to 250 in others, a circulation of twenty thousand will be secured.

Yours affectionately,

WILLIAM COOKE, Editor, &c. 3, Albany Crescent, Albany Road, London, March 2nd, 1850.

P.S.-The sale of the Large Magazine continues to increase, but we are yet able to supply a further demand. W. C.

HALIFAX CIRCUIT. MISSIONARY SERVICES. On Sunday, Feb. 10th, sermons were preached in Salem and Hanover chapels, by the Revs. W. Ford and A. Lynn, (the deputation.) At Brighouse, Kingcross, and Ambler Thorn, sermons were also preached by the deputation, and the Revs. T. W. Ridley, S. Smith, and T. Smith. A mecting was held in Salem chapel on Monday evening, John Crossley, Esq., the mayor, in the chair. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Ford, A. Lynn; J. Pridie, J. Cockin, E. Mellor, (Independents;) S. Whitewood, (Baptist;) the ministers of the circuit, and other friends. Meetings were held at Brighouse on Tuesday, Kingcross on Wednesday, and Ambler Thorn, Thursday, and were addressed chiefly by the deputation and the ministers of the circuit. Meetings have likewise been held at Elland, Baulderclough, Northowram, and Ovenden. You will be pleased to hear that at most of these meetings the attendance was good, and the collections and subscriptions show an increase of at least £20 over last year. SAML. SMITH.

BOSTON.-On Sunday, March 3rd, two sermons of an intellectual and interesting kind were preached at our chapel, on behalf of our missions, by the Rev. T. Mills, from Nottingham. On the afternoon of the same day, the juvenile meeting was held; the next evening the public meeting took place; all went admirably. To God be all the praise.

HUDDERSFIELD CIRCUIT.-OUR MISSIONS.-On Sunday, March 3rd, sermons were preached in behalf of our missions at Huddersfield, Lindley, Berry Brow, Wellhouse, and Honley, by the Revs. C. Atkinson, S. Hulme, (the deputation,) W. Chapman, J. Orme; Messrs. E. Dyson, jun., and G. Wood.

The missionary meetings were held, on Monday, at Huddersfield, W. Willan, Esq. in the chair; Tuesday, at Berry Brow, Mr. W. Stocks in the chair; Wednesday, at Lindley, Mr. W.

Sykes in the chair; Thursday, at Wellhouse, Mr. J. Taylor in the chair. The speakers were the Revs. C. Atkinson, S. Hulme, C. J. Donald, T. Smith, T. G. Robey, D. Round, C. Y. Potts, and the ministers in the circuit.

The congregations at these services were much larger than they have been for many past years; and the collections, in some instances, amount to some pounds more than the previous

year.

The circuit is much indebted to the esteemed deputation for their very efficient services, and also to the other ministers who have kindly rendered their assistance in time of need.

J. ORME.

SUNDERLAND CIRCUIT.-MISSIONARY SERVICES.-On Lord's day, Mar. 10th, 1850, two excellent sermons were delivered at Durham, by the deputation, Rev. W. Cocker, of Newcastle; and in the afternoon, he preached at New Durham; and on Monday afternoon a missionary tea party was held, after which a public meeting. The Exhibition Room, which was engaged for the occasion, was comfortably filled. Thwaits, Esq., mayor, presided. His opening speech was highly creditable both to his piety and zeal in the good cause. The assembly was addressed by the Revs. Frazer, Flather, Cocker, and Atkinson; also by J. Love, Esq., who delivered a neat and appropriate address.

R.

Two sermons were preached at Brancepeth, on the Sabbath named above, by Mr. Lambert, and a public meeting held on the Tuesday evening. J. Love, Esq., presided, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Cocker and C. Atkinson, and a deep interest was manifested. A respectable sum was collected.

A public meeting was also held at New Durham, on the Wednesday evening. The mayor kindly consented to preside. This was, all things considered, the most exciting and productive, for our expectations were exceeded; and it was a pleasant sight to witness the scholars, one after another, presenting their cards and their money; and several teachers, especially Mrs. Love's maid, who produced a handsome sum. Indeed, we think it due to the teachers and scholars, to say they did themselves great credit by their exertions. And Mrs. Thwaits, besides contributing handsomely, had evidently been successful in inspiring her youthful charge with a missionary spirit. C. ATKINSON.

THE GORHAM CASE. The judgment of the Privy Counsel respecting this celebrated case was pronounced on Friday, the 8th of March, when it determined that the doctrine of baptismal regeneration may either be held or rejected by a minister of the Established Church. This decree defeats the persecuting designs of the Bishop of Exeter, and secures the status of Mr. Gorham and the evangelical clergy in general; but while it sanctions truth on the one side, it sanctions, by implication, grievous errors, on the other. Another argument for the separation of Church and State.

VESUVIUS. This mountain has again been the subject of an eruption which has done considerable damage. A correspondent of the "Daily News," writing from Naples, under date Feb. 12th, says: "I must not forget to inform you of the state of Vesuvius. For a week we have now enjoyed the most splendid eruption which has taken place for many years. The ashes have been carried as far, we know, as twenty miles, and, no doubt, much further. The lava descends in two streams upon Ottajano, where it has destroyed a palace and much land belonging to a nobleman of that name, and another towards Torri del Annunziata, whilst the flames and the immense masses of rock which are ejected, form, at night, a splendid and terrific spectacle. The roaring of the mountain on Saturday night last was such as to disturb the whole country for miles round, and here in Naples our windows shook with every repetition of it, which was unceasing night and day. Immense crowds, of course, walk over to the other side of the bay to get a nearer view; religious processions are moving about, for the intercession of the Madonna and the saints; and it is said that the Pope is to perform some ceremonial to cause the mountain to stay its ruinous proceedings. I am sorry to add that the accidents to those who went over have been very sad."

