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METHODIST .■■■•. f BY THOMAS GOIDSMTTH, MINISTER IN THB CONNEXION. « One is your master, eyen Christ, and all ye are brethren.^' ■»■•■ f ■J % 'I .h^ ' LONDON, C.W.: FBINTED AT TBE to detail the doctrines we believe and preach wouI^Im dmply to give an account of the doctrines of Methodifln, But as our object in this little manual Is to point out what are the distinctiife features oi|||||jr Organization, we ngard doc^pes^ irrelevant to our iSgn ; — >for these we must refer the reader to our published Discipline* We regard ' it as a signimcant fjEKst, that amid all the numerous seoes- nons from the Wesleykn Methodist body of England, and the Episcopal Methodists of the United States, none havd ■eoeded oW the ground oi doctrines ox church ardinanett, Jn every mstanoe, the seceding body^has taken ezoeption ^ the pofity of the parent body, and haa oiganiaed on • Jaibre liMral and popuhtf bams^-a fiiGt.we regard as fur- nishing^ro^ presumptive evidence that the doctrinet of Metbomsm are invulnerable, but ihat the govermnent <^ the pqrant body requires modification and improvemeiii. Methodist New Connexion was the fint woediqf mmimt- rw^^^'ww",% f ^ r . oBioni Aim r»oo»M"' body from the W»Iey«» of EngUnd. Thb «y«-ion «*- "T"^ right «f the poople to hold their puMIo rdl- &t thejr being r«tricted to the mere .ntenr J» o^ ^ lH>un .ppointed for «rvioe in the Ert.bl»hed ChuKh. 8. ..fright of the people to .«eive the ordm.n«. rfB.pti.m J the Lord'. Supper from the hand, of their ow» miniato., «nd in their own placee of wordup. 8 .'The right of the people to a representation in tde Di^ Meeting., and in the annud Conference; and thereby to ««i«t in the government of the community, and fa the appropriation of it. ftandfc" _ 4 ..The right of the church to have a voice, through H. 1^ hu«ne« meeting., in the reception «J«1 "P^f""" of membeni. the choice of local officer., and in flie odhng of candidate, for the ministry." „ .v j- » • None of the«> pHvilege. vvere enjoyed by the Methodirt Chmch prior » the woertion of 1797. when the MethoArt ■ TiTew Copnerion Church wa. organiwd to «»ft»»<=^**« \.' member, of Christ', family with the privilege. AarUWd to {bent in the word of God. . , > "The Canadian Wedeyta «»eded froto the Ep»oopi» HaUio^ in a. d. IsaQ.onthefoUowingground^'viJ.:— H. A ihoioudi Uy leprenentation in att the oouncib of "ft.ciiu.ch. And, «condly. on the g«";"^»f ^J^ tnfoOi poritJon occupied by the Ephcopal MethodWs ta ijfel^'TlwA.g un der the jurl»lictior -'' "-««♦««» hi 'M'^^r , :vi-V)*- p. ■^ -t ■!*»■» N Um Uoit^d Sutot, Mul k)gdly diiqiuiUM for p^Ko^miDg ■larriagflis d(o., in the Britith Piovioow, The imporUnoe of the Utier ground of difieienM, ■oon after tho ieoumion beoiuno appitfont to the okl bodj ; mkI they, likowMOk withdrew from the CoofereoMof the United SUtet. That many things of a personal, and perhaps we may add of an unwo^hy character, mingled in the disaua- lioos of those exciting times, on both sides of the contro- versy, will surprise none who are acquainted with the waai^ seal of human nature* even as it exists in good OMd; but yet we contend that great principles laf at the foundation of the controxemy, and substantial good resulted to the cause of God from the secession. And yet we apprehend danger m estimating the true character of men as they mingle in the controversy of these timai, and setting a»N5fh to the account of angry paisioiis what pro- perly belongs to a firm adherence to truth and principles, and energy (perhaps not always wisely directed) indefend^ ing them. From the distance we have reached from U^osa timee-'when many of those who were foremost in thecoi^ troversy are fallen asleep, and others, from infirmitiM of . fge, are incapacitated for the active duties of ithierant life-^ we may safely lookback over the past, and dispaaaloikately tttimate the principles that were staked in the lanie. Mud^ m we deprecate divisions in the chuidi, and deeply aa we lament the alienation of feeUng amongst the mopbere of Christ's family,-^yet we regard thcM as vartly to be pt^ l»rred to a supine indiiOforenoe to the purity and leotitudt ' of the church in her doctrines and disoipli^ Nor an w% ' among the nnn^ber of those who regard the divisions th«i have coourred in the Methodist Church as an trninitigated ^Yj l i We b elie v e th a t more good than evil hat flowed < mk~ %'t \ .1 h *. ■ |fej '^» ^ ',^=^4■'— 4- " tijrf 8 / * ORionr Aln) pkooress. Ctihm. Better principleB of chvaeh goveroment liavd been adopted by the seceding bodies; ai^ tbeae have, to tome wtent, reacted upon the parent body, to modify and improv^i its administrationfl. - nr It la a somewhat curious feet, thatthe Canadian Wes- iByaauCJhurch,'seoedii^ from the Episcopal Methodists in A. D. 182d7iioiid have established themselves on princi- ples of church governnientjdentical wi& those of the M^ thodist New Connexion, estiblished in 1797, without any previous knowledge of the existencia of that body; and it wai not till 1840 that these two bodies became acquainted witih each other, and the following year a union of the two was consummated. This union, fraught with so many happy droimistances and consequences to our cause m Canada, occurred at a time and under circumstances that aearly indicate the hand of God. ^ . Though the number of those who sympathised with Bevds. Henry Byan^nd James Jackson, and their coadju- ton, was very large; yet, when the time of secession and or^fiiAion came, and friendly pretensions were put to the iast, «ie majority feU off like autumn leaves in the tempest ^Jeavmg a &ere handful to sacrifice and do service fot winsiplA. Thefiwt few years of our history present a i^ of s^teGQ@ses and reverses. Though the distinguish- ing features of our polity were evidenUy founded on reasntinued to labor in the itinerant field, with undivided energy, till the morning broke and the day star of hope rose upon our Zion. All honor to those veteran worthiei of our Connexion I Some of them have ** fallen , afllesp^" some through infirmity have been laid aside from the ao- tivities of the itinerancy, while a small number is still in our ranks; and, though with impaired eneigies, yet with unabated zeal doing service in our Zion. May their sno- OessorsproVe worthy of such a parentage I . ; i •' hiV , 111 1835, the Connexion reached about the maxiinnm of its numerical strength and influence prior to the union ol 18il. Then it possessed 21 preachers, 42 local praacheii* 13 circuits, 2481 members. The minutes of Oonferenoe^ np to the time of the union, ^ve no aoooutit of Conneadonali property. Our country, at that early day, poasttsed few of Uie advantages that we inherit now, but it is weU |or i|i ftp remember thnt our monetary, social, mteUeetue^ ami leUgious adventages were secured to us by tb^ pri?