The Opening of Conference.
Primitive Methodist Leader
No. 9669. Old Series. No. 751. New Serie. LONDON : THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1919. PRICE 10.
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Centenary Celebrations
Satae'day. Jane Slat, 1019.—Iter. JAMES LOCKHART, I rinalpal of Hartley College, will preach at 3 p.m.
GREAT POLIO MEETING at 0.18 p.m. Chairman: T. WILKINSON, Esq., J.P.
Sunday, June 22nd.—liev, G. H. HARNEY (from African Mission Fields), at H am. and 0.19 p.m.
GREAT DAMP MEETING at 2.30. Marquee. Band s“ Untten Choke. Refreshment..
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el the chard, at BRYN N, vas Cuddlogtoo Railway Station.
NORTHW.OH CIRCUIT.
ELM FIELD 'COLLEGE, YORK.
By Rev. J. C. A hundred years ago to-day (June lilt)
Charles Kingsley was born in the North Devon country that he grew to love no passionately, and about which he has written with such glorious abandon. His was a life full of vigorous, if not unbounded, faith, and of enthusiastic, although prejudiced, endeavour. Probably lie attempted too much; more than his robusteconstitution could endure. He was dead early in 1875. Preaching, lecturing, social service, sanitary reform, science, literature, art, poetry, all appealed to him, and in every department he did work that had value, for his own times, and some of which will endure. But probably his pioneer work in social matters is more in touch with what is filling the thought of all thinking people to-day than any other section of his work. It is true that the passion of his early contact with Chartism and the Chartists died down. Like other reformers, he came into touch with the personal factor, and he was greatly discouraged. " It takes a soul to move a body "—he found it difficult to induce the people to cultivate the patience by which they could win their own souls. He did not become, in Browning's sense, a " Lost Leader." To the end he was of the company of those who have faith. Yet be. lost all sympathy with short cuts to the land of promise.
If Kingsley were alive now he would be con- firmed, probably, hr Lis conviction that the wheels of the car of progress drag heavily, owing to the spiritual inertia of the masses. He would also gain the assurance that be did not dream, speak, or act in vain, even in his most enthusiastic moments. The matters to which he gave, not only his advocacy, but himself, are claiming the close scrutiny and concern of responsible leaders and statesmen The people's charter is still an ideal. But this is because for the people most concerned the ideal has not yet passed beyond the realm of great words to passionate conviction. At any rate, Kingsley's plea for the use of reason, as well as of spasmodic emotion, in dealing with social problems, is com- mending itself more and more in this country, where so often idealism and the practical have been so dismally divorced. If we still have to wait awhile 'for that " Day of the Lord " of which he sung with faith, and thus with fierce- ness, all the signs of the times show the horizons rimmed with hope. There is a whisper in our ears of the good tidings that presently will be uttered in the ears of the multitude.
Kingsley was a village clergyman. Contact with the people—and he did not shrink from such contact--soon port him into possession of vital facts. How modern is the presentment of village problems in his poem, " The Bad Squire "9—the curse of cruel game laws, badly- paid labour, insanitary cottages, and the con- sequent village immorality, spasmodic charity, and the shadow of the workhouse beyond. In the recent war-days agriculture entered into possession of a new dignity. Landlord and fernier have entered , the promised land.. Yet the labourer, although be has gained new recog- nition, has not entered that land. Already, to our shame, though prices for produce are secured
MANTRIPP. for the farmer, there are those who are talking about their inability to pay the labourer's sorely inadequate war-wage. Kingsley was . no democrat, and he had no heroic remedies for the problem he felt so keenly. The landlord and the farmer would secure his sympathy. It is all the more significant that he urged remedies that will need by some mean, to be enforced if farmers continue to resist them. He urged scientific methods of agriculture, and association for more economical distribution of produca as essentials. He could not persuade the farmers. They grumble at the present system, and yet act as if they were convinced that it is the only system possible. However this may be, agriculture its this land must never again become the means of providing cheap labour in the towns. A living wage for agricultural labourers is the basis of a happy Britain.
In social idealism Kingsley was a follower of F. D. Maurice, and a leader also ill the select company of the Christian Socialists. In those early days, when new ideas were fermenting, all things seemed possible; but it can hardly he wondered at that the old bottles of the estab- lished churCh were not able to hold this new wine of social doctrine. It was a brave adventure that these men led, but it collapsed. Kingsley gained the distinction of being regarded by his fellow clergymen as a political firebrand, an upsetter of the social order. He was shunned, denounced, hated, by many of his own class. A, already said, be soon mime up against the individual factor in matters social, and his enthusiasm was directed into other channels. His novels, " Yeast " .d " Alton Locke," which belong to this period, are worth reading, fot all the extravagances of the latter. It is a pity that his essays in political journalism- " Politics for the People "--under the signature of " Parson Lot," have not been republished. Education in political economy, ethics (especially Christian ethics), sanitary reform, and co-opera- tion became more to him than political agitation as the years passed.
The great lesson for us from Kingsley's career is that be never lest faith in progress. The work was hard, but be never regarded it as in vain. This finds expression in his peens, " The Day of the Lord." It is a time of storm and unrest. In the midst of boarded gold the millions starve. But in the darkness and pain a child is born whose presence presages the day of the Lord. He then calls upon God's angels—freedom, truth, wisdom, self-sacrifice, daring, love—to help. Ste calls together famine, plague, war, idleness, bigotry, cant, misrule, for destruction. And then his hope of heart speaks out. " Who would sit down and sigh for a lost ago
of gold, When the Lord of an ages is here?
True hearts will leap up at the trumpet of God, And those who can suffer. can dare.
Each old age of gold was an iron age, too, And the meekest of saints may find stern work
to do In the day of the Lord at hand."
He, too, believed that " the best is yet to be., And this faith growth
The Message of Charles Kingsley.
328 THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST LEADER. JUNE 12, 1919
ENDEAVOURERS IN LONDON.
Whitsuntide Demonstration.
After three years the Endeavourers have had another National Convention. It should 'have met two years ago, and Rev. H. J. Taylor has been presi- dent. But war conditions forbade, and not until the armistice was signed was the Convention Committee revived and arrangements fixed up. Great credit is due to the London Endeavourers for the &IA enthu- siasm and business ability put into the preparation. The Westminster Central Hall was the chief rendez- vous. Hundreds of people mmo up from the pro- vinces. The Convention meetings began on Friday lest with a reception at Dr. Meyer's Church. Rev. E. J. T. Mignon. presided. Saturday saw a Young People's rally in the Central Hall, over which Rev. A. J. Wigley presided, Mr. Thomas Paige, of Surrey Chapel, conducting. Three hundred juniors formed the choir. Mr. Edmond Clark gave the Object Talk "The Christian Warfare" being the topic. From all parts of London juniors attended. In the Crush Hall there was to real crush for tea and the reception meeting, the speakers being Rev. Dr. Meyer, Rev. E. J. T. Bagnall, and Rev. H. J. Taylor. Few who were present will ever forget the Praise Service which followed-350 voices, with orchestra and organ. Mr. Arthur Newton, the conductor, scored a great suc- cess. There was a crowded audience of 3,000 people, and at its close Dr. Campbell Morgan preached a soul-stirring sermon and conducted a consecration service.
Sunday- was largely filled up with convention meet- ings. Endeavourers were desired to support the church where they were locatid on all sides of. London. But Whit-Monday was a great day. By 10 o'clock in the morning an immense crowd assem- bled. Rev. Professor T. W. Chance, MA., B.D., of South Wales Baptist College, gave an able Bible study on "The Visions of Zechariah and Recon- struction." "After the War Problems for Endea- vourers" was the theme of the session over which Rev. H. J. Taylor presided, and at which Revs. J. H. Hirst, H. Smith and James Merrell spoke with great power.
At the annual meeting- of the Representative Assembly, Rev. H. J. Taylor delivered his presi- dential address. "The Road of Gratitude" was the theme. Mr. Taylor recalled that when Robert Louis Stevenson, for health reasons, took up his residence in Samoan Islands, and his house stood on the hill overlooking the sea, the natives, in appreciation of his never-failing kindnese, voluntarily constructed a new and wellenade road from the beach up to the door of his residence, and they called it"" The Road of Gratitude." They were all on that road to-day. After three years they met in another Convention. The war being over, the right triumphant, tryanny dethroned and freedom preserved. Victors and van- quished had .me through Gethsemane and cruci- fixion to a resurrection morn, which, if rightly used, will usher in a much more glorious day for all peoples. Throughout this world crisis, testing morals as well as might, they were grateful that 30,000 British Endeavourers have stood for Freedom's c-use, end while doing this have carried into the armies that sobriety, chastity and fine virile .Christianity they eurtured in the Endeavour ranks in pre-war years. If victory depended upon the morale of the armies as well as munitions, then they may reasonably claim that the men of the Endeavour movement had been in the van of victory, and they had returned to refill C.E. ranks. They have given their wholehearted wel- come ; they have reported themselves to their societies and re-entered on active Endeavour service. For this they trod the road of gratitude. They had bed ]sough of war, so have we all, and these our victor brother s now join us in support of the League of Nations to say " Never again." Endeavour at home and abroad, with over four million of enrolled mem- bers, will stand as one man for the Leaps, of Nations and here and now.
