tributed, recitations, readings, and debates, interspersed with music. A large proportion of those who attend the meetings of the Association, and take part in its exercises, are now for the first time brought into contact with our church agencies.

"5. Our Western Mission Church

scheme moves. A subscription list

has been headed as follows:-Robert Wilkes, 200 dollars; Dickey, Neile, and Co., 200 dollars; Glover Harrison, 100 dollars. A lot has been secured on Spadina Avenue, some distance north of Queen Street. Plans and specifications of the new building have been prepared, and tenders are being received for the work. Meanwhile, Mr. Editor, we are depending on that 200 dollars' appropriation from the Conference which has been lying over for the past few years."

Our cause in London is doing well. The chapel here is the largest we have on the Mission, and every pew is let. Several souls have recently been brought to a saving knowledge of the truth. The friends are now making a most laudable effort for a new parsonage. It will soon be completed, at a cost of between two and three thousand dollars, and I expect that about four-fifths of this amount will be raised. The friends in Hamilton, after very severe trials, are awakening up to new life and vigour, and have set their hearts upon the erection of a Mission

Chapel in the west end of the city. Our Brother G. Brown has the sympathy and co-operation of the people, and I trust his zealous labours will be abundantly successful. Brother Pitcher writes hopefully about Montreal.

In a letter respecting the Laxton Mission, Brother M'Diarmid says:"Showers of blessings have descended on us here. I have been engaged in special services for nearly two months. Sometimes the heavens appeared as brass, and we were led to cry, Is Thy mercy clean gone for ever; but the prayer of faith mightily prevailed. Elijah's God descended and wrought for His own honour. Strong men wept, stouthearted sinners trembled, and believers rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Thirty persons have united with us in church fellowship. May they be kept faithful

until death, and afterwards receive a crown of life."

The following letter from Brother Holmes, in the Manvers Circuit, cannot be read without a thrill of pleasure:

I am happy in being able to state that we have just closed a series of special services in Janetville, of seven weeks' duration, which have resulted in the addition of forty-six persons to our church. From the first the indications of a successful meeting were good, and the services had not been in progress long before the penitential cries of sinners were heard mingling with the triumphant shouts of edified believers. Prayer meetings every day at three p.m. were at once begun, and by holding them at several private houses in the village and surrounding country, we believe they largely contributed to the pleasing results of the services.

"After the meeting had been in progress for about four weeks, and several in the congregation had passed from death to life, matters seemed to remain at a standstill for about a week. During that time the heavens seemed as brass, the hearts of sinners as the adamantine rock, and Satan as invincible. Hitherto victorious, some predicted that the tide was going to turn, and unbelief believed it. The faith of God's people, however, clung to the promises, and their hearts became more fervent, and their lips more eloquent in pleading for the dispersion of clouds and the advent of heavenly sunshine. Nor did they plead in vain, for in honour of our Spokesman before the throne, Heaven heard and appropriately answered in the bestowment of further victories and more abounding joys. At the end of the seven weeks-during which my esteemed colleague, Brother Smylie, nobly assisted the meeting was brought to a close; and when an opportunity was given for the new converts to unite with the church, forty-two came forward, and while standing before the altar, suitable portions of the discipline were read to them, the right hand of fellowship was publicly given to them, and after exhortation and the Lord's Supper, we commended them in prayer to the special care of God We have appointed a band meeting each Monday night for the special benefit of those recently converted

to God, to be led each night by an older member of the church.

sence

"On each Wednesday evening a general prayer meeting is held; and on each Friday evening a prayer meeting for the offering of special prayer for the prosperity of the Sabbath school. The name of every member is called over in the classroom every Sabbath, and their preor absence noted with the greatest care; and already this commendable plan is bearing its legitimate fruit, for though our membership at Janetville now numbers over eighty, only two were absent last Sabbath from the class. Four more have united with that class since the meeting closed, making forty-six in all. There are also pleasing indications of prosperity in other parts of the circuit, and four persons have recently united with us. To God be all the praise!

"We are now engaged in another meeting at Galloway's, and ask the prayers of all for further success.

"Lifford, Nov. 19th, 1870."

I hear good news from the Arran station, where, during five weeks of special service, fifty persons have been added to the church. I cannot visit the places as often as I did before we lost the valuable services of Brother Robinson as editor of the Witness, treasurer of all the funds, and general finance manager; but I shall do all that I possibly can in this way. I hope that, by the blessing of God, the year will be one of prosperity in every department of the work. WM. COCKER.

