of the candidates for its ministry, should be specially adapted to its own circumstances and usages, so the proceedings whereby that special adaptation was to be secured were all to be ascertained by experiment. But the Committee, onerous as they felt their task to be, were not discouraged from accepting it by any difficulties with which it might appear to be connected. They believed they were in the way of duty; and they knew that that was not only the way of safety, but the way also of heavenly tuition, and providential guidance and support. And this they believe to have been vouchsafed. They cannot look back on the last three years without feelings of thankfulness which they would find a difficulty in expressing. They are bound in justice to say that "hitherto the Lord hath helped them." In common phrase, he has not only been better to them than their fears, but he has realized their hopes. They are thus encouraged to go forward, not only persevering in ordinary duty, but obeying the providential indications which may be afforded, and industriously seeking to make the establishment in all respects what its best friends wish, and what the interests of Methodism require.

In reference to the House-Governor, and Theological and Classical Tutors, the Committee can only direct attention to what they have said in their two former Reports, and which, were it necessary, they would gladly repeat. Per sonally, they feel themselves placed under extensive obligations to the respected officers under whose care the Institution has commenced so hopeful a course of prosperity, and by whose judicious plans, and diligent and pious labours, their own task of management has been rendered comparatively easy, and even pleasant. It is only common justice to say, that, under their vigilant and indefatigable attention to the duties of their respective situations, the Institution has prospered to a degree that could scarcely have been anticipated. The time, indeed, for which the Students have been under their superintendence and instruction has been unavoidably very limited, and other circumstances have likewise been unfavourable; but notwithstanding all disadvantages, the improvement has been decided and visible. The Committee are persuaded that this must be a source of delightful encouragement to the Tutors themselves; and that all who were concerned in the establishment of the Institution will see in it a reason for thankful acknowledgment to Him whose glory

they desired to promote, and for continuing, and even, if necessary, extending the work commenced, and hitherto carried on under such favourable auspices.

The Committee are extremely unwilling to indulge in laudatory remarks even where they are so justly due. They are fully aware that the infant state of the Institution, as well as the disadvantageous circumstances under which many, if not most, of the Students had been placed before they became inmates of the establishment, require that great caution should be used in speaking of any improvements which its plans have contri buted to promote. And even if these things were not so, yet they would feel that the sacred character of the work which they are required to superintend forbids all boasting. The Committee dare not glory in man. They acknowledge that whoever planteth and whoever watereth, it is God that giveth the increase: "so that neither is he that planteth anything, nor he that watereth, but God which giveth the increase."

But while this is the decided conviction of the Committee, they likewise feel that something is due both to those by whom the Institution has been so liberally supported, and to the Wesleyan societies and congregations generally, who cannot be otherwise than deeply interested in the proceedings of an establishment which is training up the Ministers who are to serve themselves and families in those holy ministrations to which the Lord hath called them. Not by way of boasting, then, but of thankful acknowledgment, and of necessary information, the Committee beg leave to report, publicly and officially, that, by the blessing of God on the watchful and active care of the Governor and Tutors, the experiment of the Institution, if it may be called so, has been rendered completely successful. After the most vigilant and they may be permitted to add, conscientious observation, they see no appearance whatever of any threatening evils; and they cannot close their eyes to the important and undeniable fact, that not only is much good promoted, but much evil is actually prevented.

The Committee desire likewise very thankfully to report the evident growth of the Theological Institution in public estimation: they receive assurances of this from all quarters; and they perceive an example of it in the increasing acceptableness of the labours of the Students in London and its vicinity. Of those whose good feelings might at first

Committee of Examination, the total number in the Institution House was in creased to thirty-four; as large a number as can possibly be accommodated there, and indeed almost too large for convenient accommodation.

The most important part of the Report of the Committee of Examination remains to be stated. The members of that Committee were so fully convinced by the inquiries which they had conducted, that the candidates who could not be admitted into the Institution for want of room, needed its advantages not less than those who were selected for residence, that they felt exceedingly reluctant to direct their return to their respective Circuits, there to await the call of the President of the Conference to those ministerial labours for which they were so little prepared; and this reluctance was increased by the strong expressions of desire for those helps which the Institution affords, which had been brought before the Committee in the course of the examinations. After long deliberation, therefore, they unanimously resolved to recommend to the Committee of the Institution to consider whether some method of supplying to the brethren the assistance they both needed and solicited, might not be devised. This recommendation the Committee took into their immediate and very serious consideration, and at length unanimously agreed to a plan which they believe to be the best they could have adopted under the circumstances in which they were placed. According to the plan thus agreed upon, those brethren who could not be admitted to reside in the Institution were to be considered as outdoor Students; they were to reside with Preachers as near to the Institution as possible; they were to be required to be at the Institution at half-past six in the morning during the four or five winter months, and for the rest of the year, at six; and to attend to the lectures, studies, &c., in the same manner as though resident in the house; after dinner they were to return to their respective lodgings, and to pursue their studies for the remainder of the day in their own rooms. It was likewise laid down, as an essential part of the plan, that they were to be conformed to all the rules of the Institution, and to be governed by its entire discipline, just the same as if they resided in the house; and that regular inquiry should be made, at the meetings of the Committee, whether this discipline were uniformly and constantly observed and enforced. Arrangements were immediately made for

carrying this resolution into effect; and the Committee believe that it will give general satisfaction when it is known that for the last three months the total number of Students of both classes (residents and out-door) has been fifty-one. The Committee are exceedingly glad to find that, all circumstances considered, the plan works well. They have naturally felt anxious on the subject, and they have been very careful and particular in their inquiries: they are thankful to be able to report so favourably. The method they have adopted may not be without its inconveniences, and they did not agree to it hastily; but the experience of the last three months affords abundant reason for satisfaction and encouragement.

