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THE

WESLEYAN VINDICATOR

AND

CONSTITUTIONAL METHODIST.

EDITED BY THE REV. SAMUEL JACKSON,

AND A SUB-COMMITTEE.

JANUARY, 1851.

TO OUR READERS.

WE commence the New Year with congratulations to our readers, on the successful progress made by Constitutional Methodism in the past year. There has been much to deplore in the spirit and conduct of men tenaciously holding the name of Wesleyan Methodists; and it has been deeply afflictive to behold many misled and deluded Methodists turned from "the old paths," in which they had found peace and salvation, into by-ways, where appears nothing but disorder and transgression; but to us it is evident, that, at the present time, among increasing thousands, a more intelligent and a more resolute attachment to the great principles of Wesleyan Methodism exists, than did formerly. And this is satisfactory and encouraging; for such principles have only to be understood and appreciated, and the beneficial and extensive results will be sure to appear. The disturbers of our Zion have, among the numerous charges preferred against the Ministers and responsible friends of Methodism, accused them of concealment in their laws and plans; and, from time to time, they have announced the detections they had made of what had been hidden from the people. We might now most triumphantly inquire how much that was hidden has been brought to light, notwithstanding the assistance rendered by "Fly-Sheet" agency, and by "Conference men" who had been behind the scenes, and who, in anger and wrath, have employed themselves, for a considerable period, in proclaiming all they could against the leading Ministers and members of Wesleyan Methodism. Let any person who, before the charges of concealment were preferred and the boastful pledges of the detection of serious frauds and abuses were made, was generally acquainted with Wesleyan polity and government, now calmly consider how much increase of know

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ledge concerning such pretended frauds and abuses he has obtained from what has been proved, and he will immediately perceive how false and fraudulent the charges and pledges were. "Conference Methodism," as it is called by its opponents, has nothing to fear from the most searching investigation. It is firm in its integrity, and does not evade, but courts, inquiry; and we hesitate not to say, that when it shall have passed through the present trial of its principles and actions, it will be more honoured among the churches of Christendom than it has ever yet been. Already it is perceived by intelligent Legislators and Churchmen, that it is almost alone in its firm and successful resistance of democracy; and that, both in its Ministry and Societies, it regards moral purity as of first importance. We shall continue to pursue our course, as announced in our original Prospectus, by unfolding the principles of Constitutional Methodism, and by guarding the unwary from the deceptions of designing men concerning it. We purpose, in successive Numbers, to publish a series of articles to the YOUNG MEN OF METHODISM, in which we shall more fully expound its principles and enforce its claims. The success in the sale of our periodical, during the past year, has been most satisfactory and encouraging; and has far exceeded our previous expectations.

We re-commence our Publication with a Number, which, in its contents, is well adapted to useful circulation among all classes; and we respectfully suggest to our numerous friends and supporters, that they would be likely to render great service to the church to which they belong, if they would exert themselves to extend its circulation. among their brethren, and more especially among those who are in danger of being misled into separation. The simple, touching, and conclusive Address of the venerable THOMAS EXLEY, ESQ., A.M., of Bristol, is worthy of an attentive reading by every Wesleyan Methodist. It was originally written by him for the members of his own class exclusively; but it has been deemed too valuable to be confined to them, and, therefore, has been published for general circulation. And, if "days should speak, and the multitude of years teach wisdom," his words should be heard and pondered. He has been a Wesleyan Methodist during more than sixty years, continuously; and a Local Preacher and ClassLeader during fifty-five years. He was the intimate friend of Dr. Clarke, and other eminent Ministers of a by-gone generation he remembers the conversations held seventy years ago among aged Methodists on Mr. Wesley, his doctrine, discipline, writings, and controversies; and he gives his unequivocal testimony that Wesleyan Methodism is now, in every essential part, what it was then. The excellent article by a Methodist in Norfolk is, we consider, at this time opportune, and likely to silence the unreasonable objections raised by some persons against the pecuniary supplies afforded to Methodism. We confidently leave these papers to produce their own influence on the minds of our readers.

WESLEYAN METHODISM: AN ADDRESS, RESPECTING THE PRESENT DISTURBANCES, TO PERSONS INTERESTED IN THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT.

BY THOMAS EXLEY, M.A.

MY DEAR AND BELOVED BRETHREN,-After having been associated with you in a class, as your Leader, many years; and in that class our Christian communion every Sabbath morning having been edifying, heavenly, and delightful; it affects me with no small sorrow and grief, that our fellowship, very unexpectedly to me, has been, in that respect, dissolved.

But,

Often have I looked round upon you in joyful anticipation, that we should together dwell in the abodes of eternal love. O that this may indeed be realised! friends, you have taken an improper step, and entered into a dangerous path.

