The Pleasant Hour CONTENTS FOR SEPTEMBER.,

BETWEEN OURSELVES. (Illustrated). By the Editor.

CHATS ABOUT GARDENS AND GARDENING. (Illustrated.) By P. R. H. S.

"THE HERMIT OF THE SIERRAS." By J. Mayne Baltimore.

CYCLE CLUB TALKS. By the Captain. WITH THE MACKEREL FLEET.

(Illustrated.) By C. Mason. THE RETURN OF SCOTT DARING.

Chap. xvil.—An Escape and an imprisonment. Chap. xviii.—A Challenge. (Illustrated.) By Harcourt Granville.

THE ADVENTURES OF MASTER BUNNY RABBIT, OF LONDON TOWN.

I'm in grand form to-day," said Bunny, (Illus.)

THE YOUNG NATURALIST AT WORK. (Illustrated).

YOUNG • PEOPLE'S PAGE. Kennedy.

DING, DO'. BELL I AN OLD TRAPPER'S LOG-HOUSE YARNS.

ond Series. Chap. lx.—Lost in the Forest. (Illustrated.) By G. Carver Lennox.

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Address to Newly-Ordained Ministers, July 15th, 1912. By George Packer, D.D.

The Quiet Hour. The Toiler's Benediction. By Rev. W. RuPert Clark.

My Favourite Heroines in Poetry. IX.—Browning's Pompilia." By S. Gertrude Ford. .

'Twixt Love and Faith. A Story of Methodist Village Life. Chap. xvii.—"Notice to Quit." Chap. —" Mrs. Collingwood-Smith." • • - (Illustrated.) By Rev. J. Dodd Jackson:

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THE UNITED METHODIST.—THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER sth, 1912.

AN UNTABLED RESOLUTION (Page 673). ROBERT BROWNING AS A PREACHER'S POET (Page 678).

A MOORLAND EPISODE (Page 675).

United e •

0 IS

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

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PRINCIPAL CONTENTS.

Notes by the Way ... United Methodist Table Talk Our London Letter. By W. Kaye Dunn, The White Carnation. By Laura A. Dill ... My Morning Cycle Spin. By D. B. Proudlove Elisha. the Man of Vision (C. E. Topic). By T. A. Jefferies... An Untabled Resolution. By John North ... Our Local Preachers. By R. Pyke Holiday Sketches Shebbear College. Examination Successes A Moorland Episode. By J. B. Brooks Letters of Christopher Hunt ... Witnessing. By R.A. Robert Browning as a Preacher's Poet. By

.. Job

Out Sunday Schools. By W. Barnes ... A Page from the Past. By J. A. Dale-. ... For Our Boys and Girls. By R.E.M. International Lesson. By C. A. Ashelford News of Our Churches

Notes by the Way. WE do not concern ourselves here usually with

party politics. There are •'however distinct and satisfactory reasons why a watchful eye should be

kept by'all Nonconformists upon the The Liberal present political situation. There is Government. the general question of Disestablish-

ment forced into the forefront again as a living issue. Logically Free Churchmen are simply bound to regard that achievement as the direct deduction and programme of the organization of any Free Church. But what is likely to be lost sight of at present is that the present Government is hostage to all Free Churchmen, to repair the un-fortunate and unequal bearings {von them of the Education Act passed by Mr. Balfour in 1902. Many things can be said in favour of that Act in all fair-ness. It has been a great gain to the Secondary School system of the country—making it possible for many such Schools to be built and opened, and for the whole series to be co-ordinated under national auspices. In an indirect way, too, the equality of religion has been served through the gradual and steady passing of 'hundreds of sectarian schools into the hands of local authorities. Last year about 100 so passed, and the number has been near that sum for several years now That is all good and comes of the raising of the standard of efficiency. If Dissenters had been minded as Mr. Balfour supposed them to be—only of their own sectarian interests, his Act would have met their case and religious equality would have come through a dual system of school equipments, in every dis-trict, the Anglican and the Nonconformist standing side by side. That, however, was far from the mind of the latter, whose desire is not to play a dual sec-tarian game, but to raise the standard and establish the equality of national education throughout all classes and branches.

THE grievance to Dissent still remains, and re-mains in spite of the advantages, direct and indirect, enumerated as above. To have schools to ourselves

is not our policy, and Mr. Balfour The never erred in judgement more corn- Grievance. pletely than when he determined

obstinately to think so. Our need is that in Education there shall be freedom and equality. We do not nbw even want a Consciepce Clause. It was always a disability to the Noncon-formist child. What we do want is, (1) All the children of the nation to be treated freely and equally in all the schools of the nation. (2) All the costs of all the schools of the nation to be borne by the nation that (1) may be properly given ; and (3) All the official posts of any kind whatsoever to be opened to freedom and equality, so that no person shall be debarred from the free ascension of the best to the top, no inducements held out to create even delicate hypocrisies, so well known and understood in the ancient history of the use of tests, for the gaining of posts, and no tests of a religious kind anywhere. That is our ideal. How near we may get to it in a next reshuffling of the conditions we cannot say. But a change ought to come before

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▪ 679 • 680

681 681, 6E42, 683

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670

THE UNITED METHODIST. September 5, 1912.

long. The present embargo upon young Dissent in Training Colleges, in applications for teacherships, and in other ways, cannot be allowed to continue. It is of course obvious that for some classes of the community "a fair field. and no favour " cannot be looked upon with anything like equanimity. Our opponents have accustomed themselves to be the pets of officialdom. Favour has been their native air. And that receives scanty opportunity before the uprising of young Dissent. There is no finer mental capacity in the world than theirs. Keep the body free from taint of alcohol, keep the conscious-ness free from the thrall of antiquity and open to heaven, and you produce an unconquerable intellec- tual life. Privilege can never stand before it. This is to some extent the grievance of Anglican sectarianism in this country. They lay a. voluntary embargo upon, the actions of their rising generation and then expect by favour to keep the best things going for the persons that compose it. But the day of such a policy is done in England—or England is done. It must henceforth, "the tools to him who can use them," whether Assenter, Dissenter, or other-wise. These things are not said to divide. Neither will they ultimately do so. We can only unite upon reality. "Wherever religion has stood forth with the fresh' energy of youth, it has always brought men nearer together, it has always been the protector of the weak, and always a help to the aspiring soul ; it is only where it has become withered and senile that religion is used for the maintenance of private interests and privileges." (Eucken, "Truth of Religion."),

BUT it becomes a very grave question as to whether Dissent may expect to obtain this relief in Education or not—say within this generation. This

way : In the " British Weekly " for Its Relief. August 22nd, the Parliamentary cor-

respondent discusses "The next Government," and prima facie it looks as though he takes it for granted that the next Government will be a Conservative one. There are some qualify-ing clauses as " Fortunately the old Government holds the field." But amidst many clear indications of his opinion in the direction indicated he says :. " It is taken for granted by Mr. Lloyd George that Mr. Chamberlain will be Chancellor of the Ex-chequer in the next Government." That is suffi-ciently clear. It is the language of many Liberals throughout the country, too, unfortunately. In Fleet Street it is accepted axiomatically. If this is so it looks as though the Liberal party had determined to let the next General Election go by default. It will be a calamito.us dereliction of duty if they do so. They have their difficulties. Some of them, like, those of all Governments, self-created. But they had set themselves a high. ideal of duty, and, in the circumstance of opposition, should the more firmly cling to it—indeed, the more bitter it is the more stalwart should they be. It looks like -this. Under the Parliament Act the next year will be crucial. It will be given up to Home Rule and the Reform Bill, with the final stages of Disestablishment for Wales. Nothing else of importance can be got in. And that will be all that can be guaranteed to be passed through the House of Lords willy-nilly under the terms of the new Parliament Act. Any-thing else that may engage the attention of the House of Commons thereafter, during the lifetime of this Government will need to be non-contentious or comparatively unimportant, and will need to be favoured 'by the Lords to whose good graces its passage into law will be due. That is probably why their opponents have put forth such herculean efforts to oust them from power before the next session begins. After that they are hopeless for the full period of a shortened Parliament.

THEN what about the relief of Nonconformist disabilities under Mr. Balfour's Act of 1902. Oh ! it may be introduced in the interim before the end

of the present Parliament's five-year The Hinge. life. Yes, and duly thrown out ; for

the Lords will do that with light Eearts if the Liberals are not again to return to power for reintroduction. And the chance is gone for how long? No one can tell ! Is that a situa-tion to sit down to? If it comes about it will be the gravest supineness Literals have ever shown and it will gravitate with tremendous force back upon them for many years to came. Especially will it . destroy the confidence in Mr. Lloyd George in particular in all Free Church circles. Beside which, arguments will be put into-the mouths of two types of critics which can be used with over-whelming force, and they incur other questions as well. One—these Liberals have left only mess and muddle behind them ; they have raised great issues, entered upon social revolutions, and then only half finished their task : What is the use th

e entrusting Government to them ? This from the Opposition. Another—our leaders have forgotten

i Liberal traditions in foreign policy, i.e., our respon-

sibility to smaller nationalities, retrenchment in military and naval expenditure ; and the general fostering of the spirit of international peace—this from our own. It is very well understood that in Colonial government Liberal Colonial Secretaries have not been conspicuously successful. People in-terested in the circulation of liquor amongst native races know perfectly well -that no Colonial Secre-tary has been actually of such splendid courage in this particular matter as was Mr. Jos. Chamberlain. No ! this is the moment, critical and onerous, when the Liberal leaders should Mass all their forces to win once again, and, in returning, determine to re-dress the affairs here enumerated. Put their foreign policy upon the old grand Liberal foundations of peace and retrenchment. Raise the subject peoples, and, , most of all, redress the bitter grievance of Dissent which thousands of those who feel it have entrusted them with the necessity of doing. If they go out in 1915 and 'return not it cannot be done. We trust that this situation will not be lost upon our Nonconformist friends. It probably •has not occurred to them in this way. But it must be faced. Nonconformity has exercised remarkable patience with the Liberal Government. It has gloried in its social achievements, it has sympathized with its un-foreseen difficulties and its gratuitously unfair ones, too ; it has stood by, and seen its most cherished dreams of a Christian Parliament subserving the interests of a world at peace, which, mind, was ex-pected when it belauded the return of hundreds of Free Churchmen to its seats—well, it has seen all that neglected. It has not grumbled, except sotto voce,- but the real issue now is : Is it going 'to be content to let these things remain where they are and as they are, and its own peculiar grievance remaining in strength, only being modified to the extent that the Anglican Church in its poorer patches finds it impossible to keep itself off the rates, or is it prepared to enter upon a new and fresh' cam-paign to return the Government again to power, and, doing so, demand the redress of its main disability as the first work of the new Parliament of 1915— 16? It is a vital queStion viewed at any point.

IT is curious how new questions and movements keep cropping up in our country, and how rather old movements put on new faces. In- England we

havehad a large dose of Syndicalism. Questions It is taken to mean a new and more Arising, direct method of strike-organization.

On the Continent it is assuming a' very different feature. In Italy and France it is becoming a principle of capital-competition, meet-ing capital on its own ground. The Labourists are raising their own capital and so withdrawing the very ground from under the feet of their masters. Glass-blowers, railway men and agriculturists are doing this. It is found to be hard and superficial at first, but after the initial difficulties greatly satis-factory. The old cry that Labour can do without Capital is true, but only if it can create capital for itself and so become in itself Labourist and Capital-ist in combination. Is this movement at all likely to insinuate itself into the mind of English Labour circles? That would be a revolution indeed, and a very hopeful one, perhaps even a very practicable one. The suggestions up to now have been rather in the direction of Labour being a pure beneficiary of the State, e.g., noncontributory to Old Age Pen-sions and to Insurance. It would give a new tone altogether ro its morale if the co-operative pro-ducing schemes of a generation ago began again, and on this Syndicalist basis. Then there is the question of Eugenics. It is not only coming to. the front but certain religious leaders are keenly advocating it. In a little series of New Tracts for the Times,* placed in our hands, the names of Dr. Horton, Dr. Meyer, Canon Wm. Barry, and Bishop Moule, of Durham, appear as advocating Race-Regeneration upon the principle. The little tractates are very efficient publications, and for those seek-ing guidance may very well be used., But no ques-tion on the horizon requires more careful thinking or handling. It is all very well theoretically, but to gain the smallest practical application requires the greatest courage and an equal delicacy., For some sections of our population forms of eugenics are indispensable. But they are the negative forms. They concern prevention and not population. For the idiot and the semi-idiot, the soddened criminal, and some others, some form of segrega-tion is desirable, almost imperative. ' But beyond such we venture to predict that little can be done apart from the cultivation of ideas and the elevation of public Opinion. This must be borne in mind by all speakers especially upon this topic, which has peculiar dangers. No question of the moment requires more careful thought before committal to its programme.

WITH the issue of this number of this paper the old regime at the Publishing House is ended and

the new begun. For nearly thirty years its interests have been presided over by the

Our Rev. Andrew Crombie, now super- Publications. annuated. He has manifested in his

task a conscientious prescience, ,an unswerving industry and a businesslike grasp'which his successor will find it no small demand upon his energies to live up to. We have "dropped the pilot," and bespeak •him peace and latisfaction in the well-earned change -of employment and reduc-tion of responsibility. But we welcome his suc-cessor with great confidence. The Rev. Henry Hooks has a record behind him of splendid circuit services, which in future 'readjustment will carry the Publishing House to the desirable heights of success that all United Methodists should wish for it. One thing should demand our best loyalty—this paper. We report on last year's membership nearly 150,000 persons. Reckon the usual five for each family, and it will be seen that if every United Methodist family took the weekly paper it would give us a circulation of 30,000. It is not now a third of that and does not nearly pay. Is, that to continue? We are put-ting its Editor into a dual position and giving to the Book Steward the responsibility of the magazine beside his already overcrowded department. Many men, especially in ordinary commercial life, would have flatly refused to assume such composite respon-sibilities. Happily there is another spirit in the-- Church, and our brethren have been perfectly loyal to us in their attitude. But it must not be allowed to mean that having made more economical arrange-ments for the future we can follow them with less loyalty than ever. It is time for United Methodism to pull itself together in this matter. The end it should set before itself is that its own Publishing House should be compelled to pay equally—not Superiorly—with any similar business house in the City? Why doesn't it The answer is : Con- nexional Publications—the Minutes of Conference, the Book of Services, but, above all, the weekly paper. Earnestly do' we 'beseech for our brethren who assume these offices for the new denominational year that they may be sustained by a Treat outburst of loyalty to their , departments, that shall once and for all roll away from them and their labours this heavy stone of reproach.

G. C.

The "Missionary Echo for September.

THIS month's missionary magazine is as varied and attractive as ever. Rev. W. Udy Bassett gives an in-teresting account of his 'second journey to Africa, under the title of "From Central England to Central Africa." It will be read with pleasure by all who had the advantage of hearing Mr. Bassett during his recent furlough. It is hoped that Mr. and Mrs. Bassett will enjoy good health and strength during their second term under the African suns. The Foreign Secretary in his notes call attention, among other things, to the winter campaign ; the debt reduction scheme; and agri- cultural extension in East Africa. They desire the prayerful consideration of all interested in our work at home and abroad. Reference is made to the loss sustained by the mission field in China. by the death of the veteran missionary, Dr. Griffith John. The con-sideration of "Our Missions at the Hanley Conference" is described by Rev. J. A. Bedward, and Rev. Dr. Packer gives an adequate review of the July number of "The International Review of Missions" which is be-coming an indispensable quarterly to all who would take a world-wide survey of mission work. "A Missionary Alphabet," for young people, by Sister Edith, would 'make a splendid feature for junior missionary gather-ings. Mrs. Knight -deals with the work of the Women's Auxiliary, and Mrs. Eayrs, .the new Foreign Secretary of the W.M.A., appeals for the loyal co-operation of the members. Other features, including "The Watch-tower" by the Editor; "'Missionary Rambles"; "How Christian Endeavourers Can Help Foreign Missions"; and the records of two notable collectors, make up a splendid number. The illustrations are up to the usual standard, and that is saying much.

" Ministering Women " : An Appreciation. "IT was part of General Booth's philosophy that

material salvation must, if not precede, yet not lag behind spiritual salvation. His religion was a religion of practical . service—never of mere exhortation."—("Daily News and Leader," 21st August, 1912.)

May I commend to your readers the second volume of the "Farringdon Library," just published, "Ministering Women." To those of us who belonged to the M.N.C. section of our community, and therefore knew little of the work of our Deaconesses, this story of their work will come with particular interest. The sisters are touching the masses, doing the work which is all-im-portant, but which the scanty leisure of our church offi-cials makes impossible. Here we have the story of our own '" Salvation Army," and the account of transforma-tions as wonderful as those recounted in "Broken Earthenware." Neatly bound, printed in clear type, and well illustrated, this little volume does credit to its author and to the printers and publishers; the Magnet Press.

Would that we were_prouder of and more loyal to our Connexional publications.

* "New Tracts for the Titres." Cassell and Co., Ltd. 6d. each net. LOCAL PREACHER,

September 5, 1912. THE UNITED METHODIST. 671

TO AID BUSINESS. Much confusion will be saved and the transaction

of business be facilitated if our readers will kindly note the following :

(1) All communications intended for the Book Steward should be directed to the Rev. Henry Hooks, 12 Farringdon.Avenue, London, E.C.

(2) Every communication intended for the Editor of the UNITED METHODIST, the "United Methodist Magazine," and the "Pleasant Hour," should be directed to 188 Rye Lane, Peckham, London, S.E., AND TO NO OTHER ADDRESS.

(3) Communications regarding the . Deaconess Institute should still be direCted to the Rev. T. J. Cope, 41 Salcott Road, New Wandsworth, London, S.W., until the end of September.

* *

DEATH OF REV. S. F. WATERHOUSE. We deeply regret to record the death of the Rev.

S. Foster Waterhouse, the sad news of which reaches us as we go to press. Mr. Waterhouse was recently appointed to Leamington, but after the Conference he became ill and was unable to journey from Wednesbury, where he had just finished six years' successful ministry, to his new circuit. He had found it necessary to intimate that he would be unable to take up his work in the new circuit. And now the end has come and his work for the Master is finished. .

Mr. Waterhouse entered the ministry of the U.M.F.C. in 1867, from the–London Seventh Cir-cuit, and he was held in high esteem in the circuits in which he travelled, and none the less in his last circuit, where many expressions of appreciation were given as to the value of his work. During the last Connexional year he was Chairman of the Bir-mingham and Dudley District.

We express our sincere sympathy with the bereaved.

THE LATE S. COLERIDGE-TAYLOR. The loss of this great musician will be felt in many

circles and not least amongst Nonconformists. Many of them who are interested in music of a clas-sical kind will be ever grateful to him for giving them the fresh and peculiar melodies and harmonies of "Hiawatha" and "Minnehaha." But United Methodists have reason also to regret his loss. They have a link with him in the new Sunday School Hymnal. The tune to. Hymn No. 182 is from this once fertile, now silenced, pen. Mr. Coleridge- Taylor was staying with the ex-Secretary of Con-ference when Mr. Skelton was selecting his hymns and tunes for his forthcoming School Anniversary. His difficulty was to find a tune for the hymn, "Dear Jesus, ever at my side "—a rearrangement of the Romanist "Dear angels, ever at my side." Mr. Coleridge-Taylor was appealed to, if he knew a suitable and fresh tune. "Leave it till the morn-ing," said he. In the morning the second tune ap-pended to Hymn No. 182 was presented, and a very beautiful composition it is. Its name was composed of the initial syllables of the names of the three ladies seated at the breakfast-table, which were Lucy, Connie, and Norah, hence Lu-CO-Nor !

PERSONAL.

We deeply regret to record the death of Mrs. Turner, widow of the late Rev. George Turner, who was for six years U.M.F.'C. Foreign Missionary Secretary. Mrs. Turner passed away on August 27th at the residence of her son, Dr. S. B. Turner, Bargoed, near Cardiff, at the age of seventy years.

Miss Fairbrother, of Bulwell, started for China, via Siberia, on August 24th, to be united in mar-riage to Rev. G. P. Littlewood, of Yung P'ing Fu. Rev. J. Hinds saw her off at Holborn Viaduct Station.

We are desired to state that at the farewell ser-vices of Rev. W. Bowell, at St. Stephen Street, Salford, twenty-two new members were received into church fellowship. Twenty on one Sunday and two on the following Sunday.

Miss Hilda Osborne, one of the helpers in the Primary Department of the Washwood Heath Sun-day School (Birmingham, Small Heath, and Far-croft Avenue Circuit) has recently succeeded in gain-ing a King Edward VI. Grammar School Exhibition of .X90 and a Polytechnic Bursary, value £144 (of which only two. are awarded in Birmingham) in con-sideration of 'her result in the recent Matriculation Examination. She intends to pursue her studies at the Birmingham University. In the Intermediate Department of the same Sunday School the follow-ing scholars have also recently been successful Wm. Hardwidge, a Scott Scholarship, value £30 (only two given in Birmingham), and Eric ,and

Madge Pascal, son and daughter of the superintend-ent of that Department, King Edward VI. scholar-ships. -

THE OPIUM EVIL.

The loan of a set of lantern slides, with written lecture on this subject, can be had by those wishing to assist the Anti-Opium cause, free of charge, ex-cepting ls. to cover postage of slides, etc., from Mr. Noel Broomhall, 2 Pyrland Road, London, N.

