hundred and forty-three; and the evidence they give of a renewed mind, by the tenor of their lives, is such as authorizes their Pastor to say, "Ye are our glory and joy." Swearing is now seldom heard in the community; instances of drunkenness are exceedingly rare; and the worship of God is generally established in the families. The abject poverty of the people is relieved; and, "having food and raiment," they are "therewith content." An aspect of cleanliness pervades their dwellings; their minds are improved and rendered more independent; and a degree of intelligence pervades their discourse, to which their fathers, and even they themselves, were once strangers. One very natural and pleasing result of all this is, that the Minister of Jesus is welcome to almost every house in the Circuit; his coming is anticipated with delight, and his departure invariably causes regret. The people with whom he lodges literally wash his feet; and their neighbours not only attend the preaching, but, eager to share his prayers, they crowd into the house at family worship. This account, I may remark, is not a sketch taken during the excitement of a revival, but a sober statement of facts, most of which have been in existence for years, and concerning many of which, I had the testimony of a gentleman who is not a member of our society, but a resident in the neighbourhood.

The remaining Circuit includes the islands of YELL, UNST, and FETLAR.

YELL, on which our Preachers reside, is the largest of the Shetland group, the Mainland excepted. It is rude and desolate in its general aspect, though its hills are neither so high, nor its coast so bold, as those of some of the sister isles: it is indented with numerous arms of the sea, which give it the appearance of being several islands, and render travelling difficult, dangerous, and expensive.

UNST is the most northern point of British territory; and, singularly enough, while all the other islands are covered with heath, even its hills are clothed with grass; on which account, it is famed for the treasures of the dairy. There are in it the ruins of several Romish chapels, some of which retain the names of the saints to whom they were dedicated. The manners of the people are more simple and primitive than in any other part of Shetland; there are also more remains of the Norse language; and it is generally supposed to be the "Ultima Thule " of the ancients.

FETLAR is also tolerably fertile, and

is remarkable for several relics of antiquity, particularly the remains of a camp, supposed to be Roman. It exhibits many signs of iron and copper ore; and is resorted to by invalids, on account of its mineral springs.

These, together with two smaller islands, and a station or two on the Mainland, form what is called the "North Isle Circuit," which is unquestionably the most depressed of the whole. The preaching and pastoral visits of the brethren who were stationed here for the first few years of the Mission were remarkably owned of God: hundreds of careless sinners were awakened to a sense of their guilt and danger; men and women of seventy years of age, and children scarce entered into their teens, were converted to God, and made happy witnesses of his pardoning love. Four chapels were erected to accommodate the large congregations which flocked to hear; numerous classes were formed; several Local Preachers, together with a noble band of ClassLeaders, were raised up, who all laboured with the Ministers

"To save poor souls out of the fire,

To snatch them from the verge of hell, And turn them to a pardoning God, And quench the brands in Jesu's blood." Thus these blessed men laboured, and God owned their labours, up to the 17th of July, 1832, when it pleased him, in his inscrutable providence, to permit twelve of the Leaders, and about eighty of the members and hearers, to be swallowed up in the mighty deep, by means of one of those tremendous storms which so frequently sweep the northern seas. Since that time the Circuit has mourned as in sackcloth and ashes; the widows, orphans, and other relations of the deceased, have had no spirit left in them; the worthies of our Israel have been diminished, and the enemies of our Zion have, in various ways, combined to oppose us. The number of members is two hundred and fifty-nine, being a decrease of fifty on the number reported last year.

