Mr. AITCHISON'S "HINTS ON EYESIGHT."

HINT No. 26.

ONE-EYED." The doctor who recently stated that one of His

Majesty's Judges was blind in one eye and did not discover the fact until he was forty years of age, was probably unintentionally conveying a wrong impression. I do not believe it possible for an intelligent person to live forty years with one eye totally blind and be unaware of it. It is quite possible for the eye to gradually lose its power and the owner only to find out his loss when it is too late for it to be remedied. This only shows that the eyes should be regularly tested at least once a year and my system of sight testing pro- vides for this.

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THE UNITED METHODIST.—THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1908.

On Biting the Glove. By Christopher Hunt. —See page 421.

The

Vildted Met THE WEEKLY JOURNAL OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

With which is incorporated the "Free Methodist," founded 1886.

NO. 23. NEW SERIES. [otip°01.] THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1908. [REGISTERED.] PUBLISHED WEEKLY. ONE PENNY.

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.

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IT is agreed that the study of the Bible itself is a more profitable exercise than the reading of many books about it. But Bible-study has suffered in the past, and is still suffering, from the uncritical and unjustifiable assumptions that are interwoven with it in the minds of many readers. It has been taken for granted that the Word of God must be inerrant, consistent in all its parts, as truly inspired in Judges as in John; and therefore the criticism of anything in it from the side of history or science or ethics has been regarded as an attack upon the whole Divine Revelation. All this is, of course, pure assump-tion, contradicted by much in the Book itself and quite out of accord with its spirit. But the error has still to be reckoned with it is responsible for the most serious difficulties that arise in the mind of the devout student and for many a strained interpretation, and it gives direction and point to the attack of the unbeliever. Let the Church dismiss this heresy and many of its friends will be relieved and many of its foes disarmed.

Until recent years this was looked upon as dangerous teaching, and was confined, for the most part, to whispered confidences behind locked doors or to treatises whose only appeal was to the theological student. But in the last decade this doctrine has been proclaimed from the house-tops : and there is a book now before us in which it is taught openly and definitely—a book that is written in a more popular style than any that I have seen upon this subject. I refer to Dr. Monro Gibson's "Inspiration and Authority of Holy Scripture."* Dr. Monro Gibson writes out of his own experience—and that is always the best writing. When he began his ministry forty-four years ago, he held the old theory of inspira-tion. It involved him in frequent perplexity; and in time he saw that it was wrong. Gradually he has worked out of it, and has reached " a con-viction of the inspiration and authority of the sacred Scriptures far stronger and more satisfac-tory than I ever had in the old days." He declares his findings in a book that is full of sweetness and light, beautiful in the apt and illuminating use of Scripture, lucid in simplicity of style and choice illustration, and, withal, so devout and sympathetic as to charm away the antagonism of the most conservative reader. The book should have a wide circulation in our churches, and might with great advantage be-come a text-book in classes for the education of our young people. And many of our more advanced members and teachers, who receive no new information from this volume, may learn a most salutary lesson in "the art of putting things."

'The argument may be summed up in a few sentences. It does not start from a definition of inspiration, but from an account of the facts the theory is to be formed at the end of the inquiry and not at the beginning. The Bible is not a revelation, but a record of a revelation.

National Council of the Evangelical Free Churches. QS. 6d. net.

The Treasure in Earthen Vessels.

BY REV. G. G. HORNBY, M.A., B.D.

414 THE UNITED METHODIST. MAY 7, 1908.

It contains the history of a prophet nation, remarkable for (r) an abiding consciousness of the immanence and transcendence of God; (2) a quenchless passion for righteousness; (3) the growth, of a lofty spirituality. "The religion is not like the people at all. It is infinitely above them." The prophet nation needs training even more than it needs teaching : and so its history becomes a Divine discipline. The substance of revelation is concerned with God, Man, Salva-tion : and it is all summed up in Christ. The authority of this revelation is internal and not external. It is found ultimately in "The Holy Spirit of God and of His Son Jesus Christ speak-ing . . . to the consciences and hearts of those who are of the truth." Those who seek it elsewhere have broken away from Christ's own example.

Dr. Gibson turns now to the record of revela-tion. He has already insisted that "we cannot discover any sign of special arrangements having been made to secure it. It seems, as a rule at least, to have been left to what we may call ordinary Providence." He proceeds to indicate the necessary limitations of the record. They are three-fold, and relate to (r) the human agent, who must be persuaded and not coerced; (2) the language, always inadequate for the perfect ex-pression of thought ; (3) the literary form, begin-ning in myth and legend and gradually develop-ing. But it is pointed out that " the inspiration which runs specially along the line of the moral and spiritual has, at the same time, an enlarging and refining effect on the action of the mind in regard to subjects only incidentally touched." The prophet of the exile, for example, was not acquainted with modern astronomy : but the Astronomer Royal of the twentieth century could not write anything better than the fortieth chap-ter of Isaiah. "How did this come to pass ? Because he was inspired so as to see the great results of modern astronomy ? Certainly not; but because he had a vision of God, and God is greater than all His worlds."

There is therefore a place for reverent criticism of the Scriptures. In fact, every devout reader is a critic. The Bible that shows clean pages in Leviticus and well-thumbed pages in the Psalms belongs to a higher critic. For its owner has found that there are degrees of inspiration; and, whatever he may claim in theory, in practice he is using a critical faculty that has been trained in the school of spiritual experience. If he attempts to reconstruct his theory of inspiration, it is here that he begins. He finds a truth that shines by its own light: the light falls upon other pages in the Bible, and makes them plain :— some are preparatory for the great revelation, some are explanatory of it, some bring out its meaning by the force of contrast. In the end it appears that there is very little that does not fall into place as an appropriate part of Holy Scripture. The function of criticism with regard to both the "treasure " and the " earthen vessel" is clearly defined in Dr. Monro Gibson's pages, and his concluding chapter on "The Gains from Reverent Criticism " will reassure many timid and enquiring souls.

It may be well to correct one mistake into which the author falls. He states on three different pages (24, 25, 83) that our Lord generally used the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament. But Dr. Deissmann states the con-trary in the book reviewed in these columns a few weeks ago (" The Philology of the Greek Bible ") : "The Septuagint was not necessary for the coming of the Lord Jesus. The Semitic, not the Greek, Old Testament was a constituent factor in His Gospel. The historical Jesus of Nazareth takes His stand firmly on the non-Greek Old Testament. But Paul, the preacher and propagator of the Gospel, is not compre-hensible without the Septuagint" (p. 9). It is doubtful, also, whether the archwological evidence for the Exodus and (especially) for the Ten Plagues, is as strong as is suggested on p. 77.

Dr. Monro Gibson's book opens a series on

"Christian Faith and Doctrine," and nine other volumes by leading Free Churchmen are announced as in preparation. These books will be eagerly expected, and the whole series is to be heartily commended as timely and important.

Notes by the Way. Our First THIS week and next the first Dis- District trict Meetings of our United Church Meetings. are being held throughout the De-

nomination. Quite a number of the conveners have been good enough to allow us to get a glimpse of the Agendas they are sending out to those who are to be present at the meetings, and we are struck with the thoroughness and com-pleteness with which the conveners have done their work. A glance at the order of business and at the several items which it comprises suffices to show how important and far-reaching is the business committed to these meetings, and we are sure all concerned will enter upon its consideration with the seriousness of thought and purpose which the work demands. We are asking the conveners to be good enough to see that each meeting ap-points a reporter of its proceedings for our pages, and we hope during the next two or three weeks to place before our readers fairly full accounts of the findings of these District conferences of our Church.

Returns of WE are also asking that we may Membership. be favoured with the official figures

concerning the membership of each District, the number on trial for membership and the increases or decreases in each case. In the pre-sent separated condition of so many of the Funds it is impracticable to give details of the District contributions to them, but we hope that within a year or two that will be possible, so that even before Conference our readers may be able to see what our Home Church membership is, and what contributions the Churches are making towards the sustenance of our various Connexional Institu-tions. As we pointed out last week, until we get the full details of church-membership before us it would be futile to attempt to discuss their signi-ficance. In a week or two, by the kindness of the District Meeting officials, we hope the full details will be available.

"The UNDER this title the Rev. J. H. Arrested Shakespeare, M.A., Secretary to the Progress of Baptist Union, read a paper which the Church." was of interest wider than the

Baptist Denomination for which it was specially written. Mr. Shakespeare, it has been well said, combines statesmanship with the passion of the prophet whose fire no piled-up mass of official drudgery can quench, and much of what he said is worth pondering in Methodist circles. Incidentally he pointed out that the Baptist decrease we reported last week had no meaning for the purpose of his paper. It ensued on an increase of 80,000 from the Welsh Revival. It was a cutting away of the dead wood of that Revival and the Churches in Wales were the stronger for that process.

No Cause THOUGH convinced, said Mr. for Alarm. Shakespeare, that there was ar-

rested progress of the Church, he should regard it as wholly unchristian to yield to pessimism and alarm. They must not regard a passing phase as if it were an inevitable and per-manent condition. Even now a revival of religion might be at their door. It might be that with declining church-membership there was more re-ligion outside the Church than ever before. If so, it was the business of the Church to purge itself from strife so that it might be an attractive home for all religious men. The Free Churches reported a loss of 18,000 members last year. The Anglican Church found it harder than ever to find suitable candidates for holy orders. By general consent there were special tendencies and hind-rances that were operating against them. They raised more money, built more chapels, had more societies and machinery, there was infinitely more talking, they had far more influence in politics and public affairs than ever before, but the Church had an uneasy suspicion that its real work was not being done, that its quality was not so high, and that the things it had stood for were not so marked and manifest.

Social AMONG social causes of arrested Causes. progress in the growth of their

membership, Mr. Shakespeare in-stanced the failure of the system of Independency and advocated virtually what is known among us as Connexionalism. More significant for us were the other social causes he specified. It could not, he said, be anything but disastrous that the middle classes were slipping away from them in every part of the country. In his judgement the middle classes were the best element in English life, the moral backbone of the English people, they had been the permanent element of their Churches. They were not the selfish and worthless class they were of ten said to be, but if their sons and daugh-ters slipped away from the Free Churches they might easily become so. He was persuaded that if any social union, ecclesiastical or otherwise, was to be effective, it must unite different classes.

Changes in THE enormous change in social and Social Life. national life, in habits-and thoughts

and beliefs, in family religion, and in the programme of the Church, had an im-portant bearing on the question. The pursuit of amusement filled a much larger place in British life than formerly. Sunday was a day for golf or houseboat parties or week-end bridge in country houses for middle classes. The bicycle, the motor car, the Sunday excursion were changing the cha-racter of their generation. The centre of interest had been changed from the Church to the King-dom of God. This affected preaching. The mes-sage was not directed specially to the saving of souls, but the pulpit was used for the advocacy of better laws and the improvement of social con-ditions.

The Deepest A DEEPER cause was in the general Cause of All loss of conviction, of faith, the loss

of the sense of guilt, the failure to realize the grandeur of salvation and the glories and terrors of the world to come. The idea of conversion, which should be the heart and centre of their church life, was being given up. Unless the landmarks of the spiritual realm in which they , lived and moved, he declared amid cheers, were saving grace, atonement, eternal life, judgement, then they had broken with St. Paul. The experi-ence of personal agony for sin had given place to an easy assurance that sin as a personal offence against God was simply illusion. They no longer said, "Against Thee, Thee only have I sinned! " But the chief cause which lay at the root of everything else was the breaking up of the ex-ternal forms of religion among Christian people themselves. Sunday was secularized in the homes of their own people. A deacon handed him a secular paper one Sunday morning, and was sur-prised when he told him that what he could not see of politics in the week he was content to do without. Frivolous magazines and poisonous works of fiction lay about in Christian homes for young people to read. The ignorance of the Bible, even of candidates for the ministry, was simply appalling.

Remedies. AMONG the remedies which Mr. Shakespeare suggested were these :

The Word of God must be read and preached. Every reformation had begun in the rediscovery of the Word of God. They wanted the Pastor's Bible Class for the young people back again. There must be more attention to preaching. The preacher must be able to preach. If the many en-gagements of the week forced preaching into the background of a minister's life there could be no revival. There must be a more aggressive policy—a policy of greater energy and comprehen-siveness. They wanted a special order of minis-ters at the service of the Union for the work of church extension and evangelization in poor dis-tricts. Other needs were an improved and de-veloped Sunday School and a more active propa-ganda by 'means of their literature. What the Christian Church most needed to-day was leader-ship in its ministry. They must lift up the ideal of piety. All these points are worthy of serious consideration by every Church in England, and not least by our own.

•

THE National Vigilance Association for the Sup-pression of the White Slave Trade is appealing for a sum of £10,000, to be used in the consolidation and extension of the work carried on by this important Association. Already nearly £2,000 have been promised, and contributions may be forwarded to the Secretary of the Association, St. Mary's Cham-bers, 161a, Strand, W.C.

MAY 7, 1908. THE UNITED METHODIST. 415

Table Talk. THE CONFERENCE BLUE BOOK.

We beg respectfully and most earnestly to com-mend to all concerned the letter on the Conference Blue Book from our President and Secretary on a subsequent page. If the Agenda is to be in the hands of the representatives before they attend Conference—a most desirable thing—it is necessary that the bulk of the "copy" which it will comprise should be in the hands of our printer by the date named. We know from past experience that there are a wonderful number of people among us who are eager helpers, so we send forth the official appeal with considerable confidence.

* *

THE DEACONESS INSTITUTE. We beg very earnestly to remind our friends

in town and country that the Annual Meeting of our Deaconess Institute will be held at the Friends' Meeting House, Bishopsgate Without, E.C., on Monday week—afternoon at 3 o'clock ; evening, g.30. £300 will be required at this anniversary, and we trust our friends who cannot be present, but who believe, as we all must, in the beneficent work carried on by this Institution, will forward as generous contributions as they can for the Anniversary, to the Rev. T. J. Cope, 26 Bess-borough Gardens, Westminster, S.W.

* *

Mr. James Duckworth, M.P., and the Rev. Henry Smith have been appointed to represent the United Methodist Church at the Primitive Methodist Conference, which is to be held in Wesley's Chapel, City Road, London, in June next.

* *

A sketch and portrait of Mr. A. G. Gay, Trea-surer Steward of our London Fifth Circuit, ap-peared in a recent issue of the "West Ham and South Essex Mail." Mr. Gay is a schoolmaster, a Radical in politics and a devoted worker in connection with our Churches in the Circuit to which he belongs. * * *

Councillor S. Holden, a respected member and local preacher in connection with our Holcombe Church, in the Ramsbottom Circuit, after eight years' efficient service on the Ramsbottom Urban District Council, has been unanimously appointed to the chairmanship.

• * *

A CHEERY WORD. "Another Northern Layman " writes us : "I must

have a word or two in appreciation of your efforts in malting the UNITED METHODIST a popular evan-gelical and literary attraction to every subscriber. I have taken the Free Methodist ' from the begin-ning, and I take great delight in and get many an inspiration from your paper, and then send it on to other loved ones at the denominational extremities. May God bless your editorship and

arouse every United Methodist family to have your paper before them week by week." Amen ! says the Editor most devoutly.

* * THE PEACE SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of this historic organization will be held in the Friends' Meeting House, St. Martin's Lane, Charing Cross, W.C., next Mon-day evening at seven o'clock. The Rt. Hon. Dr. Spence Watson will preside, and addresses are to be delivered by Mr. G. P. Gooch, M.P., Mr. HI J. Wilson, M.P., Mrs. Louise B. Swann (Bristol), the Rev. J. Scott Lidgett, M.A., and the Rev. Thomas Phillips, B.A. (Bloomsbury).

* * *

The Rev. G. Whetton has been appointed secre-tary of the Boston Free Church Council, and also vice-president of the Boston Sunday School Union.

* * *

H.R.H. the Duchess of Albany has kindly con-sented to open the Great National Bazaar, in aid of the funds of the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union, at the Royal Horticultural Hall, West-minster, on Monday, May 18th, at three o'clock, and to receive purses on that occasion. The Duchess of Marlborough, Adeline Duchess of Bed-ford, Lady Biddulph of Ledbury, Mrs. Alfred Mond, and the Hon. Mrs. Eliot Yorke, will open the bazaar on the succeeding days of the week.

* * * WEST LONDON MISSION.

The Re'V. J. E. Rattenbury informs us that the arrangements for the twenty-first anniversary of the West London Mission, on May 15th, at the Queen's Hall, are now complete. The Rev. Dr. Clifford will preach the anniversary sermon at 12 noon ; Mrs. Evan Spicer will preside at the Sisterhood meeting at 3.30, to be addressed by Mrs. Price Hughes and Mrs. Booth-Clibborn (the eldest daughter of General Booth). The annual meeting will commence at 7 o'clock. The Attorney-General (Sir William Robson) will take the chair, and the speakers will include : the Rev. C. Silvester Horne, M.A., the Rev. Dr. H. J. Pope, the Rev. C. Ensor Walters, Mr. R. W. Perks, M.P., Mr. Arthur Henderson, M.P. (Chair-man Labour Party), the Rev. J. E. Rattenbury, Sir John Bamford-Slack and Mr. Percy W. Bunting, M.A. The full orchestra of eighty, under the direction of Mr. Edward O'Brien, will play from 6.30 to 7, and during the meeting will render Overture "1812" (Tschaikowsky).

* * Rev. T. Stoneley's address is 5 Benton Terrace,

Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and not as in the "Minutes."

* * *

MR. SHARROCKS' LETTER. We print on page 931 of this issue what we

regard as an important letter by Mr. David Shar-rocks, on Industrial Enterprises in East Africa. Mr. Sharrocks is one of a number of brethren who are intensely interested in this project, and he

seems to us to have stated his case with clearness and calmness. We invite the opinions of those of our readers who have given thought to the subject. We do not wish them to travel over old ground as to what this Committee has done or that. The project has entered upon a new phase in that it is presented to the new Denomination, and should be discussed purely and simply upon its merits. Is it such a project as the United Methodist Church ought to take up? Is it feasible? Is it likely to be successful? Would it be better worked out by a company, as Mr. Shar-rocks suggests? These and other questions of a like kind are well worth discussing, and may be discussed without importing anything of the per-sonal element ; that we shall take the liberty of barring out, as being more likely to generate heat than light. We come to the matter with an open mind ourselves, and are supremely anxious to gain information on which to base judgement, and we think that many of our readers are in the like case. Will those who know this subject through long study and thought come to the help of those of us who are seeking guidance?

* * *

DR. BROOK INTERRUPTED. "The President of the National Council, Dr.

Brook, had a new experience at a great public demonstration arranged by the Manchester and Salford Federation, his address being constantly interrupted by the brewers' party. The great meeting was fully in sympathy, save for a little knot of young men who looked as if they ought to have known better, but who disturbed the meeting from first to last by rude and noisy interruptions, unfolding brewery posters, and making vain attempts to sing ' Glorious beer.' Dr. Brook (writes our Manchester correspondent) had never before had to speak in the face of such difficulties, but they seemed only to inspire him, and his really forcible eloquence carried the audience to a pitch of enthusiasm which means much in undemonstrative Manchester."—" The Free Church Chronicle."

* * *

Rev. J. Sutton has been elected President of the Devonport and District Free Church Council.

* * * MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS.

Rev. G. Herbert Hall has accepted an invitation to Cornholme, Todmorden Circuit, for the Confer-ence, 1908.

Rev. A. Smith remains a fifth year at Pendleton, Rev. G. W. Potter a fourth at Eccles (until 1909), Rev. H. Lee a second at Boston Street, Rev. T. Entwistle (subject to approval of Conference) a second at Altrincham. Rev. F. Townend (supply) leaves Clayton at Conference.

Rev. C. 1'. Wakefield will leave the Keighley Circuit at Conference, 1909.

The Rev. R. Trolley has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Lincoln, Silver Street, Circuit, to remain until 1910. His previous decision to remove in 1909 has been withdrawn.

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416 THE UNITED METHODIST. MAY 7, 1908.

