mon name among them."-Kitto's Journal.

PERSONAL EFFORT FOR THE SALVATION OF SOULS.-The godly Baxter says of himself, "I confess, to my shame, that I remember no one sin that my conscience doth so much accuse and judge me for, as for doing so little for the salvation of men's souls, and dealing no more earnestly and fervently with them for their conversion. I confess that when I am alone, and think of the case of poor, ignorant, worldly, earthly, unconverted sinners, that live not to God, nor set their hearts on the life to come, my conscience telleth me that I should

go to as many of them as I can, and tell them plainly what will become of them if they do not turn, and beseech them, with all the earnestness that I can, to come to Christ, and change their course, and make no delay. And though I have many excuses, from other business, and from disability and want of time, yet none of them all do satisfy my conscience when I consider what heaven and hell are, which will, one of them, be the end of every man's life. conscience telleth me that I should follow them with all possible earnestness night and day, and take no denial till they return to God."

My

TO THE EDITOR.

CONNEXIONAL DAY-SCHOOLS AND GoVERNMENT AID.-MR. EDITOR,-The question of Connexional day-schools is beginning to occupy a considerable share of Connexional interest. The successful efforts made to establish such schools at Longton, Manchester, Stafford, and some other places, is producing the conviction that, after all, the matter is not so impracticable as was anticipated, and the subject is likely every year to present itself before us in a still more important light. Such being the case, there is one question on which I think it would be well for us, as a religious community, seriously to ponder. I refer to the propriety or impropriety of accepting Government aid. The inducements presented to accept such aid are certainly very tempting-the aid being offered without any governmental interference, in so far as the character of the religious trusts and principles inculcated are concerned. But the question which I should like to see discussed through the medium of your pages is this: Can Dissenters with consistency and safety, under any circumstances, accept of such aid for educational purposes? Would some of your numerous staff of contributors furnish an answer to this question? I conceive it would be rendering an important service to the Connexion at this crisis, and would be gratifying to yours truly,

A NEW CONNEXIONIST.

[We should not object to a little kindhearted discussion on this matter. At the same time, we do not think that absolute uniformity of opinion will be produced on the subject. Our Confer

ence leaves the matter an open question, and such we think it ought to be.]

A COMMON FAULT.

DEAR SIR,-I wish, with your permission, for a few moments to call the attention of our members generally, through the medium of our truly valuable Magazine, to an evil habit indulged in to a great extent, chiefly by the younger members of our congregations. I refer to the practice of gathering in small groups before the doors of our sanctuaries immediately on conclusion of divine service, very much to the annoyance of those who know better, but who have too often to crush their way through the press, which is by no means agreeable. I am sure there is no need of argument to convince our junior friends of the great impropriety of such conduct, which, I think, springs solely from thoughtlessness. If our worthy ministers will but take the matter in hand, and enforce it to their respective congregations (wherever it is needful), I have no doubt but that it will have a good effect; and we shall, by this means, rid ourselves of a nuisance which is as disagreeable as it is unnecessary.-Yours respectfully, A MEMBER, J. P.

[We fear this is a very prevalent evil, and one which partakes of inconvenience as well as thoughtlessness. Surely the mind cannot be sincerely thinking about the sacred duties and obligations of worship, nor of the truths inculcated by the minister, when persons can crowd the vestibule and doorway of the house of God, and engage in miscellaneous conversation. It is time this evil was ended.]

MY DEAR BROTHER,--As we can not publish another Missionary Notice before Conference, and as the following communications, forwarded by Mr. Robinson, are too interesting to be withheld, you will oblige by finding a place for them, if possible, in the April Magazine. I remain, yours most affectionately,

T. ALLIN.
Altrincham, March 16, 1853.

In relation to the communications, Mr. R. observes, "The work of God is going on in many parts of this mission most gloriously. One of

these letters is from Sydenham, on Owen Sound, and one from Landsdown, three hundred miles distant from Sydenham; another is from Bayham, on Lake Erie; and another from our indefatigable friend Gowan, in St. Thomas Circuit. They are all cheering. The St. Thomas Chapel was closed and bolted, by a heavy debt. That debt is nearly all paid, the chapel is again in our posession, and I am going up to St. Thomas to re-open it. St. Thomas is 150 miles from Toronto, and I shall have three or four days' driving in the cold and snow to get there. However, the work must be done; though it is very hard on the constitution to endure such exposure and restlessness as I am obliged to submit to. the work goes on, and that is the best of all. Yours affectionately,

But

J. H. ROBINSON.

Sydenham Circuit, Jan. 12, 1853. DEAR BROTHER ROBINSON,-Last Friday night I closed a third protracted meeting, where we have had a very gracious revival of God's work. Our members are now increased full seventy on last year's return. In each place we try, and, after some earnest struggles, we find even more than expected success; and we expect, at least, half a hundred more, as we have yet to attack the strongest quarters.

