house, and that many souls had there been born of God. He then told us that he had lost his wife and several of his children; and we sang for him, "Shall we gather at the river? The happy old man remarked, "I cannot sing as I once could; my voice is failing, my sight is failing, my memory is failing, but my faith does not fail!" The next house presented a sad contrast. It was occupied by the most degraded and disreputable persons in the place. I read to five of them the parable of the Prodigal Son, and then prayed with and for them. I find many who were brought up in our Sunday schools, and who, though living in sin and neglecting the sanctuary, have a respect for religion and a tender place in the heart, if one can only touch it. The services held were well attended, and at some of them the power of God to save was eminently present. I have since heard that, as the result of these special services, several persons have joined the Society.

October 31st to November 6th, at Bath.-In my visits I found many living in a most degraded state, and met with several cases of extreme poverty. The poor people in the low streets crowded round me, with outstretched hands, for my illustrated tracts. I endeavoured to give suitable words with the tracts. Good was done at the services. Many souls were brought to God.

November 7th to 13th, at Westbury. The congregations were good, improving each evening, so that the chapel was filled. Some souls were powerfully wrought upon. One poor woman, whose besetting sin was intemperance, was anxious to be saved. Since leaving Westbury I have heard that several persons have found peace with God, and joined our Society there.

November 14th to 25th, at SheptonMallet.-On Sunday I preached morning and evening, and in the afternoon addressed the Sunday-school. The weather was extremely wet and un

favourable. We had, however, a good gathering in the afternoon, though many of the scholars came from a distance. The evening congregation was encouraging under the circumstances. On Monday I paid several visits, conducted a cottage-service, and preached in the schoolroom. This room holds about two hundred people, and we had a good attendance. Several persons seemed to be under a sense of the presence and power of God. One afternoon I spent in a district where the people are noted for their intemperate habits, and indifference to the claims of religion. I prayed with several aged and afflicted persons. I also obtained the use of a cottage, gathered the neighbours together, and preached to the women about the woman washing our Lord's feet in the Pharisee's house. There were hardened sinners present; some of them appeared to be brought under a subduing influence, and tears were shed. The Lord is working in many hearts.

2. LINCOLN DISTRICT. From the Rev. William J. Graves.-December 30th, 1875.-In forwarding this report I have the pleasure to state that the Lord has been, and is still, pouring out His Holy Spirit upon some of the villages in which I have laboured; and blessed results have followed.

On December 4th I went to North Kelsey, in the Market Rasen Circuit. Here we have a large and tolerably good chapel; but the cause is low. Although a deep snow was on the ground during my stay, I managed to visit nearly every house in this large and straggling village,-praying and conversing with the people, reading the Word, and distributing tracts. found many of the people dark, and totally ignorant of the plan of salvation; but I rejoice to believe that, in some few instances, my visits were made a blessing. I also called upon the people in a distant part of the parish termed "The Moor," and was

I

everywhere well received. In "The Moor" a farmer told me that he would consent to a prayer-meeting being held regularly in his house, and arrangements have been made accordingly. At North Kelsey I preached to attentive congregations on the Sabbath, and conducted a children's service in the afternoon: I held a service, also, on each evening during the week. A gracious influence rested upon the people; and the members of Society were stirred up and quickened. There were no decided conversions, however, until the Friday night, when about six persons sought and found the Saviour. The next day I left North Kelsey for Middle Rasen.

At this place we have a somewhat commodious chapel, but it is not very well attended. I preached twice on the Sunday, and conducted a Lovefeast in the afternoon. The evening congregation was three times as large as usual, and I preached with much liberty. At the prayer-meeting which followed, four persons were earnestly seeking salvation, and three of them went home rejoicing. On every day during the week I held a noon prayermeeting, and preached in the evening. All the services were well attended; and in most of them we realised a very gracious putting forth of the Divine power. Night after night sinners, old and young, sought and found mercy. Since these services, one who was greatly blessed said, "I have lived seven years in Dungeon Lane, and never knew a prayer go from it to heaven before; but now there is an altar in every house."

On December 18th I rode to Normanby, where I conducted similar services. My labours here were crowned with much success. On one evening, especially, we had a very blessed time. A most gracious infinence rested upon us throughout the service. Two backsliders cried aloud for mercy; and several other persons were brought to the Saviour. A man, known as one of the worst characters

in the village, lingered after the meeting had closed, and would not move from the communion rail until he had found the sinner's Friend.

The more I see of the work, the more strongly am I convinced that this District Mission is of God.

