as composed of the countless multitudes of individual lives; but they acknowledged no living, personal God, distinct from his creatures, preserving and governing them. Then they had the Rationalists, who strangely connected themselves with the religion of whose foundation they undermined.

From

the Bible they took away all inspiration, and from its recorded facts, everything supernatural and miraculous. And in this way had infidelity spread most widely, while very little was known of spiritual religion, even where all belief in Christianity had not been cast away. But, (proceeded Mr. Sydow,) within the last twenty or thirty years particularly, a very different, and a much happier, state of things, had been growing up. The principles of religion had been revived. Religious belief was more common. The seats of learning were not abandoned to Rationalism. Men of learning were not ashamed of Christianity, and of Christianity as a supernatural religion. Nor was this all. He was happy to say, that the change of which he had spoken not only included religious belief, but what was truly and properly spiritual religion. And it was a remarkable circumstance, that this had taken place very decidedly among the more educated classes. Infidelity was sinking very low. He did not mean that there was merely a profession of Christianity; there was the true fear of God. The late King of Prussia, he said, had been very desirous of erecting a barrier against Infidelity, Neology, and Popery. And so was their present Sovereign, who was himself very anxious to witness the prosperity of true religion,-the religion, he meant, of faith and hope. And he did witness it, he saw it spreading among single persons, and among the younger ministers, a great change was perceptible. Mr. Sydow said that he could, with great truth, use the expression-our pious king; that the present monarch of Prussia wished to see the spread of personal religion as having himself experienced its influence. He trusted that the churches on the Continent would become increasingly spiritual. He said that the President had kindly referred to the beneficial influence of a German clergyman on the mind of Mr. Wesley in an early stage of his religious proceedings. He could assure the Conference that both in Germany and in Prussia their proceedings were in their turn exerting a beneficial influence. They, too,

he said, had their religious institutions and societies. Their eyes were fixed on the excellent pattern furnished them by English Christians, and he hoped that they, too, were labouring to promote the kingdom of Christ, and the glory of God among men. He might add that they were neither ignorant of the proceedings of the Wesleyans, nor unmindful of them: that they had translations of some of Mr. Wesley's works, and likewise of the volume which had been published on the occasion of their Centenary, and that these had not been in vain. He had heard the piety of some called Methodistical piety, because they had laid stress on Justification and Regeneration, and asserted the necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit. For this he desired to thank God-he likewise thanked those to whom he was speaking. He trusted that religion would prosper more and more. He again thanked the Conference for their kind attention to him, and said that could he have addressed them more readily, he should have been glad to have entered upon many particulars for the purpose of showing them that the work of God had revived, and was still going on.

Mr. Sydow's address was listened to with marked attention, and evidently occasioned much pleasure.

Afterwards, a few Committees were appointed, and at the usual hour, the Conference adjourned.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4.

The Conference received the reports of some Committees, and entered upon the inquiries respecting "Alterations in Circuits," and "the Appointment of additional Ministers." After the various cases had been decided which these inquiries brought out, in consequence of the change rendered necessary in the editorial department by the removal of the Rev. Thomas Jackson, who had so long and ably discharged the duties of the office, to the Theological Tutorship in one branch of the Theological Institution, the Conference inquired whether the Editorship at present required the appointment of an Assistant, as well as a principal Editor. The hour of adjournment arrived before the examination was concluded.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5.

After the session had been opened in the usual way, the Reports of several Committees were presented, and the business arising out of them respectively

was discussed and decided, the question relating to the editorial department was resumed, and after various explanations and remarks, it was unanimously agreed that it was necessary that there should be an Assistant Editor. Subsequently the Committee which had been named for the purpose of considering what minister should be appointed, reported that they had agreed to the recommendation passed in the course of the year by the London Book Committee,-that the Rev. George Cubitt, who for the last six years had been Assistant Editor, should now, in consequence of Mr. Jackson's removal to another office, be appointed Editor; and that the Rev. John S. Stamp, (of Hull,) should be Assistant Editor.

In the course of this sitting it was unanimously resolved that the Ex-President, the Rev. James Dixon, should be requested to publish the excellent and impressive Charge that he had addressed the previous evening, to the newly ordained ministers. The Rev. Bishop Soule was likewise unanimously requested to publish the Sermon preached by him in City-road Chapel.

