/,

11

CONTENTS.

97 98

Why Christian Unity Matters ... Jottings. By Provincial ...

102 103

88 The Twelve Greatest Living Chinese _ 103 98 the Evangelistic Campaign... 103

400. 98 Young People's Examination and Essay Competition, 1927... 104 99 The Jewish Sects. (Y.P. Topic). 99 By E. C. Urwin. M.A , B.D. 104

• • 100 The Use of the Bible. (C.E.topic). By Cuthbert Ellison ... 105 100 The True Friend By W. J. Bleathman 105 101 Women's Missionary Auxiliary 106 102 News of Our Churches... 106

TRH UNITED MBTHODIST, THURSDAY, MARCH 1st. 1923.

SCHOLARS IN SORROW'S SCHOOL (See Below). DEATH OF REV. A. BAMFORTH (Page 100). CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN CHINA (Page 99).

YOUNG PEOPLE'S EXAMINATION AND ESSAY COMPETITION AWARDS (Page 104). 11

United Methodist THE WEEKLY JOURNAL OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

With whir& is isaorporated the "Free Methodist." founded 1886.

N u. 796. NEW SERIES..JER1 k•S.

1939 THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1923.

[Registered at the General TWELVE PAGES.

Post Office as a Newspaper.) TWOPENCE.

HE Gospel has been , printed in six new

African languages—says the Bible Society's Report last year. Here are the names. Jaba, for a tribe in Northern Nigeria. Kroo, for negroes along the West Coast. Meru, for 150,000 souls near Mount Kenya. Lugbara, for 250,000 folk on the South-west border of Uganda.. Luba Katanga, a dialect of the Baluba tribe in Belgian Congo, near the largest copper mines in the world. Kololo, spoken in Barotseland by 300,000 Makololo —described by Livingstone.

The Bible • Society has now sent out the Scriptures in 164 languages of Africa.

A million Africans have the Gospel for the first time

Send a • gift to the Sec-retaries, 146 Queen Vic-toria Street, London, E.C.4.

Seholers in Sorrow's School. By Henry Smith ... The Work of the Sisters Sunday Afternoon. By W. Rujiert Clark

Happenings At Our Own Fireside. By H. S. ... Christian Education in China ... Death of Rev. A. Bamfo•th Prof. Deiimmann en Religion in Germany ... United Methodism and Modern Thought .- Missionary Pageant and Exhibition. By F. 0. Stafford

THERE are few more severe assays and•tests of char-acter than pain.

The Optimist's and the Stoic's Way. To some. it is .given to meet it with an easy optimism.

By nature they are bright, hopeful, buoyant. If grace touches them, it but heightens these qualities, and they sing with Browning (who, however, (lid not easily attain to his hopefulness) :-

`the year's at the spring, And day's at the morn ; Morning's at seven ; The hill-side's .dew-pearled ; The .lark's on the wing ; The snail's on the thorn : •God's in his heaven—All's right with the world.

It is a. frame of mind some us could attain to, per- haps, on such a morning, but these good souls attain it night and morning alike.

Others, again, meet pain as the Stoics met suffering in general, with proud soul and tense lips and tearless eyes-

" Impassive--fearing but the shame of . fear."

One I meet the other day—type of a great number in these days of which the late Dr. Dale affirmed, "No-body is afraid of God now"—seemed as if she would front the heavens with her bold questions. She had not asked to be born ; she was not conscious of being more wicked than her fellows : why, then, was her life so embittered, so dark, so marred of sorrow? Why must she lie there on her bed. with suffering days and nights for her portion, with strength and the joy of life slip-ping surely and slowly from her? What had she done? Wherein was she a sinner above the rest of the Gali• leans, that she should suffer these things? You know the whole round of daring questions. They are pathetic, but like the dropping of pebbles into a deep well—you hear nought but an echo of their fall. They kindle no light.; they bring no solutions. After the questions ,arc asked, all is dark, enigmatical and awful with mystery as before. And to• the frame of mind which these ques. tions represent the solution is not, cannot be given. No doors open to such imperious clamourers—not even Nature's doors. ; much less do the doors that admit men to new visions of God and the mystery of sorrow. 'Of Nature's door as of God's, humble love, not proud know- ledge, holds the keys. One says of truth, "Even if her gates remain closed against me, I would rather sit down in the sadness of my heart before her closed gates, that at least this sadness might bear testimony that I feel myself formed for truth, than feel such in-difference as ever to cease inquiring after her." No man ever so sits at the gates of truth in vain. And no man sits atthe gates of sorrow with the .same humble,, per-sistent ardour of desire to learn her secret without find-ing- her gates opening to -him.

A Better Way. Others, again, meet sorrow in the high grace of

resignation, "the grace that places God between ourselves and our troubles," as one well puts it. "There is,"•says another great_ disciple in the school of sorrow, " some-thing in the excellent grace of resignation which is not altogether satisfactory to me, and yet I hesitate to queStion it. Does it not mean making the best of a bad case? And are there any•bad cases with God? Those words come up, 'All things work together for good to them that love God.' IFIe mastered the tragedy of Cal-vary so as to redeem the world. Is He not ,Master in the universe?" There is something in this half-questioning criticism which hits the resignation of some of us very hard. .-It.is too apt to be a last resort, to be entered upon in the it-is-the-one-thing-that-is-left-to-me-spirit.

There are degrees in the quality of resignation as of

every other gracc. Bu t at its highest and best, as we see it in Jesus, how beautiful and heavenly a thing it is ! "Not as I will, but as 'thou wilt"—how tremen-dous and resplendent a word is. that ! After storm, after tumult, it is like the great Miracle once more—" Jesus said Peace, be still ! ' and there was a calm." How beautiful is that story which one tells of a gentleman who visited a deaf and dumb institution. As he stood in the presence of a class of the silent little ones the teacher inquired if he cared to ask them a question. He paused for a moment, hardly knowing what to ask, then taking the chalk from the teacher's hand he wrote on the .blackboard, " Whv did God make you (leaf and dumb, while He has made me so that I can both speak and hear?" For a brief space none moved. Then one little fellow came noiselessly froM his scat and under the visitor's question wrote the words, "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight."

In Loving Skilful Hands. That is at once a touching illustration of what resig-

nation means and of the grounds on which it must rest. If we arc children of chance, sport and playthings of forces which are blind and deaf and impassive ; or if, as a modern novelist never 'caries of preaching, the superior powers amuse themselves by torture, and tie-light to watch the rackings. and writhings of human beings (" The President of the Immortals had finished his sport with Tess," is one of the. awful sentences he writes)—what is left for us but vehement, indignant, fiery, sustained protest? All that is meant by manhood, by just indignation,• by the sense of righteousness would compel us to that attitude. And though the act were futile as the hurling of the waves against huge, granite rocks, the whole soul of man would wrathfully raise it-self in protest against an order of things so harsh, so crude, so demoniacal. But if God who is over all and blessed for evermore is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, if

"You and I and all men move tinder a canopy of love Wide as the blue sky above ";

in a- Word, if we are in a loving Father's. hands, then we may with uttermost joy submit ourselves to "the. good, and acceptable, and perfect" will of God.

" He leads us on by paths we did not know : 'Upwards He leads us, though our steps be slow, Though oft we faint and falter on the way, Though .storms and darkness oft obscure the day,

Yet when the clouds are gone. We know He leads us on.

He leads us on through all the unquiet years, Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts, and fears, •He guides our steps through all the tangled maze Of losses, sorrows, over-clouded days :

We know His will is done; And still He leads us on."

Let that faith possess a man's heart, then though, alas ! he will not find resignation always easy of attain-ment, lie will know always that for him resignation—full, trustful resignation—to what he sees to be the will of God is a duty and a privilege, and the one way to heart-rest and peace.

Caged, but Singing.. Others who sit in the .great school of suffering attain

not only to resignation but to something that seems be-yond it. I am thinking now, for instance, of astound-ing words written by the Apostle Paul. A thorn in the, flesh. was given to him, a messenger from Satan to buffet him. Concerning this thing he besought the Lord thrice. that it might depart from him. For answer he received the great promise, "1111y grace is sufficient for thee ; for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Thereupon he attained, not resignation only, but' triumph also : "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my

Scholars in Sorrow's School.

98

utirrlio METHODIST: March -1, 1923

weaknesses that the strength. of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore 1 take pleasure in weaknesses, in in-juries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake : for when I am weak then am I strong." " I glory in weaknesses " " I take pleasure in dis-tresses "—it is a victorious, a transcendent, an exhil-arating, and to some of us, a seemingly unattainable experience. Yet these expressions do not stand alone in the Apostle's writings. - Nor does Paul's experience stand alone in the story of the saints. "What place is this," asked Dr. Taylor, Vicar of Hadleigh, on his way to martyrdom, "and what meaneth it that so much people are gathered together?" It was answered, " It is the Oldham Common, the place -where you must suffer, and the people are come to look upon you." Then said he, " Thanks be to God, I am even at home! " And who can forget the words of Madame Guyon, suf-fering and in prison? " I passed my time in great peace, content to spend the remainder of my (life there, if such should be the will of God. . . . I and my maid La Gautiere . . . together we sang praise to Thee, 0 our God ! It sometimes seemed to me as if I were a little bird whom the Lord had placed in a cage, and that I had nothing to do now but to sing. The joy of my heart gave a brightness to the objects around me. The stones of my prison looked in my eyes like rubies. I esteemed them more than all the gaudy brilliance of a vain world. My heart was full of that joy which Thou divest to them who love Thee in the midst of their greatest crosses."

"Covet earnestly the best gifts," says the Apostle Paul. How well we may covet this precious gift of a ready, unhesitating, spontaneous, full and joyous surrender to the will of God ! HENRY SMITH.

The Work of the Sisters. THE evangelical appeal is evidently coming into its

own. From various parts of the country we are re-ceiving reports of numerous and ready responses.

The Chorley Circuit has just witnessed a very graci-ous revival. At Brinscall,, Sister Marie has conducted the third mission in the circuit. The congregations have filled the Chapel night after night, and some most interesting cases of conversion are. recorded. One of the ,surprising features of this mission has been the attendance of many Church of England friends. This was also true of the previous mission held at Abbey Village, where, a further, report states, " all the young men who had become disbanded have come together once more and rejoined their Bible Class." A particu-larly interesting gathering was the Circuit Rally, held in Chorley. For this the railway companies issued tickets at reduced fares, and each of the villages sent strong contingents. At this rally, 150 who had signed for the, Discipleship Campaign were present, and the whole circuit is throbbing with new life and interest.

From Launceston, the Rev. J. French writes of the mission at Tower Street, conducted by Sister Hilda, " In many ways it is the best mission the church has had for some years. The congregations were very en-couraging, and the interest grew nightly. Twenty con-versions were recorded, making over 100 in the circuit, and we are more than gratified at the result."

The Whitwood Mere M- ission, in the Castleford Cir- cuit has been characterized by two features : the work among the young and work among women. Two very successful women's meetings were held, which is quite a new thing at the church. Sister Alice adds a word of appreciation of the way the ministers and others have prepared for the work.

The imissions Vri the Louth Cirtuit, where Sister Margaret has been the evangelist, were closed by the one held at Burgh, and here the decisions registered numbered 28.

I would like to add t- wo observations. First, the churches that have prepared themselVes are evidently reaping the greater results. Where the organization has received attention, and the members and offiCers have quietly but thoroughly laid themselves out for the mis-sion, gracious results have followed. Some of the stories of personal conversions are a romance of grace.

Secondly, the question forces itself upon the churches as to how these fresh and hopeful results shall be re-tained. This is an old question. It may seem as though the ten days' mission is all too short, and that could the missioner remain on the ground the results might be more securely garnered. Be that as it may, this responsibility finally rests upon the leaders of the churches, and one would like to emphasize the necessity for arranging for classes for church membership.

One of our Sisters has recently visited a church after twelve months' absence, and as a result found over 20 of the converts of twelve months' standing, thoroughly devoted to Christ and His Church. The significant remark _of the Sister is, " The church knew how to look after its own converts." At the present juncture this is most important. Next winter's missions may be booked up now. Enquiries to be made of the Warden, 25 Bolingbroke Grove.London, S.W.11.

CircuitirandMethodist Union. Prudhoe-on-Tyne.—The meeting' resolved to report

general agreement with the Scheme but voted in favour of several ,amendments : District Chairman to be either layman or minister and elected by the Synod ; the trans-ference of certain powers from the Ministerial Sessions to the Representative Sessions ; Local preachers to be members of their Leaders' Meetings ; administration of the Lord's Supper by any member in good standing and deemed worthy, and alterations in the Committees of Discipline.

Sunday Afternoon. BY REV. W. RUPERT CLARK.

THE MONTH OF MARCH. "March brings breezes 'sharp and chill,

Shakes the dancing daffodil." SARA COLERIDGE.

There are March winds, March flowers, and—let us not forget—March blessings.

"You're a crabbed crone and crusty, Mistress March !

Vibrant is your voice and gusty As you sweep down highways dusty, Swaying with abandon lusty

Brittle bough of oak and larch ; Yet we hail you, herald trusty,

Mistress March! — For, despite your storm and stinging,

Mistress March ! Flints you bear of buds upspringing, Silver sounds of wild birds singing, Flash of swallows, fleetly winging

Where the blue skies overarch. Bless you for your message-bringing,

Mistress March ! " HILTON R. GREER.

MarchliWinds. " He comes—a lion roaring after , prey ;

His cruel fangs grind fiercely in the surge Of snarling billows, where along the -verge

Of wrathful seas, the headlands' stand at bay. Strange cloud-shapes wreathe the hill-tops far away,

And all the stormy winds of heaven emerge From their high places, and their vassals urge,.

With rush and riot, onward • to the fray . Yet, in the wind-rocked elms, the busy rooks

Through all the din their yearly strongholds form, And cheery gossip to each other call,.

And Nature works in safe and sheltered nooks, Assured' amid-the pasSion of the storm

One violet in bloom will pay for all ! MARY ROWLES JARVIS.

Where are you going, 0 strong March wind? Where arc you going to-clay?

I shall hurry the clouds, And pluck at the shrouds

Of the frigates that lie in the bay, Then lift the earth's wimple And kiss every dimple,

And love her a lover's way, Ere over the meadows I ruffle the shadows

And down with the daffodils play.

What are you doing, 0 fierce March wind? Where do you come from, and why?

I am sweeping the dust, As a strong wind must,

And making the dead leaves fly ; The young birds thrilling. With life, fulfilling

Their fate, as I hurry by. I bear in my bosom the sweet shattered blossom

That in making the fruit must die.

What know you of ,dying, 0 wind, And what is your ancient lOre?

There are secrets deep That the wind will keep

Till- Death lie dead evermore. One word in the proem Of Life's great poem

The humble may read and adore ; The rest is hidden till Time lie chidden

And slain on the Timeless shore." ANNIE MATHESON.

March Flowers. " Fre goes—a lamb, whose lightsome footprint fills

No daisy-heart with terror—from the strong Hath come forth. sweetness,. and a world in song.

At dawn the blackbird's note the woodland thrills, And throstles practise sudden shakes and trills,

The blackthorn signals April with a throng Of milk-white buds, its dusky sprays along,.

And all the fields are hemmed with daffodils. Cleansed through and through the freshened skies

look down, And earth looks up, with love and life astir,

Glad for the windy tumult overpast; For each wild hour some root bath deeper grown,

And every breeze that blows is harbinger Of Easter treasures, due to flower at last! "

MARY ROWLES JARVIS.

"The wreath of March has blossom'd, Crocus; anemone, violet." •

TENNYSON. Spring in the Soul.

This is how Evelyn Underhill writes of Conversion in " The Mystic Way "

"This moment is the spiritual spring-time. It comes, the winds of March, full of natural wonder ; and

gives to all who experience it a participation in the deathless magic of eternal springs. An enhanced vitality, a wonderful sense of power and joyful appre-hension as towards worlds before ignored or unknown, floods the consciousness. Life is raised_ to a higher degreEr. of _tension than ever before; and therefore to a higher perception of Reality."

"The love of nature is a help to holiness." T. T. LYNCH.

- Sayings. •••••■•••■•••■•■•■

Christianity. It is easier to understand Christianity if one is a

peasant or a philosopher.—DR. ORCHARD.

Sir Christopher Wren. Wren struck the ground and straight a spirit rose To write in stone and brick his ordered prose.

—MR. J. ST. LEO. STRACHEY. in " Architecture."

Early Man Surpassed. In Christ, God surpassed the efforts of early man.

He showed the real and true thing, Himself, Love.—THE MASTER OF THE TEMPLE.

The Way -Victory Came. Christianity overcame because the Christian beat the

pagan in living, in dying, and in thinking—he outlived him, out-died him, and out-thought him.—" The Record."

IdeaS. Ideas are the inheritance of the spirit. With them

"neither moth nor rust doth corrupt nor thieves break through and steal." ' No conqueror can dwarf or destroy .them.—" Weekly Dispatch."

The Preacher. The preacher-must aim at a verdict, and must culti-

vate direct appeal. The congregation .attends church for the emotional thrills • which the minister provides, and for the inspiration which it derives from a, thorough .moral " shaking up."—DR. 'HENRY COWARD.

The Clash of Atoms. Men must bring in at the beginning of the process,

and, as I think, as transfusing the process from be-ginning to end, some form of reason, some element of purpose, design—to use an old-fashioned and perhaps unjustly discredited word—in some shape or other.—EARL BALFOUR.

Rebuked by Birds. Said the Robin to the Sparrow- . " I should really like to know Why these anxious human beings

Rush about and worry so ! " Said the Sparrow to the Robin-

" Friend, think- that it must „be That they have no Heavenly Father

Such as cares for you and me." "The Record."

Happenings. Summer time is to be in force again this year in

France. John Symons, a Crimean veteran, has died at East

Looe, age 89 Air photographs of Macclesfield are to assist in a

town-planning scheme. -Princess Yolanda of Italy's marriage will probably

take place early in April. Letters and parcels are now taken by aeroplane be-

tween Helsingfors and Reval. Polish railway fares and rates are to be doubled,

Reuter announces from Warsaw. The Westminster City Council has appointed Mr. L.

J. Veitch, engineer at .4'1,000 a year. Arrests of counterfeit note makers in the United States

are expected to reach 1,000 in a few days. Kingsbury District Council is planting streets with

trees purchased by voluntary contributions. - The State Apartments and Swiss Cottage Museum at

Osborne are again to be opened to the public. The Mersey Dock Board has sanctioned further dock

imProvements involving an expenditure of £317,000. A concert will be .given at 10, Downing Street on

March 7th, in aid of the Queen's Hospital for Children. Leipzig hotel-owners .refuse,rooms to French and

Belgian visitors during the Spring Fair, says a Reuter message.

