, humbleness of mind, long-suffering ; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another ; if any man have a com- plaint against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness : and the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Covenant, make you per- fect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Signed on behalf and by order of the Conference. Edmond Grindrod, President. James Richardson, Secretary, Kingston, June, 1834. 86 MINUTES. [1834. ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE To His E^csllenct the Lieutenant Governor. To His Excellency, 8ir John Colbome, K. C. B.^ Limiennnt Governor qf the Province qf Upper Canada^ and Major General commanding His Majesty's Forces therein, J^c. ^c. 4*c. May it Please Your Excellency : We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Min- isters of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church in Canada, assembled in Conference, take the liberty to address Your Excellency, and present our grateful acknowledgments for Your Excellen- cy's condescension and kind co-operation with the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, in promoting the religious and moral improvement of the Indians and destitute settlers in the Province. In the new relation that we sustain to the English Wesleyan Methodist Conference, by the late Union between the two Connexions, our means and facilities for preaching the Gospel among the aboriginal tribes and remote settlements of this Province, will be greatly increased ; and in the accomplish- ment of this great and good work, we confidently anticipate the continuance of Your Excellency's confidence and appro- bation. We avtiil oiirselves of this occasion, to express our firm and devoted aitachmeut to the Crown of Great Britain. We dis- claim, with strong feelings of indignation, the recent avowal of Revolutionary principles and purposes ; and we confidently assure Your Excellency, that whatever difference of opinion may exist amongst the members of our congregations on politi- cal questions, they possess an unwavering attachment to the enliglitened and parental Government of Great Britain, and cherish an ardent desire and firm determination to strengthen and perpetuate the connexion which happily exists between this Colony and the Mother Country, and which is so essential to the preservation of our Colonial liberties and interests. We beg to express our most cordial wishes for the health and happiness of Your Excellency and family ; and we earnestly implore the Supreme Disposer of events, to direct Your Excel- lency in the adoption of such measures and such an administra- 1835.] MINUTES. 87 tion of the duties of your high and important trust, as will prove alike honorable and gratifying to your Excellency, and benefi- cial to the general and best interests of this happy and flourish- ing Province. Signed on behalf and by order of the Conference. Edmond Grindrod, President, James Richardson, Secretary. Kingston, June 202A, 1834. HIS EXCELLENCY'S REPLY. Gentlemen : This expression of the sentiments of the Ministt. oi the Wesleyan Methodist Church, in Canada, cannot but be equally gratifying to his Majesty's Government, and to the Province at large. I thank you for the address ; and I trust that the measures which you are pursuing, in conjunction with the Parent Society at home,will greatly promote the interests of Religion in this country. Government House, 30th June, 1834. **»>rf*»^**w*r*r*»*r**>» MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT HAMILTON, FROM THE 10th TO THE 19th JUNE, 1835. William Lord, President. Egerton Ryerson, Secretary. Question 1. What preachers are this year admit- ted into full connexion with the Conference, and ordained ? Horace Dean, John Baxter — 2. [-.' ■^;.■.^ »•■■ ' 1;' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 tt& I&2 122 £ i;£ 12.0 L25 11114 116 FhotDgraphic Sciences CorpQralion ^ 23 WBT MAIN STRUT WIBSTM.N.Y. 14SM (716)t72-4S03 ! I ? 4' .^>.'^^ ^ ;\ I If If" I liii i::iJI::: i i'l! iliiii 88 MINUTES. [1835 , Quest. 2. TTAa^ preachers remain on trial? ■ John Sunday, (Chippewa Indian). He has travelled three years. N.B. As John Sunday is frequently emploved on remote MisBlom, the President, assisttd by others, was autliorised to ordain faim, when con- venient. John Law, John K. Williston, Peter Ker, William McFadden, Thomas Fawcett, Thomas McMullen, Heman Davis, Moses Walker, (Mohawk Indian.) These have travelled two years. John G. Manly, Vincent B. Howard, Benjamin Slight,* Jonathan Scott, William Steer, George F. Playter, Stephen Brownell, John Douse,* Jonathan Gladwin— 18. These have travelled one year. * These have been ordained, in order to administer the ordinances on the Missions to which they have l>een appointed. Quest. 3. What preachers are now received on trial? William Deverell, Schuyler Stewart, Jas. Ward, Hannibal Mulkins, John Flanagan, Adam Townley, (having travelled two years in L. C), Solomon Snider, Thomas Hurlburt,* John Mclntyre, Daniel Berney,* Benjamin Nankevill — II. * Thomas Hurlburt being employed in a remote Mission, was ordained, and Daniel Berney, who was not present at the Conference, was elected to ordination. Quest. 4. What preachers have died since the last Conference ? John Watson, King Barton — 2. 1. John Watson was a hative of NafTerton, in Yorkshire, England, aged 26 years. Brother Watson was a man of affable manners, of ardent piety, and of truly Christian deportment, which secured to him the friendship and esteem of most of his acquaintances. His preaching was distinguished by its clear- ness and evangelical simplicity ; and his zeal for the salvation 18 of sat an( vat his of rem! 1835.] MINUTES. 89 of souls rendered him an instrument of great good to many who sat under his ministry. He possessed a sound understanding and a retentive memory, which he laboured assiduously to culti- vate ; and had it pleased the great Disposer of events to spare his life, there is reason to believe his talents would have been of great service to the Church, from which he was suddenly removed, at Hamilton, in the Gore District, on the 21st day of August, 1834, exulting in the salvation of the Gospel, in the second year of his ministerial labours. 2. King Barton, a superannuated Preacher, was lately in con- nexion with the Irish Conference, having been a member of that body nearly thirty years. He was suddenly removed at St. Clair, whither he had recently proceeded to settle his family. Quest. 5. Are there any objections to any of our preachers t None. They were all examined one by one. Quest. 6. What preachers have desisted from travelling? None. Quest. 7. Who are the supernumeraries ? - Wyat Chamberlain, without claim on the funds. John Carroll — 2. Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers ? Thos. Whitehead, James Wilson, Charles Wood,* William Brown,* David Youmans, Franklin Met- calf. Philander Smith,* Andrew Taylor,* who has been received this year from the Irish Conference — 8. * These have no claim on the funds. Quest. 9. How are the preachers stationed for the ensuing year ? As follows, viz : — Ryerson, Edmund Shepard, I.— NIAGARA DISTRICT. Hamilton — William Samuel Rose. Stamford — Alexander Irvine, Alexander MacNoh, , St* Catherines — Thomas Bevitt, Edwy M. Ryerson* h2 !?! !|t I iplil ^ W: h ;^' 90 MINUTES. [1835. Long Point — J. Messmore, James Musgrove. Brantford — Adam Townley, who shall change with the Missionary at Sallsprings every other Sunday. William Rterson, Chairman. II.-.LONDON DISTRICT. London — David Wright, John Law. Westminster — Conrad Vandusen, John Williston. Gosfield — John Baxter, James Ward. Oxford — John S. At wood. Tnames — William Griffis. David Wright, Chairman, IIL-TORONTO DISTRICT. Toronto City — Matthew Lang, who is our Book Steward ; John C. Davidson ; Ephraim Evans, who is our Editor. Yonge Street — John Beatty, H. Mulkins. Newmarket — Horace Dean. One wanted. Toronto Circuit — Edmund Stoney, Thos. McMullen. Nelson — James Norris, G. F. Stewart. Dumfries — S. Belton, B. Nankevill. Whitby — Rohert Corson, Thomas Fawcett. Brock — One wanted. James Richardson, Chairman, ly.— BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. Kingston — Joseph Stinson, General Superintendent of Missions ; Egerton Ryerson. Oananoque — William Steer. Bay Quinte — Rowley Heyland, Daniel McMullen. Waterloo — Matthew Whiting, Lewis Warner. Hallowell — Richard Jones, George Poole. Belleville — Henry Wilkinson. Cohourg — Hamilton Biggar, John Flanagan. . I'M. 1835.] MINUTES. 91 Peterbord' — John Black, William Deverell. Sidney — George Ferguson. One wanted. Murray — Simon Huntington, Heman Davis. John Ryerson, Chairman. V.-AUGUSTA DISTRICT. BrockvilU — J. Carroll ; A. Taylor, supernumerary. Prescott and Augusta — Ezra Adams, William H. Williams, J. G. Manly. Matilda — Henry Shaler, Solomon Snider. Elizabethtown — Cyrus R. Allison. One wanted. Rideau — William Patrick, V. B. Howard. Perth — James Brock. One wanted. Mississippi — William McFadden, John Mclnlyre. Richmond — James Currie. Ottawa — Asahel Hurlburt, Stephen Brownell. Byfown and Hull — Ezra Healy, (who will visit Otta- wa and Richmond, j George F. Playter. Clarendon — Daniel Berney. Crosby — Thomas Harmon. Anson GrEEN, Chairman. VI.-MISSION STATIONS. Joseph Stinson, Gen'l Superintendent of Missions, Credit — William Case, Peter Jones, who shall spend part of his time at Coldwater, and other Stations, as the Superintendent may direct. Lake Simcoe and Coldwater — Jonathan Scott. Rice Lake and Mud Lake — Gilbert Miller. Muncytown and Delaware — Solomon Waldron. Grape Island — John Sunday. Amherstburgh — B. Slight. Goderich and Saugeeng — J. Armstrong, T. Hurlburt. Grand River — John Douse. St, Clair — ^James Evans. ;-.\::« ^1 ,1 > 92 MINUTES. [1835. 18 Me of Tan^i^Jonathan Gladwin. Guelph — One wanted. Ephraim Evans, Editor of the Christian Guardian. William Lord and Egerton Ryerson, (President and Secretary of the Conference,) Delegates to attend the American General Conference, to be held in Cincinnati, May, 1836, in order to negotiate on the claims of this Conference upon the New- York Book Concern. Quest. 10. What is the number of members in our Societies^ and what has been collected for the con- tingent expenses, and for making up the allowances of Preachers ? As follows, viz. : — tl;f' Circuits. Stamford .... St.Catherines Canborough . Ancaster .... Long Pbiiit . . Westminster. Gosfield London Oxford Thames Kingston .... Bay ofQuinte Waterloo .... Hallowell . . . Belleville ... Cobourg .... Cavan Murray Sidney Dumfries .... Nelson Mem. Am't Collected 402 £8 11 10 453 11 6 11 244 6 7 4 596 11 16 6i 592 6 2 9 411 1 7 6 307 3 7 6 246 4 7 6J 113 1 10 7i 239 4 5 244 5 17 4 620 3 441 3 5 6 57u 5 116 1 15 7 404 3 10 9i 235 2 12 6 346 3 300 2 8 9 405 7 10 8i 462 10 5 Circuits. Toronto Yonge Street Newmarket* Whitby Brock Toronto city. Brockville . . . Prescott Matilda ..... Augusta .... Elizabthtown Rideau Perth Mississippi . . Richmond... Bytown Hull Ottawa Col. at Conf. Total Mem. Am't Collected 514 £9 2 9 602 9 644 5 15 3 400 3 16 11 119 Nothing. 289 7 3 73 2 9J 34 11 3 515 4 605 2 2 3i 517 1 4 10 524 3 3 3 156 1 15 1 199 2 5 346 1 7 14 162 2 8 5 83 17 3e2 3 5 6 • • ■ • 7 14 6 15106 101 18 4i MeJ * Embraced in Yonge Street last year. - ,.b. 1835.] MINUTES. Missions. 08 v^i Missions Credit Lake Simcoe .... Rice Lake Amherstburgh ... Grape Island and Mohawk 26 Whites Indians 14 54 6 16 75 203 162 28 87 Missions Whites Indiana Grand River 20 Saugeeng 2 Marmora 50 Clarendon 50 Muncvtown IsleTanti 61 140 57 157 Total 297 909 RECAPITULATION. Whites. Indians. Total, Members in the societies this jTear .. 14,197 909 15,106 last year .. 14,015 915 14,9c0 (< i( Increase this year 176 Quest. 11. How has the amount collected for the contingent expenses been paid ? To whom paid Incidentals during the Conference .... £ Widow Madden Amount due 25 50 25 50 25 25 51 2 Amount paid 15 6 25 Andrew Prindle 35 10 7 Thomas Whitehead 17 15 3i 35 10 7 James Wilson Widow Slater 17 15 3i 17 15 3i 25 David Youmans J S. Atwood, (to make up his deficien- cies on the Canboro' Circuit,) Total ....v £ 251 ^ 175 2 6i Collection made among the Preachers in Conference for Mrs. Madden and Mrs. Slater £6 15 U Paid Mrs. Madden £3 7 6| Mrs. Slater 3 7 6i GENERAL STATEMENT Of Wesleyan Methodists throughout the World. Number of members in Great Britain, as reported in the Minutes of the British Conference for 1834, is 291,939 Ditto in Ireland ,. 25,614 Ditto in Stockholm, Germany, France, Gib- raltar, and Malta 846 fr i'" 'V Hi' ■ %'\: I- % I ■ ii: I ^'1^ f . !^i: lar- 04 MINUTES. [1835. No. members in Continental India and Ceylon 955 Ditto in xNew South Wales, Van Diemen's Land, New Zealand, and the Friendly Islanuj 4,811 Ditto in South and West Africa, 1,660 Ditto in the West Indies 31,676 Ditto in Lower Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland 8,356 Total number of members in the Foreign Stations under the care of the British Conference 48,304 The number of members under the care of the seve- ral Conferences in the United States, as reported in their Minutes for 1834, is 638,784 Number of members under the care of the Confer- ence in Upper Canada, is 15,106 Total number of members in the Wesleyan Methodist Societies throughout the world, exclusive of regu- lar Travelling Preachers, who are statedly employ- ed in the work of the ministry 1,019,747 The number of regular Travelling Preachers, and of Super- numerary and Superannuated Preachers, accoidiug to their Minutes for 1834, is as follows, viz : — In Great Britain^ Regular Preachers 798 Supernumerary and Superannuated 134 922 In Ireland, Regular Preachers on Circuits 86 Missionaries 24 Supernumerary and Superannuated 38 -- 148 In the Foreign Stations, Regular Preachers and Assistant Missionaries 232 Supernumerary and Superannuated 4 236 In the United States Connexion, Regular Preachers in Circuits, and Mission- aries to the Indians, 2,458 Supernumerary and Superannuated 167 2,625 In Upper Canada, Regular Preachers and Missionaries 85 Supernumerary and Superannuated 10 — 95 Total throughout the world 4,026 183| the Hon] 1. selvJ tion chil^ in tl 1835i] MiNtjTEs^ 96 Quest. 12. Can anything more efficient he done for the promotion of Sabbath Schools^ and the instruc- tion of the children and youtJi of our congregations f 1. The Members of this Conference pledge them- selves individually to pay increased and special atten- tion to Sabbath Schools, and to the instruction of the children and youth of our congregations, as directed in the Discipline. 2. The Preachers are specially directed to use every possible exertion to introduce our Catechism into all Methodist Sabbath Schools and Families. 3. The Superintendent of each Circuit is directed to make out a particular account of all the Sabbath Schools connected with us on his Circuit, to be pre- sented at the District Meeting ; and a particular and full report of all the Methodist Sabbath Schools in the District shall be prepared at the District Meeting, and brought to the Conference. Quest. 13. What are the directions of the Confer- ence in respect to the reading of the Covenant ? The Conference dl-ects the Preachers to attend to the reading and renewal of the Covenant at every appointment, on the first route round their Circuits after the commencement of the civil year. Quest. 14. What further directions has the Con- ference to give in respect to the improvement of the junior brethren in the ministry? The Chairmen of Districts and the Superintendents of Circuits are directed to pay special attention to the improvement of the young Preachers under their care, in securing for them a regular home, in aiding them to procure the most suitable books, and in advising them in their studies and labours. IF U "4,1 mm 96 MINUTES* [1835. Quest. 15. What are the proceedings and judgment of the Conference relative to two communications, in reference to donations made by Government to cer^ tain religious bodies f A committee was appointed, consisting of W. Case, J. Ryerson, J. Beatty, P. Smith, and T. Bevitt. This Committee presented a Report, which was received, adopted by the Conference, and ordered to be pub- lished in the printed Minutes. The Report is as follows : — oft The Committee appointed to take into consideration two com- munications on the subject of Religious Grants, beg to report the following Resolutions, viz. : 1. That the question of the control of certain revenues, being a purely legal and political one, and this being the ground of objection assumed in one of the communications, the Conference does not feel itself called upon to express any opinion — leaving every member of the Church at full liberty to entertain his owa opinion on the subject. 2. That the ground of apprehension in the other communica- tion being the dissolution of the existing relations of mutual dependence of the Preachers and Societies, the Members of the Conference most cordially and unanimously assure our brethren, that no evil could be regarded by us with greater dread than the disturbance or weakening of that oneness of interest and feeling which has always existed, and does exist unimpaired, between us and the people over whom the Lord hath made us overseers. 3. That as this Conference has no interest in voluntary grants made by Government to religious bodies — none having been made to or received by it — and there being great diversity of opinion amongst our people on the subject — this Conference does not deem it a duty to pronounce any judgment on the mat- ter — believing that it is one of those questions respecting which difference of opinion may exist without any impeachment of Christian character, or interruption of Christian fellowship. 1835.] MINUTES. 97 Quest. 16. What can he done to reduce the current expenses of the Circuits^ and to promote the efficiency of the office of Stewards f la 1. The Conference earnestly recommends to the. several Quarterly Meetings the erection of Parson- ages on those Circuits where there are none ; and that on every Circuit, where it is practicable, the Furniture for the Preacher's house be procured. 2. In accordance with the request of several Quar- terly Meetings, and of the Stewards of several Cir- cuits at the District Meetings, the Conference directs that the election of Stewards be annual ; and that their election take place at the last Quarterly Meet- ing in the civil year. Quest. 17. What shall be done to guard the rights, and privileges J and property^ of the Connexion, A Committee shall be appointed for this purpose, during the ensuing year, consisting of the President and Secretary of the Conference ; William Case, ex-President of the Conference ; Chairmen of Dis- tricts ; Superintendent of Missions ; the Preachers in Toronto City Circuit ; together with the following gentlemen, yrho are respectfully requested to lend their counsel and aid, should occasion require, viz.: — James R. Armstrong, Jonathan Dunn, Alexander Davidson, William MacDonald, John Counter, Justus W. Williams, James Dougall, Billa Flint, Andrew Sharp, Samuel McAfee, John Scatchard, George HL Detlor, George Brouse, Lewis G. Gordon, and Wil- liam Brown, Esqrs. The Editor of the Christian Guardian to be Secre- tary, with authority to call meetings of the Com- mittee ; five of whom shall form a quorum for the transaction of business. I 1 1 r i-i'-.:!,, ! f- (; , 1 , ;'' '" 'I ■•; 1 i' 1 - 1 i 08 MINUTII. [1885. Quest. 18. Where and when shall our next Con- ference be held f In Belleville, on the second Wednesday in June, 1836, at nine o'clock, A. M, 8igned| in behalf and by order of the Conference, William Lord, President, EoxRTON Rtbksoni Secretary* iflP THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE. To the Members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada. VxBT DcAR Brethrsit : Having been preserved by the kind providence of God, we have been permitted, during another year, to associate with you individually, and minister to you, publicly and privately, the word of life. It is therefore with feelings of affectionate and thankful remembrance of the past, and with anxious solicitude and hope for your future diligence in working out your salvation, we avail ourselves of the opportunity presented by our present annual meeting to address you collectively ; hoping and praying that, by our individual and collective labours for your spiritual and eternal welfare, we may at last present you faultless before the throne of God and of the Lamb, where he that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoice together. A short time after our last annual meeting, the ** noisome pestilence" re-appeared among us ; the " pale horse and his rider'* went through several of our towns and villages, and some other places, treading into the dust hundreds of our fellow-sub- jects and countrymen. The hearts of many failed them, whilst the pestilence walked in darkness and the destruction wasted at 1835.] MINUTES 90 noon-day. The mysterious character of this plague, defying, as it has hitherto done, the utmost skill of man, either to explain its causes or prescribe a remedy against its ravages, shows it to be a special visitation of Almighty God. Selecting, as it haa done, its victims from all ranks, conditions, characters and ages, —often, too, without any premonition,— it has proclaimed to all, "Gird up the loins of your minds, trim your lamps ; be ye also ready, for ye know not the day nor the hour when the Son of Man Cometh. " One of your ministers— a youthful servant of God, of deep piety and promising usefulness — has fallen by this pestilence; but in death he triumphed in the truth and power and blessedness of that Gospel which he had begun to preach so faithfully and successfully to others. Several members of the Church have likewise been removed in the same sudden and affecting, and we rejoice to add, in a number of instances, in the same triumphant manner. O brethren, while we are thus mutually admonished, let us live in constant readiness for the coming of the Son of Man : and let our united supplications ascend the throne of the heavenly grace, that henceforth the angel of the everlasting Gospel may go through the length and breadth of the land, instead of this angel of terror and death. " The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much." Our last address was sent to you under feelings of sorrow and painful solicitude, which induced us to enter into minute detail in several statements and pastoral advices. Some who had gone out from among us, were making vigilant efforts to divide our flocks and unsettle the institutions of the Church. We resolved and counselled you to keep our rules and not to mend them ; we went forth in the name of Him who had often more than deli- vered us in similar trials ; and the result has been the return of a more general tranquillity, and the prevalence, with little inter* ruption, of an improved and enlarged spirit of brotherly love, christian zeal and liberality. The increase of numbers in a Church is not always a proof of prosperity, to which the ob- servance and enforcement of discipline is as essential as the multiplication of converts. The amputation of a limb is some- times necessary to the preservation and healthfulness of the other members of the body. But we rejoice to be able to say, ftom the returns of numbers on the several Circuits, prepared 100 MINUTES. [1835. with unusual caution and care, and after the siflings and oppo- sitions of the year, there is a nett increase of one hundred and seventy-six ; making a total of actual members of the Church, who meet in class, exclusive of all other classes of h'^arers and adherents in Methodist congregations, of fifteen tho;:ciand one hundred and six. We are sure you will have fellowship with us in our thankfulness and joy for these tokens of good to our Connexion. And whilst the information now possessed by our Societies generally, on almost all matters which interest us as a body in our religious and civil relations, serves to repress party feeling and prejudice, to establish and strengthen mutual confi- dence, and to secure harmony of feeling and action ; we beseech you, brethren, to be co-workers with us in the great work of spreading scriptural holiness over the land. We exist as a body, not for The purpose of sect or party, but for the sole purpose of presenting our bodies and spirits a living sacrifice to God, and of doing good to tiie souls and bodies of men as we have oppor- tunity and ability. To this end, let us be established and settled in the doctrines and discipline of the Church. We firmly believe our doctrines to be built upon the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ him- self being the chief corner stone. These doctrines are clearly and practically explained in the writings of the venerable Wes- ley, who has been the chosen instrument in the hand of God in raising us up as a people. His invaluable works ought to be in the hands of every Methodist family. An intimate acquaint- ance with them will be a security against being driven to and fro with every wind of doctrine, will store the mind with clear views of Scripture truth and of the character and perfections of the Divine Being, and will inspire in the heart a godly zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of mankind. Nor should we, as a people, be less familiarly acquainted with the Discipline than with the Doctrines of our Connexion ; nor less established and conscientious in the maintenance and observance of its principled and regulations. Attempts have been made by some to persuade you, and jealous apprehensions have been enter- tained by others, that the ultimate object of our Union with the British Conference was to subvert the whole of our existing economy and Discipline, and to substitute another in its place. Such apprehensions, brethren, are groundless. There is no 1835.] MINtTTES. 101 diflference of importance between our rules and those of the British Connexion in all the regulations relative to the member- ship of the Church. But even in regard to the minor points of difference between the two Connexions, there is no wish oo the part of the British Conference, and no intention on our part, to disturb or alter any part of our established economy. The following is an extract of an address to us by the last British Conference, received and read during our present session :— "There is another subject of much importance, which we also strongly urge upon your attention. The plan of your Disci- pline having been deliberately considered, at the first Confer* ence of your union with our body, and having been confirmed by the unanimous vote of that Conference, we advise that no alteration of any considerable importance be made in that Dis- cipline, unless, after a full trial for a sufHcient length of time, you shall find it absolutely necessary to propose some change. We do not now refer to any of the essential articles of disci- pline on which the union is founded, for those, we trust, will be strictly permanent ; but we are of opinion that, even in smaller points of discipline, it is not prudent to be frequently altering our modes of proceeding. The founder of Methodism said, ''Do not mend our rules, but keep them.' In your part of the world, it is of peculiar importance that the grand object of all our people, next to the salvation of their own souls, should be the salvation of the people around them ; and that their minds should not be occupied with frequent discussions about changes in your Discipline, which would occasion disputes and conten- tions, by which the peace of your societies may be injured, and the prosperity of the cause of God, in some measure, be pre- vented. By pursuing with simplicity and singleness of heart your one great concern, the salvation of immortal men, you will most directly and effectually promote the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom." In these sentiments and suggestions of our Fathers and Bre- thren in England we cordially concur ; and we trust, dear brethren, we shall have your hearty co-operation in thus endea- vouring not to "mend our rules, but to keep them" — and to keep them more strictly than ever. We beseech you to be punctual and faithful in your attend* i2 I ■ 1' I. ' , J 102 MINUTES. [1835. nnce upon all the means of grace. These are the divinely appointed medium of communicating spiritual knowledge, com- fort, and prosperity. To neglect them is to forsake the fountain of living waters, and to famish and die within reach of pure and refreshing streams. Never neglect the preaching of the word, whoever may be the preacher. He is sent to you in the provi- dence of God : therefore hear him, and hear him in humility, faith, and love, and thereby good shall come unto you. And never be absent from your class or prayer-meeting, whether held on Sabbath or during the week. In class-meeting we edify one another in speaking, and obtain counsel and encou- ragement; in prayer-meeting we edify one another in prayer, and obtain the supply of our need ; in both, we have fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and with each other. Our relish for these means of grace, and punctuality in attending them, may be regarded as the pulse of our spiritual healthfulness or decline. We should not only attend every public and social means of religious edification, — the preaching of the word, love-feast, the Lord's supper, class and prayer- meeting, — but attend exactly at the time. It is, in general, just as easy to be at the house of God, at the time appointed, ns to delay ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes later. How many preci- ous moments will be saved, and how many advantages derived, by observing that rule of the Discipline which says, '* Do every thing exactly at the time." Whilst we therefore direct every Preacher to begin every service precisely at the time appointed, we entreat equal punctuality on the part of our people ; and whilst in the house of God there should be reverence and deco- rum. How irreverent, how unseemly, how indecent, to see the hat worn, to see snuffing, chewing tobacco and spitting, or to hear talking or whispering, or children tunning to and fro in the holy sanctuary of the Most High God ! How unbecoming and contrary to our rules to see the professing Christian refuse to kneel in prayer before the Divine Majesty, or the house of God too dirty to kneel down in ! The state of the house of God is not unfrequently an index of the moral condition of those who occupy it ; it is designed as the temple of Him who abhors every unclean thing,— and in its cleanliness it should be emblema- tical of the pure and holy Being for whose worship it has been erected. 1835.] MINUTES. 103 We also aflfectionately recommend conscientious regnltair/ and faithfulness in family and closet devotions, reading of the Holy Scriptures, and blamelessness of conversation and deport- ment. Often pray to your heavenly Father who seeth in secret * —often read regularly and prayerfully the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation, — every morning and every evening assemble your family, and present the sup- plications of your household to the God of the families of the earth, — at all times maintain uprightness of life and conversa- tion, that he that is of a contrary opinion may be ashamed, having no fault to find. '* Let all bitterness, and wrath, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from among you," both in temporal and spiritual, in civil and religious affairs. Maintain an unrufHed, a meek, a quiet spirit, — labour to sepa- rate yourselves from the spirit of the world, and be contented w^ith nothing less than a constant and intimate communion with God, whose language is, " Walk before me, and be thou perfect." Let us consider our privileges as believers, — the position we occupy as a people, — and the religious influence we ought to exert on society. We are called to purity of heart and holiness of life ; we are placed as the light of the world, — we are com- manded to let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. Let the same mind which was in Christ Jesus be also in you ; and, like him, be instant in season and out of season, always abound- ing in the work of the Lord. We must never lay down our arms until the last enemy is conquered, — we must never quit the field or relax our labours until our work is done ; and that will not be until the world is converted. How many of your neighbours are perishing in their sins ! How many heathens are walking in darkness and know not whither they are going ! How many of your children are living without God and with- out Christ in the world ! What need of prayer, — ^what need of self-denial, — what need of holy diligence ! O, brethren, help in this great work ! Let no one be at ease in Zion another day ; le us begin in good earnest this very hour. We ** exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men ; for kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a iiiiill liHi 104 MINXTTES. [1835. quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty. For this is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth." Special attention should be directed to the religious instruc- tion of the rising generation — a most important duty too much neglected. Among the youth of our country are its future Magistrates, Judges, and Pastors. Let Sabbath Schools be everywhere established and efficiently supported. In this the co-operation of parents is absolutely necessary. The reading of religious books, insteadof books of fiction, should be actively and warmly encouraged. Religious reading nourishes and im- proves the moral as well as the intellectual man ; without it, religious experience is, in general, very superficial, and capaci- ties for usefulness must be very limited, if not rolled up in a napkin. We cannot recommend too strongly to the youth of our Societies and congregations the standard religious works of the Methodist Connexion in Europe and America. They contain ample refutations of the writings of sceptics and infidels, —clear elucidations of Scripture doctrines and duties, — lucid developments and examples of Christian experience, — and vari- ous interesting Christian biography, adapted to all ages and circumstances. To be ignorant of such works is to incur a loss that can never be repaired, either in this world or in that which is to come. In order to be imbued with the spirit of departed saints, and to be animated by their examples, wc should study their history and acquaint ourselves with their writings. Nor can we forbear to recommend most earnestly and affectionately to every Methodist family, the excellent Catechism of our Con- nexion. In this little work the great doctrines and truths of our holy religion are made plain to the capacities of children, whilst the youthful mind is led on to an acquaintance with the great mysteries of redemption, its connexion with man's duty, hap- piness, and eternal salvation, together with a clear and compre- hensive exposition of the evidences of Christinnity and the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures. No Methodist youth should be suffered to grow up in ignorance of this invaluable summary of Christian divinity. Inseparably connected with the religious instruction of your children stands their literary education. Education to the mind is what strength is to the body ; it is its power to do good or (( .1835.1 MINUTES. 106 «yil; for "knowledge is power." To furnieh the means of education to the rising generation, and especially to the you H of our own Connexion, we, therefore, consider our paramount duty as a Christian Ministry. In this we imitate the example of the venerable Wesley, as well as the Prophets of the Bible and the Fathers of the Church ; and in this important branch of our duty, we entreat your active and continued co-operation. We are happy to be able to say that the buildings for the Upper Canada Academy are nearly completed. We trust the Institu* tion will soon be open for the reception of pupils. We believe it will be the means of educating many who will become school teachers themselves, as well as of imparting a solid education, upon religious principles, to very many youths of the Province, especially of our own Connexion. In this great undertaking, a very heavy expense has been incurred. A large debt still stands against the Institution ; we confidently rely upon your intelli- gence and liberality to aid in the liquidation of this debt, and in the support and success of the establishment. The cause of Missions you have long regarded as the cause of God. The proof of its Divine character remains unimpaired, — nay, accumulates in strength and glory, by the success of every succeeding year's operations and labours. The work on the several missions is in a prosperous state ; at several of the missions a considerable number of conversions has taken place. At St. Clair, where the mission had been unsuccessful for two years, a very gracious work commenced, and upwards of 70 children and adults have been baptized into the Christian faith, who furnish the evidence of a renewed life, and turning from dumb idols to serve the living and true God, that the " Gospel has come to them not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." We rejoice also to be able to state that the collections and subscriptions to missions last year amount to much more than those of the*preceding year. We thank God, and we congratulate you on the success of this *' work of faith and labour of love." We beseech you to abound more and more. The world is our parish. Co-operate with us, dear brethren, by your prayers, your contributions, and your influence, and all the tribes of the wilderness and the scattered population of the new settlements shall be taught the way of life. Id. 106 MINUTES. [1835. Whilst yott contribute to send the Missionary to teach the ignorant and the destitute, neglect not the support and comfort of your Ministers at home. You will be pieased to learn that the deficiencies of the Preachers are far less the year past than the year preceding. Several circuits that were deficient the former year have paid the estimated allowances of their Preachers the last year ; but on some others, there is still a painful defi- ciency, and we fear a criminal neglect. How much better for several to share the burden, than for one to bear the whole of it! How much more reasonable and just for a number of indivi- duals to contribute something additional, than for an individual Preacher to suffer the loss of a considerable portion of all his living ! " He that is unjust in that which is least, is unjust also in much." We hope, brethren, this reproach will henceforth be wiped firora every Circuit. If you want your Ministers purely spiritual men, as they ought to be, and as we are resolved by God's grace to be, you ought to do what in you lieth to enable them to be so ; that, the wants of their families being regularly and duly supplied, they may be able to " lay aside all worldly cares and studies, and give themselves wholly to the ministry of the word," for the edification of the Church of God and the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world. The erection of a parsonage, or parsonages, on every Circuit, and the furnishing of Preachers' houses with heavy articles of furniture, will also materially contribute to reduce the current expenses of the Circuit, as well as to promote the comfort of the Preachers and their families, and to facilitate their removal from one Circuit tc inoiher. The influence you possess is a talent entrusted to you, to be employed for Him who is to be our Judge. Let it be a savour of life unto life to all with whom you may have intercourse, by your spirit, your conversation, and your life. Reprove vice afiectionately but firmly, wherever you meet it ; discounten- ance immorality of every kind ; be active in every effort to promote virtue and temperance. On this point we gladly adopt the language employed in the last Addresses of the British and Irish Conferences, to the Societies under their care : " The use of ardent spirits has long been very injurious to public morals. To be ' temperate in all things,* you are well aware is an in- junction of divine authority ; and we, as overseers of the church 1835.] MINUTBS. 107 of God which he has purchased with his own blood, recom- mend a conscientious attention to our good old rule, * drink no drams.* " Brethren, pray for us, that we may come among you in the fulness of the Gospel of peace, that the word of God may have free course and be glorified. Pray that the present may be a year of jubilee to our Zion. " Finally, breUiren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.— Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and we pray Qod your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. — ^Ilie grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." Signed, in behalf and by order of the Conference, , William Lord, President. EoERTON Rtxrson, Secretary. . 11 to be an m- cburcb THE ADDRESS OF THE BRITISH CONFERENCE. To the Conference qf the WesUyan Methodist Church in Upper Canada. Dkar Brethren, When we take a retrospective view of the great work which has been effected by the instrumentality of the Method- ists, we see with pleasure, and with gratitude to God, that although the commencement of it was small as a grain of mustard-seed, the branches have been extending more and more widely, not only in Great Britain and Ireland, but on the Continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, and in several of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. '■ ; ,! \ : ii 108 MINUTBS. [1835. We have for many years heard with joy of the great and glorious work which the Lord has been carrying on in the United States ; and also that He has been graciously pouring out his Holy Spirit on our colonial possessions in British North America, where several thousands of souls have been savingly brought to God. When your respeoted Representative, the Reverend Egerton Ryerson, arrived in this kingdom, with proposals for a more intimate connexion between your body and the British Confer- ence, we received uim with pleasure ; and after a mature con- sideration of the general principles which were proposed as the basis of union, of which, with some alterations, we approved} we appointed the Rev George Marsden as our Representative to Canada, and as President of the Upper Canada Conference. The very kind and affectionate spirit in which he was received by you, and the cordial and unanimous manner in which the articles of union were adopted by your Conference held in October, 1833, have laid the foundation for that union of the two bodies, which, we trust will be permanent, and signally Crowned with the blessing of our God. Our brethren, the Rev. Edmund Grindrod, and the Rev. Robert Alder, have returned in safety from their visit to you during your late Conference in June, 1834 ; and we are truly thankful to learn from their reports, as well as from your own address, that the prospects of the enlargement of the good work of our God are on the whole encouraging. The population of your country being rapidly on the increase, we trust that you will endeavour to carry the glad tidings of salvation to the most remote settlers in the forests of Canada. The accounts which we have received from our brethren who Jiave recently visited you, respecting your godly zeal, and the indefatigable manner in which you have already laboured among the new settlers for several years past, give us confidence, that, with the additional assistance which may now be afforded, you will leave no part of the wilderness unexplored, where any fami- lies can be found who need your spiritual help. In all probability, thousands of f«(milies will, from year to year, leave our shores, and settle in the colonies of British North America. Some of those emigrants will, doubtless, be persons 1835.] MINUTES. 109 of piety ; and some of them members of our own society. Such persons will, of course, seek for continued Christian instruc- tion ; and many of them, we hope, will unite with you in Chris- tian fellowship. But thousands will reach your country who are totally careless and unconcerned respecting their eternal welfare. These will not first seek the shepherd ; but the lost sheep in the wilderness must be sought, or there is reason to fear that many of them will perish. Pursue, therefore, dear brethren, with renewed ardour, your itinerant labours ; and endeavour to reach, not only every considerable settlement, but, if possible, every destitute family, in order to bring the wanderers back to God. The access which God has given you to the Indian tribes is highly encouraging. Much 8uc<;ess has been realized ; and we gratefully acknowledge the Divine goodness in what has been accomplished. But there are many thousands of Indians on your borders who yet require assistance, and to most of whom our way is graciously made plain. There appear, at present, to be such marked proofs of Divine Providence in the openings for usefulness among the Indians, that we trust the set time is come for these wandering tribes to be brought to God. : , Both among the new settlers, and among the converted In- dians, it is very desirable, that, as far as it is practicable, Sunday and week-day Schools should be established. Where there are even but a few young persons, it will be of great importance to train them up in the fear of God. Through the Divine blessing, the education of the rising generation, in the principles of truth and piety, will have a powerful and lasting effect on that class of persons who may settle in the remote parts of Canada ; and, instead of sinking into total indifference respectmg their spiri- tual and eternal concerns, the salvation of God will be their portion, and future generations will rise up to be the faithful disciples of our Lord. The necessity of educating ^e children of the Indian tribes is so universally acknowledged, and you have evinced such an ardent desire for its accomplishment, that we need not urge you to encourage and support that important work. Even when it cannot be accomplished on an eztb^sive scale, the Preachers who are labouring in the vicinity of iho Indians, majr hftYO K j i : li 110 MINUTES. [1836. frequent opportunities of noticing the children of insulated fami- lies, and of giving them suitable advice and instruction. It is very desirable that, in your rapidly increasing population, the standard writings of our body should be extensively circu- lated. In the solitary and retired parts of the country, where families connected with you reside, they should be furnished with suitable books, that the young people may be trained up in Christian knowledge. And in the small villages and towns also, it is important that our members should be well acquainted with the writings of Mr. Wesley, and with our other works, with a view to their increase in piety ; and also, that by being well grounded in our doctrines, they may be guarded against the subtleties of persons who may endeavour to draw them aside from those views of the truth, which we conscientiously believe to be most scriptural and useful. There is another subject of much importance, 'which we also strongly urge upon your attention. The plan of your Disci- pline having been deliberately considered, at the first Confer- ence of your union with our body, and having been confirmed by the unanimous vote of that Conference, we advise that no alteration of any considerable importance be made in that Dis- cipline, unless, after a full trial for a sufiicient length of time, you shall find it absolutely necessary to propose some change. We do not now refer to any of the essential articles of disci- pline on which the union is founded, for those, we trust, will be strictly permanent ; but we are of opinion that, even in smaller points of discipline, it is not prudent to be firequently altering our modes of procieeding. The founder of Methodism said, * Do not mend our rules, but keep them.' In your part of the world, it is of peculiar importance that the granijl otyect of all our people, next to the salvation of their own iontB, should be the salvation of th.e people around them ; and thai their minds should not be occupied with frequent disctiskiioihs about changes in your Discipline, which would occasion disputes and conten- tions, by which the peace of your societies may be injured, and the prosperity of the cause of God, in some measure, be pre- vented. By pursuing with simplicity and singleness of heart your on* great concern, the salvation of immortal men, you will most direfitiy and efiectually promote the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom* .«:-.. ./•-' 1835.] MINUTES. Ill It has given us great pleasure to hear from our brethren who have visited Upper Canada within the year, that His Excellency, Sir John Colborne, the Lieutenant Governor of that ProvincCf is 80 cordially disposed to promote the Christian instruction of the new settlers, and of the Indian tribes. It is cause of grati- tude to God that there are now so many persons, high in autho- rity, in various colonies of the British empire, who see the duty and importance of caring for the moral and religious interests of the people. We greatly rejoice to learn that our brethren in Upper Canada are resolved to give themselves wholly to God and his work. In the midst of all worldly changes, and political contentions* it has from the beginning been our principle, according to the divine direction, to "fear God, and honour the King." Loy- alty to our Sovereign, and respect for those in authority under him, were invariably exemplified by the venerable founder of Methodism ; and the Conference strongly urges the same prin- ciple and practice upon all our members in every part of the British Empire. We have appointed our long-tried and highly-esteemed brother, the Rev. William Lord, to be President of your Con- ference for the ensuing year ; whose residence for a season in Canada, and labours among you, we trust will be attended with the divine blessing. He possesses our most entire and affeo- tionate confidence ; and we strongly commend him to your brotherly regard and to your prayers. And now, dear Brethren, we commend you to God, and the word of his grace. Though separated in body, we are one in spirit. May our union, which we trust is of God, be perma- nent on earth, and eternal in glory ! Signed, by order and in behalf of the Conference, Joseph Taylor, President. RoBKRT Newton, Secretary. you [ntof Londout August 13, 1834. |1 I I -I liii 112 MINUTES. [1835. V i ANSWER TO THE BRITISH CONFERENCE. To the President and Members qfthe Wesleyan Methodist Conference. Rxv. Fathers and Brethren : . We thankfully acknowledge your Address, which has afforded us pleasure and edification. We have been cheered from time to time with the tidings of your prosperity, both in the home work and in your extensive foreigu missions, even in the midst of unhallowed efforts Xo divide, to embarrass and to defeat. The Lord hath set before you an open door which no man can shut ; and He will keep it open until He shall reign whose right it is. During the past year we have had some increase in the num- ber of our Church members. The excitements and agitations to which we referred in our last Address, have in a great degree subsided ; and, in general,, we are blest with religious as well as civil tranquillity throughout this happy and flourishing Pro- vince. We believe there is an improved spirit of union and pious liberality in our Societies generally. Our Missionary collections and subscriptions, during the Conference year just closed, amount to much more than those of the preceding year; and there is encouraging prospect that they will be considerably increased the present year. The Missions continue prosperous ; a considerable number of conversions have taken place at some of the stations, and some new openings to hitherto untaught tribes have presented themselves. Of this part of the work, however, you will receive more ample information from your General Superintendent of Missions, to whose perseverance, fidelity, and zeal, we cordially reiterate the testimony of our last Address. The completion of the buildings for our Academy has been delayed to a later period than was anticipated, for want of funds. We hope, however, to obtain relief from our embarrassments, and that the buildings will be completed and the Institution be put into operation in the course of a few months, provided suitable tutors can be procured. In the Academy buildings 835. hodist chhas heered )oth in !ven in and to ich no 1 reign e num- itations : degree as well ing Pro- ion and isionary sar just g yew; derably erous ; it some Ltaught work, m your [erance, of ottr 18 been If funds, sments, ktion be [rovided lildings 1835.] MINUTB8. 113 themselves, one hundred and seventy pupils may be accom- modated with board and lodging. We anticipate the greatest advantages to this Province, and to our Connexion especially, from this Institution. We have directed our President and Secretary to make application to you for a suitable Principal to superintend its operations. To the many emigrants from the mother country, and espe- cially to the professors and families of Wesleyan Methodism, we continue to direct our most anxious attention. Many of them retain their piety in all its simplicity and purity, and do honour to the Connexion and country from whence they came ; and it is our fixed principle and purpose of action, to follow the emi- grant and the new settler wherever he may fix his abode, and to make the ministrations of the word co^existent with the rising settlements of the Province. We have unanimously and most earnestly recommended, and are determined to do all in our power, to circulate the standard works of Methodism as extensively as possible, and to encourage and promote the intellectual as well as religious improvement of our Societies and congregations. We heartily respond to your parental suggestion and advice, to " pursue with simplicity and singleness of heart our one great concern, the salvation of immortal men ;" and to preserve our Discipline as now established by the unanimous voice of both Connexions, " unless, after a full trial for a sufficient length of time, it shall be found absolutely necessary to propose some change." The minds of our people are now settled on this subject, and we wish them to remain so. It affords us peculiar pleasure to add our testimony to yours, to the friendly and cordial co-operation of His Majesty's Repre- sentative in this Province in promoting " the Christian instruc- tion of the new settlers, and of the Indian tribes." That co-operation we believe is duly appreciated generally ; and throughout our Societies and the Province at large, there is a spirit of sound loyalty to His Majesty's Government and the unity of the Empire. And amidst the secular contentions of rival partizanship, we feel it our duty and special calling to 2k i. •', ' {■., i 1 1 1 i 114 MINUTES. [1835. ** fear God and honour the Sang/'— to secure our own salva* tirn, and the salvation of the people around us. We tender our cordial and unanimous thanks for the appoint- ment of our highly esteemed friend and l»:other, the Rev. William Lord, as our President, and that he has been sent ta reside and labour amongst: us for a season. His extensive travels and arduous labours in this Province have eminently and effectually contributed to strengthen and consolidate the union between the two Connexions ; have afforded great satis- faction and edification to ourselves and our coiigregations ; and have greatly advanced the Missionary cause. We earnestly and unanimously solicit his re-appointment as our President another year. . • . With you we can say, " Though separated in body, we are one in spirit. May our union, which we trust is of God, be permanent on earth and eternal in glory !" Signed, by order and in behalf of the Conference. " EoERTOK Rtersoit, Secretary. Hami/ton, I/. C, June 16th, 1835. Wm : III .5»^>»i; 115 "M » . ■ r_%v( -r •.. -i! > , MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, * ,* TAKEN AT BELLEVILLE, FROM THE 8th TO THE 13th JUNE, 1836. • ' 1/ "William Lord, President, William Case, Secretary. Question 1. What preachers are this year admit" ted into full connexion with the Conference^ and ordained ? John Sunday, (Chippewa Indian), Thomas Har- mon — 2. Quest. 2. What preachers remain on trial? Peter Ker, Thomas McMullen, Thomas Fawcett, William McFadden, John Law, John K. Williston, Samuel Rose, A. Townley. These have travelled THREE years. George F. Playter, William Steer, Vincent B. Howard, Stephen Brownell, John G. Manly, Jonathan Scott,* John Douse, Jonathan Gladwin,* Benjamin Slight. These have travelled TWO years. James Ward, Benj. Nankevill, Hannibal Mulkins, William Deverell, John Flanagan,* Thos. Hurlburt, Solomon Snider, Daniel Berney, John Mclntyre,* C. B. Goodrich— .27. ' These have travelled one year. ~" * These have been ordained, as it was thought their services as Miato- ters would be needed where ttiey are appointed to labour. I , f i 116 MINUTES. [1836. Quest. 3. What preachers are now received on iriaU John C. Will, John Lever, George Goodson, Wm. Willoughby, William Young, J. Garrett, H. Mont- gomery, George B. Butcher, William Haw, Stephen Miles, Silvester Hurlburt — 11. Quest. 4. What preachers have died since the last Conference ? None. Quest. 5. Are there any objections to any of our preachers ? None. They were all examined one by one. Quest. 6. What preachers have desisted from travelling? Alexander Irvine, W. Patrick, James Richardson, John S. Atwood (all at their own request) — 4. Quest. 7. Who are the supernumeraries ? Wyat Chamberlain, without claim on the funds ; Daniel McMullen — 2. Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers ? Thos. Whitehead, Jas. Wilson, William Brown,* David Youmans, A. Prindle, Samuel Belton, Charles Wood,* Franklin Metcalf, Philander Smith,* C. R. Allison, Andrew Taylor,* who resides at Port Hope — 11. * These have no claim on our funds. Quest. 9. What preachers have withdrawn from the Church this year ? None. Quest. 10. How are the preachers stationed for the ensuing year ? As follows, viz : — I— NIAGARA DISTRICT. Hamilton — Wra. Ryerson, James Musgrove, Samuel Rose. Stamford — Richard Jones, Alexander MacNab. the 1836.] MINUTES. 117 St. Catherines — Thomas Bevitt, John Douse. Grimsby — Richard Phelps, William Steer. Simcoe — J. Messmore, Peter Ker. Brantford — Edmund Shepard, John Law. William Ryerson, Chairman, II.— LONDON DISTRICT. London — David Wright, John Flanagan. St. Thomas — John Baxter,* John Williston. Gosjield — Stephen Miles. Howard — James Ward. Oxford — James Norris. Thames — William Griffis, C. B. Goodrich. David Wright, Chairman. III.— TORONTO DISTRICT. Toronto City — Matthew Lang, who is our Book Steward ; Joseph Stinson, General Superin- tendent of Missions ; Ephraim Evans, who is our Editor. Yonge Street — Hamilton Biggar, Thomas Fawcett. Newmarket — Horace Dean, i. Lever. Toronto — Edmund Stoney, H. Mulkins. Nelson — Edwy M. Ryerson. One wanted. Dumfries — Rowley Heyland, Benjamin Nankevill. Whiiby-^Roheri Corson, D. C. Will. Brock — To be supplied. Guelph — To be supplied. John Ryerson, Chairman, IV.— BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. Kingston — The President of the Conference ; Egerton Ryerson, J. G. Manly. Gananoque — George F. Playter. Bay of Quinte — John Black, William Young, Waterloo — Conrad Vandusen,* Solomon Snider. Hallowell — John C. Davidson, W. Haw. * Since the Conference an arrangement has been made, whereby J. Baxter goes to Waterloo^ and C. Yandusen to St. TKotmu. 118 MINUTES. [1836. Belleville — Henry Wilkinson. Cohourg — George Poole, Adam Townley. Peterboro' — J. Armstrong, H. Montgomery. Sidney — William H. Williams. Murray — Simon Huntington, W. Deverell. Anson Green, Chairman. II'; v.-augusta district. Brockville — J. Carroll. Prescott and Augusta — Ezra Adams, Geo. Ferguson. Matilda — Henry Shaler, G. Goodson. Rideau — A. Adams, Thomas McMullen. Perth — T. Harmon. Elizabethtown — James Currie, Lewis Warner. Mississippi — John Mclntyre, V. B. Howard. Richmond — Daniel Berney. Ottawa — Asahel Hurlburt. One wanted. Bytown — James Brock (who will visit some of the distant Circuits, under the direction of the Chairman ;) W. Currie. JTM//__William McFadden. Crosby — Stephen Brownell. Pembroke — G. Butcher. Clarendon — W. Willoughby. Ezra Healy, Chairman, VI.- MISSIONARY DISTRICT. St. Clair — James Evans. Amherstburgh — Jonathan Gladwin. Credit — Peter Jones, B.. Slight. Saugeeng — Thomas Hurlburt. Coldwater and French River — Gilbert Miller. Lake Simcoe — Jonathan Scott. Rice Lake and Grape Island — William Case, Silves- ter Hurlburt, John Sunday. William Case is to pay particular attention to the arrangement and settlement of the new village on the south shore of Rice Lake. S. Hurlburt will also po-operate in this business. [1836. nan. guson. of the of the nan. Jilves- 'ase is ement south ll also 1836.]) MINUTES. lid Muncytown — Solomon Waldron. Isle of Tanti — To be supplied. Grand River — Matthew Whiting. Huron — To be supplied. Marmora — To be supplied. Lanark — To be supplied. Joseph Stinson, General Superintendent. Egerton Ryerson, Representative to the Wesleyan Conference in England. John Beatty, Agent for the U. C. Academy. Quest, ll. What is the number of members in our Societies^ and what has been collected for the con- tingent expenses^ and for making up the alloioances of Preachers 9 As follows, viz. : — Circnita. Stamford .... St.Catherines Canborough . Hamilton.... Long Point .. Brantford .... London Gosfield Westminster. Oxford Thames Kingston .... Gananoque.. Bay of Quinte Waterloo .... Hallo well . . . Belleville ... Cobourg .... Peterborough Sidney Murray lena. Am'tCoUectedll 383 £8 397 5 3 1 247 5 6 1 566 14 1 3 677 9 153 3 349 5 2 6 280 6 416 2 14 9 139 3 9 7 240 4 10 201 5 18 9 5 590 6 412 3 5 64 648 7 10 162 3 10 300 3 11 6i 345 3 17 6 274 4 436 3 18 3 Circuit*. Mem. Brockville... 100 Prescott &Au 630 Elizabthtown 383 Matilda 668 Rideau 349 Perth 143 Mississippi . . 203 Richmond... 310 Ottawa 667 Bwown Hull 148 84 Crosby 164 Toronto city. 289 Yonge Street 578 Newmaricet . 537 Toronto 560 Nelson 490 Dumfries .... 278 Whitby 610 Brock 141 St. Clair .... 108 3 4 2 2 Am't Collected £2 12 8 2 5 4 7 4 9} 1 2 4 0| 2 12 11 117 4 18 3i 2 10 Nothing. 15 7i 7 3 7 10 5 2 7 15 8 3 10 6 2 Nothing. ' 3 5 li 84 2 2 7 6 From the Credit Mission Public Collection at Conference Bay of Quinte District Meeting Preachers at Conference 15,904 191 1 2 1 12 8 5 7 15 10 15 ,* ■) V ; 1^ ! i Total this year ....£309 11 2 li 120 MINUTES. Missions. [1836. Missions Whites Indians Credit Lake Simcoe . Rice Lake . . . . Amhersiburgh Grand River . . Saugeeng .... Muncytown .. 70 99 5 18 9 2 2 70 196 141 33 159 63 169 Missions Grape Island .... St. Clair 7 Marmora 50 IsleTanti 55 Goderich 45 Clarendon 80 Pembroke 20 Whiter Indians 85 101 Total 462 1017 RECAPITULATION. Whites. Indians. Members in the societies this year . . 15,027 1017 last year .. 14,147 909 .« << « Totul. 16,044 *15,056 Increase this year 988 * Deducting 50 for error in return of Sidney Circuit. Quest. 12. How has the amount collected for the contingent expenses been paid ? Incidentals during the Conference £0 7 2 Widow of the late Rev. T. Madden 18 lOj Widow of the late Rev. W. Slater 18 lOj David Toumans 18 10^ Thomas Whitehead 18 10^ JohnCarroU 2815 Franklin Metcalf 3ff 110 James Wilson 36 110 Andrew Prindle 36 1 10 Total £209 11 2 Quest. 13. What can we further do to promote the prosperity and permanency of the work of God in our Societies? After prayerful and serious deliberation on this important question, the Conference unanimously adopted the following Resolutions of the British Con- ference passed on similar questions :' — 1. We on this solemn occasion devote ourselves afresh to God> and resolve, in humble dependence 1836.] ttiNUTCfi. 121 on his grace, to be more than ever attentive to per- sonal religion, and to the christian instruction and government of our families. 2. Let us endeavour, in our public ministry, to preach constantly all those leading and vital doo- trines of the Gospel which particularly distinguished the original Methodist Preachers 'vhose labours were so signally blessed by the Lord, and to preach them in our primitive method evangelically, experimen- tally, zealously, and with great plainness of speech. 8. Let us consecrate ourselves, fully and entirely to our proper work, as servants of Christ, — giving ourselves wholly to it, both in public and private, and guarding against all occupations of our time and thoughts which have no direct connexion with our great calling, and which would injuriously divert our attention from the momentous task of saving souls, and taking care of the flock of Christ. 4. Let us covet earnestly the best gifts to qualify us for an acceptable and useful ministry — let us seek them in prayer from Him who is the Father of Lights and Fountain of Wisdom — let. us stir up and improve by diligent cultivation the gift that is in ui^ and strive in every way to be ** workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" : taking care however that whatever qual- ifications we acquire, our Ministry shall, at least, by the divine blessing, always be characterised by sound evangelical doctrine, and by the spirit of tender affection and becoming zeal. 5. Let us frequently read, and carefully study, the duty of a preacher and pastor, written in the 7th section of the first chapter of pur Discipline. 6. Let us try in every Circuit to open new places for preaching, — let us try again places which have not been recently visited — let us be increasingly 1. :■ Vi 1 - ^ ^:^ i If! m h '■ ift r r^if^ 122 MINUTES. [1836. attentive to the supply and superintendence of all places already on the plan, — let us not be satisfied till every house and neighbourhood shall be blessed, as far as we possibly can accomplish it, with the nieans of grace and salvation, — in a word, let every Methodist Preacher consider himself a Missionary, whose business it is to enlarge and extend, as well as keep the circuit to which he is appointed. 7. Let us speak plainly and pointedly in every place, both in meetings of the Society, and in our Sermons, on the duty and advantages of Christian Communion, and exhort all who are seeking salva- tion to avail themselves without delay of the help of our more private means of grace. 8. Let us encourage public prayer meetings. We recommend to the Preachers, in all cases where it is practicable, the establishment and superintendence of prayer meetings in private houses, as being calcu- lated not only to call into exercise the gifts of our people, and to promote their religious improvement, but also to awaken others to the concerns of their souls, as well as to obtain the special blessing of God upon the Ministry of his Word. 9 Let us, wherever we have access and opportu- i^lty, be diligent in pastoral visits to our people at their own houses ; especially to the sick, the care- less and the lukewarm. 10. But as such private visits must, in many cases, from our plan of continual Itinerancy, and from the number of members in our Societies, be greatly lim- ited, let us endeavour so to arrange, in our several circuits, the plans for the quarterly visitation of the classes as to allow full time for a minute examination into the christian knowledge, experience and prac- tice of the members, and for pastoral enquiries, instructions, and counaels respecting personal and family religion. 1836.] MINUTES. 1*23 11. Let us regularly meet the class lenders, and examine their class papers in Town and Country, — and do all we can to engage botli them and our re- spected brethren the Local Preachers to co-operate with U9, in their respective departments, in promo- ting vital godliness among our people and extending the work of the Lord. 12. As much depends, under the blessing of God, on the piety, knowledge, and christian temper of our Leaders, as well as on their firm attachment to the doctrines, discipline and cause of Methodism, — let us never nominate a new Leader until we have con- scientiously satisfied ourselves, by previous enquiry and personal examination, as to his character and qualification 3. 