I wonder at you the more, brethren; you, who have so often expressed your love to our Ministers and our cause; you, who, from your connexion with our body, as you have frequently professed, have derived innumerable benefits, temporal and spiritual; that you should now attempt to stop the supplies, even the very supplies which have furnished incalculable riches, and poured them on your own selves, and thousands of thousands besides of the human family. I wonder the more, brethren, that after this you, with your friends, should still wish to remain with us, and still hold your offices amongst us, while you not only stop the supplies, but, as you term it, divert them to support an opposition. Certainly you have a right to think for yourselves; and surely we have the same right. If we are pleased and satisfied with our Rules and our Ministers, we have, without molestation, full right to abide by them and with them. You have a right to leave us, but not to persecute us. Is your conduct reasonable? What are we to contribute, as God has prospered us, to support our holy cause and ministry, and allow you, who will contribute nothing, to have the management and disbursement of our funds? Is not this opposed to common sense? Can anything be more absurd? Why do you thus oppose us? You say, "We wish to set you right." But is it right in you to force, to starve us into your notions of right? No, brethren : rather in the fear of the Lord seek earnestly to get right yourselves: you are not to claim liberty for yourselves, and bondage for us.

You say you are right; but remember wiser men than you have been sure they were right, when they were totally wrong. Is it right to set at defiance our Rules and Regulations? Look at Wesleyan Methodism :

"Saw ye not the cloud arise,

Little as a human hand ?"

But now the cloud spreads over the face of the earth, and will spread, and water and replenish, with showers of grace and salvation, the entire compass of the world. Wesleyan Methodism has conferred an unspeakable benefit on these realms, and on many lands. It has reformed the most vile, wicked, and wretched of our countrymen; it has infused religious life into our venerable Establishment; and has diffused a healthy vigour through the various sections of Dissenters, and is continuing to make known the truth, the Gospel, the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, from sea to sea, from shore to shore. Like the grain of mustard-seed, it grows vigorously; and it will continue to grow. Like the little leaven, it spreads. May it spread till the whole is leavened! Like the stone cut out of the mountain, it continually increases through our Redeemer's love, it will increase, till it fills the whole earth. I do not speak at random. I am not a novice in Methodism, having been sixtyone years a regular, continuous, uninterrupted member; having, before that, obtained a clear, evident, and abiding sense of the witness of the Holy Spirit bearing witness with my spirit that Christ is mine, and I am His; which, through grace, I

still enjoy in its abounding blessedness. About fifty-five years I have been, in our body, a Local Preacher and Class-Leader; full seventy years have been in intimacy with the early race of Wesleyan Ministers; during twenty years my father cheerfully, joyfully, and thankfully entertained the Preachers, man and horse, one entire day and night every fortnight. I heard their conversations, night and morning, and also heard weekly conversations, for hours together, by the then old Methodists, respecting Mr. Wesley, his Ministers, his doctrine, discipline, writings, controversies, and the like; and I am perfectly satisfied that Wesleyan Methodism is, in every essential part, the very same now that it was seventy years since and more: all that is wanting is a closer conformity to our rules and principles.

Considering the advantages, the blessings, and the Gospel principles of Methodism, is it right, is it a small thing, to trample on the institutions of such a body? Judge, as well as think, for yourselves. Is this to promote the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ? Be not deceived: you are not pleasing Jesus, but yourselves. And why? Is it because our doctrines are erroneous? No: you hold the same, fully and firmly believing them to be scriptural. Is it on the ground of Christian experience? Not so: you avow, with us, that religion is, and must be, personal; every man, in order to be safe, must know for himself the love of God, must have pardon, and holiness, and spiritual life; and, if he have not this experience, or if he be not seeking it, in order to escape from the wrath to come, he is no proper member for our Societies. Do we, then, differ in our notions respecting the standard of morality? By no means. You, with us, admit that the Old Testament, as explained and enforced in the New Testament, fixes the standard of all our moral obligations, our duty to God, ourselves, and our neighbour. This morality is, and we expect it to be, inculcated by our Ministers.

