THE They leave the ensigns of Cæsar; they choose THE STANDARD OF THE CROSS; and instead of the dragon-flags which Advertisements. 66 THE CROSS OF CHRIST IS THE KEY OF PARADISE." LONDON, MARCH 1, 1854. R. SNEAD, of No. 1, Beresford Terrace, "PREACHER'S MAGAZINE." Price Sixpence each. AIR OTHER SERMONS, UNSTAMPED, 2D. but you must look at your neighbours, and your shopmates, and the mass of your fellow-towns men, and say if you are prepared to cast away all your present securities for peace and comfort, and fling yourself entirely on the honour of each and the charities of all? For if you distrust your neighbours as they are, no new arrangement into groups or ateliers, into phalanxes or cones, will make them trustworthy. A few bad bricks will spoil the finest arch; but the finest arch will not convert to marble or adamant blocks of untempered clay. We love our fellow-men, and we long for O by the Rev. W. G. Ogborne, Minor of their greater happiness; but so profoundly the Wesleyan Methodist Christian Mission, Estab- SERMON I.-The Fear of the Lord. do we believe that "the imagination of man's heart is only evil," so persuaded are we that our world as yet contains little loyalty to God, II.-The Morning Cloud and Early Dew. and little love of man to man, that we have no faith in any self-restoring system. It is not a new construction which society needs, so much as new material. Nor can we promise Doubtless, ourselves a political millennium. WANTED, 25 Copies ofitive Methodism," London: Office of "The Primitive Standard," and lar Sketches of Primitive by T. CHURCH. Full price will be returned, if sent to the Author, 41, Gresham St. London. KAYE'S WORSDELL'S 13, Moore-street, Sloan-square. The “Primitive Standard.” THE FALLING OF THE ARCH. VEGETABLE PILLS, Some people once built a bridge; but it was THE BEST FAMILY MEDICINE. These Pills are prepared only by JOHN KAYE, ESQ., OF DALTON HALL, RANTED Free from Mercurial, Antimonial, or any of the most delicate constitution. THEY PURIFY THE BLOOD, STRIKE AT THE ROOT OF DISEASE, AND FREE THE STOMACH AND BOWELS FROM ALL CRUDITIES AND They are invaluable to Persons suffering from Dropsy, Diarrhoea, Eruption of the Skin, Flatulency, General Debility, Gout, Gravel, Headache, Indigestion, Influenza, Liver Complaints, Piles, Rheumatism, Stomach Complaints, Scrofula, Sore Legs, Ulcers, Worms; &c. TO EMIGRANTS. Much inconvenience from Sea Sickness may Mrs. BROCK, near Oaklands, Van Diemen's Land, says she "would rather give, Five Pounds for a box than be without them." 4s. 6d. each, at the for Cash, it is the duty of every citizen to give efficiency to such good government as he enjoys; and it is the duty of every state to aim at constitutional optimism; to seek such a code of laws, and such a distribution of power, as will make scarcely erected when it tumbled down. They it easiest for the citizens to do what is right, tried it a second time with no better success. and most difficult to do what is wrong. But And a third time they changed the plan, and there is no magic in political change. No form took every precaution, and allowed a long in-of government, republican, representative, or terval for the mortar to harden; but no sooner despotic, can cure the real complaint of our had they removed the centrings than up sprang species. No law can change vice into virtue, the key-stone, and in bulged the arches, and or give guilt the joys of innocence. No ruler with a crash and a plunge the wholesale ruin can make the atheist happy, or kindle a blessed poured into the tide below. On this, a council hope in that mephetic mind which has quenched of practical men was convened. The architect its own lamp of immortality. When Hercules came, armed with his plans so prettily drawn, put on the poisoned robe, it did not matter which he flourished as on a field-day a marshal where he went. No change of climate, no will flourish his baton. And rival architects breezy height, no balmy sky could lull the came, not so much to suggest, as to enjoy a venom in his fiery veins. Restless and roamlittle quiet exultation. But the man of skill, thing; but the real quarrel was with his tainted and the main hope of the conclave, was a civiling, he wandered to and fro, and raged at everyengineer from the capital. For a long time he self, and the change which would have relieved said nothing; but he had evidently scanned it his misery would have been a migration from all in a single glance, and it was clear that he his own writhing nerves and stounding bones. was only tracing symbols in the dust with his And let a man of idle or immoral habits, or cane, till the common herd had talked them- let an ill-assorted family try all the constituselves out, and he should be summoned to pro- tions in the world, or let a new constitution nounce his oracle. Of course," was that oracle, come to their own country once a year, and "the span is too wide, and the ellipses by far they will soon discover that to a guilty conImpossible!" cried the horri- science or a dissolute character, political daytoo eccentric." fied architect; "the first plan had arches as round as the Roman, and it went like a house springs bring no healing. Legislation contains no charm-no spell for converting personal or of cards." This by no means shook the judg- domestic wretchedness into virtue and tranment of the man of skill: but it emboldened a quillity; and so long as a man is entangled in plain man, who once wrought as a mason in his own corruption-so long as he wears the that country-side, but who had saved a little poisoned vest of inherent depravity, “he may money, and was now doing business on his own change