between contending principles; munity, for in every nation, he and it was not until I became wil- that feareth God and worketh ling to waive all points of differ- righteousness is accepted with ence and return to the duties and him; but the means of grace in engagements of the church that our own church are, to me, atdifficulties began to disappear. tended with a peculiar unction; But in proportion as I have sought and whether it arise from natural to live under the practical influ- partiality, or any other cause, the ence of Christianity without refer- effect is the same. ence to peculiarity of opinion, my doubts and difficulties have vanished before the sunbeams of revelation. In attachment to your discipline I have never varied, and the more I have been led to study the nature and operations of the human mind in connexion with the blessed Being from whom its powers and capacities are derived, the more I have seen in that excellent system a clear proof of wisdom in design, and benevolence in administration. To the two distinguishing features of your ecclesiastical economy, episcopacy and itineracy, I have been decidedly attached ever since my mind became sufficiently mature to reason on subjects of general advantage; and I fully agree with our revered father Wesley, that the rules of life as prescribed in the discipline, are those "which the spirit itself writes on every awakened heart." During my long and melancholy separation I have examined the doctrines and internal economy of several distinct branches of the Christian church, and occasionally attended their ministry; and I return to your communion with a elear and rational conviction that it is the best for me. I believe it is as nearly apostolic as the condition of society will permit, and that God has owned, and still does own, its ministry with his peculiar blessing. I am far from limiting the operations of divine grace to our comVOL. VIII. June, 1825. If I know my own heart I was never more sincere than in adopting the sentiments of the New Jerusalem church, as they were first explained to me. I have no wish to enter upon these sentiments, or show you how I was led to perceive their fallacy. Such a detail might inadvertently wound the feelings of some who are sincerely attached unto that church, and would do no good. It is sufficient for me to remark briefly, that the New church claims to be founded on a new revelation or dispensation of divine truth, subsequent to the establishment of the Christian church, and in rejecting this claim the foundation is taken away and the superstructure falls. Happy am I, that in this wreck of a highly ingenious theory, I am not left to wander in the barren desert, friendless and without a home. My Father's house is not shut against a returning wanderer; and you, my dear brethren, have kindly taken me by the hand and invited me to a participation with you in all the privileges of those "who walk in the light as children of the light." I regret exceedingly that this step was deferred so long, and that it is no longer in my power to return to that portion of the church from which I withdrew. It has pleased God, in his providence, to separate me from all local attachments, and previous to my removal from the city of New30 York, I did not perceive, so clearly as I have since done, that it was my absolute and imperative duty to seek a renewal of my connexion with the Methodist Episcopal Church. I regret also, that in a letter which is already before the public there is some mention of the Wesleyan Seminary, where I was once happily and successfully employed as a teacher. I have been long convinced that I totally misapprehended the motives of the trustees of that institution, and I discharge a sacred duty when I express in this public manner my hearty conviction, that they were actuated by conscientious principles, and a regard for the religious character of the Seminary. At the time every thing was viewed through the distorted medium of prejudice; but I have long seen more clearly, and have often had occasion to recall to mind the admonition of the wise man, " Forsake not an old friend, for the new is not comparable to him." In the ardour of zealous excitement, it was impossible for me to perceive how much