3 SPECIAL CONFERENC

NUMBERS

of the

"UNITED METHODIST," JULY 15th, 22nd and 29th.

Those of July 22nd and 29th will be DOUBLE NUMBERS. price 2d. each.

EACH NUMBER • SPECIALLY ILLUSTRATED.

All matters of interest to our people will be recorded, and the whole will constitute

A FULL AND COMPLETE treir" RECORD OF THE CON-

FERENCE PROCEEDINGS. The three issues can be obtained, if previously ordered, from any Newsagent for 5d., or post free for 6d., from Rev. HENRY Hooxs, 12 ' Farringdon , Avenue, London, E.C. Orders should be given at once.

United Methodist Camp Homes.

A CHALLENGE. A FRIEND PROMISES Z100 if Z.1,900 is raised by the close

of. Conference, 1915.

— Amount Required £1,900 Amount Received to July 10th 1,410

NEEDED by July 20th £490

VVHO WILL HELP US TO REACH OUR GOAL

Rev. HENRY SMITH, secretary, 25 Bolingbroke Grovse, Wandsworth Common, S.W.

[For details see p. 331.]

WESTHILL TRAINING - INSTITUTE. RESIDENTIAL HOME.

Special Training for Leaders in the Modern Sunday School. LECTURES AND PRACTICAL WORK.

STUDENTS PREPARED FOR THE NATIONAL FROEBEL UNION EXAMINATIONS.

Details from GEORGE HAMILTON ARCHIBALD, Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak, or Rev. S. C. CHALLENGER, 324 Mansfield Road, Nottingham.

NATIONAL

CHILDREN'S HOME (Pounded by Dr. StePhenson.)

CHIEF OFFICE : 1041122 CITY ROAD, E.C. Principal : Rev. W. HODSON SMITH.

HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED , For the Maintenance of our 2,300

Children in our Fifteen Branches. W. HODSON SMITH.

Remittances should be sent to the Rev. Andrew Crombie, 122 East Dulwich Grove, London, S.E.

Cheques crossed 'London City and Midland Bank."

PRINCIPAL CONTENTS.

Are Figures Infallible? By Harry Kellett ... United Methodism in Exeter Things that are being Said ... United Methodist Table Talk ... ••• Chaplaincies and Camp Homes Fund. By Henry Smith ..• My First Communion Service. By W. Field, C.F. ••• In a Clearing Hospital. , By H. D. Allen, C.F. ... ..• My Experiences at the Front. By R. H. Wooldridge, C.F. ••• With the 2nd Line Northumbrian Division.

By J. Penry Davey, C.F. ... Onr Hut at Bramshott... Why Are We Protestants? (C.E. Topic).

By T. A. Jefferies, F.L.S. 'Death of Rev. J. Swann Withington United Methodist Conference, Exeter, 1915 Our New President.—Rev. John Britton Stedeford. By G . C. Our President as a Preacher. By Hamilton Crothers The Conference Missionary Effort. By C. Stedeford Notes by the Way ... ..• Men Mighty Through God. The President's Address to

Conference .,. • ... For Our Teachers. By R. C. Urivin, B.A., B.D. For Our Boys and Girls.—A Magician's Fairy Child.

By H. J.11. ... News of Our Chuiches •..

•••

Are Figures Infallible ? THE question answers itself—in the negative.

Yet year by year they become a kind of barometer —if our numbers are increased, our joy abounds : if there is a decrease, we put on sackcloth. A recent article in "The Unpopular Review " is worth noting :

- "Statistics are a most valuable and indispensable instrument in the study of social questions. Many truths can be arrived at only by their use. But, like many keen and efficient tools, they are most dangerous in the hands of unskilled, unscrupulous, or reckless manipulators. . . . A statistical table is not, in itself, a demonstration of a truth. Nor; on the other hand, is nothing true which cannot be proved by statistics. Statistics' are good. But they must not be allowed to take the place of logic, observation, and common sense. And the greatest of these is common sense."

Numbers and Their Contents. The Twelve once suffered • a Sad decrease—but

were they the weaker for the outgoing of Judas Iscariot? The Pentecostal Church grew with ■. amazing rapidity, but was it really stronger through the fact that • it included Ananias and Sapphira? All this is commonplace, for common-sense is usually commonplace—but we overlook it in our thinking. Counting Christians is a difficult task. Some time ago the problem of Methodist over-lapping was discussed in a certain town. The fact was admitted, the only question being which chapel ought to be closed. One man was quite equal to the occasion—the short-sighted man usually is. He had stood outside one, of the chapels—not his own, of course—on several occasions, and counted the people as they came out, and as the numbers were only —, the building should be closed. Using numbers as the test, perhaps he was right. But suppose the carefully-counted remnant had just seen God in that building, and gazed' upon His glory, until the place was, to them none other than the House of God—the Palace: Beautiful, what then of the numerical argument ?- How would it appeal to them ? The only man capable of counting the members of a Church is one of vision so intense and clear that he would never dream of doing it. Men, however, do exist who would have stood outside the Upper Room and counted the Band as they emerged. Imagine such a one—the Supper is over, the door opens, and the Iscariot emerges, and our friend counts—" one " ; then Jesus comes forth, and we hear—"two." That is quite enough. For if Judas is to be the unit, surely we cannot count. Jesus, " two," as though the two were equal ; and if Jesus is the unit, we cannot count Judas even "one." The fact is that numbers are empty forms, everything depends upon that which they are made to contain. The number 120 indicates so, many perplexed, fearing, powerless, desolated

THE UNITED METHODIST, THURSDAY, JULY 15th, 1915.

OUR CONFERENCE NUMBERS. No. 1. THE

THE WEEKLY JOURNAL OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. With which is incorporated the "Free Methodist." founded 1886.

No. 398.. NEW SERIES. [oiD°Zlisl THURSDAY, JULY 15,. 1915. [Registered at the General SIXTEEN PAGES. Post Office as a Newspaper.] ONE PENNY.

men ; it also indicates so many God-illumined, God-loving and man-loving men, fearless, certain, resolute, conquering. Only bad counting can leave us pessimists. We must face the figures with in-sight—that will, we judge, make us into true optimists. The optimist does not die of fright because he sees a falling barometer.

"The optimist fell ten stories And at each window bar,

He shouted to his friends : All right so far.' "

Intensifying the Units. Numbers may be falsified in many ways. One is

by intensifying the units. The U.M. Church reports a decrease, but, as a part of •that Church, I, personally, report an increase. I am more vitally

337 a Christian than I was a year ago. The war and its causes have something to do with that. I have been compelled to review all my articles of belief. They have been tested by fire. Beliefs have passed into convictions, and convictions have been intensi-fied. I have less faith in "Civilization "—German, or otherwise. It needs saving from itself, and only the spirit of Jesus can do it. I see clearly how fatal it is for man or nation habitually to think wrong thoughts, and cherish- false ideals—that way lies the madness of strife, and only the " mind of Christ " and His selfless ideals can save the world from its present insanity. The issue between Might and Right, rulership and service, getting and giving, breaking the bodies of others, and being broken for others, has been raised in such a form that I could not evade it, and my choice is vitally with the latter. More clearly do I see that the seat of ambition is the "Siege Perilous, Perilous for good and ill," and that only one ambitious to be the ser-vant of all ought to assail it. Looking into a world' red with war' I see, that Jesus alone can save the world. His love is the world's direst need. Hence to take the Sacrament is a new thing. I take the " sacramentum," and mean no less in my oath of loyalty to my King than the soldier to-day does as he •takes his oath. To talk with Christians is to discover how extensively this changed outlook obtains. The Christian is more certain of himself and his mission than he was a year ago. The Church is stronger, intenser, more vitally alive, whatever figures may affirm. Once we grasp that, we join hands with Gideon and Cromwell, and move on to victory.

Strength by Unity. Figures are falsified, too, by cohesion. 3 x 1=3,

that is beyond controversy. It is equally true, how-ever, that three pieces of stick bound together require a greater power to break them than the same pieces not so united. There is a resistance, a strength, arising from cohesion. Unity is strength. Numbers without unity mean little. The army that loses its coherence degenerates into a mob, and is mastered by any coherent force, or even by its own panic fears. It is an open question whether we have got the best out of Methodist Union yetthe three units may lie side by side with-out cohering. To do that they must give up them-selves in order to create the bundle. But we are now thinking rather of the strength to be gained by uniting those members who have been quickened and vitalised by the experience of 1914-5, for active service in the coming year. More will be accom- plished by such a Church, despite the decrease, than by the added' 'weight of many an increase. The new tasks lying before the Church are colossal, and must be met in the strength growing out of a true unity.

Spirit Tells. Figures are set at naught by the excellence of the

plan that is employed. What is the value of an army without a unifying thought? The plan of campaign is as essential as the army. Every Con-ference witnesses a discussion on the spiritual state

PAGE

329 330 330 331 331 331 332 332

332. 332

333 334 334 336 336 336 337

341

341 342

Things that are being Said. Sacrifice and Achie-vonent.

SacrifiCe is at the root of all achievement. Just as the vine yields richly only after much pruning, so there must

Mr. J. A. Loram, J.P., General Treasurer 'Conference CoMmittee.

comp first—in : the nation, in the Church, and in the individual—the time of crisis; of suffering,- of Struggle, and afterwards the joy of harvest.e-DR. R. F. HORTON.

The Threefold Cord. The ideals of freedom, humanity, and civilizatiOn are

committed •to our care. Let us uphold them by noble idealism, by cheerful service, and by unremitting sacri-fice. This threefold cord will not be broken.—The "Methodist Times.".

Doing Ourselves the Greatest Disservice. We have done many times more than was expected

of us, and we are capable of greater, efforts still. But if we smash our industries and our financial stability in the effort to send more men on the Continent, we may be doing the greatest disservice not only to ourselves, but to our Allies.—The "Christian World."

Slackening in Public Prayer. The fact that nearly everywhere in the kingdom there

has been a slackening of public and united prayer on behalf of the war is extremely significant. Is it that even Christian people are relying more upon munitions and money and men than upon God? SO long as our eyes are upon man there will come disappointments and distress.—The "Christian."

Sunday Rest and Efficiency. In the production of war munitions Sunday rest pro-

motes efficiency. A Committee of the General Federa-: tion of Trade Unions, in the interests of a maximum output of the munitions of war, strongly advised the abolition, wherever possible, of all Sunday work. EconoTic reasons are ranging themselves on the side of Sunday observance.—J. EDWARD HARLOW, in the " Methodist Recorder."

A Stigma that is Being Remond. From the first in thiS country the Sunday School has

worked in obscurity. "Not many mighty, not many noble," have been called to its ranks. It has never been able to confer social or intellectual distinction upon its supporters. All who have been closely identified with it have shared more or less in the reproach of its low rating by the educated and influential classes. • That stigma is being removed.—The "Sunday School Chronicle."

Thrown Back on Fundamental Things. Ministers generally, I think, have been thrown back

upon fundamental things. Every man in times like these is forced by the very exigencies of a total crisis in human affairs to examine his own position and to see what articles of his faith remain. Out of such an examination we shall be able to get back to the sources of our spiritual strength, and learn afresh the profound yet simple secrets of our life in God.—DR. JowErr.

Mr. E. Bradley, General Secretary Conference Committee.

880 THE UNITED METHODIST. July Jo, 1915.

of the Churches. These occasions are rich in fine speeches, and afford some "thrills," and we go away feeling that we have had a good time. But the speeches and the emotion are quite secondary to the evolution of a plan of action. Most of these dis-cussions die without giving birth to anything definite. How does the United Methodist Church. mean to use her numbers during the coming year ? What evils does she intend to assail? What truths does she mean to enunciate and incarnate ? What specific service does she intend to render to this new age? We must remember that

EXONIANS are exceednigly proud of their city and its history. It has been said, "Happy is the people which has no history," but this cannot hold when the past is crowded with heroic and faithful service. The annals

Rev. D. J. Rounsefell, Chairman of the Local General Conference Committee.

show how great a part the city has played in move-ments which have gone to make the nation. Few cities have stood more sieges. • Centuries before Harold was defeated at Hastings, Exeter was an important settlement of the Britons. The present city dates from Athelstan, who drove out the Britons, and then defended his pos-session by extensive walls and fortifications. The city was granted its motto, "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faith-ful) by Queen Elizabeth in 1564. It was a mark of Royal favour following the heavy siege • under Edward. VI., in whiCh the citizens remained faithful to their king and their Protestant faith.

Exeter has the oldest established Guildhall in the country. Its mayoralty is said to be the most an-cient on record, and dates from 1206. Before that there was a portreeve performing his duties at the Guildhall.

The Cathedral—a noble pile—has stood for nearly a ;thousand years at the very centre of the city's increasingly busy life. Ruskin speaks of its towers as "the cliff-like masonry of these massive and dour sen-tinels that keep watch and ward over the more graceful fabric nestling at their feet." In the 'ancient manner Curfew rings each night at eight o'clock and after an interval the strokes of the bell indicate the day of the month. The interior of the building is massive and har-monious. At the time of the Commonwealth the Cathedral was divided in two to accommodate two sets of worshippers, the Presbyterians occupying the choir and the Independents the nave.

Northernhay is a well-wooded and beautifully laid out park and with the Rougemont Castle grounds will be a favourite resort of visitors to Conference.

The First B.C. Church. The work of our own churches within the city, as well

as the neighbourhood, is full of interest. The earliest record to be found of Bible Christian work in Exeter is in an old circuit book, dated 1823. It gives an account of the Christmas quarterly meeting of that year. There were then nine full members in the city, with seven on trial. The circuit. stretched for nearly thirty miles and touched what are now known as the Tiverton, the Chag-ford and the Hatherleigh Circuits.

By September, 1840, the mother church had a mem-bership of thirty. Seventeen years work with an increase of twenty-one in fellowship. During most of this time the little church had met in Musgrave's Alley, off th main street. The building in which the services were held has been destroyed. The next ten years showed greater results, and the church had grown to eighty members. The necessity was felt for larger premises. a chapel had been built by Sir Alexander Campbell for the Plymouth Brethren in Northernhay Street. This had been standing empty for some considerable time. Rev. James Thorne, having come to Exeter to consult the church on their future policy, saw this building and felt it must be purchased. This was done by Con- nexional help. The cost was £1,500. It has been

"New occasions teach new duties; Time makes ancient good uncouth ;

' They must upward still, and onward, who would keep abreast of Truth."

The Church is' on trial. The , world will not be won to reverence her by any display of increasing numbers, nor be greatly impressed by their decline. But against the Church, of a certain spirit even the gates of hell cannot prevail, for to her the gates of Heaven are open and she appropriates ,Heaven's forces, and strong in their might, and luminous with their radiance, she, goes forth to do and to conquer. HARRY KELLETT.

known since as "Providence Chapel." It is a substantial structure, roomy and central. The seating arrange- ments are on the amphitheatre style.

Extensions. About thirteen years ago it was felt that the time had

come for extension. A large plot of land was pur- .

chased at Mount Pleasant—a growing suburb—and a. school hall was built. A contingent of nearly seventy members was drafted to this new church from Pro-vidence. It is generally admitted we have here one of the finest sites in the whole neighbourhood.

There are four societies in connection with this section of our work in the surrounding towns and villages. Preaching was commenced in Crediton in the year 1827 and continued for ten years, when the name ceased to appear on the, plan. It was reopened in 1857, and for some time• preaching was continued in a cottage. This was burnt down, and the little church was forced to seek a permanent home. A small chapel was built in 1860, and enlarged in. 1892. A minister now resides here and a vigorous church is at work. The village of Newton St. Cyres was visited by the evangelists of the church in 1855, and after passing through much persecution a cause was established. We have at Newton St. Cyres a striking illustration of the influence of the village churei on the life and character of a neighbourhood. Fordton is a much younger cause. The chapel was built in 1893. Good work has been done. Silverton, situated in the lovely Exe Valley, has recently been transferred to this section, and a new and beautiful sanctuary built. The whole outlook in this village is full of promise.

The Ex-U.M.F. Churches. For the United Methodist Free Church history we have

to return to the agitation of the forties. It was early in 1850 that Everett, Dunn and Griffith came to Exeter and addressed a large public meeting in what is now the "Providence Chapel." As I write there lies before me a plan, dated 1855, of the Wesleyan Reform Method-ists. On the list of preachers are the names Trehane, Barber, Blacke, Thomas, Baston; Wills, Challice. All these men were expelled from the Wesleyan Church be-cause they attended the above meeting and refused to give a promise to attend no more. A considerable seces-sion of members followed. A church was formed and rapid growth characterized the movement. The plan

shows that in five years societies had been formed in many villages and that the work had extended to New-ton Abbot, Paignton, and Brixham. The first meet-ing place was over a stable in St. Sidwell's, but very soon a removal was made to Musgrave's Alley, just left by the Bible Christians. This soon became too small, and on January 26th, 1857, a decision was reached to build a sanctuary. at Northernhay Gate. The chapel was opened for public worship on March 28th, 1858. The fifty-seven years behind this church have been full of service for many faithful stewards. Choice spirits from here have enriched the public life of the city, and not the least of them are those who are still among us.

The society at St. Thomas was founded in 1867, when

preaching was commenced in a small room belonging to. Mr. Pillar. Very soon the necessity was felt for new premises, and land was purchased in Church Road, where the present chapel and school premises stand. These were built in 1872. Extensive alterations were made in 1907, and ,now we have a very comfortable and pretty chapel, capable of seating 400 persons.

There appear to be no available records of the church at Redburn St. Mary earlier: than' '1887, but the Work is much older, for when, over forty years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Raynon arrived from Wiltshire, they found the, church exceedingly active, and at once attached them-selves to it. There is a strong and vigorous society in this village, and it forms a link with the Chagford Circuit which in the future ought to strengthen the general work in the district.

The visit of the Conference has been anticipated with great eagierness, and its influence must be felt in all our future work. United Methodism in Exeter.

AN ANCIENT AND BEAUTIFUL CITY.

Chaplaincies and Camp Homes Fund.

£86 8s. 6d. this".„,Week. UNFORTUNA'T'ELY we have not done so well this week

as last. The amount received up to 'Saturday morning was L86 Ss. 6d. We have intimations that other amounts are coming along, but unless there is a great rush within the next few days, and the members of Confer-ence help us very substantially, it looks as if we shall miss that £100 so generously offered to us. I shall be deeply sorry if we do. There are a few days yet before Conference closes. I shall be so glad if friends will send me all they can to arrive at the Conference Chapel, Exeter, by next Tuesday morn-ing's first delivery at latest. After Tuesday everything had better be sent to the address below. We have some goodly sums from churches and schools this week, headed by a generous contribution of L18 1s. from our Paradise Church, Darlington. We have reason to believe that other efforts are in process, and I hope no one will relax a single effort until we get the amount we ate ahning•at. It is the absolute minimum, and we, ought not to have a pound less.

Another Chaplain Nominated. On Friday at 1.30 p.m. there came a telegram asking,

for the nomination by two o'clock on the 'phone of a chaplain to go to the Dardanelles on Monday of this week. Happily three or four of our ministers, who have offered their services as chaplains and been approved by the Connexional Committee,' have made such arrange-Merits that they can almost instantly leave their circuits. A few minutes after two o'clock therefore a nomination was submitted to the War Office, with an alternative name in case the first brother should be hindered for any reason. By the time this paragraph is read I expect that the brother will be at the Dardanelles and com-mencing his work. The War Office does not let the grass grow under its, feet in these days.

Rev. J. .C. Sweet wishes to thank some anonymous friend or friends who have sent two draughtboards and Men for use at our Camp Home at ,Bramshatt.

TWENTY - EIGHTH LIST OF SUBSCRIPTIONS,

To First Post on Saturday, July 10th. s. d.

Last week we reported ••• ... 1323 19 10 Paradise Church, Darlington, per Rev. Geo.

Wheatley (;618 ls.). Mr. R. H. Thompson Mr. Marmaduke Mackenzie A Friend Mr. and Mrs. 1'. Belt Rev. George Wheatley Mr. James Belt

• Mr. William Cox ... Mr. Robert Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Edward Stokes Mr. James Spence Mr. Thomas Glass ... Mr. W. H. Harrison Mrs. Harrison, sen. Small sums ...

Hill Street, Newport (Mon.) Circuit, per Rev. G. Flail 'Wallis and Rev. J. T. P. Oliver (4.6 18s.).

Circuit contribution ... Retiring collection, Hill Street ... Mr. Charles White (Portland Street) Coun. and Mrs. C. J. Rich Mr. and Mrs. A. Brain ..., Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Minhinnick Coun. and Mrs. Fred Jones Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Winsor Rev. and Mrs. G. Hall Wallis Rev. J. 1'. P. Oliver Mr, William Jones ... ..• Mr. A. C. Vaisey Mr. and Mrs. S. Meyer •.• ..• Mr. George Churchill Mr: A. A. Churchill ••• Small sums ... •

Burslem, Hill Top Church, per Mr. H. E.

Bradford, Westgate, Toiler Lane Church, per Rev. W. Bowell

Mr. J. Duckworth, J.P., Rochdale Carlton , Church, Nottingham, per Mr.

John Godfrey, J.P., C.C. (4-4). 5, Young Men's Bible Class ...

Sweet Stall, per Mrs. Harrison and Lily Smith

Retiring Offertory, Bristol Road, Brighton, per Rev. J. C. Pye••• ••• •••

Isles of Scilly, per Rev. W. F. Charlton (Z'3 10s.).

St. Mary's, Retiring collection Do. subscriptions ••• •••

St. Martin's subscription Mansfield U.M. Church : Proceeds of recital,

per Rev. W. H. Proudlove U.M. Church, New Mills, per Mr. Walter C.

Tippett U.M. Stinday School, Werneth, Teachers'

Meeting, per Rev. G. Froggatt Allen • Memorial Church, Wallsend, per

Rev. H. A. Stembridge, B.A. ... Hollinwood, St. John's, per Rev. A. H.

Hulse (D. 15s.). Retiring collection ... Mr. and Mrs, C. Hickman

5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 1 1 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 2 6 0 2 6 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0

1 0 0 1 ' 3 0 1 0 0 0 10 6 0 10 6 O 10 6 0 7 6 0 5 0 O 5 0 0 5 0 0 2 6 O 2 6 0 2 6 0 2 0 O 2 0 O 9 6

6 0 0

5 12 0 5 0 0

2 10 0

1 10 ,0

3 12 6

2 0 6 0 9 6 1 0 0

2 11 0

2 5 0

2 2 0

2 2 0

1 0 0 0 .5 0

July 15, 1915. THE UNITED METHODIST. ,

331

United Methodist Table Talk.

