MANCHESTER ;-GROSVENOR

STREET CIRCUIT,

THE first Anniversary Services of the Hyde Road Church and Schools (being the twenty-eighth of the schools, formerly the London Road District Sunday-schools), have just been held. On Saturday, March 12th, 1864, a Public Soireé inaugurated the proceedings; about two hundred and fifty persons sat down to Tea. The Meeting was presided over by Mr. John Rigby, the President of the schools. The Report congratulated the friends of the Institution upon the progress made during the past year, and the prospects of future success. The Sabbath services, which are held in the large and commodious upper room of the premises, have been well attended, and results have been seen in the salvation of souls, and in the increase of the Church. The Sunday-school is in a flourishing state, there being three conductors, forty-four teachers, and five hundred and thirty-four scholars. The Juvenile Missionary Society has raised £40 during the year, and there is a Tract Society which distributes about three hundred tracts weekly. A Band of Hope Society, Week-night Free Schools, a Mutual Improvement Society, a School Library, containing about nine hundred volumes, and large Day Schools, under the mastership of Mr. Cox, have all contributed to the general usefulness of the Institution. To increase the interest, a course of lectures has been delivered by ministers and gentlemen, which have proved attractive and beneficial, and the friends of the cause are assured that they have only to labour on as they have done, in dependence on the help of God, to make the Hyde Road Church and Schools a great blessing to the neighbourhood. The financial account, presented by Mr. J. B. Vickers, the Treasurer, showed that the buildings, with school-keeper's house, had cost altogether £3,200, of which about £2,200 have been raised. The Meeting was addressed by Rev. J. Mann on Croakers, Grumblers, and Workers;" Rev. S. S. Barton, of Rochdale, on "Sunday-Schools;" Rev. S. Macfar lane, on "It won't matter much one hundred years hence;" and interspersed with music by the choir.

The services were continued on the Sabbath following, when two sermons were preached in the morning and evening by the Rev. S. S. Barton, to deeply interested congregations, and an address delivered in the afternoon by Rev. S. Macfarlane. The collections realized about £17.

SALFORD CIRCUIT.

DEAR SIR,-It is a pleasing feature in connection with the Lancashire portion of the Methodist Free Churches, that, notwithstanding the deep distress into which many of the members have been thrown, in consequence of the unhappy state of things across the Atlantic, their love of good things has not diminished, the means of grace have not been forgotten, and, although many have not been able to support the cause of Christ with their pence, as they did and hope to do again, they are seen supporting the Church by their presence, and their prayers are not less earnest for its welfare. By your permission, Mr. Editor, I will give your readers a few particulars of this Circuit, which has not altogether escaped the effects of the Cotton Famine. When our esteemed ministers, the Revs. J. Kendall and J. Walker, entered the Circuit last August, they told us they "meant work,' " and it was not long before the Circuit responded to the noble sentiment, and now ministers and members are working harmoniously together.

It being thought, at the December Quarterly Meeting, that it was desir able to have a Circuit Tea Meeting, in order that there might be some conversation upon the spiritual welfare of the Churches, it was arranged for the 15th of February, every member being presented with a ticket. A collection was made after tea towards defraying the expenses, resulting in a surplus of £3. The meeting was a great success; it was estimated that four hundred persons sat down to tea; owing to a larger number being present than was expected, the Committee experienced some annoyance, in consequence of the supply of provisions being something like cotton, not equal to the demand. This, however, was remedied as soon as possible.

After tea the Superintendent of the Circuit occupied the chair, and after a few congratulatory remarks upon the number present, made an eloquent speech upon the charity that ought to exist between the members of the Churches, a revival of religion in the Circuit, and a larger attendance at the Prayer Meetings; he said, "no Prayer Meetings meant no revival, no sinners converted; prayers at home, and prayers in the Church, would bring down the blessing of God upon the people, peace would be continued amongst them, and great prosperity would be the result."

The Rev. J. WALKER delivered a very instructive and pathetic address upon the great want of the Church. He said, "If the Church was to extend her borders, and become powerful for good, the prayers of preachers and members must be incessant for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit."

The claims of the schools in the Circuit were earnestly advocated by the brethren Willett and Wood; the latter made some very humourous remarks in reference to having competent persons as teachers; this was essential to prosperity; every teacher should be converted.

