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Christian), Mr. Hunkin (Wesleyan), and other friends.

A missionary tea-meeting of a highly interesting character was held in the school-room on the Tuesday evening. At this meeting the resident minister presided, and the meeting was addressed by Messrs. Watts, Graham, Spurgean and Hunkin. The whole of the above services were well attended; the labours of the deputation, both in the pulpit and on the platform, gave much satisfaction to our people, and were made the means of hallowed excitement to many souls. The collections were nearly £3 in advance of the sum realized last year. A. M'C.

MISSIONARY SERVICES AT NEWCASTLE. On Sunday, April 11th, a sermon was preached by the Rev. J. Howard, in Ebenezer Chapel, Newcastle, on behalf of our Missions; and, on the following Tuesday, a tea meeting was held, the trays for which were gratuitously provided. At the meeting, over which J. Ridgway, Esq., presided with his ac. customed ability, excellent addresses were delivered by the Revs. T. Griffiths, J. Spears (Presbyterian), of Stafford, T. Crothers, J. Howard, A. Lynn, and Messrs. Lawton, Dickson, and Mort. The meeting was a highly interesting one. The entire proceeds, however, of the tea-meeting and collections fall a little below those of last year. At Knutton, Woolstanton, and Harpfield, sermons were preached and meetings held. The collections at each of these places present a decided improvement upon those of the year preceding.

The usual services have taken place also at Upper Hanley; and, on May 19th, an excellent missionary tea-meeting was held at Bucknall. G. G.

Newcastle.

MISSIONARY SERVICES, BIRMINGHAM. -On the 25th of April, two sermons on behalf of our Missions were preached in Unett-street Chapel by the deputation, the Rev. W. Baggaly of Liverpool. On the same day, two sermons were preached for the same object, at Lichfield, by the Rev. C. Mann. On the following Monday evening a missionary-meeting was held in Unett-street Chapel, ably presided over by Mr. Manton, a distinguished member of the Independents of this town. A report having been read, the meeting was addressed by the Revs. W. Baggaly, H. O. Crofts, D.D., and C. Mann.

A similar meeting was held on Tuesday night, at Sparkbrook, over which our venerable friend Mr. T. Harris presided. The speakers on this occasion were the Revs. W. Baggaly, Dr. Crofts, and C.

Mann.

On Wednesday night a meeting of the same kind was held at Lichfield. Our excellent friend, Mr. W. Woodward, presided, and the speakers were the same as on the previous occasions.

It gives us great pleasure to state, that the above services were well attended, full of interest, and the collection at each place exceeded that of the previous year.

We were peculiarly favoured in having the services of Mr. Baggaly, who has laboured four years in the missionary field in Ireland, together with those of Dr. Crofts, who has laboured twelve years in the cause of Missions in Canada. Both these honoured ministers were consequently fully prepared to instruct and interest the several audiences in the best possible manner. The various districts into which our Irish and Canadian Missions are divided were ably described, the difficulties of our missionaries, their exemplary piety and zeal, their wonderful success, and their consequent claims on our sympathy and support, were also set forth with great effect. The Home Mission also received its due share of attention.

One thing in connexion with these services deserves some notice. The city of Lichfield is the birth-place of Dr. Crofts, where he entered the ministry as a supply in the Birmingham Circuit, and under the superintendency of Mr. Baggaly. Both have laboured in the missionary field, and both on their return home were re-appointed to the Birmingham Circuit, one the successor of the other; and now, at the expiration of seventeen years, they meet again, not only in Birmingham, but in Lichfield Chapel, where, if we mistake not, Dr. Crofts preached his trial sermon. While addressing the meeting in that chapel, both made reference to their former meeting there, and appeared deeply sensible of the goodness of God in preserving them and bringing them together again in the same place and on a missionary occasion. C. MANN.

