of this General Fund in 1818, the cases to which Grants were made towards deficient income, were about 250 or 260 annually. During the first fourteen years, £40,000 was distributed in 2,809 Grants towards annual deficiencies; and £20,860 apportioned as Final Grants, to meet £32,032 raised by the Trustees and their friends. Thus oppressive and overwhelming debt to the amount of £52,892 was taken from the shoulders of worthy Trustees, and a most serious hinderance to the prosperity of the cause of God was removed.

Still the old complaint was echoed, and a mass of distress remained unrelieved. In 1831, the Committee had before them no less than sixty-five proposals for Final Grants, which they were unable to meet; the Trustees offering £11,035, and asking £8,642 from the Committee. It was therefore resolved, at a Meeting of the General ChapelFund Committee, held in Liverpool at the Conference of 1832, to extend the Loan system, which experience had amply proved to be the only effectual mode of permanent relief. The project was to raise £40,000 by loans, partly from individuals, but chiefly from the Trustees of chapels; the principal to be repaid by yearly instalments of ten per cent., with interest at the rate of four per cent. per annum, from the Chapel Fund. The amount thus taken up was £39,525. This sum, however, was not completed until about four years afterwards; but by the present arrangement of the Treasurers it will be entirely repaid at the Conference of 1844; the balance due to the lenders being the first claim upon the subscriptions and collections now about to be made.

The Lists of Final Grants made by the Loan-Fund Sub-Committee, were published, year by year, until 1839, when a munificent Grant was made by the Committee of the Centenary Fund of £35,000, for the relief of distressed chapels in the way of Final Grants. Twenty-three cases were transferred to the New Committee, which the LoanFund had not been able to meet; and during the year, the Centenary ChapelRelief Committee, acting on a principle of somewhat greater liberality than the other Committee had thought themselves at liberty to adopt, voted the first instalment of £21,000, to meet the offers of Trustees; and in the succeeding two years, the remaining £14,000, and an additional £3,000, generously granted by the Centenary Committee. This Fund also is exhausted; and the claims

of distressed chapels must now rest upon the ordinary resources, and the Balance of the General Fund.

A new era in the history of this important Fund will probably occur at the next Conference, and a few explanatory remarks may therefore be necessary.

At the last Conference the subject of an extended scheme of education for the children of the poor of our Connexion, was considered, and the formation of a plan for effecting this great and desirable object was referred to a Committee, which was convened in London early in November last. That scheme is fully developed in the Resolutions of the Committee, which have been generally circulated, and it is one which deeply concerns the future welfare of Wesleyan Methodism ; for since the only method of at present extending a sound, religious, scriptural, and Protestant education in this country, appears to be by denominational efforts, it becomes the duty of the Wesleyans to take their part in the general burden; and it behoves them, for their own interest as a church, to enter into such a scheme as that proposed, heartily and effectively. A part of the provisional scheme recommended for the adoption of the next Conference, is to change the present designation of the Chapel-Fund, to that of the "General Chapel and Wesleyan Education Fund;" and to apportion one moiety to the usual objects of this Fund, and the other to the promotion of the scheme of extended Wesleyan education, according to the plan laid down in the Resolutions.

Your Committee are of opinion that there is a fitness in the union of these two objects; especially as it is to the rising generation that the Trustees have to look for seat-holders and occupants of their chapels; and the closer connexion of the children of our people with our church, by a religious and Wesleyan education and pastoral oversight, appears to be among the best means that God may be expected to prosper for gathering under our ministry serious hearers of the word. Both objects have a just popularity; and the zeal of the Connexion having been manifested with such effect in preventing the obtrusion of an unwelcome and dangerous system of education upon the country, is surely a pledge and earnest that all needful exertions shall be made, fully to carry out the noble scheme which now appeals to the judgment and charity, and solicits the pecuniary support, of the entire Wesleyan Connexion. (To be concluded in our next.)

