tude in eternity.-On the following morning, July 27, at six, the Conference com menced its sittings, when, after filling the places of those preachers, who, either by death or through being superannuated, had ceased to be members of the legal Conference, (consisting of one hundred,) Mr. JONATHAN EDMONDSON was chosen Presi dent, and Mr. JABEZ Bunting, Secretary; and the various subordinate officers were afterwards elected, in the usual manner. An account was then taken of those who had died during the year, whether in the United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland, or on foreign statious; and the circumstances of their departure were related, and their characters drawn, by these brethren with whom they had of late laboured, or who were best acquainted with them. And it afforded great satisfaction and consolation to the Conference that they had all adorned the gospel in their lives, had been more or less successful in the work of the ministry, in turning men to righteousness, and had left behind them testimonies evincing that there is no cause to entertain any doubt of their future and eternal happiness. We are happy to add that while the great Master of the vineyard has been removing these faithful labourers, he has also been raising up others, of great promise, to succeed them, shewing thereby his regard for, and kind attention to, the wants of the Connexion. Sunday, August 2, was a still more glorious day than the preceding sabbath. The preachers of the old chapel were Mr. Bardsley, at seven in the morning; Mr. Benson, at half past ten; and Mr. Brownell, at half past two; and at six the President. In Albion chapel, at half past ten, Mr. Atmore officiated; in the afternoon, Mr. John Davies; and at six in the evening, Mr. Benson. In Wesley chapel, (Meadow-lane,) at seven in the morning, Mr. H. Ransom preached; at half past ten, Mr. H. Moore; in the afternoon, Mr. A. Farrer; and at six, Mr. R. Newton. In the Rev. Mr. Langdon's chapel, near the old chapel, at six in the evening, Mr. Thomas Wood; in the Rev. Mr. Parson's chapel, at six in the evening, Mr. A. Farrer. And in the Rev. Mr. Eccle's chapel, in the forenoon, Mr. Val. Ward; in the afternoon, Mr. J. Lancaster; and at six, Mr. W. Henshaw. In addition to these places and services, and those in the chapels at Hunslet, Holbeck, Armley, Wortley, Bramley, Pudsey, Woodhouse, Chapel-town, Rothwell, and Woodlesford, all within three or four miles, and several of them within one mile of Leeds, it is supposed there were upwards of 20 congregations out of doors in various parts of the town. Even at seven in the morn ing, the old chapel so overflowed that there were two large congregations out of doors. The sermons delivered this day, as well as most or all of those delivered in the preceding, and following days, during the Conference, were, we doubt not, attended with special blessings to thousands. We might, were we so disposed, single out a few of them, and represent them as peculiarly instructive and affecting, but they were in general so repte with good sense and scriptural doctrine, and so well calculated to bring sinners to repentance, and build up true believers in faith and holiness, or, in other words, to promote the interests of true religion, that (as we said concerning those delivered in 1816) "to compare their respective merits, or particu larize such of them as we conceive to have had the greater worth, might be justly deemed invidious." On the following day, August 3, upwards of thirty preachers were examined by the President, before the Conference, who had travelled four, and several of them more years, as a preparatory measure for their being received into full connexion, in the presence of the congregation. The multitude of people attempting to gain admittance into the old chapel this evening was so great, that, in addition to the crowded congregation within, there were three congregations on the outside. On the next day the preachers, who had been examined the preceding evening, were admitted into full connexion, in the presence of the congregation, and solemnly set apart for the impor tant work, to which they had devoted themselves, by prayer offered for them, and suitable advice given them by the President and others. The rest of this week was occupied partly in making such changes in the plan of stations, as appeared to be necessary or expedient, and partly in forming such rules and regulations as, it was judged, were calculated to promote the prosperity of the cause of God and true religion at home and abroad, On Saturday, before the sittings for the day were closed, a number of the boys from Woodhouse-grove School were admitted into the Conference, with many of the mem bers of the Leeds Society and others, when one of the boys delivered an elegant and appropriate Latin oration; and another, one in English. After which, at the request of the President and others, Mr. Benson addressed them on the importance