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King-street, St. Philip's, Portland and Hotwell-road chapels, Bristol, North..

The Committee earnestly solicit the co-operation of the Trustees and Superintendents of Circuits throughout the kingdom, in their great and very desirable object; and when it is considered that the anxiety of Trustees, the pressure of pecuniary burdens upon the societies and congregations, and the amount of energy, both of Ministers and people, which is necessarily engrossed by efforts to relieve the temporal distress, are so many hinderances to the prosperity of the work of God, they trust that the appeal will not be in vain. The benefits derived from even a partial relief, are so many proofs of the wisdom of this charity, and powerful arguments for increased support of the Fund. Several pleasing instances might be given of most gracious revivals having succeeded the removal of these pecuniary difficulties. On the other hand, the Committee feel themselves called upon, in pleading the cause of distressed Trustees, to give a few extracts from their correspondence, which they trust will give effect to their appeal.

In the case of a chapel in Worcestershire, "The Trustees offer to raise £200, if the Committee can give £100. The debt is £500, and our society between twenty and thirty members. The chapel is situated in a populous and increasing village, and is in good repair, through the exertions of the friends who have laboured to their utmost to raise the expense of repairs without adding to the debt. At present there is but one effective Trustee; and it will be impossible to form a new trust, unless something be done effectually to

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help the funds of the chapel. The Trustee I have mentioned as the only effective one will give £150 of the £200 to be raised, and the friends will find £50. As Mr. R. has given a considerable sum in connexion with two other chapel trusts, if the Committee can, it would be very desirable to encourage him in the liberal offers he makes, by granting the requested sum."

In the case of a chapel in Norfolk, the Trustees observe,-" Our misfortunes began almost as soon as we began to erect the chapel, which would not have been built but for the offer of £200 by a kind friend, who was unable to give more than the first £50. Thus the Trustees were involved from the beginning. The premises were therefore mortgaged immediately for £600; and it has been with difficulty that the interest of that sum has been paid. It is now coming to an issue, as there are but two Trustees responsible for the other moneys, one having died since we last laid our case before you, who had promised £50. One of the two remaining Trustees intends emigrating to America. In that case, the whole burden must fall upon the remaining Trustee, Mr. unless the

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business can be settled immediately. He has been without principal or interest for years, on money which he has advanced when we were driven to extremities; and also the interest of £160, which he has been paying out of his own pocket for nearly ten years past. The above sum of £443 could not be raised, but for a great sacrifice on the part of Mr. H., who has kindly consented to give up £207 in moneys advanced, as well as upwards of £700, interest due to him, and paid by him."

The case of a chapel in Staffordshire:

"The original cost was £560; but through deficiency of income the present debt amounts to £717; and such is the dilapidated state of the building, that at most it would not sell for more than from £400 to £500. There are only four Trustees now living, and but one of them is in any way connected with us, who acts as Chapel-Steward. He is in the 75th year of his age, and has had several slight attacks of paralysis. Another of them is about eighty; and the youngest of them, who is a Unitarian Minister, and holds the chapel-deeds, is about sixty-five. The chapel is properly secured to the Connexion; and a clause in the deed requires that when the number of Trustees is reduced to five, others shall be chosen to fill up the original number. With this provision the survivers would willingly comply, but not a man can be found who will become responsible for such an overwhelming debt. The Trustees have subscribed £21, and the friends have engaged to make it up £150, on condition that the Committee will meet them with a grant of £100, which would reduce the debt to something like a manageable state."

The case of a chapel in Oxfordshire:"After examining the last year's accounts, there is a debt of £649. 3s. 7d., and after every exertion, a deficiency of L8. 9s. Gd. The sum of £400 is now called in, and by what means to obtain it we know not.. If the Committee will make a final grant of £250 I will raise £150, every fraction of which must come out of my own property, which in my circumstances I can very ill afford. The responsibility of this chapel rests entirely upon myself; and, in addition to the above, I stand in connexion with another person for chapel, for the sum of £823; and with the same person for chapel, in the sum of £396; and I am likewise responsible for sums of money on - and chapels.

