Assembly at Newcastle, and of the great kindness he had received from the friends at South Shields. Mr. J. D. Wormald gave a report of the state of the New Chapel Fund, which showed that there was close on £200 collected, and in bank, after which, stirring stirring addresses were delivered by the Rev. N. Wright, and the Rev. John Whitten, of the Independent Church, Mr. Cuthbertson of London, and Mr. Henry Murray, Mr. Harvey, and Mr. Rowe of Edinburgh. Taken altogether, this was one of the best and most successful soirees we have had for many years. For fourteen years the Church in Edinburgh has been conducted entirely by lay agency, and has on the whole been very suc cessful. During that time it has weathered many a storm, but last year it was called upon to pass through a storm of more than ordinary severity, and which threatened at one time to wreck the little ship, which however has happily survived.

What the Church has lost in membership, it has more than gained in peace and harmony-the best possible guarantees of prosperity. Indeed, the Church was never more spiritually healthy than at present; the class meetings and prayer meetings are well attended, the bible class is crowded, the Sunday congregations are good, and a spirit of devotion and earnestness pervades them all. Already our membership is on the increase, and during the winter, with the aid of the Missionary we expect the Connexional Committee to send us, we hope to attain to a state of prosperity unexampled in our previous history.

J. D. WORMALD.

HELSTON.

We have recently opened two new chapels for the public worship of God in this Circuit. One at Garras, in the parish of Mawgan where the services were conducted on the week day, by the Rev. S. Dunn, and on the Sunday by Rev. J. E. Rosoman; and, after painting, two sermons by the Rev. R. Bell. Its size is forty by thirty-one, and it is airy, light, and very comfortable. The Society here, of from seventy to eighty members, has the peculiarity of being composed entirely of pledged teetotallers.

The other chapel is situated in the village of St. Keverne, where four or five years ago the friends started a new cause. This, though smaller than the one at Garras, is a very pretty and comfortable building. The Revs. R. Bell, and J. E. Rosoman again favoured us with their valuable services. The attendance on each occasion has been very gratifying, and the collections have been exceedingly good. The Circuit, as one man, has shown an interest in the work.

As to the state of our Circuit, it has many encouraging features, but we want conversions. A few have during the last two weeks taken place; we long, and plead for more; for "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," and we wish always to feel that our state is unsatisfactory but as this great end is gained.

W. L. LANG.

FIRST LONDON CIRCUIT.
PEMBURY GROVE.

ON Wednesday evening last, October 19th, a Lecture was delivered in our chapel, by the Rev. W. Reed, on "Priestly Intolerance in Hackney." This Lecture was occasioned by our missionary efforts at Pembury Grove meeting with some opposition from our "High Church" friends. J. Chipchase, Esq. presided, and, after some excellent remarks on our obligations to defend our civil and religious liberties, introduced the lecturer.

MR. REED proceeded to point out, in a very striking manner, the evils arising from a spirit of intolerance, and from the connection of Church and State. It was to be feared that those who had excited attention, more particularly by their conduct toward the minister of Pembury Grove, represented a large and increasing portion of the clergy of the Church of England. These men showed but too plainly that if they could have things their own way they would take us back to the days of the Inquisition. He would read from papers written immediately after the occurrence, a circumstance which took place only a short time ago.

Mr. Ashworth, who has been ap pointed to Pembury Grove by the Connexional authorities, went to see a sick man, taking a few good things with him which one of our friends had supplied

C. Yes, what are you? and what is your business here?

A. I came, sir, to see this sick man, and to pray with him.

C. And where did you get your authority?

A. My authority?

C. Yes, your authority?

A. Well, sir, I was desired to come by a gentleman who, I believe, is a friend of this sick man, and bring him this bag, which contains some pearl barley, some sugar, and a lemon, as they were thought suitable for him.

C. But I mean where did you get your authority from to preach the Gospel, and to sustain the office you do?

A. Oh! if that is what you mean, I am called by the Spirit of God to preach the Gospel: and have been appointed by the authorities of the United Methodist Free Churches, to labour for God in Pembury Grove Chapel, in the adjoining street.

