inquired, "Have they gifts, as well as grace, for the work ?" And the Committee believe, that, among the advantages which have resulted from the existence of the Institution, may be numbered that of its having been, in some instances, a barrier to the entrance into the ministry of individuals who would afterwards have proved useless or unfaithful. The Committee also believe, and the experience of every succeeding year justifies their confidence, that the instructions which are given by the Tutors, and the counsels and prayers of the Governors, are exerting a salutary and important influence on the understandings and hearts of the Students; and that, by enlarging their stores of knowledge, and by promoting the improvement of their Christian experience, they will be better fitted to be Ministers of the New Testament," and will be truly wise "to win souls to God." With these convictions, the Committee most earnestly entreat the hearty co-operation of the Ministers of able the Connexion, and of the societies and congregations under their pastoral care. With augmented liberalities, they entreat, for themselves and for the Students, the fervent prayers of the people of God for themselves they desire these prayers, that they may be endued with heavenly wisdom, to guide them in all their plans and proceedings, and that the blessing of God may render them successful: and for the Students who may pass through the Institution they desire these prayers, that they may be favoured with the teachings of the Holy Spirit, in their investigations of the meaning of his own inspired volume; that they may be assisted in the acquisition of ministerial gifts; that they may be richly the partakers of the consolations and sanctifying influence of God's Holy Spirit; and that, through successive years of labour, they may be the honoured instruments of turning many unto righteousness, and may "shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever." LETTER FROM THE PRESTON CIRCUIT. METHODISM was introduced into Leyland, in the Preston Circuit, about the year 1809, under the following circumstances. Thomas Bradshaw, a poor hand-loom weaver, and a deeply pious man, was induced to remove from Preston to Leyland, at the urgent request of the late Mr. Roger Crane, purposely that he might open his house for prayermeetings and preaching. The Rev. Matthew Lumb, James Johnson, Thomas Jackson, and William Ault, with several of their esteemed brethren the Local Preachers, ministered the word of life in the humble dwelling of this good The opening services connected with this chapel were signally owned of God. The word preached was "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." Not a few believed, and were saved; of whom the greater part have since "fallen asleep," but a few remain to this day. man. The word was with power, and was not proclaimed in vain. A society was formed, consisting, at first, of only four members, three of whom were of the Bradshaw family. Others, however, received the truth, were awakened to a discovery of their sinfulness and danger, and, inquiring what they must do to be saved, joined the pious few who could testify that the Lord is gracious; so that within little more than a year, the society amounted to thirteen. In the year 1814, the work having greatly advanced, a neat chapel was erected, capable of holding from four to five hundred persons. The society, at that time, had increased to about fifty members. The population at Leyland having, within the last few years, been greatly increased, the chapel was quite inadequate to accommodate the people who wished to attend; and as the children who were taught in the Sabbath-school were, of necessity, in order to make room for the congregation, excluded from a regular attendance on public worship, a few benevolent persons resolved that this evil should be removed, and that the chapel should forthwith be enlarged. It was also determined, that the entire outlay should be raised; so that no additional debt should be incurred by the Trustees. To this appeal the society in Leyland, and the leading friends in the Circuit, have nobly responded; and this object is now accomplished. The chapel has been almost entirely rebuilt, with a new gallery, and was re-opened on Sunday, the 17th, and Monday, the 18th, of October. The Rev. Thomas Jackson, of London, preached in the morning and evening of Sunday; and the Rev. James Scholes, of Chorley, in the afternoon. On Monday, the Rev. Robert Newton preached in the forenoon, and the Rev. Thomas Jackson again in the evening. The attendance at all the services was numerous and respectable, and the chapel well filled in every part. In the afternoon of Monday a meeting, for religious conversation and prayer, was held in the chapel, when several impressive addresses were delivered, relating chiefly to the rise and progress of Wesleyan Methodism in Leyland and its neighbourhood. Mr. Jackson, who travelled in the Preston Circuit about thirty years