Scalloway is a considerable village about six miles west of Lerwick, and contains a population of about 400. Here we have no chapel; but a place is rented which is regularly occupied as a preaching-room. There is a disposition to hear the word of God, and the Society amounts to 24.

Whalsay is an island belonging to W. Bruce, Esq, who generously supports the young Minister resident there. There is no Wesleyan chapel on the island; but Divine service is regularly held in a building on the Laird's premises; and, in addition to this, there is occasional preaching in several houses at some distance from the Preacher's residence. The members of Society are few. The population of the island is about 600.

Walls Circuit.

Walls chapel is on the west side of the mainland, twenty-four miles from Lerwick. It furnishes seats for 250, and is generally filled. It is ceiled, has a small gallery at one end, and is in tolerably good condition. The Society consists of 130 members.

Sandness chapel is also on the main

land. It seats about 139, and the average attendance is about 100. It is not ceiled, is in a bad condition, and greatly requires repairs. The districts of Walls and Sandness contain a popula tion of about 1,800. There are 35 members in Society at Sandness.

Papa-Stour chapel is situated on an island of that name to the north of Sandness. The sound is frequently crossed with great difficulty, as the current runs very strongly and rapidly, and the wind, particularly from the west, sweeping across the Atlantic, makes it very boisterous. The chapel will seat 120, and is generally crowded. population of the island is about 380.

The

Northmavin Circuit.

North-Roe chapel will seat 150; and the average attendance is about 120. At the end of this chapel there is a cottage containing three rooms, in which the Minister resides. This is the only chapel properly settled in this Circuit, and it is situated at the northern extremity, on the mainland. The Society connected with this chapel amounts to 60.

In Gonforth we occupy a room, which, by the kind consent of the Laird, has been fitted up for the accommodation of a congregation. It is well attended by about 30 people. Number in Society, 12.

North-Isles Circuit.

Norwich chapel, in the island of Unst, seats 200. There is a small gallery at one end, recently erected. Tire average attendance is about 150. Like many of the chapels above mentioned, it is not ceiled, and the levelled earth is the floor. The Society here amounts to 62 members. The residence of the Minister, containing four rooms, is about three quarters of a mile distant from this chapel. There are 17 other places on this island where there is preaching. The population is about 2,800.

Burra-Voe chapel, at the south end of the island of Yell, will contain 200. The average attendance is about 100. There is a small dwelling attached to it, including four rooms, occupied by a Supernumerary Minister. Twenty years ago this was a very interesting station; but, in one of those dreadful storms by which the Shetland fishermen are often overtaken, nearly all the Leaders and active male members perished. The Society at present numbers 24. The entire parish of Middle and South Yell contains about 1,700 inhabitants.

Fellar chapel stands on the island of Fetlar, and will seat 150. The average attendance is about 100. The floor has been very damp, and the seats have been injured. The Society here is only small, (16,) though there is a disposition to hear. The population of the island is about 750.

From this statement it will be seen that our chapels are of the humblest description, and that the money which has been contributed for their erection has been most economically applied. There are no debts on any of these chapels or premises. It would be improper not to bear testimony to the zeal, diligence, and generosity with which the late venerable Dr. Clarke attended to

the interests of the Shetlanders; the fruit of which is seen to this day, and, it is believed, will be seen for generations to come. Neither would it be justifiable to omit honourable mention of the late R. Scott, Esq., whose distinguished liberality has conferred permanent benefits on Shetland. Nor would it be right to forget the liberality with which several of the Lairds and heritors have given land on which to erect chapels, besides countenancing and facilitating the labours of our brethren in various ways. It is, however, most desirable that several of the chapels should be made more comfortable. In consequence of the want of ceiling and good floors, they are often very cold through the stormy months of winter; a circumstance which must affect the attendance of hearers, the aged, the infirm, and the delicate being discouraged. If Christian liberality will place at the disposal of the brethren even a few more pounds annually, much may be done to remove the evils above enumerated.

In addition to occupying the chapels, our brethren preach in many private houses. In the Lerwick Circuit there are forty preaching-places. In the Walls Circuit there are eighteen; in Northmavin, fifteen; and in the North Isles, twenty-six. It will thus be seen that, scattered over these islands, there are ninety-nine places where "Christ crucified" is preached, more or less frequently, to hundreds of the inhabitants of these northern parts of the British empire. The people are, indeed, generally poor; but many of them have been made rich in faith, and heirs of the inheritance that shall not fade away. They are often called to encounter storms, in which many perish; but, in reference to not a few of these, we sorrow not as men without hope, knowing that they have died in the Lord, and exchanged a scene of tempest, strife, and suffering, for one of safety, rest, and joy. There are thirteen Societies in the Lerwick Circuit; eleven in Walls; eight in Northmavin; and seven in North Isles; making a total of thirty-Line Societies. The returns made at the District-Meeting give the following numbers; viz.,—

With the exception of the town of Lerwick, the members of Society are in general so poor, that it is impossible for them to do much for the support of the ministry. On comparison, however, with another church, (which might be considered as in more favourable circumstances,) it appears that our people stand creditably in this respect. Something has been lost for want of system, regularity, and uniformity, in carrying out our rules.