BROTHER WILSON spoke of being a member of the Salford Circuit when it numbered nine persons, and said there must be regular attendance at the Class Meeting in order to growth in grace.

BROTHER BODDINGTON made some very pertinent remarks upon "Punctu ality." He said, of all denominations of Christians, Methodists ought to be most punctual at the means of grace; the great founder of Methodism was punctual. The speech ought to have been heard by all who seem to take a delight in interrupting Divine Service, by being late.

BROTHER BOSTOCK, in an appropriate speech, proposed the following resolution, which was seconded by the writer :

"That this meeting desires to express its devout gratitude to Almighty God for the peace and brotherly affection which prevails in the Circuit, and the measure of success which has attended the labours of his servants; and pledges itself to seek by renewed dedication to God, earnest prayer and Christian diligence, a still greater enlargement of all our Churches."

Thus closed one of the most

important meetings ever held in Salford Circuit, and, in concluding this lengthy epistle, I am happy in being able to say that the future looks most cheering. Yours sincerely, J. B. F.

WAKEFIELD.

THE Anniversary Services, in aid of the United Methodist Free Church Mis sions, have taken place during the week in the Market Street Chapel; com. mencing on Sunday, March 6th, with sermons morning and evening, by the Rev. J. Adcock, of Leeds. On Monday evening, the Annual Meeting was held in the same place, the chair being occupied by Councillor W. H. Lee. There was a good attendance, and among the gentlemen present were the Rev. G. Chesson, Superintendent of the Wakefield Circuit, the Rev. J. Adcock, Leeds, the Rev. M. Baxter, Heywood, the Rev. J. H. Carr, Birstal, the Rev. G. T. Chesson, the Rev. Daughtry, Councillors J. Taylor and C. Milner, and Messrs. J. Gregory, A. Grace, Marriott, &c., &c.

The proceedings were commenced with the singing of the hymn, "Before Jehovah's awful throne," and then prayer was offered by the Rev. J. H. Carr.

The CHAIRMAN, who was received with cheers, then said that he thought he owed them some explanation and apology for allowing himself to occupy the chair at so important a meeting. He must explain that he was positively laid seige to by their excellent secretary, Mr. Masterman, and he found that to free himself he must give a positive refusal to their request. He certainly shrunk from the task required from him, but, for the reason stated to him, he consented to accept it. He had no doubt, however, but that he should receive their indulgence, as he felt himself to be surrounded by many old and valued friends, and he, therefore, knew that his duties would not only be light, but agreeable. There were many gentlemen around him who would adrocate the claims their valued Society had upon them, and among those gentlemen, he had peculiar pleasure in meet ing with Mr. Carr, who had offered up such a beautiful and earnest prayer. He hoped that every senti

ment in that prayer would be answered, and that their meeting that night would be found profitable. He was glad to find from their report (which had been put into his hands) that their almost infant Society, as he might call it, had spread to many parts of the civilized world, and is exerting its influence on those benighted people who require that the Gospel of Christ should be taken to them. He found, too, from their report, that they combined two important objects-the Home and Foreign Missions; and he thought that in thus acting they were in a peculiar manner carrying out the injunction of our Divine Master, who has commanded His disciples to preach the Gospel to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. The experience of the Church, too, shows that prosperity at home is indicated by its expenditure on foreign missions, and, if there be a missionary spirit in any Church, it is asure test of its success at home.

He

would not, however, enter upon the consideration of the whole question of missions; for that would be done by the gentlemen around him, and he doubted not that they would have the earnest attention and co-operation of the audience, and he believed that the collection at the close would prove that the meeting that night had not been in vain. He called on

The Rev. G. CHESSON to read the report.

The Revs. J. CARE, J. ADCOCK, and M. BAXTER, addressed the meeting in telling speeches.

A collection was then made, and a vote of thanks given to the collectors on the motion of Mr. DAUGHTRY, seconded by the Rev. G. T. CHESSON.

On the motion of the Rev. G. CHESSON, seconded by the Rev. J. A. ADCOCK, a vote of thanks was given to the Chairman, which, he having acknowledged, the Doxology was sung, the Benediction pronounced, and the proceedings ended.