the place, but he cannot cheat the pain." Truly, sirs, I wonder that you think behalf. of nothing but arches, and abutments, and spans. Just look at that brick; and so saying, in his great hand he crushed a fragment as if it were touchwood or toadstool. "I never knew a brick come from these fields which would bear the weight of its neighbour. It is not the fault of the plan; it is all the blame of the bricks." And it would be well if projectors in politics and morals adverted more to THE STRENGTH OF THEIR MATERIALS. Like bricks from the same kiln, some specimens of human nature may be better than others; but in building a social structure for Britain or the world, you must look not to picked samples, but to the ordinary run. You must look not to patriots, and saints, and the martyrs of favourite schemes; Is there, then, you will ask, no hope for society? Is the present routine of selfishness, oppression, and suffering, to go on for ever? Assuredly not. But it will come to an end in no other way except that which God has designed and foretold. It will end when he him self interposes. Till then, visionaries, amiable or atheistic, may each propound his panacea; but, alas! the plague of society is too virulent for any medicine native to our earth. It is not till the Prince of Peace shall commence his reign of righteousness, and, simultaneous with his enthronement, the Spirit of God shall mollify the minds of men, that "violence" shall wasting and vanish from our earth, and “ destruction" from within its borders.-J. H, Opening of the Parliamentary Session. BY HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN. to make a further augmentation of my naval and military forces, with the view of supporting my representations, and of more effectually contributing to the restoration of peace. "I have directed that the papers explanatory of the negotiations which have taken place upon this subject shall be communicated to you without delay. "GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, "The Estimates for the year will be laid before you; and I trust you will find that, consistently with the exigencies of the public service at this juncture, they have been framed with a due regard to economy. 'MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, "In the year which has just terminated, the blessing of an abundant harvest has not been vouchsafed to us. By this dispensation of Providence the price of provisions has been enhanced, and the privations of the poor have been increased; but their patience has been exemplary; and the care of the Legislature, evinced by the reduction of taxes affecting the necessaries of life, has greatly tended to preserve a spirit of contentment. "I have the satisfaction of announcing to you that the commerce of the country is still prosperous; that trade, both of export and import, has been largely on the increase; and that the revenue of the past year has been more than adequate to the demands of the public service. "I recommend to your consideration a Bill which I have ordered to be framed for opening the coasting-trade of the United Kingdom to the ships of all friendly nations; and I look forward with satisfaction to the removal of the last legislative restriction upon the use of foreign shipping for the benefit of my people. THE second session of Queen Victoria's fourth parliament was opened by Her Majesty in person, on Tuesday, January, 31st. The real importance of that brilliant though sedate spectacle, is to be found in the fact that the head of the State was proceeding through the streets of the capital, those streets being crowded by an excited populace, to summon the State to sanction and to strengthen those measures which she had taken upon the advice of her ministers, in the absence of Parliament, to resist the aggression of one of her allies upon another of her allies, those measures leading in all probability to a European war, of which once begun no man could foresee the result. This great fact, is in our time a new fact, and in the face of such probabilities, the session then opened must be pronounced as transcending in importance every other session of the Parliament called in the present reign. Even were the Russian question not in presence, there are other circumstances which would render the opening of the session of 1854 an epoch. The speech from the Throne which declared conditional war against the Czar, announced also a Reform Bill1—a measure which may produce as great gradual changes as were produced by the Bill (of which this is a complement and a continuation) of 1832-a measure from which undoubtedly we shall date in our constitutional history. We remember the reign of William IV. solely for the Reform Bill, in the passing of which he was the reluctant agent; and, whatever may be the other memorable episodes reserved by fate, it would so far appear to be certain that posterity will principally commemorate Victoria for the "Communications have been addressed by my command to the Unimeasures which made trade free, and the measure which struck a death-versities of Oxford and Cambridge, with reference to the improvements blow at the system, peculiar to our constitution, of electoral corruption which it may be desirable to effect in their institutions. These commuand simulacrous party representation. For still other reasons must we nications will be laid before you, and measures will be proposed regard and record the initiation of the new session with no ordinary for your consideration, with the view of giving effect to such improveinterest. Fortunately for a people threatened with a great war, and to whom the Sovereign