sionary students have yet to be estimated at their full worth; William Davis Tyack-among good men... distinguished for his goodness'; Edward Walker-a genuine Christian gentleman, of dignified, yet easy bearing; and amongst our hopeful rising Ministry, the sweet-spirited and saintly Charles Louis Sutcliffe -a thoroughly able and faithful Methodist Preacher and administrator. In the Missionary Obituary the name of Samuel Hardey claims special notice the scion of a fine old Methodist house, and the elder of two Missionary brothers, as indefatigable as he was meek-mannered, as free from self-assertion as from selfindulgence; and Ferdinando BosioItalian Minister, political prisoner, popish priest, and finally Methodist Preacher; a man of strong mental and moral force, who proved by sacrifices the sincerity of his evangelical convictions. All these were noble, useful men, for whom our Church is devoutly thankful; yet all belonged to the rank and file of the Ministry. Not one had passed the Chair; not one had been elected to the Legal Conference, save on the ground of seniority.' Happy is the Church that is so rich in spiritual power, administrative skill, intellectual wealth and gifts of utterance. The Open Session was occupied chiefly with Ireland, France, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church of America. Mr. W. Guard Price dwelt upon the social difficulties which Irish Methodism has to contend with, and its ever-pressing struggle with Rome. Mr. James Wilson, a former President of the Primitive WesleyanMethodist Conference, told the story of the union between it and the WesleyanMethodist Conference, showing how Providence prepared the way for it. His presence as one of the Representatives to the British Conference proved how real the union is. The necessity of saving every possible shilling pre vented the French Conference appointing one of its own body to visit England. Dr. Punshon, however, had recently inspected French Methodism, and he held a brief for it. Right well did he discharge his commission. The heart of every one that heard him throbbed in sympathy with Pastors and people, worthy successors of the Huguenots and Vaudois, who endure cheerfully for Christ's sake so great poverty and hardship. Timely, too, was his reference to Mr. Gibson's work in Paris. France is preeminently 'the nation of a great city.' Hitherto French Methodism has flourished mainly among the peasantry of the traditionally Protestant South; a successful attack upon the capital would go far to relieve the chronic impecuniosity which almost starves our Gallic Societies to death. The address of the black Bishop, Dr. Campbell, abounded with pathos, humour, and eloquence. He is unquestionably in earnest; a true leader of his long-oppressed race. Emancipation has opened the way for the elevation of the Negro, and it is doubtless wise to encourage the coloured population of the United States in their self-help and independence. Possibly the barriers between the white and the black races may vanish as the latter are uplifted and refined by the Gospel. The Bishop verged on the rather dangerous ground of politics: but the politics were American, not English, and the controversies he referred to have been dead and buried long ago. When he claimed recognition for the Church which he rules as an integral part of the Methodist family, the Conference no less cheerfully than justly allowed it, and we trust that the Revs. W. Arthur and F. W. Macdonald may be able to return the visit which Bishop Campbell has paid to English Methodism. It is only of recent years that the Conference has formally received The deputations from other ecclesiastical bodies. The two of the present year were not inferior in interest and value to any of their predecessors. The first that appeared upon the platform represented the Dissenting Ministers of Birmingham. Birmingham Nonconformity is inseparably associated with the name of R. W. Dale, and it was natural that he should clasp the President's hand as its leader. address which he read bore manifest marks of its origin; it plainly proceeded from Mr. Dale's own pen. In reply, Mr. Arthur spoke weighty words as to the true unity of Christ's Church-all its sections being alike rooted in Him; and Dr. Punshon traced the genealogy of Methodism, so as to illustrate and expand the President's phrase when he said that in himself and Mr. Dale beat the strong pulse of spiritual consanguinity.' Usually speeches from some of the deputation have preceded the replies, but Mr. Dale had not intended to address the Conference. In response to the President's request, however, he delivered a speech as seasonable as it was frank and forceful. Methodism is one of a community of SisterChurches. What is it that those Churches hold us responsible for? Mr. Dale tells us, with much of appreciation and something of warning: First, we are 'in some sort... trustees' of the institution of the Class-meeting. 'Whatever slight modifications,' urged Mr. Dale, may from time to time be necessary in that organization of yours, we do venture to ask, on behalf of the other Evangelical communities of Christendom, that you endeavour to secure it permanently for the Christian world.' And the Pastor of one of the largest Independent Churches in these islands, the successor of John Angell James, lamented the want of such a means of Christian fellowship in his own denomination. Among ourselves in certain quarters weariness of the Class meeting is springing up; and neglect of it is only too common. To permit it to die of inanition would be to break our trust, in the face of Christendom. Second, we are responsible for maintaining in its origi nal prominence 'the doctrine of the Holy Ghost.' Mr. Dale did not in so many words mention the witness of the Spirit, but that doctrine was doubtless in his thoughts. It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this, not merely in our theology, but also and principally in our experience. Third, 'the doctrine of Christian perfection and complete sanctif cation is another of the great truths which we hold in trust for Christendom.' Other