cular chapel, on account of the disposition by the will.

It does appear to me, therefore, that the case is very strong, and very clear, with respect to the power of the District Committee; and that the District Committee still, notwithstanding the Act of Pacification, have a right, have authority, to suspend or to remove a Preacher, in all cases, except in those particular cases mentioned in the Act of Pacification; where the Trustees and the other parties therein-mentioned choose to interfere. I think, in all other cases, they have authority to suspend or to remove.

Having established that as a preliminary, the next point appears to be very short-Have they acted regularly, and discharged their duty in acting according to the rules of the society, in the course they have taken? The only rules that appear prescribed in the Act of Pacification are, the giving notice, and the form of summoning the meeting. A copy of the charges was handed to Dr. Warren; he had intimation of the day of meeting; and he attended accordingly. So far, all the proceedings were regular. Dr. Warren afterwards withdrew, and refused to attend his trial. They suspended him; not because they found him guilty of the charges that had been preferred against him, but they suspended him because he refused to undergo the trial. He said, "I will not attend." They gave him notice he would not attend; and, if I may make use of the expression with reference to proceedings of this kind, they suspended him for contumacy,that is the fact. Had they power to do so? Why, I refer them back to that which I consider to be the foundation of the whole of this authority, namely, the law of 1791. In a case of emergency the District Committee may meet,-they may consider that case of emergency. It is not for us to say whether it was a case of emergency or not; it is for that particular tribunal, the District Committee, to say whether it was a case of emergency or not. They did meet; they considered it was a case of emergency; and they had a power to decide according to their own discretion; and their decision is final until the next Conference. What did they decide? They decided, that because he did not choose to attend the investigation of the case, he should be suspended. I think that comes clearly within the scope and meaning of the article of 1791, as coupled with the law of 1792, and that they had ower to do what they did.

It is said that Dr. Warren was harshly treated, in not allowing Mr. Bromley (I

think his name was) to attend with him at that meeting. With that I have really nothing to do. The District Committee had a power to regulate their own proceedings. They had a power to do so; and upon whether it was duly exercised or not, I wish to give no opinion. Upon whether it was a discreet exercise of the power, I also give no opinion; but they did exercise that power that no stranger should be present. They have authority to do that; and that does not, therefore, render the proceedings illegal or invalid. It is again said, that the publication by Dr. Warren of his speech that he delivered in the Conference, with the observations affixed to it, was in reality not an offence; not an offence entitling this body to exercise the jurisdiction, and that it did not support the charges that were preferred against him, copies of which were handed to me. The evidence did not appear to have been gone into. I presume that was because he was absent, and did not attend. Whether it did support those charges, or not, was a question for the District Meeting. have no jurisdiction with respect to it. A particular tribunal is established by the agreement of those parties to decide a question of this kind; I have therefore no authority to say, whether, within the meaning of the rules of this society, this pamphlet was or was not an offence; that was peculiarly for the decision of the District Committee.

I therefore am of opinion, not only that the District Committee had the power to suspend, but I am of opinion that they acted legally. I am not called upon to say more. Whether they acted wisely, discreetly, temperately, or harshly, these are matters with which I have no concern, and upon which I desire now to express no opinion. Therefore, upon these two grounds merely, the regularity of the proceedings, and being satisfied of the authority of the body, I am bound to affirm the decision in this respect of the ViceChancellor.

I must again, before concluding, express my great regret at the existence of the dissensions which have given rise to these proceedings; and from what I have heard, and from what I may say I know, of the character of Dr. Warren, of his learning, of his piety, of his talents, and of his good conduct, which have been stated on one side, and not even attempted to be contradicted on the other ;-taking all these things into consideration, I must express my regret that he should be the sufferer; sufferer, I say, because of a contest which had originated, as it appears, in

the establishment of a particular body, which this society, or a part of this society, thought it right to establish. I express my regret that he should have been the

sufferer,-I will not say the victim, but the sufferer, in those proceedings.

The judgment, therefore, of his Honour the Vice-Chancellor must be affirmed.

