such a position that he could see his sister as he lay. He never complained of pain after that day, and while Mrs. Squibbles kept away from him he seemed perfectly content. Ivy was near him, and that was enough. Her presence filled his little heart with peace, and satisfied his every longing. He did not hear the surging of the dark river upon whose brink he stood, and if he shivered in the chill of the dying day it was not with fear. The shadows might deepen around him, but he did not heed them. And when the night became so dark that he could not see, he heard her voice speaking, as in the dear old days.

"Ivy's darling,” it said; "Ivy's own little Ned. Did they want to take him from her? Did they think that she could let him go? No, no, Ivy will not leave him, but she will stay with him always."

And so the darkness was full of music to the child, as if an angel sang in the solemn night.

And was she not an angel? Verily she was a ministering spirit, though ministering unconsciously.

And so little Ned walked among the shadows without a fear, because he heard her voice and felt her presence, and she in her delirium was soothed and quieted because he was near. And yet she knew him not-knew not when he came or when he went away.

(To be continued.)

NEWS OF THE CHURCHES.

BRISTOL DISTRICT.-The spring season of the Bristol district was held in the school-room of Milford-street Chapel, Salisbury, on Wednesday and Thursday, May 18 and 19, under the presidency of the Rev. James Roberts, of Salisbury. Mr. William N. Venman was re-elected secretary, and the following circuits were represented :-Bristol, North, South, and East; Bath, Bridgwater, Cardiff Cheltenham, Frome, Kingswood, Newport (Mon.), Radstock, and Salisbury. The tabular view showed that there were in the district :-Itinerant preachers, 26; supernumeraries, 3; local preachers, 215; leaders, 246; church members, 4,722; on trial, 584; removals, 216; withdrawals, 222; deaths, 69; increase, 114; decrease, 114; chapels, 93; other preaching rooms, 9; Sunday-schools, 89; Sunday scholars, 12,220; Sunday-school teachers, 1,355. The spiritual state of the churches was given by the representatives of their respective circuits. The special chapel schedule for 1881 relating to chapels, schools, ministers' houses, &c., as ordered by the annual assembly of last year, was presented by the district chapel secretary, Mr. W. N. Venman, from which it appeared that the total cost of chapel schools, &c., in the Bristol district was £90,730, upon which there is a debt of £24,006. The number of sittings in the chapels is 26,557, morning attendance 8,300, evening attendance 12,402-Sunday, April 10th. One candidate from the Bristol North Circuit was recommended for the connexional ministry. A resolution was adopted in favour of the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act, after which votes of thanks were accorded to the Salisbury friends for the kind reception which they had given the representatives, and to the chairman for presiding, and the session was brought to a close. In connection with the district meeting, a Temperance meeting was held in the Mandrell Hall on Tuesday evening. Mr. H. G. Gregory, of Salisbury, occupied the chair, and the Revs. J. Cleave (Kingswood), W. Skinner (Radstock), and John F. Barnard (Bristol) delivered addresses. A tea meeting was also held in the Milford-street new school-room, followed by a public meeting on Wednesday

evening, over which Mr. Robert Bird, of Cardiff, presided. There was a large and enthusiastic audience. The subjects spoken to were "The Moral Power of the Church," by the Rev. Wm. Motley Hunter (president of the Annual Assembly); "Creeds and Conduct," Rev. George Lord (Newport, Mon.); "Usefulness," Rev. Wm. Evans (Cheltenham); "Christianity and Social Evolution," Rev. J. F. Barnard (Bristol).

