year 1863 from the several Auxiliary and Branch Societies at home and abroad, and of the Income arising from other and miscellaneous sources, are as follows: Total Ordinary Receipts at Home, £93,672 8s. 1d. Total Receipts from Foreign Auxiliaries, &c., £33,327 13s. 1d. The Total Miscellaneous Receipts, £7,258 58. 8d. Making, as before stated, a total amount of Regular and Miscellaneous Receipts from all sources, of £134,258 7s. The following thirty-two Missionaries, and seven wives of Missionaries, have been sent out by the Society since the last Anniversary : Miss Mellor, Mr. Mitchill, Mr. Simon H. Stott, to Ceylon; Mr. Skerratt, Mr. John Dixon, to Madras; Mr. M'Cutchan, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Normington, Miss Pollard, to Mysore; Mr. Henry Parkes, to China, Mr. George Scott, jun., Mr. Thomas Kirkby, Miss Selby, to South Africa; Mr. Agur B. Gardiner, Mr. Christopher B. Sykes, Mr. Davies, to West Africa; Mr. Hammond, to St. Christopher's; Mr. and Mrs. Cleaver, Mr. Burdon, to St. Vincent; Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Heath, to Barbadoes; Mr. Rowbotham, Mr. Henry Bunting, Mr. Raw, to Jamaica; Miss Caddy, Mr. Benjamin Dixon, Mr. Olden, Mr. Woodhouse, to Australia; Mr. Sellors, Mr. Manning, Mr. Bourne, Mr. Brentnall, Mr. Stead, Mr. George, Mr. Wiles, to Australia; Mr. Morley, to New-Zealand. Of this number, Messrs. Cleaver, Heath, and Smith, who have been before honourably and usefully employed in various Missions, but had returned home for a season, have been again appointed to the Foreign work. Dr. J. Porter Smith, Medical Missionary, with Mrs. Smith, and Misses Broxholme, Howitt, and Hay, SchoolTeachers, have also been sent out. The following much-lamented Missionaries have been removed by death : Mr. Robson, at St. Vincent; Mr. Toase, at Boulogne; Mr. Brownell, at Fredericton, New Brunswick; Levi Seru, in Fiji; Naphtali Fifita, at Haano, Haabai; John Mohulamu, in the Friendly Islands. To this affecting record must be added that of five excellent females, the wives of Missionaries, who have also exchanged mortality for life. The following is a General Summary of the Society's labours and agency :I.-Missions under the immediate direction of the Wesleyan Missionary Committee and Central or Principal Stations called Chapels and other Preaching-Places, in Assistant-Missionaries, including four Supernumeraries Full and accredited Church-Members .. 189 1,233 293 784 4,063 63,977 3,738 48,335 5 Printing Establishments Central or Principal Stations called Chapels and other Preaching-Places.... including forty-two Supernumeraries Other paid Agents, as Catechists, Interpreters, Day-School Teachers, &c.... Unpaid Agents, as Sabbath-School Teachers, &c. Full and accredited Church-Members Printing Establishments.......... RECAPITULATION. Central or Principal Stations, called including forty-six Supernumeraries Other paid Agents, as Catechists, Interpreters, Day-School Teachers, &c. Unpaid Agents, as Sabbath-School Teachers, &c. Full and accredited Church-Members .. On trial for Church-Membership Scholars, deducting for those who attend both the Day and Sabbath Schools Printing Establishments (To be concluded.) 445 3,416 627 673 13,755 77,973 10,187 106,294 3 4,640 1,457 17.83 142,449 13,995 154,629 THE amount of contributions and remittances announced on the Cover of the Notices this month is £3,609. 6s. 5d. OUR WORK IN THE ARMY. 1. CHATHAM.-From the Rev. C. H. Kelly.-April 19th, 1864.-The past year has been one of encouragement. The difficulties that were in our path have been mastered; the work has become settled, and is known and recognised. My chief new duty is to hold services in the military prison at Fort Clarence, on the afternoons of Sunday and Wednesday. I am most thankful for this additional work; it gives me access to those who not only need us, but need us 13. Bad men have more good about them than we are apt to think, and it is & profitable lesson to learn how to find the good, and use it for the improvement of the bad: under the roughest of those ugly prison jackets warm hearts, men's hearts, beat. Once knowing how to get at them, we know how to mend their morals. Whilst many soldiers are sent to prison for military offences that seem too slight, to a civilian, to be worthy of punishment, yet irregularities would be destructive of discipline if tolerated in an army. Very many are sent thither who deserve all that is done to them, and some who attend Wesleyan service. It is a great privilege to be able to meet such apart, to hold separate service for their good, to have the opportunity of seeing and speaking with them, man by man alone; and I am rejoiced to know that, by the blessing of God, some have decided in prison to lead new lives, and, when released, have paid their vows. My heart has been made glad by the firm faith and brave confession of Christ on the part of some of our early converts here who have gone to distant lands, or who are serving on Her Majesty's ships in different seas and ports. Some of these, our sons and brothers in the Gospel, are frequent correspondents, and write such cheering letters from afar as to tempt one to revive a custom common in the old Magazines, and print for the edification of the godly at home "letters from our soldiers," our "brethren in the army." One young man returned last week to be invalided from the service, having been wounded in Japan, who found the pearl of great price in Chatham two years ago. He took it with him, and brought it back in safety after travelling 46,000 miles. Amid ungodly men, on several ships, through all those months of absence, this young soldier has kept the spark of grace burning, and found the blessedness of a heart fixed on God. VOL. X.