13. Let us affectionately, but firmly, enforce on the Leaders as an essential article of our pastoral dis- cipline, and one which in consequence of our own constant Itinerancy cannot be dispensed with, the rule of the Society in which it is slated to be the duty of a leader to see each member of his class once a^ week. " ' 14. Let us pay particular attention to backsliders, and endeavour in the spirit of meekness to restore them that have been overtaken in a fault ; — and by private efforts, as well ashy our public ministrations, to recover the fallen out of the snare of the Devil, 15. Let us afresh enforce on all our people a con* scientious attendance on the Lord's Supper. 16. We also resolve that there shall be a regular observance of the quarterly fasts in all our Circuits, as directed in our discipline ; on which occasions pub- lic prayer meeting shall be held in all our Societies, at those -hours which may be deemed most convenient for the attendance of our people. 17. Let us earnestly exhort all our Societies ta 124 MINUTES. [1836. ILfiliiiiXH' .■ ! II II make the best and most religious use of the rest and leisure of the Lord's day — let us admonish any who shall be found to neglect our public worship under pretence of visiting the sick, or other similar en- gagements, — let us show to our people the evil of desecrating those portions of the Sabbath which are not spent in public worship by visiting, or receiving company, to the neglect of private prayer, of the perusal of the Scriptures and of family duties, — and let us ourselves ** be living epistles" to enforce the Divine Command, ** Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy," 18. In conducting our Leaders' and Quarterly Meetings, and in all other official meetings among us, let us affectionately and steadily discountenance the spirit of strife and debate, and promote in the management of all affairs, both by advice and exam- ple, the temper and manner of men who are acting for God in the service of his church. Let the intro- duction of useless and irritating discussion not legiti- mately connected with the proper business of such meetings be prudently repressed — let us remem-S^r that in a large body the only way to live in peace and comfort is to walk by ruhf and, to use the lan- guage of Mr. Wesley, not to mend our rules, but to keep them for conscience sake. And while we steadily and cheerfully protect all our members in meetings in which we preside, in the exercise of such functions as belong to them, according to known laws and general usages, let us not forget that we are under solemn obligations to conduct ourselves on such occasions, not as the mere chairmen of public meet- ings, but as the pastors of Christian Societies, put in trust by the ordinance of God, and by their own voluntary association with us, with ihe sq^iptural superintendence of their spiritual affairs, and respon- sible to the great Head of the Church for the faithful discharge of the duties of that trust. )eaoe lan- )Ut to we in such laws are such leet- put own kural spon- Ithful 1836.1 MINUTES. 126 IQ, Every Superintendent is requested to leave for his successor a circuit book, which shall not only contain a list of the official members, and of the annu- al subscribers to our several Funds, &c., but especi- ally an exact list of the names of all members in his circuit, — arranged in their several classes and socie- eties as found at the last quarterly meeting of the year. ' 20. As we are deeply sensible that the great thing to be desired in order to a revival and extension of the work of God, without which no resolutions, or labours, or regulations will avail, is a new and more abundant effusion of the Holy Spirit on ourselves, on our societies, and on our congregations,— we sol- emnly agree to seek that blessing in humble and earnest prayer. And we hereby appoint that the last Friday in July, being July the 29th, shall be observed in all our circuits as a day of special fast- ing and prayer to Almighty God. Let meetings for public supplication be held in as many places as possible in every circuit, and let the preachers speak largely and particularly on the subject in their ser- mons on the preceding Lord's Day. 21. The various articles included in this Minute shall be read by every Chairman at the regular An- nual Meeting of his District and shall then be made the subject of serious conversation among the Breth- ren with a view to their particular bearing on the spiritual state and circumstances of each District res- pectively. Quest. 15. What can be done for the purpose of securing a more efficient support for our Superan' nuated Preachers^ and for the widows and children of those who have died in the itinerant work ? 1. Instead of the public collections which are now made in our congregotions, (generally called the 2 L W I ■•'it ■■'■» ' i:" W ' I mi 126 M1NUTB8. [1836. Fifth Collection,) there shall be private collections and subscriptions made in the Societies, and among our friends throughout all our Circuits, during the month of May in each year. 2. That into this fund each member of the Confer- ence shall pay not less than one pound annually. Quest. 16. What can be done to improve the gen' eral state of our Finances, and for the extension of the work f I. — Ist, There shall be a Fund established, called the Contingent Fund ; the avails of which shall be appropriated to making up the deficiencies of those poor Circuits which have not been able to pay their Preachers' salaries, and to defray extraordinary ex- penses, as in cases of sickness, &c. 2nd. For the purpose of establishing and support- ing the Contingent Fund, there shall be public col- lections made in all our congregations during the months of September and February in each year. 3rd. Such appropriations of the avails of the Print- ing and Book Establishments shall be annually made to this Fund as the Book Committee shall, from time to time, judge expedient. 4ih. We liereby agree to do all we can to increase and support our Book Concern in the City of Toronto ; and in order thereto, we will first subscribe to the utmost of our ability, and then circulate subscriptions among all our people throughout every Circuit within the bounds of the Conference. 5th. The Chairmen of Districts shall be the Dis- trict Treasurers for the Contingent Fund ; to whom all monies collectt^d for it within their respective Districts shall be transmitted, and by whom a correct account shall be kept of the amount received from the several Circuits.* * All the monies pnid on the aubaeription in aid of tiie Book Concern tre to be remitted to the Buoit Steward. m 1836. ctions imong ig the onfer- e geri' ension called [mil be ■ those Y their try ex- jpport- lic Goi- ng the ear. J Print- made m time icrease )ronto ; to the iptions within ne Dis- whom pective correct d from Concern 18d6.] MiNurss. • 127 6th. That a Committee of appropriation be ap- pointed, consisting of the following persons, viz : The Chairmen of Districts; the Preachers in Toronto City ; the Secret ary of the Conference ; and the following laymen : — Messrs. S. E. Taylor, Justus W. Williams, Bartholomew Bull, William F. Moore, John Hacking, Billa Flint, jun., and W. McDonald. 7th. That this Committee shall meet in the City of Toronto the day before the Session of the next Conference, at 9, A. M. ; to which meeting all the monies collected for this fund shall be brought ; and the Committee shall examine the claims of each Circuit, and determine the amount to be appropriated. II. — The Conference recommend that the rules respecting the allowances of the Preachers' children, and weekly class collections, be acted upon from this time forward, as far as practicable. Quest. 17. WTio constitute the Standing Mission- ary Committee 7 The Standing Committee of the Missionary Society shall this year be at Toronto, and shall consist of the following persons, viz : The Chairmen of Districts ; the Preachers in Toronto City ; and Mr. S. E. Taylor, Treasurer ; Mr. John Beatty, jun.. Secretary ; J. R. Armstrong, Esq., Messrs. Jonathan Dunn, Alexander Hamilton, Richard Woodsworth. The above Committee shall meet in Toronto the day previous to the Session of the Conference, to close the business of the year. H ■1 ,, litiw 128 MINUTES. [1836. Quest. 18. What shall he done to guard the rights f and privileges^ and property ^ of the Connexion ? A Committee shall be appointed for this purpose, during the ensuing year, consisting of the President and Secretary of the Conference ; Chairmen of Dis- tricts ; Superintendent of Missions ; the Preachers in Toronto City Circuit ; together with the following gentlemen, who are respectfully requested to lend their counsel and aid, should occasion require, viz.: — Jas. R. Armstrong, Jas. Dougall, John Scatchard, Geo. H. Detlor, George Brouse, Lewis G. Gordon, William Brown, Jonathan Dunn, Alex'r Davidson, Wm. MacDonald, John Counter, Justus W. Williams, Billa Flint, jun., Andrew Sharp, Samuel McAfee, and Luther Houghton, Esqrs. The Editor of the Christian Guardian to be Secre- tary, with authority to call meetings of the Com- mittee ; five of whom shall form a quorum for the transaction of business. The sum of one hundred and fifty pounds shall be raised without delay, for the purpose of defraying the exper ies which may be incurred in defending our Chapel property, and otherwise guarding the privi- leges of our Connexion. The Committee of Privi- leges shall apportion the amount to be raised on each Circuit, and shall also receive and expend the same. A representation having been made to the Con- ference that an annual tax is levied upon the Wesr leyan-Methodist Chapel at Niagara, it was ordered — That the Chairman of the Niagara District^ and the Superintendent of the Stamford Circuit, make particular inquiry as to the legality of the said tax ; and if it shall appear to them to be illegal, they shall take such. steps as they may deem expedient to resist its exaction. 1836.] M!NUTE8. 12d Quest. 19. What can be done to relieve the Trus- tees of those Chapels which are encumbered with debtSf and to guard against similar encumbrances in future? 1 . Let subscriptions or collections be made on each Circuit, annually, for the purpose of establishing a Chapel Fund. 2. Let this be done the present year, without delay ; and let each Superintendent remit to the Chairman of the Augusta District, the amount collected on his Circuit, at the expiration of six months. Quest. 20* Where and when shall our next Con- ference be held ? In the City of Toronto, on the 2nd Wednesday in June, 1837, at 6 o'clock, A. M. Signed, in behalf and by order of the Conference, William Lord, President. William Case, Secretary, tax THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE. To the Members qf the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada. Dearly Belotkd Brethren : " Grace be to you and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." Through the abundant goodness of Almighty God, we have been permitted again to assemble- together in Conference ; and at the close of a very pleasant and profitable session,^uring which much important business has been transacted, — we gladly embrace an opportunity to address you, according to our usage, on a few particulars in which you, as well as your Ministers, are deeply interested. 1 . ,! ' ^1 . i 130 MINUTES. [1836. With unfeigned gratitude to God, we record the pleasing cir- cumstance that the lives ot all your Preachers have been graci- ously preserved during the past year ; and that we now enjoy the privilege of expressing to you the affectionate interest which we take in everything that relates to your present and future welfare. We rejoice in the assurance that the attachment between us is mutual ; and we assure you that, while you have been anxi- ously remembering us at the Throne of Grace, you have largely shared in our public and private meditations and prayers. You will rejoice with us in the general prosperity which has attended the efforts of the Church during the past year, notwith- standing the misguided zeal of certain individuals who have assiduously laboured to sow the seeds of discord throughout the fair field of our spiritual culture. The increase for the year just ended is 988. God has preserved the Church as a whole in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace. Some few persons, influenced, we believe, by misrepresen- tation, have seceded from our communion ; but the number is so small as only to justify even a reference to this circumstance, on the ground that we always desire faithfully to represent the true state of the work when addressing, as we now do, the Church over which the Holy Ghost hath made us overseers. We cannot discharge the important duty devolving on us, in presenting to you this Pastoral Address, without adverting for a moment to the numerous unfounded slanders, which, from a certain quarter, have been, during the past year, directed, in some cases against our personal, and in others against our con- ferential character. The notoriety of this course of conduct, and the general information thereon, which, through the organ of the Church, the Christian Gttardian, has been and will con- tinue to be circulated, supersedes the necessity of saying more respecting this attack made on those who have it in their hearts to live and die with you. We are confident that a proper under- standing on this subject will fully prepare you to rally around your Ministers, and support them, not only by attentively listen- ing to their counsels, but by manifesting an uncompromising disapprobation of such a course of conduct pursued against the Ministers of the most numerous body of Christians in the Pro- VII m( th< yo in su: 1836] MINUTES. 131 vince. But while we express our confidence in your attach- ment to your Ministers, and in your firmness in maintaining their character and influence unimpaired, — suffer us to exhort you to cultivate a spirit of Christian forbearance and kindness,^ in imitation" of Him who, in the extremity of his wrongs and sufferings, at the same time that he relinquished none of his claims, exemplified in his practice what he inculcated by pre- cept — '* I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefuUy use you and persecute you." Brethren, we beseech you, **by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Make it your constant aim to save your own souls, and to the utmost of your ability diffuse, both at home and abroad, an influence on the side of religion and virtue. Attend to the duties of the closet, of the family, and the Church, with punctuality, seriousness, and diligence. Be careful that yourconduct in your domestic relations, whether as husbands or wives, as parents or children, as masters or servants, be in accordance with the Christian character. As citizens and subjects, be blameless and harmless, always endea- vouring to discharge the duties you owe to your King and Country, with a single eye, remembering the words of the Holy Spirit, from which there is no appeal — "Let every soul be" subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God ; the powers that be, are ordained of God." Be blameless before God and man ; but rest not here, be examples to all " in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Obey the kind command of Christ, "Lef-a of me;" be inti- mate with him, imbibe his spirit, piactise his precepts,. and copy his example. It will much promote your religious profit if you cultivate a spirit of hearing the Word of God, and of affectionate regard to those Ministers whom God has placed over you ; and, if you closely adhere and conscientiously attend to your own religious ordinances and means of grace, you will, we trust, see the propriety of guarding against all extremes in religion, particu- larly at the present time, when various novel schemes, both in theory and in practice, are being advocated by talented, and, ia some sense, popular men. Brethren, forget not the Apostolic 18^ MINUTES. [1836. advice—" Be diligent in business ;" but, at the same time, " fervent in spirit." Take especial care that no concerns of a worldly nature disturb the tranquillity, or violate, in anyilegree, the sanctity of the Sabbath. This is emphatically the Lord's Day. Devote it all to Him. Suffer no secular duties on this day to damp the aspirations of a heavenly mind, but — " In holy duties let the day In holy comforts pass away." Perhaps it may be proper in this place to advert to the kind of reading best befitting the holiness and spirituality of the Sab- bath. This should mainly be the Holt Scriptures. Good comments, in addition to the text, may be read with profit and advantage ; and, if other books are also read, they should par- take of a highly spiritual and devotional character. Newspapers should be cautiously avoided and wholly discarded on the Lord's Day, as well as every other production not calculated to advance our real holiness. As Christian parents, you will, of course, " look well to your households," and not only restrain your children and domestics from known and open violations of God's most holy law, but you will faithfully endeavour to instil into their minds the noble and saving principles of Christianity ; and accustom them to a regular and reverential, and, in all cases, an early attendance on the worship of Almighty God. As parents, you cannot be too sensible that more is necessary to eradicate the natural evil propensities of your children, and to establish and preserve them in the way that is good, than amiable manners, a moral exterior, or even a polite education ; therefore rest not until, in the heart of each individual of your fomilies, a genuine work of the Spirit of Grace is hopefully wrought. This, and nothing short of this, can afford you security that, when you are gathered to your fathers, your posterity will not, Manasseh-like, plunge into the depths of iniquity; or that, *' instead of the fathers will be the children whom God will make princes in the earth." Suffer us now tenderly to remind you, that, while you consci- entiously hold fast the spiritual form of sound words, — while you firmly maintain, in theory, experience, and practice, all the fundamental doctrines of Christianity ; and particularly, while & 18B6.] MINUTES. 133 you highly prize the important and Scriptural doctrine of Jus- tificationl>7 Faith,— a present salvation from sin, through faith alone, — not to forget that it is the will of God, even your [entire] Sanctification. Think and speak of this glorious privilege of all believers with thankfulness and reverence ; but especially seek to enjoy the precious blessing in your individual experi- ence — ** Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." In many matters really trivial and indifferent avoid all need- less singularity. Let your manner of life, your whole appear- ance and deportment, be charaoteri&ed by consistency, modera- tion, simplicity, and godly zeal. In a word. Brethren, ** go forward" in the good old way of holy faith, holy experience, and holy obedience delineated in the Sacred Scriptures, — a way which thousands have trodden who are now with your Saviour and our Saviour in the King- dom of Heaven. Turn neither to the right hand nor to the left, but, " be ye steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. ** Dear Brethren, In close connexion with the maintenance of a truly Christian character before God and man, is a spirit of sacrifice and untiring exertion in forming and executing suita- ble plans for the furtherance of the great work of God in the earth, — the proper business of Christians, and in which we, as a Church, are spiritedly engaged. You will be duly informed respecting certain plans originated during this session of Con- ference, and of the extent to which your ministers, out of their limited means, have contributed, in order to bring them into active operation. We confidently rely upon your hearty co-operation in these plans. We deem them to be vitally essential to the solid advancement and extensive usefulness of the Methodist Church. That they will tend greatly to augment the influence and moral power of Zion, and hasten the period when she will appear upon earth "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. " They are the salt of the earth, they are properly Christians, who, in the spirit of Him, who "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister," having given them- selves to God, are willing also to give their time, their wealthy 134 MIN0TE8. [1836. and their influence, as well as to make many personal sacrifices, to promote the interest of Christ's kingdom among men. This is the spirit of our Christianity, — the spirit which actuated its Blessed Author ; and this spirit has distinguished the brightest ornaments of the Church of God in every age. The Christian's life is a life of benevolence and sacrifice. This is the v;ay to eternal life, the path that leads to the possession cf infinite rewards. "The liberal man deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things shall he stand." You will be pleased to learn that our Delegates to the (xen- eral Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, recently held in Cincinnati, met with a most cordial and affectionate reception from our fathers and brethren of that division of the great Wesleyan Methodist Family. To them we are indebted for the first preaching of the Gospel among us, and for the com- mencement of that work of God which has spread over this Province. We are glad to be able to inform you that they still take a deep interest in our prosperity, — that they sympathise with us in our difficulties and trials, — and that they neither have afforded, nor will they show, any encouragement or countenance to those few individuals who have seceded from the Church on account of the Union which various circum- stances rendered it desirable and expedient for us to form with our brethren in Great Britain. This Union has been fully recognised by the General Conference, and we earnestly hope, and devoutly pray, that the good understanding which thus happily subsists between all the legitimate branches of Wes- leyan Methodism may ever continue, "though mountains rise and oceans roll, to sever us, in vain." The present Session of Conference is now brought to an end. .As ministers, we are on the eve of separating to our respective allotments of labour. €rod has been specially with us in our deliberations and ministrations ; and, as we expect soon to be personally among you, we hope to come to you in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Peace. We are afresh stimulated to preach and pray, and live for God— for the Church, and for souls. Unite with us to be altogether Christians, to promote a general revival of the work of God, and to save men from ■in. [1836. If 1886.] MINUTES. 195 And now, dear Brethren, our hearts' desire and prayer to 6o4 is, that He may pour upon you all, as well as upon us your' ministers and pastors, the abundant gifts and graces of his Holy Spirit ; so that all our energies and means of usefulness may be employed, with increasing zeal and efficiency, to save a world lying in wickedness. May we, as a people, faithfully fulfil our vocation with God, and successfully co-operate with other churches of Christ in spreading evangelical knowledge, exper- imental religion, and scriptural holiness throughout the world t The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all ! Amen. Conference Room^ Bellerille, June 13th, 1836. William Lord, President, William Cao£, Secretary, i a circum- ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE TO HIS EXCEL- LENCY THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. To His Excellency Sir Francis Bond Head, Knight Commander of the Royal Hanoverian Gnelphic Order, and of the Prussian military Order of Merit, LieU' tenant- Governor of the Province of Upper Canada§ 4*c. SfC. Spc. Mat it Please Your Excellency : We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Ministers of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church in Canada, in Conference assembled, beg leave to embrace the earliest opportunity most respectfully and cordially to congratulate Your Excellency on your safe arrival, and on the assumption of the high and im- portant duty of administering the Government of this Province. We are happy to convey *o your Excellency an a&aurance of our sincere and unabated attachment, and loyal devotion to the person and government of our revered Sovereign ; and of our undissembled admiration of the excellent Constitution by which the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of this Province are so happily secured, and under which it has advanced to itp present state of civil and religious prosperity. if ■. .;Mt ' '*" '*' 1 1 r. JU..'U.' ...ui 'W .li'. 136 MfNUTES. [1836. Deeply impressed with a due sense of the advantages derived from the connexion existing between this Province and the Mother Country, it will be alike our duty and delight to incul- cate, by precept and example, on the numerous people under our pastoral care and instruction, those Scriptural principles of piety and loyalty which are essential to their peace and pros- perity, and to the perpetuation of that connexion ; and which are summed up in the comprehensive injunction of the inspired penman, " Fear God — Honour the King.*' We avail ourselves of the present opportunity most respect- fully to suggest to Your Excellency our confirmed opinion, — gathered from an extensive acquaintance with the state of pub- lic feeling, — that nothing could tend more to allay existing agitations, and to strengthen the attachment of the great mass of our fellow-subjects in this Province to the Crown of Great Britain, than a speedy and satisfactory disposition of the lands heretofore set apart for the support of a Protestant Clergy ; and which have been, for many years, the cause of much discon- tent among many of the truly loyal subjects of His Majesty, who have ofVen constitutionally expressed their wishes on this subject. We ha^ great pleasure in expressing our implicit confidence that we, in common with all our fellow-subjects, shall ever enjoy, during Your Excellency's administration, all that we have ever sought or desired, " equal and impartial protection.'* While engaged in the arduous duties of our ministerial office, in endeavouring to spread Scriptural education and holiness, it will ever be our ardent desire, and earnest prayer to Almighty God, that Your Excellency maybe under the constant guidance and protection of His Divine Providence ; and that, under Your Excellency's administration, this noble Province may steadily advance in piety, intelligence, industry, wealth, and all that constitutes true national greatness. Signed, by order and in behalf of the Conference. William Lord, President* V I Conferenee Room^ Bellevillet June 13tb, 1836. William Cask, Secretary, 1836.1 MINUTES. 137 HIS EXCELLENCY'S REPLY. Gbrtlemen As the Elections have commenced, I must decline giving any other reply to the Address I have just received from you, than merely to acknov/ledge its receipt. may , and THE ADDRESS OF THE BRITISH CONFERENCE. To the CoT{ference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada. Reverend and Dear Brethren : We devoutly rejoice to hear of your continued prosperity in the great work of the Lord, to which He has called you. To us it is especially gratifying to learn, that amidst your many pious and benevolent labours, your "anxious attention" is so laudably directed to the numerous emigrants froi.i our own country, who become settlers in your flourishing Province, and that you find amongst them not a few of those who have been turned to God by our Ministry, and who still "retain their piety in all simplicity and purity." We join with you in thanks- giving to God, for disposing the heart of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada to sanction and promote your exertions in behalf of the destitute settlers, and the Indian tribes which are scattered through the wilds of your rising country. Loyalty to civil rulers is at all times a Christian duty| and it is a pleasing task when those who bear rule are inclined to employ their influence in subservience to the great interests of Christianity. It affords us unfeigned pleasure, though it is no matter of surprise, to hear of the great acceptance and gene- ral usefulness of our esteemed brother, the Rev. William Lord, your present President. We have long known him as a faithful, laborious, and judicious Minister of Jesus Christ, and as pos- sessing those qualifications which peculiarly fit him for the important and responsible situation which he now holds amongst you ; and we cheerfully and unanimously comply with your request again to appoint him as your President. m2 M ; ;!'"<; 138 MINUTES. [1836. g. ''* The year which has now transpired, has been one of extraor- dinary trial to our Connexion. Shortly after our last Conference, a suspended Preacher and certain of his partizans, who had been long known to be disaffected to genuine Wosleyan Meth- odism, formed an Association, the constitution of which we deem to be contrary to ail sound principles of ecclesiastical go- vernment, directly opposed to the spirit and precepts of the Gospel, and in open violation of the laws of Methodism. They then commenced, and have since prosecuted with no ordinary zeal, plans of agitation and strife of a most unchristian and re- volutionary character. In open defiance of all order, and in contempt of all our local authorities, they intruded themselves into Circuits with which they had no right of interference whatever,— convened together large masses of people, — grossly 4raduced the characters of individual Preachers, and of the Conference generally,— declaimed with great bitterness against our long-estnblished Discipline, — silenced those who attempted the defence of the absent, or the vindication of the impugned system, — and then formed as many of the members of our Society as they could delude and ensnare into combinations for the purpose of controlling our regular jurisdictions, and effect- ing a revolution in our whole economy. A primary object of this association is to divest the Christian pastor of all that spiritual rule in the Church with which the New Testament, as well as the laws of Methodism, entrust him, and to reduce him, as it respects official authority, to a con- dition below that of our subordinate officers. They seek to deprive him of this authority under the avowed pretext that he cannot safely be trusted with its exercise ; and thus they attempt to establish a system of church polity based upon the odious principle, that the Ministers of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ are not men to be revered and confided in, but to be suspected and watched over for evil. And whilst they strive to divest their Ministers of this scriptural power, they scruple not to let it be known that they design to retain and exercise it themselves, without conceding the least degree of it to the peo- ple whose cause they pretend to espouse. By denying the right of appeal from any of our local tribunals, they would invest themselves with the supreme power, and thus deprive rhe people of the protection of the pastoral office against any acts of injustice or oppression which their Lay rulers might at any time commit. 1836.] MiNtn*Eg. 189 The means which the Association have adopted to attain their unlawful end will, by all impartial and well-disposed men, be deemed unchristian and iniquitous. They go to the withholding from the servant of Christ the " hire of his labour," — depriving the heathen of the Gospel And its ordinances,— treacherously abandoning the Missionary to starvation and death in a foreign land, — inflicting cruel wrongs and oppressions upon the worn-out servants of the Churches, the widows and orphans of deceased Ministers, — and calumniating, in the grossest manner and to the widest extent, the characters of the general body of the Preachers, against whom the most unfound- ed and malignant libels have been circulated with the greatest industry and activity through the length and breadth of our Great Connexion, i. ^d not only have our characters as pub- lic men been wickedly assailed, but all the sanctities of private friendship, as well as all that is sacred in the relations of the pastor and his people, have been violated : garbled and false statements of private interviews between some of our Ministers and members of our Society have been given to the public through the medium of the p-ess, with an intention to rob us of all confidence with our own people, and to make us the objects of popular prejudice. We hope we have been enabled, by the grace of God, to bear these unmerited and almost unparalleled injuries in a manner becoming our Christian professions and ministerial office ; and we are solicitous to derive from them those practical lessons which they are calculated to teach. Whilst we feel bound in duty not to sacrifice to a factious and turbulent oppos- ition the authority which we deem essential to the unfettered exercise of the functions of the pastoral office, we would regard its possession as imposing upon us strong obligations to dili- gence and fidelity in the work of the ministry ; and we desire not to use this power as " lords over God's heritage." but as "stewards of the mysteries of Christ," to whom, for this, and every other talent, we must render a strict, a solemn account at the great day of judgment. We give thanks to God that he has graciously disposed the hearts of our people at large to afford us their generous sympathy and zealous support in this day of trial and rebuke ; and we believe there never was a period in our history when our people generally were more firmly united to their Ministers than they are at this time. I i ) 11^ 140 MINUTES. [1836. We are now brought to the close of a long and arduous ses* Bion of Conference. God has been better than all our fears. Our deliberations and decisions have been marked by a harmony of views and a cordiality of affection never before surpassed, and rarely equalled. We are preparing to return to our respec- tive spheres of labour with increased attachment to each other, with renewed zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of the souls of men ; determined to maintain inviolate, all the funda- mental principles of Wesleyan-Methodism, and to transmit to posterity, unimpaired, that sacred trust reposed in us by our Fathers in Christ, whose spirits are now with God. Upon his unchanging faithfulness we rely for defence, consolation, and success, not doubting that he will cause the painful events which have happened unto us to "turn out to the furtherance of the Gospel " We shall ever retain for you, though far distant from us, an affectionate and prayerful remembrance. We regard you as children of the same family, members of the same Chris- tian community, and subjects of the same Empire ; and we rejoice in the prospect of meeting 'you in the everlasting king- dom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To his watchful care and holy benediction we commend you ; and are, Rev. and dear Brethren, In behalf and by order of the Conference, Richard Reece, President. Robert Newton, Secretary. Sheffield, August 17th, 1835. ANSWER TO THE BRITISH CONFERENCE. To the President and Members of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference. Reverend and Dear Fathers and Brethren : "Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort ; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we 1886.] MtSVTRB. 141 may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by th« comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." We are I«*d to believe, from the explicit reference made in your address to those late persecutions under which you have been permitted to suffer, that they had, doubtless, a large share in your considerations during the last Conference ; and we desire to sympathise with you under the fiery trials which you have, in the all -wise providence of God, been called to endure. We, too, have had to contend with men of fiery temper, who have prosecuted, with no ordinary zeal, "plans of agitation and strife of a most unchristian and revolutionary character :" yet we give thaiiha to God that he has graciously overruled so as to check these excitements ; and the losses by defection are made up by additions, together with nearly one thousand increase. It gives us great pleasure to hear of the prosperity of the glori- ous work of God, in which you are so successfully engaged ; and that, notwithstanding the unchristian eflTorts made to cir- cumscribe your operations, the great Head of the Church has honoured your persevering and benevolent labours with abun- dant increase in almost every part of the world. We are happy in expressing our warm attachment to genuine Wesleyan- Methodism ; and we feel more convinced of the efficiency of the system, and hope, through Divine grace, never to relax our efforts until the thrifty shoot, which has been so providen- tially planted in this Province, partaking of all the properties of the deeply-rooted British trunk, shall spread its luxuriant boughs over the length and breadth of the land, and scatter in rich abundance the soul-nourishing fruits of our holy religion — the knowledge, in theory and experience, of a free and a full salvation. Through the tender mercies of God, the past year has been one of gracious influence on many of our circuits, as well as in our missionary field, among the heathen, and in the new and remote settlements. The Spirit of God has attended the minis- tration of his word. This is manifested not only from our nume- rical increase, but from what is in our estimation of more real importance, the increasing stability of our members, and the anxious desire evinced by our local preachers, stewards, and leaders, to co-operate with us in carrying into effect the long* ■i ' Rill E ■{ 142 MINUTES. [1836. tried usages of Wesleyan-Methodism : nor is it one of the least encouraging circumstances connected with the past year's pros- perity, that the general state of our finances is more flattering than at any former period ; and we believe that Wesleyan- Methodism never stood higher in the estimation of the intelli- gent and worthy part of the community in this country than at present. It is with unfeigned gratitude that we acknowledge the pecu- liar mercy and goodness of Almighty God, who has thrown over us the shield of his protecting power, so that none of our number has been removed by death during the past year. Aware of the lively interest naturally felt by you for those of your pastoral charge who emigrate to this country, we are happy to assure you that they have a share in our Christian soli- citude ; and we belie' e that few, if any, have just reason to complain of not being favoured with a Wesleyan Ministry •* rightly dividing the word of truth." Our respected brother, the Rev. William Lord, being now about to return to his native land, we desire to record our strong sense of the obligations under which we are laid to him, by the highly valuable services rendered to this Connexion, during a period of truly embarrassing diflicuhies. His ministrations, counsels, prudence, and personal sacrifices, imperatively de- mand this cordial expression of the high esteem in which he will ever be held by us : nor shall we forget to ijray the Father of mercies, ** who holdeth the winds in his fist?, and the waters in the hollow of his hand," to preserve him and his family firom the perils of the great deep, and restore them in health and safety to their friends and to your Christian intercourse. Very beneficial effects having been realized to this Connexion from the active labours of our beloved President, in travelling through every part of the work, we are induced respectfully to request that the person who shall be appointed as his successor, may visit us as early as possible, that we may enjoy the benefit of his ministerial labours before the sitting of our next Conference. We still appreciate the labours, and approve the zeal and prudence of our worthy brother, the Rev. Joseph Stinson, Osneral Superintendent of Missions, under whose charj^e this II V tl o of 81 01 fe IM ei an pi br an m ci re G< an Cb J.;,' 1636.] MINUTES. 143 important department of our work continues to prosper, and a vast field of further usefulness lies before us, already white unto the harvest. Knowing that, with us, you properly estimate the importance of education, and particularly when under the special direction of Wesleyan-Methodism, we recommend to your patronage and support, as far as justifiable, under your existing circumstances, our rising institution, the Upper Canada Academy. The Con- ference, and the friends of general education, and of Wesleyan- Methodism in Canada, have at length, by their unremitting efibrts, succeeded in preparing it for the reception of pupils^ and we expect in a few days to see it in operation. It gives us pleasure to hear of the kind reception which our esteemed brother, the Rev. Egerton Ryerson, has received in England ; and when we consider the importance of the object of his mission — the spread of general knowledge and religious prin- ciples — we venture a hope that his and our expectation will be realized. In closing this address, we affectionately commend you to God, and to the word of his grace. Peace be to you, brethren, and love, with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ ! Amen. Signed, by order and on behalf of the Conference, William Cask, President* Belleville, U. C, June 13th, 1836. 1^ 80. Brockville and Elizabethtown — Ezra Healy, W. Scott ; Wyat Chamberlain, superannuated. 81. Prescott and Augitsta — Goo. Ferguson, Henry Shaler ; Philander Smith, by his own request recommended to the Black River Conference of the M. E. C. in the U. S.; Charles Wood, superannuated. 32. Matilda — Asahel Hurlburl, George Goodson. 33. JJidcflM— William McFadden ; William Brown, superannuated. 34. PeriA— George F. Playter, Wm. Willoughby. 35. Mississippi — Stephen Brownell. 9Q, Richmond — Daniel Berney. 37. Ottawa — Alvah Adams, John Mclntyre ; Frank- lin Metcalf, superannuated, 38. Byfown — ^James Brock. 39. Hull-^Thom&B Harmon- 40. Crosby — James Currie. ii > . •'. 41. PfiwJroArc— To be supplied. .4'. 42. Clarendon — Vincent B. Howard. IfENRT Wilkinson, Chairman. i ' i tm i:j.fa ; 148 MINUTES. I (. ■ul .VI.~MISSIONAkY DiStKJC'l^; [1837i . , "• ' » > ' ■ , •< V.-U -.- ■.■.^>\ ■:'*. ,>v ■■•: ' ■ ,. !• f . ■<•'-■■ }f 43. Alderaville^-W ilMam Cftse, who is to pay parti- H. , oular atteatioji to the arrangement and settle- ment of the new village on the south shore of Rice Lake, John Sunday. 44. 8ti Clair and Walpole laland&-*-5 a.mes Evans, Intl. ' Thomas Hurlburt. / mi 45. Rice Lake — Sylvester Hurlburt. ' 46. Lake Simcoe and Barrie — Jonathan Scott, Thos. McMullen. 47. Coldwater and French River — Gilbert Miller. 48. Muncytown — Solomon Waldron. 49. 8attgeeng — John Simpson. 50i Grand Riper — Matthew Whiting. , 51. Cre(i?27— Benjamin Slight. $2. Isle of Tanfi-r-Jonathan Gladwin. / 53. Manetoolin Island — One to be sent. . 54. Gruelph — One to be sent. 55. Goderich — To be supplied. ; : 56. Warwick and Adelaide — To be supplied. « ■> ,t\i.j'' L ■• { — ^ -,"'-.> 1 ' Peter Jones, having the jiermission of the G6nf«i>' ence to visit England in the autumn, shall spend the summer in visiting Manetoolin and other Missions, under the direction of the General Superintendent of Missions. ::-'i? ^'la-u . i-r: /. :: ■■;/ >— ,.^^A'> .C'. Joseph Stinspp? ^ Qfn'J ^upetH, , ,, Quest. 10. What is the number of members in our Societies^ and what has been cgllectedfor the Super- annuated Preacher^ and for the Contingent Funds f As follows, viz. ;-* J .'* "t 1887.] MINUTES. 140 I ■> H, ... dit Ifo. of Circuit*. Meroberi Stamford 367 St.Catherines.... 315 Grimsby 253 Simcoe 373 Hamilton......... 514 Brantford 386 London 323 St. Thomas.. 414 Gosfield 184 Howard 108 Oxford 127 Thames 240 Toronto city 252 Yonge Street 688 Newmarket 454 Toronto 602 Nelson 462 Dumfries 335 Whitby 587 Brock 116 Kingston 128 Gananoque 43 BayofQuinte 640 Waterloo 365 Hallowell 581 Belleville 170 Cobourg 296 Peterborough 395 Sidney 310 Murray 482 Brockville 62 Prescott and Augusta 597 Matilda 595 Rideau 277 Perth 155 Elizabethtown 257 Mississippi 193 Richmond 310 Ottawa 597 Bytown 177 Hull 92 Crosby 100 Lake Simcoe Muncytown Coldwater and French River Total from Circuits .......£ Preachers at Conference Public Collection at Conference .... Annual Subscriptions of Preachers . Total CoL for Superan. Pieachers, &c £3 10 1 3 6 3 4 3 3 5* 2 9 6 4 4 7 6 4 f ■ , 2 J 3 1 10 Nothing. 2 11 3 2 18 6 10 6 8 Oi 1 7 6 6 10 5 5 1 5 1 15 Nothing. 3 10 4 5 1 12 4 15 5^ 3 10 2 4 6 7 18 5J 13 8 2 6 4 12 6 8 2 1 15 11 15 112 2 9 4 10 3 15 2 6 7i 2 10 1 12 5 7^ 1 3 1 7 8 4i 135 15 18 13 84 15 4^ 9 10 Col. to make up DeAcienciea. £8 8 6 10 L 2 16 1. 3 5 0- 13 11 2- 5 19 3 15 4 0; 10 Nothing. 2 3 1 Nothing. 12 3 24 10 1 18 31 5 6 54 1 04 3 5 7 Nothing. 8 (t 1 5 6 15 3 8 9 4 15 84 2 6 6 2 1 5 10 3 6 (' 7 7 15 1 8 6| 5 17 24 Nothing. Nothing. 7 64 Nothing. Nothing. • Nothing. Nothing. 1 1 10 Nothing. Nothing. Nothing, ^ Nothing. ' Nothing. ' 143 5 7| £ 234 10 114 n iv :> 1 ; .1 •> 150 MINUTES. Missions. [1837. MiasioiM St. Clair 4 Amherstburgh ... 6 Credit 64 Sauffeeng 3 Cold Water and French Rivei' . . Lake Simcoe .... Rice & Mud Lakes Grape Island WUroceed ionfided int and kl as Guar' rith the leeting sel and Ity and 1637.1 MINUTB8. 155 importance on which he may feel the need of their assistance. 5. The Committee, in connexion with the Editor, •^hall be responsible to the Conference for the gene- ral management of the Guardian, and all other pub« lications issued from the Book Room. 6. It is recommended that — as the Guardian is the publication of the Conference — the name of the Editor be omitted ; simply stating that it is published under the direction of the Conference. ..I; '>; III. CoircERNiiro thk Book Steward. 1. On his entrance upon his office, an estimate shall be formed of the property, including the uten- sils in the Printing office, which is committed to his trust ; and inventories shall be taken of the whole. 2. He shall execute a proper Bond for the payment of the profits of the Book Concern ; which Bond shall be deposited in the hands of the Secretary of the Con- ference for the time being. 3. He shall take all proper care of the property committed to his trust, that it suffer no damage. 4. He shall, with the advice and help of the Editor, purchase the paper wanted for the business at our office. ; 5. He shall carefully examine, or cause to be examined, all Books, &c., which may be published on behalf of the Conference, and employ those stitchers, binders, and artists who shall do their work best, and upon the most reasonable terms ; and in all these things shall act in accordance with the ad- vice of the Committee. 6. He shall take a particular and exact account of the Stock of Books every year, and lay it before the Conference, if required ; and keep a regular Stock- Book, which shall be duly balanced when the Stock 156 MINUTES. [leor. , "11 l!l ^ ft ^^ is taken. The entryof the Stock, upon all sKleable articles, shall be made at the cost price, and in no instance whatever at a higher price ; and those arti'* des which cannot be properly consitjlered as saleable, shall be entered, at a jower r&te. The price of each article shall be regulated by a fi^ed principle ; and such am entry shall be made on the first page of every annual StockTBook, of the principle upon which the Stock is valued, as sha^ kf^ ,f^ guidd in every future valuation. ^ ' • 7. He shall annually present to the Conference a circumstantial account of all the debts which shall then be owing to and from the Book Concern, and of the Cash in hand, that it may clearly appear what is the exact balance in its favour, and what is the Stock in trade. 8. He shall also annually present to the Confer- ence an account, showing what sums of money have been received and expended, and for what purposes, during the preceding year ; and by what means the balance has been acquired. 9. He shall see that the Rules and Regulations of the Book Room, so far as they respect the Super- intendents of Circuits, shall be printed on a fly-leaf, and sent annually to every Superintendent immedi- ately after the Conference. > < im j 10. He shall send to each of the Brethren in the Lower Province, every year, a copy of the Minutes of Conference. 11. It shall be the duty of the Book Steward to obtain, on application, whatever Books are required in the course of study, for our young men. -■ -^M ■i-.'iJ •Uii--, ^'^•h IV. CoNCtRiriKo Salaries. .UU r-H The Editor and Book Steward, being always Preachers in connexion with the Conference^ jih^ll in the [inutes Llways sh^U 1837."! MINUTES. 157 , '• ' .';■■'• •• ' i receive their allowances in proportion as the Preach- ers stationed in the Toronto City Circuit, for the time being. • ; ,,, .... „:...,^,. ,,,.,,, -i . .J J ; i • • ' V. CoNCERNiNG PuBUCATIONg. il : ., ' 1. If it shall appear to the Editor, or to the Book Steward, that any work now in print at the Book Room is not worth re-printing, they shall state their opinion to the Committee ; and if they agree with either of them in judgment, tiie work shall be sus- pended till the mind of the Conference be known ; but if the Committee differ from the Editor or Book Steward, the work in question shall be re-printed without delay. 2. If any person send a Manuscript or Printed Work to the Committee, to become the property of the Conference, they shall carefully and impartially examine it without delay ; and if they approve of it, they shall be at liberty to purchase the copyright on behalf of the Conference, or to purchase one or more editions of it, as they may deem expedient. All communications on this subject are to be made to the Committee, through the medium of the Book Steward. VI. CONCKRNINO THE SaLK OF BoOKS. 1. No Preacher shall sell, or publish for sale, any Books, but such as are sent regularly from the Book Room by the Steward. 2. Every Superintendent is peremptorily required finally to settle his book account for the preceding year, at each Conference; and also regularly to transmit the money in his hands, without any reserve or deduction whatever, to the Book Steward, when- ever it shall amount to the suim of two pounds ten Bhillings, m WlWm l^V'r'l -ffpi 168 MINUTBS. [16 8t. i; VIL CoircxitiriH« tHx Fiuvkz.xau or thi Pmbaohbiui. 1. Bvery Preacher who is received on trial shaiH be furnished by the Book Steward, on his applica- tion for the same, with a copy of Mr. WesIey^s Ser- inons, and of his Notes on the New Testament, on baying for the same ; the amount to be returned to nim in Books, on his being admitted as a Member of the Conferience. 2. Every Travelling and Superannuated Preacher shall have one copy of the annual Minutes of the Conference gratis. 3. The Book Steward shall allow the Itinerant Preachers to purchase our own Books for their own personal use, at a discount of one-sixth from the sell- ing price, and others at prime cost. 4. The Preachers who sell Books in the several Circuits, as some compensation for their trouble and responsibility, shall be allowed a commission of 16} per cent on all purchases. VIII. Concerning the Appropriation or Profits. 1. Immediately before the sitting of the Conference, every year, the Book Committee shall meet to inspect and examine the accounts of the Book Concern, and to ascertain, as nearly as may be, what will be the disposable profits of the year, when all the Preachers' accounts shall have been settled at the Conference. 2. When the disposable profits of the year shall be certified to the Conference, they shall first allow out of them the payment of such sums as may appear necessary, from year to year, on account of any expenditure in behalf of the connexion, which can- not be brought into the accounts of the Contingent Fund ; the remainder shall then be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of that Fund, to make up the defi- ciencies of those poor Circuits which have not been \ 1637. [ shall »pUca- s Set- nt, on tied to iber of eacher of the nerant ir own le sell- several ble and of 161 ITS. irencO) inspect ■n, and be the achers' jrence. r shall allow [appear )f any kh can- pngent hands le defi- }l been N I8d7.] MlNtTTES. 159 able to pay their Preachers' disciplinary allowances, and to defri^ extraordinary expences, as in cases of sickness, dec. ICT For the Coittiroint Fund, see last year's Minnten. N. B. There shall be a regular exchange of Mi- nuteS) Guardian, and Missionary Reports, and of all new original works published by the European and American Methodists from their respective Book Rooms. The Book Committeb. The Book Committee, for the present year, shall consist of the President and the Secretary of the Conference, the Superintendetit of Missions, the Chairman of the Toronto District, the Preachers resi- dent in Toronto City, and the Superintendents of the Yonge Street and Torontp pircuits. ♦ SABBATH 3CHOOLS. Quest. 14. Can anything (in addition to what is recommended in the Minutes of 1835, page 95,^ le done for the ^promotion of Sabbath Schools f 1. Every Superintendent, or his colleague, shall deliver, at least, one sermon at each appointment on his Circuit during the year, on the importance and advantages of Sabbath Schools. 2. Each Preacher shall consider it a part of his duty to encourage and assist, as far as practicable, every Sabbath School within his charge, in procuririjg suitable Libraries. - ,, 3. Each Chairman is directed to make particular inquiry, at every Quarterly Meeting, into the sta^e of the Sabbath Schools on the several Circuits in hits District, 160 MINUTES. i: <• [1837. ft' i< < r.'i .a>r,it ,,<'i,. MANUAL LABOUR SCHOOL For Indian Youth. h; 1 , Quest. 15. What can be done more effectually to promote the religious education and general improve- ment of the Aboriginal Indian Youth of this P)r0' fince ? A minute was read from the Journals of the Mis- sionary District Meeting, recommending the erection of a Central Manual Labour School for the benefit of the Aboriginal Indian Youth ; when, after a care- ful and anxious consideration of the whole subject, it was resolved : — .,, . .. 1. That the Conference feels the great importance of the proposed Establishment, more especially since the Indians themselves so strongly desire it ; and that it be commenced as soon as possible. 2. That the Board of the Upper Canada Academy be requested to direct their immediate attention to this deeply interesting and highly important under- taking, p d devise such measures as they may judge expedient to carry it into effect. * BIBLE SOCIETY. Quest. 16. What are the views and purposes of the Members of the Conference in regard to the British Und Foreign iJible Society ? The invaluable labours of the British and Foreign Bible Society justly entitle that noble Institution to the continued and cordial support of the Christian Church ; and we will individually be ready, at all times, to concur in its endeavours to promote the universal circulation of the Holy Soriptures. 1/ 1. .-:; ■■] 1837.] MiNtTTEB. 161 1837. ;<•'.• ' illy io prove- Fro- e Mis- •eclion benefit 1 care- ubject, )rtance y since nd that ademy tion to under- judge \oses of hitish foreign tion to kristian at all )te the ON GOING FROM CIRCUIT TO CIRCUIT, TO COL- LECT SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS FOR CHAPELS. Quest. 17. What can be done to prevent the incon- veniencies which frequently arise Jrom persons going from one Circuit to anot/ier io solicit 8vhs''^lptions and Donations for Chapels ? No Preacher shall be allowed, or other person encouraged, to solicit Subscriptions and Donations for the assistance or. building of Chapels, on any other Circuit than the one immediately concerned, without the permission of the Chairman of the Dis- trict and Superintendent of the Circuit on which it is proposed to collect Subscriptions or Donations ; or without the consent of the Chapel Committee, when it is practicable to consult that Committee. COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES, Quest. 18. Who are the Committee to guard the rights, and privileges, and property, of the Connex- ion, the ensuing year f , j The President and Secretary of the Conference ; the Rev. William Case ; the Chairmen of Districts ; the Superintendent of Missions ; the Preachers resi- dent in the city of Toronto ; , and the following gen- tlemen, viz :— Jas. R. A nstrong, M.P. P., S. E. Taylor, John Beatty, jun., Alexander Hamilton, Jonathan Dunn* Richard Woodsworth, G. H. Detlor, M.P.P., James Dougall, J. P., John Counter, J. P., J. M. Rorison, Luther Houghton, G. Brouse, J. P.,. W.Brown, J* P., Billa Flint, jun., J. McCarty, Justus COMMITTEE OF THE CONTINGENT FUND. Quest. 19. Who are the Committee of the Contin- gent Fund for the ensuing year? The President of the Conference ; the Secretary of the Conference ; Chairmen of Districts ; Super- intendents of the Bay of Quinte and Waterloo Cir- cuits ; and the following Laymen, viz. : — John Counter, Esq., J. M. Rorison, Jas. R. Arm- strong, M. P.P., L. Houghton, William Beamish, B. Flint, jun'r. This Committee shall meet in Kingston the day before the Session of next Conferenc , at 9 o'clock, A.M. ; to which Meeting all the Moneys collected for this fund shall be brought ; and the Committee shall examine the claims of each Circuit, and determine the amount to be appropriated. ,. •ir V 1 1 1 MISSIONARY COMMITTEE. Quest. 20. Who are the Missionary Committee for the ensuing Conference ? , 1. The President of the Conference ; the Chair- men of Districts ; W. Case, M. Richey, W. Ryerson, M. Lang, E. Ryerson, J. C. Davidson, and Ephraim Evans. To meet in Kingston at 3 o'clock, P. M., the Tuesday before the Session of the next Con- ference. [1837. John »e Sec- I Com- for the ND. Contin- cretary Super- loo Cir- l. Arm- nish, B. the day- o'clock, cted for ee shall termine itteefor J Chair- yerson, Iphraim ,P.M., xt Ccn- 1837.] MINUTES. 163 2. The Standing Board of Missions for the ensuing year consists of the following Preachers and Lay- men, viz. ; — The Chairman of the Toronto District ; the Super- intendent of Missions ; the Superintendent of the Toronto city circuit ; the Editor of the Guardian ; the Preachers on the Yonge Street circuit ; Mr. S. E. Taylor, Treasurer; Mr. John Beatty, jun., Secreta^ ry ; Messrs. Jonathan Dunn, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Storm, Richard NVoodsworth, Geo. Walker, and George B. Spencer. GOVERNMENT GRANTS-CLERGY RESERVES. Quest, 21. What are the views which the members of this Conference feel themselves called upon^ in the present peculiar and eventful crisis of the ecclesias- tical and civil affairs of this Province, formally to embody, and unitedly to avow, in regard to the great questions which relate to the religious instruction of the Country, and our own rights and privileges as a Christian Community? , . . ^, .,, After a very lengthened, and minute, and compre- liensive investigation of the whole subject, the follow- ing Resolutions were unanimously adopted : — . ' It having been represented that there are some dissatisfactions in different parts of the Province on account of certain grants made by His Majesty's Government to the Wesleyan Missionary Committee in London for the religious instruction of the Indian Tribes and Destitute Settlers, — also on account of the unsettled state of the Clergy Reserve Question ; and whereas vigorous and widely-extended efforts have been and are being made, undrr these pretexts, to excite prejudices against our Connexion, this Con- ference deems an expression of its views on these m i 164 MINUTES. [18d7k subjects due to its own character, and the feelings and interests of the Church, of which it is the pas- toral head ; it is therefore Resolved,— 1. That at its last two annual meetings this Con- ference has expressly stated that no public or Govern- ment grunts have ever been made to this body, and that it desired no other support for its members than the voluntary contributions of Christian liberality. 2. That the sum of £900 sterling was granted to the Wesleyan-Missionary Committee in London, in 1833, and also a further sum of J6550 in 1834, by order of His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonial Department ; which sums were granted (as appears by official documents) without any solicitation on the part of the Committee in Lon- don, — similar grants having also been made by the Imperial Government to the Committees of the Church, London (Congregational) and Baptist Mis- sionary Societies, to promote the instruction and improvement of the destitute in other Colonies. That the sums which were granted by His Majesty's Go- vernment to the Wesleyan Missionary Committee have been expended (as may be seen by the printed Reports of the Auxiliary Methodist Missionary So- ciety in this Province,) solely and entirely in the improvement of the long-neglected aboriginal Indian tribes and destitute settlers, and in no instance what- ever either to increase or make up the disciplinary allowances of the Circuit Preachers ; and there is every reason to believe, that, had no grants ever been made by the Imperial Government to the Wes- leyan Missionary Committee, either through their Treasurer in London, or their Agent in this Province, the personal interests of no Preacher or Missionary would have been in the slightest degree affected. < 3. That the correctness of this statement of the case is put beyond all possible doubt by the fact, 1837.] MiNutES. 165 that no grant hjas been received from the Govern- ment by the Wesleyan Missionary Society during the years 1835, 1836, and 1837, and yet not a farthing of loss has been sustained by any member of this Connexion ; although the field of Missionary labour may have been tiiereby circumscribed. 4. That the Members of this Conference, either collectively or individually, have no interest to pro- mote in the religious and civil improvement of the Aboriginal Indian Tribes and destitute settlers, dif- ferent from that of every friend of the cause of Missions throughout the Province. • ' • ' 5. That this Conference, without any desire to interfere in the engagements between His Majesty's Government and the Wesleyan Missionary Commit- tee in London, cannot forbear to express its deep regret that, in consequence of the divided state of public sentiment, and of various misrepresentations which have been circi lated, the several Government Grants, commonly called *' Religious Grants," which have been made for specific religious purposes, (however benevolent the intentions and the feelings which may have dictated them, and however noble and christian the objects for which they were intend- ed,) have proved seriously prejudicial to the peace and tranquillity of the Province ; and especially as the continuance of them in their present form seems to have been made use of to embarrass the settlement of the important question relating to the Clergy Re- serves. 6. That as the continuance of the aforesaid grant to the Wesleyan Missionary Committee, in aid of the Indian Tribes, as a charge upon the Casual and Ter- ritorial Revenue, is one of the conditions upon which His Majesty's Government has proposed to cede the control of the said Revenue to the Provincial Legis- lature, — and as in a Message from His Excellency I6d tttKinrii. ti8dt. l; M the Lieutenant Governor to the House of Assembly, bearing date the 18th of January, 1837, it is stated that a claim is urged upon the said Revenue by the Wesleyan Methodist Society in this Province, — and as the alleged existence of such a claim has been re- presented as impeding the settlement of thiB general question relating to the Casual and Territorial Revenue, pending between this Province and the Imperial Grovernment, — this Conference, with a view of correcting an impression so erroneous and injurious, disclaims any demand upon the Casual and Territorial Revenue, and leaves it entirely to the un- biassed judgment of the authorities concerned, to de- cide whether any public aid can be properly and advantageously given towards the improvement of the injured aboriginal inhabitants and owners of the Colony, and if any, to what amount, and through what agency. 7. That it is the strong conviction and deliberate judgment of this Conference, that the interests of re- ligion, the stability of the Government, and the wel- fare of the Province, require the earliest possible settlement of the long agitated Clergy Reserve Ques- tion, in accordance with the wishes and circumstances of the inhabitants ; and that those interests have been very seriously sacrificed by the delays which have attended the proposed adjustment of that ques- tion — so frequently urged upon the attention of the Provincial Legislature by the Imperial Govern- ment. 8. That while, as a body of Christian and Methodist Ministers, and especially in view of the affectionate leverence we feel for the honoured mem- ory of our venerable Founder, Mr. Wesley, we would conscientiously ahstain from all needless inter- meddling with secular politics, yet, at the same time, this Conference has^ heretofore, as well by its Ad- [i8dt. )mbly, stated by the , — and Benre- eneral ritorial nd the with a us and lal and the un- , to de- ly and nent of 5 of the through liberate sof re» he wel- ossible Ques- tances have which ,t ques- of the overn- m and of the mem- jr, we inter- |e time, its Ad- 8 1887.] MINVTI8. 167 dresses to His Majesty, as through its official organ, the Chistian Guardian, expressed its decided con- viction of the inexpediency of the establishment of one or more Churches in this Province, with exclu- sive rights and privileges, — however well suited such an establishment may be to the condition of the Mother Country, where it is distinctly recognised by the constitution of the government, is sanctioned by various legislative enactments, and includes a major- ity, and is desired by the great body, of the nation ; —that, in this expression of opinion, other religious bodies, and the majority of the inhabitants of the Province, through their Representatives in the Pro- vincial Legislature, have concurred, by repeated ad- dresses and petitions to the Imperial Government and Parliament ; — and that the continued efforts of cer- tain members of the Church of England to maintain, and the recent attempts of the Convention of Dele- gates of the Kirk of Scotland to secure, an ascendancy over their Christian brethren of other denominations, who ought to stand on a perfect equality with them, will, if successful, be in direct violation of those prin- ciples of civil and religious liberty for the mainten- ance of which this Conference still, as formerly, contends, as being essential to the peace, welfare, and good government of His Majesty's faithful and loyal subjects in this Province. 9. That this Cotiference cannot, without a derelic- tion of the duty which it owes to the members of the numerous congregations under its pastoral care and instruction, and without a wide departure from its often avowed sentiments, sanction, even by its silence at the present crisis, the efforts which are employed to deprive them of those rights, and of that equal and impartial protection, to which their numbers, labours, and long-tried attachment to His Majesty's Govern- ment give them an indisputable claim. it! 168 MINUTES. £1837. <'"''» 10. That should any adjustment of the Clergy Re- servo Question be proposed and determined on, which would not contravene the principles laid down in the foregoing resolutions, and by which individual and collective effort can be combined for the religious and educational improvement of the country, the members of this Conference avow their determina- tion not to receive or apply any legislative aid for their own pecuniary support ; or for any other pur- poses than the religious and educational improvement of the Province, in such way as may be in accord- ance with the views of a majority of two-thirds of the several Quarterly Meetings throughout the Pro- vince ; before which the Chairmen of the several Districts are directed to lay the subject, as soon as the Clergy Reserve Question shall have been settled by the Legislature. 