sections of the Church are now claiming their share in the priceless heritage, let us see to it that we lose neither the truth itself nor the form of sound words which enshrines it. We may recognize in Mr. Dale's utterances the voice of the Churches, calling upon us to be faithful to our past. As the President said, the admonition had fallen from his lips with a force with which no Methodist lips could have uttered it.' God grant that it may be heeded! The deputation from the Methodist New Connexion Conference, the first that has stood upon a WesleyanMethodist Conference platform, suggested the closer relations which the various Methodist bodies are forming with each other. The pleasure of receiving the deputation was heightened by the presence of Dr. Cooke, eminent as theologian, author and Preacher, ever the consistent friend of the parent Methodist body. The old man' proved himself still eloquent." The tone to both the conversations on the State of the Work of God was taken from the fact that the number of members in Society is now less by three thousand two hundred and sixty-four than it was last year. is only right, however, to place by the side of the decrease the return of ten thousand and forty-five young persons meeting in Junior Societyclasses, now tabulated for the first time. Of course, the Conference never intended that children should be withdrawn from full membership and drafted into Junior Classes, but, beyond all doubt, financial considerations and the convenience of the young meeting with the young have caused considerable numbers of children to leave the adult and join the juvenile Class. Besides though this seems to have been completely overlooked in the conversations in previous years hundreds of converted children have united themselves to our Societies; this year the new converts from the young have sought fellowship with those of their own age. In view of this and of the fact that upwards of sixty thousand persons have been admitted during the year, we may well accept gratefully Dr. Osborn's counsel: 'Let us beware of discouragement.' And the Doctor's plea for yet more efficient care of our children ought to bring forth visible fruit, though possibly not till 'after many days.' There is another side to the question of the decrease; and the ex-President touched upon it gently but firmly. Our gains are not duly proportionate to our agencies. Very solemnly should we ask ourselves: Are conversions as numerous with us as they were with our fathers? And it is sadly too true that 'there is wanting that constant, steady, assiduous, successful working of our ancient discipline which,...before all else, would tend to our prosperity.' Mr. James Wood ascribed the decrease to 'leakage,' and to 'the small encouragement given to evangelistic work in some places.' He suggested meetings for prayer both before and after the public Sunday evening service, and the vigorous working of Mission-rooms surrounding our large chapels.' These hints should not be lost sight of. Mr. George Lidgett's outspoken address produced a deep impression, at any rate upon ourselves. He said what many have long felt, but have hardly dared to whisper. Here are a few of his sentences: 'There is no institution so essential to the existence of Methodism as the Class meeting, and every man amongst us who by his conduct discredits that institution reduces to that extent the number of our Church-members. If a Local Preacher stands up in our pulpits and endeavours to induce those who are before him to join the hosts of the Lord, whilst at the same time it is known that he is a man who never meets in Class, that man discredits the institution. The same thing may be said of Society-stewards, of Circuitstewards and of other officers. We have such men amongst us-some of them holding the highest official positions-who pay in their Class-money on the day of the Quarterly Meeting, and who in that and in other ways discredit the institution. If you talk about leakage-there is more leakage caused in this way than in any other. I know it will be said by those who have assumed the responsibility of appointing men to these offices who do not meet in Class, that there are other advantages to which you must not shut your eyes. These are men who by their liberality and ability to help us are of very great importance to us. Well, I would listen to any one who spoke after this manner, and I would admit to the full all that he had to say. But then I would look at the other side, and I would venture to say that the disadvantages that flow from such appointments far outweigh any advantages that you can possibly derive from them. For instance, here is a Circuitsteward; he occupies the highest position that a layman can hold in the Circuit, and yet it is known that he does not meet in Class. The knowledge of that fact does more to discredit the Class-meeting than all that you can say in favour of it will do to uplift it. Further, see the effect upon that man's children. He does not meet in Class; his children therefore do not meet in Class; and the consequence is that you lose fruit that ought to be most easily gathered.' Mr. Lidgett urges sharpdiscipline in all such cases; perhaps, however, with an insufficient apprehension of the difficulties that attach to it. Nevertheless, 'he is a bad soldier who will not bear L The Dr. Pope turned the thought of the Conference to the duty of cultivating personal piety, of 'perfecting holiness in the fear of God.' thirst for holiness that pervades our Israel is the brightest possible harbinger of more prosperous days. Nothing could much better illustrate the overwhelming importance which Methodism attaches to experience of the deep things of God than to hear an erudite and exact theologian like Dr. Pope declare with heartfelt sincerity that he could not pause to discuss critically theological errors while the fact remained that 'everywhere our people are pressing into that which they desire above all things a closer communion with God, a more entire severance from self, a more absolute conformity to the will of Christ and reflection of His