appeals to undertake a great struggle, the Parliament assembled on Tuesday is, in the loftiest sense, a "National Council," since it meets at a moment when "party" has for the present disappeared, if it has not been permanently destroyed; and the curious yet gratifying circumstance is noticeable that this Parliament, whom the Queen, with the national approval, has invited to "Reform" itself, is a Parliament in the first place in unusual accord with the Government, and in the next place is a Parliament in which, so far as the conduct of the war would be concerned, the people would appear to place the most unbounded-it may be said-unparalleled confidence. That is to say, we have not only a coalition Government, but a coalition House of Commons, in which-national danger impending, and national respectability (by the adoption of a Reform Bill) having to be secured-individual differences are indiscriminately suppressed. Perhaps the theory that "government by party" is the only Government applicable to a mixed Constitution like that of England may be quite sound; but at any rate it is obvious that the Ministers of Queen Victoria are not just now in face of any tangible body to be termed "Her Majesty's Opposition." That there are, and will be, varieties of opinions upon varieties of subjects, is as certain as that there are 654 members of the House of Commons. But the House of Commons is, 66 for the present, without any of those party organisations which indicate the continuance of Government by party. We may return to the ancient ways of watching, or waiting for our freedom, and arranging our prosperity; but, for the present, the National Council is unconstitutionally unsymmetrical-there are no " sides." And such a fact is to Englishmen at such a time a subject for congratulation. ments. "The establishments requisite for the conduct of the Civil Service, under review; and I shall direct a plan to be laid before you which will and the arrangements bearing upon its condition, have recently been have for its object to improve the system of admission, and thereby to increase the efficiency of the service. "The recent measures of legal reform have proved highly beneficial, and the success which has attended them may well encourage you to proceed with further amendments. Bills will be submitted to you for transferring from the Ecclesiastical to the Civil Courts the cognizance of testamentary and of matrimonial causes, and for giving increased efficiency to the Superior Courts of Common Law. 66 The laws relating to the relief of the poor have of late undergone much salutary amendment; but there is one branch to which I earnestly direct your attention. The law of settlement impedes the freedom of labour; and, if this restraint can with safety be relaxed, the workman may be enabled to increase the fruits of his industry, and the interests of capital and of labour will be more firmly united. "Measures will be submitted to you for the amendment of the laws relating to the representation of the Commons in Parliament. "Recent experience has shown that it is necessary to take more effectual precautions against the evils of bribery and of corrupt practices at elections. It will also be your duty to consider whether more complete effect may not be given to the principles of the Act of the last reign, whereby reforms were made in the representation of the people in Parliament. In recommending this subject to your consideration, my desire is to remove every cause of just complaint, to increase general Her Majesty read, with her usual clearness and emphasis, the follow-confidence in the Legislature, and to give additional stability to the ing Speech: "MY LORDS AND Gentlemen, "I am always happy to meet you in Parliament; and on the present occasion it is with peculiar satisfaction that I recur to your assistance and advice. "The hopes which I expressed at the close of the last Session, that a speedy settlement would be effected of the differences existing between Russia and the Ottoman Porte, have not been realised, and I regret to say that a state of warfare has ensued. "I have continued to act in cordial co-operation with the Emperor of the French, and my endeavours, in conjunction with my Allies, to preserve and to restore peace between the contending parties, although hitherto unsuccessful, have been unremitting. I will not fail to persevere in these endeavours; but, as the continuance of the war may deeply affect the interests of this country, and of Europe, I think it requisite settled institutions of the State. At the conclusion of the Speech, her Majesty retired in the same order in which she had entered the house. After the delivery of the Royal Speech their Lordships adjourned during pleasure. Their Lordships resumed at a quarter past five o'clock, when the attendance of Peers was numerous. Among those present were the Earl of Aberdeen, the Duke of Newcastle, the Earl of Clarendon, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and Earl Granville, on the Ministerial bench; and the Earl of Derby, Lord St. Leonards, the Earl of Malmesbury, Lord Colchester, and the Earl of Cardigan, on the Opposition benches. A considerable number of Peeresses occupied the galleries. Narrative Department. "HARLEY BECKFORD." "Dark spectral shadows flit around man's head, But while he lives he still must live by bread." THE solitude of our own chamber, where alone we can converse with ourselves, where "we commune with our own hearts, and are still," heard. say upon the table. the limb, perhaps his life, than have parted with it. Indeed, I have heard him that it did once save his father's life, who, being