The Licensing Campaign. BURTON v. THE KINGDOM. [BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

THE peculiar circumstances of Burton must be the excuse for again referring to the correspond-ence from that town appearing in the "UNITED METHODIST" last week. One can heartily sym-pathize with the Mayor, Deputy-Mayor and Alder-man in the thought that their town is to suffer ruin, and its inhabitants lose the capital invested in the brewery and allied trades, and the employees suffer the loss of employment. Still, it is fair to ask whether the facts of the case justify this view, and again whether the figures given in the Mayor's letter support his pessimism.

First of all, we have to observe, as the Editor said last week, that the State cannot afford to grant a licence for nothing. Directly a certain trade is limited in the number of its competitors, the proprietors possess an advantage that does not belong to either the grocer, baker, or draper. That limitation naturally means better business to the licensed trader. If the licence is restricted to-day, a still further restriction will be experienced by the licencee at the end of the fourteen years' time-limit, for then one-third of present licences will be extinguished. We believe that the lessening of drinking facilities will decrease drinking, but we do not expect that it will be reduced to the extent of one-third. The man who legitimately requires a drink will not mind walking into the next street for what he cannot find in his own. Therefore those licence holders who survive the time-limit will possess something much more valuable than at the present time. In equity, therefore, they must expect to make an adequate return to the State, in which rests the privilege of granting the licence. This point does not seem fairly grasped by the letter of the Mayor of Burton, who says :

"But the Bill takes the value of every licence with a view of renting back again to the trade at their full monopoly value such as are admittedly required by the public. This is purely a financial provision, which, while inflicting extreme hardship upon investors in breweries, can have no influence whatever upon the amount of drink consumed. "

In the financial statement presented to us by the Mayor of Burton there are one or two points of omission that should be supplied before an accurate view can be taken of the situation. No estimate or provision has been made for the com-pensation that must accrue under the working of the time-limit. It is fair to assume that this will be a considerable amount for the goodwill and fixtures. Even though this cannot be stated, in view of all the conditions that must operate upon such a settlement, it is not fair to forget it entirely. In any case, the amount to be covered by the sinking fund cannot be the sum mentioned, viz., Z-769,339.

By analysing-the figures we find that the actual properties of this brewery company after the time-limit period will be as follows : Brewery ... £75,000 Estimated value of properties after value

of licences has reverted to the State ... 185,000

£260,000

The capital of the company is returned as £1,085,000. If the return is accurate the licences apparently stand on the books at the enormous total of over £800,000. I do not wish to be in-accurate, and therefore ask the Mayor of Burton if this really represents the position. Two further questions also suggest themselves. (1) How long has the company been in existence? (2) What is the amount of its reserve fund? I cannot imagine that the Mayor will reply that such a well-managed company as he describes can have gone on paying ten per cent without providing an adequate reserve fund when its directors knew full well the condi-tions under which they held their licences. For many years they were aware that they did not possess a freehold. Their own trade-defence officers have pointed out this fact with absolute clearness, and therefore to imagine that the directors have not accumulated a reserve is to believe that they are not all that the Mayor describes them. I should like some information on this point. For if a reserve fund has been formed, and the company has been in operation any considerable period, a nice little nest-egg will be at the disposal of the company in order to reduce still further the sum to be provided by a sinking fund.

If no sinking fund has been created, the com-pany, as is the case with so many brewery com-panies, cannot be described as being "exceptionally well-managed." It is obvious that we are entitled to further particulars before a fair judgement on the conditions laid before us by the Mayor of Burton can be obtained.

Another, and a still more vital consideration, is connected with the heavy figure at which the licences stood in the books. The readers of the UNITED METHODIST are entitled to ask, in view of the slump that has been taking place in tied houses during the past six or seven years, whether the amount for this asset remained at the price at which they were bought? The figure appears very high, and an exceptionally large amount of capital seems to have been raised from the pockets of investors upon what appears slender security. Who sold the business to the shareholders, and who netted the large profits that must have accrued at some stage in the proceedings between the sale of the licensed premises without the licence and their valuation with the licence?

A final word on the general issue may be per- mitted. Our Burton friends are applying the wrong end of the telescope in viewing the national aspects of the question. Instead of taking the country as a whole, they are looking through the telescope with the big end to their own eye and the small end applied to the country. With them it is the case of- Burton v. the Kingdom. Again I say we can sympathize with them, but no single interest must be allowed to stand in the way of the moral and social progress of the nation so as to prevent the removal of evils to which the Editor refers as being more potent than famine and pestilence combined. A. M. B.

THE BILL'S EFFECT UPON BURTON.

DEAR SIR,—I beg to thank you for the insertion of the letter appearing over the names of the Mayor of Burton, Alderman Lowe, and myself, and would willingly allow Ihe matter to rest but for your last remark. You, unintentionally no doubt, do us injustice when you express the wish that our letter "had betrayed some consciousness that this question is not merely one of brewers' rights." We distinctly stated that it was the finance of the Bill we objected to, and nothing has emerged more clearly in the second reading debate than the fact that this Bill is a blend of temperance and finance, that the financial pro-posals have no necessary connection with the tem-perance provisions, that on the other hand they are a distinct incubus, and that if the Bill fails to pass the Lords it will not be because it is a Temperance Bill, but because of its financial pro-posals.

The debate fully proves our contention as to the meaning of the time-limit. The "Daily News" (Leaflet 37) says the time-limit merely provides that the "ancient and discretionary right to ex-tinguish or renew a licence must be restored to the public." Mr. Cave, in moving the official amendment, said that if the above was the mean-ing of the time-limit he and his friends "would gladly consider " it. Sir John Kennaway pointed out that the above was what he and his Conserva-tive friend, voted for in 1904, not the time-limit of this Bill, a different thing altogether .

From a temperance, as distinct from a financial, point of view what more is needed?

The transfer of values to the State, as distinct from control, is pure finance ; it gives the im-pression that Liberals and temperance workers want to handle the profits of a trade they condemn as immoral ; it will inflict untold hardship on thousands, will (I say again) probably result in the rejection of the Bill by the Lords; and will do much to bring on a tide of re-action that will rob the progressive forces of all they gained at the last election. Yours faithfully,

Jos. S. ROWLAND. Burton, May 1st, 1908. [Our note, of which Mr. Rowland quotes a part,

ran as follows "We wish the letter we print above had betrayed some consciousness that this question is not merely one of brewers' rights, but much more largely one of the physical, moral and spiritual well- being of this country. To read the letter there might be no such traffic in our country as that which produces, as a foremost statesman said, more evils of all kinds than war, famine and pestilence com-

bined." We are sorry if this does an injustice to our friends at Burton, but if they will allow us to say it, the main impression their letters have hitherto produced is that the chief question in this Bill is how its financial side will affect the trade identified with their town. We are glad to have Mr. Rowland's assurance that he and his friends are in favour of further control of the traffic in intoxicants. Mr. Rowland gives us in a phrase one of the points on which our Burton friends and we differ in regard to this Bill, when he speaks of "the transfer of values-to the State." Our position is that the Bill transfers nothing to the State but what belongs to the State. A licence is not a freehold. It is a privilege granted by the State "for one year and no longer." This Bill proposes that the value which belongs to premises as licensed—the value which the State creates by giving the licencee a monopoly—should revert to the State. It insists that what belongs to the State should come back to the State—not at the end of twelve months (that would be legal but hard), but at the end of fourteen years. At the end of that time licences will be regranted on payment of the yearly monopoly value, i.e., on payment of the , equivalent of the value the State gives to the premises by licensing them—not on the profits the brewer or retailer would make out of selling beer, etc., in the premises as licensed these last belong as much to the seller of intoxicants as the profits from the tea and coffee belong to the grocer, and the State has only the same rights upon those profits as upon the profits of the grocer—the same and no other. Alderman Rowland says that this claiming of the monopoly value gives the impression that Temperance workers want to handle the profits of a trade they condemn as immoral. It is not the profits of the trade we want—those belong to the people who carry on the trade. What we want is an equivalent for the value the State gives to premises by licensing them. We want this as a set-off against the pauperism, the crime, and the physical and moral deterioration which the traffic in drink creates and the financial and other effects of which have to be borne by the State. This is what we want and what we shall have, either through this Bill or through a Budget scheme which the House of Lords cannot touch. How we wish our friends at Burton could help us to -secure for the State what belongs to the State !—En., U.M.]

" IS IT ROBBERY ? " DEAR SIR, —I beg to inform A. M. B. that I am

not writing on behalf of rich and powerful brewers, but as a representative of a number of small investors in brewery stock and leasehold property in Burton-on-Trent. I have no doubt he is aware that the brewer-owner, as well as other owners, are compensated at present simply in accordance with the valuation for the purpose of estate duty by the Inland Revenue, and not in accordance with Mr. Justice Kennedy's decision. .

You remark, "We do not and never shall agree that closing of public-houses makes no difference in the amount of drinking." Just so ; but I know from my own experience in our neighbourhood that where several public-houses have been closed, clubs have been opened, and the amount of drink-ing has greatly increased, and I am told by many other friends that similar results have occurred in Lancashire and Yorkshire. . . .

I believe the brewers are opposing the present Bill principally because of the large amount of invested capital that will be lost, and which they cannot repay to the investors, and not from fear of any diminished drinking. Again thanking you for the large amount of space given for ventilation of my views of the 1908 Bill.—Yours truly, J. G. MALLINS. 115 Derby Street, Burton-on-Trent.

THE BILL FROM A PUBLICAN'S POINT OF VIEW.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,—It may be of interest if I pass on to you the opinions of a publican on the Licensing Bill. I cannot well give his name, but may I say that I regard him as a man of intelligence and capacity, and that I came across• him away from Leek?

He believed it was high time that something was done to amend the licensing laws, even from the publican's point of view. He did not share the violent objections to the time-limit. He rather saw in the Bill the breaking of the bondage of the-publican to the brewer. He found in this bondage the cause of the degradation of the trade. Whereas, formerly self - respecting men were abundantly found in this business, such men will not now stoop under the brewers' yoke. In the tied house

MAY 7, 1908. THE UNITED METHODIST. 417

the manager or tenant has a most insecure tenure, and may even be compelled to accept barrels re-jected as inferior by the independent publican. Many publicans in the present agitation are the unwilling agents of the brewer.

He believed also that the Bill will make for temperance, first by diminishing competition, and second by freeing the publican from the pressure of the brewer, and third by rendering police con-trol more possible. The diminution of competition will mean that the publican will have a freer hand to refuse drink to the man who has had too much. His own interest in pushing the sale will be less keen.

Freedom from the pressure of the brewer will act in the same way. There will not be the same desperate need at all costs to push the sale. There will be some chance for the publican's own sense of the fitness of things to come into play.

It is obvious that with a less number of houses police control is more possible.

He also believed that the regulations with regard to clubs would be far more effective than was sup-posed. The purely drinking club, of which there are many run by the brewers, could not exist if this Bill became law.

Altogether, he regarded the Bill as one drawn up by some one who had intimate knowledge of the trade, and as being not only fair, but beneficial.

Some of these points, sir, are made by the people. They were to me particularly interesting, coming from a publican.

Yours faithfully, T. C. WARRINGTON.

Leek, Staffs.

SPREAD THE LIGHT. ARE we doing all in our power to secure the

passing of the Licensing Bill? One powerful factor in this campaign is the dissemination of correct information as to the nature of the Bill. People need to be informed as to what the Bill really is. Many who are deeply interested in social progress would hesitate to do any injustice in bringing it about. We know no pamphlet that will better explain the Bill than that by the Rev. Henry Carter, and the price is only one penny. It has been selling by the thousand ever since its publication ; but we fear it is not well known in United Methodist circles. All workers in this great campaign should send for 100 copies to 12 Farringdon Avenue. The price is 7s., carriage paid; single copies, post paid, three halfpence.

REV. J. H. JOWETT ON THE BILL. PREACHING at, his Congregational Church,- in

Birmingham on "Worldliness," the Rev. J. H. Jowett said that our days were as clamorous with the cries of the craftsmen as in the time of the apostles. The drinking habits of the people oc-casioned a destruction and a misery which, ac-cording to Mr. Gladstone outweighed the accu-mulated calamities of war, pestilence, and famine. Those drinking habits were fed and nourished by a ubiquitous trade. That trade had become so pervasive, so gigantic, that in the sober judge-ment of a statesman like Lord Rosebery it would throttle the commonwealth unless the common-wealth throttled it.

Magistrates guarded the erection of new houses as though they were dealing with fountains of poison. And here (alluding to the Licensing Bill) was a measure, a brave measure, which proclaimed the right of the people to seek the moral health of the people--a right which was supreme and paramount. It was a measure which would ac-celerate the closing of the old houses, which would give the people the final decision as to new houses, and which proclaimed that after a certain number of years the State would resume full and unem-barrassed control of the entire trade. It threw its protective zgis over little children, it still further limited the hours of Sunday sale, it placed all grocers' licenses under the power of the justices, and it gave them power to close every public-house on election days.

And how had it been received by those whose craft was in danger? It was received as the mineowners received Lord Shaftesbury's Bill, as the shipowners received Plimsoll's Bill, as Liver-pool received the crusade for the emancipation of the slaves. In our own city it has been described in one afternoon as "The most unjust, the most immoral, the most tyrannical measure which had ever been brought forward by any responsible Government in this or any other civilized country."

It was described as "confiscation, plunder and tyranny," "the sum of hypocrisy and the maxi-mum of wrong," etc. And all this concerning a measure in which the Bishop of Birmingham said "he could see nothing which was not rea-sonable and right." It was Ephesus over again ; the god of this world had blinded their minds. Mr. Jowett urged his hearers not to be carried away by clamour and tempest. Let them remain calm; let them watch and pray lest their eyes should be blinded by monetary interests and carnal snares. Let them concentrate their eyes upon moral issues and work and trust in God.

DEAR SIn,—The Rev. Percy Rowe preached a few Sundays ago at Tiverton on the Bill, and made a very stirring appeal for its support to the con-gregation, and over seventy names were appended to the petition forms then lying on the table. Last Sunday the Rev. E. Hortop (pastor) read a resolu-tion after the evening service in support of the Government Licensing Bill, which was adopted by the congregation rising from their seats (none opposing). I was much interested in "The Lon-don Letter," issue March 26th, UNITED METHOD-IST, and at once sent and got down those fine posters recommended by W. Kaye Dunn, also petition forms and handbills. The large bills were at once posted on our chapel walls—in fact, are still there. The two church stewards, with the chapel steward, decided to have 1,000 handbills (expenses met by themselves) and distribute them among the people. This has been done, and large bills posted in the town. Our church has been well to the front, two of its members speaking at a public meeting in a large hall, with more than a thousand present ; and to-day I hope to send thirteen petitions to the house of Commons in support of the Second Reading, with 320 names. We are hoping and praying that God will stir the country, especially the members of our own churches, to a deeper sense of duty on the question of the drink curse. Let us not be silent on this great issue, but take our stand for God and the right. I am, yours in earnest,

STEPHEN MOGFORD, Church Secretary. Tiverton, Devon.

BOSTON STREET, MANCHESTER. A GREAT meeting was held here on Friday, the

1st inst., in support of the Government's Licensing Bill. The pastor, the Rev. Herbert Lee, presided over a very large gathering ; the speakers were Mr. G. D. Kelley, M.P., and Mr. Alex Thomson, U.K.A. The proceedings were much enlivened by the presenCe of the "Opposition," whose tactics were as usual very "unusual" for any public meeting. The resolution was carried with great cheering.. The opposition vote showed about two score hands in a small portion of the room; they were evidently friends of the publican.

MANOR PARK, LONDON FIFTH. THE Rev. E. Ratcliffe presided at a crowded

meeting on Thursday, April 30th, in support of the Licensing Bill. On the platform were ministers from neighbouring churches, including Baptist, Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and Congrega-tional. Alderman J. Crowle-Smith, the principal speaker, gave an inspiriting address, followed by one by the Rev. C. H. Vine (Ilford Congrega-tional), both of whom were warmly applauded, and a resolution pledging those present to do their utmost to support the Bill was carried with only two votes against.

SUNDERLAND. The battle for the Bill is being vigorously carried

on in Sunderland. Open-air demonstrations have been held, and a large united gathering of Churchmen and Nonconformists is shortly to be held in support of it. On a recent Wednesday a public debate was held in the Liberal Club, which was crowded. The Rev. James Ninnis, of Thornhill Church, had been invited to open the debate in favour of the Bill, and he did so in a speech of considerable force and power. Mr. C. W. Fryers, jun., opened the debate on the opposite side. No vote was taken, but the feeling of the crowded audience was decidedly in favour of the Government measure. W. P. H.

RESOLUTIONS have been sent from the Hull Cir-cuit, and the separate churches, in support of the Licensing Bill.

THE Rev. G. Whetton has preached on the Bill

at the Square, Boston, and a resolution in sup-port of the Licensing Bill was carried by a stand-ing vote. The Circuit quarterly meeting has also passed a resolution in support of the Bill.

WE have received a letter from Mr. R. T. }little, pastor and superintendent of our North London Mission, strongly supporting the Bill as a measure most urgently required by the need of districts such as the one he has laboured in for the last ten years.

After an explanation of the Licensing Bill by Rev. W. Evans, the Booth Street Church, Staly-bridge, passed a resolution of support, on a recent Sunday evening, and it has been forwarded to the local member of Parliament.

After a sermon preached by the Rev. S. E. Davis at Ambler Thorn, Halifax, the whole con-gregation rose to signify approval of sending a petition in favour of the Licensing Bill to the House of Commons.

The congregation worshipping at our Framling-ham Church, Suffolk, has with unanimity passed a resolution supporting the Bill, and copies of the resolution have been sent to the Prime Minister and the local M.P.

A splendid and enthusiastic demonstration in favour of the Licensing Bill was held by our Sheffield Churches in Surrey Street Chapel last week. Sir W. E. Clegg, J.P. was in the chair, and he was supported by Sir Charles Skelton, J.l'., Councillor Arthur Neal, Mr. Charles Wardlow and Revs. W. Francis and F. Jones. A resolution sup-porting the Bill was passed with unanimity.

A resolution of thanks for the Bill and of ap-proval of its main features, but suggesting that the time limit is too long, and that other details ought to be considerably improved, was passed at Walford Hall (U.M.C.) by the entire congrega-tion rising to their feet, and copies of the same have been sent to the Prime Minister, the Chan-cellor of the Exchequer, the M.P. for this con-stituency and the local press.

Unanimous resolutions in favour of the Licensing Bill have been passed at special Sunday evening services in the Calvert Street and Chapel Field Road Churches, Norwich.

Mr. B. COPSON GARRATT ON

MAGNETISM. It is no use. You cannot afford to be ill. You feel

you are losing your nerve, that you are on the verge of a breakdown, and you are in terror of what a few more weeks of the unnatural strain may bring forth. Yet you go on satisfying yourself with the spending of a shilling here andshillitg there for a tonic to help you on from day to day, and you will not consider the laying out of a little more money for what will per-manently benefit you.

This is false eionomy. If you would only believe if, to adopt Magnet. Treatment low wotild be a tremen-dous saving. Delay is foolish, for you q II inevitably have to give up work soon if you do not become better fitted for it than you are at precept.

To adopt Magnetic Treatment will only cost you a modest sum, and you will be spending money in a way that will bring you in a substantial return. For what can you buy more precious than health? A Reader of The Christian " writes :

Wickham House, Alresford, Hants, March 2nd. 1902.

Dear Sir,—I was very pleased indeed to see your notice in "The Christian" this week. It is now more than twenty years since I was led through the columns of "The Christian " to adopt your Odo Magnetic Treatment. I was then a great sufferer from rheumatism and nerv-ousness, but from the time I commenced wearing the appliance I obtained relief, and I am thankful to say was shortly afterwards com-pletely cured.

My eldest daughter being a martyr to asthma, I also obtained a Magnetic Garment for her. There was every appearance that she would be- come a confirmed invalid, but as soon she commenced wearing the Nerve Invigorator it was apparent there was some hope for her. She never even has a touch of it now, and it all seems very wonderful to me. I can never cease to be grateful to you. As you know, I have recommended a large number of sufferers to place their cases in your hands, feeling it my duty so to do. Yours (

Mrs) A. sincerely,

A.. LIGHT.

