I From

EVERY

POINT

of the

COMPASS

The four thousand boys and girls in the NATIONAL CHILDREN'S HOME & ORPHANAGE constitute one of the

biggest families in the world.

East, West, North, and South they come from all over the country, regardless of every other consideration but their real need.

Fatherless, motherless, homeless, destitute, crippled, neglected, or ill-used, their only plea is that they cannot help themselves.

WILL YOU HELP THEM BY SENDING A GIFT TO-DAY ?

National Children's Home and Orphanage

Principal : Rev. W. HODSON SMITH General Treasurers:

Sir Charles C. Wakefield, Bart., C.B.E., Sir Thomas Barlow, Bart., M.D., F.R.S.

Chief Offices : HIGHBURY PARK, LONDON, N.5

N.B —Remittances from U.M. Churches should be addressed 'I to the Rev. HENRY Hooxs, Treasurer U.M. Auxiliary.

12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.4.

IAL OGUE FR LF. WR,E NOW

ERTSTATHER, Seven Sisters Rd,

FtNS.B.U RY PARK, LON DON N,

THE UNITED METHODIST, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31st, 1925.

THE

THE PASSING OF REV. JOHN PARKIN and MR. W. AYERS (page 641).

UNITED METHODIST THE WEEKLY JOURNAL OF THE UNITED . METHODIST CHURCH.

With 'shish IN ineorperated the "Free Methodist," founded 1886.

No. 944 NNW SERIES. r No. 2087 1 LO LL) Szarics.J THURSDAY DECEMBER 31, 1925. [Registered at the General TWELVE PAGES

Post Office as a Newspaper.] TWOPENCE.

NOW READY. 2/6 net.

MENDILAND MEMORIES

By The

REV. WM. VIVIAN, F.R.G.S.

With 10 Plates of Illustrations.

HENRY HOOKS, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.4.

Tim Christmas festivity in England is without doubt the best experience of the festive mood we possess. It is the festivity of the home aided by climate, by the length of our nights, and by a tender and powerful tradition. In reality the tradition makes the festivity. Sever the festivity from its associations of thought and love with Jesus, and probably it would not die, but it would pale into a shadow - of its former glory, and become a wistful memory working for the return of a festivity born of the song about Jesus and the new coming of God into the life of man.

The Christmas festivity is then a very gracious fact in our social life. It is more. It is the promise of creative struggle. It ought to be the preparation for faithful work. In so far as the joy of the season has been properly Christian it will have incited in its a desire for toil, and will have prepared us to face the struggles peculiar to a distinguished and distinc-tive Christian life. Browning tells us in " Christmas-Eve " how he sought and partially found Jesus. It was only in part a finding of his Lord, but it led on to the writing of " Easter Day," in which he sets forth, " How hard it is to be a Christian," but a hardness he is prepared by his provisional experience of Jesus to face. That is true philosophy. There can be no real experience of Jesus' power without incitement to creative toil and to a joyous struggle.

If then we have been properly baptized into the Incarnational Spirit, toil will not only be a necessity to us, but joy wall be in it, abounding- gladness will dominate it. One of the great and serious perils of our age is that joy should, in our thought, be divorced from toil, from all forms of creative work. We are in danger of associating joy with life separated from work, with the ball-room, the cinema, the theatre ; with sport ; with gambling ; with the race-course ; with almost anything that is not work. Our age, in a sense, lays its tribute to the value of joy in its artificial and feverish search for it ; in its payments for 'amusements and recreation. Songs sell well. Sir Harry Lauder's income is probably bigger than that of a hundred colliers or of two hundred farm workers. This is madness. This is the way of misery. It is for us as Christians to correct the errors of men in their mad search for joy.

" Happiness," says Wordsworth, is "inward." He is grandly right in this. But he is not right in saying that the " Ancient English dower" was "in-ward happiness." England never had such a dower in her possession. "Inward happiness " is the peculiar dower of the Christian spirit. Chris- tianise the inward life of man and you give him joy, you make him sing in the mine, and whistle at the plough, and find_music in the loom. Carlyle's doctrine of work failed in his day to win human esteem. No man can revive it. His doctrine was dour, dutiful, too imperative. It lacked music and joy. It lacked spontaneous happiness. 'Man was to sing through the rewards of work, and not through the work itself. He was right in his doctrine of indolence. It was man's most universal temptation and enemy, and when aided by fortune, by circumstance, by false ideas of greatness was bound to ruin him. He was to be saved by necessity and the policeman's baton from the death of it. His salvation was inadequate.

The power of Jesus in the soul, cleansing it, giving it holy fires, enriching it with the visions of the pure and the inheritances of faith, can make a man toil, and make him sing at his toil, and make him joyous

in his creative struggles. As Christians we have a fine opportunity in these

days of demonstrating the value of Christian ideas, fellowships and relationships. We proclaim our living word from the pulpit and Christmas gives power to the word. We must also proclaim it as we plough and weave, and sell, and buy. In fact, we ourselves in what we are, in how we seem, in the voice's tones, in the lilt of our step, in the swing of the body, in our whole zest for life, in oui " inward happiness," can preach the Christian word with power and charm. "We are Jesus' witnesses," sang our Methodist forbears. And they were. They prospered. They did well on their farms ; and they deserved to do well. They created the best songs England owns to-day. They sang in the chapels. They sang in their homes. They sang at their work. The secret of their power lay in the fact that they sang in themselves. Their joy was no lip tribute to mirth. It was an "inward happiness," dowered by Jesus and theirs through experience of His bound-less grace.

Christmas has no right to end with us ; its joy should abide ; its power may be eternal.

We shall serve our age in real value of power if in the days after Christmas we can truly witness to the direct and inevitable results of the Incarnational baptism. And in the front rank of witnesses I place the man whose soul is filled with truly Christian joy. Our times are not joyous. We can put that down as a bed-rock fact. Our people are feverish, restless, eager for diversion from' themselves, not happy in their homes. They are spending large sums of money with a view of joy. They seem to think they can buy it. Mr. Markham's statement about the coal-getter and his cinema payments was on the face of it an exaggeration.

But it was an exaggeration of the fact that men are spending heavily in the search for joy. We must tell them that the grandest, deepest, purest joy man can know this side Jordan can be had without money and without price ; that any man can have it ; that every man can have it. And we must tell him the good news by our eyes, our feet, our songs, by ourselves. Miserable-looking preachers and unhappy revivalists are doomed to failure in times like ours. The light of Jesus in man's eye is charm. The fire of Jesus in man's soul is attraction.

And if by reason of Christ's salvation we can find the Christian joy in toil and confess it, that is, ek - press it, we shall confer upon our age a boon of priceless value. Our age is unhappy, and our age is not loving work. • It is an ugly thing to say. I write it with hesitancy. The Pauline man is not in evidence. The farm needs him. The mill is asking for him. The Church is languishing from the absence of him. Now toil alone will not save us. Our good will come from toil with the joy of Jesus in it and the love of Jesus in it. We can give that good to England. I do not mean the pretence of it, but the real treasure. No Christian can be indolent. The Incarnational baptism will make us love creative work. What an opportunity we have to-day !

After Christmas.

638

THE UNITED METHODIST. December 31, 1925

Young People's Exam- ination Results.

Manchester District. There were 417 entries, but only 217 sat—a rather dis-

appointing proportion. They were distributed as follows among the respective divisions :

Junior.—Entered, 207 ; sat, 97 ; Honours, 13 ; 1st Class, 34 ; 2nd Class, 43 ; failures, 7.

Intermediate.—Entered, 173 ; sat, 94 ; Honours, 17 ; 1st Class, 44 ; 2nd Class, 33.

Senior Lower.—Entered, 24 ; sat, 16 ; Honours, 1; 1st Class, 5 ; 2nd Class, 16 ; failures, 3.

Senior Upper.—Entered, 13 ; sat, 10 ; Honours, 1; 1st Class, 5; 2nd Class, 3; failure, 1:

Totals.—Entered, 47 ; sat, 217 ; Honours, 32 ; 1st Class, 88 ; 2nd Class, 86 ; failures, 11.

The District Prize-winners are : Junior Division.-1st Prize, Jack Bagshaw, Brunswick

School, 96 marks, Leigh and Hindley Green Circuit ; 2nd Prize, Ellen Miles, Wigan Road School, 90 marks, Leigh and Hindley Green Circuit ; 3rd Prize, Bessie Ashton, Brunswick School, 87 marks, Leigh and Hindley Green.

Intermediate.—lst Prize, 94 marks, Hilda Isherwood, Wigan Road, and Linda Baxendale, Brunswick, Leigh and Hindley Green ; 2nd Prize, 93 marks, Jack Cowburn and Stanley Ashton, Brunswick, Leigh and Hindley Green ; 3rd Prize, 88 marks, Raymond Ashton and Walter Wadsworth, Worsley Road, Swinton, Salford.

Senior Lower.-1st Prize, 87 marks, Bernard E. Hod-son, 'Patricroft, Manchester Fourth.

Senior Upper.-1st Prize, 94 marks, Esther Hampson Brunswick, Leigh and Hindley Green.

Only one prize can be awarded in each of the Senior divisions, as no other candidates succeeded in obtaining Honours.

The brilliant successes obtained by the Leigh and Hindley Green Circuit call for special comment. Of the eleven prize-winners no less than eight come from this circuit—six from Brunswick and two from Wigan Road.

The examiners were Rev. J. S. Pinner, Rev. Frank Hanesworth, Rev. W. W. Craig and Rev. E. White. For their prompt and willing service our warm thanks are due. Extracts from their reports will be of general interest.

Senior Upper.—" The subject is not an easy one for beginners, although the text-book makes it very clear andplain. . . . On the whole the papers are very satisfactory."

Senior Lower.—" One of the papers is remarkably good and a. fair proportion have obtained good marks. On the other hand there are two or three who }lave' not grasped the subject at all."

" Intermediate.—" On the whole the papers have been well done . . . a few were of outstanding merit, whilst many bore evidence of careful tuition. Where few marks haVe been obtained, it has been generally due to lack of training rather than to any incapacity."

Junior.—" On the whole a very creditable lot of papers." A. HEARN,

District Exam. Sec. Rochdale District.

Our of 300 entrants, 167 sat for the examination, a somewhat disappointing percentage. It is pleasing to note an increase in the number of entries for the two Senior Divisions.

In the Senior Upper Division, 2 secured' Honours, 6 First Class certificates and 3 Second Class. Miss Helen Taylor, Bagslate, Rochdale, Baillie Street Circuit, re-ceives ihe highest number of marks for a very fine paper ; Miss C. Farmer, Rochdale, Baillie Street, is second. Thirty-two sat in the Senior Lower Division out of 46 entries. In this division there were 4 Failures, 10 Second Class, 14 First Class and 4 Honours. Rochdale, Baillie Street Circuit, gains top place also in this section, Joyce Leach, of Spotland, being first, and Emma Smith (Burn-ley, Brunswick) second.

In the Intermediate Division, Honours and First Class certificate were both 23, Second Class, 20, and failures 2. Competition for the premier position here was keen, and only 2 marks separated the first—George Ward, of Para-dise Sunday School, Blackburn—from four others : Alan Whitehead, Baillie Street, Rochdale ; Eric T. Thompson, Paradise, Blackburn ; Rupert R. Parkinson, Windsor Road, Great Harwood, and Mary A. Dugdale, Windsor Road, Great Harwood.

Junior " sitters " numbered 56. All passed. Sixteen with Honours, 30 First Class and 10 Second Class. In this Division also the examiner had difficulty in placing the best papers in the correct order. Alice Dugdale, Windsor Road, Great Harwood; is first, closely followed by Louisa M. Marchant and Richard V. Baron, also of Great Harwood, and Betty Atkinson, of Clitheroe.

Examiners, Revs. J. Mitchell, A. G. Goodwin, J. Bur-ton, and Coun. J. T. Smith (Rochdale), who are heartily thanked for their patience and promptness—two rare virtues.

FRANK G. STAFFORD.

Missionary Service. Birkenhead (Claughton Road).—The above church

took advantage of the visit of the Rev. A. J. Hopkins (a former pastor) to the Liverpool District to hold a reception on December 5th to give friends an opportunity of renewing their acquaintance. Following the recept-tion a public meeting was held, when Mr. Hopkins gave a most interesting account of his experiences in East Africa. Through the kindness of the St. Domingo Church. Mr. Hopkins also preached at Birkenhead on the Sunday morning, December 6th. The proceeds of both efforts were devoted to the missionary funds.

Seasonable Greetings to All.

The following greeting, printed on card, in mauve and gold colours, has been sent to all our Ministers and Connexional Officers at home and abroad, with a request that it be placed in the Church Vestry that Officers and Leaders may receive the greeting also.

TAR iftnittb

ttbettist aburth

Christmas, 1925

t From ALL to ALL,

in

Remembrance of our Fraternal Bond,

with Loving Greetings

and

Best Wishes

in the , Name of

God the Father Everlasting,

Christ, Lover of Men,

the Holy Spirit, our inward life.

WM. ALEX. GRIST, President WM. A. LEWINS, Secretary of Conference HENRY SMITH, Connexional Committee Secretary W. S. SKELTON, Connexional Committee Treasurer

wilmaimmemommi

Evangelistic Service.

Hatherleigh. THE little town of Hatherleigh has passed through a

very gracious experience as a result of the visit of Mr. Frank Penfold, the tent evangelist. He came to us on. November 28th, and the very first night won the hearts of the people by his musical gifts. On the first Sunday there was crowded congregations. On the first Monday the first converts, and from then to the end only one night was without visible results. People came from far and near. Charabancs, bearing loads of 30 or 40, came from villages 10 or 12 miles away. Every night the chapel was crowded, and the whole neighbourhood was stirred. One night a dance had been advertised in the Manor Hall, nearly opposite the chapel, but so few came it had to be abandoned. The dancers were at the mis-sion. Later the chapel grew too small, and the Manor Hall had to be hired for some of the services, and even that could not contain the crowds who came. Mr. Pen-fold trained a large choir to sing his hymns, and night after night the spell of Gospel song was laid upon the people, and they were reluctant to leave. On the lecture night, when Mr. Penfold told his life story, an offering of ,*18 was given for Mr. Penfold's tent mission work. One convert—a servant girl—brought her week's wages as a thank-offering for what God had done for her. We shall ever thank God for the blessing His servant brought us. Over 50 passed through the enquiry-room.

THE Editor acknowledges with thanks the following gifts for the National Children's Home and Orphanage : "C.E.B.," Rochdale, ; " J.," Bristol, ; Anony- mous "For Kathleen's Sake," 10s.

To Ministers and Church Leaders. -

Why not start the New Year with

THE NEW NATIONAL

" WAYSIDE PULPIT"

Posters, which will enable your church to give a weekly tonic message to thousands of passers-by ? Costs less than 5d. a week, & brings striking results

Explanatory Leaflet Free. Specimen Poster, 7d. post free.

GEO. S. HIRST (Church Publicity Section N.F.C.C), 6 Memorial Hall, London, E.C.4.

At Our Own Fireside. TO CORRESPONDENTS.

It will be a great convenience if correspondents wil I send items of " news" and other Editorial communica-tions not later than Monday of each week, otherwise no guarantee can be given that they will appear in next issue. Address :

The Editorial Office, " United Methodist"

12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.4.

* * * a *

THE PRESIDENT'S ENGAGEMENTS FOR JANUARY.

'Sunday, 3rd.—Bishopston. Sunday, 10th.—Wellington. Sunday, 17th.—Abersychan (Mon.). Monday, 18th.— Sunday, 24th.—St. Denis, Cornwall (Carrie Hill.). Monday, 25th.— 9, Tuesday, 26th.--Fraddon. Thursday, 28th,.—Grantham, Circuit Rally. Saturday, 30th.—Bradford, Toler Lane. Sunday, 31st.=

* * * *

BROADCASTING. Rev. J., H. 'Rodda, of Plymouth, is broadcasting a

series of addresses under the auspices of the ''Plymouth Education Authority in the New Year on "Dickens's Child Portrait Gallery " : January 15th-26th, "Pip's Ex-pectations and what came of them " ;. January 22nd, - "The Marchioness an authority on key-holes "; January 29th,' "Early Adventures of David Copperfield " ; Feb-ruary 5th, "Little Dorrit : Everybody's Mother."

* * THE HOME _ORGANIZATION DEPARTMENT.

Those who arrange missionary meetings should not-fail to consult Rev. James Ellis, the secretary of the Home Organization Department, as to bills, literature, and other matter. The department has most' attractive bills which can be used to announce meetings, and can also supply, at very reasonable rates, pamphlets con-taining the stories of our mission work overseas. Mr. Ellis's address is "Rosewaye," Newington, near Sit-tingbourne, Kent.

SCHOLASTIC SUCCESS. Harold Page, a son of Rev. F. L. Page, the superin-

tendent minister of Leeds East Circuit, has been awarded a Classical Scholarship at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Congratulations to him and to his parents.

* * * * * MR. W. S. WELCH, LONDON.

In our issue of December 17th we recorded that our esteemed friend, 'Brother Welch, was laid- aside by ill-ness. It is with added regret that we have to say his illness is of a serious nature. His medical adviser forbids him undertaking any preaching or other public engage-ments for some considerable time. The withdrawal of the service of Brother Welch (if only for a temporary period) from our London and other connexional interests is a serious loss, for, during his residence in London, he has given himself unstintedly to the claims of our work. At our jubilee Church, Hoxton, he has been counsellor, guide, and friend. _We commend him and his dear wife to the prayerful sympathy of our people and hope for his entire restoration to health and usefulness. - In the mean-time, may we on his behalf request that no service ( f Any kind be asked from him.

* * * * * ILLNESS OF REV. T. P. BULLEN.

Our readers will be sorry to hear of the continued illness of the Rev. T. P. Sullen, of Nantwich, a beloved supernumerary minister. Happily, there are signs Of im-provement, and only one nurse is now necessary. Mrs. Bullen writes most gratefully of the help received through the prayers and sympathy of many friends. We are sure that these helps will be continued for her and for our large-hearted, brave, tender friend in his heavy affliction.

* * * * * ILLNESS OF REV. J. J. HART.

Sad news reaches us, on going to press, of the serious illness of Brother Hart, of Newcastle-under-Lyme. May we express sincere sympathy with him and Mrs. Hart. The prayers of our readers will surely be lifted on behalf of these our afflicted brethren.

