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ble success, in my Mission-work during the year. I have had the joy of seeing many saved, by grace through faith, who are now walking worthy of their Christian profession; whilst others have been built up in love and in obedience. Last September there were twenty-eight churchmembers connected with the Mission; there are now fifty-three, with eighteen on trial. Several who have been converted among us have joined regular Circuit classes, and some have gone to other churches. The new Home-Mission chapel will be opened in October, and I believe that a prosperous future is before us.

W.

5. CARDIFF.-From the Rev. Andrews.-May, 1868.-This Mission has improved during the year, and the congregations and church-members have increased in number. The debt on the Mission-chapel, which twelve months ago was £600, has been reduced to £200. A new field of Mission-labour has been recently entered at Grange, a village near Cardiff, where there is a population of six hundred, almost destitute of religious worship. We have obtained a room which will accommodate about ninety persons; a congregation has been gathered; a class of church-members formed; and a Sunday-school commenced, with sixty children in attendance.

6. SHEFFIELD. (Norfolk-street.)-Encouraged by the success attending earnest Home-Missionary labour, in past years, at Attercliffe, and, more recently, at Elesmere-road, at which latter place good school-buildings have been erected, in which there are day-schools containing five hundred children, and where a commodious and handsome chapel is now being built, a further effort has this year been made by the friends and supporters of this good work. In the neighbourhood of Princesstreet, on the road to Attercliffe, and near to the large works of Sir John Brown, there is a district, in which there are seven thousand inhabitants, with little or no provision for public worship. It has been ascertained, by house-to-house visitation, that but one person in twenty of this large number attend either church or chapel. A room, both small and inconvenient, has been for some time used for preaching. Now a good school-chapel has been erected in an eligible situation, which will seat four hundred persons. There is a lofty room, under the chapel, well ventilated and lighted. It is intended to erect a large place of worship in this neighbourhood, in due time; when the present

building will be devoted to day and Sunday-school purposes. The openingservices, conducted by the Revs. John Bedford, Charles Prest, R. Felvus, Joseph Hargreaves, and the ministers of the Circuit, awakened considerable interest in the neighbourhood. No debt will remain on the premises. The seats are being let to an encouraging extent, and some remarkable changes in the habits of the people have already taken place. Our churchmembers have increased lately from twenty to sixty, and among these are men who have given, and who will now more fally give, valuable aid to this necessary Mission-work.

(Pitt-street).- From

7. LIVERPOOL, the Journal of the Rev. Joseph Diron.June, 1868.—We have been favoured with great success in our Mission-work during the past quarter. The members of our church have manifested great love and unity, as also self-sacrificing efforts to promote the cause of God. Reviving influences have led to a more regular attendance at the various opportunities for worship and spiritual improvement. This has been felt beyond the church itself, and we rejoice in witnessing a goodly number of persous converted to God. Seldom has a Sabbath passed without our seeing some immediate and direct results of our labours. Many of the elder scholars in our Sunday-school have been brought to a saving knowledge of the truth. Two new classes have been formed especially for these young people; and it is delightful to hear the clear and simple testimony which they give to the power and blessedness of godliness. We have had some striking instances of conversion among the sailors; for Pitt-street chapel is, to a good extent, used as a Missionchapel for seamen. Among others, a mate of a vessel was passing the chapel a few Sunday evenings ago, when he was induced, by the request of one of our friends, (some of whom stand in the street with tracts, for this laudable purpose,) to attend our service. Thoroughly awakened, and deeply convinced of sin, he attended all our services and class-meetings for a week, in great distress, and obtained peace with God. He then desired to know more of the truth, got rid of his books of light reading, and procured Wesley's Sermons, and other volumes of a similar kind, for perusal on his voyages; desiring above all things to be brought nearer to God, and to be useful to his fellow-men. He was enrolled a member of our church, and requested his quarterly tickets to be kept for

him till he returns from the voyage on which he has just entered. He and other seamen who have been brought to the enjoyment of religion here, are followed by the devout and earnest prayers of our people. [This Mission is, for the future, to be carried on principally for the benefit of seamen.]

8. LLANDUDNO.-From the Rev. E. Lightwood.-May, 1868.-During the last summer there was a large attendance of visiters at the Llandudno chapel, who evidently appreciated the provision which had been made for their accommodation. The regular congregations, although at present small, have steadily improved from the time of the opening of the chapel, and there is encouraging prospect of yet further increase. In the interval of the regular seasons, we are also seldom without some visiters in the congregation; and among them are sometimes found members of other Christian churches, who speak in grateful terms of the benefit they derive from our services. The week-evening attendance has presented a very gratifying improvement, and the thoughtful and devout spirit of the congregations generally indicates a degree of religious earnestness which gives promise of yet more decided and satisfactory spiritual results.

