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young man who was in a backsliding state, and a slave to intoxication, prior to my coming here, rose and said, that he heard the sermon I preached on the first Sabbath I was in Ballyclare, and the word reached his heart, and he yielded to the Spirit and was blessed. Since that time, this young man has been living a holy life, and labouring to be useful in the church.

"Two very remarkable instances of good have attended my labours here. A young man, who was a drunkard, and otherwise disorderly, has become greatly reformed, and professes a desire to be saved. And another, who was both a drunkard and a dreadful swearer, has forsaken both these wicked practices, and has began to pray for the salvation of his soul. He meets in my class, and regularly attends the prayer meetings. I think I named to you, in my last, about a dear Sister, who had found peace in Mrs. Sorsby's class. I am happy to inform you that she holds on her way, and still retains her confidence. But there are many in our congregations who are not saved; and some of our members who are not, as yet, happy in God.

"As to WOODBURN I scarcely know what to say. We have a class there, but we have no place to preach in, and things seem to be against us; but I shall not give it up, unless I see we cannot be useful.

"STRAUNOHANNAH is doing as well as I expected. We have one man at this place who would be an honour to any church.

"COTTON MOUNT.-This place is doing better, and, with proper attention, I have no doubt will do well. Brother Conly is a good man,-has a lovely family, -is decidedly attached to our principles, -and officiates as a local preacher.

"Our finances, in this part of the circuit, are good, so that, I think, with a vigorous effort, we may raise the sum laid upon us, and current expenses. I am happy to state, further, that the public feeling, in relation to us, is improved and improving. I have no doubt but the out-door services in the summer did us much good in this respect, and made people willing to help us financially. But, alas! Ballyclare is a wicked place, and needs missionary efforts as much as any place I know. Vice and immorality abound in all directions, and in almost every form; and little is being done to stem the torrent.

"There are several country places within a few miles of Ballyclare, which it is desirable to get into, and to which I shall attend.

"I remain, dear Brother,
"Yours, affectionately,
"W. SORSBY."

DUBLIN.

[FROM THE REV. J. BAIRD TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.]

66 August 1st, 1849. "Dear Brother, I have nothing particular to notice in reference to our cause here since I last wrote you. Our services are attended as usual, and often we experience much of the gracious presence of the Lord. I am of opinion, that, in order to increase our influence and extend the work of God here, a place or two, in different parts of the city, should be opened.

"We have not the means amongst ourselves to rent a place, or I would have opened one before this. Of late I have visited a good deal in the neighbourhood of our present chapel, and induced a few to come out and hear the word of God. Not unfrequently do I meet with the afflicted, who are unable to leave their homes, and endeavour to direct their minds to Jesus-the only Saviour and Physician of souls.

"I had hoped that the prevalence of cholera, and the ravages of death, would have made deep impressions on the minds of the people, and have so brought them under the influence of the Holy Spirit as to lead them to seek the Lord with their whole hearts. Such, however, does not appear to be the case. I have been frequently struck with the carelessness and neglect manifested by neighbours, and also relatives, when witnessing those friends dying or being carried to the grave-who, but a few hours previously, were strong, and, apparently, in good health. I fear it must be said, in reference to the inhabitants of this city in general,-The people turneth not unto Him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts.'

"There seems to be too much coldness and deadness in religious exercises, among the various congregations here at present. Fashion, pleasure, worldly conformity, and a mere attendance on the sacred services of God's house, are prevalent; surely a revival of scriptural christianity is necessary!

"May our God have mercy upon the land, and pour out his Spirit on the various churches; and I pray that our community may share largely of this blessing, for the Saviour's sake. "Yours, affectionately, "J. BAIRD."

No class has been met since old Mrs. Toppin died, about two years ago. She died in the Lord. My worthy superintendent, Mr. Seymour, and I, have determined to meet the classes after preaching. This week, I tried this good old primitive Methodist plan all round the circuit. While meeting the classes and renewing the quarterly tickets, the Lord blessed both preacher and people abundantly. I could hardly reach home to night with fatigue. But, O, how sweet to be labouring for Jesus.

