9 FORMS OF CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION AB- was duly elected by the Electoral College of the M- 18 a ministerial representative to the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, to sit in the city of P Secretary. day of on the 18 day of H Chairman. E F, was duly elected by the Electoral College of the M District, held on this day of 18 a lay-repre sentative to the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, to sit city, on the in day of G - H 18 Chairman. PS Secretary. Form of a Marriage Register, to be kept by the Quarterly Conferences. Form of a Register of Baptism, to be kept by the Quarterly Conferences. TO THE MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. Beloved brethren, it is matter of unspeakable joy and gratitude, that, under the control and blessing of Almighty God, the deliberations of our convention have been brought to so favourable an issue. We are now sacredly confederated in virtue of an instrument, which has been the result of much intense and candid reflection and discussion; and which is based, we humbly trust, on the clearest principles of the natural and religious rights of man. Our moral regulations have also been carefully and studiously framed in view of the precepts and authority of the sacred canon, and will be found, we hope, to be sustained by that high sanction. All ecclesiastical regulations and discipline should definitively have for their object the improvement of man in virtue and happiness. Such, we are informed, is positively the design of the inspired writings, "that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." It is clear from the doctrine of the holy scriptures, that divine truth is not only intended for the purposes of illumination and conviction, but also for spiritual influence anc sanctification; and that the nature and sincerity of faith must ever be tested by an affectionate and holy obedience. If ye love me, says our Saviour, keep my commandments. This prin ciple, which is never questioned in regard to the positive precepts of revelation, certainly ope rates with proportionate authority and reason in all those rules of moral and religious conduct, which, although not literally and explicitly prescribed in the gospel, are notwithstanding to be inferred from it by a fair and obvious construction. We now allude to those plain and rea sonable duties of religion which we have thougn proper to denominate means of grace, which we have connected as such in our church ritual with others of divine and positive institution, and the observance of all which would no doub greatly contribute to our growth and improve ment in christian knowledge and excellence. The character of a good man consists esser. tially of good and upright principles, and that character can be known and appreciated only by the virtues which unfold and display it. For us then to be esteemed true believers, we must have and cultivate the genuine faith of the gos pel, and to merit justly the distinguishing name of the disciples of Christ, it doubtless becomes us to exemplify the spirit and temper of his holy religion. As christians it plainly behooves us to be sound in the pure doctrines of Christianity, steadfast in the faith which was once delivered to the saints, careful and instructive in example and deportment, diligent in improving all the means of spiritual attainment, watchful and solicitous for the welfare of our brethren, and zealous to promote and extend in every possible manner the cause and glory o the Redeemer. All these high objects and incite ments seem measurably at least presented and secured to us by the labours of the convention, Let us now, for a moment, bestow a serious thought upon the daily and uniform example, which, as the followers of Christ, and the members of our highly favoured fellowship, it is providentially made our duty and glory to disFlay, whilst we more particularly consider the great practical utility of those means of grace which have been so wisely and happily adopted |