«tipi ^: ^«IM»itMlilMMiHii ■:&('f j0 oMonr xuD pRocHOtss. . nd ioflterittgs of our predoceMorB. Our Connexion, si llife early day, posiieaied but few chapels, and thoee of a nde cbatacfcer, and for parsonages our nainisters had to oooopy such houses as they could find available on th^ Ciicuits. About this time the Connexion became involved in weighty wsponsibiHties in aprinting establishment, which, eombined with the treachery of some in whom the Confer «iioe reposed confidence^ threatened, for a time, to ove^ . whehn the Connexion. By this unfortunate circumstance the resources of the Connexion, aheady inadequate to ineet the necessities of our ministers, were drained to meet the emergency, and preserve the honor of the church. In this emergency many of the fointrhearted flew off and rang the tocsin of our defeat i|nd dissolution throughout the Province. A few noble sprits, however, resolved to breast the storm and save the ship, ot go down with the wrockl Iiong and dark was the night of trial, and when the bravest hearts began to fear amid the moanings of the storm and ^M crash of billows, the Head of the church came treading li» angiy waters, and sayings " peace, be stilV' Someidea may be formed of this Connexional crisis by emnpsrhig the statistj^ of 1841, the time of the union, ivith the foregoing statistics of 188«. In 1841 we had ^ 14iir«iits, and 1915 of a membership. Notwith- kuidipg a considerable number was added by the umoii, ^fho banged to the New Connexion in Eastern Canadat itffl, hi six years, we lost 666 members. Geiwral discotif. i^ement seiiediil hearts, and pa!rrfy«ea our «M ' In 1840 1he Rev. John Addymim, a minister of tW * lle&oaiEt New Connexion^ who had been sent by the 4Ek»lbwiielin England to enqtmemto the sphi^ oondi- ^-^ made a tour m Wetlem Canada, to iQooDnoitre'for iiiiin<» purposes, and oomjng in oontact wtth Om Canadiatt Wedejans in Hamilton, and finding that the piincipU of government were nmilar in the two bodies^ tbe term* of union were drawn up and submitted to tlie Connezion>, both in Canada and in England, and having raoeived tht ^proval of ^th parties, the union was ratified in 1841.--' By this ^nion tha Conneidbn in Canada leoeived a coiwid- erable increase to ita numbens in Canada East, and a]a9 felief in its finan6ial embarrassments. This union wm ah'ke creditable to both parties. The following aro ih« terms of union:— y 1. That the local preachers now in the Canadian We*. lejan Methodist church be entitled to stand in the sama lelation to the united body, and enjoy the same ^vflegot they now do in the Canadian Wesleyan chuidi^ and all local preachers hereafter received shall submit/to the mle^ and graduate according to the regulations of Kew Connexion, and enjoy such privileges 2. That the f<»ms for sacraments. • Methodist it providflib and ordi* WedeyHM be nation of Elders used among the C retained. 8. That the Canadian Wed^yan Mithodist dxemt preachers be received into the united body aoooidiitt tqt their various standings in that oOmmunily, 4. That for the present the name o§^i^^ United bod^ be the Canadian Wesleyan MetMistl^ Connenon. t 5. Thattwwity pounds p^annunr^snl^ect to fhtme •Heration, as the case niay^eqniie,) be allowed from tlte English Missionary Fund^towaida the support of a mani^ snd twelve pounds pea/annum towards the support of a jiD gle pwaoh er. Ti<^ miniB to form ».i^ii£{£^L^jE I IB ii ,pii \iiti,n»\\^tmmMmum»»mii0immitmmi»mt^^ iik« I iiRMre repri«entaUve of ^e S::^H Ne. Con™ in Kng^^^o «^™- rr^Vof rS w/.a-o Wedeyvme institution the waBtB oi 1.1W , means of instructioii for> t2^ S'tii^rr ««tinst.. su^i*. ^ ^nnected with the teligiou. <»— "T^- n..he ^eU^ted. or young r^ reoonmended from •ir««lAnAbvth» Missionary Conmntteo. ■ * Jf^CtSL Jthe Mefliodist N<^ ^Conn^- bl^!™ part of to province. forj».ly c^M Lo'^^ '^AB'n.i^onarT ^^."^.Z^ 1^ '^\ ORIGIN AND PROaRBSS. U I Redeemer's Kingdom, so the exertions of the English Methodist New Connexion Missionary Society will be directed to the establishment of an active, prosperous, and permanent distinct community in Canada; thAt, as this end is attained by the formation of Circuits, the introduction of the system, and the Missionary Stations becoming so many parts of the body, in that proportion the i^fluence of the English Connexion shall cease in its concerns^ and the body in Canada shall become a distinct religious coin- « munity, united only to the brethren in England in Christian^ Ipye; and in those kind officei^ which will always be proper iand acceptable." r ■ r i- Such was the basis of the union 1841~alike honorable to both parties,and in its consequences most salutary to the umted body. No restrictive or veto powers wore claimed by our brethren in England, and none given. The bbdy possesses aU the untrammelled powere of legislation and of administration that it did before the union. We have simply united the energies and resources of the two bodies for the better accomplishment of our great woA in Canada. Here was opened to our brethren in England an importent sphere of usefulness in the great work of Christian missions in Canada on the one hand; and on the other, timely aid was rendered to the suffering intareste of the Camidian body. From flie time of union to the present, our hifitoiy has been one of progress. Passinir over three years