B. COPSON GARRATT, 20 Royal London House,

16 Finsbury Square, London, E.C. (Established over SS year.)

Special terms to Ministers and those engaged in Christian work.

Consultation Forms and Pamphlets free of charge. Advice free. A candid opinion always given.

418 THE UNITED METHODIST. MAY 7, 1908.

Books and Bookmen. FOUR years to-day we shall be celebrating the

centenary of Robert Browning's birth. The ideal thing, of course, is to prepare for the anniversary by eating ortolans in Italy. If opportunity and digestion forbid, crunch a poem or two, as many as your "peptics' state " will allow. Browning's contribution to the literary "menu" of the day is—on his own confession--a course of ortolans "First comes plain bread, crisp, brown, a toasted

square; Then, a strong sage leaf ;

(So we find books with flowers dried here and there Lest leaf engage leaf.)

First, food—then, piquancy—and last of all Follows the thirdling ;

Through wholesome hard, sharp soft, your tooth must bite

Ere reach the birdling. Now, were there only crust to crunch, you'd wince :

Unpalatable Sage-leaf is bitter pungent—so's a quince;

Eat each who's able I But through all three bite boldly—lo, the gust!

Flavour—no fixture— Flies permeating flesh and leaf and crust

In fine admixture. So with your meal, my poem ; masticate

Sense, sight, and song there! Digest these, and I praise your peptics' state,

Nothing found wrong there." * * * *

But perhaps the best characterization of Brown-ing's poetry is to be found in Elizabeth Barrett's "Lady Geraldine's Courtship." Lady Geraldine's lover is entertaining her by reading passages from his favourite authors—Spenser and Petrarch among the elders— "Or at times a modern volume—Wordsworth's

solemn-thoughted idyl, Howitt's ballad-verse, or Tennyson's enchanted

reverie— Or front Browning some Pomegranate,' which,

if cut deep down the middle, Shows a heart within blood-tinctured, of a

veined humanity,',. ii t * *

Pew persons have the courage nowadays to poke fun at Browning. One seldom hears the joke of Dr. Milo Mahan's "Yorkshireman in Boston " :

"The Brownings too? Give me a glossary—

Of English in frills and flounces, with a lot Of cyclopedias, guide-books, catalogues, To search out the allusions. I'll read them, And let the Brownings slide, if slide they will."

* * * *

Let the Browpings slide ! We know better. Grant that the pomegranate has not the bloom and beauty_of the peach, it is Nature's gift, neverthe-less. "Cut deep down the middle," and you will find that the fruit, rough-rinded as it is, has pulp and juices of no ordinary kind—blood-tinctured, veined. Nor is the rind so rough as certain hasty fruit-gatherers would have us suppose.

* * * * * Let the Brownings slide ! This is precisely what

they will not do. Robert, in particular, persists in fastening himself, like a burr, upon the mind. "That stoop of the soul which in bending upraises

it too." "Paint the soul, never mind the legs and arms." "Measure your mind's height by the shade it

casts." "A scientific faith's absurd."

"On the earth the broken arcs; in the heaven a perfect round."

"A spark disturbs our clod." Tennyson says he grudged Browning two. lines

"Oh, the little more, and how much it is ! And the little less, and what worlds away I

* * * Nor will the Brownings slide in the experience

of some. One dark, wild night—nineteen years ago—a young minister was walking over the Not-tingham Forest. The storm was welcome, and he remembers how recklessly and joyously he exposed himself to the heavy, driving rain. A new and un-tried path was opening out before his feet, and fears stood in the way. Would he find himself equal to the task? Was he courting failure and disappointment and heartbreak? How could he, single-handed, inexperienced, knowing so little—at this moment, when the sense of impotence most

oppressed him there came a break in the- heavy clouds, and one star—Browning's star and his—threw

"Now a dart of red, Now a dart of blue."

* * * It is a little thing to remember, but Browning's

"Memorabilia" has taught us to keep in mind the little things which redeem life. A man once saw Shelley and had a talk with him. The recol-lection of this high converse glorifies all common intercourse :

"Ah, did you once see Shelley plain ; And did he stop and speak to you?

And did you speak to him again? How strange it seems, and new! "

A pedestrian crossing a wide blank moor picks up an eagle's feather; the finding of that feather re-deems miles upon miles of dreary country side : — "For there I picked up on the heather

And there I put inside my breast—A moulted feather, an eagle-feather-

Well, I forget the rest."

* * * * Just as the finding of an eagle's feather re-

deemed in the traveller's eyes the blankness and bleakness of miles of moorland, so the star that dartled the red and the blue opened that night, the minister confesses, "its soul to me" and re-deemed the darkness. Its kindly rays brought to mind the words of one who prayed, saying

"Our Father who art in heaven, wide and great is that heaven above us, which is to us as the veil of Thy dwelling-place, and mighty are the winds which sometimes blow across the world; but no wind makes the sun's flame quiver, no wind disturbs the calmness of the stars. Even so steadfast and calm art Thou. Yea, Thou mightest speak, and with Thy word change the face of heaven and quench the lights Thou hast kindled; but Thy love is unquenchable and the light of Thy wisdom cannot fail. 0 that our faith were as calm and steadfast as Thy heaven ! "

ERNEST F. H. CAPEY.

•

News of Our Churches. ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE.

The PREACHING at Stamford Street, on Ex-Premier. Sunday week, the Rev. J. W.

Walls, Secretary of the last M.N.C. Conference, said the Ex-Premier did not strike dramatic attitudes and boast of what he would do when on the platform. He never played to the gallery. He was undemonstrative and hesitating on the platform, but he saw the right course, and took it, irrespective of praise or blame. Not many men would have had the heart to take hold of the leadership of the party when its fortunes were at the lowest, but he did not shrink from the task. And who does not admire the part he played during the Boer War? His conduct revealed a brave heart, whether we believe he was right or wrong in the view he took. He had nothing to gain, but everything to lose, by taking the stand he did. I mean, of course, looking at it from the opportunist point of view. But he was deeply con-vinced that the war was unjust and wicked, and, like John Bright at the time of the Crimean war, he spoke out his convictions. He was denounced, ridiculed, reviled in the Press, on the platform, and in the House of Commons; but he stood like a rock for what he believed to be right. It is in circumstances like these that you discover what a man is made of. Sir Henry bore the test splen-didly, and proved himself a hero. And his bearing in that crisis was characteristic of the man in his previous and subsequent career. It is such heroism as this that young men on the threshold of life should seek to make their own. Those who knew him most intimately loved him the best. His gracious and kindly ways, his perfect fairness, and his unselfishness won the hearts of his col-leagues and his friends. It would do us good to dwell upon this noble life, for the qualities that gave it significance were of the homely sort, attainable, in some degree, by all. It will be good for Ashton if they who were there _would give themselves to the public welfare with the same purity and loftiness of aim as characterized the career of Sir. Henry Campbell-Bannerman. It was never a vain thing to live a true life and do noble deeds.

" 'Tis well, and your reward, or soon, or late, Will come from Him, whom no man serves

in vain."

COWES, I.W. IN connection with the United Methodist

Church here a Young People's League has re- cently been formed. It has for its object the physical, mental and spiritual advancement of its members. Over fifty of the young men connected with the Church have joined, and there is every prospect of more doing so. At present there are two large classrooms in use--one for games such as chess, draughts, dominoes, etc., and the other for reading and writing. Many interesting books have been given or lent, and, of course, daily and weekly papers are on the tables. Many of the congregation have become honorary members, and so take an interest in the League's doings. Social evenings, lectures, etc., and a gymnasium are among the items proposed for the winter months. Visitors to Cowes will be heartily welcomed at any of these meetings, and, of course, to our church services.

DRIFFIELD. The A FEW weeks ago we announced Brotherhood. the formation of a remarkably suc-

cessful Brotherhood, started by the Rev. G. E. Minnear, and meeting every Sunday afternoon in the United Methodist Church. At that time there was difficulty in finding a suitable room for social meetings on week evenings. This difficulty is now removed, and what was a club and dance room in connection with the Nag's Head Inn (now closed) has been secured, and been nicely done up by the voluntary work of some of the men. On Easter Monday this room was opened by Major Mark Sykes, supported by Cap-tain Mortimer and ministers and laymen of all Denominations. In the unavoidable absence of Mr. Luke White, M.P., the chair was taken by Mr. H. D. Marshall. The room was crowded, and a most enthusiastic meeting was held. After this a public tea took place in the Temperance Hall, followed by a concert. The men seem thoroughly to appreciate the provision of a room where they can meet for social amusement away from the temptations of the public-house. The meetings on Sunday afternoons are still crowded, and a considerable and increasing number of the men attend the evening service also. They seem now to be looking on Christian Churches and services much more favourably than they did be-fore the formation of the Brotherhood.

ECCLES. Recognition A VERY interesting meeting was of Long held last Sunday afternoon in our Service. Eccles Sunday School, under the

presidency of the Rev. G. W. Potter (pastor). Mr. T. R. Woolnough attended as depu-tation from the Sunday School Union to present diplomas to teachers in the school who had served for twenty-five years and upwards. The recipients were Mr. John Hall (fifty-two years), Mr. J. Booth-royd (forty-five years), Mr. G. H. Peace (forty years), Mr. James Smith (thirty-six years), and Mr. W. Dale (twenty-five years). Mr. Peace and Mr. Dale have been connected with our Eccles. School during the whole period of their service. Mr. R. A. Pott, another teacher in the school, was two years ago awarded the diploma for forty year's work. The school has unique honour in having so many teachers with such a wonderful record of persevering devotion. After the presentation of the diplomas Mr. W. Dale was given a gold-mounted-1' Swan " pen, and his daughter (Miss A. Dale) received a Bible, as an expression of personal regard and appreciation of their work. Regret was voiced at the removal which has necessitated their resignation.

HULL. Chapel Roof A GREAT wrong has been done to Burglars. the struggling Bethel Church by

the robbery of the lead covering of one of the gullies of the main roof of the build-ing. The cost of replacing the lead and of repair-ing incidental damages to the property • will be considerable. Subscriptions will be gladly and thankfully received by the Rev. E. Cato. A vigor-ous and sustained attempt has been made for several months to help our village church at Duns-well and to brighten the humdrum life of the people. Very good results have followed, and- the outloolc is promising.

(Continued on page 422.)

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

DEACONESS INSTITUTE, owrort XOUSC, 25 Bolingbroke grove, S.W.

5he 11th Anniversary BE HE D N

The Friends' Meeting House, Bishopsgate Without, E.C. (Oppoalte Liverpool Street).

MONDAY, MAY 18th, 1908.

THE UNITED METHODIST. 419 MAY 7, 1908.

ceive official helps on the lessons, which they would be expected to follow. (This would prevent some prevailing features on which one prefers to be silent.) Annual examinations for scholars on the lessons of the year, and examinations for teachers on probation before they are accredited with the charge of a class—these are among the indispensable necessities if our Sunday Schools are to fulfil their high vocation. And no time will be like the presept for introducing these re-forms, which, I believe, would be cordially wel-comed by the devoted army of officers and teachers in our schools.

I hold that these new methods, with the visita-tion of schools at the Secretary's discretion, can-not be properly carried out unless there is a Secretary appointed who shall be relieved of all other duties that he may concentrate his energies upon this most important one. The well-being of the children should be the only regulating principle in connection with the present proposals. We have 902 ministers to attend to the interests of 165,502 church-members. Surely it is a very moderate proposal to set aside one minister to attend solely to the interests of 331,571 scholars I Unles's we are prepared to do something more practical to raise the efficiency of our schools we shall continue that painfully large percentage of losses of the children who leave our Sunday Schools virtually uninstructed and uninfluenced, and who never again return to our Church institu-tions! "Now is the accepted time"; aye, and the testing time. Are we prepared to attempt that which the importance of the case demands?— Yours very truly, R. W. GREEN.

St. Mary's, Scilly Isles.

DEAR SIR,—As in one at least of the constituent Denominations probationers used to be members of the District Meetings, it may lessen the risk of confusion and irregularity to point out that

PROBATIONERS AND DISTRICT MEETINGS.

There will be . . .

To the Treasurers' and Secretaries of the various Institutions and Funds of the United Method-ist Church.

DEAR BRETHREN, The preparation of the Con-ference Agenda this year is a more difficult matter than it will be when all our interests are co-ordinated, and each one placed in charge of a single Committee. By the kindness of the Editor we now address all persons responsible for any part of the business of the approaching Confer-ence.

We are anxious that the Blue Book shall be posted to all the representatives by June 5th, if possible, and your prompt co-operation is respect. fully solicited.

We are aware that much business cannot be completed until the District Meetings are over, and, as some of them are later than anticipated, there will necessarily be a little undesirable hurry. If the Conference will direct that the District Meetings in future be finished by May 2nd or 3rd there will be more leisure in preliminary prepara-tions than this year is possible.

Assuming that the final Committee meetings are held immediately after the District Meetings are over, it should be possible for all reports, proposed resolutions, and balance-sheets to be ready by MAY 25TH OR 26TH.

We therefore request that BY THE ABOVE DATE each officer will see that all belonging to his department, intended for the Conference Blue Book, be forwarded to The Magnet Press, 188 Rye Lane, Peckham, London, S.E., marked "Confer-ence Agenda."

The Editor has kindly consented to examine proofs, and where "copy ' can be sent earlier his work will be greatly facilitated.

The names and addresses of all members of Con-ference will be supplied to the. U.M.C. Book Room, and the Agenda will be posted to them as soon as ready, supposing it can be completed suf-ficiently early. If for any reason this is found impracticable, they will have to be content to re-ceive it on their arrival at Sheffield. But, recog-nizing as we do the importance of giving full op-portunity for previous consideration of all Confer. ence business before it comes up for discussio6, every effort will be made to secure the issue of the Blue Book in time, as directed in the U.M.C. "Minutes," 1907, p. 135.

EDWARD BOADEN, President. GEORGE PACKER, Secretary.

REPORT OF YOUNG PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE.

DEAR SIR,—The recommendations of the Young People's Committee, as reported in a recent issue, will doubtless awaken widespread interest. It will be generally conceded that whatever is proposed at this critical formative juncture in our Con-nexional history demands the wisest deliberation. A mistake now may not be easily rectified. That the Committee ventures to recommend to the Con-ference the raising of our Young People's Socie-ties into a department sufficiently important to require the appointment of a minister relieved of all pastoral duties as Secretary marks a consider, able and gratifying development. The Churches have generally failed to realize practically that the key of most of the problems with which the Churches are confronted lies with the young people.

The particular purpose of my writing to you is to suggest that the Young People's Committee might have been a little more courageous in its proposals. How will it be possible for one Secretary to give that general and special atten-tion which all the societies comprising the Young People's Department imperatively demand? Think of the Sunday School Department with its 2,439 schools, 43,767 teachers, and 331,571 scholars ur-gently requiring a thoroughly adequate reorganiza-tion !

I hope the District meetings will pass resolu-tions requesting the Conference to appoint a Secretary for the Sunday School Department solely. The time has fully come when a capable official, in co-operation with the Sunday School Committee, should directly supervise the methods pursued in our Sunday Schools. Before there can be proper supervision there must be sufficient revision. Our schools should be co-ordinated un-der one system of lessons. Teachers should re-

their status in this respect is changed in the United Church. The legal documents distinguish clearly between "ministers" and "probationers," and the constitution of the District Meeting finds room for only the former of these two classes among those who are its members by right. There does not seem, however, to be anything to prevent a Circuit Meeting from electing a probationer to be one of its representatives to the District Meeting if it wishes to do so.

In view of the important distinctico thus drawn between "ministers" and "probationers," ought not the "Stations of Ministers" and "List of Ministers " in the "Minutes " to read, "Stations of Ministers and Probationers" and "List of Minis-ters and Probationers?"

Yours faithfully, HERBERT W. HORWILL.

Leeds.

OUR MEMBERSHIP RETURNS.

ONE or two amendments should be made in the returns we published last week.

Sheffield North Circuit should be credited with 77 on trial, not 7.

Morecambe Home Mission station is now merged in the Morecambe Circuit, for which returns have been already given.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,—You refer to the encourag-ing increase of 1,020 "on trial " members. This is indeed gratifying. But the total number of members on trial is far from satisfactory. To maintain the future numerical strength of the United Methodist Church this ought to be about ten per cent of the full membership. Some of the Districts come up to this standard; some fall far short. Would it not be well for Districts and Cir-cuits to pay some attention to this matter? Thanking you for publishing the returns, which cannot fail to prove of help and interest,

Yours faithfully, G. H. KENNEDY.

Morecambe, April 30th, 1908.

THE CONFERENCE BLUE BOOK.

A CONVENTION at 3 o'clock p.m. Sisters LOIS, EVA, BESSIE and FLORENCE will speak of their Work. Mrs. CUTHBERT WILKINSON, London, will preside. SOLOS by the Deaconesses.

THE ANNUAL, MEETING Will be held at 6.30 o'clock p.m.

JOSEPH BRIGGS, Esq., Cleckheaton, will preside.

ADDRESSES will be given by the Rev. E. BOADEN, President of the Conference, Rev. T. NIGHTINGALE, London, and the SISTERS EDITH and CLARE.

Bolos by Miss EMILY TANNER. Nearly Forty of the Deaconesses are expected to be present.

To keep out of Debt the 18th year £300 must be raised in connection with the ANNIVERSARY, MAY 18th. Offerings and Promises are earnestly solicited. Friends willing to help in any way should communicate with the Secretary. Collecting Boxes and Cards on application.

Secretary Rev. T. J. COPE, 26 Bessborough Gardens, Westminste , S.W.

. SOLD IN 1/-11 2/6 tins, also 4d. packets

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NEAVE'S FOOD

'420

THE UNITED METHODIST. MAY 7, 1908.

/ME 'MOST .E.FFICACIOLIS .11E7r1471y/N

.CONSUMPTION pouGHS.COLD5,ASTHMA:f CHRONIC'BRONCHITIS;ETG

See NEW BOOK on CONSUMPTION, etc., by O. T. CONGR EVE. Sixpence poet free from

, Coombe Lodge, Peckham, London, S.E.

N. C. H. O. Chief Office BONNER ROAD, N.E.

Tuesday, May 19th, at 7 p.m., ANNUAL MEETING, Leysian Hall, City Rd., E.C.

SPEAKERS:

Rev. W. L. WATKINSON, D.D. Rev. ARTHUR E. GREGORY, D.D. ROBERT WALLACE, Egg., K.C.

(Chairman of County of London Sessions).

MR. SHERIFF WAKEFIELD. Selections from the "Elijah,' Eaton Faning's "Miller's Wooing."

etc., by the LONDON BRANCH CHOIR.

COLLECTION.

Ashville College, Harrogate. BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS.

Principal—Rev. ALFRED SOOTHILL, B.A. (Load.) Assisted by Resident Graduates and qualified

Visiting Masters.

The College is beautifully situated and thoroughly equipped with Laboratory, Gymnasium, Playing Fields, Cubicles, Sanatorium, &c.

The curriculum includes Classics, Modern Languages, Commercial subjects, &c.

Reheated Successes in University and other Examinations. Fees moderate and inclusive.

For further particulars apply to the Princifial.

United Methodist College, (BIBLE CHRISTIAN)

SHEBBEAR, NORTH DEVON.

Governor - - - Rev. W. B. LARK. Head Master - T. RUDDLE, Esq., B.A. (Lond.)

SIX ASSISTANT MASTERS.

Pupils prepared for the Universities, the Public Exarnin- stints, and for Business, at the option of parents.

Healthy situation. Playgrounds six acres. Diet of the first quality and unlimited in supply.

Terms from 24 Guineas per year. Music the only extra.

Illustrated Prospectus on application to Rev. W. B. LARK.

Maidstone Collegiate School. NONCONFORMIST HOME SCHOOL

FOR GIRLS AND LITTLE BOYS.

Principal - - Mrs. HERBERT. A. MERRY.

Assisted by Resident English and French Mistresses.

Tot PROSPECTUS apply HOLBEACH, London Rd., Maidstone.

GOVERNESS STUDENT required Next Term.

Hoe Grammar School, Plymouth. head Master : O. P. DYMOND, M.A. (Lond.)

Second Master : J. ROUNSEFELL, B.A., B.Sc. (Lond.) Teacher's Diploma, London University.