II.-FROM

HOME MISSIONARIES EMPLOYED IN CIRCUITS.

1. BARROWFORD AND NELSON CIRCUIT. From the Journal of the Rev. William Ellis.-October 8th, 1875.— On Sunday I preached morning and evening at Barrowford. In the afternoon we held a Lovefeast, and a very blessed opportunity it was. There was no waiting for each other, on the part of the people, but a general willingness to stand up and witness for Jesus. I have not attended such a Lovefeast for years; and the blessing continued during the evening service. I had great liberty and power in preaching. In the prayer-meeting a very hallowing influence rested upon us, and I have reason to believe that much good was done. Two persons joined the Society during the week.

October 16th.-Last Sunday evening I preached at Brierfield. A large number of people stayed to the prayermeeting. One came forward as a penitent, and found peace with God. Two or three at least professed to be seeking Christ. It was truly a "time of refreshing."

November 3rd.-I have drawn up a plan for cottage-services in connection with Reedyford. We held our first meeting a few days ago. There were some present who seldom come to the chapel. I gave a short address on "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." There was a very gracious influence in the meeting, and we are hoping to have very blessed services in the cottages during the winter months. We have commenced similar services at Barrowford, and held the first meeting last night. The house was filled, though not with the class of

people we are most anxious to reach. Still it was a good beginning, and we felt encouraged.

November 13th.-We have had a meeting to make arrangements for holding special services in the principal parts of the Circuit at the beginning of the year. We are resolved, as a Circuit, to throw ourselves into the work, and trust that God will work in us and by us all "the good pleasure of His will." There seems to be a spirit of expectation among the people, and we are hoping to see signs and wonders wrought by the mighty power of God.

December 28th.-In reviewing the past quarter, while there are some things that depress us, there are many others which afford us encouragement. Numerically the Society has not made much progress; but, on the other hand, the means of grace are decidedly better attended. The Sunday and week-day services, the classmeetings, prayer-meetings, and cottage-services, all show that interest in spiritual things is increasing amongst the people. We have had proofs, in some signal conversions, that the Lord our God is with us; and we are expecting that the time to favour Zion is just at hand.

2. HONITON, LYME-REGIS CIRCUIT.From the Rev. James T. Binns.-October 8th, 1875.-Much time has been occupied in devising schemes for the raising of funds in aid of our new chapel, the site for which has been purchased, and which we hope shortly to commence. Arrangements have been made for a bazaar, and letters of appeal have been written to many friends for help both to the subscription list and the bazaar. Already several noble responses have been given.

At Honiton our cause had become almost extinct, the Sunday congregation averaging about fifteen people, and the week-evening services being altogether neglected. The last three

Sabbaths we have had an evening congregation of between fifty and sixty persons. At the first week-evening service which I held five persons were present, at the second seven, and on last Monday evening seventeen. As yet, I regret to be unable to report any known cases of conversion, although it is evident that serious impressions have been made on several minds. Some members of other Christian denominations, resident in the town, have expressed their firm conviction that, if we had a new chapel, with earnest effort and the blessing of God, Methodism would revive and prosper here.

Colyton is one of the places included in the Honiton Mission. Here our chapel had been used, for several years, as a lace-factory. A few weeks ago we again took possession of it, and the buyers and sellers departed, giving place to those who wished to meet for holy worship. Three weeks since I went to hold a week-evening service. After summoning a few people, and borrowing chairs, etc., I preached to a dozen adults. A week ago I went again, and taking my stand in the street alone, sang a hymn. A number of children gathered round me, and I got them to help me. The people being attracted by the singing, I announced my service, and we proceeded to the chapel, where we had a very blessed meeting. On Sunday evening last I again preached there, and though the rain fell in torrents we had a good company. Several persons seemed to be seriously impressed, and two or three were weeping during the prayer-meeting.

The chapel is now undergoing thorough repair, being re-pewed and partly re-floored. Gas, too, has been put in, and many other improvements made. A Society has been formed, and some half-dozen now meet in class. This is to my mind one of the most hopeful places in the Circuit.

3. AMBLESIDE.-From the Journal

of the Rev. Thomas Rae.-December 1st.-To-day we had a Society teameeting at Windermere. Nearly all the members were present, and also a few of our regular hearers. After tea we held an informal meeting, over which I presided. We had singing, short addresses, prayer, and conversation on Christian work, experience, and practice. My main hope is that, by this meeting, our people may be knit more closely to each other.

