teresting questions were propounded to him, which he answered in a manner completely satisfactory to the inquirers, and highly edifying to all present.

The next morning, the 29th of July, being the anniversary of the introduction of the heavenly doctrines into that place, he again preached; after which upwards of seventy of the friends assembled to dinner in a building fitted up for the purpose, and the afternoon was spent in the communication of intelligence respecting the Church, and other instructive discourse. A gentleman from Colchester was present, who, though not as yet a member of the New Church, expressed great satisfaction and delight in observing the harmony and affection which universally prevailed. He stated, that being absent from Colchester at the time the Lecture was delivered there, on his return he was surprised to find, that the general conversation turned on that subject; and from the many favourable as well as unfavourable remarks, which he had heard made by different persons, he was convinced, that a foundation was already laid for the commencement of a New Jerusalem Society in that populous town, provided an able preacher or leader were occasionally sent among them to repeat and enforce the great truths, which had already been proclaimed in their ears.

On Tuesday afternoon a numerous company of the brethren met to tea at St. Osyth, when the time was spent in the same agreeable and profitable manner as on the preceding day. In the evening a large party again met at Brightlingsea, for still further. conversation on the great truths of the new dispensation, every meeting appearing to increase the desire among all to know more and more of the heavenly kingdom. The next day Mr. Hindmarsh returned to town, leaving the heart of every member of the societies at Brightlingsea and St. Osyth, overflowing with gratitude and delight for the privileges afforded them, and penetrated himself with corresponding sentiments of affection and esteem towards this simple hearted and amiable people.

It appears, that the New Church is in a flourishing state both at Brightlingsea and St. Osyth, under the ministry of Mr. Munson. In the former place a neat Chapel is erected, and it is usually well attended. At St. Osyth the Society is much inconvenienced for want of a suitable place of worship. Being animated, however, by Mr. Hindmarsh's visit, they determined to

endeavour to build one, and, assisted by the friends present, subscribed about forty pound towards obtaining their object. But when it is recollected, that they are nearly all labouring people, it cannot be expected, that they will be able to raise two hundred pounds, (which is estimated to be sufficient to erect such a place as they require,) without the assistance of their brethren elsewhere, which it is sincerely hoped they will obtain.

It was suggested by Mr. Hindmarsh, that if every Society of the New Church would contribute only one or two pounds each, the sum so raised, together with such donations as the more wealthy individuals of the different societies might be disposed to give, added to the exertions of the members themselves who compose the Society at St. Osyth, might enable them to begin and complete the wished-for undertaking. This proposal and recommendation the Committee for Missionary purposes feel a pleasure in seconding; and they doubt not, but, were the same method of mutual and reciprocal assistance to be generally followed, whenever a Society appeared to be in a state sufficiently mature to warrant its adoption, in due time numerous little Temples would gradually spring up in every corner of the kingdom, and the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem gain a permanent establishment in the hearts, as well as in the houses of its inhabitants.

Fourth Missionary Journey, performed by Mr. Proud.

The fourth Missionary journey was undertaken by Mr. Proud in the month of August, 1816-60, of which he has communicated to the Committee a Report to the following effect in the manner of a journal.

Aug. 15. Arrived at Manchester on the Thursday evening; remained there till Saturday the 17th; then went to Liverpool, preached on Sunday the 18th, morning and evening, to a numerous congregation, who were very attentive to the discourses delivered. In the evening the Chapel was crowded, which appears capable of containing about four hundred persons; and a collection was made at the doors in aid of the Missionary fund. On Monday evening, the 19th, I met the Society to converse with them on the state of the Church, and gave them such ad

of

vice as I conceived necessary on the occasion. But many the people, it seems, had understood there would be preaching; for scarcely had we been half an hour engaged in conversation, before a considerable number came in, and nearly filled the Chapel. I therefore addressed them for about half an hour from the parable of the ten virgins.

On Tuesday the 20th, I went to Wigan, a distance of twentytwo miles, accompanied by a few friends, where in the evening I preached to a crowded room. On Wednesday evening a Calvinist minister permitted us to have the use of his Chapel; but the place was so uncommonly crowded, and so excessively hot, that I was obliged to cut the service short, as it quite overpowered me. With this minister we had much conversation, he being with us almost all the time we staid; and we afterwards sent him the True Christian Religion to read, but have not yet heard with what effect. At Wigan there appears to be a serious little Society. Several persons came seven or eight miles to hear me, and one gentleman sixteen.