MITCHAM.-Methodism more firmly established itself at Mitcham on Wednesday June 15. Four years ago the Society built a suitable and attractive structure for their Sabbath services. At the same time sufficient land was secured so that a school might be erected adjoining the new chapel. The old chapel, in which both J. Wesley and R. Watson have preached for the Master they loved so well, has since been used for school purposes, but owing to the state of the building, the teachers, members of the Church, and friends have been anxious to proceed with their long-contemplated school. On the day mentioned, the memorial stones of the latter were laid in the presence of a large company by Miss Ada McMaster, of Mitcham, and B. H. Goulden, Esq., of Sutton. After the ceremony had been performed in the usual manner, addresses were given by the Rev. J. Swann Withington, Editor, the Honourable Alexander McKennie, ex-premier of Canada, and J. S. McMaster, Esq. The Revs. J. Whittles, of Pimlico, and Walter Gay, circuit minister, also took part in the proceedings. The weather was all that could be desired, the addresses interesting, appropriate, and encouraging, and liberal sums of money were placed on the stones. After tea, which was provided in the old chapel, a public meeting was held. The chair was taken by J. Knight, Esq., of Mitcham, and addresses were given by the Revs. J. Swann Withington, J. Whittles, J. Shaw (Congregational), R. Richman (Congregational), Walter Gay, and by Messrs. Goulden, Sunman, and Biles. After the collection had been taken the secretary was able to report that the income for the day was nearly £70. The building is to cost about £370, and with the amount raised at the stone-laying, £228 are in hand.-[Our venerable friend, Mr. Wade, has sent us some interesting extracts from Mr. Wesley's journal, in relation to Methodism at Mitcham. Under date, January 12th, 1764, England's great evangelist wrote, "I preached at Mitcham, and in the afternoon rode to Dorking, but the gentleman to whose house I was invited seemed to have no desire that I should preach, so that evening I had nothing to do; but on the next day, Friday, January 13th, I went at noon into the street, and in a broad place not far from the market-house, proclaimed 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.' At first two or three little children were the whole of my congregation, but quickly increased, though the air was sharp, and he ground, exceedingly wet; and all behaved well but three or four grumbling men, who stood so far off that they disturbed none but themselves. I had proposed to preach there again in the morning, but a violent storm made it impracticable, so, after preaching at Mitcham on the way, I rode back to London." Our friend remarks, that nothing appears to have arisen from this first effort of Mr. Wesley to introduce Methodism into Mitcham. About twenty-two years after wards, March 13th, 1776, Mr. Wesley writes in his journal: "I went to Mitcham, and found a little company just started up that are all on fire for God. The house being too small I preached at the front of a house adjoining the road, where the earnestness of the people made amends for the keenness of the north wind." Mr. Wade adds, "The place where Mr. Wesley preached on this occasion was pointed out to me by the widow of the person who planted Methodism in Mitcham; it is near where Mr. Brown's ironmongery shop now is, and the house where the services were usually held stood on the site where Mr. Winder's butcher's shop now stands.

The next notice in the journal is dated Nov. 6th, 1787: "I preached at noon (Tuesday) at Mitcham. We preached here many years ago for some, but despairing of doing any good, afterwards totally left the place. A year or two ago a spark fell upon it which is now kindled into a flame, so that the work of God is more lively here than in any other society near London." It appears that the chapel was opened in November, 1789; the two collections at the opening amounted. to £6 68. Mr. Wesley preached in it December, 1789, on a Tuesday, and remarks: "At noon I preached in the new preaching house at Mitcham, and examined the little earnest Society, almost all rejoicing in the love of God. I then retired to the lovely family at Balham." The pulpit and pews of the chapel are the same as in the days of Wesley. -ED.]

