SPECIAL SERVICES, SHEFFIELD NORTH CIRCUIT. The town of Sheffield has been peculiarly favoured with the gracious revival of God's work. In the years 1795-6-7, the apostolic Bramwell benefited the town with his powerful labours. In 1844, many souls were aroused in connection with the devoted Caughey. In 1846, the town was honoured and blessed by the residence and labours of the sainted Waller, who closed his useful ministry here. In many other instances the power of Christ to save has been made eminently manifest. In autumn, 1855, special services, with a view to promote a movement of this kind, were held in South-street Chapel, conducted by the Rev. W. Booth. Much spiritual fruit

was gathered, which remains to this day, and an aggressive work was commenced, which is still going on. The blessed influence of these services was not confined to South-street. Other churches were greatly quickened; and the church in Scotland-street became very desirous to secure the assistance of Mr. Booth, to conduct a similar course of efforts for the salvation of souls. Nor did they all wait until his presence could be obtained. Some resolved to aim constantly at success, and in consequence, the cry of penitence, and the shout of victory, became somewhat familiar sounds. Indeed, for some months prior to the commencement of the late special services, scarcely a week passed without some

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visible good. Still, the earnest spirits amongst us longed for greater things than these. At length arrangements were made for the return of Mr. Booth to Sheffield. Preparatory efforts were put forth; the town was placarded with announcements of the approaching services, and a spirit of expectation and prayer was awakened.

After a week of special prayer meetings, the services commenced on Sabbath, August 31st. A prayer meeting was held at seven, another at ten, and at half-past our beloved brother opened his mission, by a powerful sermon on "Religious Sympathy." The chapel was full. Many found the sermon a mirror reflecting faithfully their want of love to Christ and to souls.. At night, the discourse was remarkable for its accurate delineations of character and powerful grappling with conscience. The crowded audience seemed greatly moved, and in the prayermeeting many sought and found the Lord. Arrangements had been made for registering the names of the converts, and twenty-eight were entered as having obtained salvation. A red coat was conspicuous amongst the penitents. One of Britain's soldiers had been wounded, and he sobbed and cried for mercy. He applied to the Great Physician, and the wound was healed; he deserted the ranks of Satan, enlisted under the banner of Christ, and sang,

"For when I was willing with all things to part,

He gave me my bounty, his love in my heart;
So now I have joined the conquering band,
Who are marching to glory at Jesus' com.
mand."

We considered this a good beginning, On the Monday morning we commenced a six o'clock prayer-meeting, which was continued throughout the services. Also, at nights and on Sabbath mornings, we frequently had street preaching, a little before the service in the chapel. During the week we had very good congregations, and at the close found that eighty had given in their names.

The work during the first week had steadily increased in power. Thursday being far the best night, we were, therefore, expecting a mighty day on the Sabbath. Thank God, we were not disappointed. The congregations were even larger than on the previous Sabbath. In the afternoon, a crowded love feast was held, in which many delightful testimonies were given, and a very blessed influence prevailed,

were

making it a season of refreshing." The evening service was peculiarly powerful. Many consciences troubled; many hearts were overcome. Numbers crowded to the penitent altar, and forty-nine professed to obtain spiritual deliverance. The case of one woman was remarkable. At ten minutes to six she sat in her house, not intending to go to any place of worship, but her mind became suddenly impressed with the idea of going to Scotland-street Chapel. She was not aware that any special service was being held, or that a stranger was preaching, and was surprised to find the chapel full. She made her way to the top of the gallery stairs. The word touched her heart, and a friend urged her to stay to the prayer meeting. She went up the aisle, looking for a seat. A person in the communion, thinking she was a penitent, beckoned her forward. She went, cried for mercy, and went home rejoicing.