We are to hold a meeting in the Sulivan Chapel as long as prudence may dictate, commencing a week from next Sabbath. When that closes, we purpose marching into head-quarters, to try for a resurrection of Methodism there. Already the shower begins to drop, and dry bones begin to shake. The brethren in office are all ready to turn round as I want them; indeed, in this Circuit, we are working and walking together. This will doubtless be a year long to be remembered; and we all hope the future will be as the past months, and more abundant still. On the whole, we are greatly indebted to our merciful God, to whom, through Christ, be all the glory now and ever. Amen.

With due respect and kind wishes,
I am yours, &c. &c.,

J. BASKERVILLE.

Bayham, Jan. 14, 1853.

DEAR BROTHER,-I received your letter on the thirteenth of this month. You requested me to give you some information about my Circuit. No doubt you will be pleased to hear that God has been pouring out his Spirit upon us in an unusual manner. Glory be to Him for what he has done for us! My Cirouit has never been in so prosperous a state before, since it became a Circuit. I commenced a protracted meeting, Oct. 27, in the Beels Settlement, and do not remember ever witnessing greater displays of God's power and glory. Sinners were slain on every side, and the work continued during six weeks. I tried to preach the word of the Lord Jesus Christ to the people forty nights, and had some help from a Baptist minister. In that meeting there were about seventy-five conversions; seventyone have united with us, and they are still going on and increasing. They are now engaged in building a chapel, which we intend to have opened before Conference. I am now in the midst of a revival, which has been going on for two weeks. Last night we had a glorious time. There were seventeen found earnestly inquiring what they must do to be saved. The work is only begun. Oh, may God give us a great ingathering

in the place! The rest of my Circuit is doing very well.-Yours,

ELIAS WILLIAMS.

Rev. J. H. Robinson.

Feb. 4th, 1853. REV. AND DEAR SIR,-I believe if ever I felt the presence of God, it was last Sabbath-day. I preached three times, and travelled twenty-one miles. At the ten o'clock appointment, the place was so filled that the people could not get seats. The heavens rained down fatness. The whole congregation were bathed in tears. Under the sermon, three backsliders were reclaimed; and at the conclusion, fourteen joined the Church. I have seen five weeks spent in protracted meetings in different places, without accomplishing as much as God has done for us in this one meeting. To his blessed name be all the praise. Amen, and Amen.

We held our third quarterly meeting on the 22nd and 23rd of January. By an examination of our quarterly schedule, I find that, after deducting deaths, removals, and expulsions, we have an increase of thirty-one members; and I am thankful that I am able to add to the above number thirty-four who have joined our ranks since the quarter-day. I have got more than one hundred dollars signed in the village of Delaware-a place destined to become one of the largest manufacturing towns in the province-for the purpose of building us a chapel there; and also a lot of land gratuitously given, upon which to erect it. This village is to be the general railroad depôt. It also has one of the largest and best water-powers in any part of Western Canada, and is surrounded by a most splendid land-country. These, together with other advantages that it possesses, will yet make it an immense and wealthy manufacturing town. Village-lots that were offered for sale there one month ago for twenty-five dollars, have, since they got the railroad depôt, been sold for fifty pounds. There is but one church in the village, and it belongs to the Church of England. I believe God will establish us in this prospectively-important place. Your letter greatly cheered me, and also much comforted many of our most intelligent and pious friends here, all of whom are sincerely desirous of seeing you on the 10th of March.-I remain, your fellowlabourer in the blessed work of God, N. C. GOWAN.

Rev. J. H. Robinson,
General Superintendent.

Lansdown, Jan. 24, 1853.

DEAR BROTHER,-When we came upon this Circuit, almost every part was agitated; the seeds of disunion were deeply sown. Now and then they spring up to our injury and discomfort, but, thank God, not to our destruction; and we sincerely hope that the worst of our troubles in this respect are over. In the River Settlement, our brethren and friends have just completed a very commodious chapel, and which is deeded to our Connexion. In Moor's Settlement, our place of worship was accidentally burned down last winter; but we have, thank God, the walls of a good building erected, and hope very soon to have it fit for divine service.

