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TOE MUTED lifErPIODIST.—THURSDAY, JANUARY 21st, %pg.

WISHING GOD-SPEED TO MR. SHARMAN AND DR. SMERDON (Page 12A). A SCHOLAR'S LETTERS TO A CHILD (Page 129).

MEETING OF THE CONNEXIONAL COMMITTEE (Page 129). THE

UnitedMethodist THE WEEKLY JOURNAL OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

With which is Incorporated the Free Methodist,' founded 1886.

No 60.n NEW SERIES. r I. OLD

No. 120 SERIES. THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1909. (REGISTERED.] SIXTEEN PAGES.

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E.F. BLAKELEY& Es747,,Es iv.ivizzas LIVERPOOL.

PRINCIPAL CONTENTS.

PAGE Notes by the Way .. ... ... ... 121 Our London Letter. By W. Kaye Dunn, B.A. — ". ... 122 United Methodist Table Talk ... .. .. .... .... .. 123 Wishing God-speed to Mr. Sharman and Dr..Smerdon... .... 123 News of Our Churches ... ... ... ... 124, 127, 133 Marriage of Rev. W. Udy Bassett ... ... ... ... 125 Our Provincial Letter. By Bruce W. Rose ... ... ... 125 Some Recent Books ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 125 The Late Mr. Robert Bird : Appreciations ... ... ... 126 Manor's New Year Mission ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 126 Talks with Young Men. By T. Nightingale ... ... 127 Books and Bookmen. By Ernest F. H. Cagey ... ... ... 127 Letters of Christopher Hunt ... ... ... ... ... ... 129 Meeting of the Connexional Committee ... ....

... 129

International Lesson, etc. ... ... ... ... ... ..•. 130, 131 The Chariots of the Lord. By JosePh Hocking ••• ••• . 132 Correspondence ... ... .„ ... ... ... ... ... 126, 131

Notes by the Way. WE print on another page a somewhat detailed

report of the business transacted at the recent meet-ing of the General Connexional Committee. Mr.

W. H. Butler's appointment as suc-cessor to Mr. Robert Bird in the treasurership of the U.M.F.C. Mis-sion Fund will be widely approved. So will the nomination of the Rev.

W. R. K. Baulkwill and the Rev. W. Treffry as Governors of Shebbear and Edgehill schools respec-tively for two years, until the methods of working out secondary schools are harmonized. Two diffi- cult questions were before the Committee. One regarded the relation of hired local preachers to the ministry and the other " Ministers without Pastoral charge." .

* * * * *

ON the latter point we understand the findings of the Committee to mean that as regards present ministers without pastoral charge the position

remains as it was left by the last Two Difficult Conference, but that in the future it Questions.. is proposed . not to recognize as a

minister one who ceases from active service to engage wholly or partly in secular employ-ment. PrOvided that the phrase " secular employ-ment " is adequately defined, the suggested solution of this difficult problem seems on the whole just. In regard to the relation of hired local preachers to the ministry the finding of the Committee is that there can be only one way of entrance for all alike into the ministry, namely, that set up in the Rules of the Denomination on that point, and the Corn-mittee did not see its way to make an exception to this finding in favour of any who are at present hired local preachers. In regard to the future em-ployment of local preachers the recommendation of the Cominittee is that in view of the re-arrangement of circuit boundaries and of the fact that for some years fewer ministers will be needed, it is not wise to encourage the employment of V hired local preachers. The question is an exceedingly difficult and thorny one, especially for those who wish, as we all do, to be at once both just and kind. In the circumstances we fear the Committee has taken the only way open to it, though we are profoundly sorry that this means the disappointment of desires and perhaps hopes of very worthy and faithful workers in a number of our circuits.

A LARGE and influential Committee was appointed by the last Wesleyan Conference to enquire into the whole subject of the training of candidates for the.

ministry. The findings of that Corn- Wesleyan mittee were reported in the two College Wesleyan Methodist papers last Reforms. week. As some of the problems

faced by the Committee confront our own denomination, perhaps we may helpfully set

The Connexional Committee.

122 THE UNITEn METHODIST: January 21, 1909.

out the findings of the Wesleyan Committee in some detail. Briefly they are these—(1) It is recommended that the office of College Governor should be abolished and the work of the tutor now holding that title be assimilated to that of the other tutors so far as teaching is concerned. " The government of each college," the Committee say, " in all its relationships—pastoral, disciplinary, educational and administrative—should be in the hands of the united staff, who shall meet regularly under the chairmanship of one of their their number appointed by the Conference." This chairman is to be designated " Principal." (2) The period of trial of all students is to be made more definite. All who enter the colleges are to be " regarded as on studentship for a year," and in future a special committee for each college, upon , which laymen will be appointed, will consider and report upon the work and fitness of each student year by year. The plan strikes us as most salutary and admirable.

* * * * * (3) THE question of grading the Colleges has been

discussed in Wesleyan Methodism for some time. Much could be said for this plan from an educa-

tional point of view. But the Com-mittee was resolute not to adopt any scheme that would result in the separation during their college

course of the best educated men from their brethren with less advantages. There are strong reasons in support of this attitude, says the Rev. Wilfrid J. Moulton. " The University graduate gains very much by being brought into intimate relations with the man who comes direct from the factory or the coal mine. The honours man from Oxford or Cam-bridge and the youth who has never been to any school but an elementary one have much to teach one another. It is probably true that the loss of such intercourse could never be counterbalanced by any immediate educational gain." Grading within certain limits is already carried on in the Wesleyan Colleges, but the Committee refused to sanction any extension of the system.

(4) BUT the Committee advises that one of the present Colleges should be set aside as a preliminary college and suitably staffed. To this College all

newly received candidates should be A Preliminary sent for one year, except such as are College.

qualified at once to profit by the more advanced curriculum. of the other

a colleges, and steps should be taken as soon as pos-sible to secure three years at one of the more advanced colleges for all students. It is reckoned that 75 per cent of the new students would be sent to this preliminary college. " Special attention could be given in this college to the study of the English Bible, English language and literature, and to other preliminary subjects, such as elementary Greek."

* * * * * (5) BUT what have interested us especially are the

Committee's recommendations regarding modifica-tions of the present college curriculum. These are

so important that they must be More Attention quoted in full. to English. Modification of the curriculum should

be effected by greater attention to the subjects of preaching and pastoral work ; by more ex-tended tuition in the English Bible ; and by fuller use of the English language, English literature and history, as instruments of mental discipline and education, with some remission of the study of languages where such is considered desirable.

We should not be surprised if this recommenda-tion, coupled with that for the establishment of a preliminary college, proves the most fruitful of all the recommendations this Committee makes. A rather long and close acquaintance with the work of both students and probationary ministers has con-vinced the present writer that one of the great mistakes made in most Methodist colleges in recent years sprang from the insufficient time given to the study of English language and literature and, in regard to some students, the disproportionate time given to the study of Greek and Latin. We shall not join those who belittle the importance of a study of the classical languages. But of the two—a knowledge of English and a knowledge of the ancient tongues—one may say the essential require-ment in a preacher is a knowledge of his mother tongue. If he knows that so imperfectly that he is continually breaking its concords, misusing its idioms, and marring its matchless music, of what possible avail is it that it is said that he is a good Greek scholar ?

* * * * * AND more and more it becomes clear that Method-

ism must have good preachers and pastors—the

latter not less than the former. There never were such opportunities for the preacher

More Attention as there are to-day ; but the preach-to Preaching ing must stand four square both to and Pastoral the needs of the times and the New Training. Testament : it must be sensitive to

the questionings, the heart-ache, the crying needs of to-day and sure of how to meet those needs by the teachings of our Lord Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. The old phrases do. not mean the same things to men now that they meant to our fathers yesterday. The pinch of life's needs is not quite the same. The thoughts of the people in the pews, their ideals, their aspirations, their sins differ in important respects from those of the men and women of yesterday. They are sin-stained, wearied, haunted by fears, and so they still need the old, old Evangel. But they want it in phrases and applications that match their need, and the great task of the preacher is to find the phrases and to make. the applications. And in the praCtice of that great and holy art we should afford him all the help we can, both in the college and afterwards. In a truer sense than we often think a successful pulpit is a successful church. Failure there spreads itself elsewhere. Oh, that all our preachers may be the Lord's prophets !

* * * * * IT will be remembered that the Pan-Anglican

Congress of last year, through the letter of the Archbishop of Canterbury, urged as a preliminary

to union among the churches that Unity through they should seek first to understand Penitence First. one another. The learned Dean of

Westminster has been crossing the t's and dotting the i's of that advice in a paper read at the annual meeting of the Evangelical clergy in Mildmay Hall. His first piece of advice to the clergy was that they should give themselves to a serious study of the Church's corporate life as it was pictured in the New Testament. This was the most important thing they could do during the next ten years. They were not in the least ripe, in England at all events,- for practical efforts towards reunion. Until they came to feel that they had been unconsciously blind and wrong they would make no sound progress. Unity was through peni-tence first, and through practical action second. The advice was sound for all Churchmen—Free and Established. In the study of the New Testament along the lines suggested by Dean Robinson, we should find that in regard to church government what it teaches is the need of a/certain spirit not of a certain method. That discovery would prepare the way for unity, if not for uniformity. Certainly it would show all of us how much need there is for penitence on account of our sins against that spirit which the New Testament makes basal among Christians.

* * * * * SCARCELY less fruitful would be the following of

the second piece of advice the Dean gave. A great step would be taken, he said, if they would abandon

the old maxim " Minimize your dif-" Study your ferences " and substitute " Study Differences." your differences." They must under-

stand the point of view of the other side, get at the underlying principles, find out what had been the history of these differences and whether in practice they meant now what they meant at the first. Thus they would be removing their own ignorance of those on the other side, and helping to remove the ignorance of themselves on the other side. In this connection the Dean made the practical suggestion that the clergy should pre-pare a course of lectures on the chief Nonconformist branches of the Church, and call into counsel a representative of each of those branches, with whom they could discuss the question. That discussion would itself be a very valuable step towards unity, which must come before reunion. The Dean's advice mught be profitably followed on our side, too. Knowledge always makes for charity It is said of Canon Henson that he used to think and speak of Nonconformists as wilful schismatics until he began to study Nonconformist history, and then he found that the Nonconformists had been mostly right and the Anglican Church mostly wrong. That discovery has greatly modified his spirit and outlook.

* * * * * IN this connection it is worth noting that the

Vicar of Islington, the chairman of the Conference at which Dean Robinson's paper was read, took

occasion in his opening address to A Good Word pay a, tribute to the Nonconformist for Noncon- bodies for what he called their formists.. sturdy independence, their loyalty to

the faith and their splendid enthu-

siasm for righteousness. These were, he said, a magnificent contribution to the best elements of their national life and made Nonconformists the inevitable religious allies of the Evangelical party, The tribute is a just one to historical Nonconformity, The duty of Nonconformists is to make it more and more justly applicable to themselves to-day, How we wish that the. Evangelical clergy would regard Nonconformists as their " inevitable allies." In practical working some of us have found High Church clergymen more willing to act as allies than Evangelical clergymen. It is strange that it should be so, but it is all too true.

Our London Letter. A FEW weeks before the old year went out I urged

upon my readers the possibilities of a great Watch. night and New Year Mission, and hinted at ten thousand as an achievable Connexional ingathering,

I know of many earnest missions, and numbers have been gained for Christ. Perhaps with a view to getting things ready for next year I may be allowed to state what happened in one London Church this New Year end.

First, then—the School ! The School was divided for New Year's Sunday into four Mission meetings : (1) Intermediate Boys, (2) Intermediate Girls, (3) Senior Girls and Young Women, (4) Senior Lads and Young Men. The instructions were that there was to be no exciting conduct of meetings, no fetching up of cheap tears, etc., etc., etc. But the beauty and wisdom of choosing Christ for Master was to be urged on all. Each was given the printed pledge—" I now determine to accept Jesus Christ as my Master." But no papers were to be accepted from children on the. Mission afternoon. Underneath the pledge was printed this :

I have shown this to father and mother, and here are their signatures, written by them as a sign that they will help me.

Father

Mother As a result, a week later, sixty-four papers came

in, fifty-two of which were unmistakably signed by the parents.

* * * * * Watchnight, and New, Year's bay, and January

3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th, were set aside for mis-sioning adults : ten thousand families were can-vassed. Meetings were not large, not over 200 at any week-night, except Watchnight. The same quiet absence of professional mission stage effects was enforced. The atmosphere of the Technical School or University Extension lecture was imposed on the meetings.

These are the known figures-93 men and women signed a pledge paper—against the drink or for accepting Christ.

Strike out 20 papers, concerning which the Sisters report to-day, January 18th, that they see no sign of earnestness of intention. Now handle the pledges and see. Here is Sister's Club of Work Girls—the wave has swept through that class and the balance is heavily for Christ, where a few weeks ago it was decidedly the other way.

Here is one young woman—not a teetotaller, not a Christian. She took that paper home and in front of the family said she was going to sign it, and did so in their presence. She is the only Christian in that house, and is being made to feel it.

Another—twelve months ago this one signed. Result—has not been to a music-hall since, has refused to fetch the Sunday beer, whilst obeying on week-days. Whatever " kick-up " and jollity has been going on on Sunday at service time, she leaves it all and slips off to church. She signs again this year, with more understanding of Christ.

Here are a dozen that were Christians, but they felt convicted of not being genuine, and they would like to sign on with a new meaning in the signature.

Here is another set of papers each of which has brought tears or emotion to senior teachers. " have prayed for that scholar fdr years, and he has always fenced me off—it is wonderful. I did not know it was coming so soon ! " There are a dozen of these unexpecteds.

This one—a fine British workman, whom we all liked—married, family—but clearly without Christ ! He has another face to-day, for he is another man. "Give me a paper for my wife," he said. "She'll sign now. It wasn't any use her trying with me what I was." She gladly signed.

That one—? Yes, an elderly man, who every Sunday at one o'clock passed Sister's window with three beer jugs. "You didn't go by with the jugs Sunday," said Sister to him. " No ! " he said, " I told

Graded Colleges.

January 21, 1909. THE UNITED METHODIST. 123 •••■••.

them at home that I'd done with it." And with the

expelling of drink has come the reception of Christ. This is the signature of a heavily drinking man.

He signed Watch-night, but broke it New Year's Day.A quick visit by Sister on January 1st, in following up immediately his Watch-night pledge, saved him, and he came back again and re-signed. January 18th he stands a miracle ! ! Twenty years' hard drinking are behind him, as well as the heredity of a family with fierce drinking traditions.

But another converted " old soaker " has got him in tow—a man who regularly took £3 5s. a week, and spent so much in drink that his family were for twenty years underclothed and underfed. This man was converted Watch-night, 1907-8. He was on duty this year, but got a midnight hour to come and celebrate his first birthday in Christ, and try

and take another pledge. He has just got the promise of a regular " boozer " to sign in dead earnest.

That and this make a pair—husband and wife. They signed Watch-night, and took the whole New Year's course of teaching and have gained their footing to-day as Christians. They look it.

That is an adult man's—age forty-five, maybe, hard drinker—redeemed.

This batch is a collection of young men's signa-tures--fine young fellows—didn't all sign first night, saw the mission through some of them, but felt they could no longer respect themselves and had to sign.

Wonderful ! Yes ! astounding ! so astounding that there is only one explanation to it all. God shook these souls up. We didn't. We only got the church ready and gave out the. hymn-books.

W. KAYE DUNN.

At the close of the service on Sunday evening, 17th inst., at our Cardiff, Newport Road, Church, the friends bade farewell to Mr. Richard Proud, jun., who is leaving this country on Saturday next to take up an appointment as a principal bass singer in a New York Church. Words of appreciation and of wishes for his welfare were spoken by Messrs. T. Jenkins, W. G. Howell, G. Gregory, and R. D. German. In the name of the various institutions with which Mr. Proud had been associated, Mr. G. Gregory presented him with a monetary gift as a slight token of esteem. Mr. Proud, and his father, Mr. Richard Proud, sen., both feelingly responded.

Missionary Valedictory.

Will our friends please .to notice particularly that ALL contributions for the National Children's Home and Orphanage should be sent to Rev. ANDREW CROMBIE, 12 Farringdon Avenue, E.C., and not to former Treasurers ? The neglect to note this is causing increased labour and much inconvenience.

SHEBBEAR AND EDGEHILL COLLEGES. The Connexional Committee has accepted the

recommendation made by an ex-Bible Christian Advisory Committee, that the Rev. W. R. K. Baulkwill and the Rev. W. Treffry should be appointed Governors of Shebbear and Edgehill Schools, respectively, for two years, pending the unification of the department for schools, when appointments by the method prescribed by the last Conference are to be made.

MISSION FUND ACCOUNTS. As will be seen on another page, the General

Connexional Committee has appointed Mr. W. H. Butler, Summerfield House, St. George, Bristol, treasurer of the ex-U.M.F.C. Mission Fund, in suc-cession to the late Mr. Robert Bird. Will all local Mission treasurers please note this and remit all cheques for amounts due on Mission accounts for that section to Mr. Butler? We take the oppor-tunity of offering our warm congratulations to Mr. Butler on the denominational honour which this appointment confers upon him—an honour he will value all the more because it passed to him from a man so beloved as Mr. Robert Bird was.

The Revs. J. Capes Story, E. Turner, Brisbane, and G. Thompson, have made applications to be declared supernumerary ministers at the ensuing Conference.

* * * * DISTRICT MISSIONARY CONTRIBUTIONS.

The Rev. W. D. Green writes us : " Having heard that my figures, as found in the December 'Mission-ary Echo ' are called into question, in reference to the Sunderland District, may I here say that both my critic and myself are right, from our own stand-points?

" It is said that the following six Circuits should have been included in my estimate for that District, viz., Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool, Stockton, Sunderland, and Willington, and that with such addition, the average per member would have been 2s. lid., instead of ls. 5d. ; this, of course, would lower the average for the Newcastle District. On the other hand, my inclusion of these six circuits in the Newcastle District's total, was warranted by what is found on pages 127-131 of the Annual Missionary Report. That report gave me no reason to add them to the total of the Sunderland District."

* * * * CONFERENCE, 1910.

The United Methodist Conference of 1910 is, we hear, likely to be held at Nottingham. In every respect

they this is a suitable town for the gathering, and i hey extend an invitation to the Conference for that year the Nottingham people will entertain it right worthily. They have a fine reputation for ospitality.

* * *

HE MANSFIELD COLLEGE PRINCIPAL-SHIP.

The Rev. W. B. Selbie, M.A., has been invited 0 become the principal of Mansfield College, xford, in succession to Dr. Fairbairn. Mr. Selbie

is at present pastor of Emmanuel Church, Cam-bridge, Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theo-logy at Cheshunt College, Cambridge, and acting editor of our able denominational contemporary, the " British Congregationalist." Mr. Selbie's paper on " The Historic Fact as a Paramount Necessity for Christian Doctrine," read at the International Con-gregational Council in Edinburgh last July, was generally acknowledged to be one of the ablest con-tributions at that representative gathering. It is difficult to imagine Mansfield College without Dr. Fairbairn, but in Mr. Selbie he would have a worthy successor. It is not a small element in Mr. Selbie's fitness for this great post that he is a successful pastor and a very able preacher. We offer Mr. Selbie our congratulations on the honour which has come to him so deservedly and shall greatly rejoice if he sees his way to accept the invitation.

* * * * * THE FREE CHURCHES AND UNEMPLOY-

MENT. The Social Questions Committee of the National

Council of the Evangelical Free Churches has arranged to hold the next Conference on Social Questions at the Memorial Hall, London, E.C., on Monday evening next, January 25th, 1909. Repre-sentatives will be present from all denominational and Free Church Social Service bodies. Dr. David Brook, President of the National Council, will pre-side, and the subject of " Unemployment " will be introduced by Mr. Will Crooks, M.P. Tickets of admission are being issued by the Rev. Thomas Law, Secretary of the National Council, Memorial Hall, E.C., from whom all information can be obtained.

* * * * * PERSONAL.

The Rev. C. N. Mylne writes from Port Said that all was well. " Rough weather, but no unpleasant sensations."

* * * * * The Rev. Joseph H. Bowker has been appointed

to represent the Preston Free Church Council at the Swansea annual meetings of the National Council.

* * * * * In his sermon as Mayor's chaplain, and more

recently through the local press, the Rev. E. F. H. Capey has been urging the formation of a " Citizen's Guild of Help," on the model of the Elberfeld system, for the county borough of Hanley.

* * * * * Mr. Maurice George Northrop, a scholar in our

School at Ovenden, Halifax, who last year won the first bronze medal and fourth prize, has this year been successful in winning the gold medal offered by the Chamber of Commerce to the student suc-cessful in attaining the highest position in the examination. He has also won the first prize. We offer him our heartiest congratulations.

* * * Miss Elsie Neden, daughter of Mr. W. P. Neden,

of Clapham, has been awarded the L.R.A.M. diploma for singing.

