If any cry, "What must I do to be saved ?" such a Minister would not be able to respond to the inquiry; the "hungry sheep" might "look up," but, alas! they are "not fed!" He who would be a successful Minister of the Lord Jesus, must possess much more than mere intellectual culture, or industry, or patience. These qualifications, (for such undoubtedly they are,) abstractedly considered, will prompt no man to labour perseveringly and with ardour for the souls of his fellow-men: they may sustain and encourage the adventurer in an enterprise, the object of which is worldly honour and temporal gain; but, with regard to the higher and more important work of being instrumental in rescuing sinners from perdition, and advancing the cause of the Redeemer, these acquirements, independent of the Spirit's operations, are vain and delusive. The chief end of the Christian ministry is the glory of God in the conversion of men. It is emphatically termed, "the ministry of reconciliation," while those who sustain the sacred office are "ambassadors for Christ." How expressive and telling is this representation! A character is here described which imperatively demands the highest exhibition of every grace of the Spirit. He should represent his Prince by whom he is commissioned, possess similar feelings, purposes, and desires, enjoy his confidence, and obey all his commands; in a word, he should endeavour to do what his Sovereign would do were he officiating in person, and as though he were actuated by the same spirit. He therefore who preaches "Christ crucified," cannot be too much like Christ; and the more he strives to imitate his "Lord and Master," the more perfectly does he show forth the beau ideal of an ambassador. Into these reflections we have been led, when in our retirement we have taken a retrospect of the Conference of Wesleyan Ministers, the annual sittings of which have recently been brought to a close. We are not solitary in the opinion which we are anxious to give; namely, that an assembly more favoured with the gracious presence of the Head of the church, and more distinguished by those practical tokens of zeal for God, love for the souls of men, and ardent desire to promote their everlasting salvation, has not been held for many years.

Several of the Ministers and other gentlemen connected with various Committees, the proceedings of which considerably expedited the business of the Conference, met during the preceding week, and prepared their several Reports. On Wednesday, July 30th, after the usual devotional exercises, and other engagements of a preliminary character, particularly in supplying certain vacancies which had occurred in the legal "hundred " during the year by death and superannuation, had been completed, the Conference proceeded to the election of a President. Their choice fell upon the Rev. Jacob Stanley. The Rev. Dr. Newton was elected to the office of Secretary. The Rev. Isaac Keeling and the Rev. John Farrar were appointed Sub-Secretaries, and the Rev. William Barton, Journal Secretary. The Rev. William Stewart, the Rev. Thomas Waugh, and the Rev. John F. Mathews, were introduced by the Rev. the Ex-President, as the General Representatives of the Irish Conference. Dr. Bunting further stated, that, in consequence of the Resolutions of the British Conference on the subject of the Auxiliary Fund, the Irish brethren had appointed a Committee to examine the affair as it affected their Ministers; and as the Rev. William Ferguson and the Rev. William Cather had given special attention to this subject, they, on that ground, had been appointed to attend the Conference, and he with pleasure introduced them also.

Business of great public moment came under consideration. The Report

of the Educational Committee was deeply interesting and important. The Resolutions of the London Meeting, in October, 1843, and the recommendation of the subsequent Conference, with regard to the holding public Meetings in every Circuit on behalf of the General Fund, had been in a great degree attended to. The result was favourable, as appears from the following;—namely, Money promised in connexion with various public Meetings, £15,837. 14s. 8d.; amount actually paid, £12,895. 3s. 3d.; proceeds of the November collection, (Min. of Conf., 1844, p. 123,) £4,316. 2s. 4d.: total received, £17,211. 58. 7d. To the subject of selecting and training Masters and Mistresses, much patient attention and investigation had been given. During the year, 136 candidates had offered themselves: 44 had been accepted, and sent to the Glasgow Seminary; 59 had been declined; 13 had withdrawn ; and 20 remained under consideration. The Committee had also directed attention to the subject of school-books, and had referred a collection of those of the most popular character to several SubCommittees. It seemed probable that, in the departments of general knowledge, works were already prepared which they could confidently recommend; but in lesson or reading books a new series might be found desirable. The following statistical details were laid before the Conference :-The number of Sunday-schools connected with Wesleyan Methodism in England amounted to 3,976; in Scotland, 35; in the Shetland Isles, 2: in all, 4,013; being an increase on the preceding year of 73. The number of scholars on the books of the schools amounted, in 1845, in England, to 414,025; in Scotland, to 3,776; and in Shetland, to 102: making a total of 417,903; being an increase in the number of pupils to the amount of 893. The number of Teachers connected with our Sunday-schools amounts to 81,577; being an increase during the past year of 4,173. The number of week-day and infant schools is 332; the scholars in these institutions amount to 30,686; being an increase on the preceding year of 5,223 scholars. The number of Masters at present employed is 195; and of Mistresses, 185.