THE occurrences of the present month have been singularly important to the Wesleyan body. One principal cause, under the blessing of God, of the great success which has attended the exertions of the Connexion at every period of its history, is the salutary discipline which it has always maintained, not only in regard to its private members and subordinate officers, but also in regard to the Itinerant Preachers. During the life of Mr. Wesley he exercised a paternal control over them; and at his death the same power devolved, by his appointment, upon the Conference. That this power might be effectually exercised during the intervals of Conference, the Connexion was divided into Districts, the Preachers of which were directed to meet in any case of emergency, that might require their interference; and they were authorized to decide upon it, even to the removal or suspension of an offending brother; subject, of course, to the control of Conference, to which all their proceedings were to be ultimately submitted. These powers have been exercised by DistrictMeetings, from the first Conference after Mr. Wesley's death to the present time, without interruption, and without any question respecting their legality. Under the sanction of the rules relating to District-Meetings, Dr. Warren was some months ago placed under suspension, he himself, at that time, offering no suggestion that the District-Meeting, assembled in Manchester, was incompetent thus to deal with him. Having, since the time of his suspension, laboured with all his might, by the use of the press, and by holding public meetings in various places, to promote strife in the societies, and to bring the body of the Preachers into contempt, among the people who are under their pastoral care, he has appealed to the Court of Chancery, claiming to be restored to his ministry in the First Manchester Circuit His plea was, that the

Conference of 1795, by the Plan of Pacification, deprived the District-Meetings of all power to suspend offending brethren, unless they had first been tried by a meeting consisting of Trustees, Stewards, and Class-Leaders, as well as Travelling Preachers; and that, therefore, his suspension was unlawful, since he had never been summoned before such a tribunal. This ground he knew to be in direct opposition to the general understanding and practice of the Connexion; he himself, almost up to the time of his own suspension, having concurred in similar acts of discipline, without ever hinting that they were irregular and unauthorized. The question is now decided by the highest judicial authority. All the powers claimed and exercised by the Conference over its members, and delegated by the Conference to District-Meetings, during the intervals of its sittings, are confirmed by the distinct and independent decision of the Vice-Chancellor and of the Lord Chancellor of England, after a full hearing on both sides from the ablest Counsel, and a patient investigation of the entire subject. The correct views concerning the Wesleyan discipline displayed in the Vice-Chancellor's decision, and the tone of piety which pervades it, will appear to every attentive reader. That the Lord Chancellor, in the midst of his numerous and pressing engagements, should have devoted so much time to the investigation of this complex subject, as is indicated by the accuracy and comprehensiveness of his decision, is a proof of the high importance which that very distinguished personage attached to the questions at issue; and he has thus laid the parties concerned under a lasting obligation. The conduct of Sir William Horne, and of Messrs. Rolfe and Piggott, the Counsel for the defendants, in making themselves thoroughly acquainted with a subject so complicated, and so far removed from their general practice and pursuits, as

the details and history of Methodistical law, and the zeal and ability with which they advocated the cause of the defendants, are beyond all praise, and entitle them to the warmest gratitude of the Methodist body. Nor are the ability and per severing labour of Mr. Percival Bunting, of Manchester, and of Mr. Bower, of Chancery-lane, London, the Solicitors for the defendants, less worthy of special record. The firmness and Christian temper of Mr. Newton, the Chairman of the Manchester District, and of his brethren associated with him in this painful business, and the hearty and generous co-operation of the Trustees and other friends in Manchester, in maintaining the true Wesleyan discipline, in this peculiar crisis, will doubtless be specially acknowledged by the Conference at its next assembling.

Dr. Warren's Counsel contended that the publication of his pamphlet against the Theological Institution was only a trivial offence, if it was any offence at all; and that, therefore, he had been treated with harshness and severity. But this is a point which cannot by any means be conceded. The Doctor was perfectly justifiable in using all constitu tional means to prevent the formation of this establishment, until the decision of the Conference had been taken; but when once the question had been determined by a majority of that body, he was bound to submit to the decision in silence and in peace. A Committee was appointed to carry this measure into effect; pecuniary responsibilities were therefore to be incurred; and the Institution had no means of support but the voluntary contributions of the Connexion. The attempt, therefore, to create public hostility to it, and thus to deprive it of the requisite support, was an attempt at once to involve the Committee in pecuniary difficulties, and subvert that vital principle of the Methodist Constitution, laid down by Mr. Wesley, and thus expressed by him in the Deed of Declaration:

