MAIDSTONE. The annual sermons on behalf of the Countess of Huntingdon's Sunday Schools were preached on Sunday, March 8th, by the Rev. Benjamin Freeman. The weather was most unfavourable, but the collections were rather beyond those of the last two years. The children sang several hymns in a manner which did credit to their teachers. The number of children at present in the schools is 200, and 25 teachers. The superintendent is Mr. F. Brown. A working man, who has occasionally attended the services of the chapel, was present in the evening, having brought with him the last sixpence of his previous week's earnings, which he had reserved to supply various incidental wants during the week ensuing, he was however so much impressed with the service that, we hope with something higher than a mere generous impulse, he cast it into the treasury of the Lord, thus literally giving all the living he had. How few among the wealthy are found willing to deny themselves for Christ. ST. IVES, CORNWALL. The friends of the Connexion in this place held their usual new year's social meeting on Wednesday, January 21st. Upwards of 300 persons sat down to a most substantial tea, kindly and most liberally furnished by members of the congregation, to whom great praise is due for their exertions on the occasion. The arrangements were excellent and the entire proceedings were of the most pleasing and profitable nature. After tea a public meeting was held, when the chair was occupied by the pastor, the Rev. E. S. Hart, M.A., to whom it was particularly gratifying to have the presence and aid of his brethren of different denominations in the town and neighbourhood. Animated addresses were delivered on various religious topics by the several speakers, which were listened to by a crowded and attentive audience. The meeting was enlivened at intervals by the choir singing several sacred anthems and pieces. A most delightful and devout feeling was prevalent and the presence of God was felt and enjoyed A series of special religious services has recently been held here in connexion with the visit of young Mr. Guiness, of New College, London, and we hope not a few have been convinced of the error of their ways and fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them in the gospel. OUR MISSIONS: A WORD TO THE CONNEXION. The cause of Missions is the cause of God. It is founded on divine authority. When the Great Sacrifice had been offered up, and atonement made, Jesus arose from the dead, appeared in the midst of his disciples, opened their understandings that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remissions of sins should be preached in his name, AMONG ALL NATIONS, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM."-Luke xxiv. 45 47. This we believe. This is our warrant. This is the commission we seek to fulfil. Hence we call our Missionary Society, "the Society for the spread of the Gospel at Home and Abroad." Beginning at Jerusalem,' but extending to "all Nations." Neither is there anything speculative, utopian, or visionary in this. It is a thing possible. It is a thing practicable. But two things are needed, and under the promised blessing it can be accomplished, viz: -The Men and the Means of sustaining them. 66 Now the Great Head of the Church is putting it into the hearts of His servants to come forward and say, "Here are we, send us." But the means needful in order to send them do not come in so rapidly as is requisite. Still there is much to encourage. Some liberal souls are devising liberal things. Systematic organization and united co-operation, at the present moment, may accomplish great things and give a mighty impetus to our Missionary Institution. The cause of Missions is the cause of humanity. Man is fallen. Souls are perishing every moment we breathe! No man seemeth to care for them! Millions are going down to death without the knowledge of "Jesus crucified." At Home there are "brethren beloved" labouring amidst portions of the population, whose usefulness might be increased a hundredfold could they be better supported; whilst new spheres of usefulness are continually presenting themselves, but which cannot be occupied with the present limited income of the Society. Again, Abroad there is "a great and eflectual door open" to us. Turkey is now ripe for the gospel sickle-and a christian minister well qualified and willing-minded is waiting to go. And wondrous things are made known concerning Africa. To this nation also an earnest, spirited, and pious servant of the cross has devoted himself. Great and solemn responsibility is at this moment upon every individual minister and member of the Connexion in reference to these providential openings. God is speaking-let his voice be heard and heeded, lest he turn aside and transfer the honour he now proposes to confer upon us as a denomination, to others more ready, more willing, and more obedient! The opportunity is golden. The time to embrace it is Now. The spirit of the Connexion is essentially missionary, and its prosperity rises or declines in proportion as the missionary spirit is cultivated by it. History confirms this. The Countess was a lady possessing to a pre-eminent degree the missionary spirit. Witness her lettersher journies-her self-denials, and her pecuniary contributions! We men We have still "sound doctrine" among us; for this let us be thankful. We have and we trust that without unseemly boasting we may say it, piety among us; for this let us