immediately pressed into the service of the Lord by the zealous evangelist; and, in the course of a few years, their sphere of usefulness had so enlarged that he was enabled to report that his fellow-labourers in the Gospel were twenty-three in number, that his plan of village labour included twenty-six places, and that the number of persons admitted into his religious societies, after due examination and trial, was three hundred and twenty-six.

Long before the work had reached this point of prosperity, Mr. Müller had placed himself in communication with the Committee of the Wesleyan Missionary Society in London, with a view to obtain such aid and direction as they might be able to give. The Mission would no doubt have been taken up by the Society and prosecuted with vigour had the way been clear to do so. But there were certain peculiarities in the laws and ecclesiastical usages of the country, which seemed to render it inexpedient to send regular Wesleyan Missionaries from England to Germany at that early period. It was, therefore, considered best for the time being, to direct, encourage, and aid Mr. Müller and his coadjutors in every possible way in the prosecution of their noble enterprise, and to await the openings of Divine Providence with regard to future action. For the long period of twenty-eight years did this zealous servant of the Lord continue to labour under the direction of the Wesleyan Missionary Committee, by whom the necessary funds were supplied for carrying on the work. In the early part of the year 1858, worn out with incessant toil, but happy in the Saviour's love, good Mr. Müller was called to his reward in heaven; and his remains were conveyed to their last resting place amid the tears and lamentations of multitudes of people who had been benefitted by his labours.

The father and founder of the German Wesleyan Mission having been thus removed from the scene of his hallowed toil, it became necessary to take immediate steps to provide for carrying on the work. In the first place, the Rev. W. B. Pope, M.A., of Hull, was requested to visit Germany, and report to the Committee the state and requirements of the Mission. This led to the appointment, in 1859, of the Rev. John Lyth, D.D., to Winnenden, who

for about five years rendered good service to the cause as General Superintendent of the German Mission. On the return of Dr. Lyth to England, he was succeeded in his office, in 1865, by the Rev. John C. Barratt; the Revs. John M. Morill, and George Terry, B.A., having taken part in the work in the interim. Nothwithstanding numerous difficulties which have presented themselves from time to time, a pleasing measure of success has been realised. The most encouraging feature of this mission has been the raising up of a large number of native evangelists to proclaim to their fellow-countrymen that Gospel which had made them so happy. By the blessing of God upon the agency employed, the work has expanded into ten circuits, supplied by one English missionary and ten German ministers and assistants, with a membership of one thousand nine hundred and fifteen, and two hundred and sixty-one scholars in the Mission schools.

Before we take our leave of this part of the European continent we must say a few words about SWEDEN, where a Wesleyan Mission was commenced in 1826; but, in consequence of peculiar circumstances, was ultimately relinquished. The first Missionary appointed to this country was the Rev. Joseph R. Stephens, who was sent there at the earnest request of a few English residents in Stockholm, with the double object of ministering to them, and of seeking to diffuse the light of the Gospel among the native inhabitants. He addressed himself to the study of the Swedish language with becoming diligence, and, in the mean time, he held religious services in English, which were highly appreciated by those who were able to profit by them. In 1830, Mr. Stephens was succeeded by the Rev. George Scott, D.D., who continued to labour in Sweden with much zeal and earnestness for about twelve years, amid many difficulties, but with considerable success. After a commodious chapel had been erected in Stockholm, and the work had made encouraging progress, a storm of persecution arose, and a spirit of intolerance was manifest by the civil and ecclesiastical authorities, which resulted in the withdrawal of the missionary, to the grief and disappointment of those who had been benefitted by his labours. It is believed, however, that the

spiritual results of the mission during its continuance will be seen in the last great day. It is a pleasing fact, moreover, that the north of Europe is not left entirely without the benefit of our form of Christianity, the Methodist Episcopal Church of America having extensive and important Missions in Norway, as well as in France and Germany.

GIBRALTAR, SPAIN, AND ITALY.