London, Dec. 1st, 1870.

"Adelaide, South Australia, "Nov. 8th, 1870.

"Through Divine mercy I am now once more in the bosom of my family. We had what is called a very pleasant voyage. The winds were very baffling for the first twentynine days; but after crossing the equator they freshened, and thence to the meridian of the Cape we made a fair run. Here, however, just off the Cape,' we got into a hard gale of wind, in which Paul's' little vessel must inevitably have gone to the bottom. It was a sublime and at the same time a terrible sight. The sea was running 'mountains high.' The scud was being cut clean from the wave crests, and swept along as blinding spray before the blast. The ship, with nothing but bare poles and ropes exposed to the wind-excepting a couple of close-reefed-topsails to make her steer-was completely covered with water from stem to stern; and as the wind roared hrough the rigging, and one big wave came olling over the ship after another, it was a

fine sight to see the captain standing alone behind the two men at the wheel, clad in his waterproof dress, and glancing, now at the terrific sea, then at the stormy sky, then at the quivering ship and her tightening topsail-braces, and then at the men watching and toiling at the wheel. He never left the deck till the storm abated. To many of our passengers the sense of danger was too great for them to appreciate the terribly sublime in the picture. Personally the sensation to me was one of delight and awe. Never till then did I think it possible so harmoniously to blend those diverse emotions. To be reeling alone on the ship's deck, holding by the end of a rope or the corner of a skylight; to feel yourself first floating up into the clouds, and then to be plunged into the depths of the sea; to hear the wind whistling through the ropes, and the waves roaring over the main-deck, and rushing into the saloon; and to see the spray from the mountain crests driven horizontally before the wind; and to feel the ship quivering every now and then like a thing of life beneath your feet, are sensations alarming or delightful, according to the circumstances of the situation. After forty-eight hours of heavy pitching and rolling, we got fairly under weigh again, and from the Cape to Adelaide we had an extraordinary run. Although seven days behind last year, when half the voyage was over, we have not only picked up all our lost time, but beaten the last voyage by nearly three days. I hope to be able to send you by next mail a detailed account of my voyages and visit to England, which, I think, may be made to have both missionary and general Connexional interest.

"I am sorry to say that I suffered again most terribly in passing through the tropics. During the first fortnight I was wonderfully well; but the moment we got into Cancer' my sufferings began, and never relaxed till we got out of Capricorn.' I had to spread a mattrass upon the cabin floor, and sit fixed between two boxes night and day during the whole of this time; but God is merciful, and that is over. I was pretty well as we ran down our easting, and but for a cold, which, in spite of my precautions, I caught from an opened skylight two days before we got here, I should have landed in fair health. As it was, I was desired not to preach on the first Sunday, as the anniversary services were being arranged for the following Sabbath.

"It was fortunate that we got away on the Thursday, as Friday's mail would have brought me a letter from Dr. Whittell, informing me that Mrs. Maughan was apparently at the point of death when the mail left. Thank God that catastrophe has been averted. She had toiled hard in getting up the bazaar, and broke down with typhoid fever on the day of opening. She has been drawn through the very portals of death, but is now getting strong again.

"J. MAUGHAN."

ST. PETER'S QUAY
(METHODIST NEW CONNEXION)
YOUNG MEN'S

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

THE annual festival of this society was held in Bethlehem Chapel, on Monday, Jan. 2nd. About 160 did

pleasing justice to the excellent creature-comforts which were provided by Mrs. Fenwick, Mrs. and the Misses Williamson, Misses Moffat, Monie, and Hiscock presiding at the trays.

