ment will be read by Mr. H. Staines; Mr. F. Anstie, of Devizes; Mr. W. B. Harvey, of Frome; Mr. W. Saunders, of Plymouth; Rev. E. W. Thomas; and Rev. G. W. M Cree, which are expected to present several novel and gratifying features. The relation of Bands of Hope to Temperance Societies, Sunday Schools, National and British Schools, and Christian Churches will be brought into prominent notice. The best modes of conducting Bands of Hope will also obtain earnest attention. Should you have any suggestions to make in reference to these topics, or any other which you would prefer to bring before the notice of the Conference, you will please to communicate with us by letter, and your suggestions shall receive our best consideration.

The sittings of the Conference will be held in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Tea will be provided.

The Annual Meeting of the Band of Hope Union will be held in Exeter Hall, on Monday Evening, May 18th, when Samuel Morley, Esq. will preside, and the valuable services of the Rev. R. Maguire, M.A., of London; the Rev. J. Burns, D.D., of London; the Rev. Charles Garratt, of Preston; Benjamin Scott, Esq., Chamberlain of the City of London; and Joseph Payne, Esq., Deputy-Assistant Judge, have been already secured. Six hundred children, selected from Metropolitan Bands of Hope, will sing appropriate pieces.

The Committee will be glad to receive the names and addresses of any ladies or gentlenmen whom you may appoint to represent your Band of Hope. You will please to forward us their names as soon as may be convenient, when cards of admission to the Conference will be forwarded. Should you wish to secure the services of any of our agents, we shall be glad to hear from you to that effect.

Trusting that you may be able to send one or more delegates to our Annual Meeting, and Conference,

We have the honour to remain,

Yours faithfully,

M. W. DUNN,

G. W. M'CREE.

ANCHOR BAND OF HOPE, CAMBERWELL.-The First Anniversary of the above Society, was celebrated on Tuesday, April 21st. Tea was first provided in Waterloo-street School-room, of which between 100 and 200 of our juvenile and adult friends partook. The company then adjourned to Camberwell-hall, Grove-lane, where a large and successful meeting was held. Richard Barrett, Esq. occupied the chair, and appropriate addresses were delivered by the Rev. John Pillans and Messrs. George Cruikshank, T. B. Smithies, and G. M. Murphy. The meeting was greatly enlivened by songs, recitations, and dialogues from the youthful abstainers, in the latter of which some of them particularly excelled, and won the applause of both speakers and audience. The Anchor Band of Hope numbers between 300 and 400 members; the usual fortnightly meetings are very well attended, there being now generally as many as 200 children present, and the interest which many of them

take in the movement, augurs well for the future prosperity of the society.

WESTMINSTER WORKING MEN'S CLUB, DUCK LANE.-A numerous company of the members of the above prosperous institution, with their wives, assembled to listen to an excellent address on "The Beauties of Temperance Song," delivered on March 24th, by Mr. G. Blaby, agent of the Band of Hope Union, who, for nearly an hour and a half, kept his audience enchained, and the interest from flagging, by his eloquent illustrations of the evils of intemperance and the blessings of Temperance, by amusing anecdotes, and by singing a number of popular Temperance melodies, the audience joining heartily in chorus. Mr. Henry Shurety, who occupied the chair, and Mr. Edward Stephens, secretary of the club, both spoke of themselves as " brands plucked from the burning," and invited any present who might be hesitating, to follow their example, sign the pledge, and experience the same benefits. Mr. Blaby has been engaged by Miss Adeline Cooper, as Temperance visitor in connection with the Duck Lane Club, and has done good service during the past six months in the locality where the institution is situated, being very popular, not only with the adult members of the club, but also with the children of the One Tun Band of Hope, whom he frequently addresses.

