most enterprising, and most efficient advocate of inland navigation of the huge waters of the western world, was interred, by private charity, in the Strangers' burying-ground. The splendid essays of Jesse Hawley, which convinced the American people of the feasibility and importance of a continuous canal from lake Erie to the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean, were sent forth from a debtors' prison. De Witt Clinton, who perfected that glorious enterprise, and whose name is written upon the capital of every column of the social edifice in America, was indebted to private hospitality for a resting-place; but the crowning ingratitude remains yet to be told. Fulton, the immortal Fulton, whilst building, at New York, the first steamboat, the "Clermont," we are told, was treated as an idle projector, whose schemes would be useless to the world and ruinous to himself. "Never (says that martyr of ingratitude) did a single encouraging remark, a bright hope, a warm wish, cross my path. Silence itself was but politeness, veiling its doubts and hiding its reproaches." THOUGHTS ON DEATH. "To-day is thine, to-morrow mine!" Which calls me to my endless home; RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. STALEYBRIDGE AND GLOSSOP CIRCUIT. Mr. Editor-Dear Sir, UPON the whole as a Circuit, we have been favoured by the great Head of the Church, with peace within our walls and prosperity within our palaces. At Glossop especially there has been a blessed work going on for many months. God has indeed, in the plenitude of his grace and mercy, signally prospered the work of our hands in the conversion of sinners, turning them from darkness to light, and the power of Satan to God, an infinitely greater work than mere turning men from one set of notions in reference to ecclesiastical polity to another. The reform going on in that locality has gone deeper, having broken up the fountains of the great deep, the depths of the human heart, and penetrated and explored the cavern of the soul. We trust many have been added to our ranks such as shall be eternally saved. Since the last Annual Assembly our increase is twenty full members, and upwards of thirty on trial. And although in another place of the Circuit, some untoward circumstances of a painful character, wholly beyond our control, because of their complicated nature, threatened to render to some extent nugatory our increase both numerically and financially in other parts of the Circuit; yet, notwithstanding, there was found at the December quarter-day, an advance also in the income of the quarter of three pounds and upwards on the preceding one. I should take this opportunity to say, that at Hollingworth, the centre of our Circuit, the friends have bestowed a great amount of labour, and spared no expense in cleaning, painting, beautifying, and repairing, their chapel, insomuch that the house of the Lord is now the admiration of all, and our sincere and ardent desire and prayer to Almighty God the Master of Assemblies (who makes the place of His feet glorious, and will glorify the house of His glory) is, that it may be one mean among others of drawing those that are without nearer unto the holy of holies, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and enquire in his temple. We trust that as it has already proved the birthplace of many souls in bygone days, that it will be said of many more that they were born there. O that the time may soon arrive when nothing shall be done or practised in any of our places of worship, exclusively set apart for religious adoration and service, but what strictly becomes the holiness of his house. As light advances, and pure and undefiled religion increases, this will be the case. It is when Christians arrive at the stature of perfect men in Christ, that they put away childish things. The amount expended in giving a finishing stroke both to the interior and exterior of our place of worship is, (inclusive of the great amount of labour done by some parties without charge) equal to seventy pounds, nearly the whole of which was realized by re-opening services, subscriptions, and tea-meetings. The Reformers have not as yet united with us, but appear to be approximating a little nearer, and will, we trust, ere long, make common cause with WM. MACKENNY. us. My Dear Sir, STOCKTON CIRCUIT. When I came here in August, the aspect of our cause in this town was really discouraging. On the evening of our arrival, I attended by request, the regular week-night prayer-meeting in our chapel, where literally "two or three were gathered together in the name of the Saviour. The findings of the first Sabbath were anything but encouraging to me, just come from the Sunderland Circuit. A few Sundays after my arrival, I had to preach the Sunday-school sermons. The children sung and said suitable hymns and pieces, much to the credit of our persevering and sanguine friend, Mr. Greenwood. The company in the morning was good, in the afternoon crowded, and in the evening literally crammed. The collections were much in advance of their gatherings for many years. It was to our friends here a token for good, and had considerable influence on those that were without. That day may be noted as the beginning of good days. At our September Quarterly Meeting the subjects of union with the Reformers, and a series of revival services, were agreed upon as both desirable and necessary. Immediately after, a committee of our own friends met a similar number of our brethren of the Reformers, when it was agreed upon to close our chapel in Stockton for repairs and cleaning, and to worship together with the Reformers in theirs. They agreed to return with us at the re-opening, and thus form one church and congregation. This auspicious