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others preached in a waggon, and held open air services on the common, not far from the spot on which the Chapel was erected, at the commencement of the Wesleyan Reform agitation. He remarked that he had had many glorious seasons in the Old School Room, where the celebrated Pawson and Bramwell had often preached. He rejoiced at the erection of so neat and commodious a Chapel. He referred to his own labours in the Circuit, and said that this made the forty-eighth Chapel and School that he had witnessed erected and opened in the Birstall Circuit. Twelve years ago, some of his small friends were pleased to say he was nearly done up, but he thanked God he was still alive, and active, and hearty as ever in God's cause.

Rev. J. H. CARR proceeded to give a brief history of the rise and progress of the Bierley Church. He observed during the Wesleyan Reform agitation, the friends at Bierley were among the number that sympathized with the expelled ministers, about the year 1851. The Lord of the Manor kindly allowed the expelled members at Bierley the use of the Old School Room to worship in. This Old Building was originally built to transact the Town's business in, and is a memorable spot in the history of Methodism in that locality. Prior to the erection of the Old School room, and Westgate Hill Chapel, the members of the Wesleyan body used to go from Bierley and neighbourhood to Driglington, a distance of two miles to the Methodist Chapel. In the times of Messrs. Pawson and Bramwell, the Old School Room was used as a preaching place for the Members of the Wesleyan body in that locality. When Westgate Hill Chapel was opened, the members of the Society, along with those at Birkenshaw were expected to attend the New Chapel, and to send their children to the Sunday-school, and for years the members from both places might be seen on the Sabbath Morning wending their way to the house of God. When the expulsions took place during the agitation referred to, the expelled members took refuge in the Old Schoolroom, and continued to worship till the present time.

For long, by the inconvenience arising from dampness of the walls and floor, bad ventilation and unsuitableness of

accommodation, especially during the winter season, persons were prevented attending the service. Another serious drawback was, there was no Sunday. school connected with the place. The friends had to send their children either to the Conference Sunday School, Church of England, or to Birkenshaw, a distance from the village, or allow them to wander in the fields and lanes. These inconveniences were so great that the necessity and desirableness of erect. ing a New Chapel became the subject of conversation. The Ladies with their wonted heartiness, promptitude, and industry, took up the subject and com menced sewing, and tea meetings, and thereby raised a goodly sum for that object. At length, after considerable thought and prayer, arrangements were made, and the foundation stone of the New Chapel was laid on the 22nd of August, 1863, by Lawrence Walker, Esq., of Wortley, in Leeds. The present site of the Chapel has been leased to the Trustees by the lord of the Manor for ninety-nine years, at a ground rent of £1 188. 3d. per annum.

The Chapel will accommodate twohundred and fifty persons. The cost of the erection is about £350. There is a house under the Chapel for the Chapel Keeper.

Subscriptions towards the

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Mr. Samuel Brooke, of Gomersali. Rev. J. Mather, of Bradford, Mr. B. Sands, Mr. Kershaw, and Charles Sands, addressed the meeting.

A Vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Charles Sands, of Birstall, for his valuable and gratuitous services as Architect of the building.

A Vote of thanks to the Ladies, Speakers, and Chairman, were also adopted.

Sermons on the 24th of January, in connection with the opening, were preached by the Rev. H. Breeden, of Leeds, and on the 31st, by the Rev. J. Mather, of Bradford, and the Rev. J. H. Carr.

Monday, the 1st of February, the

Stewards met for the letting of the Seats, when all were taken except six. The friends at Bierley are cheered by the interest taken by the people in the neighbourhood, and the help they have received from other parts of the Circuit; a bright future presents itself. May the Great Head of the Church prosper their handy work.

HUDDERSFIELD CIRCUIT.

LAYING

THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW CHAPEL AT SHEEPRIDGE,

NEAR HUDDERSFIELD.