"If the Committee do not come forward to my assistance, the consequences

to me will be ruinous. As I have lost my dear father, there is only one surviving Trustee, who is now in direct opposition to the Wesleyan cause. He was formerly a Local Preacher, by whose imprudence the debts were incurred. I hope the Committee will take this peculiarly distressing case into consideration, and afford immediate help, as I am entirely unable to raise the money called in, as I stand alone in this case; and I pledge myself to support the Fund to the utmost of my ability, as I ever have done."

In reference to a chapel in Yorkshire, an aged Trustee writes," I hope you will pardon the liberty I take in addressing you privately on the subject ofchapel. I am a Trustee of that chapel, and have been a member of society for nearly forty-five years. We have made several attempts to relieve our chapel, as you well know; and have proposed to raise £200, for a like sum from the Fand, but have hitherto been unsuccessful. You cannot conceive the anxiety of my mind upon this subject. At my time of life, when infirmities are fast coming upon me, and when my near approach to eternity renders it necessary that I should have as little anxiety as possible, I feel it the more; and next to my salvation, nothing would afford me so much pleasure as to see this chapel in tolerable circumstances.

"In the midst of my anxiety, I have the satisfaction, that I have done what my circumstances would in justice allow. At different times I have contributed not less than £100. £20 I gave at the erection of the chapel; £40 since then to make up deficiencies; and now upwards of £24 to meet the grant, with which I hope we shall be favoured at your approaching Meeting; and other sums, all together amounting to £100. And now being seventy-three years of age, I am growing infirm; and with regard to my circumstances, I am much reduced. I do not mention my giving for the sake of boasting; for, after all, I feel myself to be an unprofitable servant; but merely for the purpose of showing that our embarrassed circumstances are not owing to any neglect of the Trustees."

Another Trustee writes, "I have been a member of the Wesleyan society nearly half a century; and I owe my life, my soul, my all, to God. I wish without any reserve to give myself unto him. With regard to the chapel, I have done what I could. At present I cannot apprehend any other consequence but that

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Increase this year 10,103 Dec.6,056 Dec. 138 Inc. 5,125 Inc. 169 Inc. 49 Liberian Methodist Conference (inc. this year, 77)

Total in the American Connexion

417

658,574

Relating principally to the FOREIGN MISSIONS carried on under the direction of the METHODIST CONFERENCE.

A SUMMARY VIEW OF THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

EUROPE.

IRELAND.-Eighteen principal stations; twenty-four Missionaries; eight Scripture Readers; twenty-six daily schools, conducted by salaried Teachers, in which, and in the Sunday-schools connected with the Missions, there are upwards of four thousand four hundred and eighty-one children. Some of the Missionaries, Readers, and Teachers afford instruction to the native Irish in their own language.

STOCKHOLM, in Sweden.-One station; one Missionary, who preaches in Swedish and in English; there are a number of native Swedes and others under pastoral care.

WINNENDEN, in Germany.--One principal station; one Missionary Agent, who is assisted by upwards of twenty coadjutors; he visits more than twenty different towns and villages. Four hundred and forty-eight members in society.

FRANCE.-Six principal stations; having connected with them many large towns and extensive districts; ten Missionaries, and four Assistant Missionaries: three of the Missionaries minister chiefly in the English language; the remainder, almost exclusively in French. Number in society, five hundred and thirty-three. In the schools, six hundred and twenty-two children.

GIBRALTAR.-Two Missionaries, one for the Spanish, and the other for the British population; sixty-five members of society; in the English and Spanish schools, one hundred and six children.

MALTA.-One Missionary; forty-eight members of society. In the school, eighty-nine children.

ASIA.

