Biggleswade had been tried by Mr. Bradnack during his ministry among us; but Methodism had never been able to excite much interest there. A large room was offered, capable of holding from eighty to one hundred persons. This opportunity was embraced; and the place was fitted up, and opened for divine worship on Friday, June 6th; on which occasion the Rev. Wm. Barton, from Cambridge, preached. The collection was about £6. While thus busily engaged in different parts of the Circuit, the Circuit town was not forgotten. Ground, in a most delightful situation, in the main street, commanding two thoroughfares, with a house recently erected upon it, was advertised for public sale. This was purchased for £620, and regularly vested in Trustees according to the Methodist plan. One of the Trustees, to expedite the business, agreed to purchase the old chapel and premises for £500 as soon as the new one should be finished. Mr. Jenkins, of London, the only surviving Trustee of the old property, was sent for, who consented to the sale, and the appropriation of the sum towards the intended new chapel. He at the same time received instructions to draw a plan, and superintend the erection, of the new chapel, which was to be fifty feet by forty in the inside, and to have a gallery at the end. A public meeting was called; the importance of making a vigorous effort was strongly urged; and God gave the people a willing mind. Three of the Trustees subscribed £50 each; others £30, £20, &c., &c.; so that the subscriptions soon amounted to £400. No sooner had the people given this proof of their attachment to the house and service of God, than He in infinite condescension gave them a token for good, by pouring out his Holy Spirit upon them. Sinners were pricked to the heart, and began to cry for mercy; the old chapel was crowded to excess; and about forty souls in three weeks were added to the society. This induced the Trustees to extend their plan, and determine to put in side-galleries, and thus make the place complete. The chapel will contain about eight hundred people, including about two hundred free sittings for the poor. A large school-room is built behind the chapel, forty feet by eighteen in the inside, in which nearly one hundred and eighty children are instructed on the Sabbath-day. This chapel, the object of strong desire, and of many prayers, was opened for divine worship on Friday, Nov. 7th, 1834. The Rev. Robert Newton preached in the morning, and was engaged for the afternoon; but, in consequence of peculiar circumstances, to the deep regret of a crowded audience, it was deemed desirable that he should return to Manchester in time to preach on the Saturday evening. His place was supplied by Mr. William Dawson, who also preached in the evening. The collections amounted to £103. On the following Sabbath the Rev. Jabez Bunting and the Rev. Wm. Jenkins preached. The collection exceeded the expectations of all, amounting to £80; and making a total of £183. To God's holy name be all the glory! The erection of the chapel and school-room, the taking down of the house, and rebuilding it in a better situation, as a residence for the Preachers, the walls, palisadoes, deeds, &c., &c., will cost £2,500; towards which there has been raised by the sale of the old premises, subscriptions, and collections, the sum of about £1,300. The property is freehold, and altogether one of the most compact and delightful in the Methodist Connexion. Although the chapel contains more than twice as many pews as did the old one, yet they are nearly all let; and every succeeding Sabbath, since the opening, in the afternoon and evening, the chapel has been entirely filled with devout and attentive hearers. "This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." May this become the spiritual birthplace of hundreds of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood! It may further be stated, that the same Trustees have purchased property at Langford, a large village two miles and a half south of Biggleswade, and subscriptions have commenced to erect a chapel there, which it is hoped will be ready in the spring of 1835. com At Steeple-Morden, also, a village eight miles east of Biggleswade, subscriptions some time ago were menced for the purpose of erecting a new chapel, which will be built as soon as suitable ground can be procured. At Shefford, where we opened a small place in June last, the congregations more than fill the chapel, and another must be erected as soon as possible. So that, notwithstanding the exertions of the past year, there is yet much before us to be done; and, by God's help, it shall be done. For many years this Circuit did nothing, comparatively, for God, or for the souls of men: satisfied themselves with the enjoyment of Gospel blessings, the wants of those places by which the socie ties were surrounded called forth no adequate exertions. The Lord now evidently calls upon us to spread his truth, and to shake off the supineness of by gone days. A