METHODIST CONFERENCE.

The sixty-fifth annual conference of "settled in business." Since the confer the Wesleyan Methodists, was begun ence last met, there have been about 8000 at Bristol, on the 25th of July last, new members added to the Society. The James Wood, President, and Thomas numbers at present, are as follow: West Coke, Secretary. By the minutes of Indies, Nova Scotia, &c. 14,796. Euthis conference, we are informed, as rope, 151,145. United States, 151,590 *: usual, that the Society is still in a pros making a total of 317,531. The numperous state. Thirty-three preachers ber of chapels "building or to be built were admitted to "FULL CONNEXION," in the ensuing year," amount to 129: having travelled four years: these of five of which are to be built in or about course are allowed to marry. One hun- London. To accomplish these importdred and thirty-three still remain on ant objects, it is ordered that sixty-two trial. Seventy-five new preachers have, extra collections are to be made in difbeen admitted on trial. The total num- ferents parts of the kingdom. "Brober of travelling preachers amounts to ther Owen Davis is allowed the liberty upwards of six hundred and seventy. of making a private collection for Holy Since the last conference, eleven of the Head Chapel to the amount of 200/!!" preachers have died. The account of A committee is appointed to look out poor Joseph Bradford, of whose death for a suitable situation in Yorkshire for we gave an account in a former number, the erection of a school, on a plan siis comprized in about six lines of the milar to that at Kingswood. Several minutes. The manner by which he new regulations have been ordered: came by his death is purposely suppress among which are "a fend for thapels ;” ed; and the writer of this article has a new "Religious Tract Society, to spoken with several members of the so- be as extensive as the connexion;" and ciety, none of whom knew any thing a regulation to prevent too many stran of the melancholy end of this worthy gers being admitted to the love feasts. and pious preacher!! One preacher has been expelled; whether for immorality or for heresy does not appear; and one these things! has "desisted from travelling," having

Unitarian Christians! If there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on

UNITARIAN SOCIETY, SOUTH WALES.

N.

lowed a Welch sermon, from Mr. D. Davis of Castle Howel, Cardiganshire, from 1 John iv. 8.-on the love of God,-the greatness and universality of which he demonstrated so clearly, and exemplified with so much true pathos, that there were but few dry eyes in the whole congregation.

The sixth annual meeting of the Theo of the total extinction of sin and misery, Unitarian Society, in South Wales, and of the universal diffusion of knowwas held on Thursday the 7th of July, ledge, virtue and happiness. Next folat Gellionnen, Glamorganshire. The services of the day were introduced with prayer, and the reading of a portion of the scriptures, by Mr. Evan Llwyd of Newton. Then Mr. T. Davis of Coed-ycymmer, preached on the following exhortation of our blessed Lord "Search the scriptures." He first laid down several canons for reading the scriptures profitably, and then strongly enforced the obligations to faithfulness in the discharge of that important duty. After him, Dr. Estlin delivered in English, a very animating discourse from John xvi. 33. "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." He considered the subject in different lights; but dwelt with peculiar emphasis on it, as predictory of the final complete triumphs of pure and unadulterated Christianity- expenditures.

After divine worship was concluded, by the last speaker, all strangers were invited to partake (in the meeting-house, as there is no dwelling-house near,) of provisions that had been plentifully provided by individuals belonging to the congregation; then the Society proceeded to transact business. Several new members were added to the list of subscribers; but the yearly subscriptions are not more than equal to the annual

The Conference say, that "the numbers in the United States exceed the above account, but the documents having been mislaid, they cannot be perfectly accurate."

The following resolutions were unani- BELONGS TO THE THEO-UNITARIAN

1.

mously agreed to.

Resolved that the warm thanks of this Society be given to the Southern Unitarian Society, for their highly valued present of books, and that the secretary be requested to communicate the same.