Efforts have been made to quicken the sympathy of our people on behalf of the spread of the Gospel both at home and abroad. Collectors have been appointed for our Foreign Missions, and we have succeeded in obtaining monthly and quarterly subscriptions from most of the members of Society, and from several persons in the congregation. A Juvenile Home and Foreign Mission Association has also been formed.

(Rooden-lane).—

9. MANCHESTER. From the Journal of the Rev. E. Mosscrop.-August, 1868-The moral tone of this village is improved, and less intemperance is observable among the people. At certain periods "clog-races" are held here, when the uproar and dissipation are most distressing. This evil is principally supported by those who come from a distance, rather than by the inhabitants. Most of the residents here have been connected with our Sunday-schools. We have firm hold upon many, unaccompanied however by present apparent spiritual results. We have recently built a new chapel and schools in the main street, and our Mission is in a prosperous condition. The school is in a satisfactory state. We have held several open-air services with good

effect. Our visits to the sick and dying have been much blessed; and we are full of hope.

10. MANCHESTER. (Cheetham-Hill.)— From the Rev. John Martin.-May, 1868. -[This Mission District comprises Rooden-lane, Bladeley, Crumpsall, and Halfacre, the population of the whole being about eight thousand.]-Roodenlane, the centre of the Mission, has had the principal part of Mr. Mosscrop's labours. Though drunkenness, Sabbath-breaking, and sin in various forms, prevail to a lamentable extent, yet there are signs of improvement. The Missionary, who regularly visits the people from house to house, is treated with uniform respect and kindness. His out-door services on the weekday evenings have been attended by scores, who were never before found in a place of worship. The congregation in the chapel has improved, the number of sittings let has gradually increased, and a Branch Missionary Society has been formed. The prospects are hopeful.

Halfacre, a small village, with a population of about four hundred and fifty, had, previous to our visiting it, no place of worship. A few months since Sabbathevening preaching was commenced, in a cottage taken for the purpose, which is now crowded by children and adults. A Sundayschool has been opened, having an average attendance of nearly thirty. Already a great change is visible in the manner in which the people spend their Sabbaths. We hope for better things.

11. MOSSLEY.-From the Rev. T. T. Dilks.--May, 188.-The chief matter of interest in the Mossley Home-Mission this year, is the completion of the excellent new chapel and school, which afford ample and comfortable accommodation for the congregation. The opening-services, commenced by the late venerable Dr. Hannah, were hallowed by the Divine blessing; and the liberal offerings of the people amounted to three hundred pounds. The congregation, composed chiefly of the working class, has since then gradually increased; and we offer devout thanksgiving for God's signal blessing upon the Mission, from its commencement to its close. The work at Mossley is now merged in the general work of the Circuit. Our friends are encouraged to hope, that the same kind of Connexional aid may be afforded to other parts of the Circuit with the same blessed results.

12. DONCASTER.-From Rev. Joseph Floyd.-May 12th, 1868.-Our HomeMissionary minister has been employed in preaching and visiting from house to house. Besides preaching in the two Mission chapels at Balby and Carr-Mills, he has held cottage-services in six places, and paid about two thousand visits since the Conference. He is also preparing the way for the erection of a large chapel in New-Doncaster, in the heart of the railway "plant" population, at a cost of five thousand pounds. Methodism has for twenty years been weakened for want of chapel-accommodation. Numerous families have been unable to obtain pews in Priory-place; and the population, arising from the "plant," so far as we are concerned, has been neglected. But the

reproach is now to be rolled away; and the object we have in view will be attained. Good fruit has also been yielded in the conversion of sinners.

13. BARNSLEY. (Worsborough-Dale.)From the Rev. John Roberts.-May, 1868. -The population of the District in which the Home-Missionary minister is located numbers several thousands, of whom by far the larger part are living in the utter neglect of the ordinances of religion. Among these his work has been prosecuted with faithfulness during the year. In addition to a regular system of visitation, and the holding of several public services weekly, he has established a class for young men which promises to be of great and permanent use. At present, however, the work of the Mission is chiefly preparatory. Steps are being taken for the erection of a new place of worship, which will be more conveniently situated for the bulk of the population. In the mean while, the foundations of an important work are being laid, and an impression is being made, particularly upon the young men of the place, from which much may be expected.

14. JARROW.-From the Rev. William Bond.-May, 1868.-The Home-Mission at Jarrow, in the midst of a dense population and abounding ungodliness, furnishes a most important sphere of Missionary work. During the past year Mr. Morgan has laboured with great diligence and perseverance, and God has crowned his efforts

The congrega

with encouraging success. tions at the chapels have steadily increased. A large new day and Sunday school has been erected. The day-school was opened at the beginning of this year. A trained and certificated master has been secured, and already we have upwards of two hundred scholars. We have no doubt that this school will prove a great blessing to the popu lation, and a means of enlargement and prosperity to our cause here in future years.