Mr, Taylor then proposed to send a cable to the Prime Minister and the President in these words: "British Christian Endeavourers assembled in London from all parts of the British Isles, pledge themselves to support in every way possible the League of Nations for preserving the future peace of the world." The resolution was carried with great enthusiasm. • •
The mobilisation of the Churches is now well on the way. Not only is J. H. Shakespeare at the cross roads, but all the Churches are there, and the Spirit of God in the crisis of these days Is using the occa- sion to unite the Churches of Christ. Many in- fluences have contributed to this. The inter- denominationalism of Christian Endeavour for over a quarter of a century in all lands has been among the leading forces of unity. The young people of all de- nominations eighteen and twenty years ago, met in their united rallies, and now these same young people are church leaders and ministers, and are amazed that any should now think the unity of the Churches either undesirable or impossible. For all that
they were on the road of gratitude. One thing is needful—without it the new age will not see the fulfil- ment of its high hopes. The future peace of the world, the reconstruction of society, the making of common
his well worth while, the securing of
heavenly conditions in mirth's common lot, will depend upon the quality of the lives of the people.
Lights from Side Windows.
The Enabling Bill, as presented to the House of Lords by the Archbishop of Canterbury, seems to be a Bill to enable Churchmen to be Established and Free at one and the same time. In other words, our friends of the Establishment want to have their cake and sot it. They wish to go to the Promised Land and take the leeks and onions of Egypt with them. It simply cannot be done. If they want Liberty they must sacrifice State connection; if they prefer State connection they must sacrifice Liberty. We of the Fres Churches believe Liberty is better than patronage. Turning up a quaint look the other day, a kind of encyclopmlic dictionary, I came upon the words "Endowments, Church," and the definition given teas "See poison; but don't s. the Bibre." But for Endowments the nuestion of 'Establishment would be speedily settled by Churchmen themselves.
The dinner to Primitive Methodist M.P.s at Frascati's was a decided success. The programme was perhaps nelittle overloaded, and the company did not quite reach anticipation, but in all other respects it was a delightful function. What a story some of these men had to tell, and bubbling over with the Roman. of Reality. All of them are self-made men— most of them began at the bottom of the ladder. OnG was born in the workhoum, another commenced work at seven, and a third at ton years of age. We were given a glimpse into the industrial life of the past by them reminiscences, " the good old days" of privilege and of the autocracy of wealthy men when the poor were taught the prayer "God bless the Squire and all the Squire's relations,
And help us poor folk to keep our stations." One fait that there wee material enough for s new edition of Imires' "Self Help" lying untapped in the memories of these men, And what splendid trhute they all paid to the saving power of the Gospel' and the 'helpfulness of the Church. It was like a breeze from the sea on s hot day-.
• • I, In private conversation I gathered from several
of therm that actual contact with the Hones of Commons had brought disillusionment. One deplored the absence of great speakers, and the cosoijeg item- than of the same threadbare speeches to which they had to listen. Another found it very monotonous and almost unbearable alter his active life in the past, and fpr the first three months "thought he could never stick it " ; while a third declared it almost impossible to keep high ideals of public life amidst the wearying detaile of the party system. Most cd them were pre- pared to acknowledge 'the puzzling magnetism of the personality of the Prime Minister," but there was, I thought, a vein of distrust and the absence of confi- dence in his fiance, running through the expressions of many of them. The fact is Labour is distrustful of the Coup.. They cannot, see where it is going to lead "the little man from Wales."
• • • Sir Robert Perks and Sir Walter Essex represented
the other Methodist Churches at home, while Colonel Holden epoke on behalf of the Australian Methodists. SirRobert's speech was a " tour de force," in which rang the assurance of final victory for Methodist Union, and it swept the amiably with its mummy and strength, It woe a notable utterance. Sir Walter Essex spoke in the polished and cultured style we have .me to associate with him, and his speech also was a great success. Colonel Holden was homely, forceful and convincing as he told of the ...ass of -Union in the Colonies. He boa a fine figure, a pleasing manner, and is one of the most brotherly of non. He will carry with him the good wishes of many friends when foe returns to Australia, and lie expects to do so in s few weeks.
• * • The Derby is over and cm. more illustrates the
certainty of the Uncertain. The tipsters were all wrong. The prophets proved false. Horse racing is called "the sport of Kings." It is often the ruin of Cools, The 'best tip that can be given is "Don't bet." Leave it to folk who have more in their pockets then they have in their heads.
A KNICIIT or THE PEN.
Current Topics. Mr. Asquith long remained silent while attacked
with malignant slanders, but latterly he has broken silence to some purpose. Lord French will have reason to rem:miter June 3rd as the day on which he received one of the severest castigation ever adminis, tared to a public man. Portions of his narrative in the " Daily Telegraph " were torn to tatters, and apart from the Northcliffe organs it is hardly too much to say that the entire Press of the country considers Lord French utterly discredited. The " Daily Express" article may be regarded es typical. It said "Mr. Aequith, for whom war administration we hold no brief, finally 'exploded the Lord French
yth in his ypeeCh yesterday. lord French is earner the victim of delusions so strange that his own written voids era offered from his memory, or he is guilty of deliberate mutilation of factin order to humiliate the dead and slander the ]icing. In neither case is he to for the position he occupies. Nothing will now become lord French so well as his retirement from public life."
Asquith referred nein toLord French'eaccount of Lord Kitchener's visit to Paris, peed revealed the true secret of that incident. The Government received a message from Lord French which filled the Cabinet with consternation. It amounted to a proposal to . leave " our Allies in the lurch in the moment of their extreme need." It was to prevent this betrayal that Lord Kitchener went to Paris and happily " saved our cause from an indelible reproach." Lord French's neeount of his demand for shells is flatly contradicted by a letter of Lord Kitchener's, in which he told the Prime Minister "I have had a talk with French, who told me I can let you know that with the present supply of ammunition lit would have as much as the Loops Will be able to use on the next forward movemillit." On other counts Lord French's own letters show that his "Daily Telegraph" articles are an utter travesty of the facts.
• On the motion for the adjournment of Parliament,
Sir Donald Maclean offered some trenchant criticisms upon the pea. term. He referred to various rumours at to the attitude of Mr. Lloyd George to the conditions to be imposed upon our defeated enemies. He complained that while Germany and Auetrie knew exactly what were the points causing present trouble we in this country had not sufficient data on which to form an opinion. "The time" said he, " had certainly arrived when tho public should be taken into the confidence of the Government." We quite recognise the delicacy of .this business, but authoritative information would dissipate the muspicion and diatrust which aro being created by Press misrepresentations. A contemporary has re- ferred to " the tragic absurdity of the picture of the Peace Conference that has obtained publicity during the past few days," according to which "the affairs of tho Conference have been reduced to a personal trial of strength between the French and British" Prime Ministers, with the American President re- pudiating everything for which he has ever stood, obstinately supporting M. Olemenoeau ageing the amazing weakness of Mr. Ll -vd George." Papers that circulate such pestiferous twaddle ought to be muzzled..
We earnestly hope that a etrike of Lancashire cotton operatives has been averted. Half a million workeraare affected, and if them come out it pill mean widespread imffering and ditties. According to Monday's reports, Sir Robert Horne had asked both sides to meet him and disown the differences, and we trust this intervention will be effective. The men, by a practically unmilmous vote of the whole of the unions, demanded a fortrsix and a half bonne week, and a 30 per cent. advance of wages. The masters have offered to reduce the present fifty-five and s half hours to forty-eight per week, and to ad- vance wages 16 per cent. Between the demands of the men and the concessions of the employers, it WI be men that there is a considerable margin, but these differences ought to be capable of adjustment without the, adoption of extreme measures.
The Home Secretary's speech in the House of dommOns on Friday last opened a new phase in the police controversy. Greatly improved conditions are promised to the men in respect of wag., housing and insurance. Mr. Shortt admitted that "the Police and Prison Officers' Union" came into existence be- catim of grievantes unredrested, but for the future that organisation is taboo. An agreement was signed on behalf of the Union. last August, but, said the Home Secretary, "From the beginning they had-never kept a single line of the obligations they undertook in this agreement. The people who were running the Police Union were Extremists—people who were out for a social revolution." He agreed that the police must have some representative body, and it is proposed to set up an organisation to include the whole of the police, with full power to make repre- sentation upon all matters affecting their interests. We shall watch the conditions governing this new organisation, and these will be judged by their effec- tiveness to secure justice for the men.
At the Clay Cross Quarterly Meeting comer.tula- tions were accorded to Mr. W. T. Salyre, J.P. on his election to the Derbyshire Comity uncil; to
Endeavour had done these many years to the way of Dir. J. A..0xley, to the chairmanship of the Chester- interdenominational courtship, in which each has field Rural District Council, and to Mr. H. Smraton simply rejoiced in the love of the other—for all this on hir. election for North Wingfield.
JUNE 12, 1919 THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST LEADER. 327
THE AFRICAN MISSIONARY JUBILEE.
By Rev. J. T. BARKISY, General Missionary Secretary.
