Empire. The recent extension of the anti-Papal agitation into Austria is due to the same causes as those which have produced it in Bavaria: it comes short of a movement such as those which have marked memorable epochs in the realization of the true objects of the Church of Christ. Yet, it must not be forgotten, the mere clearing of the ground is a great gain; perhaps that so much as this be done slowly may in this case be a necessity; and perhaps, too, spiritual results will in the end unfold themselves more freely and widely for the delay which we are apt to deplore, the temple rise all the fairer and more quickly for the restraints, as we interpret them, which the Divine Builder in His wisdom sees fit to put upon His own cherished work.* London, January 17th, 1872. Ar the present juncture the following particulars relative to Methodism in Germany will be read with interest. They are taken from a recent number of "L'Evangéliste," published at Nimes: STATISTICS OF METHODISM IN GERMANY. Ar a time when attention is being directed to the political and religious movements which are taking place in Germany, it may be of use to recall to mind the progress which Methodism has already made in that highly cultivated country. The most recent statistics of the three branches of Methodism now at work in Germany, and in German Switzerland, exhibit a total of eleven thousand Church-members, with between two and three thousand members on trial, representing probably some sixty or seventy thousand persons who attend Methodist places of worship. Long before there was a question of sending missionaries to Germany, Methodism was favourably known there. In 1738 Wesley spent three months in that country and in Holland; in 1783 and 1786 he revisited Holland, and during these visits he came into contact with many Christian Germans, who were distinguished both for their piety and their intelligence. The intercourse which Wesley had with the Moravians contributed to make his name and his labours familiar to their countrymen. The religious press, moreover, was not silent on the subject of the great evangelical movement which was taking place in England. Doctor Burckhardt, a German clergyman, attached to the chapel in London called the Savoy, took a deep interest in the work of the brothers Wesley, and published, at Nuremberg, "A Complete History of the Methodists in England." This book reached a second edition in 1795. In 1806 two pious ministers of the Lutheran Church, wishing to form their own opinion of Methodism, of which they heard contradictory reports, came over to England, and asked permission to be present at the sittings of the Conference. One of them addressed the assembled ministers in English. The President of the Conference, who that year was Dr. Clarke, replied to them with cordiality, and they retired, expressing their lively satisfaction with all that they had seen and heard, and taking with them a copy of Wesley's Works. Dr. Tholuck, during a journey which he took in England, in 1825, posse sed himself of all the more important works treating of the principles and history of Methodism. In a conversation he had with Mr. Henry Moore, he spoke of the excellent influence which some of Mr. Wesley's sermons had had on a religious movement which had been commenced at Berlin and in Pomerania. Neander was so struck with the work effected by Methodism, that he did not hesitate, in his course of lectures on Ecclesiastical History at the University of Berlin, to place Wesley and Whitefield side by side with the Reformers of the Sixteenth century. Dr. Tholuck, who stated this fact at one of the annual Missionary Meetings in London, added that several students, himself amongst the rest, were led by this tribute on the part of Neander to the memory of these two servants of God, to read and study their works. "There was amongst us," continued Tholuck, " a young man of high rank and remarkable talent, who afterwards became professor of theology, and who was so affected by the perusal of some of Wesley's sermons, that he translated and published several of them. This was in 1822. They were very favourably received, and produced a strong impression on the hearts of those who read them. From that time they have continued to be published; we have also been presented with translations of the Lives of Fletcher and Whitefield, and the Life of Wesley, by Moore, is also about to be published." F. A. Krummacher, father of the celebrated court-preacher, published at Hamburg, in 1828, a translation of Southey's Life of Wesley; eleven years later, Mr. Watson's book on the same subject was published at Frankfort, with a preface by M Bonnet. In 1840 Mr. Jackson's work appeared at Berlin; and two years later, a book on Methodism, by Baum, was published at Zurich. The publications issued in Germany since that time, either in opposition to, or in favour of, the Methodists, are too numerous to be referred to here. The soil then was thus prepared; but it was only tardily that Methodists began to contribute directly to the evangelization of Germany. The commencement was after the following manner :-A German, named Müller, was converted in London, where he became an "exhorter" and class-leader. On his return to his native country, Wurtemburg, after an absence of fourteen years, he could not but make his relatives and friends acquainted with the change which had taken place in himself, and began to hold in the villages little meetings for religious purposes. A revival of religion followed, and the converted were formed into classes. Müller, finding that the work required all the attention he could possibly give to it, gave up his business, and devoted himself to the work of evangelizing his fellow countrymen. This movement, begun in 1831, resulted in the formation of small churches, which now comprise one thousand eight hundred and fifty members and thirteen ministers, and which have extended themselves from Wurtemberg into the duchy of Baden, and quite recently to