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earnest of enlargement and prosperity, and I think all who were there felt it to be so. Our friend Mr. Ward gave an address to the young people, which I hope they will not forget very soon. The brethren Piggin, sen., Daykin, F. Thomson, Cale, Pye and Jas. Piggin also spoke, and after spending nearly five hours together we went home with hearts full of love to each other and love to God.

In conclusion, may say of the Circuit generally that it is doing well. On the whole, I take it to be in a healthy condition, and hope ere long the various Societies in it will receive large accessions of souls truly converted to God. J. HUDSTON. Nottingham, March 12th, 1852.

SHEFFIELD SOUTH CIRCUIT.-OPENING OF NEW CHAPEL, TALBOT-STREET PARK.--Progression is a law of nature, and one of the distinguishing features of society in the present age. This truth has of late been verified in our own Connexion, which may be seen from the reports which have appeared in the Connexional Department of our Magazines within the last three years. The antique notions that chapel-debts were essential to the well-being of Methodism has proved a fallacy, and sad experience has shown them to be a monster evil. Hence a struggle has arisen; and in well-nigh every Circuit noble, and in some instances truly gigantic efforts have been made for the entire extinction or reduction of the debts on chapel and school premises. Whilst Halifax and Huddersfield have distinguished themselves by their mighty achievements in bazaars, Mossley and other places by the total removal of their debts, the friends of the Sheffield South Circuit have nobly and unanimously responded to the call of the times, and have not only reduced their chapel. debt but have also erected a new chapel nearly free of debt.

In the Magazine for July, 1851, a notice appeared of the laying of the corner stone of this chapel on the day of the farewell soirée to the Rev. J. H. Robinson. The following is the architectural description of the building, as it appeared in the Sheffield Times.

"The entrance-front is in Talbot-street, and has rather a plain appearance, built of dressed stone, with stone dressings to the windows. There is only one entrance-a doorway, with a window on each side to light the galleries and staircases thereto, with a double central window. The two sides and end of the chapel are of rock-faced wall-stone, hav

ing four windows on each side, with stone dressings and circular heads. These windows are to light both the gallery and lower part of the chapel, and have a hopper ventilator in each of them. The size of the chapel inside, including the two staircases to the galleries, is fifty feet long and forty-one feet six inches wide, having fifty-six pews on the ground-floor, and fifty-two pews in the galleries, and capable of seating about 650 persons. There is a spacious schoolroom beneath, the whole size of the chapel, and fourteen feet high, which will contain 600 scholars. The school is lighted by ten windows, having hopper ventilators in the same. It is also efficiently ventilated from the ceiling."

From the above description it will be seen that the building is neat, commodious and substantial. The interior, whilst free from all costly decorations, is everything which can be wished in a place of worship; it is remarkably chaste in appearance, and well arranged for the comfort of the congregation. The whole was designed by Mr. E. Falding, architect, to whom it does the greatest credit.

The chapel was opened for divine worship on Sunday, February 22nd, when two very able and deeply-impressive sermons were preached to crowded congregations by the Rev. W. Mills, of Ashton. On the Tuesday following a public soirée was held in the school-room, when above 600 persons took tea. After tea, a public meeting was held, when the spacious room was densely crowded. L. G. Reed, Esq., very efficiently presided. Mr. W. Fenton read an interesting report of the origin and progress of the New Connexion in the Park, and the meeting was subsequently addressed by the Revs. J. Poxon, W. Burrows, T. Rudge, R. B. Clark, and Messrs. Fenton, Crowther and Wood. The entire meeting was of the most animated and enthusiastic nature, whilst a joyous emotion was visible throughout the whole audience. The opening services were resumed on Sunday the 29th, when the Rev. S. Hulme, of Liverpool, preached two truly eloquent sermons, full of rich thoughts and well stored with gospel truths. The chapel was again filled in every part.

