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of yore. This old fact needs to be brought out again. We do not so much want great preachers as good upright tradera; it is not so much deacons and eldera we long for, as it is to have men who are deacons for Christ in common life, and are really elders of the Church in their ordinary conversation. Christ did not come into the world to take all fishermen from their nets, though He did take some; nor to call all publicans from the receipt of custom, though He did call one; He did not come to make every Martha into a Mary, though He did bless a Martha and a Mary too. He would have you to be housewives still; be sisters of mercy in your own habitation. He would have you be traders, buyers and sellers, workers and toilers still; for the end of Christianity is not to make preachers, but to make holy men; the preacher is but the tool; he may be sometimes but the scaffold of the house; but ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's building; ye, in your common acts and common deeds, are they who are to serve God."

MAKE A BEGINNING,

REMEMBER, in all things, that if you do not begin, you will never come to an end. The first weed

pulled up in the garden, the first seed set in the ground, the first dollar put in the savings-bank, and the first mile travelled on a journey, are all important things; they furnish a beginning, a promise, a pledge, an assurance, that you are in earnest with what you have undertaken. How many a poor, idle, erring, hesitating, outcast is now creeping and crawling his way through the world, who might have held up his head and prospered if, instead of putting off his resolutions of amendment and industry, he had only made a beginning!

TRACKING A SCHOLAR

ROUND THE WORLD.

A TEACHER, in an English Sundayschool, had a scholar who on leaving the school enlisted in the army. No sooner was the lad gone than the teacher wrote him a letter. The correspondence thus begun was kept up during the wanderings of the soldier to various parts of the globe. The warrior died at length, happy in God, declaring that though he was not benefited by going to the Sunday-school, yet the pious letters of his teacher had led him to Christ. How many teachers track their pupils round the globe as this man did ?

Poetry,

GOD AND THE SOUL.

BY ANGELUS SILESIUS.-162).

THE soul wherein God dwells-
What Church can holier be?
Becomes a walking tent
Of heavenly majesty.

How far from here to heaven?
Not very far, my friend;
A single hearty step
Will all thy journey's end.

Though Christ a thousand times
In Bethlehem be born;
If He's not born in thee,
Thy soul is still forlorn.

The cross on Golgotha,

Will never save thy soul; The cross in thine own heart

Alone can make thee whole,

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AUSTRALIA, MELBOURNE,

ON Sunday last, the anniversary of the Sabbath-school of the United Methodist Free Churches, George Street, was celebrated by the preaching of three Sermons-in the morning by the Rev. T. A. Bayley, the Pastor of the Church; by the Rev. G. Standey in the afternoon, and in the evening by the Rev. J. C. M'Michael. On Tuesday evening, a Public Tea Meeting was held in the school-room, to which a very large number of friends of the Church and parents of the children sat down.

After Tea, a Public Meeting was held in the Chapel, the chair being taken by the Hon. J. P. Fawkner, M.L.C., who pointed out to the scholars the great advantage to be derived by paying attention to the instructions received at the Sabbath-school, as a guide through life, and fitting them for exalted posi tions in society. He also alluded to the great negligence on the part of parents in allowing the young and rising generation to roam the streets at night, instead of bringing them up under their own guidance. He pressed upon parents the necessity of Sunday-school teaching. Mr. J. S. Bayley, the Secretary of the school, read the report for the year, which was of an encouraging nature-viz., in respect to additions in number of scholars, and also the steady increase in the number of teachers, for which they felt truly thankful to the Giver of all good.

The Rev. T. A. Bayley, the Pastor, delivered an earnest and eloquent address on the benefits of Sabbath. school teaching, and pointed out to the young the great and glorious boon, which they would realize, if they at tended to the instructions which were taught them at the Sabbath-school.

A number of the scholars then gave some excellent recitations, which were received by the audience with a great amount of satisfaction, and which clearly showed the great pains and trouble the teachers must have taken, and reflected great credit on all concerned.

After an address from the Rev. G. Standey, on "the school as a nursery to the Church," which was very earnestly pressed upon the scholars, and an address from Mr. E Cope and Mrs. Thomas, votes of thanks were passed to the ladies, and also to the Chairman for his services.

The meeting concluded with prayer.

The choir was under the able leadership of Mr. Sharvell, and Mr. Jackson, organist; they sang several pieces of sacred music throughout the evening. October 26th, 1863.

BACUP CIRCUIT.-NEWCHURCH,

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL AT MOUNT TABOR

CHAPEL.

