The religious interest in Newmarket begun early in the present year in connection with union meetings held by the Baptist,, Congregational and Methodist churches. Meetings for prayer each afternoon and for preaching each evening were held for about three weeks, and the Lord crowned this union of His people with the manifestation of His favor. It is believed that the number of conversions in the town, as the result of this revival, is not less than two hundred and fifty.

· Most of the churches report the formation of auxiliaries to the "Woman's Board of Missions"; and perhaps in other ways are making progress towards the day when women will more perfectly know what their proper work in the church is, and will do it.

Generally in all Christian hearts there seems to be a disposition earnestly and sincerely to ask the Master, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" and an increasing readiness to do whatsoever the Lord makes known to them.

Strafford Conference embraces three counties: Belknap, Carrol, and Strafford. It reports thirty-two churches; ten with pastors; nine with acting pastors, and thirteen vacant. In this Conference are five churches which are a little more than the name and numbers accredited to them in our statistics. One of these (Tuftonborough) had four members some years ago. Barnstead, Moultonborough, North Sandwich, and Gilmanton, East, are virtually merged with neighboring churches, or those of other orders on the ground. The Conference appointed a committee to look after these churches and if they are really merged should not be reported another year. The twenty-seven remaining, says the narrative for this Conference, may be divided as Mosheim divides the events of each century; into the "Prosperous," and the "Adverse." Judging from the additions made by profession and from revival intelligence, the more prosperous are Gilmanton Centre, Alton, Rochester, Farmington, and Dover, First Church. These have each received more then ten by profession. Laconia, Meredith, Ossipee Centre and Tamworth, also, report a good degree of interest. Rev. D. L. Gear has been called to the pastorate of the church at Alton. This church is showing an improved condition, both temporally and

spiritually. The church has been repaired, a bell and organ purchased, and a parsonage, built largely by the aid of other churches, will probably be ready for occupancy soon. Spiritually, this people have been blessed, Christians have been quickened and some souls converted. The pastor at Farmington has been unable to preach for nearly a year. Dr. Tobey has supplied much of the time. Fourteen have been added to the church, and a deep interest continued through the year. Says the pastor at Gilmanton Centre: This church has more than held its own. Twelve have been added to it. During the winter there was a very pleasant and encouraging religious interest, commencing with the Week of Prayer. Union meetings were maintained for several weeks, and the number of conversions was large for a place of this size. Most of them were cihldren of the covenant, only three being baptized." Laconia reports prosperity. A deep, religious feeling pervades the community; evident, especially, in those outside the church. There is a field white for the harvest. At Lee one-fourth of the inhabitants in the town are in the Sabbath School, and five are ready to join the church. Meredith has grown in its church, Sabbath School and collections the past year. The church has become self-supporting, and, says the pastor, "Notwithstanding all we must deplore, I certainly think religion is the widest-awake thing there is here." At Milton Mills the little church is under a cloud. The pastor has left, debt weighs upon it, the house of worship is partly owned by another denomination, and the pulpit is vacant. The plea is for aid to buy the other share of the house and that this little flock may be remembered in our prayers. The former pastor of the church at Milton recently received eleven to that church and several more will soon join it. The church at Ossipee Centre is feeble, but has received four upon profession. There are several male members who do too little in support of the Gospel, and since last November there has been no preaching. Rev. S. H. Riddell supplied last sum

mer.

The church in Rochester has received by profession sixteen, with four more propounded. Prayer-meetings are better attended than any year before. The church in Sanbornton, prosperous

in the external, with pecuniary obligations faithfully met, and services well attended, yet longs for spiritual life; while many ask why this failure to touch at once the life-giving power of God and the hearts of men. The prayer of the church in Wolfeborough has been answered, and a shepherd sent them, Rev. Robert B. Hall, in whom they are cordially united.

The additions to the churches in this Conference furnish a strong argument in favor of household consecration, which is so eminently appropriate and scriptural; but too generally neglected. Last year these churches reported a net loss of eighteen members; this year there is a net gain of sixty-three. Let us thank God and take courage. The aggregate of contributions has also increased $145.55 over the year previous, notwithstanding the financial panic. This is due to the increase in one of our large, strong churches, the First in Dover. The percentage of increase is largest at Meredith, where the amount of last year has been more than doubled. Ossipee Centre comes next; then Rochester, Farmington, and Tamworth.