C. Well then you may just leave the room. I have authority handed down to me from the Apostles, in proper succession, and have been ordained. You have none of these.

A. As I have no wish to intrude or continue such a conversation as this, in the presence of a dying man, I will retire. (Turning to the sick man.) Shall I leave you this parcel, my dear man ?

C. You may give it to him as a friend; but you must not assume the office of a Minister of the Gospel. I am the Minister of this Parish, and I am your Minister if you live in the Parish.

A. (On his refusing again to shake hands.) Won't you shake hands, sir ? I think you ought to be civil and act like a Christian man.

C. If you want to see me, you must

The address was given.

A. Thank you. Good afternoon. After commenting on this conversation, and stating a few things about a subsequent interview, the Lecturer pointed out at some length the absurdities of the Apostolic succession theory. He then spoke of the injustice of the Church Rate system; and concluded by making a practical application of the subject, hoping that while we censured the intolerance of others, we would be very careful not to be intolerant ourselves.

Mr. REED resumed his seat amid loud and prolonged applause. A vote of thanks was proposed to him, and several rose to second it. One gentleman said, "I wish to second the vote of thanks, and I think the Meeting will bear with me a little when I state that I am a Churchman. I have been pleased with the able, courteous, and yet faithful manner in which the lecturer has treated his subject, and I believe him to be an honest, truth speaking, and God-fearing man. I have, therefore, great pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks."

The audience was large,highly respectable,and enthusiastic, often interrupting the lecturer by their hearty applause, which was occasionally mixed with hisses. The lecturer said he was pleased to hear their hissing; and hoped they would come forward at the close of the lecture, on to the platform, and hiss with their faces to the people. None of the hissers, however, availed themselves of that privilege. The meeting terminated in a very orderly manner; and we believe was productive of good.

W. A.

THIRD LONDON CIRCUITSPITALFIELDS.

FOR a considerable time past, the managers and teachers of the Sundayschool in connection with Brown's Lane Chapel, Spitalfields, have felt much inconvenience, and suffered considerable interruption from the want of suitable school-rooms. The congregation has also experienced no little annoyance from the teaching being carried on in the chapel. To remedy

this state of things, and provide additional accommodation for the increasing number of scholars, it has been determined to erect new schoolrooms at a cost of about £800. Suitable preparations having been made, Monday, Sept. 19th, was chosen as the day for laying the foundation stone. The service connected with the ceremony, was commenced by the singing of a hymn, after which the Rev. Henry Banks offered prayer. The eightyfourth psalm was then read, after which the Rev. Samuel Chester presented an elegant silver trowel to W. Foster, Esq., one of the superintendents of the school, on whom the honour of laying the stone devolved. This gentleman, in an artistic and workmanlike manner, at once proceeded to lay the stone. On completing the operation, he declared it to be well and truly laid in the name of the Triune Jehovah. He then referred to the deep interest he took in the Sabbath-school, and the great satisfaction and pleasure he felt in being permitted to take part in such an interesting ceremony as that which had brought them together, and earnestly hoped that the school would prove a great blessing to the juvenile portion of the large population of the surrounding neighbourhood. They wished to fix the great principles of Gospel truth in the hearts of the children, and to lead them to an acquaintance with the Saviour whom to know is life eternal. While they thanked God for the good that had resulted from their labours in the past, they hoped under the Divine blessing to achieve still greater successes in the future. Mr. Foster at the close of his brief, but animated address, deposited a purse upon the stone, containing ten guineas from himself and three from a friend. The Rev. R. Bushell then delivered a spirited and practical address on Church Consolidation and Extension, after which a collection was made. After a brief address from W. Lawton, Esq., of Silverdale, the interesting service was brought to a close, by singing and prayer, the company adjourned to the chapel to partake of a well-provided tea.

and

In the evening a Public Meeting was held, the chair being taken by John Wells, Esq. Addresses relating imme diately or remotely to Sabbath-schools, were delivered by the Revs. Samuel

Chester, H. Banks, J. Mara, and Messrs. Chipchase, Salisbury, Day, Triggs, Green, and Waller. A collec tion on behalf of the Building Fund was made, and a cordial vote of thanks accorded to the chairman, after which the friends separated, carrying with them pleasing impressions of the day's services, and cherishing lively hopes of greater prosperity.

