provement in the number and moneyed ability of the Church and congregation takes place-grants from the Mission Fund and Yearly Collection, to the amount of £48 per annum. That, in my opinion, this step was most premature, I am free to confess. The following general rules should, I think, be observed in reference to our home mission enterprises, especially in large towns, in order to command success:1. A good chapel, having thorough internal comfort and accommodation, and in all respects complete, should be erected. 2. The most efficient ministerial agency we possess should be appointed to such stations. 3. Such mission station should never be constituted a circuit until the debt upon the chapel is entirely liquidated, or the Church sufficiently strong, numerically and financially, to fully justify such a step. Had the first and last-named rules been observed in reference to Bristol, there had been no need to issue the present appeal. It will be freely admitted, that nothing tends so much to repel individuals from uniting themselves with a church and congregation, as the mere suspicion that its feebleness will subject them to frequent and heavy pecuniary demands. Such is the case with us at Bristol. The rumour has again and again been raised that our chapel was for sale, producing a most baneful effect upon the public mind. The efforts of my predecessor were crowned with considerable success in improving the congregations and increasing the number of seat-holders; there is, however, great need of still further improvement, and it is in order, if possible, to secure this, that we desire to carry out our projected plans. The chapel is exceedingly dirty, and requires some repairs; we also feel greatly the need of an organ, as our singing (one great feature of attraction in a sanctuary, especially to young people) is exceedingly indifferent. It is proposed to form a new trust for the estate-there being only one of the original trustees now resident in Bristol legally entitled to act; also to repair and renovate the chapel, add needful outbuildings, and procure an organin one word, to make the chapel as comfortable and attractive as any in the city; so that, instead of being called the dirtiest chapel in Bristol, it may be known as one of the cleanest. To accomplish this will involve an outlay

of near £300. It is most undesirable to increase the amount of debt upon the chapel, and it is utterly impossible for the friends at Bristol unaided to undertake it. Therefore it is that I appeal to those whose Connexional sympathies, I trust, may be enlisted to render some aid. My past experience proves to me that, with the blessing of God, such measures will succeed. At the Conference of 1859 I was appointed to Hartlepool, a mission station in connection with Durham circuit. A chapel was erected complete, comfortable, attractive; and, by the great liberality of Joseph Love, Esq., and Mrs. Love, was placed in a most favourable position financially. Mark the results! Near four hundred sittings were let as soon as it was opened, and, in three years, the society increased from fifty-five to nearly two hundred members; and this in a town with a population of only eleven thousand inhabitants. At West Hartlepool, also, a chapel was erected, and, at the close of three years, the two, with a small colliery society, ware constituted a circuit, having three hundred and fifty members. In Bristol, a city with a population of one hundred and seventy thousand, after the labours of ten years, we have one chapel, one hundred and thirty members of society, two hundred seatholders, and a congregation averaging on Sabbath evenings three hundred persons. I ask, Ought we not to occupy a very different position to this in a city famed for its Methodistic associations and sympathies? I ask further, Will you aid us in endeavouring to secure it? The United Methodist Free Churches have six chapels in the city alone, thirty in the Bristol circuit, and above one thousand Church members. And shall we continue with one chapel, and that one not filled? I answer, No! God being my helper, and Connexional friends rendering us a little aid, I hope to make Bristol go.

"Our official friends, the members of our Church and congregation, are unanimously agreed as to the necessity of this effort. They are prepared to do the utmost-yea, and some of them even beyond their ability; and should this appeal secure that response from them to whom it is addressed which I expect it will, the work will be conducted to a speedy and happy completion.

"Two courses, only, are open to me.

First-To get through a year, or two years' residence at Bristol, as I best could, leaving it for my successors to walk, perhaps, in the same track, and thus the cause be permitted to drag on a mere existence of feebleness. Or, secondly-To attempt the accomplishment of that which, in my humble opinion, should have been done before it was made a circuit. I have resolved upon the latter course, and in faith and confidence issue this appeal. I am not seeking personal aggrandizement or fame; I am only appealing in behalf of the interests of that Connexion of which your fathers were the founders, and of which you, their children, should feel proud to be the extenders. The mission to Bristol was the favourite scheme of our late esteemed Connexional friend and father, John Ridgway, to whose memory it would be a disgrace to allow Bristol to sink for need of a little timely aid. I now leave the matter with you. Any contribution forwarded to me will be promptly acknowledged, and also announced in the pages of the Magazine. -I remain, the humble servant of the Connexion, and yours faithfully,

"HENRY DOWNES.

