1863." He had great pleasure in presenting this handsome trowel to Mr. Cory, in the name of the Free Church. He also stated that a bottle would be deposited beneath the corner stone, and read a copy of a written document which had been placed in the bottle, and which would explain, the nature of its contents:-" Cardiff United Methodist Free Church. This Church was formed in November, 1856, and worshipped in the Friends' Meeting House in Charles Street from that time. The Corner Stone of this Chapel was laid on the 24th November, 1863, by R. Cory, Esq., at three p.m., when the Rev. W. Reed, Ex-President of the Assembly, and Editor of the Free Church Magazines, the Rev. T. Barlow, Circuit Minister, and other gentlemen took part in the proceedings. With this document were enclosed a copy of the Circuit Plan, a copy of the Wesleyan Times and of the Cardiff Times. The Trustees were Mesars. R. Cory, W. Ward, William Pinson, T. Inson, Isaac Rutter, G. Smart, J. Cory, R. Mules, D. Jones, Eben. Beavan, and others. The Treasurer of the Building Fund, Mr. R. Cory; Secretary, Mr. W. Ward; Messrs. Hartland and Son, the architects, and Mr. George Gooderidge the builder. Amount of contract for building the Chapel £1515. Ground was taken for a school room and vestries, and also a minister's house, which will be entered upon when the Chapel is finished. W. WARD, Secretary.

"Cardiff, November 24th, 1863."

Mr. CORY then addressed the Assembly, with great emotion. He said he had been reminded of the fact, that some years ago his total abstinence friends presented him with a gold watch, which he hoped to hand down to one of his sons, as a memorial of the kindness which had been shown to him. Greatly as he valued that gold watch, he valued this silver trowel a thousand times more, as he considered this the highest honour which could be conferred upon any man. The Methodist Free Church was commenced seven years ago, the fifth of this month, and after much struggling he thanked God they were brought thus far.

On &

similar occasion, recently, the President of the Assembly said they would not have been allowed to perform such an

act two hundred years ago; but under the reign of Queen Victoria-God bless her!-every man might worship God "under his own vine and fig-tree, none daring to make him afraid."

The stone was then raised, and the mortar having been spread by Mr. Cory, and the bottle placed in its position, the stone was lowered to its bed. With a mallet made for the occasion the usual form was gone through, and Mr. Cory declared that the corner-stone of the Methodist Free Church was laid in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Another appropriate hymn having been sung,

The Rev. W. REED delivered a very able address suitable to the occasion, and said, in concluding,-Let us thank God for the opportunity of being present, and let us rise up to the sublimity of the occasion. Let our hearts go up in prayer, as they have never gone up before, for the descent of the Spirit upon the universal church! May the time soon come when, by the aid of those instrumentalities which God has called into existence, slavery shall perish, war be done away, and drunkenness and every other form of vice disappear, and the whole earth be filled with God's glory.

The Rev. G. HOWE made a few congratulatory remarks, after which

The Assembly went forward to the corner stone, where lay the beautiful silver trowel, and deposited contributions. By this means £4 16s. was raised towards the new Chapel. The benediction having been pronounced, the Assembly dispersed.

In the evening of the same day a Tea and Public Meeting was held at Bethany Chapel. A large company was present, and the Mayor presided. We are unable to give a report of the speeches, as the former part of the day's services has occupied a good deal of space already. We may state, however, that in opening the proceedings the Mayor delivered a very excellent speech, and a short report was read by Mr. Ward. Mr. Reed gave some statistics of the progress of the body, showing that the United Methodist Free Churches had attained to a responsible position, and that they were engaged in a great work, with the other sections of the Christian

Church. Mr. Ward moved a vote of thanks to the minister, deacons, and members of Bethany for the use of the school-room and chapel, which was seconded by Mr. Pinson, and carried unanimously. Mr. Cory then moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for his kindness in taking the chair on this occasion.

The Rev. T. Barlow seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation.