NOTICE.—When Articles or Letters are signed with the writers' names or initials, or with pseudonyms the Editor must not necessarily be held to be in agreement with the views therein expressed or with the mode of expression. In such instances insertion only means that the matter or the point of view is considered of ,:ufficient

, interest and importance to warrant publication. The Denominational position on any subject can of course be defined only by the Conference.

* * * * The Editor's address is 188 Rye Lane,

Peckham, S.E. * * * * *

THE LATE MR. FRANK BEETESON, HANLEY. It Is with .a sense of personal loss that the Editor of

this journal chronicles the sudden death of his friend, Mr. Frank Beeteson, of Hanley. Since Christmas of last year he had been suffering from a particularly pain-ful form of heart disease. He was present at a Leaders' Meeting of the Bethesda Church and had just been speaking, when the fatal seizure came and he passed away immediately. Rev. E. F. H. Capey writes :

"It seems strange to write—the late Mr. Frank Beete-son. ' Only the other day he was with us, in physical weakness we all could, see, but gathering strength, we hoped, for many years of toil. The anticipation of serv-ing as one of the District Representatives • to the ap-proaching Exeter Conference was giving him much joy. We know how ably , he edited our magazine, and what a pleasure it was to him to exercise, his literary gifts on behalf of the church.' His last effort was for our sakes —an endeavour to find a solution of a Church difficulty. If he could have made choice of the manner of his home. going I think -he would have elected to pass along this swift and silent way."

Mr. Beeteson was a man of exceptional ability and of wide culture. He took a deep interest in Bethesda and had been associated with it all his life. Contributions from his pen have not infrequently enriched our pages. Much sympathy will be felt with Mrs. Beeteson and their son. * * .*

The well-known Canadian novelist, Ralph Connor (the Rev. Chas. W. Gordon, D.D.) is now in England. He has come over as chaplain to one of the Canadian con- tingents, and expects shortly to go to the Front.

* * * * * PERSONAL.

The Rev. Herbert Marsden is going • to Salisbury Plain on July 19th for his summer holiday to help in the Y.M.C.A. work among the soldiers.

Hill Street Church, Newport, Mon., has most readily released its minister, Rev. G. Hall Wallis, for the whole of August id. order that he may offer his services to the Government. The North-East Coast Armaments Commit-tee has accepted Mr. Wallis for the whole of the month and he is entering one of the Government works on the Tyne to help to 'deliver the goods." Mr. Wallis was engaged in shipbuilding of a skilled nature for 10 years before entering the ministry.

We rejoice to announce that Rev. W. E. Chivers, of Cardiff (Diamond Street) Circuit, has obtained the' B.A. degree of the University of Wales. Conratulations to Bro. Chivers.—ED.""U.M."

William. Thornton Lucas, M.A., F.C.S., son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lucas, of Bradford, has recently taken his Master of Arts degree at Cambridge. His parents are connected with the 'Westgate, Toiler Lane Church, and he, before becoming a scholar at Trinity Hall Col-lege, Cambridge, was associated with the old Westgate School and Church. He has for some time been second master of South Shields High School. In 191.1 he took his B.A. degree, and the following year was 'elected a Fellow of the Chemical Society.

[Congratulations.—ED., "U.M."]

* * Mrs. J. Young desires very sincerely to express her ap-

preciation of the sympathy expressed in many ways in her recent bereavement. The testimonies to the late Rev. John Young's usefulness will be a rich treasure. The number, of letters is so large that it is quite impos-sible for her to acknowledge them personally, and she asks her many friends to accept this statement of her gratitude. * * THE UNITED METHODIST ROLL OF HONOUR.

Our Sunday School at Heywood Street, Bury, has had to sustain another shock. Private John Goldsby has died of .wounds received in the conflict in the Dar-danelles. Also Private Levi Watts has been seriously wounded. Both were scholars in the school.

The sad news has reached Louth that Signaller. Horace T. Saunderson, elder son of Mr. John Saunderson, was killed by shell fire while repairing a telephone wire con-nected with his trench. Horace Saunderson was a scholar of the Louth British . School, but obtained a scholarship at Louth Grammar School, and completed his education there. Afterwards he served an apprenticeship to his father as an engineer, and was working in Hull when war broke out. Prior to leaving Louth he had been a member of D Company, 5th Lincolnshire Regiment (T.F.), and on August 10th, five days after war was declared, he rejoined. He was twenty-seven years of age, and was greatly esteemed by all who came in con-tact with him. Horace T. Saunderson was all 'his life connected with our Eastgate School and Church, Louth, and he is the first out of about fifty, who joined His Majesty's Forces, to die for his country. Great sym-pathy is felt for his parents, who have also another son in the Army.

* * 4(7

THE ASHVILLE MAGAZINE. News of Old Ashvillians for the next number of the

"Ashville Magazine" should be sent to Mr. R. J. Martin, 1 Burns Road, Harlesden, N.W.

Mrs. '1'. Chadwick Rev. A. H. Hulse Mr. A. Walker A Friend ... Mr. E. Hughes

Per Mr. J. Young, (Z1 Mr. J. Young Miss Clarke ... Miss M. E. Young ...

U.M. Church, Chain Bar, Moston (2nd contribution), per Mr. Flenry Case

Woodroyd U.M. Church. Stall at Cricket Match, per Mrs. E. Henderson ...

Bethel, West Kensington, C.E. Rally, per Rev. W. Kenyon • ...

Jesmond Church, Newcastle, per Rev. J. Penry Davey, C.F. '

Lawrence Road Church, Liverpool, per Mr. George H. Heath

St. Minver Band of Hope Children's Flower Show, per Miss Lizzie Male

Rev. Charles W. and Mrs. Limb Rev. G. T. Akester Bedford Sunday School, Shelton, Hanley,

per Mr. Thomas Ratcliffe Clarkson Street, Mansfield, Pleasant Satur-

day Evening, per Mr. J. Smithard Withnell Church and School, Charley Cir-

cuit, per Mr. J. Sankey ... Thank-offering, Aldergate, Tamworth Muslin Street Church, Newton, per Rev.

G. E. Ash ... Collected in threepences at Salterhebble by

Rev. W. T. Anderson Storey Square Sunday School Collection,

Barrow-in-Furness, per Rev. W. Gerry ... Cowbridge Road C.E., Cardiff, per Rev.

W. E. Chivers, B.A. Retiring collection, Cambridge Road

Church, Kilburn, per Mr. W. Smith ... Mr. and Mrs. A. Farrar,Thornton, Bradford Dudley Hill, Bradford, per Mr. James Hill

(10s.) Mr. Fred Speight

Mrs. James Hill ... Mrs. F. M. Carnegie, Macclesfield ... Rev. J. L. Hookins Young Ladies' Class, Ambler Thorn, per

Rev. Walter Scott ... M. J. F. Batley Mrs. and Miss Reed, Nottingham (2nd

donation) Miss Webb and Friends, Brighton ... Rev. William Cherry . Mr. S. T. Parker, Long Eaton Mrs. H. M. Booth, Sheffield ...

Rev. E. Ratcliffe ... Mr. John Spooner, Longton

My. First Communion Service. BY REV. W. FIELD, C.F.

I met with my first real disappointment this morning. Throughout the night it rained in torrents, and all this (Sunday) morning it has continued unabated. The parade ground is a perfect pool. It was obvious there could be no church parade. During breakfast, the order came from the Brigade office, "No Church Parade." I had announced our "First " Communion Service to fol-low the parade, and was looking forward to it. My church at Cleckheaton had sent the communion set to-gether with a bottle of wine, and all was ready for this service in the open. Until this morning our Sun-days in camp have been gloriously fine. This was a case in which one had to think and act quickly. I de-cided to.hold my Communion service in the reading-room of our canteen. Dressed in good Wellington boots, water-proof, and waterproof cover to my service cap—for no soldier carries an umbrella—I set out at 9.30 for the canteen and had the room prepared. Then I secured the service of our mess orderlies who prepared the bread and took our things across to the room. Next I had to approach the commander of each Battalion, after I had received the permission of the Brigadier-General to hold the service, when he had ordered "no church parade." By 10 o'clock I had visited , each orderly-room and inter-viewed the respective Battalion Commanders who kindly promised to send a messenger to the men in their huts announcing "The Nonconformist Communion Service will be held at 10.30 in the reading-room of the canteen of the 14th Battalion." About thirty men turned up through the drenching rain, and we had an hallowed hour together. God was very near to those brave boys in that service. When we had finished and I had gone to my quarters, my orderly announced that a corporal and twenty men wanted to see me. They had received the message too late, and were told to go to the Y.M.C.A hut. They seemed terribly disappointed, so back we went for another service. Thus ends my first communion in camp. None of the comforts of the home church. A bare room, only rough tables to sit down upon, a fearful storm raging without, but, the best of all, God was with us and I was amply repaid for my efforts. I couldn't let my men spend their morn-ing in the huts without an effort. It reminded me very forcibly of the early Christian Eucharist and of the Pil-grim Fathers in New England.

My voluntary evening service was held in the open last Sunday night. A beautiful night and a delightful service. To-night we meet in the Y.M.C.A. hut. After this week the Wesleyan but will be at our disposal for these voluntary services. •

£ s. d. O 2 6 0 2 6 0 2 0 O 2 0 0 1 0

O 10 0 0 10 0 O 10 0

1 10 0

1 7 0

1 6 0

1 6 0

1 5 0

1 5 0 1 1 0 1 1 0

1 0 0

1 0 0

1 0 0 1 0 0

0 16 0

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0 5 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 10 0

O 10 0 O 6 0

0 5 0 O 5 0 O 5 0 0 3 6 0 2 6 0 2 '6 0 2 6

25 Bolingbroke Grove, Wandsworth Common,

London, S.W.

£1,410 8 4

HENRY SMITH.

332

Our men are now coming to me with their sorrows, their doubts, and religious experiences, for advice and help. God help some of these brave lads ! I have grown to love them and hope now that I am getting to knOw them to go to the Front with them. One thing I should like to appeal for, that is, socks. If any of our ladies' working parties could knit me some I should be grateful. I could give a thousand pairs away to our lads to-day. My old church at York Road sent me Z1 is., which I am using for this. purpose. I gladly acknow-ledge their kindness.

Penkridge Bank Camp, Stafford.

In a Clearing Hospital. BY REV. H. D. ALLEN, C.F.

IF those who desire war and consider it to be a good thing could see a Clearing Hospital in war time, I fancy their desires would soon be utterly changed, if their heart were not perverted, for the scenes daily witnessed would wring a cry of agony from the heart of a stone. War at best is a dreadful thing, even when it be a war of ideals, a war to defend civilization against barbarity. Surely it is high time that some more enlightened method were adopted amongst the nations to settle all manner of disputes rather than have recourse to the horrors of war.

A well-known war correspondent described a clearing hospital as the °ante-chamber of hell." He was wrong, hopelessly wrong. Had he stayed a week instead of a few brief hours, he would have sounded a different note.

There are afferings, horrible sufferings, and ghastly wounds. There are men broken and crippled, who can never be the same again. There are men, once so strong and fair, but now they are blind, or deaf and dumb or insane, hnd life for them is like the closing of a door. To minister to the sick and the wounded and the dying in a clearing hospital is often an agony. And yet I would rather describe the place as the gateway of heaven, rather than the ante-chamber of hell.

It is often' but a step from the hospital to the Great White Throne, and many have passed that way. Yea, often enough the atmosphere of heaven is all about us, and we find the compassionate Saviour inexpressibly near. Some of us have come to regard Death, not as a grim spectre but rather as an angel or a friend, the messenger of the Most High.

Let us pass through the Wards of No. 1 Clearing Hospital. Here lying on his rough brown blanket is a young man, a Presbyterian. Both legs were badly shattered, one of them, hanging loosely to his body. He has suffered incredibly, and under the stress of pain, while his mind was temporarily unbalanced, he attempted to commit suicide, first by striving to throw himself from the balcony to the ground below, but, hap-pily, he was frustrated ; again in fearful agony he attempted to cut his throat, but once more proved un-successful. Both legs have been amputated, he will never again be able to walk, but he is recovering, and will soon be sent down to the hospital at the base, and so home at length to England. When last I spoke with him he said : " I am glad I have been able to offer myself for England."

I have returned from the funeral of a youth from Wandsworth. He was shot through the shoulder, the bullet passing down the spine and lodging in the abdomen. Both legs were paralyzed ; he was often un-conscious, but in his periods of consciousness murmured the name of his mother. He too was ready and willing to die for his country. At his request I wrote to his mother a few last dying thoughts. I was with him in his last moments ; he crossed the dark river on the wings of prayer. And now he lies in our little Britishi cemetery here in a foreign land, a little wooden cross with name-plate marking his last earthly resting-place.

We enter a ward where many are suffering from shock, and in some cases from wounds also. Here are some who are deaf and dumb. They can neither hear a sound nor utter one—stone deaf and dumbly silent. One of them looks piteously at me and moves his lips attempt-ing to speak. He has just been brought in, and though he knows he is deaf he has not yet discovered that he can no longer speak. I tell you, a scene such as, this would break the heart of a stone, and it is profoundly affecting. I sometimes converse with them by means of writing my thoughts on paper, then offering to them the pencil. It is possible in some of the cases that with rest and quiet, amid other scenes and familiar faces the lost faculties may be revived, the shattered nerves strength-ened and restored. But in many cases, alas, it is to be feared that the awful results are permanent.

But we pass on. Here is a man whose face is shat-tered and whose sight is utterly destroyed. When his wounds are being dressed and the bandages removed many turn away in horror, so dreadful is the sight. He tells me that he obtained his wounds through picking up a German helmet, in a trench evacuated by the enemy ; beneath the helmet a bomb had been cunningly laid and attached to the helmet by a small piece of wire, upon being moved it exploded with disastrous consequences.

Others there are who will never see again ; they are wonderfully patient and smile at you as you minister to them. One cannot but think of their deprivation ; they must needs walk in physical darkness all their days. Some of them have found the Light of the World through their sufferings—the Master has indeed led them out of darkness into light, and happiness and joy abide in their hearts.

And now we come to the mental cases. In this ward you will find those who have lost their reason through some great shock. It is sad indeed to listen to their ravings. There is one here from a wealthy home ; one wonders what his people would think if they could see him now. I stayed beside another all through the night recently. His eyes were glaring and rolled round and

My Experiences at the Front.

BY REV. R. H. WOOLDRIDGE, C.F.

I have moved from the 14th Division. I was very disappointed when I was told that my being .sent there was a mistake, as they had their full complement , of chaplains. I knew many of the men in that Division, and had worked among them while they were being trained in England ; hence my disappointment at being moved. The change,- however, is not without its com-pensations. The men among whom I am now working '

are indeed a fine lot of fellows, who not merely tolerate the religious service because they have to, but are eager for the Gospel message. The services on 'Sunday were a real treat. It was an extremely hot day, and I held the service under some trees in a field about 1-1- miles away from the German trenches. I allowed the men to choose their own hymns as we had no music except the boom of the big guns. The singing was most hearty, and the attention to the addresses was all that one could ,

wish 'for. Many of the men in this brigade were in the,

trenches at the time of our service. They have come out since ; but will \ be back again before Sunday. I. have arranged to hold two services on Saturday evening for them before they go to their post of danger. I wish it were possible for me to hold such services for more of our men in this Division ; but owing to the large area which a Division occupies and the constant changing of positions of various units, it is an absolute impossibility for one chaplan to minister adequately to all his flock. The Church of England has seven chaplains in this Division, the Wesleyans two, the Roman Catholics three, the United Board one. Please do not think I am complaining. I am not. I never was happier in any work in my life ; but I think sometimes that some of the lads of our United Board must wonder why they do not see their Chaplain more often.

I am sharing a tent with a Roman Catholic chaplain, and we go nearly every night to a dressing station close by where the wounded and sick are brought from the trenches. My first sight of the horrible wounds caused by bullet and shrapnel was an experience I shall never forget.

Two hours later, strange to say; just as I had penned that last sentence, one of the doctors _called at my tent and asked me to go across to the dressing-station and see a man who had been wounded by shrapnel and was dying. The doctor, who is a God-fearing young man, said, °We've done all we can, padre; but you may be able to give him some comfort." I went across, imme-diately and found that he was dying,'but still conscious. After talking with him and praying with him a little while, he went asleep—that last long sleep. He was a fine young man of twenty-three years of age. Aye: "He died for his country." May that oft-repeated sentence never become so familiar as to lose its significance. The sacrifice is not lessened for each individual by the fact of thousands making a similar sacrifice.

In closing my letter I would like to make , an appeal for a few comforts for Tommy. Here on the fighting line it is very difficult to procure some things which are very plentiful at the bases and in towns. Having to censor from one to two hundred letters every day, I have noticed that there is a scarcity of decent writing paper and envelopes. Many of the letters are written on dirty scraps of paper and are almost illegible. Another thing we are short of is periodicals and magazines. ' When I visited our tent hospitals yesterday they had absolutely nothing to read except two newspapers amongst the lot. If our friends will send what they can of writing paper and envelopes and reading matter. I shall be most grate-ful, and will see that they are properly distributed. 'We are moving to. another part of the line soon, but the address at the foot of this letter will always find .me.

1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance, 50th Northumbrian Division,

B. E. Force, France.

, July 15, 1916.

With the 2nd Line Northumbrian Division.

BY REV. J. PENRY DAVEY, C.F.

Our Hut at Bramshott.

A Soldier's Testimony. Rev. H. G. Absalom sends us a copy of a letter he has

received from one of the Young, men of the Luddenden Foot Church now in training at Bramshott Camp. It is 'as follows :--" Mother told me that you had told her about the U.M. Camp Home which had been opened here, but I was at Longmoor Camp during that week on , the ranges, so could not be there ; but I can assure you that it is a fine place and highly appreciated by us who use it. We should he lost here but for the recreation rooms which have been so kindly provided for our use. In the U.M. Home, there are some good books which we can read,,and I think it real good, because it is a real change to get hold of a good book and have a quiet read when we have a quiet half-hour 'to spend. We, have a real good chaplain for our Brigade, he has always a smile for all of us and has helped us to spend many happy nights which would- have been Very dreary but for his assist-ance. He is always ready to help us, and we only , wish we had a few more officers like him."

Mr. Absalom adds :,"You may be sure that the teachers of our Young Men's Class (of which the writer was a member and most regular attender) were delighted to have this testimony.",

REV. J. SQUIRE' writes : The readers of the UNITED METHODIST will be,

interested to know that the work at our Hut at Bram-shott is making splendid progress. On Wednesday even-ing it was exceedingly difficult to accommodate all the men who wanted to write letters. On Thursday we arranged a concert with the help of some friends from Haslemere; a large blackboard outside the but

an our

only means of making the event known, but an hour before the time announced the but was packed with men. Our seating accommodation proved utterly in-adequate ; the Salvation Army came to our rescue and placed at our disposal all the chairs they could spare, the photographer next door loaned his seat, the builders some trestles, but a great. 'number 'of soldiers had to stand, and many' failed to gain admission. The Wes-leyan Chaplain and 'one of the officers were on the plat-form, and they expressed themselves as deeply grateful for the efforts that were being put forth.

On Friday evening , a weekly meeting for Christian fellowship was started. As was pointed out by Mr. Campbell last week there is urgent need for an additional room for devotional meetings. The only thing to be done was to clear out one of the tiny bedrooms and put in about a dozen chairs. We were nine of us at the meeting and some,who were present will not soon forget the influence of that little gathering. Next Friday one of the soldiers is introducing a conversation on "Prayer," and another soldier will take the chair. There is need for such a gathering, but we must have a room for that purpose. Some of the soldiers think that fifty or sixty could be got together for prayer and Bible study. Splendid service is being rendered by the students, from our Colleges, Mr. Percy Luxton and Mr. A. Dimond.

The Last Dotty Years. It is the last dotty years that do all the mischief.

Old age affords a fatal leisure.' and, then, the devil gets

busy with one's idle hands.—CANON Scorr HOLLAND, in "A Bundle of Memories."

THE UNITED METHODIST. round most piteously. Everywhere we heard the crash of a shell exploding—the Germans were bombarding a point quite near—his eyes would glare and roll, his limbs stiffen convulsively and he would cry, " Joe, Joe, take those guns away. Stop those guns, Joe ! " But the ears of his mate were heavy and his voice was silent, for he lay dead and would never answer again., The same shell that took the reason from the one took the life of the other. '

There are others whose memory seems paralysed—they don't know their own names nor anything about their past life.

The saddest case I have seen was that of a wounded German soldier who persisted in crying aloud, °God curse the British—God punish England." He knew English well, and it was dreadful to hear his cries. At last he died, crying with his last breath; " God curse England ; God punish the English," as he sank in the arms of one of the English hospital orderlies. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Despite all the sad cases and all the suffering, most of the wounded remain marvellously bright and Cheerful. Many of those who have not done so before, come to put their trust in God in the hour of , their need. Epictetus, the old Stoic philosopher of ancient days, said, "Show me a man who is sick or suffering or dying and yet happy." And such a man could not be found in that hard, old, pagan world. If you cross the thres-hold of a clearing hospital near. the firing-line, "Some-where in France," you will see many who are suffering and dying and yet they are happy, for they have found that in life and in death " the eternal God is their Refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

There are three thousand seven hundred and forty-seven United Board men in the above division. That number is certainly under the actual figure, but these are now declared as belonging to one or other of the four denominations. A certain percentage of these men have been sent to the front as reinforcements, but they are still of the 2nd Line, and will again join us when we in our turn go to France. Of the full number only about fifty per cent parade week by week, the absentees can be accounted for as on leave, duty and lack of facilities for holding .services by any of our own men or myself , as chaplain.

We are to remove shortly to a place in the Midlands, the name of which I am not yet permitted to divulge. The whole division will then be brought together in one large camp for training purposes. This, from the Chap-lain's point of view, will be admirable, the various brigades will be together, and it will be much easier to keep in touch with the men. •

We are still making changes, the York and Durham Brigade are back at Long Benton, ,where I also am in camp. The R.A.IVI.C. have encamped with us, and the Y.M.C.A. tent is our church building. When we get together as a division it may be necessary for the United Baord Committee to hire a marquee for our use, as is already done by the Wesleyans and Church of England.

Our parade service at Cramlington has suffered con-siderably in attendance through the , transference of the Tyneside Commercial- Battalion to Ripon. In the latter battalion there are a large number of United Board men, and I trust that in their new camp there is a service held regularly by some United,,Board minister.