great desire for the word of life is evidenced in every place, and every chapel is crowded with hearers; and we have about thirty Local Preachers and Exhorters. For many years our societies never reached three hundred and fifty members; but we have now upwards of six hundred; and our prayer to God is, that "the little one may become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation." Engaged in such a work as this, it is no wonder that the enemies of God and man should revile us, and count us madmen and enthusiasts; and that even those who profess religion, but are too careful of what a kind Providence has committed to their trust, to expend it even in attempting to rescue from per dition the fallen race of man, should 66 METHODIST CHAPELS LATELY ERECTED OR ENLARGED. CARNARVON: "A new Wesleyan chapel, for English service, was opened in Carnarvon, on Thursday and Sunday, the 15th and 18th of January, 1835, when sermons were preached by the Rev. Messrs. Newton and Leake. In the Methodist Magazine for July, 1832, there appeared an article from the pen of the Rev. J. E. Moulton, exhibiting the state of English Wesleyanism in North Wales. Its rise, progress, and claims are there interestingly stated. Since that article was written the cause of English Methodism has been steadily advancing in North Wales. The congregations and societies are increasing in number and influence. For some time the English chapel in Carnarvon has been too small; besides persons in the town who wished to have sittings, in summer a great number of visiters are attracted to this neighbourhood by its salubrity and scenery, who often wish to attend the English service, but could not be accommodated. By the erection of this chapel this inconvenience is at an end. It is neat and elegant; and has been opened with the most pleasing prospects of success. In its erection the exertions of the English Wesleyans have been most gratifying. Though the society does not amount to forty, and none of them are wealthy, yet between £150 and £200 will be raised by the opening services and subscriptions. The chapel may not only be expected to be a blessing to the town, but to the numerous visiters; as more than one person of considerable influence in society has strayed into an English chapel, and has been led to Christ." WALLINGFORD, in the Watlington Circuit:-" It will be gratifying to the friends of Wesleyan Methodism to learn that a room, fitted up as a place of religious worship, was opened on Sunday, February 1st, 1835, at Wallingford, when two impressive discourses were preached by the Rev. Isaac Aldom. Seven pews have been erected in it, which will seat about forty persons; (most of which are already taken;) and there are about the same number of free sittings. The expenses incurred in fitting up the place amount to upwards of seventeen pounds; towards defraying which, three pounds were collected at the opening; and a friend on the spot is now soliciting contributions for the purpose of liquidating the remainder of the debt. The inhabitants of the town seem to feel a lively interest in the concern, as some of them have very liberally contributed on the occasion. This may appear to some a feeble attempt; but considering all the circumstances of the case, (this being the third time of introducing Wesleyan Methodism into Wallingford,) it must be acknowledged to be a spirited effort. Mr. Wesley makes frequent mention, in his Journal, of visiting this place; and about forty years ago, there was a small chapel, and a society of upwards of fifty members; but as the chapel was not settled on the Methodist plan, when the owner died, it was sold, and converted and the most influential and zealous The society afterwards into tenements. dwindled away. Ross, in the Hereford Circuit :-" Methodism was introduced into Ross about twenty-seven years ago, and in the midst of much opposition existed fifteen years. About this time the room in which the society worshipped was burned down, member left the place. The preaching was therefore discontinued, and the society dissolved. A little more than five years since a member of our society, in a neighbouring county, who had settled at Ross, was desirous that Methodism should regain at least its former position. After many attempts, he succeeded in opening a room for preaching. It could accommodate only eighty persons, and its situation encouraged the persecution which again began to rage. At length Nathaniel Morgan, Esq., a member of the Society of Friends, kindly offered ground for a chapel. The consent of the proper authorities being obtained, and upwards of £100 collected by the extraordinary exertions of Mr. W. Jones, the building was commenced; and on Friday, October 17th, 1834, a neat chapel was opened by the Rev. Messrs. Macdonald and Graham, jun. In the afternoon the congregation was so large, that the Rev. E. Claypole, Baptist Minister, obligingly offered his chapel for the evening service. The collections amounted to £40. 