Testaments, making a general total up to that period of 175,400 copies of the Holy Scriptures distributed to Sailors and Soldiers; and the number of Naval and Military Officers contributing as subscribers had increased to 315.-In this year, 1825, His Royal Highness announced to the Society and to the army, that His Majesty had been pleased to approve of a code of regulations, recommended by the distinguished Prelates aforementioned, the purport of which was, that every Soldier who can read shall be furnished with a Bible, &c. gratis; the expense to be borne by the public; and that the Chaplain-General of the Forces shall procure from the Naval and Military Bible Society, and other sources, such number of Bibles, &c. as may be required; and a further supply to be lodged as a depot in the orderly-room of each corps, in order that recruits and others may be provided from time to time as necessary. In consequence of this regulation, a communication, both personal and by letter, was entered into with the very Rev. the Dean of Carlisle, Chaplain-General, &c. which has led to the issuing of 16,000 Bibles from the depository of the Naval and Military Bible Society to the Army since May, 1825. The Society, in order to meet the benevolent intentions of its illustrious Patron, having consented to supply the Bibles at two shillings per copy less than their prime cost, have, on the recent issue just mentioned, incurred an immediate loss of £1600, besides the necessary sum wanted to meet the increasing demands from Seamen generally, and from the Soldiers of the East India Company.

It is this has compelled the Committee to make a more direct appeal to the best feelings of their countrymen at large, and they would record it to the praise of Almighty God, that the measure of effort, hitherto exercised in humble dependance on the Most High, has been attended with such a portion of success, as to warrant their utmost confidence in pressing forward to the completion of their great object. At Yarmouth, Ipswich, Colchester, Bath, Bristol, Plymouth, Torbay, and other places, the Society has been kindly welcomed, and Auxiliaries, &c., recently formed in aid of their funds, whilst increased facilities have been gained for the distribution of the Scriptures, especially to Mariners.

Surely, if any portion of the community can claim the warmest sympathies of Britons, it is that part, composed of their brethren, who, quitting their fa

milies at an early period of life, have devoted themselves to maintain the independence and prosperity of their beloved country. To enlarge here, or press the paramount claims of Soldiers and Sailors to the notice or gratitude of their countrymen, is deemed superfluous; nor can the whole that might be offered on this subject be better summed up than in the just and generous sentiment of a reverend gentleman at Bath, who, pleading in behalf of this Society, said, "On most other occasions, when convened together, we meet to confer a boon; but here, (in aid of the Naval and Military Bible Society,) our duty is to discharge a debt." Whilst, however, it may be deemed a proper deference to British feeling and discerument, to shrink from any thing like ostentatious display of the peculiar demands which these brave men present to the grateful remembrance of their countrymen at large, it seems but justice to press their necessities (scarcely surpassed by any) upon public notice; and to exhibit the warriors of our land as composing a material of so encourag ing a nature, that if the soil was but fairly cultivated, a most abundant and profitable harvest might be anticipated. To establish the former position, it may be only necessary here, to quote the testimony of a highly respectable Mis sionary from the Society Islands; who, in remarking on the injurious influence of British example, as exemplified by Seamen who frequently visit these islands, has stated, that it is not uncommon for the native Islanders, shocked at the profanity exhibited by these poor neglected men, to repair to the Missionary, and simply inquire, "Who is the God of Seamen?" "Surely not the Lord Jehovah whom the Bible teaches us to worship !"—In illustra→ tion of the latter sentiment, two simple facts out of many are selected from the correspondence:- the first is, that of some British Soldiers, who, falling into the hands of the French, prior to the peace of Paris, were confined prisoners at Besançon; here such a desire was excited to be possessed of the Word of God, that between twenty and thirty manuscript copies of the New Testa ment were actually made by our Soldiers, in prison at that place.-The other, more recent, is contained in a letter from a Captain of a line-of-battleship, in the following words: "As it has always been my opinion, that books purchased, at however low a price, are more appreciated and better taken care of by individuals, than when supplied gratis, it became an object with

