At a subsequent meeting the friends agreed to raise, during the year, about 601. We resolved on a public teameeting, which was held on the 14th ult. The British school-room was gratuitously lent, and our kind friends in Worcester, who have so efficiently supplied us since the last Assembly, came to our help : about 120 persons were present on the occasion; our esteemed friend Mr. Sheffield ably presided, and the Rev. J. Mathers, in an interesting and energetic address, stated our object, and appealed to the friends present to aid as collectors, &c.

The amount required, for the site and building, will be at least 250. The members are provided with collecting cards, which, at the first monthly meeting, produced, including the proceeds of the tea, above 57.; this has been deposited in the savings' bank.

Although the object sought to be ac-
May, 1845.

complished is great indeed, remembering how few and feeble we are, yet trusting in the efficiency of the voluntary principle, and anxious to promote the glory of God, we believe that the friends of Jesus, on whose aid we are mainly dependant, will assist in this important step.

We are surrounded by a population of at least 38,000. Here is a field for Christian zeal and effort, and we trust that the friends of religious liberty will not suffer us to struggle alone, and fail in the accomplishment of our design.

A gracious feeling has pervaded most of our meetings for public worship and Christian fellowship for several months past; and although we cannot speak of increase in numbers, yet we believe the members of our church are growing in grace, and that we shall see the arm of the Lord made bare.

WE cannot say great things with regard to the success of our cause here, or tell of so many conversions to God as we earnestly desire, still a few proofs have been given of God's goodness in effecting a change in the hearts of poor sinners; the smallest token of God's favor calls forth our gratitude, and is a powerful motive urging to increased diligence and devotedness in the great work of saving souls from death. If we are not improving rapidly we trust we are steadily, a day of better things has began to dawn; our congregation is increasing, the chapel generally is tolerably well attended and the Word appears to be clothed with power; but that you may be better able to judge of our condition, I lay before you an extract from my journal.

March 14th. Visited the friends at the Locks, where we have lately commenced preaching, and in the evening conducted a prayer-meeting at Bath.

16th. Attended our seven o'clock prayer-meeting; preached twice; led my class in the afternoon; held a prayer-meeting after the evening service. I trust the Divine blessing accompanied the services of the day.

17th. Preached at Hanham; visited a member of Society who has been afflicted for many years, but whose confidence in God appears unshaken.

18th. Before I left Hanham, visited a poor man who has been laid upon

HENRY LANE.

the bed of languishing sometime; he appears anxious to save his soul; God be merciful to me a sinner, is the earnest cry of his heart. In the evening met my class, at Bath, for tickets; a gracious season,

19th. Visited some afflicted persons. Prayed with them and urged upon them the necessity of fleeing from the wrath to come. Preached in the evening with considerable enlargement of soul.

21st. Being what is called Good Friday, held a prayer-meeting in the morning, and preached in the evening to a tolerably good congregation, Christ crucified, the theme of discourse. Oh may glorious signs of conversion follow.

23rd. Attended the morning prayermeeting; during the day met three classes for tickets. Preached twice, and conducted a prayer-meeting after the evening service. The Lord was in our midst throughout the services of the day; the disciples of Christ rejoiced in a risen and glorified Saviour, and I hope others were impressed with the reality of those truths; but we are looking for greater things, we are expecting conversions. May God save now and send us prosperity.

24th. Walked to Hanham; preached and met the class.

25th. Visited several of our friends, and one sick person: returned to Bath,

led my class, and met a number of individuals for the purpose of laying down plans and putting forth efforts which, under the Divine blessing, we trust, will be calculated to increase the number and improve the minds of our scholars in the Sabbath school. All appeared determined to engage in the work with holy zeal.

26th. This afternoon visited several of our friends, and preached in the evening to a good congregation. The Lord has been with me this day, especially so in preaching His Word, have felt happy in his work, but fruit I long to see. May God give it for his name's sake.

28th. A considerable portion of the afternoon I spent in visiting the sick, the aged, and the ungodly; prayed with them all; held a prayer-meeting in the evening, which was more numerously attended than it has been heretofore; a spirit of prayer was given. Praise God for this.

29th. Visited an enquirer after truth, also a young man in a state of very great affliction; he expressed himself as being desirous to seek the mercy of God; hopes his extremity will be made the time of God's opportunity.

30th. Walked to Hanham. Preached twice to tolerably good congregations, who listened with great attention; during the day I visited six families in the neighbourhood, prayed with them and

exhorted them to seek the Lord. This has been a day of good things to my own soul, while watering others I felt watered. Glory be to God!

31st. Held a prayer-meeting at Bath, and gave an address; trust the Lord is working upon the hearts of the people; as a proof of it, the means of grace are better attended, and the spirit of prayer more largely possessed.

April 1st. Visited six families and led my class.

2nd. Preached to a serious and attentive congregation.

4th. Held our quarterly meeting for transacting the business of the circuit.

6th. The Lord's day. Attended the seven o'clock prayer-meeting; preached in the morning and evening at Bath; in the afternoon at the Locks; went from house to house endeavouring to gather the people together; had a good company, we hope success will attend

our labors here, and that the Word of the Lord will mightily prevail.

7th. Administered the Word of Life to a small company of immortal spirits at Hanham.