MATRIMONIAL STATISTICS.-On the motion of Sir R. H. Inglis, a return was ordered by the House of Commons, in May last, of the number of places of religious worship in England registered for marriages, under the Act of the 6th and 7th of William IV., c. 85, to the 30th of June, 1842; also the number of marriages celebrated yearly in England, from the 1st of July, 1838, to the 30th of June, 1841,-distinguishing those by the established Church, and otherwise; and further, a return from each Superintendent Registrar's district within the metropolis, from July, 1838, to June, 1841. It appears that, to the date of the return, 1,922 places were registered for marriages, under the Act of the 6th and 7th of William IV., c. 85. Under the second department it is stated, that, in the year ending the 30th of June, 1839, 114,632 marriages were celebrated according to the rites of the established Church, and 6,451 not according to the rites of the established Church; making the total marriages in one year of 121,083: of these parties, 97,546 only signed with their marks: 40,587 men, and 59,959 women, could not write their names: 5,628 men, and 16,414 of the aggregate number, were not of full age. In the year ending the 30th of June, 1840, in England 117,018 marriages took place according to the rites of the established Church, and 7,311 not according thereto; making the total marriages in that year 124,329; of which number 104,325 persons signed with their marks, being 41,812 men, and 62,523 women: 6,101 of the men, and 17,909 of the women, were not of full age. In the year ending the 30th of June, 1841, the marriages in England were, according to the established Church, 114,448, and 8,034 not according to the established Church; making the total marriages in one year 122,482; of which 99,955 persons signed their marks, being 40,059 men, and 59,896 women. It is mentioned in return to the third branch, that, in the year ending 1839, 17,428 marriages were registered in the metropolis, of which number 16,664 were according to the established Church, and 764 not according to the same: 6,188 of the parties could not write,-2,027 men, and 4,161 women: those under age were 304 men, and 1,330 women. In the year ending June 30th, 1840, the marriages in the metropolis

numbered 18,648; of which 17,846 were according, and 772 contrary, to the rites of the established Church: 2,253 of the men, and 4,633 of the women, signed their marks of the parties, 327 men, and 1,549 of the women, were not of full age. The marriages ending June, 1841, in the metropolis, were 18,096: those according to the established Church, 17,291; those otherwise, 305: 2,067 men, and 4,344 women, could not write: 290 of the men, and 1,298 women, were under age. In three years, in England, 367,894 marriages took place; consequently, no fewer than 735,788 individuals entered into wedlock; and of these parties 304,836 could not sign their names!-Public Papers.

THE HIERARCHY.-The bishoprics of England and Wales were instituted according to the following order of time; namely, London, an archbishopric, and Metropolitan of England, founded by Lucius, the first Christian King of Bri tain, A. D. 185; Llandaff, 185; Bangor, 516; St. David's, 519; the archbishopric of Wales, from 550 to 1100, when the Bishop submitted to the Archbishop of Canterbury as his Metropolitan; St. Asaph, 547; St. Augustine (or St. Aus tin) made Canterbury the Metropolitan archbishopric, by order of Pope Gregory, A. D. 596; Wells, 604; Rochester, 634; Winchester, 650; Lichfield and Coventry, 656; Worcester, 679; Hereford, 680; Durham, 691; Sodor and Man, 898; Exeter, 1050; Sherborne, (changed to Salisbury,) 1056; York, (archbishopric,) 1067; Dorches ter, (changed to Lincoln,) 1070; Chichester, 1071; Thetford, (changed to Norwich,) 1088; Bath and Wells, 1088; Ely, 1109; Carlisle, 1123. The following six were founded the upon suppression of monasteries by Henry VIII. :-Chester, Peterborough, Glou cester, Oxford, Bristol, and Westminster, 1538. Westminster was united to London in 1550; Ripon, founded 1836. -Public Paper.

NEWSPAPERS.-The germ of newspapers is found in ancient Rome, as far back as two hundred years before Christ. The Roman Government promulgated its edicts by written papers fixed on pillars (acta diurna). In the year 1563 the Venetian Government used to communicate military and commercial information to the citizens by written sheets, which

were read in the public place; and those desirous of learning the news paid a small coin for the privilege. The earliest English newspaper was printed by command of Elizabeth, and called, "The English Mercurie," "published by authority, for the contradiction of false reports;" in allusion to the threatened invasion of England by the Spanish Armada. Three Numbers of this paper are in the British Museum. The first established weekly paper was one entitled, "The News of the present Week." After this a host of pamphlets, &c., started up; and between the years 1706 and 1734, one hundred and seventy-five journals were established. In Norwich alone, we have "The Norwich Postman," price one penny, but a halfpenny not refused;" "The Norwich Courant," price three-halfpence; "The Protestant Packet;" "The Norwich Journal;" and "The Norwich Gazette." In the latter, notice is given, that, "on Thursday and Friday next, being the 6th and 7th of June, 1734, a coach and horses will set out for London, and perform the same in three days, weather permitting." In the next column we find a shopkeeper offering "kind entertainment to a journeyman chandler, who is a good workman, and has had the small-pox!" In 1726

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"The Public Advertiser" was commenced, and carried on till 1795. In this paper first appeared the celebrated "Letters of Junius." In 1762 the notorious John Wilkes commenced his publication of "The North Briton," celebrated for its fierce and uncompromising attacks upon the Ministry. It has been quaintly remarked, that every Number either involved Wilkes in a lawsuit or a duel. "The Oxford Journal," still published, is a hundred and three years old. "The Englishman," older still, contained several satires from the pen of Edmund Burke.-Public Paper.