Brother Warren and myself held protracted meetings in Cliff's and Robinson's school-houses, during November and nearly the whole of December. The power of God followed the word spoken, and thirty-six persons joined the Church. During those meetings we were very much annoyed by a band of young men, boys, and young women, who did almost everything they could to disturb the worship of Almighty God. Many strongly urged us to employ legal means; but, declining to do this, we had the unspeakable pleasure of seeing some of these enemies brought with weeping and trembling to the anxious seat, and hearing their cries for mercy, and their rejoicing in the pardoning love of God. These very young persons have since been the principal agents in conducting a prayer-meeting every night for more than three weeks past. Last night I was by chance at their prayermeeting, when their holy fervour and eloquence in devotion were astonishing. Truly we may say, What has God wrought!

I cannot close without relating one instance of the power of divine grace in the case of a backslider who, in his young days, had enjoyed much of the sweets of religion, but, alas! had fallen from that happiness to seek his bliss in the pleasures of wickedness; but he found the promised happiness to be perfect misery. When I conversed with him, 1 found him in perfect despair. He would not attend the means of grace or read the Word of God. That word seemed to sink him deeper in misery, as he fancied that nothing but judgment was to be found there for him. When I conversed with him, I endeavoured to convince him that he had not been guilty of the unpardonable sin, and that yet there was hope. From that hour his mind

U

seemed to gather encouragement; he was induced to attend our meetings and come to the anxious seat. The Sun of Righteousness once more shone upon his heart; the Egyptian darkness was driven back; his soul was filled with praise; and, to use his own language, he is "swimming in happiness." Is not this a brand plucked from the burning?

Brother Warren, though weak in body, toiled incessantly at these meetings; and I trust, when our bodies are in the silent grave, the result of our labours will yet be seen.—I remain, yours, &c. JOHN SHILTON.

CONTEMPLATED MISSION TO

AUSTRALIA

MR. EDITOR,-Your correspondent X. is right in assuming that I wish a missionary to be sent to Australia, but he is mistaken in concluding that I desire this without due regard to the claims of our Home Mission. For years I have been the advocate of our Home Mission; and perhaps no one has said and written more than I have respecting it. My zeal for this object knows no abatement; and my present conviction is, that we ought, at the next Conference, to send a missionary to Wakefield, where we have the nucleus of a cause, and to one or two other places where we have no interest, not forgetting a grant towards the erection of a chapel at Bristol. The money requisite for sending a missionary to Australia should be raised by a special effort. The Missionary Committee have already resolved to recommend the Conference to send another missionary to the south or the west of Ireland, and to grant the Canadian Mission the £50 requested to assist in building chapels. In addition to the sums I mentioned in the Magazine for March, a lady in Hull has given me ten shillings towards the £50. Doubtless, Australia ought to support the missionary in due time; but we must send the individual, and he must collect a Church, before this can be done. It should, also, not be forgotten that Canada is in a flourishing state, and might make still greater efforts in its own behalf. One thing is certain, if

all our Circuits co-operate in raising the income of the Mission Fund to £3000, we shall be able largely to extend our borders both at home and abroad. I remain, yours affectionately, P. J. WRIGHT. Leeds, April 5, 1853.

MISSION ANNIVERSARIES. SHEFFIELD SOUTH.-The annual services in this Circuit in aid of our Missions were held on Easter Sunday, and three days ensuing. Sermons were preached on the Sabbath in South-street and Talbot-street Chapels, by the Revs. H. O. Crofts, D.D., and B. Turnock; and at Birley Carr, by the Rev. J. Medicraft.

On Monday evening, a public meeting was held in South-street Chapel. The chair was occupied by our eloquent and faithful friend Mr. Reed. The Revs. H. O. Crofts, B. Turnock (the deputation), T. Mills, E. Wright, J. Medicraft, J. Flather, and Mr. Coe, addressed the meeting.

On Tuesday evening, a meeting was held in Talbot-street Chapel, when the chair was taken by our worthy Circuit steward, Mr. T. Firth; and the audience was addressed by the deputation, the ministers of the Circuit, and Mr. Reed.

On Wednesday evening, a meeting was held at Birley Carr, when our indefatigable friend of Missions, Mr. H. Crookes, was chairman; and addresses were delivered by the Rev. H. O. Crofts and the Circuit ministers.

An enthusiastic interest in our Missions was evineed by an unusually large attendance at each meeting, and by collections considerably in advance of any preceding year. The visit of the deputation was most cordially appreciated. As the result, a project has been commenced here for a vigorous effort in behalf of our Canadian Mission, worthy of the Circuit that originated and completed from its own resources, excepting one subscription of £5, the munificent contribution to the widow of the Rev. W. Burrows. If the Connexion be prepared to respond to this proposal, to place the Canadian Mission on a proper basis, it will gladden the heart of that The apostolic band of missionaries.

chairman, deputation, ministers from the North Circuit, and my colleague, aided in making this missionary anniversary a season upon which the memory lingers with delight. Sheffield.

