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the day of opening only two youths presented themselves as scholars. The numbers, however, soon increased, as may be supposed from the nature of the instruction imparted, and the high repute in which Mr. Woodman was held as a teacher--a large portion of the more respectable youths of the neighbourhood passed through this day school, many of whom are now occupying high social and commercial positions in this and other districts. The meeting of Saturday evening was got up with a view to bring as many of the old pupils together as distance and other convenience would allow, in order to have an evening's social entertainment, and to present a testimonial of their esteem to their former respected teacher. To show how readily they all fell in with the suggestion, and to what an extent it was carried out, we may state that there were gentlemen present from Manchester, Bolton, Oldham, Sheffield, Pendlebury, Pendleton, Chorley, Higher Bleackley, Horwich, and other places, all of whom had passed through Mr. Woodman's day school. Large numbers of the old scholars who are still residing in this district were also present; and as each scholar was permitted to bring two friends, there was a very numerous attendance. Those who could not be present had sent their donations towards the object of the meeting. Upwards of 200 sat down to a most excellent and substantial tea, including fowls, ham, tongue, &c., prepared under the sole management of Mr. and Mrs. Hamer, confectioners, Bradshawgate, Bolton, the arrangements for which did them great credit. The room was very neatly decorated for the occasion. From the ceiling was suspended some beautiful devices, and upon the walls were a number of appropriate mottoes. The windows were all hung with curtains of snowy whiteness, trimmed with green, presenting a showy yet chaste appearance, like that of a spacious drawing-room.

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In the course of the evening several interesting addresses were delivered, and the proceedings enlivened by music and songone of the pieces being specially composed for the occasion. The presentation was made by Mr. James Stott, one of the first pupils who entered the school. It consisted of a clock of the value of twenty-five guin

eas, and a purse containing twenty-five guineas.

"The clock was an excellent piece of workmanship. It consisted of white marble block, with fine guilt bronze figures on the top. The design, which is very appropriate, indeed most happily so, consists of two figures, Eli and Samuel, the former a venerable figure clothed as an ancient prophet in eastern costume, is pointing to a scroll, directing the attention of the youthful Samuel to a part of the law inscribed upon it. The figure of Samuel is a very exquisite model of a youth about 12 years of age. A plate underneath contained the following inscription

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"Presented to the Rev. Woodville Woodman, at a reunion of his former day scholars, in grateful remembrance of benefits derived from his tuition.Kersley, 30th January, 1869.'

The purse was made of coloured silk and beads, and was one of the most beautiful we ever witnessed. The clock was supplied by Mr. Wittington, silversmith, of Manchester."

BRIGHTLINGSEA.-The leaders of the choir connected with the New Church in this place determined to aid by their musical talents to remove the debt still remaining on their large and beautiful place of worship. For this purpose they arranged a public concert of miscellaneous music, which was given in Harvey's Public Hall, on the evening of December 21. The leaders of the choir, Mr. Alfred Went and Mr. Isaiah Griggs applied themselves with great earnestness to make the necessary preparations, in which good work they were warmly seconded by the other members of the choir. A marked feature in the concert was the performance of four young ladies, whose services aided greatly to the success of the undertaking. siderable excitement appears to have been created. The hall was completely filled, and every one present seems to have spent a pleasant evening. After deducting all expenses, the sum of £6 14s. 7d. was paid over to the Church treasurer.

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BURNLEY.-The annual meeting of the Society at the above place was held on Saturday, January 30th, when the members, and their friends to the number of 120, sat down to an excellent tea

provided for the occasion. After tea a public meeting was held, over which Dr. Pilkington of Clayton House, Clayton-le-moors, presided. The meeting was addressed by several speakers, among others, by Mr. R. B. Swinbourne, Embsay, Yorkshire, Mr. Howarth of Enfield, Mr. J. Waddington of Nelson, and others. Under various aspects the beauty and harmony of the Word was manifested; the progressive nature of man's regeneration; Wisdom and power shown to be centred in the Lord Jesus Christ; and the necessity of prayer, earnestness, punctuality, and Christian charity demonstrated. The manner in which the chairman appealed to those present of other denominations to search the scriptures for themselves and ponder over what they had heard, was received with applause. The choir gave

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a selection of music at intervals. vote of thanks was given to the chairman, who duly responded, and the meeting was brought to a close in the usual manner. On the following day (Sunday, January 31) Mr. Swinbourne preached twice in the Society's room to good congregations.

