cuits, it is necessary, in order to the raising of a loan of £40,000, that on an average rather more than £100 be furnished from every Circuit. On the whole, the Sub-Committee were inclined to hope, that at their next meeting they should be gratified by the reception of a goodly number of notices, equally favourable with those above referred to; aud that ultimately there would be found comparatively few Circuits declining to assist in an undertaking which only requires to be fairly looked at, and generally entered into, in order to its being made as easily practicable as it is essentially important. Among the communications already received by the Treasurers, are several proposals for final grants from Trustees who had never previously solicited aid from the Chapel-Fund, or had, for some time past, suspended their application. These Trustees, and any others who may be preparing to make similar propusals, are respectfully reminded that, before the Sub-Committee can form a correct judgment of the extent and urgency of their claims, they must be furnished with a detailed statement of the year in which their chapel was erected; its original cost; its original debt; its present debt; and of all the items spe cified in the printed form of application to the Chapel-Fund Committee. The Superintendent of their Circuit will furnish them with one of those schedules, which they will carefully and correctly fill up, and forward to the Treasurers at their earliest convenience. As, however, the Sub-Committee have already a great number of cases before them, (as many, in fact, as there is any reasonable probability of their being able to meet before the next Conference,) which have been once or oftener before the ChapelFund Committee, unless there be some very special reasons to require some of the previous cases to give place, the new ones must be postponed for a time. The Trustees will not therefore, it is hoped, deem themselves neglected if there be an apparent delay in commencing a negotiation with them. Some mistakes and delays having been occasioned for want of a particular attention to the address of the Treasurers of the Loan-Fund, as given in the circular, all parties concerned are respectfully reminded that the address is, "James Heald and J. Fernley, Esqrs., care of Messrs. Wood, Westhead and Son, HighStreet, Manchester." J. CROWTHER. Manchester, Dec. 10th, 1832. METHODIST CHAPELS RECENTLY ERECTED OR ENLARGED. ORGAN-FORD, in the Poole Circuit :"A Wesleyan chapel, duly settled, was opened, Oct. 16th, 1832, for public wor ship,by the Rev. WilliamBeal, who preach. ed two appropriate sermons to deeply attentive and crowded congregations. The ground was given by Mr. Robert Smith. The chapel measures twenty-eight feet by twenty-one; it has a front gallery; will seat one hundred and two persons; and cost £100, about £75 of which has already been received in public and private subscriptions. Eighty-five sittings were let on the first week of its opening. A Sunday school and a day-school are also commenced in connexion with the chapel. For more than half a century, the Dissenters and the Methodists preached in the same house. The former have, however, withdrawn their labours in favour of Methodism in that place." ling house in the evening. A Sundayschool and a small society are connected with the chapel. The private and public subscriptions, it is supposed, will defray the entire expenses of the enlargement." BEDFORD." A new, elegant, and commodious chapel, erected under the superintendence of the Rev. Joseph Lewis, (now of Stafford,) was opened on the 5th and 7th of October, 1832, by the Rev. Messrs. Robert Newton, (President of the Conference,) Lessey, Max. Wilson, and Mr. William Dawson. Bedford was first visited by Mr. Wesley about the year 1749, at the invitation of Mr. Alderman Parker, in whose house he preached his first sermon. In conse quence of the numbers who flocked to hear him, he subsequently preached on St. Peter's Green. Success attended his labours, and a class was formed, of which Mr. Parker became the Leader. It being difficult to supply the town with regular preaching by the Itinerant Ministers, Mr. Parker frequently officiated himself, and was the first Local Preacher connected with this Circuit. The place originally occupied by the society for public worship was an upper room in a NORTON-MALT, in the Poole Circuit.— "A Wesleyan chapel was enlarged and reopened October 30th, having been formerly used by the Baptists. Two suitable sermons were preached by the Rev. John Radford; and at the same time Mr. Hawke preached in an adjoining dwel yard leading from the High-Street. Here the congregation assembled for several years, when it pleased Almighty God to bring another influential person, Mr. Alderman Walker, to the knowledge of the truth. This gentleman was the proprietor of some buildings in AngelStreet, used by the parish of St. Paul as a work-house; contiguous to which was a large spinning room, likewise his property. This room, being more commodious than the one previously occupied, was fitted up for the accommodation of the increasing congregation. Mr. Wesley preached in it when he visited Bedford in 1759, and says in his Journal, "The congregation was a pretty large one, but the stench from the swine under the room was scarce supportable. Was ever preaching over a hogsty before? Surely they love the Gospel who come to hear it in such a place." This inconvenience was soon afterwards reme died. The spinning-room was taken down; a small chapel, with a gallery fronting the pulpit, was erected on its site; the adjacent buildings were made into cottages; the house formerly occupied by the master of the work house became the Preachers' residence; and the whole estate was generously given to the Methodist Connexion by Mr. Walker. The congregation used this first chapel upwards of forty years, during which period the society was nearly stationary, not averaging more than forty members in the town. Mr. Wesley attributed the slow progress of Methodism in Bedford to the absence of that persecution and opposition which attended it in most other places. It might be likewise owing to the vast extent of the Circuit, including (as it then did) the towns of Wellingborough, Higham-Ferrars, Newport Pagnell, St. Neots, Hunt. ingdon, Luton, Leighton Buzzard, Biggleswade, and St. Alban's, all of which are now