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THE UNITED METHODIST, THURSDAY, AUGUST 13th, 1914.

DOES CHRISTIANITY MAKE A DIFFERENCE ? (See Below). THE • LATE REV. JOE COCKIN (Page 631). METHODIST OVERLAPPING (Page 635).

UNITED METHODISTS' EXPERIENCES OF THE WAR (Page 636). THE • ted e thodist

THE WEEKLY JOURNAL OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. With whisk is incorporated the "!vac Methodist." founded UMW

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Does Christianity A/141(e a Difference ?

IN a recent issue of a well-known daily paper a correspondent expressed the view that though the Christian Churches may still be tolerably well filled, yet the Christian religion has ceased to be a power in the lives of the people. The indictment against the professed Christian is a heavy one and needs to be carefully weighed. Sweeping statements of this type, however much they may seem to be justified by large, bodies of facts, probably break up against facts somewhere, and are in consequence to be distrusted as an accurate account of the whole truth. Yet this particular charge respecting the powerlessness of religion in the individual and col-lective life of our time is an oft-made and very familiar one, and it can be backed by a body of evidence which gives it a certain speciousness so far as the ordinary mind is concerned. Over vast tracts of life to-day the religious—not to say the Christian—motive is allowed little or no sway ; it may be that in very little of the life of our time is that motive as dominant as it ought to be. When we remember how crassly materialistic in its aims and character much of our boasted modern civiliza-tion is ; when we consider the divisions that rend society and embitter the relations between man and man ; when we contemplate the horrifying spec-tacle of a continent in arms and reflect that Chris-tian sentiment and conviction have been powerless to prevent this practical denial of the truth of human brotherhood ; we may well feel humiliated to the dust and with much heart-searching ask what power the Christian religion has in human life and history.

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On one point we may have absolute conviction. Christianity ought to be power as often as it is admitted into life. Christianity properly appre-hended, possessed, experienced always is power ; it inspires lofty conceptions of duty," calls to courageous decisions, reinforces the human will- in the presence of all its tasks ; in short, it not only allures, but increasingly brings, to righteousness. That is the test of its genuineness. The ancient prophets of Israel in their day clearly saw that religion was worthless save as it led men to know the right, choose the right and be the right ; and so far at least Christianity reaffirms the point of view ,of prophecy. Yet Christianity offers us in-finitely more than Old Testament prophecy both in the way of knowledge and dynamic. It does more

sketch an ideal of life and service for us. It shews us in Jesus that ideal realized ; it thus reveals to us the ethical possibilities of our lives, and by shewing us our humanity at its highest clearly proves to us that that highest consists in a realized righteousness of life, a conformity of our wills to God's will.

But Christianity does even more than demonstrate the accessibility to men of the lofty ideal it presents.

It brings a new power into life—the Christ power, by the operation of which human lives may be raised surely, if gradually, to the level of "the ought to be." Christianity not only claims to be power but repeatedly in history has shewn itself to be such. The promise of an outpoured power was made by Jesus to His disciple group ere He left them. Pen-tecost was the conscious reception by the disciples of that promised gift. Paul claimed that the worth of his gospel was evident from the power with which it wrought on human life, and he was content to leave the effects produced by his gospel to shape the world's verdict upon it. The history of the first Christian centuries is the history of an astonishing force at work—a power which elevated and spiritual-ized the life it touched, impelled to sacrifice and martyrdom, realized a human brotherhood in which racial and social distinctions were transcended and forgotten, created new ideals and cast them as leaven into society, strengthened humble men and women to resist and eventually to defeat the organ-ized might of the Roman Empire.

Nor does the first chapter of the history of Chris-tianity exhaust the wonderful story. That astonish-ing power which won such complete yet bloodless victories has worked on and in many a life still works. We may deplore the fact that the victories of the Nazarene in human life and history are not more complete and widespread, yet it would be sheer folly to allow the non-success of the Christian appeal and power in certain directions to blind us to the amazing victories that have been won in the days that lie behind us. Life may be far below the level we would fain see it occupy, yet it had been upon an infinitely lower level still but for the ideal, the im-pulse and inspiration which Christian teaching and faith have provided over the centuries.

Nor must we forget that Christianity depends for its opportunity upon a voluntary yet real response on the part of individuals. Where such response is lacking altogether, or is made only in name but not in fact, Christianity has not its opportunity and can-not bring forth its fruits. The Master might weep over many a people, "How often would I . . . but ye would not." He is not really without power save in the degree in which men are unwilling. The failure of the human to respond may mean—and has doubtless often meant—the practical impotence of the Christ, but it by no means follows from this that Christianity is bankrupt in the matter of power. No power can produce its effects if it be denied the only conditions under which it- can operate. Chris-tianity is power ; history says that with unmistak-able emphasis to every impartial student ; to ignore this truth is to leave vast portions of history un-explained.

II. Where shall we look for the secret of this -power?

I think we may say that the secret is to be found in an energy of faith, a patience of hope, and an intensity of love which always characterize the real Christian. Faith, hope, love—these three are in-volved in Christianity and each in its way and degree is power. Where these three (in the Christian understanding of the terms) are present, there the peculiar power of Christianity is ; where these are not, there the peculiar power of Christianity is lacking. It is clear that I cannot here and now, within the limits of my space, treat these ideas in any but the most cursory manner. Faith has been defined as a kind of sixth sense. Just as the five senses afford us a series of points of contact with the material- world and constitute the avenues along which a knowledge of that world is reached, so faith puts us into touch with the unseen world of spiritual fact and force and enables -us to reach, for ourselves at least, a certainty of conviction respecting that world. To men' of faith the world of spirit is im-measurably more real and abiding than this present material world ; "the things which are seen are tern-poral but the things which are not seen are eternal." To the man of faith God is a glorious certainty, and His ceaseless activity to execute His love-purpose in

OF

PRINCIPAL CONTENTS.

Does Christianity make a Difference ? By John T. Brewis, B.A.; B.D.

United Methodist Table Talk ... Things that are being Said ... The Late Rev. Joe Cookie ... John Gill. Optimist. By S. Horton Sunday Afternoon... ..• Christ's Teaching Concerning the Son (C.E. Topic).

By T. A. Jefferies Methodist Overlapping Notes by the Way... ... ..• In Presence of War. The President's Letter Holiday Papers Our Local Preachers. By R. Pyke W.M.A. Our President's Letter to the Branches... United Methodism at Holiday Resorts.

Impressions at Lowestoft. By Albert G. Gay, J.P. Ashville College Speech Day For Our Teachers. By B. C. Urwin, B.A., B.D. Bible-Searching Competitions. By Aunt Jeanie ... News of Our Churches ...

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630

the universe a fact not open to real doubt. Such faith in itself is power, for a man can •hardly be deeply persuaded of the certainty of God and His love-purpose •and of the abiding worth of the spiri-tual without in consequence relaxing something of his grip upon the things of time and sense that he may take firmer hold upon the things that abide. Yet the specifically Christian faith goes further than an assent however whole-hearted to such propositions as we have just mentioned. It is in a very special sense directed to Christ, not only as the perfect ex-ponent of God and His love purpose, but also as the way by which men themselves come to God and 'are made consciously participant in all the good that the love of God has designed for them. Such specifically Christian faith is not merely a whole-hearted accept-ance of the religious outlook of Jesus (though that is involved), but is also a complete letting-go of the self to Christ that we may come to be as He was, and, indeed, that we may come to be upon the human plane and to the utmost of our capacity what He was. It seems to me perfectly obvious, that where such faith as this exists, and in the degree in which it exists, it must be the power of a new life. Mere beliefs however exalted may not have in themselves regenerative power ; but where the belief, as here, is a belief in the Christ-leading to a personal surrender of the self to Christ, the only possible issue of such faith seems to be Christ-likeness, a losing of the self and a finding of the Christ—or, rather, a losing of an unworthy imperfect self, and a finding of the real, perfect self in Christ.

Where such faith is there will be a large hope corresponding to it and inspired by it. Hope has vision. It looks beyond the mystery and disappoint-ment of the present to a future of gladness, and sus-tained by that vision men endure through the strain of the battle and sing on through the dark. By such hope we are often saved. " It doth not yet appear what we shall be." Will anyone deny that such hope established in a life must be power?

And love—what shall we say of love ? Again we think specially of love for Christ and therefore love of all that Christ loves, love of God and love of man. Love of God in proportion as it possesses human hearts will bind men in unwavering loyalty to God and lead them to accept His will as the law of their daily life. Love for man will prompt to service and to sacrifice on man's behalf and never acquiesce in the imposition or perpetuation of a wrong. This flame of pure passionate love to God and man burn-ing steadily in the human heart will burn up all that is unholy and selfish in the life, illumine the path of duty, and generate sufficient heat and power for service. Such love never fails.

III began by calling attention to the oft-repeated

charge that Christianity is lacking power in the lives of its professors. With the measure of truth or un-truth in this general statement I am not now con-cerned. I have said that it ought not to be true. I have emphasized the verdict of history that Chris-tianity has been, and may be, tremendous power. I have suggested that where Christian faith, hope and love exist—*-not in name but in fact--they must in the very necessity of the case be power producing ethical results in life. It would seem to follow that where —and in the degree in which—such ethical fruit is missing, it is missing because the faith, hope and love which Christ inspires are not deep realities in the life. The Church must concentrate her energies upon awakening a faith that is heroic and ventures some-thing, a hope that is persistent and does not suc-cumb to the pressure of present circumstances, a love that is passionate and very Christ-like, prefer-ring God's will to all else and intent on having that will done on earth as it is done in heaven. We shall•never get the ethical fruit we desire into life save as a growth from these roots ; and we shall never get these roots deeply and well planted save as we persuade men to recognize the value of, and their need for, Jesus and to accept for themselves in simple trust the yoke of discipleship to Jesus.

JOHN T. BREWIS.

Dr. Marsham and The Tracts.

To the Editor of THE UNITED METHODIST. MY DEAR SIR,—Dr. Marsham, of India, said that most

of the converts to Christianity in India came to Christ by the means of tracts. Wesley, Whitefield, John Wy-cliffe, C. H. Spurgeon, and a host of others have all borne witness to the value of tract distribution. Mr. D. L. Moody had half a million tracts distributed at the World's Fair in Chicago, and many people are on their way to Heaven as a result. That noble missionary to the Chinese, Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, when quite a boy, had- his heart touched by a tract left on the table by his mother. Dr. Murray .McCheyne was one of the best friends of tract distribution. Tracts, text cards, and the Gospel of St. John systematically distributed throughout the world, and printing presses started at all the strategic points in the world will, by God's Grace, bring a mighty revival. Yours very sincerely,

Norwich. ARTHUR MEACHEN.

THE UNITED METHODIST.

United Methodist Table Talk. •

The Editor's address is 188 Rye Lane, Peckham, S.E.

* * TO OUR READERS.

By cutting off sources of supply the war has created a paper famine in the world of newspapers and weekly journals. We ourselves are finding difficulty in securing adequate supplies for the printing of this paper, and we very much regret to have to announce that in conse-quence it has become necessary for us, along with our contemporaries, to reduce the number of our pages. The reduction will continue for as short a time as possi-ble. Meanwhile we shall do our best to see that the reading matter supplied is as little reduced as possible. Under the circumstances we are under the necessity of asking our esteemed contributors to make their contri-butions as terse as is possible consistently . with the expression of their opinions and with their communica-tion of news to our pages. We ourselves must, en-deavour to set a good example in this respect.

NO WAR FILMS. We are delighted to see that proprietors and managers

of cinema houses have been notified that no pictures dealing with the war, in any shape or form are per- mitted on the screen. .A violation of this order will mean instant cancelling of a licence. This is a very judicious act on the part of the authoritieS. What we want now is not a false excitement raised in the minds of children and others about the "glory " of war, but seriousness and sobriety of thought.

SWANWICK, 1914. A Correspondent writes : At the Students' Conference

at Swanwick there was a 'fairly good representation of United Methodists. Through the generosity Of some of our leading laymen, five of our Victoria Park students were enabled to attend. For the first time in the history of the movement United Methodism was represented on the platform, by the presence of the Rev. W. E. Soothill, our beloved China missionary. His keen insight into the problems of China, and his masterful knowledge of the subject, together with his ardent enthusiasm, ren-dered his speech at once convincing and inspiring. His challenge on behalf of China to the intellect and faith of the students will, we believe, prove to be not in vain.

PERSONAL. Mr. Frank E. Newsome, the younger son of Mr. J.

S. Newsome, J.P., of Batley, has passed the examina-tion for the associateship of the Royal College of Organ-ists. He is an old Shebbear boy. [Congratulations.—ED., U.M.]

TO CORRESPONDENTS. R. H. B. S., W. J., and A. C.—Thank you much for

your valued communications. J. T. C.—Very good and discriminating. Next week.

The Redruth Conference.

To the Editor of THE UNITED METHODIST. SIR,—Your reports of the Conference, Mr. Editor, have

given immense satisfaction. They have been made all the more interesting because of the many photographic pictures you have given us. Your speech and Mr. Hooks's report made us feel it is no easy matter to edit our paper and manage our Publication Department. In common with thousands of others I say, "Thank you." Thank you for your devoted labours and for what you give us to read every week.

I confirm all Bro. Jones has said about the Redruth Conference. I had the pleasure of a chat with our honoured President and "Honest John Luke," and I agree with all Mr. Jones says about the splendid way our officials discharged their several and responsible duties. One feels proud that we are so well blessed with devoted level-headed officers. Like Mr. Jones I had my surprises. One thing surprised me, and that was the large number of Conference representatives, ministerial and lay, that could be seen walking about Redruth smoking. I attended some twenty Conferences before the Union and really never saw anything to equal what I witnessed this year. In fact, years ago, smoking was the exception ; now it seems to be to a very great extent the rule, and I cannot help but feel that this habit on the part of our leaders is having a most disastrous effect upon our young people. I have for a long time been convinced that our love of smoke and our departure from simplicity of dress has something to do with our want of &mess. God forbid that I should write, think, or speak a word in this respect that is out of place, and all I here say I want to say to myself personally. I hope the day may yet come when in order to enter our ministry candidates must be abstainers and non-smokers, and that the laity will so view the evils of drink and smoke as to abandon them as well.

In enclose my card, and will sign myself as X. Y. Z.

[X. Y. Z. raises a point which has been raised in our hearing and in other correspondence which we have re-ceived. We do not think the end X. Y. Z. has in view would be furthered by discussion, but according to our custom of endeavouring to present all sides of thought among us we publish this letter. It can stand as the adequate expression of other people's thoughts as well as X. Y. Z's.—ED., U.M.]

Things that are being Said. What the Scoffe,rs Forget.

LAST week the Kaiser told a shouting crowd in Berlin to go to the churches and pray. We might in our turn remember that admonition of true manhood. Clever ridicule is sometimes poured on •the prayers which oppo-site combatants offer to the same God ; but the scoffers forget something, which simpler people know. It is that in this world of unplumbed mysteries, where frail, short-lived, short-sighted humanity gropes amid un-measured forces, conflicts arise that are past our solving, or averting or reconciling. Human wisdom is sorely limited at its best, but we believe that there is a Wisdom beyond it ; and to that in the tremendous hour when the resources of human prudence have all been tried and tried in vain, we humbly commit our destiny,our lives, and the lives of our nearest and dearest.—The "Daily Chronicle."

Prayer will Avail. Prayer will avail when all other forces fail. Pray that

an arrest may speedily be put upon the strife that has begun. Pray that the passions of the nations involved may be suppressed.—REV. DINSDALE T. YOUNG.

A 'Spirit Befitting Us. At least, then, let us not get drunk. At least, then,

let us not sing boastful songs. Honour may call us to fight, self-preservation may force us into the slaughter-house ; but let us , wear on our sleeves the crape of mourn-ing for a civilization that had the promise of joy, and strike our enemy without a hiccough or a curse. Never shall we know again what is now perishing. And we shall want all our strength for To-morrow.—HAROLD BEGBIE.

Not Becoming. - It does not become us to fling about menaces in all directions. Jingoism is the offspring of the tavern, of which it reeks, and the offspring of the tavern is never strong. The work before us is strong work. The trial we are to meet will be a most testing trial.—The "British Weekly."

The Price to be Paid. War is detestable and evil from first to last ; and. yet

the price that has to be paid for the sins of nations is war, and war in which everything passes away that is pure and of good report. Still in his right hand the Christian must carry gentle peace. To the humble and the just there remains the service he can render to them that suffer, the patient endurance of every evil, and an unfaltering faith in the holiness of God, and the salva-tion that is in Christ Jesus.—The "Methodist Recorder."