VALEDICTORY TO REV. W. AND MRS. EDDON.

A great rally of London .United Methodists will take place at Packington Street Church, Islington, on Monday evening next (September 9th), to take farewell of Rev. W. and Mrs. Eddon, who are returning to China for a second period of service. Rev. Charles Stedeford (Foreign Missionary Secre-tary) will deliver the valedictory address, and a large number of London ministers have promised to be present. Rev. James Ellis (London District Mis-sionary Secretary) and other ministers, will take part in the proceedings and the returning mission-aries will speak. At seven o'clock a reception will be held, when refreshments will be provided and all friends are invited to attend. The meeting will commence at eight p.m. It is hoped the gathering will be as representative as possible that the out-going missionaries may have a good send-off.

Packington Street Church is easily reached from either Old Street, or Angel Tube Stations, or by L.C.C. cars from .Moorgate Street or Angel, Islington.

On the following day the Rev. W. Eddon and family will sail from Southampton for China, and we pray they will be vouchsafed travelling mercies.

* *

TO CORRESPONDENTS. M.G.B.—"A full report" of the findings of the Com-

mittee referred to does not appear in the papers you name. Those findings are too detailed and too lengthy to be compressed into two or three short paragraphs. Reference to the report was made in our account of the Conference proceedings a month ago. After the holi- days, when general attention can be given to it, a full reprint of the report will appear in these pages and can then be discussed by our readers if they please. Fuller knowledge of the facts would have prevented you from making the preliminary general statement in your letter. ft is quite incorrect.

Our London Letter.

Yet in the light of events that followed it was William Booth who had the Divine call—what the Committee had I have not yet seen authoritatively. stated. 1 am very doubtful whether a thesis could be established on the Divine call of Connexional Committees.

Recently Conference and its Stationing Committee have been greatly troubled to suitably place all ministers in circuits. Yet at this very awkward stationing moment there are a dozen men whom it would be the supremest policy to free from their circuits and send roving through the country with a William Booth type of commission. Such a dozen would provide us with a thousand increase in the first twelve months. I have heard his brethren say of one man—of eminent genius that he is a born prophet and a circuit failure, and that if his Connexion could only have been elastic enough he shouuld have been set free to deliver his mesages all over the country. He is too old now—and he didn't get his chance. So one asks anxiously : Have things much improved since the days when our rules could not include the case of William Booth?

We have a Home Mission 'Department, a Home Mis-sion staff, a superb Home Mission deficit—but we have not yet one highly-trained intellectual minister-evangelist sent out to roam the Connexion in the interests of Home Mission work. It is suggested that we should have Home Mission anniversaries. Capital ! But what shall we talk about ? Gambling ? Temperance? Land ques-tion ? The relation of the Church to the social problem? As a matter of fact these are the questions mainly dis- cussed at Home Missionary meetings. But when Foreign Missionary meetings are held we get something entirely different. The missionary is in immense de-mand, and his instructions are : "Neither preach nor lecture, but tell us the story of what you are doing I " What story has the Home Mission Department got to tell? The story of grants is a wretched affair, and in many cases the least said concerning them the better. the story of ministers without houses is hardly calcu-lated to arouse enthusiasm. But it is time we had a story to tell ! Yet we shall never have the material for that story until we have sent out our lesser Booths to make the material .

But William Booth was dictatorial ! So was Isaiah, astonishingly so, and Paul more so, and Peter was a most trying man, even in his apostolate. Pioneers are very trying men, but they are also the fighting men. The business of Missionary Committees and Missionary officials is not to return the compliment by in turn being trying to these men, but to have sufficient grace to be tried by them. It is missionaries who are appointed to set the pace and not Missionary Secretaries. God calls the missionary. Too often the Secretary is only a Con- ferential brake. The business of a Secretary and Mis-sionary Committee is not to tell a missionary what he may not do, but rather to receive instructions from the real fighter as to what God is demanding at the front, i.e., that they are to put themselves in the position of a commissariat department. Departmental secretaries are appointed thereto that they may, with deep humility, be hewers of wood and drawers of water to the men who can use the wood and the water.

What we want to know is this : Should any William Booth, No. 2, knock at our doors, is the house yet large enough to accommodate him? If there is not a clean Yes to that question then we shall continue to be but a respectable community of mediocre people, with no great future, a varying tribe of humdrums. Your big men can never be planed and squared to the rules made by lesser . men. Therefore must we sometimes choose whether we will retain the big men or the little rules. And in the interests of Denominational develop-ment an ounce of personal inspiration is worth a pound of Committee-isation. W. KAYE DUNN.

Wedding. DENT--BRUNSKILL

A DELIGHTFUL wedding was consummated at the United Methodist Church, Appleby, on August 14th. The parties were :—Mr. John Henry Dent, son of. Mr. William Dent, J.P., of Breton, and Miss Margaret Helena Brunskill, late of Saskatchewan. The bride-groom is a most devoted Sunday School teacher, . an ardent temperance advocate and a most acceptable local preacher, and correspondent to the Bolton Council School. The bride, prior to her residence abroad was a scholar and then a valued teacher in Bolton Sunday School. The bridesmaids were Miss Cissie Dent (sister of the bridegroom), Miss Amy Allonby (sister of the bride), and Miss Maggie Brunskill (niece of the bride). Dr. Hewitson of Wankie, Rhodesia, acted as the best man. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W. E. Stockley (pastor). A reception was held by the bride's sister, at Baker's Café. The happy couple, who were the recipients of many handsome presents, .left during the day for Edinburgh and the Trossachs for the honeymoon.

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"YOUR great men quarrel with you and you revenge yourselves by. starving them for the first half of their lives. . . . Every noble youth looks back, as to the chiefest joy which this world's honour .ever gave him, to the moment when first he saw his father's eyes flash with pride, and his mother turn away her head, lest he should take her tears for tears of sorrow . . . and this purest and best of rewards you keep from him if you can. . . . You feed him in tender youth with ashes and dishonour, and then you come to him, obsequi-ous, but too late, with your sharp laurel crown, the dew all dried from off its leaves ; and you thrust it into the languid hand and he looks at you wistfully. What shall he do with it? What can he do, but go and lay it on his mother's grave? " So wrote John Ruskin concern-ing the treatment meted out to young artists of rising genius, and his words, with little qualification, are true of the life-story of the late General Booth.

I have read • the recent letters in the UNITED kIETHoDisT, and especially that onQ wherein a respected divine is quoted to deny, concerning the withdrawal of William Booth from the Connexional ministry, that there was any "scenic element." What a poor denial—a denial, not of the element, but only of the "scenic "! I quite accept the little denial concerning the "scenic." But what I am more concerned with is this : Would or would not the same thing happen to-day to a second William Booth? Is it to be set down as an axiom that the atmosphere of a Connexion is too delicate to be ruffled by the movements of a genius, and that, such men still do best to go out into God's open air? William Booth marched out. Since that time has there ever marched in any equivalent man so moved with passion-ate evangelistic genius and so able to reach the people as this man for whom we could not find room? Is it not as much now, as, then, a law of the Medes and Persians that if a man enter the Connexional ministry he must circuitize? Is there any room to-day for an evan: gelist of power and soul-winning ability who demands to be appointed to the whole Connexion as his circuit? Genius is always awkward, pioneers are always angular. Is it still required that they shall all either subside or retire, because, as one greatly-respected brother writes of William Booth, "he would not have what others thoUght best for the Connexion."

672

THE UlITED METHODIST. September 5, 1912.

The White Carnation. BY LAURA A. DILL.

Then the little one whispered, as the music of the organ again echoed through the church, "See, there is my mamma, she is going to sing. Do you see her?"

But he could not look, for he had again covered his face. While his wife sang—

"There were ninety and nine that safely lay, In the shelter of the fold," etc—

the tears—blessed, healing tears—were pouring through his fingers.

At the close of the service he quickly left the church, but followed his dear ones at a little distance as they walked home. As his wife—the last to enter—was clos-ing the door, he hurried forward, calling, "Madeline! mother ! I have come home."—"The Christian Guar-dian."

Two ladies stood watching the children marching up the street and filing into the church, opposite their point of vantage. There were hundreds of them, rang-ing in age from the tiny tots of the infant class to the boys and girls just entering manhood and womanhood's realm.

As the ladies were about to enter the church, a man —who, too, had been watching—lifted his hat, saying, "Pardon me, ladies; why do you and the children wear a white carnation?" The ladies answered in unison, surprise expressed in their voices, "Why, it is Mothers' Day 1 "

"Mothers' Day? I don't understand." "To-day we hold a service in honour of our mothers,

and the white carnation is our symbol or badge." The man bowed. "Come in with us," said one of the ladies in kindly, winning tones. "I am sure you would like to join in our service and show honour to your mother."

Murmuring "My mother ! my saintly mother! " the stranger followed the ladies, and at the door received a white carnation. Long after he was seated he sat with bowed head, looking at the white blossom in his hand.

During the singing of the following hymn : "Saviour, like a shepherd lead us,

Much we need Thy tender care; In the pleasant pastures feed us,

For our use the folds prepare. Blessed Jesus,

Thou hast bought us, Thine we are." he • fought against the inclination to leave the sacred place as he thought of how far he had wandered from the tender care. He listened to the children's voices as they sang—

"Thou hast promised to receive us, Poor and sinful though we be;

Thou hast mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse and power to free "-

and a tender peace stole into his heart. He sat up and trembled no more. At the sound of the minister's voice he started, and at the conclusion of the prayer he asked the lady who sat beside him the minister's name.

"The Rev. John Donald," was the reply. His com-panion saw that he turned pale, but did not hear his whispered words, "God in heaven, my brother." At the close of the service he thanked the ladies and passed quickly out of the church.

As the two ladies 'walked home they discussed the stranger. Though shabbily dressed, he was surely a gentleman. Though dissipation had left sad traces, he was still a handsome man, whose young face and bronzed skin were such a contrast to his snow-white hair. "How sad he looked!'" said one of the women, while the other said, "He made me think of The Haunted Man."

"Talking of sad faces, here comes Madeline Donald; she has such a beautiful face, but so sad, especially when she is singing or thinking," said the first speaker."

The lady in question overtook them, and, in answer to the query, How is Mrs. Donald to-day?" replied, "Not at all well, and sorry to miss the service." . Here a golden-haired fairy, with eyes of heaven's blue, in-terrupted :

"Mamma got grandma a whole bunch of carnations." "That was nice, Doris," said the young lady;

"mamma is going to sing to-night, dear." "Yes, Miss Norton ; The Ninety and Nine '-

grandma chose it," said Doris. "Come, love," said the mother, "grandma will be

waiting- for us." Hand in hand, mother and child were soon out of sight. As the two ladies parted com-pany the thought uppermost in the mind of each was : "Poor Madeline, poor Mrs. Donald, and poor little Doris, who never saw her papa, but who prays for- him every night."

In the meantime the strange gentleman had hurried to his room in a suburban hotel, had closed and locked the door, and was pacing the floor with the white carnation in his hand. Suddenly pausing in his walk, he stood erect, and such a light came into his face that he looked like another being. As he gazed upon the white blossom in his hand he saw, as in a vision, a city church and a bridal party. The bride was a most beautiful woman in her white robes, and she carried a sheaf of white carnations.

"Oh! my wife, your favourite flower ; the flowers I always brought you in those happy days," groaned the man, and hard, dry sobs, echoed through the room as he sank into a seat and covered his face, breaking the flower's long stem in his agony. Then, sitting in the quiet room, the years of his life from that happy wed-ding day passed in review before his mental vision. He thought of months of happiness in their beautiful home, of the birth of their child, of his wife's unceasing de-votion to the delicate babe; then of his friendship with one of the get-rich-quick class of men—the man who had been his ruin. He remembered money invested and lost in mining stocks, his anxiety when his last dollar was risked on the horse sure to win. Sure to win? Alas ! that the animal made by the Creator to be the servant of man should so often, through man's avarice, become the cause of his ruin.

As he thought of his wife's pleadings and prayers that he give up drinking, his eyes smarted with unshed tears. Then the tragedy of his life was lived again. He en-tered his home and caught sight of himself in the hall mirror ; then- he - stood -in his wife's presence. "Cyril, where have you been? Why did you' stay away from home so long—three long days. We could not find you, and baby was so ill ; we almost lost our darling "-here the brave woman, who had not shed a' tear while her child's life hung in the balance, burst into tears,

saying, "Why did you leave me to bear it alone ? " Then he seemed to hear his own voice as he told her all the sad story of his ruin. She listened, a look of horror in her eyes. Then, the babe in her arms, she came to-wards him, saying, "You have gambled away our home. Cyril, how could you? " Then he remembered-- not for an hour had he forgotten—that, angered by her reproach, he struck her. Weakened by watching and fasting, she staggered and fell. When she rose to her feet the little one lay unconscious in her arms. He heard again her agonized cry, "My baby is dead1"—and lived again the moments of dreadful silence before he saw his wife place the baby on the bed and come towards him. He felt her tender arms about his neck and heard the dear voice saying, "Cyril you 'did not mean it, dearest; it was the cursed drink which has ruined us. You must go away for a while, dear." Then he was glad to remember what he thought of her. "Do not fear for me ; I will say I fell. Go, go ! If you stay, they will find you out and arrest you. I could not bear it—I could not."

The recollection of the agony expressed in her voice thrilled through his being, and he lived again the final scene, when he kissed his darling child, embraced his poor wife, and saying, "Donna, try to forgive me," stole from the home he had wrecked. Then, unable to sit still, his nerves unstrung from the vividness of the scenes he had in memory lived through again, he sprang up and paced the floor, still holding the little flower in his shaking hand. As he thought of his years of wandering in foreign lands—he, the murderer of his own child—a brighter picture appeared upon memory's wall. He saw, as in letters of flame, the words of a newspaper advertisement, "Cyril, come home to Madre and Donna. All is well."

He knew it was for him, for only he had called his wife "Donna," because he thought she looked like Sichell's picture of the Madonna, and it was his favourite name for her in happy days of yore. In answer to the call from his loved ones, he had been two days in his native city, but his distrust of him-self—for at times he felt the old craving for liquor—. had prevented his going home. That Sunday after-noon he had been, as he afterwards said, God-directed to his brother's church and the "Mothers' Day Service."

His brother Jack, the good son—he, the prodigal—thought the man , bitterly as, worn out with emotion, he fell asleep. Cyril Donald would never forget his dream that afternoon. He dreamt that, led by his lost baby, • he entered his brother's church, and sat down in a choir seat. Then his little girl vanished, and his wife was beside him, singing—

"Thou hast mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse and power to free." •

He awoke calm and refreshed, and after drinking a cup of coffee he again found his way to his brother's church. Tired, in soul and body, he sat with closed eyes, conscious of the soothing effect of the sacred place. He was aroused from a half-sleeping state by the first soft tones of the Casavant organ. So softly played were those first chords that they seemed the echo of some far-off instrument. As the tones swelled louder, then sank to a whisper, then increased in volume until the building seemed to tremble with the sweet sounds, Cyril 'recognized Mendelssohn's "Con-solation." "My father used to play that on the piano and I on my violin," he thought. "Mother loved it. Oh, mother, I know you love me still! "

As the choir and minister took their places, a lady and a little girl entered the pew in which he sat. During the singing and prayer that began the ser-vice Cyril sat while -others stood, and this no doubt attracted -the child's lattention, for she offered him her book for the next hymn. He motioned that she share it with the lady, but the child whispered, "My grandma is almost blind." Thep, side by side, they stood—the man whom Satan had bound, and the inno-cent child. The sweet girl at his side made the man think- of his own lost babe, and he sank back on the seat with a low groan. The child heard it and was instantly beside him. "Does your head ache? My mamma's head aches, and I rub it and make it better. Will I make yours well? " He shook his head, then took the child's dimpled hand into one of his and covered his eyes with the other.

The service proceeded, but the trio in the last seat did not move ; only the child took her grandina's hand and held it, too.

Presently the child whispered to the man with bowed head, "See, my uncle is going to talk to us."

He looked, and saw his brother in the pulpit. He did not pay any attention to the child's statement at first, but soon thoughts came thick and fast. His only brother, this child's uncle—who was she? His wife was an only child, his, brother was not married ; had he heard aright?

"Who is that man, little'one?" he whispered: "My Uncle John. He calls me his girlie, for my

papa is far away. My mamma and grandma pray every night for my papa to come. They cry, too. I don't cry. I'm sure that God will bring my papa home."

Cyril Donald looked .earnestly into the child's face as she Whispered her answer; then, bowing his head on his shaking hands, he murmured, "Merciful God, I thank Thee ; this is surely my own child." Then the ministering spirit who had been with the poor exile in all his wandering far from God, loved ones and his native land, sped back to the realms above with the glad tidings—" He prayeth."

Yes ! clasping the hand of his child, he thanked God. Then came another thought, "My mother is spared to me, is sitting near me," followed by still an-other—a torturing one—"Madeline, my wife! "

My Moniing Cycle Spin. BY REV. D. B. PROUDLOVE.

IT was one of Nature's Festival Days. In joyous mood I cycled along the radiant highway, and turned into a by-path, where

"Every rustling tree was at peace." The early morning mist had passed, and everything

in God's great world had received a majestic and marvel-lous touch. I felt—with Browning that "God is a Perfect Poet." Here was a flash of the beatific sight.

I met an aged man. His shoulders were bent; his hair was white ; his pace was tottering and slow. He was nearing the eventide. His work was finished—except the watching and waiting. He paused for a moment, and I watched him. He was opening his soul to the glory; inbreathing the timeless spirit -which is life to the soul. Behind him stretched the long years. Before him, there loomed the Great and Splen- did Mystery of Eternity. The light of this day was silvery, but he seemed to be standing in, the golden sunset.

A little while and he will be changed. I passed on. In a few moments I approached a village

school, that nestled among the trees. The children were at play.,, I heard their shouts and their laughter.

God's world was beautiful to them. It was life's morning, and the sky gave no hint of the shadows.

The picture seemed to be complete, and was beauti-ful in its completeness.

Here was Nature clothed in her beautiful garments. She spoke of the majesty, the beauty and the Love of God, and of the "Peace that passeth all understanding."

Here, too, was the child and the Saint, the one sug-gestive of buoyancy, - the other of repose.

The scene was perfectly harmonious. There was no discord, save perhaps, the unworthiness of God's priest who beheld these things.

And over all was "God, the Perfect Poet." But I found the picture was not complete. As yet,

all was light. For the moment, I had forgotten the shading.

I continued on my way, and soon found myself again on the great highway.

Here I met another aged man. (He was toiling along with painful steps and slow. Some instinct bade me speak to him. Why, I could not explain; but I must obey. He had just settled by the wayside, as I drew near to him.

I asked him, very gently (for some of these pilgrims are gifted with an exquisite sensitiveness) if he had journeyed far. He 'answered me, and then said :—

" I'm nearly finished ; Nature tells me so." He was not glib. Indeed his reticence amazed and

touched me. There was no note, of complaint. There was no pathos, either in his manner or in his speech. Only a great weariness ! When "death has done all death can," he will, I think, be young and fresh and beautiful again. For death is beautiful to the weary. I wondered what he thought of life, and of the Beyond. Had he. in the course of his tramp life fashioned a philosophy? Did he realize that in the highest sense he was a pilgrim, and that when the death mist has passed, he would see the Shining City, with gates on every side?

He made no request for alms, though one could perceive his need. And this I did not forget, for the poor always help the poor.

I spoke a few words to him, and bade 'him God-speed. He said, "God bless you." When I grow weary I must think of his words, for the prayers of the poor are passing sweet to me.

And this man was different from the ordinary wan-derer.

And then I pursued my way. I may meet him again when the day breaks.

I returned to my ministry with a song and a sigh. A song, for the shining sun, the Saint, and the happy children. A sigh, a prayer, and a tear for the weary, suffering pilgrim.

May Heaven remember, if men forget. Perhaps the brief hour was not lost.

It came to me, as it often comes, that I must "make full proof of my ministry."

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It

September 5, 1912.

Elisha, the Man of Vision. BY REV. T. A. JEFFERIES, Huddersfield.