3s. 6d. The expense of the building is about £280; whilst the sums subscribed and collected make a total of £200. The society at Ross take this opportunity of recording their gratitude for the generous manner in which members of different denominations of Christians expressed their desires for the welfare and prosperity of their infant cause. The chapel is secured to the Connexion, and it is hoped will be a means of good to many." INSTANCE OF CHRISTIAN LIBERALITY. To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine. YOUR valuable pages occasionally announce considerable testamentary benefactions, left by the wealthy friends of Methodism, to aid some of its particular objects. Such instances are unquestionable evidences of attachment, and are deservedly entitled to honourable mention. Sometimes, however, cases of genuine liberality occur, which are to be estimated by quality rather than by quantity, and which, though of lower aggregate, yet ought not to be overlooked. The Hinckley Circuit contains an individual named Hurst, of very retiring and unobtrusive habits, who, through a long course of prosperous industry, has gradually risen in his pecuniary circumstances; and who, during that growth of substance, has made the ratio of his increase the ratio of his beneficence. Having in earlier lif had opportunities of witnessing the frauds of executorships, and the litigious contentions of disappointed and angry legatees, he adopted the somewhat rare alternative, of becoming his own executor, and so reserving to himself the disposition of his personalty in questionless accordance with his own will; and it is but an act of justice to say, that few men have made their bequests with more judicious discrimination than he. Several chapel-trusts and institutions within the Circuit have found in him a valuable, unostentatious, unsolicited friend. In a few cases of great pecuniary difficulty and embarrassment, he has contrived and supplied the mode and means of relief in a manner only known to the "liberal, who devise liberal things." A few months since, he formed the generous design of supplying every Local Preacher in the Circuit (upwards of thirty, principally in humble life) with a copy of the late Rev. Richard Watson's invaluable Theological Dictionary, thus placing in the hands of a number of useful labourers in the Gospel vineyard a rich compendium of divinity, beyond the reach of their own resources. As example is frequently superinducive of imitation, perhaps, you will not deem this communication unworthy of a corner of your excellent miscellany. RICHARD MILLS. EFFECTS OF INTEMPERANCE. THE Annual Report of the Middlesex Pauper Lunatic Asylum" has just been published; from which we select the following notice concerning the effects of drinking ardent spirits, written by Dr. Ellis, the intelligent and humane Physician of that Establishment. The entire document is replete with interest, and shows the beneficial influence of cheerfulness and moderate exercise upon persons afflicted with insanity. In the last Report it was stated, that, in a great number of cases, both amongst the men and the women, the insanity had been caused by spirit-drinking. It is to be lamented that this ensnaring vice has continued to be productive of the same misery in the year that is just past. Many cases have been brought to us, which from the symptoms they have exhibited, were no doubt the consequence of this practice; and applications have lately been made for the admission of others, in which intemperance has been stated as the sole cause. Nor can this be wondered at, when it is recollected, that, at this period of the year, the worse than foolish custom of giving Christmas-boxes to all the lower classes of society so generally prevails. These donations in their origin were, no doubt, given for the purpose of, and expended in, procuring the little comforts which every kind heart would wish their fellow-creatures to enjoy, with sobriety, at this returning season. But not only has the general necessity for these gifts, in money at least, long since ceased, from the circumstances of the receivers being so materially changed; but the mode of expending the donation has now so greatly changed also, that it has in reality become a serious evil. There are, no doubt, many worthy exceptions; but a great mass of the people from this source devote themselves, as long as the means last, to drunkenness, and sink themselves to the lowest depths of human degradation; the dram-shop only reaping the benefit; whilst many a sorrowful wife in her heart laments that such temptations are offered to vice and indolence. METHODIST QUARTERLY FAST-DAY. **The next Quarterly Fast-Day for the Methodist Societies, according to the Rules of the Connexion, will be Friday, March 27th, 1835. Relating principally to the FOREIGN MISSIONS carried on under the direction of the METHODIST CONFERENCE. MISSIONS IN CONTINENTAL INDIA AND IN CEYLON. THE great and pressing want of our Missions in India and Ceylon, next