* * * * * The Rev. W. H. Webber and Mr. G. C. Car-

penter have been appointed delegates to the National Federation meetings at Swansea on March 8th.

* * * * * Mr. C. T. Trevail, J.P., has been elected president

of the Bodmin, Lostwithiel and District Free Church Council.

* * * - * * The address of Mr. H. S. Redfern, M.Sc.,

Principal of our College at Ningpo, is at present 135 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester.

God-speed to Rev. A. H. Sharman and Dr. Smerdon.

THERE was a splendid gathering at Shernhall Street Church, Walthamstow, on Monday evening, to bid fare- well to the Rev. A. H. Sharman, who returns to China next week, and also to wish God-speed to Dr. E. W. Smerdon, who sailed from Southampton on Tuesday to take the place of Dr. Plummer at our Wenchow Hospital.

Mr. William Mallinson, J.P., presided, and after prayer had been offered by the Rev. J. W. Armstrong, said they would take a greater interest in their mission-aries because that meeting had been held there, and they had seen the missionaries. He was quite sure they would go to their posts with the best wishes of our people.

Dr. C. F. Harford (Principal of Livingstone College) attended to show his sympathy with our work in China. In a brief address he said he was glad that one of those going to the front was a medical missionary. This side of mission work was quickly developing ; every missionary society was increasing its medical staff. The Church Missionary Society, under whose auspices he had been medical missionary in West Africa, had now seventy-three doctors in the foreign field. In China es-pecially, he believed to-day was the day of the medical missionary. Now that she was opening her doors to Western civilization, the medical missionary hospitals were training grounds for the Chinese, and if the students did not become designated missionaries they were missionaries through the training they had re-ceived in our hospitals. He heartily wished Dr. Smer-don God-speed.

The Rev. Henry T. Chapman (Foreign Missionary Secretary) gave an impressive valedictory address. He said that for nearly twelve months there had been a burden on his heart in respect to a medical missionary for Wenchow. Dr. Plummer had been out there for nearly eight years, and had done a magnificent work. When many would have come home he had remained at his post in spite of family sufferings. For over a year appeals had gone forth for a successor, with so little result that he had begun to feel God was chastening them for lack of faith. Then from an unexpected quar-ter the response had come, Dr. Fletcher Jones having introduced Dr. E. W. Smerdon who had just finished a distinguished course at Edinburgh University. The doctor had only been home for one month since he had been at Edinburgh, but he had promised to go to China at that early date, when requested, as he said "he was used to military discipline," his father being an officer. Dr. Smerdon was going to his work in a fine spirit and would follow closely and ardently in the footsteps of Dr. Plummer. Mr. Sharman had rendered eight years very fine service in China. He has had great success in gathering the young people together, and when he got back, if not before he arrived, the first Sunday School would have been built. If ever there was a possibility of winning an empire for Christ that possibility was ours to-day, and he was glad they were having a share in this great work. In the name of the Foreign Mis-sionary Committee, and in the name of our Church, he said : "God bless you both and go with you." Mr. Chapman then heartily shook the missionaries by the hand amid applause.

The Rev. A. H. Sharman was heartily received on rising to respond, and gave a characteristic address, describing the district and the nature of the work he hoped to resume. He was going because he had heard the call : "Come over and help us."

Dr. E. W. Smerdon, who was received by the congre-gation upstanding, appeared much moved by his re-ception. In his reply he showed a very fine spirit. He knew of the great work in Wenchow, of the splendid hospital there, and what a splendid specimen of his profession was there. To go as a. young graduate to represent our Church was a great responsibility which he had felt heavily, but he realized by that meeting that they shared the responsibility. He had heard the com-mand "Go," and he felt he must respond.

The Rev. Thomas Nightingale wished the mission-aries God-speed an behalf of the Church, and the Revs. R. Noble (chairman of the District) and R. P. Cole moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, thus bringing to a close a memorable meeting.

United Methodist Table Talk.

124

THE UNITED METHODIST. January 21, 1909.

MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS. At the quarterly meeting of the Stourbridge Circuit,

the Rev. Fred Wright was unanimously invited to re-main a third year in the Circuit, but Mr. Wright re-luctantly declined the invitation.

Rev. Frank Rhodes will remove from the Bolton, St. George's Road, Circuit al next Conference.

Rev. J. A. Bedward has accepted a cordial invitation to remain in the Mossley Circuit a third year, and the Rev. D. Bailey has accepted an invitation from the same Circuit for Lees, from next Conference.

Revs. E. V. Stephens and P. W. Madge have accepted invitations to Truro (St. Clement Street).

Rev. Albert Bluck, of Birmingham, has accepted a cordial and unanimous invitation to the superintendency of Lindley Circuit in 1910, in succession to Rev. J. E. Radcliffe, who will then complete seven years' service in the Circuit.

Rev. J. Higman goes to Sheffield, Mount Tabor, next Conference.

Rev. F. Trezise will be leaving the Hatherleigh Cir-cuit at the next Conference.

Rev. W. H. Lockley remains a fourth year in the Stockport Circuit.

Revs. H. Fothergill and W. E. Walker have decided to remain in the Loughborough Circuit another year, he latter subject to approval of Conference.

Rev. T. Spillett has accepted a unanimous invitation to remain a third year in the Elham Circuit.

Rev. W. T. Haddy has accepted a unanimous invita-tion to the superintendency of the Hartlepool Circuit from next Conference.

Rev. J. W. Mawer has been invited to remain in the Manchester Third Circuit until August, 1911, thus com-pleting four years' service.

Rev. W. H. Booker has accepted a unanimous invi-tation to remain in the Newcastle West Circuit till 1911.

Rev. E. Oliver Dinsley has accepted a unanimous Invitation to remain in the Kingswood Circuit a fourth year.

Rev. H. J. Christmas has accepted a cordial invita-tion for another year in the Hatherleigh Circuit.

Revs. W. D. Gunstone and F. Sparrow have accepted invitations for another year in the Barrow-in-Furness Circuit.

Rev. George Hooper has accepted a unanimous in-vitation from the Bellenden Road Church, London, for a sixth year.

Rev. William S. Welch has promised to remain at Guernsey, Salem, Circuit until Conference, 1910.

Rev. W. H. Wheeldon removes from the Weston-super-Mare, Boulevard, Circuit at next Conference.

Rev. C. E. Penrose has- accepted a unanimous in-vitation to remain in Cheltenham a third year subject to approval of the Connexional Committee.

Rev. A. Percy Hoare has accepted an invitation to remain the second year in the Radstock Circuit, subject to the approval of the Connexional Committee.

Rev. J. B. Brooks has accepted an invitation to the Hawarden Circuit, Connah's Quay, for next Conference.

Rev. R. James has intimated his intention to leave the Portsmouth Circuit at next Conference.

Rev. J. A. Howarth has accepted a cordial invitation from the London Fifth Circuit (Manor Park) for a further two years, till 1911.

Rev. W. F. Newnham has accepted a unanimous in-vitation to succeed Rev. F. J. Jenkins at Weston-super-Mare (Locking Road).

BOLTON. School ON Saturday, January 16th, the Black Reopening. Moss Sunday School was reopened after

a much-needed extension. The main room is enlarged by a large room, divided by movable screens, and five classrooms, kitchen, and lavatories are added. The cost totals £600, toward which £200 is in hand, and it is hoped to raise the balance at a bazaar in March. Mr. James Lord (the superintendent, and one of the founders of the School) opened the door, Mr. A. Vicar presiding. A dedicatory service was conducted within by the Rev. John Naylor, of Manchester. A ►ell-attended tea was attended by a large company, fol-

lowed by a conversazione, the Rev. Frank and Mrs. Rhodes being host and hostess. Songs were con- tributed by Messrs. H. Jackson and F. Higgins, and Miss M. Edwards, Mr. Walker Tunnah accompanying on the piano. The school was tastefully decorated, and in the intervals, games were indulged in. On Sunday, January 17th, reopening services were conducted by the Revs. Frank Rhodes and F. J. Greening, the latter de-livering a popular lecture on the Monday evening fol-lowing on " Home, Sweet Home." The services were a pleasing success.

GUERNSEY. Re•opening AFTER extensive alterations and renova- fierviees.

tion St. Paul's Church was re-opened for worship on Thursday, January 7th,

a large congregation being present. Additional in- terest lay in the unveiling of the stained glass memorial lyindow placed in the front of the building by Mrs.

Angel and family, in memory of Messrs. H. R. Angel, father and son. The alteration scheme, part of which the trustees were compelled to undertake, is a very extensive one, costing, exclusive of the memorial win-dow, upwards of £600 ; and embraces the entire re-slating of the roof and the putting in of a large Boyle ventilator ; the reconstruction of the lavatories, etc. the re-pewing of the body of the church ; and the re-novation of both the Sunday School and church premises throughout. The result is, says the Guern-sey "Advertiser," "a church standing upon the finest site in the island, which for size and beauty really deserves to be styled the Nonconformist cathedral of the Channel Isles." The pews are of best pitch-pine, without doors, and are both attractive and comfort-able ; whilst the light tinted walls add the required breadth and space. The opening service was conducted by the Rev. Harry Shaw (pastor), the special preacher being the Rev. J. S. Clemens, B.A., B.D., of Ran-moor College, Sheffield, who preached a most helpful and appropriate sermon. After the lesson had been read Mrs. Angel unveiled the memorial window, the subject of which' is "The Good Shepherd." At the base is a mural tablet in brass, on which is a suitable inscription. The Rev. C. F. Lea, a former minister of St. Paul's then delivered an address appreciative of the life and work of those to whose memory the window is erected.

Tea was provided in the schoolroom, at which 310 people sat down. In the evening a great public meet-ing was held in the church, and whilst the congrega-tion was assembling an organ recital was given by Mr. J. David, of St. James's. Punctually at seven o'clock Mr. John Leale, Jurat, opened the meeting, and inspiring addresses were delivered by Principal Clemens, the Revs. C. F. Lea, W. S. Welsh, and Mr. W. H. Ingrouille. In his statement the Rev. Harry Shaw said that although during the past two and a half years St. Paul's seemed to have entered upon an era of prosperity, both financially and numerically, yet so great a scheme would not have been possible but for the interest evinced in it by H.M.'s Sheriff, Mr. H. E. Manger, who had promised '100 towards the effort. No appeal had, as yet, been made to the con-gregation for financial help towards the scheme, but a few of the trustees had promised £59 towards the alteration scheme, and with the help of a few Con-nexional friends they had now in hand £196, which, with the afternoon collection, had been increased to well over L'200. They hoped to raise the balance by a large bazaar towards the close of the year.

On Sunday, January 10th, the Rev. Principal Clemens preached morning and evening to splendid congregations, and at the close of the evening service an augmented choir rendered selections from "The Messiah." The reopening services were continued on Sunday, January 17th, the Rev. W. A. Grist, of Jersey, being the preacher. At all the services the choir sang special anthems in excellent style.

LEEDS. Jubilee THE Sunday School at Woodhouse Lane Gathering. was opened to receive scholars on the

second Sunday in January, 1859, hence on January 10th, 1909, the jubilee was reached. This event was duly celebrated by a special, gathering in the school on the second Sunday afternoon in this year. Mr. G. H. Hampshire presided, and in a skilful and eloquent manner recalled many of the names of worthy workers who in that sphere had served their generation according to the will of God. Some of the present standard-bearers gave short and interesting addresses reviewing their connection with the school, and the patriotism which the workers had exhibited in giving time, wealth and labour to the creation of good citizens. Among the speakers were Messrs. W. and S. Wild-blood, John Gray, L. B. Walker, W. S. Braithwaite, W. Jones, E. W. Mallinson, and John Thornton (magis-trates' clerk). Mr. John Gray has the distinction of being connected with the school continuously from the opening morning as scholar, teacher, or officer. Special hymns were sung, and the gathering of friends was excellent.

HULL. 'Visit of THE visit of Dr. Fletcher Jones, our Dr. Jones. Chinese medical missionary, to Hull will

long be remembered by all who were privileged to hear him. His lecture was delivered in Stepney Church, under the auspices of the Ladies' Mis-sionary Auxiliary, and was illustrated by views thrown on the serene by a powerful electric lantern, manipu-lated by Mr. Baker, of the Boulevard Church. The lecturer was in Chinese costume, and two ladies also were in Celestial Empire dress. We seemed to see the missionaries at their work, and to mingle with Chinese life without having had the inconvenience or sea-sick-ness, or the long journey across Siberia. Familiar faces were exhibited on the screen—the Revs. Candlin, Eddon, Hedley and Littlewood, as also that of Miss Roebuck, one of our Stepney young ladies, who has recently left us to enter upon the work which has been the dream of her life for several years. Several interesting curios

were shown, and the use of many articles in daily use were explained, and caused much amusement. The lecturer's easy, chatty, conversational style made it a delight to listen. Mr. J. C. Story was in the chair.

HURST. Presentation A VERY interesting meeting was held at to Mr. F. Queen Street Church, Hurst, on Satur- Edge. day, January 9th. Mr. Fred Edge, of

Stockport, who has recently resigned a Circuit office which he has held with honour for a good number of years, was presented with a resolution and a handsome present from the members and friends of the several churches in the Circuit. The resolution assured Mr. and Mrs. Edge of the high esteem in which they were held by all who knew them and by those who came into contact with Mr. Edge in his Circuit work. The present consisted of a beauti-ful silver rose bowl on pedestal, and a morocco bound photograph album, containing the photographs of past ministers of the Circuit, and also present office-holders. The Rev. T. P. Bullen presented the resolution and gift in an appropriate address, and Mr. Edge replied in most grateful terms, and thanked one and all for their kind recognition of his services.

MOSSLEY. Days of Help.. A SERIES of services called " Days of

Help," which may otherwise be de. scribed as an inner mission, have been conducted by the Rev. J. A. Bedward (superintendent minister). The Rev. W. Ellick Kirby preached on the Sunday, dealing with the "Christian and the World to Come." On Monday evening the Rev. J. E. Meir spoke with point and force on "The Christian and the World of Amuse- ments." On Tuesday the Rev. J. E. Mackintosh spoke helpfully on "The Christian and the World of Books." On Wednesday, Mr. James 0. Yoxall gave us a stimulating message on "The Christian and the World of Business." On Thursday Mr. W. A. Yoxall, J.P., brought a strong and powerful word on "The Christian and the World of Public Life." The services were held in the Church, and all of them were greatly appreciated by those present.

OLDHAM. The THE Monday Lecture instituted at Union Monday Street continues to excite interest and to Lecture. command good attendances. Themes

recently discussed and to be dis-cussed in the immediate future are the follow-ing : January 11th, "The Philosophy and Reason-ableness of Prayer " ; January 18th, "The Origin of the First Three Gospels " January 25th, "Blatchford's Objections to Prayer Fairly Stated and Fairly Answered " ; February 1st, "Why the First Three Gospels are Alike, yet Different." The lectures are given in the Union Street Lecture Hall, and questions are invited.

SCOTSWOOD. £450 Raised. Six months ago a site was secured in

the immediate neighbourhood for a new church, as the present building is becoming dilapi-dated and the Sunday School is altogether too small for the number of children who attend. The site is splendidly situated, and the hope of the friends is that some day soon a beautiful church will be erected on it. It cost £450, towards which there was only £150 in hand, and the balance of purchase was to be paid at the end of the year. Our worthy treasurer (Councillor Weightman) promised that if we raised £200 he would give £100, so as to complete the purchase. This made the friends work with a will, and they made the Church anniversary service and the New Year's tea meeting a great success, notwithstanding the great depression of trade and that many were out of work. When the treasurer presented his statement, showing a balance in hand of £288, including the £150 previously mentioned, and said that their family had decided to make it up to the £450 required, the meeting in connection with the anniversary was made a most memorable one indeed. Mr. W. R. Dixon, of Wallsend, was in the chair, and addresses were given by the Revs. W. Hussey Griffiths (Baptist), T. Sunder- land, W. H. Booker, and Mr. Jos. Curry. The church choir rendered music in good style.

STONEHOUSE. Death of MRS. CHARLES MARROW, one of the Mrs. Chas. oldest members of the late B. C. De- Narrow. nomination, and for thirty-seven years

a regular attendant at East Street Chapel, Stonehouse, passed away with painful sud-denness on Thursday morning, January 14th, at the age of seventy-four. She was at the chapel, apparently in the best of spirits, on Wednesday evening, speak-ing with her usual cheerfulness to her many friends. Mrs. Marrow was one of the well-known Allin family of Sutcombe, North Devon. She went to Plymouth in 1871, and within six months was left a widow ; but contrived to build up a fine business, in spite of many difficulties. Her daughter is the wife of Mr. G. P. Dymond, of the Hoe Grammar School, Plymouth, and her only surviving son, Mr. A. C. Marrow, married the eldest daughter of the Rev. W. B. Lark, who, with the Rev. A. Hancock and the Rev. W. S. Chinn, conducted the funeral at Plymouth.

News of Our Churches.

January 21, 1909.. THE UNITED METHODIST. 125

East Africa. MARRIAGE OF REV. W. UDY BASSETT.

THE members of the East Africa missionary party, the Rev: J. B. and Mrs. Griffiths, Master Glyn Griffiths, and Miss Bird, arrived at their destination in the latter days of November, after; a journey lasting twenty days. They had an unpleasant voyage, and Mrs. Griffiths and Miss Bird suffered much. Messrs. J. J. Lory, W. J. Bridgman, and WI Udy Bassett met the party at Mombasa, and soon after the landing all left by train for Mazeras. There a most hearty wel-come awaited them., As soon as the luggage was cleared a procession was formed, headed by a band of music, and proceeded to the College, where Mr. Bridg-man provided refreshments for his guests. The natives kept up their shouts of welcome until late in the even-ing.

Miss Bird was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths

• Rev. W. Udy Bassett and Mrs. Bassett.

until her marriage with Mr. Bassett, which happy event tool; place on December 1st in our church at Mazeras. The Rev. J. B. Griffiths officiated, Mrs. Griffiths :acted as bridesmaid, and Mr. J. J. Lory as best man. Mr. W. J. Bridgman and Master Glyn Griffiths were also in attendance. It was a glorious day, and the sun shone with unclouded brilliance. The church was filled with dark-faced and deeply-interested spectators. On emerging from the church the newly-married pair were accompanied by a crowd and a band of music to Mr. Griffiths' residence.

The day was a holiday on the estate, and was spent in feasting- and rejoicing.

Late in the afternoon the bride and bridegroom left Mazeras for their home at Ribe. Mrs. Bassett was provided with a hammock and borne by four sturdy Africans, while her husband role his donkey. The twelve miles' journey, along native narrow paths, down steep ,inclines, and across wide ravines, taken for half the way by moonlight, was novel, sometimes weird, especially when the journey took the travellers under towering feathery palms and other tropical trees. When they were nearing and passing' through the kraals the fourteen coolies with the luggage would shout in unison in their native speech, " Bwana Bassett and the lad!, are married and we are taking them to their house at Ribe." So everybody en 'route was in-formed of what was, happening. When, about half a mile from Ribe the bride and bridegroom were met by a band of music and a crowd. The latter kept increasing the rest of the way, and by the . time the Mission premises were reached practically the whole Population of Ribe was present. Then followed much handshaking and congratulation.

During the next few days many of the people brought gifts of. fowl, , eggs, bananas and pineapples.

All the members of the Mission staff were well when the last mail left. Our readers will be interested to know that Mrs. Udy Bassett's earliest impressions of Ribe are of the most favourable character,

Our Provincial Letter. DEAR MR. EDITOR,—My commission from you

included an instruction "to discuss, report on, or suggest things of moment in our Connexional life." I take a serious view of your implied hint that there are not only national but connexional politics that require patient and persistent advocacy. In referring once again to United Methodist Coun-cils, I am hoping to aid the direction of opinion into serviceable channels of irrigation.

We shall all agree how shOrtsighted it is to imagine that now Union is effected, we need only go on as before. The surest method of suicide is for a group of circuits in a given town to go on, having no more practical interchange or intercourse between circuits than was usual ere Union took place. We surely are not united to emphasize ironically the world's observation that these " Jews have no dealings with. Samaritans." We live to abolish such parochialisms as wisely as possible con-sistently with, regard to life and property. We have not accepted each other's inheritance to play the cuckoo therein as Japan does in Korea. We have accepted and legalized a principle of likeness that should set up fraternities in all directions, as men are fraternizing to effect and complete a South African Federation that shall efface old boundaries by recreating areas more effective as expressing one aim. To give a kind of first aid to such fraternizing where non-existent, is the sole aim in this letter. Let us assume that some Columbus has piloted, by a friendly meeting of an informal kind, a chosen band into the haven of this unknown continent. Agreement has been arrived at, a scale of representa-tion set up, and now the land of advising is before a council to possess it. What can a Council do ?

I.—In Circuit Life.