MEETING OF WESLEYAN DELEGATES.-On Tuesday, the 12th of March, upwards of 400 persons met in London as delegates from the circuits, to consider the present state of Methodism, and to lay down some general principles as the platform for a general reform in Methodistic polity. The following resolutions were passed.

"That this meeting cordially approves of the doctrine of John Wesley,

as laid down in his standard writing believing them to be scriptural; and the object of the delegates is to make Wesleyan Methodism more efficient, by the removal of such laws and usages as are unscriptural or unfriendly to the civil and religious interests of the body, and by rendering its constitution and laws conformable to New Testament principles. That the Wesleyan Conference has no scriptural right for constituting itself the sole legislative body of the Connexion."

"That the impropriety and evil of such assumption of power, are abundantly manifest in the oppressive character and injurious tendency of some of the enactments of Conference, so likely to irritate and destroy the peace of the Connexion, and especially the declaratory resolutions of 1835, and others which infringe upon the liberties of the people."

"That this meeting disapproves of all the regulations which prevent the members and officials from holding meetings or memorializing the Conference on any subject whatever, and is of opinion that they should be at once repealed."

"That all leaders and office bearers shall be chosen by the vote of the church, and thus the people be represented in the quarterly and other official meetings."

"That this meeting is of opinion that if the Conference be confined to the assemblage of the legally constituted 100 members who compose it, and to the exclusive discharge of the duties and requirements of the Deed Poll,' then the introduction of laymen to participate in its proceedings will be rendered unnecessary."

"That all disciplinary acts, admission and expulsion from the church, shall be determined by the leaders' meeting, subject to an appeal to the quarterly meeting, whose decision shall be final."

"That the district meeting consist of the travelling preachers stationed in the district and an equal number of lay representatives, to be chosen at the March quarterly meeting; each circuit in the district choosing as many lay representatives as there are preachers entitled to vote in that circuit."

"That the quarterly meeting consist of all the travelling and local preachers, leaders, trustees, (being members of society,) and stewards in the circuit, with power to appoint, out of their own number, secretaries or auditors."

"That the Connexional Committees shall consist equally of preachers and laymen,-the latter to be chosen by the members of the district meeting; and that the treasurers of the funds shall invariably be laymen."

"That a committee of laymen be appointed, in the first instance, by this meeting, for guarding the rights and privileges of the people, and that such committee revise the whole of the Methodistic laws, and be empowered to act in conjunction with the Conference or the Conference committee, and to agree upon and settle such a code as shall tend to promote the peace and prosperity of the Connexion; and that in future two members of committee be appointed annually by the laymen assembled in every district meeting, and that the aggregate members so chosen shall constitute a Committee for the Privileges of the People."

"That this meeting, strongly considering the acts of discipline upon the Rev. Messrs. Everett, Dunn, and Griffith, as directly opposed to the spirit and genius of British law, Methodistic usage, and the common interpretation of Scripture, which require the production of evidence before the infliction of penalty, urges that this decision be annulled; and further, that the recent disciplinary acts upon laymen, resulting from the above, be deemed null and void, as founded upon the laws so generally

condemned."

"That the superintendent preacher be the chairman at all meetings of the church; but his absence or refusal to act shall not prevent or invalidate the proceedings of such meeting. The meeting shall in such case be at full liberty to elect one of its members to that office."

"That this meeting has no hope that the people's voice can be effectually expressed through the medium of the June quarterly meetings for memorializing Conference, and therefore recommends the Wesleyan public to unite in circuit memorials, declarative of their adhesion to the principles laid down by this delegate meeting."

The next resolution appointed a committee for revising the rules and guarding the privileges of Methodism.

A deputation having been appointed to wait upon the president of the Methodist Conference, it was reported to the assembly that during the previous evening the president had been waited upon to ascertain when an interview could be obtained, but that he declined to have any such interview. After

several speeches, the following resolu tion was passed:

"That this meeting deeply deplores that the president should have declined an interview with the deputation appointed yesterday to confer with him on the present state of the Connexion, believing that such interview would have tended to promote the best interests of the Connexion.

"That the London Corresponding Committee be hereby re-appointed, to remain in office until the next meeting of delegates is held, with power to employ such assistance as they may deem necessary.

"That this meeting feels deeply the obligations under which the Reform movement is laid to the general newspaper press of the kingdom for the effective aid afforded, and the dissemination given, to the principles of Wesleyan reform, and hereby tenders its respectful and unqualified acknowledgments."

"That this meeting considers it necessary, for carrying out the objects of the delegates, and defending the principles of the people, that a common fund, to be called 'The Reform Fund,' be raised in the circuits throughout the country, and that Mr. Volckman and Mr. Childs be appointed the treasurers of the same."

"That this meeting empowers the London Committee to prepare a short declaration, embracing the principles of reform, as contained in the several resolutions passed during its sittings, and that the same be sent to the delegates for signature by the members of society, preparatory to the same being presented as a memorial, or memorials, to the approaching Conference."

"That this meeting is of opinion that the suspension of the Rev. J. Bromley is unrighteous; and that an expression of sympathy be tendered to him in his present position."

"That this meeting do now adjourn, to assemble again when notice shall be given by the London Committee."

The proceedings occupied four successive days, from Tuesday until Friday. On Thursday evening a very large meeting of the reformers was held at Exeter Hall, when the speeches on the subject of reform were very decided and energetic. What a blessing would Methodism be if all despotic elements were removed from the system! If Dr. Bunting or some other leading spirit would appear just now, as the advocate of some effective reform, he would confer on Methodism, and on the cause of Christianity in general, an invaluable blessing.