1. DOVER.-In anticipation of the removal of the 17th Brigade Royal Artillery from the garrison of Dover, where it has been stationed for five years, the soldiers of the Brigade, at a public meeting, presided over by Mr. George Flashman, presented the trus tees of Snargate Wesleyan chapel with a beautifully-bound pulpit Bible and Hymn-Book, in testimony of the unvarying kindness they had received from both ministers and congregation. The faithful services and friendly conduct of the Rev. Dr. Kessen, which had secured the esteem and gratitude of all classes, were suitably acknowledged by the military present. Gratifying reports were given of the spiritual results of our ministry to the soldiers, and ample testimony was afforded-as in many other cases, happily increasing-of the value of our work in the army.

2. SHORNCLIFFE CAMP.-At a recent meeting in connection with the Soldiers' Home, after prayer by the Hon. and Rev. A. Ward, (Episcopalian,) valuable testimony to the influence of religion in the army was borne by Dr. Gunn, of the 99th Regiment. The working of the "Home," as well as its necessity and importance, was clearly set forth. Christian intercourse in the camp was recommended, and the position of Methodism in relation to the army was well defined. The rights of soldiers to religious liberty, by "Her Majesty's Regulations," were fully explained to the large number of the military who were present. A portion of the band of the 99th Regiment performed some excellent and suitable music; and Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan ministers joined in promoting the object of the meeting. Our Army Committee was well represented by its secretary, the Rev. C. Prest.

3. FALMOUTH. (Training-ship Ganges.")-From the Rev. J. E. Coulson.VOL. XIX.-FIFTH SERIES.

April 30th, 1873.-The endeavour to benefit the seamen in the Royal Navy, which was commenced here at the beginning of the present year, I am happy to say, has so far been attended with satisfactory results. H.M.S. "The Ganges," lying in Falmouth Harbour, is one of five training-ships stationed on the south-western coasts. Nearly six hundred youths, from fifteen to nineteen years of age, are on board, some of the number being almost every month drafted off to other vessels of war, and fresh arrivals taking their places. This method of supply. ing the navy with able-bodied seamen was introduced a few years ago. It is, certainly, a great advance upon the old system, and is likely to be productive of the best consequences. The youths on board these ships are trained in the duties of seamen, and educated by competent masters, as in ordinary primary schools. They are well supplied with books and suitable periodicals; their behaviour is watched over, and all improper language, as well as the use of tobacco and intoxicating drinks, is discouraged.

The recognition of Methodism, and the establishment of a religious service for the benefit of Wesleyans on board the "Ganges," originated from the circumstance that some of the senior boys belonging to our Sundayschool in this town had joined the ship's company. The vessel is anchored about three miles up the "Roads," and is not easy of access; but in the first week of this year I was able to go on board, when I had an interview with the captain and first-lieutenant, both of whom were ready to accede to my proposal to establish a Sunday service on shore for as many of the youths as might be willing to attend. Inquiry soon elicited the fact that many of them had been brought up in Methodist Sunday schools in Manchester, Doncaster, Cardiff, Pembroke,

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and several other parts of the kingdom. An effort to keep these in connection with the godly associations of early life, by continuing a kind pastoral influence over them, was felt to be exceedingly desirable, and likely to be promotive of their best interests all through life.

On the second Sunday in the year the first service was held in Wesley Chapel, at half-past nine o'clock, the ordinary service not commencing until eleven o'clock, and a separate service for the sailors being indispensable. I preached on St. Paul's shipwreck, Acts xxvii. 44. We used the "Hymn-Book for Cottage-Services," and many of the youths knew the old Methodist tunes which were raised. They sang out in hearty tones, and now and then the quivering lip and glistening eye, in spite of attempts at concealment, betrayed kindling emotion, and told of homerecollections: a gracious influence was at work upon their hearts. At the close of an hour's service, many of them, as they took their caps to go, turned towards the desk, and said, 66 Thank you, Sir." I gave them some of Mr. Smithies' "temperance" publications, kindly supplied by that gentleman for the purpose, and have since had the satisfaction of knowing that they are read with interest by others on board

besides those who come to the Method. ist chapel.