In things ministerial lies a useful field for sug-. . gestion and aid in the creation of a sentiment favour- able to (1) Quarterly or half-yearly interchanges of ministerial appointments. (2) The issuing of a united plan giving names and residences of ministers, locals, leaders and officers of each church and circuit of the group. (3) The setting up of a united covenant service at some place agreed on, where members ready for admission might he received before the whole body of believers assembled. (4). The preparation of annual demonstrations after the pattern of Manchester. It is hard to say it, but is it not the fact that at present circuits exist side by side in the same 'town with as little practical interchange as between ancient Greek and barbarian ? Matrimony is not run on compliments exchanged over the garden wall. And we suggest that frater-nity in the equal status of a local Council would in the end expedite serviceable interchanges in pulpit life much more speedily than the maintenance of old boundaries and pious courtesies over the fences of ancient use and wont.

A Council might set up and carry out a system of local transfer by which members and scholars could be shepherded from one to another local fold. It would be a paying as well as a praying supervision.

Our lay preachers might also through the Council find opportunity for interchange of views, and arranging appOintments. They might set up (1) a united examination of candidates, (2) a Council training class, (3) a local branch of the Connexional Local Preachers' library. A free circulation of local preachers belonging to the local group of churches means a working knowledge of great value in re-arranging areas of circuits. A united class for young preachers would expedite an intellectual quickening of great value for local or itinerant service in the future.

II.—Boundaries, Finance, Housing.

If we turn to consider geographical, financial and residential questions we realize the value of a Coun-cil. To grant that Councils already are in places tackling such questions, and finding settlement diffi-cult, is not to prove the uselessness of Councils. It shows rather how hard and intractable is the material laid down and trodden over by a century of usage. It is like breaking concrete' pavement : yet it is wiser to break and remake the roadway for more light, water and sanitation than for the city to decay. Circuit readjustment is our Balkan problem. All attitudes, localities and temperaments have to be wrought together with the persistence of a Bismarck creating modern Germany. We have no Bismarck and we need none : all we need is the will' to face what Union implies, that our churches may well and truly live.

III.—Court of Reference a Necessity. I advocate a Council as the readiest court of

reference and suggestion where churches and cir-cuits through their leaders and ministers can effect successful and friendly amalgamations. The Con-ference has not the time ; the District meetings can-not fully debate matters ; the Quarterly meeting attempting singlehanded to effect alteration might be suspect of seeking advantage. The handiest possible court available to discuss, reject, amend or suggest all proposals for financing, rearrangement, location of ministers, or new sites for extension, is such a court of reference as we venture to outline. Through such a court of advice, carrying the united or majority voice of a group of churches, the difficult question of controlling ministerial supply so as to avoid a host of unemployed ministers, may be safely Settled. A ministerial adjustment could be delayed or expedited by the weightier appeal a Council recommendation would possess. Always, however, let it be borne in mind that we recommend the Council as not the legislator but the adviser, the local referee, the small twentieth century counterpart of the ancient Anglo-Saxon Witenagemot—"the community of wise men "—seeking not the special interests of a minister, a circuit, or a church, but the welfare of a group as an effective Connexional force. Should any critic smile at this as absurdly ideal, our word is, "Where there is no vision the people perish."

Our limited space compels us to cease here, but we invite friendly discussion on our observations.

Yours fraternally, BRUCE W. ROSE.

Some Recent Books. "A Mission to the Transvaal." By the Rev. Amos

Burnett. (Culley. is.)

THIS is the latest of Mr. Culley's little missionary books, which deserve to be widely read. Mr. Burnett tells, in a graphic way, the story of Methodist missions in the Transvaal, Swaziland, and other, portions of East Africa, covering an area more than three times the size of England. From very small beginnings the work has grown wonderfully, and at the present time there are 142 ministers and evangelists, 1,279 local preachers, and 25,000 full members and members on trial, with, of course, a much larger number of adherents. C.

"Peggy Spry." By. H. M. Ward. (R.T.S. 2s. 6d.) THE women in this book are gritty and true. The

men muddle through after considerable bungling. In this little world of Peggy Spry there is little doubt which sex is superior in sense and integrity. The story is full of incident, and the interest is well sustained.

J. B. B.

"Points from my Journal." By the Rev. G. T. Coster. (Robert Scott. 2s. 6d. net.)

MR. COSTER is a Congregational minister, now living in retirement. He began his ministry in Newport, near Saffron Walden, in 1859. He retired from active service in 1902, his forty-three years being spent in seven pastorates. It was his custom to keep a journal ; this book contains selections from it. Mr. Coster has done well to give the public the benefit of some of the things which have happened to him during his long ministry. He has met many famous people in his time, such as Browning, Mrs. Josephine Butler, Rob Roy MacGregor, the Rev. C. M. Birrell,' and many others. Mr. Coster is well known as a writer of hymns, many of which are in constant use. This book is an interesting record of a strenuous life of noble service. C.

"My Mates." By J. J. Brown. (Robert Scott. 2s).

THIS is the production of a barrister who has retired from the bustling activity of London to the quiet re-treat of a Devonshire village. Here he has found a useful sphere of Christian service among the young men of the countryside, whom he has gathered into a Bible class. This book contains the substance of his Sunday afternoon talks, and should prove interesting and helpful to others engaged in similar work. P.S.A. speakers, Bible class leaders, and local preachers can gain much from these pages.

The writer reveals his knowledge of human nature by finding a point of contact with his audience in their natural love of story and personal incident. He has travelled over the wide fields of literature for interesting illustrations, and out of his own store of personal ex-perience and observation has brought forth seed for his sowing. Legend and history, poetry _and proverb are made vehicles of spiritual truth. Blake and Browning, Tennyson and Lowell, Carlyle and Kingsley are aptly quoted, and commonplace things like a signpost on the road or a fishing-boat on the sea are pressed into service. The end sought: throughout is never once lost sight of, viz., to lead others to believe in and follow Christ. A, H. R.

126

THE UNITED METHODIST. Januarjr 21, :1909.

THE LATE Mr. ROBERT BIRD. Words of Appreciation.

REV. W. BOYDEN.

The lamented departure of my friend, 'Mr. Bird, is a loss to our Connexion that will not be easily repaired and leaves a wide gap in our Executive, that will be difficult to fill. He was a charming man, and in his whole life has been a beautiful example of earnest and loving Christianity. I have known him since 1863, pro-bably longer than any minister of our Churches. I be-lieve he was placed on the plan as a local preacher during my ministry in the Kingswood Circuit. He would then be about twenty-four years of age. He was deeply interested in all our church movements, and especially in the young. I have known, esteemed, and loved him, and in his death I feel I have lost a personal friend of forty-five years' standing. Mr. Bird's father and mother, and all his family and early home were all well known to me, and are remembered by me with the greatest respect. I have a melancholy pleasure in making this small record of affection and esteem for a beloved friend. May his mantle fall upon his sons and upon many young men in our beloved Connexion !

WILLIAM BOYDEN.

REV. ANDREW CROMBIE.

The manifold services to our Churches and the generous support of our institutions by our beloved friend, Mr. Robert Bird, making his name a house-hold word within our borders, will no doubt be re-ferred to by your numerous correspondents. I wish now to speak only of the splendid service he rendered in promoting the establishment of a weekly denomina-tional newspaper. It is nearly a quarter of a century since I first ventured to approach him and a few other leading Free Methodists on this important question. Mr. Bird was among the first to respond to my appeal, and promised the support of two of his sons as well as of himself. It was scarcely expected that the Com-pany would be remunerative, but it was formed to meet a felt need in the Denomination, and with the view of promoting Connexional loyalty. Mr. Bird was ap-pointed chairman of the directors at the inception of the Company, and continued to hold that position until recently, when the company was voluntarily wound up.

When Methodist Union came to the front, and it was found necessary to reconstruct the Company, Mr. Bird took the deepest interest in the movement, and did his utmost to promote its success. Through good and through evil report he never hesitated in his loyal and generous support of the enterprise, and by this means, as well as by many others, he co-operated in advocating the cause of Methodist Union, as well as in spreading information concerning it. For his memory I cherish a warm affection, as I found him a true and trusty friend in many a trying hour. He has often inspired me with hope and confidence when there were few to speak a word of encouragement. To the many noble and generous deeds of Mr. Bird for our Church, this must be added, that he quietly, but effectively, sustained the movement in favour of a denominational newspaper, which is now doing so much to direct the operations and develop Connexional loyalty in the United Methodist Church.

REV. S. B. LANE, BRIGHTON. THE first time I heard Mr. Bird speak was at the

Bible Christian Conference at Forest Hill in 1903. He attended as one of a deputation, and spoke on the subject of Methodist Union. I was greatly impressed with his simplicity, his statesmanship and magnetic personality.

Subsequently I met him on various occasions, and shall not soon forget his winsome bonhomie, his sunny countenance, and kindly words which were potent factors in creating a congenial atmosphere. But what impressed me most was his sincerity, self-forgetfulness and passion for Union. In character and service he has left behind him the worthiest of monuments. Surely it can be said of him "after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep."

MEMORIAL SERVICES.

A DEEPLY impressive memorial service was held at our Cardiff, Newport Road, Church on Sunday evening, the 10th inst. The church was well filled. The service was conducted by the pastor, the Rev, E. 'Ratcliffe, and was chiefly noteworthy for its spirit . of thanksgiving and. triumph—a spirit expressing the Church's assur-ance that our .beloved friend had passed to higher ser-vice for the Master he had served so loyally. One of the Scripture readings consisted of passages from Ps. lxi. and lxii., which had oftentimes been used by Mr. Bird as texts for his sermons. Speaking from the words "A man of God" (1 Kings xvii. 24), Mr. Ratcliffe said that the secret of Mr. Bird's great achievements, in the Church and in the city, was his deep religious en-thusiasm, based upon a strong faith in the saving, and keeping power of Jesus Christ. He had done much good work as a public man ; he had been raised to a place of responsibility in the Connexion, but he was

pre-eminently a great preacher, for he had a great heart. At the close of the service the choir sang "Cross-ing the Bar."

A memorial service was held simultaneously at our Cogan Church, conducted by the Rev. W. A. Cooper.

We shall miss, but shall not forget, him.

ERRATUM : On page 109 of our last issue, second column, line 53 should be read instead of line 52, and line 52 instead of 53.

Manor's New Year Mission. A REMARKABLE HARVEST.

THE annual " New Leaf " Mission came to a close on Thursday evening, January 7th, and in many respects it has been the most successful yet undertaken.

Commencing at the Watch-night service, at which there was an earnest congregation, the meetings con-tinued for five nights, interest and attendance both grow-ing as the mission proceeded.

The church having decided to invite its own minister to take charge of these services, the arrangements were in the hands of Mr. Kaye Dunn, who was assisted by Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Angus, and other soloists, and by members of the choir and band.

At the Watch-night service many pledges were taken, special papers printed for the purpose, containing pledge forms—the first "cutting " the drink, the second deciding to accept Christ as Master—being handed to each wor-shipper.

At the close of this meeting, invitations were taken to the public-houses and streets around, and from them was gathered as strange a crowd as ever presents itself at a religious meeting. A service on ordinary lines is impossible, and the workers have to do what they can individually. Good work was done here, work that is still good.

The remaining five evening gatherings, Mr. Dunn stated, would be regarded as a Technical School, in which religion would be the subject. The congregations were by no means disappointed, for the addresses. were rather in the nature of Scientific lectures, full of rich thought and real learning. The mind and its con-dition under various experiences, what happens when a change of mind takes place, how a change of mind may be brought about, how, its continuance may be assured, were some of the 'matters discussed. "Getting slack," "Taking oneself seriously," "The Yes and No attitudes." were the titles of three of the addresses ; whilst "The science of a conversion " was dealt with at the two last meetings. These addresses, some of them lasting an hour, were received with earnest attention, and as proof and argument were put forth, conviction came upon the listeners, and not only were men and women led into the light for the first time, but many a Christian's faith was strengthened and hope renewed.

Mr. Dunn had promised that no one should be button-holed or interfered with in any way, and this promise was 'most faithfully kept. The atmosphere of the meet-ings was that of the lecture-room, in which the listeners were intently earnest, endeavouring to get all possible light on their relationship with God. Excitement was entirely absent, and those who signed the pledge forms did so under deep conviction - that they were doing the right thing.

For those who had signed during the mission Mr. Dunn had a special word at the close, his final recom-mendation being that they should immediately take up some work, preferably 'Sunday School teaching, for such "a weekly outgiving, requiring a weekly intake," would ensure spiritual growth of the surest kind.

We may be thankful' that the mission was in so able hands of those of Mr. Dunn, for many will have good cause to remember the "New Leaf " Mission of 1909.

H. W. H.

P.S.—Signed pledge forms were received during the above mission from 93 adults, containing 51 pledges against the drink, while 71 signed on to take Christ as Master. Also, 50 juniors signed on "for Christ."

WEDDING. MR. R. J. HOPPER AND MISS J. WRIGHT.

ON New Year's' Day Mr: Richard Joseph Hopper and Miss Jane Wright were married at the Whitehall Road Church, Gateshead, by the Rev. E. Troughton. The families of both bride and bridegroom are actively associated with our Dunston Church. The 'bride is a member of the choir and a teacher- in the Sunday School, and the bridegroom is a local 'preacher ; and thew family have for many years served the church in various ways. In celebration of the marriage Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hopper, parents of the bridegroom; provided a tea and lantern entertainment for over 300 poor children of their village in the evening.

The convention held at Penzance by our esteemed President, assisted by Mr. Sharman, was a, time of much blessing, and good results will no doubt follow.

" Preach ! Preach ! that is. all,"

DEAR MR. EDITOR,--Sometimes when the "London Letter " appears to require taming, I persuade myself thus : "Never mind, it causes people to think, and that is something accomplished." But I fear by a recent letter Brother Dunn has caused people, who are unacquainted with active missionary propaganda, to think wrongly, and detrimentally' to our foreign mission cause. The two outstanding features of the letter referred to are : (1) "Go preach ! preach ! that is all ! " and (2) limiting the foreign missionary labours of the Anglo-Saxon race to a generation of earnest work.

" Preach ! preach 1 that is all-! " Brother Dunn is not alone in thinking 'this. Dr. Griffith John was an ardent advocate of the above view when he first went to China. He looked with cold suspicion upon proposed medical and educational aids, for preaching was his de-light ; he excelled in it. Yet later he became as ardent an advocate of both acklitional branches of work. . . .

Our own men in China and Africa are urgently press-ing for teachers, doctors -and agriculturists, in addition to preachers. I myself bear testimony that educational work has proved, and is still proving, a most valuable adjunct in Christianizing the West Indians. If all this be admitted it will not be difficult to see why we cannot promise our Churches • release from their missionary efforts in a generation. It is' delusive to hold 'out the hope. 'Here again Dr. Griffith John testifies that it will be a long time 'before the evangelization < of China can be left entirely to the" Chinese. . .

Madagascar is instanced to show how the Gospel suc-ceeds without the aid of the- Anglo-Saxon, missionary after he has announced it. Butyl am puzzled to know what this proves for Brother Dunn. There are now 250;000 Christians in 'Madagascar. If it could be shown that this 250,000 resulted from the native efforts 'unaided I could understand the value of the citation, but since 1962 the Anglo-Saxon has been working, in the land again: But even if it were ,the result of unaided native effort, there are 4,000,000 of people in the Island, and thus only one-sixteenth Are Christians. . . I agree that we should get on with our work as quickly as possible, but not impatiently nor grudgingly. When the end of the -task is in sight we will rejoice, not merely because the Miao can then assist Bermondsey, but because the Kingdom of Christ will have been estab-lished. But' the end is not yet.—Sincerely yours,

'Olive Mount, Holmfirth. ' JOHN CHINN. January 12th.

an Memoriam. MR. H. McCOLLIN, LEYTON.

ON Saturday, November 28th; Brother, H. McCollin, the oldest member of our - Leyton Church, and the oldest local preacher in the Forest Gate Circuit, passed to his reward. 'Known mostly to the older generation, our deceased brother came to London .from Hull—the place of his birth and the scene of his earlier years—in 1854. Converted at the age of twenty, he soon took up active service as a local preacher in the Hull and district Churches, and possessing no inconsiderable preaching ability was in general request. When, in 1854, he made his advent to the Metropolis, he came armed with splendid credentials.' More closely identi-fied with our Piggott Street Church he rendered yeo-man service to all the churches of the old London Third, and recently the London Fifth Circuits.

As a ship's engineering smith he enjoyed the abso-lute trust of his employers, rising to the highest posi-tion open to him amongst his fellow-workmen. A man of strict integrity and 'of a rigid sense of honour, his devotion to his calling won him the utmost esteem of his employers, 'and when, owing to advanced age, he could no longer engage in physical toil he received a pension which he' enjoyed to the- close of his life.

The remaining years of his life were spent with his daughter at Leyton, where he associated himself with our Leyton Church. Unable to continue the, work he so much loved, as a local preacher he still kept in close touch with all Denominational affairs, and none rejoiced more at the consummation of Union between the three sister Churches. . -

The end was typical of the -man. After 'protracted suffering, and at the advanced age 'of ninety years and one month, he quietly but triumphantly passed to "that bourne whence no traveller returns."

On Saturday afternoon, December 5th, thew remains of our deceased. brother were laid in 'his wife's grave in the churchyard of St. Mary's old parish church, Leyton. The funeral was' attended by a number of the members of Leyton 'Church, the local, preachers Of the Circuit, and also the Revs. J. W. Armstrong and B: J. Ratcliffe, representing the Circuit ministers. On Sunday evening, December 6th, a • memorial service was conducted in the Leyton Church by the Rev. B. .J. Ratcliffe.

B. J. R.

The latest. account of 'the iRev. T, E, Mundy is that although weak be. is a- little-better.

January 21, 1909. THE UNITED METHODIST. 127

Talks to Young Men. WE need to guard against. Unreality. This is

one of the sins of the age. There are shams everywhere. Oh, the temptations ! But resist them. These are days of laxity in integrity. So much that is paste passes for diamond, and gilt that looks like gold. Rome fell because nobody could be believed, and the French Revolution would not have happened but for the sin of unreality. Things are not always what they seem. This ap-plies to persons as well as things. You find it in business. The wrong thing is done if nobody is watching. The man behind the counter says, " It's quite a bargain, madam." He knows it is quite a falsehood. " But business lies are necessary." Then ,all the worse for business, and Ehgland, too, if ever it , becomes general. It is easy to learn a creed or commit to memory an article of faith, but to run truth up into life is another and more diffi-cult thing. A friend of mine built a house, and put in the heating apparatus for the whole of the rooms. He could turn it on to this room or that as he desired. It is to be feared and regretted that many people's religion stops short of its being applied to business. We turn it on and shut it off as it suits us. Our Christianity is meant not for a partial but for an all-round application. We are too often good by fits and starts, and in solitary departments. Life is one," and God wants to fill it throughout.

* - *

There are shams in society. A friend came to see you the other day. You said, " I'm awfully, glad to see you," and you were not. You were as busy as you could be. He wasted half an hour of your precious time, and when he had gone you whis-pered, "Thank goodness, that infliction is over." Society is overrun with hypocrisy. We say what we don't mean, and every time we do it the soul is degraded. It may not always be convenient to tell the truth ;-,we have nothing to do with that. Let it be told ,though the heavens fall, but the heavens wouldn't fall, for it is truth that supports the blue sky and keeps the universe in its place.

There are shams in the Church. These do more harm than it is possible to estimate. They bring discredit upon our holy religion and increase our difficulties tenfold. " Be ye not as the. actors " (hypocrites). The other day a lady wanted' her house "doing. up." The painter called in for the purpose attended the local chapel and was a pillar there. He sang hymns whilst at work, but used bad paint and poor varnish. It is not enough to sing the " Glory Song" ; he must glorify ceilings, doors and walls. Next time she, wants the house decorating she intends getting a man who doesn't sing hymns but uses good paint and good varnish, This is the kind of thing which damages our modern church life and weakens its power for good. But counterfeits prove there is the real thing some where.. Henry . Drummond used to say that the great want was not more Christians but a better• brand of them.

The way a man discharges his duty • is some indication, as to the state of his morality. The plumber who makes bad joints has got bad joints in his moral make up. He puts,shoddy in his work because he has got shoddy in his character. Short weight behind the counter means short weight in the soul. Therefore, "To thine, own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."

Courage, brother, do not stumble, Though thy path be dark as night.

There's a star to guide the humble : Trust in God and do the right.

Unreality is found out either sooner or later, and the discovery is never pleasant. Said Abraham Lincoln : " You can fool some of the people all the time, and ,all the people some of the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time." " If you don't believe I am a Christian ask my wife," said .a good Methodist. A very safe appeal, and a reliable authority we should think. But there is a higher still. In the presence of Him who was pronounced by bitter enemies to be without a fault, the mask of unreality falls off. ' The cure lies at Calvary. There we learn to live.

T. NIGHTINGALE.

SPALDING (Crescent).—The annual covenant service was preceded by a• reception service at which Rev. J. T. I3ilsborrow gave the right-hand of fellowship to seven new members. The Sunday School has had a very encouraging year. The secretaries' report, just pre-sented, shows a total of 493 scholars, after a very care-

, ful revision of registers. A most gratifying feature is the increased average attendance.