11. That this Conference, on the present occasion, reiterates its expression of atfection and loyalty to our most Gracious Sovereign ; feels humbly grateful for the condescending and liberal expression of Royal favour to the efforts of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church and other friends of Christian education in this Province ; and resolves to continue its prayers and efforts for the maintenance of the Constitution, as established by law, and the existing connexion between this Colony and the Parent State. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS. 1. Each District Meeting shall carefully examine into every claim upon the Contingent Fund, and make a faithful report to the Committee of that Fund, as to their judgment of the proportion of assistance deserved and required in the several cases which they [1837. gy Re- , which n ill the unl and eligious ry, ihe 3rmina- aid for ler pur- )vement accord- liirds of he Pro- several n as the ittled by ccasion, yalty to grateful )f Royal lethodist sition in jrayers itution, nnexion MtirtfMa. 160 xamine id, and t Fund, sistance ich they iS97,J may recommend (or 8uch«id«8 the limited reeouroes of thnt Fund oan afibvd. ■ f-. .i .; .' • *' >.; 2. The Superintendeivt of each Circoit «faall pay over all Missionary monies, which may come into his hands, to the Chairman of the District, and shall brinff to the district meeting a detailed account of ali monies for Missions which have been collected on his Circuit during the year.* , j. 8. That on the return to this country of our es- teemed brother, the Rev. Egerton Ryerson, — who * has, with so much laborious zeal and untiring perse- verance and satisfactory success, accomplished the highly important objects of the Mission on which he proceeded to England according to our appointment, — we cannot but request him to accept of the very cordial and aifectionate thanks of this Conference ; and, at the same time, to record upon our Journals our unanimous conviction, that he has Iherfeby not only amply earned such a tribute ot our brotherly gratitude, but has also justly entitled himself to ihe grateful regards of every igenuine friend of Upper Canada. 4. On the Report of the Book and Printing Covch mittee being read, which gave a highly satistaclory account of the prosperous s!ate of the Christian Guardian department of the Book Establishment it was resolved, — ** That the thanks of the Conference be presented to ihe Editor, the Rev. Ephraim Evai'S, for his laborious, and valuable, and successful s(*r- vices in the discharge of the important duties of his office during the past year." * For the Laws and Regulations of the Missionary Society, 8i>< Minutes of 1835, h« 170 MINUTES. [1837. ' 5. That the cordial thanks of the Conference be presented to the Book Steward, the Rev. Matthew Lang, for his valuable and successful exertions in the Book Room during the past year. „.i . ., >.ir •«■{• i 6. That the first Wednesday in September next be recommended to be observed by all our Societies apd congregations as a day of Fasting and Prater for the special effusion of the Holy Spirit and the re- vival of the work of God throughout the Province ; that the Preachers be directed to call the particular and prayerful attention of their congregations, on the previous Sabbath, to this all-important subject ; and that the public services on the day appointed be held throughout tho Connexion, as far as practicable, at eleven o'clock, A. M. Quest 20. Where and when shall our next Con- ference be held? I ^ At Kingston, to commence on the 2nd Wednesday in June, 1838, at 6 o'clock, A. M. . u:. •4il )^A\: William M. Harvard, President, EoERTON Rtbrson, Secretary, ■•■v. City iff TorontOt ' - ' ^ ; ^ Aim 24th, 1837. / ^ V ■^^^■"- - - ■ ■"' : " -■* .-• , ! -". ,!■>»" r. 1837.1 MINUTES. , • , . , , J - 171 s^:x* ,t::^' ' ,-, ■t I. * ■A'- '. •fri f ■; THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE. To the Members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada. Pjbarlt Bkloved Brethreit: •' Through the abundant mercy of Almighty God, we have been safely brought together again in Conference at the end of another ecclesiastical year. Before we separate, we would embrace the opportunity of addressing you upon a few topics, which we deem intimately connected with the promotion of religion in general, and of Wesleyan -Methodism in particular. And though the duties now devolving upon us are various and responsible, we regard as one of the most interesting and im- portant that of communicating in this manner with the numerous and widely-spread members of our Societies, for whose spiritual interests we especially labour, and for whose present and_future happiness we desire to devote the remnant of our days. We claim to adopt with great sincerity the language of the great Apostle to the Gentiles, " Now we live, if ye stand last in the Lord." With the deepest sense of our obligations to Him ** in whose hands our breath is, and all our ways," we congratulate you on the peculiar favour of God towards us as a Church, in being permitted again to record that none of your Ministers have died during the past year. - ,. .- On a revievr of the past we are glad to be able to express, with confidence, that the hand of God has been upon us for good in the midst of those ** fiery trials" with which an inscrutable Providence (no doubt for the wisest of purposes) permits the Churchy in some parts especially, still to be tried ; and from which, we confidently expect, she will, ere long, come forth as gold purified seven times. The returns from the various Circuits show, that, during the year, a goodly number of souls have been converted to God ; , but that, notwithstanding this, there is a decrease in the number of members returned. The most careful investigations were entered into by the Conference, in order to ascertain the cause Vt^ MimjTEs. [tSdfY. or causes of this diminution : the result id, we are happy to say, that it can be satisfactorily accounted for without exciting a ffoubt in our minds oCthe favour and Messing of G«d being- still our inestimable portion. Among the causes may be mentioned the unholy efforts of schismatics and separatists to divide the Church ; the obtainment, to some extent, on several Circuits, of certain delusions well known as Irvingism and Mormonism ; and an unusual number of removals. But whatever may be the tause or causes of the decrease, it is obviously our duly to be deeply humbled before God on account of it ; and, while we unite in humble confessions of our numerous faults as a Church, and most devoutly supplicate Grod to forgive us, to bless us, to canse His face to shine upon us, and to go forth with our armies, and lead us to certain conquest, — it will become us diligently to appiv the means within our power for the increase of vital piety among ourselves, the enlargement of ouir borders, and the eon version of souls. > ' ■ , . „ By the schedules of various Circuits, it appears that there have withdrawn to the party who have assumed the name of Episcopal Methodists, 283 ; the Irvingites, 15 ; the Mormons, 52; expelled and dropped, 830; removed, 876; died, 131 ; — total, 2,187. Conversions, 1,140 ; received into Society, 1709 ; ■^!onv Ministers will be in their respective fields of ap- po'nyf'-d labour to mingle with you in their efforts to promote to the ttji ov '>r their ability the salvation of ransomed sinners, and tUe iHt;iv>bts of the preserved and called in Christ Jesus. The iirvi'.* Head of the Church has favoured us in a good degree with the rich effusions of His Grace during the sittings and services of our Conference. The Session has been characterized as one of harmony and brotherly affection, and we feel that we are afresh stimulated to devote ourselves to our high vocation with renewed zeal and perseverance. Deeply impressed with a consciousness of our entire and con- tinual dependance upon Divine aid, we desire in faith to ask for the constant assistance of the Holy Spirit. Unite with us in earnest prayers for the blessing, as well as in active exertions in the great work of evangelizing and saving the world of sin- ful men. "Brethren, you are in our hearts to live and to die with you." "The Grace of our Loisa Jefua Christ be with you all ! Amen." ■ . ' William M. Harvard, Prm<2cn<. -. . - .» Eqkrton Ry£R90N, Secretary, ^■'f '. Conference Room, Toronto, Mneiiih, 1837. t887] -^•;;4 .;;■,, ^J*- 'V MIMUTBS. t7t J,-s'X'.: THE ANSWER OF THE BRITISH CONFERENCE to TBB ADDRESS OF THE CANADIAN CONFERENCE •'■■?.. ^ OF 1836. VKRt Dbar Brethren : We have received your affectionate Address with much satisfaction ; and rejoice that it so distinctly recognises the great principles which we have so long deemed to be sound and scriptural in themselves, and important to the interests of our Connexion. ... Had we ever been inclined to look upon your troubles and difficulties with indifference, the peculiar circumstances in which we have ourselves been placed during the last two years would have compelled us to regard them with interest, and anxiously to observe their results. He who can make the wrath of man to praise him, has eaused our recent agitations to terminate in a calm and settled peace, and in the acquisition of other considerable advantages to our Connexion ; — our discipline is better understood, and more ardently loved both by Preachers and people ; greater uniformity of administration is secured ; and we are freed from the influ- ence of a few unquiet spirits, whose love of pre-eminence had made them the constant troublers of our Israel. Although these unhappy men have succeeded in drawing away from us a considerable numl>er of members in some of the disturbed districts, yet it has pleased God so to bless our labours, that, even in Great Britain, we have a gratifying increase of upwards of two thousand, which, together with an increase of three hundred and ninety-seven in Ireland, and of seven thousand five hundred and seventy-seven in the Foreign Missions, makes a total increase of ten thousand one hundred and eighteen. • ■ • 178 MINUTES. [1887. We have no doubt that the faithfulness which you have mani- fested in the maintenance of rule and order will be similarly rewarded ; and that the longer and more conscientiously you enforce, the ler.3 you will be inclined to change that admirable form of Discipline by which you are governed. We rejoice in the laudable zeal which yon have manifested to preserve the great doctrines of Methodism in their uncor- rupted puriiy and power. God has made them the means of reviving religion in these lands ; and similar effects will be pro- duced wherever they are faithfully preached. Permit us, how- ever, to remind you of the vast importance of forming Classea, wherever practicable, that your hearers may be brought under the direct influence of your pastoral care. Your kind solicitude for the spiritual welfare of our fellow- countrymen has endeared you to our hearts. It is an interesting part of your great work to follow these sheep into the wilder- ness, and bring them into the fold of Christ. Our deep solici- tude for your success in this labour of love will, perhaps, excuse our specially directing your attention to the necessity of en- forcing the sanctity of the Christian Sabbath, which your remote and agricultural population are probably in great danger of forgetting. It is of vast importance that the whole of this should be devoted to religious purposes. Catechetical instruction also, and the various duties of domestic piety, are important under any circumstances ; but it is imperatively necessary that they should be sedulously regarded, where public means of grace are distant and irregular. We are not ignorant of your peculiar situation, or of the strong political excitements to which you are frequently exposed. While, however, we admire your anxiety to promote the civil improvement of your new and interesting country, may we venture affectionately to guard you against the evils of violent partizanship ; and urge you, in imitation of the example of our great Founder, to recommend, both by precept and example, loyalty to the King, and scriptural obedience to his Government. The strongest argument we can use on this subject is, that the very same authority by which we hold the ministerial office, has instituted the civil power, and entrusted it with the admi- nistration of the laws. The same spirit of insubordination nay we violent e of our sample, rnment. hat the office, e admi- ination 1837.] MINUTB8. 170 which would abolish the wholesome restraints of the Magistrate, would banish from the world the institutions of Christianity itself. The extensive circulation of our own standard works would imbue the minds of your people with correct principles, both civil and religious, and greatly assist you in the formation of character, and the accomplishment of the various and important objects of your ministry. . .. •* Your anxiety to promote the religious education of your youth , and the noble efforts you have made for the accomplishment of your wishes, are highly honourable to you, and gratifying to U8« We cannot, however, too strongly express our opinion of the absolute necessity of maintaining the strictly religious and Wesleyan character of all your Literary Institutions. You are, doubtless, with us, convinced that the real and permanent ad- vantages of education depend in a great degree upon its asso- ciation with sound, moral, and decidedly Christian principles ; and we trust that you will recognise this very necessary con- nexion in all your academical arrangements. The presence of your respected Representative, the Rev. Egerton Ryerson, has renewed and strengthened among us the very favourable impression produced by his former visit, and more closely attached us to him : and to you, we trust, he will in due time return in safety, long to bless you by his example and labours. We are happy to learn that the laboursof our beloved brother, the Rev. William Lord, have been satisfactory and beneficial to you. God has kindly restored him to us, in answer to your prayers, in health and vigour ; and we have received him with the affection and thankfulness which his previous character and recent faithful services have so justly merited. We have appointed as his successor the Rev. W. M. Har- vard, whose established piety, general knowledge, and acquaint- ance with Missionary work, eminently qualify him for the office. We have, according to your wish, requested him to proceed with all possible dispatch, and truqt that he will come among you in the fulness of the Gospel of peace. 160 MiNtrrBfl. p887. Wc iM>M^ maet afTectionately commend yov to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you fenltlcM befimpt the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Signed} in behalf and by order of the Conference, ' Jabrz Bwnsa, President. "'* Robert Newton, Secretary. Birmingham, Aug. 13th, 1836. .» ". i I THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CANADIAN CON- FERENCE TO THE BRITISH CONFERENCE. Reverend Fathers and Dear Brethren : We thank you for your parental Address, and rejoice to learn that recent agitations among you have been overruled for the purification of your Societies, and that you have been favoured with a large accession of members, both at home and abroad. May your success continue, and abound yet more and more ! With us the last has been a year of general and painful agita- tion, arising froi); the geaeral elections, — the unsettled state of our Chapel prof erty,— an excited spirit of insubordination to constituted authoiities, — and the divided state of public senti- ment, and various misrepresentations, respecting certain Go- vernment grants to several religious bodies, which have been employed as a pretext to the serions injury of the financial inte- rests of many of the Circuits, and the pecuniary embarrassment of several of the Preachers. But we have been enabled, by the blessing of God, to maintain the integrity of our system, to check the spirit of partizanship, to inculcate the fear of God in connexion with honour to the King, and to keep our Societies generally in the love and practice of the truth, as taught by Wesleyan -Methodism. In passing through the trying ordeal, we have sustained a numerical loss of five hundred and ninety- one members ; but, in ♦he perfect unity by which we are bound together, in the hope of an early and favourable decision of the Courts in respect to our Chapels, in the comparative exemption 1837.] MINUTKB. 181 ■ I of our Societies from the party strife of the day, cheered by the promises and presence of Him who hath hitherto helped ut, we are animated to renew our covenant engagements, and to consecrate ourselves afresh to the great work of saving souls. Several of our Missions have sustained serious injury on account of the unsettledness of the minds of the [ndians, arising from a policy which proposes to remove thcMn from those lands on which they have made considerable improvements, and where the Missionary Society has incurred heavy expenses in establishing and carrying on its operations In consequence of this course of proceeding in regard to some of the Indian pos- sessions and settlements, several members of our Societies am' Congregations have retired into the interior, which hasoccasio- ed a small decrease in the numbers of Indian converts. Bul notwithstanding these untoward circumstances, our Indian brethren in general continue steadfast in the faith, are advancing in civilization and religious knowledge, and in the comforts of domestic life. Several have been converted from Paganism to Christianity, and openings for new Missions to unconverted tribes are presenting themselves on every side. The excellent and indefatigable Representative of our Missionary Committee, Mr. Stinson, continues his frequent and extensive travels in visiting the various Missions under his charge, and in other- wise promoting the Missionary cause in this Province ; and we rejoice that he is permitted to continue with us in his work of faith and labour of love. The appointment of the Rev. William M. Harvard as our Pre- sident has afforded us much satisfaction. By great exertions he has been already enabled to visit the principal Circuits in this Province, and his intercourse and labours have been a source of elevated pleasure and edification to preachers and people ; and we but express the sentiments and feelings of all who have been favoured with his acquaintance, when we cordially and unanimously request the appointment of Mr. Harvard as our President for the ensuing year. By a grant from the Crown, and the contributions of several friends in England, together with the reiterated eiforts which have been made in this Province, our Collegiate School has been SRved from inevitable failure, and placed in circumstances .1 1 1*1 i 'A I IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 !f 1^ 1^ I.I m ■ 2.2 ■U ISA ■■■ m 12.0 '•25 III '-^u^ ^ 6" ► ^ f^. Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WltSTIR.N.Y. 14510 (716)t73-43C3 ^ ^Q V ^ ri>^ <^ V .l^V^\ hi ^: i 162 MiNtTTsa. [1837. in which it promises extensive usefulness to this Province. Within a few months after the Institution was opened it con- tained one hundred and twenty students ; and we have every reason to hope that that number will, in the course of a few months, be greatly increased. It is, however, on the strictly religious character of the Institution that we place the highest estimate. With you, we are convinced that the real and per- manent advantages of education depend upon its association with sound, moral, and decidedly Christian principles ; and we fully recognise this necessary connexion in all our academical arrangements. .... We are truly thankful for your concurrence in the appoint- ment of the Rev. Matthew Richey, A. M. , as the Principal of our Academy. His piety, qualifications, and talents have made die most favourable impressions upon the public mind, and «j3brd a strong guarantee for the religious and literary character of the Institution. We beg, at the same time, to express onr igrateful acknowledgments for your handsome donation of one hundred pounds' worth of Books, and for the assistance given to our Representative whilst in England, in aiding the funds of the Upper Canada Academy. ..,,,^^^^,,.^i :,=,*,fc,:t^,,'.v.,,, ^,,r, ^^ To the new settlements, as well as aboriginal Indian tribes, cixt attention and exertions are specially directed ; and for that purpose the sum of £1,219 has been collected on the various Circuits during the past year, — ^being an increase of £70 over the collections of the preceding year. i^aam u ^^'We entreat the continuance of your sympathies and prayers in our behalf, that, in the religious and moral cultivation of this wide and extended field, we may be ** steadfast and unmove- able, always abounding in the work of the Lord," and receive abundant increase fi-om the blessing of Him, whose we are, and whom we are bound and unitedly resolved to serve. * i^*^ By order and on behalf of the Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada. i*- EoxRTOH Rtebsow, 8tcr«t4Uf]f. City qf Toronto^ V. C, June 24th, 1837. [1837. x>vince. 1 it con- re every 9f a few ( strictly highest and per- lociation and we idemical appoint- ncipal of ave made lind, and character press onr )n of one ace given e funds of ,n tribes, id for that e various £70 over d prayers ion of this unmove- id receive e are, and Wesleyan cr«tery. 1887.] MINUTia. J8S . wlwrra; .:.4rt'W ' i t^Jf * f.'s^ TO I »TV|7)t«rT>J •»1*r-'5M** }"^^ 'V-'s^ ■ f fisi ' Vl-MTf ADDRESS or THE CANADIAN CONFERENCE sXI '^"■"< In 1836, - -fi' ^if^'ua^A,^0 THE KINO. Vi;>f)^ty'::K->-^ 4 it f'-ri--^ To the King*3 Most Excellent Majesty. T Most Gracious Soverkiov : • - *''' We, your Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Min- isters of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada, being assembled in our Annual Conference, humbly beg leave to approach the Throne, and renew our assurances of loyal and devoted attachment to your Majesty's Royal Person and Government, and to the excellent Constitution under which' we live, and which secures to us, in common with all classes of your Majesty's subjects in this Province, the many inesti- mable blessings, both civil and religious, which we enjoy. The Ministers of our Church, amounting to ninety, and exercising pastoral care and authority over a religious comniii«> nity of upwards of sixteen thousand members, extend theSv visits and labours into every settlement, and embrace withio their congregations more than one hundred thousand of tha population of this province. While we feel it to be our first duty and calling to inculcate principles of morality and piety* we are not; unmindful to enforce, upon those over whom out influence extends, the scriptural obligations of loyalty to out beloved Sovereign, and attachment to the institutions of our country, and the necessity of maintaining, as essential to itv future prosperity and greatness, the permanent connexion of this Colony with the Empire of Great Britain. From an' intimate acquaintance with those among whom yn minister, we have great pleasure in being able confidently to assure Tour Mi^atyj that these principlea are firmly fixed in their ikumI»; and that yrhile they are most jealous of their in- alienable right, as British subjects, to the enjoyment of equal civil and religious privileges, they are unwavering in their alle- giance and attachment to Your Majesty's person and Govern- V otv^^ '■ 1 184 MfNUTtB. fl837. |4- X"! 1^1^. ment ; and they feel sincere gratitude for the renewed gracious expression of your Royal will, contained in the Instructions to His Excellency Sir Francis Bond Head, that those blessings shall be secured to them and their posterity* We also beg leave tnost humbly to represent to Your Majesty, that we, together with the great majority of Your loyal and devot* ed Canadian subjects, are conscientiously and firmly opposed to the recognition of any Church establishment within the Pro- vince. It is, therefore, with extreme regret we have learned that during the past year fifty-seven Rectories have been estab' lished, and endowed out of the lands set apart for the support of a Protestant Clergy ; notwithstanding the wishes of Your Ma- jesty, most graciously made known through the Earl of Ripon, diat the disputes which had arisen respecting the disposition of those lands should be settled according to the wishes of its inhabitants, so often constitutionally expressed by petition, and through their representatives in the House of Assembly. We should not discharge the duty we owe to Your Majesty in the present posture of the aflTairs of this Province, did we not most humbly and respectfully convey to Your Majesty our full conviction, that nothing could tend more directly to weaken the attachment of the people of this country to the Parent State, than the continuance of this system of exclusive patronage of •ny one Church ; nor could any measure more happily conduce to allay existing agitation and dissension, and to produce a more fdfectionate and enthusiastic devotion to Your Majesty's Go- vernment, than an assurance that this system will be no longer pursued. We devoutly pray the Great Disposer of events to guide us in all the afTairs of Your Majesty's Councils, to throw over Your Majesty, at all times, the shield of His divine protection, and to render Your Majesty's reign long, felicitous, and prosperous, and productive of the happiest results throughout every pad of your widely -extended dominions, /sf Signed, by order .and. on behalf of the Conference, ^ "hi Viiii ;n v,/...;j,,,; r^Mn ->-r« ^": WiLLiAM Lord, Pregident. William Case, iSf«creto7y. BelUstUle, Upper Canada, J^nt 13th, 183Ct, U 1 K-\ •**:i 'ii^ .*'**'■'.** 19^0 UlNVTiS* ^? Smt RBPl^T TO THE AI]|DItfi0S. J^ u0 , Downing Street, 14th Sept.^ 1836. I hare reeexved; Andhavft had the honourto lay at thelMt of the Throne, an Address to His Majesty from thf Ministers ||f the Wesleyan-MethocUst Church in Canada, dated the 13th .'une last, and delirered to me by the Rey. Eigerton Ryerson. I have to request that you vill inffmn t%P Mwist^rf lof the WealeyAn-MeUiodist Church, through th^irPve^dent, the ^tif^ William tiord, that His Majesty was p^ns^d to reseiye iHb Address very graciously, and to command mc tp expreci^ljUs satisfaction at the sentiments of attachment to his Person and Government contained in it* V . 1 I have, &e. Lieut. Gov. Sir P. B. H ead, K.C.B., ' " ' ' ''■'■'' "* * ■ .f See. &.C, &c. r MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT KirOSTON, FROM THE 13th TQ T^E 22nd JUNE, 1838. ■^1^c^•'iVi '*.!-^frK-i3hiii':-'^jf}lJ 'rff^i^i mA'-i!:i i>'A-\J.. William M. Harvard, President, * EoERTON Ryerson, Secretary, Question 1. What preachers are this year admit' ted into full connexion with the Conference, and ordained f Adam Townley, John Douse, John G. Manly, Benj. Slight,* George F. Playter, John Flanagan,* Hannibal Mulklns, William Steer, Jonathan Scott,* John Sunday* (Native Indian) — 10. ^u,.... ^ ' >>n * Tbese btve been previoualy ordained for ppenial parposeit' t ]| t q2 1B6 MINUTSB. lii .-^ I [1688. Quest. 2, What preachers renmn V btXB ,.l»U}i »<• William Willoughby, Benjamin Naukevill, Geo. Gbodson, William Scott, William Young, William 'Haw, Stephen Miles, Sylvester Hurlburt, J. Lever, 'Husth Montgomery. ^ •;, These have travelled TWO years. yi'..r^(>(\v>f>'ii- N. B. Williun Young aod HmbMontiomery were ordaiued tbii year for ipccial iNirpsaee. P' '* y, K-., H' .ff .'f 1 ■' William Coleman, Daniel Hardie, Wellington Jeffers, G. B. Butcher— 21. These have travelled on« year. Qijifi^ 3. What jfrjsacJiers are now received on Arkle Stokes Newbury,* Geo. Sanderson,* Henry Byers,* James Spencer — 4, , / * These bave travelled one year undeif the direction of Chairmen. Quest. 4. What preachers have died since the last .Conference? ,'^i i.^v^iS.u-^■v^.^ \k^^JT jfio-'^-O ,. Jonathan Gladwin, who was a native of Derby- shire, England, and died in Toronto, on the 2nd of ^ October,^ 1837, after a lingering illness ; aged about , B4 years. He was a man of an amiable and humble spirit, of uniform and affectionate piety ; was a very acceptable and useful Preacher, and died in the triumphs of faith, in the third year of his Ministry. :U.: I83dj ki.TUTKS, 187 Quest 5. Are there any objections to any of our preachers t They were examined one by one. I •,^,gj-. Quest. 0. What preachers have desisted from travelling f None. Quest. 7. Who are the superannuated preachers t Thomas Whitehead, Frankh'n Metcalf, David ' Youmans, Wyat Chamberlain,* Ezra Adams,* Jas, Wilson, William Brown,* A. Prindle, Daniel Mc- MuUen, Charles Wood,* Andrew Taylor,* James Booth*— 12. * Theie have no claiira on the funda raised for the support of Super- annuated Pieachera. Quest. 8. What preachers have withdrawn from the Church this year f None. Quest. 9. How are the preachers stationed for the ensuing year? ..,„,,„» ^ ., >,,>-, c-vjit-i ii As follows, viz. : — - ; . , • •■• 4.^,^ '..,/•» ^ut •'■'>M.«ti. V^v i , v'.,J .! ^ L-tONDON DISTRICT. / '^^ 1. London — Edmund Stoney, Arkle S. Newbury. 2. St. Thomas — ^James Norris, David Hardie. * 3. Gosfield — John K. Williston, Henry Byers. 4. Howard — Stephen Miles. 6. Oxford — Thomas Fawcett. 6. Thames — John Baxter, Thomas McMullen. 7. Brantford — Thomas Bevitt, who shall change with the Grand River Missionary every fourth # •' Sabbath ; one to be sent; Thos. Whitehead, superannuated. 8. Simcoe — Richard Phelps ; one to be sent. -^ 9. Dumfries — Robert Corson, William Coleman. I* f \U' » 1 m 5 j 1 Wm ) -S ;;»i ■ , m if «t:. 16B MINUTUL [isaa. 10. ^iiMUter — A. MacNab, Peter Ker ; A. Prindle, superannuated. The Ancaster Preaehers shall i, ^, change with the Preacher on the Hamilton Station one SaMxith in every three weeks. 0!^. 'v:-v( fipHftAiif Evans, Chairtnain, p. 11 . Toronto City—Wm. Ryerson ; Egerton Ryerson .iM^t is our Editor ; John Ryerson is our General -oK i Book Steward ; Andrew Taylor, superan- nuated, who resides in Toronto. 12. Yonge Street — Adam Townley, William Scott* 13. Newmarket — Edmund Shepard, Geo. Sanderson. 14. Toronto — Rowley Heyland, Simon Huntington. 15. Nelson — Hamilton Biggar, John Law. 16. Hamilton and Sloney Creek — John C. Davidson. The Hamilton Preacher shall change with the Preachers of the Ancaster Circuit once ^*/'/' in three weeks on the Sabbath. - ><- >• 17. Grimsby — Samuel Belton, James Spencer. 18. 8t, Catherines — J. Messmore, James Musgrove. 19. Stamford — Matthew Whifirig, 'SahtUel Rose. 20. TTAi/Ay— Horace Dean, John Lever ; James Wilson, David Youmans, superannuated. 21. Brock — Cornelius Flumerfelt — }T'.\>*t{>v\ i 22. Mono — To be supplied. „~ i-.v^rv .Z?'. .1' John Ryejison, Chairman, ^ '\ , . ! X- r III.— BAT OF QUINTE DISTRICT. ,J* 23. Kingston — Matthew Lang. 24. Bay of Quinte — Conrad Vandusen, William H. Williams. 25. Waterloo and Isle of Tanti — Ezra Healy, Wm. Haw ; James Booth, superannuated. ; ,v ' 1 1 1838.] MINUTES. 18ft 26. Hallowell — ^John Black, John G. Manly, .i j j. 27. Belleville — Edwy M. Ryersor.. 28. Cobourg — John Carroll, f iannibal Mulkins ; Matthew Richey, A. M., rvho is Principal of .V, U. C. Academy ; John Beatty, who is Steward of U. C. Academy. i n 29. Peterboro* and Rice Lake Mission — George Poole, Sylvester HurlbuU. Brother Hurlburt has the charge of the Mission, and Brother Poole of the Circuit ; but are expected to v** > labour in conjunction over the entire ground attached to both. 30. Sidney — Lewis Warner, Solomon Snider. 31. Murray — Cyrus R. Allison, Wm. Steer ; Daniel McMuUen, superannuated. . ;, Anson Gkeen, Chairman, . •' • •• . '/ IV.— AUGUSTA DISTRICT. ;^^'* -^i- 32. Brockville — Henry Wilkinson. 33. Elizabethtown and Gananoque — James Brock, Daniel Berney ; Wyat Chamberlain, super- annuated. 34. Augusta — James Currie, Henry Shaler ; Charles Wood, superannuated. ,:^. 35. Matilda — Asahel Hurlburt, George Ferguson. 36. Rideau — William McFadden ; William Brown, superannuated. 37. Perth — John Mel nty re. ;\A'<^Vi\ 38. Crosby — William Young. 39. Cornwall — John Flanagan. -('■ Henry Wilkinson, Chairman. ^ •^^w V. OTTAWA DISTRICT. . Jlv 40. Bylown — ^Richard Jones. 41. Ottawa — Alvah Adams, George F. Playter Franklin Metcalf, superannuated. 1^1 1 ! ri- ■| !i; *'* t>.-l .?>' 1 190 MINUTBSw [1888. •«.{ -- 42. Hull — Thomas Harmon. 43. Richmond — George Goodson. 44. Miiiissippi — John Armstrong, W. Willoughby^ 45. Osgoode — ^Vincent B. Howard. 4d. Clarendon — Stephen Brownell. ?. .'*^-'f ., 47. Pembroke — G. B. Butcher. . * • i 'u» "*"■'" Richard Jonis, Chairman, ;?1..,.,M iy^i: .- '"■ VI.- MISSIONARY DISTRICT. 48. Aldersville — William Case, who is to pay parti- cular attention to the arrangement and settle- ment of the new village on the south shore of Rice Lake ; John Sunday. 49. St. Clair and Walpole Island — ^John Douse, Geo. Henry. 50. Rice Lake — Sylvester Hurlburt 51. Credit — Benjamin Slight. 52. Grand River — David Wright, who shall change with the Preachers of the Brantford Station every fourth Sabbath. ; _ ,._, 53. Muncy — Solomon Waldron. '^ fi 64. Goderich — Hugh Montgomery. 56. Saugeeng — Gilbert Miller. ..i \ sii j*'. 56. Lake Simcoe, Coldwater and Barrie — Jonathan Scott, Wellington JefTers. — ,,., ,5,. ,,^. 57. Gruelph — Benjamin Nankevill. V ? *^.Vi5 j-i. 58. TTfl/po/c—C. B. Goodrich. 59. Lake Superior — Jas. Evans, Thomas Hurlburt. Joseph Stinson, Gcn7 SuperU, Peter Jones is in England, on the service of the Connexion. .-% Quest. 10. Whai. is the numher of members in our Societies, and what has been collected for the Super- annuated Preachers' and for the Contingent Funds f As follows, viz. t"^ 1938.1 INUTES. .ri. Cireniu. Toronto city Yonge Street Newmarket Toronto Nelson Dumfries Whitby Brock ....* Mono . . k . 4 Hamilton Stamford St.Catherines Grimsby Simcoe Brantford London St. Thomas Crosfield Howard Oxford Thames Kingston BayofQuinte Waterloo Halloweli Belleville Cobourg Peterborough Sidney Murray BrockviUe Prescott and Augusta Matilda Rideau Perth Mississippi Richmond.. Ottawa Bytown Hull Crosby Clarendon Missionary District ........ Total from Circuits ,.^,., , £ Public Collection at Conference .... Annual Subscriptions of Preachers . From the Book Room S. H., Esq., donation Total £ Vo. of M«mb«n 216 17 8 Idd ttiNtrrBs* [1836. Missiom. •loi-yfi') No. of Mambon Ald^raville 83 St. Clnir 166 Rice Lake 81 LakeSimcoe 253 Muncytown 150 Saugeen^ 70 Grand River 135 Credit 139 No. of M«mb«n Isle of Tanti 25 Guelpb 133 Goderich ••» 60 Warwick 30 Amherstburgh 21 Marmora... 43 Pembroke 25 Lanark 20 Total on the Mission Stations ,.. 1,479 RXOIPITOLATIOH. Statioiu. MlMioa*. TtuJ. Members in th^ societies this year . . 13,849 1479 15,328 '* last year . . 14,530 923 15,453 «i f« Decrease this year 125 N. B. — ^As nearly as can be ascertained from the various Circuit Schedules, it appears that there have been expelled and dropped during the year, 973 ; withdrawals, 310 ; remo- vals of various kinds, 1,270 ; deaths, 96 ; received into Society, 2,525; decrease, 125. !• Quest. 11. How has the amount collected for the Superannuated Preacher^ €ind Contingent Funds been expended? ... •'•- »««.•! SOPKRANNVATED PrXACHXRS' FcRD. Incidentals durine the Conference £0 17 0^ Samuel Beiton, for last year 2i) 13 9i James Wilson 35 12 0* Thomas Whitehead 17 16 0| DavidToumans 17 16 Oi AndrewPrindle 35 12 Oi Franklin Metcalf 35 12 Oi Daniel McMullen 35 12 0^ Widow of the late Rev. T. Madden 17 16 U Widow of the late Rev. W. Slater 17 16 U Total ....£235 3 3i &:■!;' i 183d. 1,479 JhuL 15,328 15,453 ,. 125 B various expelled ) ; remo- Society, 1838.1 MiiruTBS. COHTIVOXIIT FdRD. To make up the deficiencies of — 103 St. Catherines Ct. £24 Simcoe.. 10 10 London 2 St. Thomas Oxford Oosfield ... Thames ... Newmarket • • ••••« • • • • 8 10 1 3 19 10 10 14 Dumfries £6 9 Yonge Street .... lU Waterloo 17 Elizabethtown ..« 16 10 Perth 5 Mississippi 10 Crosby 19 £162 14 6 Mueellaneoua Appropriations. To William Scott, on account of family afflictions, £13 To W. Deverell, on account of personal afflictions, 10 ToW. Kyerson, travelling expenses to Kingston, &c 5 To Hamilton Biggar, for bad bills .... 2 10 To the Secretary of the Conference . . 6 9 Paid A. Green, for money advanced last year tQ D. McMuUen 19 « 54 10 Total £217 4 6 " for the Funds :oi7 Oi i<) 13 9i )5 12 04 17 16 0* 17 16 04 )5 12 04 )5 12 04 )5 12 04 17 16 14 17 16 14 }5 3 34 STATEMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE METHODIST CHURCH THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. Number of Members now in Great Britain 292,693 Do. Ireland 2M23 Do. Foreign Stations ...., 66,007 Total under the care of the British and Irish Confer's 384,723 Under the care of the American Conferences ...... 6Sf8,574 Under the care of the Weslcyan-Methodist Church in Upper Canada 15,328 Total number of Members in the Wesleyan MethOf * dist Societies throughout the world, exclusive of regular Travelling Preachers, who are statedly employed in the work of the Ministry i,, 1,049,410 , jj N. B. The number of regular Travelling Preach- ers, and of Supernumerary and Superannuated ' ^ Preachers, is as follows, viz. :-r '^ !,.,!;-: - h ». I' 'il! 104 MINUSES. In Great Britain^ Regular Preachers, 867 Supernumerary and Superannuated ...... 134 In Ireland^ Regular Preachers stationed in the Circuits 97 Missionaries ..i.a.tn i 25 Supernum'y aAd Superannuated Preachers 39 hi the Foreign Stations, Regular Preachers and Assistant Mission- aries now actually on the Liet (besides the twenty-five Missionaries employed in Ireland, and a considerable numWr ?hd are to be Appointed to the vacant oreign St^tic^nsi &g iOan &a possible) . . 274 Supernum'y and Superannuated Prea'^hers 7 In the American Connexionj iii 1836^ Regular Preachers in Circuits, and Mis' sionaries to the Indians 2,78l Supernum'y and Superannuated Preachers IHS tn the Upper Canada Connexion, Regular Pr^ach^rs iti CifdtiitSj Jiiid Mis- sionaries uiij* 95 Supernum'y and Superannuated Preachers 12 Total throughout the world . . ^ .a 1,001 161 28i 2,946i 10? 4,496 n Quest. 12. What are the Standing Committees for the present year? ■ ■ 1. The Book Committee. l^he President and the Secretary of the Confer- i^hce, the Superifltendent of Missions, the Chairman of the Tordnto District, the Preachers resident in Toronto City, the Preachers on the Yonge Street and l^oronto Circuits, and the Superintendents of the Newmarket, Whitby, and Nelison Circuits« 1888.] MINUTES. 195 2. MiSSIONAllT COMHfTTEK. The President of the Conference ; the Chairmen of Districts ; Wm. Case, Wm. Ryerson, Editor of the Guardian, David Wright, Matthew Lang, and J. C. Davidson. Missionary Board — The Superintendent of Mis- sions ; the Chairman of the Toronto District ; Editor of the Guardian ; Preachers resident in the City of Toronto and on the Toronto and Yonge Street Cir- cuits; Mr. John Beatty, jun., Secretary; Mr. S- EL Taylor, Treasurer ; Messrs. Jonathan Dunn, George B. Spencer, Alexander Hamilton, Richard Woods- worth, George Walker, and I'homas Storm. 3. COMMITTEK rOR THE pROTECTIOir OF OUR CiVIL AVD Religious Privileges. The President and Secretary of the Conference ; the Rev. William Case ; the Chairmen of Districts t the Superintendent of Missions ; the Preachers resi- dent in the city of Toronto ; and the following gen^ tlemen, viz :•— ' J. R. Armstrong, M.P.P., Alderman Taylor, John Beatty, jun., Alexander Hamilton, Jonathan Dunn, Richard Woodsworth, G. H. Detlor, M.P.P., James Dougall, J. P., John Counter, J. P., J. M, Rorison, Luther Houghton, G. Brouse, J. P., W. Brown, J. P., Billa Flint, jun., J. P. Roblin, J, P., C. Biggar, J. P., J. A. Keeler, J. P., Justus W. Williams, J. P., Wm. Fitz Moore, James Gage, Edward Jackson, Hugh Wilson, J. P., Benj'n Corwin, \lex. Davidson, P. M., Andrew Sharp, Gilbert Wrong, J. P., W. Wheeler, John Scatchard, and Ch. Johnson, J. P., Esqrs. The Editor of the Christian Ghiardian to be Sec- retary, with authority to call meetings of the Com- mittee ; five of whom shall form a quorum for the transaction of business il y !/;i 196 MINOTKS. 4. CoNTiiiosirr Fovd Coboiittu. [1838; The President of the Conference ; the Secretary of the Conference ; Chairmen of Districts ; Super- intendents of the Hamilton and Aneaster Circuits ; and the following Laymen, viz. : — Hugh Willson, Esq., D» Lewis, Esqw, Messrs. Gage^ Jackson, Strowbridge, and Philip Spaun. The following Resolution was adopted : — Resolved, That it is the judgment of the Confer* ence, that it is highly improper, and contrary to a correct interpretation of our ecclesiastical economy, for persons not duly ordained to the office of the Christian Ministry to administer the sacrament (^ Baptism under any circumstances. |1 1 ,- - ti ■ ! ■ 1 ., , Quest. 13. Where and when shall our next Con- ference be held? At Hamilton, Gore District ; to commence on the second Wednesday in June, 1839, at 8 o'clock, A.M. William M. Harvard, President. EoERTON Rycrbon, Secretary^ Conference Hoom, Kingston, June 22nd, 1838. 1838.] HfNUTCfl. 197 THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OP THE CONFERENCE. To the Members qf t/ie Wesleyan- Methodist Church in Canada^ Vert Dear Brethren : We gladly avail Ourselves of the q[>portiAii(y aflofded hf our annual association in Confefedce to address you, witli un- abated and intense affection, on soUie topics c^ interest and importance. ,. , ,.: . • To the year that is past we would direct yovir dtteniion widi iningled emutions of sorrow and gtatitude. Little did #b imagine, when last ^e addressed yoii, thdt ere this pietiott attempted rebellion and partidl disorder ivould distract anil agitate our beloved Province. But, thanks be unto God, thb cause of truth and righteousness has signally triumphed : i\h voice of the Most High has been heard above tbie tempei^lf rebuking and harmonizing the angry and contending elei^entjiit At a moment when we were most emphatically cast upoti Divine protection, the God of our fathers spread around and beneath us his everlasting arms. We recognize with pleasure and thankfulness the steadiness and fidelity of our fellow- subjects, and of our own Societies in particular, in the recent lamented insurrection. We sincerely regret the transgressions of some others, but we are thankful that the contagion spread- no farther : we trust all latent disaffection will be entirely sub-- dued ; and while we behold the characters of Divine interposi- tion, guidance^ and salvation,. emblazoned on the events of the' past, we sincerely hope and pray that thie ultimate end will) through the mercy of God, be beneficial, and that the peaceful^ hallowing, and beatifying influences of righteousness and trutb will pervade the length and breadth of our Province. Dearly beloved Brethen : In reviewing the past, let us leant more fully and more practically our absolute dependance on God — the truth of his promises, and the unspeakable excellency of our Divine religion. Without hope and without God, we Cire unprotected in the storm, alone in the conflict, unguided andunblest; but if faithfully devoted to Him, we have every assurance of his protection and blessing. The silent and deadly- r2 ■ tJi .«••' t \l ^■ ■vs ■ 1 i,i ^1 198 MINOTES. [1S38. pestilence may walk in darkness ; fearful destruction may waste at noon-day ; a thousand may fall at the believer's side, and ten thousand at his right hand ; but it shall not come nigh him, for the truth of the^Most High is his shield and buckler. While regarding this animating troth in the light of experience, forget not, dear brethren, that to yield honour and obedience to the laws of the land, is an essential characteristic of such a favoured individual. While we most affectionately urge upon our beloved people the importance of sedulously guarding against the dan- ger of imbibing and indulgingthe spirit of political partizanship, yet the painful occurrences of the past year imperatively prompt us to call your serious attention to that branch of scriptural morality which respects your civil relations. The sacred oracles require not submission to any unscriptural or immoral injunc- tion, by whomsoever imposed, but most unequivocally forbid it : they impose no restraints on the judgments of men in civil affairs, but they require every follower of our blessed Redeemer to award respect and obedience to the constituted authorities. Without this, the bonds of society must soon be dissolved, and the diverse and discordant elements contend in licentiousness and death. It becomes our painful duty to record the death of one of your beloved Ministers, the Rev. Jonathan Gladwin. We rejoice in the conviction that he is now reaping the reward of his fidelity and toil, as well as in the mercy of God in removing no other from our ranks. For a more particular account of our deceased and lamented brother, we refer you to his obituary contained in the Minutes of the Conference. From a comparison of the returns of the present with those of last year, we perceive that we have sustained a small decrease <^ 125. While we regret that there is any diminution in our numbers, we are thankful, considering the embarrassing events which have occurred in the civil affairs of the Province, that it is no greater. The statistical items which we have furnished will sufficiently account for our small numerical loss, and at the same time evince the paternal regard and blessing with which our Heavenly Father has distinguished us. That our beloved Zion has so happily surmounted the obstacles and escaped the injuries of 183d.] MINUTES. 199 the past year ; that the Spirit of God has been so graciously and largely shed upon many places ; and that so many have been added to occupy the ranks of the unfaithful, or of the redeemed from among men, are facts which should awaken in all our hearts the deepest emotions of gratitude, and elicit suitable expressions of thanksgiving and praise. In referring to the Upper Canada Academy, yre feel that we have peculiar cause of gratitude and encouragement. The remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit, with which God has graciously visited this Institution during fhe past year, and the facilities which it affords for the acquisition of sound and useful learning on Christian principles, and upon more moderate terms than any similar Institution with which we are acquainted, demand our warm recommendation of its interests to the cordial support of all our Societies. God has placed upon it the im- press of his approval, and bestowed upon many of the students his enriching and saving blessing. The last annual examina- tion has given ample evidence of its continued and increasing efHciency ; and we trust that it will long be a blessing, and that our beloved people will faithfully sustain it. With great satisfaction we inform you, dear brethren, (hat the Book Room and the Printing Establishment continue to pros- per. The sphere of their operations is, however, as yet, com- paratively limited ; but we trust you will cheerfully contribute to their growth and influence, — to the accomplishment of the benevolent and important ends which are exclusively contem- plated in their operations. To your affectionate regard and cordial support, we commend all our other excellent and useful institutions. The Sabbath School and Missionary Societies, and the Contingent and Super- annuated Preachers' Funds, (ptill in their infancy,) will, if ren- dered mature and efficient, greatly subserve the interests of our Zion. We fervently hope, therefore, that you will do all in your power to aid and advance them by your contributions and prayers. And now, dear brethren, we desire most affectionately to remind you of the glorious and important end at which we all aim, — * * to spread scriptural holiness over the land. " Unaliied and contrasted with those whose views and affections are con* «1 •r; 15 <*^'' I'' ■' U ■■', I ' dOO MlNUTIt. [t8SS. fined to earth, mtLy it be our mutual and (Bonstdnt obre and effort to be instrumental in multiplying the trophies and con- tiuests of the Redeemer's kingdom till every enemy is subdued.! That you may contribute to this glorious design and secure vour own eternal salvation, let us remember that increasing personal piety ^s indispensal^Ie. Our own interests and the 84l- yation of others alike demand that we should not live finto our? selves, but unto Him who died for us and rqse again. Oh ! let the flame of devotion, of gratitude, and love unceasingly bum on the altar of your hearts ! Add to its penetrating and purify- ing influence by the acquisitiqn of further blessings, in the closet, at the family altar, and in the sanctuary of the Most High. Live continually by faith in Him who is the way, the truth, and the life, — the only n^ediafor between God and man : 80 shall you be really and eminently, in connection with the whole Church militant, tl^e light of the world and the salt of ike earth. Dear Brethren : we are about to separate a,nd repair to our respective fields of labour. While together we have been, fiivoured with the gracious visitations of our Heavenly Father. We feel thankful for the Christian harmony and fra,ternal affec-. tion that have prevailed among us. We go forth relying on, Him who hath hitherto helped us ; and trust that the ensuing year will be crowned with prosperity and songs of triumph.. We beseech you to unite with us in believing and incessant prayer and supplication : cast yourselves with us on Him who. dareth for us, and we shall know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord> ".No\y unto, Him that is able to kc'ep you from fk|llKj, and to present you faultless before the presence of hie glory with exceeding joy ; to the only wise God, our Saviour,, be glory and majesty) dominion apd power, both now and for ever." ".The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all !' Amen." Signed, in behalf and by order of the Conference, William. M. Harvard, PresidenL EdERtoN RtERBON, Secretary. - tUngsipn, June 23nd, 1838. , 1888.] KINCrTE». 201 ADDRESS. •■•• 14 To the President and Members of the EngUsh Wesleyan Methodist Coj^erence. Rktereiid Fathers and Brethren r ^ We are happy to improve the opportunity aiibrded by our annual meeting to address you again, though we cannot but regret that we are deprived of the pleasure and profit of a communication from you during our present sittings. The events of the past year have been of an unusual and extraordinary character. The political extravagancies of some of our fellow-subjects have degenerated into disaflfection, and that disaffection has ripened into rebellion, which has filled our whole Province with excitement and alarm, although only a few hundred seemed to have any connection with the conspiracy. The interposition of Divine Providence was remarkably manifest in our deliverance ; and within a few days the designs of wicked I men were defeated, and the insurrection was entirely suppres- sed, with scarcely any sacrifice of life. In this season of trial the members of our Societies throughout the Province were not exceeded by any class of our fellow-subjects in loyalty and zeal in the maintenance and defence of the constituted authorities. This was the first instance in which the public tranquillity was ever thus disturbed in this Province* and we trust it will be the last. The disturbances to which we have referred have been unfa- vourable to the spiritual prosperity of our Societies in many places, as many of the members have been employed on mil- itary duty, and the attention of others has been diverted by exciting topics of a secular nature. The legal questions affecting our chapel property are yet undecided, and have occasioned us considerable expense and much inconvenience during the last, as well as the preceding year. Yet the Lord has poured out his Holy Spirit in several places, and considerable numbers have been added to our Societies; although from several obvious causes, there is upon the whole, a small nun^erical decrease in thenv ■i-,;. In *\* 902 MINUTES. [1838. f''l' ''J vm m- « The untoward ereats affecting the interest of our Indian Mis* sions, to which we referred in our last year's Address have operated injuriously, to some extent, upon their prosperity during the past year. But the Indian converts have, with very few exceptions, remained steadfast and unmoveable : they are walking in the fear of the Lord and the comforts of the Holy Ghost ; and the inviting openings of Missionary enterprise continue to present themselves among them to the most distant interior. The Upper Canada Academy— though the attendance of stu- dents during a part of the past year has been affected by the civil disturbances of the Province — is becoming increasedly efficient and useful. A delightful revival of religion has lately taken place among the students, upwards of thirty of whom have given evidence of a gracious change. The Rev. Mr. Richey, our excellent Principal, continues the diligent and successful employment of his superior talents and high attain- ments, and more matured experience, in promoting the great religious and literary objects of the Institution ; which with the assistance of anticipated Legistative aid, will, we confidently trust, by the Divine goodness, be rendered an unspeakable blessing to our Church and Province. In parting with our respected and amiable friend, the Rev. W. M. Harvard, according to the appointment of your Mis- sionary Committee, we cannot but record our grateful sense of the kindness, and diligence, and zeal, and piety, with which he has discharged the functions and duties of his important office among us during the last two years ; and it is our earnest prayer to Almighty God that duriug the subsequent years of his ministerial labours and earthly pilgrimage, he may enjoy rhose strong and heavenly consolations of the Holy Spirit on which he has so devoutly and faithfully dwelt in his going out and coming in among us. The appointment of another President will now become necessary ; and after witnessing the faithfulness, and zeal, and ability with which our beloved brother, the Rev. Joseph Stin> 0on, has discharged his duties as General Superintendent of Missions during the last five years, and from the high esteem in whi<;h his ac^aintane« and labows are hejd «iziong us, we 16 an to sej ] fie! tor am am Lo or Tj tei or In H B< are induced most respectfully, and cordially, and unanimously^ to request that he may be appointed our President for the pre* sent year. ,--. ---■•'■v'o Rev. Fathers and Brethren i we now repair to our several fields of labour. In this eVentfttl Crisis of our Provincial his* tory, We solemnly renew our covenant engagements to God and each other, to spend and be spent in the service of Christ and his Church ; that Whether We live, we may live unto the Lord ; Whether We did, We may did unto the Lord ; that living or dying We may be the Lord's. Signed, by order and in behalf of the Conference of thd Wcsleyan Methodist Church in Canad&i EfiERfON UtEHsoN, SecTttaryt itm^rfion, Jttn0 2?} 1838. 0»«^»»^#|^«^#*^**j>»»#*»»» MINUTES OF CONFERENCE. TAKEN AT HAMILTON, FROM THE 12th TO trfK 22nd JUNE, 1839. ,. Joseph Stinson, President Egerton Ryerson, Secretary. Question 1. What preachers are this year admit- ted into full connexion with the Conference, and ordained ? Cornelius Flumerfelt*, William Haw, John Mc- Intyre,* William Young,* Stephen Brownell,* Thos» Hurlburt,* Hugh Montgomery,* Vincent B. Howard^ Benjamin Nankevill, Daniel Berney* — 10. * Tbese hau been previously ordained for special purposest Hi' 3 ttr-v-l i ij fi I 'il:^ 204 M1NUTBS. [1839. Quest. 2. TFAat preachers remain on trial f Stephen Miles, William Scott, John Lever, Geo. Goodson, William Willoughby, Sylvester Hurlburt, Charles B. Goodrich, Solomon Snider. These have travelled threx yean. William Coleman, David Hardie, Wellington JefTers. These have travelled two years. Henry Byers, James Spencer, Geo. R. Sanderson, Arkle Stokes Nevjrbury — 15. These have travelled one year. Quest. 3. What preachers are now received on trial f Charles W. M. Gilbert, Thomas Cosford, James Milner — 3. Quest. 4. What preachers have died since the last Conference f None. Quest. 5. Are there any objections to any of our preachers f They were examined one by one. Quest. 6. What preachers have desisted from travelling? John Flanagan, who has desisted in a very abrupt and dishonourable manner ; George B. Butcher — 2. Quest. 7. Who are the superannuated preachers? Thomas Whitehead, Franklin Metcalf, David Youmiins, Wyat Chamberlain,* Ezra Adams,* Jas. "Wilson, William Brown,* A. Prindle, Daniel Mc- Mullen, Charles Wood,* Andrew Taylor,* James Booth,* John Carroll — 13. * These have no claims on the funda raised for the support of Super- annuated Pieachers. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. from 1839.] MiNirms. 20$ Quest 8. What preachers have wiihdraumfrom Mf Church thit year f ,, n ; ; » '^- -avw, ^ ■-ri ,;,%; John Flannagan. '•• .- . ;p /' Im,> f -• \'''U .^'1 Quest. 9. lloio are the preachers stationed this As follows, viz. : — I.— LONDON DISTRICT. 1. HamiUon and Ancaster — J. C. Davidson, Peter Ker, William Coleman. ; Andrew Prindle, superannuated. 2. London — Adam Townley, Henry Byers. 3. 8l Thomas-^SameB Norris, C. W. M. Gilbert 4. GhaAeld and Howard — Thos. McMullen, Stephen Miles. . — ,r - '-^. . 5. Oxford — Thomas Fawcett. 6. Thames — John Baxter, James Milner. 7. Brantford — Thomas Bevitt, Arkle S. Newbury ; Thomas Whitehead, superannuated. 8. 8imcoe — Robert Corson, David Hardie. 9. Dumfries — Edmund Stoney, Hugh Montgomery. ; ' , ^ Ephraim Evans, Chairman, U.— TORONTO DISTRICT. ' ' 10. Toronto City — Matthew Richey ; Joseph Stinson, who is President of the Conference ; Egerton Ryerson, who is our Editor ; John Ryerson, who is our General Book Steward ; Andrew Taylor, superann'd, who resides in Toronto. 11. Yonge Street — Alex'r MacNab, one to be sent; James Wilson, superannuated. 12. Netomarket — Edmund Shepard, James Spencer. 13. Toronto — Rowley Heyland, Simon Huntington. 14. Nelson — Hamilton Biggar, John Law. 15. Grimsby — James Musgrove, Geo. R. Sanderson. 1% ■ ' 406 MINUTES. [1880. 16. 8t, Catherines — Samuel Belton, Samuel Rose. 17. Stamford — Matthew Whiting, Joseph Messmore, 18. ITAi/iy— David Wright, John Lever; David Youmans, superannuated. 19. Brock — Horace Dean, one to be sent. 20. Mono — One to be sent. John Rterson, Chairman, III.— BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. ;\ 21. Kingston — Matthew Lane. 22. Bay of Quinte — Conrad V andusen, William H. Williams. 23. Waterloo and Isle of Tanti — Ezra Healy, one to be sent ; James Booth, superannuated. 24. Hallowell — John Black, John G. Manly. 25. Belleville — Edwy M. Ryerson. 26. Cohourg — James Brock, William Steer ; John Beatty, who is domestic Governor and Steward in the U. C. Academy ; John Carroll, super'd. 27. Peterboro' — Gilbert Miller, Solomon Snider, one wanted. c; . -t 'i.^'\[-i-^- <■:■■■,■ ^--x , 28. Sidney — Lewis Warner, one wanted. 29. Murray — Cyrus R. Allison, Thomas Cosford; Daniel McMuIlen, superannuated. 80. Colhorne — William Haw. Anson Green, Chairman. .4'Vr;.|L. IV.— AUGUSTA DISTRICT. .^ 81. Prescott — Henry Wilkinson. 82. Brockville — Hannibal Mulkins. 33. Elizabethtown and Gananoque— Daniel Berney, one to be sent. 84. Augusta — James Currie, Vincent B. Howard ; Charges Wood, superannuated. 85. Matilda — George Ferguson, Benj'n Nankevill. 53l 54( 55l 561 ia 1889. Rose, smore, David 1880.] MINUTES. 207 36. i{td[«att— William McFu/lden ; William Brown, superannuated. 87. Perth — John Mclntyre. 38. Crosby — William Young. Henry W tlkinson, Chairmaru man. V. OTTAWA DISTRICT. .'.' iiam H. iy, one ted. ; John Steward super'd. Snider, /osford ; t'rman. Berney, Howard ; fankevill. 30. Bytown — Richard Jones. 40. Osgoode — Wellington JeflTers, who shall supply Bytown in the absence of Brother Jones. 41. Ottawa — Henry Shaler, William Willoughby ; Franklin Metcalf, superannuated. 42. Hull — George Goodson. 43. Richmond — Asahel Hurlburt, George F.Playter. 44. Mississippi — Alvah Adams, Thomasi Harmon. 45. Clarendon — John Armstrong. ;;?. 46. Pembroke and Bonchire — Stephen Brownell. 47. Cumberland — One to be sent. . ■* Richard Jones, Chairman. VI.- MISSIONARY DISTRICT. 48. Alderville — William Case. N. B. Bro. Case is requested to visit the Missions generally during the year, as far as may be consistent with his duties to the above Mission. 40. Rice Lake — John Sunday. 50. Lake Superior — Jas. Evans, Thomas Hurlburt 51. Credit — Benjamin Slight. 52. Grand River — William Ryerson. Bro. Ryerson is requested to exchange with the Brantford Preachers once or twice in the month, as his health may admit. 53. Muncytown---So\omon Waldron. ^^^ ,',:r 54. Goderich — Jonathan Scott. 55. Warwick and Adelaide — Charles B. Goodrich, 56. Savgeeng — John Kellog Williston. !£M \l\ !i! 206 MINUTES. [1830^ 57. Lake Simeoi, Barrie, amd Coldwaier — Sylvestei^ Hurlburt, one to be sent. 59. Guelph — George Poole. -• '^ v^: 69. Walpole — Cornelius Flummerfelt. 3 60. Amhersthurgh — William Scott 61. 8t. Clair — John Douse. Peter Jones resides at the Credit, and is requested to devote as much time as possible to the great work of translating the Sacred Scriptures into the Chip- pewa language, and will visit the Indian Missions and Tribes under the direction of the Superintendent of Missions. Joseph Stinson, General Superintendent of Missions f who resides in Toronto. Quest. 10^. What is the number of members in our Societies, and what has been collected for the Super- annuated Preachers' and for the Contingent Funds f As follows, viz. : — Ciicuita. London No. of Members 294 350 181 175 173 205 458 287 386 400 254 697 360 463 503 135 308 252 287 514 144 180 CoL for Superan. Fieachers, &c. £3 15 6i 6 5 10 9 7i 1 8 IH 5 1 2 5J 3 16 9 2 7 11 3 10 1 3 16 6 7 7J 2 5 74 4 4 5 5 5 2 12 5 4 4 5 3 9 3 9 5 10 9 9 3 Col. to make up Deficienciea. £6 2 St. Thomas 5 13 Gosfield... 8 13 9 Howard 4 3 7 Oxford 3 5 Thames 2 13 54 Brantford 4 19 Simcoe 3 2 94 Dumfries 3 8 14 Ancaster 9 10 54 Toronto city 14 5 U Yonge Street 17 8 64 Newmarket 6 Toronto 5 Nelson 9 Hamilton 4 3 11 Grimsbv 2 15 St.Catherines 5 6 44 Stamford 9 6 44 Whitby 4 5 34 Brock 15 Kingston....,...., ........ 9 8 84 II [1839- Ivestei^ 1839.] MINUTES. 209 .^t (quested at work B Chip- ions and [ident of ntendenl roBto. ■,; 's in our s Super- Funds? to make «p Jeficienciee. 6 2 5 13 8 13 9 4 3 7 3 5 2 13 5i 4 19 3 2 9i 3 8 li 9 10 5i 4 5 8 64 3 11 2 15 5 6 44 9 6 4 5 15 41 34 9 8 84 Circuit* BayofQuinte Waterloo Hallowell Belleville Cobourg Peterborough Sidney Murray Brockville Elizabethtown Prescott and Augusta Matilda Rideau Perth Crosby Bytown Osgoode Hull Richmond Ottawa.... Mississippi Clarendon Pembroke I Ko.of Memben 632 375 595 182 468 352 262 479 50 235 540 477 231 152 100 91 128 122 360 504 231 93 30 Total from Circuits £ Public Collection at Conference .... Annual Subscriptions of Preachers . Collection in the Conference Total Col. for Superan. Preachers, tic 7 6 3 4 5 4 5 2 2 2 10 3 16 2 5 16 15 12 15 14 12 13 15 1 1 2 9 3 44 7 9 9 3 1 11 114 9 17 6 10 7 6 Nothing. 185 16 74 10 2 44 100 10 1 17 6 Col. to make up DeficiencieSi 9 9 7 2 5 6 7 6 6 2 6 8 3i 3 10 3 7 5 5 12 10 8 4 3 3 18 6 3 3 3 3 2 1 4 10 15 1 1 1 12 4 9 4 13 11 3 14 8 Nothing. 8 2 14 5 245 6 4 298 6 6 Missions. Ko. of Members Alderville 96 St. Clair 131 Rice Lake 48 Credit 122 Grand River 91 Muncvtown 138 Goderich 103 Saugeeng 65 Guelph 97 RECAPITULATION. stations. Members in the societies this year . . 13,695 " " " last year.. 13,849 No. of Memben Lake Siracoe, Cold Wa- ter, and Barrie 323 Walpole 64 French River 12 Mud and Balsam Lakes . 57 Amherst Island 10 Isle of Tanti Marmora Mono ... 25 53 60 Missions. 1,495 1,479 Ihtmk 15,190 15,328 Decrease this year 138 i-^ Sri ■■■'V.- ■>■! 210 MINUTES. [1830. Quest. 11. How has the amount collected for the Superannuated Preachers* and Contingent Funds heen expended f ... — i ■ ■ ■ '^ ■ [' Superannuated Preachers* Fund. Incidentals during the Conference £2 2 9 James Wilson 39 4 10 Thomas Whitehead 19 12 5 David Youmans 39 4 10 Andrew Prindle , 39 4 10 Franklin Metcalf 39 4 10 Daniel McMullen 39 4 10 Ezra Adams 39 410 Widow of the late Rev. T. Madden 19 12 5 Widow of the late Rev. W. Slater 19 12 5 Samuel Rose, on account of family affliction 1 17 6 Total £298 6 6 Contingent Fund. To make up the deficiencies of — Brockville £16 London 7 10 St. Thomas 18 10 Thames 20 Simcoe 11 10 Ancaster 15 Howard 8 Oxford. £4 8 Nelson 11 18 St. Catherines ... 17 Whitby 24 Eiizabethtown ... 25 Crosby 16 4 Miscellaneous AppropriaHons* To Edwy M. Ryerson, on account of family affliction, £30 To Ezra Healy, on account of personal and family afflictions, 20 £195 6 4 50 Total., £245 6 4 Quest. 12. What are the Standing Committees for the present yearf 1, A Committee to revise the Course of Study pur- sued by young men on trial, and to report to the next Conference, consisting of the members of the Book Committee. [1839. for the Funds .. ^ . :> E2 2 9 39 4 10 19 12 5 39 4 10 39 4 10 39 4 10 39 4 10 39 4 10 19 12 5 19 12 5 1 17 6 298 6 6 £4 8 4 11 18 17 U 24 25 16 ,195 6 4 50 :245 6 4 litteesfor study pur- the next the Book 1839.] MINUTES. 211 2. A Committee on the subject of the Clergy Re- serves, consisting of the members of the Book Com- mittee. 3. The Book Committee. ' '-^ The President and Secretary of the Conference, Chairmen of Districts, William Case, Wm. Ryerson, the Superintendents of the Toronto City Station, Yonge Street, Nelson, Toronto, Newmarket, Whitby, Kingston, and Hamilton Circuits ; five of whom, in the monthly and ordinary meetings, shall form a quorum. 4. The Centenary Committee. The President and Secretary of the Conference, and the Chairmen of Districts, — to make preparations for the celebration of the Centenary of Methodism. 5. Contingent Fund Committee. The President and Secretary of the Conference, Chairmen of Districts, Superintendents of Murray, Sidney, and Belleville Circuits ; and the following gentlemen, viz. , B. Flint, jun'r, Asa Youmans, Wm, Ketcheson, Benj. Ketcheson, J. P. Roblin, Charles Biggar, J. M. Rorison, and John Counter, Esquires, — to meet in Belleville, on the second Tuesday in June, 1840, at two o'clock, P. M. 6. Committee for the Protection of ocr Civil and Religious Privileges. The President and Secretary of the Conference, Superintendents of Missions, Chairmen of Districts, Rev. William Case, Preachers resident in the city of Toronto ; and the following gentlemen, viz : — J. R. Armstrong, M.P.P., JohnBeatty, jun., James Foster, Jonathan Dunn, Geo. Walker, G. H. Detlor, M.P.P., G. Brouse, J. P., James Dougall, J. P., John I I 5' "ii 212 MINUTES. * [1839. Counter, J. M, Rorison, Luther Houghton, William Brown, J. P., Billa Flint, jun., J. P., J. P. Roblin, J. P., C. Biggar, J P., J. A. Keeler, Jf. P., Justus W. Williams, J. P., William Fitz Moore, James Gage, Edward Jackson, T. Bickle, George. Strowbridge, Hugh Wilson, J. P., Benj'n Corwin, Alex. Davidson, P. M., Andrew Sharp, Gilbert Wrong, J. P., John Scatchard, and C. H. Johnson, J. P., Esqrs. The Editor of the Christian Guardian to be Sec- retary, with authority to call meetings of the Com- mittee ; five of whom shall form a quorum, for the transaction of business. The President and Secretary of the Conference, and the Book Steward, were appointed Delegates to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, to be held in Baltimore, JVlay 1, 1840. The Reverend Egerton Ryerson was appointed the Representative of this Connexion to proceed to Eng- land, should the Book Committee deem it expedient, to advocate and maintain our just rights and interests before Her Majesty's Government and the Imperial Parliament, in respect to the Clergy Reserves. CENTENARY OF METHODISM. Resolved, 1. That the Conference, gratefully recognizing the unspeakable excellency and useful- ness of Wesleyan Methodism, deem it proper and beneficial, in unison with our Fathers and Brethren in Great Britain and in the Uuited States of America, to hold a Centenary Celebration of its institution for the purposes of devout thanksgiving to Almighty God and the promotion and extension of the great object at which Methodism aims. "efully iseful- jr and 3th ren lerica, Ion for lighty great 1830.] MINUTES^ 2ia 2. That on Friday, the twenty-fifth day of Octoher, 1839, appropriate Religious Services shall be held in all our chapels and congregations, for the purposes of calling to mind the great things the Lord hath done for us as a people ; of solemnly recognizing our obligations and responsibilities to cur Heavenly Father ; and of imploring on behalf of ourselves and of the whole Wesleyan-Methodist Family throughout the world, a- continuance and increase of religious happiness, unity, and prosperity. 