CONTINENTAL INDIA.-Eight principal stations, each embracing an extensive district; eleven Missionaries, and four Assistant Missionaries. The Gospel is preached in English, Tamul, Canarese, and Portuguese; and religious instruction has occasionally been given in Teloogoo. In society, three hundred and twenty members. In the schools, one thousand one hundred and seventy-four children, chiefly native Hindoos.

CEYLON.-Eleven principal stations, seven in the south, and four in the north, of the island. Nine Missionaries, fourteen Assistant Missionaries, and one hundred and sixty-four salaried Catechists and Teachers. A printing-press is established at Colombo. The word of God is administered in English, Singhalese, Tamul, and Portuguese. The Pali and Dutch languages have also been used to convey instruction. In society, eight hundred and seventeen members. In the schools, five thousand three hundred and eighty-eight children.

SOUTH SEAS.

NEW SOUTH WALES-Five principal stations; five Missionaries; in society, two hundred and twenty-one; in the schools, four hundred and ninety-six.

VAN-DIEMEN'S LAND.-Six principal stations; nine Missionaries, and one Assistant Missionary; in society, four hundred and forty-two; in the schools, eight hundred and ninety-five.

NEW-ZEALAND.-Three principal stations; four Missionaries, and one Assistant Missionary. A printing-press is in full and useful operation. One hundred and ninety members of society; five hundred under schoolinstruction; the Gospel is preached in English, and in the language of New-Zealand.

TONGA. TWO Missionaries. The Gospel is preached in the Tonga language, and the Scriptures are in the course of translation. In society, nine hundred and forty-six; in the schools, one thousand one hundred and thirty-seven.

HABAI ISLANDS.-Three Missionaries; the Gospel is ministered to the natives in their own language. In society, three thousand three hundred and twenty-three; in the schools, two thousand nine hundred and eighty

nine.

VAVOU ISLANDS.-Three Missionaries; the word of God is preached to the people in their own tongue in society, three thousand four hundred and seventy-three; in the schools, three thousand four hundred and ninety-nine.

FEJEE ISLANDS.-Four Missionaries.

A printing-press is at work in the Friendly Islands.

AFRICA.

SOUTHERN AFRICA.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE AND NAMACQUALAND.-Four principal stations; six Missionaries, who instruct in English, Dutch, and Namacqua; in society, two hundred and forty; in the schools, six hundred and forty

three.

ALBANY AND KAFFERLAND, &c.-Thirteen principal stations; eleven Missionaries; one printing-press: the Gospel is preached in English, Dutch, and Kaffer; translations of the Scriptures, Catechisms, &c., have been effected into the Kaffer language. In society, four hundred and seventy-four; in the schools, one thousand and eighty-four.

BECHUANA. Four stations; four Missionaries. In society, one hundred and fifty. In the schools, five hundred and thirteen. The Missionaries use the Sichuana and Dutch languages: several translations have been effected in the Sichuana, and many elementary books have been printed at the Mission press.

WESTERN AFRICA.

SIERRA-LEONE.-Four Missionaries; one thousand four hundred and twenty-four members in society; in the schools, one thousand and seventy-five.

THE RIVER GAMBIA.-Two principal stations; four Missionaries, and four Assistant Missionaries. The languages used are the English, Jalloof, and Mandingo. In society, five hundred and seventy-six; in the schools, two hundred and twenty.

CAPE-COAST.-Two Missionaries; one hundred and fifty-one members of society; in the schools, seventy.

AMERICA.

WEST INDIES.

ANTIGUA.-Five Missionaries, and one General Superintendent of schools; in society, two thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven; in the schools, two thousand six hundred and ninety children and adults.

DOMINICA. Two Missionaries, and one Assistant Missionary; in society, nine hundred and ninety-one; in the schools, four hundred and thirty-nine children and adults.

MONTSERRAT. Two Missionaries; in society, three hundred and twentytwo; in the schools, seven hundred and fifty-six children and adults.

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