ON Christmas Day the Annual Tea Party in connection with the above place of worship, was celebrated, when about

Such a

eight hundred persons sat down to a comfortable tea, being a much larger number than on previous occasions, owing to a revival which has being going on for the last quarter. result was anticipated, the congregation having increased, and some fifty or sixty new members having been added to the Church, of nearly all shades and grades of character; in fact, such is the healthy state of the School and Society at present, that the teachers and friends are seriously considering the propriety of enlarging the place, in order that more ample accommodation may be provided. The return of trade and commerce is anxiously waited for, in order that some means may be devised for the accommodation of numbers of individuals, who as yet have not been enabled to obtain seats, all the pews being let, and many of the old friends and members having had to give up their pews for the new comers in. Under these circumstances, the teachers had to stop selling tickets at an early hour, as well as to refuse admission to many who would gladly have attended the meeting after tea, thus unwillingly disappointing many. After ample justice had been done to the eatables, the cloth was withdrawn, and the friends adjourned to the Chapel, and the Rev. G. Turner, junior minister, being elected chairman, he opened the proceedings by giving out a favourite hymn. Prayer having been offered up, addresses were delivered by the Chairman, Messrs. Hoyle, Dewhurst, Howorth, Ashworth, Pickup, and Sager Schofield, which elicited applause. The recitations and dialogues were well selected, and, on the whole, remarkably well gone through by the scholars. The whole of the proceedings passed off well, being interspersed with selec tions of sacred music, performed by the choir in good style. A vote of thanks to the ladies and Chairman terminated the proceedings.

BRIGHTON ;-CHURCH TEA MEETING.

THE Annual and Public Tea Meeting of the United Methodist Free Church, took place on Saturday, December 26th, in the spacious Railway Reading Room, Station Works, Brighton. Up

wards of one hundred and seventy persons sat down to an excellent tea, gratuitously provided by ladies and friends; the profits being given to the Building Fund for the erection of schools and place of worship in the north end of Brighton. After clearing the tables, a Public Meeting was commenced by singing and prayer.

On the platform were Mr. Coun. cillor Friend (in the chair), the Rev. W. Reed, Connexional Editor and ExPresident of the United Methodist Free Churches, the Rev. G. Isaac, Rev. T. G. Sharp, Rev. J. Ching, the Rev. J. Stafford, and Rev. J. Gunson, of London, Mr. Councillor Ashdowne, Mr. Haynes (Town Missionary), Mr. Wilbey, Mr. Herring, and Mr. Martin.

Mr. Councillor FRIEND, on rising to address the Meeting, was received wit. hearty cheers. He said: I am pleased to be with you on another annual festive occasion. I congratu late you on your position, as a Church, and your successful labours in this neighbourhood.

I understand that the object of this Meeting is to bring before those present the propriety of using means for the purpose of building a school and Chapel for the United Free Church in the north end of this town. I must say that your prospects are good, and considering your position with such a minis ter (the Rev. J. Stafford), and your own united efforts, with the aid of friends, your object may be accom plished. I wish you God speed.

The Rev. J. GUNSON, of London, made a few remarks, after which

The Rev. W. REED addressed the Meeting, who said,-I cannot refrain from expressing my great pleasure in seeing so large and respectable an assembly in this beautiful room tonight. And yet I must say that there was no need to send for me from London to address you with such an array of speakers. But I rejoice to see that the ministers of Brighton are true to their office, and so kindly disposed to help their brethren in time of need. I trust, Mr. Chairman, that you will not regard me as being sectarian if I make a few remarks on the history, polity, and doctrines of the United Methodist Free Churches. Our Connexion was formed in 1857, by the amalgamation of

two branches of free Methodists, with a liberal polity based on New Testament principles. Our Churches are much like the Independents in their polity. Our Annual Assembly is composed of Representatives from the Circuits, elected by the Churches, without restriction either as to minister or lay delegates. With such a liberal

representation, our Assembly contains about an equal number of ministerial and lay representatives. The rev. gentleman made an eloquent speech.

The Rev. JOHN STAFFORD, minister of the Church, was next called upon. He said,-It affords me no little plea. sure to be present at such a meeting as this. Our Church is blessed with peace and prosperity; in our Sundayschool we have about two hundred scholars; and our congregations have increased to nearly double what they were when I came to Brighton. We

are most kindly favoured by having the use of this Institution for public worship on Sundays, for which we are truly grateful. Yet it is most desirable that we should have a Chapel of our own, that will be more conveniently situated, and meet the pressing wants of this locality. At present we have only a cottage in which to hold our weeknight services. We should like to build a place so as to have a good day-school attached. He then proposed the following resolution :

"That this Meeting rejoices in the

measure of success granted to this section of the Church of Christ, in Brighton, and believes that the time has now come when a special effort should be put forth in order to obtain a school and place of worship in this locality."

Seconded by Mr. J. C. WILBEY, and carried unanimously.

Mr. B. HERRING proposed the next resolution:

"That this Meeting pledges itself to co-operate with the Church, in such effort, and in every available way to assist, by giving and obtaining donations and subscriptions to build such school and place of worship."

Seconded by the Rev. J. CHING, and carried unanimously.

