: As to the expenses incurred in the Society's Establishment in Earl-Street, ▲ shall say very little. Every one must understand, that considerable expenses attend the care and superintendence, the receipt and distribution, of so large a stock, and such extensive concerns; and that the persons employed both in the direction and management, and in the mere mechanical and laborious part of the business, must receive allowances suited to their respective stations and I believe that Mr. Tarn the Accountant and Assistant Secretary, the Depositary, the Clerks, and other persons employed, receive remunerations which would be thought very moderate if they were engaged in situations requiring similar talents and equal labour in any other great Company or Establishment. If the Society's concerns were not carried on in this manner, under the immediate direction of its own Officers, a commission must be paid to a Bookseller for transacting the same business; while a House must still be kept for the Meetings of the Committee and the Correspondence of the Society and I believe it will be found that the pre sent Management is, at the same time, more efficient and more economical than such an arrangement. Imperfect as I am sensible this hasty sketch has been, I will not detain you by entering into further particulars; trusting that the charges which have been brought against the Society, instead of injuring its cause, will only stimulate all, who feel as I do, to redouble our exertions in this great pursuit, and to act with a spirit of liberality in the consideration of those errors (if such they think they see) which may have occurred in the complicated transactions of twenty-two years, in so many novel and difficult circumstances; for where is the Society, or where is the individual, who must not, in the course of such a period, have fallen into many? Above all, may we pray to God for his blessing,—not forgetting, in our supplications to the Throne of Grace, our Christian Brethren who differ from, and even those who defame us. May we all unite our exertions for the glory of God on earth! and may they, as well as we, be found partakers of the merits of our Saviour in the realms of bliss! The METHODIST CHAPELS LATELY ERECTED OR ENLARGED. SPITTAL, in the Haverfordwest Circuit." On Sunday. July 23d, a new Chapel was opened at this place; when the Rev. Messrs. James Mole and George Taylor preached in English, and the Rev. Messrs. J. Williams and E. Jones, in Welsh. The dimensions of the Chapel are twenty feet by thirty, in the inside. It is built of stone, and is commodiously fitted up with pews, benches, and rising seats for the sing ers. The whole cost of the building is £80; towards which £60 have been raised by subscriptions and collections. "Exactly twelve months prior to the above date, the Rev. J. Hill opened a new Chapel at Waterson, in the same Circuit. Its dimensions are seventeen feet by twenty-four. It cost £40; to wards which thirty-six have been raised by subscriptions and collections." Gospel will be ripened, under God's blessing, into scriptural conversions. The Chapel will cost £130, towards which £90. 11s. have been raised by subscriptions and collections. friends in this place have been both liberal and active, that they might execute their long-cherished desire in building a house for the Lord." BLEWBERRY, in the Oxford Circuit." On Friday, Sept. 15th, and Sunday, Sept. 17th, 1826, a small, but neat Methodist Chapel was opened for divine worship, in this village, by the Rev. T. H. Squance, of Reading, and the Rev. James Methley. At each service the Chapel was crowded, and it is hoped the increased desire to hear the HACKNEY, in the London North Circuit." In September last, the Methodist Chapel at Hackney was (alter being greatly enlarged) re-opened for divine service. Methodism in Hackney is comparatively in an infantile state. Ten years only having elapsed since the Chapel was first erected; and though but small, it was sufficiently commodious for the congregation which then assembled. Since that period there has been a gradual increase of hearers, and of members to the Society; and though there has not been any remarkable revival of religion, yet it was thought that various circumstances called for the present enlargement: such as the unsuitableness of the former Chapel to the character of the surrounding population, the growing feeling of good-will toward Methodisin, which has evinced itself among the in habitants in various ways, and the absolute want of room for our friends and their families, who usually attend. "The advantages gained by the recent alterations are great; and now we have in Hackney, what has long been considered by our friends a desideratum, a place of worship at once respectable, comfortable, and worthy of the cause to which it is dedicated. The good effects of the measure appear in the accession of bearers which bas taken place since the re-opening. Sermons were preached on the occasion, on Thursday the 21st, and Sunday the 24th of September, by the Rev. Richard Watson, the President of the Conference; the