Owing to an explosive being thrown into a dustbin a stoker at a _Birmingham refuse destructor has lost the sight of an .eye.

Rotterdam police state that during the past few days they have seized several counterfeit British .4'50 notes.—Central News.

Mr. Hoover predicts that the rubber requirements of the American market will increase fifty per cent within the next ten years.—Reuter.

The smallest cut yet made in Civil Service wage bonuses takes effect on March 1st, when a twenty-sixth of the bonus will be deducted.

The text of a Bill, presented by Sir John Harmood-Banner, which seeks to exempt underground sewers from rating has been published.

Four panels of stained glass from the recent sale of the Engel-Gros Collection in Paris have been acquired by the. Victoria and Albert Museum.

The War Office acknowledges sent anonymously by an ex-soldier " as restitution money for part of kit sold whilst on active service in Belgium as private in R.A.O.C."

An Islington "listener-in " has discovered that poor results were due to his landlady using the lead-in wire from his aerial for the purpose of drying clothes on washing days.

The National Savings Committee announce that sales of National Savings Certificates for the week-ended February 10th were 1,422,530, making a grand total sold of 615,581,384.

March 1, 1923

THE UNITED METHODIST. 99

At Our Own Fireside. I am of those who much and oft delight

To season my. .fireside with personal talk. * .* * * *

EDITOR'S ADDRESS :— 188 Rye Lane, Peckham, S.E.15.

* * * * *

At the close of the evening service at our Taunton Church on Sunday, February 18th, the Rev. A. Barlow, who was present as the Missionary Deputation, referred sympathetically to the sudden sorrow which had come to the Rev. A. E. and Mrs. Coome and family through the lamented death of a daughter-in-law at Holston (Cornwall). The congregation rose and stood in silence, as an expression of deepest sympathy with the bereaved ones, which the Secretary conveyed by letter.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Rev. J. W. Heywood, 95 Warley Road, North Shore,

Blackpool. * * * * * THE SUiSTENTATION FUND.

Sir Walter Essex, the Treasurer of the above Fund, is to be absent from this country for some weeks, and he specially desires that cheques intended for this Fund should be addressed to the Rey. T. Sunderland, 68 Thurleigh Road, London, S.W.'12, until further notice.

* * * ' * RELIEF FOR CORNISH MINERS.

The St. Just Cornish Miners' Relief Committee has received through the Rev. E. 'E.Lark, from Mr. Chas. E. Cann, the hon. treasurer of the Devon and Cornish Festival, the sum of £66 18s. 4d. The festival was held last November in the Royal Albert Hall, and the above amount represents St. Just's allotted share of the collection take and the profits made.

* * * * * REV. H. WALKER BLOTT.

We' are glad to report that although Rev. H. Walker 13lott has not progressed so rapidly as was hoped when we last reported, he is now much better than he has been this last few weeks, and we hope will go straight on to complete recovery. He and the officers of Pem-bury Grove Church join in thanking the friends who have so willingly taken his services during his enforced absence.

46

A SUNDAY SCHOOL RECORD. AT our Elworth Church (Sandbach Circuit) on ,Sunday

last, John Dean was presented with a special Book Prize for the remarkable achievement of a 12-years' at-tendance at the Sunday School, without being once ab-sent or late. On the fly-leaf of the book was a certifi-cate, signed by the President of the Conference, the minister, Rev. E. Prowse, and several of the S.S. officers. The recipient is only 18 years of age, and his record has .been obtained without the registering of a sick mark. We wonder if this record can be equalled in our Sunday Schools;

* * * * * APPLICATIONS FOR SUPERANNUATION.

Any minister who intends to apply for superannuation at the forthcoming Conference should communicate at once with the Secretary, Rev. George Parker, 41 Valley Road, Scarborough.

Applications have been received from the following brethren :-

Rev. W. H. Alford, „ R. E. Craddock, ,; T. J. Dickinson,

F. B. Dutton, A. Hancock, James Payne,. Josiah Turner.

* * *. ?E. FIFTY YEARS A LOCAL PREACHER.

Mr. William Studholme of our Thornhill Church, has recently completed 50 years as a lay ,preacher in the Thornhill and former Brougham Street Circuit, having preached his first sermon in the old Lister Street Chapel, at Pallion, on the second Sunday in February, 1873. Mr. Studholme preached his jubilee sernion at the West Moor Road Church on Sunday, February 11th, and in the evening a special service at Thornhill Church was con-ducted by Rev. William Hall, superintendent minister, in which a number, of local preachers, including Mr. Studholme, took part. Mr. Studholme, who is highly respected throughout the circuit and District, was the recipient of many congratulations and of mementoes of this unique experience, from both the Thornhill and Pallion Churches.

* * * REV. J.

Our readers will remember that Mr. Heywood had to return from China earlier than he intended, because of a serious break-down in his health and that even after the voyage home and the rest tt gave him he was still seriously unwell. They will now rejoice to hear that both Mr. and Mrs. Heywood have benefited very much by a recent visit to Blackpool, so much indeed that in the hope of a continuance and advancement in the present process of recovery they have now taken a small furnished house at Blackpool for 12 months. They may be assured that many United Methodists will pray that the highest wishes Mr. and Mrs. Heywood cherish concerning their health may be realized.

* * * * * DR. CLIFFORD'S FIRST SERMON.

It is about 70 years ago that Dr. Clifford, then a boy of 15 years of age, was one of a little company of Christian boys who met together in the village chapel and with locked doorS encouraged one another in the art

and practice of preaching. In". this connection he. tells the story of his first sermon in the following words

much fear and trembling I entered that pulpit, not terrified by the audience, but agitated by feelings of awe and dread—awe in undertaking so responsible a task as that of preaching the Word of God and dread lest I should fail in my task. I was too timid to snuff the candles lest in my nervousness I should repeat the mis-take of one who on a former occasion had imperilled the seriousness of the service by extinguishing the dim light he so sorely needed. The text was Ps. xxxi. 10. The sermon was written, and I read it without adding, so far as I remember, a solitary word for I was in fear of the . disaster that might befall me if by any chance I once lost the run of my written composition. The ground covered could hardly be narrow, for when a youth has little to say it is not only wise but neces-sary to take a wide field." I did."

* * * * * Commenting on the above a writer in the " Baptist

Times" of Friday last says : " The minister of the church got to hear of this secret preaching class, and suggested that the youthful preacher should become a member of the Nottingham District Local Preachers' Association. A trial discourse had to be .delivered—a very real ordeal for so young a preacher—but evidently the trial, or its result, was satisfactory, for on February 19th, 1854, his name first appeared upon the official plan as a recognized preacher. On Monday of the present week, therefore, our veteran leader entered upon his seventieth year as a preacher, acknowledged as such by his compeers ; but if we take into account that first sermon ' a year or two earlier, he has really more than completed the threescore years and ten as a preacher of the Gospel of the grace of God." Of what a glorious ministry that first sermon. of seventy years ago was prophetic!

* * * * * THE PRINCE OF WALES'S KISS.

The following beautiful incident was reported by Lady Kinnaird a few weeks before her death, and is narrated in a recent -issue of the "Children's Newspaper " :

The Prince of Wales was asked one day if he would visit a private hospital, where the patients were thirty-six men, so seriously injured and disfigured in the war that they could never hope for release. He went, and having been conducted round the beds was leaving when he said : I was told you had thirty-six patients. I have seen only twenty-nine." It was explained to him that the seven other patients were so tragically disfigured that the visit to their ward was purposely omitted. " For my sake or theirs? " he asked. "For yours, sir," was the answer.-

At once he insisted on seeing those seven men. He was ushered into the ward where they lay, and at each bed he stopped' for some minutes, saying cheering words and thanking each man- in the name of England for his self-sacrifice.

* * * *. Then, once again, he paused at the door. " But there

are only six men here," he persisted. "Where is the seventh?" He was told that nobody could see the seventh man. Blind, deaf, maimed, and disfigured out of the likeness of humanity, this seventh man (they told him) lay in a bed in a room to himself, from which he would never stir.

" You must not see him, sir," said one of the officials. "I must see. him," said the Prince. " Better not, sir. You can do him no good. And the

sight is terrible." "Still, I wish to see him." One member of the staff accompanied the Prince into

that little darkened room of unutterable tragedy. lie relates that the Prince walked firmly to the bedside, that he turned very white, but stood there with bowed head, looking at the man' who could neither see him nor hear him, looking at that awful wreck of manhood as though he would see the final anguish of murderous and monstrous war.

Then, very slowly, the Prince stooped down and kissed the man's face. H. S.

Students' Missionary Demonstration. ---

ON behalf of the students of our Victoria Park Col-lege, Manchester, Mr. W. P. Beard, the College Mis-sionary Treasurer, acknowledges the following subscrip-tions with many thanks :-

£2: Young. Men's Bible Class, Radstock. ls. : Jas. Maclaurin, Sheffield ; Wm. Mallinson, Waltham- stow. : J. H. Nihell, Southsea. MOs.: Rev. J. Foster • Rev. Prof. G. G. Hornby, M.A., I3.D. ; Rev. H. J. Watts., 5s. : Mrs. F. Goldsworthy, Bristol ; Rev. J. E. Swallow, Wallington. 2s. 6d. : R. Smith, Roch-dale.

Other gifts will be gratefully acknowledged by Mr. Beard, if sent to the U.M. College, Victoria Park, Manchester.

Shorn llall(Methodist)Building Society Incorporated:

Chairman : War, MALLINSON, DEPARTMENTS : INVESTMENT.

Founders' Shares (xso) at 9i per cent. Interest. Investment Shares (£25) at 4 per cent. Interest.

Subscription Shares (£25) (from Sc. per month) at 9 per cent. interest,

DEPOSIT. Large or small amounts received at 3} per cent. Interest from

day to day. Short noticewithdrawal ADVANCE. --

Liberal Advances made on Freehold or Leasehold Property, ALL INTEREST FREE OF INCOME TAX.

Send for Illustrated Prospectus to the Manager, SHERN HALL, WALTHAMSTOW, E.17.

Christian Education in China.

THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM. [CONINIUNICATED BY PRINCIPAL II. S. REDFERN].

THE following paragraphs are taken from the monu-mental Report of the Educational Commission, repre-senting the Mission Boards and societies conducting work.in China, and summarize the conclusions reached by this international body of experts as to the " Place, Purpose and Scope of Christian Education" in that land.

A Significant Period of Chinese History. The study of education in any country inevitably in-

volves many matters of detail, and the prosecution of it much organization and machinery. To this fact Chris-tian education in China is no exception. But no atten-tion to details or organization ought to obscure the sig-nificant fact that China, a great nation of four hundred million people, is pasSing through an exceptionally in-teresting and significant period of its history. There is a great mass of men, women and children, to whom national and international politics are of little moment compared with the affairs of their own farm, or house, or village. But in all these centres there is a surging; seething life. The new government, the new education, the new thought, the new industry, claim their atten-tion and enlist their thinking.

In the midst of this new life the Christian preacher and the Christian teachers, believing that they possess in their message the answer to China's problems and the solvent of her perplexities, are endeavouring to make this message a vital force in the life of the people. Compared with the millions of people, they are a hand-ful. Compared with the government, weak though it is, their resources are meagre. Compared with the schools of the government, their numbers are few, and their student body small. How shall they make their-influence most effective? How shall they turn the stream of ,China's life into the channels of power and safety?

Christian Principles and China's Life. The study which the commission has made, in the

case of some of the members extending over years, in the case of others a few months, has brought them to the conviction that Christian principles may yet become the controlling force in China's life. But whether this will be the case will depend in no small measure upon the wisdom and intelligence with which Christian educa-tion is carried on in the next few years, and the genero-sity with which it is supported by gifts from Christian lands. Evangelism is supremely important, but evan-gelism itself will fail, if there are not schools in which to produce evangelists who, knowing the Christian message, can speak to their own people—Chinese to Chinese. If Christian education fails, the growing stream of non-Christian education and 'of anti-Christian influence will submerge the Christian movement, or reduce it to a place of minor importance. The future of Christian education is not yet assured. To say that it trembles in the balance is to use too strong language. There are many schools, well 'established, well equipped, well staffed, that cannot easily be destroyed. put it is not yet settled whether Christian education is to be the determining force or a relatively insignificant and dim-inishing factor in Chinese life. On the answer to this question will largely hang the decision whether China will become a Christian nation, perhaps the stronghold of Christanity in future centuries. If the present hour of opportunity is vidorously and wisely seized, if for-getting unimportant ''differences we unite all our efforts to build up a system of education, sound, vigorous, progressive, and fundamentally Christian, which shall in turn. create a strong Christian community expressing in its life the spirit and principles of Christianity, we may look with hope to the time when the religion of Jesus will be the religion of China. But this demands that we give diligent effort both to unite all our fOrces in China in the development of an effective, co-ordintaed system of education, and to secure in Europe and America the personal and financial resources that will sustain such' a system until the Chinese Church shall, take over both its management and its support.

The challenge of the situation in China to-day is a Clarion call to all who believe that the people of the West and the people of the East should work together for the common good of all. We appeal to the citizens of the British Empire and the United States especially, to interest themselves in the problem which the Commis-sion has been facing, that they may realize that the issue is not one for teachers or professional educators alone, but should enlist the intelligent sympathy and practical support of every lover of human kind.

Debt Extinction at Guernsey. VALE AVENUE Church celebrated the clearing-off of

the whole of the debt on its very fine church property by holding special thanksgiving services on Sunday, Febru-ary 18th, and Wednesday, February 21st. All were well attended. Mr. F. H. Bragg preached on the Sunday morning and Rev. F. 'Husband at night. Congratula-tions poured in from every quarter and everybody was in good spirit at the Wednesday evening service, which was under the presidency of Mr. Peter Le Maitre, a Wesleyan friend who had laid one of the foundation stones. The speeches were all of a congratulatory or-der : they could not be other, when a little church,. of only 35 working-class members had paid off £1,100 in 11 years. Rev. D. T. Smith M.A. (Presbyterian) and Rev. C. B. Lea gave helpful addresses and Messrs. J. W. Robin, S J. Bragg and F. .H. Bragg (all trustees of the church) added their tribute in five-minute talks, and Rev. F. Husband very briefly voiced the thanks of the Vale Avenue church to all who had helped in any way,

11

,,

,,

W. HEYWOOD.

100 THE UNITED METHODIST. March 1, 1923

Death of Rev. A. Bamforth. MR. W. H. EGERTON, of Newton Heath, Manehester,

writes us under date of Sunday, February 25th : " I regret to inform you that our esteemed pastor,

Rev. A. Bamforth, died suddenly at his, residence last night (Saturday) about 11 p.m. For a short time during the evening he was in the company of Mr. Councillor Godb.ert, our treasurer steward, who lives near by. Mr. Bamforth's cough being troublesome, he said about 10 o'clock that he would go home, and he did so, and died there in an hour's time. As you know, he has not been well for a long time, and a report we had from his own doctor and a specialist was that he might die suddenly. It was a great shock to our people when the news got about, although we have been anxious about Mr. Bamforth's health for months.. •

.' Everything is being done that can be at the moment, but I am unable-just now to give any details as to the arrangements for the funeral."

We are sure that this said news will be heard with deep regret wherever Mr. Bamforth was known as a man and a minister. His death is a. lamentable loss to his present church and to our Denomination. The keenest sympathy will be felt with the bereaved family in this great sorrow.

Good News from Barnsley.

REV. WM. JOLLANS writes : "As cold waters to a thirsty soul so is good news

from a far country." I have long been indebted to you, dear Mr. Editor,

for the real refreshment you have given me from time to time in the UNITED METHODIST. Never have I been more thrilled, however, than when I read the story of the great Tyneside Mission. What would I have given to have been one of Campbell's lieutenants? The thought, however, occurs to me, why can't we have more such news? The Spirit of God is moving mightily in our churches, but the good news is kept too much to ourselves. No outstanding work of the Spirit should be hid from the rest of the brethren.

I am writing from Blucher Street Church, Barnsley, where a great spiritual work is being accomplished. This is my second visit in about ten weeks, and during that period in this church there have been over a hun-dred grand cases of conversion. Some of these cases amaze me. Every conversion is a miracle, but I stand in awe when I see what the grace of God has done for some of these men.

Rev. T. S. Neal, the 'resident minister, is being graci-ously used of God in Barnsley and in the circuit. I had the joy of preaching to crowded congregations to-day, over 600 attending the service to-night. I had also seventy-one young men and women at a class this after-noon. Never have I heard more inspiring singing, and over a hundred, people remained behind after the even-ing service for prayer. Bro. Neal now comes in and reports 54 conversions to-day at Mapplewell—another village in the circuit. At FIigham, another of the churches, there have been over a hundred conversions, and the church is too small to accommodate the people. At Worsborough Common—still another church in the circuit—over a hundred have accepted Christ during the last few weeks, and still the work proceeds.

How can we keep such news to ourselves? I do not remember ever having known so great an expectancy for the moving of the Spirit as there is in our churches to-day. One rarely preaches without seeing conversions. The village churches are uniting for God's work. Won-derful is the work of the Spirit in our midst. Will our people please read the text at the beginning of my letter and let us know at once of the moving in the mulberry trees?

[We emphatically endorse the last words of Mr. Jollan's letter. We have always room for paragraphs that tell of conversions. Will our church officials and friends please send them along?—ED. " U.M."]

Scottish 66 Monthly VisitOr " Tract Society.

THE Ninetieth Annual Meeting of this Society was held at Edinburgh, Sir John Lorne McLeod, G.B.E., presiding. There was a large attendance of Directors, Superintendents, distributors and other friends. The Report. submitted by Mr. R. Henderson Smith stated that the circulation of the "Monthly Visitor " had slightly increased and had reached almost 300,000 monthly, while 5,000 more tracts had been distributed in Edinburgh, and 7,000 more in Leith. The. chairman in a warmly sympathetic address said he was struck -by the long continued and surprisingly steady and suc-cessful history of 'the Society and not less by the wide-spread extent of its operations. It was impossible to compute the strength and comfort that must have been conveyed by these messages, so unobtrusively delivered by voluntary workers, to the ordinary men and women of our homes in a time when such messages were greatly needed. Rev. W. J. Sym, ,Mayfield Parish Church, commended the work to the distributors for the joy to be found in the obedience of Christ, in sacri-fice for Him and others, and for the joy of achievement that awaited the workers here and hereafter. Rev. W. L. Hannam, of the Wesleyan Central Mission, spoke of the truly international character of the work in these days of world-wide opportunity and would have the workers realize its supreme essential importance.