Books and Bookmen. FITZGERALD'S LETTERS.

Is it generally known, I wonder, that Messrs. Routledge have included Edward FitzGerald's " Miscellanies " — Omar Khayyam, Euphranor, Polonius, Salaman and Absal, Bernard Barton, etc. —and his " Six Dramas of Calderon," in their popular Universal Library? Tennyson considered the close of " Euphranor " to be one of the finest passages in English prose. "Omar Khayyam " is best appreciated by matter-of-fiction men

I sometimes think that never blows so red The rose as where some buried Caesar bled; That every hyacinth the garden wears Dropt in her lap from some once lovely head. And this reviving herb whose tender green Hedges _the river-hp on which we lean-Ah, lean upon it lightly ! for who knows From what once lovely lip it springs unseen !

Quaint Oriental conceits of this order open a new and fascinating world to the commonplace Western imagination.

But FitzGerald, the poet, stands second in my regard to FitzGerald, the letter-writer. Is this Philistinism, ye disciples of Matthew Arnold? The opprobrious epithet must be risked and the judge-ment reaffirmed • without repentance. Run over the names of FitzGerald's friends—Alfred Tennyson, \ Frederick Tennyson, Carlyle, James Spedding, Thackeray, J. M. Kemble, Barton the Quaker poet, Archbishop Trench, and Professor Cowell, by whose persuasion he entered upon the study of Spanish and Persian. One looks for letters. of insight and charm from the pen of the man who could stand in the midst of this magic circle, and one does not look in vain.

*. It is not easy to cultivate the art of correspond-

ence in these days of picture postcards and 'Phones. We do everything breathlessly at motor pace and vibration.. Our fathers used to " raise the wind," we raise the dust. When we recall FitzGerald's way of life—cruising the long summer day about the Suffolk coast, or rambling along country lanes —we surrender ourselves to envious moods. What would not some of us give to be able to spend our mornings in reading, our afternoons in walks, and our evenings with book at an open window, up to which China. roses climb, while the blackbirds and thrushes rustle bedwards in the garden, and the white clouds rest upon the tops of the oak trees? If we could command such days—what spoiled and petted darlings we should be !

* FitzGerald had leisure to read and dream, to

live. with his " dear Virgil " and Sophocles and ZEsehylus, and to watch the clouds and the sea. " I have had Don Quixote, Boccaccio, and my dear Sophocles (once more) for company on board ; the first of these is so delightful that I got to love the very dictionary in which I had to look out the words." Simply to look at the sea was to create " an appetite for Greek "—probationers note ! He was sure the ocean preferred to be called " thalassa " and "pontus " than by that " wretched word 'sea.' "

FitzGerald's literary judgements are always to be respected, whether or not we find them worthy of acceptation. Scott was his prime favourite. "I am having the Fortunes of Nigel ' at night—a little of: it, and not every night—for the reason that I do not wish to eat my cake too soon." Dickens was, in his view, " a little Shakespeare—a Cockney Shakespeare, if you will, but as distinct, if not so great, a piece of pure Genius as was born at Strat-ford." He is enraptured by the "liquid melodious-ness " of Madame de Sevigne's language, " all un-premeditated as a blackbird's." Milton he read " with wonder and a sort of awe." Jane Austen failed to win him because " she never goes out of the parlour." He could not endure Browning ; Shelley was , "too unsubstantial " ; Wordsworth was too prosaic.. Tennyson and FitzGerald once set themselves the task of inventing the weakest Wordsworthian line imaginable.. The result of their labours (?) was the following line :

"A Mr. Wilkinson, a clergyman."

FitzGerald is always laughing at " Daddy Words-worth" and ever repenting before one of "those unique things of his which he brought from the mountains."

It is a naughty bit of gossip to bandy about, I know; but who can resist telling it. One day, in

1826, Professor Airy called on Wordsworth at Rydal. The poet admitted that sometimes when visitors came to interview him he would contrive to give them the slip and to hurry down the garden 'path so as to inspect the carriage in which they had travelled. His curiosity was excited not by the horse, or the carriage, but by the books his visitors had brought with 'them. He generally discovered that they had brought Walter Scott's volumes instead of his own ! " It is this conceit," writes Fitz-Gerald, " that diminished Wordsworth's stature among us, in spite of the mountain mists he lived among." Is " conceit " the right word here? I doubt it. The fact that Wordsworth could tell the story against himself suggests playfulness and in-genuousness. FitzGerald accuses the Daddy of a " little stinginess " also. Hartley Coleridge once told him how Professor Wilson and another stole a leg of mutton from Wordsworth's larder for the fun of the thing.

Tennyson was the master-mind of the circle in which FitzGerald moved, and in conversation said such memorable things, that, had he continued to be with him, FitzGerald "would have risked being called another Bozzy by the thankless world." I can hardly forgive FitzGerald for failing to remain alongside his friend and taking the risk which would surely have added fame to fame.

ERNEST F. H. CAPEY.

Jottings from West Cornwall. WE have a grand old veteran in church work and

temperance reform in the person of Mr. Richard Dale, who for many years has been a member and local preacher in the Penzance (B.C.) Circuit. He is without doubt one of the best temperance advocates in the West of England. Since the Lords threw out the Licensing 13111 he has been actively engaged in encouraging tem-perance workers to go forward and "keep their powder dry." One of his most recent acts has been to com-municate with the various Sunday Schools in the Western division, asking the officials to forward a re-solution to the Prime Minister expressive of regret at the action of the Lords, and urging on the Government the necessity of introducing a measure that shall not only safeguard the young, but be a blessing to the nation at large. We much need men of the type of Mr. 'Dale, with consecration of heart, courage in the face of difficulties and loyalty to his Saviour and Church. Mrs. Dale, his wife, is foremost in all good works in the town of Penzance, and for some time sat on the board of guardians.

The most western parish in Cornwall is Sennen where for many years we have had an interesting church. Mr. G. B. Hicks, one of the oldest members, has given an excellent site for a burying-ground ad-joining the chapel and schoolroom. A dedicatory service was held, conducted by the Rev. E. Rogers, superinten-dent of the Circuit, who was assisted by the Rev. J.

Ford Reed, of Penzance. Mr. Hicks's gift is one of many he has made during his long connection with the Church of his choice. Vox.

The Missionary Echo. CONTENTS FOR FEBRUARY:

In Memoriam : Mr. Robert Bird, J.P. Dr. BROOK.

Foreign Secretaries' Notes :— 1.—Rev. IIENRY T. CHAPMAN. 2.—Rev. G. PACKER.

3.—Rev. C. STEDEFORD.

Valedictory Services. 1.—Rev. F. D. Jones. 2.—Rev. C. N. Mylne.

The Crisis in China. Wedding Bells in East Africa. THE EDITOR.

Between Ourselves. THE EDITOR.

Famous Names Recalled :— II.—Rev. W. N. Hall. Rev. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D.

A Missionary Holiday among the Miao. 11. Dr. LILIAN GRANDIN.

Incidents from the Field. Rev. W. LYTTLE. Our Own Missionaries. C.E. Topic. Rev. JAMES ELLIS.

Missionary Sonnet. Rev. A. J. SANTER.

The Problem of the Villages. C.E. Topic. Rev. JOHN MOORE.

A " Missionary Echo " Night in the C. E. Rev. S. VERNON.

In Missionary Bookland.

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Pleasant Hour. PROGRAMME FOR 1909.

Three Charming Serial Stories.

The Red House. By F. C. GARDINERI. Illustrated by T. Henry Evison.

A Story from Another World. By EDITH H. SCOTT. Author of Mother Holda Stories.' Illustrated by A. M. Horton and H. H. Fowler.

In One Term : Tales told in School. By MERVYN BLAKE. Illustrated by W. Hartley.

Wanderings in Wonderland. The series of illustrated articles which proved so attractive last year, will be continued by papers from the gifted pen of W. PERCIVAL WESTELL, F. L. S., M. B. O. U., and others.

Some Tight Corners in China. A series of graphic and autobiographical papers by Rev. SAMUEL POLLARD, Missionary in Yunnan. With special Photographic Illustrations.

Stories from Real Life. By various Authors.

If I were a Boy. If I were a Girl. A series of autographic messages from our Leaders.

Leaves from a Golden Bough. True Stories of sell sacrificing and noble love. By Rev. HAROLD TwYFORD.

Here and There About London. A series of illustrated articles by Rev. A. E. J. CossoN.

Stories from School. By S. GER-

TRUDE FORD.

Between Ourselves. THE EDITOR'S Talks with his Readers.

Children's Page. Conducted by Rev. G. H. KENNEDY.

Bible-Searching. Under the direction of Mrs. J. B. BROOKS, B.Lit.

Stories by Capt. SHAW, Mrs. SELLMAN,

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JANUARY NUMBER.

ORDER OF YOUR MINISTER.

128

ASHVILLE COLLEGE HARROGATE.

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Letters of Christopher Hunt. A SCHOLAR'S LETTERS TO A CHILD.

SPECIAL NOTICE

January 21. 1909. THE UNITED METHODIST. 129

To the Editor of THE UNITED METHODIST.

DEAR SIR,—I have had the privilege of reading some letters of exceptional interest. They were written by an Oxford man - to a little girl friend. These two struck up an acquaintance whilst staying at a boarding-house in North Wales. The man, who was an Oxford tutor, was won by the bright, attractive ways of the little maiden. They soon became fast friends. When the holidays were over the • scholar- -wrote to his little companion several letters of great charm. Most of us are such dull and uninteresting correspondents that good letters deserve a wide publicity, and I have obtained per-mission to publish some of these in order to show that the art of graceful letter writing is not yet extinct.

I.

I will call the little girl. Kathleeni—this is not her name, but it will do.

Oxford, April 30th. I am now once more in dear old Oxford, and this

time Mr. -- is with me. It has been snowing heavily all day, and to-night ,the gray and time-worn city lies beneath a shroud of snow. We have just come in from a little walk. Do you know I felt just a wee bit sad amid the silent\ streets-7silent because one's foot-falls were unheard in the deep snow. Perhaps I was thinking of years ago when I was a student here. We have a larger room than we had at --, and I think you would like it. The walls are all panelled, not with oak I am sorry to say ; still they look very nice and old. There is a thick red carpet on the floor which matches rather well with my new slippers, and two very big easy chairs. When I have finished this letter I shall jump into 'one, and I know what my first thought will be-L-that Kathleen could find room beside me, or on my knee, and being too tired to tease and play we could talk as we used to do sometimes' when you came to say good-night. 2

I liked one little thing you said in your letter very much—about fighting one's battles alone. It seems to me to describe so well what we have fo do. You must not be surprised if my battles are not the same as yours, and if I fight them in a different way. I have a funny idea—you know what an odd person I am—that it doesn't much matter whether, I win the fight or lose it ; and that the only thing that matters is that one's face be always turned to the foe. By all this I mean it is better to be true than false, better to be brave than cowardly, better to be kind and generous than to be base and mean ; and we all want to be the best because it is the best, don't we?

I should like to know the day you go to school. You will see the Bay again, and you must give me a thought when you look up at the Little Orme. I should like

. this summer, but I shall be miles away so cannot, to take you up Snowdon, by degrees so as not to tire you, and have lunch at the wee inn at the top. You would love Snowdon I am sure ; it is too grand to speak about ; you look at the dark waters and the nestling tarns close to you, at the green valleys and shimmering sea far off, and it is like listening to the grandest music —in fact, grander still. It is almost as if a voice, strange, sweet and strong, were calling to you and you could not ansx'Ver it. .

But the day is far spent, in fact the night is too, so I must get into the easy chair I spoke about just now, and when I have sat there a few minutes I must go to bed. Please remember me to Mother and Daddy, and, with my best love to my dear little Kathleen,—I am her loving old • friend.

Somersby (undated). Thank you very much for your two post cards. Yes,

I think the violets are very pretty indeed. I like all wild flowers that blow in -dear old, England. If I were forced to do anything so hard as to say what my favour-ites were, perhaps I should ' pick out the violets that dare the winds of March„ being brave little things, and the wild rose that is come and gone so soon in June.

I am sso glad to hear that Mother is better. I wish

I could have a little chat with her. You see it would be my turn and opportunity to give advice. I shall not forget her kindness and Daddy's to me. No doubt ', I should. talk to her about you .among other things. As I cannot, you must give her my best wishes, and tell her what I tell you. I am very glad she can drive out, and we will hope many fine, warm days are in store for her.

So Mr. -- is sending you a small picture gallery of Scottish scenes, is he? Have you been to Scotland yet? I was there when I was a smaller child than • you—I beg your pardon, you are a growing woman—and then I ,wore kilts, climbed _hills, fought fights, and played on the banks of the Tay. So you see my love for the hills is of ancient birth, and I was a fighter before 1 fought with pillows with a little maiden in the--study.

I don't fight much here. In fact life flows very smoothly. I ought to make exceptions of the occasions when I and. a little friend here have our fights out on the lawn, and I , give him what I call - a "pomelling." I think it is better life should flow, smoothly sometimes, don't you? expect yours rushes along at school. It is sure to do so. And then one wants a few weeks to find one's head again—a part of one's person so ready to get lost. Having found one's head, one can begin to feel one's feet, what they stand upon, whither they are, going. Poor little feet, so ready" to take the road other feet are taking, so backward to take a path, they must tread alone. So most of us have found it. I think you know I am far too ignorant to preach to anybody, but I remember you- used to like that little word of rather ugly sound and spelling—"duty ! " But a sound is a sound, nothing more : deeds are best, and I know of a deed -which shows °fie what a Roman's idea of duty was. Perhaps it is the best I know. A general wanted to be in Rome by a certain day. To get there he had to cross the sea, which was very rough. His men begged him not to risk his life in the storm. He answered " I must go to Rome, I need not live."—I am, as ever.

Budernouth-on-Sea, December 13th. It is toward evening ; a quiet, lonely, but very nice

day is closing. In my grate a pretty little fire is burning, and the oil in a tall lamp on my table is getting low. My small room is very still ; the soft shadows that the lamp shade throws upon the ceiling and round the walls have about them a look of peace. The sense of rest is all the deeper because I can still hear in my mind the sad song of the sea.

This morning •I thought 'I should like a long walk. So I arranged to go without any lunch, and started off after breakfast, arriving at my rooms again after four o'clock. I was walking by the seaside all the time, to a lonely headland at the foot of which there lies a long tongue of san,ds and pebbles. 'The cliffs of. the head-land are of bright gravel with streaks of soft grey. One does not see many people : a few men fishing here and there : a little coastguard house, and perhaps a ferry-man, or his boat, if not himself.

But nothing attempts to divide your ear's attention Nvith the deep bass music of the waves. You told me once, Kathleen dear, that a few bars of music had got into yotir mind, and would stay there. This is what the sea's music does to me. There are many sounds I like : rook's cawing, children's laughter, insect's hum-ming, a woman's voice, ,if not too loud, but I don't think any sound is so dear to me as the sullen murmur of the sea waves. The west wind was blowing them in this morning, so I went to hear what they had to say.

I am •so glad you have liked school at --. But you will be glad to get home again I know. I hope you will find Mother quite well, and I am quite sure you are going to be kind and thoughtful to her while you are at home. Do you know, I always think of my dear little maid of -- that she is 'learning to be strong, trne and gentle as she is growing into a woman, and that in her happy school days she is not forgetting to put the great things first. They are, after all, the only things that count.--Yours as ever.

BUdemouth-on=Sea, January 4th. When I a.rrived• here your New Year greetings lay on

"my table. And there was a certain little kalendar which

had two or three little words at the back. It was so good of you to think of me, especially at a time when you must have been very busy. I have felt quite proud of the grace you have shown in your letters, and of die delicate way in which you have tried to please me. I love little acts of grace, and always feel proud when I see my friends doing them. Please don't mind my saving all this.

On New Year's Eve, when all is still, I generally watch the Old Year cross the bar. I 'got into an old armchair, and had the dining-room to myself. Lowered lairip, dim fire, dying like the year, sent shadows round' the time-worn walls which had seen a hundred die. Such a night tempts ghosts, doesn't it? Sometimes they will be the ghosts of the dead years come to see .their comrade die. Sometimes they will be the ghosts • of faces one saw long ago, but never made friends of. Sometimes they are simply the ghosts of the brightest days of the year, merry, careless sprites, always welcome.

But some of the merriest little phantoms that climbed the legs and arms of my chair, were memories of fights, chases, cafe teas, hustlings off to school, red cloaks, lost books, French conversations, and more sweet than merry, kisses of the maid of A--!

I should love to see you at your new school. 'I often 'chink of you there. My faith in my dear little friend is strong-,.that she will do nothing mean, although so many-' boys and girls at school do. Much love to my dear little friend. She knows who sends it.

II. As will be gathered from these letters--they are

but a few from a large number that have been carefully preserved—the writer lived a somewhat lonely life. For the most part., he realized that for him happiness was on the side of the wall beyond his reach. 'But -deep in his heart peace reigned. With the awakening of a tender. and chivalrous love for this child a new gift and grace came into his life which filled the rest of his days with a nearer approach to happiness than he had ever known before.

Yours, etc., CHRISTOPHER HUNT.

Old Clarendon.

Meeting of the Connexional Committee. THERE was an almost complete gathering of the

Committee at the Y:M.C.A., Birmingham, on January 13th and 14th. Letters of condolence were ordered to be sent to the following : Mrs. Robert Bird and family ; Mrs. James King and Dr. King; the daughter of the late Rev. John Mather, In their bereavement.

.The Treasurer's statement was presented, and neces-sary, calls•made on the Contingent and other Funds to meet the needs of the Committee.

It was reported that the Wesleyan Committee of Privileges will be glad to co-operate with the Com-mittee to secure means whereby, Methodist ministers may exercise their rights as citizens at elections. Alder-man Snape, J.P., and Mr. Hooper were thanked for services at the Annual Conference on Disestablishment. The' Rochdale District meeting was ordered to be in-formed that the appointment of additional members on Connexional Committees is not likely to occur again, but that there must needs be some allowance made in a time of transition.

An appeal, for aid for Muntz Street Church, Birmingham, was referred back to the District Meet. ing and the Chapel Committee. The minister of Wash-wood Heath may remain another year, when the ap-pointment will become that of a married preacher. The Connexional Committee will take steps necessary to secure all the rights and interests of the Denomination in the Church and property at Swinnow, Bramley Cir- cuit. Approval was given to an application of the Birmingham, Edgbaston, Circuit, to allow the reap-pointment of its No. 2 preacher, with the allowance of wife's quarterage, in view of promotion, to the status of a married preacher in the following, year. Rules concerning Circuit obligations to the House Furnishing Fund will be redrafted and harmonized. A deputation will visit Thornhill, Sunderland, regarding its Circuit arrangements. The investment derived from the sale of a chapel in Rochester is to be earmarked for local Circuit extension.

APPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS. In succession to the late Mr. R. Bird in the Treasurer-

ship of the ex-U.M.F.C. Mission" Fund, the Com-mittee cordially appointed Mr. W. H. Butler, Summer- field House, St. George, • Bristol. Local mission treasurers will oblige by remitting all cheques due on mission accounts of that section to Mr. Butler, at his above address.

Special arrangements will be made whereby the Presi-dent-Designate, during his coming year of office, may render full service to the Churches of the Denomina-tion. A deputation was appointed to visit .Blackpool with a view to advancing the usefulness of the U.M. Church.

130 THE UNITED METHODIST. January 21, 1909:

The Committee accepted the nominations .by the ex-B.C. Advisory Committee, of Rev. W. R. K. Bauik-will and Rev. W. Treffry for the Governorship of Shebbear and Edgehill' Schools respectively, for t wo years, until there can be unification of the department for Schools, when appointments in the prescribed method will be made. ' It was resolved that the President (Dr. Townsend) should deliver the ordination charge, and that the Rev. F. H. Robinson should prepare the address of the Con-ference to the Connexion.

The Rev. M. J. Birks was appointed to prepare in-structions re • mode of electing Committees by District Meetings.

The Committee will -make arrangemeats whereby all Circuits may have an equitable share of representation to Conference.

Carefully-prepared proposals will be submitted to the Conference regarding ministers without pastoral charge. Existing obligations will be honoured, but it is proposed not , to recognize as a minister one who ceases from active service, to engage, wholly or partly, in secular employment.

HIRED LOCAL PREACHERS.

Regarding the employment of hired local preachers the Committee declares that there can be only one way of entrance, viz., by successful examination and fitness, into the ministry. In view of the re-arrangement of Circuit boundaries and of the fact that for some years fewer ministers will be needed, it is not wise to en-courage the employment of hired local preachers. As to their reception into the regular ministry, the Com-mittee does, not see its way to make an exception in the case of any one of. them. A number of grants to necessitous local preachers were recommended.

In view of temporary conditions it is deemed ex-pedient that the management of the secondary schools remain for a while as now existing.

The combined Committees of the Ministerial Train-ing Colleges are requested to consider and report to the Connexional Committee their proposals for future methods of working this department..