Speak to the people of Primitive Slethodiem that they go forward. That is what every cniarionary of our Church le saying to me concerning our work in Africa, and that is exactly what ie contemplated by our African Jubilee Celebrations—a great forward movement. We Fop°se to double our staff of missionaries on the field, to erect and equip more and better educational institutions, and to do Borne- thing worthy of a Church like mire in providing Medical Missions in the areas we occupy That is what we are asked to do. It is whet we must do if we are to provide in even a moderate way for the great and pressing needs of the peoples committed to our chores'
Think of the facts. There is Nigeria, one of the richest and most promising of our colonies, with a population three times that of London, in which we have but one-seventh the number of missionaries we have ministers in London. And all who know our work in the Metropolis know that we barely touch the fringe of it. Every Primitive Methodist missionary in Nigeria has at least 100,000 smile corn- niit.d to his charge, and some many more. Two missionaries have sixty preaching places in their station., and their only helpers are native agents. In addition there are great populations which have not yet heard the voice of the preacher. And one thing that Inakes the matter we urgent is that the people weleeene the Gospel of Christ. There is an extensive mass movement to the churches, and if we are not prepared for it others will be. As the mis- sionaries say in a memorandum on the policy and future development of our minions here, " The door is now open. Others beside ourselves are seeking to enter. Mohammedans are already swarming along the whole railway line, and Mohammedans are no mean missionaries in seeking to capture apagan people. Moreover, Raman Catholinen it already seeking to eetablish strategic centres in our present and prospective fields."
Between some of our Central African stations there are great gaps of from one to two hundred mile, where we have no missionary et all. In the Ramben valley the only missionaries working there am Mr. and Mra. Buckley, and they have hundreds of miles they have not yet been able to touch. Mr. Shaw et Nanzela has quite as vast a field to cultivate. At Aliwal North Revs. G. Ayre and A. H. Briggs have about 130 preaching places to attend to, and in the last reports from Johannesburg and Fernatido Poo we have the moat preening requests for more men. The plain truth is that we are asking our missionaries to attempt the impossible. They cannot do more than they are doing, which is not nearly enough, and they are breaking their henna because so much is left undone. Nigeria alone asks for thirteen addi- tional missionaries as well as the ladies who are to go out when they are trained. Nor is educational work km pressing. We have come to see that if Africa is to be won for Christ it must be largely by Africans. Europeans will be needed to direct and supervise, but most of the work must be done by native Christi.. And they need to be taught and trained. We have already done something in this line. Too much praise cannot be given to the work of Rev. C. P. Grove., RD., and hie staff at the Oron Insti- tute, and the work at the Girls' InatituteS The boys educated at Oran are those who are to-day serving as native teachers and preachers on our stations. But we must do much more or we shall never be eqnal to the demands of oar church. there. While there is a vital need of hospitals with doctors and nurses. The my everywhere is that we go forward. And we must do so in no hesitating, half-hearted, partial way, but boldly and heroically, determined to posses. the land for Christ.
And what encouragement we have to do so! Was ever Missionary Society more blessed with the smile ef God on its efforts than ours? When that great missionary book by James Gilmour, "Among the Mongols," first came from the press a copy fell into the hands of the reviewer for the "Spectator." When he began to read it he found it so fascinating that he could not put it down until he had read it to the last word.
I have just hee. reading again the reports of some of our African Missionaries, and the exercise has stirred my soul to the depths. They are wonderful— wonderful as records of triarnphs of the Grose. Here are two or three extracts :—Writing of the work at Rends Rev. F. W. Dodds says that in September, 1910, he was the only member on that station, which to-day only covers half the area opened since then, and what are the figures now? We have 59 preach- ing places, 53 paid native agents. 263 church mem- kers, and every Sunday 10,000 people gather in our ehurchea or about our preachers to hear the Gospel preached. He opened six new preaching places in ere week. And this ie not be.use the people get the Gospel cheaply. Last year they raised in collections, school fees and class money £840. At lkot Ekpene,
under the ministry of Rev. W. T. Groves, the mem- bership has this last year jumped from 243 to 433, an increase of 190. There are 700 Catechumen members who have been preparing for baptism for at least two years. Seven new out-stations were opened in a quarter, entirely self-supporting, and the income for the last quarter was £240. The influence of our churches is gradually changing the habits and cus- toms, of the people, so that they are now forsaking their idols and evil. and beginning to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. The membership of the Aliwal North Station now stands at 2215, an Menne of 106 for the year, while fourteen new places
dale have been opened. The an and ticket money for the last quarter was £160. In Fernando Poo and Central Africa then are sign. that God is with us, and that if we will biri meet the needs of the people in a more adequate way those signs will be still more manifest.
This is what the Jubilee Celebration contemplate.. We hear the call of our Master bidding us go forward, and we dare not do other than obey. This will, of course, mean money. It is estimated that we shall need at least £50,000 to do what is in our heart. to do for Africa and to help forward worthy causes at home. During the Conference we shall make our appeal for this, assured that in doing so we are obedient tq the heavenly vision, and we are confident our people will not say us nay. Let every member of our great Immel
_dwhonaet !et renc in Lhrie snme ea g ni he
. Send
ceo peer effort. And let it
promisee, seed your money for the great meeting when this scheme will be inaugurated on the Monday evening, and pray without ceasing for the blessing of God upon this holy enterprise.
PRIMITIVE METHODIST MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
Social Function in London.
It was a happy thought of the General Committee to do honour to the stalwart sons of our Church who have been returned to St. Stephen's in this Victory Parliament. And the desire was worthily fulfilled on Wednesday of last week. Of precedents for such a function there were two. The first occurred when the franchise wee extended to agricultural labourers, of whom Joseph Arch was the high and honoured champion. The last von in 1006 after the great Educational and Fr. Trade Campaigns. But this banquet was conceived on a larger scale, in some measure emmenenrate with the prosperity and social preetige which the intervening years have brought. It wee a brilliant function, held in one of the moat beautifully fitted and handsomely decorated rntaurants which London affords.
The guests and friende were received by the ex- President (Rev. J. T. Parr), Rev. M. P. Davirin and Dr. Guttery. The Parliamentary guests were J. W. Taylor, M.P., W. Lunn, MP., E. J. Waterloo, M.P., B. Kenyon, M.P., R 0. Spoor, M.P., T. Cape, M.P., T. Griffiths M.P V. Hartshorn, M.P. T. W M.P., J. Cairns, M.P., and S. Finney, M.P.—eleven in number ; perhaps, as it was afterwards euggested, the leaven of the whole lump. The banquet took place in the. Alexandre Hall, a spacious room, richly adoimed and ablaze with colour. Apologies for absence were presented by the Organising Secretary from the President of Conference (Rev. W. A. Ham- mond) and the Vice-President (Mr. C. Lewis, J.P.), both of whom • had important prior engagements); from S. Finney, M.P., V. Hartshorn, M.P., Adam Lee, J.P., and several others. Rev. J. T. Pan, who presided, paid a generous tribute to the President of Conference, whose detention et Tunbridge Wells was regretted, and in d general way reminded the gather- ing of the changes which our history revealed which made a function under such delightful conditions passible.
The address of welcome to the Parliamentary guests wee given by Dr. Clattery. Delightfully did this great and genial soul fulfil his .duty. He congratulated the guests on their electoral honours and assured them, whatever their political complexion, of the good will of all. He pointed out that though our fathers might not have realised the implications of their evangel, yet their teaching and work made inevitable the enfranchisement-of the means and the entrance of their leaders into the House of Commons, for they were the prophets of the New Democracy. These prophets, of whom we recognise not a few, have served their apprenticeship for public life in Methodist churches and acquired or developed their gifts of speech and directive force in the offices which the churches have provided for them. Democracy to-day or to-morrow will be the master of its own deetiny ; and we trust these leader, of thepeople. Yet we remind them of immediate issues of great. importance—freedom from educational disabilities which still remain ; deliverance from the cruellest social foe, the drink trade freedom from militarism as a permanent facto, in national life; the alleviation of social misery, and the application of equity and right to every domain of life. It was a fine address, well conceived, happily .pressed. and uttered in the sp.ker's moat genial manner. Resoomee were given by Messrs. Cairns, M.P., J. W. Taylor, M.P., T. W.
Casey, ALP., and W. Lunn, M.P., and they bore the marks of seriousness, sincerity, and an idealism which betokened faith in God and in the common human heart.
An address in appreciation of our own Church was given by Mr. Barnet Kenyon, M.P., with a swaying passion and a delightful optimism that aroused all hearts. Hie faith in the gracious Gospel is as pro- found and as captivating to-day as ever, and his conviction stronger than et any time that it is only the. Gospel of Christ that can redeem and ennoble humanity. In a brief response, Rev. J. T. Barkby deolared that Primitive Methodism was justified of her children, and averred that we were proud of theme our guests and desired them to he proud of us.