harried out of his living by the papishes, was not allowed to tak ony of his goods away; he took his bible, however, and departed; and at the bottom of his little field he just turned to look his last at the parsonage-house where he had lived so long, and bid it farewell, when some vagabone, heart had-na this very bible been the nearest thing to it, and caught tired of his tarrying, fired a shot at him, which would ha pierced his the bullet, and so he scaped death by a miracle. This hole," he continued, pointing to a corner of the thick old cover, "is where the bullet lodged. I ha' that too, somewhere, but I seldom look at it, as I am-na fond o' such deadly things." And here he was called from the apartment. The fine old volume which Thrift had left with him would at any time have afforded gratification to one who was so much of an antiquarian, that he loved to look on one of these venerable survivors of ages and of generations gone away. The edition he was examining was a ponderous squat quarto, substantial enough to have resisted the bullets of a regiment. The boards were of oak nearly half an inch thick, covered with stout black leather, and supported by heavy brass-work, with hinges and clasps at the back and front, where a lock had formerly guarded the treasures within. The leaves were of stout, coarse paper, in colour like old parchment. The type was the old English black-letter; and there were no division of the verses. Here and there a note by the translator was inserted, not in so distinct a form as to show that it was an interpolation, but was thrust in irreverently into the very text. As part of the title-page was torn away, neither name nor date remained to tell how old it was, and where and by whom printed. The absurdity of some attempts made to illustrate the volume with plates was amusing; but whether the impressions were from wood or copper it was hard to say. The ingenious artist was as deficient in his conceptions of the sublime book as he was in the knowledge of his art; in the one he exhibited an utter disregard of proportion and perspective, and in the other grotesqueness and extravagance. In the first page was a view of the creation of man, in which the Creator, in the form of an old man, was seen kneeling on the ground, and kneading in a large trough the clay from which Adam was to be made, &c. With such a set of illustrations before him, that the young man should have been diverted from the purpose for which he had borrowed the book, and indulge now and then in laughter, was not at all surprising. But though his inquiry was delayed, it was not abandoned : it had, indeed, been freshly excited, during his inspection of these old prints, by reading at the foot of each plate the several portions of scripture illustrated; and finding these impressive, he sometimes lingered over the words longer than the designs would warrant. The hour between his return to the inn and the time fixed for dinner had passed rapidly away; and it was with surprise that he heard Mrs. Thrift ask if he was ready for it, and after much hemming and hawing, said, "It is a rule in our house, if any guest is here on the Sunday when we roast our first goose for the season, that he dine with us at our table." ** * ** prehensive honours, washing down the latter with long, hearty "Nay, nay," said he, "I know as well as any man how to look after I can all the better afford to be hospitable when the humour takes me. my own gear; and if, in business, I keep a sharp eye to the pence, why So sit down, and let us dispatch this one bottle before wife and I are off to church." ' "Well, I declare," cried Mrs. Thrift, "if they're not singing 'The Spotted Cow!' the profane people! Who ever can they be who are so wicked? Here, Tom," she called to a shock-headed servant-man, who came running in out of the kitchen, go see what tipsy blackguards week!" are making that uproar in the street on a Sunday, of all days of the "They be Ranters, missis," said Tom; "and they be come apreaching." 66 "Ranters ?" said Mrs. Thrift, a churchwoman to the backbone. Oh, the enthusiastic fools! I'd rant them, if I had my will o' them." Meanwhile the singing sounded more and more distinct, as if the party were approaching the house; and as they came still nearer, women's voices were heard mingled with the louder voices of men. Why, Tom," said Mrs. Thrift, more scandalized than ever, "there's women among 'em!" "Twere odd an there were na," said Tom. "In coorse, missis, there be ! One on 'em be a-going to preach!" "A woman going to preach!" exclaimed Mrs. Thrift; "I'd have her whipped at the cart's tail, a baggage! What has a woman to do meddling wi' such matters? And, pray, who is she? Some notable trollop, I'll warrant her!" she continued with a warmth which surPrised and amused the young gentleman, and kept Thrift fully employed in winking at him. "She's been convarted by 'em; and 66 Nanny Rayner," said Tom. that was good. The hussy would let her poor old mother work her they do say she be main clever." Clever?" echoed the mistress.. "She never was clever at anything bones bare before she would stir her stumps to help her." "They do say she has the gift o' the gab," said Tom; "but women be all dreadful clever that way.' "Silence, sir," said Mr. Thrift, interposing. "No libelling here!" and Tom withdrew. The dialogue between Tom and his mistress had as much interested as it had amused their guest; and the novelty to him of an outdoor service and the preaching of a woman, determined him to go and witness such a spectacle. So, apologizing for leaving the table sooner than he intended, he put on his hat, and sallied forth from the Pilgrim's Rest. (To be continued.) EXPENSE OF WAR.