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IRELAND.

Rev. Thomas Mills, General Superintendent.

Belfast-The Superintendent; and John Service, Scripture Reader.
Ballyclare-William Sorsby.

Bangor-James Argue.

Downpatrick-Anthony M'Intyre.

Dublin-A supply from England.

Lisburn-Thomas Seymour and Samuel Nicholson.
Lurgan-John Shuttleworth and John Gordon.

Newtownards-John

Baird.

Smithborough-John Lyons.

New Station-James Seymour.

Belfast, Bangor, Lisburn, and Newtownards are constituted Circuits; all the rest are Mission Stations.

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North-H. Coates.

Westminster-B. Haigh.

St. Thomas-D. D. Rolston.

Howard-E. Williams.

Western Mission-T. Browne.

Malahide and Norwich -J. Wilkinson; J. Jackson, supernumerary.
Waterford-H. Wilkinson.

H. O. Crofts, General Superintendent, Chairman.

CAVAN DISTRICT.

Cavan-J. Bell and W. Peck. One to be sent.

Colborne Mission-W. Robinson.

Newcastle Mission-J. C. Warren,

Prince Edward-E. Van Norman and B. P. Brown.

Mohawk Woods-One to be sent.

J. Bell, Chairman.

JOHNSTOWN DISTRICT.

Lansdowne-F. E. Powers and J. Smyth.

Elizabethtown-T. Rump and T. M. Jefferies.

Crosby-J. Simpson and J. Shilton.

Goulburn and Drummond-N. C. Gowan and C. Curry.

T. Rump, Chairman.

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TOTAL IN THE WHOLE CONNEXION: CHAPELS, 346; CIRCUIT PREACHERS, 130; LOCAL PREACHERS, 857; MEMBERS, 22,062; SUNDAY SCHOOLS, 321; TEACHERS, 7,254; SCHOLARS, 44,770.

OUR CAUSE IN THE TOWN OF LONDON, CANADA WEST.- My dear Brother Howard,-It will, no doubt, gratify the numerous readers of your little "Watchman," to hear something of the completion and opening of our London chapel; I have therefore much pleasure in furnishing (with your kind permission) the following particulars.

It is now better than two years since a number of the members composing the British Wesleyan Mission Church, in London, made up their minds to leave that community; they were led to take this deliberate step, from a conviction of the superiority of our mode of church government; they had no difference, nor yet have they any, with their friends on doctrinal subjects; they conscientiously regard the representative government of the church of Christ, in all its branches and assemblies, as at once the most rationai, the most just to all parties, and last, not least, as the most (the only) scriptural mode of government.

Having fully made up their minds, they put themselves in immediate communication with the superintendent of our Connexion, Rev. H. O. Crofts; and quietly withdrawing from the Wesleyans, formed themselves into a New Connexion church, under the pastoral care of Mr. Crofts, who has ever since watched over them with much diligence and success, feeding them with "the sincere milk of the word." The church thus begun and continued, has enjoyed uninterrupted harmony and love, and while in the town of London both congregation and society have kept increasing, openings in every direction around have presented themselves, and are continuing to do so, giving full and laborious work for both Mr. Crofts and his present active assistant Mr. Kershaw. Nor should I omit to notice, to the honour of our London brethren, that in their struggles with difficulties and inconveniences, perhaps unavoidable in all such beginnings, and arising chiefly from the unkindness of some, the misrepresentations of others, the misunderstandings of many-not to name the culpable carelessness or indifference of many well intentioned people, on the subject of the scriptural government in God's hosts; they did not overlook that important item in Christ's charge to his disciples, "Feed my lambs," but have toiled to rear, and have succeeded in rearing, an excellent Sabbath school, numbering on their list somewhere about two hundred scholars, and ave

QQ

raging in attendance one hundred and sixty. What an auxiliary to the congregation!

Since the formation of this church, they have held their public services in the large room of the town hall, most generally given free of charge by the mayor and council. The average attendance in the town-hall has been between four and five hundred, but frequently the place was overcrowded. From the outset, they were desirous of procuring a church of their own; but acted with wise caution in the matter, lest they might get into difficulties. They were in hopes of being able to purchase a house and lot which is not used by its owners, and is pretty central; in this, after ineffectual negotiations, they were disappointed; they then procured a suitable lot in Clarence street, and after, by personal liberality, as well as by waiting on the inhabitants of the town, having arrived at pretty accurate knowledge of their available means, they proceeded to build, and may now be said to have completed the object of their toils and wishes.