WORKING MEN'S CLUBS.-Under the impulse and guidance of the Working Men's Clubs and Institute Unions, the movement for the formation of clubs and institutes for industrial classes makes steady progress. Additional clubs are almost daily being established, and there is a growing desire among the managers of mechanics' institutes to modify their constitution so as to allow of the adoption of the club features. The council of the Union have just issued the first of a series of "Occasional Papers" on the formation, progress, and results of working men's clubs, halls, and institutes, and in which short statements are given relating to clubs at Chorlton Marshall, Blanford, Littlemore, Iffley, Notting hill, Salford, Kensington Potteries, Duck lane (Westminster), and Southampton. These papers are designed to afford practical illustrations and enforcement of the objects and principles of the movement, and to enlist a more general sympathy in the public mind for these useful associations. A most interesting experiment is being tried in the vicinity of Soho square, where a number of men employed in the building trades are heartily engaged in starting a club. The rent of a house for the first year has been guaranteed by a member of the council of the Union, and a body of carpenters, plasterers, plumbers, &c., are attending to the necessary repairs, making furniture, &c., for the club. A subscription has been opened in the locality for the purchase of the wood and other inaterials, and the labour is thankfully given by those who are desirous of having such a club in their neighbourhood. An effort of a similar character, but conducted on a larger scale, was carried to a succesful issue recently in Scarborough, where a club has been open during a month or five weeks, and has already attracted 1,250 weekly members, all classes joining in generous rivalry to give labour and material. At Forest hill a meeting was held on Monday

evening, for the purpose of forming a working men's club and institute. The chair was taken by Henry Cole, Esq., and addresses were given by the Rev. Henry Solly, and E. G. Clarke, Esq. (deputation from the Working Men's Club and Institute Union), J. M. Hare, Esq., Charles Herbert, Esq., several of the leading local gentry, and a working man, a carpenter. The building will hold from 300 to 400 persons, and has in in connection with it a class-room and a basement floor, suitable for refreshments, smoking rooms, and for various recreations. The premises have been taken by W. J. Haynes, Esq, for three years, and are given by him, free of cost, for the use of the club. The working men of the district seem disposed to rally round the promoters of the club, and express their satisfaction at the extent to which the management will be left in their hands; and cordial promises of support to the effort are given by several gentlemen and ministers of the neighbourhood. The following resolution was carried by the meeting with great enthusiasm: "That the liberal and advantageous offer of Mr. Haynes to place these premises, under certain conditions, at the disposal of the working men of the neighbourhood for the formation of a Working Man's Club and Institute, deserves the warm and grateful appreciation of all classes in the district." The proceedings terminated with hearty votes of thanks passed to the deputation from the council of the Union and to the chairman. Similar progress is reported at about twenty other places in town and country.

GREAT BAND OF HOPE DEMONSTRATION AT LEEDS.-On Good Friday, April 3, the various Bands of Hope in connection with the Leeds Band of Hope League assembled in the Cotton Cloth Hall yard, numbering altogether more than three thousand children. Four or five excellent brass bands headed the different processions of merry lads and lasses as they moved from various parts of the town to the place of th meeting. The music, the banners, and the blending of so many young and joyous voices, produced effects upon the vast number of spectators not easy to describe. The several companies of this glorious army of cold stream guards having all taken up the positions assigned them, a public meeting was commenced by the singing of a highly appropriate hymn, which was performed in a style that reflected great credit upon those who had trained them. J. J. Flitch, Esq., presided, and delivered an address which evinced deep earnestness, remarkable adaptation, and a thorough acquaintance with the great object which had brought the vast assembly together. After the president's address another melody was sung, and then Thomas B. Baines, Esq. was called upon to address the meeting. All who know the father could feel at no loss as to whether the gentleman now addressing his fellow-townsmen was the son of one of our representatives of this important borough. Seldom has it been our privilege to hear from a young gentleman so much good advice delivered so well, and received with so much delight, on the part of children, as on this interesting occasion. After another melody, the great procession was formed, and passed along Boor-lane, up Briggate, up Upperhead-row, on Guildford, on Park-lane, to the front of the Town Hall. Here the assembly was immense, and could not be less than ten thousand people,

including the Bands of Hope. A second meeting was now held, Mr. Flitch again presiding. After a melody, the Rev. D. F. Sunderland, of London, was called to address the meeting, which he did in his usually earnest and effective manner. Another melody and another address, with three cheers for the Prince and Princess of Wales, and three cheers for the Leeds Band of Hope League, brought this most successful demonstration to a close, and the children dispersed to their various places of meeting, where a further treat of plum cake and tea awaited them, to which they did ample justice.

