of the arguments employed, p. 18. Hence, (6,) allowing every reviewer to have an opinion of his own, the work to which I refer was, with some latitude of meaning, a critique on the measures and publications of the times, p. 12. (7.) A party spirit was deeply deplored, and a strong wish was expressed, that every thing might be done in Christian temper, pp. 7, 8, 9. (8.) The brethren appointed by the Conference to the offices of President, Theological Tutor, and Governor, were deemed by me as the most competent to fill the respective stations to which they were advanced, of any that could, by possibility, be selected, pp. 11, 18, 28, 31, 33, 34, 49. (9.) In addition to manner, &c., my principal opposition arose from fear, and not from rancour, envy, or personal pique,-a fear that we were not in the order of God in the project; and hence, as the subject of alarm, I expressed my self, as was natural, strongly and pointedly, though not bitterly; and owing to that alarm, would, at one time, have given every farthing I had for the destruction of the project, p. 42. (10.) Though opposed to the Institution, yet, in reference to the work in question, I stood alone; I was my own adviser, and was at the sole expense of its publication; I had no partner or party with me. I could not close in with the Institution, and, therefore, had the Conference against me; and being strongly opposed to any attack made upon the Constitution, and any change made in it, I had the Associationists against me, pp. 10, 12, 13, 42, 76. (11.) In public and in private, I was the unflinching advocate of Mcthodism in its doctrines, its discipline, and its worship; and after the Institution was established, with the exception of the publication in question, I avoided, out of respect to the Conference, and for the sake of peace, introducing the subject into public meetings or private parties. (12.) On finding the baneful turn given to the question, I wrote privately, where I knew there was influence, to warn away from all attacks on the constitution of Methodism,- discountenanced the system of stopping the supplies, by subscribing to our funds,-advocated the support of our charities,-never would attend a public meeting adverse to the interests of Methodism, and dissuaded the members of society from affording their countenance. (13.) So careful was I, when I found the broad, barefaced attacks made upon Methodism, though still retaining my prejudices against the Institution, and my opinions on certain

points and measures, not to identify myself with any party, that only six persons were acquainted with the positive fact of authorship, all stanch friends of Methodism, one in favour of publication, one neuter, and four under enjoined secrecy, only put in possession of the knowledge of authorship after the fact. Of course, I speak not now of suspicion, but of fact; suspicion, from my own knowledge, lit variously. (14.) On perceiving the current of opposition setting in strong against Methodism-persons passing over from the Institution to the Constitution, and making the one a mere pretext to reach the other, I resolved-not even in appearance to my self-on not standing as an abettor of their designs, but to sacrifice my own part of the question; and, therefore, with my own hands, burnt between fourteen and fifteen hundred copies of the work which had been printed, advertised, and published, all of which, as the whole was paid for by myself, and the loss was equal whether unsold or destroyed, might, as in other cases, and had I been influenced by party-spirit, or bad feeling, have been distributed gratis. But I found the work was in bad company, and likely to get into worse. I therefore took it out of the market, and put it into the fire. (15.) The prejudices of the venerable Messrs. H. Moore and James Wood strengthened me not a little against the Institution, as to the real Wesleyanism of its character.

Here, then, are lenitives sufficient to assuage a moderate share of grief. But I was not to be soothed thus; for though I still entertain my own peculiar views on some particular points, yet, as I lay no claim to infallibility, (p. 11,) and it will be admitted that, wherever a diversity exists, as to intellect,-whether it regards strength or weakness, slowness or quickness, there will be necessarily a diversity of opinion, I have to confess to a revolution in my views and feelings, slow, but sure. At first, I maintained a position hostile to the Institution; time passed on, and opposition died within me. I looked, I pondered, and neutrality gave place to warmer and better feelings. Then came the stroke, for which, though unexpected, I was not unprepared; and now, in the rear, are hope, and charity." I have to observe, therefore,

"faith,

1. That I may have been wrong in some of my premises, and, consequently, in my conclusions. This I cede the more readily, because,

2. I perceive, from the manner in which the Institution is fenced, many of

my fears, real or imaginary, are likely to prove groundless; and, having lived to see the death of some of them, I indulge the hope that I shall yet be able to sing the funeral dirge of others. And, indeed, as an apology for my own fears, the conductors of the Institution, if they had not had their own, would never have made the fence so strong.

3. Among other errors, I am persuaded I have miscalculated the means of support given to the Institution, (as noticed pp. 29, 35,) and may be equally mistaken as to its beneficial results; and therefore, on this ground, think I ought to pause.