It was resolved that until the Funds affected thereby are fused the question of permission for ex-proba-tionary ministers to marry shall be governed by the , regulations of the section of the Church to which they severally belonged.

Several requests from Circuits for the continuation of probationers' present appointments were referred to the Home Missionary Committee. Arrangements for helping the work at South Shore, Blackpool, and at Louth, in . consequence of affliction of ministers, were reported. Resolutions of sympathy with the invalid brethren were adopted.

Preliminary arrangeinents for public gatherings at the coming Plymouth Conference were reported and generally approved.

A report was also received and considered regarding the arrangements for a representative Assembly of British Methodism in Wesley's Chapel, City Road, on October 7th to 11th. General approval of the pro- gramme was expressed, but it was hoped that eminent missionaries now visiting the home land would be used as speakers. It was also urged that on topics affect-ing woman and children's and temperance work, women experts should be invited to speak.

The applications of the Rev. J. C. Story, E. Turner (of Victoria), and G. Thompson, for superannuation will be supported.

The Conference of 1910 will probably be held in Nottingham.

A cordial vote of thanks to the Rev. A. Tattersall and the Birmingham friends for hospitality concluded a very busy and completely harmonious meeting.

FRANCIS H. ROBINSON, Press Reporter.

THE TRIAL 'OF PETER AND JOHN.—Acts iv. 1-31.

GOLDEN TEXT : "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with bold-ness.—Acts iv. 31.

Prosperity and Adversity (vv. 1-4).' CHAPTER iv. marks the dawn of the persecution of

Christians of which our Lord had forewarned the dis-ciples (M. x. 17). ' It, is set in vivid contrast to cc. ii. and iii., and is a strange and unexpected sequel to the radiant joy and the triumphant enthusiasm of Pentecost. Like Paul and Silas, who, after unjust and severe ill-treatment, sang at midnight in the dungeon, Peter and 'John still keep the fire of enthusiasm brightly burning. Nothing can extinguish the "pure celestial fire" from the heart-altar of him who maintains his communion with the Spirit of burning. Peter's incisive talk to the people congregated in Solomon's Porch after the healing of the lame man produced diametrically opposite results.

(a) The priests and'the Captain of the temple and the Sadducees were incensed by what they saw and heard. Grieved (v. 2, A.V;) is a love-word, the term here used is akin to a hate-word. The Captain of the temple was an officer of high rank, probably identical with the `Sagan of the Talmud, who ranked next to the high priest. The term "priests" seems to have been used popularly to include not only ex-high priests, but also other leading representatives of the priesthood. "Sad-ducees" is an inclusive term to indicate the religious bias of the interferers. They were the custodians of the temple and arrested the disciples as brawlers in church, and as disturbers of the public peace. The cure of the cripple provoked their bitterness instead of eliciting their appreciation, and was of no interest to them except as it, and the address arising out of it, impugned their creed and greed. The word for "prison" in v. 3 means ward or safe-keeping. The Jews only employed im-prisonment for this precautionary purpose. • It was not a mode of punishment with them, and is inflicted in the New Testament only by non-Jewish authorities. "Fools ! they thought if they could but wring the neck of the crowing cock it would never be day." When the Papal Nuncio ordered Luther's books to be publicly burned, D'Aubigne notes that the remark made to the Em- peror Charles's Ministers was : "Do you imagine that Luther's doctrines are found only in those books that you are throwing into the fire? They are written where you cannot reach them, in the hearts of the nation." The argument of force has never crushed Christianity.

(b) V. 4.is a triumphant parenthesis. Peter had fear- lessly uttered his deepest convictions with the result that many who had listened to his message believed it and the number of the men alone (apart from women) mounted up to some five thousand; i.e., as many as were fed by our Lord in the wilderness. Opposition and persecution never hinder the Church's prosperity, her real foes are from within—indifference and incon-sistency.

Challenged (vv. 5-7). The next morning Peter and John were brought be-

fore the Sanhedrin, the supreme religious. and civil Jewish tribunal: Since A.D. 6 Judea had been a Roman province under a procurator, but their internal affairs were left very much to their own authorities. The Sanhedrin consisted' of the High Priest and the Senate and numbered about seventy members drawn from the three classes mentioned in v. 5. (a) "Rulers"—the actual holders of office and of political power—the Sad-ducees. (b) " Elders " —twenty-four influential citizens who had been elected to seats in the Council. (c) "Scribes "—chief rabbis and interpreters of the law. The elders and scribes were Pharisees., Annas, of great ability, and leader of the Sadducean aristocracy, had been deposed by the . Romans, and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, had, by them, been elevated to the high priesthood. Legally the son-in-law was the , high priest, but the Jews, whose rule was once a high priest always a high priest, still regarded the father-in-law as high priest. Why were .the Sadducees, the aristocratic priests, so inquisitorial and hostile? Though supreme in the temple and its custodians they were rationalists and sceptics. They owed their wealth and prestige to Rome, and so their policy was to maintain at all costs the

A Hush-up Policy (vv. 13-18). Facts are stubborn things. The presence of the

healed cripple and the consequent enthusiasm of the crowd•perplex and restrain the Sanhedrin.' "Unlearned and ignorant" in v. 13 is most unfortunate and gives a' wrong impression. , All that is meant is that •Peter and John had not been trained in the technical learning of the rabbinical schools, and that they had not any professional status. The' word for ignorant (lit. laymen) simply means, that they were private persons who pos-sessed no official position or special ability. It does not imply general ignorance. How much is contained in the quiet words "they took knowledge of them that' they had been with Jesus " : they spoke, they taught,' they acted like Christ. We become like 'those' whom we reverence and love. A hush-up policy, says Professor Bartlett, always presents itself as the - highest wisdom to opportunists and placemen when the existing order seems threatened. The Sadducees' fear was lest a popu-lar Messianic movement should arise which would in-volve their displacement, therefore they threatened the disciples and bid them not to speak (private conversa-tion) nor teach (public discourse) in •the name of Jesus.

Grace and Grit a Answered Prayer (vv. 19-31)6 Vv. 19, 20 point to the Christian's higher law and

remind the Senate of the Supreme Court of Appeal—Conscience. Man's conscience is the oracle of God. The. Holy Spirit makes men refined yet robust, tender. yet true, courteous yet courageous. Recall the noble speech of Socrates when pleading before the judges who condemned him to death. Luther at the Diet of Worms before the Emperor Charles V., exclaimed : "Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God." Flow these brave words of the apostles have put heart into the persecuted in every time and place, and been •a mighty inspiration and sublime rallying call to con-science in subsequent ages ! Released they return to their company who, moved by one common impulse, join not in recrimination, but in supplication.

NEWCASTLE, GLOUCESTER STREET. (Wallsend).—At the fifty-ninth annual tea and meeting there: was • a good attendance. During the time that intervened between the tea and the public meeting 'an, organ recital was given- by Mr. 'C. Burcham. At the meeting, the chair being . occupied by Mr. T: Arkle, of- Gosforth, an 'ad-dress was' given . by Rev. J. lineham, and. reports on the year's work were given by Mr. R. Redhead and Mr. AT. S. James. During. the evening. anthems were -con-tributed by the choir; conductor, Mr. J. A. Wilson. Soloists, 'Misses A. and .L:. Lindsey,. of Tynemouth. -Ac-companist, Mrs. E. Giles.

antet national lesson. BY REV. CHARLES A. ASHELFORD (Bradford).

JANUARY 31ST, 1909.

Sanhedrin's challenge suggests their intense concern. " By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?" The pronoun "ye" is placed last which gives it a contemptuous turn. Such as ye ! The cure is admitted, but the question veils an attempt 'to bring the apostles

- to admit the use of some magical name 'or formula of incantation, i.e., of sorcery, which might be construed as a violation of Deut. xiii. 1-5, and so bring them under the awful death sentence. Observe particularly how the confidence and courage of Peter and John completely foiled their fell design.

Counter-challenged (vv. 8-12). Though the climax of the counter-challenge is not

reached until v. 19, yet in vv. 8-12 it is seen how " the arraigned arraigns his 'accusers." With perfect calmness, cooptesy and composure Peter preaches. Christ. to the Senate. 1 he entire address shows how remark-ably our Lord's promise in M. x. 19, 20 was being .uffilled. The deed of healing had been, wrought not oy sorcery, but by the Risen Christ. Note the courage of "whom ye crucified." In crucifying Jesus they had been fighting: against God, but God had triumphed, and the once crucified, but now Risen Jesus, has become both Lord and only Saviour. The Christology of. Peter's speeches is admitted even by the 'most critical sceptics, and these speeches emphasize the following points : (a) .That the. Jesus of history. 'and the Christ of faith are 'one.. (b) That He i8 Very Man and Very God. (c) That the risen and exalted Jesus explains Pentecostal power. (d) Peter's post-Pentecostal courage and self-effacement as contrasted with his pre-Pentecostal ten-dency to cowardice and self-advertising. In v. 11 Peter quotes Ps. cxviii. 22 (cp. L. xx. 17). "The head of the corner " (a) probably not the stone immediately sup-

sporting the roof where two walls ,meet, but rather the corner foundation stone so vital to the stability of' the building (1 Pet. ii. 6). (b) Or perhaps the thought is that Jesus is both Foundation stone and Corner stone of God's temple. The significance of Christ as the head of the corner leads to the great utterance of v. 12

'worthy of being written in gold across the heavens—an utterance which assigns a solitary and incommunicable place to the Lord Jesus Christ. "Salvation "—(a). In-dividual salvation both negative and positive. He saves from past sin and saves to present holiness. (b) Political salvation. Israel was the real cripple. All political salvation implies moral and spiritual salvation. Purify

t a nation's life, and you thereby enhance her greatness. • (c) Social salvation. The coming of Christ was intended to procure salvation for the individual and for the social organism.

"Go-to-Bed Stories." By Lettice Bell. (Morgan and Scott, Ltd. 3s. 6d. net.)

A NEW idea in children's books, and a capital idea,too. The writer not only tells Scripture stories in simple modern speech with reverent play of imagination, but brings them further up to date by the happy method of placing alongside the old familiar tale a wonder-story of latter days. For example, the story of Peter's deliverance from prison introduces the account of a Syrian maiden's escape from a•Roman Catholic convent ; Zacchwus in the tree suggests the tale of a crippled boy's climb of a lamp-post from which to view the German Emperor one State procession day. Fourteen stories,' in all, are told, seven doubles, each evening closing with Scripture text and hymn. An easy, but (we should imagine) a rather tantalizing Scripture searching exer-cise accompanies each Bible story. To expect a child absorbed in a deeply-interesting story to break off every few lines to search out Bible phrases and words, is to demand too much. Nine full-page drawings delightfully illustrate the volume. E. F. H. C.

"A Voyage in the Air." (Morgan and Scott. 1s.) THE ever-welcome annual volume of "The Herald of

Mercy," fully illustrated, markedly evangelical in spirit. E. F. H. C.

i i difficult and delicate liti 1 it tio existing cu t an e ca e po ca s ua n. ome rule adroitly managed meant Sadducean rule, hence their religious views were entirely subordinated to their worldly policy. (See J. xi. 48.) The Pharisees, supreme in the. Synagogues, numerically greater and enormously more • popular with the people, were the ritualists, the legalists, the puritans of Judaism. In spite of formal-ism and hypocrisy they were truly patriotic and were masters of the situation, holding the balance between priest and people.

It needed no small amount of courage for two simple Galilean fishermen to face such an aristocratic, academic and august assembly. The very conciseness of the

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6

January 21, 1909.

Christian Enbeavour praver Meetings

HINTS AND HELPS.

.13Y REV. W. BAINBRIDGE.

JANUARY 31ST.

TOPIC : "MISSIONARIES OF OUR OWN DENOMINATION."

• AcTs xiii. 1-3.

THIS is the quarterly missionary meeting, and should be in charge of the missionary committee. It should not 'fail to be a meeting of great interest and profit. But it will need to -be prepared for. I can but suggest a few ideas to be carried out. First of all, let the ex-cellent map of our missions, prepared for the "Mission-ary Echo" this month, be copied roughly on a large sheet of paper, or a blackboard; This'should have a prominent place. Then let another member of the com-mittee prepare a roll of the names of our sainted mis-sionaries of the three Churches now united, and the Year of their decease, and hang this upon the wall. A good camel-hair brush and a bottle of Winsor and Newton's Indian ink (6d.) will furnish all that is needed. Another member might prepare a roll of living mis-sionaries with the years of service in the mission field marked. These can be obtained from "Minutes of Con-ference, 1908." For example :—

Years. G. T. Candlin, China

31

J. Hinds, China ... 30 W. E. Soothill, China ... 27 R. H. McLaughlin, Jamaica

26

S. Pollard, China ... 23 F. J. Dymond, China

22

F. B. Turner, China

21

If these are carefully done, the Roll might be fastened to the wall, along with the other of glorified workers, to hang permanently. They will then be remembered frequently in prayer, and their names will become "household words." "Our own missionaries " need tc be so remembered and honoured. Another member might print, in large capitals, the names of the coun-tries where our missionaries are stationed : "CHINA," "EAST AFRICA," "JAMAICA," "WEST AFRICA." These, too, should be fastened upon the walls.

Possibly another member might get together a col-lection of photographs of missionaries from Reports and past numbers of the "'Missionary Echo," "Harvest Gleanings,"- etc., and attach these to a large card. Do not forget that "Eye-gate" is the chief entrance to mind, to the city of "Mansoul."

This ins but preliminary work. Brief papers should be prepared giving a general outline of our missions, their dawn and morning. The information can be got from our Denominational literature. "A Mission in China," by' the 'Rev. W. E. Soothill, is expensive, but it may be in the school library. It is an excellent' work. "Our Mission in North China," by the Rev. John Hedley, a cheaper book, is a wonderful epitome. The Missionary Report, of 1908, contains much information that •will be useful. Let no effort be spared to give a full and accurate .report of "our own " brothers and sisters labouring in far-Off lands. They represent us, they are supported by us, they expect us "to hold the ropes."

Suggested programme :- (1) Hymn : "Lord, her watch" (C.E.H. 277). (2) Prayers for the different fields and the labourers.

Thanksgiving for what God hath wrought. Prayers for more workers, larger giving.

(3) Hymn : "We have heard " (C.E.H. 276). (4) Reading of topic verses, Acts xiii. 1-3, by 'leader,

with brief comments. Note the three "separations" of Paul (Gal. i. 15 ; Acts ix. 15, xiii. 2).

(5) Solo : "Tell it out " (C.E.H. 281). (6) A brief history of our work in (1) China, (2) Africa,

(3) Jamaica, by three,members. (7) Reading of Roll of our departed missionaries.. (8) Reading of Roll of our brethren and sisters now

in the field and on furlough. (9) Suggestions as to how best we may keep these

in mind, and on our heart, for daily or weekly prayer. (10) . Memories of missionaries who have spoken to us

in the days that are past. (11) Hymn : " Jesus shall reign " (C.E.H. 282). (12) Prayers for the Spirit, who wrought such a won-

derful work in the Church at Antioch, to work in our community to-day.

(13) Benediction.

WE have received from Messrs. James Broadbent and Son, Ltd., Leeds, "The King of Glory," a cantata, by Fred W. Peace (8d.) ; "The Brunswick Place Budget," ten ,popular tunes and three anthems (Is.)';' "Thirteen Hymns and Tunes "- for Whitsuntide and Scholars' Festivals' (3d.) ; a number of "Yorkshire Prize Tunes " (1d. each), and of Easter anthems. For more than thirty years this firm has had a wide reputation for pro-viding good music stitable for anniversaries and special occasions, and their present publications fully maintain that reputation.

THE UNITED'METHODIST.

Vrimary Tepartment Lesson.

JESUS THE CARPENTER.

AIM.—To show how Jesus did good work with His hands.

INTRODUCTION TO LESSON 'STORY.

Ask, "What do you think Jesus did when He be-came a man to earn money for His mother? What is a carpenter? What kinds of tools do • carpenters use? " Allow the children to answer these questions, but fill up their gaps with your own knowledge.

LESSON STORY.

Saw ! saw ! swished the saw. Cling ! clang ! banged the hammer. These were the sounds Jesus heard every day at His father's bench, as He watched him make tables, benches, and ploughs, out of rough planks of wood. Was it any wonder that when Jesus was a young man, He chose to be a carpenter \ like His father? Now, instead of going to school, He went into His father's workshop, and there learnt from him how to make things. Working at a rough bench, with tools scattered around Him, planks of wood piled up to dry by Him, the floor strewn with shavings, He learnt how to use chisel, hammer, and saw, and how to measure, fit, and shape the wood into . the things that were wanted. It was hard work. Often Jesu's .brow was wet with sweat, and His hands became hard and grimy ; but, just as He had thrown all His soul into learning His lessons well because He 'loved them, so now He devoted all His strength to doing His work well because it was His duty.

He helps men by His good work. One day a neigh-bour came in and said, " Make me a. chest for my daughter, who is to be married." Jesus was not con-tent until He had got the wood perfectly smooth with His plane, then He shaped it and made it so strong and perfectly fitting with hinges and lid complete, that Joseph said, "it was a fine pieCe of work." Jesus knew that the chest would be wanted to last a life-time. He did His work -thoroughly, not only because He wanted the man to have good value for his money, but because He wanted to give him something that should never disappoint them. In this way Jesus tried. even with the work, of His hands to help His fellow men.

Another time a farmer came, wanting new yokes for his oxen. Often when Jesus was out in the field He watched the oxen ploughing, fastened together by a wooden yoke. Sometimes the poor beasts lowed with pain, and • twitched their necks, as though trying to cast off their yokes. Then Jesus knew they were ill-fitting and hurt them. As He set, to work to make the yokes He thought of the poor oxen, and said to Himself, "I will make them easy, so that their burden shall be light." In this way Jesus helped even the poor beasts of the field. The sun beat down on the roof of the workshop, where He toiled with the sweat of His brow, but through the open door came gentle breezes, laden with the scent of flowers, and each time He looked up He saw the sun-lit hills. Jesus was happy working in this way. The thought • that He was earning money •for His mother who had done so much for Him, cheered Him, and often as He worked His thoughts 'were far away with God, and with the lessons of the great men of old, and He longed to do as they had done, to give His life to God's work. "Surely this is God's work for me," said He, "to be a good. carpenter."

EUNICE NAYLOR. EXPRESSION.—Drawing.

BOLTON, ST. GEORGE'S ROAD (Radcliffe).—A children's concert was given by a company of over 200 scholars from St. Paul's Wesleyan Day School,, under the direc-tion of Mr. H. Morris (the head master), and a staff of twelve teachers. An interesting programme was effi-ciently rendered. Misses Davenport and Beddowes ac companied on the piano. The performances of the chil-dren were highly appreciated. A resolution of thanks, moved by the Rev. Frank Rhodes, and seconded by Mr. E. W. Makin, was heartily accorded by the audience who filled the. school.

HUCKNALL (Bulwell).—By young people's efforts and concert, the church has. raised £1.80, and by a loan Of

froin the loan fund, has paid off the mortgage of £380.

'131

To Our C.E. Societies. DEAR MR. EDITOR,---1,Vill you permit me to explain

to the C.E. societies belonging to the late F.M. De-nomination that the subscription of one shilling, now being collected by. the Circuit Young People's secretaries, will take the place of that formerly paid to me as a voluntary Affiliation Fee? The latter will not now be called for, and I sincerely hope that all our societies will come into line with those belonging to the other sections, and contribute this small• amount in aid of the work of our Young People's Committee.

The "Annual Letter " which I have been in the habit of issuing will not be sent out this year. The Committee are anxious to husband their resources in view of the fact that at the forthcoming Conference a minister will be separated from Circuit work to take the oversight of the )(bung People's and Temperance ,Departments, and to discharge the duties now being performed by the several secretaries. The additional expense which this new departure will entail can easily be met, and funds provided for the extension of our work, if our various organizations will respond to the appeal now being made.

I have still a few I.B.R.A. cards left, so that if it is desired to form a new branch anywhere, supplies can yet be obtained.—I am, yours truly,

T. POINTON DALE. C. E. and I.B.R.A. Secretary.

43 Fernbank Road, Redland, Bristol.

-1 0,000 CHILDREN WANTED.

FREE GIFT OF io,000 SHILLINGS AND BANK BOOKS.

MR. THOMAS FARROW'S THRIFT OFFER.

Mr. Thomas Farrow, Chairman and Managing Director of Farrow's Bank (Limited) (The People's Bank), 1 Cheapside, London, E.C., with Branches and Agencies in every county of the. Kingdom, desires to extend the knowledge and advantages of the Bank's Thrift Department, and to increase the popularity of its system of Home Savings Banks, first introduced into this _country by him. For this purpcse he will present to the first 10,000 children who apply to him a Bank Deposit Book, and will personally open each account with the sum of 1s. The Bank Book provides space for the further deposit by children of any sum from id. upwards, and upon the total amount deposited during the year 31 per cent interest will be paid, i.e., 1.per cent above the rate paid by the Post Office Savings Bank. Every applicant, wheat A- he or she be in the first 10,000 or not, will be presented with a 32-page beautifully illustrated booklet. All applications must be made in the handwriting of the children, accompanied by a reference as to age (which must not exceed 14 years) from - the Schoolmaster, Schoolmistress, Clergyman, or Minister, and addressed to Mr. Thomas Farrow, Farrow's Bank (Limited), Head Office, 1 Cheapside, London, E.C.