"July 2nd. I spoke at J. Donaldson's, from 'Lord revive thy work.' Brother Donaldson was enlightened a few years ago through our ministry, and is now a steady leader and has a class in his house. Iread some extracts from Wesley's life on revivals. Here we preach on the edge of the Maze race course. We have here taken our stand in the name of Jesus. May we recover the waste ground for the purposes of the Lord of the earth.

"July 22nd, (Sunday.)-We held a camp meeting at Mrs. Carliles, Maze. Revs. T. Seymour, A. Mackey, and S. Nicholson conducted the service. It was the Sabbath previous to the Maze races, and I trust the solemn warnings given, will be effectual, in restraining some from folly and sin. At six o'clock in Priest-Hill we had a truly blessed melting season. Some strangers were present who came from the Camp ground; and I trust fruit will appear from this day's labours at the bar of God. "August 24th.-I took my stand at Maze town, in the open air, and spoke with unusual liberty for about an hour, from 'the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. Had a large attendance. If I had health to bear it, I could preach often out of doors. 1 had many to night, who never enter our preaching houses, and many more than I should have had in a private house. What a glorious privilege to bring the gospel to the poor who never enter the house of the Lord, and who never hear a gospel

sermon.

"September 1st.-We had a tea-party in Broomhedge to clear the chapel debt. About two hundred sat down to tea. After tea Mr. Seymour was called to the chair. The meeting was addressed by the Rev. B. Bayley, (Wesleyan Superintendent of the Moira circuit,) and myself. Mr. Sorsby last year laid a plan to clear Broomhedge chapel from debt. A. Crawford, Esq. (Belfast,) raised seven pounds towards the above object, and, since Conference, has expended five pounds more upon the interior of the chapel. Mr. Crawford, and his estimable partner, are worthy friends to our cause. May they have a thousand-fold of comfort in their own bosoms in time; and glory, honour, and immortality in the world to come.

"October 7th, (Sunday.)-In the morning I addressed a large congregation in Broomhedge, from Isaiah fortysecond chapter, first, second, and third verses. We held a love-feast afterwards, and the Priest-hill members attended. God was graciously present of a truth. Some of our oldest leaders experienced the quickening presence of our God; and they spoke with fluency of the hallowed influence that rested upon their minds. We had a penitent form, and some came forward in earnest for salvation. We had to close the meeting too soon, to make way for the Sabbath school.

"October 27th.-We held our annual Sabbath school tea-party at Broomhedge. About one hundred sat down to tea. We previously examined the children from the word of God and our catechism; and this evening we distributed a large number of rewards to the most deserving. There has been a most decided improvement in the school, during the past summer, both in the attendance, and in the plan of teaching. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Carlisle, Jones, Walsh, Braidey, Gorman, and Shields, which were telling and interesting.

"October 28th, (Sunday.)-I spoke in Lisburn from, "Why should the work cease. The cause is in a good state in this town: Mr. Seymour, my worthy superintendent is made useful, and he and his partner are labouring for the salvation of souls, and God has crowned their labours with successs. At night, in Zion, Priest-hill, I selected my text from Phil. i. 24. We were abundantly watered with the refreshing unction of the Holy Ghost. Thank God, we feel some drops of a shower. May we all pray, and expect an outpouring of the Spirit of God. Amen.

"30th.-Mr. P. Thornton and I were out collecting for Priest-hill chapel. We have expended about £9 upon it, to make it more comfortable. A few days ago, I, accompanied by Mr. T. M'Connell, sen., of Lisburn, went to Tanderage, to collect for Broomhedge chapel-debt. The hand of the Lord opened up our way, and, in a few hours, we raised a handsome sum. On our way home we called at Portadown and Lurgan. The great kindness of the Rev. J. Balland, Wesleyan minister, of the latter place, deserves to be recorded to his praise. The leaders of his church had paid above £20 that same week, for fitting up gas pipes in their splendid chapel. Mr. Balland stated to us this fact. At the same time he said, he would not throw any stumbling blocks in our way, but desired us to call upon his members and obtain all we could for the above object. He, in the most christian manner, invited us to tea, and subscribed to us unasked. Most of his people subscribed to us less or more. We attended the monthly