Latest Successes: OXFORD LOCAL: July, 1907: SENIOR, Nine Successful, including 17th in First Class Honours and 13th in Mathematics. JUNIOR, Twelve Successful, including 14th in First Class Honours, 1st in Second Class Honours (bracketed). PRELIMINARY, Ten Successful-31 out of 34 entered.

CIVIL SERVICE, Assistant Surveyor of Taxes. Recreation Ground for Tennis, etc., Match Ground for

Football and Cricket. Gymnasium. gale open Sea bathing. Every accommodation for Boarders. Premises recently

extended.

PEACE SOCIETY.

The 92nd Annual Meeting WILL BE HELD THE

FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE, St. Martin's Lane, Charing Cron, W.C.,

On MONDAY EVENING, May llth, 1908

The chair will be tak- en by THE RIGHT HON.

ROBT. SPENCE WATSON, LL.D., D.C.L., at 7 o'clock. Doors open at 5.50 15.ns.

The following are expected to address the meeting :—Mr. G. P. GOOCH, M.P., Mr. H. J. WILSON, M.P., Mrs. LOUISE B. SWANN (Bristol), Rev. J. SCOTT LIDGETT, M.A. (President-Elect of the Wesleyan. Conference), Rev. THOS. PHILLIPS, B.A. (Bloomsbury), together with other prominent friends of the cause.

A Collection will be ntade on behalf of the Funds of the Society.

The Deaconess Institute. (BOWRON HOUSE.)

TO KEEP OU- T OF DEBT THE 18th YEAR

£300 must be raised in connection with the ANNIVERSARY, MAY

Offerings and Promises are earnestly solicited.

Friends willing to help in any way should communicate with the-Secretary.

Collecting Boxes and Cards on application.

Secretary, Rev. T. J. COPE, 26 Bessborough Gardens, Westminster, S.W.

CLEAVES' DEVONSHIRE CREAM CHOCOLATE. More beautiful flavour and richer than any Milk Chocolate. Sold in 11 d., ad., ad., and

11s. Tablets, 6d. and 11 s. Croquettes.

CLEAVES' VANILLA

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JOHN CLEAVE & BON, Ltd., DEVONSHIRE CREAM CHOCOLATE WORKS, CREDITOR.

BIRKBECK BANK ESTABLISHED 1851.

SOUTHAMPTON BUILDINGS, HIGH HOLBORN, W.C.

2'z PER CENT. INTEREST allowed on Deposit Accounts. 2 PER CENT. INTEREST en Drawing Accounts with Cheque Book. All general Banking Business transacted.

ALMANACK, with full particulars, POST FREE. C. F. RATENSCILOFT. Secretary

Ube Vinfteb flDetbobist UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

Publishing Office : 12 FarrIngdon A , E.O. Editor's Address: 109 Athenlay Road, Nun , B.E.

Our London Letter. WORKERS in London who would like to see what

can be done for boys and girls in the matter of play hours and social gatherings are invited to attend Manor's May Pole and May Queen Corona-tion on Thursday (to-night) or Saturday at eight. Over one hundred boys and girls, every girl in simple white, are playing in public the games they have learnt in their weekly play hour. There is nothing stagy or theatrical, nothing costly in the get-up of their play. This invitation is genuinely extended to London workers amongst our children in the hope that those on the look-out for ideas as to what to do next for their boys and girls may find something here which they may beg, borrow, or steal. Doors open at seven. If you are met with the words "Quite full," say the U.M. letter brought you, and, failing that, ask for the writer. If some Sunday School gets a happy idea I shall be glad I mentioned the matter. Manor is in Galleywall Road, South Bermondsey. S.E.C.R., Spa Road ; L.B.S.C., South Bermondsey ; Liver-pool Street, 2d. Dulwich bus to Southwark Park Road, turn right at No. 280.

* * * * * The first London District Meeting promises to

be a very happy affair in every way. Thanks to the necessity of preparing for the Uniting Confer-ence at Wesley's Chapel, we were a united District long before Union took place.

Hence the business of the London District Meet-ing will be found in good and shapely form from the first. The powerful Committee of Arrange. ments formed a number of unofficial sub-com-mittees to consider sections of the coming agenda. Thus an Executive and Finance Committee of twenty-four has "advised" the Convener concern-ing the agenda and the arrangements of the early business of the meeting. All the applications for grants have been carefully considered and sug-gestions made. An Examination Committee of twenty-four is ready to prepare the highway for any on-coming candidates for the ministry! A "Numerical and Spiritual Committee" has already faced the various returns, with their saddening decreases, and arranged for a full discussion at a good session of the meeting.

Of course, all this is very informal, and any attempt to force through a Committee's recom-mendation might be met with the reminder that the Committee was no Committee. Yet in the end all reasonable men will be glad that somebody sifted matters for presentation 'to a meeting where lay business men will be in the ascendancy.

One thing the Committees have very wisely left undone—they have not even hinted at any nomination to any office. The District Meeting begins its course free and unfettered in its choice of the men it will have for its ministering servants.

Will there be a lady member? There certainly Is a lady steward entitled to come! Will she be the first of many to follow in her train? Method-ism is generally several generations ahead of Par-'lament 1 Hats off to the pioneer !

Are you keeping up your wicket on the Licens- ing Question ? How does your hoarding look after the late rains? See to it! The public- houses have not put out anything new of late ! Strip all your untidy boards. Besides, these bills have been up long enough. Put up a new set with fresh matter. Keep your end up ! Here is material (1) "Is it insulting? " answering the publicans' notorious six statements—printed like his in red and black—capital matter—Temperance Parliamentary Association, Parliament Mansions, S.W. (2d.). (2) From the C.E.T.S., 4 Sanctuary, Westminster, get "Six Reasons" and "A Gigantic Evil "—dignified, of course—each 2d. (3) Woolwich Free Church Council has two fine posters, not local- in any way ; send 6d. to Rev. G. Corin, 29 Ripon Road, Plumstead, who I am sure will secure two for you. Keep your end up ! The Churches are doing grandly. The publican has lost a leaf out of his book this time. The Bill is going through ! Share in the victory.

W. KAYE MINN,

FOR 80 YEARS

ELIXIR

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MAY 7, 1908. THE UNITED METHODIST. 421

Letters of Christopher Hunt. ---

BITING THE GLOVE.

To the Editor of THE UNITED METHODIST.

DEAR SIR,—That genial Methodist writer and artist, James Smetham, gives an amusing account in one of his letters of a present that was made to him of a pair of gloves. It was on his birthday. One of the younger children betrayed the secret that a pair of worked slippers were under the bed "from Mamma with an affectionate inscrip-tion. Presently Johnny turned up with a packet containing a pair of olive gloves. This was an opportune present, for I had only one glove in the world, and that was an old one, its fellow being dropped on the Bradford Railway ; and I was resolved not to spend money on another pair just yet, seeing that an honest man can go with-cut, or make believe with one. I believe I have

took in ' the public for at least eight weeks. The public has been living under the delusion that I have had a whole pair of gloves, whereas, by a dazzling series of manmuvres with one, they have lived in a hollow cheat. I shall now go on a different tack, making such a display as to convey somehow the impression that I have four hands instead of two (all with gloves on), and that I have a brand new pair on every morning. This will lead to the supposition that I must be very well off indeed ; which will lead people to buy -my pictures (it being well known that they only buy them of those who don't need to sell them); and so, by what may be called a coup de main, I intend to become rich, prosperous, admired, sought after, and afterwards a statue erected to my memory, with a pair of gloves on, in the Italian style, where you can see the hands through, as in the veiled ladies."

I. I am greatly interested in this question of gloves

at the present time My interest is not due, I should add, to the fact that I am about to enter 'Good Society. Having on one occasion to visit a Bishop, whose wife was a lady of title, I took the precaution to consult a well-known book written by a Member of the Aristocracy. The re-sult proved that I had all my trouble for nothing. I needed no "rules" in the case of the Bishop and his wife, they could not have been more gracious or natural. Where I did need direction, however, the book failed me entirely. There is no chapter on " How to address butlers," nor any hint that butlers may be met with in episcopal palaces. I should have known perhaps, but I was quite unprepared. I make the humiliating confession that that miserable butler floored me completely. I bear no malice. No doubt he meant well, but he seemed to possess all the airs of a Turveydrop, and I cannot think of him to this day without a shudder.

In Good Society elaborate rules are laid down concerning the proper use of gloves. I imagine the Lord Chamberlain must have several volumes in which the ceremonial use of gloves is plainly set forth. There are set times to put them on ; also to take them off. Certain colours are indis-pensable in certain circumstances. Some meals may be taken gloved—the hands I mean. At other meals gloves are optional. At others, again, gloved hands would be an unpardonable solecism. Of course, the etiquette of gloves is only a small part of Good Society's daily menu. It's but the soup, so to speak. I'm afraid life is too short, even for a member of the aristocracy, to come within actual reach of the dessert. What troubles me is, when does Good Society find time to say its prayers? That doubtless is also regulated by rules of etiquette, though considering the nature of the performance it is regarded as belonging to the class of optional duties—in Good Society.

The subject of gloves is so fascinating that I am still a good way off from stating my particular interest in them. D'Israeli, in his "Curiosities of Literature," quotes from an ingenious antiquary

much that is entertaining on the history and uses of gloves. This writer imagines that gloves are quoted in the 108th Psalm. He says that in the passage, "Upon Edom will I cast my shoe," the word "glove" may properly be substituted for "shoe." But I can find no confirmation of this. Xenophon, Homer and other ancients give clear and distinct accounts of these articles of clothing. To wear gloves implied a considerable degree of effeminacy. The use of gloves prevailed among the Romans, though the philosophers poured scorn on the habit of perfectly healthy people clothing their hands with soft coverings. On great and solemn occasions, such as coronations, investitures, in bestowing lands, and in conferring dignities, gloves are employed in most civilized nations. In the middle ages bishops were put into the possession of their sees by receiving a glove. To give up the gloves Was like the modern custom of laying down the seals of office. The term glove-money is frequently met with in old records. It originated in the custom of giving money to servants to buy gloves. The use of a glove in challenging is well known.

III.

The day has come to put on the gloves. Does not the present situation demand the use of even a stronger phrase? Every man must bite his glove.

Stern Rutherford right little said But bit his glove, and shook his head.

That attitude indicates determined and mortal hostility. It was said of one that he had the art to gloss the foulest cause. Some newspapers which might be named have mastered that art to some purpose. They have even misled many good men. Men of high intelligence, of unquestioned integrity, are aiding unwittingly one of the most malignant forces for the corruption of States and people in this age or in any other. But as Mr. Paul says, in his "Life of Froude," "that there are good men on the wrong side does not make it the right side." Never was there a time since the beginning of our human story when those on the right side needed to bite the glove with fiercer tenacity. It is not sufficient to take it up. The Church has always taken up the challenge the world has thrown down, with more or less spirit. The time has come when the glove must be bitten, not held.

But let us count the cost. A man cannot bite the glove and then walk out of the arena with uplifted head, happy in the consciousness that the task is over and the battle won. There are many months before us, maybe years, of hard fighting with base and vicious powers. By many we shall be despised, scoffed at, hated, possibly mobbed. The citadel of lies, shams, and unnamable devil-ries is not attacked with impunity. It may even be that some valued leader must suffer martyrdom, like John Brown, before the wrecker's lights are wrested from his iron grasp. Men who fling themserveg into this traffic of souls must be pre-pared for all the obloquy Christian reformers have always had heaped upon them.

IV.

But the music of Christian enterprise always ends on the top note. Bite the glove hard enough and the battle is ours. We have had reverses, and we may have more. Let us not lose heart. Abra-ham Lincoln has shown us the way. When almost every battle was being lost, and the North was los-ing ground daily, and the people were thoroughly disheartened, Lincoln appealed for three hundred thousand more men. Bryant wrote a poem pic-turing the scene as the men said farewell to their loved ones, and went forth to free the slaves. Each verse concluded with the refrain, "We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more." Victory lies that way to-day. We must call out the reserves, and having sung a psalm, sweep on and crush the foe.—Yours, etc.,

CHRISTOPHER HUNT. Little B!essington.

Doings of Our Deaconesses. THE sympathy, counsel, and help of a godly

woman in the home is the Gospel ministry some cases need. A sister visited a woman who was in great distress. She had nothing to eat, and in the one room in which she and her husband lived there was only one article of furniture—a bed-stead> She told the Sister that before marriage she was a lady's maid and her husband was in a good situation as clerk ; but his drinking habits had brought them down to poverty and starvation. There was no hope for them unless he signed the temperance pledge. If he signed she believed he would keep it, for he was a very determined man. She had done her utmost to persuade him, but in vain. The Sister suggested that they made it a matter of prayer, and promised to call again in the evening, when the husband would be at home. She called, and after an hour's tactful conversation and pleading, he signed the pledge. That was four months ago, since then he has had to Withstand many temptations. His father has tried to get him back to his old ways, and he has been so short of work that some days he and his wife have had only dry bread to eat, but he has kept his pledge.

* * * *

There are other ways in which the Sisters minister in the families affected by the drink. A young woman of twenty years of age exclaimed, "Oh, Sister, I am just tired of life," and the tears ran down her cheeks as she spoke. She was edu-cated, well connected, and lived at home with her father. A sympathetic inquiry led her, in dull, even tones, which told their own story, to un-burden her heart, saying, "Oh, it is such a relief to be able to tell you, for I cannot stand it much longer. How happy we should be but for the drink ! How I loathe it I " She told how it had demoralised and debased her father. She had found him lying on the doormat drunk and in-capable, and when aroused his language was vile. The Sister reminded her that, however fallen, he was still her father ; that he had intelligence and skill, was one of those for whom Christ died, and he might yet be saved. Then came out the bit-terest part of the sad story—the father's char-acter and life had destroyed the daughter's love and respect for him. "How can I love him," she said, "when he is so full of evil? I shrink from him." The Sister carried the Gospel to that drunken father's home, and encouraged and helped the daughter to bear her burden of grief. Thus the Sisters go about doing good.

* * * *

THE ANNIVERSARY. The anniversary meetings of the Deaconess

Institute will be held in the Friends' Meeting Ilouse, Bishopsgate Without, E.C., opposite Liverpool Street, Monday, May 18th.

In the afternoon, at three o'clock, there will be a convention. The Sisters Lois, Eva, Florence, and Bessie will spealc of their work. Sisters Lydia and Muriel will sing. Mrs. Cuthbert Wilkinson, of Holland Park, London, will preside.

In the evening, at half-past six, the annual meeting will be held. Addresses will be given by the Rev. E. Boaden (President of the Conference), the Rev. T. Nightingale, and the Sisters Edith and Clare. Miss Emily Tanner will sing. Mr. Joseph Briggs, of Cleckheaton, will preside.

To keep the Institute out of debt during the summer .4:300 must be raised in connection with the anniversary. Donations and promises are earnestly solicited. Collecting cards and boxes can be had by friends willing to help.

T. J. COPE, Secretary. 36 Bessborough Gardens,

Westminster, S.W.

OUR country readers will find "The Journal of the Board of Agriculture," of which the first monthly issue of Vol. XV. is before us, simply invaluable for garden and farm work. This number for April, for instance, contains articles on "Pruning Fruit Trees," on "The Supposed Degeneracy of the Potatoe," on "Varieties of Apples Suitable for Different Districts," and abundance of other information of first-rate and first-hand value. It only costs 4d. monthly, and is abundantly worth the money to farmers and gar-deners. It is sent post free for twelve months for 4s., or for three months for ls., by the Secretary, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 4 Whitehall Place, London, S.W.

422

THE UNITED METHODIST. MAY 7, 1908.

News of Our Churches. (Continued from page 418).

HUCKNALL. Sunday DURING the Easter holidays the School centenary of the Sunday Schools Centenary was celebrated at Hucknall amid Celebrations- much rejoicing, the services being

largely attended by past and present scholars. On Good Friday afternoon .a procession paraded the locality, headed by the Excelsior Prize Band and a new banner, bearing the inscription : "1808-1908. M.N.C. Trinity Sunday School-100 years. ' Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.' " The oldest living scholar was present in the person of Mr. William Pye, who had been connected with the church and school for seventy-seven years. The Rev. T. Scowby (Circuit minister) referred to the noteworthy occasion, which no doubt awakened many joyful memories. He said they had not made that procession in a spirit of pride, but rather in the spirit of thankfulness to their Divine Father, God. A public tea was afterwards provided, and a largely-attended meeting was held in the even-ing, Mr. Reuben Goodall presiding. Addresses of a reminiscent character were given by the chair-man, Messrs. H. A. Piggin, F. Goodall, and John Collins. On Easter Sunday special services were held, when the preacher was the Rev. E. Holyoake, of Sheffield. On Monday the celebra-tions were brought to a close by a tea and meet-ing. Sir Charles T. Skelton, J.P., presided over the meeting, when addresses were given by Alder-man R. Mellars, Mr. Thomas Hardy, the Revs. W. Eddon and E. Holyoake. The Rev. T. Scowby stated that in connection with the celebration it was their purpose to make an effort to reduce the debt on the schools, and announced several dona-tions in addition to the collection, which realized about £25.

LEEK, HANLEY. District ON Sunday morning, April 26th, Council the chairman of the Leek Urban Chairman's District Council attended service in Visit. Bethesda Chapel, Leek, and was

accompanied by the Council and various officials of the town. Councillor J. E. Ingham, F.C.S., who is chairman for this year, has for many years been one of our members, and is honoured throughout the town by friends and opponents alike as a man of singularly unblemished character, of striking courage and ability. The preacher was the Rev. C. B. Lea, who preached a most excellent, helpful, and appropriate sermon from the words of Micah : "What doth the Lord require of thee," etc.

MI LLOM. FOUR or five men have been brought to God

during the year who are expected to be of great service to the church. The Circuit fund has a balance in hand of over £10. During the last four years the missionary money has exceeded £70. Including £20 raised for the debt extinction fund, the amount raised for Missions during those years is over £311, an annual average of more than £77. The congregations at the weeknight preaching service and on Sunday evenings are a great encouragement. A new chapel is much needed, and an appeal is to be made to the church forthwith for that object.

CONFERENCE ARRANGEMENTS.

Rev. J. Baxter writes : Will District Secretaries send their Lists of Repre-

sentatives to Conference, with addresses, to the Rev. J. Baxter, Hanover House, Filey Street, Sheffield, without delay? Also, will all who are preachers kindly leave themselves in the hands of the Conference Arrangements Committee ? Will all who are making "private arrangements" as to hospitality, please send early intimation to Rev. J. Thomas, 89 Bridport Road, Attercliffe Road, Sheffield ?

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Our Home Mission Work. A PLEA FOR BETTER ATTENTION TO IT

DEAR MR. EDITOR,—The Home Mission anni. versaries for 1908 are over. What more do the Circuits know of real Home Mission work as the result? From reports we have read, we should say that in many cases the meetings have failed to fulfil their proper function.

One can imagine the state of a political meeting if Mr. Lloyd George, M.P., after having been announced to speak concerning the Licensing Bill, were to treat his audience to an elaborate dissertation on "Ballooning." Many of our minis-ters would be loud in their condemnation of such injustice and trifling. And yet I fear that an-nually they take part in something of this kind of farce in our Home Mission meetings.

Deputations are appointed, and their expenses paid, to speak on Home Mission work in the Connexion. But the congregation all too often receives an address on matters quite as far re-moved from what is expected, as is "Ballooning" from "The Licensing Bill."

The cause of this may be a lack in knowledge of or sympathy with the work in hand. It may be a misunderstanding of the duties of the de-putation. Or it may be more congenial and per-haps fashionable to discuss some social problem at these meetings—we are all social reformers to-day.

But, whatever the cause, the effect is serious, and it is a matter for earnest consideration lest our Home Mission work in many places suffers beyond recovery. Said one influential lady : "I get tired of going to these Home Mission meet-ings. It is all Socialism and nothing else." In common fairness to our Home Mission work, is it not time to call a halt? Deputations are not sent to read the pamphlet issued by the Com-mittee, and then leave the subject for a general talk, a talk about (with much of the "about ") Socialism, and the telling of a few tales. They have been appointed ministers of the Home Mis-sion "not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."