132

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. Benedict Trelawney, present as a spectator at the trial

of Richard Baxter by Judge Jeffreys, is so moved with indignation at what Jeffreys says that he gives the judge the lie. He is • handed over to the guards to be taken to, prison, while Jeffreys goes to interview the King. During the interview Trelawney's name is mentioned, and he is sent for to the King's presence. Returning ,during a -fog, a young girl pushes his gaolers into a hole in the road and rescues Benedict. They are subsequently pursued by Jeffreys's officers, and the young girl directs Benedict to the house of a Puritan. With him Trelawney takes refuge. He is introduced to the family of Henry Dugdale, his protector, and to Donald Stewart, a Scotsman, who describes the per-secutions of Presbyterians in Scotland. While he is telling his story Jeffreys himself appears and Trelawney has barely time to escape into the secret room of the house. The next day his sword is secretly delivered, and Benedict finds scratched upon it "Midnight. Temple Church." At the invitation, of his host Trelaw-ney promises to attend a midnight meeting of a company of men who are intent upon securing the deposition of the persecuting King and of Jeffreys.

CHAPTER V I II. UNDER THE SHADOW OF TEMPLE CHURCH.

SOON after eleven that same. night, a tall figure clothed in sombre garments emerged front the door of a small house which stood not far from the dwelling of Henry Dugdale. He stooped somewhat, and seemed to walk with difficulty. He. might have been a retired haberdasher, or a clerk to an attorney. If any one noticed him, they would probably be led to the conclusion that he suffered somewhat from rheu-matics, for his steps seemed labouced and uncertain. The little alley upon which the door opened was deserted, and he was well into another street which ran directly into Fleet Street before he saw any signs of life. He was on the point of turning into a thoroughfare which ran parallel with Fleet Street, when two men stepped suddenly to his side.

"Who are you, and where go you? " they demanded. "What is that, my masters? " he asked, in a slow

and somewhat quavering voice. " I am somewhat deaf th' left ear." "Who are you, and whither go you? "

Is it of importance ? " he asked, in the same halting and quavering way. s" For i' faith it is the first time I have had such a question asked, since the time when old Nol the rebel fought against King Charles of blessed memory."

"Aye, but these are strange times, old man," said one of the men ; "besides, there is a -reward offered to any who will lay hands upon a young Cornish blood who hath defied my Lord Jeffreys, and escaped from his officers."

"Ah, say you so? I have not been out of the house all day, neither doth it suit one of my age to be out so late at night ; but I cannot refuse the message sent me by my poor sister, who lives up beyond St. Paul's Cross, and who is sorely ill. Having some knowledge of drugs, I have twice before given her relief ; but I fear it will be no use to-night. She is too old, and these seizures grow stronger each time. I' truth I need a doc-tor myself, rather than to go a-doctoring others. I sup= pose it would be too much to ask you to give me your arm as far as St.'Paul's Church. After I am up the hill, I can, I hope, manage it."

Thus he meandered on, while the men listened im-patiently.

" No, no, old friend. We have more paying games on hand. But this we will do. If you will step into the Star and Garter,' we will e'en give you a sup of ale

to help yoti,on your way." "Ah, thank you, good friends ; but I may not wait for

that. ' Good; morrow to ye, if ye will not go so far as St. Paul's Cross with me."

"Good=night, father, and may your potions to your sisters take good effect."

"Thank you,-young men. You have kind hearts." He crept along slowly, leaning heavily upon his staff

until he reached Fleet Street. There, all was silent. It had now turned half-past eleven, and folks were abed.

He Walked quickly towards Ludgate, and when arrived there, he seemed more alert, more watchful. He looked eagerly towards Fleet Prison, and somewhat quickened his steps as he passed by the "Old King Lud " tavern, and listened for a moment to the sound of the carousers Within. One or two passers gave him a searching glance as he passed along, but no one spoke.

Halfway - from Ludgate to St. Paul's Church he crossed the road, but still made his way eastward, when suddenly he turned in at a narrow alley which led river-ward. Here he quickened his steps, and then, seem-ingly without purpose, he threaded his way in and out among a' number of narrow .pathways, until he found himself by the banks of the river.

The water of the. Thames reached high, for the tide

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•

was rising, but there were no signs of life among the poor-looking dwellings which. were built close to the water's edge.

He seemed to see what he desired, however, for he gave a murmur of satisfaction, and then he turned west-ward again, crossing Farringdon Road, which was in those days an exceedingly dirty and squalid-looking thoroughfare, scarcely lit by a single lamp. After crossing here, he- again threaded his way, through a network of alleys, until he came to an open square.

"Temple Church," he said to himself. "I will go to the same spot."

Cautiously he found his way to the church, and -then crept into the shadow of a huge buttress.

Here he heaved a sigh of relief, but looked eagerly around, nevertheless.

"A long journey to go a short distance," he said ; "but it may be it was best."

He placed his hand on his left hip, as if in search of something there ; after that, he unfastened gomethino-by his leg, and a sword hung loose. This done, he stretched himself, and gave vent to a low, pleased laugh.

"At any rate, I can give a' good account of myself now," he said.

The night was very still. Scarcely a sound was to be heard, save the mufficd voices of revellers in the taverns near by. Orange girls and hawksters were abed, save those in and around the theatres, and the night was so cold and damp. that the nighthawks, which had infested • London since Oliver Cromwell's days, founds no prey. No countrymen, whose pockets they might rifle, paraded the streets, while it was too far east for them to find plunder among the playgoers.

For a time the man waited in silence behind the buttress. Once or twice he thought he, heard whisperings and stealthy footsteps, but he was not sure. Then he heard the clock , of St. Paul's striking midnight. Scarcely had the echo of the last chime died away, when he felt a light touch upon his arm.

"Ah, you have come, Mistress -Mary," he said quietly. "Yes, I have come, Master Benedict Trelawney," she

said, mimicking his tone. " But I did not go out of my way to get here, as you did. Neither did I tell any one that I had a sick sister beyond St. Paul's who was sub-ject to seizures. But, prithee, Master Trelawney, give me of your potions, for I may need them some day."

She spoke in tones scarcely above a whisper, but every word reached him clearly. Moreover, he heard her laughing like one well pleased.

Benedict Trelawney laughed too. The night was cold and dark. A heavy mist lay on everything, making the trees close by seen3 like ghostly spectres, but the presence of the maid made the dark night seem like a June morning.

"Well, Master Trelawney'," she went on "have you made up your mind? "

"About what? " he asked. "Whether I am a scullery-wench or a lady's serving-

woman." "Neither," he answered promptly. "What then ? " "A beauteous maid who hath befriended me, and

bidden me come here to-night." "Oh, have done with foolish speeches. This is no

time for them." • "A man must needs say what is in his heart," replied

Benedict. "Your sword came safely, this morning? " "Else had I not been here. But tell me, Mistress

Mary, how did you get it, how did you send it, and how_ did you know what course I took to-night? "

"Hush ! Speak not so loud," said the maid, for in his eagerness he had raised his voice. "Believe me, Master Trelawney; you walk on a sword-edge, and if others knew what I know I would not give a groat for your liberty, and may be your life."

"And what do you know, Mistress Mary? " She was silent a moment. Then she opened her

mouth as if to speak, but uttered no word. "Tell me," urged Trelawney, "and tell me also how

you came_, here without my seeing you. Tell me how you could appear before me so suddenly, as though you had risen from one of the graves close by."

"Ask me nothing," she replied. "For I tell you this, I shall not speak a word as to who I am or where I come from. Not, that it matters, 'for we shall never meet again after to-night."

" You said that last night," said Trelawney. "Aye, and I meant it But after I left you I learnt

something. It was by chance, but still something- that concerns you."

"Concerns me?" "Aye, you ; that is why I sent 'you your sword, and

wrote the words on it which brought you here." "Ah, but, Mistress Mary, how did you get it? " "Ask me no questions, I tell you ;_ I can tell you

nothing, nothing.. But I was able to help you last night, and then it came to me that my help of last night would be of no avail without further aid."

" Further aid ! Ah, aid from you is good, indeed, Mistress Mary, and I shall pray that I may need it often, so that it may lead to such meetings as this."

"What do you care about such meetings as this? " she asked quickly. "They can be nothing to you."

"I have been thinking of this time all the day," said Benedict. "Since I saw the writing on the sword-blade, I have thought of but little else. How could I, when I remembered the bright eyes I saw last night? "

"Whose blight eyes? " "Whose? Why, yours. There are no others." "I fancied you might be thinking of, those belong-,

.ing- to Mistress Priscilla Dugdale."

"Hath she bright eyes? I never looked at them, thei-e-fore I never thought of, them. How could I? Yours dazzled me. As to this meeting being nothing to me, I would gladly brave Judge Jeffreys every night for the privilege of seeing you afterwards."

"Hush ! Do not mention the name-! He vows vengeance. He says he will be content with nothing less than to see you hanged,' or sent away to the Indies as a slave."

" How do you know ? " asked Benedict, qUickly. She hesitated a moment like one somewhat confused,

but a minute later she spoke quietly enough. " I must e'en know what is in everybody's mouth." "Am I, indeed, so much talked of ? " and young Tre-

lawney laughed gaily. "Hush ! I tell you. You do not know. Spies are

everywhere, everywhere. Lord Jeffreys swears he will take you and make an example of you."

"And I swear," said the young man, "that I will never rest till I have thrown him from his place of power, until I have had him dragged through the -streets, whipped at the cart-tail, and thrown into prison, even as he has done to others."' .

The girl started from him like one afraid. " I tell, you," went on Trelawney, "the fellow is a

devil and not a man. He is not fit to live. He belongs to a tribe of venomous serpents, and both he and his children, if he has any, should be treated as we treat serpents. Oh, I am not afraid of him,- although he does snarl like a mad dog, and swear_like the drunken bully he is. "

He spoke savagely. The very thought of Jeffreys aroused him to anger, and for a moment he appeared to be forgetful of the presence of the girl.

"And I, on the other hand, warn you to do nothing to anger him further," said the girl, earnestly4 "Nay, more, I beseech you to leave London while you. may. If you will follow the instructions I will give you, you can be ten miles from this city by to-morrow morning, and no one will know where you are. Go back to your home, Master Trelawney, and do not anger Lord Jeffreys further." '

" Nay, nay," said Benedict, "if I leave London I should be going away from you."

"Well, and what of that? " "Only that I am not going to do it. If you can once

meet me like this, Mistress Mary, you can meet me again."

"Oh, but you do not know that I have come here at the peril of my life."

".Then you need a protector," said Benedict. "But who threatens your life? Of whoin are you ati aid: "

"Of whom is every one afraid? " "What, you afraid of that brawling; boasting bully?

Why, then, all the more reason ,why I should stay near you."

," Oh, you fool ! " cried the girl, impatiently. "Do you think you can do aught against him? He is all- powerful, I tell you."

"All-powerful? Nay, we still have. a Parliament.". "Parliament ! He laughs- at Parliament. DO you

know wl-,y? The King is ,greater than the. Parliament, and the Farliament will-do whatever he bids. I tell you Lord Jeffreys can do whatever he, bids, because he knows he has the King's smile."

"Sometimes even the ,smiles of kings become of no value," said Trelawney.

" Flush ! " cried the girl again. "Even the walls of this church may have ears. Even now your words may be heard and carried to him, and—Master Trelawney, you said something just now about caring for my peace of mind."

"Yes, yes," said Benedict, eagerly. "Then, go away." " No, I shall not do that. And I need scarcely tell you

why, Mistress Mary. You have made me feel that you are in danger, and I will not leave you unprotected."

The girl laughed bitterly. "And do think you could 'protect me? Do you know who I am, aster Cornishman ?' Do you know that-- " She stopped suddenly, then she went on, "Please go away, please let me lead you out of danger."

"Why should you care whether I am in danger or no? " said the young man suspiciously. "You- never saw me till yesternight." Then, his heart growing warm because of the girl's kindness, and at the memory of the way she had helped him the night before, he went on : '" Do you think of, me as I think of you, Mistress Mary? Do you? Do you? I tell you I could not sleep last night for thinking of you. I vowed I would never rest until I had seen you again. Why is it?"

He caught the girl's hand in his and held it fast. "Speak," he whispered eagerly, "speak." ,

"And if I do," she said, " what then? What would -you say, if I told you that ever since I parted from you last night I have never closed my eyes for thinking of you? What if I told you that no other name has been

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THE UNITED METHODIST.

The Chariots of the Lord. By JOSEPH HOCKING.

Author of "Follow the Gleam," "A Flame of Fire," etc.

January 21, 1909.

January 21, 1909. THE UNITED METHODIST. 133

on my lips than yours, Master Benedict Trelawney? What if I told you that I would die to serve you, and to save you from harm ? What then? "

"Then," cried the youth, his heart aflame, "I should be the happiest man in England. I should laugh at judge Jeffreys and all his brood. I should care for nothing save to make myself worthy of you, and to obtain a home where I could take you."

" Nay, nay," said the girl, half laughingly, half scorn-fully. "You surely would not be such a fool."

"Fool! " cried Benedict. His blood was on fire now, and he hardly knew what he was saying. "Tell me, aye, tell me quickly. Have you thought of me in that way? Oh, you have ! you have ! "

She seemed convulsed with mirth. "Oh, Master Cornishman," she said, "how easy it is to gull you. Why, here am I, a scullery - wench, my hands all coarsened by my work, who have managed to crawl out of my kitchen by stealth, and who when .I return shall perchance be thrashed by a fat cook, I have made a conquest of a gay Cavalier, a gentleman of an old name, who wears a jewelled-hilted sword. Think of it, think of it ! "

"You are no scullery-wench," cried the impetuous youth. "Your blood is as noble as my own."

"Oh, you fool, you fool l " repeated the girl. "Think you if I thought of you in such a way I would tell you? And, moreover, do you think if my blood were noble,-and I bore a good name, I would meet you here to-night like a kitchen-wench? Why, the cats must be laughing at you from the housetops."

"Then why did you ask me to meet you here ? " asked Benedict.

"For my own pleasure, to be sure. I have little in life to amuse me, and it doth amuse me to speak to such a Simple Simon, and- to see him befooled in such a pleasant way. I made a wager last night with another kitchen-maid that I could e'en make a young gallant make love to me, and I have succeeded."

For a moment anger overcame the feeling which the girl had aroused in his heart ; still, he was able to check the angry words which arose to his lips.

"I think you are right," he said. "I am a fool to think kindly of you, or to fancy that you care aught for me. Doubtless, moreover, you have brought me here for your own amusement. Nevertheless, you are no scullery-wench, neither are you without knowledge of the ways of the world. Still, I do not know your name, nor your degree, but I do know that you saved me from prison last night ; I do know that through you I possess my sword. For this I thank you. For all that, I did not come here to be the laughing-stock of any one. So good night, Mistress Mary."

He took a step away from the girl, but only a step. Before he could leave the shadow of the great buttress which supported the church she caught him by the arm.

"Nay, not like that," she cried, "not until I have told you what is in my heart."

"What can be in your heart? " he said, her words still rankling within him. "You desire pleasure, and that is all. Perchance it was for that you outwitted Jeffreys' soldiers last night, for that reason also you returned my sword, and brought me here to-night. Well, I am glad you have had your pleasure. But I have other matters to think of."

"What other matters? " "They can be naught to you. The thoughts of a

Cornish numskull can be of no interest to you." " Have they aught to do with the Chief Justice? " "Yes," cried Trelawney, savagely. " I will never rest

till I have rid the world of that monster and his family." " How do you know he hath a family? " "I know he hath. Only to-day I was told he had a

daughter who followed in her father's footsteps, and who was his tool and his spy."

"You speak as one who hates her." " Hates her ! How can I help hating any one who

bears the name of Jeffreys? " " I do not wonder at it, Master Trelawney," she said

quietly ; "nevertheless, before I leave you, let me tell you what I brought you here to tell you. Have naught to do with the plans of Master Dugdale. I tell you they will come to naught. And more, all who are in league with him will suffer, suffer in a way that you cannot even dream of. I tell you that Lord Jeffreys' vengeance on all who seek to help Master Dugdale's schemes will be beyond the power of telling. If you will not leave London, at least promise that you will not put yourself in greater danger, by—by ; but you know what. Every-thing becomes known to him."

"Does he know of our meeting to-night? " "Possibly ; but I think not. Such as I are too unim-

portant for him to notice, that is why I have been able to be of some assistance to you. Were I some high-born dame, as you said just now, he would suspect me ; as it is, I can pass unnoticed."

The tone of the girl's voice had caused all the young man's anger to pass away.

"Mistress Mary, tell me your name. Tell me when I may see you again."

" Neither the one nor the other." "Why? " "Why? Because— Nay, I will not tell you why.

Hark ! What is that? " Both heard the sound of voices, and as they heard

them, the young man felt her hand trembling upon his arm.

"I tell you he is not far from here. She said she

RECITALS (HUMOROUS AND DRAMATIC).—" The Sky Pilot" (Ralph Connor), "Doctor Marigold " and "A Christmas Carol " (Charles Dickens), "A Doctor of the Old School " (Ian Maclaren), and miscellaneous pro-grammes. An opinion : "He captured the audience at the outset with his fine renderings, which were given in masterly style. . . . He held the audience spell- bound " (Sandiacre). For dates, terms, and recent opinions write J. T. Hardy, 68 Dlseworth Street, Leicester (16 years U.M. lay preacher).

would get him to meet her near the tree not far from the church."

The young man's heart grew cold as he heard the words. What did they mean?

" Good-bye," she whispered. "Think not unkindly of me. You will never see me again, yet perchance there was truth in what I said. Why should I bring your sword if I had not been thinking of you. But—but -- " Again they heard the sound of voices which seemed to draw nearer.

"She said she would whistle," he heard some one say. She caught his hand eagerly. " If you love me as you

said," and he heard a sob in her throat, although she did but whisper, "have nothing to do with Master Dugdale's plans. If you do, perhaps even I may not be able to save you. God be with you. Perhaps some day you will pity me. I could tell you why if you came here to-morrow midnight."

She was gone before he had time to realize her de-parture, leaving him bewildered. What did it all mean? He started to follow her, but reflected that it would be vain. How could he tell which way she had gone in the darkness of the night.

So he waited where he was, listening intently. A minute later he heard the sound of some one whistling. It was a low whistle, and was not unlike the notes of a wood-dove. It was some distance away, at least two hundred yards nearer the river. After that he heard the sound of hasty footsteps, followed by cries of disappoint-ment. Then the voice died away in the direction of Blackfriars.

What did it all mean? When all was silent again, he heard St. Paul's clock

strike one. (To be continued.)

Thanksgiving Fund. FIFTEENTH LIST OF PROMISES.

GUINS. GUINS. Kingswood:

Mr. Jacob Monks £2 Bradford, Westgate :

Miss Clough 1 Farsley, Pudsey, and Yeadon :

Mr. J. A. Booth 50 Harrogate :

Mr. Chippindale 15 Mrs. Chippindale 15 Mr. F. R. Chiptindale 1 Miss Chippindale 1 Miss G. J. Chippindale 1 Mrs. Butterworth 1 Miss' M. 0. Butterworth 1

Louth: Councillor F. R. Mawer 6

Peterborough : Mrs. Collins 15

Bolton, Albert Place : Mr. A. Hanesworth 3

Gateshead : Mr. W. Crozier 1 Mr. Robert Howe 5

North Shields : Mr. George Scott 10 Mr.Septimus Scott 10 Mr. Thos. Scott 10 Mr. James Gibson 3 Mr. J. Fawcett Hogg 3 Mrs. Gray and Family 2 Mr. Wm. S. Garson 1 Mr. Roland Gibson 1 Miss Isabella Green 1 Mr. and Mrs. Macpherson 1 Mr. G. S. Scott 1 Mr. Christopher Scott 1 Mrs. Elsie Scott 1 Miss Cissie Box 1 In Memory of the late

Ald. Joseph Elliot 15 Mrs. Elliot 10 Mr. James Hogg 10

Helston : Mr. A. R. Thomas 15 Mr. and Mrs. R. Thomas 9 Mr. W. J. Lugg 1 Mr. J. Corwardine 1 Mr. Josiah George 3 Mr. W. J. Johnson 1 Mr. C. Hendy 1 Mr. Chas. Dale 4 Mr. G. Shepherd Cs. Mr. R. G. Rowse 10

Newquay : Capt. W. H. Williams 1 Miss Hawke 24 Miss Charlotte Hawke 24

St. Austell : Mr. S. S. Martin 3 Miss • M. Martin 1 Mr. H. Bennets 1 Mr. Geo. Stephens 1 Miss D. Nancarrow 1 Miss Philips 1 Mrs. G. W. Truscott 1 Mr. John Allen 4 Mr. E. W. Richards 1 Coll ection (balance) 3s.