The Rev. J. G. SHARP moved the next resolution :

"That the following Brethren be a Committee to carry out such effort, -the Rev. J. Stafford, Messrs. Wilbey, Herring, Mitchell, Honeywood, Taylor, Pannett, Martin, Millage, Goddard, and Salter, with power to add to their number." Seconded by the Rev. G. ISAAC, and carried unanimously.

The ministers and gentlemen delivered earnest and telling addresses, and the whole proceedings passed off in a very creditable and satisfactory

manner.

The meeting was brought to a close by a vote of thanks to the ladies for providing the tea, which was moved by Mr. Haynes, and seconded by Mr. Martin; also to the chair, proposed by the Rev. J. Stafford, seconded by Mr. Councillor Ashdown. The doxology was then sung.- Brighton Times.

BIRSTAL CIRCUIT.

THE foundation stone of the United Methodist Free Church, Haley Hill, Gildersome, was laid on Saturday, the 16th January, 1864.

Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, a goodly number of the members of the church and congregation assembled at the Baptist School Room, and proceeded to the site of the intended New Chapel, when the Rev. J. H. Carr, Circuit Minister, gave out a suitable hymn. Prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Adcock, portions of the Psalms appropriate for the occa sion were read by Mr. Carr; afterwards Mr. Matthew Hargreaves, of Birkenshaw, laid the stone. Before doing so, a bottle containing a list of the Trustees, Circuit Plan, &c., was deposited underneath the stone. Mr. Hargreaves then addressed the assembly, expressing his pleasure in taking part in the proceedings of the day. He was reminded that a great many years ago he was in the habit of coming to Gildersome and preaching in a cottage. Now the Free Church had got an interesting and prosperous society, and he had the pleasure of laying the first stone of the Chapel, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God.

Rev. J. Adcock followed, and re

marked he should only make a few ob servations, owing to the unfavourable state of the weather. After a brief review of our ecclesiastical principles, and the doctrines that would be taught in the new sanctuary, he concluded by expressing a sincere desire for the prosperity of the undertaking.

The benediction was then pronounced, and the friends dismissed.

A Public Tea Meeting was held in the old school-room, at four o'clock. A very large number sat down; in fact the attendance was so large that it was necessary to have four "sittings down." A very excellent tea was provided, the whole of the trays being gratuitously supplied. After tea, the company repaired to the Baptist School-room, (kindly lent for the occasion.) After the usual devotional exercises, Mr. Matthew Hargreaves was unanimously voted to the chair.

The Revs. J. H. Carr, and J. Adcock, having spoken,

Mr. William Horsman, of Gildersome, gave an account of the circumstances which had induced the friends to undertake the erection of a new Chapel, and the success which had hitherto attended their efforts. The first tea meeting was held in November, 1860, and realized. £10 11 3 By Ladies' Sewing Meetings 30 10 0 Subscriptions from various

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The Rev. W. J. B. White, of Wakefield; Mr. B. Riley, of Churwell; and W. G. Scarth, of Morley, also addressed the meeting; after which a collection was made, amounting to £5.

Several pieces were sung during the evening, by the choir.

A vote of thanks was given to the Baptist friends for the loan of the schoolroom; also a vote of thanks was given to the ladies for presiding at the tables, and to the Chairman, after which the meeting separated, highly encouraged by the proceedings of the day.

This will be the third new chapel erected in the Birstal Circuit, since its amalgamation with the United Methodist Free Churches.

GOMERSALL.

ON Christmas day, December 25th, 1863, the Trustees, Members, and friends, of the above church, held their Annual Public Tea Meeting in the School-room. The room was tastefully decorated with evergreens, and a variety of instructive and amusing diagrams, illustrative of the literary history of the Bible. About two hundred persons sat down to an excellent tea, which had been gratuitously provided by a number of friends. After the tea a most interesting and instructive Meeting was held, presided over by Mr. W. Kershaw. Mr. T. Lees gave a short account of the financial state of the Trust Fund, from which it appears to be in a very pleasing and encouraging position. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. H. Carr, Circuit Minister, Messrs. G. Kershaw, W. Daughtery, G. Loryman, S. Brooke, and other friends, which were interspersed with appropriate recitations and dialogues, by the Teachers, and Scholars of the Sunday School. After the unanimous passing of the usual votes of thanks, the Meeting broke up, and the friends separated, mutually benefited, and highly satisfied with their evening's entertainment.

BURTON-ON-TRENT.

THE members of the Society in this town have, for some time past, been anxious to put an organ in the recess of the Chapel. The initiative having been taken, the project was supported with considerable enthusiasm; and an organ, worthy of the large and handsome building, was ordered from the well-known firm of Messrs. Forster & Andrews, of Hull.

The case is of a chaste design in the Grecian style of architecture, admirably adapted to harmonize with the internal appearance of the Chapel, and producing a very pleasant effect. The power and quality of the tone of the instrument have exceeded the most sanguine expectations; the diapasons being very rich, and the solo stops, particularly the cornopean in the swells, are both powerful and brilliant. The

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