personal and local feeling entered into my views and influenced my decisions, nor is it easy for a mind much excited to discover the misapprehension on which this excitement depends. A more particular explanation is, perhaps, at this period, unnecessary; but I could not be quite satisfied to pass over in silence, a circumstance in which I fear too much blame has been attributed to persons, who, I am convinced, were at all times actuated by sincere attachment to the church, and by no unfriendly feelings towards myself. In making this surrender of myself to God and his church, I have felt the importance of a full and candid examination of my motives. No action of my life was ever undertaken with more deliberate scrutiny, and I have not a doubt of its propriety. It has been my fault through life to be guided too implicitly by strong and vivid feeling, but I have been convinced that we may be under the dominion of imagination and sophistry when we deem ourselves the ardent votaries of reason and truth; and, in this case, at least, my determinations have been formed only upon clear and rational conviction, and the only umpire I have admitted between contending opinions, has been the Word of God as contained in the Holy Scriptures. : Having been rationally convinced of the divine authenticity of that blessed book, and having, I trust, felt the power of its plain and simple truths in my heart, I have felt that I could safely trust to such an arbiter and I have taken these truths in their liberal and obvious meaning, because it is the obvious meaning alone which can be useful to common minds. I thence argue that this is the sense in which the Scriptures were intended to be understood. I would fain hope that no member of the Methodist church has been led by my example to substitute plausible hypothesis for the simplicity of the gospel, and it grieves me much to reflect that my imprudence may have wounded the feelings or contaminated the faith of some who loved me. To such, if any such there be, I would make the only atonement in my power, by exhorting them to adhere steadfastly to our "ancient landmarks," and be satisfied that there is enough of "good and truth" in our own church to lead us to heaven, if received with sim▾ plicity and faithfully improved. Though I avoid all collision with peculiar doctrines of the New church, it is not necessary that I should forbear to use all fair and honourable exertions to deter others from the danger I have incurred. Less than this would prove me heartless in the cause of my Master, and unworthy of a place among you. I hope, dear brethren, that these concessions, though not required by you, will be satisfactory; and that the bond of brotherly love, which you have so cheerfully recognised, will never be sundered until we are called from the church of God on earth to join the blest societies that "circle the throne rejoicing." There, if we are so happy as to meet, we shall no lon ger be subject to the fluctuations of this imperfect state, but shall be "pillars in the temple of our God, and go no more out for ever." My heart warms with the subject, and I feel, while I write, a joyous anticipation of that glory, which "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive." The energies of my feeble thought are insufficient to realize, the capacities of my mind are inadequate to describe, the joy and gratitude I feel in view of what the Lord is still doing for my soul. Separated by a mysterious Providence from all early associations, my lot is cast among those who "have felt the heart of the stranger," and I feel with the poet, that "I cannot go Where universal love smiles not around."' The same kind Providence that clothes the lily of the valley and notes the fall of the sparrow, is still mindful of me; nor was that care suspended even when I ventured into the dangerous and interminable waste of religious controversy. Thank God I was not permitted to rest in error, or to feel any true peace of mind after the discovery of that error, until it was retracted and forsaken. Surely "goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for RELIGIOUS AND MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. BALTIMORE CONFERENCE. Preachers received on trial 4. Ordained deacons 7. Located 2. Returned su Not having received the minutes of the Virginia Conference, we are not able to give any account of it. * pernumerary 2. Superannuated 9. Num bers in society last year 38,316. This year 32,316. Decreaset 6,000. This is owing to a number of circuits being set off to the Pittsburgh conference, Stations of the Preachers. BALTIMORE DISTRICT.