But the District must ever be treated as a Mission, and must derive by far the larger portion of its support from the Contingent Fund. The whole case merits the kindest and most generous treatment that our circumstances allow.

It is stated with regret that the return of numbers from this District is not so large now as it was twenty years ago. In 1830 there were returned 1,330; whilst this year there is a return of only 1,223. After twenty years of labour, we might have hoped that the results would be different. It is but fair, however, to take a view of the circumstances that have contributed to produce this state of things. For some time itinerancy, if not entirely given up, was very much limited. This course appears to have seriously injured the work of God, and prevented its extension. In a country like Shetland, where the population is very much scattered, and where many villages or hamlets are from two to five miles distant from any place of worship, it is especially important that our system should be kept in full and efficient operation. And to the want of this, it would seem, the present state of our numbers is in part to be traced.

There is now, moreover, nearly double the agency, provided by other bodies for the religious instruction of this population, that there was twenty years ago. The Free Church has seven Ministers, who are zealously occupying important positions in the several places where they reside. The Independents and Baptists have more agents than they had. And the Scotch Church has been reinforced, and is doing more than formerly. It will be perceived, therefore, that the circumstances of our brethren are greatly altered. The question, then, may be asked, Is it needful to continue a supply of Wesleyan Ministers ? The Visiter answers in the affirmative, without hesitation. It is not his wish to say anything that might have the appearance of disrespect or unkindness toward any of the Christian bodies in Shetland; but, from all that he has seen

and heard, (and he has made extensive inquiries,) he is of opinion that the time will never arrive when the earnest, experimental, plain, and powerful preaching of the Wesleyan Ministers can be dispensed with in these islands. Hundreds have been instructed and benefited by this particular instrumentality; and it has operated beneficially upon other bodies. The labours of the Wesleyan body in these islands, and their results, it is believed, are looked upon generally with approval and good-will by all ranks; and Methodism occupies a prominent and respectable position. The Societies, however have suffered much, by emigrations and deaths, but especially by the loss at sea of many of the Leaders and more active members. The places of these individuals cannot be readily supplied. Many years must elapse before the oak arrives at maturity; and some time must pass away before the young can acquire the influence of their elders, arising from weight of character and standing in the church. It is matter of thankfulness, nevertheless, that there are some young men who are walking in the steps of their pious fathers, and who, it is hoped, may be their successors in the church.

There is a considerable amount of sincere piety, and of decided attachment to our Connexion, among the members of the Wesleyan Societies in Shetland. The last year has been, financially, one of great difficulty. The crops failed to such an extent, that only four months' food, on the average, was secured for the coun'ry. Multitudes have had to endure great privation; and, had it not been for the extraordinary means adopted, hundreds must have died of starvation. This state of their temporal affairs has,

doubtless, greatly depressed our people. But, although many of them are wretchedly poor in regard to the things of this life, they are rich in the enjoyment of spiritual blessings, and heirs of a kingdom that shall not fade away. Their country has a rugged and barren appearance, presenting none of the beauties of a more genial clime; for, as the stranger approaches the shores of Shetland, he sees not a tree; but there are not a few "trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD," that are flourishing in the courts of the LORD's house. Their hills and valleys are visited by many and terrific storms; so that many would advise the people to emigrate to a more favoured latitude; but it is their fatherland, and they are calmly looking forward to that better country which the storms and tempests of life cannot reach; and the hope of enjoying that inheritance cheers them in the midst of the howling blast, the pelting rain, and the roar of the ocean that surrounds their iron-bound coasts. Much of the support required for the sustentation of the ministry they cannot give; for they have it not. the charity and liberality of the Wesleyan Connexion will still afford needful aid for the maintenance of this work. little, poverty-stricken, junior daughter of the Methodist family will not be cast

But

This

off; nay, her poverty, her privations,

and her youthfulness will add force to her supplications, addressed to that church which never yet willingly turned a deaf ear to the cries of the needy and helpless. And the prayers of this daughter will bring down upon her benefactors the blessing and good-will of Him that dwelt in the bush. July, 1850.