The addressee which followed were in anticipation of the Larger Methodical. Rev. S. H. Horton intro- duced the theme, briefly declaring his belief that in five years the Union of the Methodist Churches would he complete. He was followed by Sir Robert W. Perks who spoke with calm and forceful dignity of the need of Methodism in the life of to-day, and the preparedness of the Churches to meet the need. Methodism is the largest Protestant English-speaking Church, with MOO ministers and 5,000,000 adherents. He urged that we must not permit ourselves to be side-tracked, but must ever be alert, true to our great evangel, and mite on a basis of perfect equality. Economy of farces is necessary. Only one thing war to be feared : Methodism's wealth and respectability-. They Sir Walter Essex, described as the silver-tongueis orator, spoke with delightful freedom and candour but with a splendid hope of . the possibility of the realisation of Union at no distanf date. After him came Colonel the Rev. A. T. Holden, RA., Chaplain-General of the Australian Forces, who as a distinguished representative of the United Methodist Church in Australia said that he and his friends in the Dominions never could understand why the 'Methodist Churches in the Home- land were separate at all, and could foresee nothing but delightful co-operation and abounding usefulness in a full and frank Union such as had been fore- shadowed.
At suitable intervals musical items were rendered very efficiently. The pianist was Miss Joy Flood, who interpreted Chopin in the spirit and with the facility of a master ; Mrs. Harrison and Miss Doris Thompson sang with great feeling .d power of expression. The banquet was splendidly organised and success- fully fulfilled its purpose. Moreover, it afforded a fine opportunity for social fellowship. It will long be remembered.
A Famous School Anniversary. Prince Consort-road Church, Gateshead, is staffed
as few other churches in Primitive Methodism with outstanding laymen, preachers, organisers, musicians. Its school is well sustained by fifty teachers, the primary department alone having a score of teachers led by Miss Gardner. Its women have shown such zeal that a Women's Own, eta.ed eight months ago, has now 110 members and hes raised some £20 far missions. But of all its achievements nothing could be more full of promise than its school festival. If the test of a school annhrersary be its power (*convey the joy rail perfection of praise and worship, to make hearts young again with the children, the Prince Con- sort-road School anniversary has no equal in Primi- tive Methodism This year the •services were held May 95th end June 1st, the circuit ministers conduct- ing. The Cervices were almost wholly sustained by the children, assisted by the choir, under the leader- ship of Mr. Robert Bowran. The children's hymns were wonderful, and were rendered with a precision and beauty which only skilled leadership and much practice could have evolved. The recitations—for reci- tations playa large part in anniversaries in the North —were given in such a style that one wondered how it was that till then one had discountenanced this form of service. Every piece added to the joy of wor- ship. Perhaps the mightiest service of all was held on the afternoon of June 1st. The primary depart- ment were responsible. and sang their hymns and prayer superbly. Behind their song lay weeks of arduous work on the part of leaders, training and memorising in both mimic and words. Forty-nine of . these little ones recited, and yet the interest grew until the congregation was swept as a waving corn- field is swept by sunlight and shade. At the close the minister. on behalf of the Church. made a pre- sentation of a gold wristlet watch to Miss Gardner, who for nine years has organiser.] this service and year by year superintended the growing and -increas- ingly successful primary department. Such emir. can never be forgotten, and there is no wonder that et each service the church W2 S crowded to the doom.
Under the title "God Looks in Men—What Type; do Women Like Best?" the " Strand Magazine" pub- lishes in its June number an article which raises a question of deep interest to ladies. Do women, OR the whole, prefer faces which- denote physical strength —or keen intelligence—or a romantic soul? The question is answered by a number of eminent ladies, and, as might be expected, their views are Ur from unanimous.
members, and aleo in social position and influence and power. They were Feud to know their Church had such a fine civic.record in the town—a service which he ventured to say had been of great advantage to the town. He did not believe that there was such a wide difference between those who consecrated themselve to the betterment of the people in the civic realm and those who engaged in the religious side on the other. They wished to congratulate the Mayor on presiding over the town of Grimsby under somewhat•happier conditions than those which had prevailed during the last four or Sc, years. They would dining the next few days reioice in the con-sciousness that the citizens of the town were glad of their presence. He hoped that always in their borough the civic activities would be snothemented by the earnest and devoted, work the Churches could supply. Mr. Charles Lewis, the retiring Vice-Presi- dent, said they were very g ratified for the kindness shown by the Mayor. Theirs was a great Church, and to appreciate this one had to travel up and down the Connexion as he had done. They had done, great work in framing the morals of the people of this country. They had done their share in the creating of good citizens. Their influence upon the young people had been a marked success. The Mayor acknowledged the thanks of the gathering. CONFERENCE OPENING
-SERMON. After a strenuous year's activities we were pleeeed to find the retiring President (Rev. W. A. Hammond) looking hale and hearty on entering the pulpit at Ebenezer Church on Tuesday evening, June 10th, to preach the opening Conference Sermon. The large congregation heartily sang "I'll praise my Maker while I've breath " for the opening hymn. The lesson was the 2nd chapter of Ephesians, after which "Jesus, Thou Joy of loving hearts," was seg. The sermon which followed, based on Revelation 2, was delivered in Mr. Hammond's usual earnest and passionate manner. He said 'Christ was the great Head of the Church, the Supreme Lord and Ruler over His people. It was therefore of the utmost im-portance for them to khow what was His mind and will. Thoth letters to the Asiatic Churches set forth Christ's Ideal of Hie Church for every age. It was well for them, theaters, not merely th compare them-selves with each other, nor to compare themeelves with standards of the age in which they lived, but with the unvarying standard of Jesus Christ. This letter was addressed to the Church of Ephesus, one of the foremost cities of Asia Minor, the centre of trade and commerce, but idolatrous and profane. Within this pagan city a Christian Church had been formed. St. Paul had mightily laboured there foie two years. John had wrought amongst its people, and now, exiled and lonely, he was commissioned to write that letter to them. Very faithfully He pointed out the great weeklies of that early Church and the message applied to every age. It was well th remember the abiding presence of Christ, and His knowledge of His people. Others might not know, others might form opinions that were partial and incorrect, others might err in their judgment, but Christ was the unerring_ one. He dwelt in the midst of His people ; it was His presence nho''Cli¢nrCh.'"Not an' Church n;o:t:lutt,Hrta there lion, but Oho presence of the risen Christ constituted' the Church. He was no stranger therein, but the resident iced and Ruler, eo that He knew its condi-tions, understood its needs, eaw its weakneeses and re joiced in its strength. And what was it that He knew? He knew their works, life conduct, character. The greatest Mystic was the greatest ethical Teacher. He ever laid stress upon the outer actions of men. He judged men by their deeds. He knew their toil, their patience, their hatred of evil, their sensitiveness to wrong. The danger of modern times was lest they should lose this sensitiveness. It wee a tolerant age, but ought not to be blind to evil. It was a fine testimony, a high record, but something was wrong., "I have somewhat against thee." They had left their fleet love, the paseion that first filled and inspired the soul. Chris t wanted the- passion of a great affection, the warmth of a peat love. Christianity appealed to the intellect, but it had its great centre iathe heart. He (the President) believed that the ethical stan- dard of their people was higher to-day than ever it had been. They were not defective in service, bat he wondered. whether there was the same panic, love, and constraining impulse. It was the vision of a great passion that created passion within, the ex-perience of a great love that fostered loth within, and he pleaded that our people should return to their first love that would impel to higher and holier ser-vice. A largely attended C,ommunion service fol- lowed, conducted by Rev. S. Horton.
323 THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST LEADER. JUNE 12, 1919
ON THE EVE OF eONFERENeE. ITINERANT PREACHERS'
FRIENDLY SOCIETY.
Dr. A. S. Peake to Edit the Revieir. The Preachers' Friendly Society held its annual assembly on Monday night last at Ebenezer Church,
Grimsby. Rev. Robert Harrison presided, and Rev. M. Knowlson (Secretary) had charge of the business. The report of the Committee of Management was received and adopted. The Treasurer's report, show-ing a balance due of £4 17s. 4d., was likewise received, as were also the reports of the Auditors, the Man-chester Agent, and the Book Rem. The Book Steward reported losses on the " Holborn Review " and the l'ocket Book," accounted for largely be' the abnor- mal trade conditions. Upwards el 2000 copies of the Book Almanack had been sold.
Th.) meeting elected the following officers :— Trustees, W. A. Hammed, Samuel Horton and W. Huntington ; Treasurer, W. Huffington, rice W. Barker; Secretary, Mark Kettle, vies S. A. Barron Manchester Agent, William Barker; Editor of Almanack, W. Barker. A Distalguiehed Editor.
