ings do the same in the circuits. A number of circuits grouped together form a district, and head over all is the annual conference, composed of an equal number of ministers and laymen, duly appointed to represent the respective circuits. We have our home, colonial, and foreign missions, for which upwards of £17,000 was raised and expended last year, whilst other local and Connexional funds were supported with corresponding liberality. These united, furnish an income of considerably more than £20,000 per annum for Connexional purposes alone, and altogether independent of what is contributed locally for chapels, Sundayschools, and the ministry at home.

Our numerical state is easily told. We have built and opened 623 chapels, and 515 Sunday-schools. Our circuit and mission stations number 153; circuit preachers and missionaries, 243; local preachers, 1,283; Sabbath-school teachers, 10,873; Sabbath-scholars, 69,711; and 33,147 members of the society. Death has taken away 82 circuit preachers, and upwards of 16,000 members; but though lost to us, they are found in the general assembly of the Church of the firstborn.

Many, and even some of our own friends, think we have retained the name of New Connexion long enough, and would rather take another; but until there is far more unanimity on that question than has hitherto appeared, there is but little prospect of us being distinguished by any other name than that by which we are so well known in Methodism.

Our Stockport friends have been true and faithful to the Connexion from its very commencement. They certainly require and deserve a new chapel; and now they are about to have one, which will be a blessing to themselves, an ornament to the town, and a credit to the Connexion. God grant them abundant success.

The Rev. J. Addyman then announced the next hymn

"Behold the sure foundation-stone," after which, the Rev. A. M'Curdy offered up the concluding prayer, and the Rev. S. Smith pronounced the usual benediction.

The singing, conducted by our own choirs, and under the management of our excellent young friend, Mr. R. C. Brown, who struck bis lyre on a lofty plat

form, was effective, and well-sustained throughout by the congregation.

THE TEA PARTY.

In the evening about 500 persons sat down to an excellent tea in the Odd Fellows' Hall, the materials for which had been gratuitously provided by the ladies. There were no less than 110 trays so furnished, and valued at 5s. each. The tables being removed, after singing, and prayer by the Rev. J. Addyman, the Rev. Mr. Baggaly introduced Mr. Alderman Chapman as the chairman, who was received with loud and well-merited applause.

Alderman Chapman, J.P., then rose, and said that, if he had consulted his own feelings, he should not have presided on that occasion, as he felt more comfortable in merely moving or seconding a resolution than in so prominent a position. It was, therefore, no fault of his own, but he had no wish to disappoint the friends who had requested him to preside. He was not altogether unknown in Stockport for good or for evil, so that he could not be said to be among strangers. After the ceremony which had taken place that afternoon, it was unnecessary for him to explain the object of that meeting. The large attendance did them honour, and few who saw the procession to the site would have thought it was connected with Mount Tabor; but he believed that after this the Methodist New Connexion in Stockport would be recognized as a numerous and respectable body. Perhaps the site of the old chapel was well selected at first, but at present it was too much out of the way. They had long thought they should have a better place, and they had now commenced in earnest; and if it did not succeed it would be their own fault. Places of worship and schools were very useful institutions, and many a person could date their after-success in life, and their worldly prosperity, from their connection with one or other of them. There were now 3,000,000 or 4,000,000 of Sunday scholars, and these children were not only kept from doing harm, but taught to do good to themselves and others. The schools were nurseries to the Church, and the teachers strove to make the young people beneficial to themselves and to their country. This country held a high place among the scale of nations; but this did not arisefrom the talent of the few, but from

the good conduct of the many. The Methodist New Connexion had not been behind in these efforts. Their place of worship had been too much isolated hitherto, and a new one was thought of three or four years ago, but the unfortunate cotton panic intervened, and put it out of their power to do anything tangible in the matter. When they had to distribute from £3,000 to £4,000 weekly in relief, it was useless to think of collecting sufficient to go on with their project; but now that had passed away, they were determined to build a house for the worship of Almighty God, which should redound to his glory. They had raised £2,000 among themselves, though they were only a comparatively poor class of people; but they had the spirit and did their best in the work. There would be over £6,000 wanted, and if they raised that, it would show they were not without energy. It was, however, the ladies who had mainly sustained them throughout the work. When it was suggested that they should be asked to provide trays for the tea party, it was scarcely thought the proposal would be very heartily received; but what enthusiasm was exhibited in the fact that they had undertaken to furnish 110, at a cost of 5s. each! But they would be further called upon, for after this there would have to be a bazaar, and other exertions made to furnish the necessary funds. He had no wish to press too heavily upon them, yet still he expected, before the end of the year, to realize another £1,000 by means of their labours. The bulk of the amount would have to be made up in small sums, and when all was accomplished, they might fully expect a large increase in the Connexion, which they believed to be the best church, while they freely allowed others to hold their own opinions. He would say no more, except to exhort them to work diligently, and leave the result to God.

