have been both frequent and generous, and so wisely bestowed as to call forth fresh efforts from the Dinting people. It is very largely due to him. that our friends now worship in a chapel that is entirely free from debt.

The Circuit, as a whole, is in a very fair financial condition. The efforts I have described have prepared the way for spiritual and evangelistic work, which of course is the proper function of a Christian Church. That God has greatly blessed them in labouring for the financial prosperity of the Circuit is matter of devout gratitude to our people, and their cry now is, “O Lord, revive Thy work."

GEORGE PACKER.

NOTES OF OUR VOYAGE TO ADELAIDE.

ON Wednesday, July 21st 1875, Mrs. Birks and I, on board the steamship Durham, left the South West India Docks, London for the scene of our future labour, at 2.30 p.m. Some of our London friends kindly came to see us off. It was with a sad heart that we shook hands with them and said good-bye, perhaps for ever! We shall not soon forget their kindness, although we may not be able to repay them. We should have felt lonely indeed if they had not been there. Arriving at Gravesend that evening, we did not leave until 1.45 p.m. the next day. We had a pleasant passage down the Channel, and arrived at Plymouth about midnight on Friday, July 23rd. Some of the passengers joined us here, coming to this place by train so as to escape the Channel passage, which is sometimes very unpleasant, but was not so on this occasion. At 8 o'clock on Saturday evening, July 24th, we left Plymouth and got fairly under way. It was painful to see the separations on the part of some. Many a strong man bowed his head and wept, and many a bosom was evidently heaving with emotions which words could not express.

Arriving at the outskirts of the Bay of Biscay, most of us expected that we should know that we were there in more senses than one. The wind and waves presented no opposition, and we were allowed to pass quietly and peacefully on our way. On Thursday, July 29th, we sighted, in fact came quite near to the island of Madeira, which is about 400 miles from the north-western coast of Africa. The island is one mass of basalt, the highest summit of which is 6100 feet above the sea-level. The climate is very mild, and the inhabitants are descendants of the Portuguese, but with a considerable mixture of African blood. As our vessel passed we signalled, and the news would be sent to the owners in London that the ship had passed all well.

On Tuesday, August 10th, most of the passengers were thrown into a state of consternation by the outcry of "Fire !" A fire at sea is a terrible thing. A sailor went into the fore part of the vessel with a lamp and let it fall in a store-room containing ropes and other things which would soon make a blaze. All necessary hands were soon at work, and the flames were extinguished before any great amount of damage was done.

Saturday, August 21st, the wind was in our favour, and sufficiently strong to carry us along without the use of steam, so the commander gave instructions to take up the "screw." It had to be raised by means of ropes and a chain; and to the surprise of us all, when about half-way up the chain parted, and several passengers narrowly escaped being killed. Several were struck by the chain, but, fortunately, the fall was broken before doing so, and thus they escaped with a few bruises and cuts.

Our first proper gale blew on Lord's-day, August 29th. The wind howled, the ropes struck each other fiercely, the sea boiled. This lasted eight hours. On the 31st we had a much stronger gale. The waves came over the deck and on to the poop, the windows of which had to be pro

tected to prevent them from being broken. A new sail was torn to ribbons in a very short time, in consequence of the iron-work which secured it giving way. Shortly after we shipped a tremendous sea just as we were in the midst of dinner. The saloon is raised above the main-deck, and when the water came over, in addition to breaking away the top of the bulwarks, it struck the end of the saloon, broke the windows, sent one door right off its hinges, and this struck the inner door and broke away the sideposts; another door on the other side was broken into two parts, and the way being thus cleared the water came tumbling into the saloon where we were sitting, giving some of us a baptism about the head and shoulders and wetting most of us up to the knees. As we had been baptised once by sprinkling in childhood, and in our maturity disapproving of" immersion," this went very much against the grain, and so the doors would have said if they could have spoken. The dining-saloon, as also the cabins connected therewith and those underneath, were flooded, much to the inconvenience of those who wished to keep their boxes dry. Of course there was an end of dinner that day, and plates, dishes, knives, forks, spoons, glasses, pies, puddings, tarts, &c., &c., were swimming about at their pleasure, but not to the satisfaction of our stomachs. The next thing was to clear it out with buckets, &c., and all hands went to work, the ladies not excepted. One lady had the misfortune to lose her purse containing £20. It was thought that it got thrown out with the water and sundry things. This gale lasted about ten hours.