December 5th.-I preached in the morning at Ambleside. I went to Grasmere in the afternoon, where I met a class, and preached in the evening to a good congregation. We had to abandon the chapel on account of the cold, and hold our service in

the schoolroom. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered. There are two or three persons who regularly attend our services, who would like to join the Society, but are hindered by circumstances.

December 31st.-The quarter, on the whole, has been the best we have had since I came here. I have visited several families, with most of whom I have had religious conversation and prayer. I have also conducted extra meetings, including the special services at Ambleside. These, while not resulting in any decided conversions, undoubtedly did us all good. The testimony of members on the spot is, that the tone of things at Ambleside has not been so good for many years.

NEW MISSION TO PERSIA, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-The friends of the Church Missionary Society are aware that the recent visit of the Rev. R. Bruce to England has resulted in the adoption of his work by the Committee. He has just gone back to Ispahan to prosecute his zealous labours under the -Society's auspices; and to the familiar names on its list of Missions the new one of PERSIA is now added. We doubt not that this announcement has given general satisfaction. We are sure that it is a loud call for thankfulness to › God that it has pleased Him, if we rightly judge, to open a door so long closed.

The Committee have not taken this important step hastily. It is more than seven years since Mr. Bruce, being on his way back to India after a visit to this country on furlough, halted in

Persia, in order to give a few months' study on the spot to the Persian language, a knowledge of which is of great value in dealing with the Moslem population of the Derajât, among whom Mr. Bruce had previously laboured. Once in the country, the call to stay there seemed to him so strong that, from year to year, he obtained leave to defer going on to India, the Committee yielding to his earnest appeals, although unable to see any providential opening to warrant the establishment of a regular Mission. Still, therefore, nominally on the North Indian staff, Mr. Bruce worked away at Julfa, near Ispahan, making a new translation of the New Testament in Persian, to take the place of Henry Martyn's imperfect one, proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation to all with whom he came in contact, and teaching a large number of Armenian boys in a school he had

opened. Several Mohammedans embraced the truth and were baptized; and, though some of these proved unsatisfactory, others remained stead

fast.

In 1871-2 the terrible Persian famine took place, during which Mr. and Mrs. Bruce devoted themselves with noble self-denial to the relief of the sufferers. No less than £16,000 was placed in their hands by friends in England and Germany, and seven thousand persons were fed by their means, which naturally much increased their influence with the people, and gave them, for the time, a fresh reason for remaining in Persia. Out of this famine, as out of so many famines in India, arose a new agency of the mission in the shape of an orphanage, which was supported by the balance of the fund.

In the spring of last year Mr. Bruce returned home, but after a few months' stay he has now gone out again to take up his permanent abode at Julfa, as the Society's acknowledged missionary there, and as the one representative of the Church of England in the ancient kingdom of Persia. The Committee, after full and anxious deliberation, resolved that, "regard being had to the leadings of Divine Providence," they were of opinion that "the time had come to establish a mission in the Persian-speaking districts of the Persian empire," and instructed Mr. Bruce to" direct his attention principally, as heretofore, to making known the Gospel of Christ to Mohammedans and other sections of the non-Christian population," and " to continue his labours for the spiritual enlightenment of the Armenians, steadily keeping in view the importance of training native agents, who may hereafter carry on evangelistic work in Persia." Mr. Carapit Johannes, the experienced schoolmaster formerly at Nasik, who is by birth an Armenian of Persia, is attached to the mission; the Basle Society's agent at Ispahan, Mr. Melcom, also of Armenian parentage,

LECTURES BEARING ON CHRISTIANITY BY NATIVE CHRISTIAN GENTLEMEN IN NORTH INDIA. We learn from a localised edition of the Church Missionary Gleaner, published at Lucknow by the enterprise of the Rev. J. P. Ellwood, that a series of vernacular lectures of unusual interest will shortly be delivered at Amritsir by some of the leading native Christian gentlemen of North India. Among the names are those of Moulvie Safdar Ali, Assistant Commissioner, Jabalpur; Professor Ram Chandar, Director of Public Instruction, Patiala; the Rev. Imad-ud-din, of Amritsir; the Rev. Tara Chand, of Delhi; the Rev. C. Chatterji, of Hoshiarpur, etc. The topics of the Lectures include "Christ's Teaching and Influence," "The Doctrine of the Trinity," "Infidelity," "Mohammedanism Past and Present," etc. To increase their circle of usefulness, the Lectures will be afterwards printed, both separately and in a collective form, and circulated as widely as possible. Public lectures on subjects bearing upon Christianity are a. valuable missionary agency. They