conversion of souls; but, I am happy now to say, that conversions have taken place. In D'Urban itself we have not had such visible marks as we could wish; but, even here, besides the greatly increasd congregations, and religious feeling generally, there are some who give clear evidence of having passed from death unto life. But it is more especially in the country places where a visible change has been wrought in some who were careless and unawakened before. In one place, as you will have heard, one of our most influential members was suddenly called away by death. This painful circumstance produced very serious impressions on the minds of many. One Sabbath, some months after the event, I was preaching at one of the farmhouses in the neighbourhood: the house was filled in every part. During the service, there was a subdued feeling, which increased considerably in a lovefeast that we held afterwards. One after another spoke of the dealings of God with him or her, and spoke evidently from the fulness of the heart. The influence which had been experienced up to that period, now increased still more, and the power of God came down in a remarkable manner. I shall never forget the scene, in the room where we were holding the service: several were seeking mercy; one fell almost to the floor, so powerfully was he wrought upon. In the adjoining room, a son of the person in whose house we were was lying very ill, and at his bedside was another son crying for mercy: we prayed with the penitents, and wept over them tears of joy. After two had professed to find peace through believing, we closed the meeting, praying that the work which had begun would spread to the entire neighbourhood. It was a strange commingling of joy and sorrow for the parents: while one of their children was near death, two others were rejoicing in the possession of pardon and acceptance.-During the week the sick child died, triumphing through the blood of Christ. He was only about twelve years old; but so ready was he for his departure, and so desirous that others should be saved, that to every one who came to his bedside, he said, "Will you not meet me in heaven?" A reckless neighbour went to see him, and to him he said the same: "but," he said, "you must repent first." He sang of Jesus, who had saved him, till he entered the river of death, when the sounds faintly died away, and his voice mingled with the ransomed, singing the new song. Through these circumstances, the Society generally has been quickened; and after such scenes I felt repaid for all the sacrifice I had made in leaving my native land, and felt that if I had ten thousand lives I could give them to Christ and His service.Rev. T. Kirby, D'Urban, January 16th, 1865. CENTRAL AMERICA. HONDURAS. LAST week I visited a place called "Indian Church," at the head of the New River. The remains of what is called an old church still stand there, and the foundations of other buildings. It must have been an important Indian town at one time. There are two gravestones beside the ruins, covered with a kind of cement exceedingly hard. The walls of the ruin are about four feet thick, and the workmanship is pronounced to be very good. The fine old ruins which still exist in many parts of Yucatan show that the Indians in past ages have been a very clever and superior race of people. Viewing their present ignorant and degenerate condition, one is led to ask, How is the vast change to be accounted for? The cause is plain,the introduction of Romanism into their country, which has been their ruin. About a month since one hundred and thirty-one emigrants arrived there from Barbadoes; and more, I believe, are expected to follow. The teacher who has come with them, and who conducts worship for them, is a Methodist, and a very promising young man. There are a few of our members living there from various parts; so he will form a class without delay, and act as their leader. I preached twice to them, and administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to about forty, most of whom have been communicants in the Established Church at Barbadoes. Between the services I preached to the Indians, who formed an interesting congregation. John Hodge, Esq., who is at the head of the British Honduras Company, paid the expenses to and from. On the banks of the New River there are many settlements, and one of them, called "Orange Walk," is nearly as large as Corosal; and San Estevan is also a large village. On our way up I had purposed to preach at Orange Walk, where we remained for the night; but being a stranger in the place, and arriving rather late in the afternoon, I failed to do so; but I prepared the way for the next visit. If I could have remained on our return, I could have got them together; but I had before promised to preach at San Estevan that evening, at which place I had the happiness to proclaim the way of salvation in Indian to a good number of people. On my next visit I must allow a day more in returning, which will enable me to preach at more places. A second Methodist Missionary should be stationed in the northern district. It is impossible for one Missionary to meet the wants of this part; and now that we have a good teacher stationed at Stann Creek, I am sure that it would be better to send another Missionary to Corosal, and for a time let Belize remain with one preacher. I have lately got a teacher for the school at Corosal, or I should not have been able to visit Indian Church; and