STATISTICS OF A BEE-HIVE.-The "masses" of every hive consist of two kinds of bees, the workers and the drones. The first are undeveloped females; the second are the males. Over these presides the mother of the hive, the Queen-bee. The number of workers in a strong hive is above fifteen thousand; and of drones, about one to ten of these. This proportion, though seldom exact, is never very much exceeded, or fallen short of. A single family, where swarming is prevented, will sometimes amount, according to Dr. Bevan, to fifty or sixty thousand. In their wild state, if we may credit the quantity of honey said to be found, they must sometimes greatly exceed this number.—Quarterly Review.

APRIL 9th, 1843.-At Paramatta, Australia, Elizabeth Sibson,-in the possession of a cheering hope of eternal life, through faith in the blood of the everlasting Covenant. She was converted to God at Leicester, in England; and in 1899 emigrated to this colony. Her conduct was uniformly marked by simplicity and diligence, and won the regard of all who knew her; and her last illness was abundantly sanctified to the good of her soul. A few weeks before her death she visited Newcastle, for the benefit of her health; but she was compelled to return in a few days, much worse, and with a settled conviction that her life would speedily close. At this period her mind was not so happy as she desired, and the promises of God were not clearly seen; but, in a short time, she was enabled to rejoice in God her Saviour; and, in full triumph over sin and the fear of death, she calmly fell asleep in Christ.

E. S.

June 231-At Belize, Honduras-Bay, Ann Davies, aged sixty-eight years. She had been a consistent member of the Wesleyan society for upwards of fourteen years, during which period

VOL. XXIII. Third Series.

she continued to adorn the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things. She bore her last affliction, which was severe and protracted, with much resignation to the divine will. In her dying moments, her Minister, being with her in order to afford her some consolation as she passed through the valley of the shadow of death, said, "Are you happy?" In reply, she lifted her feeble hand, and said, "Happy, happy, happy! All is well; all is well!" Soon after she died in the Lord. R. W.

July 9th. At Chesterfield, in the United States, aged forty-three, Mrs. Ellen Woollescroft. She was a native of Leeds; and was brought to a deep concern for her salvation when only eleven years old, and obtained the pardon of sin at a prayer-meeting, at which were present, assisting, the late Rev. Messrs. David Stoner and John Smith. She left England, for the United States, in 1820; and was married in 1824. In 1828 her husband (the Rev. A. Woollescroft) devoted himself entirely to the work of the ministry; and she cheerfully quitted the enjoyments of a settled home, for FEBRUARY, 1844.

M

the privations and toils of the itinerancy. As her health failed several years ago, she was recommended by her medical advisers to try the effect of a change of air, by returning to her native land. In 1840 she arrived in England, and remained with her friends nearly two years. Her residence in England was of great benefit; but, during her voyage in returning to America, she took cold; and, after twelve months' suffering, exchanged a state of pain for "the rest which remains for the people of God." She was graciously supported during her affliction, and died in the triumph of faith. Mrs. Woollescroft was distinguished by her great love of the Scriptures: the law of the Lord was her delight; the Bible her constant companion. In her character were united tenderness of conscience, deep humility, and unaffected piety. She was also remarkable for great integrity, love for the cause of God, and uniform consistency of conduct. Her liberality to the poor was great: she was unwearied in her efforts to do them good, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. T. H.

July 27th.-At Newcastle-under-Lyme, in her fifty-first year, Mrs. Sarah Norcup. At the age of thirty-two she joined the Wesleyan society, and adorned her profession to the end of her life. Her constitution was feeble, and she was frequently called to suffer; but she suffered with Christian patience, and was of a most sympathizing disposition towards others, especially those who were afflicted. She was a sincere lover of God, his cause, and his people, and was ready for every good work. During the last few months of her life, though evidently declining rapidly, she was remarkably happy; and was favoured with many signal manifestations of the divine mercy. She died in great peace, leaving a blessed testimony, that for her to be absent from the body, was to be present with the Lord. J. H.