Presentation. Manchester First (Crumpsall).—A very interesting

ceremony took place on a recent. Sunday, the occa-sion being the presentation of the National ,Sunday School Union's diplomas for long service. There was a good attendance of old scholars and friends. Rev. W. 0. Smith presided, and the certificates were presented by Councillor T. R. Ackroyd, M.A., J.P., president of the Manchester Sunday School Union, who congratulated the recipients, and thanked them for their loyalty. He then handed a diploma to Mr. Will Cuffwright (26 years' service), Mr. Wilfred Lee (33 years' service), Mr. Jos. Sutherland (36 years' service), and Mr. T. H. Cuffwright (53 years' service). The latter had just retired from the executive of the Manchester Sunday School Union after 27 years' service. Each of the recipients was 'heartily applauded, and briefly respcinded. Musical items were rendered by Mr. Leonard H. Andrews and friends. Alto-gether it..was an inspiring and encouraging afternoon, and a gratifying feature was the presence of many old colleagues who are now holding responsible positions in other spheres of Christian service.

New Year, 1926

ANNOUNCEMENT. All communications should be addressed to the Editor, "United Methodist,"

12 Parringdon Avenue, London, E.C.4.. Advertisements should reach the Publishing Office not later than first Post on

Tuesday morning. "The United Methodist" will be forwarded, post free, for one year to any

address in the United Kingdom. the Colonies,. or Foreign Countries, jor 11s. per annum, payable in advance.

The Editor; is always glad to oonsider manuscripts. If stansts are enclosed, every effort will be made to ensure the return of MSS. not used.

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"cic•■•■••••

December 31, 1925 THE UNITED METHODIST. 639

PAGE

637 ... 638 ... 638 -. 638 ... 638 ... 639

640 640 640

641

The New Year. There can be feW among us who do not

wish at times to peer into the future and catch, if it may be, some glimpse of what the new year will bring. But strain as we may it is hidden from us ; and goodness hides as well as reveals. It is little less than morbid to anticipate ills and disas-ters : God is our Defender and our Guide. There is one matter alone upon which we should like, to say a word or two. We all know that during the coming year our own Church must face, with two other Methodist Churches, the great and very grave question of union. We have no reason to pride ourselves unduly on our own part in the negotiations, and we have no occasion as a Church to be ashamed. It would be an intolerable impertinence to. suggest that all must think alike, or all be in favour even of union. There are many good and-wise men, who in their very souls believe that outward union is not the thing now to be aimed at. They feel that each Church has its distinctive testimony and place in the Kingdom, and that union would somehow impoverish the sum) total of spiritual power and service. Such men are to be honoured ; and even in a united Church they would bring their gifts of thought and judgment AG the common altar. There are others who believe in a united Methodism, but only on terms which keep unimpaired some features of our own Church which we greatly prize. And with all of us it is our business and responsibility to judge in such questions. We have to make, sure, first of all, if what we so prize can or cannot be retained.. If it is made -clear that we cannot both retain this and have union, we must then say which course we will take. - We have brethren, greatly beloved, who, have de-cided that union would mean for them too great a surrender. It is useless tQargue further : all the points have been before our people. And they have decided by a very large majority that the proposed union is desirable, and the best which can be achieved, subject, of course, to any con_ cessions or modifications which may yet result from conference and • exchange of views. So far, so good. But what of 1926?

And Methodist Union. We shall not be trespassing beyond the

boundaries which ought to be observed, by going on to make one or two remarks that many have had in their hearts to make. The questio-n that does occur to many of us is, Suppose, after all, we fail? Some would face the hypothesis calmly, and say, " Better so." But that is not, we venture to say, a view shared by a very large number. And again, suppose it should prove in the end, that our United Metho-dist Church, itself born of Methodist Union, were to prove the greatest hin-drance of all? Now there is a good deal that is disquieting in our midst to-daY. The Primitive Methodists will obviously present no insuperable difficulty. And it is in no sense special pleading, when we say that there are evidences that the Wes-leyan Methodists have shown, especially within the past few months, a great will-ingness to confer and arrive at -a common,

PAGE The Passing of Rev. J. T. Hodge ... 641 Death of Rev. John Parkin ... 641 Into the Way of Peace. By Cuthbert Ellison 642 Letters of Christopher Hunt ... 643 In the Temple. By Joseph Higman ••• 643 Quarterly Meetings ... ••• 644 Bazaars ••• ... 645 Christ as Son of God.

(C.E. Topic). By Cuthbert Ellison-. 646 Young People's Topic. By W. H. Milder', B.A. 646 Stories of Pioneers. By F. E. Watts... ... 646 Neivs of Our' Churches - ...' 647

decision. But are such evidences to be found among ourselves? We write here, with great sensitiveness ; for it would be easy to hurt good men, and make some of them angry. Rather than do that, we would consent to absolute silence. Is it, however, too much to ask, now that there is a sense of crisis upon us, that we should subdue our strivings, and resolve to under- stand all if we can? This is a counsel which applies to us all : to those who favour union quite as much as to op-ponents. A unanimous vote will not be secured; but we can be unanimous in charity, in love of truth, in a. manifest desire to look at both sides of every sub-ject. We do not envy any man who at such a juncture as this speaks scornfully of the person with whom he disagrees, or deliberately puts into disproportion some aspect of the whole. The time for debate has gone ; we -know nearly all that can be known as to the issues. We are called upon in 1926 to be a Church of statesmen, and, what is more, to be a Christian Church. The least we can do is to pray

every day that strength may be given to those who bear the burdens, guidance to those who lead, and in all things the will of the Lord be done.

Two Books by Our Ministers. If anything could reconcile us to the loss

our Churches have sustained in the with-drawal from the active ministry of two of our very ablest men, it would be that they are now enriching us, and the whole nation, by their pens. The Rev. H. W. Horwill was 'compelled some years ago to retire from the pulpit, through ill-health, after a brief and brilliant ministry that filled the hearts of all Bible Christians with unfeigned delight ; and Professor Soothill, after long years of heroic service as a United Methodist Free Church missionary in China, won a position in Oxford Uni-versity, which is as great a satisfaction to us as it is to those who benefit from his intimate knowledge of the Chinese- lan-guage and the Chinese character. It is a remarkable coincidence that a- volume by each of these brethren was reviewed at length, and with great appreciation, in a recent number of " The Times Literary Supplement." Mr. Horwill has spent some years all told in America, and has long been regarded in this country as an authority 'on American life. He was not slow to testify to his unquenchable love for Eng-land, when ,he last returned from New York. His latest book is entitled "The Usages of the American Constitution " ; and if it were honest to • form an opinion from a review, we might say with great definiteness that the book contains not only the clear thinking, and balanced, fearless judgments, which we all associate with Mr. Horwill's work, but also the information which is what most of us sadly need, and never seem able to find. America has many anachronisms and irregularities ; and these are interpreted and judged by Mr. Horwill. But in a later issue we hope to say more, if it should be our good fortune to read this book, and find it to be what such an authority as "The Times Literary Supplement" indi-cates. Professor Soothill's book is entitled "China and the West." This volume we certainly shall obtain by hook or by crook ; and so, we think, will many United Methodists who know that they can never know too much about China ; who know,

moreover, that as guide to those deep and mystic yearnings of the Chinese heart and mind, no one is wiser and safer than Professor Soothill.

Russian Communists. It is by no means easy to ascertain pre-

cisely what is happening in Russia. The outward signs are not always indicative of the deep-seated feelings of the people. And it is what is inwardly believed that prevails in the end. Apparently the people of Russia are not the "dumb, driven cattle " that they are sometimes repre-sented as being ; nor do they abjectly sub- mit to every strange and wilful ordinance of the Communists. For example, a week or two ago we were told on excellent autho- rity that Soviet legislation was snubbed by certain bold and brave women ; and the leaders who were accustomed to regard their decisions as final, came to the con- clusion that they had best reconsider. The "Law of Family Rights " was a measure which had been drawn up, and passed by all the preliminary Com-mittees ; but when it came before the " Red Parliament " it met with some rough handling. A group of peasant women, who are members of this Parlia-ment, stood up and said it should not be. So bold and outspoken were these women that even some lesser lights, in the shape of men, came also to their support ; though for some inscrutable reason these men had hitherto kept silence. The women agreed that loose legislation, which pro-vided facilities for divorce, and generally robbed married life of its sanctity and security, had worked disastrously. And, as usual, it is the women and-- children who suffer. They pressed their views on the astonished legislators to some purpose. Family ties, they said, had been broken up, and the country was "filled with vagrant and outcast children." Women had been deserted ; wives were seeking their husbands in vain. These unhappy wives had the children on their hands, without any visible means of support. Some men had actually divorced as many as ten women in the course of a year. The measure, therefore, which winked at these things, and even proposed to fasten them upon the community, was ignominiously withdrawn, .and the "peasant women triumphed. The soul of the nation is therefore still alive ; and straws like these show a powerful and swiftly flowing stream.

"Woodbine Willie." We believe the Rev. G. A. Studdert-

Kennedy has a certain fondness for the sobriquet which he won during the war. Perhaps, if we were able to explore the significance of this nickname, " root and all and all in all," we should know more than we do now of that mystic flame that burns in his heart, and gives him a hear-ing among many who commonly turn away from " parsons." He has recently published another little book of poems ; or, rather, Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton have , done so for him. The title is " Lighten our Darkness." It comes forth in paper covers, and with a most modest preface. Mr. Studdert-Kennedy says he would like to be a poet. It is '"the only private ambition " he has ever cherished. But he does 'not claim a place, he tells us, even among minor poets. It is not for us to push, him into a position for. which he disclaims the proper equipment. And it is by no means easy to draw the line between a " minor poet," and one who is able at times to write exquisite poetry. Mr. Studdert-Kennedy is more of a poet than he professes to be. There are some of his poems in this volume that contain the supreme secret. But with all that, he is " rough " at times—not in his "rhymes " so much as in his phrases and his realism. He has caught the manner of John Mase-field. But what is tolerable in such a poem as " Reynard the Fox " or " The 'Widow in the Bye Street," is not so readily overlooked in a small volume "likerihis, and written too by an Anglican clergy-man. We shall probably be accused of squeamishness, or worse, when we say that we do not like to see the vulgar talk of a somewhat coarse married woman put into verse. It is all true no doubt ; • but a good deal that is true need not be en-shrined in the verses of a clergyman. Poetry, after all, is the natural medium for " things lovely and of good report," and if it must indeed hold a mirror up to life, we should prefer to leave this with Shakespeare ; and he has fairly well covered the ground. After all, a canon by which a clergyman's poetry might be tested, is not unreasonable, if it lays it down that every single line might be read by a father with all his girls about him. Perhaps, to quote Mr. Studdert-Kennedy himself, "null said."

R. P.

After Christmas... Young People's Examination Results Extension at Exeter At Our Own Fireside ... Evangelistic Service at Hatherleigh 'Note. and Comments. By R. P. Pickwick and his Friends.

By J. Howen Rodda Women's Missionary Auxiliary... ... Departed Friends ... The Translation of Mr. W. Ayers.

By D. J. Rounsefell

•••

Notes and. Comments.

640

THE UNITED METHODIST. December • 31, 1925

Pickwick and his Friends 'Notes of Talk Broadcasted from the Plymouth

Station on Friday, December 18th, 1925.

BY J. HOWEN RODDA.

I AM glad to have a chance of a talk on such a thoroughly seasonable topic as " Pickwick and his Friends." There are very few books that have con-tributed more to the genuine fun of life than " Pickwick Papers," or—to give the book its proper title-" The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club." They were, of course, published at first in monthly numbers, and met with an amazing success. Charles Dickens was then almost unknown as an author. He had issued, it is true, " Sketches • by Boz," but that work was not of a particularly high order. At any rate, Dickens sold the copyright to a publisher for £150, because he wanted to get married and needed the cash.

The Pickwick Papers, however, were of an entirely different class, and their popularity reached an unpre- cedented height. People talked of little else. They could hardly wait for the next issue. The adventures of Pickwick and his friends were the absorbing topic of con-versation in all circles. The binders prepared 400 of Part one, of Part 15 the order was for 40,000. The hold it got upon people is well illustrated by a story of Carlyle's. " An Archdeacon," he said, " repeated to , me, the other night, a strange profane story of a solemn clergyman, who after administering ghostly consolation to a sick person, and having finished, satisfactorily as he thought, and got out of the room, heard the sick person ejaculate : Well, thank God, Pickwick will be out in ten days; anyway I This is. dreadful I "

There was something more in it all than the gratifica-tion of mere fun and laughter, more even than the rarer pleasure that underlies the outbreak of all forms of genuine humour : another chord had been struck. Here were real people It was not somebody talking humour-ously about them, but they were there themselves. Pick-wick and his friends become delightful additions to fhe list of the readers' acquaintances. We scarcely can think of Sam Weller, Nathaniel Winkle, or Pickwick as characters in a book. They are amusing, genial men whom we know well, and who have added greatly to the sum of our happiness during many an enchanting hour.

The story of the publication of the Pickwick Papers is one of the romances of literature. A comic draughtsman, Mr. R. Seymour, proposed to Messrs. Chapman and Hall (then a new firm) that they should issue a selection of his plates in monthly numbers dealing with the adven-tures of a "Nimrod Club " of unlucky sportsmen. The publishers thought it would be advisable to have the plates accompanied by a letterpress, which they asked Dickens to write: In the original - plan, therefore, the story was quite secondary. Only a single number of the serial had appeared when Mr. Seymour 's own hand put an end to his life. It is well known that among the applicants for the vacant office of illustrator of the Pick-wick Papers was Thackeray. The issue, which was com-pleted by 1837, brought in to Dickens a 'large sum of money, and after a time a handsome annual income. On the whole it has remained the most general favourite of all his books. Its pure rollicking fun is a wonderful tonic in days when (to use an Americanism) you are feeling "powerful mean and low down." I often pre-scribe a liberal dose of it to folk who are suffering with nerves, " following an attack of the 'flu." A course of Pickwick, then, will probably do them more good than all the doctor's physic in the world. It has that jovial element of exaggeration which nobody mistakes and no- body resents. Pickwick himself is a combination of eccentricities and benevolences, shrewdness and sim-plicity, good sense and folly. He is droll and something more. Dickens starts by making him simply laughable, but in the end makes him loveable as well. We see him at last not only acting as god-father to the many chil-dren of his friends, but also as a sort of fairy god-father to a multitude—filling a similar role to old Scrooge after he had been visited by the spirits—dispensing good cheer all round.

In this book, pathos and even satire are mingled with the humour in a remarkable way. The most impressive instance is in the passage concerning the ruined cobbler's confidences to Sam Weller in the Fleet Prison : " The cobbler paused to ascertain what effect his story had pro-duced on Sam ; but finding that he had dropped asleep, knocked the ashes out of his pipe, sighed, put it down, drew the bedclothes over his head, and went to sleep too."

Pickwick is worth knowing, and so are his friends. It is quite exhilarating to see this middle-aged, retired business man, accompanied by three unofficial members of the Pickwick Club, setting out to find adventures, and not going very far beyond London either in quest of it. They produce the impression of being a batch of " Inno-cents Abroad." There was Mr. Tracy Tupman, whose pardonable weakness it was to be constantly falling head over heels in love on the slightest provocation, or with-out it. Here is the description of the " too-susceptible Tuprnan " : "Time and feeding had expanded that once romantic form : the black silk waistcoat had become more and more. developed : inch by inch had the gold watch-chain beneath it disappeared from within the range of Tupman's vision ; and gradually had the capacious chin encroached upon the borders "ofthe white cravat ; but the soul of Tupman had known no change—admiration of the fair sex was still its ruling passion." Then ' there was the poetic Snodgrass—and Winkle, the would-be Sportsman.

Dear old Nathaniel Winkle, what a terror he was to all the rest of the party when he took a gun in his hand ! And when on that memorable Christmas at 'Wardle's farm he ventured to join the skaters, what a figure he cut to be sure ! No wonder that Pickwick momentarily forgot himself and, surveying his prostrate figure on the ice, remarked, "Take his skates off "; "Lift him up " ; and then exclaimed in a low but distinct and em-phatic tone :

" You're a humbug, sir! '

"` A what? ' said Mr. Winkle, starting. "` A -humbug, sir. I will speak plainer if you wish

it. An impostor, sir.' " " With these words Mr. Pickwick turned slowly on

his heel, and rejoined his friends." Winkle was in reality an uncommonly timid and clumsy

Cockney, who dressed and talked like a sportsman. Dickens's pre-eminent achievement in the way of charac-ter creation, as far as this book is concerned, is unques-tionably Sam Weller. He is always immensely enter-taining and everybody _falls in love with Sam at first sight. If he cannot make you laugh with his drolleries, then you haven't got -a laugh in you. Yet he is a model of tender-heartedness and true devotion. When Pick-wick is sent to prison because he refuses to pay the damages' after the farcical Breach of Promise Case is decided against him, Sam contrives to be sent to prison as well, in order to look after him ; and he even refuses to get married until it is quite convenient to his master for him to do so. A model servant indeed! But he is an irrepressible scream, really. - Sam is nearly always in the picture too. And what extraordinary stories he would tell. There was that tale of the sausage-maker-who was so interested in the machine that he would stand watching it for hours. He had a nagging wife who would follow him about, saying all kinds of out-rageous things until the poor fellow was nearly dis-tracted. One day he disappeared. The police were in-formed ; pools and rivers were dragged in vain. Then his wife advertised in the papers, and magnanimously , stated that if he returned "all would be forgiven." How-ever, he-never came back; and one day they had evidence that in the natural desire to get away from his wife he must have walked into the sausage machine.

Sam was always in evidence. " Now then, sir,' he said to Winkle, after he had

fastened on the skates, off with you and show them how to do • it.' "

" Stop, Sam, stop! ' said Mr. , Winkle, trembling violently and clutching hold of Sam's arms with the grasp of- a drowning man. How -slippery it is, Sam I '

" ' Not an uncommon thing upon ice, sir,' replied Mr. Weller. Hold up, sir !

These—these are very awkward skates, ain't they, Sam?'

"` I'm afeerd there's a ork'ard gen Tm'n in 'em, sir,' replied Sam."

Those who read "Pickwick Papers " will find endless amusement in it, no matter how often they have read the book before. It is true that Pickwick and his friends have serious faults. For one thing : they eat and drink far more than is good for them. But you like them, in spite of their weaknesses, and always find them cheerful companions.

I will close with Pickwick's farewell at the table of the ever-hospitable Wardle. He said :

" I. shall never regret having devoted the greater part of two years, to meeting with different varieties and shades of human character, frivolous as my pursuit of novelty may appear to many.

, "If I have done but little good, I trust I have done less harm, and that none of my adventures will be other than a source of amusing and pleasant recollection to me in the decline of life. God bless you all."

Women's Missionary Auxiliary PRAYER TOPIC for the week beginning. January 8rd :

New Year on our Distant Stations. Readings from the " Missionary_ Echo." Joshua iii.

