that the average of local preachers is as 10 to 1 of the travelling preachers. I will be candid enough to admit that when I sat down to this analysis, I expected to have found another result. It has been said that our societies suffer through the want of a larger proportion of travelling preachers. The lessons of these district returns seem certainly to point in that direction. Let us look at the districts again; 15 show an increase; 7 of these districts show the local preachers to be below the average, while 8 of them show that the local preachers have the average, and go above it. However, the great lesson of the decrease is, "Let no man glory in man; but let him that glories, glory in the Lord. WIBSEY, AND THE WESLEYAN REFORM UNION DELEGATE MEETING. INDEPENDENCY and Connexionalism, it has been said, are irreconcilable; but every commotion in Methodism has brought out more of the independent element. The last commotion, especially, did that. The leaders in that movement were, at first, decidedly opposed to forming any new body; hence, one of their watchwords was 'No Secession.' A secession, however was inevitable. This secession was followed by a union of the greater number of the secessionists with the "Methodist Association;" thereby forming what is now designated The United Methodist Free Churches." This body is truly a connexion, having its connexional bond in its connexional ministry, which must of necessity be under connexional control. 66 It was very natural that there should be many who would not be prepared to accept of connexionalism upon the above terms, but who would choose rather to remain as they were -independent and free, and such a body the Wesleyan Reform Union professes to be. This body, while it has nothing to do with stationing its travelling ministry, this matter being arranged between the churches and the men,-yet has its connexionalism in certain regulations, its Exeter Hall Office, its use of the same quarterly ticket, its Chapel Fund, its Missionary Society, its General Committee, and last, its "ANNUAL MEETING," in which its connexional work is done, and its officers and committee appointed for the year. Wibsey, near Bradford, undertook, at a very short notice, to entertain the committee and delegates this year; and generously and effectually did the Wibsey friends perform their task. Mind and heart were carried into all their arrangements. The Wesleyan Chapel and the Independent Chapel at Wibsey were thrown open to the delegates, and so also were fifteen other places for the Sunday services. Wibsey Reform Chapel is a beautiful and commodious house of God. There is a large school-room adjoining the chapel; it can be used, not only as a school-room, but also for a tea or public meeting. In fact, in its erection and fitting, every thing appears to have been thought of to provide for use and comfort. Το have accomplished what they have done, the Wibsey friends, who have not many rich among them, must have had the same spirit which possessed the Israelites of old, when "the people had a mind to work." It must be borne in mind also, that there are other good chapels in the circuit, thus showing that in Yorkshire, as well as in Cornwall, when the people set to it in earnest, it is one and all." 66 The religious services of the annual session were opened by a lovefeast, on the Sunday morning, at halfpast six o'clock:-the first time in our lives that we had an opportunity of attending a lovefeast at this early hour. Two of our local preachers conducted it. There were twentyone testimonies borne that "The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." There was a good feeling from first to last, and the meeting did not extend much over the hour. We heard a travelling preacher in the morning, and a local at night, and attended a stirring camp meeting in the afternoon. Monday morning, at half-past six, MISCELLANEOUS. we heard a good discourse from our old friend Hereman. The committee met at ten. The secretary's box, containing the minute books, letters, and other documents, which had been sent off on the previous Friday, had not reached its destination, neither did it appear till the evening. It was found afterwards that the train with which it had been travelling had broken down on the road, and that the box had been safely resting with other things over the Sabbath day. "There is many a slip between the cup and the lip." Monday evening, at half-past seven, we heard a good sermon from a local, Bro. Chamberlain; after the sermon, the Lord's Supper was celebrated; a good company stayed and partook of this ordinance. It was a time of solemn waiting on God, and a season of refreshing from His presence. 66 Tuesday morning, at half-past six, the preacher who had been appointed failing, our good friend Hereman, who, like the apostle Paul, is always ready to preach the gospel, had again to take the pulpit; and we all could say, Master, it is good to be here!" The delegates assembled at ten, Bro. T. H. Richard being voted to the chair. The reports were read, and the day's work done as satisfactorily as could be expected where men meet with independent minds and various views. The evening closed with a capital missionary meeting, with speeches above par. Wednesday morning, at half-past six, brought a good sermon from Bro. Bromage, a travelling preacher. The delegate meeting was at ten. The committee, which had been nominated the day before, was balloted for three travelling preachers were elected; the other seventeen, with one or two exceptions, were local preachers. The business of the delegate meeting came to an end about four o'clock, when the brethren separated, as it regards some of us, to meet again, it may be, in that world where congregations never break up. Differences of opinion there always are at these meetings, and a good many words used which were not like the apostles' letters, "weighty and powerful." The fact is, that 317 some are everlasting talkers, and, in spite of regulations to the contrary, speak two or three times. There are the set-speech makers also, who very generally overlay their resolutions with a superabundancy of words. The speakers are few who can say what they have to say and no more, and speak to the point, and speak at the right time. There are a great many who are quiet voters, whose voices are rarely heard. Carlyle speaks of the virtue of silence. Would that this virtue were more frequently manifested by some of our talking brethren! The evening closed with a good Temperance Meeting. Here, again, it would have been as well if some of the brethren had compressed their speeches into a smaller compass. The chairman of the delegate meeting, who is an old Reformer, conducted the business very satisfactorily, and was congratulated as being the first layman who had ever occupied that position. For in this body, it would seem, all the preachers, whether travelling or local, are not classed with the laity. But if we read you rightly, Messrs. Editors, you go farther than this; for you say, "To us it is clear as light that the laity of the church of Christ is the whole body of those who do not bear office; and that those who do bear office in the church are thereby distinct from the laity."