absolutely lost and absorbed in the nutu voluntatis Superioris sine ullo expresso præcepto.*

Nestled thus in the heart of the three kingdoms, in spite of the interdiction of the law, these zealous and devoted propagandists are extending their artful ramifications in every direction through all our dependencies, intent upon effecting the ruin of the Church of England, which they have characterized as "the greatest nuisance on the earth," and upon raising in its stead their structure of "blasphemous fables and dangerous conceits;" + not "contented with a participation of equal rights, or anything short of a superiority," and "the predominance of an intolerant religion." And thus have they abundantly realized the anticipation of the Duke of Wellington, that we shall soon see this country inundated with Jesuits;"§ although his Grace expected by his measure to prevent, and not to promote, their settle

66

ment.

This tenacity of life, obviously inherent in the order; its marvellous dexterity in self-preservation; its singleness of purpose, and concentration of effort in unwearied stratagem; and, more than all, the unscrupulous laws and remorseless execution of its projects, in equal contempt of the laws of God and man, together with the unexampled devotion of all its members, in the face of dangers and even of death; can be accounted for only by reference to the original Constitutiones Societatis Jesu. This bitter fountain of mischief is by the Jesuits themselves ascribed to their great Founder,

obediendi relictâ ; ad eum scopum vires omnes ac intentionem in Domino convertendo; ut sancta Obedientia tum in executione, tum in voluntate, tum in intellectu sit in nobis semper omni ex parte perfecta; cum magnâ celeritate, spirituali gaudio, et perseverantiâ, quicquid nobis injunctum fuerit, obeundo; omnia justa esse nobis persuadendo; omnem sententiam ac judicium nostrum contrarium CÆCA QUADAM OBEDIENTIA ABNEGANDO, et id quidem in omnibus quæ a Superiore disponuntur, ubi definiri non possit (quemadmodum dictum est) aliquod peccati genus intercedere. Et sibi quisque persuadeat, quòd qui sub Obedientiâ vivunt se ferri ac regi a Divinâ Providentiâ per Superiores suos sinere debent perinde ac si cadaver essent, quod quoquoversus ferri, et quacunque ratione tractari se sinit; vel similiter, atque senis baculus, qui, ubicunque, et quacunque in re velit eo uti, qui eum manu tenet, ei inservit. Sic enim obediens rem quamcunque Superior ad auxilium totius corporis Congregationis velit impendere, cum animi hilaritate debet exequi, ac omnino existimare, quòd eâ ratione potius, quàm re alia quavis, quam præstare possit propriam voluntatem ac judicium diversum sectando, divinæ voluntati respondebit. Constitut., parte vi., cap. i., 1.

Nullas Constitutiones...........posse obligationem ad peccatum mortale vel veniale inducere; NISI SUPERIOR EA IN NOMINE DOMINI NOSTRI JESU CHRISTI, VEL IN VIRTUTE SANCTÆ OBEDIENTIÆ JUBERET; QUOD IN REBUS, VEL PERSONIS ILLIS, IN QUIBUS JUDICABITUR, QUOD AD PARTICULAREM UNIUSCUJUSQUE, VEL AD UNIVERSALE BONUM MULTUM CONVENIET, FIERI POTERIT; ET LOCO TIMORIS OFFENSE SUCCEDAT AMOR OMNIS PERFECTIONIS ET DESIDERIUM: UT MAJOR GLORIA ET LAUS CHRISTI CREATORIS, AC DOMINI NOSTRI CONSEQUATUR.—Ibid., parte vi., cap. v.

* In England there are ten Roman Catholic Colleges: St. Edmond's, Hertfordshire; St. Peter's, St. Paul's, and St. Gregory's, Somersetshire; Stonyhurst, Lancashire; St. Mary's, Staffordshire; St. Cuthbert's Ushaw, Durham; St. Lawrence's, Yorkshire; St. Edward's, near Liverpool; College of the Immaculate Conception, Leicestershire. In Scotland one, namely, St. Mary's Blains, Kincardineshire. (Catholic Directory, 1845.) How many of these institutions are under the direction of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus, our deponent doth not say.-Can Sir Robert Peel inform us ?-EDIT.

+ Article XXXI. of the Church of England. Mr. Secretary (now Sir Robert) Peel. Speech, House of Lords, April 2d, 1829.

under the immediate inspiration of the blessed Virgin; and its perusal, according to the same authority, extorted from Pope Julius III. the blasphemous eulogy, Hic est Spiritus Dei. Certainly, the consummate sagacity displayed in these enactments, forming this code of diabolism, and the specious plausibility with which its designs are concealed, cannot be contemplated but in wonder at the inspiration from an opposite source which pervades the composure, at the same time that they provoke our abhor

rence.

In these Constitutions are contained the germs and distinct rudiments of all those qualities, and all that craft, for which no other name has yet been found than Jesuitry. Herein the whole character and conduct of the fraternity are fore-shadowed and delineated with such precision, that, so long as their proceedings are regulated by its principles, the past enterprises of the order, and their future exertions, require no other elucidation than that which the volume will supply; nor will any other explanation solve the difficulties, and fathom the mysterious depths, of this formidable enemy of the Reformation.