It connection with the "Holborn Review" the meeting was delighted to know that Dr. Peake bad been approached with regard to the editorship, and it had been pointed out to him that if he could see his way to add this office to his already- multitudinous duties he would be rendering incalculable service to the Society, and the .Doctor bad been good enough, in view of his great interest in the ministry, to express his willingness, if elected, to undertake the duties. Some little fear was expressed of imposing extra burdens upon him, but the meeting haring been assured on this point, other nominations were with. drawn, and Be. Peake was heartily and unanimously elected, an .appointment that 1611 undoubtedly give the "Review" " a great position in the churches. Hey. Joseph Ititson was warmly thanked for his peat services in producing the July issue. The following were received as members on trial T. W. Bevan, F. E. Blake, G. W. Brenthead, W. Burkitt, John Cawley, S. S. Coulson, S. Davis, W. C. H. Fell, W. Fisher, H. Fox, H. J. Godinan, E. Goldthorpe, H. F. Greerhalgh, Thos. Hackney, A. W. Hall R. Hind, B.A., E. B. Holtby, M.A., RD., E. W. Hough, H. S. Lawson, A. Paulson, R. J. Payne, J. Pearce (2), J. R. Quine, C. H. Randall, It. Robson, P. Shaw, J. E. Storey, A. G. Tanner, F. G. Wade, S. E. Williams, A. C. 'Wright. The following were accepted as full members of the Society:—F. W. Dodds, D. Bradbury, C. E. Buck, R. W. Collin, J. W. Collingwood, J. Firth, A. Gri ffi ths, A. Haigh, W. Herrick, J. I'. Hill, H. F. Johnson, T. Ladlay, H. S. Millward, S. Roth, Cl. R. Russell, R. M. Rutter, E. Sellars, J. in, Sutcliffe, W. Tootell, A. E. H. Tucker, C. E. W It. F. lirearmouth. Proposed Financial Reorganisation. Rev. S. A. Barron, in a most lucid and comprehen- sive statement of the Society's financial position,. which had created considerable unrest among the junior ministers, referred to the difference between the Society's tables and its mo th recent experience. The starting year of the tables was 1887. Previous to that year the full term was thirty-five years, and, still earlier, thirty. Hence the annuitants then had been superannuated on a different • term and a number of them date back to the early an strenuous years of wear and tear. These things diluted the. table. as a guide to present experience. They were finding that their experience departed somewhat from that suggested by the tables. The difference operates in favour of the Society. This favourable circumstance, together with the profit found to be derived from new entrants, probably reduced the valuation from £82,866 to £60,000, calling for an annual increase of £2,100 to the income. Mr. Barron then referred to the unrest among the younger members, and said there should also be intelligent inq uiry.. Some sug-gestions he had heard of were wildly impractithole. If the compulsory rule were broken through, circum-stanoes_would compel its re-enactment. The Seiety cannot bebroken up ; the law forbids this. There was a legal procedure, which the Registrar would follow. If he were moved to an investigation he would net dissolve the Society, but raise the subscription seriously and heavily reduce the benefits. Then what of the ministers'? They are of various. ages. With a break-up and a new start, many must be excluded, or admitted on a very large subscription, fora small term, and insignificant annuity. Then what of the moral credit of the Church? The Society cannot be broken up, nor . the Fund allowed th suffer ship-leek, for the sake of about 22,000 a year. The money must be raised, and could be raised. He had been called a " pessimist," but he was not, He believed In facing facts; but after that he had faith
in God and in the people of God, who would rally to the support of the Society, when they knew all the facts. The meeting decided in view of the many reset.. tions from the District Assemblies, that the time was now opportune for glens to be taken to put the funds into such a condition as would satisfy actuarial requirements. It was further decided that a Special Committee be appointed to inquire into the condition of the Society. The following• were appointed to represent the Society on Ohio Committee:—W. Barker, S. A. Barron, J. G. Bewran, W. R. Wilkin-son, R. Harrison, J. Swindon, J. W. Jenkinson, J. E. Hammond, nartar . JP.. J. T. Barkby, G. Bennett, T. J. Gladwin, W. W. Goldstraw, A. T. Guttery, D.D. W. E. Famdale, F. W. Atkin, with W. Huffingthn ,(Treasurer) and M. Knowlson (Secretary). It was decided to ask the Conference to elect a similar nurolber of laymen to serve on the Committee. The following were appointed arbitrators to the Society —Messrs. J. iongden, C. Wain, J. Sivil, W. Windsor, B. Adonis, A. i.e., and S. J. E. Hartley.. The Committees of Management,. was appointed as follows —The officers and. vice-officers of the Society, together with J. Johnson, M. I'. Davison, W. Its Wilkinson, J. T. Barkby, J. G. Bowr., W. Curry, C. Armitage, E. Ball, R. W. B. Whiteway, H. J. Taylor, J. W. Clifford, M.A., and J. Dodd. Hearty thanks were teethed to the officers of the meeting.
MAYORAL GREETINGS AT GRIMSBY. At the Civic Reception in the Town Hall on Tues-day afternoon, June 10th, a large and distinguished gathering of delegates, hosts and hostesses assembled for the reception of the Mayor and Mayoress (Alderman and Mrs. F. Moss). Whilst the refresh-ments were being served an orchestral band rendered popular airs, the playing of "Roses of Picardy" giving special delight to the audience. Mr. C. K. Watkinson, J.P., Chairman of the Local Arrangements Committee, expressed his pleasure in introducing the Mayor and Mayoress as their host and hostess on that occasion. He reg retted that Rev. R. W. Keightley, who had been appointed to perform that duty, was unable to be present, as his health would not permit of his sub jecting himself to the strain of that influential gathering. The Mayor and Mayoress were both of Primitive Methodist stock and tradition. His first acquaintance with the Mayor
was as a teacher in the old Bethel Sunday-school. He remembered what good times they had together in those days at the school treats. He wos glad to inform the delegates that there was no Free Church in Grimsby that had exercised a more helpful influ-ence on the civic life of the town. Their Church had provided the best of Mayors, Aldermen and Coun-cillors. The general influence of their Church had always been on the side of righteousness, purity and 1:Urtni.leity l!lelichlnldihhe'pwaYtelriethalanilictrireTnatrt-teristic of Primitive Methodism. He was sure they would receive the Mayer and Mayoress with great heartiness. (Applause.) The Mayor said it was quite true, after all the dissimulatione hie friend Mr. Watkinson had in-dulged in, that he was a Primitive Methodist boy. They were attending the Centenary Conference, and he could date back more than half of that period. He had learnt many a useful lesson which had been beneficial right through his life. He remembered the last Conference et Hairston-street. Rev. Robert Harrison vote responsible for uniting him to his wife, and it was the best day's work he had ever done in his life. He was delighted to have had the of meeting them in that way. He hoped it ad met with their qpproval, and if it had he was perfectly satiefied and gratified. Rev. W. A. Hammond, retiring President, said they were very grateful for the kindly words that had been spoken by the Mayor, and they treasured the personal experiences and aseociations of the Mayor and Mayoress with their Church. He some-times wondered what the condition of things would have been could they have retained all their sons and daughters. They would be extremely rich, and would rejoice with exceeding great joy. But although all did not remain with them, they still carried with them the influence of their early days to inspire and cheer and encourage them. The Mayor had not for-gotten the share of their Church in eloping his publio threer. They trusted he would always have kindly feelinge for the Church with which they had such close associations. Reference had been made to the early days of their Church in the town, when the first missionaries took up their stand with a wheel-barrow as a pulpit. That was very primitive indeed. Since that day the town had grown, and their Church had grown—splendidly grown—in the number of its
THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST LEADER. 329 JUNE 12; 1919 .
By a happy coincidence the centenary annual Con- ference is brang held in the town in which Primitive Methodism first entered a hundred years ago. This is also the fourth Conference held in Grimsby. The proceedings commenced at nine o'clock on Wednes- day, June 11th, in the Ebenezer Church, the retiring President, Rev. W. A. Hammond, being in the chair. " Jesus, tha very thought of Thee" having been sung, and the fourth chapter of Epheeians read, prayer was offered by Rev. J. G. Bowran and Mr. J. Long- staff. After the singing of "Praise to the Holiest in the heights," the delegate. were received and the Conference officially constituted.- A letter of sym- pathy was sent to Rev. R. W. Keightley, who was too unwell to attend, also to the Financial Secretary, Rev. J. Ifayles, who was in ill-health.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT.
The election of officers followed. Rev. Jas. Watkin, who had been designated by the previous Confer- ence, was elected President amidst great enthusiasm. In acknowledging the honour, Mr. Watkin mid: Fathers and Brethren,—I desire in the most grateful manner to acknowledge the very great distinction you
'have conferred upon me. I am may pleased indeed to have to succeed . highly honoured a minister in the Connexion and so greatly beloved a friend of all our people as my good friend Mr, Hammond. If I succeed in fulfilling the position with even a modicum of the distinction that hoe marked Mr. Hammond's presidency, I shall be grateful to God. I cannot tell you how plmsed I am to represent that great body of circuit ministers, large numbers of whom fulfil their duties without any adequate recognition "Co' the part off the Connexion. I am de- lighted to think that every young Primitive Methodist minister eels out upon his probation with his presi- dential address in his portmanteau. (Laughter.) If any such ever despaoed, I hope the depreesing thought will pees when you remember that James Watkin got it ; and if James Watkin got it, surely there's a chance for no. I most ask the Conference to extend to me the favour the Speaker of the Hou. of Commons asks from that distmguiehed Assembly. I cannot pretend to be as active and strong as I was alter five-and-forty years of strenuous service in the Church. I hope that you in your kindness and charity excuse any shortcomings on my part. .
ELECTION OF VICE-PRESIDENT.
Alderman Harvey Robinson, J.P., havino also been designated by last Conference, was heartily elected Vice-President.. Mr. Robinson, in acknowledging his appointment, said he approached' the honour bestowed upon him, which .was no more theirs and his than the Church to which he belonged and which he loved. He spoke of the joy that appointment was giving at that moment to hie mother, reaching the and of a long and saintly life in a little cottage seventy miles away. He contrasted that Beene with a scene over thirty years ego, when he as a youth stood at the penitent form. It wae the effectivenma of that conversion that had made his position pos- sible that morning. He hoped to maintain the high and noble traditions of that great office, and that it would not suffer in his hands, and at the end of the year he hoped to give a good account of his stewardship.