-Give me the money that has been spent in war, and I will purchase every foot of land upon the globe. I will clothe every man, woman, and child in an attire of which kings and queens would be proud. I will build a school-house on every hill side and in every valley over the whole earth; I will build an academy in every town, and endow it; a college in every state, and fill it with able professors; I will crown every hill with a place of worship, consecrated to the promulgation of the gospel of peace; I will support in every pulpit an able teacher of righteousness, so that on every Sabbath morning the chime on one hill should answer to the chime on another round the earth's wide circumference; and the voice of prayer and the song of praise should ascend like an universal holocaust to heaven.-Rufus Stebins. Divinity Papers. ON "REVIVALS." I have lately heard disparaging remarks concerning revivals-that they were attended with so many defects that their absence was better than their presence; and that, on the whole, we had better go back to the good old days when revivals were unknown, and the minister had easy times-when no such attacks were made upon his heart and conscience, and intellect, but that he could spend most of his time on his farm, fattening his hogs, and getting in his crops; while, if he preached half a century he would never hear of a conversion. I would ask these croakers at revivals, how many friends of missions would have been mustered if there had been no revivals? My brethren, WE MUST HAVE REVIVALS. It must rain faster, or we perish with drought. There is no such thing as a growing, progressive church without them-no such thing as a prosperous country without them. God has never multiplied his people-never built up his kingdom rapidly without them, and never will. This is the thought I would impress upon those who hear me-the indispensable necessity of revivals of religion to perpetuate the church and to convert the world. 1. Revivals are necessary as a kind of substitute for miracles. God is the author of conversion; but not in the way of miracles-not without reference to and conformity with the laws of mind. Miracles cannot convert the soul. How many of those who witnessed the miracles of Christ, do you suppose were converted by the prodigies that astounded them? Miracles had their use; but that use was not the conversion of the soul. But now their object is accomplished; the gospel is authenticated; the work is under motion. Hear the world roar as it rushes along; and see, as civilization advances, wealth accumulates, luxury abounds, and society rises higher and higher, how men dislike the humbling doctrines of the cross! Religion becomes offensive; the gospel is odious; and if they go on, they will scout it out of the world with their sneers and contempt. How are you to make head against all this accumulating hatred? By jogging along in the good old orthodox way? No; men will go to hell by whole generations, if something be not done. But go into a church filled with these gay, self-sufficient, contemptuous schemers, when the Spirit of God is abroad and the atmosphere of revivals envelopes the mass. Then see how they stir; what an arrest is put upon the current of their worldliness! The whole town is affected. Conviction spreads from heart to heart, like fire in a dry forest. Every body feels, and you cannot tell why. In Litchfield, Connecticut, during a great revival, I should hear of revivals taking place simultaneously ten miles apart, without any contact or intercommunion. The Gospel then took hold. It was invested with a kind of almightiness. It is impossible for the truth to make such an impression at any other time. We must have revivals, if the world is ever to be converted. To wait till the church is filled with the droppings of the sanctuary, is to wait for ever. On the ratio of conversions which take place under an old, cozy, orthodox ministry, it would take to all eternity to convert the world. We must travel faster. A nation must be born in a day. 2. We must have revivals, to keep pace with the progress of the world's education, civilization, philosophy, business, thought. Every thing now goes ahead, and nothing but revivals will keep us in hailing distance of the world. The church is in the world; and if the world goes ten times as fast as formerly, we need ten times the power to keep our hold upon it. A church in the days of the Puritans could endure a season of dearth and destitution for seventy years, and yet keep alive. But ten years of destitution will do more injury in a church now than seventy then. If we went along in the old pace we should soon be out of sight. The world would leave us so far behind, that we could not be discerned with a telescope. 3. We need revivals to secure the ministration of sound scriptural doctrine. The carnal mind is enmity toward God; and where conversions are unfrequent, the worldly spirit predominates. I have seen the time when men's minds were impressed with an omnipresent awe. Some were vexed, and some trembled as I preached the severe, humbling doctrine of the cross; but not a dog wagged his tongue. The presence of the revival enabled me to preach without let or hindrance, the whole truth. But just as soon as the revival subsided, and the pressure was taken off, for me to have preached these same truths would have created an insurrection. We must have revivals, or we shall stand a chance to meet the mob. The world will not endure sound doctrine, without the subduing power of revivals. 