Leaving deputations, we then ask, Why is the work at Home so subordinated to the work abroad?

It is true the command was, to go into "all the world," but we seem to have forgotten the "be-ginning in Jerusalem" to a large extent.

For instance, we cannot see why the contribu-tions of the Circuits should differ so considerably.

On our Foreign field, we have 4,466 members and probationers, on the Home Mission field 4,125. Last year £6,871 could be . raised for China, £1,612 for Home Missions. This is an average of ,Z.1 6s. 3d. for the Chinaman, 7s. 10d. for the English brother. One refuses to believe that there is a justification for this disparity. The Connexion surely does not think it. It is rather the inevitable crop from the seed we have sown.

Two-thirds of the Conference collection go to China, but one-third to the Home Mission.

Circuits boom the Foreign Mission anniversaries and neglect the Home Mission meetings. Why, the deputation has even had to find the chairman for the meeting before this, no such preparation having been made.

If Conference would originate a great educa-tional movement relative to Home Mission work, more good would be accomplished for both branches of our missionary activity than by sending out to China a privileged company of brethren, however capable and estimable, who, all told, will at the most only equal two-thirds of a certain Csar. They may be able to say : "We came, we saw," but it will still be left to others to say : "We con-quered." And could not our brethren in China put to better uses the money thus spent than they will be able to do with the deputation on its arrival? We are sure the Home missionaries could.

Why is it that young men in our ministry are continually saying "We trust that we shall never have to

is to Home Mission stations"?

Why is it that our "Missionary Echo," for at least March and April, does not contain a single paragraph in either issue relating to Home Mis-sion work?

Neglected in the M.N.C. section ; neglected in the U.M.F.C. section ; is it yet to be neglected in the publication devoted to missionary work in the United Methodist Church? If Home Mission work has any worth, then let it be duly recognized and not winked at.

As a Denomination we seem to have the faculty of seeing things from afar. May we suggest that

the Connexional microscope has wonders to reveal quite as important and entrancing, as those seen through the Connexional telescope?

Let us keep the telescope bright with constant use, but for God's sake and the brethren's, let not the microscope rust and mildew.—Yours in the Master's service, FRANK H. CHAMBERS.

TO TEMPERANCE LEAGUE SUBSCRIBERS.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,—Will you allow me space to ask all subscribers to the United Methodist Tem-perance League, whether personal, Bands of Hope, Societies, or Churches, kindly to send their sub-scriptions on to me at once if they have not done so, as the books must be closed almost immediately for the auditors? There is a great necessity for financial help in this time of much work, expense, and strain in the interests of the Licensing Bill.

Our friends will be glad to know of a pleasant outcome of the "letter from Burton " read at the City Temple Missionary Meeting on Monday last. One friend who was there, in sending his sub-scription to the Temperance League, says, " I had intended sending half a guinea, but after hearing a letter from Burton read at the City Temple I feel I must send you a guinea." Bravo l We will not say how glad we shall be if others will do the same.

Petitions, memorials, resolutions, post cards, etc., are still going out to our churches in goodly numbers, and we shall be glad to supply more.

JOHN THANLEv. 21 Filey Street, Sheffield.

Our Letter Bag. PASTORAL VISITATION.

X. Y. Z. writes appealing for an improvement in pastoral visitation. He recognizes that it is de-sirable that our ministers should be able to preach at least fairly well, and that this involves a certain amount of time being devoted to sermon prepara-tion, but says that his experience, extending over a good number of years, is that where one person expresses a desire for better sermons at least two or three express a desire for more visitation, and for a greater interest and zeal in the general affairs of the Church.

He believes that the preaching itself, or the effectiveness of it, would not suffer, if some of the time at present spent in the study were sacrificed for the sake of the other work. . . .

It may be, he says, that the remedy in this matter lies to some extent with our laymen, as regards the calling of young men into the minis-try, and it seems to him that those young men should be called, who are not so much, or not merely, exceptionally good preachers, but those who, while being passably good at preaching, and good men, evince also an earnest zeal and aptitude for the work of the Church in all its aspects.

PROBABLY there is no doctrine upon which the beliefs of Christian people are more divided and un-settled than that concerning the last things—death, judgement, the hereafter, etc. For some considerable time the Rev. J. G. Greenhough, M.A., has been making a careful study of Eschatology, and the result of his work in this direction is to appear in a volume on "The Doctrine of the Last Things," which the National Free Church Council announces for publi-cation on May 6th. This forms one of the series on "Christian Life and Doctrine."

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UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Thanksgiving Fund. SEVENTH LIST OF SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Rev.-- T. W. TownenTNEAs (the late), Sheffield

Rev. J. W. Thompson, Darwen 5

Rev. W. Bailey, Laun- ceston 3

Rev. Dr. Jones, Poyi,

Rev. v. R. L. and Mrs. Wildridge, Cromer 3

Rev. W. H. Cocker- sole, Clay Cross 5

Mr. Israel Hartley, Hey- wood 25

Mr. S. Hill, Bury 5 Mr. and Mrs. Fielder,

Burnley 2 Mr. E. Stansfield, New-

church 3 Launceston—

Miss Gubbin Mr. D. Barriball Mr. J. Baker Mr. W. H. Bluett Mr. and Mrs. W

Barriball 3 Ripley—

Mr. Chas. Hardy 2 Mr. E. White Mr. G. Turner Mr. S. Johnson Mr. J. Wheatcroft Mr. J. Woodward Mr. F. Rhodes - 1 Mr. G. A. Hambleton 1 Mr. S. Hambleton 1 Mr. H. Jewsbury 1 Mr. and Mrs. C

Bryan - 1 Mr. and Cecil Bryan.... Is. Mr. George Smith I

Bolton— Mc T. Cox

6 10

Mr. S. Itsin Mrs. Briggs 5 Mr. F. Battle 3 Mr. T. Whittle 2 Corm. R. Tootill, J.P 2 Mr. W. Yates 5 Mr. and Mrs. H. J

Horner 6 Cromer—

Mr. G. Lubbock 1 Miss H. Lubbock Mr. and Mrs. Lubbock 1 Mrs. Morgan

GUINEAS Mr. R. Cooper Mr. T. Ward Miss R. Mack Mr. R. Sergent Mr. Darby Miss B. Watts 1.1 Miss L. Watts Mr. W. Smithson Mr. F. W. Cox Mr. A. Walker Miss G. Normanton Mr. Webster Mrs. J. Amies 1 Mrs. and Mr. J

Edwards 2 Mrs. and Mr. R. Balls Mr. G. Youngs Mr. and Mrs. R

Walker Mr. J. Iludderham Miss E. Blythe Mrs. Smithson Miss Cooper Mrs. Hale Mrs. Petts 1

Keighley- Mr. J. W. Smith, J.P.,

Mrs. and Miss Smith 150 Miss L. Smith Mr. W. Goddard 1 Mr. S. Brown Mrs. S. Brown Mr. W. Brown Miss Dons Brown Miss Glades Brown 1 Mr. and Mrs. F. Nixon 2

Mr. Lewins, Manchester Second 5

Mr. Goodwin Hyde, Derby 10

Mr. Bentley. Derby 5 Mr. J. W. Simmonds,

Grantham 1 Mr. J. W. Simmonds,

in memory : a sainted Father, Grantham 1

Mr. J. W. Taylor, Grantham 1

Long Eaton— First Fruits 10 E. G. C. Winfield Mr. W. Seem Home Miss A. 1 Mr. J. D. -Winfield

1 Mr. W. Hutchings and Family 1

6

9 1 2 5

DAILY MAIL YEAR BOOKLCHURCHES

Gives at a glance a complete and convenient survey of the whole religious activity of the country.

Only a reference to the very complete index can convey any adequate idea of the extent and variety of the subjects dealt with, but the following indicates

something of the scope of the work

THE BOOK IS DIVIDED INTO NINE SECTIONS, AS FOLLOWS :

I.—The Spiritual Condition of the Churches.

2.—What Men are Thinking. 3.—Methods of the Churches. 4.—Men and Women of the

Churches.

5.—Problems of the Churches. 6.—The Churches' History,

Principles and Statistics. 7.—Foreign Missions. 8.—Coming Events. 9.—A B C of Societies.

It is 5 inches wide ; 7i inches deep ; inch thick ; contains 320 pages; has an index of 1,000 references, and contains in all upwards of 300,000 words.

Readers of " The United Methodist " will be specially interested in the following, which are included among the Forty Special Articles which the book contains.

How London Goes to Church. By Richard Mudie-Smith, F.S.S.. Editor of "The Religious Life of London."

Spiritual Condition of the Free Churches. Work waiting for a Spurgeon, or Wesley, or Dale. By Rev. F. B. Meyer, B.A.

Labour and Religion. A study of the mind of the working classes. By George Haw, Editor of "Christianity and the Working Classes."

The Great Religious Books. A Survey of Twenty Years. By Rev. lames Hastings, M.A., D.D., Editor of " Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels," and "Dictionary of the Bible."

Thinkers In the Nonconformist Churches. A Summary of the Men and their Work. By Professor James Orr, M.A., D.D., Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology, U.F. Church College, Glasgow.

What the Higher Criticism Means. con-clusions reached by the Critics. By Professor A. S. Peaks, Professor of Biblical Exegesis in Manchester University.

The New Theology. Defined by its chief ex-ponent. By Rev. R. J. Campbell, M.A., Minister of the City Temple.

Is the Sunday School Properly Used ? The real test of success. By John Adams, Pro-fessor of Education, University of London.

Nonconformists and Apostolic Succession. A defence of the Free Church ministry. By Rev. John Brown, B.A., D.D., Author of "John Bunyan, His Life, Times and Work."

The Free Churches and Social Reform. New Ideals and New Movements. By Rev. S. S. Feeble, Author of "Industrial Day Dreams." etc.

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THE UNITED METHODIST. 423 MAY 7,_1908.

GUINEAS GUINEAS Miss E. L. Winfield 1 Mr. and Miss Eleven 5 Miss F. E. W. If Mr. and Mrs. J. R.

- W. H. T. 2 Bevers 5 Misses E. and G. Mr. and Mrs. Joe

Wragg 2 Blackburn 4 W. H. Woods 3 Misses K. and J. 1 j. W. 0. 3 Blackburn Not to hr named 3 Mr, H. T. Fox 3 Inasmuch Mr. and Mrs. W. T. W. Brecknock 2 Rushby Arthur B. Winfield ... 5 Mr. W. Thwaites A. G. Mr. G. Richardson ... i No Name 10 Mr. John Ramsden ... 2 Barn Chapel 10 Mr. G. F. Burnley ... 1 Unworthy (S Mr. W. H. Burnley ... 1 For Wife 9 Mr. Charlv Lodge ... 1 For Children

Accrington— 4 Mr. David Fox, jun. 1

Accrington— Mr. A. R. Allatt Mr. J. Ratcliffe and Mr. J. Armitage

Family 5 Miss E. Hyde 5s. Mr. J. B. Myers 10 Collection at Zion, Mr. Coun. and Mrs Balance £3 Os. 10d.

Woolley 20 Mr. J. H. Gregg, Not- Oswaldtwistle— tingham

Messrs. J. and E. Mrs. C. Linley, the late £1 Ellison 21 Mr. Uriah Kaye, Elland 5

Miss Hind 1 Miss M. Topham, Elland i Mr. E. H. Ormerod, Mr. G. H. BrothwoOd,

Rushton 1 Tipton 3 Alderman R.. and Miss Mr. and Mrs. Marley,

Jackson, Walsclen 10 Fulham Batley— Mr. E. Hain, J.P., Sr. I

Mr. Edwin Talbot, Ives £25 J.P., C.C. 100 Capt. J. Hodge 3

Mayor and Mayoress Sheffield South (Additional)— Coun. and Mrs. Mr. G. E. Williams I F. W. Akeroyd 20

Mr. and Mrs. C. R IR G. H.

sI■4311s;ri g Spedding 20 klaurice Nicholson ... i

Mr. W. Parker, J.P 10 Harold Nicholson i Mr. \V. J. R. Fox, Arthur Nicholson

P. 10 Mr. Enos Kaye 3. Mjr. David Fox 5 Mr Gilbert Hall Mr. W. J. Turner .., 5 Mrs. Jewitt 11.

Payments and new promises may be sent to any of the Local Sgcretaries, or the Joint Secretaries:

Rev. JNO. DYMOND, Wells -Road, Knowle, Bristol. Rev. THOS. SCOWBY, Hucknall Torkard, Botts.

- Rev. DAVID HEATH, 24 Park Road, Blackpool. Rev. JAS. LONGDEN, Southfield Rd., Middlesbrough. Rev. W. R. K. BAULK WILL, 16 Soho Road, Hands-

worth, Birmingham.

SOWERBY BRIDGE. A PUBLIC meeting in the interests of the above

Fund was held on Thursday evening last in the Tuel Lane Schoolroom. The meeting was fortu-nate in having Mr. Helliwell as chairman, who spoke favourably of the effort and promised a generous donation. The Revs. J. Longden and H. G. Allchurch addressed the gathering. A

committee has been appointed to make a general canvass of our people, and there is reason to be-lieve that the response will be a good and worthy one.

CARDIFF. A MEETING in behalf of the above was held in

the Newport Road Church, Cardiff, on Tuesday last. Mr. R. Bird, J.P., presided over the meet-ing, which, though in point of numbers might not merit the term "great," responded nobly to the appeals of the deputation. Mr. Bird, whose magnificent gift of 1,000 guineas testifies not only to his large-hearted generosity, but also to his cordial endorsement of the various objects of the funds represented in the appeal, gave the meeting a good start by his optimistic remarks. The Rev. J. Longden spoke very ably and conclusively as to the objects of the funds for which is claimed the support of our people; Mr. Baulkwill following with his usual persuasive power and skilful advo-cacy of "the filling up of the slips." The financial result of the meeting (exclusive of the chairman's 1,000 guineas already promised) was ‘240 16s. 6d.

PATRICROFT (MANCHESTER FOURTH). A MEETING in connection with the Thanksgiving

Fund was held in the Patricroft Church (Man-chester Fourth Circuit), on Monday evening, April 13th. The chair was occupied by Mr. S. Plant, and a very forceful and telling address was given, by the Rev. J. Longden, Joint Secretary of the Fund. There was not a very large attendance, but when the promises were read out by the minister it was found that every family repre-sented had promised to contribute to the Fund, and there will certainly be further promises forth-coming.

WE have received copies of illustrated books pub-lished for the District Councils of Surbiton, Rich-

mond, Beckenham, and Kingston, which will be sent to all applicants post free if post card is addressed

to the respective town clerks. Any one contemplating moving their residence will 5nd that these books con-tain just the information they require.

424 THE UNITED METHODIST. MAY 7, 1908.

THE GUARDIAN REPRESENTATIVES.

DEAR SIR,—In the coming District Meetings one item of business will be the nomination of four brethren — two ministers and two laymen — for Guardian Representatives, for a term of six years. May I venture to suggest that in the choice of names of ministers some consideration may be given to those supernumeraries who have rendered their Churches conspicuous services in the past, and, having "passed the chair," even, are now shelved into—shall I say — a respectable Con-nexional oblivion, so far as having any active place in our annual gatherings? I too well remember the soreness of feeling cherished by the late Revs. T. Guttridge and M. Miller'-when, after having moved in the high places of the body, they became supernumeraries, and then, if they visited the Assembly, had no more voice nor vote in the de-liberations than the veriest stranger. I am now thinking of such men in the late U.M.F.C. as the Revs. John Truscott, J. S. Balmer, A. Jones, E. Askew, W. R. Sunman, to say nothing of the Ex-Presidents of the M.N.C. Churches. Such minis-ters as the Revs. W. Redfern and W. Cory Harris, elected at City Road, with their reputation and ability, would be sure of a place in the Conference, without the distinction of an election as Guardian Representatives, an honour that should be reserved for those veterans in the ministry such as I have here referred to. E. D. GREEN.

•

METHODIST CONCERTED ACTION COMMITTEE.

DEAR SIR,—Will you kindly extend to us the use of your columns to call attention to the recom-mendation of the above Committee that united ser-vices should be held wherever practicable, at least once a year, among the Methodist Churches, where groups of churches can conveniently assem-ble together?

It has been the rule for many years past for the above Committee to suggest to our people that this may be done with great advantage. United Communion services are held among all the Non-conformist Churches in many parts of Great Britain at the beginning of the year ; but the recommendation of the above Committee is that united gatherings in the form of lovefeasts or com-munion services should be held by the various branches of the Methodist family.

Such services, when well organized and sym-pathetically entered into, have been made a great blesiing to our Churches. Whitsuntide has been found a most convenient time, and the hallowed associations of that season have helped to make the meetings more than ordinarily impressive.

The Committee is strongly of opinion that more than anything else such meetings for worship, united prayer, and thanksgiving, will not only manifest to the world the unity of spirit which we should ever seek to promote, but in the surest way lead to the creation of that spirit. The great ecclesiastical movement by which three of the Methodist Churches have become one during the past year, should give special emphasis and in-terest to such devotional services this season.

R. CULLEY ANDREW CROMBIE THOMAS MITCHELL WILLIAM MARSDEN WILLIAM BRIMELOW Secretaries.

DEAR SIR,—May I suggest to those of your readers who are interested in the Local Preachers' Mutual Aid how desirable it is that those entitled to vote should arrange to attend the aggregate meeting at Hull on June 22nd next, and support United Methodist candidates for the General Com-mittee? Amongst them are the following : Mr. E. Talbot, J.P., C.C., Batley ; Mr. J. R. Bennett, J.P., Downham ; Mr. E. S. Snell, Wanstead ; and Mr. W. J. Nicholls, J.P., Torquay. Our people

Eiffel Tower BUN FLOUR. A rd packet makes x5dellcionsliglot bonswith certain mitten, Almond. Lemon, or Vanilla

ought to take a -greater interest in the manage-ment, seeing that we desire, and are expected, to help the L.P.M.A. in its objects.—Yours faith- fully. A. J. CASH.

12 St. James' Street, Derby, April 27th, 1908.

MISSIONARY DEMONSTRATION.

DEAR MR. EDITOTI7Kindly allow me to acknowledge in your columns the receipt of the following contributions to the Chairman's List :

Previously acknowledged, 167 17s. ld.; Sir Christopher Furness, M.P., £5; "Friend," Salis-bury, 4.5 ; Mr. G. Stovin, Alford, 5; Mr. T. A. Cockin, Huddersfield, £3 3s.; Mr. W. Pollard, Burnley, .3; Mr. R. G. Rows, Helston, £1; Mr. E. G. Warren, Salisbury, 10s.; Mr. William Bennetts, St. Stephen's, 10s. ; Mr. W. Pickles, Bradford, 5s. ; Walham Grove, "Women's Social Hour" Collection, 5s.; "In Memoriam," Mrs. Har-greaves, Clitheroe, 5s. ' • Mr. F. Bradley, Pendle-bury, 2s. 6d.; "B. M."' 2s. 6d.; total, £192 Os. id.

R. W. GAIR. May 4th.

5nternationat lesson. BY REV. CHARLES A. ASHELFORD.

MAY 17TH, 1908.

JESUS BETRAYED AND DENIED.—John xviii. 1-27.

GOLDEN TEXT.—" Jesus saith unto them, the Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of men " (Matt. xvii. 22).

Westcott's introduction to this chapter is ex-ceptionally good. He points out that in the history of the Passion three thoughts, among others, rise into clear prominence : (1) The voluntariness of Christ's sufferings, xviii. 4, 8, 11, 36; (2) the ful-filment of a Divine plan in Christ's sufferings, xviii. 4, 9, 11, cf. Lk. xxii. 53 ; (3) the majesty which shines through Christ's sufferings, xviii. 6, 20, 37. The spiritual grandeur our Lord mani-fests in life and death is a thing entirely unique. His moral glory shines out on that dark back-ground of treason, Jewish unbelief and hate, and the brute force of the Gentile world-power. The lesson reveals Jesus in His majesty and tenderness, in His Divinity and humanity (vv. 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, etc.). A subsidiary purpose is to show how the' predictions regarding His betrayal by Judas and His denial by Peter have been fulfilled.

