On probation.
1. In Great Britain 91
2. In Ireland & Irish Missions 16
3. In Foreign Missions 98
4. South African Conference 74
5. French Conference —
Total 279
Supernumeries.
1. In Great Britain 284
2. In Ireland & Irish Missions 42
3. In Foreign Missions 9
4. South African Conference 10
5. French Conference 3
Total 348
Ministers and full members in the Australian Wesleyan Methodist "Church," and in the Methodist "Church" of Canada are under their respective Conferences, and consequently are not enumerated above.
Whitaker's Almanack for 1883 gives the following statistics for Wesleyan Methodism in Great Britain. It will be seen that its figures are slightly larger than those given above.
Ministers. 2,170
Lay Preachers. 15,450
Members. 418,229
On Probation. 40,653
Chapels. 6,978
Sunday Scholars. 829,666
The finance of Wesleyan Methodism for 1880 was nearly as follows:—
Missionary Fund L138,346
Home Mission Income 34,210
Education of Minister's Children 22,036
Chapel Building 292,599
Training Candidates for Ministry 12,130
Total L499,321
During the past four years the Wesleyan Methodists have raised a
"Thanksgiving Fund" amounting to L303,600.
METHODIST ASSOCIATION. In 1834 a controversy arose among the Methodists as to the propriety of establishing a Wesleyan Theological Institution; and a minister who disapproved of such a measure, and prepared and published some remarks against it, was expelled from the Connexion. Sympathizers with him were in like manner expelled. Hence the formation of the Methodist Association, which differs from the parent Society in a few particulars of Church government. This Society is now joined with the Wesleyan Reform Association, and with the Protestant Methodists, the union being effected in 1857. The amalgamation is known by the name of "The United Methodist Free Churches." They number—
Ministers. 377
Lay Preachers. 3,134
Members. 66,297
Sunday Scholars 8,599
On Probation. 1,233
Chapels. 186,254