4. We need revivals, to prevent the fatal effects of doctrinal formality. Many good people seem to think, that if they have the "Shorter Cate chism" in their houses, and especially if they have taught their children to "say" it, all will be well. I do not know of any thing more stupifying, Lethean, than a dead orthodoxy. Orthodoxy without revivals, will produce formality. There are a great many ways to hell, and I do trusting to the saving power of his creed, may be sure he is riding down not know but the orthodox way is as fatal as any. He who lives on, the broad road at a railroad speed. I do not wish to speak of myself; but if there be a thing for which I desire to thank God, it is that he has permitted me to have some part in the glorious work of revivals. I am an old man, and on the verge of eternity: I would say, that if I had a thousand lives they should be devoted to the ministry of revivals. You will ask me how revivals are to be obtained? Take this, perhaps the last counsel of an old man ; for I shall soon leave the world. I never yet had a revival unexpectedly, or on the mere ground that God is a Sovereign, and pours out his Spirit when and where he pleases. This doctrine never led to revivals. I always sought and laboured for them, carefully watching the indications of Providence, and endeavouring, by the grace of God, to seize upon the appropriate moment. If the time came when efforts seemed called for, I made them. If I found my own heart not prepared for a revival, I took it to the throne of grace for correction. Rerivals, like all good things, are to be laboured for diligently, faithfully. Do any of you feel the need of a revival in your churches? There is my experience. Prayer and labour, faith and works. Let me add, the preaching, I have found to be most successful, was doctrinal. I never wrote articles for the press, with rounded periods and polished style, to do execution with in a revival. I never had any freedom when I was obliged to read my sermon so closely, that I could not make a gesture. Such sermons always grow cold in the mouth, and freeze the hearts of the hearers. I taught men they were rebels against Godthe doctrine of total depravity-defining what I meant by it, and by all means, what I did not mean; and then, after stating the doctrine as clearly as I could, I endeavoured to send it home. I never did any good with a sermon which had no application. Men are not so eager for the truth that they will pick it up. Other animals may do it, but sinners will not. Sermons ought to be made properly for execution. The church will never do her duty without revivals.-Dr. L. Beecher. Religious Intelligence. BEVERLEY.-I send you a short account of our Chapel Anniversary. Last Sunday, Feb. 5th, three sermons were preached, in the morning at half-past ten, by G. Wood; afternoon and evening, by W. Sanderson, of Kirton. The night congregation was overflowing; and in the prayer-meeting after, a young woman deeply broken for sin, struggled herself into the liberty of the children of God. On Monday, the day following, we held our annual tea meeting; when about 120 persons sat down to the cup which cheers but not inebriates-brightness beamed on every countenance, and all was order and harmony. A public meeting was held in the chapel. T. Clark, one of our old friends, occupied the chair. The speakers were the following-J. Chambers, of Hull; M. Denton, J. Jinkinson, F. Rudd, G. Wood, of Beverley, and W. Sanderson. A gracious influence rested upon the assembly; we had all things common; the addresses were plain and practical, producing an impression on the audience, which we trust, will not be forgotten. The Sabbath collections, with the proceeds of the tea and collection after, amounted to the noble sum of £13, being a few shillings over that raised last year. Praise the Lord for all his mercies. ETA. GARNVACH.-We have just held a tea meeting. You can give it an insertion. Near 200 partook of the tea; all the friends seemed happy and cheerful. After the trays were removed, a public meeting was held. The Rev. J. White was selected to preside, and addresses of an interesting and profitable character were given by E. Jones, P. Jones, M. Rowsell, J. Whillocks, and J. Protheroe. This is the first Primitive Methodist tea meeting held in this place, viz.: Garnvach. The profits to be applied to the fitting-up of a room, which has been secured at a small rental. It is worthy of remark, that since the opening of the room for religious worship the society has more than doubled its numbers, and a Sunday school has been established, which numbers already about 80 scholars. O may the showers of blessings continue to fall on us, until we become ten thousand times as many Amen and Amen. AN OFFICIAL. more as we are. LOUTH PRIMITIVE METHODIST MISSIONS.-Services and meetings were held from the 12th to the 15th Feb., 1854, at Theddlethorpe, North Somercotes, and Grainthorpe, villages in this circuit. The town services were as follow:-On Sunday 12th, sermons by the Rev. W. Garner, of London, on the Christian Race, and Man not His Own; and by W. Sanderson, of Scotter, on the Superiority of Christ's Blood over that of a red heifer. On Tuesday night, Mr. Sanderson, on the End of the Perfect Man, and on Thursday afternoon, the Rev. G. Lamb, of London, on Faith without Sight. On Thursday morning, a numerous company partook of an excellent "Missionary Breakfast," in the school-room adjoining the chapel, and were addressed by Messrs Garner, T. Greenbury, and R. Ingham (Baptist). In the evening the public meeting was held; J. Maltby, Esq., of Louth Park, presided, and after a preliminary remark, immediately called on the speakers. The Rev. Parkinson Milson