Rev. Dr. Adam Clarke; the Rev. Messrs. John Stephens, A. E. Farrar, and John James. The collections were upwards of £63." CRADLEY, in the Dudley Circuit."At this place, which is situate in the parish of Halesowen, Worcestershire, a new and lofty Chapel, with galleries at the end and sides, was opened October 1st, by the Rev. Messrs. Gilpin, Simpson, and Jewitt, with a fine prospect of doing good. The collections amounted to £53." SHETLAND ISLANDS. To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine. I HAVE lately received several communications from the Shetland Islands, and am glad to find that the work of God is still increasingly flourishing. Mr. Lewis, on Oct. 4, 1826, writes thus: "The last fortnight I spent in Sandwick and Dunrossness, and renewed the tickets, and found two huudred and twenty-six members in the two parishes, and admitted three more on trial. In every place the Societies are in a prosperous state. I administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper at Dunrossness, to one hundred and twelve persons; it was a time long to be remembered: the people never before felt so much of the divine presence; many were quite overcome by the sacred influence then communicated. In Sandwick parish the chapel is by far too small, and how to enlarge it I know not, as we have no money. Mr. Hindson is going to build in the island of Yell, and I shall give him all the help I can. All the town has been asking for you: your visit to Shetland will be long had in remembrance. Mr. Langridge is about to quarry the stones for the chapel in North-Mavin; indeed the men are already at work; but where 'is he to get money to pay them?" Here, my dear Sir, I may remark, that the steady and munificent friend of the Shetland Isles, Robert Scott, Esq., of Pensford, near Bristol, not only gives £100 per annum for the support of the Preachers on that Mission, but also has promised to give £10 towards every Chapel that shall be built in these Islands, that shall have my approba tion and this sum he has given to every chapel that has been yet built: besides other private helps that he has afforded to this blessed work, which have been many and important. He has often advised me to try to get a few persons to join him, that the whole burden of this Mission might be taken off the Contingent Fund, and nothing left to the Connexion and Conference, but the spiritual concerns of the work. I should be glad to do this, but know not, in the present state of things, to whom I could successfully apply. Who knows but this simple notice may find out the men? God grant it! In a letter from Mr. Lowthian, dated Lerwick, Oct. 8th, are the following words : "Mr. Langridge has begun to quarry the stones for the chapel in NorthMavin: blessed be God, our prospects are as bright as ever, in every direc tion. The North is giving up, and the South does not keep back: peace reigns, and the word of the Lord prevails. I spent the last two Sabbaths in Lerwick with much comfort and satisfaction. The chapel was quite full, and I never saw the people here in a better spirit. In prayer before sermon, on the Sabbath evening, I was almost overcome with a sense of the divine presence; and many of the people wept aloud. I feel a thirst to bring souls to God, yea, more so than ever, though this body has lately complained a little. But I must hastily conclude, as I have the opportunity of sending this letter direct to London, by a Greenland whaler." The following is extracted from a letter received from the same, dated Oct. 17th, which is just come to hand by another whaler, on her return from the North Seas :→→→ "I have often had my head lifted up by your animating letters; but never, never more than by that of the 5th instant, received on Saturday. I do feel, on behalf of the Shetlanders, the warmest gratitude to you for your incessant application to our affairs, and your labours of love for the bodies and souls of this people. When I think of your exertions among your many Engfish friends in our behalf, by which so many naked backs have been covered, many hearts have been made to sing for joy, many houses built and opened for the worship of the God of heaven, many souls brought to God, several of whom are with Him now in glory, I am filled with amazement, and constrained to cry out, What hath God wrought!' May the everlasting God lengthen out your days, and crown all your labours with continued success! Through mercy, the great cause in which we are engaged continues to prosper. It never had a more thriving appearance than at the present. Our congregations in Lerwick have recently been unusually large; the people hear with deep attention, and some are joining the Society. In Sandwick, the Society and congregation are inuch increased. The chapel is too small for us; invariably so. The people wish to have it enlarged; and this is necessary, but where shall the money be obtained? You well know the poverty of the people. We are in great, in pressing want of a chapel in Dunrossness, but all our applications for ground to build on, have hitherto been in vain. I will