ELECTION OF SECRETARY.
Rev. Joseph Johnson, in nominating Rev. W. T. Clark Hallam, said that ten years ago the Southport Conference appointed him its Secretary, hence he was familiar with the work and knew the kind of man necessary. Mr. Hallam was not afraid of work. They wanted a man made for work, and Mr. Hallam, if elected, would undertake the duties with the deter- mination to do it thoroughly. He began his ministry in London twenty-nine years ago. He did not belong to London, but had been in London . long that they claimed him as part of London. Born in the North of England, he brought to London the grace, grit and gumption that belonged to the North. Where
• Mr. Hallam had laboured the work of God had pros- pered. He always left his circuits in a better con. ditipp than he found them. He did not live on his Church, but for it. He had been successful not only in reducing chapel debts, but also in the converting work. He attended the early morning prayer-mmt- ings. Such a man was worthy of appreciation and encouragement. The adopted.son of the late John Hallam, the benefit of that training was evident in his life and character. They would he quite able to read his writing. (Laughter.)
Rev. J. Marcus Brown nominated Rev. J. W. Chappell, and sold they would want a record of this hundredth Conference, the Missionary Confer- ence, that could be read in the ages to come. Mr.
Chappell wrote a very beautiful hand. He had had considerable experience in secretarial work. A few years ago he was nominated for this position by the NorthBritish astrict. He had been twenty-nine years in ministerial work. Wherever Mr. Chappell had laboured he had laboured for the good and pros- perity of their great Church. In Hull, Nelson, Mother- well, and now in London his magnificent work we still in evidence. Ill his present station he had given them a beautiful evidence of Methodist union. Yet he was intensely loyal to his own Church. He made hosts of friends everywhere. He was in the glory of his manhood, and would bring great gifts and graces to the work.
Rev. F. K Thistlethwaite was nominated by Mr. Joseph Higgins, Shrewsbury District. He said that unfortunately he lacked the elocutionary powers of those who had spoken, but there were excellent quali- ties in connection with his candidate—a splendid record and considerable experience of secretarial work. Die writing was good, clear and legible. Painstaking and methodical, he revelled in detail. Could the brethren have seen the way he conducted their Synod's business, they would readily vote for him. He pleaded for their verdict.
Rev. Wilson Excles was nominated by Mr. T. I.. Gerrard as a man who could do the work and could do it well. He spoke without, reserve. Ile (Mr. Eccles) had been superintendent of his circuit. There were never larger congregations than during his ministry. His early Sunday morning teacher train- Mg class was still spoken of enthusiastically. African miesionary revenue went up by leaps and bounds. Their Church's medical missionary, because a local pmacher during Mr. Eccles' ministry with them. Ito was a good penman, with a spelndid mind—an ideal candidate.
The following appointments were made by the Con- ference:—Sheet Secretaries, Revs. W. Duffield and IV. E. Goodreid ; Float Secretaries, Revs. G. E. Rudram and R. A Barrett ; to prepare correct lists of committees, Revs. J. It. Boon and T. A. Killey ; Registrars, Revs. G. C. Normandale and W. Carr ; Precentor, Mr. W. Heslop ; Readers, Revs. H. J. Taylor, S. Horton, and Councillor A. Shaw. The Conferential Committees, as read by General Com- mittee Secretary were appointed. Scrutineers, W. Barker, A. Oates, J. Gray,
, H. Bowyer, J. Skinner,
J. W. Ladlay and J. W. Naisbett. Lettere of sympathy were sent to the following :—
Alderman A. Adams, J.P., Mr. J. G. Hall, J.P., members of the deed poll who were absent owing to affliction ; Bev. S. S. Henshave, who was in a pre- carious condition ; Alderman Mark and Mrs. Har- rison, in their affliction ; Rev. S. F. Clulow, in his illness. A letter of condolence was forwarded to the widow of the late Alderman A. Peel, J.P. Rev. Thom. Jackson was heartily congratulated on his splendid achievement in connection with opening at the second Home of Rest at Southend-on-Sea. .
A HEAVY MINISTERIAL, DEATH-R0.-L.
The following ministers have died during the year:—G. P. Clarke, N. Jefferson, J. Pickett, J. IlitripeaatZlec;„ B. Parsons, II, jEg.htiCeayil,
Johnson, J. T. Horne, G. T. Lovat, J. D. Jackson, IV. Wardle, E. -Newsome, J. Taylor, T. Bennett, T. R. Holtby, J. Hodgson, G. Edwards, H. Oliver, J. S. Stanwell, J. J. Apling, I. S. Lightfoot, J. Day Thompson, C. R. Dalton. E. Clarke, E. A. Taylor, H. B. Kendall, NV. Wright, C. T. Coulbeck, and F. C. France. The following resolution was submitted and feelingly carried The death-roll of ministers this year is the largest on record ; 34 of our brethren have during the past year finished their course, ten of the number being on the active list and fully engaged in the service. Most of these brethren had reached a ripe old age, but some of the number were cut all just as they were entering what promised to be a brilliant career. The roll is not only remark. able for its length, but for its composition ; it con- tains some of the most eminent monies in the ranks of our ministry. To lose in one year such men as Bickeretaffe Kendall, James Pickett, Joseph Years- ley, James Doda Jackson and John Day Thompson would have been a heavy blow to any Church. These men have for many years been outstanding figures in our Church life, and their counsel and their leadership are sorely missed.
RESULT OF BALLOT FOR SECRETARY. The Scrutineers announced that Rev. Wilson Eccles
had been elected Secretary of Conference, who in reply said he was the most aetonished Primitive Methodist in the land. Revs. W. C. T. Hallam and F.
• Thistlethwaite were appointed Assistant Secretaries.
THE ALL-METHODIST RALLY.
Great Meeting at Surrey Chapel.
AS a part of the British National Christian Endeavour Convention held in London during the Whit week-end :Methodists of each shade rallied in bulk at Surrey Chapel, on Tuesday, al 3 o'clock. It was a ninny audience on a tunny day and a bright meeting from end to end, with suggestive speaking, thoughtful listening and vital singing. Rev. Luke Wiseman (Wesleyan) presided, and set the Whitsun- tide spiritual winds blowing. Delightfully he rambled among the historical and biographical lore of early Methodism, lifting the curtain from before homely scenes among the Wesleys and their discerning mother, and Brother Bray, showing out of what per- sonal changes of heart all Methodism sprang. What a thing it has become! It stands ler the liberty of prophecy. With emphasis Mr. Wiseman drove ho:ne the truths about the tremendous potential power of the Holy Spirit. Now is the opportune time for Methodism itself to be refilled, and to refill England with. freshening spiritual power.
"The Social Message of Methodism" was the subject set for treatment by Rev. Raymond Taunton (Primitive 3lethodist). He co-related work upon the individual heart with legislation which may itself have a cultural effect for good upon the community. The Christian standard was the only standard Methodism could have by which to measure both men and legislation. Methodism could make prime ministers and parliaments it it so 'wished, by begin. ning soon enough ; it could make editors, too, from among its boys. If only all men of far-reaching influence were Christian! The great stumbling-block was the indifference of a large section of the middle class to human progress. But the nett generation could be trained in eitiaenship ; the children of the slums should also be liberated. All necessary social reform would not cost a tithe of what the war had cost. Alen and women should be given easy access to the simple, healthy, essential things of mother earth —light, air and the uplifting comradeship of nature; access also to knowledge ; and, most of all, access to God. It was necessary to rediscover the real Jesus Christ; out of that discovery would come the social sense without which no social order could stand. The atidience warmed to the theme, and obviously had reforming enthusiasm in its heart.
Rev. James Ellis, representing the United Methodist Church, was awakeningly unconventional in his handling of "The Spiritual -Message of Methodism." His address sharpened spiritual insight. The thing was, not to be lost in the aloof type of mysticism, but to be able to express the com- monest things of life in spiritual tonna. Our process of thought must he from the known to the unknown. It was necessary to know men, even in order to know God. The Incarnation had fuller significance than we knew. We had to learn to live with God where God does not usually live; to walk with God in ungodly places ; to find God's point of view. What sort of book would Ho write about Tommy Atkins? Man touched all things and marred to many of them —maned the days of the week ; marred even child-- hood. God touched all things for goal ; He saw all spiritually. Could we learn to express a factory, a holiday crowd, a tradesman with his cart—any can; mon piece of life—in spiritual terms? We could start anywhere to find spiritual potency. The address flashed out wit and originality at every point, and also left permanent light to shine upon the ways or our future thought. With words of thanks and the music of a hymn the meeting closed, and a large party passed dozen to the prepared tea and the friendly talk that flows with it. The rally was a success. There was pleasure in meeting C.E.members from a distance, including prominent ones like Revs. Ceo. Fawcett and C. Humble, and also Methodists not called Primitive. The Union is growing fast, and any reference to it is greeted with applause and the sudden " Hear, hear! "
Death of Ex-Lord Mayor Peel. Alderman Abram Peel, an ex-Lord Mayor of Brad-
ford, passed away suddenly on Monday morning, June 9th. Alderman Peel was widely known through. out the Church and was universally esteemed. In the city of Bradford he wielded great influence, and was intimate with every phase of civic life. He was a devoted official of the Bradford Fifth Circuit, and an ardent Sunday.school worker at Dudley Hill Church. In connection with his family he was fore- most in all religious enterprises and rendered invalay able service. The late Alderman commenced work in a factory at seven 'years of age. Subeequently he entered upon a business career, and through sheer gift and industry built np an extensive connection as a wool-comber and dyer. ' In his decease die Church has been bereft of one of its moat devoted and loyal officials.