The collections and proceeds of the teameeting amount to £162 3s. 5d., which, together with proceeds of bazaar and subscriptions, makes the sum realized upwards of £1,300, leaving only rather more than £300 on the whole premises. Of the remaining debt, the trustees have pledged themselves to pay off £50 a-year, without farther aid, until the whole is

removed. This is indeed a noble effort! and as the chapel does credit to our community in Sheffield, so the effort sustains well the high character of those friends who have taken part in the enterprise.

The chapel is situated in the midst of a dense population, where an extensive field for mission operation is open for our culture.

There is at present every prospect of its being rendered a great blessing to the locality, and a source of income to the Circuit. Already 200 seats have been let, the greater part to persons who have had no previous connexion with us.

The school, which has been open about five months, is in a very flourishing state. There are now upwards of 300 names on the school register and fifty teachers and officers. The trustees anticipate shortly being in a position to farther meet the claims of the neighbourhood by establishing a Connexional day-school. This is, of a truth, a step in the right direction.

The building, which was commenced in faith and prayer, has thus far been prospered, until the topstone has been brought on and the whole structure dedicated to God. May the Great Head of the Church own the efforts of his servants, and whilst our Connexional interests are extended, may his glory be advanced in the conversion of thousands, and in the deeper spirituality of his own people! R. B. CLARK.

Park.

NEW CHAPEL AT HARTLEY NEW PIT, BLYTH CIRCUIT.-The foundation-stone of a small chapel was laid at the above place on the first of January. After singing the 306th hymn, an appropriate prayer was offered by Captain Robson, of North Shields. The scriptures read on the occasion were 2 Sam. vii., Psalm lxxxvii., and Mark xii., 41-44. Another hymn of praise was followed by a brief summary of our doctrines, ordinances and discipline.

Messrs. T. D. Stewart, W. Waine and J. Wallace, rendered efficient assistance. The attendance was excellent considering the coldness of the morning, and the service was one of extraordinary interest to our Hartley friends. We commend this enterprize to the divine blessing, praying that the house which is now in progress may be the birth-place of thousands of immortal souls.

J. RAMSDEN. ASHTON SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.-The annual festival of the teachers and friends of our Sunday-schools, connected with

Stamford-street Chapel, was held on Christmas-day, when upwards of 500 persons partook of an excellent repast. After tea, which was served in our large school-room, the meeting was held in the chapel; and it has seldom been the lot of anyone to share a richer intellectual feast than was provided for the occasion. There are few reminiscences connected with our Christmas gatherings that will equal in interest those which must ever be identified with our late anniversary.

After singing and prayer, Mr. Councillor Winstanley was called to preside over the meeting; and, having opened the proceedings by an appropriate address, he called upon the secretary, Mr. Aaron Andrew, who read a valuable and interesting report of the state and progress of the schools, from which it appears there are 1,474 scholars, receiving religious instruction at the hands of 194 teachers; of this number, 125 teachers and 100 scholars are members of the Church. The libraries, which are well stored with valuable works, contain 1,599 volumes; and while there is abundant cause for gratitude and thankfulness to God for the past, the prospect of future success is most hopeful and cheering.

Our excellent choir having sung a beautiful selection from the "Messiah," the chairman called upon the Rev. Benj. Turnock to respond to the first motto: "Education, its nature, design, and agencies." The necessity of a sound, scriptural education, to meet the growing wants of the age, was strongly urged upon the meeting by the speaker.

The second motto, "Our Connexional principles, their scriptural character and certain progress," was allotted to Mr. W. H. Waterhouse; who, with his usual masterly argumentation, sustained the superiority of our Connexional polity and principles, and the advantages of popular representation as an efficient guarantee against the abuse of ministerial authority.

The third motto, "The year 1851, its great events, and their probable effects upon the future," was most judiciously assigned to Mr. Jabez Waterhouse. Among the many exciting incidents referred to by the speaker, the gathering of the people to witness the Exhibition of the World's Industry was not the least prominent; but there was none more pleasing than the reference to the successful struggle made in connexion with many of our trust estates, to free themselves from pecuniary embarrassment.