me rather to delay the distributing of these books generally, supplying at first those only whose better foresight had induced them to reserve from their advance-money a sufficiency for that purpose. This had the effect I desired; and it is only justice to say, that several, who had no other means of raising cash, begged to have, some the whole, and others half of their allowance of grog stopped, until the accumulation of short-allowance-money was equal to the purchase of the book they wished for."-It is these men, unaccustomed to take thought for the morrow, who are mostly unattainable, or overlooked by the liberality of other excellent Institutions, that the Naval and Military Bible Society seeks out to give them that book which teaches them to fear God and honour the King; to do the duties of their station in life, not as eye-servants from coercion, but from principle, and for conscience sake: which shows them the path of peace and happiness here below, and insructs them to look beyond that grave, on the brink of which they ever seem to stand, and to behold the Great Captain of their salvation with inviting summons, saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." A General Officer stated lately, that he had commanded his Majesty's 73 regiment for three years in India, and during that period he never had occasion to punish a single man: each Soldier possessed his Bible; and the regiment was not more conspicuous for gallantry in the field, than distinguished by the sober steady conduct of the men in quarters. The present state of Pitcairn's Island exhibits a most striking instance of what the Bible, when accompanied by the Spirit of God, can do for mariners: the hardened mutineer, John Adams, ready to imbrue his hands in blood, was changed from the ferocity of a tiger to the meekness of a lamb, through a copy of the Scriptures, which there is every reason to believe was furnished by this Society to his Majesty's ship Bounty, and which was providentially saved from the wreck. It was made unto him the savour of life unto life, and like a Patriarch of old, in primitive simplicity, he has trained up more than one generation to call Emanuel blessed.-When the infinite importance of the object which the Society is labouring to accomplish, and the high and distinguished patronage with which it has been honoured are considered, it does appear most singular, that the pecuniary support afforded it should be so very small. It

is a surprising fact, that the annual' subscriptions to the Naval and Military Bible Society scarcely exceed £600 a year; and that whilst the Anniversary Meetings are seen to overflow with crowds pressing for entrance, the whole income, arising from every source, does not (on an average) exceed £2000 per annum; leaving the Committee, throughout their arduous duties from year to year, the painful alternative of plunging the Society into debt, or what is still more distressing to their feelings, to refuse the bread of life to their hungering companions in arms.

The Society is encouraged to hope, that brighter prospects are opening before them, and they rely much, under Divine Providence, on the efforts which many of their countrymen and countrywomen are making in various ways to increase the funds of the institution; and they cannot but rejoice to perceive, that whilst there is not a portion of the globe but testifies to the Christian liberality of Britain's sons and daughters, a sense of pious concern seems generally awakening for the long-neglected state of our Soldiers and Seamen, proving that their best advocates may yet be found in the breasts of their own countrymen. It has long been proverbial, that any measure, favourably affecting the interests of those branches of the community, to which the country (under God) stands so much indebted, meets with the prompt acquiescence of every real patriot. O let not the verity of this wholesome sentiment be questioned where it ought most to be sustained; but still endeavour, still persist, by the constant and more general supply of the Bible, to shield from the deadliest foe to man, those who have intercepted, in their own persons, the blows levelled at your happiness and homes!

Under a strong impression of the benefits of the Naval and Military Bible Society,-under the full conviction that it has carried, does carry, and will every day, under the blessing of God Almighty, continue to carry, knowledge to the ignorant, comfort to the miserable, sanctification to the upholy ;-that through the gracious interference of that Spirit of Truth, whose sacred word it disseminates, it will still lead many a poor guilty soul to that cross where never suppliant sued for mercy in vain, the Committee would, in gratitude for past mercies, commit their cause unto God as unto a faithful Creator, humbly praying, that the Word of His Grace may have free course and be glorified,