The Mayor, in responding, said he remembered the time in Cardiff when class interests and class arrangements were of such a character that the gentry refused to associate with professional men, and professional men with tradesmen, and tradesmen with the class below them; and he appealed to all now present to say whether all these classes were not now ready to amalgamate in the promotion of any good and honourable work. There were equal signs of improvement in the moral condition of the town. At one time Cardiff was in such a condition as placed it lower than almost any town in the kingdom. Districts which were the hotbeds of crime, vice, and profligacy of a scandalous character, had been swept away, and the places were now occupied by persons who were honestly pursuing a proper calling. The agencies by which all this had been accomplished deserved their support, and not the least among them was that which they had been gathered together to celebrate this day. There was not a church or chapel which had been either erected or repaired during his residence in Cardiff in which he had not, directly or indirectly, a stone and something more. He should be sorry if this new edifice, which was to be dedicated to the highest and holiest of purposes, should not be properly supported by contributions, and he had the pleasure to hand to the treasurer his contribution towards the corner-stone, and he might be permitted to add, that he did so with the greatest possible gratification, and if it should want a slate on the roof, he should be ready to help in that also.

A very handsome collection was made, amounting to £10 and upwards. The benediction was pronounced, and the interesting meeting was closed a little after nine o'clock.

THIRD LONDON CIRCUIT. IN connection with our Church at Jubilee-Street, a meeting of a highly interesting character was held on Wednesday evening, December 2nd, at the residence of Mr. E. Snell, when the members of the class presided over by Mr. J. Pollard, numbering thirty-six males, were entertained to tea by the host. After the repast, the meeting took the form of a fellowship meeting, the worthy leader occupying the chair. A most devotional feeling pervaded the meeting, many of the members testifying to their love for God and His Church.

During the evening the worthy host availed himself of the opportunity of presenting to the leader, on behalf of himself and brother members, a magnificently bound Bible, as a token of their esteem for, and an acknowledgment of the kindly interest displayed by, him in their temporal and spiritual welfare.

Addresses were delivered by the Rev. W. T. Whitmarsh (Baptist), and Henry Whybrow, Esq., who expressed the great pleasure they felt in being present on such an occasion, and highly eulogized this peculiar means of grace, the former gentleman stating that he much regretted his own section of Christ's Church was denied the privilege of class meetings, believing that it was carrying out in practice the injunction of the Apostle, "assemble yourselves together, and edify one another."

Messrs. C. R. Smith, H. Fairfax, and J. Smith, also took part in the proceed. ings, which were closed by singing and prayer; and thus terminated one of the happiest and most soul-stirring meetings, long to be remembered with lively interest by all present.

CAROLOS AGNUS.

TAVISTOCK CIRCUIT. IN this Circuit we are able to report progress, and the signs for the future are encouraging. Since the coming of the Rev. J. Kennard among us, the congregations have greatly increased in all the places, but especially so in Tavistock. A considerable sum, too, has been paid towards the liquidation of chapel debts. At Tavistock £20, at Gunnisdale £25; and at Beeralstone the chapel has been cleaned, repaired, and painted, and the whole cost is paid.

We have now decided to erect galleries-two sides, and one end-in the

Tavistock Chapel, to be done forthwith to make room for the overflowing congregations. Many at present are obliged to go to other places, not being able to gain admission in our own chapel, through its crowded state on a Sunday-evening.

Better than all this, we bave some added to our churches, members are increasing, the cry for mercy is often heard, and poor sinners are coming to the cross of Christ, and finding peace through believing. Our prospects are very encouraging. We are looking out for and expecting a revival of the work of God. Our minister is holding special services in the various places through the circuit, and labouring hard for the salvation of souls, and we are thankful to say not without success. We are determined to "thank God, and take courage."

NANTWICH CIRCUIT.-CREWE. ON Monday, December 7th, a Tea and Public Meeting was held in the Chapel, Market-Terrace, for the purpose of recognising the Rev. C. Worboys, returned missionary from Western Africa, who has been recently appointed by the Connexional Committee to labour at Crewe.

