peace. We were, the week following, deprived of three others of our esteemed members-Mrs. Turnbull, Wm. Arons, and Mary Ann Lunn. May this dispensation lead us to a closer walk with God.

SAML. JONES.

At a

MRS. HANNAH WILD, of Stockport, in her 62nd year, departed this life on November 29th, 1853, suddenly, but graciously ready for her change. When 13 years old, she was left motherless; but God was the guide of her childhood and youth. very early age she began to attend Mount Tabor Chapel, forming a strong attachment to its services, and which her maturer judgment confirmed. But although frequenting the public means of grace, and finding pleasure and profit in some of the ordinances of religion, it seems that during a long period, she was only almost persuaded to be a Christian. About twenty-one years ago, her husband died also very suddenly; and about two years afterwards, under the ministry of the Rev. W. Cooke, she was brought to follow the Lord fully. From this time it appeared the effort of her whole life to please God, and to promote the welfare of her family, now devolved on her sole parental care. The Bible was the book of her reading and continued study; and from this source were derived her own principles and rules of action, as well as the instruction given to her children. As she had opportunities, the house of God was the place of her resort; and only sickness, or some unavoidable hindrance, detained her from its holy and refreshing exercises. In ascending from her dwelling, and coming in sight of the chapel, she would exclaim, "O that little hill of Zion! How often thou hast taken all my cares and doubts away; and how often have I felt it good for me to wait upon the Lord !" Loving herself the courts of the sanctuary, she would affectionately chide any one who was absent without a sufficient cause. From its first establishment, she was a member of the Dorcas Society belonging to Mount Tabor congregation; and by her presence and help always evinced a lively interest in its labours and objects. In Christian fellowship, as exemplified and enjoyed in class meetings, she had great and increasing delight; and in one of these, on the 28th of November, she held her last intercourse with the

church on earth. It was a time of unusual pleasure and profit to all present, herself especially. As she then cheerfully and solemnly spoke to me on the deep things of God, what a slight period there was betwixt her gracious and glorified state! Towards the evening of the following day, while resting on the sofa, after being apparently recovered from a spasmodic attack, her spirit so quietly escaped from its clay tenement, that her death was not perceived until it had actually taken place. Her frequently-expressed wish was similar to that in the verse of one of our hymns :

"O that, without a lingering groan,"
I may the welcome word receive!
My body with my charge lay down,

And cease at once to work and live."
And God gave her the desire of her
heart.
W. FORD.

WILLIAM PARKINSON, one of the oldest members of our society in Liverpool, died suddenly on the 20th of October. He was related by marriage to the late Rev. John Atherton, who is believed to have been the honoured instrument in leading him to a saving knowledge of the truth. He joined the society when comparatively young, and subsequently sustained the office of a leader with acceptance and efficiency.

The sudden death of an excellent master, to whom he was sincerely and ardently attached, led to a series of disastrous consequences, and caused him to wade through a sea of trouble at a time of life when blighted prospects are peculiarly distressing. At length Providence placed him under the immediate care of his ever affectionate daughter, and esteemed son-inlaw, Mrs. and Mr. Tilston, of Sussex Street Park, whose kind attentions were a great source of comfort to him in the decline of life. Thus freed from worldly cares and anxieties, he gave himself afresh to the service of God, and spent much of his time in sacred duties. He was a great reader. The Bible and Wesley's sermons were his constant companions. Nor did he confine his reading to his own edification. Having time at command, he frequently found his way to the poor and aged, and read to them for their instruction and encouragement.

He met in brother Hull's class, and when the sanctuary was accessible

he was seldom absent from his favourite corner. The Sabbath before he died was a high day with him. He was at the chapel three times, and evidently enjoyed himself under the word, and at the Lovefeast in the afternoon, but especially at the Sacrament in the evening.

