THE Ninety-fifth Conference of the Wesleyan ministers stationed in Ireland assembled in Dublin, on Wednesday the 22d of June, under the presidency of the Rev. George Osborn, D.D. The various preparatory Committees had occupied the entire of the previous week.

The Committee of Review of the Wesleyan Connexional School met on Thursday, the 16th of June; the Rev. the President of the Conference in the chair. The Report stated that on the accounts for the year there was a balance in favour of the Institution. In the department of education the school continues to maintain its high character, under the zealous and able supervision of the Rev. Dr. Crook, the head-master; and several of the students had achieved considerable distinction in the Dublin University.

The Committee for General Education met on the same day, at one o'clock. There are now forty-six schools under the care of this Committee, and in connexion with the National Board. There are on the roll-books of these schools 2,839 pupils; the average attendance is 1,789; there are also 460 pupils, and 29 Wesleyan teachers, in the different model schools. These returns show an increase in the year of six schools, beside two about to be opened; of 203 in the average attendance; and of 571 in the numbers on the roll. The schools under the care of the Missionary Committee are not included in this statement.

The Committee for the purchase or erection of ministers' residences assembled on Friday, the 17th, at ten o'clock. The business this year

was not of a very important character. During the few years of its existence this Committee has accomplished a large amount of good; but, as its funds are now almost exhausted, it must soon be dissolved, unless means can be devised for replenishing its treasury.

The Committee of the New Educational Institution assembled at one o'clock. It is intended that this Institution shall, as far as possible, unite in one the objects contemplated in England by the Theological Institution, Sheffield and Taunton Colleges, and Kingswood and Woodhouse-Grove Schools. It is proposed to provide suitable residences and accommodation for two professors and a head-master; for twenty students of a special class, eighty boarders, and one hundred and eighty day-pupils. During the year a suitable site had been obtained on advantageous terms; and there is every probability that this most desirable project will be completed in due time. It may thus be seen that the Methodists of Ireland are endeavouring to take their full share in the important work of Christian education.

The Missionary Committee of Review assembled on Saturday, the 18th. The general aspects of the Mission-work do not exhibit any perceptible change; but there is marked progress in the efficiency of the schools. There is a decrease in the annual Missionary income, arising, it is believed, from a succession of three bad harvests: but the amount promised to the Jubilee Fund is considerably above £9,000,

The Committee of the CircuitAid and Contingent Fund met on Monday, the 20th of June. The

report stated, that, as compared with the previous year, there was an increase in the stipends paid to the ministers stationed on the circuits aided by this important fund. The applications for aid were twenty per cent. in excess of the sums granted last year, while the amount to be allocated was five per cent. less. Some important changes in the administration of this Fund were adopted, which it is hoped will favourably influence its future operations.

The Building and Chapel Committee met on Tuesday, the 21st. In every department under the supervision of this Committee encouraging progress was reported, with the exception of the annual income; which remains at about the same amount from year to year.

The Committee of Chairmen of Districts assembled on the same day at seven o'clock, P.M. The annual returns exhibited a decrease in the numbers in Society of 957. The emigrations for the year amounted to 811; and the deaths to 419. The number on trial was 488. For this annual decrease in our Societies various sufficient causes are assigned: but it is felt that the fact itself affords ample cause for sorrow and humiliation.

Eight young men, recommended

by their respective District-Committees, were received as candidates for trial for the regular ministry; and five, who had completed their term of probation and passed the usual examinations, were received into full connexion with the Conference, and publicly ordained to the office and work of Christian ministers. Seven of the brethren who had been previously engaged in the active work obtained leave to become Supernumeraries; and it was found that during the year four aged and venerable men, all of them on the Supernumerary list, had been called to their eternal rest.

The numerous religious services were well attended; and were generally favoured with an especial unction of the Holy Ghost.

The entire business was conducted with great ability and kindness by the President, who, with his honoured companions from the British Conference, added much to the wisdom of our councils. The Conference was characterized by great harmony of sentiment, and perfect oneness of spirit and aim. The decrease in the Societies excited much anxious and humbling thought; and seemed to lead the assembled ministers to a fuller dependence upon God, who alone "giveth the increase."

among the families of our people, and still is largely entertained toward us by our neighbours of other churches.

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only thirty-six ; but even that result of a year's labour was such as awakened heart-searching inquiry, and led to the unanimous appointment of a day for humiliation with fasting and prayer. But for this one feature of sadness, the records of our annual synod would have presented a picture of unmixed prosperity. It might have been, indeed, a year of Jubilee, without the salutary lesson of our insufficiency and helplessness, which we now receive with deep humility, praying that the year on which we have entered may be distinguished, whatever else be wanting, by a gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all the congregations of Methodism.

