Year: 1861

Blsh0p James at the EngllSn wesleyan


Conference.


A correspondent Of the Methodist writing
from the English Conference, thus refers to


the visit Of Bishop James to that body


cat one Of our sittings in the beginning
of this week your Bishop James, together
with his brother, and the Rev. Mr.. Jacoby,
were introduced into the Conference. Bis op
James made an excellent speech and a most
favorable impression, at which you who know
him will, doubtless, not be at all surprised.
He seems man both of head and heart. He
said he was there. not officially but voluntarily;
not by appointment but love. He had been
on mission to Norway and Sweden, and
found that he had time to pay us q visit, and
without much expenditure of money. For
money was gift not to be wasted it was
the love of money that was the root of all
evil and did they consider that a sixpencc
would purchase copy Of the sacred Scrip
lures that sixpence might be productive Of
more GOOD than Rothschild's fortune could
command. Being thus able without loss of
time or waste Of money to get here, he could
not deny himself the pleasure of looking on
them. His education had not been among
Methodsts, but having at the age of twenty
one become acquainted with them, and stud
led the works Of Wesley, Fletcher, Benson,
and Clarke he had long felt strong desire
to see the Conference organized by Wesley,
presided over by him, and since his death by
men worthy to be his successors. The Con-
ference consisted of men who did not spend
their time in proving by argument that they
were the successors OF the apostles, but who
can point to multitudes of Christian men
and women and say These are our epis-
ties, known and read of all men, He had
prayed for them thousands Of times, and he
now invoked upon them the Divine blessing.
The circumstances of the American Methodist
Episcopal Church since the last Conference
had been those of trial and difficulty; and it
was militant yet. Yet they had had very
great prosperity, Notwithstanding their trials.
The missionary work also prospered. The
Board had even ventured to in
crease its appropriations during the year
Since the war broke out, Qor he was sorry to
say they had war; although h some Of the Mis-
sionory Societies had lot been able to meet
their expenses, it was not so with them. They
had sent three additional Missionary laborers
TO India, three to China, ard promised to send
out others. Some blame us, but the work of
God must 90 forward; we will not STOP he
said and then turning to the Theological Tu-
tor, asked fora solution of this question:: Can
there be any presumption in our faith in God?
God had promised to do exceeding abun-
lantly above all they asked or thought and
,ould faith get outside that Their faith
not yet. They had met their drafts,
1ot with their collections but with their cred
t. They would not stop till they were
obliged end then they would do as the banks
lid in tho panic-stand by one another
When there was no dry land left to stand on,
hey would expect God to create some. The
Bishop then gave an interesting history of
your Missions in Germany and in alluding
o the probable effects of Methodism on the
Continent of Europe, he humorously remark
d. that he hoped there were no reporters
resent ea .,..u. ..... ..a..a


So, must conclude my report Of the Epis-
opal speech with two remarks made by the
Bishop in conclusion. The first was suggcs-
ed by his recent travels the second by the
Gene presented to him at the moment. Clio
ious as the centres of our Methodism are,
be greatest glory was seen at the circumler-
nee. AS far as ho had tracked the gold-hun-
er, he had found Methodism. The Metho-
ist missionary went thcre, not to seek
lace, not because they called him, but tho