venience having thus been occasioned, especially to the Ladies, the Committee have been reluctantly compelled to alter the regulations, by limiting the admissions into this portion of the Hall to those Ladies and Gentlemen only whose personal or family subscriptions, or whose collections from others, amount to the sum specified above. (3.) For the raised seats, and for the western gallery, one ticket will be given, on application, to all other members of the Society, so far as the capacity of the Hall will admit. All Annual subscribers of one guinea, and persons collecting for the Society to the amount of two pounds twelve shillings per annum, are by the rules of this Society constituted members. The doors leading to the raised seats and western gallery will be opened at ten o'clock. 3. Subscribers and Collectors, to the several amounts above-mentioned, belonging to Auxiliary and Branch Societies, or other Associations, whether in town or country, connected with this institution, are entitled to the privileges already severally stated. Those resident in or near London are requested to apply to the Ticket Committee, who will attend for the delivery of tickets, under the regulations above specified, at the Wesleyan Mission-house, Centenary-Hall, Bishopsgate-Street-Within, between the hours of eleven and four, from Monday, April 24th, to Friday, April 28th, inclusive.—If such application be made through the Local Secretaries, it should be addressed to them on or before Monday, April 24th; that they may have sufficient time to obtain the required number of tickets at the Mission-house; and, for the satisfaction of the Ticket Committee, it is respectfully requested that a written order, signed by the parties, may be placed in the hands of such Secretaries.-For persons resident in the country, such tickets as they may be entitled to claim will be reserved at the Mission-house, Bishopsgate-Street-Within, on their signifying to the Ticket Committee, by letter sent free of postage, and under their own signature, on or before Wednesday, April 26th, their intention personally to attend. 4. Benefactors of ten pounds have the same privilege as Annual Subscribers of one guinea; and in proportion for any larger donation.—All Treasurers and Secretaries of Auxiliary and Branch Societies, or Associations, will be allowed to claim tickets as members, if not admissible under any of the preceding regulations. 5. Collectors, actually entitled, by the amounts they have collected, to admission under any of the foregoing heads, but whose names are not found in the last Annual Report of this Society, must, on applying for tickets, produce a note from the Local Treasurer or Secretary, to whom the required sum has been paid, stating that the party is now, on that ground, entitled to admission. No tickets will be issued by the Committee before the time mentioned above. Our friends who may intend to visit London from the country, in order to participate in the approaching Missionary services, are respectfully informed, that an Address-book will be opened early in April, at the Wesleyan Centenary-Hall and Mission-house, in Bishopsgate-Street, under the care of the Hall-keeper, in order to receive and record their LondonAddress, whilst they shall remain in town, and thus to facilitate any desirable communication between them and the Missionary Committee and Secretaries, or other friends. The Annual Meeting of the Auxiliary Society for the London District will be held in Great Queen-Street chapel, on Monday evening, May 15th, --and sermons will be preached in various Wesleyan chapels, in London, on Sunday, May 14th, in connexion with that meeting. The particulars will be announced on the cover of the " Missionary Notices" for May. EUROPE. SWITZERLAND.-CANTON DE VAUD. THE letters of Mr. Gallienne, published in our Number for March, made our readers acquainted with the state of affairs in this Canton, as connected with the recent outrageous attacks upon religious liberty on the part of the ruling powers, up to nearly the end of January. Another letter has been received, containing further particulars respecting the proceedings of the Grand Council, an extract from which we now subjoin. On the whole, we are thankful to say, the aspect of this interesting case is considerably improved. There does appear, as far as our latest accounts enable us to judge, reason to hope for some relaxation of that violent opposition which the cause of the Gospel has been called to encounter; and we shall rejoice to find that, though the superior authority has renewed for a limited time the "Full Powers' which the Council of State had before employed in a manner so oppressive and intolerant, it may have pleased God to bring the parties concerned to a better mind than that which they have hitherto evinced, or at least so to restrain and control their future course, as that our own little flocks, and those of the other Evangelical communities, may again "have rest," and enjoy their rightful freedom of worship and action. Still, there is much cause for solicitude, and for the continued and prayerful sympathy of Christians in England with their persecuted brethren. We await with anxiety further intelligence, but fear that it may not arrive in time for insertion in this Number of our "Notices." Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Matthew Gallienne, of Lausanne, written at Nismes, and dated February 5th, 1848. BEFORE leaving for my appointments of to-morrow, I enclose two copies of the late decree on the renewal of the pleins pouvoirs lately granted to the Council of State, and which I have just received from Lausanne. You will perceive how much more moderate this decree is than that which was proposed. It is generally supposed that the Council of State proposed the former decree, knowing it to be extravagant, and that it would be refused, merely to obtain a renewal of the pleins pouvoirs, a sort of authority in which they delight. It seems, however, that they intend, for the present at least, to make a moderate use of their renewed authority; for no new Arrêté has yet appeared in virtue of the decree. It is true, that Mr. Breatte, the lately-elected President of the Council of State, gave it as his opinion, at a sitting of the