souls? If a Temperance meeting were held in every Sunday school room connected with every chapel in the Connexion, and worked by its own Circuit and local preachers, leaders and members, and the rules for its government drawn up by them, then all might be carried on in harmony. If a few friends would take up their cross, and go out in the locality of the chapel, visiting from house to house, inviting children that do not go to any school to come to our school; inviting people to com

to the house of God; inviting poor drunkards to come to the Temperance meeting, and by this means school and chapel may be filled, and if you get poor drunkards to give up drinking intoxicating liquors, the money they spend in drink will buy clothes for themselves and family, and so enable them to send their children to school, and come themselves to chapel. By this means our schools and chapels will be filled, our funds increased, and we shall be able to go on our way rejoicing.-J. S.

ITALY.-Wars and rumours of wars still distract this country. An insurrection has broken out at Brescia, the finest city in Lombardy after Milan. The citadel fired upon the town during the 24th and 25th, but on the 26th it was taken by storm, and the garrison put to the sword. The Austrians have taken a terrible revenge. The Opinione of Turin, of the 5th inst., states it is now a heap of ruins.

The population held out for eight days. General Hayneau arrived there on the 30th ult. from Padau. He gave the citizens two hours to surrender. At the expiration of that time he commenced a bombardment which lasted six hours. The resistance of the people was of the most desperate character. The town was covered with barricades raised to the second story of the houses. Those barricades were successively carried by the bayonet after a sanguinary contest. Every inch of ground was disputed with fury. The massacre on both sides was enormous. The inhabitants who survived entrenched themselves in some houses. Those houses were set fire to, and the inhabitants were burned alive. Brescia has not suffered so severely since the year 1512, when it was carried by assault by the French under the command of Gaston de Foix.

The Concordia of Turin, of the 2nd, states that a popular movement had broken out at Albertville. Asti, Cunco, Alessandria, Vercelli, and Castel, have openly avowed their opposition to the terms of the armistice.

Accounts from Florence announce the arrest of several of the Moderate party, by order of the government.

At Leghorn great excitement prevailed. The populace had taken down the arms of Sardinia from the hotel of the consul, and had indulged in considerable disorders.

Letters from Turin of the 8th inst.

nnounce that after General della Marmora had bombarded the city for 24 hours, and it had been set on fire in several places, a deputation from the municipality had waited on him on the evening of the 6th to request an armistice of 48 hours, in order to proceed to Turin to arrange a capitulation. The armistice was granted, and the deputation proceeded to Turin, where they arrived on the 7th.

The Official Journal of Palermo, of the 26th ult. contains a proclamation from M. Calvi, Minister of Public Worship and Justice, announcing the recommencement of hostilities, and inviting the people to pray to the Almighty for success to their arms. It also publishes a letter to the said minister from the President of the Ecclesiastical Assembly, announcing that the said body has divided itself into four committees -the first to direct preachers to animate the people of the towns and the army in the national cause, the second to collect alms, the third to assist the wounded in the hospitals, and the fourth to administer the last sacrament to the dying in the town as well as on the field.

The Liberta, of Naples, states from Palermo, that great preparations for war were going on there. The Sicilian army is to amount to 49,000 men; an ordnance manufactory is established at Palermo, which furnishes ten 12-pounders per month. Large French ordnance is placed to defend the port. The fortifications around Palermo are actively carried on.

AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY.-A fierce, uncertain conflict is but being carried on between the Hungarians and the Austrians.

Frederick King of Prussia has been requested to accept the imperial crown of the Confederated and German States, but hesitates to accept the honour,

ΤΟ

CANADA.

WE have received some very interesting intelligence from our Canadian Brethren, of which we furnish the following

extracts:

In a communication, forwarded by Mr. Crofts, in February, we have the following extract from Mr. Caswell, who is labouring on the

WHITCHURCH STATION.