Dr. Coke was to pass near Windsor, on his way to London, and thinking that the patronage of this respectable Clergyman would tend to establish his cause, and animate his little flock,' Mr. Ould waited his arrival, obtained his consent to preach, and soon gathered two or three together;' to whom the Doctor opened the unsearchable riches of Christ.' Under the same humble roof, Dr. Adam Clarke, when on a visit to this town, preached the Gospel to the poor.' Mr. Ould was the Father of Methodism here, and laboured, for years, under circumstances of trial and difficulty, without the assistance of either Local or Travelling Preachers. Yet he lived to see the work of God revived, extended, and consolidated; and died in peace, in 1823. In the year 1815, the first Travelling Preacher was stationed in Windsor. In 1816, a substantial Chapel was built, and opened for public worship by the late Rev. and venerable Joseph Benson. Last year it was found necessary to enlarge this Chapel, by the erection of a gallery. The Trustees proceeded in this work with such prudence and care, that not more than £100 has been added to the original debt; and by reducing the rate of interest on the money borrowed to four and a half per cent., only the sum of £2. 10s. has been added to the annual expeuditure; while the circumstances of the Trustees have been improved by the influx of hearers, and the consequent number of additional sittings let. By these alterations the aspect of the place is changed; it is now remarkably neat, plain, and commodious. It was re-opened on Thursday, July 7, and on Sunday, July 10, 1825, by the Rev. Messrs. Reece, Gaulter, and Peter M'Owan. Here we see a system of truth and discipline, first introduced by the humble instrumentality of a private soldier, operating most beneficially on a class of society hitherto but partially blessed with the means of instruction and salvation. In no Circuit in which I have travelled these ten years past, have I discovered a greater depth of piety, or a ardent spirit of prayer, of brotherly kindness and charity, than exists in the Methodist Society at Windsor. The history of this little community is like that of the Christian church in all ages. Sometimes the pulse of faith has beaten high amongst them, and at other times with that softness and irregularity which are the presages of death. But, thanks be to God, there was always some stimulant seasonably applied, by which health, activity, and

more

vigour, were again spread over those members of the mystical body of Christ. Methodism having established itself in Windsor, has penetrated with various degrees of success, into several towns and villages in the vicinity. The London West District Meeting recommended, in 1813, the erection of a Chapel at Egham, a town five miles from Windsor, which, in a circumference of three miles, embraces a population of 11,000 souls. At that time, however, a suitable piece of ground could not be procured. During the past year, the Spirit of God was poured out on our people there; so that their number increased, in a few months, from eleven to twenty-five. While this good work was going forward, a most eligible freehold estate presented itself, and was purchased. Having obtained the consent of the last District Meeting, the Trustees applied to Mr. Pococke, of Knightsbridge, Architect, for a plan of the building, which that gentleman furnished gratuitously. The Chapel, which has been recently and well-finished, is thirty-five feet by twenty-one, and cost, including the purchase of the ground, building a vestry, &c., nearly £600. The whole premises are secured to the Connexion. This Chapel was opened on Jan 4th and 7th, 1826, by the Rev. Richard Reece, the Rev. John Gaulter, and the Rev. Richard Boot. William Jennings, Esq., of Staines, to whose kindness and liberality Methodism in this place is under many obligations, subscribed towards this erection, £130. Wilkins Terry, Esq., £20, and Jeremiah Baldwinson, Esq., £5. These gentlemen are also Trustees. From the situation of our former place of worship, which, previous to our occupation of it, was used as a stable, there was no prospect of realizing either extensive or permanent usefulness. Since the opening of the new Chapel, the most sanguine expectations of the Trustees have been exceeded. The Sabbath morning congregation has gradually increased, and in the evening the Chapel has always been well filled. The pews have also let well. We have lately begun preaching in Staines, a populous town, about one mile from the Chapel, with the immediate view of increasing our congregations at Egham, but of ultimately establishing a separate Society there."

LOSTOCK, in the Northwich Circuit.