Cinematographs and War. We should follow the lead of the Brussels authorities

in prohibiting those cinematograph shows which, by exhibiting films of military scenes are likely to excite still further the brutal passions of the spectators. -"NOMAD," in the "British Congregationalist."

Making a Discovery. We shall probably find out, as we have never found

out before, how much we depend on Ireland for pro-visions and meat, and that will do a good deal to soften some of the asperities of our home politics for the future. —The "Christian World."

A Woman's Prayer for Peace. Hear us, good Lord! By every tear of sorrowing,

By every anguish of Love's life and death, By every joy in sons blood's field is borrowing,

List to the women who have given men breath, The women, Lord, kneeling at Thy cross, sorrowing.

—"ALIEN," in the "Christian Commonwealth."

An Unchanging Attitude. As Churches, what shall be our unchanging attitude?

It should be unswervingly for peace. Through good report and evil, through honour and dishonour, in pros-perity and adversity, it should be always peace. No human authority must persuade us to bow to the War-god.—J. J. HARRISON.

A Real Thing. The peace of God is a teal thing, and it is always born

of the surrendered will.—REV. R. J. CAMPBELL; M.A.

The Sea. The sea is a great purifier, both of the mind and the

body ; before that great sweet spirit people do not think in the same way as they think far inland.—MR. STAC-POOLE, in "The Blue Lagoon. "

The Minister in America. The man of the hour in America to-day is the minis-

ter, whether the fact be appreciated or not, but it is the minister freed from the petty constraints of rubrics and ecclesiasticisms ; independent of historical orthodoxies in his announcements of eternal truths; sympathetic with his age in its struggles ; but summoning his struggling age to lift its eyes to those fine realizations which await the mountain climbers.—The "Philadelphia Public Led-ger."

August 13, 1914.

Memorial Services in Truro. Simultaneously, with the interment of the late Rev. Joe

Cockin at Sheepridge, Huddersfield, on Saturday, Aug. 8th, a memorial service was held at St. George's, Truro. The -service was one ever to be remembered by all present. Seated in the ap-propriately draped pulpit were the President of the-Conference who had come down for the occasion from Newquay (where he had been staying), Revs. T. J. Dickinson and W. J. Southern (chairman of the West Cornwall District) and Revs. J. Seager (Bap-tist) and E. E. Lark ; whilst in the large and re-presentative congregattion were noticed the ministers of the other Nonconformist Churches of the City and many influential citizens. The West Cornwall District and the St. Austell Circuit, through their representatives, sent messages of deep re-gard and hearfelt sympathy.

After the ,singing of one of Mr. Cockin's favourite hymns, " Jesu, lover of my soul," the President, in a prayer of great beauty, led the sorrowful and wounded hearts of those present—very many of whom. had long been bound to Mr. Cockin•by the sweet and sacred ties of holy association and personal friendship—straight to the Father of all consolation. Then Rev. E. E. Lark read the 90th Psalm after which another hymn rarely omitted by Mr. Cockin from his service, "For ever with the Lord," was feelingly sung. A further portion of Scrip-ture-1 Cor. xv., 20 to end—was read by Rev. J. Seager; who was followed by Rev. T. J. Dickinson, between Whom and Mr. Cockin had existed a close per-sonal friendship beginning with their college days and extending over 40 years. It was not surprising in these circumstances that Mr. Dickinson should strike the personal note again and again, and his discourse was most moving.

After such a beautiful tribute from an old personal friend the task of the Rev. W. J. Southern was a diffi-cult one ; but the Chairman of the District spoke words of appreciation and sympathy which did not fail to touch many hearts.

After the conclusion of Mr. Southern's address the hymn " Rock of Ages "—another favourite—was sung and an impressive service, instinct with deep feeling and heartfelt sorrow, was brought to a close by a rendering of the "Dead March" by Mr. Wallace Smith.

At the. Sunday evening service at St. George's, which was in the nature of a further memorial service and was very largely attended, Rev. E. E. Lark delivered a beauti-ful appreciation of the deceased.

The late Rev. J. Cockin.

August 13, 1914. THE UNITED METHODIST. 631 ■••■•••■■■

OUR many readers will be profoundly sorry to hear of the sudden death of the Rev. Joe Cockin, which, as we .announced last week, took place at Gorleston on Tuesday of last week, August 4th. He was on a visit to Gorleston, the scene of his brief ministry after his life-long pastorate at Truro, How truly prophetic are the closing words of the appreciation by Mr. Lark wh;c1- appeared in the last Conference Handbook. "So that when the last 'call comes it will doubtless find him pray-ing or working for the Church or Denomination which he loves so much and which he has served so long and so well." This was actually so. The long journey to Gorleston from Truro had somewhat ,exhausted Mr. Cockin, so that he was unable to be present at morn-ing service on the Sunday, but nothing would keep him from attending that in the evening which was to be a farewell service in a double and tragic sense.. The'Rev. S. 0. Rider was closing his three years' ministry at Gorleston in which in many quiet ways he has received valuable help from Mr. Cockin, and though far, from well Mr. COckin was present at that service, and the sacrament which followed. On the Monday he seemed so much better that he proposed- a walk along the cliffs, and during his last walk he was at his brightest and best. He talked of the crisis in the nation and the difficulties in the Church and upon each subject his words were those of a .brave and wise leader. During the afternoon severe pain came on but later in the evening, on the visit of his doctor, some measure of rest was obtained. . He slept through the night-, but on awaking was again in great pain and about 8' a.m. peacefully passed away in the presence of his wife whose courage had been a source of great inspiration to him.

The Laying to Rest of Rev. J. Cockin. BY REV. HENRY T: CHAPMAN.

The last day of the Redruth Conference, in consequence of what has happened since, will henceforth be one of. the' "pillar " clays of our pilgrim life. That day, after luncheon I had. a short walk with our honoured and .much loved friend, Rev. J. Cockin. Just half an hour's stroll. But what a half hour it was ! What a broad space of the life of each of us was covered in those thirty minutes. How the deepest things of each one of us were passed in review ; what sacred seasons were recalled, old friends and comrades, and not least how we revisited and enjoyed over again visits to Falmouth, Perranporth, and other glorious places on the Cornish coast." Then, we clasped hand and said "Good-bye" to each other as we passed into the afternoon session of the Conference, .say-ing, "Till- we meet, when you come North." How real

- it all is and. will so remain till, in the goodness and mercy of God, we meet again.

Our friend did .come North, and we met, but not as our parting •words had implied. On Thursday morning last came this message :—‘Cockin's funeral, Saturday, come, letter." I went on Saturday last, and there met others who had been asked, and for the same reason, because we were all that remained of a small circle of which the dear departed one had been a sort of centre. Dr. _David Brook was too far from England to get back in time. It was a gathering in which there was a keen sense of a great loss, but there, was an utter absence. of gloom. •

Other's will write of my friend's many and varied gifts and graces, of his unique and splendid _service, of his chivalii, ..lof his womanly tenderness, and of his robust and fearless courage. I will content myself with only only one or two sentences of affectionate appreciation. Up, to tile present he stands alone in the length of ser- vice to one Church in the annals of our section of Methodism. In 1876 he went from College to his first circuit, Truro. There he remained for thirty-four years. His period of active service was g5 years. Time would fail to tell ofethe great things he did during those thirty- four eventful years. He found a church in a side street and in . an upper room : he left a beautiful church build-ing, free from debt, with a church life which was a praise in the city. He lived a blameless life, and exer- cised a ministry that was powerful for good. in three great spheres of service—first, and supremely—the spiritual, the social, and the political. He was a man of almost fierce righteousness, of never hesitating courage, and of unswerving loyalty to truth and conviction what- ever the price to be paid. In his ministry in the Church his preaching was often Philosophical in form but in substance was ever the evangel of the love of God : "We 'believe that. through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall- be saved."-

It was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. Cockin (brother) that we gathered on Saturday to lay lovingly to rest the mortal remains of our friend. After a short devotional service in the home we journeyed to the beauti-ful stone church of our denomination at Sheepridge. It was here that our friend was born into the Kingdom of God, and from this church and Sunday SchOol he went to our then Theological Institute at Manchester:.

The service in the chapel was simple, reverent, but without gloom. Hearts swelled and tears fell as rain. That was fitting, but no "sadness of farewell " had a place. Rev. W. J. Smith read the, introductory sentences of the service ; Rev. Henry T. Chapman read the Scrip-tures and Conducted throughout; and Rev. T. Sherwood, ex-Principal, gave the "In'Memoriam " address. He spoke under deep and strong emotion. in form and substance the address was keyed to the appreciations of the heart rather than to those of the intellect. It was what a gifted friend would say of a gifted friend.

At the-opening of the service the choir sang, "Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin." Mid-way they

rendered the anthem, "Blest are the departed" in beauti-ful taste. The not-soon-to-be-forgotten service closed with the congregation singing the hymn, "For all the saints, who.. from their labours rest."

The interment was in the graveyard. of the Parish Church. Mr. Chapman conducted this part of the ser-vice. Nothing could exceed the' Christian courtesy and kindness of the vicar. He closed the service with the " Benediction."

As we looked on the dear friends as they stood taking a last look at the sacred dust of the now ,transfigured brother our eyes fell and rested on her whose loneliness is beyond words. He had gone yet was near, and would be till the day dawned, as dawn she who stood there was sure it would. Our beloved -friend's married life was short, but was very beautiful, very complete, very prophetic. Of our departed friend it may be said, with the greatest fidelity to fact : "After- having, in his own life-time served God's purpose, did fall asleep."

We give below brief extracts from the addresses re-ferredto in the above paragraphs :

REV. T. J. DICKINSON.

For 40 years I have enjoyed the intimate friendship of Mr. Cockin—a friendship never shadowed by a single cloud of misunderstanding. Forty years ago this very month we appeared together before a •Board of Examiners

- in Manchester as candidates for entrance to college, and .1 can bear glad and grateful witness to his fine spiritual influence on his fellow students. No evil thought or thing could live in the presence of Bro. Cockin because the grace of God hallowed a singularly bright and heroic life. He was a many-sided man to whom we are simply unable to do justice even now. What he was many of you who owe him so much know so.well. . He had a fine intellect, carefully trained—a large soul, a tender heart, and an experience of the saving grace of Christ deep and constant. An earnest student, a great reader, a wide and careful observer' with a keen outlook on his times, he Was just the man for any just cause. He was an elo-quent preacher and a faithful pastor, whose presence radiated blessing. A man, too, of abounding generosity, a true friend to the poor. His public work touched many interests and served many causes. He was respected by his opponents as he was beloved by his friends. His life and work in Cornwall can, never be forgotten. For 34 years pastor-of this Church he Weaved his yery spirit and life into every fibre of it. How he loved this church. How unstintingly he served it. How gladly and proudly he spoke of it all over the land I It was so dear to him, and you were his children.

In our Denonimation he was a trusted leader. We would have given him our highest. honour gladly—but

he was not ambitious save to do good and lead souls to Christ. Once we pressed him to accept the Pre- sidency. We almost strained our standing orders to induce him to take the position, but in vain. He wil-lingly served for many years on our Connexional Corn-mittee because therein he could use his experience, sagacity and debating power for the good of the Churches he served so loyally. Fearless, unselfish, loyal, devoted to Jesus Christ • and to you—these are the words with which we faintly express our estimate of his greatness and worth. He has reached the higher service,

his he

would, I am sure, wish me to say this to you, his dear friends—" Glorify God, follow Christ, take up the tasks I loved and have had to leave. Think of me as your true friend and meet me yonder in the presence of Him before whose feet I cast my crown."

REV. W. J. SOUTHERN.

I have been asked, on behalf of the Churches of the Cornwall West District, to offer a tribute to the memory of our beloved-brother, who so long and faithfully served the churches in this western county. It is natural that we should think primarily of his long association with the Church in which we are met, and of his splendid de-votion to his people here. We all rejoice in that minis-try, so strong, true and tender—the fruits of which will abide in the transformed lives of those whose privilege it was to know and love him.

But we would not forget his wider ministry, which went beyond this Church, touching and benefiting all the Churches in the district. Mr. Cockin was ever ready to serve the cause of our Lord whenever and wherever the opportunity afforded. No church ever ap-pealed to him in vain, and his great joy was to help the weaker churches. Frequently was he known not only to refuse the customary fee for his services, but to bear his own expenses, and even to give further prac-tical proof of his sympathy with those who serve Christ's Church in difficult places. Best of all, he gave him-self, willingly, unsparingly, and his unselfish inspiring service will long be remembered by hosts of those in whose affectionate regard he is enshrined.

It is difficult fot us to realize that he has gone. The labourer's 'earthly task is o'er, God has called His servant to take up new task in the broader fields beyond, where " His servants shall serve Him," and shall see His face.

To-day we do not mourn a defeat, -we celebrate a triumph. The warrior who fought so strenuously through his life for righteousness and purity, has achieved his last victory, and has entered into the full meaning of- the triumphant words we have just heard read, "Thanks be unto God, who ,giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Let us, therefore, Arise, and, by our loyalty to our Master, our devotion to every holy cause, and our sym-pathy with the poor and sinful, prove that his ministry to us has not been in vain.

REV. E. E. LARK.

To say that Mr. Cockin had his limitations and weak-nesses and shortcomings is simply to say that he was human and a man of like passions with ourselves. - But to-night we are going to forget these and think only of those shining qualities which for thirty years made him the great, good man that he was. Next to the love and power of God as revealed and communicated to him through Jesus Christ there was no factor which so moulded his character and elevated his life as the influence of his mother. Many and generous were the tributes that he paid to her character and influence.

What were the qualities which made Mr. Cockin so good a minister, so beloved a pastor, and so popular a politician? In the first place he was greatly aided in his work by an unusually active, logical and well-informed mind. He read widely, deeply, especially in philosophy and theology. He was able on the spur' of the moment to commandeer all his resources of knowledge and ex-perience. It was this rare gift which made him so enter-taining a conversationalist, so brilliant a controversialist and such an excellent impromptu speaker. Mr. Cockin was also a man of magnificent courage. He never minded being in the minority. He never failed, to cham-pion an unpopular cause when it appealed to his judge-ment and conscience. Though opposed to Bradlaugh's opinions yet he fought side by side with him in defence of the right of free speech. He even helped Bradlaugh batter down the door of the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, in order to effect an entrance which had been denied them and which enabled them to hold a meeting in support of their cause.

But the one quality which Mr. Cockin possessed in a pre-eminent degree, which endeared him to so many people and which contributed more than anything else to his widespread and well-deserved popularity was his generous and unselfish spirit. Without distinction of class or creed he was ever the friend of the .poor, the helper of the helpless, the succourer of the needy and the comforter of the sorrowful. Though there were many people who could not accept his opinions, and who resented his political activity—yet none who knew him would fail to bear testimony to the fact that Joe Cockin, like the Master he . loved and adored, "went about doing good." •

Mr. Lark then referred to Mr. Cockin as a man of prayer and gave , three instances in which miracles of grace had been wrought through this, agency. He then concluded as follows : "You will want to know how Mr. Cockin died. He died as all who knew him would have expected him to die. He died as he had lived, a brave man, with no fear of death but a simple whole-hearted trust in God. Some months ago, when the members of his household were solicitous for his welfare and fearful lest the end should come suddenly, he said to them : ' I'm not afraid to go at a moment's notice. I've served my God all my life, and I have not the least fear of meeting Him.' The very last time that he left home to fulfil a preaching engagement a member of his family said to him : God bless you and bring you safe back,' and he replied, If I don't come back you'll know where I've gone.' Yes, we all know where he has gone."

The Late Rev. Joe Cockin.

John Gill, Optimist. Author of "The

BY S. HORTON*.

Invisible Shield," "Wheat and Chaff," "Roses and Thistles," "For King or Pailiament," "Rags and Velvet," "Prince Charlie of the Canongate," etc., etc.

---- I

632

THE UNITED METHODIST. August 13, 1914.

CHAPTER VI,. DAN BECOMES A WAGE EARNER.

"Behold! I set before thee an open door and no man can shut it."

JOHN GILL returned home one night, wet and weary, but with a smile on his face. "Never carry your troubles home, John," he used to Say to himself. " Leave them in a ditch till you come back in the morning, and. maybe they will have starved themselves to death during the night, and in any case troubles never look so big when they have been left out in the cold all neet. It kind of shrivels them up. Besides, the children have enough to put up with without carrying their daddy's troubles. It binna fair for a grown man to put his burden on the back of his bairns.."

