near, one at Calcutta, and the fourth at Bosborrrah above Hoogly. They were soon brought together; and the necessary permission having been obtained from the Magistrate of the district (at least so the Police people said who attended the Suttee,) they ascended the funeral pile, which was inclosed all around with a paling of bamboos, so as to prevent the escape of any who might be so inclined, after having once entered it. In less than one minute after the fire was lighted, the whole of them must have been suffocated; and in less than ten minutes their bodies burnt to a coal, so excessively hot was the fire. So common is the sight in this neighbourhood, that only a few hundred people collected together to see it; and these were nearly all women. It is said that twenty-two of his wives were living at his death; and it was expected that more of them would have joined the four." - The above accounts shew the effect of superstition, in hardening the heart and fostering cruel dispositions: but this extends to the daily feelings and habits of life; for they who are without affection for their relatives, cannot be expected to show any regard for their neighbours. A Missionary recently writes from Howrah, near Calcutta " You, who have never witnessed scenes such as I am daily called to see, cannot form an adequate idea of the extreme apathy of the Hindoos to the misfortunes of their fellow-creatures. Some writers have called them mild, inoffensive, and peaceable: but, alas! if ever there was a nation which needed the influences of the Gospel to establish peace and mildness among them, it is the Hindoo nation. Love, either to their gods or to man, they know nothing of. I will relate a scene I was called to witness the other evening. A small native hut had taken fire, about half a mile from where I live, and as it was to windward of the village, consisting of about twenty thatched huts, they were in great danger of being all burnt. Before I got there about five dwellings were totally consumed, and two others were on fire. It was astonishing to see the apparent and total want of sympathy in the minds of the Natives present. Though above a thousand of them were assembled from the neighbouring large village of Sulkea, not one would assist in extinguishing the flames, but seemed to enjoy the bonfire. No means were adopted to stay the flames, except by those poor wretched creatures whose huts were on fire. On my remonstrating with them, and entreating them to lend a helping hand to their neighbours, these were the answers: 'My house is not on fire'- Who will give me pay?'' What power have I over fire?' 'To be burnt will be worse than to see fire. Thus they suffered the flames to spread, until they had now consumed nearly half the place; and from one of the huts which had just taken fire a dreadful screaming and lamentation issued. On inquiry, I found it was from a poor old decrepit woman: I urged them to fly to her rescue. Oh the horrid feelings they evinced: 'She is not my mother'' She is too old to gain salt'-' Her time is come' - We shall see a suttee." I offered them bukshees (gifts) if they would go into the house with me and bring her out. The name of rupees has something of an electric charm upon them; for no sooner was this heard, than so many ran to her relief, that they could not all touch even the cot on which she lay. However the poor creature was saved (for that time;) but none but those of the low est cast dared, even for lucre's sake, to carry a sick person. The lofty Brahmins stood unconcerned spectators. With regard to the poor woman thus saved, she had been so terrified that her illness was increased; and the merciless sons she had borne conveyed her to the river side to die. There I found her, three days after, just able to speak once, but no more: she died in about half an hour-it was evident that mud had been put into her mouth. Oh, when, when shall we behold the glorious day of deliverance approach!" CHRISTIAN READER! Meditate on these things; and offer to God prayers more earnest, and to the funds, by which Missionaries are sent out, liberalities more abundant that "the day-spring from on high" may visit every part of these benighted lands, to "guide the feet" of these wretched inhabitants into the way of peace! * Religious and Missionary Intelligence. From the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine. MEETING OF THE METHODIST MINISTERS IN WALES. THE Annual Meeting of the Methodist and our finances are the reverse of Ministers of the Second Welsh District, prosperous; yet we are not discouraged, was held at Amlwch, on the 18th, &c., of for the cause is God's, and we are under May last. The REV. THOMAS WOOD, of the direction and control of wise and Liverpool, presided, agreeably to the indulgent Fathers, and of affectionate appointment of the Conference in 1823. and sympathetic Brethren, who will not In this District are comprehended fifteen suffer us to be depressed beyond meacircuits, which are occupied by twenty- sure. Although the increase in our Soeight Preachers, who regularly travel cieties this year is not equal to that of through the Principality, and exercise the last, yet we trust that the progress their ministry in the Welsh language.- of truth among us has not been less Their toils are arduous; but their past steady, effectual, and extensive. The success has been very encouraging. The number of Members belonging to our following is an extract from their Address to the British Conference, recently assembled in Leeds: Societies at present, is 6,360, exclusive of many scores who are on trial. We should not omit to mention to you our Sunday-Schools, which now amount to 178 in number, and contain upwards of 13,749 scholars. These christian Nurseries are very promising; but the want of books, owing to the scantiness of our "We have been able, by the blessing, of God, successfully to encounter many and various difficulties. We feel anxious to promote, upon a large scale, the cause of vital Christianity in the Princi- funds, is an occasion of deep and genepality of Wales. Though our path of ral regret." duty generally abounds with obstacles, WESLEYAN-METHODIST CONFERENCE IN IRELAND. THE annual Conference of the Methodist Ministers in Ireland commenced in Dublin, on Friday, the 25th of June last, and ended on the 6th of