OPENING OF A NEW CHAPEL AT HUNSLET, LEEDS CIRCUIT.

For a very long period the friends of the Redeemer, members of the Methodist New Connexion in this village, have had it in their hearts to erect a temple to the LORD, but for many years, so much of obstacle and difficulty was interposed, more especially in reference to the settlement of the Trust, and the payment of the debt upon the old Chapel, that little more than twelve months have elapsed, since their pious resolutions and ardent wishes could have any practical effect.

Great anxiety has been felt, and much thought and labour expended by various Ministers, stationed in this Circuit during the last ten or twelve years, more particularly by Mr. Jackson, Mr. Earnshaw, Mr. Wood, and Mr. Ridley, in reference to the extension, or even continuance of our interest here; and without question the complete settlement of the old Estate, and the erection of a more commodious and beautiful sanctuary, will be to them matter of unfeigned rejoicing, not only as shewing that they have not laboured in vain, but as affording a pledge of the present prosperity and the future stability and increase of the Church.

Nor can too much praise be given to several of the lay Brethren, for their untiring zeal, and patience, and liberality to say that they have contributed largely, or even munificently to the extinction of the old debt, or to the Building Fund, is to say litthe-they have, for years, pursued their object-unmoved and undeterred, until the desire of their hearts was accomplished. In a notice of this kind, it would be improper not to mention such names as Mr. Crampton, Mr. Blackburn, and Mr. Mellor, who have diligently, with unfaltering effort, and spirits unwearied, removed hindrances, encouraged the timid, restrained the impetuous, and by their discreet and business like arrangments, at length got all the people to be of "one heart and of one mind,"all were united, and all assisted-by personal effort, by personal contribution, by personal persuasion, and by perseverance in prayer.

After one united effort to try our strength upon the debt of the old Chapel, upwards of £1000 was promised towards the erection of a new one. Land was purchased in one of the best situations (if not the very best) the village afforded-in due course the foundation was laid, and now our season of rejoicing has arrived-THE CHAPEL IS BUILT, and has been solemnly set apart and dedicated to the worship and service of God. Thanksgivings and praises have ascended to him, that He has put it into the hearts of his people, and given them the ability and disposition to build him a house, and thousands of prayers are offered that he will "Glorify this house of his glory, and make this place of his feet glorious," that in the day when he numbereth his jewels,

"There may a numerous race appear,

Of such as date their birth-place here."

The Chapel, as to its exterior, is a handsome brick building, nineteen yards by seventeen, with rusticated stone-corners, door-ways, and cornice, and has altogether a very neat and imposing effect; apart from its utility, it is pronounced by every one, a very great acquisition to the neighbourhood-enhancing the value of the property around, and encouraging and setting an example of better taste for architectural beauty and ornament.

The interior is admirably adapted to promote the comfort and convenience of the whole congregation. There is not a bad sitting in the Chapel. Near upon 200 sittings are free, being set apart for poor people and Sabbath scholars. These are very commodious, and have backs fixed at a proper inclination; the whole, along with about 620 lettable sittings, besides those in the orchestra, being made agreeably warm by the circulation of hot water in cast metal pipes, just beneath the floor, and covered with iron grating. A small but excellent organ, occupies the orchestra behind the pulpit, on each side of which a marble tablet has been erected-one to the memory of the late Mr. John Bowers and his beloved wife, who so long befriended and supported our cause here, and the other to our late highly-esteemed minister, the Rev. W. R. Wood. Many who are competent to form an opinion, say, that for beauty of general appearance, and the completeness of its arrangements, it is unsurpassed in the Connexion.

The whole cost of the building, including land, (sufficient being left on which to erect a Minister's and Chapel keeper's house, out-vestries, and a large School) is from £2600 to £2700.

The opening services commenced with a sermon by the Rev. Thos. Allin, on Friday, Dec. 18, 1846, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and by Rev. Mr. Burrows, at 7 o'clock in the evening. On the succeeding Sabbath the pulpit was occupied by the

Rev. J. H. Robinson, morning and evening, and by Rev. John Ely, (Independent), in the afternoon. The Rev. G. B. Macdonald, (Wesleyan,) preached on Monday evening, and on Sunday, 27th, Rev. T. W. Ridley in the morning, and the Rev. Samuel Hulme, afternoon and night. The services throughout were well attended, and gave great and general satisfaction, while the sum total of the collections amounted to the very handsome sum of £390.

