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such as every visitor will delight to look upon, and such as their children will feel to be an honour to the memory of their worthy parents when their spirits have entered the better land. A sacrifice will be required for this; but they will be blessed in making it, and be conferring blessings on generations yet unborn. Solomon, the monarch of Israel, cheerfully surrendered all the gold and silver which his pious father had gathered for the house of God, and gave immense sums of his own besides; and after the consecration of all this wealth, what followed? Did he become an obscure, impoverished monarch? no; he was richer than all the kings who had lived before him, or who afterwards succeeded to the throne of Judah. It was a just and pious sentiment of the Psalmist, 66 Of thine own have we given thee."

To the above chapels about to be opened we must add one more-one in Lorrimore - street, Walworth, London, which owes its erection chiefly to the indomitable energy and great liberality of our worthy friend, Mr. E. H. Rabbits, and is expected to be opened in the month of June. May Jehovah fill all these sanctuaries with his glorious presence, and render them the birthplace of many thousands of immortal souls. Amen.

THORNE CIRCUIT.-THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK OF GOD.-Few things, my dear sir, are more gratifying to you and our people than to hear of healthy spiritual progress in our churches. Early in the autumn of last year we commenced a series of special efforts in this circuit, which has been crowned with happy results. Our general method has been this:-During the first week a prayer-meeting was held every night. On the second week, prayermeetings again, and an occasional discourse from such of our local preachers as would assist. The third week arrangements were so made that I could spend it entirely with them, having at the same time such help from my youthful colleague, Mr. Moor, as his other engagements would admit. And in most cases a fourth week was occu

pied nearly similar to the third. This has been our method at Grazelound, Haxey, Westwoodside, Epworth, and Fishlake. The total number of persons professedly born of God is about eighty. Most of them are of mature years, and are exceedingly hopeful to settle down in permanent membership. We shall return an increase for the year of about thirty accredited members, and retain rather over fifty on trial. I need scarcely say that our local preachers and members have entered heartily into the good work. The only foreign help we have had was one work of labour at Westwoodside by Mr. George Fox, of Sheffield. He however, during the short time, rendered us good, very good service. JOHN NELSON.

THORNE CIRCUIT MISSIONARY SERVICES.-We have now completed our annual meetings for missionary purposes. We commenced at Scotter. The Rev. Wm. Mills preached January 24th, and the meetings were held on Monday at two and six o'clock. We realized the remarkable sum of £26 1s. 11d. Thus did our noble-minded friends exceed all their previous liberality. On February, the 28th, and following days, we had our sermons and meetings at Thorne, Levels, Fishlake, and Wormly Hill. The Rev. Thos. Griffith rendered us good service, but the influence of agricultural depression was severely felt in some of the collections.

On the 7th of March and following days, aided efficiently by the Rev. A. Lynn, jun., sermons were preached, and meetings held at Eastoft, Epworth, Haxey, Westwoodside, and Grazelound. The collections in most cases exceeded the previous year, and the meetings were remarkably well attended. The total amount realized in the circuit is a little short of the previous year; but, considering the altered price of all farm produce, I am really grateful for the result. The amount this year is £62 8s. 7d.

JOHN NELSON.

FOUNDATION STONE OF WEPRE NEW CHAPEL, HAWARDEN CIRCUIT.The above ceremony took place on Tuesday, March 23rd, in the presence of a goodly number of the members, Sunday scholars of the Connexion, and other inhabitants of the neighbourhood.

The minister of the circuit gave out the hymn commencing

"This stone to thee in faith we lay," and offered up prayer, acknowledging the providence of God in the undertaking, and imploring his blessing to rest upon it. Mr. Read, of Hawarden, read a part of the twenty-ninth chapter of the First Book of Chronicles. Then the stone was laid by Mr. Thomas Dentith, of the Chymical Works, Wepre, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and amidst the rejoicing of the people. The Rev. J. Orme then gave an address, setting forth the general objects for which we, in common with other denominations of Christians, erect places of worship; and also the peculiarities of doctrine and polity which distinguish us as Methodists of the New Connexion. Mr. Read also gave an address suited to the occasion.

The

choir sang a beautiful anthem: and the concluding prayer was made by Mr. John Foulkes, the oldest member of the Connexion in Wepre, and who is almost blind with age.

Wepre is situated on the margin of the River Dee, betwixt Queen's Ferry and Flint, and is the most improving village in this part of Wales. The site of the new chapel is the very best that could be chosen, and the friends intend to make it an ornament to the village. The land has cost £45. The chapel will be fourteen yards long and ten yards wide. It will be lighted by two large windows at each end, and one at each side.