NOTTINGHAM DISTRICT.-The annual spring meeting of the representatives of the circuits of this district took place at Leicester, on Monday, May 16. The proceedings were opened with singing and. prayer, conducted by the Rev. J. G. N. Faull, of Matlock (District Convener) and J. Elsom, of Burton-on-Trent. The meeting having been pronounced "constituted," the Rev. J. C. Brewitt, of Nottingham, was voted into the chair. The secretary, Mr. G. Chapman, of Nottingham, was heartily thanked for his efficient services, and reappointed; the treasurer, Mr. T. B. Lowe, of Burton-on-Trent, receiving like acknowledgment. The numerical returns show that there are in the district-24 itinerant preachers, 1 supernumerary, 342 local preachers, 322 leaders, 5,736 Church members, 449 on trial, 123 chapels, 12 other preaching rooms, 120 Sunday-schools, 17,205 scholars, and 2,160 teachers. The losses during the past year, by deaths, removals, and withdrawals have amounted to 1,050; and the additions, by conversion, transfer, and otherwise, to 1,163, giving a net increase of 113. The reports of the spiritual condition of the Churches were generally most encouraging. Two brethren who had been recommended by their respective circuits for the itinerant ministry, were, after examination, as to conversion, call to the ministry,'theological views, &c., and, subject to satisfactorily preaching trial sermons, further commended to the favourable consideration of the Connexional Committee and Annual Assembly. The Rev. J. Dinsley, district chapel secretary, presented his schedule, which showed that the chapel, school, house, organ, and other property of the district, had cost £90,560 ; of which there is a debt remaining of £31,700. There is sitting accommodation provided for 32,983 persons. The secretary was requested to convey to the Rev. T. Tomlinson, of Tamworth, the sympathy and respect of the representatives for him, and their joy on hearing of his partial recovery from his late affliction. Thanks were heartily accorded the Leicester friends for their hospitality; and the meeting throughout was of a most cordial character.-J. ELSOM.

SAXILBY, LINCOLN CIRCUIT.-The services connected with the opening of the handsome new chapel took place on Wednesday, May 18, when the Rev. John Mather, of Todmorden, preached in the afternoon at three o'clock. A public tea was provided in a large marquee, erected in a paddock, kindly lent for the occasion by G. H. Capes, Esq. About 300 persons sat down to an excellent repast, which was given by the ladies, who presided at the trays. After tea a public meeting was held in the chapel, presided over by Mr. Councillor Wyatt, of Lincolu (a Wesleyan). Stirring addresses were delivered by the Rev. John Mather, Rev. R. D. Maud, Mr. Alderman Cottingham, Mr. Charles Duckering, and Mr. Henry Poppleton. The choir, assisted by friends, was ably conducted by Mr. Smith, of Harby, and gave several anthems in an excellent manner. The proceedings were of a very enthusiastic kind, and the generous assistance of many friends, especially of old scholars of the school, now residing in the great centres of our manufactures, were gratefully

sum.

acknowledged. The ladies have been foremost in the work of providing teas in aid of the building funds, and in getting up a bazaar which realised a handsome The chairman, with his accustomed liberality, gave a cheque for £5. The services were continued on the following Sunday, when the Rev. W. L. Lang preached in the morning and the veteran local preacher, Mr. Thomas Nicholson, of South Carlton, in the evening; the collections were liberal, and the services well attended. On the Monday a second tea and public meeting were held; about 100 sat down to tea, and again the trays were given, so that the entire proceeds could be devoted to the building funds. The public meeting was presided over by Mr. W. Conyers, of Harby, and excellent addresses were given by the chairman, the Rev. W. L. Lang, Mr. Alderman Cottingham, Mr. C. Akrill, and Mr. W. Keyworth, The choir again gave their services. The following Sunday sermons were preached by Rev. R. D. Maud and Rev. C. H. Butcher. The proceeds of the opening services amount to £53, and the total raised to £292. The cost of the whole premises will be £850, without the land or old materials. The premises are in the Queen Anne style, from designs by Messrs. Watkin and Scorer, of Lincoln, and will seat 282 persons.

SHEFFIELD.-Pye Bank Chapel.-This chapel was built in the year 1871 at a cost of £6,600, and about two years ago more than £500 was expended in the erection of a chapel-keeper's house and four additional vestries." The society is in a flourishing condition, and has of late, by the blessing of God, had large accessions to its numbers. There was, however, a debt of £3,700 remaining upon the premises, which the trustees and society determined to reduce to about £2,500 by means of a bazaar scheme. Nearly two years ago subscriptions were promised, and work began in earnest for this object. The bazaar was held in the Cutlers' Hall, Sheffield, on the 16th, 17th and 18th of May, and some remaining goods were offered for sale in the school-room on May 23rd and 28th. The result has been that a total sum of £1,245 has been received, and the expectations of the Church have been more than realised, for which we thank God and go forward.R. BREWIN.

