SALFORD.

TO THE EDITOR-SIR,

I beg to transmit to you an account of the opening of our new Chapel, in Oldfield Road. It may be necessary to premise, that we had a small, pious, and increasing society in that neighbourhood, and a flourishing Sabbath School, and that they occupied a large room in Canal Street, which they had comfortably fitted up for divine worship, at about £50 expence. Last Christmas, they were dispossessed of the same, receiving only a week's notice to quit, in consequence of some Roman Catholics having, discreditably, offered a much greater rent for the place, that they might open a school therein. Our friends, being thus suddenly deprived of their place of worship, and their school thereby scattered, and as no other place could be obtained in the neighbourhood, they were ready to despond. On their case being reported to the Leader's Meeting, in Bury Street Chapel, they were exhorted to take courage, and vigorously to commence raising subscriptions for the erection of a small chapel. The Leader's Meeting immediately subscribed upwards of £20, to commence with. Our friends took the advice, and although they could not expect to obtain much in these times of commercial distress, yet, by the blessing of God, they obtained what was considered sufficient to warrant them to commence building a small plain chapel, which, by the good providence of our God, has been completed, and was opened for divine worship last Sunday on which occasion, powerful sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Townend, Rev. G. Smith, and Rev. A. Woodrow. On Monday evening, the Rev. H. Breeden preached with

his accustomed energy. A holy and quickening influence rested upon all the services, which were attended by crowded and delighted congregations. We trust, that by this erection, the foundation is laid for the increasing prosperity and stability of our society, and that the chapel will be a real blessing to this very important and populous part of the circuit. The public collections were as good as could be expected.

The chapel will contain about 400 persons, and is settled on the trusts of the Connexional Model Deed. The debt remaining upon the chapel will be but small. May the increase of its members in numbers and holiness be great and without end. Amen. I may add, that spiritually, the circuit, generally, is in a prosperous state; thank God, we have unity, peace, and concord, and our preachers are highly esteemed.

W. MATTHEWS.

CORNWALL.

CAMELFORD AND WADEBRIDGE
CIRCUIT.

At Bodmin, the principal county town, on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 14th of June, the foundation stone of a new chapel, for the use of the Wesleyan Methodist Association, was laid, in the name of the Holy Trinity, by Mr. William Hicks. After the ceremony of laying this, the first stone, an appropriate, and interesting address, was delivered by Mr. George Robinson, the Superintendent of the Circuit, in which he exhibited, in a concise form, the delightful advantages of the present generation of this country, in regard to religious privileges, in contrast with the

ignorance and persecution of bye-gone days; and, also, of the circumstances which had led to the erection of another place of worship in the town, namely, the formation of the "Wesleyan Methodist Association," the chief object of which is, to aid in the advancement of the cause of Christ to greater triumphs throughout the world. In the course of his address, Mr. R. referred to the circumstances which led to the formation of the " Association;" that its rise was occasioned by the assumption, and exercise of undue authority, on the part of the Methodist Conference, which is composed, exclusively, of itinerant preachers, &c., and exhibited, Firstly, the freedom of the principle of representation, adopted by the Association; Secondly, acknowledging the HOLY SCRIPTURES to contain the only divinely authorised, and sufficient rule of faith and practice; Thirdly, the independency of our Churches and Circuits, &c. &c.

Mr. William Trewin, one of the itinerant ministers of the circuit, then gave out the hymn,

"Behold the sure foundation stone,

Which God in Zion lays." After which, Mr. A. Weston, itinerant minister from the Helstone circuit, concluded this interesting service with prayer.

At five o'clock, a public tea was provided at Culle's rooms, of which a considerable number of friends partook.

In the evening, a Public Meeting was held in Culle's large room, when William Grose, Esq., of Penpont, having been called to the chair, suitable addresses were delivered by Messrs. Weston, Trewin, Robinson, Mead, and Rosevear. Thus closed (by singing and prayer) the religious services of the occasion, a day long to be remembered by many.

