those that are held throughout the country. In the immediate vicinity of Tully west alone there are five weekly prayer meetings."

Another correspondent says:-"There appears no abatement of religious concern. The house of worship is thronged, public-houses are emptied, one has closed, and others are likely soon to close, from necessity. Prayer meetings are multiplying in every direction, and peace, and love, and joy are springing up in every home."

NEWTOWNLIMAVADY.

The cases of physical prostration in the town are not so numerous as formerly, but in country districts they are still occurring in considerable numbers. It is believed that there is scarcely a young man in the entire town who remains unimpressed. Many of them, in all probability, are only cases of conviction, but many, on the other hand, it is confidently believed, are subjects of conversion. Any man or boy asked publicly to pray, will cheerfully and readily lead the devotions, even in the largest meetings. A refusal to do so is very rare. A special communion was held in the bounds of the Newtownlimavady Presbytery, on Sabbath, the 24th of July last,

which

churches.

was largely attended in all the

CROSSROADS, NEAR OMAGH.

On Sabbath evening, 24th ult., a large district prayer meeting, in the bounds of the congregation, was held in the open air. A scene ensued, the most awful and striking that has been witnessed by any present in their day and generation. It was found necessary for some to remain during the night. One of the elders of the congregation states that there were thirty cases of conviction, most of whom, it is perfectly hoped, may result in true conversion to the Saviour. On next evening, 25th of July, a meeting was held in Crossroads Presbyterian Church, and it turned out, under the Divine blessing, to be one of the most important ever held in that congregation, although established seventy years. The number of persons stricken down with heartfelt cries and appeals for mercy, through the length and breadth of a large house, was truly astonishing and awful. For whole hours neither singing nor prayer could be conducted, every heart being subdued and brought to a depth of solemnity altogether unparalleled in the history of their lives. The meeting continued till near daylight. The number stricken and under conviction is stated to be from twentyfive to thirty on that occasion.

CASTLEWELLAN.

About the time of the observance of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, in May last, indications of a religious revival began to appear in the Presbyterian congregation of Castlewellan. For some Sabbaths previous to the stated recurrence of this ordinance, the pastor of the congregation has been in the habit of selecting special and suitable subjects for the pulpit, as preparatory to its proper and profitable observance; and on the last occasion he took up the subject of a "Revival of religion," in a series of discourses. From this

time, the presence and blessings of the Holy Spirit have been manifesting themselves in convictions of sin, and in an unusually deep and increasing seriousness regarding divine things. After the sacrament, special meetings for public and united prayer, and other religious exercises, were commenced in the meeting-house on Wednesday evenings, and are still continued. Except on two occasions, these exercises have been conducted by the minister of the place. The attendance has been very large, considering the circumstances of the locality, and is composed of members of congregations of various denominations. It numbers from 200 to 700 persons each meeting, and is not decreasing. Attendance on the Sabbath services has also increased, and is still increasing. Shortly after the commencement of the special services, extraordinary convictions of sin became apparent. Many have been "stricken down," and some hundreds are giving satisfactory evidence of having awakened to a sense of the value of their souls, and the preciousness of Gospel blessings, and they are very earnestly seeking them in the diligent use of the appointed means of grace; and there is also sufficient evidence that some have been turned unto the Lord. Bible and catechetical classes have been opened for all who wish to attend, and special classes for inquirers and "converts;" and these opportunities of religious instruction and counsel are most eagerly embraced by an increasingly large number of anxious hungerers after the "Bread of Life." Let the friends of this whole movement never forget that it is all and altogether the work of God-"The Lord alone will be exalted in that day "-and that prayer is His own appointed means of engaging His grace and power on its behalf; and just in proportion to their prayers will be its progress and extent.

KEADY.

Steadily and savingly the work of God progresses. Never before have we realised the force of the Scripture truth-" Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." For some time past, the weekly prayer meetings in this neighbourhood have been largely attended, and a marked seriousness manifested, The late visit of Mr. Moore, of Ballymena, had evidently produced a solemn thoughtfulness and anxiety to hear, such as we never before witnessed, reaching even very many of other religious denominations. Praise be to God, we have now to record tokens of Almighty power in blessings whose magnitude eternity alone can make known. Last Thursday was the usual day of humiliation before the quarterly communion in the First Presbyterian Congregation, Keady, when the Rev. Jackson Smyth, of Armagh, preached with great power and feeling on the "Great Salvation." The people heard as for eternity, and when the services were over seemed as loth to leave. A public meeting had been announced for six o'clock the same evening. Long before the appointed time, multitudes were thronging to the house of prayer, and at the hour of meeting, every available portion of the large church was filled-upwards of a thousand people within and around the doors. The services were opened with prayer and praise by Dr.

