some young men, of late, have began to attend our Zion; and we hope the Lord will impress their minds and induce them to join themselves to the church. Caglenna chapel was once a barn, but the Lord, in former years, has consecrated it by the conversion of sinners; and it has been the mother church of two or three other societies in the neighbourhood. It is but a small place, though we have here a tolerable large class. The Lord has recently removed from this society brother Richards, who was one of our local preachers, and resident in this village. He had been a servant of God for many years, and formerly resided at Breage, in the west of Cornwall. He was an acceptable labourer in preaching the Gospel. Highway. The congregations are generally good on the Sabbath-day, but very few people attend at other times. The society during the year has not improved. But we are indebted to the warm attachment and zealous 'efforts of our kind friend, Miss Hicks, of Hall, who has done much to promote the cause of religion in this place. Her father, J. Hicks, Esq., took the chair at the Missionary meeting, and her brother, our tried friend, Mr. W. Hicks, of Fowey, took part in the proceedings; as also did Messrs. John Leach, of Penellack; W. Trewin, of Devonport; and the circuit preachers. The audience was, apparently, delighted and interested. At Hills, and St. Cleer, are two societies in the same parish; the latter has improved in its numbers, and both have assisted liberally our Missionary Fund. Menheniot has also revived, and the society has increased. We sadly want a chapel here, but cannot get a site. Lansellos society is reduced to four members, and the leader contemplates emigration. The chapel is in a diJuly 6, 1850. TO THE EDITOR,-DEAR SIR, lapidated state. Being built of cob, or clay, the roof has proved too weighty, and has opened all the seams. We are trying now to make a thorough repair, if we can obtain the assistance of the friends in the neighbourhood. Duloe and Caradon-town are in opposite directions from Liskeard. Both of the societies in these places are very low. May God pour his Spirit upon them, and make these wildernesses blossom as the rose. At Trevelmond is our youngest society. It is small, but seems to enjoy much spiritual good. We have a friend here, who is willing to build us a synagogue, whenever appearances may justify us in proceeding. We have four other places where there is occasional preaching. Moorswater is a village a mile from the town, at the head of a canal leading to the port of Looe. Here the Society of Friends have assisted in fitting up a room for a Sabbath-school, which we shall occasionally use for public worship. We had a tea-meeting here in connection with our Missionary services, and an interesting public service afterwards. A tea-meeting on behalf of the circuit has been held at Callington during the year, and another at Duloe. We have thus been endeavouring to promote the well-being of our circuit and Missionary funds; and though success has not been in every instance equal to our desires, we feel reason to be thankful for the measure of the Divine blessing we have experienced. There is encouragement to labour on, and "in the name of the Lord we will lift up our banners." Our missionary, brother Robinson, has laboured with much acceptance, and our trust is that those who follow in this field of labour will reap the fruit of that seed which has so long been sown, then shall those that sow, and those that reap, rejoice together. BARNSLEY. In the early part of last winter we sent you a brief account of the state of things in this Circuit. At that time God was pouring out His Spirit upon us, and many were awakened JAMES SAYER. out of the deadly sleep of iniquity, and were made "new creatures in Christ Jesus." Perhaps some of our friends would like to know what amount of real good has resulted from the revival-whether its effects passed away as a little momentary excitement, or whether they have been, so far, permanent. We cannot say that none have fallen away-— amidst the various inducements to vice, which the summer generally affords-but we are happy to be able to state, that by far the majority of them are standing fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free. Our increase on the year, as the fruit of that revival, is fifty-one members, after deducting for removals, deaths, and backslidings; and but for the breaking up of one of our country Societies, by circumstances over which we could exercise no control, the increase would have been sixty-six new members. From the time this Circuit became united to the Association it has been receiving aid from the Connexional and Missionary Funds; and when we had several rich men among us, who, had they properly exerted themselves, might easily have prevented this state of things. Last year we received a grant of 25l., and now that almost all those men have been removed by death, or have withdrawn themselves from us, we are in a position to declare our independence; and are resolved, that this year all our Missionary proceeds shall go to help the general cause, or assist in employing additional la bourers in the Missionary department. Our congregation in the town is good, and our pews were never let so well as at present. Our Sundayschool is flourishing, and numbers upwards