"I know it will rejoice you to hear that the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. We held a protracted meeting in the English settlement, Union Street, which is a thickly settled and flourishing neighbourhood. The Holy Spirit operated powerfully on the hearts of the people. We have since then held a protracted meeting in our new Chapel, Whitchurch, which the Divine Being has signally owned and blessed. I do not ever recollect witnessing more of the searching power of God with less boisterous excitement. The meeting throughout has resembled the deep, gentle, yet powerful flowing of the noiseless river, rather than the rush of the bounding roaring cataract. The breath came from the four winds, and breathed up the slain, not in fitful gusts, but in a steady, powerful gale. Many backsliders have returned to their first husband, and, with their return to him, have experienced the return of good days. Several young men have enlisted in the great army of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, I hope, will, ere long, put on ministerial armour, and, with the mighty weapons which God hath provided, go forth to assail the strongholds of Satan's kingdom.

"Mr. Goldsmith favoured us with a few useful discourses at the commencement of the Meeting. And our very excellent and indefatigable Brother, Mr. John Doel, jun., of Toronto, has, throughout, rendered us very efficient assistance. Our local preachers have nobly come up to the "help

of the Lord," and all our members felt anxious to assist in "building up the temple of the Lord." Thank God, our labours have not been in vain. Upwards of thirty have joined society. May the Good Shepherd carry them in his bosom.

"I have formed a new class in the interesting village of Brownsville, where I hope, ere long, to have a good chapel. Our prospects in every direction are very cheering: pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, run, and be glorified."

BOLTON STATION.

A remarkable revival has broken out on this station. Mr. Adams, the Missionary labouring here, states :

"I once more take my pen to write a few lines to a friend and brother in Christ. I have some glorious news to announce, and some that will not be so agreeable. I am now engaged in protracted meetings, and God is mightily pouring out his Spirit. In Mansonville and vicinity, scores are turning to the Lord. Last evening I should think there were fifty that rose for prayers, and a number spoke of the pardoning mercy of God. How the fruit of the reformation may turn I do not know. Some have united with us; probably some will go to other branches of the church. I have returned home to get some clean clothes, but I shall return to-morrow, and how long I shall continue the meeting in the village I do not know, but most likely through the whole of this week. We have just closed a protracted meeting at the Page School House, where, I trust, some good has been done in destroying some of the prejudice of the adventists.

This gracious work is the more remarkable from the previous depravity of manners which characterised the inhabitants. Mr. Crofts remarks:

66

Mansonville, of which our Brother speaks, was a place notorious for wickedness; drunkenness prevailed to an alarming extent. Many efforts have been made

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to reach the inhabitants by the gospel, but, hitherto, all have failed. It is peculiarly refreshing to my mind to hear that Mansonville has, at last, received the gospel, and that it is becoming the power of God to their salvation. The Page School House is the place where the Millerites broke up our class, and robbed us of nearly the whole of our members. I am truly happy to find that they are likely to be recovered from this dreadful snare."

OWEN SOUND.

This new and interesting sphere continues to present an encouraging degree of fruit. Though there are no remarkable accessions of members, the good cause is acquiring stability and strength.

Mr Smith, writing to Mr Crofts, observes, "Since I wrote you, matters have been going on steadily on that mission. Though I cannot say we have had a large increase in numbers, yet there is a manifest increase in attachment to religion in general, and our Connexion in particular. I have succeeded not only in organizing classes where it was practicable, but also prayermeetings. Our congregations are generally large: especially the one in the village is increasing rapidly; on my last visit there, the school-house in which I preached was crowded to excess. I could form a society in the village if I had a leader. The want of leaders and local preachers is a disadvantage throughout the mission.

"After considering the state of the infant church there, it is, on the whole, encouraging. I have much reason to praise the great Head of the church for what he has done in that part of his moral vineyard. Indeed, I can truly say, God has been with us. However, there is much to be done yet-there is a very extensive field of labour-hundreds of souls in spiritual darkness; may the Lord arise and plead his own cause, and send forth his light and truth into those dark places of the earth. As to our chapels which I referred to in my last, I expect one of them to be opened for Mr. Coates to hold the quarterly meeting in; the other I regret to say, is not so far forward as I hoped it would have been, owing to the almost total failure of the wheat crop, which renders it impossible to get any money.''

CAVAN STATION.

OPENING OF A NEW CHAPEL.

