nearly all times to speak with propriety, The last time I saw him alive, he joined with me in earnest prayer, and bade me an affectionate and tender farewell. His dissolution could not now but be looked forward to with desire; and on the afternoon of Monday, the 7th of October, 1844, he died. For an hour or two before his death his mind was calm and clear. A friend having called, prayed with him for some time, and having repeated in his prayer a precious portion of Scripture

which our departed brother felt to be applicable to himself, he repeated it after him, saying, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Amen and Amen." These were his last words. At about five o'clock his spirit left its house of clay, and entered into the joy of the Lord. I preached his funeral sermon to a large congregation in Great Dover Road Chapel, when this brief account of him was read. London, Nov. 1844. T. MILLS.

CONNEXIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

MISSIONARY SERVICES.

NEWCASTLE CIRCUIT.-On Sunday, November 17th, the anniversary Sermons were preached in Salem Chapel, Hood Street; in the morning, by the Rev. William Lister, (Primitive Methodist Connexion,) and in the evening, by the Rev. Samuel Jackson, (Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Circuit.) On Monday evening, the annual meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by Mr. J. Allen, Chairman; the Revs. G. Bell, (United Secession); A. Lynn; C. C. M'Kenzie, (Primitive Methodist); Blackwood, (Free Church of Scotland); W. Cooke, and Messrs. J. Allen, and Grant. Sermons were preached, and meetings held during the same week at St. Peter's Quay, Scotswood, and Wallsend. The attendance at each place was far surpassing the former year, and the collections were in advance about one-half the whole amount.

It will be seen from the above statement, that we were sanctioned and assisted by ministers of various denominations; and this fact is only a specimen of the kind and brotherly affection shown towards us by all Christian Communities. Our sufferings for the sake of truth have drawn around us more tender sympathy, more fervent love. The Connexion never stood higher in public estimation than it does at the present time. While our own cause has been often aided and encouraged by the ministry of various denominations, the writer has been called to officiate in the chapels of the Baptist, Secession, Primitive, Association, and Wesleyan Communities.

Mr. Jackson, at the close of his sermon in Salem, related an anecdote, which deeply interested the congregation. He said, that in Missions he knew nothing of sects and parties the great work of converting the world, required the energies of all, and he would invite us to the heathen world. He stated, that in one part of Africa, at some distance from one of their own stations, a chief had entreated them in the most earnest manner to send him a Missionary; but to his regret, they had neither men nor money. That the chief had again and again repeated his request; still they were quite unable to send him a Missionary. That when the chief died, he gathered his children around him, and made them promise him they would renew their application for a Missionary; but that hitherto they had not been able to send a labourer. "Now" says he, "I wish you would send a Missionary to that destitute part, where the voice of Providence so loudly calls for Christian enterprize." How happy when brethren of various communities can thus dwell together in unity! Hail, blessed day! when the prayer of our Redeemer shall be fulfilled,- "That they all may be one as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they all may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." Amen.

It will be well for the resolution which the last Conference, after a full consideration of the whole question, adopted respecting the above Fund, to be constantly kept before us. The Conference has declared that the sum of at least ONE THOUSAND

D

POUNDS "should and must" be raised, for the relief of our distressed Chapels. It is not only expedient and desirable to raise that sum, but absolutely and indispensably necessary to raise it. If this is to be done, the accounts of the Fund must present a very different appearance at the next Conference to what they ever yet have done. As the advocates of necessitous and distressing cases do not now visit us in our several localities, in order to make personal appeals to our sympathies, all our friends must give from Christian principle, and from love to the suffering cause of Christ. Many of our Trust Estates are suffering from the very same causes which gave rise to our Connexional debts, and the duty to assist them is therefore as imperative as that which required us to raise the "Relief Fund." Our chief danger now consists in the perilous circumstances of many of our Chapels. If by Connexional and local efforts we can but relieve them, we shall be able to breathe more freely; our fetters will be broken, and our principal difficulties will be at an end. We must "strengthen our stakes," before we can "lengthen our cords." It is our first duty to lessen our burdens, and to assist and establish those of our churches which are struggling for life, and our next duty, of which we must never lose sight, is to enlarge our borders.

In those Circuits where collections and subscriptions were made last year, it will be necessary this year to make them upon the broadest possible scale, and to the highest possible amount; and those Circuits which last year gave nothing at all, must now, in justice and in honour, pay up their arrears, or injuries may be sustained by our Trust Estates, which we may never be able to repair.

