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PORTSMOUTH.-The Rev. H. Jutsum writes, December 29th, 1863:-The work here is going on much as usual. I have met with no discouragements either from the military authorities, or from any other quarter. It is true, I have not quite so many in attendance at the second parade-service on a Sunday morning, as heretofore: but this is owing to there not being so many regiments in the garrison.

I have this quarter obtained permission from the Secretary of State for War, through the Major-General commanding the District, to visit the prisoners belonging to my charge in the District Military Prison at Gosport every Sunday afternoon for Divine service, and once a week for prayer. My Sabbath work is now very hard, in consequence of the distance to travel; and the three services coming so closely together. I fear I shall not be able to continue it long.

I have also the right of burying our own dead. I think now we have here a firm footing in every department of our work; and, by the Divine blessing, the

work will go on smoothly. I regret that I cannot succeed in inducing more of the men to attend our voluntary services, such as prayer-meetings, Bible-classes, &c. I believe this is owing principally to the want of suitable accommodation. The room occupied on the Sabbath morning should be the place for these voluntary services. I have applied to His Lordship, the General commanding, for this room; but my application has been refused, on the ground that it is a standing District-Order that the schoolroom shall be used for no other purpose than a school. My firm conviction is, that, in order to success, or to results such as we desire to realize, there must be a public room set apart for the soldiers, where I can meet them not only on the Sunday morning, but on the Sunday evening, and on as many evenings in the week as practicable.

The hospitals have been regularly visited, and a record duly made in the chaplain's visiting-book connected with each surgery.

HOME-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE.

1. LEOMINSTER. From the Journal of the Rev. James Yeames.-January, 1864. -At Risbury, about six miles from this town, we have had preaching on Sundays, whenever the weather would permit, in the open air; opposing influences being strong enough to prevent our occupancy of any suitable place for our services. We preach at the junction of four roads, where more than one hundred persons assemble, some of whom come from a distance. Once a month, on a week-night, I preach in a farmhouse, two miles from this village. The clergyman attended one of the out-door services; declared that the Methodists did not preach the truth; and demanded by what right they entered his parish? This conduct disgusted the people, and some of them strongly reproved his vain intolerance. No doubt, the fact that these services are so well attended aroused his sectarian indignation. On the preceding Sunday many came through heavy rain, carrying their chairs and stools with them to a neighbouring blacksmith's shed, in which the congregation were allowed a shelter. Just after the earthquake in the autumn, which VOL. X.-FIFTH SERIES.

was felt here, the vicar of Leominster, who had obtained unenviable notoriety, in his former position by his earnest but ineffectual opposition to the Exeter-Hall services for the working classes, announced that he should preach on the subject of the recent shock. He did so, declaring that the earthquake was a judgment upon the town for the dissent and schism so increasingly prevalent!

September 28th. Last week I was arranging to visit Eardisland, a village five miles distant, with a population of about nine hundred, without adaquate spiritual provision. Forty years since, one of our ministers preached here, when his horse was shamefully disfigured, and he received injury and abuse. Now, without any solicitation of ours, the lord of the manor has offered us a piece of land, large and in a central and commanding position, for the erection of a chapel. Another gentleman has promised one hundred yards of building stone, and more, if necessary; and another, the slates required for the roof. A donation of £10 is promised by a retired Baptist minister. Some other contributions are also promised, together

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with the carriage of all materials. We thankfully recognize in this the good hand of our God. Our new chapels in Leominster and Kingsland are well attended; and the Societies are in a good and encouraging state.--December 20th, Sunday. The chapel at Leominster was well filled, and with evident manifestations of a veritable Home-Mission congregation; the free-seats being occupied by the poor and degraded, who are at length aroused. Our Sundayschool has the same Missionary characteristics. Some were crying for mercy at the public service. The Local preachers gave me good reports of this day. All the chapels, and other places, which they visited, were full; some of them, crowded; and the Holy Spirit was working upon many hearts, convincing them of their sinfulness and danger. I have been astonished while listening to the Christmas carols sung by the children in the streets. They are evidently of great antiquity, and contain many obsolete words. Doubtless of Popish origin, they are at once ludicrous and profane. Such remains of ignorance and superstition can hardly be supposed to exist in Christian England, and in the year 1863.