August 30th.-At St. Helen's, aged seventynine, Mr. Robert Rippon. He was convinced of sin, and joined the Methodist society, when sixteen years of age; and, in his youthful days, enjoyed the privilege of accompanying our venerable Founder, the Rev. John Wesley, in some of his journeyings to preach the Gospel. One of his bereaved family remarks, that "his life was spent in working for God." While resident in Liverpool, he took special delight in the benevolent operations of the Strangers' Friend Society, of which he was one of the earliest promoters. When the time came that he must learn what it is for heart and flesh to fail, he was enabled to rejoice in God as "the strength of his heart, and his portion for ever." On being interrogated as to his confidence in God, through Christ, he replied, "O yes; all is peace!" J. S.

Sept. 24th.-At Middlemarsh, in the Sherborne Circuit, Mrs. Ann House, aged seventyfour. She was deeply awakened, joined the Methodist society, and obtained a clear sense of adoption, when above sixty years of age. After adorning her Christian profession for about twelve years, she was graciously assisted in her final hour to make a good confession of her faith in Christ, and hope of a glorious immortality.

B. C.

Oct. 15th.-At Cheltenham, Mrs. Winifred Bray, of Pendock, in the Ledbury Circuit, in the sixty-fourth year of her age. Whilst on her way to a place of public worship, she sunk down under the influence of an internal malady; and, after half an hour's severe suffering, exchanged mortality for life. For the period of forty years she heard the Gospel in union with the Wesleyans; and, during thirty-eight years, witnessed the truth of salvation, through faith in Christ crucified. She sanctified the Sabbath, loved the Ministers and followers of Christ, and actively exerted herself to prevent others receiving the grace of God in vain. In the last conversation in which she engaged, she plainly, affectionately, and confidently affirmed, in opposition to Socinian views and principles, the divinity of Christ, justification by faith, and the direct and immediate witness of the Spirit of God that she was an heir of that inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled. S. B.

Oct. 16th.-At Gwennap, aged fifty-one, Mr. Isaac Watts. He was privileged with pious parents, and in early life was the subject of gra cious and powerful impressions. In 1813 he enlisted in His Majesty's 28th regiment, and gave himself up to work wickedness with greediness; but not without a strong conviction of his sin and danger. A dangerous voyage brought him to Ostend; and, after hard marches, great privations, and with a load of guilt on his mind, he was brought within the sound of the cannon, when the fear of death and of hell laid hold upon him. While the balls of the enemy fell thick and fast around him, and while gazing on the slaughtered thousands on the plains of Waterloo, his language was, "O thou who art the God of my mercies, how shall I thank thee for the favours conferred upon me! Thou hast brought me through, and shalt have the glory." Soon after, he was afflicted with fever; during which he was brought to a knowledge of the truth. Orders were issued for the regiment to return to England; and Isaac reached home, in 1816, a new man, to the great joy of his father. He joined the Wesleyan society, and grew in grace. In 1818 he became a Local Preacher, and subsequently a Class-Leader; in which offices he was faithful and useful. For some time past his health has been in a declining state; but he was enabled to attend the Local-Preachers' Meeting the Friday before his death. The fol lowing Sunday he met his class, and visited some of the members. On the day after, he had a severe fit of coughing; sudden hemorrhage en. sued; when he rapidly passed to the rest above. J. A.

Oct. 28th.-At Rufford, in the Worksop Circuit, in the seventieth year of his age, Mr. George Cartlidge; who had been a member of the Wesleyan society thirty-four years, and a Leader of a large class twenty-nine. He was a man of unbending integrity, of deep piety, extensive usefulness, and was esteemed by all who knew him. His last affliction was long and severe; but he was graciously supported by the presence of God, and the consolations of religion. His end was calm and triumphant.

J. R.

Oct. 29th.-At Pendock, in the Ledbury Circuit, Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards; who, through the instrumentality of the Wesleyan ministry, about twenty-five years ago, was brought to discover her state as a sinner, and enabled to believe with her heart unto righteousness. She steadily adorned her profession; and, by a regular attendance on the means of grace, and its practical exercise, abounded in the work of the Lord. Just before she died, she informed her Pastor, that her evidence of the divine favour was unclouded.