likewise be thankful. have devoted willing-hearted of public spirit among us; and this also claims our gratitude. But we want the baptism of the Holy Spirit-let us then awake to prayer. We want more decided, energetic, and systematic purpose-let us therefore buckle on afresh "the whole armour of God," and awake to zeal. We want a stronger confidence in the possibility of accomplishing great things by feeble instrumentality-let us therefore entreat our divine Master-"Lord, increase our faith." We want more money by means of which to spread the gospellet us therefore "Provoke one another to love and good works." Fathers and brethren in the ministry! Help! You by your preaching and by your influence can do much to re-kindle the missionary spirit throughout the Connexion. Aged members of the Connexion! Help! Have you not obtained spiritual good through its instrumentality? Do you not love your hill of Zion? Then help extending its cords and strengthening its stakes. Wealthy members! Suffer a word. Are you doing what you can to furnish the means of spreading the gospel? You have your temporal comforts. You enjoy your spiritual mercies. But have you given contributions "according as the Lord hath prospered you?" Have you reflected sufficiently on your stewardship-on the account you will one day have to render to Him "from whom all blessings flow?" Have you thought deeply on God's "unspeakable gift ?" Sunday School Teachers! Help! Strive to interest your classes in the Missionary work, and spread among them the knowledge of missionary facts. Sunday School Children! Help! Take your Missionary cards and collect for the cause. You can do much for Christ in this way. Praying Members! Help! Nothing can prosper without the Spirit of God. Bear the Missionary work "at home and abroad" upon your prayers. Let all do something. Let all do what they can between now and the approaching Conference-and then we may expect a considerable increase in the funds of the Society, and a revived interest in the cause of 66 our Missions." "Think on these things!" Christian Reader will you do what you can ? Wiveliscombe. R. S. Mr. Editor, I am somewhat surprised that the intended inaugural service of the excellent Dr. Alliott, as the new President of the Countess of Huntingdon's College, is announced to be held at Union Chapel, Islington, the Rev. H. Allon's Our ecclesiastical history associates the College with the Countess' Connexion; and, if I mistakenot, a large portion of the funds have been derived from its friends: and although the large souls of the Countess and her immediate successors are fairly represented in its trust deed, inasmuch as upon leaving the College the young men are allowed to labour in other denominations, (although, of course, that was expected to be the exception and not the rule.) Yet, as there were urgent demands for the pulpits of her own chapels, it is is evident that the object of the College was not merely to train ministers, but to train them with especial reference to the Connex In Aid of the English Mission to the Turks. Subscriptions already advertised Mr. Blackman, Clare Mr. Hall, Clare гоп. I cannot but regret that ths catholic institution should now, for the first time, be apparently identified with a party theological question. In olden times, SPA FIELDS CHAPEL would have been deemed the right place for such a service; or, indeed, for EVERY service of the kind. Old records tell us the College was removed from Wales to Cheshunt, by friends from Spa Fields, and, that for more than half a century, the managers of that venerable Chapel and the College were the same, and, I must own to a respect for aneient land-marks as well as to the positive theology of our forefathers. I would suggest that it would be well to place the College funds along-side the Connexion funds in Chancery, then, at least, its former friends will have the satisfaction of knowing that, if the institution is appropriated to purposes foreign to the original intention, the property will be safe until more Connexional administration is obtained. 500 Miss Bradshaw 0 12 43 Miss L. Wood.. 0 10 0 Miss Higham 0 10 0 Miss Gilks.. 0 10 0 Miss Newby.... 0 4 81 006 2 18 6 This amount should have appeared last month, instead of £3 8 6; and for Turkish) Mission, £3 10 1 instead of £4 11 6. 0 10 0 4 11 6 3 10 1 NOTICE TO OUR READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. MAIDSTONE. We are unable, for the want of room, to give an account of the presentation of new Robes to the minister, until next month. INQUIRER may rest assured that the large amount of property bequeathed by Dr. Ford, to the Connexion, is quite safe, as the principal is vested in the hands of the Accountant General. If the former Chancery suit did no other good, it secured this property to the Connexion Funds. A. B.-We strongly recommend him not to publish the personal history of the Trustees of the Connexion. He may render himself amenable to the law of libel. BETA. We know of no legal Connexion, but that declared by the poll deed of 1836. This declares who are really ministers of the Connexion, and is signed by all who are admitted by the annual Conference, and bears the signatures of J. Bickerdike, J. K. Foster, J. Sherman, J. Owen, J. Jones, &c., &c. ARROWROOT.