THERE

MORECAMBE.

HERE are few places which have exercised greater claims upon tourists and holiday-seekers during the past few years than this rising and salubrious watering-place. Beautifully situated as it is on the shores of Morecambe Bay, and being also very near to the far-famed Lake district, it is certain to become a popular resorting place. The town is not only pleasantly situated, but it stands almost unequalled for its climatic superiority. "It is a fact," says one medical authority, "perhaps surprising in itself, but nevertheless true, that the town has a singular immunity from disease, and the deathrate, being minimised to an exceedingly insignificant degree, is as low, if not lower, than that of the most salubrious of British or Continental pleasure resorts. The meteorological readings average two degrees milder than the south, which renders the neighbourhood a peculiarly desirable one for invalids." It will be pleasing to the friends throughout the Connexion to learn that we, as a denomination, are represented in this healthy and favourite place. The history of our Morecambe Church is rather brief, but, though short, it has been very successful. In the year 1874 Free Methodism was unknown in the locality; but now we have a growing society, and a school numbering 270 scholars and teachers. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the late Mr. W. Gallimore, of Sheffield, to the Home Mission Chapel Extension Fund Committee, and to the earnest and continuous efforts of the members of the Church, they have succeeded in erecting a chapel and schools which are a credit to the Connexion and an ornament to the town. As our readers will see from the engraving, the chapel is in the Corinthian style of architecture, and will accommodate about 700 persons. The front of the building presents a very chaste and neat appearance, the pediments and centrecapping displaying the date of erection, as well as the frieze work across the upper part, with the words "United Methodist Free Church" cut in stone. The interior has a very compact and comfortable appearance, and is well lighted. The end galleries are of a circular form, and that at the west end contains an organ-chamber and seats for the choir. From the ceiling, which displays some elaborately-finished plasterwork, a very handsome gas chandelier is suspended, and neat gas-brackets are provided for lighting the side seats. The galleries are approached by flights of stone steps, and the seats throughout are of pitch pine. Adjoining the chapel are schoolrooms, capable of accommodating 300 scholars. The total cost is far more than was at first contemplated. Many difficulties presented themselves during the course of erection. The work was delayed, and instead

of the opening services taking place during the visiting season, they were necessarily deferred till the season was over. Ever since the erection trade has been bad, but the members of the Church may congratulate themselves on the progress they have made. The sum of £3,146* has been raised towards the Building Fund during the past four years and a half, and upwards of £280 raised for Circuit and Mission Funds. There is still a heavy debt of over £1,800 on the building. The trustees would be grateful for any assistance rendered, and they trust the many visitors who may resort to Morecambe will assist in clearing off the debt upon this beautiful and substantial sanctuary. Mr. John Turner, the treasurer of the Building Fund, and the resident minister, will thankfully receive and acknowledge any contribution sent in aid S. W.

of the funds.

PRIZES TO JUVENILE MISSIONARY COLLECTORS. COLLECTORS of 10s. and upwards are entitled to a bound volume of the Hive, and those who collect 5s. and upwards, a bound volume of Welcome Words. Should other books be preferred, some of the same price can be selected from a list supplied by the Book-Room. The prizes are paid for by the local treasurers, and charged to the local expenses, and should always be obtained from 119, Salisbury Square, E.C.

In the interest of the Book-Room we have to ask the circuit ministers to remind the local missionary secretaries of the above Connexional regulation, and to use their influence to secure it being

carried out.

COVERS FOR MISSIONARY-BOXES.

We have been requested to notify that covers for the missionary boxes can be had at the Book-Room, and that by using them not only could the boxes be made to do much longer service than they do now, but that they would look "as good as new."

A MISSIONARY REQUIRED FOR WEST AFRICA.

As stated in the Annual Report, the Rev. Thomas Truscott was engaged to take the superintendence of the West African Mission. Since then, Mrs. Truscott has been removed by death, and under the altered circumstances it was felt that the bereft

There is yet an instalment from the Home Mission Chapel Extension Fund, to be paid when the conditions of the vote have been fulfilled. R. B.

husband could no longer be held to the engagement he had made with the Committee.

A Superintendent for that Mission will therefore be needed, and offers of service for that position should be sent to the SECRETARY at 41, Wilkinson-street, Sheffield, ready for the next meeting of the Committee.

SPECIAL RELIEF FUND FOR JAMAICA.

THE descriptive letters of Messrs. Griffiths and Roberts, in which the disastrous effects of the hurricane which visited Jamaica on the 18th of August were so graphically pointed out, have awakened an amount of sympathy and called forth such liberal assistance, that already the 'sum of more than £900 has been received, and by the time all the promised collections have been made, and further contributions received, the total sum will reflect credit on the denomination, and furnish much of the needed assistance to the suffering people, as well as restore many, if not most, of the Mission premises.

We wish to impress most earnestly on the local secretaries and treasurers the importance of seeing that the sums which have been sent from the circuits and Churches are not inserted in the general receipts, as the two funds are being kept separate and distinct, so that the special may not in any way weaken or detract from the ordinary income.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-You are already in possession of the statistics of the Australian District, but it may be desirable that somewhat more detailed information should be supplied to our home friends. This I will endeavour briefly to do.