missionary prayer-meeting, in the vestry of the Wesleyan chapel at night, and Mr. B. cordially invited the writer to take part in it. Truly the Spirit of Grace and of Supplication rested upon that meeting. The Methodists in this town are numerous, liberal, wealthy, and alive to God. J. Shilling ton, Esq. subscribed to us; and also J. Ä. Shillington, Esq. his brother, who, atfer giving us his subscription, inquired, If we had Sabbath schools on the station. I informed him that we had above four hundred children in our schools, and shewed him our printed plan, and manner of catechising. He then gave me a donation for the schools. J. Shillington, Esq. (Banker) also, subscribed to us most cheerfully. We stayed all night at the hotel; and Mr. Edgar, the proprietor, when, next morning, he learned the business that brought us to Portadown, informed us that our bill was nothing.

"Nov. 16th.-We had our Sunday school tea-party in Priest-hill. About one hundred and fifty sat down to tea. Mr. Seymour occupied the chair. A number of most interesting addresses were delivered by the managers and teachers of the school. Brother J. Carlile referred in his speech, to a time when an effort was made to put the Bible out of the school; but a Mr. George Carlile removed the slate and copy-book out of the place on the Sabbath, and restored the Bible to its proper place. This school now contains two hundred and thirty children.

It is as old as our Connexion in this land. Five ministers of the everlasting Gospel have been raised up from its classes, and not less than one-hundred leaders and members have been from it introduced into our churches; and many of those who received their first light and knowledge in this sacred spot, have fallen asleep in Jesus, and are now carrying the Immortal palm of victory, high in salvation and the climes of bliss.

October 20th.-I visited twenty families; called in houses where I never made a visit before. Am I not guilty of their souls? Who is sufficient for these things? We ought to see all within our reach, to pull them out of the fire, and bring them with us to heaven. At night I preached in a new place, in Brother P. Gouma's. He is a promising young man, one of our leaders, who bids fair to be useful; may the Ark of God now rest with him, and be made a double blessing to his family. The congregation was large, and at the concluding prayer-meeting much of the divine presence abode upon us.

"November 28th.-Attended Newtonards Sunday school tea party. I am glad to find the school and bible classes in a flourishing state.

If we take up the education and training of

"December 22nd, 1849. "Dear Brother,-A press of business has prevented me from writing to you earlier, and sending you the accounts which I have received from the various districts. At our last Annual Conference we divided the work into districts, for the purpose of bringing the brethren together, in any given locality, twice a year; when all matters connected with the churches in the district are freely canvassed, and measures adopted to meet the wants of each circuit. From some of the districts cheering accounts have reached me.

"Mr. M'Clure, the chairman of the Toronto district, writes:

"Toronto, Oct. 19th, 1819. "Dear Brother,-I now send you the report of our first district meeting in Toronto. The brethren assembled on Wednesday morning, in the basement of the chapel, at a little after ten o'clock, and we continued our sittings up to twelve at night, in order to finish and set the brethren free, to get off as early as they pleased on Thursday morning. You will perceive our report is full, with the exception of Trafalgar, from which we had no representation, nor up to the present moment have we any report. I fear they are in a bad state, owing to the want of a preacher in addition to the one they have.

"We had a very pleasant, profitable meeting, and I hope the bonds of mutual love were much strengthened, and that our next meeting (D.V.) will prove the value of mutual faithful counsel and prayer. Brother Gundy is prov ing himself the right sort of mandiligent, faithful, and devoted to God; he has many pressing invitations from respectable parties, to preach and form societies among them, but his plan is already full. His circuit will be fully able to make up for him the salary of a young man, and to make up something handsome for missionary purposes. The district meeting therefore recommends the annual committee to grant him the other twenty-five pounds to make up his salary. Mr. Watts arrived in safety

on Saturday last. He is well, and I have much hope in him.'