4. DIED, July 7th, 1847, at Wooburn, in the High-Wycombe Circuit, Mr. Robert Long, aged thirty-eight. He was born near the village of Wilton, in the county of Wilts. In early life he was bereaved of both parents. This afflictive dispensation led to his removal to Wooburn. There, while very young, his mind was occasionally the subject of serious reflection. The preaching of the Rev. Thomas Mortimer, at that time Curate of the parish, was made a blessing to him. The convictions then expe

rienced were never entirely effaced. They restrained him from gross sin. It was not, however, until he reached manhood that he fully determined to seek the Lord. In this part of his life, as in many similar cases, the leadings of Divine wisdom graciously appear. He had not long finished his apprenticeship when he became a Teacher in the Wesleyan Sabbath-school. About the same time he entered the marriage-state. His new relation in society, he conceived, required from him a stricter moral decorum than

The

had been manifest. He probably felt also, in a salutary measure, the responsibility attaching to the office he held in the Sabbath-school. Accordingly he separated from his ungodly associates. Family prayer was commenced. Spirit of God wrought powerfully upon him. His distress on account of sin was great. Through the kind invitation of a friend, who observed his deep seriousness, he joined the Wesleyan Society, and was ever after thankful for the privileges to which he was thus introduced. For some months he was a sincere mourner before the Lord. Assurance of the Divine favour, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, was communicated in rather singular circumstances. He was called to visit relations a few miles distant from his dwelling. While going, he prayed earnestly that the Lord would bestow upon him the blessing he sought; and on his return his importunity prevailed. He had withdrawn, for earnest prayer, from the public road; and kneeling in a neighbouring field, with uplifted hands and heart, he received an assurance that the Lord pardoned his transgressions, and was filled with joy and peace through believing. From that hour he never doubted his acceptance. Soon after this he began to exhort his fellow-men to turn to the Lord. For many following years he was an acceptable Local Preacher, and for some time the faithful Leader of the class in his village. His experience was marked strongly by cheerfulness, humility, thankfulness, and confidence in God. His last affliction was protracted and very enfeebling. For preceding months he had evidently been growing in grace. And, as his outward man yielded to disease, his inward man was renewed day by day. His chief employment, after he was confined to his house, was prayer and praise. Satan was scarcely allowed to assail him. "Patience" had "her perfect work." Many were the blessed words of counsel, encouragement, and exultation which fell from his lips. In great peace he finished his course, baving for fifteen years commended to others a pure Christianity by a uniform and holy life.

JOHN ANDERSON.

5. There are some cases in which religion rescues from remarkable prominence in evil, and others in wh.ch it exalts to eminent usefulness. To neither of these classes did the subject of this brief memoir belong. Her piety flurished in private life; and it had been

early planted in a soil which never wanted the advantage of religious cul

ture.

Marianne Remmington was born in 1820, in the town of Omagh, where her father was then stationed as a Wesleyan Minister. With unanimity of sentiment, and unity of design and operation, Miss Remmington's parents endeavoured to bring up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." As a method at once attractive and impressive, they sought to make them familiar with the vital truths of religion as exhibited in the juvenile biography wisely supplied by the Methodist Book-Room. Marianne soon began to read with delight these publications, the hearing of which had, at a still earlier age, afforded her pleasure. This love for religious biography continued in after-life; and she frequently expressed her esteem for it, as being, next to the Bible, the most profitable kind of reading.

Miss Remmington's parents early enjoined on their children the duty of prayer; her father establishing it as a kind of maxim, that they should pray, at least, as frequently as they took their meals. It was, therefore, customary with them to retire for this purpose three times a day. In these engagements she soon evinced a lively interest; and, when about six years of age, using her own simple expressions, she began to ask, not only for herself, but for her brothers and sisters also, pardon and a new heart; adding, "Lord, let us not die, till we are fit to die!" She was also taken to a class-meeting by her mother, who watched over these indications of carly piety, and to whom she gave her unbounded confidence; nor did she even then esteem it a small privilege to be permitted thus to meet with such as feared God. When about ten or eleven years old, she was evidently and earnestly seeking the Lord. She heard sermons with great attention, and read her Bible regularly and con ecutively; a practice in which she persevered throughout her after-life.

It was not until the 1st of May, 1836, however, that she obtained a satisfying sense of her acceptance with God. This blessing she experienced in the Wesleyan chapel, Cookstown, immediately after the administration of the Lord's Supper, while her father was ergaged in prayer. He seemed on this occasion to have peculiar liberty of approach to God. Divine power attended his supplications; and the congregation