Other kind friends have intimated their intention to give something. I think, therefore, we may venture to say that the full outlay will be met. E. Mucklar, Esq., who owns most of the land in the parish, has also promised a donation. Our intention is to apply his gift to the reduction of the debt of £130. We are much indebted to Mr. Webb, who designed the beautiful window without charge, and to Mr. Stanbury and Mr. Berriman, who, with Mr. Webb, have acted as the building committee. J. MORRIS. P.S.-We have experienced a gracious revival at Clawton, and a good work is begun in several other places. FOREST HILL BUILDING FUND. Previously reported... Mr. F. T. Gammon (2nd inst.) Mr. F. Wright (2nd inst.) Rev. W. Cooke, D.D. Messrs. Webster Brothers Mr. J. P. Tonkin.. Collected by Mrs. Marchant and Miss Kedgley (3rd return) Messrs. Norman, Son, and Lowry (2nd inst.) Mr. J. Gregg (10th, 11th, and 12th insts.) Mr. W. J. Hillyer (2nd inst.).... Mr. Hunter, Clapham (towards the organ). Subscriptions paid, deducted £1208 11 0 2437 7 8 JUVENILE MEMBERSHIP. DEAR MR. EDITOR.-You will remember that the Conference of 1883 decided that provision should be made in the Annual Minutes for the recognition of converted children as members of our churches, and that special tickets were to be provided and sent out. I have therefore been expecting to see reports of the conversion of children in our exceedingly interesting Magazine. Having been disappointed in this it is laid upon my heart to send you the following imperfect account of our effort here at Faversham. My great reason for sending it is a humble but earnest hope that others connected with our various Sundayschools may be led to adopt similar or better means for securing the salvation of the children. In addition to the monthly prayer-meetings in our school, after meetings are sometimes held for the express purpose of leading the scholars to Jesus. In them, at different times, it has been our joy to point some little boy or girl to Him who still says to His followers, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me," &c. But through the want of constant nurture they apparently soon lost the good they received. How to remedy this was a serious question. I proposed a juvenile class-meeting, and after trying in vain to get some teacher to take the matter in hand I resolved to try it myself. When I announced my in. tention in the school I said, “I want all the boys and girls who are converted or who desire to be converted, to join my class.” On the following Friday evening Miss Kirkman (who consented to assist me) and I met six boys and girls in the schoolroom. I explained the nature of classmeetings, related my own experience, and then inquired if they were converted, (one little girl of nine years I knew was converted some months before) when to my delight and joy a boy twelve years of age stood up and said, "I am converted and I will tell you all about it. Two or three months ago I felt that I was not prepared for Heaven, and, not knowing how soon I might have to die, I became very unhappy. My sins made me feel miserable; it was as if I carried about a big load. But one evening I went to my bed-room as soon as I got home, and knelt before God alone, and there I prayed until I obtained pardon. I felt my load go away, and I have been happy ever since." Another boy, eleven years old, said, "I am not converted, Mr. Squire, but I want to be." Miss Kirkman and I prayed for him and the two others "who wanted to be converted," and the converted lad prayed, and the little penitent boy prayed for himself, and before we closed our first juvenile class-meeting, three sorrowing seekers found the joy of pardon, and all received a precious blessing. At each succeeding meeting for some weeks our numbers increased, and several were led to the Saviour. On Wednesday evening, November 12th, our teachers gave the scholars a tea, and held a meeting in the chapel with a view of leading others to Christ. Two of my class related their experience with marked effect. The scene soon became one of an interesting character, and was, to those who believe in the conversion of children, very delightful and refreshing. Ten or a dozen boys and girls knelt and wept together in humble penitence at the feet of Jesus. The influence was truly blessed and the scene most affecting. All professed to find peace, and in many the change is very real. Some began at once to manifest a tearful and prayerful concern for the conversion of their parents. There are now thirty boys and girls in the class, ranging in ages from fifteen down to eight years. They delight in the meetings; some say they would like to meet twice in the week instead of once. The average attendance is about twenty-one or two, and some have not missed once for three months. Many of them, I am