Grand Council, that nothing less than an Arrêté, similar to those of November and December last, could set the matter at rest, and satisfy the majority of the citizens. But, on the other hand, the opposition in the Grand Council has been much more formidable, and the minority more numerous, than had been anticipated by Government, so that their ardour seems to have cooled down. For instance, the first article of the decree invests the Council of State with the power of clos ing those meetings only which might be a source of disturbance, or whose existence would seriously compromise public order. The second article declares, as liable to punishment, those who would refuse to dissolve a meeting when required so to do by a competent authority. Article third limits the extent of the penalties to be inflicted on those who resist the authorities, and they are less than those in former decrees; and nothing is said on the subject of strangers, [foreigners,] or their expulsion from the canton. I hear that the meetings seem to have been less watched since the late discussions in the Grand Council; and that the general opinion at Lausanne is, that we may expect to be left quiet during the summer. My informant adds: "Some curious anecdotes have been told me lately on the subject of religious liberty. One of the Ministers of the Free Church called on a person lately holding a high office in the Council of State, and expostulated with him on the arbitrary act of sending Ministers to their commune. 'O,' said the functionary, you can come back quietly in a short time: nobody will molest you.' 'How long must we stay away?' 'O, three weeks, or so.' 'Still, that is a long time to be absent from one's duties.' 'O, well, a fortnight: the matter will be blown over by that time.' The other evening two or three men were collected in the street. One said, 'There is a meeting at St. Pierre: let us go and disperse it.' 'Not I: we do not get anything for doing it I do not care about their meeting.' When we were paid,' added another, we got so little that it was not worth fatiguing one's-self for.' Thus Providence allows these disgraceful facts to come to light." One can hardly imagine, in fact, such a singular medley of seriousness and levity, of legislation and clubbing, as appears in all these now. affairs; and perhaps it is difficult to form a correct judgment on the real state of things, except it be that the Government is led on by such men as the members of the "Patriotic Society," and that all these alternations of severity and levity are the result of the caprice of unprincipled men. However this may be, we hardly know what awaits us, and hope for direction and support from above. Since I left home, Messrs. Dapples and Vuelliet, of the Free Church, have kindly preached to our people at different times and places without the least molestation. I trust that we may soon resume our accustomed services in the chapel without hinderance. Your esteemed favour of the 1st instant has just come to hand. I have already communicated it to the Chairman of our Meeting. A Sub-Committee had already been appointed to consider the subject of our Swiss Mission, and prepare a report according to your desire. The case will have our serious and patient consideration. The brethren had already thought, like ourselves, that an application for a special authorization was not desirable, especially in the hope of a relaxation of the late severe measures against religious meetings. For this and other reasons they seemed to think that it was desirable that I should be re-appointed to Lausanne, with a proviso that, in the event of my permis de séjour being refused, a change might then be effected. But we hope soon to forward our final views on this and other bearings of the case. WEST INDIES. HAYTI. (New Chapel at Samana.)—Extract of a Letter from the Rev. William Towler, dated Puerto-Plata, July 14th, 1847. I HAVE lately returned from my halfyearly visit to Samana, and take the present opportunity of sending you some account of the Wesleyan church and school in that place. I and my companions in the journey were five days on horseback, and, although it was in the dry season, rode several hours in rain on the three first days. We found the difficulties and disagreeables of the journey by no means decreased; having some rivers to pass on horseback which we had always crossed in canoes, and meeting with so many sandflies and other annoyances in the houses where we put up for the night, as to render sleep out of the question. By the help of God, and with thankful hearts, we arrived in Samana, in health and safety, on the fifth day. I enjoyed much spiritual comfort in my journey through the wilderness in meditating on the ninetyfirst Psalm, and felt the name of Jesus to be precious, to my soul, through whom alone I could claim the promises of God's holy word. The following are extracts from my journal : I find a small house, which I engaged to have built on my last visit, prepared for me to dwell in. The new chapelframe is reared, and the roof covered in. May God help me to complete this building, and consecrate it to his worship and service! Sunday, May 23d.-Day of Pentecost. I preached this morning on the work of the Holy Spirit, and felt the presence of God whilst in his sanctuary. A good number attended. In the afternoon I held service at our country chapel, and returned to town and preached in Spanish in the evening. Several natives were present, amongst whom were some of the local authorities. 24th. I was employed in visiting some of the people of the town. 25th. In the afternoon I rode to the Sugar-Farm, (so called,) visited all the families, preached, and led the class. 26th. I held a meeting of the Building Committee, and preached in the evening. 