now I have also more time for the Maya language. For some time it will be necessary for the second Missionary to remain with me, that I may help him with the Maya; but after a time one of us will have to take up our abode at Orange Walk, which is the most central place. I have been unwilling to increase the expenditure in this Circuit, but now the time has come when I feel that I should do wrong to be silent; so I now urge upon you to appoint another Missionary here, from the deep conviction that it would be wise to do so, if you possibly can. I am often much encouraged in my work, though there are many things which are trying, and our progress is slow. One respectable Spaniard, I believe, has already renounced his Romanism, and given himself to God. Two or three years since, for a short time, he kept a school in Corosal. He told me that one of his scholars brought "Andres Dunn" as his reading book; examining the book, he immediately took it from him, and told him that it was not suitable for him to have at all; after a day or two he gave the boy the book to take home again. Now Andres Dunn" is a favourite book of his; and he is trying to live like him. On one occasion formerly he saw two black boys with crosses in their hands, which they had got out of some empty house, going along the street imitating the mummery of the Spanish mass, they then dashed the crosses on the ground, and ran away. He followed after to punish them for what he regarded as a very wicked act. But a change has come over him. He has now banished all his own crosses, and cleared his house of them, and I united with him and his family in prayer to God in the name of Jesus. He has now his Bible and many other useful books in Spanish, which I supplied him with; and when I last visited him, he expressed in the most sincere and grateful manner his thanks to God, for the change which had been wrought. He is now anxious for his family, and also for all in ignorance, that they may be led to take Jesus as their only hope and Saviour. He is a man of good abilities, and speaks the Maya well, and I think he will make a very useful man. wished me, after I returned from Indian Church, to appoint a time to preach in his house, saying he would invite the people in the neighbourhood to attend. He As soon as I had returned from Indian Church, the mother of one of my former school-boys came to ask me to go and see her son, who was sick. The parents are Catholics, and the priest often visits the house, and has received the confession of the youth; but he has not lost the impressions made on his mind, nor does he forget the kindness that has been shown him; the result is, that he loves his teacher, and prefers his visits to those of others. I do not doubt but that we shall have many instances of the power and success of a preached Gospel to narrate to you.-Rev. R. Fletcher, Corosal, April 5th, 1865. THE amount of contributions and remittances announced on the Cover of the Notices this month is £3,947. 138. Curragh Camp, May 1st, 1865. MY DEAR SIR,-In my last letter I informed you of our commencing service in the Newbridge Barracks, the Secretary of State for War having granted us the use of the small riding-school. At first, our attendance was not large; but it soon began to increase, although the place was very uncomfortable for the winter season. The colonel very kindly granted us the use of the recreationroom, which is most suitable in every respect. Our attendance has so increased that this large room is too small for us. Many not hitherto recognised as Wesleyans made choice of our service. The families of our own people felt it a great privilege, and gratefully availed themselves of it. Frequently we have enjoyed much of the Divine presence, and we trust "the bread cast upon the waters shall be found after many days." In this instance, our success is our difficulty. The parade-service in the camp is now much larger than it has usually been at this season. Already we are overcrowded, and very soon we must have a second service. We shall then be compelled either to have four services on the Sabbath, or give up Newbridge. The latter we should greatly regret, and we fear to undertake the former. What is to be done? It is desirable we should have the labours of another minister for the summer, for we have a large and most important field to occupy. The officers in command have always evinced the utmost willingness to meet our wishes, and facilitate our work. You will be pleased to hear that we have obtained the privilege of the attendance of the staff-doctor for our family, as the result of our recognition by the Field-Marshal commanding-inchief. Some men yet with us, and some removed to other stations, willingly testify the spiritual good they received amongst us here. I send you the following extract of a letter from Private D. H.: "I trust the good work is going on with you, among our men. When I think of the precious times I have had under your ministry, my heart fills within me. May God bless you with every blessing you stand in need of! The young man who was seeking the Lord before he left the Curragh has found peace, and is now rejoicing in God. send this letter with M of the A- : he will tell you how we are getting on. May God bless your labours, and crown them with success !" A review of the incidents of the past few months gives reason for gratitude to Almighty God. He has been with us in public worship, and in the hospitals; and in the several branches belonging to this department we have felt His presence and help.