II. KINGS ii. 1-18. (C.E. Topic for Sept. 15.)

ELIJAH and Elisha are inseparably connected in the . religious history of Israel, and the narrative records some

striking parallels between them. Both came into con- flict with the ruling monarch, and in both cases it was during a famine ; both succoured a woman in time of need ; both brought a violent death upon persons who sought to do them an injury ;-and both raised up a dead child. There are, however strong distinctions between

. the two prophets. Elijah was stern, ascetic, a child of the deserts, and not given to seeking company. On the other hand Elisha seems to have been of a sociable nature, to have had a partiality, for city life, and to have done much, if not to found, at least to organize and spread those "schools of prophets" which at that time were one of the most significant features of Israel's re-ligious life. The title given to our topic calls attention to Elisha as a.'man of vision. Vision is one- of the chief characteristics of the prophets, and in Elisha it is well exemplified. The idea is a large one, and not easy to define, but perhaps we shall not go far astray if we. say that vision is first the power to see God, and secondly the power to see human life in the light of God. Insight is a word that comes near it in meaning, but omits that prophetic sense of the Divine presence which is essential to our idea of vision. Of course the word may be used sithply for physical sight, but in the religious use it ever connotes the larger and deeper significance of seeing things from God's point of view. From Isaiah's "Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" to Malachi's "My name is great among the Gentiles " the vision of the prophets is always the seeing of things human in relation to things. divine. In the chapter set for the reading we have Elisha's primary vision, his personal discovery of God. He had lived with Elijah and learned perhaps all that one man can teach another. But let the teacher be never so capable it is impossible for any man to bestow upon another the vision of God. That vision comes in some hour when, turning our thoughts from him on whom we have relied, we grasp for ourselves the mean-ing of his testimony, gaze through the eyes of our own spirit upon the face of God, and reach out the hand of our own trembling faith to clutch at the Mighty Hand -of Omnipotence. This was what Elisha did in the day that Elijah was taken from him. He saw God for himself. He became independent of his teacher. He could don the prophetic mantle because he pos-sessed at last the prophetic vision. He had received the double portion, the portion of the eldest son, of his master's spirit. The inheritance of prophecy was not to lapse with Elijah ; it was to be continued through his spiritual son and heir. Henceforth God is the back-ground against which Elisha sees all human activity, and when his servant is terror stricken because of surrounding foes his simple prayer is " Lord, I pray _

" Thee, open his eyes, that he may see" (chap. vi. 17). We must not overlook the persistence of which this

vision was the reward. For some reason Elijah tried to get rid' of Elisha and be alone for his last moments• on earth. Perhaps he wished to spare Elisha the' shock of his sudden departure. Perhaps he preferred- to be alone with God. At all events, three times he asked Elisha to tarry while he went forward. It was all in vain. To Elisha's mind had come the conviction that Elijah was about to pass away, and he would not leave him for a moment. Whether it was simply his devotion to his chief or whether he felt that some greater good could come to him from Elijah at the last we cannot say. We only know how he persisted and that persistence gained him his great experience. This is one of his characteristics, as it ought to be ours. On his dying bed he rebuked the king because in smiting the ground, symbolical of victory over. Israel's foes, he had ceased at the third blow. "Thou shouldst have smitten five. or six times," he said, "then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it." Let us not miss this lesson. How many Of our failures had been successes had we only per-sisted ! How much clearer might our vision be did we but spend more time in prayer ! "Repercussion is the secret of success." Persistence leads to power.

Another feature of this story is the connection of Elisha's blessing with his loss of Elijah. How often God leads men through loss to light. "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord," says Isaiah. Hosea's tragic domestic sorrows brought him the vision of the love of God. "It is expedient for you that I go away," said our Lord to the disciples. And the day that Elisha saw his great leader go he received his great prophetic impulse. Through loss to light —that is part of the explanation of our losses, but we think so much of what is gone that we often miss the blessing it was intended to bestow. We are so absorbed in chariot and fire and the hero taken, that we fail to pick up from the ground the fallen mantle. Yet with that mantle we might smite some rolling river of difficulty and make it part for our feet.

One other word. •Would Elisha ever have become a prophet without Elijah? It is a question. no man can answer, but it bids us realize the power of corn-rad_eship. Spiritual experience rarely grows rich in isolation. Vision—so personal in itself—is generally the outcome of fellowship. Take heed to your friends, and what friends you have use as spiritual aids. The companion to whom you cannot speak your highest thoughts is not fit to be called a comrade, but where fellowship is frank and deep its power to enrich the soul is immeasurable. It was not for nothing that the Apostles went forth in pairs,

"THE Conference deeply deplores the fact that not more than half the pews in the Denomination are usually occupied, and hereby prayerfully urges the leaders and minister of each church to hold a specially convened meeting to consider the situation and adopt such means as will double the regular congregation. It is further decreed that the first half hour of the said meeting be spent in prayer and that the leaders not present for prayer shall not be allowed to take part in the business."

This resolution was mentally prepared at the Confer-ence, but, partly on account of the pressure of other matters, and partly, I •fear, through lack of moral courage, I did not send it to the platform. What would have been its fate at the hands of the sober officials, or what would have happened had it reached the Con- ference for serious discussion, I do not pretend to say. Certain I am it would have raised one of the most vital questions for our Church. And to have caused the representatives and circuits earnestly to ponder the question, quite apart from the solution, would have been no small service. For, if there is one thing sadder than the fact of our half-filled chapels, it is that we seem content to have it so and not to expect anything better. With what equanimity we tolerate some of our finest sanctuaries, built by the sacrifice and filled by the efforts of our fathers, only half or one-third filled with wor-shippers! What a common thing it is to say, "Oh, it's a pretty fair congregation as things go in these times." Somehow we have come to regard our slender congregations as inevitable and unalterable. The years come and go, and little is done except a bit of spasmodic missioning now ,and again, followed by a lapse into greater hopelessness than before.

Is it not time we determined to alter things? To say that other Churches are no better is nothing to the point. We are responsible for our own. And, nothing could be a finer justification of our recent union than that the United Methodist Church should 'lead the way in chapel filling.

However we look at it the present condition of things is unfortunate. We are not using our capital. Churches built to accommodate 1,000 have not 500 regu-lar worshippers and many that seat 500 are counted suc-cessful when they secure 200. Some time ago I put this question to three smart business men who are also mem-bers. of a leaders' meeting : "If you had as many machines standing idle in your works as we have empty pews in our church, would you be satisfied?" The reader may imagine the broad smile on the three faces and the looks which were immediately exchanged as they united in saying, " Indeed we should not." My obvious remark was, "Then, why be content with our congrega-tion as it is? " Surely Christian men should be as deeply concerned for the utilization of all our Church forces as for the effective use of the machines in their factories. Let no man say I am improperly introducing business ideas into the Kingdom of Christ, for whilst the Church must never be hampered and crippled by commercial methods, she must not fall behind them. To be less enthusiastic for the success of our Churches than we are about the prosperity of factories and shops is a sad indication as to where our treasure is. Will our successful business men, who are members of leaders' meetings, ponder this?

It is well within the mark to say. that, as a De-nornination, we have room for 160,000 more worship-pers than we have got. That is to say, with precisely the same agencies and without a penny extra cost we might be ministering to 160,000 more souls. Is not this a fact to strike the imagination and to cause more ex-citement than even the College question? Why not a great campaign ? Who will undertake to "compel" the 160,000 to come in, that the house may be filled? The gain of such an effort would be, in every way, in-calculable. Those who joined in it would become different people and find a fresh joy in religion. The new-comers would begin to see life in a new light. Many preachers would get a new lease, and there would be power and glow in our services such as we rarely experience now. Following such a campaign, successfully carried through, our treasurers, local and Connexional, would have a great time.

But how is this great deed for God and humanity to be done? Certainly not by pandering to depraved tastes

and the lower instincts. Better far that our churches should remain half empty than that they should be crowded by methods that violate the spirit and dignity of Chris- tianity. Every man knows that if he cares to become very much of a clown he can fill his church, but he also knows that he is a follower of Him who refused to throw Himself from the pinnacle of the Temple to attract the crowd. It is, I think, greatly to the credit of modern preachers that they so rarely adopt sensa-tional methods in a time when the problem of reaching the masses is so acute.

All the same, there should be careful examination of our pulpit methods and the form of our services. Preachers must take heed as to what they preach and how they preach it. A common temptation in the preparation of our sermons is to think of the most gifted and best read people in the congregation and to fit the message to their tastes and needs, forgetful of others equally dear to God. It is our business to break the bread for the charwoman, and the man whose early education has been neglected as well as for the cul- tured family with whom we are to take supper at the end of the day. We must feed the whole of the flock. It is worth while considering the order and length of our services. They may be all right for trained-worshippers, but do they look towards the 160,000 who are not present? I greatly doubt it. And much as some of us incline to the ornate and elaborate service, we should be willing to make a sacrifice once a day for "the man in the street " who ought to become a worshipper. Every part of a service should tell, and that means that it should be perfectly intelligible and heartful. Yes, let preachers and leaders' meeting see to these things.

But when everything possible has been done in these directions the heart of our problem has been scarcely touched. If we are to have more effective ministries, we must have spiritual conditions. Our Lord Himself was hampered and rendered comparatively ineffective by a certain atmosphere. The conditions that obtain in some, of our churches and circuits would paralyse the ministry of the most brilliant man in England. I have sometimes imagined Dr. Jowett being appointed to a certain circuit, not as Dr. Jowett, but as Rev. J. Jenkins whose previous minisry was spent 'in Blank Circuit. Flow would he be received? Of course, there would be the usual rally in the early weeks. But by and by the critics would begin and the gossips would join them. The leaders would be too exhausted to at-tend the Sunday night prayer meeting, and too much engaged with business or billiards to attend the week-night service, and little by little Dr. Jowett, in the disgUise of Mr. Jenkins, would feel it harder to preach and begin to wonder whether he ought to be in the ministry. In due course, he would be followed by Dr. Campbell Morgan as Rev. John Herald, lately em-ployed as second minister in an obscure Cornish circuit. Again, there would be a stir to hear the new voice and measure the man. But, within six months there would be loud complaints about the inordinate length of the new super's sermons, and young Mr. Knowall, the grocer's son, who has had a high school education, would simply put his foot down, and vow that he would absent himself from service until Mr. Herald promised not to go beyond thirty minutes. Father Knowall being a member of the Leaders' Meeting, would, of course, speak his mind about the dwindling congreg-atiOn, and the minister would go home thinking about One who could not do many mighty works in a certain place because of the spirit of unbelief. Thoughtful readers will understand my little parable.

Far be it from me. to say that we ministers and preachers are all we ought to be. There is much to be done with some of us, before we are entirely meet for the highest and most effective service. But my point is, the problem extends far beyond us. Places are not filled by the preacher alone. At all events, it is not so in Methodism, and it never has been so, except in the rarest instances. The full chapels of an earlier generation were full because they were hives of spiritual industry. Every member of the Leaders' Meeting earned his right to sit and vote there by acting as an under shepherd and leading a class or engaging in some other form of Christian work. The members were keen in inviting neighbours and friends to the House of

THE UNITED METHODIST. 673

An Untabled Resolution. By REV. JOHN NORTH.

674

THE UNITED METHODIST. September 5, 1912.

God. So well manned were some of these churches that it seemed as if they would prosper whether the minister was there or not. What we need is a return to this general interest and activity.- Give the minister his place and let him be the best possible man, but don't expect him to succeed without general and hearty co-operation.

It is natural to expect that a large proportion of our future worshippers will come from the Sunday Schools. And in that direction, things are, on the whole, more hopeful, in spite of reported decreases. The Grading System which is being gradually adopted will, I believe, mean much in the way of reverence and more specific and effective teaching. By such means as the League of Young Worshippers and Candidates' Classes we may hope to introduce a larger proportion of young men and women as regular worshippers in the Church. It would be a great help if all officers and teachers would set the right example to the scholars.

From our P.S.A. Societies'and Brotherhoods we ought to secure many recruits. From a Church point of view, many of them are extremely disappointing. The men will attend their own meeting and welcome all the help that friends so freely give them, but ask them to come to the regular services or in some other 'way help the . Church or Sunday School, and the response is almost nil. Straight talking froni the platform is not enough, for they will applaud it with all their might, and then go on in their old way. Still, it is a good thing to have a few hundreds of men within sound of the Gospel in a P.S.A., and we ministers and others have a great opportunity. If we cannot move them by platform ap-peals, we can perhaps do something by personal con-tact and affectionate interest in their lives. We ought to secure a large contribution of new worshippers from these societies: Let us try.

In all this we must not overlook- the rank outsiders, the shepherdless sheep of our England. To treat them as hopeless would be to forget Our Master, and to lose sight of Wesley. We must do something to win them. Outdoor work, well and wisely done will bear some fruit, but it needs to be followed up by personal interest and patient persuasion. I .notice that a Wesleyan minister in Rochdale has filled his church by getting up at five in the morning and inviting men on their way to • work to attend his services. That is certainly a novel method, and one rejoices in its success up to now. Of course, it remains to be seen whether those so brought in will remain. However, the Leaders! Meeting, which I suggest in my untabled resolution, will consider the whole situation, and, I trust, enter upon a winter's campaign which will cause great rejoicing throughout 'our borders.

When your readers have thought this matter over and possibly discussed it, I have some thought of send-ing a brief account of a, full church and indicating where the secret lies. I shall be able to do this freely because it is not my own.

Women's Missionary Auxiliary.

OUR Women's Missionary Auxiliary, as also the Church itself, in the Scilly Islands, has, durin,g the last few months sustained a Foss in the death of two of its most interested and valued members. Miss Hannah Ashford, of St. Martin's, was called home early in the year, after a long and trying illness. From early youth She had been a member of the Bible Christian Society on the Island, and remained true and loyal to all its interests until she was promoted to the Church above. By many of our ministers her home will be remembered as, one where they received unfailing kind-ness. Miss Ashford was assistant teacher for about forty years in the day school at St. Martin's, and in\ that position won the respect and esteem of all con-nected with it during that long period. The influence she exercised over her little pupils was ever for good— loving, patient and painstaking as she was—but, above all, she longed for them to receive Christ early in life as their Saviour and dearest Friend. And now He has called His faithful servant to Himself, and the life lived so unselfishly here is exchanged for the life everlasting in the presence. of Him she so loved and humbly served below.

Mrs. Mary Sherris, née Ellis, was also in her girl-hood a member of the B.C. Church at St. Martin's. During a period of three or four years spent at Pen- zance she united in fellowship with the U.M.F.C. at Parade Street, under the ministry of the Rev. W. Trevail. On again returning to Scilly she renewed her membership with the Bible Christians at St. Mary's, and as long as she was able she took a deep and active interest in all the work of the Church. For many years she was the local secretary of our Women's Missionary League. The monthly missionary letters were much appreciated by her, and were read to her Girls' Bible Class on Sunday afternoons. Her piety was deep and fervent, and one .had only to hear her pray to realize that she enjoyed true and constant com- munion with her Lord. For His sake His ministers were ever welcomed to her home where they always found in her and Captain Sherris true and faithful friends. For some time she had been in failing health, and, one after another, acts of service for others, or for the Church, which she had delighted to perform, had to be reliquished. The end came most peacefully.

Our dear sisters will be greatly missed here, and we deeply sympathize with those who mourn their loss. Of them it may be truly said : "They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them," E. B.

Our Local Preachers. ON PREACHING HOLINESS.

"Now that our preachers have given up preaching sanctification . . ." Never mind who said that. It was said; and it is a very terrible thing to say. Is it true? I devoutly hope not ; but it needs to be inquired into. We are all familiar with the man of facile speech, who claims to have entered into a secret hidden from the average Christian. The pity of it is that such advo-cates of the higher life are such poor exponents of the lowlier virtues. An unusual fondness for money does not agree with fervent exhortations to be entirely sanc-tified; and if a man who announces a heavenly call to emphasize sanctification is addicted to the vice of double-dealing or laziness, he not only illustrates the odious-ness of •inconsistency, but he is apt to impart an odium to the very doctrine he proclaims. "Do you believe in being entirely sanctified? " someone asked. "No," was the blunt reply, "I knew one person who was entirely sanctified, and I don't want to meet another." We, how-ever,.have especially to guard against the subtle sin of supposing that to repudiate a doctrine is to be exempt from its obligations. A man may say, "I'm no saint," and, saying it, suppose that he need not now desire to be one. Indeed, such is the infirmity of our poor human nature, that it often happens a man will make a virtue of his shortcomings, and imagine that honesty in con-fessing a weakness, is to transform that weakness into something superior to virtue itself. But to get back to the point : "Do we preach sanctification?

This was suggested to me by a recent number of "The Methodist Recorder." I never grudge twopence for the Conference. numbers of that great journal. I look upon the Wesleyan Conference as the" greatest ecclesi-astical assembly in the world. And in spite of the very superior airs of a few, I am free to confess that there is a kinship I more readily feel with my Wesleyan brethren than with any other set of men under heaven, outside my on beloved denomination. In glancing, then, at the pithy paragraphs which the Reli. Arthur Hoyle wrote of the recent Conference, I noticed that he advised his readers to cut out the President's Address and read it again and again. I turned at once to that address, and read it with pleasure. There are just three points that I may repeat here. One is that John Wesley took the idea of the Gospel out of the law - court and brought it into the home. The second is that Wesley, instead of contending for that doctrine of a standing or a falling Church, Justification by Faith, addressed his thought rather to the question, What is faith? What followed? With the exercise of faith there was adoption into the family of ,God, and the burden of the Methodist witnesses was that they were the children of God. "The whole atmosphere of the Methodist movement was the atmosphere of the home rather than the atmosphere of the law."

The third point is this : the correlative doctrine is holi-ness ; one who is in God's family is committed to like-ness to God; for "holiness is a doctrine of likeness to the Son of God." Now is it true that we do not preach that doctrine? Again, I say, I hope not. But I have a feeling that some of our older local preachers ought to do more in this way. High ethics, character studies, an exposition of a parable, some aspect of social re-form—these are all good subjects, and we know hoTV ably they are dealt with ; but what a power would that local preacher exercise who would give his heart and mind to the study, the preaching, and, if I may say it, the practice of holiness. I know it is hard to preach holiness, because it is hard to practise it. But no Christ-tian man will turn away from an ideal that beckons and humiliates. Neither will he turn away from it because it has been "debased by many a charlatan and soiled by all ignoble use." Social reform must never be a -sub-stitute 'for holiness ; it ought to be the fruit thereof. You can preach social reform, and find all the neces-sary passion, by reading the newspapers, or visiting the slums ; but to preach holiness you will need drily to enter the valley of humiliation. There is no doubt about it. We need a revival of this preaching.

To be a saint means something more and something grander than the act of surrender on our part. We cannot be saints simply because we wish to be, any more than we can lift ourselves by our collars. We are saints because 1we are "called to be." And the call is •the invitation and the offer of God. It is also the expression of God's will.

"He wills that I should holy be. What can withstand His will? "

Dr. Dale, says : "The theology of the Epistle to the Romans and the theology of this Epistle (Ephesians) obliged him (St. Paul) to rest the idea of sanctity, not on the shifting sands of human volition, but on the eternal foundation of the Divine love." Now let me give a taste to the Higher Critics among my readers : a set of men for whom I have the deepest respect. Who wrote the words that follow? "We often meet with this word holiness ' in our reading. It very

familiar to our eyes on every page of our Bible, in high-class religious books—if you 'ever read them—and, we meet it, perforce, in the service of the sanctuary. Now, I put it to you, does it awaken any image in your mind, or stir any affection in your heart, or does it pass by without awakening any image or affections within you? Nobody can answer that but yourselves ; though it is a question of first-rate importance. Perhaps the word. creates a certain nausea and distaste, and you pass it and its associations by as fast as you can. How is it that it creates in some hearts the sweetest of affections, and in their imaginations calls up the most exquisite and heavenly visions. when to others it is like a foreign tongue from which they turn in distaste? Why are there such differences among the frequenters of a prayer-meeting? " If the style does not at once pro-claim the author read it again ; and then if you cannot name the author try to answer his questions.

R. PYKE. 24 Allenby Road, Forest Hill, S.E.

Holiday Sketches. I spent last week taking the air—and rain—at Pet-

ton, Tiverton district. It was an interesting experi-ence. I saw Devon as it really "be" and came away refreshed by a peep into Wordsworth's "pure religion breathing household laws." Home syMpathy, backed by keen insight into character seemed the prevailing characteristic. None Ctaimed distinction, yet everyone appeared to have made some mark.

The country? Well, it might have been all right—deep, deep beneath the mud. The outline was charm-ing, yet every tree, leaf and branch, was in shiver-ing suspense, waiting for the next shower and seem-ing to lack innate desire after dryness.

The week was marked by a visit from Tiverton district Free Church Mission Van, conducted by Rev. H. Classy. The meetings were a spiritual uplift. Plain, practical, piercing talks •given in our own chapel. Sunday afternobn, the 25th, the writer preached and endeavoured to emphasize Christ's recognition of individuality. The evening's service was a lead into higher things. Mr. Classy is a student. He does not treat his work lightly. He has _originality' of thought and arresting phrases. If we might venture a slight criticism, the effect would perhaps be better if he directed his attention more to the faces of his congregation. But whatever characteristics Mr. Classy may show they are all overshadowed by his convincing earnestness. Starting with low tone description he sweeps into convincing application. "Christ showed his Hands and side." The signs of death in the symbols of life. They meant that sin was in the world. "Sin had swept its way onward with gathering 'vio-lence until it spent its fury on, the wreckage of the Cross." He took us back to Galilee—to the Meaning of the Cross.

My impression is that Petton is alive spiritually. Why are there not more of these travelling mission .vans? They do an immense amount of good.

W. A. J. (Cardiff).

Shebbear College.