Next day he took his usual walk into the town, but had great difficulty in getting home again. He appeared feeble, but no serious apprehensions were entertained respecting him. On Wednesday he was rather worse, and medical aid being called in, he was found to have experienced a slight attack of paralysis. Still no immediate danger was apprehended. At

night he appeared quite comfortable, and believed he should be better next day. The night passed over, and he was heard, as usual, about six o'clock in the morning, but at seven he was found to have breathed his last. Not

a muscle was disturbed or a single feature distorted; but his countenance was as calm and placid as a summer's eve. Probably he died in his sleep; aged 68.

Under these circumstances no dying testimony could be gathered from his lips, and none were required; for years of piety and devotion justified his profession, and set every anxious thought at rest. He "walked with God, and was not, for God took him."

on in this circuit. Our cause at Epworth has been proverbially low for some years past. "The things that remained were ready to die." And only a few months ago, when my devoted colleague and I met to converse together about the state of the society, we were ready to conclude that there was no prospect of immediate improvement. Everything seemed to assume a gloomy aspect. The members who constituted the society were but few in number, and sadly disunited. There was a lamentable want of co-operation with, and confidence in each other. The society, also, was about to lose an efficient local preacher, who has since left for Rochdale Circuit. But still we felt it was too soon to despair. Earth is the region of hope. The severest part of winter is just before spring; the tide is lowest just before it begins to rise; the break of day issues from the deepest gloom of midnight. A week of special services was appointed to commence on the 20th of November. Mr. S. Henn, from Tipton, had engaged to assist. In the meanwhile the members were urged to break up the fallow ground of their hearts, and to prepare themselves for special pleading with God, for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, and the salvation of man. The appointed day arrived. Mr. H. entered upon his work like a man of God-preached morning and night. A divine unction rested on the congregations assembled. Numbers were powerfully wrought upon. Night after night, in the fol

lowing week, "the sinners in Zion" trembled; and, on Friday night some of them approached the penitent form broken hearted; but that God who had broken their hearts, in mercy bound them up again, and filled them with unutterable peace and joy, through believing.

On the second Sabbath it was manifest that the Spirit of God was working on the minds of the scholars. In one class, as soon as the teacher commenced his work of teaching his scholars burst into tears, fell down upon their knees, and began to pray for the Lord to pardon their sins. The scene, I am told, was enough to melt the heart of adamant. A few days after, when the teacher related the scene to me, he said, with tears in his eyes, "I firmly believe that God pardoned the sins of all my scholars; I never saw anything like it in all my life before." This, sir, is good news. Would that every school in the Connexion witnessed such a scene. In the evening service of the same day, while Mr. Wood was preaching, such a power and influence was felt as completely prevented him from proceeding with his subject for some time: there was the touching scene of minister and congregation weeping together.

About fourteen or fifteen in all have been added to the Church. We may take up the joyful, confident language of the psalmist, "The Lord has been mindful of us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great. The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children," Ps. cxv. 12-14.

We have held a week of religious services at Scotter. Good has been done-souls have been saved. And the friends at Westwoodside, though they could not secure the services of the circuit preachers for the week, through engagements in other parts of the circuit, determined to have a week of special prayer. They have done so, and God has favoured them with his presence, and made bare his arm in the salvation of souls. We purpose, as soon as possible, to hold special services in every place in the circuit. I believe if ministers pray and preach in the Holy Ghost, and the leaders and members live and pray in the Holy Ghostyour desire for a general revival in the Connexion will be speedily realized.

"If some minister, full of the Holy

Ghost, could be free for one year to take a tour through the Connexion, holding special services in our various circuits, he might be the means of quickening and reviving the whole Connexion."

The contents of this letter fill us with delight. Heartily do we congratulate you, Brother Round. You are on the right tack; you are pursuing the right course, and God is graciously present with you. We trust you will yet see greater things.