of their possessing true religion, and giving the utmost diligence to attain the branches of learning taught in the seminary into which they had been admitted. They were then dismissed, with earnest prayer to God for his blessing upon them. OBITUARY. Or the Preachers, who had died since the Conference in 1817, and before the present Conference had concluded their sittings, they give the following character: 1. WILLIAM BEACOCK; who went as a missionary to the West Indies, in the year 1815. In reference to this excellent young man, one of the missionaries says, I first became acquainted with our dear brother, in the island of St. Vincents; and, after he left that place, carried on a correspondence with him till near the time of his death. From first to last, I found him to be a man of eminent piety. His charity, diligence, zeal, humility, resignation, and love, I scarcely ever saw equalled He took cold by sailing in an open boat for Prince Rupert's Bay: and though no danger was at first apprehended, a fever ensued, which became more and more violent, till it terminated in his death, on the 29th of August, 1817. During his affliction he expressed a strong confidence in God, and his mind was kept in perfect peace."-Of Mr. Beacock, see a further account in a letter from Mr. Rayner, published in the Magazine for March, 1818. 2. JOSEPH WARD; who was sent as a missionary to the Bahamas, in the year 1814, and after labouring zealously and faithfully for nearly three years, was called to his eternal home, on Sunday, September 21, 1817. The following account of his affliction and death was given by Mr. Rutledge, who was with him during the mournful scene: "On Monday, the 15th of September, though very unwell, he preached in the evening at Nassau, and resumed his labours on the following evening; but I had to finish the service for him. On the Wednesday morning I found him in a high and apparently bad fever. Two medical gentlemen attended him; but all their efforts to abate the severity of his disorder were ineffectual. For three days we thought him to be recovering; but on the Sunday morning he began to change for death. That day he spent in prayer, and in exhorting the people who visited him; occasionally singing praise to God, and expressing the utmost cheerfulness and exultation in the prospect of eternal glory. His funeral was probably the largest ever seen in Nassau. The white inhabitants attended with every token of respect; and the behaviour of our black people deeply affected the spectators in general." Of Mr. Ward's affliction and death, the reader may see a further account in our number for January last, P. 69. 3. GEORGE SYKES, jun. In the year 1807 he entered upon the work of an Itinerant Preacher, and laboured with acceptance, and profit to the people, for nearly ten years. His last appointment was to Paisley, in Scotland, where he continued to exercise his ministry till March, 1817, when he was obliged to desist on account of ill health. In his afflic tion he was resigned to the Divine will, and expressed confidence in the Lord as the God of his salvation. Just before his departure he desired his wife to read to him the 5th chapter of the 2d epistle to the Corinthians; "Which (said he) describes my present experience. I have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. I am happy, and have been particularly so for the two or three last days" Having committed his wife and child to the care of Divine Providence, he died in great peace and holy triumph, on the 18th day of October, 1817, in the thirty fifth year of his age, and the eleventh of his itinerancy. He was a man of deep piety, of sound judgment, of great diligence, and of promising talents. 4. JOHN JACKSON; a young man of great promise in the church of Christ. He had laboured only about eight months in the Aberdeen circuit, and about three months in the Banff circuit, when the great Lord of the harvest, in his mysterious providence, was pleased to call his labourer home. In the above mentioned circuits he evinced genuine piety and fervent zeal, with an earnest desire to ob. tain an increase of useful knowledge, and to become a workman that needed not to be ashamed. Upon entering his labours in his last circuit, he manifested an ar dent concern for the revival of the work of God, and was likely to be extensively usefu!. The oldest members of the Society were pleased with his knowledge, and with the depth of his experience. He died in the full triumph of faith, Nov. 9,. 1817.-See a larger account of Mr. Jackson in our number for February last, p. 149. 