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eties, to be either adopted or modified by them, according to their own judgment, and the circumstances in which they may find themselves placed. And while all are thus actively engaged in co-operating with the divine mercy and providence, each one to the best of his ability, and with a sincere desire to do good for the sake of good, and to spread truth for the sake of truth, who can doubt, that the Saviour of the world will be a second time "born in the city of David,” in the hearts of his people; and that "a multitude of the heavenly host" will again shout, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, "good-will towards men!" Luke ii. 11, 13, 14.

"Signed in behalf, and at the request, of the two societies of Manchester and Salford,

"ROBERT HINDMARSH."

Manchester, Oct. 18, 1815-59.

No sooner were these proceedings made generally known throughout the country, than letters were immediately received by the Treasurer from numerous societies and individuals, all expressive (with scarce any exception) of the highest satisfaction on the adoption of a measure so long and so ardently wished for, and promising to support the same in the way proposed, according to the utmost of their ability. Such indeed was the spirit manifested on the occasion, that several of the friends made no hesitation in putting down their names for considerable sums of money, in the of way a loan or advance on the credit of the future subscriptions, which they clearly perceived would be amply sufficient to defray all the charges likely to attend the first Missionary efforts of the Church.

The Committee being thus encouraged, and desirous of bringing into immediate action the talents and zeal of that venerable and worthy Minister the Rev. Joseph Proud, who had already offered his services in the Missionary department, lost no time, therefore, in communicating to him the hope which had been raised in the minds of the people, and the anxiety with which he was expected by all the country societies.

First Missionary Journey performed by Mr. Proud.

The first journey was to Derby, on the 18th of April, 181660. At about three o'clock on the next day, in the evening, I met the Society, in a large school room adjoining the place of worship: we began with the Lord's Prayer, sung a hymn, and then I addressed them for about half an hour from Ezekiel, chap. xliii. verses 10, 11, from which words I attempted to lay before them the state, character, life, and superlative mercies of the Lord's Church, signified by the New Jerusalem, in the Apocalypse. A heavenly sphere seemed to pervade the little society, and we returned rejoicing in the Lord for the peculiar blessings of the present dispensation. The friends in Derby having by printed papers made known to the inhabitants that I should preach on the Sunday, in the Chapel or Meeting House, where the brethren constantly assemble, the Chapel was quite filled very early. The people were very attentive, and went away, as we understood, not only satisfied and pleased, but edified also.

As there is service three times on the Sunday, Mr. Madely did duty in the afternoon: the place again filled. In the evening I again preached, and to a very full congregation. I should have observed, that after service in the morning I administered the Holy Supper to near thirty members, the first time, I believe, they ever partook of that ordinance in the New Church. On the Sunday following, I again did the duty, morning and evening, when the Chapel was more crowded than before: many Methodists, Dissenters, and others attended, not less, I should suppose, than four or five hundred persons: and we learned, from various channels of communication, that a universal satisfaction was given, that the people were highly gratified by what they heard: and it evidently appears that the visit has given an extensive publicity to the cause, and will be the means of numbers attending in future who never came before, but looked upon our doctrines and the professors of them in an unfavourable light. Indeed, we are informed, that since the visit, the numbers who attend the worship are double to what they were before.. That a desire for information was excited, is evident, as several respectable persons wished to converse with me, met me for that

end, invited me to their houses, and expressed a wish to see some of the Writings. During the fortnight I staid in Derby, I met the Society three or four times, in the week-day evenings, at different friends' dwellings, at which time from thirty to forty or fifty attended, and we not only conversed together upon spiritual subjects, but a little before seven o'clock I addressed them in the manner mentioned above. These meetings appeared to have a very happy and edifying effect upon the brethren, and I am persuaded they will not be soon forgotten. Upon the whole my visit to Derby was one of the most pleasing and satisfactory I ever enjoyed, and I have no doubt but, through the divine mercy and blessing of Jesus Christ, it has been of much use and spiritual good.

Their present leader is Mr. Madely, whose activity, zeal, and affection to be useful, do good, and promote the eternal happiness of his fellow immortals, are very conspicuous and well known to his brethren.

Second Missionary Journey performed by Mr. Proud.