LONDON NEW CHURCH PROPAGATION SOCIETY.-An interval of several months has now elapsed since our last notice of proceedings in the Magazine, 'giving occasion, perhaps, to those of our friends who were taking an interest in our proceedings, to suppose that our society had died a natural death. Such has not, however, been the case; in fact, immediately upon the cessation of our open-air services, and throughout the winter, up to the present, we entered upon and have continued an amount of exertion, such as we believe is not frequently exceeded by such new and small communities as ours. As we had previously expressed in the Repository, it was our intention to open a New Church Mission-room in Holloway, to which our open-air services and discourses were but the preliminary steps. After much trouble and many disappointments, we imagined that we had secured a suitable room in the Seven Sisters' Road, but, just upon the eve of commencement, and when all arrangements for the succeeding quarter had been made, the landlord let the room over our heads, and everything had to be postponed. Further and repeated

efforts, extending over several weeks, demonstrated the fact that we could not obtain a suitable meeting-room in Holloway, and we therefore determined to build one; we accordingly secured a site in the best part of the Holloway Road, upon which a workshop had for many years been standing. This building we have pulled down, and have erected in its stead the walls and roof of a small chapel, which, when finished, will furnish sitting-room for 108 persons. The accomplishment of this work, with the very inadequate funds at our disposal, has been an arduous undertaking, and indeed could only be effected by the active co-operation and personal application of our members, who, as occasion called for it, have had to perform the part of surveyor, or labourers, carpenters, plumbers, etc. We have now expended over £24 upon the building, and shall probably require £20 more to free us from debt, and to carry us through the preliminary expenses of opening. The society now anxiously appeals to its New Church friends to give it the indispensable hand of assistance, so that that which it has hitherto so consistently worked for, may have an unembarrassed and successful commencement. All inquires will be promptly answered by the Secretary, C. E. Basebe, 68 Pratt Street, Camden Town, London, N.W. Donations will be received by Mr. Charles Eden Waddington, 20 Oxford Road, Halliford Street, Islington, N.

NOTTINGHAM.-The following paragraph, from the Nottingham Daily Express of January 2, manifests the vitality and earnestness of the Society in this town:

"Bluecoat Street Church.-On New Year's-eve,, the members and friends of the New Church assembled in goodly numbers to welcome amongst them Mr. Thomas Moss, B.A., as their regular minister. Mr. Moss is a young man of considerable ability and promise, and has just completed his college studies and obtained degrees. Nottingham has given him the first call to the ministry, and if we may judge from the earnest and hearty manner by which all the proceedings were characterized, there is not much fear of a complete bond of union between minister and people. Tea was served up in excellent style at six o'clock, after which the

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meeting was presided over by Mr. W. Pegg, who has filled the office of leader of the Society for about thirty years. Short and suitable speeches were made by Messrs. Whyte, Stevenson, Beilby, Clarke, Johnson, Chester, and Moss. At nine o'clock, the young people enjoyed themselves to their heart's content in various innocent games, and the choir (under the able leadership of Mr. R. Hogg) delighted all with the admirable rendering of several favourite pieces. As the clock struck twelve, the choir sang, 'Go when the morning shineth,' after which Mr. Moss addressed a few suitable words on the responsibilities of the year before us, and the meeting separated after the usual congratulations of the season, and highly delighted with so pleasant a gathering."

Mr. Moss commenced his ministrations on the following Sunday, and has so delighted the members with his excellent discourses, and his kind and affable manners, that they are unanimously agreed that Mr. Moss is just the minister required by the Society.

PAISLEY, SCOTLAND.-The course of lectures, by Mr. G. W. Baynham, alluded to in our last communication, has now extended over two months, and is still continued and attended with increasing interest. Every evening of late, our Church has been perfectly crammed. Seats are laid along the passages-even the stairs are filled with eager listeners; but it is not enough. Were the Church twice the size, it could easily be filled. Every Sunday evening, the people gather round the Church before the doors open; and long ere the service begins, the place is filled in every part. This is very satisfactory. It evinces a deep interest, and we trust some of the seed sown will in due time produce ripe fruit plentifully. Short notices of these lectures have appeared in several of our local papers, and reference made to the "remarkable ability and earnest evangelical spirit in which the subject was treated.'

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following, from the North British Daily Mail, 26th January, in a few words gives a graphic account of one of our evening services :--

"The Future Life.'-The third of a series of lectures on this subject was delivered on Sunday night in the New Jerusalem Church, by Mr. Walter Baynham of Glasgow. The place was

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Married, at the New Church College Chapel, Devonshire Street, Islington, by the Rev. D. G. Goyder, on December 26, 1868, Mr. George Moss, to Miss Anne Carr of West Ham, Essex, formerly of Preston.

January 1, 1869, at the New Jerusalem Church, Bolton, by the Rev. W. Westall, Mr. George Firth, jun., to Miss Mary Ann Martin.

At the same time and place, by Mr. Joseph Deans, Mr. D. Davenport, to Miss Ann Stockton.

January 9, at the New Jerusalem Church, Bolton, by Mr. J. Deans, Mr. William Smales, to Miss Ann Barlow.

On Wednesday, 27th January, at the New Jerusalem Church, Summer Lane, Birmingham, by Mr. R. R. Rodgers, Joseph Henry, eldest son of the late Henry Wilkinson of Ariston, Handsworth, to Marian Kate, eldest daughter of Thomas Bragg, Northwood, Handsworth. No cards.

At the New Church College Chapel, Devonshire Street, Islington, by the Rev. D. G. Goyder, on January 28, 1869, Mr. Henry Holmes, to Miss Catherine Crumpler, both of StokeNewington.

Obituary.