The fourth motto, "Our young men," was intrusted to Mr. Samuel Mills, who

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has long and industriously laboured for their welfare. His appeal to our young men was characterized by a degree of affectionate earnestness that could not fail to secure most important results.

The fifth motto, Our country, its position and influence," was given to the Rev. Henry Piggin, who beautifully pourtrayed the commanding influence which Britain occupies, among the nations of the earth, and the mighty achievements she is yet destined to accomplish by the pure faith of the cross.

At the close of his address, thanks were voted to the choir for the very efficient services rendered during the evening; to the committee of management, for the admirable arrangements they had made; and to the chairman of the meeting; and thus terminated one of the very best tea-parties ever held in connexion with our schools. S. A.

ALTRINCHAM.-The annual tea-meeting of the friends and congregation was held on Wednesday. Mr. William Jenkinson, Broughton, presided; and addresses were delivered by the Rev. William Mills, Ashton-under-Lyne; Rev. C. J. Donald, Rev. T. Cartwright, Mr. David Faulkner, Mr. Robert Whittaker, Manchester; Rev. T. Allin, Rev. T. C. Sevier, Mr. William Martin, Mr. John Mills, Mr. John Lockett, and Mr. John Ambler, Altrincham. The trays were furnished gratuitously by the ladies of the congregation, and a handsome sum was realized in aid of the current expenses. To those of our friends who have attended our previous Altrincham tea-parties, more in praise of the meeting cannot be said than that it fully equalled its predecessors.

TEA-PARTY AT SUNDERLAND. - On Shrove Tuesday we had (for Connexional and Society purposes) a social tea party. From 300 to 400 of the friends of different denominations, who kindly favoured us with their presence, took tea together, and appeared as one happy family. The trays were furnished gratuitously, which, with subscriptions, realized the handsome sum of £24 4s. 6d.

We have forwarded towards the relief of Chester Chapel £20, and hope to be able to do a little more. May other Circuits, not only do likewise, but greatly excel us.

I am sorry to say that things in Sunderland, both spiritual and commercial, are in an exceedingly depressed state. In some parts of the Circuit we have a good work going on, and I hope we shall have an increase, both to our numbers and also to all our funds, at the approaching Conference. May the great

Head of the Church make us as many more as we are! W. PACEY.

MISSION ANNIVERSARIES. SUNDERLAND.-The annual meeting on behalf of our Missions was held on Wednesday, Jan. 28th, 1852. J. Love, Esq., Willington House, was called to the chair. The report was read by the Rev. T. Clifton, after which the meeting was addressed by the Revs. J. Morris and J. Parker (Presbyterians), R. W. McAll and E. Bewlsy (Indepen. dents); W. Beresford, W. Pacey, T. Clifton; Messrs. W. Henderson and T. D. Stevinson. The speeches were excellent, the chapel erowded, and the collections nearly £4 more than last year. The sermons were preached by the Revs. T. Greenfield (Primitive), J. Ramsden and W. Beresford. W. PACEY.

ROCHDALE CIRCUIT.-On Feb. 1st., two suitable and heart-stirring sermons were preached in Water-street Chapel, Rochdale, by the Rev. H. Piggin, on behalf of our missions. On the same day two sermons for the same cause were preached by the writer at Mount Gilead. The public meeting was held at Mount Gilead on the following day; Mr. George Leach, Ashworth, kindly consented to preside. The glorious cause was well advocated by the Revs. G. Wood, H. Watts, and H. Piggin. On Tuesday evening the public meeting was held at Rochdale; the chair was taken by George Ashworth, Esq. (The liberality of the chairman, and the kindness of his family to the deputation, richly claim our grateful acknowledgments.) The report having been read, the meeting was favoured with excellent and powerful addresses from the Revs. J. Joblin (Primitive), F. W. Burchell (Baptists), H. Watts and H. Piggin. The interest of the meeting was delightfully sustained. A good feeling in favour of our missionary operations was produced. There is also a considerable improvement in the collections. D. R.