And so John generally crossed his threshold either whistling or singing, and his children waited for him as the birds do for the daylight

"Here's good news. I've got a situation for Dan," he cried. "Farmer Demaine wants a sharp active lad to mind ,crows, and Dan is as sharp as a needle and as active as a daddy-long-legs. He is to have his meat and a shilling a week. Just think, that's twelve -pen-nies, or twenty-four halfpennies, or forty-eight farthings, for doing nothing but ordering the crows not to light on Demaine's corn field. 'My ! he will want somebody to help him to oarry it home I reckon."

The children began to clap their hands at the thought of the good fortune that had come to their brother, and Dan was a hero for the rest part of the evening ; and was compelled perforce to have the largest share of the fried 'potatoes and onions_ which formed the frugal evening meal. Dan himself was quiet amidst the general 'rejoicing, for truth to tell, he had cherished other and very different ideas for himself than being a crow tender.- He had his father's thoughtful. brain and love of reading, and with .all the hopefulness of youth had begun building very magnificent castles in the air for himself. He had mapped out his path, which was ultimately to lead him to a seat in the House of Com-mons, and a place in the Government. Nothing less would satisfy his ambitions. He often made speeches to the cabbages in the ,garden and found them very attentive hearers. At the Band of Hope he was the champion reciter and had won the first prize easily. But a shilling a week was the first step towards the competency necessary for an M.P., and he could not afford to despise it.

He was therefore mildly content, though not enthusi-astic iabeut- his opening prospects, and sat listening with a smile of tolerant satisfaction on his face as the rest of the family discussed this important news..

" You must not let the crows come and build their nests under your,cap, my boy," said his father. "Farmer Demaine is a decent master I'm told, but he likes his men to 'be on. the move. He found :Dickson's lad, who had the job, fast asleep under a tree, and twenty rooks within fifty yards, of him, as busy as so many youngsters at a tea-party pulling up his corn. I told him I'd war-rant you wouldn't go to sleep /before bedtime."

"No," replied Dan, " I'm not one of that sort. I'll keep the crows off, never fear. But I shall want a pair of clappers."

"Yes," said John, "you had better run up 'to the joiner's shop and ask if they will give you a bit of waste wood, and I'll make you a pair that will frighten any crow within a mile of you, and let them black rascals know that there is somebody on the job now that is wide awake and will stand no nonsense."

At six o'clock next morning John called the lad, and after drinking a cup of hot coffee and eating a crust of bread Dan started out, with his 'clappers in one pocket and a book in the other, to the field two miles away that was to be his peculiar care. The morning was dark and gloomy, but the boy had a brave heart and much of his father sphilosophy to carry him through. Throughout his life he never forgot that day when he first entered the great army of the world's workers. It was bitterly cold and a keen North-East

, wind cut clean to the bone, and he was but thinly clad. Through the long hours of the dull, dreary morning nothing occurred to break the monotony. Not a crow came to the field and no living being approached him. He read until his hands were so cold he could no longer hold the book and his fingers and toes ached. Then he walked round the field till he was tired, but was still nearly frozen. He tried sprinting -for a hun-dred yards, and ran five times over the course till his feet refused to move any more. Then he commenced reading once more. But not even the adventures of some ocean waifs told by Captain Mayne Reid could make him impervious to 'the wind. He was hungry- as well—so hungry. As time. went on he came to the con-clusion that the farmer's wife must have forgotten to send him his dinner. When he heard the church clock strike he counted the strokes. Only eleven, and it seemed an eternity since he left home in the morning. He had at least another hour to wait before his dinner could arrive. That was the longest hour of his life. Too tired to exert himself, too cold to sit, what could he do? If only he had a match he would have made a fire. But he hadn't and there was not a house within half a mile of him. Then he was greatly tempted to go home; at least there was warmth and food there. His lips trembled as he swung his arms across his chest, back-wards. and forwards to keep up the circulation. 'How his toes tingled. in his shoes ! If he caught a stone as he walked it was well-nigh torture. He looked across the wind-swept field, just beginning to turn green with the

young corn peeping above the soil, and the dreariness of it smote his heart. There he crouched, as the tears of self-pity filled his eyes. Why not go. home? 'He' would not be the first by a good many who had run away from a difficult job. Who could blame him? Or if they did, what could they say that would hurt him like this freezing wind? _ Then he remembered some verses his father often sang : "Voyager on life's rough sea, to your own self be true,

And whate'er your lot may be, paddle your own canoe, Never, though the winds may rave, falter or look

back, But upon each darkling wave, leave ,a shining track. Nobly dare the wildest storm, stem the fiercest gale, Brave of heart and strong of arm, you will never fail, Leave to Heaven in humble trust all you will to do, But if you'd succeed, you must paddle your own

canoe." Dan straightened himself up, while the wave of self-pity was swept back by a stronger one of determined effort. No, he would stick it out. He had lately read the story of Sir John Franklin's attempt to discover the North Pole. At once by the. wonderful ant of make-believe inherited from his father, he became a dis-coverer. The cornfield was turned into 'an icefield, and away off yonder was the Pole where no human foot ever trod. He would be the first. He set to work to make a sleigh out of some , stakes from the hedge and dried bracken from the ditch. Then he twisted a rope of rushes. , He had forgotten the cold and hunger and was just_finishing his sleigh when a voice suddenly surprised him with the question, "What are you doing, Dan?"

It was Nellie Ewan, the little maid of all work at the farm, who had brought him his dinner. He blushed crimson and made a clumsy attempt at an explanation. But when she opened her basket and the smell of the hot dinner smote his nostrils it. nearly took away his breath, it smelt so good. Never had Dan dreamed of such a dinner. Hot mashed potatoes with the two legs and part of the back of a rabbit, a chunk of bread, some boiled Yorkshire pudding with plum syrup—a feast fit for a king.' The farmer's wife—a good motherly soul —had also sent him a tin of hot milk because the day was cold. Oh ! the comfort of it. 'He warmed his fingers on the outside of the tin, while Nellie spread out his dinner under the big tree for him, for she and, Dan had been old schoolmates, and she had not for-gotten how one day when big Bill Marrow had tried to take some plums from her, Dan had taken her part and, thrashed him at the expense of a black eye, a cut lip, and a swollen nose. It was a fight• in its own way as tremendous as that of Tom Brown and the Slogger, only there was no Thomas Hughes at hand to write the story, but it was written in gratitude on the girl's heart. After she had filled his plate Dan 'pushed the dish. towards her.

"You'll have some, Nellie? " he asked. " No, Dan, I've had mine," she replied. "It's all for

you." - "My ! " he ejaculated, "I'll never eat it." "Yes you will, every bit of it," she answered. "1

binna going to take it back." "You'll have to help me, then," he said. "There's

enough for two." "1 couldna eat a bit, really," she answered. "We get

more than we can eat at the house. Missus says she likes to see servants that can eat. If they dunno eat they cannon work."

I wonder if =I might take o bit of this rabbit home for Billy?" he asked, after the keen edge of his appe-tite had been taken off. "I'd like to."

"Why not?" asked Nellie. "It was sent for you and it's yours. If I take it back it will only be given to the dogs."

And so Dan wrapped up a nice piece of rabbit for his brother and then finished his dinner in great con-tentment of mind and body. A full boy is a different creature to a boy hungry and cold.

"Did you ever hear of Sir John Franklin?" he asked of Nellie, as she packed up the empty platters.

" No;"who was he, Dan ? "I'll tell you to-morrow," he said. "But now I must

finish my sleigh." "What are you going to do with it ? " she asked. "Going to discover the North Pole," he replied. "Oh ! she answered doubtfully, for she had no very

distinct idea of what he meant. "If you bring my dinner to-morrow you shall go along

with me, only you will have to wrap up your fingers and your face when we get far. North, or the frost will bite them."

- Dan, during the course of the afternoon, finished his sleigh, and when the time came to go home he had recovered his cheerfulness, and like his father carried a smiling face into the home circle: •

," It's been the bitterest day I've known for • many years," said John over a supper of boiled onions. "I had to work hard to keep warm, and then I had a shivering down my back like as if somebody was pouring cold water down and it got frozen on the journey. There's one thing about a cold day, it sends you home at neet glad that you've got a bit of fire to warm yourself by, and a hot supper of good onions to look forward to. It makes you grateful. How did you get on, Dan, lad?"

"Nicely, father." And Dan told of his great dinner to the listening company, who shared his pleasure if they could not share the feast, and when he produced the treat

he had saved for Billy,, the little fellow, 'whose appetite had to be continually coaxed, flung his arms round his brother's neck and fairly hugged him. Dan said nothing of his sufferings, but as he and Jimmy nestled down among the bedclothes for the night, he resolved that every day he would bring some of his dinner home for Billy, even if he went without himself.

Next morning he started early for the' field, but he took some matches with him and soon had a cheerful fire blazing in one corner of the field. He waited im-patiently for dinner time to come. Exactly at twelve Nellie appeared with the dinner, which far exceeded his anticipations.

"You are' to eat every bit of it. The Missis says so, and when you go home you are to call at the farm and she is going to send some for your brother," said the girl " I told her'what you did yesterday with the rabbit, and she actually cried."

"Oh! Nellie ! " cried Dan; "you should not have said anything.

Then he began to tell her about Sir John Franklin, and explained .how, when he was a man, he intended to accomplish what the great explorer had tried to do. He showed her his completed sleigh and invited her to have a ride on it, while he harnessed himself to it and raced across the the field at a pace that took the wind out of him before he-reached the other side. For the first time her mistress had to complain that Nellie .was a long time in doing her errand. And it came to pass that the dinner hour became to the Lad and lass the brightest of all the day, looked forward to with great eagerness and regretted when it was gone:. For Dan, like his father, had the gift of story-telling, and every day he had some new scheme _for making the world astonished or for attempting the impossible. The glori-ous optimism of youth that builds castles without any, regard to the fact that they vanish like the mist from the mountain's when the morning sun arises, was his in an unusual degree. But there was also • the light of a quiet-perseverance in his deep grey eyes, and given that and the imaginative temperament, the Slow jog trot', matter of fact world is apt to get a surprise one day. The girl was a born listener, and her 'sympathy inspired him.

To everyone else he was strangely reticent about him-self, but she seemed a kind of second self, to whom 'he could unfold his ambition's, assured, however wild they were, she would never mock at them nor laugh him to scorn. And those two young hearts were knit together, and many long years afterwards, when some of Dan's day-dreams had materialized into fact, he looked back with infinite longing to those hours when under the. old oak in the wind-swept cornfields, he and tlie girl had crouched over the fire of sticks he 'had made,' and he had told her of doughty deeds' to be -done and soul-stirring orations to be given in the unborn years. It was well at least for one of them that 'the curtain drawn by a merciful Providence hid the ftiture and they dici not know what time had hidden away. • Sometimes, in fact 'two or three nights a week, Dan-had to call' on his way home and take something for Billy, who, - poor little fellow, waxed thinner and paler every week, and the dry, hacking cough told its own tale : a tale which his father refused to believe, but which Mima understood but too well.

Never was there a more winsome little fellow' than Billy, with his great eyes which seemed as though they were looking into infinity, and 'his girl-like countenance. His long curls, the daily care of his sister, tended in some measure to hide the increasing thinness of his cheeks, but his white hands told of the ravages that fell disease, consumption was working in his tiny body. He lay a good part of the day on the old settle by the fire look-ing at odd numbers of "The Graphic " which the Vicar, a great kindly man, who knew no difference between Church and Chapel in his charities which made and kept him a poor man, brought him from time to time. Directly he heard his father's footstep at night his face would light up and he would slip down from the settle and hurry to the door, where he was greeted with some such remark as, "Hallo, young man, did you get the load of coal in for Mima? " or "Have you been help- ing the miller to throw bags of corn about?" and Billy would smile and shake his head, while John would life him up and place him on his shoulder and run round the garden with him, if the weather was fine, and then let him unlace his heavy boots ; a job of which he was ex-ceedingly proud. And John would say to Mima when he was gone to bed, "I think Billy is getting stronger."

And Mima's head would droop over her shoulder as she said, "Yes, father."

(To be continued.)

Our Missionary Programme. To the Editor of THE UNITED METHODIST.

DEAR SIR,—May I be allowed the opportunity of sup:: porting the , position taken up by Mr. Pyke in his letter under the heading, "Our Missionary Programme," in your issue of August 6th? I, too, with some daring perhaps, rose at Conference to speak in regard to the spirit in which our 'Missionary work should be carried forward in the future. I failed, however, to catch the President's eye and my speech was not delivered. Now Mr. Pyke has said, more skilfully and cogently than is possible to me, the very things I should have starnmered forth, and I would gratefully support him. It was pain-ful to note the lack. of faith, both in the resolution de-creeing the expenditure for the year and the discussion which ensued. As a people we were born of 'Missionary heroism at Home and in the Colonies, and I am confident that only by Missionary heroism shall we continue to live the full, intense life which differs from the mere name to live which is death.

Yours faithfully, CHARLES E. HICKS.

August 13, D14.

THE UNITED METHODIST, 638

Sunday Afternoon. Let not sin Were-fore reign in your mortal body, that

ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of un-

righteousness unto sin : but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.—Rom. vi. 12, 13.

I held the golden vessel of my soul And prayed that God would fill it from on high. Day after day the importuning cry Grew stronger—grew, a heaven-accusing dole Because no sacred waters laved my bowl. " So full the fountain, Lord, would'st Thou deny The little needed for a soul's supply? I ask but this small portion of Thy whole." Then from the vast invisible Somewhere, A voice, as one love-authorized by Him, Spake, and the tumult of my heart was stilled.' " Who wants the waters must the bowl prepare; Pour out the self that chokes it to the brim, But emptied vessels from the source are filled."

—E. WHEELER WILCOX.

Master to Make Another Master. Henley's poem "Invictus " has been interpreted by

some as Christian, and by others as wholly pagan. Here are the lines :

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be For my unconqueraLle soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud ;

Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishment the scroll.

I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.

The poem emphasizes the truth that each man is cap-tain of his soul—his the choice for good or ill—the great doctrine of free will, which Wesley and the early Methodists preached with a passion that in the end was to sweep all before it. I am captain of my soul, mine the choice. I am master of my fate, destiny lies in my open hand. liut! The captain of a great ocean liner, coming in or going out of port, summons a pilot on board. He surrenders the wheel to the pilot. He is still .captain of the steamship, but the pilot is in charge. The pilot guides. So in the voyage of life, while each of us must work out his own salvation, it can only be done in assured victory by summoning Christ the Pilot on board. I am then master, and then alone, because I can do all things, only through - Christ who strerigtheneth. me.

Dorothea Day thinks Henley has lost sight of this positive and creative side of the Christian life. Hence her answer, which follows :

Out of the fight that dazzles me, Bright as the sun from pole to pOle,

I thank the God I know to be For Christ—the conqueror of my soul.

Since His the sway of circumstance I would not wince nor cry aloud,

Under that rule, which men call chance, My head, with joy, is humbly bowed.

Beyond this place of sin and tears, That life with Him—and His the aid

That, spite the menace of the years, Keeps, and will keep me, unafraid.

I have no fear though strait the gate : He cleared from punishment the scroll.

Christ is the Master of my fate ! Christ is the Captain of my soul !

—The "Christian Advocate" (New York).

"Thou hast conquered, 0 Galilean ! "

The Atmosphere of His Presence. There is an atmosphere that helps to keep the heart

Pure and the hands clean. It is-the atmosphere created by the presence with us of a divine Comrade. There was a German poet who liked to speak of Jesus Christ as "the Great Companion." And He is that. Powerful personalites radiate an atmosphere. His biographer says of Henry Drummond : "When he entered the room the moral temperature perceptibly rose."

There are thoughts we do not think when Christ's pre-sence is spiritually discerned. Who would meditate evil with the bread and wine of the Holy Communion before him? There are imaginations which take their flight at the very mention of Christ's name.

Do we—dare we—indulge sordid or ungentle thoughts when He is near? Then let us .ever keep Him near ! For He is able to keep us from falling, to keep us un-spotted from the world, and to present us blameless—if not faultless—before His presence with exceeding joy.—CHARLES C. ALBERTSON.

JOHN VI. 32-36, 47-158. (C.E. Topic for August 23rd.)