The Rev. J. Medicraft, of Ashton, in the course of a humorous address, said he never saw any account of the laying a foundation-stone for a new chapel where it was not stated that "it would be a credit to the Connexion and an ornament to the town." He believed this might, however, be said of the one now contemplated, and that it will fulfil both those conditions. He also alluded, in feeling terms, to the many endearing recollections which would cling around the old place in the minds

of those who had worshipped there for so many years, and of those whose departed friends and relatives were interred within its precincts. It had been built within a year of their Connexion being formed, and doubtless many who had heard the Gospel within its walls were now with their Redeemer in heaven.

A. Pilling, Esq., of Bolton, next addressed the meeting at considerable length, in the course of which he extolled the skill of the architect, Mr. Hill, who had been selected by the Town Council of Bolton to build their new Town Hall, at a cost of £60,000 or £70,000. He, however, contended that, more than new chapels, they wanted an increase of Divine influence, both among ministers and people, which could only be obtained by earnest, heartfelt, and constant prayer. If Methodists would only do their proper work, the schools would be nurseries for the Church, and God's blessing would be upon them all.

The Rev. J. W. Williams, of Mossley, hoped the top stone of their new place might be put on with cries of "Grace, grace," and that they might then be enabled to declare it free from debt.

The Rev. A. M'Curdy, of Bolton, was glad to be able to congratulate his Stockport friends on the important position they had assumed. With reference to the intended bazaar, he was surprised at the chairman only expecting the ladies to realise £1,000 from this source. Why, in Dewsbury, a poor, little, shoddy-dealing place like that, the ladies realized £1,020 for a new chapel; and in such a town as this he thought they ought to get at least £1,500 from the bazaar, which, with other matters, might be made up to £2,000. That they had a very good opinion of themselves, was true; but for all that, they honestly sympathized with all that loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

H. Atherton, Esq., of Leeds, had been highly pleased with the day's proceedings, as well as to meet with his old friends, the chairman and Mr. Hallam. He congratulated them both on their continued prosperity, and felt confident that they would not let the work fall through for want of exertion and material support. He ridiculed the conduct of certain parties, who seemed to be going mad about church decorations, incense, &c., declaring that he

would sooner listen to a piecer, winder, shipper, or grinder from the mill, who had the grace of God in his heart, than to any titled preacher, from the Archbishop of Canterbury downwards.

The Rev. W.Cooke, D.D., of London, referred in feeling terms to his first reminiscences of the church in Stockport, many years ago, when the chairman and his friend, Mr. Hallam, were both young men ; as well as the President of the Conference, whose zeal in the cause of God seemed to increase with his years. He had never passed a more happy time than the three years he was stationed in this town, and it gave him unspeakable joy to meet so many of his old friends on this occasion. He remembered the chapel in Portwood being projected, when £800 was immediately raised in their own circuit; and he remembered walking side by side with good Mother Candelet on the day of opening. The first mayor of the borough, Thomas Steel, Esq., was one of our worthy friends, as was also the second mayor, Jonathan Thornhill, Esq. The treasurer of the Infirmary, several aldermen and councillors, the collector of taxes, the master of the workhouse, and even the letter-carriers of that day, were all connected with them. He mentioned these things to show the Connexion had then, as now, its influential adherents in Stockport. That evening they had two justices of the peace on the platform. He then referred to the magnificence of the undertaking they had met to celebrate, and the immense amount of good they might expect to result from it in future ages. Three different nations adopted three different mottoes: that of England was duty; of America, progress; of France, glory. In an eloquent and powerful address, the Rev. Doctor embodied all those three ideas, and applied them with great power. He then urged them, with equal affection and fidelity, as so many watchwords or rallying points for the Methodist New Connexion.