This night some glorious scenes were witnessed the strong man was bowed, the man of intellect became as a little child, the hardened sinner was melted to tears, and many were saved. One man (who appeared like a navigator) was observed to stand in his pew, looking anxiously towards the communion. Suddenly he opened the door, walked with a very determined air, went up the aisle, and placed himself amongst the seekers of mercy. He was in earnest, and soon his soul found liberty. He went into the vestry to give his name, but his first impulse was to kneel down in the corner and pray for his wife. When he arose, he said, "I had no thought of going to the penitent form, but I could not help myself; the Lord got hold of me, and pulled me out of my pew, and dragged me up to the rail, and he's saved me. I hope my wife will come and get saved to-morrow night." We record, with gratitude, that the next evening his wife became united to Christ, and joined her husband in the way to heaven. On the whole, the week was a very good one, and at the close we found the number to be one hundred and eighty-three.

The third Sunday was a time of particularly sweet and gracious influence. In the afternoon a communion service was held. About four hundred partook of the emblems of our Saviour's death. The dews of heaven fell upon our souls; yea, waves of salvation seemed to roll through our midst. In the evening, thirty-one

gave in their names in token of decision for God. Monday was a good night-twelve cases. Tuesday still better. This night the uniforms of three soldiers were conspicuous at the communion. Two devoted men of the 98th regiment assisted, as they often did, in prayer. Another of the same regiment was seeking mercy at the hands of our Saviour. He was made a soldier of the cross. On Wednesday and Thursday the work still increased in power. On Friday, a prayer meeting was held, and on Saturday the fellowship meeting was a glorious affair. The soldier who was saved on Tuesday night told us of his former sinful conduct, of his awakening through a remarkable dream, and the deliverance he had found in Christ. The number was now two hundred and sixty-eight.

The services became the subject of much conversation in the town, and devoted men of various sects came to lend us their aid. On Sunday, September 21st, we had a glorious day. Chapel full in the morning, and very pointed discourse. In the afternoon the chapel was again filled at the love feast. The evening service was a truly powerful season. There seemed to be a general breaking down amongst the King's enemies. Sixty-three were registered as coming over to the Lord's side. Still, on the whole, the week was scarcely so triumphantly powerful as some which preceded and followed it. The Saturday night fellowship meeting was one of great interest. Some were telling of their persecutions; some of their temptations; some of their efforts to do good, and nearly all of their victories.

Our chapel was frequently found to be much too small to accommodate the crowd who thronged to hear the word of life. Care was taken to fill up every available portion of space, but we were often told that hundreds went away unable to gain admission. It was so on the fifth Sabbath, especially at night. Not only were the seats packed with human beings, but the aisles, the communion, the stairs, were crowded with anxious listeners, many also being in the vestry behind. The preacher was greatly assisted of God. His cogent reasoning, his striking illustration, his melting pathos, and his powerful appeal told well on his hearers. Numbers were striving to enter in at the strait gate, and sixty names were taken for the Lord. The week was a very good one. On Monday the

congregation was very large, but the prayer meeting somewhat feeble; eight professed to receive salvation. On Tuesday we had decided success; twenty-four names were taken. On Wednesday night the prayer meeting was enthusiastic. The word seemed irresistible; twenty gave in their names. On Thursday Mr. Booth was hastily summoned to stand by the sick bed of his sister. We were thus deprived of his presence. It had been announced that he would preach on the duties and responsibilities of parents, and the chapel was crowded. Mr. John Unwin ably supplied his place, and thirteen professed to find the Lord. The number had now risen to five hundred and twelve.

The services were now drawing to a close. Many felt wishful for them to go on. But the last Sabbath came,

and by many it will long be remembered. In the morning, we had a powerful sermon to parents. In the afternoon, a glorious love feast was held, in which many blessed testimonies were given, which must have been very encouraging to the mind of Mr. Booth. One man said that he was saved in the first week of the services. A fortnight afterwards, a young man who lives with him gave his heart to God. On the fifth Monday, he had the happiness to hear his wife make confession unto salvation. On the Tuesday night, his mother-in-law found pardon; and on Wednesday night, another young man, who lived with them, and who had been away fighting in the Crimea, became a child of God. Thus five in one house were brought to God; and the only remaining inmate, a little girl, had been to the communion rail, and was grieved that her name was not put down with the rest. A Reform brother told of his having, last year, invited some ungodly shopmates, several of whom were sceptics, to hear Mr. Booth, at South-street. Some of them were awakened and saved. One of the number was a very high churchman, who could scarcely stoop to enter a Methodist chapel. Since then, this man had begun to preach. The wives of some of these men, seeing the change in their husbands, resolved to go, and more than a dozen of them were saved. One young man said he had been a backslider four years. He had left his home and become a wanderer on the face of the earth. Happening to see a bill of the services in a window, he came, and was restored to Christ. Another, who came one