At the Mission-room, between which and the chapel the labours of the HomeMissionary are divided, the congregations are good, particularly on Sunday evenings, and several persons during the year have been converted to God. The Sundayschool continues to prosper, and three Society classes have been formed.

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Besides the Mission-work carried on at Jarrow, at Hebburn New-Town, about mile from Jarrow, where an entirely new population has recently sprung up, a new school-chapel has been completed and opened during the past year, chiefly through the enterprising zeal and perseverance of Mr. Toyne. With the aid of a small building-grant from the Chapel Committee, this will be entirely free from debt. An encouraging congre gation has been gathered, and a Sundayschool has been commenced. The dayschool was opened, with a trained master from Westminster, at the beginning of the year. It has succeeded beyond all our expectations, having already upwards of one hundred and twenty scholars.

15. CARLISLE. From the Journal of the Rev. J. F. Reynolds.-May 30th, 1868. -Our week-evening services are well attended, and are seasons of great spiritual profit. The condition of many of the poor here is wretched in the extreme. There is a large Roman Catholic population in this locality; and I invariably find that their presence and example tends to the debasement of those with whom they associate.

June 25th.-We held the first HomeMissionary meeting, at our Mission chapel, this evening, the Mayor in the chair. The attendance, addresses, and spirit, were all good; and a respectable collection was obtained from our poor people assembled. We have now seventy-six church-members at this station.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MRS. SARAH AVERN RUSHTON died, October 19th, 1867, at Cheltenham, aged seventy-five years. She had been a

Wesleyan-Methodist more than forty years, and a class-leader for about thirty. Her piety was simple and practical. She

had great love and reverence for the Word of God; and not only searched the Scriptures" to know the path of duty, and the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, but made the Bible her counsellor in every want and difficulty of life. Many instances can be remembered in which she was guided, in very intricate cases, by prayerful study of the Word of God. On sacramental occasions she was never satisfied without receiving her "portion," which she looked for, and not in vain, from her loving Saviour. These seasons of holy fellowship with God in Christ were gratefully remembered during the ensning month; and in them she frequently obtained warning or encouragement, which could not be fully un derstood or appreciated till the circumstances of the future showed their applicability to her need. Mrs. Rushton was remarkable for her child-like, simple faith, which led her to expect the exact fulfilment of God's promises. She never had any difficulty in worldly affairs, nor any other trouble, however small, but she "took it to the Lord, and with Him she left it." She would not leave the throne of grace till she had fully disburdened her heart of its care; and then, she used to say, "It is in the Lord's hands;

I have nothing more to do with it; I am not going to take it out of His hands again." This confidence resulted in constant peace. She realized the truth of the prophet's assurance : "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.'

While living in Birmingham Mrs. Rushton had, at one time, the charge of three classes. One was on Tuesday morning, which she found it extremely difficult to attend; but, through much prayer, forethought, and sacrifice, she was never absent. Another was a Catechumen class for the young, in which she not only sought to lead inquirers to a personal closure with the Saviour, but laid the foundation of intelligent piety, by diligently instructing them in the authenticity of the Scriptures and the evidences of Christianity. She tried to lead her youthful charge to an earnest study of those Scriptures which she loved so much; and by her simple and natural expositions, gave them an interest in the Holy Volume never to be lost. It is believed that every member of this interesting class was converted, and joined the Church on earth, and a few have entered the Church above. As a class-leader, Mrs. Rushton was very faithful, as well as winning and affectionate; her remarks were always simple, and often pithy and pointed, and

showed great natural insight into character. During the last few years of her life she suffered great physical weakness, and was unable to meet a large class; and as the members were removed, one by one, by distance or death, she did not attempt to fill their places; but the few who remained were greatly attached to their revered leader. If any were detained from the weekly meeting, she used to say to them, "You must come and meet me some other time, for I must know how your souls prosper." She was especially successful with the timid and retiring, who, like Nicodemus, at first came in private, but were led eventually to join the little flock, and testify what God had done for their souls.

The last year of Mrs. Rushton's life was spent in the retirement of the sick chamber, in which she realized the comfort of that religion which had been her guide through life. She often enjoyed rich seasons of communion with God; and her face would be radiant with holy joy, when, on the return of her family from public worship, she would say, 'You have been to the stream, but I have been to the fountain;" or, You have been to the temple, but the God of the temple has been with me : so fully did our Heavenly Father compensate His afflicted child for the loss of the public means of grace.