July. The Rev. HENRY MOORE, according to the appointment of the British Conference in 1823, presided, and was accompanied by the Rev. MESSRS. ROBERT NEWTON, VALENTINE WARD, and JOSEPH TAYLOR, jun. The Rev. ANDREW HAMILTON was chosen Secretary. It was found that three of the Irish Preachers had, in the course of the past year, been called from their work to their eternal reward. Two of them, MESSRS. STEELE and GRAHAM, had been employed in the labours of the very remote perio period they anticipate the disappearance of many of those obstacles to the success of their labours, of which they have had latterly to complain. A spirit of increasing unity pervades the Societies under their care; their pecuniary embarrassments are not so severe as formerly; and, above all, the Head of the Church smiles upon the labours of his servants. After supplying the vacancies which have been occasioned in the Societies by death, and other causes, and especially by emigration, which of late years has prevailed among the people of Ireland to a vast extent; there is this year a small increase, with an encouraging prospect that the work of God among them will still "spread and grow." Six young men, candidates for the itinerant ministry in Ireland, are this year admitted on trial. May they ap prove themselves able Ministers of the New Testament, and worthy co-adjutors of the excellent men with whom they are now united! Methodist itinerancy for many years, dress of the Irish Conference to the Briduring the whole of which they had com- tish Conference. The facts to which it manded, by their faithfulness and talents, the highest confidence and esteem of their Brethren. The memory of these apostolic men will long be cherished, and their loss deplored. us refers are equally true and important; own The Methodist Ministers in Ireland, from the beginning of their arduous toil, have had to contend with serious diffi"The difference of circumstances beculties, arising from the prejudices and tween your country and ours, is too apthe superstition of a large majority of parent not to be both seen and felt. In the population; and of late years espe- your country the means of active induscially, lly, they they have been called endure try are equally afforded to your imdiscouragements and privations unusu- mense population ;-our land is wasted ally great. Their prospects, however, by idleness and a want of the means of begin at length to brighten; and at no employment. You have a population to We subjoin an extract from the Ad predisposed by education and opinion to favour the Gospel; -the reverse of this feeling is fatally produced in Ireland by prejudice and superstition. You have a capital to call forth your national energies;-while the violent and untaught energies of our land are liable to the domination and misdirection of those who may be disposed to excite our jealousies or discontents. "That Methodism, in Ireland, should feel the unfavourable influence of these circumstances is natural; and hence our poverty has produced a desire for emigration, and our ranks are annually reduced; while the means of comfortable subsistence are withheld from many by the want of trade. Yet when we consider that all these circumstances are under the control of Him who is the Saviour of all men, we are still encouraged to look forward for an amelioration of our national condition, for the benefits of useful and religious education, and for the more successful ministration of the Gospel of the Son of God." WESLEYAN-METHODIST GENERAL CONFERENCE IN LEEDS. THE Eighty-first Annual Conference land. The deliberations of the Conferof the Wesleyan-Methodists commenced ence were conducted in a spirit of har on Wednesday, July 28th, in the Old mony and love, and on almost every Chapel, Leeds, and concluded on Tues- subject of discussion a remarkable unaday, August 10th. Upwards of three nimity prevailed. An immense number hundred and sixty Preachers were pre- of strangers, assembled from all parts sent, who were most kindly and hospit- of Yorkshire, and from the adjoining ably entertained at the houses of the counties, were present on the occasion; Members and Friends of the Methodist and the interest excited by the religious Society in that town and neighbourhood. services, connected with the Conference, The REV. ROBERT NEWTON was chosen appeared to be more intense than we had to the office of President, and the REV. ever previously witnessed. On the JABEZ BUNTING to that of Secretary- Lord's Days, especially, the Chapels The REV. MESSRS. CHARLES MAYNE and were crowded to excess; and in nearly JOHN STUART Wwere present as Represen- all parts of the town congregations were tatives from the late Conference in Ire- assembled in the open air to hear the confession before many witnesses," concerning their religious experience, their call to preach the Gospel, and their views of divine truth, these candidates for the Christian Ministry were publicly acknowledged as Brethren by the Conference, and commended to God in united and fervent prayer; in which the congregation joined with an intensity of feeling that will not soon be forgotten. word of life. The preaching at five edifying. After "witnessing a good o'clock in the morning was numerously attended during the whole time of the Conference; and on one occasion, at that early hour, the commodious Chapel in Albion-street was not only filled with attentive hearers, but it was also found requisite that a sermon should be delivered in the open air, for the accommodation of some hundreds of persons who could not obtain admission. May the seed of divine truth which was so freely sown in Leeds and its vicinity, during the sittings of the Conference, produce an abundant harvest to the glory and praise of God! In the course of the past year, thirteen Preachers, connected with the Britise Conference, have departed this life. Although many of these servants of the Lord Jesus were called away in the midst of their strength, and labours, and usefulness, yet the regret occasioned by their death is greatly alleviated by the reflection, that they all "died in the Lord," and therefore now enjoy the fruit of their pious labour in the blissful presence of God. The increase in the Societies under the care of the British Conference, during the past year, is, in England and Scotland, Seven