The total number of members in the District, including the infant society which has been formed during the year in Orkney, is 1,301. The Preachers have, on their respective plans, fourteen chapels, three school-rooms, and fiftythree cottages, in which they preach the everlasting Gospel, either statedly or occasionally, to about 6,000 souls; being more than one-fifth of the whole population. Through the disinterested endea vours of the late Dr. Clarke, there is no debt on any of the chapels; eleven of

were very dear; and it appears that little, if any thing, was done in raising subscriptions, at the time of its erection. The privileges enjoyed by our small society at Ryde have been unusually irregular and fluctuating. When the number of Preachers appointed to the island was reduced, (as Newport and Cowes had much larger societies and congregations,) Ryde felt most sensibly the effects of this reduction. Indeed, so very disproportioned was the fruit to the labour bestowed in its cultivation, that it was often very doubtful whether it would not be finally abandoned. And the debt on the chapel rapidly increased: the arrears of interest being added to the debt, it advanced to the alarming amount of £1,600. The ground-rent was £1. 10s. per annum; and the total income about £10. But the Conference of 1832 granted the request of the Circuit for a third Preacher to reside at Ryde. From that time he has permanently resided there; and on the Lord's day Ryde shares equally the labours of all the Preachers. Ryde has also richly shared in the blessed revival of religion with which this island has since been favoured. The hand of the Lord has been with his servants, and many have believed and turned to him. In two years the number of members in the Circuit increased from 500 to 825, and at Ryde from 31 to 110. And now, by the blessing of God on the efforts and liberality of the Trustees, and of the friends of Methodism, an event is accomplished which even the most sanguine considered highly improbable, if not absolutely impossible. The chapel is effectually relieved from embarrassment. A grant from the Loan Fund of £600 was offered, on condition that £600 were raised by the Trustees and their friends. The Trustees offered to give £300, if the friends in the island would give £300. But this, I believe, would never have been raised but for a providential occurrence. James Heald, Esq., one of the Treasurers of that most important Fund, then a visiter at Ryde, was the honoured instrument of inspiring hope where desponding fears had predominated; and his kind promise of a liberal subscription gave the needful impulse. Four members of the Ryde society, not affluent, but diligent in business, contributed one half of the amount: other subscriptions, several of which were from members, and one from a Minister of the established Church, and a public collection through the island, with some additional aid from the Trustees, made up the remainder. On Friday, May 22d, the chapel,

having been repaired, was re-opened by the Rev. Messrs. Burgess and Sherwell, of Portsmouth; and a good collection was obtained to assist in defraying the expense of the repairs. This, it is anticipated, will form a new era in the history of Methodism, in that beautiful and rapidly increasing town. Our society at Ryde, who are strongly attached to Methodism as it is, and not as some would make it, relieved from the overwhelming burden by which they have been so long depressed, are now disposed to thank God and take courage. And may they ever retain a grateful sense of the help they have received."

EDMONBYERS, in the Herham Circuit:-" On Friday, August 21st, a new Wesleyan chapel was opened at Edmon byers, when two sermons were preached to crowded and attentive congregations, by the Rev. James Everett, from Newcastle. The collections were good, and, with the previous subscriptions, and denations of friends in the form of wood, stone, and labour, have entirely defrayed the cost of the building. The chapel will shortly be settled upon the Methodist plan. As such a place of worship had long been needed in this village, by its erection many obstacles to the progress of Christianity under the form of Methodism have been removed, and the hearts of the friends there have been greatly encouraged. We hope that the chapel will be made a great blessing to the neighbourhood; and our prayer to God is, that it may prove the place of spiritual birth to many

souls."

WHITTINGTON, in the Herham Cir. cuit:" On Sunday, the 30th of August, a neat and commodious chapel was opened for the public worship of Almighty God, by the Wesleyan Methodists in this village. Three sermons were preached on the occasion, to large and attentive congregations. For a long time the want of a chapel has been greatly felt; the old place of worship being very inconvenient. By the united liberality and exertions of the friends in the vicinity, and in the neighbouring Circuits, provision is now made for the spiritual wants of the inhabitants, without transmitting to posterity, what has often proved a hinderance to the progress of the work of God, a heavy chapel debt. The Trustees, and a gentleman much interested in the undertaking, being determined to avoid this evil, set themselves to the work of raising subscriptions with a truly laudable zeal. The personal exertions especially of Mr. George Brown, one of the Trustees, residing in the village, deserve to be gratefully remembered