rejoiced in the fulness of the gospel scheme of salvation; it was as free as full; and should be as universally triumphant as it was free. Swords and cannon should be uncalled for, or regarded as the mementos of the accomplishments of men of by-gone days; and such men as Blucher, Wellington, and Cæsar, now lifted up to the dark skies that the ignorance and wickedness of men had made, should be regarded with horror by men duly enlightened by divine grace, as wholesale butchers and human monsters. As for cannon, he saw 30,000 at the Royal Arsenal; now, what should become of these? he would have them molten and made into chapel pillars, or triumphal monuments in honour of Jesus. Napoleon, the conqueror of Europe, had one 150 feet high, and why not Christ? He would have a cross, of course, on the summit, though he were not a Romanist, and on a tablet at the base, the words, "Jesus of Nazareth, the conqueror of the world." He would have one monument at Epworth, where Wesley was born; another at Mow-hill, where the first camp-meeting was held; one at Worms, where Luther dared hell; another on the beach where the missionary Williams was slain. Now, the Primitives were a giant promotive of Christ's universal conquest, and devils would soon tremble at them: Jesus they knew, Paul they knew, and soon they would have to concede, the Primitives we know: he believed they were even now dreaded and hated in hell, and that they were destined to cleanse this "devilhaunted" world. Mr. Milson then, in a rapturous strain, congratulated his hearers on their final victory, and promised them, on continuance of their efforts, that they should be more than conquerors. The Rev. R. Langham, of Alford, recapitulated the history of the scheme of salvation, from the fall to the final impregnation of the world with divine love, and urged the people to continue their exertions in the "work of faith and labour of love." Mr. Lamb next spoke, and contrasted former times with the present: twenty years ago he had attended missionary meetings in Louth, there were then but a few members, and their place of meeting was small, but now, their influence had increased, and they were placed in most favourable circumstances, and seated in a most commodious and really spacious chapel. It had been said, this was now the land of bibles, and was called Christian England, but, alas! what a vast amount of ignorance and impiety was to be seen. Poets and orators, inspired by tropes, had spoken of England as a mother, and as anxious for the welfare of her family, but how much remained to be done! Look at the youth receding from her shores to fight her battles on distant fields of blood: look at the many laws instituted, and yet how full the lists of criminal justice; and look at the people, how little done for their morals! Splendid cathedrals were erected, certainly; lofty domes raised; but oh! that the money expended in these had been spent in dispersing that moral darkness which hovered over the masses! In spreading bibles! In circulating christian truth. Christians felt for this. Ignorance was so lamentably rife, that, in London, for instance, many knew nothing of God-never heard of Christ-but the whole extent of their knowledge consisted in knowing how to sweep the crossings of the streets. As for crime, it was awfully prevalent, many being there trained to theft, as our children were trained to morality in the Sabbath school. But the true christian could adopt the language of the poet and say, "England! with all thy faults, I love thee still." &c. Mr. L. then narrated several striking instances of depravity and opposition met with by the first Primitive Methodist missionaries, and of their ultimate success in various towns: establishing societies in places where, at the outset, they had been persecuted by mobs and abused with brick-bats, dead cats, &c., and showed that God's judgments had generally fallen on the heads of the ring-leaders of these affairs. The speaker then complimented the ladies present, on their assiduous exertions,-they were the best part of God's creation, and he rejoiced that they were on the side of the mission cause, and he doubted not that they would carry the day. Mr. Sanderson next spoke :Legislators might speak of sanitary reform, but christianity, in his opinion was the best sanitary measure; it was founded on great principles, which, if attended to, would indeed promote the sanitary and spiritual welfare of the nation. Religion taught men to respect themselves, and if they would only do this, homes would be made happy and hearts glad: the cabins of the Irish would be dispossessed of the swine which occupied them, and place would be given for the children of the man. Make a savage religious, he would disarm himself and render his home comfortable, and civilization would ensue: make an Englishman religious, and crime and ignorance and filth would vanish; for these last were almost inseparably connected. Christianity was indeed the greatest work of God; ""Twas great to speak a world from nought, but greater to redeem." And it was wonderful that, amid such opposition, it should progress and win its widening way, and he rejoiced it was destined to become universal. It was preached, indeed, by poor, plain men, but the "foolishness of preaching" was the divinely instituted medium by which it should become commensurate with the extent of the globe. And if the Primitives were "earthy vessels," the promise encouraged them, "Lo I am with you, to the end of the world." It was related of a Mahomedan warrior, that so numerous were his military achievements, and such his consequent fame, that after death, his sword was preserved as a precious relic and curiosity. Thousands made pilgrimages to see it, and amongst these was an Islam who had walked many a weary league for that purpose. His curiosity increased as the rich silk folds and bandages were being unwrapt, and as cloth after cloth was taken off he became impatient. The sword was at length bared, and the weary pilgrim became astonished and disappointed: he indignantly cried, "Is that the sword? why, I have a better sword of my own!" The keeper replied, "Yes, that is the sword, but the arm which wielded it is not here!"