Mediator. IN these verses our Lord speaks of Himself repeatedly

as the Bread of Life." This metaphor means that He is the first requirement of a true spiritual experience, the staff and stay of the soul. It is a tremendous claim, but there is nothing surprising in it when we bear in mind last week's subject, "Christ's Teaching Concern-ing the Father." For in. God's world everything depends upon a right relationship, to God, and Christ is the re-vealer of that relationship ; nor is He the revealer only, He is also the One Who enables us to enter into and maintain in our own life a true relation to the Father. Further, a true relation to God reacts upon every aspect of life in ways not at first expected ; it leads therefore to a growing experience, a developing understanding, an ever changing, ever deepening and widening outlook ; it is progressive. Hence, in order that we may be true sons of God it is necessary that we maintain steadily through all our days our personal fellowship with Christ. We cannot maintain Christian lives on the basis of early training and the experience of conversion. We must keep in touch. Christ is the bread of life on which the soul must sustain itself by continual partakings. He is the Mediator between God and men, between Divine Vision and human ignorance, between Heaven's re-sources and the world's great need. Through Him we keep in touch with the light, love, and life of the Father. "The bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world." This simile of the "bread " is therefore a pictorial expression of Christ's work as mediator. He stands between us and the Father. Because of His uniQue relation to. God He is able to feed our whole moral being. "Come unto Me," He said, " and I will give you rest " ; and that unspeak-ably precious invitation He was able to extend to us because of what He had said in the previous sentence : " No one knoweth the Son, save the Father ; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whom-soever the Son willeth to reveal Him."

Revealer. One of the facts concerning Himself, upon which the

Master laid great emphasis, is that as the Son He is the supreme revealer of God to us. He makes plain to us the character and will of the Father. One of the papers read at the British Association last year contained a strong appeal to scientists to cultivate a style of 'writing which ordinarily educated people should be able to under-stand. The speaker pointed out that the great scientists of forty years ago managed to do this, and that science to-day was suffering in the general estimation through its failure in this respect. It is doubtful, however, whether the appeal can be met. Science to-day is so specialized that the pioneer work's far beyond the reach of the average man. The only solution of the problem seems to lie in the work of what 'we may call the scien-tific interpreter, the man who is so well trained in science that he can appreciate everything the specialist does, but who, not being too much of a specialist himself, is able to keep in touch with the common man's point of view, and to interpret to him the meaning of the advanced worker's experiments and theories. This need for an interpreter meets us at all points wherever we probe into things ; we need him at the picture-gallery, at the industrial exhibition, in the gentleman's garden, at the ruined abbey, even at "the Zoo." And if we need him for these external things, how much more do we need an interpreter for the great mysteries of God, the soul, and a future state ! Man has ever been seeking to find out God, but the problem eluded his intellect, until Jesus came and in. His own life provided the key. Christ is the Interpreter, the Revealer of God. "He that hath seen Me, hath seen the Father."

Redeemer. But the task of Jesus was not primarily a struggle

with ignorance : it was a struggle with sin. He found, that man did not know the truth : He also found him unwilling to know the truth. Men had their own pre-judices, preferences, and passions; and they desired to think of God in a way that would enable them to justify their thoughts and actions. They opposed their will to God's, followed their own devices, and refused to recognize the truth that condemned them. We ought to expect that a clearer knowledge of God would reveal sin in us : for a God that was not better.than ourselves would not be worthy of our worship, and if He were better He would make us conscious of our shortcomings. But men would not look at it in this way, because it would lead them to give up the things they desired. So they twisted the meaning of their Scriptures, refused to listen to their prophets, and came to think of God as hard and spiteful like themselves. Then when dis-obedience brought them into trouble, they had none to help and were left despairing. Now Christ teaches that He has come, not only to reveal the Father, but to deal with the whole situation created by man's sin. And to deal with that it was necessary for Him not only to describe God, but to labour, sacrifice and suffer death in order to bring home to man the sinfulness of his sin, to tear away the silken veil of respectability from the hideous face of pride, greed and lust, and to make mani-fest to the most degraded the love that strives against all evil for our uplifhting. He came "to give His life a ransom for many."

Methodist Overlapping. A FORTNIGHT ago we recorded that a resolution on

Methodist Overlapping similar to that which had passed our own and the Primitive Methodist Conference failed to receive the sanction of the Wesleyan 'Methodist Con--ference. It was moved by the ReV. J. Edward Harlow, who has done yeoman service in connection with this subject, and it was not even seconded. We note that the "Methodist ReCorder " of last week writes words in mitigation of the lack of action by the Conference. It was quite impossible for the Conference to give the attention to this new subject which it deserved.. Other things suffered the same eclipse. "But the Conference was not unsympathetic. 'So far as we could judge the main objection was to setting up another committee. It was thought that the Committee of 'Concerted Action had done little enough, or has little enough to do, and that this belonged to its province. The whole question was referred to that Committee. Surely that does - not mean nothing will be done. . . . Of course, the whole Conference is behind the Committee on Concerted Action, and it probably has more weight in its entirety than would have been possessed by a• few members set apart for this single problem. We hope the other Conferences will not for a moment imagine that they have been met coldly. 'Nothing of the kind was in-. tended or attempted. There is no doubt that an un- happy event in the pastoral Conference had somewhat prejudiced the whole matter of the relations of the vari-ous Methodist Churches. It was not meant that there should be any carelessness in the handling of problems that touch the success of all. Something must be done, and if those who have the matter in hand will go to work, as if the Conference had made the arrangement they suggeSted, we believe it will be found that those arrangements have only taken another form, and that the work can be done by one means as well as another."

We quiite these words with pleasure. At the same time, those who have been most eager for the formation of the Advisory Board sanctioned by the Primitive Methodist Conference and our own and placed before the recent Wesleyan Conference knew of the existence of the 'Concerted Action Committee. Some of them have worked on it, and it was the realization that the work done by that Committee does not go far enough, indeed begins all too often when there is little oppor-tunity of effective work, which led to the suggestion of the appointment of an Advisory Committee having be-hind it the power of a special mandate from the respec- tive Conferences. We note that the Editor of the "Primitive Methodist. Leader," who has done signal ser-vice in helping to form public opinion in his Church on this matter, writes that the Churches "must 'bid adieu to the idea of any joint action, and must pursue their own way as wisely as circumstances suggest." We quite understand the discouragement 'implied in those words, but, with all respect, we. hope that none of the three Churches: will follow the line suggested. Our Wesleyan friends refer us to the Concerted Action Com-mittee : to that Committee we must go during this year. In view of the recent action of two out of the three Methodist Conferences and in view of the interpretation of the failure to take -action in the Wesleyan Conference given by the "Methodist Recorder," why should not a meeting of the Concerted Action Committee be summoned for the early autumn for the discussion of the possibility of a more strenuous and for the formulation of a more clearly-thought-oue line of action than it has hitherto followed? The Committee should certainly have a policy about Overlapping if it is to do the work which our contemporary suggests. It has no policy now. It simply meets to examine all sides of the question when some Church thinks that it has reason for complaint. It is a court of appeal and not an advisory body. It steps in very frequently after commitments have been made ; it should have a place in the initial stages, not for executive or compulsory pur-poses, but for advice and suggestion and guidance. The scandal . of Methodist Overlapping is so great that we suggest that the matter should not be left in abeyance even for twelve months.

Christ's Teaching Concerning the Son.

BY REV. T. A. JEFFERIES.

Enjoy Summer. For health in summer—light fare is the right fare.

Cheese Souffle, Creamed Fish, Savoury Sardine, Cornish Pasty,

and other light savouries are seasonable and dainty. To make them perfectly

Brown & Poison's Corn Flour

is needed : ordinary flour will not do. For the sweet course make

Fresh Fruit Jellies, Custard Shape, Home-made Fruit Ices, Fruit Blancmange,

Send Postcard for "Summer Dishes," free, Brown 6 Poison, Paisley.

AN IDEAL HEALTH AND HOLIDAY HOME.

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

Splendidly situated, minute from seafront. Two minute. from Gynn End, on North Promenade.

Public and Private Apartments. No Intoxicants.

BRIDLINGTON-Public and Private Apart- . ments. Comfertable home.

Terms moderate. - Mrs. Firth, Bradford House, Marshall Avenue. U. M .

DOUGLAS (ISLE OF MAN).-Miss Morrison, 11 Woodland Terrace, Upper Douglas.

Near Cable Car and Playing Fields. Terms on application. Take Cable Car to Avondale. U.M.

EDINBURCH Maitland Temperance Hotel, s 33 Shandwick Place. Close

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

FELIXSTOWE -ante Private TemPer-

. ance Hotel, long estab- lished ; economical, Christian home from home. Near sea, promenade. Large grounds with fine um views. Tennis, croquet ; balcony; lawn teas, picnics, sociability. Telephone 77.

FELIXSTOWE - Comfortable Apartments or • Board residence. Close to

sea and pier.-Mrs. Eve, 4 Cavendish Road.

GUERNSEY -Homely and Comfortable Apart-. ments. With or without board.

Terms moderate.-Misses Singleton & Galer, Rosaire Avenue. U.M.

HARROGATE - Imperial Hydro, opposite • Royal Pump-room and Valley

Gardens, near all baths, Winter Garden. Kursaal ; Physician. Telephone 42 Tariff. Miss Hemingway, Manageress.

ILFRACOMBE■ -Board-residence. Quiet, E. comfortable home. Central position. High and bracing.-Miss Watkins. " Cliston."

ILFRACOMBE (NORTH DEVONSHIRE),-Persons desirous of visiting this beau-

tiful and healthy RESORT, should write to W. H. Trengove, ut "The Retreat," or 103A High Street-25 years a resident-who will at once put them into communication with reliable persons who LET Apart-ments and Furnished Houses.

ILFRACOMBEs Comfortable Apartments. Conveniently central. 4

minutes sea.. Moderate.-Mrs. Mock, 22 Greenclose. U.M.

MID-CHESHIRE -Apartments in detached • Country House. Healthy,

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MORECAMBE (w.e.-.).-Ptillflcircner:raide Private Apartments.- Mrs. Torkington, 22 Marine Parade.

U.M.

MORECAMBE-Mrs. F. and Miss . Whittles, " Grangeville"

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MORECAMBE.' apenatrrtamle. nts.Comgorstea btl oe

Promenade. Splendid position. Homelike. Fires on cold days. Every satisfaction. Terms moderate. -Mrs. Morris, " Sans Solid," 15 Northumberland Street.

MORECAMBE. e;:fouPnIF,KEVIlINI

Esplanade, E.E. Public and Private Apartments. Highly recommended. U.M.

E W. E, - Misses Bell, Eden House, 57 Alexandra

Road. - Pleasant Apartments, public and private. Board optional. Terms moderate. Near sea, pier, and bandstand.

OKEHAMPTON-Mrs. May, Rose Cottage, s South Zeal. Rooms and

attendance or Board-Residence. Terms very moderate. Moorland Scenery. U.M.

PRESTATYN-Mrs. PITCHFORD. Park • House, Board-residence or

Apartments. Sheltered position. Central. Terms moderate. U.M.

PRESTATYN WALES.-Misses MELLOR, , Rosewood," Victoria Avenue.

Apartments. Hills, Sea. Bracing. Bathing, Coaching Tennis, Golf. U M.

RHYL -Mrs. Wood. Apartments public or . private. Home Comforts. First door from

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SOUTHPORT- SUNNYSIDE HYDRO, LTD. • Knowsley Road (under en-

tirely new management). One minute from Promen-ade. Within easy distance of golf links, Lord St., and the Park. Redecorated, Refurnished. New Electric Lift. First-class table. Moderate terms. Week-end Tariff. Highly recommended by well-known Methodists. Prospectus from Manageress.

MORECAMB

or SPECIAL SERVICES, MISSIONS, APPEALS, BAZAARS, AND SIMILAR N OTICES are inserted at the rate of 40 words one shilling and one halfpenny for each additional word. Preaching 'Appointments only : 2/6 for three months, prepaid. Displayed announcements at the special low price of 1/6 per inch each insertion.

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WEST CENTRAL HOTEL FIRST-CUSS HOTEL. FOR LADIES & GENTLEMEN.

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M R. W. H. HEW ITT, 32 Ivy Street, Burnley.-Evangelistic Missioner. Deepening

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THE UNITED METHODIST.

SOUTHPORT KENWORTHY'S HYDROPATHIC

634

HOTELS, HYDROS, BOARD RESIDENCES

AND

PRIVATE APARTMENTS.

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

BISPHAM, BLACKPOOL. xt-aliszs, 11 Hesketh Avenue, Public and Private Apart-

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BLACKPOOL -Misses PILLING, Alma ▪ House, 25 Banks Street,

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

BLACKPOOL-Mrs. SCHOFIELD, Norfolk I House, 19 Banks Street.

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

BLACKPOOL Mrs6BEARDSLEY, 10 • Waterloo Avenue. Public

and Private Apartments. Sea view off Promenade. U.M.

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Public and Private Apartments. Piano. Near Central Station and Sea. U.M.

Near Churches, Pier. • Lord Street. Visitors or

patients accommodated. Lounge. Lift. 120 bed-rooms. Resident Physician. Turkish, Radiant Heat, Hydro., and Electric Baths. Terms, from 42/- weekly ; 6(6 daily. Discount to Ministers and Missionaries. Tel. 80. Telegrams, "Kenworthy's." -Prospectus from Manageress.

SOUTHPORT-MATLOCK HOUSE, 60 Bath . Street. Apartmentsor Board.

Near Promenade, Lord Street. Churches. Real Metho-dist Home, well-furnished. Highly recommended by ministers. Piano, bath. Invalids specially studied. Stamp.-Mrs. Hall.

-Miss DAVIES, Baden House, . 46 Promenade. Superior

Apartments or Board. Best Central situation. Every home comfort. U. M .

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

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

WORTHING-Close to Sea Front. Comfort- . able homely Apartments, or

Board-Residence, or Furnished House. Moderate inclusive terms.-J. Sainsbury, 12 Brunswick Esplan-ade. Stamp for reply.

MARRIAGES. BIRD-BOOTH.-On the 6th inst., at

the Congregational Chapel, Mottram, nr. Stalybridge, by the father of the bride, Charles Jesse, third son of Councillor R. Bird, J.P., of Hoylake, Cheshire, to Helen Maud, third daughter of the Rev. H. M. Booth, Matley.

HIPKINS-DELAHAYE.----On August 8th, at the Earlsmead United Method-

ist Church, South Tottenham, London, by the Rev. Wm. S. Welch, John Charlton Hipkins, M.A., son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Hipkins, of Tipton, Staffs, to Esther Grace Delahaye, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. ..T. W. Delahaye, of West Green, N.

BUTHERFORD-PROCTOR.-At St. Domingo Church, Liverpool, on August

11th, by Rev. Ernest F. H. Capey, assisted by Rev. Charles F. Hill, Rev. James Rutherford (of Shepley, nr.' Huddersfield), eldest son of Emma, and the late. James Greig Rutherford, of Liverpool, to Lydia, elder daughter of Ann, and the late William Proctor, of Liverpool.

MISCELLANEOUS.

CHINA.-Bazaar Packages from 10s. 6d. Church Teaware Outfit for 100 persons, 35s.' Special

Home Packages, Dinner Sets, Tea Sets. etc. Dealers Crates from 85. 6d. ; catalogue free.-Paragon Pottery (Dept. U.) Hanley, Staffs.

6 A -PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND HOW ".± TO USE THEM, free. Send for one.-

Trimnell, The Herbalist, 144 Richmond Road, Cardiff. Established 1879.

FOR A GARDEN PARTY OR A PICNIC. -Delicious BOILED HAM. Tender and Sweet.

J. & T. Rothwell, Wholesale Provision Merchants, Cannon Street, Salford, Manchester. Prices on application.

PURE CHINA TEA, drunk by King George V. The famous " Chang Wieng " blend, renowned

throughout China for over 300 years. Original Chinese boxes, containing 11b. net, 216 each, post free.-Li Ling Soo & Co., 24 Aldgate, London.

DEVERSIBLE AND FIXED-BACK SEMI'S " and all kinds of Church and School Furniture. Send for lists from actual manufacturers. Buy of the Methodist Makers, William H. Adams and Sons, Daventry, Northants.

STEPHEN CEE. 103 Newgate Street, London, E.C.-Ladies' Costumes,

from 45s. Specialit6. First-Class Tailor-made Cos-tume of Tailors' Cloth for 63s. Gentleman's Lounge Suit, from 38s. Rainproof Long Coat, from 30s. Write or call for Patterns and Fashion Plates. Clerical Tailoring a sPeciality.

VARICOSE VEINS.-The Florentia Bandage gives perfect support without undue pressure. Try

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August 13, 919.