Respecting this old and established station, Mr. Simpson writes:

"Since my last communication to you, respecting the work of the Lord upon the Cavan circuit, we have had many refreshing seasons coming down from the presence of the Lord. The opening services of our large and commodious chapel, upon

were

the 9th concession of Cavan, took place on Sabbath, 24th of December, when the writer addressed some hundreds from the 8th and 9th verses of the 139th Psalm; all listened with attention, and, from what I have learned since, many were edified. We were induced to protract the services for nine or ten nights. Several souls were brought to a knowledge of the truth during these services, and many more pricked to the heart. On the night of the last day in the past year, this spacious edifice was filled in every part, and the congregation estimated to be upwards of four hundred persons. The Rev. W. Robinson, from the Colborne Mission, held forth on the occasion. And a more respectable or larger congregation perhaps never assembled in any place of worship in the rich and populous township of Cavan before. While the preacher held forth the word of life (now a Boanerges, now a son of consolation), all eyes and ears were opened, and for three quarters of an hour we hung upon his lips with breathless silence, and experienced the

'Speechless awe which dares not move,
And all the silent heaven of love.'

The building, referred to, reflects the greatest credit on the liberality of the noble, staunch, and well-tried, friends of the once persecuted and despised, but now, thank God, the influential and courted, Canadian Methodist New Connexion, on the Cavan circuit. It is a noble monument of the voluntary system. May the object, these excellent friends of our Zion who built it had in view, be accomplished. And, when they are united to the church triumphant, may their children make the house, their fathers built, echo with the praises of God.

"Immediately after we discontinued the meeting above referred to, we again let down our nets in a school-house, on the boundary between Cavan and Hope; the Lord gave directions, so we let down on the right side of the ship. And, for the short time we remained at anchor, the draught was good. Here a small class of six persons used to meet for prayer and praise. Now there is a flourishing class of twenty, under the able watch-care of Brother Matthew Dean. Our congregations are increasing; and in various other places, besides the above, there is a spirit of inquiry visible; and, as soon as our missionary meetings are ended, several protracted meetings are contemplated to be commenced. So far, so good; God shall have the glory. This year is a year of trial to our friends generally upon this circuit, as no township in the six, which compose this circuit, has escaped the blight which came upon the wheat. The last Conference year has been bad, this is far worse.

"We rejoice to hear of prosperity in so many parts of our beloyed Zion, and that so many of our highly esteemed brethren, who, after our last conference, went forth weeping, bearing precious seed, are so soon returning rejoicing, and carrying their sheaves with them. Brethren, let us labour, and weep, and pray; and, for Zion's sake, hold not your peace; and, for Jerusalem's sake, we will not rest until the righteousness thereof go forth as the light, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth."

CROSBY CIRCUIT.

In respect to this station, Mr. Warren communicates the following interesting intelligence:

On

"We commenced a protracted meeting in the back part of Kitley, on Christmas day, and, on the 4th of January, we were obliged to close it, on account of our quarterly meeting, in Crosby chapel, on the 6th. During the meeting, I never saw a more willing people in my travels in preaching Christ. The first evening, ten rose to be prayed for; the second evening, five came forward; the third evening, the number increased to twenty, and two professed to be converted; and, on Saturday and Sunday, I was obliged to leave the work to an esteemed local preacher, to attend to my Sabbath appointments. This people have not been blessed with meetings on the Sabbath for seven years past, only a sermon once in two or three months, by a Church of England minister. Thursday, when the meeting came to a close, eleven united in society; and we do expect many more to unite. I have not seen Brother Curry, to know if any united last Tuesday, as his appointment was in that part. I believe seven or eight were truly converted during the meeting. If it was not for the Missionary meetings so close to the protracted meeting, many, I have no doubt, would have been brought to God. But I do not think the work will stop. I hope, by God's mercy, we shall have a large society raised up in this part, where we had not a member. The little band, when we parted, were truly alive to God. To God be all the praise; our church is in a prosperous state: several have united, since Conference, at our regular appointments; we are looking forward for a glorious harvest on this circuit, after the missionary meetings. Many places are ripe for a great revival. May the Divine Being send down his Holy Spirit, and good must be done in his holy name."

LONDON TOWN.

Since the last Canadian Conference, the esteemed superintendent, Mr. Crofts, has been supplying this station, and we

251

rejoice to find that, while numerous congregations have attended his ministry, and sinners have been converted, a prosperous sabbath school has been formed. In one week, the children connected with this school collected, as a christmas offering, the sum of eight pounds for our missions. Of this school we have the following very interesting report.

