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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 175, 27 July 1870, Page 2

Methodism.— Dr. Jacoby makes the following remarks in reference tp ; Methodism in different parts of the world :— There are nearly three and a half millions of members entered . in the church books, and more than three and a half millions of children' under : the superintendence of the Methodists. As, . however, only those are reckoned as members whose names are registered, "while, on the other hand, whole families belong to Methodism of -whom perhaps the man only or the wife has joined the Church, the religious influence of Methodism cannot . be fixed by numbers. Whoever considers, nevertheless, that the Methodist Church was first established in 1739, and has already proved itself a blessing in all parts, miist own when he Impartially judges, that it has been an instrument in the hands of God to accomplish great things in the world. In Oxford the foundation was laid ; in London the work commenced in the Foundry ; it spread to Bristol and the colliers in Kingrswood, where, by the power ' of the pospel, lions were changed into lambs, and Methodism itself won the respect of its opponents, Iti England it progressed from place to place. Tc the poor and priest-ridden Irish it brought the liberty of the gospel. . Scarcely established in its native country, it is caaried to the American colonies, where itquickly grows to a giant tree which overtops all others. To the poor, negroes of the West Indies it brought first spiritual free' dom, and then contributed towards the unloosing of the chains of slavery. . Also to the heathen ii has brongtit the gbspei of Christ, and thousands lipon thousands in! Various languages : praise God with all their brethren*in afferent lands with the same words which John and Charles Wesley composed tothe glory of God: and iollffw the "General Kules" ! which John W esley gathered from the word of- God for his small society for the. rules of. their conduct, By the grace of God Methodism has done much towards building up the kingdom of God, .