It is hoped that the whole will be accomplished at a cost of about £200; and that no more than £80 will be left as a debt upon it. It will be settled to the Connexion according to the model deed; and if any friends of the Connexion are disposed to help us in Wales, this is a case worthy of their aid. Hawarden.

J. O.

[Our friends have done well, and deserve encouragement. The present effort reflects honour on themselves, and on the superintendent of the circuit, whose labours to consolidate and improve the Hawarden circuit are worthy of all praise.-ED.]

PRESENTATION TO THE REV. JAMES HENSHAW.-On Tuesday, April 13th, by the liberality of our kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. Love, the members of the Willington Society partook of an ex

cellent tea in the large school-room at that place. After tea, the meeting being commenced by devotional exercises, Joseph Love, Esq., occupied the chair, and, in a most pleasing speech, opened the proceedings by stating, that as by the blessing of God we enjoy a considerable amount of prosperity in this circuit, our new chapel here being entirely free from debt, and our elegant chapel premises in the city of Durham, very nearly so, and the contributions to the funds well sustained, he thought it was befitting that we should evince our estimation of the character and services of our minister, by presenting him, previous to his departure from us, with an expression of that feeling towards him. It was very cheering to us on reviewing the past two years during which Mr. Henshaw has laboured amongst us, that we have been blessed with peace and unity, and a measure of prosperity in the entire circuit, and that now there is not to be found amongst us a jarring string, and we are able to return to conference a net increase on the year of twenty members, after supplying the deficiency of about sixty, caused by removals, deaths, &c.

The chairman then called on Robinson Ferens, Esq., of Durham, to make the presentation, who spoke as follows:-Mr. Chairman and Christian Friends,-As a member of the Methodist New Connexion, I am called upon to perform a very pleasing and interesting duty to one of our much esteemed and honoured ministers, the Rev. James Henshaw, a gentleman who has laboured amongst us as our beloved. superintendent for the last two years, and during the period that we have sat under his ministry he has expounded the word of God and administered to us the bread of eternal life with a fidelity and an earnestness that do honour to a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sir, in presenting you with this purse of gold containing twenty sovereigns, as a token of our esteem and regard towards you as our minister, it is but justice to our esteemed chairman to state, that it was he who first suggested the propriety of taking such a step, and of this you will not be surprised, as he ever stands prominently forward with his unbounded liberality to every claim that has for its object the advancement of God's glory and the evangelization of the whole world. And in paying this

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small tribute of respect to a worthy minister of the cross, we, as members of the church militant, do honour to ourselves; and we have it on divine record that those who honour God he will honour. Sir, you have been long and honourably connected with the church as one of her most exemplary ministers. You commenced in the period of youth to preach the great truths of the Gospel,-you have consecrated the best energies of your life to that noble cause, and you have preached with a zeal and earnestness that proved to the world you felt the great responsibility of the faithful discharge of your duty as an ambassador for Christ, and your labour has not been in vain in the Lord. You are now, I believe, one of the oldest ministers in active duty; you have travelled in many of the best circuits in our Connexion; and whereever your providential lot has been cast you have left a name honoured and revered for Christian zeal and deep earnest piety. In this life there are many good and honourable callings, but the most exalted that mortal can aspire to is to preach and expound the glorious truths of the Gospel to a perishing world; he is not only rewarded with the smile and approval of his heavenly Father in this world, but his brow will be decked with an immortal crown in the world to come, and eternity alone will be able to unfold his great reward. There is no minister in our Connexion whose character stands higher for every virtue that adorns the Christian than your own. Through the grace of God, your public life has been spotless; and this gives a mighty power to the ministrations of the pulpit in bringing the sinner to the foot of Calvary to behold his awful position until he obtains the great salvation. I am glad to state that during the last year we have had a good increase of members in our circuit. The Lord has manifested his power to save, and poor lost sinners have ventured on the atonement of Christ, and have been able to rejoice in him as the Rock of their salvation. I now have great pleasure in handing you this purse of gold, in the name of the whole of the members of this society; and may the King of kings continue to bless you and and make you a blessing until your life's end. I humbly pray that your valuable life and that of your beloved partner may long be spared, and that you may for many years to come have

the desire of your soul gratified by preaching Christ and him crucified to a perishing world, and that you may be more and more abundantly successful in winning souls, and that at last when the night of death approaches, and the silver cord is loosened, and the golden ball broken, and your last sermon preached, and your last prayer offered, your happy spirit may wing its eternal flight to the realms of bliss, and join that noble band of sainted ministers who have died in the faith and are now before the throne singing unto him that hath loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood, be honour and glory for ever and

ever.