event came off October 26th, 1856, when three sermons were preached in the morning, by G. Blumer, Esq. of Hartlepool; in the afternoon by the Rev. T. Davison, Independent (the writer being unable through domestic bereavement to take the pulpit); and in the evening, by Mr. W. Hunter, of Hartlepool. The day was fine, the congregations very good, and the influence most gracious. On the following evening, the services were continued by a very well-attended and well-conducted tea-meeting; and as the trays were furnished gratuitously by the ladies of the united congregation, the re-opening services realized upwards of 201. toward the expense incurred by the repairs. After tea, a public-meeting was held, presided over by Mr. Blumer, and addressed by the Rev. J. M. Saul, of Darlington, T. Davison, J. Stewart, and E. Heywood, of Stockton, and Messrs. Hunter and R. Bell, of Hartlepool, Mr. Sedgwick, of Leeds, offering up at its opening a prayer, the remembrance of which is still refreshing to many who were then present. The meeting was pervaded by a solemnity, enthusiasm, and earnest religiousness. The interest was wellsustained until a late hour, when the meeting broke up-all feeling that they had seldom passed a more profitable and pleasant evening. The oneness of spirit that pervaded the meeting betokened the future happiness to result from the union. The Revival services agreed upon, were held at East and West Hartlepool, Stockton, and Middlesborough. The local brethren, the officers, and members of the churches, heartily united with Mr. R. Bell, the Reform preacher, and myself, and God was pleased to bless the united effort with considerable success in each place. The churches were stirred up, some backsliders were reclaimed, and a number of sinners were brought to Jesus. The aspect of affairs in each place has much to encourage us, and we are sowing in hope. During the last few weeks, twelve or fourteen souls have been brought to God amongst our own people, those at Hartlepool, and Middlesborough, and the dear, kind, earnest souls are looking for still greater things than these. The income for the last quarter is just five per cent. more than the preceding one. During the last few weeks I have delivered a series of three lectures both in West and East Hartlepool, in the Reform school in the former, and chapel in the latter place, on the Wesley Family. The subject of the first was, "John Wesley's Nonconformist Ancestors, with Sketches of their Times." The second, "The Rev. Samuel Wesley, or the Parish Priest in Earnest, with notices of the Genius and Moral Worth of his Sons and Daughters." The third, "The Mother of John Wesley, or the Model Woman." The attendance in each place was very good on each occasion; and it is to be hoped that the exhibition of so much embodied worth would not be lost upon the people. The meetings were ably presided over by Messrs. G. Blumer, J. C. Brewis, E. Londen, and W. Hunter, all Wesleyan Reformers. The valuable remarks of the respective Chairmen gave weight and influence to the meetings. I am not without hope of seeing this Circuit, at a time not distant, assume a very important position in the body. Each of the portions included in it, are rising in maritime and commercial importance, and I think we have the nucleus of a good church in each place. Our friends at Hartlepool are prepared to follow the example of Stockton, and form one church and congregation as soon as arrangements can be made for chapel accommodation. Our united prayer is, "Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children; and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us: yea, the work of our hands establish thou it." EDMUND HEYWOOD. NORTH AND SOUTH SHIELDS CIRCUIT. THE Quarterly Meeting of this Circuit was held at North Shields, on the 24th ult. The Rev. Richard Chew occupied the chair. There was a consideable attendance from the towns, and a few brethren were present from the country. There was a balance on the ordinary accounts of upwards of 31. A preacher's house had been furnished during the quarter; and towards this 601. had been contributed, leaving a balance, on the wrong side, of about 40%. The Circuit stewards were instructed to communicate with the Leaders' meetings in North and South Shields, and with the country societies, and urge them to take measures to raise this 40l. as soon as possible. Mr. James Gray, who has long served the Circuit as one of the Circuit stewards, respectfully requested not to be re-elected. Councillor Green was elected in his place; and Councillor Armstrong was re-elected as the other Circuit steward. Mr. Richard Reay was elected Circuit secretary, in the room of Councillor Green, who has acted in that capacity for several years. A vote of thanks was given to Messrs. Gray and Green for their past services. A Circuit Committee and a Plan Committee were also appointed, to hold office for a year. A verbal report was given of the business which had been done at the Preachers' meeting. The preachers had unfortunately to deal with a brother who had deviated from the holy paths of the Gospel. One place had been removed from the Plan, and a new place been put on. All that the Preachers' meeting had done was confirmed by the Quarterly meeting. A letter was read from Mr. Gandy, stating the salaries, &c., of Connexional ministers. A resolution was passed expressing cordial approval of the regulations referred to. This Circuit is at perfect rest on the subject of amalgamation. The step taken recently by the friends at Leeds, was taken here more than fifteen months ago, and it answers admirably. There are two Circuit ministers, one belonging to the Association, the other is a Reformer. The Circuit Plan is headed," Plan of the Wesleyan