Parkhills, Bury.—An Arts and Crafts Exhibition, held recently for missionary and church funds, proved very interesting and successful. Entries—confined to ama- teurs—were solicited for seven different groups. In judging the exhibits and in pricing them for sale many friends rendered willing service. At the opening cere-mony, Mr. •Ed. Holt presided, and was supported by circuit ministers, W.M.A. officers and church workers. Mrs. Holt spoke a few words of appreciation and good wishes for the effort being made. Mrs. Townsend, who opened the exhibition, said she was pleased to do this because she greatly appreciated the spirit of fellowship shown in inviting her, a member of another denomina-tion. She believed in the fellowship of the churches, and always sought to encourage any inclination towards it. She was glad to be with them for another reason : be-cause an arts and crafts exhibition appealed to her much more than an ordinary bazaar or sale of work. She felt that such an exhibition offered possibilities that perhaps those who arranged it, scarcely realized. To see and to appreciate beautiful things was a gift that might be cultivated in many, but to produce them was a gift more limited in distribution. We could not afford to lose a single hand or eye or mind which was capable of inter-preting life, or representing the Divine to men. After speaking of the function of art in beautifying the home, Mrs. Townsend declared the exhibition open. In the evening, the ex-mayoress (Mrs. Hill) presented the prizes to the successful competitors, and an entertain- ment was given, which included "The Gipsy Encamp-ment," by Junior Camp Fire Girls, trained by Miss A. Shaw ; songs by Miss L. Rothwell ; and humorous selec-tions by Mr. Sam Rigby. Miss Shaw was accompanist. All were delighted with the result of the effort, the first venture of the kind.

Gift Parcels.—We desire to express thanks to the following friends, who have kindly sent parcels of gifts for the mission stations : Sister Christine, Harrogate ; Miss Banbury, St. Gennys, Cornwall ; Miss Slater, Crewton, Derby, S.M.A., dolls and small gifts; Mrs. M. E. Swindell, pinafores and small articles for "gift box "; Mrs. M. A. Strange, London, parcel for Sister Lily Armitt ; Mrs. E. C. Franklin, Manor Park, Lon-don, parcel for East Africa ; Miss Irving Chorley, packet of post-cards with Chinese texts on them ; Barnsley, Ebenezer, quilt for. Wenchow Hospital ; Miss Green-wood, Halifax, box of toys for Miss Cathie Dymond.

Extension at Exeter. IMPINGING almost on the Christmas season, the open-

ing of the new extension of our Mount Pleasant Church, Exeter, gave the liveliest satisfaction to friends in the city and the circuit. Mount Pleasant not long ago cele-brated its coming of age. The present handsome church was reared beside the original building, now the lecture hall. Foresighted, the trustees had acquired extra land for future development.

The new extension, which adjoins and communicates with the lecture hall, hastened by the needs of a grow-ing neighbourhood, forms about one-third of the pro-posed extension plans. There are an entrance hall, 6 ft. by 23 ft., a small hall 23 ft. -by 21 ft. 6 in., and on the upper floor five class-rooms, which can be converted into larger rooms. There is accommodation for about 100 persons, and the extensions will provide additional and needed facilities for the training of the younger members of the church. A heating system of low pres-sure radiators has been installed and the new buildings are lighted by electricity.

The scheme received a great impetus from the Rev. S. E. Harper. It will be a fitting memorial to his five years' devoted work in charge of this church, which is regarded as one of the most successful of our causes in the West.

The enterprise involved £1,600, and at the end of the opening services, the pastor had the joy of announcing that the sum raised covered not only the cost of the building but the necessary furnishings--truly a magnificent effort.

The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. George Roberts, whose fine record in Sunday School work, both in the city and the circuit was referred to. Others taking part included the Rev. F. Sparrow and the Rev. L. H. Court, pastors of our Providence and St. Thomas Churches ,at Exeter, and the Rev. John Ford Reed, of Shebbear College, who preached a forceful sermon.

At the evening meeting, again largely attended, the Mayor of Exeter, Mr. W. Brock, who is a Wesleyan, presided. His worship congratulated the members of the Church on the beauty of the new buildings.

Rev. J. F. Reed and Rev. W. Percy Hodge (Baptist) gave inspiring addresses. Reports on the scheme by Mr. T. J. James (treasurer) and Mr. W. Bidgood- (Trust secretary) showed how the effort had enlisted, the sym-pathy and support of all.

Departed Friends. Mrs: New' ey, Durham.

ANOTHER member of our Durham Church has passed away in the 'person above-named. Sometimes she was affectionately known amongst us as " Old Mary." She had a place of her own amongst the Lord's people, and had occupied it long. She was a member of the writer's Friday evening class, ,when stationed as a junior minister in the Durham Circuit fifty years ago, and was never afterwards without a place on our roll of membership. Her position in the world's life and Its affairs was humble. She was born poor, and .always remained so. But -whether ministering to others, as in early life she did, or being ministered to by them, as was often her experience in later days, she preserved amidst all changes the fidelity, sweetness and contentment of a genuine religious life. Her devotiOnal experience was fed mainly on the 'hymns of the sanctuary and -by meditation on the written and spoken word. The problems of the Church and of Christian thought to-day did not trouble her mind. She had no mind for dealing with them ; but she lived,. walked and slept in the light of the ,Divine Presence. Not many would have coveted her position in this life ; but when "the r̀ighteous shall shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father," it may, be found that she. is richer than many of the world's greatest notabilities. Her last visit to the church was at the anniversary tea on November 23rd; after 'which she took ill and died. Her body was laid to rest in St. Oswald's Churchyard on December 7th ; Rev. A. Lee officiating in the home and at the graveside. J.. S. Mr. H. Pape, Rochdale.

WE regret to announce the death of Mr.. Henry Pape, of Rochdale, a retired member of the " Rochdale Ob-server " staff, _and for many years- an active religious worker in the town. Mr. Pape, who was 76 years of age, began his working life in 1862, when he was 13 years of age, as an apprentice to printing in the office of the "Nottingham Daily Guardian." bLater he joined the reporting side of newspaper work, and saw service in that capacity in the Isle of Man, in Lincolnshire, at Black-

' burn, and at Rotherham. Rather more than 30 years ago he served the "Heywood Advertiser," and later the " Rochdale Observer, first as a reporter, and subsequently as a proof reader. From this position he retired in 1920. He took a very keen interest in religious activity, and served in several churches and Sunday schools in the town, in the latter as a teacher. He was also interested in friendly society work in connection with the Hearts of Oak Society, and at one time was an active temperance worker. 'Mrs. Pape, whom he married while in Lincoln-shire, died a few years ago, and he now leaves two daughters.

Mr. James -Webber, Waverley Park. THE great reaper has once again cast a shadow over

this church. Shortly after the funeral service of the late church secretary (Mr. Hubert A. Butcher), disquieting news was reported of the serious illness of one • of 'he oldest member and founders of the church (Mr. James Webber, church treasurer and trustee). He was suffer-ing from bronchitis, and the end came swiftly on Decem-ber 21st at the age of 78. This loss of church secretary and church treasurer, so suddenly, has deeply impressed the workers. God buries His workmen, but carries on His work, and in our hour of trial we wait upon Him for strength and guidance to carry on. Our deep sympathy and prayers go out to the bereaved family.

641

Letters to the Editor. ■•■•■■•■•.10

+ El Memorial 16eautifut in the Silvery Grey Cornish Qranite

Erected in any Churchyard.

FOR a Memorial of simplicity and graceful proportions, nothing can excel a simple Latin or, plain Maltese Cross (as illustrated) carved

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• 367 EUSTON ROAD, N.W.1. Please forward. Post Free, your new Illustrated Booklets :

(a) Beautiful Churchyard Memorials. (b) Tablets and Brasses for Churches. (c) 1926 Art Calendar Blotter for Ministers and

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THE UNITED METHODIST.

The Translation of Mr. W. Ayers.

DeceraVer 31. 1925

The Passing of Rev. J. T. Hodge.

Appreciations.. REV. J. P. BURT Writes : Having known the Rev. John Twist Hodge during the

larger portion of my ministerial life; I would like to add my affectionate tribute of appreciation of his long and faithful ministry. It fell to my lot to succeed him in two or three of my early circuits, each of which bore evidence of his devoted labour in the service which was ever his joy. His fine Christian character, his patient, plodding industry, and his lovable disposition impressed those who privilege it was to labour beside him in the great harvest-field of life. But one of the richest con-tributions our late brother made to the churches under his care was that in which he sought to improve the music of the sanctuary, which during the period he exer-cised his ministry held a vastly inferior position to what it does to-day.

Having made a thorough study of the tonic sol-fa system, he obtained 'several certificates, and placed his knowledge and experience at the disposal of the young people of the churches who were musically inclined. In this particular work he was an enthusiast, and there are many in our churches still who are indebted to him for their knowledge of music obtained in singing classes or choirs under his conductorship. Bands Of hope, tem-perance and other organizations had an unfailing friend in him.

It was my privilege to have the Hodge family under my pastoral care during my six years' ministry in the Bristol East Circuit-1915 to 1921—where in our Salem Church our brother's saintly life and lovable dis-position won the hearts of all. He had learned the art of growing old gracefully. Like fruit mellowed by the genial sunshine, old age found'him sweet to the core and free from those blemishes which too often are the accom-paniments of life's closing years.

"An old, age, -serene and bright And lovely as a Lapland night."

Such was the eventide of John Twist Hodge's lire. Although handicapped by the troublesome infirmities of deafness and impaired vision towards the end, his sunny countenance proclaimed the peace and joy within. "Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."

Memorial Service. A memorial service for the Rev. J. T. Hodge was held

in Salem United Meffodist Church on Monday, Decem-ber 21st. The service was conducted by the Rev. P. H. Bryant, superintendent of the-circuit, assisted by the Revs. C. E. Penrose and Burley. The Rev. R. PylKe, chairman of the District, was present, and led the congregation in prayer. The congregation included several ministers, circuit stewards and representatives from the preachers' meeting. The principal mourners were Mrs. Hodge, Mr. and ', Miss Hodge, son and daughter, and the Rev. W. Hodge, brother of the de-ceased, Congregational minister. The address was given by the Rev. J. K. Jackling. The speaker referred to the simple but great Christian character of Brother Hodge, his characteristics as a preacher of the Gospel of the grace of God for many- years. He was a lover of all good movements and stood for practical Christianity in all things. As a pastor he was much beloved. For 63 years he was a loyal servant of our churches, preaching from rich ,experience the ministries of the Christian Faith. , Surely his long life and loyal service will be more than a memory to those who knew him.

Death of Rev. John Parkin. WE regret to record the death of the Rev. John Parkin,

who passed away at his residence at Sheffield on the morning of the 27th at the ripe age of 85 years. He entered the ministry of the United Methodist Free

- Churches in the year 1871 from Sheffield, and retired from its active service at the Annual Assembly of 1906. He spent about 18 years in New Zealand'. On his retire-ment the following resolution was adopted by the Assembly : . " ReSolved,—That in acceding to the request of the Rev. John Parkin to be placed on the list of permanent supernumeraries after a ministry of thirty-five years, a portion of which Was devoted to missionary work in New Zealand, this Annual Assembly would place on record its appreciation of his many fine personal quali-ties, the earnest spirit of hiS ministry, and of the many happy results of that ministry, and would assure him of its continued interest in his welfare, praying that the evening of his life may be long continued and full of quiet restfulness, and a brightening hope of immortality and eternal life."

He is survived by his widow, a lady of 83 years of age. Brother Parkin lived an exemplary life and was always aided in his good work by Mrs. Parkin. The secretary steward of the Surrey Street Circuit says : "It has always

- -been an intense pleasure to me to be associated with two such choice souls."

Redruth, Fore Street (Portreath).—This year's Christ-mas Effort took the form of a silver tree and concert. There was, a. good number.present when children from the' Sunday School stripped the tree. The gifts were received by Mrs. A. R. Martin, the minister's wife. A tea followed, and in the evening Mr. W. J. Opie (Red-ruth) presided over a fine concert. The artistes were Mr. Con , Oxland (accompanist), Mrs. Hampton (con-tralto), Miss Yesick (soprano), Mr. Delbridge (baritone), Mr. Slee (tenor). The whole effort realized X20, which enabled us to clear off our debt on additions to the church premises.

SUNDAY, December 27th. To-day there is in our wor-ship the sense of a great loss. There is the minor key in our Christmas hymns and carols because of the sad news received of the passing of our dear friend and brother, Mr. William Ayers.

For some months he had been in failing health, but he still held tenaciously to his work. As recently as last Monday he was in London, and upon his' return serious complications developed, and on • Saturday, December 26th, his spirit fled. to the realms of light. Truly God's finger touched him and he slept._

The shock of his death has come so suddenly that our eyes are too full of tears to write 'adequately of, his life and labours. Only in the perspective of some later memorial can justice be done to the part he took in the activities of the London Church Extension and Mission Committee, of which he was an ex-president, or to the Kent Area Scheme, or to the office of financial secretary for the London District.

Amongst those who welcomed the writer to the Water-loo Road Church thirty-two years ago was one who was familiarly called " Willie Ayers," and from that day to the present the ties of friendship have ever been strong and sacred-. Two years ago it was our joy to welcome him and his wife into our church at High Road, Lee, where, he has ever been a source of strength and inspira-tion. His evangelical fervour was ever present and the Cross supreme in his prayers and addresses, and his devotion to his church has been intense and constant.

Our friend came from the stock of the Bible Christian Church,, to which he gave his truest affection. It was his joy whenever there was an opportunity to refer to the influence of the denomination, and its ministers, upon his life. He had a lively appreciation of the humorous side of things, and- had made the happy dis-covery that humour was not incompatible with holiness. Wit and jest enlivened his speech, but they were ever subservient to a high seriousness.

In a very true sense he lived for his Church. When his mind was released from the exacting demands ,f business he was absorbed in schemes and plans for the extension of the Kingdom of God.

He gloried in committees, to which he brought a keen mind, sound judgment and a kindly. disposition. Con-ferences, District meetings, leaders' and church meetings were not dry business sessions to him, but rather seasons of high spiritual festivals.

In his teens he became a local preacher, and had desires for the ministry, but he was led into business life. His power of utterance brought constant and ever-increasing requests for his services as a preacher, which he has exercised for so many years with acceptance and profit. The fact that he has preached the Sunday School sermons at' Rainham for thirty successive years bears witness to his power. When his place at High Road was vacant, it was always known he was serving a church in London and farther afield.

His fund of sympathy and generosity was indeed great, he was ever ready to help weak causes and quick to perceive the particular need, and was swift in giving help either in substance or advice.

His married life has been of the happiest, and the prayerful sympathy of a great host gathers round Mrs. Ayers and her mother who resides with her. May there come to them the abiding consolations of redeeming and sustaining grace.

We mourn to-day as a Church the loss of a true labourer, a wise adviser and a worthy son.

"The light of his good life went down As sinks behind the hill,

The glory of the setting sun, Clear, suddenly and still."

D. J. ROUNSEFELL.

The Jew's Retort. A PARTY of carol-singers in East London serenaded the

house of an old Jew with "Christians, awake, salute the happy morn." Opening his window, he shouted to them : " Go avay, go avay ! Ve are not - Christians. Go

-avay, go avay ! nor are ye asleep."

[The Editorial Board does not hold itself responsible for expressions of opinion by Correspondents. All con-tributions to these columns must be brief.]

Re "Hark the Herald-Angels Sing." • To the Editor of THE UNITED METHODIST.

DEAR !SIR,—I omitted to state in my par. to you p0- lished !December. 24th, that the original form of the, hymn as written by Charles Wesley in 1739 was in five stanzas of eight lines ; and only one alteration was made in the revised issue. of 1743, when " Heavenly " became "'Inner" in. the second line of the last stanza. ' "Thee the Life," etc. Yours, ete.,

'T. H. ASHELFORD.

Memorial to Mr.. F. Slogrove.

THE memorial window to' the late Mr. Frank Slogrove was unveiled at our' Bristol 'Road Church, Brighton, by the Rev. Lewis H. Court, of Exeter, a former superintendent of the circuit and minister of the church. There was a large congregation, including many personal friends of the deceased, and friends from the Stanford Avenue and-Old Shoreham Road Churches. Mr. Court's choice of text -and theme was very felicitous and appro-priate : "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile."

After the singing of the first part of the hymn, " For all the saints," the window was unveiled, and Mr. Court paid an eloquent tribute to the late Mr..Slogrove's long and faithful service to the church, the circuit and the. Connexion ; his abounding generosity ; and his fine con-sistent Christian character. Rev. Charles A. Ashelford, minister of the church, offered the dedicatory prayer..

The stained glass window contains two beautifully designed figures—the one holding a Cross-marked cup, and the other holding the Crown of Life.

On the one side are inscribed the words, "To the Glory of God and in grateful remembrance of Frank Slogrove "; and on the other side, "Foy 30 years an

,honoured Leader of this. Church, who passed to Higher Service, December 21st, 1922."

General News. Blyth (Ashington).—Members of this church have of

late experienced the presence of God. On Sunday last Pastor E. G. Rickers was the preacher, and after the evening service he received 26 new members from Sister Hilda's Mission. These, together with the older mem-bers, took the Sacrament. The great desire amongst the members, to have a minister or sister placed at Ashing,- ton, grows in intensity, and ministers and the whole of the Blyth Circuit, are calling the attention of the Connexional officials to the great need of financial assist-ance to our church in Ashington, with. its 35,000 popula-tion, where every other denomination has now placed a resident minister.

Silverdale (Bethel).—The young ladies gave a very successful concert and social evening. Miss Saunders presided over a gathering of 150 friends. Sketches, aongs, and an exhibition of dolls delighted the audience. The members of the choir showed their appreciation of the services of Mr. G. T. Morrall, who had been the choirmaster for some years. Mr. S. H. Barratt, after an appropriate speech, presented Mr. Morrall with a silver-mounted ebony baton. This was followed by a presenta-tion of an ebony walking stick to Mr. T. Pickin, who has been in the choir for over sixty years, and still sings regularly and take solos. Mr. Morrall and Mr. Pickin thanked the choir for their beautiful gifts.

Todmorden (Bridge Street).—The annual perform-ance of the "Messiah" took place on Sunday evening, December 13th. The following artistes took part : Madame Gladys Tiplady, Miss Mabel Sadler, Mr. Hubert Marshall, Mr. Lee Thistlethwaite, Mr. Harold Kemp (trumpeter), Mr. E. L. Bentley (organist) and Mr. W. Mitchell (conductor). The chorus numbered over 120 strong and their renderings were with precision and were assisted by a small orchestra. Collection, over .4'26.

642 THE UNITED METHODIST. December 31, 1925

The look of the man began to waver ; the hardness died out of his eyes ; the mouth took a pitiful droop; he leaned eagerly . forward : "Should I ; should I go ? " he burst out at last.

