PARKHURST GARRISON AND NETLEY HOSPITAL.-From the Rev. William Moister.-March 31st, 1876.-During the early part of the quarter our work at Parkhurst Garrison was somewhat unsettled, by reason of the coming in of a new regiment, and the departure of many of the men on furlough. The 107th Regiment arrived from India on the 1st of January, and I immediately visited every barrack-room to inquire for Wesleyans and Presbyterians, and to inform the men of the services held every week for their benefit. I found a goodly number of both denominations; and many expressed themselves as pleased to find that such pains were taken to promote their spiritual welfare. Several of the men, however, who cheerfully responded to my inquiries, had lost their proper religious designation, in consequence of having been for years on stations where there were no Wesleyan or Presbyterian services. These I instructed what steps to take to claim their religious privileges, that they might have the benefit of the labours

of the minister appointed to watch over them. Since the men began to return from furlough, the attendance at the parade-service, held every Sunday forenoon, has gradually increased, and it is now larger than it has been for several years past. The attendance of soldiers' wives at the services, and of their children at the Sunday-school, is also very encouraging; whilst the soldiers' Bible-class is becoming increasingly popular.

At Netley Hospital we have had some interesting cases during the quarter, and my visits have been hailed with pleasure by men who have come home as invalids from various parts of the world. I have frequently been favoured to hear expressions of sincere gratitude for attention paid to them by our missionaries on foreign stations. We have just lost from Netley a devoted Methodist serjeant and his wife, who were on the staff, and who have received an appointment in Jamaica; but I am sure they will be made a blessing wherever they go.

I-FROM DISTRICT MISSIONARIES. 1. NORWICH DISTRICT.-From the Rer. R. P. Davey.-February 13th to 19th, I was in the Holt Circuit.-On Sunday morning I preached at Holt to an attentive congregation, and, I believe, good was done. In the afternoon I went on to Briston, four miles from Holt, where our Cause, after languishing for months, had, at length, expired. It was deemed advisable, as we had a good chapel and a few sympathising friends, to endeavour, by the help of God, to resuscitate it. I preached to a few people in the afternoon, who were attentive and evidently pleased. At night we had a good congregation in the chapel, which will

VOL. XXII.-FIFTH SERIES.

hold nearly five hundred persons. The interest of the hearers was excited, and some were seriously impressed. Many stayed to the prayer-meeting, and two sought and found mercy. During each day I visited from house to house, and met with great sympathy. Every night the services were well attended, and the last few days the chapel was quite filled. On Monday we were favoured with two or three clear cases of conversion. After this a great awakening stirred the whole village. Every evening the communion-rail was filled with penitent seekers of mercy, and during the week about sixty were made happy in the Lord. Our noon prayer-meetings were

2 H

helpful and well attended, and the distribution of tracts amongst the people was made a blessing.

February 20th to 26th, in the Lynn Circuit.-During this visit I was much assisted by the Holy Spirit in declaring the Word of God. The service on Sunday morning was attended with great power. In the afternoon many children and young persons were seeking pardon, and some were made happy. Every night we were blessed with conversions; and at the noon prayer-meetings the saving power of God was present. I visited the people, and gave them tracts. The congrega

tions were good, and increased each evening. Altogether, about thirty found the Lord Jesus, and believers were quickened.

February 27th to March 1st in the Mildenhall Circuit.-On Sunday I conducted three services in Mildenhall, that in the afternoon chiefly for children. During each we were favoured with blessed tokens of the

Divine presence. In the afternoon some children found the Saviour, and prayed affectingly. At night, a solemn influence prevailed; and each successive evening the communion-rail was thronged with seekers of salvation, and nearly all that came went away happy. Parents and children rejoiced together; and, in some cases, the conversion of the children led to that of the parents. About fifty were brought to God during these few days.

2. LINCOLN DISTRICT.-From the Rev. William J. Graves.-March 4th, 1876. At the beginning of last month I laboured in the Sleaford Circuit.In one village especially the Lord blessed us abundantly. Strong men bowed themselves in penitence before the Lord; and women and young people also were led to decide for Jesus. I visited nearly every house in the village, and was everywhere well received. I called upon an old man who was so deaf that I could not possibly

make him hear. I pointed upward, when he shouted, "Look up!" and, with sparkling eyes, continued, "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." I showed him my name on a bill announcing the services. "What!" said he, "are you the preacher?" On my nodding assent, he grasped my hand and fervently exclaimed, "God bless you for coming to see me! I used to go to chapel and class while I could hear; but now I read about Jesus, and pray, and look up." In another house I found a man who had been a backslider for a considerable time, in great distress on account of his sins. He had been to the chapel on the previous evenings. I talked and prayed with him, reminding him that he might come at once to God through Christ, and find mercy. He prayed and wept, confessing his sin, and crying, “Lord, save me now!" some time, he was

After pleading for

enabled to rejoice in a pardoning God. He afterwards went to some of his friends, and informed them what "great things" the Lord had done for him.