-J. Frye, P. E. Baltimore city-Samuel Merwin, Y. T. Peyton, John Summerfield, N. Wilson. East Baltimore-John Davis, Charles B. Tippett. Baltimore eircuit-Christopher Frye, Charles A. Davis. Severn-Beverly Waugh, Samuel McPherson. Annapolis-James Smith. Calvert-Wm. Pretty man, Charles M. Smith. Prince George's -John Tanneyhill, Wm. L. Gibson. Ebenezer-Robert S. Vinton. Montgomery -Tobias Riley, Wm. H. Chapman. POTOMAC DISTRICT.-S. G. Roszell, P. E. Fredericksburgh-H. Slicer. Westmoreland-Jas. Paynter, Samuel Bryson. Lancaster-Isaac Collins, Joseph White. Stafford-Jas. Sewell, J. Chesney. Alexandria-A. Hemphill. Fairfax-Jas. Mc Cann, John Gill Watt, sup. Loudon Robert Burch, French S. Evans. Foundry -Wm. Ryland. Georgetown-Job Guest. WINCHESTER DISTRICT.-Gerard Morgan, P. E. Winchester-Wm. Hamilton, Thomas J. Dorsey. Rockingham-Wm. Munroe, John Howell. Staunton-Sam. Clark, Wm. Houston, sup. BottetourtJ. L. Bromwell, Philip D. Lipscomb. Pendleton--James Walts, Hervey Sawyers. South Branch-John Miller, N. B. Mills. Jefferson-James M. Hanson, John L. Gibbons. Munroe-Robert Barnes, Jacob B. Crist. Greenbrier-Samuel Ellis, Wm. M'Dowell. NORTHUMBERLAND DISTRICT.-M. Pierce, P. E. Bedford-Dennis B. Dorsey, J. A. Gere. Huntingdon-R. Minshall, A. Smith. Lewistown-D. Steel. Concord-J. R. Shepherd, Wm. C. Pool. Bald Eagle-J. Rhodes. Lycoming-T. M'Gee, Francis M'Cartney. Northumberland— Robert Cadden, Richard Bond. Shamoking-John Thomas. Clairfield-John Bowen. CARLISLE DISTRICT.-Daniel Hitt, P. E. Carlisle-Alfred Griffith. Carlisle circuit-Samuel Kennerly, David Stevens. York-Basil Barry. Harford-Richard Tidings, Wm. O'Lumsdon. Great Falls Jacob Larkin, Daniel Parish. Frederick circuit-Caleb Reynolds, Jos. Rowan. Chambersburgh-John Baer. Hagerstown circuit-James Reed, Charles B. Young. Alleghany-Wm. Butler, Jonathan Munroe. Berkley-Henry Smith, James Riley. Thomas Jamieson, Robert Boyd, transferred to Pittsburgh conference. R. D. Merriwether, transferred to Virginia conference. PHILADELPHIA CONFERENCE. Ordain Preachers received on trial 6. ed deacons 6. Returned supernumerary 16. Superannuated 8. Died 3. Numbers in society this year 36,655. Last year 35,810. Increase 845. Stations of the Preachers. PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT.-Joseph Lybrand, P. E. Philadelphia-St. George's -Charles Pittman, Wm. Barnes; Joseph Holdich. Union-Lewis Pease, Thos. F. Sergeant, sup. St. John's-Lawrence M'Combs. Kensington--Samuel S. Kennard, Thomas Dunn, sup. Bristol-Edward Stout, Samuel Grace. Dauphin--Henry G. King, Pharoah A. Ogden. Lancaster-Thomas Neal, Geo. Wiltshire. Chester-H. Boehm, Levin Prettyman. Wilmington-Henry White. Cecil-Thos. Miller, John Talley. Springfield and Reading-William Hunter, sup. CHESAPEAKE DISTRICT.-Jacob Moore, P. E. Newcastle-Edward Page, John Goforth, sup. Smyrna-James Smith, Walters B. Jones. Dover-Solomon Higgins, John Ludenham. Caroline John Smith, John Collins. Talbott-William Bishop, William Rider. Queen Anns and Centreville-Jas. Bateman, Jas. B. Ayres, Wm. Smith, sup. Kent-Geo. Woolley, William Allen. DELAWARE DISTRICT.-Laurence Laurenson, P. E. Cambridge-Asa Smith, Daniel Lamden. Dorchester-Lott Warfield, Levi Storks. Somerset-Charles Reed, Jos. Carey. Annamessex-Wm. Quinn, Matthew Sorin. AccomackWm. Leonard, John Henry. SnowhillDavid Dailey, William Thompson. Lewistown-Alward White, Edward Stevenson. Milford-William Torbert, James Long. WEST JERSEY DISTRICT.-Ezekiel Cooper, sup. P. E. Joseph Osborn, sup. Burlington circuit-Jacob Gruber, Wesley W. Wallace. Trenton and Bloomsbury -John Potts. Freehold-John Finley, James Moore. Newmills-Joseph Russling, Thomas Davis. Gloucester-John Woollson, Eliphalet Reed. CumberlandWm. Williams, Wm. Lummis. Bridgeton-Waters Burrows. Salem circuitSolomon Sharp, James M'Lawrin. Salem station-Thomas Ware, sup., Robert Lutton. Burlington and Camden-James Smith, sup. Mount Holly and Lumberton-Jacob Egbert, sup. Juliastown and Wright'stown-Daniel Fidler, sup. Medford and Hanover-James Campbell, sup. Tuckahoe-Nathan Swain, sup. EAST JERSEY DISTRICT.