night to scoff, had been made a child of God. A woman, in a very touching manner, thanked God for the importunate invitations she had received from one of our members to hear Mr. Booth. She had once or twice come to the chapel door, but had thought, "If I go to chapel, I must give up the theatre, &c;" and, unwilling to do so, she had gone away. At last, however, she came. She was very dark, but the truth penetrated her soul, and she gave her heart to God. At night the chapel was densely packed, and fiftyfour were registered for the Lord. On Monday night Mr. Booth preached his last sermon. The chapel was again much crowded. A powerful appeal was made to the hearts of the unsaved, and many enlisted in the ranks of Jesus. On Tuesday an address was given by Mr. Booth to the converts who occupied, and indeed filled, the gallery. The body of the chapel was filled with members and others. At the close of his address Mr. Booth announced a prayer meeting, and asked those who were anxious for salvation to come forward to the communion-rail. Thirty-five came and obtained pardon, some of whom had held out against powerful convictions during the whole of the services, and in the last prayer meeting they were induced to yield. Thus closed the public services, during which many most depraved characters had been changed, many backsliders reclaimed, and six hundred and forty-six names registered for the different churches of the town. In many cases husband and wife, parents and children, brothers and sisters, have started together in the service of God.

Of the entire number who have made a profession of salvation three hundred and eight have given in their names for Scotland-street society; sixtythree for South-street; fifty-two for the Park; eighteen for our country societies; thirty-six for the Wesleyans; fifty-four for the Reformers; sixteen for the Primitives; two for the Association; twenty for Baptist and Congregational churches; and ten for the Church of England, besides some juveniles and others who were undecided. We pray that they may be kept, and that multitudes may be added to them.

REVIVAL AT BRIGHOUSE.-My Dear Mr. Cooke,-At the request of my excellent friend and brother minister, the Rev. T. G. Robey, the super

intendent of the Halifax South Circuit, to which the Brighouse friends earnestly join theirs, I will, with your permission, lay before the readers of our Magazine some particulars of a very interesting work of grace which has broken out in this town. Our valued brother, Mr. John Farrar, of Elland, will also, I understand, furnish you with some information as to an equally blessed outpouring of the Spirit which has been realized there. Soon after the Conference, the friends in Brighouse expressed a desire to secure the services of the Rev. W. Booth, but, though he was engaged up to the next Conference, our friends were resolved on having a series of special services.

Accordingly, early in the month of August, it was decided that these services should commence on Sunday, October 12th, and the office bearers and members of the church were earnestly and affectionately exhorted to plead specially for an outpouring of the Spirit in the closet, at the family altar, in the social means of grace, and wherever an opportunity presented itself. Much to our gratification, the friends entered most warmly into the matter, and many and earnest have been the petitions presented to the throne of grace on behalf of the unconverted part of the population. By this means very many of our members became blessedly prepared for the work; the reviving, quickening energy of the Holy Ghost had already commenced in their own minds, and we were led to expect a shower of soulconverting influence. And, my dear Mr. Cooke, that expectation has been gloriously realized. Every evening in the week preceding the Sabbath appointed for the commencement of the services was employed in holding special prayer meetings, that we might be led to adopt the best methods and plans for the promotion of the glory of our God, and the salvation of our perishing fellow men and women.