3. That in addition to the Religious Services con- nected with the celebration of the Centenary of Methodism, there shall be a general pecuniary con- trihulion, to be applied to the following purposes and in the following ratio, viz : — That five-tenths of all we collect be employed for the purpose of forming a fund for the support of our superannuated Preachers — two-tenths to the Book Room — two-tenths to fur- nishing Parsonage houses, and one-tenth to be left at the disposal of the Conference for Missionary and other purposes. ' 4. The Terms of the Subscriptions shall be as follows, viz .* — All sums of £25 and upwards in four annual instalments ; all sums of jCl2 10s. and up- wards in three annual instalments ; all sums under £12 10s. in two annual instalments. The first instalment to be paid on or before the 1st day of February, 1840, and the subsequent instalments to be paid on the first day of the same month in each ensuing year. 5. The Book Steward shall be the General Trea- surer, to whom all monies are to be paid by the Chairmen of Districts, who shall be Treiasurers of the Districts to which they respectively belong, and to whom the Superintendents of Circuits, as Circuit Treasurers, shall be accountable for the monies re- received on their several Circuits. 1214 MINUTES. in; li 'III [1889. 6. Records of the naiiies, subscriptions, and pay- ments of the several contributors shall be kept as follows, viz : — 1. In the Christian Guardian from time to time as reported by the Circuit or District Treasurers or by the General Treasurer. 2. Each Superintendent of a Circuit shall provide or be furnished with a Centenary Circuit Record or Book, in which shall be entered the name . : . and contribution of each Subscriber. „v 3. Each Chairman of a District shall keep a simi- , , lar District Record, to be filled up from the Records of the Circuits included in his District 4. One large and suitably prepared Book, to serve as a General Centenary Record, shall be filled up in the manner already specified, from the District Records, and shall be kept in the Book Room as a permanent Book of Reference in relation to the Centenary Commemoration of . , Wesleyan Methodism. ., ,.,,. 7. That a Deputation be appointed to visit the principal Towns and Villages and Neighbourhoods of the Province, for the purpose of carrying out the great objects of our Centenary Celebration. O - i H U MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS. Resolved, That while this Conference has felt itself bound to express its sentiments on the question of an Ecclesiastical Establishment in this Province, and our constitutional and religious rights and priveleges, and our determination to maintain them, we disclaim any intention to interfere with the merely secular party politics of the day ; — we are resolved to attend wiih greater diligence ourselves, as well as to »Mfj^ "1889. d pay- ept as (♦I time Lsurers provide Record 1 name a simi- om the District. to serve be filled I'om the tie Book ■ence in ition of irisit the mrhoods out the \t['% ■ felt itself )n of an [ce, and [veleges, Idisclaim secular lo attend to ^n'M 1889.] MINUTES. 210 with increased earnestness upon the people commit- ted to our charge, a more diligent attention to the means of spiritual edification established among us* and which, under the Divine blessing, have so mate- rially contributed to the stability, increase, and qso- fulness of the Methodist Connexion throughout the world ; — we also repeat our determination that the Christian Guardian ahAl be properly a religious and literary Journal, to explain our doctrines and institu- tions ; to defend them when necessary ; to vindicate our character, if expedient, when misrepresented ; to publish the operations of Christian benevolence, and the triumphs of the Gospel throughout the world ; together with a summary of civil and general intel- ligence. Resolved,^ — That the members of this Conference, deeply impressed with the supreme importance of the great scriptural object, for the accomplishment of which God raised up the venerable Founder of Me- thodism, will, in the humble dependence on the Lord the Spirit, devote themselves with renewed zeal and simplicity of purpose to promote the spread of scrip- tural truth and holiness within the appointed sphere of their ministerial labour. Resolved, — That this Conference presents its cor- dial thanks to the Rev. Mr. Alder, for his interesting communications on the subject of the Centenary Celebration of Methodism in Great Britain and Ireland. Resolved, — That the Rev. Mr. Alder be respect- fully requested to furnish, for publication, a copy of the excellent Sermon which he delivered before the Conference, on Sunday morning of the 16th instant. Resolved, — That the Rev. Mr. Alder having repre- sented that the second^ fifth, and sixth resolutions, , ' I' 216 MINUTES. £1839. passed by this Conferenoe in June 1837, on the sub- ject of certain grants made by His late Majesty to the Wesleyan Missionary Committeef out of the Casual and Territorial Revenue, interferes with the usifyges of our British brethren, and materially retards their interests, this Conference rescind the same. Quest 13. Where and when shall our next Con' ference be held? At Belleville, commencing on the second Wed- nesday in June, 1840, at ten o'clock, A.M. Joseph Stinson, President, . ^ EoERTON Ryerson, Secretary, THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE. To the Members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada, Djdarlt Bjbloykd Brkthren : By the good Providence of God, we have been pennitted to meet in our Annual Assembly, for ihe oversight and adjust- ment of the interests and affairs of our beloved Zidn. We are grateful for the mercies and blessings of the past year ; and we again affectionately address you, in our collective capacity, for the suggestion of those principles and duties which we deem pre-eminently and unceasingly important. In the recollection of the events of the past year, it behoves us to acknowledge, with gratitude, our renewed obligations to Almighty God. While we have to mourn, with hope, over the loss of some of our beloved people, employed in the defence of our government and country, we are thankful that foreign invasions have been but few and temporary, and that civil in- surrection has not been re-attempted. Spiritually, also, we I 1830. 5 sub- Sty to >f the tVi the etards ne. . ( Con- I Wed- it. "',:•■ itary. ' ' 'I LENCE. Canada' Ipermitted id adjust- Weare ; and we »acity, for we deem it behoves IgationB to \ope, over le defence lat foreign |t civil in- alBO, we 1839.] MINUTES. 217 • have not been forgotten by our Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit has been graciously shed upon many parts of "the field;" the ministrations of divine truth have been rendered successful ; the prayers and intercessions of many of our people have been heard and answered ; the Church has been edified ; and perishing sinners reclaimed and saved. We, therefore, feel that gratitude and love demand afresh and unreserved dedi- cation of ourselves to the service and glory of God. Dear Brethren, — We desire to remmd you of the dignity, importance, and duties of your religious vocation. God has redeemed us to himself that we might be a peculiar people, zea- lous of good works. He has united us in Christian fellowship that we might mutually assist and benefit each other, and more effectually promote the salvation of souls. Let us act, then, in consonance with these facts. Though surrounded and allured by the things that are temporal, let us look at the things that are spiritual and eternal. The tabernacles we inhabit shall soon crumble into dust. Our probationary period shall very soon close. From the place we inhabit and from our present means of intellectual and moral improvement we shall soon be summoned. ** What manner of persons, then, ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness !" Surely Christian- ity should be our joy and crown. In the possession of a divine attestation of the forgiveness of sins ; in a participation of" the divine nature;" and in the fruition of " all joy and peace through believing," let us go forward to higher discoveries, to greater enjoyments, to more extensive and efiUcient exertions in the service of God. So shall we be "burning and shining lights;" partaking largely ourselves of divine favours; and instrumentally diffusing throughout the land that scriptural "holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Influenced by these principles, we should studiously avoid the allurements and excitements of the world ; and cultivate and display the spirit and tempers of " pilgrims and strangers." Whatever stations have been allotted to us in the arrangements of divine Providence ; whatever duties may devolve upon us in our several relations, we should constantly remember that everything is designed to be subordinate and tributary to our religious improvement, happiness, and usefulness. " We are not our own :" we are the people of God : we are citizens of T 218 MINUTES. £1830. I I 11 ' I 1 1 r| Heaven. Let us, then, more than ever, place our " afTections on things above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Havmg " our conversatijon in Heaven," and "walking in the light, as Christ is in the light," we shall " have fellowship one with another," and our path " shine more and more unto the perfect day." You will not, dear brethren, neglect the institutions of divine worship, both public and private. Closet devotion and domestic worship should precede and conclude the labours of each day. The sacred Scriptures should be daily, devoutly, and studiously read. The Sabbath, — the holy of the Lord, should be observed and honoured, as a season of rest, of fervent devotion, and of religious improvement. The Sanctuary of the Most High should be regularly attended as the habitation of his house, the place where his honour dwelleth, and his choicest blessings are liberally bestowed. To stimulate to these duties then ate powerful motives. Without the blessing of God nothing is wise, nothing strong, nothing safe, nothing good. He aIo>:)«% can conduct us through the labyrinths of life. Only his grace can support and console us in circumstances of distress, be> reavement, and sorrow. Let us then approach Him in the means he has appointed, through His Son and by His Holy Spirit, and he will "do in us and for us exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think." While anxious and diligent to secure you? ^wn salvation, you will not, we trust, be unmindful of "the wealth of others." The Sabbath School opens a door of access to the rising generation. The Bible Society affords you an opportunity of aiding in the circulation of the Word of Life. The Tract So- ciety supplies you with means of usefulness to many. The Missionary Society provides a medium through which you may be eminently instrumental in the universal diffusion of truth and righteousness. In our own Church, in other respects, there are both occasion and scope for your liberality and piety. The superannuated preachers and deficient circuits have a clum on our flocks to which, we hope, there will be a hearty and adequate response. Influenced by Christian principles and motives, you will find it a pleasure and benefit to subserve all those purposes and to supply all this lack, according to the ability which God has given. The financial improvements of 839. onBon 3od." in the tip one Qto the f divine omestic ich day. iidioufily )b8erved 1, and of Bt High >u8e, the BingB are then ate othing ^9 He alo>:^« his grace tress, be- im in the HiB Holy tundantly salvation, If others." Ithe rising jftunity of [Tract So- my. The you may of truth respects, I and piety. [ts have a a hearty tciplesand abserve all [ing to the rements of 183d.] MINUTBS. 219 this year are, we hope, but a prelude of still more appropriate exertion in future. ' We have sincere pleasure in informing you of the uninter- rupted and increased efficiency of the Upper Canada Academy. The number of students during the present year ; their credita- ble and gratifying proficiency in learning ; the talents, exertionB, and usefulness of the Reverend and highly esteemed Principal, and of the subordinate Teachers, male and female ■ the spon- taneous public and private testimonies in its behalf; and the unusually interesting and encouraging public annual examina- tion of the present year, unitedly and forcibly recommend the Institution to our members and friends and to the Province at large. We fondly hope it will continue to occupy an honoura- ble and prominent place among the literary institutions of the country, and exert a most beneficial influence on all classes of society. We have sustained, during the past year, a numerical loss of one hundred and thirty-eight. Though this may easily be accounted for by the changes to which our Societies in these times are especially incident ; yet it should awaken in each minister and member a spirit of anxious inquiry respecting his personal piety and zealous devotedness to the service of God. Our common and important end is the prosperity and peace of Zion ; and the means of accomplishing it should be constantly remembered : " Not by might or by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts." With sincere self-abasement and sorrow on account of our past unfaithfulness and deficiencies, let us afresh and unreservedly consecrate ourselves, in the true spirit of faith, of self-denial, of patience, and of diligence, to the work assigned us, and, assuredly, our " labour shall not be in vain in the Lord." To the intended celebration of the Centenary of Methodism we wish particularly to direct your attention. Eternity alone can unfold the advantages conferred upon us, upon the Church, and upon the world, by the glorious revival of religion, of which the revered and ever-memorable John Wesley was the divinely- selected and qualified instrument. We should not forget what God has done in former times for our fathers and through them for us ; and, therefore, we cordially concur with our Fathers and Brethren in Great Britain and Ireland, and in the adjoining 1220 MINUTES. [1889. '■m 1] * lllf 1 PI i Union, in the conviction that the present year is an era in the history of Methodism which affords a peculiar and appropriate opportunity of commemorating so important an event as the formation of the Methodist Society. In doing this, our prima- ry object should be our religious improvement and usefulness by means of suitable Religious Services. The day appointed for such services is Friday the 35th day of October^ 1839, on vehich the Methodist Societies throughout the world are to be •iMultaneously assembled for worshipping, praising, and glo- rifying the God of bur Fathers. On that day we trust a cloud of hallowed incense will ascend to Heaven through the atoning and speaking blood of Christ, and the selected blessings of the Most High, the Holy Spirit of promise, richly descend on the length and breadth of our spiritual Israel, and result in its increasing unity, consolidation, and prosperity. In connexion with these services it is intended to have a geu' eral pecuniary contribution, as a practical thank-offering, to be applied to various purposes of Christian benevolence and use- fulness in association with our beloved Methodism. Of these purposes, and of the several arrangements relating to the con- tribution, you will receive ample information through the minutes of the Conference and our official Journal. Consider- ing the occasion of these collections ; the soul-stirring facts and reflections it calls to mind ; and the excellence and importance of the objects contemplated, — we trust the response of our beloved people to the intended appeal will be cordial, prompt, and appropriate. Our Fathers and Brethren in Eng- land have done nobly ; and we, it is hoped, will so imitate them as suitably to express our gratitude to God and convey to posterity a due sense of the greatness and value of our Christian fellowship, privileges, and blessings. . . . . . i ^ Our CiKTENART CONFERENCE has been truly and emphatically pleasant and profitable. We have had to record no diminution of our numbers by death. And we have been especially grati- fied and profited by the presence, pulpit ministrations, and Con- ferential counsels and communications of our highly respected and beloved friend and brother, the Rev. Robert Alder, one of the Wesleyan Missionary Secretaries and representative of the British Wesleyan Conference. From the spirit and tenor of his intercourse with us, andof our own deliberations-and decisions, 1889. i in the ropriate t as the r prima- lefulnesB ppointed 1839, on are to be and glo- jt a cloud > atoning igs of the nd on the lit in its ive a gtn- •ing, to be B and use- Of these o the con- rough the Consider- rring facts Hence and le response be cordial, en in Eng- so imitate convey to X Christian jiphatically Idiminution lially grati- L, and Con- ly respected Ider, one of \xive of the [tenor of his I decisions, 1839] MINUTS8. 221 we fervently hope and trust that, under the sanjtion and bles- sing of Almighty God, the Union of both Connexions will be more intimate and reciprocally beneficial, and that the hun- dredth year of Wesleyan Methodism will be pre-eminently prosperous and preparatory to abundant future good. • " Novsr, unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, tc glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Signed, by order and in behalf of the Conference, ' Joseph Stinson, President. EoERTON Rtxrson, Secretary, HamUton, Upper Canada, June 23nd, 1839. [N. B.— The Address of the British Conference, referred to in the following Address, was read from a copy of the last English Minutes, belonging to the Rev. Mr. Alder, and which he could not part with. No manuscript of the Address having been for* warded, and no other copy of the last English Minutes having arrived in this Province, will account for the absence of the last Address of the English Conference in these Minutes.] ADDRESS. . MiO To the President and Members of the Etiglish Wesleyan [ Methodist Cor^erence. Rkvkrend Fathers and Brethren : 'I We thankfully acknowledge by the hands of our respected friend, the Rev. R. Alder, the receipt of your Parental Address, dated Bristol, August, 1838. ; ' We are grateful for the interest you express in the settlement of our chapel property — although that question is unfortunately still undecided ; and for your counsels and admonitions. ^ The last, as well as the preceding yea:-, has been a season of excitement and trial in this Province ; but we are happy to be T 2 [I." !f n' iili 222 itfiNUTES. [1839. able to Eiay tht^t the Members of our Socletiea have sustained their long- established character for loyalty, and been prompt in their response to every call of civil and military duty. We rejoice that the present aspect of our public affairs is mord peaceful and encouraging ; and that there is now solid ground to hope for future pi^ace and prosperity in thi^ important portion of Her lyiajesty'i^ North American dominions. . (; ;.; The circumstances of this Province during the past year have been as unfavourable to the spiiitual prosperity of our Societies as to the general interests of the country. Emigration from the Province has been considerable ; in consequence of which we have Eustained a numerical decrease of one hundred and thirty- eight, although very considerable accessions have taken place on many of the Circuits from actual conversions. We are thankful, however, to be able to add that there has beeii an increase in our Missionary Collections during the year, and in till our connexional funds ; and never were our Societies, as a whole, more established and united than at the present time. We ha,ve muph satisfaction in again repeating the expression of our high sense of the labours of our esteemed and excellent fiiend and brother, the Rev. Joseph Stinson, in his office as President of the Conference, and Superintendent of Missions duripg t))e past year, and during the present session.; and we beg to record our estimate of his judgment, talents, and worth, by requesting his re-appointment to those important offices during the ensing year. Qqr Aciidemy during the year hajEf. continued iii a, state of increasing efficiency and success ; aud has acquired a high and influential character in the estimation of the public, under the management of the highly-gifted Principal— the Rev. Matthew Richey, A. M, During our present deliberations, we have beeq favoured with the presence and counsels of our pious and valued friend and brother, the Rev. Mr. Lusher, of Montreal ; and not a little have we been gratified and profited by the presence and minis- trations amongst us of your Representative, the Rev. Robert Alder, one of the general Secretaries of your Missionary Soci- ety — in whom we recognize an old and honoured friend, and by wl^osc various commuiiicatlons we. have been much delighted L839. Btaiaed ompt in is morh ground i portion ear hav6 Societies from the irhich we ad thirty- ken place We are 9 been an ar, and in »tie8, as a nt time. expression 1 excellent is office as f Missions 0.; and we ,nd worth, |ant offices J a, state of la high and under the I. Matthew loured with 1 friend and not a little and minis- lev. Robert Inary Soci- lnd,andby delighted 1839.] MiNtrrBft. 223 and edified. The several subjects which Mr. Alder has brought under our consideration for adjustment, will doubtless be com- municated to you by him ; and we need scarcely add that we shall be happy to receive him in any relation which you may think proper to appoint him. We have read and heard with great satisfaction of your pre- paratory meetings for the Centenary celebrati»*<^»##>#»#*» MINUTES OF CONFERENCE. TJAKJEN. AT BELLEVIJLLE, FROM THE 10th TO THE 20th JUNE, 1840. :.n; Joseph Stinson, President. Egerton Ryerson, Secretary. .,; .^ Question 1. What preachers are this year admit' ted into full connexion, with the Conference^ and ordained ? '"■ . Wm» Willuughby, David H.ardie, Stephen Miles, ■ K W m m 224 MINUTES. [1840. John Lever, Sylvester Hurlburt,* William Scott,* Charles B. Goodricht— 7. * These bad been previously ordained for special purposes, t Ordination deferred for one year. Quest. 2. What preachers remain on trial ? _ > ■ Wellington Jeffers, William Coleman, George Goodson, George R. Sanderson, Henry Byers. These have travelled three years. James Spencer, Charles W. M. Gilbert. These have travelled two years. Thos. Cosfowi^ Sam'l C. Philp, Jas. Hughes — 10. These have travelled one year. Quest. 3. What preachers are now received on trial? Lochlin Taylor, Daniel C. VanNorman, Joseph Reynolds, Francis Coleman, Daniel Wright, James Mockeridge, James Price, William Dignam, John Wilkinson, William McCullough, George Beynon, Matthew Connor — 12. Quest. 4. What preachers have died since the last Conference? None. Quest. 5. Are there any ohjections to any of our preachers ? They were examined one by one. Quest. 6. What preachers have desisted from travelling? Solomon Snider, at his own request. Quest. 7. Who are the superannuated preachers? Chas. Wood,* Franklin Metcalf, David Youmans, Daniel McMuUen, A. Prindle, Wyat Chamberlain,* [1840. Scott,* George rs. lies — 10. '.eived on ,, Joseph it, James m, John Beynon, the last ly of our ted from \eachers ? 'oumans, Iberlain,* 1840.] MINUTES. 226 William Brown,* Andrew Taylor,* James Wilson, Thos. Whitehead, Jas. Booth,* Geo. Ferguson — 12. * These have no ciaima on the funda raieed for the support of Super- annuated PieacUers. Quest. 8. What preachers have withdrawn from the Church this year ? Hannibal Mulkins, Arkle Stokes Newbury, Adam Townley— 3. Quest. 9. How are the preachers stationed this year ? As follows, viz. : — . ' I.— LONDON DISTRICT. 1. Hamilton and Ancaster — John G. Manly, Hugh Montgomery, J. Wilkinson ; Andrew Prindle, superannuated. 2. London — James Norris, William Coleman. 3. St. Thomas — William Steer. 4. Malahide — Thomas Fawcett. 5. Gosfield and Howard — Cornelius Flummerfelt, Stephen Miles. 6. Thames^— iohn Kellog Williston. 7. Oxford — Peter Ker, Henry Byers. 8. Simcoe — Robert Corson, Chas. W. M. Gilbert. 9. Brantford — Thomas Bevitt, James Mockeridge ; Thomas Whitehead, superannuated. 10. Dumfries — Edmund Stoney, one to be sent. Er»niAiM Evans, Chairman^ H.—TORONTO DISTRICT. 11. City of Toronto — Egerton Ryerson, George R. Sanderson ; Joseph Stinson, who is President of the Conference; John Ryerson, who is our General Book Steward ; Jonathan Scott, who is our Editor. 12. Yonge Street — George Poole, John Law ; James Wilson, superannuated. 226 MINUTES. [1840. 13. Neumarket — M. Whiting; A. Taylor, superan. 14. Albion — John Baxter, one to be sent. 15. Reesorville — D. Wright ; D. Youmans, superan. 16. Whitby — Simon Huntington, James Spencer. 17. Toronto Circuit — Ezra Adams, John Lever. 18. Nelson — Rowley Heyland, Samuel C. Philp. 19. Grimsby — James Musgrove, F. Coleman. 20. 8t. Catherines — Samuel Belton, Samuel Rose. 21. Stamford — Hamilton Biggar, Edmu'd Shepherd, Thomas Cosford. N.B. Bro. Shepard is to take charge of and reside at Niagara. 22. Brock — Horace Dean, one to be sent. Anson Green, Chairman, III.— BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. 23. Kingston — John C. Davidson, 24. Waterloo — Ezra Healy, William H. Williams ; James Booth, superannuated. 25. Nnpanee — Cyrus R. Allison, Gilbert Miller. 26. Bath and Isle of Tanti — Conrad Vandusen, Jos. Reynolds. 27. Hallowell — Lewis Warner, one to be sent. 28. Belleville — Edwy M. Ryerson. 29. Sidney — George F. Playter, Vincent B. Howard. 30. Murray — John Black, Daniel Wright ; Daniel McMullen, superannuated. 31. Colhorne — Joseph Messmore, 32. Couourg — James Brock, John Beatty, who is Domestic Governor of U. C. Academy ; D. C. Van Norman, A. B., who is Professor of Mathematics in U. C. Academy. 33. Port jBro|?e— William Haw. N.B. Brs. Brock and Haw are to change appointments at Cobourg and Port Hope once in three weeks. 84. Peterboro' — Wm. McFadden, Solomon Waldron. One to be sent. Moses Blackstock, supernu'y. N.B. Brother Waldron will reside at the Rice Lake Mission. Matthew Lang, Chairman, [1840. iuperan. luperan. jncer. •ever. Philp. n. bI Rose. ihepherd, at Niagara. lirman. 1840.] W^illiams ; Miller. Jusen, Jos. sent. i. Howard. It ; Daniel r, who is iemy ; D- rofessor of |)intments at Waldron. mpernu'y. Lke Mission. lairman. MINUTES. IV.— AUGUSTA DISTRICT. 227 35. Prescott — Henry Wilkinson 86. Brockmlle — John Carroll. 37. Elizabethtown and Gananoque — G. Beynon, Jas. Hughes ; Wyat Chamberlain, superannuated. 38. Augusta — Daniel Berney ; Charles Wood, sup. 39. Kemptville — William McCullough. 40. Matilda — Benjamin Nankevill. One to be sent. 41. Rideau — William Young ; William Brown, sup. 42. Perth — James Currie. 43. Crosby — George Goodson. Henry Wilkinson, Chairman. V. BYTOWN DISTRICT. 44. Bytown — Richard Jones. 45. Richmond — Asahel Hurlburt, Lochlin Taylor, who shall supply Bytown in the absence of the Chairman of the District. 46. Osgoode — William Willoughby. 47. Ottawa — Thomas Harmon, Henry Shaler ; F. Metcalf, superannuated. 48. Hull — John Mclntyre. 49. Mississippi — Alvah Adams, Wellington Jefiers. 50. Clarendon — John Armstrong. 51. Plantagenet — William Dignam. 52. Bonchire — Stephen Brownell. 53. Pembroke — Matthew Conner. Richard Jones, Chairman, VI.- MISSIONARY DISTRICT. 54. Alderville — William Case. 55. Rice Lake — John Sunday. 56. Lake 8imcoe — Sylvester Hurlburt. 57. Barrie^ Penetanguishene, and Coldwater — Thos. McMullen. 58. Credit — Alexander MacNab. 'ii W.'^ 11 i22S MINUTER. [1840. u- '■\ :\ 69. Grand River — Wm. Ryerson ; Geo. Ferguson, superannuated. 60. Muncytown — Peter Jones. 61. Goderich — Charles B. Goodrich. 62. Warwick and Adelaide — David Hardle. 63. Guelph — Benjamin Slight. 64. Walpole — William Price. 65. Amherstburgh — William Scott. 66. St. Clair — John Douse. i •. 67. Mono — One to be sent. *' . 68. jSiflri^cen^— One to be sent. ;^ v . . 69. Lake Superior — Thomas Hurlburf. " * " Joseph Stinson, General Superintendent of Missions^ who resides in Toronto. Quest. 10. What is the number of members in our Societies^ and what has been collected for the Super- annuated Preachers^ and for the Contingent Funds ? As follows, viz. : — . . i . . > , ,. , , .. ^ .... . [!■ Circnits. Bytown Osgoode Ottawa..... Hull..... Richmond Mississippi Clarendon Pembroke and Bonchire .... Cumberland Prescott Brockville Elizabethtown &rGananoque Augusta Matilda Rideau Perth Crosby Kingston Bay of Quinte Waterloo and Isle of Tanti . Hallowell Belleville No. of Members 126 90 562 123 357 228 92 47 68 59 51 345 538 477 266 145 115 190 721 400 533 179 CoL for Superan. rieacherii, &c. .£5 14 6 16 3 10 2 6 5 6 3 14 3i 2 15 1 4 1 1 1 6 1 1 84 9 9 4 1 7 3 5 10 7 10 2 1 7i 2 8 3 17 6 4 5 Col. to make up Deficiencies. £5 1 04 1 7 11 4 10 9 1 16 3 3 16 8 3 3 6 17 Hi 1 10 1 19 6 15 10 2 13 lOJ 3 18 6 6 5 2 10 2 4 1 19 11 7 3 7 6 15 lU 3 12 6 1 7 14 7 74 6 3 1840, 1840.] MINUTES. 229 ruson, itendent ronto. •s in our e Super- Funds ? 5 1 1 7 4 10 1 16 3 16 3 3 04 11 9 3 8 6 17 llj 10 19 5 10 2 13 3 6 12 l2 1 11 1 3 6 3 1 18 5 10 4 19 7 7 6 lOi 6 7 74 . 6 3 15 114 12 6 7 14 Circuit* Cobourfif Ko.of Member! 393 354 269 438 142 197 625 490 470 545 306 284 438 557 203 115 330 371 314 221 200 366 292 391 648 >« . . JL chers . Col. for Saperan. Preachers, Sic £2 9 44 15 4 1 5 94 2 8 6 15 6 8 10 5 17 7 2 6 3 13 24 2 16 6 3 13 6 4 7 6 4 17 6 4 5 10 Nothing. 2 1 6 3 3 9 2 6 5 6 12 6 2 10 2 12 3 2 6 12 7 14 Col. to make up DeBciencie*. £4 16 1 Peterboroueh 2 2 11 Sidney 2 1 11 Murray ^..... ........ 5 3 10 Colborne 16 3 Toronto citv 10 Yonfire Street ...... .... .... 7 18 4 Newmarket 2 Toronto 5 Nelson ...••. .............. 6 17 1 Grimsby St. Catherines 3 15 7| 6 14 Stamford 5 15 8 Whitby Brock 6 6 10 10 Mono .«••«.........•.«••• Nothing. 5 18 104 3 2 6 London ...««. St. Thomas Gosfield and Howard Oxford 3 17 74 4 6 Thames 2 13 Brantford 3 17 114 3 14 74 3 8 104 12 6 14 Simcoe Dumfries Hamilton and Ancaster .... Total from Circuits ... Annual Subscriptions of Prea Collection at Conference ..... 129 2 99 5 4 7 8 2 Missionarv District ...... ......... 12 10 Book Room 25 • *• • db Total 232 14 10 220 4 44 Missions. No. of Members Alderville 93 St. Clair 166 Rice Lake 56 Credit 116 Grand River 1C4 Muncytown 178 Goderich 84 Warwick and Adelaide . 86 No. of MtmbMt Saugeeng 81 Lake Simcoe, Cold Wa- ter, and Barrie 362 Guelph..., 150 Walpole 72 Amherstburgh 54 Marmora..... ,,.. 49 Total on the Missions 1,651 V 'f|; ii ,%• 'V E? .;. I 1290 MINUTES, RZCAPITCLATION. StatioM. Mi««ioaa> Members in the societies this year . . 14,703 1,651 last year .. 13,695 1,495 ^t (( (< [1840. TMmL 16,354 15,190 Increase this year 1,164 Quest. 11. How has the amount collected for the. Superannuated Preachers^ and Cjontingent Funds been expended ? ' Superannuated Preacbsrs^ Fun^d. > 1 17 17 Incidentals during the Conference ...;-........... £1 Franklin Metcalt 30 James Wilson i. .......... 30 Andrew Prindle 30 17 Daniel McMuUen ........;.. 3& 17 David Youmans .;. 30 17 John Carroll ;..;......... 30 Thomas Whitehead ..; 15 Widow of the late Rev. T. Madden 15 8 10 Widow of the late Rev. W. Slater 15 8 10 9 9 9 9 9 9 17 9 8 10 Total £232 14 10 Contingent Fund. To make up the deficiencies of- — Mississippi Circ't £14 Clarendon 7 10 Richmond 12 10 Perth 6 St. Catherines ... 7 10 CroBby 11 10 Murray 7 10 Cobourg 21 Colborne 4 1 lOj London 6 Thames £12 Simcoe 7 Gosfield & Howard 12 Brantford^.. 5 Dumfries........ 7 St. Thomas ..... 22 Toronto Circuit- . . 7 Nelson 7 Stamford 9 10 10 10 In cases of special affliction : — Thomas Bevitt £400 James Milner 5 0^ George Groodson 2 1& JohnXaw 5 10 William Steer 3 7 6 Lewis Warner 3 15 Thomas Fawcett 50 Ephraim Evans 4 £187 1 lOi 33 2 6 Total £220 4 H L840. Talmi- 16,354 15,190 1,164 lor tha Funds 9 9 9 9 9 I 1 9 17 17 9 17 9 iai7 10 17 10 17 L5 8 10 15 8 10 15 8 10 32^14 10 ,12 7 112 5 7 10 22 7 10 7 10 9 L87 1 104 33 2 6 220 4 Tj 1840.] MINUTES. 281 ^dddt. 12. What (Hre the 8taHdHtg CoMmitte^for the present yettr ? , , ^ , ^ 1. *nat Book Cotmirri*. "^^ The President of the Conference, Chairman of the Toronto District, Preachers resident in the City of Toronto, S«'«perintendents of the Yonee Street, Reesorville, Newmarket, Toronto, and Nelson Cir^ cuits, and of the Credit Mission. 2. Missionary Comcrrrxx. ' - The Preachers residing in Toronto ; and Messrs. Armstrong, J. Beatty, jun., Thomas Storm, Alex. Hamilton, and James Foster. 3. COKTINOENT FuHD CoMMITTEK. ^ . » ' . ■ .'(•'.. The President and Secretary of the Conference, Chairmen of Districts, Superintendents ofthe Yonge Street and Reesorville Circuits, the Missionary at tho Credit, and the following gentlemen, viz. : James R.. Armstrong, Esq., Dr. John Beatty, Mr. James Foster, Mr. Thomas Storm, Peter Lawrence, Esq., Mr. John Gardener, and Mr. Thomas Hafris, — to meet in the City of Toronto, on the second Tuesday in June, 1841, at two o'clock, P. M. .. .... 4. Committee for the Photection of our Civil and, . ,. , . Religious Privileoi.s. . ..,...• , rt,; The President and Secretary of the Conference, Superintendents of Missions, Chairmen of Districtsf, William Case, Preachers resident in the City of Toronto, and the following gentlemen, viz. ; — •'Xa? J. R. Armstrong, M.P.P., John Beatty, jun., Jamed Foster, Jonathan Dunn, Geo. Walker, G; H. Detlcir, M.P.P., G. Brousej J. P., J.Countef, J. M. Rorii3ort„ Mi^ 232 MINUTES. [1840. Luther Houghton, William Brown, J. P., Billa Flint, jun., J. P., J. P. Roblin, J. P., C. Biggar, J. P., J. A. Keeler, J. P., Justus W. Williams, J. P., William Fitz Moore, James Gage, Edward Jackson, T. Bickle, Hugh Wilson, J. P., Benj'n Corwin, Alex. Davidson, P. M., Andrew Sharp, Gilbert Wrong, J. P., John Scatchard, and C. H. Johnson, J. P., E:iqrs. The Editor rf the Christian Guardian to be Sec- retary, with authority to call meetings of the Com- )nittee ; five of whom shall form a quorum, for the transaction of business. The Rev. Messrs. Egerton and William Ryerson, accompanied by the President of the Conference* were appointed the Delegates to the Wesleyan Con* Terence in England, to be held in Newcastle-upon» Tyne, July 29th, 1840. MISCEIJliANEOUS RESOLUTIONS. Resolved, That aslan inclination has been expressed on the part of several preachers and members of seceding bodies of Methodists ; and as it is desirable and our bounden duty to do all in our power to ter- minate all unchristian and unreasonable divisions, and restore and maintain in the Church the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace ; the following regu- lations be adopted : — 1. That in case any Travelling Preacher in the bodies referred to should make application to be re- ceived into our Church, the Chairman and any two Ministers (members of the Conference) of the District within the bounds of which such Preacher may be |;i840. 11a Flint, William •. Bickle, Davidson, P., John ' be See- le Com- ) for the J 840. J lyerson, ference^ an Con- le-upon- (pressed ibers of esirable r to ter- ivisions, unity of ig regu- • in the ) be re- ny two District may be MmotES. 23^ Church, and he may be eLu "1*" '"■'" '"'<> "nr until (he ensuing ConfeCce?^""';'?,** "^ontime mended by a Dislic" MeelV h^'' "^ •" '»« "oom- " a Preacher on trial or a"!' A T^ ^/ '''"^'''ed ference, and ordained ^),f^„ "'^"'t" °^ ""is Con- nation vows. unles^S had^T" •" "«'«""<»'r „„ii- 'n our Church. '*®" f'^yoasly ordained -rLIJl'X^r™fc' {I-Pher ot the bodies' •nto our Church, the Chair£°*r""" !° •>« '««eiv^ currence with the Quar erit„ *r °"""''<"> « ^on- Meetingof theCircu^on wh Jh° JT"' Preachers' may reside. isauthorisrtS ""h-^'''^''' '''•«'"">«' 'nquired into his QualifiMd^f ? ^"",', *""■• having stances of his case! '"=''"°"'' and all the circum- .hetsrr:irreiiS:t r r' °' ■"«>*"'- »? into our Church, the Pr»Lr "'""°" '° '»« received «n'ts are author sldto^^^efv"! V ""^ "'^«"'' cTr- member or members of our cZti'""-.?"" "'«'» as a term of probation on trhl i„ "fh."'"''""' "'« "»"»! persons on trial are recdved nto fi.if "* "'*""«'• as our Church. - """ '"" membership ia. Hev.''^ilK'';:;^^^^^^^^^^^^ and the. to confer with the Governme^.T'n ''^Presentative^ 'he civil and relig°ousrt!rl.'''i'"?"«'^ affecting Methodist Churchfn Canadl °'^ """ "^^^'eyan? an? «'^i?elT?;'^r,,°„l^;;° Cr?' "" "^S-eable ' ral course of the C^lZnalT"^ T ">« gene- -«-<• to purely relig^ i^S^'s^IiXan^a u2. ill 334 MINUTES. [1840. items of general intelligence ; the Clergy Reserve question being considered a religious question as a matter of course. Resolved, That the Book Committee be authorised to devise and employ such means as they may judge expedient to collect the debts due to the Book Room and Guardian Office. Resolved, That the Book Steward be directed to act promptly upon the rule which renders agents re- sponsible for the payment of subscriptions sent by them to the Guardian Office ; and to allow no debts to accumulate beyond the responsibility of the agent ; and that the printed terms of the Guardian be altered to meet this, arrangement. Quest. 13. WTiere and when shall our next Con- ference he held? In the City of Toronto, commencing on the second Wednesday in June^ 1841, at ten o'clock, A.M. Joseph Stinbon, President ^ EoERTON Ryerson, Secretaryi. ii! ■'KM- • "'•■''' ..i 1 ilr Vf ■ {■ 1840. J serve 1 as a lorised judge Room icted to mis re- sent by lo debts agent ; I altered 1840.] MINdTEflf. ^35 ixt Con- second A.M. nt, etaru- THE ANNUAL ADDRESS 01' THE CONFERENCE. To the Members qf the Wesleyan-Metltodist Church in Canada. DcARLT Bklovxd Brethrkn : ** Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." The near approach of the close of our fifteenth Annual Con- ference reminds us of a pleasing duty, — that of addressing you in our collective capacity, as your religious and spiritual circumstances, and the state of our work generally, may require. We ** watch for your soula, as they that must give account," that *' we may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." We "have no greater joy than to hear that" our " children walk in truth." "For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord." The present session has been marked with great solicitude for your interests, unanimity in its decisions, and christian affection in its spirit. We wish that the fraternal and hallowed bonds which exist among you, and between you and us, which already are close, may be closer still ; and rendered so by a plenitude of love from Him who is the God of love. Ours is a brotherhood pro- videntially and specially existing for the preservation, defence, and promulgation of "the form of sound words," and the diffusion of " scriptural holiness. " The first and the pervading emotion of our souls is one of gratitude to the " Father of mercies" for the blessings he has vouchsafed during the past year. As a body of itinerant pastors we have peculiar perplexities, privations, labours, and expo- sures ; but, as was the case at our last Conference, we can inform you that no diminution has taken place in our number. We bear testimony to the goodness of our Heavenly Father in thus far redeeming our " life from destruction." Our attempts, since we last addressed you, to "persuade" men to be " recon- ciled to God," with your pious and willing co-operation, have, through His condescension and blessing, been crowned with encouraging success ; so that we have the heartfelt gratification to report an increase in our membership of 1,164 individuals. :,;l 2S6 MINUTES. [1840. To a cheering extent we can appropriately make an applica* tion of the words of St. Paul :—*' Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." The bestowal of the sanction and smile of God on all the institutions of our Church, during the past year, is a fact calling for a distinct grateful recognition. We would put you in mind that every fresh gift from God has accompanying it an augmented responsibility, and louder calls to duty. Are our numbers greater than they were? There are just so many more souls to participate in our thoughts, our sympathies, our prayers, our *' work and labour of love." •• Babes in Christ" have a very limited knowledge of " spiritual things," and are therefore in circumstances of peril from " the world, the flesh, and the devil." Ministers, Leaders, and Members should be awake to this, and with wisdom, tenderness, love, and constancy, foster those just " boni i.Tom above ;" and every dlt iple of the Redeemer should be solicitous of contrib- uting his share of scriptural instruction, encouragement, friendly and pious visitation, and fervent supplication : and to those who have recently espoused Christ and our Church we afiectionately and earnestly say, " Receive the word of exhort- ation," "Rejoice evermore," "Pray without ceasing," " In^ every thing give thanks; for this is the willofGrod in Christ Jesus concerning you." ' - v '■ Believing as we do that Methodism embodies Christianity, we say to our members generally, let her be the object of an increasing attachment. Respect and defend her Ministrations. '^Need we, as some others, epistles' of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistles writ- ten in our hearts, known and read of all men." Believe and promulgate her Doctrines, Such as the doctrines of the fall of man, general redemption, repentanccj justification by faith, the witness of the Spirit^ communion with God, entire holiness, conditioned perseverance in the divine life. These are at the foundation of the- structure of gospel truth. Use assiduously the Mbans sherecommends. " Search the Scriptures." Hear the word of God preached. "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together." Pray without ceasing," — publicly, soci- ally, or in the family, as circumstances may permit or require.. i [1840. appUca- ito God, maketh place." . all the •t calling 1 God has ader calls ? There ghts, our of love." '♦ spiritual Tom*'the iders, and enderness, ove;" and )f contrib- iragement, in : and to 1840.] MisvrtB. 2dnf hurch we of exhort- ng," " In. in Christ iristianity, 3ject of an \istrations. to you, or ties writ- jlieve and the fall of faith, the holiness, 1 are at the siduously .'» Hear [mbling of jicly, soci- |>r require.. Enter into " your closet" to examine yourselves, meditate, and make known your requests unto God. ** Train up" your children in the way in which they should go. Mortify the flesh, and, as often as possible as enjoined by the Church of which you are members, keep a "fast" for the promotion of your own piety and the piety of others. Highly appreciate and enjoy that Experience of divine things which she has always professed. By a daily unwavering confidence in the Cross of Christ, be able to say, ** Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear ; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." The purity, stability, and joyousnessofyour souls will depend on your possession of this witness. It is of paramount importance, and we exhort you to know and realize your inestimable privilege. But let not this suffice. It is a plain and binding command of God, " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." Here is all wc mean by Christian Perfection ; the love of God filling and ruling the heart. Be undaunted advocates of this doctrine, and exemplify its truth in your daily conversation, as persons who believe that " the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin." Faith brings these blessings into the heart : A sleepless, determined vigi- lance,^in conjunction with the same faith, keeps them there. Your adversaries are potent and persevering ; therefore " put on the whole armour of God." Remember and pay the vows you made at the holy and delightful Centenary celebration. You will be convinced of the propriety of submitting to the Discip- line qf Methodism. " Obey them that have the rule over you," is obviously a precept for your observance ; and it is a laconic, but very useful injunction of our Founder — " Do not mend our rules, but keep them." By a scrupulous, conscientious, and unintenupted attention to these things, "your love" will " abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment," and you will at last " obtain everlasting life." These, dear Brethren, are advices which we deem to be of undeniable interest and importance, and imperative on us to give you. Other topics which deeply concern you may be briefly noticed. I i ;... 1, ^98 MINUTKS* £1840. . , We have great Batiefaction in having it in our power to infotm fovi that the Upper Canada Academy has this year participated more largely in the public patronage than in any previous year ; which fact may be accepted as an evidence of its increased efficiency. ,- ii V u; The Reports of Wesleyan Sabbath Schools, furnished by the Chairmen of Districts, have given us no small pleasure, inas- ranch as they evince a growing and praiseworthy zeal in this department of evangelic labour. Our Book and Printing Establishment is favoured with pros- perity ; and we commend it to your judgment and firm support. The variety, excellence, and utility of its publications should secure it. Bestow on the organ of our body, the ChrUtian Guardian^ your continued approbation. Thi*) establishment promises to be of incalculable advantage to the Connexion and the Colony in future years. , ...?;,., • ., .: « „ . Sustain by your free contributions and prayers the various Funds of our Church. Uphold other institutions not connex- ional : the Bible, Tract, and Temperance Societies in operation among our population. Let the spirit of a holy philanthropy inspire you. Spurn the trammels of bigotry. " Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," is a Bible precept. Be Wesleyans. Our great Founder has said, the man of a truly catholic spirit is one who, '' while he is united by the tenderest and closest ties to one particular congregation, his heart is enlarged toward all mankind, — those he knows and those he does not ; he em- braces, with strong and cordial affection, neighbours and stran- gers, friends and enemies. This is a catholic or universal love. And he that has this is of a catholic spirit. For love alone gives the title to this character : catholic love is a catholic spirit." And now, beloved Brethren, we terminate our delightful con- ferential interview, and repair to the scenes of toil and account- ability assigned us for your edification. We come to you in the name of the gracious Head of the Church. *' Receive us in the Lord." "Pray for us;" that "the word of the Lord may run, have free course, and be glorified." May " Christ dwell in your hearts by faith ; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height ; and to know the [1840. iTtoinfotm tirticipated ioiw yeikr ; I incrMBcd shed by the B«re, ittas- Beal in this 1 with pros- irm support, tions should le Christian Btablishment nnexion and J the vatiotJB not connex- i in operation philanthropy houshaltlove I Wesleyans. atholic spirit t and closest arged toward not; he em- irs aiid stran- aiversal love, e alone gives ic spirit." tlightful con- land account - Ime to you ia }• Receive us of the Lord lay •• Christ and grounded what is the I to know the 1840.] MINUTES. 239 love of Chiist, which pacweth knowledge, that ye niight be filled with all the fulness of God." Loud is the call on us to perform an act of unreserved dedication for the good of souls and the honour of Grod. Thousands in our Province, and millions in the world, know not God, and are perishing. " Time is short." Our Fathers, employed in the same work, are gone. Let there be a renewal of our pledges in the fear of God ; and the future, illamined as it is by the heavenly inspirations of prophecy, prompt to that renewal now. Call for the spirit that has given the promise of the Spirit ; call, and it shall come. Already effusions have taken place, and the day of unsurpassed and ceaseless outpourings is dawning. O Jesus, may thy kingdom come ! " Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to tlie power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end ! Amen." Signed, by order and in behalf of the Conference, ' ""' Joseph Stinson, President. EoERTON Rterson, Secretary, BeUeviUe, U- % Jmw 20th, 1840. : , . ,. ADDRESS. To the President and Members of the English Wesleyan Methodist Conference. Rev. AND VERT Dear Fathers AND Brethren : While we sincerely regret that we have not received your usual parental and welcome Address, we cannot omit re- newing our assurances of respect and afTection, and acquainting you with our interests and affairs. We desire to maintain, with., undiminished interest and uninterrupted regularity, the pleasure and profit of frank and confidential intercourse, in the true spirit of Christian and Methodistic unity and love. We desire to feel truly grateful to Almighty (Jod for the mercies and blessings of the past year. Notwithstanding the excitement and fluctuations of Society in general, the Head of the Church has graciously preserved and blessed us, and giveo ■M 4i G';- li iv 240 MINUTES. [1840. us an accession of One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty-four Members. The cultivation of the Mission field continues to advance and improve ; and encouraging openings in different directions demand at once renewed exertions and the exercise of lively and cheering hope. In connexion with the various branches of the Methodist Family throughout the world, we have joyously and profitably engaged in the celebration of the Centenary of Methodism. Contributions have been made to our funds, in memorial of the institution and first Centenary of Methodism, and as an humble and devout thank-offering to Almighty God, wRich we trust will materially contribute to the extension and prosperity of our Zion ; and information has been diffused, and holy emotions awakened, which cannot fail to result in the most cheering and permanent benefit. We have great pleasure in again expressing our very high esteem and earnest affection for our respected President and Superintendent of Missions, the Rev. Joseph Stinson. We have the fullest confidence in his piety, integrity, and abilities, after an acquaintance of several years ; we cherish a deep sense of his indefatigable and useful exertions in the important situa- tions in which he has been placed ; and we earnestly request his appointment to the Presidency of our Conference for the en- suing year. We are truly thankful for the increasing efficiency of the Upper Canada Academy. In the several departments of go- vernment, tuition, and general management, the Institution has experienced a decided improvement, and afforded us sincere satisfaction during the past year; and we confidently look forward to its still greater success in elevating and forming the intellectual and moral character of the Province. In parting M., who since the opening of the Institution ha9 held the office of Principal, we desire to express our high and affectionate estimate of his piety, learning, and abilities. We have been greatly delighted and edified by his pulpit ministra- tions and labours ; and we devoutly pray, thai, wherever his lot may be cast, he may largely partake of the Divine benedic^ tion, and be abundantly prospered in his work of faith and labour of love. 1840. ty-four inues to iifferent ixercise etiiodist rofitably thodism. al of the i humble we trust perity of Emotions iring and rcry high Ldent and ion. We , abilities, leep sense |ant situa- ly request ►r the en- Byof the Its of go- kutionhas 1840.] MINUTKS. 241 linistra- rever his lenedic" lith and We deeply regret that we have not been favoured with a visit from your highly-esteemed Representative to the American General Conference, the Rev. R. Newton. We have felt greatly disappointed in his return to England, without attend- i ng our Conference and affording us the very peculiar profit and delight of his intercourse and counsels. We also deeply regret that any misapprehensions have arisen, or any diversity of opinion obtained, to threaten the harmony and cordial co-operation of the British and Canadian Connex- ions. We most anxiously desire to strengthen and perpetuate the Union which now happily exists, and to adjust, satisfacto- rily, all points of difference between us ; and, to accomplish these ends, we have appointed the Rev. Egerton Ryerson and the Rev. William Ryerson, Representatives to attend your approaching Session of Conference. We repose the fullest confidence in their character and abilities, and cherish a strong hope that all things may be settled on a sure and permanent foundation. We are also happy to add that our respected and beloved President kindly consents to accompany them for co- operation and aid, in compliance with our earnest and unani- mous request. And now. Dear Fathers and Brethren, we are about to repair to our respective fields of labour, determined to devote our- selves afresh to God ; fervently praying that we all may be en- abled to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and to co-operate with the utmost cordiality, diligence, and success in the great and glorious work which God hath given us to do : And** to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and ma- jesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." ' Signed, by order and in behalf of the Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada, assembled at Belleville, this twentieth day of June, One thousand ' eight hundred and forty. EoERTON Ryerson, Secretary. ''{: \: • ■ ■ i' 242 MINUTES. [1840. ■r.\ V. ■■! J? I A D D R E S t To His Excellency the Rigid Honourable Charles Pdulett ~ Thomson, one of Her MajesUfs Most Honourable Privy Councils Governor- General of British North America, S^c. 4*<^. ^c. May it Please Your Excellency : W^, Her Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Ministers of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church in Canada, assembled in Conference, avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded us by our present annual meeting, to offer to your Excellency our most respectful and cordial congratulations on your assumption of the Government of the Canadas, and to express our grateful satisfaction in having witnessed the repeated assurances of your Excellency's gracious intention to frame measures and adminis- ter the Government for the equal benefit of all classes of Her Majesty's Canadian subjects. In this expression of our feelings and sentiments, we are con^ fident we give utterance to the feelings and sentiments of more than eight hundred congregations under our Pastoral care, including from seventy-five to one hundred thousand souls. We gratefully acknowledge the benevolent exertions which your Excellency has employed to promote an equitable and satis- factory settlement of the ecclesiastical affairs of this Province ; and now that the Judges of, England have decided in favour of the lawful and equitable claims of other Protestant denomina- tions than the Church of England to participate in the advan- tages of the Clergy Reserve provision for the support of the Protestant Religion, we hope the objects of your Excellency's unwearied efforts will be speedily realized, and that this long agitated question will be finally set at rest. We are thankful that, at a juncture so critical and eventful in the history of these Provinces, the administration of their affairs has been entrusted to a statesman of your Excellency's acknow- ledged abilities and great experience, and liberal principles; whilst, on the other hand, it must be gratifying to your Excel- lency to know, that the comprehensive powers with which your Excellency has been vested by our beloved Sovereign, have i. ■ distu- ces which enaue • "••^:,^ furnished the strongest possible proot that they yield to no class of Her Majesty's subjects in sentiments and feelingc of loyalty to Her Majesty's Person and Government. Our earnest prayer to Almighty God is, and will continue to be, that your Excellency may be protected and guided, and prospered in all your deliberations, ** that all tilings may be so ordered and settled by your endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations !" Signed, by order and in behalf of the Ministers of the Wesleyan-Methodlst Church in Canada, assembled in Conference, this twentieth day of June, ono thousand eight hundred and forty. Joseph Stinson, President. ''" Egerton Ryerson, Secretary, HIS EXCELLENCY'S REPLY. GENTLEMEN : I have received with grtat satisfaction your Address ; and I am sincerely thankful for the kindly sentiments expressed to me personally by the Body in whose name you offer it. During my administration of the affairs of Upper Canada, it was my anxious desire to make myself acquainted with the ifik :;': W' ■n r t ;:1 ',:! i,. ( ,,- ; ■ "i" f^: 1 ■ *■' '^'' Pi ■ !n P 244 MINUTES. ri840. opinions, with the conduct, and with the affairs of that portion of the people of the Province, of whom you are the Spiritual Leaders ; and I have been most happy in being able to bear my testimony to their loyalty and good cc.iduct, not less than to your zeal, energy, and self-devotion in the pursuit of your con- scientious labours. This testimony will, I feel no doubt, render vain the attempt which f regret to find is made by some of your own Society, to represent you and those committer to your charge as disloyal to your Sovereign .id averse to" British Institutions ; and I am confirmed in this belief by the Address |M^ I now acknowledge being concurred in, and presented by^tne OflUcial Representative in the Canadas of the British Wesleyan Body, whose testimony is thus unequivocally added to mine. , . .: ^ . It is not my province to enter into any questions which may concern the management of the internal affairs of your Body. Still it was with regret that 1 learned, when in the Upper Pro- vince, from the Representatives of the London Society, that differences of opinion prevailed amongst us — and 1 shall be glad to find that they have been satisfactorily arranged. My course, however, is clear. Whilst I administer the affairs of the Canadas, it is my duty to look to the wishes and to the feelings of the people of that country • and you will find me ever ready and willing, whenever v question, connected with the Executive Government mu/ arise, to support the reasonable views and maintain the just rights of your Society, as expressed through your recognized authorities within these Provinces. K 4V *«««»»«'*#*#«« #«*#«vf T-'-' w^ [1840. portion Ipiritual bear my than to Dur con- t, render e of your . to your British Address presented e British lly added hich may our Body, pper Pro- jiety, that ; shall be iged. My affairs of ind to the .11 find me connected pport the ir Society, thin these 245 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT THE CITY OF TORONTO, FROM THE 22nd TO THE 29th OCTOBER, 1840. ■ • ^ Thomas Whitehead, President, ., John C. Davidson, Secretary. [The Representatives of the Canada Conference to the Wesleyan Conference in England, having brought back information that the English Confer- ence had withdrawn from the Articles of Union, mutually agreed to by the two bodies in 1833, a Special Conference was called by the Representa- tives, L id agreed to by the District Meetings of the respective Districts. The Conference assembled ac- cordingly in Toronto on the 22nd October, 1840, when the following business was transacted : — ] Quest. 1. What preachers have withdrawn from the Conference? . ,. William Case, Ephraim Evans, John Douse, Benjamin Slight, James Norris, Thomas Fawcett, William Scott, James Brock, John G. Manly, Charles B. Goodrich, Edmund Stoney, —11. v2 iH^ 1 I ] -^. 14 246 MINUTES. [1840. Quest. 2. How are the preachers noto stationed for the remainder of the year ? As follows, viz. : — I.— TORONTO DISTRICT. 1. City of Toronto — Egerton Ryerson ; John Ryer- son, who is our Book Steward ; Jonathan Scott, who is our Editor. 2. Yonge Street — George Poole, John Law ; James Wilson, superannuated. 3. Newmarket — Matthew Whiting. 4. Albion — John Baxter, Francis Coleman. 5. Reesorville — D. Wright; D. Youmans, superan. 6. Brock — Horace Dean, one to be sent. 7. Whitby — Simon Huntington, James Spencer. 8. Toronto Circuit — Ezra Adams, John Lever. 9. Nelson — Rowley Heyland, Samuel C. Philp. 10. Grimsby — James Musgrove, Thomas Cosford. 11. St. Catherines — Samuel Belton, one to be sent. 12. Stamford — Hamilton Biggar, Edmund Shepherd, one to be sent. 13. Credit Mission — Peter Jones, who is also re- quested to visit all the Indian Missions as often as possible 14. Barrie^ Penetanguishene, and Coldwater Mission — Thomas McMullen. 15. Lake Simcoe Mission — Sylvester Hurlburt. 16. Mono Mission — John Neeland. Anson Green, Chairman, And Superintendent of JUIisnona uithin the bounds of his District, XL— LONDON DISTRICT. 17. Hamilton and Ancaster — Alexander MacNab, Geo. R. Sanderson, one to be sent ; Andrew Prindle, superannuated. 18. Dumfries — Geo. Ferguson, one to be sent. [1840. aedfor n Ryer- Dnathan ; James superan. 3ncer. (ever. ?hilp. Dsford. be sent. hepherd, also re- Is as often •Mission jurt. Ua District. facNab, Andrew jnt. 1840.] MiNUtES. 247 19. Brantford and Mohawk Mission — Thos. Bevitt, William Price, one to be sent ; Thos. White- head, who is President of the Conference. 20. Simcoe and Walpole — Robert Corson, Chas. W. M. Gilbert. 21. Oxford — Peter Ker, J. B. Howard. 22. London — Samuel Rose, William Coleman. 23. Thames — John Kellog Williston, David Madden. 24. Gosjleld and Howard — Cornelius Flummerfelt, Stephen Miles. 25. St. Thomas — Hugh Montgomery. 26. Malahide — One to be sent. 27. Warwick and Adelaide — David Hardie. 28. Goderich — One to be sent. 29. Guelph — One to be sent. 30. Muncy Mission — Solomon Waldron. 3^. Snugeeng Mission —WiWmmHevkimer. N. B. Brother Thomas Hurlburt, who is a Missionary on Lake Superior, is requested to return and take an appoint- ment in connexion with the Conference. William Ryerso'.j, Chairman, And Superintendent of Missions within the bounds of hia District, III.-BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. . " 32. Kingston — John Carroll. 33. Waterloo — Ezra Healy, William H. Williams. 34. Napanee — Cyrus R. Allison, Gilbert Miller. 35. Bath and Isle of Tanti — Conrad Vandusen, Jos. Reynolds. _.. - "' 36. Belleville — Edwy M. Ryerson. 37. Sidney — George F. Playter, Vincent B. Howard. 38. Hallowell — Lewis Warner, William Philp. 39. Murray — John Black, Daniel Wright ; Daniel McMullen, superannuated. 40. Colborne — Joseph Messmore. 41. Cobourg — John Beatty ; Dan'l C. VanNorman, A. B., who is Professor of Mathematics in Upper Canada Academy. 248 MINUTES. [1840. 42. Port Hope — William Haw, who is to change one Sabl>ath in throe with the Cobourg Preacher. 43. Peterboro^ and Rice Lake Mission — William McFadden ; Moses Blackstock, superannuated. N. B. Brother Peter Jones will visit AUerville, for the pur- pose ot' ascei'luining the state of things at that Mission. John C. Davidson, Chairman, And Superintendent r.f Mutiom within the bouud» of hit District. IV.-AUGUSTA DISTRICT. 44. PrescoU — Henry Wilkinson. 45. Brockvi/le — Wellington JefTers. 40. Elizabefhtown and Qananoque — G. Beynon, Jas. Hughes ; Wyat Chamberlain, supcrannuited. 47. Avgusta — Daniel Berney ; Chas. Wood, sup'd. 48. Kemplville — William McCullough. 49. Matilda — Benjamin Nankevill, one to be sent. 50. Rideau — William Young ; Wm. Brown, sup'd. .51. Perth — James Currie. 52. Crosby — George Goodson. Henry Wilkinson, Chairman, V. BYTOWN DISTRICT. 53. Bytown — Richard Jones. 54. Richmond — Lochlin Taylor, one to be sent; Asahel Hurlburt, superannuated. N. B. Lochlin Taylor will supply Bytown in the absence of the Chairman of the District. - 55. Osgoode — William Willoughby. 56. Ottawa — Thomas Harmon, Henry Shaler ; F. Metcalf, superannuated. 57. Hull — John Mclntyre. 58. Mississippi — Alvah Adams, one to be sent. 59. Clarendon — John Armstrong. 60. Plantagenet — William Dignam. ^1. Bonchire — Stephen Brownell. 62. Pembroke — Matthew Conner. Richard Jones, Chairman* [1840. iigo one •eaclier. ^Villiam inuuted. ■ tlie pur- MisBioa. ii District. 19 10 ] MIXUTEB. 219 ion, Jas. nnuited. d, sup'd. be sent, n, supM. irfnan. je sent ; absence of iler ; F. ent. rman. Question 3. What is flic judgment of the Confer' ence relative to the proceedings of the Wesleijnn Conference in England on the subject of the Union ? 1. That it is a matter of deep regret that the autho- rities of the Conference In Enghmd did not think proper to receive and treat the Representatives of this Conference in the manner that lleprcsentativcs of Methodist Conferences liavo been invariably treated by the authorities in Methodist Confurences in every part of the Methodislic world, and in the manner in which the Representative of this Conference has been heretofore treated at the Wesleyan Conferencf i in England, and in the manner in wiiich the Represen- tatives of the English Conference have been treated by this Conference. 2. That it is deeply to be regretted that the consi- deration of the Canadian business, by the English Conference, so essentially affecting ti»e interests of Methodism and Religion in this country, was deferred until after three-fourths of the members of the Con- ference had departed for their Circuits. 3. That, as was shown by the Representatives of this Conference, in a letter addressed to the Secretary of the English Conference, and as has not been de- nied by Messrs Stinson and Richey, in an attempted answer to our Representatives, the enumeration of documents and statements which were laid before the Committee of the Wesleyan Conference, as^.i ,')led at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, appears to be very iiefec- tive and partial, and calculated to convey a most erroneous impression in regard to tlie proceedings and character of this Conference. 4. That the allegations contained in the Resolu- tions of the Committee in Loiidon, dated April 29, 1840, and which were regarded by the authorities of 250 MINUTES. [1840. the Ejjglisl) Conference as *' fully proved," are ex- pressly contradicted by His Excellency the Governor General of Canada, whose testimony is the highest evidence which the nature of the case would admit ; and the decision of the authorities of the English Conference involves assumptions of power, by con- firmhig the aforesaid resolutions of the London Com- raitiee, which are inconsistent with the letter and spirit of the articles of the Union between the English and the Canadian Conferences. 5. That the demand by the authorities of the Con- ference in England, *' that the continuation of the Government grant to the VVesleyan Missionary So- ciety be cordially assented to, and supported by our Upper Canadian brethren, even if its payment should he nUimately transferred to the Clergy Reserve Fund in that Province /" and their requiring the Rev. Egerton Ryerson to write a letter to Lord John Russell, " requesting that its regular payment may be continued," is unfounded in any obligations arising out of the Union ; as it was never understood or intended that this Conference or any of its members should advocate either the restoration or continuance of any gram or grants made by the Government to the VVesleyan Missionary Society. 