Let our friends generally ponder the facts contained in this letter. Here, then, were spiritual barrenness and death; but they are speedily turned into life and prosperity. Will not the same causes produce the same effects elsewhere? Yes, if God's word is true. It is true-of this we have no doubt. Why, then, should we not have a similar revival in every part of the Connexion? It may be; who is he that will say, "By God's help and blessing it shall be?" Will not you, brother-you who are reading these lines? We ask pointedly and personally, will you say, "It shall be, and I will at once do my part?" Yes, let that be the hallowed resolve; and if it be a general resolve— the resolve of ministers and people— then the time of the Spirit's outpouring is at hand. In the midst of the year God will have mercy upon us, and abundantly revive his work. We ask, we plead, we entreat a universal effort-universal humiliation before God-universal prayer for the descent of the Spirit-universal devotedness to the great work of saving the souls of men.

We invite our friends to write on this interesting subject. Let us know what you are doing. What are your present prospects-what your present efforts, and what your purposes? Let us hear from you.

CHESTER CHAPEL.

MY DEAR SIR,-I thus seek an early opportunity of making known through our Magazine the welcome fact, that the notorious Chester Chapel case has just been brought to a desirable and final close. This intelligence, I am sure, will be highly gratifying to very

many of our friends. Good faith has been kept in all things by the Trustees and the Chapel Committee, and the result has been most satisfactory. The original scheme was, that the Trustees should locally raise £1,300; and the Committee pledged that on this being done the Connexion should hand over a gift of £700. The Trustees have done more than was required-they have raised £1,410; and the Chapel Committee have made good their promise by handing over their £700. Thus this noble effort, excepting the expense incurred, has swept away the giant sum of £2,110. The final settlement was effected on Friday, December the 17th, 1853. The old mortgage was then paid off, and a new one for £2,000, at four-and-a-half per cent., was obtained. Everything questionable in the title has been cleared up; a trust-deed has been formed, under the vigilant care of the experienced secretary of the Chapel Committee; and the deeds are now being enrolled according to the requirements of the law. Though the remaining sum of £2,000 is large, it is not more than our friends here are quite able and willing to bear. This I could demonstrate, were it proper here to go into details. Should no unforeseen evil befal them, they will cheerfully pursue their way, and in a few years will reduce the debt to a sum quite easy to manage. This case has, I believe, for some time been deemed decidedly the worst in our community. It has invoked an amount of care and anxiety which I shall not here attempt to describe. Space would thus be occupied to little purpose. But the much desired and pressingly needed object is now accomplished. And it is a pleasing instance of what patience, and perseverance, and Christian benevolence may, by the blessing of God, effect. Let others who are in difficulties be encouraged.

December 19, 1853.

JOHN NELSON.

A GIFT TO THE CANADIAN
MISSIONS.

MY DEAR SIR,-I send you the following information for our Magazine, which I hope will be in time for the January number. I should have made this public acknowledgment sooner, but some negotiatious were going on with the Committee at home, and with parties here, which rendered it inexpedient to publish the gratifying fact

earlier. I have, however, now great pleasure in informing you that our generous friend, Richard Barford, Esq., has sent me a donation of £95 sterling, for the purpose of assisting in building chapels and parsonages in this country. In behalf of Canada, I would express to Mr. Barford my sincere thanks for this effectual proof of his interest in our mission, and I hope his example will stimulate others to "devise liberal things" in aid of our mission funds. Such incidents as these reflect honour upon the Connexion, and show that its heart throbs with a healthy vitality in the work of God, and the salvation of souls.

I romain, dear sir, affectionately,
J. H. ROBINSON.
Toronto, December 3rd, 1853.

CHAPEL IMPROVEMENTS, &c. AT WOLVERHAMPTON. DEAR SIR, Our friends in Wolverhampton have recently expended about £55 in repairing and painting their Chapel. The re-opening services on the 6th of November were conducted by the Rev. J. Nelson, of Chester, who preached two excellent sermons, after which collections were made, amounting to about £40. Arrangements are made to meet all the costs, and our friends are delighted to see their little Sanctuary as clean and comfortable as any in the Connexion. It is hoped the time is not far distant when some one will send you a report of something still better being done in this town. Our good friends at Cheslyn Hey have begun to work in right good earnest for a new Chapel; and in all probability will have one ready to open by the next Conference. Our Wolverhampton friends have it in their hearts to build a suitable temple for God; and as soon as they find the power in their pockets they will go to work. The site they hold is one of the best in the whole town, and had they a Chapel something like Pepper Street, in Chester, or Parliament Street in Nottingham, it would soon be well filled. I think the leading friends of the Connexion would do well to give a little of their attention to this affair, and by encouraging looks and words, and something besides, endeavour to hasten the erection of such a chapel as would do honour to the Connexion, and credit to this rapidly improving town. S. SMITH. [These are good indications. We