4. Since, as the writer of the production, I should not wish-if personally known as such to the public-to be associated with the enemies of Methodism, so neither would I have it for a moment to be supposed that the work was intended to be mixed up with their productions; and, therefore, denounce the copies in circulation, as opposed to any thing of the kind, however well meant, against the Institution.

5. I deem it improper-however it may operate against me up to the present moment to hold out longer, with my present views and feelings, as a member of society, against a decision of the legislative assembly, and the evident approval of the wise and good among the people, as though I were wiser in my individual, than the Conference in their collective, capacity; equally so, as I should deem it improper in any subject of the State, to oppose a plan or a tax imposed by Government, with the general consent of the people: I mean by "the people," persons of character, weight, influence, and property, the principal supporters of that State.

6. I have narrowly watched the Institution from its commencement, so far as I have had access to its Reports, and to persons acquainted with its internal economy and proceedings; and I find, as an experiment, it is likely to succeed: "Here, then," I reason with myself, "is a possible good; and as a possible good, I ought to rejoice in it. But where will be my joy, should it turn out a real blessing, which is not only possible but probable,-if I have no share in helping it forward? Such an issue, though good in itself, will only be a source of painful reflection as far as participation goes. To prevent possible or probable grief, in the case of neutrality in possible or probable good, and to secure a share in what may become real joy, I ought to give substantial proof of

even wishing well to such an Institution by lending it my aid. Good wishes, without good deeds, cost us nothing."

7. I proceed a step further. In my watchings, inquiries, and observations, I find not only possible or probable remote good, but actual advantage derived already by the Missionaries from the Institution. This is worth all the cost, and saving, and trouble. In this I do rejoice; yea, and will rejoice. It was my opinion from the first, that the Missionary Fund ought to defray the expense attendant on the education of its Missionaries, pp. 20, 30.

8. A want of consistency may be charged upon those who oppose the system of stopping supplies, in reference to our Missions and our schools, while they themselves are withholding their aid from the Institution, which is only another school for the instruction of those who have to instruct others. That reproach I wish to wipe away from myself, and am not without hope that I shall be able, now that the shackles are broken off, to remove it from others. Though it was a subject of doubt with me whether it would be of service or not at first,

I mean Methodistically; yet now, that it has been productive of real good, to hold back would be like indulging sorrow for that good, and, in point of effect, would be to discountenance it.

9. But there is another light in which I have been led to contemplate the subject; and that is, as it regards others. No man would wish to have a burden thrown entirely upon himself, while those around, equally interested, and equally able to sustain it, remained idle and unconcerned. It would not be doing to others as we would that others should do to us. "Why, then," I proposed to myself, "ought I to stand off and aside, as a mere spectator, with a design to close in with the experiment, on the event of its success? Have I not as deep an interest in it as any of its most strenuous advocates? Ought I indirectly. to tax them with the sole expense? Is it, to say the least, brotherly? Can I, with any grace, enter the concern after they have won the day ?”

10. As the chief difference, waving all minor proceedings, on which adverse opinions may be innocently held, was in the mode, I see not why I should not subscribe to the thing itself, since knowledge is acknowledged by me to be so desirable.

11. Though my pages present one version of Mr. Wesley's opinions on the subject of a seminary, yet the writings of

others present another; and it is not for me as I contend that Methodism, in its operations, must mould itself to times and circumstances, in its plans of usefulness, as God opens the way-to say, however Mr. Wesley left Methodism in 1791, what he would or would not have done in 1838. At all events, on the supposition of even my not deeming the Institution exactly Wesleyan, still, as an act of Conference, it is Methodistical, as much so as the platform Missionary Meetings, which were never dreamed of by Mr. Wesley; and they twain, “Wesleyanism" and "Methodism,” shall be one with me.

By way of conclusion, as a certain work has been referred to,-as the copyright of that work is my own, and cannot be reprinted, except by my consent, without hazard, and as I took, years ago, young as the Institution is, an effectual method to stop its circulation, there need be no delicacy in naming it. Its name cannot extend it beyond its present boundaries; and those who possess a copy are welcome to affix these remarks to its titlepage. The work, then, is entitled "The Disputants;" and the author wishes to be placed on the subscription-list, "To the Wesleyan Theological Institution, at the rate of one guinea per annum from the first, from the author of The Disputants;'-£4. 4s." In this work, as in the publication thus noticed, I stand alone-unadvised -no one being acquainted with either my change or my writing; and as I at present withhold my name, I cannot, in giving away my money, be supposed to have any other end in view besides that of satisfying the honest convictions of my mind. I must,