THE CENTENARY CONFERENCE. THE ONE HUNDREDTH CONFERENCE OF THE
PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.
CHAPTER IX.
fled Dont'. Method with the Methodist.. The Herders' Inn is a lonely moorland tavern, a
few miles beyond Haworth, on the Lancashire side of the line of stoups that mark the bound.y between the two counties. It must be one of the bleakest places of entertainment in the British Isles. I passed it again last summer, when my son-in-law drove me round the old boon., and I thought it looked more solitary than ever. There were other hauses in sight, but no other house near. Stretching away to the right was a spacious sweep of billowy moor. Looking Straight ahead people with n good Nion could catch a glimpse of the distant summit of Poodle Hill. Even ray old eyes could just dieeern the haze of smoke that rose from the chimneys of Colon. Boulsworth Hill towered close at hand in what Dr. Johnson would have called its "barren protuberance," but in what lovegs of mountain beauty would call its rugged grandeur. In the valley beneath nestled the quaint little village of Wyecoller, with its blood-stained traditions of Wr.ffter Hall. It was to Wy.oLler father and I had been when we called on the return journey at the Herders' Inn, and heard a conversation which gave form and pressure to my father's vague, unreasoning mal.olonce towards the Methodists, and left on my youthful mind on impr.sion, which was not effaced for years, that Methodist followers were crazy mountebanks, while Methodist leaders were
- something worse. We found the tsp.-mom in posse.ion of Red Dont
and a parson tfrom Colne. If the Col. parson pro- beamed to follow Grimshaw's old rule of keeping sober in his own parish he would find the Herders' Rua con- veniently situated. Though within easy reach of Cola., it would etand,, if not outside the pariah, at the extreme edge of it, and well away from the bulk of the folk. Red Dont, too, was au tside his own parish. His wife was away over the border, and there was no tear of her crossing the three or four miles df inter- vening moorland to clout him home. At this safe dis- tance from his wife's arm and tongue he could breathe more freely, and was evidently enjoying hie crack with a Lancashire parson on free and equal terms.
They must have been discussing Grimshaw, for I heard the parson remark as we entered :
"Is it the same Grimshaw that was at Tod. morden?"
"Aye, he came free Tormoden to Haworth" "When he was at Todmorden he was said to be
very little better than a Methodist." "Aye, and that tale got out at Haworth, and Grim-
show said it were an offald, ill-minded slander, and if he could get to know who started it he'd have the law on 'mad He said he'd no more idea o' being a Methody than ha had o' being a Morehammered 'on."
That was how Red Dont pronounced it, but I think Grimshaw must have said Mohammedan.
"Well ho was strongly suspected of Methodist ten- dencies, though a Todmorden leech told me they hardly knew whether it was Methodism or madness that he'd got. So they compromised by calling it Grimshaw's Mothody madness. I told him they ought to diagnose better. They ought to make up their minds whether it was one or the other. If at were madam. be was much to be pitied, if it were Methodism he was greedy to blame. If Ile were simply demented he should be .red for, but if he had taken up with Methodism he ihotuld be shot."
"But surely you wouldn't shoot a man for being a Methodist?"
"A clerygman I would. For a clergy-man who parley's with alethodism is as bad as the military commander who betrays his troops to the enemy, and should be treated in the same way-. He wants to be court-martialled and shot. Nor would I be so soft with the rank and file as the Government is. The Government seem willing to put up with anything
for a quiet life and an easy one. I asked one politi- cian why the Government did not lake stronger measures ;against the Methodists.
He put can off by saying, " What would be the use? Persecution would only make them snore popular. They would ;thrive on it. The Methodists are like tops, the more yon whip them the better they spin."
But they would not spin much after they had swung at the end of a rope, would they?" I asked him. He said the Ring would never allow that, as Hie [Majesty was very determined that none of his sub- jects should suffer on account of their religion. It is
a thousand pities float His Majesty is so overseen in the Methodists. He won't make friends of hie enemies by making enemies of his friends. He may
find he has nursed a viper in his bosom that will sting him. 'Mark my words, the French will land litre one of the. days when the country is in the midst of rebellion, and the Methodists will be the cause of it. For it isroy belief that they are in the pay of the Pretender and Jacobites biding their time. The mother of the two Wesleys, who are the ring. leaders in the conspiracy, was a malignant Jacobite, and the sons take after her. That is why one stands amazed at the Govenrment's partiality towards the Methodists. When they have let them ruin trade, and stir up rebellion, and sell us all to the French, it will be toe late for strong measures then. The .mischief will be done."
"Yo semtohevarry1:hoile(bittelIte) „d;temmzoles 4,iverbatetir ,,
at yo?" They have done nothing to me personally, and
they had, better not try. No one injures me with impunity. I am against them because they are against good government, and flourishing trade, and against the decent diversions and innocent amuse- ments of life. They think it wicked to go to a pas- time and, do you know, they would, if they could, send us all to perdition for drinking this drop of good ale. What do you think of that?"
" Aw mak nowt on 'em," said Dont with emphasis. "I thought yon would not when I told you that ;
neither do I. So we will call for more liquor and drink fresh confusion to the ranting 'Methodists if this goodme.n here will join us."
"Thank you kindly," said father, while Red Dont wished all parsons were like him.
"Do you know what I would like to do? " .aid tho clergyman as the ale was brought in. would like to get op a band of sturdy fellows who would range the countryside, breaking up these Methodist meet- ings, pulling down their conrenticles, and stopping the mouth. of their cabling windbags. For if the Government will not art the people should take it into their awn hands, as in some places they have done. In the Wesleys' own parish in Lincolnshire the people Bet his father's house on fire and nearly burned his children in their beds."
"Then aw don't agree wi"em," put in Red Dont ; "aw wouldn't be again pawning a plaguey parson miser, but aw mak nowt o' takking it out o hits o' childer."
The clergyman SOW he had made a bad shot and hastened to recall it.
"Perhaps it was not the people at all. Some say that the father did it himself to excite sympathy and obtain help. He was an artful old fox, up to all manner of tricks."
"But wheear did these Methodies came from?" asked Dont, " and -what set ern agate?"
"You mean what started them. Well, the ring- leaders were John and Charles Wesley, who belonged to that old fox I hare just told you about, and another called George Whiteficld." ,
He then went on to tell us some things about the on of Methodism we had already heard from Ted o' Tormoden. The tyro versions differed somewhat, for ill-tongued rumour .will seldom tell her story twice alike. Ted's informant had charged White- field with nothing worse than being a demented enthusiast, whose madness was catching. According to the Colne parson he had practically left Gloucester as a fugitive from justice. alter an appalling care. of youthful crime. Even now, despite his great pro- fessions of sanctity. he WAS a shameless consort of criminals, and a shameless embezzler of charitable funds. We had understood that John Wesley's father was a poverty-stricken clergyman, who could scarce make ends meet.. Now we are told that he
cue of the best livings in Lincolnshire .d a stipend of £2,000 a y.r.
" And don't you think," inquired the parson, " that a man who is getting two thousand_ to year ought to be able to manage, men though Its has a big family."
Dont wished someone would matte bit try to manage on two hundred; wh!le my father wondered " howiver they could fadnon to Ink all that brass off poor, h.ined, hard-worked farmers." For it was my father's view that farmers kept the parsons, and, indeed, everyone else.
" And yet," resumed the clerusuan, " John W.ley's father could not make his own fit him. He was always cadging and borrowing from his friends, getting locked up in ancoln Oastle for not paying his debts, and even clamming his wife and bairns. His bishop got no sick of hearing about Mrs. Wesley detaining that he wrole and asked her plainly if she had ever wanted bread. She replied that She had
never been without bread, but it had been such a worry to get it, and to get the money to pay for it when she had not it, that she might aa well have been without. What do you think of a man keeping his wife so short as that?" ,
"Shameful," cried Red Dont, who tired chie0y on his wife's and daughter's earnings.
Shameful,' echoed any father, who had the name for being meaner with his women folk than any man in Haworth.
"And now, supposing I could get up a company to wage war against the Methodists, would you two brave fellows join me? "
There was no response, for neither of them were fighting men.
" I would not be so much against the. Metho- dists," went on the parson, "if they would come out in their true colours, if they would call themselves Papists, as they are Papists. By calling themselves Methodists, and .masquerading as evangelists, they get round the penal statutes. And yet, what are they but Jesuits in disguise? What abominations were ever practised by the Jesuits that .e not in vogue among the Methodist.? People reproach the Jesuits for giving absolution for the foulest echoes. The guiltiest gallows-wrebah that has to swing for it can get a Methodist to come and pretend to pray him into heaven. They teach that if a roan rote, forges or murders, and then repeats at,the last minute, he has to better chance of getting to heaven *an if 1.e paid his way and led an honest life, And'did you ever hear of the Methodist class-meeting?"