ago, and who opened the former chapel at Leyland, in the year 1814, contrasted the former times with the present; and exhorted the friends, that, with oneness of heart, they would continue steadfast in their Christian profession and practice, unmoved either by prevalent and specious error, or by the spirit of the world. Special allusions were made to the increased accommodation now afforded in the body of the chapel, which is almost exclusively devoted to the use of the Sabbath-school children, and as free sittings for the accommodation of the poor. The building is now forty-six feet long, by thirty-two broad. The gallery, which is well planned, will seat a large number of persons. The estimated cost of the enlargement is about £340; towards which a sum of more than £200 was subscribed before the opening; and the public collections amounted to £115. The chapel is situated in the centre of a large and increasing population, where a commodious place of worship is much needed; and the attendance, since the opening, affords evidence, that this bene volent effort of our friends is appreciated by many of the people. The seats are nearly all let; and the children attending the Sabbath-school are nearly doubled. The people throughout the Circuit are greatly revived, being more fervent in prayer, abounding in liberality, and more. in earnest for the salvation of souls. The second large and commodious chapel, which was opened in Preston in the spring of 1839, erected at a cost of about £3,000, and placed, by the liberal contributions of the friends, in easy circumstances, has been much owned of the Lord. Upwards of five hundred persons have been gained, as regular hearers of the word; a large proportion of whom have received the truth as it is in Jesus, and become members of the society. A large new school has also been recently opened, at a considerable distance from both the chapels, and in the midst of a dense population; and is, therefore, used, on Sabbath evenings, as a place for preaching. Considerable efforts are made in behalf of the young; and upwards of fifteen hundred children in Preston alone are receiving instruction in the week-day and Sabbath schools. In every part of the Circuit there is unbroken peace; and the societies are all "with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel." For all this we thank God, and take courage; and we trust that we shall see even greater things than these. W. B. STEPHENSON. Preston, Nov. 20th, 1841. LETTER FROM THE RICHMOND AND REETH CIRCUIT. THE following new chapels have been opened in this Circuit in less than twelve months. The first is in WHAW, at the head of Arkendale, about six miles above Reeth. Near this place we have had a chapel for about thirty-five years. It was a thatched building, high on the hill, much exposed to the winter storms, and difficult of access by the people of the valley, and from the other side of the dale. The site on which the chapel and school-room are built, with the buryingground, was generously given us by George Robinson, Esq., of Richmond. The chapel twenty-eight feet square in the inside; and was opened by the Rev. J. Rayner, of Whitby, and Mr. Rogers, of Barnard-Castle. Connected with this chapel is a Sunday-school and a Method. ist day-school. The master is supported partly by the parents of the children, and partly by Mr. Robinson, and a few friends in the dale. The second chapel is in KELD, at the head of Swaledale, twenty-three miles above Richmond, and ten miles from Kirkby-Stephen. Swaledale is one of the most picturesque and beautiful places in the north of England. The first ten miles from Richmond to Reeth bears a striking resemblance to the scenery on the banks of the Wye, from Chepstow to Monmouth. Above Reeth, the valley is not so wide, nor so woody. The hills are high, and clothed with grass or heath to their summit. Most of the people in Swaledale, as well as Arkendale, are leadminers. They depend chiefly on the mines for their living. The scenery about Keld is truly grand. The Swale runs through a deep bed, forced through limestone rocks. It falls three times within a mile; and the frowning crags above are partly covered with a forest of yew, holly, mountain-ash, and other shrubs. Several tributary streams rush into the Swale from high ledges, some of which are from ten to thirty feet in height. The fine pasture for cattle, lofty cliffs, the cascades and waterfalls, form one of the most beautiful scenes in nature. In the midst of this stands the Keld chapel, which is thirty-three feet by twenty seven in the inside. The front of the building is of freestone. The chapel was opened by the Rev. Thomas Dunn, of BarnardCastle, and Mr. Steel, of the same place. We are chiefly indebted for this chapel to Mr. John Craig, agent to the Keldside Mining Company. The third chapel is at RICHMOND. It was opened June 3d. The Rev. Dr. Beaumont, the Rev. J. Everett, J. Rayner, E. Brice, and T. Kent, and the late Mr. William Dawson, preached on