"We

Carson, The Rev. William Henderson, of Armagh, then addressed the people from the words, "God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope," earnestly and eloquently dwelling on the experimental religion of the great apostle, and urging every one to know the Lord Jesus Christ as แ our hope." The Rev. George Steen made a few remarks in reference to his own experience of the great movement, and led the audience in prayer and praise; when the Rev. Jackson Smyth delivered a thrilling address, riveting the attention of all present, dwelling with much feeling and beauty on the need of the Spirit's great work and personal application to the blessed Jesus. As he spake we felt to be more and more "of one mind." Real faith was at work-au unseen Hand directed the arrows of conviction, and at once several in the most piteous and piercing cries gave vent to their overburthened hearts. 66 My sins! my sins!" "My heart!" "Oh, how hateful!" "Oh, mercy, mercy!" We felt as we never felt before. Of a truth, we said, God is in this place-Spirit of the Living God! One such visit leads more into the knowledge of "all truth" than the most laboured productions of the most accomplished minds. thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight." Jehovah was in our midst ; and as we heard the minister of the place express his solemn feelings, we are persuaded he then reaped a richer reward for twenty years' ministerial life, than if he had been presented with an earthly crown. The regular order of proceedings was discontinued, and in groups here and there, Christian friends, by reading the Scriptures, prayer, and praise, ministered to sin-sick souls. Several others were removed to houses around, with salvation on their lips; and next morning we heard of many more who had passed a sleepless night, still in agony, enduring all the bitterness of awakened, unforgiven sin. We cannot omit mentioning the case of one young man, whose cries were loud and long-continued, having through the night found peace, on hearing in the morning of an acquaintance brought under conviction, stealing away to offer his sympathy and speak of Jesus. Surely in such amongst us, Jesus sees the travail of His soul, and is satisfied. To sovereign grace be all the praise. As the wind comes and goes, and no one can tell whence or where, so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Let us cease from man, and, in childlike weakness, learn, at last, to hang on the Saviour, constant in prayer, giving the God of Israel no rest till He arise and make Jerusalem a praise and a joy in the whole earth.

STRABANE.

The work of revival is nothing abated in this town and neighbourhood. Meetings have been held in the Second Presbyterian Church every day during the past week except Saturday. On Wednesday evening, 27th ult., the Rev. Mr. Clarke delivered a short but appropriate address; after which, the Rev. Dr. Dill spoke on the present revival, noticing its most pro

minent features, especially the physical prostrations, which he said were still inexplicable, though in many cases followed by the most delightful results. On Thursday evening, the Rev. Mr. Stevenson delivered a discourse on the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son, and on Friday evening the Rev. Mr. Russell preached from 1st John ii. 1-4. Dr. Dill preached at noon on Sabbath, in the Second Presbyterian Church, from Colossians i. 28, and in the evening, in the First Presbyterian Church. The rev. gentleman took for his text on this occasion the 11th and 12th verses of the 8th of Matthew, from which he delivered one of the most powerful discourses we have ever been privileged to hear; at the close of it he feelingly alluded to the labours and death of that noble-minded man, the Rev. Dr. Goudy, which allusion brought forth many a sob throughout the church. After the delivery of each sermon, the rev. doctor made a strong appeal on behalf of the Home Mission, which, he said, is the most important one in connexion with the Presbyterian Church. At five o'clock in the evening, a prayer meeting was held in the Butter Market, which was largely attended. After praise and prayer, conducted by George M'Carter, Esq., the Rev. Mr. Russell spoke on the parables of the Ten Virgins and the Talents; he concluded his address by urging upon his hearers the necessity of vigilance and faithfulness, as taught by these two parables. On Monday evening, the Rev. Mr. Moody, of Convoy, delivered an address on the parable of the Sower; after which, Edward Chancellor, Esq., father of the Rev. Josias A. Chancellor, gave a very interesting account of the revival meetings at Millmount, near Belfast, where he resides. At noon on Tuesday (market day), the Rev. Mr. Caldwell addressed a very large congregation in the Butter Market, and in the evening the usual meeting was held in the Second Presbyterian Church. After praise and prayer, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Clarke, the Rev. Mr. Chancellor delivered an excellent discourse in his usual earnest and impressive manner, from the words, "They shall look upon Me, whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn." Meetings have been held in all the Presbyterian churches in the neighbourhood during the past week, and we have heard very encouraging reports of the progress of the movement from Newtownstewart, Ardstraw, Donagheady, and Dunemana, where there have been much excitement and some physical prostrations. The Rev. Mr. Budd and the Rev. Mr. M'Conaghy hold a united prayer meeting every Sabbath evening near the Sion Mills, which is well attended.

KILMACRENNAN.