Rev. H. Hooks acknowledges with thanks the gift of the following for the National Children's Home and Orphanage :—Tamworth U.M. Sunday School, cards and boxes, 41 7s.

Prof. Deissmann on Religion in Germany.

LAST week's issue of the " Christian World" con-tained a two-column account of an interview with Prof. Deissmann, who is visiting this country to deliver a series of lectures at Selly Oak, Birmingham. We make one or two extracts.

As showing how hardly. the Middle Classes and all with fixed incomes are hit in Germany, Dr. Deissmann said : " If you visited the average pastor's home—I mean a working pastor, a well-educated man in charge of a church—you would find he and his family cannot afford to buy milk. At meal-timeS they have no eggs, no butter, no meat--except, perhaps, a very small portion on Sun-days. And in the cold weather they have no coal. There is plenty of coal in Germany, but it is beyond reach." "Money has -largely ceased to be of value to us. Middle-class people, specially those with fixed, incomes, are absolutely ruined. Sections of the population are un-questionably suffering greater privations than they ex-perienced in the gloomiest days of the war."

A Deepening of Spiritual Life. Asked as to his judgement on the effect of the war on

the religious life of. Germany, Dr. Deissmann replied : " Not in the mass of the people, but in the case of a few, in all the churches there has been a deepening of spiritual life. This applies specially to younger people, many of whom are seeking after New Testament idealism, and desire to share the ideas and experiences of such a great Christian as St. Paul."

"Dr. Deissmann," says the interviewer," is a great believer in the worth of the Press for the purposes of religious propaganda. During the war he edited a Pro-testant Weekly Letter which circulated beyond the fron-tiers of his own country. The collecting of specimens of the evangelical publications of the different countries amounts almost to a hobby with him. The German reli-gious newspapers are necessarily very small and poor at the present time, and this he considers a distinct dis-advantage to the life of the nation:

" Playfully and in the spirit of banter," continues the interviewer, " I ventured to use the term German theo-logy,' with that peculiar inflection in common use among orthodox sections of religious folk in this country. The British and the German represent two distinct types of Biblical study and interpretation. Why need they, be regarded as opposed? Why not regard them as supple-mentary to each other? ' he said. Some old-fashioned English people,', I returned, smiling, say you Germans dearly love to exploit something new—something that nobody else has ever heard of before." You are too con- servative ; we are too critical,' he retorted. If you wish me to put it good-humouredly, your may say you are too phlegmatic ; we are too acrobatic.' "

A Remarkable Maiden Speech. •

MR. WALSH, a Scottish miner and a member of the Labour party who is better known as a novelist and a. poet, and whose book The Underworld" ran into a hundred thousand copies, addressed the House of Corn-mons the other day. " Ina maiden speech of the most intense sincerity and purely lyrical in form," says Mr. G. FL Shakespeare, M.P., in the "Baptist Times," " Mr. Walsh showed the awakened consciousness and the surging idealism of the working classes. The contrast he pictured between the lavish display in the House of Lords on the occasion of the King's Speech and ,his earliest reminiscences of life in a miner's cottage field every Member of the House in a magic thrall. I give the passage in question, which is worthy of the oratory of John Bright :

"I stood watching, very interestedly, the opening of Parliament by Their Majesties the King and Queen. It was a new sight, a wonderful sight to me. I never had seen, nor expected to see, so much beauty, so much colour, so much wealth, gathered together in such a small space. One felt, as one looked upon it, that surely one had wandered into some Aladdin's cave, with all this wealth of colour and beauty ranged on either side of the House of Lords. . . And then, again, my mind, at any rate, went back to the first impression I had of life, and if hon. Members will excuse this digression I want to give it as a contrast, because it is only by comparisons that we can hope to impress earnest men who may be against us. I saw a miner's row—about four or five hundred houses, all of them single apartments. There were two holes in the wall for beds. It was certainly a happy home, as happy as it could be made under the circumstances, but in one of the beds lay an injured parent, brought home from the mine,. writhing and groaning in agony, and in the other bed lay a dead child, and at night time, during the period of waiting between death and burial, the dead child had to be lifted out to allow the living ones to get in. It was not because they were thriftless or drunken people, but because economic cir-cUmsta.nces were such that. they created conditions of that kind that made it absolutely impossible for human lives to be lived. And whilst we do admit that we have had our eyes upon the ground, with: a muck=rake in our hand; we also can look upward and see God's blue sky smiling, and the wide tapestry of cloudland and the grand carpeting of earth. After all, it is the spirit of a people that determines the song of its soul, and there can be no continuity of Aim, no holy brotherhood of power and striving.' " The older. Members of the House of Commons can-

not recall a maiden speech which made such an impression."

National Children's Home It Orphanage,

The U.M. Auxiliary. REV. HENRY HOOKS, TreaSurer of the Auxiliary, 12

Farringdon Avenue, E.C.4, writes : The Financial Year.—We are drawing near to the end

of the financial year. The accounts tor 1922-3 should close on March 31st, but as this date falls during-Easter Season, it has 'been decided to make the closing date this year April 5th. This brief extension of time will, doubt-less, afford an opportunity of sending in the amounts to be credited in the present year's account. All remittances from our Churches, Schools and personal .subscribers must be in my hand not a day later than the morning or Wednesday, April 4th.

Though some of our Churches and Schools have been most generous in their support, for which the Principal desires me to express appreciation and gratitdde, the long-continued trade depression is causing, a serious drop in some of our income-raising departments as com-pared with last year We hope, however, that the time will soon dawn when a revival of trade and industry will make the conditions of this work easier.

It would encourage and help in this time of need if those who do not usually subscribe will send us, before April 4th, some practical expression of their appreciation of this great work.

Debt Reduction at Diss. IN connection with the debt reduction scheme in this

circuit a public tea and meeting was arranged for Tues- day, February 20th. A considerable number of the members of the village 'churches were brought in by motors. The meeting was presided over by Mr. S. Thurlow, who, after a short statement by the pastor, Rev. E. E. RedmK, as to the object of the gathering, made quite an inspirational speech. The visitors were Rev. R. P. Campbell and Mr. W. Mallinson, J.P. Mr. IMallinson, in his kindly and genial way, spoke of our financial responsibilities to our. churches and of what the church had meant to him. Mr. Campbell told of his experiences in connection with the Tyneside revival and created such an atmosphere that one remarked after-wards, " If an unconverted person were in the place he must have felt decidedly. uncomfortable." Three years ago the debts on trusts and circuit accounts amounted to £638. The only debt not covered 'prior to the meet-ing was £83. After Mr. Campbell had spoken, Mr. Mallinson appealed for that sum to be raised in the meeting. .54 was the amount realized, leaving only

to raise to clear the circuit of debt. It was' one of the most memorable meetings ever held in the circuit.

Missions and Drink.. MR. F. COMER, 12 Stafford Road, Weston-super-Mare,

writes : pne of the -text-books introduced by the Christian

Endeavour Union for study this year is ",The Future -of Africa," by Rev. Dr. Donald -Fraser, and it is well worth studying by anyone interested in missionary work. One of the greatest hindrances to missions has been Drink. On p. 62 of the book we read : "The ship that conveyed the first missionaries to the Congo was, loaded with a cargo of gin, and she discharged it and the missionaries at the same time." The African does not depend alto-gether on gin for 'drinking, but makes a kind of beer from maize or millet. Many missions are making a bold stand against the drinking of alcohol, and on p. 119 there is this significant statement : " In the Living-stonia and Dutch Reformed and other missions, all cate-chumens must be total abstainers frorri native beer. This is a rule made not by the Europeans, but by. the native Church. It was they who led. When they saw the havoc that beer-drinking was working in the country, and how easily they themselves might forget a proper restraint, they resolved that the native Church must be purged of the. evil."

Is not this a lesson which we should take to heart in this our own land? Are we to allow the • native African to have better rules for Church membership than we have ourselves?

The Annotated Paragraph Bible, of which the first tenpenny fortnightly part was issued on January 25th, has quickly beeri recognized as something worth buy-ing. The large first Edition was sold out on publica-tion, and the second edition is now nearly exhausted.

5,000 Choirmasters and Organists are invited to send for our Sample Books (88 pages), of

ANNIVERSARY MUSIC THE LINWOOD MUSIC PUBLISHING CO., Dept. M., EASTWOOD, NOTTINGHAM.

United Methodist Church.

REPORT OF THE

LOCAL PREACHERS' COMMISSION, 1920-21.

A25firoved by Conference.

Copies may now be obtained, price 2d. each (per post 3d.). from HENRY Hooks, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.4.

and; perhaps, our difficulties to the need of adjustment of the eyepiece? But use or neglect of the telescope need not exclude us from the light and warmth of the sun, nor from desiring it for all our brethren.

Let the Light Enter. MR. ACHILLES TAYLOR, 52 Sir John's Road, Selly Oak,

Birmingham, writes : I read Dr. Jones's article in your issue with pleasure

and approval. I felt he had disturbed a hornet's nest the denizens of which sooner or later would gather about his ears. It is good that it should be so, perhaps it was needlessly blimt but certainly true. I would prefer the learned Doctor had referred to "attitudes " or "types" of certain minds than to have charged the indifferent but often devout souls with " heresy."

Amongst the letters inspired by the article I thing that by the Rev. W. Green presents the view of Dr. Jones with greater force, because there are evidences of a patience that suffereth long and is kind : " Is there not an attitude of devout credulity which 'unintentionally makes the Bible the rival of God? " asks Mr. Green, and herein is the essence of all that Dr. Jones has to say. There is much truth in George Eliot's saying, ." Ideas are often poor ghosts ; they pass athwart us in thin vapour, and cannot make themselves felt." Preachers and teachers know this only too well : even well assured facts, the results of years of patient and reverent investi-gation still remain as "ghosts " the passing of which brings cold shivering fits to some Minds.

If Dr. Jones needed any justification for his article he will surely find it in the remarks of one of your cor-respondents : "What surprised me most was seeing such an article in the columns of the •` U.M.' (I hope we shall see no more)." My personal hope is that we may see many more of the same sort from the same and other pens. Such "outspoken essays " are denomina-tionally,long overdue.

Rightly the interests of our young people should be conserved, and while nothing should be hastily said that would discredit the Scriptures in the young mind, is it not inadvisable that truth even though temporarily dis-turbing should be hidden from their eyes? The 'work of minister and teacher should ensure that our youths and maidens learn from them and not from antagonists why men think, for example, the world was not mado in six days and how this view may he harmonized, with the Creation parable of the book of Genesis.

I am with Mr. Green and cherish no fear :, " I have never read a single word of anti-Christian propaganda that touches the God in whom I believe." On the other hand, I do know that books like Strauss' " Life of Jesus," Renan's " Jesus," and Matthew Arnold's " God and the Bible," have done worlds of goOd in awakening out of sleep the lethargic religious mind. The constructive criticism of the past thirty years or more has deepened the channel of our historic faith, while the destructive critics of all schools have failed to blockade the springs of the revealing Spirit of God ; the stream still runs strong and swift, " the pure river of water of life clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."

The great adventure of faith in Him who is, and was, and is to come is, as I think, helped and not hindered by methods of thought and teaching such as Dr. Jones advocates.

MIME

Books by Famous Writers HARRY EMERSON ,

FOSDICK, D.D.

Christianity and Progress A fearless and searching analysis of the attitude to

be adopted by Christianity in face of modern conditions of thought and progress ' Suggestive and helpful and a real contribution to thought.' —Methodist Recorder

6/- net The Rev. J. D.

JONES. D.D.

The King of Love Meditations on the Twenty -third Psalm. " Many

will limo this book a place of green pastures and still waters, where restoration of soul may come." —Birmingham Post 5/- net

The Rev. SIDNEY M.

BERRY. M.A.

Revealing Light Mr. Berry is Dr. Jowett's successor at Carr's Lane,

Birmingham His aim on this book is to show some-thing of what the Christian revelation means in relation to the great historic facts of the Faith, and the response which those facts must awaken in the minds and hearts of men to-day,.

• 5/- net The Rt. Rev. NPVILLE S.

TALBOT, D.D. (Bishop of Pretoria)

The Returning Tide of Faith A complete statement of the Christian Faith in a

form which is at once arresting, clear and practical. A book which can he placed in the hands of any enquirer asking, "Where can I find guidance?"

51- net The Rev. F. C. SPURR,

The Master Key "Thoughtful and original studies in world-problems.

He is well fitted by experience, observation and ver-satility of talent to set forth the Christian faith as the one remedy for the spiritual needs of our time." —British Weekly. 5/- net

0.--mm—mimMalilTh— 22 Berners St., W.1

March 1, 1923

THE UNITED METHODIST. 101

United Methodism and Modern Thought. -REV: R. PYRE writes :

When I spoke of the heresy hunter, I was not hitting wildly at a black cat in the dark which wasn't there ; though I should like to say at once, that a gibe or a jeer at my friend Mr. Blackwell would pain me. I have listened to him with something more tender than re-spect, even when he has avowed his belief in verbal in-spiration ; and I would travel far to listen to him at any •time. Of course; I regard his views on the inter-pretation of Scripture as hopelessly out of harmony with those I hold, and on that point argument is useless.

The question raised, however, is, in my judgement, a serious one. From one of your correspondents to-day, it is obvious that we have good men who would stand and tell our young people, fresh and eager from the secondary schools of the country, that the sun did on one occasion stand still. And if these same young people ask if the sun ever moves, what will such expo-sitors say.? Astronomers tell us it does ; and at a great rate ; but it does not move in relation to the earth, and travel from the east to the west of our little globe each day. I am not concerned about the views of in-dividual Christians ; many of them, with the most im-possible theology, are far better men than I am. I am concerned when teachers and preachers insist on a pre-sentation of the Bible which simply excites the ridicule of the irreverent, and smites with coldness the hearts of those whose youthful enthusiasm is greatly needed in the Church of Christ.

Does Mr. Blackwell know, I wonder, that there are ministers even now whose life is being made almost in-tolerable, through the hard, bigoted and aggressive op-position of so-called " defenders of the faith ? I hasten to say this has not the remotest relations with my own noble Church, or to any United Methodist Church in this city. The spirit of persecution springs up in the fiercest fashion in many districts if there is the least departure from the theology of half a century ago.

I realize well enough that we must " speak the truth in love"; but it is the truth we must speak ; and it is the truth we must follow. And I, as an evangelical, rejoice, to proclaim a Saviour who still leads and will not fail ; and to offer a salvation which means the sancti-fication of the whole being, heart and soul and m'nd.

Are We Worrying Unduly ? REV. PHILIP MADGE writes :

Are we not unduly worried about Modern Thought? It is significant that when one preaches the modern idea about a Bible story without saying that it is a modern idea, old-fashioned people often say : "Thank you for that fresh presentation of that old story." To have said it was the modern treatment would have roused fierce resentment. I knew an organist who was bitter against the "Ancient and Modern " Tune Book, yet he would sit down quite lovingly to one of the tunes if ignorant of its extraction. Why argue so much about a thing when the clearest mode of proof is to demonstrate? People will not be won to saner views of the Bible by argument so much as by giving instances of the superior reason-ableness of these views.

As Methodists we believe in the urgency of personal experience--an up-to-date work of grace in our hearts. What is that but Modern Thought? Every true Metho-dist is as fresh as the morning sun and cannot help being modern. I believe in Modern thought because I believe in the new glory at this spring season which every sun-rise reveals. Methodism tingles. with enterprise, and United Methodists, as the most modern creation of Methodism, surely love light rather than darkness.

We must not oppose Evangelism to Modern Thought. I have been working intimately with Gipsy Pat Smith for a month, and was not aware of any antagonism be-tween Modern Thought and Evangelism. Various shades of thought were represented by the glorious variety of Christians who came together. Higher Critics and Low, broad and narrow critics mingled in happy activity. Each appreciated the others, while all laboured to bring people to Christ.

We are too dainty in our ideas of the Bible. What a good thing the Bible is not so dainty. Its rugged gran-deur rebukes our pettiness and its illimitable breadth re-proves our childish attempts to measure it with a yard tape. Theories indeed, where life is so abounding ! No theory of inspiration can preserve the Bible. The Bible , does not lean on any such buttress but stands on its own foundations.. We cannot live on .theories but on the truth, and it is not faith in the Bible which saves me but faith in Christ. If we live near to Christ we shall love the Bible. By Christ's standard we shall judge the Bible and He loved light.

Evangelicals and Modern Thought. REV. F. H. ROBINSON writes : • I do not wish to pursue the subject of Dr. Jones' letter.

The contents thereof stand. The epithets piled on evan-gelical teachers of yesterday and to-day may be re-examined but they are there. The temper of his charac-terization of those whose doctrine is dubbed heresy and Piffle remains for all and sundry. The "` so-called Authorised Version " • passes to "King James Version." Others made •it. The King received it., There is no question as 10 the licensing ,-of the Matthew • and the Great Bible. Licence to read and authorization must have been comforting and reassuring to readers of Tudor and Stuart times in view of previous imprisonments, tor-ture, fines and burning of those who under Romanish domination dared to prize and read Wycliff's Scripture tracts and. such copies of the Bible as were available for Protestants in and before Oueen Mary's time. As to Dr. Jones's reasons for preferring the Revised Version,

there is nothing modern therein. I lectured and used i them in sermons more than fifty years ago.

The amazing fact is that those who glory in what is currently called evangelicalism should be supposed and represented to be densely ignorant, unenlightened, etc., etc., etc. ; with eyes closed and mouths agape in the majestic presence of modern thought. The daily and weekly newspapers, the monthlies and quarterlies will not let them be ignorant. Modern Churchmen and emancipated students of all and of no churches are not dumb. They at least. are in the limelight. Why should there be such boundless assumption of the ig-norance of evangelicals as to chronology and the mythical theories of Old Testament and New Testament narratives? Speaking for myself I was never taught even sixty-seven

,years ago when my schooling began that the earth was created 6,000 years ago. I was born on a coal-field. My father, my elder brother, and I, raked over the pit heaps when sinking was going on and brought home out of the carboniferous shales fossil treasures of fern and giant bullrush. The limestones of Derbyshire and of the Wren's 'Nest were open to our inquisitive eyes. We knew the 'world was very old and very 'gray. The men and boys of those " ages before Moses" were not the dullards nor fools they are now represented to be. My boyhood's pulpit teachers were Thomas Rider and Thomas 'Scowby, and their like. Dr.. Jones's epithets do not fit them nor their fellows. Our fathers were not content to say

. merely that our Lord was Divine. Arians and Unitarians

.could and do say that. They would not have dreamt of saying that our Lord did not know the difference be-tween the harp of David and the tear-bottle of post-exiles of the Captivity. Our fathers knew the difference be-tween the terms "of like substance " and of "the same substance" with the Father. They knew that Athanasius 'did not cavil merely about two letters in two Greek words expressing personality. They knew there was a

i world-wide di fference between the theories expressed in those two words. They still worship and say, "Thou art the King of Glory, 0 Christ. Thou art the everlast-ing Son of the Father." I wish all religious teachers were as explicit as they knew how to be. As to the most objectionable phrase Used by Dr. Jones, I am glad he no longer attributes it to any evangelical teacher. It is a coin out of his own mint. The other day the most broad-minded and modern-thinking man I have know?) told me that Dr. Jones's use of the phrase " shocked him."