Martin Heath, Esq., circuit steward, occupied the chair, who, in a very interesting speech stated that they had long laboured under a great disadvantage in not having a resident minister; that they had, at a cost of £1,100, erected the chapel, school-room, vestries, &c., but that it was evident that this was not all they wanted; another circuit preacher appeared to be the great necessity. But, as the whole of the Nantwich circuit did not raise sufficient for the support of one, considerable difficulty was experienced in relation to that matter, and few, if any, entertained hopes of success; but as the result of Mr. Sarvant's untiring perseverance in the matter, about £40 was promised towards that object. With this offer they went to the Committee, and urged the appointment of a suitable man. first they met with little encouragement, as they did not support the minister they had, but as Crewe was a rising and important place, the Committee at length entertained the question; and having engaged to send a man, some anxiety was experienced as to the kind

At

of person that would be sent. Mr. Worboys having recently returned from Sierra Leone, and his health being so far restored as to enable him to take a circuit, the Committee had appointed him to Crewe, with the understanding that they were not only to raise the £40 promised, but as much more as possible. He further stated that respecting the appointment there could not be two opinions; though Mr. Wor boys had been a stranger to them, now that they had made his acquaintance, they all concluded that the appointment was very gratifying, and that they were remarkably well served; for the last three Sabbaths they had had much larger congregations than had been seen in the chapel since it was opened in the year 1858. The Rev. G. Sarvant followed, and in a very impres sive and appropriate manner, explained and urged the mutual duties of pastor and people. The Rev. C. Worboys, in a brief speech, gave a summary of his spiritual and ministerial experience, stating that he only desired to live and labour where there was the greatest amount of good to be done, which good was to be the result of earnest prayer, fervent piety, and diligent co-operation on the part of the Church, and that there appeared to him every prospect of success in Crewe. During the week special services have been held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, by the Rev. C. Worboys, and on Friday by the Rev. G. Sarvant, of Nantwich. The congregations have been very good, and there have been some very encouraging cases of conversion. It is determined to continue them for another week.

LEVER STREET CIRCUIT.-FAREWELL TEA MEETING AND PRESENTATION.

ON Saturday, November 7th, a meeting of the above kind was held at Stocks, in the Lever Street Circuit, Manchester in connection with the Rev. E. Butterworth's departure as a missionary to Eastern Africa. The day was very unfavourable,as the rain fell ceaselessly from early morn; but despite the drenching rain and dirty streets, a large company of friends assembled, and partook of an excellent tea provided by our Stocks

ladies, and served up in their usual style After tea, the company repaired to the chapel, where the meeting was held, commencing by singing the hymn,—

"Forth in Thy name, O Lord, I go." Prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Garside, after which the chair was taken by the Rev. J. Guttridge, President of the Connexion. He said he thought it would be agreeable to all to join in singing the hymn

"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun," &c. He then referred to the many happy times it had been his pleasure to meet his friends in that place, but never had he felt so great a pleasure in meeting them as on that solemn occasion. He should, however, reserve his speech to another part of the meeting, and at once call upon the Rev. George Downing to address the meeting.

Mr. Downing, then addressed himself to Mr. Butterworth in affecting and appropriate terms.

The Rev. J. Garside next spoke, and commenced by saying that Paul speaks of the comfort of love. He then proceeded to develop this principle in reference to individuals and families, and observed that there is also sorrow connected with love. Sometimes the more intense our love for a person, the more keen the sorrow when called upon in the providence of God to give up that individual. Brother Butterworth's consecration to the African Mission was the result of impressions having taken a deep hold upon his heart. This we all feel in reference to Brother Butterworth; and when we think of the earnestness with which he has addressed himself to the work of preparation, his labours in the Sabbath School and Ragged School, we are full of hope that he will fulfil his duties as a Christian missionary. We part with him to-night, with the hope of meeting him again, if not on earth, in heaven. Addressing himself directly to Mr. Butterworth, he said,-It has been arranged that I should, on behalf of your friends, present to you a token of their esteem and attachment. I have very great pleasure in presenting to you this gold chronometer (by J. H. Spreat). The inscription thereon reads thus :"Presented to the Rev. E. Butterworth by his Manchester friends, as a token of their esteem and regard, Nov.7th, 1863."

Many will be the prayers at the family altar, in the closet, in the class, and in the school, that will be offered up for you. May you find, when far away, that God is with you, making you a very great blessing to that mission to which you are consecrated.