Methodist Reform and Association Preachers." In Sunderland, also, a similiar course was adopted, a considerable time ago; so that, if any credit is due to the originators of such a mode of action, it must be given to societies in this neighbourhood. CHELTENHAM CIRCUIT. To the Editor-Rev. and Dear Sir, On the last Sabbath in the year that has just passed, we held special prayermeetings. We were favoured with the valuable services of Mr. Moses Hirst, of the Forest of Dean, and Mr. Culliss, of Worcester. In the evening, Mr. Hirst preached, after which we continued our prayer-meeting. Several souls professed to find peace with God, and several others were in deep sorrow for sin, and determined not to leave the place until they had obtained mercy. Consequently, we were constrained to continue the meeting to a most unseasonable hour. It was after twelve o'clock before we could get all the people to leave the chapel. On the following evening, we held our usual Christmas tea-meeting. Mr. Culliss presided. The meeting was addressed by Enoch Beasley, Esq., of Worcester; Messrs. Newton, Humphreys and Lane. The speeches were of a practical character, delivered with much feeling and energy, and the meeting on the whole was one of the right stamp, free from that spirit of levity which is so unbecoming in a meeting professedly of a religious character. On New Year's day we held a tea-meeting at Charlton, in connection with the opening of the chapel there. Fifty persons sat down to tea. Mr. Newton took the chair, and after a short address, called on Messrs. Humphreys, Lane, and M. Lane to speak. Our dear brethren were earnest and pointed, and their speeches were most enthusiastically applauded by the people. We have commenced a Sabbath-school at Charlton, and although we have met with a little opposition, I am happy to say, that we have succeeded well, and already have between thirty and forty scholars. Charlton is a populous but scattered village, containing some 4000 or 5000 inhabitants, many of whom are living in darkness, and in the shadow of death. Our friends are determined, by God's help, to be instrumental in saving some of them; and, already, while preaching Jesus to them, we have seen the tear of penitence, and have no doubt that in a short time, we shall succeed in establishing a Society in this place. Our good Brother Humphreys, who some time since laboured as an Association preacher in York, manifests a deep interest in this place, and is likely to be very useful. Our friends have adopted Wesley's motto, which they have placed at the head of their Preachers' and Prayer-leaders' Plan, "All at it, and always at it," and are coming up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. The preachers are trying to extend their spheres of labour, and endeavouring to be more useful. The leaders are earnestly entreating the people to join their happy numbers by meeting in class; and here, allow me to remark, that we find the old Methodistic custom to work well. Amongst our good Brethren, the Reformers, previous to their amalgamating with us, there were a few who did not appear to appreciate the class-meeting; but we discussed the matter in the spirit of brotherly love, and found that with one or two exceptions their opinions coincided with ours, that class-meetings to a great extent are the life and soul of Methodism, and now most of our members meet very regularly. Our Sunday-school Teachers are considering the best means of increasing the number of scholars, and of doing good to their youthful charge. Our organist and leading singer is indefatigable in his endeavours to train the people, and render this part of the Divine Worship as profitable to the people, and as pleasing to God as he possibly can. The good ladies, who are rarely if ever behind in labours of love, are busily engaged in making articles for a Bazaar for the reduction of the chapel debt; and two of them, a few weeks since, presented us with a very handsome Bible for the pulpit, with "Bethany Chapel" in gold letters on the cover. A few others presented Mr. Newton with a very good reading easychair, and, under existing circumstances, he considers this a very welcome present. In consequence of our peculiar circumstances, we could not arrange for the renewal of tickets until the first week in January. Mr. Newton met all the classes at one time, a most gracious influence seemed to pervade each breast; several who have recently been brought to God, seemed full of love and holy zeal. The old members appeared in a good state of mind, and expressed an earnest desire to be more fully conformed to the image of God's dear Son, and a determination to labour for souls. One very encouraging feature in the experience of all was, that they testified to the gracious influence that pervaded all the means of grace, and the good they invariably realized by attending them. On Tuesday, January 13th, we held our Quarterly meeting, and upon examining of the class-books, we were highly delighted to find that our Circuit numbers were as follows: forty-five full members, with fourteen on trial, and since then, we have admitted three others on trial. Dear Sir, when we consider that only a few months back we were but eight members, and two local preachers, we are constrained to exclaim, "What hath God wrought;" and I am sure you will join with us in ascribing all the glory to God our Saviour, and in pleading that he will continue to carry on His saving work, not only in Cheltenham, but in every part of the Connexion. In conclusion, allow me to say on behalf of all our members, that we feel grateful to the Committee for acceding to our request in the appointment of Mr. Newton to labour on this Circuit. I am, Rev. and dear Sir, yours affectionately, |