to the more copious and powerful effusion of the Holy Spirit, is a more adequate supply of labourers, qualified to preach to the people in the different languages of the country. In connexion with this topic, we call the attention of Candidates for the ministry, and, also, of those of our former Missionaries who have returned from India and Ceylon, and are now in English Circuits, (their health being happily, in a considerable degree, restored and established,) to the affecting statement of Mr. George's letter. Can the "returned Missionaries," in particular, read without emotion, and serious searchings of heart as to what may be their line of duty in this matter, the following sentence in that letter?" There are thousands of souls who have no Gospel Minister; and those which have been gathered into the fold are likely to be scattered, without the superintendence of the Shepherd. It would be much better to give up some of our stations to our American brethren, if you do not think of sending us immediate help." Are there none of our tried and esteemed brethren, already familiar with one or more of the languages of the East, whose residence in this country has now so far recruited their physical vigour, as to admit of their speedy return to those posts of foreign labour, which they, so reluctantly, abandoned for a season ? Extract of a Letter from Mr. Bourne, dated Madras, April 15th, 1834. OUR English society is now prospering, and many of the members experience more of the power and comfort of vital religion, and are zealous in their endeavours to diffuse the savour of divine truth among their neighbours. They are regular at their class-meetings and the other means of grace, and their general deportment is highly becoming their Christian profession. Our Tamul cause advances very slowly, and discouragements present themselves in every possible form. Christian Aroolappen, the Assistant Missionary, is now with me; and I am happy to be able to add my testimony to his fervent piety, unwearied diligence, and persevering zeal for the conversion and melioration of the moral condition of his countrymen. As my health has been so delicate, I have recently preached much less in Tamul than I did formerly; but my lack of service is amply compensated by the powerful and energetic discourses of Christian Aroolappen. During the service on the Sabbath morning, many Heathens, of all classes, stand outside, and listen to the proclamation of "the Gospel of salvation" with the utmost attention; and it is not too much to hope, that some of them, at least, carry off with them a portion of divine truth, on which they muse and reflect, and which, at some distant period, may ripen into fruit which is saving. After the service we meet the Tamul class, the attendance at which rarely exceeds twelve or fourteen, and often fewer, most of whom are poor, and despised by their more affluent neighbours for their Christianity; but I generally find that a holy unction rests upon our meeting, and, if my own feelings be a proper criterion by which to form a judgment, God evidently manifests his power and presence among us when we thus assemble to speak of divine things. I spend as much time as I possibly can, consistently with my other duties, in conversing with the Heathen, and distributing among them religious tracts. Tuesday afternoon and, sometimes, the Thursday evening are thus employed; and we hold conversations on every branch of Christianity, and set before the Heathen those truths which are "able to make them wise unto salvation." Some inquire seriously into the subject of discourse, and gladly receive our books; others mock and "make light" of the message of salvation; and others coolly observe, that "the religion of Christ is very good for Europeans, and suited to their circumstances, just as Hindooism is adapted to the wants and necessities of the inhabitants of India." We rejoice, however, that by these means the religion of the Bible is becoming more extensively known; discussion is excited; doubts arise relative to the truth of their own systems; and, though light and conviction may be opposed and resisted for a season, we know who has said, "My word that goeth forth out of my mouth shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it." CEYLON-Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Kilner, dated Negombo, THE following extracts from my jour nal will, I trust, prove interesting to you :December 29.-After having preached twice during the day, and met two classes, I went at night to hold a prayer-meeting in a very populous village of cinnamon peelers, who, in consequence of the inferiority of their caste, are generally regarded by other Singhalese as a class of men not fit to be associated with. On my arrival at the place I found no less than one hundred and fifty adult persons collected together, all of whom are living without God and without hope in the world. The strictest attention was paid to every part of the service. This large assembly-at |