Mr. Butterworth (who was deeply affected) said,-I know not words to express to you, my friends, the feelings which this testimonial calls up. I needed not this to show me that you loved me; but when I am far away, and look at this watch I shall be reminded of you, and refreshing seasons that we have had at the throne of grace. A little more than twelve months ago a small company of friends sat by the fire-side, talking over our East African Mission; I said I had often thought that I should like to be a missionary; the Rev. J. Garside, who was one of that company, recommended me to offer myself, but this I declined to do. Shortly afterwards I wrote to the Rev. S. S. Barton upon the subject, and he urged me to offer myself to the Missionary Committee, which I did, and for three weeks I daily prayed that God would guide the Committee in their decision, which was that I, along with brother New, was accepted. It was intended that we should go together, but my uncle (W. Howe, Esq.), in particular, thought it advisable for me to remain, in order to prepare myself for the work; this I have been trying to do, and am very thankful to my friends who advised such a course, and have enabled me to carry it out. I go forth in the name of my Master, and hope and believe, that the God of the Great Apostle of the Gentiles will be with me. I would beg a special interest in your prayers, particularly about the 4th of December, when I expect to reach Aden; for how I shall have to proceed thence I cannot learn at present; I shall there. fore require the guidance and help of my heavenly Father. I expect to get to my destination some time in January next, where I expect to meet my two colleagues, brethren Wakefield and New, who will be glad to see me, and I shall be equally so to see them. I want continually to feel that nothing is a sacrifice that is done for Jesus. I have been working in a Ragged School, and like it; I am going at it again, or something resembling it. I shall devote myself to the teaching of the young

especially. It has been said, that we may never all meet again in this world; let us all make sure of meeting in heaven. Let me ask all those who are not engaged in teaching to become either Sunday School or Ragged School teachers, it is so missionary in its nature. Another request I have to make is, that you will pray that I may be baptized with the Holy Spirit, that He may help and guide me. I now bid you an affectionate good-bye, and if we do God's will on earth, we shall all meet again in heaven. Mr. Butterworth resumed his seat amid the warmest expressions of approval.

The Chairman then requested all to join in singing the 332nd hymn,"Master I own Thy grateful claim," &c.

The Chairman then, in his own interesting, impressive, and instructive manner, referred to the object of life, and showed that it is only the true Christian that solves the life's problem-to know, love, serve, and enjoy God, is Divine philosophy. "This is life eternal, to know Thee, the only true God," &c. He then proceeded to show that in every department of natural economy there was the alphabet or beginning, before the ultimatum could be attained; this is true in commerce, politics, art, chemistry, &c., which he illustrated by referring to the persons who had begun their professional life very humbly, but attained to great distinction and honour. It was the same in religion, and in the Missionary enterprise, which his illustrations fully proved. Respecting Brother Butterworth, it was his beginning who says, "I give up all for Jesus, to go forth to sow the seed of eternal truth in the heart of the African." Who dare to detain him? There is not one here that will attempt it. Addressing Mr. Butterworth, he said, you will have a story to tell, the story of the cross. Respecting God's protection, hear His words, "The eternal God is thy refuge," &c.

"I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." We say, Brother, go; you cannot fail. Shew an undying earnestness, a sympathy and love for the object of your mission; this I am sure you will do. Commit the second Psalm to memory, if you have not already done 80."

The Chairman then repeated several

You will remember, said he to Mr. Butterworth, when before the Committee, that this question was put to you: "Are you wishful just to go out to Eastern Africa for a year or two, and then come back to settle down in ministerial quiet as some others have done ?" You will recollect your answer: "I am going to Eastern Africa to live and die.' You will have the prayers of many; an uncle who has done every. thing for you that it has been in his power to do, friends in the school, in the chapel, and Ragged School, will not cease to pray for you. The chairman spoke very hopefully and confidently of the trio we shall soon have in Eastern Africa, when Mr. Butterworth shall have arrived there.

Rev. J. Mann said, I have been thinking how few occasions of this kind we have. Some person may say the fewer and better; but I don't think so. I believe the time is not far distant when we shall have more of such gather ings as this. The world's wants and the Church's necessities will not be met without more of them. Our mission. aries are few, and there never was a time when it was more necessary for the Church "to pray the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth labourers into His harvest." I rejoice, that we have here at least one young man willing to offer himself upon the missionary altar. I have seen some of you weeping during the meeting. Well, tears are not always the expression of sorrow, but a deep heart-felt affection. I have been reminded of those words of the apostle's, "What mean ye to weep and break my heart." Acts xxi. 13. It has been intimated that our young brother may return in a few years, or he may not. Well, what if he does not return? If he find a grave amid the scenes of his labours what of that? Still "the love of Christ constraineth us." I know of no nearer approach to