HOME NOTICES.

STATE OF RELIGION IN OUR CONNEXION AT HOME.-It will be satisfactory to many readers to know, that the general tenour of our information on this subject is of a pleasing nature. We have not yet heard, indeed, of many of those extraordinary visitations of divine influence, since our last Conference, with which so many Circuits were favoured during the preceding year. We hope, however, that we shall have proof, ere long, even in that respect, that "the LORD's arm is not shortened." And in the mean time, it is matter of much thankfulness, that in the ordinary and regular use of the appointed means of grace, very extensive good appears to be doing in various places. The Connexion at large, we are of opinion, has never been in a more peaceful and prosperous state. We are particularly delighted to learn, that in most of the Circuits, which received large accessions to their number of Members last year, the new converts have hitherto very generally remained steadfast. This we have heard, especially, on good authority, with respect to Burslem, Liverpool, Bradford, Leeds, and the County of Kent. It is a great blessing to witness extraordinary revivals of religion; but to retain the effects of them, and turn them to solid and permanent account, is quite as important, and, humanly speaking, far more difficult, and less frequently accomplished. We would not be too sanguine; but we have high hopes, in this respect, of the results of the revivals of last year. They were, very peculiarly, the work of GOD, in answer to prayer. Man, who often, by officious and selfish interference, mars such visitations, and diminishes their eventual utility, had less than usual to do with them in their origin and progress. And we hold, that, on this very ground, the fruit is more likely to remain. A letter from Bradford, Yorkshire, says, "Our new converts here are, in general, growing in grace. At the Conference in 1820, the number of Members was 1720. Now, besides 70 on trial, we have 2228. To God be glory!" And another from Liverpool states, "We have some gracious visitations here. We believe that between 30 and 40 persons have obtained a sense of peace with GOD during the last three weeks."-In several Circuits, our friends are zealously engaged, and with much success, in saturating their respective towns and villages with Religious Tracts,

on the plan of regular loan, and weekly visitation, described in the last Volume of the Methodist Magazine. For part of an interesting communication from Leeds, on that subject, we shall, if possible, make room in our next.

LORD BYRON'S LATE IRRELIGIOUS POEM." It is said, that the HIGHEST AUTHORITY in this kingdom has signified his marked displeasure at the blasphemies of Cain; and that it will consequently not be reprinted; at any rate that it will not be republished by the respectable bookseller whose name it now bears. The same authority is said to have expressed his surprise, that the two great Reviews of the day should have spared the immoral and pernicious works of LORD BYRON." (Literary Gazette.)

HORSE-RACES.-The last week of Sept. is the time appointed at Oswestry, in Shropshire, for the Annual Races; which there, as in other places, are characterized by scenes of abounding immorality. The friends of Religion in that town have, for several years, adopted a method of bearing their public testimony against the evil, and of preserving their families, and others, from its polluting influence, by united association for Religious Worship, at each other's chapels alternately, on each of the racedays; which has been attended, we are informed, by the happiest effects. There were also Public Meetings of the Sunday Scholars, and other Children, on the same days, to whom Religious Tracts were largely distributed, and suitable admonitions addressed.

SABBATH.-At a late General QuarterSessions of the Peace, for the county of Norfolk, on the motion of LORD SUFFIELD, seconded by EDWARD LOMBE, Esq., it was unanimously resolved, That a Recommendation be made to all Occupiers of Lands, Manufacturers, and others employing Labourers, Artificers, or Servants, by the week, that, in order to secure the better observance of the Sabbath, by removing all pretence for the neglect of so obvious a duty, and to enable the Poor to make their purchases without its violation, Friday be the latest day, on which the weekly wages be paid. -We earnestly invite the attention of all Religious Masters to this plan. It may in many cases be adopted individually, without waiting for a general concurrence. Wherever it is tried, we are sure it will greatly promote the comfort of the poor, and diminish, in all classes, the temptation to Sabbath-breaking.