Look, Sir, at the list of Circuits which last year gave nothing to the Distressed Chapel Fund:-Hanley gave nothing-Halifax nothing-Longton nothing-Stockport nothing-Dudley nothing-Hull nothing-Gateshead nothing-Stourbridge nothingSunderland nothing-Boston nothing-Ripon nothing-Dawley Green nothing-Wolverhampton nothing-Thorne nothing, and Alnwick nothing. Here are fifteen Cireuits, containing about 7,000 members, and 116 chapels, and some of them are among the most powerful of our Circuits, in numbers and in wealth, which did not, among them all, give one farthing last year to this vitally important Fund. A few of them indeed have given nothing for the last two or three years.

It has been pleaded by the friends in some Circuits, as the reason why contributions were not made to this Fund, that they had to make great exertions on behalf of the Relief Fund. But surely if that excuse be urged in favour of any Circuit, it might have been urged by nearly every one. The Relief Fund, however, was only honourable to us, and only answered its objects and its name, as it was really additional to all our ordinary contributions to God's church.

Sir, the debtor circuits should this year balance and settle their accounts with their great creditor, GOD, by paying up their ARREARS.

As we are to raise £1,000 this year, what was the aggregate amount of public collections and private contributions raised last year? It was only £135. Only one Circuit contributed above £9; and some Circuits showed their sympathy for distressed Chapels, by contributing even less than £2. In only thirteen Circuits in the whole Connexion were private contributions made; and in those Circuits the contributors were extremely few. When we compare what we have done for our Chapels with what we ought to do, and can do, and what other denominations have done for theirs, we surely may blush for our apathy. Our efforts must this year certainly be great, and be universally made, or we shall fall far below the sum which the last Conference declared to be necessary; and when £1,000 are subscribed, there must be a number of necessitous cases which cannot be effectually relieved this year. The brethren connected with those cases must try to keep above water a little longer, and by the blessing of God upon faithful and combined exertions, they will soon have the weight of their burdens diminished.

Is there not among us sufficient Christian sympathy, denominational principle and spirit, and loyalty, and love to God, to constrain us to raise a sum which, in the revived state of trade,is certainly not above our means, and which, at this juncture, imperious necessity demands? A thousand pounds for the whole Connexion! Why look at what one Yorkshire circuit-a defaulter to this Fund last year-has this year done for one of its own capels:-it has raised £2,300! Oh! if at the next Conference we should find that, so far from falling below the sum fixed upon by Conference, we should rise above it if it should then appear that the Connexion has regarded one thousand pounds not as the maximum but the minimum of its efforts, how encouraging it will be to all our ministers and friends!

I am, dear Sir,

Yours in the Lord,
THOMAS MILLS.

OUR CHAPELS.

HALIFAX has done nobly in contributing £1,150, to be doubled by the munificent gift of Mr. Akroyd. Another instance of similar liberality is taking place at Higher Hirst, Ashton. There, a generous friend has offered £500 towards the erection of a new Chapel, providing the Circuit will raise an equal sum; and to this offer there has been so cordial a response, that the success of the project is considered to be certain. From several other Circuits also, information has been received of plans being devised or actually adopted to improve the state of their chapel and school property. Such intelligence must be most gratifying to every person who feels interested in the welfare of the Community; and cannot fail to excite a fervent wish that each place in the Connexion may promptly and vigorously bestir itself in this very necessary and important work.

But our friends should not, in local movements, lose sight of CONNEXIONAL CLAIMS. All the parts of our Christian body are essentially united together. We are one-not merely from the sameness of our faith and religious discipline, but because of an alternating ministry, and because both preachers and people are so closely compacted by mutual interests in Connexional arrangements and institutions. The most direct obligations, therefore, press upon the whole of us to bear each other's burdens, Connexionally as well as locally. The Conference is under engagements to assist cases of distressed Chapels, in Circuits where the utmost resources are quite insufficient for their relief; nor can those engagements be fulfilled, and such Chapels preserved for our use, except by means of contributions to the GENERAL CHAPEL FUND.

It is most earnestly hoped that the suggestions of the Chapel Committee as contained in their circular of August last, will be carefully carried out, and that both for local and general purposes, our efforts will be liberal and effective.

W. FORD.

CHAPEL HYMN BOOKS FOR SUNDAY-SCHOLARS.

DEAR SIR,

The period when young persons cease to be scholars in our Lord's-day schools is an important crisis in their lives, and all practicable preparatory means should be adopted in order to identify their affections with our church and places of worship, and to induce them to maintain the regular habit of attending our public ordinances. I believe they would feel much more interest in the services of the sanctuary if they possessed our Chapel Hymn books, so as to be able to unite with the congregations in singing the praises of God. If they are not partakers of the Holy Ghost, they are in general inattentive to the reading of the hymns from the pulpit, and have but little in clination to task their memories, so as to be able to sing without the aid of books. If we could persuade them to purchase hymn books, the pleasure of using them might be an inducement, in addition to any other existing attractions and ties, to continue to attend public worship amongst us; the congregations would be assisted in singing-our elder scholars would probably become more proficient in the practice of congregational psalmody-and their sympathies would be more strongly associated with our sanctuaries and ordinances. Ought we not, therefore, to regard it as an act of Christian wisdom and duty, to make the purchase of those useful books, by them, as practicable and easy as possible?