"No, you should not I " Eric sharply replied ; and there was hardness in his young face, and sternness in his voice.

The man dropped the hand he had been holding, and clenching his fist he raised it as if to strike. An angry gleam was in his eye.

Eric did not flinch. The anger - faded away from the man's eyes ; his hand fell limp. "Why should't I? " he asked.

"Because it- is wrong. You ought to go home. You have a home?" Eric added questioningly. •

The man' uttered a cry. Stumbling across the pave-ment he leaned against the wall with his face buried in his arm, and broke out into passionate weeping.

Eric stood by till the outburst was over. Then he put his hand on the other's shoulder.

"Look here, man! What's the matter? Can I help you? "

" Oh, I dont' know," came the sobbing reply. " Let me try," pleaded Eric. " Shall I take you home?

Go home, man ; it is Christmas Eve." " Ay, it's Christmas ! " The man's voice was tender.

" It was the singers upset me. I've just, been listening to them." He was silent for a few moments, and then went on : "You're a good lad, I can see. Yes, I'll go home. Annie will be wondering. Will you come along? What is your name, lad?

Eric told him. Mine is Jack Hindmarsh."

As they went along the man told his trouble. For twelve months he had going wrong, he confessed. He had been drinking, and had latterly taken Up with a gambling set. He was a workman with steady , employ-ment. fie was married and had two little ones. Until a year ago there was not a happier home in the town than theirs had been.

Jack Hindmarsh was, considerably sobered by this time; but Eric took his arm. " Where do you live? " he asked, when they had gone some distanCe.

" In George Street." " Down in Deepford? " " Yes; beside the little chapel. Do you know it? " Eric knew it very. well. It was the place, indeed, to

which the -minister had asked him to go on the follow-ing Sunday. But he only answered, " Yes, 1 know it."

" Annie and 1 used to go there. The bairns go to the Sunday School. Annie. hasn't cared to go lately."

They went on in silence for awhile, and then, speak-ing to himself : "Eh, Annie; i've not done fairly by you. But I'll be better." Then turning to Eric, he said : "I promised her I'd be home in good time to go shopping with her. She said there were some things she wanted to get for 'the bairns' stockings. When I told her I knew it was a lie. I had arranged to meet some meta at- -a, public house, for card-playing. We played till closing time. Then we had a bit of a walk. It was then that we met the Christmas singers and stopped to listen. They were singing While shepherds watched '-; it went through me. 1 just had td get away, and I gave the other fellows the slip. Then I followed the singers and heard them again. -It was after that I came across you:"

By that time they were in the Deepford district. When they got to George Street, Jack Hindmarsh said to Eric, " YOU wait at the door till I ,go in."

The night air, and the shock he had had, by, this time had quite, sobered him, and his footsteps on the pavement, as he briskly approached the house, were heard by his wife, who had spent the night in anxious waiting.

Jack opened the door and passed through into the kitchen, where she awaited his coming. She stood by the table, which she gripped with one hand. Her eyes had a troubled look. Her breath came quickly. -

When Jack saw her, he hurried forward, with out-stretched arms, the love-light leaping to his eyes.

" Oh, Jack 1 " she cried, and pressed her face against his breast with a shuddering sob, His arms tightened about her, and the strain of the past heavy hours found relief in a rain of tears.

" I have been so miserable, Jack," she said, presently. " I couldnt' tell what to think when you -didn't come. The hours have been so long. What has been the matter ? What kept you? "

"I told you a lie to-day when I promised to be home to go out with .you," he-replied, brokenly. " It is not the first one, either. But it is the last. Oh, Annie, I have been very near going to the bad. But I've been kept: And this ,Christmas Day will be the beginning again of happy days for us."

But just a minute I " he exclaimed, as he led her to a chair. " I have somebody waiting outside."

He went to the front door. Eric was quietly walking to and fro. He hurried forward, and together they went in.

" Annie, this is the lad that pulled me up to-night. It's him we've got to thank."

" No, no! " protested Eric, " dont you thank me. Thank God, rather."

" You are right, lad ! " said. Jack, "and we will. Are you a preacher? You have the look of one."

" Well, said Eric, laughing, " I am, a bit." " That's right then, you'll offer a prayer for us? " Taking his wife's hand, Jack and Annie Hindmarsh

knelt side by side. And Eric, though somewhat embar= rassed by the situation, knelt with them- and prayed. He thanked God for His preventing mercies, and prayed for husband and wife and their home, in simple, earnest words. " May the Christmas peace abide here to-day, and always,'.' he concluded.

Some moments they knelt then in the silence, that was broken only by the ticking of the dock and ,the crackling of the fire. Then there broke upon them from some carollers singing near :

" 0 come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, 0 come ye, 0 come ye, to Bethlehem."

"And now," said Eric, "I Must be off. I wish you the happiest Christmas."

But you'll let us see you again some time," said Jack, holding hiS hand.

" You' come to the little chapel next Sunday evening, and you will see me there."

" What ! Do you mean it? " " Yes, it is a strange thing ;• but only to-night the -

minister asked me if I would take the service at Deep- ford on Sunday." --

"Good! " cried Jack. . "We'll be there-, won't we, Annie?" And- Annie smiled a glad assent.

When Eric Sanderson was gone, husband and wife Stood together silent, with full hearts.

"What about the bairns? " asked Jack at length. " I have a few bits of things that r've been gathering

uti the last few weeks," replied his wife. "-But there is nothing much. I had depended on getting something with you to-night."

"Well, it is too late now ! We must do with what you have; and- make up to them after. See,- here are two bright shillings—one for each." And he selected them

from the money which he took from his pocket. "The rest is yours, -lass-; and there should have been more of it."

. They went into the bedroom where their two little ones were sleeping in happy innocence. Together they stood beside the .bed; and the father vowed a vow in his secret heart that he would be true to the sacred obligations of home.

Suspended from the rail at the bed-foot were two stock-ings, empty as yet. But when they were pounced upon by eager little hands some hours later, they were no longer empty.. And the pouring out of their contents upon the bed provoked such chatter and empty laughter a4, being heard in the 'adjoining room by father and mother, added the crown of joy to the perfect peace of the Christmas Day.

Threescore and Ten. " LORD, Thou_ bast been our dwelling-place in all

generations." I read the words of the old Hebrew psalmist, and felt

once more the grandeur of their "sad and stately music,' It was a day in high summer. Sunlight lay golden on garden and field. Care-free voices of children at play outside had a joyous sound. I- raised my head to look at them ; and as I looked there drifted in to me through the open window words of a song that they sang in their playing

How many miles to Babylon? Three score and ten. Can I get there. by candle-light? Yes, and back again.

I was struck with the quaint conceit of the line : "Can I get there by candle-light? "—and smiled at the charming irrele'vance of the nursery rhymes that so delight the little ones. They who played out there were untroubled by any 'difficulty about getting to Babylon and back again by the light of candles. Such journeys are easy to childhood. I turned again to my reading.

"The days of our years are threescore years and ten."

Threescore and te,n! Where had. I lately heard those words ? I paused suddenly to consider, struck by some recollection. Many voices without were still singing :

How many miles to Babylon? Three score and ten. Can I get there by candle-light?—

"Three score and ten," and " by candle light "I Very profound are some of these old tales that the children tell from one generation to another. I -glimpsed a. seri- , ous meaning hid in the song the children sang. Not by the light of candles, but by candle-time, we shall we able to get to "Babylon "—or otherwhere, as it is ap-pointed for up.

The days of our years are so many as God has ap-pointed, And then comes eventide—candle-time, and the _ falling of the night. Does the question sometimes arise as to , whether there will be time for the day's work? Shall we be able to reach the end of the journey? Shall we be able to finish the task that is set before us? We shall be able. There will be time by candle-lighting for whatever- must be done. We shall have time to get- to "Babylon "—and back again. The getting back is most important. It would be small satisfaction, whatever our gains, if we missed the home-coming at the last.

GEOFFREY SNIELDS.

Faversham.--Our Teynham Church held a very enjoy. able and successful social and sale of work on December 10th. A party of friends from Faversham supplied the musical items. The .pastor was in the chair and the little chapel was crowded. On December 17th the Faver-sham Church held their annual Christmas tree and social, following several very enjoyable socials. The Christmas tree was noteworthy for the splendid " family feeling" manifested between the church members and the mem-bers of the Wesleyan church, who were present in con-siderable numbers. Mrs. Cremer (Wesleyan) performed_ the opening ceremony and the pastor was in the chair. A splendid concert was provided by several friends. Pro- • ceeds, over £12 10s. A feature of the evening was a series of home, cinematograph entertainments organized by one of the members.

Births, Marriages, Deaths.. REPORTS of Marriages, etc.; intended for insertion

in the Editorial Columns MUST be accompanied by a prepaid advertisement.

NOTICES of Births, Marriages, Deaths, etc., are inserted at the uniform price of 28., unless they exceed 30 words, in which case ed. extra for every eight word's of under is charged. Notices, together with Remittances; should reach the office of the UNITED METHODIST, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.4., not later than Tuesday

-9 a.m.

DEATHS. AYERS.—On December 26th, 1925, at 10 Park Place,

Eltham, S.E., William Ayers, dearly-beloved husband of Alice Ayers, aged 59 years. Funeral will take place at Rainham, Saturday, January 2nd, at 1.30 p.m.

COOKE.-- On Monday, December 21st, 1925, at "Holmel-field," Mount Vernon Road, Barnsley, Charlotte,

widow of the late George Cooke, aged 82 years.

VIGGARS.—On December 14th, 1925, in a nursing home. Winifred Eva, of 20 London Road, Woore, nr. Crewe,

dearly -loved daughter of Mrs. Viggars and the late Benjamin Dean Viggars, passed peacefully into the fuller

life.

Into the Way of Peace." BY CUTHI3ERT, ELLISON.

IT was Christmas Eve. The minister of the Monkston Circuit was in his study: "- He had gone there after tea to look over the manuscript of his sermon for Christ-mas morning. The sheets neatly piled together lay in the corner of the writing-pad ready for use, and he was now consulting a visiting book which lay before him, and from which he made notes from time to time in his pocket diary.

He glanced at the study clock; for he had written one of the preachers to call and see him about an ap-pointment. Presently he must go and distribute Christ-mas" gifts. For this purpose a sum of money was placed in his hands by his church, and it was a great joy to the minister to take it to certain homes where he knew it would make a welcome addition to the happiness of the season.

There was a ring at the front door bell. Then there came a tap at the door of the study, and a voice an-nounced : "Mr. Eric Sanderson has- 'called to see you."

The minister turned to greet the young man who entered.. "Ah, it is you, Eric! Come in."

" Good evening, Mr. Finch! " called out the visitor brightly, as he came in. " And the Compliments of the Season!, "

" Thank you, Eric I wish you the same.". He drew him forward, and pointed him to a chair.

"Sit down for a few minutes. I must go out shortly to pay some calls. But I wanted to see you."

" 1, got your note. Something about an appointment, you said."

" Yes, I want you to go to Deepford next Sunday. But . first let me congratulate you upon the way that you acquitted yourself at the Quarterly Meeting. You came through your examination very well indeed. I was greatly pleased."

" I am glad to hear you say that, Sir. I was so fright-fully nervous; I couldn't tell how things were going. It is a great relief to have it over."

" Now that you are on full plan we shall keep you busy, Eric. I wish we had a few more young preachers. We could do . with them. But about next Sunday eve-ning. Can you take Deepford?"

" Yes ; I am free, and shall be pleased to go." "Thank you! That is settled then ; and I am much

relieved. And now," said the minister, rising, " I think I must ask you to excuse me. Good-night, Eric ! You are not going out with the carol singers, I suppose?"

" No ; my voice wouldn't stand it. Mrs. Brodie has asked me to go in this evening. She is giving a little Christmas Eve party.. I expect it will be after midnight when I, get home. I told Mother she was not to expect me before the wee sma"ours.' Good night, Mr. Finch! I shall be at the service in the morning."

" Good night, again! And a Merry Christmas to you." It was just after midnight when Eric Sanderson left

Mrs. Brodie's house. He reached the end of the street, and as he paused to consider which route he would take, his interest was attracted by a man who was making his way unsteadily across the roadway.

The man was evidently under the influence of liquor. Eric, directly in his way, stood waiting for his approach ; and the man, muttering to himself, reeled forward.

Suddenly seeing the young man, the other pulled himself up sharply, and peering into Eric's face held out his hand.

Eric took it, and held it in a close grip, while he looked steadily into the eyes of the man, over whose face there rapidly passed a variety of expressions. The man's mutterings ceased. He gazed a moment or two, held by the clear eyes that searched his. Then, return-ing the grip of the hand, he said, "A Merry Christmas I "

"A Merry Christmas to you, friend ! replied Eric; and then he added, " Are you going home? "

A cunning look came into the man's eyes. They were still holding hands. " No, I am not going home, he said, defiance in his tone. And then, after a pause, " I'm going to —," and he named a place of evil repute.

Eric, feeling that he was touching the verge of possi-ble tragedy, longed to do something to help. Not know-ing what to say he kept his eyes fixed upon the other's face.

Deceraber 31, 1925 THE UNITED METHODIST. 643

Letters of Christopher Hunt. AN APPROPRI ATE ENDING.

In the Temple. BY REV. JOSEPH HIGMAN.

To Me Editor of THE UNITED METHODIST.

DEAR SIIi—Though we belong to the Society of the Immortals we cannot come to the end of another year without a touch of sadness. The thievish months steal somewhat of our strength : those of us who have left our youth some distance behind us. We have no dread of coming years, nor do we feel there is anything for tears in the passing of time. All the same, farewells can never be said without a tinge of regret. The old year is a departing guest none of us willingly speed. Lamb did not care to hear the church bells ringing out the- dying year, and most people share his feeling.

As this letter appears on the day when 1925 is on its last legs, I want to write something suitable to the occa-sion without sounding too sombre a note. By one of those mysterious leadings of the mind, I' am led to a book which has laid on my table unopened 'for weeks, which bears a title strangely in harmony , with what I am feeling. It is called "Epitaphs : Graveyard Humour and Eulogy." " Graveyard Humour" has an odd sound about it. But its author, Me. W. H. Beable, fully justifies his words, and I feel I cannot do better than give your readers some of the sheaves of Mr. Beable's fruitful garnering.

In an interesting introduction, Mr. Beable points out that many of our greatest poets, from Ben Jonson to Wordsworth, expressed some of their happiest• inspira-tions, in epitaphs. I gather that he awards the palm tc Ben Jonson for his epitaph on the Dowager Countess of Pembroke : •

" Underneath this sable hearse Lies the subject of all verse, Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother : Death ! ere thou hast slain another Learn'd, and fair, and good as_she, Time shall throw a.dart at thee. Marble piles let no man raise To her name for after days; Some kind woman born as she, Reading this,. like Niobe Shall turn mourner and become Both her mourner and her tomb."

Probably most people would place Milton's epitaph on Shakespeare much higher, beginning " What needs my Shakespeare, for his honoured bones,

The labour of°an age in piled stones? Or that his hallowed reliques should be hid Under a star-pointing pyramid? " One of the curious things about ancient epitaphs is

the play that is often made on the name of the deceased. Examples of this can frequently be found in Devon churchyards, a good hunting-ground for quaint and un-common inscriptions. Here is, one, commemorating the • life-of the Rev. William-Mason, who died in 1639

" Mason' how is't that thou so soon art gone

' Home from thy work? what; was the fault i' th' stone Or did thy hammer fail, or didst suspect The Master's wages would thy work neglect? Christ was the Corner Stone, Christians the rest ; Hammer the Word, good life-they live all blest And yet art gone; 'twas honour not thy crime With stone hearts to work much in little time. The .Master sawest, and took thee off from them

- To the Wright stones of the New Jerusalem. Thy work and thy labour men esteem a base one ; God counts it blest. Here lies a blest Free Mason."

And here is one from Branscombe, Devon. It cele-brates a father and a son named Vessels.

"The wine that in these earthen vessels lay The hand of death has lately drawn away : And as a present sent it up on high Whilst here, the Vessels with the lees doth lie."

In a Cambridgeshire churchyard is'a stone erected to • the. 'sacred memory of one Lettuce Manning, and the

inscription-is " 0 cruel death

To satisfy thy palate, Cut down our Lettuce

To make a salad." Mr. -Beable tells us that in outlying country places local

'rhymesters, sometimes travelling pedlars, were employed in drawing up these epitaphs. One can well believe. it.

Many of the epitaphs of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries have a considerable amount of venom in them. Husbands who presumably failed to score off their wives when living became bold when their spouses passed away. One can imagine a man of this sort instructing the pedlar-poet to compose "a reg'ler stinger." Anyhow, some of them read like it. At Old Greyfriars, Edinburgh, is a stone with the following,

" Here snug- in grave my wife doth lie. Now she's at rest, and so am I."

Another version of this sentiment is "Here rests my Spouse ; no pair through life

So equal lived as we did.. Alike we shar'd perpetual strife,

Nor. knew I rest till she did." I recall an article in " The New Statesman " some time

ago in which it was argued that woman is rarely a peace-maker. With a good show of learning the writer tried to prove from history that woman has been a war-maker,

and hardly ever a maker of peace. But I think his angu-ment is one-sided, and I rather suspect he has a touch of the spleen revealed in many of these old epitaphs. I should not be surprised to learn that he was trying to get a bit of his own back.

It is a relief to turn to a pleasing couplet perpetuating the memory of a young-man, a hosier, who had a sweet-heart named Hannah. It may be seen in St. Michael's, Aberystwyth.

" He left his hose, his Hannah, and his love, To sing Hosannahs in the world above."

Two or three hundred years ago it was not uncommon to make pointed reference to the occupation followed by the lamented one. Here is an epitaph said to be in Bideford.

"Here lies the Landlord of The Lion,' His hopes removed to lands of Sion, His wife, resigned to Heaven's will, Will carry on the business still."

(Two years later.) "Here lies the Landlord's loving wife,

Her soul removed from lands of 'strife. She's gone aloft her spouse to tell The inn he left has turned out well."

And a stone in Colerne, Wiltshire, reads : In memory of Jonathan Southward, Butcher, who died February 19th, 1727, Aged 37. Also Thomas Southward, Butcher; who died April 16th, 1777,

Aged 60. • " By these inscriptions, be it understood,

My occupation was in shedding blood, And many a beast by me was weekly slain, Hunger to ease, and mortals to maintain. Nov here I rest from sin and sorrow free, By means of Him who shed His blood for me."