Mr. Henshaw then replied in a very neat and feeling speech, expressive of his appreciation of this mark of their kindness, which he should never forget; and exhorted all the officers and members of the society to labour, not only for their own salvation, but for that of others,-not to be satisfied with a starless crown, but to labour that their crown of glory should be decked with many stars.

The chairman then called upon the following local preachers: Messrs. Stephenson, Rutherford, Carr, Ridley, Brogdon, and Waine, who delivered very animated and suitable addresses, expressive of their sympathy with the object of the meeting, and exhortations to increased diligence and effort.

After votes of thanks to Joseph Love, Esq., and his estimable lady for the entertainment furnished by them, the meeting was brought to a close, each one feeling, "Behold! how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

T. D. STEPHENSON.

MISSIONS, DURHAM CIRCUIT.-EXcellent sermons on behalf of our missions were preached in Durham and High Willington chapels on Lord's day, 14th March, 1858, by the Revs. G. Hallatt and A. McCurdy.

Meetings were also held in the above chapels on Monday, the 15th, and Tuesday the 16th. On both occasions our highly esteemed friend J. Love, Esq., presided.

On Wednesday evening a meeting was held at Framwellgate Moor, when R. Ferens, Esq., occupied the chair.

At all the meetings the claims of missions were ably advocated by the

deputation and others, ministers and friends.

You, Mr. Editor, will be pleased to learn that our friends in this circuit feel an increased interest in our missionary operations. We did well last year, but the proceeds of the present will be a great advance upon those of any former year. While we are endeavouring to water others, may the Lord abundantly water our own souls. March 31st. J. H.

OPENING OF A NEW ORGAN AT MOUNT TABOR CHAPEL, STOCKPORT.--On Wednesday, March 24, a very handsome and powerful-toned organ, built by Messrs. Halmshaw and Sons, of Birmingham, and presented to the abovenamed place of worship by Alderman Ephraim Hallum, was inaugurated by a congregational tea-party, and a performance of sacred music by J. Stimpson, Esq., organist of the Town Hall, Birmingham. By the kind permission of the committee of the Stockport Sunday school, tea was served in the second-class room of that institution; the Methodist New Connexion schoolroom, connected with Mount Tabor chapel, being found utterly inadequate to the accommodation of the vast number of persons who had taken tickets. Indeed, the more commodious room thus placed at their disposal, was found to be much too small, and it was necessary to lay a second course for a number of persons unable to be seated at the first table. Upwards of 450 persons partook of the repast. The following ladies presided at the trays:-Mrs. Hibbert, Mrs. J. Wright, Mrs. Chapman, Mrs. G. Wild, Mrs. E. Hallum, Mrs. W. Wild, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Hepworth, Miss Turnock, Mrs. W. Fleming, Miss A. Owen, Mrs. J. Brown, Miss Wright, Mrs. R. Potts, Mrs. Nixon, Mrs. B. Johnson, Mrs. Lloyd, Mrs. F. Brindley, Mrs. Millilieu, Mrs. R. Ardern, Mrs. Moorhouse, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. C. Madders, Mrs. C. Hulme, Mrs. Abson, Miss A. Lawton, Miss Price. The tea was prepared by Mrs. George Barrow. After tea, the guests retired to the chapel, every advantageous seat of which was gradually taken up by a respectable and intelligent audience, belonging to various Christian denominations. The total number of persons admitted into the chapel was 650; about 200 having purchased tickets for the chapel service alone. Mr. Stimpson performed the first part of the

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appointed programme:-Grand chorus: "Moses and the Children of Israel, Handel. Andante, from Fantasia, Mozart. Sonata, Mendelssohn. March of the Israelites (Eli), Costa. Andante, from the first Symphony, Beethoven. Air, with Variations, Hesse. Mr. Stimpson, after an interval, commenced the second part of the programme, performing Bach's Fugue in D major, and the air, "O, rest in the Lord," from Mendelssohn's Elijah; the latter being decidedly the gem of the evening. Mr. Stimpson, who was very unwell when he arrived, being unable to continue his valuable services, Mr. Wilkinson kindly substituted the chorus "Hallelujah to the Father," from Beethoven's Mount of Olives for one of the unperformed pieces, and concluded with the national anthem. The organ is a very beautiful instrument, externally, the pipes being richly gilt and burnished, and exquisitely ornamental, while the base and summit are relieved by elaborate carvings and mouldings. Along the base of the principal pipes is an inscription, in black letters on a gold ground-"The gift of E. Hallum, Esq., A.D. 1858." Internally, it is unique in arrangement, and complete in construction, embracing some of the choicest modern stops, and several of the most recent mechanical improvements and appliances. A brief description must suffice. The instrument consists of two rows of keys, the compass being from CC to F in alt, 54 notes, with two octaves of pedals, three composition pedals and couplers, and contains 20 stops, including open and stopped diapasons, viol de gamba, flute, principal, twelfth, fifteenth, sesquialta, cremona, bourdon, hautboy, and trumpet. There are 551 pipes in the great organ, 252 in the swell organ, 12 to choir bass, and 25 to the pedal organ. There are two couplers-swell to great organ, and great organ to pedals. The power of this combination of stops is very great, the chapel being small; but we have been given to understand, that the erection of a new and commodious chapel is in contemplation by the congregation worshiping at Mount Tabor; that the generous donor required the trustees to pledge themselves for the removal of this organ to the new chapel, and that they ultimately acceded to his request. Judiciously played, it will prove a decided acquisition to the congregation in the musical portion of their services; and as a gift, it is a standing and dur

