The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-08-18 00:00:00

THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS.
• (From the Newcastle Journal.)
The Wesleyan Conference in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
will this week terminate its sittings, and a brief adver-
tence to the position, which this distinguished body
occupies in the Christian world, and the influence it
has exercised, as an instrument of Divine Providence
for the human race, may not be inappropriate. A cen-
tury has now passed away since the reverend founder
of this religious community first visited the colliery
districts of Northumberland and Durham, and there
are many persons still living who remember his earnest
exhortations, fervent prayers, and meek and affection-
ate admonitions. To these individuals the proceedings
that we have recorded of the venerable body which
sprung into existence under his own ministration will
have possessed a peculiar and exciting interest.
Mighty events from small beginnings rise, and could
the Reverend John Wesley now behold the goodly
stock that has arisen up from the seed scattered during
the period of his earthly labours, since nurtured by the
influence of Heaven, and protected during the storms
and tempests that have agitated Christian communi-
ties, and impregnated the moral atmosphere with the
efluvia of Socialism, Unitarianism, and Infidelity,
what would be his feelings ? A Christian mind may
Conceive the emotion created by such a sight, but to
describe it were impossible.
As a religious body, the Wesleyan Methodists have
always considered themselves as separated from the
dissenters. They hold the same doctrines of religious
faith as the Church of England, and differ only in
some of the minor forms of public worship ; and they
hare ever shewn a willingness to co-operate with the
members of the establishment in promoting measures
of- improvement, and--in defending the interests of re-
ligion from the assaults of modern liberalism.
The influence exercised by the Wesleyan Methodists
is powerful and extensive, not only in this country, but
throughout the world. Their missionary labours have
been herculean, and it is worthy of commendation that
in no instance have the missionaries mixed themselves
up in local disputes, or placed themselves in opposition
in civil matters to the legally constituted authorities.
So much cannot be said of Baptists, Independents, and
other bodies of dissenters.

The resources of the Wesleyan Methodists are im-
mense, and the fact that upwards of three hundred
thousand pounds have been subscribed as a centenary
oblation by the various congregations will be recorded
by the Christian historian in after ages, as an example
for the imitation of posterity.

As hoary time proceeds in his unvarying course, may
he find the same spirit that now animates the Wes-
leyan community sinking deeper and spreading wider
throughout the land ; and so long as the Christian
world shall be divided by sectarian differences, may
that same spirit come in aid, as it now does, of the
Episcopal Church, as by law established. May the one
emulate the other in the good work of human ame-
lioration, opposing an impenetrable barrier against the
progress of Popery on the one hand, and the demo-
ralizing effect of political dissent upon the other. May
He, with whom a thousand years is but as yesterday,
bless and prosper his servants, the reverend dignitaries
of our holy Church, and all who, with them, labour to
promote peace and good will among men !

TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO A LADY.--The inhabitants of
the township of Blackley have lately presented a silver salver,
weighing 135 oz. to Miss Alsop, of Litchfield-hall, as a mark
of their respect, and an acknowledgment of her great bene-
volence and unceasing kindness to the poor of that township.
In the centre is engraved the following inscription :—" Pre-
sented by the inhabitants of Blackley to Miss Alsop, of Litch-
field-hall, as a mark of their grateful sense of her Christian
benevolence to the poor of Blackley, evinced especially in the
erection and endowment of a school for their benefit. 1840."
—Afaxehester Guardian.