Neither of them could say they had. "Well, the Methodist class-meeting to a Papist
confessional, only worse. For in the confessional you only confess to a priest, who is sworn to secrecy, but in a doss-meeting you have to confess your sins and your affairs to a great company. Fancy a wife having to tell all about her husband to a. roomful of people! Or f.cy a servant haring to di.lose her master's onto ts to a mixed company that will delight to blab them all over the place. How would either of you like that?"
" Why," said dad, vehemently, "if aw thought onnybody belonging to roe were telling any business to to lot o' ranting Methodies, aw should be mad enough to shooit 'em."
"Quite right, sir," gleefully asechted the preacher "People who go to Methodist class-meetings ought to be shot."
"Nay, nay," protested Red Dont, ."no adtooiting, Nat. Thou knows they hang 'ern for shooiting.- Send 'ern to t'madhouee, aw say. That's t'pla. for 'am if they go wrong in their heads. That's what row'd do we t'Methodies if aw'd my way. Send ew 'em all to t'omelhou.."
It was but an idle word carelessly spoken, but it was not to be of none effect. Years later this evil ;suggestion was discovered embedded in father's doll brain, like a nail Metered in a sure place. To vary the metaphor, it was an ill seed lightly cast on fruit- ful ground. how fruitful we never found until after many. many days.
End of Book I. •
Pte. H. James, who is associated with Somerset- street Church, Abertillery, has been awarded the D.C.M. for conspicuous bravery at Englaize Fontaine on November 4th last. He desired to have the medal given to hint in the P.S.A., and on Sunday last the Right Hon. W. Brace, M.P., attended to confer the de.ration. Rev. W. Overton. Councillors W. Spar- ring, J. Snellgrove, and Mr. F. C. Rogers also took part in the proceedings.
Mr. James Bernard has just concluded a long engagement with the
Y. M. C. A. by whom he was retained specially to give Recitals of Shakespeare's Plays to B.M. Farces stationed in Training & other camps By these means Mr. Bernard had the honour and privilege of conveying cheer and inspira- tion to
Many thousands of Soldiers. Meanwhile he has, of necessity, been unable to visit Churches as in former years for week ends, anniversaries, &c. During the coming autumn and winter hswill be at liberty to fulfil a few such engagements. Addresa fee as °wee.—
MR. JAMES BERNARD, Stirling House, Lord Street,
Fallowfield, Manchester.
R 4 111"41.41:1Z1iLF611''
The Methody Madness of Parson Grimshaw Being Some Posthumous Papers of Sergeant-Major CROMWELL GREENWOOD, 173o-1822.
By BEN MOORE. Author of .The Quaint Hemerle. of a Moorland Hothodimet
OBJECT.
A
Great
Spiritual
and
Missionary
Revival
INAUGURATED
GRIMSBY CONFERENCE.
Please Send your Promise if you cannot attend.
Rev. J. T. BARKBY, The Mission Office, 8, Holborn Hall, LONDON, W.C.
1 920 Fund
JUNE 12, 1919 • THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST • LEADER. 331
Legal, Social and General. Questions answered by poet an receipt of Is. postal
mac> and prepaid envelope. Proceeds go to S.M.W. and 0. and Local Preachers' Funds.
All eommunicatlans for (cruiser in thitsolumn must be sent to HISTORIC. 6, Gunnersbury Avon, Eattng Common, W.
"Query" asks. whether there will be anything irregular in holding a whist drive in one of our schoolrooms if the trustees consent.—(A.) If the Schoolroom ie held upon the trusts of the Model Deed it would hardly seem in order ; moreover, the general sense of the Connexion is against such a use.
"Income Tax" asks whether a minister who • reoeil.'es pay from the Army or Navy for services as
officiating minister is entitled to the benefit of the special rate of income tax granted in respect of pay of Army or Navy pay, namely, pre-war ratee.— (A.) No, the special rates are not applicable to fees paid to ministers officiating in the place of whole- time Army and Navy chaplains.
" A. B." (Nottingham) asks a question arising under the terms of .a will.—(A.) If " A " and " B " and the annuitant concur, a sale can be effected. From the question it would appear necessary to first approach the trustees of the will.
G E. Clark" asks a question regarding an acknow- ledgment rent respecting a window overlooking the trust property.—(A.) There shmild be some agree- ment in writing on the matter, but if you are correct in your Jaets the acknowledgment rent can be claimed, 417 any rate for six years. df not paid, the owner of the window should be told that the trustee. will Of
' up a board to block out the light enjoyed by the window.
"H. B." (Crewe) states that he pays 4.. 6d. per week for his house, and the landlord states he is going to raise the rent 5d. a week, and inquires if the landlord can do so.—(A.) The landlord can only raise the rent to cover (a) the expenses of a permanent improvement or structural alteration, or (b) increase In rates. Before this can be done, however, he must give notice in writing of his intention to mcrease the rent, accompanied by a statement in case (a) of the improvement effected, or in case (6) showing particu- lars of the increased amount of rates payable on the house. When this has been done no increase is due until the expiry of four clear weeks. If the increase of rent is made for any other reason, it should not be
" S. Price " asks what are the qualifications of Deed Poll members.—The answer is contained in the Deed Poll, and the following is an extract therefrom " No person Isbell be eligible to be elected a permanent member unless he shall have previously been a mem- ber of an annual assembly or Conference of She Connexion, duly chosen to attend thereat by a District Meeting of the Connexion, and that no person shall be elected a permanent member who, during the time he shall have been a member of the said Connexion, shall have been inattentive to discipline, or occasionally irregular, or shall have promulgated doctrines con- trary to the doctrines of the Connexion, ite before set forth Neither shall any person be elected a per- manent member who, through bodily affliction, shall not be equal to.the performance of the duties of the office; and the said annual assembly or Conference shall uniformly choose that qualified person to be a permanent member who during the longest period of time shall have been a regular and approved member of the Connexion."
MARRIAGE. At Regent-street Church, Swindon, on Wednesday,
June 4th, a wedding took place between John Tremayne, youngest son of the late Rev. S. Black- show and Mrs. Blackshaw, of Doncaster, and Priscilla, eldest daughter of Rev. R. and Mrs. Hep- penstall, "Mghcliffe," Swindon. The ceremony was performed by the father of the bride, assisted by Revs. F. W. Harper and G. Harland Raw. The bridesmaid was Miss Dorothy, only sister of the bride. The bride was given away by her brother, Rev. Lionel B. W. Heppsinstall, of Sheffield. Rev. T. W. Brown, of Faringdon, performed the duties of best man, assisted by Lieut. B. Ritson, of London. A wedding breakfast was afterwards held at " High- cliffe." The presents were numerotie, including some from the V.A.D.s of the military hospital over which the bride hod had charge.
BAZAARS & SPECIAL EFFORTS.
Very successful church "Al Homes .' have been held at Eastwood View and Wellgate Church, Rotherham, to celebrate the extinction of the debt of 2429 and the raising of £1.45 for renovation and school extension at Eastwood and the reduction of the debt 'to 21,000 at Wellgato. Dr. and 'Mrs. Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. J. Haigh, Mr. and M.. R. W. Grayson served as hosts and hostesses, Rev. J. Maland and Alderman George Clarke, J.P., as chairmen. Hearty congratulations were offered to Alderman Clarke an the great work he had done in securing the success of Eastwood scheme, and a handsome copy of the Hymnal Supplement was presented to him as a ,mall token of a great gratitude. At Wellgate adoantage was taken of tho occasion to make presentations to Ali. C. .I. Morrie, who is retiring from her post as organist, and to Mrs. Ash on her remoVal to Hassle. Words of high appreciation, were spoken by Messrs. R. II. Dawson, R. W. Grayson and Rev. J. Maland. On Monday, June 2nd, a circuit meeting was held at Parkgate, over which Rev. J. Maland presided, to say farewell to Rev. F. Ash 071 the completion of four years' successful service on the circuit and removal to Hassle. The circuits steward, Mr. George Barker, presented to him, as a practical evidence of the station's regard, a wallet containing notes and caah_arnounting to £20.
Silver Wedding. The silver wedding of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Grainger,
of Gateshead, was celebrated on June 6th. 31r. Grainger is prominent in the counsels of the Sun- derland and Newcastle D:striot, and is District mis- sionary treasurer. A preacher of considerable power, he is in constant demand in the pulpits of the Dis- trict, and, in addition to being president of the flou.rishing Gateshead Brotherhood, he is president of the boast Red Triangle Cl'ab, etc. He and his good wife have during all their married life been members of Prince Consort-road Church, and Mr. Grainger was for many years secretary of the trust and steward of the Gateshead Second Circuit. Their hospitality has been unbounded, ansl in the home and the church have served generously the interests of Primitive Alethodiern. A very happy social evening was spent by some seventy or eighty guests in the Cbatsw-orth Hall, Gateshead, the interest and joy of the event being increases' by the return of their second son, Lieut. W H. Granger, demobilised after five yeans war service. The eldest son returned home s year ago, after suffering from gassing. Rev. J. S. Nightin- gale, an old and valued friend, spoke of his lengthy and happ