0. That the desire and determination of this Con- ference that "the Christian Guardian shall entirely abstain from all party political reasonings and discus- sions," appear not only to have been fully expressed by our Representatives, but also to have been admitted by the English Conference as satisfactory, as they state — " We are most happy to perceive that one of these resolutions which determines that the Christian Guardian shall cease to be a political paper, and shall be confined to purely religious and literary sub- jects and articles of religious intelligence, is to that extent sati^^factory." Ml U\ [1840. are ex- overnor highest I admit ; English by con- 311 Com- Iter and English the Con- n of the lary So- i by our it should ve Fund he Rev. )rd John lent may IS arising stood or members inuance iment to his Con- entireiy d discus- X pressed admitted as they t one of ^.hristian er, and ary snb- s to that 1840.] MINUTE?. 251 7. That the requirement by the authorities of the Wesleyan Conference in England, that the official organ of this Conference should ** admit and main- tain" the duty of civil governments to employ re- sources at their disposal to support religion, as an acknowledged principle of Wesleyan-Methodism, is incompatible with the original articles of the Union, as declared by the Representatives of the English Conference, at the time the Union was consummated, and as illustrated by their co-operation with this Con- ference from 1833 to 1839. Whatever opinions may be entertained of the principle of Church Establish- ments in the abstract, the advocacy of the application of it to this country by the official organ of this Con- ference is, at least, inexpedient — involving, as it does, a wide field of political discussion, and calculated to produce much contention and division amongst the people — and especially as Mr. Wesley himself and his Conference regarded a National Church as having no ground in the New Testament, but as being ** a merely political institution." 8. That the assumption by the Wesleyan Confer- ence in England of the right and power of an "official influence" and "efficient direction" over the "public proceedings" of this Conference, is repugnant to the express provisions of the Articles of Union, which declared that the ** rights and privileges of the Cana- dian Preachers and Societies should be preserved inviolate," and is inconsistent with the obligations and responsibilities of this Conference to the Societies and work providentially committed to its pastoral oversight. 9. That the avowed dissolution of the Union by the English Conference, on the ground of the non- compliance of our Representatives with requirements and assumptions not authorised by the Articles of the ;m 2'y2 MINUTES. [1840. Union, is a pin in and lamentable violation ofsolemnly ratified obligations to tbis Conference, and to the Wesleyan-Metliodist Church in Canada. 10. That this Conference protests against the Me- thodistic or legal right*or power of the Conference in England to dissolve, of its own accord, articles and obligations which have been entered into with this Conference by mutual consent. 11. That in the foregoing expressions of our views and feelings relative to the proceedings of the autho- rities of the Wesleyan Conference in England, we disclaim any imputation upon their character or mo- tives. It is their acts only of which we complain. We rejoice to know that the great majority of the members have taken no part in these proceedings of the authorities of the English Conference ; and we deem it alike our duty and our privilege to esteem them as fathers and brethren in the Ministry of the Word, and in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. I'' i !fl'/:f Quest. 4. What is the judgmeru of this Conference on the establishment by the Wesleyan Missionary CommiUee in London on separate Congregations and Societies within the boundaries of the Wesleyan Meth- odist Church in Upper Canada ? 1. The adoption of such a course of proceeding is subversive of the great and sacred principles of Me- thodistic unity, as laid down by the venerable Wesley himself, and as has heretofore been formally and officially and practically recognized by the Wesleyan Conferences in England and in the United States. The following extracts from the Minutes of the English Wesleyan Conference, held in Liverpool, August, 1820, and signed " Jabez Bunting, Presi- dent,^^ and •* George Marsden, Secretary,''^ contain an explicit statement of these principles :-t- 1840. emnly to the heMe- ence in les and riih this ir views e autho- and, we r or mo- Dimplain. ;y of the jdings of and we esteem ry of the IS Christ. mference Ussionary \iions and ^an Meth- leeding is \s of Me- Wesley fally and ^esleyan kd States. \s of the jiverpoolt Is, Presi- y contain 1840.] MiNtJtES. 253 " On the subject of the unpleasant circumstances which have occurred in the Canadas between the American preach- ers and our Missionaries, referred to the Conference by the Missionary Committee in London, with their opinion that Upper Canada shall be left in possession of the American brethren, and that our missionary exertions shall be confined to the Lower Province, this Committee recommend to the Conference the adoption of the following principles and arrangements : — "1st. That as the American Methodists and ourselves are but one body, it would be inconsistent wUh our unity, and dan- gerous to that affection which ought to characterize us in every place, to have different societies and congregations in the same toums and villages, or to allow of any intrusion on either side into each other's labours. " 2nd. That this principle shall be the rule by which the dis- putes now existing in the Canadas, between our Missionaries, shall be terminated. " 3rd. That the simplest and most effectual manner of carry- ing this rule into effect appears to us to be, to accede to the sug- gestion of the American Conference, that the American brethren shall have the occupation of Upper Canada, and the British Missionaries that of Lower Canada, allowing sufficient time for carrying this arrangement into effect, with all possible ten- derness to existing prejudices and conflicting interests on both sides ; the arrangement to be completed within a period to be fixed as early as possible by the Missionary committee. But should insuperable difficulties occur in the attempt to execute this plan, (which, however, we do not anticipate,) either party shall be at liberty to propose any other mode of accommodation which shall assume as its basis the great principle laid down in the first of these resolutions, and which ice are of opinion should be held most sacred in every part of the world. " 4th. That if hereafter it shall appear to any of our brethren there, either British missionaries or American preachers, that any place on either side the boundary line, now mentioned, needs religious help, and presents a favourable opportunity for usefulness, the case shall be referred by the Canada district meeting to the General Conference, or by that body to the Ca- nada district ; and if either shall formally decline to supply the w ii !M 'ft 254 MINUTES. [1840. place on their own side the boundary, then the other shell be at liberty to supply the said place, without being deemed to have violated the terms of this friendly compact. "fith. And it shall be explicitly understood in this arrange- ment, that each party shall be bound to supply with preachers all those stations and their dependencies which shall be relinquish- ed by each of the connexions, that no place on cither side shall sustain any loss of the ordinances of religion in conse- quence of this arrangement. " 6th. That the Missionary committee be directed to address a letter to the private and official members, trustees, &c. , under the care of our missionaries in Upper Canada, informing them of the judgment of the Conference, and affectionately and earnestly advising them to put themselves and their chapels under the pastoral care of the American preachers, with the suggestion of such considerations, to incline them to it, as the committee may judge most proper. "7th. That the bishops of the American connexion shall direct a similar letter to the private and official members, trus- tees, &c., under the care of the American preachers in the province of Lower Canada, requesting them to put themselves and their chapels under the care of the British Missionaries." The following extracts of a letter of instructions from the Missionary Committee in London to their missionaries in the Ganadas, signed, " Joseph Tay- lor, Richard Watson, Secretaries ^^^ and dated, ** Wesleyan Mission Houses 77, Hatton Garden^ London^ 23rd August, 1820," furnish a clear expo- sition of the application of the above avowed prin- ciples to the case of Upper Canada : — " Extracts qfa Letter of Instructions from the Missionary Com- mittee in London^ to the Rev. Messrs. R. WUliams and the other British Missionaries in the Province qf Canada. address c. , under g them of earnestly inder the gestion of litteemay don shall bers, truB- irs in the lemselves [naries." tructions to their tFH Tay- dated, I Garden, ir expo- red prin- iry Colli' and the to* JOB passed ites which 1840.] mNUTEB. 255 hare aiAappily existed between our American brethren and us, relative to onr missions in Canada. " We have given you the resolutions in full, that you may see that we have recognized the principle that the Methodist body is onk throughout the world, and ^at therefore its mem» hers are bound to cordial affection and brotherly union. " The resolutions of the committee, passed some time ago, and forwarded for your guidance, prohibiting any interference with the work of the American brethren, would show you that the existence of collisions between us and them gave us serious concern, and that the committee were anxious to remove, as fteir as they, at that time, were acquainted with the circumstan* oes, every occasion of dispute. " Certainly the case of Montreal chapel was one which we could never justify to our minds, and the committee have *» many instances had but a partial knowledge nf the real religiou$ wants of the Upper Province^ and qfits means qf supply. The only reason we could have for increasing the number of Mia- sionaries in that Province was, the presumption of a strong necessity, arising out of the destitute condition of the inhabitants, the total want, or too great distance qf Ministers. " On no other ground could we apply money raised for mi8> sionary purposes for the supply of Preachers to Upper Canada. The information we have had for two years past, has all served to show that the number of preachers employed there by the American brethren was greater than we had at first supposed* and was constantly increasing. " To us, therefore, it now appears, that though there may be places in that Province which are not visited, they are within the range, or constantly coming within the range, of the ex« tiuded American itinerancy ; and that Upper Canada does not present to our efforts a ground so fully and decidedly missionary as the Lower Province, where much less help exists, and a great part of the population is involved in Popish superstition. i! i^ (( We know that political reasons exist in many minds for supplying even Upper Canada, as far as possible, with British Missionaries ; and however natural this feeling may be to Eng- lishmen, and even praiseworthy, when not carried too far, it 256 MINUTES. [1840. will be obvious to you that this is a ground on whiehj as a Missionary Society, and especially as a Society under the direc- tion of a Committee which recognizes as brethren, and one with itself, the American Methodists, loe cannot act : — " 1st. Because, as a Missionary Society, we cannot lay it down as a principle that those whose object is to convert the world shall be prevented from seeking and saving souls under a Foreign Government, for we do not thus regulate our oum efforts. ** 2nd. To act on this principle would be to cast an odium upon our American brethren, as though they did not conduct themselves peaceably under the British Government, which is, we believe, contrary to the fact. " 3rd. That if any particular exceptions to this Christian and submissive conduct were, on their part, to occur, we have not the least right to interfere, unless, indeed, the American Con- ference obviously neglected to enforce upon the offending par- ties its own discipline. Upon any political feeling which may exist, either in your minds or in the minds of a party in any place, we cannot therefore proceed. Our objects are purely spiritual, and our American brethren and ourselves are one body of Christians, sprung from a common stock, holding the same doctrines, enforcing the same discipline, and striving in common to spread the light of true religion through the world. " In conformity with these views, we have long thought it a reproach, and doing more injury, by disturbing the harmony of the two Connexions, than could be counterbalanced by any local good, that the same city or town should see two congre- gations, and two societies, and two preachers, professing the same form of Christianity, and yet thus proclaiming them- selves rivals to each other, and, in some instances, invading each other's societies and chapels, and thus producing party feelings." . : " The Committee, previous to the Conference, went with him fully into the discussion of the disputes in the (Canadas, and recommended those principles of adjustment which the Confer- ence, after they had been referred to a Special Committee during the time of its sitting, adopted, and which we now transmit to aU the brethren in the Canada station. 1840. ;A, as a e direc- me with Bt lay it ivert the I under a ofwr own- in odium , conduct which is, Lstian and have not can Con- iding par- ^hich may rty in any are purely 8 are one aiding the itriving in le world. >ught it a harmony [ed hy any ^o congre- >Bsing the [ng them- fing farUi with him ^adas, and le Confer- hee during Iransmit to l840.j J«tNO*ES. 65t " You will consider these resolutions as the fruit of a very ample inquiry, and of serious deliberation. ** None of the principles here adopted by us do indeed go farther than to prevent interference with each other's labours among the American and British missionaries, and the setting up of 'altar against altar,' in the same city, town, or village ; but, knowing that circumstances of irritation exist, and that too near a proximity might, through the infirmity of human nature, lead to a violation of that union which the Conference has deemed a matter of paramount importance to maintain, we have thought it best to adopt a geographical division of the labour of each, and that the Upper Province should be left to the American brethren, and the Lower to you." •'Feel that you are one with your American brethren, em- barked in the same great cause, and eminently of the same religious family, and the little difficulties of arrangement will be easily surmounted ; and if any warm spirits (which is pro- bable) rise up to trouble you, remember that you are to act upon the great principle sanctioned by the Conference, and not upon local prejudices." 2. That the application of the Scriptural and Me- thodistic principles stated in the foregoing resolution, is, if possible, of more sacred and paramount obli- gation in regard to Upper Canada now than it was in 1820 — as the Ministers of our Church in this Pro- vince were then sent by the Methodist Conference in the United States, and were under a foreign ecclesi- astical jurisdiction ; but they are now all bonci-Jide British subjects, and our Conference is as much a British Wesleyan Conference as the Conference held in England. 3. That upon these Wesleyan and Scriptural prin- ciples we take our stand as a body of Ministers and as a regular branch of the great Wesleyan Family, and protest against its violation on the part of the Wesleyan Missionary Committee in London, and deprecate the ruin to souls, the injury to Methodism w2 i; -.1 fi58 MINUTES. [1840; and to Religion, which must result from setting up altar against altar, dividing families, societies, and neighbourhoods, and creating contentions, schisms, and divisions in the Church of Christ. 4. That, as it appears that the Wesleyan Confer- ence in England has not rescinded the resolutions which it adopted in 1820, and could not therefore have intended that the Committee in London should contravene and violate them in establishing rival preachers and congregations in Upper Canada, when the carrying out the dissolution of the Union was referred by the Conference to the Committee, we will not hold the Conference in England, as a Body, blameable for such a course of proceeding, unless, on its being submitted to them, it shall receive their sanction — which we will not persuade ourselves can be the case. 5. That on the return to and recognition of these hallowed and inviolable principles of Christian and Wesleyan unity on the part of the Committee in London, we will rejoice to avail ourselves of the first opportunity thus afforded, to bury in oblivion all the differences and unhappy feelings of the past, and to cultivate those sentiments and feelings of fraternal respect and affection which have heretofore so hap- pily and honourably characterized the relations and intercourse of all branches of the Wesleyan Family. Quest. 5. What is the judgment of this Conference in regard to our present position and duty as a Body of Ministers and as a Church ? 1. That we adhere to our Doctrines and Discipline, which have been recognized even by the Conference in England as truly Wesleyan, and which have been signally owned of God in promoting the interests of true Religion in this Province. i; ^ < 1840; ngup I, and liisms, lonfer- lutions jrefore should r rival , when jn was we will Body, unless, ^e their ves can )f these ian and littee in [the first all the and to aternal so hap- |ons and amily. \iferenee a Body Icipline, Jference Ive been Vests of 1840] MINUTES. 259 2. That we permit no discussions of political ques- tions amongst us in Conference as a Church ; that our official organ enter into no political discussions, but that it continue to pursue its present neutral course in matters of civil polity — our Editor occupying its columns with religious and literary subjects, with articles of religious and general intelligence, and with such defences of our institutions and character as occasion may require. 3. That we do most solemnly and heartily recog- nize the original purpose of Methodism, ' to spread Scriptural holiness over the land," as the first and great calling of the whole body, and especially of the Preachers ; and determine, in the strength of God, to make this the great rule of all our other designs, and to renounce or subordinate all other plans and pursuits to this our special calling ; so that by our living, as well as by our'preaching, we may hold fortli the word of life, and rejoice, in the day of Christ,'that we have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 4. That under a deep persuasion that the unity, order, purity, edification and good feeling of our Societies may be greatly promoted by our pastoral intercourse with tliem, we resolve to give ourselves more fully to this branch of our work ; and more especially that we will care for the sick, the afflicted, and the distressed, and will endeavour to obtain the help of our brethren, in order to secure to our people of every class and condition that Christian oversight of their spiritual interests which is so beneficial, and so essential to their spiritual comfort and prosperity. 5. That we determine, by God's gracious assist- ance, to be more fervent and importunate in suppli- cating upon ourselves, and upon all our official mem- bers, societies, and congregations, that rich effUsioft M fl . ^' ^8! 260 MINUTES. [1841. of the Holy Spirit which is always necessary to the success oi' the labours of Christian Ministers and Pastors, and which is peculiarly needed, at the pre- sent time, to prepare bofh ourselves and our people for the trials, duties, and labours of the present year. 6. That, being fellow-residents in the country with our congregations, and identified with them in our interests, feelings, and Christian principles, we en- treat them to unite with us in this renewed dedication of ourselves and our all as a people to the great work of promoting glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good-will amongst men. R;«i MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT THE CITY OF TORONTO, FROM THE 9th TO THE 18th JUNE, 1841. v. I .■ •2 William Ryerson, President. Anson Green, Secretary. Question 1. What preachers are this year admit- ted into full connexion with the Conference^ and ordained? . William Coleman, George Goodson, Kennedy Creighton, George R. Sanderson, Wellington Jeffers, George B. Butcher — 6. Quest. 2. What preachers remain on trial ? * James Spencer, Charles W. M. Gilbert. These have travelled three years. " \ [1841. ' to the irs and he pre- ■ people [il year. try with J in our we en- dicRtion ;at work »eace on CE, OM THE ir admit' icCf ond Kennedy Jeffers, Irt. 1841.] MINUTES. 261 Samuel C. Philp, Thomas Cosford, Theae have travelled two years. Wm. Price, Francis Coleman, James Hutchinson, William Philp, Lochlin Taylor, Matthrw Connor, Wm. McCuUough, Geo. Beynon, Joseph Reynolds, Daniel Wright, William Dignam, Daniel C. Van Norman — 16. These have travelled on£ year. Quest. 3. What preachers are now received on trial? Isaac B. Howard, Thomas Williams, Thomas Jef- fers, Robert Darlington, David B. Madden, Luther O. Rice, Matthias Holtby, Jos. Wesley McCoUum, Richard Garrett,* Jesse Hurlburt, A. B. — 10. * Tliif Brother has travelled two years in Lower Canada. Quest. 4. What preachers have died since the last Conference ? None. Quest. 5. Are there any objections to any of our preachers ? They were examined one by one. Quest. 6. What preachers have desisted from travelling? None. Quest. 7. Who are the Supernumeraries? Daniel McMulIen, John Culham, Moses Black- stock. ' . ' Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated preachers? Thos. Whitehead, Andrew Prindle, James Wilson, David Youmans, William Brown,* Wyat Chamber- lain,* Ezra Healy, Franklin Metcalf — 8. * These have no claims on the funds raised for the support of Super- annuated Preachers, I t 1 , ' V. : ■ '*?'« 262 MINUTES. U^Ah .^1 1 rt ,1 Quest. 0. What preacJiers have withdrawn from M« Church this year f John 6. Manly, James Norris, Thomas Fawcett, William Steer, William Case, Charles B. Goodrich, William Scott, Edmund Stoney, Ephraim Evans, James Brock, John Mclnlyre, John Sunday, Benja- min Slight, John Douse, Hugh Montgomery — 15. Quest. 10. How are the preachers stationed this year? As follows, viz. : — I.— LONDON DISTRICT. 1. Hamilton — Alexander MacNab, Samuel C. Philp, Isaac B. Howard ; Andrew Prindle, super'd. 2. Brantford — James Musgrove, James Spencer ; Thomas Whitehead, superannuated. 3. Dumfries — George Ferguson, David B. Madden. 4. Oxford — William Coleman, Matthias Holtby. 5. London — Samuel Rose, William Price. 6. Thames — John K. Williston, Thomas Williams. 7. Gosfield and Howard — Cornelius Flummerfelt ; one to be sent. 8. St» Thomas — Solomon Waldron, who is to ex- change once a quarter with the Preacher on Malahide Circuit. 9. Malahide — Luther O. Rice. 10. Simcoe — Peter Ker, one to be sent. 11. Muncy Mission — Peter Jones, one to be sent 12. Warwick and Adelaide — David Hardie. 13. Walpole — One to be sent. 14. Huron — One to be sent. * 15. Grand River — Kennedy Creighton. 16. Guelph — Ezra Adams. ^ William Ryerson, who is our President, Chairmanf and SuperirUendent qf Missions* from the Fawcett, loodrich, 1 Evans, ^, Benja- y— 15. oned this 1841.] MINUTES. II.— TORONTO DISTRICT. 268 I C. Philp, , super'd. Spencer ; ]. . Madden. Holtby. e. Williams, merfelt ; is to ex- sacher on Ibe sent |e. ssident, Missions* 17. City of Toronto — Egerton Ryerson ; John Ryer- son, who is our Book Steward and General Agent of the Missionary Society ; Jonathan Scott, who is our Editor. 18. Yonge Street — Thos. Bevitt, Jas. Hutchinson ; James Wilson, superannuated ; Jas. Culham, supernumerary. 19. Newmarket — Matthew Whiting. 20. Albion — John Baxter, Francis Coleman. 21. Reesorville — Samuel Belton ; David Youmans, superannuated. 22. Whitby — Simon Huntington, Jos. W. McCoIlum. 23. Toronto Circuit — Horace Dean, John Lever. 24. Nelson — Rowley Heyland, Robert Darlington. 25. Grimsby — George Poole, Chaa W. M. Gilbert. 26. St. Catherines — Edmund Shepherd, T. Cosford. 27. Stamford — Hamilton Biggar, John Law, George R. Sanderson. 28. Brock — John Sanderson, one to be sent. 29. Barrie Mission — Thos. McMullen, J. Neelands. 30. Lake Simcoe — Sylvester Hurlburt. SI. Owen Sound — Stephen Brownell. 32. Crc«/i7— David Wright. Anson Green, Chairman, Jnd Siqftrintendent of Mi$rion$ mthint the bouiuU of hi$ DUtriet. III.-BAY OF QUINTE DISTRICT. 33. Kingston — Henry Wilkinson. t- 34. Waterloo — Conrad Vandusen, W. H. Williams ; Ezra Healy, superannuated. 35. Napanee — Robert Corson, Gilbert Miller. 36. Hallowell — Richard Jones, Lewis Warner. 37. Belleville — Wellington JefTers. 38. Sidney — George F. Playter, William Philp. 39. Bath and Isle of Tanti — William Haw, Daniel Wright. .Pi"*"Ti"' m % 264 MINUTES* [1841. 40. Murray — John Black, Joseph Reynolds ; Daniel McMuUen, supernumerary. 41. Colhorne — Joseph ?Iessmore. 42. Cobourg — Edwy M. Ryerson ; Jesse Hurlburt, A. B., who is Principal of U» C. Academy ; Daniel C. VanNorman, A. B,, v/ho is Profes- sor of Mathematics in U. C. Academy ; John Beatty, who is Agent of U. C. Academy. 43. Port Hope — Atsahel Hurlburt. 44. Peterboro^ — William McFadden, V. B. Howard, Thomas Jeffers ; Monosi' Blackstock, who is Missionary to the back Townships. John C. Davidson, Chairman^ And. Superintendent of Mitaion$ within the bounds of his District. IV.— AUGUSTA DISTRICT. 45. Prescott — Lochlin Taylor. 46. Brockvllle — Richprd Garrett. 47. Matilda — Benjamin Nankevill, Thos. Harmon. 48. Cornwall — John Tuke. 49. Augusta — Daniel Berney. 50. Kemptville — William McCullough. 51. JRirfeaw— -William Young ; Wm. Brown, sup'd. 52. 53. 54. T» erth — James Currie. Crosby — George Goodson. Elizabethtown — William Willoughby, one to be sent. 55. Mississippi — Alvah Adams, R. E. Tupper. 56. Clarendon — One to be sent. 57. Pembroke — Matthew Conner. 58. Gananoque and Pittsburgh — Stephen Miles. Cyrus R. Allison, Chairman, V. BYTOWN DISTRICT. 59. Bytown — John Carroll. 60. Richmond — Henry Shaler, one to be sent. [1841. s ; Daniel Hurlburt, Academy ; is Profes- my ; John demy. . Howard, k, who is ** hia District. I841.J Harnjon. ivn, sup'd. one to be pper. Vfiles. lirman. ent. MINUTES. 265 superannuated. ^' ' ^^^khn Metcalf, «««— George Beynon John Carrol., CAaeVmaa.. As follows, viz. :1 -^ <^o««'^e»*i='»4/ Hamilton .... Members London.. 557 St. Thomas*.* 413 Malahide 183 Gosfi.id.„d-H„-^;;j-;;:::: m Oxford....* 264 Simcoe 218 Bruntford. 353 pumfries..'.* 310 Muncytown*. ^^1 g«™k,„<,AdVuide-;:;; 1 Walpole !.* 60 grandRive*r* ^1 Toronto city. ' 52 JongeStreJt.*.*: ?^^ Newmarket.. ^98 Albion .. 310 Reesorville**.* ^08 Whitby.. * 146 Toronto.. 397 Nelson... 494 Grimsby. 520 ft.Catheri'n*es: ^^^ Stamfoni.. 342 Brock 375 Lake Simcoe *" ^^^ B.^ri.e.„dPei«;;-S;--- III S««ge™g-aidBigBay-;::: lo" Col. for Superan, r'eachera, &c £12 10 4 12 2 4 17 1 6 16 17 2 12 4 3 2 4 Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothinf. Nothisg. 8 15 15 5 8 5 12 8 10 6 4 3 3 9 6 1 2 1 1 2 1 3 5 4i 3 7 2 15 4 1 10 3 7 JO Nothing. Nothinf. Nothing. Nothing. X 5 Col. to make mp JJeficienciesT £12 10 6 12 Oi 2 3 9 Nothing. 2 14 f| - 3 4 4 3 5 Nothing, Nothinl. Nothinf. Nothing. Nothing. 5 8 2 9 2 12 3 14 2 15 3 15 3 6 5 11 7* 9 2 2 3 14 9 15 10 Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. 6 6 1 .?♦ 94 '/ li! 4, ■"S!' i i 266 MINUTES. [1841. Circuits Mono Kingston Waterloo Napanee Bath and Isle of Tanti Hailowell Belleville Sidney and Marmora . Murray Colborne Cobourg Port Hope Peterborough Prescott Brockville Elizabethtown Augusta Kemptville Matilda Rideau "^erth , Crosby Bytovn' Rich .lond. Osgoode Ottawa Hull , Mississippi Clarendon Plantagenet Bonchire Pembroke No. of Meinl)en 97 160 456 539 243 666 150 353 510 112 184 178 522 59 75 374 342 279 555 306 173, 175 140 388 140 552 120 349 92 96 13 40 Total from Circuits £ Annual Subscriptions of Preachers . Collection at Conference Interest on Centenary Fund Appropriation from tJ. C. Mis'y So. Total £ Col. for Snperan. Preachers, Ac Nothing. £2 11 lOi 2 4 2 6 1 12 6 5 6 8 3 5 10 9 6 2 15 16 2 1 17 6 2 5 Nothing. 1 3 li 15 2 13 3 7 6 12 10 1 6 IJ .y 1 1 3 10 1 7 2 6 1 19 4i 10 5 Nothing. Nothing. 8 9 Nothing. 17 24 18 133 12 8i 98 10 8 11 2 46 10 Col. to*inske up Deflcienciet. Nothing. £7 6 9i 6 8 6i 3 2 13 8 4 8 2 1 14 6 2 9 6 4 2 6 1 7 1 18 4 1 7 6 4 12 U 1 6 3 16 3 2 1 2 10 1 14 8* 4 19 4 2 5 2 4 9. 1 15 3 6 1 7 3 17 ] 2 6 1 18 3i Nothing. 1 18 3 1 15 9 2 1 Bk 2 Nothing. 50 287 3 lOi 228 11 5^ ■^^. RECAPITVLATIOW. Members in the societies this year 17,017 •* " " last year 16,354 Inerease this year 663 - -(T V I - 1 ■ . ■••P' 1841. Makeup ienciM- hing. 6 9i 8 6i 13 8 8 2 14 9 2 7 18 7 6 6 6 4 6 12 1ft 6 3 ) 16 2 1 3 2 10 1 14 H 4 19 4 2 5 2 4 9 I 15 3 6 I 7 3 17 II 2 6 1 18 34 toothing. 1 18 3 1 15 9 2 1 84 2 othiug. >0 JSU 54 17,017 16,354 663 1841.] MINUTES. 267 Quest. 12. How has the amount collected for the Superannuated Preachers' and Contingent Funds been expended f SOPERARNUATED FrEACHERS' FuND. Incidentals durine the Conference £7 2 64 Franklin Metcair 46 7 6 James Wilson ... 25 Andrew Prindle 23 3 9 Daniel McMullen 46 7 6 David Youmans 46 7 6 Thomas Whitehead 23 3 9 Widow of the late Rev. T. Madden 23 3 9 Widow of the late Rev. W. Slater 23 3 9 Asahel Aurlburt 23 3 9 Total £207 3 IO4 Contingent Fund. To make up the deficiencies of — London £12 10 Oxford 3 Brantford: 14 Simcoe 4 Gosfield 10 Reesorville 12 10 Toronto Circuit . . 12 10 Nelson 10 St. Catherines ... 700 Stamford 10 Colbome £i2 10 Port Hope 6 5 Belleville 10 Kingston 15 Elibabethtown ... 60 Kemptville 5 Crosby 10 Brockville 8 10 Ottawa li* JO £181 T In cases of special affliction, &c. : — G. F. Playter £12 10 'layt S. Rose, lor moving expenses after the Special Conference 15 George Carr .., 1 10 Joseph Messmore 6 6 Hugh Montgomery 5 George Ferguson 5 3 24 Travelling expenses of the memberis of the Conference Special Committee 2 11 3 18 94 I' Total ,,,, , £239 5 $'4 268 MINUTES. [1841. Quest. 13. What are the Standing Committees for the present fear? ' 1. The Book Committee. The President, and Secretary of the Conference, Preachers residing in the City of Toronto, Superin- tendents of the Yonge Street, Reesorville, Toronto, and Nelson Circuits, and of the Credit Mission. 2. Missionary Committee. The Preachers residing in Toronto ; and Messrs. James Foster, George Walker, James Hodgson, Robert James ; J. R. Armstrong, Esq., Treasurer ; Dr. John Beatty, Recording Secretary ; and Rev. A. Green, Corresponding Secretary. 3. Contingent Fund Committee. The President and Secretary of the Conference, Chairmen of Districts, Superintendents of the Hallo- well and Murray Circuits, and of the Kingston and Belleville Stations, and the following gentlemen, viz. : S. Washburn, Esq., J. P. Roblin, Esq., M.P.P., C. Biggar, Esq., Billa Flint, Esq., Messrs. J. P. Wil- liams, J. B. Allison, J. M. Rorison, and T. Morgan. 4. Committee to confer with the Government In all matters in which the interests of our Church are involved, — consisting of the following Preachers, viz. : the President and Secretary of the Conference, Rev. E. Ryerson, and Rev. J. C. Davidson. 5. Conference Special Committee. The President and Secretary of the Conference, the Chairman of the Bay of Quinte District, Book Steward, Editor, Superintendents of the City of To- ronto, Yonge Street, Toronto, Newmarket, Reesor- ville, Whitby, Nelson, and Hamilton Circuits, and the Credit Mission, and the Rev. P. Jones; five to be jDi quorum for the transaction of business. Mj ;i84i. >,es for jrence, uperin- oronto, in. Messrs. odgson, OLSurer ; ad Rev. ference, le Hallo- ston and itlemen, M.P.P., P. Wil- Morgan. lENT Church eachers, erence, ference, ;t, Book of To- IReesor- lits, and Ive to be 1841.] MINUTES. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS. 269 Resolved, That the Preachers on the several cir- cuits be directed, at the renewal of Quarterly Tickets, to ask each member what he is able to give to make up the quarterage of the Preachers ; also to make the same application to each member as to the amount he may be able to contribute to the family expenses of the Preachers ; and that no Preacht^ shall be per- mitted to receive any assistance from the Contingent Fund who shall not furnish satisfactory proof to his District Meeting that he has employed hir, best exer- tions to carry these directions into effect. Resolved, That the Chairmen of each District be directed to explain and enforce the foregoing reso- lution. Resolved, That the cordial and sincere thanks of the Conference be presented to the Rev. John Ryer- son for the manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office as Book Steward during the past yearr Resolved, That the cordial thanks of this Confeis ence be presented to the Rev G. F. Pla> ter for his able and admirable papers in defence of this Confer- ence, published in the Christian Guardian, entitled first and second " Voice from Canada ;" in which papers there is, in the judgment of this Conference, a clear and correct statement of the *acts, and a lucid expositi j-i of the matters at issue between the Wesleyan Committee in London and the Wesley aft Connexion in Canada, and a just and becoming re- monstrance against the aggressions of the former upon the congregations and societies of the latter. Centekary Fund. Resolved, That the office of District Treasurer for the Centenary Fund be done away, and that the Su- perintendents transmit all monies to the General Treasurer. • '^ • '•j m^- 1 270 MINUTES. [1841. The following Resolutions were adopted at the Special Conference, held in the City of Toronto, in October, 1840 ;— Resolved, That a special Committee be appointed, to whom shall be referred the adjustment of our missionary affairs with the agents of the Wesleyan Missionary Committee in London. That the Com- mittee, in the peculiar circumstances of our Church in this Province, be empowered, in behalf of the Cfonference, to guard the rights and privileges, and in every way which may be deemed expedient, to promote the interests of our Church until the next Conference, Resolved, That the Committee consist of the Chairmen of Toronto, London, and Bay of Quinte Districts, Book Steward, Editor, Superintendents on the City of Toronto, Yoi.^^a Street, Toronto, New- market, Reesorville, Whitby, Nelson, and Hamilton Circuits, and the Credit Mission, and brother Peter Jones ; five to be a quorum for the transaction of business. Resolved, That brother Long be duly authorised to hold Protracted Meetings in any part of our work. Question— What are the sentiments of this Con- ference on the measure which has been adopted by the Mperial Parliament, on the question of the Clergy Reserves in Upper Canada? . J. That we feci deeply aggrieved that unmerited • injustice has heea done to the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada^ as well as to several other legally recognized denoiiiinations of Christians in Upper Canada, by the unequal and unjust provisions of that Aot-r-so different from every expression of opinion .9^^^ feeling which has ever been made by the inba« :i [1841. at the 'orontOi pointed, of our esleyan le Com- Church f of the yes, and iient, to the next t of the f Quinte dents on to, New- Hamilton ler Peter action of 1841.] MINUfES. 271 bitants of Upper Canida — so opposed to the recorded opinions of both branches of the Provincial Legisla- ture, and the strong and reiterated opinions of His Excellency the Governor General of Canada. 2. That, notwithstanding we feel ourselves, as a body, injured and aggrieved by the invidious and partial provisions of that Act, we recommend, in the present circumstances of the country, an abstinence from any re-agitation of the question. We submit to it as a law, for conscience sake, whilst our repre- sentatives properly remonstrated against it as a bill. Quest. 13. Where and when shall our next Con- ference he held ? In Picton, Hallowell, commencing on the second Wednesday in June, 1842, at ten o'clock, A. M. William Ryerson, President Anson Green, Secretary. uthorised )ur work. his Con," opted ly in of the inmerited [ethodist jr legally [n Upper Ins of that If opinion Ithe ittha* THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE. To the Members of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church in Canada. DuARLT Belotkd Brethren : . > v Through the mercy of God, we have been permitted to hold the sixteenth Conference of our Church» without any dim- unition of our number by the hand of death» and without any dimunition of affection and respect towards one another. Soon after we last addresBed you, our situation became singular and difficult, by the secession of the English Confer- ence from the Articles of Union entered into in 1833, and com- pelled us to assemble together in Toronto, in October last, for 'i..l ■ K'r !272 MINUTES. 1841.] the consideration and arrangement of our special and important afiairs. The English Conference abruptly, and, as we think, unreasonably separating from us, without our consent, and without our desire, we were obliged to take the separate and independent position we occupied previous to the Union, from the time of our separation from the American brethren in 1828 ; yet lamenting that a union so auspiciously begun should have terminated so suddenly and unpleasantly. ** Through wisdom is an house builded," says the father of proverbs, "and by understanding it is established. " So this ecclesiastic unity was an edifice founded in sincerity, but owing, it would seem, to some unskilfulness, either in laying the foundation or raising the superstructure, it has, unhappily for all parties concerned, been doomed to premature dissolution. The Special Confer- ence formed and published its judgment, (1) On the proceedings of the Wesleyan Conference in England on the subject of the Union ; (2) On the establishment by the Wesleyan Missionary Committee of separate congregations and societies within the boundaries of this connexion : and (3) On our present position and duty as a body of ministers and as a church. Our resolu- lutions on these subjects are now published in the Minutes, and we recommend them to an immediate and careful perusal. At the Special Conference several ministers, for different reasons, departed from their brethren and their usual work ; and shortly after they induced various members to forsake our societies. Of the former act we do not complain ; but the latter we are unable to justify. Since that Conference, we have sorrowed becfiuse of those that " went out from us," but have not fainted. You have held up our hands, and Grod has prospered the work of our hands, and made our manifestation of" the light of the glorious gospel of Christ" successful in many parts of this land; so that not only have the vacancies in the ministry and membership been filled up, but to the former there have been added several, and to the latter six hundred and fifty-three. "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name" be *' glory. " From the Special Conference to the present, the Rev, Thomas Whitehead was President of the Connexion. The President for the present year is the Rev. William Ryeison, whom we recommend to your afiectiona and your prayers. The Conference has been 'i i 1841.] MINUTES. 273 marked by increased affection and unity among the ministers ; and we resolve with vigour, through the grace of Christ Je^us our Lord, to pursue the work of our important and holy voca- tion. Nor, Brethren, is our affection to you diminished. Gladly will we continue "your servants for Jesus' sake." Do you but preserve the unity of the body, and you will be ** in our hearts to die and live with you." Not only preserve the unity, but promote the efficiency, of the body. " Adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." Still "be subject to prin- cipalities and powers," arfd " pray for kings and for all that are in authority." We cannot convey to you an idea of the joyful emotions we have felt in witnessing the zeal and the liberality with which you have come forward to the support of our vari- ous Institutions, especially our increasingly important Mission- ary work. Your contributions to the Missionary fund have been remarkably unostentatious and unprecedentedly liberal. Allow us to say, dear Brethren, continue to be so minded, remembering that "he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." Continue generously and cheerfully main tain the Ministers " who labour in the word and doctrine" on the various stations and circuits of our work. Faithfully pay the vows you gratefully and conscientiously made to God and the Church in the Centenary year of Methodism ; and prevent us not from carrying into immediate operation the noble and important purposes for which the Centenary Fund was es- tablished. aIso, forget not that the Missions of the Church are dependant solely on you for their success, and even their preservation. Let us be faithful to God and to one another, and what can harm us? what can prevent our prosperity? The " little one shall become a thousand," and the " small one a strong nation. " Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great sheiherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do "his will," through Jesus Christ ; to whom bo glory forever and ever — Amen. William Rterson, President. Anson Green, Secr^ary, Toronto, June 19th, 1841. 274 MINUTES. [1841. THE ANSWER OF THE ENGLISH CONPr.RENCE TO THE ADDRESS OF THE U. C. CONFERENCE. Dear Brethrkn : In proceeding to answer your Address, the receipt of which we hereby acknowledge, we cordially avail ourselves of the opportunity to present our sincere congratulations to you on the success which God has given you in the various departments of your labour during the past year. Most earnestly do we pray that a Inrge diffusion of Divine influence may more abundantly prosper your efforts to spread Christianity in the earth, and espe- cially to oppose the evil effects of latitudinarianism, and the aggessions of Popery, in the Canadian portion of Her Majesty's colonial empire. But we ought not to conceal from you our painful apprehen- sions that the present movements of your Connexion may endanger its spiritual prosperity ; and we are anxious that in all things you may be directed aright, and that these events may be so controlled and over-ruled by the gracious Providence of God, that the Gospel may not be hindered. \7e must ulfo express our feelings of disappointment that your Address contains so brief and unsatisfactory an allusion to the important subject of the continued Union of the British and Canadian Conferences. This subject has most painfully occupied a very large portion of the time and attention of the Conference and its Committees during the present session. We deeply regret that, while you declare that you " most anxiously desire io strengthen and perpetuate the Union which now hap- pily exists," you should have rejected, by a large majority, the moderate Resolutions first proposed in your Conference on the Bfibjerc of the Annual Grant of the Imperial Government to the British Wesleyan Missionary Committee, and have adopted others, the effect of which was virtually to dissolve the Union ; and also that, in order more fully to identify the Canadian Confer- ence with the offensive proceedings of one of your Body^ against whom the most serious complaints were made by the Canadian QoiQipittee in this country, and in disregard of all courtesy and ir [1841. iNFr.RENCE fFERENCE. eceipt of which urselveB of the IB to you on the departments of fitly do we pray tore abundantly earth, and espe- anism, and the >f Her Majesty's • ainful apprehen- Connexion may nxiousthat in all Ihese events may Providence of ppointment that ry an allusion to of the British most painfully attention of the nt session. We most anxiously which now hap- ge majority, the inference on the kvernment to the id have adopted lolve the Union ; lanadian Confer* ir Body, against jy the Canadian all courtesy and 1S41.] MINUTES. 275 propriety, you have sent him as one of your Representatives to the British Conference ; thus giving your highest sanction to the whole of his proceedings, and obviously intending to throw upon us the odium of not redeeming our pledge, that '*such Representatives should be received with cordial affection by the British Conference, and that every attention should be paid to his statements and representations." We are sorry that the first visit of the Rev. William Ryerson to our Conference should have been made under circumstances which precluded the pos- sibility of giving him that very cordial reception which he would otherwise have received, and to which his charac' '' and talents * so well entitled him. The early dissolution of our Union with you is a result which we unfeignedly deplore; for, although that Union was not sought or desired by us in the first instance, and its perpetuation could not have been attended with any advantage to the Con- nexion in Great Britain, we hoped it might give vigour and effect to your own labours ; and we are convinced that it would have been especially important in diffusing the spirit, and estab- lishing the regulations, of an older and more perfect religious economy throughout the Province of Upper Canada, to the great spiritual profit of your people, and to the extensive and perma- nent benefit of your country, in furthering all the objects which can be desired and promoted by an enlightened patriotism. We do not hesitate to express our deep conviction that a fear- ful responsibility rests upon those who have rendered necessary the decisions of our Conference, and entailed results which, without the utmost prudence, and an entire devotedness to the great business of the Christian ministry, may seriously endanger the interests of religion. Under the altered relations of the two Connexions, we deem it right explicitly to state to you that, while on the one hand we regard it as our bounden duty to occupy with zeal and dili- gence the posts which the providence of God assigned to us previously to the Union, and to maintain the positions which in all fairness and equity belong to us on account of the labour and expense which we have bestowed upon them, we are at the same time most anxious that the allotment of the country before us should be without strife ; and that you should distinctly ^ .^r^ ^>, '*>.v^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) .^^t^ 1.0 l.i IA£12.8 u m MS us L° IZO IL25 nil 1.4 1.6 6" -^ HiologFaiM: Sdfflices Corporation ^v v •1>' ;\ 23 WIST MAIN STMIT WIISTn,N.Y. USM (7l«)t72-4S03 ^^ 4^\ WrS .'^f '-,:>' .f ..-1 Jouti HassaBi Secretary, :!'.:(■:"■' <■■'■ rU 1 >. '■: ■! .■ REPLY OF THE CANADA CONFERENCE TO THE ADDRESS OF THE ENGLISH CONFERENCE. RxvxRKiiD IFatbkrs and Brethren : ► I I, " Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Chridt." The only form in which we have received your Annual Ad- dresses, for some years past, has been through the public press. Your last Annud Address to us, published in a pamphlet in London, by your Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Hannah, has just come [1841. vuided in you must edly divi- itroversy ; all men." the wide tall pursue idness and nor Juhah behalf and multiplied ur Lord !" >mpanying * appointed n conjunc- liam Ryer- lonference, snompanied fs, or injure ce, . ecretary, Ito the 2NCE. rather and Lnnual Ad- Iblic presB. ^mphlet in ) just come 1841.] MINUTES. 277 under our notice. But, though we have received no early or direct communication from you, we proceed to reply to your printed Address. ' ^./i .: . . ^ ~ * r. v ' We are thankful for your expressions of regard towards us ; and we most sincerely and cordially reciprocate them. To expressions of regard we beg to add those of veneration and a^ection. Tou express " painful apprehensions that the present move- ments of" our " connexion may endanger its spirituality." We would allay those apprehensions by assuring you, that we are of one heart and mind, and that the effusions of the Holy Spirit and the blessings of the Most High' have accompanied our labours; so that, although upwards of twelve hundred have departed from us, and increased your numbers in Upper Canada, yet, by the conversion of sinners, the numbers which your agents have drawn away from our ranks have been more than made up. Last year our Societies numbered 16,354 ; this year they number 17,017 members. We have received this session, into full connexion with the Conference, six young men, of promising talents and excellent qualifications. The secessions from our ministry during the past year have been more than supplied by the early and voluntary presentation of young men, whose labours have already proved highly acceptable and use- ful. The liberality of our people has enabled us to support our Superannuated Preachers better than they were ever supported — to pay them their full salaries with the exception of less than four pounds each. The same liberality has also enabled us not only to maintain all our Missions and Schools, both amongst the new Settlers and Indian Tribes, but also to assist a number of new and feeble Circuits, and to undertake several new Missions. Tou lament that our last Address, presented to you by our Representatives, should have contained " so brief and unsatis- factory an allusion to the important subject of the continued Union of the English and Canadian Conferences." We sup- posed a deputation of Ministers from us would have suggested to you the reason why our Address contained but an " allusion ; " to the deputation we refened you for the fullest information on the *' important subject of the Union," by the articles of which we de'^lared, both in our Address and in the resolutions which accompanied it, our willingness and determination to abide. Y k i n^r 278 MINUTES. [1841. You deeply regret that, " in disregard of all courtesy and propriety," we should have sent a brother, as one of our Repre- sentatives, of whom your Committee complained. This impu- tation, we think, you will not repeat, when we assert that the ordinary etiquette of ecclesiastical bodies we had not the slightest disposition to offend ; and that the sole reason of our deputing the brother referred to, as one of our Representatives, was, that he might afford you, by his explanations, corroborated by official documents, the same satisfaction which he had afforded us. We think the fact of our having incurred the expense and inconve- nience of sending two Representatives to you, and of our asso- ciating your own appointed President with them, proves the reverse of ** a disregard of all courtesy and propriety." You unhesitatingly express your "deep conviction that a fearful responsibility rests upon those who have rendered neces- sary the decisions" of the English Conference in dissolving its connexion with the Canada Conference. Permit us to reply, 1. That we have not seen, nor do we see, that your ** decisions" were "rendered necessary." 2. That the "fearful responsi' bility" must rest upon that portion of your Conference which adopted those "decisions," and not on us, as we have strictly and faithfully observed the Articles of Union, to which both parties agreed in 1833. Nor are we even charged with having violated either of the seven general Articles. Having kept the written agreement, and no breach of faith being proved, or even specifically charged, where was the necessity of dissolving the connexion into which you had so solemnly entered ? 3. That there does appear to us to have been "a disregard of courtesy and propriety," as well as of obligation, for a part of your Con- ference to renounce solemnly-ratified Articles of Agreement, not only without the consent of, but even without consulting, the other contracting party. This assumption of power, by a part of your Conference, we cannot but consider unlawful in its nature, rash in its exercise, and, in the highest degree, dis- respectful to a co-ordinate Conference of Ministers who, from their numbers, labours, and character, deserve something more than mere contempt. Against both, the lawfulness and pro- priety of your decision, we enter our solemn and continued You also declare, that you " regard it as your bounden duty [1841. jrtesy and »ur Repre- ?his impu- rt that the Le slightest r deputing I, was, that 1 by official edus. We id inconve- )f our asso- provea the ty-" ' . tion that a iered neces- Lssolving its us to reply, ♦ decisions" ul responsi' •ence which lave strictly which both with having ing kept the Jved, or even [ssolving the ? 3. That of courtesy if your Con- Agreement, consulting, [power, by a unlawful in degree, dis- who, from lething more J8S and pro- id continued lounden duty 1841.] MINUTES. 279 to occupy with zeal and diligence those posts which the Provi- dence of God assigned to you previously to the Union, and to maintain the positions which, in all fairness and equity, belongs to you on account of the labour and expense which you have bestowed upon them." Whilst we regret the act and manner of your secession from the solemn agreement of 1833, we ex- ceedingly regret that you should also decide on creating a new body of Methodists in a country already too much distracted by sectarian strife. On this your declared purpose suffer us to remark: 1. That whether the "Providence of God" have assigned you the posts referred to, and whether it be your ♦» bounden duty to occupy them with zeal and diligence," is to us a subject of very great doubtfulness, knowing that " God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints ;" that it can never be the " bounden duty" of any body, or any individual, to authorise or perform that which is against the peace and unity of Christian societies, and which even sets tribe against tribe, and chief against chief, amongst the aboriginal Indian converts. 3. We lament, on this ground, that your agents should re-occupy the three posts (Kingston, Toronto, and St. Clair,) which you gave up by the Union to the Canada Conference. 3. But we lament still more, that you resolve "to maintain the positions which (you assume) in all fairness and equity belong to you on account c ^ the labour and expense bestowed upon them." You doubtless allude to the Mission stations, the responsibility of supporting which you agreed to assume by the Articles of Union. That Union having been broken by yourselves, without our consent or knowledge, we think those stations should remain under our pastoral care. Every Christian tribe of Indians in Upper Canada was converted through the instrumentality of members of our Conferences- men who were never preachers in England, but who were brought into the ministry in Canada. This fact gives us a claim to those Missions stronger than that which can be created by any pecuniary expenditure. Seven out of nine Indian Missions still remain in connexion with us ; the other two your agents have wrested from us. And we submit whether our contiguity to the Indians in Upper Canada, as well as our past and almost exclusive success amongst them, does not imply our " bounden duty" to care for their souls, and whether " the Providence of God" does not assign to us this momentous work ? Instead of i •11 ( : . , ' i lij- ft s I/'' 280 MINUTES. [1841. the " labour" you speak of increasing your claim to the Mis- sions, we think it greatly increases ours ; for, by the Articles of Union, the whole of the Missionaries employed were to be members of our Conference — instructed during their four years of trial, received into full connexion, ordained, and appointed by the Canada Conference. Your appointing a Superintendent to overlook them, is a very small part of ** the labour" of keep- ing the Missions of Upper Canada. The labour of members of the Canada Conference does not belong to you, and cannot be justly set down to your credit. You also claim the Missions on the ground of expense. This, at least, is a very doubtful title to the original and inherent property of another. The sum expended on account of Missions in Upper Canada, during the seven years of the Union, according to Dr. Alder, is £17,806, 18a. lid. Towards raising this sum, the Government has paid out of the revenue of Upper Canada, £3,670 ; your Missionary Committee, £9,147 2s. 6d. ; and the Canada connexion, £4,989 16s. dd. This statement shows, that, apart from the Govern- ment grants, you have paid, during the seven years of the Union, £4,157 6s. Id., (but placing the grants out of the Canada reve- nue to the credit of Canada, only £487 6s. Id. ) more than the Canada connexion. The simple and plain statement of the case is this — that you have, during the last seven years, contributed, towards supplying the Gospel to the Indians and destitute set- tlers of Upper Canada, little more than one man and about £9000 ; whilst we have contributed, on an average, about four- teen Missionaries a-year, and put into your funds nearly £5000. JVearly your whole claim to the Missions rests then on your pecuniary contribution, being about £4000 larger than ours. But if we deduct from that £4000, what we think is improperly put to the account of the Canada Missions, such as the incomes of your Presidents in Canada, the expenses of Dr. Alder's visits to this country, thi expenses of Messrs. E. Ryerson, F. Jones, and John Sunday, while in England extensively pleading in behalf of your Missionary funds, and other similar items of charge, there will be nothing left, and the contributions of the Canada Conference will be equal to your own. Yor can derive no argument, therefore, either on the ground of labour or ex- pense, for claiming the Missions belonging to the Canada Con- ference. In addition to this, let it be observed, that one of the two Indian Missions which your agents have wrested from us, [1841. • the Mis- e Articles vere to be four years appointed •rintendent " of keep- f members and cannot e Missions ry doubtful The sum during the s £17,806, nt has paid Missionary ion, £4,989 he Govem- f the Union, anada reve- )re than the t of the case jontributed, estitute set- and about about four- Mly £5000. en on your than ours, improperly he incomes der's visits P. Jones, •leading in r items of [ions of the can derive lOur or ex- nada Con- one of the 'd from us, 1841.] MINUTES. 291 (namely, Rice Lake, including Alnwick, called ** Alderville" in your Report) was established and supported by us for a period of seven years before the Union. In view of the whole case then, might we not as righteously claim your Missions in India, as you ours in Canada? 4. But your agents have not only taken possession of several of our Missions, they have also unadvisedly, (to use no harsher term,) penetrated into the very heart of our regular work — deranging our circuits, increasing our expense, diminishing our resources, lessening the value of our church property, perplexing our plans, troubling our people, dividing our societies, backbiting our ministers, — thus prose- cuting a work which genders strife and division rather than love and unity. During the last nine months, your agents have com- menced their dreadful work upon no less than fifteen of our cir- cuits, where there is no more need of forming separate societies and expending Missionary money, than there is within your own circuits in London, Bristol, or Manchester. We under- stand they are making arrangements to pursue this awful work upon others of our regular and peaceful circuits — proclaiming to the whole Province, that the English Conference, that useful and venerable body, authorises such work, and becomes respon- sible for the expense incurred in the prosecution of it. We submit to you, whether such proceedings are not in com- plete opposition to Mr. Wesley's Sermon on Schism; and especially to that part of it which says—" O beware, I will NOT SAT OF FORMING, BUT OF COONTENANCING, OR ABETTING, ANY PARTIES IN A CHRISTIAN SoCIETY ! NeVER ENCOURAGE, MUCH LESS CAUSE, EITHKR BY WORD OR ACTION, ANY DIVISIOIT THEREIN." " Be not CONTENT NOT TO STIR UP STRIFE, BUT DO ALL THAT IN YOU LIES, TO PREVENT OR QUENCH THE VERT FIRST SPARK OF IT." Supposing there were discontent in some individual Societies of our connexion — it were no more than has existed in many societies in your connexion ; and it would be the duty of all Christian Ministers— especially those of a kindred body — to allay rather than increase, and even create, that discontent. The proceedings of your agents in Upper Canada are also in direct opposition to the advice which Mr. Wesley gave to his preachers :— '* Go alwaijs not only to those that want you, but to those that want you most. " No one can deny they are far more y2 y I 282 MINUTES. [1841. ■wanted in other parts of the world, and even in some parts of England itself, than they are wanted on the circuits of the Canada connexion. The work of your agents here is likewise in direct opposition to the Wesleyan principle of unity. Twenty-nine days before his death, Mr. Wesley thus wrote to the American Preachers, through the Rev. Ezekiel Cooper: — ** Lose no opportunity of declaring to all men, that the Methodists are one people in all the world, and t/tat it is their full determination so to continue.*' This principle clearly means far more than merely fraternal flection, as Mr. Wesley cherished and taught fraternal afTection between the Methodists, pious Baptists, Moravians, Presbyte- rians, &c., who were never represented by him as one with the Methodists in the sense in which he declared *' the Methodists are one people in all the world." In 1820 you acknowledged, as a Conference, this principle in its true Wesleyan sense, and magnanimously acted upon it, by withdrawing your agents from the very ground in Upper Canada on which you have agents now. Allow us to produce your own expressions, found in your Minutes of the Liverpool Conference of that year : — " That as the American Methodists, (who first planted Me- thodism in Canada, and subsequently authorised the independent organization of the Canada connexion) and ourselves are but one Body, it would be inconsistent with our unity, and dangerous to that affection which ought to characterize us in every place, to have different societies and congregations in the same towns and villages, or to allow of any intrusion on either side into each other's labours." Your Missionary Secretaries of that year (one of whom was the late excellent Richard Watson) in carrying out your views, further explained them as follows : — • ^ ' ** We have long thought it a reproach, and doing more injury by disturbing the harmony of the two connexions than could be counterbalanced by any local good, that the same city, or town, should see two congregations, and two societies, and two preachers, professing the same form of Christianity, and yet proclaiming themselves rivals to each other, and, in some in- stances, invading each other's societies and chapels, and thus producing party feelings. " * * We have recognized the principle, [1841. >ine parts of rcuits of the ct opposition ! days before n Preachers, tportunity of ople in all the to continue.** ely fraternal ■rnal affection is, Presbyte- one with the le Methodists knowledged, in sense, and ir agents from I have agents found in your planted Me- independent elves are but ,nd dangerous every place, same towns lide into each whom was your views, more injury lan could be ity, or town, es, and two lity, and yet in some in- ■Is, and thus the principle, 1841.] MINUTES. 1283 that the Methodist body is one throughout the world ; and that therefore its members are bound to cordial affection and brotherly love." - This great principle of Wesleyan unity, and your own recog- nition and elucidation of it, and the practical influence it pro- duced upon your conduct in 1820, forms the very ground of our present position of defence and resistance against the aggres- sions of your agents in Upper Canada. We need not say how needful to preserve your own consistency and dignity it will be, that your conduct in 1841 do not oppose your conduct in 1820. At the present time, however, this sacred principle of Christian and Wesleyan unity, so clearly stated and enforced, both by Mr. Wesley and your Conference, is most glaringly violated by your agents in Upper Canada. . ,. Thus have we felt it our duty to reply to that part of your Address which states it your bounden duty to occupy posts because of alleged labour and expense bestowed upon them. If our remonstrance be strong, you will not, you cannot, believe it stronger than the painful and singular position in which we are placed, warrairis and requires. And the very strong expres- sions adopted in your own Address and in the resolutions of your committees, afford us examples of even stronger language than we have ventured to employ. t Though your agents have molested us in our work, and divided our societies in various places, we have refrained from retaliating or imitating their example, by going to your societies and into your fields of labour in Lower Canada, although we have not been without strong inducements to do so. Our oppo- sition to the divisive proceedings of your agents has been defen- sive, not aggressive. We have not invaded their spiritual habitations and vineyards ; but they have invaded ours, and that in your name. For the angry discussions to which these inva- sions have given rise, the invaders are properly responsible. And whilst we disclaim and repudiate any expressions of re- proach or bitterness against you or your agents, which their conduct may have provoked, in any of the public journals, we cannot but complain of the attacks and vituperation against our character as a body, and individual members of this Conference, which have, at various times, appeared in the official organ of 11 1.1 ' *. 284 MINUTES. [1841. your agents in Canada, ^" The Wesleyan," J as well as in several other provincial prints, from the pens of your agents and partizans. We implore you to desist from a course of proceed- ing so fruitful of " envying, and strife, and confusion, and every evil work. " Considering the great debt of your Missionary Society, and the increasing demands upon it, and that you require, according to the Report of 1840, " a regular and permanent addition" to its income "to the extent of at least ten or twelve thousand pounds per annum," we wonder at the unnecessary and perni- cious expenditure of your funds in Upper Canada. For a reply to the resolutions of your last Conference, print- ed in your Minutes, we refer you to the Resolutions (pages 249-260) which we adopted in October last, after a protracted and calm investigation of the whole subject, and which, after several months further consideration, we hai\e unanimout'ly re- affirmed. An answer to the Resolutions of your Special Com- mittee, adopted the 8th and 9th of last September, and printed by your Secretary in January, will be found in the annexed Resolutions of a Special Committee of this Conference, adopted on the 10th and 11th of May, and which we have also unani- mously adopted. In the documents referred to, will be found a brief and ex- plicit statement and exposition of our unanimous sentiments and feelings in regard to your proceedings on the subject of the Union — your establishment of separate congregations and soci- eties within the boundaries of our church in Upper Canada — the statements which your special committee have promulgated in England to our prejudice and injury — and our present posi- tion and duty as a Body of Ministers and as a Church. You will perceive that, whilst we have maintained what we conscientiously believe were secured to us by the Articles of Union, and what is due to our character as a Body of Ministers, and a regular branch of the great Wesleyan family, we con- tinue to cherish towards you those sentiments of esteem and affection which are due to the elder and more extended branch of our common Methodism. V/e rejoice in your prosperity in the Home-work, and in the siccess of the labours of your [1841. veil as in igents and r proceed- and every ciety, and according Idition" to thousand ind perni- ice, print- ins (pages protracted hich, after nioiiHy re- cial Com- nd printed e annexed le, adopted Iso unani' and ex- ments and ect of the and soci- Canada — tmulgated sent posi- what we rticles of linisters, we con- teem and branch iperity in of your 1841.] MINUTES. 