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In most of the schools we have to lament a want of labourers, and consequently in some of the schools, a want of prosperity, let us therefore pray the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers, for truly the harvest is great, and the labourers are few.

But while we find it difficult in some of the schools to maintain our position, we are greatly encouraged by tokens for good in others; for some time past the Lord has graciously been pleased to bless the labours of our dear friends, in some of our Sabbath-schools, by awakening and converting numbers of the young, and the work is still pleasingly going on; may God bless us yet more and

more.

It was particularly gratifying to hear one and another of the speakers, referring to the blessed and holy influences, felt and experienced in their meetings for prayer, private instruction, Christian fellowship, &c.

You will be pleased to hear, that in four or five of our schools, the friends have instituted juvenile class-meetings, which for some time past, have been in full operation, and attended with the most gratifying results, both to individuals and the schools, with which they are connected. It is a pleasing sight to see so many of our friends, male and female, old and young, regularly in attendance upon our Saturday evening band meetings, where the most blessed, holy, and heavenly influence is felt and enjoyed. Here often, the teachers experience inexpressible delight at meeting their scholars, and are greatly encouraged, by seeing and hearing, that God is blessing their scholars, by bestowing upon them, all the glorious blessings of the better

covenant.

May it please the great Head of the Church, still to continue his favour towards us, and prepare us all, for the enjoyment of far greater prosperity, usefulness, and happiness. Manchester, Nov. 14th, 1855.

R. HATCH, Secretary.

LEEDS.

We had our Lady-lane Chapel Anniversary, on Sunday the 4th, and Monday the 5th. Rev. T. Allin, (New Connexion), preached on Sunday morning, and Monday evening;

and the Rev. R. Eckett, on Sunday afternoon, and evening. The sermons were of a very excellent character, the congregations good, and the services interesting and profitable. The collections were also very encouraging to the trustees, being 61. 3s. 8d., about six pounds more than last year. Leeds, Nov. 1855. J. DALBY, Sec.

YORK WESLEYAN ASSOCIATION CHAPEL FUND TEA

MEETING.

On Tuesday evening last, October 16th, 1855, the annual tea-meeting of the Wesleyan Association for liquidating the debt on the chapel in Lady Peckitt's Yard, was held in the Lecture Hall, Goodramgate. About 400 persons sat down to an excellent tea, gratuitously provided. The room

was tastefully decorated with evergreens, and small banners, bearing mottos appropriate to the occasion; and during the evening the choir sang several pieces of sacred music, and contributed very materially to the pleasure of the company assembled.

The Rev. J. Handley was called to the chair. After alluding to the duties devolving upon him in presiding, he stated that the object of the meeting was the reduction of the debt on the chapel. Some years ago, the debt amounted to about 1,100. but by great and persevering exertions it had been reduced nearly 7007. Last year the debt, including repairs, &c., amounted to 351. 18s. 4d., and the proceeds of the last tea meeting 237. 12s. Id., leaving the present debt 3281. 6s. 3 d. This he considered was noble. His opinion, however, was, that no place of worship ought to be in debt at all. It was a bad practice; was repudiated even by the Papist; did not exist in the Church of England - and was scarcely tolerated amongst Independents, and other congregationists. Only amongst the various branches of Methodists did it mainly exist; and this they had derived from the parent society. He was thankful he belonged to a society where the trustees could liberate themselves from difficulties by the sale of chapels when such became necessary. However, he was glad that there was no fear of their chapel in York being sold for debt. He then called upon

The Rev. J. Nightingale, of Hull, who expressed his feelings of pleasure and happiness, at being found again amongst his friends in York, where he had formerly laboured. The debt had been regularly reduced; and he did not wonder at it, when he saw that motto-" Onward, we prosperbackward, we fall" (alluding to a motto in the room), for that had been the motto of the friends in York, and he was not surprised at their success. After noticing the object of promoting the divine glory in the building of places of worship, he concluded by a reference to the universality and oneness of the Church of Christ, and stating that, as a section of that church, they had no desire that their society should prosper at the expense of any other.

The Rev. J. Steel, of Sheffield, next addressed the meeting. He expressed his gratification at being with them once again. He met nowhere with more hearty expressions of friendship than in Yorkshire.

He

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hoped they would have many such meetings, and that each one would be more successful than preceding ones. The speaker then noticed the necessities of the church, and remarked that the desponding conversation of Christians, contributed to promote the deadness which they deplore. He would give then a recipe for such a state of things. ingredient was to be found in increased attention to Christian uniona real, visible, universal one--such as would be seen and acknowledged by the world. Christian effort another-union without effort would do nothing-the church must not be frozen together, There needed also the reviving influences of an extensive out-pouring of the Holy Spirit. Another ingredient was increased attention to Christian liberality. After illustrating and enforcing those various topics, he concluded by remarking that wherever the Gospel came, it elevated; and that its effect upon even the temporal condition of mankind was such, that many a one who formerly was in the utmost destitution, had now enough and to spare.