A few words from the Rev. T. W. Ridley were followed by hearty votes of thanks to the ladies who had furnished and presided at the trays; the building committee; the secretaries, Messrs. James Fleming and G. T. Barrow, whose services entitle them to all praise; and, also, to the chairman, moved and seconded by Mr. E. W. Makinson, M.A., Alderman Hallam,

Mr. James Fleming, Mr. Alderman Wild, and Mr. B. Johnson. The hymns were announced by the Rev. W. D. Thompson and W. Mellor. At half-past nine o'clock, this ever memorable meeting, and, indeed, the whole services of the day, which can never cease to live in the recollection of the members and friends of the Methodist New Connexion in Stockport, were brought to a close by the writer, who pronounced the blessing in the usual terms, and dismissed the assembly. W. BAGGALY. Stockport, Dec. 11, 1865.

CELEBRATION

OF THE

JUBILEE OF CHAPEL STREET

SUNDAY-SCHOOL, STALEYBRIDGE. ON Sunday, 26th November, two sermons were preached in the Grosvenor Square Chapel, Staley bridge, to commemorate the opening of Chapel Street Sunday-school fifty years ago— one in the afternoon by the Rev. Dr. Cooke, of London, and the other in the evening by the Rev. Law Stoney, the superintendent minister, when collections were made on behalf of the Jubilee Building Fund, which exceeded £30.

On Monday evening a grand jubilee tea-party was held in the Mechanics' Institute, when about 500 persons sat down to tea. After tea a hymn was sung and prayer offered up. John Cheetham, Esq., M.P., presided. The chairman stated that they were that evening assembled as the friends and promoters of a very important religious institution in Staleybridge, viz., the Chapel Street Sunday-school, and this meeting was to commemorate the jubilee of that institution. He referred to the political jubilee, which he remembered commemorating when a boy-the fifty years' reign of old George III. He hoped that many of the younger people present would live to see the jubilee of our present beloved sovereign. She had ruled this country with much equity and wisdom. She had laid before her people such an elevated pattern of a domestic and virtuous life, that he must confess that to him no page of English history shone brighter than the reign of the present Queen. He had also participated, at one time or other, in the jubilee of some of the noble religious institutions which were the dignity and the pre

eminence of our country; and he rejoiced that God had spared him to join with them in the jubilee of an institution which, second to the ministry of the Gospel, was, and ought to be, first and dearest to the heart of a Christian. He, having some practical knowledge of the office and duties of a Sundayschool teacher, had always entered into the sentiment of the apostle, and magnified that office. He gave no precedence, except to the Christian minister, over the Sunday-school teacher. He was, and ought to be, if duly qualified, the little minister of his class, and he had the happy advantage over the minister in the chapel, because he was dealing with young minds, not hardened by intercourse with the world, but ready and open to receive the affectionate instructions of the teacher, and by earnestness, zeal, and a winning manner, he or she might gather round that class the affections of the scholars-affections which time would not obliterate, and which might be the happy instrument, in another and a better world, of renewing ties which death alone had separated them from here. He gave a sketch of the rise and progress of this the first Sunday-school in the town, which was deeply interesting, and observed that it was determined upon to erect a new school, the present one being too small for their requirements, and also to enlarge and improve the existing premises. He could not forget that his earliest effort, as a Sundayschool teacher, was in that institution. Speaking of the benefits to be derived from Sunday-schools, he said that he believed them to be one of the most important institutions of the day, although much had been said against them. They were to be estimated highly for the influence which they undoubtedly had upon the population wherever they were formed. He wished them God-speed in the efforts they were now making.

Appropriate addresses were delivered by the Revs. Dr. Cooke, of London; J. Medicraft, Ashton; Law Stoney; H. Watts, Liverpool; and W. Evans (Baptist).

On this occasion, Mr. R. P. Whitworth, who had been connected with the school, as scholar and teacher, for fifty years, was presented with a gold watch and chain, and a handsome walking-stick.

It was announced that subscriptions o the amount of £360 had been pro

mised towards the new school, which would probably cost £800 or £1,000 to complete it.

MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARY.

SHEFFIELD SOUTH CIRCUIT. THE services in connection with the above anniversary were held on Sunday, November 19th, and the meetings on the three following evenings.

The Rev. J. Medicraft, of Ashton, attended as deputation, and contributed in a great measure to the success of the meetings by the earnest and interesting manner in which he advocated the claims of our missions.