The basement, which is lofty and well lighted, is built of solid stone work, the upper part of the building is pale brick, the roof in the form usually called hip roofed, the windows are circular topped; there are three windows in front, centre one large, side ones small, three large ones on each side and two on the back end; the side and front windows are muffed, which has a very fine effect on the interior. The entrance is by two doors in front, underneath the small windows; the chapel is pewed throughout, it is galleried on three sides, front of the gallery painted white; the whole interior is well finished, but the absence of all ornament, and the severe plainness, evidently intentional, produces nothing meagre or awkward to the eye; on the contrary, you have the pleasant feeling of spaciousness, unity, lightness, comfort, or, if you let me speak for myself, beauty, and that sort of beauty one don't soon tire of.

The extreme plainness of the exterior of the chapel, it being finished without any wood on the eaves, or over the door and windows, gives it rather an old Presbyterian or Methodistic appearance, and standing, as it does, comparatively high, this is the more striking; but at the same time, you have the impression of solidity and unaffected honesty; may such ever be the character of all the worshippers there.

The dimensions of the building are

fifty-six feet by sixty. There are between five and six hundred sittings, and ample accommodation for six hundred worshippers. The whole cost of the chapel will not exceed £850, and consequently the debt will be small.

The London chapel was opened for the public worship of God, on Sabbath morning, September 29th, at seven o'clock, by a prayer meeting. At halfpast ten o'clock, the Rev. H. O. Crofts preached an excellent as well as appropriate sermon from Psalm 1xxx. 1, 2; the chapel was filled with a deeply serious congregation; and, at the close, the collection was very good. At halfpast two, Rev. W. M'Clure preached from 2 Chronicles vii. 15, 16, and again in the afternoon, at six o'clock, from 1 Cor. ii. 2. At both afternoon services the congregations filled the chapel, and from the deep attention and feeling manifested, gave, as they felt, full proof that He to whom we dedicated the house, had come down to occupy and bless. O, this is the best token of all, "God is with us." May he dwell here for ever and ever. At both services also the collections were very good.

On Monday evening, the opening tea party was held, when 400 respectable, well conducted guests favoured us with their presence. The Rev. H. O. Crofts occupied the chair, and opened the second part of the meeting by a short but very interesting narrative of the origin, spirit, and progress of our cause in London; on behalf of the congregation, giving cordial thanks to the public authorities for the use of the town-hall, (some of these gentlemen were present; all of them were invited, and furnished with tickets, at the same time that a vote of thanks was presented, which had been unanimously adopted by the church,) Mr.Crofts then called on Revs. J. Kershaw, J. C. Watts, J. Caswell, W. F. Clarke, (Independent,) and W. M'Clure; the interest did not seem for one moment to flag to the very close. I have to confess, and with much satisfaction too, that a more orderly, happy, and efficient meeting I never saw. The provision for the arrangements and serving of the guests was such as must have given satisfaction to every one, reflecting the highest honour on the ladies, under whose management it happily was. I should also be wanting in both gratitude and justice, were I to pass without distinct notice, the attractive services of the choir, under the able direction of Mr. Egar. They sang six or seven pieces during the evening

with taste, precision, and powerful effect; in their delightful performance we had neither bungling nor bathos, but real music, where the several well sustained parts formed their unity, which, in expressing the noble sentiments of inspiration, now thrills, now soothes, now melts, and now rouses one's whole soul. We had in this choir a rare, but happy unity of soft instrumental, combined with the vocal music. I assure you the singing was by no means the secondary attraction of the meeting; for my part, I would freely give up my tea, and add a "York shilling" to the quarter, for such another treat. O may such talents be long employed in the public worship and to the glory of God!

My communication has gone on to twice the length I intended, so I must In stop; the proceeds of the whole services will amount to about £40 - a very handsome sum indeed. The sittings were letting very fast, there being on Tuesday, the day after the tea party, 171 sittings taken. Brother Crofts has much to make his heart glad, and much to encourage his future hopes in London; in the unity and piety of the people, the greatly increased facilities for acting, and in the palpable evidences of the Divine presence. The Lord our God make them to be ten thousand times more than they are this day, by blessing them and making them blessings. Amen and amen.

Toronto,

Very affectionately yours, WILLIAM M'Clure. Oct. 10th, 1850.

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