EXAMINATION SUCCESSES. CAMBRIDGE. LOCAL, SENIOR.—Honours : Second

Class, W. R. Brooks, R. H. Jacob; Third Class, R. P. Baulkwill ; Pass, S. P. Knight. TRINITY COLLEGE (MUSIC). —1-1. C. Austin (Junior Division). LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL—C . F. Dockett. INTERMEDIATE ARTS (excluding English) UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.— M. C. Hartlff. EXEMPTED FROM MATRICULATION, UNIVERSITY OF L ONDON. —R. P. 'Baulkwill, S. P. Knight, W. R. Brooks, P. S. Cornish, F. B. Hobbs, R. H. Jacob. OXFORD LOCAL, SENIOR.—Honours : Second Class, P. S. Cornish, F. B. Hobbs ; Thirds Class, W. R. Ashplant ; Pass, L. J. Chadder, G. F. Friend, F. W. Watts, H. Tucker, A. M. Foley, R. Lambert, L. J. Whitlock. JUNIOR.—Honours : Second Class : C. J. Born, F. G. Lee-Cann, A. A. Conibear Third Class, A. G. R. Alexander, F. G. Ellis, W. 0. Tremberth, E. D. Bebb, M. W. Slade; Pass, J. S. Biscombe, J. Matthews, E. L. Roberts, J. A. Evans, W. T. Pellow, R. Thomas, B. 0. J. Tolliffe, J. B. Reed, J. T. Ward. PRELIMINARY. —Honours: Third Class, C. J. Austin, H. C. Austin (distinction in draw-ing : 2nd on list), E. A. Parnell, W. Pooley (distinc-tion in , English ; bracketed 7th on list) ; Pass, L. H. Fry, F. E. Lee, W. P. Pearse, E. J. Southard, T. H. Neck, P. G. Stanbury, G. I. Taylor, S. J. Thorne, G. S. Williams.

Special attention is called to the fact that the percentage of successes at the recent Oxford Local Examination is 90 per cent (last year 85 •per cent) and is nearly 22 per cent (last year 18 per, cent) above the average of the whole country.

WOLVERHAMPTON (Mount Zion).—The pastor's anni-versary was held on August 25th. In the absence of the pastor, Rev. W. D. Bainbridge, who at present is on the Continent seeking renewed health, the services were conducted by Rev. David Heath, of Blackpool, a former minister of the circuit. Special music was rendered by the choir at the evening service, and good congre gations assembled.

W. P. HARTLEY'S

Marmalade.

Is MADE FROM

SEVILLE ORANGES AND FINEST SUGAR

ONLY, AND CONTAINS NO PRESERVATIVE

IT IS PREPARED IN THE ACTUAL

SEVILLE ORANGE SEASON SO THAT111E RICH

FLAVOUR AND COLOUR ARE RETAINED,

•

LIVERPOOL ANO LONDON.,

September 5, 1912. THE UNITED METHODIST. 675

A Moorland Episode. BY REV. J. B. BROOKS.

I COULD not possibly have been more fortunate in my first appointment. My residence and the church, under my charge, were on the very edge of the York-shire moors, and one of the busiest •of Yorkshire towns lay in the valley, only four miles away. A 'combina- tion of country life and town advantages I had hitherto thought of as ideal, and I was in no whit disappointed though the country of my choice would hardly have been the bare and ruddy moorland. This, however, soon revealed a charm and glory all its own, and as surely won its • way into my affections as any more striking, fertile, wooded country-side could have done.

With what reverence and awe do the moors inspire us ! How soothing their peaceful silence ! What wondrous secrets they reveal ! Monotonous, they may seem to the chance visitor, bur to those who know and learn to love themm - they are ever a new world of hidden treasure and delightful surprises.

Memories of many strange experiences come before me as I write. ,Away over the moors first came to me the weird feeling that I was the sole occupant of the world. All .was still around me. Nothing could I see but moor and sky. There, was not a breath of breeze, no movement in the clouds, no stir or sound below. Nothing to suggest life save my own breathing, and the beating of my own heart as I stood awedk the thoughts with which the scene inspired me.

Then came a rude awakening, and the sharp, scold-. ing cry from an undetected fowl called me back to more consoling and humbler thoughts.

Is there a desire for human company, a little search-ing will find it, and of the most unlikely kind ; for the dwellers in out-of-the-way and tumble-down moorland tenements are not by any means all dull and illiterate folk., Not a few wise and lettered has it been my privilege to know, and many, very many, philosophic if unread, noble-spirited and true, who have made their choice of the lonely moorland life, not without some knowledge of the possibilities which the busy world beyond could offer; and one might peer in vain into the faces of men in the crowded cities, to find a look of peace and contentment such as may not seldom be seen on . the face of a lonely man in One's excursions across the moors.

Working as I do now, amid the grating and too often unnecessary noises of a manufacturing town, how often do I long for the chance of making my way to my "dear little moorland study," for such I always called a very favourite spot of , mine, where a little bridge spans the ravine which cleaves the moor some two miles from the edge. But to the story of one of the more memorable surprises with which the moors supplied me.

One bright Monday morning in December I was sitting in my room feeling tired and jaded after the Sab-bath day's work and had just determined on a tramp to my favourite spot when I heard a loud exclamation in the adjoining room, such as my landlady only gave vent to when •some unexpected visitor for myself or for her appeared. After a few minutes' conversation the passage door opened and I knew the visitor was mine.

I jumped from the easy chair, flung open the door, and in a moment 'was welcoming my dear old friend and college chum, Lyttleton. My weariness and despondency were at once forgotten and very soon we were revelling in a spirited "confab " - about the old days and what had happened since. After we had chatted awhile Lyttle-ton exclairrled : "I say, old man, can't we try that little exploit you promised me last time I was here, and hunt up the real residence of Heathcliffe in Wuther-ing Heights? ' Is it too much for a December day? "

I thought not, and was eager for so promising a quest with so congenial a companion. We lost no time in starting and by noon had reached a little village beyond which, in the wildest and loveliest part of the moors, lay the object of our search. Here we lunched, and gleaned.all possible information .ere we began the most difficult and exciting part of our undertaking.

We found it by no means easy to locate the place, and when at last we came upon what we surmised to be the original building it was neither inhabited nor habit-able. Surely no wilder or more lonely position could have been chosen for a human dwelling, and no more appropriate name given to it ! After we had peered into every hole and corner, and were satisfied that nothing had escaped us, we looked around to retrace our steps, but had to confess that we had lost our bearings. Across the valley, however, rose a little hill. We set out to climb it, hoping thus to discover our whereabouts. Imagine our dismay when, on reaching the top, we beheld a dense mist sweeping up towards us from the vale beyond. We were, indeed, in a dangerous predica-ment, -and there was little consolation in the thought that a man and. his horse had been lost in this very part of the moor just a couple of months before.

There was nothing for it but to.wait, with the hope that before night the mist would 'lift, but as time. went by it grew more and more dense, and we began to shiver with cold. At last we determined to try and retrace our steps to the old building we had left, trusting to find there some slight protection from the mist and cold, but we soon began to realize we were walking straight into a bog. We then changed our direction, moving cautiously forward for some time, when suddenly I heard a crash below me. With a shudder I looked for Lyttleton, who had been by my side but a moment before. He was gone. I stood stock still in fear of a similar fate, and hearing no further sound I shouted my friend's name, and was answered by a voice which seemed some forty yards away. Guided by Lyttlefon's calling and the aid of a few wax vestas, I managed cautiously to grope my way doWn a steep incline to

where he was standing with his back against a build-ing of some kind, which he declared, but for, his acrobatic feat, we might have missed.

He was luckily not much worse, as he had been tripped up, as we discovered the following morning, by a pile of peat lying on the extreme edge 6f. the hill, and had rolled and -not fallen the rest of the way until stopped by the building against which he now leaned. On investigation, this appeared to be desolate, though, judging from the wood and peat which lay about, it could not have been long forsaken. However, we were thankful to find . shelter of any kind and still more thankful to see material for kindling a ,fire at which to thaw ourselves. For some time we talked and laughed over our strange adventure, and then growing tired and sleepy, we heaped up -the fire, drew up an old bench which was lying on its back in the corner of the room, and made ourselves comfortable for a nap. But if we thought to sleep we were doomed to disappoint-ment, for no sooner had we become quiet and settled than we were roused by a scratching sound as of some animal not far away. Lyttleton smiled grimly, and whispered "Rats! "

"Hush! listen ! " I answered, and then in the stillness we heard another sound as of the ticking of a clock, and listening more intently still, yet another sound like the quick breathing of a human being in an adjacent room. But adjacent room there did not appear to be, and only one door, that by which we had entered.

What could these noises mean? Do the spirits of past tenants inhabit unseen the tenements in which they lived out their earthly span, and was it only the solitude and .silence out here on the lonely moor that enabled us to hear these sounds, which in less remote places were drowned by even the faintest murmur. from the busy haunts of .men?

Breaking in upon our whispered consultation came the scratching sound again, and again my friend smiled grimly as he said more doubtfully, "Rats! "

"But is the ticking rats? " I ventured, "and the breath-ing?"

"Well, rats do breathe, I suppose," replied he, with a doubtful look towards the place whence the sound ap-peared to come.

At this point there broke upon our ears an unmis-takable groan., and all our doubts were at an end. The groan was human enough and proceeded from some-where near. Was there a cellar? No, we could discover no such place. We were completely perplexed, and almost compelled to believe after all in the existence of ghosts, when Lyttleton, in groping round the place, acci-dentally found a projecting piece of wood, and, pressing it, was amazed to find a couple of panels giving way. Instantly we pushed these open, and, having struck a light, stepped cautiously through the aperture to find ourselves in a small, narrow, but carefully furnished room.

There' onthe mantelpiece was the clock we had heard. On the left-hand side were several shelves of books. A reading lamp, with the light turned down very low, stood on the table, and on the neat little bed in the corner near the movable panels lay a man who proved to be in the last stage of consumption, and very near the end. By his bedside crouched the dog, evidently a quiet, harmless animal, for when we entered it scarcely moved. There was too, a fireplace in which the fire had burned out, and a large skylight served as the only window. .

At our entrance the sick man stirred, and feebly lifting his hand, pointed to the lamp and then to a cupboard near his bed. We turned up the light and got what he wanted from the cupboard, "a little flask of stimulant. I held this to his lips, which he just moistened with it,

and then appeared to revive. He asked us to kindle the fire and to partake of the provisions of which he had a fairly ample supply in the cupboard. After we had stirred about, and made a warm fire and given him some hot coffee, he began to tell us something of his past history and present habits. Even an unpractised eye could easily see he had not many hours to live, and his efforts at speech were most painful to watch. But he seemed anxious to talk, so we patiently listened.

Born in the slums of Manchester, he had known little in his early days but poverty,, squalor and neglect. His mother had broken her neck in a drunken fit, and his father and two brothers had died of consumption, suc-cumbing early because of their life of debauchery and recklessness. The last of the family, he had possessed somewhere in his breast a spark of ambition which had enabled him to struggle until freed from his relentless environment. Then he had toiled and studied until he had become an acceptable journalist, and then, when he .was twenty-six, the blow had fallen. A slight cold, a,sudden fit of coughing, the appearance of blood, a visit to the doctor, and he knew that he was numbered with the vast crowd of unfortunates who go with pallid face and attenuated frame to an early grave.

But John Merton was not easily crushed. He had a work to do on behalf of drunken, sufferino-

b Slumdom, and

coward would he have thought himself had he ceased to toil until absolutely compelled. That he had been denied a fair chance himself seemed to him an added reason why he should plead for that chance for others. The eyes of an easy-going, snugly-respectable people must be drawn towards and fastened upon the worse than beastly conditions under which the lower stratum of humanity in our large towns was living. His articles must to to the Press week by week, though he put his blood into them, and his book, only half written, must be finished before he could willingly consent to retire. So he had left the boundary of the slums, where he had sought to help a few struggling comrades, and come up here to live and write in the free air of the moors, and only came indoors to sleep in this little room.

His MSS. lay complete on the table beside the choicest of his books, and on the top a letter of instructions to the publisher and editor who had been his friend, and to whom he presented his books. We watched him through the silent hours of the night, as-

" His work well done, His race well run "—

he quietly and gracefully retired from the scene of action, with a happy heart and a smiling face to receive his merited "well done," as a brave and faithful seeker after the true well-being of his fellow men.

Two days later we buried him according to his wish, and by special permission, in a little hollow not far from his moorland home ; and while I repeated the committal formula, Lyttleton and his friend, the publisher, lowered the body into the ground, and with wet eyes and sor-rowful hearts we covered up his remains and departed on our separate ways, vowing- in our hearts that never again would we, under whatever untoward' conditions, allow ourselves to harbour one cowardly or dilatory thought in our efforts to add our quota to the sum of human blessedness.

Each one of us has, by his wish, a present reminder of John Merton's heroic struggle against such tremen-dous odds. Lyttleton promised to care for the dead man's dog, Carlo, and a faithful, gentle creature it is. The publisher cherishes his books, and, as I write, Merton's clock stands on the mantelpiece ticking away the moments once so precious to its previous possessor.

BRONZE TABLETS MEMORIAL BRASSES

INTAGLIO OR RELIEVO.

• VESTIBULE BRASSES

To commemorate Stonelaying and Opening Ceremonies

a Speciality.

Designs and Estimates from

THOMAS 1.1301■73,11.r..I., ENGRAVER,

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676

THE UNITED METHODIST. September 5, 1912.

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Letters of Christopher Hunt. UNSEEN FRIENDS.

September 5, 1912. THE UNITED METHODIST. 677

To the Editor of THE UNITED METHODIST.

DEAR SIR,—Let me first tell your readers a Story, and then, with your permission, I will moralize a little on it.

I.

On a. hillside in Scotland two men were watching the stars come out. One "was dying from a gun-shot wound ; the other, a dear and intimate friend, was sitting by his side and holding his hand. The friend had hurriedly sent the keepers for help, but he knew that their young master would die before they returned. After a While the friend wrapped the dying man, whose mind was still perfectly clear in spite of the great loss of blood, in his own plaids, and heaped up a heather couch for him to recline upon.

The two friends had started out in the morning in the best of health and spirits. They were return-ing from a day's good sport in the young laird's deer forest, and were in the gayest mood as they talked of how they would come on the, morrow. Then one had stumbled, and his gun going off, he was shot in a vital part. After a time the wounded man realized that the end was not far off, and after giving his last directions to his friend, he sank into a dose. Soon he was unconscious, and then dying, his 'friend was left on the lonely hillside with his dead body.

For six hours the young man kept his sorrowful vigil, and as the first signs of dawn flushed the mountains the keepers appeared, with doctors and other friendly helpers. After a reverent pause, during which but few words were spoken, the little group passed down the hillside with its sad burden, and so home.

II.

I quote this story from an interesting little book called "The Thoughts of Lucia Halliday." The story when first I read it greatly impressed me. I tried to imagine that young man during the six hours of that most painful ordeal. I pictured to myself the utter loneliness of the scene. I could fancy the silent form stretched on the heather couch ; the cold, dead face ; the hands reverently folded ; and I could see the stricken figure of his friend as now and again he starts up, half in fear and half in horror, and stares into the dark night, appalled by the 'impenetrable mystery of death.

Lucia Halliday wonders what were the thoughts that passed through the man's mind during those sad hours. The dead man's spirit had now passed beyond those far-off stars. Would his mind now grasp truths which he himself could but dimly per-ceive? And might not the spirit of the one on the other side influence the spirit of the one on this? And in years to come, when the world and its ambi-tions and pleasures were absorbing •the thought of the -survivor, might not a memory return of those hours on the hillside? And would not the thought of those hours help him to put a right value on the things 'of this world ? Maybe in after years he would look -up to the heavens on some starry night, and there would flash before him the remembrance of his desolate, lonely vigil on the night his friend lay dead at his side. And perhaps the remembrance of that death might mean the saving of his own• life.

III. This is the question on which I am disposed to

moralize : to what extent are we influenced by the spirits of the absent; and especially by the spirits of the dead ? I shall probably do nothing more, or very little more, than state the question. It is too profound and too far-reaching to be dealt with within the limits of a short letter.

The first thing that occurs to me to say is That the question is not to be airily dismissed as one that savours of spiritualism.• With Christian people Un-seen Companionship is a daily experience. There is a Divine Someone who interpenetrates us with His life, a Someone with whom we have to do, but Whose face we have never seen and Whose hands we have never touched. Paul met that Someone when he was on the way to Damascus ; Peter met Him as he was fleeing from Rome to escape martyr-

dom ; untold numbers of humble saints have-known His near Presence all their lives. We may be prac-tical men, but we really mean the words we sing :

Be with me when no other friend The mystery of the heart can share,

And be Thou known when fears transcend By Thy best name of Comforter.

Yes, we are practical men, downright, and reality-loving, firm believers in hard facts, yet we believe, strangely, in the mystic power of friendship, even unseen friendship. The " In Memoriam " was not merely a tribute to Arthur Hallam, it was infinitely more.' Tennyson Was strengthened with might—the might which empowered him to write—by his friend's spirit in his inner man. Is not the experi-ence common enough that our distant friends often influence us, most ? Geography does not really count in the matter of friendship. •

Then it must not be forgotten that the ancient doctrine expressed by the phrase, "the Communion

of Saints," meant the fellowship of those on earth with the saints in heaven. This was • firmly held -in the early Church, and was a source from which the persecuted ones derived much of their strength and comfort. Feeling that those who had left them were after all strangely with them still, and realizing this companionship with marvellous vividness, they met the unknown to-morrow with a confidence that nothing could move.

How much we are helped by the spirits of the absent is not, therefore, a question to be derided. Probably few readers of this letter, if any, belong to the Society of Psychical Research. This is not a Society which ought to have the scorn which foolish people often heap upon it. The distinguished men who are its leading members should alone save it from that. But the scientific aspect of the ques-tion is not one that concerns me at this moment. What I should like to discuss, however, is how far we are influenced morally and religiously by the spirits of our absent friends? What is the measure of that fellowship which we have with them?

IV.

I can only state my own conviction in a closing sentence. I believe we have but imperfectly realized the inspiration which comes from companionship with the absent. I hold that the receptive, trustful heart will find that there is dwelling with him from time to time companionships which guide and in-spire and bless. How far, I wonder, is this con-viction shared by your readers?

Yours, etc.,

CHRISTOPHER HUNT. The Heatherhills.

they can all be overcome by an earnest and deter-mined will. Indeed, the so-called obstacles may be turned into stepping-stones. The fact that religious sentiment is universally diffused ought to render testimony easier. We need not obtrude it. As it used to be said that all roads led to Rome, so all the paths along which our minds can travel conduct • us at last to the city of God. What we need to do is to cultivate the parabolic sense. Our Lord began His conversation with the Samaritan woman by talking about water. He went on to speak to her about the fountain springing 'up within the soul unto everlasting life. If we were more like our Master we should not find it difficult to testify even in this twentieth century.

Frivolity need not disarm us : we can answer it with Christian cheerfulness.

The time is coming when our testimony will have to be much more direct, powerful and self-sacrificing than it is to-day. Up till now Christ 'has been admired even if those who did not acknowledge Him as their Master. There are some signs of the times which indicate that this age of superficial admiration is passing away, and that we are on the eve of an age of Anti-Christ. The battle of the future, whose din we can already hear with our inward ear, will probably be fiercer than that of the present day. Let us prepare for it by becoming earnest and wise tacticians in our testimony to the truth and to our own experience of its blessedness.

R. A.

Young People's Examination.

" Lessons from Nehemiah." DEAR MR. EDITOR,—May I direct the atten-

tion of teachers and students of the above book-let to one or two small printer's errors which ap-pear in the first edition, and also in a few early copies of the second? On page 35, line 13 from the bottom read "observance" for "observation." On page 38, line 11 from the bottom read "his" for "His." The first is of small consequence, but the latter may mislead, as the reference in the sentence is to Nehemiah and not to Christ. The new issue, save for a few copies, is correct, but as some students may be using the earlier one, it would be advisable for them to alter their copies accordingly.

Yours truly, THE AUTHOR.

Returning Thanks. REV. L. WESTLAKE writes : May I be permitted to express my thanks, as well as

those of the family of my dear departed wife, to the ministers and friends who have drawn so near to us in tender sympathy during this great trial. There has been more light than darkness', more peace than sorrow, more of the Resurrection than of death, and amid the Shadows we have been able to say. "Thanks be unto God who giveth us' the victory."

IT 1S only natural that we 'should bear witness to that which we not merely believe but regard as fundamental. Everyone of us 'has a personal creed, to which he habitually testifies. I know a middle-

.aged man of fortune who is constantly saying : "Take care of yourself. If you don't, nobody else will care for, you." Now suppose I were to say to him : "Don't trouble about yourself ; the instinct God has implanted within you is sufficient. What you have to do is to take care of your fellow men who need your help and have a claim on you." If I were to say such words to him, he would look at me with that kind. of look which is equivalent to a note of interrogation—as if he thought that I were indulging in platitudinarian cant, or rather in moral attitudinarianism. Self-regard seems to hiin so natural that he doubts the reality of the men who talk about being supremely interested in others.

Here we have the root of all the difficulties about testimony in our day, namely, want of confidence in its reality. 'There was a time when that difficulty was minimized, because of the obvious self-sacrifice involved in Christian discipleship. The first wit- nesses were possible martyrs. The Greek work for martyr meant witness. No one could doubt the sin-cerity of a man's profession when he was prepared to seal it with his blood. The glib talk and pious commonplaces of anaemic witnesses were unknown in those earnest days.

Our Methodist forefathers were not in danger of their lives, but they were liable to be boycotted. They were subjected to social persecution. The long-drawn-out agony of some of their lives was perhaps equivalent to the swift and sharp surgery of earlier ages. No one would seriously doubt the reality of their testimony.

We live in very different days. But human nature remains the same in all ages. It is still true that testimony is of little worth unless it is in harmony with the life. It is still true that the value of testi-mony is very much increased by the sacrificial spirit.