ON Saturday, afternoon last, the foundation stone of a new Chapel, connected with the Sheepridge United Methodist Free Church, was laid at Sheepridge, by Wright Mellor, Esq., J.P., of Huddersfield. About halfpast two o'clock, the teachers, scholars, and friends of the cause, assembled in the present Chapel-house, and walked in procession to the site of the intended Chapel, where a goodly number of persons congregated to witness the cere mony. After they had arrived, the proceedings were opened with suitable exercises, and the service was conducted by the Rev. J. Dinsley, of Moldgreen. A small band of music accompanied the assembly in their songs of praise, and, altogether, the proceedings were very interesting to all concerned. In a cavity underneath the stone was placed a bottle, containing the names of the Trustees of the Church; the num ber of members with a list of the names of contributors to the erection of the building; the number of teachers; the Preachers' Flan, together with a number of coins of the realm, and the Huddersfield Examiner. When all was prepared, the mallet and trowel were presented to Mr. Mellor by Mr. Mitchell, the contractor, without remark. Mr. Mellor then proceeded to lay the stone with the usual formality. He then addressed the assembly, congratulating the friends of the Church on having been enabled to lay the foundation stone of a new place of worship, which he hoped would be a blessing to the neighbourhood. He trusted that the rich men of the neighbourhood would come forward to help them, that they would accept the responsibility which their wealth brought upon

them, and be enabled to see that their wealth was not given to them for their own use, but for the far higher and nobler use of promoting the cause of God; for not only the silver and gold, but the cattle on a thousand hills belonged to Him. He also looked forward to the time when that building should be the means of reclaiming those persons in the district, who had sunk down to an almost lost state of degradation and ruin. If they came there, they would learn to retrace their backslidings, and, likewise, learn how best to live, and that they lived best who lived the most to God. He hoped that all classes would be permanently blessed by the erection of the Chapel; but he would wish them to understand, that it was not merely the building of their Chapel that would save the people; there must be something more than that, and those who were most earnest in building, would have to be earnest in the work of prayer and labour of love. He hoped that that was the commencement of a brighter day for the neighbourhood, and that generations yet unborn would live to bless the day when the foundation stone was laid of their Chapel. He wished them every blessing.

The Rev. J. MATHER, of Bradford, next addressed the Meeting, and entered into an explanation of the views entertained by the United Free Church. He avowed that they, as a section of the Church of Jesus Christ, belonged to the Dissenters, and he further avowed that they were Methodists in doctrine. They held the word of God to be the only rule of faith and practice, and on that they established the records of their own Denomination. There was no bowing, either to the will of individuals, or sermons, or the standard writings of any divine. They made their appeal only to the Divine truth. They preached as they believed, a free and full salvation to all men; but there were features, in connection with them as Methodists of the Free Church, peculiar to themselves. There was no other section of the Methodist family that held, as they did, the right of the Church to govern itself. Some years ago, at the Wesleyan Conference, laws were passed which enabled the superintendent of any Circuit, at his own will and pleasure, even with the

adverse vote of a Leaders' Meeting, to dispossess of membership any member of the Methodist community. Now, a number of persons thought that that was a prerogative which no single man had a right to possess, that it was the inalienable right of a Church to govern itself, and with these impressions they dissented and were expelled, and founded a section of the Methodist Church which held that great and glorious truth set forth in the Bible, that it was right for every Church to govern itself. The speaker next alluded to the progress made by their section, and stated that there were now 69,000 members connected with their body; 121,000 Sunday-scholars; more than 20,000 teachers; 3,000 local preachers; and between 200 and 300 itinerant preachers. He further proceeded to speak of the good done by the instrumentality of their section, and concluded by praying for the suc cess of their new undertaking, and that God might abide with them.

A hymn was then sung, after which the friends returned to the preaching. room, where tea was provided. A meeting was afterwards held under the presidency of Wright Mellor, Esq., and addresses were delivered by Revs. T. Stevenson, of Huddersfield, J. Mather, of Bradford, Jubb, of Nottingham, W. H. Dickenson, of Paddock, J. Dinsley, R. E. Abercrombie, of Crossland Moor, and other friends, and a collection was made in aid of the Chapel Fund, amounting with the proceeds of the tea party to £31.