Our men's _committee in each camp is doing excellent service; they get pledges signed, and help each other in numerous ways, above all, they can be relied upon 'to "spot ". a United Board man and bring him to our service.

My address now is : "The Camp, York and Durham Brigade, Long Benton, near Newcastle."

July 15, 1915.

Why Are We Protestants? BY REV. T. A. JEFFERIES, F.I,.S.

I. TIM. IL, 3-7; HEB. Iv. 14-16. (C.E. Topic for July 25th.)

THE use of the word "Protestant" for the supporters of the Reformation goes back to the protest made by them against the edict of the Emperor, received at the Second Diet of Spires in 1529, practically forbidding all further. action in the direction of Reformation. Like "Nonconformist," the term is a poor one for those it designates, since it emphasizes the negative side of their position. There would be little worth or power in Pro-testantism if it did nothing more than protest against the evils of Rome, and whenever we criticize Roman Catholicism we must be sure that we ourselves are not only free from what we regard as false, but that we possess the reality of which Rome offers the invitation. It •is of little use to protest against a false priesthood unless we are exercising, as we all should be, a true priesthood.

Humanity or " the Church "? We are Protestants first- of all because we believe

that the Church exists for Humanity and not Humanity for the Church. The Romanist reverses • this. He sets up the _Church as the supreme thing. Of course, if he thought of the Church as consisting of all Christly men, so that in working for the Church he was work-ing for the salvation of the world, he would not be far wrong. But when he speaks of the Church he means an organization governed by the Pope and his court at Rome; he confuses the outward expansion of his church with the progress of God's kingdom. Consequently, it is not the good of humanity that he seeks, but the submission of humanity to the Romish dictatorship. He may sincerely believe that the good of humanity is only to be gained by such submission—we must not forget that thousands of Romanists are as genuine and good_ as ourselves—but history shows that in practice the in-terests of humanity become subordinate to the interests of, the organization. We need not wonder at this, for Roman Catholicism has' become a vast machine, a sort of religous combine, worked by priests who are cut off from the common ties and feelings of humanity through their celibacy, and directed by superior priests who never hardly come in contact with ordinary people, but spend theii- years in looking after the vast properties and world-wide ramifications of this gigantic organization. From all governing positions the ordinary 'believer is absolutely excluded : his place is submission, obedience, unquestion-ing servility to the priest, who represents the central authority of the Pope. The result has been that all sorts of abuses have flourished and been defended because they enriched the organization ; ideas utterly opposed to the spirit of Christ's teaching, like the sacrifice of the

THE UNITED METHODIST. mass and payment for prayers, have gained a place in Romish practice; and the principle has been widely adopted that any means is good which achieves the ad-vancement of the organization, a principle which makes a man thoroughjy dishonourable on any question affect-ing the cause he serves. In opposition to all this Pro-testants put the emphasis on the spiritual. The outward organization is but a means to an end, and that end is the rule of Christ in human life. The Church must live, not for herself, but for the Kingdom.

Freedom and Infallibility. In the next' place we are Protestants because we

cling to the great truth that through Christ the individual soul may have direct fellowship with God. Into that sacred communion Roman Catholicism thrusts a priest.

i Man, it teaches, must confess to a priest, must be ab-solved by a priest, must believe what a priest tells him, must read the Bible little', and only in the light of the priest's explanation, must be baptized, confirmed, married, and buried by a priest. Without the priest nothing in re-ligion, according to it, has value, and even the prayer in secret, and the silent thought must be laid bare at his request. Behind this dead hand of the priest is the power of the Pope with the claim of infallibility. That infallibility is another of the blighting ideas of Roman Catholicism., Because of it nothing in the past history of the official acts of the Papacy can be admitted to be wrong, and no new light that disturbs old beliefs can be recognized. Because of it the minds of men must be for ever chained to ideas that no longer convirice, and great and good books must be put on a black list and the reading of them called a sin. Because of it ignorance must be fostered and reformers persecuted. Because of it the Bible itself must be buried in a foreign tongue, extended by unjustifiable additions, warped by false trans-lations, and finally altered by authoritative interpreta-tions that destroy its meaning. Such is the price Roman Catholicism pays for interfering with the freedom of the human soul. The one thing Rome will not have is free and open discussion, and we know why men love darkness. In all her ways and works secrecy and cunning are her watchwords and under cover of this darkness all manner of evils and superstitions have. flourished—transubstantiation, purgatory, Mariolatry, in-dulgences, convent evils, veneration of relics, and all the rest. Looking at such fruits we do well to suspect the tree and to cling to our Protestantism. • The boasted unity of Rome is dearly bought. It is the monotony of darkness, and the unity of death.

Fulham (Munster Road).—In connection with the de-parture of Rev. J. H. Blackwell from the Circuit the Women's Own connected with this church held a 'fare-well social and concert at which gratitude was expressed for the interest Mr. Blackwell had taken in their meetings and an umbrella was presented to him as a token of regard.

533

Death of Mrs. Colley. MUCH sympathy is felt with Rev. E. Colley in the loss

he has sustained in the death of his,beloved wife. For several years Mrs. Colley has been in ill health, and fourteen months ago entered a nursing home for special treatment. Unfortunately a cure was not effected. For more than twelve - months she has suffered much pain. On Thursday morning, July 8th, she passed.

The funeral took place at Dewsbury, many friends assembling at the station, and walking in procession to Salem chapel. Among the mourners were Rev. E. and Miss Colley, Miss Ward (daughter), Mr. Frank Ward (son), Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ward (son and daughter-in-law), Rev. W. D. and Mrs. Gunstone, Mrs. W. J. and Misses Talbot, Mr. Fred Ineson and Sons, Mrs. T. Barton Davis, Alderman and Mrs. Turner, Mr. G. Heely, J.P., Mr. and Mrs. Cocker, Dr. and Mrs. Bell (all of Brighouse), Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, and Mrs. Moxon, Wakefield, Mr. and Mrs. F. Guttridge, Messrs. Spiking, Dewsbury, etc. A large number of wreaths were sent by loving friends from many circuits. The Rev. Frank Chambers conducted the service. After the interment the friends assembled at Salem schoolroom,. where tea was provided. At Rev. E. Colley's request, the Rev. W. D. Gunstone stated that the tokens of respect and the expression of sympathy had done much to sustain him and the family in this hour of stress and loss.

Brother Richard's Bookshelf. THIS series of books issued by "Brother Richard " who

was at one time a well-known Congregational minister. is the result of his experience in work during recent years amongst the thoughtful working people of fie North of England. He believed that there were many who could appreciate the best literature who could not afford to spend sixpence, much less a shilling on a book. Some eight books have now been issued, and all of them with one exception at a penny.

The 'books may be divided into two classes—those that have been specially written for the series on subjects of immediate interest to the great mass of the people, and the other class comprise masterpieces of prose or poetry with a special introduction. In the former class of books are Norman Angell's "Modern Wars and the Peace Ideal," Seebohm Rowntree's "The Labourer and the Land," Sir Leo Chiozza Money's "Hope for the Worker," Prof. Duff's " Isaiah of Jerusalem," and "Prof. Morgan Jones's "Paul of Tarsus." In the class of reprints there is a fine edition of Browning's "Christmas Eve," Maz-zini's "Duties of Man," and Lamennais' "Words of a Believer."

During the next two months can be secured the first seven issues of Brother Richard's Bookshelf, bound in one red cloth volume for 1s. 6d. post free. All com-munications concerning this offer and the series as a whole should be addressed to Brother Richard, 31 St. Mary's, York.

IMPORTANT VOLUMES FROM CHARLES H. KELLY'S LIST. BIBLICAL AND SERMONIC.

Gleanings from a Preacher's Note Book. By JOHN EDWARDS.

Large crown 8vo. Cloth: 3/6 net. (Postage 4d.) • -'!No one can use the book without learning how a sermon may be made a delight to both preacher and congregation."

-..Preacher's Magazine.

Citizens of the Universe. Sermons by the late ROBERT KILLIP.

Large crown 8vo. Cloth. With Frontispiece Portrait. 3/6 net. (Postage 4d.)

"Sermons. strong, courageous. sympathetic, helpful, full of the love of Jesus Christ."—Methodist Recorder.

Jesus and the Otherworld. An Appeal to the

Modern Man. By A. GORDON JAMES. Large crown 8vo. Cloth gilt. 2/6 net. (Postage 4d.)

"An excellent and timely contribution. It is divided into three pirts —Jesus Christ, the Church, and Religion. All men who desire a sober and intelligent guidance on these vital subjects will find in this book what they wish."—Primitive Methodist Leader.

Epictetus and the New Testament. By DOUGLAS S. SHARP, M.A., B.D.

Foreword by Prof. JAMES HOPE MOULTON. Large crown 8vo. Cloth gilt. 2/6 net. (Postage 3d.)

A study of the remarkable parallels in language and thought of the New Testament and Epictetus.

" May this valuable work find the appreciation it deserves." —SxPository Times.

A STIRRING STORY OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THE WAR.

WITH II FRENCH IN FRANCE St FLANDERS. A Chaplain's Experiences with the

British Expeditionary Force. The Story of Mons, LC Cateau, The Marne, The Aisne,

Bethune, Arras, La Bassee, Ypres, Armentieres. By OWEN SPENCER WATKINS.

Large crown 8vo. Paper cover, specially designed in-col- ours. 'I/. net. (Postage 2d.) Presentation Edition, cloth

gilt, with seven illustrations. 2/- net. (Postage 3d.) " Mr. Watkins' volume is one of the most intimate and engrossing of

the •books that have so far been written in connexion with the war. He has written a wonderfully heartening and inspiriting book. The record is so entirely honourable to the men of that splendid Expeditionary Force."—The Scotsman.

MANUALS FOR CHRISTIAN THINKERS.

Edited by JOHN TELFORD, B.A.

Small Crown 8vo., Art Cloth, 11 net each, (Postage 2d. extra.)

The Psychology of the Christian Life. Eric S. Water- , house, M.A., B.D.

Miracles : An Outline of the Christian Yiew. Frederic ' Platt, M.A., B.D.

The Hymns of Methodism in their Literary Relations. Henry Bett.

The French Revolution. Ernest E. Kellett, M.A. The Church of Twenty Centuries. A. W. Harrison, B.Sc.

B.D. Religious Experience : Its Reality and Value. T. F.

Lockyer, B.A. Homer. A. S. Way, M.A., D.Lit. The Old Testament and Archaeology. C. L. Bedale, M.A. The Books of the New Testament. John S. Banks, D.D. Progressive British India. Saint Nihal Singh. The Protestant Churches : Their History and Beliefs.

Leslie F. Church, B.A., F.R.Hist.S. The Mediaeval Revival. Arthur Rudman. Japan's Modernization. Saint Nihal Singh. The Church in the New Testament. E. E. Genner, M.A. The Religion of our Northern Ancestors. Ernest E.

Kellett, M.A. The Canon of the New Testament. R. Waddy Polking-

horne.•

The Religion of our Northern Ancestors. By E.' E. Kellett, M.A.

The Making of the Old Testament. By W. F. Lofthouse, M.A.

English Church Architecture from the Earliest Times to the Reformation. By G. A. T. Middleton, A.R.I.B.A.

The Pilgrim Road, A Series of Studies in the Pilgrim's Progress. By W. B. Fitzgerald.

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ADDRESSES TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

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Report of Proceedings.

TUESDAY MORNING. THE eighth annual Conference of the United Method-

ist Church is this year meeting on historic ground, this being the eighth Conference held within , the walls of Providence Chapel. The noble city of Exeter lends itself to beautiful surroundings, and Representatives from east, north or west will find the city an attractive centre. Fifty years ago the Bible Christian Conference celebrated its Jubilee in this church and to-day we are met to celebrate the Centenary of the Bible Christian Church as well as the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Well might we say, "What hath God wrought 1 "

The day opened brightly,- the sunshine making the. Conference chapel very attractive, and the gathering of representatives and friends was an animated scene.

For nearly an hour prior to the time fixed for the opening of the sessions friends and ministerial colleagues were exchanging greetings and renewing the friendships of past days.

As the opening hour approached the representatives settled in the seats allotted to them, and punctually at ten o'clock the President (Rev. George Parker) ascended the rostrum amid the applause of the large gathering of visitors and delegates. Accompanying the President were the Conference Secretary, Mr. I. W. Schofield, Connexional Secretary, Rev. Dr. Packer, and the Presi-dent-Designate, Rev. J. B. Stedeford.

During the past year the President has been spared travelling mercies, and all rejoiced to see him looking so, well as he rose to announce . the time-honoured hymn, "And are we yet alive," which was sung with much fervour and emotion, for never before in the history of the present generation was this hymn of thanksgiving sung under such a time of national crisis. We cannot forget that since last Conference many of the brightest sons of our Churches have passed through the trying ordeal of a deadly war, many never to return to our shores again. Since last Conference and during the past few days there has passed away one of the most venerable of our ministers, who served our Chufch magnificently in days gone by, the Rev'. J. Swann Withington, to whom reference will be made at a later period of Conference.

After the opening hymn, Rev. John Luke read as the lesson the 12th chapter of Romans, and the Con-ference was led in prayer by Rev. T. Scowby and Mr. Wm. Hardy, J.P. (Codnor), both of whom made feeling references to the stress of the nation and prayed that God would bless the homeland and our brothers engaged in the conflict on land and sea. Mr. Scowby spprayed that God would bless our allies ; that the spirit of_ truth and brotherhood may be upon them.

The prayers moved the Conference and Brought the representatives into close touch with the presence of the Holy Ghost.

The first business of the 'Conference was the calling of the roll, which was carried out expeditiously by the Conference Secretary, Mr. I. W. Schofield, 'and it was found that the Conference consisted of 276 duly, elected representatives (three ladies) which, with the Guardian Representatives and the ex-officio members, brought the Conference numbers up to about 320 delegates. In consequence of the present national crisis, Newcastle- on-Tyne District sent two representatives only (one minister and one layman). During'the calling of the list a laugh was raised when an absent brother's name was called, and a delegate announced that the brother was coming but was not here?

The Conference Secretary read a letter from the Rev. Andrew Crombie (Guardian Representative) expressing his regret that in consequence of ill-health he would be unable to attend Conference, and at the same time expressing his thanks for the honour conferred upon him at the previous Conference. At a later stage in Conference a letter of sympathy was sent to Mr. Crombie, and it is hoped that by husbanding his strength Mr. Crombie will long be able to continue his valuable services to our Church.

The Conference then proceeded to elect two Guardian Representatives, vice Rev. W. J. Townsend, .D.D., Wand Sir James Duckworth, J.P., deceased.

Election of Conference Officers. In order to prevent waste of time which has occurred

in previous Conferences during the election of Guardian Representatives it was decided that the two brethren receiving the highest number of votes be elected, and their names be announced later. The Conference was then able toproceed with the business of electing the

ffi e Conference oers. Mr. W. S. Skelton, J.P., immediate-ly rose and nominated Mr. J. A. Loram, J.P., 'of Exeter, as Conference Secretary. Rev. T. Sunderland nominated Mr. Thos. Gill, J.P., of Castleford, and Rev. James Wright nominated Rev. J. H. Burkitt, but the two latter brethren withdrew their names, and Mr. J. A. Loram, J.P., was elected by the President writing the name on the ballot paper. Mr. Loram's name was received very warmly, and there is no doubt he will make a splendid chief officer. The other elections were taken by open vote

t34

THE UNITED METHODIST. July 15, 1915.

The Death of the Rev. J. Swann Withington.

DURING the first hour of Sunday morning, July 11th, the'Rev. J. Swarm Withington passed away at the age of ninety-three years. He was one of the best'known, most highly respected, and most richly gifted of the ministers of the United Methodist Church, and had won a high reputation beyond the bounds of his own denomination. His long life was crowded with mani-fold and influential activities and abounded with incidents both interesting and significant. Hull was the town of his birth, and he came of Methodist stock, his father being a local preacher. He himself commenced to preach at the early age of fifteen, and when twenty years of age he entered the ministry. His ministerial career com-menced in Cornwall at St. Ives, where he accepted a pastorate on the invitation of a group of friends in that town who had seceded from Wesleyan Methodism. This was in 1842. Under the guidance of the young pastor this church later threw in its lot with the Wesleyan Methodist Association, which in its turn was embodied in the United Methodist Free Church.

When it is remembered that Mr. Withington took an active part in the negotiations which reached their con-summation in the formation of the United Methodist Church in 1907, it is readily seen how closely he has been identified with the history of Methodist Union, and what changes he has witnessed in the course of his long career. He retired from the '"active ministry " in 1890, but prior to that time the Church of his choice had recognised his conspicuous ability and conferred upon him its highest honours. After acting as Corresponding Secretary he was made Connexional Secretary, and in 1872 was elected to the Presidency of the Annual Assembly. Ile represented his Denomination at Ecumeni-cal Methodist Conferences both in England and America, acting as one of the Secretaries for the first one, held in London in 1881.

Among the able services to his Denomination were those rendered in the capacity of Connexional Editor, which post he filled for eight years with marked effi-ciency and acceptance.

During his editorship the first serial story was pub-lished in the "Methodist Free Church Magazine." This was in 1872, and was an innovation which met with objections from some quarters, but opposition was not long maintained. The story published was Mr. Silas Hocking's "Her Benny."

After "retirement " Mr. Withington lived in Bristol for eight years, after which he removed to Rochdale in 1900, where he has spent the last fifteen years of his life. During that time he has been closely identified with our Baillie Street Church, and has rendered valued ser-vice to the Rochdale Circuit. He last preached at the opening of our Mitchell Street Church in October, 1910, but since that time increasing feebleness has precluded him from undertaking further appointments. For more than twelve months he has been practically confined to his bed, but one is glad to believe, though physically very weak, he has been spared great suffering. Up to within a few weeks of his decease he was wonderfully interesting to converse with and could draw upon the rich stores of his long experience with much charm and profit. to the listener.

The funeral is to take place to-day (July 15th). The cortege will leave the house ("Tregenna," Manchester Road, Rochdale), at 11 a.m. A service will be held in Baillie Street Church at 11.30, after which the interment will take place in the Rochdale Cemetery.

Other appreciations will appear in subsequent issues. Ia the meantime we would express deep sympathy with the bereaved, and especially with Miss Withington, who for so many years has done so much to brighten and sweeten the last days of her honoured father.

Women's Missionary Auxiliary. Sheffield District.—In connection with the above, a

very delightful garden party was held Thursday after-noon, July 1st, in the grounds of Mount View, Mel-bourne Avenue, Sheffield, kindly lent by Councillor and Mrs. Jackson. The morning had been dull, but it was all sunshine and brightness when Mr. and Mrs. Jackson gave the members from the District a hearty welcome. A short missionary meeting followed the reception, sup-ported by the Rev. T. Scowby (Nottingham), Mrs. W. Tupholme (president of the Sheffield District), Mrs.

• Pinder (treasurer), Miss W. Temporal (secretary). Miss Hettie Green addressed the company—impressing the secretaries of the necessity to organize their branches to the best of their ability—also she urged the advisability of every branch having its prayer-meeting. Tea was served under the able convenership of Mrs. F. Nodder who, together with the helpers, rendered valuable service. Several games were played under the superintendency of Miss Harral (Barnsley) and Miss Loundes (Sheffield), which augmented the funds considerably. We felt the meeting together had been stimulating and helpful, and that it would bear much fruit in the future.

WINIFRED TEMPORAL (District Secretary).

Leeds, Lady Lane, Central Mission.—On Thursday, July 1st, a joint meeting of the W.M.A. and the Chris-tian Endeavour Society was held in the school. Mrs. Grimshaw was in the chair, and the speaker was Rev. S. G. Dimond, who gave a most encouraging address in defence of missionary work. Solos were rendered by Miss Ormerod and a collection for missionary funds was taken. G. WINDSOR.

Conference Young People's Meeting. THE first meeting of the Exeter Conference was held

under the auspices of the Young People's and Temper-ance Committee, a public meeting being held in the Mint Wesleyan Church, on Monday evening at 7.30. While there was a fairly good audience it was a matter for regret that so few young people were present.

The chair was taken by Alderman J. H. Turner, of Brighouse, who was supported on the platform by the speakers and members of the Young People's Committee. .

After the opening hymn, "0 God of Bethel ! by whose hand," prayer was offered by Rev. Josiah Thomas, of Brighouse.

Rev. S. C. Challenger (Secretary of the Committee) made a brief statement of the work of the Committee re-ferring to the call of the Rev. J. Fleming to the Pre-sidency of the National C.E. Union, and he (Mr. Chal-lenger) hoped this would help the work of the Christian Endeavour Societies in our own Church. (Applause.)

The Importance of Junior Church Membership.

The Chairman, in his opening address, gave a very practical and thought-provoking speech. He said he was a Yorkshireman, and therefore they must forgive him he was rather blunt in his remarks, but the question of Junior Church Membership was an important one, be-cause if the membership of our Church was to be kept up it must come from the young people. He did not know what was happening in this part of the country, but in his part of the country there had been many decreases in young people, and the ex-planation had often been given that it was not a de-crease but simply taking old names off the books ! He was getting a bit sceptical of such explanations. There was no hope for our churches unless they were filled up from the Sunday School. The child was already inside the kingdom of Christ, and what they had to do was to reveal, the children to Christ just as a mother looked for the revelation of love in her own child. Things were real to the child, and if they were tTh keep the child in the school they must 'help him to realize the reality of -the kingdom, and then they would not lose them in after years. They ought to have their best teachers in the lowest classes, as it was there they could get hold of the children. They must remember that the children of to-day were to be the citizens of to-morrow, and if they could make them into God's gentlemen and God's women they would become true citizens when many of the problems of the future would be solved. (Applause.)