As to the scholastic meaning of words, I do not claim to be a scholar. I.often re-echo Dr. R. W. Dale's words and apply them to my own life : " I have led too busy a life as preacher, pastor and administrator of church 'business to admit of my being a close student." Any-way, I regularly keep beside me in my study William Tyndale, Miles Coverdale, the Authorized, the Revised. Bible, with Dr. Weymouth, and the Twentieth Century Version. I respect and use them all. Moreover, I find that each and all contain the record of all the doctrines of the evangelical creed. Not one is omitted.

Criticism as a Telescope. MR. P. H. JOSELIN, 24 Attenbury Gardens, S.W.11,

writes : . I venture to recommend your correspondents to read Alfred Noyes's poem, ." The Torchbearers." In a beau-tiful readable manner he tells the story of astronomy and some of its influence on thought. It no longer dis= turbs us that this world is not the centre of the universe, but we need not shut our eyes to fuller light—it is always coming. Perchance a poet could harmonize some Of the seeming clash between Biblical knowledge and modern thought, although.the great poetry of Milton, \silo set out to justify the ways of God to man, has been blamed for some of our bad theology, and poets also for that widespread material conception of hell which was .so long a weapon for one kind of evangelism and a stumbling-block for the faith of many. It is needless to blame the poet, seeing how some of us have quoted the Bible. A quotation from Dr. Jowett inay help to Show one weakness : "Words want constant examina-tion and analysis ; for words tend to outrun facts. They become symbols of facts. Thus they dominate the mind and prevent it from seeing facts as they are."

When the translations of the New Testament into modern English are 'compared with their original mean- ings in the A.V., there are not very many grave dif-ferences. But to adjust the meaning as one hears it read entails both knowledge and close attention. Mof-fatt's, Weymouth's, and the Twentieth Century versions spare the mind, and for those habituated to the A.V. to whom its words have become " symbols of facts " enable it' tosee the facts themselves.

Noyes puts Isaac Newton's faith into these words : "What is all science then

But pure religion, seeking everywhere The true commandments, and through many forms The eternal power that binds all worlds in one? It is man's age-long struggle to draw near His Maker, learn His thoughts, discern His law— A boundless task, in whose infinitude, As in the unfolding•light and law of love, Abides our hope and our eternal joy." Jesus Christ gave no system of theology, no theory

about His own death, no dogma of the -Trinity. The "modern thought " of various ages has contributed What we hold now in whichever school we happen to be, and future thought will .modify it. But Jesus taught the Fatherhood of God, and in that is our hope, in that the atonement, and in that the cause of His crucifixion ; that, as Jesus reveals it, is the unique Good News, and He, our Saviour.

May we not liken criticism to the telescope of time

CHUR. CH-YARD MEMO R. LALL IN THE EVERLASTING

GREY CORN'S EL

0 41"1017 0.0-t oss °,:jvce 0^ CA RR . PA:m•

LE &. SON LTP SHOWROOMS- , 367, EUSTON ,ROAD L0ND0N,NN1.

GRANITE IlIcTiok ANY etniCTCRY

102

THE UNITED ilET11.0DIST. March 1, 1923

Save the Children Fund.

THE Editor gratefully acknowledges the receipt of the following :-

For feeding Russian children in connectirlit with the "United Methodist" Kitchen at Viazuvka, Russia: "81st Psalm," Horsforth, 2s. 6d. ; No. 20,

Grand total to Tuesday Morning E5147 :10:7.

A NOTE BY THE EDITOR. In view of the noble help our people have already

given to the Save the Children Fund we have not thought it right to press urgent appeals upon them for further help. But for fear lest this should lead our gene-rous readers to assume that the need of self-denying help for the children has passed we think we ought to say that such a notion would- be 'ill-founded. The need is still very real in Russia : it is poignant among the children of refugees in Greece, where the Save the Children Fund is doing a fine work. If our readers, knowing this, will send us what they can, we shall be honoured with the privilege of passing it on to the central fund.

Cheques, etc., should be crossed and made payable to Rev. Henry Smith, and forwarded to him at 188 Rye Lane, London, S.E.15.

Receipts for contributions will ' be sent willingly on request, but if contributors can make acknowledgement in the UNITED METHODIST suffice it will save labour and expense.

Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher and Sheffield Ministers.

THROUGH the kindness of Rev. A. Hearn and some of his friends, the ministers of Sheffield had an oppor-tunity last Friday afternoon of hearing an address by Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher, of Cardiff, followed by a con-ference. As reported last week, Mr. Fletcher is con-ducting a ten days' mission in our U.M. Firth Park Church. The gathering was held in the Victoria Hall, through the kindness of Rev. Geo. H. McNeal and Rev. J. B. Stedeford presided. Mr. Fletcher was accorded a warm welcome. He set himself to answering the question of " Is There a Revival Here?" He placed himself in the. position of the outsider, who sees most of the game. Coming from Australia seven years ago, and having a full opportunity of judging of the work of -God in this land, he declared without qualification or hesitation that a marvellous change had taken place in the religious atmosphere of this country. He instanced his own work in Chester, Salisbury, East Anglia and elsewhere. There was a spiritual expectancy abroad. The response to the evangelist's appeal was double what it was. He held up Tyneside as a model campaign, and urged the ministers of Sheffield to ,get together to do .something to determine to move the place for God. Useful hints were given as to methods.

A very searching time, and a very frank conversation followed, in which Revs. W. Watkinson (Wesleyan), Peter Fleming (Edinburgh, who was an intimate fellow-worker with Mr. Fletcher in Australia), B. M. Eason, M.A. (Congregationalist),' J. Wesley Green and John Talbot (Wesleyans) and A. Hearn took part.

Tea was provided in the Hall by Mrs. McNeal, at the invitation of Mr. Sydney J. Walker (South Street U.M.), to whom a hearty vote of thanks was proposed, to which Mr. Walker felicitously responded. Revs. E. Nicholas (Congregationalist) Jas. Wallace, M.A. (Pres-byterian) Geo. H. McNeal (Wesleyan) and Dr. Clemens (U.M.) also spoke to a resolution initiating a course of conduct by which the next meeting of the United Frater-nal will inaugurate such a campaign as Mr. Fletcher outlined for the city.

W. B.

Sheffield U. M. Council Anniversary. Z

THE annual Social Gatherings of the Sheffield U.M. Council were held in South Street Chapel last Thursday, when the. President made a very happy visit. He preached a suggestive and powerful sermon, in his own inimitable way, in the afternoon on the words of Titus, "For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing--" He awakened interest in the Subject by first of all speaking of the revival recently seen on the Tyneside.

A public tea was served in the schoolroom, and a happy social hour was spent. Previous to the evening meeting a brief organ recital was given by Mr. J. W. Clarke (organist of South Street). An augmented choir, under the leadership of Mr. W. S. Skelton, J.P., rendered two anthems and led most hearty congregational singing during the Meeting. Rev. C. Greenwood, President of the Council, presided, and gave an earnest and optimistic address, which, gave a keynote to which the President played up with much effect. The spirit we were„to catch was well illustrated by a story which "a young lady who in a few months will enter her ninety-first year" had told him at dinner that day. We all knew that he had dined with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Crothers, and enjoyed the • humour and the point of the story, which was too long to be told here. The audience followed the speaker closely .and a good atmosphere was created. Dr. Clemens expressed our thanks to-all , in his humour-ous and ecclesiastical manner, speaking of major Presi-dent and minor President, and Bishop Capey and Arch-deacon Greenwood.

The coal output at the mines of Great Britain for the week ended February 10th was 5,566,900 tons, as com-pared with 5,601,200 tons in the previous week and 4,912,500 tons in the corresponding week last. year.

Missionary Pageant and Exhibition.

EYE-GATE and Ear-gate used in the interests of mis-sionary education and to swell the ;30,000 fund was the aim of a missionary pageant and exhibition arranged by the churches of the Burnley Circuit, and held in the extensive premises of Brunswick Church, Burnley. Th6 Rev. C. E. Penrose, circuit superintendent, organized and led numerous workers from all the eleven churches in the circuit.

A striking spectacular display greeted the visitor im-mediately upon entering—a ferned grotto with playing water fountain forming the background. In the main hall were to be seen a Chinese street, an, Indian temple and an African hut cleverly constructed and painted by our own workers. In street, temple and hut were stewards dressed in native costume explaining the. multi-farious curios of the lands represented. Right across the platform was the King's missionary ship, the s.s. " Peace," built by young men of Brunswick Church. This ship was twice "manned " by about 50 scholars from various Sunday Schools who sang and recited in a suit-able missionary demonstration. Many missionary posters and slogans were also hung about the walls. A circuit stall of general goods, an exceedingly attractive stall of missionary literature, arranged by Messrs. Lupton Bros., and a refreshment stall, together with an effective floral display and numerous coloured lights completed the main hall decorations.

The large institute had been turned into a Japanese cafe, where over 100 ladies in Japanese dress served dainty teas in delightful surroundings. The walls on three sides were decked with hundreds of arti-ficial Eastern blooms and branches, the whole sur-mounted by a Japanese frieze. The remaining. side of the room was laid out) very tastefully as a Japanese gar-den with a country lane winding away into the distance. Another room was utilized as an ice cream café where subdued lights intensified the beautiful effect of moss-covered walls studded with roses. A further centre of attraction was the doll and painting exhibition through which nearly 1,500 people passed during the thYee days of the pageant. Here were on view over 200 dolls dressed for competition and for despatch to the children of our mission stations, and also a number of paintings of a missionary picture. In every department workers were dressed in African or Asiatic costumes.

Brunswick Church possesses an up-to-date cinemato-graph machine, and this was utilized to show a fine film "King Khama and his people," together with a few scenes of Chinese city life.

Mrs. F. R. Craddock and the Rev. A. Evans gave valuable service by brief and attractive addresses, in which were crammed missionary information only to be received by the personal touch of "live." missionaries.

The opening ceremonies were full of interest. On Saturday, February 17th, Mr. W. Carter Firth (Brad-ford) presided, and Mr. John Baron (Burnley) was the opener, supported by Rev. A. E. Bowyer, District chair-man, and others. On Tuesday, February 20th, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Henderson • (Halifax) were chairman and opener respectively. In each instance there was,the ring of enthusiasm for mission work. Monday, February 18th, was the children's day. Miss Ursula Butler (daughter of the circuit steward) declared the pageant open, and Master Herbert Turner (a missionary collector from Brunswick school) presided.

Advantage of the occasion was taken to hold a meet-ing of laymen with a view to the formation of a branch of the Laymen's Missionary League. Mr. A. Lupton presided, and addresses were given• by Rev. A. Evans and Mr. Fred Ogden (Rochdale).

Sketches and concerts were given each evening, and an orchestra gave excellent service.

This pageant and exhibition has brought the churches of the circuit together as nothing else has done for many, years. Even snowclad roads and streets did not prevent enthusiastic workers and visitors—both children and adults—from making in many instances long journeys to attend. 'We . believe, that the effort will have a great effect in the increase of missionary zeal and knowledge —an increase of zeal by reason of an increase in know-ledge. Meanwhile the £30,000 Fund will benefit con-siderably more than we anticipated.

F. G. STAFFORD.

THE PEARL ASSURANCE COMPANY'S REPORT, just is-

sued, shows that after providing for all liabilities a sur-plus of £fiOfi,019 is available. The premium income for the year amounted to 7,712,174—an increase of

787,311—and the total income to 8,779,541. The total funds amount to 25,727,680—an increase of

3,375,039 for the year. Since it was founded, the Pearl has paid claims amounting to 32,186,375, in- cluding £2,670,930 paid during the past year.

To Correspondents. A. D.—Yours received. But we have space only for

one important controversy at a time. F. P. A.—Thanks. Will be used. J. A. T.—Too late for this week.

Why Christian Unity Matters.

• -- ONE cannot think aright about the question of unity

among the Churches without approaching it from the background of the larger question of the unity of man-kind.

The World's Need of Unity. The whole world to-day, as never before, is seeking

unity. In spite of strife and conflict men everywhere are looking wistfully for some principle of fellowship, Some way of life by which brotherhood shall become more than an elusive-dream. And the Christian Church has always claimed to possess the secret of unity. It de-clares that "in Jesus Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free "; in a word, that all the divisive* barriers between nation and-nation. race and race, class and class, can be transcended through the power of Christ. Lack of unity, then, among the Churches themselves, which possess in common this Gospel of unity, must always be a terrific handicap to their bearing the most convincing witness to the world. They declare to the world that there is one God who is the Father of all, one Lord and Saviour in whom His will for human life has been revealed, one Spirit that is calling us all to that way of salvation. But how can they expect to persuade the world at large of the truth of their Gospel unless the Churches themselves, which together hold it, can in their relations to one another express the meaning and reality of that ideal?' Lack of unity on our own part imperils the very truth of the Gospel that we proclaim.

The Church's Message. The Churches, for example, have a message for the

relation of nations to each other. They are trying to call the nations out of their divided state; marked by suspicion, competitive armaments and recurring conflict into international association, marked by co-operation, unity and good will. But will not the . nations say to the Churches : " If you who believe in one God, one Lord, one Spirit, do not yourselves know how to exhibit the practical unity which is inseparable from your Gos

pel, is it reasonable to expect us to turn and be con-verted? " Or, again, the Churches are trying to lead capital and labour out of industrial strife into positive co-operation and service to the common good. But may we not in imagination hear both parties to industry reply : " Physician, heal thyself ! When we see the score of churches in the community joining in effective co-operative action, thinking not of building up their own organizations but only of most fully serving the corn-, munity, then your word will come to us with power and not till then."

The Church's Own Need. Such sobering illustrations as these make us see new

meaning in our Lord's prayer, " that they all may be one." Why? "That the world may believe." For not until His followers take His Gospel so seriously that they give practical effect to their underlying unity in Christ can we rightly expect that the world outside will really believed.

The Church has always claimed that in Jesus Christ, as the revelation of God, there is a deeper bond of unity than can elsewhere be found. A world in quest of unity, therefore, has a right to turn to those who bear the name of Christ. Will a divided Church convince a divided world?

The Churches of America, in reply, have created the Federal Council of the Churches, " more fully to mani-fest their essential oneness in Jesus Christ as their divine Lord and Saviour," and. "to bring the Christian bodies of America into united service for Christ and the world." Whatever may be the final answer to the problem of unity, the path of present advance lies through the field of increasing co-operative action. We both discover and reveal our oneness when we touch shoulder to shoulder in great common tasks.

S. M. C. in the "Federal Council Bulletin."

■ Births, Marriages, Deaths. NOTICES of Births, Marriages, Deaths, etc., are inserted

at the ' uniform price of 28., unless they exceed 30 words, in which case ed. extra for every eight words or under is charged. Notices, together with Remittances, should reach the office of the UNITED METHODIST, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.4. not later than Tuesday. 9 a.m.

REPORTS of Marriages, etc., intended for insertion in the Editorial Columns MUST be accompanied by a prePaid advertisement.

DEATH. HOWARTH.—On February 19th, 1923, at 18 St.

Albans Road, St. Anne's-on-Sea—the residence of her daughter—Mary, in her 89th year, beloved wife of the late James Howarth of Rochdale, and mother of Rev. J. A. Howarth.

March 1,- 1923

THE UNITED METHODIST. 103

lottings. THIS week I must do a little bit of tidying up in con-

nection with our recent discussion on " The Early Methodists and Novel Reading."

Miss Kaye-Smith's Novels. It will be remembered that the discussion arose out

Miss Sheila Kaye-Smith's story, "The Tramping Metho-dit," in which she attributed novel reading, as if it were a matter of course, to• Methodists of 1798. My first "Jottings" on the subject brought me the following interesting paragraphs from the Rev. T. Pointon Dale.

MR. DALE writes : "I am glad to find that you have discovered hidden

treasure in the works of Miss Sheila Kaye-Smith. Like you, I have read ' The Tramping Methodist ' for the first time this Christmas. My wife, however, read it years ago, and since then has read every novel that lady has written. After each one she has said she would never read another because ' of the undertone of sadness that throbs through them all. Yet - the re-solve gives way with each fresh publication, and the spell of these writings is too powerful to resist. I have read most of them myself, and while at.times we may differ in our doinestic judgements, we agree in this, that Miss Sheila Kaye-Smith is the first among living woman novelists."

"The, first among living 'women novelists "? That raises a highly debatable point, I fancy, and I shall not be surprised if some reader of these " Jottings" takes up the challenge. We shall see.

Mr. Dale proceeds : " I do not write to throw any light on our author's

description of early Methodism. Like you, I have my doubts as to their correspondence with the facts in all respects. But I share your appreciation of the spirit of the book, and of the skill and insight with which the characters are depicted. I should dearly like to have your opinion of the other novels from the same pen. Johanna Godden,' the latest I believe, is to me the least pleasant, the heroine, very powerfully drawn, is not an attractive character. Still, however unlovely her personifications may be, Miss Kaye-Smith always finds some redeeming quality which might, contain the elements of salvation."

Mr. Dale next says the kind of thing I dearly like people to say–ethat this or that is a favourite and why :.

"I Green Apple Harvest ' is my favourite so far, although it contains an objectionable, and, I hope, impossible, Particular Baptist minister. But there are passages of haunting beauty, entrancing pictures of natural scenery, and a spiritual conversion that is worthy to stand beside that of Saul Kane in John Masefield's Everlasting Mercy.' It is not, of course, my purpose to write an appreciation of this clever writer, but to endorse your own, and to wish you the joy of her further acquaintance."

Is not that a delightfully interesting series of para-graphs?

A Bit of Autobiography. Greatly daring, I ventured during the recent discus-

sion, under the disguise of my pen name, to say some-thing about the attitude of my father and grandfather, both Methodists, towards novels and novel reading. My

-doing so, has brought a letter from another son of a Methodist household, and I would like to quote it.

My correspondent signs his letter, and puts no stipu-lations on its use, but I shall feel more comfortable in using it if I do so anonymously, for I am not quite sure that what he says may not be deemed to reflect upon some person now living,: another reason for following my plan of anonymity.