-And though they (the preachers) were the means, yet the " power was on high;" they would, therefore, take courage, and go on. Christianity was to be gloriously universal, and he thought everything favoured this opinion; and also that the English race was destined to carry it on to its consummation. The Saxon race was spreading all over the globe; in Australia-in America-and with them, their language; and with that, the reformed protestant religion. Science showed it; human progress proved it. Look but at the facilities of travelling. We were, years ago, a very "stay-at-home" sort of people, having to make our wills before we went to London, or any such distance; but now, our friends were in America, at the Great or Little Falls, before we knew of their departure, and scores were emigrating to Australia. Travelling on the continent was now a little thing; almost every boy could describe its cities, and tell you with a commonplace air, Constantinople, oh! it is a city of wooden boxes; the German states, they are cut to pieces by wars, and have nothing worth looking at; Munich, why, its taken down, fresh painted, and not put up again; and Paris, why, who had not been there? Soon all would have to go to China, and nothing would satisfy the travelling propensity, but to China in a week! By and by, Louth people would have to go to Leadenhall-street, and there apply to a little-eyed, hollow-cheeked, sallow-complexioned, pig-tailed, little man for a passport. And John Bull would soon be seen with his carpet-bag and macintosh off and away to China! and English ladies and their servants and parasols would be seen pic-nic-ing on the Great Wall of China! Now, all these travelling facilities were not for commercial purposes merely, but for educational and gospel purposes; they were so many grand media by which the knowledge of God should be diffused over the whole inhabited globe. Mr. Garner next addressed the meeting, and gave a cursory statistical account of the position and prospects of the Primitive Methodist missionary interest in America, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, &c. The Rev. Hugh Campbell, superintendent minister,. Louth circuit, next gave the financial statements of the Louth Missionary Anniversary, from which we learned that the proceeds of the bazaar recently held amounted to £30 1s. 9d.; missionary breakfast, £3 6s. ; Sunday collections, £6 6s.; Monday afternoon, £2 9s. 10d.; public meeting, £5 19s.; making a total, with donations, missionary boxes, &c., of £89 Os. 6d. ; last year's, £80 10s. Amongst the various items read over by Mr. Campbell, was, "Proceeds of a Broken Law, or Good out of Evil," 2s.; thus explained: a farmer in the vicinity of Louth had a law in his household, that any person therein, after washing their hands, not throwing away the dirty water, &c., be subjected to a fine of a halfpenny for each offence. The law had been broken forty-eight times during the past year, and he (Mr. C.) had almost said, he wished they would break it again. (Laughter.) Mr. Campbell then moved a vote of thanks to the ladies for their unparalleled endeavours (Mrs. Maltby having collected the noble sum of £13) in the cause of missions; seconded by Mr. Greenbury, and unanimously carried. The doxology was then sung, and prayer being offered, the meeting closed. -A happy revival has broken out in the Louth circuit,-twenty have been converted the last few weeks at Yarboro', and many at Alvingham, Ludboro', and other villages.-On Sunday night, the 19th of February, souls found mercy. Praise the Lord. Mr. Greenbury preached at Louth, on the Paradise of God, and seven H. BROWN. LEA BROOK.-WEST BROMWICH CIRCUIT.-The Primitive Methodist chapel has recently received the addition of a new orchestra, capable of accommodating about 90 persons. On Sundays, January 29th, and February 5th, sermons were preached, and collections made to defray the expenses of erection; on the former day, Mr. T. James, of Wednesbury, officiated in the afternoon, and Mr. B. Wood, of Smethswick, in the evening; on the following Sabbath, Mr. Turner, of Dawley Green, preached in the evening. The services were well attended, and a gracious influence accompanied the word. Several choice pieces were sung by an efficient choir, conducted by Mr. W. Hodgkins. The public collections and private subscriptions amounted to £47, which nearly met the outlay." Such efforts to improve the house of God, without increasing the responsibilities of trustees, are worthy of imitation. E. B. and W. H. SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY, YARMOUTH.-On November 13th, 1853, our Sabbath-school anniversary was celebrated. A sermon was preached in the morning by Mrs. Winkfield; Mr. Jackson, conducted the afternoon and evening services. The children recited many interesting pieces; and being assisted by our choir, sung several hymns prepared for the occasion. Our congregations were very large during the day, and in the evening great numbers could not gain admittance into the chapel. On Monday evening we held another meeting; the |