In connexion with the opening services, there was a sale of useful and ornamental articles, the produce of the ladies' sewing meeting during the past year, with a few contributions from kind friends-the proceeds of which sale, £101. 2s. 5d., was handed over at once and without deduction to the treasurer of the Chapel Fund, and then these long thought of, these long prayed for and delightful services, were brought to a close by a Tea Meeting, on Monday evening, Dec. 28, at which about 600 partook of the cheering and invigorating beverage, with all the addenda by which the ladies render tea-taking, areally sumptous repast. All was gratuitously furnished by the ladies, and the sum realized (about £30) being added to the collection and proceeds of the sale, make the entire total 500 GUINEAS, a splendid specimen of what voluntaryism can do in a good cause.

It may be right to add, that the meeting was ably presided over by Mr. Alderman Bowers, and effectively addressed by the Ministers in the Circuit, by Mr. Hulme, Mr. Andrews, (Wesleyan), Mr. Ridley, Mr. Cocker, and others; that all present, were highly delighted, and many will have the remembrance of the joy, and look back to the time as to a sunny spot for many, many years.

Hunslet, Jan. 5, 1847.

X.

To the above account may be added, that the demand for pews and sittings in the Chapel is fully equal to the expectation of the Trustees,-the entire of the estate is freehold property, and the trust deed is made the Chapel MODEL DEED for the Connexion. It may also be stated, that although, notwithstanding more than one half of the estimated cost of the Chapel and land has been already realized, it is the intention of the Trustees, after a little breathing time, to make other generous efforts for the purpose of lessening the amount of money it has been found necessary, for the present to borrow. Long may this beautiful sanctuary have" the truth as it is in Jesus" faithfully preached in it, and that truth be made the power of God to the salvation of those who hear it.

Leeds.

S. WOODHOUSE.

nance.

MONTHLY RECORD.

STATISTICS OF WESLEYANISM.-The Wesleyan Conference territorially covers every parish in England, with 1,688 ministers under its orders, 15,000 local preachers, and 30,000 leaders, stewards, and trustees, with 468,313 members of society, acknowledging its sway, and perhaps two millions of hearers affording their counteThe immense amount of their chapel and other real property has been estimated at more than 3,000,000 sterling; while the annual revenue of the body, from every source, is probably not much less than £1,000,000. The income of their missionary society for the year 1845-6 was more than £112,000; in 1840, by a mighty effort, £171,687 of chapel debts were extinguished, and the centenary fund fell little short of £250,000. The product of the weekly pence and quarterly shillings (these are the minima) contributed in the classes-of the yearly and July collections-suffices for the maintenance (in far greater average comfort than any other body of Christian ministers) of more than 1,500 ministers, with their wives and families; for perhaps, no married minister receives less than an equivalent of £175 per annum, and perhaps none more than £350. The Theological Institutions at Richmond and Didsbury contain 74 students; the Kingswood and Wood-house-grove schools provide for the education of 200 pupils; proprietary schools have been established at Sheffield and Taunton; the last return shows that their Sunday schools are attended by 500,000 scholars; and of the 700 day schools which it was determined to form at the close of 1843, more than one-half have already been called into existence.-Church of England Quarterly Review.

[Here is a triumphant proof of the efficacy of the voluntary principle! The Wesleyans have no tithes or church-rates-they do not rob the nation by the agency of law -they do not force the people to support their form of worship, or, in the event of their refusal, seize their goods and chattels! No! their congregations give to the