My correspondent is younger than I am. Conse-quently, what he writes, while it does not castlight upon the earliest years of the nineteenth century, does cast light upon a later part of that century and shows that the objection to novel reading among Methodists persisted nearer to our own time than I myself indicated.

But to my correspondent's letter ! "Your early surroundings resembled mine. In my

father's library there were no novels, excepting ' Uncle Tom's Cabin,' by Mrs. Harriett Beecher Stowe, a story also founded on fact,' and such books as Macaulay's History of England,' John Bunyan's Works, etc. There was no poetry, and I well remem-ber my purchase at the age of ten of Dick's Shakes-peare,' and Routledge's Longfellow.' "

—.7-- That paragraph may well be compared with what is

said about Mrs. Leaker's mother later on., Now comes the part of my, correspondent's letter which bears directly upon our recent discussion :

"When I was about eight or nine, one day my father brought home a lot of books, and among them were IEsop's Fables,', The Cricket on the Hearth,' in

an early edition, with illustrations by Leach, and the I Life of Wallace,' the Scottish hero. These I read with and they opened up a new world to me. Among them also was a full set of the •Waverley Novels, by Sir Walter Scott, which my eldest brother, 14 years older than myself, acquired. He kept them for some time locked up, so that we younger members of the family might not read them, and then' eventu-ally decided to destroy them. He cut out the printed matter, and it was used as waste paper, but kept

the. fine green . covers. with which they were bound! This act of vandalism resembles Pawson's act in des-troying John Wesley's annotated copy of Shakes-peare.' One would have liked to have read Wesley's notes on the great dramatist."

Next comes a paragraph which I should dearly like to discuss in detail, but I must refrain. Not that it will therefore go undiscussed. I know my readers well enough to be sure that many of them will be discussing it with themselves before they get to the end of these "Jottings."

Here is the paragraph which closes the communica-tion, part of which I have already quoted :

" The Puritan spirit cast a .Shade over my early 'days and young manhood. All beauty, the arts, and light literature were excluded, and religion and mor-ality were insisted on almost exclusively. Now while 1 owe much to this early Spartan training it has seemed tb me in later years to have been incomplete without the necessary: complement of the esthetic and freer spirit. Mr. Edmund Gosse, in his book, Father and Son,' has shown the revolution which came to him by 'the sunprossion of his 'esthetic instincts, which surely were God-given and can be used to the good of one's self and one's fellows, and also to the glory of God, as Gosse has done and still continues to do."

Mrs. Leaker's Mother. An interesting side-light upon the attitude of Metho-

dists of the late years of the eighteenth century and the early years of the nineteenth is given in Mr. St. Leo Strachey's recently-published book of memories, called, " The Adventure of Living."

One of the most delightful chapters of that book is the one in which be treats of the Family Nurse, Mrs. Leaker. The delight comes from the kind of woman Mrs. Leaker is seen to be, the unusual range of her know-ledge of literature, the apt use she could make of it, and the happy relations in which the whole of the Strachey family lived with her till her death, when she was SO years old.

Mr. Strachey got her to write sonic of her memories, and he reproduces them in the chapter in which lie pre-sents her to his readers. In these reminiscences she speaks of her mother, and it is in this connection that there comes the side-light upon the subject we have been discussing.

Here is the quotation I have in mind : "Though we were very poor, my childhood seems

pleasant to me as I look back, for my mother ma all she could to make us happy. She went out sewing very often, and we were glad she should go, for she got better food than she could'get at home, and what was, I believe, as much good to her, she sometimes got food for her mind."

Now here immediately follows the statement that bears on our discussion :

."But, poor dear, she was always having a struggle with her conscience, and her love of what is called light reading, as being a Methodist she thought it wrong to read such books. She told me that when she was married she was given a new edition of all the Elizabethan plays, twenty-five volumes, beauti-fully bound. (I heard afterwards that a new edition was published at that time). However, about the year 1818 she thought it right to burn them, although she was so fond of them. Yet when I was sitting at work with her she would tell me tales out of the plays. How vexed I used to be with her for burning them, poor, dear, loving mother "

How much this sacrifice to a tender conscience must have cost is clear from the kind of reading Mrs. Leaker says her mother delighted in :

" She taught me to read out of my father's large old Bible, and the Apocrypha was a book of wonder to me. She was fond of Young's Night Thoughts.' Milton she read often ; my father gave it to her ; poor man, he thought it would please her. He was a sweet-tempered man, easy and kind-hearted, but not clever like my mother. He once said to her when she laughed at him for some blunders, Well, my dear, what can the woman with. five talents expect from the man with one? '"

If the above was the attitude of Mr. Leaker's 'Metho-dist mother towards the Elizabethan plays, what would it be toward the novels of her day and generation?

PROVINCIAL.

Battersea Park Mission, London. •

A LOCAL CORRESPONDENT Writes :

For 15 years the writer and others have thought our church on the down grade. But we've hopefully prayed on. The London Church Extension and Mis-sion Committee has lately " adopted " us and spent -4:200 on internal decorations, and given us a pastor, and put new heart into us. We still have a burden-some debt—L:925. But D.V., this incubus it is hoped will be cleared in four years. -A new clay seems already to have begun. Our collections (owing to the envelope system) are quadrupled, and the C.E. has re-started. To crown. all the blessings, three conversions took place on Sunday week. Added to four new members lately, re-ceived, our membership of 20 should feel - the impetus of all this. "The winter is over and gone."

The Twelve Greatest Living Chinese.

Many Christians in the List. WHO are the twelve greatest living Chinese? "The

Weekly Review of the Far East " has made an attempt to answer this question by a competition open to .ehi- nese, foreigners and Chinese students. From the ballot papers it would - appear that the latter class took the most active part in the voting, and this fact makes the more interesting the number of Chinese Christians or Christian sympathizers who received votes.

Dr. Sun Yat Sen heads the list, but he has only beaten by 98 votes General Feng, the Christian General, known as the Chinese Cromwell. Next comes Dr. Wel- ling-,ton Koo; who has been Chinese Minister in London and in Washington; and is well known in both capitals. He is extremely sympathetic to Christianity, although not an acknowledged Christian. Dr. Koo, together with Dr. C. T. Wang, another of the first twelve, are members of the prominent " St. John's group," being alumni of St. John's University, Shanghai, the highly efficient institution controlled by the American Episco- pal Church. Dr. C. T. Wang, formerly Vice-President of the Senate, represented China at the Versailles Con-ference, and is a prominent Y.M.C.A. leader., He must not be confused with another of the leading twelve, Dr. Wang Chung-hui, the son of a Chinese pastor of the London Missionary Society's church in Hong-Kong, who for a time was Prime Minister, but is best known for his codification of the laws of China, while Minister of Justice.

Next on the list is Mr. Chang Chien. He is not a member of any Christian Church, but although a pro- minent representative of the old scholarship of China, he also takes an immense interest in applying Christian principles to modern industrial and other conditions. He is, for instance, responsible for the model township at Nanking.

GeneralVen, the model governor of Shansi, is a still more ardent supporter of --'Christianity. He has been particulaly active in tackling the re-growing of opium poppy ; he has appointed a large number of Christian officials, and has circulated hundreds of thousands of copies of Christian books and leaflets.

Tenth on the list comes Dr. David Z. 'I'. Mui, the Senior Secretary of the Y.M.C.A. in China. He is even more popular -than President Li-Yuan-Lung in the voting.

The other names completing the first twelve are those of Marshal Wu-psi-fu and Dr. Hu Sub. •

Evangelistic Campaign. Dewsbury (Ravensthorpe).—The church at Ravens-

thorpe has been greatly blessed and quickened during a three weeks' mission conducted by Messrs. Thompson and Rhodes, the well-known evangelists. It was evident from the first that the church was in for a good time. The services increased in power night by night, and very soon God began to manifest Himself in the saving of souls. There was no sensationalism, no extravagance, but a clear and forceful presentation of the Gospel in speech and song which brought conviction and enabled all to realize afresh the redeeming love of God. Some fifty young people, from twelve to twenty years of age, passed through the enquiry-room and are now happy in their new-found experience. The mission terminated on February 21st, when Mr.• Thompson gave a lecture on the Story of his Life to a large congregation.

Market Rasen.—A special mission service should have been conducted at Bishop Norton by Revs. J. B. Good-hand and J. A. Newton, but they were unable to get through on account of the snow, and the services were conducted by the minister, Rev. P. D. Beckwith, who preached in the afternoon and addressed a public meet-ing in the Y.M.C.A. but at night, Mr. T. King, of Glen-tham, presiding. Special singing by Mmes. Beckwith and Green, of Market Rasen. On Tuesday the mission was continued at the Snarford Bridge U.M.C., when Rev. J. A. Newton preached in the afternoon, and ad-dresses were given at the evening meeting by Revs. J. B. Goodhand and J. A. Newton. . Mr. Newton also sang a solo. Good times were experienced.

Chepstow (Caldicot).--A mission has . recently been held by Rev. E. Jenkins, of Cheltenham. Good con- gregations gathered each night. The earnest appeals of the missioner made a deep impression. The Church has received a great spiritual uplift. Although we cannot record conversions the church has been quickened into a vigorous spiritual life.

A Harmony of the Gospels. FOR long, long years there was in the estimation of

good judges one Harmony of the Gospels that overtopped all others in the estimation of students—that by Dr. Broadus. Now there' is once more an outstanding one —it is a revision of Dr. Broadus's just issued by A. T. Robertson, M.A., D.,D., Litt.D., who occupies the chair of New Testament Interpretation, in • the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, and is the author of "A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Re-search," which has just been issued in the Third Edition. Dr. Robertson's Harmony bears the title " A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ " (Hod-der and Stoughton, 10s. 6d. net).

It is written in the light of modern synoptic criticism and research. New analyses and sections and notes have been added, also appendices for the help of students' in the historical study of the life of Christ. 'Students of this book have delightful hours before them.

101

THE UNITED METHODIST. March 1. 1928 -411■1■11.11110.1mimmdm

Young People's Examination and Essay Competition 1922.

WE are glad to report another increase in the number of entrants, viz., 7,134, as compared with 7,062 last year. Of these, 4,087 actually sat the examination, with the following results :

Junior Division Intermediate Div... Senior Lower Div. Senior Upper Div.

First Second Hons. Class. Class. Failures. Totals' 85 587 665 364 1701

285. 985 577 127 1974 33 94 100 56 289 18 45 41 19 123

421 1711 1389 566 4087

The subject in the Junior and Intermediate Divisions was " Paul, a Good Soldier of Jesus Christ," based upon various passages in Acts.

The Examiners report as .follows s : Junior Division : "We have pleasure in reporting that

they are a batch of fine papers, reflecting great credit on the trainers, and indicating good understanding of the subject by the scholars. The three characteristics of Paul as set out in the syllabus were generally well grasped, and many of the scholars showed very interest-ing knowledge of the facts. Many besides the prize win-ners are to be highly commended. The memory verses were, without exception, correct." Four in particular must be named : Mary E. Butt, Llantrisant, Gertrude M. Turner, Bath ; Mary M. Melling's, WolVerhampton ; Bernard E. Hodson, Manchester Fourth.

Intermediate Division : " The papers that have come to us have given great pleasure by reason of their good quality. On the whole they show a fine grasp of the inner meaning of the 'passages studied, and in many eases considerable felicity in expressing it. It would appear that those who have been responsible for helping the young people in their preparation have made goad use of the "title" 'words and with. marked advantage. This will tend to make the benefit of the examination more lasting. For awarding the Connexional prizes it has been extremely difficult to adjudicate between the best papers. There are several worthy of special mention other than the prize-winners."

In the two Senior Divisions the text-book has been '" Our Belief ". (chapters 1 to •5), by 'Rev. R. H. 13. Shap-land. The Examiners report as follows :-

Senior Lower Division : " It has been satisfactory to observe in the papers in this 'Division the grasp of the subject shown by the students. In every paper an attempt has been made to answer every question. Some of the answers have been exceptionally good, and the papers show that a serious and earnest study of the book has been made We cannot but feel that the promise shown by some of the writers is a happy augury of future useful Christian service."

Senior Upper Division : "The papers are en the whole of a high standard. One or two are of exceptional merit. The candidates generally have a clear grasp of our doctrinal statement, and must have applied them-selves with diligence to this somewhat stiff task. Credit is also due to those who gave instruction and supervision to the candidates."

The subject of the Essay Competition has been "The Case for Local Option." This has not attracted so• many competitors as last year, the figures g-eing : Junior (15 to 18), 16 ; Senior (19 and over), 17. The essays h.ave,been graded as follows :

Junior Division : 3 'prize winners ; 4 first class , 7 second. class

' 2 third class. Senior Division : 3 prize

winners ; 2 first class ; 7 second class ; 5 third class.

Essay Competition Prize Winners. Senior Division : 1st, George Edward Goodall, Huck-

nall ; 2nd, John E. Williamson, Radcliffe, Bolton Cir- cuit; 3rd, Arthur P. Needier, Hull. junior Divison : l.st, Reginald Alfred . Phillips, Chichester ; 2nd, Muriel A. Chamberlain, Worle ; '3rd, Tom W. Clarke, Lincoln, Silver Street.

Connexional Examination Prizes. Senior Upper Division : 1st, Helena J. Blott, Hack-

ney Circuit (London) ; 2nd, Margaret E. White, Frod-sham. Senior Lower Division : 1st, Muriel A. Chamber-lain, Worle (winner also of 2nd essay prize); 2nd, Arthur Leese, Newcastle, Ebenezer. Intermediate Division : 1st, Phyllis P. Thornton, Greetland ; 2nd, Edward • P. Bonnar, Norwich. Junior Division : 1st, Eric. Laughton, Leeds East ; 2nd, Wiliam' N. Spall, Hackney (London).

Connexional District Prizes. Birmingham and Dudley : Junior, Doris A. Walker,

Bridgtown ; Intermediate, Mary M. Melling-s, Wolver-hampton ; Senior Lower, Elsie Osborne, 'Blackheath ; Senior Upper, Abigail Sambrook, Bridgtown. Bristol and South Wales,: Junior, Dorothy E. Weaver, Worle; Intermediate, Gertrude M. Turner, Bath ; Senior Lower, Percival A. Sheppard, Bath ; Senior Upper, Amy R. Counsel], Cardiff, Newport Road. Cornwall West : Junior, Lilian 1‘1, Kent,. St. Columb; Intermediate, Wil-liam J. Jenkin, St. Just ; Senior Lower, Phyllis Rose-

CLOSING OF ACCOUNTS, MARCH 29th. -

The Steward begs to remind Customers and all others it may concern, that the Financial Year of

• the Publishing House closes March 31st, but in consequence of Easter .co;iflicting with that date remittances for all outstanding accounts should be received not later than March 29th.

year, Camborne ; Senior Upper, William F. Yelland, St. Columb. Exeter and Shebbear : Junior, Cyril W. Nbrth-cote, Chagford ;. Intermediate, Ruth C. Reed, Shebbear and Torrington ; Senior • Lower, Kathleen E. Joslin, Ringsash ; Senior Upper, Sidney B. Bellamy, Torquay and Newton Abbot. Halifax and Bradford.: Junior, Mary Denham, Halifax, Brunswick ; Intermediate, Edith M. Edge, Bradford South-East ; Senior Lower and Senior Upper, no awards. Hanley : Junior, no award; Intermediate, Harry Emery, Newcastle, Ebenezer ; Senior Lower, Nancy Taylor, Newcastle, Ebenezer; Senior Upper, no award. Leeds : Junior, no award ; In-termediate, Laura Batley, Batley ; Senior Lower and Senior Upper, no awards. Lincoln and Norwich : Junior, John P. Prowting, Louth; Intermediate, Daisy Barker, Lincoln, Silver Street; Senior Lower, Elsie Healey, Great Yarmouth ; Senior Upper, no award. Liverpool and N.Wales : Junior, no award ; Intermediate, Frederick. W. Hughes, Connah's Quay and Prestatyn ; Senior Lower, Wilfred B. Stone, Connah's, Quay and Prestatyn ; Senior Upper, Martha Peters, Poolmouth. London : Junior, Alan Soper, London, Fulham.; Inter-mediate, Ivan Cole, Oxford ; Senior, Lower, Gladys I. Dowsett, London, Forest Gate ; Senior Upper, no award. Manchester : Junior, Nancy M. Hood,. Wigan ; Inter-mediate, Bernard E. Hodson, Manchester Fourth ; Senior Lower, Esther Hampson, Leigh and Hindley Green ; Senior Upper, no award. Newcastle-on-Tyne : Junior, William P. Barry, Hexham ; Intermediate, Margaret S. Harbottle, Whitley Bay ; Senior Lower, Edith Robson, Stanley ; Senior Upper, Grace Brown, Newcastle, Sandy-ford. Nottingham : Junior, Leonard Krause, Long Eaton; Intermediate, Ada I. Hopkinson, Ilkeston ; Senior Lower, Joyce A. Riley, Mansfield ; Senior Upper, Amy Swift, Belper. Plymouth and East Cornwall : Junior, Phyllis M. Hooper, Camelford and Wadebridge; Inter-mediate, Cecil Jory, Camelford and Wadebridge; Senior Lower, Christabel Clements, Camelford and Wade-bridge ; Senior Upper, Emily Benoy, Camelford and Wadebridge ; Portsmouth : Junior, Eric W. Lock, Yar-mouth and Totland Bay ; Intermediate, Phyllis A. Daw-kins, Salisbury ; Senior Lower, Alice M. Guy, Ports- mouth ; Senior Upper, no award. Rochdale : Junior, Frank Prendergast, Great Harwood ; Intermediate, Gladys Whittle, Burnley ; Senior Lower, Joyce Leeming, Great Harwood ; Senior Upper, Norah Baddeley, Old- ham, Union Street. Sheffield : Junior, Nina Morley, Sheffield, Surrey Street ; Intermediate, Ida Coupland, Worksop; Senior Lower, Henry Greaves, Sheffield, Hanover; Senior Upper, Richard L. Brook, Barnsley, Ebenezer. Sunderland : Junior, no award; Inter-mediate, Joyce H. George, Sunderland, Thompson Me-morial Hall ; Senior Lower, Harold G. Fawkes, South Shields : Senior Upper, no award.

The following have been the Examiners : Rev. J. Har-rison, Mr. F. D. Lamb, L.D.S., Revs. R. F. Bell, 0. P. Rounsefell, W. F. Newsam, H. Lee, H. V. Capsey, A. Hearn, H. W. Kelley and S. S. Dabill. These brethren, together, with the District Examination Secretaries, have been most expeditious and thorough in their work, and great credit and thanks are due to them. The prizes are -being sent out in the March book parcels.