Betrayed (vv. —3, 5). The brook Kidron (literally, "the black stream ")

was really a wady or winter torrent. The ravine separates the Mount of Olives frrom the Temple Mount. This was the way David went when fleeing from his son Absalom and Ahithophel (2 Sam. xv. 23). V. 2 makes it clear that not flight, but fellowship with the Father was what was sought by Jesus. The traditional spot of Gethsemane dates from. the time of Constantine, and cannot be far from the real site. Gethsemane means "oil press," and is derived from the fact that olive trees abound there. The circumstance that "Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with His disciples " indicates that Jesus was more at home in Jerusalem than the Synoptists would lead us to believe; and that He had unnamed yet devoted friends who were ready to put at His disposal their property. The fact that the disciples slept in the Garden during the Agony suggests that "He who had not where to lay His head " habitually used the spot for slumber as well as for communion with the Father and the Twelve, and that ludas may probably have expected to capture Christ asleep. John does not record the Agony in the Garden.. In the great crises of His ministry Jesus sought solitude with God (Mk. i. 35; Lk. v. 16, vi. 12; cp. John vi. 15 with Mk. vi. 46). In Gethsemane we find blended the imperious impulse to solitude and the human yearning for sympathy. The sequel shows how strength came to Jesus through surrender to God. While the Eleven were sleeping the betrayer was busy wth his base and fell design. The portrayal of him as a man of good intentions but faulty in judgement, who committed the awful crime of betraying his Master through a mistaken policy, finds no support in Scripture. It was not the attempt to force Jesus to assume His Messianic powers, but other mixed and miserable motives that prompted the Betrayal. There is a strange irony in his name : Judas means "one who

is the subject of praise," and it has become the synonym for shame ; his sin has stamped the word with such significance that it has become the class name of perfidious friends. That Judas was "one of the Twelve " is an important factor in the problem presented by his history ; the sin of betrayal was possible only to a disciple. In Lk. vi. 16, read "who turned traitor." In Mk. xiv. 10., R.V., margin, he is called "the one of the Twelve," indicating some kind of priority. In Judas possibilities of good were unrealized because he gave place to the devil. He possessed more than ordinary business gifts, but he turned a splendid opportunity of honourable service into the occasion of his downfall. The mingled motives which led to the betrayal probably were , avarice, baffled ambition, and jealousy. Bruce re-marks, "He was bad enough to do the deed of infamy and good enough to be unable to bear the burden of its fruit. Woe to such a man ! Better for him indeed that he had never been born." Judas is a representative, a typical man. The same possibilities of sin are before all men. Every day our Lord is denied and betrayed; denied by some protesting loudly their loyalty, betrayed by men in the Church as outwardly near to Jesus as Judas. There is need for watchfulness and prayer, for faithfulness in little things, for con-stant clinging to Christ. -

Arrested (vv. 4-9). The band or cohort was probably a detachment

of Roman soldiers from the garrison in the Castle of Antonia, which overlooked the Temple area ; the officers were the official guards and Temple police sent by the Sanhedrin. Lk. xxii. 52 implies that some of the chief priests accompanied them. The lanterns and torches peculiar to John's account give the vivid picturesque touch of an eye-witness. Though the Paschal moon was full, the shadow of the trees and the possibility of hiding were antici-pated. The sword and staves of Mk. xiv. 48 show that, they expected physical resistance to physical force. Vv. 4, 5 present Jesus as Master of the situation—calm, collected, confident, and courage-ous, taking the initiative and going forth to weet His captors, and making the surrender of His liberty and His life. The Evangelist does not refer to the kiss of Judas, nor to the enigmatical words of Jesus, "Comrade—and as a comrade here?" (Matt. xxvi. 50). V. 6 pointe to the moral influence of Christ's calm and dignified bearing which overawed them (vii. 44-46 ; viii. 59; x. 39 ; Lk. iv. 30). All the way through, the triumph of unbelief in the story of the Passion is but a seeming triumph. The arrest in the Garden re-veals three qualities in Christ : (a) Self-possession. The most striking feature of John's narrative of the arrest is the calm, gentle, non-resistant, yet dignified and fearless attitude of Jesus. The power to say the right word or do the right thing at the critical, tumultuous moment is a sign of the true leader of men. The lack of it has been the source of life-long weakness and discourage-ment to multitudes. All embarrassment, blushing, feverishness, cowardice must be conquered if men are to influence and save their fellows. (b) Self-surrender. The chapter illustrates Christ's spiritual ascendency over both friends and foes, but also the completeness of His voluntary self-surrender (x. 18; xvii. 1); the recognition of a necessity in His death was the dominant motive of Jesus throughout. (c) Solicitude for His disciples. A characteristic of the life, but especially of the last hours. In that awful hour when they all for-sook Him and fled, His tender care of them was unfailing. V. 9 is a free quotation of xvii. 12.

Denied (vv. s5-27). Before Peter denied Christ, he tried to defend

Him. The defence was ill-advised and ill-timed, but it reveals his impulsive, officious, yet warm-hearted nature. He wanted to prove the truth of his declaration in xiii. 37. John alone gives us the name of the bond-slave whose ear Peter cut off—Malchus. It is easy to criticize officious Peter, but how many of us would have been plucky enough to do what he did? On healing the in-jured ear Jesus tells Peter clearly that He is not helpless (Matt. xxvi. 53), but obedient. Christ's word is not the signal for battle, but for sur-render. Two reasons are given for not using the sword : (a) Christ's Kingdom not of this world. "Put up thy sword again into his place, for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." If the Church of Christ had only heeded this lesson what a difference it would have made in the world! What black pages of Church his-tory would have been left unwritten ! (Eph. vi. 13; 2 Cor. x. 4). (b) Christ must not be hindered

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from fulfilling His mission (v. 11). From Peter's officiousness we should learn that all our actions should be done under the control of the Spirit, otherwise our best intentions might only thwart God's will and endanger our own and others' salvation. Peter's denial is told by all four evan-gelists. John and Luke do not give the aggrava-tions of Peter's sin (the oaths and curses). John also omits Peter's repentance, though he relates the account of his restoration (xxi. 15-17). Peter's fall and restoration happened by a fire of coals. A crowing cock and a coal fire must have after-wards had deep significance for the denier. We are all one with Peter in his sin of denial, but the greatest lesson for us in this sad narrative is the fact of his repentance. That look of Christ had in it both judgement and mercy. Prof. Garvie points out -that Christ's look presents three contrasts pregnant with meaning : (1) Jesus con-fessing His Messiahship even when confession meant death. Peter who had confessed His Messiahship before and on behalf of the Twelve denying any knowledge of Him when confession might have involved some scorn and insult. (2) Peter is forgetful of all but his own safety—even his own vows and boasts. Jesus is worn and weary with a burden of His own enough to crush Him, but not forgetful of Peter, and in the moment of denial looking on him with pity at his fall and with promise of his recovery. (3) Peter because he has seen the look of pity and promise in the eyes of Jesus going out and weeping bitterly with the godly sorrow which svorketh life. Judas when he learns that Jesus is condemned, repenting himself, but turning not to Jesus but to his com-panions in guilt ; and, heartlessly spurned by them, going away and hanging himself (Matt. xxvii. 3-5). Thus at the same time Jesus seen is the savour of life unto life to Peter, Jesus shunned the savour of death unto death to Judas

This lesson brings before us weak disciples of a mighty Lord, and as we study the record of their sin our prayer should be, "Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe."

for the Cbilbren. PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.

LESSON XX. VIRTUE LESSON—TRUTHFULNESS,

AIM OF LESSON.—To teach the children to be truthful.

INTRODUCTION TO LESSON. STORY. Ask, "What is truthfulness? Do boys and girls

always speak the truth?" Tell of Jacob's untruthfulness ! he told a lie in

order to get the blessing. Remind children of Peter's denial of Christ. He

told a lie because he was afraid. Tell of the boy who called, "Wolf ! Wolf !" He told a lie for fun. Impress on the children the punishments which fol. lowed these lies.

LESSON STORY. There was once a girl called Althea, who lived

in a city where most of the people said their prayers to marble statues. Althea had heard about Jesus. She loved Him so much that she began to try to be like Him, and she gave up saying her prayers to idols, and said them to Him Instead. She went about doing good and teaching her friends about Him. One day the governor of the city heard of Althea—how she had given up wor-shipping idols, and said her prayers to Jesus. The governor sent for her. Althea went to his palace, little thinking such a sad time was before her, and as she went she sang a song of praise.

Will not tell a lie to save her life.—The great man, in his purple robes, sat on a marble throne, surrounded by armed men with glittering swords. When they saw Althea come in with her white dress and sunny face they said, "We shall soon make this girl give up Jesus." But they were mistaken.

The great man asked, "Do you follow Jesus?" "Yes," said Althea, "I follow Jesus." Then his face grew dark ; he scowled and said, "If you say this you will have to die."

Althea's sunny face went white with fear. He felt sorry for her, and said, "If you will promise to give up following Jesus, and bow down to this idol, you shall go home, and not a hair of your head be hurt." He waited for Althea to speak. The tears ran down her face, and she trembled

with fear, but she answered, "I cannot tell a lie ; I do follow Jesus, and I cannot give Him up."

The governor tried again to persuade her by saying, "You shall go home if you will only pro-mise to give up Jesus." Althea answered, "Jesus is my King, and I have promised to follow Him."

She is put into prison.—Then the cruel soldiers took her away and put her in a dark prison to wait there for death.

While she was there the Emperor, who had ordered the Christians to be put to death, died. The next Emperor liked the Christians, so he gave a command that all the followers of Jesus who were in prison should be set free.

Then the keeper of the prison opened the doors and let Althea come out. Oh, how happy she was ! She ran home singing with joy. How glad she was that she had not denied Jesus, but had truthfully and bravely spoken of her love for Him !

EXPRESSION.—Plasticine. The older children might roll a little plasticine into long thin pipes and form these words :

SPEAK THE

TRUTH.

Christian £nbeavour Purger Meetings.

HINTS AND HELPS. BY REV. W. BAINBRIDGE.

MAY 17TH.

TOPIC: OUR BOYS AND GIRLS FOR JESUS.

2 KINGS V. 1-4; LUK.E xvin. 15, 16; 2 TIM. 14, 16.

(JOINT MEETING WITH JUNIORS.) As this is to be a joint meeting of the two, or

more Societies, the Prayer-meeting Committee and the Junior Superintendent should meet and plan for the meeting.

Let the juniors have seats at the front, and be made welcome. By and by the older juniors will be graduated into the Young People's Society. Let their introduction now be a bright and happy one. There is frequently some difficulty experi-enced in getting them to go higher. They have become attached to their Superintendent, the methods of their own Society are congenial to them, as well as the atmosphere. They are shy and reserved among their seniors, and are cautious, too. Let nothing be done or said that will raise the barriers : rather let them be entirely broken down in this meeting.

Try to secure the presence of minister, school superintendent, and secretary, and other officers of school and church. Arrange for a successful meet-ing. Be sure to give a place on the programme to some of the older Juniors.

Hymn : "I think, when I read." The leader might tell the story, briefly, of the

writer of this hymn, Mrs. Luke, who recently passed away in a ripe old age.

Prayer by the Junior Superintendent, and the Lord's Prayer in concert.

A brief welcome to the Juniors, and to the church and school officers, might now be given by one previously appointed.

Juniors' hymn : "I am Jesu's little friend." The rest might join softly in the refrain.

Three members might now come forward and read the selected passages. After the reading, all might join in repeating the words, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer " (Ps. xix. 14).

Duet "Oh, the best Friend to have is Jesus." A series of short prayers might here be offered—

all kneeling. They should have reference to being friends of Jesus ; doing His will in the home, at school, at play, at work, in the church—witnessing for Christ always. One or two appropriate verses might be sung, while kneeling.

Three papers, or one paper and two short ad-dresses, on the passages read might now be given. The first, a paper, should be given by a Junior. It is the story of the Hebrew captive maid, who was carried into the land of Syria, and was in-strumental in leading her diseased master to heal-ing and to God (2 Kings v. 1-4). The story having been told in the writer's own language, the lesson might be brought home to all present, that any sphere may be one of usefulness; that Jesus wants the boys and girls to help Iiirn in His work of humbling and healing men. A few simple instances might be told, after the reading of the paper, by some of the older members. The leader should ask for any.

The story of the little childrern being brought to Jesus (Luke xviii. 15, 16) might be told by the Junior Superintendent, as she might, wisely, dis-creetly, point out how sometimes still the "dis-ciples" "find fault" with those who bring forward the little children to Jesus. "Let the little children come to Me," He said; "do not hinder them : for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs. I tell you in solemn truth that, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will certainly not enter it."

If the minister be present, or the school super-intendent, he might speak on the words of Paul to Timothy, urging all to be faithful to the lessons of their childhood (2 Tim. iii. 14-16). "But you must cling to the things which you have learnt and have been taught to believe, knowing who your teachers were, and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise to obtain salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Here the names of former teachers and ministers might be recalled, whose piety was undisputed, who had a wise and graci-ous influence over those present, especially the older ones. "Whose faith follow." "The power of holy memories," Dr. Moule entitles vv. 14, 15, A few words might be added on the Scriptures and their "ability." Note that they are useful in the upbuilding of character, "for teaching, for con-vincing, for correction of error, and for instruction in right doing "—what Dr. Campbell Morgan calls "a character founded on the Word, tested by the Word, brought back to the straight by the Word, carried out to the final consummation by the Word." The four words, teaching, reproof, cor-rection, instruction, in the original, are capable of the above interpretation. "Kept straight" by the Word of God should be strongly urged. A few words, in closing, should be addressed to the Juniors. An appeal might be made to them to commit themselves fully, as never before, to Jesus, their Saviour and Friend.

Hymn : "Do we love our gentle Saviour." Mizpah. Benediction.

Mrs. BROWN.

426 THE UNITED METHODIST. MAY 7, 1908.

Weddings. MR. D. P. WILSON—MISS M. JOHNSON.

ON Monday, April 20th, at our Lowther Street Church, Carlisle, Mr. D. J. Wilson, of London, who for many years was a member of our church, was married to Miss Mary Johnson, the youngest .daughter of our genial choirmaster and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. W. Johnson. The service, which was fully choral, was performed by the Rev. W. D. Lister before a large gathering of relatives and friends. The bride, who was given away by her father, was accompanied by Miss A. Wilson (sister of the bridegroom) as bridesmaid, together with the bride's two nieces (Misses E. and D. Bailey), Mr. H. Martin, of Barrow, acting as best man. Among the many presents were a beautiful marble timepiece from the church and congrega-tion, and a silver cake basket from the choir and Sunday School. The happy couple left later in the day for London, where they intend to make their home.

MR. T. B. SIMMONDS—MISS M. E. BAUSOR. A VERY large company assembled at our

Grantham Church on Easter Monday to witness the marriage of Mr. Tom B. Simmonds and Miss M. Ethel Bausor by the Rev. H. Cook. The hymn, "The voice that breathed o'er Eden," was sung by the choir and congregation, and at the close the organist, Mr. A. Melton, played the "Wedding March." The bride was given away by her father, Mr. William Bausor. Mr. J. W. Simmonds acted as best man, and the brides-maids were Miss Grace Simmonds (youngest sister of the bridegroom) and Miss Annie Robin-son. The bride and bridegroom have been for some years connected with our Grantham Church, and devoted workers both in the church and Sunday School, also members of the choir. They received a large number of useful and valuable presents, including a silver-plated teapot and castors from their fellow teachers and choir mem-, hers. They will continue to reside in the town.

MR, JOHN WILKINSON AND MISS GERTRUDE WEBSTER.

THE West End of Pudsey was quite en fete on Wednesday week on the occasion of the marriage of Miss Gertrude Amy Webster, only child of Coun-cillor and Mrs. A. E. Webster, Hampton House, Pudsey, and granddaughter of the late Mr. John Shaw (a M.N.C. worthy), and Mr. John Wilkin-son, son of Mr. John Wilkinson, gas engineer, Wheatfield, Pudsey. The ceremony was performed at Mount Zion Chapel by the Rev. J. R. Abel, assisted by the Revs. C. F. Hill and P. H. Thomas. The bride was given away by her father. The bridesmaids were Miss Wilkinson (sister of the bridegroom) and Miss Elsie Thornton. The bride was also attended by two pretty children, Miss Muriel Oddy and Master Reggie Wilkinson. Mr. Albert Wilson was best man, and Mr. C. H. ;Halliday groomsman. The service was fully .choral, and the organist, Mr. E. L. Hudson, ,played the wedding march from "Lohengrin," and ,other appropriate selections. After the ceremony a large number of guests were entertained at Mount Zion School. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilkinson, jun., left for the East Coast for the honeymoon. The presents numbered upwards of 150, and included one from the bride's fellow mem-

- bers of the choir.

MR. H. C. WASSELL—MISS G. K. PIPER. A PRETTY wedding was solemnized at the United

Methodist Church, Winchester, on Thursday, April 23rd, between Mr. H. C. Wassell, a popular local preacher, and Miss Gertrude K. Piper, organist of the Winchester Church. There was a large assemblage of friends to witness the ceremony, which was conducted by the Rev. J. Hammond, pastor. The bride was given away by her father. The best man was Mr. R. Wassell, brother of the bridegroom. Mrs. Emmence, sister of the bride-groom, officiated at the organ. Late in the after-

THE CHILD'S FACE. "Jersey, January 18th, 1893.—The child who was suffer-ing from sore eyes, and whose face was in one solid mass, and could scarcely see, is now nearly well again. We tried both English and French medical men, but to no avail. I tried one box of Wesley's Ointment, with the above result.

"SAML. WRIGHT." This Ointment is warranted to cure bad legs, bad

breasts, ulcers, burns, scalds, boils, rheumatic pains, sore

Ocl:fydclefteettlisftlfls,.creuctLeM. for 19 from

noon the happy pair left for Ventnor for the honeymoon. The presents were numerous and beautiful.

MR. W. HANSON—MISS A. CATHAM. THE marriage took place at Orchard U.M.C.,

Preston, on Saturday, the 2nd inst., of Alice, only daughter of the late Rev. Joseph Catham, and Mrs. Catham, of Clitheroe, and William, elder son of Mr. Richard Hanson, of Clitheroe, and a member of the staff of the "Lancashire Daily Post," at Preston. The bride, who was given away by her uncle, Mr. W. E. Bibby, was attended by Miss G. I3ibby (cousin) and Miss Ethel Han-son (sister of the bridegroom), and Mr. Ernest Hanson discharged the obligations of best man. The officiating minister was the Rev. J. Billing-ton, of Clitheroe, assisted by the Rev. J, H. Bowker (Orchard). Barmouth was chosen for the honeymoon.

MR. H. HUDSON—MISS EDITH CROFTON. ON Wednesday, April 29th, at Thornhill Church,

Sunderland, the wedding took place of Mr. Harry Hudson, of Bury, Lancashire, to Miss Edith Crofton, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Crofton, of 76 Otto Terrace, Sunderland. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. James Ninnis, the church being crowded. The service was choral, and at the close the organist played the "Wedding March." Subsequently a reception was held at the Victoria (Edward) Hall. The event has certainly been one of the most important functions in the social life of Thornhill Church, owing to the long connection of the family of the bride with the Church. Her father has for many years been one of our most devoted and acceptable local preachers, whilst the bride herself has in a quiet but kindly way taken her share in the life and work of the Church, and has endeared herself to all with whom she has come in contact.

•

Church News in Brief. GENERAL NEWS.

WORKSOP.—A Circuit rally was held at Cresswell, all the churches in the Circuit being represented. After a ramble over the Craggs, a tea was prcvided, to which over 200 sat down. After tea an entertain-ment was held, over which Rev. F. B. Dutton pre-sided, supported by Rev. S. J. Clarke. On behalf of the Cresswell Church Mr. D. Harding gave a hearty welcome to the visitors. Afterwards games were in-dulged in, and an enjoyable evening was spent.

LEICESTER (Hill Street).—On Easter Saturday an "At home " was held. St. Paul's Choir provided the programme, and there was an Easter egg offering. On Tuesday there was a tea, entertainment and sup-per. These efforts were on behalf of the church funds. On Saturday, April 26th, Rev. J. J. Davies gave a lantern lecture, "John Bunyan," in aid of the Band of Hope.