support of the Society, "not of constraint, but willingly." It would be well if those who sneer at Methodists, would imitate their bright example! We speak of this department of their great economy. How many churches of the Independents and Baptists are blighted by the curse of heaven, in consequence of the illiberality—to use the mildest term-of their adherents! How often do we hear the deacon and the member pray that God will open the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing that there shall be no room to receive?" But how seldom do we find them proving God by bringing all the tithes into his storehouse! What presumption is it to present the promise, and neglect the duty! Manifestly, the bestowment of the one depends on the fulfilment of the other. The facts elicited at the autumnal meeting of the Congregational Union, with reference to Ministerial support, demand the grave consideration of the Churches. The Ministry, in many cases, is but wretchedly supported. We have recently received a letter from the Pastor of a Church in England, from which we give the following brief quotation: "My salary is but £30 a-year; and I have to preach six times in the week—i.e., three times on the Sabbath, and three times on the week-days, and I have nearly forty miles to travel. I wanted to send for your paper months ago, but knew not how to spare the shilling; for I am, and have been for a considerable time, in deep water. We have had wave upon wave for some years past; but there is a needs-be for all this, and, if sanctified, it will be sure to do us good. Our Covenant God is All-sufficient in the worst of times. But be assured dear sir, that I would not exchange situations with the Prince of the Land, if I could do so to-morrow." No! though "Every eye should see him," dearest Brother, thou art richer far than he! Thou hast a crown which is "incorruptible, and which fadeth not away."-Christian Penny Record.]

IRELAND. AWFUL CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.-We have not yet closed the first week of the new year, and the destitution extends to almost every parish throughout this most afflicted land. The accounts received this day, far transcend in their details of famine, disease, and death, any that it has been my melancholy duty yet to place before you, and the cry of suffering is heard from all quarters. The province of Ulster, heretofore comparatively prosperous and free from pauperism, is now fast sinking towards the general standard of destitution. Even in the county of Down, notwithstanding all the boasting in Lord Downshire's recent epistle, distress prevails extensively. The Banner of Ulster states that Banbridge, the centre of the linen manufacture, is as sorely afflicted as some towns in the south, and the workhouse is over-crowded. In Seagoe, Archdeacon Sourin presided at a meeting on Monday last, to devise measures for alleviating the dreadful distress in the district. Look to the statement of this dignitary of the Established Church, touching the conduct of the absentee landed proprietors. Left to his own resources, he has established a soupkitchen in his own house; but, as the distress rapidly increased, he deemed it his duty to solicit subscriptions from all the absent landlords. From the Duke of Manchester, the owner of eight townlands in the manor, he had not received even the courtesy of a reply! Indeed, only one landlord out of the entire number replied to his application; and from that individual, he had obtained a contribution of £1. Is not this horrible? How are you to reach such landlords, unless by an adequate tax for the support of the poor; and bear in mind this occurred in the so-much lauded province of Ulster, and in what has been termed its "best county."

There have been further popular outbreaks in Kilkenny and Tralee, and in almost all parts of the country there are most alarming evidences of the rapid spread of destitution, and of the total disorganisation of the social system.-The Times.

PRACTICAL EXEMPLIFICATION OF WHAT A TRUE CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE SHOULD BE.-On Thursday evening, October 18th, a united missionary communion service was held at Rodborough Tabernacle. The design of this was to promote a missionary alliance spirit among the members of the different churches in the Borough of Stroud. We believe it to be the first service of the kind ever held in the borough. Its realisation did not disappoint the brightest expectations of its promoters. Though the weather was by no means inviting to parties at a distance, yet the whole body of the edifice was crowded with communicants, and the galleries with spectators. Independents, Wesleyans, Baptists, Episcopalians, Primitive Methodists, Plymouth Brethren, and members of Lady Huntingdon's Connexion, formed the company of the Faithful." The Rev. E. Porter, of Cudapah, East Indies, presided. After singing, Mr. Gillman, of Pitchcombe, read the Scriptures and prayed; Mr. Russell, of Nailsworth, then delivered the introductory address, which was followed by an address from Mr. Porter. Mr. Maud, of Stonehouse, supplicated the Divine blessing on the bread, and Mr. Parsons, of Ebley, addressed the communicants during its distribution. Messrs. Burrell, of Painswick. and Wilshaw (Primitive Methodist,) of Stroud, then prayed; and Mr. Wheeler, of Stroud, gave the address while the cup was passing round. Mr. Backhouse, after the singing of a hymn,

spoke to the spectators especially. The collection having been made in behalf of the Raratongan sufferers, Mr. Porter concluded with prayer this hallowed service. All the ministers present took part in the distribution of the elements. It is an evening long to be remembered. The service was a practical comment on the article of our creed, "The Communion of Saints," and was a foretaste of that holy, unbroken, and universal fellowship which the Christian will enjoy in the heavenly kingdom. Such a mode of exemplifying and cementing a true Evangelical Alliance may, we think, without difficulty or ostentation, be acted on in every district in the empire, where there are sister churches of the same order and churches of other orders of church polity. We believe there is more thorough practical union among Christians, than many at the present day are disposed to give the church credit for.