"P.S.-Our esteemed secretary of the chapel fund, G. L. Robinson, Esq., of Longton, having visited Bristol for the express purpose of conversation with the friends upon trust matters, kindly permits me to express his earnest commendation of the projected improvements and additions, as being both needed, and in every way likely to contribute materially to our success in securing an increased congregation, and a greater number of seat-holders and members."

I am happy to say that one Connexional friend has already responded most liberally to the appeal, and greatly to the encouragement of myself and the friends, who desire thus publicly to acknowledge the kindness of J. Love, Esq., and Mrs. Love, in forwarding a cheque for £50. I do not expect large donations from other friends; the smallest will be most thankfully received. The friends at Bristol have promised upwards of £50, and I hope this amount will be considerably augmented by further subscriptions and the re-opening services, which will take place on the 28th of September, and of which I will send you a report

in due course.-I am, my dear Sir, yours very truly, HENRY DOWNES.

[Our esteemed brother has taken hold of his circuit with all the affection and fervour of a true spiritual father, and is determined that no effort on his part shall be wanting to render our cause in Bristol in all respects efficient and prosperous. We like this enterprising spirit. It is just the very thing to raise and extend the cause of God. Lukewarmness might have said, "Take thine ease. Let things have their usual course. If the cause prosper, well; and if not, leave it as soon as possible, and seek a more congenial sphere. But zeal and fidelity say, Take hold; make the cause your own. Grapple with every difficulty; and be resolved, by God's help, to strengthen what is feeble, raise what is low, and put energy and spirit into the whole. It will cost you much labour, much prayer, many anxieties, and, it may be, some rebuffs. But let none of these things move thee. Pursue the right." Our brother appeals for help, and we sincerely hope he will not appeal in vain. Friends, help him; the cause is yours as well as his.-ED.]

OPENING OF A NEW CHAPEL AT LEEK.

LEEK is a pleasant and thriving town in North Staffordshire, containing about twelve thousand inhabitants, its staple trade being the manufacture of silk. Six years ago, or somewhere near that length of time, we had no interest at all in this town. We have now a society of one hundred members, the greater part of whom have been drawn "right smack from the devil."

At the commencement of our mission here, a room belonging to the Temperance Society was the sanctuary in which, for several Sabbaths, the friends assembled and worshipped. From this temperance room they very shortly removed to a Quaker's meetinghouse, where they found very much better accommodation for Divine worship, and where they have continued to worship up to the time of entering their new chapel.

The corner-stone was laid on the

21st of October, 1861, by Edwin Whittaker, Esq., of Hurst; and there appeared in our large Magazine for last December, along with the report of the laying of the corner-stone, a minute and full account of the origin and progress of the Methodist New Connexion in Leek.

The opening services of our new chapel commenced on the Thursday evening, the 14th of August, when the Rev. P. J. Wright, of Hurst, delivered a most appropriate and powerful discourse, founded on Isaiah xxxiii. 20- 22. As Mr. Wright, with great beauty and power, dwelt upon the peace, stability, and prosperity which, in the text, were promised to Zion, hearty responses were made from the delighted congregation. The congregation, at this our first opening service, was exceedingly good, in which were represented the various religious Denominations of the town. was also a considerable number present from the Potteries and Newcastle.

There

On Sunday, August 17, the Rev. J. Medicraft, of Hanley, preached in the morning and afternoon. The sermons delivered by Mr. Medicraft were, one on the power of love, and the other on the power of faith. They were listened to with deep attention, and their excellency was testified to by the irrepressible responses of the people.

In the evening, the Rev. Dr. Cooke, of London, preached. His text was from 1 Peter i. 25. God graciously aided his servant, and the people were edified and blessed. On Tuesday evening, August the 19th, Dr. Cooke again preached for us, founding his discourse on Genesis i. 26, which was, in all points, much in keeping with his sermon on the Sunday evening.

On Sunday, the 24th of August, the Rev. J. Poxon, of Ashton-under-Lyne, was expected to preach for us at Leek, in the morning; but, from an unforeseen circumstance, was prevented from arriving in time for the morning service. The Rev. Mr. Buck, Wesleyan minister, happily was at command, and kindly occupied the pulpit in the absence of Mr. Poxon. In the afternoon a public love-feast was held. During the love-feast Mr. Poxon arrived, and explained the cause of his absence in the morning, and promised that when the opening services were over, he would come over, and give us a Sabbath's services, for which promise the

friends were very thankful. In the evening, the Rev. T. Allin, of Longton, delivered a very admirable discourse.