-Manning Force, P. E. Trenton circuit-John Walker, Richard W. Petherbridge. Asbury-Benj. Collins, Isaac Winner. Warren-David Bartine, Jesse Thompson. Hamburgh-George Banghart, John K. Shaw. Bergen-Bartholomew Weed, Anthony Atwood. Paterson-J. Creamer. Newark-William Thacher. Essex and NEW-YORK Preachers received on trial 11. Ordained deacons 12. Located 1. Returned supernumerary 9. Superannuated 13. Died 3. Numbers in society this year 28,848. Last year 27,195. Increase 1,653. Stations of the Preachers. NEW-YORK DISTRICT.-Laban Clark, P. E. New-York-Nathan Bangs and John Emory, book agents. J. M. Smith, principal of the Wesleyan Seminary. F. Garretson, conference missionary. Peter P. Sandford, H. Stead, William Jewett, J. Youngs, D. Devinne, H. Chase. New Rochelle Stephen Martindale, Phineas Rice; Luman Andrus, sup. StamfordNoble W. Thomas, Cyrus Foss. Cortlandt -Elijah Hebbard, Henry Hatfield, E. Woolsey, sup. Croton-Thomas Mason, Stephen Remington, R. Harris, sup. Brooklyn-Thomas Burch. Jamaica Jacob Hall, Richard Seaman. Suffolk Horace Bartlett, John W. Le Fevre. Flushing-Robert Seney. Highland mission-John B. Matthias. NEW-HAVEN DISTRICT.-Sam. Luckey, P. E. New-Haven and Hamden-Heman Bangs, John Luckey. Middletown -Ebenezer Washburn. WethersfieldJarvis Z. Nichols, Stephen L. Stillman. Hartford and Windsor-Tobias Spicer. Burlington-Samuel D. Ferguson, Elbert Osborn. Goshen-Eli Barnet, John Lovejoy. Amenia-John Reynolds. Poughkeepsie-Aaron Pearce. Dutchess-Samuel Cochran, Nicholas White, William M. Willett. Reading and Bridgeport-Marvin Richardson, Humphrey Humphries, F. W. Sizer; Aaron Hunt, sup. Stratford -Eli Denniston, Julius Field. Staten Island-David Best, William A. Wiggins. Elizabethtown--Thomas Morrell, sup., Thomas B. Sargent, NewBrunswick-Samuel Doughty. Stroudsburgh-William Colbert, sup. Thomas Burch, transferred to NewYork conference. CONFERENCE. thias; Phineas Cook, sup. ChathamCyrus Culver, Moses Amadon. Hudson -Timothy Benedict. Albany-Josiah Bowen. Hampshire mission-Parmele Chamberlin. Saratoga DistRICT.-Eben Smith, P. E. Montgomery-Henry Eames, Jacob Beeman, Charles Pomroy, Fundy's Bush -William S. Pease. Saratoga-Benj. Griffen, Wesley P. Lake; Wm. Anson, sup. Pittstown-John C. Green, Nathan Rice, William H. Norris. Schenectady Daniel Brayton. Berne-Datus Ensign, Theodosius Clark. CambridgeSamuel Howe, Elias Crawford; Andrew M'Kain, sup. Sandyhill and Glen's Falls John Clark. Warren-Roswell Kelly. Watervleit-Sherman Minor. Troy-James M. Smith. CHAMPLAIN DISTRICT.-Buel Goodsell, P. E. Ticonderoga-Salmon Stebbins. Peru--James Covel, Orin Pier. ChazyJames Quinlan, Asa Bushnell, jun. Grand Isle--Samuel Covel. St. Alban's-Phineas Doan, Lorin Clark. Sheldon-Elijah Crane. Stowe-Ibri Cannon, Philo Ferris. Burlington-Robt. Travis. Charlotte-Noah Levings, Josh. Poor. Middlebury-John B. Stratton. Brandon-Cyrus Prindle, Lucius Baldwin. Whitehall-Seymour Landon, Dillon Stevens, Wm. Todd. Bridport--Hiram Meeker. HUDSON RIVER DISTRICT.-Daniel Ostrander, P. E. Coeymans--Coles Carpenter, Gilbert Lyon. Durham-Jesse Hunt, Ira Ferris. Jefferson-Daniel I. Wright, John Wait. Delaware--Cyrus Silliman, Bezaleel Howe; John Bangs, sup. Kingston-David Lewis, Friend W. Smith. Sullivan-Quartus Stewart, Elisha AnRHINEBECK DISTRICT.-Arnold Schole- drews. Bloomingburgh-John Kenneday. field, P. E. Rhinebeck-George Coles. New Windsor-Noah Bigelow, Harvey Salisbury-David Miller, Saml. Eighmey. De Wolfe; Zalmon Lyon, sup. Newburgh Granville-Smith Dayton, Peter C. Oak---John D. Moriarty. New Paltz-Bradley. Leyden-John Nixon, Alexander ley Sillick. Hulin. Petersburgh-Friend Draper. Pittsfield-Gershom Pierce, John I. Mat Lewis Pease transferred to the Philadelphia conference. ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF GOD IN BRIDGETOWN, N. J. Letter from the REV. CHARLES PITTMAN, dated Bridgetown, March 29, 1825. To me the Magazine is generally both pleasing and profitable; but I am particularly delighted with its frequent and heart-cheering accounts of revivals of religion. These are always to my drooping spirits as good news from |