-FIFTH SERIES. For this and all such cases, we give glory to the Lord; and are urged to pray that He will add to the number of them who are valiant to confess Christ amid all the thoughtlessness and vice of a large ship's company. We need to give more attention to seamen and others at all ports, in order not only to fetch God's exiles home, but to confirm and encourage converted marines who have marched to our services at Chatham, Woolwich, Plymouth, and Portsmouth, and who sail on every manof-war put into commission. 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, in hospitals and prison, and in the many branches of duty belong. ing to this department we have felt His presence and help. "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." 2. SHORNCLIFFE. The Rev. Joseph Webster writes, April 14th, 1864:---Our work here is proceeding steadily and satisfactorily, and affords me much encourage ment. No removals from the camp having taken place since I last wrote, our congregation on the Sabbath has varied but little. Five new members have been added to my class during the quarter, making a total of fourteen of our military brethren now united with us in church-fellowship, whose earnest piety and consistent deportment afford me much joy. The want of a suitable place in camp for voluntary services I have very much felt. But I am thankful that this want is now met. An application which I made to the Major General commanding, on the 20th ultimo, for a room in camp, in which I might hold religious services with Wesleyan soldiers and their families, was referred to the War-office authorities for their decision; and a few days ago a communication was sent, stating that the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for War, and His Royal Highness the Field-Marshal commanding-in-chief, had approved of my request being granted. A commodious hut, fitted with benches and chairs, has been appropriated to my use, which will be opened at once for Divine worship on Sabbath evenings, and for Bible classes and other meetings during the week. I have continued to pay a weekly visit to the garrison at Dover, for the purpose of affording religious instruction 20 562 to the children of our people in accord- The period for the removal of regi My best acknowledgements are due to the military authorities here for their kindness and courtesy, and for the ready assistance afforded me in the discharge of my various duties; and I entertain the hope that, as we are now permitted to hold services within camp, we shall be blessed with an enlarged measure of success. 3. PORTSMOUTH.-The Rev. H. Jutsum writes, March 22d, 1864:-Our work among the military is now in a more prosperous and satisfactory condition than it ever has been. creased numbers of soldiers are attending Inour service in the Cambridge Barracks, and the number of the marine artillery at Cumberland Fort keeps up. In these parade-services we often realize, in a special manner, the presence and blessing of God. The men are most attentive, and join heartily in the worship. Some are showing anxiety to flee from the wrath to come, and others, who had backslidden, are returning to a better state of mind. I have attended and conducted our services in the military prison regu larly, and with manifest good results. Those of the soldiers who are members of our Society are faithful and devoted men, and are "walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost." More of the children of soldiers than heretofore are attending our "Religious-Instruction" class, in barracks, twice a week. My visits to the hospitals are welcomed by many, and have been productive of great good. We are much interesting class of our fellow-subjects. encouraged in our efforts to benefit this 4. DUBLIN. On the night of Monday, March 7th, an interesting meeting, in connexion with the Total Abstinence movement, was held in the military church, Richmond Barracks, Dublin, a great number of the 12th and 32d regiments attending. The Rev. Samuel Weir first addressed the meeting, and then followed Captain Brown of the Artillery, a zealous servant of God. The speakers occupied nearly an hour each, yet the attention of the men never ceased; and their occasional nods of approval, as some important statement was made. their laughter at the anecdotes interspersed, and the signatures of many before the meeting was brought to a close, proved they were delighted and convinced. At the request of Captain Warren of the 32d, who takes a lively interest in the work, the speakers joined him in partaking of a cup of coffee in his own room; and there, the bugles having sounded tattoo, as they conversed the efforts of the Wesleyans for the troops, together of religion in the army, and of Captain Brown, though a Churchman, gave an impartial testimony for Methodism, which ought to be published far and he, "I find that for every four soldiers wide. "After careful observation," said who become truly religious, three join the Methodists at once: a proof to me of the zeal and success of the Wesleyan ministers among us. And this I have mentioned chaplains, that I might stir them up to again and again to our own Protestant holy emulation, to the same labour and success."