separate Circuits. In 1804, the old chapel was taken down, and a much ་ larger one erected, being thirty-three feet wide and forty feet long, with front and side galleries. The Preachers' house was also rebuilt at the same time. Since that period, the congregation aud societies have gradually increased; and, after various alterations made at different times for their accommodation, the numerous and repeated applications for sittings rendered a more spacious build. ing indispensable. This, connected with the prompt and creditable liberality of the Trustees and other friends, led to the erection of the present substantial edifice, the walls of which are thirty feet in height, and its site forty-five feet by sixty-four, with a gallery all round. The interest excited at the opening was very considerable; and, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, many, on the evening of both days, could not obtain admission. A sacred, hallowing influence accompanied every service; all found it good to be there,' and some believed to the saving of their souls.' The collections, amounting to £280, exceeded the most sanguine expectations. The sum of £900 had been subscribed previously, making a total of £1180; but the Trustees are determined to persevere in their exertions, until the debt upon the entire premises be reduced to £2000, which will be, in fact, a liquidation of £100 of the debt on the old premises, and the luxury of a new and elegant chapel into the bargain. Upwards of two-thirds of the sittings are already let, and the regular congregation has increased nearly one-half. This is the more remarkable, as, amidst a population of seven thousand, no less than seven places of worship (including the spacious church of St. Paul) are open every Sunday evening; and most of them well attended. But it is the Lord's doing, and to Him be the glory. His Spirit is graciously working upon the hearts of the people, and we have a prospect of continued prosperity." COLONIAL SLAVERY. To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine. MUCH has been recently done to secure the return of such members of Parliament as shall be willing to do what they can to promote the abolition of British Colonial Slavery; and, with the divine blessing, it is hoped, their efforts will not prove unavailing. The time is now come when every possible effort, that can be made by the friends of humanity, justice, and religion, to remove this crimson stain, this direful curse, from our country and colonies, should be immediately and perseveringly employed for the encouragement of the gentlemen who have been pledged to the accomplishment of this great object in the House of Commons, and to stimulate and sanction the Government in bringing the subject of immediate emancipation before Parliament. It is considered by the Anti-Slavery Society to be of great moment, that petitions should be pre 1 L sented in the House of Commons from every city, town, and considerable village or district in the United Kingdom, as soon as possible after the meeting of Parliament; that by one combined and universal expression of feeling throughout the British empire, it may be seen and felt by the King and his Ministers, that the nation is unanimous and determined, in the strength of God, no longer to be satisfied or at ease under the oppression, or continue to endure the persecution, of their fellow subjects and Christian brethren; and that slavery must cease for ever, in the dependencies of Great Britain, and that with the least possible delay. The friends of the negroes, and of the persecuted Missionaries, it is hoped, will continue their exertions and prayers till slavery is abolished, and the blessings of civil and religious liberty are secured to every British subject in the colonies and dependencies of this most guilty, but highly favoured country. A MEMBER OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY Relating principally to the FOREIGN MISSIONS carried on under the direction of the METHODIST CONFERENCE. MISSIONS IN CEYLON Extract of a Letter from Mr. Stott, dated Point-Pedro, May 24th, 1832. A FEW weeks ago I baptized a young man who is brother to Abraham, the first person who was baptized in Point-Pedro. He has been a candidate a considerable time, and I believe has entirely renounced Heathenism and embraced Christianity heartily; and I think he promises fairly to be useful. He has more life and energy than any native member I have seen since I came to the country. The Missionaries in and about Jaffna have lately been using extraordinary means in order to awaken the people to a concern for the salvation of their souls. Fourdays' meetings have been held on the different stations; when five or six Missionaries have attended, and given exhortations to the people assembled. A fortnight ago we had a four-days' meeting in Jaffna; and great numbers of people attended. The American and Church Missionaries were most of them present each evening, and spoke on different subjects, which were calculated to arouse the Heathen to examine their system and their own state. Last week we had meetings on this side the river. On the Monday before last Messrs. Spaulding and Winslow came to Valvettiturri, a village about five miles from Point-Pedro. I met them there in the afternoon; and in the evening we put up a tent, and held a meeting. The people were much inclined to dispute. We could scarcely finish a sentence without being either questioned or contradicted. On Tuesday evening we held another meeting, and the people were quieter and more attentive to what we had to sav. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings we had meetings at Point-Pedro. A considerable number of people attended. We spent the greatest part of each day in going from compound to compound, and from house to house, to tell the people that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. We generally commenced by asking them if they had heard the good news, and of the new law. When a new regulation is made by Government, the tomtom-beaters go from village to village to beat the tomtom, and proclaim it. Consequently this method excited a curiosity in them to hear what this good news and new regulation were; and they all came out, and in general listened attentively while we told them the news was, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save them; and the new law was, that they must repent and forsake their sins, &c. We were especially pleased with the anxiety of the females to hear what we had to say. They generally run away when they see a white man, and hide themselves in some part of the house; but on this occasion they nearly all came out, and sat down with us on the ground to hear. I believe that going from house to house to talk with the people is the best plan of instructing them: and indeed we have no other means of instructing the women; for they will not come to the chapel or schools. SOUTH SEA MISSIONS. TONGA. The following contains a melancholy account of the loss of Mrs. Cross, who was proceeding from Tonga with Mr. Cross, in a large, but, as it proved, a frail and ill-managed native canoe, to their station at Vavou. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Cross, dated January 7th, 1832. ON January 7th, 1832, we left Nukualofa in a large canoe belonging to the Chief Tubou, to proceed to our new station at Vavou. We had waited a few days for a favourable wind; and as on Saturday morning the wind became more favourable, we were called up about four o'clock to prepare for sailing, and proceeded to the canoe between six and seven o'clock. It was a very affecting season; many surrounded us weeping, on account of our departure; for, from our. having been at Nukualofa more than four years, the people had acquired a strong affection for us. Two smaller canoes were to have accompanied us; but on account of our being detained by the loading of our canoe, the other canoes sailed about an hour before us. We put to sea, and for a few hours went forward with a fair and moderate wind, but with a heavy swell, which increased as the wind became stronger. This occasioned the breaking of the yard, and afterward our mast: this happened about noon. The sail was immediately taken down, and a very small one set. By the time these arrangements were made, we had lost sight of the two small canoes. As the evening came on, the sailors were anxiously looking out for land, hoping that we were near Namuka, the island at which it was proposed we should rest during the Sabbath. Night came on, but no land appeared in sight. We were driven hither and thither till break of day, but no land appeared till about an hour after sunrise. As we drew near it, various were the opinions as to what island it was: some thought we had gone so far back in the night that we had got near Tonga, and that the island in sight was Guaiki; others thought it was one of the Fiji group; but, arriving at it about noon, we found it to be Hunga, one of two small uninhabited islands, called Hunga Tonga, and the other Hunga Haabai. These islands are seldom seen by the natives in going to and from Tonga to Haabai; which accounts for their not knowing at first what land it was. On our approach we found it impracticable to land, on account of the steepness of the rocks, and the heavy swell of the sea. After deliberating for some time as to what we should do, it was determined to try to return to Tonga. In order to lighten the canoe, the mast and part of the yard were thrown into the sea. The wind became favourable, blowing from the north; and, the canoe being lightened, there was less motion. The wind continuing favourable, we made way, and before sun-set one of the Tonga isles, called Atata, appeared in sight, which occasioned a general thanksgiving. The sailors hoped to make this island, which is only about seven miles from Nukualofa; and then to get home on Monday morning. But as they were striving to make the island, and were within about two or three miles of it, just as the moon was gone down, about nine o'clock, the wind changed from north to east, and blew tremendously. The men immediately took down their sails; but before they could well get to their paddles, the canoe was driven with great violence upon the reefs, and began to break up. Joseph, one of our native teachers, came to me and said, “Misa Kolosi, ke maloi ho tan loto kihe Atua, he kuo tan mate ; that is, Mr. Cross, be strong our minds towards God, for we are all dead." We committed ourselves to God, and in a few seconds were washed off the canoe into the sea, and the canoe was dashed to pieces. I had my arms round Mrs. Cross, nor did I let her go. The water was about six or seven feet deep. Several times we arose to the surface, and were as often overwhelmed by the surf. I continued to hold Mrs. C. with my right arm, while my left was employed in catching at poles and broken parts of the canoe, by which means we had an opportunity of breathing. No word of complaint or fear escaped my dear wife's lips; but she several times said, "Lord, save us! Lord, have mercy upon us! Lord, deliver us in this our time of need! I said, "Look to the Lord we are both going to heaven together." A few more seconds, and she spoke no more. I still clasped her with my right arm, was perfectly recollected, and expected in a few minutes more to be in heaven with her; but the Lord, contrary to my expectation, made a way for my escape. A short time after Mrs. C.'s spirit had fled, I found myself near some boards, part of the deck of the canoe: at this time my strength was nearly exhausted, but I still held the body of my dear wife. One of our people then discovered me, a native of Fiji, but a member of our society at Tonga: he took me by the hand, and thus kept me to the boards, as they were driven about in the water. 1 became very weak; but another of our people helped me on the boards. Being unable any longer to take care of the body of my wife, I desired Jonathan, the Fiji-man, to make it fast to the board upon which they had placed me; which was accordingly done. By this time several parts of the canoe were tied together, forming a kind of raft, and perhaps more than twenty persons seated thereon: and thus we were driven about we knew not whither. The general expectation was, from the course of the wind, that, if the boards could be kept together, we should be drifted to Hihifo, that part of Tonga where the Chief Ata resides, and which is about eight miles from the place where our canoe was wreck. ed; but in about two hours after the canoe had broken up, to our great joy, we found ourselves drifted to a small uninhabited island called Toketoke: we might have been drifted above or below it; but such was the goodness of God to us, we were |