So far this letter has more quotations in it than any-thing else, and I fear some of your readers will charge me with following the example of Artemus Ward, who when he was asked temporarily to edit the " Baldinsville Bugle" one " Ortum, so as the editor could go and dig his taters," he ground up his "Shears, and slashed out copy enuff from the xchanges for one isoo." nut in ex-tenuation it must be allowed that anything written about epitaphs could hardly be anything else than quotations. Mr. Beable has several hundreds in his book, and among the quaintest are some Scottish ones. I will close with two. In an old Fifeshire churchyard is said to be the following,

"Here lies my good and gracious Auntie Whom death has packed in his portmanty."

Among the many awkwardly expressed epitaphs is this from Scotland :

" Erected to the memory of John Macfarlane

Drowned in the Water of Leith By a few affectionate friends."

And now nothing remains to me but to bid all those who have done me the kindness of reading my letters during the past year, and those who passed them by, a very Happy New Year.

Yours, etc., CHRISTOPHER HUNT.

Yesterday. ACHIEVEMENT was the keynote yesterday,

When youth was in command ; Life's WILL the driving-power would sway—

To reach things great and grand. The road which led to life's high end,

Was by the way of Grand Resolve ; And Destiny should make things bend,

And every obstacle dissolve 1

To-day. Achievement does not now my life explain

The blessings of my days ; On every step 'tis written plain

" Christ wooed thee to His, ways." Push, Drive, Compel, were little worth :

And puny in their helplessness ; The Hand Divine brought all to birth

That saved me in the stress.

To-morrow. Achievement now has faded from my view,

My "doing " days are past— And yet the road grows ever new,

With treasures that will last. But not of my creating now,

They are the gifts of Holy Grace; Before this plenitude I bow

Till I shall see His face . WILLIAM VIVIAN.

New Year, 1926.

North Shields (Willington Quay).—Miss Marie • Gar-son, L.G.S.M. Eloc.,_ A.L.C.M. Eloc., gave a dramatic recital of Dickens's "Christmas Carol " to an apprecia-tive audience. The performance was a splendid example of her ability as an elocutionist. For two hours she held her audience, and her memory never failed her for an instant. The spirit of Christmas pervaded the gathering, and the effects of the performance will last longer than the Christmas season.

HYMN : " 0 God of Bethel." - PRAYER : Our heavenly Father, Who hast given us

life, and Who dost lengthen out our days, we thank Thee because Thy mercies continue unto this present moment of time.

We beseech Thee that Thy Holy Spirit may effectually remind us of the lessons this day conveys, and that we may learn to live our lives in the remembrance that Thou lookest upon us.

We praise Thee for all Thy mercies, and would serve Thee with all our powers.

TEXT : Joshua said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon ; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed.

That is what neither you nor I have ever done ; nor shall we ever be able to do it : to make the sun stand still in the sky and cause the moon,to stay its course.

The knowledge our astronomers give to us about the sun is to the uninitiated almost miraculous, and we won-der how on earth they get to know it all. Not only will they tell you how far away it is, but they have put it into their scales and weighed it ; they have put their tape around it and measured it ; they know a surprising amount respecting the chemistry of it, and what ele-ments make up its mighty flaming bulk ; they will give you the value of its light in candle power, and of its energy in horse-power. But they cannot alter by a hairsbreadth the course, or by a second the time, of its daily march across the sky ; and will never be able to do so.

That is as much as to say that we have no power what-ever over the passage of time, of which the sun in its course and the seasons in their turn are perhaps the most forcible and inescapable reminders. The years come and go with an unbroken regularity _which we cannot touch. There may come to us a need as great as ever came to Joshua, but we cannot speak Joshua's word, though there are many, occasions in life to awaken the wish that we could.

Think of a man like Silvester Horne. What a crowded life his was—a' man of true knightly spirit, whose sym- pathies spontaneously . sprang out in response to every human need. " He was the minister of a great mission ; a Member of Parliament ; in the forefront of every battle in religion and politics ; continually giving his services to the towns and villages in the pulpit and on the platform ; a man whose engagement book was crammed full, and even then he had to refuse more than he accepted. He tackled everything he could, and died of heart-failure at fifty-one. One fancies that he must have wished many a time that the day had more than twenty-four hours in it. But it never has, no matter how great the need, nor how fine the spirit which asks it.

The converse also is true : if we cannot stop the clock, no more can we hurry it. In the battle of Waterloo, when the English were suffering a terrible gruelling, and it was doubtful how much longer they could stand it, Wellington is said to have exclaimed, "God send Blucher or night before long "—Blucher with the German allies, or night that would mean a cessation of the struggle. Happily, Blucher came ; but if he had not come, night would not have fallen before its time. It never does. There are times in life when we wish we could accelerate the progress of Old Father Time ; but it cannot be done : he goes on his way, without haste and• without rest.

That being so, it is well that we be careful guardians of our time, and that we use it with a consciousness of its value. Especially ought this to be the case with refer-ence to those processes in which time is a great factor. For example, time seems to me to be very necessary unto the ripening of a saintly character.

It is true there is something very beautiful about the first flush of Christian manhood, the zeal and enthusiasm of youth in the service of God. But there is something more beautiful about the saint of experience. We can-not know God well in a brief intercourse with ,Him. He is so great and so wonderful, has so many sides to His character, and touches our lives at so many points. It is only when we have walked through all the years with I lim ; when we have known what it is to share with Him the enthusiasm of youth, and the steady work of mid-life, and the restfulness of age ; only when we have gone up hill and down dale by His side, and experienced the joy of His company in sunshine and in rain ; only then do we really get to know all that can be known in these earthly days of ours about Him ; and only then do we begin to reflect in our own souls something of the rich beauty and the fine glory of His spirit. It takes time to make a saint : we had better begin the process early and maintain it steadily.

If we do that the passage of time will bring to us no cause for trouble. We shall belong to a ripening order of things, and though the years will pass over our heads as regularly as ever they will bring us no harm but only good. It will be with us as it was with the seed which grew secretly according to the parable : we shall grow in grace, and yet he scarcely conscious how it happens. Linked with God, receiving His .Spirit, we clothe our souls with a new beauty. And we May look forward with confidence to the progressive sharing of a joy that is eternal and a glory that.is infinite.

Harrogate (Victoria Park).—The Ashville College Choir, on the last Sunday evening of the term, gave se-lections of Christmas music, consisting of carols in the first part, followed by an address by Rev. H. Chatterton (pastor), and choruses and solos from the "Messiah" for the second part. Mr. K. Wrigley (O.A.) took the bari-tone solos, others being taken by the Rev. A. Soothill, B.A., and treble solos by two of the boys. A very enjoy.- able service was under the direction of Mr. J. H. West at the organ.

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644 THE UNITED METHODIST, Deoember 31, 1925

Quarterly Meetings. Ashton-under-Lyne.—Rev. H. James presided. A reso-

lution of condolence with Mrs. W. Hibbert and family in the death of her father, Mr. James Schofield, was sym- pathetically passed. Reference was made to the splendid service he had rendered the circuit as a local preacher for over 60 years. Mr. A. Stiff was received as a local preacher. Messrs. H. Simister, T. Meakin, G. Phillip-son and G. Baldock were passed on to their next quar- ter on trial as local preachers. Mr. R. Earnshaw was re-elected circuit secretary steward. The following officers were re-appointed : Missionary secretary, Mr. J. James ; missionary treasurer, Mr. J. S. Newton ; local preachers' secretary, Mr. J. James ; local preachers' treasurer, Mr. J. Mather ; chapel auditor, Mx. E. Wright; circuit audi- tor, Mr. J. Wrigley. Miss Saville was appointed young people's secretary. Rev. H. James gave an interesting report on the Methodist Union Committee's proceedings.

Brighton.—Very well attended. Messrs. T. H. Bas-sett and C. H. Wood were•unanimously elected circuit stewards for the coming year, and thanks were accorded to Mr. Sheppard, the retiring steward, for his devotion and untiring labours during the past two years. The meeting was greatly encouraged by the helpful words of Rev. Henry Smith' regarding the fine spiritual tone at the Old Shoreham • Road Church, and glowing tribute was paid to those who had laboured so many years with a heavy burden of debt oppressing them. Rev. C. A. Ashelford heartily endorsed the belief of the former speaker that, with the clearing of the debt, prosperity would assuredly reward the consistent devotion of those members who have laboured unceasingly throughout clouded and trying years. The recommendations of the Connexional Committee regarding the revision of the Constitution were carried unanimously.

Brighouse, Park.—Chairman, Rev. Chas. Whiteley. Reference was made to decease of Mr. John Roberts, and a resolution of sympathy and -condolence with the bereaved family was passed. Numerical returns, 502 members and 40 members on trial. Mr. Ernest Long- bottom was accepted as a local preacher on trial. The treasurer reported a balance of '178 18s. 6d. The

-question of interchange of pulpits with Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist circuits was discussed. The treasurer reported a balance of. £1,234 5s. 3d. as a result of the bazaar. -

Bridgtown and Bloxwich.—Held at Bloxwich. Mr. T. Gill, minister, presided. The voting in favour of the proposed revision of Deed Poll, as suggested by Con- ference, was unanimous, and it was agreed to accept the recommendations of Conference to arrange pulpit exchanges, inter-communion services, and prayer and fellowship meetings with the Wesleyan and Primitive Churches in the circuit. Rev. T. Sunderland addressed, the gathering on the present position of Methodist Union, giving an appreciated and informing address. A very cordial expression of thanks was passed to Mr. Sunderland for his visit and address. Earlier in the day,. W. C. Jackson (Chapel Secretary) and Rev. T. underland (Home Mission Secretary) visited Bridg-- town and Bloxwich Churches, and acquainted them-selves with the renovation and extension problems that faced the churches.

Blaenavon.—A large attendance. The usual business despatched in good spirit with election of officers. Cir- cuit stewards, Mr. W. C. Jones and Mr. Tom Williams ; secretary, Mr. H. Watkins; Young People's secretary, Mr. H. Lewis. The accounts balanced. A discussion on the future working of the circuit, and the matter referred back to the churches.

Birmingham, Edgbaston.—Chairman, Rev. G. Ben-nett. A vote of sympathy was passed with Rev. G. A. Wilson, who was unwell and unable to be present. All the circuit officers were re-elected, with thanks for past services. Two young men were received on trial as local preachers for the plan. The proposed changes in the Foundation Deed Poll were approved, with the ex-ception of the one relating to the Stationing 'Committee. Dudley Road 'Church 'were heartily congratulated on their "coming-of-age " and clearing off all interest-bearing debt.

Bradford South-East.--Chairman, Rev. Geo. Froggatt. Membership, 900 ; decrease, 5. Rev. W. J. Teague, Y.P.'s secretary, gave his report on the recent young people's crusade. Work is going on splendidly in the three schools visited by Miss Giles—method much im-proved at Wesley . Place ; at Bethel two trained workers have been enlisted, for primary teaching ; at Thornton a new interest has been created in Sunday School work. All the suggested alterations in Foundation Deed Poll were favourably voted upon. Each church took collec- tions for the sustentation fund, the amount being Os.

Hartlepool, St. Mark's.—Rev. Clegg presided. A letter of sympathy was sent to Rev. H. J. Shingles (District chairman) in his illness. The recommendations from the Connexional Committee were agreed to. Mem-bers asked for their support to Local League of Nations branch. The various reports of activities were satisfac- tory. The future is bright, notWithstanding a continued north-east trade depression. A unanimous invitation was given to Rev. T. Clegg for a second year and ac- cepted. A steady visitation with good results is being carried• out by the pastor and his wife. A personal tribute by the Rector of Hartlepool (Rev. F. T. Salter) has been paid to Mrs. Clegg for her visitation to the sick and aged, who are unable to attend public worship.

Burslem, Bethel.—A goodly number of representatives attended. Rev. R. J. Fletcher presided. Two candi- dates for the College were unanimously recommended, and many testimonies of the worth of these young men were given. In the election of circuit officers, Mr. R. Nation was re-appointed secretary for another two years, when he will have completed 40 years' service in that capacity, truly a fine record. Connexional communica- tions were considered, and it was decided that each church should do its utmost to comply with the requests contained therein. The alterations in our Constitution,

as proposed by last Conference, were agreed to Delight was expressed at.the interchange of preachers Made with the Hill Top Circuit, and instructions given the officials to arrange further procedure to bring the two circuits into much closer fellowship. Satisfaction was ,evinced by the announcement that Rev. T. J. T. Chapman had agreed to accept the Superintendency of the circuit in 1926.

Cardiff, Diamond Street.—Good attendance, harmoni-ous spirit. Finances varied from the separate churches. The invitations from the churches were each unani-mously confirmed : Revs. W. Cann until 1928, W. R. A. Budd to 1927, H. Pollard to 1927. Mr. Budd intimated that he would .be leaving them after five years. The suggested Deed Poll revisions were passed with practi-cal unanimity. The newly-elected circuit stewards for 1926 were Messrs. B. Haywood and R. Brooks.

,Chichester.—Invitations to ministers for another year cordial and unanimous. Accounts for the quarter and the year just balanced. Resolution of condolence with widow and family of the revered and retired Rev. J. J. Martin, of Selsey. Much regret that one of the circuit ministers was prevented from being at funeral, as the Quarterly Meeting was then in session.

Hucknall.—Rev. M. Langdale in the chair. The mem-bership was 796, with 48 members on trial, being an 'in-crease of 5 members on the quarter. The financial statement showed a balance in hand of 4.59 10s. 8d. A letter was..direcfed to be sent to Rev. T. iScowby express-ing the sympathy of the meeting on learning that he has been for some days compelled to remain at home owing to shock following a fall in the street, and the lively satisfaction of our friends that he is still able to serve the-churches at the advanced age of 88 years._ Letters of sympathy were sent to Brother T. Stapleton, on account of personal sickness, and to Brother J. Hatton, on the death of his wife and child. Mr. J. Hunt, a former local preacher in this circuit, who has returned after a resi-dence of some years in Nottingham Central Circuit, was gladly welcomed back again and given his place on the plan due to him according to seniority. The following circuit officers were re-elected Mr. G. A. Ward ttreasurer), Mr. F. Evans (mission treasurer), Rev. A. Dimond (mission secretary), ,'Mr. F. W. Ward (circuit auditor), Mr. H. Elsmore (circuit young people's secre- tary)tary) Mr. J. A. Hardy (local preachers' secretary), Mr. T.

secre- , (1....P.M.A. secretary). 'Rev. A. Dimond

intimated that for various reasons he desired to close his ministry in the circuit at Conference, 1927, at the end of three years' service. The meeting unanimously pressed upon Mr. Dimond its desire that he should give the matter further consideration during the next quartet and the decision was left in abeyance.

Long Eaton and Stapleford.—Rev. Charles W. Limb presided over a large attendance. Sympathy was ex-pressed with Messrs. S. Stevenson and J. Whall, veteran local preachers, in their illness, and also with Mrs. Garner, who has been in poor health for some time. Zion Church, Long Eaton, reported a successful effort for the liquidation of the current church and trust debt. Mr. Wilfred Barker, having passed a highly creditable examination, passed on as a fully-accredited local preacher. He is to be publicly received at an early date. His brother Bernard (present on holiday from Cliff College) was passed to second quarter on trial, as was Mr. Ernest Harrop. Treasurer's report showed a slight credit balance, and the numerical statement an increase of 6 members` and 4 9 trial. Mr: J. E. Dailey was re,elected circuit secretary ; Mr. S. T. Parker, audi. for ; Mr. S. Sission Hardy, L.P. secretary ; _Mr. H. Travers, L.P. treasurer ; Mr. Walter Barker, Y.P. sec-retary ; and the ministers as secretary and treasurer of the Missionary Department. Rev. C .W. Limb was elected plan editor. The suggestions for altering the constitution were approved. Arrangements for holding united services with other Methodist Churches. Con-nexional correspondence and matters concerning the forthcoming Conference were discussed at length.

Leicester.—Chairman, Rev. R. J. Pollard. There was a good attendance. Financial statement showed all ac- counts had been met, and a satisfactory balance in hand. Numerical statement showed an increase of 8 members, though there had been 1 death, 3 removals and 2 discon- tinued. Rev. Ernest H. Rowe presented report of the Autumnal District Meeting. Reports from the various churches showed that they had had under consideration the spiritual state of the • various societies. Mr. A. G. Capey and Mr. A._NV. Palethorpe were re-elected stew-ards for 1926, the other circuit officials and committees were re-elected,' except Mr. A. W. Carpenter succeeds Mr. G. Bodymore as local preachers' secretary. Revs. R. J. Pollard and Ernest Rowe both received unanimous invitations for a second year, 1926-1927, which they ac-cepted. Young People's and Temperance work and mis-sionary matters were dealt with by Miss Pateman and Miss Bell.

Liskeard.—Rev. A. E. Dymond-presided over a largely attended meeting. Circuit officers were generally re- elected and thanked for past services. Letters of sym- pathy to many friends ordered. A subscription was voted in favour of the Connexional Local Preachers' Studies Fund. The revision of the foundation deed poll was approved. The financial statement, including cost of re-furnishing the manse, was regarded as very satisfactory.. A circuit executive was appointed ' and' instructed to formulate plans for holding a circuit 'bazaar. A unani-mous invitation given to • Rev. A. - E. Dymond until August, 1927, was accepted.

Leeds East.—Rev. F. L: Page presided. Mrs. Page was appointed representative of W.M.A. vice 'Mrs. Kay, resigned. Registrar's report- showed a decrease of 17 at one church—due to a drastic revision of the members' list --but an increase of 6 at another ; the rest' as before. Our Ashley Road Church, after passing, through a time of trial, is showing renewed and increasing. life and activity, whilst our Oulton church, situated in an outlying part, gave a remarkable report of progress. Mr. S. Bar-ret and Mr. G. B. Swayne were passed forward' on trial as preachers. Mr. Baker (Moortown) was passed forward for the ministry by a unanimous' vote. The proposed

changes in the Constitution were eartieth: The financial report was adopted, showing a satisfacttiry. result. The question of interchange of pulpits was raised and the posi-tiOn re-affirmed. Revs. R L. Page, F. Wright, F. Wim-bush, and C. G. Sheward, B.D., all accepted a cordial invitation to remain in the circuit for the year 1926-27. A very hopeful spirit pervaded the meeting.

Morley.—Rev. J. , A. Thompson, District Secretary, presiding. This was the first meeting of the re-constitus ted circuit, which 1110,W consists of Morley and West Ards: ley Churches. All officers were appointed : steward, Mr. Geti: Gray secretary, Mr.. W. Dawson. Numerical returns, 125 members 4 on trial ,and 7 local preachers. Mr. J. L. Baines; who is serving as lay pastor, was cordially recommended as a candidate for the college or ministry.