Sowerlv Bridge :, Mrs. Ellis 1 Mrs. Wood 1 Mr. C. Beswick 2 Mrs. Hy. Mitchell 1 Mr. W. H. Hellewell 10 Miss Hellewell 1 Mrs. Hollinrake 1 Miss Lord 1 Mr. J. W. Sykes 1 Mr. Job Horsfall 1 Mr. T. H. Mitchell 1 Mr., B. Riley 1

Burslem : Mr. J. N. Foot 10

Diss : Mr. T. Thurlow 4

Southport, Duke Street : Mr. Belham 15 Mr. G. E. Bolshaw 10 Mr. F. P. Bolshaw 10 Mr. J. Butterworth 5 Anon 3 Mr. and Mrs. Pickering 2 Mr. Spencer 1 Mrs. Spencer 1 Mrs. Eastwood 1 Mrs. Harrison 1 Mrs. M. A. Beckett 3

Swansea : Nurse Bull and Miss E

Palmer 1 Mr. A. A. Webber and

Family 5 Mr. Stephen Drew 1 Mr. .V. E. Squire 4 Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Bryant 6 Miss E. Pill 1 Masters Fred and Auberly

Pill 1 Mr. B. Pill 1 Mr. and Mrs. Sing 10 Mr. E. Dinan 1 Mrs. Dinan 5 Mrs. A. M. Homer 2 Mr. J. E. Cowling 1 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph

Parkinson 5 Mr. W. Taylor 3 Miss Laura Jefford 3 Miss Wearne 5 Miss E. Barker 1 Mrs. George Tucker 12s. Mrs. Henry Tucker 12s. Mr. A. Prior 4 Mr. W. Prior i Mr. R. Prior i Mrs. Pennock 2 Miss Ethel Price i Mr. and Mrs. Stone 2 Mr. and Mrs. T. N. Tre-

week 14 Mrs. T. Tonkin 1 Mr. Tonkin i Mr. A. Williams i Mr. and Mrs. Osborne 1 Mr. C. Ayre 1 Mr. S. Cotes 1 Mr. W. (-rote 1 Miss Maggie . Daniels 1 Mr. and Mrs. H. Daniels 2 Mr. and Mrs. W. Jenken 2 Mr. and Mrs. F. Manse( 2 Mr. F. H. Dane( 1 Mr. and Mrs. W. Watkins 2 Mrs. J. Withel 1 Mr. Dan Phillips 6 Mr. B. Bevan 4 Miss Bevan 4 Miss M. Botch I Miss F. Crote .... Mrs. Goss i Miss M. Goss i Mr. H. T. Herbert i Mr. W. Sing 27 The Misses Saunders 2 Mr. and Mrs. J. Godfrey 5 Mr. and Mrs. A. McSquiare... 2 Mrs. and Mrs. J. Andrew-

artha 2 Mrs. Andrewartha, sen ,

and Family 2 Mr. J. Ball 14 Miss A. Ball 4 Mrs. Ashelford 1 Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Ball 2 Miss K. Clemo 1 Mr. W. Green 1 Mr. J. Govier 1 Mr. H. Hooper 4 Mr. R. Isaac 1 Mr. J. D. Isaac 1 Mr. A Isaac 1 Mr. W. Isaac i Mr. W. H. Jewell 14 Mrs. R. Jones 12s. Mr. C. Jones i Mrs. S. Jones 4 Mr. G. Lewins 1 Mr. and Mrs. Mess 2 Miss Louie Moss 5s. Miss Bessie Morris i Mr. and Mrs. Mill 14 Mr. and Mrs. J. Prior 2 Miss F. Prior I Miss J. Jones I Miss S. Phillips 4 Miss M. Sims i Mrs. Fisher I Master Willie Watkins i Miss Alice Blomberg 5s. Miss F. Morgan 5s. Little Glynn Manse' 15s. Mrs. Bolch 4 Miss Daniel I Mrs. (Grannie) Conybeare 4

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

Rev. JNO. DYMOND, Wells Road, Knowle, Bristol. Rev. THOS. SCOWBY, Hucknall Torkard, Notts. Rev. DAVID HEATH, 24 Park Road, Blaokpool. Rev. JAS. LONGDEN. Southfield Road, Middlesbrough. Rev. W. R. K. BAULKWILL, 16 Soho Road, Handtworth,

Birmingham.

Church News in Brief. Circuit Quarterly Meetings.

CREWKERNE.—Rev. W. J. Smeeth presided. The Circuit accounts revealed a deficiency on the year of

9 2s. 9d. A proportionate part of this was allocated to each church to free the Circuit debt. Mr. H. White has successfully held missions at Leavington, Dinning-ton, Stratton and Haselbury, and eighteen persons have been admitted during the quarter. Messrs. W. H. Oatley and T. Taylor were elected Circuit stewards. It was decided that January 10th to 17th be observed as a week of prayer. The "One by One Union" was approved of. The Government was thanked for its noble effort in aid of temperance, and regret expressed that the House of Lords should have placed personal interests before the public welfare. After a well-attended tea an enthusiastic meeting was held, and addressed by Messrs. W. J. Smeeth, W. H. Oatey and H. White.

SHREWSBURY (Town Wall).—Rev. Walter Cooper' pre- sided. Numerical returns showed an increase of eleven members. The income for the quarter more than met the expenditure. Commandeto Murray has conducted a month's mission at Cross Houses. Remarkable im-provement was reported from Bictori Heath, the chapel, which has been nearly empty for several years, being now filled Sunday by Sunday.

OLDHAM (King Street).—Rev. George Mellelieu in the chair. The financial report was considered very satis-factory , and adopted. Mr. William Green (Circuit ste-ward) intimated that he desired to be relieved , of the office after having held the position for over twenty. two years, and a resolution expressing high appreciation of the invaluable services he has rendered to the Circuit, was heartily passed.

CAMELFORD AND WADEBRIDGE.—Rev. G. C. Percival presided. The preachers' meeting directed that letters of sympathy should be sent to Messrs. Wilce and Metherell in their bereavements. After creditably pass-ing an examination, Mr. Howard Lockett, of Wade-bridge, was received as a fully-accredited preacher., Mr. W. E. Menhinick (steward) reported that a slight. de-ficiency on the quarter's working had been met from the reserve fund. A request by the Port Isaac Church for the Rev. G. C. Percival to conduct a mission there in February was acceded to. Invitations to attend the Sunday School Conference in the former Bible Chris-tian Circuit were accepted, the various schools to ap-point representatives.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, CENTRAL.—Rev. T. Stoneley presided. The numerical report showed an increase of three on the quarter. For the first time for many years the treasurer was able to report a balance -in hand. A cordial vote of thanks was -accorded to the officers for efficient service.

NOTTINGHAM (Parliament Street). — Rev. George Wheatley presided. The treasurer's statement was an encouraging one. All the Circuit officers were re-elected and thanked. Mr. E. C. Newham was recom-mended as a candidate for the College or ministry. The chairman and Mr. A. W. Wilson were appointed to meet representatives from the other Nottingham Cir-cuits to consider the request of the Connexional Com-mitee to hold the Conference in the city in 1910.

TRURO (St. Clement Street).—Rev. W. F. Ellis re-rorted that financially the Circuit can scarcely ever have been in a more flourishing condition. A quicken-ing of spiritual life is much to be desired, and arrange-ments for missions have already been made. Mr. W. R. Harvey was received as an accredited ,16cal PreaCher.

STOURBRIDGE.—Held at Brettell Lane, Rev. S. Wright presiding. The whole of the churches reported satisfactory progress during the quarter, both financially , and numerically.

LINDLEY.—Held at Paddock, Rev. J. E. Radcliffe pre-siding. Financial -statement showed a balance in hand of ,€;26. Numerical statement indicated a membership of -794- (increase 10), with 97 probationers. Hearty thanks were accorded to- the officers for the past year. After tea, Mr. J. E. Sykes presided over a meeting on behalf of the Thanksgiving Fund. Rev. C. A. Ashelford, of Bradford, delivered a stirring address, and a good number of subscriptions were promised.

STOCKPORT.--Rev. W. H. Lockley presided, Reports were given of the successful opening of the new church at Edgeley Park, a large proportion of the cost of which has been raised ; the erection of a new organ at Cheadle

INDIGESTION I$ THE END OF HEALTH

'Health ends when indigestion begins, because nutrition fails. Thus you are starved. Then the impurities which arise from undigested food get into your system. Thus you are poisoned. Mother Seigel's Syrup makes an end of indigestion by strengthening the

111.171111

digestive organs.

MOTHER

EIGEL'S SYRUP

IS THE END INDIGEKTION.

134

THE UNITED METHODIST. January 21, 1909.

Heath, the cost of which has been met ; and the union of Levenshulme and Wellington Road Churches (for-merly in Manchester Second) with Stockport Circuit. The Connexional Committee having sanctioned the union, representatives from these churches, with their minister, Rey. J. B. Goodhand, attended for the first time, and were warmly welcomed. All the officers were thanked for their services and reappointed. The Circuit having been formed in 1809, arrangements were made for the effective celebration of the centenary- on March 28th and 29th. Good work is being done through the class for students and young local preachers, under Rev. J. Crossley. Mr. W. Mather was cordially received as a fully-accredited local preacher from Macclesfield Cir-cuit, and Mr. S. Stewart (Mount Tabor), after examina-tion, was placed on full plan. Councillor R. Johnson, LP., presented statements which showed a balance in hand of £10, 897 members, and 137 probationers.

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE.—Rev. J. W. Walls presided. The reports showed a satisfactory numerical and finan-cial position. The officers for the year were appointed, in each case being re-elected, and thanked for past services. An interesting conversation respecting the preliminary training of lay preachers took place, and a resolution congratulating the Government on the in-auguration of the Old Age Pensions scheme was passed. Councillor J. Kellett stated that it was intended to hold the opening ceremony of the new Red Hall. Sunday School on February 20th, special services to be held on the following Sundays.

HALIFAX NORTH.—Rev. J. R. Able presided. A slight increase of members was reported. The financial statement was satisfactory. A resolution of condolence with the family of the late Mr. John Ainley was passed, he having been treasurer of the Circuit for a number of years. Votes of thanks were given to the officers of the Circuit and to the local preachers. All the churches are asked to put forth a more earnest effort during the year to win the people for Christ.

HALIFAX WEST.—Rev. William Walker presided. The numerical statement showed 545 members, a small decrease on last quarter; 59 on trial. The financial statement showed a small balance due to treasurer. Since the last meeting one of the oldest trustees of Queen's Road Church has passed away in the person of Mr. John Ainley, and a suitable resolution was re-corded. A resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mrs. Longbottom, one of the old members of Mount Zion, who has passed away recently, was directed to be sent. The nomination of officers took place, and a resolution thanking all the officers for their past ser-vices. was unanimously passed.

HALIFAX (Hanover).—Rev. A. Colbeck presided. The numerical returns showed an increase of two members on the quarter, and the financial statement was of a satisfactory character. The retiring officers were thanked for past services, and new officers elected. An application by the Brighouse Church for a loan and grant in respect of their minister's house was cordially recommended to the Connexional Committee, Mr. W. Marsden was passed on to the full plan as a local preacher. It was decided to ask the various sections of the Halifax churches involved in the rearrangement of Circuits to report to the next quarterly meeting.

MOSSLEY. —Rev. John A. Bedward presided. The numerical returns showed an increase of eight members, but a decrease of nine probationers. The financial statement showed a small adverse balance. Mr. Frank Bosworth was recommended as a candidate for the Col-lege or ministry. Mr. Henry Lawton was re-elected secretary steward for two years. Other officers were also elected. At the close of the business tea was pro-vided by the Lees friends.

BRADFORD (Shearbridge).—Rev. F. T. Wharton pre-sided. The Circuit officers were duly elected. The re-turns showed 604 members, five full members, and one on trial. The house of Pucicev minister has been re-novated at a cost of p40. Three young men were re-commended for the plan, and Mr. J. L. Webster, of Pudsev, was passed on to full plan. The "One by One Union " was recommended to the churches. At a special meeting of local preachers in the evening, Rev. F. J. Wharton read an interesting and instructive paper.

BARROW-IN-FURNESS.—The accounts showed a deficit caused by the prevailing distress and unemployment. Dalton Church reported several removals, and the Abbey Road Church showed an increase in membership. Ar-rangements were made for missions to be conducted at Leece, Askam and Swarthm Dor. A committee was ap-pointed to make arrangements for the District meeting which takes place this year at Barrow. Rev. G. Whaite made sympathetic reference to the death of the late Mr. Robert Bird.

DURHAM.—Rev. E. L. Perry presided. A resolution of sympathy was voted to be sent to Mr. S. Graham in his affliction. Mr. J. Wilkinson was recommended to the District meeting for College or ministry. The offi-cers were elected for the ensuing year, Mr. A. Browell being elected as Circuit secretary steward, which office he has held for eighteen years. The numerical and financial statements were very satisfactory. The com-mittee, comprising the ministers, Circuit stewards and Messrs. Armstrong and Jones, were re-elected to revisit Dean Bank and Ferry Hill villages. A very large population is centred there, and members of all three sections of the United Church have migrated to this large colliery and village. The committee is empowered to make arrangements for a cause being started in this neighbourhood at an early date.

General News. LEEDS (Hunslet Road).—Under the auspices of the

C.E. society a "Poor Folk's Treat" was given to about 160 people, who were entertained to a very substantial tea. Subsequently a concert was given, over which Mr. W. A. Ingamells presided. The artists generously gave their services. An interesting presentation was

made by the chairman, on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. A. Bouchop, to the oldest lady and gentleman in the audience. The Rev. J. J. Graham (pastor) gave a short address of welcome, and hearty invitation to the services of the church. A liberal response was made by the members of the church and congregation to the appeal for contributions towards the expenses of this worthy effort.

SOWERBY (Providence).—The annual members' tea and meeting was well attended. The meeting was pre-sided over by Mr. J. H. Butterworth. The financial and numerical statement, presented by Mr. G. Barrett, showed the receipts for the year to be '74 14s. 11d., and expenditure 16s. 8d., leaving a balance on the year's working of £22 18s. 3d. The number of mem-bers at the beginning of the year was 112. The present membership was 107, decrease five. Mr. Barrett paid a touching tribute to the memory of the late Mr. John Law, who had died during the year. Mr. Law was a most ardent and zealous worker, and one who inspired confidence in all he came in contact with, and by his removal we have sustained a great loss. The officers for the ensuing year were duly elected. A good dis-cussion took place respecting the proposed extension of Circuit, and it was decided to join the Circuit provided the course adopted by us was accepted. During the evening the business was interspersed with musical selections, and a paper was read by Miss E. Sharp on _" The Sleepless Watcher."

SHREWSBURY (Albert Street).—The schoolroom pre-sented an interesting sight on Chrismas morning, when over 200 of the poorest children of the district gathered to partake of a substantial breakfast. When the last of the children had been dispatched with his orange—which every child received as he -left—the friends gathered in the vestry, and the pastor, the Rev. Sam Spencer, thanked the friends, in the name of the poor children, for their generous and kindly interest and work.

HALIFAX (Queen's Road).—In connection with the Mutual Improvement Society a lecture was given by Mr. James Maclaurin (Sheffield), entitled, "A Pilgrim-age of song—the Visit of the Yorkshire Chorus to Germany." The experiences of the singing pilgrims were graphically given by the lecturer. The lecture was illustrated by many interesting pictures, specially taken by members of the choir en route. Rev. William Walker presided, and Mr. John Mackintosh gave some reminiscences of journeys taken to places named in the lecture. There was a good attendance.

MILLOM.—The annual efforts have just been held at Haverigg and Millom, and they have been well sup-ported. At Haverigg a gold and silver tree was stripped by Mrs. Fullerton, who was accompanied by Mr. H. Fullerton, M.P. Proceeds, over '40 net, which goes towards the new organ fund. Millom tree was stripped by Mrs. Budd, who was accompanied on the platform by a band of about thirty children who con-ducted the service. Result, £67.

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE (Hooley Hill).—At the quarterly open meeting of the P.S.A. the chairman was Mr. Z. Pike, and the speaker the Rev. J. W. Walls, superin-tendent minister.

HARROGATE (Victoria Park).--At the annual New Year's tea meeting a very large company assembled. The meeting was presided over by the Mayor of Harro-gate (Alderman Balmforth). The Rev. Bramwell Dut-ton, of Leeds, and Rev. W. M. Simm (pastor) gave addresses. During the evening an augmented choir, under the conductorship of Mr. Henry Thompson ren-dered selections from "Messiah" and "Elijah," etc. Just before the close the choir rendered the "Hallelujah" chorus. Mr. F. E. Spencer, A.L.C.M., presided at the organ.

TORQUAY (Chelston).—The annual congregational tea was given by Mr. J. Hepworth, J.P., when upwards of eighty sat down. The meeting after tea was presided over by Mr. Hepworth, who, in the course of his ad-dress, congratulated the friends on the bright prospects with which the church began the year. Revs. J. C. Sweet and E. M. Moyle gave addresses. An excellent musical programme was provided. Words of thanks to workers and artists by the Rev. W. E. Perry brought to a close an enjoyable gathering.

HALIFAX, HANOVER (Elland).—This church has had a busy season during the past few weeks. A recent Sunday afternoon was devoted to a musical ser-vice, when an augmented choir rendered selections from "Elijah" and "Messiah" • conductor, Mr. D. M. Armitage ; organist, Mr. A. Shaw. In the evening a fine congregation gathered for a Christmas service, Rev. M. Hodsman being the preacher. On Christmas Day afternoon the annual school tea was held, followed by the public meeting and prize distribution. Over a hun-dred books were presented by the pastor and Mr. A. Crowther, a senior teacher ; the senior superintendent presiding. The annual "At Homes," organized by the members of the-young ladies' and gentlemen's classes began on December 31st, and were continued three evenings. That of the first evening was followed by the Watchnight service in the church, when two young local preachers gave excellent addresses. On the first Sunday in the New Year the services were well attended, and after the evening service Rev. M. Hodsman con-ducted the covenant service, and used for the first time a beautiful individual communion service. The four trays were generously given by the following : Miss Louisa Kaye, "In memory of her father and mother"; Mr. and Mrs. S. Marsden, "For the glory of God," and the Christian Endeavour Society, "For Christ and the Church," the remaining one is being subscribed for by the members, and a few friends, of the ladies' society class.

HALIFAX (Brunswick). A very gratifying sight was witnessed on Sunday evening, January 3rd, giving great encouragement to those who have laboured long and faithfully amongst the young. After the conclusion

of the first service, the covenant service was held, fol-lowed by a reception service, at which the Rev. John F. Lawis gave the right-hand of fellowship to seven new members, five of whom were young people ; and in addition, five were received into the junior membership. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was then observed, being partaken of by 152 communicants. The New Year thus opens full of hope for this church.

MANCHESTER NORTH (Salem).—An interesting de-velopment of the work of this Church has just taken place in the institution of a monthly popular service on Sunday evenings. All seats are free, the choir is aug-mented, and the Salem orchestra of string and reed in-struments renders valuable assistance. Familiar hymns, set to favourite tunes, are sung, and bright and cheery services have resulted. At the third of these services there was a large gathering, and the pastor (Rev. Wm. Hookins) delivered an interesting address.

TRURO (St. Clement Street).—The usual series of Christmas efforts has been made with very gratifying results. The amount raised are as follows : St. Clement Street, '90; Goonhaven, £30 ; Zelah Lane, D.4; Grampound,

Bazaars. EXETER (Providence).—A sale of work was recently

held with a view of raising £250, the balance on the recent renovation account. The effort closed with the fine total of £280. Everyone who had a share in it was delighted with the result.

HICKS MILL.—About £100 was raised in this Cir-cuit during the Christmas in connection with various sales of work and special efforts at Quenchwell, Car-harrack, Greenbottom, and Kerley.

LEEDS, LADY LANE (East Street). — The annual bazaar was opened on the first day by Mrs. Walter Cockshaw, and the chairman was Mr. William Parker ; on the second day by Mrs. Arthur Holt (chairman, Mr. J. A. Burke). ; and on the third day by a company of children, with a musical service, entitled "A Bunch of Keys," under the presidency of Miss Middleton. The schoolroom was prettily 'decorated, and the bazaar was patronized on each day by a large number of people. Great praise is due to the young men and women of the church for the work they did, the success of the effort being in no small measure due to them. Total proceeds, exceed £106.

HEYWOOD (Bethel Street).—The annual sale of work was opened by Mr. J. H. White, Mr. A. Johnson pre-siding. The second day's proceedings were presided over by Mrs. Earnshaw, of Bolton ; opener, Miss Jack-son, of Walsdon. Varied entertainments were pro-vided, and the stalls were well supplied with useful articles. The result exceeded the expectations of the friends, being about Z135.