MISSIONARY SERVICES. WOLVERHAMPTON CIRCUIT.-Two sermons were preached at Bilston, on the 25th April, 1852, that in the morning by the Rev. J. Stokoe, on the "Parable of the Sower," and that in the evening by the Rev. Thomas Boycott, of Tipton, on God's expostulation with the wayward Israelites, "Why will ye die?" These sermons on behalf of our Missions were followed by a missionary meeting on the Tuesday after, at which Samuel Griffith, Esq., of Wolverhampton, presided with great courtesy and equal ability. The chairman's address was followed by a brief

report; and, in the absence of the deputation, the Revs. J. Curtis and T. Boycott, and Mr. Finch, of Dudley Port, addressed the meeting. It is gratifying to record an increase in the amount of our public collections at Bilston. Last year, £4 16s. was obtained; this, £8 16s. Bilston. J. STOKOE. FENCE SCHOOL TEA MEETING.MACCLESFIELD CIRCUIT.-The friends of our Fence Sunday-school, Waterloostreet, Hurdsfield, held their annual teameeting on Easter Monday, when upwards of two hundred sat down to an excellent tea.

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The room, which is a good one, was beautifully decorated with evergreens, mottos, and suitable drawings. After tea, our esteemed superintendent, the Rev. T. Waterhouse, was called to preside. Several pieces were recited by the scholars of a very interesting character. Addresses were also delivered by the chairman, the Rev. J. Ogden, and D. Oldham, Esq. We were likewise favoured during the meeting with several pieces of sacred music, performed by a select choir. At the close of the meeting, our esteemed friend and brother Mr. T. Bullock favoured us with a number of very interesting views through the medium of his phantasmagoria. The meeting broke up a little after ten o'clock. Many have declared it to be the best meeting we have had for some years. may state that as a Sunday-school we have passed through deep waters, owing to the prevalence of Unitarian principles. Many of our teachers and some scholars had imbibed these principles, which we considered very injurious, and acting as a great barrier to the spread of divine truth. Some time ago we determined to be without these characters. This was no easy task to accomplish. However, by the divine blessing, we have succeeded. Availing ourselves of a clause in the trust-deed affecting the doctrines to be taught in the school, which are bound by the said deed to be "according to the laws and usages of the Methodist New Connexion," we were enabled, at one of our meetings, to pass the following resolution:-" That those persons who believe not in the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ be required to withdraw from the school." This had the desired effect, though not without a loss of some scholars. But, thank God! we have begun to lift up our heads. Two and more can walk together agreed in sentiment and principle. As a school, we are in a better state now than we have been for years. Many of the young have joined the Church, and are hopefully converted to God. There are nearly thirty

teachers and scholars members of the Church, of which number seven are local preachers, and seven are leaders and assistant leaders. May the Great Head of the Church smile upon our institution, that we may indeed be a nursery for the Church. G. FROST.

April 21, 1852.

PRESENTATION TO THE REV. THOMAS CLIFTON. The friends at Brancepeth, entertaining a high esteem for the Rev. T. Clifton, both as a minister and a Christian, resolved on giving expression to their feeling by a testimonial. In pursuance of this object, on the 26th ult. a number of the principal friends of the Church were entertained by Mr. Isaac P. Love, when, after tea, a gold watch was presented to the rev. gentleman by Joseph Love, Esq., with the best wishes and highest esteem of the friends. After other friends had concurred in their assurances of the feelings which were intended to be conveyed, Mr. Clifton responded in the most appropriate terms, concluding his observations by remarking that he did not receive this testimonial as a mark of his improvement, being conscious he had during the past year devoted his attention, by far the greater part, to those studies which were to lay in him the basis of more extended usefulness in future years.

TESTIMONIAL TO THE REV. JOHN AND MRS. POXON.-On Monday evening, May 24th, a valedictory service was held in Scotland-street chapel, which was crowded by a respectable assembly, to present to the Rev. John and Mrs. Poxon a silver tea and coffee service of rich design and exquisite workmanship(manufactured by Messrs. Roberts and Slater, Furnival-street), as a token of the high esteem and affection in which they were both held by the Sheffield North Circuit. After the Rev. T. Rudge had opened the service by devotional exercises, Mr. James Gledhill was unanimously called to the chair, and, in a neat and appropriate address, introduced the object of the meeting. Messrs. Hallam, Taylor and Nash were then called upon, and severally stated their personal esteem for Mr. and Mrs. Poxon. The Chairman then rose, and, amidst the profound attention of the vast congregation, in very affectionate terms presented the testimonial.