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Rev. H. Piggin; and the meeting was addressed with great interest and effect by the Revs. W. Mills, J. Wilson (Bolton), and J. Waddington (Denton), late missionary in Berbice. Such details as none but missionaries can give were furnished by the home missionary, and especially by Mr. W, late an agent of the London Missionary Society.

On Tuesday, the 10th instant, at Audenshaw, J. Ousey, Esq., was called to the chair; and, after a brief and suitable address, the Revs. J. Wilson and B. Turnock efficiently advocated the claims of our Missions. The Openshaw meeting was held on Wednesday, the 11th instant. Mr. William Hall presided with much of the missionary spirit. Earnest addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Mills, B. Turnock and H. Piggin. Improved collections on each occasion testify the increasing number and liberality of the friends of our Missions.

H. P.

LEEDS CIRCUIT.-On Sunday, February 15th, 1852, sermons on behalf of our Missions were preached at Hunslet, Bethesda, Leeds and Armley, by the Rev. C. Atkinson, from Ripon; the Rev. W. Burrows, from Sheffield; and the Rev. T. Guttridge, from Otley. On the three following evenings, missionary meetings were held: Mr. R. Britton occupied the chair at Hunslet; Mr. J. G. Heaps at Bethesda; and Mr. B. Wainman at Armley. The report, which was read by the Rev. R. Henshaw, stated facts of a very cheering character both in relation to Ireland and Canada. cause was advocated by the Revds. Atkinson and Burrows (the esteemed deputation), Henshaw and Candelet; and by Messrs. J. Shaw, F. Nettleton, J. Matlinson, W. Crampton, J. Bywater, and

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OUR Mission services have been held this week, and have been interesting, productive and encouraging. The Rev. T. W. Ridley preached on the Sabbath with his usual power and exuberance.

On Monday, a public meeting was held at Hollingworth; Mr. J. Ridgway, chairman. The Rev. T. W. Ridley, and the resident ministers, took part in the proceedings. Some of the friends said that they could have stayed all night.

On Tuesday, the annual public meeting was held at Stalybridge; T. Cheetham, Esq., chairman, The chief speakers were the Revds. T. Ridley and W. Mills. The first spoke with extra sententiousness; the other, with extra pleasantry and effective fire. The collections at both the meetings were an advance on those of the preceding year.

H. WATTS.

Stalybridge, Mar. 18, 1852.

A FACT FOR THE CONNEXION.-At Seaton Delaval, where we have no Society or religious service whatever, there are ten large Magazines and sixty-one JUVENILES circulated monthly. It will be seen at once that this circulation does not arise from Connexional considerations, but purely from the intrinsic value of our periodical literature. All honour to the young man through whose instrumentality this result has been effected! Let the Connexion take the hint, and our circulation will not only be doubled, but trebled-yea, quadrupled. J. R.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

PICTURES OF LIFE IN MEXICO. By R. H. MASON. With Etchings by the Author. In two volumes. London: Smith, Elder and Co., Cornhill.

The author visited Mexico in 1848-9; but whether for business, or as a traveller in quest of information, is not stated. However, his position there enabled him to examine the geographical peculiarities of the country, to come into contact with people in all the grades of life, and to gather a host of facts illustrative of the habits and manners of society in that distant part of the world. The author states that," in order to form an idea of

the whole country, he visited wild and remote districts, as well as populous cities, for the purpose of observing life of many shades and colours;" and here he presents us with the fruit of his observations, describing scenes in the capital and in obscure hamlets, in prairies and mountains, in mansions of the wealthy and huts of the Indian, picturing life and character among priests and lépo ros, hunters and miners, farmers and Indians, carriers and city authorities. The author is as graphic with his pen as with his pencil, and has produced a work which will be read with intense

interest. Here is information of all sorts, and given in a style of such remarkable fluency and attraction as irresistibly allures the reader through the diversified scenes and facts narrated in

these elegant volumes. We cordially

recommend the work to our readers.

A BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL DICTIONARY, illustrative of the Old and New Testaments. By the Rev. John Farrar, Classical Tutor at the Theological Institution, Richmond. 12mo, pp. 656. With a Map and numerous Engravings. SeIcond Edition. London: John Mason.

We consider this Dictionary an important acquisition to Methodistic literature, and an invaluable boon to local preachers, Sunday-school teachers, conductors of Bible classes, and young people desirous of studying the Sacred Scriptures. It is clear in its definitions, correct in the information it affords, sound in the doctrines it maintains, thoroughly learned without ostentation, and it comprises a vast mass of important matter on all Biblical subjects. It is decidedly the best portable Biblical Dictionary we have examined, and we earnestly recommend it to our readers.

THE ROMISH HIERARCHY. By the Rev. S. HULME. Delivered in the Concert Hall; being the Fifth of a Course of Ten Lectures, in connexion with the Liverpool Sunday-school Institute.

A well-directed thrust at the Man of Sin-a truthful and faithful exposure of the arrogant pretensions, impious assumptions, and crushing despotism of

the Papal Hierarchy, alike insulting to God, and fatal to the interests of truth, freedom, and religion. We consider it

as one of the best productions of Mr. Hulme's pen.

THE HEAD AND HEART ENLISTED AGAINST POPERY, under the Banner of Christian Truth. A Prize Essay, designed for Sabbath-school Teachers and Scholars. 18mo, pp. 148. London: Religious Tract Society.

A very suitable and seasonable production for young people-simple in style but conclusive in argument, and well adapted to expose the absurd and unscriptural character of Popery.

MONTHLY SERIES, BY THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.

1. JAMES WATT ON THE STEAMENGINE.

2. THE ANCIENT BRITISH CHURCH. These are books of great interest, well got up, and marvellously cheap. The cheapness applies as much to the excellency of the matter as to the bulk and size of the volume for sixpence; for it is evident that men of learning and superior talent have been employed in preparing them. The whole series, when complete, will form a rich compendium of general literature, and be an untold blessing to the poor population of this country.

RECEIVED. THE BEAUTIES OF THE BIBLE: An Argument for Inspiration. In Ten Lectures. By WILLIAM LEASK. London: Partridge and Oakey.

MEMOIRS AND RECENT DEATHS.

MR. THOMAS KIRK, NOTTINGHAM.

IN preparing a brief account of our highly esteemed brother, Mr. Thomas Kirk, we have to regret that there are no written memoranda to which we can refer for particulars respecting his early life; while of the companions of his youth nearly all, like himself, have gone the way of all the earth. We cannot, therefore, minutely narrate his manner of life from the beginning. He was born in Mount East street, Nottingham, on the 25th of April, 1777; and it was his happiness to be blessed with pious parents, who brought him up in the way he should go. From his earliest youth he was accustomed to attend the ministry of the Methodists, and also the service of the Church of England; for in those days Mr. Wesley and his coadjutors were careful to preach as much as possible

out of church hours, and to enjoin upon their hearers the duty of attending the ministry of the national establishment as well as their own. This course was pursued, at the first, not from policy, but probably from a personal conviction of its propriety on the part of Mr. Wesley's "helpers," as well as in compliance with the predilection of their chief for the Church in which he had been brought up.

The precise time and particular character of our brother's conversion cannot be given, as he has left no written record on the subject. It is known, however, that from a child he was of a serious disposition, and by religious influences preserved from those sins which so often ensnare and captivate the young. He must have been decided for the Lord at an early age, for at sixteen he had his name on the prayer-leader's plan, and a

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