The handsome sum of £3 18s. was collected.

On Sunday, March 18th, sermons were preached at Brighouse, by the Rev. B. Turnock, and a meeting took place on the evening following. Mr. G. Broadly occupied the chair, and gave a neat address. The Rev. B. Turnock and Mr. R. Roberts (Huddersfield), who attended as a deputation, the Revs. T. D. Crothers and H. L. Thompson, with Messrs. J. Wood, T. Nall, and G. Healy, took part in the proceedings. The collections exceeded the hopes of not a few, amounting to £5 Ss. The measures which have been adopted to extend our Home Mission are heartily approved throughout this circuit. T. D. C.

JUVENILE MISSIONARY SOCIETY, LEES.

DEAR SIR,I have the pleasure to transmit to you a brief report of a missionary stall and tea-meeting, held on the 15th and 17th days of February last, in behalf of our Mission Fund. This year we have a spirited juvenile committee, numbering twenty-four male and female members of our community, who, for a few months previous to the opening of the stall, laboured most constantly and earnestly in support of the project. The ladies specially deserve the highest commendation, for their unwearied solicitations for contributions, coupled with their unflagging labours in preparing articles for the stalls. But I must not omit to mention the name of our esteemed minister, the Rev. J. Le Huray, to whom the effort itself is mainly due, and who has indeed been the life and soul of the movement. Yet, in bringing this effort to such a triumphant issue, the name of Miss Ann Hope Slater stands first and foremost. Although an invalid, confined to her couch, she has for many years, by her genial, attractive manner, by her meek, Christian resignation, been, in the hands of God, a right noble worker in his cause.

The sale was opened by our esteemed friend Mr. Atherton, at eleven o'clock in the morning. There was a very good attendance during the day, which was very much augmented when the mills closed at six o'clock.

Music and singing by our chapel choir, under the efficient leadership of Mr. J. Parkin, contributed much to the pleasure and enjoyment of the Thursday. The sale was re-opened on Saturday, at one o'clock, on which day a tea-meeting was held, under the able presidency of our good friend Mr. Atkins, who contributed much to the pleasure and satisfaction of all present. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. W. Williams and J. Le Huray, together with several members of the committee. The meeting was much interested by the sweet singing of thirteen little girls, who had been carefully practised for the occasion. Over six hundred sat down to tea, which, throughout, was a most cheering and enthusiastic one.

as

The net result of the effort, after paying all expenses, amounts to the handsome sum of seventy pounds, which has been paid to the Mission treasurer. This the committee accept The a sign of encouragement. success of the past they deem as a good augury for the triumphs of the future. May the blessing of Almighty God rest upon our further labours, aiding us in every good work, and make us more abundantly useful!-I am, dear sir, yours truly,

THOMAS HEYWOOD, Sec.

[Such an effort exceeds all praise. If our young friends generally would but display the same interest in our Missions as Lees, Batley, and a few other places, we should soon have the means supplied for greatly extending the glorious cause of Missions, both at home and abroad. Go on, dear young friends, and may many others imitate your noble example!-ED.]

PRESENTATION TO THE REV.

W. COCKER, AT SHEFFIELD. ON Monday evening, April 9th, after the business of the quarter-day had been concluded, a circuit tea-meeting was held in South Street School-room, for the purpose of taking affectionate leave of our esteemed superintendent, the Rev. W. Cocker, prior to his departure for Canada. The meeting was presided over by Mr. G. Saville, the circuit treasurer steward, who, in the course of some excellent remarks, said that the meeting was convened in order to say farewell to an able minister, who, after labouring in the circuit for

nearly three years, had won for himself a place in their hearts. It had been felt that Mr. Cocker could not be permitted to depart from their midst without receiving some substantial proof of their confidence and affection. Personally, he cherished for Mr. Cocker a very high esteem, and so estimated the value of his services to the Connexion at home, that he almost regretted his appointment to the superintendency of the Canadian Missions. But, as that matter was settled, he could only hope that Mr. C. would be very successful in his new sphere of labour, and, in due time, return home to resume those ministrations which had been to so many a source of delight and profit. He begged to assure Mr. C. that he was much respected and loved, and that he and his family would have an interest in their prayers.