of our history since the time of the uni'^ bnngs us to 1844, when we had 27 chapels, 34 ministers, 88 local preachers, 23 cireuits, and 3,300 members. It y« during this year that our Colonial Missionaiy Society, auiiliMy to the Kew Connexion Missionaiy Society L . : ' ■ ' .:'." B. " — ^ iate» 'l-r^iUpt ■■'^-fyi'^r^iar - f' '^yT^.i^^t^FW^^ r 14 ORIGIN AlTD PBOOUE80. England was organized, and as a kind of first fruits of this ^ Society^s operations, we realized the sum of £108 8s. lid. Though thL was a^^small sum to reidize from the number of our membership tor the cause of missions, yet, regarded ^ as the first effort of the society, it was by no means discou- raging. ^ The united body had been, in the meantime,sinoe the union, building chapels and parsonages, and otherwise giving solidity and extension to the Connexion. The increase of the Connexion during the first three years of its existence as a united body was, 1 minister, 26 local preachers. 9 circuits and, 1*380 members. During these thr^e years our numbers were increased nearly one-half; while increased measures for greater eflSciencJ were organ- ized, investing the cause with the cheering aspects of a more promising future. Six years more of our Connexional history conduct us to 1860, when we had 49 chapels, 43 ministers, 82 local preachers, 84 circuits, and 4,173 members* while omr mission fimd receipts had risen to £436 lYs. 9d. The increase in the Connexion during these six years was as foUows: 22 chapels, 9 mimsters, 44 local preachers, 11 oiicaifs, and 873 members, while the Mission Fund showed an iiMsrease of £243 8s. lOd. Though the increase during these six years was not large, yet the above figures, showing ftn increase in every di^artment, give evidence that the Connexion was in a sound and prosperous condition. Another six years, and we have reached 1856, when we have 84 chapds, 66 ministers, 97 local preachers^ 48 circuits, 4,766 members — ^the mission fund having risen to £1,266 68. Th^ increase in the Connexion during these sbc years was, 36| chapels, 18 ministers, 16 local preachers. I ■-■L .ji^*,i i'it^-«&. '-'• ■ y ORlonr IKD ^OORSBfl. 15 9 circuitfl,fi82 membe»,wluJe the ihinioii fund had increased £818 78. 8d. Therincrease of the last i^z yearn, while it Bhowi an advance in the numbers of preachers, circuits and members, is esp^ially cheering in relation to our chapels and contributions to our mission fund. The Connexipn, J during this time, has been doing more for the future than for the present, and is 'rather in a state of preparation than m development The increase of 86 new chapels, and the increase of our annual receipts for missions raised from our circuite of £818 7s. 3d. show that our material and ' influential resources for good aw laigely increased, and that there are A«arto in the work. We should expect, from these increased fadUties, that when we hear agam from this work that we should be cheered with success proportioned to the increased resources. - Three years more carry us to 1869, and now we have 112 chapels, and 22 in process of erection— in all 184 • "'^ ^*^« *^ 29 parsonages, and one in course of erection —S(^i»^.alUj66 ministers, 121 local pieachere, -^088 members, 93. Sabbath schools, 600 teachere, and 8686 schohirs; the receipts of our mission this year, £1008 68. U, The increase during these three years is as follows : 28 chapels, besides 22 building; 10 ministers, 26 XstA preachers, 12 circuits, 2,278 members; the mission fond has receded £246 19s. 6d. The fidhng off from our mission fund has arisen from the extreme financial depres- sion^ttiat has crippled every enterprise in our country. It will be observed, however,, that notwtthstandmg tha moneteiydepresffl^^ building, aud otherwise consolidating our ConnerioS mterests, The great Head of the church has smiled upnt, >^ ui^^i. MtS>-^ii. <-^ ki^\W ' ^Hff- ■f.-wr-' 16 ORIOnr AlTD PROORIM. theie efforts^, aad more than 2,000 soula have been gathered into the church during the last three yttire. Surely we may say, ^^^^^ ^^^ ^od wrought I*' Since 1841, the time of the union* to 1869, only eighteen yean, the Connexion has increased its membership almost four-fold 1 It has organized a missionary society whose receipts are more than £1000 per annum; its ministry has increased more than three-fold ; its staff of local preachers has increased almost four-fold ; it has erected about 100 chapels, and from 20 to 30 parsonages; it has organized about 90 Sabbath schools, employed 600 teachers, and ^llected over 3000 scholars I Surely, if we have not ** done what we «ould," we have at least done something toward "'evangelizing Canada; and if the tokens of divine presence and approval have not been so signal and abundant with us as with some other portions of the Christian church, ihey have been, at least, sufficient to increase our responsi- bilities, awaken our gratitude, and stimulate our zeal. !L9k the above statement of members we have included those on trial, because they are actually in connection with the church, though not in full communion ; but, principally, because this distinction in our published minutes is of recent origin, and, 'therefore, to show the regular increase, we deemed it necessary to aggregate the members and those Ifil on trial in one statement The Methodist New Connexion in Engknd .have now held their sixty-third annual Conference. The minutes of ihear Conference for 1$69 show a decided improvement jb ev^ department of their work. Without any diminu- tion of cash grant to Ireland and Canada, they have iaiiiy embarked ill a missioii to Chin% and sent thither two t i c i a ■ II w i^ Ws-j^a*!. ^1 i^-^ ^ i-" ^ ^-?*ift^Kr5.i.'E, ""-iiBt" J^ OMonr AHo piiooMM. 17 mi»o»«„; they ^ a„ ^„^ ,^'' , ^^^ mon, nu«,oa,„« wflj be on U.oir w.y to thrt oountiT K» Lio ."^k"^'""^' """^ ''-™« ^2' ttTmS . '"°"«'' *" ""> ••"tontotion of .^1. . "• • the erection of ohapeh, Ac but 356 Sabbflth achook 3.843 8' a ♦z.„«v. j ^ ao»iAl*«. rru ^ "' ^^aci^ere, and 54,020 8. »=hoolB, 96 a a te«he». and 690 «h;b«,. ^ ' The aggregate of our Connexion i, ae follow 28 SOU members, and 2,742 atobeHi on tmi-mMZl.!