It follows that the whole resolves itself into an affair of church government,—our disciplinary code. This is important. A church without Christian discipline is a good, well-cultivated corn-field without fence; a vineyard, an orchard, a garden without enclosure or protection. Also, improper and defective discipline is fraught with numerous and great evils. Yet still it is by no means so important as the essential points just mentioned; it is not sufficient to justify your late proceedings. What you contend for is a matter of meats and drinks, not the kingdom of God. Here, in many respects, we may differ innocently, and may try, if we do it orderly and decently, to improve our church government. But this does not give you a right to withhold your support, and to support an opposition. It must needs be that offences come; but woe to them, sincere or not sincere, through whom they come sincerity cannot atone for wrong-doing. Have you not placed a stumblingblock before the feet of Christ's little ones? Have you not caused many to wander from the fold of Christ? Is there a just cause for your conduct? Carefully view the subject, measure and weigh it by the Bible standard. If, in your estimation, you find anything of importance greatly wrong in our church government, you ought to seek a remedy according to decency and order: this conduct would have been to your commendation. Why did you employ compulsory measures? How could you strike such a blow on the church? on Christ, in His members? Wesleyan Methodism will bear investigation, the strictest scrutiny. It has weathered many a storm, and is still healthy. Like a sound body, it contains, in its excellent constitution, the sanative principles of vitality; so that when wounds are inflicted, they are soon and soundly healed, and vigour is speedily restored; and, even now, the same energies, in more perfect soundness, will be restored. I beseech you, friends, by the bowels of mercy, in the name of Jesus Christ, do not so wickedly!

Do you say, "The laws have deteriorated, the administration is bad?" Remember, this is but your opinion. Do you say, "The Conference is governed by a few," whom you designate "the clique?" If they govern well, all is right; if otherwise, let the case be fairly met. If it be as you say, the other Ministers are to blame. As Ministers they have equal rights. That they may be a body well

organised, complete, and without schism, they give honourable offices to the Ministers whom they judge best fitted to fill them: these obtain and retain their situations in the body, whether as head, eyes, ears, hands, or feet, by the consent, confidence, and good opinion of their brethren. These officers, as well as their brethren, are liable to be called to account, and questioned respecting their conduct and the discharge of their duties: thus symmetry and health are distributed and maintained in the body. You say that the Ministers, through fear, vote contrary to the dictates of their consciences. What have they to fear? In thus speaking, you judge them unjustly; you wrong them exceedingly; you accuse them basely of cowardice, of weakness, of sin; as well those who voted by their silence, as the others. But what have they to fear? Do you say, "A bad Circuit ? " There is no bad Circuit. There is work plenty for a Methodist Preacher in every Circuit, in any Circuit. May the Lord bless their labours wherever they go! Their business is to preach Christ, and Him crucified. What a blessing for a poor Circuit to get good and faithful Ministers! Doubtless in the difficult task of stationing the Preachers, the general good is kept in view.

Do you say, "The Conference have exercised arbitrary power in the expulsion of certain of its Ministers?" Reconsider the subject: were not these acts of discipline, pure, just, and necessary? It was a painful duty; but had our Ministers neglected it under the circumstances, what confidence could we have in them, as to their integrity?

It is well known, that, during three or four years, a certain anonymous publication, called the "Fly-Sheets," has issued from the press, in which several of our respectable and venerable Ministers have been traduced, and their characters and conduct aspersed and defamed. The author, or conductor, has carefully concealed his own and the printer's name, using every precaution to prevent detection: thus design for secret assault is manifest. Does such conduct belong to innocence ? Was it not high time that this matter should be investigated? It was clear that the chief agent was one of their own body. Could there be an innocent Minister in the Connexion, who would not be glad of an opportunity of exculpating himself from all suspicion of such a flagrant outrage against all that is good, decent, and orderly? This, in general, they did with willing minds and ready hands; and thus the number who were liable to be suspected was small; and circumstances seemed to point out the individual most prominent and most active in promoting this vile and slanderous publication. Do you say, "Many of the assertions were true?" "Judge not, that ye be not judged." The writer or writers coloured according to their fancies. Be it as it may, still it is vile and slanderous, it is to stab a man in the dark.

No man is absolutely without fault; the best and wisest may err in judgment, and consequently in practice. It is easy for a keen and evil eye to discover real or imaginary faults in any man, to give them glaring colours, so as to disfigure truth, and make things appear to be what they are not. Detractions thus sought, and thus depicted, are gross slanders, full of gall and wormwood. Are not persons, strongly and justly suspected of such conduct, to be questioned, by the parties concerned, respecting the affair? Do you say, "No; we repudiate the principle?" Why? You answer, "Because thus a man may be required to criminate himself." Now, an innocent man cannot criminate himself. A Christian, if required by the injured party, if innocent, should declare his innocence; if guilty, he should acknowledge his fault.

Were the Conference to give up the right of questioning its members on points of morality, duty, &c., especially when the Ministers and their ministry are deeply involved, they would resign a Divine right, and expose the church to an inundation of immorality and crime. The Gospel rule requires a person to go to his offending brother, in order to clear up the point, and adjust the difference between them: surely this cannot be done without questions and answers, explanations and confes

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