When he had resumed his seat, Mr. Poxon rose and acknowledged the kindness of the beloved people in a very feeling address.

Messrs. G. B. Fox, G. Walker, F. Newbury, the Rev. T. Rudge, and several others, subsequently addressed the meeting.

John Whittaker, Esq., of Hurst, near Manchester, brother to Mrs. Poxon, being present, was called for, and on responding to the call, he said "I feel, my dear sir, that it is a somewhat delicate thing for me to take any part in your meeting, on account of the special object for which you are convened, and the relation I stand in to Mr. and Mrs. Poxon. Still, I must say how pleased I feel that my brotherin-law and my sister share so tenderly and largely in the affections of this congregation, and if possible I feel still more thankful for the success that you, as a

Circuit, have been favoured with. Those are results that will reach beyond all time."

Mr. Thomas Greaves intreated the congregation to imitate the example of the Church at Ephesus towards St. Paul, and commend their departing minister to the especial grace of Almighty God.

The doxology was then sung, and the assembly broke up at balf-past ten o'clock, all acknowledging that, for pious feeling towards a beloved minister, such a meeting had never been held in that place before.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

THE duties connected with our Conference, &c., have so completely occupied our time this last month as to leave no time for either reviewing or reading books. For the present, we can do no more than furnish our readers with the titles of the books forwarded for notice.

METHODISM, PAST AND PRESENT; being a Documentary and Historical Investigation of the Constitutional Principles and Policy of Wesleyan Methodism. Pp. 76. London: Partridge and Oakey.

AN APPEAL TO THE MEMBERS OF THE WESLEYAN METHODIST ASSOCIATION, Relative to Certain Arbitrary Proceedings of the Connexional Committee and Annual Assembly of 1851; in a Series of Letters, with Introductory Remarks. By DAVID ROWLAND. Reprinted from the Wesleyan Times. London: J. Kaye and Co.

THE AGE AND THE CHURCH; or, The Church Called to Exertion. By T. CARTWRIGHT. London: Ward and Co.

HEROES OF THE BIBLE; or, Sketches of Scripture Characters. By W. S. EDWARDS. Pp. 352. London: J. Snow.

THE BRAND OF DOMINIC; or, The Inquisition at Rome Supreme and Universal. By the Rev. W. RULE. London: J. Mason.

THE REVOLT OF TARTARUS. A Poem.

By CHARLES HEAVYSEGE. Pp. 155. London: Simpkin and Marshall.

NOTES AND NARRATIVES OF A SIX YEARS' MISSION, principally among the Dens of London. By R. W. VANDERKISTE, late London City Missionary. Pp. 352. London: Nisbet and Co.

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MONTHLY RECORD.

LAY DELEGATION REJECTED BY THE EPISCOPAL METHODISTS OF AMERICA.Some time ago we noticed the fact that a very respectable and extensive movement had commenced among the Episcopal Methodists of America in favour of lay representation in Conference. The

memorial of these reformers, carried by a deputation, was laid before the General Conference which has just closed its sittings in Boston. The deputation was received with due respect, and a committee appointed to hear the memorial, and the several speakers who had to ad

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vocate its claims. But the committee, in delivering their report to Conference, recommended the rejection of the prayer of the memorialists, which recommendation was adopted without discussion, and almost without any diversity of opinion -only three voting against it. decision, however, is but a postponement of the day; for as certain as the sun will arise, the day will come when Scriptural truth and freedom will prevail, and Methodism itself must yield to their power.

Want of space forbids us to insert any other events in the present Number.

THE METHODIST

NEW CONNEXION MAGAZINE.

AUGUST, 1852.