try once more. They are thriving in Walls. Mr. Wears, the resident Preacher there, has been lately in the island of Toula, where he has spent nearly a week, but I have not yet heard the particulars of his visit. The prospects in Yell, and the other North Isles, are very cheering. Mr. Hindson is raising there an interesting Society, with every prospect of a blessed and extensive work his fellow-labourer, Mr. Macintosh, just now sent out, and with whom you conversed at Dundee, is very acceptable, and apparently well adapted for usefulness in Shetland. Both Mr. Hindson, at Yell, and Mr. Langridge, at North-Mavin, are making preparations for building the highly necessary and long-intended chapels in both those places; and they will both want immediate pecuniary help. Will you authorize them to draw on your relation, Mr, R. Smith, (who has from the beginning been so great friend to Shetland, though he would not permit us to mention his bounty,) for some money, in a month or six weeks? I believe we have not men tioned to the Building Committee the chapels we have already built: this duty shall not be again neglected. We see by your letter, that some friend has sent £5 for the five poor widows, whose husbands were drowned in the same place and night, where you suffered so great a tempest, and from which, through the mercy of God, you escaped. Give directions how it is to be applied; the poor creatures are in the deepest distress; and the sooner they and their twenty-two orphans have this relief the better. You wish us to change with each other: I can say, that to do good I am willing to change with any body, and to go any where, and at any time. I am happy to say, that Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are well: we live in harmony, labour in love, and have favour with the people; and God condescends to crown our work with success. O, cease not to counsel and pray for us! Please to let us know speedily, what help you can raise for the chapels at Yell and North-Mavin, and for enlarging that at Sandwick. You know there is no cottage in all these districts that can hold our Societies, much less our congregations. To build a small chapel in these islands, which may be raised at a comparatively small expense, would be a great charity and a great furtherance of the work of God. We are almost ashamed to urge you to further exertions on these points, after what you have already done; but you know our wants, you know our poverty, and you love this work. I am going off to Dunrossness this week." Dear Mr. Editor,-You see from these Extracts what our good Lord is doing in the utmost northern regions of the British empire, among a noble people, who receive the word with joy, and keep it, and are truly thankful to God for his unspeakable gift, and grateful to his servants for their "labour of love;" and to his people for their "work of faith," in their behalf. From one of the above letters, I find that the Brethren have not duly ap plied to the Building Committee, for permission to build the Chapels already erected. In a general way, I signified all this to them, and the Conference, at Bristol, in 1825; yet I know that the formal application should have been made, and permission obtained. This, I think, will not be neglected in future; but for the Committee's information, and your satisfaction, I have the pleasure to state, that I have taken care, that on all the six Chapels that have already been built, aud the large Preachers house for two families, that has been erected in Lerwick, not one in2 bus¶ 7 107 pound of debt remains. My own particular friends, those of my own family, with Mr. Robert Scott, have enabled me to cover all those expenses; for which I am truly thankful to God and them. But who will come forward to help in the present necessities? The hand of his God be upon him for good! I hope to be able soon to draw up a general account of the Shetland Islands, and of my late visit to them; and am, my dear Sir, yours faithfully, Nov. 4th, 1826. ADAM CLARKE, METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN AMERICA. The "Minutes taken at the Several Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, for the year 1826," have just come to hand; from which it appears that the American Connexion employs One Thousand Three Hundred and Nineteen regular Itinerant Ministers, and Eighty-seven Supernumeraries. Twenty-two have died during the last year, and One Hundred and Fourteen have been added to their number; leaving an Increase of NinetyTwo. The following are the Numbers in Society belonging to the different Conferences : Whites. Col. Ind. Total. 184 17147 28505 Kentucky Conference.. 17556 ence.... 8104-2494 28405 15708 Whites, Col. Ind. Total. 2821 € 20377 64 13942 339 3237 16473 17988 10508 44113 29572 34523 36763 Virginia Conference.. 21725 7847 ence.... Maine Conference **The next Quarterly Fast-Day, of the Methodist Societies, will, according to the standing Rules of the Connexion, be Friday, Dec. 29th, 1826. VARIETIES. FIRST SIGHT OF A PICTURE.