Before the Conference proceeded to their usual business this morning, the ministers assembled together at Cityroad Chapel, at eight o'clock, for the purpose of uniting together in receiving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The usual liturgical service was read by the President; by whom, likewise, assisted by the Rev. Robert Newton, the Secretary, the Rev. Bishop Soule, the Rev. Richard Reece, and the Rev. George Marsden,-the Sacrament was administered to the members of the Conference. These are seasons which they who witness them, and join in them, will not easily forget. It is at any time an impressive sight to see a Christian congregation assembled to receive the sacred emblems and memorials of the dying love of their Saviour and Lord; but still more impressive to behold a large number of Christian ministers, all preaching the same doctrine, and observing the same discipline, "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment," and united by a fraternal knowledge and affection which their Annual Conferences tend to increase and strengthen, gathered together on as solemn an occasion.Such a body, it may be easily conceived, will be not only one in profession, but one in heart.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6.

During the former part of the day, the STATIONING COMMITTEE met, for the purpose of revising the Plan of Stations which in their first meetings, they had drawn up, and which, when revised, was to be brought into the Conference for final consideration and adoption. The Conference, therefore, did not assemble till two o'clock in the afternoon, when the whole Plan of Stations was read by the Secretary, no remarks being made on any separate appointments. This first reading of the Stations being concluded, the Conference adjourned.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY, AUGUST 8 and 9.

On Monday, the Conference commenced sitting in the evening at six, in addition to the usual session from seven o'clock to three. In the morning, after some Committee Reports had been received, and the matter arising from them decided, the second reading of the Stations commenced. This occupied the morning and evening sittings on Monday, as well as on Tuesday,-m addition to the cases arising out of the Reports of Committees on the different matters given them in charge.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10.-SATURDAY, AUGUST 13.

AFTER the Examination of the Junior Ministers, as preparatory to their Ordination on Wednesday evening, the Conference proceeded in its regular routine of business. The "Stations," as they were read in the usual order, led to many incidental questions which called for settlement. The Reports of the different Committees, likewise, to whom, in the intervals between successive Conferences, is intrusted the management of the institutions of the Connexion, were presented and considered, and such Resolutions taken upon them as were judged proper. In this manner, the Reports of the General Missionary Committee, the Committee of Management of the Theological Institution, &c. &c., were presented and received. But nothing occurred, during this part of the usual business of the Conference, furnishing any matter for particular notice. Perhaps the principal feature of the recently-concluded Conference, may be said to be its peaceful uniformity. The usual business had to be transacted, and scarcely any circumstance occurred to interfere with

the accustomed proceedings. A letter was received from the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in pursuance of a Resolution of the last General Assembly, that they would open, and keep up, a friendly intercourse and correspondence with other branches of the Christian Church; thus seeking both to manifest and strengthen that true scriptural affection which rejects not from Christian brotherhood those who hold the head, which is Christ." The Conference received this Communication with much pleasure, as well as with thankfulness to "the God of peace," who, in this day of eager controversy, when they who profess and call themselves Christians, seem almost to have fallen into the habit of distance and reserve, had brought about such an example of Brotherly Affection. A Committee was appointed, to whom was entrusted the preparation of a reply to this interesting and valuable document.

On adding up the number of Members in Society in the different Circuits, it was found that, on the Mission Stations, there had been an Increase, during the past year, of 4801, but that, in

the Home Stations, the Decrease this year had been 2065. As there has been an Increase this year in Ireland, (notwithstanding their losses by emigration,) of 362,-the Nett Increase of Members, under the care of the British Conference, is only 2378.

This circumstance led to some serious conversations, which, we doubt not,will, by God's blessing, produce very useful results during the ensuing year.

The Conference met for a short time on Saturday forenoon, and then adjourned to the evening, for the purpose of giving the Secretary, and Sub-Secretaries, together with the Journal Secretary, the opportunity of having their various documents all ready for the Signatures of the President and Secretary, in the presence of the Conference. These were affixed between seven and eight.

Dr. HANNAH then briefly and affectionately addressed the Conference; and afterwards called on the Rev. Richard Reece, and the Rev. Thomas Jackson, to engage in prayer. When they had concluded, the President pronounced the benediction, and the Conference was closed.

IT has not often been our lot to record feelings of pleasure and gratification such as we experienced upon visiting the sale of Ladies' Work and other articles, at the Centenary Hall, for the benefit of the Wesleyan Missions, during the last few days. Our readers are doubtless aware, that several Christian Ladies, animated by a desire to promote the Missionary cause, have been, for several months past, zealously devoting their time, money, and influence, to procure articles for sale on this occasion. The sale commenced on Friday, and was continued on Saturday, Monday, and yesterday. Our expectations, though raised beforehand to a high pitch, were more-far more-than realized. We never saw, upon any similar occasion, so many specimens of rare, useful, and beautiful workmanship, as were presented on visiting this scene of true zeal and benevolence. Nor can we refrain from expressing our entire and

unqualified approbation of the courtesy and deportment displayed by the ladies who undertook the fatiguing task of presiding at the different stalls. The gentlemen assisting them were also exceedingly attentive and polite to the numer

ous customers.