The Reality of "Unseen Things." Rev. F. G. Lintern (Woodford) in an inspiriting ad-

dress, said it was good to come together to attempt to get near to God. It was a psychological fact that the at-mosphere of the crowd was greater and more intent on divine things than was often to be found in the individual —hence the necessity for meeting in God's house and the gathering of such a meeting as this. They were meet-ing together in awful times; Europe was going to be a different place and life was going to be a much vaster thing in the near future; civilization had gone into the melting pot, and it seemed clear to him that the Al-mighty was going to build some new thing. What God is going to 'build from the cleaning of the present time depends upon the atmosphere and inspiration of the young people of the present day. But one of the grand things about a crisis was this : that it invests life alto-gether with a new meaning : things that we talked of twelve months ago very lightly have now a tremendous significance—e.g., the National Anthem : when we sing " God Save the King " now there is much more signific-ance than for many years, and there is a real sense in which he embodies our best ideals and we rejoice that he has swept the drink evil from his palace. (Cheers.) The speaker -gave another example of the significance of the change in our ways—our prayer "Give us this day our daily bread." The Bible has became a new Book either as whole or in isolated texts—which have become real wite nev, meaning. To-day is the supreme opportunity fc,r young people to bring men into association with un-seen things. For the last twenty-five years we have been enslaveu with materialism. As materialism has grown there has been a reduction in the susceptibility to the spiritual. The things which we could handle, and rne.sure were things that impressed us. He asked the ycunf people if they had tried to think why were they born. ? What was the world to them? What was life to them? Was there anything beyond the reason to get rich quick. The only real reason why they were born was far the development of the soul—the one thing that was going on was soul. The greatest thing about young people is the soul which they would have to carry into the presence of God. About everything there is the seen and the unseen, and it is the unseen that is real and that is the thing they must look at. Take the Bible, you handle it materially, an ordinary book, but as you read it there conies to you that which is unseen, and it is Chat which lives. The tragic blunder of life is to miss unseen things, and the mistake which Germany has made is their inability to take notice of the unseen things, and the same tragic blunder was made by Germany in regard to Belgium, so well portrayed by Bernard Partridge, when the King of Belgium said—" Not my soul." If he had saved his soul he had saved everything. (Hear, hear.) It is this lesson they had to learn. (Applause.)

After the collection the closing address was given by Mr. H. Ellis Hill (London), who said he desired to speak to the young people on the importance of prepar-

in.g for the future of life. The address was illustrative, practical, and instructive.

A hearty vote of thanks was moved to the Chairrnan and speakers by Mr. Darley Terry (treasurer of the N Committee) and Rev. W. C. Hope.

United Methodist Church Conference, Exeter, 1915.

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Modern buildings provide : Covered Swiniming Bath, Art and Music Schools, Laboratories with Lecture Theatre and Museum. The latest block (Library, Gatehouse, etc.) was inaugurated by the King in 1914.

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July 15, 1915

THE UNITED METHODIST. 335

in Conference. Minute Secretary : Nominated, Revs. J. H. Burkitt, J. Kilgour, C. A. Ashelford, T. Sunderland, and C. H. Buxton. Rev. T. Sunderland withdrew, and Rev. J. H. Burkitt was elected. Journal Secretary : Nominated, Revs. Chas. Pye, A. Hancock, J. Kilgour, R. S. Hall. Rev. J. Kilgour withdrew, and Rev. Chas. Pye was duly elected. Conference Correspondent : Nominated, Revs. Wm. Hall, T. P. Bullen, C. A. Ashel-ford, 'F. Rees Bott, J. Lineham, and William Rodda. Revs. T. P. Bullen and J. Lineham withdrew their names; and Rev. C. A. Ashelford was duly elected.

Mr. W. S. Skelton, J.P., moved the re-election as Secretary of the General Connexional Committee of Rev. Dr. Packer, who needed no words of eulogy, and Dr. Packer was re-elected with much heartiness.

Revs. Josiah Turner and E. C. Bartlett were appointed Precentors of Conference. Officers of Order : Revs. A. E. Dymond, H. J. Watts, W. E. Perry and H. C. Putt.

New Guardian Representatives. Rev. H. W. B. Chapman announced that . Rev. Dr. J.

0. Keen and Mr. Squire Spencer, of Harrogate, had been duly elected Guardian Representatives in place of the two brethren deceased. The names were received with ap-plause.

Scrutineers' Committee was elected as follows : Rev. H. W. B. Chapman (Chairman and Convener), Revs, M. M. Todd, S. Buglass, W. H. Proudlove, D. Patterson, A. E. Bowyer, W. J. Southern, C. Weedall, A. G. Good-win, with Messrs. C. J. Rich, J. Williams, J. Sharrocks, A. T. Moore, A. Longfellow, W. S. Snell, J. E. Hender-son, and E. E. Nicholls.

The Committee to make all necessary arrangements for the Ordination Service for the reception of ministers, for the Ministers' Superannuation Service, for the Memorial Service for ministers deceased, and for other devotional meetings of special character, was elected as follows : Rev. J. Foster (Convener), Revs. T: Sherwood, and W. A. Grist, Messrs. R. Turner, J.P., Thos. Gill, and G. P. Dymond, M.A.

Address of Welcome. Rev. D. J. Rounsefell (Chairman of the Local Com-

mittee) said he was privileged to rive the Conference the heartiest of welcomes. The preparation of this historic Conference had been.a great joy, and they were glad the delegates were now present, and they would be quite as glad when the train bore them far away. (Laughter.) The best they had in this church and city was theirs, and Mr. Rounsefell referred to the generosity of all from the highest Anglican Church dignitaries and members of the Free Churches who had opened their homes to the guests. There was a real unity existing in the churches of the city. Referring to the Jubilee Con-ference of fifty years ago Mr. Rounsefell said that only two ministers attending that conference were now living .2- -Revs. James Horwill and W. B. Reed. The

local committee had worked hard to make the Con-ference a success, and Mr. Rounsefell paid a tribute to their work, and said that unfortunately the local commit-tee was resting under a shadow in consequence of the death of Mr. J. W. Thomas, chairman of one of the couimittees.

Mr. E. Bradley (General Secretary) was warmly re-ceived on making the local announcements, as the re-presentatives realize that everything has been done to rn Ike their visit a pleasant and happy one.

The Conference Secretary read letters from Rev. Jabez King who was unable to attend in consequence of ill-

Ilth and from Mr. J. Beeteson who had suffered a bereavement and letters of sympathy were ordered to be sent to them.

The late Rev. J. Swann Withington. Rev. Dr. Packer said it had always been one of the

:features of the Conference since union to send a letter of greeting to Rev. J. Swann Withington, but this year :a letter of a different character would have to be sent, as .on Sunday last, on the eve of his 93rd birthday Mr. `Withington had passed away. It had been suggested that :a Connexional deputation be sent to the funeral on Thursday next, and - the Secretary proposed that Rev. Francis Marrs and Mr. T. P. Ritzema, J.P., be the deputation, and that a letter of condolence be sent from it he Conference.

The Conference agreed. A letter of sympathy was also ordered to be sent to

:Rev. W. R. K. Baulkwill, who is still unwell.

Greetings from Sir S. J. Way. Mr. G. P. Dymond, M.A., announced that he 'had

received a cablegram from Sir S. J. Way, Bart., Chief Justice of South Australia. Mr. Dymond referred to the important duties which fell to the lot of Sir Samuel Way, but in spite of his _eightieth year he was able to carry on his responsible office. Sir Samuel had at one time hoped to be present at this Conference, but it had been found impossible, and it was • a pleasing thought, said Mr. Dymond, that on the quiet of the Sabbath day Sir Samuel should. think of that Confer-ence and send the following cablegram :

"Cannot leave post ; my love to old Bible Christians and other friends. May you have Christ's unmis-takable presence at Centenary celebrations and out-pouring of Holy Spirit as gracious as a hundred years ago. Especially may Christian unity be promoted. Our celebrations will be held in October.—WAY."

(Applause.) The Conference resolved that a cablegram of greeting be sent from the Conference to Sir S. J. Way, and that Mr. Dymond should draw it up. This was heartily agreed to.

Mr. G. P. Dymond then moved a comprehensive re-

solution of thanks to the retiring President and Officers, which was seconded by Rev. H. T. Chapman.

The Rev. G. Parker and Mr. I. W. Schofield replied, and expressed their appreciation. of the kindness vouch-safed to them during the past year.

President's Address. Rev. George Parker said that in the name of that

Conference, and in the name of the brethren, he had now to ask the President to take the chair.

The new President was then received by an upstand-ing Conference and amid applause.

The President then delivered his address, which will be found in another part of this issue. At the outset Mr. Stedeford expressed his • appreciation of the high honour which had been conferred upon him, especially in his absence from the previous Conference. He thanked them most of all because of the confidence that was expressed by that act, and though he claimed to be a loyal son of that church, he regarded it as an extremely high hOnour to be chosen for that office. There were many past associations with that building. It was here that he preached his first sermon to the District meeting at six o'clock in the morning. The first step and the last had been taken within those walls. He had often thought of a little incident that took place in Gladstone Street Church, Bristol, when James Thorne, just about the time of the Jubilee Conference, put his hands on his (the President's) head, and said, Jesus loved the young 'disciples." Little did James Thorne think that he was putting his hand on the head of the President of the Centenary Conference. (Applause.)

The address was listened to with rapt attention, and made a deep impression. It was worthy and appropriate to the occasion, and will be read with deep interest.

After the address the President pronounced the bene-diction, and the Conference rose at 12.45.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON. The Conference was resumed at 2.30 p.m., with the

President in the chair. After the opening hymn, "Jesus, the very thought of

Thee," prayer was offered by Mr. J. J. Melton (Lincoln). The Conference was brought into close touch with

the war through the presence in military uniform of Rev. G. E. Minnear, C.F., and Principal W. 0, Botheras, N.V.R.

The newly-appointed Officers then ascended the plat form, and were congratulated on their election.

Mr. J. A. Loram (Conference Secretary) was the first to respond. The motives that weighed with him in accepting the office was that he took it as a compliment to his native city, and also to the fact that in these times of stress all who could do anything in whatever capacity should be prepared to do their bit. In con-

(Continued on page 340.)

336

TILE UNITED METHODIST. July 15, 1915.

Our New President. REV. JOHN BRITTON STEDEFORD.

"And so of all colours ; not that they may not sometimes be deep and full, but that there is a solemn moderation even in their very fullness and a holy reference, beyond and out of their own nature, to great harmonies by which they are governed and in obedience to which is their glory."--RusKIN, "Modern Painters." THE designation of the President for the Conference of

1915 was a surprise, probably most of all to Mr. Stedeford. " J. B. S." will wear all the honours well, he will bear all the burdens patiently, and will perform all the offices with credit to himself, and with pleasure to all.beholders. I am sure the appointment is his chief surprise, for his motive ever is to "seek nothing and refuse nothing " and ever to remain " unsought and unbought."

I. Mr. Stedeford needs to bless the Lord for a good root.

His parents were godly people and his early years were. cast in the loyal city of Bristol, where "the Lord had many people." We are more concerned to speak of him than of his forbears to-day. But he is not quite easy to secure for the ends of descriptive artifice. The crowd is not alien to his sympathy, but it is not evocative of his nature.. There is something peculiarly doinestic about him. Even the Ministerial fraternal has been known to pass without eliciting a "breath from his nostrils." But a winter fire, .a study corner, a close-trusted friend, and a row of books will lead to the unburdening of rare treasuries which have been garnered with great care and which ordinarily never see the light.

Par excellence Mr. Stedeford is a student, which ac-counts for the extreme care and patient persistence with which he has continued Secretary of the Studies of Local Preachers "until this day." Behind his public work there is many-sided study 'for himself and free encourage-to others in treading the same path. The neatest tribute I ever hear paid to him was by a successor in a church which had baffled its pastors for years, and the last not least, except that that last one had left "the fragrance of a rare purity behind."

II. Many people in the United Church will never have

heard President Stedeford preach or speak. There need be no trepidation. 'Whatever the occasion he will rise to it. And there will be no solecism of information, or slip of delivery, or fault of taste to mar the effect even to a hyper-critic. He may not shout so loud as some, or repeat his good things as often as others, but the good things will be there, and the earnestness will be visible to the discerning. His possessions are truly Ruskin's "solemn moderation " and "holy reference." I think Mr. Stedeford lives to preach. And the sermon is to him an outgrowth both of study and of life.

Taken all for all, he has much to be grateful for as a preacher. There is a "wholeness " about him wfiich is very satisfying. He is rather less than of middle height, for instance, but few will omit to remark a certain sturdi-ness of independence in bearing about his gait. He possesses a voice which has warmth and suitability in its natural tone. Just such a man should have such a voice. If he had ever thought of cultivating a type of enuncia-tion—he never has—his speech is what it should be for him—fitting as a glove—moderate, finished, and musical.

I think his point of view must be conservative, with prospects. Once in the midst of a discussion on evolu-tion, when somebody was demanding a statement of its limits, I heard him interject, "And meanwhile there. is plenty to go on with." Some of the little conventicle in Devon and Somerset have received many of his choicest utterances and have had bestowed upon them the most earnest of his supplications, but after a sermon preached in the Conference Chapel at the last Penzance Conference (B.C.) the late F. W. Bourne conferred on it the consummate distinction of revealing "that at any rate . we had one theologian amongst us." (Its topic was the "Servant" doctrine of the prophet Isaiah.)

III. But most of us will know him as an administrator!

How about that? Well—there was a time when he was untried in that vocation, but since then he has been "through the mill." With his tastes Mr. Stedeford would not naturally seek business. It is entirely to his credit that he has never refused it. He once protested privately but with some little warmth, "Men think that if a man can read a book he can only read a book." In the year of his B.C. PresidenCy the business was done as well as in any year. And sometimes his humour there discloses itself. It is a little disconcerting when at the end of an irrelevant harangue the speaker claims, "I think you will see that, Mr. President," and hears sotto voce, " I saw that half an hour ago! " Don't let transgressors think that President Stedeford has no verve : he may be led to remember him as "flowers on furze." If you will put him up .to reply to some vote for hospitality you may be surprised to find that rather solemn-looking face ejecting a whimsical story which will endanger buttons.

IV. It is very generous of the United Conference to give

to us Bible Christians this year of its history. It is very gracious of it to co-operate so warmly in the celebration of our Centenary. We hope that no transgressing word will be uttered to offend the keenest susceptibility of the warmest zealot of either other section. We are supremely grateful for the election of John Britton Stedeford to the chair. He will needfully spend much of his year in old haunts discussing old traditions, and it will be en-tirely agreeable to his soul. If the other sections see less of him in this Centenary year than they think is their due, "lay not this sin to his charge "; he will shun no

labour, nor shirk any toil to make his period. of office "burning and shining" for the Church of his choice and the largest Church of his service. The balance can be easily redressed in days to come, of which we shall by the end of Conference hope our gifted and devoted President will have the bright prospect. Concerning Which it may truthfully be said of his many friends : "There is that coveteth all the day long." G. C.

Our President as a Preacher.

BY HAMILTON CROTHERS.

THERE is a certain something giving distinction to Mr. Stedeford's preaching which I cannot put into words. Perhaps it is the personality'of the preacher. At any rate, it draws you gladly to hear him and grips you as you listen. Without doubt the pulpit is Mr. Stede. ford's place. In a business meeting on general .company of any kind, he shows no disposition to shine. If others will monopolize attention he will let them. "What a weariness of the flesh these small matters are ! "--this is the unspoken thought that often seems to be ruling him. There is no ill-nature in this attitude ; no posing as superior to ordinary mortals. On the contrary, a genial dignity characterizes his bearing at all times. He enjoys a 'good story, too, and enjoys telling one. Those who know him best wish most to have his company.

But he does shine in the pulpit. He lives to preach. His reading, his study, his daily and hourly reflections, and, one may safely assume, his prayers all have direct reference to his preaching. The result is that he does not so much bring a sermon to the pulpit as a theme

Rev. J. B. Stedeford.

and a prophet's vision and eloquence. Though he now seldom writes more than notes of his discourses, his diction is strikingly good, and the ease with which he unfolds the deepest truths in simple language reveals his mastery of his subjects. When he has responsive hearers he warms to his theme, and, using well his good re-sonant voice, will often thrill the whole congregation with passages of sustained eloquence delivered with im-pressive vigour. At other times he is patiently exposi tory, anxious to impart truth before displaying its signifi-cance. Though never tedious in doing this, he must, to be appreciated, be carefully followed by the hearer. This and a disdain of any arts of oratory explain perhaps why, although a preacher of such exceptional gifts, he does not draw crowds and achieve a national reputation. Nevertheless, he is a great preacher and is so esteemed at once by listeners whose interest may be mainly .in-tellectual.and those spiritually athirst. A deep spirituality marks alike his public prayers and his preaching. No one lo,ngs for set prayers when he leads a congregation in its devotions.

In preaching, he moves among the lofty _themes of Christian teaching, and there is more than a touch of the mystic about him. He believes that a preacher has a big or little Gospel according as he has a big or little conception of Jesus Christ. To hear him, therefore, on such a text as, "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great," etc., is to have an inspiring vision of the person and work of Christ. "We shall never hear his like again," say the old. Some in this (Batley) circuit have had their eventide made beautifully light for them by his sermons. And young men have -felt life take on a new nobility as they have listened to him.

Mr. John H. Cowan. MANY United Methodists will regret to learn of the

passing away of Mr. John Hosack Cowan, who was long connected with the Reather Street Church, Man-chester, as a class leader and teacher of the Men's Bible class. For twenty-five years he was a local preacher in connection with the old Lever Street Circuit. Removing to Chorlton-cum-Hardy he there joined the Wesleyan Denomination, where he made himself useful. Mr. Cowan, who was sixty-five years of age and highly respected, was seized with apoplexy whilst on his daily business and expired within a few hours. We deeply sympathize with his widow in her loss.

Reported last week Rev. A. Crornbie ... Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Blyth, Hooley

Hill 5 5 0 5 5 0 Alderman C. H. Bird, Cardiff .. 0 10 6 0 10 6 Mr. T. H. Mordey, J.P., Penarth 0 10 6 0 10 6 Mr. S. Smith, Cardiff ... ... 0 10 6 0 10 6 Mr. G. Gregory, Cardiff ... 0 2 6 0 2 6 Two Well-Wishers, Marsh-

chapel ... ... ••• ... 0 10 0 0 10 0 Mr. W. Archer, Leigh-on-Sea ... 1 0 0 1 0 0 Collection, Leigh-on-Sea .. .. 0 7 0, 0 7 0 Rev. J. and Mrs. Moore... 1 0 0 3. 0 0 Mr. F. Slogrove, Brighton 0 5 0 0 5 0 Mr. J. E. Jagger, Derby 0 2 6 0 2 6 Mr. A. Davis, Durnopfield 2 2 0 2 2 0 T. S. M. ... ... ... ... 0 10 0 0 10 0 Mr. R. C. Sunter, Manchester .. 0 5 0 0 5 0 Rev. J. B. and Mrs. Stedeford ... 1 1 0 1 1 0 "In memory of Mr. Robert Bul-

len, J.P." Mr. T. Horrocks, Manchester ... 1 0 0 1 0 0 J.S., Manchester ... ... ... 1 0 0 1 0 0 Rev. W. Cherry ... ... ... 0 5 0 Q 5 0 Miss Beatrice A. Binns, Sheffield 5 0 0 5 0 0

Miss Gertrude W. Binns, Sheffield 5 0 0 5 0 0 Mrs. M. I. Binns, Sheffield ... 20 0 0 20 0 0 Mr. and Mrs. R. P. .Banbury,

Bude ... ... -1 0 0 1 0 0 Miss Moyse, Bode .. ... 0 10 0 0 10 0 Mr. B. Revill, Blackpool .. 0 5 0 0 5 0 Mr. J. Schofield; Blackpool 0 1 0 0 1 0 Per Rev. T. Rees Bott-

Mr. R. Fishwick 1 0 0 1 0 0

Mr. W. Robinson ... 0 10 0 0 10 0

Mr. Jas. Cocker ... 1 1 0 1 1 0 Mr. C. C. Spencer, J.P. 1 0 0 1 0 0

Mr. G. Ha§lop 0 10 0 0 10 0

Mr. G. W. Kay 0 2 6 0 2 6 Mr. S. Hilton 0 2 6 0 2 6

Mr. S. Raynor ... 0 2 6 0 2' 6 Mr. H. Underwood 0 2 6 0 2 6

Mr. J. W. Lord 0 2 6 0 .2 6

Mr. S. Wood .., 0 2 6 0 2 6

Mr. T. Leach .. ... ... 0 2 6 0 2 6

Miss Dalton and Miss Airey 0 2 6 0 2 6

Rev. W. P. Bates, B.A. '.... 0 2 6 0 2 6

Rev. T. Rees Bott ... .... 0 2 6 0 2 6 Mr. J. B. Studd, Clenchmartin .. 0 5 0 0 5. 0 Mrs. F. Lusher, Diss ... 0 5 0 0 5 0 "Thankoffering," Cornwall ... 0 5 0 0 5 0 Mr. Job Coley, Sutton Coldfield 1 1 0 1 I. 0 Rev. W. Micklethwaite ... ... 0 10 0 0 10 0 Rev. T. and Mrs. Sherwood ... 0 10 6 0 10 6 Coun. J. A. Buckley, Lees ... ,2 0 0 2 0 0 Mr. and 'Mrs. J. F. While, Bir-

mingham ... ... 1 1 0 1 1 0 Mr. James Gibbon, North Shields 1 0 0 1 0 0 Rev. W. U. and Mrs. Bassett ... 1 0 0 B. 10 0 0 Mr. J. E. Henderson, Halifax ... 1 0 0 Mr. W. Redmore, Port Talbot .. 1 1 0 Mr. E. Vaughan, Dudley ... 2 2 0 Coun. B. Lockwood, Leeds 1 1 0 1 1 0 Mr. John Young, Arclid .. ... 0 10 0 0 10 0 Miss Young, Arclid ... 0 10. 0 0 10 0 Miss Clarke, Arclid ... ... 0 10 0 0 10 0 E.B., per Rev. E. D. Cornish ... 5 0 0 5 0 0 "A Lover of Missions," ,Renishaw 0 5 0 0 5 .0 Mr. and Mrs. G. Burgess, Derby 0 5 0 0 5 0

Mr. John W. Taylor, Huddersfield 5 5 0 5 5 0 Captain J. Badge, St. Ives - ... 2 0 0 2 0 0 Mr. J. Biscombe, Callington, per

Mr. S. P. Rattenbury ... ... Rev. W. T. Haddy, per Mr. S.

P. Rattenbury ... ... .... 0 2 6 0 2 6 Mrs. Barnes, Chirk, per Rev. F.

Rhodes ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 10 0 0 Dr. and Mrs. FL Lloyd Snape,

Southport ... 2 2 0 2 2 0 J. K. ... ... ... 0 2 6 0 2 6 Coun. J. W. Baron, Great Har-

wood ... ... ... ... 1 20 0 0 20 0 0 Coon. W. F. Jackson, Sheffield ,2 2 0 2 2 0

£545 18 6 £204 15 6 ••••••■•■•l•■■

The Conference. Missionary Effort.