A

on all occasions, be convinced before I act; and once convinced, it is not a little that will turn me; nor shall either the laugh, the sneer, or the frown, ever prevent me from approaching the confessional. Had I published from bad feeling, or been influenced by improper motives, I should have repented. But what I did, I did honestly. I simply expressed an opinion, and left it, unaided by party, to work its own way. At most, therefore, it was an error of opinion rather than doctrine. It would be an easy matter for me to manufacture an ingenious apology for myself, out of the present issue of Southey's Poetical Works, where he exercises his apologetical skill in the case of "Wat Tyler." But I purpose crossing into Germany,-though I confess I prefer the sentiment to the company, and quoting a remark of Goëthe:

By the failings we recognise the species; by the excellencies the individual. Defects we have all in common; virtues belong to each severally." If the Institution be an excellency, the body has been nearly a hundred years in reaching it; and if my backwardness be a defect, I am only about three years and a half behind my superiors; but as I could not go against the convictions of my mind, and as the person who unites himself to any particular cause of his own accord, and from deliberate conviction, is more likely to abide by it than the person who unites from the impulse of momentary feeling, I trust the present subscription will be received with the heartiness and sincerity with which it is given, and that I shall be entitled to the full amount of what is intended by the old proverb,

"BETTER LATE THAN NEVER."

RELIGIOUS TRACTS.

persons are often brought into direct intercourse with people who are living in ignorance and sin; and not a few have thus been reclaimed and converted. It is very desirable that this simple and efficient plan of usefulness should be more generally adopted. The following extracts from the "Twentieth Report of the CityRoad and Radnor-Street Wesleyan TractSociety," just published, show the beneficial effects of such operations, and may serve to encourage those who are already employed in similar labours of love, and to induce others to follow so laudable an example.-EDIT.

NOT a single year has passed away, since the establishment of your Society APRIL, 1838.

U

in 1817, without encouraging proofs that the blessing of Him who giveth the increase has owned the labours of his servants. Hundreds of children have been introduced to Sabbath-schools; Sabbathbreakers have been led to close their shops, and to keep holy the day of the Lord; numbers have received pecuniary assistance in times of sickness and distress; the Bible has been placed in families where, but for your Distributors, in all probability it would not have obtained admittance; drunkards have become sober and industrious; swearers have turned their blasphemies into praise; infidels have become believers in divine revelation; many who neglected the public ordinances of religion have been brought to attend the ministry of the word; numbers have been induced to cast in their lot with the people of God; backsliders have been convinced of their danger, and restored to the divine favour; sinners have been led to the feet of the Saviour, groaning under the weight of a burdened conscience, and have believed to the saving of their souls; and (transporting thought!) there are those now in heaven who will have to praise God to all eternity for the existence of the City-Road and Radnor-Street Tract Society.

Such are the known results of your Distributors' exertions; and no doubt good is accomplished which will remain unknown to us till the period shall arrive when we shall know even as we are known. The great Head of the church may, for wise purposes, keep us in igno. rance of some instances in which he has honoured the labours of your Society as the instrument of promoting his glory; and perhaps one reason may be, lest we should be exalted above measure, and be led to appropriate some share of the glory to ourselves, which belongs to God alone. But, thanks to his name! he has afforded us sufficient proofs of his presence to stimulate us to greater diligence in the prosecution of the task assigned

us.

Your Committee feel persuaded that no other motive for gratitude and exertion is wanted, not only for themselves and the Distributors, but also for their subscribers and friends, than an attentive consideration of the accounts recently received from the Distributors, which it will now be the duty of your Committee to lay before you.

From Miss M. R." I am happy to have it in my power to state, that in my District I have prevailed upon a few parents to send their children to a Sab.

bath-school; some have been induced to subscribe for Bibles; that holy book and the tracts, in several instances, are read with care and attention; and, above all, two persons have decided to give their hearts to God. So that I have abundant cause to thank God and take courage.'

From Miss J. R." I beg to inform the Committee that I have been in several instances the humble instrument, in the hands of the Lord, of directing the sinner to the Saviour. The following is a case which occurred a few months since:-There resided a poor woman in my District, who, in consequence of her husband being very much addicted to drinking, was so depressed in spirit and debilitated in body, as to endanger life. Hence, she was strongly urged to a consideration of her state, by being reminded that it was written, Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.' These words the Holy Spirit so powerfully applied to her heart and conscience, that she instantly began to flee for refuge to the hope set before her; and the Lord graciously heard and speedily answered her prayers, to the joy of her soul. She has taken sittings in the City-road chapel, joined the society, and is going on her way rejoicing in the God of her salvation. She trusts also that her husband will speedily be brought to God."