28th. I visited several families in the country, and spent some time in the school. Held a Leaders'-Meeting in the afternoon, and a prayer-meeting in the evening. Sunday, 30th. I held divine service in the town. preached from Psalm xvi. 7-11; felt great liberty of speech; and much enjoyed the opportunity of worshipping God, and expounding his holy word. May it find its way to some honest hearts, and be abundantly fruitful! After the public service I renewed tickets to two classes. Many bore a good testimony to the power of religion; but the experience of a blind woman, who has been for some years a Class-Leader, surpassed all. She lives in the enjoyment of a high degree of sanctifying grace, and has a lively hope of glory. In the afternoon I preached in the country chapel, and in the evening had an opportunity of announcing to several natives, in their own language, the love of God in giving his Son for the world. I praise God for the help he has given me this day, in body, mind, and soul. He has strengthened my body to labour. He has enlightened my mind to understand his word. He has watered my soul, while I have been trying to water others. 31st. In the afternoon I renewed tickets to a class in the country, and in the evening held a meeting for our young people, to improve them in singing. June 1st. I visited a few families in the country, and in the evening preached and renewed tickets to a class. 2d. I held a Quarterly Meeting at our country chapel, examined into the characters of our Local Preachers, Teachers, and Leaders, and found nothing against them. Afterwards we held a watch-night, which was a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. 4th. I visited our day-school, and examined the children. I find they have made progress in learning since my last visit: indeed, they have every advantage, both spiritually and temporally, in this school. Our Teacher is a worthy man, and labours to do them good, and fit them for this world and that which is to come. I conducted a prayer-meeting in the evening. Sunday, 6th.-I preached twice in English and once in Spanish, and renewed the tickets of a class. We had good attendance at all our services, and several natives were present in the evening. May God open the hearts of the people to receive his word! 9th. I was overlooking the building of the chapel, slipped through a hole in the floor, and bruised and wounded my leg. I walked up a steep hill to the fort, to visit a young man, a member of our church, who is in prison for declining to be a regular soldier. I preached in the evening. 10th. I visited several families in the country, many of whom are poor and afflicted. On Friday and Saturday I was obliged to remain at home all day to attend to my leg, which was much inflamed and very painful. A native man, who is married to an American woman, called on me to-day, to express his wish to become a member of our church. I read and explained the rules to him, and appointed him a class to meet in on trial. Sunday, 13th. This morning I opened our new chapel, and consecrated it to the worship of God, by celebrating divine service, preaching, baptizing one young woman and some infants, and administering the sacrament of the Lord's supper. The chapel was filled with Americans and natives, and the collection liberal. In the afternoon we had another service in English, and in the evening in Spanish. There was a public ball given in the evening, and, I am sorry to say, it drew away most of our native congregation. I feel thankful to God that I have succeeded in finishing and opening the chapel. It has long been a burden on my mind. I never requested any help from the DistrictMeeting, as I fully expected to have completed it by subscriptions, &c.; but everything has risen in price so much since it was begun, that we shall be something in debt. All the following week I was obliged to remain in the house, with my leg on a chair, being unable to stand upon it, or let it hang down; excepting Wednes day or Friday evenings, when I led the usual services in the chapel. Sunday, 20th.-I held divine service in the morning, and felt much of the assistance and presence of God in preaching from Colossians i. 27, 28. In the afternoon I held a love-feast, at which many bore testimony to the grace of God in turning them from darkness to light. One man spoke very feelingly in Spanish, his mother-tongue, and declared how the reading of the Scriptures, connected with the counsel and ST. VINCENT's.-Extract of a dated George-Town, Ir will doubtless gladden your hearts to learn that God continues to own and bless the feeble efforts of his unworthy servants in this Circuit. On some of the stations we are favoured with a steady and almost weekly accession to our numbers; not, indeed, so large an increase as was realized a few months back, but regular. A few months ago they came to us almost by dozens, now by ones or twos. For these we are thankful. Each one is a deathless spirit, and of incalculable value. But although our present number shows an increase on last year, yet, as compared with six years ago, we are some hundreds less. This reduction is, perhaps, to some extent, attributable to church extension. I believe three churches or church-schools have been erected in this parish since 1840 or 1841; and, if I remember right, there were then only a Rector and a Reader; now there is, besides these, a Curate, and I understand application has been or is to be made for a second Curate. Our corps, on the other hand, has been latterly reduced. We number three Preachers and two Local brethren; (for several months of last year there were only two Preachers;) whereas some time ago there were four Preachers and the same number of valuable Local helps. Here, then, with an increase of about thirty-three per cent. to the other side, and a decrease on our own of from thirty to fifty, is it any wonder if we cannot extend our work? The Establishment, too, seems to be securing to itself to a considerable extent the advantages of the itinerant system, ministry of Mr. Cardy, had been blessed to him in convincing him of sin, and turning him to seek the Lord. He had had much persecution and tribulation to suffer, but rejoices in the favour of God, and in the hope of heaven. 21st. I rested my lame leg in the morning; and in the afternoon called upon the General for my passport, and visited the prisoner in the fort. On Tuesday I took my leave of Samana for the present; and after four days' riding, in the last of which I was sixteen hours on horseback, arrived in good health and safety at my home in PuertoPlata, truly thankful to God for his preserving care over me and my family during our separation. Letter from the Rev. W. Heath, in their Readers and Curates, who are, I |