Melbourne.--We have no Church in Melbourne proper; but we have five Churches in the municipalities, which are included in the general idea of Melbourne ;-that is to say, in Fitzroy, Richmond, Windsor, Brunswick, and Collingwood.

(1) Fitzroy. This, the oldest of our Churches in Melbourne, has during the last few years been unfortunately the subject of a number of events which have hindered its progress. In the early part of the last year, however, this Church was steadily advancing. The ministry of Mr. Barton, who was stationed there, appeared likely to accomplish important favourable results. Some progress had been made, when Mr. Barton's health failed so much that he felt it needful to retire from active ministerial work; and for the remainder of the year the pulpit had to be sup plied by brethren from other circuits. This was not favourable to its progress. an glad, however, to be able to say that at the district meeting the members were reported as 75, being an increase of 13. Mr. Wallace, who was appointed by the District Meeting, has entered on his work, with hopeful prospects of success.

I

(2) Richmond. This Church has continued to make good progress. From a membership of five or six in 1862, it has risen to 98, having an increase of 10 on the last year. Brother Westacott, who has laboured with assiduity and success during the last two years, has been re-appointed.

This letter would have bee published earlier, but for the pressing news from Jamaica.-R. B.

(3) Windsor.-Here the labours of Mr. Bowe, ably seconded by our energetic treasurer, Mr. Beatty, and other friends, have been crowned with success. The church has been enlarged and improved, and an increase of 11 in the membership has taken place. Mr. Dawe, from Shepparton, has been appointed to this Church for the present year.

(4) Brunswick.—Mr. Porteus has been labouring here during the past year, with improved congregations and finances. Mr. Porteus has been re-appointed.

(5) Collingwood.-From some causes the past year has not been a prosperous one. The decrease, however, has not been great-only two. The church here is a good building, and stands in the midst of a large population. It should be prosperous. The last District Meeting appointed Mr. Richards to this Church, and he writes very hopefully of its prospects.

It will be seen from the preceding statements that Melbourne reports a net increase of 30, which is encouraging.

(6) Kew and Nunawading.-Four miles east from the Melbourne Post-Office is the township of Kew, where we have a struggling cause; about two miles further east is a sort of hamlet called Balwyn, where services have been held in an old schoolhouse during the last year with encouraging prospects of success. About three miles further on the same road is Boxhill, Nunawading, where we have a good brick church, with an excellent congregation, and six or seven miles further east is Ringwood, where there is a small wooden church. These places constitute the circuit. Brother Wallace has been labouring here during the last year, and reports an increase of three members. He has been succeeded by Brother Lenton.

(7) Lillydale.—About eight miles out of Ringwood is the rural township of Lillydale, which, with two other places, constitute the Lillydale Circuit. Mr. Barningham is now in the second year of his ministry in it. I believe the Circuit has made substantial progress, although only an increase of one is reported. Lillydale is our most easterly circuit; beyond it what is called Gippsland extends for about 200 miles to the boundary of New South Wales. Several circuits might. no doubt, be opened up in this direction, but we have at present no funds to expend in doing so.

(8) Williamstown. This circuit consists of Williamstown (nine miles south-west of Melbourne), where we have a good church and preacher's house; and two other places, Yarraville and Footscray, in both of which we have churches. Mr. W. H. Chapman has been working hard here during the last year, and has been able to report an increase of seven members.

(9) Geelong. This is a place of considerable importance, situated about 50 miles south-west of Melbourne. The cause here is one of our oldest. It has not been very prosperous. A new brick church, however, was built here during Mr. Miller's appointment, superseding two smaller and much inferior ones, and in a better situation. Since then, Mr. Green (now in his third year) has been labouring there, and with considerable success. Mr. Green is an energetic, hard-working brother, and has been able to report an increase of 11 on the year.

(10) Ballarat.-This is the largest and most important city in the colony after Melbourne. We have a handsome brick church in Peel-street, and a smaller wooden one in South-street, and also three country places in this circuit. Mr. Glasson was stationed here last year, with a young man who had to retire from the work. This somewhat retarded progress; however, the returns show an increase of four. Brother Glasson has been reappointed, with a Mr. Sercombe, a young man who bids

fair to be

very useful.

(11) Stawell.-Pursuing a N.W. course from Ballarat of 76 miles we come to Stawell (formerly Pleasant Creek). This is our most westerly circuit, about 120 miles from the South Australian border. Stawell is a mining town of considerable importance. We have a good church and preacher's house there, and a fair congregation. The past year has only been moderately prosperous. Mr. Alden reports 42 members, being the same as last year.

(12) Corack Mission.-This is from 40 to 50 miles to the N.E. of Stawell. There we have six or seven places supplied by our Missionary, Mr. A. M. Taylor. These are all new; indeed, the country has only recently been taken up by selectors. Fair congregations have been gathered, but only five members were reported. Mi. Taylor has been reappointed.

(13) Sandhurst.—Őne hundred miles N.N.W. of Melbourne is the city of Sand