285 Agents and Missionaries in every part of the world, except in those of schism and division on our own tields of labour in this Ppivince. A large majority of the members of this Conference, as well as of our societies, are natives of Great Britain and Ireland ; and we once more submit to you, how unnatural, as well as unseemly and unchristian it is, for brethren in blood, as well as in faith, and discipline, and name, to occupy a position of open and avowed hostility to each other—for you to employ your strength and resources to agitate and divide our otherwise peaceful and prosperous Societies, and that without sending a single additional labourer into the destitute parts of this coun- try. We submit to your serious consideration, whether you will employ Missionary men and Missionary money to divide regular Methodist Societies and newly converted Indian tribes, instead of supplying Gospel ministrations to destitute neigh- bourhoods — whether you will afford peace or continue war amongst a christian people forming a large part of the popula- tion of Upper Canada. With a view of terminating a state of things in Upper Canada, so unnatural, so unchristian, so disgraceful, we are ready, and we propose, to submit the matters at issue between you and ourselves to the decision of any tribunal which may be equally selected by committees of the English and Canada conferences. We have appointed a Special Committee which is authorised to act on pur behalf throughout the present con- ference year. ....... Praying that you may be prospered in your general labours, and that you may be guided to such conclusions on Canadian affairs as may be for the honour of Methodism, the unity of the church, and the glory of God in Upper Canada, we subscribe ourselves. Yours, very truly and affectionately, in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Signed by order and in behalf of the Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada, ,rl/; City of Toronto, Canada, June 18, 1841. William Ryerson, President. Anson Grken, Secretary, \ ■;,/'; fill >;'-'(■»(• / •: ;H J t -r-^ \¥\ ;- I: If fe r .^ 280 MiNUTEe. [1641. V RESOLUTIONS OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE, ^Appointed by the Cotiference to protect the rights and promote the interests of the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion in Canada, adopted at a meeting held in the City qf Toronto, Canada, the 10th and 11th qf May, and q/terwards vnanimoublt qffirmedby the Conference, June, 1841, in rrferencetn certain Resolutions which had been adopted and published by a Special Commitl.ee qf the Wesleyan Conftrenct, held in London, the mh and 9th qf S^tember, 1Q40. ' The Resolutions of the Special Committee of the English Conference, adopted at its meetings held the 3rd, 8th, and 9th of September, 1840, were read, and the subjects of them, together with the documents to which they refer, were attentively considered. After anxious and mature deliberation, the following Resolutions were adopted ; — I. That this Committee regrets to observe that so large a portion of the fourteen lengthened Resolu- tions of the Special Committee of the English Con- ference on Canadian affairs, are occupied with personal references to the late Representatives of the Canada Conference. This committee especially re- grets to witness, in the Resolutions of the London Committee, the repeated and successive application of criminating epithets against the Rev. Egerton Ryerson ; when the primary original charge of the London Committee against him was, not any moral crime or private delinquency, but an alleged official irregularity in his communication with the Govern- ment in behalf of the Canada Connexion. Yet the London Committee employ epithets against Mr. E. Ryerson which are only applied to characters of the deepest moral turpitude. Such an obvious dispropor- tion between the original allegations of the London Committee and the vituperative epithets which they [1841. PTEE, id promote in Canada i », Canada^ rANlMOUBLT :e to certain y a Special London, the Be of the ;s held the 3re read, locuments Dnsidered. following 've that so d Resolu- ;lish Con- lied with ves of the cially re- London plication Egerton ge of the .ny moral id official Govern- Yet the St Mr. E. [ers of the lispropor- London lich they 1841.] MINUTES. 287 employ against the individual, appears to this com- mittee inconsistent with the calmness, dignity, and propriety which ought to characterize the proceed- ings of ecclesiastical Bodies, and to have little affin- ity with that charity which is recommended and portrayed by St. Paul in the tliirteenth chapter of the first £pistle to the Corinthians. II. That whilst in their second Resolution the London Wesleyan Committee deprecate the publica- tion of the pamphlet by the late Representatives of the Canada Conference, and express their regret that ** the Messrs. Ryerson should have appealed to the public at all in the present stage of the business ;" it is clear, that the proceedings of the English Confer- ence against the Canada Conference and its Repre- sentatives had been previously sent to the press ; the information of which fact induced the publication of Messrs. Ryersons' pamphlet. Hence ** appealing to the public at all in that stage of the business," was commenced on the part of the English Conference. III. That this Committee would consider it irre- levant and inexpedient, in the discharge of its duties, to enter into the discussion of the several circumstan- tial matters which have grown up between the Lon- don Wesleyan Committee and the late Representa- tives of the Canada Conference, from their respective publications ; yet we cannot pass over in silence the leading statements of the London Wesleyan Com- mittee, contained in their fourth, fifth, and sixth Resolutions. . ,. ». i • vi 1. In their fourth Resolution, they impugn the integrity of the statement made by the Messrs. Ryer- son respecting the discrepancies between the amount of expenditure in Canada, as stated in the Society's general and local Reports. They deny the Messrs. Ryerson any ♦* excuse on the plqs^ of ignorance." ti 1^1 h % • :!:■: r "■ 288 MINUTES. [1841. The London Committee admit the correctness of Messrs. Ryersons' statement as to the amount of ex- penditure an<) the amount of discrepancy between the two Reports ; and then enumerate certain items to which they say this amount of discrepancy has been applied. But, unfortunately, the principal items of expenditure enumerated by the committee, though they may be found in the private ledger of the committee, are not contained in the printed General Report. For example, the following item strted by the committee, viz : ** Expenpes of Mr. Egerton Ryerson, during his stay in England, in lrJ37," is not contained in the Society^s General iReport, any more than several other items mentioned by the committee.. So that the statement of Messrs. Ryerson, that *' the manner in which this sum of j&4,331 175. 7d. stg. had been expended, has not been staled in the Society's Reports, either in London or in Canada" —is strictly correct, and the allegations of the London Wesleyan committee to the contrary are unfounded, as every man in England or in Canada may satisfy himself who chooses to examine the So- ciety's General Reports of Expenditure, under the head of Upper Canada, in connexion with the Qom- mittee's present statement. ,~ ■ j. ' 2. It is surprising to hear the London Wesleyan Committee assert, in their fifth Resolution, that the Messrs. Ryerson were received with the ** respectful and friendly courtesy" due to the official Represen- tatives of another body ; while, at the same time, the English Conference, in its Address to the Canada Conference (p. 275) vindicates its not having received one of the Canadian Representatives in that manner, and adds respecting the other — " We are sorry that the first visit of the Rev. William Ryerson to our Confereuce should have been made under circum- stances which precluded the possibility of giving him [1841. itness of nt of ex- bet ween ain items ancy has principal 3mmittee, ledger of e printed ving item es of Mr. I gland, in s General mentioned of Messrs. his sum of as not been ondon or in Bgations of ntrary are in Canada ,ne the So- under the li the com- Wesley an |n, that the ' respectful Represen- |e time, the le Canada ig received |at manner, sorry that 3on to our jr circum- jiving him 1841.] MINUTES. 289 that very cordial reception which he would other- wise have received, and to which his character and talents so well entitled him.^' Now if the statement of the committee be correct, this explanation an d apology on the part of the Conference must be super- fluous and absurd. 3. In the sixth resolution, the London Wesleyan committee deny any " wilful misarrangement or de- signedly partial summary of the contents of Docu- ments" in the Report of the Newcastle committeci and add, ** Nor is it true, as the Messrs. Ryerson insinuate, that certain documents are omitted. They are comprised in number 20 of the list of documents, under the general but sufficiently explicit title of * Correspondence of the Rev. Egerton Ryerson with the Governor General of British North America.' " On referring to the list of documents alluded to (pp. 10. 11) it appears that the contents of the documents against the Canada Conference are given ; but not the contents of documents in favour of the Can- ada Conference. If the ** general title " given to the documents in behalf of the Canada Conference was ** sufficiently explicit," then an impartial enu- meration of the documents of the London Committee would have placed them under the general but equal- ly explicit title of " Correspondence of the Rev. Joseph Stinson with the Wesleyan Missionary Com- mittee." But instead of this general title, the New- castle committee enumerated the documents on their own side, with a summary of their contents ; but omitted both on the side of the Canada Conference. Then an Address of the Canada Conference to the Governor General, together with the vice-regal Re- ply to it, in which the ** Governor General of British North America," June, 1840, bore the strongest testimony to the loyalty, devotion, aud usefulness of the Methodist Conference and Church in Canada, in I ;1 If 1 1 1 'pM Vf ii^ li- nj ' i .' ' #■ j '' l^:i ' , 1 m ,|:R R' \i- 11''' ^1- 290 MINUTE8. [1841. contradistinction to one of the charges of the London committee, and the insinuations contained in Dr. Alder's first letter to Lord John Russell, could not surely, with any propriety or correctness, be said to be included under the title of" Correspondence of the Rev. Eg'n Ryerson with the Gov. General of British North America." IV. That this committee would be sorry to impugn the integrity of the London Wesley an committee ; but the confident and " unanimous" utterance and promulgation of such obvious errors and mis-state- ments as have been above pointed out, indicate a culpable want of attention to facts, and, apparently, an improper confidence in the partial representations of interested individuals. V. That it is also matter of s'lrprise and regret to witness the London Wesleyan committee, in their 9th Resolution, using language which conveys the impression that Mr. Egerton Ryerson has been Edi- tor of the Guardian during the whole period o£ seven years ; whereas he has been Editor little more than half that period. It is likewise surprising to hear the. London Commjttee saying that they had invari- ably objected to political discussions in the ** Chris- tian Guardian," when the Rev. E. Evans, during his editorship of the Guardian from June, 1835, to June, 1838, entered decidedly into the discussion of secular party politics in Canada ; and Dr. Alder, as Representative of the Wesleyan Missionary commit- tee to Canada in 1839, expressed himself highly pleased with Mr. Evans's editorial career. It is further matter of equal surprise to see the London Committee refer to ** the letter of the Missionary Secretaries to Sir George Arthur, (dated February 8, 1839,) and that addressed by Dr. Alder to Mr. Stinson, under date January 14, 1839," to prove ?ii [1841. s London id in Dr. could not be said to nee of the of British to impugn )mmittee ; ranee and mis-state- indieate a pparently, isentations id regret to le, in their sonveys the 1 been Edi- lod of seven more than ng to hear had invari- ,e "Chris- ns, during , 1835, to iscussion of .'. Alder, as try eommit- iself highly Ireer. It is the London ' Missionary d February 'ider to Mr. " to prove 1841.] »^mt7i^is. 291 that remonstrances had been sent to Canada ** against the haibitual intermeddling of Mr. Egerton Ryerson and of the Christian Guardian in matters of party politics." It appears, on referring to these two let- ters, that there is not a word in either of them about "secular iparty politics ;^' but the former refers to ** certain ecclesiastical questions of great importance and difficulty,'' and the latter is wholly devoted to condemning the Gut-rdian for opposing a "National Church Establishment in Upper Canada." The evi- dence, therefore, adduced by the Committee wholly fails to establish the assertion they have made. In his letter to Lord John Russell, published in this pamphlet. Dr. Alder has endeavoured to show that, from the beginning, the Canada Conference and the Christian Guardian have not only disseussed ** ec- clesiastical questions," but have been opposed to a National Church Establishment in Upper Canada. From these facts one of two inferences is undeniable. Either the London Committee have from 1833 to 1839 compromised their own professed principles on the question of a Church Establishment ; or they began in 1839 to interfere with that question in Up- per Canada, respecting which, by mutual agreement and uniform practice, the Canada Conference had reserved and exercised its own discretionary right of discussion and action. This interference on tl]ie part of the Wesleyan Missionary Secretaries with the reserved and acknowledged rights of the Canada Conference on the question of a Church Establish- ment in Upper Canada, commenced the difficulties which have resulted in the present position of the two Bodies. Vi That we have reaid, with equal regret, the declarati6n that the Canada Conference " disregarded all courtesy and pr6](>riety" ill kppointii^ Mr. E. Ryerisoh as one of it^ Representatives to Englatid.. '■■\:l 1 ; Hi ^^ h* 292 MINUTES. [1841. The proceedings of the London Committee against him, April, 1B40, were either a decree of condem- nation and consequent disqualification, or a matter of complaint. If the former, then did the London Committee assume and exercise the power of arraign- ing and condemning a member of the Canada Confer- ence, both without a hearing and without regard to the judgment of his own Conference. Tf ihe latter, then it were unjust and unchristian to proscribe him before he had been condemned by his Conference, and espe- cially after he had been acquitted by it When the Canada Conference had found, after the fullest inves- tigation, that the complaints of the London Committee had been founded in misapprehension and error, who more suitable than the one thus concerned to explain the whole matter to the Committee and Con- ference in England 1 It is perfectly obvious that this was the christian and ingenuous spirit and inten- tion of the Canada Conference in appointing the delegation, as is evident from the following resolu- tion, adopted at Belleville, June, 1840 : — " That firmly believing, as we do, that the resolutions of the Committee in London have been adopted upon erroneous im- Sressions ; and being satisfied that our fathers and brethren in England have not intended^ nor could intend, anything unkind towards the members of this Connexion, o)r unjust to its inter- ests ; and deeply anxious as we are to maintain inviolate and unimpaired the principles and Articles of Union between the English and Canadian Conferences ; and being determined to do all in our power to prevent the dissolution of the Union, , therefore resolved. That a Delegation be sent to the Wesleyan Conference in England, to lay all the matters referred to in these ' resolutions before that venetable body, and to use all proper means to prevent collision between the two Connexions.** VII. That the assertion of the London Wesleyan committee, that the resolutions of the Canada Con- ference, adopted at Belleville, June, 1840, were a virtual dissolution of the Union, is a most unjust mis- representation of the motives and feelings of that bcK)y. For, 1. In each of those resolutions the Co^ [1841. i against condem- a matter London ' arraign- a Confer- ard to the er, then it im before and espe- When the lest inves- Uommiltee ind error, icerned to i and Con- vious that and inten- inting the jng resolu- ations of the Toneous im- i brethren in hing unkind to Its inter- nviolate and jetween the (termined to the Union, le Wesleyan >d to in these le all proper kions." |Wesleyan lada Con- |0, were a mjust mis- of that is the Ctt- 1841.] MINUTES. 2dd nada Conference expressed its determitlied adherence to the articles of the Union. 2. That ^,he English Conference and its Riepreseritatives should possess and exercise all the powers for which thJB articles 6( Union provided. 3. That the Canada Conference claimed nothing more than was explicitly secured by the Articles of Union. The London Wiesleyati com- mitttee have specified no single article of the Union which has ever been violated or infringed by the Canada Conference, or any member of it. The alle- gation of the London committee is therefore as ground- less as it is hasty and uncharitable. VIII. That notwithstanding the London Wdsleyan committee propose, in their 10th and 11th resolutions, not to interfere with the Societies of the Canada Conference, but to extend their operations amongst the destitute settlers and heathen tribes, yet th^ ^ope- rations of their agents and missionaries in Upper Canada are, for the most part, of an opposite charac- ter ; as, out of from 15 to 20 missionaries here, only five of them are labouring in fields which are not occupied by the preachers of the Canada Conference; the other fifteen are labouring as missionaries tbithiii the bounds of our regular Circuits, dividing neigh- bourhoods, societies, and families, and producing all the other evils of schism, strife, and division. Aa examples of this Mn-missionary work, and the extent to which it is pursued, the following statistical factiS have been communicated by the Superintendents of the several Circuits named : — City of Toronto circuit — 267 members of the Canadian Wes- leyan Church. Nearly one-half have been induced to secede by the agents of the London Wesleyan Committee. Yonge Street circuit, (near the City of Toronto)— 602 mem-t bers. Agents of the London Committee have drawn away 26» and have one appointment on the Circuit. Newmarket circuit— 300 members. The London Wesleyan z2 '^4 ' 1"> p 8P- I ■* 5 5&94 MINVTE8. [1841. Jtf issionarif 8 have drawn away 45, and have two appointments on this Circuit. . , .^ ^ .,, , Toronto eireuit (near the City of Toronto)— 470 members. The London Wesleyan Missionaries have three appointments on this Circuit, and have induced 54 members to secede from the Canada Connexion. WhUby ctrcutf — 387 members ; 14 have withdrawn and joined the London Wesleyan Missionaries, who have some three or four occasional appointments on the Circuit. Barrie Mission — The Canada Conference has two Missiona- ries on this Mission, and 137 members. There is one London Wesleyan Missionary, who has drawn away 8 from the Canada Connexion, and has four or five appointments. Warwick and Adelaide Mission — Between 80 and 90 have joined the London Wesleyan Missionaries; 51 belong to the Canada Connexion. Guelph Mission — 59 remain with the Canada Connexion ; about 70 or 80 have withdrawn under the labours of the London Wesleyan Missionaries. Cktford circuit — 21 4 members. The London Wesleyan Mis- sionaries have four appointments on this Circuit, and have taken 28 members from the Canada Connexion. Hamilton circuit — 550 members. There are two London Wesleyan Missionaries on this Circuit, who have two appoint- ments on it, and have taken off 80 members fi:om the Canada Connexion. From several other Circuits, which have been invaded in like •manner by the London Wesleyan Missionaries, no returns have been received. . ' . ' .. I X. That it is much to be lamented, that whilst the London Wesleyan committee have pressed into their service almost every circumstance which was calculated to excite recrimination and hostilities, and justify the aggressions of their Missionaries upon our societies in Upper Canada, they seem to have passed over with little or no notice those considera- tions which might tend to promote the unity of Methodisrp in Canada. They do not deny that the [1841. pointmentB I members, ipointmenta secede from a and joined me three or Missiona- one London 1 the Canada and 90 have elong to the Connexion ; if the London esleyan Mis- id have taken two London two appoint- the Canada ivaded in like returns have Ihat whilst Iressed into ^hich was lilities, and iries upon to have I considera- unity of ly that the 1841.] MINUTES. 295 Representatives of the Canada Conference had ex- pressed a readiness to agree to every demand on the score of non-interference in politics— to drop the Church Establishment question in silence — to dis- claim to the Secretary of State having made any application for the disputed grant — to allow the English Conference all the power over the Canada Connexion provided for by the articles of union — to grant them all the control in U. Canada they possess in other British Provinces, provided they would assume the, same responsibility in supporting the Preachers in Upper Canada they do in other British Provinces. The only two practical points on which the Representatives of the Canada Conference seem to have opposed the demands made upon them were, their refusal to make the Guardian the advocate of the principle of the church and state union, and the refusal of one of them to turn advocate in behalf of the committee to a government grant, even in case of its transfer to the clergy reserve fund. X. That, on review of the whole matter, this committee is of opinion, that there is no sufficient or justifiable ground of hostility, division, or disunion between the English and Canada conferences : that, for the honour of Christianity and the character of Methodism, a speedy end should be put to these un- natural scenes of schism and contention ; and that feasible means should be employed to restore to Methodism that unity which, for a hundred years, has been its boast and its glory. May He who has all things at his control open some way by which so great a reproach may be removed — and unity, peace, and concord be established among us for all gener- ations ! !(: .W' 296 MINUTES. I ,' [1841. -/ ADDRESS OF THE BISHOPS OF THE METHODIST -„« - EPISCOPAL CHURCH. . ■ To the Reeerenrl tfie President and Members of the Wesleyan* Methodist Church in Canada. Dear Brethren : It affords us greai pleasure to acknowledge in this way the high obligations you have conferred upon us, by the deeply interesting communications made to this Body, through your very excellent representative, the Rev. J. Stinson, President of your Conference ; and his associates, the Rev. Messrs. Ryerson. Your selection of these distinguished brethren, to conduct the friendly intercourse which their visit here was kindly intended to perpetuate between the two Connexions, was alike creditable to yourselves and agreeable to us. For, besides the deep inte- rest we have felt in their society, arising from their personal accomplishments and friendship, we have been abundantly edified by the statistical intelligence which their connexion with our common Methodism, in its various operations and depart- ments, has enabled them to give us. We have heard through them, with peculiar satisfaction, of your continued prosperity in Canada : that you have peace in all your borders : and that you are spreading yourselves over the entire country, carrying into effect, practically, the truly Wes- leyan maxim — that the Methodist Preacher's parish is nothing else than the world. They have told us of your truly philan- thropic efforts to evangelize the native Tribes which skirt your flourishing settlements : and that Providence has opened to you " a great and effectual door," into which you have entered with unexpected success ; extending your labours without let or hin- drance from Lake Superior to the Hudson's Bay. Also, of your unparalleled liberality in the noble contributions which you have made as a thank-offering to Almighty God on the Centennial jubilee of our beloved Methodism. In all this we greatly rejoice, giving glory to God our Saviour on your behalf. And especially do we rejoice with exceeding great joy, when we consider the ground and reason of your prosn«"ritv, viz., that you have been mm [1841. HODIST Wesleyan- is way the the deeply •ough your •resident of i. Ryerson. londuct the ly intended B creditable deep inte- ;ir personal abundantly pexion with and depart- action, of re peace in res over the truly Wes- is nothing ily philan- ekirt your ned to you itered with let or hin- so, of your h you have lentennial tly rejoice, especially •nsider the Ihave been 1841.J MINUTES. 297 enabled, by the blessing of God, to preserve, in their original purity, the Doctrines and General Rules of the United Societies, established by our immortal Founder. It is true, we deeply regret the occasion there was for a separation between us ; and particularly at the present moment, when the presence of our much-esteemed Brothers Ryerson, who commenced their minis- terial career in connexion with us, calls up the liveliest associ- ations of christian frien48hip. But still, we have always sub- mitted to the separation, painful as it has been, as to the biddings of Providence ; and are now happy to learn that the object anti- cipated as the result of this measure, in regard to civil privileges, on your part has been realized. And we beg leave, most heartily, to reciprocate the assurance so kindly given through your excel- lent Representatives, that, notwithstanding we are called in the order of Divine Providence to occupy different fields of labour, and are in some sort disjoined by our ecclesiastical organizations, yet, nevertheless, we claim to be of the same christian family ; having "one Lord, one faith, one baptism. *' Nay, that our Methodism is one; that we have one object, one interest, and one spirit. And we also beg leave to assure you of our great desire to keep up and perpetuate that interchange of christian courtesy and affection, which has hitherto existed between us. And that for this purpose we shall do ourselves the honour to advise you, from time to time, through the medium of our per- sonal Representatives at your Conference, or otherwise, of our state and prosperity ; hoping that you in return will afford us the very great pleasure, as on this occasion, of communing with you, in your Representatives, at every successive session of our General Conference. , , , As it respects the work of God among ourselves, we have great cause of thankfulness ; for while we have become a most numerous people, there has been no falling away, as we humbly trust, in regard to experi;iiental godliness among us. Our fel- lowship is still " with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." And truly our fellowship is with one another. That there has been some agitation among us, of late, in regard to certain usages, of a sectional character, is doubtless known to you ; but it is confidently hoped that this very circumstance, though peculiarly painful in its nature, instead of producing a pchism in the body, will ultimately tend, by the blessing of Godi ( » mm iialJM U 1 : •a. J >■ 208 MINUTES. [1841. to establish us more firmly ia the great principles of the Wes- leyan revival, — and turn out to our furtherance in the way to Heaven. We know who it is that can rebuke the wind and the sea ; and to Him we are looking in humble reliance, that he will shortly vouchsafe to us the blessings of a " great calm." We take great pleasure in announcing to you, as you doubtless will in being told, that while we are experiencing great prospe- rity at home, adhering, as wc do, to the wise and salutary standards of primitive Methodism, we are lifting up our eyes to behold the wide-spread Missionary field, — which, stretching itself abroad on either hand, is all white for the harvest ; and we are improving the openings of Providence, as we are able, to plant the ever-blessed Gospel among the heathen. > Our occupancy of a Missionary station in Liberia, of two or three in South America, and another in Oregon, with many more less distant from us, and the success which has attended our efforts in these interesting fields of labour, afford the most cheer- ing evidence of our hearty co-operation with you, dear brethren, and other branches of the great christian family, in the vast enterprise of evangelizing the world by means of Missionary operations. . ... . . ■ ■■ ■, ,■ ..,. -,-■' ,- The cause of Education, over which, as a church, we had too long slumbered, has more recently engaged our particular atten- tion. Convinced, as we are, that sanctified learning is the handmaid of religion, and that it is deservedly ranked among the most efiUcient instrumentalities of moral and religious im- provement, we have taken it under our ofificial supervision in no less than twelve Collegiate and about thirty Academic Insti- tutions, the management of which has become so interwoven with the great plan of our Itinerancy, as to form a prominent feature of its very organization. v> >.; » • ' ;" • ' ' v Our Centennial celebrations, though less distinguished in the way of pecuniary contribution than yours, (taking into the account our comparative strength) have, nevertheless, brought a considerable amount of funds into the treasury of the Lord ; the proceeds of which, in general, are to be divided by the several Annual Conferences, in difllerent proportions, between Educatidn, Missionary operations, and the Superannuated Preachers, with the widows and orphans of those who have [1841. of the Wm- i the way to wind and the ince, that he great calm." ^ou doubtless great prospe- and salutary ip our eyes to 1, stretching vest ; and we ; are able, to fria, of two or th many more attended our le most cheer- dear brethren, jr, in the vast of Missionary ch, we had too rticular atten- arning is the ranked among religious im- supervision in ademic Insti- so interwoven a prominent guished in the ling into the eless, brought of the Lord ; ivided by the ions, between uperannuated 086 who have 1841.] MINUTES. 299 died in the work. These funds, at a time when the multiplica- tion of our Seminaries and Missionary establishments are making so large a draft upon our liberality, come in as a most providen- tial and seasonable aid. ; r But the moral effect of our Centenary movements, after all, is to be regarded as their chief benefit. The Lord has had respect to our offering, humble as it was, and a revival of his work has been experienced throughout our length and breadth so purely Wesleyan in its character as to be clearly identified with the great revival which our celebrations were intended to commemorate — the revival in which Mr. Wesley himself was engaged as the first and chief instrument. Truly the Lord has visited his people on this great occasion, and has made it a jubilee to thousands, from whose grateful recollections it will never be erased " while immortality endures." ...■■,■', .J I And now, dear Brethren, with these assurances of our frater- nal regard and affection, which we shall ever cherish towards you as a branch of the same great Methodist Family to which we belong, we commend you to God and the word of his grace, " which is able to build you up, and to make you partakers of the inheritance with the saints in light." •k't-. ..a. a ^-s^^ Signed, in behalf of the General Conference of the Metho dist Episcopal Church, 25th May, 1840. R. R. Roberts, '-:' I' '''"' Joshua Souls, , ,'; „: Elijah HjBDDiNO, 1 „ ;•;?; Jambs O. Andrew, ; i' ■:-'•■- r ■,•-, .,;!•:,;' J. Wauoh, Thomas A. MoRRiSi r \i'f »f.; C^' JoHx A. Collins, Secretary^ •i-': ^ ■•'I.; ■ !■; :■,■/ ,' ... ^ •■;;. :# ill. ,■>(•>'' •■' I'r. it ..-:t! ^•7 .J.ir. S'^j^^V^t: 300 t ■ 11. I' 1 1 p If" If I MINUTES. ADDRESS. [1841. To Hig Excellency the Right Honourable Lord Sydenham, one qfHer Majesty* 8 Moat Honourable Privy Council' lors, Governor •General of British North Americat 4"^. ^c. 4*. Mat it Please Your EtcELLEircT : We, Her Majesty's faithful and loyal subjects, the Ministers of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church in Canada, in Conference assembled, having, at our first Annual Meeting after your arrival in Canada, approached Your Excellency with the expression of our dutiful regards, feel it our duty, on the completion of the Union of the Canadian Provinces^ and your assumption of the Government of United Canada, to renew the expression of our unabated confidence in the justice, impartiality, and wisdom of Your Excellency's administration of the Government. Whilst we have not been indifferent either to the objects or success of Your Excellency's important nnd arduous mission, we have deemed it most accordant with our vocation and duty to abstain from any interference with the secular politics of the dtiy—devoting ourselves wholly to the less imposing but equally important work of teaching men to *' fear God and honour the Queen" — of imparting the instructions and consolations of our holy religion to the destitute settlers and aboriginal Indian Tribes of this country. In the unwearied prosecution of these labours, amidst many privations and difficulties, — ministering to about eight hundred and fifty congregations, — we trust we continue to merit the favourable opinion which Your Excellency was graciously pleased to express, on a former occasion, as the result of your inquiries in Upper Canada. During the past year, the Wesleyan Conference in England has thought proper to abandon those Articles of Union which existed between the Wesleyan Conferences in England and Canada, at the time of Your Excellency's arrival in this Pro- vince, and which had existed during seven years. In conse* quence of this proceeding on the part of the Wesleyan Con- ference in England, the Wesleyan-Methodist Church in Canada occupies the position of an independent Body, as it existed [1841. 1841.] MINUTES. aai Sydenham, jy Council- \ America^ le Ministers Conference your arrival xpression of etion of the iption of the ssion of our i wisdom of ent. ' le objects or Dus mission, on and duty )Utic8 of the but equally honour the tions of our ;inal Indian ion of these ministering . Richard Jones, Chairman, VI.-AUGUSTA DISTRICT. 51. Augusta — Ezra Healy ; Charles Wood, super'd. 62. Prescott — John Carroll. 53. Brockville — William Coleman. 54. Matilda — Daniel Berney, Ozias Barber. 55. Cornwall — Benjamin Nankev ill. 56. Kemptville — Simon Huntington. 57. Rideau — Thomas Demorest, one to be sent ; William Brown, superannuated. 58. Perth — George B. Butcher. ........ ^ 59. Crosby-^Jamea Hughes. 60. Elizabethtown — Alvah Adams, William Wil- loughby $ Wyat Chamberlain, superannuated. 61. Dalhousie — One to be sent. John Carroll, Chairman, ): ' ,. Vn. ^YTOWN DISTRICT. ^^ 62. Bytown — Thomas Bevitt. 83. Osgoode — Ephraim B. Harper. • h 64. Richmond — Henry Shaler, James Elliott. 65. St. Andrews — John Armstrong, one to be sent. 66. UOrignal — George Beynon, Franklin Metcalf, •i' superannuated. " •' u I i' '- ■ mi 808 MiNtrrEft. [1842. ■^ K- :.i 1 ' -, ■ ' ' :' ;/ ! >;.^ 1' , ' i' ■ ! ; i' ■ 1 • '■■ I i. !■■;' '■< 1 j 67 Plantagenet — Joseph Reynolds. 68. flii/Z—William H. Williams. 69. Mississippi — George Goodson, John Gemley. 70. Clarendon — William Dignam. 71. PemJroitc— John Tuke. r Thomas Bevitt, Chairman. Thomas Harmon, left without an appointment. ' Quest. 11. What is the number of members in our Societies, and what has been collected for the Super- annuated Preachers^ and for the Contingent Funds t As follows, viz. : — Cirenita. Hamilton Brantford Dumfries Oxford London , Thames.. Gosfield and Howard .... Malahide St. Thomas Simcoe , Muncytown Warwick and Adelaide . . Walpole Huron Grand River Guelph Toronto city Yonge Street Newmarket Albion , RcesorviUe Whitby Toronto Nelson ;.. Grimsby St. Catherines '. . . Stamford Brock Barrie Lake Simcoe Owen Sound Ko. of Members 578 411 5i23 341 389 290 372 199 204 434 6 82 102 30 99 316 706 422 451 232 506 507 465 358 340 425 169 190 18 5 Col. for Superan. Preachers, Sic £10 5 4 10 4 2 3 6 8 4 16 11 8 15 6 1 15 3 3i Nothing. Nothing. 8 1 Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. 8 12 6 7 12 15 2 9 10 1 15 3 5 5 4 1 3 3 18 4i Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. 1 7 6 9 3 5 4 Col. to make up Deficiencies. £13 1 9 4 111 10 5 17 7 2 1 10 3 5 2 2 14 4k 2 12 3 Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. 6 10 6 2 15 5 2 1 2| 4 15 6 7 3 8 8 11 13 6 Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. 1842.] MINUTES. 300 Circuit* Col. to nuike np Deficiencies. Credit ..i.... , St. Vincent and Big Bay . . . Kingston.... , Waterloo Napanee Hallowell , Belleville Sidney and Marmora Bath and Isle of Tanti .... Mnrray Colbome , Cobourg r. Fort Hope , Peterborough Schoogog Prescott , Brockville , Matilda Cornwall Augusta Kemptville Rideau.,.. , Perth Crosby , Elizabethtown Mississippi , Clarendon Pembroke Gananoque Bytown , Richmond , Osgoode St. Andrews L'Orignal Plantagenet Hull No. of Menbeife 37 46 164 480 569 683 168 370 253 558 200 207 188 553 63 84 91 -532 150 408 843 324 195 344 420 393 86 45 83 142 420 183 315 223 100 122 Total from Cireuits £, Annual Subscriptions of Preachers . Annual Subscrip'n of Lay Members Collection at Conference Received from the Book Room .... Total £ Col. for Superan. Pieacben, Ac £1 13 4 Nothing. 3 3 9 2 5 3 10 4 5 1 13 7i 1 1 10 3 2 1 1 11 6 4 1 8 8j| 3 12 Nothing. 2 5 18 9 5 9 2 2 14 7k 8 9 18 9 12 10 2 1 10 Nothing. 17 6 5 6 3 2 6 8 111 2 6 Nothing. Nothing. 6 3 9 136 2 3 107 15 7 3 3 2 64 15 4 318 15 9 Col to make np DaAcimcie*. £2 4 2 Nothing. 4 10 7 1 3 1 4 10 1 14 2 17 2 15 5 1 15 8 3 5 I* 6 6 4 4 16 6 Nothing. 3 8 3} 2 11 4 9 1 11 2 11 2 14 8 3 3} 1 2 3 2| 2 12 11 4 7 2 6 7 6 10 10 1 10 2 3 7i 4 3 64 2 19 10 2 10 1 18 6 1 15 10^ 7 6 2 18 3 11 10 50 MS' n i !^'^ 1 iffii ;^; 265 12 1 810 MINUTES. [1842. NuMBSft or Indians on thk Mission Stations. Lake Simcoe «.. 114 Snake Island 51 Credit 85 St. Vincent and Big Bay 30 Peterborough 14 Balsam Lake 50 Munceytown 235 Grand River 56 Saugeeng 137 Total 772 recapitulation. Members in the societies this year 19,478 *♦ •* " last year 17,017 Increase this year 2,461 LAY MEMBERS' ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION. Elixaiethtownt J. G. Booth, Esq £1 ** R. Coleman, Esq 1 Pre3coa, N.B.Mallory 1 D. See 1 Matilday Greorge Brouse, Esq 1 KemptvUle, Thomas Stewart 1 " F. Stewai: 1 0' 0. nu Quest 12. How has the amount collected for the Superannuated Preachers' and Contingent Funds been expended? 77 • i^>/^ «•; ' ' .... ... .,: ..;<,- Sm^ZRANNVATED FreACHERS' FuND. Franklin Metcalf £50 EzraHealy 50 James Wilson 50 Andrew Prindle 25 Thomas Whitehead 25 DavidYoumans 50 Widow of the late Rev. T. Madden 25 Widow of the late Rev. W. Slater 25 To the Book Room for Stationary, &c 10 3 6 Special appropriation for Mrs. Madden 7 10 Amount not accounted for 1 2 3 Total £310 15 9 ■•! ..4 j5i [1842. 8. I • • • • 7«<* 19,478 17,0ir 2,461 ION. .£1 . 1 . 1 . 1 .. 1 .. 1 1 id for the it Funds £50 50 50 25 25 50 25 25 10 3 6 7 10 12 3 '318 15 9 1842.] MINUTI8. CONTINOERT FvND. 811 To make up the deficiencies of — Richmond £10 L'Orignal 7 Cornwall 10 9 9 Waterloo 4 Belleville 10 Colbome 14 Cobourg 16 Fort Hope 12 5 Toronto Circuit.. £15 Stamford 10 Reesorville 11 10 London 12 10 Thames 14 St. Thomas 7 10 Gosfield& Howard 24 Malahide 19 £113 10 In cases of special affliction, &;c. : — William Young £15 Rowley Heyland 7 10 Conradf Vandusen 6 James Currie .... , 500 JohnLaw 3 10 Mrs. Slater 10 Egerton Ryerson, travelling and other expenses. 3 3 2 Cyras R. Allison do. do. 12 10 Richard Jones do. do. 6 ,^.i . *! •* "¥ 68 13 2 Total £265 17 11 Quest 13. What further directions are necessary jmrsuant to the Resolution of the Conference, that Chairmen of Districts shall he stationed on Circuits during the present year? . ... Direction 1. The Chairman of each District is directed to take the oversight of the whole work on his District according to the Discipline, as far as his duty to the Circuit on which he resides will permit, —to visit any Circuit or Station on his District when he may judge it expedient, — and to see that every part of the Discipline is duly enforced. The Chair- man is especially directed and requested to visit any Circuit or Station in his District, when requested by •ij , ,i •:'■ i m 1 '?!• : ■>i I ti ' I 312 MINUTES. [1842. the Superintendent of such Circuit, in case of any dispute or difficulty which the Superintendent may desire assistance to adjust ; also, in all cases of ap- peal, of which the Superintendent on the Circuit or Station concerned shall give him due notice. In all such cases the Circuit or Station visited shall pay ihe travelling expenses of the Chairman. The Chairman shall also have authority to call in any Preacher of his District to supply his place when absent in visiting any Circuit or Station. 2. The Superintendent of each Circuit or Station shall regularly transmit to his Chairman his Quar- terly Schedule, with such remarks as will furnish a full account of the state of the work under his charge. 3. On all the Circuits and Stations, during the pre- sent year, the regular Quarterly Meetings shall be held some time in the months of August, November, February, and May, N. B. — T-hese directions apply to the Missionaries and Missions in each District, as well as the Super- intendents and Circuits or Stations. RESOLUTIONS RESPECTING THE REGISTRY OF , CHURCH PROPERTY. 1. Resolved, That in order to prevent forgetful- ness and loss of Church property, an inventory of all our property, whether Lands, Churches, Parson- ages and Furniture, be kept from this time and forward. 2. Resolved, That the Book Steward for* the time being shall be the Registrar, and shall provide and keep a proper Book for the purpose, which Book shall be laid before the Conference for the inspection of Preachers. [1842. Lse of any dent may ises of ap- Circuit or :e. in all ill pay the Chairman f Preacher 1 absent in t or Station t his Quar- ill furnish a r his charge. •ingthepre- ngs shall be November, Missionaries the Super- GISTRY OF it forgetful- inventory of les, Parson- lis time and for the time Iprovide and Ih Book shall ispection of 1842.] MINUTES. 313 3. Resolved, That each Superintendent shall re- turn a list and description of Church properly within the circumference of each Circuit or Station, also the exact locality and other information needful ; and whether, and where. Deeds are registered. 4. Resolved, That, after next Conference, each Superintendent shall make a return of all new pro- perty which may come into the possession of the Conference, and of the Book Steward, to be printed in the Minutes. Quest. 14. What are the Standing Committees for the present year? 1. Contingent Fond Committee. The President of the Conference, Chairmen of Districts, Superintendents of Hamilton, Nelson, Stamford, Grimsby, St. Catherines, and Kingston, Toronto City, and Prescott, together with the fol- lowing lay Brethren : — Messrs. E. Jackson, Esq., George B. Spencer, Dr. John Beatty, James Lewis, A. Mcllroy, and J. Gage. Resolved, That the above Committee meet the second day of next Conference. 2. Missionary Committee. Rev. Egerton Ryerson, Rev. Jonathan Scott, Rev. John Ryerson, and Messrs. George H. White, George Walker, James Hodgson, Robert James, Theophilus Earl, Joseph H. Lawrence ; Dr. John Beatty, Recording Secretary ; Rev. Jonathan Scott, Corresponding Secretary ; J. R. Armstrong, Esq., Treasurer. Resolved, That the revision of the Constitution of the Missionary Society be referred to the Missionary Committee. 2b I ' !! • ft' s s I; ti- ll I JflJ^ilJ 'ff^ iiiffe lit ^:s?;i <.} 1 i 1 814 MINUTES. [1842. 3. The Book Committee. The Preachers residing in the City of Toronto, Superintendents of the i onge Street, Newmarket, Reesorville, Nelson, Whitby, and Toronto Circuits, Jind of the Credit Mission. Resolved, That the Superintendent of the City of Toronto have power to call a meeting of the Com- mittee at any time. 4. Conference Committee, To confer with the Government on all matters in which the interests of our Church are involved, — consisting of the following Preachers, viz. : the President of the Conference, the Principal of Vic- toria College, and the Rev. Henry Wilkinson. 5. Conference Special Committee. The President and Secretary of the Conference, the Chairmen of the Toronto, London, Kingston, Hamilton, and Cobourg Districts ; Principal of Vic- toria College ; Editor; Superintendents of the Yonge Street, Toronto, Newmarket, Reesorville, Whitby, Nelson, and Hamilton Circuits, and the Credit Mis- sion, and the Rev. P. Jones; five to be a quorum for the transaction of business. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS. 1. Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be given to the Rev. William Ryerson, late Presi- dent, for the manner in which he has discharged his duties during the past year ; and that we deeply sympathize with him in his afflictions. 2. Resolved, That the cordial and sincere thanks of this Conference be given to the Rev. John Ryer- son, Book Steward, for the able and efficient manner in which he has conducted the business of the Book Esta lishment. 1842.] MINUTES. 315 3. Resolved, That the following Brethren be a committee to ascertain the propriety and practica- bility of establishing a Manual Labour School among the Indians — and, if practicable, to carry it into effect, viz : the President of the Conference, Ex- President Rev. William Ryerson, Rev. Peter Jones, Rev. John Ryerson, Rev. A. MacNab, Rev. S. Rose, and Rev. D. Wright. 4. Resolved, That a Missionary Agent be em- ployed in travelling through the Province, and that the Ex-President, the Rev. William Ryerson, be that Agent. . , , . .;' 5. Resolved, That to promote uniformity in the Returns made by the Circuit Stewards to the District Meetings, the Editor of the Guardian and Book Steward be directed to print Schedules, to be filled up by the Circuit Stewards, showing the amount received for Quarterage, Family Allowance, House Rent, and Moving and Travelling Expenses. 6. Resolved, That the Resolution on the Journals of the Conference in relation to the time of taking up the subscriptions for the Superannuated Fund, be rescinded, and the following substituted, viz : That application be made to our members and friends in behalf of the Superannuated or worn-out Preachers' Fund some time between the months of November and February. 7. Resolved, That the time of taking up the second collection for the Contingent Fund be in March instead of February. 8. Resolved, That those lay members who have paid one pound to the Superannuated Fund onnu- ally, have their names printed in the Minutes of Conference, ! : 316 MINUTES. [1842. 9. Resolved, That it shall be the duty of each Chairman of a District to bring to the next Confer- ence the Centenary District Book ; and also, that each Superintendent shall bring or eend his Centen- ary Circuit Book to the next Conference. 10. Resolved, That it be published in the Minutes of Conference, that we will not receive deeds of chapels, unless made in accordance with the form contained in our Discipline. 11. Resolved, That the Chairmen of Districts be stationed on Circuits during the present year, and that the President of the Conference travel through the whole Connexion this year, and that provision be made for his support accordingly. 12. Resolved, That the Chairman of the Augus- ta District communicate to the parties concerned ihe decision of the Conference respecting the chapel on the Elizabelhtown circuit. 13. Resolved, That Mr. Barritt, of Port Hope, having offered to rent a House in that village at a low rate, for the contemplated Female Academy, which offer not being accepted. Resolved — That this Conferf" ice present to him their sincere thanks. ' 14. Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be given to the friends in Picton and its vicinity for kindly entertaining the Preachers belonging to this Conference, during its sittings, and that the Super- intendent be requested to present the same. Quest. 15. Where and when shall our next Con- ference be held? In Hamilton, Gore District, commencing on the second Wednesday in June, 1843, at ten o'clock, A.M. Anson Green, President, Thomas Bkvitt, Secretary. [1842, ^ of each xt Confer- alsOf that is Centen- le Minutes ve deeds of h the form )istricts be , year, and irel through t provision the Augus- ncerned ihe e chapel on Port Hope, dllage at a ! Academy, —That this hanks. ' Conference vicinity for jing to this the Super- |e. \r next Con- jing on the |en o'clock, mdenU lecretary. 1842.] MINUTES. 317 THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE. To the Members of the Weslei/an- Methodist Church in Canada. Vert Dear Brethren : la no former Annual Address to you have we been able to speak of success so extensive and encouraging as that with which the great Head of the Church has crowned our labours during the preFent year. The Lord has poured out his Spirit on various parts of our work, and two thousand four hundred and sixty-one souls have been added to our church. For the first time in the history of Methodism in Canada, our venerable Superannuated or worn-out Preachers, and the widows and orphans of those who have died in the itinerant work, have received the full support allowed them by our Discipline in their decrepitude and old age. This abounding of your care for the worn-out labourers in the Church is an offering truly acceptable to God, consoling indeed to the retired soldier of the Cross, and is as encouraging to your Ministers who are devoting themselves and their all to the service of the Church, as it is honourable to your own christian affection and generosity. The noble liberality with which you last year supported the Missions to the New Settlements and Aboriginal Indian Tribes of our country, has been exceeded by your generous contribu- tions of the present year. We have thus been enabled to cheer the hearth of many an emigrant and new settler, and to continue and increase the supply of spiritual bread to the injured and perishing Indian. As an earnest of your reward for this "work of faith and labour of love," the Lord Jehovah has blest you with general peace and unity — with the conversion of many of your children and friends, and an unprecedentedly abundant harvest of souls throughout the almost entire field of our regular and Missionary work. This great salvation has God wrought out for us, and the works of our hands does he thus continue to prosper, in the midst of trials, oppositions, and invasions. Toi His name be our thanksgivings and praises ! The sources of this prosperity will be readily found in the closet, in the Bible, in the class and prayer-meetings in tbo 2b 2 i i i' ■" i. 1'"' |;^ i 1c ' "i li 1 ; ri' via,' f 'I. 'I' I 318 MINUTES. [1842. ministrations of the word, in blamelessness of conversation and life. We beseech you, then, brethren, " Whereunto ye have already attained, walk by the same rule, and mind the same things." To this end, we would affectionately remind you of the im- portance of being established and settled in the doctrines and discipline of the Church. Our doctrines, we firmly believe, are built upon the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Chi;ist himself being the chief corner>stone. These doctrines are plainly and practically explained in the writings of the venerable Wesley, to whom, as a chosen instrument in the hand of God, we owe every thing as a people. His invaluable works ought to be in the hands of every Methodist family. An intimate acquaint- ance with them will be a security against being driven to and ffo by every wind of doctrine — will store the mind with clear and comprehensive views of Scripture truth— and will tend to inspire in the heart an enlightened and holy zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of mankind, — nor should we, as a people, be less familiarly acquainted with the Discipline, than with the Doctrines of our Church, — nor less conscientious in the maintenance and observance of its principles and regulations. Our general rules, like our doctrines, are derived from the word of God ; and to keep, rather than attempt to mend them, is no less our duty than our privilege. * You cannot, dear Brethren, be too deeply impressed with the necessity of a personal and abiding sense of your acceptance with God through faith in the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Je<;us Christ. It was the prominent exhibition of this precious doctrine that characterized the Ministry of the Wesleys, and that has distinguished the ministrations of their successors. It is the glory of our Church, and joy of our hearts. We believe, and therefore declare — " Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." This is the "joy of the Lord which is our strength. " No membership in the Church ; no attention to its institutions and interests ; no observance of its ordinances, or zeal for its extension, can supersede the obligation and necessity of our conscious reconciliation with God — this rest of the soul in the assurance of the Divine favour — ^this witness of the Spirit of God with our spirit that we are His children. This promise I 'I [1842. ersation and nto ye have fld the same u of the im- ioctrines and y believe, are Ihtjst himself ■e plainly and ible Wesley, Sod, wre o\ve )Ught to be in late acquaint- driven to and ,nd with clear id will tend to il for the glory ould we, as a Tisdpline, than >nscientious in md regulations. 1 from the word •ndthem, is no •essed with the lour acceptance •e of our Lord »f this precious Wesleys, and [successors. It We believe, iGod hath sent crying, Abba, our strength." its institutions or zeal for its ecessity of our Ithe soul in the ►f the Spirit of This promise 1842.] MINUTES. 319 being left us of entering into his rest, let no member of our Church come short of it. '* Blessed are the people that know this joyful sound : they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day ; and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength." And from this joyful knowledge of salvation by the forgive- ness of sins, let us press forward to the attainment of salvation from its poiotr and pollution — that our very bodies may become the temples of the Holy Ghost — that " being rooted and grounded in love, we may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, ^nd height ; and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, and be filled with all the fulness of God." This is "our high calling's glorious hope ;" this is the present fulness of the " exceeding great and precious promises given unto us. " Therefore *' giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue ; and to virtue knowledge ; and to knowledge temperance ; and to temperance patience ; and to patience godliness ; and to godliness brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." ^ Suffer us also to remind you, that this ** fulness of the stature of the measure of Christ" cannot be attained, nor even a sense of the favour of God retained, without diligent reading of the Holy Scriptures, faithful attendance upon the means of grace, family and closet devotion, a holy walk and godly conversation. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit ; and to the skilful and efficient wielding of that sword, frequent and laborious ex- ercise is indispensably necessary. In His word God speaks to us. Let us losC'UO opportunity in hearing Him speak. Let us meditate day and night on what He says. Let us treasure it up in " good and honest hearts," and it will be " a lamp to our feet and a light to all our paths." The days of the Church's prosperity, as well as of individual christians, are characterized by an humble, devout, and diligent reading of the Holy Scrip- tures. Nor less so, by a punctual and faithful attendance upon aU the means of grace. These are the divinely appointed me- dium of communicating spiritual knowledge, comfort, and prosperity. To neglect them is to forsake the fountain of living ai,: i ri g: 1! •i;!M /■I t4 ,1- i 320 MJNUTBB. [1842. vraters, and to famish and die Within reach of refreshing streams. Never neglect the preaching of the word, whoever may be the preacher. He is sent to you in the providence of God ; there- fore hear him as the messenger of the Lord, and hear him in humility, faith, and love, and thereby good shall come unto you. And never be voluntarily absent from your Class, or Prayr Meeting, whether it be held on the Sabbath or during the week. In Class Meeting we edify one another in speaking, and obtain counsel and encouragement ; in Prayer Meeting, we edify one another in prayer, and obtain the supply of our need ; in both, We have fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and with each other. This is pre-eminently the case, when we, in humble penitence, faith, and love, approach the Lord's table, and partake of the instituted memorials of our Redeemer's dying love. It is true that, by faith, we eat his flesh and drink his blood, and dwell in him, and he in us. No one can turn his back upon the Lord's table, and be guiltless. Our relish for these means of grace, and our punctuality in attending them, may be regarded as the pulse of our spiritual healthfulness or decline. But we should not only be diligent in attending every means of religious edification, we should attend exactly at the time. It is, in general, just as eae^y to be at the house of God at the time appointed, as to delay ten, fifteen, or twenty minutef> later. How many precious moments will be saved, and how many advantages gained, by observing that rule of our Discipline which says, *' Do every thing exactly at the time. " Whilst we therefore direct each preacher to begin every service precisely at the time appointed, we entreat equal punctu- ality on the part of our pe pie. And reason and the fitness of things suggest to us, that, whilst in the house of God, the pro- foundest reverence and strictest decorum should be observed. How irreverent, how unseemly, how indecent, to wear the hat, to use tobacco in any form, to talk or whisper, to allow children to run to and fro in the sanctuary of the Most High God ! How unbecoming and contrary to our rules for professing christians to refuse to kneel in prayer before the Divine Majesty, or the house of God to be too dirty to kneel in ! The state of God's house ia not unfrequently an index of the taste and religious feelings of those who occupy it. It is designed to be the temple of Him who abhors every unclean thing; and, in its cleanliness, it [1842. in g streams, may be the 3od ; there- liear him in le unto you. f, or Prayr ig the week. r, and obtain ive edify one ed ; in both, nd the Holy lly the case, ipproach the lorials of our 1, we eat his le in us. No )e guiltless. lunctuality in f our spiritual y be diligent n, we should eaf^y to be at y ten, fifteen, ments will be ving that rule exactly at the o begin every qual punctu- the fitness of God, the pro- be observed, wear the hat, How children God ! How r christians to , or the house God's house jious feelings ■mple of Him lleanlinesB, it 1842.] MINUTES. 321 should be ei 'blematical of the pure and holy Being for whose worship it has been erected. .^ We would likewise remind you of the duty of consdientious regularity and faithfulness in your closet and family devotions, and blamelessness in your conversation and deportment. Often, Brethren, pray to your Heavenly Father who seeth in secret ; every morning and evening at least assemble your family, and present the supplications of your houbehold to the God of the families of the earth ; at all times maintain uprightness of life and conversation, that he that is of a contrary opinion may be ashamed, having no fault to find ; maintain an unruffled, a meek, a quiet spirit ; labour to separate yourselves from the spirit of the world, and be contented with nothing less than a constant and intimate communion with God, whose language is — "Walk before me, and be thou perfect." Let the same mind which was in Christ Jesus, be also in you ; and, like Him, let us be instant in season and out of season, always abounding in the work of the Lord, not relaxing our labours as long as there are sinners to convert, nor grounding the weapons of our warfare until the last enemy is conquered. We ** exhort, there- fore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving d* thanks, be made for all men ; for kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour ; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." We commend again to your special and vigilant attention the religious instruction of the rising generation. We know the character which God has stamped upon him who neglects to provide for the temporal support of "his own, especially those of his own house ;*' but far deeper is the guilt involved in the neglect of supplying the spiritual wants of our households. The present youth of our country are its future Rulers, and Judges, and Pastors, and, to a very great extent, the arbiters of its ultimate destinies. Our duty to our country, therefore, as well as to our Maker and our progeny, requires us to train up the rising generation " in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The things which God has taught to Christian parents are to be diligently taught by them to their children. They are to be diligent teachers of their children, as well as industrious !->■■ . Si) Am 1151! 322 MINUTES. [1842. providers for them. In connexion with parental instruction, Sabbath Schools form a most potent auxiliary in bringing the rising race into the fold of Christ. The}' are the nurseries of the Church, and fertilizing streams to the moral soil of the country. They should therefore be everywhere established and efficiently supported. In the promotion of this great work the co-operation of parents is absolutely necessary. The resolutions which the Conference adopted, several years ago, on this sub- ject, and printed in the Minutes, we earnestly recommend to your serious attention. The reading of religious books, instead of books of fiction, should also be actively and warmly encouraged. Well-directed religious reading lays the founda- tion of deep Christian experience as well as of extensive useful- ness ; and without it experience will, in general, be superficial, and usefulness very limited. We cannot recommend too strongly to the youth of our societies and congregations, the standard works of our Church. They contain ample refutations of the writings of skeptics and infidels — clear elucidations of Scripture doctrines and duties, — lucid developments and exam- ples of Christian experience, — and various interesting Chris- tian biographies, adapted to all ages and circumstances. In order to be imbued with the spirit of departed saints, and ani- mated by their examples, we should study their history and make ourselves acquainted with their writings. As a most important auxiliary in the operations of our Church, as well as a precious boon to many youth of this Province, it affords us peculiar pleasure to refer to the successful operations and encouraging prospects of the Academical Institution which you have so nobly contributed to establish. By the christian liberality of the Government, and the enlightened patriotism of the Legislature, it has been assisted and incorporated under the name and style of "Victoria College," with the usual powers and privileges of a College ; thus providing for our youth, within their own native or adopted country, all the facilities o[ both a liberal and English education. Education is to the mind what strength is to the body. To furnish the means of intellectual and moral power, upon christian princi- ples, is our paramount duty. In this we imitate the example of jhe venerable Wesley, as well as that of the Prophets of the Bible and the Fathers of the Church. For the success of this [1842. instruction, bringing the ! nurseries of i\ soil of the itablished and reat work the he resolutions , on this sub- y recommend igious books, ,y and warmly ys the founda- tensive useful- be superficial, commend too jregations, the [»ple refutations elucidations of ents and exam- sresting Chns- umstances. In taints, andani- eir history and J of OUT Church, us Province, it Bsful operations witution which \y the christian led patriotism of Irated under the ./ith the usual Ividing for our lountry, all the Ion. Education ITo furnish the Ihristian princi- thc example of >rophets of the success of this 1842.] MINUTES. 823 new and important agency in our Church, we entreat your con- tinued prayers and co-operation. Your past zeal and liberality have shown that the cause of Missions to the New Settlements and Aboriginal Indian Tribes is as dear to your hearts as it is to the best interests of our country and the immortal welfare of thousands of our fellow- men. The amazing extension of our ministerial work by means so scanty, is among the most remarkable phenomena which the history of this country presents. Scarcely a township has been unvisited ; not a district unsupplied ; and many of the most degraded of even the heathen world have been made "new creatures, in Christ Jesus;" and incorporated into christian communities. Cheered no less by the success of the past than animated by the prospects of the future, and prompted alike by the commands, the example, and the constraining love of our Divine Redeemer, we beseech you to co-operate with us more and more in this work of faith and labour of love, until all the tribes of the wilderness and the scattered population of the new settlements shall have been taught the way of life. But whilst you contribute to send the Missionary to teach the heathen and the destitute, the needful and proper support of your Ministers at home ought not to be neglected. You will be pleased to learn that the deficiencies of the Preachers gene- rally are far less this year than they have been in former years. Several Circuits, which have been heretofore deficient, have paid the disciplinary allowances of their Preachers this year; but on some Circuits there is still a painful deficiency, and we fear a criminal neglect. " He that is unjust in that which is least, is unjust also in much." And how much better for several to share the burden,'than for one or two to bear the ichole of it. How much more just and reasonable for a number of individuals to pay something additional, than for one. or two individual Preachers to suffer the loss of a considerable portion of all of a limited living. We hope, brethren, this reproach will soon be wiped away from every Circuit. If you wunt your Ministers purely spiritual men, as they ought to be, and as we are, by God's grace, resolved to be, you ought to do what in you lieth to make them so ; that, the wants of their families being regularly and duly supplied, they may be able to " lay aside all worldly cares and studies, and give themselves av> i;-i 'i'i ' .- ■ I. !