The Church has been in existence about fourteen years, and during that time has steadily increased, until it now numbers above fifty members, and in the school connected with it there are one hundred and seventy scholars, and forty-eight teachers. They have hitherto met in a room comprised in another building, but their gradual increase has, at length, rendered the room too small for their requirements, and hence the determination to build a new Chapel, of which the foundation stone is now laid. The Chapel is estimated to cost about £700, and will provide accommodation for the members and scholars for some years to come. The architect, under whose superintendence the building is being erected, is Mr. Cocking, of Hudders field.

HUDDERSFIELD CIRCUIT,-CROSSLAND MOOR.

IN the spring of last year the Church at Crossland Moor determined to make alterations in their Chapel. At that time the body of the Chapel was only partially pewed, the Chapel was irregu larly warmed, and the warming appsratus was an eye-sore. At the first Public Meeting a subscription list was commenced, which has realized the sum of £140 6s. 10d.

Simultaneously the ladies of the Church and congregation began to prepare for a bazaar, which was held in September of last year, and realized the sum of £60 10s. 6d. Soon after the bazaar was held, the managing Committee having a considerable amount of money in hand, determined to commence alterations; the Chapel was consequently closed for several weeks, during which period the hot water pipes were re-arranged, and laid beneath the floor, being covered with ornamental grating; the body of the Chapel was pewed, a massive communion rail erected, also a massive stone font about 4 ft. high of most beautiful design and workmanship; the singers' pew was removed from the front of the pul pit, to the front of the gallery, and the Chapel was thoroughly renovated, the walls coloured, and the wood-work painted, grained, stained, varnished, or French-polished, so that as the Rev. J. Mann, of Manchester, said, at the re-opening Tea Meeting, "What with whitewash and blackwash, you have made a most beautiful Chapel."

On Sunday, the 13th of December, the Chapel was re-opened, when the tables were gratuitously and sumptuously provided by the ladies of the Church and congregation: after tea a Public Meeting was held in the Chapel, presided over by G. Gelder, Esq., of Mold Green.

The Secretary, Mr. B. Armitage, read the Report, and the meeting was addressed by the Revs. E. Browning and J. Mann, of the United Methodist Free Churches, W. Baggaly (New Connexion), J. Barker (Baptist), W. H. Dickinson (Independent), T. W. Holmes, of Holmfirth, the Circuit Minister, and Messrs. Shaw, Carter, and Avison. The meeting was the most enthusiastic and successful ever held at Crossland Moor; there was indeed a feast of reason, and a flow of soul,

The re-opening services realized the sum of £28 13s. 9d., including money received from those who could not provide trays for the tea-making a total amount of £229 118. 1d. There has been expended £219 11s. 8d., leaving a balance in hand, which it is expected will be used in building and furnishing a new vestry, much needed by the Church and school.

There are now above four hundred pewed sittings in the Chapel, above two hundred are let, and the Chapel will accommodate six hundred people. We have commenced a series of special services, and are anxious that we may have the outward and visible sign of the Divine favour and blessing in the conversion of sinners. And we pray that He who descended upon the Apostles and infant Church at Jerusalem, would also in like manner descend upon the Church st Crossland Moor, that signs and wonders may be wrought in the name of Christ Jesus our Saviour.

RICHARD ELIJAH ABERCROMBIE.

LEAMINGTON,

Or Lord's Day, February 7th, our Missionary Sermons were preached by the Rev. C. R. Hopper. On the following Wednesday we had a Missionary Tea, after which we had a Public Missionary Meeting. In the absence of J. Green, Esq., through domestic affliction, the resident minister presided, and made a statement of our Connexional Missionary operations. Animated addresses were delivered by Messrs. W. N. Willoughby, G. J. Ball, F. Silversides, and W. Heritage. Last year we sent £2 15s. to the Missionary Fund; this year we are thankful to say we shall remit about £10, which we think is a creditable sum for such a small Church.

We earnestly desire success to the glorious Missionary enterprise. C. W. HOPPER.