Studiously reserved from publicity for a whole century after their adoption, a great emergency, involving in it the ruin of the order, first occasioned their disclosure in 1761, and so completely opened the eyes of Europe to their conspiring character against society at large, that the demand became irresistible for the suppression of a confederacy demoralized by their very rule of life, and disciplined to subtlety and all mischief. The Constitutions, thus reduced to a dead letter, soon sank into insignificance, as the tales of by-gone times, to be never again valid and effectual "to all eternity;" for so the infallible sentence fulminated from the Papal chair had pronounced.* Few, in consequence, were the copies which escaped consignment to the moles and to the bats; and of these few, the libraries of the curious became the only depositories.

But now that, in the language of Pius VII., "the Catholic world having demanded, with unanimous voice, the re-establishment of the company of Jesus, it has been conceded and granted to their most pressing petitions ;" and these abrogated Constitutions have been resuscitated, to be observed as the "rule prescribed by their great Founder;" the uncloking the wily brotherhood again is obviously a measure in no degree less imperiously called for than in the former era of their treacherous machinations. This service has been rendered by reprinting the original work, and throwing it open to more general examination in an English version, accompanied by the authentic documents of Paul III., Clement XIV., and Pius VII., respectively, for the institution, suppression, and restoration of the Society; and also by an outline of the present condition of Popery in this kingdom; to all which the public attention cannot be directed too earnestly, nor devoted with too much jealousy and scrutinizing research.

* Bull of Clement XIV.

+ Bull of Pius VII.

+ Idem.

3 P

VOL. I.-FOURTH SERIES.

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

I. THE IRISH CONFERENCE, 1845.

THIS Convocation of Christian Ministers was appointed to be held in the city of Cork, on Wednesday, June 25th; where it continued, by several adjournments, until it finally closed, on Thursday, July 1st, 1845. The following account will be read with interest, as furnishing a brief abstract of the proceedings of this branch of the family of Methodism at their annual assembly. The Preparatory Committees commenced their labours on Friday, June 20th. On that day the Committee for Daily Schools sat, when the Superintendent of the Wesleyan Mission-Schools gave a report of all those establishments under his care in Ireland. In the afternoon the Missionary Committee of Review assembled, when reports from the various stations in Ireland were laid before the Meeting, and numerous inquiries instituted respecting their progress during the past year. The whole of Saturday, June 21st, was occupied in considering the state of the Chapel-Fund; the contributions to which, we are happy to say, exceed those of the preceding year. On the forenoon of Monday, June 23d, the Chairmen of Districts met, to examine into the number in society, and also of emigrants: the latter appears to have been very large. The Stationing Committee sat at two o'clock on Monday afternoon, and resumed its sittings the following morning, to prepare a draft of the Stations of Preachers, to be submitted to the Conference.

On Wednesday morning the Conference commenced. The Rev. Thomas Waugh read a letter from the Rev. Jabez Bunting, D.D., stating the reason of his being unable to preside over the assembly, and appointing the Rev. John Scott as his substitute, who on this occasion was accompanied by the Rev. Dr. Newton. An unusually large number of Ministers were present. One of our Irish correspondents has kindly furnished us with the following account, which will be read with much interest :

"The absence of our highly esteemed and invaluable friend, on account of bodily indisposition, was deeply regretted, and much 'prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God' for his speedy and full restoration to health. His lack of service was ably supplied by our estimable friend, the Ex-President, who gave additional evidence of his fitness for the onerous duties which devolve upon him. His associate was the Rev. Dr. Newton; and by the united wisdom which they displayed in counsel, and the zeal and fidelity of their labours in public, rendered very efficient encouragement and aid to the interests of Methodism in Ireland. We regretted the absence also of the Rev. Dr. Alder, as Missionary Secretary, who was prevented by illness from being with us. One of the ten members which form the Irish portion of the legal Conference, (a hundred,) the Rev. James Carter, having died during the year, the Rev. John Carey was chosen, by a large majority, to fill up the vacancy: this election is recommended to the British Conference for its approval and confirmation. The Rev. William Stewart was chosen our Secretary, and the Rev. John F. Mathews Assistant-Secretary; the Rev. W. O. Croggon also attended in his official capacity, as Superintendent of the Irish Missions and Schools. Six candidates were admitted to the full exercise of the Christian ministry, having completed the usual term of probation to the satisfaction of the brethren they were solemnly set apart by the imposition of hands, as Ministers of the New Testament; and an able and lucid charge was delivered to

them by the Rev. Dr. Newton, on the nature, responsibility, duties, and encouragement of the sacred office. Five of the Ministers, during the year, have exchanged mortality for life, four of whom were on the list of Supernumerary Preachers, who had long borne the burden and heat of the day.'