of 500 children. The best understanding exists between the school and Society. They exert a salutary reciprocal influence. We are sorry to have to state, that while we had several men among us in easy circumstances, a heavy debt was allowed to remain upon the chapel, and no general effort was made to remove it; but we are determined that this evil shall no longer exist. A mighty effort is now making to wipe off 600l. of the debt. The friends have come forward nobly to the aid of the trustees, so that now we have no fear of success. Mr. Coultas gave us two able and useful sermons in behalf of the chapel fund, July 7th. The congregations were good, especially in the evening. The collections amounted to 301. We have much peace in our borders, and are disposed to thank God and take courage. These remarks are not intended to reflect in the slightest degree upon any of our more wealthy friends in other Circuits. It is well known that some of them are an honour to the Connexion. MACCLESFIELD. H. WILLIAMS. Mr. Thomas Maddock, of Payton ; and on Monday, 27th, a public meeting was held in the above room. Our esteemed brother Ainsworth in the chair. The Rev. J. Harris, Messrs. J. Burgess, G. Needham, and J. Oldfield, advocated the cause of Missions. It will no doubt afford much pleasure to the friends of the Association to hear, that our neat and commodious chapel in Macclesfield-after being closed during the erection of a singers' gallery, painting the walls inside, and general thorough cleaning and repairing-was re-opened on Lord's-day, July 7th; on which occasion very impressive and eloquent discourses were preached in the morning and evening by the Rev. James Bromley, of Bath, from Luke xvii. 21, and Job xix. 25, 26. The at tendance at each service was good, particularly the evening. The interesting discourses delivered were listened to with solemn attention; and it is hoped they have left impressions on many hearts, that shall prove like "bread cast upon many waters," and the effects thereof be seen after many days. Towards the erection of the singers' gallery, Mr. Henry Barton contributed 257, making with subscriptions and the collections, 647. 2s. 8d. We fervently pray that these improvements may be attended with great good. July 9th, 1850. JABESH HARRIS. STOCKTON-ON-TEES. TO THE EDITOR,-DEAR SIR, I HAVE much pleasure in stating, that although nothing out of the common way has occurred in connection with our Society here during the last two or three months, we are still blessed with very pleasing indications of the Divine presence. In the means of grace, God is with us; and we often feel ready to exclaim"Our willing souls would stay In such a frame as this." For some time past the friends have been in the habit of holding a prayer-meeting in the vestry, at five o'clock on the Sunday evening, for the especial purpose of praying for a blessing on the word preached. These meetings have been well attended, and a most gracious influence WORCESTER TO THE EDITOR,-DEAR SIR, ALTHOUGH it is not my happiness to report an increase of members in the Circuit in which I have laboured this year, I am thankful to say, we have not only stood our ground, but so far as the congregation is concerned, have made a little improve ment. About two months since, our chapel was closed for the purpose of painting, &c. The Rev. J. Bromley, of Bath, preached a highly intellectual and thrilling sermon on the occasion, which realized a collection of 7., which, with the proceeds of a tea-meeting for the same object, has nearly covered the expense incurred. We have now a clean, comfortable sanctuary in which to worship, and are earnestly praying that God will make it the birth-place of immortal souls. We have recently opened another place for preaching, about two and a half miles from Worcester; a congregation has been collected, and a Society there will shortly be formed. Our prospects on the whole are encouraging; we have peace among has invariably been felt by those present. To my own soul they have been made a great blessing; and I believe the prayers offered have, at least to some extent, been answered in the increased seriousness and attention of the congregation; and in the awakening of some to a sense of their danger, and the importance of seeking the salvation of their souls. Last Sabbath evening, in the prayermeeting after preaching, several were in distress. As to the state of the Society generally, I believe it is improving. My heart's desire and prayer to God is, that it may continue to do so. June 20th, 1850. CIRCUIT. EDWIN GREen. ourselves, are favoured with blessed indications of Divine approval, and continue to live on terms of Christian intercourse with other churches. At our Missionary Anniversary we were favoured with the assistance of the Rev. G. Redford, D.D., Independent; Rev. W. Crowe, Baptist; and the Rev. J. Rich, Primitive Methodist; who, in connection with two of our own ministers, the Revs. J. Gibbons, and W. Reed, delivered deeply interesting and effective speeches. Since that time, a union prayer-meeting has been commenced in the city, to be held alternately at the different chapels, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from seven to eight o'clock. This week, the meeting was held in our chapel; and I think will not soon be forgotten. There were