The Rev. H. Tarrant, of Manchester, in expressing his happiness at meeting again with friends he had before seen, regretted the absence of

faces which had formerly welcomed him. He agreed with those principles of Christian union, which had been laid down, and believed that where sections of the church had no difference with each other in discipline, doctrine, and church government, there ought to be union. Disunion in such cases was schism, and schism was sin. He then alluded

to the oneness of nature, as exhibiting diversity in unity, and remarked that if Christians would come closer together, they would not regard so much those innocent and unavoidable diversities of opinions. Let them only work together, and their different shades would soon blend into harmonious union. He then noticed the various aspects in which the house of God might be viewed, and concluded by pleasantly quoting a piece of poetry on the different purposes which were subserved by a friendly cup of tea,

The collection which,

was made, after

Mr. Newey, Missionary to the Wesleyan Reformers, made some eloquent remarks on the object of the meeting, and concluded by exhorting to Christian example and effort.

The Rev. W. Cave, in an interesting speech detailed the efforts which were made when he laboured in this circuit to reduce the debt, and the way in which he had been instrumental in effecting its reduction by about 400%. He concluded by alluding to prayer, as the means by which the church might be more earnest, united, and successful.

Votes of thanks were passed, and the meeting concluded.

The collection amounted to 4l. 5s. 7d., which with the proceeds of the tea, will be applied to the liquidation of the debt on the chapel, of this denomination.

WORCESTER.

YOUNG MEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT CLASS.

On Wednesday evening, September 26th, a Lecture was delivered in Zion Chapel, by the Rev. Samuel Newton, Minister of the chapel, upon the "Rise and fall of Babylon," Mr. Joseph Baylis in the chair. A hymn having been sung and prayer offered, the chairman after a few remarks,

introduced the lecturer, who said he should not only speak of Babylon's rise and fall; but should prove by the literal fulfilling of the prophecies concerning her, that the Bible is a divinely inspired book; speaking of the characteristics of the age-he referred to the varied associations for the propagation of infidelity and atheism, and warned the young against their baneful influences. The Bible does what man cannot do -it fortells future events, amongst which was the fall of the mighty and renowned Babylon-entered into the particulars of the six predictions respecting her-mentioning the king Nebuchadnezzar - the power which would subdue her-the name of the General of the invading army - the time of her fall-the manner of her being taken by the drainage of the Euphrates-and its utter destruction; while the king was congratulatng himself upon the security and grandeur of his city, and saying "Is not this the great Babylon which I have built?" The decree of Heaven hung over him; the seventy years were drawing to a close; the child Cyrus was born, and although heir only to an insignificant extent of territory by acknowledging his God, he rose and prospered, and went on conquering until his armies surrounded Babylon, and after nearly two years siege, invaded and took her." The lecturer's indifferent state of health, deterred him from entering into the subject so extensively as he could have wished. This is the first of a series of winter evening lectures proposed to be given in connection with the above class, the origin of which, we owe to the exertion of Mr. Newton. The institution of similar classes by every minister in the body, would be of great advantage to all of studious habits, and especially to Sundayschool teachers.

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Amalgamation took place on Sunday, the 14th of October, when Mr. Edwards, preached an excellent Sermon in the Morning "On Prayer." In the Afternoon the Circuit minister delivered an address to the parents, teachers, and scholars of the united schools; and in the Evening preached on the "Five welcomes to the water of life." We had excellent congregations all day; in the evening, both the gallery and body of the chapel were quite full. About half the congregation remained at the prayer meeting. Several were earnestly seeking mercy, and all felt it good to be there. On the Monday evening we held a public tea-meeting, which was numerously attended. After tea, several interesting addresses were delivered by Messrs. Edwards, Wright, Drake, Fennall, and Rothwell. Services were continued during each evening of the week, all of which were very numerously attended; and though not many have been heard crying for mercy, we have unmistakeable evidence that much good has been done. To God be all the praise. Nearly every sitting in the chapel is taken, and every Sunday evening it is filled with attentive hearers. The Sunday-school is also in a very good state, it is crowded with respectable, and interesting children.