The Rev. E. J. Baxter expressed his high appreciation of Mr. Cocker's character as a man, a Christian, and a minister. He was much pleased at taking part in proceedings which were intended to honour one who was so worthy. He had gladly interested himself in the movement which had issued in the present meeting, as he felt it was due to the beloved superintendent that the esteem and good wishes of the circuit for him should be embodied in a substantial and serviceable form. The sum of £50, about to be presented to Mr. Cocker, was a pledge to him of the love of the friends. It had been mainly collected by two ladies, one of whom had netted the purse which contained the money. He was very sorry to part with Mr. Cocker as a superintendent, for he had received from him uniform kindness, courtesy, and fraternal consideration. It was a mitigation of his grief to remember that not only was Mr. C. about to labour in a more extended and honourable sphere than the one he at present occupied, but that he would, in all probability, be in their midst again after the lapse of a few years, and they should have the pleasure and profit of renewed Christian intercourse with him. He then requested the Rev. Dr. Stacey (in the absence of Mr. E. Firth, who was unable to attend, on account of pressing engagements) to present the purse of gold in the name of the Sheffield South Circuit.

Dr. Stacey said: "Such a service is to me a most agreeable one. Yet I cannot perform it without indulging in

some reminiscences.

Very few have enjoyed such close and friendly association with Mr. Cocker as I. When, twenty-eight years ago, Mr. C. first came to this town, I was a young man, a local preacher and a student for the ministry, and our intercourse was of the freest and happiest character. On those religious and theological topics in which we were mutually interested, we exchanged thoughts and reciprocated confidence. To that period of our life I have ever looked back with delight. And the high opinion I then formed of our friend I have never had cause or excuse for reversing in the slightest degree. What I found Mr. Cocker to be as a young man-independent, honourable, studious, and humble-I find him now, when, by the force of his character, the superiority of his gifts, and the value of his services, he has attained to a high position in the Connexion. I do not believe we have another minister who has made himself less obtrusive or been less jealous than Mr. C. For the sake of the Connexion, I should be glad if he could be retained at home, because his influence is becoming increasingly beneficial. But I rejoice at his appointment, which has been given him by the free election of the brethren, to the Canadian superintendency, because thereby he will have a wider sphere for the exercise of his gifts than any that could be offered him here. One hundred ordained ministers will be under his charge, with the interests of the numerous churches in which they labour. I heartily congratulate Mr. Cocker on being raised to a position of such eminence-one of which he is in every respect worthy." Then, turning to Mr. Cocker, Dr. Stacey said: "With the highest personal satisfaction I now present to you this purse of sovereigns. It is not a large gift, but then it symbolises an affection and an esteem which will have a higher value in your eyes than any amount of money could possibly have. With ardent affection, with earnest prayers for your personal and domestic well-being, I offer you this gift in the name of the circuit of which you have been the superintendent. May the Lord bless you in your new home, prosper the work of your hands, and in due time bring you back to our midst to renew your ministry with even richer fruits than before."

The Rev. W. Cocker, on rising to acknowledge the presentation, said: "* I

cannot find words fitted to express the feelings which are struggling in my heart for utterance. I would gladly use them if they were at my command. But I ask you, Mr. Chairman and dear Christian friends, to believe that I am very grateful to you for your love and your liberality. I prize the gift you have tendered me as representing that Christian affection which it is beyond the power of arithmetic to set forth. I shall take it over the seas with me as a most precious memorial of that Divine love which gold cannot buy, which it can but inadequately express and symbolize. I beg to reciprocate very warmly the kind sentiments with which the presentation has been made. None of my brethren can respect and love me more than I do them. As to Dr. Stacey's allusions to our early associations, some of them have almost overwhelmed me, for they have touched my tenderest sensibilities. When I think of his relation to this circuit, to the Connexion as the president of its college, and to the Christian Church generally, I am filled with gratitude to God that such a man should think me at all worthy of the encomiums he has lavished on me. I can explain his generous references to me only by supposing that he has looked at me through the magnifying medium of his early attachment. I thank him, however, very heartily for his expressions of love and esteem; and now that the extraordinary promise of his boyhood has been abundantly fulfilled in his rare and ripe gifts, in his large acquirements, and in his high and responsible position, 1 pray that his life may be long spared to preside over the college, and that his efforts may be increasingly successful in training students for the holy work of the ministry. And while I am thankful to those friends who have spoken so kindly of me to-night, I am particularly gratified by the fact that many of those who are not in affluent circumstances have contributed to this testimonial. I prize what is expressed in the gift of a rich man in such a case, but I am specially grateful for the good opinion which prompts a comparatively poor man to share in the movement intended to do me honour. To both classes I tender my thankful acknowledgments. wards all the friends in this circuit, rich and poor, I have tried to act with courtesy and Christian affection. While showing respect and consideration to

To

all persons, it has been my careful concern not to wound, by speech or deed, the minds of any of my poorer brethren. If, however, I have grieved any of those good friends, I beg sincerely to assure them that it has been perfectly unintentional on my part, and I trust they will believe me when I say that I cherish none but the kindliest feelings for them. And now, in retiring from your notice, I thank you once more, dear friends, for all the affection and esteem you have invariably shown me, and for the liberal gift in which those feelings have found a final expression at a time when it will prove more serviceable than it could possibly do at any other. May the best blessings of Heaven rest upon you all evermore!"