6

Although there has been a decrease in the number of members under the care of the Irish Conference, owing chiefly to the many who have been obliged to emigrate from their father-land, in order to obtain and enjoy the "food that perisheth," and the unfettered exercise of Christian liberty and freedom; nevertheless, many hundreds in the course of the year have been brought to the faith of Christ, and constituted members of his church. The cause of Christian Missions has received more general attention, and the funds have met with a proportionate increase. The amount raised this year is £6,495. 4s. 9d.; which exceeds that of the preceding by a sum not less than £500. The great subject of education engaged the serious consideration of the Conference, and the following Resolution was the result:

"Q. 22. What is the judgment of the Conference respecting daily schools?

"A. The Conference continues to record its deep conviction of the duty of endeavouring to provide an efficient education in scriptural and other useful knowledge, wherever it is practicable, by the establishment of Wesleyan daily schools. The satisfactory Report of the schools already established was received with much approbation, and the Conference directs that it shall be immediately printed and circulated. The Chairmen of Districts at the May Meeting are directed to make inquiry respecting the efforts made in each Circuit in procuring funds for this object."

We rejoice to find that the brethren of the Irish Conference have not forgotten to direct the attention of the people to the scenes of the past year, in which Protestantism has been assailed and wounded in the house of her friends by the weapon of those who had promised her fealty and support. This untoward and ever-to-be deplored event will not fail to be deprecated with sorrow and distrust by every right-minded Irish Protestant. It is nothing less than the alarm of the tocsin sounding the appeal for increased vigilance and activity. How Almighty God will visit upon the people the unfaithfulness, cowardice, and hypocrisy of the professedly Protestant world, we cannot at present say. Such wretched trimming between Christ and Antichrist as that which we have witnessed among individuals in authority and power within the last few short months, would have brought upon the Jewish nation, if similarly circumstanced, the bitterest denunciations of divine vengeance and wrath from the lips of those servants of God, the Prophets. The following sentiments of this Conference have our hearty concurrence. They are addressed to the Methodist societies in

Ireland.

"There is yet one topic more to which we invite your serious and practical consideration. What plans shall be adopted to secure the prosperity of our community, and to accomplish the end of its existence in Ireland?

Let

your practices agree with your principles and with your profession. Carry out and exemplify the ever-active and aggressive character of Wesleyan Methodism. Nor should your efforts to save souls from death be confined to the Protestant community. Bring all the ameliorating influences possible to bear on the condition of the Romanist population. Cry mightily to God to open for us a great and effectual door' of access to

them. But treat them personally with kindness, that your prayers be not hindered.' By the circulation of the Scriptures and of evangelical tracts, as well as by friendly controversy, labour to show them the way of salvation.

"A professedly Protestant Government, you are aware, has recently so far forgot the character and interests of the nation as formally to propose the permanent endowment of a College for the establishment and propagation of fatal error. Now we are made to feel it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man; it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in Princes.' Ye see your calling, brethren, at this eventful and ominous period. Give yourselves to prayer,—prayer on every subject that creates anxiety or alarm. It has been well said, 'He that has the ear of God has the arm of God;' and that arm is not shortened that it cannot save Ireland from ecclesiastical despotism, from vice and wretchedAlmost all the means which human sagacity could devise to remedy the condition of this country have been employed. Now, let us try what prayer to the God of all power and might can do. To this duty we are urged by motives of Christian patriotism, as well as by the illustrious examples of David, Daniel, Jeremiah, Paul, and even the Lord Jesus Christ himself. The God of truth and love will be entreated. His Spirit shall be poured upon us from on high; the wilderness shall become a fruitful field; the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.'

ness.

II. THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST CONFERENCE, LEEDS, 1845. It is again our pleasing duty to direct the attention of our readers to the proceedings of the Annual Conference of Wesleyan Ministers, held this year in Leeds. The attendance was numerous to an unprecedented degree; and the public services connected with the occasion, while attended by vast multitudes, who crowded into the town for several days in succession, were also favoured with many and indisputable tokens of the divine presence and blessing: these are facts which lead to the pleasing conclusion that "the Lord of hosts is with us," and that the devotion and usefulness of the messengers of salvation are happily on the increase. Eminent piety is essential to the successful discharge of the duties of the ministerial office. An individual of common-place intellectual attainments and industry may perform all that is merely outwork in that duty: he may utter the words of form; discuss the doctrines of morality, and enter into some of the deepest and holiest themes of an evangelical profession; he may console the distressed, and encourage the desponding; he may also warn the wicked, and herald forth the danger of delay to those who are halting "between two opinions:" at the same time he is in a state of the veriest slavery, inasmuch as the work to which he has bound himself holds out nothing that is congenial, nothing experimental, nothing delightful and enlivening and invigorating to his soul; he realizes no spiritual success from his icy and heartless formalities; nay, were any evangelical effect to follow such a ministry, it would only place him in a situation which would be still more uncongenial and unwelcome. If a mere worldling stand up before the Most High to plead on behalf of the people, as we fear in too many instances is actually the case, where an unsanctified ministry is tolerated and winked at,—a fearful Ichabod is inscribed both on the pulpit and the pew, no reviving influence from the Holy One is felt,-no rain or dew descends upon those mountains of sterility and darkness, because the beautiful feet of the messenger of salvation that publisheth peace are not there,