-I am, dear Sir, truly yours, W. LOUGH. Rev. C. Prest. HOME-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE. 1. HOME-MISSIONS.-At the Annual Meeting in May, the Secretary, the Rev. Charles Prest, made a statement, in place of an ordinary Report, from which we take the following interesting extracts: At the Conference of 1857 there was not any minister appointed to act as a Home-Missionary,-no one distinctively so set apart. At the Conference of 1858 six ministers were so appointed; in the next year seventeen; in 1860 there were thirty-four; in the following year forty-five; then, in 1862, fifty-four; in the year 1863 we advanced to fiftynine. Including the Mission-stations in the Zetland Isles, which are essentially a part of the Home-Missionary work, there were, in the year 1864, seventy VOL. XI.-FIFTH SERIES. six Missionaries appointed. Besides these, eight ministers are now appointed for the benefit of Wesleyan soldiers in the Army in Great Britain and Ireland. Since 1859 fifteen Home-Mission stations have been satisfactorily merged in Circuit arrangements: a result which we hope will follow with reference to all these stations, and that quickly in our larger towns. Four more of these stations will be so merged at the ensuing Conference. This year the HomeMission Committee provides for no less than thirty-two married ministers; and the Fund, besides this, has aided in furnishing fifty additional ministers' houses, between the years 1858 and 1864. Proposals are made for providing for nine additional married ministers at 2 U the Conference of 1865. This is a very satisfactory result of the operations of these Missions on the other institutions of Methodism. These Missions have encouraged-in many cases they have originated, and certainly in many more they have expedited the building of chapels. At the last Conference, it was reported that thirty-four chapels had been so built, costing £48,000, and accommodating 14,500 persons. Since that time, nine other chapels have been opened, including large ones at Bow, Widnes, and one or two other places; and, in addition to some nearly ready for opening, fourteen others, several of them being spacious, are in progress, or in practical contemplation. These erections are intended to be without debt; so that whatever pecuniary income may arise from them, over the necessary expenditure, will go to the sustenance of the ministry. Then the increase of church-members in Circuits to which Home-Missionary ministers have been appointed, is exceedingly gratifying. Since 1858 the increase has been 6,463. This increase in the Home-Missions alone makes provision, according to our financial economy, for the support of seventythree children of ministers. There has also been an increase of the annual income of our Fund between the years 1858 and 1864, according to the last Report, of £8,000; that is to say, the income of the last year was £8,000 more than in the year 1858; and from 1858 up to this time there has been a steady increase in the income placed at the disposal of the Committee. This is a very different state of things from that which existed when this Committee -not having at the time any distinct or avowed aggressive action-was more than £15,000 in debt. We have reason to thank God and take courage on that account. Another gratifying result has been the extent to which the co-operation of zealous and godly lay brethren has been secured for this good work. About a thousand such persons last year, including class-leaders, Local preachers, and others, were found giving steady, laborious, and, I am bound to add, invaluable help to the ministers engaged in these Missions. Then I am sure all will be glad to know that our Foreign Missions have been aided, and not hindered, by the operation of the Home Missions. I think there is some hope that, with the increased advance of our Home-Missionary undertaking, we may confidently look for a large portion of the supply for that deficiency which we all regret to know now exists in our Foreign Missionary income. I do hope that, before long, there will be from this source still more encouraging contributions; for the contributions, at present, are certainly such as to largely encourage our expectations. I will at once say that wherever we have had Home-Missions established, the income of the Foreign Missions has been increased; in some cases remarkably so. * I have had the opportunity of observing the progress of public feeling in connexion with our Home-Missionary Anniversaries now for some years, in all parts of the kingdom; and it is most gratifying to be able to say, that the religious influence connected with the Home-Missionary Anniversaries and meetings which have been held during the past year, has been of a blessed and most profitable character; and that those occasions have also secured a larger attendance, together with increas ing interest, and have been, as they are likely to be, increasingly productive of funds. As to the aggressive work of our Home-Missions, it has been satisfactorily carried on during the year,- never more satisfactorily, either as to the devotion of the men engaged in that work generally, or as to the results which are arising from their labours. The work of Methodism in the rural districts must be more efficiently done; and unless we do it we shall lose our hold on the rural population. In some