On Sunday, the 31st of August, the Rev. C. D. Ward, of Longton, preached morning and afternoon. Mr. Ward, by his numerous visits, and his able pulpit administrations and 'powerful platform speeches, has become quite popular in the town of Leek; and, as might be expected, had good and attentive congregations to hear him for the first time in our new chapel.

In the evening, the Rev. J. Stacey, of Sheffield, preached. His text was selected from Matthew xxvi. 39. The submission of the Divine Saviour to his sufferings was the subject of Mr. Stacey's sermon. The sufferings and submission of the Saviour were strikingly and tenderly set forth. The language of Mr. Stacey was not only chaste and beautiful, but was frequently powerfully eloquent; and the sermon altogether was such as is seldom listened to.

The opening services of our new chapel were brought to a close on Monday, the 1st of September, by holding a large tea-meeting. The meeting was held in a spacious schoolroom belonging to the Wesleyans. A special train, running through the Pottery towns, brought a large influx of visitors (principally New Connexion people) to the town of Leek, and to our tea-meeting. About seven hundred sat down to tea. The after meeting commenced about six o'clock, with singing and prayer. W. Jenkinson, Esq., of Manchester, presided. After a brief report of the financial position of the chapel had been read by Mr. Brearley, the meeting was ably addressed by the Revs. C. D. Ward, T. W. Ridley (President), J. Hankinson (Independent), J. Howard, T. Allin, and J. Coultas; also by A. Pilling, Esq., Bolton; J. Clementson, Esq., Hanley; H. Moor, Esq., Hanley. In the course of the evening the chairman laid £5 on the table, as his donation for the evening; to which were added a few smaller donations from other parties in the meeting who were wishful to help us. The feeling of the meeting, from beginning to end, was most excellent, and at times exceedingly enthusiastic. After a vote of thanks to the ladies who had presided at the tea-trays, and to the singers who had sung during the opening services, moved by J. Dickson,

Esq., of Newcastle, and seconded by the Rev. H. Marsden, and another to the chairman, moved by the Rev. J. Medicraft, and seconded by the Rev. T. Rider, the doxology was sung and the benediction pronounced, and the meeting broke up about half-past nine o'clock.

During the whole of the opening services we have realized about £100. The estimated cost of the chapel (land included) is £1,700. Our friends at Leek are none of them of the wealthy, but all of them of the working class; nevertheless, they have pledged themselves to raise the sum of £450. Towards this sum they have already raised £350, and they are now working for a bazaar, which they intend holding shortly; and by which effort, along with a few subscriptions from a few friends in the Connexion-to whom they have issued circulars soliciting their help-they hope to be able to raise the remaining hundred to which they are pledged. Our Hanley friends have promised to raise for us the sum of £350. Part of this sum they have raised, and the remaining part, we hope, they shortly will raise; which, if they do, will make the two sums to be raised by the Leek and Hanley friends £800. Better than £100 was realized at the laying of the corner-stone. The missionary committee have nobly granted us £150. The trustees have borrowed on mortgage the sum of £500, and are anxious, if possible, to avoid borrowing any more. These different items just named, taken together, amount to £1,605.

The chapel is in the gothic style of architecture of the twelfth century, and is built with red bricks and Hollington stone dressings. It has a handsome doorway, approached by a flight of solid stone steps, having columns with carved caps, deeply sunk, moulded, and enriched head with crockets and finials, above which is a large four-light, richly traceried window, with hood, mould, and carved bosses. The other windows are two-light traceried, with hood, mould, and bosses. The sides are divided into five bays by buttresses, with stone weatherings, two windows being in each bay, surmounted by gables and stone coping; above these is seen the clerestory, with trefoiled lights and moulded brick cornice. The clerestory is supported by arches springing from moulded cast-iron columns.

The roof is open and boarded, diagonally stained and varnished. The interior is neatly fitted up with red deal seats, with low inclined backs. There is a very handsome pulpit and communion rail. The greatest attention has been given to lighting and ventilation. The gallery and body of the chapel are lighted by two corona lights of novel design, and under the galleries are three light-brackets fixed to the wall, which equalizes the light in those parts.

The ventilation is complete, fresh air being admitted through a series of openings covered with gauze wire, near the floor, and the vitiated air is carried off at the ridge through a series of openings in the tiles, made so as to prevent the wet driving in, and any down draught.

The chapel will seat 620 persons, and has been erected for £1,200, by Mr. Mathews, of Leek, from the designs and under the superintendence of Mr. Scrivener, of Hanley, architect.

With such a handsome and commodious sanctuary as we have been enabled to rear to the glory of our God in the town of Leek, and in which we have just commenced to worship, we are fully assured that very encouraging success awaits us at no very distant day. D. BREARLEY.