W. J. BLEATHMAN, Exam. Sec. to Y.P.'s Committee.

Our Magazines for March.

THE Editor, of the " U.M. Magazine" aptly Jinks Per- sonal Faith with Social Service in his Dotes. Rev. George Graves gives an affirmative answer to the ques-tion at the top. of his paper "Are the Christian Ideals practicable? " "The Men who have builded well" and are praised are Rev. T. J. Dickinson and Sir Joseph Calvert and Lady Calvert, and those whose memory is perpetuated are Rev, Ralph Hebbron, Aid. Robert Jackson and Mr. Frank fSlogrove. Rev. Charles Kellett conducts the " Worship at the Fireside." Rev. R. H. Osborne gives a number of interesting notes on the question of the "Social Status of Jesus." Rev. W.. Rupert Clark begins a series of interesting articles on the " Classics of Devotion." The first, on ." The Imita-tion of Christ," is most helpful and a promise of good things to come. Rurtherford MOrdey's conversation on " Ministers' Wives" will be discussed in many manses and elsewhere. The serial develops interestingly. Book reviews by Rev. J. T. Newton, the Guild of Venturers column by Rev. G. H. Kennedy and a page of notes by "Watchman." make up a very interesting number.

In the "Missionary Echo," Mr. T. W. Chapman's notes on " China To-day through 'Chinese Eyes " should send many to the perusal of that illuminating book. 'Mr. Stedeford's Mission House notes are as usual most in-timate and interesting. -Every reader will be glad to peruse Nurse P. Petrie Smith's letter headed " My Call to the Mission Field." It is good to hear that Rev. John Hinds is better in health than on his arrival in this country, and many will read his "Tongshan Notes " with pleasure. Dr. Clemens writes interestingly on Prof. Soothill's Lecture' on " Buddhism" given at the recent Modern Churchman's Congress. Rev. J. Capes Story discusses the very pertinent question, "Why - Dis-turb the Non-Christian Races?" with knowledge and discernment. The W.M.A. pages are most interesting. These are only a few of. a goodly number of items which make up the March issue of a Missionary magazine that is never stale and never otherwise 'than profitable to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest. •

The Children's Companion contains a first-rate four-pennyworth of Stories of School and Home, Stories about Nature, Stories about • other Lands 'and Peoplest and information pleasantly conveyed and illustrated, for our Boys and Girls. .It , is a treasure-trove for the younger members of the Household. There is a Prize. Competi7 tion in each number.'

The Jewish Sects. BY RENT. E. C. URWIN, M.A., B.D.

Young People's Topic for' the Week Beginning March 4th 1923.

MATTHEW XVI. 1-12. I. A Cross Section Through Jevish Life. As °kip:

follows the trend of a nation's history, it is of very gregt.. interest every now and again to pause and take a opss-section, of the life of the people and observe the:different. strands of culture that compose it at. any- given _time. English life during the last three centuries is largely the story of the tension between Cavalier and Round-head, Anglican and -Nonconformist, Aristocrat and Middle Class, modified in later times by the rise of Labour ! So if at any time during the period "between the Testaments" we took a similar cross section through Jewish life we should find a similar conflict of opposing tendencies breaking up the national unity into parties, • sects and factions.

In Jewish life, the tension arose mainly through dif-fering attitudes to " the Law." When Ezra returned from Babylon, he brought with him "the law of God," and a fixed determination to implant obedience to it in every Jewish heart. This was one effect of the spiritual discipline of the Exile. Looking upon that calamity as a punishment for national disobedience, they now sought to counter the peril of future sin by scrupulous regard for God's will embodied, as they conceived it, in the writen codes of the Old Testament. This involved amongst other things rigid exclusiveness from heathen-ism, and an -utter living apart. -But - this rigidity of life proved irksome to many elements in the nation, and the tension so created foreshadowed the divisions of later times.

II. In the Times of the Maccabees. These tenden-cies came to a height in the times of the Maccabees. The attempt of Antiochus Epiphanes to suppress Juda-ism inevitably produced a 'twofold reaction. The strict Jew rebelled ; the more moderate was inclined to ac-quiesce, and indeed to find something attractice in the customs of the Greeks. The beginnings of a distinct Pharisaic party have sometimes been found in the As-sideans—who were voluntarily devoted to the law," and were amongst those who rallied to the side of Matta-thias in his resistance to Antiochus (1 Mace. ii. 42). But they emerge most definitely in the reign of the Macca-bean prince-priest, John Hyrcanus, son of -Simon and grandson of Mattathias. His military prowess won for him a kingdom larger than Israel had ruled since the days of David, but his inevitable pre-ocCupation with temporal affairs revolted the stricter type of Jew, and led to the rise of the Pharisees or Separatists.

III. Thumb-nail Sketches. PHARISEES : characteris-tically clad, phylacteries fronting their foreheads and lin-ing the hem of their robes. Sometimes to be seen at their devotions at street corners, and in ptiblic places. Popu-lar because of their zeal for "the Law" and "the Tra-ditions of the Fathers." Often sincere and earnest men, but their devotion to the letter of the law produced a most unspiritual self-conscious sense of virtue, which made it quite repugnant. Believers in immortality. SADDUCEES : often described as " the worldlings of Jew-ish life." They belonged chiefly to the priestly and aristocratic class, and supported the Temple worship as over against the Synagogue. With their worldly in-terests may be associated their complete disbelief in im-mortality. The second chapter of the Book of Wisdom has been thought to be an 'expression of the Sadducean point of view. Read it. ESSENES : a semi-ascetic party, the extreme of the Pharisaic type at its best, sometimes spoken of as "the Quakers of Judaism." Not mentioned in New Testament, but described 'by Josephus. They lived in settlements by the Dead Sea. were fatalists in moral, abjured marriage and the flesh of animals as food. To these we may add the SCRIBES, professional exponents of " the Law," and ZEALOTS, those eager for political independence.

Note; (1) Find parallels to these divisions in English , life, and estimate their worth. (2) Why did the Phari-sees evince such hostility to Jesus?

Mr. Charles Ogden, Cheadle Heath.

THE' funeral of the late Mr. Charles Ogden, of Cheadle Heath, was conducted in St. John's Church, Cheadle Heath, by Rev. T. P. Bullen, of Nantwich (a former minister of the circuit and an old friend of deceased) and Rev. G. Graves, pastor of the church. The church organist, Mr. J. Ellis, played "0 rest in the Lord " as the mourners entered the church, and Beethoven's "Funeral March " at the close of the service. The hymns, " Jesu, Lover of my Soul " and " Give me the wings of faith to rise," were sung. Mr. Bullen paid tribute to deceased's sterling Christian character and loyalty to the church he loved so well. Mr. Ogden had 'served in the capacity of leader from its foundation, had been church secretary and trust treasurer, and for over twenty years offertory steward, which office he held at the time of his death. He had been a trusted and faithful servant to his employers, having been manager at Messrs. S. H. MoorhOuse's mills for 32 years, until his retirement some time ago.

The interment took place at the Borough Cemetery.

BRASS BRONZE 4 COPPER MARBLE.

A SEND FOR BOOK 41. CHURCH.VASES A(URTISTs4lTsAes) A F.OSBORNE & CO.'_ . . CRAFTSMEN

fiC(.<0111111111111111110))*)))* 27. EASTCASTLE ST.. OXFORD ST., LONDON W. 1. A

WANTED—

PEOPLE WITH .

KIND HEARTS -Cr'

to take an intelligent interest in orphaned, suffering children.

Four thousand boys and girls, all of whom have had more than their share of sorrow, are in our care.

Won't you give them a thought ?

Let us send you particulars of our work. Let us show you over one of our 28 branches ; they are in all parts of the country and easy of access.

Pray, for Pity's sake, do something for these little unfortunates. If you can do no more spare them at least a ten-shilling note. You won't feel it, but they will.

NATIONAL CHILDREN'S HOME (Founded by Dr. STEPHENSON),

104-122 CITY ROAD, LONDON, EI C I • Princi¢al : Rev.. W. HODSON SMITH.

Treasurers : J. R. BARLOW. Esq.. M.A., J.P., Sir CHARLES C. WAKEFIELD, Bart.. C.B.E..• LL.D.

R REMITTANCES from U.M. Churches should be sent to the I.'''. Treasurer, Rev. HENRY HOOKS, 12 Farrmgdon Avenue,

London. E.C.4.

March 1, 1923

The Use of the Bible. BY REV. CUTHBERT ELLISON.

---- (C.E. Topic for Week beginning March 11th).

2 PETER I. 16-21.

THE Epistle from which our lesson is taken is an appeal for practical holiness. The writer has in view his own approaching death, and is anxious to leave behind him some sure reminder of his teaching.

Two Witnesses.—To support the authority of that teaching. he cited two witnesses : his personal relation to Jesus, and Old Testament prophecy.. In telling of Jesus he spoke as one who had seen and heard Him. He had witnessed the glory of the Transfiguration and heard the voice that spoke from Heaven in commenda- tion of the "beloved Son." He had also, as indeed they all had, the permanent record in the written word of Scripture. To that word it was well to give attention, such attention as we would give to a lamp in a dimly-lighted place. The Scriptures are a light to lead us through the darkness until the dawn comes and the sun arises. That- sun is Christ.

Scripture is not to be interpreted as each one wills. The authors were holy men who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

To Lead to Christ. —Our topic to-day is, "The Use of the Bible." The verses chosen to introduce the subject suggest that the use of the Bible is to lead to Christ— to Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life. In the Old Testament, in many distinct messages, is the pro-phesyingT-the forth-telling of God—which is " a lamp shining in a squalid place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise." The Old Testament leads to the New, and all directs to Jesus. When the sun has arisen there is the less need of the lamplight. As John Bap- tiSt said : "He must increase, and I must decrease." But what of our use of the Bible? In what manner do we use it? Do we regularly read it, and diligently study it? It is able (as we noted in our last topic in this series)" to make us wise unto salvation. It is profitable for correcting and instructing. We believe that it contains " a sufficient rule of faith and practice." We read the Bible, of course ; we are pledged to do that daily. • Let us consider some ways in -which we may profitably use it. And in all our reading and study we will remember to seek the help of the Holy Spirit who moved the makers of the Bible.

A Rule of Faith and Life.—It is well to remember what the Bible is not. As, for instance, it is not a scien-tific treatise ; it is not a text-book on ethics, etc. Its purpose is to teach men to live, by revealing the will of God. In Jesus is the full and perfect revelation of God.

We seek for guidance in the difficult business of living. We wish to know what is God's will for us. We shall find that will revealed in the Bible we are told. But the Bible is a big book. It is not simple. It needs to be studied. A wide, field of Bible study opens before us ; the two former topics of this series have reminded us of this. It needs prayerful thought and careful read-ing at times if we would determine the precise meaning of a passage, or purpose of a book. We will remember that the Bible comes to us in translations. It is good to use different versions, and, if possible, other lan-guages, and compare them with each other. Our topic passage to-day does us the great service of reminding us that Jesus is the Sun of the Bible. He is the centre and soul of all. In the full light of His life and words less perfect revelations are to be examined, and judged. In the sphere of life Jesus is our supreme Teacher. We test our lives by His. The' Gospels, then, will be our close and constant study.

A Means of Grace.—We will begin with the Gospels. With that for our base, we will wander over the wide fields of the Scriptures, backward and forward, finding much and choice food for the soul. Here is the story of God's dealing with men, the gradual unveiling of His will and purpose. Here is the story of a man's search

.for God, his achievements in the life of the spirit. Individual Christians tive special preferences in

!books of devotion. We have a rare treasure in such volumes as "The Imitation of Christ," "The Practice of the Presence of God," "The Serious Call," " Grace Abounding," and the like. Such books are for the feed-ing of the soul. But the best of all Books of Devotion is the Bible. To the Gospels, the Psalms, and certain chapters of the Epistles, . we go again and again. So our inner lives are fed. There are few portions of the Bible that will not yield some nourishment : here are holy hymns, 'pious meditations, prayers, exhortations, warnings ; here are life stories that sound the deeps, and scale the heights of human experience. In the fore-front of the world's deep books must be placed the Bible.

The Bible as Literature.—I wished to say something under this head, but my space is gone. I will set down one quotation. Says Dr. John Watson : "There are times when one wishes he -had never read the New Testament, that he might some day open St. Luke's Gospel, and the most beautiful book in the world might come upon his soul like sunrise."

Mrs. Almond, Lostock Hell. REV. W. D. LISTER writes :

Mrs. Mary Almond was one of the most lovable and Christ-like old ladies it has been my privilege to meet. To be in her presence was a benediction. One felt that here was a living example of the uplifting and mellowing influence of Christianity. To the last, even when increasing years and infirmities compelled her to remain indoors, she took the liveliest interest in the welfare of her church and the doings of our 'Denomina-tion. She was loved by everybody, both inside the church and out. She was "a living epistle, read and known of all. men." Though dead, she will continue to speak to those who came into contact with her. Her life was full of beauty and fragrance.

BY REV. W. J. BLEATHMAN.

British Uniform (Intermediate _Graded) Lesson for Sunday, March 11th, 1923.

Bible Readings : Mark xiv. 12-26 ; Luke x. 29b-37. GOLDEN TEXT : John xiii. 34.

-A BRIEF outline of events following on from last week's notes and leading up to our Lesson incident is here given. As before, other references should be looked. up.

Tuesday—the withered fig-tree (Mk. xi. 20). His authority to teach questioned. The tribute money. The brother's wife. The first commandment of all (Matt. xxi. 22). Woes on the Pharisees (Matt. xxiii.). The widow's mite (Mk. xii. 41). Visit of the Greeks (Jn. xii. 20). Christ finally rejected (Jo. xii. 37). Lament over Jerusalem (Matt. xxiii. 37-39). Great prophecy, of Fall of Jerusalem and parables concerning judgement (Matt. xxiv. 25).

Wednesday—this day probably spent in retirement at Bethany (cf. Jn. xii. 36b). The bargain of Judas (Matt. xxvi. 14).

Thursday—preparations for Passover (Matt. xxvi. 17). In the evening the meal with the Twelve in the upper room (Matt. xxvi. 20). The feet-washing (Jn. xiii. 2). Departure of Judas. Institution of the

feet-washing Supper

(Matt. xxvi. 26-29).

(v. •20). "Twelve ate with Jesus, only three or four would dip with Him." Peter having asked for a sign of clearer identification, John asks Jesus for the be-trayer's name. The answer (Jn. xiii. 26) is given for J elm alone, and Jesus probably by' sign told him to keep the secret from Peter.

Lesson Outline. Keep well in mind the title of our Lesson—it •is not

primarily a discussion of the Lord's Supper, but a re- vealing, by its institution, of that love of Jesus which marks Him as a True Friend. It will be noticed that in the preparatory notes given above no reference is made to the story of the Good Samaritan. This story could well be outlined as n starting-point, showing what true friendship really means (scholars will very quickly realize which of the three did the " neighbourly " action, and it is good to get them to display their judgement).

Now remind them of the applause with which Jesus was greeted when He entered Jerusalem (of last Lesson), and how the next three days passed in teaching in the Temple. There were many who were awaiting an op-portunity to stop Him and even kill Him. Describe how the leaders of the nation were afraid He might stir up a revolt against Rome, and they saw that that would mean a loss of their comfort and position. (Explain that Palestine was a Roman province.) And others tried to trap ,Him into saying tribute should not be paid to the Roman Emperor (cf. Lk. xx. 19-26), so that He might be reported to the Governor. Picture as vividly as you can the plotting of His enemies, and try to get scholars to realize the feelings of the disciples. They would re-member the many occasions on which Jesus had told them of His death, and here were angry men plotting against Him. Don't you think they would feel anxious for Him and themselves, and still wish He would reveal Himself as the King they were expecting?

Jesus wants to celebrate the Passover with His dis-ciples (describe how the Jews flocked to Jerusalem for this, th& greatest of their national and religious feasts). Flaying made arrangements for an " upper room " in which to gather with His disciples, He and they jour-ney there on the Thursday evening. During the meal He startles the disciples by telling them He knows that one of them is a traitor (see vv. 18-21). His name is not revealed (except to John cf. Jn. xiii. 2., 26). Almost immediately Judas (eaves the company, the other dis-ciples thinking He has gone to complete the purchases necessary for the following days (see Jn: xiii. 29). Then Jesus, knowing what is to happen to Himself on the morrow, and thinking of others even when faced with death (emphasize this) can see how troubled and dis-tressed the disciples will be, and so very tenderly and lovingly He talks, to them and gives them love-tokens whereby they may_ still feel Him near. The following beautiful illustration from " Joining the Church " will explain to scholars something of the meaning and mes-sage of the Lord's Supper : " A little fellow whose widowed mother had just died and left him alone in the world, was adopted by a kindly farmer, who put him in his gig and set off home. He noticed that the child was continually putting his fingers inside his waistcoat,. as though touching something, and that it seemed to corn- fort him to do so. I have a little bit of my mother's dress here,' he explained, and when I just touch it, somehow she seems near to me still.'"

The Golden Text enjoins the followers of Jesus to love

The True Friend.

Teachers' Preparation. The Passover, the national thanksgiving for deliver-

ance, stirred Jewish hearts as no other festival, and Jesus,• with that feeling for the value of a symbolism that really conveys a message, had arranged to celebrate it in a house usually identified as belonging to John Mark's parents, and situated near Caiaphas' house in the S.W. corner of Jerusalem. It is quite likely that the "upper room" was the same in which the risen Jesus afterwards met disciples, the 12(1 NV.1 1 0 awaited the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and where the Christian community prayed for the release of Peter. Urom this it is inferred that the "goodman " is Mark's father, and the man bearing the pitcher, John Mark himself. (Note the interesting suggestion that the " good-man " was the writer of the Fourth Gospel.)

The Passover. Comparing the accounts given of our Lesson Story (Matt. xxvi. 17-29 ; Luke xxii. 7-23 ; Jo.