^ t^z v'!"T-:'^ '°'' "-y ■■" Euro as; wears not advised; 188 drouit preachenu l in« Zj, preachers, 468 a schools. 9 4fii S sT C ' ? '"^ aascholan. *"*"'*"^S.te«sEe.^and68,iea ^Never, since onrorgmization in 1797, have we eT«»L ««>«-« «.4 confusion that Jli^! MStodon^ ^A? w« wonld ascribe the rionr for tl..»^r* '"^^ >«> ™ gioiy tor the measuw of anccaa that ■\ 18 •TATBMIirr OV PRIVOIPUIt. Km attended our efforta. ** Not unto ui, Lord, not unto ua, but unto Thy nnme be all the glory, for Thy right hand and Thy holy arm hath gotten thee the VMstoiy.** CHAPTER n. . , STATIlfSNT OF PRIHOIPUBB. Our Object in this chapter is to give a compendious statement of the characteristic and distinguishiug features of the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist New Connexion Ohuioh. While we woiild not depreciate the systems or doings of others, we wish deariy to set forth our own. We deprecate bigotry as inconsistent with the catholic spirit of the Christian; but, af the same time, we regarda distinct knowledge and hearty approval of the principles of the church of our choice, as highly commendable in the me&bers of a Christian church* The great distinguishing feature of the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist New Connex- inaibility, fmd in labor. ''■"7''4~^fV r LBADSRS' mSTINO. ' This ibetHlng is cotoposed of the mmisters of the Cir- ea^ the stewards, leaders of classes, andpet a ^nBcho e e^by >?.. » -J nxntan or nuaonxM. n ft»in«l« dMM to repr«,«nt thom. Thk moetiiiB ii bald once « w«,t. or «, ofWn « the n«e«ti« of th, c«e m« require, or tho oonT«nienoe of the member. Jiow. Tli bu..ne«of thi. meeting eompri«e. the payment <* d«i mnie. mto the h«Hb of the .lewimli di«K*ing or u^ tiomn^fte d»bur«mei,t of ohan* mom«; examinimj th« d», book^ noting the »ttend«o. of the «vend dL«, •nd mqumng after the rick, that th* «ok may be yUM Md the ™,gli^nt admonidKri; filling up v«»«A» and 7^1^ T o""*"' ''^tenni-ing <» notico. for the pulpit «nd the time, of woh announceraenta, «,„ wperintendjL thegeneral^ntereetaof the «>dety. Thi. me2g i. ^ mm»ten.' .tandmg council, in devi«ag me«„ of u^n«! both ». TOBpeote the oonverrion of Mnner. «id the eS ^on Md building up of the chu„>h. Thi. import^ M councl unit*, the mini^t^ with the hrfTfa pn.ject.ng plan, of u«fulne«. enforcing di«ipline «k1 p«>. moUng the Mto«*i_fi„«„eu. «»i«l .nd epiritual. of the churdu Here the minirter and the chu^O. oyer which h, pK«.d«. a« held in concert, and while the chu«4 «iy„ ito coun«l, ,t stand, pledged to the adminirtrrtion of*. m,n,.ter ae ito executive officer, and he, oft the other hm^ tande pledged to carry out the deciaion. of hi. ]M meetmg. -m iwuen ' ;.'.■,.- SOOIBTT HEBTINOB. mitt "^ "!*'*''"« " *°"^*^ "» *« h^»« »f th, mmirter and «cu*y «ewa«h. The province of thi. m^ »g » Ae q,iritual edification of the church by p^T Vmiflme, and enfowsaig penwnal obligatioDi It i, dJ» *-■» t It ;-^ » ^- ^ . 90 lUllpifiirr OF pmiNcriFLii. 'p ■W Um budiMM of thk meetiiig to elect sooieiy fiewardi — to receive the ■ocietj'i fitumcial ■t*t«)nients, to expraie freely thdr viewa in reUtionto candidAtee propoeed for the imtii»> try, tito eloctioD of repreeontativee to the quarterly Oonfo- renoe, and the nomination of daae leaders. The functions ofthii meeting are of high importance, vitally implicating the interoeU of the church. While it ie called conjointly by the miniaier and society stewards, it is composed of the entire society, all of whom have the right to take part in the diflcuBsions and decisions of the meeting. By thia meeting it is sought to^ acquaint all with the financial aa well aa spiritual resources of the church, ^yPge upon all personal responsibilitioa, and to awaken Jin ij^dividual, aa aa well m united dffort,{he entire memhership. QUARVSRLT MKKTINOS./ These meetings are held in F^bruar^/May, August and November, at\|bch time and place as^^ bo agreed upon. They are oompoeed of the ministen^ of tha circuit, the circuit stewards, the secretary of th^^ local j|^hers' meet- ing, and the representatives chosen^ instruct^ and sent by the several olaesee. Each society/seuds one or more repre- _._x-^._._ ^^M--- tb the nu;iober of its members, the itation, being fixed by the drcult, and also the mode >reBeii|^v;igB; but free admia- lirs of th<^HuTch to the quarterly conference, with the righi of giving tlieir opinions, subject to the Ngulation of the chairman, and of a majoritjr of the meeting, but ard not allowed to vote. Thiaia ib^ highest lo- cdilBbaNlicoarty aodiftcomposed of memben freely chosen bf lentatives, acoo proportion or Kay quarterly of taking the vo lion is secured to c t 1 ^■:3:?^*g5feK-i^iS"pi^l^ x-:W ^^W" '\. f f •TAraHUT or wraromM. ,^. » Jm 3"^' •^'' »" othe' jurt demand. ««,W thT ^ T th«o that h«eZS'"« •PP""""*'"^ 0' "«« -id. "«vtj o«on tned to no DurDnnA t* i. «o made application to the ann J ZTi^ i^ P"'* proach*rorfotany additionfl 1.^ fu "*''"*" "^ '«■ ^ --''•"«^-s;ett,»t:^on":' '^ ^^^^^ ^-p4erirz:th":::ttj::rr:- the annuj contJZ.^^J,.\^^ "P'^entati., to . 2«tu.uti« of the ch^i':^ ,2„."'^r Sw ""• cuit court of appeal, unite, in Z n^ ^"^ **" fe«iy cho«„ bT^eZl'l~X"JS:^':'r'•^■'- , «d mowover. admit, the vr^^S^ 0^'mbuM^,^ «f the whole Chun*: theX^.T'^"^'''^ - Pwocher.' meeting '^'''"^"°'' '«°»"" / of th, loiS « T ■A 22 X DISTRICT M«BTIHG8. FoTthemoM ready md effident carlying out ^ our diKipUno «nd enforcement of o»r Uwb, our work » divrfed into districts each of lhe« comprehending so many crcuito « may be a«emHed with convenience, and to^each of theee districts, the annual conference appointothe chmrman. Theee meetings are composed of aU the travellmg mmwtepi ..rithiB the jurisdiction of the district, together with an equal number of lay members freely chosen by the respec ^e circuit, as their reptesentatives. These meetings ate - hdd twice in the year, the first in October, the oUier in Mav. The functions of theee meetings are to maintiun the aiBdplme of the ConnSrion in the district*. l-)ih in relation to nLsters and mepibers. The