FAREWELL TEA-PARTY TO THE REV. H. O. CROFTS, D.D., AND THE REV. J. SIMON.

OUR chapel in Parliament - street, Nottingham, presented a very animated interior on Monday, May 26, 1856, in recognition of the services of the retiring ministers, the Rev. Dr. Crofts and the Rev. J. Simon, who, in conformity with the regulation of the Conference recently held at Chester, were about to remove to other scenes of activity. The decorations of the chapel and vestry were extensive and beautiful, far excelling in design and artistic excellence anything of the kind ever before attempted in the same place. At five o'clock about three hundred of the friends (including parties from Stapleford, Hucknall, Beeston, Bulwell, Basford, Ison Green, Hill Top, Codnor Park, and other parts of the circuit) sat down to tea. We noticed amongst those present the Revs. Dr. Crofts, J. Simon, J. Wild, W. R. Stevenson, J. R. Little, J. H. Bevers, S. Woodhouse, G. Goodall, A. M'Curdy, and C. Ward; and Messrs. Cope, Bardsley, E. Harrison, Tait, F. Ward, Fearfield, Wright, Goodbarne, Piggin, T. Hudston, J. Bagnall, &c. &c.

The meeting, after tea, commenced at seven o'clock. In the unavoidable absence of Mr. J. Bradley, who had been expected to preside, Mr. Tait was called to the chair, and having opened the proceedings, Mr. J. F. Sutton read letters from the Revs. H. Hunter and M'All, expressive of their "sincere regret" at not being present. The meeting was then addressed by Mr.

F. Ward, the Rev. J. Wild, the Rev. A. M'Curdy and the Rev. C. Ward, much to its edification and to the honour of the doctor and his ministerial colleague. Mr. J. F. Sutton then read the following address:"To the Rev. H. O. Crofts, D.D.,

and the Rev. J. Simon.

"Dear Brethren and Ministers in Christ,-We cannot permit an occasion to pass so deeply interesting as the present, without giving some expression to the varied emotions which fill our minds.

"Reflection naturally leads us to dwell upon the privileges we have enjoyed during your sojourn with us. Foremost among these have been the ability and faithfulness with which you have proclaimed the truth. The bread of life has come from your hands in its purity and fulness. The trumpet of the Gospel has blown no uncertain sound. Plainly and affectionately have you preached, not yourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord,' watching for souls as those who must give an account.

"We are also led to dwell with delight on the social intercourse we have had, and the many seasons of Christian fellowship we have enjoyed. These we can never forget; the mind will again and again linger upon them, as on 'sunny memories treasured in the heart as gold;' bright moments, gilding the recollections of the past.

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"While these thoughts crowd upon us as individuals, associations of a collective nature claim equal attention. a circuit, we have been favoured during the time of your sojourn with unity and peace. No jarring string or dissonant note has broken the harmony of our repose; a repose which has not been the sleep of inaction, but rather the indication of a deep-rolling, united endeavour. The God of peace has not withheld his blessing; many have been the seals of your Christian ministry.

"The sorrow we feel, and feel deeply, is not, however, unmingled with consolation. We part, it is true, but not from any interruption of friendship, nor yet from a love of novelty. The severance is not the act of either ministers or people; it has been brought about by the influence of Connexional rule. We subordinate personal and local feelings to the general good; we surrender private interests for the advantage of our community at large. Still united in heart and object, we shall follow you,

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mentally, to the scenes of labour into which, by the providence of God, you may enter, with many prayers for your welfare; nor do we think we err in supposing that you too, amidst the duties of the present, will at times fail to revert to the intercourse of the past.

"And now, dear brethren and ministers, we commend you to the care of the Great Master, praying that his Spirit may ever guide and support you; that when you have finished your course and accomplished your mission, He may receive you into his glory with exceeding joy, to shine there as 'the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever."

"We e are yours, &c.

"JOHN F. SUTTON, Circnit "EDWIN HARRISON, stewards. "Nottingham, May 16, 1856."

Dr. Crofts and Mr. Simon addressed the friends in response, and gave expression to the warm attachment they felt towards the circuit, and their ardent wishes for its increasing prosperity.