1-30; 1 Cor. ii. 23-26), it will be found that the Synoptic Gospels suggest that Jesus ate the Passover on the usual night of celebration (see v. 12 of our reading), but that John declares Jesus was dead when it was so celebrated (Jn. xiii. 1-29 ; xviii. 28.; Xix, 14, 31). John is probably right. Jesus, knowing He was to be crucified the following day, and by Jewish law before the Passover meal which began in the evening, anticipated the feast by a night. Remember Jesus was aware of the treachery of Judas and had for many months faced the inevitable prospect of death at Jerusalem. He seizes this opportunity to institute the memorial rite known to us as the Lord's Supper after •the eating of the Paschal meal..,The full significance of this cannot be gathered unleSs we try to understand something of the situation confronting Jesus and His disciples. The days since the Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday) have been full of hos-tility and controversy. Jesus has taught in Jerusalem, but there is a general impression of impending trouble. In addition to this Jesus knows—though strangely enough the disciples are seemingly unaware of it—that Judas is treacherous, and has already made arrange-ments to betray Him. Again, although death is certain in. His own mind, such an apparent ending to His min-istry is still unthinkable to the disciples, and He knows, by insight into their character and thought, the feeling of•disaster they will have to-morrow. They "had commit-ted all their fortunes to Jesus. Their faith had been for them a heroic venture, and the death of the Messiah meant little less than His desertion of them. That night, death like a dark shadow hovering over. them was forcing their .loved one within its portal. They could not see that a glorious light was shining on His back, that He was in reality an angel of blessing. They needed a pledge of love significant of the future, and yet full of tender memories. This the Lord's Supper be-comes to them. . . . Ruin without, treachery with-in, the disintegration of the brotherhood may well have seemed to have already begun, and collapse was staring them in the face. Nothing but the serene assurance of Jesus could brace them against such disaster. Like a father presiding at a 'family meal, He rallies them, in full view of His own death, by such a thanksgiving as they had often heard from Him before (Matt. xiv. 19 ; xv. 36 ; Jn. vi. 11). There is no suggestion here of exal-tation or ecstasy. His.derneanour is that of confidence, subdued by sorrow for His betrayal and the hatred of to them, even when faced with death itself.

The Institution of the Lord's Supper (vv. 22-25). The action of Jesus can be illumined by His discourse in Jn. vi. 47-59—here we have the symbol as well. The solemn breaking of bread and the handing of it to the disciples must mean that He, although broken by men, becomes spiritual food to those who accept Him. "The second part of the Supper is another solemnly-acted allegory. Old is passing over into new. At Sinai sprinkled blood had ratified a Covenant (Ex. xxiv. 4-8). The new Cove-nant is about to be ratified by Messiah's blood . . . in virtue of Messiah's death, salvation from sin is possible through the covenant grace of God." The closing words betoken the victory of the Kingdom and the fellowship of the saints.

One or two other questions we may notice. When did Judas go? Was it 'before the Supper (i.e. during the meal before the supper)? It is generally agreed that he did not partake of the Supper. His treachery is strangely hidden from the others, and even when Jesus tells them plainly that one. of their number is about to betray Him they are so uncertain of themselves as to ask individually, " Is it I? " Jesus narrows it still more

THE UNITED METHODIST. 105

ARMOURED IN STERLING SILVER.

16-kieczia&-P ailtaalk

14watagiazdt cio -444u.4./ THE "Ilnittb ilittlinbist" WONDERFUL OFFER TO READERS.

Sold at a Guinea OUR, PRICE 12/6. This safety pen is ABSOLUTELY UNLEAKABLE, can 'be carried in any position,. in pocket or handbag, with perfect safety. • Its silver- strengthening • makes it almost unbreakable, as well as providing that beautiful finish so dear to the critic.

A Minister writes : I have given your Silver I'en a good heavy trial—if has stood, more than any fountPen I have Previously had. I compared• it with a bookseller's stock of silver Pens—found it better than stock silver Pens at MI-. Am delighted with it to such an extent that I have broken-my - intention never to give a testimonial for goods received. Do what you like with it."

A LEVER SELF-FILLING MODEL Sold elsewhere from 10/6 upwards, fitted with '14-carat iridium-tipped gold nibs in every conceivable variety, is also offered to our readers at the ridiculously low price of

5/- ONLY. Why not send for one now ? Send your order direct with remittance, and state whether you require a broad, medium, fine, extra fine, oblique or turned-up nib. Also whether" FLEXIBLEor HARD. Better still, enclose your favourite steel nib—we can match it. The " UNITED METHODIST " PEN DEPARTMENT, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.4.

The " United Methodist " Guarantee accompanies every Pen F urchased,

106

as He loved. As we keep in touch with Him, and only as we do, is it possible for us to love as He loved. But we can keep in touch with Him, for He is our Friend all the way.

For Senior Classes. For Senior Classes.

1. Jesus seems to have made secret arrangements for the Passover meal. Was this ,because of His knowledge of Judas, and the possibility that, through Him, a prema-ture arrest might be made if his - movements were known?

2. Show how the religious leaders of the ,slay knew there could be no neutral attitude towards Jesus. They felt they must either silence Him or be silenced by Him. So we find strange alliances formed during the Passion Week through fear and hatred of Him, Hero-dians, Sadducees and Pharisees all endeavouring to in-criminate Him and for the moment burying their own' antagonisms in order to encompass His downfall.

3. John's Gospel tells us that Peter asked directly for the name of the traitor. Jesus told John, but kept back the information from Peter (Jn. xiii. 24-28). In the light of what is known of Peter's impetuosity and his pro-fession of intense loyalty to Jesus, and especially of his action recorded in Jn. xviii. 10 (where &one he is iden-tified) is it likely that he would have let Judas go un-molested if he had known he was the traitor?

4. The following words of Shakespeare admirably describe the love that Jesus showed :-

" Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom."

His was a Friendship that thought of helping others even with death inevitable and near.

5. Note the significance of the fact that Jesus gives these disciples a token to remind them of the very thing they shrank from and .could not understand—His death.' How they came to glory in that same death and to record their own formerly mistaken ideas and the re-bukes of Jesus, is indicative of a fundamental change in their outlook. A future Lesson will deal with this, but the position might well be kept in mind here.

6. Impress upon elder scholars especially the great value of the Lord's Supper as a means of fellowship and an outward avowal of discipleship. " It is a great advantage -thus publicly to pledge ourselves, for if un-worthy moments come to us when we feel inclined to draw back we are ashamed to do so, and thu's the best moments of our life are made to govern the weaker and poorer ones" (" Joining the Church," pp. 24, 25). .

Women's Missionary Auxiliary. All items for this column to be sent to Mrs.

Balkwill, 10 Alma Terrace, Penzance.

PRAYER TOPIC for week ending March 4th : . Laoling Circuit. Rev. D. V. Godfrey. Report, pp. 18, 19. Acts xxiii. 1-11.

Sheffield District.—To increase the funds an American "sale was held in the Hanover Schoolroom, Sheffield. Mrs. H. C. Ogden presided, the opener being Mrs. Dod-worth. Mrs. Jos. Ward took the place of Mrs. J. Mac, laurin, who was not able to be present. Mrs. Scaife ren-dered a solo effectively, with Miss Connie Ward at the piano. Others taking part were Rev. H. V. Capsey, Mrs. A. E. Greensmith and Miss Hettie Green. The evening's entertainment was in the hands of Mrs. Cap-sey, and an excellent programme was given to a large audience. The Sharrow Lane Y. Branch gave a sketch under the direction of Miss Maclaurin. Mrs. J. K. Baker was the hostess for tea, and Mrs. Hearn voiced the thanks at the 'evening gathering. The sum of £19 was raised. Mrs. Jefferies, the new secretary, is entering heartily into the work of the District, which is much alive. The library is going well, and it is hoped much inspiration will be gained from the books by the members.

Birmingham (Small Heath).—One of the best week-night meetings held in the Muntz Street Church for a long time was that promoted by the local W.M.A. in connection with the church's missionary anniversary. Mrs. Norman Bridgwater presided over a good attend, ance of friends, who soon became keenly interested in the glimpses of life in East Africa given by Mrs. R. T. Worthington with the aid of lantern slides. Mrs. Haw-kins (Branch president) and Rev. J. W. Nield also took part, and Mr. J. E. Stanton officiated at the lantern. The meeting was preceded by an excellent tea, followed by a much appreciated organ recital given by Mrs. A. J. Dickinson.

Manchester (Central Openshaw).—In connection with the 23rd annivers ary a missionary basket was opened_by Mrs. Hanesworth. After tea an- original humorous enter, tainment composed by the secretary, entitled " Petticoat Parliament," was given by the members and gentlemen friends. There was a packed audience, and it was kept in happy mood. The effort was a brilliant success and realized £36 10s.

Private Jones, according to "Tit-Bits," was summoned to appear before his captain.

"Jones," said the officer, frowning darkly, "this gen-tleman complains that you have killed his dog."

" A dastardly trick," interrupted the owner of the dog, " to kill a defenceless animal that would harm no one! "

"Not much defenceless about him," chimed in the private, heatedly. He bit pretty freely into my leg, so I ran my- bayonet into him."

"Nonsense! " answered the owner, angrily. "He was a docile creature. Why did you not defend yourself with the butt of your rifle? "

" Why didn't he bite me with his tail ? " asked Private Jones, with spirit.

THE. UNITED METHODIST.

News of Our Churches. All communications sent by the 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,' z88 Rye Lane, Peck- ham, London, S.E," A number of communications have been surcharged through omitting to conform to these Post Office regulations. News should arrive not later than the FIRST delivery on Tuesday morning, and be written on one side of the taper or postcard only.

MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS. Hicks, G. W., leaves Hafod, Swansea Circuit, in 1924,

after 12 years' service. Fish, Thomas, leaves the Kingswood Circuit at Con-'

ference, 1925. Taylor, Charles has intimated that he will leave Scots-

wood, Newcastle Central Circuit, at Conference, 1924, after five years' service.

Batt, B. A. A., Bulwell section of the Hucknall Circuit, Conference, 1923.

Anniversaries. Ashton-under-Lyne (Trafalgar Square).—The church

anniversary proved very successful. A lecture on "Abra-ham Lincoln" by Rev. J. E. Portman, of Burnley, drew a good and appreciative audience. Coun. Fouuen pre-sided, and solos were rendered by Madame 'V. Barlow. On the Sunday the Vonnexional Chapel Secretary, Rev. W. C. Jackson, B.A., preached to good congregations. Notwithstanding the severe trade depression in this locality the collections were well maintained amounting to , -25 5s.

Cardiff (Miskin Street).—Despite the great disappoint-ment caused by the non-attendance (through illness) of Principal Chapman, a successful series of missionary an-niversary meetings was held. Mr. R. Brooks and Rev. J. Mills preached to good congregations on the Sunday. On the following evening Rev. F. G. Lintern, of Wood-ford, E., rendered magnificent service to the missionary cause by his closely-reasoned and impressive address. Rev. Charles Pye also made a moving appeal for volun-teers. Rev. A. R. Balman also spoke. The collec-tions were well ahead.

Clitheroe (Low Moor).—The Missionary Anniversary preacher was Rev. W. FL Jeffries, M.C. In the after-noon Mr. E. Dernain presided and the annual report was given by the missionary secretary, Mr. Jas. Hartley. Mr. Jeffries gave an interesting address. At the even-ing service two solos were rendered by Mr. F. Butchart. Mr. John Cottam was at the organ. Collections slightly in advance of last year.

Hucknall (Trinity).—The first anniversary of the "Women's Bright Hour " was held on Monday, Febru, ary 19th. Mrs. W. B. Rhodes (president) took the chair, and an address was given by Rev. W. T. Haddy and solos rendered by Mrs. W. Ross. The statement of accounts presented by Mrs. G. A. Ward (treasurer), showed that the "Bright Hour " had supported the church and the missionary cause in a very praiseworthy manner. Supper provided by, Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes was partaken of by, over sixty members.

Oldham (Union Street).—In connection with the church anniversary remarkably good services were held on Sunday week, when Rev. A. Bluck preached three times to large and appreciative congregations. The col-lections and donations, including the sum from Mr. Jas. Cocker's endowment, amounted to £155 15s. 10d. Under the leadership of Mr. E. Craig,- the choir rendered ex-

cellent service in anthems and choruses. Madame Desiree Ellinger was the -special soloist. Mr. J. W. Craig served as organist with conspicuous ability.

Portland,For - the missionary anniversary Rev. L. FL Court, Chairman of the District, was the deputation. He preached at Wakeham morning and evening, and at High Street in the afternoon. Local brethren took the other services at High Street. . There was a musical ser-vice in the afternoon at Wakeham, Mr. J. Hooper pre-siding. Mr. Court spoke at High Street on Monday evening—chairman, Mr. A. G. •Seeley ; and at Wakeham on Wednesday (after the public tea), Mr. A. Pearce pre-siding. All the gatherings were well attended, ansl Mr. Court rendered the missionary cause good service.

Redruth (Fore Street).—The missionary anniversary services of the Stithians section have been most success-ful. Rev. J. W. Lowe, of Penzance, a former minister of the circuit, was the deputation ."and served well. He was supported by Revs. B. A. A. Batt and A. R. Martin. Good services and meetings were held at each of the places, and the contributions show a marked increase upon those of the previous year.

Taunton.—In connection with the missionary anniver-sary, Rev. A. Barlow, of Somerton (the deputation), preached morning and evening to appreciative congrega-tions. At a young people's service in the afternoon, Mr. C. Park presided, and the scholars contributed solos and recitations. The deputation gave a suitable address. The annual meeting was presided over by Mr. T. S. Penny, J.P. Mr. Barlow presented the report, and de-livered' a very tine address. Financial results better than last year.

Todmorden (Walsden).—The Boy Scouts held their first anniversary services list Sunday. The morning service was conducted by_Rev. F. Wimbush. The after-noon speakers were Circuit-Scoutmaster Shaw and Mr. G. Wilkinson

' of Bury, who gave excellent- addresses

to about 200 Boy Scouts, who came from surrounding districts. ' Commissioner Bryning, of Rochdale, and Assistant Commissioner Hibbert, of Oldham, were the speakers in the; evening. Solos were given by Assis-: tant Scoutmaster Raymond Law, of Walsden, Rover Clifford Grundy, and Cub-iMistiress Rothwell, both of Bury and special music by the choir. Large congrega tions assembled, and the collections realized £15.

Bazaars. Batley (Zion).—In order to remove a trust delft, and

to find money in order that necessary repairs and decora-tions may be done to the church, a floral three days' bazaar was recently held. The results of the efforts on the part of many enthusiasts was highly gratifying, and amounted to £1,047. Including the subscriptions of the trustees (£170) the total effort realized £1,217.

Plymouth (Ebrington Street).—A happy little effort called "Widdicombe Fair " was opened by the Mayor, supported by our two United Methodist Councillors, Coun. G. P. Dymond, M.A., and Coun. B. PoOleyi A feature of the occasion was the Widdicombe Goose, which was induced to lay 60'.s worth of golden eggs by liberally stuffing it with donations. Rev. W. P. Rhodes introduced Mr. E. E. Nicholls, who presided. The total proceeds were .;106, which will balance all accounts, and leave a little " nest egg" towards the future. The church is full of hope and confidence, and has a fine body of young people.

South Yorkshire Mission.—Two bazaars have been held in this section of the mission—the first at Rossing-ton, which brought to the church funds something over L70, the second at Doncaster, which realized £150. At Rossington, the sale was opened on the first day by Mrs. Jackson, of Gupwell Hall, the wife of one of the managers of the Rossington Mine, and on the second

March 1, 1923

31111111m m 1111.11mm i m1 1111111111 111111i11 111111111111111 11111111111111111111111111111 11111111111111111111111111111 11111111111111 11111111111111111111111111

If you want to go to business with a smile on your face read "The Minister of Silverbeach." The story is a veritable discovery to those who deem every day lost in which they have not indulged

in at least one fit of laughter. This story is religious 'humour at its best. You will be glad you read it, and you will tell your friends. Remember " The Minister of Silverbeach "

E--

F_-

=_-

- 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111IIF

Great New Serial--

"The Minister of Silverbeach"

—a Powerful and Humorous Story, by REV. SAMUEL HORTON

(Ex-President Primitive Methodist Church),

Commences in THE

"Methodist Times" Thursday, March 15 which•contains news" of the Three Methodist Churches. It stands for Re-union, Temperance Reform and Social Righteousness. Many other good features in this and

every issue. Order from your Newsagent NOW.

EVERY THURSDAY

TEST ox

1r FREE Why endure the misery of Headache or Neuralgia ? You can get almost immediate relief with ZOX. Two Zox Powders Free if you mention this Journal and enclose lid. stamped addressed envelope. ZOX Powders s add by Chemists and Stores in 1/6 and 3/- boxes. or post free from THE ZOX CO., 11. Hatton Garden, E.0.1

HEADACHEMEURALGIA

The Picture that inspired the Tyneside Mission GUIDO RENDS GREAT PiCTURE

" (Fug trona "-- 3tholb the Milt

Printed on Art Paper, 30 by 20, with space at the top for localization. Suitable for Missions.

These Posters are admirably suited for announcing " Holy Week" Services. They con-tain a great appeal, and could be used for announcing Mis-, sion or Crusade Services.

Price Cd. each. Posted in tube 3d. extra

Ioo copies £1 17 8 50o copies ... -•• £8 0 0

Carriage paid.

Also supplied in Postcard size, suitable for hand distribution- oo 2s. ed., 500 10s., b000 18s.

Postage extra.

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

.,;iikL741

IS IT NOTHING TO YOU ?

" ECCE HOMO "—Behold the Man..

March 1, 1923

THE UNITED METHODIST:

107

day by Aft's. Swall, Mr. Swall presiding. At Doncaster, the sale was opened on the first day by Mrs. Oliver, the mayoress of the Borough, and on the second by the young people of the church. Wireless concerts, which -were secured through the installation of a receiving set by Mr. J. Monks, the organist of the church, were a great attraction at Doncaster. The Rossington ladies have raised with the proceeds of a few special efforts, the sum of £52, -which they have handed over to the Biulding Fund.

General. Clitheroe (Moor Lane).—The annual " At Honks "

have just been held. The "Excelsiors," under the direc-tion of Mr. Ernest Lord, gave a capital concert on the Wednesday night, and Mr. Bilsborough's string band ,a selections of music. Aid. Whipp, the Mayor, pre- sided over a capital attendance, and Mr. and Mrs. John Sowerbutts received the guests. On the Thursday night a first-rate entertainment was given by the children of the Sunday School, entitled "The Midgets," under the direction of Mrs. Webb. Master Jack Ford and Miss Hilda Addison held the reception, and Master George Frankland was the chairman. On the Saturday night, Councillor Dixon presided, and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Webster received the guests. An excellent entertainment was given by Miss Annie Lord (contralto), Miss Dorothy Hartley (el'ocutionist) and Mr. Varle Smith (humorist), assisted by members of the Clitheroe Male Voice Choir. Mr. H. B. Shaw (Mus. Bac.) was the accompanist. Good audiences assembled each night, and Rev. W. H. Jeffries, M.C., announced that the total 'proceeds were £113, which is considered to be very satisfactory.— A grand entertainment. was given in the above school on Saturday evening last by the young men of the Mount Zion Primitive Methodist School. All the items were good, and the pieces were - very much appreciated by a large and attentive audience. Mr. John Hobson presided. Mr. W. Taylor conducted, and . Mr. Ed.