But perhaps there never was an age when it was more difficult to testify to the truth, or to our own experience of it, than the age in which we live. For one thing, there is not the same sharp division be-tween the Church and the world that there was in a past generation. There is much of the world in the Church. Social meetings and entertainments are attended better than prayer-meetings. There is also much of the Church in the world. There is a wide-diffused shallow religionism which shews its want of depth by its self-satisfaction. Hence those to whom you might feel disposed to utter an earnest word about-religion feel as if they had got it already. Moreover, in our day's there is comparatively little sense of sin, and there is a strong disposition to find fault with the arrangements of the universe and with• what is called the irony of Destiny. At the same time, there is much of levity in the time-spirit of our generation : and frivolity almost always acts as an effectual extinguisher on the men who bear witness to the truth. Great are the difficulties : but

Witnessing.

678

THE • UNITED METHODIST. September 5, 1912.

IN a striking piece of self-criticism, R. L. Stevenson discourses on the limitations and unescapable bias of the short study. "The writer having seized his point of view must keep his eye steadily to that." Much that might be said in a more comprehensive and balanced treatment is judiciously excluded, and only that which supports the main contention finds expression. Robert Browning has suffered much from this treatment. The telescope not only reveals, it excludes, and he who concentrates limits his horizon's bounds.

"He was the greatest preacher's poet • of the last century." The phrase leapt out in one of those con-versations which supply so much of the wine of life, and gave me my point of view. Browning, the -many-sided, who has sung of love, of music, of art, whom men name phirosophic, scientific, religious, is regarded here from the preacher's standpoint alone. What are his claims to this distinction? What appeal does he make to the preacher of the Word? I report as I have seen. Writing to "Fiona. Macleod," when the sex and identity of that charming writer were clothed in mys-tery, George Meredith said, "Be -sure that I am among those readers of yours whom you kindle." The secret of Browning's hold upon me is there. His writings kindle. Other men interest, instruct, and, in large measure, satisfy ; he makes the fires burn.

He is not merely poet, but prophet, interpreting to us those complex, subtle elements which lie at the heart of human life. Readers of the "Ring and the Book" will remember how the searchlight of his genius flashes, revealing the lurking evil, the sterling honesty, the sensi-tive beauty of the characters portrayed. "Mr, Brown-ing is as happy with Guido in his dungeon as with the Pope in the Vatician, or Pompilia in the presence of the angels waiting to conduct her to God. The matter in hand is the human soul, and as the greatest poet of the soul the world has ever seen, he is lost in his work " (Berdoe's "Browning Cyclopzedia," p. 460). "The soul's ablest historian," says one; "his songs are of soul-struggles and the birth-throes of great thoughts," says another ; and yet again, "He is the great Apologist of these last days, the man. of God to our peculiar age. He has ranged through the vast world of Nature, and the vaster world of the human soul, in his vigorous contention with unbelief."

Splendid, Moments.- Mr. J. A. Hutton, in the book from which I have

just quoted says that "Browning never wearies telling us of the power of splendid moments to lift a man sheer out of his sin or weakness or unbelief." What "Splendid Moments" the poet gives us ! There is Sebald, in that last splendid moment of his life, with all the glamour of sin suddenly gone, saying :

That little peasant's voice Has righted all again. Though I be lost, I know which is the better, never fear, . Of vice or virtue, purity or lust, Nature or trick—I see what I have done, Entirely now. Oh, I am proud to feel Such torments—let the world take credit thence— I, having done my deed, pay too its price! God's in his heaven

There is Guido-

" At the horizontal line, creation's verge," crying :

" Abate,—Cardi nal,—Christ, —M ari a , —God. Pompilia, will you let them murder me? "

We leave him there with the Pope's great hope ringing in our ears :-

"So may the truth be flashed out by one blow, And Guido see, one instant, and be saved."

and what a "splendid moment " of spiritual vision is that of "Abt Vogler " I

Extemporizing on his organ, the old eighteenth cen-tury musician rises into a state of wondrous ecstatic rapture and beholds for a brief moment the Eternal. There, in his vision, he produces the perfect music; there, he touches the infinite perfection : suddenly it is gone. The vision fades, the music dies away : he is back again upon the earth-

" Surveying awhile the heights I rolled from into the deep."

But he has had a foretaste of the glory that shall be. A new hope dwells in his heart ; a new song is upon his lips : it rises up in triumph :-

All we have willed or hoped or dreamed of good shall exist ;

Not its semblance, but itself ; no beauty no good nor power

Whose voice has gone forth, but each survives fOr the melodist

When Eternity affirms the conception of an hour. The high that proved too high, the heroic for earth too

hard, The passion that left the ground to lose itself in the

sky, Are music sent up to God by the lover and the bard; Enough that He heard it once : we shall hear it by and

by.

"Robust and Sunny-Natured." One of -Browning's many interpreters has named him,

" the robust and sunny-natured "—qualities which should count for much in these dark and.difficult days: The pessimistic wail whiCh is forever falling upon our ears like the voice of doom, must needs die away into silence in the presence of such singing as his. He has come to close grips with the great problems of being.;. he has grappled bravely with life's dark and complex features; he has explored the deepest and gloomiest haunts of the human spirit—fearlessly and bravely he has fronted the facts which disturb our age—and he has come forth chanting a song. I am not concerned to find here the philisoph.ic basis of this persistent cheerfulness. That is a task for other minds. It sufficeth me that it is there, greeting us like April sunshine, in almost all his works.

My own hope is, a sun will pierce The thickest cloud earth ever stretched; That after Last, returns the First, Though a wide compass round be fetched; That what began best, can't end worst, Nor what God blessed once, prove accurst.

Browning has impressed his personality upon almost everything he has written, and every student of his feels his power. Strength, sanity, insight, are among the great qualities that he displays. When the fires are burning low, and faith and hope "fade dimmer away," and the clouds settle upon a man's brooding spirit, what a tonic it is to hear Robert Browning singing :

" Grow old along with me! The Best is yet to be."

When a man, has to travel the dark way with doubts clinging about him like November mists, what an in-spiring presence is his there cheerily exclaiming :

Rather I prize the doubt Low kinds exist without,

Finished and finite clods, untroubled by a spark. When failure to reach the ideal tempts one to abandon the striving, what an unfailing fount of healing and help is this man there, saying :

Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?

When the dark shadows fall athwart life's pathway, and the hour of man's passing draws ominously near, what a brave, strong, heartening word does he whisper in his ear :

I was ever a fighter, so—one fight more, The best and the last !

I would hate that death bandaged my eyes, and forbore, And bade me creep past.

No ! let me taste the whole of it, fare like my peers The heroes of old.

Caponsacchi, in a passage of singular beauty and pathos, exclaims :

But priests Should study passion ; how else cure mankind, Who conic for 'help in passionate extremes?

Where better than with Robert Browning at hand to guide and to help? He has given us studies of passion multiform—the passion of love, contempt, hate, revenge, lust—and the priest or the preacher or whoever desires to be the helper of poor passionate humanity, will find him to be a Master-in the reading of those subtle work-ings of the mind, and of those strange activities of the soul, with their corresponding manifestations of good or evil, love or hate.

Browning and the Pulpit. It has been suggested that the time may possibly

come when Browning will be taken into, the pulpit and expounded there. I confess I am not eager for that, al- though one could imagine the happening of many a worse thing. Neither am I wishful for Browning couplets to be lifted from their context and recited glibly. Brown- ing's wealth and worth in their amazing munificence will only reveal themselves to the man who labours strenuous- ly, as men labour seeking precious ore. He is for the study, for the morning hour, when the preacher is seeking and refreshing streams and renewing his mental and spiritual strength.

The average preacher is, let us hope, a man who takes his reading seriously—as Sarah Battle took her favourite game of whist—a man who comes to, his work with girt loin and mind alert. Browning is. not for the indolent, the careless, the indifferent. The entrance gates to his kingdom will swing only to the persistent knocking of eager and hungry spirits ; but every man who has had the mental energy to press his way therein has found "Bells and Pomegranates," music and thought, poetry and truth. Every soul who would win • his way into the many mansions of Browning's amazing genius must possess something of the Grammarian's thirst to know, something of his untiring determination to pos-sess. That the toil will receive its reward ; that the per-sistent seeker will come back laden with gains, I am quite sure. But here is the testimony of another—one of Browning's closest students and keenest critics :—" He was prodigal of poetic idea, and wrote for fifty years

on Nattire,„Art; • Man, like a :.magnificent spendthrift of

piritull #trilsif resi" But 'enough"! Browning is like the unresting sea,. ever presenting' new beauties and fascinations: To those of us who come closest to him 'his power increases -daily, and We give him honour because seehe. has become to us "something distinctive and u

" We .thank _.the. Eternal Father for His grace Who bade the prophet sing."

• • . -",lf:Ye sowed the golden Seed of thought, we reap

Your deathless fruit of song."

Our Sunday Schools.

A TALK WITH A CHRISTIAN PESSIMIST.

BY REV. W. BARNES.

I. JEREMIAH JUDSON was a local preacher, fairly edu-

cated and well read, especially in theology. His heart was not wholly in his business, yet by great industry, and diligence he succeeded, The bent of his mind was toward the ministry, and many a time did he hunger and thirst for that form of Christian service. To some extent he satisfied his mind by becoming .a local preacher and a superintendent of the Sunday School. He was always abounding in the work of the Lord, and nothing gave him so much pleasure as the prosperity of the Church. On the other hand his deepest grief came from the weakness and failure of Christian enterprise. Unfortunately for his comfort, the balance of his tempera-ment was to pessimism and this, with his love of the Church and its present inertia, made his soul exceeding sorrowful. It was in this condition bf mind that we found him.

"Glad you have called_; for now is my soul troubled about the state of -the Churches, the Sunday Schools, and the cause of Christ in `general. . I never remember the Churches so weak and incompetent, nor, the schools so useless as, at present.. I have nearly come' to the conclusion that they are totally unequal to their purpose, and that a revolution is necessary."

But what are the .grounds for such a doleful, opinion? "

"Well! look at the Sunday Schools. Never were they,- so stagnant, formal and unproductive as .now. It is difficult to get teachers ; and some we have are teachers only in name, unable, or unwilling to give the children any. Scriptural and religious knowledge. It 'is a ques- tion with some teachers of occupying so much time, which they frequently do, by reading a book to the scholars, or talking on current topics. Young people in their 'teens are most impressionable and should have definite religious instruction ; yet many leave the upper classes ignorant of the Scriptures and of the doctrines of their own Church. Probably this is the most favourable time for leading them to Christ, and into His Church, but how.rarely is this done. When do teachers come to Church meetings, and propose their scholars for Church membership, on the ground that they have surrendered themselves to Christ? This is the great opportunity of the teachers, and if this is neglected nothing can make up for it. Yet how few succeed in winning their scholars for the Master. Every teacher should be able to say to the children's Friend, 'Those whom Thou bast given me, ,I have kept, and none of them is lost.' This is seldom done, and chiefly because there is little spiritual teaching, and less endeavour to bring the scholars to Christ."

"While agreeing as to the importance of what you say, your statement is too sweeping,, and you are draw-ing general conclusions from particular premises. Some of the children are brought to Christ by the teachers."

"I am glad to hear you say this, yet the complaint of all Sunday School workers I know is, that they are failing to get the young people into the Church ; and that little or no spiritual teaching is given in the schools. I have been told on good authority that many schools have but little connection with the churches, db scarcely anything for them, and tend from rather than to them."

"If this is true it is serious, but I cannot think it is as general as you believe.",

"Perhaps not, but I'in sure it is sufficiently general to demand the prompt and earnest attention of all, who are anxious for the spiritual efficiency of our Sunday Schools.

"Again, look at the place amusements occupy in the schoOls. A large number of young people seem. to regard the school as a place for amusement and social pleasure.. If they know that the Sunday School is an institution for religious and spiritual training, they ignore it, and clamour for more social games, entertainments, etc. I am not an old fossil ' who objects to socials and amusements in the schools, but my trouble is that they are usurping the first place, and subordinating and swamping thp, chief purpose of the schools. In my judgement the predominance and domination of amuse-ments is defeating the spiritual work of the schools."

Robert Browning as a Preacher's Pciet BY REV. J. JOB.

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September 5, 1912. . THE UNITED METHODIST. 679

"Surely you are exaggerating, and your statement is born of prejudice and pessimism? "

"It is born of neither," said Jeremiah with some warmth, "but of knowledge and observation ; and if you'll forgive me for saying it, your optimism comes from closing your eyes to facts and your ears to the statements of men who are in the schools and know them."

"Never mind that ; give us some proofs that the schools are failing in their spiritual work."

"It is astonishing that a minister should need proofs of a thing so obvious. Look at the extreme difficulty of getting the young people to any religious and spiritual meeting. Have a pierrot \performance or a comic en-tertainment and they fill the'school, but' from the mis-sionary meeting, the week-night service, or any distinctly spiritual gathering they are conspicuous by their absence. Again, you should know, how reluctant they are to join the Church. They seem to have no inclination for or ap-preciation of Church membership. That the Church is the Body of Christ, the visible organization and instru-ment for the promulgation of His Gospel is nothing to them. Nothing is more evident than that the young, people of the schools do not appreciate the glorious privi-lege of being members of the Church. They show -but little taste for the spiritual, and no concern for the Church. This could not be so, if the spiritual work of the school was effective."

"This is your usual fallacy of the 'general from the particular. Some young people do come into the. Church from the schools, and it is from them that we mainly get our Church membership supplied."

With as near an approach to sarcasm as he could make, Jeremiah said, "A pretty statement to make at a time when all denominations report numerical decreases. If the spiritual work of the schools was well and faith-fully done Church membership would not decline ; but it cannot be efficiently done as long as the amusements are so excessive as to quantity, and doubtful as to quality.

"Further, look at the Bible classes. Many of them are Bible classes only in name, and rarely ever have Biblical subjects. They are really debating societies, in which all manner of subjects are discussed by young people of little knowledge and no ,experience. If a Biblical ques-tion is introduced the • Bible is sometimes adversely criticized by youths who are ignorant of it, and who seem to pick up their notions from Socialists, or sceptical street orators. It is not an unknown thing for the. doctrines of the Church in which the class meets to be objected to, 'and the Church 'itself to be reproached and belittled. The Bible, with its matchless literary beauty, its revelation of God and plan, its soul-saving truths, and unique spiritual influence is lightly spoken of in the class which exists to understand and spread its teaching ! A Bible class, teaching doctrines contrary to its own Church and disregarding and ignoring the Church is anomalous and detrimental."

"This is a strong indictment, and if true would be serious, Jeremiah, but it is another illustration of your mental defect. - You find one or two Bible classes as you describe, and you conclude that they are typical of the whole, which is logically wrong, and contrary to fact:"

It is astonishing that you know so little about the Bible classes," replied Jeremiah, "and I'm afraid it shows you do not often visit them."

"I go when I can, and I alWays encourage discussion of the subject I have been dealing with, and I have never heard the destructive criticism and disloyal opinions you refer to."

"Then I can only repeat my opinion that you do riot often go. What I have said is well known, and there are thoughtful, prudent men, who believe that some of the so-called Bible classes do more harm than good.

."Again what do these classes do for the Church? Some of the members rarely attend public worship, or engage in any form of Christian work: • They merely come to the class and discuss."

"Still if what you say is right, which it is difficult to believe—these classes do them good, and probably save them from ruinous courses." •

"If they do this," said Jeremiah, "it is invaluable Work, and, an immense gain to the Kingdom of God. God forbid that I should under-estimate any good they do, but the men who attend these classes are not the kind of men to rush into evil, but if they were, mere discussion and criticism world not save them. It causes me the deepest grief to say that the Sunday Schools are largely failing, in their main purpose, in the work given them to do; and that the decline in Church mem-bership is chiefly due to this fact."

"Probably the grading system, and up-to-date methods, which' are being adopted will alter this, and make the schools a greater power for Christ, and His Church."

"1 hope so," said Jeremiah, "but I doubt it. It is an elaborate and expensive system, but I do not expect much from it. It is not so much new methods as new men that are wanted ; not so much new machinery, as a new spirit that is needed, and the steady, earnest work-ing to spiritual ends."

As Jeremiah had only given part of hiS case and his pessimism was deepening and 'getting infectious we left saying, "We will hear, thee'again on then matters."

IN the very first number of that famous periodical, "The Quarterly Review," published in February of the year 1809, there appears an "Account of the Baptist Missionary." The name of its author does not appear. and it seems to have rested in oblivion on the back shelves of dusty libraries 'up to the present time.. But the charm of its style, the sincerity of its tone, and the force of its argument, as well as its amusing im-partiality, amply merit for it a better fate.

Like all the old "Quarterly " articles, it is a review of a book, in this case, by one, Major Waring, 'who made it his business in particular to accuse the in-fant and ••pioneer Missionary Society in India of causing the massacre of Vellore of 1806, and, in general, to rail against missionary effort, stigmatizing its labourers as madmen and its objects as dangerous to good government. Major Waring may safely rest in oblivion. Not so the article !

The writer begins by deploring the cessation of mis-sionary activity on the part of Christians, seeing that "the rapid progress of Christianity durinc, the first ages of the Church was the produce of the ardent piety and indefatigable zeal of the first preachers of the Gospel," who were, if they were anything, missionaries. This fact he attributes to the Reformation, the only evil of which was to divert the energies of the Christians of Europe from the needs of the heathen 'to civil war be-tween the Catholic and Protestant factions. The dark-ness was relieved by a few spasmodic attempts at the spread of the Gospel in the 'Middle Ages. But "Pro-testantism has rather attempted than effected the work of conversion."

"There is, however, in all religious communities a vivacious and viyific principle 'not to 'be found in the same degree in political bodies; their hold is upon the heart of man, upon his hopes and fears, the weakness and strength of his nature. From time to time some individual appears who, whether inspired, or infatuated, resigns . himself to the impulse, and laying aside all human motives at his outset, acts with a contempt of worldly maxims and worldly prudence, which insures him success in what the maxims and the prudence of the world would have withheld him from attempting." Loyola and Luther were such men, "and such, in times which may almost be called our own, were Wesley and Whitefield." "It is easy to revile, it is easier still to ridicule them [Wesley and Whitefield] . . . but 'he must have little foresight who does not perceive that of all men of their generation they were the most efficient." The statesmen of the past century, i.e., the eighteenth, they and their works, are in the grave, "but these fanatics set the mind and the soul in action ; the stirring which they excited continues to widen and in-crease, and to produce good and evil ; and future genera-tions will long continue to feel the effects."

The •article proceeds to a delightful' passage which, though it 'no longer holds good, may yet be prophetic. "It cannot here be necessary to attend to the classifica-tion of sectarianism, the Wesleyans, the Orthodox dis-senters of every description, and the Evangelical Church-men may all' be comprehended under the generic term of Methodists." Let us hope so! These Methodists, says the writer, have "that spirit of enthusiasm by which Europe was converted to Christianity, and they have removed from Protestantism a part of its reproach." But we must not be too puffed up, for in the very next sentence the efforts of the pioneer missionaries, while

being praiseworthy, are "not •more erroneously directed than is to be expected from the radical errors of their system of belief.'

The particular "fanatic " who started this Baptist, mission is, of course, none 'other than William Carey, the .shoemaker of Northampton—this mission, indeed, "which is represented by its enemies as so dangerous 0 the British Empire in India, and thereby, according to a logic learnt from Buonaparte, to England also." Napoleon at this date had not yet come across the Duke of Wellington, who was still .the Lieutenant-Governor of India. The familiar story of the Northampton minis-ters' meeting ("as these convocations are called ") is then described in detail. Carey's:establishment in India at Serampore and his protection by the Danishsettlement, his translations of the. 'Scriptures into a dozen Indian dialects, are narrated •with an unbiased candour. And then follows an account of his first convert, named Kristno, and the sufferings and ‘obloquy which this Indian hero endured for the sake of his new master. Kristno, a carpenter, by eating with the missionaries, had lost caste, and the bridegroom of his 'daughter, .aged fourteen Was left with the alternative of em-bracing his father-in-law's faith or renouncing his bride. He chose neither,- but carried her off, and all efforts of the father to rescue her were of no avail. For a Year -the husband beat his young wife to make her re-nounce her Lord, but "she. had heard of the love and sufferings of Christ,". and her faithfulness so impressed her husband that before long he became a Christian himself. This and another equally .affectinc, story are used by "anti-mi'ssi'onaries " to 'maintain the idea that Christianity was subversive of order, but- the scornful way in which the "quarterly Review " disposes of this 'charge may be left to 'the reader's imagination. Christ came here, as elsewhere; to send not peace, but a sword.

The early fortunes of the mission now claim the atten-tion . of the reviewer, .and, more particularly, its relations to the civil authority. The missionaries seem to have comported 'themselves with perfect satisfaction to the Marquis Wellesley, though he 'required all tracts first to possess his imprimatur and kept the ring as well as he could. But _one thing was done which will hardly redound to the credit of the British Government in the light of later .knowledge. In 1806 a mutiny occurred 'among the :Sepoys in Madras because they had been 'compelled to wear helmets instead of turbans, and, in order to allay the discontent, a 'proclamation was issued that, whereas certain people had said that the authori-ties were trying to force Christianity on the natives, this was not really the case. The article shows how ,Christianity could not have been heard of 'in Mysore, for the simple reason that the dialects into which the Scriptures had been translated were unintelligible to the people in that distant part of India, and the conclusion is reached that the Government merely "threw a tub to the whale."