"Mr. Watts has since been sent to supply the Trafalgar circuit until Conference. Mr. Gundy, of whom mention

made, was received at the last Conference, and appointed to a new station, called Brock; he has now forty-five members under his care, and there is every prospect of an increase. The following is the report which I have received from the Eastern District.

"BOLTON.-As it regards the state of this circuit there is nothing very particular. In general, the congregations are good, and there is peace and union throughout all the societies. We have a number of faithful friends who manifest an unflinching attachment to

our cause.

"DUNHAM.-This circuit is very extensive. The preacher stationed here has to preach three times every Sabbath, and yet it is as much as he can do to get round the station once in four weeks. Religious influence is on the increase on this circuit; the increasing attention that is manifested by overflowing congregations, evidently shews, that the minister's labours are highly appreciated by the people.

"HENRYSBURGH.-As brother Histon has not been present at the district meeting, we cannot state precisely how matters stand there at present. From the latest information we have received, the station is in as good a state as usual. There was a revival at Union street last winter, and on other parts of the circuit our influence is on the increase.

"POTTEN. The peculiar state of this station, after our Annual Conference, was such as, in Brother Blake's judgment, to render it necessary for him to labour with the people here, instead of going to Stukely, till Brother Histon's arrival from England. There have been several awakenings on this station since Conference, and many are now manifesting an earnest concern for the salvation of their souls.

"STANSTEAD.-We feel satisfied that, in consequence of Brother Adams' painful affliction, which he laboured under for some time after his arrival on this station, things at present are not as they otherwise would be. However, brother Adams' health is recovered; the congregations are pretty good; and, although there is much opposition to church organization here, yet we hope that the united efforts of Brother A. and our friends will result in accomplishing much good.

"STUKELY.-This circuit has been destitute of preaching since Conference, until Brother Histon's arrival in Henrysburgh, which was later than was expected, he having had a tedious passage of eight weeks at sea.

There seems to be a revival of religion, on some parts of

this station, among professors of religion. Our friends here have purchased a comfortable house, and an acre of land, for the accommodation of the preacher. This will have a tendency to give permanency to our cause on this circuit.

I

"CAVAN DISTRICT embraces Cavan, Colborne mission, Newcastle mission, Prince Edward, and Mohawk Woods. On the Cavan circuit there has been a great increase since Conference. Bro. Bell writes:- If we could have a third preacher on this circuit, from present appearances, there would be a great deal of good done before Conference. never saw such an opening for doing good in any part of Canada. We have had a few blessed revivals. At a protracted meeting, on the Broad road, we had a blessed season; and, at the conclusion, I received thirty-nine into the society. We had another at Manvers, and there fifty-two united with us; on other parts of the circuit, since Conference, forty have united with us;making, in all, one hundred and thirtyone. They are, most of them, heads of families.'

"On the PRINCE EDWARD circuit the Lord is graciously owning the la bour of his servants. In a letter received from brother Van Norman this week, he says, 'Since the district meeting, we have been engaged in protracted meetings. The Lord has poured out his Spirit in an abundant manner upon us. At the head of the Consecon Lake the meeting lasted four weeks; at the close, fourteen united with us in Society. Our class in this place, through the influence of Millerism, was in a most deplorable condition. It now numbers twenty-two, and is in a healthy state. At Conger's Mills we held a meeting three weeks: at the close, twelve united with the society. These, with some who had united with us in other places, make, in all, thirty-eight since conference.

"Brother Brown will commence ano. ther meeting at the Head of South Bay, on Friday next. Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified.

Times

"One word about finances. were never so hard in this district as they are at present. The scarcity of money here arises from the fact, that there is nothing in the country to make money of. For the last three years, there has been almost an entire failure of the crops. Some of our best farmers are run so low, that they could not raise a dollar in cash if it would save them. I have not wanted for provisions for my family; but you will be surprised to learn, that the whole cash receipts, since conference, have only amounted to £3 3s. 101d., barely enough to keep body and soul together; for, I have to pay cash for groceries, and all those sort of things; but we do the best we can.....