Our congregation at Beresford Street, is also improving. In addition to our usual congregation, we have about sixty soldiers present at our Sunday Morning Service. When I first addressed them, I was the subject of very peculiar emotions; I thought of the thousands who had been slaughtered on the battle-field; I also thought that I was perhaps addressing prodigal sons who had left weeping fathers, and brokenhearted mothers. I was pleased, however, to see every one with the Word of God in his hand. We are making an effort for painting and cleaning this chapel, which we have no doubt will soon be accomplished.

We are also endeavouring to extend our borders, and hence on Sunday November 11th, we commenced preaching at North Woolwich, (the opposite side of the river Thames,) in a building called the Kent-street Sunday-school. The opening services far exceeded our expectations. Previous to these services, we not

only distributed hand bills, but also personally visited every house in the village. Praying that the blessing of God may rest not only upon this cir

cuit, but throughout the length and breadth of our beloved Connexion, I am yours sincerely,

J. ROTHWELL.

POETRY.

"Who covereth the Heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the Earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains."-Psalm cxlvii. 8.

Is there a God? Tell me ye woods and streams,

That bathed in many a flood of golden light,
Seem surfeited in glory; so calm and still,
While sea and sky are vieing to extol
The lingering rays of an autumnal sun.

Is there a God? Tell me ye beauteous flowers-
Children of earth, yet looking up to Heaven,
With brows uncovered, and with gentle face;
That gem this world like stars the realms
above,

And dying teach a nobler lesson far.

Is there a God? I ask the evening breeze, That passes by so softly, that it scarce Awakes earth's sleeping beauties; that stoops to kiss

The honied breath from many a ruby lip;
And scattering perfume as it rolls away,
Glides swiftly past with "healing on its wings"
To fan some fevered brow.

I watch the billows dash the iron bound coast
Like raving maniacs struggling to be free;
I see the lightning's flash, and hear the roll
Of murmuring thunders o'er the troubled
deep;

And 'midst the roar of elements, the clash
Of surges, and the roaring winds, I ask-
Is there a God?

I look above at yonder glittering spheres,
Dwelling so closely to the verge of heaven,
Like beacon lights to guide man's spirit home:
Ye sentinels that guard the gates of bliss,
Upon whose brows reflected glory falls,
That fills this world with wonder! Can ye

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The breeze that gently wafts from dying lips Odours like lingering precepts; nor the wave That foaming breaks against the unyielding rock,

Or dies upon the shore.

They point to man as their interpreter ;
The chief high priest within this mighty fane:
And, 'midst a host of worshippers, he dwells,
The image of his Maker; upon whose brow
The impress of the Deity is seen;

And in whose eye the kindlings of his spirit.
I turn to him,

The "last and noblest of the works of Heaven;"

And from the deep recesses of the heart,
Like treasure hidden till the time of need,
Comes forth the calm reply, There is a God!

There is a God! a central glorious sun,
Filling creation with his gorgeous light;
The source from which a thousand orbs
drink in

The glory that's flung o'er them, reflecting

back

'Like placid lakes the brightness mirror'd there,'

To vast unnumbered worlds remoter still.

There is a God! An omnipresent power, Whose voice alone the winds and waves obey: Who rules the storm, and calms the lightning's wrath,

And lights the lamps that gild the universe;
High as the thunder-cloud the hills he rears,
And paints with rainbow hues ten thousand
flowers.

There is a God! And everything around
Bears marks of his divinity and skill;
From yonder oak that rears its lofty head-
To the wild heath upon the barren crag
That blooms unnoticed and unseen expires.
J. H.

MADE HAPPY.
Far, Far, away."

Thou hast redeemed me from hell and the grave;

Jesus! Thy mercy I earnestly crave-
O, let me live! Let me live!

Thou cans't speak peace to my soul with a word;

O, speak it now! O, speak it now!

Thou can'st declare the lost wand'rer restored;

Here Lord, I bow; here I bow:

Ah! Do I hear Thee pronounce me forgiven? Is what I feel a sweet foretaste of heaven? Shall I no more from Thy presence be driven? Hear, then my vow; hear my vow.

Thee I avouch as my Master and King;
Thee will I serve; thee I'll obey;
To thee my off'rings I'll cheerfully bring,
And to Thee pray, to Thee pray:
For Thee the cross will I gladly sustain :
Thee will I follow, in pleasure, or pain;
Hoping the bliss of Thy presence to gain,
In endless day-endless day.

Sing! O ye saints, and ye angels above,

Praise to his name! Praise to his name! Jesus now gives me a pledge of his love; Pardon'd I am! Saved I am!

I am a child of my Father on high;

I have a mansion prepared in the sky;
The stream of my pleasures shall never be
dry;

Praise to the Lamb! Praise the Lamb!
London.

EMANUEL PEARSON.

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