EXPLOSION IN A COAL-PIT.-Extract

of a Letter from MR. REAY, of Carville, near Newcastle upon-Tyne, to the REV. E. GRINDROD, dated Nov. 23,

1821.

"The pit where the dreadful accident took place belongs to the Wall's-end Colliery, and is situated just behind our house. It has lately been sunk thirtyfive additional fathoms, to a new seam of coal of superior quality. The total depth of the shaft is one hundred and forty fathoms. The new seam discharges a great quantity of hydrogen gas; but by keeping it constantly in a state of complete ventilation, no danger was apprehended; and not the slightest accident occurred before the morning of the 21st of October, at eight o'clock, when it exploded. No blame attaches to any of the managers: the disaster was caused by an unusually great effusion of gas the preceding night, which had overcharged the ventilating current of air in the mine. No safety-lamps were used in this pit, as there is a bed of stone, in thickness eighteen inches, which lies near the middle of the seam, and requires to be blasted with gunpowder; in consequence of which the men all used candles. When the explosion took place, the noise of which resembled the report of a large cannon, there were fifty-six men and boys in the pit, two of whom were got out immediately, not having sustained the least injury. I, and another, then descended; and a sight the most shocking I ever beheld presented itself. Nearly fifteen feet perpendicular from the bottom of the pit, was one solid mass of men, boys, corves, &c. The afterdamp was so strong, that we could notendure it for more than a few minutes; and, though we exerted ourselves to the utmost, we were not able to bring one of the dying men with us to the bank. A second attempt proved alike unsuccessful from the same cause; and an hour elapsed before we could commence sending the unfortunate sufferers to the bank. Four only out of fifty-four were got out alive; and two of these died two days after, making the total number of those who lost their lives fifty-two; nine of whom were members of our Society. The scene was melancholy beyond description; and the consequences to the sufferers, and their sympathizing friends, are mournful in the extreme. Twentynine widows, and eighty-two orphan children, are left to bewail the loss of their dearest relations. I am happy, however, to inform you, that MR. RUSSELL, the owner, has ordered an allowance, to the bereaved families, of sums from five to twenty-five pounds per annum, in proportion to their necessities.

"I will thank you to request the

Editor to insert, in the Magazine, the following short account of the nine worthy members of our Society, who died by this awful providence."

(N. B.) We shall insert the interesting account, here mentioned, in the Obituary for this month. See page 137.

ROYAL BOUNTY.-A poor man, named GRANT, living on the estates of the HoN. W. MAULE, in the neighbourhoood of Montrose, and one hundred and eight years old, lately presented a Memorial to the King, through SIR B. BLOOMFIELD, in which he stated to his Majesty his extreme distress and old age. Amongst other arguments for royal bounty, he informed his Majesty, that if he was not the oldest of his Majesty's loyal subjects, he was at all events the oldest of his Majesty's enemies, for that he was present in 1746 at the battle of Culloden Muir, in which he had taken the side of CHARLES STUART. His Majesty, with that distinguished benevolence which has always marked his private character, has ordered one pound per week to be paid to the old man, during his life, and the same sum to be continued to his daughter, who now takes charge of him, and is upwards of seventy years of age, should she survive her father.

FOREIGN.

APOCALYPTIC CHURCHES.-Two American Missionaries, MESSRS. PARSONS and Fisk, as was intimated in our last Number, have lately paid a visit to the places in which several of the Asiatic Churches, addressed by ST. JOHN, were situated. The interesting Journal of this visit is inserted at length in "The Missionary Herald" for July and August, 1821, published at Boston by the American Board of Foreign Missions. We are compelled to select only the most important particulars. After visiting Smyrna they proceeded to Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia; and intended to complete the circuit by returning to Smyrna, by way of Laodicea and Ephesus; but were prevented from visiting the last two churches by the indisposition of MR. PARSONS, who has since recovered, and is now at Jerusalem. The following are extracts :

"Pergamos, Nov. 7, 1820.-At two we reached Pergamos, now called Bergamo. Passed an immensely large building, formerly a Christian Church, now a Turkish Mosque. This is said to be the church in which the disciples met to whom ST. JOHN wrote. Nine or ten minarets are to be seen in this city, from the castle, and speak the power of the False Prophet. Passed by what is said to be the tomb of Antipas: see Rev.