On May 30th, 1816-60, I went to Manchester, with design to visit the various societies in Lancashire and Yorkshire. On Saturday evening I proceeded with a friend to Ratcliffe, about ten miles from Manchester. In the morning, at the usual time of worship, the Chapel was full, and a considerable number of friends from other societies of the New Church, within the distance of from three to ten miles, came to meet me. In the afternoon a Charity Sermon, for the benefit of the Sunday School, was to be preached by Mr. F. Hodson, of Manchester, but when the time approached near, my friend Mr. Hodson earnestly requested that I would deliver the discourse. Reluctantly, I complied, having to preach again in the evening. By this time, many more people were gathered together, and still more friends from neighbouring societies, insomuch that the Chapel, though crowded to an excess, could not contain them; several hundreds stood around, the windows were opened, and the afternoon being fine, I believe every one within and without could hear the whole of the service. The school is composed of several hundred children. A temporary gallery was erected for the girls, who were all dress

ed in clean white frocks, behaved in the most orderly manner, and did much credit to their patrons and teachers. The collection amounted, as I understood, to about forty pounds. In the evening, I met the Society again, preaching three times that day, and immediately after service returned to Manchester. This Society at Ratcliffe has a worthy friend, Mr. Schofield senior, who performs the duties of a leader among them; and sometimes Mr. F. Hodson, of Manchester, pays them a Sunday visit, and performs the service.

By an arrangement of the friends in Manchester, previous to my arrival, and indeed contrary to my intention, notice had been given of my preaching in Peter Street Chapel, and in the Temple in Salford, on the 4th and 5th of June. On the Tuesday evening, therefore, I delivered a discourse in Peter Street Chapel, to a considerable number of hearers; and on Wednesday morning, at eleven o'clock, I met a respectable, though not numerous congregation in the Temple at Salford.

On Thursday morning I went, with the Rev. R. Jones, and several other friends, to Worsley, about ten miles by water. We had appointed to meet the friends there and to have service about one o'clock: we arrived about that time, but the people had been assembled, and waiting for us, a considerable time, the place of worship being quite full. We went, therefore, almost immediately to the room, and after service had but just time to speak to the brethren, as the boat was ready to return. This was a short and hasty visit, but we met a considerable number of serious minds, who frequently assemble there to worship Jesus Christ, as their only God, in His Divine Humanity, and who cordially receive, and zealously profess, the holy doctrines and truths of the Lord's New Church. Mr. Varey, a respectable and worthy friend, who has for many years espoused the doctrines, is the useful and esteemed leader of this Society.

On Friday morning the 7th, I set off with several friends from Manchester to Heywood, about ten miles. On this day the society at Heywood hold their Anniversary Meeting, at which the leaders, ministers, and members of several other contiguous societies attend. The order of the service, on this day, is as follows: Mr. Crabtree, the leader at Heywood, begins with a hymn, then a short prayer, after which he reads a chapter out of the

Holy Word (at this time the xvi. chap. of John's Gospel ;) he then speaks a little time upon it, or any part of it, after which any other minister or leader is at liberty, and expected, to offer his thoughts upon such portion of it as his mind may be directed to. At this time, Mr. Jones, Mr. Hindmarsh, Mr. Walter of Liverpool, and two or three more public friends, delivered their sentiments; after which I addressed the Society about fifteen minutes, gave out a hymn, and concluded the meeting with prayer. Many friends from neighbouring societies attended, and the meeting was truly pleasing and edifying. A dinner was provided at the inn, where I suppose sixty persons, or upwards, sat down at the table, and many other friends in different rooms took refreshment as suitable to themselves. After enjoying conversation, upon various subjects relative to the Lord's New Church, we returned in the evening to Manchester, and the other brethren to their respective places of abode. Here is a very good Chapel, which will hold four hundred people or upwards. Mr. Crabtree is an esteemed leader among them; and, if I mistake not, there is another gentleman also, who is united with him in the office.

Saturday morning the 8th, I set off for Bolton, the distance about twelve miles. On the next day (Sunday) I preached, morning and afternoon, in a decent but small Chapel, which was very full, as many friends came to hear me from other societies of the New Church, several miles distant. A considerable number of friends dined at the inn; much affection was manifested for the blessed cause of Jesus Christ; and the spirit of piety, worship, and religion, appears conspicuous among them. The friends. here, as in every other place, received me in much Christian love, and expressed themselves highly gratified by the visit. At this place I had an agreeable interview with a clergyman of the established Church of England, who appears to be a sincere recipient of the heavenly doctrines, and zealous to promote the divine truth and good of the Lord's kingdom.

I returned to Manchester in the evening, tired in body, but had not time to take a day's rest; as by appointment, on the morrow (Monday the 10th) I went to Huddersfield in Yorkshire, expecting to preach at Cooper's Bridge, three miles further, on the Tuesday evening; but by a mistake in a letter not coming to hand, the meeting was called for Monday evening, so that instead of staying that night at Huddersfield, I had to set off immediate

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