The Wesleyan Mission to GIBRALTAR was attended with circumstances of a very gloomy character in its commencement; but afterwards the sun of prosperity shone upon it, and it has been made a blessing to thousands, especially of the military, who have been, from time to time, stationed there. It was about the beginning of the present century that a number of Methodist soldiers. then quartered at Gibraltar, united in a petition to Dr. Coke that they and other residents at that celebrated military settlement, who felt their spiritual destitution, might be favoured with the services of a Wesleyan chaplain. This led to the appointment, in 1804, of the Rev. James M Mullen, as the first Missionary to Gibraltar. He arrived here with his wife and child, after a stormy passage, in the month of September. On landing they found the yellow fever raging among the wasted population with more than its usual violence and malignity. The fatal disease had invaded almost every family, and there was scarcely a house in which there was not one dead. The Missionary's little child had scarcely breathed the tainted air when it was seized with the malady. On the 10th of October, her anxious father, fatigued with constant watching by the couch of affliction, was himself prostrated with the fever, and on the 18th he was a corpse. Mrs. M Mullen had borne up during these days of woe with wonderful fortitude, being sustained by her unwavering faith in the goodness and wisdom of God; but at the hour which ended the life of her dear husband, she was herself smitten with the shaft of the pestilence, and followed him in a few days to the tomb. Contrary to all expectation, the orphan child survived; and, as soon as possible, was sent, under suitable care, to England. In His kind provi

dence the God of her parents gave her a home in the family of good Dr. Adam Clarke. That fatherly man and his excellent wife brought up the little Gibraltar orphan girl as their own daughter, and had the satisfaction of seeing her rise into life well-educated, amiable and pious. She became the wife of a Methodist minister, the Rev. John Rigg, and lived to see her children the subjects of Divine blessing in providence and grace, one of her sons being the Rev. J. H. Rigg, D.D., the esteemed Principal of the Westminster Training College. She finished her course in peace at Southport, on the 3d of June, 1869, in the seventy-third year of her age.

Four years elapsed after this dark cloud had passed over the scene before another attempt was made to establish a Wesleyan Mission at Gibraltar. The call being still loud and pressing, the station was at length resumed by the appointment of the Rev. William Griffith in 1808. On his arrival the Missionary received a cordial welcome from a few sincere souls who had been anxiously looking out for him; and he entered upon his work with a zeal and diligence which gave promise of success. Without loss of time, a small piece of ground was purchased, and arrangements made for the erection of a chapel. After many difficulties had been overcome, this desirable object was accomplished, and the building was opened for Divine worship early in the year 1811. Mr. Griffith was succeeded by the Revs. Messrs. Gill, Wood, Davis, Rees, Coscombe, Dixon, Pratten, Barber, Stinson, Rule, and others; but it is to the zealous and able minister last named that Gibraltar is more particularly indebted. Dr. Rule spent the long period of ten years in connection with the station, and in earnest efforts to introduce the Gospel into Spain. At different periods previous to his appointment, serious difficulties had been thrown in the way of soldiers attending the Wesleyan Chapel. Indeed, on one occasion, as early as the 11th of July, 1803, the year before the arrival of the first Missionary, a regimental court-martial was held, by order of Lieutenant-Colonel Ramsay, for the trial of Corporals James Lamb, and Richard Russel, and Privates James Hampton, John Reeves, and John Fluccard; charged with unsoldier-like conduct, in attending a Methodist meeting, contrary to

regimental orders. And, strange as it may appear, they were found GUILTY; and the sentence passed upon them was, that tho two corporals were to be reduced, and all the five men were to receive FIVE HUNDRED LASHES EACH! Persecution was not often carried to these extreme lengths it is true; but various annoyances were experienced, from time to time, till Dr. Rule adopted measures to secure to British soldiers the rights of religious liberty which are enjoyed by Her Majesty's other subjects. Ultimately, all military men who declared themselves Wesleyans, were not only permitted to attend our services, but regularly paraded and marched to chapel every Sunday morning. The attendance, of course, is fluctuating; but four or five hundred men have sometimes thus been marched to the Wesleyan parade service at Gibraltar. A blessed work of grace has, moreover, been frequently experienced among the soldiers, and we have met with pious men in different parts of the world who have thanked God that ever they heard the Gospel preached by our Missionaries at the "Rock." We have also heard them speak of happy prayermeetings in a secluded grotto in a mountain glen, well known to all praying soldiers. We have now on that station only one Missionary, twenty church members, and two hundred and seventy-five scholars in the Mission school; but the Gospel is faithfully preached to large congregations.

When the Wesleyan Mission to Gibraltar was first organised, it was not only with a view to the benefit of the military stationed there, but also with the hope that SPAIN and other neighbouring countries would ultimately derive considerable advantage from it. In fact, Gibraltar was considered to be the key to Spain, the Mediterranean, Northern Africa, and the Holy Land, in a Missionary sense, as well as in relation to political and mercantile affairs. And if this pleasing idea has not been realised to the extent that was anticipated, the failure must not be attributed to any neglect on the part of the agents of the Society; but to causes entirely beyond their control. The Missionaries stationed at Gibraltar, from time to time, have constantly kept an eye upon Spain, and have made frequent attempts to benefit the inhabitants;