From Messrs. F. and L." Our District consists of about forty-five families, most of whom receive the tracts with thankfulness; and, in many instances, such is their willingness to receive instruction, they would be glad if we could spend the whole of the Sabbath afternoon with them in religious conversation and prayer. One poor woman has been visited by the Strangers' Friend Society. But notwithstanding this, we felt discouraged because we did not see sinners brought out of the bondage of sin into the glorious liberty of the children of God. But God has appeared in our behalf, as the following circumstances will show :-A few weeks since, as we were entering the District, we were encouraging each other to look to the Lord for success; and in the first house there was an elderly person with whom we had many times conversed on the subject of religion. She had for some years been scriously concerned about her soul; but at that time was more than usually desirous to make her calling and election sure; and while we were explaining to her the way of faith, the Lord applied the word with power to her heart, and

she promised us that she would endeavour to come to Christ in the appointed way. The next Sunday she told us she had followed the directions laid down, and not in vain ; and the language of her heart was,

I hold thee with a trembling hand,
But will not let thee go,
Till steadfastly by faith I stand,

And all thy goodness know.'

On the following Sunday, while conversing with her daughter on the nature of saving faith, on our telling her that the language of the publican must be ours in order to our receiving the blessing of pardon, she, with strong emotion, said, that was her prayer; and on the next Sunday evening, at a prayer-meeting, she obtained peace through believing."

From Mr. D.-"The duties of a TractDistributor, to my view, never appeared so important as at the present; and never, I think, did I so fully feel the vast amount of responsibility laid upon me. During the last year, in my District, twelve or thirteen adults, besides children, have been called into the eternal world; and out of that number not more than one, I lament to say, has left any thing like a satisfactory testimony behind. The thought is very affecting, that, had I discharged my duty towards them with greater fidelity, I perhaps should have been the instrument in God's hands of snatching them as brands from the burning; and, instead of leaving the world full of doubts and dark forebodings, they would have departed in the full triumph of faith, and, now mingling with the happy throng before the throne, would for ever have praised God for the visits of a Tract-Distributor. The good that has been done, though far from what I could wish, by the blessing of God is sufficient to call forth my warmest gratitude. Many have been induced to give occasional, and some regular, attendance on divine worship; and several children have been introduced to the Sabbathschool. On the whole, the District presents a very encouraging appearance; for which I would be very thankful. One case, that of an old man between eighty and ninety years of age, particularly demands my gratitude. From the very commencement of my visits to the District, I felt a great interest in him. I learned that he had been in the habit of attending a place of worship for many years; but soon found that he was not living in the conscious possession of the divine favour. I saw him regularly

every Sabbath, and often during the week; and always made it a point to lead his mind to the subject; endeavouring to convince him that it was his privilege to have his fears removed, and know that he was accepted in the Beloved but all I could say seemed unavailing; he hoped that the Almighty would accept him; and he thought, after keeping him so long in the world, he would not suffer him to perish at last. This was truly a poor hope, and brought no comfort to his mind. He appeared generally very unhappy, ever sorrowing over his destitution of temporal comforts, and complaining of the neglect and ingratitude of his friends. For several months I thus visited him, without witnessing any change; and I at length be gan to feel discouraged, and feared that age had so blunted and benumbed his spiritual faculties, that he was now almost incapable of feeling; but how groundless were my fears! On entering his room, as usual, one Sabbath morning, he caught hold of my hand, and, with a face beaming with joy, he cried out, My brother, I am so glad to see you! O, I have had such a blessed week! I am so happy! All my doubts are gone; my blessed Saviour has revealed himself to me! I would not exchange places with the King!' and many similar expressions. On inquiry, I found that, one evening in the week, whilst meditating alone in his own room, full of trouble, and feeling, to use his own words, neither fit for heaven nor hell,' the Lord Jesus manifested himself to his soul, removed his fears, and shed abroad his love in his heart. I was truly delighted to witness so happy a change. He urged me to tell all I met what the Lord had done for poor old N. F. can now be said of me,' he exclaimed, 'as it was said of Saul of Tarsus, Behold, he prayeth! I have lived all these years, and never knew my Saviour till now.' Since that time he has enjoyed a sense of the divine favour, and is now very happy in the possession of the peace of God, and waiting for the coming of his Lord."

It

We subjoin an extract from another communication very recently received from the same indefatigable Distributor:

"In one house in my District I have met with three backsliders, two of whom had been members of the Methodist society for some time, and the other had received a note upon trial. All of them for several years have been living in an awful state of alienation from God.

I