-Irish Evangelist, April, 1864. HOME-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE. 1. LONDON, HIGHBURY.- From the Journal of the Rev. S. Lees.-February 28th, 1864.-The hope expressed in my last Journal has been realized. valuable site has been secured, which it is proposed to build a stone chapel, at a cost of £4,000, and good A on suited, in its arrangements and acc provided with religious services. Though I find the work of visitation often discouraging, from the fearful apathy of the people, yet I am cheered by the brightening prospects of our work, and by the improvement manifest in the attendance, and in the interest taken in the Mission-services. 2. HAREFIELD.-The Rev. Thomas Overton says, that the chapel here continues to be well attended; that religious impression is extending among the people, that conversions are taking place, and that the Society is increasing. He gives a deplorable account of the stolid ignorance and squalid misery of the labouring population, and of their lamentable sufferings from sickness and poverty. To many of these he has been enabled to administer temporal relief, as well as spiritual counsel. The following is one case of this class. March 4th, 1864. -A woman, mother of a large family, ill in bed: her illness produced by want of food. She was utterly faint and exhausted. Her husband, after a long illness, is just able to get out to seek work, though ill able to do any. leaving his house this morning, the poor fellow wept because he could not get fuel to warm his children. The house was a scene of desolation and abject want-the floor, to a great extent, unbricked; the ceiling low, with broken plaster and protruding laths; one room below and one above, connected by a miserable staircase; each room about ten feet square. Such is a specimen of many houses here, the home for husband, wife, and often from six to a dozen children. Such places are the sepulchres of decency, morality, and religion. Nothing praiseworthy can atmosphere so vitiated, in hovels so small, existing in defiance of all sanitary, moral, and social con Bourish in an siderations." On March 28th, 29th.-For years the village wake, or fair, has been the cause of a fearful amount of drunkenness and brutal violence. Cruel and debasing sports have been practised. The establishment of the county constabulary has done something to amend this state of things. Some anxiety was felt lest the children of our newly-formed school, and the people of our recently-gathered con gregation should be injured by the return of this fair; and we, therefore, resolved upon some counter attraction; Mr. and Miss Barnes, with their accustomed kindness and liberality, undertaking the management of the affair. On the Monday, the children, numbering one hundred, were entertained at "The Grove," after which they were addressed by Mr. Barnes and by the ministers. On the Tuesday, an instructive and illustrated lecture was delivered. The fair was consequently deserted, scarcely a dozen persons being found in the street in the evening, whilst stalls and beer-houses were deserted. Our room was densely crowded. Words of counsel and encouragement were given to the people, who were evidently pleased and gratified. This they testified by hearty cheers at the close. Such meetings must do good; they produce sympathy between the rich and the poor, and are calculated to lead to higher results. On a recent Sunday morning, a man of notorious character was met by the sergeant of police, neatly dressed. The officer, surprised, said, Where are you going?" The reply was, "To the chapel! That's my place now." which a bystander remarked, “Ay, he will not give you so much trouble hereafter as he has done." A mechanic lately requested to speak to me. told me that since hearing a sermon preached by the Rev. C. Prest, in the chapel here, he had been deeply impressed with a sense of his sinfulness. He had prayed that God would show him his real state; and during the night he had been so overwhelmed with conviction that he could not sleep; violent fear and trembling came upon him, constraining him to leave his bed and to pray earnestly to God for pardon. He obtained hope and some encouragement; and, despite fearful temptations, is resting upon the atonement of Christ for acceptance, needing, and praying for, more powerful faith. On He 3. BRIGHTON. The Rev. W. H. Johnston writes, March 31st, 1864.