PAIGNTON.—In connection with the first anniversary of this church services were held in the Public Hall ; preacher, Rev. A. Hancock, of Plymouth. In the afternoon a memorable service was held to celebrate the Union of the three Churches. Revs. A. Hancock (who presided), E. M. Moyle, and S. T. L. Hacker, representing the B.C., U.M.F.C., and M.N.C. re-spectively, gave addresses. The superintendent of the Torquay Wesleyan Circuit (Rev. Gregory Harris) also addressed the meeting. Special singing, under the direction of Mr. J. N. Osborne, was rendered through. out the day ; Miss Westlake and Miss M. Flood ac-companists. The proceedings throughout the day were marked by great spiritual fervour. On Monday a bazaar was held in the same hall, being opened by the wife of the Member for the Division, Mrs. F. Layland Barratt. Mr. J. Hepworth, J.P., presided, supported by Mr. F. Layland Barratt, M.P., Revs. A. Dickerson, J. C. Sweet, and W. Gerry (Circuit ministers). The effort was an unqualified success. Proceeds over Z100.

CARDIFF (Newport Road).—At an adjourned special church-meeting held recently it was unanimously de-cided to adopt the individual cup system in the sacramental service. Mr. Robert Bird, J.P., kindly offered to provide the necessary number of cups, and was accorded the thanks of the meeting for his generosity. Various suggestions were made and adopted with the object of making the service more helpful.

BunnINGTox. — On April 23rd Miss Cowmeadow preached to a large congregation, and made a stirring

appeal to the young men who accepted Christ during the mission she conducted here about eighteen months ago. The service was of a farewell character, as Miss Cowmeadow, who has quite broken down in health, sails for Australia early in May. The collection, amounting to L2 40. 8d., was handed to Miss Cow-meadow towards paying her expenses. The friends wished her "God-speed," with the hope that the voy-age will prove beneficial to her, and that she may be fully restored to health, and thus be enabled to again take up the work in which she has been so greatly used of God.

MUSICAL SERVICE. SALISBURY (Milford Street).—Mr. Gatty Sellars, the

noted organist (son of the late Rev. S. Sellars), gave a successful organ recital last week before a large and appreciative audience. The programme was a varied and interesting one, including several items of Mr. Sellars' own composition. His command of the instrument was remarkable, and the programme throughout was a rare musical treat. He was assisted by his pupil, Miss Doris Merrick (soprano), who was encored for her effective rendering of two new songs, composed by Mr. Gatty Sellars, sung for the first time since they were published.

A MOTHER'S CRUEL SUFFERING.

FIFTEEN YEARS OF KIDNEY DISORDER.

WATERY SWELLINGS—CUTTING PAINS IN THE BACK—URINARY TROUBLES.

DID NOT WANT TO LIVE..

MRS W. BROWN, 5 South Western Cottages, Dorchester, says "For fifteen years I suffered with my kidneys. • It started with a- confinement, and every confinement afterwards left me worse than before. My back gave me the most trouble ; across the small of it was a dreadful feeling just as if a knife were being put into my back, the pain taking my breath away. I did not know, how to turn over in bed or how to get up in the mornings, for there was always a gnawing ache in my back, and the least cold would settle there.

"The urinary secretions were in a dreadful condition, having a settlement of gravel after standing. They caused awful pain, and sometimes I was unable to pass them. I became very much bloated in the body, legs and face, and there were bags of water under my eyes, making them very tender. I was unable to fasten up my clothes pro- (1,,,ini.ishoto.) perly because of the swel- lings.

"No one knows how I suffered with my head; there were fearful pains in the temples, and a heavy aching at the top of the head as if a great weight were resting upon it. I had giddiness so badly that when I raised my head in the morn-ings the room would ' swim.' I was nervous and irritable, and had such fits of depression that I cared not whether I lived or died.

"I decided to try Doan's Backache Kidney Pills, and noticed relief soon after I began using them. I awoke in the mornings feeling free from pain and with an appetite. Keeping on with the pills the pains grew less frequent, I felt better in myself, and the kidney secretions became clear and natural. Now I am feeling absolutely well—it is the first spell of good health I have had for fifteen years. My cure is all the more wonderful because my complaint is inherited.—(Signed) W. Brown."

Six months later, Mrs. Brown said : "My health is first-rate; my cure is a lasting one. Friends say to me, ' Why ! you look younger instead of older.' "

Doan's backache kidney pills are 2s. 9d. a box, or 13e. 9d. for six boxes. Of all chemists and stores, or post free on receipt of price from Foster-McClellan Co., B Wells Street, Oxford Street, London, W. Be sure you get the same kind of pills as Mrs. Brown had. A FREE SAMPLE BOX will be sent to all applicants who send ld. stamp for postage, and mention THE UNITED METHODIST.

HOTELS AND HYDROS, BOARDING HOUSES AND APARTMENTS

ADVEF ISE i

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laniteb flnetbobist aura. SUNDAY'S PREACHING APPOINTMENTS,

May 10th, 1908.

Circuit. Church. Morning. Evening.

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Brighton,

Charlotte Street, Caledonian Road. Bermondsey Mission, "Manor,' Galleywall Road. Railton Road. Herne Hill. Park Crescent, Clapham Park Road. Park Place. Bristol Road (1 minute from Marine Parade and

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WESTCLIFF-ON-SEAd= merston Road. Comfortable, well-appointed Boarding Establishment, handsomely decorated and furnished. Overlooking the sea. Minute to station. Liberal table and moderate terms. Special facilities for City men.—Address, Proprietress.

CHURCH STRETTON•—te; of England.—HOLM WOOD high:class Board-ing House, overlooking the hills, 15 minutes from Golf Links. Terms moderate.—Mrs. Harris, Holmwood, Church Stretton.

DUMPFORD HOUSE, field, 'Intl: Situated amidst beautiful scenery, on the borders of Sussex and Hampshire. Sandy soil. Large

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MAY 7, 1908. THE UNITED METHODIST. 42 7

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. MANCHESTER (Hyde Road).—The forty-fifth Sunday

School anniversary has just been held, and was very successful. The preacher was Rev. "George Whaite, of Barrow-in-Furness. The total proceeds were £46 —an increase on last year. There are 500 scholars on the books, and 67 teachers and officers. A children's service is held every Sunday evening. A Band of Hope, with 140 members, and a branch of the Boys' Life Brigade meet regularly. Over £40 was raised last year for Home and Foreign Missions.

BOLTON (Radcliffe).—The Sunday School anniver-nary sermons were preached on April 26th by Rev. A. Smith, of Pendleton. In the morning an address was given by Councillor Parkstone, of Radcliffe. Anthems were rendered by an enlarged choir, and the chil-dren sang special hymns. Miss A. Bradshaw and .Messrs. W. Saunders and J. Pearson accompanied. Large congregations assembled. Collections, £50 12s. 9d.

BAZAAR. ST. IVEs (Bedford Road). — A successful sale of

work has been held, with the object of raising funds for renovating and decorating the premises. The Mayor presided on the first day, and Mrs. Blair per-formed the ceremony. Rev. W. T. Hardy explained the object of the sale. On the second day the open. ing proceedings were sustained by the scholars of the Sunday School. There were four attractive stalls, and each evening entertainments were provided. Proceeds, £165 13s. 6d.

CIRCUIT QUARTERLY MEETING. HULL.—Held at Stepney ; chairman, Rev. E. Cato.

Financial statement showed a balance in hand. Numerical statement, showing decrease in member. ship and scholars was also given. The chairman re-ported that negotiations with the adjoining Circuit for amalgamation had failed. The meeting decided

to carry through its own scheme of reorganization, Rev. J. P. Treloar becoming superintendent, the ap-pointment of No 2 and No. 3 ministers being left to the Conference. Rev. E. Clark received a virtually perfect certificate. The chairman intimated that the entire cost of the Boulevard New Church would be met shortly, an appropriate resolution was passed.

MISSIONARY SERVICE. NoRwicH. — The missionary secretaries, the Rev.

James Stephens end Mr. G. Lincoln having completed their returns, report an increase in the contributions. A standard of £100 had been set up, and the sub-stantial sum of £104 7s. 8d. has been raised this year, thus slightly surpassing the total aimed at.

THE address of the Harris Cycle Co., referred to in a recent note, is, of course, Coventry. Enquiries so directed will be sure to find them.

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PRESTATYN.—Experienced Teacher offers 1 Board and Tuition in her own home to delicate or backward children. Exceptionally fine air ; sea, hills, sands, garden.—Apply, Miss Eastman, Prestatyn, N. Wales.

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428

THE UNITED METHODIST. MAY 7, 1908.

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Prieted at THE MAGNET PRESS, 188 Rye Lane, Peckham, S.E., and Published by ANDREW CROMBIE, 12 Farringdon Avenue, Farringdon Street, T ondrin. E.C., for the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Thursday, May 7th, 1908.

Bethesda, Newchurch=in=Rossendale.* A CHURCH WITH A REMARKABLE ORIGIN AND HISTORY.

BY REV. W. RUPERT CLARK (Newchurch). •

MAY 7, 1908. SUPPLEMENT TO THE UNITED METHODIST. 429

ORIGIN AND EARLY CAREER. IN its Origin this church may claim to be unique

in Unifed Methodism. About eighty years ago, when the art of writing was largely taught in Sun-

day Schools, the Weslzyan Conference, under the leadership of Dr. Bunting, decreed that the practice was a breach of the Fourth Comm'andment, and that henceforth religious truth only should be taught in Methodist Sunday Schools. The enforcement of this rule led to a heated controversy in the

Rev. W. Rupert Clark.

Wesleyan Society at Newchurch, and the establish-ment, by a majority of the teachers, scholars, and trustees of a new school, in which writing con-

.The history of this church has been ably written by Mr. W. S. Broadley, and • he has proved himself So be an informed and sympathetic historian. He writes with knowledge, tact, and insight. The art of compression has been rigorously exercised. He has had special opportunities of knowing the later history of the church. For some thirty years he has been identified with the membership, and for the larger part of that time acted as secretary or .treasurer. When the waves of financial embarrass-ment threatened to engulf the church, his wise coun-.sel and ready service were uhgrudgingly given to ,pilot the bark into smoother waters.

tinued to be taught. The dissentients, however, still claimed to be consistent Wesleyans, and their Sunday School bore the singular title, "The Old Original Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School."

Finally- they were cut off from membership, and thus 'compelled to found a a new• church. It is stated that of all the churches which resulted from the demand for reform in Wesleyan Methodism, this is the only one which origi-nated through this par- ticular cause. Mr. IV. S. Broadley, in his history of the church, says, " I fail to find another case of separation through the forbidding of writing in the Sunday Schools."

The church thus founded became associated with the Protestant Methodists. Three build-ings were successively tenanted by the new society

as growing prosperity demanded increased accom-modation. At "Mount Tabor," during a period of forty years, good church work, particularly of the evangelistic order, was accomplished. Branch churches at Lord Street, Rawtenstall, and at Hollin, were established. The golden days of friendly familiarity and spiritual blessing at "Mount Tabor" are often affectionately recalled by the older members.

THE BUILDING OF "BETHESDA."

The old building proving inconvenient and in-adequate, the trustees were forced to build else-where. The population was growing, and they thought that the crowded condition of the old premises justified a bold step. With faith border-ing on recklessness they resolved to erect a large, handsome chapel in Bridge Street. Victor Hugo defined progress as "the stride of God." The Mount Tabor friends were fully confident of making progress, and took an immense stride. Bethesda was the result. But the structure proved more costly than had been anticipated, and financial embarrassment follow60. Bethesda found itself in the notorious position of having "the largest debt in the Connexion." To meet interest and ordinary expenditure £400 a year was re-quired. And this in a village of only 3,000 people !

THE STRUGGLE WITH DEBT.

The new chapel was opened in 1878 by the Rev. Marmadulte Miller. Five years later, a strict examination of the finances showed that the debt was £6,168. Every week £6 had to be raised for interest alone. The strain was intolerable. At this juncture Connexional aid was sought and obtained. The sympathy, help, and 'watchful oversight of the Rev. E. Boaden (then Chapel Secretary) are beyond praise. In 1883 a most opportune ministerial appointment was made. The Rev. J. Twigg Taylor undertook the special oversight of the church for nine years. By his skill and enterprise in organization, his genius for financial detail, his great personal generosity, and his indefatigable labours, Bethesda was delivered from the incubus of an overwhelming debt. The trustees, who had been in almost daily fear of their household goods being distrained upon, breathed freely once more. Aided by willing and unwearied

workers, Mr. Taylor reduced the debt to manage-able proportions. That terrible time when about a pOund a day was needed for interest alone' is a hideous nightmare of the past, gone never to return.

On Mr. Taylor's herculean task on behalf of Bethesda, the following sentences from Mr. Broad-ley's "History " may be quoted "To him must be accorded the chief credit of so large a sum being realized for the extinction of debt. . . For the long period of nine years he laboured without intermission at his appointed task, until the society's financial operations were brought to a manageable condition. . . . He took the lead in organising bazaars and other functions. Often ' did he give freely of his own means."

Respecting this period of his ministerial life Mr. Taylor said recently that he "took up ministerial service after a period of ill-health, hoping to see some remarkable revival of religion : God set him to hew wood and draw water." But that labour was honoured of God. His many friends wish for hint a serene old age, merging at last into the perfect light of Heaven.

FROM £6,168 TO £350.

In the period 1884-1907 the sum of £5,818 has been paid off the debt, leaving at the present time the trifling debt of ,z;350. This result has not been secured through the generosity of rich in-dividuals So far as can now be traced, no one amount larger than £50 has ever been given to the church. Its fortunes have not been guided by any one commanding personality. The triumph of Bethesda has been the result of the zeal and fidelity and generosity of the rank and file. The magnificent record of debt-reduction is the story of unillustrious toilers. What noble sacrifice, what self-denying zeal, what loving service, lie behind that record cannot be told. Yet stories of heroism are sometimes whispered to a sympathetic listener. Some of the members tramped incredible dis-tances, begging at every house on the way, for the sake of their beloved house of prayer. Some

Rev. J. Twigg Taylor.

gave all their substance, and even borrowed money, to meet payments due. Some wore shabby cloth-ing and worn-out boots that they might give the money thus saved. Homes went bare "for Bethesda." The stones of the building are hal-lowed by tears and prayers and sacrifice.

NOTABLE WORKERS.

Amongst the notable men of this strenuous past may be mentioned Mr. Henry Farrar, a zealous worker in the days when the Bethesda Church was struggling most fiercely. "He worked," says Mr. Broadley, "like a Titan to obtain the means which alone could stave off the disasters threatening the cause on every side. . • His zeal knew no

430 SUPPLEMENT TO THE UNITED METHODIST. MAY 7, 1998.

relaxation." His son, Mr. J. H. Farrar, worthily carries on a great tradition, and has been treasurer to the trustees for over twenty-two years.

A record length of devoted and unstinted service to the Society in the person of George Pickup remains to be chronicled. "He was taken," says

Mr. George Pickup.

Mr. Broadley, "to the Upsteps School at four years of age; and has kept up an unbroken attendance . . . from that day to this, a period of seventy-three years—a record which in all human proba-bility 'has not been, and never will be, broken so far as the Newchurch society is concerned. A life of steady adherence -to duty, and a compara-tively unruffled career, is passing into a serene old age.- Of him one cannot refrain from saying that he is of an unassuming nature, and a rare example of genuine Christian humility ; .ever re-gretting that so little has been done in the cause of his Master ; ever doubting the extent of his own attainments ; yet by a consistent life and an un-wearied attention - to all duties which lay within the compass of his powers, he has exerted a greater

Mr. W. S. Broadley.

have been used in the faithful fulfilment of every obligation resting upon him as a humble follower of Christ. Nor can it be said that he was an unprofitable servant, or has failed to make the best use of the talents which God has given him.. Surely he will not be found unworthy of the honou'rs promised by our Lord to the faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over litany things,' or to that rich bequest of Christ's, The meek shall inherit the earth.' "

THE PRESENT TIME. • In - February of this year a service to com-

memorate the notable story of the past was held. At this meeting Mr. .Broadley's shilling "History of the Church at Bethesda Chapel, Newchurch," was formally published. The writer, Mr. W. S. Broadley, has been identified for many years with every enterprise of. the church, and his daughter is the wife of the Rev. W. Lyttle, of Nihg-po. A large frame, containing photographs of many of the arduous Workers of the past was unveiled. But the chief event of the meeting was the speech of the Rev. J. Twigg Taylor. His reminiscences were full of emotion, as he recalled the days of struggle and fear. Tears and smiles were inter-woven in the greetings of old-time friends." Per-haps the truest tribute to his work was the. oft-repeated sentence, "He saved the chapel to the Connexion."

LENGTH OF SERVICE.

One noteworthy feature of the work at New-church is the length of service rendered by the officials. Mr. Thomas Lord has been superin- tendent for fifteen years. Mr. John H. Heys, though only a young man yet, has served' as School secretary (or assistant) for seventeen years ; and his brother, Mr. James k. Heys, has been assistant secretary for'eleven years. Mr. Edmund Stansfield has just accepted the office of church secretary for the twentieth year. Two months ago death removed Mr.. Robinson Wilson, who for the long period of thirty-seven years served with un-wearied constancy as voluntary organist. "Not weary in well-doing." And mention could be made of many other. workers whose devotion and loyalty are of the truest kind.

The organizations of the church are healthy. The Sunday School is well staffed. The adult Bible classes are very well sustained: A sick and burial society is doing good work, and numbers 180 members. A meeting for, women has been lately inaugurated, with an attendance of about forty. The choir is well-equipped, and enjoys an excellent reputation, having carried off several prizes in local contests.

Now that the burden of debt has been practically removed, there is a growing desire that the true work of the Church should be accomplished. A readjustment of emphasis-is taking place. Atten-tion is - shifting fr:in the financial to the spiritual. There is a desire for a deeper spiritual life, and for more practical efficiency in the service of, man and God.

Zunbav afternoon. ABIDE WITH. US, 0 LORD.

IN fiery chariots of the west ascending, The day hath passed in triumph, Lord, to Thee!

Its fallen mantle glows with twilight blending On the far shaddwy spaces of the sea.

It is toward evening. Oft at noontide roaming Our hearts have met with Thee in sweet accord ;

Nov in the peace and leisure of the gloaming, Abide with us, 0 Lord!

The ocean like a dreamless child is sleeping, Hushed in the hollow of Thy mighty hand;

One star a-tremble in the west is keeping Lone watch on all night's silent borderland.

Enter, dear Lord ; our loaf is yet unbroken, Our water shall be wine by Thee outpoured!

We yearn to 'hear Thy "Peace be with you," spoken.

Abide with us, 0 Lord !

Low murmurs through the seaward boughs are wafted,

A breath of roses steals alongthe shore ; More calm, more sweet, Thy loving words en--

grafted In our responsive hearts for evermore.

Yet more we crave. 0 tarry in our leisure! And to the longing of our souls afford

Thy love and joy in overflowing measure ; Abide with us, 0 Lord! '

It is toward evening. Soon from out the shadows. A deeper shadow on our brows must fall ;

So soon across .the dim familiar meadows The hour will come when we must leave them'

all. Ah, leave us not with Death alone to•wander,

Let Thine own hand unloose the silver cord ; Though night fall here, until the day dawn yonder,

Abide with us, 0 Lord! —"Pittsburg Christian Advocate."

FOREIGN MISSIONS AND INDUSTRIAL

ENTERPRISES IN EAST AFRICA.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,—I thank you for the oppor-tunity you promised me of placing a plea for the establishment of Industrial Missions before the members of the United Methodist Church. I will, as yon suggested, discuss the question "on its merits," on its "wisdom or unwisdom." Probably members of the United Methodist Chuich do not know that they are extensive; landowners. One Connexional estate is four miles long by two and a-half broad on the river Tana. I do not propose

Mrs. Lye/Ic.

to refer to that vast estate in my present paper, except to say that if Industrial missions are started on the 1,500 acres. we own near Mazeras and we are successful, it will open the way for dealing with the immense estate to which I have referred.