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We are making an extra effort to finish North Post chapel."

"MOHAWK WOODS.-We have not been able to furnish this station with a preacher yet, and I do not know when we shall, if the Lord does not send forth more labourers. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth more labourers into his harvest.

"HAMILTON DISTRICT Comprises Hamilton, Barton, Ancaster, Welland Canal, Cayuga, Nassagaweya, and Owen Sound. From the district meeting I have received no returns. Brother Goldsmith, who is stationed in Hamilton, writes, 'At our first quarterly meeting, upon investigation we found a deficiency of seven members..........At present our congregation is considerably improving, and we have taken some into society. All our meetings are more regularly attended, and we are in hopes that if we can accomplish a few things which we contemplate, we shall succeed on a more extensive scale. We have peace and harmony in our borders, and those who have wished have not been able to throw a brand among us. I think upon the whole I may report success to the utmost of our anticipations. Could we raise the means of building a new Chapel, or even, of thoroughly repairing the old one, it would conduce largely to our success. We hope by and by to be able to do something in this matter. In pecuniary matters the friends are exceedingly liberal, and willing to go even beyond their ability.

ANCASTER.-A very gracious revival has been in progress for some time at the Ancaster Chapel, and other parts of the circuit are reviving.

"NASSAGAWEYA.-Brother Childs writes, "I am glad in being able to inform you, that we are not without signs of spiritual prosperity on this circuit. A few have united with us since Conference. Our quarterly meeting was on last Saturday and Sabbath, the attendance was good, although the roads were in a bad state. We had a refreshing season from the presence of the Lord.

"On the WELLAND CANAL Circuit there is not much doing; but things are prospering on the Barton, Cayuga, and Owen Sound Stations.

"LONDON DISTRICT.-The Western mission is recovering a little. Howard: -there is some good effected here. St. Thomas-the congregations are good, but there is not much sign of an increase to the church at present. Something, however, has been done towards liquidating the debt on the chapel. Westminster Circuit is looking up a little. At a

protracted meeting held at Gilbert's school house, some were savingly benefitted. There has been a successful effort made to reduce the debt on the North Street chapel, and about half the amount owing has been subscribed. The Waterford circuit is doing well. The beloved brother who labours there is overworked for the want of an assistant. Malahide is in the same state. The brethren on these stations have too far to travel and too often to preach, to do anything by way of extra means, to promote a revival of religion.

"In London North, which embraces the town of London, matters are very promising. On Sabbath, the 18th ult., we had our quarterly meeting services. It was a blessed day. At the sacrament of the Lord's supper, we had about one hun dred communicants. At the love-feast, about one hundred; the speaking was short, lively, and satisfactory; numbers were not able to engage in declaring what God had done for their souls. The collections amounted to £4 7s. At the business meeting the utmost harmony prevailed; the demands were all met, and arrangements were made to do more extensive good in the country around. On the 27th ultimo, we held a public tea meeting in the Town Hall, for the purpose of setting a subscription on foot for the building of a new chapel; more than two hundred sat down to tea. As the superintendent of the circuit, I occupied the chair, and, after tea was over, stated the object of the meeting. During the evening, Messrs. Plummer and Gunn circulated the subscription book, and obtained over two hundred pounds towards erecting the chapel. This was one of the most delightful meetings I ever attended in Canada. Since the meeting, I have spent four days in company with our excellent brethren, Plummer, Darvel, and Johnson, in canvassing the town for subscriptions, and the amount subscribed now stands at £416. We have not finished collecting yet, nor do we mean to stop till we have obtained five hundred pounds. Our friends are none of them wealthy; the highest subscription is twenty-five pounds, but they are a willing people, and highly respected by the inhabitants of London. During our four day's canvas, we had not an insult offered us, nor an unkind word said to us. The chapel, which is to be 60 by 45 feet, galleried on three sides, built of brick, is estimated to cost eight hundred pounds.

"Yours, affectionately,
"H. O. CROFTS."