October meeting arranges •for Missionary anniversaries, and other special service^ ,riihaview t -.if ANNUAL OONFXRXNOE. '■ ^ This is the highest* legislative assembly and court of ap- peal in the Connexion. Its sessions ard annual, and it represents all the circuits and stations in the Connexion, by ministerial and hj i:epresentation in equal numbem. This assembly holds a general supervision over the entity Connexion— stations its ministers, appropriates its ftmdi^ and finally determines in cases of appeal. By a vote by baUot, the Coniference elects one of its number to preside over its deliberations and conduct ite business, and also in the same manner it elects a secretary to record the reso- lutions of the meeting. A committee is elected by ballots conejfitingof five members, two ministers and three kymen one year, and vice versa ihe nei^t, whose business it is, to station aU the ministers. In conducting tlie business of thi| committee, aU the ministers and lay delegates are ooo- suited, and as far as possible the stations are arranged to meet the wishes- and necessities of alL The emaatJbde, three times read their report, caUing after the first and second readings for jUl dissatisfied with the anai^menft to consult with th^ The third reading ot the report it final. The Conference also appomts an annual oonmiittoo of five, one year three ministers and two laymen and mm versa the next year, whose business it is to cany out Um 24 OHUROH MBMBIIUi. nMlutionB of conference and to adrnhmter the laws of the Connexion from Conference to Conference. Of this coni-^ mittee the president of Conference and Ihe General B/- perintendent of MiBsions are ex-oficio iii|inber8. / We have in the foregoing given a brief, yet cqiiipre- henave sketch of the characteristic features of ou/chureh polity as one of the menjbers of the great Methodist family. These strongly marked features of church government which distinguish us from the Wesleyan body on the one hand, by admitting the laity into aU the councils of the dmroh, and from Congregationalism on the other, by con- federating the cburches in connexional relation in the Con- ference for legidaUon and combined action, we concave to be founded upon Bible authority, and of high moment in securing coK)peration and practical efficiency in the dmrch. ■ - . 1 " CHAPTER HI. OHUROH MBMBBRS. In seeking a home in any community, whether civil, moral or religious, wfe natur^y inquire, What obligations do we assume? and. What advantages do we acquire? Thfi^ inquiries are only reasonable, and it is well for us to satisfy ourselves on these points ere we sdect and fix our home. The object of this chapter is to reply to these inquiries so far as they respect the Canadian Wedeyan Methodist New Connexion Churoh. That it is f ma&ed privilege to hold membership in the Church of God is evident, because it is Christ's femily, and possesses immu- nitafiB peculiar to itself; andthat it is of solemn obligation rs^^^y . ^^^^^r..-. ''vs*'*.«fff?-""' >W;' ^ oamunB inmaiii. is evident from the fact it ii of divme itudtuiloii Mid authority. Ariringoutof the fiwt that the church in her ▼». rioua sections poaBesses raried degrees of chuidi privilege^; a ground for ohoioeis presented to the inquirer for a chuieh home. . . » Persons desirous of uniting with us in church MmiiMp are required to evidence an eamest^ncem for the salvation of thdr souls by a diligent attendance on our means of ?^iP^' «»^4|iB( i-'yt'- m CtlfrWB 1IB1IBBII8. Of iliupondiiig the aooused pretoher till the eofuhig Con- tltjeot to the right of i^peal to ihe Conference, pnctioable, the Bupermtendent Pieaoher or Circuit StoirkidB ibaU previcMialy consult or obtain the aaedstanco of the\Annual Committee,, and, in all cases, shall give an mAf iocount of its proceedings to the corresponding member of the Annual Pommittee. A kyman may be tried by the Leader's Meeting, in the pMwnoeyf the Superintendent Preacher; but where there :. n BO tiOttden' Meeting, the Society to which the accused belong with , the Superintendent Preacher, or, m his ilbsence, one of his brethren, is con^petent to try the MQoaed person. But should the accused person object to this mode oftnal, and be able to make it appear to the eiraotttive prekcher that he is not likely to obtain justice ftom such trial, then he may be tried by a committee of^ flv9peraoDs — iwotobe chosen by the accused, two by the accuser, the\pieacher to form the fifth, who shall be fhnimfp'*! and hare the casting vote; and, in case either * 1^ accused or the accuser, or both, reiiise to select the said opounittee, the executive preacher shall supply the lack* SbKHxId any accused person fed aggrieved by th^ decision oltha meetifig app<^Med totry his case, he shall have the ISbertf of appealhig to the Quarterly Conference of tb^ Qiroidt, upon giving wc Superintendent one week's notice oCMftjnteotioD. \ Iftwtt and not laerely in the executive preacher or Vq^Mo members of m^m meetings We dose tiiit chitttot iM Ml extract £r6m our published Discipline on \ dfi •■*■•"':'■?"('» f'':»"'iyF*»r^f'-;'."f^'''' \ 'KTI" .iN OHimOB tnilBIM. tbe dotiM of our ohulch membeiii J9ee. Dmoifluib, Seo^ .U.pagol4. • ■:..■.••■•'•■ •.r'^-vv ....... .,^ "1. PereoBs admitted into dtnveh-fdUowslili^ iHtb til ahall be required to meet weekly in daas, or as frequently M possible. **2, For tbe support of tbe ministry ataongst ut; tttti to diflcbarge other pecuniary demands (unless pmirented by real inability), all our members are expected to oontribute according to the abib'ty with w^ah Qofi has blest theni^ that the deficiency of our poor members may be sttp- jMied. •. ; .^" ■ , ■■■■;■■■ ^•-'■''^'■':-'-(m-?^j'9m' " 8.