The natives living on these estates have not been used to regular,_. continuous labour. They are in-disposed to exert themselves beyond providing for immediate wants. They do not provide for the future. Before Missions were set up in their' midst, if a famine occurred they starved and died off. Since Missions have- been established we have sometimes during famines fed them out of the Mission funds. 'About the need for Industrial 'Missions I prefer rather than write myself to give some extracts from the report of two gentlemen —the Rev. H. T. Chapman and Mr. Alderman Duckworth, M.P. These gentlemen visited East Africa some years since, at the request of the Missionary Committee; and reported as follows on Industrial Missions. I ought to say that my ex-tracts by no means exhaust their report on the question.

"Industrial training is hardly less important `than the educational question. Nothing impressed the deputation so much as the great waste of human energy. The natives have to be taught the Sacredness of daily labour. We have large estates in East Africa lying practically idle."

"The deputation are satisfied that - a new de-parture must take place in our methods of work-ing. Up to the present they have been mainly evangelistic. But Christianity means a new life, and that new life wants teaching, training, guid-ing, and in no case so much as in a people emerging from pUre heathendom. The people must be taught and educated in the arts of life."

influence for good amongst the community than that of many whose more eminent gifts were not accompanied by his sterling Christian character. Almost every office which it was competent for the church to bestow he has filled with credit to him-self and advantage to the society. His talents,

MAY 7, 1908. SUPPLEMENT TO THE UNITED METHODIST. 431

"Civilization without industry is impossible and industry requires a sphere for its development. To convert men and then leave then is only to pre-pare the house for another larger and even worse set of passions than the first."

On the return of the deputation the Missionary Committee was so impressed with what they heard that they passed the following resolution : "That in the opinion of this ComMittee a general super-intendent should be appointed who should give at-

Mr. T. Melling.

tention to the development of our estates and secure the training of the natives in husbandry the tune having arrived when these branches of civiliza-tion should go hand in hand with' evangelistic work."

"If this industrial work' was undertaken much of. the cost of extra branches would be raised, and if not we should be doing a work absolutely essential and charged with blessed issues."

No words of mine can add value to this remark-able and emphatic plea for Industrial Missions. It is not Gospel work, yet it is "absolutely essential." It is not evangelistic work, yet the time has now arrived (six years since) "when it must go hand in hand with evangelistic work." I claim that the Rev. H. T. Chapman and Mr. Alderman Duckworth are of my opinion that the Gospel is not a cure for all the evils in East Africa. My proposal would cost "'2,000. The membership of the United Methodist Church is over 160,000, Slightly. That is, if one member in every 80 would subscribe 20s., the work could commence at an early date. The more I study the matter the more I am convinced that a limited company would do this work the best. At the same time, the work being more important than the method, I am not tied to a company. The present social conditions in East Africa cause great suffering, and a high death rate, especially among children. Industrial Missions would improve these conditions and save life. I propose to commence the work with a cultivation of 500 acres of the 1,500 acres near Mombasa. It would cost 17500 to pre-pare this wilderness land . for cultivation all of

wages. If

would be spent in ages. If th-, 50 acres when reads. for cultivation were

planted with say, cotton, "Z:750 more would be spent, making a total of £1,250 in wages only. The total work would employ 100 natives for a year. The distribution of this money regularly, on a scale unknown before in the district, would provide better food and more of it, better clothing, better housing. Practically, then, if one member in 80 of our Churches would subscribe his 20s. a movement would be started which might result in a social revolution in East Africa on our estates. My figure's are from a 'Blue Book, published by the Government. The writer appears to think that 2,10 lbs. of cotton per acre would be a very small crop. At the same time he says that at 5d. per lb.. it would show a profit.

According to the Blue Book the total cost of planting 500 acres with cotton would vary from £900 to £1,250. I propose to take the higher figure, £1,250. I also take his low estimate of yield, 240 lbs. per acre, but at 4d.,. not 5d. per lb.

The outlay would be £1,250, the income ,'2,000. This shows a good profit and would leave a large balance,• if even £250, half the capital outlay for preparing the land for cultivation, was paid. Ac-cording to the estimates of this Blue Book then, the 4'2,000 which the one in eighty members pro-vided would still be there at the end of the year. If such a profit was made, then, the experiment being a Success, I should propose a cultivation of another 500 or the whole of the remaining 1,000 acres, if the management could control the whole of the labourers. Mr. Winston Churchill, in a speech a few weeks since, stated that in Uganda there was a clothed, intelligent, orderly, peaceful race-200,000 could read and write-80,000 of whom were Christians. I invite the readers of the UNITED METHODIST to read the account of the residence of Speke and Grant in Uganda forty years since, and compare the state of the country then with Mr. Churchill's statement. I feel sure it would inspire a desire to make our estates the same.

But I should like to caution our friends that nothing is certain in Africa. A drought might occur the first year. It is not certain that our natives would take to regular and continuous labour. Then, if all went right in the above con-ditions, a loose and imperfect direction of the labour would upset all figures. I wish to state that in view of the success of the first venture I see no chance of continuation of the work but by a company. Fresh capital would be needed— L2,000 for every 500 acres. I would risk no mission funds. Any'loss must be the loss of the special fund. I entirely disagree with that part of Mr. Harrison's proposal to limit the profit or dividend to 6 per cent. If the conditions of the Missionary Committee were met the dividends should be allowed to take the ordinary course. A shareholder could give his dividend to the Mission cause if he wished to do so.

Whether the work was .done by a company or a private effort I would not 'allow the Missionary Committee to control it or manage it. A com-mittee of business men would do it better. Let the Missionary Committee confine itself to Gospel work.

I invite the criticisms and alternative schemes of your correspondents. The work will cost very little ; the good to be done is very great. This is not a rich man's question. But I ask for prac-tical letters—to the point. Let our friends who have lived in East Africa give us their views.

Yours truly, D. SHARROCKS.

MR. THOMAS MELLING, WIGAN.

THE honour of being placed upon the Cornmig- - sion of the Peace for the county of Lancaster, has just been conferred upon 'MR. THOMAS MEL-LING, of Lindleyhurst, Parbold, one of the leading laymen of our Wigan Circuit. Mr. Melling has been connected with the King Street Church since its foundation in 1856, and has filled many offices in both church'and Circuit. He is a local preacher of many years' standing, local preachers' secretary, Sunday School teacher and treasurer, and a trustee of all the chapels in the Circuit. He is a stalwart Free Churchman, being an ex-president of the Wigan and District Free Church Council, and also of the local TeMperance Council, and he will now have the satisfaction of sitting amongst the magistrates before whom he has appeared for several successive years as a passive resister. We offer Mr. Melling our warm congratulations.

5n Memoriam. MRS. FRANCES CLAYPHAM.

A WORTHY and honoured worker at Broomhill, Sheffield, the widow of the late Mr. Robert Clay-pham, passed into the higher sphere on January 21st, 1908. In early life she attended Allen Street Sunday School, where at the -age of fourteen she realized Christ as her Saviour. Immediately she joined the Church through the class meeting. While still young she became a Sunday School teacher and the leader of a young people's class meeting, continuing in the former work for fifty-seven years, for which period of service' she re-ceived the Diploma of Honour from the Sheffield Sunday School Union.

When Broomhill Church was started Mrs. Clay-

pharn became one. of its first members. She was the first teacher of the infant class. Afterwards, for many years, she taught with great success the young women's Bible class. Here also she was the leader of a WelL-attended• young people's society class, which, when the Christian En-deavour movement extended to Sheffield, was, at her suggestion, changed into a C.E. society. She was appointed its president, and remained in the office till her removal from the district about two years ago. The secret of her -success lay in the. personal interest she took in those under her care, manifested in individual attention, in giving wise-counsel, and in frequently visiting them at their homes.

Mrs. Claypham was a most regular attendant both at the public services of the house of God, and at the more private and social means of grace. Her gracious influence in the home is evidenced by the fact that, without exception, her children' became workers in the church and Sunday School.. Her family will ever remember the way in which, after some days of almost complete unconscious-ness, she suddenly revived, and with a most joyous look into the unseen, said, "Coining," and at once, in her seventy-third year, passed behind the veil.

MR. GEORGE FIRTH. THE Bradford (Shearbridge) Circuit is consider-

ably impoverished by the death of George Firth who. passed away at the ripe age of eighty, on Saturday, March 21st. His fellowship with 'our Church in Bradford dates from 1852, so that he was a worshipper at old Ebenezer, new Ebenezer, Mannville, and last at West Bowling (Bethel). Few men have been more active for the Kingdom than he ; its growth was his chief delight, and for it he laboured in season and out of season. The principal offices of the church were in turn held by him, but perhaps his most successful ser-vice was as a local preacher—a position he filled for over fifty years, and as local preachers' secre-tary was faithful to duty and inspiring to his brethren. It is said that he travelled over 8,000 miles to fulfil his appointments. Besides he held the post of a city missionary for eighteen years, and was also a missionary associated with Mann-ville. Without doubt, however, he contributed in a conspicuous degree to the spiritual success of Bethel Church, West Bowling, where without fee or reward he prosectuted an untiring ministry of side visitation and consolation. Unmindful of self and material gain he lived for others. His

Mr. George Fir/h.

pure, simple, honest life made a profound impres-sion upon the whole district where he resided. Like Cleric Maxwell, he made faith in goodness easy for other men. Happily he had his reward in ample recognition of service while in this world. The friends locally presented him with an illu-minated address and a Bible, and later with a life-like photo which now hangs in the school-room. The Connexional Magazine gave him a place among the honoured of the Denomination. These tokens of esteem were highly valued by him. The highest credential of his worth is his

4j2 SUPPLEMENT TO THE UNITED METHODIST. MAY 7, 1908.

family which is closely identified with the Church of their father. It is grand when the father . sways the home, and gives it a permanent bias Heavenward. This he did in a marked degree. As late as February he preached to his own people, and in his diary the following note is made : "Preached in the morning—all my family present, excepting my wife who was indisposed. Thank God for this." The writer had the privi-lege of conducting worship in the sick room three hours before the end came, and the response of "Glory" from the old veteran was indeed a benediction'. His was "an abundant entrance into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." F. J. W.

MRS. TURNER, COBRIDGE. OUR Church at Cobridge, Burslern, has sus-

tained a great loss by the death of Mrs. Turner. She came to the Potteries more than seventy years

ago, and for fifty years has been in fellowship with the Church at Cobridge. She dearly loved the House of God. In spite of her years and growing weak-ness, she attended both services on the Lord's Day, often when the friends deemed it unfit for her to leave home. On Sunday, March 22nd, she was pre-sent morning and evening. The following. Sunday morning at half-past ten, the time she usually started for chapel, she joined the

"Mother Turner." Church Triumphant. On Thursday, April 2nd, her

body was laid to rest in the Burslem Ceme-tery, amid many tokens of respect. On Sun-day evening, April 5th, a memorial service was held, conducted by Pastor T. Day, and the attend-ance was evidence of the esteem in which Mrs. Turner was held. Mother Turner was beloved by all who knew her. She was one of the happiest of women, and to be in her presence was a benedicition. She was in her eighty-ninth year, and truly it may be said, "Her sun went wester-ing in splendour." We shall . miss her.

T. D. MRS. CARTWRIGHT.

RECENTLY we referred to the fact that the Burton Circuit had suffered severely owing to the demise of three prominent members. NOW we have to record the death of Mrs. H. Cartwright, who had been associated with our Newhall and our George Street Churches all her life.

MRS. HARGREAVES, CLITHEROE. THE oldest member of the Clitheroe Circuit, in

the person of Mrs. Ellen Hargreaves, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, April 14th, at the ad-vanced age of eighty-two. Last November the sad news of a fatal accident to her son William in New Zealand proved a great shock to the de-ceased lady, from which she never recovered. She took to her bed, gradually grew worse, and before the end came 'was anxious "to depart and be with Christ." Her husband, the late Councillor William Hargreaves, was a very popular local preacher in this district, and actively identified with most of the public institutions of the town. Mrs. Har-greaves ever took an intelligent and lively in-terest in the social, political and religious work of her husband, and cheerfully made great sacri-fices that he might respond to the incessant calls upon his time and strength. Mrs. Hargreaves was strongly attached to the Moor Lane Church, and took a prominent part in the erection of the present chapel. She received her first ticket of membership in 1846, during the ministry of the Rev. William Jackson. She was a child' of the Methodist disruption, When her father, Edward Whipp, who was an active leader in the Method-ist Association movement, was expelled from the parent body for his sympathy with Reform, the Wesleyan superintendent angrily said to him "I shall not give you a ticket." "All right," Mr. Whipp answered, "it's only a bit of papper." Yet that "hit of papper," when received from the Church of their deliberate choice, and for which they counted it all joy to make willing sacrifice, was sacredly prized by both father and daughter. So the society tickets, which Mrs. Hargreaves had kept from the commencement of her association with the visible Church of Christ, were reverently laid in the coffin with her mortal remains.

Mrs. Hargreaves was an ardent Free ,Methodist, and took an abiding interest in Connexional enter-

prises. She loved to talk about the movements of our Denominational life, and has read assiduously the "Free Methodist" from the first issue of the paper, as well as the magazines published by the Book Room. Nothing gave her more exqui-site joy than . to learn of the welfare of our Churches and the progress of the work of God in our midst. She counted amongst her personal friends many of our best-known ministers who enjoyed the gracious hospitality of her home when they visited Clitheroe. One of her sons is at present minister of the Heaton Church, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Gloucester Street Circuit. Towards the end her sufferings were almost insupportable, and she concentrated' all her thoughts on a humble desire to bear them submissively according to the Will of God. She waited with eager expectancy the coming of her Redeemer. He came and. called her to His presence where is "fullness of joy," and to His right hand where "there are pleasures for, evermore." The interment took place at Grindleton U.M. Church on Saturday the 18th inst. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. Taylor (A), of Manchester, in the unavoidable absence of the Rev. J. Billington, resident minis-ter. In his address to the sorrowing relatives, Mr. Taylor paid a tender, touching and beautiful tribute to the memory of his friend.

MR. ARTHUR WALKER. On Friday, April 10th, the Liverpool Street

U.M.C., Salford, 'lost one of its faithful leaders and truest friends, in the decease of l‘lr. Arthur Walker, of Woodbine Street, at the age of fifty years. He was a son of the manse, and made his first association with the cause as a scholar in the old Clare Street School (formerly a chapel). He served the church in the capacity of choir-master for many years, which, post he resigned a year ago through enfeebled health. He was. also secretary to the Trust, and for twenty-eight years was the school secretary. He held the latter offices until the day of his death. After struggling against asthma and cardiac weakness (which be-cams more marked through , the death of his daughter—aged twenty-nine years—about a year ago) he at last succumbed to pneumonia, after seven days' illness, and his remains were interred in the Weaste Cemetery on April 15th, the Rev. J. E. Swallow conducting the service. A memorial service was held on Easter Sunday morning, when a discourse on "The Christian's lively hope " was delivered—a most timely theme for' Easter and the joint event. W. C. L. P.

MRS. ARTHUR PICKARD. WE deeply regret to announce the death of Mrs.

Arthur Pickard, which took place on April 7th, after a long illness. In her early days Mrs. Pickard was intimately associated with our Lady Lane Church, Leeds, her work in the Sunday School being particularly successful, for she gained the affection of her scholars and had the joy of leading many into the service of Christ. After her marriage her energies were transferred to the newly-opened church in Roundhay Road, and for many years she laboured most earnestly in - the church's intei'ests. Being of a quiet, retiring dis-position, her influence was most apparent in the home circle. She was always reamfy to help in every good work and her sympathy for the poor was one of her most outstanding characteristics. The last three years of her life were ,marked by great suffering, borne with consistent patience and Christian fortitude. The funeral took place on Thursday, April 9th, and prior to the interment a short service was held in the Roundhay Road Chapel, the officiating ministers being the Rev. A. K. Stowell, M.A., and the Rev. Robert Strong, B.Litt.

MR. JOHN SHENTON, HANLEY. AMONG the many estimable men who have been

associated with the religious, educational and philanthropic work of the Bethesda Church and Sunday School, no one has impressed us more with a sense of his personal worth and singleness of aim than Mr. John Shenton. To have known him and to have had a place in his regard is "part of our lives' unalterable good." His thorough integrity of soul, his absolute and child-like honesty with himself and his God, were traits of character which are rare even in the best of men. He was deeply spiritual, always conscious of his dependence upon and need of the Holy Spirit, without whose presence and anointing he knew and felt he could do nothing. The things of his Master were first, unquestionably first, with him, and therewith the desire, the eager and con-straining desire, to make those things known to

his fellows. He wanted them to share, he wanted them to understand that they might share. He had found there the sanction of all goodness in man, the witness of the goodness of God. The Gospel of Jesus had given him "love, joy and peace." His heart and conscience wholly answered to the gift df God. He had no doubts about it he could not find room, for anything more critical than simple acceptance. He wanted others to do the same, to know how simple it was, and how human, though so divine, not to fancy that it was something remote from them, or strained or diffi-cult. So the grave beautiful words were always at hand, and in the Church and School they often spoke out with a fervour, which was the more free and forcible, because it had evidently com-pelled into its service the resources of his rich religious experience. He was distinctly a worker, and his "memory will remain to many of us a rebuke in our time of sloth and worldliness—an example and an incentive to the service of the Cross. He was for years a Sunday School super-intendent, a class leader, and in every department an active worker in connection with Bethesda Church and Sunday School, and had recently been appointed a trustee. He had represented the Cir. cuit in the Conference. While we mourn our loss, we thank God that for so many years he was per-mitted' to live and labour in our midst.

MR. WILLIAM GREEN, LONDON EIGHTH.

FENTIMAN Road Church (London Eighth) has suffered a severe loss by the death of Mr. William Green. Originally a Churchman, Mr. Green be-came a Free Methodist nearly fifty years ago, largely through the influence of his brother, the Rev. E. D. Green. During the ministry of the late Rev. R. Bushell he joined Pimlico, and for over ten years he conducted the singing at that church. The Pimlico Church lent him to . the Miles Street Church, and for over forty years he conducted the Sunday School anniversary music. He eventually joined Miles Street (now Fentiman Road), and for nearly forty years was an active worker. Essentially a musician, he devoted his labours to the musical part of the church, and so trained the young - people that' there are few churches whose members possess greater musical knowledge and capabilities. He was one of the pioneers of the sol-fa method of teaching music, and only a few 'months since received a medal at Queen's Hall in recognition of his valuable ser-vices extending over fifty years. The funeral was conducted by the Rev. H. Stephenson Dinsley and the Rev. R. Noble. The attendance at Fentiman Road Church' was large, and the Rev. H. S. Dinsley spoke of the loss sustained as one of the greatest during his ministry. At the grave there was an equally large attendance, and the members of the choir joined in singing "Lead, kindly Light." On the following Sunday evening the Rev. H. S. Dinsley preached a memorial sermon, in which he spoke of Mr. Green's long services. Though seventy-seven years of age, he was till within a few days of his death one of the most active workers any church possessed. For many years he was a trustee and leader, and he had also ably discharged the duties of Various offices in the Church and School. Mr. Green leaves a widow and daughter, both of whom are active workers in the church, and to them we desire to offer our sincere sympathy.

MR. JOHN ROBINSON, GOMERSAL.

ONE of the veterans of the Gomersal Church, Mr. John Robinson, has passed away, aged seventy years. He had been actively associated with Free Methodism since its commencement. In many official capacities he served the Church, and in his character he adorned the Gospel of Divine grace. He was well read, thoughtful and pro-gressive, unassuming to a degree, gentle inspirit. Wisdom, kindness and genuineness had their home in him. His experience was ripe and inspiring. In temperance and Sunday School work he was deeply interested. On the Sunday before his death he attended morning and evening services "as his custom was," and remained to the sacra-mental service. Neither 'he nor the writer, who conversed with him afterwards, had the least idea of how soon the hymn, which had been sung, during the evening, would be realized

"What more befits the tongues Soon to join the angel's songs While Heaven the note ,yrolongs Praise—Brethren, praise! ,

Two nights later he painlessly passed away in his sleep, and thus entered into the fullness of life.