parts of England we have not now the hold on the rural populations that we had twenty years ago. We cannot leave the rural population to the present parochial system, with its diverse incul cation of truth and of error. This question is one of spiritual life or death. We must revert here to something like our original modes;-to the spirit and style of working of old Methodism. The fact is, that we want this work doing a little more in the old style, and I hope we shall get men ready to do it,-ay, to do any part of the work of Methodism which the providence of God may make necessary. And if men tell us they have no taste for it, and if they tell us they do not like it, and, because they do not like it, will not engage in it, they are not suited for the exigencies of the time, and are not likely to do us service, even when our position is established. We do not want men who can enter on work done ready to their hands; but men who will be glad to do the work in the manner in which our glorious forefathers did it. I turn for a moment to our work in connexion with the Army. I am very glad to say that, so far as our public position with the War Office and the chief Army authorities is concerned, we have nothing to report but what is satisfactory. There may be little annoyances; that will be the case, I dare say, in any administration; but the supreme authorities of the Army have ever dealt with us-I do not say with courtesy, because that was to be expected and is always shown, but-with great fairness. If I refer to the conduct of three successive Secretaries of War, and if I refer to conduct such as might be expected from the Field-Marshal, the Queen's cousin, the Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-chief, it is to acknowledge that we have no complaint to make upon that score. Now as to the Navy. We have all along found that dealing with the Navy is a far more difficult matter than dealing with the Army. The Committee can never imagine that we shall be able to send chaplains in sea-going ships, recollecting that the Admiralty itself only does so in ships of a certain rate, and not going very far down the rating. We can deal with sailors and marines who may be in barracks already erected, and which will be erected in our different principal seaports. We have, therefore, requested the following things of the Lords of the Admiralty, after some preliminary correspondence with the admiral in command at Sheerness. Having received from their lordships, through their Secretary, Lord Clarence Paget, a request that we should state our specific wishes, I did so state them. First, that we requested to be accommodated with a place in the naval barracks at Sheerness for the service of Wesleyans, intimating that the War Office and the Duke of Cambridge had given us accommodation in nearly every place where we have stations for the benefit of the Army and I gave them a list of the places. Secondly, if that could not be done, through the crowding of the barracks and so on, that they would march the men to a place which we were willing to provide for the holding of services on Sunday mornings, and which was much nearer to the barracks than the Roman Catholic chapel to which they now marched the men. Thirdly, that if it would be inconvenient, or inconsistent with the rules or necessities of the service for the men afloat to come to any place on shore, their lordships would be pleased to place at our disposal the accommodation which for years they have placed at the disposal of the Church of England, and of Roman Catholics, by giving us some ship or other in which our services could be held afloat. I next took the Navy List, and gave the names of all the ships so employed, and of all ships used as reformatories and naval asylums, and for similar purposes. I then intimated that this was a question which did not affect Sheerness locally,-that it was one in which I was sure the Methodists everywhere would feel a great interest. Further, that it could not be imagined that their lordships would for a moment entertain the idea that the Wesleyans were less deserving of consideration and accommodation than the Roman Catholics. Our application was followed up almost immediately by a similar application from the Presbyterians. Their lordships will probably issue regulations applicable to Wesleyans and all other denominations. I think we shall have fair play there also; indeed, I have no doubt about it. Looking at the work as it opens before us, we are more anxious just now for a supply of able and suitable men than we are about the funds. Whilst the Methodists are not likely to do much in the way of contributions towards anything stated to them hypothetically, yet when we show them that there is work done, we shall not lack funds for carrying on any enterprise to which, by the providence and grace of God, we may be directed. I trust we shall pray more and more earnestly for men full of the Holy Ghost, love to Christ and souls; men of strong sense and competent information; men of indomitable zeal, and resolute, self-denying Christian habits. When we are prepared to employ a much larger number of holy, devoted men, I believe God will give us those men in answer to prayer; and it behoves us to show, in addition to our prayers, a readiness and a practical preparedness of mind and conduct to receive and use such men to the glory and the praise of God. 2. GUILDFORD.-From the Rev. John Dixon.-May 10th, 1865.-Though we |