^ All our members shall diligently attend the publk and private means of grace with which, m a reVgiout community, we are favored; and especially that most invaluable ordhiance, the Supper of the Lord. t -4^ t^ "4, It is the duty of our members to cultivate a spirit of brotherly affection towards one another, and to manifest this spirit by promoting each other's welfare^ prefening each other in business, advising each oflier in difflcoKy^ and defending each other in character; encouraghig to duty; admonishing in error, and restoring when Mm; oomibrting in distress, visiting in aflKction, and as8istn% in need; thus shall we bear each other's buidens^ Und ftte household of £iith wiU be established, -j >' i-- '^^'^Mm^^^ ^•5. Should one member consider himself hijUf^fA^tiy^ another, he shall conform to our Lord's diiectioii:-j« If thy brother shitf treq)a8s against tJiee go and tett him his ftwlt between thee and him alone; if he shidl hear ^bm thou hast gained thy brother; but if he shiOl not hett* thee, then take with thee one or two mow* thut in to month of two or three witnesses every woid may »bd p-"» ' S8 MUblished; «nd if he Bhall iMglect to liear tbem, t«II it vnto the dhuroh ; but if he neglect to hear the chuidi/ let Um be unto thee as •pheatban niaii and a pubUcan/ inquire into such case, that the 'character of our upright .'| but unfortunate members may be satisfactorily sustained, ' and that those who are guilty of dishonesty may be eiduded from amongst us. * It is also expected from thosd members who^have failed in business, OF have contracied % debts for which tliey have oeased to be legally responsible, tiiat if ihey afterwards become possessed of property, they . pay arioon as possible, their former deficiencies, and fulfil tiieir former contracts. V :u «f 8» If a brother be overtaken in a'fault, his Leader shall be inlbrmed thereof ; when such L^ider shall endeavor, to TCitore his offi»nding brother with foithfuUtesa and ■>'1^ Any member guilty of caui^ disturbances, of indaiging Jn slandering flfence be reproved: for the flecondybesaapended /^ ^^lB?^tt'W.»~"TT. JFl^-^iP. 1 _^^ rijavb^m Jf^^^. £-w:^^g^Tw-r %'^r^^^ y ^^%" OBUMB •from Uie eiijoTiiMnt of ohiiMh'piifflifet for mdi time^^tifr .■haU bedeemod nooetaary; imd for the third* be BtftSkd, But, ahould the crime be flegnnt or notoriooa, then, vtfmi •due evidence thereof, heehall be put out immediately. '.<, a ** 10. Memben removing from one daaA, to anodiir •hould ezphun to their Leader or to the Leaden^ meetiag their reasons for 80 doing, and when removing from am .Circuit to another, they ahall take with them a tettimonhil from the Superintendent or th^ Leaden^ meeting, eerti- fying that th€y.aue in good standing with the church, from which they are removing. ; ,> >, , f »^ ,* ^tf , t%%k .:_ **%1, A& forming part pf the univerMd church of Ohriii^ our people are called upon to entertain liberal faelings and to cherish a friendly diq>offltion towards profiaaui^ Christians of other denominations; i»id to* evidence the same by allowing them a place at the Supper of the Lord, and 11^ other social me^ of grace, by rendering them the h'ndo|Bices of brethren, by giving them an interest in op prayers, and by rejoidng m their prosperity. ^ , v.fv ** 12w It is incumbent upon our memben, under the ▼aribus drcumstances^ and in all the leUtions in which they are phiced by divine providence, to exeidse themselvea to have a conscience vdd of offisnce towards God and man. As to theilf private duties, they should examine themselvea whether they be in the >ith, possessmg the power m well as the form <^f godhness, and growing in grade» and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ| they should aearoh the scriptures daily; be regdar in secret prayer; frequent ra devout meditation; and m all things* wnft bnmUy with God. As'husbands and wives* theyarolo be patterns of fidelity , helpers to each other in their woridly/ cares and in the way to heaven. As parents, it devolves «^. h •^ CfHUMJII ipon tliem to pio?id* for tlit tonpond andflpMtoal wmiti '^ihiir ciiUdran; atCendiog* to tbdr imtniotion, leading '^tfcma to tlM house of God, oonfinning tlieir prooepts hj a liolj «ampl^ and erownhig the whole by their ttriet l*t3rtiideo«nfort ^ their pastots; behaving towaids ■l iwBt w ith afleolion, and rendering to them due obedience; ^d*nni«*ethig to them in necearity, and supporting them ikoM^age. As members of ciyil society, it is the duty «^ an our people to submit themselves to the constituted iwthority of the state; io maintain the kws of the land; io promote peace and good oider around them, and to implore » ■i^&'xi MflMVtmi AMdtMttirr. ■u ■' H .■ ^^\ .f •«..<.; \'- »».(! , CHAP TEH It.' . 80BIFTUM ABOUMWri^,,;^. ..,,|.,„y^ ,,^|^: While we KeutOy ooneede ihat the aiel» delAof wdanattieal arMmgementa have been Inft tn Tin iniHn«tii by the peouliar exigenoies of fMMMg events and prorided for l^ the churoh, yet we contend £it a olear ontttas «f the fonn, and the esBential principles of the gov e ra m ent ef the OhrisUaa church are distmctly indicated iiTthe woid of Ood, and claim authority equal to any other doetriiNi or preoepta in the Bible. But whatever ktitude may he claimed in church legislation to meet the erer Taiying eodgencies in the church, no arrangement is admiHibfe that conflicts with the word of God; this is th« ultMBale authority in matters of church discipline as well as in doctrine. The margin of discretion* left for the chnicb to fill consists of fivih cases as have no«pecificp^TisioDmade for them in the JScriptures, and arraigements of theohimh k such instances must be in consonance with the gi««t principles as taught in the sacred volume. These' princi- ples are so many landmarks set down by authority 4xf divine inspiration, for the guidance of the chuiob in dll hir legislative arrangements and executive decisioni. On design in this chapter is to lay down some Bible principiM in matters of church government, and briefly indicate tlie consonance of the statement of piindpki oontahied ni tibs second chapter with these scriptuie teachings. m * vin Matthew xxiii 8, our Saviour lays down theibfiMV;- ing maxiin— 4^plicable in all diuich legislation*— ^ OneriH your Master, even Christ, and all ye are biethwn.* * W a y V ■«™j-'ft'.V B9 •OBimm ABmnmrr. 