September 2nd came, and as night drew on the weather became very threatening, and at last the wind arose once again, accompanied with rain, thunder, and lightning. An accident occurred to the man at the wheel; his foot slipped, and to save himself he took hold of a cog-wheel, his fingers were drawn in, three were thus cut clean off, and the doctor had to amputate another, and since the man has been obliged to have his hand taken off. The man's right hand was thus lost, and although left-handed the subscription of £50 from the saloon passengers will be as nothing in place of a hand. The second-class passengers also subscribed a few pounds.

The worst gale, however, we had blew for ten hours on September 5th. An indescribable expression of fear was on most countenances, and with great anxiety we asked from time to time how the glass was, sometimes going up and sometimes down, and so went our spirits. A fine day made a wonderful difference in us, and some said that our faces were not so long by several inches; however that may be, on Saturday, September 11th, we sighted land-Australia, in fact, was in view. At 4 o'clock we sat down to dinner, the vessel being in smooth water. The cloth removed, Mr. McBain was called upon to preside. A number of toasts were duly honoured, and when it came to the commander's turn he was presented, in the name of the saloon passengers, with a purse of sixty guineas. Captain Frederick Anderson-for that is his name-is a gentleman. Afterwards, in recognition of the services rendered during the voyage, in proposing the health of Mrs. Birks and myself, I was informed that a subscription list had been opened, and that a gold watch was to be purchased for me when we landed bearing a suitable inscription, all of which was duly attended to, greatly to the satisfaction of those immediately concerned; and here Í should say that I conducted service at all convenient times, lectured, and at 10.30 every morning held devotional exercises, at which about two-thirds of the passengers attended.

At 7.45 we landed at the Sandridge Pier, where we were kindly received by a number of our Melbourne friends, Mrs. Masterman among the number. In Melbourne we received a very hearty welcome at a tea-meeting, the room being duly decorated for the occasion. If this were the time and place, and if I were the person to say it, I could say a good deal about our Melbourne mission. I must say, from what I saw and heard, the mission has entered upon better days, and a new and larger church (no chapels here) will soon be a necessity. If we could have those who are not favour

able to our Australian Mission suddenly dropped down here at little or no expense, they would not any more talk glibly and rashly about that which they can but know little about.

In due time we set foot on board the Aldinga, which in forty-eight hours landed us and all that belonged to us at Port Adelaide. A couple of hours saw us at our future home, thankful for so favourable and safe a passage to the Colonies. I was very well the whole way, but Mrs. Birks was not so fortunate, Poets may write about "life on the ocean wave," and "rocked in the cradle of the deep" as they like, but beyond a trip give me the land. At the time of writing I have made my appearance before the Church and congregation in Adelaide, and by the time this is in print, I shall know more about the cause I have, if spared, to superintend. At a welcome tea-meeting I was assured of the sympathy, prayers, and help of our friends here, and I sincerely hope and pray that the work of the Lord may prosper in our midst. There is much to be done, and often have I already asked, "Who is sufficient for these things ?" But my main reliance is placed in Him in whose cause I am engaged, believing that He will sustain and bless us in this new sphere of labour. I can truly say that we enter upon this work with the full determination, under God's blessing, to spare no labour that we can possibly bring to bear. To those who have promised to do so, and to those who have not, we say, Brethren, pray for us. MARTIN J. BIRKS,

Whitmore Square, Adelaide, Dec. 5th, 1875.

OUR HYMN BOOKS.