Subsequently a public meeting was held. The vice-president, Mr. W. Greenwell, occupied the chair, and in a humorous manner urged the necessity of being united in effort in order to accomplish good. Spirited and useful addresses were also delivered by Mr. R. McKay, who impressively took a review of the past; Mr. R. Howliston forcibly descanted on history and the temperance cause. Mr. S. Boyd eloquently described France and England as they were eighty years ago, and as they are at present. The speaker showed that whilst France possessed military skill and power, she lacked Christian principle, which, in some measure, accounted for her present unfortunate position. Mr. T. Martin quaintly gave a few social hints; and Mr. W. Westgarth briefly alluded to practical Christianity. The report read by the secretary showed the society to be in a healthy, prosperous condition. During the past year, forty-five meetings have been held (exclusive of quarterly meetings). Sermons, Bible lessons, and essays, numbering twenty-six, have also been given, on social, political, scientific, and religious subjects, by Messrs. H. Brown, W. Greenwell, T. Martin, A. B. Gilchrist, R. McKay, R. Garrett, R. Howliston, W. Davison, S. Boyd, T. Blackett, S. Dodgson (junr.), W. Westgarth, and J. Garrett. The financial account for the past year is as follows:-Income, £20 13s. 6d.; expenditure, £20 13s. 9d.; but with the present New Year's effort being a success beyond the most sanguine expectations we have realised a nett profit of something like £2. Therefore, whilst we are grateful to God for the prosperity which has hitherto attended our labours, we anticipate doing greater and better things in the cause of knowledge and truth, by endeavouring, with

the Divine blessing, to promote peace and good-will among men. J. GARRETT, Sec.

Jan. 14th, 1871.

GARDEN STREET CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY.

NEWCASTLE CIRCUIT.

THE Congregation worshipping in the Methodist New Connexion Chapel, Garden Street, celebrated their anniversary last evening_by a tea and public meeting. The well-spread tables were presided over by Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Strother, Mrs. Bell, Mrs. Foggin, Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Maddison, Mrs. Bellas, Miss Smith, Miss Wilson, Miss Humble, and Miss Miller; while a heavily-laden Christmas tree and stall of fancy work, which was very extensively patronised by the company, was ably attended to by Mrs. Hardwicke and Miss Symington. The meeting was presided over by Mr. J. P. Robinson, who, in the course of his remarks, stated that it was the intention of the trustees to erect a school on land adjoining the chapel, and, from the promises of support which had already come in, he had little doubt but that it would be completed and ready for occupation before another Christmas came round. It was very clear that they, as Nonconformists, could not believe in denominational teaching in rate-aided schools; but, as they did believe in having the Bible read and properly taught, they should endeavour to gain their object in the Sunday-schools. At present, however, the Sabbath had to be too much devoted to teaching the rudiments of an ordinary education, and, therefore, the benefits of the new Act would have to be realized before the knowledge of children could be improved, and Sunday labour could be exclusively devoted to the inculcation of spiritual truths. Mr. Maddison then read a list of subscriptions, amounting to £79 12s. 9d., and added that, when the total was raised to £100, the trustees would have no hesi

tation in commencing to build. Addresses were subsequently delivered by the Rev. W. B. Hodge (from China), the Rev. G. Grundy, the Rev. W. Woodward, Mr. R. Kaine, Mr. E. Watson, Mr. Brown, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. J. L. Reed. -From the "Newcastle Chronicle," December 28th, 1870.

THORNE CIRCUIT.

MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARIES.

A FEW days ago we closed our missionary campaign in this circuit for another year. Sermons have been preached and meetings held at the following places:-Haxey, Epworth, Belton, Levels, Thorne, Fishlake, Eastoft, Scotter, Westwoodside, and Graiselound, with results which, on the whole, have exceeded our expectations.

Last

year we raised in this circuit, for Colonial and Foreign Missions, the noble sum of £104, which was considerably in advance of previous years. This year, it is hoped, by the time that the subscriptions and other small sums are all gathered in, we shall reach at least the sum of £100. Every place in the circuit has done well, whilst Scotter has maintained its Connexional repute by raising the handsome sum of £29 78., and Fishlake will raise nearly £15. These are examples of Christian liberality for the support of our missions deserving to be held up to the notice of the Connexion; and were the same spirit manifested throughout the Connexion, our missionary operations might forthwith be considerably extended. In these days of increasing wealth, ought not this to be realised?

The meetings themselves have been well attended, whilst their moral tone has been of a highly spiritual character. The brethren serving as deputation have had pleasure in their visits, whilst their services have been highly appreciated by the friends.

The Rev. J. Flather assisted us on the Epworth section of the circuit, the Rev. J. B. Armstrong on

the Thorne side, and the Rev. T. Smith (president of the Conference), and Rev. H. Marsden at Scotter and Westwoodside.

May the God of missions breathe upon the entire Connexion a zeal for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, such as it has been our pleasure to witness in this circuit for the last three years! MOSES COTTON. Epworth, Dec. 19th, 1870.

