laboured under equal difficulties with themselves; but they laboured together most cheerfully. They had an equal sum to meet their congregation was not so large-not so wealthy; neither had they so good a building as the one in which they were assembled to show for expenses incurred. Therefore, if that congregation had a heavy debt, and were not afraid of it, he certainly could not see why they should be alarmed. In fact, it would be disgraceful if they allowed themselves to be frightened at a moveable monster such as that, and more disgraceful still if they did not do their utmost towards its utter extinction. During the past year, the debt had only been reduced £60; but £40 had also been raised, which was still in hand; and they could look forward to further assistance. He thought he had now exhausted the dark side of the question, and would at once proceed with the bright one. They must not forget that a sum of about £150 had been expended in repairing and improving the chapel during the past twelve months; and taking this into consideration, together with the fact that they had money in hand, and could anticipate more, their situation was not so discouraging as it at first appeared to be. So much then for their financial position. He would now touch upon a subject which he considered of far greater importance than that of finance-he referred to a spiritual one. He would like to see them indefatigable in their endeavours in bringing home those who are apt to wander from the true path which led to better and happier results. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than when he laboured amongst an earnest, active, devoted, and energetic people in the cause of Christ. During his ministerial career in the fatherland, he witnessed many and worse difficulties than that which now hung over their church; but efforts, boldly and cheerfully made, never failed to be rewarded with suc. cess. He always looked forward with great hope when he witnessed the healthy action of religious feeling, which was a never-failing token of financial blessings and glorious results.

Other gentlemen spoke on kindred subjects; and, after the usual formalities, the meeting was brought to a satisfactory termination.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH SABBATH-SCHOOL, BRUNSWICK, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

THE above was celebrated on Sunday and Monday, 28th and 29th of Febru ary,1864. Three sermons were preached; on Sunday, morning, Rev. T. A. Bayley; afternoon, Rev. R. Hamilton (Baptist); evening, Rev. E. Minns. The Public Tea Meeting on Monday was attended by a numerous and respectable audience, upward of one hundred and fifty of the parents and friends of the children being present. After partaking a plentiful and well-provided tea, a Public Meeting was held, Rev. T. A. Bayley in the chair. The platform was occupied by Rev. Mr. Mirams (Congregational), Rev. McKean (Presbyterian), Rev. G. Minns, and other friends. The meeting having been opened with prayer by the Rev. J. Mirams, the chairman called upon the secretary to read the Annual Report of the school. The Report was, upon the whole, most gratifying, and proved that the school was one of the largest in the district, having gradually improved in numbers, attendance, and proficiency, during the past year, the numbers at present being one hundred and thirtyfour, and average attendance fifty-two. During the evening appropriate addresses were delivered by the ministers and friends, and the intervals were very agreeably filled up with singing and reciting by the children. After a cordial vote of thanks to the ladies and the chairman, this most agreeable and satisfactory re-union was brought to a close.

On Tuesday the annual treat was given to the children, and they having spent a very happy day, the prizes were distributed in the evening by the Rev. G. Minns, and appropriate advice given to them by the secretary and other of their teachers.

This school is a noble illustration of the goodness of our heavenly Father; for, whilst the attendance of scholars has been so numerous-and there has been a great want of teachers, yet relying upon the promises-they determined not to be " weary nor faint by the way;" and through no ordinary discouragements they are able, at the

commencement of another year, to "thank God and take courage." Nor has the Sabbath-school been without its trophies of grace to present to the Saviour; some of the elder girls, who have been a considerable time in the school, have evidenced their conversion by their steady and consistent selfdenial; for without solicitation they have taken upon them the office of teachers, and are now endeavouring to lead the little lambs to the Good Shepherd as they themselves have been led. This is a source of gratitude and thankfulness, and will, we doubt not, cheer the drooping spirits of our toil ing brothers and sisters across the great deep.

Our words to you, dear brothers and sisters, are, "Be of good cheer; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

GEO. R. Cox, Super.,
T. C. REEK, Sec.