2. That a like vote of thanks be given to the Rev. B Evans of Stockton, for a similar donation.

3. That a copy of each sort of the books published by the Society, and also a copy of each sort of books given to it, be bound and presented to the library belonging to the academy at Caermarthen.

SOCIETY IN SOUTH WALES."

5. That a parcel, consisting of as many of each of the books published by the Society as can be spared, be sent to our Welch brethren in America

6. That the thanks of the Society be given to Mr. T. Davies, Dr. Estlin, and Mr. D. Davis for their sermons, and likewise to Mr. James for his services in promoting the ends of the So ciety.

7. That Mr. I. Rowland of Swansea, be appointed Treasurer, &c. to the Society.

8. That Messrs. J. James, D. J. Rees, B. Philips, T. Davis, T. Morgan, D. Oliver, and J. Evans, be appointed committee men.

9. That the next annual meeting, be held at Rhyd-y-Park, Caermarthenshire, on the first Thursday after the 20th of June 1809, and that Mr. D. Davis of Neath, and Mr. D. Oliver of Gellionnen, be appointed to preach.

Divine worship was performed the preceding day. Mr. and Mr. T. Davis, student at the Caermarthen academy, preached, and the latter concluded the services of the day.

4. That the remainder of all books presented to the Society be divided into so many portions as there are receivers of subscriptions*, nominated by the society, in the principality; the quantity of books in every portion, to be in proportion to the number of subscriptions paid, or engaged to be paid to the treasurer, in the current year at the time of dividing them, by cach of the receivers respectively, and that the several portions of books, of which the secretary is requested to keep catalogues, be re- On Thursday, several of our Arian spectively lodged with the several re- brethren in the ministry attended, and ceivers for the time being, for the be- a wish, that they would unite with us nefit of the subscribers, in regular or in propagating those important Chrisconvenient rotation, and also for the tian doctrines which they believe in benefit of all to whom any of them may common with us, was generally express think proper to lend them. The books ed. It is sincerely hoped that a differto be considered as the property, and ence comparatively so unimportant as to be at the disposal of the Society. that about the period of the creation of The secretary is therefore desired to our common Lord, will not be a means number them and to write on the title- to prevent an union so desirable. page of each of them, "THIS BOOK Neath, 19th Sept. 1808.

T. D.

ON MORALS AND

4 COMPLETE LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS THEOLOGY IN SEPTEMBER, 1808.

Illustrations of the Four Gospels, founded on circumstances peculiar to our Lord and the Evangelists. By John Jones, 8vo. 158.

The Office of Reason in Religion. By John Clarke, D. D. minister of the first church in Boston, Massachussets, and author of the "Answer to the Question, why are you a Christian?" 12mo. 3d.

An Essay on Future Punishment. By R. Wright, 12mo. 8d.

Proceedings of the General Assembly of the General Baptist Churches, Tuesday, June 7, 1808. Gratis.

Memoirs of the Rev. Samuel Bourn, for many years one of the Pastors of the united congregations of the new meet ing, in Birmingham and of the meeting, in Coseley, with an appendix. By Jo hua Toulmin, D. D. 8vo.

A Father's advice to his Son. A Foem. By the Author of the Widower. 18mo, Is.

* Most of the receivers of subscriptions are Dissenting ministers.

A Sermon against Witchcraft, preached in the Parish Church of Great Paxton, Huntingdonshire, July 17, 1808. By Isaac Nicholson, A. M. Curate. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

The Simplicity of the Christian Doctrine. A Sermon, preached at Dudley, July 19, 1808, before the Unitarian Tract Society. By John Kentish. 12mo. Is. Errors respecting Unitarianism considered; and motives and means for the Dissemination of it stated. A Discourse, delivered at Bristol, June 22, 1808; before the Western Unitarian Tract Society. By Lant Carpenter, L.L.D. 12mo. Is.

A Sermon preached at the Free Chapel, West Street, St. Giles's, for the benefit of the African and Asiatic Society. By the Rev. W. Gurney, A. B. with an Appendix, containing an Account of the Society. IS.