the occasion. For many years our people felt the want of a better chapel in this respectable and ancient borough, the old one standing in a back lane, and could only be entered by a high flight of steps, there being cottages under it. The new chapel is one of the best and most handsome buildings in the town. It has a good approach from the marketsquare, as well as from the lane in which the old chapel stands. The plans were drawn by, and the erection carried on under the inspection of, Mr. Green, Architect, of Darlington. Connected with the chapel are a good school-room, and two vestries, a chapel-keeper's house, and an excellent house for the Preacher. The friends in Richmond are cheered with the prospect of spiritual good. A large proportion of the pews are taken, and the congregation is increasing weekly. The fourth chapel that we have opened is in Low-Row, Swaledale, three miles and a half above Reeth. The old chapel was built about eighty years since, near the spot on which Mr. Wesley preached about ninety years ago, to the people of these Dales. Soon after his first visit a society of five persons was formed. A report was industriously circulated through the neighbourhood, that Mr. Wesley was a Jesuit; and the people were dissuaded from hearing him. The little society had a promise made to them, that, if they would not hear Mr. Wesley, they should have "the Gospel preached" to them. The subject of leaving him was put to the vote, when three were for leaving, and two for staying in Mr. Wesley's society. The next Preacher that visited Low-Row was instrumental in the conversion of two other persons, who joined the five. The subject of leaving was re-considered; when there appeared four for staying, and three for leaving. The whole of the seven, however, remained in connexion with Mr. Wesley; and from these seven sprang all the societies in Swaledale and Arkendale, which now amount to about eight hundred members, with about one thousand four hundred regular hearers. They have eight good chapels, and as many Sunday-schools, with many hundred children under religious instruction. This chapel is fifty feet by thirty-nine, in the inside. It has a school-room, thirtysix by twenty-four feet. Connected with it are two cottages, and a large buryingground. The plans were drawn by, and the building erected under the inspection of, the Rev. John Rawson. His services were of much importance to the Trustees. The young men quarried the stones without fee or reward, and most of the carting was done gratuitously. Seldom has there been so large and so good a chapel built at so small an expense. We were favoured with the services of the Rev. R. Newton, J. Rawson, E. Brice, and Dr. Beaumont, at the opening. All the pews are taken, and we could let many more if we had them. I may say, that, at the opening services of all the chapels, the congregations were overflowing, and the collections good; and the erections are likely to be a lasting blessing to their respective neighbourhoods. JOHN LEWIS. Richmond, Nov. 11th, 1841. REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN GALWAY. (To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine.) You will rejoice to hear that a glorious display of divine power has been vouchsafed to us in this town, for the last four weeks; during which period about one hundred souls have professed a "knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins." The work still goes on, thank God; and we hope it will spread through the whole town. Already some At present I really have not time. My colleague labours faithfully; so do all the Class-Leaders. Pray for us. W. G. CAMPBELL. Galway, Dec. 18th, 1841. NIGER EXPEDITION. FROM the intelligence received from this Expedition, extending in part to the 10th of October, the following statement of facts may be gathered; and, as it is derived from various sources of the highest character, may be relied on as the most accurate that has as yet appeared. The "Albert," "Wilberforce," and "Soudan," with the "Harriot " transport, and "Amelia" tender, after a favourable, though somewhat tedious, voyage, arrived off the Nun on the 9th and 10th of August. In unloading the transport, they were detained a considerable time, owing to the heavy rolling of the vessels in the swell outside the bar. A further detention arose when they had crossed the bar, from the necessity of refitting the tails of the rudders, which had been carried away on the passage from Cape-Coast, and without which the vessels were almost unmanageable. These repairs the badness of the weather and the strength of the tide did not permit of being completed till the 20th. This necessary delay does not, however, appear to have positively injured the health of the crews, as they enjoyed a wholesome sea-breeze, and every precaution was taken to preserve them from illness. Up to this period there had been seven deaths; four from casualties, one of apoplexy, and two of fever, not African, but typhus. Of these