5. JOHN D. ALLEN; who entered upon the work of the ministry in the year 1813; and was appointed as a missionary to the island of Nevis, in the West Indies. He laboured with much zeal and faithfulness for some time before his health began to decline; and did not return to his native land till his brethren in + the district were fully persuaded that this measure was necessary in order to the preservation of his life. In the month of June, 1817, he arrived in a very debilitated state, and gradually sunk under the pressure of affliction, till his spirit returned to God who gave it. He died in November, 1817. He was a young man of an amiable disposition, and of genuine piety: and though early called into the eternal world, we have reason to believe that he was fully prepared for the para dise of God. 6. MICHAEL HEAD. This excellent man went as a missionary to the Baha. mas, in the year 1815, and after labouring with much zeal and success for nearly three yeass, was called to the rest of eternal glory. The last sermon he ever preached was from the words of Job; "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Soon after this he was attacked by a violent fever, which terminated in his death, Nov. 18, 1817. During his affliction, his mind was sometimes in heaviness through manifold temptations; but through the blood of the everlasting covenant he became more than conqueror, and his soul was filled with peace and joy through believing. His last words were, "Come, O come, and take me!"-Of the sickness and death of this missionary, see a long account in our number for March last, p. 226. 7. JONATHAN PARKIN. He was brought to a knowledge of God in Sheffield, when young in years, and from the time of his conversion walked closely and humbly with God. A full and permanent couviction of his being called to preach the gospel, led him to take up his cross, first as a local preacher, and afterwards as an itinerant minister in our connexion. In coming out to travel he made a sacrifice of very lucrative prospects, which he had from a rich relation; but he counted all these as dross, that he might win souls to Christ, and enjoy the Divine approbation. During the thirty-five years of his itinerancy his character as a Christian and a preacher, was eminently irreproachable; and his ministry was acceptable and useful, especially in building up be lievers in their most holy faith. Although in his natural state levity was his besetting sin, Divine grace had given him such a complete victory, that his habitual seriousness became remarkable. He pour ed out his blood and soul together, (by the rupture of a blood vessel,) on the 29th of November, 1817. He exclaimed, when dying, "I leave the world possessed of those consolations which I have preached to others."-See some further particulars respecting the death of Mr. Parkin, p. 69, in the number for January last. 8. THOMAS WILTON. He was a man of primitive simplicity of spirit, and of unaffected piety. He was plain in his manners, friendly in his disposition, and laborious and diligent in his Christian calling. In his youth he was brought to a saving knowledge of Divine things, and was called to the Christian ministry when somewhat advanced in life. He travelled more than nineteen years, with an unblemished character, was useful in the church, and affectionately esteemed by his colleagues. After a severe affliction of nine weeks, he died, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, on the 19th of December, 1817, in the fiftieth year of his age. 9. JOSEPH DAKIN. He was a native of Castleton, in Derbyshire. In the early part of his life he was converted to God, through the instrumentality of the Me thodists; and after having laboured for a season in a local capacity, entered upon the work of a travelling preacher. His zeal for the salvation of immortal souls prompted him to exertions beyond his strength; in consequence of which his health began to decline, in the fifth year of his itinerancy. In his debilitated state he broke a blood vessel, which obliged him for ever to desist from his labours. In his last illness he said to a friend, “I an happy in the Lord, and ready for my de parture. I am as sure of my heavenly inheritance as if I were already in pos session of it." He died at Thirsk, Jan. 8th, 1818, aged thirty-one years.-Of him see further particulars, p. 225 of the present volume. 10. ROBERT ROBERTS. He was born at Bonum, near Corwen, in North Wales; and was one of the first fruits of our mission in the principality. He was truly a man of God, and his life was a comment on the doctrines which he believed and taught. His communion with God was deep, and his gift in prayer singu larly great. He entered upon the work of the ministry with much diffidence, and was admitted on trial as an itinerant preacher, at the Conference, in 1803. He continued to travel among us tul about twelve months before his death; when, in consequence of weakness, he was obliged to desist from his work, to which (to use his own language) he "died a martyr." The day before his death he said, "I have, from my youth, feared and loved God, and I have no doubt of my acceptance with him, through Jesus Christ." The next mora ing he requested his wife to lift him up, and then said, "My dear, I am going to leave you, but the Lord will be with you. Jesus Christ hath washed away all my sins with his most precious blood." While in the act of uttering these words, his spirit took its flight to the paradise of God. He died on Friday, January the 16th, 1818, in the thirty-fourth year of his age, and the fifteenth of his itine rancy. In a letter of Mr. O. Davies, recorded in our number for April, p. 308, a further account is given of this brother. 