For weeks past there had been an unusual solemnity of manner and anxiety of spirit among all classes when waiting upon the ordinances of the Gospel, but on Sabbath week, after the devotional exercises of the morning service were concluded, all at once, from various parts of the congregation, the most piercing cries were heard, and bodily prostration appeared in every part of the house. The parties affected were removed to the entrancehall of the church, to the school-house, and

various parts of the green, where the friends of each assembled round them to sing and pray, and offer a word of consolation. Thus, the church, the church-green, and the schoolhouse presented from twelve to twenty separate congregations, all engaged at the same time in praise and prayer to God. Public worship could not be proceeded with until late in the afternoon. The same night, and throughout the following week, many new cases appeared, and up to this are appearing daily. All those, so visited, I believe, without one exception, are giving good promise of a decided change of character.

DONAGHEADY.

The revival is rapidly extending. In some districts of the parish the whole people almost are either convinced of sin or deeply impressed. During last week, the scenes in the Presbyterian churches cannot be described. The bodily prostration, cries for mercy, and the deep interest with which persons who formerly sneered, contemplated the proceedings, were fitted to awaken feelings of surprise and gratitude.

ROMAN CATHOLIC INTOLERANCE.

A young man of the Roman Catholic religion, whose parents reside near Bellaghy, in County Derry, some time ago went to live as a hired servant in a Protestant family not far from Ahoghill, where he came under the awakening influence now so extensively prevailing in that neighbourhood. Feeling himself unable to work, he resolved to return to his father's house for a few days, and accordingly left his master's residence for that purpose; but, on arriving near home, he felt some alarm for his safety, and sought lodging for the night in the house of a Protestant family, where he was kindly received, and put to bed with two Romanist servants. These persons soon noticed his changed demeanour, and his earnestness in prayer to God. By their instrumentality the news soon reached the young man's father that his son had become a Protestant revivalist. Great excitement ensued, and it being the Lord's day, a large number of the Roman Catholic neighbours soon assembled to bring back the straying child to his father's house. The father received him-not by "falling on his neck and kissing him"-but by brutal violence of feet and hands. He was violently beaten, even before entering the house; and, when inside, he was knocked down upon the floor. Some were for hanging him; others were for knocking out his brains with a beetle; and in these inhuman proceedings the young man's mother took an active part. All the unfortunate boy said, whilst subjected to this abuse, was"You may kill my body, but you have no power over my soul." It was ultimately determined that the priest should be sent for; but the priest did not come on that day, and on the day following the convert effected his escape. He reached Portglenone in safety, at which place some Christian friends took care of him, until he recovered sufficient strength to proceed to his master's house.

THE REV. MR. HANNAY, OF DUNDEE, ON THE IRISH REVIVAL.

Once and again, as we drove past some waggon, the driver of which seemed to be asleep, we found that he was not asleep, but absorbed in the reading of the New Testament. By a stone-breaker on the wayside, we saw a young girl with an open Bible, reading from its pages, or questioning as to its meaning-that stone-breaker professed a rejoicing faith in Christ.

In a cottage door, an aged dame sat with a Bible in her lap, apparently reading, while a younger woman intently listened. Family worship has become general, profane swearing is not heard (I heard but one profane word in Ireland), and from some districts intemperance has entirely disappeared. I was told by the Rev. Mr. Park, of Ballymoney, on authority which he considered reliable and decisive, that in the district of excise, of which Coleraine is the centre, comprehending a radius of perhaps ten or twelve miles, by no means densely peopled, the falling off in the duty paid on spirits for the month was no less than £400 sterling.

TRAVELLING EXPENSES OF

SCOTTISH MINISTERS.

We understand that the handsome offer of Mr. Drummond, of Stirling, to contribute £200 towards the expenses of Scottish ministers desiring to visit the North of Ireland, has been applied for and granted to upwards of forty ministers of various denominations.

REVIVAL IN SCOTLAND.

THE REVIVAL MOVEMENT IN GLASGOW.

ON Monday afternoon and evening, at the usual prayer meetings in the Religious Institution Rooms, some interesting circumstances were stated, which apparently show that the great spiritual awakening which took place in America last year, and which has been exhibited recently in Ireland, is spreading to Scotland. Several authentic cases were reported, in which evidently a powerful spiritual work had commenced. The Rev. Mr. Johnstone, of Great Hamilton Street Congregational Church, stated that in Bell Street, Calton, a number of young men, belonging to the Methodist body, had had a prayer meeting for some time. Last Wednesday, during the time that one of the young men was earnestly engaged in prayer, a young woman was stricken, and fell down, calling upon Christ to have mercy upon her. She manifested all the physical symptoms which had occurred in the sister country. She continued in that state during the whole of Wednesday night and part of Thursday, on which day she was visited by an office-bearer of the Methodist Church, and before he left she professed to experience peace with God. On Thursday evening, there was a prayer meeting in the same place, and while a brother was praying, three young women fell down on their knees, calling upon God to deliver them, as they saw the fearful nature of their sin and guilt. (Mr. Johnstone) saw two of these four women on Friday afternoon, and had a satisfactory conversation with them. On Friday evening,

He

there was a prayer meeting in the same place, and another on Saturday evening, at which three persons were deeply affected. On Sabbath morning, a meeting was held, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit was earnestly implored, and three individuals were then awakened. The rev. gentleman concluded by mentioning the case of a young woman who had been converted from Roman Catholicism to Protestantism.