£454 ls. 6d. Still Needed to Complete the £1,000. -

THE amount secured in payments or promises on July 11th, was £545 18s. 6d. This sum represents only ninety donors. It remains with the thousands of our members,• hundreds of whom could contribute, as easily as those whose names are in the list, to determine whether we shall secure the -.0200 promised conditionally on the £1,000 being reached. We have too much faith in our people to doubt their willingness to aid in this most worthy cause. We are expecting every member of the Conference will -bring his share to this effort and make the Conference equal to its predecessors in missionary zeal and liberality. Numbers of friends throughout the denominaion should help to make the success complete. Every contribution now given is equivalent to half as much again because it secures its share of the £200 conditionally promised if the £1,000 is obtained. If you have not done so please send at once to Rev. C. Stedeford, Providence Chapel, Exeter.

Promised'. Paid.

s. d. s. d.

414 19 , 6 88 19 6

0 5 0 0 5 0

• • • • • • 0 10 0 0 10 0

5 0 0 5 0 0

THE last part of Mr. Stedeford's address deals with truths that he thinks are suitable for "a time red with conflict." What are these? The first is that it is neces-

sary for the Church to realize the value of her spiritual resources. It has a spiritual power which can do what philanthropy cannot do. It has a word to speak which can bring peace to the

world's heart and ointment for its physical and social wounds. Let it use the power and speak the work. Secondly, we need to rediscover that the Church is the spiritual mother of the race who holds in her hands the secret of spiritual healing for all her children. "If ever the soul of a people was ready to find help in the Gospel it is now, for never' before have the human needs which the Gospel sets itself to meet been felt so poignantly. The realm of visible things is shaken with change, and men are searching for a footing in the unchanging in-visible." There is room, for the message of immortality. Men in their self-sacrifice are obtaining glimpses of the heart of Christ who never liad them before and a new wistfulness is in their hearts. Thirdly, there is a danger that after the war is past there will be a return to materialism. "I am of those," said the President, " who dread a powerful resurgence of materialism when this struggle is over." "The Church is never so much needed as when the world is saying to its soul, "Take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry." Then should she be most assiduous in the cultivation of her own spiritual life ; then should her onslaughts on materialism be most uncompromising." The :President's final words should be carefully marked. We are living in complex, times and in days when life's claims are varied and insistent. What then? We need the same unquenchable faith in the invisible realities that our fathers had, for the lure of the material things is as strong as ever. Men need conversion to-day as much as then, for it is still the remedy for a sinful life. "We need, and possess still, a Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation, and as they were mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, so may we be." The President's message is pre-eminently marked by its high tone, its clear vision, its spiritual emphasis and its vivid presentation of the truths we need most surely to believe and to live by.

Truths for " a time red with Conflict."

July 15, 1915. THE UNITED METHODIST. 337

Abe 'Unita tilSetbobist. THE WEEKLY JOURNAL OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Publishing Office : 12 FarrIngdon Avenue, ILiCk

Edito's Address : 188 Rye Lane, • Peckham, S.E.

Notes by the Way.

word, "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he." Thought is determinative. If we think little of sin we shall think little of salvation from sin, of the peril of the sinner and of the urgent need for him to be saved. Thoughts like these become a poison gas to stop the onrush of the intrepid evangelist ; they choke off zeal for men's instant salvation and leave us evangelically limp and impotent. To recover our fathers' sharp sense of the sinfulness of sin would be to recover much besides that gave their life and work abiding beneficence and glory.

THE Presidential Address delivered by the Rev. J. B. Stedeford from the chair of the Conference last Tuesday will be read with great interest and much profit. As is

most natural and appropriate in this Bible Our Christian Centenary year, it deals with the President's genesis and history of the Bible Christian Address. Church. That it speaks of these as seen

from within by a man of wide culture and catholic sympathies deepens the interest of the reader. And pre-eminently so, if the reader is a United Methodist. For it is with the strictest accuracy that Mr. Stedeford observes : "All the wealth of all kinds created by those Bible Christian fathers is to-day the possession of the United. Church. The legacy they left to the world is yours. The fruits of their devotion, their passion, their vision, their prayers, their faith and their suffering are yours,- and we who are their children are your brothers and their inheritors only in common with you. I am convinced that the men who under God created the Bible Christian Church would find in this fact nothing contrary to their purpose and spirit. They were large-souled men who would not have stood out against the mergence of their own work in the work of other men of . kindred spirit, nor against the loss of a name which distinguished their work from the work of others."

41. 46

WHAT was the legacy these honoured leaders and heroes of the Bible Christian Church left us? It is to the answering of that question that Mr. Stedeford gives

, his strength of thought, his keen discern-The Secrets meat and all the resources of a skilled of Spiritual dialectic. The present writer would like to Life and reproduce in his own words mainly and Fertility. from his own angle of vision the Presi-

dent's answer, for the answer to the ques-tion is one we greatly need to hear to-day. After all, the roots of success, alike in .the achievement of personal character and service and of church character and ser-vice, are few, and they are permanent. The methods of work differ but the spirit of work that is effective never differs : it is still "love and not proud knowledge holds the key." The truths by which men live are vocalized differently by the different Christian ages, they are coloured by the philosophies of those ages, they are articulated now with this provincial accent and now with that, but in their essence the truths which changed Saul' into Paul are the same as those which changed William O'Bryan into a man who felt the divine imperative, "Be holy " and the evangelistic impulse, " Go somewhere." The men and women of the Christian ages have drunk

"at-different streams, but the streams are of the one river of water of life which flows from beneath the throne of God and the Lamb. The organizations vary, now epis-copal, now presbyterian, now congregational and in-dependent, but the power which works through the organizations is one—the power of God. In a great house there are vessels of gold and vessels of silver and some of china and others of earthenware, but each can carry the vitalizing and refreshing water. The things concerning which you are able to say, "By these things men live" are really few. Mr. Stedeford's address reminds us of that. Let a company of men be able to say, "We have seen the Lord," let them have felt. His touch on their hearts cleansing them, loosing the springs of desire and will, irradiating the whole being with love to God and its concomitant love to man, and you are at the source of spiritual power and blessing, everywhere—in the early Church, at the Reformation, in the Evan-gelical Revival of the eighteenth century and in the marvellous movement associated with the name of William O'Bryan and his, fellow workers. If this is so, all that these great movements stood for—renewal of heart and life, beautifying of spirit and behaviour, trans-figuring of the soul's relations with God and man, the coming nearer of a new heaven and a new earth—all this is possible for us to-day as fully and as richly as it was possible for our fathers. The secrets of spiritual life and fertility do not change, they remain ; they are not elusive, they may be the possession of every one of us.

* *

So much the President's Address as a whole makes strikingly clear. But coming to details and dotting the i's and crossing the t's, what were the characteristics

and qualities which made the men and the

What Made movement associated with the Bible Chris-

the Bible tian Church so vital and effective? The Christian movement was, as Mr. Stedeford well

Church says, "something living and robust."

Living and From a farmhouse in Devonshire it

Robust.

spread through Devon and Cornwall to Kent, to London, to the Isles of Wight

and Scilly, to the Channel Islands, through Somerset-shire and into Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire and to the North of England. Leaping the oceans it found a place in West Canada, in Prince Edward Island, in Australia and among the far-off tribes' of South-West China. And everywhere it brought to men the vision of God, the evangel of the Cross, the breaking of bonds, larger life, fairer characters, richer service, nobler achievements. What is the secret of this so great and marvellous success? Mr. Stedeford has no hesitancy as, to the answer. It lay in the spiritual character of the movement. " It seemed to come as the direct product of the moving of the Spirit of God over the deeps of human life." It had little to conserve. All its energy was spent on ingathering." The whole movement illus-trates the spiritual law "that from the lives of men fully consecrated to high moral and spiritual tasks there emanates naturally and necessarily an immense power to convey spiritual impetus to the lives of others." "From the lives of men fully consecrated " : that is part of the deep secret. " I believe it was because the founders of the Bible Christian Denomination realized so fully in themselves this ideal of consecration that they became men of such power." That is part of the secret, we say. But it is not the whole of it even in this connection. They were consecrated to God, they devoted their lives absolutely to some high conception of duty and service. But the duty and the service were determined, as the President well points out, by two convictions around which all other convictions gathered—one the reality and awfulness of sin ; the other the equally great reality of the power of Christ to save men from sin. He would be a daring man who said that there were not among us men and women as consecrated as our fathers were. Yet all such men and women are not as effective workers as their fathers were. Is that because most of us lack their deep conviction of the reality and awfulness of sin, with its correlative conviction of the wonder and grace and splendour of the power and the salvation of Christ? "These convictions created two rallying points of moral effort—the attainment of personal holiness and the salvation of sinners." Is the weakness of those con-victions in us the reason why we fail to be as holy and as evangelistic as our fathers were? All too true is that

The Presidential Address delivered by Rev. J. B. St Church, Exeter,

A New Era Begun. A few days after the close of the Conference last year

a new era began in the history of Europe. It began ; what, it is to bring with it no man yet knows, for it came with no promise of good, but as a portent of evil. It came stealthily as a thief in the night, and suddenly as an avalanche. It came accompanied by a menace to the existence of all that up to that hour had constituted our world; a menace so fearfully potent and sinister that it was as the belching forth of hell over the fair fields of earth.

This beginning was also the end of an era which began a hundred years ago. A century may be a short life-period for an era, but such it was for compactness, and for definiteness in its beginning and end.

That era began as it ended in a European crash and upheaval. The two upheavals were comparable from several points of view. In both cases the cause was the ambition of one nation in Europe—of one man—to dominate the whole, and the instrument a colossal mili-tary organization created for the purpose. In both cases England finds a call to arise against the, threatened tyranny, thereby involving herself in uncountable strain, and loss, and suffering. From the fact of the similarity in the political and internationalituations at these times of crisis we may legitiniately draw the conclusion that the religious situations are in many respects alike. No-thing more is needed to suggest to us a sufficient task tolday.

We are intimately related to both beginnings. To the latest' by the simple fact that we are living through it, and our hearts are tense with waiting to see what are to be its issues ; to the past by the fact that the roots of our life are in it. It has made us what we are. Our fathers helped to make it and were made by it. As a religious body we are called at all times to study our re-lationships to the past, but there is for us at this moment an especial call to this study.

One Hundred Years Ago. Before men had recovered from the throes of the battle

of Waterloo, and its antecedent troubles there came into being in the quiet places of Devonshire and Cornwall a movement to which we all owe something, and some

edeford at the Conference assembled in Providence on Tuesday last.

of us much, and in this hundredth year from its birth we are drawn in sentiment and affection to think of it and to praise God for it. This is one duty laid upon us to-day. There is another that we would gladly per-form were it within our power. 'How great a blessing it would be if by our study of the manner in which a vigorous spiritual movement came into being under the shadow of the .Napoleonic wars we could gather some encouragement for ourselves who live amid the strains and sorrows of the present Titanic struggles ; if we could out of the past become reminded of the secret, not of creating something new but of recreating the old ; if we could stir our churches to the conviction that an infinitely greater measure of power awaits them than they have yet received—even the power to bring men the great central blessings of •conviction of sin and deliverance from it.

There is one fact which at this point we should seize in passing. Though we are not all descendants of the Bible Christian fathers I have ventured to speak as if there were rio difference between those who are and those who are not in their common interest in the cele-bration of this centenary. I do so of purpose. We do not forget the beautiful and encouraging fact that this is a celefbration of the centenary of the Bible Christian Church by the United Methodist Church. There is a reason for this All the wealth of all kinds created by those Bible Christian fathers is to-day the possession of this United Church. The legacy they left to the world is yours. The fruits of their devotion, their passion, their vision, their prayers, their faith and their suffering, are yours, and we who are their children are your brothers and their inheritors only in common with you. I am convinced that the men who under God created the Bible Christian Church would find in this fact nothing contrary to their purpose and spirit. They were large-souled men who would not have stood out against the mergence' of their own work in the work of other men of kindred spirit, nor against the loss of a name which' distinguished their work from the work of others.

An Histoiic Scene. It is certainly noteworthy that we find ourselves here

to-day as a large and representative assembly moved to

Men Mighty Through God.

Corner of Frog Street, Exeter. [Lent by Worth & Co., Exeter.

again concluded. Still many remained and continued to urge the formation of a society. Mr. O'Bryan then ex-plained the nature of the class-meeting and offered to takes the names of any who desired to meet. Twenty-two gave their names. Among them were John Thorne, the farmer, his wife and five of their children, among whom was James Thorne, who was destined to become the architect of the new church as William O'Bryan was its founder.

It should be noted that this little company was driven to this act, not by any schismatic motive but by the necessity of finding some means for the cultivation of their spiritual life. In all that large portion. of Devon-shire which lies north and north-west of Dartmoor the light of evangelical truth was but dimly burning. There were only a few Nonconformist churches. The Rev. Cradock Glascott, vicar of Hatherleigh, and the Rev. Daniel Evans, curate at Shebbear, were earnest evan-gelical preachers, and several of those who formed this first Bible Christian Society were converts of the latter, but he had left the parish. To the Church of England therefore belongs the claim of having sown some of the seed from which sprang the Bible Christian Church.

Why Commemorate the Event ? Why then do we of this remote day• regard the event

of the farmhouse as worthy of recognition and com-memoration? Is it not, in the first place, because we find in it the beginning of something living and robust? Considering that the work began with the most slender resources its growth was extraordinary. The Jubilee Conference of the Bible Christian Connexion was held in this church in the year 1865 with James Thorne as President. Let me in a few strokes try to draw the picture which presented itself to the Conference as it sur- veyed the work of their fifty years of history. The members of society at that date numbered 25,097. Over 9,000 had been lost by deaths and emigrations. The vast majority of these members were the fruit of the convert-ing power of which the preachers were the instruments. The ground first cultivated was the 28 parishes which William O'Bryan had been informed enjoyed no evan-gelical preaching, but the work spread with wonderful rapidity over the whole of Devon and Cornwall. It passed to Kent, to London, to the Isles of Wight and Scilly and the Channel Islands. through Somersetshire and into Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire, and even to the North of England. Sixteen years from the be-ginning the little church ventures to open a mission in Canada West and in Prince Edward Island. In 1850 the Conference decided to open a mission in South Australia, the pioneers being James Rowe, and James Way, the father of Sir Samuel Way, Chief Justice of South Aus- tralii. Victoria was also opened. In England there were 515 chapels with 77,400 sittings and in the Colonies 210 chapels with 31,500 sittings. It was estimated that other preaching places than chapels would accommodate 20,000 more, making a total of 108,900 sittings. In Eng-land -080,000 had been spent on chapels belonging to the Connexion.

The most'significant of these facts is that for 50 years the average increase of members was 500 per annum.

338

THE UNITED METHODIST'® July 15, 1915.

commemorate by affectionate and reverent thought and word an event which took place in a Devonshire farm-house a hundred years ago.

Let us recall that historic scene. On Monday, Octdber 9th, 1815, a company that filled

both kitchen and parlour had gathered at Lake Farm-house in response ' to an announcement that William O'Bryan would preach. Many had been there for an hour before the service began. The sermon, of which "a present salvation " was the conspicuous theme, hav-ing concluded, some present urged the preacher to form a society. He, accordingly invited all who were seriously disposed to remain. To his surprise very few retired. Supposing that all would not understand the nature of the communion of saints, he gave an exhortation, and

The marvel of this work is that it was begun with practically no resources in organization or material wealth and only by painful and slow steps did it gather such aids. Like a root out of a dry ground its vitality was at once a mystery and a glory. Let us not be small enough to speak contemptuously of this work beCause it was handicapped by lack of material resources in its early stages. If the men who did it had waited for resources before they began they would never have ceased waiting. It is to their lasting honour that they did not wait, but made up that which was behind in their equipment by laying an amazing tax on the strength of their own souls and bodies.

The Secret of This Success. Can we trace the secret of this success? Did it not

lie first in the purely spiritual character of the move-ment ? This fact is indeed closely related to its rapid growth. The spirit that had the. power to bring it into being had the power also to compel and control its growth. Religious organizations too often originate in controversy. They are not necessarily less spiritually vital on that account, for even controversy may be a sign of life. But the infrequency of the occurrence makes it interesting to find a movement which originates in a practically fresh and spontaneous outburst of spiritual life. The human feeling that would have come from conflict on doctrinal or constitutional questions was absent. It seemed to come as the direct product of the moving of the Spirit of God over the deeps of human life. This manner of origin determined its character. From centre to circumference it was mis-sionary in type. It had little to conserve. All its energy was spent on ingathering. Moreover, in building itself up as an organization it had not to burst any fetters before it began, and was not hampered by any trouble-some prepossessions. It was a free spirit left to create its own fitting- embodiment.

What spiritual law is illustrated by the move- ment we are discusrsing? Is it not this : that from the lives of men fully consecrated to high moral and spiritual tasks there emanates naturally and necessarily an immense power to convey spiritual impetus to the lives of others. It is certain that we cannot do the highest tasks given to men unless we have the highest moral preparation possible to men. This high preparation is involved in what I mean by consecration. Consecration is the absolute devotion of the life to some , high conception of duty and service. I believe it was because the founders of the Bible Christian Denomina-tion realized so fully in themselves this ideal of consecra-tion that they became men of such power. No very subtle analysis is needed in order to understand these men. There were in them two strong convictions around which all other convictions gathered. One of these was the reality and awful seriousness of sin ; the other was the equally great reality of the power of Christ to save men from their sin. These convictions created two rally-ing points of moral effort—the attainment of personal holiness, and the salvation of sinners.

" Be Holy," "Go Somewhere." This explains William O'Bryan. He was by no means

in. any respect one of the weak ones of the earth. He was not an illiterate man. He was not even a poor man. His social and intellectual qualities commanded the respect of the yeoman farmers of Devonshire, many of whom allowed their sons to become his coadjutors. He. was a man of strong character, who stood four-square to all the winds that blew. But it was his moral and spiritual preparation that carried him along, and per- mitted his great achievement. In all other respects he was equalled by a thousand others. It is all gathered into two impressive sentences from his own account of himself. "On one occasion," he says, just as if some-one had whispered, it was strongly applied to my mind,

Be holy, and follow the leadings of the spirit of God and thy way shall be made plain before thee.' " The other sentence is, "I did not know where I was going. Only this I knew, that I must go somewhere as a mis-sionary to carry with me the glad tidings of the Gospel." "BE HOLY " and "Go SOMEWHERE." These were the two poles of that man's life.

It is possible that owing to the subsequent breach between William O'Bryan and his followers (though they always spoke of him with profound respect) he has hardly had full justice done him by history. His desire for power and leadership may have obscured greater qualities, but it must not be admitted. as a disqualifica-tion for honour and respect, for in that case there be many others who will share his fate ! When all is said, we know that the outstanding fact about Mr. O'Bryan was that he was a man mighty through God, and mighty to the pulling down of the stronghold of Satan.

The Power of Consecration. But this power which comes through consecration was

illustrated in others. Think of James Thorne as a young man of 25 years and William Lyle starting from Exeter on February 21st in 1820 at 5 o'clock in the evening and travelling all night in a snowstorm on a stage coach to open a mission in Kent. They had considerably less than £10 .in their pockets, and had had to scour the Con-nekion to acquire even that amount ; so there was no more to follow. If their battle was not won with these munitions it meant failure ; there was no second chance. How could they do it? They could only do it because they knew that their weapons were not carnal but spiritual, and because they trusted in these spiritual weapons. They not only needed success, but they ex-pected it, and the success they expected was of the kind that is hardest to get ; it was nothing less than the break-ing of human wills in penitence and confession, and the birth of human spirits into a new and divine life. Think of Mary Toms to whom came the conviction that she ought to take her message to the Isle of Wight and went thither accordingly notwithstanding that Mr. O'Bryan had told her there was no money for such an

enterprise. Think of her standing up on a borrowed chair at East Cowes and beginning to sing :

"Come, ye sinners poor and wretched." How would men with so much spiritual and so little material endowment conduct a missionary society? They were not careful to prevent their expenditure exceeding the income. They entered on enterprises that appear to us utterly Quixotic. In 1831 the society had an income of £104 and a debt of £60. This does not deter them from sending two missionaries to British North America.

Of course such enterprises were doomed to failure and bankruptcy? Not at all I It is your carefully cal-culated enterprise that fails. Our, fathers were start-lingly successful as well as startlingly enterprising, and success justifies enterprise. They go to Kent with no congregation awaiting them—with no building to preach in—but little money in their pockets and no helpers. Like the men who went to Macedonia they had nothing but a call to live upon.- They begin with audiences num-bering often less than a score. But in two months they were preaching to hundreds and sometimes tITousands. Great numbers were converted, and in two or three years several chapels had been built and there were some hun-dreds of members. The work of Mary Toms finds its fruit to-day in the churches that are found in almost every town and village in the Isle of Wight. To us in these days the power of the early Bible Christian preachers to win men for Christ reads almost as 'a romance. If conversions were not frequent they almost hung down their heads in shame. James Thorne de-clared that for every pound of the £70,000 raised by the Missionary Society up to the jubilee year at least one soul had professed conversion.

Soul and Brains. Notwithstanding their evangelical intensity our fathers

were by no means men of narrow outlook. In emphasiz-ing their spiritual endowment we must not under-estimate the intellectual. James Thorne, for example, had that all-round sympathy and outlook which is the mark of true culture. This was true of F. W. Bourne, and of others one might name. Not many of the pioneers were in the academic sense educated men, but they had a high conception of the value of education, and very early in the history of their work 'they provided it for their sons by the institution of Prospect School at Shebbear-the school to which Thomas Ruddle, baptized into the Bible Christian spirit, devoted over 40 working years of life. Another evidence of this breadth of outlook was the establishment of a printing press, also at Shebbear in the beginning. From that press they undertook publishing enterprises, from which we should shrink to-day. The movement was an aftermath of the evangelical revival, but it was by no means a slavish imitation. It often

Mol's Coffee House and St. Martin's Church, Exeter. [Lent .by Worth & Co., Exeter.

acted independently and more progressively than its pro-totype. Its sensitiveness to the appeal of all forms of social progress is seen in its attitude on all questions for the moral 'and political emancipation of the masses, and on the temperance question. In some points there was an. approach to the Quaker type of thought and practice, for example in customs with regard to dress, and in the

MODERNISM AND SOCIALISM. These two movements have come to stay. To understand

them read first these four remarkable Books in

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July;15, 1915. THE UNITED METHODIST. 339

employment of women as preachers. Taken all for all, .and especially as having been built up by men whose original impulse was purely religious, and whose re-sources were mainly religious, we may regard the rise of the Bible Christian Church as one of the noteworthy of the many religious movements of the nineteenth cen-tury.