Short addresses, containing many and warm commendations of Mr. Cocker's character and conduct, were then delivered by the Revs. T. Scowby, F. Jewell, and J. Flather; Messrs. R. N. Jeffries, J. Eadon, and W. Jenkinson. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the interesting meeting was concluded by the usual devotional exercises. This account would not, however, be complete if it were not stated that several presents of useful articles were made to Mr. Cocker, privately, by his friends and admirers. Especially deserving of notice is the fact that some weeks ago the Andover Street Society gave him a valuable set of table cutlery, in a rosewood case, bearing a suitable inscription, in acknowledgment of the wisdom and energy which he had manifested in the commencement, progress, and opening of the beautiful chapel in that part of the town. Thus Mr. Cocker departs from among us with the clearest demonstrations of the affection and goodwill of the people. The circuit he leaves presents a cheering aspect. It has many elements of strength and progress; and, notwithstanding a decrease in the number of members in some societies, the future is bright and full of hope. It will be seen from another report what has been done, and is still contemplated, in relation to our chapel in the Park. The Andover Street interest is undoubtedly flourishing under the pastora lcare of the Rev. F. Jewell. Inspired by the liberal promise of Mr. Mark Firth to give £250, the friends there are labouring diligently to reduce their chapel debt to £1,000. The same generous friend has promised to

double in amount whatever may be given towards the extinction of the debt of £1,450 on Brownhill Chapel. It is expected that this worthy effort will be successfully completed before the close of the year. At South Street the congregations have naturally been reduced by the opening of these two new chapels; yet the friends remaining there are very far from having lost heart and hope. They are trying to increase the attendance at public worship, and, in addition, are striving to lower the debt on their sanctuary. It may be fearlessly stated that in no other town have we, as a community, such excellent chapel properties as those just referred to. They are large, commodious, and beautiful. But they have been created, and are maintained, for the salvation of souls through the preaching of the glorious Gospelthey are the means to an end. Until that end is largely gained-until the chapels are filled with devout worshippers, and the societies are composed of numerous holy and consistent Christians, who shall live only to glorify their God in serving their generation, the friends here, who have devised such liberal things, will never consider their purposes realized, their prayers answered, or their toils and sacrifices rewarded. The Lord grant them soon the desire of their hearts!

Sheffield, April 14th, 1866.

E. J. B.

PRESENTATION.-BRIGHOUSE. A MEETING of a very interesting character was held in our school-room, Brighouse, on Wednesday, April 4th, 1866. The meeting was convened for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Mr. Phineas Armitage, who has been connected with the school as teacher and superintendent for upwards of fifty years. The teachers and friends thought that such a length of faithful service deserved some recognition, and accordingly determined to present Mr. Armitage with a large-sized portrait of himself. They at the same time further showed their appreciation of his unwearied labours by procuring another portrait of him of similar size, to be hung up in the school. The presentation, which took place on the above day, was preceded by a tea-meeting, which was numerously attended. After tea, Mr. John Denham, one of the superintendents, took the chair,

and opened the meeting in an interesting address. Mr. John Wood, the other superintendent, in suitable terms, presented the testimonial to the venerable friend whom the meeting delighted to honour. The portrait bears the following inscription :-" Presented to Mr. Phineas Armitage by the teachers and friends of Bethel Sabbath-school, Brighouse, as a token of respect for services rendered to that school for upwards of fifty years. April 4th, 1866." Mr. Armitage, in acknowledging the kindness of the friends, was much and visibly affected. Addresses were subsequently delivered by the Revs. T. D. Crothers and H. L. Thompson, and by several of the teachers. It was not until late that the meeting, which every one enjoyed, was brought to a happy close.

JAMES HENRY BROADBENT.

MANCHESTER NORTH CIRCUIT. AT our last Conference a resolution was passed, calling upon this circuit to take a second married preacher, the time allowed by rule for the employment of single men having more than expired.