2. TUNSTALL.-The Journal of the Rev. A. Hoskings, for the past quarter, adds to the proof of the necessity for active and persevering labour among the large population of the town. Numerous cottage-services have been held, usually preceded by singing a hymn in the street. On some occasions so large a number has been attracted by this method, that the service has been conducted in the open air, by the light of the gas-lamps. Blessed consequences have followed, in the conversion of sinners. A commodious school-chapel has just been erected in a destitute part of the town, on land generously given by Wm. Cooper, Esq., which is the practical commencement of a larger development of Methodism in the neighbourhood. The congregations in this place are good, and the newly established Sunday-school is well attended. The minister is encouraged by the zealous co-operation of those who are disposed to do their highest duty towards their neighbours. In his domiciliary visitation he is continually meeting with circumstances which cheer and stimulate him in his work; and his addresses to idlers in the streets on a Sunday have been accompanied by evident good results.

3. LIVERPOOL. Brunswick.-The Rev.

Henry Dodds writes, December 5th, 1863:-I am glad to say that the Mission at Whitefield-road is steadily increasing. The congregations in our commodious school-chapel are as large as we can accommodate, and all the sittings but nine are let, while we have numerous applications which we are unable to meet. We are contemplating the erection of a large chapel erelong; which, I doubt not, would be speedily filled with attentive worshippers.

4. RUNCORN. Widness, &c.-From the Rev. Joseph Workman.- December 28th, 1863.

The success of this Mission is most gratifying. At Widness, in par ticular, God's cause is prospering in every department. Our people are united and earnest; every religious service is well attended; and the congregations are so large, that they cannot increase, till the new and beautiful chapel, for which we are indebted to the liberality of a true friend of HomeMissions, (Thomas Hazlehurst, Esq..) is opened. We expect it will be dedicated to the worship of Almighty God in February. Our Sunday-school is full, and is working well; cottage-services are held in different parts of the neighbourhood, and are successful; and the preaching of the word has been much blessed to the people. The Society has increased from ninety-three to one hundred and six, with fifteen on trial, since September; and this addition is chiefly of adults. The other parts of my district are also in a good state. I have enjoyed my work, and am giving myself wholly to it. There is, however, enough to engage all the attention of one minister in Widness itself, with its large population, and the "navvies" and sailors who are here in great numbers. Though I have visited six hundred and twenty houses, yet there are hundreds of persons, most ignorant and sinful,

whose doors I have not time to enter. More ministerial labour is imperatively called for in this vicinity.

5. MANCHESTER. Eccles.-From the Rev. S. H. Pink.-October 7th, 1863.In the course of my visitation, I entered the house of a man seventy-two years of age, who has recently joined our Society. The house was beautifully clean. He was seated in one corner. and his wife, a few years younger than himself, sat in another. They were reading aloud easy lessons of words of one syllable. The novelty of the scene attracted my attention; and, in answer

to my inquiries, the man told me, that the moment God converted his soul he was possessed with an earnest desire to read the New Testament. He had never attended a day-school, and had only been three times to a Sunday-school! With the exception of going to the parish church to be married, fifty-two years ago, he never once entered into any place of worship, till he was persuaded, eleven months since, by one of our tract-distributers to attend our chapel. Thus he had misspent half a century. His life had been drunken and dissolute, and his house disorderly in the extreme; but his change of heart was followed by a complete change in his life, in his house, and in everything about him. I mention this case as illustrating the power of religion to give a man self-respect and a purpose in life, and as an encouragement to evangelical labour.

6. PUDSEY.-From the Rev. Joseph R. Crone-December 23d, 1863.-There are about 1,380 inhabitants here, with ample accommodation for public worship in the churches and chapels. The trade of the place is good, and the people are the most industrious I have ever met with. Drunkenness is the exception, though the general morality is not high. The average attendance at public worship exceeds, I am informed, that of any of the adjacent towns. We have two chapels, one a new one, and a preachingroom. In these the congregations are improving. On my arrival, after the last Conference, I found, through the illness of my predecessor, but little doing besides our more public services. We have since established five cottageservices, which are proving successful. I find the want of more efficient layassistance. Still, however, there are undoubted and encouraging signs of good. One of our members has died triumphing in Christ, and seven have been added to our numbers. At

deeply sunk in moral and social degradation. The chapel is well attended. The proceeds of the Foreign Missionary Anniversary, at this Home - Mission station were almost double those of any preceding year. The Sunday-school is well attended; and eleven of the teachers have been recently brought to the enjoyment of religion, and have joined the church. Mr. Westlake is giving his attention to a district, in the east of Sheffield, where there is a population of nearly 7,000, with no provision for public worship except a small school-room belonging to the "Primitive Methodists."