1»T6 htn U2d down, hy divine authority, two infportAiit ' pri]idpr«8 in eoderiMtioal mrmifenuSBilfl, , yit. :-iatt, The fapreme authority of Chrirt over the chnrch.vAnd 2nd, The equaUty (kaSHtn memben. No IegiaIation;;theTefoti ' of theohureh, can be eoriptural or correct that ininy ieme id^gnidet Christ from the headship of the chuithon Uie one hand, oinUiat el^atea man to a lordthii^over *Go^% heritage on^he other. These are pripdplai that io engmcj of droumstances can justify the violation of*^ The^ context gives to this passage a dear and spediBc bearing. Our blessed Saviour had cited to censure the lordly and pedantic hauteur of the Pharisees and the^v lore of praise, and warns his disciples that it should not W ■o amongst them, as the Pharisaic spirit was utteriy inimical to the Christian brotherhood, and equally opposed U> iheir subjection to Christ The evil consequences of which our Saviour warns the disdples as resulting from human lordship in the church were twofold— severance froin Christ thdr divine Master, and alienation from each other as brethren. We learn fbm these instructions of Jesus Christ that whoever assumes to exercise authority in the ohnrch inconsistent with, these prindples arrogates the authority of his Master and outrages the rights of his ^rother. We should not overlook the connection of human ontiage and divine insult. To injure and outrage our bw>ther is to arrogate the authority and insult the majesty of our bksBed Lord and Master. That' the dbiurch, as such, legitimately appoints her varied members to oiEBce and spheres of activity, is dearly taught in the word of God; but the diversity of gifts and callings in the choich does not destroy the mutual dependence of „.♦• * . ,«>>!*' «, t:.iJ ^■ipfl^. ,;ji:»,-"»«;,->f"-^«i;'(p^!SEts^:j's;^sir^'-a«|jPP»« ' a^ » • .„ . •_ Ti.e*F^ vmhrmm AiouiiBirT. ll iti memben upon each other, or the •ubjeciion of tht whole to Chrirt. Paul likens iha Chriitum oharoh to « human body oompoeed of various members, which perform yarious offices— «" So we, being many, are one body , in Christ Jesus, and every one members one of another.** Frool the compound character of the church and the diversity of its gifts and offices, it is impossible that unity and order should exist apart from combining the whole in mntiuil interest and obligation to each other, and subjecting th« whole in obedience to one head. Hence the divinely Mstituted arrangement is, "One is your Master, even Christ, and air ye are brethren." TIjjb supremacy of our Lord Jesus Christ in the church is a perpetual safeguard againsi human intolerance and despotism amongst brethren, for we cannot infringe the right of a brother without assumiiUF the authority of our divine Master. Every infringement therefonfTof these ftindamental principles must be disastrous to the best inferests of the church. - . * .In confirmation of the foregoing views, we quote again irom the words of our Saviour, Matt. xz. 25 — 27 : '* Bui Jesus called them unto him and said. Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exeiYiise dominion over theni, and they that are great exerdse authority upon them; but it shall not be so among you ; but whdso will be great among you let him be your minister (literally deacon), and whdao will be chief let him be your servant." Here our blessed Master teaches us that the exerdse of despotic power k .characteristi<$ of heathenism, opposed to the spirit and genius of Christianity, and utterly subversive of its b«ii> interests The Saviour, giving it an unquah'fied prohibitiott^ aays» ^* It shall not be so among you," Pioud mpiiing^ /•fe: ■% , jf , I J -wf , tsFj *r j^ « i 34 ■oniFTviji kMrnsamn^ » \ I iM gwping «ft«r dominloo. howaTer oongonial to ctfotl tiAlurai, are utterly ropugiuuit to th« •pint of the goepel, and inimioal to the CbrMtuui brotherhood. The gieia I^Mier direct! th*t - he th«t would be greAt ahouU be t^ieir minirter.** or dewon— the lowent eod«wia thee and him alone; if he thall hear thee, thou heet gMm0 thy brother; but if he will not hear thee, then take willi^ thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or thiM witnenoB every word may be eeUUiahed; and if he ihaU H^lect to bear them, tell it to the chur«h ; but if he MgUfli to hear the church, let him be unto thee aa an heatbtA man and a publican'' (Matt, xviii. 15 — 17); towatd i^ hereiic, — " A man that is a heretic, after the firtt and second admonition reject" (Titus iii. 10). We have from these citations specific instructions for the administration of wholesome discipline towards the offending, and ahofor the government of our spirit and conduct toward the brethren. Moreover, from the natui« of our relatiyt duties, we see our true relation to each other as equak .or ' brethren, and we see the unity of divine teachings, finding the same truths indicated in our relative duties ^at^are. in other places expressed in positive precept We am ooil' ducted by this two-fold process to the same concl6sion?i#v ibdng the great central elements of chureh government upon divine authority, and rendering adherence to ^imc. in all matters of chureh legisUition and mount obligation. We might extend the Ikt of scritytorn quotations of kindred import to almost any length, but w# rtjgard one «* thus saith the Loid** as oonduaye beyib»i<'- aU gucoowful oontradiotion. ^^r~~TTj^~?3~jr~ ■"■ , ■ ■ ■ ■ • •-■.,' ■ ■ . ■ - ; ■ '■' . iv - 'i. ,■-,.-■ r ■ ■■ -fji - . ,?..■■' } ■'4i T . .-.-f-f, pi!