last, one only was an European. Under these favourable auspices they commenced their ascent of the river on the 20th of August, not the 13th, as has been erroneously stated. Their progress was necessarily slow, as they do not ordinarily make more than six miles an hour, and the current runs at the rate of three. They were delayed still further by looking for the "Wilberforce," which had gone up a different channel. Thus the 22d (Sunday) was spent, and at last it was found that she had gone a-head. They rejoined at Eboe on the 26th. This deviation was, however, the means of discovering a new branch of the river, with numerous villages, and a larger population than had yet been seen. Six days after, they arrived at Iddah, when the fever broke out, and continued to the confluence (two hundred and seventy miles up) with increased violence. List of the Sick on board the Expedition, from September 3d to 17th. In consequence of this alarming sickness, and their inability to examine the higher grounds for a healthy station, it was deemed advisable to send the sick to the sea-side. Forty-three of the fortynine remaining cases were accordingly embarked in the "Soudan" on the 19th, and reached the mouth early on the 22d. On their way they lost two hopeless cases, Mr. W. B. Marshall, Surgeon of the "Soudan," and one of her men. They were fortunate enough to fall in at once with Her Majesty's ship "Dolphin," Commander Littlehales, by whom they were taken on board, except two, and carried to Ascension. On their way, eight more died; but the rest recovered in a most sudden and striking manner. Assistant-Surgeon Stirling, who came home in charge of the invalids, has since returned to the Niger; and several medical men have volunteered to supply the place of the two that were lost. The accompanying table shows the entire mortality from the first setting out, and the number of Whites who have died of African fever : Of African fever ......... It appears, then, that of the entire number of Whites, one-eighth have perished by this dreaded disease; of the officers, one-seventeenth; and of the men, about one-sixth. The scientific men attached to the Expedition have suffered very slightly, and the Rev. Messrs. Müller and Schön not at all. This loss is certainly much less than that of former expeditions. Park's whole retinue was annihilated. Captain Tuckey, in 1816, died with nearly onehalf of his officers and crew, and all the scientific men, with a single exception. Captain Owen lost nearly two-thirds; and Laird, by the time he had arrived at the confluence, had buried half his white crew, and more than half his officers. This latter gentleman, in a letter to the "Spectator," (December 18th,) gives it as his decided opinion that the fever was less malignant in this case than in his own; that they have "passed through their greatest danger with much less loss than any reasonable man anticipated;" and that those who have escaped are not like. ly to be attacked again, unless by returning to the swamps. This opinion, given with a frankness which does him honour, combined with the confirmation which 3 19 28 20 Of they give of the healthiness of the country above the Delta, goes far to remove the natural fears for their future safety. The expedition, far from being given up, is going steadily on. Treaties have been concluded with Obi of Eboe, and Attah of Egarrah, for the entire abolition of the slave-trade, and of human sacrifices. the conduct and deportment of both these Princes, the Commissioners speak very highly. A tract of ground, sixteen miles in length, and six in width, dry and elevated, and including a mountain of twelve hundred feet in height, has been purchased, and the model-farm put in active operation. The country is represented as fully open for Missionary or other enterprise, and the natives perfectly peaceable and friendly. One of the steamers may descend for the winter, for the purpose of surveying the various outlets, but all are expected to join in pursuing their mission up the river next spring. As the "Albert" was on the point of ascending the Niger, and the "Wilberforce" the Chadda, when the last accounts left, we may perhaps shortly hear of various important interesting discoveries up these rivers. SYRIAN MEDICAL-AID ASSOCIATION. A SOCIETY bearing this designation was formed in London on the 30th of September last, and is likely to be productive of great benefit. It has already obtained the patronage of several persons of distinguished rank, and of Christian character. The Honorary Secretaries are the Hon. W. F. Cowper, M. P.; the Rev. Thomas Pyne, M. A.; and Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart. The fol lowing Prospectus has been put forth by the Committee, and cannot fail to make a favourable impression upon the minds of the pious and humane.-EDIT. SYRIA presents a field full of promise for the exertion of Christian charity. Many circumstances have contributed to turn the eyes of its inhabitants towards |