Newcastle, Sandylands.—Rev. Dr. J. Linehan' pre= sided. An increase of five members and encouraging financial progress was returned. Mr. E. C. Cartner men-tioned that it was 15 years since the first Free Methodist service was held. in Newcastle. Messrs. John Grey. and Thomas . Robinson were warmly received on full circuit plan as local preachers.. ,Several officers testified to the wonderful spirit which obtained in the circuit ; the • old Prudhoe Street Circuit days were being worthily main-tained.. In responding on behalf of the circuit officers, Mr. • Norman remarked that it had been a grand: thing to see that spirit kept up. He personally felt they were getting back to something like 20 years ago. He trusted that ere another 'December meeting came round they would have a membership one thousand strong. ' The Jesmond friend's made a special appeal for assistance for the much-needed acquisition of a pipe organ, the matter being referred to a circuit committee . for consideration. Dr. Lineham and Rev. E. S.• Winter cordially accepted an invitation for a fouth year. It was intimated that the Rev. Henry James, President-Designate of Conference, would visit Tyneside in September next. Alluding to the question of MethOdist Union, Dr. Lineham commended the idea of united services, interchange of pulpits, etc., all of which would lead to a practical union. He was convinced that the time for Methodist Union was approaching, and every form of fellowship must be en-couraged before its consummation. He suggested that arrangements should be made for united services on a large scale during next Eastertide, which, he considered, would have a very definite effect on Methodist Union.

Poynton.—Rev. S. C. Heard in the chair. Very fair attendance. Receipts showed a slight deficit on the quarter. Reports on spiritual conditions of churches were encouraging. Questions relating to alteration in Deed Foil received unanimous approval. • The pastor reported that three young local preachers were preparing for examination in the first course of • local preachers' studies, Messrs., H. Davenport, A. Mitchell and Cyril Wainwright.

Rochdale, Baillie Street.—There was a very good attendance. The finance of the circuit was -shown to be in a very satisfactory condition. Frorh the numerical returns it was evident that the new ministers in the cir-cuit had been pruning the registers very drastically, and although some of the Churches showed a distinct in-crease, the net result was a decrease in membership. of 1.1 on the quarter. - Rev. Dr. Jones was invited. .to remain in the circuit a fourth year, until . 1928, and accepted. Revs. T. H. Moyle and G. Cushing were each invited to. remain for a third year, also to 1928. It was decided to invite the Conference for the year 1927, in conjunction with the other circuits in the District. Mr. Herbert Nutter was asked to continue in the office-of circuit steward for a further term of two' years, tribute being paid to the special ability lie had shown in that offide. "Mr. James A. Butterworth, Baillie Street Church, was appointed the Young People's secretary,- in succession to Mr. Joseph Turner, who has now become the circuit secretary. The recommendations from the last Conference' for alterations to the Deed Poll were agreed to (nem. con.).

Sheffield, Scotland Street.—Chairman; Rev. E. M. Moyle. Rev. George Jobling announced his intention of leaving` thecircuit in 1927, after a stay of 13 years 6 years at Attercliffe and 7 years at Hillsborough. Mr. Jobling has been District secretary, chairman of the Dis- trict, and is now President of the Sheffield U.K. Council. Mr. Gilbert Wallace, of the Hillsborough Church, was passed forward as a candidate for the ministry. Mr.,

Wallace,Wallace is the son of Mr. Chas. pastor in charge of the Radcliffe Church, in the Bolton Circuit. Mr. R. Cook, of Potter Hill (Hillsborough section) was received

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GOD'S CALL TO THE NATION DAY OF UNITED PRAYER

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Chair : Rev. the Hon. W. TALBOT RICE. Address by Rev. W. GRAHAM SCROGGIE. Others taking Part will.be Revs. E. A. DUNN, J. H. SQUIRE, W. LEWIS ROBERTSON, W. Y. FULLERTON, W. FULLER GOOCH, Dr. F. B. MEYER. C. H. VINE, and Mr. T. S. PENNY.

Chair : Sir GEORGE KING (Master of the Supreme Court of Judicature). Address by Rev. SAMUEL CHADWICK. Others taking Part will be the BISHOP OF SODOR and MAN, Revs. THOS. NIGHTINGALE, J. CLIFFORD BANHAM, .1 CHALMERS LYON, and PROFESSOR BERESFORD PITE.

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- December 31, 1925

THE UNITED METHODIST. 645

on to full plan after examination. Rev. E. Cocker re-ported-on the new building scheme at High Greave, Ecelesfield. The 'approximate cost of church and lecture hall will be ..6,000, towards which £3,000 is so far guaranteed by grants and promises. Thy stone-laying

,ceremony is fixed for January 23rd. The new method, recommended by Conference, of training and advancing local. preachers on trial, was adopted.

Sheffield, Surrey Street.—Rev. H. H. Wilson, M.A., presided.. An.exceptionally good attendance and a good spirit pervaded the meeting. Letters of sympathy to be sent to Mr. Smith and Mr. E. Robinson, indisposed. Mr. T. Ingram was passed as a fully accredited local preacher. Rev. F. G. Stopard was unanimously invited to stay a. further two years, but he preferred to accept one year at present. Thanks were accorded the various officials for their services through the past year. Numerical re-port : adult members, 1,022, a decrease of 2 ; junior members, 67 ; on trial, 43, an increase of 1 ; deaths, 1 ; removals, 5. Financial report showed a deficit of £20 7s, 64.. The following were appointed circuit offi-cers :- Mr. H. Bryars, financial steward ; Mr. H. Y. Habbijam, circuit secretary ; Mr. A. H. Gill, registrar ; Rev. H. Hinchcliffe, missionary secretary ; Mr. W. Hub-bard, missionary treasurer ; Mr. ,E. Gillot, young people's secretary ; •Mr. F. Shaw, Temperance •secretary ; Rev. W .T. Anderson, local preachers' secretary ;. Mr. G. H. Boulton, Trust secretary ; Rev. F. G Stopard, plan secre-tary ;. Mr. W. Firth, preachers'. travelling secretary ; Rev. W. T. Anderson, Connexional fund secretary ; Mr. S. H. Best, auditor ; • Mr. F. Shinwell, circuit reporter. A letter conveying fraternal greeting from the various Rotherham churches was received and suitably acknow-ledged. A desire to meet in conference for the spiritual advancement of the Rotherham - churches approved. Various alterations proposed in the 1907 Deed, Poll, etc., were read• and adopted without exception.

Sunderland, Thornhill.—Rev. William Field, O.B.E., Or. de G., presided. The spiritual reports were of a satisfactory nature and an increase in membership reported.. Two.young men were received on full plan as local preachers, and Messrs. George Bassett and Thomas Hooper Johnston were heartily and unanimously recom-mended as candidates for the college and ministry. The invitations to Revs. W. Field and R. Trolley to continue at Thornhill and Pallion Churches to 1930 and 1928 re-spectively were confirmed and accepted. The suggested

- alterations in foundation deed poll were all agreed. A good- meeting and harmonious -feeling prevailed.

Sheffield, Hanover.--Rev. C. Greenwood presiding; to whom a hearty welcome was given on his return after a prolonged absence through illness. The steward reported an increase again. in the membership, it now being 2,347 full members, on trial 187, junior 209, Invitations were accepted by Revs. S. Sandercock, F. Fairfax, A. F. Reeves, A. G. Bennett and G. W. Loughton to remain

-.until 1928. -Rev. F. Spencer intimated his intention of leaving in 1927.. A very special feature of the meeting was the receiving of four young men as fully accredited

, local preachers, being Messrs L. Warren, G. E. May, R. Crowson and G. E. Roberts, each receiving a revised

_version of the Bible, the dedicatory prayer being offered 5 by ReV. A. F. Reeves. It is expected that next quarter

several More will have, passed all their examinations. Mr. ' L.' Warren was 'recommended as a candidate for the

ministry. The circuit officers were elected as follows : 'Stewards, Messrs. H. Keik and A. Fowler ; secretary, Mr. John Eames ; missionary secretary and treasurer. Mr. C. A. Pearson ; auditors, Messrs. Nodder and Charles. It _is expected. that the foundation-stone of a new church at Banner Cross will be laid in the spring, at

-a cost of over Z.8,000, the circuit promising substantial help towards it. • 'Worksop.—Rev. W. S. Green presided. There was a

good gathering and a good spirit prevailed., The circuit 5 'officers were re-elected, • with thanks for past services.

Two brethren, on trial as local preachers, were passed on to their third quarter of trial. By the unanimous vote 'of the meeting the circuit is to become affiliated with the League of Nations. After tea, by the Potter Street

ladies, there 'followed a' Love-feast, at which we ' were joined by several friends from the neighbouring Metho-dist churches.

Walthamstow.—Rev. A. .E. L. Davis in the chair. It was decided to have a circuit bazaar in the Spring of 1927, the details to be considered at the March meeting. -Invitations to remain at their respective churches (Leyton and Lloyd Park) till Con-ference, 1927, were unanimously extended to the Revs. F. Pearn and G. E. Minnear. It was moved that a permanent circuit committee be formed to discuss the attitude of the- church to the social . and economic pro-blems of the day, particularly in . their relationship to young people.. After an animated discussion, an amend-ment was moved that the question should be dealt with by the Young People's Committee, their. decisions to be referred from time to time to the Circuit Quarterly Meeting. This was carried. Mr. F. H. Bourne, of Leyton, was unanimously recommended for the minis-try. The suggested alterations in the Connexional Con-stitution were adopted unanimously. , Mr. Broadhurst (Sherri, Hall): deplored the heavy toll which death had made in their membership during the past quarter, in-cluding his fellow-steward, Mr. H. Eastaugh, and their zealous organist (Mr. C. Wright). In his report as steward, he reported an increase of 12 in the member-ship, the total now being 984. Officers were re-elected for the ensuing year.

Winsford.—Rev. J. M. Ward presided. He was 'unanimously invited to stay until 1928, and accepted. Membership 222, as last quarter. The treasurer re- ported a' balanCe in hand of Z17. Mr. J. Kenneth Fletcher was recommended as a candidate for the min-

- istry. At the -next Quarterly Meeting, the Rev. Henry Smith will deliver an address on "Methodist Union. A report was _presented on the progress of the biulding

-of the new church in Crook Lane, Station Road, the stone-laying ceremony of which took place on November 7th. A fine work is being done towards the financial position of the new.church.

lation of electric lighting, at a cost of about £800. These alterations have greatly improved the appearance of the building, making it a beautiful place of worship. The congregation has greatly increased, and the weekly offering improved.

Nottingham Central (Old Radford).—On Decem-ber 3rd and 5th, a successful bazaar was held at St. Peter Street. Mr. C. E. Collyer, of Calverton, presided on the Thursday, Mrs. Hazard declared the bazaar open in the absence, through illness, of Mr. J. Holroyd, Miss Floyd serving as soloist. On Saturday, the children gave the cantata, "The Toy Shop," Mrs. Laver, of Carlton, serv-ing as president. Miss Underwood received the purses from the children. The effort resulted in an addition to church funds of £73. — (New Lenton).—A grand bazaar was held on December 10th and 12th. Captain A. Stanley Bright served as chairman on the Thursday, and the opener was Lord Henry Bentinck, M.P. The trust treasurer explained that this was the first of a series of efforts to clear off the remaining debt on the premises, which has been reduced from £5,000 to about .41,200. Mr. E. Marshall served as chairman on , ‘• Saturday, with Dr. J. N. Jaffe as opener. Revs. 0. P. R-;unsefell, J. Spivey, J. E. Williamson (pastor) and G. H. Kennedy also took part in the proceedings. Proceeds £142 109.

Bazaars. Altrincham.—The annual sale of work was opened

by the Mayor (Dr. Duncan) under the presidency of Rev. F. S. Foster. me. J. M. Pollard presented the financial report. He said two years ago the church and school were renovated at a cost of £1,345, and since then they had succeeded in reducing that amount to ,.568 16s. id. The workers of the church deserved the greatest credit for achieving such an object, and it was hoped that at the end of the sale of work they would have raised more than half of the remaining debt. The sale was continued on the following Saturday, when the opening ceremony was performed by the children, Miss Shaw declaring the sale open. Proceeds £190.

Cardiff (Cowbridge Road).—The annual effort reached Z135—a most pleasing result in times of trade de-pression.

Long Eaton and Stapleford (Zion).—The sum of 4131 9s. 6d. was raised by the Yuletide Fair on December 12th. This, with the bazaar last Easter, makes £780 raised by special efforts during the year. To-day all cur-rent accounts have a balanoe on the right side, and there is no debt on any of the Trust property, except a very manageable one on the manse. The chairman of the Long Eaton Council, Mr. J. W. Worth, J.P., presided over the opening ceremony of the Fair, the opener being Mrs. Harry Harris, of Nottingham. The effort through-out was, happy as well as successful, and the result is very cheering to the workers.

Leeds (Victoria Road).—The annual sale of work took place on December 10th and 12th, and realised the mag- nificent sum of £536 7s. 4d., which was £36 more than the friends set out for. This is in some measure accounted for by the fact that at Victoria Road we are blessed with a number of ladies (of all ages) who are hard at _work for ,the church in various. ways nearly all the year round, with the result that when the tune of the sale comes round sufficient funds are in sight to carry us through the foll6wing year. The sale was opened on the first day by Mrs. Booth, of Roundhay (an old scholar and teacher), Mrs. Thomas Watson presiding. On Saturday the opening ceremony was performed by a number of Sunday School scholars (kindly trained by Mrs. Hellawell), with Mr. Osmond Hartley, school super-intendent, in the chair. A large number of old and new friends visited the sale, and theproceedings partook more of the nature of a happy social function. Rev. F. J. 'Lindley is throwing himself heart and soul inte the work of the church, and a spirit of hopefulness prevails in all departments of its activities.

London, Hackney (Pembury Grove).—A grand Dickens'.; Fair was held on December 9th, 10th and 12th, the pro-ceeds of which have been devoted partly to the church funds and partly to a fund for the purchase of the church freehold. The stalls being built and named after dif-ferent objects and places in Dickens's books, and many stall-holders and members being dressed in Dickensian costume, .a very realistic effect was produced. Side-shows and short concerts, including Dickens recitals, etc., were also held. Proceeds over £250. . Liskeard (Widegates).—A most successful bazaar was held on December 15th, the net proceeds amounting to £120. This will now enable the friends to meet all their liabilities,- with the exception of the repayment of the Connexional loan. Great gratification and thankfulness was expressed that 4300 should have been raised in about eighteen months, so enabling the trustees to supply what has been a long-felt need in their church and Sunday School work.

Liskeard (Duloe).—The friends of this village church have recently held a sale of work, the proceeds of which, along with previous efforts, have enabled them to trans-form a rather dingy place of worship into a beautiful little chapel, at a cost of Z155, all of which has been paid off, . with the assistance of a grant /of .4.25 from the Connexional Chapel Fund. All concerned are de-lighted with what has been accomplished. — (Green Bank).--A successful sale of work was recently held and with other previous efforts will be devoted to meet cost of enlarging, redecorating and altering the seating accommodation of the church, together with the instal-

Sunderland (Thornhill).--A bazaar and sale of work was held recently to raise funds to clear off deficit on current account caused through renewal of boiler for church heating apparatus, painting and cleaning of church premises and manse, etc. The effort was a great success, over £285 being raised, a magnificent achieve-ment following a 4450 bazaar twelve months ago. This will enable the church to go into the new year with a credit balance.

Sunderland (South Durham Street).—A two days' sale of work and bazaar was opened on December 9th, with the object of raising £500 required to balance current account, and meet trust requirements. In the absence of Sir W. Beddoe Rees, Rev. Geo. Hooper presided, and introduced Lady Beddoe Rees, who opened the sale. Lady Rees demonstrated her interest by leaving home at a very early hour in order to catch a train from King's Cross in time to reach Sunderland for the opening cere-mony, and in leaving the Liberal Bazaar in the Albert Hall, London. The second day's opening was carried out by children of the Sunday School, the Mayoress of Sunderland, Mrs. J. S. Nicholson, receiving purses from the children. The total amount of the effort was 4450, and although under the amount aimed at, it is regarded as a very satisfactory result. The bazaar secretary was Mr. S. Stothard.

Burnley (Brunswick).—The annual party given to the Primary Department was held on December 19th. Rev. W. J. and Mrs. Hopper were present at tea, which every-one enjoyed. The ninety children who sat, down to tea each had by the side of his plate a small cake bearing his or her own name. After tea, games were indulged in, followed by the giving of presents. "The Mystery Box," kindly arranged by Mr. W. E. Hall, of Claremont, stood in the centre and formed part of a tasteful colour scheme of blue and gold. The curiosity of each child was aroused on seeing his name fixed to one of the strings hanging round the outside of the box. Every string was attached to a present which was inside the box, and on hearing his name called, each child pulled the string bearing his name and received his or her present. After the singing of a few Christmas songs and the " Good-night Prayer " said, the party broke up.

Nottingham Central (Sneinton Boulevard).—The pas-tor (Rev. John Mayne) held an " At Home " on Decem-ber 19th. The room had been tastefully. decorated. Despite inclement weather, 100 guests were welcomed by Councillor and Mrs. R. E. Ashworth, who acted in the capacity of host and hostess. An excellent pro- gramme of music had been aranged, those contributing being Miss Gertrude Hunt (soprano), Miss Doris Hunt (contralto), Mr. G. 0. Walton (pianist), Mr. Donald R. Kemp (tenor), Mr. J. T. Poxon (bass) and Mr. C. Pear-son (humorist). An enjoyable evening was spent. Pro-ceeds, in aid of the bazaar funds, £8 6s.

-='.71,1■•=11731.1.111."..

Bruce Grov Miter Memorial Church, Tottenham.e,

Have we yet received your Donation for our new Church, now in course of erection ? It is to be a Memorial to perpetuate the memories of the Revs. IRA and MARMADUKE MILLER and to establish a vigorous witness for Christ in this Northern Suburb.

Any Donation, great or small, thankfully received. Hon. Treasurer :'114r. B. H. SWINSON, 23 Ferndale Road, N.15.

646

THE UNITED METHODIST. December 31 1925

Christ as Son of God. .Young People's Topic. Stories of Pioneers. BY REV. CUTHBERT ELLISON. I BY REV. W. H. MILDON, B.A. BY REV. F. E. WAITS.

JOHN I. 49 ; MATT. xxi. 13-20; JOHN XX. 26-29. C.E. Topic for January 10th, 1926.

THERE are two names used by Jesus of Himself with which we become familiar. in the Gospels. He calls Himself the Son of Man. He also speaks of Himself as the Son of God. The first brings Him near to us. The second brings us near to God.