persons present from every dissenting congregation in the city, earnestly engaged in pouring out their souls to God. The unction of the Holy One was felt, and many returned, saying, "It was good to be there." JOHN STEELE. THE WESLEYAN METHODIST ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE. SEPTEMBER, 1850. THE SPIRIT OF THE SABBATIC INSTITUTE. THE signs of the times present to us various aspects, some of them are dark, startling, and discouraging; whilst others are bright and cheering, suggestive of the rapid improvement of mankind, not only in that knowledge which advances the happiness of the present life, but also in that acquaintance with the nature and spirit of religion, which, in the observance of its duties, prepares men for communion with God, and for felicity in the life which is yet to come. It is painful to the pious and reflecting mind, that the spirit of the world seems to actuate many so powerfully in the pursuit of profit or pleasure as to induce them to regard all the forms of religion, as institutes which a barbarous or superstitious age imposed as restraints on the liberties, improvements, and enjoyments of men. Hence the Sabbath is neglected and desecrated; and, instead of being held as a holy day of rest unto the Lord, has become a day of traffic, or a convenient day for the audit of worldly accounts; whilst the merchandize which is better than silver" is contemned, and the soul's accounts in the "ledger book of Heaven" are becoming more involved, thereby leading inevitably to final embarrassment, utter ruin, and eternal despair. "What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" On the other hand, it is a pleasing fact, that the claims of the Sabbath have been investigated, not only by the man of leisure in his study, but also by the working man in the midst of his toil. The hard hand of labour relinquishing for a moment the grasp of the implements of mechanical power, and wiping the sweat from the thoughtful brow, has seized the pen-that wonderful and potent instrument of moral power-and asserted the indefeasible right of man to the whole of the seventh day, to rest from toil, that his spiritual well-being may be studied and improved. Hence thousands of voices arise, asserting the determination of honest and virtuous industry, that in this matter they will obey God rather than man. Perhaps one great reason that has led to a disregard of the Sabbath, has been a want of discerning the Spirit of the institution. The Sabbath has been regarded simply as a positive institute of the Jewish religion, and therefore not adapted to the universal necessities of man. It has been viewed as an arbitrary observance, having no obligation in the nature of things, but resting solely on the arbitrary and absolute will of Deity. Were this even so, it were our duty to obey if there were evidence that it has been also enjoined on us. But the positive institutions of God are not indicative of caprice and unreasonable power; there is a wisdom in them beyond the ken of the careless observer; and there are reasons for the external form which, when apprehended, may prove to us the truth of David's words: "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward." The following extracts from an article on "the Spirit of the Jewish Religion" will serve to show in what light the Sabbath is regarded by thoughtful Jews, and may teach us that if we rightly understood the spirit and design of the Christian Sabbath, we should more cheerfully and acceptably regard the day of the Lord. The observance of the Sabbath is one of the ten commandments, pronounced by the audible voice of the Deity, in the hearing of the assembled myriads of Israel at Sinai, but its first institution is of far older date, and ascends to the days of creation. Its observance is twofold, positive and negative; and death by stoning is the punishment pronounced, against the transgressor, in the law of Moses. In this respect the Sabbath stands distinguished before all other observances. According to the Jewish laws there are but three prohibitions which no man may transgress, even though the refusal so to do should cost him his life. These are, idolatry, fornication, and bloodshed; respecting all of which the Rabbies say, "A man must perish rather than transgress! All other commandments (including that relating to the Sabbath) may not only be transgressed to escape the certain loss of life, but even where life is only in danger; and this transgressing in order to preserve life is not only permitted but enjoined as a duty (except where the Jew is forced to transgress with the express intention of causing him to apostatize. In that case he is bound to prefer death to the breach of any one commandment, although its importance be comparatively not greater than "the changing of a shoe-tie," as the Talmud emphatically says). Therefore the punishment of death pronounced against the violator of the Sabbath is inflicted, not because that institution is of greater importance than human life, but in order adequately to punish the wanton transgression of the Divine law. And as the like severe infliction does not await the transgressor of any other observance commanded by the law of Moses, it proves the positive importance of the Sabbath to be greater than that of any other observance. We will |