The meeting was subsequently addressed by the Rev. W. R. Stevenson, the Rev. J. R. Little, and the Rev. G. Goodall, and after votes of thanks to the ladies, the choir, and the chairman for their services on the occasion, the gratified assembly broke up.

It may be added, that both the reverend gentlemen had received private yet substantial tokens of the esteem of the friends, and have left Nottingham deeply endeared to the societies and congregations.

TESTIMONIAL

TO THE REV. J. MAUGHAN.

THE members of the Friday Evening Mutual Mental Improvement Class, Hunslet, Leeds Circuit, met on Friday evening, May 23, in the Bethel schoolroom, for the purpose of presenting the Rey. J. Maughan with a copy of Macaulay's History of England, elegantly bound in morocco. Tea having been provided, about seventy of the young men assembled. After which, having engaged in devotional exercises, Mr. W. Ingamells was called to the chair, the duties of which he discharged with great efficiency. The secretary, Mr. John Rose, then read the report of the proceedings of the society since its commencement. At the conclusion of the report the volumes were pre

sented by the secretary in a suitable address. The inscription, neatly gilt on morocco, was as follows:-"Presented to the Rev. J. Maughan, by the members of the Hunslet Methodist New Connexion Mutual Mental Improvement Class, as a memento of affection and as a token of the high esteem in which his unwearied services have been held during his residence in the circuit. May 23rd, 1856."

Mr. Maughan assured his friends that this demonstration of their regard could never be forgotten; for the volumes he had just received should remain in his possession as long as he lived, as a memento of the affection of his dear young friends at Hunslet. The meeting was afterwards addressed by the following young men, Mr. J. Atha, J. W. Walker, J. H. Killingbeck, W. Gledhill, W. Killingbeck, B. Atha, T. Cousins, T. Jubb, J. Slater, J. Walker, J. Dixon, and G. Smith. Prayer was then offered up and the proceedings terminated. I am, şir,

Yours obediently,
J. ROSE,
Secretary.

TESTIMONIAL OF RESPECT TO MRS. DONALD, THE BELOVED WIFE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MOSSLEY CIRCUIT.

ON Thursday afternoon, the 22nd May, the ladies connected with the Mossley society held their usual sewing meeting. about forty persons being present. After an ample tea had been enjoyed, our highly esteemed friend, John Buckley, Esq., rose and said, that he had been requested by the ladies of that society to present the wife of their beloved superintendent minister with a token of their esteem and affection, in the form of a beautiful purse worked by Miss Andrew, and which contained the sum of £15. In a very feeling and affectionate manner, Mr. Buckley expressed the high esteem in which Mrs. and Mr. Donald were held by the society, and the ladies were anxious and desirous to show that esteem, not by empty words merely, but by some more tangible and substantial proof. The Rev. C. J. Donald, in rising to respond, was quite overcome with emotion. He thanked the ladies on

the behalf of his dear partner, for the token of esteem and love they had presented to her, and also for the unvarying kindness they had ever exhibited towards both of them during the two years they had been with them. Mr. Donald then alluded to the happy and prosperous state of the whole circuit, and, in bidding farewell to the friends at Mossley, he trusted that his successor would be warmly received, and that the cause at Mossley would go on, prospering and to prosper. During this address an observer might readily perceive, by the emotion of each member of the meeting, the high esteem in which both Mrs. and Mr. Donald are held. Mr. Thos. Hannam spoke upon the success which had attended the labours of Mr. Donald, and mentioned several instances of conversion which had come within his own personal experience, through the instrumentality of their beloved superintendent.

JNO. MAKINSON.

WELCOME TO MINISTERS. ON Monday, June 9th, a most delightful Circuit Tea Meeting was held at Brunswick Chapel to welcome the four ministers appointed to labour in the two London circuits. Our excellent friend, Mr. William Rabbits, of Chelsea, presided. The speeches were excellent. All seemed to breathe one spirit, and that the spirit of union and zealous co-operation.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,

12th June, 1856.