RADSTOCK.

DEAR SIR,-There being some diffi. culty in obtaining a dwelling house for our minister in a central position of the Circuit, the Quarterly Meeting appointed a Committee to procure if possible a piece of land upon which to build a house.

The Countess Waldegrave having already responded very liberally to a memorial presented to her for a plot of ground as a site for the chapel, it was thought desirable to make another appeal to her ladyship, who has proved herself the unswerving friend of religious liberty in Radstock, and is generally attentive to the wants and conveniences of the inhabitants. Application was, therefore, made to her for second piece of ground for this object, which was granted on the same terms as that for the chapel. The two pieces measuring about half-an-acre, are now held on a lease of more than ninety years, at the nominal rent of two shillings per annum. The Committee commenced the building in the spring of the present year, and the house is now the comfortable and snug resi dence of Mr. Kench, our esteemed pastor.

Its completion has just been celebrated by special services in the chapel, which is contiguous to the new resi dence.

On Sunday, September 25th, two sermons were preached by the Rev. Thomas Kench, and collections made in aid of the Building Fund. The follow· ing day a Circuit tea-meeting was held, and was followed by a public-meeting, both of which were well attended. Mr. Barfot presided, and after his opening address, called upon Mr. T. James, the treasurer, to read the report; it was found that scarcely one-fourth of the cost had been raised, and the meeting at once went into the question of how the debt should be paid off, when £40 was promised.

Collecting Cards will be issued forthwith, and a strenuous effort made through the Circuit to have the house clear of debt, which will enable us the sooner to employ a second minister.

The meeting was addressed by Messrs. G. B. Ash, J. Chivers, J. Spear, and the Rev. T. Kench; Mr. A. Chivers then proposed the following resolu tion,

"That the best thanks of this meeting be tendered most respectfully to the Right Hon. the Countess Waldegrave, for her kindness in granting the piece of land for the erection of a dwelling house for our minister, and especially for the munificent terms upon which her ladyship has been pleased to grant the land for this purpose."

This motion was carried by the whole audience standing up. The usual devotions closed this very interesting service.

On Tuesday the quarterly meeting of this Circuit was held at Farmborough ; it was well attended, peaceful, and harmonious. Mr. Lawes, of Bristol, attended as a deputation to bring before

the meeting the claims of the Preachers' Children Fund which he did in a very able manner, when it was unanimously resolved that, in future, the Circuit conform to the Connexional regulations in this matter.

VALEDICTORY SERVICE.

A VALEDICTORY service, in connection with the departure of the Rev. J. Tyerman, as Missionary to New Zealand, was held in Jubilee Street Chapel, Lon. don, on Thursday, October 20th. The Revs. W. Reed, S. Chester, H. Banks, J. Mara, W. Ashworth, and Messrs. Chipchase and King, took part in the proceedings which were most interesting and impressive. Mr. Tyerman's statement of God's dealings with him, was simple, earnest, and touching. hallowed feeling pervaded the assembly, and many prayers were offered for his success. He expects to sail for his adopted country, with his wife and family, in the ship Mermaid, on Tuesday, 25th inst. May the Great Ruler of winds and waves conduct them safely to their destination! Oct. 22nd, 1864.

A

THE war in New Zealand is terminated. The Maori chiefs have submitted to the Colonial Government ; we trust that they will be treated with as much clemency as regard for law and order permits.

Tidings from China are unfavourable to the rebels. Nankin has been taken by the Imperialists, a circumstance which has deprived them of much of their prestige and greatly lessened their resources. In Pekin the Gospel is preached almost daily, and converts to the faith are gradually increasing in various parts of the Chinese Empire. "Two native soldiers were lately baptized by the American missionaries at Tiensin. Soon afterwards an order came to detach one-fourth of the regi ment to which they belong to receive and welcome at midnight Hsi Shen, the god of joy. On application to the authorities, the missionary was informed that private soldiers would not be re