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August 13, 1914. THE UNITED METHODIST. 635

UNHAPPILY, since last week's Notes were written war has been declared between England and Ger- many. The White Paper published last week gives

the recent correspondence between A Suggested the two Governments and casts an Great illuminating light on the European Betrayal. situation of the last two or three

weeks. As was expected, it abund-antly demonstrates that Sir Edward Grey has left no means untried to restore peace to Europe. and to limit the area of the war. At one stage he even asked Germany to formulate any reasonable pro-posal it thought fit with .a view to ending the strife between Austria and Russia and gave the assurance that if Russia and France proved unreasonable about the proposal this country would have no hesitancy in breaking with them on that account. But the, point of special importance in the correspondence is found in the communications between Germany and Great Britain as to the terms on which it was sug-gested that the neutrality of this country might be secured in case of war. Germany's proposal was that if she were victorious France should remain ,intact, but the German Chancellor refused to give the same guarantee about the dominions and pos-sessions of France outside the geographical area of Europe. Regarding Holland the Chancellor said that as long as Germany's adversaries respected the integrity and neutrality of the Netherlands, Germany was ready to give his Majesty's Government an undertaking that she would do likewise. In regard to Belgium Germany said that. it depended upon the action of France as to what operations Germany would be forced to enter upon in Belgium. But when the war was over Belgium's integrity would be respected, if she had not sided against Germany. All of us feel that this was an extraordinary pro-posal. N In the first place, as Mr. Asquith said last Thursday night, it meant that, behind the back of France, which was not to be made a party to these communications at all, this country was, in the event of a successful war, to leave Germany free to annex the whole of the extra-European dominions of France. As regards Belgium the proposal meant that, without- that country's knowledge, England should, in direct breach of her plighted word, con-sent to leave Germany free to overrun Belgium whose neutrality Germany as well as ourselves had sworn to defend and respect. We do not think that Mr. Asquith used too strong a phrase when he spoke of this as an " infamous' proposal."

"What were we to get in return for this betrayal of our friends and this dishonour of our obligations? " asked Mr. Asquith in his speech in the House of Cottraons last Thursday, "We were to get promises and nothing more—promises made by. a Power which, I am sorry to say, was at that very moment an-nouncing its intention to violate its own treaty and was asking us to do the same. If we had done that this country would have been for ever dishonoured."

Who can 'doubt that Mr. Asquith spoke herein the exact truth?

IN the old duelling days in England it was sup-posed that no gentleman could defend his honour in any other way than by resort to the use of arms.

Unhappily, according to the code Why the which still determines the procedure War is of nations when their honour is Entered vitally touched, the action of Ger- Upon. many in proposing to infringe, if'

she thought fit, the neutrality of Bel-gium which we had guaranteed and in suggesting the appropriation of the extra European 'possessions of a Power with which we are friendly, can only be met by a resort to the arbitrament of the sword. How long will it be before the more rational and peaceful methods which are, adequate to the pre-servation of personal honour are deemed adequate and inevitably available for the maintenance, of national honour? How long will Unreason and War,,which is the negation of Christianity, be per-mitted to say the final word in international differ-ences? The Government claims to have entered upon this war

"With a deep sense of the suffering—the almost brutal suffering—which war must bring, not only to us who are living in this country, and in the other countries of Europe, but to posterity and the whole prospects of European civilization. Every step we took we took with that vision before our eyes," we are quoting Mr. Asquith's words, "and with a sense

of responsibility which it is impossible to describe in words. If, in spite of all our efforts for peace, and with that full and overpowering consciousness of the results if the issue were decided in favour of war, we have thought it nevertheless to be the duty as well as the interest of this - country to go to war, the House may be well assured it is because we believe we were unsheathing our sword in a just cause.• If I am asked what we are fighting for I can reply in two sentences. In the first place, to fulfil a solemn international obligation, an obligation which if it had been entered into between private persons in the ordinary concerns of life, would have been regarded as an obligation not only of law but of honour and which no self-respect- ing man could possibly have repudiated. I say, secondly, that we are fighting to vindicate the prin-ciple . in these days, when materiar force sometimes seems to be the dominant influence and factor in the development of mankind, we are fighting to vindicate the principle that small nationalities are not to be crushed in defiance of international good faith at the arbitrary will of a strong and overmastering Power."

IT seems to us right that we should put on record, in the very words of the authoritative exponent of the Government position, what has led up to the

war and why it is being waged. The The War, method of procedure being what it the Man, is in Europe after the passing of and the nearly two thousand years since the Christian. Angels' Song was first sung, the

Government seem to themselves, and will seem to the overwhelming majority of the citizens of this country, to have no option before them but war with all its terrors, its diabolical cruelties, its immeasurable suffering, its ruinous devastation, its piled-up horrors and its set-back to European civilization, to social reform and to the increased happiness of the common people. Oh, the pity of it, the tragedy of it ; the shame and sorrow of it ! What is the duty of the Christian citizen at this time? Some will. continue to regret with a deep poignancy that the Government did not find another way out: Let not those who think differently deny to their fellows the liberty of opinion which is a primary and chief part of an English-man's rich heritage. Never has the House of Com-mons done itself so much credit as during -the last few days of terrible strain and anxiety. The only moments when it has seemed to do what was un-worthy of itself were those in which it listened with manifest and sometimes unruly impatience to the little handful of men who ventured to express a dif-ferent opinion from that of the majority concerning how it was best to meet the terrible problem with which the Government was confronted. That Lord Morley and John Burns were of the way of think-ing of this little handful - of men should have secured them better treatment. Whatever hap-pens we hope' that no Christian will manifest any of the intolerance which dishonoured some of us when our last great war was proceeding. And whatever opinions men may have as to whether the war could have been. averted or not, the duties of every one of us remain. We are at war with the German nation, but let us keep hatred and bitterness and all uncharitableness out of our thoughts and words about German men and women. They have ,their faults as all mortals have ; but they are our kith and kin ; they are leaders in the thought and science and scholarship of Europe ; they have counted for much in the growing civilization of Europe during the last fifty years ; and they will count in these ways yet again. Let us remember that in order to love the Frenchman.it is not necessary to hate the German. Let us refuse to be inoculated with that virus of hatred for the Teuton which certain daily papers have been offering to us for years and are offering to us to-day in larger doses than ever. It is part of the stern horror of the war upon which we have entered that possible the ships of the Germans shall be sunk, their country shall be deso-lated, and the husbands and. sons and brothers of their fair land shall be killed. Let that cup of horrors suffice without our adding hatred and hasty Belief of evil and all uncharitableness. Here comes to us all a rare opportunity to practice in spirit and in truth that high virtue which our Lord enjoined on His disciples : "I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for 'them which despitefully use you and persecute you ; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven : for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

THERE are many ways in which Christian citizens can help at a time like this. We must not yield to panic, even should, occasional disasters overtake

either our Navy or our Army. Ger-, Mitigating mans- who remain in our country the Horrors should be treated with courtesy and of War. special consideration. We ought to

keep at the remotest distance from bitterness and wrath and evil-speaking concerning those with whom' we are at war. Employers among us should. do their very utmost to keep their work-men employed. None of us should be tempted to hoard gold, to lay in extraordinary stocks of pro-visions—thereby sending up prices for our fellows who are poorer ; and Christian tradespeople should not put up the prices of their goods until they are compelled. According to the utmost of our power we should support the National Relief Fund which has been begun by the Prince of Wales, and help in the work of distribution to the needy which is being organized. Above all, we should bow ourselves in penitence before God on account of our national sins and continue in prayer that England may be kept from pride and injustice and self-aggrandisement if victory comes and from self-sufficiency and de-pendence only upon her own wisdom, and that she may be prepared of God to show mercy, to use her influence for peace, for a world settlement when that has to be made and for the. utter dethroning of the military idea in the relation of nations. And let us pray for the Churches, that they may seek to be clothed with white raiment, may exercise to the full their priestly function of intercession, may exhibit the true spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, and may use the singular opportunities which will come to them for speaking the Gospel message and for ministering to sad, troubled and bruised hearts in' a manner worthy of the high calling wherewith they have been called.

In Presence of War. OUR PRESIDENT'S LETTER.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,—In the next issue of the UNITED METHODIST kindly remind our people that special prayers should be offered :

(1) For the bereaved, the aged, the poor and all who suffer through the devastations of war;

(2) For the rich, the powerful, and all who have means that they may consider the needy ;

(3) For the 'Governments of Europe, that they may be guided to bring the war, with all its horrors, to a speedy conclusion, and that by the grace of God the peoples of the earth may learn to love righteousness and dwell together in peace.

Most sincerely yours, GEORGE PARKER.

August 6th, 1914.

The Peace Society and the War. The following appeal has been issued by the Peace

Society, August 5th, 1914 : Nov that War has been declared, and the last hope of

maintaining the neutrality of this country has been cut off, the Peace Society, Which for nearly a. century has represented the cause of International Peace, appeals to the people of this country.

The views of this Society in respect to war are well known, and they are in no way affected by this fresh outbreak, but if they had been followed there would have been no war.

War, it insists, is a crime, and between Christian peoples it should be unthinkable. It is especially to be noted that preparation for war necessarily leads to war, and that large armies and navies are always a menace to Peace.

But war is in progress, and the practical question now is, What should be done? It is too late to talk of neutrality or of mere details. The Society appeals to the people to maintain a dignified and patient self-con-trol, to restrain all ebullitions of feeling and passion, and to avoid all harsh and irritating speech towards those who are in conflict.

It appeals to all to hold themselves in check, and, while praying for the return of Peace, to be on the alert for every opening that may lead towards it.

Sunday School Appeal. The Council of the Sunday School Union, and the

Committee of the World's Sunday School. Association, unite in urging officers and teachers of all 'Sunday Schools to join in prayer, daily, in school sessions, and in weeknight gatherings, pleading that peace may be restored. 'However grave the position, with God all things are possible ; therefore let us pray with faith, re-membering Christ's promise : "Whatsoever ye shall_ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

MR. R. T. BUTTLE writes : We are now holding a tent mission at Sillaton, in

the Callington Circuit. It is one of the most blessed seasons ever known in the district. We have had some very fine cases of men converts. The baptism has cer-tainly come on the tent,

Notes by the Way.

636

ME UNITED METHODIST. August 18, 1914.

Holiday Papers. III.

In Belgium During the War. W'E take the following particulars from the "York-

shire Evening Post " of Thursday last. The Rev. George FIooper, of our Lady Lane Mission,

Leeds, has had the grim fact Of war thrust before him in a rather disturbing fashion. He went With a party to Brussels on Saturday, August 1st; and all went well on the outward journey. But they had not been long in the Belgian capital before disquieting rumours of warlike preparations reached them. On the Sunday they had no longer any reason to doubt that Brussels was in the throes of mobilisation. Soldiers were every-where, bustling here and there very evidently on pressing business. Still Mr. Hooper and his friends were assured that there was no reason for alarm on their part, and they settled down to a calm and impersonal interest in the proceedings.

At 10.30 on Monday morning, however, Mr. Hooper received a message through the British Consul saying that all English people must leave Brussels at once. They were required to leave by the 1.13 train. Mr. Hooper was faced with the task of collecting his party of twenty ladies, who were by that time scattered all over Brussels, and getting them away from the city within three hours. This was no simple matter, for the ladies had unpacked their luggage and settled down, quite unprepared for any sudden exodus. He recruited helpers for the packing at the various hotels, and within the three hours the whole party were struggling to ob-tain places in the crowded train. Soldiers were hurry-ing about, while crowds of civilians' elbowed their way through the dense masses of people and luggage which filled the platform—for the station was no longer being kept clear of luggage, which was piled high on every side of the station. The railway authorities' haVe had no time for looking after baggage—they could barely cope with the human traffic. The train was forty minutes late, fortunately for some of those who had had to wrestle for a.place on it, but there were many who, even then, were left behind The ladies had not got their seats without a scramble, and some of them had to be content to sit on their luggage. Where some of the passengers found room is something of a mystery, for they swarmed into the train like 'an army of ants. Just before the party left for Ostend they shared in the ex-citement :Caused by the flight of some airships over Brus-sels. They realized before they left the station some-thing of the pains of war, for white-faced women hung about groups of soldiers, bidding them "God-speed " as they left for duty. It was a scene of tears and heart-breakings.

On arriving at Ostend the party made for the quay in the hope of leaving by the 3.30 boat, but that had gone, leaving about 500 passengers behind. Many, of these slept all night in the station, and engaged in a fruitless search for lost luggage, for almost every party had lost some luggage on the way. Mr. Hooper, _find his friends • counted themselves among a fortunate few in having retained their property. The first boat in the morning was crowded within a few minutes of the gangways being open, but a relief boat sailed soon afterwards with Mr. Hooper and his- party on board. They were informed that no more boats could leave, and they steamed aivay from OstenC1 wondering what would be the lot of the crowd of passengers who were left on the quay, for the boat was full long before the quay was cleared of travellers. On all sides were heard. complaints of missing luggage, for the railway authori-ties had refused to register any, or to accept any re- sponsibility for it. One passenger had lost baggage worth ;C200, and so far as he could discover it was gone for good. Many of the tourists, too, had changed their money into Belgian notes, and were practically stranded, for they could not spent this currency, even in Ostend.

It was expected that the boat would put in at Dover, but it was met near the coast by a naval cutter and sent on to Folkestone, whence the party journeyed to London and Leeds.

The ladies, Mr. Hooper says, behaved splendidly throughout the journey, taking their discomforts with philosophic calm, and keeping their heads. Had they been less plucky they might still have been in Belgium. They entered Leeds( Station last Wednesday with a pro-found sense of relief.

IV.

Dr. Brook's Trying Experience.

I WONDER if my exceptional experiences since Confer-ence would haVe any interest for the readers of the UNITE)) MaarHoDesT. On the Saturday after the closing of Conference I started for a brief trip through Ger-many and the Austrian Tyrol, my ultimate objective being the city of Constance, famous for associations with John Hus and Jerome of Prague. To that city members of thirty different Christian communities, representing most of the countries of Europe, as well as the United States of America had been invited to a Conference for the promotion of peace and friendship between the na-tions. The meetings were intended to be somewhat in-formal and to prepare the way for a more organized propaganda. The event seems to give a touch of acid irony to the intention, but it may be enough on this head to say that :the Conference was actually held, and that those who attended it are convinced that it was not held in vain.

Leaving London on Saturday night, as stated above, I arrived at Cologne on Sunday-morning and spent a good deal of time in the stately cathedral, where I was specially interested in a children's class held in the nave, in which one thing at least was evident, that the teacher held the vivid attention of all the class.-

Outside the Cathedral there was little more than the usual gaiety and excitement which one finds on Sun-

day in Continental towns. I was glad, however, to get away on Monday to Nuremburg, one of the quaintest of Southern German cities, and there came .upon the first clear indications of something unusual, something elec-tric, in the atmosphere. In the cafés men were talking to each other with eagerness and animation, and at certain points groups gathered to read fresh notices which had just been posted up by officials. There were terse statements calling, up certain regiments for such a date and to such a place. Then it was clear that the newspapers were• selling freely and were scanned with anxiety. Their chief interest consisted in the latest news of the extending mobilization.

So far, however, there was 'nothing very suggestive or alarming, and I determined to go on to Munich. There it was manifest that events had been marching on. The whole city was excited. Groups were formed in the streets and crowds easily collected. Everyone had a newspaper sheet in his hand. The hotels: were full. Visitors were . noticed by residents, and especially by the police, with a greater interest. The Central Station was thronged with people, some of them to be entrained for their centre, where they were to join their regiments, and a larger number, mostly women, who had come to take farewell of husbands, brothers, or sweethearts who were off for the war. For war was now unmis-takably imminent. It was here I learnt that Germany was undoubtedly going to back up Austria, and though no English newspaper was available, it began to get home to me that the big European War • we have all dreaded so long was almost inevitable.