Austria. Another section of Methodism has taken root in Germany in a manner equally providential. A German, named Albrecht, converted in America through the instrumentality of the Methodists, was led to take an active interest in the religious welfare of his fellow-immigrants in the United States. The work which he commenced at the beginning of this century has grown to large dimensions, under the name of the Evangelical Association. After having laboured amongst the Germans of America, the Albrecht Methodists, as they are also called, have been led to give their attention to the Germans of Europe. They have this year held their sixth Conference, at Strasburg, where they began to labour some years ago. They have now in Germany three thousand and seventy-one Church members, fifty Sunday-schools, attended by three thousand and thirty children, and twenty-four itinerant preachers. The largest and most enterprising branch of Methodism in Germany is undoubtedly that connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church of America. This too owes its origin to evangelical labours undertaken in behalf of Germans in the United States. It is divided into seven districts: Bremen, Berlin, Frankfort, Ludwigshaven, Carlsruhe, Zurich, and Basle. These districts comprise more than sixty Circuits or stations, upwards of sixty ministers, three hundred and eighty-six places of worship, two hundred and seven Sundayschools, attended by nine thousand two hundred and sixteen scholars, six thousand and ninety-two Church-members, and one thousand three hundred and sixty-nine on trial for membership. It also possesses a book-agency, which publishes, in addition to tracts or books, five religious journals. Its establishment for the training of ministers is at Frankfort. During the past year, notwithstanding the Franco-Prussian war, this Church has had an increase of two hundred and eighty to its members. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE PURCHASE OF MISSIONPREMISES IN ROME. Ir is with no ordinary feelings of satisfaction and thankfulness that we aunounce to our readers the purchase of suitable premises in Rome for the carrying on of the various branches of our Mission work. After a lengthened and diligent search throughout the city, an eligible and obtainable property was found. As the proprietor was anxious to effect an immediate sale, the Committee appointed a Deputation to examine, and, if they deemed it desirable, to buy the property. It is situated in Via della Scrofa, in the midst of a thick population, and in the current of the most crowded thoroughfares. At the same time, it is a neighbourhood in which many respectable families live, and in which a superior class of business is transacted. The premises themselves, which are lofty, substantial, and imposing, can be seen all along Via Ripetta from the Piazza del Popolo; they consist of convenient, and well-let shops on the ground floor, of two flats of excellent and commodious houses, and of spacious and comfortable attics. There is a quadrangular square in the centre, which affords light and ventilation to the whole building. The Deputation report that by the appropriation of two of the smaller shops and of a warehouse, a church may be constructed, having an entrance from the front and from the side, and furnishing accommodation for upwards of three hundred persons. The alterations and adaptations, which will not be expensive, will be made under the direction of a local architect, who has recently built the Presbyterian church; and the edifice when finished will be in perfect keeping with the unobtrusive simplicity and working power of old Methodism. This property, although acquired at the large cost of £10,000, is considered by competent judges to be really cheap. Since Rome has become the capital of the United Kingdom of Italy, property has rapidly increased in value, and it is extremely difficult to obtain building sites within the walls of the city. Other competitors were in the market who would have paid a higher sum; but the proprietor having given a pledge to us, he would not withdraw his offer. At present a considerable sum is spent for the rent of the room now used for worship in Via Barbieri, and for the rent of Signor Sciarrelli's house, and there is no school-room. The new premises will furnish all that and still leave several shops and is required for these various purposes, houses to be let, which will yield an annual revenue sufficient to cover the canone, or ground-rent, and other incidental expenses, and leave a large margin towards the permanent support of the Mission. Our prospects in Rome are exceeding hopeful. The congregation at Via Barbieri, which is composed exclusively of Italians, averages about a hundred; upwards of fifty members have been united in Church fellow. ship; old prejudices against Protestantism are giving way; and the people are beginning to "search the Scriptures." It is expected that the new church will be ready for occupation in the spring, and the Committee would earnestly request their friends to join in fervent supplication that the dedicatory services may be signalized by the especial presence of God. THE EFFORT FOR THE EXTINCTION OF THE SOCIETY'S DEBT. WE beg again to call the attention of our readers to the spirited and generous effort which has been made for the twofold object of providing churches in Rome and Naples, and for the extinction of the Society's debt. Towards £32,000, which is the sum required, nearly £25,000 have already been promised. The Committee are extremely anxious that this important movement should be promptly and vigorously aided by all the branches and auxiliaries. The gentlemen who so liberally commenced it deserve the thanks of the whole Connexion. Nothing is wanted to secure complete and immediate success but systematic and pervasive action. "Let every one do according as he is disposed in his heart," and thousands in distant lands will be benefitted by the deed. PORTUGAL. I AND now as to the