"The act of the majority in number of the Conference assembled as aforesaid, shall be had, taken, and be, the act of the whole Conference, to all intents, pur

poses, and constructions whatsoever." If it was competent to Dr. Warren to endeavour to prevent the execution of a measure of Conference relating to the improvement of the junior Preachers, other Preachers would be justified in pursuing a similar course in respect to all the arrangements and plans of that body. One might write against the Missions, on the ground that he did not approve of some of the officers connected with that department of the Connexion; a second might attack the Contingent Fund, on the plea that he disliked some person connected with its distribution, and thus attempt to persuade the societies and congregations to withhold their aid from the Yearly and July Collections, intended to promote the cause of religion in the more neglected parts of our own country; a third might write against the Fund for the relief of distressed chapels; and a fourth direct his literary efforts against the Fund for the support of aged Preachers, widows, and orphans. And if these institutions might be made the subjects of public controversy, why should Methodist Preachers be restrained from writing against class-meetings, against the employment of Leaders and Local Preachers; and, indeed, against every doctrine and regulation of the Wesleyan system? Thus would all the elements of discord be let loose upon the societies; every question connected with Methodism would be a subject of public discussion; not even one first principle would be acknowledged; and the attention of the people every where would be directed to any thing rather than the one and simple object of their union,—the advancement. of practical godliness among themselves and in the world. Had Dr. Warren's pamphlet contained no mis-statements of fact, and no unwarrantable reflections upon individual members of the Conference, the Preachers of the Manchester District would still have been bound, in duty both to the Conference and the Connexion at large, to call him to an account for this infringement of one of the vital principles of their union; and when he set them at defiance, they had no alternative, but to pass upon him a

sentence of suspension. That a man of his age and character should have been so unmindful of his obligations to the body to which he belonged, is deeply to be regretted. If a man, in consequence of a change of opinion, or other circumstances, is led conscientiously to dissent from the views and proceedings of a society to which he is united, his just and honourable course is, quietly to withdraw; for, to remain in a Christian community for the mere purpose of agitation, and to promote disorder and confusion, is a conduct at which every candid and upright mind revolts. The failure of the Doctor's attempt to overthrow the Wesleyan discipline, by depriving the Preachers of all efficient control over one another during the intervals of Conference, is matter of sincere rejoicing; and will be regarded by all the sound members of the Connexion as affording another proof of a wise and superintending Providence, of which the history of that revival of religion to which the name of Methodism has been given, affords so many striking

examples. This triumph of rule and order will not be employed as an occasion of unhallowed exultation over defeated adversaries, but of devout thanksgiving to God; and the discipline of the body, thus mercifully preserved and sanctioned, will be still used to guard and foster that work of God which the Methodist societies exhibit in the length and breadth of the land; for it is the will and design of the Head of the Church, that "on all the glory there shall be a defence." The Methodist body may still echo the sentiment of their dying Founder, "The best of all is, God is with us; " and in reference to the democratic movements which have threatened to effect their ruin, they may individually say, with the Apostle of the Gentiles, when speaking of the difficul ties and discouragements which beset his path, “I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the Gospel." London, March 26th, 1835.

The

SEPT. 4th., 1834.-At Ruan, in the Helston Circuit, William Munday, in the sixty-first year of his age. He had been a member of the Methodist society nearly forty years, about twenty of which he was a zealous and useful Class-Leader. His conversion was clear and sound. Being by trade a blacksmith, he was necessarily much exposed to the evil conversation of the wicked, which at that time was much worse in those parts than it is at present. Profane swearing was then very common, but now an oath is seldom heard." death of his mother made a deep impression on his mind. But one day, while working at his forge, he thought, "If I cannot bear to keep my finger in that fire, because of its heat, how shall I endure to lie down in everlasting burnings?" The agony of his soul became intense. He joined the persecuted Methodist society; but his trouble increased, until late one night, when the rest of the family had retired, he was engaged in earnest prayer, and so clear and sudden was the manifes tation of the love of God to him, that he awoke some of the family to tell what the Lord had done for his soul. From this time, to the day of his death, he was found in the paths of righteousness; modest, zealous, holy. In a long affliction he was patient and meek, and in death triumphant. By all classes in Ruan he was much and deservedly beloved. W. L.