■ 1 iJ- ^1 |:^ m m ■ ' 324 MINUTES. [1842. wholly to the ministry of the work," for the edification of the Church of God and the salvation of mankind. The Centenary Subscriptions, when they shall have been generally paid up, will aid you materially in accomplishing this desirable object. Be mindful, Brethren, that the influence you possess is a talent intrusted to you, to be employed for Him who is to be our Judge. Let that influence be a savour of life unto life to all with whom you may have intercourse. Reprove vice aflection- ately but firmly wherever you meet it ; discountenance immo- rality of every kind ; be active in every eflfort to promote virtue and temperance. You are well aware of the irreparable injury which public morals and social happiness have sustained by the use of intoxicating liquors. The path of duty dictated by chris- tian principle and benevolence on this point cannot be mis- taken ; and we, as overseers in the Church of God which He hath purchased with his own blood, recommend again the con- scientious observance of our good old rule — " Drink no drams' ; " and exterminate by every lawful means this fruitful source of crime and misery. Pained at the attitude of hostility which the English Confer- ence has assumed against our Church in this Province — lament- ing the violation of the sacred principles of Methodistic unity which are thus sacrificed at the shrine of passion — and still entertaining that regard for the Wesleyan Connexion in Eng- land which is due to the elder branch of the Methodist Church —we have renewed the proposal which we made last year, to submit the alleged diff*erences to the Bishops or General Con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, or to any impartial tribunal which might be agreed upon by Committees of both Conferences appointed for that purpose. We have thus done all which justice and religion require to terminate this unnatural and unchristian state of things, and have washed our hands from all the responsibility of its continuance. Let us pray that these unhappy diflerences may be brought to such a termina- tion as to silence infidelity, put an end to the work of schism, and promote peace on earth and good-will amongst men. The present session of the Conference has been a season of delightful unanimity and afiection. The various important matters which have engaged our attention have been disposed of in the most harmonious manner. In the assembling, pro- Bl ' [1842. lation of the B Centenary lly paid up, ble object. possess 18 a vho is to be ito life to all ce affect ion- lance immo- omote virtue arable injury tained by the ited by chris- nnot be mis- od which He gain the con- It no drama;" tful source of glish Confer- nce— lament- lodistic unity on — and still sioD in Eng- lodist Church last year, to General Con- any impartial itteesof both ive thus done his unnatural ed our hands us pray that ch a termina- rk of schism, 9t men. a season of us important ►een disposed mbling, pro- 1842.] HiNUTBflk 325 gress, and now at the conelnsion of the Session of Conferenqv, we rejoice in the accumulating testimonials, that '* Grod is with us." Pray for us, beloved Brethren, that we may come to yon U the fulness of the blessings of the Gospel — that this year may be rendered as the last, and much more abundant. * * Finallfii brethren, whatsoever things are true ; whatsoever things are honest ; whatsoever things are just ;. whatsoever things are pure ,- whatsoever things are lovely ; whatsoever things are of good' report ; if thert be any virtue, :^ there be any praise, think on' these things. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and we pray God your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ ! Faithful is He that hath called you, who also will do it 1'* '' > ' Sigtldd, in behalf and by order of the Conference, («; .) tiOon, June 16, 1842. ■;ra^/.?4;'« ■:-»!•%'* V, 'ii.'.. Anson Green, PresidenU Thomas Bevitt, Secretaryjii\ ') :- .*•- •i-J,,, ^., y(iijr_%^Jl RESOLUTIONS OF THE ENGLISH CONFERENCE. tim -i-t •1 il-'.i*;:-.. .• ■ rn ti'l'^tS. The following Resolutions, which were passed by the English Conference, were transmitted by its Secre- tary to the President of the Canada Conference :— - Quest. 31. What are the final decisions qf the Coi\fertfnce •» the affairs of Upper Canada? ■ ^ ■ ^-^ 1. The Conference, havlngheard at length the Report of the Committee for Canadian affairs, (appointed last year with full powers) hereby declares its approbation of their proceedings ; its regret that a christian and amicable adjustment of the plans, rendered necessary by the dissolution of the Union between the British and Canada Conferences, was prevented by the precipi* :ir l» ! ■i: ; I- i m '1 11 S26 MINUTES. [1842. tate departure of the Messrs. Ryerson from England; and its entire sanction of the general principles subsequently adopted by our Canadian Committee at its meetings held in London on the 8th, 9tb, and 10th days of September, 1840, as the rule of our own future operations in Canada. 2. The Address of the Upper Canada Conference to this Con- ference, dated June 18th, 1841, and other documents transmit- ted from that body, having been rep.d, it is resolved, — That this Conference, without entering into a tedious and useless contro- versy on the multifarious details of the said Address and other documents, or by any means admitting their truth and fairness, is of opinion that they furnish abundant evidence confirmatory of the propriety and necessity of the Re'' ;'f^>-"!y: i ,. ■ ■ •■■'- " . ^ '.. . ■j- .jf !♦<*{•; '»■■■!■. 1 ■ : ■ * • ■ ■ . /. - .'- :■ •.;.'-•■ ' '*.'.• 1 : • i . •■''.h '.■■':Vi*s !• i ' ' -' ' .. -^ ■ "^ti; ■v V/ \" -■■ji !-;'..i '■. ;,) :■ ■:,.■*' ' " '- J '.•■ ■* * ', 1 ' -; •:' -, ■ •• ■ [1942. 1 ; and its adopted by don on the rule of our thiB Con- 9 transmit- — That this less contro- 1 and other ad fairnesB, onfirmatory of 1840, by t to dissolve effects once mation ; and I evince the ent in their ent Address tnot consist- i eoi{firm the Committee Ion, Wood- ions of our that while principles |o, however, lie strictly 1842.] M1NUTB8. R E P L Y» 82T '.Ml ~- The following Resolutions were passed by the Canadian Conference in answer to the foregoing, and transmitted by its Secretary to the President of the English Conference : — .. i Quest. 20. What is the judgment of Vie Coiyfertnce relative to certain Resolutions whicfi toere adopted by the last English Cofiference, and commnnicated by its Secretary to the President qf this CoTiferenee f 1. The Articles of Union being a solemn contract mutually binding upon both contracting parties, and no one of those Ar> tides having, according to our belief, been violated by this Conference, we are of the opinion that the English Conference had no right of its own mere ,ileasure to abandon them. We still adhere undeviatingly to the principles embodied in those Articles ; and protest against the violation of them. 2. The schisms and divisions which the Agents of the Lon> don Wesleyan Committee have been, and are still making in our societies and congregations in Upper Canada, are, in the opinion of this Conference, causeless, unmethodistic, and un- justifiable—a total misapplication of Missionary Funds, and not only opposed to the principles which the English Conferenee unanimously avowed in 1830 as fundamental in Methodism^ but are also at variance with the " general principles" on which the Canadian Committee of the English Conference has pro^ feesed to act. 3. We deeply regret that the English Conference has not thought proper to assent to, or even notice, the proposal con* tained in our last Address, to submit the matters of difTerence to a third party, as do enlightened christian nations their mat- ters of difference, but has rather prosecuted a work of incur- sion and invasion upon our peaceful congregations and soci* elies. I \'t ir n\ i'l mi Jf ( -^ 988 MiNUTis. [1843. 4. Believing that there is no justifiable or reasonable ground of difference between the English and Canadian Conferences, —lamenting the attitude of hostility in which they are now placed, and anxious to settle the alleged points of difference ■pon fair and honourable terms, and hoping that the English Conference it equally favourable to a friendly and equitable •djiistment<^ differences, — we renew our proposal to refer them to the decision of any disinterested tribunal which may be agreed upon by Committees of the English and Canadian Conferences. With this view, we have appointed a Committee with full powers to act in the name and on behalf of this Con- ference until its next Annual Meeting in June 1843. We are willing to abide by any decision which the Bishops or General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, or any other vnprejudiced tribunal, may adopt, after a full investigation of •11 the matters of difference. 5. We avail ourselves of the present opportunity to repeat the expression of our unfeigned respect and affection for our reverend Fathers and Brethren in England— our deep regret at the occurrence of differences and collisions — and our anxious de- •ire to obliterate the unpleasant and unfriendly impressions and feelings of the past, and to cultivate those sentiments and feel- ings of mutual respect and affection which ought to exist be- tween all branches of the great Wesleyan Family' .'^^ Resolved, That this Conference, entertaining the highest respect for the personal and official character of the Rev. Bishop Boule, D. D., and cherishing the fullest confidence in his afl^tion and good-will towards the Canadian Branch of ^e Wesleyan Methodist Family, most respectfully and earnestly ■elicit the exercise of his official influence and kind interposi- tion to induce the English Conference to submit the matters of ^i0erence to some impartial tribunal for amicable adjustment. ^>^- \f->'^ *:>?> • . -t t. at ..'..- i.t,» I J i "i., , ' '- ! [1843. lable ground i^onferencesi ley are now of difference the English nd equitable to refer them lich may be nd Canadian a Committee of this Con- J43. We are Ml or General or any other restigation of ttityto repeat fection for our deep regret at ur anxious de- ipressions and lents and feel- bt to exist be- g the highest |e Rev. Bishop idence in his iBranch of the and earnestly md interposi- the matters of Ijustment. • t^y^' 329 ) . 'i '•» A ll 1. ' nr^ MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, ■.tfte TAKEN AT HAMILTON, FROM THE 14th TO THE SJ3rd JUNE, 1843. :' I '. . (I John Ryerbon, President, Alexander MacNab, Secretary, Question 1. What preachers are this year admit- ted into full connexion with the Conference, and ordained ? Reuben E. Tupper, Thomas Cosford, William Price, Samuel P. LaDow, Lochlin Taylor, James Hutchinson, George Copway — 7. Quest. 2. What preachers remain on trial f ' ' William Philp,* Daniel C. VanNorman, William McCullough, George Beynon, Francis Coleman, Matt. Connor, William Dignam,* Joseph Reynolds. t .; 1 These have travelled thbjex years. '^, ,i.U.-_ ^^g Thos. Williams, Robt. Darlington, Jesse Hurlburt, Matthias Holtby,* David Madden, Luther O. Rice, Thomas Jeffers, Isaac B. Howard, Daniel Wright,^ Joseph W. McCollum.* These have travelled two years. Ordained for special purposes. oi. 2c 21 hi: M II- lii- i !^ 4 ' ; ( U \ '"I y. " I Vi;> In I f' 5i 880 MINUTES. [1843. George Young, Geo. Kennedy, Michael Fawcett, Ozias Barber, James Elliott, Joseph Shepley, John Williams, James Hughes, John Gemley, Ephraim B. Harper — 28. Theqe h*ve travelled cwe year. - ^ Quest. 8; What preachers are now received on irialf Abraham Sickles, Wm. Dixon, John Goodfellow, William Ames, William Pollard, Reuben Robinson, Charles Lavell, William Herkimer, George Carr, Michael Baxter, William Morton — 11. Quest. 4. What preachers have died since the last Conference f None. Quest. 5. Are there any objections to any of our preachers ? They were examined one by one. ':. Quest. 6. What preachers have desisted from travelling? v > , . James Curry, who has desisted irregularly. ^' Quest. 7. Who are the Supernumeraries? "' John Beatty, Moses Blackstock, John Culham, Daniel Mc Mullen — 4. Quest. 8. Who are the svperannutUed p-eachers ? Thos. Whitehead, James Wilson, Wyat Chamber- lain,^ Franklia Mrtcalf^ Qeoirge Ferguson, Andrew Prindie, David Youmans, William BrowA,* Ezra Hiealy, Joseph Messmore— 10. i v > ^ * These have no claims on the funds raised foe the support of Superannuated Preachers. Quest* 9. What preachers Tuofe withdrM/mifrom the Churchy this year ? None. Quest. 10. ^ow are the preachers stationed this year? -^ , , .■:-.•:• ,.,t,.^ , *■ • As follows, viz. :— ii. John Ryerson, President of the^ Conference !:■■ ■! ■'> tin [1843. Fawcett, ey, John )hraim B. >ceived on oodfellow, Robinson, )rge Carr, we the last any of our iisted from ies f in Culham, freachers f it Chamber- m, Andrew fji,* Ezra [the support of I from the * ' t, ^ * i . ". . . itioned ihU ferenct^ 1843.] MINnTKS. I.— LONDON DISTRICT. 881 1. London — Edmund Shepherd, Thomas JeiTers. 2. Woodstock — Samuel C. Philp, William Dixon. 3. Chatham — Cornelius Fluraerfelt, Geo. Young. 4. Howard — Thomas Harmon. 6. Gosfield — Solomon Waldron, Thos. Williams. 6. St. Thomas — Kennedy Creighton. 7. Malahide — John K. Williston. 8. Muncy — Peter Jones, David Hardie, Abraham Sickles. 9. Warwick — William Dignam. 10. Sahgeeng — George Copway. Edmund Shepherd, Chairman* 11— HAMILTON DISTRICT. 11. Hamilton — Anson Green, Lochlin Taylor ; A. Prindle, superannuated. N. B. Brother Taylor shall change with Brother Spencer once in six weeks. 12. Dundas — James Spencer, William Pbilp. 13. Nelson — Matthew Whiting, Thomas Cosford; George Ferguson, superannuated. 14. Guelph—^ephen Brownell. 15. Stamford — Lewis Warner, Jas. Musgrove^ who is to take special charge of Niagara. Id* Chippewoi — Sylvester Hurlburt. 17. Si* Catherines — George R. Sanderson, Charles Lavell ; Joseph Messmore, superannuated. 18. Grimsby — George Poole, Joseph Shepley. 19. Brantford — Samuel Rose, Reuben E. Tupper ; Thomas Whitehead, superannuated. 20. Dumfries — Peter Ker, William Ames. 21. Grand River — Hamilton Biggar. 22. Simcoe — Matthias Holtby^ G«o. Kennedy ; Wm. Ryerson,, who is our Missionary Agent. 'iZ. Norwich — Thos, McMullen. . ;. 24. Walpole — Luther O. Rice. a\ r Ansoi) Gbeen, Chairman. 1 i I i 11 'y-. !?l:'.r: .rfy^'"v'' > ^ ■■■\A' iH 332 «?; MINUTES. III.— TORONTO DISTRICT. [1843. 25. Toronto City — Henry Wilkinson, Wm. Price j Alex. MacNab, who is our Book Steward ; •■t" Jonathan Scott, who is our Editor. 26. Yonge Street — Rowley Heyland, George F. Piayter ; John Culham, supernumerary. 27. Netomarket — Ezra Adams, one to be sent. 28. Albion — Francis Coleman, James Hutchinson, John Goodfellow. 29. Markham —John Baxter, one to be sent ; David Youmans, superannuated. 30. Toronto Circuit — John Law, C. W. M. Gilbert ; James Wilson, superannuated. 31. Barrie — John Lever, Reuben Robinson. 32. Lake Simcoe — Thomas Hurlburt. 33. Snake Island — Horace Dean. , ,, 34. Owen Sound — William Herkimer. 35. Cr«fl?i7— David Wright. 36. St, Vincent — John Neelands. ' Henry Wilkinson, Chairman, li I! J llP- IV.-COBOURG DISTRICT. ? i i 87. Cohourg — Asahel Hurlburt ; Egerton Ryerson, D.D., Principal of Victoria College ; Jesse Hurlburt, A. M., Professor ; Daniel C. Van ; Lvj Norman, A. M., Professor ; Matthew Connor •^^~j and Daniel Wright, Students ; John Beatty, supernumerary. 88. Colhorne — John Black. v .. '^'- 39. Port jHbpe— William McFadden. 40. Peterhoro^ — Wm. Coleman, Robert Darlington ; Moses Blackstock, supernumerary. 41. Carttoright and Manvers — John Williams. 42. Asphodel — William Young, George Carr. 43. Whitby — Samuel Belton, David Madden. 44. Brock — To be supplied. AsAHEL Hurlburt, Chairman, . [1843. ^ni. Price ; Steward ; ■ George F. erary. sent. ' ^, [utchinsbn, ent; David VI. Gilbert ; son. 1843.] 'hairman. n Ryersoii, ege ; Jesse lielC. Van ew Connor hn Beatty, Partington ; lliams. Carr. |dden» MrNUTBS. V.-BAT OF QUINTE DISTRICT. 388 \hairman. 45. Kingston and Wolf Island — Edwy M.Ryerson» Isaac B. Howard. 46. Waterloo — Conrad Vandasen, Gilbert Miller. 47. Napanee — William Haw, Samuel P. LaDow. 48. Hallowell — Richard Jones, one to be sent. 49. BcWewKe— William McCullough. 60. Sidney — Wellington Jeffers, one to be sent. 61. Marmora — Michael Fawcett 62. Bath and Isle of Tanti — C. R. Allison, R. Corson. 53. Murray — Vincent B. Howard, John Sanderson; Daniel McMullen, supernumerary. , , 54. Gananoque — Stephen Miles. Richard Jones, Chairman. VI.-AUGUSTA DISTRICT. 55. Augusta — Benji^^in Nankevill, one to i>e sent ; Ezra Healy, bi ->{~nnuated. 66. Prescott — John C ». >n. ' K '-^ 67. Brodcnille — Thonkad DeWorest. .'/J 68. Ma&7c2a^— Daniel Berney, one to he sent. / 69. Cornwall — ^Jos. W. McOollum, Michael Baxter. 60. Kemptville — Simon Huntington. 61. Rideau — William Willoughby^ one to be sent ; William Bro\ni, supernnnnated. 62. Perth — Georee B. Butcher. 68. Sherhrooke — -William Pollard, who shall change with Brother Butcher once in six weeks. 64. Crosby — James Hughes. 65. Elizabethtown — Alvah Adams, Ozias Barber; Wyat Chamberlain, superannuated. John Carroll, Chairman, VII. BYTOWN DISTRICT* 66. Bytoum — ^Thomas Bevitt. 67. Osgoode — Joseph Reynolds. ? . > 68. JStcAmoviJ- John Armstrong, one to be sent. 69. St, Andrews — Wm. H. WilUams, John Gemley. ir.i I ill m I' -i- hi'. ij V' I > .t1 % W^ '■^I'l:. S34 MINUTES. [1843. 70. UOrignal — George Beynon, James Elliott ; F. Metcalf, superannuated. ,< > . yi ;? 71. Buckingham — One to be sent. . . . ^, ; 7*2. frw//-— Henry Shaler. 73. Mississippi — George Goodson, E. B. Harper. ^ 74. Clarendon — William Morton. .. €V .\ 75. Pembroke — John Tuke. ^ Thomas Bevitt, Chairman. Quest. 11. What is the number of members in our Societies^ and what has been collected for the Super- annuated Preachers' and for the Contingent Funds? As follows, viz. : — .. ., ;1\*,; -.vi ';i..' Circnita. London Oxford Tharties Gosfield and Howard St. Thomas Malahide Munc3^town Warwick and Adelaide .... Hamihon Nelson Guelph Stamford St. Catherines Grimsby Dumfries Brantford Grand River Simcoe Walpole Toronto city Yonge Street Newmarket Albion ReeFiorville Toronto Barrie Lake Simcoe Snake Island Owen Sound Credit Coboarg No. of Members 389 397 296 460 230 240 9 137 802 865 126 443 376 460 683 437 135 453 135 376 712 503 553 265 581 189 20 71 40 342 CoL for Superan. Fieachers, &c £4 2 12 13 2 9 18 10 Nothing. 14 5 4 13 10 10 4 6 16 2 3 10 10 5 2 1 3 3 12 Nothing* 9 8 10 1 3 2 15 6 18 10 1 5 Nothing. 15 7i 1 16 6 04 3 8 3 9 74 6 9 6 74 CI 74 2 74 Col. to male «[p Deficiencie*. £6 5 3 1 12 3 1 2 9 4 3 1 16 6 Nothing. Nothing. 14 10 8 5 17 84 13 7 04 8 11 54 2 5 8 4 9 1 2 7 6 5 Nothing. 8 14 9 9 3 6 3 13 11 3 3 4 8 10 14 17 74 Nothing. Nothing. 15 3 11 34 111 [1843. Elliott; F. Harper. ' )..r"\;>V A. • y 'hairman, ibers in our r the Super- rent Funds ? i.| Col. to mak* ny Deftciencie*. 1843.] MINUTES. 335 9 4 3 6 £6 5 3 1 12 3 1 'i 1 16 Nothing. Nothing. 14 10 8 5 17 84 13 7 8 11 54 2 5 8 4 9 2 7 5 Nothing. 8 14 9 9 3 6 3 13 11 3 3 4 8 10 II 17 74 Nothing. Nothing. 1 5 () 3 11 34 04 1 6 Circuita Colborne . . . , Port Hope ... Peterborough Balsam Lake Asphodel Whitby. Brock Kingston Waterloo Napanee Hallowell Belleville Sidney and Marmora Bath IsleofTanti Murray Gananoque Augusta Prescott Brockville Matilda Cornwall ........... Kemptville Rideau Perth Crosby Elizabethtown Dalhousie Bytown Osffoode Richmond St. Andrews L'Orignal Plantagenet Hull Mississippi Clarendon Pembroke No. of Member! 220 440 507 144 48 285 849 237 170 498 601 907 230 417 184 48 543 78 380 70 123 554 268 367 343 126 334 471 132 162 218 426 365 206 152 116 412 90 73 Total from Circuits £ Annual Subscriptions of Preachers . Interest on Centenary money, in- vested in the Book Room Collection at Conference Surplus of quarterage from Hamilton Missionary Appropriation > • • • • • I Total Col for Snperan. Preachers, tie. £0 15 11 1 10 2 17 11 Nothing. Nothing. 5 2 3 3 3 6 6 5 5 3 2 4 12 6 1 15 1 74 1 11 5 Nothing. 2 1 9 2 15 3 16 2 2 5 1 10 2 3 15 10 13 2 2 Nothing. 4 7 6 15 74 a2 104 12 6 Nothing. Nothing. 5 1 1 64 10 Nothing. 3 9 6 6 156 94 117 98 11 8 5 18 3 377 10 84 Col. to make up DeB'cienciea. £0 13 1 16 4 15 Nothing. Nothing. 2 16 104 4 17 6 10 3 15 5 15 3 3 4 10 2 5 1 2 16 10 2 5 2 3 2 2 3 94 6 84 9 5 8 94 2 5 7 6 3 r 1 2 14 2 7 1 19 2 11 15 16 3 2 5 5 Nothing. Nothing. 1 6 4 5 1 15 5 9 17 3 8 6 1 14 7 44 14 3 15 n 6 55 w .1: I- ; SI m ;■!■•■■ m 268 4 74 f/ ddd MINVTEB. I' 11 I l!f I .: ' ■•'-' t ': l f I i ■ [1848. NoMBKR or Indiavs on the Missioi? St luirs. Muncytown • 239 Saugeeng 117 Grand River 116 Lake Simcoe 124 Snake (sknd Owen Sound Credit Pembroke ... 57 41 96 3 ■-''■ ■- ■'• ■ ■ Total RKCAPITOL ATION. Members in the societies this year , ,....,. 23,311 " last year..,,.......,..,,,,.. 19,478 <( «< Increase this year «,.. , 3,833 Quest. 12. How has the amount collected for the Superannuated Preachers' and Coniingenl Fnnds been expended f SOPKRANNOATED PrEAGHERS' FvNIK Franklin Metcalf £50 £zraHealv 50 James Wilson 50 Andrew Prindle 25 Thomas Whitehead 25 David Toumans 50 Joseph M essmore 50 Widow of the late Rev. T. Madden 25 Widow of the late Rev. W. Slater 25 To the Book Room for Stationary. &c. 3 To Brothers Brown and Chamberlain 5 To bal&nce in Book Steward's hands .;;... 19 10 4 4» w- .. Total £3771081 To nmke up London ' Malahide Thames St. Thomas V- Brantford Nelson Toronto Circuit . . Newmarket Stamford - Reesorville St. Catherines . . . Simcoe Belleville Bath j- Contingent Fu»d. the deficiencies of — £0 10 4 5 13 10 10 4 5 8 10 7 10 3 10 7 10 3 10 4 4 5 2 9 Murray £9 Bytown- 5 Kichmond 10 L'Orignal ....... 4 HuU^..,.. 9 Mississippi 6 Augusta 4 Prescott 14 Matilda 4 Perth 11 Kemptville 4 Crosby 7 10 £lizabethtown . . . 7 10 6 U 6 £185 18 U NIK £50 ,.., 50 .... 50 .... 25 25 50 50 25 25 3 10 5 19 4 4i .. £377 10 8i ...^£9 5 .. 10 .. 4 2 6 ... 9 ,.. 6 ... 4 5 ,.. 14 .... 4 3 U ... 11 ... 4 2 6 ... 7 10 n... 7 10 £185 18 li 1843.] MiNUTAs. ;^7 In cases of special affliction, &;c. : — Joseph Messmore £6 5 ; Samuel Rose 3 George Poole 2 Tho's Bevitt, travelling expenses from Yonge Street to Bytown 18 James Musgrove 16 15 Gilbert Milfer 10 Vincent B. Howard 6 John Black.. , 3 Cyrus R. Allison, moving expenses.. 9 1" Charles W. M. Gilbert C DanielBernie 10 Matthew Whiting I 10 .Richard Darlington ...., 15 82 6 6 . '; Total £208 4 7* GENERAL REGISTRY OF BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS OF THE '•r WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH. Whereas it is very necessary, both from long usage and frequent utility, that there be kept a Registry of the Births and Baptisms for the Wesleyan Methodist Church : and whereas the present method is found inconvenient for registering and for refer- ence ; deficient, in ensuring complete returns from Ministers and faithful entries from Stewards ; and insecure, in providing no way for the collection and preservation of documents, and, therefore, many are entirely lost. And whereas some persons have re- luctantly received Baptism from our Ministers, and others have refused it altogether, because of our present mode of registering : therefore, it is expedi- ent that some better plan be immediately devised and followed, in order that the important object of a Registry, viz. to afford the baptized and others facil- ities of reference, may no longer be partially defeated but completely attained. 2o ,i| 1 !1 ff-,J.i ft V'<: 838 MINUTES. [1843. // w, therefore^ resolved f 1. As regards the Registry^ That it shai; no longer be required to keep Registry Books on the various Circuits, but that there shall be kept, at the Confer- ence Establishment, in Toronto, one General llegis- try of Births and Baptisms for the whole Chur.^h. 2. As regards the Registrar^ That the General Registrar shall be the Book Steward for the time being. The Registrar shall furnish each ordained Minister, yearly, with a small ruled blank-book for the convenient and uniform entry and return of Births and Baptisms. The minister shall return the said book, with the entries, to the Registrar,' at the Conference after. The returns shall be copied into the General Registry Book ; and which book shall be in his custody. / .-; •. *. - .' '- 3. As regards the Expense, That, to defray the various expenses connected with the keeping of such Registry, it is expected that each CircuJ' contribute half-a-dollar yearly, and that if any surp . be found, it shall be paid into the Contingent Fund. 4. As regards the Certificates, That the Register Book shall be always open for public inspection, through the Registrar. Parchment Certificates shall be furnished to those who apply, on the payment of the necessary expense. The following shall be the Form of Certificate : — the of in the District, Province of Canada, and of his tDJfe, who was the daughter of and was born at on the day of in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and at whose birth we were present ? Witnesses. i II 'i [1843. ,i; no longer the various the Confer- tieral llegis- i Chur«"h. the General or the time ich ordained ink-book for id return of ill return the istrar," at the 3 copied into ti book shall o defray the 3ping of such ij' contribute , be found, hd. the Register inspection, Itificates shall payment of shall be the .... District, re, who was tli6 on the \rd one thousand present 1848.] MINUTES. 339 The first above-mentioned was solemnly baptized with water, in the name of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, on the day of in the year of our Lord one thousand eiglU hundred and at by m«, > WlTMKSSKB. Minister of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church in Canada. We, the Parents of the above-named ........ do herehj attest the truth of the above Record of the Birth and Baptism qf our said Father. Mother. Registered at the Wesleyan-Methodist Conference Office, No, i 9, Wellington Buildings, City of Toronto, this day (f in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Registrar. Folio No 5. As regards the Circuit Registers now in usgy That, in order to make the above regulations bene- ficial, as far as possible, the Conference offers to receive into the General Registry Book any part, or: the whole, of the cc.itents of the Circuit Baptismal Registry Books now in use ; provided, that the original Registers, or fair copies, be forwarded to the General Registry Office, in Toronto, and the expense of registering be defrayed. The Conference hopes that the Quarterly Meetings will take this subject into their consideration, and devise some way of defraying the necessary expense ; and thus save the records of many past years from perishing. Should any of the Quarterly Meetings be indifferent to the preservation of the Records, by entering them into the General Registry, yet any person shall be at liberty to copy a Record or Records from the Circuit Books ; and by transmitting such copy, and defray- ing the expense, it shall be entered on the General Registry Book' But such copy shall be signed by !t:.: ' H . ; « \ < i:. 94(^ MINUTES. [1849. the Recording Steward, or Superintendent Preacher, in attestation of the copy being a true and perfect transcript of the record. 6. As regards Circuit Registers lost or unknown, That no doubt exists but that some of the books containing the registries of the Births and Baptisms in the early years of Methodism in the Province have perished ; but the preachers, and others, are recommended to make inquiry and search, that such books yet existing, but unknown, may be discovered and the Records preserved in the General Registry. That persons baptized by Methodist Ministers, whose Registries are lost, or whose Registries have been neglected, are at liberty to avail themselves of the benefits of the General Registry. But such persons must satisfy the Superintendent Preacher of the Circuit on which they reside that such particulars as thay wish to have recorded possess proofs good and sufficient ; and such superintendent must sign the communication to the Registrar, and adduce proofs of the particulars, which also shall be recorded. 7. As regards the Form, That the following shall be the form of Blank-Books spoken of in resolution second : — r,.,. ,. .,,.,, ^i' .^- .>':•■;. . .. ^ *,:-.- Mameof Person l^tized. Names •of ParenU. Place of Parents' Residence Bom when. Bom where. Baptised when. Baptized where. Minister Baptizing. ( i.-r/.i : y ' ?;'*"'' •■'- •!.« .-'i ':-.»/-, V■^■.'^' fjV'''i'-ifi'-i !■ ' ■:?«- ^^ ' j^'-S-.-i !t-' - ':■( j i K> " . * " . r :• ' . >■ ■;. '"'i' ,.s-.ri--r ; ^' *■ ^ . ■..:■ -.■■ -.ni ^\ a hi/.''; ■ ' i •"' t ■ ■ U'r':' '. "Ov ' fi -■'■>■'-■ J.M}f^ rri'h" [1848. Preacher, nd perfect ' unknownf the books d Baptisms ) Province others, are , that such discovered tl Registry, ters, whose have been Ives of the ucb persons her of the irticulars as fs good and ist sign the iuce proofs corded. lowing shall resolution 1843.J MINUTES* 341 ptized Minister Baptizinf. Quest. 13. What are the Standing Committees for the present year? 1. Contingent Fund Committek. The President and Secretary of the Conference, Chairmen of Districts, Superintendents of Kingston, Brocltville, Elizabethtovvn, and Augusta ; together with the following lay Brethren : — L. Houghton, P. Pinnock, Jacob Brouse, R. Coleman, and J. P. Booth, Esquires. 2. Missionary Committee. Rev. John Ryerson, Rev. Anson Green, Rev. Alexander MacNab, Rev. Henry Wilkinson, Rev. Peter Jones; Messrs. J. Foster, S. Ward, George Walker, James Hodgson ; J. R. Armsti'ong, Esq. ; Dr. John Bea;ty, Recording Secretary ; Rev. Alex. McNab, Treasurer ; and Uev. Jonathan Scott, Cor- responding Secretary. 3. The Book Committee. The President of the Conference, Preachers in the City of Toronto, Superintendents of the Yonge Street, Newmarket, Markham, Credit, Nelson, Toronto, Brantlbrd, Hamilton, and Stamford Circuits; together with the Principal cf Victoria College, and G. F» Playter. Resolved, That the Book Steward have power to call a meeting of the Committee at any time. 4. Conference Committee, To confer with the Government on all matters in which the interests of our Church are involved, — consisting of the following Preachers, viz. : Rev. John Ryerson, President of the Conference ; Rev. Alexander MacNab, Secretary of Conference ; Rev. Dr. Ryerson, Principal of Victoria College ; and the Superintendent of Kingston Station. 2d 2 i'li I 4' .1 ;i '!; ill ",' !'•> i li'U . I. 94BZ MINUTES. 5. CuiTFKREirCE EXIOVTIVB COMMITTEE. [1843. The President and Secretary of the Conference, ex-President, Editor of the Guardian^ and Superin- tendents of Toronto City Station, Yonge Street, Newmarket, Nelson, Toronto, Hamilton, and Stamr ibrd Circuits. S*:l J 1 J Ik ' V p'- ■; I , MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS. 1. Resolved, That this Conference records its high approbation and grateful sense of the judicious and efficient labours of the Rev. A. Green, as Presi- dent of the Conference during the year now closed ; and expresses its earnest prayer for his continued health, happiness, and success in the service of the Church. 2. Resolved, That this Conference has very great pleasure in receiving our esteemed and beloved brother the Rev. S. Luckey, D. D., delegate from the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States ; and cordially requests him to take any part he may think proper in the proceedings of the Conference. 3. Resolved, That the Rev. John Ryerson, Pre- sident of the Conference ; Rev. A. Green, ex-Presi- dent ; and Rev. Dr. Ryerson, Principal of Victoria College, be a delegation, to represent this Conference at the next meeting of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, ia New-York, May, 1844. 4. Resolved, That we have great pleasure in expressing the high satisfaction we have experienced firom the presence and counsels of our excellent Criend and brother, the Rev» Dr Luckey, D. D., Re- [1848. B. onference, d Superin- ge Street* and Stamr NS. records its lie judicious n, as Presi- low closed ; j continued •vice of the 3 very great .nd beloved ate from the Episcopal y requests •oper in the rson, Pre- ex-Presi- of Victoria Conference ference of [lited States, pleasure m xperienced r excellent D. D., Re- 1648.] MINUTES. 343 presentative of the General Conference of the Me- thodist Episcopal Church in the United States : and we beg to present to him our cordial and unanimous thanks, for his interesting communications and val- uable services during his short stay amongst us ; and our earnest prayer for his safe return to his family, and his future happiness and success in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. 5. Resolved, That each Superintendent be request- ed to call upon every debtor (on his Circuit) to the Guardian Office, Book Room^ and Centenary Fund, during the year, and to use his best exertions to have the several sums due paid or secured, and to transmit the proceeds without delay to the Book Steward, and that each District Meeting be directed to inquire into the manner in which the several Superintendents have performed this part of their duty, and report the same to the Conference. 6. Resolved, That a Missionary Agent be employ- ed in travelling through the Province, and that the Rev. William Ryerson be that Agent. Quest. 14. Where and when shall our next Con" ference he held? In Brock ville, Johnstown District, commencing on the first Wednesday in June, 1844, at ten o'clock, A. M. John Ryerson, President. 1 Alexander MacNab, Secretary, ? , 344 MINUTES. [1843. IU 1 V ! < THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE. To the Members of tke TVcsleyari' Methodist Church in Canada. Dearly Belovkd Brethren : " Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. ... Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in piwer, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance ; as ye know what manner of men we were among you, for your sake. And ye became fol- lowers of us, and of the Lord " We gladly avail ourselves of the opportunity which our Eighteenth Annual Conference affords us, of briefly expressing to you our unabated yM-s/orai regards and fervent wishes, united? as we are with you all, in holiest fraternal bonds, by the words and spirit of Christ : and the first and deepest emotion of our hearts is one of gratitude to God for His continued and multi- plied blessings. After the toils and trials of another year, a large number of your Ministers have been permitted to meet again, without the regret of any of their number having died during that period, — a fact which, for five years, we have had I the pleasure of recording, to ihe praise of our Gracious Preser- ' ver. Our Session has been marked with much Christian affec- tion, and a scrupulous purpose to maintain inviolate the long- tested, sacred, and Wesleyan principles and practices of our Church; and we know you will greatly rejoice with us to be informed, that, from the various official reports received from the numerous Circuits and Stations, it is ascertained, that, throughout the Province, our people are eminently united, happy and prosperous. To many of you, who have become members of our Church this year, whom we never had the happiness of addressing as we now do, we say, *' For this cause also thank we God, with- out ceasing : because, when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it iBy in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in [1843. F'ERENCE. \ in Canada. r Father, and ways for you Knowing, gospel came 1 in the Holy at manner of ; became fol- f which our ly expressing ishes, unitedj by the words notion of our d and multi- other year, a itted to meet r having died we have had ious Vreser- ristian alfec- ate the long- ctices of our with us to be ceived from tained, that, jnited, happy our Church ddressing as e God, with- f God, which len, but as it rkethalso in 1843.] MINUTES. 345 you that believe." By that word, rendered forcible by the Holy Spirit, there has been an evident reformation in many places; and an unusual number of persons, old and young, have been illuminated and regenerated. Parents and children, — masters and servants, — Whites and Indians, — have participated largely in extram-dinary heavenly effusions. Inexpressible is the joy we have in conveying the intelligence to you, that our netl increase of members this year is three thousand eight hundred and thirty- three, — an accession, for magnitude, our Canadian Zion never before obtained. For several years our numbers have been ra- pidly Increasing. " Thanks be unto God, which always caus- eth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge 1^ us in every place !" - You will have satisfaction to hear that our Institu/ions are successful, notwithstanding the unprecedented monetary de- pression and commercial embarrassment of the country. With a noble benevolence and zeal the Missionary Society of our Church has been supported this year, as heretofore ; and thou- sands of Indians, and destitute inhabitants of newly-settled towusixips, have had the Word and Ordinances ministered unto them, — who, but for the Society, must have been without both. On this account, we greatly rejoice. The Book and Printing Establishment has prospered the last year, and, within a few years, has considerably augmented its resources, sales, and utility ; and having, at a heavy outlay, been brought to its present state of facility for business, may be expected to be more extensive in its operations, and of proportionate advan- tage to our Church. Victoria College, during the past — the first year of its operations — has been attended by a large number of students, and has opened for itself promising prospects of use- fulness for the youth of all classes o{ the community of Canada. These are facts which excite our gratitude to God. It has been gratifying to the Conference to receive an oflicial and friendly visit from the jlev. Samufx Lucket, D.D., Repre- sentative of the General Conference of the Methodist Episco- pal Church in the United States ; who has, by the cheering accounts of the unparalleled success of his Church, — his coun- sels and pulpit assistance, during the days he was with us, — his long-tried attachment to our Church, — and the wisdom, affec- tion, and Wesleyan character of his entire intercourse with us* i 1: 1' 'i^i I iT, ■ : lii: ii . i. 346 MINUTES. [1843. greatly endeared himself, and the Church of which he is the honoured Representative, to his Canadian brethren ; and, while the Conference sincerely thank him for his visit, our fervent prayer is, that the Methodist Episcopal Church, in her para- mount work of saving souls, and in all her institutions, may have vouchsafed her, in all years to come, thousand-fold success ! The Conference has likewise been favoured with a visit from the Rev. Messrs. Wheeler and Squires, of the Black River Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, — a visit marked with much brotherly-kindness. The Conference has appointed three experienced and esteemed brethren %3 its Representatives to the next General Conference of that Church, to be held in New- York, next year — the Rev. John Rterson, President of the Conference ; the Rev. Anson Green, ex-President ; and the Rev. Dr. Ryerson, Principal of Victoria College In this way the fraternal feeling is refreshed and strengthened, and de- lightful evidence is furnished that the Wesleyan- Methodists throughout the world are one family. These, dear Brethren, are important particulars, pertaining chiefly to the past ; which, we have no doubt, are highly inte- resting and satisfactory to you. What, now, are the claims our Church has upon you for the future ? What are the claims of God upon you ? What are the claims of many of your fellow-men — believers in the doctrine, but unsaved by the power of the Gospel ? You have yet much to do. Our first anxieties are for those many members of our Church who have united with us during the year, — that, inexperienced as they are, they may *' receive not the grace of God in vain," — but that, cherishing it with all diligence, they may *' grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." Their conversion has cost much " travail" of soul in themselves and in us ; and many tears, prayers, and exertions : and solemn feire the obligations to faithfulness under which they are now laid. With the tenderest affection and anxiety we say to ectry new convert, hear, read, and study the word of God ; be con- stant at the throne of grace ; value and practise closet devo- tions ; never omit the class-meeting ; and in every way evince your love to God, and to the Church of your choice, by a strict and unwearied observance of all the Christian and Methodistia duties sacredly enjoined upon you, and by which you are bound. [1843. 1 he is the and, while our fervent (1 her para- jtions, may •Id success ! a visit from 3lack River irisit marked IS appointed resentatives be held in President of sident ; and ge In this led, and de- • Methodists , pertaining highly inte- * the claims e the claims Biny of your ved by the our Church experienced od in vain," " grow in St." Their mselves and and solemn ey are now say to eziery od ; be con- closet devo- way evince , by a strict Vlethodistio are bound* 1843.] MINUTES. 347 To the respected Leaders in our Church, who have new con- verts intrusted to them, we earnestly say, — The lambs are your charge, requiring unremitting care, and kindness, and prudence, and patience. Tilt you shall resign your pleasing trust, and die to meet ** the Great Shepherd of the sheep," hear him, at all times, with mild and authoritative voice, thus addressing you, — "Feed my lambs." We beseech all the members of the Wesleyan-Methndist Church to desire and obtain a deep, conscious, and growing experience of spiritual blessings. Live by simple faith. Live, and love, and obey. Let not the privilege of adoption into God^s family be a matter of mere theory, or even of expect? • tion and wish with any of you, but of enjoyment. ** When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Sonship is your privilege. From adoption, with its pardon, peace, and power, go on to a fulness of love. Justification is not the high- est grace under the dispensation of the Spirit. Full sanctifica- tion is higher. " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." We remind you of the apostolic incitationa to fidelity in all the relations of life : — '• Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the Queen." "What- soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things : for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your chil- dren to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh. " Give a primitive, Wesleyan character to your words, spirit, and conduct. Allow , not worldly men to secularise and embellish your Church, nor at any time attempt it yourselves, by the introduction of their policy and pride. '* Be ye, therefore, wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. " " Walk with all lowliness and meekness." Shun double-mindedness, and prize, as you would a treasure, simplicity and frankness. " Let love be without dissimulation. " In business you are to avoid the evil of '* using many words in buying or selling." In dress, the Discipline of your Church 1 '' I'l I }' i iki^^ i !'^^ |iv i |g i--^ rj ■: -1 '-f™ 348 MINUTES. [1843. likewise requires that you avoid the evil of" putting on of gold or costly apparel." Be everywhere plain Methodists, esteem- ing "th^ ornaments of a meek and quiet spirit" "of great price." Be energetic Christians: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. " Thus loving God, and abhorring evil, and doing His will, he will acknowledge you as " the children" of " the Lord God Almighty." " Beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, piaying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." At a time like the present, when men of exclusive views, and popish pretensions, deny our body the prerogatives and pri- vileges of a Church, we invite your closest attention to what belongs to her, that your admiration of her may, if possible, be increased and confirmed. We invite your best attention to her doctrines; they are evangelical and saving ; — to her minis- try; it exhibits grace, gifts, and fruit ; — to hex sacraments ; they are valid and scriptural ;— to her discipline ; it is wise and Wes- leyan ; — to her means; they are authorised by the Word of God, and agree with the usages of earliest Christian times ; — to her diversiRed instrumentality ; it is powerful and useful ; — to her grand object the sairniion of men, that God may be (glorified. We have the utmost confidence in you. It will be yours more -firmly to believe her doctrines, support her ministry, honour her sacraments, submit to her discipline, use her means, employ her instrumen. .lity, and pursue, with pantingdesire and active zeal, her loftiest object. Promote special efforts for its attainment, and spend your energies. Keep in mind the duties of God's house, the prayer-meeting, the class-meeting, the family altar, and the hallowed closet. Neglect these duties, and there is paralysis in the ri-ght arm of your strength : neglect them, and your profession is pretence, and your love is departed. To increase the influence of our Church, increase your knowledge and holiness. We freely confide to your judgment and generous affection, and those of the friends of our Church, its rising Institutions. The liberality with which you and they supported them last year, is to us a pledge of their future support. The Book Room and Printing Establishment is important to our Church, as a means of dissemiriating revealed truth ; the best works on [1843. [ig on of gold lists, esteem- L" "of great irer thy hand nng God, and nowledge you » «« Beloved, piayingin the ,d, looking for life." elusive views, ativcs and pri- •ntion to what ly, if possible, St attention to to her minis- craments ; they wise and Wes- ,e Word of God, times ;— to her I useful ;— to her ay be glorified. I be yours more stry, honour her ans, employ her and active zeal, its attainment, duties of God's Ihe family altar, s, and there is gleet them, and departed. To i^our knowledge erous affection, ng Institutions, orted them last The Book Room \x Church, as a Ibest works on 1843.] MiyotES.' 349'^' Wesle3ran-Methodism ; and religious, literary, scientific, and l^" general intelligence : you will perform an interesting duty by '. affording the Establishment a more extended patronage. The circulation of the organ of the Church — the Christian G-uardiant . j you have it in your power greatly to increase. Victoria Col- "^ _ lege merits your best services, and claims them, to render it a still more efRcient auxiliary of the cause of learning an'' »iety in Canada. The Report of the Sunday Schools of our Church, ' presented by a Committee appointed by the Conference, shows an advance in the religious instruction of our youth ; and we would impress it on the minds of parents, guardians, and teachers, that with an untiring solicitude they train their chil- dren scripturally. For this purpose, among other means, we warmly recommend the frequent use of the English Conference Catechisms, with various very suitable publications sold at our Book Room. We cordially recommend other valuable Colo- nial Institutions deserving your countenance and aid, — as the Bible, Tract, Temperance, and Benevolent Societies. We rejoice much in their enlarged success. The cause of entire abstinence is congenial in design with one of our General Rules, which imperatively requires our members to avoid "drunkenness, or drinking spirituous liquors, unless in cases of necessity." By sustaining all religious and useful societies, according to your ability, you will give evidence of what is one of its main characteristics — the anti-sectarianism of Wesleyan- Methodism. i > And now, Dearly-beloved Brethren, we are about to term!' nate our important conferential interview, and pray your God and ours that we may come to you with a fresh anointing of the Holy Ghost. You will, as you have ever done, receive us in the Lord. Bear in mind your high calling, " to spread scriptu- ral holiness ; " — not justification only, but sanctification. It is a cause of -regret to us, that, in our Circuit schedules we have found, comparati^ iy, so few members professing sanci. You will, we are persuaded, rejoice to learn, that the Cana- dian scion of so fruitful and flourishing a stock, has not withered, or, we hope, degenerated, but has taken deep root, and is ex- tending its branches with increasing strength and rapidity of growth over every part of Upper Canada. Notwithstanding the pressure of the times, and the difficulties to which our peculiar situation has subjected us, we rejoice to be able to say, that our increase of members, during the last two years, has been up- wards of six thousand — a larger accession by nearly one-half than had ever taken place in our Church in Upper Canada — that there has been a proportionate increase in our Missionary and other connexional funds — that we have been able to pay our venerable superannuated preachers their full salaries, and have had a surplus each year — that, during the same period, we have got our Literary Institution incorpdrated as a College, with the privileges of a University, and aided by an annual grant from the Government of two thousand dollars per annum — that it is now in successful operation, and is likely to prove a most potent agency in improving the qualifications of our Ministry, and in promoting the educational interests of our country. To the Giver of all Good be the praise for this varied and unprecedented success in the several departments of our work ! We look back to the period of our former filial connexion with you with filial feelings of affection and gratitude. To the self- sacrifice and devotion of the labourers whom you first sent into this country, and to your counsels, are we indebted beyond measure or expression ; and it is our earnest prayer and aim that an apostolic succession of the spirit of oQr fathers and prede- cessors may be perpetuated among us for all generations. Though our peculiar civil relations have rendered our con- nexional operations less intimately blended with yours than formerly, we are still one with yoii in doctrine, disciplinei and 1 f I ife II J ■i' !| 1 ;|;i ''! K i ■ 1 ^ i ;: 1 ti." i-i ■! t ■.'i ' fi u ii 'Si' I . 1 ;;;;i 1 i^l ■■ V, ■ >''lll 352 MINUTA8. [1849. spirit; and our fervent wish and prayer is, that the bonds which continue to bind us into one, may never be severed or weakened. ,;^ ,..,.£,? "^i^,. .,^^;,rf ««.■»•; h'^^^- '/x.** ^■'t'?' M;>i, .^w,..,;j ;*». We have appointed, as our Representatives to you, our honoured brethren the Revds. John Ryerson, Anson Green, and Egerton Ryerson, whom we commend to your kind attentions, and to whom we refer you for a more particular account of our affairs. .>, ,.:( m. = « :V — ^--- - That your unity, happiness, and prosperity, may continue to abound more and more, is the daily and earnest prayer of your Canadian brethren and children in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ ! Signed by order and on behalf of the Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada, - ' '• -"■■ ' ' •' 'Alexander MacNab, Secr^ary. "^ HamiUon, Gore IHstrict, June 23, 1843. ••••■' ilY,.. /.. U^v'T";'!/ RESOLUTIONS OF THE CANADA CONFERENCE RESPECTINO THE LATE DECISION OF THE ENGLISH CONFERENCE ON CANADIAN AFFAIRS. ' Quest. 15. What is the judgment of the Coriference respecting the late decision qfthe English Coriference, communicated by its Sub- Secretaries to a private member of this Coriference f and which is as follows : " Question 30. What is the decision qf the lEnglish"] Con- ference on those Canadian affairs which have this year been urged on its attention? -'lar > • -m k' • - ' '^ ■ ^ ■ - " Ans. After full consideration of the affairs of our Missions in Canada, in reference to an address from the Upper Canada Conference, proposing that the differences which led to a disso- lution of the iJnion between that body and the British Confer- ence should be referred to the arbitration of some independent body, in order to a re-establishment of the Union on its former foundation, it was unanimously resolved^ That the Conference, while it fully admits the imoortance of the general principle. That all the branches of the Methodist Church, situated within the limits of the British dominions should be united under the efficient direction of the British Conference on the principles of i i m [184?. 1843.] MINUTES. 353 at the bonds be severed or to yon, our on Green, and ind attentions, Lccount of our :.: . ,...■/ lay continue to prayer of your our Lord Jesus Conference of in Canada, , B, Secretary. INFERENCE SH CONFERENCE irence respecting \municated by its Uyi^erencef and 'English"] Can- 't year been urged [our Missions in Upper Canada Ihkdtoadisso- 1 British Confer- ee independent -on on its former Ithe Conference, pneral principle, , situated within united under the ae principles of our general economy, and would gladly take into consideration any proposition likely to promote so desirable a result, is never- theless fully convinced, that, for reasons already officially communicated to the Upper Canada Conference, the re-estab- lishment of such a Union as formerly subsisted between the two bodies is neither practicable nor desirable." Ans. After full consideration it was Resolved, — 1. That in representing this Conference as having proposed to refer the differences which have arisen between the English and Canadian Conferences "to the arbitration of some inde- pendent body, in order to a re-establishment of the Union upon its former foundation," the English Conference have misap- prehended and therefore misinterpreted the proposal of this Conference, which was as follows : " Believing that there is no justifiable or reasonable ground of differences between the English and Canadian Conferences — lamenting the attitude of hostility, in which they are now placed, and anxious to settle the alleged points of difference upon fair and honourable terms, and hoping that the English Conference is equally favourable to a. friendly and eqvitable adjustment of differences^ we renew our proposal to refer ihem to the decision of any disinterested tribunal which may be agreed upon by Committees of the English and Canadian Co i Terences : with this view we have appointed a Committee, with full power to act in the name and on the behalf of this onference until its next Annual Meeting in June. 1843. We are willing to abide by any decision which the Bishops or General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, or any other unprejudiced tribunal, may adopt, after a full investigation of all the matters of diiference." 2. That in the thus quoted Resolution' was proposed the friendly and eqvitable adjusfment of differences between the English find Canadian Conferences as the only definite object of our reference to the arbitration of an independent party ; but as to the terms of such "friendly and equitable adjustment of differences" — whether by the re-establishment of the Union upon its former foundations, or upon any other foundations, or upon any disposition of the future relations of the two bodies, we expressed no opinion, but proposed to leave it to the unrestricted and impartial decision of the tribunal of reference to determine. 2g2 4 1 ! ' l| ■'.' ' ill ' ■Jii ; '1 i t 1 'm :ifi|! '354 MINUTES. [1848. 3. That upon principles of law and equity we truly believe ourselves entitled to all that is expressed in our Resolution of last year ; we repeat our deprecation of the continued evils of schisms and divisions within the bounds of our regular circuits ; we repeat the expressions of respect and affection for the Conference, and our conviction of its unconsciousness of the nature of the proceedings carried on in many parts of Western Canada under the sanction of its authority, and by the expenditure of its funds ; we repeat our desire to have these unchristian and un-Methodistic exhibitions removed, and all past differences settled, and all unfriendly feelings buried : And with the foregoing explanation of our object in proposing to refer the questions of differenee to an independent party — as do christian individuals and christian nations — we again renew our proposal to refer the alledged points of difference to the Greneral Conference, or Bishops of the M. E. Church to be assembled in New- York in May next, or to any other tribunal that may be agreed upon by Committees of the English and Canadian Conferences. . . ., - 4. That we authorize our Representatives to the American General Conference, under the direction of the Standing Executive Conference Committee, to conduct the proceedings on behalf of this Conference, in the event of our third proposal being acceded to on the part of the English Conference, before the Bishops or General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, or any other independent party that may be agreed upon, according to the above-recited proposal of last year» which we heartly reiterate li : j' ADDRESS. To His ExedUnqi the Right Honourable Sir Charles Theopbilvs Metcalfe, Baronet^ Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, . on^ qf H&r Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Coun- ciUors, Governor- General of British North Ame^a, ^c. ^c> 4^. May it Please Your Ezcellekct : -^, i We, Her Majesty's faithful and loyal subjects, the Ministers of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church in Canada, assembled in ^ [ie48. truly believe lesolution of nued evils of ular circuits ; ction for the usnesB of the ts of Western and by the to have these loved, and all i buried : And proposing to It party— as do again renew Herence to the Church to be r other tribunal it English and ) the American • the Standing e proceedings third proposal ference, before odist Episcopal may be agreed of last year» 1843.] MINUTES. 355 Sir Charles IXnifirAit Grand er of the BtUh, \le Privy Coun- iorth Ameiica, ^B, the Ministers I, assembled in Conference, gladly avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded by our present Annual Meeting, to offer to your Excellency our most respectful and cordial congratulations on your assumption of the Government of United Canada ; and to express the gtateful satisfaction with which we have witnessed your Excel- lency's benevolent efforts to abolish party spirit and party dis- tinctions ; and the repeated assurances of your Excellency's gracious intentions to administer the Government for the benefit of H«r MajpHty's Canadian subjects generally, irrespective of political or religious party. In the promotion of purposes so humane and divine, we are persuaded your Excellency's com- plete success will be desired and aided, not only by upwards of eight hundred congregations under our own pastoral care, but by the inhabitants of Canada generally, the great body of whom are equally anxious with your Excellency to cultivate peace and chaiity, and to strengthen and perpetuate the connexion between the Parent State and this important iCountry. In your Excellency's past history, as well as high qualifica- tions and avowed intentions, we have the most satisfactory ground for the indulgence of these delightful hopes ; and we are confident that our own Church, associated as its labours are with the earliest history of the Province, and the best history of the aboriginal Indian Tribes, will receive from your Excel- lency that consideration which has been bestowed upon the other principal religious denominations in Canada. To the Throne and Constitu tion under which it is o«r privilege to live, we beg to express our devoted affection : to *^ fear God and honour the Queen" we regard as obligatory on every Brit- ish subject ; and it will continue to be,, as it has heret(^ore been , our aim and employment to inculcate these important duties upon the congregations of our charge, who yield to no class of her Majesty's subjects in sentiments and feelings of loyalty to her Majesty's Royal Person and Government. For the better education of our Ministry, the Youth of our congregations, and our own Children, we have succeeded, afler unparalleled exertions, to establish a School and College, which we hope will receive from your Excellency that countenance and support which is essential to the ar r , - Alexander MacNab, Secretary. HIS EXCELLENCY»S REPLY. To the Ministers qf the Wesley an- Methodist Chvrchin Canada. I beg you, Reverend Gentlemen, to accept my warmest thanks for your kind congratulations on my assumption of the Govern- ment of United Canada and for the obliging sentiments towards me which you express. I derive great gratification from the assurance of your belief that my anxious desire to see party spirit and party distinction abolished, to cultivate peace and charity, and to strengthen and perpetuate the connexion between the Parent State and this important Colony will be aided by the congregations under your pastoral care and the great body of the Inhabitants. Internal dissention appears to be the bane of Canada, which under the powerful protection of the British Empire, might be one of the happiest and most prosperous regions in the world, if all hearts were united in loyalty, patriotism, and brotherly love. I rejoice to learn that you are sensible of the gradual disappearance of party strife ; and, although it may be too much to hope, I should hail its entire extinction with unbounded delight. I entertain cordial respect and gratitude for the valuable services which you have rendered to Christianity in this Pro- vince ; and it will be a source of great satisfaction to me if I have it in my power to afford support to the noble Institutions which you have established for the surpassing purpose of Education. I humbly trust that Almighty God may bless your exertions, and render them instrumental in promoting the welfare of this country. I' . r 4 [1848. iquility; and r Excellency deliberations country may I various in- >n and chari- latest ages. Bofthe Wes- bled in Con- tt. Secretary. h in Canada. innest thanks f the Govern- aents towards f your belief ty distinction xengthen and tate and this ns under your Its. Internal ;h under the be one of the if all hearts ve. I rejoice ppearance of ope, I should the valuable in this Pro- me if I have itions which Education. ir exertions, jlfare of this .^i'l' 857 ..» . * ,v, 1, 1 , , ; ^vy. ,\l- ):;< ) M^ . .» • 'I h I ' '■ .: '., '' -'!T MINUTES OF CONFERENCE, TAKEN AT BROCKVILLE, FROM THE 5th TO THE . . , , , ,^ . 14th JUNE, 1844. •.-?! •\ •• V Richard Jones, President. Henry Wilkinson, Secretary, Question 1. What preachers are this year admit- ted into full connexion with the Conference^ and ordained ? William Dignam,* Francis Coleman,* Daniel C» VanNorman, George Beynon, Robert Darlington, Wm. Philp,* Wm. McCullough,* Joseph Reynolds,* Isaac B. Howard — 9. ., * These Brethren were previously ordained. ^^1^ Quest. 2. What preachers remain on trial ? Thomas Williams, Matthias Holtby, David B* Madden, Daniel Wright, Matthevsr Connor, Thomas Jeffers, Luther O. Rice, Jesse Hurlburt, Joseph W» McCollum. . V ." ;,yj': , . :.'K. *; These have travelled THREE years. -. ,:..,^^ij Joseph Shepley, Michael Fiawcett, John Williams, James Elliott, James Hughes, Geo. Kennedy, Ozias Barber, Ephraim B. Harper, John Gemley, George Young. , These have travelled two yeau.. '1 '■ I-: ■■i i m\ !l| it t 1 It ii ii fi- , : I 358 MINUTES. [1844. Charles Lavell, John Goodfellow, George Carr, William Morton, William Pollard, William Ames, Wm. Herkimer, Michael Baxter, A. Sickles — 28. « *"^ These have travelleJ !>;<« year. Quest. 3. What preachers are now received on trial? John W. Cawthorne, Robt. Lochhead, J. B. Ayles- worth, Charles Taggart, J. Greener, A. Dayman, R. Harnden, Samuel Heck, J. Howes, Benjamin Jones — 10. ' . Quest. 4. What preachers have died since the last Conference ? None. Quest. 5. Are there any objections to any of our preachers ? \ . , They were examined one by one. • Quest. 6. What preachers have desisted from travelling? None. r Quest. 7. Who are the Supernumeraries? John Culham, Moses Blackstock, J. K. Williston, Peter Jones, John Beatty, Daniel McMullen, Thos. McMullen — 7. — Quest. 8, Who are the superannuated preacher;;? Thos. Whitehead, James Wilson, Geo. Ferguson, William Brown,* Franklin Metcalf, And'w Prindle, D. Youmans, Ezra Healy, Wyat Chamberlain* — 9. * Ttiese have no claims on the funds raised for the support of Superannuated Preachers. Quest. 9. What preachers have withdrawn from the Church this year ? None. Quest. 10. *How are the preachers stationed this year? As follows, viz. : — .'r^.l\^-: [1844. eorge Carr, lliam Ames, kles— 28. received on J. B. Ayles- L. Dayman, 3, Benjamin tnce the last any of our isisted from 1844.] ies f L Williston, illen, Thos. preacher i; ? 3. Ferguson, dV Prindle, )erlain* — 9. the support of ton from the ationed this MINUTES. I.-LONDON DISTRICT. 359 U- 1. London — Edmund Shepherd, Charles Lavell. 2. WbodHtock — Rowley Heyland, Geo. Kennedy. 3. Chatham — Samuel C. Philp, one to be sent. 4. Howard — Thomas Harmon. 5. Gosjield — Solomon Waldron, one to be sent. 6. St. Thomas — Kennedy Greighton. 7. Warwick — William Dignam. 8. MuACj^ -^Cornelius Flumerfelt, Abraham Sickies; Peter Jones, supernumerary. 9. Brantford — George Poole, Geo. Young ; Thos. Whitehead, superannuated. 10. Simcoe — Matthias Holtby, Thomas Jeffers. 11. Norwich and Malahide — David Hardie, one to be sent ; John K. Williston, supernumerary. 12. Sahgeeng — George Copway. 13. Devonshire — Thomas Williams. 14. West 2\76ttry— To be supplied. Wm. Kybrson, Chairman* 11.— HAMILTON DISTRICT. 15. Hamilton — Lewis Warner, Isaac B. Howard ; Andrew Prindle, superannuated. 16. Dundas-^James Spencer, William Coleman. 17. Guelph — Stephen Brownell. 18. Stamford — Jonathan Scott, Joseph Messmore, Joseph Shepley. 19. 8t.t Catherines — George R. Sanderson, Ephraim B. Harper. 20. Grimsby — Matthew Whiting, Reuben E. Tupper. 21. Dumfries — Peter Ker, William Willoughby. 22. iVe7*on— Thomas Cosford, William Philp ; Geo. Ferguson, superannuated. ; i" 23. Georgetown — Luther O.'Kice. , 24. York — Sylvester Hurlburt, William Ames. 25. Grand River — Hamilton Biggar. John Ryerson, Chairman*^ ?! I:i '•I n \ih .;i:/ -ifi 'i |: 360 MINUTEB. [1844. III.— TOROI^ TO DISTRICT. 26. City of Toronto — Henry Wilkinson, William Pollard; Anson Green, who is our Book Steward ; Geo. F. Playter, who is our Editor. Yonge Street — Samuel Rose, Wm. Price ; John Culham, supernumerary. vvvir Newmarket and Snake Island — Ezra Adams, Benjamin Jones. Albion — Chas. W. M. Gilbert, Jas. Hutchinson, N. B. One of the Albion Ministers will change with the Mono Preacher once in three months. Mar Ar/tam —John Baxter, John Goodfellow ; D. Youmans, superannuated. Toronto Circuit — John Law, J. W. Cawthorne ; J. Wilson, superan. ; T. McMullen, supernu. Credit — Alexander MacNab, who is also Special Agent to solicit subscriptions for procuring a Library and Apparatus for Victoria College. St. Vincent — John Neelands. Whitby — Alvah Adams, George Carr. Barrie — Horace Dean, Francis Coleman- Owen Sound — William Herkimer. Lake Simcoe — Samuel Belton. ... Mono — One to be sent Anson Green, Chairman. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. -v;^ \^ IV.-COBOURG DISTRICT. 39. Cobourg — Wm. McCullough ; Egerton Ryerson, D.D., Principal of Victoria College ; Jesse ^ Hurlbiirt, A. M., Profes. ; D. C. VanNorman, ''*" A. M., Prof. ; John Beatty, supernumerary. 40. Port Hope — William McFadden. 41. Peterboro' — Thos. Demorest, Robt. Darlington ; Moses Blackstock, supernumerary. 42. Cartwright and Manvers- — Matthew Connor. 43. Asphodel — William Young, Abraham Dayman. 44. Colborne — John Black, David B. Madden. 45. Consecon — Robert Corson, John Sanderson ; D. McMullen, supernumerary. [1844. ••• I William our Book )ur Editor, ice ; John a Adams, utchinson, ith the Mono ellow ; D. iawthome ; El, supernu. ilso Special )rocuring a ia College, man. \\ MINUTXfll. 8«t hairman. Ryerson, ;ge ; Jesse linNorman, mmerary. [arlington ; ■ 'onnor. Dayman. Iden. lerson ; D. ie44v] 46. BelleviUe—WWlvam Haw. 47. Sidney — Richard Phelps, Robeit Lochhead. > 48. Mm mora — John Williams. 49. Hallowell — Conrad Vanduseny I. B. Aylsworth. 50. Napanee—ksah&X Hurlburt ; Samuel P. LaDour. 51. 8heffiel ; . ^ 58. Elizabethtown — John Tuke, Michael Fawcett} Wyat Chamberlain, superannuated. , . . ;- 59. Crosby — Daniel Berney. '\\-'^: 60. Pr&scott — John Gemley. '''""' ', i-J 61. Maiildu — Thomas Bevitty James Elliott. .