"It is with feelings of gratitude to Almighty God, that we are now privileged with an opportunity of reporting to our committee, and the community at large, the great and encouraging prosperity which our school has been favoured with since the commencement, in July last.

"Although at the first its scholars numbered only thirty, it is now, in the short space of six months, increased to one hundred showing not only an increase of seventy, but, we trust, according to the extent of its operations, highly beneficial, not merely because the children are taught the great truths of salvation, but for the moral influence it appears to exert over that part of the community to which its operations extend.

"We humbly pray that the Great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, who has said 'Feed my lambs,' will still continue to bless our labours: so that, at the close of this year, we may have not only an increase of scholars, but also in knowledge and in piety; and our language shall be, not unto us, not unto us, O Lord, but unto thy name, give glory.

"But, in order to show more fully our proceedings to the committee and public, we refer them to the following particulars, viz:

:

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CAYUGA MISSION.

We have intelligence from this station up to beyond Christmas, from which it appears, that the work of the Lord is progressing. Mr. Weaver, writing to Mr. Crofts, remarks:

"I am happy to inform you, that the progess on this Mission is good, and I have nothing discouraging to say; although, when I came to this Mission, I found it in a very low state. At that time there was only one class: but things have turned for the better. I commenced a protracted meeting near the village of Seneca, and the Lord favoured us with his gracious presence, so much so, that here we raised a class of twenty-one members. Before this, we had no interest in that neighbourhood, and this class is growing in grace, under the care of Brother Robert DeCew, who has rendered me much assistance. I commenced another protracted meeting about four miles below the Cayuga bridge. Here we had a very good time; the Lord favoured us once more with his presence; many that were strangers to God in this place a few weeks ago have been brought nigh to God by the blood of Christ; thirteen united with us. I was in that neighbourhood last Sabbath, and we had a very gracious time. I am of the opinion, that, if they are faithful, they will soon join the celebrated choir around the throne of God. At this meeting I was assisted by Bros. Robert and John DeCew. I am now engaged in a meeting one mile from York; this meeting has been in progress for two weeks; already the mourners number from fifteen to twenty, and those that rose upon their feet to become the subjects of prayer forty or fifty, and the meeting still increasing. To God be all the glory. At the close of the meeting you will hear of the success. I think this mission will shortly become a great blessing to the Connexion."

IRELAND.

NEWTOWNARDS.

Newtownards, April 6th, 1849.

Two sermons were preached on Lord's day, March 18th, on behalf of the Mission, in our Chapel, by the Rev. J. Stacey in the morning, and the Rev. Julious M'Collough (Presbyterian,) in the evening. The attendance was good. The annual public meeting was held on Monday evening. Mr. B. Pelling, of Belfast, was called to the chair. The meeting was addressed by Revs. T. Seymour, W. Swigth, (Covenanter,) J. S. Brown, (Primitive,) J. Shuttleworth, S. Nicholson, and Mr. Riddle, from Belfast. The attendance was large and respectable. The collections amount to 1 more than what was realized last year. On Tuesday evening, 20th instant, a missionary meeting was held in Portaferry. Revs. J. S. Brown, (Primitive,) S. Nicholson, and Mr. J. M'Cormick, addressed the meeting. On Sunday, 1st April, a Missionary sermon was preached by Rev. S. Nicholson in the Rev. D. Jeffery's Meeting House, of Guegabbey. The Rev. D. Jeffery very kindly gave us the use of the Meeting House, attended and concluded the service, and contributed to the collection. Two years ago I was warned not to preach in the open air in this town lest I should be stoned. I, however, tried it in the name of the Lord, and good was done, and at present there exists a very blessed feeling towards Methodism, and our cause in particular. Upon this station the fields are white to the harvest. The land is before us, and we are well able to go up and possess it, for the right hand of the Lord of Hosts is with us. While I am writing, J. Andrews, Esq., Justice of the Peace, Comber, has forwarded to me a donation of 10s. to assist the cause.

S. NICHOLSON.

£ s. d.

17 0 0

..

10 0 0

10 0 0 614 5

0

0

W. COOKE, Secretary.