SIR,-I have been sorry to see in this district, and am afraid it is the case in other parts of the Connexion, no doubt from mere thoughtlessness, the introduction into our Sunday and day schools, as well as occasionally into our Sabbath and week-day public and private services, hymn books other than our Connexional ones. Our own hymn book is perhaps the best in use by any denomination, and contains hymns suitable for all religious services; then we have our Sunday-school book, with which no fault need be found. My object in troubling your readers with this communication is to request all our ministers and officials, both in our Churches and schools, to discountenance and discontinue the use in their services of all and every hymn book but our own. To do otherwise is to inflict a very great wrong upon our Book-room establishment, which we should all desire to support as much as possible, as the profits arising from the sale of all our Connexional publications are devoted entirely to Connexional objects. If you consider this matter of sufficient importance to insert in the Magazine, please WILLIAM JENKINSON.

do so.

Manchester, Dec. 26th, 1875.

ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL, ATTERCLIFFE, SHEFFIELD NORTH

CIRCUIT.

FOR the first time since its erection in 1869, this commodious structure has been recently renovated at a cost of about £80.

After being closed for nearly a month for that purpose, re-opening services were held on Sunday, December 5th, 1875, when sermons were preached in the morning by the Rev. J. Graham, and in the evening by the Rev. J. Stacey, D.D.

On the following Monday a public tea-meeting was held; Mr. G. Cooper presided, and excellent addresses were given by Rev. J. Graham,

T. S. Willetts, Councillor G. Warris, Messrs. T. Fenton, C. Batty, and J. Swift.

At the close of the meeting we had the pleasure of hearing from the Secretary, Mr. J. Cooper, that the sums collected and promised in connection with the services amounted to what would be sufficient to defray the expenses incurred in renovating this valuable estate.

T. S. WILLETTS.

WELLHOUSE, HUDDERSFIELD CIRCUIT.

ON Monday evening, the 27th of December, 1875, the congregation and friends of the above Society held their annual tea-meeting, and concluded a series of efforts for the year in relation to school extension. The report presented at the meeting stated that early in the year the Sunday-school Committee, considering the demands for increased school accommodation, determined to raise £100 at the last Sunday-school anniversary, which was more than accomplished, to which sum ur generous friend Mr. Josh. Taylor promised another £100, and the ladies' sewing-meeting promised to do its utmost to raise £100 by the end 1 the year.

By various efforts, and notably by sewing-meeting teas, which of themselves raised above £40, the ladies had obtained about £60 of the sum intended just prior to the Christmas tea-meeting, and the Trustees generally devoted the proceeds of the annual Trust collections and tea-meeting to assist the ladies. It was thereupon arranged that a collection be made at the close of the morning service on the 26th, and that in the afternoon of the same day a service of song, entitled the "Life of Jesus," should be given by the teachers and scholars. The Band of Hope also, which is now in a flourishing condition, contributed its quota in the shape of the nett proceeds of an entertainment given by the committee on Christmas Eve. By these efforts and the very handsome contributions towards the tea it was found that there wanted only £8 to make up the £100.

On this being made known a collection was made, and the work was completed amid general manifestations of joy. During the meeting the Rev. J. K. Jackson and Alderman Pilling, of Bolton, who came in to see us at a later stage of the meeting, urged upon the friends the duty of Church extension, and alluded to the noble offer of £500 made some time ago by the chairman of the meeting, Mr. Josh. Taylor, towards this object. It would be premature to state what shape the extension will take, but the facts given above will show that our Wellhouse Society is alive to the necessity of further provision being made for the growth of the neighbourhood.

I am glad to say that along with these efforts the school and Church both are increasing in numbers, and there is much to encourage. One of the most cheering features in connection with our Church is the number of young men; we have recently commenced a Young Men's Society, and its meetings are most interesting and are attended by from thirty to forty members. The arrangements made for the division of the Circuit will require me to leave this sphere of labour at the ensuing Conference, but I do not expect to meet with a more pleasing and promising society of young men than we have here.

It was thought by some of our friends that these particulars should find their way to the Magazine, and I therefore send them, hoping that their perusal may stimulate and profit. WILLIAM WILLANS.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW CHAPEL AT DEIGHTON, HUDDERSFIELD CIRCUIT.