8. BATHGATE, Edinburgh.-From the Journal of the Rev. George Hobson it appears, that in connexion with the Mission at Bathgate, Annandale, and adjacent places, there are five regular Sabbath-services conducted by the Missionary minister and several Local preachers, besides prayer-meetings. A Sunday-school has been established at Annandale, which is well attended. Eight services are held on week-day evenings. There are now fifty-four members in church fellowship, and twelve on trial. As elsewhere in Scotland, where Methodism is but little known, we encounter great prejudice. Notwithstanding this, and the customary apathy of the ungodly, many satisfactory cases of personal conversion to God have occurred during the quarter. On September 19th Mr. Hobson writes:During the last eight days twelve persons have given evidence of conversion.

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At a subsequent lovefeast, (the spiritual and fervent character of which was truly refreshing,) many of these spoke, out of the abundance of their hearts, of their newborn love to the Saviour, with a simplicity and power which afforded great encouragement.November 9th.-Held a meeting in the school-room at Annandale, at which the Rev. William Willan presided, to originate a movement for the erection

Gibralter, where the congregation had of a chapel. This is now quite neces80 dwindled that the trustees were con- sary, as our room has become too small templating the sale of the chapel, there was on December 13th a large congregation, the result of visiting and of cottage-services; and two persons, convinced of their sinfulness, were enabled to exercise faith in Christ.

for the congregation. We have commenced a subscription; and, as the members are enthusiastic in the work, we confidently hope that erelong we shall succeed.-December 18th. After visiting the people in their houses, we held a cottage-service, at which several persons professed to see and feel their sinfulness, and their need of a Saviour. I had intended to remove this meeting to a more convenient place; but, the woman of the house pleading, with tears,

7. ATTERCLIFFE, Sheffield East.-The Journal of the Rev. John Westlake, to December, 1863, shows diligent labour accompanied by the blessing of God in the conversion of several who were

that for the sake of her unconverted family her room might still be used, I gave up my intention.

9. ZETLAND ISLANDS.-During the quarter ending December, 1863, the important and interesting work in these islands has been diligently prosecuted by the ministers, amid the toilsome journeys, and perilous voyages in open boats, incident to their arduous calling. The difficulties and dangers have been greatly aggravated by a stormy season. In all the stations the congregations are good, though several of them can only have the occasional presence of minister. In few places has equal success crowned so limited an agency as we possess in Zetland. More ministers are required, if those that have been gathered into the church are to have pastoral care, and if we are to preserve the position which has been acquired by years of arduous toil. Great hope is expressed by all the ministers, as arising from the number of young persons recently brought under religious influence, who bid fair to become, by good training, efficient helpers in the work of God. The recent quickening in Unst, the Rev. James Johnson remarks, "has changed the face of society. Drinking and card-playing used to be common. At present there is but little of either; and I have no doubt there is inward

regeneration as well as outward refor

mation." The influence of Methodism continues to bless members of the other churches in the islands; many who share this benefit continuing in communion with those churches, and, it is hoped, exerting a good influence there. North-Roe the day-school is in a flourishing condition, and the teacher is earnest, and especially anxious to promote the spiritual welfare of his charge.

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Sabbath-school will be forth with commenced. The Rev. E. Baylis, referring to a series of Foreign Missionary meetings just held in the islands, involving great labour, exposure, and danger to the ministers, says, that at the principa place in the North-Isles Circuit the chapel was crowded, and many were unable to obtain admission; while the collections were more than double those

of the previous year. At Dunrossness we have had some gratifying instances of persons giving in proportion as God has prospered them. One man commenced the summer fishing, the year before last, with this determination; and he has practically observed it since. Several follow his example. We have several pounds more this year for Foreign Missions than we had twelve months since. This statement is taken to be due to the beneficial operation of our Home-Missions; and it will gratify those who support this most necessary part of our work. In the Lerwick Circuit, there is a steady progress of the work of God, in the edifying of believers and the conversion of sinners. A chapel is much needed at Stromfrith, where the house in which worship is held is crowded almost to suffocation. A leader and an assistant have been recently appointed here. At Vidlow we have a large number of members; but this place, being thirty miles from Lerwick, cannot receive the pastoral attention which it requires. It is mostly supplied by the junior minister, the Rev. J. Hewitson; but as he has a sound to cross which in rough weather is awfully dangerous, he can only visit the people as the weather may permit. At Whalsay, the place provided by Mr. Bruce for public worship and for a Sunday-school has become too strait for the congregation; so that enlargement is necessary, and will be kindly provided.