-I now, says Major Denham, for the first time, produced Captain Lyon's book of Travels in the tent of Boo-Khaloom, (the Commander of a troop of Arabs, who accompanied the English travellers from Tripoli to the interior of Africa,) and turning over the prints of the natives he exclaimed and insisted upon it, that he knew every face: "This was such a one's slave; that was his own; he was right; he knew it. Praised be God, for the talents he gave the English! They were clever, very clever!" Of a landscape, however, I found that he had not the least idea; nor could I at all make him understand the intention of the print of the sand-wind in the Desert, which is really so well described by Captain Lyon's drawing; he would look at it upside down; and when I twice reversed it for him, he exclaimed, "Why, why it is all the same!" A camel, or a human figure, was all I could make him understand; and at these he was all agitation and delight," Wonderful! wonderful!" VOL. V. Third Series. DECEMBER, 1826. 30 Relating principally to the FOREIGN MISSIONS carried on under the direction of the METHODIST CONFERENCE, MISSIONS IN CONTINENTAL INDIA. MADRAS, Feb. 18th, 1826.-I found the Native School in Town numerously attended, and at seven in the evening had a good number of the boys in the congregation at the chapel: the attendance was encouraging; and I endeavoured to make those who stood without, as well as those who entered, hear and understand the word of God in their own language. The subject was the great mystery of Godliness, God manifest in the flesh, &c. The attention of the people, and the remarks they made afterwards, evinced the interest excited in their minds. after 20th. (Sunday.)-At Royapettah the congregation was not so large as I have sometimes seen it, owing to sickness among the people : reading prayers and preaching, I was considerably comforted and encouraged in meeting the Native Class. The attendance of adults at the Bungaloe Chapel, Black Town, in the evening, was more large and orderly than I have ever before seen it. I preached to them in Tamul with unusual liberty, and felt more encouraged than ever, to believe that here the Lord will bless our labours. We have had some tokens of his presence and approbation, but we wait with earnest desire for an outpouring of his Spirit; for "the breath of life," to be infused into "these slain." 21st-Was a day of preparation for a journey to Chittoor, in the course of which I purpose visiting Chingleput, Wallajabad, and several other places where I may have opportunities of scattering the seed of divine truth, or of watering that which has been already sown. I set out by moonlight at ten at night, and slept with tolerable comfort in my conveyance. with what he heard, said he would translate the tract. I gave him into Persian, and inquired where I lived, with a view to paying me a visit. The person who has charge of one of the temples presented himself before me; he was disgustingly daubed nearly all over with holy ashes, and held a metal dish filled with the same substance in his hands, into which he desired me to put an alms for the temple. I told him that I did not believe the idol of the temple to be God, that its worship was hateful to Him, and that therefore I should be doing wrong if I complied with his request: he seemed satisfied with what I said, but rejoined, that gentlemen generally gave something. It is not an uncommon thing for Europeans, by a thoughtless liberality, to lead the Heathen to suppose that they approve of their impious worship and customs. About three in the afternoon I set out, and had not proceeded faz before I was overtaken by a young man to whom I had in the course of the day presented two small tracts; his request was for a larger book; and at the same time that I gratified him by a copy of the Gospel by St. Mark, I rejoiced at the opportunity of leaving so important a part of the word of God in the village of Coodovänchēri. 23d and 24th.-Chingleput.—I passed the chief part of my time here in the society of the few Europeans on this Station, and on the evening of the latter day preached in Tamul. The congregation was a mixed one, but, with the exception of one individual, they all understood the language I used and to English, French, and Hindoos, Protestants, Roman, Catholics and Heathens, I proclaimed, 22d.-Resting soon after sunrise," There is but one God, and one Mediunder the shade of a tree, on the banks of a tank near a small village about twenty miles from Madras, I was soon visited by several persons, to whom I spoke on the things of God; a few tracts in Tamul and Teloogoo were thankfully accepted, and occasioned further applications in the course of the day: among the applicants was a Fakeer, or Mahommedan religious mendicant; he seemed to be impressed ator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all." May the impressions which, from the fixed attention of the whole congregation, seemed to be made, prove lasting and effectual! 25th. Wallajabad. This was the hottest day I have experienced for seve ral months, and which, united to my fatigue and want of rest, quite unfixed. me for exertion,odd, bas poul |