STRATTON.-Launceston Circuit.-Whit Monday was a red-letter day in the his tory of the Free Methodist cause in this place, the re-opening of the chapel, after considerable renovation and alteration, being the chief feature of interest. The chapel, a square, good-sized building, in a central position, was erected in 1838. Painters, joiners, and plasterers were engaged a few months ago, and an expendi ture of £95 was incurred, the edifice being reseated throughout, repainted, the gallery altered, and such other improvements made as to render this house of God more worthy of His high and holy work. The proceedings commenced at one o'clock by the opening of a bazaar in the Assembly Rooms by the Rev. J. Stafford, superintendent minister, the stalls being ably and efficiently presided over by both young and old ladies, whose zeal in the work of the Master it was quite refreshing to witness. The refreshment stall found most obliging caterers in Mesdames Rattenbury, Brown, and Stafford, whilst Mrs. Treleven, Miss Banbury, and others disposed of a large proportion of the fancy and useful articles so temptingly displayed on the work stall. An excellent luncheon was also provided and partaken of by several friends. In the afternoon the chapel was formally re-opened by the Rev. J. Bamford (Independent), Launceston, who preached an eloquent sermon from the 84th Psalm "How amiable are Thy tabernacles, O Lord." After the service a ready sale was effected at the bazaar, and at five o'clock a public tea was provided, and was partaken of by a goodly number. The following ladies presided at the tables:-Mesdames Browne, Olde, and Treleven, and the Misses Sanders and Rat tenbury. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Assembly Rooms, the chapel not being large enough to contain the numbers present. The whole of the proceedings were marked by a warmth and enthusiasm equal to the occasion. Mr. T. H. Nicolls, of Launceston, presided, and after the singing of a hymn and prayer by the Rev. J. Foulger, addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. Bamford, J. Stafford, Messrs. J. H. Treleven, W. L. Powell, and R. Bambury.

THE

United Methodist Free Churches

Magazine.

SEPTEMBER, 1881.

Mresolve.

THE RECENT ASSEMBLY.

EN of thought and action came together to deliberate and At the first sitting it was evident that earnestness, which might occasionally rise to enthusiasm, would characterise the proceedings. It was instructive, it was admonitory, to look at those who had, as Mr. Schofield appropriately quoted in a prayer of tender fervour, "borne the burden and the heat of the day." The Rev. W. Patterson was there, after many years of honourable service; calm and thoughtful, full of facts and sense, thinking much, saying little. The Rev. J. W. Gilchrist was there, with his well-known quickness of thought and expression; as observant, as shrewd, as prompt as when in active service. These old warriors came from retirement to see the muster. They talked with their former comrades of battle and victory in the past, the sinuous threadings of the desert, the helping hand, the cheering light, and the sustaining grace.

The Presidential election seemed to be a matter of more than usual interest. During the year now about to close the chair had been filled by one who was conspicuously impartial and courteous, whose kindliness and straightforwardness won the admiration and confidence of those over whom he ruled so mildly and firmly-Rev. W. M. Hunter. For the first time in the history of the United Churches the voting resulted in a reelection. Exceptional circumstances in the realm of Methodism, and the legislative ability of the Rev. R. Chew, led to this result. The newly-elected President fully appreciated the high honour which had been conferred on him. In well-chosen words he expressed his gratitude, and appeared to be ready to lead, and thus to serve. The Rev. E. Askew had the strongest possible proof given him of the continued confidence of the brethren by his re-appointment as Connexional Secretary. The Rev. Ralph

K K