S. B.

Oct. 30th.-At Gargrave, in the Skipton Circuit, Mr. William Green, aged sixty-eight. At an early period of life he began to seek and to serve the Lord; and, ere long, found redemption in the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins. He was called to fill most of the offices which are peculiar to that section of the church with which he was united; and in each he was exemplary, being faithful, acceptable, and useful. Towards the close of life he was called to pass through much affliction, to which he submitted with patience, and even cheerfulness. During his trial he had severe conflicts with the common enemy; but he "endured hardness as a good soldier," obtained the victory, and "passed through death triumphant home."

R. H.

Oct. 31st.-In the Sixth London Circuit, aged fifty-five, Mr. John Arthy; who had been in communion with the Methodist branch of Christ's church thirty-five years, and a faithful Local Preacher for twenty-six. He likewise sustained, with much acceptance, other important offices; and was characterized by strict integrity in the discharge of his several official duties, great order in the fulfilment of his numerous engagements, and untiring diligence in various efforts to promote the cause of Christ. His health had for some time gradually declined, without causing any apprehension of the fatal character of the disease with which he was affected; but, when apprized of it, his mind preserved its usual serenity, being stayed on the Lord. In this state he was enabled meekly to suffer the divine will; and died in great peace. J. C.

---At Gear, in the Helstone Circuit, Jane, the wife of Mr. James Bishop, aged fiftyone. She was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth about twenty-four years ago, and remained an exemplary member of the Wesleyan society to the end of her life. During the last ten years she patiently endured a painful affliction, which at length terminated in death. A few days before she died, she said, "My breathing is so difficult, that I can scarcely speak; but my soul is kept in a state of calmness and peace." "You are very weak," was the remark of a friend to her. "Yes," she replied, "I am; but I am strong in the Lord. O what a friend is Christ, when all other comforts fail!" She took an affectionate leave of her family, and exhorted each to be sure to meet her in heaven. A few hours only before she fell asleep, she said, “O that I could sing; but I have no strength." She then added, "I shall very soon sing more sweet, more loud, and Christ be all my song.'" Soon

after, on being laid in an easier position, she just said, "How comfortable! I am waiting now;" and, very shortly, she entered into rest.

T. J.

Nov. 2d.-At Nook-house, Cullingworth, near Bradford, aged eighty-two, Mrs. Townend, many years a member of the Wesleyan society. She was born at Stanbury, near Haworth. Her parents were members of the Rev. Mr. Grimshaw's church; and, in her early days, his ministry, in conjunction with that of Mr. Wesley, often deeply impressed her mind. She was accustomed to say, that the pungent and glowing appeals of these eminent men were continually recurring to her mind; so that she found no rest until she joined the Methodist society. There was in her character a remarkable warmth, with honesty of purpose, and simplicity. The former often involved her in spiritual distress; but her frankness in acknowledging her fault, always impressed the members of the class in which she met with her sincerity, and secured their esteem. Her defects might appear on the surface, and sometimes for a season obscure intrinsic worth; but they never rankled in the heart, poisoning the sources of Christian character. In her last illness she enjoyed settled peace, and frequently had seasons of great joy in prospect of heavenly happiness. Her faculties, during the latter part of her affliction, were very much impaired; but nothing quickened them so much as a reference to God, and the blessings of religion. She died having a good hope of immortality. W. J.

Nov. 8th.-At Snape, in the Bedale Circuit, Ann, the beloved wife of Mr. Henry Webster, jun., in the twenty-fifth year of her age. Eight years ago she was deeply convinced of sin, and soon after obtained a clear manifestation of pardoning mercy; when she joined the Wesleyan church, and remained an attached and consistent member until she joined "the church of the first-born." Her spirit was naturally amiable; and, being sanctified by grace, was truly lovely. To do good, especially to the afflicted, was her delight these she relieved according to her means, and sought to direct them into the good and right way. In the early part of the year she was attacked by consumption; but, during her illness, she enjoyed strong consolation, and trusted in her Saviour with unshaken confidence. She died in great peace. T. D.

Nov. 15th.-At Milborne-Port, in the Sherborne Circuit, Mrs. Mary Ryall, aged sixty-five. She feared God from the early age of seven years; but did not find the rest of faith in Christ till many years after she had reached maturity, and had passed through much anxiety of mind. In 1817, when Methodism was introduced into Sherborne, she joined the first class, and continued to be a distinguished and useful member. Together with her husband, she did much to cherish, in its infancy, a church which is now established and respectable. She prayed much for the salvation of her children; and had the happiness to see several of them brought to God. After passing through many trials, in which she suffered as a Christian, she expired in the tri