The Fall of Babylon: a Sermon. By William Mosely.

Is.

Select Sermons, by Alexander Cleeve, A. B. late Vicar of Woleston, Northumberland. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Human Laws best supported by the Gospel. A Sermon, preached in the Cathedral church of St. Peter's, York, before the Hon. Sir Soulden Lawrence, Knt. one of the Justices of the Court of King's Bench, March 6, 1808. By F. Wrangham, M. A. F. R. S. 2s. 6d. Intimations and Evidences of a Future State. By Thomas Watson. 12mo. 4s. Reflections on sundry Passages of Scripture. By a Lady, 4s.

The Second Report of the Committee of the African Institution, read at the Annual Meeting, on the 25th of March, 1808; to which is added a List of Sub. scribers. Is.

An Essay on the Spirit of Christi anity; containing some new Observa tions calculated to explain and simplify the subject, and reconcile differences, &c. By Wm. Burns. 12mo.

Animadversions on the Rev. Wm. Parry's "Strictures on the Origin of Moral Evil; in which the Hypothesis of the Rev. Dr. Williams is investigated." with an Appendix, containing Strictures on the Rev. Wm. Bennet's Remarks on the same subject. By Thomas Hill. 8vo. 3s.

Thoughts on the primary condition of Intelligent Accountable Creatures. By W. Bennet. 8vo. Is. 6d.

The Legislature alarmed and the Barrister unmasked! Occasioned by Hints to the Public and the Legislature, on the Nature and Effects of Evangelical Preaching. By a Barrister. By Vigil. 8vo. Is.

A Vindication of the Nature and Effect of Evangelical Preaching. In a Letter addressed to a Barrister, occasioned by the First Part of his Hints to the Public and the Legislature; with a Postscript containing Strictures on his Second Part. By John Styles.

Dr. Hawker's Second Letter to a Barrister, occasioned by the Second Part of his Hints to the Public and the Legisla ture.

Letter to a Noble Duke on the Evidences of Christianity, 8vo. 3s.

Christ's Supremacy and his Church's Privileges defended. By a Christian. 8vo. Is.

The History of the Christian Church, from the Birth of Christ to the present time. By Joseph Sabine. 12mo. 59. 8vo. 9s.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Our Correspondent, Mr. Js, mistakes our meaning. We wish not to relain inadmissible communications-we are ready to leave them for their owners at the Printer's we only cannot engage to return them by coach, or waggon, or post, or private hand.The Glasgow Baptist has given us great pleasure by his communication, but he will not wonder that we judge it to be too incorrect, and immethodical for insertion.-W. M. P.'s paper contains some good thoughts; but as a whole it wants point.- We have received several sensible and ingenious replies to the "Churchman;" but we cannot afford room for any further answers than those in our last number. If the « Churchman" means to take any notice of them, we wish him to do it as early as convenient. The controversy must not run into our next volume.In our next will appear Dr. Franklin's notes on the opening of Essex Street Chapel, communicated by Mr. Whatley: Hylas, of Chichester," Of Right considered as founded on Power;-Primitivus, of Palgrave; Chariclo of Diss; and Mr. Howe, of Bridport, " on the Judgment the World by Jesus Christ."--Various communications are under consideration

MEMOIR OF THE LATE RICHARD HURD, D. D. BISHOP OF WORCESTER.

MR.

[Concluded from p. 463.]