We regret that among the interesting Reports which were made to the Conference, our space will only allow us to allude to the state of the Missionary fund. From the Minutes of the Committee of Finance, and of the General Committee, which were read at the Special General Committee of Review, it appeared that every attempt had been made during the year to augment the funds and reduce the expenditure of the institution; and the result on the whole was satisfactory and encouraging. The receipts from January to June, 1844, were £23,624. 10s. 1d.; those from January to June in the present year had been £31,785. 16s. 4d.: an increase of £8,161. 6s. 3d. The expenditure during the first six months of 1844 was, £53,851. 6s. ld.; that for 1845 only £39,972. 5s. 1d.: a decrease of £13,879. 1s. Od. The acceptances out in July last year were £15,824 ; year, £13,658: a diminution of £2,166. The restrictive regulations of 1844 had operated effectually in reducing the debt; but no farther reductions could be anticipated. It was calculated that the total expenditure of the present year would not be less than £105,000; and it was hoped that the income would reach that amount. There still remained an unliquidated balance for 1843 and 1844 of £4,775, and there was also an outstanding debt of £3,000, arising out of extra expenditure for the Gold-Coast. It was stated also that there are new stations requiring eleven Missionaries: none of these demands can at present be acquiesced in. There are claims on stations already formed for at least thirty Missionaries; only fifteen of

this

which can at present be granted, without the prospect of involving the Society in further debt and difficulty.

In answer to the question, "What Ministers have died since the last Conference?" it was found that eleven in Great Britain, five in Ireland, and five on the Foreign stations, had been called to enter into the joy of their Lord. This part of the business of the Conference at all times presents a scene of solemn and devout feeling. Thank God, the brethren who have recently departed witnessed a good confession, and died in the triumph of faith!

The devotional and interesting service connected with the ordination of those candidates for the office of the Christian ministry, who had faithfully and satisfactorily fulfilled the appointed period of probation, took place in the Wesleyan chapel in Oxford-place on the forenoon of Wednesday, August 6th. The charge was delivered by the Rev. the Ex-President, Dr. Bunting, in a manner deeply impressive: it was listened to with profound attention, not only by those to whom it was immediately addressed, but by all who were present. After which the sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered to all the Ministers who were there.

For a more extended account of the proceedings of this Conference we must refer our readers to the Minutes of this one hundred and second convocation, now published; and, in concluding these cursory remarks, call upon the great body of Wesleyan Methodists to come "to the help of the Lord" by aiding and supporting their Pastors in every work of faith and labour of love. Let them "be with you without fear." "Know them that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake." "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest: behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."

III. THE STATIONS OF THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST
MINISTERS, AND PREACHERS ON TRIAL, FOR 1845-6.

[N.B. Each of the places mentioned in these Stations, and numbered consecutively from 1 to 429,
is the head of a Circuit. The Superintendent and other Minister or Ministers stationed in, or
appointed to, the several Circuits under mentioned, is and are appointed by the Conference to preach
and to perform all acts of religious worship and Methodist discipline in each and every of the
Wesleyan-Methodist chapels already erected, or to be erected, within each Circuit respectively,
within the space of twelve calendar months, at such time or times, and in such manner, as to him or
them shall seem proper; subject nevertheless to the Superintendent Minister.]
JACOB STANLEY, PRESIDENT OF THE Conference.
ROBERT NEWTON, D.D., SECRETARY.