does not at all seem necessary, there being a sufficiency of preachers whom God has accredited, to supply all the places in our connexion, with regular preaching. But if any woman among us think she has an extraordinary call from God to speak in public, (and we are sure it must be an extraordinary call that can authorise it), we are of opinion she should, in general, address her own sex, and those only." &c.*

An Expostulatory Address to the Members of the Methodist Societies in Ireland, by Mr. John Walker, of Dublin, which first appeared, I believe, in 1802, is said to have produced no small sensations among the Methodists; and no doubt it contains many things not unworthy of their attention. Among other things connected with the Methodism of the present day, which Mr. W. notices and disapproves, are their eagerness to add to the numbers of their society, without duly regarding the religious character of those whom they receive into it ;-and, their "idolatrous attachment to men, and submission to human authority in matters of religion." He next animadverts upon several points of doctrine and discipline, as held and practised by them, such as-Justification-Sanctification-Christian Perfection-Class Meetings-Love Feasts, &c.

* And I am "sure it must be an extraordinary" stretch of authority that can authorise the publication of such a decison in the face of-1 Cor. xiv. v. 34-1 Tim. ii. v. 11, 12, and some other texts-See some remarks on it, and the grounds of it, in the Christian Observer, for Sept. 1803, p. 571.

An edition of this Address, was published at Edinburgh, in 1807, together with a Series of Letters subjoined to it, addressed to Alexander Knox, Esq. who had made some remarks on the author's Expostulatory Address.-See also Dr. Hales's Methodism inspected.*

In the year 1739, Mr. Wesley instituted a school at Kingswood, about three miles from Bristol, for the Colliers' children. This is still continued, and it is supported by the subscriptions of that society; but in 1794, it was wholly set apart for the education of the preachers' children.

The members of this denomination in the United States, where they have superintendents, elders, &c. style themselves, The United Societies of the Methodist Episcopal Church.-They profess themselves to be "a company of men having the form, and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love; that they may help each other to work out their salvation."+

* An Answer to Mr. W.'s Address was also published by Mr. William West, an Itinerant Preacher, entitled, A Friendly Address to the Members of the Methodist Society in Scot land, occasioned by Mr. Walker's Expostulatory Address, &c. And Dr. Hales's work, together with the review of it in the Christian Observer, was answered by Mr. Benson, in his Inspector of Methodism Inspected, and the Christian Observer Observed, 8vo. 1803.

† Mr. Fuller's edition of Hannah Adams's View, 12mo. p. 458.

This

The following extract from a circular letter lately sent by Dr. Coke, General Superintendent of all the Methodist missions, to the preachers in that connexion, will be serving the purpose for which that letter was written, and will no doubt afford pleasure to many readers of every denomination. It is dated London, 28th April, 1809, and informs them, "That on Wednesday last, his Majesty in Council was graciously pleased to disavow (or repeal) the dreadful persecuting law, passed in Jamaica, last December twelvemonth. By that law about four or five hundred thousand of the human race were debarred from all means of instruction; among whom were about thirteen or fourteen hundred of our own society. fresh instance of the liberal and tolerating spirit of our Government should, if it be possible, still more attach us to our good King and his GovernFor about six months in this year and the last, I have been labouring in this business; and, praised be God, the event has been most happy. Be pleased to inform all your congregations of this blessed interference of our King and his Government, in behalf of our society at large, and of the poor Negroes in the island of Jamaica. The Lords of Council expect that all our hearers, as well as all the members of our society, shall be as soon as possible informed of this affair, that all painful impressions on this subject may be removed from their minds and they deserve this, and much more at our hands."

ment.

The Methodists here, I am told, (and elsewhere I can readily believe) have received this piece of

information with much satisfaction; and they seem to feel a very grateful sense of his Majesty's condescension and gracious interference in this instance, and to express the warmest attachment to his person and government.

In this case, as it will doubtless be found in every other, religion and sound policy go hand in hand; and while the British Sovereign and Council continue to pursue the same line of conduct towards those who dissent from the established worship and forms, they will never want their prayers in their behalf, nor yet their purses, nor even their personal services in times of need like the present.*

It may also be remarked here, that, to prevent the enacting of any such law as that of the Jamaica legislature, thus happily repealed, in the same or other islands, his Majesty has graciously issued a general instruction to the West Indian Governors, "requiring and commanding them, that they should not, on any pretence whatever, give their assent to any law passed concerning religion, until they shall have first transmitted the draught of the bill to his Majesty, and shall have received his pleasure respecting it; unless they take care, in the passing such a law, that a clause be inserted, suspending its execution, until the pleasure of his Majesty shall have been signified upon it."

METHODIST NEW CONNEXION,*

OR

NEW ITINERANCY.

-

DATE AND GROUNDS OF THE SEPARATION.Mr. Wesley professed a strong attachment to the Church of England, and exhorted the societies under his care to attend her service, and receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper from the regular clergy. But in the latter part of his life, he thought proper to assume the Episcopal office, so as to consecrate some to the office of Bishops and ordain several priests for America and Scotland;†

*The above is the name which stands on the title page of the Minutes (of conference, or) of Conversations between Preachers and Delegates in this Connexion, held in Hanley, May 1806. But Mr. Myles remarks, that William Thom, Stephen Eversfield, and Alexander Cummin, who first separated from their brethren, and joined Alexander Kilham, made a schism under the name of the New Itinerancy.

+ Such irregular proceedings in one who had all along professed a warm attachment to the Church of Eng