Sullivan Conference sends a report from thirteen churches; three having pastors; seven acting pastors, and three vacant. The church in Acworth installed their new pastor, Rev. James Marshall, June 9th. They report a quiet religious interest with an increased attendance upon the services and the Sabbath School. Charlestown has now a pastor, Rev. G. W. Kinne. In the community there is a determined purpose to build up the church, and many who have seldom been in the place of worship find their way to the services of the Sabbath. Things look hopeful in the field so long full of discouragements; and let the prayer be that the faith of the church may be strengthened and the labor of the ministry greatly blessed to this people. Cornish has been greatly blessed by the labors of James Jackson, a licentiate, who last Spring begun earnest work in that place. There have been added to the church twenty; while nearly as many more are indulging a hope in Christ.

Union meeting were held in Claremont and were useful. Fifteen have been hopefully converted. The salary of the pastor has been increased, and a new bell put in the tower of the house of worship. No service is held at Croydon; and this is one of the churches "nigh unto death." In Goshen there is union ser

vice with the Baptist. There has been more than usual interest here, and forty-five cases of conversions. The Union Sabbath School is large and interesting. Langdon and Alstead unite under the ministry of Rev. G. F. Chapin. Lempster is afflicted in the removal of important members; yet those who remain are not discouraged. The church edifice has been repaired and a new organ purchased.

Newport is encouraged by a general interest in religion and several conversions. The pastor, Rev. G. R. W. Scott, has been dismissed and gone to a neighboring State, and Rev. E. E. P. Abbott was at once called to be acting pastor. The spirit of error and indifference at Washington demand unusual fidelity in that church. Five bave united with the church the past year, and $500 have been expended in repairs upon the house of worship. Meriden has been greatly blessed by a revival. Many of the students in the Academy were deeply interested, and not a few converted. Two hundred dollars have been expended upon the church.

SUMMARY.

Churches. The number of churches reported, 194, is the same as last year. A church of twelve members was organized at Monroe August 18th; the report of which will appear next year. Several of our churches have been so merged with other organizations that there seems little justice in reporting them. This should be considered by the different Conferences at their meetings next year.

Ministers. The number of ministers is the same as last year; as is that of pastors. During the year twelve pastors have been installed, six with ordination, and nine dismissed. Only one pastor has died,-Rev. James Laird-but death has taken six from the ministry of the State. Some of these who have been dismissed or died, were men of long and useful labor here, and from their ministries many are now in the pastoral office. There are seven more acting pastors than there were last year, and eight less ministers are reported without charge.

Seventy-five churches have acting pastors; forty-nine are vacant; fifty ministers are without charge, one-half these are disabled from active service.

Additions. The number of additions reported is larger than usual; 1,069-743 by profession, and 326 by letter. This is larger than last year in the total by 232; 208 were by profession and 24 were by letter. The removals number 760. There has been a real gain of 309 members, making the gain of this year 290 more than that of last year. Nearly half the additions have been in fifteen churches. The largest at Mont Vernon, where a church numbering 133 has received 55-nearly 70 per cent. on the membership of last year. Six churches have received 239; making 43 per cent. on their membership one year ago. The largest, following in order, are Hinsdale, 41; Hanover Centre, 40; Manchester 1st, 37; Marlborough, 36; Newmarket, 35; Troy and Exeter 1st, 32. Fifteen churches have received more than 20 each. The baptisms were, adult, 482; infant, 189.

Sabbath School. There are reported in the Sabbath Schools 23,431 members-a gain of 266 over last year.

Contributions. The whole amount reported is $41,189.18. This is a gain over the preceding year of $484.21. Coos Conference is reported the same. Merrimack loses, while each of the others gains-Cheshire nearly $800, and Rockingham more than $1,200. Nine churches report each more than $1,000. The Franklin Street, Manchester, the largest sum, and the 1st Nashua is next.

The result of this yearly review is, in many respects, encouraging. There has been an external prosperity in many of our churches greater than in years before, and the spiritual strength has been greatly increased in some. The improvements upon the houses of worship is noticeable; and does it not indicate that these churches are seeking to impress the thought that they are not to give up, but intend to keep the lamp of the Lord burning? Who will tell the spiritual increase from the more than a thousand who have joined our churches? What is the type of the piety they will manifest? Who is to determine it? If these come as recruits of earnest, faithful Christians the whole State will feel their power. If New-Hampshire is still to be the seed-bed for other States, some of the seed must drop on the old soil. Let these churches so fully