J. FLATHER.

TRURO CIRCUIT.-On Sunday, the 13th of March, very appropriate and profitable sermons were preached in our chapels at Truro and St. Agnes, by the Revs. J. Wilson, of Bristol (the deputation), R. Panks (Independent), and J. R. Endean (Baptist).

On the following Monday and Tuesday, public missionary meetings were held at the above places, when suitable and interesting addresses were delivered by Messrs. Wilson, of Bristol, Panks and Wetter (Independents), Mead and Endean (Baptists), Brown (Bible Christian), J. Bowden (Wesleyan), and W. Innocent. These interesting meetings were ably conducted by J. Paddon, Esq. (Independent), and Mr. May.

There is a deep and sound feeling in this county in behalf of Missions. I wish I could say that there was the same amount of interest felt in supporting the general cause of God in this neighbourhood. W. I.

HULL CIRCUIT.-On Sunday, March 6th, sermons on behalf of our Missions were preached in Bethel Chapel by the Rev. P. J. Wright; and on the two following evenings meetings were held in Bethel and at Stepney. At the former of these meetings, Mr. J. G. Kidd (Independent) presided with a cordiality and catholicity of spirit which it would be delightful to see exemplified by Christians of every name. At the latter meeting, our esteemed friend Mr. T. Oliver took the chair, and delivered an excellent speech with his usual fluency and fervour. The speakers were the Revs. P. J. Wright (deputation), M. Beswick (Wesleyan Association), W. J. Stewart (Baptist), G. Gladstone (Independent), W. Cocker, J. M. Chicken, and Mr. J. Stather. The addresses of our worthy President were distinguished by great excellence, and were manifestly listened to with much interest and delight; their lofty sentiments, beautiful illustrations, and powerful appeals were well fitted to expand those views of gospel truth, and to give increased vigour to those principles of evangelic action, upon which the missionary enter. prise depends. The following additional subscriptions to our Mission Fund were promised Mrs. Craggs, £1; Mr. Runton, £1; Mr. Bielby, £1; Dr. Munroe, £1; Mr. Ellis, £1; Mr. Capes, £1; Mr. Stather, £1; Mr. Oliver, £1; Rev. W. Cocker, £1. Owing to the very depressed state of trade in Hull, I looked forward to our missionary services with a little misgiving; but the commendable liberality of our friends has turned my

gloom into gladness, and enabled me to report a considerable improvement on the past. W. COCKER.

THORNE CIRCUIT.-On Sunday, March 20th, 1853, sermons were preached at Thorne, Levels, Fishlake, Wormley Hill, and Eastoft, by Mr. Harston, the Revs. C. Atkinson, of Leeds, W. Reynolds, and the writer.

During the following week, the annual missionary meetings were held at the above places, presided over by the Rev. W. Reynolds at Thorne, Mr. John Milman at Levels, Mr. Charles Thorpe at Fishlake, Mr. John Wood at Wormley Hill, and Mr. Roberts at Eastoft. The Rev. W. Reynolds also preached at Eastoft on the Friday afternoon. Addresses were delivered at the meetings by the Revs. C. Atkinson (the deputation), H. F. Rustedt (Independent), S. Nicklin (Primitive), W. Reynolds, and J. Ogden, with Messrs. J. Pickersgill, J. Leadbeater, and O. Campbell. The collections at all the places are in advance of last year, and in one or two instances are about doubled.

Oh that all the Churches of Jesus may more deeply feel their obligations to labour for the extension of his kingdom, and with increasing liberality lay their consecrated gifts upon his altar, to be employed in sending the gospel to the perishing sons of men! J. OGDEN.

DEWSBURY CIRCUIT.-On Sunday, March 6th, our missionary sermons were preached at Batley and Adwalton. At Batley, two sermons were preached by the Rev. B. Turnock, of Bolton, who also preached at Adwalton in the afternoon. On Monday evening, the public meeting was held at Batley, when B. Fowler, Esq., our esteemed Treasurer, presided. The meeting was also addressed by the Revs. B. Turnock (the deputation), L. Stoney, T. Guttridge, J. Nicholas, and J. Flint.

The public meeting at Adwalton was held on Tuesday evening. The chair was occupied by our friend J. Haigh; and speeches were delivered by the Revs. B. Turnock, J. Nicholas, J. Flint, and by Messrs. J. Taylor and W. Snowdon. The attendance at both places was excellent, and the collections at Batley nearly double the amount of last year. The increase at Adwalton also amounted to 18s. 8d.

We intend shortly to hold a juvenile meeting for the first time, both at Dewsbury and Batley; and the friends generally seem resolved to do their part in augmenting the Mission Fund.

J. N.