abroad-connected also with the fact, that in 1851 and 1852, this Circuit had considerably increased its amount of Missionary subscription. We have held meetings at twenty-seven places, leaving five more places to have meetings: the greater part of these meetings have been held by the Circuit preachers, assisted by the local brethren; and at twenty-one of the places they have exceeded last year's amounts. For the larger places we have had the assistance of the Rev. Aaron Weston, who spent eleven days with us; during which time he preached To the EDITOR,-Dear Sir, six sermons, and attended seven Missionary meetings, the proceeds being 118/. 7s. Od.; from the same places we obtained, in 1842, 557. 17s. 10d.; in 1852, 1117. 18s. Od. The meetings throughout have been spoken of as well attended, and characterised by soundness of speech and a holy influence. May the period soon arrive, when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God, and of his Christ. Amen. G. T. HANDS. May 14, 1853. STOCKPORT. To the EDITOR,-Dear Sir, those of last year. Our Missionary basket has again proved useful. It was introduced at our Sunday-school tea party on the 2nd of May. The sale of articles has realised a larger sum than was obtained in the same way last year. It is a source of satisfaction to be able to state, that our Missionary money will be seven or eight pounds more this year than last; and will exceed the amount of every former year. Praise the Lord for all his goodness! BURY CIRCUIT. Ar the March Quarterly Meeting, it was unanimously resolved, that an account of the work of God in this Circuit should be sent to you. It is a source of sincere pleasure to every true Christian to hear of the prosperity of Zion. For some time past this Circuit has been favoured with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; believers in Christ have been strengthened in the faith, and many have been brought out of darkness and bondage into the light and liberty of the glorious Gospel. The congregations, both in the town and country, have improved. The number of members in Church fellowship at the September quarter was 328; December, 348; March 381. At the recommendation of the last quarterly meeting, the members of the Circuit had a social tea-meeting on the 11th of April, in the School-room of Bruns CHARLES R. HOPPER. wick Chapel, when a report of the financial and spiritual state of the Circuit was read; and devout praise was given to the Great Head of the Church for the visitations of his grace. Several of the brethren addressed the meeting on the importance of promoting the peace and prosperity of the Church of Christ, I am happy in having to state, that the Town Chapel, and also the Chapel at Heap Bridge, have both been, within the last few months, settled to the use of the Association on the Connexional Chapel Deed. The Town Chapel School-room and other premises cost near 4000l.; the debt now is only about 14001. At the present rate of income, the debt is gradually lessening. The Sundayschool sermons were preached by the Circuit preacher on the 24th of April, and an address was delivered to the teachers and scholars by Mr. R. Wilson, of Manchester. The collections amounted to 681. This Circuit is in perfect peace; the officers have manifested their attachment to the Wesleyan Methodist Association, by the settling of the chapels above-named, on the Connexional Chapel Deed. And our prayer to Almighty God is, that he would bless us with more increased manifestations of his saving presence; and that in all the churches of the Association, the spirit of har To the EDITOR,- Dear Sir, 66 mony and love may reign; so that we may be more abundantly useful in leading sinners to Christ, and spreading the savour of his name abroad. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces: for my brethren and companions' sake, I will now say, peace be within thee; because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good." CARRICKFERGUS. DURING the last few weeks we have been gracionsly visited with the spirit of reviving. Fervent supplication has prevailed with God, and now we see the fruits of persevering prayer. Our most energetic members have been quickened; while others, of whom I was ready to say with the Apostle, "I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain," have set out afresh in the path of duty; so that I hope they will yet become my joy and crown of rejoicing. There has been a gracious melting before the word of truth, and now the cry ascends from souls recently careless, "What must I do to be saved?" JOHN MATHER. We have let a large number of sittings during the last three months. You will be glad to learn that we have at last succeeded in commencing services in Belfast. Some time since, I became aware that two members from the Overton Circuit were dwelling in Belfast. I soon visited them, and found that many, who had attended our places of worship in that Circuit, were then labouring together in the Belfast Rolling-mills; that they dwelt in one neighbourhood, and that many either attended no place of worship, or no place regularly, as they did not feel at home in any of the churches. Last Sabbath I commenced my labours among them, by preaching in a private house. The attendance was encouraging, and from what I have learnt since, I may expect it much better on my next visit. I intend to follow this up by devoting the morning and afternoon of every alternate Sabbath to Belfast, so as to be in Carrickfergus every Sabbath night-the night being the principal service here. I hope also to open a class on my next visit. May 12, 1853. J. N. G. FAULL. ANNIVERSARIES OF MISSIONARY AND OTHER SOCIETIES, HELD IN LONDON. BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THIS SCciety held its Annual Meeting on Thursday, April the 28th, at Exeter Hall, under the presidency of W. E. Gurney, Esq. The report, read by the Secretary, the Rev. F. Trestail, detailed the Society's operations during the past year, suggested a plan for sending out twenty additional Missionaries at an additional annual cost of 5000l. The total receipts for the year amounted to 15,114/. 