BIRSTAL CIRCUIT,-BATLEY. The above named place of worship having been purchased by other Trustees, settled on the Connexional Model Deed, and thoroughly renovated, had the first re-opening sermon preached in it on Wednesday evening, the 22nd, by the Rev. S. S. Barton, Rochdale, from Peter 1st Epistle, 1 chap. 18 and 19 verses. "Forasmuch as ye know, &c. ;" he confined his remarks chiefly to the words, "Precious blood of Christ." The discourse was listened to throughout with the most marked attention; the simple and forcible exposition of the passage took all the congregation by surprise, and their unanimous expression was that such a sermon ought to be printed in letters of gold.

On Sunday, 26th of June, the morning sermon was preached by the Rev. J. H. Carr, Birstall, who seemed most happy in his work, and his audience heard him with profit and delight.

The afternoon and evening services were conducted by the Rev. W. Reed, London. A deep interest in the sermons was manifest by the hearers; the congregations were unusually large, the responses were hearty and numerous; all present felt them to be seasons of especial grace, and God owned the labour of His servant.

On Monday the 27th, a Public Tea

Meeting was held in the large room of the Town Hall, where a dozen tables, gratuitously provided, bountifully fur nished, and pleasantly presided over by as many Ladies, supplied an ample repast to the numerous guests, whose happy countenances bespoke an interest, not only in the dainties set before them, but in the wellbeing of the cause which had brought them together.

After Tea a Public Meeting was held in the Chapel, presided over by Mr. J. Whitton, Leeds, and after apologies had been offered for the non-attendance of the Rev. J. Rae, B.A., Independent, Mr. Joseph Taylor, do., John Lodge, Wesleyan, and J. Haley, Cleckheaton; it was addressed by the Revs. W. Reynolds, New Connexion, Batley, Wm. Reed, London, J. H. Carr, Birstal, and other friends; the spirit of the meeting was excellent, being full of cheerful confidence, and all went home satisfied and happy with the duties of the occasion.

The entire services have been a success; the congregations continuously improved; the Trustees are benefited, by receipts and promises, to the amount of £50 158. 101d.; the society is taking an honourable stand by the side of the sister Churches; £1000 worth of property is secured to the Connexion; and the Circuit rejoices in the first visit of the two Brethren who so cheerfully came to their help.

T. H.

FIRST LONDON CIRCUIT. OPENING OF PEMBURY GROVE CHAPEL, LOWER CLAPTON.

Ir was at the Anniversary Meeting of the Methodist Free Church, Maidstone Street, Haggerstone, held on the 26th of May, 1862, John Wells, Esq. in the chair, that the subject of Chapel and School extension was first prac tically entertained by the members.

Previous to that time the number of worshippers and scholars had steadily increased. At a Church meeting held April 16th, 1862, seven persons were received into full membership, and the school was reported to be in a crowded

speakers at the Anniversary Meeting just alluded to, and most heartily supported by the audience. Forty-one friends at once gave in their names as willing to contribute to a new Chapel and School building fund.

Deputations were appointed to make enquiries about two sites of land in the immediate neighbourhood of the Chapel, and collecting books were in due course ordered to be printed. It was then considered desirable to raise the sum of £100 as speedily as possible, and a Treasurer and Secretary to the fund were appointed. The books were issued and a few pounds brought in by collectors, and the money deposited with the Temperance Permanent Land and Building Society. Altogether thirtynine collecting books were issued, but several collectors hesitated to use them vigorously until a plot of building land, or suitable premises, had been definitely decided upon. From this cause the sums collected were very small, viz. £27 3s. 4d., and interest £1, making a total of £28 3s. 4d.

For about two years the Committee continued to make enquiries and conduct negotiations respecting various plots of land and different buildings ; in this way no less than fifteen places came under their notice.

In May, this year, the prayers of God's people where answered, and the efforts of the Committee crowned with success; for at the beginning of that month, Pembury Grove Chapel, vacated by the Independents for a larger structure, was secured, through the hearty co-operation of several friends in the Circuit, for £1000, £50 being returned by the Trustees of whom it was purchased, for repairs. The Chapel, which will hold four-hundred persons, and has a school room, with accommodation for four-hundred children, is being settled on the Connexional Model Deed, and will thus be secured for the purposes of religious worship, in connection with the United Methodist Free Churches.

The Trustees were appointed from the Church at Maidstone Street, and the other Churches in the First London Circuit.