I beg respectfully to suggest to the Managers of our Lord's-day schools, that this object may be most easily accomplished. Let an address on the subject be given to the children of every school. Let a subscription list be formed, and let the children make such weekly payments as may be convenient to them. Every facility would thus be afforded to the circulation of books amongst the young, which are calculated to yield various most important advantages to them in this world, and even to promote their salvation in the world to come. The above simple plan has probably been adopted in some schools, and it perhaps only needs to be mentioned in order to secure its adoption in every school belonging to us.

Every child who can read should be encouraged to purchase a Hymn book, which he can call his own, as a companion to the Bible.

Earnestly hoping that in all our schools the above simple method of attaining an important object will be immediately adopted,

London, December 6th, 1844.

I remain, yours in the Lord,
THOMAS MILLS.

MONEY in the hands of those who know how to use it is quite a different thing when found in the hands of those who know how to keep it. When Christian obligation is brought to bear upon the user and the keeper, a very different result obtains. The present age may be designated one of liberality and enterprise, yet there is ground to fear that immense sums are withheld from objects of paramount utility and importance, arising out of the ignorance of our moral and religious obligations to the institutions of Christianity. We do not wish in this paper, to sour the mind, or prejudge the capabilities of the Christian who is rich in this world's goods, but to call general attention to the requirements of the word of God on this head, and the obligations under which we are imperatively laid, to support and extend his cause in the earth, and if possible, to prescribe a mode of monetary action as a means to this end.

Let us pass by the every-day call of benevolence to the really poor and destitute, for acts of ordinary charity we assume are not neglected. It is upon an enlarged scalea wider field of action, that we conceive the word of inspiration has such large demands upon our capability to do good; hence the declaration," Charge them that are rich in this world, that they do good; that they be rich in good works; ready to distribute, willing to communicate." Tim. i. 17, 18. The distinguished position we hold as a nation amongst the kingdoms of this world, is alone attributable to the influence of gospel institutions amongst us; it is through the channels of Christianity, that wealth and knowledge, privilege and freedom, have contributed to our moral strength, and the formation of our religious character; therefore our obligations to support the gospel are obviously great. But it is to the Methodists of the New Connexion, as a section of the great body of Christians, that we urge an appeal, to give a fair development of their power to do good, so that by the adoption of grand and enterprising projects, in common with other Communities, they may contribute largely to the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, both at home and abroad. We have a ministry, as efficient and creditable as others; means of grace equally calculated to promote the life of God in the soul of man; institutions based on similar principles, and designed to achieve the same great and glorious objects; but the question is, Do we know our real strength? During the last year, our bow of strength was tested; the trial proved its partial capability; but its inherent power remains yet to be developed. Fear not; another stretch will not break it. Let us, to a man, repudiate the charge of apathy in the cause of God; for God is with us: to fear is to flounder. With becoming energy, let us practically exemplify our zeal for the Lord of hosts—our jealousy for the honor of his name: the precious blood, the blood of atonement, demands it; the sprinkled conscience, the feeling heart, the philanthropic soul, must not, dare not forego the obligation and responsibility of yielding all its powers, both of body, mind, and estate, to promote the salvation of man, and the institutions of christianity. Whilst mammon is a curse to the church of God, it is no less the long range and strong hold of infidelity.

Let us apply the preceding observations to our Connexional position, and ascertain whether the keeper of money is not subverting the command of inspiration," That he be rich in good works, ready to distribute.” The embarrassments of our Chapel estates in many instances were forced upon the attention of Conference, and measures have been suggested for their relief.

Amongst the more prominent stands that of bringing the pecuniary ability of our Sunday-scholars to bear on this subject. It is of great importance that the rising generation should early be taught principles of benevolence, and encouraged to support the cause of God; but can they be designated the "rich in this world," and are we right in applying to them as a likely means of efficient relief? It is more reasonable to suppose that Missionary enterprize should engage their sympathies. The humiliating appearance on our Minutes of the "Distressed Chapel Fund," is indicative of indigent poverty, or frigid liberality, as is obvious from the fact, that about twopence per member, per year, meets the amount there stated, deducting what was obtained for the Connexional effort. Chapel debts, like those of Societies and Circuits, have a paralizing and deathly influence on Christian zeal, and wherever they exist, prove stumbling blocks to prosperity. "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof;" but into whosesoever possession a portion of that fulness falls, they are amenable for its right use; for we are but stewards under any aspect, and should ever bear in mind this noble motto, "That the church of God should be the first to be remembered, and the last to be forgotten," in all our money affairs.