by all. An eligible site, with a small cottage attached, was speedily procured; the cost of which, together with the expense of enrolling the deed, amounted to the sum of £48. The chapel is twentytwo feet by thirty-four, inside; cost £140; and contains about three hundred sittings. The interior is conveniently fitted up, and the arched ceiling very much increases the neatness of its appearance. The collections at the opening amounted to the sum of £16. 14s.; which, with £162 previously subscribed, leaves only a balance of about £10, which will very soon be discharged; so that the sacred building will be duly secured to the Connexion, and transmitted to succeeding generations, free from all pecuniary embarrassment. We entertain a pleasing hope, that in this house many of the present generation will find redemption through the blood of Jesus;' and that generations yet unborn will prove it to be 'the house of God, and the gate of heaven.' The Lord is pouring out his Spirit upon the people; several young persons have of late been turned from the error of their way,' and are now, by the help of God, determined to save their souls alive.' It is the earnest prayer of the people that the Lord would now revive his work; ' and that many, under the sacred roof, may, through Christ, be freely and graciously forgiven." "

ISLAND of GUERNSEY" On Sunday, Sept. 6th, was opened for divine service, a small but neat and substantial Wesleyan chapel, at Torteval, the most western parish of this island, about six miles from the town, of which mention was made in the June number of this Magazine. A great number of persons from the parish and other places attended. In the morning Mr. Matthew Gallienne, sen., a French Local Preacher, addressed a large and attentive congregation, on Colossians i. 28; and Messrs. Gallienne, jun., De Gain, and Hocart, all Local Preachers, offered devout and earnest prayers to Almighty God. In the afternoon the Rev. Philip Tourgis preached to a numerous and serious audience, while the Local Preachers were addressing a large assemblage of persons in the adjoining field. In the evening Mr. James Channe, jun., a Local Preacher, preached in the chapel, and Mr. Tourgis conducted the service in the open air, where about three hundred persons were assembled. Thus ended this delightful day. Collections were made, which were considered good. In this parish the Wesleyans were much persecuted between thirty and forty years ago;

but now the people hear attentively. The society is small, but it is hoped it will increase."

BRECON "A beautiful new Wesleyan chapel has been opened for divine service in the town of Brecon, which will contain about eight hundred persons. The services were as follows:-On Sunday morning, Sept. 27th, the Rev. John Hughes, author of Horæ Britannica, and the Rev. David Williams, of Llandilo, preached; and in the afternoon and evening the Rev. John Scott, of Bristol. The collections on that day amounted to £75. On the following Sabbath, Oct. 4th, the opening was resumed, when the Rev. John Hughes and the Rev. David Morgan, of Merthyr-Tydville, preached in the morning; and in the afternoon and evening the Rev. William Atherton, of Bath; and the collections nearly equalled those of the preceding Sabbath. There was service on the following day, (Monday,) when the Rev. John Hughes and the Rev. David Morgan again preached in the morning, and the Rev. William Atherton in the evening. These services were numerously attended; a gracious feeling pervaded the whole of the congregations; and the very liberal sum of £155 was collected. The chapel is situated in a very eligible and delightful part of the town; the whole of the pews are already let, with the exception of two or three; and we doubt not, from present appearances, that great good will result from the erection. The old chapel was opened in the year 1770, but has for many years past been too small for those who wished to worship there. It was the anxious wish of the venerable Dr. Coke, to see a handsome chapel erected in this his native town; and now, twenty-one years after his decease, his desire is fulfilled. The new chapel is situated near the spot where the Doctor was born and brought up; and it is supposed that the whole erection will cost about £2000, including two convenient school-rooms. After all our exertions we fear a debt of £1200, will now remain on the premises. Perhaps some friends in other parts of the kingdom, who revere the name of Dr. Coke, the father of our Missions, will honour his memory by contributing to the liquidation of the debt. Their aid would be thankfully received by the Preachers stationed in the Circuit."

PARKHOUSE, in the Monmouth Circuit :-"On Tuesday, September 29th, a new chapel was opened at Parkhouse, when three sermons were preached by the Rev. W. B. Stephenson, of Bristol;