I began to feel a bit lonely..and to think of my friends in England, especially as travel was 'becoming more difficult and the train service more uncertain. I wanted, however, to see . Innsbruck, and to Innsbruck I went-. Austria was already at war and knew that she. had to reckon with Russia. She was calling out all her Tea serves, and at many of the stopping-places the scenes at the stations were full of painful interest. Innsbruck itself may be described as wild with excitement. My hotel was in the very heart of the old town, and till three o'clock in the morning I was kept awake by shoutin,a. crowds, -or, now and again, by bands of stu-dents (for whom the bonds_ of discipline must have 'been temporarily relaxed), who were singing patriotic _songs. Next day, I tried_to get a little beyond the noisy crowd and to find out what the sober-minded people felt. It was not diff-Fult. In a very few hours men had realized something of the meaning of war. Farmers and others owning horses were having to give them up to the mili-tary authorities. The crops, ripe in the .fieldsa would have to be reaped and gathered in by women and old men and boys. The very men of the hotel staff were summoned away. There was no one to drive the omni-bus to the station, and no hands -but my own to carry my luggage. I was advised by a travelling acquaint-ance to hurry away on the day after my arrival, and cir-cumstances did begin to seem somewhat menacing. It seemed worth while consulting the British Consul. ThiS was on Friday night, July 31st. With difficulty I found the Consul's house, which was all in darkness: His wife came to the door in her robe de nuit and kindly insisted, in spite of my reluctance to disturb them, that I should see her husband. After a while he appeared, and was singularly courteous. He told me I should be all right in Innsbruck " to-morrow." (Saturday), but after that !--and there was a very expresSive shrug of his shoulders. Need I say, next morning I fagged my burdens to the station, leaving the hotel empty—both of visitors and male staff. By seven o'clock I was at the Hotel Insel at Constance,' after a journey at- the Inn Valley and across the Boden See which there is no space now and here to describe. I found that nearly half the members of the Conference had arrived, and one by one they came in by several routes hour by hour. On Sun-day morning we had, a memorable devotional meeting, and in the evening a session of the Conference, when several -resoltitions were passed and the Conference at once adjourned to London. Meanwhile intimation had been received from the authorities' that it would be wise for us to return home on Monday morning, and that arrangements had been made for our speedy and • safe passage through Germany under the special protection of a great personage. We,ieft Constance in a specially reserved coach, having first of all pooled our resources, as it was found that a number of the delegates had only paper money, which would not be accepted ib payment of their fares by a route which they' had not intended to follow. None of us will ever forget that journey home. Huddled together in a space meant for half our number, with little to eat, and that little by no means tempting, with our windows closed for all 'bridges and stations, with guns trained upon our 'coach at these points should anyone be imprudent enough to break the regulations, with station authorities jealous and watchful, with the vision of excited crowds and military detachments, with the anxiety about what might be taking place at home, we had a day and a night such as happily do not come often in the average Englishman's lifetime. At Cologne 'there was a moment of real anxiety. The stationmaster was not satisfied with our special permit, and we were all ordered out of our coach, and with our luggage hurriedly hustled on to the platform, Scarcely was this accomplished before news came that our permit was " sustained " by telephonic communications from Berlin. We crossed •the river at . four o'clock on. Tues.- day morning, having been transferred at the Dutch fron-tier to the train for Flushing. It was a lovely morning, and we were now in a friendly land. Most of our com-pany - were comfortably sleeping as we crossed the bridge over the river. Alone in the gangway„ watching the sky effects at dawn, I had no idea how near we were to the military operations which had already begun, but as we reached the bridge I saw the soldiers on guard, and looking back when we passed, I Was surpr.sed to. see other soldiers on the Dutch side swinging to great iron doors so that the bridge was barred ! At Flushing our real troubles and anxieties were at an end, except for the prosaic matter of Jac& The waiters would not take paper-money of any kind, nor coin other than English,

and our English coin had all been pooled at Constance, the total barely sufficient for the actual necessities of travel. _

Need I say how thankful we were when we found our-selves once more in England, but how sad, too, when we learnt that our own country was on the brink of war? For lovers of peace the position is heart-rending, but our Prince walks on the stormy sea, and soonel or later the nations will hear His commanding voice. When peace comes again to Europe may it be the peace of Jesus Christ DAVID BROOK.

V. A War Experience to be Remembered.

REV. A. ,H. BOYDEN, who was travelling in Germany when martial law was proclaimed, had an adventurous journey home. He says :

In Germany the streets were full of excited people, crowds were rushing to the banks and mounted police were required, letters were stopped at the Post Office; and the top of Cologne 'Cathedral was, dotted with soldiers peering through field glasses for , aeroplanes. All motorists were stopped and their ma-chines confiscated. The journey from-Cologne to Rotter-dam occupied the whole day, and neither food rior drink was to be obtained. The scenes at the German railway stations were indescribable. Mr. Boyden and his friends travelled part of the way in a baggage wagon packed with people and luggage. Crossing the German and Dutch frontiers was a very unpleasant experience. The military boarded the train and ordered all the windows to be closed. As the day was intensely hot and anyone who opened a window was liable to be shot the , pas-sengers were almost stifled. Three ladies in the. carriage were on a conducted tour, but had lost their conductor. Had we not assisted them with their luggage, they would have lost it all for there were no porters and the foreigners would not even offer them a seat. They were obliged to travel nearly all the way sitting on the floor. There were most pitiable scenes. Hundreds of people had lost their luggage. Nearly all the American tourists were penniless; for they only had paper money, and it was useless. Finally, late at night we reached-Rotterdam and were told that there was only one boat to England, and that probably it would be the . last. Though we had saloon tickets we had to sleep on deck, and were glad to do that.

.0n our arrival at Harwich a long, line of battleships greeted us. We entered the harbour under military escort, for, it was mined, :and were _most heartily glad to be back once more in Old England, even though our holi- day. was abruptly cut short. To travel in a' foreign country under martial law is an experience to be re-membered.

A. H. BOYDEN. Forest Hill.

The Methodist Church in Canada A Word to Methodist Emigrants.

ALL the principal Methodist Churches of Great Britain which were formerly representd in - Canada are united, consequently there is only one strong Methodist Church in this country. In the year 1874 the Wesleyan Methodist and the New Connexion Methodist Churches in Canada were united in one body and adopted the name, "The Methodist Church of Canada." Nine years later, or in 1,883, the Methodist Church of Canada, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Canada, the Bible Christian Church in Canada and in almost every town and village and Canada, united and now form the Methodist Church, which is numerically one of the largest Protestant de-nominations in the Dominion.

Methodists from the British Isles frequently speak of themselves as being' Wesleyans, Primitives, or members of some other branch of the Methodist body. Such dis-tinctions do not exist here owing to the union of the several denominations referred to 'above. Chaplains re-presenting the Methodist Church are stationed at Hali-fax, N.S., St. John, N.B., in the winter season, and at. Quebec in the summer, and 'at Montreal, Toronto, Winni-peg and Vancouver the year • round,_ to welcome all Methodist immigrants coming to this country, and give them information, particularly in regard to church •rela-tions. These chaplains give cards of introduction to the Methodist ministers throughout the Dominion. If on landing in Canada you want information on any matter inquire of the Methodist chaplains. If they are not accessible, apply to some Government official. Do, not trust to the advice of the strangers you may happen to meet, no matter how kind they may seem to be. Women and girls are specially warned not to accompany anyone they do not know to a boarding house, hotel, or any other resort. There are Methodist ministers in every city in Canada and in almost every town and vilalge and country community. 'Make their acquaintance as soon as possible; and ask their advice on important metters. They will be glad to serve you in every reasonable way. Be sure and identify yourself with the Church as soon as possible after reaching your destinatidn. Your success in this new land will depend largely on how you begin life here. Canada affords great opportunities for the in-dustrious, honest, God-fearing citizen, but the schemer and the idler cannot succeed any better here than in the old land. This is now your adopted country, and Cana-- clians think it is the best place on earth. - Help us to make it better still.

' a

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.

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

August 13, 1914.

Our Local Preachers. United Methodism at Holiday Resorts.

IMPRESSIONS AT LOWESTOFT. BY ALBERT G. GAY, J.P.

IT gives the feeling of homeliness to find, when on holiday bent, that one's own Church is represented in the chosen resort. Londoners and visitors from-other centres to Lowestoft are particularly fortunate in this respect, for we are possessed of a very fine block of buildings in the London Road of which any Denomina- tion might justly feel proud. The church is a lofty, commodious, and handsome structure which admirably serves the local residents and provides ample accommoda-tion for visitors. The interior is spacious and fitted with modern requirements which in themselves create an at-mosphere for successful worship. The congregations on each of the two Sundays, July 27th arid August 2nd, were good and encouraging. The Rev, A. R. Barnes occu-pies the pulpit regularly during the holiday season, and this is a considered and wise arrangement, for the aver-age visitor whose stay is necessarily short receives his im-pressions of the church during a very limited period.

Mr. Barnes and his leaders evidently believe in the power of sensible advertisement. A bold and striking poster announcing the service and preacher can scarcely escape the eye of the most casual. And then the order of the services, the hymns to be sung, and the lessons read all bear witness to thoughtful preparation and foresight. The Bank Holiday Sunday services must have been par-ticularly, encouraging and inspiring to minister and people. The morning congregation was good, and it appeared that visitors largely predominated. A cordial welcome, considerate attention, a comfortable seat, a bright and airy church, what more could be conducive to helpful aids to worship?

There is little surprise that Lowestoft United Method-ism is making progress under the pastoral charge of Mr. Barnes, who has just closed. a successful two years' ministry. His preaching and general pulpit .powers are at once arrestive and inspiring. He has an attractive style, and the congregation listens with evident interest and conviction as his discourses naturally unfold them-selves with perfect logical sequence. And mention must be made of his special gifts in talking to the young folks. His chat on Sunday morning was based.on the story of the Blue Bird by Maeterlinck and the lessons therefrom, and was fascinating and instructive. The story gave an opportunity for the play of descriptive ability which Mr. Barnes possesses in a marked degree;

In the evening the thoughts of all were on the tragic European situation swiftly developing, and it was a relief when service time came publicly to invoke the power of the Almighty to stem the madness of those who would rush this Empire into the dread horrors of war. The service appropriately began with an ,impressive rendering by the choir of the hymn, "Now pray we for our country," followed by all joining in the well-known stanzas of "God bless our native land." The prayer that followed, voicing as it did in suitable phrases the senti-ments and desires of the congregation, was a soul-inspiring exercise bidding us all to put our trust in God in this hour of peril and crisis.

Mr. Barnes is a believer in short discourses, and except on rare occasions preaches less than .thirty minutes. At both services on Sunday his sermons were delivered in twenty minutes each, but he wastes. no Mime in coming to grips with his subject. They are excellent examples of studied concentration, of ready and quick utterance, and aided by .a full and extensive vocabulary Mr. Barnes moves swiftly along from start to finish and carries his hearers with him all the time.

The sermon was based on Luke i. 79, and the thoughts Suggested emerged with ease and precision, and with added force as the discourse proceeded to an intensified application to the dramatic events of the Tiour.

The whole setting of the service, even to the selection of the anthem, "All ye nations praise the Lord," the exquisite rendering ('f the solo, "They will be done," by Miss Lily Gowen, the skilful manipulation of the beauti-ful organ,- the sevenfold Amen gdve a deeply-impressive character to the whole, and made it one long to be remembered by those enjoying the privilege of worship while recuperating in the invigorating air at Lowestoft.

•

THE THEOLOGIAN'S EQUIPMENT. OCCASIONALLY one still meets- with good people who

regard it as presumptuous, and almost profane, to investi- gate Christian doctrine. They profess to be satisfied without making any daring speculations; and this satis-faction they regard- as the fruit of faith. It might• not be. strictly correct to say that vanity lies behind such affected modesty, but one always has the impression that they shun the discipline of the search after truth because of the toil it would entail and the humiliation that would be sure to result. A man who believes himself to know everything, or everything that is worth knowing, is a difficult man to deal with ; his soul is encrusted. He has decided that reason is to be distrusted, and the search after truth he regards as a feeble substitute for a robust belief ; like some poor misguided Protestants one has known who have by a muddle-headed process of reason• ing, arrived at the. conchision that reason is no. sure guide, and so have trusted their souls to the Roman Catholic Church. The one reposes in the infallibility of Church or priest or pope, the other in a fortress mis-named' faith, but which has really been built by the strange co-operation of two persons named Fear and Pride, and both under the supervision of that terrible fellow called Sloth. I plead for activity of mind, and the largest search for the hidden treasures of truth. But to-tiny let me set down three or four of the qualities which must characterize the wise seeker,

And, -first of all, I would mention Reverence. I be-lieve there is such a thing as an irreverent theologian. But such a man is akin to the poor wretch who will get drunk over his mother's grave. When we think of what we are, what a record we have, and how God ha,s endowed us, it is the least we can do to put off the shoes from our feet when we tread upon holy ground. • Here are some words of a dear old divine of the last century whom I have learnt to love. - "There is an agnostic and undevout method of handling every department of theology, and the strange phenomena ap-pears of those who are practically constructing that para- doxical thing, a theology without God." Now all preachers who know what fhey are doing, enter the, pulpit as men to whom the word of God has come, and they are there to speak to men for God. This should make irreverence impossible. And I believe the ancient jibes about men who are wanting in reverence in our pulpit seldom has any point to-day. But we must also be reverent when we are alone with God and our Bible : we must be so, in the interests both of our soul and our mind. The mental power is greater and the insight clearer when we are devout and reverent.

A second quality which must be present in the making of our theology is Humility. But perhaps this is so akin to reverence, or so vitally related to it that there is no need particularly to urge it. It is a grace seldom praised in these days. That by no means proves that it

- is not prized. Possibly the most humble of all men is he who fears to praise humility, for he knows that the seeds of pride still linger, in his heart, and these spring up the moment a man begins to believe himself to be a very humble ,person. Still it is well when we sit down to write a ,sermon, or better still, possibly, to think it out, to remember that at best we can only see in part and know in part ; and that the powers to see and judge which we do possess are sorely injured by the havoc which sin has made in our lives.

The third quality to be mentioned is Earnestness. 'Earnestness means giving all our powers to a task, and is therefore only another word for concentration. Do you remember Dr. Alexander Raleigh's happy division of the text, "With both hands earnestly "? I quote from memory. He said : (1) Some do a thing with one hand. (2) Others do it with both hands. 0) Some people do it with both hands earnestly. We can only do our work well when we do it earnestly. That may seem a plati-tude, but I want my local preacher friends to appreciate the truth there is in it. Even ordinary workmanship which has a superior quality is always the result of cen- centration. The idler and the dabbler may do good work at times, but it is never first-class work. There is something lacking. Especially is that so in the realm of thought and morals. To daily with great spiritual and intellectual problems is always to miss the reward of the earnest seeker. " Ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

The last of the qualities to be mentioned to-day may be best expressed-in a negative form : Freedom from pre-judice. I wonder if all my readers have a copy of "On the Study of Words," by Trench? I hope so ; if not, it is a shilling well spent, and the Book Steward will help. you. This is what Trench has to say on the word "Pre-. judice " :. "How mournful a witness for the hard and unrighteous judgements we habitually form of one another lies in the word prejudice.' It is itself abso-lutely neutral, meaning no more than a judgement 'formed beforehand ; which judgement may be favourable or many be unfavourable. Yet so predominantly do we form harsh unfavourable judgements of others before knowledge and exper;ence, that a prejudice ' or judge-ment before knowledge and not founded on evidence, is almost always taken in an ill sense ; prejudicial ' having actually acquired mischievous or injurious for its secondary meaning." That paragraph has in it more than some essays. And it is not so easy as it seems to approach the study of Christian doctrine with that free-dom from prejudice which we all recognize to 'be a moral obligation. R. PYKE.

Bideford.

THE UNITED METHODIST.

W.M.A. OUR PRESIDENT'S LETTER TO THE

BRANCHES. MY DEAR FELLOW-WORKERS,

The Conference at Redruth which has just closed will live in the history of United Methodism for two special reasons. First, because of the sad note which was struck in the hearts of all present in Fore Street Chapel on Tuesday morning at the vacant chair of the late beloved President, and, secondly, on the Thursday following, because of the jubilant song of praise to Almighty God which was raised, for the great deliver-ance He had vouchsafed unto His people.

It was a great day of rejoicing when the announce-ment of the total extinction of the Mission Debt was made ; this had been- accomplished through a year of hard work, of deep earnestness, and of much prayer. It was like sweet music falling upon the ear, the loud noise of battle was in the far distance, the tread of many feet and the rattling of drums could be but faintly heard, and then a silence fell upon all present, the clarion note of hope rang out, the veil lifted, and, behold, a new heaven and a new earth 'came into view. The work of the future revealed itself, and an immediate call to action. "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee' . .. . for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."

I'o-day the Women's Auxiliary has a clear call to duty : this is to strengthen the hands of our missionary society, and help to sustain the work on the foreign field which is already in existence, and which at the present time is causing anxiety. Our ordinary income derived from our churches is far below the amount' required to do this, and does not meet the demands that are being placed upon it, therefore in the immediate future it is clear that the best work we can do is to help to get a good financial basis, -and in doing. this I believe we are laying a firm foundation for all branches of the women's work, and the desires we all have so much at heart will unquestionably receive fair attention. The specific I ask for the coining year must be to raise our membership considerably. A thousand more women added to our ranks is not too much to expect, if in all the districts, the branches of work will help us. We can do this. There are several weak Districts which need arousing to a new sense of responsibility, and there are many causes that need revitalizing. Fresh avenues of service are opening to our missionaries continually, and they are looking to us to supply the needs necessary for them to enter the homes of the women, who are beseeching us for instruction both for themselves and their children, and longing to hear the blessed gospel of Christ. These powers of influence must be sustained or .the doors to progress will be for ever closed.