work of the Lord in this place. When we arrived in the middle of last February, we found an interesting little church already formed, and more Methodist in its style and rules than I should have expected to find it. The classes were well attended, albeit there were but few members of long experience, and many who had but little light: however, they took to this means of grace in a manner that showed its suitability to them. spoke as well as I could when meeting with them, using the Spanish, which they understand. At the chapel, which lies a mile south of the city, the Sunday service was well attended, Mr. Cassels doing the whole of the work here and at the evening service at the city hall, together with the week-night service, to say nothing of the three classes. Miss Smith held a little Sunday morning service on her premises, with a Sunday-school in the afternoon, superintended by Mr. Fletcher, United States Consul, who had been asked by the members to come and teach them. In a fortnight after our arrival, through the hospitality of Mr. Fletcher, we were able to come into the city, and remain within reach of the friends who wished to call upon us, and showed much kind feeling. At this time the services at the hall were largely attended. There was no lack of listeners, some coming because they were interested, some because they were curious, and some with the worst of motives, bent on disturbing the service by misbehaviour, or on breaking it up altogether. It was very difficult sometimes to maintain order; for, apart from sinister motives, these people are not taught to conduct themselves with propriety in their own churches; how much less, then, where they might fancy they heard heresy? But worse than those who came rattling over the floor with their clogs, -hard-working artizans,-were those a grade or two higher, young clerks or even students, incited by bad motives, and, without doubt, by their priests. Of these we had a good number, and with them we had to fight a severe battle. One week-night, when there was a large attendance, which seemed to bode no good, we announced that in the following week no one would be admitted without a ticket. The night when this order was to take effect came, and with it a large crowd, composed to some extent, unfortunately, of persons who were willing to behave well, but who, not being known, could not be admitted. The turbulent were also there, trying to force their way in, but were baffled. Another week found matters worse, and in the end the Civil Governor, Count de Samodaes, had to take active steps to put the tumult down.-From Rev. R. H. Moreton, Oporto, January 1st, 1872. THE amount of Contributions and Remittances announced on the Cover of the Notices this month is £11,882. 2s. 6d. OUR ARMY AND NAVY WORK. EXTRACTS FROM SOLDIERS' LETTERS, ADDRESSED TO REV. J. WEBSTER, THE GARRISON, PORTSMOUTH. Chatham. From Sergeant -I am still enjoying much of the love and presence of God, Sergeant —, I am happy to say, is still hopeful, but cannot yet get over the trial of praying in the barrack room. I know how I felt before I broke the ice. I could not rest; but when I managed to overcome the difficulty, the happiness I experienced more than repaid me. May I never shrink from taking up the cross for Him who bore the Cross for me! I am happy to hear of your having an addition to your class. I think I shall have the pleasure of meeting with you again, as our regiment is not likely to move to Ireland before the beginning of the new year. I had the satisfaction of attending a love-feast on Sunday afternoon. I enjoy these meetings. It is encouraging to me to bear those who have been long travelling in the heavenward road, and are now drawing near the end, telling of the difficulties they have overcome, the battles they have fought, and the victories they have won. I have received two letters from Bombardier J, from which I learn with pleasure he is still holding fast his profession. From the same. I had the pleasure of visiting the Soldiers' Home in connection with our Society at Brompton last evening. It is a very comfortable room, and although not to be compared with the one at Aldershot, is a great boon to the soldiers stationed here; and, judging from the number that were there last evening, I should think they thoroughly appreciate it. I am sure you and Mrs. Webster would rejoice to have such a place in Portsmouth. I am glad to be able to tell you, and I know you will be pleased to hear, that Sergeant at the prayer-meeting last evening found peace with God. We had a powerful sermon last Sunday on the subject of "Christian perfection:" my soul was greatly blessed. The minister dwelt upon the enjoyment of this great and blessed privilege as being the great want of the Church; and gave it as his belief that there would speedily be a great revival throughout the land were this blessing sought and obtained by Christian people. May God in His mercy hasten its coming! From Private ―, on furlough.— I am glad to inform you I am getting better, thank God, but not very fast. I found all the members of my family well and happy; for the love of God reigns in their hearts, and where that is, happiness is sure to be found. I thought of the room behind GreenRow chapel on Monday night, but I was very pleasantly engaged at home. They hold the village prayer-meeting in my father's house on Monday evenings, and my father asked me to open the meeting for him. This I did; and I felt thankful to God who had enabled me to fulfil such a duty. O, how amply was I repaid to see the hearts of those I loved so well gladdened to know that I was striving, with the help of God, to walk in His ways! I hope that S, according to promise, is taking my place in the Sundayschool. I have been too sick to go out, and have done hardly anything else but read to my mother. This is a very quiet place, but I enjoy the tranquillity; it seems almost like a little heaven to me after the barracklife in Portsmouth. VOL. XVIII.-FIFTH SERIES. N |