}

A minute investigation into the rest of our Funds will exhibit a similar result, and

fully demonstrate our paucity of Christian liberality. Very little more than a halfpenny per member per week, is the average amount devoted to the support of our Connexional Funds. Some may plead other demands, and say, "Consider what is paid in the classes weekly." So far is that below the just claims on our obligations to a faithful ministry, that the bare mention of it indicates a parsimonious disposition as degrading to Christian liberality as it is repugnant to the general tenor of the gospel. Do we, in consonance with prophetic declaration, and the will of God to man, anticipate the universal spread of Christianity, the wide diffusion of the Spirit's influence, the establishment of the Redeemer's kingdom? If so, the moral degradation around us, the spiritual wickedness in high places, and the end of sin, must be subjects of our liveliest faith and most fervent prayer. Sinners are perishing-the votaries of pleasure are filling up the measure of their iniquities-infidelity has found new modes of moral destruction, and Popery an insinuating introduction to ceremonious formularies subversive of religion. What is to be done? Build more chapels, give the faithful ministers of God a fair chance, by congregating together multitudes in one place, to sow amongst them the seeds of life, and direct them to the blood of atonement for the remission of sins. Apathy and lukewarmness on this point are highly criminal.

Though money cannot purchase salvation, yet the love of it may prevent your salvation; but money properly used will build a house for God, relieve Trustees from trying and vexatious embarrassments, and greatly promote the prosperity of the churches. The princely gift of an AKROYD, and the noble efforts of our Halifax friends, are movements in the right direction, demonstrating the capabilities of the friends of the Connexion. The keeper of money may add house to house, land to land, and pacify his conscience with his good wishes and prayers for the diffusion of Christian principles, but the question must ultimately be put, "Who hath required this at thy hand?" We do not condemn the acquisition of wealth, but are rather advocates for the axiom laid down by the founder of Methodism-" Get all you can, and give all you can," for the Lord loveth a cheerful giver. Then would the church of God have all its temporal necessities supplied. How could the heathen be visited and taught in the doctrines of Christ, without pecuniary means? From the very same sources must be derived the sustentation of the ministry, and the temples in which it is exercised. The parable of our Lord is clear and pertinent on this point, see Luke xii. 16, &c., showing that when the cause of God requires it, he that layeth up treasure for himself, but is not rich towards God, risks his soul as well as his substance, and fixes upon himself a definite name illustrative of his true character. To avoid this, let the question be daily propounded, What does the cause of God require? or, What can I do more in a pecuniary way to promote that cause, or interest sinners in it?

It is not only a source of grief to the truly devoted and zealous Christian, but must be offensive to the Great Head of the church, that when liberal things are devised for the church, one member measures his liberality by what he thinks another may or ought to do. This has often proved a stumbling block to the spread of gospel truths, and a barrier to Christian liberality. It is virtually saying, "I will do as little as possible, and leave others to follow my example." Instead of being constrained by the love of Christ in noble and worthy efforts to do good with our substance, a selfish, narrow, and covetous spirit intervenes, and the souls of men as well as the cause of God are at once sacrificed at the unhallowed shrine of mammon. What a degradation is this to the Christian character-what an injury to the church-what trifling with souls! Is it impossible to raise our Connexional character for liberality as well as piety? Certainly not. It is within our power, most indisputably, to far exceed all our former doings, for where there is a will there is a way, and if the disposition exists, the capability is unquestionable. Just views of our obligations to Christianity, combined with proper sentiments of our duty to God and his cause, will create the disposition to be rich towards God, and to carry out what we dare not deny, that we are but stewards of God's providential mercies, and must give an account at his tribunal of the talents in trust, whether they be of a temporal or spiritual nature. This granted, it is proposed, that every subscriber to our Funds endeavour to double his subscription, and that at least one-half our members become subscribers as God hath given them ability, and that the remaining half at least cast their mite into the treasury.

Deem it an honour as well as a privilege thus to serve the cause of God; the duty is imperative. Forget not the covenant vow, for our vows are upon us that we honour the Lord with the body as well as the soul, with our substance as well as our talents. Shortly, our ministers will call upon the friends of the Connexion for their subscriptions to the Funds-let them see, by a cheerful countenance, that the heart within responds to this appeal. Surely after what has been said there needs not the additional argument of directing the attention to the efforts of the Scotch Free Church, or to those of the Wesleyans and Independents for educational purposes. We know our