Oct. 10th.-At Shrewsbury, Mrs. Ann Green, aged twenty-nine. She suffered much for some weeks before her death; but her end was peace. J. A.

Oct. 25th.-At Towcester, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, Mr. Joseph Arlidge. In early life he was greatly prejudiced against the Methodists, and all Dissenters: but about the year 1795, his excellent wife prevailed upon him to hear the late Rev. G. Dermott, under whose ministry he was

awakened to a deep sense of his guiltiness before
God.
His own language is, "I was shaken as it
were over the pit of hell; but, blessed be the
Lord, after a long struggle, he spoke peace to my
soul, so that I could sing,

I rode on the sky, freely justified I,
Nor envied Elijah his seat;

My soul mounted higher, in a chariot of fire,
And the world it was under my feet.'"

He was greatly attached to Methodism, both in its doctrines and discipline, and felt a deep and lively concern for the general prosperity of religion. In his last affliction he evinced a firm trust in Christ, and blessed resignation to the divine will. The night previous to his death he feelingly cited those last and beautiful lines of the great poet of Methodism :

"In age and feebleness extreme,

Who shall a helpless worm redeem?
Jesus, my all in all thou art,

Strength of my failing flesh and heart;
O let me catch one smile from thee,
And sink into eternity!"

In this calm and happy frame he left this world of trial and suffering, for an eternal rest in glory.

W. B.

Nov. 1st At Shrewsbury, Mrs. Miller, aged fifty years. She was favoured with the strivings of God's Spirit at an early period of life, and became a member of the Methodist society; and though required by her father, whom she tenderly loved, to give up her membership, she conscientiously refused: on which account she was turned out of his house. But she was comforted, and reconciled to her situation, by remembering that it is written," When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up ;" and still more so, by the application of these words to

her heart, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." She had not yet obtained the forgiveness of sins; but shortly afterwards she was made a partaker of it; and her consistent conduct proved that she possessed this blessing in reality. In her subsequent life she suffered much from disease and domestic bereavement; but proved the truth of that promise, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." Her last illness was short, but very severe. A little before her death she said, "He that has helped me thus far will not leave me to perish at last." J. A.

Dec. 5th. At Bradley, near Bilston, Lucy, the beloved wife of Mr. John Dunning, in the thirtyseventh year of her age. From early life she was a subject of religious impressions, and became a member of the Methodist society when about fourteen years of age. As long as her health permitted she was a Collector for the Missionary Society, and was deeply interested in its success. She was much attached to the various means of grace, particularly to class-meeting. During her long affliction, she was favoured with a large measure of divine support and comfort, by which she was enabled to triumph over her last enemy. The nearer she approached the final hour, her consolations abounded more and more. A short time before her death, on a friend entering the room, she waved her hand, and exclaimed, with holy joy, "I have got my passport." It was evident to all that she was in possession of that "perfect love which casteth out fear." The last words she was heard to articulate were, "Come, Jesus, and take me;" which she repeated several times; and then almost immediately departed, to be for ever with the Lord. R. W.

Dec. 25th-At Malton, Sarah, the beloved wife of Samuel Henry Moxon, Chemist and Druggist, Leeds, and daughter of the Rev. James Sykes. She became a member of the Methodist society when eleven years of age; and from that period to the time of her death she adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things, and manifested, in the whole of her deportment, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. She endured affliction with the most exemplary patience, being perfectly resigned to the will of her heavenly Father. fear of death was entirely removed; and in the hour of her dissolution she was divinely comforted and supported with a good hope through grace. Without a struggle, or even a sigh, she fell asleep in Jesus, aged twenty-five.

The

R. W.

Dec. 30th.-At Dunnington, in the York Circuit, in the sixty-first year of her age, Mrs. Dale, widow of the late William Dale. She was converted in the thirty-first year of her age, and continued a steady, meek, devoted Christian, to the period of her death. Her house was the home of the Methodist Ministers in their visits to the place where she resided; and she loved and revered them as the servants of Jesus Christ. She had been long afflicted; but she bore her sufferings with Christian patience and resignation. Her end was triumphant.