VENTNOR, ISLE OF WIGHT. Mr. EDITOR.-You will, no doubt, be glad to hear some news from Ventnor, and not having had any of late, perhaps the following will be acceptable. Our September Quarterly Meeting resolved upon holding a Tea Meeting,

and exhibiting a Christmas Tree, in order to raise a little money for two or three purposes, one of which was to furnish a Minister's House. The Lady friends set about the matter in right good earnest, and accordingly, on Monday, December 28th, 1863, the resolution was fully carried out, when a Monster Tree was exhibited in the Lecture Hall of the Literary Institute, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion.

The Tree was well laden with useful and ornamental articles, which met with a ready sale. The members of the Temperance Brass Band kindly favoured

us

with their presence during the afternoon, and delighted the audience with their performances. At five o'clock, about three-hundred sat down to tea, after which the Tree was illuminated with coloured lamps, Chinese Lanterns, &c. &c., which gave it a very pleasing appearance.

During the evening, several select pieces of sacred music, (vocal and instrumental,) were performed by our Chapel Choir, and, with a crowded audience, the Tree was speedily stripped of its fruit. The entertainment, which I believe gave universal satisfaction, was brought to a close at a late hour, by singing of the National Anthem, the friends having realised by the effort about £27.

Our Quarterly Meeting was held on January 4th. The Circuit Minister presiding. The usual routine of business being gone through in the best of spirits, a vote of thanks was then passed to the Ladies and other friends, who had so generously assisted with the Christmas Tree, &c.; after which, the meeting proceeded to apportion the proceeds to the contemplated objects, setting apart £15 towards furniture for Preacher's house, which, with the grant promised by the Connexional Committee, will make £30. Other matters were attended to and the meeting terminated with prayer.

G. R.

WHITEHAVEN CIRCUIT.

NOT DONE YET."

MR. EDITOR,-We cannot forget that you lived and laboured amongst us in this Circuit some eight or ten years ago,

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friend, Mr. Jackson, of Whitehaven, addresses being delivered by several friends, during which the chairman had the pleasure of intimating that the remaining debt of about £90 had virtually disappeared, inasmuch as four friends had agreed to place the building in the same position as the one at Bigrigg, entirely free from debt. This announcement greatly cheered and animated the Meeting, both Chapels being placed upon the Model Deed. Nor DONE YET! Our friends at Egremont have commenced regular weekly subscriptions to remove the debt upon their Chapel, and secure it for ever to the Connexion like the above. Subscriptions, from one shil ling upwards, will be grateful acknow. ledged by E. J. Ireland, Egremont, from any friends desiring to aid the effort.

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Brick General Survey.

IN New Zealand our worst fears have been realized. On the 20th of November, Lieutenant Cameron, at the head of her Majesty's troops, aided by two steamers and four gunboats, attacked the main force of the rebels, under "King Matutaera Potatau," in their entrenched camp at Rangariri, and, after an obstinate conflict, compelled them to evacuate it. The rebels lost many men; several of their chiefs are prisoners. The victorious troops also sustained considerable loss in storming the enemy's works. On December 9th, Lieutenant Cameron informed His Excellency the Governor, that the Queen's flag was then flying at Ngaruawhia, the rebel capital, which had been evacuated by the natives. We trust that ere this the "King party" have seen the folly of protracting their resistance, and that peace has been restored.

From Erromanga we regret to hear, that the hostility of the natives to Christianity continues, and that the few converts there, who nobly "hold fast the profession of their faith," are daily in peril of their lives.

The conduct of the Chinese com. mander who, in violation of the pledge given by Major Gordon, executed the Taeping chiefs, who surrendered at the capture of Soochow, has excited much indignation among the English resi dents in China, and was expected to be the subject of earnest remonstrance with the Pekin Government by Sir F. Bruce. Major Gordon had refused fur ther co-operation with the Imperial forces, until satisfaction had been given for the breach of treaty.

The Rev. J. Hutchinson, Wesleyan Missionary in India, in referring to the recent visitation of cholere, thus describes the conflict between the Gospel and Hindooism in the City of Mysore,

"The general terror of the people, the sacrifices and prayers to Mari, the goddess of disease, the funeral processions, the processions of gods along every street, the everlasting rattle of tomtoms, and the wild yells of the people at night, defy description. But instead of this fearful judgment leading the people to repentance, it seemed only to make them more mad upon their idols. During this time of dis

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