Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1862-09-19 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

PROGRESS OF AIETHODISM.—Without making too much of the statistics of a religious community, which may show an increase or the contrary in point of numbers, while there is no corresponding expansion or decline in the development and vigour of the body, we must yet acknowledge that an increase is always a cause of thankfulness, and a decrease of sorrow always, sometimes of humiliation. Looking on the present connexion, on its missions, and on the various sister or daughter churches which retain their association with it, we find enlargement almost everywhere. The only exceptions are the decrease in Ireland, which has already been accounted for,—that in Eastern British America, which is small,—and in two missionary districts of the West Indies, whose united losses are less than 600, while the increase in the Jamaica district alone exceeds 4,000. Thus the West India districts present a very encouraging net increase; and in all the other missions, whether in Europe, in Asia, or in Western and Southern Africa, though the increase of some is not large, there is no instance of a decrease. Nearly 520,000 members, with more than 40,000 other communicants on trial is the largest number ever recorded in the "Minutes' of our own connexion, though it has of late been much exceeded by the two Methodist Episcopal Churches of America.— Watchnian,  A curious scene occurred during the trial at Naples of Mr Bishop, the Englishman charged with conveying Bourbonist communications between Naples and Rome. The day was very hot, and the prisoner's counsel had Bo exerted himself in addressing the jury on behalf of his client that he was obliged to beg the President to defer his charge until he had changed his shirts The singular request was complied with.  A dreadful outrage was committed at Liverpool on Monday. A man, named Morris, was engaged in distraining at a furniture shop kept by two brothers, Neal and Charles O'Donnell, when Neal O'Donnell attacked him with a large knife, inflicting wounds which almost immediately proved fatal. On the police proceeding to the shop, Charles O'Donnell attempted a rescue, but after a severe struggle both brothers were secured.  Mr J. F. Hollings, one of the Magistrates and ex-Mayor of Leicester, on Monday committed suicide under very melancholy circumstances. He resided with his brother-in-law, Mr John Biggs, who formerly represented Leicester in Parliament, and had recently been greatly depressed, owing to the death of his wife. This is supposed to have preyed upon his mind, and on Monday morning he was found dead in his bedroom, having destroyed himself by strangulation.  The Prince of Wales and the royal lady who is shortly to become the Princess of Wales, seem to enjoy themselves much in Brussels and the neighbourhood. They have recently visited the field of Waterloo, and the other spots of historic interest around the Belgian capital. They attended a grand review of all the troops in garrison. It is asserted that the betrothal of the Prince and Princess took place on the 9th inst., at the Palace of Lacken, in the presence of King Leopold.  AN