There are some circumstances of an interesting nature, connected with both the place and the occurrences of this day. On the site of the intended Association chapel, about 180 years ago, stood a Nonconformist Meeting House, or Tabernacle, erected, it is supposed, for the accommodation of Mr. Henry Flamank and his friends: he having been ejected from the Rectorial living of the adjoining parish of Lanivet,

for conscientiously refusing to CONFORM to the arbitrary requirements of THE ACT OF UNIFORMITY: the terms of which were purposely framed to get rid from the Established Church, of a body of upwards of 2,000 of the most talented ministers and superior men it ever possessed, whose history is deserving of being handed down to posterity. Ministers ejected by the pressure of legal enactments, bearing on the rights of conscience, and thus driven into poverty and want! Perhaps history does not furnish an equal number of Christian ministers voluntarily leaving all their temporalities for a good conscience, and who, if they did not act from principle, were the weakest people in the world: being active in their own temporal ruin, rather than sin against God, and desert the cause of civil and religious liberty, which, together with serious religion, would have sunk to a very low ebb in the nation, if it had not been for the bold and noble stand these worthies made against imposition upon conscience.

His

Mr. Henry Flamank was one of these noble minded men. He was a branch of an ancient and reputable family in the county; a gentlemanly man, of considerable learning, great natural abilities, a clear head, a strong memory, and lively affections. method of preaching had something in it so peculiarly convincing, that it seldom failed of some success. Instances of his usefulness were obvious in most places where he occasionally exercised his ministry. He had a most majestic mien, and yet a most obliging affability in common conversation. Such a happy mixture of seriousness and good nature rarely to be met with; especially so recommended by those stated evidences of sincerity, which rendered him unsuspected of affectation, or ill design. He was very much esteemed by the more serious gentry of the western counties, and beloved, as well as reverenced by meaner persons. He was called ultimately, and faithfully laboured, with good success, to a considerable congregation, in the exercise of his ministry at Tavistock, Devon, where he died of fever, in a comfortable and assured expectation of a blessed change, May 8, 1692.

LISKEARD.

TO THE EDITOR-DEAR SIR,

In making a report of the state of this circuit, we rejoice to state that notwithstanding a considerable number of removals, &c., we shall be able to show some increase since the last Annual Assembly. "Give God the praise." We have opened two additional chapels during the past quarter. The first of these was at Highway, Lantegloo, by Fowey, on Thursday, May 12th, and following Sabbath. Our excellent brother, Mr. G. Robinson, from Camelford, preached to full and attentive congregations on the Thursday; and after the evening service our kind friend, Mr. Mead of Lostwithiel, and T. P. Rosevear, Esq. of Barn Park, addressed the audience, stating the doctrines taught amongst us, and the religious ordinances observed by us, to be those of the great Wesleyan family to whom we belong; but showing that the great distinctive peculiarity of the Wesleyan Association consists in acknowledging Christ as the only Head of the Church: and receiving the New Testament as containing sufficient instruction for the right government of that Church, without the legislative interference of any council or synod whatsoever. The particulars given respecting the rise and progress of the Association were satisfactory. Mr. Freethy, of Wadebridge, and Mr. T. P. Rosevear preached on the following Sabbath. This chapel, which is very neat, and capable of seating about 200 persons, has been built at the sole expence of W. Hicks, Esq. We gratefully recognize the hand of Providence in thus raising us up an unexpected friend in this gentleman, and earnestly we pray that the Donor of all mercies will bless him with all spiritual blessings that are in Christ Jesus our Lord. The collections are to be appropriated to the opening of a Sabbath School. On Thursday, June 16, a small chapel was also opened at Caradon town, a small village in the parish of Linkinhorne, in the neighbourhood of several prosperous mines, where we have the prospect of a rising cause. The itinerant preachers of the circuit conducted the services of the day; and the presence

of the Lord was felt to be in our midst. "O Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity." The Anniversaries of our Sunday Schools have lately been held at St. Keyne, Pelynt, Liskeard, and Polruan; and at all of them great interest has been manifested for the instruction and improvement of the rising race. We humbly trust that the children of these Sunday Schools will become active members of the Church of Christ. On the whole, therefore, we have reason to be thankful for the good that has been done among us in this circuit: but we feel that there is still great need to urge upon all those "that make mention of the name of the Lord, that they give Him no rest, until he make Jerusalem the praise of the whole earth."