■ •V'^ 62. Cornwall — Geo. B. Butcher, Jos. W. McCoIlum. 63L Rideau — Simon Huntington, R. Harden ; Wm. Brown, superannuated. 64. Avgusta — John Lever ; Ezra Healy, superan'd. 65. . Wolf /sZand-'Daniel Wright, : ;' •-' ' John Carroll, Chairman^ ^ VI.-BYTOWN DISTRICT. 66. Bytown — Michael Baxter. 67. Perth — George Goodson. 68. Mississippi — George Beynon, Ozias Barber. ^ 69. Osgoode — Joseph Reynolds. 70. Richmond — John Armstrong, J., Howes. ^ \' 71. 8t. Andrews — Wm. H. Williams, one to be sent. 72. UOrignal — James Hughes, Charles Taggart ; Kranklin Metcalf, superannuated. 73. Buckingham — James Greener. 74. Hull — Henry Shaler. 75. Clarendon — William Morton. 2f U ( > 1! ';i li il !i! ill '11 ;^t S62 MINUTES. ft [1844. \v-^> 76. Pembroke — One to be sent. * 77. Kemptville — Benjamin Nankevill. 78. Sherhrooke — Samuel Heck. v ^,[ >i 79. Bonchire — Oiielo jeint. ; \ •;'A\j>V-s .^^ ." ' ^.V' James Musorove, Chairman, David Wright, Agent for our Connexional Funds. Quest. 11. What is the number of members in our Societies, and what has been collected for the Super- annuated Preachers^ and for the Contingent Funds f As follows, viz. : — -'-''■ 'v CircitiU. London Woodstock Chatham Howard Gosfield St. Thomas Malahide Muncytown .... Warwick Sahgeeng Haimlton Dundas Nelson Guelph Stamford Chippewa St. Cfatherines ... Grimsby Brantf9rd Dumfries Grand River ..., Simcoe Norwich Walpole Toronto city Yonge Street.... Newmarket Albion Markham Toronto Barrie Lake Simcoe . . . . Snake Island .... Owen Sound . . . Credit St. Vincent . . . . , No. of Members 406 369 348 157 339 214 • 209 4 241 438 462 778 145 336 100 381 438 421 505 180 454 143 105 376 600 420 (il7 350 609 202 24 4 4 35 93 Col. for Superan. Preacher*, tie. £6 2 16 7J 8 3 8 li Col. to make'«p Beficienciea. £6 4 5 17 16 3 11 44 6 2 1 10 2 1 11 3 1 13 6i 1 1 94 1 10 8 3 9 3 9 5 Nothing. 7 5 3 10 10 114 3 6 4 5 17 1 6 5 5k 6 16 21 10 n 17 10 3 17 6 6 17 64 1 18 34 1 12. 2 7 8 14 6 3 9 9 3 4 7 5 8 74 4 15 6 ^ 2 6 4 5 1 7 3 2 16 9 2 5 1 10 2 2 11 10 12 6 9 9 7 5 7 1 6 74 3 17 14 2 2 6 4 9 6 1 5 4 5 6 8 54 8 10 5 3 7 1 1 Nothing. 4 9 02 3 ^othin S» Nothing. 1 7 7 1 3 1 5 5 hii [1844. ■J- 1 . I . » ; * kairman. ^ nal Funds. hers in our • the Super" ent Funds f Col. to make~«p Beflciencink £6 5 1 1 1 1 4 17 16 3 11 11 1 10 3 Nothing. 10 10 Hi 5 17 1 6 16 21 17 6 17 1 12. 8 14 3 4 15 4 16 2 12 9 17 9 5 8 10 7 Nothing. 02 3 Nothing. 1 3 1 5 4 6 2 5 2 7 3 4 4 44 6 2 3 n 8 9 10 6i 2 6 7 5 9 11 6 li 6 1644;] MINUTES. 363 Circuits No. of CoL for Superan. Members Pieacherci &C' Cobourg 256 £2 Colborne 222 17 6 PortHope 357 115 7 Peterborough 504 5 7 Cartwright and Manvers ... 109 089 Asphodel 266 1 3 li Whitby 640 4 Brock 238 Nothing. Kingston 207 368 Waterloo 670 3 9 10 Napanee..... 760 3 7 6 Hallowell 871 5 10 Belleville 260 1 16 3 Sidney 360 12 9 Marmora 118 Nothing. Bath and Isle of Tanti 262 3 2i Murray 639 2 9 5 Gananoque 74 17 3i Augusta 372 3 7 Prescott 75 6 5 Brockville 108 2 5 Matilda .........* 510 2 2 6 Cornwall..... 321 Oil 3 Kemptville..... 361 2 3 9 Rideau 409 116 Perth ...> 119 13 9 Sherbrooke 184 1 Crosby 294 13 9 Elizabethtown 429 2 15 Bytown 115 1 16 3 Osgoode ..* 256 3 9 Richmond 427 13 9 St. Andrews 377 18 9i L'Orignal 265 12 6 Buckingham 116 11 8 Hull 125 14 6 Mississippi 433 12 6 Clarendon 187 1 6 IJ Pembroke... | 68 Total from Circuits £ Annual Subscriptions of Preachers . Interest on Centenary money, in- vested in the Book Room Collection at Conference .„ Surplus of quarterage from Osgoode Missionary Appropriation Appropriation from Book Room. . . . Total £ Col. to make itf Deftcienciee. 1 £3 14 1 2 3 5 10 6 10 3 5 3 8 1 3 4 lU 4 19 li 3 12 6 5 4 e 5 10 2 li 2 1 168 17 8 128 111 15 9J 4 14 - 6^ 9 li 6 4i 7i li 6 •« • 6^' 2 2 3 14 7i 3 10 2 3 9 » 1 16 i-' 15 0« 1 12 1 6 8 li 7 2 18 9 i 1 2 e 17 Oi 1 15 6 2 6 1 15 1 1 18 8 4 II 10 10 . ! ■ y^i ■-.;.;•■* 4 3 7 54 17 2 10 412 14 9i I 283 18 6 1 ■ . -. ! ■4 ;<\ 164 Mimrru. [1844. ' IfuMBKR or Indiaits on thx Mission Stations. Muncytown . Saugeeng ... Grand River Lake Simcoe Snake Island ••••••«t«t 217 134 112 135 65 Owen Sound Credit Petet-borough Brock 60 105 14 50 Totd 882 RECAPITULATION Members in the societies this year . .^ ;;. ^ .........;. ; 33,749 •' " " last year.. .;;;.. ....;....;. 23,311 Increase this year 438 Quest. 12. How has the ammmt collected for the Superannuated Preachers^ and Contingent Funds heen<:xpendedf Superannuated Preachers' Fund. Franklm Metcalf ...£50 Ezra He \y 50 JaiaesWWson ^^. ............. 50 A'^iirew j'nndle ..........^ff,, .... 25 'liiuiias ^Thitehead .,..............;. 25 Di.vid Y'rumans ....,..,.,....» .50 Josef Ui .l^^smore 50 Creoffle Fei ;juson 50 Widovv of the late Rev. T. Madden . 25 Widow of the late Rev. W. Slater ........,...>. 25 To Josenh Messmore, for family afflictions • . . ... . . 2 To the Book Room for Stationary, &c 6 Money stolen from Superintendent, Chippewa Ct. 1 Jobn Carroll, having overpaid last year .......... 2 (1 « 1 2 18 74 15 Total £412 14 9i Contingent Fund. To make up the Malahide £10 Chatham 17 St. Thomas 18 Howard 4 Stamford 14 Chippewa 16 Simcoe 12 Norwich 15 Markham 8 Colbome 6 Waterloo 18 Prescott 7 deficiencies ofr— Augusta 5 15 5 15 a 15 10 5 10 10 10 10 £8 le Kempiville ...... 1 jKideav ..'.....'... ao Perth S Bytown 25 Richmond 8 L»Orignal 12 f'ln'l' ..v'. •...•*.. 6 Miirray ...•. 16 Moaey lost on Chip- pewa Circuit .. . 1 12 2 15 5 15 £248 7 2 [1844. nuKs. 50 105 14 50 , 882 1 • • • • 23,749 , 23,311 438 ted for the ent Funds ..£50 f> .. 50 .. 25 ., 25 .. 60 ..50 .. 25 ., 25 .. 2 1 2 .. 6 18 71 t. 1 15 £412 14 9* . £8ie . 1 « , 18 15 . 5 5 . 25 . 8 15 . 12 . 6 . 1€ ip- ; 1 12 2 £248 7 2 1844.] HINUTB8. 865 In cases of special affliction, die. S— J. Kelloe Williston £2 10 '• ''^"'^ SamuelRose : 3 .; -yi'' ^ ,h Asahel Hurlburt ,. 5 • .7/. Edwy M. Ryerson 5 "' ', ! William Willoughby 5 •■ ^- '■^'^ William Haw ^.. 5 0.'." V Benjamin Nankevill 5 14 Solomon Waldron 5 35 11 4 • * Total £2b3 18 6 :^' .\l' , ,•>•■-•/*. . M'^M. . ..-1- :...;•.•;( .'i 70 '' ' SABBATH SCHOOLS. The Report of the Committee on 8ahhath Schools shows that, at the present lime, there are 223 Schools in operation in connexion with our body ; being an increase of 17 during the past year. In view of the great utility of Sabbath School instruction, the Com- mittee strongly *' urge upon every preacher the im- perious necessity of exerting himself to the utmost extent in establishing, and otherwise promoting, the efficiency of these nurseries of the Church of God. And this is urged at the present time especially, in order to counteract the pernicious effects of those growing errors which are being propagated with a zeal that is worthy of a belter cause." , ■ , Quest. 13. What are the Standing Qojnmttees for the 'present year? 1. Contingent Fund Committee. The President and Secretary of the Conference, Chairmen of Districts, Superintendents of St. Cathe- rines, Stamford, and Grimsby Circuits ; together with the following Brethren : — Jacob Keefer, Esq., Lu Parsons, R. Collier, J. Kerr, Esq., and J. Hutt.. "^ -' 2f 2 I n ip ! Ill ti i H I ^m' : '^1 MINUTBt. 2. Mifsieiuiif Cowurnw* [1844. Rev. Messrs. R. Jones, If. Wilkinson, J. Ryer9on« A. Green, A. MacNab, P. Jones ; and Messrs. B. Ward, J. R. Armstrong, G. H. White, G. Walker, and J. Hodgson ; Rev, Anson Green, Treasurer ; and Rev. G. F. Play ter, Secretary. ; I-;: 3. The Book CoimrrrEE. The President of the Conference, the ex-President, Chairman of Toronto District, Preachers in the City of Toronto, Superintendents of Yonge Street, Mark- ham, Credit, Nelson, Toronto, Hamilton, and Stam- ford Circuits, the Principal of Victoria College, and Ihe General Agent. 4. Conference Committee, To confer with the Government on all matters in which the interests of our Church are involved, — consisting ol the President and Secretary of the Con- ference, Principal of Victoria College, and Chairman of Toronto District. -'■( ' 6. CaNFfiRENCE Executive CoMMrrTia. The President and Secretary of the Conference, the Rev. J. Ryerson, Rev. A. Green, Rev. William Ryerson, Rev. Geo. F. Playter, Superintendents of Toronto City, Yonge Street, Newmarket, Nelson, Toronto, Hamilton, and Stamford Circuits, together with the Principal of Victoria College. Quest. 14, What is the judgment of this Conference in regard to our relation to the secular politics and parties of the day ? iResolved, That while we discflaim all intention of controlling the political sentiments of any of our .1 [1844. >*i.'.. V . Ryerson* Messrs. B, \. Walker, surer ; and :-President, in the City •eet, Mark- and Stam- oUege, and matters in involved, — of the Con- d Chairman Jonference, )v. William tendents of et, Nelson, ts, together Conference politics and 1 intention eny of our 1944.J MXKVTEM. M7 Kinisters or members, eo long as those sentnnents do Bot contiravene the Discif^ine of our Churck, nor oon- tradict the Word of God, we will not, as a body, be responsible for the political doctrimes of any member or members of our Conference, or ChUrcli, or any party in our country, but leave our people perfectly free to exercise their own judgment in political and civil affairs. I MISCEUANEOUS RESOLUTIONS. .Ki 1. Resolved, Thlt in tiew of the recent Act of the Legislature, prohibiting Clergymen and Ministers from voting at elections, no person m our Church is recognized by this Conference as a Ministei* who has not been ordained by the imposition of hands accord- ing to our Doctrines and Dicipline. 2. Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be given to the Rev. Alexander MacNab, Book Steward, for his valuable services in the Book Estab- liiriiment during thfe past two years. 3. Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be presented to the Rev. William Ryerson, late Mis- sionary Agent, for the faithful and laborious manner in which he performed the duties assigned him du- ring the course of the past year ; and he will be pleas- ed to accept the sincere wishes of its members for his continued health and usefulness. 4. Resolved, That the cordial thanks of the Con- ference be presented to the Rev. J. Scott, for the manner in which he has discharged his duty, as Edi- tor of the Christian Guardian, during the four years in which he has held that important office. 868 MiNUTiB. [1844. 5. Resolved, That the Parsonages on Domestic Missions be considered the same as other parsonages. ir 6. Resolved, That a General Agent for all our Connexional Funds be appointed, and that the Rev. David Wright be that Agent. ► ' t * I L. V . t I 1 j\» [ r 4 ' ^ t ♦ M 7. Resolved, That this Conference records its high approbation and grateful sense of the judicious and efficient labours of the Rev. J. Ryerson, as President of the Conference during the year now closed, and expresses its earnest prayer for his continued health, happiness, and success in the services^ of the Church. 8. Resolved, That no claim for special purposes made by any Preacher, shall be met by the Contin- gent Fund Committee, unless his claim has first been recommended by his District Meeting. Quest. 15. Where and when shall our next Con- ference he held? At St. C^itherines, Niagara District, commencing on the first Wednesday in June, 1845, at ten o'clock, A. M. . *,\ f'A -^io ... Richard Jones, President. Henrt Wilkinson, Secretary, ]-'Mi\ .(• ■::'i(i 1 .,.y. J" [1844. 1 Domestic parsonages. for all our lat the Rev. ii!<.> ft: '■'}t^-'{ ords its high dicious and as President closed, and Lued health) le Church. i\ purposes the Contin- is first been r next Cori' ommencing en o'clock. lent, icretary. ■1 •- J'. .' 1844.] MINUTES. 869 'I -t'n' ,> ii! t '-<'.': f;. _, ;.^f:l t '• I "J {. '( ; ilt- THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE. . To the Members qf the Wesley an- Methodist Church in Canada, Vert DsiiR Brethren : la presenting to yt>u this our Twenty*fir8t Annual Address, we have cause of peculiar thankfulness to Almighty God that, during the last year, as also during the previous five years, death has not been permitted to break our ministerial ranks. In our diversified circumstances, and amidst so many privations, labours, and exposures, we regard our preservation for so long a period as a special ground of gratitude and praise to Him in whom we live and move and have our being, and an additionr claim upon the employment of our time, and strength, a. powers in promoting the interests of His glory. Deeply im- pressed with our renewed obligations, we consecrate ourselves afresh to the great work of our holy ministry ; painfully con- scious of our weakness and insulliciency, we humbly and earnestly implore the invigorating and animating power of the Holy One ; and fully sensible that our mutual faith and prayer, and exertions, are indispensable to the desired success of our common labours, we entreat the assistance of your believing, fervent intercessions, your affectionate sympathies, and active efibrts. It is thus, when the Ministers and Members of the Chnrdi are of one heart, one faith, one aim, and one labonr, ihey are mighty, tfarongh God, to the pulling down of the strengest holds of vice, ignorance, and error, end to the wide diffusion and establishment of virtue, knowledge, and truth. This is our calliBg — our duty— M)ur interest — enr happiness. We exist for the purpose c{ spiritual illumination ; and the interne- 1IC88 and diffusiveness of our vivifying energy will always be in ^oportion to the directness and fulness of the rays of the Son of Righteousness upon our own souls. If vre would warm otibeYs, we ourselves most be warmed ; if we would enlighten others, we ourselves must be luminous ; if we would be the iufltnunents of sanctifying and saving others, we ourselves must be sametified and saved. Let us, then, beloved Brethren, live «p to our holy vocation as Christian lielievers ; let vm live in harmoay wilfa our proliesstmi as strangers and pilgrims upon the I i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 11.25 15.0 ^^^" MnHB us. 12.0 us l» lit I: 1 llUil 6" Z ^A-^ /% V^* ^ Photographic Sciences Corporation as WIST MAIM STRiiT WIBSTH.N.Y. MSW (716)872-4503 t^ \ «■ % 870 MINUTES. [1844. earth ; let ua act consistevtly with our character and office as disciples in the school, as soldiers in the army, and labourers in the vineyard, of our Lord Jesus Christ ; let us be steadfitst and immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; let us glorify €rod in our bodies and spirits, which are God's. Thus believing, and praying, and living, and labouring, we shall save ourselves and others, and " be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and knbw the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Faithful is he that hath called you, who also will do it.*'^^ The continued prosperity of the Church requires this purity And consecration of all its members. The awakening and con> version of sinners is but an elementary part of our work. Spiri- tual growth must follow religious conversion ; the babe in Christ must be nurtured to the strength and wisdom of spiritual man- hood. The understanding must be filled with light, and the heart with love ; the irregular passions and appetites must be subdued, and the desires and affections sanctified. Thus must " all the building, fitly firamed together, grow unto an holy temple in the Lord ; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." This work of establishing and building up those who had been recently awakened and brought into the Church, has occupied no small part of our attention during the past year. In the coarse (^ the year preceding, nearly four thousand souls were added to our Christian Zion ; during the last year our numerical increase has been a little over four hundred. But» Brethren, why may not both the multiplication of conversions and spiri- tual growth be eonatantf as Veil as contemporaneous ? Is not Jehovah a pardoning God, as well as a comforting and sanctify- ing Spirit, at all times and in all places where He is truly sought 7 We dishonour Him, and we live beneath our calling iM&d our privileges, when, either in our thoughts or practice, we confine Him in his awakening and converting power, any more than in hib enlightening and purifying influences, to times and •easone and places. Let, then, by means of our ever-appro- priating iaith, ever-fervent prayers, add ever-unwearied labours, and throughout all our congregations, both the conversion c^ ■iiiners and adyancement <^ holiness be kept up in uninteirupted -r- :. ill [1844. r and office as id labourers in e steadfast and e Lord ; let us God's. Thus :, we shall save 1 with all saints nd height, and ledge, that ye thful b he that ires this purity ening and con> ir work. Spiri- e babe in Christ spiritual man- light, and the petites must be id. Thus must w unto an holy led together for le who had been has occupied year. In the ■and souls were our numerical But> Brethren, sions and spiri- lUeous? Is not ig and sanctify- re He is truly ,th our calling or practice, we ower, any more B, to times and >ur ever-appro- earied labours, e conversion of a uninterrupted 1644.] MINUTB8. 371 succession— the succession which characterized the labours and history of the Apostles and primitive Churches. Did we as a body possess apostolic faith and purity and zeal, revivals of reli> gion in our Church would be as daily and general as our daily bread — as constant as the ever-flowing stream — as powerful as the energy of the Eternal Spirit — as glorious as the beauties of holiness. In this two'fold work of promoting growth of grace in the members of the Church and the conversion of souls to it, we need the ardent and ceaseless co-operation of every member of it— and especially of every office-bearer. Throughout our entire spiritual vineyard, let no idler be found. The lukewarm will God spew out of his mouth, and the idler will be cast out with the ungodly and the wicked. The lambs require our mutual care ; the inexperienced our mutual counsel ; the unconverted our mutual pity and exhortations ; and all, the living testimony of our example, the incence of our prayers, and the sacrifice of our services. Let us thus, Brethren, without exception, and without reserve, bind ourselves as with cords to the horns of God's altar ; let fire from Heaven descend and influence the sacrifices, and we become whole burnt-ofierings to the living God. To this end, let all the Ordinances of the Church be conscien- Boiously observed, and all its Institutions be liberally supported. That the Ministry may be efficient, it must be faithfully attended and efficiently supported. Nor can our Class Meetings, or Prayer Meetings, or Love Feasts, or the Lord's Supper, accom- plirii the essential and Divine purposes of spiritual strengthening and Christian edification for which they were instituted, when they are neglected or reluctantly attended. They are so many channels of communication between earth and heaven ; so many means of intercourse between God and the believer. They are the divinely-appointed auxiliaries of God's method of saving sinners. As such, dear Brethren, let them be appre- ciated, and observed, and sustained. All our benevolent Institutions are helps in the same work of on» common salvation, and as such are presented to your con- tinued sjrmpathies and liberality. Our Sabbath Schools are the nurseries of the Church. Our Contingent Fund affords aid to i-i li iil I ■ r ;f SnfS- MINUTES. [1844. tliefeeUerpoTtions of our work. The Superanauated Preachers^ Fond is the only earthly prop of our worn-oat fathers and bre> Area in the ministry. The CkmtioM Guardian is the periodical oi^gaa of intelligence and instruction throughout «;:- ;.^,^^>;,-' '* Join'd in one Spirit to our head, Where be appoints we go." Beloved Brethren,— will you thus receive us, not as choosers of our respective fields of labour, but as sent Messengers unto you— as appointed labourers among you ? Will you bear with ns by your kindness 7 Will you aid us by your prayers, sustain us by your 8yi]i}pathies, and co>operate with us by your exer- ^ons? To God and his Church we owe more than our all ; we come to pay an instalment by serving yon with our best labours. Assist us, we beseech you, to sow and cultivate a seed which produces fruit unto everiasting life. We cannot labour in vaitt. Oiir reward is as sure as it is great. Our humblest toils in the name and spirit of our Divine Master will issue in a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Let us then be instant in season and out of season. Let no time be lost — no opportunity misimproved ; and in due season we shall reap if we faint not. We have already been raised up and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus : if fidthful to Him, to ourselves, to the Church, and to the world, we shall hereafler be raised up and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ, far above all principality, and power, and [1844. is from above it ! neglected ; all ly; but the true nng that he that it is guilty of all. be put intoou^r walk in att his al kindness ha9 Diyine blessing number of souls salvation. Our nestofpurbefng n the spirit of aong you. We ice to which we > not as choosers ilessengers unto 11 you bear with prayers, sustain IS by your exer- re than our all ; n with our best and cultivate a ife. We cannot ; is great. Our vine Master will It of glory. Let Let no time be season we shall Lsedup and made lus: if&ithful to world, we shall her in heavenly and power, and l6i45.J MiiluTKS. 3i75. might, and dominion, and shine as the brightness of the finna- ment forever and ever. Signed by order and in behalf of the Conference c( the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Ceiiiadtu RicoAKD Joma, Preaidmi* ■-■'■•. 'V>>:. HxiTRT WiLEiirsoir, Secretary. JSroekviUet June 13, IBH, , « i -.«■ ., ■ *^- • -*■ c^-itiin.*^- t. '^ , S.5' ■ 'i A- . » ^»^»^ « ^ < ^ ««#^o»#i####i» . V \ .•««. !i: I w : . C « ■'■•': •, .4Q^ digestion 1. Whtt preacMrs are this year atdifUt' ied into full connexion with the Conference^ and ordained t ^ .. 1; Daniel Wright, Michael Fawcett, Joseph W. Mc- Collum, John Gremley, James Elliott, Jesse Hurlburt, Jas. Hughes,* Bphraim B. Harper, Matthias Holtby,* Thomas Jeffers, Thomas Williams, John Willianto. David B. Madden, Joseph Shipley, Lii^her O. Rice,* Osias Barber~-16. V ' ^ * These Brethren ^eilfe ^ieviotfsly ordmned. • --^^ «l ' - .-«■ v> ■>.!>• i\'^^ m 97d BnNuns; [18454 Quest. 2. WhcU preachers remain on trial t Matthevr Connor, Geo. Kennedy, George Young, Charles Lavell, John Goodfellow, William Morton, Michael Baxter, William Pollard, Wm. Herkimer j William* Ames, George Carr. These have trwirelled thrxx years. John W. Cawthorne, Isaac B.. Aylesworth, Robert Lochhead, Charles Taggar^ A. Dayman, J. Greener,. Abraham Sickles. . These have travelled TWO years. Benjamin Jones, John Howes, Joseph E. Ryerson^. Srastus Hurlburt, Joseph Hill, Thos. Hannah — ^24» These have travelled on» year. »■-'» if-^ r * * Quest. 3. What preachers are now received on Malt N. F. English^ David Jennings, Thomas Cleghomv Alexander Green, Thos. Rattray, Solomon Snydevi. William Glass— 7.. Quest. 4. What preachers have died since the last Conference f None* Quest. 5. Are there any oljections to any of our preachers t "They were examined' one by one. • ' '^'^^ ' Quest* 61 Whc^ preacher* have desisted from travelling? None^ Quesl. 7» Who are the Supernumeraries t John Culham, John Beatty, Moses Blackstock, Paniel McMuHenf Thomas Hurmon — 5. Quest 9. Who are the superannuated preachers f Thos. Whitehead, Geo. Ferguson, And'w Prindle, Dftiid YouttiaDs,; JaSi Wilson,, Wyat Chainberlaii^,* y . Halt - >rge Young, iam Morton, . Herkimerj orth, Robert , J. Greener,. E. Ryerson>, [annah — ^24. Nil/ IK received on as Cleghorny non Snydevj. ince the last any of our \8isted from "iee t Blackstock, preachers f IV Prindle, ibeilaioi*^ 1845.] MiNUTM. 87V Ezra Healy, William Brown,* Franklin Metca)f, William Young— 10. * These have no claims on the funds raised for the cmpport of Superannuated Preachers. Quest. 9. What preachers have withctraipnfrom ^'.' As follows, viz. :— ; : "u- '. <.r;i I.-LONDON DISTRICT. : . ,m' 1. Loridon—^Edwy M. Ryersom ' •^*' 2. London Circuit — Cornelius Flumerfelt, George Kennedy. 3. TFbod«/oc&— Matthias Holtby, J. E. Ryerson. 4. Chatham — Samuel C. Philp, one to be sent. 6. Gosfield and Tilbury — David Hardie, William Dignam. 6. Howard — Thomas Williams. " ^'■•'■''■^ *^^ 7. 8t. Thomas — Solomon Snyder ; Thos. Harmon, supernumerary. 8.- Warwick — -'One to be sent. 9. Muncy Mission — Solomon Waldron, Abraham Sickles. to. Brantford^-Geoi^e Poole, Chas. Lavell; Thoa; Whitehead, superannuated. 11. Sh '-e^ — Kennedy Creighton, one to be sent. 12. Norii'.ch — Rowley Heyland. ,^ .... 13. Malahide — Thomas Jeffers. ^ 1:4. Sahgeeng — George Cop way. " ' Wm. Rvbrson, ChairfAan. ■ ^- ■ "* li.-tfAMILTON DISTRICT. 15. Hamilton— Lewis Wurner, Francis N. English ; Andrew Prindle, superannuated ; D. C. Van- Normbin', A. M., Principial Ladies' Academy.' 2a 2 ■'1 I : I .j»* l^i ! 1' ■ w fTS vmuTEV. [I84S. 16. Dundas — Edmund Shepherd, R B. Harper. ^ 17. Dumfries — John Law, William Willoughby. V 18. iVeZson— Peter Ker, William Philp ; George Ferguson, superannuated. 19. Grimsby — Matthew Whiting, Reuben E. Tupper^ 20. 8t, Catherines— ^ThoB. Demorest, Thos. Rattray. Brother Demorest will reside at Thorold. 5M» 8lamford — Jonathan Scott, Joseph Messmore. N. B. Brother Messmore will reside in Niagara, and take eharge of that place and Uie Crass Roads. 22^. €feorget(rum — Luther O. Rice. 23. Guelph — Thomns Cosford, John Goodfellow. 24. Grand River — Hamilton Biggar, Alex. Green- 26. York — Sylvester Hurlburt, Joseph Shepley. 26. Chippewa — John K. Williston. John Ryerson:, Chairman. n !'■ ir ' '). ni.-TORONTO DISTRICT. 27. City of Toronto — George R. Sanderson, Geo. Young; Anson Green, who is our Book Steward ; Geo. F, Playter, who is our Editor; 28. Tonge Street — Samuel Rose, William Price. 29. Bumbep—Chatles W. M. Gilbert ; John Culham, supernumerary. ^•. Toronto Circuit— 'Jaa, Spencer, Jas. Hutchinson; James Wilson, superannuated. 81. Whitby — David Wright, David Jennings.. ; 32. Darlington— AVvah Adams. 33. MarArAam — Ezra Adams, George Cair; David Youmans, superannuated. S4» Newmarket and Snake Island — John Baxter, one to be sent. S5. Albion — William Coleman, Benjamin -Jones. 9&. Mono and Nottawasaga — one to be sent ; William Glass; BLR. The Superintend'ents ofthe Mono and Albion Circuit& voU change once ia three months. ••-*!»>, [I84B. Harper. *" loughby. lip; George n E. Tupper. hos. Rattray, i'horold. I Messmore. gara, and take od fellow, lex. Green. Shepley. Chairman. jerson, Geo. is our Book is our Editor; iam Price, obn Culham, Hutchinson; nings.. 3!arr; David Baxter, one lin -Jones, jnt; William Albion CircuTts: 1845.] MINUTES. 970 37. Barrie — Horace Dean, John W. Cawthorne. 88. Credit — Samuel Belton ; Peter Jones, su^pernu'y.- 89. Rama — William Herkimer, 40. 8t. Vincent and Owe» 8ound — John Neelands,. one to be sent. 41. Brock — Gilbert Miller, one to be sent. Henuy Wilkinson, Chairman, 4^2. 1V.-COBOURG DISTRICT- Cobourg — Wm. McCullough ; Egerton Ryerson, D.D., Principal of Victoria College ; Alexr MacNab, Acting Principal of Victoria Col- lege ; Jesse Hurlburt, A.M., Professor; John Beatty, supernumerary. 43. Hallowell — Conrad Vandusen, David B. Madden. 44. Napanee — Asahel Hurlburt, John Sanderson. 45. Consecon — William McFadden, Thos. Cleghorn ;. Daniet McMullen, supernumerary. 46. Colhorne — Robert Darlington, Daniel Wright ; William Young, superannuated. 47. Belleville — Isaac B. Howard. 48. Sidney — Cyrus R. Allison, John Williams. 49. Port Hope — John Gemley. 50. Peterborough — Samuel P. LaDow, Abraham Dayman ; Moses Bfackstock, supernumerary- Si. Norwood — Richard Phelps, Robert Robinson. 62. Demorestvilte — Isaac B. Aylesworth. 53. Cartwright, Manvers, and Schoogog — Robert •Lochhead, one to be sent. 54. Mirmora — Stephen Miles. -^ 56. filAeJ^/*— Robert Corson. •• •- ' Richard Jones, Chairman,. ^ ■ V—KINGSTON DISTRICT. 66.. Kingston — Lochlin Taylor. 5T. Waterloo — Wellington Jeffers, V. B. Howard. 58. Bath — John Black, one to be sent. r^w I* % ^'?f f' rS ' !*)- «< 380 MINUTIS. [1845. 50. Wolf liland^One to be sent 00. Gananoque — Ozias Barber. 61. Elixabethtoum — Michael Fawcett* Erastus Hurl- burt ; Wyat Chamberlain, superannuated. 62. Brockville^WiUiam HaW. 68. Prescott — Francis Coleman. » N. B. The Ministers at Broekville and Prescott will change once a-month. ^4. AtigtUtd — John Lever ; Ezra Healy, superan'd. 65. Rideau — Simon Huntington, Geo. 6. Butcheif ; William Brown, superannuated. 66. Crosby — Matthew Connor. 67. MaiiWa— Thomas Bevitt, William H. Williams. 68. Cornwall — Joseph W. McCoUum, Joseph Hill, Daniel Berney left without a station. John Carroll, Chairman, VI.— BYTOWN DISTRICT. -v^ 60. By/otrn— William Pollard. 70*. Perth and Sherbrooke — George Goodson, Jamed Greener. 71. Mississippi — George Beynon, Charles Taggart. 72. Osgoode—^ John Armstrong. 73. Richmond — Benjamin Nankevill, Thos. Hannah.* 74. I^t. Andrews and UOrignal — Jame^ Hughes, Michael Baxter, one to be sent ; Franklin Metcalf, superannuated. *:v^ 75. Buckingham — JohnTuke. %« . 76. Hull — Joseph Reynolds, who will change witli the Preacher in Bytown once in four weeks. 77. Clarendon — John Howes. 78. Pembroke and Bonchire — Henry Shaler, WmV Morton. -..-'■ ' J, , •Jo. Kemplville — James Elliott. James Musorove, Chairman, , ^tEPHEN Brownell, General Agent for our Funds',' [1845. ■astus Hurl- nnuated. f [ Prescott will , superan'd. I. Butchei"; [. Williams, oseph Hill; ton. Chairman', Ison, Jamed es Taggart. »s. Hannah.* )^ Hughes, Franklin lange with bur weeks. der, WmV lairman. vr Ftmd^.' 1846.I KINUTBS. 881 Quest. 11. What is the number of member a in our Societies^ and what has been collected for the Super' annuated Preachers^ and Contingent Funde t As follows, viz. :— Cirenita. :. London Woodstock Chatham Howard Oosfield St. Thoma Warwick Mnncytown Brantford Simcoe Norwich and Malahide .... Sahgeeng Devonshire West Tilbury Hamilton Dundas ...» Guelph ....» Stamford St. Catherines Grimsby Dumlries.....^..... Nelson .»... Creorgetown York ..» Grand River Toronto city Tonge Street Newmarket &, Snake Island Albion Markham Toronto Ctedit St. Vincent Whitby Barrie Owen Sound Lake Simcoe Mono Cobourg ...».«»««• f.^ Na of M«rob«rt 400 270 370 154 280 219 234 8 372 455 395 116 48 383 400 140 430 400 440 500 510 155 146 176 389 608 363 343 316 563 38 145 481 258 3 34 161 %0 CoL for Supenm. Preacberi, tic £6 5 3 1 15 6 2 6 8 14 7i 1 11 101 10 7| 1 5 5 2 5 5 5 Nothing. 8 4 1 10 7 12 6. 5 13 4 5 5 8 10 1 5 2 2 2 5 2 1 9 8 4 9 6 6 CoL to make v^ DtAcitncia*. 6 6 3 7 2 2 12 6 2 5 3 1 17 9 3 1 10 5 4 5 16 n Nothing. 10 2 6 a 10 .0 6 4 9 41 9 £6 5 4 14 5 2 12 12 1 19 18 51 17 4 10 5 3 2 13 5i 5 10 Nothing. 10 12 6 5 6 1 5 8 11 8 15 5 6 5 7 17 1 16 2 8 2 7 10 8 8 84 9 2 3 4 4 3 4 5 9 1 5 1 5 4 74 2 6 34 6 4 2 6 5 6 Nothing.. 10 5 4 7 1 Mt t mi MINUTES. [1845. I /! CircviU Port Hope Peterboroafth Cartwright and Manvers kspfaodel .: .- /olb'oifne 8goode .... lichmond... }t. Andrews li'Orignal .. Buckingham Hull..; Clarendon .. I^mbroke ... KeVniptvilli'..- Sherbrboke . No. of Henib«ra 329 476 128 268 306 481 216 319 107 749 607 118 211 153 272 531 77 146 435 269 96 526 313 381 326 12 100 194 375 214 472 319 280 89 101 201 66 370 151 Total from Circuits £ Annual Subscriptions of Preachers . Interest on Centenary money, in- vested in the Book Rdom Collection at Conference lyiissionary Appropriation Appropriation n-om Book Room.... Total £ CoL for Supenn. Pieachert, tie CoL to msk* np Deficiencie*. 238 10 9A 50 25 313 10 9k [1845. n. CoL to mak* np Deflcienciea. £2 4 7 6 10 11 \ 4 11 Sf : 3 3 6 2 7 6 2 8 9 i 6 2 5 5 3 4 8 11 Nothing. 2 15 \ 3 14 3 17 X 1 ik 10 2 14 2 3 Q 1 6 11 2 4 1 3 14 7| 13 2 3 4 9 3 2 6 Nothina. 1 19 4 1 3 7k 3 7 6 1 5 2 5 4 1 14 U 1 15 6 19 2 1 10 3, 2 5 4» 5 0^ 2 12 6 238 10 H '--:i';.''..>^'> - m: 50 25 31» 10 91 31845.] MINUTSS. NOMBKR or IffDIAMS ON THS MlSSIOR StATIUMS. Muncytown 214 Saugeeng 147 Grand River 89 Lake Simcoe 132 Snake island 59 Owen Sound Credit Peterborough Brock 889 54 114 Total 876 RBCAPITVLATION. Members in the societies this year 22,946 last year.... .......J....... 23,74^ > WKfi I I ri 384 KriforrBB. [1845< In cases of special affliction, &c. : — GeorgePoole £2 Kennedy Creighton 4 James Hutchinson 6 5 William McCuUough 4 Peter Ker 5 George B. Butcher 9 Thomas Bevitt 3 10 '• John Howes 5 ^^»i . '»,^M David Hardy 115 9i '^■^r f^"*M William Pollard 5 r- Error in the Estimate of the Chairman ; of the London District 10 £55 10 9i Total £313 10 9| ,^ SABBATH SCHOOLS. >, ^ rvX The Report of the Committee on Sahhath Schools shows that, at the present time, there are 2.12 Schools in operation in connexion with our body ; and among other valuable suggestions, suggested the fol- lowing : "•* That in order that there may be uniformity as well as attention to this department of the work, that the Annual Returns of Sabbath Schools be made at the several District Meetings, and recorded on the District Books. Resolved, That a Prospectus of a Periodical de- voted to the cause of Sabbath Schools, to be published Monthly, appear in the Christian Guardian j and that the Preachers exert themselves on their several Circuits to procure subscribers for the same ; and that as soon as a sufficient number of subscribers are pro-^ cured, the Book Committee publish the Periodical — the Editor of the Christian Guardian acting as its Editor." : :;.. Quest. 13. What are the Standing Committees far the present year? 1. Missionary Committke. To consist of the Book Steward, who is the Trea- «arer ; the Editof of the Christian Guardiany ytho is [1845. *t-Mi vi-j:^i:4 — £55 10 9i .. £313 10 9i 'fbath Schools B 212 Schools ■ body ; and jested the fol- be uniformity of the work, lools be made ;orded on the eriodical de- be published ardian; and Itheir several le ; and that ►ers are pro- iPeriodical — pting as its imittees far the Trea- liaiiy wlio is 1845.J MINUTES. 386 the Corresponding Secretary ; Mr. S. S. Junkin, who is the Recording Secretary ; Chairman of Toronto District ; the two Ministers in the City of Toronto, and the Superintendents of Yonge Street and Hum- ber Circuits, together with the following gentlemen : J. R. Armstrong, Esq., Jas. Hodgson, Geo. Walker, E. C. Benns, Peter Lawrence, Esq., Jas. Stephens, and Richard Brewer. < ;; i , : r 2. The Book Committee. The Chairmen of Toronto and Hamilton Districts, the Preachers in the City of Toronto, and the Super- intendents of Yonge Street, Hamilton, Humber, To- ronto, and Markham Circuits. 3. Conference Committee, . k' -S To confer with the Government on all matters in which the interests of our Church are involved, — consisting of the President and Ex-President of the Conference, Rev. A. Green, Rev. A. MacNab, and Dr. Ryerson. ft 4. Confekamux Executive Committee. The President and Secretary ©f the Conference, Chairmen of Toronto, Hamilton, Cobourg, and King- ston Districts; the. Book Steward, the Editor of the Christian Guardian^ and the Superintendents of the Toronto City, Yonge Street, Newmarket, Nelson, Toronto, Hamilton, and Stamford Circuits. 5. Contingent Fund Committee. The Chairmen of Districts, and one member ap- pointed by each District Meeting, together with the following Laymen : — Dr. Beamish, J. Patterson, S, W. Brady, C. Johnston, and P. Peterson. , ,. .,^i-,i 2h i I ^ I iX. ' 886 MINUTES. [1845. 6. CORVXRENCK CoMpaiTXX, £ntrusted with full power to decide on all matters of difference between the British Conference and the Canadian Conference, consisting of the following brethren, viz : — The President and Secretary of the Conference, John Ryerson, A. Green, R. Jones, C. R. Allison, J. Carroll, J. Scott, William Ryerson, Geo. F. Playter, A. Hurlburt, Dr. Ryerson, Peter Jones, H. Biggar, and A. MacNab. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS. 1. Resolved, That a General Agent for all our Connexional Funds be appointed, and that the Rev. Stephen Brownell be that Agent 2. Resolved, That our Local Preachers, and Min- isters of other denominations, shall be allowed 10 per cent, on all books purchased at our Book Room, when for their own Libraries, and on the condition of immediate payment. 3. Resplved, That this Conference records its approbation and grateful sense of thje judicious and efficient labours of the Rev. Richard Jones, President of the Conference during the year now closed ; and expresses its earnest prayer for his continued health and success in the services of the Church. 4. Resolved, That Brother David Wright's state- ments are satisfactory to this Conference, and that we tender him our cordial thanks for his indefatiga- ble and useful labours during the past year, as Con- ference Agent l:^ ' i84l] MINUTES. 38^ 5. Resolved, That it is desirable, tts this is the twenty-second Annual Conference of this body, that all the Annual Minutes of Conference for the last twenty-two years be printed in one volume, and that the Book Steward be authorized to print them. 6. Resolved, That the cordial and unanimous thanks of the Conference be presented by the Super^ intendent, next Sunday, from the pulpit, to the inhabitants of St. Catherines, for the kindness and. hospitality extended to the members of this Confer- ence during its present Session. 1 . • • Extracts fiom the Repdrt of tlit CmmUtte on Petitions and Memorials, 4 The memorial of certain official members of the Brantford Circui,t having been read, the Conference Resolved, 1st. That we consider it inexpedient to alter the present system of Chairmen travelling from circuit to circuit, and from mission to mission* be- cause, apart from other reasons, we do not learn that such alteration is desired — the petition how referred to being the only one before this Conference. ,' r .•I iff 2nd. That, as a Conference, we are determined to preserve the position of neutrality which we have uniformly taken in reference to political parties, and which we consider both safe and honourable ; satis- factory alike to ourselves and our people ; and of which we expressed our views at our last meeting in a separate resolution, and in the Pastoral Address, and to which we beg leave to refer our brethren of the Brantford Circuit. \{l 1 ^1 1^. IP t -f 1, I. f II' 1. * ( ii '■1 - ,c'i !« 888 MINUTES. [1845. "jr In Answer to the Cohourg Memorial. Resolved, That while there is nothing on the Jour- nals of the Conference guaranteeing to the laity the right of petition, yet there is nothing in the consti- tution or usages of the Church depriving the member- ship of the privilege — and the Conference will there- fore at all times receive uch memorials and petitions as may be respect*" . y expressed. As it respects the medium of conveyance, we con- sider any member, or number of members, of the Churcn, have the undoubted right to present a peti- tion, address, or memorial to the Conference, through any medium they may think proper ; while at the same time we know of no law or usage of our Church making it the duty of a member of the Conference, or any other person, to be the bearer of any petition or memorial to the Conference, or elsewhere, unless at his own option. ij J *:i' ,pi ■(! Quest. 15. Where and when shall our next Con- /erence be held ? In Kingston, Midland District, commencing on the first Wednesday in June, 1846, at nine o'clock, A.M. ./ ii;; i.V» Un.; .-.:;;• ■, .-., , ">il'i^ •, : •.-..!'...:* ■■ tMt kiK'.'- J "t! ,.. •=; .> »"! . . I . Henrt Wilkinson, President, Thomas Bevitt, Secretary, '*,'\ 1845.J MiNirrss. 8S9 •i ,•>■ , • r,l < •■«;"'!-'■ •ra»' » . -.1. ' ! ■•; •• '■'ft To the Mongers of the Wegleyan-Methodigt Church in Canaikt, Djcablt Bblovjed Baxthkut { By the permission of Qod we are assembled in our Twenty- second Annual Conference, and are happy to inform you that its deliberations have been marked with more than usual calmnesn, unanimity, and affection, and that all the religious servieea connected with it have been seasons of edification and joy* " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." The approach of the close of the Confer- ence reminds us of our duty to address you— a duty welcome to us and important to you, — inasmuch as one object of it is to draw still closer the hallowed and delightful bonds which exist between us and you. May oar love to Christ and each other abound yet more and more ! •• -_ - ; - ■ At no former Conference have so many of your Preachers been present as at this ; and for the seDentbtime it is our privilege t* tecord the fact, that death has not been allowed to reduce tho number of your Ministers during the year, — a fact which strongly confirms the weighty truth, that in the God of love ** we live». and move, and have our being." n* " J ■'.' We have. Brethren beloved, many reasons for devout thanks^, givings to God after a review of the past year. Our memberA are steadfast in the faith delivered to them» which is, and wiU be, indispensable to their evangelical consistency ; their attends ance on the means has.been conscientious and steady; thei|^ liberal and successful concern to add to the number of Wea* leyan Churches is laudable ; their readiness in every way to extend the {iominion of the Messiah is characteristic of the relie . gion they profess. The number of members is less thnn laiil. year, owing to the exercise of discipline, and ether causey} but we apprehend that a diminution in this respect has bee^, attended with a personal scrutiny, a self-dedication, and a coo* aolidation among our people of considerable spiritual advantage 2h2 • f ." ii k#fe^ S90 »ii!fUXfT:j. [1845. to them ; and that future accessions may be largely and confi- dently anticipated. One ground of anticipation is the unusually large number of Probationers for the ministry cordially and publicly received into the Conference, and ordained since we assembled, and likewise the large number of brethren who have been received on Trial for. the Itinerancy. Thus there is a suc- cession which we believe to be scriptural, and necessary for our rising country, and which strengthens the expectation we have of the perpetuity of the Wesleyan Ministry ; and we have no doubt you will gladly and incessantly remember them in your most fervent intercessions to Him who has given you " pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." It is with gratitude to Grod, and for your satisfaction, we state, that our various Funds, with scarcely an exception, are in a favourable condition,— of one of which — the Mission Fund — we would take special notice. The new and extended plan directed by the Conference for holding the Missionary Meetings and services this year has admirably succeeded ; and for their zealous oo-operation and generosity, our worthy members and friends deserve and obtain our sincere thanks. May God, who "is able," "taake all grace abound toward" them; that ihey, *' always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work !" An Address has been received from the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in reply to the Address of this Conference, presented by our esteemed Representatives when that Conference last met, which is fraught with the spirit and language of warm fraternal love, and with admiration of the institutions, labours, and successes of our Church, and which increases the attachment, and calls into liveliest exercise the sympathies we ever feel for that great and influential, and venerable and beloved portion of the entire Wesleyan family. Yon, with us, are watching with an inexpressible and becoming ■elicitude the present momentous movements in that Church, and, we are sure, do with us pray, that He whose " pavilion round about Him are dark watersand thick clouds," may super- intend her very extensive ecclesiastical afiairs, and give her abundant peace and prosperity. e work of the 1846.] MINI7TB8. 801 We commend yoUf dear Brethren, for the christian manner in which you have, during a period of provincial excitement, respected the views we expressed in our last Annual Address, and observed the advice we then gave, *' That you guard against the indulgence of a secular party spirit, and duly respect the constituted authorities and established laws of the land ;" and now explicitly reiterate what we at that time said : " With the secular parties or politics we have nothing to do. Our Confer- ence or Church knows no man after the flesh ; nor is it, nor will it be, identified with any of the contending parties of the day, or the peculiar sentiments they may entertain or advocate." We would now, Brethren in Christ, aflfectionately and ur- gently call your attention to your belief, experience, and charac- ter. The Doctrines received by you have stood the test of prejudice and infidelity since apostolic times ; and that yon may not in these days of conjecture and delusion be moved from the " sure foundation," we earnestly exhort you to study in a devo- tional spirit the Bible, Mr. Wesley's Works, and others approved among us. It is a circumstance to be regretted that in many wealthy Methodist families no part of his works are to be found. Your religious experience, to be valued and useful, must be sound, unmistaken in its leading features, satisfactory, and joyous. Know that you are children of God : feel that you love Him. Your character should be spotless. As Methodists you profess to live for no less a purpose than to enjoy, recommend, and spread holiness. It should be decided, — when there is a decided preference given by some professors of religion to ita forms and ceremonies, to the utter rejection of the power of it. It should be prudent Be not deceived by pretensions to truth and honesty. "Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full re- ward. " It should be pacific. ** The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." It should be discriminating. At the present time christians are in danger of transposing and deranging the order of useful instrumentalities : therefore, give every means it« proper place. Charity, when ignorant or unobservant, is either bigoted or latitudinarian. Give prominency in your views and course to what is Christian, Protestant, and We8le}ran. It ^* !; N:1 li' t 1 l!-i 1 ' i illl' 1 1 1 ' ,] 1 i N- i l\'- i 1 l^ 892 MiNUTU. [1845. ■hoald be practical. It cannot hare escaped your notice that ia every one of the letters to the seven Churches of Asia the Saviour speaks of their " works ;" and that the Rules of our Society form a purely practical code. Your character should be simple and energetic. Whatsoever you are commanded by God to do, doit "heartily" as unto Him. You are to "Koe Uie life of the righteous." We deem these plain advices to be of paramount importance, and would give emphasis to them by adding, that we strongly wish to say of you all, " Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men." We call your attention to the means and sacraments in use among us, with which you are too well acquainted for it to be necessary to enumerate them. "Mind the samk things." Fearing there is some neglect of a few of them, we seriously observe, that Public Worship, whether as to hearing, praying, or singing, should be marked with true solemnity and gladness, and in many of our churches and places of worship the Bible should be much more used by the people when the Scriptures are read by the Minister, and our Hymn Book be in the pos- session of many more persons when praises are sung. Is Family Worship performed in every Methodist house, morning and evening ? Does every member of our Church frequently, regu- larly, and fervently attend to Secret Prayer? How impossible to be " full of faith and of the Holy Ghost" without this ! How perilous is the experiment to attempt to be holy without it ! Do all Methodist parents sedulously endeavour to be the means of the conversion of their children ? The sacrament of Baptism, though not regenerating, is scriptural ; yet are not parents some- times seen bringing their children to the font years after they were born, having been forgetful or regardless of their duty to dedicate them in the christian temple the earliest opportunity. As to attention to the Lord's Supper, does not misapprehension, or weakness of faith, prevent others from approaching His table 7 Weare "jealous" over such members " with a godly jealousy," and therefore thus faithfully speak. .,,^^^, _. ^ .^ ., .,, „, ^, , We call your attention to the institutions and fumda of our Church. Apart from duty, which is always imperative, how much are the temporal interests of every converted man aided l^y bis religion, however liberally he may give for the support of the cause of. Christ ! The Circuity Superannuated, and Con- [1846. rar notice that les of Asia the e Rulre of our liaracter should commanded by )U are to **Uve ji adTicea to be aais to them by I, "Ye are our ail men." ■ raments in use ited for it to be SAMS THINGS.'* I, we seriously aring, praying, y and gladness, rship the Bible the Scriptures L be in the pos- ung. Is Family , morning and iquently, regu- ow impossible ut this ! How itbout it ! Do the means of nt of Baptism, t parents some* ears after they f their duty to It opportunity. lapprehension, ling His table 7 idly jealousy," [fvm4s of our iperative, how ted man aided }r the support kted, and Con- 1845.] MINUTES. 898 tingent Funds have numerous and just claims upon you. The Constitution of the Missionary Society of our Church has been modified at a public meeting held during the session of Confer- ence, and will, we doubt not, have a salutary effect. We con- fide this department of our work, as well as others, to your judgment and best feelings, and to those of its friends, assured that you and they will, as both have done, cheerfully sustain it. Sabbath Schools form a gratifying department of our labour; and we recommend to you the formation of Wesleyan Sabbath Schools wherever and whenever practicable, under the super- vision of your Ministers. The Book, Guardian, and Printing Establishment deserves, and we trust will have, more than ever, encouragement by your means : much depends upon it. Victoria College has already greatly conduced to the educational and religious interests of Canada, and continues to present high claims on our Church and the Colony ; and it is our conviction that a public -spirited, not to say pious, remembrance of those claims, on the part of Parents and Guardians in our Church, is a duty which should without delay be performed by them and others, that so noble an Institution may be still more command- ing and beneficial in its influence. And now, dearly beloved Brethren, in taking our departure from this place for our future fields of toil, we are prompted to eay, that much of the harmony and the Divine presence we have enjoyed has been vouchsafed in answer to your prayers, ascending from every part of the ample vineyard we are called in the providence of God to occupy. We have the tenderest recollections of the relation which exists between you and us, and are deeply affected by a consideration of our mutual respon- sibilities. Never forget that the preservation and increase of your piety much depends upon the devotion of your talents and energies to God ; and that were all our members entirely conse- crated to Him, nothing could prevent the speedy diffusion of truth and purity throughout Canada. We have before God re- newed our pledges. Renew yours. Short is the day allotted us for exertion : Be it crowded with acts of faith and labours of love ! Thousands of our countrymen are unsaved : Co-operate with us in making special and unwearied efforts for their salva- tion. Since we last addressed you not a few of our endeared inembers have triumphantly gone to God, Be it ours so to live. K?1 804 MINUTKfl. [1845. and labour, and die, that when men and angela are met at the last tribunal, the King may say unto each ofut, " Well dons, thou good and faithful servant." "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all !" i' i i ADDRESS OF THE AMERICAN GENERAL CON- FERENCE. To tke Members qftke Conference qfthe Wesleyan'Melhodist Church in Canada, , . Rsr. AND Dear Brktbrkit t > ; . 1 We gladly embrace this favourable opportunity of express- ing the high satisfiiction which the presence of your representa- tives, and your fraternal letter, have afforded us. We greatly rejoice in these continued evidences that our union is not merely " in word and in tongue, but indeed and in truth." We beg to assure you that nothing shall be wanting upon our part to make it perpetual. We cannot withhold from you our regret that we have been deprived.of the presence of your worthy representative. Rev. E. Ryerson, President of Victoria College ; but we congratu- late you upon the ability with which you have been represented by our highly esteemed brethren, Rev. John Ryerson, President, and Rev. Anson Green, Ex-President, of your Conference. It ia our devout prayer that you and our common Methodism may long be favoured with the evangelical labours of these able and faithful Ministers. We join with you in gratitude to Almighty God for the grow- ing prosperity of your branch of our beloved 2ion ; and we have the utmost confidence that, so long as we adhere to the great distinguishing Doctrines of our revered Founder and early Fathers, in faith and in practicet making holiness in heart and in life tlie grand central idea of our system, the Lord will con- tinue to honour us as the instruments of salvi^tion to a lost and perishing world. ■ >' -^ » - ^ i.v.i.;-;^. € [1845. 1845.] MINUTES. 305 re met at the ' Well DoitB, of our Lord RAL CON- tyan'M^odisi lityofexpress- our repreaenta- I. We greatly >n is not merely .»» We beg to iir part to make we have been kentative, Rev. t we congratu* >en represented [bod. President, lonference. It [ethodism may I these able and I for the grow- Sion ; and we adhere to the knder and early \b in heart and jord will con- to a lost and Tour zeal and liberality in the cause of Missions, in the sup- port of the MiniHtry, and in the cause of Education, are above all praise. May the Lord reward you " an hundred fold in thia life," and " in th* world to come" give you ** life everlasting '* When our Church ceases to care for the souls of the heathen and the destitute, and confines its efforts to the wants of home alone ; in a word, when it ceases to carry out in practice the motto of our great Founder, ** the World is my Parish," it will cease to be Methodism ; its '* glory will have departed ;" and the world must mourn the extinction of one of the greatest moral lights with which it has ever been illuminated. We trust no branch of our beloved Church will ever be thus recreant to the high and holy responsibilities devolved upon her by an unerring Providence. No, dear Brethren, let us ever respond promptly to the Macedonian cry by our prayers, our money, and our men, whether it comes from the east, west, north, or south ; let us even " go out," uninvited, " into the highways and hedges" in search of souls, and " the blessing of them that are ready to perish" shall " come upon us." The efficiency of your financial scheme is certainly matter of great congratulation. Though in this particular we may not rival you, be assured we shall not rejoice the Uss that you are able to do justice to those venerable men who have worn out their lives and spent their substance in devoted service to the Church of God. W« need not remind you that our enemies have long desired to fix upon a Church — the purity, spirituality, land usefulnesa of which they could not impeach— the disgrace of ignorance. It is true we had our vindication in th^ sound and expansive learning of our venerable Wesley, and of the distinguished apostles of Methodism ; and not less, perhaps, in the marked intelligence and sound common sense of the great body of our ministry and membership. But we cannot deny that in some periods of our history we have been too negligent of the " means and appliances** of education among our people. We rejoice to believe that this humiliating evil is fast.being remedied, both among us and you ; and we look forward with pleasing prospect to the time, and not far distant, (if indeed it has not already arrived) when the facilities for acquiring nound practical and anctified learning shall be fully equal in the Methodist Church .;■■.'■■= ■■'' ■■■•WKSi - . % ,5 I r I€J n 396 MiNtfTBS. [1846. to those of any other Christian denomination. We are gratified to learn that you are taking an honourable rank in this depart- ment of philanthropic and christian enterprise. Tour free access to our periodicals will make it unnecessary for us to refer to the saJistics of our Church in any of its great departments of labour. Our greatest concern is that our growth in grace may keep pace with our rapid advancement in numbers, intelligence, and influence. Devoutly praying for your continued prosperity in all the elements of an evangelical christian communion, w;*f fit! i" r " We are, dear Brethren, ; J-^'- .r < '^ ;• : .^ y>.hi> (i V > Respectfully and affectionately, ■ ' ., Joshua Soule, ■ '• ' ' • • ' ' '■ V Elijah Heddino, :rUr,r^ ,-. .,.,.,, -.., ,.- • .^ .,: . ^ WauGH, ""■^ "^ Thos. A. Morris. Thomas B. Saroent, Secretary^ 2V«5tc-For&, ilfay 28th, 1844. CANADIAN AFFAIRS. Extract from the Journal of the Wesleyan- Methodist Conference held at Sheffield, 1843. Quest. 28. What is the decision of the Cotiference on those Canadian affairs which have this year been urged on its attention! After full consideration of the documents from the Upper Canada Conference, proposing that the differences which led to a dissolution of the Union between that body and the British Conference should be referred to the arbitration of some inde- pendent party, it was unanimously Resolved : That, while it 18, in the juderment of the Conference, inexpedient to refer the settlement ofaifTerences between the British and Canada Con- ferences to any third party, yet, in order to effect a SHtisfactory and final arrangement between the two Conferences, the follow- ing Committee is appointed, viz. : the President and Secretary of the Conference ; the Rev. Messrs. Joseph Taylor, Dr. Bunt- ing, James Dixon, John Beecham, Dr. Alder, Elijah Hoole, Joseph Fowier, George Marsden, Thomas Jackson, William Lorcl, Joseph Stinson, and William Burt, with power to add to their number. This Committee are entrusted with full powers to decide on all the matters in question. Extracted from the Journal. , !f J William Bartow, Journal Secretary. [1845. We are gratified k in this depart- e it unnecessary any of its great 8 that our growth aent in numbers, erity in all the >n, :tionate]y, :si [UA SOULK, AH Hedding, Vacgh, 3. A. Morris. rAN-METHODIST 1843. fcrence on those on its attentionl from the Upper inces which led ' and the British a of some inde- That, while it ient to refer the id Canada Con- :t a SHtisfactory ces, the follow- t and Secretary ylor. Dr. Bunt- , Elijah Hoole, iikson, William Ijower to add to i^ith full powers Bartoit, al Secretary, ^ MAEEIAGE ACT. 'm i! MARRIAGE ACT. [The first two clauses confirm and declare valid marriages heretofore solemaized respecting which doubts may have arisen. 3 in. And be it, Sf-c. That it shall and may be lawful for any Clergyman or Minister of any Church, Society, Congregation, or Religious Community of persons, professing to be members of the Church of Scotland, Lutherians, Presbyterians, Con- gregational ists. Baptists, Independents, Methodists, Menoniste, Tunkers, or Moravians, who shall be authorized, in manner hereinafter mentioned, to solemnize the ceremony of marriage within th'ie Province between any two peisuna, neither of whom is under any legal disqualification to contract matrimony. IV. Provided nevertheless, and be it, SfC. That no person shall be taken or deemed to beji Clergyman or Minister of such church, society, congregation, or religious community, within the intent and meaning of this Act, who shall not have been regularly ordained, constituted, or appointed, according to the rites and form of such church, society, congregation, or religi- ous community, of which he professes to be a Clergyman or Minister, and unless he shall be a subject of his Majesty, and shall appear before the Justices of the District in which he shall reside m General Quarter Sessions assembled ; and unless he shall produce proofs of his ordination, constitution, or appoint- ment as such Minister, and shall then and there take the Oath of Allegiance to his Majesty ; which Oath the said Court shall then and there administer ; and thereupon, if it shall appear to the majority of the Justices then present that he has been regu- larly ordained, constituted, or appointed as aforesaid, they are hereby authorized and required to grant him a certificate, under the seal of the Court, and signed by the Chairman and the Clerk of the Peace (for which the said Clerk shall be entitled to receive V. 400 MARRIAOB ACT. J^' ■4 the sum of five shillings), certifying him to be a minister or clergyman of such church, society, congregation, or religious community ; which certificate noay be in the following form :— Be it remembered, that at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, holden at in and for the District, on the day of , in the year of our Lord » before A. B. and others, Esquires, Justices of our Sovereign Lord the King, assigned to keep the Peace in the said District, came C D., of » who professes to be a Minister or Clergyman of the church, society, congregation, or religious community (as the case may be), and it appeared to a majority of the Justices, that he, the said C D., was duly ordained, constituted, or appointed, (as the case may be), a Minister or Clergyman of the said » church, society, congregation, or religious community. G. H., Clerk of the Peace. £. F., Chaimuan. V. Provided also, and be U, ^c. That no such minister or clergyman shall at any time c«I«brate the ceremony of marriage between any two persons as aforesaid, unless buch their inten- tion of marriage shall have been declared openly, and in an audible voice, in the church, chapel, meeting-house, or place of public worship of such congregation or religious community, on three several Sundays, either in some intermediate part of the service, or immediately before it began, or immediately after it ended, together with the number of times the said decla- ration shall have been made, or unless such minister or clergy- man shall have been duly authorized by licence under the hand and seal of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or person Administering the Government of the Province, to celebrate the said ceremony between the two persons therein named. VL And be it, Spc. That every Minister or Clergyman or Justice of the Peace who has been or shall be authorised to celebrate marriage by virtue of this Act, or any other Act of this Province, shall, if required at the time by either of the parties married by such Minister, Clergyman or Justice of the Peace, give a certificate under his hand of such marriages, specifying in such certificate the names of the parties, the time, and the names of two or more persons who witnessed such marriage^ MARRIAGE ACT. 401 a minister or tn, or religious >wing form :— er Sessions of district, on the ,» before A. B. Lord the King, came C D., of srgyman of the imunity (as the le Justices, that d, or appointed, nan of the ssdd imunity. ., Ckaimum. 3uch minister or nony of marriage such their inten- ^nly, and in an lOUse, or place lous community, rmediate part of or immediately s the said decla- nister or clergy- under the hand mor, or person ce, to celebrate rein named. Clergyman or authorised to iny other Act of her of the parties ce of the Peace, ages, specifying le time, and the sttch marriage» ■nd whether such marriage has been solemnized by licence or by publications of banns ; and also, once in every twelve months return a certified list under his hand of all marriages by him solemnized within the said term of twelve months, or since his last preceding return to the Cierk of the Peace, in and for the District in which such marriages shall have been respectively solemnized, specifying in such list the names of the parties so by him married, the respective dates of such marriages, and the names of two or more persons who witnessed each of said marriages, and whether such marriages respectively shall have been solemnized by licence or publications of banns, and such Minister or Clergyman or Justice of the Peace shall, at the time of returning a certificate list as aforesaid, pay to the said Clerk of the Peace the sum of two shillings and sixpence, and it shall thereupon be the duty of the said Clerk to record the said cer- tificate list in the Register or book required by law to be kept by him for the registry of certified marriages of members of the church of Scotland, Lutherans, Congregational) sts. Baptists, Independents, Methodists, Menonists, Tunkers, Presbyterians, or Moravians, and such register or a certified copy thereof shall be cuuaidcrcd, iu case of tko death or absence of the witnesses to any marriage, a sufficient evidence of the said marriage. And the said Clerk of the Peace is hereby required to give such copy of the registry of any of the said marriages, duly certified, to any person demanding the same, upon the payment of two shillings. And if any such Minister, or Clergyman, or Justice of the Peace shall refuse or neglect to return such certified list as aforesaid, he shall forfeit and pay the sum of forty pounds, to be recovered by action of debt in his Majesty^s court of his bench, one moiety thereof to the use of the informer, who shall sue for the same, and the other to be paid to the Receiver General of this Provmce, to and for the use of his Majesty, his heirs and successors, for the public uses of this Province and the support of the civil government thereof, to be accounted for to his Majesty, through the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, for the time being, in such manner and form as his Majesty shall direct. ^ 'f ft if: j II Ih j ;■ 402 vt FORM OF RETURN TO THE CLERK OF THE PEACE. List of Marriages Solemnized by A. B., in the District, during the twelve months ending Names of Parties. Residence. Time of Solemnization. Witnesses. By Licences or Banns. i' ■ ■ f I hereby certify that the above is a correct list of all the Mar- riages solemnized by me in the District, during the above- named period, or since my last return. Given under my hand this day of 18... . C D , Minuter of the Wetley an- Methoditt Church in Canada. OF THE ,.,.. District, By Licences or Banns. of all the Mar- ring the above - I J 18 • • • iurchin Canada. STATEMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE METHODIST CHURCH THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. Number of Members now in Great Britain 340,778 Do. Ireland 27,926 Do. Foreign Stations 99,609 Total under the care of the British and Irish Confer's 468,313 Under '"he care of the American Conferences 1,139,587 Under the care of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church in Canada 22,946 Total number of Members in the Wesleyan Metho- dist Societies throughout the world, exclusive of regular Travelling Preachers, who are statedly employed in the work of the Ministry 1,630,846 N. B. The number of regular Travelling, Super- numerary, and Superannuated Ministers, is as fol- Ichvs, viz. : — In Great Britain^ .,. - Regular Ministers 992 Supernumerary and Superannuated 156 1,148 In Ireland, Regular Ministers stationed in the Circuits 106 Missionaries 25 Supernum'y and Superannuated Ministers 34 165 In the Foreign Stations, Regular Ministers and Assistant Mission- aries now nntually on (lie List (besides the twenty-five Missionaries emploved in Ireland, and a considerable number who are to be appointed to the vacant Foreign Stations as soon as possible) . . 361 Supernum'y and Superannuated Ministers 11 372 In the Methodist Episcopal Church, Regular Ministers in Circuits, and Mis- sionaries to the Indians Supernum'y and Superannuated Ministers — ~-- 4,834 In the Wesleyan-Methodist Church in Canada, Regular Ministers on Circuits, and Mis- sionaries 142 Supernum'y and Superannuated Ministers 15 157 Total throughout the world 1,637,522