On February 12th, I rode about fourteen miles across the country to Roxholm, where I preached on the Sunday morning to about three times the ordinary congregation. I had first called at nearly all the houses in the hamlet, inviting the people to the chapel. We had a good time. In the afternoon I went on to Ruskington, where we have a noble chapel, and preached to a large congregation. In the evening the chapel was crowded, and I spoke with much liberty. Many were "pricked in the heart," and one man cried aloud, "Lord, canst thou save a drunkard?” He wrestled hard, and, after a while, ventured, as did others, upon Him who saves the chief of sinners. The next day I spent in visiting and distributing tracts in publichouses and workshops, and in the streets. At night I preached to a very large congregation, and a blessed prayer-meeting followed, at which many anxious ones were led to Jesus.

II.-FROM HOME MISSIONARIES EMPLOYED IN CIRCUITS.

1. PORTESSIE, BANFF CIRCUIT.From the Rev. W. Burkitt Dalby.October 31st, 1875.-We are now getting fairly to work after the great summer herring-fishing, which, for about three months, calls our people -men, women, and children-away from church and home. There is no disguising the fact, that this long absence has a very demoralising effect upon them. The intense excitement of the fishery itself, the unavoidable association with numbers of people from all parts, whom they meet on "the fishing grounds," the long absence from the regular means of grace, these things can scarcely fail to produce a degree of spiritual lassitude. Nevertheless, the September visitation of the classes brought out many beautiful testimonies to the power of God's Holy Spirit to preserve the soul from falling, even in times of peculiar temptation: and I could not but be pleased with the way in which many of the people expressed their resolution to serve the Lord all the more earnestly, because of the difficulties which they had to encounter. We have had some good services this month. The people are very attentive, and receive the word with affection.

November 30th.-This month we have held special services, according to the recommendation of the Edinburgh and Aberdeen Financial District Meeting.

Unfortunately, however, they were not very well attended, on account of most of the people in the village being engaged in the haddock fishing, which keeps them out at sea till late.

During the month our Sabbath congregations have been very encouraging, and the services characterised by much good feeling. Our Quarterly Communion-service was a time of "refreshing from the presence of the Lord." It is to be regretted that the occupation of our people keeps many of them from the week-night services for so large a portion of the year. Much is lost by throwing all our public spiritual exercises into the Sabbath, especially in the case of a warm and excitable people. Unable to attend any public or social means of grace,— not excepting even a class-meeting,from Sabbath to Sabbath, they have nothing to arouse their spiritual emotions; and, not being very contemplative, they are liable to lose, to some extent, their interest in religion. In spite of this difficulty, there is a great improvement in the tone of our people's experience. Our services have been blessed, though visible success has been withheld.

2. BARROWFORD AND NELSON CIRCUIT. From the Rev. William Ellis. January 22nd, 1876.-We have had a week of special mission-services in Nelson. Every house has been visited; and handbills, tracts, and advertisements of the services have been distributed, so that the public interest has been thoroughly roused. On Sunday evening the chapel was filled. On Monday there was a good congregation, and each succeeding night, to the end of the week, showed an improvement. The services were very quiet and impressive, and the Lord visited us with showers of blessing. The total number of inquirers after salvation amounted to one hundred and fifty. We may well exclaim, "What hath God wrought!"

February 12th.-This evening we have had a band-meeting, which was one of the most blessed seasons I have enjoyed for a long time. God has been truly working in our midst during the last fortnight, though very

quietly. We have been holding special services in Barrowford, and upwards of twenty have decided for Christ. Noon prayer-meetings were held every day, both here and at Nelson, and were remarkably well attended. Our people had to make sacrifices to get to them, as they nearly all work in mills, and have only an hour for dinner.