The true question, according to the review, "is not whether India shall continue to enjoy the most perfect toleration', but whether that toleration shall be extended to the teachers of Christianity 2 " Our Major .Waring wants the Hindus to be permitted " quietly to follow their own religious opinions until it shall ;please the Omnipotent power of Heaven to lead them into the paths of Light and Truth' ; that is, 'he protests

:'against any human means, but will have , no objection to a miracle.".

The article then deals at.length with certain objections to missionary enterprise. It is said that Christianity

make India insecure. "Heaven knows that India is insecure—a column upon the sand is but a feeble :emblem of its insecurity. India is perpetually in danger

A Page from the Past. BY J. A. DALE, 'B.A.

680

THE UNITED METHODIST. September 5, 1912.

--not from Buonaparte—that would be the last object of his ambition—he is not idiot enough to believe that England. is to be conquered there, nor is it for Asia that Providence•seems to have appointed him its executioner upon degraded nations." India is really in danger from some native rebel who will set the Hindoos on fire, sweep out the British, and leave not a wrack be-hind ; that is how the position .appeared in 1809. And Christianity is the only real safeguard. It is absurd to say that India cannot be converted, since it has been converted many times before. Christianity may come to bring in the tenth age, the fervent aspiration of the Hindoo, when a great casteApreaker will come and caste will.be known no more. The Hindoos are as a fact, much easier to convert than most peoples, since they already possess many of our religious conceptions, including the most mystical of all, the Trinity. They have their Trimurti." Compared with the yoke of Brahminism, that of Christianity, is indeed light, and what the missionary has to do is to purify these beliefs and on these build up an Eastern Christianity. "There is no reason why, a salutary advantage should not be taken of .so general an expectation (i.e., of a tenth age). and if from their gross notion of :incarnations and ob-scure fancies of a Trinity their minds can be gradually and dexterously led into the higher and more satisfactory doctrines of the Gospel, no teacher should decline it." It seems that we have been a long time in learning from the advice given so long ago as 1809.

In case people ask why we should wish to convert the Hindoo, the reviewer is ready with well-authenticated descriptions of burnings alive;'*.of. infanticide, and other horrors peculiar to degraded religions. And to thoSe who deride the Baptist "madness," he points to their amazing enthusiasm and to their unequalled learning. Enthusiasm led one of the pioneers to say "that never did men see their native land with more joy than we left it,—but this. is not of nature, but from above." Their learning—but we must quote the original. "The anti-missionaries . . . call them fools, madmen, tinkers, Calvinists, and schismatics, and keep out of sight their love of man and their zeal for God, their self-devotement, their indefatigable industry, and their unequalled learning. These low-born and low-bred mechanics have translated the whole Bible into Ben- galee, and have (by this time printed it. They are printing the New Testament in the Sanscrit, the Orissa, the Mahratta, Hindosta•n and Guzaret, and translating it into Persic, Telugu, Kersata, Chinese, the language of the Sikhs and the Burmans., and in four of these languages they are going on with the Bible . . . Only fourteen years have elapsed since they set foot in India, and in that time have these missionaries ac-quired the gift of tongues ; in fourteen years these low-born, low-bred mechanics have drone more towards spreading the knowledge of the Scriptures among the heathen, than has been accomplished or even attempted by all the princes and potentates of the world,—and all the Universities and establishments into the bargain."

In the same strain this famous review concludes. Let the Established Church by all means follow is the footsteps of the Baptists ; "but do not think to super-sede the baptist missionaries, till you can provide from your own church such men • as these ; and, it may be added,. such women as their wives . . . Like the Pandours and Croats of military powers, they may pre-cede the main body, and, by. their zeal and intrepidity, contribute to facilitate the success of the regular force." Living more than 100 years later, we know this regu-lar force, and we look with pride on its march from victory to victory. That so staid and conservative a periodical as the " Quarterly Review " can champion from the outset the cause of missionary enterprise, will surely strengthen , us, if that be possible, in our con-victions.

The People's Books:

ENCYCLOPIEDIAS FOR THE POCKET.

The Revolution in reading certain to follow upon the principles of Bergson has begun. It is the method of discrimination—not everything counts. Much fact is negligible, but something is determinative. To get at that something and display it is the future task. It is the ideal of "The People's Books." They are encyclo-poedia articles reduced to shape for the pocket, written in a deeply interesting fashion, bound in a modest green cover and offered for the nimble sixpence, which seems in books to be the twin of id. for the daily newspaper. I have before me half a score of these little volumes published by Messrs. Jack, and from my reading of them shall certainly increase the number, and part with no single one now in my possession.

1. A Dictionary of Synonyms. By Austin K. Gray, B.A.

Surely just the thing much wanted. Consider the needs of a young writer or speaker. He wants voca-bulary. Browning worked through Johnson's Diction-ary. The Oxford "Concise" is many times the size of Johnson's, and means many months of labour and the consequent exclusion of much other work. But here is a volume which can be carried in the picket, giving 90 pages of drill and information about words. It is superior to Miss Whatley, for it is better arranged and is more concise. All the notes are scholarly and all the

,examples are strictly legitimate and useful. I can con-ceive of nothing better for a beginner than this little volume. Its introductory essay is quite equal to the general contents that follow.

* Messrs. T. C. & E. C. Jack. 6d. each

2. Pure Gold. Lyrics and Sonnets. By H. C. O'Neill.

No selections of poetry ever quite satisfy the reader of that article. Even Palgrave leaves out something. And I have a notion of one day producing a volume of Lyrics and Sonnets, none, of which have ever been pub-lished•in such selections before. But "Pure Gold " is very good stuff. If the need by a reader or speaker has ever been felt of a handy volume, every word of which can be read often or even memorized for the improvement of style, here that need is supplied. The arrangement is alphabetical according to the authors' names. I prefer the historical development, but there is an objection to every principle of arrangement. It is good to see selec-tions from the Rossettis, Swinburne and especially Theodore Watts Dunton, whose Sonnets in particular should be much more widely read. But the crown is. Francis Thompson's "Poppy." Is it not worth 6d. in- itself? and if .not then to have Rossetti's "Blessed Damosel" as well is surely enough for the money. To be bought and learned by heart every line of it—bar-ring perhap's Spenser's "Epithalamium to which as an effort of memory few students will find their literary chivalry equal.

3. The Brontes. By Miss Flora Masson.

Amongst biographies a deeply interesting book, though necessarily, according to the space possible, inadequate for the specialist. But for the populace it contains all the information necessary and the salient features are outlined with a swift and sure hand. The whole story carries the reader forward with a continuous movement from start to finish. As an old Penzance man I am especially glad to find the importance of the Penzance Bramwell in the Bronte family and its fortunes suffi-ciently recognized, whilst among the sisters Bronte the outstanding Charlotte is not allowed to eclipse entirely the other ones. The usual authorities-,-Mr. Shorter and Mr. Birrell are sufficienly drawn upon; but are not by any means allowed to dominate the new writer.

4. Huxley. By Prof. G. Leighton, M.D.

Huxley's story is here told. To me, confess, it is not a very pleasant one, but his position—destructive for the most part—is such that his -place was bound to be .re-cognised in such a series as "The People's Books." Dr. Leighton confesses himself a disciple of the professor. Huxley for him gave meaning to his universe. Most people think of Huxley as a slashing inconoclast of a worn-out dogmatism in religion. Bishop Wilberforce and he are the standing antagonists. But even more was his influence a necessity in science, which in pre-Darwinian forms was quite as dogmatic and antiquated. The Huxley influence is now a spent one. His Agnos-ticism has in the same set been supplanted by a strik-ing mystical movement. This also may spend itself in due time : and Westminster Abbey looks down on both with disdain and goes on its way steadily repeating its three creeds. The end admittedly is not yet. But in science and religion Huxley is a landmark, and it is a necessity that we should have a distinct impression of his historical configuration. It is efficiently given here.

5. "Lord Kelvin." By A. Russell, M.A. D.Sc.

A perfect contrast to Huxley, as a treatment as well as a character, In science a greater master, I suppogee es, pecially on the practical and applied side. Kelvin had an impressive absence of the strange perversity of theory of many scientists and artists. Hence poverty was no necessity to him as a bride. The "Kelvin " volume re-quires a good deal of technical knowledge to yield a good result. The subject's life story was so purely one of technical achievement and specific discovery that this was bound to be so. But it is handled as well as such matter can be with an eye upon the needs of the average reader. Is it not singular to remember that while Huxley was demolishing Gadarene swine, etc., Kelvin for the same" periodand no less a man or a scientist, was steadily beginning his classes every morn-ing with the Second Collect from the Morning Prayer.

6. Henri Bergson. By •G:, H. Wildon Carr.

If anyone wants :a brief conspectus of that perfect continent of thinking which Bergson supplies here is his opportunity. All the values and all the dangers are here, and it must not be forgotten that there is a pretty large crop of the latter as well as the former in this great thinker. But as a bird's-eye view it is entirely admir-able and successful. All the great conceptions of the Bergson line of things are passed under review, carefully defined and defended. I don't know that Mr. Carr dis-agrees at a single point—though that may be a great advantage, for in so small a compass we perhaps want an account and can leave the criticism to our own thoughts. I fancy Mr. Carr is a thought too merciful to the English Evolutionists, upon whom Bergson him-self never spare the lash. But if his interpreter errs on the side of mercy it is not for me to complain; and he may be the more right historically. It is to be hoped that Bergson will be succeeded soon in this series by Eucken, but that will be a much more difficult task, and more honourable if as adequately done.

7. "Home Rule." By L. G. Redmond Howard.

I have several other vols. before me, but conclude with Home Rule for the sake of the change from personali-ties to a movement. This at any rate is a timely volume. But meseems the publishers should define to themselves whether they want their literature to influ-ence or to record. This is obviously propagandism—very good of the sort, very good indeed, but bound to be superseded in a year or two when Home -Rule has become a fact, and a necessity is created for recording its memory. Mr. Howard deals with the subject on every side—the old Irish Parliament, the Union, the Na-tionalist movement, the Unionist, and the Constitutional,

economic, religious, Imperial and Ulster aspects of Home .Rule, and all in under 100 pages. It is so able as to be astonishing. A speaker on the subject can hardly require more.

I commend these volumes for their size, price and efficiency to our readers. A long row of them in every study and perhaps a shorter—longer if you will, row in every household, will mean an enrichment of a pecu-liarly satisfying kind to the minds that possess them, es-pecially when they are read, marked, learned, and in- wardly digested. G.C.

For Our Boys and Girls.

WILD TRAITS IN TAME ANIMALS.

By R. E. M.

ALL our domestic animals exhibit abundant traces of the life of independence which they lived before they were enslaved by man. The very qualities which are of most value are the result of certain conditions which existed when they were in the wild state.

The speed of horse . enabled it in its wild state to escape from wolves, etc. The horse's docility and its readiness to submit to discipline are due to the needs of wild life, when horses lived in herds; under experienced leaders. The horse's "vices" are nearly all traceable to certain conditions of wild life. In the wild state of the horse these vices were useful and commendable qualities, e.g., the shying of the horse would save it from some beast of prey which lay in ambush waiting for the horse's approach: Buck-jumping, which is so common among the half-broken horses of America and Australia is a relic of defence against animals of the leopard kind, which used to spring upon the back' of their prey and tear the blood-vessels in the neck or dis-locate the vertebra. The buck-jumping horse puts its head out of reach between its fore-legs, and the arched-back makes it practically impossible for any_ wild animal to retain its position and hold.

Wild.traits still survive in the dog. Dog§ have been domesticated for thousands of years, and have been modified by breeders more than any other animal. Yet there are many remains of their days of independ-ence. The yard-dog to-day guards the house like the wild-dog or wolf guards- the lair of the pack. Wild- dogs hunted in packs because they lived on animals larger and stronger than themselves which could not be ob- tained single-handed. Hence the social virtues of the dog are strongly developed, and they readily make friends and regard all members of the household as belonging to one pack. Tail-wagging may be regarded as a species of signalling. When hunting through the long grass their heads and bodies were concealed, but their tails held aloft . easily caught the eyes of the dogs in the rear. Observe the white beneath the tail of hounds. The collie dog's habit of turning round- several times before lying down is probably due to the dog's ancestors custom of making a soft bed in the' jungle grass.

The strong thick neck of the ox is the result ensuing from the desperate tussles for mastership between the bulls of the herd when they fought. The strong-necked bull was victorious,, and now the quality has become a proverb. Bloodshed or - redness always meant the attack of some beast of prey, therefore the herd whose bulls or defenders became excited and pugnacious at the sight or smell of blood would be best defended from its enemies. In the bull-ring the bull charges the red mantle which hangs on the arm of the gladiator.

The reason that sheep have such thick wool is• be-cause the ancestors lived and browsed on high moun- tains, and the wool was necessary to ,protect them from the cold of the high altitudes. They were--,practically defenceless and had not the speed of the deer or ante-lope and when pursued by enemies they were able to climb to places in the maintains inaccessible to their • pursuers. All wild sheep are gregarious, and when a leader gives the signal of alarm, the rest, not questiOn-ing his wisdom, follow. If the leader should jump into a chasm his followeri follow his example.

The ancestor of our domestic cat was a solitary ani-mal. Unlike dogs, which resent the approach of anyone when eating, cats eat deliberately. Observe how a dog carries a bone to the mat where he may attack it as free from observation as possible. The solitary dis- position of the cat . inherited from its wild ancestors is seen in the kitten, which will play as soon as it is removed from its parent. The tabby-cat when at rest closely resembles a serpent, and the hissing and spitting of kit-tens is a -survival from its wild ancestors which guarded them against their enemies.

THE WORD THAT PASSES YOU. BY EDGAR L. VINCENT.

FAR from home three little subjects of the King of England started across the country one morning to go to the home of a friend. They did not know when they started that they would pass through the camp of a company of soldiers ; and when all at once they came in sight of a cavalryman, slowly riding up and down his beat, their very hearts stood still. Must4hey go back? How dared they go a single step that way? Just then a man came -toward them. Seeinc, the fear which held them chained to the spot, he asked them the cause of their timidity.

"We wanted to go this way to the home of our friend," the eldest, a little girl of six, said. "But we are afraid of that soldier.".

September 5, 1912. THE UNITED METHODIST. 681

"Never mind the soldier, little one," the gentleman said. "Just tell him you are a little English girl and he will let you pass, I am sure."

Bravely they went on then till the voice of the picket called out : "Halt! Who goes there?"

"Three little English girls," was the trembling response.

"Pass on, little English girls ! " the stern soldier said, a smile lighting up his face; and I am sure he thought it, if he did not say it, "We are English, too!"

That That was the word that let them pass—"English." Some day you will come up to the Gate Beautiful.

It may be there will be, nothing of fear in your soul, for you will be sure of the love of the King ; but whether there be anything of doubt in your face or not that day, you may be happy if you can say, "I belong to the King ! " for then the door will swing wide to let you in.

How grand to feel that always and everywhere the banner of the King is over you and his strong arm protecting you ! It may be night around your heart. Hard things may come to .you. The enemy may be encamped against your soul. Fear not. There is one magic word that will..pass you safely through it all—J esus ! —" The Visitor."

anternationat lesson. BY REV. CHARLES A. ASHELFORD, Berry Brow.

SEPTEMBER 15TH, 1912.

JUDGEMENT AND MERCY.— Matthew xi. 20-30.

GOLDEN TEXT.-" Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and 1 will give you 'rest."—Matt. xi. 28.

The title of this lesson is well chosen ; the eleven verses supply striking examples of the severity and the gentle-ness of Jesus in His dealings with men. He, whether denouncing the cities or calling the weary to Him, was inspired by the same great passion of love, and was ready to give His blessing of rest to the heavy-laden of the cities if they would but repent and come to Him. These verses were probably not spoken as one continuous utterance. Luke connects them with the Mission of the Seventy (c. x. 13-15 ; xxi. 22), while vv. 28-30 are the special treasure of the First Gospel. Mt. subordinates chronology to the sequence of ideas and teaching. C. xi., while not chronological, is most logical ; the arresting word of Jesus to the Baptist in v. 6—i" skandalon," i.e., "offence "—would be a most appropriate heading. The Baptist (v. 3), the Pharisaic formalists (vv. 16-19), the prosperous cities (vv. 20-34) were more or less offended in Him. John misunderstood the message of Jesus ; the Scribes and Pharisees perverted it; the cities rejected it ; the babes, i.e., the humble disciples, received it. The great thanksgiving (vv. 25-27) manifests the serene confidence of Jesus in the issues of His work in the face of disenchanting and disappointing experiences.

Denunciation (vv. 20-24). That the judgement of Jesus on these cities is tanta-

mount to a Divine judgement -is all the more impressive because it is implied and not asserted. "Chorazin " is found neither in the O.T. nor in Josephus. - The mere fact that we have no account of any "mighty works " being done in this place shows how much of our Lord's ministry is unrecorded. Many writers claim that there were two Bethsaidas—Bethsaida Julias, in Gaulonitis, on the north-east, and Bethsaida of Galilee on the north-west of the Sea of Galilee. Sanday, G. A. Smith, and others, however, are of opinion that there was but the one Bethsaida, in Gaulonitis. For mighty works there see Mk. viii. 22 ; Lk. ix. 10—the feeding of the 5,000 took place near Bethsaida. Andrew, Peter, and Philip were of Bethsaida. The R.V. of v. 23 reads : "Shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? " Capernaum physically was on the level of the lake shore, i.e., 682 feet below the sea-level. The question refers either to the self-importance of the small provincial town because of its commercial prosperity and expectations of a greaf future ; or to its great privilege in having the Messiah as one of its citizens. "Heaven " and Hades " are reminiscent of Isa. xiv. 13-15, and set before us on the one hand the height of the glory which had come to Capernaum, though she knew it not, and on the other hand the depth of shame which was and should be hers in rejecting the Messiah. Tyre and Sidon, as great commercial Gentile cities, were denounced by prophets for their pride and luxury, see Amos i., Isa. xxiii., Jer. xxv. and xlvii., and Ezek. xxvi.—xxviii. Sodom is a symbol, both in the O.T. and in the N.T. for gross wickedness provoking severe judgement (Gen. xix. 4-28). These upbraided cities are not charged with opposition or sensuality, but with sheer indifference. In spite of much formal re-ligion they were devoted to Mammon, and had no real heart for God. Jesus was in their midst, and they were blind to a great spiritual opportunity : His works of mercy never touched their hearts, His words of truth produced no change in their lives—"they repented not." The words, " more tolerable for Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom," etc, suggest how little we can estimate the comparative guilt either of individuals or of nations. Judgement will be according to light and opportunity. Because Caparnaum had greater privilege, light, oppor-tunity, therefore her responsibility was greater, and the judgement greater for rejection of same.

Exultation (vv. 25, 26). Note the different context in which these verses occur

in Luke. The Evangelists regard our Lord's utterance on this occasion as the open expression of His com-munion with the Father. Cf. Lk. 's "He rejoiced in the Holy Ghost" He poured forth the joy of His heart before God in fervent thankfulness and adoring acquies-cence. "Answered and said," is but an enlarged equiva-lent for "said," and anticipates a solemn saying. "These

things" (cf. v. 25) may refer to God's whole purpose and conduct toward men in respect of the Kingdom.. The words "hidden" and "'revealed" show that Jesus is thinking mainly of His teaching. It is only the pecu- liarity of an Eastern language that makes Him seem to give thanks that some have rejected the message of the Kingdom : in our idiom His words mean : ,"That while Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and un-derstanding, Thou hast revealed them unto babes." "Babes " refers to the child-like in their teachableness. The qualifications for welcoming Gods' revelations are A revelation accessible to babes is accessible to all. not mental but moral; not prirearilv brilliance of in-tellect but simplicity of spirit.

Affirmation (v. 27). This verse has attracted great attention. It is un7

questionably the profoundest utterance of Jesus in the Synoptics. Keim refers to it as "this pearl of the say- ings of Jesus "; Loisy, on the other hand, says that, "this passage translates the faith of the Christian Com-munity." Prejudice repudiates this utterance, because of its testimony to the Divine Sonship of Christ. It forniS the most striking connecting link between the Christology of the Synoptics and that of the Fourth Gospel. In some moment of crisis our Lord permitted His .sympathetic listeners to gain some insight into His consciousness of God, of Himself and of His Mission. Lk.'s setting of His dictum is most illuminating and in-structive (x. 22). It is an incomparable expression of mutual intimacy, serene trust, and perfect love.' The "all things" in this context refers neither to our Lord's universal sovereignty (Matthew xxviii. 18) nor does it express the Christian confidence. "All 'things are yours, etc." (1 Con iii. 21), it "must mean all that is involved in the revelation of God to man, the whole contents and administration of this revelation. . Jesus has an. inward confidence that He is competent for the work - the Father has given Him to' do, and that He alone is competent." He is both to God and man what no other can be : as Son He knows the Father. He is also the Mediator through whom alone the knowledge of the Father comes to men.

Invitation (vv. 28-30). The close connection between the great word (v. 27)

and the gracious invitation which follows it must not be overlooked. "Neither doth any know the Father save the Son, and he to whom the Son willeth to reveal Him." But the Son Willeth to reveal the Father and the secret of His rest to all who are conscious of their need of such revelation and such rest. The wise and understanding Scribes and Pharisees "bind heavy bur-dens and'grievous to be borne and lay them on men's shoulders" (c. xxiii. 4)—but Jesus gives them rest. Note the universality of the call, "All ye, etc.," also its ex-clusiveness, ".unto Me." Christ's Gospel is for all men of all climes and ages. He alone can fully satisfy -the deep and abiding needs of men individually and collec-tively. According to a very ancient tradition Jesus was a yoke-maker by trade. "As an artisan He would be thoughtful for the welfare of the dumb animals with which He had to do. He is as considerate as a Master of human souls.