"Thyatira, Nor. 9.-At eight o'clock we reached Thyatira, now Akhisar. We read the address to the church in Thyatira, prayed to that GOD whom saints of old worshipped in this place, and then retired to rest; commending this city, once beloved, to the compassion of our Redeemer.

"Nov. 10.-The Turks have destroyed all remnants of the ancient church; and even the place where it stood is now unknown. At present, there are in the town 1000 houses, besides 200 or 300 small huts: there are about 350 Greek houses, and 25 or 30 belonging to the Armenians: the others are all Turkish. There are nine Mosques, one Greek church, and one Armenian church; four or five Greek Priests, and one Armenian. -Thyatira is situated near a small river, a branch of the Caicus, in the centre of an extensive plain. At the distance of three or four miles it is almost completely surrounded by mountains. The houses are low, many of them mud or earth. Excepting the Moslem's palace, there is scarcely a decent house in the place. The streets are narrow and dirty, and every thing indicates poverty and degradation.

66 Saturday, Nov. 11.-Went to the Armenian church at morning prayers. About 30 were present.

"Sardis.-We reached Sardis, now called Sart, at half past six, in ten hours' travel from Thyatira.

"Nov. 12, Sunday.-After our morning devotions, we took some Tracts and a Testament, and went to a mill near us, where three or four Greeks live. Found one of them grinding grain: another soon came in: both were able to read. We read to them the Address to the church in Sardis, and then the account of the day of Judgment: Matt. xxv. Conversed with them about what we read, and then spoke of the LORD's Day, and endeavoured to explain its design, and gave them some tracts. We had our usual forenoon service in the upper part of the mill; and could not refrain from weeping, while we sung the 74th Psalm, and prayed, among the ruins of Sardis. Here were once a few names, which had not defiled their garments; and they are now walking with their REDEEMER in white. But, alas! the church as a body had only a name to live, while they were in reality dead;

and they did not hear the voice of merciful admonition, and did not strengthen the things which were ready to die. Wherefore the candlestick has been removed out of its place. In the afternoon we walked out, and enjoyed a season of social worship in the fields. This has been a solemn, and, we trust, a profitable Sabbath to us. Our own situation, and the scenery around us, have conspired to give a pensive, melancholy turn to our thoughts. Our eye has affected our hearts, while we saw around us the ruins of this once splendid city, with nothing now to be seen but a few mud huts, inhabited by ignorant Turks; and the only men, who bear the Christian name, at work all day in their mill. Every thing seems as if GOD had cursed the place, and left it to the dominion of SATAN. There is now in Sardis no Christian family!

"Philadelphia, Nov. 14.-We reached Philadelphia, now called Allah-Scheyr, i. e. the City of God.

"Nov. 15.-Early this morning, THEOLOGUS, a Greek, to whom we had a letter of recommendation, went with us to visit GABRIEL, the Archbishop of this diocese. He has held his present office six years, and is reputed a man of learning; but is now quite aged, perhaps 75. Formerly he had one Bishop under him; now none, and but about twenty priests. His diocese includes Sardis on the west, and Laodicea on the east; but he says that there are not above 600 or 700 Greek houses in it. There are five churches in this town, besides twenty which are either old or small, and not now used. The whole number of houses is said to be 3000, of which 250 are Greek, the rest Turkish. We gave the Archbishop some tracts and a Testament. The city is situated at the foot of Mount Tmolus, and is nearly in the form of a parallelogram, and surrounded by walls now in decay. We counted six minarets. Saw the church in which, they say, the Christians assembled, to whom ST. JOHN wrote: it is now a mosque. We went to see a wall about a mile west of the town, said to have been built of men's bones. The wall now remaining is about thirty rods long, and in some places eight feet thick and ten high. The tradition is, that there was a church near the place dedicated to ST. JOHN, and when a vast multitude were assembled to celebrate his festival, the enemy came upon them and slew them all. Their bodies were not buried, but piled up together in the form of a wall. The wall seems to be composed, principally, if not wholly, of bones. On breaking off pieces, we found some small bones almost entire."