On Tuesday morning a public breakfast was given in the school room, about two hundred and sixty persons being gathered together. The tables were most plentifully provided with delicacies of many kinds, and the breakfast appeared to be much enjoyed by those present. The following ladies gave and presided at the trays:-Mrs. G. W.

Harrison, Miss Sutton, Mrs. F. Wilson, Mrs. W. Ashton, Mrs. Wade, Mrs. Gledhill, Mrs. Stead, Mrs. T. Boston, Mrs. J. Taylor, Miss Flatman, and Mrs. C. Cocker. After breakfast a hymn was sung, and prayer offered, and then

The Rev. G. CHESSON (who occupied the chair) said that it gave him unmingled pleasure to meet them that morning. They had abundant reason for congratulation and thankfulness. No person could look at the gathering before him without feeling that a deep interest is felt in the great and noble cause of missions, and that the interests of perishing human beings lie near the hearts of the people attending that place of worship and the churches in the town. Some doubts had been expressed as to the success which would attend their experiment of a breakfast, but the whole affair was a great success. It was, however, but "the beginning of the beginning," and the next year they would exceed themselves. It was not, however, his intention to occupy their attention, further than to express his deep sympathy for every movement for the conversion of the world.

The Revs. M. BAXTER, J. ADCOCK, and J. S. EASTMEAD, having delivered stirring addresses,

Mr. GRACE moved a vote of thanks to the gentlemen comprising the depu tation.

Mr. STEAD seconded the resolution, which was carried with cheers. The Rev. J. ADCOCK acknowledged the vote.

The Rev. G. C. CATTERALL moved a vote of thanks to the ladies who had provided the breakfast. With reference to what had been said about the members of the Free Church being Nonconformists, he remarked that he had always found them to be so in spirit, and quite as earnest in promoting the objects which, as Nonconformists, other sections laboured for.

The Rev. J. H. CARR seconded the motion, which was carried amid loud cheers.

On the motion of Mr. GILL, seconded by Mr. DAUGHTRY, a vote of thanks was given to the Rev. G. Chesson for presiding, and the vote was acknowledged by the Rev. G. T.

CHESSON, as the Rev. G. Chesson had then left the meeting.

With singing and prayer, the proceedings, of which we are able to give only a brief outline, were brought to a conclusion.

The anniversary collections, &c., realized £36.

WHITBY.

ON Sunday, February 14th, sermons were preached in Flowergate Chapel, by the Revs. W. D. Thompson, of Pickering, and H. Yool, of Whitby; collections were taken up in aid of the Chapel Fund. For the same purpose a Tea Meeting was held on the following Monday-the tables were gratui tously provided, and two hundred persons sat down to enjoy the abundant variety of refreshments that liberal hands had set before them. The num.

ber far exceeded all expectation; there was a large attendance at the evening meeting, and excellent addresses were delivered by Mr. T. Clegg, (Chairman), Revs. H. S. Campbell (United Presby terian), G. E. Allen (Wesleyan), H. Yool (Primitive Methodist), W. D. Thompson (New Connexion), J. Taylor, and G. Chesson, Junr. (Free Church); a good feeling seemed to pervade the Meeting, and the pecuniary results were most satisfactory.

The above services were of very cheering character; such a meeting had not been seen in the Chapel for many years. The little church worshipping there rejoiced with great joy, in the belief that brighter days were dawning. There can be no doubt, that the meeting will have a good influence, and, as it has been a source of rejoicing, will also tend to the prosperity of the Free Church in Whitby.

THE war in New Zealand is reported to be virtually at an end. The battle referred to in our last Number, in which the Maoris suffered so fearfully, is said to have convinced the natives of the hopelessness of the "King" cause. We trust that such is the case, and that the Colonial Government will temper justice with mercy in dealing with the conquered rebels. Such a course will be alike Christian and expedient.