Our beloved Church recognizes that this is God's hand pointing to us the way of salvation, and I doubt not but that the Women's Auxiliary will arise and help for-ward this glorious Work of the Lord.

Let me plead with all the women workers of the W.M.A. to organize at once meetings for prayer ; these meetings as far as possible to be held in the different centres of the large towns and villages wherever our work exists, several branches uniting together in one church and meeting at least once a week. The object should be to pray : ,

1st. For deliverance from the grave danger threaten-ing our country at the present time.

2nd. For International Peace. . 3rd. For the distress and suffering caused by the ravages of war.

Believe Me ever to remain, Yours with Mission-loVe,

ROSA KATE BUTLER, President of the W.M.A. of the United

Methodist Church.

DISTRICT AND OTHER NEWS. Shebbear Circuit.—A picnic was held on the Monday

at Thornhillhead. Over 200 partook of tea which was served by Mrs. Blight, of Tythecott, the Misses Clever-don and Penhale, and other willing helpers. Sports were indulged in for about an hour, and at seven o'clock the party assembled in the chapel, crowding 't in every part, to join in worship and listen to addresses on missionary work. Mrs. Blackmore, of Bideford, presided, and an address was delivered by Miss Johnson, head mistress of Edgehill College, these ladies being president and secretary of the W.M.A.1 for the district. The circuit ministers and the Rev. J. Honey were present and took some part in the ,meeting. The financial gain was up-wards of L4.

Isle of Wight. —Our island friends gathered by the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Morris, at Redhill Farm, Wroxall, •LW., for a series of garden meetings in con-nection with the local branch of the W, M.A. . of which Miss K. Morris is the devoted secretary. Lady Hosie presided at the afternoon rneetifig, and Mr. G. W. Ball, C.C., of Cowes, in the evening. Miss Mackett, of New-church was the soloist, and addresses were given by Revs. J. A. Dobson, H. J. Pollard, and A. E. Dymond, the District missionary secretary. The offerings .made a welcome addition to our missionary funds.

Hull (Campbell Street).-:-This branch has begun its work for the. ensuing year in good earnest by holding a well attended meeting in the manse garden. The day was beautifully fine, and this contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the party. Mrs. Mellelieu accorded a hearty welcome to the assembled friends, and Mrs. Walter Hudson read two interesting missionary letters. An address was delivered by the circuit minister. Afternoon tea was served, and a good collection realized for the W.M.A. funds. The gathering in every way proved most gratifying.

637

Wedding. Fl I PK I NS—DELA HAYE.

A VERY interesting wedding took place at Earlsme.ad United Methodist Church, South Tottenham, on the 8th inst., the contracting parties being , Mr.. John •Charlton Hipkins, M.A., son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Hipkins,. of Tipton, Staffs., and Miss Esther Grace Delahaye, daugh-ter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Delahaye, of West Green, London, N. Rev. Wm. S. "Welch officiated and Mr. W. Tweddle presided at the organ. The bride wore a dress of cream silk and lace, the train trimmed with silver tissue and orange blossom. She wore -a tulle veil with wreath of orange blossom, and carried a sheaf of lilies. The bridesmaids were Miss Elise Pelahaye (sister of the bride), Miss Evelyn Hipkins (niece of the bridegroom), and the Misses Irene, Helen, and Doris Luke (cousins of the bride). They wore wedgwood blue eolienne dresses, black hats with blue feather mounts, and carried: shower bouquets of pale pink carnations. The bride-groom's gift to each bridesmaid was a gold and enamel pendant and chain. After the ceremony a reception was held at the residence of the bride's parents. The pre,. seats received numbered nearly fifty. Later in the day the happy pair left for a tour in Devon and Cornwall.

638

THE UNITED METHODIST. August 13, 1914.

Ashville College Speech Day.

THERE was a large gathering of parents and friends at Ashville College, Harrogate, on the occasion of its Speech Day. The chairman was Mr. A. W. Bain, J.P., ex-Lord Mayor of Leeds, who was supported, among others, by Mr. Joseph Briggs (treasurer) and Rev. Alfred Soothill, B.A. (Principal).

Mr. Soothill said in the course of his report that that day they were placing on the walls of that room two portraits—one of Rev. Edward Boaden, one of the foun-ders of the College, and a trustee for thirty-six years ; the other of Councillor W. Mart, treasurer of the Col-lege for many years. Two other portraits had been added by the Old Boys' Association, namely, those of Dr. Richardson and Dr. Bowick, two former Principals of the College. During the year they had formed a gravel playground and a third lawn tennis lawn had been added. The Governors had in mind the con- struction of music rooms and the formation of a reference library. They would add to their honours boards this year the fallowing concerning old boys : B. ShireS, M.B., B.Ch.• (Edinburgh) ; J. R. Turner, M.B., B.Ch. (Shef-field) ; N. Gray, B.Sc. (Sheffield) ; S. 'H. Hopkins, B.Sc. (Toronto) ; S. H. Swallow, Institute of Chartered Ac-countants; F. R. Chippindale, Incorporated Law Society (hons.) ; H. S. Moore, Incorporated Law Society.

The following were the successes during the year : Music Examinations.—Local Centre, Associated Board of R.A.M. and R.C.M. : Piano (advanced), D. J. Cart- wright ; theory, R. G. Soothill. School Examination (R.A.M. and R.C.M.) : Piano (lower division), W. T. Campbell. College of Preceptors.—Junior : F. A. Smor-fitt, W. H. Smorfitt, C. Douglas, and S. H. Millward. Cambridge Local Examinations.—Preliminary (honours) : F. Lord, H. W. Soothill ; (pass), S. A. Farrar, N. L. Carrick, H. Bailey, W. N. Douglas, L. 'Heywood, F. Stuttard, W. R. Hodgson, L. Monks, L. Thornber, and J. S. Worthington. Junior (honours) : G. H. Loy, W. T. Campbell ; (pass), W. S. Evans, L. P. Gallimore, J. Grant, T. W. Henn, L. Musgrave, A. Proud, T. H. Thurman, J. E. E. Tunstall, F. A. Smorfitt, J. E. Thorn- ton, and E. V. Wilkinson. Senior (honours) : F. N. Foster ; (pass), W. E. Davis, G. D. Smith, A. B. Dutton, J. P. Baxter, C. B. Carrick, G. T. Easten, W. Dawson, C. 'Heywood, N. C. James, J. S. Marshall, and W. E. Smith. Institute of Chartered Accountants.—Prelimi- nary : W. E. Davis and C. B. Carrick. Exemption from Cambridge Previous Examination (Part II.).—W. E. Davis, G. D. Smith and F. N. Foster. Exemption from London Matriculation and Northern Matriculation.—W. E. Davis and F. N. Foster. London Matriculation.—N. C. James.

• He thought that they might claim this as a representa-tion of educational work well done.

Rev. G. T. Candlin then gave a most interesting ad-. dress to the boys, in which he referred to educational work in China. He said that the important thing for the boys was to be themselves. School life was a pre-paration for life in general, and life itself was a prepara-tion for the life to come. Let them look after the great ideal, of knowing knowledge for its own 'sake„ beauty for its own sake, truth for truth's sake. That was the ideal which every schoolboy should have in mind. It was a bad education- which made a boy think that he had learnt all there was to learn.

The Chairman said • that one of the first things he would like to ask the boys to do -was to learn early to acquire the habit of controlling their thoughts. He did not know that he could suggest a. more important thing to those who were going to play an active part in a business or professional career. They should ac-quire too, the power of expressing their thoughts. A good memory would be a great advantage in a business career. If there was an original spark in them they should stick to it. ' Originality ought to be encouraged, not dis-couraged. There was too much following in business, not enough striking out of a course of their own. His advice to them was : Be constant in your application, insistent in the acquiring of • knowledge, know thor-oughly up-to-date methods and apply them to business, and you will find that England is as good a home for boys as any part of the world.

Mr. Bain then proceeded to distribute the prizes and certificates as follows :

Scripture (presented by Mr. E. Binns, J.P.).—Form II., J. Proctor ; III., C. W. Thurman ; IV., L. Hey-wood; V„ T. H. Thurman.

English (presented by Mr. Joseph Ward).—Form II., G. Dawson • III., A. E. Evans; IV., B. W. Soothill; V., G. H. Loy ; VI., B. C. Heywood; .IVa., C. B. Car-rick.

French (presented by Mr. Joseph Briggs).—Form III., S. W. Thompson ; IV., L. Monks

' V., L. P. Gallimore ;

VIb., W. E. Smith, Va., C. B Garrick. German (presented by Mr. E. Talbot, J.P. C.C.).—

Form 1V., N. L. Carrick ;- V., W. T. Campbell. Latin (presented by Mr. E. Talbot, J.P., C.C.).--Form

I H., B. W. Soothill, S. W. Thompson ; IV., D. Render. Arithmetic (presented by the Old Boys).—Form II., G.

II. Myers ; III., A. E. Evans; IV., N. L. Carrick ; V., L. N'Iusgrave; VIb., W. Dawson.

Mathematics (presented by Mr 1'. Gill, J.P.).—Form III., J. E. Billington ; IV., W. N. Douglas ; V., W. T. Campbell ; VIb., W. Dawson ; VIa., F. N. Foster.

Chemistry and Physics (presented by Mrs. Mart).— Form II.

' J. H. Bailey ; III., B. Preston ; IV., H. W.

Soothill ; V., G. H. Loy ; VI., F. N. Foster. Practical Chemistry (presented by Dr. Norman Smith).

Form V., E. Lupton ; VI., J. S. Marshall. Commercial Subjects (presented by Sir Stephen

Furness, ,M.P.).—Book-keeping : Form IV., F. Lord and H. Bailey; V., L. P. Gallimore and T. H. Thurman. Shorthand : Form IV., J. S. Worthington ; V., C. M. Miller and W. S. Evans.

Form Prizes (Bird Memorial).—Form II.' A. Dodds;

III., B. W. Soothill ; IV., F. Lord ; V., G. H. Loy ; VIb., W. Dawson.

Cuthbertson Memorial Prize (L'10).—Form VI., R. G. Soothill.

Physical Culture (presented -by Mr. J. R. Bennett, J.P.).—Junior, L. Thornber ; senior, W. S. Evans.

Swimming (medals presented by Ald. J. Chippindale, J.P.).—Beginners, W. S. Evans ; junior, J. S. Milestone ; senior, B. W. Berrington and L, P. Gall snore.

Tennis (presented by the Garnes Club).—Single, R. G. Soothill ; doubles, H. W. Gallimore and B. Preston.

Cricket.—lst Eleven : Bat, H. W. Gallimore ; ball, W. H. Smorfitt (presented by Mr. W. Mallinson, J.P.). 2nd Eleven : Bat, J. E. E. Tunstall ; ball, J. A. Smorfitt (pre-sented by .Mr. James Duckworth).

Gentlemanly Conduct (presented by the Principal, voted by the boys).—Junior, J. E. Hartley ; senior, C. B. Carrick.

Certificates.—Certificates were presented to all the pupils who had passed public examinations as set out in the Principal's report, and prizes were given to those who had attained to the standard of honours and ma-triculation.

Mr. Joseph Briggs (treasurer) expressed the thanks of the Governors to the Chairman and Dr. Candlin. for their presence and for their admirable addresses. He, also referred to the donors of the prizes. Those whose portraits had been hung on the walls of the College that day deserved by their character and work to be held in memory for many years to come.

An interesting programme of music, etc., was rendered by the boys.

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

HINTS ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON, AUGUST 23rd, 1914.

THE WEDDING FEAST.— Matthew xxii. 1-14.

THE outstanding difficulty here is that the aim of the parable which forms our lesson material is very closely allied with'that of last week. Teachers will do well to avoid repetition of last week's thought, and seek rather to present an effective contrast.

Hints for Teacher's Study. (1) The situation in which the parable was'uttered is

the same as that discussed in last week's notes; and need not be further considered here except to point out that while the parable of "the wicked husbandmen " de-scribed the fate of those who, like the leaders of Juda-ism, rejected Jesus, the parable of "the wedding feast" is complementary, and deals with the people who are called to replace those who first reject the Lord. Teachers should carefully revise last week's notes and compare the two parables.

(2) The only critical question to be considered arises from a comparison of this parable with another, "the great supper," recorded in Lk. xiv. 15-24. There are obvious similarities, but also considerable differences, and the two are not the same. Mt's. parable (only recorded by him) is of the marriage of a king's son ; Lk's. is merely the story of a feast given. by a rich man to entertain his acquaintances. The obvious aim of both parables is set forth in the feature common to both, viz., the persons first invited refused to come when told the feast was prepared, and their places were taken by people indiscriminately gathered from the streets' and highways. Luke, however, says there were two -such indiscriminate invitations, the second wider in scope than the first. Mt. records only one, but has instead the rejection of the man without the wedding garment. There is M addition in Mt's. parable the peculiar detail that vengeance was taken by the king's armies upon those who declined the original invitation. This has seemed so 'incongruous to some that they have sug-gested that Mt. confused or combined two different parables, one of which was posSibly Lk's. parable of "the great supper." But there is no 'sufficient reason for such a supposition ; admitting the vengeance was dire, the insult was given to a king, and the vengeance was kingly also. The difference between the two parables may be accounted for quite naturally. Mt's. parable is designed for a situation in which the antagonism be-tween Himself and the Pharisees had advanced to a very acute stage, and the whole setting is more graphic arid forceful. The central idea is the same, but the changed situation induces a more intense presentation of it. We may readily suppose that Jesus used the same material frequently, changing and adapting it as occasion demanded.

(3) Since by those who rejected the original invitation the leaders of Judaism are indicated (cf. "the wickea husbandmen ") the people who replaced them may naturally be taken to be the apostles, "the common people," and all who had responded to the friendly over-tures of Jesus (cf. Mt. xxi. 31). Lk's. renewal of this indiscriminate invitation shows that Jesus may have in-tended the scope to be wider still, including the Gentiles; Jn. xii. 20-24 shows how easily the mind of Jesus might have been stirred at this time by thoughts of the great heathen world outside Palestine.

(4) The rejection or the man without a wedding gar-ment seems to indicate that even in this wider and more comprehensiVe invitation regard must be paid to fitness and worth. By some the wedding garment is taken to mean faith and imputed righteousness; it more prob-ably means the garb of a pure and -holy life. "Outer darkness," "weeping and gnashing of teeth," are vivid figures of speech for acute disappointment, sorrow. and remorse. '(Was there in the figure of the man without a wedding garment, a Veiled allusion • to such a char-acter as Judas?)

(5) Colour will be given to the story by a knowledge of Eastern wedding customs, and remembering also the bounty of Eastern hospitality. Marriage ceremonies be-gin seven or even fourteen days before the actual wed-ding, and the interval is devoted to feasting and re-joicing. The marriage is consummated at the end of this period by the bridegroom going on horseback in procession at midnight to claim his bride. It is also customary to repeat an invitation—" Call those who were bidden." It -Was the boast of the men of Jerusalem that "not one of them went to a banquet unless he were twice invited." As to the wedding garment, "Eastern etiquette is strict, and to appear without the, festive gar-ment that custom prescribes would be a serious offence." Recall also that marriage and feasting were frequently used to symbolize the joy and blessedness of the Kingdom of God. (Cf. Mt. viii. 11, xxv. 10, Rev. six. 7, and the N.T. picture of Christ as the Bridegroom whose Bride is the Church.)

Hints on Teaching. (a) Junior^Classes. Concentrate attention on the man

who had not a wedding garment. (1) What sort of clothes do you like to wear? New

or old? Very pleasant to put on one's Sunday best! When. do people put on their best clothes ? To go to Church ! (Does not this mean the best,for God?) Also going as a guest to a friend's house we like to be and look our best.

(2) Jesus once told of a story of a man who did not seem to care how he was dressed. Told to the same people who heard the story about the wicked husband-men. Jesus, was thinking of them, too, in thiS other story He told. It was a curious story. A king's son was to be married, and the king. invited some people to the wedding feast, but a strange thing happened—the people first invited all refused to came.