Where all was excellent, and where even the most fastidious could find nothing to censure, it may appear invidious to select any stalls for particular notice; but, for the information of our country friends, we will mention those which, to us, appeared to furnish the most splendid and striking display. On entering the room, the stall presided over by Mrs. Farmer and Mrs. Hall, struck our attention from the splendour and beautiful workmanship displayed in different articles, especially in those made of German wools. Great taste was also shewn in the display aud arrangement of many valuable Indian productions, by Mrs. Gaulter and Mrs. Ow

en. At the stall of Mrs. Chubb and Mrs. Hoole, we noticed (amidst much that was elegant) a wax-doll, dressed with great taste, which seemed to excite the unqualified admiration of the younger portion of the visitors. Mrs. Alder's department was rich in useful articles, both of home and foreign manufacture. The lady of the President of the Conference, and Mrs. Townend, displayed many useful things, and of excellent workmanship. The stall of Mrs. Bunting and Mrs. Beecham was exceedingly rich in goods of foreign manufacture, besides many natural and curious productions. Amongst others, we noticed gold rings and necklaces from Ashanti, valuable shells, a curious Chinese globe, cases of varied coloured butterflies, a variety of shells, &c. &c. In short, there seemed to be supplied, by the forethought of the ladies, every thing which is required from infancy to old age. The following ladies also presided at tables-Lady Ellis and Mrs. Elliott; Mrs. Kneeling and Mrs. Urling; Mrs. W. H. Smith; Mrs. Osborn; Mrs. Thornton, Mrs. C. Harrison, and Mrs. Newstead; Mrs. Vanner and Mrs. Williams; Mrs. Day and Mrs. James; Mrs. R. Wood and Mrs. Hall; Mrs. Lidgett and Mrs. Vaughan; Mrs. John Scott; Mrs. Jobson and Mrs. Farrar; Mrs. Perkins and Mrs. Jeremiah Smith; Mrs. Roupe; with several whose names we could not at the time learn.

To the ladies, who are ever foremost when any good work is to be performed, we feel that the especial gratitude of the supporters of the Wesleyan Missions is due for their praiseworthy exertions in this substantial expression of their good-will. We are exceedingly glad to announce that the receipts last night amounted to FIFTEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY POUNDS.

This sale has excited extraordinary interest. We have conversed with many persons, who agree with us, that they have met with nothing equal to it. The rare and valuable curiosities from the stations of the Wesleyan Missionary Society have excited uncommon interest.

Among the number of distinguished visitors, we have ascertained that the following were present:-The Lady Mayoress; the Hon. William and Mrs. Ashley and family; Lady Caroline Lacelles and family; Generals Osbourne and Ramsay; E. N. Buxton, H. Pownall, James Thornton, Thomas Farmer, Jas. Heald, and John Martin, Esquires; Frank Swanzy, and Henry Smith, Es

quires, (from the Gold Coast,) the latter of whom accompanied the Rev. T. B. Freeman and the Ashanti Princes to Kumasi, for the purpose of establishing the Wesleyan Mission in that capital.— At the missionary table of Mrs. Bunting and Mrs. Beecham, great interest was excited by the exhibition of a rich gold and silver pipe, a present from the King of Ashanti to the Wesleyan Missionary Committee, as an expression of friendship and regard, which resembles one sent at the same time, as a present from His Majesty to the Queen of England. We understand that the King expressed great gratification at the present of a splendid carriage, (made by Mr. Sims, of Queen-street, and which, previous to leaving this country, received the approbation of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert,) by the Committee of the Wesleyan Missionary Society.It is especially gratifying to learn that the mission in Kumasi has been commenced under the most favourable auspices; the King having given land for the erection of a place of worship, and allowed a mission school to be established for the instruction of the people.

Such has been the liberality displayed in contributing goods for sale,—and a large quantity of valuable articles, intended for exhibition at the Missionary Table, having arrived only yesterday, which, consequently, have not yet been displayed, it has been resolved to afford additional gratification to the friends of Missions by re-opening the sale on Monday and Tuesday. The Ladies, whose exertions in this matter are beyond all praise, have kindly consented to give their attendance on the days above mentioned.

We hope, that those who are interested in Missions generally, and especially in one of the most promising missions undertaken in modern days, we mean the Mission in Ashanti, will, by their presence, and by employing their influence to obtain the attendance of their friends upon the occasion, contribute to the success of this philanthropic effort, and thereby increase the missionary fund.

THE Ladies' Missionary Sale, at the Wesleyan Centenary Hall, closed last evening; and we are glad to learn that the result is most honourable to the Ladies who furnished the tables, and far beyond the most sanguine expectations of the Missionary Committee. The whole has been conducted in a manner