On the 19th December 1868, aged 48, Mrs. Joseph Death was removed to the spirit-world. The immediate cause of her removal was a fit of apoplexy. She was a native of Brighton, Sussex. From the time of her marriage, which took place five or six years ago, she resided at Spring Road, Brightlingsea,

Essex. Previous to her marriage, she was a total stranger to the doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church; but through her short but happy union with her husband, she was induced to attend the services of the Church in the old meeting house, New Street; and almost from the first Sabbath of the Society's removal from the above building, she continued to attend the services in the new edifice, Spring Road. The writer of this notice is rejoiced to say that, according to the measure of her knowledge of the sublime doctrines of the holy Jerusalem, she appeared to realize their blessed effects in her heart and life. She was of a gentle and unassuming disposition, kind to those who were in need of this world's goods, and had a firm reliance upon Divine Providence. A funeral discourse was preached to a large audience by S. Jepson, from John xi. 25, 26. S. J.

On the 11th ult., at Stonehill, Farnworth, in her 34th year, Mary Stones. Brought up under New Church influences, the deceased early imbibed a deep attachment to its doctrines, and her subsequent life was formed in accordance with their practical teachings. Her conduct was not only orderly, but characterized by a self-sacrificing kindness, the value of which many have experienced whilst suffering from sickness. Her end was somewhat sudden. Although she had been ailing, she was well enough to attend the New Year Social Meeting of the Kersley Society. At an early period of the meeting, however, she was compelled to leave, and never afterwards rose from her bed. Attacked with enteritis of an aggravated kind, her sufferings were very great, but were borne with Christian resignation She is doubtless gone to her rest. W.

At the residence of her son-in-law, Newcastle-on-Tyne, January 15, aged 68, Margaret, widow of the late Mr. Thomas Gresham. She was one of the oldest members of the New Jerusalem Society at Newcastle. Her end was peace. W. R.

Departed this life, January 17, after a long illness, Mr. W. Rushton, aged 49, for many years a member of the Society at Bolton.

On the 25th January 1869, departed this life, in her 31st year, Susan Ann, wife of Mr. Joseph Whitehead of Manchester. Born of New Church parents, members of the Accrington Society, she

passed the greater part of her life in that town. Her kind disposition, gentle sweetness and devoted attachment to the doctrines and institutions of the Church, endeared her to a large circle of friends. She was not only ever willing to assist in any good work proposed to her, but often suggested new plans for the advantage of the school and Church. She was an intelligent student of the Word, but her religion was essentially practical. Those who knew her best, during the short period of her married life in Manchester, learned to appreciate her virtues, especially those who witnessed the calm content and pious resignation with which she bore the trying affliction of a painful illness. She was frequently visited during her illness by her newly adopted pastor, the minister of the Peter Street Society, who was with her when her last words were spoken. She passed away in a gentle sleep, to be led to the land of which she loved to sing, "All is love, and life, and joy."

On the 31st of January 1869, at his home, the residence of Mr. Lang Bridge, in his 25th year, John Whitaker of Accrington. He had long suffered from a pulmonary affection, and during several winters had sought relief in milder regions. He was considered stronger than usual at the commencement of the present winter, but after his return from the funeral of his sister, Mrs. Joseph Whitehead, who only preceded him six days, he was somewhat suddenly seized with a more that usually severe attack. From this he did not rally, but went to sleep on the Sunday evening, and in sleep passed away to the peace which passeth all understanding. He was much beloved by all his friends-most of all by those who knew him most intimately. He was faithful and sincere in all his relations; nothing tried him more than meanness; nothing distressed him more than insincerity. His modesty would have protested against a catalogue of his numerous deeds of kindness; and in the memory of his friends, his excellent disposition and his many genial and admirable qualities will long remain. He bore suffering with Christian fortitude, and the prospect of death seemed to have no terrors for him. Without a struggle his soul passed away. His end was peace.

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A SERMON BY THE REV. JOHN HYDE. (PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.)

"If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God."-JOHN vii. 17.

WHEN a man forswears his allegiance to the sovereign in whose dominions he was born, and becomes the subject of another king, he has abundant testimony to show that he is now a citizen in another country, owing service to another monarch. Every man is born into a merely natural state. He is subject to sin and Satan. He needs to forswear his allegiance to this old potentate, and to become a citizen of the kingdom of God, a faithful subject of the King of kings. How, then, shall he know that he is accepted of the Lord? that he has of a truth turned from being a child of disobedience and condemnation, and has become a child of God? There must be some sufficient testimony by which the soul may know of a surety that it is turned from death unto life. Nothing could be more terribly painful to an earnest soul than to feel to hate sin, and to desire goodness, and yet not to be certain that its sins were forgiven, and not to feel an assurance of being accepted of God. We need to know, not only that God is, and that He is the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but also that he is our God and our Saviour.

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When Jesus was upon earth He could say to the sick of the palsy,

Thy sins be forgiven thee;" He could say to the guilty but penitent woman, "Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more;" to the Magdalen who anointed His feet with the ointment and wiped them with the hairs of her head, " Thy sins are forgiven." These persons

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