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Another result is, the Church has been quickened, and the means of grace improved. One woman, full sixty years of age, said, "I have been a member of society for some years, but never knew what it was to have my sins pardoned till now." God has magnified his word, when he says, "Before ye call I will hear, and while ye are yet speaking I will answer."

The quickening influence has not been confined to Oldham; similar happy effects have been produced at Hollingwood, the want of which has so long been felt. There has been a shout of a King in the camp there, souls have been converted to God, some backsliders have been reclaimed,

believers built up, and Hollingwood has its plants springing up of considerable promise.

During the Christmas holidays our Annual Missionary tea-meeting has been held. A larger number of friends joined us at the social repast than seems to have been remembered for a long time, and the proceeds considerably in advance of last year. The school-room, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion, was filled to overflowing. The addresses were listened to with marked attention and interest, and we hope much spiritual good will be the result. A. WOLFENDEN.

SCARBOROUGH CIRCUIT.

To the EDITOR,-Dear Sir,

some

THE following paragraph appeared in the "Scarborough Gazette' weeks ago, but thinking that it may be of some interest to the Association public, it is sent for insertion in the large Magazine.

"The Annual Services in aid of the liquidation of the debt on the place of worship known as the Wesleyan Association Tabernacle, Batty Place, have been held during the week. On Tuesday afternoon, a very numerous party, nearly 350 persons, assembled in the Mechanics' Hall, in Vernon Place, and after partaking of a most excellent tea, provided by the friends, the audience listened to a series of most interesting addresses, delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Evans, Wright, and

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NORTHAMPTON CIRCUIT.

To the EDITOR,-Dear Sir,

ON Sunday, November 5th, 1854, three sermons were preached in behalf of the Sabbath-school in connexion with the Wellingborough-road Chapel; that in the afternoon, by the Rev. J. Brown, Baptist Minister; those in the morning and evening by the resident Minister. The congregations in the afternoon and evening were very good, and the collections exceeded our highest expectations.

On Monday, Nov. 6th, a public tea

EDWIN WRIGHT.

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WHITEHAVEN CIRCUIT.

To the EDITOR,—Dear Sir,

ON Monday, January 1st, the Annual tea-meeting, on behalf of the Circuit funds, was held in Catharinestreet School-room. The room was tastefully decorated with evergreens, &c., and about two hundred persons sat down at the tables, which were gratuitously furnished by the ladies of the church and congregation. After tea, the chair was occupied by Mr. R. Williamson, who, in a speech appropriate to the season and occasion, introduced the further proceedings of the evening. Several speakers were afterwards called upon to address the meeting on previously selected topics.

The Rev. Mr. Wilson, Baptist, spoke

on

THE NATURE AND DESIRABLENESS OF CHRISTIAN UNION.

He defined Christian union to be the union of Christians of various denominations, for the accomplishment of a common object. The possibility of such union he illustrated by references to several of our religious organizations, which are based on this principle, and showed its desirableness by proving it to be necessary for the advancement of the Saviour's kingdom, and the salvation of the world.

Mr. W. Looney expatiated on

CHRISTIAN ZEAL.

He said, zeal was an ardent attachment for a person or object, and considered its chief elements to be desire, courage, and effort. These topics he viewed in relation to Christian zeal, and illustrated his remarks by pointing to the heroism of our soldiers and sailors, as displayed in the recent battles.

Mr. W. Reed, Circuit minister, had for his subject

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY,

Christian liberty, he said, consisted chiefly in deliverance from moral thraldom; the right of every man to form his own views of religious truth; the right of every man to promulgate the religious doctrines which he holds,

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He considered that the necessity for these institutions arose mainly from the neglect of parents, and called upon parents to co-operate with the teachers by securing the punctual attendance of their children at the Sabbath-school, and by catechising them at home, in reference to what their teachers had taught them.

Mr. B. Harrison moved, and Mr. W. Tate seconded, a vote of thanks to the ladies, which was carried unanimously.

The Doxology was then sung, the Benediction pronounced, and the meeting separated. It has seldom been our lot to attend a meeting of a more interesting and profitable character. May all our Circuits have a prosperous and happy New Year.

BRADFORD CIRCUIT.

To the EDITOR,-Dear Sir,

On

Ir is with sentiments of gratitude to Almighty God that I record the gracious outpouring of the Spirit with which we are favoured. God is singularly blessing us by enlarging our borders. When I came here in August last, I found the church in a very low and desponding state. The brother who proceeded here had more than ordinary difficulties to grapple with. There had been strife and division in the church, which reduced the number of members residing in this large and flourishing town to eightysix, and dispirited them. In moving among the members, I saw and heard much to discourage and wither my hopes; but, notwithstanding all this, I entered on my work with enlarged hope and strong faith. I sought in prayer the help of the Lord, and lifted up the crimson cross, never doubting its power to reach the understanding and conscience of my hearers. the second Sabbath evening I preached in our Bridge-street chapel; there were indications of coming prosperity; in the prayer-meeting, held after the sermon, four souls, apparently in great distress, came up to the communion rail, and, after pleading with the Lord a short time, they embraced Christ as their Saviour, and thus found peace. That night I went home rejoicing. I regarded these souls as the first fruits of a great harvest. The work of conversion, which commenced that night, has gone on ever since deepening and widening. We have every week had to rejoice in witnessing the salvation of souls; and, Sir, you would be delighted to see the zeal and devotion of many of the young converts; they are untiring in their efforts to enlarge the borders of our Zion, and God has crowned their labour with success; they have induced several of their companions to connect themselves with our Sabbath-school and congregation. And while we have been rejoicing in accessions to the church, it has likewise been our pleasure to witness many of the old members revived; they have been awakened as out of a sleep, and have "come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty.' We have indeed had refreshing show

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ers from the presence of the Lord, and the church wears a new aspect; that which was sterile and barren, is now beautified with fruits of grace, peace, joy, and righteousness. As the fruit of the revival, I had to report at our December Quarterly Meeting an increase of forty full members, with thirty on trial. What has God wrought? praise his name, for this is his doing. Previous to the commencement of this blessed work, and for long there were not more than eight or ten in attendance on the week-night services, but now we very often have more than eighty; and our Sabbath congregations have greatly increased; and I would here remark that we have held no extra or special services, or been favoured with the help of any stranger; we have simply used the ordinary means, looking, at the same time, for extraordinary influence, and the result shows that we have not looked in vain.

As we have several young men gathered into the church, and many others connected with the school of some promise, we thought it advisable to aim at their intellectual improvement, as one means of giving permanence to this blessed work. Aided by one or two of the local preachers, we commenced a young men's mutual improvement class, and read them the first paper on books and reading. We have had papers of an interesting character, read by members of the class, on Mechanics, Architecture, Matter and Mind, Elizabeth and her Times, and a very instructive paper (last Friday) on the present War. When I look at the young men composing this class, I think I see a guarantee that the future character of the church will be one of intelligence and earnestness.

We have recently opened a cause at Shipley, a small town about three miles from this place; the opening services were conducted by Mr. Bently, of Leeds, and myself. We have formed a small class. I trust that before long that we shall have a flourishing church in this rapidly increasing GEO. ROBINSON.

town.

January, 1855.

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