-We beg to remind our readers that our African friends have sent a quantity of this nutricious article for disposal, which may be obtained (pre paid,) according to the directions given last month. We are compelled to postpone Mr. Pizey's Poetry for waut of space till next month. THE HARBINGER. MAY, 1857. MEMOIR OF THE REV. JAMES HOWES, OF GORING. As an ordinary life may be full of instruction and encouragement, as it comes home to the mass of its equals in society; so a life comparatively quiet and void of striking incident, may furnish illustration of many important principles. The sketch we are about to present of the late Rev. James Howes' life and character, for these reasons may, and we trust will, be useful to some of our readers. The humble, persevering, and successful cultivation and employment of moderate powers and opportunities reads a lesson to the many in the church of Christ of great practical interest. James Howes was a native of Colton, a village eight miles from Norwich, and, with slender educational advantages, was brought up to a trade in the city. At the time he arrived at manhood God was carrying on a remarkable work in Norwich, under the ministry of two clergymen-the Rev. Stephen Webster, M.A.,* Rector of All Saints, and the Rev. Mr. Sutcliffe, B.D., Curate of St. Michael, at Thorn. It was noised that Christ was in the churches in which they preached, crowds attended, and there is reason to conclude that many were enabled to believe to the saving of their souls. These good men had the grace to step a little out of the stereotyped *The way in which Mr. Howes was led first to hear Mr. Webster was remarkable. Before his conversion Mr. H. was gay and worldly, and often went from the city to his native village to see his parents on the Lord's day; being disappointed of his companion on one of these mornings, he returned and entered All Saints' Church, and listened to such a sermon by the Rev. S. Webster as he thought he had never heard in all his life. A pious lady who noticed his attention and the tear standing in his eye, recommended the young man to the especial attention of a person of influence in the congregation. As Mr. H. went from church he was obliged to lean over a stile and pray fervently: he often said, if ever he prayed it was then. method of conducting the more private services, and by prayer and christian intercourse to bring home to the people in this more social form the truths which they taught in the great congregation. The communicants at All Saints, recognized as a church, met in a house called the Parsonage, adjoining the Parish Church, both before and after the services of the Lord's day, and on Wednesday evenings. Here at the evening meetings, one of the ministers was usually present, and in his absence a lay brother gave a word of exhortation. Thus, without formality, religious intelligence and devotional feeling were mutually given and received, and esteem for their pastors and brotherly love for each other were cherished among the sacramental community. O! that ministers of every evangelical section of the church were more impressed with the value of christian communion—of fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. A number of spiritually minded hearers without church fellowship and pastoral intercourse seem to be condemned to the discipline of solitary confinement. We think, however, we witness signs, even in the Establishment, of a growing conviction among the clergy, that a great means of usefulness is lost, if earnest sympathy and holy conversation are not promoted. Amongst the number of earnest and devout hearers of Messrs. Webster and Sutcliffe were to be seen four young men who attracted especial attention, and cherished peculiar hopes; these were Messrs. James Howes, Thomas Miller, John Williams, and James Blomfield. The last is the only one of the quartette now surviving. These brethren were on every possible occasion present at the private meetings and frequently took a share in the services; by which means their spirit and talent were in some degree made known to their ministers and senior fellow communicants, and it is a remarkable fact, that without intention of the christian ministry, and chiefly by their social meetings, all the four were led to dedicate themselves to that sacred office, and met as students at the Countess' College at Cheshunt, bringing with them a commendable portion of that fraternal affection and that glowing zeal which had been enkindled and fanned at their ancient city. Mr. Howes was the oldest of these brethren, perhaps their superior in rich experimental knowledge of the actings of divine grace on the depraved human heart, yet their inferior in educational preparation for a course of general studies. He entered on this course, however, with the full approbation of his ministers and fellow communicants, and was received with great cordiality by the trustees, assistant committee, tutor, and students of the Connexion College, in the year 1805. Though his want of early training unfitted him for taking advantage of class instruction in the learned languages, as they are termed, his whole conduct for the four years of his residence at Cheshunt, proved that he was earnestly and prayerfully endeavouring to acquire those branches of knowledge, which, under God, would render him an intelligent and useful minister of the word of the truth of the Gospel. This ministerial power he attained, and notwithstanding some trifling errors in his pronunciation, which perhaps a defect in his organ of hearing prevented him from ever entirely overcoming, his strong good sense, earnestness and piety, together with fluency of thought and utterance, |