-The most pleasing feature in my work, during the last three months, has been the number of conversions which have taken place. We have had an uninterrupted succession of these. Two new This state of things is disgraceful and dangerous to the country, and is one of the chief hindrances to the religious improvement of people so scandalously housed. It is receiving exposure and corrections in our towns, and should not be allowed to lurk unobserved in our villages.-C. P. cottage-meetings have been commenced, and my Society-class increases. I have a number of young men who give promise of great usefulness to me in the Mission-services. We have a regular Bible-class of soldiers at the barracks, and some true Christian men among the troops. 4. GREAT MALVERN.-The following Letter deserves attentive perusal, and it is hoped will be suitably and liberally responded to : Great Malvern, April 11th, 1864. If our case could be fairly put before the Methodist people, I feel sure that their sympathy and help would be given to the work of the Lord in this place. It is a case which will bear looking into. During the last forty years, Great Malvern has risen from a mere village to be a thriving town, and a favourite watering place. It is still increasing in size and importance. Handsome villa-residences are rising on every hand, and a large proprietary college is being erected. We are now surrounded with a population of 6,000 in the winter, and 10,000 in the summer; and yet there is not proper religious accommodation for 3,000, and no Methodist chapel of any kind. Many of the residents were formerly connected with our church; but on coming here have either been obliged to join other churches, or else have gone back into the world. Efforts have been again and again made by Wesleyans in former years to obtain a footing here, but without success, owing to the fact that almost all the land belongs to two proprietors who will not part with any for a Nonconformist chapel. Once, indeed, there was a piece of land for sale, which did not belong to them, and our friends entered into negotiations concerning it; but just before they came to sign the deeds, some of the intolerant ones came and bought it over their heads. Not long ago, however, it became known that a portion of the old church croft was for sale, and without the restrictive condition just referred to. By the blessing of God, it was secured to us through the liberality of Mr. Lycett, of London, who bought it for £400. I am told that there was an effort to defeat us here also, but this time it was too late. Just seventeen months ago, the first Wesleyan service was held in Malvern, by the Rev. C. Ridler, then of Ledbury, in a school-room, which was opened to us by a friend, who has ever since been warmly interested in our cause. We have now thirty members of Society, with several on trial, and we are raising, besides contributions to the proposed new chapel, at the rate of more than £50 per annum towards our current expenses and the ordinary Methodist funds. A Sunday-school and nightschools have been carried on with a fair amount of success. At Barnard's-Green, an adjacent hamlet, a regular preaching service on the Sabbath, and once a fortnight on the week-day, has been established, and a nucleus formed of what will, I hope, prove a flourishing little Society. The small chapel at the Wyche is also connected with us, and there we have twenty-two members. There are other villages near also, which we may reasonably expect to be able to enter; whilst six miles distant, and soon to be accessible by rail, is the town of Upton-on-Severn without a Wesleyan chapel, though greatly needing one. Everything, however, must come to a standstill unless we can have a suitable chapel at Malvern. There is no doubt that then our congregation would be doubled or trebled almost directly. We have been in our present room a few weeks only, and yet almost every sitting is taken, and people are prevented from coming to our Sabbath-evening service by our being so crowded. It is proposed to erect a handsome gothic chapel, affording accommodation for between seven and eight hundred, with a school, &c., at an estimated cost of £3,500. The Watering-places Committee has generously promised a grant of £800. Mr. Lycett has kindly pro mised additional help, and sums to the amount of £170 have been also paid or promised. Our friends here will not be able to render much assistance, though they will do all they can. We must depend almost entirely on foreign aid. We are in great need of the liberal contributions of our wealthy friends. Both the terms of the deed by which the land is conveyed to us, and the character of the place seem to make it appear absolutely necessary to erect the somewhat costly edifice proposed. The case is an urgent one. There is good reason for believing that the prosperity of our cause in this place in future years may be very mateterially affected if we cannot VERT SPEEDILY "begin building our chejet whilst if we are enabled to do so, there is a good prospect of this soon being the head of a flourishing and self-supporting Circuit. I am sure there must be many Wesleyans who have visited this beauti ful spot, who will feel deeply interested |