DISCOURSES, ESSAYS, &c.

SIGNS AND REASONS OF THE LORD'S ABSENCE FROM HIS CHURCHES.

BY THE REV. H. O. CROFTS, D.D.

[The truths set forth in the following discourse are well worthy of being seriously pondered by our Churches; and though a recent revival in some of our Circuits may render some admonitory remarks the less applicable in such instances, yet may they exercise a salutary influence upon all. Thank God, we hear of a gracious movement in various quarters, and hope it will soon spread to all parts of the Connexion; but let not this movement be a spasmodic effort, a sudden awaking to be speedily followed by a season of slumber and lukewarmness. Let us live to God in constant devotedness, believing prayer, and laborious effort for the salvation of souls and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom.]

WHOEVER attentively studies the Holy Scriptures must be fully convinced that the Churches of Christ have abundant reasons ever to expect the presence and blessing of God in their midst. The declarations and promises of the Divine Word are, on this point, explicit and numerous. Zephaniah says, "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Christ said to his disciples, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment." Again he says, " And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless." He also promises the Holy Spirit as the remembrancer and the testifier of himself. Just as Christ was about to ascend to heaven, he said to his Church, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." These citations prove that God dwells in his Church-that he is mighty-that he will save-that the Spirit is given to reprove, or convince, the world of sin, of righteousness, of judgment -that he is to be the Comforter, and abide with the people of Christ for ever; and that Jesus, who possesses all power in heaven and earth,

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will be with his people in their efforts to evangelize the world, even unto the end of time. The primitive Christians experienced the truth of these promises: "Great grace was upon them all;" "They spake the word of God with boldness." "And the Lord added to the Church daily such as were saved." It is, therefore, abundantly evident that God was with the primitive Church in all his life-giving power and saving influences. But can such things be said of the Churches now? Does "great grace" rest "upon all" the Churches of Christ in this day? Do all the ministers of Christ, in this age, "speak the Word of God with boldness, and with great power give witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus?" Does "the Lord" add to any Church, in this day, "daily such as are saved?" We trow not. Our grace is small; we speak the word of God with too much timidity: our testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus is feeble; few, therefore, are added to the Church who are saved. It requires but little sagacity to perceive that God is not in the midst of the majority of his Churches, in all his life-giving power and saving influences.

God is never entirely absent from any of his Churches, even in this day; but instead of acting towards them as he did towards the primitive Church, he is, as Jeremiah states, "as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night-as a man astonished, as a mighty man that cannot save;" that is, he acts toward the Churches as a wayfaring man who has no interest in the prosperity of the country through which he passes; who does not trouble himself with the affairs of the land, but stays the shortest time he can, and then starts off again on his journey. So it is with God and many of the Churches in the present day. It may be easily ascertained when Jehovah is absent from his Churches, in all his life-giving power, by the following unmistakeable signs. He is so when

Vital piety is at a low ebb. Christ is the bread of life sent down from heaven, upon which the members of the Churches feed, and by which their spiritual life is preserved. The Holy Spirit is the great river of spiritual purity and refreshment which flows through the Churches, and at which the children of God cleanse and refresh their

While this living bread is profusely distributed, and this living water flows in abundance, believers grow rapidly in grace; and in their experience is fulfilled the sweet promise of Isaiah, "And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." But wherever the life of godliness is low-when it becomes well-nigh extinct-when love to God is faint, when confidence in God is weak, when his commands are very imperfectly obeyed, and when his ordinances are often neglected, then it is evident that the bread of life is scantily furnished, and that the water of life is partially withdrawn. Or, in other words, it is only by the constant manifestation of the love of God to the soul that saints can increase in conformity to the moral likeness of Jehovah; and when he abides among his people as an intimate friend, then the piety of the Church abounds; it ascends to heaven like incense, and a pure offering, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. All the graces of the Spirit are then in active operation, producing those lovely fruits which are of good report both on earth and in heaven. But when God hides his face, shuts his ears, and withdraws his grace, then it is manifest that vital

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