able monument to the charitable and Christian spirit and unostentatious liberality of the benevolent donor. This, we understand, is the first organ built by Messrs. Halmshaw and Sons, for any place of worship in this town or district; and it is due to them to state that the opinions expressed by the various organists who have inspected the instrument or heard its qualities, are of a highly favourable character. It is, unquestionably, the handsomestlooking organ in the town, and in every other respect will bear comparison with others. The astonishing effects produced by Mr. Stimpson will not readily be forgotten by persons of refined taste; and his performances not only confirmed his own fame as an organist, but established the reputation of the builders, by demonstrating the peculiar capabilities of the instrument. On the following Sabbath, March 28th, sermons were preached, in the morning by the Rev. C. Hibbert, and in the evening by the Rev. T. Allin. In the morning there was an attentive and respectable congregation, and in the evening the chapel was densely crowded. S. W. Wilkinson, Esq., presided at the organ with his usual ability, and appropriate anthems were sung on the occasion. The services of the day were of a highly instructive and edifying character; and it is hoped that the truth so faithfully and impressively declared will be productive of the highest good. As there had been a circuit debt accumulating, for some years, the opening of the organ presented an opportunity for making collections, and a spirited subscription, for the purpose of freeing the circuit from the pressure and gloom consequent on such a state of things. It was therefore highly gratifying to the friends to find at the close of the opening services that the handsome sum of £90 had been realized. The new organ is regarded as a great acquisition. It has been examined by persons competent to judge of the capabilities and merits of such instruments, and they speak of it most favourably; and we think it due to Mr. Holmshaw, the builder, as a long tried friend and member of the community, to call the attention of trustees, or other parties in want of such instruments, to him, feeling confident that in his skill and integrity they would find full satisfaction. [It is highly gratifying to find that though venerable pillars of our church in Stockport have

been removed, God has raised up others possessing both the disposition and the means to sustain the good cause. It delights us to see a new chapel looming. This is highly important, and must be the next good work. We know the men who must take the lead

in this movement. They and their good wives are just now before us; and we are sure, that when they see their way quite clear to set about the matter, they will carry it into effect, and erect such a chapel for Stockport as will stand a durable monument of their pious liberality, and be an honour to the Connexion.-ED.]

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OPENING OF AN ORGAN AT HIGHER HURST.-About twelve months ago the Methodist New Connexion chapel, Higher Hurst, in the Ashton-underLyne circuit, was reopened, after an enlargement which rendered it one of the most commodious and most beautiful chapels in the circuit. The cost of the enlargement was entirely defrayed by John Whittaker, Esq., whose liberality is known and appreciated by the whole Connexion. When Mr. Whittaker offered to enlarge the chapel, he stipulated that the church and congregation should place in it an organ of not less value than £300, the collections at the opening of the chapel to be given as part of this sum. scription was immediately entered into, and when a large part of the money was promised, an order was given to Messrs. Kirtland and Jardine, the celebrated organ builders of Manchester, to produce an instrument which should be an ornament to the place. On Sunday, March 7th, this organ, which cost £370, contains. twenty-three stops, one thousand pipes, and which, by competent judges, is said to be equal in tone and power to any instrument of equal size in the kingdom, was formally opened. order to give interest to the proceedings, and to test the capabilities of the instrument, W. T. Best, Esq., the organist of St. George's Hall, Liverpool, was engaged for the occasion. Miss Armstrong, from Manchester, was also present. Although the weather was exceedingly unfavourable, large congregations assembled. The Rev. W. Mills, of Sheffield, preached in the morning and evening, and the Rev. J. Poxon, of Ashton, in the afternoon. Selections of sacred music, from the works of Handel, Haydn,

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