A similar morning service has been held up to the present time every Sunday, when the weather has admitted of coming ashore. At the last of these an officer and forty-four of the youths were in attendance. My endeavour is to be with them myself as frequently as possible; and I am glad to learn that the lads like the service, and that their behaviour on board is good and creditable. Total abstinence has been introduced amongst the ship's company; several are practising it, and others are about to do so.

The orders of the Admiralty secure the presentation of a copy of the Holy Scriptures to each young man upon leaving the training-ship; and I should like very much to have the means of presenting each of the Wesleyan youths with a copy of our Hymn-Book." These young men in a few years will go to the ends of the earth, and instead of being a reproach and disgrace to the Christian name, as men-of-war's-men in days gone by have too frequently been, may scatter the seed of Gospel truth, and in their own way become heralds of the Cross.

Altogether I am much gratified with what has been done, and anticipate still better results in the future.

1. SANDHURST.-From the Rev. J. B. Alger.-April 29th, 1873.-The homemission work of the past three years calls for our gratitude, and inspires hope. In March, 1870, Sandhurst chapel, a farm-house kitchen at Hawley, and a small room at Yateley, were the only places for preaching on this home-mission station. Crowthorne chapel was not completed, but was opened for Divine service on the 17th of April, 1872. There were held at that time eighty Sunday and twelve week-night

services in three months. The number of members in June, 1870, was sixty-four, and the income from classes and quarterly collections, £7 48. 10d. At present there are six places regularly supplied with preaching; one hundred and fifty-six Sabbath services are held, with forty-two on weeknights, in addition to the prayermeetings and school-visitation. We also hold a fortnightly service at the Broadmoor Asylum during the quarter. The present number of Church-mem

These figures are a plain indication that the Lord of the harvest" is raising up a people in this destitute neighbourhood, who shall show forth His praise, and convert the wilderness into a fruitful field.

One of the most interesting services is held by the minister in the Criminal Lunatic Asylum at Broadmoor, on Thursday morning, once a fortnight. Before the service, half an hour is devoted to teaching about twenty of the inmates tunes suitable for our hymns. This has created an interest in the succeeding devotions, and secured attention. The patients are well-behaved during the service, which lasts for an hour after the singing; and best of all, the authorities testify to the marked

improvement which has been observed in their general conduct since the commencement of this work.

Our day-school is improving, and will do us good service. Notwithstanding the money which has been raised to provide some accommodation for our congregations, a considerable sum will yet be required to clear the debt off our new day-schoolroom, and erect chapels on the three sites secured, also one at York Town. Until this is done, we cannot hope to make rapid strides in adding to our members, for our congregations must necessarily be small in the present rooms.

2. EASTBOURNE.-From the Rev. J. S. Hill.-March 31st, 1873.-The progress of the work of God on this mission is steady. At the beginning of this year, as in 1872, we held services which were seasons of refreshing, and which were blessed to the conversion of some who had been under religious impressions. Several of these are interesting instances of a thoughtful grasp of the truth of the Gospel, and not unthinking professions of religion, destined to be "as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away." These new con. verts have one and all given evidence of their sincerity by their love for Christian fellowship, and the various means of grace which are the life of the Christian Church. Our prayer. meetings are well attended, and often marked by much true spiritual power. The Society has grown in spirituality and in intelligent love for Methodism. The support of this mission by the Home-Mission Fund not only secures to the numerous Methodist visitors the opportunity of worshipping God, according to their preference, but is the means of benefiting many good, if poor, people, who would otherwise be as sheep having no shepherd."

Our financial position, as a result of varied efforts made during the year, is a subject for gratulation and thankful

ness. We have raised £180 for the purchase from the Duke of Devonshire of the fee-simple of the chapelground. This will shortly be paid. We are about to complete our schoolroom, and erect the much-needed class-rooms, at a cost of about £230; and for this work, also, the money is secured. A day-school, with a very good prospect of success, will, in all probability, be opened in the summer. We are also intending to supply the chapel with a warming-apparatus, as our congregations are sometimes seriously affected in very cold weather through the want of it.

A minister's house is much needed, and we hope to make such arrangements with the Home-Missionary Committee, to whom the place is already so largely indebted, as will enable us to provide this for my successor.