|j ;-f.;'j^5» wf^frm^if- dO BOBIPTURI AROUlOrfKT. ^ It may set the matter in a dwwr and stronger liffht to ahow how inapired apostles regained and treated this wibject. Any precedent drawn from apostolic usage must ^ legaided as of veiy high authority, and if found to and establish the correctness of such views. Happily we havea case to point In the 16th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles we are furnished with an account of apostolic iiasges, reflecting dear light upon the subject. On the important question whether the converted Gen|iles should be cujcumcised and required to keep the hiw of Moses, the ^C88ndeldeniand thechurehmettoconfer,noone dass ofofflcers m the churdi arrogatteg to themadves authority to aottleihe matter. Iliis is usually called the firet Christian coundl of the diureh, and when we consider who composed It, some of jts members being inspired by the Holy Ghost, and those who had both seen and heard the Saviourin the fledi, and were familiar with his teachings, their action on flus occasion must be of the highest importance in our enquines. Moreover, this coundl assembled by the imme- ««te command of God, for Paul tells us (Gal. ii. 1, 5 ) tt«t they went up to Jerusalem by revelation. Paul had Tftus idth him on this occasion, and how many othere we' on^tdl^a number of kymen seem to have accom-' pMued hmi to the Conference. The subject of diacussiotfit www to have occasioned much disputation between Paul «d Barnabas, andjt was nltimatdy determined that Paul > and Barnabas and certam other of them should go up to ^toTOMlem unto the apostles and dders for the settlement of «^0 question. Kow, observe, ^q apostles did notassume authority to detennine the question at issue independe^tiy * •.«.> ^s ... iyt4^« '4^fTfTy YT"''"'^^" " «? ff '^E^'V «i^ 'tV^^j BORIPT0RX ARouMxmr. #7 ) .■ 1 . 0^ thd laity, nor the laity independently of the apostles, l)ut together, as &r«Mrm |.hey determined in the matter of a deputation to JerusalemX Again, the deputation waa $ mixed one, being sent by the determination of the church. The reception they met in Jerusalem also shows that the church there was under a discipline similar to the one from which th^y came, for we a?e told " they were received of the church, and of tljte apostles and elders." Then as to the decisions of jkis council, we Are told, (verse 22,) "Then pleased it the apostle^ and elders, with the whole church, to. send chosen men of their own company t6 Antioch with Paul and Barnabas," -<'."?,'»-'-.».t:fwr- .98 0O1UFT0IUB AJiauiaHT. ■W9w»t IS announced in podtive precept is fairly implied in relative duties, and illustrated in the action of inspirecT apostles rendering adherence to these great principles, we' humbly conceive, of paramount obligation to the Christian <)hurGh in all her legislation. Th« discipline and usages of the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist New Connexion church are founded on these great principles taught in the word of God, and we con- ceive that the consonance of the former with the hitter is BOffidently obvious to carry conviction to every unprejudiced muKf that carefully compares the one with Uie other. In all the business meetings of our church, from the leaden^ meeting to the annual Conference, " all ye are brethren ** . lays at the basis of each organization, and constitutes the spirit of each meeting. Though we do not claim that our church disdpline is perfect in ail' its details, as this would be too *figh a tribute for any institution in which mortals are concerned, yet we daim for it conformity to the word oT^od in all its great principlea—indeed, that those prin-^ c^les are manifestiy taught in the word of God. In .conclusion, let me urge upon the attention of the ^ reader of this Httie treatise, the first, and of all otheis the most important Kbwty, is the liberty from sin, that with which Christ makes his people free. This is the foundation of all true liberty. Without this you have no rights to defend, no liberty to conserve. You are ihe subject and dsve of Bin,of Satan. No church organization can give Hborty .to a man enslaved by sm. XJnlaas you have been madefrea by the blood of atonenement, you have no. right in the cbofi^ of Christ— not even the i^t of membeiBhip, and if your name is enrolled in the record of the chiubb, it k •i*- . . < "^^^ t^r/ ; ' ■'^j^y.-^^^' ■CBI7TUKI JlBOVMBHT. m m**9L bectaite you haye '< climbed up KWie oilier wty," tihiefAnda robben" -• I beseech you, as you prize your bouI, lay the foundalaoii of freedom in ** repentance towards €k>d, and faith in ojor Loid Jesus Christ** Whatever importance we attaoh to church Uberties to the people of Qod, these ttre all after considerations with you. TIm first matter with you is, that your sins are pardoned, and you constituted free hi Christ Jesu^ This great work accomplished, and then all the immunities of a brother in the household of &ith ta^ chartered to you in the word of God. Nor should we^ pi living members of the church of Jesus Christ, foijaptt thai. Ilie highest standard of religious liberty to which we may attain is freedom from all sin — ^to be enfrafichised in tJl the graces of Christian holiness..'' We do not say to you. Prize your privileges of Church oiganization^«, or regard the infusion of the lay element in all the councils of the church as a matter of minor importance— we regard this as the palladium of liberty in the church, and promotiTe of its best interestsr— but we would say with empharii^ Prize your liberties of '^entire consecration to jGkxl and ripened holiness 9i»or0. Indeed, we would appeal to the love you bear to our church organization as a motive to increased holmess. If you would give currenqr to Uberah scriphMral principles of church government— if you wool} see the church of your choice proi^r and its distingaishiiig principles acknowledged as being of God, then cultivate holiness. However ardently you may desire to see our church prosper, and its distmguishing features known and respected iii society, you are, though it may be uncoil sdously, y^ effectually, crippling and wastmg her best .:-»^ 40 upawtuvm Anaxnavr, energies, xmsrepreflenting her prindplea and retarding her progreflfi, unleflfl you are cidtivating holiness. We want a light form, but this iwill not serve us, unless we have the lif€ and powdr in the form. As you prize your liberty, as you prize the prosperity of the church, as you prize the salvation of souls, cultivate holiness. Let us go and Qist ourselv^ upon the altar of consecration, and inscribe on the walls of our Zion, " Holiness unto the Lord.*-* Then with our Christian hberty baptized in the i^irit of devout pi€iy, our Zion shall " come forth out of the wilderness,*' replete in the graces of ho^ness, " dea? as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners." ' , * i» ,''4' I ' \ !»■' ' • / •.' ^dri "^