3s. 9d., being 500l. more than the expenditure. The debt due to the Treasurers being 1.8137. Os. 5d. Before the close of the Meeting, it was announced, that a kind friend had promised to pay the debt of the Society. BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL On Friday evening, April the 29th, the tenth Anniversary Meeting of this Society, was held at Freemasons' Hall. The chair was occupied by Sir J. D. Paul, Bart. Mr. Yonge, the Secretary, read the report. During the year, the funds of the Society had increased about 1507.; and the augmented expenditure of the Society had occasioned a debt of about 2001. WESLEYAN (CONFERENCE) MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held at Exeter Hall on Monday, May 2nd, when James Heald, Esq., presided. The report, read by the Rev. E. Hoole, stated that during the past year, the total income of the Society had amounted to 105,3817. 19s. 6d., being 4,955l. 1s. 5d. less than the expenditure; leaving a debt, owing by the Society, of 24,6911. 98. 2d. The Society has 466 missionaries, besides 687 other paid agents, as catechists, interpreters, dayschool teachers, &c. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE fifty-fourth Anniversary of this Society was held in Exeter Hall, on Tuesday, the 3rd of May. Lord Chichester, President of the Society, occupied the chair. It was reported that the total amount received in the United Kingdom was 110,148l. 7s. 8d. ; and that there had also been raised and expended in India 10,783l. 16s. 3d.; making the gross income for the year 120,9327. 3s. 11d.; being an increase on the preceding year of 2,257. 13s. 9d. The total expenditure for the year amounted to 118,274l. 1s. 1d. This Society has 116 Stations, 150 European Missionaries, 22 Native Missionaries, 49 European Catechists and other Teachers, and 1681 unordained Native Teachers. The Committee also reported that many additional Missionaries were required, and that the Committee were willing to accept any number of true-heared Missionaries, who may be called of God to the work. They will send out any number, trusting to the Lord of the harvest, whose is the silver and the gold, to supply their treasury with the funds." VOLUNTARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. THIS Association held its fifth Anniversary Meeting at Freemasons' Hall, on Tuesday evening, the 3rd of May; S. M. Peto, Esq., M,P., occupied the chair. Mr. Allport, the Secretary, read the report of the Committee. From the report, it appeared, that the Male Normal Training-school contained nine pupils ; the Female Normal Training-school, seven. During the year, the subscriptions had increased, and the expenses of the Training-schools had decreased. There was in the hands of the Treasurer, a sum amounting to 269. 17s. 11d. on account of the General Fund, and 392l. 6s. 2d. on account of the Special Fund. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. ON Wednesday, May 4, in Exeter Hall, the British and Foreign Bible Society held its forty-ninth Annual Meeting, under the presidency of the Earl of Shaftesbury. The Jubilee Secretary, the Rev. Mr. Phillips, read the report, which detailed the Society's operations at home and abroad during the past year. The issue of portions and entire copies of the Scriptures, for the year, amounted to 1,168,794; being 840,552 from the home depot, and 328,242 from depots abroad. The total income was 109,160l. Os. 8d,; being an increase of 7117. 9s. 10d. on the previous year; besides the Jubilee Fund, which had reached the sum of 17,000l. The expenditure was 95,930l. 9s. 10d; leaving liabilities to the extent of 55,2391. 3s. 10d. ANTI-STATE-CHURCH ASSOCIATION. THE Anniversary Meeting of this Society was held in Finsbury Chapel, on Wednesday evening, May 4th. The treasurer (William Edwards, Esq.) in the chair. The report, which described the recent proceedings and present position of the Association, was read by J. C. Williams, Esq., the Secretary. The meeting was addressed by the Revs. John Burnet, J. J. Brown, E. Pryce, W. Griffith, Apsley Pellatt, Esq., M. P., Edward Miall, Esq., M.P., Lawrence Heyworth, Esq., M.P., and Charles Jones, Esq. The chapel was well filled by an attentive and enthusiastic audience. SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION. THIS Society held its Annual Meeting at Exeter Hall, on Thursday evening, May 5th. The chair was taken by the Lord Mayor of London, M.P. W. H. Watson, Esq., read the report, which detailed the proceedings of the Union in Sweden, France, Malta, Madras, Australia, and other parts of the world. The sales for the year amounted to 10,749. Os. 10d. The report stated that within a circle of five miles round the General Post Office, London, there were 681 Sunday schools, containing 13,220 teachers, and 138,891 scholars, with an average attendance of little more than two-thirds. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. ON Friday evening, the 6th May, at Exeter Hall, the Religious Tract Society held its fifty-fourth Annual Meeting, under the presidency of the Hon. Arthur Kinnaird. An abstract of the report was read by the Rev. J. P. Saffery. The report stated that the total receipts for the year amounted to 77,690l. 11s. 2d.; 854 libraries had been granted, and 171 new publications issued. The number of copies of works issued during the year was 25,851,851. BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held in the Borough-road, on Monday, May 9th, Lord John Russell in the chair. The Secretary (Mr. Henry Dunn) read the report, which stated that during the year 842 boys and 430 girls had been admitted into the schools; 160 young men and 143 young women had been admitted as students into the Normal schools; 60 students had been examined for certificates of merit; and 140 teachers had been appointed to schools; 54 new schools had been established, affording accommodation for 7,000 children. The income amounted to 19,338l. 16s. 10d., and the expenditure to 18,7717. 11s. 3d., leaving a balance in hand of 5671. 5s. 7d. RAGGED-SCHOOL UNION. ON Monday evening, 9th of May, the Ragged-school Union Annual Meeting was held at Exeter Hall, the Earl of Shaftesbury presided. The number of schools in connection with the Union was 116; day-scholars, 8,000, evening-scholars, 5770; Sunday-scholars, 11.270; paid teachers, 221; voluntary teachers, 1,785. During the year, about 17,000l. had been contributed towards the support of Ragged-schools. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THIS Society held its Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 12th, at Exeter Hall. The chair was taken by the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of London, M.P. The report, read by the Rev. Dr. Tidman, gave an encouraging account of the Society's operations in Polynesia, Africa, the West Indies, China, and India. During the year, 170 European Missionaries had been employed, and 700 native agents. The cash statement was read by the Rev. E. Prout, which showed that the total receipts amounted to 71,8207., inclusive of 7,8571. special for Madagascar. The expenditure was 65,9921. BRITISH AND FOREIGN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. THE Anniversary of this Society was held at Exeter Hall, on Monday evening, May 16th, when the Earl of Shaftesbury presided. The report, read by the Secretary, stated that during the year the expenditure had exceeded the income and previous balance, by 228. 118. 10d. At this meeting Mrs. H. B. Stowe, the authoress of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," was present, and was most enthusiastically cheered by the audience. THE WESLEYAN METHODIST ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE. JULY, 1853. THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS. MATTHEW is the only evangelist who narrates the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. It appears to have been delivered upon the Mount of Olives. The Redeemer had been illustrating the various events which were on the eve of fulfilment; the doom of Jerusalem was near, and he intimated to his disciples the means they should adopt, in order to escape from the impending danger. He then described his own coming the second time, and urged upon his audience the importance of readiness for that event. The obvious design of the parable is stated by himself, in these words, "Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh." The parable itself is borrowed from the eastern manner of celebrating marriages. The Rev. Mr. Ward, who was a Missionary in India, informs us of the exact coincidence between this parable and the marriage ceremonies which take place in India up to this day. The journey of the bridegroom to the house of the bride, to take her to his own house; the company of the bride's friends who accompany her to meet the bridegroom; the dismay of the foolish virgins when they are left in darkness; the cordial reception of the wise virgins to participate in the festivities of the occasion; the subsequent approach of the foolish virgins, and their total rejection, will all suggest different topics for illustration and remarks of the most impressive character. But before we proceed to the prominent parts of the parable, let us make a few general observations. By the bridegroom we are to understand the Lord Jesus Christ. In this character he is often mentioned, both by the writers of the Old and New Testament, whilst the church is as often styled the bride, the Lamb's wife. The time will soon come when the bridegroom of the church will appear arrayed in his glory to fetch his bride to the house prepared for her reception, and when she will appear as a bride adorned for her husband. The ten virgins are the professed friends of the Saviour, or, in other words, his disciples and followers. Under this character the whole church, as well as the individual members of it, are often represented; they are virgins which follow the Y |