The Chapel and School-room having being thoroughly painted and repaired, a meeting of friends was held on Thurs

At the close of the above meeting, the re-opening sermon was preached by the Rev. Frank Soden, formerly Minister of the Chapel, and the re-opening services were continued on Sunday, July 10th, when the Rev. W. Reed preached in the morning, and the Rev. R. Bushell in the evening, to good congregations.

On Tuesday, July 12th, a numerously attended Tea Meeting was held in the admirable school room, after which a Public Meeting was held in the Chapel. Alderman Abbiss, presided, and generously gave £5 5s. in aid of the purchase money. Alderman Lusk, who was unavoidably prevented being present, sent a note of apology, and a donation of £5 58.

The Revs. W. Reed, J. Gunson, and Messrs. R. Parker, J. Chipchase, and Captain King, addressed the audience on our Connexional principles, and religious responsibilities. An excellent spirit pervaded the meeting, and it is hoped that, with persevering labour and earnest prayer, this effort to extend evangelical Christianity and Free Methodism, will result in great success. The enterprise is great for the few by whom it has been undertaken; but they rely on God's promise and the sympathy of Christian friends. The collections at the opening services amounted to £31 19s. 8d. The trays for the tea were given; several subscriptions were promised at the Meeting; and collecting books are about to be put in active circulation.

HOBART TOWN, TASMANIA. THE Anniversary of the Hobart Town Branch of the above missions was held on Sunday, the 6th, and Tuesday, the 8th of March. On the Sunday, sermons were preached at the Murray Street Chapel by the Rev. R. Miller, and Dr. Nicholson (Free Church), and

collections taken in behalf of the funds.

On Tuesday, the 8th, a Tea Meeting, and afterwards a Public Meeting, took place, presided over by H. S. Barrett, Esq. (Wesleyan), one of the Aldermen of the city.

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, urged the duty of Christians to uphold the cause of missions.

The SECRETARY (Rev. R. Miller), read the report, showing the satisfactory progress of the United Methodist Missions during the past year, and the increase of funds, and also alluding, among other things, to the determination of the directors to send two missionaries to China.

The financial statement was then submitted, £40 3s. 6d.

Mr. T. J. Crouch, Esq. (Wesleyan), Under-Sheriff, Mr. R. Giblin (Independent), Rev. R. McClean, M. A. (Church of Scotland), the Revs. J. W. Simmons, W. C. Robinson (Independent), afterwards addressed the meeting.

A collection was then made, and the secretary acknowledged the receipt of a cheque for £2, as the donation of Hon. Dr. Officer, speaker of the House of Assembly.

The Rev. R. MILLER moved that thanks be tendered to Mr. Alderman Barrett.

Mr. BARRETT briefly acknowledged a hearty vote of thanks, and the proceedings concluded with the singing of the Doxology.

LINCOLN.

THE anniversary services of the Lincoln Sabbath-School were held on Sunday and Monday, June 5th and 6th. Two sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Schofield, of Burton-onTrent, on Sunday morning and evening. The examinations of the scholars, with a few recitations and singing, occupied the afternoon. On the Monday the scholars had their annual tea; afterwards there was a public tea, which was thinly attended. After tea, the Public Meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. Schofield and Rev. J. Thomason (Primitive), and one of the school superintendents. Mr. T. Nicholson, of South Carlton, presided.

Collections were made at the close of

each service, and amounted to £9 11s. 2td.

In consequence of a new Chapel being built on the site of the old one, the services were held in the Corn Exchange. An able, interesting, and encouraging report was read by the Secretary.

LONDON DISTRICT.

THE adjourned meeting was held at the Book Room on the 30th of June; the Rev. W. REED, presided.

The Tabular Statement showed an increase of two-hundred and nine members, with five-hundred and twentyeight on trial.

Considerable progress had been made in the erection and enlargement of Chapels and school-rooms, but much more is contemplated.

The First London Circuit had pur chased a very good Chapel in Clapton, which will be opened in a few days.

The Third London Circuit is prepar ing to build a large Chapel at Poplar, and a very good one at Limehouse, in a much more eligible situation than the one they now occupy. The other London Circuits also are busily engaged in enlarging some, and preparing to erect others.