We are glad to say that the circuit has cheerfully responded to that call, and has recently completed an effort to secure funds for furnishing a comfortable minister's house at Culcheth, thus presenting an example worthy of imitation by other circuits to whom a similar appeal has been made. Were the application of the Conference taken up in the same spirit by other circuits, the inconvenience arising from the present scarcity of ministers' houses would be speedily removed. At the October quarterly meeting it was resolved that an Easter tree, or sale of articles, should be held at Salem, Manchester, to which each society in the circuit should be expected to contribute.

The friends have taken the matter up with commendable zeal, and we have now the gratification of reporting the complete success of the undertaking—a success exceeding the expectations of its most sanguine originators.

The sale was opened on Easter Monday at noon, when the school-room presented a most beautiful appearance. The one side was occupied by the general stall, the other by the stalls of the teachers and scholars and the country societies, and the collection of articles on all the stalls was exceedingly varied and attractive. Many articles of consider

able value and exquisite beauty were exhibited. The room was most beautifully decorated, under the direction of Messrs. J. Turner and W. Haynes. To these gentlemen, as treasurer and secretary, we must accord the highest praise, the success of the undertaking being in great measure owing to their indefatigable exertions.

The sale was opened by the Rev. R. Henshaw announcing a suitable hymn. The Rev. J. Frank Goodall then engaged in prayer, after which W. Derbyshire, Esq., delivered a short address, congratulating the friends upon the success of their efforts, and declared the sale to be duly opened.

During Thursday and Friday the business was carried on briskly, both buyers and sellers being fully engaged. At the close of the sale every article was disposed of, not a vestige remaining of the large and varied display.

On the following Saturday a public tea-meeting was held in the schoolroom, and was largely attended. After tea the chair was occupied by R. Haworth, Esq., a highly esteemed and liberal-minded Wesleyan friend, who on all occasions manifests the greatest kindness and good feeling towards us.

The chairman's opening speech was a most excellent one, full of kindly Christian sentiments and practical counsels, and it undoubtedly imparted to the meeting an elevated and earnest spiritual tone. Mr. Walter Haynes, the esteemed secretary, presented a financial statement. The Rev. R. Henshaw was the first speaker. He congratulated the friends throughout the circuit upon the success of their efforts, and believed that the appointment of a second married minister would conduce to their prosperity and honour. He referred to the pleasing events of the past three years, during which he had laboured among them, and assured the friends that he should leave the circuit with the greatest reluctance and regret, bearing with him the warmest feelings of affection for the kind friends he was leaving.

The Rev. T. W. Ridley then delivered a short speech, in his usual terse and effective manner. He referred in pleasing terms to his connection with Salem, and expressed the joy he felt in beholding its prosperity and growth.

The next speaker was the Rev. J. F. Goodall, who selected as his subject "Christian Work," pointing out its inseparable connection with vital godli

ness, and its influence in developing the Christian character. Well-doing was not something that a man might superadd to his religion, it was not something that he might cultivate or not cultivate, without affecting the fundamental principles of his Christianity, but was itself one of those fundamental principles. The speaker also dwelt upon the present and future rewards of well-doing. His address was listened to with great attention, and received with repeated applause. Messrs. W. Jenkinson, W. Derbyshire, J. Turner, F. Thompson, J. J. Harwood, and J. Brookes, also took part in the proceedings. The proceeds of the entire effort, to which every society in the circuit has contributed generously, amount to the noble sum of £160, after paying all expenses.

PARK CHAPEL, SHEFFIELD.

THIS chapel, which had been closed during six weeks for cleaning, painting, and certain alterations, was re-opened on Sunday, April 1st, when sermons. were preached, in the morning by the Rev. J. Stacey, D.D.. and in the evening by the Rev. T. Scowby. In the afternoon a sacramental service was held, conducted by the Revs. E. J. Baxter and T. Scowby. The collections amounted to £31.

On Tuesday, April 3rd, a public teameeting was held. Notwithstanding the very unfavourable weather, there was a very good attendance. Our attached and worthy friend, Mr. A. Nicholl, occupied the chair, and in a brief, but pleasing address, gave a very cheerful tone to the meeting.

Mr. G. Warriss, one of our oldest members, and the secretary of the trustees, presented an interesting report, in which he traced the history of our Connexion in the Park. "The present chapel," he said, "was built in the year 1851, at a cost of £1,750. Since then, in vestry, class-room, and orchestra, upwards of £350 have been spent. The present improvements have cost nearly £140, about one-half of which has already been raised by collections and contributions. Thus there is here chapel property which has cost £2,100, with a debt of only £600, and it is the intention to try to liquidate this debt as early as possible, and thus place the church in a much more favourable position. Never were we better able