GENERAL RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. BAPTISM OF A JEW.-A. B. S., a Prussian Jew, who came to Edinburgh a little more than a twelvemonth ago, and who has since that time honourably supported himself, having heard of our little German church, which meets each Lord's day, in 5, Queen-street, began to attend the services, with the view, probably, of meeting some of his countrymen there. But the regularity of his attendance, and his marked attention to the word of life, betokened more than mere curiosity; and, having had several

interviews with him, I entertained from the very first some hopes that, by God's blessing upon the means employed, he might be led to embrace Christianity. In this expectation I was not disappointed. Having received instruetion for several months in my own house in the principles and doctrines of Christianity, and being convinced not only of the Divine mission of Christ, but of his need of salvation, he expressed a desire to be received into the church by baptism, and to have an opportunity of

confessing before the world his belief in the Divine Saviour. Being satisfied with his knowledge and sincerity, I requested the Rev. Dr. Johnston, Nicolson-street, to allow me to dispense the ordinance in his church; a request which was readily granted. And accordingly, on the afternoon of the third Sabbath of December, I preached from the words in 1 Cor. i. 24, "Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God;" received from him, in the presence of a very large congregation, the avowal of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour, and then administered to him the ordinance of baptism, - the

Rev. Dr. Johnston closing the services with prayer. It was a solemn and an affecting event. Connected with this baptism is a coincidence which I dare not leave unnoticed, namely, that on the same day of the month, twenty years ago, I was publicly received into the fellowship of the church. I made reference to that singular coincidence at the opening of my address to the young man, before I baptised him, in the following words :"In a small city near the Rhine, not far from Cologne, there might be seen on a quiet Sabbath morning it happened to be the last Sabbath but one in the year 1843-hundreds of people crowding into a Lutheran church to witness the baptism of a son of Abraham. No Jewish lips had ever before in that place confessed the Crucified One to be his Lord and Christ; and some from curiosity, and others from better motives, were anxious to be witnesses of that event. He who preached here this afternoon the everlasting Gospel, and has now the pleasure and the privilege of receiving into the church a brother according to the flesh, is the same who twenty years ago stood at the baptismal font, making a public profession of his faith and hope in Christ."

I shall only add, that this Jew, a very intelligent young man, is the firstfruits of my labours among foreigners resident in Edinburgh.-Rev. John Blumenreich.

RHENISH JEWs.-The Missionary was visiting a village with a view of attending the Friday evening service; but, arriving too late, he found the synagogue dark and deserted. Not wishing to have come there altogether in vain, he looked about him in the dark streets of the village. "I soon discovered through a window, the flames

of the seven-armed Sabbath lamps, and was sure to have found a Jewish dwelling. But my entrance was not desired, as the father of the household was just about to bless the Sabbath bread, and break it to the household, and would not be disturbed in his devotions. I had therefore to pass on. A Jewess whom I met showed me the way to the reader, whose dwelling I had some difficulty in finding. I found him a venerable old man, who forthwith invited me to share his Sabbath repast, which I did, being very weary and hungry. Before the meal and after it I prayed aloud in Hebrew, which pleased my host greatly. I then took my Bible, and we read together Isaiah lv., in Hebrew. By this time the old man had found out the object of my visit, but that made no change in him. I could clearly trace the preparatory workings of the Spirit in that old man. A dear Christian friend had been zealously pointing him to Jesus, and he now with avidity listened to the message of free grace in Christ which I brought to him. Soon we were surrounded by a good number of Jews, who all came, either from a habit they had of assembling in the reader's room on Saturdays, or from having heard that a Missionary was there." In the presence of this gathering the Missionary was able to discuss the whole question with several Jews in a quiet and friendly way; and he praises God for having given him, unexpectedly, so favourable

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portunity to do so. For a long time he does not remember to have had so attentive an audience; and, on at last rising to leave, he was urged to repeat his visit very soon, and they even offered to defray his travelling expenses.

As at other stations, this Missionary also attaches the greatest importance to his intercourse with the Jewish teachers, whom he justly calls the noblest portion of the Jewish community. To many he has access frequently; now and then he may even say a few words to the pupils. In one place, after having spoken to the children, at the teacher's special request, from Psalm xix., the teacher added the further request that he (the Missionary) would not leave without having prayed with the children, which the Missionary complied with, deeply moved by so unusual a request. At another school the teacher after the Missionary had spoken to the children, told them that all the stranger had said was according to truth, and set them the task to draw up a paper, containing all they had

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