Thursday the 22d, I went forward to Legh, a distance of eight miles. The Society here consists of about twelve members. In the evening I preached in the assembly room to a decent, attentive audience: the place was quite full, and several of the friends from Wigan and Bolton met me there. Slept at Mr. Darwell's, who appears to be a worthy recipient of the doctrines, and is one of the earliest in these parts.

On Friday morning the 23d, I proceeded to Worsley, and from thence by boat to Manchester, where I remained till Sunday the 25th. In the morning I preached in the Temple at Salford; and in the afternoon a charity sermon in Peter street, to a very full and respectable congregation.

The next morning, the 26th, set off for Warrington; preached that evening in the Unitarian Chapel, the use of which had been granted us, though it appears with some reluctance on the part of the Unitarian congregation, since very few of them attended, and those who did being more disposed to dispute on theological points, than to edify by the discourse.

Next day the 27th I proceeded to Liverpool, where I preached in the evening; and on the following morning set off for Preston, with two or three friends in company. Mr. Parkinson having obtained the use of the Unitarian Chapel at this place, I de

livered a discourse in it the same evening, and the next following. The Unitarians attended with their minister; and all expressed their satisfaction, assuring me that their Chapel should be at my service whenever I came that way, as well on a Sunday as any other day. With the minister I conversed much, but fear he is too far confirmed in his sentiments to receive the truth at present. Several friends from Longridge and Kirkham met me at Preston; and here I staid from Wednesday to Friday. There are not many readers at Preston; but they are persons of respectability, and united together in brotherly affection.

On Friday the 30th went to Accrington, distant seventeen miles. After arriving there, and conversing with Mr. Haworth, there appeared no possible conveyance from thence to Huddersfield, and having appointed to be at Colne Bridge on Monday the 2d of September, then at Leeds, and forward for Hull, it was necessary to proceed that day by coach to Manchester. On the next day (Saturday) I went to Huddersfield; preached on Sunday at Colne Bridge to a numerous congregation; spent the evening with several friends at Mr. Senior's; slept there; and on Tuesday the 3d went to Leeds. Here I met the friends on Wednesday evening and Thursday evening, and had conversation with the little Society, all of whom then appeared united and happy. A Methodist preacher came to hear me, and we had some serious conversation together.

On Friday morning the 6th, went by coach to Hull, arrived there about seven in the evening, and slept at Mr. King's. But how shall I describe the happy scenes, the pleasure and satisfaction of this visit? Full seven years or more had this Society been kept together through my instrumentality. I wrote to them, and gave them the best advice in my power; they followed it, and I constantly sent them manuscript sermons to deliver. When the Chapel was wrested from them, they hired a large room, met in it regularly, and carried on religious worship. They have continued and increased, and taken no steps without consulting with me, although for seven or eight years we never saw each other till this visit on the 6th instant, September. When therefore we met, we could but rejoice, and manifest that esteem and affection, which had so long existed between us. And I found them to be one of the first, most orderly, and pious societies of

the New Church; consisting, I suppose, of more than a hundred members. I was highly gratified and delighted. I met them in the room, morning and afternoon, on Sunday the 8th, but was so ill with a violent cold, and my lungs so affected, that it was with great difficulty I could speak at all. I spent the evening with a number of the brethren at the house of Mr. Jeffrey's, who is a worthy, very active, and useful member among them. On the Monday evening I again met them at Mr. King's, another worthy and useful member, where we had also a truly spiritual and heavenly meeting, the whole evening being taken up on the most interesting and important subjects. But when the moment drew near for departing, (as I was to set off next morning at three o'clock,) the good friends were much affected and concerned that I should leave them; and in fact I was equally so myself, as I enjoyed very great satisfaction and pleasure in find, ing them so united, zealous, and truly spiritual a Society. After taking a most affectionate leave of them at nine o'clock that evening, the next morning, Tuesday the 10th, I took coach at three o'clock for Sheffield, in company with Mr. Hawkins, jun.

At Sheffield we soon found Mr. Scammadine, who immediately collected a few friends, with whom we spent an hour at the inn. The Society here consists of about twenty or thirty persons, who meet every Sunday at a friend's house, and go through regular worship, one of their members reading a sermon from those which are published. The next day I took the coach for Birmingham, and arrived safe home on Wednesday the 11th of September, having been out four weeks, and travelled about six hundred miles.

Such is the Report made by Mr. Proud of his journey into Lancashire and Yorkshire, in the months of August and September, 1816-60; at the conclusion of which he adds, "I have not the least doubt, but the Missionary office, when conducted upon a well regulated and orderly plan, so that it can compass and effect the many important circumstances connected with it, will be one of the most extensively useful engagements the New Church has ever undertaken."