At Hailsham, the chapel being freed from debt, with the exception of a small loan from the Chapel Committee, we are intending to erect a schoolroom, which is very much required. A goodly sum has been contributed and promised for this object; the plans are drawn, and we only wait a favourable opportunity to commence.

Very serious incumbrance and inconvenience will be removed from the Circuit by these means; and a large step will be taken in the direction of self-support, so as to free the HomeMission funds for effort elsewhere.

3. PORTSMOUTH. Buckland Mission. From the Rev. Henry Watts.-March 19th, 1873.-The work in connection with this mission has been steadily advancing since I sent my last report. Although much of my time and attention have been engaged with financial matters, I have tried to keep the great work of soul-saving prominently before the people. We have had a series of services, which have been crowned with the Divine blessing. Our Churchmembers have not only been increased, but the spiritual life of many of our old members has also been

greatly quickened. Our returns this March of our Buckland Society are one hundred and one, with thirteen on trial. Last March we returned ninety, so that we report an increase of eleven on the year. We have had a gracious work among our young people in the Sunday-school. Many of the scholars have been converted; of our teachers and officers in the school there are only two who are not meeting in class.

The building-fund for the proposed new chapel now amounts to £550, or about one-third of the sum needed to meet the requirements of the Chapel Committee. A gentleman, who has just joined our Buckland Society, has promised me £30 towards the new structure. This is the largest amount yet promised, and I think the donor will be a great aid to this mission. If the Chapel Committee would extend to us help in raising the three-fourths of the outlay, which, if I am rightly informed, is done in pressing cases, a great boon would be conferred upon this mission and the future of Methodism in this Circuit. A more needy case probably does not exist out of London. It is saddening to find that, through want of money, we are unable to avail ourselves of the openings which are now presented to us for the extension of our work. I have made preliminary arrangements for a Circuit Bazaar, in behalf of the proposed chapel, by which I have asked the friends to aim at realizing £500.

Stamshaw. Our mission-room, which will seat a hundred persons, was opened on Sunday, December 8th, and has proved a decided success. Already results have been achieved which have exceeded our most sanguine expectations. The congregations are large, especially on the Sunday evenings, when the place is often inconveniently crowded. Repeatedly there have been most marked evidences of the presence and power of God in the awakening and conversion of sinners. A class has been formed, which returns this quarter six Church-members, and eleven

room.

Langstone.-A mission has been established at this place, in the midst of a scattered rural population. A gentleman residing at Langstone Lodge, anxious about the souls of the people who are living around him, has opened a room in his house for prayer. I have attended these services, and think that they are likely to be a great spiritual blessing to the people in the neighbourhood. Many are being convinced by the Spirit of God of their need of a Saviour. The first-fruits of the mission have already been gathered. One aged person, who has almost attained his threescore and ten years, has, by attending these services, been brought to a knowledge of the truth. Never having been baptized, he expressed an earnest desire to be thus received into the Church of Christ. It was my privilege to baptize him in our mission-chapel at Buckland. The service was most affecting and impres sive. With great clearness and decision

the old man answered the questions I put to him, respecting his determination to forsake sin and to live to God, and this public profession of his allegiance to Christ made a deep impression upon all who witnessed it. We hope soon to form a class in connection with this mission, into which these new converts can be gathered.

4. WILLITON.-From the Rev. C. Harrison.-March 28th, 1873.--We have been favoured with showers of blessing at Watchet and at Brendon Hill during the quarter. At both places the results of the work have been most encouraging. Backsliders have been reclaimed, the lukewarm have been quickened, and several have been converted to God. Many young persons have been awakened, and led to the Saviour. A man, seventy-seven years of age, who had been an attendant at the Church of England, and believed himself, to use his own expression, to be "all right," came to our service at Brendon Hill, and was "pricked in the heart." He sought an interview with the Home-Missionary minister, and ere long was enabled to rejoice in God his Saviour. Our cottage-services are kept in steady operation. We are opposed by High-Church influence, but this will not arrest the success of the work.

FRANCE

EVANGELICAL MISSION TO THE WORKING-CLASSES OF PARIS.-The Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance writes as follows in the pages of "Evangelical Christendom."