The Methodist hymn-book had been used in the New Connection from 1797. In the year 1834 a new hymn- book was prepared and published, which was intended more as a source of profit to the Connection than as a superior book to the one .which it supplanted. This also was displaced by another and very much improved collection, including 1024 hj'mns, compiled chiefly by the Rev. Henry Piggin, and published in May, 1863. It was at that time the best collection in use in any branch of the great Methodist family. Its marked superiority soon led to the preparation of other improved and en- larged collections for the use of " the People called Methodists."
The years 1836 and 1837 were periods of unrest in many Methodist societies, owing to the trial and expul- sion of the Rev. Dr. Warren from the Wesleyan body. At Dudley and Stourbridge large numbers left the Wes- leyans and joined the New Connection, adding greatly to their influence and usefidness in those towns. An effort was made to bring all those who had left the par- ent society into union with the New Connection ; but some of the Separatists made such radical changes in the constitution a condition of joining that the New Connection decided not to make such concessions, though many changes were made. Those who did not unite with this body formed themselves into a new branch of the Methodist famih', known for some years as the Wesleyan Association. They after^vards relin- quished most of those extreme views which prevented their proposed union.
The year 1841 was a painfully memorable one to the New Connection, owing to the necessary expulsion of two of the ministers, J. Barker and W. Trotter. Joseph Barker had used his position to advocate low socialist and infidel opinions. Much mischief was done, for twen- ty-nine societies, including 4348 members, were lost to the Connection. After trying his new doctrines for some years, he found out the delusion into which he had fallen, returned to the Christian faith, and endeavored to the uttermost to undo the mischief he had done. He is said to have joined the Primitive Methodists; wrote and published his autobiography in 1869, in which he recanted all his errors; was reconciled to most of his former brethren in the New Connection ; and died in 1879 (or 1880) a penitent Christian. It was not until 1855, fourteen years afterwards, that the number of members in society reached the total at which they stood at the date of Mr. Barker's expulsion. A small work was published in 1841 entitled 77ie Beacon, and also some tracts by the Rev. W. Cooke, D.D., which pre- vented the breach becoming wider than it otherwise would have been. The Connection suffered greater losses through Mr. Barker's unfaithfulness and treach- ery than from any other cause in its whole history of over eighty years. The financial difficulties of the Con- nection became so great and oppressive that in 1842 nearly £900 were collected to lessen them, £840 more in 1843, and the Conference of that year ordered a spe- cial collection to be made through the circuit, which secured £5000 more towards the same object.
The Conference of 1837 originated a mission in Cana- da, which became a great blessing to that country. Mr. AVilliam Ridgwav. one of the leading New Connection
(WESL.) M. NEW CONNECTION 932 (WESL.) M. NEW CONNECTION
laymen, having visited tliat locality, made such repre- sentations of the claims of Canada for the Gospel that the Kcv.John Addyman became the pioneer missionary there, lie was joined two years afterwards by the Kev. Henry Only Crofts, D.l). ]\Ir. Addyman still survives, having been in the ministry forty-eight years. Dr. Crofts entered into rest in the year I^<SO. The Cana- dian mission was a success; but a few years ago, in 1875. it was united to the other branches of IMethodism in Canada, in order to make one large undivided Meth- odist Church in that dominion.
The jubilee of the New Connection was a time of great rejoicing. The Jubilee Conference was held at IManchestor, the Kev. Thomas Allin presiding. The sittings commenced June 1, 1846. The first important special business done was the final consideration and adoption of a deed-poll, which provides for the security of the property of the Connection, the preservation of its doctrines, and the continuance of its principles and discipline. By the deed-poll a legal identity is given to the Connection in the persons of twenty-four guardian representatives — twelve ministers and twelve laymen — whose names are inserted in the deed, with provisions for filling up the vacancies that will necessarily occur. The attendance of six of the guardian representatives is requisite to legalize the Conference. After its adoption, the deed-poll was executed by every member of the Conference ; and it has since been duly enrolled in the High Court of Chancery. A model trust-deed, and a form of convej'ance of freehold land for Connectional chapels, schools, and parsonages, were also decided upon ; and a book -room deed also agreed to, each of them adapted to the deed-poll.
At the end of fifty years, the number of members in the Connection was only 20,002, namely — in England, 15,610; Ireland, 932 ; Ca'nada, 3460.
It was resolved to raise a Jubilee Fund of not less than £20,000, but the result was only £7721. To- wards that fund there was raised in 1847 £2829; in 1848, £1567: in 1849, £3402. About £5100 was voted to remove chapel debts, £1300 to promote missions; and various sums were given or loaned to the Paternal Fund, the Beneficent Fund for a theological college, for aged ministers, and to lessen other financial burdens which fettered the agencies of the Church. On June 5 a jubi- lee tea-meeting was held in the Free-Trade Hall, Man- chester, which was attended by more than four thou- sand persons. Several important schemes for the ex- tension of the work, which it was hoped the fund would enable tlie Connection to undertake, could not be com- menced for want of finances. One result, however, was attained, which will be a permanent memorial. The Revs. Thomas Allin. William Cooke, Samuel Hulme, and Philip James Wright conjointly wrote a jubilee volume, which had a reasonable sale, and which chronicles much important and valuable information, both historical and biographical, relating to the Connection during the pre- vious fifty years. From that work many facts in the no- tices preceding are obtained. Baggaly's Dif/est and the Minutes of Conferences supjily the details which follow.