"A neat Methodist Chapel was opened at this place, Jan. 30th. The Rev. Robert Newton preached in the morning, at half past ten, and at half past six o'clock in the evening; the Rev. James Everett preached in the after

noon, at half past two o'clock. The congregations were large, respectable, and attentive. The land was given by Mr. Taylor, for the sum of £1. 1s. The cost of the Chapel is about £300. The Subscriptions were liberal. The Collections at the opening amounted to £25. 3s. 6d. So that there remains a debt of about £100. We have no doubt much good was done at the opening, and that the blessing of God will at tend the future services."

ALFORD CIRCUIT. "Lately there have been five small Methodist Chapels opened at the villages in the neighbourhood of Alford; one at Willoughby, twenty-six feet by eighteen; one at Brinkhill, and another at Cumberworth, of the same dimensions. Strubby Chapel is twenty feet by eighteen; and Aby Chapel thirty feet by eighteen. The subscriptions aud collections in behalf of these erections were remarkably good; so that the debts left on them all will not much exceed £180. The sittings are nearly all taken, and the probable income will place the Chapels in easy circumstances. The Preachers who officiated on the several openings were, the Rev. Messrs. C. Radcliffe, Fraser, Galland, A.M., J. Nicholson, Posnett, Ellidge, and Mr. M. Holden.

"The circumstances under which Methodist preaching was introduced into Cumberworth are worthy of record. Mrs. Rowie, a member of the Methodist Society, and wife to Mr. T. Rowle, a farmer, who lived in Cumberworth, and who had an aged father and mother living with him, was the means of introducing the Methodist Ministers into that place, in the following manner:-Mr. Rowle had for a long time remarked the extreme attention, and uniform kindness, of Mrs. Rowle to his aged parents, one of whom was blind, and the other nearly helpless. He said within himself, How can I reward my dear wife for her goodness to my parents? Her great love to the Methodist ministry occurred to his mind; and he resolved to give her leave to invite the Preachers to Cumberworth, and to preach and lodge in his house. This proposal was received with great gratitude by Mrs. Rowle; and the preaching was commenced in the village, where there is now a good Society, and a beautiful Chapel. Mr. Rowle, who for many years lived after the course of this world, was at length enlightened by divine grace, and died in the Lord." SWANSEA CHAPEL, in the Swansea Circuit."On the Lord's Day, Feb. 19th, 1826, a very neat and commodious Wesleyan-Methodist Chapel

ence.

"This pleasant sea port and bathing place, has for many years been much in want of a larger and more respectable Chapel, in consequence of which the success of the Gospel of Christ by the Methodist ministry has been greatly hindered. To accomplish this desirable object, it was found necessary to take down the old Chapel, the materials of which have been applied to the new one, by which considerable expense has been saved. During its erection, it was found that the original Trust Deed was invalid, which rendered an additional purchase, a new conveyance, and trust, necessary. It cannot but be highly satisfactory to know, that the whole is now settled and secured to the Methodist Connexion according to the Deed Poll inrolled in his Majesty's High Court of Chancery; and that, from the very liberal subscriptions received, and the demand there is for sittings, the Trustees have every prospect of meeting their future expenses. This has been a season to be remembered, of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; and the fervent and devout language of many hearts is, O Lord, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.'

NANT-Y-GLO IRON WORKS, in the Abergavenny Circuit.-" On Sunday, March 5th, a new and commo.. dious Chapel was opened in this place by the Rev. Messrs. Thomas Rogers, Edward Ford, and Edward Anwyl, (in Welsh.) The Collections on the occasion amounted to the liberal sum of £87. 2s. 6d. The dimensions of the Chapel are thirty-seven feet by thirty. The ground was generously granted for the purpose, by J. and C. Bailey, Esqrs., the Proprietors of the Works, at a nominal rent, with a donation of forty pounds. The erection of the Chapel will cost about £520; toward which, besides the collections at the opening, nearly one hundred and sixty pounds have been subscribed. A small Chapel was erected here about twelve years ago, when there were only three