Wedding. CLARKE—MALLENDER.

ON Tuesday, August 29th, at Worksop, the Rev. S. J. Clarke, of Lady Lane Circuit, Leeds, was married to Miss F. H. Mallender, of Worksop. The service, was conducted by Rev. T. S. Clarke (father of the bride-groom) assisted by Revs. J. Pitchford and W. Craig. The bridesmaids were Misses H. M. and Lilly Clarke, Miss Olive Cottingham and Miss Dorothy Pitchford. The bride, who was given away by her brother, was 'robed in white silk, a present from. India. Bridesmaids also were in white. The reception and breakfast took place in the schoolroom, some 60 guests sitting down. Rev. T. E. Clarke, of Batley, was best man.

On Saturday last the friends at Ashley Road Church, Leeds, gathered to welcome Mrs. Clarke into their midst, and to convey their best wishes to their pastor and his wife. A most enjoyable evening was spent, dur-ing- which a roll-top desk was presented to the bride-groom, in commemoration of the wedding.

News of Our Churches. All communications sent by Me halfpenny post for this

page should bear on the outside, distinctly written, the words " News for the Press," and should be directed to " The Editor,‘United Methodist,' 188 Rye Lane, Peckham, London, S.E." A number of communications lately have been surcharged through omitting to conform to these Post Office regulations. News should arrive not later than the FIRST delivery on Tuesday morning.

MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS. Rev. G. W. Bishop has decided to leave the Radstock

Circuit at the end of his third year (1913). The Rev. H. Fry will leave the Whitehaven Circuit

at Conference 1913, after four years' service. Rev. W. Wilkinson has intimated his intention of

leaving the Bishop Auckland Circuit in 1913. Rev. W. Bennett has consented to remain in the

Kilkhampton Circuit for the fifth year—until the Con-ference of 1914. Mr. Bennett is serving a second term in the Circuit.

ST. IVES. Memorial Our St. Ives (Bedford Road) Church, was Service: the scene of a most interesting service on General August 29th, held "In Memoriam " of Booth. the departed Chief of the SalVation Army,

and at the hour of his burial in London. The church was well filled, the members of the local S.A. Corps sitting together and wearing white silk arm-bands in token of respect for their dead General. All the Free Church ministers of the town took part in the service, which was of a most impressive character. Both our church and the tow n itself have always taken a strong interest in General Booth ever since those early days in his wonderful career, when, for a time, he lived and preached in St. Ives, and centred his work in our old premises in Chapel Street. The general opinion is that the town never had such spiritual visitations as were experienced in those days of revival. The whole place was deeply stirred and every class reached. Some of the. most influential people in the churches here proudly claim William Booth as their spiritual father. It seemed very fitting that, while the departed General was being buried in London, his converts and soldiers and admirers on these far Western shores, should spend the solemn burial hair in sympathetic acts of devo-tion, answering, like heart-throb answers heart-throb, the lifted psalms and fervent prayers of the 34,000 loyal soldiers of the Salvation Army, gathered round the last resting place. of the man who was their founder, and who may yet be written down in history as the religious genius of our age.

ST. JUST. Stonelaying On Friday, August 30th, a large con- Ceremony. gregation assembled to witness the lay-

ing of foundation stones of a new school-room to form an extension of the chapel at Boscaswell (Pendeen). The day being exceptionally fine, several interested friends in the Circuit were prevented from attending, by harvesting operations. The Rev. W. Hill presided, supported by Revs. G. Matthews (Pen-zance), B. Lumb (Vicar of Pen'deen), P. E. Farrar (Wes,- leyan), Capt. S. Murrish, Mr. R. Prowse and others: In the course of a short address, Rev. W. Hill stated that the Boscaswell Sunday School was the oldest in the neighbourhood. It was one of the first established by the Bible Christians in Cornwall, and had been in existence about a hundred years. It had been affected from time to time by fluctuations of local trade, but at the present time additional accommodation was greatly needed by both the Sunday School and church. The contemplated outlay was from £250 to £300. It would be easy to spend the latter amount if it could be raised. They were greatly helped by their farmers and -others who had undertaken to do the hauling of materials and .other work, free of cost. They hoped to raise the cost of the extension by about the time of completion of the Work. Stones were laid as follows :—"Circuit Stone,"

NOW READY.

Minutes of the Annual Conference OF THE

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, HELD IN THE

BETFIESDA CHAPEL, HANLEY.

Price is. 6d. net. If ordered direct 4d. postage should be added.

London : UNITED METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE, 12 FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C.

682

THE UNITED METHODIST. September 5, 1912,

by Mr. G. B. Hicks, C.C., -16s. being placed on the stone, and further donations were expected ; "Sunday School Stone," by Mr. W. T. Laity, oldest teacher of the School, £12 4s. 6d., placed on it on behalf of the school. Other stones were laid by Master W. R. Nicholas on behalf of his father, Capt. B. Nicholas, who contributed

2s. ; Annie Prowse, daughter of the, Society Steward, who contributed 2s. 6d., her personal savings; Mrs. J. J. Trembath, £2 2s. Smaller stones were laid by twenty-Jive scholars, each of whom presented a contri-bution in cash. Sir Clifford Cory, Bart., M.P.,, had forwarded with an expression of deep regret at his inability to be present. About 130 persons subse-quently attended the public tea and at the meetingwhich followed. The chapel was too small to accommodate all who wished to attend. The total receipts up to date amount to £148. •

STOKE-ON-TRENT. A GATHERING of unique interest took place in Mount

Zion Schoolroom on Aug. 27th. The occasion was - a double one--to bid farewell to Rev. R. Worthington, and to welcome his successor, Rev. J. D. Crosland. Mr. Worthington, who has laboured in Longton Zion Circuit for two years, is about, to leave England as our pioneer missionary in Meru, East Africa. Part of his work will be in the development of native agriculture, for which he had special training before offering for Africa. During his stay in Stoke, Mr. Worthington has endeared himself to the people, and has been generally held in high regard throughout the Circuit. It was 'fitting, therefore, that under the special circumstances, this meeting should be held to bid him God-speed. Mr. Crosland, who succeeds him, is the first married minister to take charge of Stoke Church. The meeting was preceded by a tea, and was well attended. Mr. C. .F. Robinson, J.P., pre-sided, and in the name of the Stoke friends, spoke of the good impression the retiring pastor had made dur-ing his stay. He was followed by Mr. Thomas Twy-ford, J.P., who, in a few well-chosen words, presented Mr. Worthington with a pair of binoculars in leather case, an appropriate gift, and a slight token of the .Church's love and esteem. Mr. Worthington, in his reply, expressed his regret that the greater call had made it necessary for Min to leave Stoke. His two years' fellowship with the people had been a very happy one indeed, and he should often find himself thinking of the friends he had made. His work had not been wholly satisfactory to himself, but it had not been altogether fruitless. He commended his successor to their love and loyalty with all confidence. Mr. J. P. Willatt, Mr. J. Davenport, and Mr. J. Reynolds each spoke ap-preciatively of Mr. Worthington's work, and extended a hearty welcome to the new minister and his wife. Mr. Crosland briefly replied. Rev. R. Worthington, having offered prayer on behalf of the Church under the new ministry, a very enjoyable meeting. was brought to a close.

Receptions. BRISTOL SOUTH.—The reception of new ministers in

this circuit took the form of a social gathering. Mr. C. T. Saunders (senior circuit steward) was in the chair. During the evening the representatives from Southville and Radcliffe Crescent Church rendered musical items. Rev. J. T. Mildon wholeheartedly welcomed the brethren,

.Revs. T. J. Cox and A. J. Hopkins. Rev. T. J. Cox, in his address, which was full of spirit and power, greatly impressed the gathering, and Rev. A. J. Hopkins also gave an .interesting address. Re-freshments were served, after which Mr. Keeling gave a racy account of the Conference at Hanley. The gathering was most successful.

DENTON.—On August 25th the members gave a hearty welcome to their new minister, Rev. Arthur Bamforth. The Sunday services made an excellent impression, and everything augurs well for a successful ministry at this church.

LEICESTER (Hill Street).—On August 24th a social was held to welcome the Rev. W. H., Mrs. and Mr. A. H. Booker. Mr. A. W. Palethorpe presided. Mr. Scatter-good and Mr. Sutliff and Rev. J. J. Davies delivered addresses. Mr. Hardy gave recitals, and Messrs: Gilbert and Sutliff contributed solos. There was a good meeting, Owing to his brother's death, the officials liberated Mr. Booker from. the Sunday services.

SHEFFIELD (Sharrow Lane).—Rev. Arthur Hancock presided over a well-attended meeting on August 31st, - which included friends from other churches in the cir-cuit, to welcome Rev. F. E. and Mrs. Watts, the newly-appointed minister to the circuit. . A good tone was im-parted to the meeting by the optimistic and inspiring address of the chairman, and a cordial welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Watts was voiced by Messrs. A. Chappell (Trust), G. Wm. Caudle (Church), James Maclaurin (sunday School), A. Evans (Band of Hope), and H. Fearn (Christian Endeavour). Rev. F. E. and Mrs. Watts re- plied in excellent speeches, and a very happy and hopeful meeting was followed by a coffee supper, well served by the members of the Girls' Guild. The meeting gave promise of a helpful and fruitful ministry.

TODMORDEN (Bridge Street).—Rey. R. H. B. Shapland has commenced his ministry here and preached to good congregations morning and evening on the first Sunday, and in the afternoon gave a very interesting address in the school. At the close of the evening service the

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Sacrament was administered to a large number. On Saturday a welcome tea and meeting was held, when a very large number attended. The meeting was presided over by Mr. Herbert Crabtree (steward of the church), and addresses were given by Messrs. C. A. Linley (also a steward of the church), J. W. Blackburn, J.P., R. Trenholme, R. A. Thorp, W. Wilcock, Joshua Holden, M.A. (Cleckheaton, a former teacher in the Sunday School), J. B. Halstead (Castle Grove), Rev. J. E. Port-man (Cornholine), and Rev. R. H. B. Shapland. Mr. W. Greenwood, Mrs. A. Marshall, and Miss K. Sutcliffe rendered songs ; Mr. E. S. Gill, accompanist.

BRADFORD (Shearbridge). — A well-attended meeting was held on August 28th to welcome Rev. Cooper G. Hawken and family. The meeting proved very encour-aging, not only to the incoming minister, but to the church officers as well. Mr. Wm. Hopkinson presided, and in welcoming Mr. Hawken spoke of our special needs with much hopefulness. The secretary-steward also spoke, and earnestly appealed for united effort. Rev. G. W. Stacey gave his testimony to the encouraging spirit to be found in the church, and welcomed Mr. Hawken as a brother minister. In replying, Mr. Hawken referred to the fusion of denominations in the circuit, all three sections now being represented. He adopted the motto of the Crusaders, "Deus -vult " ("God wills it ") and intended to face his new work in that spirit and .attempt the recovery for the Church of Christ of some of its 'lost ground. Musical items were rendered- by the choir, and refreshments were served during the social intercourse which followed.

HULL (Campbell Street).—A reception service was held on August 27th to welcome the Revs. George Mel-lelieu and J. .W. Mold to the circuit. Councillor E. Ombler presided over a large company, when a very pleasant evening was spent.

Anniversaries. MATLEY (Manchester District).—The third anniver-

sary was celebrated on August 11th and 13th. Holidays, unfavourable weather and sickness somewhat affected the .attendances, but the congregations were, on the whole, good. The Sunday services were conducted by Revs. W. Lacon Tonge, W. H. Booth, F.R.G.S. (Wes-leyan ; cousin of the pastor) and W. H. Pritchett (Con-gregationalist). Soloists : Miss Winifred Morris and Mr. James Bushell. The tea meeting was well attended. In the absence of the chairman (Mr. Geo. Blyth) through illness, the Rev. H. M. Booth presided at the public meeting and gave some particulars of the work. Ad-dresses were delivered by Revs. F. J. Wharton and W. L. 'range, and by Mr. J. A. Yoxall. Net proceeds,

which is-regarded as satisfactory, considering what has been done in the District recently to reduce the debt` and locally to meet the cost of renovation, etc. Visitors were charmed with the tasteful appearance of the little church.

W.M.A. ELHAM.—To raise funds and deepen interest in

foreign missions a public tea and meeting were held at Mr. Ernest File's, Ottinge Farm, on August . 28th. Mrs. Cole presided, and the chief speaker was Rev. `W.. W. Clayson, returned missionary from China. It was a pleasant and interesting function with a net profit of -4..1 4s. 9d. for the funds.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE DISTRICT. —A garden party was held in. Jesmond Dene, Newcastle, rwently. • Not-withstanding the unfavourable weather a large number were present. After tea a meeting was held in the Ban-queting Hall. Rev. A. Smith (chairman of District) presided, and an interesting address was given-by Rev. T. Sunderland. Mrs. Dryden explained the object and work of the W.M.A. in a short address. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Voggin's quartet party, who had rendered part-songs.—A very successful garden party was held by our Whitehaven branch in the beau-tiful grounds of Mrs. Hill. Tea was followed by a meeting, presided over' by Mrs. Fry, when the objects and aims of the W.M.A. were explained. Rev. H. Fry spoke briefly, and then Miss Bragg exhibited a large number of curios which she had collected on her recent tour in Southern India. Songs were rendered by Miss Skinner and Mr. Richardson, and votes of thanks to Mrs. Hill and Miss Bragg were moved and seconded respectively by Messrs. J. R. Buckler, T. Murray and Rev. H. Fry and Mrs. Parson (late Wesleyan mission- ary in India). Proceeds, 12s.

General. " NEWCASTLE, STAFFS (Ebenezer).On August 29th, Rev. T. P. Bullen gave his new lecture--on " General Booth : the Man and his Mission "—to a large and highly appreciative audience, Mr. William Statham, of Chesterton, being in the chair. A score of Salvationists in uniform sat upon the platform. The lecture was a . warm, but discriminating appreciation of General Booth and his wonderful lifework. The opportunity was also used to correct certain false statements.respect-ing General Booth's leaving the M.N.C. ministry.

.Several Salvationists took part by speech and song, and a most impressive evening was passed.

STAFFORD.—At the special monthly service on Sept. 1st, Rev. H. Pritchard (pastor) preached a striking dis-course on "General Booth," There was a large congre-gation, which included several representative men of the town. The service was much appreciated, and it was of special interest, as the late General had associations with our cause at Stafford.

SHEFFIELD, HANOVER (Banner Cross).e-A post-poned garden party and gala was held on August 31st at the residence of Colonel Sir Charles Allen, at Bents Green, who very kindly placed his grounds at the dis-posal of the friends. 'Opportunity was given for numer-ous games. Tea was served on the Green.. During the afternoon Mr. F. Singleton's orchestra entertained the company with selections. Altogether a most enjoyable

time was spent. Proceeds towards the Church Exten-sion Fund.

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE (Red Hall).—A most helpful and inspiring service was held on Sunday afternoon last. The service was arranged by members of the Young Men's Bible Class, for the purpose of presenting to the school a portrait of their late teacher (Mrs. Kellett), whose death occurred in January last. Short addresses were given by W. Stafford, J. W. Oldfield, E. Worthington, W. Ashworth, FL S. Ellis, E. Worrall, each testifying to the- good they had received from her devoted service. Mr.' H. S. Ellis, with appropriate references, presented the portrait, and the school secretary (Mr. Walter Slack) on receiving it, suitably and feelingly responded on be-half of the school committee. The service and presenta-tion were worthy tributes 'to the effective influence of a noble life. Truly, "she being dead, yet speaketh."

Presentations. CHATHAM AND NEW BROMPTON (Luton Road).—In

addition to receiving a purse of gold, reported last week, Rev. A. Ralph on leaving this church was presented with a framed portrait of •the football club from the young men, a• silver tea service from Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Batchelor, a case of silver tea spoons from Mr. and Mrs. Wills, and a pair of silver salts.

LONDON (Forest Hill).—At a social gathering held to bid farewell to Rev. W. S. Green, Mr. C. T. Hallifax presided and spoke words of appreciation of the ser-vices rendered by Mr. Green. Mr. T. S. Evans spoke' in a similar strain on behalf of the Brotherhood which had been founded by Mr. Green. The Chairman, on behalf of the congregation, presented Mr. Green with a purse of gold and an album containing a large num-ber of signatures and messages of appreciation. Mr. Green feelingly replied.

SHEFFIELD (Scotland Street).—A meeting was held at Malin Bridge Church on August 21st, when the friends of the circuit met to say God-speed to Rev. Josiah and Mrs. Thomas. They have spent eight happy and eminently successful years in the circuit, endearing themselves to many by their service and labour of love. During this time they have seen the circuit grow from strength to strength : four new churches being built and thousands of pounds raised. Mr. Joseph Ward pre-sided and paid a graceful compliment to the preaching and also to the general work in the churches of Mr. Thomas. Messrs. R. W. Carr, Levi Banner, A. E. Langford and G. W. Mills also expressed appreciation of the good work done. Revs. W. H. •Lockley and Dr. Jack rejoiced in their colleague's successful minis-try in the circuit. Mr. Joseph Wood, in presenting Mr. Thomas with a roll-top desk and a purse of gold, assured him of a loving welcome whenever he visited the circuit.• The Men's Bible Class at Malin Bridge gave him a beautiful dressing-case; the sewing meeting at Hillsboro gave Mrs. Thomas an umbrella and a travelling case. Three years ago, on leaving Attercliffe for Hillsboro 'they received a handsome canteen of cutlery. Mr. Thomas, in his reply, thanked the friends for their generous gifts and appreciative words of him and his wife and the services they had been enabled to render by God's grace. They would, never forget the many kindnesses shown to them, especially during his serious illness of last year. It was their kindness then, under God's blessing that had made him a strong- man again. He hoped and prayed that the circuit would continue to prosper.

HUCKNALL TORKARD (Bulwell).—A tea and valedic-tory meeting were held to bid farewell to Rev. S. E Davis. Mr. F. Ward,. of Basford, presided. Mr.

George Redfern spoke on behalf of the Basford Church, and Mr. Fred Goodall and Mr. Dabell, of Hucknall, for the rest of the circuit. A gift from the circuit in the shape of a purse of gold was presented to Mr. Davis . by Mr. Ward, while Mrs. Davis received a beautiful umbrella. As a return present, Mr. Davis is giving a baptismal font to the David Lane Church, while the Bestwood Road Chapel, Hucknall, which desires to make him a separate gift, is receiving a similar present. Opportunity was' also taken of bidding fare-well to Miss Maggie Fairbrother, of Bulwell, who has since left for China, and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mellors, of Basford, who shortly depart for Australia.

NEWQUAY (Sydney Road).--Sister Nellie, who has' had charge of this church for the past three months, preached her farewell sermon on August 25th. At the close a lovefeast and farewell service was held, presided over by the' Rev. W. Chadwick, who spoke of the good•work Sister Nellie had accomplished. Miss Rawle, on behalf of the members and friends expressed the regret of having to part with Sister, Nellie, and pre-sented her with a copy of sacred songs and solos as a small token of appreciation of her services. Mr. Cradick, Miss Roseveare, Mrs. Harvey, and Mr. F. Prout (Society Steward), spoke words of appreciation, and Sister Nellie suitably responded.

HULL (Campbell Street).—On August 22nd the school-room was crowded with friends to wish Rev. Alwyn J. and Mrs. Ellis God-speed on leaving the circuit. Councillor Ombler, who was unable to preside owing tb absence from home, sent an appreciation of Mr. Ellis's work, Mr. Maude presided, and said he was extremely sorry they were losing Mr. and Mrs. Ellis. They had worked exceptionally hard for the church.. On behalf of the church, Mrs. Hudson asked Mrs. Ellis to accept

CORNS, HOOFY-SKIN WARTS, BUNIONS,

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

ABERYSTWYTH Mrs. I. REES, "Graig- • wen." Bridge Street.

Apartments, central position, three minutes' walk from station and sea. U.M.

LANCING-ON-SEA, WORTHING.— BEACHVILLE) Superior Boarding House and others. (Temperance), for Christian Workers hers. Large house standing in own grounds, with lawns and shrub-beries. Ideal spot, facing sea. near bracing Downs. Motor buses pass gates. Liberal dietary. Comfort studied. Terms, from I7s, 6d. shared rooms, 21s. single. Reduced fares.—Apply, Principal. BLACKPOOL Mrs. THOMAS, 102 Albert . Road. Apartments. Public and Private. Board optional. Reliable. U.M. BLACKPOOL — Blenheim Mount, Tyldesleo,

. Terrace, Promenade. Public or private Apartments, with or without board. Terms moderate.—Turner and Hadley. U:M.

— First-class House. Leading • position on sea front, board-residence or without board, from 17s. 6d. weekly. Write for illustrated tariff. Proprietress, Sandown House, Tyldesley Terrace, Promenade. U.M. BLACKPOOL— Misses PILLING, Alma

• House, 25 Banks Street, N.S. Public and Private Apartments. Facing sea. U.M.

BLACKPOOL—Mrs. PENNINGTON, 74 • Upper Adelaide Street.

Public and Private Apartments. 5 minutes either station. No intoxicants. U.M.