DEWSBURY ROAD.

LEEDS SECOND.

MY DEAR SIR,-The following information may not be uninteresting to the readers of our Magazine. Our chapel at Dewsbury Road was opened in 1862. Since that date we have been indebted to the kindness of our Hunslet Road friends for the use of their communion service. On the 21st of December, 1870, we held our accustomed leaders' meeting. After the usual business had been done, our longtried friend, Mr. R. Britton, presented the meeting with an elegant service, consisting of flagon, two cups, and two plates. The above was publicly presented to the Church on the evening of the 1st of January, 1871. The flagon bears the following inscription:"This communion service presented to the Dewsbury Road Church (Methodist New Connexion) on the 1st of January, 1871, by R. Britton, Esq."

was

In making the presentation, Mr. Britton hoped that every time the service was used the presence of the Master would be felt by the church, and that he would have the unspeakable joy of meeting the members of the church at the marriage supper of the Lamb. The leaders accepted the gift, and by a suitable resolution placed the fact on permanent record. The church, on the Sunday evening, cordially and unanimously confirmed the action of the leaders. All present responded to the prayer that this work of faith and labour of love, to which our brother had

been prompted, might be abundantly rewarded.-I am, my dear sir, yours most truly,

J. P. GOODWIN.

SOUTHPORT.

A SERIES of winter evening lectures of a popular and instructive character has been arranged for, to be delivered on alternate Wednesdays in our school-room, for the first three months of the present year. The inaugural lecture-the subject of which was Fidgety Folk "-was delivered on Wednesday, January 4th, by Dr. Thomas Bullock, of Manchester, to a highly respectable and attentive audience. The chair was very ably filled by our old and valued friend, B. Fowler, Esq. I append an extract from a notice of the lecture

in the Southport Visitor, of January 6th:

"The lecturer described, in a very clever and humorous manner, the characteristic peculiarities of certain classes of people who had, as he termed it, got the fidgets, and who were a source of endless annoyance and trouble-who were never happy themselves and who, if they could help it, would never let other people be happy either. He especially referred to fidgetyill-natured folk, fidgety principled folk, fidgety trading folk, fidgety church-worrying folk, fidgety jealous folk, fidgety dyspeptic folk, and fidgety hand-shaking folk. The peculiarities of these various classes of fidgets were very amusingly described, and the illustrations given by the lecturer showed that he had a considerable insight into human nature. It would be quite impossible to do justice to the lecture in a newspaper paragraph, and there is the less need to give a verbatim report of it, as the lecture is in type, and will be published in a few days." GEORGE PACKER.

HUNSLET CHAPEL.

LEEDS SECOND CIRCUIT.

THE twenty-fourth anniversary services of this chapel have recently

taken place. On Sunday, December 11th, the Rev. J. P. Goodwin preached in the morning, and in the evening the Rev. S. Smith. On Sunday, December 18th, the Rev. J. Poxon, of Breaston, preached morning and evening. The congregations were good, and the collections altogether amounted to £113 1s. 4d.

On Monday, Dec. 26th, and three following days, the annual bazaar Iwas held in Whitehouse Street School, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion by the Sunday-school teachers. Shortly after eleven o'clock a number of the friends assembled, and spent some time in singing and prayer. Our kind friend, Mr. Blackburn, then read a statement of accounts, showing the amount of money raised in former years, and how it has been expended. He also made a few pleasant remarks, and declared the bazaar opened. It is due to the liberality and indefatigable exertions of Mrs. Blackburn, assisted by a number of generoushearted ladies in the congregation, that the show of goods offered for sale was quite equal to that of any former year. Perhaps, everything considered, the sales were equal to what we could reasonably expect them to be; still, a few more customers would have found the ladies something more to do, and would have produced a better result. Though a large number of articles were left unsold, the proceeds of the sale amounted to £140 11s. 5d. The collections added to this sum make a total of £253 12s. 9d. S. SMITH. Hunslet, Jan. 12th, 1871.

BLYTH.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,-On Dec. 26th and two or three following days of the old year, we held our annual sale of useful and ornamental articles. The object of this yearly effort is the gradual reduction of the debt upon our beautiful chapel. That debt, I am sorry to say, is £800. This is far too much for our friends to contend with, besides