Hothersall presided at the piano. Total proceeds were over £12.

liurst.—Mr. Price Lewis, J.P., of Wolverhampton, re-cently paid another visit to Hyde. In the afternoon a de-monstration of Sunday School workers and friends from George Street, Daisyfield, anti Muslin Street Schools, was held in the Daisyfield Church. Mr. J. B. Daven-port, J.1'., circuit secretary, presided over_a large at-tendance and Mr. Lewis gave a capital address. Mr. J. Jennings pastor of the three churches, and Mr. Harper, a student from the Manchester College, also took part. The combined choirs, under the conductorship of Mr. A. Nubile, (r with Mr. D. S. Shaw at the organ, gave ora-torio choruses and led the very hearty singing. A collec-tion was taken in aid of the hospitals.

Leicester.—A young people's rally was held in our Hill Street Church on Saturday last. Coon. Richard Hal-lam (Primitive) presided and gave an excellent address. The other speakers were Rev. G. H. Kennedy (Not-tingham) and Rev. Arthur Jubb (Primitive), secretary, Leicester Free Church Council. Both gave very inspir-ing addresses, which were heard with intense interest. During the evening there was special singing by the scholars and Life Brigade boys.,

Lincoln (Silver Street).—In connection with the Choir Festival "Elijah " was rendered on the Sunday evening under the direction of Mr. J. H. Lister, choirmaster, aft-. J. W. Melton presiding at the organ. An orches-tra of 25 players rendered valuable aid under the leader-ship of Mr. Franklyn Layton. The choir rendered ex-cellent service and the soloists—Miss Emma Rose (so-prano), Miss Marjorie Walker (contralto), Mr. Horace Freer (tenor), and Mr. Arthur E. Sharp (bass), gave a most sympathetic rendering of the various solos and recitatives. By special request the performance was repeated on Sunday evening last.

Glossop (The Tabernacle).—The married folks' effort constituted a record. 340 sat down to tea, the tables being filled four times. Mrs. G. H. Lea (wife of the

Town Clerk) presided over an audience which crammed the schoolroom. The first part of - the entertainment consisted of songs and recitals, and the second part of a well-executed sketch. The whole of those taking part were amongst the married portion of our people. Mrs. W. Skirrow and Mr. W. L. Wood made efficient accom-panists. So large was the attendance that the pro-gramme was repeated the following Tuesday evening. In every way the effort was a great success.

,Newcastle-on-Tyne Central (Westerhope).—A very suc-cessful concert was held at this village church under the presidency of Mr. Sharp, of Leamington. The pro- gramme was given by the Band of Hope Junior Choir and consisted of songs, choruses, dialogues, etc. There was a large attendance. This church has only :within the last few years come into the circuit and there is here a fruitful field.

Work a- —A missionary rally and sale (C°11resburY)- of work was presided over by the Lady Mayoress of Bristol, supported by Canon Law (vicar of Congresbury), Revs. D. J. Rounsefell, F. Collins and Miss Weeks (Bristol), each of whom took part. The sale was opened by Mrs. T. Butler (Bristol), who related some of her recent experiences in China and Africa, and appealed most earnestly to all present to do more than ever before to further the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in those parts.. In the evening a grand entertainment was given. Artistes : Mrs. Halliday, Miss Weeks, Miss Chamberlain, Mr. Willicombe and Mr. F. A. Wilshire. The effort was a great success, and realized ,6.59 lls, 6d.

"Great hymns and Their Stories." The Religious Tract Society has in hand for early publication, a volume under the above title, containing the striking histories of nearly one hundred hymns. This volume has been prepared by the Rev. W. J. Limmer Sheppard, M.A., Vicar of Holy Trinity, Ripon. It is a book of absorb-ing interest and a mine of information.

PEARL ASSURANCE COMPANY, LTD.

Chief Offices 252 High Holborn, W.C.1. Annual Income . 28,750,000 Accumulated Funds 225,725,000 Total Claims Paid ... £32,185,000

A Demonstration for Sunday School or other Children's FestiYals.

" The Seven Lamps." By Rev. A. G. SIMPSON, F.R.A.I.

All the Hymns are chosen from our own S.S.Hymnal.

TWOPENCE Net. Per Post aid.

A CRUSADE FOR YOUNG ENGLAND

By Rey. T. A. JEFFERIES, F.L.S. A guide for leaders and all workers, describing the ideals and methods of the new policy adopted by Conference for the achievement of greater results from our Sunday Schools and other work

for Young People. Price 9d. (Postage lid. extra.)

OUR BELIEF. An Exposition of the Doctrinal Statement of the United Methodist Church.

By R. H. B. SHAPLAND. Published for the Young People's and Temperance Committee.

Price TENPENCE net. Postage lid. extra.

U. M. S. S. HYMNAL SCHOLARS' EDITION.

Revision of Selling Price : No. 1 - - 1/- reduced to 10d. No..2 '1/6 „ 1/3

DECISION CARD .

For MISSIONS or CHILDREN'S CRUSADE, With COUNTERFOIL for use of Offiolals.

PrIoe 2s. 100 net. Postage 3d. extra.

REWARD BOOKS

SCHOOL OFFICIALS, before ordering, should be sure to see our NEW CATALOGUE, just issued.

(All Previous issues cancelled) PLEASE ASK FOR ONE to be forwarded to you.

HENRY HOOKS,12FarringdonAyanue,E,0,11

Newest designs at lowest prices , profits drastically cut to make this offer your best chance for beautiful lace curtains. Casements fabrics, end drapery goods. Correct curtains for every window. Catalogue free if you request No. M.S. (181, Catesbys. Ltd., London, W.1.

HARROGATE, ASHVILLE COLLEGE.

EdgehIll Girls' College, BIDEFORD, N. DEVON.

HEAD MISTRESS: Miss EDITH 0. JOHNSON. B.A. Hons. Lend.

FOR BOARDERS ONLY.

Fimest Situation. Thorough Equipment. Umiversity Stall.

Beautiful situation. is Large playing Bolds. Own farm. sr :t Fully qualified staff.

R ev. ALFRED SOOTHILL, H. AL. Head Master.

Fer Prospectus, apply te- The Head Mistress.

QUALITY

WHEN REPLYING TO ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE MENTION

"UNITED METHODIST."

The United Methodist 1 Magazine.

CONTENTS POR MARCH. EDITORIAL. Personal Faith and Social Service. TH8 CHURCH AND THE MODERN WORLD.

111.—Are the Christian Ideals Practicable ? By Rev. George Graves.

MEN WHO HAVE BUILDED WELL. Rev. T. J. Dickinson (Portrait). Sir Joseph Calvert, J.P.. and Lady Calvert

(Middlesbrough) (Portraits). WORSHIP AT THE FIRESIDE.

By Rev. Charles Kellett. THE SOCIAL STATUS OF JESUS.

By Rev. R. H. Osborne. RES NMI FROM THEIR LABOURS:

Rev. Ralph Hebbron (Portrait). Alderman Robert Jackson, J.P., C.C., O.B.E.

tPortrait). Mr. Frank Slogrove, of Brighton (Portrait).

CLASSICS OF DEVO ION. I.—" The Imitation of Christ." By Rev. W. Rupert Clark.

-MANSE CONVERSATIONS. "Ministers' Wives.' By Rutherford Mordey

JOHN GILL—OPTIMIST. (Serial Story.) ' By Rev. Samuel Horton.

BOOKS OF TO-DAY. By Rev. J. T. Newton. THE GUILD OF VENTURERS.

By Rev. G. H. Kennedy. THE DENOMINATIONAL OUTLOOK.

By Watchman.

Price FOURPENCE.

FOREST OILTEI CIRCUIT. Corner of Romford Road ... Near Forest Gate Station ... Bottom of Rathbone Street ... Near Plaistow Station — South of Ilford Station Enquire at Grays Station ... Near Manor Park Broadway ... Right of East Ham Station —. Leigh Road (nr. SWIM of Argyll Road) Mailmen Park. Eastwood Lane

Right of Seven Kings Station.. — Ssolkesd—Scott's YHhs _ Eastern Esplanade. Southend ...

retest Sale—Katherles Road— u — Field Road

CaelsguTows—Sidriey Shier Fleitlow--Hmold Road— 1111erd—Illord Lams — Iran—New Rose Asset Peek—Romford Need .. Cast Nam-111.11 SUM. N. — 111setell11-w-Sem-

gm Klass

Rev. W. B. MYERS. B.A. Rev. J. H. BOWKER. Rev. PRANK HARPER Rev. J. HIGMAN Rev. J. BODEN Rev.-W. P. ELLIS Rev. H. H. RILEY Rev. T. E. CLARKE, Hon. C.F. RiV. W. J. REDMOREI Rev. W. J. RE DMORB (supervision) Rev. R. ASHBY HOWEl Rev.. T..1. WATSON

Services commence at 11 a.m. and 0.90 P.m, Virfiers trlii usage s bawl. wham..

108

THE UNITED METHODIST. • March 1, 1923

CHURCH FURNITURE

ADVERTISE YOUR WANTS In the UNITED METHODIST.

INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION CUPS OUTFITS, and

Unfermented Communion Wine I also MEMORIAL TABLETS

In BRASS or BRONZE. Badges — Medals — Shields of Honour

NassePletes for the House.Business or Profession Write for illustrated Free Lists to

TOWNSHENDS, Ltd., Dept. 1 1, Ernest St., BIRMINGHAM 1

GEO. M. HAMMER & CO., LTD., CROWN WORKS, ST. JAMES' RD., BERMONDSEY, LONDON, S.E.16

MEMORIALS, FITTINGS FOR SCHOOLS, &c.

25 words for 1 s. and 'one Halfpenny for each additional word. Three Insertions for prloe of two.

ALL COMMUNICATIONS RESPECTING ADVERTISEMENTS should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, "United Methodist," 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C.4,

VALUE

Roe Grammar School, Plymouth (ESTABLISHED 18 6 74

S. P. DYMOND, M.A., Prinolpal. F. J. DYMOND, LSO., A.I.C., Vice-Prinolpal,

SUCCESSES 1920-21. LONDON MATRICULATION : Five. SENIOR LOCAL EXAMS: Seventeen. JUNIOR LOCAL EXAMS: Thirty-five. SANDHURST : One.

MANY OTHER SUCCESSES. Every Accommodation for Boarders.

(Highest Testimonials.) Grounds for Cricket, Tennis. and Drill. Safe Open-Sea Bathing,

PREACHERS FOR MAR. 4th. LONDON.

Slaukem Juntas (Mallinson Road) — 11 a.m.. R. W. Gair ; 6.30 p.m., R. W. Gair.

!Inkwell (Paradise Road) — 11 a.m.. T. J. Dickinson : 6.30 p.m., T. J. Dickinson.

Ilgetinton—Brunswick (Great Dover Street) 11 a.m., C. W. Mann : 6.30 p.m., C. W. Mann.

MISCELLANEOUS.

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

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

BAZAARS.—If you are holding a sale of work. we will provide a stall of ready-selling lines yielding

good profit.—Write for particulars, U.M.. 46 Wilson Street, Finsbury. E.C. 2, London.

64-PAGE BOOK ABOUT HERBS AND HOW TO USE THEM, 2d. Send for one.—

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

MISS MITCHELL, Gloweth Farm, Truro, offers eggs from her noted pens, Rhode Island Red

(pure) direct from Measures' Harper Adams winners, 7/6, 10/6 doz.

Ed, WEEKLY. — Genuine Home Employment, spare time either sex, splendid opportunity.

Particulars, addressed envelope or ls. 6d. for registered sample complete, approval, cash returnable, Industry (U.M.). 59 Morecambe Street, London. S.E.17.

DIRECT FROM THE LOOMS. Actual Il'ustratlons. Curtains for every style window. Wide choice, all sizes. New Sets Net and Casement Curtainings. Lace and Casement Curtains, Muslins. Blinds, Laces, Cretonnes. Linens. Send Now! S. PEACH & SONS. 1 99. Th. Looms. NOTTINGHAM.

DON'T WASH YOUR DOG too often during cold weather. Use " Kleen-em-dry " the wonderful

Antiseptic Dry Wash. 116 post free. Dogg-Doktor Remedies. 10 GTangetown, Yorks.

ANTI-RHEUMATIC PURE WOOL KNITTED CORSETS. Support without pressure. Invalu-

able to sufferers from rheumatism. Prevent chills. Unbreakable Boneless Coutil Corsets. List free.—Knitted Corset Co., Mansfield Road, Nottingham. Mention " United Methodist."

LATEST ORIGINAL RECITATIONS for Anni-versaries and Concerts. " Our New Chapel,"

Free Seats," " The Absent-Minded Preacher," Wondrous Grace." " Gcod Advice," " Dick's Ser-

mon," sent post free sevenpence. — Rev. J. Toyn, Thirsk. Yr rkshire.

5 QUIRES of Plain or Ruled Note Paper for 1/3. post free.—Send Anderson's, 112 Herbert Road, Manor

Park, E.12.

ICYCLES BIC BARGAINS

DIRECT FROM COVENTRY swn ts. Hunters Triumphs }Lovers. Raglans, Prouder°, Court Royals, eta. Cash or instalments from

14 . II): 0

Write NOW for Money- saving Lists: GEO. ZINO,

Ltd.. Cycle Dealers ( Dirt ee CowsoNT

FOR SALE.

FOLKESTONE AND CANTERBURY (between).— About 31 ACRES CHOICE PASTURE HOLDING

with ATTRACTIVE OLD-FASHIONED COTTAGE RESIDENCE, renovated throughout. -Lounge ball, large oak-beamed living room with open fireplace, kitchen, etc. Four bedrooms, excellent well, splendidly situated near main road, bus route, village and station. Price Freehold with possession, £1,300 for quick sale.—Apply Rev. L. Dowson, Hill Crest, Elham, Canterbury.

Church Decoration • Trustees of our Churches and Schools should write, giving particulars of requirements for

interior decorating of preniises to F. SYKES, Skircoat Rd , Halifax, Yorks

Estimates gives. Interviews arranged. Distance as oblueti as

SHEBBEAR COLLEGE, N. DEVON.

Headmaster : Mr. J. ROUNSEFELL, M.A., B.So.(Lond,)

An Ideal School for Boys.

In the heart of the Country :: Own Farm. Fees 48 and 31 guineas per annum.

Abbly foe Prosbeolus To the Bursar, Rev. I. FORD REED.

HOTELS, HYDROS, BOARD RESIDENCES, and

PRIVATE APARTMENTS.

BLACKPOOL— Misses PILLING. M ▪ Northumberland Avenue, N S

Public and Private Apartments. U.k!

BLACKPOOL—Mrs. J, H. Ainley, Traff ord • House, 43 Cbarnley Road.

Public and Private Apartments. Near Central Station Red Sea. U.N .

BLACKPOOL—Miss THOMAS, Apartments, • 8 Clifford Road, off Egerton

Road, North Shore. U.M.

BLACKPOOL—Miss BLACK. 49 Milbourne • Street, Comfortable Apart-

ments, terms moderate ; near sea and Talbot Road Station. U.M.

BLACKPOOL _ Mrs. WILSON, Windsor ISL. House, 36- Palantine Road

Pnblio and Private Apartments. U.M.

MuRECAMBE— Misses Pickering, Beach ■ Mount, Victoria Esplanade,

E.E...Publicand Private Apartments, Highly recom- mended. U.M ,

PRESTATYN, N. WALES. —ljotacrialf,.. fall, hills and sea.—Misses Mellor, " Werneth," Vietorla Avenue. U.M,-

SOUTHPORT — WELBECK HOUSE, IS

• Portland Street. Public and Private Apartments, near Lord Street and Promenade. For terms apply—Miss Dyson

SOUTHPORT■ CLAREMONT PRIVATE I HOTEL. A large High-

elan Boarding House, oommanding a magnificent view of the sea and promenade, Moderate term. -Mary Champness.

SOUTHPORT (MATLOCK HOUSE, 60 Bath Street)—Apartments (public and

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

ST. ANNES-ON-SEA —Publicand Private Apartments. near

sea and station.—" Resthaven," 64 St. Andrew's Road, S. Stamp.

VIORTHINC.—B nonanircingaegiledengniane .bri gitd-adnady

dinner.—For terms apply Kenilworth. 9 Browning Road .

WO RTH I N C C . antAV08.—ey CILmtef oer aa bl e r ge g Hostel a rodsetn

near sea and downs. — Apply Miss Farrow, Lady Superintendent, Southfield, Liverpool Gardens, Worth-ing, Stamp.

TOURS.

FREE CHURCH TOURING GUILD. . NO EXTRAS,

PRICES INCLUDE TRAVEL and

£5 15 6 7 days BRUGES, YPRES, ZEEBRUGGE.

£11 11 0 14 days LAKE OF LUCERNE and RIGI.

227 0 0 ROME, • FLORENCE and VENICE TOUR.

Other Tours 64-page Illustrated Booklet from

55 Memorial Hall, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.4.

The Missionary Echo. CONTENTS FOR MARCH.

" CHINA TO-DAY THROUDH CHINESE EYES." Principal Chapman.

FROM THE MISSION HOUSE. Rev. C. Stedeford MY CALL TO THE MISSION-FIELD.

Nurse B. P. Smith. TONG SHAN NOTES. Rev. John Hinds. GOOD FRIDAY. John Oxenhant. PRAYER UNION. PROF. SOOTHILL ON BUDDHISM. Dr. Clemens. THE OBSERVATORY. BOO KLAN D. A WARLESS WORLD. AN APPEAL PROM "THE FRIENDS." WHY DISTURB NON-CHRISTIAN RACES?

Rev. J. C. Storey. NOW HE KNOWS. Story for Young Folk.

Rev. H. Parsons. THE TREASURER'S STATEMENT. THE MISSION CALL. AN ECHO. OUR WOMEN'S AUXILIARY. Mrs. Brooks.

Thank you, Mrs. Butler ! Miss Ashworth. The Girls' School. Chu Chia. Miss Turner. The Women and Girls of Meru.

Mrs. Worthington. A Story from Meru.

PRICE TWOPENCE.. Of all Ministers and Missionary Secretaries.

" The February ECHO is a splendid number, as full of fine things as an egg of meat. Happy the Editor who can present within the limits of one monthly cover such an array of inspiring names."—T. M. G.

MACKINTOSHS TOFEEELdR.LUXE

Printed at TEk., MAGNET PRESS, 188 Rye Lane, Peckham, S.E., and Published by HENRY HOOKS, 12 Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C., fur thn 1. TWIT-PT AXVTLYATTCT CZTTTD VIZ f n rnin 1o* 1 Wit