ate solicitude for the comfort and welfare of the flock which it has ever displayed, was anxious to meet the desires even of the disaffected portion of the people as far as possible, and accordingly gave up a considerable portion of the power which the ministers had possessed and exercised during the life of the venerable Wesley. Before this time the superintendent preacher had authority to appoint any person he thought proper to be a leader;-now it was decided that the leaders' meeting should give its approbation before such appointment should be made. Before, the superintendent had power to choose all stewards, but now, (as in the case of leaders) the nomination only was with him, and the approval or disapproval lay with the leaders' meeting to which those stewards belonged. This was the case also with local preachers. Before this time, the superintendent had unrestricted authority as to the admission of members into the society-now it was agreed that he should not admit any person whatever, if the leaders' meeting thought proper to declare such person improper to be admitted. Before, the superintendent had absolute control over the membership of all the members. He could expel any person (not being a trustee) from the society, at any time, for any real or supposed misconduct, which he considered deserving such an exercise of pastoral authority. But now it was decided, that no person should be expelled from the society for any breach of our rules, or even for manifest immorality, till such fact or crime

had been proved at, or to the satisfaction of, a leaders' meeting.

Many other regulations, of less importance, were likewise made.

On August 9th, the "New Connexion" was formed at Leeds; and divisions were effected throughout the whole country. Although twenty thousand members were lost to the Methodist society, only five thousand of them joined the New Connexion.

1798. On July 30th., the fifty-fifth Conference began at Bristol, Mr. Joseph Benson was the president, and Mr. Samuel Bradburn, secretary.

It was decided to help by subscription, at the Conference, and public collections throughout the kingdom, the Methodists of Nottingham and Huddersfield, in recovering their chapels from the Kilhamites, who had unjustly wrested them from their rightful and legal possessors.

Nothing very remarkable occurred at this Conference. The Connexion having been delivered from the withering and blighting influences of strife and discord, now began to look forward with confident expectation for brighter, happier, and better days.

1799. On July 29th, the fifty-sixth Conference was commenced in Manchester. Mr. Samuel Bradburn was chosen president, and Dr. Coke, secretary. The Conference had to perform the painful duty of recording the decease of William Thompson, who was greatly esteemed by his brethren, and had the honour of being elected

the first president after Mr. Wesley's death:and also of Thomas Oliver, who, for sterling ability, strong piety, and ardent attachment to the Founder of Methodism, and to Methodism itself, was one of the most remarkable of the early Methodist preachers.

Two young men, Jabez Bunting, and Robert Newton, this year entered the ministry.

A letter was received at this Conference by which it appeared that Methodism had begun to take root at Gibralter; there were then fifty persons in society, and they earnestly requested that a preacher might be sent to them.

The "Itinerant Methodist Preacher's Annuity," and the Preacher's Friend Society," were both

instituted at this time.

The Conference being much embarrassed because of the scarcity of money, adopted measures of relief from such a pressure.

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Three "addresses were written by this Conference. One to the Irish Conference; another to the General Conference in America; and a third to the Methodist societies and congregations in Great Britain, on the distressed state of the finances. It was a Conference of great peace," says Jonathan Crowther 'We were, however, greatly embarrassed for want of money to meet the deficiencies and distresses of many of the brethren, and there was no resource but the making an extraordinary collection in the different circuits."

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The Conference, in the address to America, remarks on this year's annual assembly, it has,

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on the whole, been the best we have ever had since the decease of our venerable father in Christ, the Rev. John Wesley."

The circuits, preachers, and members, now stood as follow:

CHAPTER XIII.—From the year 1800 till 1810.

1800. On July 28th, the fifty seventh Conference began in London, Mr. James Wood was chosen presdent, and Mr. Thomas Bradburn, secretary.

A very loyal address to the king was drawn up, expressing the abhorrence with which the ministers in Conference assembled, regarded the "late atrocious attempt against the life of his majesty;" and likewise expressing their "thankfulness to Almighty God for His gracious protection so manifestly extended towards his sacred person." This address, according to the London Gazette of August 8th, 1800,"his majesty was pleased to receive very graciously.

It was directed by the Conference that a collection should be made in all the congregations for the relief of the Foreign Missions: Quarterly meetings were desired (where it had not been already done) to raise the preacher's allowance to four pounds per quarter; and Dr. Coke's valuable Commentary upon the Sacred Writings was recommended to the notice of both ministers and people.

On August 22nd, Mr. Alexander Mather, a wise, sagacious, and judicious Methodist preacher, died at York, having travelled forty-three years.

1801. On July 27th, the fifty-eighth Conference commenced in Leeds, Mr. John Pawson who