Thousand, Five Hundred, and Forty-One; and in the Mission Stations, One Thousand, One Hundred, and Twenty-Nine; making, in the whole, with an increase of Eight in Ireland, Eight Thousand, Six Hundred, and SeventyEight; and furnishing a delightful proof, that the Methodist Ministers do not labour in a field concerning which God hath "commanded the clouds not to rain upon it;" but that their ministrations are still accompanied by the divine blessing. Two evenings of the Conference were, as usual, devoted to the public examination, and solemn admission into full connexion, of the young Preachers, who, having passed acceptably through their period of probation, were recommended by the District-Meetings, to which they severally belonged, as persons properly qualified for our itinerant work. Three of the Preachers thus examined had been for some years virtually in full connexion; but in consequence of their having been engaged in the duties of foreign Missions, or stationed in remote parts of the kingdom, they had never previously attended the Conference, in order that their admission into full counexion with that Body might be publicly and solemnly recognized. These services were eminently impressive and VOL. VII. 55 It is an encouraging consideration, that faithful men, furnished with suitable gifts and graces, are from time to time raised up to enter into the labours of those Ministers of Christ who fall asleep, or who are laid aside through sickness or infirmity. No less than sixty-three young men, who had been recommended by the Quarterly Meetings of the Circuits to which they belonged as private Members of Society, and as Local Preachers, and approved by the District-Meetings at which they were severally examined, were proposed to the Conference as candidates for our itinerant ministry. Several of these offered themselves for missionary work; the hardships and privations of which they are ready to encounter for Christ's sake, and for the salvation of immortal souls. Gladly would the Conference have given immediate employment to them all, had not a prudent regard to pecuniary considerations rendered such a measure impossible. Thirty-six additional Preachers, however, have, at this Conference, been taken into the work at home, in compliance with the urgent requests of various Circuits, some of which are situated in the more neglected parts of our own country. This was found to be the utmost limit to which the Conference could proceed, without exposing the Connexion again to those financial difficulties, which operated upon it so injuriously not many years ago. At the same time, the Conference felt it to be infinitely desirable, that every practicable attempt should be made to enlarge the work of God in our own country, by carrying the doctrines and the discipline of Methodism into new places; and nothing is wanting but adequate funds, to bring the influence of the Connexion to bear upon every town and hamlet in the land. The attention of the Conference was deeply interested by the report of MESSRS. REECE and HANNAH, who were appointed, twelve months ago, to attend the General Conference of the Metho 1 : dists in North-America, as the Repre- of which had been confided to Mr. Mart sentatives of their Brethren in Europe. The ability with which they executed their commission; the affectionate reception which they met with in the United States; and the account which they gave of the work of God on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, inspired general satisfaction, and called forth praise and thanksgiving to Him, in whom all the families of the earth shall be blessed. We forbear, at present, to enter into any details respecting the visit of these Brethren to America, as we hope, in a future number of our Misce}lany, to present to our readers, from the pen of one or both of them, a circumstantial narrative of their tour, with such observations as the several scenes they witnessed are calculated to suggest. The concluding days of the Conference were rendered very solemn, by the unexpected and comparatively sudden death of the REV. MILES MARTINDALE. He regularly attended the sittings of the Conference for about a week, when, early in the morning of Friday, August 6th, he became alarmingly ill; and in the following night departed this life, to the inexpressible loss of his family, and the deep regret of all who knew him. His funeral, which took place on the following Monday, was one of the most solemn and impressive we ever witnessed. His remains were brought into the Old Chapel at Leeds about twelve o'clock; and on the appearance of the coffin, the Preachers, who were assembled in Conference, simultaneously arose from their seats. The funeral service was read by the President; after which the Preachers went out of the Chapel by two and two, and preceded the corpse to the grave, around which they TINDALE during the last eight years. A proposal for celebrating, by suitable It may be proper to state, in concluding this account, that a change has taken place in the Editorship of this Magazine, and of "The Youth's Instructer." The REV. JABEZ BUNTING has retired from that office; having completed the full term of service in that department, for which he originally consented to undertake it, and which was, at that time, allowed by the Rules of our Itinerancy It is however right to add, that his valuable assistance, and that of the REV. RICHARD WATSON, are kindly promised in the general management of the Magazine; which affords some pledge to the Subscribers, that it will still be conducted upon the same principles, by which it has been hitherto formed a large circle. The family of characterized, and will be steadily dethe deceased were followed by the Sons voted to the same object:----The adof the preachers, belonging to the School vancement of evangelical truth and at Woodhouse-Grove; the government righteousness. Extract of a Letter from REV. V. R. OSBORN, dated Funday's Bush, DEAR BROTHER, As I saw in Zion's Herald of June 16, a sketch of a revival in "Tanda's Bush" (I suppose Funday's Bush was intended) among the Presbyterians, I thought it best, having frequently been requested to give a statement of the glorious work in general through this region, and then if you see fit you may send an extract to the Herald and to The first Sabbath in July 1823, I |