11. WILLIAM ASHMAN. He was a native of Holcombe, in the county of Somerset. From his journal it appears that at a very early period of life he possessed the fear of God, and felt the drawings of the Spirit. His conversion took place when he was about seventeen years old. He entered on his itinerant labours in the year 1765. At that very early period of Methodism, he, as well as his brethren in the ministry, endured great hardships, and passe through many difficulties. He desisted from travelling, as a regular preacher, twenty years previous to his dissolution. He lived at his native place, where he continued to exercise his ministry, and to act as a class-leader, till within a short time of his death, which happened on the 9th of February, 1818. At the close of life he declared himself to be very happy in God, and perfectly resigned to his will. 12. JOHN WITTAM. He was born at Sutton, in the parish of Kildwick, York shire At an early period of life, he was brought to a knowledge of the truth by the instrumentality of the Rev. Mr. GRIMSHAW, of Haworth. He commenced his itinerant labours in the year 1767; and travelled forty-four years in various parts of England and Ireland. His piety was genuine, and his life exemplary. Be ing interrogated respecting the state of his mind, a little before his death, he replied, "I want to be filled with God," and afterwards declared that this desire was realized. In the extremity of his affliction, he said, "Come, Lord Jesus, and take me to thyself;" and calmly resigned his spirit to God, in the 81st year of his age. He died near the place of his nativity, February 16, 1818. 13. EDWARD HARE. He was well known in our connexion as a man of no ordinary talents and character. Possessed of a strong and penetrating mind, enjoying the advantages of a respectable education, and habituated in early life to reading and reflection, he acquired such mental and moral qualifications as com manded general esteem. A sound conversion to God, by the instrumentality of the Methodists, gave a full determination to his character and pursuits. He now burned with zeal to preach the glorious gospel of the blessed God; and under the instruction and encouragement of his friend Mr. BENSON, entered upon the Christian ministry. His intense and incessant application to study, and his extraordinary exertions in the pulpit, were, for some years, seen to prey upon his health; but nothing could abate the ar dour of his mind, or induce him in the least degree to relax in his diligence. A pulmonary consumption at length ensued, which baffled all the efforts of the faculty, and terminated his valuable life in the 43d year of his age, and the 20th of his ministry. He died at Exeter, whither he had gone for the benefit of the air, glo riously exulting in the prospect of blessed immortality. With the doctrines and discipline of Methodism he was deeply and extensively acquainted; and his numerous writings in their defence are distinguished by honest zeal and great force of argument. A little before his death, when interrogated concerning his views of those doctrines which he had preached and defended, he replied, "They are interwoven with my existence. I might as well attempt to think myself a mere imagination, as strive to disbelieve any one of them. The great doctrines of Methodism I love. It is by insisting upon them that good is dore. In fact, little good is done in the world without a proportionate share of the vital ar ticles of Methodism." He was a man of great uprightness and integrity; and as a counsellor and fellow-helper with his brethren, his wisdom and firmness were universally acknowledged. At the same time nothing could exceed his attention to the best interests of his family. During his last illness he exclaimed in the hearing of his afflicted wife," God bless the dear children, they will never know how much their father cared for them." At another time, wheu he perceived her kneeling by his bed-side, he said, in the most affecting manner, "God will be your's;" adding, with a faltering voice," A Father! a Father to the children!" His friends, to whom he was equally affectionate and faithful, and the Methodist body, with whom he laboured with high reputation and great success, will long remember the happiness which they enjoyed in the private and public communications of this great and good man.