We had determined on keeping to the Sabbath appointments as arranged on the plan; accordingly, our brother, Mr. W. Holdsworth, formerly in this circuit, but now on the Bradford plan, preached in the morning and afternoon of Sabbath, October 12th, the congregations being very excellent, and the influence of the Spirit graciously vouch.. safed. In the evening of that day it fell to the lot of the writer to officiate; the congregation was large, and listened very attentively while he declared that there "is balm in Gilead." Large num

bers remained to the prayer meeting, and five persons professed to lay hold on pardoning mercy. During the week following that Sabbath, the Rev. T. G. Robey, myself, the Rev. W. Innocent, and the Rev. Andrew Lynn, sen., preached to very gratifying congregations, with very pleasing results. On the second Sabbath, October 19th, our esteemed brethren, Mr. John Denham and Mr. John Wood, both of Brighouse, were appointed to conduct the services. A public love feast was held in the afternoon, which was very largely attended, and a delightful influence was poured upon the assembly. Brother Wood preached in the evening to a congregation that comfortably filled the chapel, and during the prayer meeting several precious souls obtained a sense of "God's sweet forgiving love."

Brother Denham, Brother T. T. Rushworth, Brother T. Close, myself, and the Rev. T. G. Robey preached during the week in the order in which the names occur. On each occasion the congregation was very good, a considerable number of young people being regular in their attendance. For some time several of these seemed to come for no other purpose than to mock. This was the cause of a severe struggle throughout the week on the part of the people of God; our faith was sorely tried; but, though during the week the number who found pardon was comparatively small, we determined to persevere till our faith should triumph. Sabbath, October 26th, was a day your correspondent will not soon forget, as it was his happiness to be engaged in conducting the services of the day. The service in the morning was specially intended for the young converts, being founded on the passage, "They went forth to go into the land of Canaan, and into the land of Canaan they came." The preacher was enabled to speak comfortable words to those who had set out on the journey to the better country in the skies, and exhorted them to a patient continuance in well-doing. At the public lovefeast in the afternoon, the chapel was filled, and some blessed testimony was borne as to the power of saving grace, and the happiness that religion affords to its possessor.

The influence pervading the meeting was so glorious that we almost regretted being obliged to bring it to a close. Several of our earnest, warm-hearted friends went into the street before the evening service, and sang and prayed, and invited their neighbours to come and hear "words whereby they might

be saved." Indeed, this was done on every Sabbath evening during the services, with very gratifying results. On this evening, the chapel was crowded in every part. The congregation listened with devout attention while the preacher assured them that, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." The power of the Spirit was gloriously present. At the prayer meeting it was with difficulty that the people could be packed into the body of the chapel. Under these circumstances, it was not an easy matter to move amongst the people, to make inquiries as to their spiritual condition. Accordingly, the officiating minister requested every person present who was in the enjoyment of the blessing of pardoning love, to hold up their right hand; and immediately a host of hands went up in evidence of the possession of that blessed state of experience. We were instantly assured that, with the amount of faith that such a mass of believers could exercise, we may reasonably expect to realize a shower of soul-converting grace.

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Once more the minister asked if there was an individual present who would venture to put up his hand in token of his determination to seek salvation now. A man about fifty years of age put up his hand: upon which such a right royal" shout of "Glory," “Hallelujah," &c., arose as we never recollect to have heard before. The barrier of unbelief seemed to be completely broken down: large numbers came forward to the communion rail, and twenty-one precious souls secured the all prevalent advocacy of "Jesus Christ the righteous," and went home rejoicing in the possession of their uncontested pardon.

"How shall we equal triumphs raise,

Or sing our great Redeemer's praise?" The same minister officiated on the following Monday, Tuesday, and Friday; BrotherYeoman, of Dewsbury, on Wednesday, and our respected superintendent, the Rev. T. G. Robey, on Thursday. The congregations in every instance were very large. During the week, thirty persons gave in their names as having found salvation, besides those on the Sabbath day, some of them being cases of a most interesting kind. You will, perhaps, excuse me, if I mention one. On Monday evening, four young men were setting in pew together; at the commencement of the service one or two of them appeared to be trifling; but towards the end some of them