hope the day is not far distant when the Wolverhampton circuit will be one of the most flourishing in the Connexion. Our friends must take courage; pray earnestly, labour diligently, and give liberally (as they are indeed now doing), and God will bless them with more abundant prosperity.-ED.]

REVIVAL SERVICES AT
BRADFORD.

OUR services began with a week devoted to special prayer, for a revival of God's work; this was succeeded by about ten days of preaching services, in which we were kindly assisted by the Rev. C. Ward, of Leeds, T. Guttridge, of Hanley, N. Bishop, of Batley, and Mr. John Shaw, of Pudsey. The services throughout were well attended. The divine presence was powerfully felt by both saints and sinners: many of the latter being led to give their hearts to the Lord. About sixteen are added to the Church as the result of these special efforts. Our congregations are improving, and the longlooked for "better days" we hope are dawning upon us. J. POLLARD.

GIFT OF A CHAPEL TO THE

CONNEXION.

MR. EDITOR,- Very soon have I again to avail myself of your permission to supply another account of Connexional liberality, and I do not think you would deem it a misuse of your pages if, month after month, you could receive and publish such notices.

Our long-tried and devoted friend, John Ridgway, Esq., of Cauldon Place, eighteen years ago built, in the lower part of Shelton, a chapel and schoolpremises at the cost of from seven to eight hundred pounds, exclusive of the value of the land, which measures 333 square yards. From that time to the present he has allowed their occupation, free from rent or charge; and to render the building a permanent boon, the whole property within the last month has, according to his directions to the chapel committee, been vested, without any money consideration, in thirteen trustees, by reference to the model deed. Two or three points respecting local management specified in the settlement, but these are in perfect harmony with the spirit and provisions of our Connexional trusts. Both the chapel and the school have usually been well attended; and in reflecting on the already known

are

moral results, as well as in anticipating more abundant future success from the means employed, the benevolent donor will have a high and lasting pleasure, and, from his heartfelt joyfulness, know that "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

On such an occasion, it cannot be improper to remark that this instance is but one of the many generous gifts, both to general and denominational purposes for which our highly esteemed friend has been distinguished. Respecting what he has done for our own community-with whose history and interests he has from early youth been personally identified, it is opportune, and only just to recollect, that to all Connexional Institutions-to our chapels and schools, both in his own circuit and elsewhere, his pecuuiary contributions have ever been freely extended; and that notwithstanding the pressure of other engagements, unusually numerous, he has spent much time in contriving and labouring for the welfare of our Zion. "We give thanks to God in remembering" such "works of faith, and labours of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ; and pray that so useful a life may be long spared and crowned with blessings, and that others may tread in the same steps and "walk by the same rule."

All

ON Sunday, December 4th, the anniversary of our chapel in Newcastle was held. The Rev. S. Hulme preached two very impressive and eloquent sermons on the occasion, after which liberal collections were obtained. On the following day the usual public tea meeting was held in the large schoolroom connected with the chapel. the trays were gratuitously and amply furnished by the ladies of the congregation. The attendance was large exceeding our most sanguine expectations. After tea, the chair was taken by R. S. Stanley, Esq. The meeting was addressed, in a very interesting and effective manner by the Rev. Messrs. Saxton, Duncan, Everett. Sheldon, Jones, Hallatt, and Mr. J. F. Grant. The friends separated much delighted with the proceedings of the evening. This has been one of the most interesting and successful anniversaries held for some years. It has