Star.
London, England, 1817-01-16 00:00:00

JIMA IC'2l.

HOU'E OF ASSEM 111. Y, NOVEMBER 1.
A Memotial of the Missionaries of the. Methodists:
presented and read, as follows:
s.
.6 To Ills 110VOIM TOE -I,EAKErt AND TILE MEMBERS
OF TUE iIOWUI:ABLE 1101.:4E Or ASAMBLY.

EIENok:AL or -EDE ASISItiONARICS OF Till PEOPLE
CALLED mwrillomsis, IN inlEr DiLAND,

" 71VMBI.V sur.wt I 11,
41 Th it your Memorialists are in connexion with
that body ot religiems people in Great Britain, I►e-
-I•ind, and other parts of the world, usually calked
NVisley.ati Methodists, and have been appointed to
the Ministry of the Gospel by the authorities of their
tlrn•nunatit,n in England :
" That the avoned and real object of your Memo-
rialists, and that of ali the preachers of their con.
nexion, is one, and which, in the exercise of their
they endeavour to promote to the utniont
of their ahiiity—namely, to tender their hearers, in
temper and conduct, uptight and humble Christians.
Their design is wholly noconnected with politics; it
is purely moral and religious, and their principles
and discipline aie altogether on the side of peace and
tranquillity, being absolutely opposed to every thing
that would endanger the quiet of the land:
" That your Memorialists are conscious of the
most uaimpeachable integrity and disinterestedness,
and are well assured of the useful effects of their
labours, in the reformed lives, the humble and peace-
ful deportment, of hundieels of their people, as well
as by the concurrent testimony of many respectable
witnesses.

That, nevertheless, your Memori.liste feel them-
selves ()bilged to state, that much misconception,
misrepresentation, and (encore, have arisen with
regard to the character ai.d object of their mission ;
that it has been blended with other asvciatioss or
institutions, and confininded nith every description
of religious teaching; and that, in consequence, your
Memorialists have from time to time suffered much
opposition in their endeavours to exercise their calling.
41 That your Memorialists, however, are humbly
confident that there is nothing in their system of doc-
trines and discipline, which can justify these opinions,
and the conk/petit opposition tl4ey experience. %Vitt'
regard to their doctrines, they colorer (agreeably
with the Scriptures) on the minds of the people, to-
gether with the fear of Got), Stibjk•Ciioll to the higher
powers, obedience to Megistrates, speaking evil of no
mart, contentment, quietness, and prompt attention
to business ; in like manner they exhort servants and
slaves to count their erasters worthy of all honour, to
be obedient to them, and tr. please them well in all
things, not answerieg again, not purloining, but
:hewing all fidelity, and a singleness of heart to
fulfil' their dirty; and in respect to their discipline,
they do not recommend or even cotio:ettatice im•
moderate or frequent lasting, nor do they hold or
sanction any religious meetings at improper hours
they disapprove of a regard to dreams and super.
stitious fancies of every kind : they endeavour to

make men happy, .contented, and industrious; not
miserable, ambitions, or slothful ; being studious to
render them huitful in every good wotd and work,
that they may always possess a solid hope of eternal
felicity.
" That your Memorialists are clearly and fully
persuaded that their doctrines and discipline, with
the manner of enforcing them, have a direct and
powerful tendency to promote general concord, and
That there is nothing in their tenets subversive of good
order or public prosperity ; nor, although the best
system may be abused, has a single instance occurred
to their knowledge of their members being concerned
in any one of the evil designs, or disorderly and dis-
contented associations, by which the public has lately
or at any time been alarmed.
el Further, that your Memorialists have been ob.
fected to on account of the contributions made by
their societies for the support of the Mission. and the
stature of their connexions in England : to which they
respectfully answer, that they neither receive nor
wids for any thing inconsistent with the means, inch.
nation, and welfare of any member of their Socie-
ties, nor have they snore than a reasonable and ne-
cessary provision for food and raiment, and
unavoida-
ble contingencies; and even this is supplied them by
the Stewards of the Societies, who receive the contri-
butions from the people, and state a regular account
of the whole, subject to the inspection of the leaders
and elders of the Societies. With respect to their
friends at home, Memorialists receive no salary or
emoluments from them, nor any instructions but
what are usually printed and Made public, and are.
altogether unconnected with the affairs of Govern-
ment; nor have th'y any correspondence with pub.
vital parties. In short, they are not influenced by
their office, duty, instructions, or inclinations, to in-
terfere, directly or indirectly, with the legislation of
the colony.
And, lastly, that your Memorialists, willing to
have their mission better understood and 4pp:echoed,
could cheetfully lay-before your Honourable House
a full and accurate account of the rise and progress,
the forms and government. of 'heir Societies ;'she
astute, qualifications,appointments, and duties of the
offices of their preachers, stewards, and leaders, with
every other particular concerning their economy:—
bar they apprehend such detail would be foUnd in-
- conveniently tedious. Memorialists, however, ham-1
bly. and confidently trust that the statement now .sub-
witted will be found worthy the attention, inJentitled
to the favourable ppiniou, of your Honourable House.
Your Memorialists, therefore, most earnestly
solicit your Honourable House to relieve them from
the unfavourable impression which has sb long ope,
rated against the integrity, good faith, and success at
their mission, by indulging them with a greater dm
glee 01 confidence and credit than has hitherto bees
manifested, and by Affording them such facility, in
the net cise of their Ministry, as to your Honourable
HOW -BAT appear reasonable and expedient; for
which benign interlerence they will feel the liveliest
.gratitude, and in all their proceedings unceasingly
mods *to deserve its cooties:ince.
(Signed).

" JAHN WIGOANL
" JOHN SHIPMAN.

" WILLIAM WMITZ.
• cum, Niftctos, Oct- St, 1116..
The ial liar ordered to lie co the table.