March 27th.-To-night we have held our Quarterly Meeting. The

numerical statement showed an increase of sixty-three members, with a hundred and twenty-nine on trial. In reviewing the last three months, we find very much to encourage the hearts, and strengthen the hands, of God's people. He has very graciously visited us as a Circuit, especially in the central and principal place, Nelson, in the conversion of very many souls, and in the quickening of believers. I suppose that, in this part of the country, Methodism has never had such a blessed impetus as during the last few months. Every part of the Circuit has been more or less benefited; and the result is seen in increased congregations, both on the Sabbath and week-days, and in a very decided improvement in the general religious tone of the Circuit, as also in the numerical and financial returns. God has been with us of a truth; therefore we will praise Him, and take courage for the future.

3. NEW CROSS.-From the Rev. W. Cornforth.-March 31st, 1876.-We have reason to thank the Head of the Church for His presence and abundant blessing. We are glad in noting among our members a deepening earnestness, and in seeing a considerable increase in their number.

The year was commenced with united and earnest prayer. The first Sunday evening service was attended by the converting grace of God, and our hope of spiritual success during the forthcoming week of special services was thus greatly strengthened: nor were we disappointed. Aided by ministers from surrounding Circuits, the Circuit ministers and friends found pleasure in their toil. Power accompanied the Word preached; Love answered the prayers sent up. Young and old, strangers and regular attendants, sought and found peace with God. The greater number are now united with us in Church-membership. The March returns are one hundred and twenty-four members, against eighty-eight last year, with thirty-two on trial.

For the success of this effort, we are much indebted, under God, to the earnest labours of the friends who visited in the neighbourhood. young men, too, did us good service by singing in the streets, and inviting passers-by to enter in.

Our

In a second week of services, we had not so many penitents, but yet several found "redemption" through the blood of Jesus, even the forgiveness of sins; " and believers were built up in their faith, and stirred up to increased diligence and more fervent prayer.

Now that we are three months from the weeks of special services, it is encouraging to note that the earnestness then called forth has in no way abated. Our prayer and class-meetings were never better attended; the Sunday congregation increases; and, in the expectation of "power from on high," we hope for yet greater things.

The

AMONG THE JEWS.-The Secretary of the British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews recently visited the mission-stations occupied by that Society in Europe. In the "Jewish Herald "for April, he gives the following interesting account of his visit to Stuttgart:-"On the 6th of October I reached this charming capital of Würtemberg, famed for its royal palace and other classic edifices, its parks and surrounding vine-clad hills, and received a friendly welcome from our missionary, the Rev. P. E. Gottheil, who had come a few miles on the railway to meet me. population of Stuttgart is over ninety thousand, of whom about two thousand are Jews. In Würtemberg there are about twelve thousand Jews. Our missionary also visits in Baden and Bavaria, where they are much more numerous. The Jews of Stuttgart belong to the moderate reform party. The principal festivals are regarded, but the Sabbath is not well kept, and the influence of the rabbis is not great. Political and other disabilities have been removed from the Jews, and they are flushed with their new freedom and worldly prosperity.

"Our missionary came to this town in 1852, and during his long period of service has borne a wide testimony, not only to those who have come to him, and in his missionary journeys, but by his pen, in writing and translating useful books and tracts especially adapted for his brethren. Two of his works, 'Lebensbrod,' a collection of Scripture passages for every day in the year, and 'Messiab, the Hope of Israel,' have been printed in several languages and

widely circulated. In this department of his work he has again and again received important aid by grants from the Religious Tract Society. As a careful and thorough worker he has aimed rather at permanent results than at quickly arriving at startling success. And in the course of years he has been the means of bringing in converts who have been carefully weaned from traditionalism and unbelief, and won to a saving faith in Christ, and who continue to justify the confidence put in them. I had the pleasure of spending in the missionary's home a very pleasant evening with some of these converts of good standing, and with some inquirers. The Gospel was the subject of our conversation for hours, and it was particularly interesting to observe the ability and earnestness with which the converts met the objections of the inquirers, and sought to explain to them the way of salvation, and to lead them on to a faith like their own.

"The interest of the evening was increased by the presence of a Scotch minister, who, as he has opportunity, takes a share in evangelical work in Italy. This brother is a sincere lover of Israel; and, spite of linguistic difficulties, did his best to speak words for Jesus to the interesting group of Jews who were gathered together. The agents of other Societies occasionally pay a visit to Stuttgart, but ours is the only Society for Christian work amongst the Jews that has a resident missionary there. During his long period of faithful service, he has become known to Christians as one who, by pen and tongue, can expound the Jewish question and plead the