Jesus offered Himself freely to the consideration of the men of His day. He did not force upon them a confession of faith before He admitted them to His fellowship. He chose the Twelve "that they might be with Him," in order that by living with Him they might learn to know Him. They were with Him in the in-timacy of common life. They walked and talked with Him ; they saw His doings ; they heard His words ; they caught His spirit. Only after long time did He ask their opinion of Him. He evidently wished their belief in Him to grow out of their experience and knowledge of Him. He would have them observe and think—make up their minds honestly—and then confess the belief to which they had been led. It is a most interesting study to follow Jesus in His dealing with individuals. He has no rule to by applied indiscriminately to all who came to Him ; but each was separately dealt with as the per-sonal need required. Our topic to-day brings before us three characteristic instances of His method. _

" Come and see," said Jesus kindly to the first en-quirers who came to Him from John the Baptist... And that word was repeated by those to others whom they sought to influence. There was no attempt to convince Nathanael by argument that . Jesuswas indeed the Messiah. " Come and see," said Philip. Long had Nathanael pondered the coming of the Christ. A true Israelite, he had walked with God, looking for the coming of the promised One. By prayer and medita-tion he had prepared himself for His appearing. It was true that he expected nothing from Nazareth. But when Nathanael saw Jesus his heart leaped to meet Him ; and that word of Jesus that revealed His know-ledge of his secret life of devotion " under the fig-tree" completed his enlightenment, and Nathanael confessed : " Thou art the Son of God."

" Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am? " asked Jesus of the Twelve, when they had for some time com-panied with Him. And then, with intention, He pressed the further question, " But whom say ye that I am? " "You, who have been so long time with Me, and who know Me best, what is the result of your acquaintance, what is your judgment of Me?" Then Peter uttered his conviction, born of those months of communion, " Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Thomas, of thoughtful temper, and of slow-working mind,, was an earnest seeker after truth. In Jesus he had found an answer to many questions. But - when Jesus left the little apostolic band Thomas was sorely perplexed. The Crucifixion was an event he could not find a place for in his. conception of- the Christ, the Truth of God. The wounds of Jesus hurt the spirit of Thomas. He could not forget the nails. The thought of them made him so that he could not endure company, and drove him out alone into the night. So he missed his risen Lord at His first appearing. But Jesus was remem-bering Thomas and his need. Once again. He came to the upper room, for Thomas's sake. And in the Cruci-fied, Thomas recognised the Highest. No lingering doubt remained as with adoring cry Thomas confessed, " My Lord and my God."

In our consideration of Jesus two facts are to be ob-served if we would rightly answer the question "Whom say ye that I am? " There is first the fact of Jesus, a figure in history. There is then the fact of His character, unique in history. None convicteth Him of sin. His life is a miracle in the moral realm. He is above and beyond humanity's highest achievement. We can no other than confess Him with lowly and obedient hearts : " My Lord and my God."

Bristol (Bishopston).—A married men's effort on behalf of the debt reduction fund was held on December 9th. After an excellent tea, tastefully prepared and served by the gentlemen, a high-class programme was rendered by the following artistes : Miss Irene Broderick (con-tralto), Mr. William Welsh (tenor), .Mr. Frank Williams (baritone), Miss Melba Williams ('cello), Mr. Reg. White (piano), Miss Elsie Mills (elocutionist), with Miss Mabel Bartlett, L.R.A.M., as accompanist. A number of choice selections were also tastefully rendered by the "Chertsey Glee Singers" (Bristol). The appreciation of the large audience was_shown by the frequent demand for encores. Hearty thanks were accorded to Mr. Welsh, by whom the concert had been arranged.

The Resurgence of Jesus. (Young People's Topic : The Reformation. Withprow :

" History of the Reformation," pp. 1-18). Sunday, January 3rd, 1926.

I. Historical Aspect. THE popular taste is often said to be fickle. It is just

as true to say that it is remarkably constant. There are some things that every generation clings to. I know that we change our fashions, we run after this and that, we proclaim one panacea and another. They all have their day and disappear but there is one thing we keep coming back to, and that is the Gospel. We go in for hero-worship. Yesterday it was a politician, to-day, maybe, it is a jockey, to-morrow a film-star. But there is one hero who keeps His place in the imagination of us all—and that is Jesus.

It has always been so. History during the last 2,000 years can be summed up under this title—the Resurgence of Jesus. We look at the first four centuries. The Roman Empire is prevalent, but through its persecutions. its rottenness, its vice, its spent vigour, Christianity comes breaking, like the snowdrops out of the winter earth.

Then there comes that strange movement of the nations from East to West. From the first to the ninth centuries hordes of. wild men, Goths

' Huns, Vandals,

Franks—pour over the Rhine and the Danube ; they are pushed on by hordes more, which muster up out of the vastnesses of the Russian plain ; they choke the passes of the. Vosges and the Alps ; everywhere they kill and burn and plunder. Everything is laid waste—except Jesus. The invaders fall in love with Him. Strong, hard-fighting, bearded German chieftains are melted before the Galilean: They crown Him king, they every-where build churches and monasteries to -His Name; they march away, army after army of them, in their rough and boisterous loyalty to fight in the Crusades. And then for a time men pervert and befoul His Gospel. But they cannot forget Him. And at the Reformation all Europe is arrested by the cry " Jesus again I "

II. Reform or Perish. For a thousand years the Latin Church was able to

reform herself from within. She showed remarkable energy and powers of adaptation. Missionary labours, intensive soul-culture, fervent idealism, brought to the Church new tides of life. A succession of monastic re-formers—Benedictine, Cluniac, Cistercian ; a succession of preaching friars—Dominican, Franciscan, Carmelite—testified to the vitality of the ecclesiastical system. But by the 14th century the Roman Church seemed no longer capable of reforming herself. A herculean effort was made at the Great Councils- of Constance, 1415-17, and Basle, 1431-40, but the Pope contrived their failure. The Papacy was thoroughly corrupt. It had won in its long duel with the Empire for temporal power, only to lose its spiritual pre-eminence. It succeeded in Italian politics only to be discredited by the European conscience. The Papal court was known to be a sink of iniquity, corruption in all its forms flourished openly and un-ashamed. Greedy Papal. agents were hungrily grabbing money and benefices in all the countries of Europe. Add to this the ignorance and buffoonery of the secular priests, the uselessness of opulent religious houses, the patent deception of relics, penance and indulgences, and it is not difficult to understand the tone of scorn for the Church that pervades the lay literature of the time. Men were hungering for the bread of life.

III. Reformers before the Reformation. There had not been lacking those who had raised the

cry " Back to Christ." And they were confined to no one nation and to no particular century. The Poor Men of Lyons, in the 12th century; the Albigenses, in Southern France ; John Wycliffe and his followers ; the Lollards in England ; John Ht s in Bohemia. - These protests at-tained the dimensions of wide-sweeping movements. There were many others which were more local and per-sonal, e.g., Savonarola, at Florence, who was a medieval-ist, but who had gone far towards a break with Rome when the flames quenched his eloquent spirit, 1498. In every land, by homely hearths and in quiet places, there were those who amid the dust of pagan doctrine and the rubbish of superstitious ritual held fast to the truth as it is in Jesus.

"LITTLE DOTS" for January (R.T.S.) is a charming number, overflowing with dainty pictures, pretty little stories and verse in large type,• enclosed in a coloured cover. It is a marvel of cheapness, the price being only twopence.

-(2) Abram Proves His Friendship. British Uniform Lesson for Sunday, January 10th, 1926.

SCRIPTURE READINGS : GEN. XIII. 1-11 ; XIV. 13-20. GOLDEN TEXT : PROVERBS XVIII. 24A.

Aim : To show that the great man of God was also a great human friend.

Apparatus: Map of Canaan (if possible, relief map) showing very clearly the great natural divisions of the land as described below. Also have outline map and print in or draw pictures of different products in land chosen by Lot and Abram.

Introductory Talk. By reference to relief map, make clear to scholars

the fact that Canaan is divided naturally into five parallel strips running from North to South, viz. :

I.—The maritime plain running along the Mediter-ranean coast and broken only by Mt. Carmel.-

IT.—The long range of " foot-hills " sloping up from the plain to

III.—The Mountains of Judea, broken only by the great plain of Esdraelon.

IV.—The Jordan Valley with Dead Sea with V.—The Moab Mountains beyond leading to desert. Each of these "strips" represents varying forms and

richness of vegetation. Also of climate owing to the dif-ferent altitudes : (1) sea level

' (2) up to 2,500 feet above

and (3) to 1,250 feet below. The Jordan Valley is very hot, althost tropical, and therefore a place .of luxurious vegetation. Here too, alas, were the "wicked cities of the plain." On the heights of the Judean hills, and on their sides there was good pasturage for sheep, etc. Trace on map probable route by -which Abram entered Canaan, reaching Bethel viz., Shechem„ Bethel, South Country.'

Lesson Story. Abram returned from the South to a place between

Bethel and Hai, where he had first made an altar. Lot, who also had flocks and herds, came with him : safer to travel together in strange country, and they were uncle and nephew. Both became very prosperous, and in time there was not room for both to dwell together owing to increase of flocks and herds. The result was quarrelling between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot owing to crowding at the watering-places. What was to be done? Emphasize Abram's great loyalty and sacri-fice in the course he suggested : Separation, and Lot to have choice of land. This showed a splendid friendship for, as the senior, Abram certainly had right of choice.

Lot chose fruitful Jordan Valley, though it contained the wicked cities." Abram keeps to the hillsides where constant movement would be necessary to find adequate pasture and watering. Picture this constant movement leading at last to Mamre. While here Abram receives alarming news. A man who had escaped tells how four powerful kings from the North came down into the Jordan Valley to fight and conquer the kings of the " wicked cities." They won, and took all the goods and made Lot and his household prisoners. Again Abram shows himself a true and loyal friend. He gathers to-gether his trained servants-318—arms them, and pur-sues the enemy. He overcomes them, with the help of three friends, and rescues Lot and his belongings and all the others who were captured. Picture the thankful-ness of Lot and of the other kings whose people had -been taken, and show how Abram would take no reward for himself, but only asked that his three ftlends, Aner, Eshcol and Memre might be recompensed. Melchizedek, King of Salem, who was the priest of the Most High God, blessed Abram and said : " Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth, and blessed be the Most High God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand."

Summary of Main Points. Fix in minds of scholars the five main sections of the

land : differences in climate and fertility. Trace Abram's entrance into land and how he would

be able to visualize the whole landscape from the heights. Show what Abram's bold- solution of the problem of room meant to him of sacrifice and self-effacement, and the consequence to Lot of his choice of the Jordan Valley. Point out the " evil cities " as the base of second trouble. Expression.

(1) Give instances where friendship such as Abram's have been known.

(2) When and how can children show such friendship?

CHURCHES REQUIRING COPIES OF The Rev. R. F. H. CAPEY'S

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December 31, 1W25 THE UNITED METHODIST. 647

News of Our Churches. MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS.

Bourne, Wilfrid H., leaves Dereham next Conference on completion of probation.

Dymond, A. E., has accepted an invitation to continue in the Liskeard Circuit until August, 1927.

Redman, E. E., has intimated his intention of leaving the Hebden Bridge Circuit in 1927.

Rhodes, Frank, has accepted an invitation to Derby, Dairy House Road Circuit, for Conference, 1926.

White, H. Bruce, at the unanimous request of the Sandylands Church, has consented to remain at Morecambe.

Anniversaries. Hurst (Queen Street).—The " Juvenile" Foreign Mis-

sionary Anniversary was held December 13th. Mr. J. H. Andrew presided. Mrs. J. J. Absalom, the wife of the circuit minister, gave the address. Miss E. 011erenshaw recited. The report,- in the absence, through illness, of the missions secretary; H. 'Butterfield, was read by Mr. Alfred Marsland, and showed .an advance of 5s. 100., the total being £20 6s. 7d.

'Lindley (Paddock).—Choir Annilierary services were held on December 20th. At the morning service, Rev. W. H. Lockley was the preacher. A special Christmas .anthem was sung by the choir. The evening musical service was conducted by Rev. W. H. Cockersole, when the choir rendered selections from the "Messiah," Christ- mas anthems and carols. The soloists were Mrs. D. Richmond (soprano), Miss M. Mitchell (contralto), Miss K. Pearson (contralto), and Mr. J. Pearson (tenor). Con-, ductor, Mr. H. Clayton ; organist, Mr. J. W. Whiteley. Collections, £5 15s. 5d.

Portland (Wakeham).—Preacher, Rev. J. E. Leonard. A concert by the Portland Male Voice Choir in the after-noon—a very popular contribution. On the week even-ing the anniversary tea was followed by a public meet-ing, addressed by Revs. Gregory Taylor (P.M.), and J. E. Leonard. Mr. H. G. Skinner presided.

Sheffield (Attercliffe).—Choir anniversary services were held December 13th. Rev. G. Jobling was the preacher in the morning. In the evening, the choir, as-sisted by friends, rendered the cantata, The Daughter of_Jairus " ; conductor, Mr. W. P. Yeardley ; organist, Mr. A. Stanfield. Rev. E. Cocker presided and gave an instructive and impressive address.

Quarterly Meeting. Dewsbury.—Rev. D. Patterson presiding. Prior to

the meeting, the delegates were kindly entertained to tea by Mr. J. T. Wilman. Farewell was taken of Mr. G. W. Tyas, :whose valuable services as local preacher and church steward were acknowledged by Messrs. J. T. Nield, H. Oldroyd and Revs. S. S. Dabill and D. Pat-terson. Widespread regret has been expressed at his re-moval, and his place will not easily be filled. Mr. Tyas responded; and modestly suggested that few of the good things that had been said about him could really be justified. He had enjoyed the fellowship of the minis-ters and friends, and would also cherish very gracious memories of the Dewsbury Circuit. Mr. F. Hodson was received as local preacher on full plan. Numerical report stated an increase of three members, and the treasurer's statement declared a balance in hand of £10 4s. 7d. Sunday, April 25th, was set aside for the L.P.M.A. It was agreed that a letter of sympathy be sent to Mr. H. Roebuck, expressing the wishes of the friends for his early and complete recovery.

General. Barrow-in-Furness.=In accordance with a scheme

suggested by the district chairman, Rev. Joseph Wallett, a circuit rally was held on December 7th. The deputa-tion from the District was Revs. J. Sydney Jones and Sam Spencer. Mr. Spencer kindly took the place of the Rev. J. Wallett, who was indisposed. The gatherings were held at Christ Church. In the afternoon, Rev. Sam Spencer preached a most helpful sermon. At the tea-

table . conference the Rev. J. Sydney Jones introduced the subject, "Our Work and Our Resources," and a good discussion followed. At the evening meeting, the speakers were supported by the circuit ministers, Revs. Leonard England, S. Wilding and Pastor J. R. Birtle. It was a fine meeting. All the meetings were thoroughly enjoyed, and were beneficial in the deepest sense. With the exception of Askam, all the churches were repre- sented, and the rally served to foster denominational loyalty and to strengthen circuit unity. So much were the meetings enjoyed that it was unanimously resolved to have another circuit rally in the Spring.

Bristol Sixth (East Compton).—The 29th annual mis-sionary sale of work in connection with, the Christian Endeavour Society was held on December 16th. Mrs. Hobbs and Mrs. Bamfield (organizers), supported by a strong body of helpers, had worked hard and the stalls were well stocked. Mr. J. Bowland presided and intro-duced the opener of sale, Mrs. 1'. Butler, who spoke of missionary work in China. A public meeting was held, in the_evening, presided over by Mr. John Howell. Mr. A. E. Bamfield outlined the past year's work, and the Rev. S. G. Jenkins, of Brookland Church, Bristol, gave an encouraging missionary address. The proceeds, as hitherto, are to be sent in aid of Wenchow Hospital.

BlaenaTon (Garndiffaith). — A splendid Christmas effort has been held. There were various stalls, and a thank-offering box was well worked by a committee. After a well-attended .tea a concert was, arranged by Mr. I-I. Watkins, consisting of choruses by " Godfrey Jones Party," solos by Mrs. Cliff Williams, Miss Gladys Coles and Mr. G. Jones, and recitations by Miss Olga Powell. Mr. F. Coles, pianist. The financial result exceeded the highest hopes, amounting to

Burnley (Brunswick).—Sunday afternoon last was the day set apart for the annual gift service, and Father Christmas received quite a large collection of gifts during the afternoon. It is five years since this annual service was inaugurated by Rev. C. E. Penrose, and with the passing of the years, the gift service grows in popularity. From the youngest child in the Primary Department to the members of the adult classes, all took their gifts of books, toys and other suitable presents, which have been distributed during the week to many poor children to whom Father Christmas would otherwise not he known. The senior superintendent, Mr. J. Atkin, pre- sided, supported by the pastor, Rev. W. J. Hopper and the superintendents of the various departments. Special musical items and recitations were given and Father Christmas visited each class to receive the gifts. Mr. T. Wharton offered prayer, dedicating the gifts. A col- lection was taken on behalf of the National Children's Home. The service was a most impressive one. The men of the school have been busy during the week, making up suitable parcels according to ages, and dis-tributing them to the poorer people in the town.

Carlisle (Longtown).—There has just been inaugurated a series of lectures, recitals and musical services for the winter. The first, held a month ago, was a lecture, en- titled "Gipsies," by Rev. G. Bramwell Evens, nephew of Gipsy Smith, and last, week a recital, " A Scottish Exile," was given by Mr. Peter Ferguson, a local preacher in the circuit. Both of these events were most successful, and large congregations assembled. Mr. Tom Johnson, of the Carlisle Church, rendered solos, "The Lost Chord " and "Star of Bethlehem," and both were excellently sung and greatly appreciated. Rev. F. A. Pye is chairman at these gatherings. The next month's programme will be provided by a Carlisle Quar-tet Party.

Grimsby (Freeman Street).—On December 17th the young people made their effort in behalf of the church funds. This took the form of a Fancy Stall and Christ- mas Tree, opened by Mrs. C. Jacobsen, of Healing, the daughter of Mr. T. J. Robinson (circuit steward). Mrs. Wilfred Cooper presided. After a well-attended tea meeting, Dickens's Christmas Carol was given before a large and appropriate audience. Mr. G. Clayton occu-pied the chair, and both the entertainment and the finan-cial results were excellent.

Keighley (Park Wood Street).—On Tuesday, Wednes-day and Saturday • last, the annual " At Homes " were held ; host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs.. Arthur Lund ; chairman, Mr. Edward Barrett (circuit steward) ; concert

by the Devonshire Park Wesleyan Choir. Wednesday : host and hostess, His Worship the Mayor (Aid. Arthur Smith, J.P., and the Mayoress; chairman, Mr.. J. W. Stansfield; entertainment by the Cavendish Street Legion Orchestra, assisted by Miss Mary Day and Mr. E. Sharp. Saturday : host and hostess, Councillor F. Marshall rid Mrs. Marshall ; chairman, Mr. Stephen Hartley ; oper-etta, " Bundle of Sticks," by the school children ; accom-panist, Miss Wilkinson. Hot suppers nightly; the "At Homes " have been a record success. Net proceeds £102.