It is expected that the Chapel and premises at North End, Fulham, will shortly be given to the Connexion by James Wild, Esq., as a deed is now in course of preparation.

In considering the "Grants" for Circuits, it was found that Croydon would not require any; Tunbridge and Wickham would not require so much for the coming year as they had in the past; so that, judging from the returns given, and the reports made, the District is healthy and growing.

Earnest prayers were offered, at the commencement and the close, for in creased prosperity.

ROBERT BUSHELL,
District Secretary.

NOTTINGHAM,

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF

CHAPEL AND SCHOOL-ROOMS,

THE interesting ceremony of laying the foundation stone of a new chapel and school-rooms in Great Alfred Street, in connection with the "United Methodist Free Church," worshipping

in Shakespeare Street, took place last Monday. It appears that the United Methodist Free Church in Nottingham bas been very successful. During the last three years the church members in the circuit have greatly increased, the town congregation having doubled itself. At Shakespeare Street Chapel galleries have been added to give increased accommodation. This congregation feeling that there was a populous district of many thousands of souls for whom the spiritual privileges of the neighbourhood were inadequate, determined on opening a preaching room and Sunday-school near the present site of the new chapel. So successful has it been that they decided on erecting the present building, which, when completed, will be a great ornament to the town. The weather was sultry, and at times overcast, but during the ceremony the sun shone

with brilliancy, lending life and animation to the scene. There was a very large concourse of people present, and the windows of the houses in the vicinity commanding a view of the scene were lined with spectators. The friends and scholars of the Sunday.school met at the Shakespeare Street schoolroom, and walked in procession to the grounds, arriving there at three o'clock. The speakers and principal persons interested occupied the platform. Amongst those present we observed the Revs. W. Griffiths (Derby), Thomas Newton, Trevail, Guttridge, Ackrill, Mr. Thomas Kirk (Derby), Messrs. Atkin, Miller, Leighton, England, Page, Foster, Wigley, Smith, Broxholme, Perry, Dobson, Booth, &c., &c. The proceedings commenced by singing the hymn commencing :

"Great is the Lord our God,

And let His praise be great;
He makes His churches His abode,
His most delightful seat

The Rev. W. Trevail then read the 84th Psalm, after which the Rev. W. Griffiths, of Derby, offered up prayer. Mr. Marsh, Secretary to the Trustees, read an appropriate memorial.

All being ready for the laying of the stone, Mr. Nathaniel Broxholme then stepped forward, and presented S. Smith, Esq., with a beautiful silver trowel, on which was chastely engraved

the following inscription: "Presented to Sydney Smith, Esq., on his laying the foundation-stone of Great Alfred Street Chapel, Nottingham, in connection with the United Methodist Free Church, June 20th, 1864." A mahogany mallet was next presented by Mr. George Chapman. The stone was then raised, and S. Smith, Esq., proceeded to place in the cavity a box hermetically sealed, containing a bottle in which were placed copies of the Nottingham Daily Express, and Wesleyan Times newspapers, the minutes of the last Annual Assembly, a photograph of the Rev. T. Newton, the Preacher's Plan of the Nottingham Circuit, along with the foregoing memorial. The stone having been lowered into its place and finally adjusted, S. Smith, Esq., proceeded to say, that he was thankful God, in His infinite goodness, had thought fit to permit him to lay the stone to His honour, praise, and glory. He felt himself unworthy of so glorious a task. Like others, he had for some time been looking above, and asking of the Lord was there nothing for him to do before he went hence. There were, he was thankful to say, many of the Lord's blessed people present that day who had come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. The work he was engaged in was a necessary one; the stone must be laid before the building could be erected. An acorn was a small and insignificant thing to look upon, but when planted and watered with the dews of heaven it became a mighty oak. He laid that stone with the full hope that it would prove to many a house below to fit them to go to the House of God above. If any asked why was the chapel erected, they might look around and see the vast population growing up on every side. He trusted it might prove a blessing to the whole population-parents and children alike; and not only to them, but to future generations also. When a youth, few were wilder than himself; but he was there that day as a witness of God's glorious power to save for many a year past. He saw many around him who, like himself, were witnesses of this power, and he hoped to meet them in the world above. Sin had ruined thousands, but God's temples had saved thousands. He con