satisfied, are genuine little Christians. They relate their experience with great clearness and much feeling. Sometimes both Miss Kirkman and myself are moved to tears while listening to them. One boy, eleven years old, one night spoke as follows: "I ought to have been a Christian before, I had warnings enough. Three times I narrowly escaped death by drowning, and I knew I ought to give my heart to God. Sometimes I was very unhappy. So when Mr. Squire came into the school one Sunday afternoon and invited all who were converted or who wished to be converted to join his class, I thought that takes in me, and I will go. The first evening I came I knelt in that corner (pointing to the place) and began to pray for forgiveness, and though it was dark at first, I soon saw the light and was happy. I know I am converted now, and I hope the Lord will keep me in the right path." A little girl, nine years old, speaks distinctly of her conversion and prays in our meetings with remarkable intelligence and power. Another girl, aged eleven years, thus closed her experience: "My only desire s that I may at all times and under all circumstances trust in God and let my light shine." I might extend this account, but consideration for your valuable space forbids. But surely, Mr. Editor, some such course as the above ought to be taken in our different Sunday-schools to secure the conversion of our children. Last year, when I received the statistical returns for the Sunday-schools of this district, I was painfully impressed with this fact, viz., That out of twenty-six schools only seven reported conversions and these only a few. Certainly this is not as it ought to be. If the great work of Sunday-school teachers is to win their scholars for Jesus (and surely it is), then no success in other directions can compensate for failure in this. Abbey Place, Faversham, R. SQUIRE. TO THE NORTH. ON Monday, November 10th, at 5.15 a.m. I left London by the Great Northern Railway to visit the circuits in the north of England. vited me to spend a couple of days in his circuit, I afternoon. Tea, lecture, and coffee supper followed. chapel, with a few earnest friends. The services were well received. Br. Rawlings having inpreached at Eston in the Here we have a neat, new Tuesday I made my way to Brotton, where I was to preach and lecture; but I felt very tired. The people came in good numbers to the services. Brotton ought to be strong, our friends seem to have scope, and people, and enthusiasm. May they soon experience a large revival of religion and the extinction of the chapel debt. Wednesday I started for Durham, to join Br. Hawkey among the coal miners. I found Br. Hawkey full of geniality and radiant with smiles notwithstanding the Black Country in which he labours. I was to preach and lecture-tried to do my best. I also lectured at Hetton and New Harrington the two following nights. Congregations were small, and financial results poor. I should judge our interest in Durham is weak, but Br. Hawkey is trying to do his best. Very early on Saturday I started for Millom. The journey was a trial of patience. "Change here and wait," was so often heard.* Thursday, 16th, to Barrow; glad to meet Br. Michell looking well, and he soon made me feel at home. I had to lecture at night. A very good chairman; small company. Report said: "People don't like read lectures or dry ones." But I did not see any one sleeping. The next brother had better send on information if he deals much in paper. Friday, to a small village Missionary meeting. Saturday, lecture at Dalton. I did not feel so much at home as on some occasions. Sunday, I preached morning and evening at Dalton, at Barrow at night-Br. Rowse changed over. Monday night, missionary meeting at Barrow. Fair audience, good chairman, and he said it was a good meeting, but Barrow looks rather barren. At Dalton, on Tuesday, large attendance, money good bit ahead. Next day to Bradford. I found Br. Jory full of spirit and hope for his station. Missionary meeting at night. Tea and lecture next night. Congregation good, and services seemed to be enjoyed. We certainly ought to have a good cause here. I much enjoyed my intercourse with the brethren and friends, and feel very grateful for their uniform kindness. • As Br. Bridgman had sent an account of the meetings in his station, which was in type when this came, we may omit what Br. Jeffery says, except the blessed fact that at Millom on Sunday evening two souls were set at liberty.