ON Saturday, November 27th, the foundation stone of a new chapel was laid at Deighton, by Mr. E. A. Leatham, M.P. The weather was very unfavourable, nevertheless a large number of people assembled, and the pro

ceedings were very successful. In addition to Mr. Leatham, there were present J. F. Brigg, Esq. (Mayor of Huddersfield), several members of the Huddersfield Town Council, including Mr. Councillor Law Hopkinson; the Rev. W. Cocker, D.D., of Leeds; the Revs. Law Stoney, Rochdale; C. D. Ward, Halifax; J. W. Williams, Manchester; T. D. Crothers, J. K. Jackson, W. Willans, and other gentlemen.

The Rev. T. D. Crothers gave out the hymn "All hail the power of Jesu's name," and after the singing the Rev. C. D. Ward read a portion of Scripture, the Rev. L. Stoney offered prayer, and the Rev. J. W. Williams After the announced the hymn "This stone to Thee in faith we lay." hymn had been sung, the Rev. T. D. Crothers called upon the Mayor, who He had said he was extremely pleased to be present on such an occasion. been requested to introduce to them Mr. Leatham, but he (the Mayor) did not think the introduction was necessary, for he felt quite certain no words of his could add one title to Mr. Leatham's renown, as they were all well acquainted with him. He thought every man, woman, and child in the borough had seen and heard the hon. member for the borough of Huddersfield. They all knew he delighted to be engaged in noble work, and what could give greater delight than to see the first stone laid in which a section of the neighbourhood was to worship the Creator? He believed Mr. Leatham had a heart large enough to embrace all sects.

Mr. France then said-On behalf of the Building Committee I have to submit a very brief statement as to the present undertaking. The chapel which is to be done away with is the oldest place of worship-Nonconformist or otherwise-in the neighbourhood. It was built about the year 1805, some seven years after the denomination was formed. The ground on which the new chapel is to be built has been kindly given to the trustees by Sir J. W. Ramsden, Baronet, and contains 1000 square yards. The new chapel will afford accommodation for nearly 500 persons. The estimated cost, including the boundary wall, &c., &c., is about £3000, towards which the subscriptions already paid or promised amount to £1300; but the canvass for subscriptions is far from complete. The following description of the building has been supplied by the architect, Mr. Ben Stocks, New Street, Huddersfield:-The style of architecture chosen is plain Gothic. The front elevation will be of pitchedfaced wall-stones from Elland Edge, and ashlar dressings from Crosland Hill. The columns to the doorway will be polished granite, with moulded bases and carved caps. The sides and back elevation will be faced with hammer-dressed wall-stones from Bradley quarries. The whole of the internal woodwork will be pitched pine varnished. The internal dimensions of the chapel are 57 by 42 feet 6 inches; and 24 feet 6 inches from floor to ceiling. The body of the chapel will seat 300 persons; the children's gallery will seat 150, and the choir gallery 20 persons. There will be two vestries at the back of the chapel 13 feet by 11 feet 6 inches, over which will be the organ gallery, while under the vestries will be the heating apparatus, &c. The Trustees and Building Committee earnestly hope that the work which this day sees so auspiciously begun will, under the blessing of Almighty God, be carried to completion without loss of life or limb, or misfortune of any kind, and will through many years to come prove a blessing not only to the promoters but to the neighbourhood at large. I am also desired to announce the contents of the bottle about to be placed in the cavity of the stone. They are as follows: A programme of to-day's proceedings; a list of the names of the trustees and of the architect and contractors; a copy of each of the local newspapers of the day; a Circuit plan; the Minutes of the last Conference; copies of the Connexional Magazines for the present month; some photographs of trustees of the new chapel; with several coins of the realm."

Miss Hopkinson, on behalf of the trustees, presented a silver trowel, containing an inscription, to Mr. Leatham, and said it gave her great pleasure to do so, at the same time expressing a hope that it would be kept among many other memorials of a similar character which he had received.