quired to worship idols; officers must. Forty members were received by the American Presbyterian Church at an out-station near Ningpo, during last year, not one of whom receives any support from the mission. They have a native pastor, supported in part by the Church. In all, there are about two hundred members, two native pastore, and four licentiates or probationers. The labours of the medical missionaries are operating most beneficially in se curing for the brethren in general more respectful treatment than they would otherwise receive. 'At one place,' writes the Rev. Mr. Swanson, of Amoy, 'on our return from Yam-chau, we were stopped by a band of lawless fellows, and speedily found ourselves surrounded by a crowd. We were asked if we belonged to the same party of foreigners as Dr. Gauld, and on our replying in the affirmative, we were allowed to pass on without any further annoy

ance. Since Dr. Gauld has opened a hospital in Swatow he has had patients in great numbers. One day, while I was there, the doctor had one hundred and one out-patients, besides fifty-eight in-door or resident patients.' Thus too, Dr. John Parker, of Ningpo, writes, 'I can have any amount of patients, with all kinds of diseases. The people are very friendly, and have confidence in us, knowing that we are men who preach Jesus and heal their diseases. They hate foreigners, but they call us 'kwe kyu,' or honourable men.'

Dr. Lockart,who visited Japan, before leaving China for England, reports that many of the people were favourably disposed towards the Gospel, though the Governor had declared that death should be inflicted on any who received Christian baptism. Six American missionaries reside at Yokohma, one of whom says, "We are, and have for some time past been, in the midst of a work of Divine grace here. The seamen of the fleet are the subjects thereof. One vessel has now six men who rejoice in having found peace in Christ. One officer in another. One or two men in a third; and two or three in a fourth ; and three or four in a fifth. The captain of one man-of-war is a devoted Christian, and at his request I have preached twice on the Lord's day at the hour of Divine service, and estab lished a Bible-class which numbers fourteen men and boys. This has resulted in the conversion, I verily believe, of three. A good many are anxious to know the way of life, who have not found it. Next Sabbath is our communion day. I hope that several will be able to be present and confess Christ before men on that occasion. I felt assured at the opening of the year, during our week of prayer, that God's Spirit was with us, and I believe the Lord is answering the prayers then offered up for the outpouring of the Spirit upon men around us in this dark corner of the earth.'

In Polynesia the Gospel, notwithstanding much opposition from heathenism and popery, spreads. Rapa has been the scene of a fearful visitation, which forms an awful sequel to the atrocious slave trade inaugurated by Peruvian slavers, and terminated by the Peruvian government. The vessel provided by the latter, for the return of

the kidnapped Polynesians to their homes, was fearfully inadequate to their accommodation, and the consequence was an amount of suffering and death equalling the most appalling tragedies of the "middle passage." The Rev. J. L. Green, who visited Rapa, reports, -"The number of those rescued from slavery amounted to three hundred and sixty; but, from the crowded state of the ship, and the cruelty they suffered on board, as well as the ravages of small. pox and dysentery, no less than three hundred and forty-four died at sea and were buried in the deep. The captain carried the sixteen survivors to Raps, and finding that the inhabitants hesi tated to receive them with the vestiges of the disease still upon them, threatened to throw them into the sea; whereupon the Rappans, forgetting themselves, consented to take them into their houses. Thus the seeds of death were scattered; they spread the fatal pestilence under which they laboured throughout the island, and one-third of the population have fallen victims." Mr. Green found only seven of the poor islanders, who sailed from Peru, alive. When "God maketh inquisition for blood" their murderers will not be forgotten.

Missionaries in South Africa have complained much of the hindrances to their success presented by the wander ing and warlike habits of many of the tribes, and some of their social customs, by which those under their instruction are removed from their care before their religious views and character have been decidedly formed. It appears, however, from the testimony of a United Presbyterian Church Missionary in Kaffraria, that the seeds of Divine truth sown in theminds of the natives often remain there and bring forth fruit.-"Perhaps more than one-half of these girls who had learn ed to read the Word in our stations, and received impressions of good from the instructions of missionaries, but whose parents, living in heathenism, sold them away afterward for cattle, when they came of age became recovered in the long run. This is true also of young men, or rather boys, taken away from our stations as soon as the period of manhood arrived. It is found that these persons are generally the first to come to newly-formed stations, should they happen to be near them. There are many facts of this sort that have