blessed example.' And, again: 'I have wondered whether it is right to speak of a "second blessing." But there is a text in which our Saviour takes a blind man and partially restores him his sight, and then, holding the man up before us for a little while, that we may study his condition-which is a great advance upon what it was that we may watch him in this state of struggle,...He touches him again, and he sees every man clearly. In the face of that text, and in the face of the experience of multitudes of our fathers, in the face of the testimonies of multitudes now living, and in the face of the deep instinct, the hope and desire of my own unworthy heart, I will not con fidently condemn the phraseology referred to.' Other topics of the conversations were the remarkable revival at Kingswood School; the wondrous success of some of our District Missionaries; the number of Cambridge undergraduates meeting in Class; (the desirability of making all our anniversaries' 'great soul-saving times;' the necessity of personal service and self-examination, and the advisability of setting forth the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and also its terrible and eternal consequences. Mr. Harrison testified that Methodism has not lost its hold upon the masses. Mr. Bowden spoke warningly of the frivolities to use the mildest possible term-that are found in too many Christian homes. Mr. Arthur pointed out that culture and University training need not damage spirituality or lessen love for Methodism-had not in certain specified cases; and the President, with emphatic brevity, exhorted to the regular observance of family worship. Perhaps during the two conversations on the State of the Work of God less intense spiritual emotion was felt than while the Conference of 1878 was similarly engaged; but never was more food furnished for serious, prayerful meditation, and never was displayed more real desire and determination to do, in the name of the Lord, practical aggressive work-a hopeful augury for the coming year. Upon the crowded congregation at the Ordination Service, and especially upon the Probationers assembled to pledge themselves to Christ for lifeservice as His Ministers, and to receive the Church's confirmation of their vows, there rested the Holy Ghost. The ex-President's charge will in due course enrich our pages; it is therefore needless to review it. Every one might expect from Dr. Rigg scholarship, thoroughness, sterling thought and sound theology; and when he described the relation of the Minister to the Church, and the significance of Ordination, in so masterly a manner, and when he proceeded to enforce the duty and advantage of a conscientious and minute discharge of the pastoral functions, it was felt that the deliverance was worthy of the man. Throughout the session of the Representative Conference, retrenchment was the order of the day. Even congratulations upon the success of the Thanksgiving Fund were mingled with demands for a decrease of expenditure. Not even the Foreign Missions, the very pride and darling of the Methodist heart, were spared. The most protracted debate took place with regard to the Theological Institution. Ultimately it was resolved that the payment of travelling expenses to its students should immediately cease, and that after the Conference of 1880 no allowance should be paid them, except in cases of proved need, when a sum of ten pounds might be granted. Stern necessity alone justifies this measure. It was strongly pressed that ministerial students in Dissenting Colleges receive no allowances; but it should be borne in mind that they are highly paid for their Sunday services, while our own students often receive barely their travelling expenses. We trust that retrenchment of the expenditure of the Theological Institution has now reached its limit; and that no reduction will be found necessary in the tutorial staff. While the poorest enjoy the benefits of primary education and other denominations are straining every nerve to obtain a cultured and trained Ministry, Methodism cannot afford to have illiterate Preachers and Pastors. The reports of our Schools for Ministers' Children, both Boys' and Girls', were highly satisfactory. But here, again, the outgo exceeds the income. Henceforth a tax of six pounds per boy is to be levied on parents having sons at Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove School, to pay for the clothing provided by the school authorities. Here, again, absolute necessity commanded the impost. But it will bear very heavily upon Ministers in country Circuits with small allowances. Ministers in large towns can avail themselves of Grammar Schools to secure their boys a good and cheap education. There are very few such schools in our country Circuits. And six pounds is only too frequently equivalent to one-twentieth of a Minister's stipend. In such cases he cannot, without hardship, send one of his sons to our school. If the matter were properly understood by our people, we cannot doubt that an increase of contributions to the Schools' Fund would solve the problem with a much less distressing answer. The business of the Conference was transacted rapidly, but efficiently. Spite of the unusual business of the Thanksgiving Fund, and the many knotty and delicate points requiring to be settled, the Journal was signed about eight o'clock on the Friday evening. By the time these pages are in our readers' hands, the Connexional new year will have begun. We have brought and are still bringing the tithes into God's storehouse, at least the tithes of gold, and, we trust, the firstfruits of prayer and faith and love and labour. Now we wait, as the President urged us, with patient and humble, yet eager and confident expectation; we are proving Him if He will not open' us the windows of heaven, and pour' us out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.' Financial embarrassments resulting from the multiplication of Ministers at a higher rate than the multiplication of members would speedily disappear before 'times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.' B. J. |