-ED Thursday night I returned home again. We want in the north, as everywhere else, a spirit of bold, aggressive zeal. May the God of missions prepare us for His work. Amen. W. JEFFERY. ARRIVAL OF MISSIONARIES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. OUR friends will be interested to know that the Brethren, Rowe, James and Cann, with their wives and families, have reached Australia. Br. Rowe, under date of October 18th, says :—“I am happy to inform you that we arrived safely on Wednesday, the 15th instant, about four p.m., and we were met by some members of my family, several of the ministers, and a host of friends. Br. Stoyel has been near death, with an affection of the heart: and while he is much better, the committee have arranged to set him free from circuit work until Conference. Br. Cann takes charge of the Port Adelaide Circuit, and Br. James of the Burra. We had a good view of the Sinaitic range when passing through the Red Sea, and I cannot tell you my feelings when I saw, what I was told was the Mount where the moral law was written by God on stone, and handed to Moses. The two last days we were in the Red Sea it was exceedingly hot. From Aden, to the last day on board, the sea was troubled, as a rule, and we felt a little queer. Thank God, we have arrived in safety-to re-consecrate ourselves to the good work." Br. James, under date of October 21st, writes :-"I attended a prayer-meeting at Bowden, Friday evening; about 200 persons present. Special services have been held there for a long time, and some 125 persons have been received into the Society. Br. Kelley is working well, and his spirit is as simple and fervent as ever. The Chief Justice received us very cordially. The view from his balcony is one of the most beautiful I ever saw. I preached in Young Street Chapel yesterday morning and evening; good congregations, and services-reception meeting this evening." Br. Lang, writing November 1st, says :-"The Brethren lately arrived from England are looking well. The Sunday after their arrival was a very hot and trying day; but the weather since has been beautiful. The meeting to welcome them was a very good one. It was held in the city, and a good many friends from the city and suburbs were present at the tea and public meeting. Br. James takes the place of Br. Tresise, who is gone to Silverton, 300 miles from Adelaide. Silverton is in New South Wales, but on the borders of South Australia. Hundreds of persons have gone there on account of the discovery of a rich silver mine. There were several public-houses erected—but no religious services whatever; and our committee felt that some one should be sent immediately. There has not been time yet for a report. The place is difficult to reach, as there is no railway for nearly 200 miles of the journey. Br. Raymont is better, and, I believe, doing full work again. Br. Ridclift is unwell, and it looks as if his health had failed considerably these last few years. Br. Allen, though not strong, manages to do a good deal of special work. We do not hear much about Methodist Union. The Wesleyans are having their General Conference in New Zealand, at the present time, and, I have no doubt, the question will come up there. The feeling for it, I think, is not very strong. We have been seriously thinking of assisting the missionary work in China. I am glad you have gone so far in that direction. It will give an impetus to our work. We miss Br. Way's cheerful face: but we have hardly realized our loss as yet." BR. KELLEY'S RETURN. Under date of October 20th, Br. Kelley, referring to his intention to return to England, says, "We shall probably leave here about the latter end of March, or the beginning of April, and shall (D.V.) reach home about the middle of May. Need scarcely say that I shall be glad to do any special work that may open for me." W. G. We hope to be able next month to print a complete list of promises to this fund; in the meantime we acknowledge the following subscriptions:— Mr. W. Hoyle has made the calculation that in the twelve years which ended in 1881, this country spent in strong drink a sum sufficient to pay off the National debt, buy up the whole of the railways in the United Kingdom, and leave a surplus of 112,000,000. In the presence of this fact, we feel free to say that Mr. Bright's statement is but the sober truth, that if we could get rid of the drink, there are no bounds which the most sanguine could put to the possible prosperity of England. Our drink bill for twelve years reaches a sum sufficient to pay our National debt of £768,000,000, buy up all the railways, representing £728,000,000, and leave £112,000,000 to the good, and we the most Christian nation under the sun! Alas for our Christianity! The representative of Italy at the Berlin Conference has recommended that in the Congo territory alcoholic drinks shall be excluded from the articles in which free trade shall be allowed. But why should it have been left to Italy to take the initiative ? It is no credit to the Government of which Mr. Gladstone is the head. Lord Granville has, however, told a deputation that waited on him that instruc |