J. SAYER.

HEYWOOD CIRCUIT.

TO THE EDITOR,-DEAR SIR,

I have been asked why it is, that nothing has, this year, appeared in our Magazine from Heywood? I am compelled to say, that it is a dereliction of duty on my part, arising from what I think may be justly termed a false delicacy, which affliction I fear is not confined to myself, but several of my brethren, in the ministry with whom I have the honour to stand connected, seem to be afflicted with the same complaint. I have had the great pleasure to hear that the labours of God's servants in connection with us as a body, have been crowned with success during this year. And I must confess that I have felt disappointed in not seeing more Religious Intelligence in our Magazine. But this, viewing my own conduct may easily be accounted for. I believe the best apology for having done wrong, is to do so no more, and at once to begin to do right-I therefore submit the following statements, on behalf of my brethren as well as myself.

I have to say we are truly thankful to God, for the blessing he has poured upon us as a Church. Our congregations are very good, and our band meetings are well attended, they are feasts indeed at which many souls are richly fed.

We have about 800 scholars taught in our Sabbath Schools, many of whom are almost men and women; and best of all, many of them have begun to love and serve God. Our School is regularly on the increase, one week in the quarter we devote every night to exhortation and prayer; the class meetings are given up for that week; and all the leaders and members are especially requested to meet; we then sing through the streets to the chapel, changing our route every night; these efforts God has especially owned and many souls have been saved.

The members of society have formed themselves into different companies, and take one night in the week for the purpose of canvassing the different streets, and to pray with the people, and invite them to the public worship of God. This also is attended with great good, and notwithstanding the great depression of trade our income is not diminished! The Lord has added to our numbers one hundred souls.

I am happy to say we have great peace in the circuit, and signs of life in almost every place.

W. INCE.

NORTHWICH.

The prospects of the Association in this circuit, are of a cheering character. The good work is steadily progressing in our midst, and we are enabled to adopt the language of the venerable founder of Methodism, and say, "The best of all is, God is with us.'

At the March quarterly meeting, it was found after a careful scrutiny, that we had an increase of thirty-six full members, with seventy-three on trial; and after making up for deaths, removals, &c, there still remained eighty-one, including both the full members and those on trial.

Our finances were then discovered to be in an encouraging state, inducing sanguine expectations of increasing financial prosperity.

We are also on the eve of building three or four chapels in various parts of the circuit, where our prospects are of an inspiring nature. One chapel

has been enlarged, and a day school connected with it in an improving condition.

The Sunday schools generally are in a prosperous state. That attached to the Northwich society contains about 450 scholars, and 50 teachers. Our friends there have also a Day school in flourishing circumstances, where about 160 children are educated.

In our collections for the Missionary enterprise we are likely to be more successful this year than at any former period; notwithstanding the difficulties resulting from the general depression of trade. And in reference to the most important subject-our spiritual condition, we can point to revivals in several societies, and to very many who are affording, by their spirit and conduct, the most satisfactory evidences of the great moral change that has been wrought within. We can tell of souls going triumphantly to heaven; of backsliders returning to their once-loved Jesus; of sinners enquiring their way to Zion with their faces thitherward; and peace with its attendant blessings, reigns in all our borders. Therefore will we praise the name of the Lord, who doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number. And from the memory of his past goodness, we are filled with a lively hope, that through the prayers of his people, and by the instrumentality of those dear servants of Christ, who labour in the word and doctrine, He will yet bless us more abundantly-joining our fruitfulness with the prosperity of Zion, and our increase with the extension of the Messiah's kingdom.

J. DIXON.

CROSTON, PRESTON CIRCUIT.

On Sunday, May 15th, our Sunday school anniversary sermons were preached by Messrs. W. Robertshaw, and H. Holden, the celebrated astronomer of Preston. The evening service was exceedingly interesting: our little chapel was crowded to excess; and scores surrounded the door and open windows who could not obtain admittance. It was interesting to see so many come to hear of that name