A Message for To-day. We live in a time red with conflict, and we know not

what destructions we shall leave behind us when at last we emerge from it. We therefore cannot help asking whether any message comes down to us from the men of faith who emerged from a similar struggle a hundred years ago. We would know whether there is any hope that our religious life may triumph as did theirs. Much will be given us if we open our minds to the suggestions of that rich past of which we are thinking to-day. We are forced to lirrli- t ourselves to two or three of these Suggestions. Those which help us to see how we may become mighty through God = to meet the needs of this new era are the most important.

We learn first that it is necessary for the Church to realize the value of her spiritual resources. Let me affirm that the great thing for which men look to the Church in this time of struggle and upheaval is spiritual power, -- not philanthropy merely. If you are simply philanthropic what do ye more than others? The whole world is philanthropic in these days. The world is still in need of those who can speak peace to its heart as well as find ointment for its physical and social wounds. I plead for a deeper spirituality in our churches if we are to be equipped for service in this new time. There are churches which have not enough spiritual energy to drive a weekly prayer-meeting. We need the note of a, deeper spirituality. A church pervaded by the spirit of consecration seldom fails. To say this is only to declare a law, as it is also to say on the other hand, that a church pervaded by the spirit that finds a devo-tional meeting uncongenial and judges of success by dol-lars and numbers, but has no vision, no baptism, no spiritual power, will suffer from a blight which will gradually wither up all spiritual life and will ultimately leave the church empty. Such churches will be utterly incompetent to meet the new time that lies before us as a nation. If I read aright the sign in our Denomina-tional sky there is a growing consciousness of these facts and laws., Let this consciousness grow until it issues in a great cry, and when that cry is answered, as it will be, we shall be ready for all that God may give us to do.

Rediscovering the Church. Secondly, the people must rediscover the Church as the

spiritual mother of the race who holds in her gracious hands the secret of healing for all her children. We are often told that when men return from this war they

will no longer be content to settle down to humdrum and prosaic tasks as before. They, will' still desire the call-ing which brings the thrill of the adventurous and heroic.

if men could see it Christ long ago placed this very thing within reach of all His followers. Did life lack thrill for John Wesley or James Thorne, or for Mary Toms, or James Way? There 'will be room enough for the heroic when the war has ended. Untellable tasks of healing, of comforting, of saving will be on our hands.

If ever the soul of a people was ready to find help in the Gospei it is now, for never before have the human needs which the Gospel sets itself to meet been felt so poignantly. The realm of visible things is' shaken with change, and men are searching for a footing in the un- changing invisible. If there is a message of im-mortality to be spoken those will listen eagerly who have had to endure the snatching of loved ones by violent death. Men in their self-surrender and sacrifice are obtaining glimpses_ of the heart of Christ who never had them before. In its pain the world is wistfully looking to Him who claims to be the Healer wondering if after all he is not the One they need.

The Menace of Materialism. Thirdly : There is another need of the hour. Not all

the people will be stricken by this war, and not all will turn to spiritual realities. I apprehend that as soon as the danger and strain of war are passed multitudes will return to their materialism. To say this is not to contra-dict what has been said already. The deepening and intensifying of the life of the people in any given direction often means by reaction its deepening in other directions. Materialism has not been killed by the war. Let there be no mistake. Many, after all are not hit hard enough by this war to loosen them from the old view of life that it "consisteth in the abundance of the things which a man possesseth "; and the period of restraint will only strengthen the spring with which they will revert to the things which are below. I am of those who dread a powerful resurgence of materialism when this struggle is over. The one thing this human race has not learned is to use to its own real advantage the bless- ings of peace. It brings moral slackness and dull- ness of vision. We so use peace as to bring war be-cause we use it selfishly and not philanthropically, nations as well as individuals, and so decline lower and lower, and then when war comes because we have misused peace, and we are driven away once more from our selfish plotting, we ta(k cant about the ennobling influence of war. If only proves that we are such witless, charac-terless creatures that we cannot attain ennoblement with-out being whipped into it.

Too often the Church itself in the world's prosperous days is lured into thinking that all is well—that because the people raise no cry there is no need and no danger. But it should be the function of the Church to have eyes to see, and ears to hear what the natural man is not in-formed of. The church is never so much needed as the

helper of humanity as when the world is saying to its soul, "Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." Then should she be most assiduous in the cultivation of her own spiritual life; then should her onslaughts on materialism be most uncompromising. Too often the Church herself partakes the spirit of ease and com-placency, heeding not the need because there seems to be no. pain.

Refusing Acquiescence. There is another way in which we can bear witness

against materialism, that is, by refusing 'to acquiesce in the complacent assumption that the line of distinction be-tween the Church and the world is very thin. The truth upon which the New Testament speaks so emphatically, that a man must be born from above before he can see the kingdom of heaven is in danger of receding into the background. But we must not make it easy for men to enter the church visible who refuse to enter the kingdom. It will be strange if the doctrine of conversion which is finding a place in religious psychology should be given lep prominence in the demands of the Church on its can-didates for admission. Methodism at least will come to be but a name if a knowledge of the great experiences of the soul ceases to 'be the condition on which she opens the gates of her fellowship. If we would keep clear the distinction between what is of the kingdom arid what is not of the kingdom we must return to the emphasis which the leaders of the Evangelical Revival placed on Conversion. It would do another thing ; it would heighten the value which men would put on member-ship in the Church. And still another thing would it do ; it would multiply conversions.

Brethren, we live in times more complex—perhaps greater with' incalculable possibilities than those of our fathers, and life's claims upon us may be more varied and insistent; so that it may not be so easy to fit our religious life and work on to the need of the age. But there are laws of the spiritual life which are as vital to us as to them and must not be forgotten. We need the same unquenchable faith in the invisiNe realities as did they, for the lure of material things is as strong as ever. Men need conversion to-day as much as then, for it is still the remedy for a sinful life. We need, and possess still, a Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation, and as they were mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, so may we be.

War and a New Religious Spirit. We had at the beginning a few fellows who made fine

sport of the chaplains and of religion generally. Some of them were low blackguards and some were really well-educated men. But since this engagement their blasphemy has gone, and these .very men fall upon their knees and pray in the presence of their comrades. A new religious spirit has come into existence.—From a Letter from the Front.

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340

THE UNITED METHODIST. July 15, 1915. ..

Conference Proceedings. (Continued from page 335.)

elusion he heartily welcomed the representatives to his native city. The city was dear to him, but he owed everything to the Methodist Church, and there were those in Heaven who would rejoice that their sons and daughters were following in their footsteps. (Applause.)

Rev. J. H. Burkitt, C. Pye and C. A. Ashelford also briefly responded.

The State of Our Churches. The chief business of the afternoon session was the

consideration of the State of the Churches. The following resolution was moved by Rev. J. W.

Walls : The Conference receives the numerical statement

with gratitude in that it shows satisfactory results of faithful work in many places, but with regret that in the total we have to record a diminished member-ship, notwithstanding a considerable increase reported from our foreign fields. The decrease in the Home Districts is 866 ; the increase on the Mission Stations is 856, leaving a net decrease of 10.

The financial returns show a net increase of 16s. 10d., a result that is recorded with much

satisfaction, and bearing in mind the great strain everywhere caused by the war, and the demand that has been created for generous exertions in so many unusual directions. It is a pleasure to record that our people generally have acquitted themselves nobly in the national welcome offered to the Belgian refugees, and in the discharge of other special tasks involved by the war.

Significant Facts. That over 12,000 of the very best of our young men

have proffered their services at immense sacrifice to sustain Britain's righteous resistance to Germany's unprincipled, and brutal aggression, and that our ministers have been ready to take their place in ministering to the troops both in .training and in action, are significant facts recognized with apprecia-tion.

Speaking generally of the Home Districts, we have to chronicle decreases in both adult and junior mem-bership, as also in the number of our Sunday scholars.

To doubt the importance of authorized tabular returns may perhaps do little harm when such returns are all indicative of progress, but it is perilous to treat them lightly when they point in an opposite direction. In business life, the man whose stock-taking should exhibit decrease in the volume of his trade, and decrease in the amount of his capital, and who yet regarded such ominous signs as of little importance, would probably soon find himself in the bankruptcy court. And no better fate can await a Church that trifles with the most solemn calls to take heed to its ways; and hesitates to adopt remedial measures in time to avert catastrophe.

Difficulties in Church Work. That there have been difficulties in Church work

owing to exceptional conditions is admitted. Dis-appointment however cannot but be felt that in presence of a world-wide calamity greater than ever before experienced, the nation has not more generally resorted to prayer, or thronged to the established means of grace. Certainly we are a more serious-minded people than a year ago, and we are accept-ing without complaint the many sacrifices entailed upon us day by day. But there has not' been the in-crease in religious devotion that might have been expected, and united prayer for the pardon of national sin and for divine blessing and guidance in the cruel arbitrament of battle forced upon us, has been the exception among the churches rather than the custom. And while special movements in Church enterprise have been deferred, and time and effort thereby made available for the common round, there is little to show that in ordinary duties there has been a general increase of earnestness or devotion.

The broad fact stands out that fewer members have joined our churches. We have lost less by removals and discontinuances, or the net decrease would have been heavier than it is. But if fewer have joined our churches in a time when national danger has made men thoughtful, is it not because less effort has been put forth to increase our members Called to be co-workers with God, and in His Name to urge men to accept and embrace the Gospel, have we been dila-tory in the. discharge of the primary duty of our Christian calling? Ministers, leaders, local preachers, Sunday School teachers—all may ask themselves the question, If we have fewer members to-day, is it not because of the slackening of our own effort? How many have we sought out individually, pressing on them the claims of Christ, persuading them to the duty and joy of yielding to His call? The personal appeal, persevering and prayerful, seldom fails finally and which of us can escape the painful thought that our decrease is owing to the prevalence of slackers in our ranks', and slackers in the war the Church is called to wage for Christ imperil interests far beyond themselves and of eternal consequence? They are an anomaly and disgrace, and lower the tone of the Church to which they belong.

Our Only Resource. Our only resource is God : our only comfort that

there is forgiveness with Him. Representatives of our Churches, is it not incumbent on us to seek the Divine mercy, and promise for ourselves and our people, that we will make a fresh beginning, and apply ourselves with more devotion to the great task which devolves upon us? The decrease we mourn is

sad : it means lessened forces on the side of righteous-ness ; it means spiritual loss and peril to those around us. If, however, it stir us to renewed consecration, and to more sustained endeavour, we will thank God .even for this temporary set-back, and look for the days of prosperity to follow speedily.

The Conference requests Representatives to intro-duce this important subject into the leaders' and teachers' meetings throughout their Districts, at an early date, that all may be brought to face the gravity of our present position, and be led to adopt prayer-fully the means by which it may be promptly improved. In a comprehensive and thoughtful address Mr. Walls

said he hoped they would secure for the conversation an atmosphere as intellectual and spiritual as that that characterized the address of the President this morning. His own feeling about the Conversation was that they should as far as possible review the whole situation without going too much into details. A testimony was an excellent thing as such, but he did not think that conversation should develop along those lines. The resolution which he believed was very well drawn by Rev. Dr. Packer, could not be called- an optimistic resolution, although he entirely agreed with it. He did not wish to forget that there were grounds for good cheer as they thought about the state of the Denomina-tion and Church, and he thought of them as he did about the war : he had no fear about the issue, but he could not but think with profound concern as to what would happen before the day of victory. The grounds of good cheer were the fact that the spirit of the denomination had grown into a close fellowship during the past few years. Some people said the war was a menace and reflection upon Christianity, but he had the feeling that so far as the British people and United Methodists were concerned they had nothing to be ashamed of in relation to the war as it had brought out a wonderful spirit of devotion to the highest things. He thought the spirit of the community had steadily im= proved since Union, but all was not well as the resolu-tion said so, and they must look facts in the face. They had a decrease of 866 in the home districts with large decreases in the junior church membership, Sunday school teachers and scholars. They rejoiced in the success of the work abroad, but they must not take this as a com-pensation for the losses at home. They must look at facts behind the resolution, and the fact that other de-nominations were suffering the same difficulties brought no comfort except the comfort of fellowship in suffering. One of the best things in the President's Address was "do not admit into the church visible those who refused to enter the kingdom of God," and there would have been different church to-day if they had acted on that prin- ciple. If members came in easily they are not much good, as when they are in they come out easily. A very considerable reduction in the membership of some of our churches would mean an increased spirituality. All new members should be welcomed in a public manner, at the sacramental service or some other service. We need a great widespread and serious sense of responsibility among the members of our churches as in many places the work was left to the few. The only way to succeed was to win the young people into the church, and then-they should come into closer touch with God through private and public prayer. Then he was sure there would be for this denomination a great and worthy future.

Mr. I. W. Schofield, who -seconded the resolution, said that when they thought of all the concentrated effort of the work in the churches during the past year they were inclined to be disheartened at the result. It was difficult to see the bright side of _the figures put into that resolution. One could not, however, but remember the difficulties of the past year, but he appealed to the preachers for a wholehearted exposition of the redemp-

tive power of Christ. They needed a greater insistence on the fact that while God loves the sinner God hates the sin. Let them have in our pulpit the mysterious power from the divine, and He did not think there would be a lack of response. Let them get back to . God. A deeply thoughtful and spiritual conversation ensued, in which the following took part : Mr. W. Tamblyn, J.P. (St. Mellion), Rev. R. Noble, Mr. W. Challenger (Barnsley), Revs. R. H. B. Shapland, H. T. Chapman, Alderman M. Mordey, J.P., Revs. W. E. Balmer, A. Hancock, C. Stedeford, James Wright and T. Sunderland. The President closed the conversation when resolution was adopted.

The session was brought to a close with the celebra-tion of the Lord's Supper in the evening.

A reception in the Rougemont Grounds was given by the Mayor and Mayoress (J. G. Owen Esq. J.P., and Mrs. Owen), which was largely attended by representa-tives and hosts and hostesses. A full report will appear in our next issue.

Young People's and Temperance League Department.

DEAR. MR. EDITOR,---I shall be obliged of you allow me to comply with a request that I will name, in the UNITED METHODIST, the engagements I have in the Roch-dale District. While doing so it may be well to name those made in other Districts. Let me say, also, that I shall be glad to book dates in September for our churches, schools, Temperance organizations, etc., etc., in any part of the country.

At the present moment I am booked for the Rochdale District (Baillie St. Circuit) Oct. 2nd and 3rd ; Roch-dale (Haslingden Circuit), Oct. 9th and 10th ; Manchester District (Huish Circuit), Oct. 16th and 17th ; Birming-ham District (Small Heath and Farcroft Aventie Circuit), Oct. 24th to 31st ; Leeds District (Leeds West), Nov. fiat to 8th ; Halifax and Bradford (Elland Temperance Street Circuit), Nov. 14th and 15th. If the dates shown above to be vacant can be used in the circuits, or the Districts where engagements have already been made there will probably be a considerable saving of time and money, but, of course, they may be booked for other places unless speedy action is taken. With thanks for your expected kindness in inserting this notice.

I am, 324 Mansfield Road, Yours truly,

Nottingham. S. C. CHALLENGER.

THE suggestion of the National Free Church Council that Sunday, July 25th, should be observed as a day for national intercession, confession and rededication is being widely taken up throughout the country ; and very large demands are- being made to the Memorial Hall for the special service-farm, of which a Welsh Edition has been prepared. The Bishop of London has written to express his pleasure that the same day has been chosen as that appointed throughout his diocese. The following Presi-dents of the various Free Church Denominations have signified their hearty concurrence :-

Rev. J. T. Forbes, President, Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland; Rev. J. Monro Gibson, LL.D., Moderator, Presbyterian Church of England ; Sir Arthur A. Haworth, Bart., Chairman, Congregational Union of England and Wales; the Rt. Rev. Bishop E. R. Hasse, D.D., President, the Moravian Church in the United Kingdom ; Rev. R. Waddy Moss, D.D., President, Wes-leyan Methodist Conference; Rev. A. J. Naylor, Presi-dent, Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion ; • Rev. Owen Owens, Moderator, Calvinistic Methodist General Assembly ; Mr. Edward Ralphs, President, Independent Methodist Churches ; Pastor E. H. Spring, President, Disciples of Christ ; Rev. J. Day Thompson, President, Primitive Methodist Church.

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SOLOMON DEDICATES THE TEMPLE. -1 Kings viii. 1---66.

THIS is a lesson full of historical as well as religious interest. The erection of the Temple of Jerusalem was an event which had far-reaching issues. To leave some impression of these momentous results, and to relate them to present-day interests in religion, will serve a very. useful purpose.

Hints for Teachers' Study. (1) The building of the first temple at Jerusalem was

the most important act of Solomon's reign, in some degree. the only event that makes the reign really momentous. The approximate date is 970-960 B.C., and for nearly four centuries afterwards until the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 586. B.C., that temple was the chief symbol of Hebrew faith and religion. A second temple was built on the same site in 538-518 B.C., fifty years after the destruction of the first, by the first company of returned exiles under Zerubbabel, and for a. period of five centuries was the central shrine of the worship of Jehovah. It was this second temple which was replaced by the temple begun by Herod the Great in•B.C. 20, work on which was , still going ' on in our Lord's time, and which was not completed until A.D. 62 or thereabouts, shortly before its destruction by the Romans in A.D. 70. For some centuries after this, no sacred building was permitted to be erected on the same site, but two Christian Churches were built near it in the sixth century. After the Mohammedan capture of the city in 637 A.D., a mosque was erected on the Temple site, replaced by a Christian Church during the Crusades, which was in its turn converted to Moslem Uses when Saladin recaptured Jerusalem. The buildings which now stand on the old Temple enclosure, the Dome of the Chain and the Dome of the Rock, and the Mosque el Aksa, can be recognized on any view of modern Jeru-salem.

(2) Teachers must make , some attempt to form a mental picture of the appearance -OS Solomon's Tenipie. There are three sources of information : (a) The account of •the building of the Temple, in 1 Kings v.-viii. This is clear in general outline, but the, details are very con-fused and obscure. (b) The parallel account in 2 Chron. ii-vii. This was written from the standpoint of a time long after the Exile, and is not historically so trust-worthy "as the much earlier record preserved in Kings. (c) Ezekiel's vision of the Temple (Ezek. xl.-xlii., and parts of xliii. and xlvi.), though imaginary, preserves some details of Solomon's temple. On the whole, teachers will do best to follow" the account in 1 Kings v.-viii: Note the graphic description of the assistance rendered by, Hiram, king of Tyre, in providing timber

. from Lebanon in return for corn supplies, the system of " .corvees," or " forced labour " involving the employ-ment of thousands of men to hew, to quarry and to build, (v. 13-18), and the engagement of another Hiram of Tyre, a famous brass worker (vii. 13, 14) who set , up ' his foundry in the valley of Jordan (vii. 46), and there rnantifactured the two great pillars " Joachin and Boaz " which adorned the Temple front (vii. 15-22), the great metal basin, "the brazen sea " (vii. 23-26) and other metal implements and decorations. The Temple 'itself appears to have been a building about 100 feet long, 33 1-3rd feet wide, 50 feet high, -in front of which was a porch, and, on the three remaining sides, three stories of smaller compartMents, which we should call "vestries," above which appeared the walls of the main biulding, much in the same way that the -nave of a Norman church' overtops the aisles. The roof, however, was -probably flat, after the manner of Egyptian or Babylonian Temples. The walls were built of white limestone, the most prevalent rock in Palestine, and the appearance of which, when polished, is like marble. Internally, the main building was divided unequally into two compart-ments, the larger of which occupied two-thirds of the length, and was called "the holy place," the smaller and more remote compartment, " the holiest place," being the compartment in which stood the Ark and the two cheru-bim. T,he stone floor was overlaid with cypress wood, the walls with cedar: The extent to which gold was used in decoration, though certainly lavish, is probably exag-gerated by the historians.

(3) The site on which Solomon's Temple was built was Mt. Moriah, the traditional spot of Abraham's proffered sacrifice of Isaac, and the more easterly of the two hills on which modern Jerusalem stands. The erection of the temple, however, was only part of a' much larger building scheme which Solomon carried through. 1 Kings vii. 1-12.describes five other buildings, erected at the same time viz., the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the Hall of Pillars, the Throne Hall or Hall of Justice, the Royal Palace, and the residence of Pharaoh's daughter. These were all erected on Mount Moriah, and some division 'of opinion exists as to their relative situation. The best supported view puts the Temple on the Northern and highest point, with the House of the Forest of Lebanon at the lowest and most southerly point, so that from the latter to the former was a gradual ascent past the Hall of Justice, and the Royal Palace. The whole series of structures was enclosed in the " Great " or " Outer " Court, but the Temple and Royal Palaces were also en-closed in " courts" of their own within the larger en- closure. •

(4) The opening of the Temple was accompanied by a great religious festival described in 1 Kings yin., with an alternative account in 2 Chron. v. 2-vii. 22. The chief features of the festival were the procession of priests in which the Ark was brought into "the Holiest Place" and the dedicatory sacrifices. The very beautiful- prayer

Hints on Teaching. (a) Junior Classes-. (1) Teachers should be provided with a map or plan, or

preferably a picture of Jerusalem, ancient or modern, and a plan or rough sketch of Solomon's Temple ; and if they are familiar with the history of some old church, es-pecially one known to the children, so much the better. A convenient start might be made by referring to the destruction in the present war of ancient buildings like Louvain University or Rheims Cathedral. Lead the chil-dren to think of the men who so lovingly and with such great faith erected these beautiful buildings hundreds of years ago: Around us in England we have many build-ings like' these. Here refer to any church whose history is familiar. (London teachers might, for instance, choose St. Paul's Cathedral, on the site of which there may have been a Roman temple, and almost certainly was a Saxon Church, succeeded by "Old St. Paul's," which in its turn was followed by the present Church after the Great Fire of 1666). Why did people so long ago take such pains and spend so many years in building these wonderful structures,? Yes, to worship God ! (Liverpool and Cor-nish children might be led to reflect on the new Cathedrals at Liverpool and Truro).. Picture ' the hundreds and thousands of people who in successive generations have worshipped God in buildings like these !

(2) We are going to hear the story of the building of a wonderful Temple long' ago, in which for 400 years people sight to worship the true God. The place was Jerusalem. Shew picture. But the church in the picture is not the one we are going to tell about, but one that was built on the same place . nearly 3,000 years ago. There have been several temples on the same site since; the third was the one that our Lord used to visit. The Temple of which we are to tell was built by Solomon. Recall how David had wanted to build such a Temple, but could not because he had so much fighting to do. There seem to have been no Temple or buildings of any kind on the hill before Solomon's time ; • but probably the hill was regarded as a sacred place, because it was said that there Abraham had sought to offer up Isaac. There is still a "sacred rock there on which sacrifices were offered (preserved under the smaller "Dome of the Rock," see picture or plan). Pexhaps that was why Solo- mon chose that spot for the Temple. Near it too he placed his own new palace, and a court of justice and some other buildings. How beautiful it must have all looked with the white limestone gleaming in the sun-light ! But the chief building was the Temple right at the top of the hill.