The daily business of Conference was of such a character, and was transacted in such a manner, as well to sustain this expectation. Erections of sacred buildings to receive the enlarged and multiplying congregations, and a very considerable number of requests for additional ministers, placed it beyond doubt that the word of God is preached with growing acceptance, and that the energies of Wesleyan Methodists are unwearied. As regards the material fabrics, we may not only be gratified by the fact, that not less than £136,000 has been contributed during the year for their erection and enlargement, and for the reduction of chapel debts, but that it is now contemplated to revise the Regulations of the Chapel-Committee, with adaptation to the onward movement of our church, while the necessary restraints on improvident zeal remain strict as ever. And while the supply of ministers is not equal to the demand, it is matter of thankfulness that the demand for them is so great. Last year there were six Home Missionary ministers in London, and this year there is an encouraging addition. The number is insignificant in comparison with the overwhelming necessity of

the metropolis; yet the ratio of increase is encouraging, and still more encouraging is the strong feeling of duty which now prevails in regard to the neglected myriads of London, leading, we can scarcely dare to doubt, to an earnest movement on the largest, most various, and most influential population that is to be found in all the world. This, however, does not indicate any relaxation of Home-Missionary effort in other parts of England. A Mission to seamen in the port of Liverpool has the character of a new commencement in the way of Gospel charity toward one of the most important sections of our island popalation.

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Some special measures of the Conference will be watched with ear nest expectation. Such is the appointment of a minister to the visitation of Sunday-schools. object is not to exert over Circuits any central control, but to promote united and harmonious action in the great work of Sunday-school teaching and management, in hope that this will tend to a larger ingathering from the Sunday-schools of Methodism into the kingdom of Christ. We must await the result of this trial, before we can fairly estimate its value. Such a measure, also, is the appointment of a junior minister to assist the indefatigable Secretary of the Chapel Committee; for, although the appointment is but temporary, it is part of a scheme to review the present system of management.

The public relations of our church gradually obtain closer consideration. This is apparent from the report of the Army Committee, which is published among the Conference documents, and shows what steady progress our labourers have made on military stations in Great Britain, Ireland, and India; and how far they have gained the confidence of the civil and military heads of the

army. The claim of the British soldier on the care of his country in what concerns his eternal welfare, and the claims of the children of our people who are found in that service on our sympathy and effort, are too clear to require any special advocacy; and the fact, as recently reported at Bradford, that our efforts have led to a formal establishment of religious liberty in the army, must be thankfully acknowledged as a national blessing. As such we regard it, thankful to have done anything toward obtaining it; and we trust that henceforth the army and the navy may be more solemnly included among the objects of intercessory prayer, both in public and in private.

In surveying the fields of labour and of enterprise, so vast, so various, and so many, the Conference failed not to acknowledge a sense of responsibility too profound to be expressed even in the language of its most fervent speakers. This sense of responsibility was evidently felt in conversations on the education of candidates for the holy ministry, the training of probationers, and the discipline exerted over all our ministers to the last hour of their life. Much was said as to the standard of study in the colleges, and the preparatory education which should by some means be afforded to every youth who feels himself called of God to be a preacher of Gospel truth, and a teacher of the people. Much was said concerning both Day and Sunday schools, as "nurseries for the church." Something, too, was said of the intelligent and reverential ordering of Divine worship; and not a little of the purity of heart and life which must distinguish those who "bear the vessels of the Lord." The few cases of discipline which occurred were treated with the

faithfulness which this conviction cannot but inspire. The assembled ministers felt the pressure of their sacred obligations; and every speech and every practical conclusion concurred in manifesting a common determination to uphold the honour of our church as occupying a defined and independent position in England, in the empire, and in the world; to maintain the ground we occupy; to care for all classes of our fellow-subjects, and of our fellowmen; to consider ourselves as not exempt from ecclesiastical obligation, but as debtors to all, no less than friends to all. If ever Conference since 1744 was eminently distinguished by solemn profession of these principles, it has been the Conference of 1864.

Among the many interesting features of this Conference we may especially name the address of the venerable Thomas Jackson, on the importance of more fully recognising the relation in which Sunday schools, and the children of Christian parents generally, stand to the church. His appeal was solemn and touching.

An open session was devoted to welcoming the representatives of other Conferences, and receiving their

Addresses and Statements. The Methodist Episcopal Church of America, visited at its General Conference, on that occasion held communion with ours, on the ancient and sacred ground of Christian charity; and a multitude rejoiced to hear from the lips of our President how he had been preserved, while among our transatlantic brethren, from even the faintest breath of that civil discord which still afflicts their country. Then let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Peace be within her walls, and prosperity within her palaces!