BLACKPOOL—Mrs. SCHOFIELD,treet. Norfolk e House, 19 Banks Street. Public and Private Apartments. Sea view. N.S. U.M. BLACKPOOL. 11nissesRCoalidOSLiiiioNrg, 62sE2goreer-. Public or private sitting room. U.M. BLACKPOOL '--Mrs. MACFARLANE, 1 Car-

. shalton Road, North Shore. Private Apartments. Close to sea and cars. U.M

BLACKPOOL —Mrs. HILTON, 6 Rutland Gate, • Claremont Park. Superior Pri- vate Apartments. Facing Sea. U.M. BOURNEMOUTH—Durley Hall. A bright

• Christianhome, well known for comfort and excellent table. Electrophone to hear Church Services, and Winter Garden Concerts. Near the sea. Billiards. Moderate terms.—Tel. 1453. Manwaring. BRIDLINGTON BPembrokeIRKE T ,

Terrace. ■ Villa, Full sea view. Overlooking Spa. Board, Private or Permanent Home. Well recommended. U.M.

BRIDLINGTON —Miss FIRTH, Bradford .House, Marshall Avenue, -Comfortable Apartments, near sea. Would like couple, or two ladies, to share home. U.M.

BUXTON —HADDON HALL HYDRO (LTD.). it—Charming position most comfort-able ; Radium water treatment a speciality ; season terms 2i guineas to 3i guineas inclusive ; 'Phone 4 ; Telegrams, Haddon Hall, Buxton.—J. Little. Managing Director.

GHOBHAM— Pleasantly situated. Healthy ■ locality. A few paying guests taken. Home comforts. Liberal table. Quiet. Terms from 15s. per week. Cycle accommodation.—Stamped envelope, Budd, Hope Lodge, Windsor Road.

The Favourite Home in London for Abstainers.

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

APARTMENTS, SERVICE AND TABLE D'HOTE BREAKFAST FROM 5/- SOUTHAMPTON ROW, LONDON. - Full tariff and Guide on application to

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BLACKPOOL

ROTHESAY SCOTLAND. — CAMPBELL'S I Boarding Establishment (Chris-tian). Finely situated. Own grounds. Overlookin0 the sea. Extensively patronised by Christian people from all parts. 29th year.—Prospectus from Colin Campbell, Proprietor, Argyle Lodge.

SOUTHDOWNS HYDRO Rogate. Peters- field, Hants.— :, An ideal health and holiday resort, Sea and pine" air. Excellent cuisine, separate tables, billiards, tennis, croquet, golf. Hydropathic treatment , massage, etc. Illustrated booklet on application.—W. Botham, Ph.0 . SOUTHEND-ON-SEA — Bright, happy . holiday home. Open all the year round. Close to sea and country. Terms from 12s. 6d. Reduced railway fare. Stamped envelope.— Miss Shippard, 2 Woodgrange Drive. SOUTHPORT —Miss DAVIES, Baden House, • 46 Promenade. Superior Apartments or Board. Best central situation. Every home comfort. U.M. SOUTHPORT ■

KENWORTHY'S HYDRO. • Near churches, Pier, Lord Street. Visitors or Patients accommodated. Lounge. Lift. 120 bedrooms. Resident Physician. Turkish. Radiant Heat, Hydro, and Electric Baths. Terms, from 38/6 weekly to 6/- daily. Tel. 80. Tele-grams, " Kenworthy's."—Apply Manageress.

SOUTHPORT — Comfortable well-furnished • apartments. Very central. Pleasantly situated. Well recommended. — Mrs. Pickering, 8 Lord Street. U.M. TINTACEL —Apartments. Near beach. Golf. I Special terms September, Two rooms now.—Slee,■ Camelford. U.M. TORQUAY.—Mrs. RONAYNE,Chelston Square. s ; Sitting room, two bedroom south aspect. Comfortable home. Terms moderate. U.M.

— TORQUAY Miss MARTIN, Woodland or Lodge, e Chelston. Private Paying Guests. Near sea and station. U.M. WESTON-SUPER-MARE.-wAgotmr with- out board. South aspect.—Mrs. Stevens, Lisdoon Varna, Beaufort Road.

— Apart- ■ ments, central, or board-residence, from one guinea weekly. —Hockin, 6 Walliscote Grove. U.M. WESTON - SUPER - MARE

WILD'S HOTELS (FIRST-CLASS TEMPERANCE)

30-40 LUDGATE HILL, LONDON■ Central for Charing Cross, Cannon Street an • rn Holbo Viaduct Stations for the Continent Bed and Breakfast, 5/- each person. Four-course Luncheon /5 daily, Sundays excepted, at both Hotels. Open to non-residents.

70-71 EUSTON SQUARE ®_

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TRANTTER'S E HOTEL,

to 9 Bridgewater Square, BARBICAN, LONDON. Two minutes from Aldersgate Street Railway Station. Six minutes fromSt. Paul's Cathedral and G.P.O. Near all places of interest. Absolutely quiet, homelike, and very central. Bed and Breakfast, including Boots and Lights, 313 to 6/- each person per night. No charge for attendance. Tea, from 1/- to 119. ELECTRIC LIGHT

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WM. LOSSOCK (late of Peebles, Scotland), Proprietor and Manager.

2! DEVONSHIRE HOUSE HOTEL 5 12 BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHOUT, E.C.

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First-Claes Temperance. Passenger Lift. Replete with every comfort. Eleotrlo Light throughout.

Exceptionally quiet and well-furnished bedrooms.

September 5, 1912.

a sewing machine as a token of their great apprecia-tion of her services. She had thrown herself heartily into every department of the work and very many homes would miss her cheerful presence. Mr. W. Hudson then presented Mr. Ellis with a travelling bag and said he had worked most enthusiastically, and they were happy to report an all-round healthy condition. There had been an increase of over twenty in membership, and the last financial quarter had been entered, upon with small balance in hand. Mr; and Mrs. Ellis feelingly

- replied, and thanked all for their support and many kind-nesses and asked that these might be extended to those coming to them—Rev. G. and Mrs. Mellelieu. Mr. and Mrs.. Ellis were also the recipients of the following : Silver entrée dish from members of "Women's Own," silver jam dish from members C.E. Society, silver-mounted umbrellas from Hessle Mission, antique china tea service from Campbell Street, half-dozen silver tea spoons froM a friend, a silver spoon from Girls' Par-lour canary and cage and a sapphire brooch were pre-sented to their daughter Mary.

HANLEY (Providence).—Rev. F. H. Chambers con-ducted his farewell service on Sunday evening, Aug. 18th. During his three years' ministry in this Circuit,

THE UNITED METHODIST. Mr. Chambers has gained great popularity. It was not surprising, therefore, to find the church packed long before the appointed time for the service to com-mence, many having come from a distance to unite in hearty appreciation in his last service. On the follow-ing evening a tea and presentation were given to Mr. and Mrs. Chambers. About 380 friends sat down to tea--the church being 'crowded for the presenta- tion meeting. Dr. Moaly, who occupied the chair, paid a high tribute to the work Mr. Chambers had done, and expressed the hope that he would continue to be of service to his fellows in his new sphere of la- bour. The presentation, which consisted of a beautiful pair of Wedgwood jasper vases and flower pot, was made by Mr. James Morse, and on behalf of the Working Men's -Meeting and Institute Mr. Hugh Wil-liams presented Mr. Chambers with a purse of gold. Several 'of the church officials also spoke on behalf of the work Mr. ChaMbers had done to which he suitably responded. The Rev. D. G. Elwood, who succeeds Mr. Chambers has received a very warm and hearty wel-come. . CRADLEY HEATH (Netherton):—A large congregation listened to the farewell sermon of Rev. John Chinn on

683

August 18th. On the Monday evening, a good number of church members and adherents met in the Sunday School to wish God-speed to Mr. and Mrs. Chinn. Ex-pression was given by all the speakers to the sterling work done by Mr. Chinn in the various departments of Christian service ; his labours have been ably seconded by his wife, whOse efforts in the Sunday School and in an evening class for ladies, have been of an untiring nature for the welfare of the church. Tangible proofs were given of the esteem in which the pastor and his wife were held ; including a pianoforte cabinet stool from the church, a framed photo of the members of the Young Men's Class, and a large framed picture of the Christian Endeavourers. Mrs. Chinn was presented with a Bible by the Sunday School teachers, while the Senior Ladies' Class presented her with a framed group photo of its members. The Darby End friends pre-sented Mr. Chinn with a fountain pen and books, and the K.-nov/1e congreghtion, presented a picture and

specimens of Doulton Ware. Mr. Chinn has also taken a great interest in the Darby End and Victoria Street, Adult Morning Schools, and the members of the two classes asked him to accept two Index cases which were beautifully constructed.

HOTELS, HYDROS.

BOARD RESIDENCES AND

PRIVATE APARTMENTS.

DOUCLAS ome (1.0.m.)—LONSDALE'S, Britannia House. Close to Park and Promenade. Established over 25 years. Write for booklet. U.M. DOUGLAS (I.O.M.). NETTLE, E —Miss

9 Clifton Terrace, Broadway. Apartments. with or without board. U.M. THE BEAUTY SPOT OF

DOUGLAS Is ROWLANDS MONA, very highly recommended by many ministers, doctors and others. Replete with all the comforts of a refined home. Terms strictly moderate. Address, Mrs. E. B. ROWLAND, Rowlands Mona, 31 Loch Promenade, Douglas.

EASTBOURNE■ —Stoneleigh Boarding House, • 99 Pevensey Road. Visited season. Stamped

Wesleyans and others. Terms according to ason. Stamped envelope.—Particulars Miss Sullivan. U.M.

— Board-residence, pleasant . and comfortable. Good central position and quiet, near sea and park. Good cooking and home comforts. Terms moderate (stamp for particulars).—Mrs. Street, Ripley House. Lushing-ton Road. FELIXSTOWE — Private mper- . Te

ante Hotel, long estab-lished ; economical, Christian home from home. Near, sea, promenade. Large grounds with fine sea views. Tennis, croquet balcony ; lawn teas, picnics, socia-bility. Telephone 77. FLEET.—BFoOaRr5S4TesiVelEn

Apartments.UR C H - O OK HEA, hdie.r —1 y Board-residence,

VIEW, Lady and Gentlemen or two friendscanshare full comforts of permanent home. High, 'dry, lovely country. Farm produce.—Terms, from One Guinea. FOLKESTONE._:ietuoaeteeoi N. oelF, 0. 1Beautifully,s s e

har- bour, pier. Comfortable ; good table. Terms moderate. Send for tariff.—G. W. Tuck. U.M. GT. YARMOUTH —Mrs. RICHES, Dart- . ford House, Ansley Rd. Boarders. Home comforts. Liberal table. Moderate charges. One minute from pier. U.M. HARROGATE._3mumpeprialRoHomydroa,nd

Valley Gardens. Near all Baths. Phy. From 7s.6d. per day. Tel. 42.—Manageress.

ILFRACOMBE. — Loamrftmoretanbtsle oFrurnBsohaercd1 Residence. Pleasant situation. Terms moderate and inclusive.—Huggins, 90 St. Brannock's Road. U.M. ILFRACOMBE— St. Petroc. Comfortable, • select pension adjoining

Southern as bathing beaches. Sopect, on level. Separate tables, good cuisine. Good place to spend your summer holiday. Terms, from 35s.—U. Chadder.

RECOMMENDED BY

U M.C. MINISTERS AND

OTHERS. • MO

— ILFRACOMBE Osborne Privae Hotel. On • level. Minute tsea, Capstone Parade, and bathing beaches. Sixty bedrooms. Small menu. Home comforts tables ; good cooking ; excellent with inclusive terms.—F. Collins, Proprietor. LIVERPOOL.—SH,FasBNNETEMOuRni Pleasant (five minutes' walk from Lime Street and

Mount Pleasant

Stations). Homelike and moderate. ount and Castle Pleasant Cars from Pier Head tle Street, near Exchange Station, stop at door. Night Porter. Tel. : Shaftesbury Hotel, Liverpool. 'Phone 3882 Royal. LONDON WOOLLACOTT'S TEMPERANCE HOTEL, Stamford Street, Waterloo. Cent ral for Est. 40 years. Very moderate charges. C Strand, City, West End. Electric light. Bright . homelike. LONDON, W.C.-0,,sit4o4rsTowrriiirligtofinndSquareci rooms, substantial ■ breakfast and table d'hôte dinner, from 4s. 6d. daily. Bed and Breakfast 3s. Special weekly terms.—Mrs. Newman. Phone 4461 City. •

••19111111MON111111.

LONDON. Board Residence. Quiet, comfortable Home. Every ceconvenience. Terms moderate.-169 Blythe Road, West Kensington Park, W. U.M. LONDON VISITORS■ —Mrs. G. BRITTON • (formerly of Leeds and Sheffield), 66 Southfield Road, Bedford Park, W. Partial board; day or week. U.M.

LONDON. Close to British Museum.

WILLIAMS' TEMPERANCE HOTEL

2 and a Montague Street, Russell Square, W.C.

- Silence" Room for Students and others requiring perfect quiet. Tariff on application. Telegraphic Address, " Faithful, London?'

Tele¢hone P.O. 9992 Central.

MORECAMBE—Misses PICKERING. • -Beach Mount, Victoria Esplanade. Public and Private Apartments. Home

comforts. U.M.

MORECAMBE—Central. Comfortable Apart- . ments. Close to Promenade. Splendid position. Terms moderate.—Mrs. Morris, "Sans Souci," 7 Northumberland Street. MORECAMBE — Mrs. PEARSON, West- • morland House, Brighton Terrace. Facing sea and lake mountains. Homely Apartments. U.M. PRESTATYN —Mrs. PITCHFORD, Park

. House, Board-residence or Apartments. Near to Station, sea, and mountains. U.M.

PRESTATYN, N. WALES. TAMORs, "Rosewood," Victoria'Avenue. Apartments ; mountain scenery, lovely walks, driving, sea, bathing. U.M.

WHEN REPLYING TO ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE MENTION

'I UNITED METHODIST,"

OUR

HOLIDAY DIRECTORY (SEASIDE AND COUNTRY).

Imo

EASTBOURNE

MARRIAGES. DENT — BRUNSKILL. — On August

14th, at the United Methodist Church, Appleby, by Rev. W. E. Stockley, Mr. John Hy. Dent, of Bolton, to Miss Margaret Helena Brunskill, late of Saskatchewan.

CLARKE—MALLENDER.— On Tues- day, August loth, at Worksop, the -

Rev. S. J. Clarke to Miss F. H. Mallender, of Worksop. The Rev. T. S.Clarke (father of the bridegroom), assisted by Revs. J. Pitchford and W. Craig, officiated.

DAVIS — DILWORTH. — On August 27th, at Bethel Chapel, Ovenden, by

Rev. S. Edwin Davis (brother of bride-groom), assisted by Rev. James Rutherford, Rev. Charles A. Davis, third son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Davis, of Chester, to Elsie Dilworth, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dilworth, Ovenden.

APPOINTMENTS VACANT.

WANTED,U.M. Supernumerary Minister for Oldham District.—Address F, 209 Droyesdon Road, Newton Heath, Manchester. WANTED, Pastor for U.M. Church, Manchester District, to commence Sept., 1913. Applications, with recent testimonials and salary required, to be addressed to Mr. A. Kirkland, 42 Thorpe Street, Old Trafford, Manchester, not later than Sept. 18th, 1912.

FOR SALE.

BAZAARS.—Barnstaple Rustic Baskets are very popular, and sell well at good profit.—Illus-

trated price list from Blackwell and Son, 20 Cross Street, Barnstaple.

TWO BOOKLETS Published under the ausPtces of the Young People's and Temperance

League Committee.

How Bob became a Church-Member. By the Rev. W. P. RHODES.

.Have You Chosen ? By the Rev. W. RUPERT CLARK.

3/6 per 100 ; or post free, 7d. per dozen.

London : UNITED METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE, 12 Farringdon Avenue, E.C.

Application for Advertisement Space in this Paper should be made to

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

For Churches, Chapels, Missions & Schoolrooms.

FROM

s. 8d. EACH.

• rt .. :hi .....

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A HANDBOOK OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. By Rev. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D.

0

BY APPOINTMENT.

THE HISTORIC HOUSE. Appointed Manufacturers to

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and to other

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PURE

'Cocoa 300 GRANDS PRIX, GOLD MEDALS, &c.

Fry's " Five. Boys " and " Lotus " Chocolate, " King George," " Queen Mary," and " Queen Alexandra " Chocolates as supplied to Royalty.

UNITED METHODIST

SCHOOL HYMNAL. OFFICIAL HYMNAL FOR THE SCHOOLS, BROTHERHOODS, COLLEGES, ETC.,

OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

Mr. Pollard's thrilling Book of Hair-breadth Escapes in the Mission Field:

it.

Tight Corners in China.

By Rev. SAMUEL POLLARD, Missionary among the Miao in

South-West China.

ONE SHILLING NET. Postage 3d. extra.

London: United Methodist Publishing House,

12 Farringdon Avenue, E.C.

.• li• i2:

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BY

F. W. BOURNE.

ANDREW CROMBIE, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.

Delicately and Artistically Finished by competent Artists in an indelible process,

Size 12 inches by 10 inches, mounted on India tint plate sunk mount.

Send any Photograph, together with P.O.and in 10 days you will receive. a work of art that will charm and surprise you. Your original photograph will be

returned at the same time undamaged.

Address : Manager, " United Methodist," 12 FARRINGDON AVENUE, LONDON, E.C.

........................................ ••••••••

......................

.......................... :.7 ............ . .... I••• •• ....................................................................................... "

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Three Booklets Post free on aPPlication. Address the Makers:

TOWNSHENDS, Ltd., BIRMINGHAM. When replying to ADVERTISEMENTS

please mention "UNITED METHODIST."

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Revs. Dr. Townsend, C. Wenyon, M.D.. C. W. Andrews,

B.A., B.D., J. Gregory Mantle, Dr. J. H. Jowett, Dr. J. Clifford,

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A Splendid Enlargement 3/6 of any Photograph for a Carriage paid

684

THE UNITED METHODIST. September 5, 1912.

riamunr.n ..... .1•11-1 r r .. .4 wan 61711•11 trenrrannwriET .121. 191

Mir PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESSES. lig

Geo. M. HAMMER & Co., 1 Ltd ' . Crown Works, St. James' Road, Bermondsey, S.E.

Showrooms: 430 STRAND, LONDON,W.C. ChFai.mg:11osp.,a1

Actual Manufacturers of every description of

CHURCH FURNITURE. . Seats, Chairs, Pulpits, Choir Stalls, Communion Furniture,

Notice and Hymnal Boards, Collection Plates and Boxes, Hassocks, Memorial Brasses, Vestry Fittings, etc., etc.

SCHOOL FURNITURE. I Folding Partitions.

Seats, Chairs, Screen Seats, Classroom Screens, Desks, Cup-boards, Tables, Blackboards, Bookcases, Chairs, etc.

INSTITUTE FURNITURE. I Laboratory, Librat'y, Museum, Mission, Sunday School Fittings.

Illustrated Catalogues Post Free. (Please state Department.)

..... ... ....................

Send for New Catalogue - OF -

REWARD BOOKS.

LONDON : United Methodist Publishing House

12 Farringdon Avenue, E.G.

C: 154 pages. Paper covers, 6d. net ; by post, 8d. Cloth cover, 7 s. net ;

by post, s. 2d.

Specimen copy post free for hi. stamP. WORDS ONLY. The WITH TUNES.

Paper Covers - ld. Limp Cloth - - 1/6 Limp Cloth - - 2d. Cloth Boards - 2/- These Prices are These Prices are

net. net. [Carriage extra.] U• M• [Postage 3d. extra.]

Temperance Hymnal CONTAINING 205 HYMNS. WITH A SHORT ORDER OF SERVICE.

London : UNITED METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE. 12 IPARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C.

Cbeap Cbairs

Buy from the Factory. Save Middle Profits.

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EDITION WITH TUNES. Staff Notation. Crown 8vo.

Cloth, Red Burnished Edges .. 3s. (3d. Paste Grain, Limp, Red under Gilt,

Round Corners .. 65. Od. Persian, Gilt Edges • . Is. 6d.

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Paste Grain, Round Corncrs, Red under Gilt Bs, Od.

Morocco Limp, Red under Gilt, Gold Rolled inside Cover .. 12s. Od,

EDITION WITH TUNES. Tonic Sol-fa. (Treble and Alto only.) Crown 8vo. Cloth Limp, Plain Edges .. 2s. Od.

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Plain Edges 4d. net. Leather Cloth (Waterproof Boards),

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Extra Strong Binding .. la. Od, Leather Cloth (Waterproof Boards),

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Ss. Od. Persian, Gilt Edges • . Cs. Od,

INF- School Secretaries are desired to place their orders with the Circuit Minister, as in that case they will receive the Hymnal carriage paid when sent in the Monthly parcels.

" The ground is covered briefly but not superficially. The style is interesting."

-The Preachers' Magazine.

London United Methodist Publishing House, 12 Farringdon Avenue, E.C. ....... ......................... ........................................ ............ ;;;; .. ..........

.............. --•••••: !:. .......................... ..

Complete Edition, Paper Covers,

6d. post free.

Printed at THE MAGNET PRESS, 188 Rye Lane, Peckham, S.E., and Published by HENRY HOOKS, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C., for the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Thursday, September 5th, 1912.