REMARKABLE AWAKENING AT PORT-
GLASGOW.

The Rev. Mr. Paterson, Dunoon, made the following statement on Saturday at the prayer meeting:-"Last night I was present at a meeting in Provost Birkmyre's store, Port-Glasgow, where there would be about 2,000 people present. I found Mr. Fraser, of Gourock, addressing the meeting, and it was not long before ten or fifteen persons were struck down and carried out, just as I had seen in Ireland. The meeting was dismissed, but those who were anxious about their souls, forming a great part of the audience, remained behind. I addressed them again for some time, observing them to be eager to hear the Word of God, and while speaking numbers were stricken down; in one place three, in another four and five, and so on. I had to stop and give out a psalm. There seemed to be thirty or forty young converts, who held fast by one another, speaking to one another of their experience. I really felt as if I was in Ireland last night."

At the close of the meeting, Mr. Paterson made the following additional statement to those who had time to remain:-"A gentleman from Coleraine has been honoured to lead the first person in Port-Glasgow to Christ. He came over a few days ago to see his two sons in Port-Glasgow, feeling moved to go over and tell them what great things had been done in Coleraine, and to urge them to flee from the wrath to come. He had a meeting on a Sabbath morning in his son's kitchen, and a good number attended. He had read the Word of God, prayed, and gone away, when a girl suddenly took ill. Those who were present thought it was some illness of the body, but it was far deeper than that-it was in the soul. She began to cry for mercy, and they sent for the Coleraine gentleman, and it was not long before she found peace, and began to rejoice in Jesus Christ as her Saviour. The gentleman's son began to see the meaning of this, and cried-O father! what must I do?' 'What is wrong?' he was asked. 'Oh, I am such a sinner!' He seemed to have got a deep sense of his sins, and-bent down to the ground-he cried for mercy. There was a meeting after this, and during the prayer, a young man staggered and fell all his length on the floor. He was in dreadful agony of soul, but three or four hours after he

There

was found with his hands clasped, and tears in his eyes, saying to others-Oh! if you knew the precious Saviour I have found, you would come to Him too.' The news spread through the town on Monday and Tuesday, producing great excitement, and on Friday there was a large meeting in Provost Birkmyre's store, where Mr. Fraser, of Gourock, preached. On Thursday there were a great many cases, and during the singing numbers were carried out in great distress of mind. The people were much agitated, and some even ran out of the meeting in fear. On returning from Coleraine, where I had heard of what was going on, I went down to Port-Glasgow early yesterday morning, and found a girl in great distress of soul, and crying for mercy. I was not long in till the gentleman from Coleraine came in, and took me to another case, and another, and another. I just thought I was in Sandy Row, in Belfast. I went back in the evening, and the place of meeting was crammed. must have been more than 2,000 present. One cried out, and then another, and another, and some of the cries were as piercing as anything I ever heard in Ireland. I never heard any cries more piercing and affecting than the cries of some of the girls in that store last night, and some of these girls were the worst characters in the town-characters who were notorious in Port-Glasgow. After the meeting had been desired to separate, a great many remained behind, most anxious to hear the Word. Young men and young women, and two or three Roman Catholics, have been already arrested and turned, and before the meeting separated I found a little Roman Catholic boy sitting with his Bible in his hands, saying that there was no Mediator but Christ, and that he would have no other, and ever looking to Christ the Mediator to save him. There was a large crowded meeting outside, and on my asking if they wished to hear more, they said that they did. I spoke till ten o'clock, and they were unwilling even then to go away. Till an advanced hour of the night I was visiting the persons thus stricken down, and I saw a number of them this morning who had found peace, and were rejoicing in Christ. They are just like the converts in Ballymena already; they all know one another, speak the same language, and, like the Irish converts, are beginning to preach the Gospel, saying to their friends and neighbours-Come to Christ, come just as you are, without first trying to make yourselves better. I just cast myself down at His feet, and told Him that I despaired of saving myself, and I believed that He saved me-I did not dare to doubt. And so I entered, through belief, into peace.' I think God has begun this work in the small town of Port-Glasgow, just that, being near Glasgow, it may become known there, and spread thither too, just as He began in Connor and Ballymena, and then carried the work to the large town of Belfast."