CAMDEN HALL, KING STREET, CAMDEN TOWN.-The usual tea festival was held on Easter Monday, after which was a public meeting, presided over by Mr. Chapple. The meeting was addressed by our friend, Mr. John Hilton, jun. (late of Brighton). Mr. Walter Ludbrook moved the adoption of a petition for closing public-houses on Sundays, which was seconded by Mr. Miller, and unanimously adopted, after which the Rev. G. W. McCree gave some striking arguments in favour of our cause. During the evening, several recitations and songs were given. Several pledges were taken.

ISLINGTON UNITED CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION & BAND OF HOPE.-A tea and public meeting was held April 7th, Mr. Matthew Ambler in the chair. Between 70 and 80 of the Band of Hope children partook of a very good tea. Prayer was offered by Mr. Lucraft, after which Mrs. Sharp, the secretary, read the report of the past year. Short addresses were delivered by the chairman, and Messrs. Gynne, Bayliss, Berry, and Riddell. During the intervals of the addresses, the children sang some temperance melodies, The pieces were sung remarkably well and with good spirit, reflecting the highest credit upon their efficient leader, Mr. W. H. Hosier. Master Harry Stanley recited " Meddlesome Matty" in an excellent manner, much to the amusement of the audience.

LABOURS OF THE AGENTS.

Mr. W. BELL has lectured since our last Report at the following places, addressing schools, meetings of young people, and adults:Salem Chapel, Bow Road; Moor Street, Five Dials; Ripon, Hull, Luddenden Foot, and Bradford, Yorkshire.

Mr. G. BLABY, during the month, has attended and addressed the following Bands of Hope:-Bloomsbury Refuge; Denmark Street, twice; Charles Street, Drury Lane; Barnsbury; Euston Station; Silver Street; Notting Hill; Christ Church School, Chelsea; Amicable Row, Asylum Road; Esher Street, Kennington; Moor Street, Five Dials; One Tun, Westminster; King Street, Long Acre; Stepney Meeting; Salem Chapel, Bow Road; West Green; Tottenham; and Willow Walk.

Mr. F. SMITH has attended meetings as follows :-Vauxhall Walk ; Milton Street, Dorset Square; King Street, Long Acre, three times; Forest Hill; Deverell Street, New Kent Road, three times; Commercial

Street, three times; Weir's Passage, Euston Road, three times; and Plumstead, Kent.

Mr. C. STARLING has visited and addressed the following Bands of Hope:-Baptist Chapel, Notting Hill; Carriage Works, Euston Station; Clerkenwell Parochial Schools, Amwell Street; Britannia Fields, Hoxton; Commercial Road Chapel; Cottage Green, Camberwell; Good Samaritan, Saffron Hill; Gee Street, Goswell Road; Vulcan, Blackfriars Road; Stepney Meeting; Kentish Town; Bloomsbury Refuge; Caledonian Road; Pond Place, Chelsea; and Forest Hill.

Mr. W. B. AFFLECK, and the Rev. J. KEELEY are at present lecturing under the auspices of the Northern Auxiliary. Mr. Keeley has addressed meetings as follows:-In Yorkshire-Hackforth, twice; East Cowton, twice; North Cowton; Northallerton: Reeth; Louron, Hurst, Gunnerside; Arkendale; Masham, twice; Tanfield; Ilton-Cum-Pat; Hurst; Tunstall; and Catterick. In Durham-Eppleby; Coxwal; Ferry Hill; Bishop Auckland; and Witton Park. In Cumberland-Lazonby, twice; Kirkeswald, twice; and Great Salkeld. Forty pledges taken at these meetings; met 500 children; twenty-six sermons preached for different societies.

Mr. W. B. AFFLECK has lectured during the last month at Bishop Auckland; Hurworth; Neasham; Gurney Villa; Coxhol; Kettlewell; East Cowton; Thornton; Silsdon; Embray; Carlton; Bradley; Shipton; Lazonby; Kirkoswald; Great Salkeld; Gamblesby; Lazonby; Bishop Auckland; Hurworth; Reeth; Richmond; Low Row; Gunnerside; Marrick; &c. The meetings have been large and successful.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

All communications should be written on one side of the paper only.

Names and Addresses should be written very plainly.

Intelligence should be sent early.

Books for Review, Articles for the Record, &c., may be sent to the Editor,

at No. 37, Queen Square, London.

J. BALE, Printer, 78, Great Titchfield-street, Marylebone.