(3) Tell of the gathering of materials, the wood from Lebanon, the -stone from the quarries, Hiram's brass foundry, the seven years of building. Then the open-ing, the worship and the sacrifices, Solomon's prayer. Then lead the children to think of the people who wor-shipped there for 400 years, how they loved it and prize it because they were sure that it meant God' was in their midst. Tall of their sorrow when it was destroyed, of the rebu: ding when they returned from exile. Do we love Ges','s hbuse like that? Read the pilgrim Psalm lxxxiv.

(b) Senior Classes. (1) Begin with the same reference to Louvain or

Rheims as above. Raise the question : what does a building like Rheims Cathedral stand for? Compare it with the history of one of ours own Cathedrals, especially creating the picture of the successive generations of wor-shippers who have found peace and rest and faith there. The accumulative influence of these Temples of Prayer is immense. The shorter histories of some of our Free Churches tell the same story, e.g., the City Temple, going back to 1664, or Wesley's Chapel to 1778.

(2) Transfer the thoughts of the class to Jerusalem, one on the World's Holy Cities. Three religions look thither-wards in varying degree, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Recall the Temples in which first the religion of the O.T. was successively centred, and sketch briefly their history, ‘(1) Solomon's, (2) Zerub-babel's, (3) Herod's, then (4) the Christian Churches and Moslem mosques.

(3) Lead up to the question : What is the value of such sanctuaries? Do they satisfy any real spiritual need? Does organized worship answer any hunger of the human soul? The answer is obviously in the affirmative, otherwise so much human toil and energy would not have been expended therein. It is good to have our "holy places," enshrined from the thoughts and cares of the world, where we can meet with God. It is some-times argued that we could worship better in the open-

341

For Our Boys and Girls. THE MAGICIAN'S FAIRY CHILD,

BY H. J. M. THE great magician made a fairy of very delicate

and sensitive material 'and beautiful workmanship ; to it he gave the desire to love and also an appetite for beauty of form, colour and music, but because there was nothing unharmonious or ugly about the magician's dwelling, the fairy child was not able to enjoy its gifts through having nothing with which to contrast beauty and perfection of form, colour and sound.

So the magician made a school to which to send his fairy child, and in the school were all kinds of ugliness and dirt ; also crooked and imperfect things. When the fairy arrived there she found a lot of other beings in various forms ; her own form was that of a pig. She also had but a very vague recollection of her former home, and only a dim vision of the beautiful things that were there.

She however had still a firmly-rooted feeling that right was might, and though everything seemed crooked and out of joint yet it was nevertheless a part of a perfect plan.

She soon found that to keep the pig's-body in which she was obliged to live from tormenting her, it was necessary to grub amongst the foul dirt of earth almost all the time to find food for it. And whenever she tried to sing beautiful songs that her soul-nature suggested' to her there was nothing but a grunt or a squeal came for her efforts.

After a number of years of wanderings from place to place searching for satisfaction of the longings and promptings of her soul-nature, all this time having to root amongst the dirt, she came one day upon a sign on a wooden cross about two thousand years old, set in the middle of, thorny bushes on rocky ground, it was this : "If you would accomplish that desire which is in you to sing beautiful melodies, cease to think of self and just live to help others."

She could not, however, see any way in which she could help anyone except, only, to let other pigs have the choicest pieces she found amongst earth and dirt.

This she did for some time, until one day she found a stranger in grave peril, and, going to his assistance, was caught in a cruel trap which gave her much pain, so that she cried out and wished she had not heeded the sign ; but after a little while the pain left her, and she began to see clearer and more clearly the beautiful things she had tried to see so long ; then suddenly she found herself back amid the glorious surroundings of her father's house, but with full enjoyment of their beauty, which was only possible through the lessons she had learned in the school whose name is mortality.

" The Making of the Old Testament." By W. F. Loft-house, M.A. (Kelly ; 1s. net.)

A DISTINCTLY useful and timely addition to the series of "Manuals •for Christian Thinkers." Mr. Lof.thouse deals with 'the twofold process of the collection of the books of the Divine Library, and the careful guarding against error in the actual language used. This is not done in the interest of any narrow theory : "literary criti-cism is of necessity itself dependent on textual study." The book may be profitably read by the young student, and " plain man," along with manuals on the work of the Higher Critics. It begets the spirit of reverence, and will send the reader with open mind to the Book, which, apart from the New Testament, has no peer. For "to pass from the Old Testament to the Koran, the Gathas, the Vedas, is to pass from pearls to moonstones, from gold to silver or bronze." H. K.

July 15, 1915.

For Our Teachers. BY REV. E. C. URWIN, B.A., B.D.

HINTS ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON, JULY 25th, 1915.

THE UNITED METHODIST. placed on Solomon's lips, viii. 14-53, is, however, gener-ally regarded as a later composition of the Deuteronomic editor of Kings. Its general tenor is "that the temple may ever be the guarantee of intercourse between heaven and earth, the symbol and pledge of the answer to prayer."

air. This true only in part ; nature is worshipful an 1 inspirational in some of her moods, but the possibilities of distraction are greater, and nature worships have generally been sensuous and revolting.

A Note on Literature and Illustrations. Maps and plans of Jerusalem and its temples are gener-

ally found amongst the maps included in most "Teachers' Bibles." Further information concerning the Temple can be obtained from Hastings's Bible Diction-ary, art. " Temple," or Skinner's Commentary on I. and II. Kings in the "Century Bible" (with careful plans of Solomon's Temple) or similar works. Pictures of Jeru-salem are sometimes included in Illustrated Bibles ; but a good set may be obtained by writing to the National So-ciety, 19 Great Peter St., Westminster, S.W., for Set No. VIII. (price 4d.). Something of the kind is almost indis-pensable. For light, shade, and colour, for the lesson, read again : Baring Gould's, "The Building of St. Sophia."

Brighton.—Preliminary arrangements were made for the celebration of the Bible Christian Centenary on Sept. 1st. A resolution was, adopted expressing to the Revs. J. C. Pye and R. S. Hall (who are leaving the circuit this Conference) high appreciation of their faithful' ser-vice during the years they have been in the circuit, ten- , dering to them heartiest thanks, and s wishing them God-speed in their new spheres of labour.

Dudley.—Rev. R. H. Little presided. Treasurer's statement very satisfactory. The local preachers de-cided to forgo their annual outing and give the money to our Camp Homes Fund. It was also decided • to ask all the churches in the circuit to take a retiring collec-tion on or before July 18th on behalf of 'the same Fund. An important discussion on matters brought forward by the Young People's Secretary brought a very successful meeting to a close.

Manchester Third.—Rev. J. Sutton presided. Numerical reports were of an encouraging character. A pleasing feature during the past few years has been the addi- tion to the number of local preachers. Mr. Firth, of the Gorton Church, is the last addition. Mr. F. Gallo-way presented the district meeting report. Unaniinous votes of thanks were passed to Rev. J. Sutton and Rev. C. 'Dimond for the valuable services they have rendered to the circuit during their ministry there.

Oldbury.—Chairman, Rev. G. G. Nicholson. Most hearty appreciation was expressed of the Chairman's ser-vices during his second stay of five years in the circuit. His colleagues and other members of the meeting bore testimony to his brotherly kindness and generous spirit. A vote of sympathy with the relations of the late Mr. R. W. Davies was passed. Mr. Richard Parsons has re-cently compleffd 50 years as a lay 'preacher, and a com-mittee was appointed to present to him some fitting token of appreciation.

General. Cardiff (Cathays Terrace Mission).—Open-air services

are being held outside- the Flora Hotel every Saturday night after 9 p.m. Last Saturday a most successful meeting was held when about 150 men listened to the gospel of ministry and song. Sisters Owen and Coombes spoke, also Brother Joe Thomas said how the Lord had opened his eyes and brought him from darkness into the marvellous light of Jesus Christ. Several men in khaki were there ; some that were wounded from the front, expressed their delight with the singing, and said they would come to the mission.

West Kensington (Bethel).—A very fine rally of the Fulham and Chelsea Christian Endeavourers took place last week under the presidency, of Rev. W. Kenyon. Rev. J. H. Blackwell conducted a service of intercessory prayer for soldiers and sailors. Rey. J. Fleming, Pre-sident of the National C.E. Union,' gave a stirring and impressive address on "Advance Endeavour" and also conducted the Consecration Service. A special collection was taken for the United Methodist Camp Homes Fund and amounted to £1 6s.

Departed Friends.'

Mr. Robert Redhead, Wallsend-on-Tyne. The Carville Church has suffered another grievous

loss in the passing of Mr. Robert Redhead. As a boy of nine he came to Wallsend 'with his parents from the mining village of Cramlington, and has been, con-nected with the school and church for the long period of fifty years. He has rendered great service in many spheres: As Sunday school secretary,, as choirmaster for many years, and as treasurer of the trust he was con-spicuous for his usefulness. And everything he did was done willingly and in a cheerful spirit.= Failure of health began. to manifest itself about five years ago. There was a partial loss of sight, a great privation to a man of his fondness for reading; gradually his strength declined, and he passed peacefully fo rest on June 24th..The, funeral took place at the Wallsend Cemetery, and was largely attended by friends from the church and the town. Rev. S. Heywood conducted the service at the home and at the graveside. Mr. Redhead.is survived by his widow and three daughters, who are all closely associated with the church at Carville, and. ,for whom much tender sympathy is felt in their sore bereavement.

Mr. Edgar Harris, Drybrook. Mr. Edgar Harris, of Drybrook, in the Forest of Dean

Circuit, passed away on June 28th at the early age of 34 years. He had from infancy been associated with our Sunday School and church in Drybrook, and had taken a warm interest therein. His father, Mr. Thomas Harris, who was a local preacher, passed away some 16 years ago, and soon after the son was led to give his, heart to God, and has since continued a member of the church. For the past ten years he , has been organist, and has rarely been absent from his place at the Sunday and week-night services. He has been active in the Sunday School, Band of Hope, ,Christian Endeavour, and as a co-secretary for the Rechabites, and useful in many ways. There was ,a large attendance at the funeral service which was conducted by Rev. S. Cooper, first in our own church, and then at the interment in the parish churchyard. A well attended memorial service was con-ducted on Sunday, July 4th, by Rev. S. Cooper. Miss Maud Morris sang a. solo which was a favourite with the deceased. Mr. Harris leaves behind a widowed mother, a brother, and his betrothed, and many warmly-attached friends, to mourn their loss.

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842 THE UNITED METHODIST. July 15 1916.

News of Our Churches. All communications sent by the halfpenny Most for this

Page should bear on the outside, distinctly written, the words "News for the Press," and should be directed to "The Editor, United Methodist,' 1-88 Rye Lane, Peck-ham, London, S.E." A number of communications have been surcharged through omitting to conform to these Post Office regulations. News should arrive not later than the FIRST delivery on Tuesday morning, and be written on one side of the paper or postcard only.

BELPER. FAVOURED by fine weather, although the morning was

thundery and rainy, the stonelaying ceremony of a new Sunday School at Openwoodgate, was successfully car-ried out on Wednesday afternoon, June 30th. The

is from plans prepared by the trustees, and ela-borated by Mr. Argile, architect, of Ripley. It will pro-vide accommodation for about 230 scholars in the primary and general schools, besides which there are four class-rooms, one of which will be used for kitchen purposes, as occasion requires. The end wall is so constructed, by the insertion of an iron girder, that it can—by a fold-ing wood partition—be merged into the chapel (to be built later when the old chapel is pulled down) for special occasions. The contract for 'building the school has been let for £630, the land being the property of the trustees. The principal stone was laid by Mr. J. G. Hancock, M.P for the division,, who contributed the sum of ;10 ; the remaining 32 stones were laid by ladies and gentle-men of the congregation, viz., 11 at £5 each ; seven at £2 2s. each ; 13 at £1 1s. each ; and a visitors' stone which realied L:3 12s. 6d., the whole being considered a splendid result for a small village, consisting mainly of a working-class population. Previous to the stone-laying a very impressive address was delivered by Rev. E. D. Cornish, Connexional Chapel Secretary, to a large company who had gathered for the occasion.

Mr. J. G. Hancock, M.P. in laying the stone, ex- pressed the pleasure given

M.P., in being present. He

said that he was glad that the population was increasing so rapidly that it was absolutely necessary to erect new schools. Notwithstanding the high price, of materials, he was glad to see that there were men and women in Openwoodgate brave and strong enough, their love of children so great, and their spirit of self-sacrifice so pronounced as to lead them to undertake the task of building a new Sunday School. The function of the Sunday-school was the making of men and women. After tea a public meeting was held in the chapel, pre-sided over by Councillor J. Potter, of Derby, who also presided over the stonelaying. Capt. Sowerby, C.A., who is in charge of the village Church of England, opened with prayer. Rev. E. D. Cornish was the chief speaker, and he Held .the congregation spellbound for about an hour.

Mr. G. Hornsley, of Denby, also spoke briefly, but very pointedly. Councillor Potter, having to leave, the Rev. A. Knight, circuit minister, took charge, and brought a most successful and soul-inspiring meeting to a close. The total proceeds will be a little over ,4'100.

MALIN BRIDGE. Memorial Window Unve'ling.

ON Thursday evening July 8th, a large congregation joined in a very impressive servcie held in our beautiful Malin Bridge Church, when the Rev. Michael Bartram unveiled a window to the memory of the late Mrs. Joseph Wood. The centre lights of the window (which is in the front of the building) represent Dorcas distributing gifts to the poor, and the "rose " window at the top con-tains a most life-like portrait of Mrs. Wood. The side-lights leave each choicely-painted scroll-work surmounted with lilies, under which is an appropriate text of Scrip-ture. The window is the gift of Mr. Joseph Wood, and has the following inscription at the base— `To the glory of God, and in loving memory of Margaret, for over 50 years the devoted wife of foseph Wood, of Albany House, Wisewood. She died September 23rd, 1914, aged 71 years. To her self-sacrificing and continuous efforts the erection of this church was largely due. Her children rise up, and call her blessed.' " In unveiling the window, Mr. Bartram--an old friend of the family—paid an elo-quent arid a tender tribute to Mrs. Wood's striking per-sonality, her influence in the home, in social life, and in the church, and also to her "passion for benevolent work."

The service was conducted by Rev. S. Wright (resident minister), Revs. E. Holyoake, A. Ivey and G. Jobling also taking part. On behalf of the trustees, Mr.. J. T. Moxon (the oldest trustee and member) accepted the win-dow, and spoke of Mrs. Wood's unfailing optimism. Durini the service appropriate music .was rendered by the choir, Mr. H. Wood (a nephew) presiding at the organ.

The window is a most exquisite work of art, and is the production of Mr. A. Jeffery, of Sheffield.

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Anniversaries. Bradford (Shearbridge Road).—School anniversary

preacher, Rev. F. J. Wharton (Mossley). The reading of the roll of those from Shearbridge who have joined the 'Forces was a feature of the evening service. In the afternoon the scholars were delighted by an address on "Pud'ney's Button " from Rev. Vivian T. Pomeroy, B.A. (Congregational). A former superintendent of the school, Mr., Thomas H. Young, presided. Despite in- cessant rain the services were well attended, and the anniversary brought new inspiration to our workers. Collections, £27.

Bradford (Thornton).—The Sunday School anniversary sermon preacher was Rev. F. Keyworth. The address in the afternoon was given by Rev. H. Burn (Congrega tionalist). Special music was provided by the children and choir, assisted by many friends. The services were much enjoyed. Collections £50.--(Four Lane Ends). Rev. R. Dimond (Leeds) was the preacher at the school and anniversary, afternoon and evening, and Rev. H. Burn addressed the scholars and friends in the morning. Good congregations gathered in spite of the unfavour-able weather, and the collections were in advance of last year.

Castleford (Whitwood Mere).—Sunday School anniver-sary services held on July 4th, when Mr. Walter Black-burn was the preacher, morning and evening ; and Rev. J. W. Davis (pastor) gave the address in the afternoon. Also on July 11th, when Mr. Wm. Blackburn preached morning and evening, and Rev. H. W. B. Chapman gave the address in the afternoon. There were good congregations at all the services, and the collections realized £43.

Cowling. — Sunday School anniversary services: Preacher, Rev. J. H. James, M.A., LL.B., B.D., of Burnley. Special soloist, Miss Emily Booth, contralto, of Colne. Special music by a choir of seventy voices, under the able conductorship of Mr. Joseph Bradley. Organist, Mr. Frank Brown, A.R.C.O. Large con-gregations assembled.' Collections, £50 14s. 2d.

Failsworth (Bethel).—The Sunday School anniversary services were conducted morning and evening by Rev. E. D. Cornish, whose discourses were greatly appreciated by the friends. In the afternoon a special floral service written by our Pastor, Rev. W. S. Green entitled, "The Guarded Gateway " was given by the school children under the guidance of Mr. R. Glaister, and the primary teachers. The children built the gateway and decorated it with flowers. There were large congregations at all the services. This school has sent nearly 60 men to the war and already mourns the sad loss of four of its number who have laid down their lives for their country.

Leeds (Ventnor Street).—The Sunday School anni-versary preacher was Rev. T. H. Moyle, of Farsley, who also addressed a scholars' service in the afternoon, when the Whitsuntide hymns and special music were sung by the children.

Littleborough.—At the Sunday school anniversary the morning address was given by Alderman W. Cunliffe, J.P., of Rochdale. Rev. T. A. Jefferies preached after-noon and evening to large congregations. The singing was conducted by Mr. Frank Evans, the organist, the choir being increased by the teachers and scholars. The collections for the day amounted to £110 Os: 4d., an increase of on the last year.

Liverpool (Holt Road).—Sunday School anniversary services held on June 20th and 21st. Rev. Walter Wilby (of Louth) conducted the services on the Sunday and gave an address on the Monday night. The special singing of the scholars and choir being much enjoyed. The financial result was a guinea in advance of last year.

Oldbury (Great Bridge).—School anniversary services were conducted by Rev. W. F. Ridley. , In the afternoon a musical service was held, the singers (apart from the children and the choir) being Mlle. Spanaghe," of Brussels, and the Birmingham Cathedral male quartette. The offertories for the day amounted to the record sum of over . 42.—(Dudley Port). The school anniversary preacher was Rev. W. H. Cockersole, of Stourbridge. In the afternoon a musical service was held, when solos; etc., were rendered by Madame Aston, Mr. Jesse Hackett and Mr. C. F. Till. The day was about as wet and stormy as possible, and all were therefore most grateful to hear that the offertories for the day were 10s.— over -z-4 in advance of last year's total.

Rochdale (Milnrow).—Sunday School anniversary ser-vices held July 11th. Preacher, Rev. H. V. Capsey. Address by Mr. Thos. Howarth. Goad congregations, the chapel crowded at night. Collections £65, an in-crease on last year.

Salford (Liverpool Street).—The seventy-eighth Sun-day School anniversary services were conducted by Rev. Charles Dimond, who preached excellent sermons morn-ing and evening.

, In the afternoon Mr. W. B. Willett

gave a very helpful address to the scholars and friends on "Kindness." The singing of the children was very favourably commented on. Total receipts, £16.

Quarterly Meetings. Birmingham First (Unett Street).—Held at Smeth-

wick, Rev. F. P. Argall presiding. Excellent attendance of delegates. Sympathy was expressed with relatives of the late Mr. F. A. Cowling (church secretary, Ombersley Road), and Mr. W. Lawrence on serious illness of wife. Three ladies appointed as representatives, the one present (Miss Ekins, B.A.) being cordially welcomed. Membership showed decrease of six on last quarter, due to deaths and removals. Financial statement regarded as satisfactory. Unett Street reported activity with regard to Abstainers' League, the large membership in-cluding a number of King's Pledges from soldiers in training or at the front. United open-air meeting also to be held, the Rector of the parish church co-operating.

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etc., are inserted at the uniform price of 2s., unless they exceed 30 words, in which case 6d. extra for every eight words or under is charged. Notices, together with Remittances should reach the office of the UNITED METHODIST, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, B.C., not later than Tuesday morning.

DEATHS. KELSEY.-On July 2nd, at 8 Rising

Street, Sheffield, Helen Augusta, beloved wife of James Kelsey, in her 61-st year. For about 45 years a devoted mem-ber of Andover Street Church.

COLLEY. - At Haveray Park, Kirk Hammerton, York, after great and

prolonged suffering, borne with Christian patience and fortitude, Sarah ,Maria, the beloved wife of the Rev, E. Colley, entered into rest on Thursday, July 8th, 1915. After service in Salem United Methodist Church, Dewsbury, she was interred in the cemetery of that town on Saturday, July 10th.

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50 /6 Carr, Paid.

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THE SUPREME QUEST, OR,

THE NATURE AND PRACTICE OF MYSTICAL RELIGION. By JAMES P. LANGHAM.

Being the Hartley Lecture for 1915. Price 2/6.

FROM CAPETOWN TO KAFUE By H. J. TAYLOR.

The Author has a facile pen 'and fine descriptive powers, and has written a delightful book which should be widely read. It is a splendid volume for presentation, for home reading, or for our young people. It is a true story of travel, full of missionary romance and customs, is splendidly illustrated, and well and tastily bound. It should have a large sale. Buy it ! Read it ! ! Give it away ! Published at 2/-..

London : JOSEPH JOHNSON; Holborn Hall, E.G.

Cheap Chairs For Churches, Chapels, Missions & Schoolrooms,

FROM

-11s. 8d. EACH.

Buy from the Factory. Save Middle Profits.

ME ILING BROS. High Wycombe.

1 The FARRINGDON LIBRARY. Edited by Rev. HENRY SMITH. '

Price 1/- each net. By post, 1/3.

MEM. SPECIAL OFFER.

JOHN INNOCENT A Story of Mission Work in North China.

By G. T. CANDLIN. Crown 8vo. 25 Illustratipns.

1/6 net to clear Stock. POSTAGE 4d. EXTRA.

The British Weekly says : Mr. Candlin's biography will be a treasured possession It is a record of a truly heroic career."

London : HENRY HOOKS, 12 FARRINODON AVENUE, E.C.

APPOINTMENTS VACANT.