Kamehameha IV., King of the Sandwich Islands, died on the 30th of November, 1863. He has been succeeded by his brother, who is said to be a man of education and ability, and friendly to the Mission work. M. Arbousset, of the French Protestant Missionary Society, has met with a cordial reception from Queen Pomare. "I began to think," said she, addressing him, "that you would never

come.

some

China, notwithstanding the difficulties they have to contend with, do not labour altogether in vain. The Rev. W. S. Swanson, of the Amoy Presbyterian Mission, having heard that inhabitants of Liong-Bun-Soo, who, during their absence from home, had become acquainted with the Gospel, had, on their return, related what they had heard, in consequence of which nearly the whole village had renounced idolatry; resolved to visit the spot. He thus describes his reception:-" Poor people, they rushed about me, and with the most lively demonstrations of joy welcomed me. I was so struck and overcome with such a sight, that my feelings I cannot express. We met in the open air, and I preached to them from the first part of John iii. It was with the utmost difficulty they would allow me to leave them. Young and old planted themselves in the village gates, and opposed my going; and it was only when I told them that there were others of their countrymen who had claims upon us that they were willing to let me go." This statement shows that, whatever may be the case

in other localties, all the Chinese are not the stolid, unemotional people which some have declared them to be.

In India, notwithstanding the symp. toms of decay manifested by the native superstitions, frightful scenes occasionally occur, illustrative of their cruel and degrading character. Two cases of suttee have lately transpired,-one in Bengal, where we hope those who abetted the horrible transaction will meet with their deserts,-the other at Ulwur, in Rajpootana. The victim is said to have been driven back into the flames, from which she endeavoured to escape, by the sword; but the offenders have met with their reward. "The young Rajah declared the village forfeited, the Jageerdars were sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, the Thanadar, Tehseeldar, and Killadar, were dismissed, and the Lumberdars and Chowkeedars were sentenced to two years' imprisonment, for not making known to the authorities the intention of the woman to commit the crime."

In Southern India the native mind is agitated by predictions, emanating from the priests, that a king is about to appear, before whom the English will fly, and by whom idolatry will be restored to its former ascendency. The Indian Government, profiting by past experi ence, will, doubtless, be prepared for any outbreak to which these rumours may lead.

Intelligence from Madagascar is, on the whole, assuring. Though the Queen and Government are not in favour of Christianity, religious liberty prevails, and conversions to the truth continue to crown the labours of the missionaries.

The war in the Yoruba country, west Africa, though adverse to missionary labours generally, has not been without some good results. It has made the agents of the Church Missionary Society acquainted with people to whom, previously, they had no access. One of them writes, "I suppose more people of Ijaye have joined the Christian Church in Abbeokuta in one year than there did all the years 1jaye was occupied. I am also told, that perhaps ten persons of the Ijebu town called Makun, destroyed in the war, have joined the Church in Abbeokuta."

American news is still full of war

and bloodshed. Conflicts, in which victory has changed sides with puzzling impartiality, have taken place in various localities. Longstreet has retreated from Knoxville; on the other hand, the Federals have been defeated in Mississipi and Florida. President Lincoln is again demanding new levies, with a view to the speedy extinction of the rebellion; Mr. Chase is spoken of as a candidate for the Presidency at the next election.

In Europe a feeling of insecurity and alarm pervades the nations. It is generally felt that the mad conduct of Austria and Prussia, in invading the Duchies of Holstein and Schleswig, has brought about a crisis which may speedily result in a European war.

The British Government continues its efforts for the restoration of peace. Its proposition for a "Conference," having this for its object, has received the sanction of most of the powers concerned; if held, we trust that its deliberations will prevent the further effusion of blood.

In Ireland distress, which is engaging the anxious attention of Government, largely prevails; the consequences are discontent and extensive emigration. When will Ireland cease to be England's difficulty? We fear not until the Church of a small minority ceases to be recognized by law as the Church of the nation.

In England the severe and variable weather has been attended with great mortality and suffering among the poorer classes. Happily the sun, whose face has been so seldom visible for the last three months, is again visiting us with his warming and cheerful beams. May the Sun of Righteousness arise upon a sin-stricken and suffering world, “with healing in His wings!"

Sheffield and its vicinity have been overtaken by an awful calamity. On March 11th, the embankment of the Bradfield Reservoir, about eight miles from Sheffield, gave way; a fearful inundation followed. The flood, pouring along the valley of the Don, carried away the houses, factories, and bridges with which it came in contact. Property, to the value of half a million sterling, has been destroyed, and about two hundred and filty lives have been lost. A liberal subscription, for the relief of suffering survivors, has been inaugurated.