MY DEAR SIR,-Some time now having elapsed since we communicated any information through the Magazine of our movements in this circuit, we deem it right just now to avail ourselves of our connexional privilege thus to report progress. In carefully examining the state of the town and the circuit generally, I believe I am borne out by facts in saying we are moving onward and upward to a better, brighter state of things. The attendance gradually improves, and there is more of living, healthy Methodism in existence than there was; and though by no means yet satisfied as to our position, we have abundant cause to thank God and take courage. For some time a conviction has penetrated the minds of many of

the friends at Newcastle that something should be done to assist in the singing department of our worship. Consultation was held, a subscription started, and aided by the liberal promise of J. Love, Esq., who offered us £50 toward the expense, the friends have succeeded in placing a fine-toned organ in the chapel, which, while it adds to the beauty of our sanctuary, renders us good service in leading on the praises of our God. The organ was opened on Sunday, June 1st, when three sermons were preached. The Rev. T. Pottinger, Baptist minister, and the Rev. G. Steward, Independent, conducted the morning and evening services, and Mr. Bootman preached in the afternoon, and on the same day supplied for the two ministers at their respective places of worship. The attendance (notwithstanding the day was remarkably unpropitious) was very good, and the collections encouraging.

On the Monday a public tea, provided by the friends, was held at five o'clock, when the school-room was filled. After tea the friends adjourned to the chapel, and after worship, J. Love, Esq., Willington House, was called to preside, and favoured us with an excellent address on progress. The other speakers on the occasion were the Revs. T. Pottinger, G. Bell, F. Stevens, J. Wilson, J. White, J. W. Williams, and C. Bootman, with Messrs. Prockter, Grant, Weir, and White. The interest of the meeting was considerably enhanced by the valuable services of Mr. Davidson, the organist at St. John's Church, who presided at the organ on the Sabbath-day and on Monday evening, and the Messrs. Pyburn, Piper, and others who conducted the choir in so interesting a manner as to elicit the applause of the assembly, and sustain the interest of the meeting, with the speakers, till a late hour. My colleague, Mr. Williams, had just arrived, and the occasion afforded him a nice introduction to many of our friends, and also to the ministers from other bodies with whose company we were favoured, and respecting whom, I am thankful to say, we are living on the best of terms, maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Our friend Mr. Prockter has laboured most earnestly and successfully for the accomplishment of this object, and I trust will see the desire of his heart in the improvement of our general interests in this place. The cost of the organ, &c., is about

£190, and our present receipts about £115. And now, my dear sir, praying that the divine blessing in the quickening and converting influences of the Spirit may be yet more gloriously Vouchsafed to all the churches of our Connexion, I remain yours faithfully in Christ Jesus,

C. BOOTMAN.

SABBATH SCHOOL ANNI-
VERSARY.

SCOTSWOOD, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE CIRCUIT.-Scotswood is a thriving village on the banks of the Tyne, about three miles from Newcastle, and is rapidly becoming a place of considerable importance. The Methodist New Connexion Chapel is the only sanctuary in the village, and is well attended by the inhabitants. The society, consisting of about fifty members, is lively, active, and enterprising, comprising a number of respectable, pious, and intelligent young men. As a consequence, the Sabbath-school is well supported,

and moves on prosperously. It now numbers 130 children, and 30 teachers. The anniversary services of the school were held on Sunday, the 25th of May, 1856, when the Rev. James White preached morning and evening, and Mr. J. S. Potts in the afternoon. The congregations were large, and manifested the deepest attention to the sermons, and also to the singing and recitations of the children; and at the close of each service gave substantial proof of the interest they take in the school, by liberally contributing to its funds. The interest of the evening service was enhanced by the baptism of a child which was born in Australia. After singing two verses suitable to the occasion, and making a few seasonable remarks, Mr. White went to the baptismal font (a beautiful specimen of workmanship, made and presented to the trustees of the chapel by a member of the society), and solemnly baptized the little foreigner in the name of the Holy Trinity.