LAY PREACHER wanted for the Tiverton Circuit, to commence work September 5th. Applications

with references to be sent to Rev. W. Bennett, 31 Castle Street, Tiverton. Devon, by July 12th.

WANTED SUPERNUMERARY MINISTER to take charge of church in Leicester Circuit from

August neat.-Address A. W. Palethorpe, Secretary. Inglewood, 49 Bismarck Street, Leicester.

LAY PREACHER wanted in the Shebbear Circuit for six months from September 29th to March

25th.-Applications, with reference, to be sent to W. Harris, Veilstone, Buckland Brewer, Bideford, Devon, not later than July 28th, 1915.

SITUATION WANTED.

WANTED.-Post to assist lady in all household duties. Domesticated. Good references.-

A., 18 Scarisbrick New Road, Southport.

MISCELLANEOUS. 6 PAGE AGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND HOW

`± TO USE THEM, free. Send for one.- Trimnell, The Herbalist, 144 Richmond Road, Cardiff. Established 1879.

ASTHMA, ASTHMA, Bronchial Asthma.-Immedi-ate relief without powders or medicines; a

wonderful remedy ; fortnight's free trial.-Write U.M., Zeals Asthma Company, Quantock Road, Weston-super-Mare.

2n PER CENT. £1 Preference Shares, yielding VI - 20 per cent.; specially suitable for small in-

vestors; quarterly dividends ; limited liability; cash or instalments ; 2s. per share on allotment ; 1,000 autho-rised. 913 allotted. Fred B. Woodruff, " Epworth Lodge," Leyland Road. Southport.

NEW VOLUME.

The GOLDEN CHAIN • INiMismomniMORRI ••■■••■

The Story of the Bible Christian Methodists from 1815 to the Union of the Denomination with the Methodist.New Connexion and the United Methodist Free Churches in 1907.

BY R. PVK.E.

" Interesting and inspiring We hope its circle of readers will be a very, wide one "

-Methodist Times. "A vivid and impressive account of the growth and

development of the Bible Christian Denomination." -Christian Globe.

" An interesting contribution to the history of Methodism."-Daily Chronicle.

OTHER VOLUMES OF THIS SERIES. TIGHT CORNERS IN CHINA.-By Rev. SAM

POLLARD, Missionary among the Miao in South-West China, and an old Shebbear Boy. 168 PP• Illustrated.

MINISTERING WOMEN.-The Story of the Work of the Sisters connected with the United Methodist Deaconess Institute. together with some account of the origin and History of the Institute. By Rev. HENRY SMITH, 208 pp. With 14 full-page Illustrations.

THOMAS RUDDLE OF SHEBBEAR. - His Life, and Selections from his Letters. By an old Shebbear Boy (G. P. DYMOND, M.A.). 220 pp. Illustrated.

LONDON:

The United Methodist Publishing House, 12 FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C.

SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' POCKET BOOK.

Individual Communion Cups For Lists of PATENT " IDEAL " OUTFITS and SAMPLES ON APPROVAL, carriage free, write

to the Makers

Townshends, Ltd., Birmingham WAR CRISIS.-Will you to-day show your patriot.

ism by sending your order to keep our work-people going ?

_ A _ Splendid Enlargement 3/6 Delicately and. Artistically Finished by com-

petent Artists In an indelible process. Size 12 inches by 10 inches,

mounted on India tint plate sunk mount. Send any Photograph, together with P.O., and in 10 days you will receive a work of art that will charm and surprise you. Your original photograph will be returned at the same time undamaged.

Address: Manager, "United Methodlet,", 12 Farringdon Avenue, E.C.

UNITED METHODIST

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS MAGAZINE. Monthly, Price Twopence.

The Lessons meet the requirements of every section of the School, from the Primary to the Senior Depart-ment.

Sunday School Teachers will find this Magazine one of the best publications of its kind.

Schools can be supplied in quantities at lid. per copy carriage paid - if ordered through the minister's monthly parcel.

LONDON : HENRY HOOKS, 12 Farringdon Avenue, E.C.

343

3d. The United 3d. Methodist Magazine

THE JULY ISSUE CONTAINS : WHAT OF THE CONFERENCE 3 By the Editor. THE PRESIDENT-DESIGNATE:

Rev. J. B. STEDEFORD. (With Portrait.) By Rev. JOHN H. BATT.

THE CONFERENCE CITY OF tots. (Illustrated.) By Rev. D. J. BOUNSEVELL.

THE AWNS OF SUTCOMBE. (Illustrated.) By G P. DYMOND, M.A.

NIP ORDER THROUGH YOUR MINISTER.

By the Late Rev. Dr. TOWNSEND.

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY

From Its Foundation to the Reformation. For the use of Local Preachers, Sunday School

Teachers, and Elder Sunday Scholars. "This is a survey It is crisp, reliable, well

balanced, and well arranged. Many will prize such a compact and readable summary. It ought to do great service."-Wesleyan Methodist Magazine.

A HANDBOOK OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

The ground is covered briefly but not superficially. The style is interesting."-The Preachers' Magazine.

Paper Covers 6d. each net ; by post, 8d. Cloth Covers 1 /- each net ; by post, 7 /2.

London: HENRY HOOKS, 12 FARRINODON AVENUE, E.G.

Regimental Number, Name, Address, Space for Greeting from Minister and Church, Short Prayers, Passages of Scripture, Hymns, Calen-dar, Blank Pages for Notes, etc.

PRICE 9d. EACH, POST FREE.

HENRY HOOKS, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.

" EPILEPSY Its Causes, Symptoms,

and Treatment," By 3. GILBERT DA.I.X.

Contents: Introduction-The Causes of Epilepsy-The Forms and Effects of Epilepsy-The Treatment. Price 1/-

Post Free. Publishers: The Colston Publishing Co., Ltd.,

61 Lambert House, Ludgate Hill, London, E,C.

TINSY6.VBELLOWSW

PEARL ASSURANCE COMPANY, LTD.

Chief Offices : High Holborn, W.C. Annual Income £3,468,000 Claims Paid exceed ... £16,000,000

Additional Representatives Wanted. F. D. BOWLES, G. SHRUBSALL, g Directors,

WHEN REPLYING TO ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE MENTION

",UNITED METHODIST."

July 15, 1915. , THE UNITED METHODIST.

• •

CONTAINING

of any Photograph for Carriage Paid.

y -

BUGS; FLEAS;-

.'MOTHS B E ETLES

All

communications respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the

ADVERTISEMENT

MANAGER, " United Methodist," 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E,C.

The

Positive

Organ.

A real Pipe Organ, giving the effects of two manuals and pedals on its single keyboard. Price from £77. .Over 900 supplied. Estimates given for Repairs, Rebuilds, Two and Three-Manual Organs, etc.

POSITIVE ORGAN CO., Ltd., *44 44 Mornington a

scent (Opposite Tube

Station) C, London, N.W.

ASHVILLE COLLEGE, HARROGATE.

UNITED METHODIST BOARDING SCHOOL.

Chemical & Physical Laboratories. Carpenter's Shop. Gymnasium.

Playing Fields, etc. , Five Resident Graduatesand Seven

Visiting Masters.

Inclusive Fees. Principal- Rev. ALFRED SOOTHILL, B.A. (Lond.)

ADVERTISE

YOUR WANTS

In the

UNITED

METHODIST.

25 words for is, and one Halfpenny for each \ additional

word.

Three Insertions for price of two.

STAFFORD COLLEGE, Forest Hill, S.E. Establi.shed 1863.

Boarding & Day School for Boys. Healthy Situation. Eight A.ssistants. Modern

Equipment. Moderate Inclusive Fees. Gymn 81.1 Playing Field for Football & Cricket.

At the College of Preceptors'Examinations (1897-1914) 345 Stafford College Students were successful, taking several places in

honours and many distindtions.

Prospectus on application to PitTS:citvAi. W. G. HOFIIER

Stafford College, Westbourne Rd.,

FOREST HILL, S.E.

Hoe Grammar School, Plymouth. ESTABLISHED 1867.

' Principal and Head Master : G. P. DYMOND, M.A. (Lond.),

Member of the ADiscly Commission of Teachers to the Erni' ed States and Canada 1905-7.

Second Master : W. J. LUKE, B.A. (Lond.), L.C.P. Full Stair of Graduate and Trained Teachers.

A Successful . Home School in a Beautiful Neighbourhood. Close to Sea. Mild Win-ter Climate in Riviera District. Tennis, Cricket, and Football Grounds. Safe

Open-Sea Bathing. Successes include : Inter. Arts, London Matric., Naval Clerkships, Medical and Law Exams., Eastern Telegraph, Civil Service (Admiralty, Taxes, etc.), First-Class Honours Local Exams., and many

minor successes.

THE UNITED METHODIST

Edgehill Girls' College, BIDEFORD, N. DEVON,

Governor : Rev. W. TREFFR Y. HEAD MISTRESS :

Miss E. 0. JOHNSON, B.A. (Hons.) Lord., Assisted by an Efficient Staff.

Beautiful situation large gardens ; good class-rooms ; laboratory ; gymnasium ;

our own farm.

Great Successes in the last Oxford Locals. Terms, from 30 Guineas.

For Prospectus apply to Head Mistress, or Rev. NV. TREFFRY, Governor.

UNITED METHODIST COLLEGE, (BIBLE CHRISTIAN)

SHEBBEAR, NORTH DEVON. Governor t Rev. W. R. K. SAULKWILL.

HEAD MASTER : Mr. J. ROUNSEFELL, M.A., B.Sc. (Lond.),

First Class Honours in Latin, Teachers' Diploma, SIX ASSISTANT MASTERS.

PUPILS prepared for the Universities, the Public Examin- ations, and for Business at the option of parents.

Many successes in each department. Healthy situation. Playground 41 acres. Diet good and unlimited in supply. Abundance of Milk, etc., daily from

the College Farm-over 70 acres. TERMS, from 27 guineas per year.

Apply to Rev. W. R. K. BAULKWILL.

PADDINGTON.

9 and 8 SPRING STREET. VERY QUIET YET CENTRAL.

Two minutes to G.W.R., Metro rolita.n, and Central London Railways. BEDROOM (including light and attendance) : Single, from 2/6. Double, from 4/...

Telephone : 2390 PADDINGTON. NIGIIT PORTER. Telegrams,: CORY'S HOT EL PADD." Proprietor, W. J. CORY:

CORY'S HOTEL

a. U.M." denotes that Advertisers are members and friends of the United Methodist Church.

ABERYSTWYTH —The Plynlymon largest • Boarding Hquse in

Aberystwyth. Near golf links. Facing sea. Good cuisine. —Illustrated tariff, apply Manageress.

BISPHAM, BLACKPOOL. Mars sasfls 11 Hesketh Avenue, Public and Private Apartments, close to Sea. U.M.

BLACKPOOL.—Mrs. 13.EvE-jlifi(friTmi Birm 14i

High Street (corner of Pleasant Street), North Shore. Public and Private Apartments. Near sea and promenade. U.M.

BLACKPOOL—Misses PILLING, Alma • House, 25 Banks Street,

N.S. Public and Private Apartments.' Sea view. U.M.

BLACKPOOL—Mrs. SCHOFIELD, Norfolk • House, 19 Banks Street.

Public and Private Apartments. Sea view. N.S. U.M.

BLACKPOOL.—Mrs. J. H. Ainley, Trafford • House, 42 Charnley Road.

Public and Private Apartments. Near CentralStation and Sea. U.M.

BLACKPOOL Mrs. BEARDSLEY, 10 Waterloo • Avenue. Public and private

Apartments. Sea view off Promenade. U.M.

BLACKPOOL—Mrs. Iddon, Harding Mount, I Northumberland Avenue, The

Gynn, Blackpool, N. Public and private apartments. Sea view. • U.M.

BLACKPOOL—Mrs. Hirst, 19 Hull Road. A . comfortable home for old and

new friends to spend a holiday ; near Central Station, sea. and amusements.

BLACKPOOL—Mrs. COOKE, 3 Crystal Ter- m race Promenade. Most com-

fortable, homely, private and public apartments. Small Private sitting room ; best position on seafront. Terms moderate.

BLACKPO9L.—cAopmaformrtearillse, pit! ebrl c sa nmdepdreirvaaitee

central.—Mrs. Thomas. 102, Albert Road. U.M.

BOURNEMOUTH—"STANHOPEDENE" . Boarding Establishment,

Glen Fern Gardens. Comfortable, homely. Delight-fully situated near pier, gardens, and all interesting. Terms one guinea weekly. Stamp for tariff.—Address, Mrs. Gray.

BURNHAM SOMERSET.— segadrer ments, well furnished bedroom and sitting room. At-tendance. Terms mod. --Myrtle House, 9 Hudson Rd.

COMBEmARTIki (Near ILFRACOMBE).—Fur- nished ntshed Apartments-2 or

3 bedrooms, sitting-room—Terms moderate. Near sea.—Miss Rudd, Lonsdale House. [U.M.

BRIGHTON RAILWAY

The

South Coast Watering Places

WITH THEIR ADJACENT

MAGNIFICENT DOWNS OFFER AN EXCELLENT SUBSTITUTE FOR THE

CONTINENTAL RESORTS AND PROVIDE

ENTERTAINMENTS SUITED TO ALL TASTES.

Revitalising air, bright skies, sparkling seas,

and social joys abundant.

HASTINGS ST. LEONARDS BEXHILL EASTBOURNE SEAFORD TUNBRIDGE WELLS

ISLE OF

BRIGHTON HOVE WORTHING LITTLEHAM PTON BOGNOR SOUTHSEA

WIGHT.

For particulars write, Supt. of the Line,

L.B. & S.C. Railway, London Bridge Terminus.

LE Unsolicited.

COALVILLE.

3 Dear Mr. Stather,

I do not know how

to thank you for send-

ing such a beautiful

• piano. I am delighted

with it ; and so are

our people. Everyone

• who saw and heard

it, expressed their

pleasure. .

Yours sincerely,

M.A.H.

Over 22,000 Instruments made and

sold.

Dear Sir,

I am pleased to say

we received the piano

quite in order, ' I'm

very pleased with it,

and must say the person

who gave the instrument

the name gave it an

appropriate one—it is a

thorough "Gem." ..

Yours faithfully,

G.E.S.

Every Instrument sent

Carriage Paid and fully

warranted.

Unsolicited.

LEEK.

Best for Tone. Best for Value. Best for Quality.

BEST ALL THE WAY !

ROBERT STATHER'S NEW

IMPERIAL MODEL PIANO (Boudoir Cottage). Height 4 ft.

•

Finely polished Case. Rosewood finish, with Sheraton lines in. panels. Iron frame. Check action. Full trichord.

Splendid tone. Offered on the . . • SPECIAL EASY PAYMENT SYSTEM of

10s. 6d. monthly. (First Payment 21s. Total to pay 20 Guineas.) Other terms arranged if desired, or

liberal discount allowed for cash.

ORGANS, from 4-i GUINEAS. School Pianos a Speciality.

THE ROBERT STATHER

PERFECT PIAN UNSURPASSED FOR QUALITY AND DURABILITY

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST AND CHEAPEST .IN THE COUNTRY.

=--.

344

THE UNITED METHODIST. July 15 1915.

Geo. M. HAMMER & Co., Ltd. Established 1858. 'Phone 4452 Central.

MANUFACTURERS of EVERY DESCRIPTION of

CHURCH Seats,. Chairs, pulpits, Choir Stalls, Communion Furniture, Notice and Hymnal Boards, Collection

FURNITURE

Plates riitli4zz.,he'rcksdatteo7iitalfrZr."ses" sma.iliflais 430 STRAND, W.C. t RI )

WHERE TO SPEND YOUR HOLIDAYS.

PREACHING APPOINTMENTS.

SUNDAY, JULY 18th.

LONDON. Brixton—Streatham

(Riggindale Road). 11 a.m., 6.80 'Arr.

Clapham Junction-(Mallinson Road). 11 a.m., 7 P.m.

Stockwell — (Paradise Road) 11 a.m., 6.30 p.m.

Fulham—Walham Grove. 11 mem, 6t80 Atm.

Fulham—Munster Road 11 a.m.. 11,80

Newington—Brunswick, Gt. Dover Street. 11 a.m., 6.301.m.

BrIghton Bristol Road. 11 a.m., 7 P.m. Stanford Avenue. 11 a.m., 7 P.m. Montifiore Road (Old Shoreham Road). Hove. 11 a.m., 7

Guernsey—St. Paul's.

10.30 a.m., 6.301.m. Morecambe-

Sandylands Promenade.

10.30 a. m. 6.30/. m. Sheffield-r-Scotland

Street Mission 10.30 MOM., 13.30fi.m.

Southport—Manchester Road Church.

(Approached by Leicester Street from Promenade, by Mao. cheater Road from Lord Street and Hoghton Street)

10.30 a.m., 6.30,.m

Swansea—Oxford Street. 11 a.m., 6.30 A.m.

APPOINTMENT VACANT.

MINISTERS on holiday in Blackpool during August, September, October, willing to render Sunday

service, write before July 30th, S. Marsden, Rydal Mount, Warbreck Drive.

DEVONo —Com e ei e tvt room bedroom.one

en din r o!m Fac-

ing south. , Good attendance, Permanent or weekly.— . Apply Mrs. Teague. Rosemont, Lifton, Devon.

EDINBURGH. — M t lsahnadn circimc ipe laanceee. Hotel,' Close

to Caledonian Station and West End of Princes Street. A cleanly, comfortable, well-managed. hotel Highly-recommended.—J. Robinson, Proprietor.

HARROGATE. —R (I) ymzi e Vuaml Hr oyodmr gt1.7paolsl ietye

Gardens, near all baths, Winter Garden, Kursaal ; Physician. Telephone 42. Terms from 8/-. Miss Hemingway, Manageress.

ILFRACOMBE— Comfortable Boarding ■ House for Ladies. Central ;

facing sea ; terms moderate. Stamp.—Misses Hunt and Jarvis, Balmoral, Hostle Park.

AN IDEAL HEALTH AND HOLIDAY HOME.

PENNINGTON, "FERN ROYD," HOLMFIELD ROAD, N.S., BLACKPOOL.

Splendidly uatmnutefrcmgon minutes fac;ti Indon elro

Public and Private Apartments. No Intoxicants. U.M.

LONDON-34 Brunswick Square, W.C. ' First • class Private Hotel and Boarding-

house, 10 minutes' walk from King's Cross and Mid-land Stations ; close to Tube for anywhere. Bed and breakfast from 4s, full board from 35s. weekly.—Mrs. John B. Wild. Telephone : 1743 Museum.

MATLOCK—Apartments : 1 sitting-room, 2 . bedrooms, pleasantly situated on

the bill overlooking the home of Florence Nightingale. Terms moderate.. Piano. Mrs. J. Kirby, The Croft, Holloway, Matlock. U.M.

MORECAMBE. —Mrs. F. and Miss • Whittles, "Grangeville,"

10 Windsor Terrace, Heysham Road, W.E. Public and Private Apartments. Home comforts. Terms moderate. U.M. •

MORECAMBE—Misses PICKERING, Beach • Mount, Victoria Esplanade,

E.E. Public and Private Apartments. Highly 'recommended. U.M.

MORECAMBE W E;VssBEiL,den House, Eexandra Ioad. Pleasant Apartments, public and private ; board optional ; terms moderate ; near sea, pier and bandstand.

POjLTON, WALLASEY•— Adjoining • Cintral Park.

Trams to New Brighton, Seacombe Ferry and Wallasey Sands.—Miss Bowell, 22 Deveraux Drive.

SOUTHPORT (safety area). — MATLOCK I HOUSE, 60 Bath Street. Apart-

ments or Board. Near Prom., Lord Street, churches. Methodist home. Highly recommended by ministers. Piano, bath. Invalids specially studied. Terms moderate.—Mrs. Hall.

ST. ANNE'S - ON - THE - SEA . — Mrs. Greenhalgh and Miss Riding (late of Southport). —Ivy Dene, 62 St. Andrew's Road, S. Comfortable apartments.

TORQUAY Miss MARTIN, Woodland • Lodge, Chelston. Private Apart

manta or Paying Guests. Near sea and station. U.M.

TORQUAY —Furnished apartments near Sea, ▪ Downs and Trams Teims moder-

ate. Mrs. Eggington .28 Warbro Road, Babbacombe. Torquay.

VENTNOR, I.W.— wCtreo;•teaablevieAwpa. r_tnivrfirtss.,

Ennor; Dudley House, Dudley Road. U.M.

The Favourite Home in London for Abstainers.

WEST CENTRAL HOTEL FIRST-CLASS HOTEL FOR LADIES A GENTLEMEN.

Accommodation /or. about 200 Guests. Pronounced by the Press the Best Temperanoe Hotel

the United Kingdom. Passenger Lifts. Convenient for City or West End—Business or Pleasure. Highly commended by Sir William Hartley, J.P., Rev David Heath, Rev. John Tbornley, Rev. Dinsdale T. Young'

and thousands of Guests from all parts of the world. Excellent Coffee, Drawing and Reading Rooms.

APARTMENTS, SERVICE AND TABLE D'HOTE BREAKFAST FROM 5/- SOUTHAMPTON ROW1 LONDON.

Full tariff and Guide on application to FREDERIC SMITH as BONM.

Special. Offer :

Ex-B.C. School Hymns & Tunes. Edited by J. R. GRIFFITHS.

1/- Fiat, to cleasztr StoCit.

London:

HENRY HOOKS; 12 Farringdon Avenue, E.C.

APPOINTMENT WANTED.

MR. A. PRICE (Lay. Agent) is now open for en-gagement. Highest references from the Pen-

zance (Parade Street) Circuit.—Address 13 Adelaide Street, Crewe.

Morning.

E. 0. Dinsley

J. S. Hicks

R. W. Gair

J. H.Greenw ood

E. W. Warner

A. W. Edwards

R. S. Hall

J. C. Pye

J. G. B. Corin

G. R. Goodall

M. de J. Lark

A. Ivey

E. Cato

G. W. Hicks

Evening.

R. L. Wildridge

A. Reveley

R. W. Gair

W. Kenyon

— Sizeland

G. T. Akester

J. C. Pye

R. S. Hall

J. G. B. Corin

G. R. Goodall

W. Attoe

F. W. Ashton

E. Cato

F. Sparrow

Write now for FULLY ILLUSTRATED- CATALOGUE, post free.

g ROBERT STATIJER, .,Ebe .t1Dethopiet Vroviber,, Estab'd. 187 SEVEN SISTERS RD., FINSBURY PARK, LONDON, N. / 870.

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• II I • • • •

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