Be.

The Committee have already spoken of the pleasing character of the Reports which were presented to the Conference respecting the studies, improvements, and general behaviour of the Students; there is, however, another branch of ministerial education on which it is their duty to speak somewhat more particularly they refer to the Sabbath employments of these candidates for the Wesleyan ministry. It is believed that these are precisely what the subscribers and friends of the Institution would desire. In addition to their engagements on the plans of the London, Deptford, and Hammersmith Circuits, a system of out-door preaching has been regularly kept up; and since the enlargement of their number, this has particularly been the case, and that, too, in some of those parts of the city which have most needed their exertions. sides this, in several neighbourhoods they have visited the poor from house to house, distributing tracts, and introducing, wherever it was practicable, religious conversation and prayer: and now, that the state of the weather will, for some time to come, render all plans for out-door preaching exceedingly uncertain, it is intended to carry the plan of tract-distributing and visiting more extensively, as well as more systematically, into effect. The Committee have been thankful to learn that from these labours good has already resulted; but they attach the greatest importance to their effect on the future ministerial character of the Students themselves. In point of fact, the experience of the last three years has quite satisfied them, that, however valuable the Institution has been in promoting the literary improvement of the Students, this is by no means its sole, nor even its chief, advantage. However well furnished as to general education a Student

might be on his entrance, he has always been found to stand in need of a very careful theological training; and in addition even to this, they are increasingly persuaded that what may be termed the moral and religious education which the brethren receive, is of incalculable importance as to their future labours and usefulness. Even were the circumstances of the Student, up to the period of his admission, ever so favourable, it has been uniformly found that a residence in the Institution powerfully tends to the formation of habits of regularity, order, and diligence; to establishment in humility and devotion; and to the growth of a principle of a steady, active, and enduring zeal. Nor should the fact be overlooked, that so many of the Students are candidates for Missionary service; a service which is every year becoming at ence more delightful and imposing, and yet more important, difficult, and responsible; and which, therefore, increasingly requires wisdom, and piety, and zeal, in all who are engaged in it. In a former Report the Committee said that they saw "no signs of zeal diminished by application to study, but that all the indications were of a contrary character;" they rejoice to be able to repeat their former statement, which, they think, is confirmed by the interesting fact that Messrs. John Jenkins and Matthew Male, who sailed for India in company with the Rev. Jonathan Crowther soon after the Conference, had been Students in the Institution as candidates for the Home work, but who, towards the latter end of their residence, feeling their hearts warming towards the Mission field, offered themselves for foreign service, and are now gone to assist in the noble work of assailing idolatry in its strongest intrenchments.

The Committee are thankful to be able to report so favourably on the state of their funds. The Trustees of the late A. Mason, Esq., of Dublin, have this year paid the munificent legacy bequeathed by that gentleman for the education of the candidates for the WesleyanMethodist ministry. Together with the interest, the sum is £1120. The late Mrs. Bruce, of London, and Miss Podmore, of Macclesfield, bequeathed the sums of £50 and £5 respectively, which have been promptly, and without deduction, paid by the executors. The balance of the Building and Furnishing Fund is £4154. 198. 8d. This sum it is now more than ever necessary to keep sacred to the purposes to which it has been from the first appropriated: in future, how

ever, all donations, not exceeding five pounds, will be applied to the current annual expenses, except when the donor expressly states to the contrary; and those which exceed five pounds will be placed to the credit of the Building and Furnishing Fund, unless the donor shall otherwise direct. The steady increase of the annual subscriptions is very gratifying and encouraging. The amount this year is £1552. Os. 2d., exceeding that of last year by £170. Had the expenses been the same this year as the last, a proportionate increase in the favourable balance might have been anticipated; but it is scarcely necessary for the Committee to say that the plan agreed to by them, at the pressing instance of the Committee of Examination, has been attended with a very considerable increase of expenditure; so that, though the new plan has only been in operation for about a quarter of the year, the effect has been not only to prevent the occurrence of a favourable balance on the actual accounts of the year, as was the case in the two preceding years, (in the course of which the balance accumulated to upwards of £1000,) but likewise to diminish that which was in the Treasurer's hands at the commencement of the year; so that, with only three months of increased expenditure, that of the whole year has exceeded the income by fifty-five pounds. Desirable, therefore, as it may be to keep up the present enlarged plan, and even to go beyond it, the Committee feel that they would not be justified in recommending the Conference to take any steps towards making that plan a permanent one, unless they could at the same time report a very considerable increase of annual contributions. Without this, the Committee must, after the Conference, fall back on the old plan. When, however, they recollect how nobly, how generously, the appeal on behalf of the Institution has hitherto been met, justice to their friends, and to the Methodist societies and congregations, demands that a similar reception be anticipated for that which they now believe it to be their duty to make. The Committee trust that the subject will be taken up by the Preachers in every Circuit in the Connexion. If their powerful influence be afforded, such an accession of subscribers will be obtained, that the Committee of Examination will, next year, be saved from the difficulties which so perplexed them during their last sittings, and will feel themselves at liberty to recommend to the favourable notice of the Institution Committee, not any particular