Manchester First (Miles Platting).—This church had a busy week-end on the occasion of the men's effort. On the Saturday a most successful tea and a high-class concert were held. Most of the programme was pro-vided by Mr. Leonard Andrews and his friends. Madame E. Crick and Mr. Thomas, also Miss Andrews, Mr. T. T. W. Robinson gave humorous selections, and Mr. Davenport, of Tyldesley, sang very acceptably. Miss Salt rendered service at the piano. Mr. Chas. Rose presided. On the Sunday special services were well attended. Preachers, morning, Mr. Jas. Whittaker, of Middleton ; afternoon and evening, Rev. D. G. Elward. Messrs. H. Leonard Goodwin, H. Rickard and J. E. Ginton presided. Soloists, Messrs. F. W. Mottershead and Mr. Davenport, of Tyldesley. Choruses were sung at each service by " the men." Conductor, Mr. Williams ; organist, Mr. E. Voysey. On December 12th a jumble sale provided the final item of a happy and successful effort by which about £28 will be handed to church fund.

Manchester North (Failsworth).—On December 12th the annual party and old scholars' re-union was held. After tea the meeting was presided over by the Rev. Cuth-bert Ellison, who spoke words of welcome and en-couragement. A varied musical programme was contri-buted by Miss Davison, Madame A. Haworth, Miss Worsnip and Mr. Boulton ; reciter, Mr. Lomax ; accom-panist, Miss Kitson. The church choir -rendered glees (conductor, Mr. Greaves). Addresses were given by Rev. David Jack, a former minister, and Mr. C. H. Rule, of Selby, an old Bethel scholar. During the evening dip-lomas for long and faithful services in the Sunday School were presented to Messrs. Garratt, Greenwood and Myers by a representative from the Manchester Sunday School Union.

Manchester (Clayton).—A large and appreciative audi-ence assembled on December 19th to hear the annual rendering of Dickens's "Christmas Carol," by Charles I)arnay, of Manchester. Mr. Darnay's interpretation of " Scrooge " was masterful, and his humour was thoroughly enjoyed.

Newquay (Sydney Road).—During the ministry of the Rev. James Ninnis, this church has made a remarkable recovery. The church has been renovated, the electric light installed, a new board of trustees formed, a fine church consolidated, and the estate re-leased. Another step forward has just been taken, the schoolroom has been renovated, the young trustees themselves doing the work ; a new piano has been secured, the antiquated forms have been replaced with chairs, including primary chairs, the whole necessitating an outlay of about £100. To celebrate the inauguration, special services were held on December 16th. A fine sermon was preached by Rev. James Dunk (Wesleyan), and during the service, Mrs. Strutt (widow of Rev. Ed. Strutt, and daughter of Dr. Osborne, the famous Wesleyan President) graciously unlocked the piano, Miss Irene Barrett rendering selec-tions from Greig and Mendelssohn. After a largely-at-tended public tea, and under the presidency of Mr. T. J. Ruse, Rev. 'James Ninnis gave his lecture before a crowded audience, on " Judas Maccabus," the lecture being " illustrated " by an augmented choir with chor-uses, solos and duet, from Handel's " Oratorio." Mrs. Rule presided at the organ, and Mr. Chegwidden, L.R.A.M., at the piano. Proceeds over L;40.

W. Cowes, I.W.—The annual " At Home" was held on December 2nd. Capt. W. Tulton, F.R.G.S., presided, and the proceedings were opened by Mrs. E. G. Wilson, of Newport, daughter of Rev. T. Letcher. There was a fine rally, and the stallholders deserve every praise for their hard work and generous giving. Proceeds. £60. The, orchestra played selections during the day. It was announced that over £600 had been promised towards the debt extinction effort.

The United Methodist Magazine.

CONTENTS FOR JANUARY.

EDITORIAL. "A New Chapter in Life."

MESSAGE FROM T1113 PRESIDENT. The Reign of Jesus. By Rev. Wm. Alex. Grist.

OUR ROYAL PRIESTHOOD. Rev. Harold Twyford (Portrait). Mr. W. A. Lewins, Conference Secretary (Port.)

ONE YEAR AT ZION. Serial Story. By Rev. W. H. Saturley.

OUR ZIONS AND BETHELS. Christ Church, Barrow-in-Purness. By Rev. Leonard England.

OUR PULPIT. By Rev. E. Cocker.

METHODISM AND RURAL POPULATIONS. By Rev. James Ellis.

RESTING FROM THEIR LABOURS. Rev. Mark Brokenshire. Rev. Wm. Hicks Smith. Mr. H. G. Gregory, J.P.: Salisbury.

BOOKS OP TO-DAY.

THE 1LEGION OF VENTURERS. By Rev. H. V. Capsey.

PRICE FOURPENOL

The Missionary Echo., CONTENTS 'POR JANUARY.

THE PRESIDEINT'S , MISSIONARY APPEAL. Rev. W. A. Grist.

OUR PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR. Miss S. Gertrude Ford.

THE SECRETARY'S NOTES. Rev. C. Stedeford.

THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR. MISSIONARY INTERCESSION. THE POET OP PEACE.

Mr. P. Hoole Jackson. THE LATE SAMUEL ARNOLD.

Rev. P. J. Wharton. AN ENCOUNTER WITH BRIGANDS. .

Rev. F. W. Cottrell. THE' OBSERVATORY. FAMINE AND DESTITUTION.

Rev. 11. Parsons. LOCARNO, LONDON, 1925 BOOKLAND.

The Cost of a New World. Dr. Clemens. Everyland. J. E. S. The Moslem World of To-day. G. W. S. Africa for Young People. A. J. H.

WOMEN'S MISSIONARY AUXILIARY : Message from President. Appreciation of the President. Greetings from Ex-President and Vice-

Presidents.

Booklets for Christian Workers Joining the Church.—Manual for Church

Membership and Preparation Classes. By Rev. H. J. Watts. Single copies, 4d., post-age extra. Twelve copies, 4s. Postage extra.

Guido to Membership with Church Certifi-cate. Single copies, lid., postage id. extra ; or 1/6 per dozen copies.

Our Church—its Government and Doctrines.- By Rev. E. C. Urwin, M.A., B.D. Single copies 24d., postage extra.

A Crusade for Young England. By Rev. T. A. Jefferies, F.L.S. Single copies 9d. net. Postage extra.

Our Belief. By Rev. R. H. B. Shapland. Single copies 10d. Postage extra.

The Legion of Service I An Exposition and Handbook. By Rev. T. A. Jefferies, F.L.S. is. net. Postage extra,

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January 1926 to Jane 1927—incluehre- ALL CLEAR

Engagement Calendar (Copyright).

Suitable for Vestry, Minister's Study, or Office. Printed in Black and Red and Ruled in two colours. On three cards, size 121in. x 10in. having three months to view on each side. and slimes for filling in forthcoming events. Eyeletted and Corded for Suspending. PRICE - 9d. NET. PER POST 1/-

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PRICE TWOPENCE. From all•Ministere mid Secretaries.

The EcHO is a splendid number this month. Congratulations."—W. B.

THE UNITED METHODIST.

OUR ALMANACK FOR 1926. With five coloured illustrations and portraits of the President and Conference Secretary. The Almanack for this year is a new and attractive design, prepared for circulation in our Churches and in the homes of our people. 2d. each, or 2s. per dozen (postage extra). Single copies, postage 1d. extra. 100 copies 12s. 6d. net, carriage paid, _ Terms for local-ising on application.

UNITED METHODIST POCKET DIARY AND CALENDAR, 1926 Specially useful for Ministers and Church Officials, Containing Calendar of Connexional Committees, space for each day in the year to record Engagements, Baptisms, Class Meetings, Collections for Connexional Funds, Visitation List, Notes for Plan for Church Meetings, Book Accounts, 2s. 9d. net.

•a

All previous Catalogues cancelled.

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United- Methodist Magazine Price :II The Cheapest Denominational Magazine published.

With the January issue will be given a Sepia Portrait of the President (Rev. WM. ALEX. GRIST, printed on fine art paper. With that issue begins the first of twelve Stories under the general title of " One Year at Zion," by Rev. W. H. Saturley.. These stories deal in a most interesting way with some phases of church life and work, and will create much interest. Other features of the programme for the year are : " Our Royal Priesthood,". " Sketches of Worthy People Amongst Us," Challenging the Church," " Parliament of Ideas," " The Minister's Most Important -

. Task," " Personality of Jesus," " Some Great Books," and Their Message for To-day, . " Our Zions and Bethels," " Connexional

.Movements," etc. ° The Missionary Echo Price 2d. net.

the organ of the Home and Foreign Missionary Society, will commence a new volume with the January number. Interesting news from the foreign field each month.

U.M. Sunday School Lessons Magazine Price 4d. One of the best aids to Sunday School Teachers. The lessons`are arranged to meet the requirements of every section of the School. It contains also four pages of matter on the work of our own Sunday Schools by our Connexional Young People's Secretary.

Programmes of these .periodicals may be had from your Minister. Orders for the thfee Magazines may be placed with the Circuit Ministers, or with THE UNITED METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE, 12 Farringdon Avenue, E.C.4,"'

---..-

HARROGATE, ASHVILLE COLLEGE.

FOR BOARDERS ONLY.

Finest Situation. Thorough Equipment. University Staff. Rev. ALFRED SOOTHILL, B.A., Head Master.

SHEBBEAR COLLEGE, N. DEVON.

Headmaster : Mr. J. ROUNSEFELL. M.A.. B.Sc. (Lend.)

An Ideal School for Boys. In the heart of the Country. Own Farm' Fees 48 and 51 guineas per annuls.

dbi,130 for Prosivotus to The Bursar. Rev. J. FORD REED.

Write for FREE ILLUSTRATED LISTS to

TOWNISMIEPTIOS Ernest Street, Birmingham.

TOURS:

FREE CHURCH TOURING GUILD. £14 14 0 17 days' GRINDELWALD

TOUR for Skating, Ski-ing and Tobogganing. 17 days' LUGANO TOUR for ITALIAN LAKES. ROME, FLORENCE AND VENICE TOUR, also GRAND TOUR ROUND ITALY, no night travel, £37 15 0. 17 days' GENOA AND RIVIERA TOUR.

Secretary, 55 Memorial Hall, London. E.C.4.

Our Sunday School Class

Register for 1926.

Price 46. per doz. net ; carriage extra.

Why should not all our Schools use our own Class Register ?

It Is equal to any other published, . and at the same price.

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CATALOGUE of Church and School Hymn Books and other publications issued by the United Methodist Publishing House free on application to HENRY HOOKS, 12 Farringdon Avenue, E.C.4.

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Close Sea and Gardens. Separate Tables. Excellent Cuisine. Gas-fires bedrooms.- S. KLAN.

C 0 LWY N BAY-Superior Apartments. beauti-

e fully situated, near sea. station, and shops.-Misses Pickering, " Somersby," Mostvn Road (late of Beach Mount, Morecambe).

D EVON-TO Let, permanent, end of January or a early in February, Furnished Bedroom

and Sitting-room, good attendance, quiet. select part of Paignton. suit elderly lady or gentleman,-Mrs. Webber,-' Novara," Queen's Road, Paignton, Devon.

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SOUTHPORT (MATLOCK HOUSE. 60 Bath Street)-Apartments (public and

private); near. Prom, Lord Street, churches. Methodist home ; highly recommended by ministers ; piano : • bath Invalids specially studied ; moderate terms. Stamp. Mrs. Hall.

BT. ANNES -Public and Private Apartments.

e or Board-Residence. overlooking Ashton Gardens. and one minute pier ; electric light.- Mrs. Robinshaw, Bel-Air." 15 North Drive.

Edgehill Girls' College,

BIDEFORD, N. DEVON. Hun Mienursa :

bliss E. CUTHBERTSON HILL. B.A (Hons.Lond.)

Beautiful situation. :: Large playing fields.

Own Farm. Fully Qualified staff.

For Prospectus, apply to Mead I/Mitres., sr Rev. W. TRBFFRY, Bursar, Culwerth, Bideford. AN ATTRACTIVE

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Service commence at 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. Wailers will receive a hearty modems.

•••

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i.

Rev.J. E. ELVIN Rev. C. P. HILL Rev. J. H. JAMES M.A., LL.B.,' Rev. W. J. WARREN B.D. Rev. W. B. KIRBY Rev. T. E. CLARKS Rev. W. J. REDMORB Rev.W. J. REDMORB leupervielon), Rev. R. ASHBY HOWE

UNITED METHODIST SCHOOL HYMNAL. Scholars' Edition. Minion.

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Memorials, Fittings for Schools, &c.

HOE ;MIR SCHOOL, PLYMOUTH (ESTABLISHED 1867). S. P. DYMOND, M.A., Principal. P. DYMOND, A.I.C., Vice-Principal. SUCCESSES 1924-25

LONDON MATRICULATION : Eighteen. SENIOR LOCAL EXAMS : Forty-two. JUNIOR LOCAL EXAMS : Seventy-one.

SANDHURST. WOOLWICH. CRANWELL. & PAYMASTER CADETS. MANY OTHER SUCCESSES.

livery Accommodation for Boarders. (Highest Testimonials). Grounds for Cricket, Tennis, and Drill. Safe Open-Sea Bathing. Premises recently extended.

PREACHERS FOR JAN. 3rd. LONDON. • Ilettenes Park (Battersea Park Road) -10 a.m.. Sunday School ; A. L 7 p.m.. L. Morris. Nephew Amain (Mallinson Road) - 11 a.m.. R. W. Gair ; 6.30 p.m., R. W. Gair.

heat Lambeth (Fentiman Road, near Oval Station)-11 a.m., F. Barrett ; 6.30 p.m.. F. Barrett. Mookwell (Paradise Road) - 11 a.m.. A. C. George ; 6.30 p.m., A. C. George.

lioadoOtoo-Brunswick (Great Dover Street)-11 a.m., E W. Hall ; 6.30 p.m., Rev. J. Payne.

CHURCH FURNITURE.

MEMORIAL BRASSES FOR CHURCHES SIMPLE DESIGNS FROM £5. SEND IN-

SCRIPTION FOR FULL-SIZE SKETCH. ILLUS-TRATED BOOKLET OF CHURCH FURNITURE. RTC- POST FREE. MAILE & SON, LTD.. CRAFTSMEN, 246 GREAT PORTLAND STREET. LONDON. W.1.

MEMORIAL BRASSES OF FIRST QUALITY FROM R4. SEND WORDING FOR SPECIAL

DESIGN OR ASK FOR BOOK 41 (FREE), F. OSBORNE & CO., LTD.. 27 EASTCASTLE STREET. LONDON. W.1.

MISCELLANEOUS.

BAZ A ARS. -If you are holding a Sale, we can help you without risk ; also special sample parcels

sent.-Write for full particulars, U.M., 46 Wilson St., London. E.C.2.

BASKETS FOR BAZAARS.-Devonshire rustic and coloured baskets, always popular. unequalled

variety. • Carriage paid. Illustrated price lists free from original makers. Blackwell & Son. 20 Cross Street. Barnstaple.

64 PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND HOW TB.2dendforone

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

ANTI-RHEUM AT I C WOOL CORSETS, no pres-sure. Invaluable to sufferers from Rheumatism,

Heart troubles, Indigestion. Unbreakable Boneless Corsets, Conti), 8/11 ; Flannel, 13/11.-Knitted Corset Co., Nottingham. List free.

TOYS FOR BAZAARS-Bran Tubs, Dips, School Parties. Wonderful value. 721assorted toys, 20

different kinds, 31-. post free.-Kassel, Villas Road, Plumstead, S.E. -VOR Better Health TAKE WHELPTON'S PILLS. _12 1/3, from Chemist.

DUNKLEY PRAMS. Cash or terms. FREE JUBILEE COT offer. Catalogue and particulars

free.-Lady Manageress, 22, Dunkley House, Marble Arch, London. W.1. TlfbAZAAR OPENING for children-"A Swarm of B's"

-marching - singing - reciting -speaking. Two copies is. P.O.-Rev. Slater, Irchester. Wellingborough.

LANTERN SLIDES FOR NEW YEAR PARTIES and ENTERTAINMENTS, also for Temperance

Societies and Sunday Schools.-F. Moseley, 26 Clarendon Street. Wakefield.

CROCHET LACE, made by Christian Indians, beauti-ful articles. Sample_Doyley is. 6d., with booklet.

Bazaars Special Terms. - Ralph Keymer, (U.M.), Gorleston.

ARTIFICIAL TEETH (Old) - 2s. each tooth on vulcanite, 4s. on silver, 6s. on gold. No misleading

prices. Cash by return.-Dental Works. Main Street. Carlton. Notts. Bankers, Lloyds. eft, w.

lOUGHS, COLDS, BRONCHITIS, Asthma, ‘d. Catarrh-Noah FelloWs' Bronchial Leaflets. known 48 years as White Kid Plasters, give immediate relief. 1/3 box prove positively their wonderful curative powers. Chemists. or Noah Fellows. Walthamstow.

"EXCELSIOR SPECIALITIES." GOLDEN PICK-ME-UP CAPSULES. The golden health giver and reviver. 3/6 per box. EXCELSIOR COUGH LOZENGES.

Worth their worth in gold, 113 per box. " EXCELSIOR CIGARS." A lovely and perfect smoke. 18/- box of 50.

Send P.O. for above to THE EXCELSIOR REMEDY CO., 10 CRYSTAL ROAD. BLACKPOOL,

PERSONAL. ,ET LOVE announces your next gathering with

Love's Hand-Painted Posters - they fit Notice Boards and attract attention.-Love & Co., Bethel Street, Norwich.

APPOINTMENT VACANT.

WANTED, Lay Agent for Hatherleigh Circuit from August next.-Apply, stating age and experience,

to Rev. J. W, Lowe, The Manse. Hatherleigh, Devon.

GIFT BOOKS

AND

PRIZES

A SPECIALLY PREPARED CATALOGUE OF

Missionary Reward Books

A minister having received a copy of:this catalogue writes :-

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A copy of this list can be obtained, post free, on application_to

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December 31, 1926

INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION CUPS, OUTFITS-Avoid the Damper of Infection-Dept. 11. MEMORIAL TABLETS,

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Printed at THE MAGNET PRESS, 188 Rye Lane, Peckham. S.13., aad Published by HENRY HOOES, 14 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C., kw the UNTTED M.117110DIST CsuRcz, Thursday, December 81st, 1925.