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The last entries in her diary are quotations from the Scriptures, with a line of personal application. Psalm xci. 1:

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The secret place:' His favour, let me dwell there. All is yours, and ye are Christ's.' What can I want more? "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you.' This I daily prove; therefore let not my heart be troubled, but lean on my Beloved." "Christ in you the hope of glory.' Blessed word of comfort to me."

She had no fear of death; for though she felt it to be a solemn thing to die, yet she felt assured that her Saviour, according to His promise, would be with her in the dark valley. When a young person in health expressed a fear of death, she said, "God will not give you dying grace to live with; you do not need dying grace for the daily business of life. Seek grace to live every hour to God, and leave the unknown future to Him who will never leave nor forsake you."

As her weakness increased, she often quoted the verse, "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." She frequently repeated a verse learned in her early days,

"A little longer and we know

Happy entrance will be given; All my sorrows left below,

And earth exchanged for heaven;" and, when scarcely able to articulate, would express her hope of heaven in the few significant words, "A little longer." During the last day of her life she was almost too weak to speak, but feebly uttered, "Into Thy hands I commend my spirit ;' "Come Lord Jesus: " and she soon after sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, and realized an abundant entrance into His everlasting kingdom and glory.

MARY HOOLE, one of the sisters of Dr. Hoole, died at Cheetham-Hill, Manchester, on Monday, March 16th, 1868, in the sixty-ninth year of her age.

In her childhood her disposition was confiding and affectionate; and, as she was the oldest of five sisters, she had many opportunities for the exercise of the tender care aud kindness in which she never failed.

Converted to God in early youth, she maintained an exemplary consistency to the close of life. For many years she was engaged in teaching, an occupation in which she found much pleasure, and in which she won the affection of her numerous

pupils, while she secured the respect and confidence of their parents.

After a long course of useful and happy toil, a gently-increasing feebleness of body gave notice of dissolution, and the patient sufferer became sensible of her approaching end. This solemn intimation found her ready. Her confidence in the Divine mercy was unshaken. She rested on the all-sufficient atonement of Christ, and rejoiced in His prevailing intercession on her behalf. Her prayers were prayers of faith; her heart was full of love; and her mouth was filled with praise.

Often, during her illness, she would ask to have played to her some favourite tune, and would much enjoy the singing; though she would say that she herself had lost the power to sing, and should not be able to sing any more until she got to heaven. She desired that her brother might be informed that her views and feelings in reference to the Divine Saviour and Ilis work, and her prospects of heaven, were exactly such as he would wish them to be. Her conversation was the comfort of her

sisters in their sorrowful anticipation of losing her. When greatly distressed by a sense of entire helplessness, she would remind them that Jehovah was her Almighty Friend.

The hymn beginning,

"Jesu, Thy boundless love to me," died, it was read to her at her request; and, was called her hymn. On the day she having had the last verse repeated, she said, "I want to pray that verse;" and again and again she said, “In that important hour," with great emphasis. She then requested that her deceased sister Jane's favourite hymn might be read to her, referring to the verse repeated by her when she was dying,—

"Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
For good remember me !
Me, whom Thou hast caused to trust
For more than life on Thee:
With me in the fire remain,

Till like burnish'd gold I shine,
Meet, through consecrated pain,

To see the Face Divine."

Frequently, during her last hours, she would raise her hands and exclaim, "Praise the Lord!" "Bless the Lord!"

About an hour before she died, br beloved friend, Mrs. Martin, the wife of the Rev. John Martin, paid her a visit. She said to her, "Miss Hoole, you are in the valley." Mary said, "I suppose so, but it is not like it," going on to say,

"Jesus, Thy boundless love to me,

No thought can reach, no tongue declare," &c.

Her last smile indicated her pleasure at seeing Mrs. Martin. When through weakness she could now no longer remember the order of the words of the hymn of which she was so fond, she had them read or repeated to her by her sisters.

The attention of kind friends was a great source of comfort to her during her weeks of illness; and it pleased God to take her happy spirit to Himself while the Rev. John Martin was kneeling at her bed-side, engaged in prayer. "To de put and to be with Christ," which is far better than all earthly blessings, was her earnest desire; and her desire was fulfilled under circumstances the most appropriate and consoling. To God alone be the praise! ELIJAH HOOLE.

RECENT

FEBRUARY 4th, 1868-At Southampton, aged seventy-four years, Mr. Martin Weeks. When seventeen years of age he decided for the Lord, and united himself to the Independent Church. In

DEATHS.

the year 1837 he joined the Wesleyan Methodists, and spent amongst them the last thirty-one years of his life. For more than twenty years le filled the office of chapel-keeper, and, by hu

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