SMUT IN WHEAT.-" The nature of smut," says SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, "is now well known. It is a small and delicate microscopic plant, which would soon be destroyed by the variations of the atmosphere, if wheat did not offer an asylum where it could propagate itself. While it is only attached externally to the grain, and before its seeds or germs have penetrated into the plant, its germination may be effectually prevented by any operation which will clear the grain of the smutty powder, or that destroys it by acrid, corrosive, or poisonous applications. If nothing effectual is done for that purpose, the smut penetrates into the plant of the wheat while it is still very young. There it produces globules, which increase with the ear, and become perfect seeds when the wheat approaches maturity."

ELECTRO-MAGNETISM, &c.-Recent experiments, by MR. FARADAY and M. BоCKMAN, appear to have established a singular discovery, viz. that a needle may have four poles, or rather, that one line of steel may be two distinct magnets. In M. BOCKMAN'S experiment, which may be found in the Bibliotheque Universelle, the two extremities of a steel needle, under certain circumstances, became north poles; and the two south poles appeared in the middle of the needle. M. ARAGO, also, has announced to the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, that by winding a conducting wire round a bar of steel, he can produce as many poles, and consequently as many separate electrical magnets, as he pleases, in the same bar, either by common or voltaic electricity.

VISION. DR. BREWSTER, of Edinburgh, has published an important Paper entitled, "Observations on Vision through Coloured Glasses, and on their application to Telescopes, and to Microscopes of great magnitude." We can only state here one practical result of his interesting Experiments. He has ascertained. that vision through blue glass is painful and injurious to the eye, because it has the property of absorbing only the middle rays of a spectrum, viz. the green, yellow, and orange, and transmits the violet and the red. The spectrum, in such a case, consists of two separate images, the one red, the other blue; and the eye cannot see distinctly by means of rays of such different refrangibilities.-DR. B., after trying a great variety of coloured

glasses, found that a yellowish-green glass is best calculated to relieve tender vision. It almost entirely absorbs the extreme red rays, and extinguishes a large proportion of the blue. Hence it not only relieves the eye, by attenuating the light, but improves the image, by diminishing the error arising from its different refrangibility.

BRITISH MECHANICAL POWERS.-M. DUPIN, speaking of the immense mechanical force set in action by the steamengines of England, gives the following illustration of its amount:-The great pyramid of Egypt required for its erection the labour of above 100,000 men, for twenty years; but if it were required again to raise the stones from the quarries, and place them at their present height, the action of the steam-engines of England, which are managed at most by 36,000 men, would be sufficient to produce the effect in eighteen hours.-And M. DUPIN says, that if it were required to know how long a time they would take to cut the stones, and move them from the quarries to the pyramid, a very few days would be found sufficient.-The total number of the steam-engines in England represents a power of 320,000 horses.

INSTINCT OF THE BIRD Called, "THE HONEY-EATER."-CAPTAIN KOTZEbue, whose Voyage of Discovery is lately published, mentions the following circumstance. "The Hottentots, who have a very quick sight, try to observe a bee flying home with its honey, and pursue it; but they often would not succeed in following the bee, were they not assisted by the honey-eater birds, which perceive the intention of the men. The bird now pursues the bee, and gives the Hottentots, who pursue both, a signal by a whistle where the honeycomb is; and when they have taken out the honey, they throw some to the bird, as a reward for its service."--KoTZEBUE's Voyage of Discovery, vol. ii. p. 282.

EFFECTS OF MAGNETISM ON CHRONOMETERS.When HARRISON'S timekeeper was under trial at Richmond, it did not go as well as was expected. No one suspected the cause, till his late Majesty, GEORGE III., who interested himself much about the machine, suggested that it was affected by a magnet which was lying near it. The magnet was removed, and the time-keeper recovered its rate.