The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelations of St. John viewed in their Mutual Relation, with an exposition of the principal passages. By Carl August Auberlen. Translated by Adolph Saphir. Edinburgh: Clark. London: Hamil

ton, Adams, and Co. THIS is one of the numerous expositions of prophecy which have lately 'issued from the advocates of the premillennial advent of Christ. It contains some wheat, but not a little chaff. It presents more show of learning than of solid reasoning. The facts of history and the sound principles of biblical interpretation are set aside, or perverted, to give plausibility to dreamy speculations, and some notions, wild as heathen mythology, are argued as the solemn verities of divine revelation. The author's view is that the world is not only bad, but will remain incurably bad, and grow worse until the second advent of Christ. Either the gospel itself is inadequate as a remedy for man's depravity, or it is

the will of God that its triumphant efficacy shall be suspended until the era of the Saviour's coming. The theory advocated is one that withers the right arm of missionary zeal, and rebukes the enterprise of the faith and prayer which aim at the conversion of our fallen world. Other

writers, the most distinguished for their learning and world-wide usefulness, have egregiously erred, but our author has discovered the truth, and he promulgates it with oracular authority.

He not only tells us that "Sin is a poison, which spreads gradually during the course of centuries, and penetrates ever deeper into the organism of natural humanity, decomposing and destroying it;" but that "we notice a progressive descent from paradise to judgment,” and this state of exacerbated, deepening depravity he expects until Christ shall come again. In our simplicity we had formed a view the opposite of this. Both sacred and profane history have taught us that

"to say the former days were better than these was not to speak wisely." Let us look at facts. The first son born was the murderer of his brother, and the antediluvian age was one so totally corrupt that it has had no age comparable to it in the depth and virulence of its depravity; for all flesh had corrupted its way, and the earth was filled with violence, and the imaginations of the thoughts of the heart were only evil, and that continually. Sodom and Gomorrah were among the earliest cities of the new world, yet, in the days of Lot, ten righteous persons could not be found therein, and the cry of their abominations went up with an appeal so loud that indignant heaven responded in storms of devouring fire and brimstone. Egypt was one of the most ancient kingdoms that flourished in history after the deluge, and it was overspread with the most debasing idolatry, and stained with the most revolting crimes. What tyranny more grinding than that of the Pharaohs? What power more absolute and cruelly oppressive than that which crushed a whole nation to the condition of bond slaves, and murdered every Israelitish male child brought into the world? The Canaanitish nations were among the earliest founded after the dispersion of mankind, and their iniquity became full to overflowing, so that the land spewed them out for their abominations. We know of no modern nations, even the most corrupt, which, in sensuality, in unblushing crime and cruelty, equal the nations of these ancient times. Yet, according to our author's doctrine, those days were better than those of a later age, and even superior in virtue to those of modern times. The absurdity is too palpable, and the contradiction to fact too obvious to require further remark.

In page 254 the author supplies us with the edifying intelligence that up to the period of our Lord's ascension devils had free access to heaven, but that the saints had no admission there during that time.

He says, "Hitherto, up to the ascension of Christ, the demons were in heaven like the other angels, and like them they influenced earth from their abodes in heaven, in which there are many mansions. As heaven was not yet opened to man, so it was not yet shut against devils." We had previously read of legions of apostate spirits roaming through the earth, but we never dreamt that their accustomed dwelling places were the mansions of the blessed. We had read of their tempting and tormenting mankind, but we had no idea of their annoying the society of angels by their presence. We had hitherto understood from the Sacred Book that nothing unholy or that maketh a lie could enter the pure and blessed region of heaven; but our author assures us that the very father of lies and his fallen legions had their seats of authority and power, side by side with the thrones of holy angels, and in the immediate presence of God. Jude informs us that the rebellious angels kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation; but our author insists that they did keep their own habitation, and that their expulsion could not be effected until after the resurrection of Christ, when Michael and his angels fought and drove out the devil and his legions of malignant accomplices.

But though Satan and his apostate hosts were allowed to maintain their position in heaven, our author says that the saints, for a period of four thousand years, were not allowed to enter that glorious world. The scriptures tell us that Enoch was not, for God took him, that he was translated to heaven body and soul; and that Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are described as in the glorious kingdom of God. Lazarus is set forth as reclining on Abraham's bosom; and the dying thief as entering paradise on the very day of his crucifixion; but, in spite of these representations, our author maintains that though Satan and his fallen hosts were in heaven