PRESTON (Gregson Lane).—The bazaar recently held at this place to provide money for the school extension rendered necessary by order of the Educational authori-ties realized ,122, for which sum the friends were very grateful.

At Homes, etc. CAMELFORD AND WADIBRIDGE (St. Tudy).—On New

Year's Eve Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Elford, of Penrose, invited the members and choir of the church, together with the teachers and senior scholars of the school, to an "At Home," when a large number were present. During the evening short addresses, interspersed with solos, etc., , were delivered by Mr. Elford, Revs. G. C. Percival and A. C. Phillips. The host and hostess were heartily thanked for their kindness. A very pleasant and profitable gathering was held.

BOLTON (St. George's Road).—A successful series of "At Homes " has been held. The hosts and hostesses were Mr. and Mrs. Heelis, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jones, and Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Barlow. The entertainments were of a specially enjoyable character. Refreshments and a tea-room added much to the enjoyment and profit of the gathering. Proceeds,

Presentations. HALIFAX (Ovenden). — Recently a social was held,

the chief object being to make a presentation to Mr. John Wilkinson, who recently retired from tife position of chapel organist and choirmaster, which he had held for twenty-eight years. The souvenir consisted of the photo of each of the eighteen members of the choir, neatly arranged, and the whole, with Mr. Wilkinson's photo in the centre, enclosed in a suitable frame. Mr. Sam Dilworth, who has served in the choir thirty-six years, and is now choirmaster, presided over a good gathering. Mr. Arthur Chapman, as senior member of the choir, of which he has been a member forty-six years, made the presentation. For nearly thirty years Mr. Wilkinson has been a faithful servant of the church. His unfailing regularity and punctuality has been a model to all. The following added a few words, dwelling on the valuable services rendered to the church by Mr. Wilkinson, and wishing him long life and prosperity : Mr. Arthur Chatburn, Mr. James Feather, and Miss E. A. Chapman (who spoke on be-half of the lady members of the choir). Mr. Wilkinson, who showed deep emotion, briefly replied. Songs were contributed during the evening, and supper was after-wards provided.

A NEW CURE FOR DEAFNESS.

A GENTLEMAN who has cured himself after suffering for fourteen years 'from Deafness and Noises in the head, will be pleased to forward full particulars of his Remedy to all readers of THE UNITED METHODIST, post free. Write H. Clifton, 187 Kingsway House, 168 Strand, Uonelon, W.C.

Educational

LAYLAY PASTOR, experienced, acceptable Preacher, references and testimonials, seeks charge of Church or Churches.—Full particulars on application to S. L., "United Methodist " Office, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.

51Lugions • Vamnt

METHOMETHODIST EMIGRATION. Domestic

DIST for Queensland —Free Pas-sages. Ages 17 to 35. Good references required. Situations guaranteed. Also Farm-workers. Fares for Man, Wife, and family, only AS. Send stamp and state experience.—Methodist Emigration League, Norwich.

WANTED as Companion Housekeeper to middle-agedd and cheerful ANTED AT ONCE, a lovable, kin

widow lady ; washing put out ; one that can pay 6s. a week for board and lodging.—Mills, Grafton, St. John's Road, Redhill, Surrey.

REWARD BOOKS SCHOOL OFFICIALS

before ordering elsewhere should be sure to Bee Our

NEW LIST OF BOOKS. For Value they cannot be beaten. We are willing to send

SAMPLE PARCELS, carriage paid, to any School wishing to see books. These may be returned If desired.

ANDREW CROMBII3, ra Farringdon Avenue, London, H.C.

M 0 LITERARY SOCIETIES, ETC. — MR. G. _L BOWER CODLING (Teacher at Central Y.M.C.A.), assisted by Mrs. G. Bower Codling, Mezzo-Soprano, is open to engagement for Dramatic and Humorous Recitals. Whole or part programme. Lessons also given in Voice Production and all branches of Elocutionary work.—Particulars, Saxilby, Nimrod Road, Streatham, London, S.W. M1ELIX HOUSE SCHOOL. — Lady wishes to

recommend excellent Boarding 12 highly commend this e and Day School. Most successful Examination results. Home comforts. Loving Christian training. Moderate Terms. Prospectus, 50 Barry Road, Dulwich, S.E.

HEBREW, GREEK, LATIN, French, German, Spanish.—O ffer of first three correspondence lessons for nominal sum of one shilling, to "United Methodist " readers only. — Eversley Language System, Abbotts Park Road, LEYTON.

for-% Sale

6 -P A AGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND HOW •'± TO USE THEM. Post Free. Send for Herbalist, 144 Richmond Road, one.—Trimnell, The Cardiff. Established 1879.

A MUSIC GAME.—Capital New Year present, Instruction combined with amusement. A Dummy Piano Keyboard, full compass, all notes colored, modelled separately sharps and flats for playing the game. No jarring sounds or false notes. Post free, 2s. 4d., six for 10s. Liberal terms to Trade for making it known.—Hoopers', 13 Regent Street, London.

T ADIES who wish a good shape of knicker, well 1 I made of hard-wearing material, should send 3s. 3d. for ordinary size, or 3s. 6d. for extra size, of Shepherd Check Scotch Wincey, unshrinkable, to Messrs. Alex. Adamson & Co., 36 Whitehall Street, Dundee, who will send, post paid, a single garment, on mention of this paper.

NEW SONGS OF THE GOSPEL, No. 2. America's Best. Containing, " When Love Shines In," " Anchored in Jesus," "Alone with God," and 130 others ; with music, 10d., post free.—Hardy, Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees.

BAZAAR-PENCILSTREE1 GILL1FD "h;th of Chti, rind . tin tea-4.13iizontl

Cali /is ci;e3.-"Oreia".1416ars;'

To CLOTHING CLUBS, AND OTHERS. —Calicoes Calicoes ! Calicoes I Buy direct from the Manufacturer at wholesale prices. Sample lengths of Longcloths, Twills, etc., etc., Si. per dozen rr yards, caiage paid. Special terms for large quan-tities.—The Waterbok Manufacturing Co., 30 Prin-cess Street, Manchester.

190a Illustrated Funny

Almanack. Interesting E7 Short and nny Stories. Useful Infor- mation. Trade supplied. Sample copy, 2d.—Published by Ernest Crossley, 146 Halifax Road, Brighouse, Yorkshire.

FANCY WORK for Bazaars in aid of Missions to 12 Seamen. Carriage and post paid list on applica-tion.—Miss Sladen, 1 Upper Phillimore Gardens, Ken-sington, W.

POLISHING GLOVE silver, plate, latest invention for cleaning ver, plate, etc., without paste or pow-der. Produce the most brilliant results with little trouble. Always ready for use, clean and effective. Send 8d. for sample pair and you will be delighted with the result.—Gilyard Bros., 48 Darley Street, Bradford.

IRISH LINEN and Damask Remnants, long lengths, value. Car-

riage

prices ; suitable for fancy work, etc. House- hold parcels from 5s., 10s., 20s. Splendid riage paid.—Wm. Wilson, 83 Agincourt Avenue, Belfast.

RECITATION and DIALOGUES.-40 40 Anniver-S sary Hymns and Anthems, music and words, Is.; and Dialogues, 13 Sketches gues, ls.; 13 Recitation Books, Is. ; 13 Miscellaneous Poems, ls. ; The Rose-bud Reciter, 6d.—J. Ward, Publisher, Retford, Notts,

6 CH°112.CrF D ROSES, La France,

ccearrargse jpaiLla. Laing, Gruss an Teplitz, Prince C. de Rollan, Gen. Jacque-minot.—H. Hassall. 136 Shepherdess Walk, London, N.

ON SALE a 4 row throw Harmonium, 13 stops and V knee swell ; very cheap, what offers Suit Mis-sion room.—G. Fielding, 10 St, Mary's Place, Rawten-stall.

MiscellAtieous

PORTABLE HARMONIUMS AND ORGANS, from ZS 10s. A real treat for Christian workers ; new invention ; closed for travel-ling 'to portmanteau size ; lightest and cheapest send illustrated list.—Harland, 76 East Road, City Road, London. Mention this peter.

PHOTOGRAPHIC ENLARGEMENT, framed 1_ complete, 23 by 181 inches, for 7s. 6d., carriage paid. Frame 2-inch oak with gilt slip. Quality of work the best only. — Send to "United Methodist," 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.

OLDO D FALSE TEETH.—We give highest possible for above. Offers made, and if not accepted, teeth returned. Dealers in old gold or silver in any form. Bankers' refs.—Woodfall & Co., Birkdale, Southport.

METHOMETHODIST EMIGRATION. Australia I DIST

and Assisted Passages ; Farm-hands and Do-mestic Servants. New Zealand e Assisted Passages, Ge.nadhl Lowest Fares, all classes, Farm-hands and Domestics especially wanted, situations assured, good wages. Send stamp, stating experience, and Colony desired. Introduction to Methodists everywhere. Better help given than any other Organization.—Methodist Emigration League, Norwich.

WHEN REPLYING TO

ADVERTISEMENTS,

PLEASE MENTION

"UNITED METHODIST."

THE UNITM METHODIST.

HOTELS and HYDROS, BOARDING HOUSES and APARTMENTS

13 January 21, 1909.

'HAYMAN 'S BALSAM

CURES COUGH, safe and Pleasant for Children.

STOPS COLD If takenpromptly after a Chill.

Invaluable for Bronchitis, Influenza, Whooping Cough, tic.

'H AYM LSANAM

'S BA

Of all Chemists. Cash price. 1/. 8 2/6.

THE UNITED METHODIST. The Weekly Journal of the United Methodist Church.

TUESDAY MORNING is the latest time for receiving Advertisements for insertion in the ensuing number.

All communications to be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, 12 Farringdon Avenue, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.

OBITUARY NOTICE. MRS. BIRD and family desire to return

sincere thanks to their numerous friends for the s3 mpathy extended to them in their recent bereavement, and regret that it is not possible to acknowledge personally-all the kind enquiries they have received.

LONDON.

wPILD'S FIRST-CLASS - TEMPERANCE HOTELS,

30-40 Ludgate Hill (Centralfor Charing Cross, Cannon Street and Holborn Viaduct Stations, for the Continent).

ELECTRIC LIFTS. (Close to Euston, Midland and G.N.R. Stations).

70 and 71 EUSTON SQUARE. Handy for Early and Late Trains. Home Comforts. Cleanliness and Quiet. Central for Business or Pleasure. Mini...11111111.1.111..11111111.ii.....111111111.1111111.11

11Initeb flbetbobist Chord). SUNDAY'S PREACHING APPOINTMENTS,

January 24th, 1909.

HAFTESBURY TEM- PERANCE HOTEL, Mount Pleasant (four minutes' walk from Lime Street and Central Stations). Cab fare from any station, ls. Cars from Landing Stage stop at door. Night Porter. Telegrams, Shaftesbury Hotel, Liverpool.

EDINBURGH -TEMPERANCE HOME FOR s WOMEN, Navitie, Glencraig, Fifeshire. President,• Mrs. Macfie, of Borthwick Hall ; Treasurer, Miss M. E. Cook, 27 Regent rt, Terrace, Edinburgh ; Secretary, Mrs. Lockhart, 9 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. Terms-7s. to 21s. per week.

VELVERTON. DARTMOOR —Health . and _ strength amidst beautiful surorundings. Com- fortable winter home. Billiards, Golf, Shooting. Home Farm.—Very moderate terms.—'' The Tors," Yelverton, South Devon.

BRIGHTON —SUSSEX HOUSE, 58 Old • Steyne, Private Hotel, En Pension. Near sea, Royal Pavilion, Palace, pier. Separate tables. Established 25 Electric light. Separ years. Terms, from If guineas.—Proprietors. 10 Minerva mhu Road. — Cromhurst Boarding Establishment for Business Men. (Station 5 minutes.) Easy reach of City. Terms, etc., to suit individual requirements.—

PROPRIETRESS.

PRESTATYN—Park House, North Wales. • Healthy winter resorts. and Mountains. Within few minutes'• walk of Sea Golf. Terms moderate.—H. Gordon Pitchford. —Furnished Villa to Let. Two- ., sitting , three bedrooms (four beds), kitchen, scullery, gas stove, bath (hot and cold) , garden, cycle shed. Rent 30s. per week till April.— Owner, 76 Wellesley Road, Croydon.

KINGSTON

W. BOGNOR

LIVERPOOL —S

RECOMMENDED BY

U.M.C. MINISTERS and OTHERS.

Appointments,•Wanbed ■

BILLY BRAY OR,

The King's Son,

F. W. BOURNE. Complete Edition, Paper Covers,

6d. ; by post, 8d.

ANDREW OROMBIE, 19 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.G.

Conference Minutes WITH

FINANCIAL HANDBOOK. Price 2s.

By post, 2s. 4d.

We have rebound a Small Edition of the above. Those desirous of securing a copy should write at once to the

United Methodist Publishing House, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, B.C.

Circuit. Evening. Church. Aforning.

Hackney Bermondsey Bayswater Brixton Brixton Newington Brighten Brighton Brighton Leeds

King's Cross Mission, Charlotte Street. Bermondsey Mission, "Manor," Galleywall Road. Walham Grove, Fulham. Railton Road, Herne Hill. Park Crescent, Clapham Park Road. Brunswick, Great Dover Street.

Bristol Road (1 minute from Marine Parade and Front). Stanford Avenue(3 minutes from Preston Park, Beaconsfield Road Tram). Old Shoreham Road (2 minutes from Dyke Road tram, Old Shoreham Road Stop). Woodhouse Lane.

H. S. Dinsley. Kaye Dunn, D.A. F. G. Taylor. H. Hooks. , F. H. J. Thornton, J. Whitton, S. B. Lane. J. C. Pye, J. P, Davey. B. Dutton.

H. S. Dinsley. Kaye Dunn, B.A. F. G. Taylor. H. Hooks. F. H. J. Thornton A. W. Edwards. J. C. Pye. J. P. Davey. S. B. Lane. • W. Packer.

.....

,„ .6414411111141:17111.,

.... .. .... •••■••••■ . My ......

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Geo. M. HAMMER & Co., Ltd.,. 370 Strand, London, W. C. Manufactories: Crown Works

Bermondsey, S.E. Actual Manufacturers of every description of

s .......

-CO

$mis • 4 :

4"4 • • •-•

THE UNITED METHODIST. Sanu.ary 21, 1909.

tt4tmlw4tuittrittiff440034f9'6*u

I CHURCH FURNITURE. I Seats, Chairs, Pulpits, Choir Stalls, Communion Furniture, Notice and Hymnal Boards, Collection Plates and Boxes, Hassocks, Memorial Brasses, etc.. etc.

I SCHOOL FURNITURE. Seats, Chairs, Screen Seats, Classroom Screens, Desks, Cupboards, Tables, Blackboards, Bookcases, Chairs, Folding Partitions, etc.

INSTITUTE FURNITURE. Laboratory, Library, Museum, Mission Fittings.

ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES POST FREE. (State Department,)

cifisgatiftamig'stufillleepamprgt.

Application for Advertisement Space in this Paper should be made to

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.G.

TRANTER'S TEMPERANCE HOTEL (Established I859),'

6, 7, 8 & 9 Bridgewater Square, BARBICAN, LONDON. Central for Business or Pleasure. Absolutely Quiet and Home-like.

Write for "HOW TO SPEND A WEEK IN LONDON." with Tariff and Testimonials post free on application.

WILLIAM LOSSOCK, Proprietor-Manager. Telegraphic Address : " HEALTHIEST, LONDON."

(.1

ORGAN BUILDERS.

ORM°

BEARD

Utis LONDON Agencies at and NORWICH.

CAPETOWN, JOHANNESBURG, WELLINGTON, N.Z., SYDNEY, etc. Resident Refircsentatives:

BRISTOL, GLASGOW, BIRMINGHAM, BELFAST, etc,, etc.

Builders of the Organs at the Leysian Mission, London ; Central Hall, Liverpool ; Baptist Church House, London, etc

Address: 19 FERDINAND ST., CHALK FARM, N.W. (Train to Chalk Farm Station, Charing Cross and

Hampstead Tube Railway.)

THE BEST WAY OF ADVERTISING

'11

• [•••1/} I .... ...7

COLDS! COLDS!! COLDS!!!

The Free Methodist Fire Insurance Association.

Insures Connexional, Circuit and Ministers' Property only ; all profits accruing are appropriated solely to Connexional purposes.

SPECIAL SERVICES & MEETINGS. REV. J. ODELL says of the NOT-

TINGHAM GOSPEL LEAFLETS : " We have always found the little hand-bills of our Bro. William Ward, Printer, City Buildings, Nottingham, to be very useful and preach well and truly where-ever they are taken. Every Evangelist should be supplied with them " 500, with notice of meeting on back, 3s. ; 1,000, 4s. 6d., prepaid. TRY THEM. Temperance Series for Temperance Meetings.

Special Prices for every description of Printing required for Religious or Tern-perance Work, including Circuit Plans, Sunday School Anniversary Hymns, Bazaar Guides, Synod Handbooks,

-Posters, Window Bills, Circulars, Tickets, etc. Send for quotations.

W. WARD, I City Buildings, NOTTINGHAM.

ESTABLISHED 1872.

All communications to be made to Rev. E BOADEN, 13 Newbold Terrace East, Leamington Spa.

CHEAP CHAIRS Brompton Consumption &

Cough Specific. THE LUNG SAVER.

For Coughs, Colds, and Lung ComPlaintS. Gives instant relief and certain cure. Highly recommended by the Medical Profession. Prepared by GEO. HARDY. Price Is. lid., 2s. 9d , of all Chemists,

or Post Free.

FIARDIF'S Brompton Cough Lozenges

(the genuine), in boxes only (never sold loose). Every box is wrapped in Govern-ment stamp and bears Hardy's label.

Price ls. lid. Depot e 42 WATERLOO RD., SsE.

SUPPLIED TO THE ARISTOCRACY. On Sale at all BOOTS' DEPOTS.

"A Master of the King of Instruments." —Manx Sun.

F.R.C.O., Musical Director of Queen's Hall, Hull ; Solo Organist, Crystal Palace Musical

Festivals, The Celebrated Methodist Organist,

Is booking Recitals for this Season and 1909. Programmes to Please the people.

Crowded Audiences.

PRESS EXTRACTS. "Mr. Meale seemed to have not one instru-

ment only, but many at his command, and his brilliant interpretations will not soon be forgotten." " Some of the effects produced on the organ were astonishing."

" He played with such effect that it sounded as though it was being produced by the full band of the Grenadier or Coldstream Guards." Ministers and Church Officials should book Mr. MEAL: for a " Special." His perform-ances never fail to arouse unbounded enthu-siasm. Invariably a great financial success.

Address: 400 Beverley Road, Hull.

• . ... • .... •‘• . •• • • . .. '''!"xs ••• l• •",

ROBINSON'S FOR

Churches, Chapels,

Missions and Schoolrooms,

Ur From -I S. 8d. each

It should be taken last thing at night, and an extra blanket put on the bed. to ensure warmth..

It is also delicious as a Supper Food on all occasions.

KEEN, ROBINSON & CO, Ltd., LONDON.

All descriptions of Pipe --(Titans for Churches, Chapels, Schools, Public Buildings and Private Residences are built by the

MACKINTOSH'S TOFFEE

TRUSTEES of Churches requiring instruments are advised to communi-cate with the Rev, A. LEACH, 18 ROOKLIFFE ROAD, Or with his son, Mr. HAROLD E. LEACH (Secretary and Managing Director), at the office of the Company,

CLEVELAND PLACE, BATH.

Are in use in hundreds of Churches,

including those of Revs. Dr. Townsend,

President, United Methodist Church ; J. H. Jowett, M.A.,

Birmingham ; Dr.Clifford,London ;

Dr. Wenyon, Woolwich ; etc., etc.

INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION CUPS. THE "IDEAL" TRAYS.

PATENTCp.

Cali i;e- passed down the pews as safely as the ordinary Com-munion Cup. It is impossible to upset the Cups. All noise or rattle avoided.

"This Sweetmeat, made as it is from best Sugar, Butter, Cream, etc.. is a food, and a very good

one at that."—Dr.Gordon. Stables.

is the only Toffee with a

Royal Appointment.

...

FIRST & FOREMOST Walker's enormous variety of Merry Sketches, Mono-logues, Humorous, Charles Dickens, Sunday School, Temperance, and Day School Dialogues, Stump Speeches, Min- strel Entertainments, and Services of Song. AS Write for Free detailed Catalogue to William Walker & Sons (Otley) Limited, Otley, Yorkshire. Every season many bright

new numbers are issued.

Address the Makers- TOWNSHENDS, Ltd., Birmingham. When replying to ADVERTISEMENTS

please mention "UNITED METHODIST."

PUBLIC FAVOURITES.

.4:14:11i01! • - .

1~ y77

Printed at THE MAGNET PRESS, 188 Rye Lane, Peckham, S.E., and Published by ANDREW CROMBIE, 12 Farriegdon Avenue, Farringdon Street, London, E.C., for the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Thursday, January 21st, 1909.