-The death of this much respected brother was mentioned, p. 387 of the number for May. 14. SAMUEL KITTLE. He was a man of inflexible integrity and genuine piety. When about seventeen years of age he was awakened to a discovery of his sin and danger, under a sermon preached by the Rev. Joseph Benson, then in the Birmingham circuit. Having fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before him; and having obtained a sense of his acceptance with God, through faith in Jesus Christ, he solemnly dedicated himself to the service of the church. In the year 1800, he was called out as a traveling preacher, and for eighteen years laboured in the Lord's vineyard with zeal, acceptance, and success. During his protracted illness, and in the immediate prospect of death, he possessed his soul in patience, and was resigned to the will of God. He had hope in death, and his end was peace. He entered into the joy of his Lord on Monday, March 30, 1818, aged 43 years. See a further account p. 387, of this vol. 15. STEPHEN BUTLER. Even in his unregenerate state, he paid a strict attention to veracity, and was preserved from open vice. In the eighteenth year of his age, he began to think seriously about the salvation of his soul; and under a strong conviction of his lost estate, sought and found redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ. He entered upon the work of the ministry with fear and trem bling, and maintained an unblemished character to the end of his earthly course. He was naturally reserved, though always ready to give a reason of the hope which was in him. For some months previous to the last Conference, he had strong symptoms of a consumption; and being exposed to night air, and to cold lodgings, the disease assumed a more serious form, and soon terminated his useful labours. He died on the 30th of March, 1818, in the 36th year of his age, and the 16th of his itinerancy. See p. 387. 16 THOMAS VASEY, jun. (whose death was mentioned p. 553.) He was a native of Tollerton, near Easingwold, in Yorkshire; and was converted to God in the sixteenth year of his age. He commenced his itinerant labours in the year 1800, and faithfully discharged the momentous duties of his office till within a few days of his death. He possessed a sound and discriminating judgment, and was strongly attached to the doctrines and discipline of Methodism. It was his general endeavour to live so as to please God, and be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless. His sermons were characterized by simplicity, energy, and pointed application to the consciences of his hearers; and his talents were such as rendered him very acceptable and useful in the circuits where he laboured: many were awakened and converted through his instrumentality. During his illness, he mentioned with lively emotion the doc. trines of justification by faith, the direct witness of the Spirit, and present salvation; which, said he, are the glory of Methodism. Some of his last words were, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" He died May 5th, 1818, in the 39th year of his age. See p. 553. 17. JOHN SMITH, 2d. He entered upon the work of a travelling preacher in the year 1808; and, after labouring some years in our regular circuits, offered himself as a Missionary to the West Indies. But soon after his appointment to the island of St. Eustatius, it pleased God to call him to his eternal rest. He was a man of deep piety, was much in prayer, and lived in the spirit of his Divine Master. Though his talents were not brilliant, they rendered him generally acceptable, and the Lord gave him many seals to his ministry. He died May 14, 1818. 18. GEORGE STORY. He was an old disciple, and faithful labourer in the Lord's vineyard. His piety was genuine, and uniformly evidenced by a life and conversation unblamable and holy. His views of Christianity, in all its branches, were clear and correct, and his attachment to every part of Methodism, steady and uninterrupted. He believed and loved our doctrines, which he considered as being those of the Scriptures, and perfectly approved of our discipline, and took all opportunities of enforcing it. He was received as an itinerant preacher in the year 1763, continued to travel in various parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland for twenty-nine years, and had proofs that his labours were attended with success. In the year 1792 he was appointed Editor of our Magazine, and other publications, and a few years after Superintendant of our Printing-Office, the duties of which departments he discharged to the satisfaction of the Conference and to his own credit, until his various infirmities rendered it necessary that he should be released from them. The weakness attendant upon age came very gradually upon him, until within a few months of his death, when his strength of body, and the faculties of his mind decayed apace. His end was peaceful and serene, as his life had been meek, gentle, and temperate. A short time before his death, to a friend who asked him concerning his prospects into eternity, he said, "I feel Christ to be more precious to my soul than ever." |