TREAT TO SUNDAY-SCHOOL.

TEACHERS

BY JOHN WHITTAKER, ESQ. ON Wednesday, August 20th, the teachers, both male and female, of the Methodist New Connexion Sundayschools, Higher Hurst, and their minister, the Rev. P. J. Wright, were invited to spend the day with Mr. John Whittaker, their friend and patron. The company, numbering about one hundred and eighty persons, occupied the time most pleasantly by various innocent recreations on the green and sauntering through the grounds and gardens the out-door exercises sharpening their appetites, and making a good, substantial dinner, served up in the afternoon, all the more enjoyable. The treat, it is almost unnecessary to say, gave the completest satisfaction; so much so, indeed, that Mr. Whittaker determined on giving a similar invitation to the teachers of the Albion Sunday-schools, Ashton, of

which his son-in-law, Mr. G. H. Kenworthy, is one of the superintendents, and is deservedly respected for his affability, and the deep interest he takes in everything pertaining to the welfare of the teachers and scholars under his

care. Accordingly, in answer to the invitation, about one hundred and thirty of the teachers, besides a few friends, including Mr. Hugh Mason, the Rev. J. G. Rogers, the Rev. P. J. Wright, and other gentlemen, assembled at Mr. Whittaker's residence on Monday last, and enjoyed themselves most heartily-the extensive and valuable collection of paintings and other works of art forming one of the principal features of attraction to the visitors. This collection embraces works by some of the most eminent modern artists; and our readers will remember that some of them were much admired at the late Art Treasures' Exhibition in Manchester; whilst one or two, amongst which may be mentioned "The Dead Shepherd," by Ansddel, have been sent, by special request, to the International Exhibition, and are now gracing the picture - galleries there. The teachers met at the school, about half-past eleven in the forenoon, and walked in procession to Mr. Whittaker's house. On their arrival they sang a hymn; after which Mr. Whittaker welcomed them heartily, and said he was glad to see them. The house and premises would be thrown open to them, and he trusted they would enjoy themselves and make themselves at home. In the afternoon, shortly after three o'clock, the company seated themselves to dinner round the bowlinggreen. The remainder of the day was spent in various recreations, whilst a few of the followers of old Izaak Walton passed a pleasant time in fishing in the extensive reservoirs adjacent to the grounds. Everybody seemed to enjoy himself, and not only so, but to contribute, as much as he could, to the enjoyment of others; and thus the hours sped swiftly, but agreeably, until Sol retired to his western chambers, and the shades of evening began to close in. The weather was gloriously fine on both occasions, and no untoward event happened to mar the pleasures of either company. The greatest feelings of respect were evinced towards Mr. Whittaker for his kind consideration, which only adds to the many already received at his hands, not by

Sunday-school teachers and scholars merely, but by the villagers of Hurst and the public generally. - Ashton Reporter.

TREAT TO SUNDAY AND DAY SCHOLARS.

THE teachers and scholars of the Methodist New Connexion Sunday-school, and also the day-scholars of the Britishschool, with a number of other friends, enjoyed a very rich treat, at the expense of their respected patron, John Whittaker, Esq., on Saturday, the 6th of September, when upwards of one thousand one hundred persons partook of his kind hospitality. They met in the school, according to previous arrangement, at two o'clock in the afternoon, and from thence proceeded in procession to the residences of Mr. J. Whittaker and Mr. E. Whittaker, accompanied by the Park Bridge band, and while there, sang their favourite hymns. They then wended their way to Greenhurst Farm, about a mile from the school, belonging to Mr. Whittaker, where was awaiting them a repast not easily obtained at a crisis like the present. Tea and other excellent accompaniments were served by the teachers in right good earnest, as might be seen by their promptitude and activity.

After partaking of the repast, all were allowed to enjoy themselves in the spacious meadow. At intervals balloons were sent up, to the great satisfaction of the children. When the hilarity of the meeting seemed to be at its height, Mr. Whittaker made his appearance, which gave a zest to the proceedings, and he enjoyed himself amid the merry laughter of the scholars. As the evening advanced preparations were made for a grand display of fireworks-Mr. Whittaker and Mr. Edwin having engaged a person from Mr. Jennison's establishment to take charge of this department, which was executed with admirable skill and tact. The large company seemed heartily to enjoy themselves, and nothing could exceed the pleasure pervading the great throng during the whole evening. Very great praise is due to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Whittaker, and also to Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Kenworthy, for contributing their share to make the people happy. The band concluded with the nations! anthem, and the meeting broke up