The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1835-08-07 00:00:00

THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

On Sunday the 26th ult., the pulpits of the different Wes-
leyan Chapels in Sheffield and immediate neighbourhood, as
wet? as six or eight out of door stations,. were occupied..bY
preachers from a distance; there have likewise been services
at five o'clock in the mornings and ut seven in the- evenings-
On Monday and Tuesday, various committees sat, including
that for the management of the Society's Foreign Missions
the importance of maintaining, and if possible argumetiting
the efficiency of operations in different remote parts of the
world. was Cargely dwelt upon; and while perfect cordialitY
prevailed in the survey and discussion of plans, a spirit of li-
berality no- less signal characterised the proceetlingsseveral
individuals present came forward with pledges of increased
pecuniary support—in two or three instances to a large amount-
It was at the same, time resolved to send out not fewer than
thirty-five missionaries to distant stations in addition to those
already located. On Wednesday morning, at-six'o'clock, the
Conference formally assembled in Carver-street Chapel, to fill
up vacancies occasioned by death or otherwise in what is termed
the " legal hundred,"—Dr. Warren, who had previously arrived
at Broom-lodge; the residence of James Diximi, Esq. (a 'mem-
her of the Methodist New Connexion) being taken at that hour
in the carriage of the last named gentleman. At eight o'clock,
there was a public prayer meeting in the Chapel, which was
well attended; the Rey. Messrs. Entwistle, Lessee, Atherton,
and Wall engaging in the devotional exercises. In the fore-
noon, the election of officers took place, the Rev. R. Reece,
who has been three years stationed in this town, being appointed
President, by a majority of 121 "voles; and the Rev. R. Newtoo,
Secretary, wit hqissistauls allowed on account of the state of his
health, which, however, we are glad to learn, continues .te
improve. The venerable President on taking the Chair, re"
marked, that having served the Connexion to the best of his
ability for 48 Years, he appeared in that place unexpectedly to
himself, as he had received no intimation of the intention of late
brethren until of comparatively recent period. For some years
past he had determined to withdraw from the more public
duties which the Connexion devolved upon some of its ineor
tiers, into the quiet performance of his pastoral cares, and to
prepare himself for that departure from this wqrld, which at hie
time of life could not be far distant ; aintldifis after having
-endeavonred to serve his generation according to the wilt of
God, sink quietly into the grave. This determination, however,
was altered by the events of last Conference ; and he felt called
upon as an old preacher-to come forward once again in defence
of those principles which he had always loved, and in the
maintenance of which his voice bad been, often heard, and in
deprecation of measures the tendency of which was to uproot
system which had formed some of the best characters of _their
day and generation. To use a figure which had been frequent-11,r
adopted—he still loved the old ship; she had now upwards de;
•niilliom passengers on -board—hundreds 'of thousands she WO
landed safely at the haven of .eternal happiness. , He had ne
fears of the storms and the tempests to be encountered on the
voyage; the vessel had weathered many, and the "Pilot of the
Galilean lake" was still at the halm : the vessel was yet sea-
worthy ; and although there might be a little discOrd among the
peaeetagers and something 'like mutiny aruanwilie. crew, sile,
would, he 'doubted not, perform her voyage in safety—would
land at the desired port, if found faithful.
The venerable' 13resident spoke with great energy and feel"
ing; he seemed-as if inspired with the spirit of his office, and
" his youth was renewed as the eagle's." The whole of hid con'
duct in the Chair has been marked by a vigorous judginent,
great calmness and impartiality, and it is the general opinion
that he is the very man to preside over the deliberations of big
brethren at this important period.
We nudes stand t oat t linty Preachers, including Missionaries,
have died dm ing the past year; that the members in Connexion
have increased, although the precise amount is not yet known.
Preachers on trial were next announce?! as usual, and questiobe
relative to character considered.
On Thursday morning, the important case of Dr. Warreu
came on for consideration : some time was taken up in in*",
liminary arrangements,, and in discussing the D.ictor's right 0'
apprehe al from
Conference th e Manchester
decided
that
p DistrictDr. Warren
arMeeting.ren
had forfeited lb e
right of appeal. Ist. Because be had not given any notice el,
appeal, as is usual in such cases; 2d. Because he had appealed
in the interim to the law of the land, and to the public at large;
3d. Because his conduct subsequently to his suspension had beef'
disorderly. and agitating, and consequently unrnethodistica't
The principle being thus recognised, the indulgence of appeat
was granted, and the whole affair agreed to he entered into, 1.10"
all formalities and technicalities waved on both sides.
We are informed that proofs of contumacy in refusing to be
tried. by the District Meeting—of slander of his Brethren—aw,
l
of injuriously agitating the Connexion, were abundantly 11"-
duced, to which Dr. Warren replied in what was considered at
irregular and evasive. manner, quoting a- paragraph front the
last edition of his pamphlet expressive of his determined hes'
tility to the Connexion; at the same time confessing that t/3.`'
refusal of the President at the last Conference to listen to I°4
dispute with Doctor Bunting was the turning point of-bis COS
duct. toward the Connexion ; and that from that moment, am"
not before, he bad resolved to oppose the body. It was shower
that the refusal of the President to hear him, was only on
ground of order; personal allusions being irrelevant to ""'
business then in hand. The case, however, might have bee?
entered into when Mr. Bunting's name was read; and even all
though opportunity had been allowed to pass. yet the persona
charge should be introduced if Dr. We: ren wished it.
After a ,long and patier4 hearing, the suspension of 1:3":i
Warren, by the Manchester Distiict Meeting, was confirtne
li.v the Conference, with only one dissentient voice. 91.°
Warren retired thanking the president most sincerely for tll
very kind and impartial manner in which he had been treated
by the chair throughout the whole of his trial. We understaar
that up to this time the Conference has been distinguished O.
unanimity of sentiment, and the greatest harmony of feeling;
BATI;RDAY.—'Phis morning the Conference baying assemn.a
at the usual hour the different members addressed the meetin
on Dr. Warren's case, and we understand several power!,
speeches were made ; after which, in conformity with the fif,
ceding resolution gentirming the proceedings of the Manchestsv
District Meeting, the Conference, who had on a previwas
heard Dr. Warren at great lengtk in bis defence, and 1:"