F. C.

Jan. 3d, 1835.-At Shrewsbury, Mr. Price, aged eighty-four years. He followed the course of this world, till he had passed the noon of his life; and he received his first religious impressions under the preaching of Archdeacon Bather, whose ministry he attended for some years afterwards. But when it became inconvenient for him to do this any longer, he joined himself to the Wesleyan Methodists, and often expressed his thinkfulness for his union with them. The uniform testimony borne respecting him is, that his life was exemplary. He was particularly attentive to family prayer; and never allowed a day to pass without reading or causing to be read the Scripture lessons for the day. The affliction which terminated his life was painful and protracted; but he bore it with much patience. Throughout his religious life he uniformly expressed himself in terms of the strongest confidence, as to his acceptance with God through Christ; but as his end drew near, his faith was severely tried, and in some degree he lost his evidence of the divine favour. Hap.

Jan. 3d.-At Snaith, Mary, the beloved wife of Mr. A. Hodgson, Surgeon, aged twenty-eight years. About eleven years ago she was brought to the determination to join the Methodist society, under a very impressive sermon delivered in Rawcliffe, (her native village,) by the late Rev. David Stoner; being previously to that time a subject of divine impressions, and a regular attendant on the Wesleyan ninistry. Soon after joining the society, she became an active agent in the Missionary cause; and also of the Bible Society. Her amiable disposition endeared her to her husband, and to a large circle of relations and friends, who lament her sudden and unexpected W. H. S.

removal.

Jan. 7th.-At Hay, in the Brecon Circuit, Catherine Thomas. She was born at Enniskillen, Ireland, in the year 1771; her maiden name was Stewart; she was the only surviving sister of the late Rev. James Stewart, who died in 1831. Having been awakened to a discovery of her sin and danger about the year 1790, she joined the Me thodist society, and soon obtained a knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins. In 1805 she was united in marriage to Jonathan Thomas, then a soldier in the Army of Reserve. In 1807 she came over with her husband into Wales, and settled in Hay. She had many years been afflicted with the asthma, which finally proved fatal. In the prospect of the near approach of dissolution, her confidence was strong in the Lord. On its being observed to her, that Christ was our only trust, "Yes," she said, with peculiar emphasis, "that is a sure trust." She then said, "What a mercy it is that I have not left my salvation to seek till now!" The last words she was heard to articulate were, "Come, Lord Jesus." And then, without a sigh, or a groan, or a struggle, she resigned her spirit into the hands of her Redecmer, in the sixty-fifth year of her age. J. B.

Jan. 19th-At Shrewsbury, Mrs. Ann Wanklin, aged seventy-eight. She was brought to the knowledge of the truth under the preaching of the Rev. John Wesley, in the year 1781. Being deeply convinced of her sin and danger, she earnestly sought pardon; and by faith in Christ she received it, and was made unspeakably happy. She joined the Methodist society in Shrewsbury, (at that time only eight or ten in number,) and supported a truly Christian character to the end of her days. About forty years since she lost the use of her arms; and was not able to dress or feed herself without assistance. But she received this affliction, as she did others, as merciful corrections from her heavenly Father; and was constrained to bless him, because of the consolations which she enjoyed in her most painful hours. "Prayer was all her business; all her pleasure, praise." last illness was painful; but when a friend inquired respecting the state of her mind, she replied, "The battle is fought, the victory is won. 'I'll praise my Maker while I've breath.' Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly."

Her

J. A.

Jan. 19th.-At Willington, in the Shields Circuit, Mr. William Stowport, in the seventyseventh year of his age. He was brought to the knowledge of the truth early in life, and continued a steady, useful, and exemplary member of the Methodist society, for more than half a century. For a series of years he received the Ministers of Christ into his house, and, after becoming acquainted with their spirit and "manner of life," "esteemed them very highly in love for their work's sake." While occupying a situation in life of considerable responsibility, in which he was exposed to strong and incessant temptation, he displayed great vigilance and integrity: and discharged the duties of a Class Leader and SocietySteward with credit to himself, and advantage to others. He perused the sacred Scriptures with care and frequency; and so waited upon God, in the means of grace, as to obtain that encouragement and support which enabled him to bear much domestic affliction, and subsequently the