8th. Before I left this place I visited the poor man alluded to before; he is still staggering at the promise of salvation, through unbelief; yet expresses a hope that God will save his soul. Led my class in the evening at Bath. Another united himself with us: bless God for something to cheer amid the various discouragements of the way.

9th. Unfolded the Word of truth to a small congregation in the vestry of our chapel. Spent a considerable portion of my time the last three or four days in getting up a petition opposing the proposed endowment of Maynooth college.

13th. Sabbath day. Felt, from indisposition of body, quite unequal to the discharge of duties devolving upon me; however the Lord helped me; preached twice, led a class, and administered the sacrament. Our chapel was well filled, the Word was clothed with power, the dead gave signs of life, of spiritual sensation and feeling. To God be all the praise. We are expecting an ingathering of souls, and hope our expectations will not be cut off.

14th. Visited several members of Society; held a prayer-meeting, it was a good time; may the Lord visit us with his salvation.

15th. Employed a considerable portion of the afternoon in visiting our friends and others; prayed with them and conversed about the things of God; in the evening led my class; it was the best class-meeting, without exception, since I have been in this circuit; more than usual present, and most of them testified clearly of enjoying God's forgiving love.

16th. Visited four families and preached the Word of Life to an attentive congregation; the service of God is perfect freedom.

18th. Held a prayer-meeting.

20th. Was present at the morning prayer-meeting, preached in the morning at Bath, in the afternoon at the Locks; was unexpectedly relieved in the evening by a gentleman passing through the town, who has preached for us before; we had a good congregation, and an excellent prayer meeting after the service.

21st. Walked to Hanham. Preached to a small congregation.

22nd. Visited the poor man at Hanham, referred to before, his burden of guilt is removed, he has taken refuge in the atonement of Christ and feels sweetly assured, if he dies, God will give him a mansion in heaven. Returned to Bath and led my class: it was a good time. 25th. Held a prayer-meeting.

27th. The Lord's day, I preached three times and conducted two prayermeetings; was much blessed in my own soul, while preaching from John viii. 12; the service in the evening was well attended; our hopes respecting the cause are brightening; Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.

for the

28th. Visited our friends at Bristol, and preached at Hanham.

29th. Visited some of the members and led my class, the Lord himself condescended to make one in our midst bless His name for ever.

30th. Preached the Word of Life to an attentive congregation: it was a gracious season of refreshing.

May 2nd. Conducted a prayer-meeting.

4th. The Rev. T. Newton, of Worle, preached our Missionary Sermons; this was an high day among our Bath friends, and I trust good was done. According to a previous arrangement I supplied for Mr. Newton, at Worle; preached twice, and addressed the Sabbath school; good attendance, great attention, and holy feeling was manifest my heart was truly made glad with what my eyes saw and my ears heard.

5th. We held our Missionary meeting. The Rev. J. J. Richards, of Lady Huntingdon's connexion, in the chair. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. Stephen, Baptist minister; Mr. Hill, of Hanham; the Rev. T. Newton, of Worle; the Rev. G. Hopkins, Independent, Weston Super Mare, and by myself. Our thanks are due to the ministers and friends of other bodies, who cheerfully lent us their aid on this occasion. Although the attendance was not so numerous as we could wish, the feeling excited on behalf of our Mission cause was good; and the collection, considering all things, better than we expected.

11th. The Lord's day. Administered the Word of Life, morning and evening, at Bath; in the afternoon at the Locks.

The Divine Spirit appeared to accompany the efforts of the day; we felt some of the influence of that Spirit with which the disciples, on the day of Pentecost, were filled.

12th. Held a prayer-meeting. It was good to draw nigh to God; all appeared to realize the fulfilment of the promise, I will draw nigh to you.

13th. At Hanham we held a tea-meeting. After tea, an account was given of the progress and prosperity of the cause of God in several of our circuits. Addresses were delivered by brother Hill and by the writer; at intervals prayer and praise were offered: the utmost unanimity and love prevailed; it was a pleasant and profitable meeting; all felt encouraged to strive more than ever to promote the glory of God in seeking the conversion of sinners.

15th. Visited many of the members of our Society and some other persons, and prayed with them; in the evening held our prayer-meeting as usual.

18th. The Lord's day: I was present at the 7 o'clock prayer-meeting; it was the commencement of a good day. Preached in the morning to the scholars and teachers of our little school; led a class in the afternoon; preached in the evening, from Prov. i. 24-26. Our chapel was comfortably filled with a very respectable audience; many strangers were present. After preaching held a prayer-meeting; many stayed, and the spirit of prayer was poured out; it was one of the best prayer meetings we have been favoured with since my coming to this place.

19th. Visited several of our friends, and held a prayer-meeting. The Lord was gracious in giving power to pray, and in granting his blessing to those who were present; met a few individuals afterwards for religious conversation ; one of them stated that since she had been with us, the Lord had set her soul at liberty. This young person has been with us but a short time, and we expect will shortly leave the town. We have many difficulties to encounter in establishing our cause here, but patient perseverance, diligent exertion, accompanied by the blessing of heaven, will be crowned with ultimate success. The cloud withdraws, faith lends its realizing light. God appears, the mountains flow down at his presence. S. CHAMBERLAIN.