Owing to illness, the Rev. A. J. Harrison, who had been appointed as one of the deputation, was unable to be present. His place was ably supplied. by the Revs. W. Cocker and E. J. Baxter, the former preaching at South Street Chapel in the morning, and the latter at Broomhill Chapel in the evening. Services were also held at our chapel at Birley Carr, when the Rev. T. Scowby preached, and the annual meeting there was held on the following Tuesday. Unfortunately, the weather was far from propitious, and affected somewhat unfavourably the attendance. We are happy, however, to state that the collections exceeded those of the last year; and when we remember the efforts that have been locally made in this Circuit during the past few years, it is satisfactory to find that the mission cause has by no means suffered. The annual meeting at South Street was held on Monday evening, the 20th of November, and was presided over by Mr. Thomas Fenton. The one at Broomhill was held on the following Wednesday, when our esteemed superintendent occupied the chair. Appropriate and interesting addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Medicraft (deputation), J. Stacey, D.D., E. J. Baxter, T. Scowby, F. Jewell, and J. Flather.

Both meetings were successful, and on each occasion a hearty sympathy was manifested for the noble work of missions. We feel assured the anniversary will often be looked back to with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction by those who were present. MARCUS FENTON.

HANLEY CIRCUIT.

On Sunday, November 26th, sermons in aid of our missions were preached

in our chapels at Newcastle, Silverdale, Wolstanton, and Harpfield, by the Revs. H. Downes (the deputation), J. Graham, T. T. Rushworth, and Mr. H. Bourne. On the following evenings missionary meetings were held. J. Hope, Esq., presiding at Newcastle, Mr. Williams at Silverdale, Mr. C. Robey at Wolstanton, and Mr. H. Bourne at Harpfield. Addresses were delivered by the deputation (whose services were highly estimated), the Revs. Dr. Crofts, W. Yeoman, J. Walsh, the ministers named above, and Messrs. Dickson and Heath. The attendance at these services was as large, and, in some instances, larger than in previous years, and the financial result satisfactory, the collections at all those places being in advance of those of last year. J. GRAHAM.

OLDBURY AND TIPTON
CIRCUIT.

BLACK HEATH.-Some time ago, the friends at that place found the school, which was held in the body of the chapel, increase so rapidly, they resolved to purchase a piece of land and build a commodious school-room. Although there was not much gold among those hard-working stud and nail makers, yet the subject was kept at white heat; all did their best, so that, when the room was opened, it was found £100 had been raised for the purpose. Since then the school has gone on prospering; many more children attend than can be comfortably accommodated, and another room is wanted quite as large as the one already built.

A similar difficulty is now felt in respect to the chapel. Although it will hold more than 300, it is filled every Sabbath evening. There is not a good sitting to let. The chapel should be enlarged immediately to double its present size.

With increasing numbers, there is increasing spiritual life in the services. Instead of a sleepy silence, as though all the "amens" had gone to church, the preacher hears fervent responses to his petitions, apt replies to portions of his sermons, and now and then a chorus of voices giving glory to God and the Lamb. Arrangements were lately made to carry on a series of special services. A blessed awakening commenced amongst sinners, which was carried on with deepening interest for a

month. About fifty found peace with God.

A similar work is now going on, and, indeed, has been for the last three months, at Wallbrook. Numbers of young people have been brought to God, are giving pleasing evidences of youthful piety, and are also becoming useful members of the Church.

At Langley, also, where special services have been carried on, the Holy Spirit has been gradually at work. Α goodly number of the young, and also of aged people, have found pardon through the blood of the Lamb. There the Sabbath-school is very prosperous; it fills the whole body of the chapel, and superintendents and teachers are endeavouring to discharge their duties in the fear and love of God.

We purpose sending a further report of this gracious work of God, as it is now going on in other parts of the Circuit, for the next Magazine.

[Many thanks for this item of good news.-ED.]

DUDLEY.

MISSION SERVICES.

ON November 26th, and following days, we held the first series of the mission services of this Circuit. They were very successful. Our operations were at Dudley, Old Hill, Gornal Wood, and Darby Hand. I do not know that I ever attended four successive meetings so good in numbers, spirit, and liberality. That barometer of feeling, the money, rose at each place, showing, on the whole, an increase of more than fifty per cent. on the corresponding amounts of last year. Several causes have helped to bring about this pleasing result; one, our deputation was good-what more efficient one could be wished for than the Revs. W. Cocker and T. Smith? another, our chairmen were of the very best-to wit, our stanch friend, Dr. Horton, our Circuit Steward; Mr. John Rogers; my beloved colleague, the Rev. W. Pacey; and Mr. Councillor Cooper, of Netherton. And another, our friends at every place seemed to have a larger and increasing measure of the true missionary spirit. But best of all-better than all combined-God was with us.

We have yet eleven meetings to hold. I hope to be able to say something good about them all. In the past, Dudley has not taken the lead of all her sister circuits in Connexional zeal; but I do