(3) What would the king do? Be angry? Yes; per-haps punish the people who had so insulted him ! But also he would try to get other people to come. He would not like his son's wedding to be unattended by happy guests. So Jesus said he sent his servants out into the streets to tell everybody they rriet the king's son was going to be married, and that the king wanted them to come to the -feast. Imagine how delighted people would be—actually invited to the king's palace! So they would speed away home, to get their "best tehainsts," and make themselves fit to go to the wedding f

(4) Picture the feast—the king coming in, expecting to find his guests all looking very happy and at their best. So at first he thought they all were ; then sur-prised and hurt to find' one man who didn't seem to care what he looked like.

(5) What happened? Let the children try to tell, and lead up to the shame and angry remorse of the man when he was turned out. So we ought to _put on our " wedding garment " and be our best for Jesus' sake! He is our King's Son ! What would He wish us to be?

(b) Senior Classes. Here also the significance of "the wedding garment " should be the leading idea.

(1) Recall briefly the situation outlined last week, and the parable of "the wicked husbandman." Show that while orthodox and official Judaism had rejected Him,-Jesus also rejoiced in the fact that- others had gladly re-ceived Him. Hence in the controversy which was de-veloping with the Pharisees, Jesus put forward the sug-gestion that others would enter into the Kingdom of God before them and in their place. (Cf. Mt. xxi. 31.) The point developed in a parable.

(2) The parable outlined up to but excluding the inci-dent of the wedding garment. Who were they called thus indiscriminately? Indicate the types from whom the disciples were drawn and the possibility that Jesus might have had also the Gentile world in mind. Recall His affection for the toilworn and the outcasts. Read Mt. x. 25-30. (All ch. x. bears on the same issue.)

(3) The further feature of the exclusion of the man without a wedding garment developed, and its signifi- cance indicated. Even among this larger class who were invited a selection must be made ! What is the best? What fits men to share in the blessedness and joy of Christ, as suggested 'under the figure of a marriage feast? The broad features of Christian character might be discussed, and lead to an effective appeal.

A Note on Literature. In Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," when Christian

comes to the Cross, one of the angels who meet him there clothes him. anew ; and in Part Two, Christiana and Mercy receive new raiment in the House of the In-terpreter. Both passages should be read again.- Senior class teachers who know Carlyle's "Sartor Resartus" would find its 'philosophy of clothes " very suggestive for this lesson."

ARTIFICIAL TEETH (OLD) BOUGHT. We positively pay highest prices in the Kingdom, viz. :--upa to 3s. per tooth pinned on vulcanite ; 7s. per tooth on silver ; 12s. 6d. per tooth on gold ; 15s. per tooth on platinum.

Cash or Offer by return. If offer not accepted, parcel returned post free. Satisfaction guaranteed by the oldest and most reliable firm.

S. CANN & CO., 69a Market Street, MANCHESTER. Pankers: Parrs. When forwarding please mention paper.

August 13, 1914. THE UNITED METHODIST. 639

A Sad Disappointment. To the Editor of TH'E UNITED ,METHODIST.

DEAR SIR,—I do not purpose to discuss this great wickedness of a European war. Alas for twentieth

,century civilization and 'Christianity that so many na-tions are marching to the carnage and devilry of the battlefield

I am wishful, however, to express my bitter disappoint-ment and sorrow that Great Britain, the country which 'God has safeguarded by the sea and cut off from Europe, should have departed from neutralityand have entered upon active naval and military operations.

Doubtless the Yellow Press rejoice ; the military con-- scriptionists think that their day has come; • people _greedy of gold will reap a harvest of gold with the stain of blood on it ; and there will be much talk about brilli-ant victories which are brilliant only as are the flames of Hades. But as one who believes in Jesus Christ and His Gospel, I can only regard what is happening as the negation of Christianity and a most shameful and evil thing, the curse of which will be felt for long years 'to come. Yours,

JOHN LUKE. Barry. [We publish Mr. Luke's letter with the idea that it can

stand as typical of the feeling of dismay and disquiet which is found in many of our hearts. • But probably Mr. Luke would agree with us that the multiplication of like expressions of disapproval is not the most pressing duty of the mom,ent. That duty is the creation of a spirit which will make for peace as speedily and as per-manently as possible! This we can do by our converse with our fellow citizens and by converse with the Most High.—ED., U.M.]

For Our Boys and Girls. BIBLE SEARCHING COMPETITIONS. MY DEAR BIBLE SEARCHERS,

Holiday time, you tell me, and some are away here, and some there, all in for a happy time, and, I feel sure, most of you who have the opportunity will be spending at least a day at the seaside. What a wonderful fas-cination the, sea has for us all ! What fun there is paddling in the water, clambering over the rocks, seek-ing- in the pools and on the shore for treasures ; and, oh, the joy of digging in the sand, building castles and forts, or burying one another with sand until only a tell-tale face reveals that all is not sand beneath !

Can you believe it? Once a church was lost in the -sand ; lost so completely that the passers-by walked over its buried walls and roof, and only the top of the spire peered up to declare what once had been. Let me tell you the story.

On the coast of Cornwall, in a little hollow among the sand hills, there stands now the little chapel of St. Ennadoc, as it stood in the early days of its being. Then its paths were kept clean and swept of the 'ever=

.drifting sand, and sea-pinks bordered its edges. Week by week the services of praise and prayer were held, and the people loved and cared for their little sanctuary amid the sand hills.

But . after a time,. and until a few years ago, it was lost, practically covered from sight, buried in the sand, because the folk had forgotten it. Na longer did loving 'hands clear away the ever-coming sand from path and window-sill, until soon the path was covered, and the sand gradually crept up the walls, blocked the door, and darkened the windows, and in' the end hid the little ',church from sight altogether.

There are many other things, treasures of great value -Which neglect may take from us. Some of these you can call to mind for yourselves. You know, too, that our very faculties lose their power if we neglect to use them.

One of the Ten Commandments bids us to remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. There is an increasing tendency in our country to treat this injunction lightly. The Sunday School, and sanctuary and its services, the homely, quiet reading of the Bible and good books are being set aside and neglected more and more for ex-citing -pleasures and even for business until there is a danger that one day the peace and holy joy and gladness of the English Sabbath will be lost.

Upon you, boys and girls, the men and women who are to be, is the responsibility of saving the Sabbath for England by guarding its privileges and supporting the institutions that call us to worship, prayer and medita-tion on the Word. May you be true to your trust.

Ever Yours, JEANIE.

AUGUST QUESTIONS. juniors (under 12 years).

Give references from Luke i. to xviii. to the follow-ing passages '• write them out, adding the missing words :

(1) "So is he that . . . . not rich toward God." (2) "Where your treasure is, there . . . ." (3) "When thou makest a dinner or a supper call not . . . lest . .

(4) "He was . . . for he was very rich."

Intermediates (12 to 16 years). Give references from St. Matthew's Gospel to each of

the following questions. Who asked them? What answers were given? and by whom?

(1) I"•Who,is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" (2) Art thou He that should come or do we look for

another ?"

(3) "Could ye not watch with me one hour? " (4) "What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him

unto you? " Seniors (16 years and upwards).

Give references and briefly describe in your own words the incidents with which each of the following passages from St. Luke's Gospel is associated :

(1) "'No prophet is accepted in his own country." (2) o Peace be to this house." (3) "They feared as they entered into the cloud." (4) "If these should hold their peace the stones would

immediately cry out."

ANSWERS TO JULY QUESTIONS. juniors.

(1) Fed by ravens, 1 Kings xvii. 2-6. (2) (a) Sus-tained by widow woman, 1 Kings xvii. 9-16 ; (b) Raised widoW's son to life, 1 Kings xvii. 17-24. (3) The trial between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings xviii. 19-46.

Intermediates. (1) (a) 1 Kings xvii. 5-6; (b) 1 Kings xvii. 9-16 ;

(c) 1 Kings xix. 5-8. (2) 1 Kings xvii. 17-24. (3) 1 Kings xviii. 3 ; 1 Kings xviii. 5-16. (4) 1 Kings xix. 15, 16.

Seniors. (1) Judges v. (2) Judges iv. (3) Judges v. 14, 15 ; 18.

(4) Judges v. 23.

MARKS OBTAINED FOR JULY ANSWERS. juniors.

100 marks, F. E. Piper ; 98, M. B. Bedward, J. M. IngalF, C. Oliver, K.' Tomlinson ; 97, G. N. Gair ; 95, U. M. Falla.

Intermediates. 106 marks, E. M. Walden ; 99, M. Akester, H. M.

AlIwood, K. Bedward, R. Wallis ; 98, C. J. W. Grieve-son, C. Sears ; 97, M. Sears, T. F. Waring ; 95, D. Veare; 94, E. M. M. Marshall (don't forget refs.), M. D. Veare.

Seniors. 99 marks, K. L. Veare (glad to hear from you again),

E. A. Walden ; 98, R. J. Brewer (glad you don't forget us), H. Edwards, A. Smart ; 96, 0. N. Messam ; 94, J. P. Moody.

News of Our, Churches. Engagements.

1915. Baxter, J., succeeds Rev. T. M. Rees as superintend-

ent of the Redcliffe Road Circuit, Nottingham. 1916.

Portman, J. E., to the Oldham, King Street Circuit.

Presentations. Blackpool (Shaw Road).—On Sunday last farewell ser-

vices were preached morning and evening, when good congregations were present to say farewell to Rev. G. H. Kennedy, who is leaving fol- Bristol (Bishopton) after five years' ministry. In the afternoon the P.S.A. Brotherhood had a special open meeting. Mr. Smith presided, and several members spoke of the good work of Mr. Kennedy and regretted his leaving. iMr. J. W. Bellarby presented Mr. Kennedy with a travelling rug and pair of slippers. At the close of the evening service Mr. Woolfenden presented Mr. Kennedy with a folding screen and three volumes of Francis Thompson's poems, and Mrs. Woolfenden presented Mrs. Kennedy with, a silver card tray, neatly engraved, and Mr. Ashforth pre-sented Roy Kennedy with a writing case. Mr. Kennedy feelingly expressed his thanks.

Bristol.—Councillor A. Dowling presided at a meeting held to take farewell of Rev. George Eayrs. During the evening Mr. and Mrs. Eayrs were presented with a purse of gold from the members of the congregation and Miss Eayrs. with a fountain pen from the C.E. Refer-ence was made to the great 'helpfulness of Mr. Eayrs's ministry and to the personal practical interest he had shown in/ the lives of the people. - Manchesten—In connection with the departure of Rev. H. J. and Mrs. Shingles from the Manchester North-East- Circuit a number of presentations have been made. At Gill Street Alderman John Ward, J.P., on behalf of the church and congregation, presented Mrs. Shingles '

with a gold chain and pendant set with pearls and emeralds and Mr. Shingles with a substantial cheque. At Blackley, at a meeting presided over by Mr. Whittaker Hopwood, Mr. W. N. Siddell, in the name of the church and school, presented Mrs. Shingles with a pair of cut-glass vases and trifle bowl and Mr. Shingles with an inscribed gold-mounted Waterman's fountain pen and a cheque. At Chain Bar, after the mid-week service, Mrs. W. Thornley asked Mrs. Shingles to receive a gold-mounted umbrella and Mr. Shingles the same with a purse of gold on behalf of the church and friends. At S treet fold Mr. Shingles was presented with a number of suitably inscribed books.

Manchester.—(Patricroft). At a recent gathering, Mr. John Hunt, on behalf of the choir, presented Rev. F. Spencer with a set of silver egg cups and spoons, and the following evening at the conclusion of the C.E. meet-ing, Mr. James Peters presented him with a complete case of cutlery an behalf of the two senior classes of young men.—(Bridgewater Street Mission). On Sunday afternoon Mr. Spencer addressed the scholars for the last time and the opportunity was taken of giving him a revolving chair.—(Hankinson Street). At the conclusion of the morning service, Mr. J. Sharrocks, on behalf of the friends there, presented Mr. Spencer with an oak time-piece. In each case, Mr. Spencer suitably replied.

Newcastle-on-Tyne (Gosforth).—Mr. William Roseby, steward, has handed over a purse containing ,113, on behalf of the congregation and friends, to the Rev. Fred Heslop in appreciation of his services, prior to his leaving for Hartlepool.

Newcastle-on-Tyne (Jesmond).—At a recent meeting Mr. William Storey presided, and presented Rev. F. J. Parry with a cheque for -1:10, •together with a useful volume and, in addition, Mr. Storey presented Mrs. Parry with a table, the whole of the gifts being made on behalf of the congregation. High tributes were paid to Mr. and Mrs. Parry's successful labours both at the Jesmond Church and in the Sandy ford Circuit generally. Mr. Parry suitably acknowledged the gifts.

Newcastle-on-Tyne (Sandyford).—A presentation has been made to Rev. and Mrs. Luke Hicks at a, meeting held in the Benson Hall. Mr. Andrew Dickson presided. On behalf of the congregation and friends Mr. John G. Watson presented Mr. and , Mrs. Hicks with a purse of gold and congratulated the rev. gentleman on his work. Mr. James McEwan and Mr. John Walker also took part in the proceedings.

Northwich.—The representatives of the circuit as-sembled in the Whitton Street Church to take farewell of Rev. and , Mrs. James Harrison and to present to them tokens of respect. Mr. G. P. Austin presided. Mr. J. W. Deakin, circuit steward, as representing the various churches in the circuit, presented to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison a silver tea set and tray of an antique design. Mrs. Harrison was also the recipient of a special gift. Rev. J. Harrison cordially responded.

Portsmouth (Stamford Street).—The schoolroom was crowded at Rev. P. Rowe's farewell meeting. Rev. D. Bailey and representatives of the circuit and of the church spoke of the excellence of Mr. Rowe's -service. Reference was also made to Mrs. Rowe's influ-ence among the young men and scholars, many of whom had been received into church membership. Many valu-able presents were given Mr. Rowe, among others a dress-suit case and purse of money from church, silver-mounted rose-bowl with inscription from C.E. Society, hall-brushes and mirror in oak frame front Young Men's.Bible Class, two paintings from Junior Prize Choir.

Stonebroom.—In addition to the gifts already reported,, Rev. F. G. Taylor received a purse of gold from the Brackenfield Church. Mr, John Woolsey occupied the chair, and spoke, as, did other speakers, warm words of appreciation of what the minister and his wife had done to uplift the churches and secure prosperity to the cir-cuit. A letter was read signed by the Ashover members, referring in generous terms to the same thing. A special choir of neatly dressed children contributed musical items, at the close of which two of their num-ber came forward—the one, on behalf of the church, pre-senting Mrs. Taylor with a bouquet of flowers ; the other presenting to Mr. Taylor a purse of gold. Both gifts were suitably acknowledged.

Worksop.—On the removal of Rev. J. and Mrs. Pitch-ford the Women's Own and C.E. presented them with a solid oak writing cabinet and a mahogany plant stand in token of loving appreciation. On behalf of the young ladies Sunday School class, Miss Annie Dean presented Mrs. Pitchford with a silver muffineer and Miss Dorothy Pitchford with a vanity bag and album. At the close of Sunday evening's service, Mr. G. E. Cottingham, society steward, moved a. resolution which was carried unani-mously, expressing, appreciation of Mr. Pitchford's minis-try, and thanking him and Mrs. Pitchford for their work, and wishing them God-speed in their new circuit.

General. Chirk.—On Monday, August 3rd, a memorial stone of

the new Sunday School at St. Martins was unveiled. After a hymn and prayer, Mr. T. J. Parry, the building committee secretary, read a report which showed that towards this £1,200 contract £563 had been previously raised, to which was now to be added X;15 collected by the scholars for their stone, beside the £225 loan and grant. On behalf of the teachers, Mr. Geo. Lindop, who had been a teacher for thirty years, suitably un-veiled the stone. The company then marched in proces-sion to the Coedyrallt Farm, headed by the Llangollen Town Band, where the annual bazaar and picnic was successfully held.

Eastleigh (Stoke Common).—At the farewell services of Rev. W. T. Harris on Sunday last there were five decisions—two adults and three juniors.

Newquay.—Claremont church has been greatly favoured by the visits and services of the President and the Connexional Secretary, who, after their arduous conferential duties have been resting for a few days in sunny Newquay. On Sunday week large congregations gathered to hear the President in the morning and Dr. Packer at night. The prayers and hymns. indicated the tense feeling that prevails concerning our national wel-fare, the President closing his morning's service with the hymn, "God bless our native Land," which was sung with great verve, to the music of our national anthem.

Morley (Bethel).—On Sunday evening, August 2nd, a musical programme was rendered by the choir, under the leadership of Mr. Henry Hodgson, the organist being Mr. Norman Hartley. An address was given by Rev. W. A. H. Babidge, and a resolution on the Euro-pean situation was approved and adopted by the congregation standing.

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