R. HURD, had now passed and the same year he was ap several years on his rectory pointed "preacher to the hoof Thurcaston, where amidst his nourable Society of Lincoln's. literary pursuits, he attained, as Inn," succeeding Dr. Ashton, an intelligent friend has informed who had been the successor of us, "on unquestionable authori. Warburton. This appointment ty," the truly honourable cha he owed to the friendship of the racter of an exemplary parish- honourable Charles York, with priest." He had indeed, during whom he appears, by a passage in this period, so much secluded the Letters on Chivalry†, to have himself from the world, that a maintained a very familiar literary witty nobleman, we believe Lord intercourse. In 1767, through Chesterfield, is said to have replied the influence of his friend the to an inquiry made at court re- Bishop, he gained the arch-dea specting the author of the Dia. conry of Gloucester, and in 1768,. logues and the Commentator on he received at Cambridge, his deHorace, that he was not dead, gree of Doctor of Divinity. but buried. He was now how- In 1772, Dr. Hurd published, ever to appear again in that socic. in two volumes, "Select Works" ty which his literary accomplish. of Cowley" with a preface and ments had well qualified him to notes." The editor says of his adorn, and where the road of author in the preface, that preferment soon opened to his " every thing he wrote is either view. so good or so bad, that in all In 1765, he became assistant reason a separation should be preacher at the Rolls Chapel, made." He attributes "this

Gent. Mag. Yet all the obituaries, even that in the G. M. represent Hurd, as the immediate successor of Warburton, who resigned the preachership on his advancement to the prelacy, in 1760.

VOL. III.

Hurd's Dialogues, &c. 5th ed. iii, 214.
4 A

striking difference in the compo- ces omitted, that Hurd's Cowley sitions of the same man, whose might be complete. Of the opigenius and learning are unquesti- nions on the propriety of this seonable," to his having "generally lection, Dr. Kippis has given a followed the taste of his time, large account in his additions to which was the worst imaginable; the life of Cowley ‡. and rarely his own, which was The publications of our author naturally excellent." From this were hitherto all literary, except selection are excluded, the Da- the assize sermon in 1752. He videis, the Pindaric Odes and was now to appear in his character the Mistress. The Prose Essays, of a divine. Dr. Hurd had been which are written in a style for appointed in 1768, the preacher the age of Cowley, remarkably of a lecture, founded that year casy and unaffected, 66 are given by Bishop Warburton “ entire," and are justly declared the truth of revealed religion in to prove by the editor to "have no com- general, and of the Christian in mon merit." particular, from the completion This selection has been censur- of the prophecies in the Old and ed without sufficient reason. New Testament, which relate to Cowley himself justifies it as his the Christian church, especially editor remarks, by what he to the apostacy of Papal Rome." proposed respecting the poems The twelve sermons which comof Shakespeare, Fletcher and posed this lecture were published Jonson. That a scholar such in 1772, according to the appointas Dr. Hurd, should distinguish ment of the founder. They are enthe works of a poet according to titled "anintroduction to the study his own taste and judgment, was of the prophecies concerning the quite in character. But when Christian church and in particuhe observes that "it is enough if lar concerning the church of Papal this small collection go down to pos- Rome." terity+" as if Cowley would no lon- The author distinguishes be ger be read except in the edition of tween extraordinary coincidenHurd, this was truly warburtonian. cies or The readers of the Poet, while they wished to possess the selection which came to a third or fourth edition, were not contented with it. A third volume was soon published, containing all the pie

and the "vast variety of predicfortunate conjectures, tions which are to be found in the scriptures of the Old and New Testament a great part of them delivered with the utmost degree of minuteness and particularity."

"Author's Preface."-Hurd's Cowley, 3d. ed. i. 67. Id. Pref. p. viii. "Introduction," &c. pp. 98-106. The preacher here notices the story Biog. Brit. 2nd. ed. iv. 378-380. of "Romulus and his twelve vultures," and the verses of Seneca, which might be supposed to predict "the discoveries of Columbus." The reader may find the last noticed by the learned Spencer, in his "discourse of the vanity of vulgar prophecies," p 88. where he say that "hath been concluded the vice of God, a prophetic instinct refering to the discovery of America in these latter ages, which was indeed but the voice of a man, a rational conjecture proceeding upon a probable persuasion, that so great a part of the globe of the earth was not all sea, and so would in time be found."-See also Bacon's Essays, xxxv. Of Prophecies, ad fin.