COLPORTEURS IN THE METROPOLIS.-In November, 1845, the Committee of the -Town Missionary and Scripture Readers' Society appointed a colporteur to labour in the East of London. A depôt was opened, and he commenced on a district in Bethnal-green, about a mile square; 6,072 families were found without the Scriptures. In five months he sold 4,362 copies; and in the year, 8,079 Bibles and Testaments. In November, 1846, a district in Mile-end New Town with 320 houses, containing 843 families, was visited, in which were 112 Bibles and 8 Testaments; 3,372 individuals (allowing 4 to a family) had among them 120 copies of the Scriptures; 723 families out of 843 have not a page of the Old or New Testament. Another colporteur is at work in the united parishes of St. Margaret and St. John, Westminster. Here are Westminster Abbey, the seat of legislation and of the Government, and the residence of our beloved Queen; yet, with a population of 54,000, there is no local Bible Association. 500 families were visited in one locality, consisting of 1,395 persons, not one of whom possessed a copy of the Scriptures, and about half the number had never had a copy in their lives.

CONDITION OF THE JEWS.-Warsaw, November 8.-Eighty Jews, headed by their Rabbi, arrived recently at Warsaw, to request the governor to allow them to retain their costume. They were taken to the police, where their beards were shaved off, and their long hair cut, and then sent away. They demanded their beards and hair, to place them in their burying-ground, but this was refused them; they, how. ever, received the barber's bill, which they were made to pay.

EARLY CLOSING.-On the 5th of October, the principal tradesmen of Chatham, Rochester, Strood, and Brompton, commenced closing their shops at eight o'clock for the winter months. The young men have formed an association, not only to secure the continuance of the privilege, but also for the purpose of mental improve. ment. The result is, that upwards of one hundred have joined the Mechanics' Institution. Numerous classes are formed for instruction in the various branches of science and literature, and lectures are delivered weekly at the rooms of the above Institution. These facts speak loudly in favour of early closing, and go far towards proving the fallacy of any objection grounded on the abuse of time.

THE LAWS AFFECTING CLERGYMEN. THREATENED SECESSION OF FOUR THOUSAND EVANGELICAL CLERGYMEN FROM THE CHURCH.-Dr. Holloway, incumbent minister of Fitzroy-chapel, London-street, Tottenham-court-road, has addressed a letter to the Lord Chancellor, in which he prays his lordship's opposition to some "novel regulations and further encroachments upon the liberty of the labouring clergy," which it is intended to introduce into the House of Lords, in the course of the next session. The Doctor, after adverting to the laws at present in force with respect to the clergy, alludes to the proposed regulations for the "corrections of clerks," which he severally condemns, inasmuch as he contends, that if more absolute power be made over to the hierarchy, so that any and every bishop, ad arbitrium suum, may depose his man for preaching, propagating, or implanting what such bishop, according to his own views and sentiments, may consider "unbecoming a clergyman," there will be no class of men in Christendom placed in greater jeopardy or more abject slavery, than the evangelical clergy, against whom, he alleges, the bill is directed. Dr. Holloway views with great alarm, these and other contemplated changes, and assures the Lord Chancellor that, if persisted in, a large number of clergymen (probably as many as four thousand), will leave the pale of the Established Church.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.-Parliament was opened on Tuesday, the 19th January, by a speech from the Throne. The prominent topic of the speech was the distress in Ireland. Comprehensive remedial measures are to be laid before the Legislature. The ports are already opened for the free admission of foreign grain, and the navigation laws are also suspended. It behoves Christians to pray that the Government may be divinely directed in the arduous duties that lie before them.