-LOCAL PREACHERS' MAGAZINE, April, 1871, page 108. The Wibsey friends not only did their best to meet the wants of the delegates, but their best was well done; every want seems to have been anticipated and provided for. Dinner and tea each day were served up in first-rate order; several persons we have in our eye who were engaged in this service, but we must not name any when all did so cheerfully and well. The homes which the delegates found during the time they were there, from all that we heard, were rendered pleasant and agreeable. Some persons had to put themselves to great inconvenience to entertain their guests. The town or village of Wibsey, or whatever it may be called, contains a number of houses, some ancient and others modern. New houses are also being built. The plan of building their houses certainly might be improved. Most of them have only one entrance, and no back yard or back door. A town, too, with such a number of inhabitants, and not to be a post-town, astonished us. That the inhabitants should have to go upwards of two miles for postage stamps, or to get a post-office order, is a disgrace to St. Martin's-le-Grand. Mr. Monsell should look to this. It would not be amiss to send him this magazine, that his attention might be called to it. Wibsey contains several mills, which furnish employment for both sexes, and of various ages. The tramp, tramp, tramp of feet with the wooden clogs, in the early morning, reminded us of our own experience, when our residence was on the pathway of tanners going to their work. The females at these mills ignore the bonnet six days in the week; but they have a method of disposing the shawl so as to form, we thought, not an ungraceful covering to the head. We watched them from our chamber window as they passed to their daily toil, before six o'clock in the morn ing; some had little tin cans, others small baskets, containing, as we sup posed, something for their bodily wants. Farewell, Wibsey! and may you prosper; may your inhabitants grow, not only in wealth, but in intelligence and true piety. Mutual-Aid Association Reporter. GENERAL COMMITTEE. THE monthly meeting was held at Brother Sims's, 29, George-street, Langham-place, on Monday, 11th September (it not being convenient to Brother Bowron to have the meeting, as previously arranged, at his house). Present: Brothers Sims (chair), J. Carter, Chamberlain, Burroughs, Jameson, Wade, Williamson, Parker, and Coman. The meeting was opened with prayer by Brother Burroughs. The minutes were read and confirmed. The monthly abstract was read and showed receipts from branches, £604 16s. 4d.; payments to them, £550 8s. 11d.; other payments, £35 8s. 5d.; balances in hand, £220 16s. 4d. New members, 10; deaths, 3 members and 3 wives; annuitants, 110; sick, 57. The following accounts were ordered to be paid :-Nelson and Co., for 4000 Annual Reports (20 pages), £16 1s.; Honorary Members' Magazines (half-year), £24 8s.; printing, engraving, &c., £7 5s. 8d. Letters from Liverpool were read, and settled. Brother R. W., of S., aged 74, a preacher for thirty-seven years, and a member with us for nineteen years, applied for help. He was described as a worthy man, who had only once received help from our funds in sickness. His wife has for some time suffered from a cancer in the mouth. He has only about four shillings a week to live upon, and would be very thankful for a little help, if only two shillings and sixpence a week. Ordered-That the brother have three shillings a week for the present. Brother Jameson reported progress in Cornwall, and handed in £1 from Redruth. It appeared that but little progress had been made, chiefly on account of the backwardness of the local preachers themselves. A letter was read from the president, asking if "Exhorters" of long standing are eligible as members. The meeting resolved-"That in the opinion of this Committee, the rules do not allow of such admissions." A letter from the ex-president, and several other letters were read, referring to a bequest of £150 by the late Mrs. Cole, of Emscote, near Leamington. MUTUAL-AID ASSOCIATION REPORTER. The Honorary Secretary was requested to write to the trustees under the will, claiming the legacy, and giving the treasurer's address. The consideration of the meetings to be held in the south of London was deferred to the next meeting. The Secretary was requested to send a revised list of the Honorary Members to the publisher. Some minor matters were settled, and the meeting was closed with prayer by Brother Parker. The next meeting will be held at Brother D. Plant's Esq., 136, Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall, on Monday, 9th October, at half past five p.m. DEATHS. 319 Aug. 10, 1871. Mrs. Hannah Sellars, of Glossop, aged 56. Claim £3. Aug. 13, 1871. Mrs. Ann Smith, of Ilkeston Branch, aged 64. Claim £3. Her end was peace. Aug. 12, 1871. Henry Jenkinson, Sheffield Branch, aged 78. Claim £2. He died in peace, having a good hope through Jesus. Fixed on the Rock. Aug. 14, 1871. George Wagstaff, Sheffield Branch, aged 47. Claim £3. He was a very great sufferer for many months, but bore all with true Christian resignation. His end was peace. Sept. 3, 1871. Benjamin Dawson, of Huddersfield 2nd Branch, aged 72. Claim £4. Calmly resting in Jesus. CASH RECEIVED BY THE GENERAL TREASURER TO SEPT. 16TH, 1871. Northampton 1st-Annual Meeting of the Branch, July 30th ... Newcastle-on-Tyne ... ... ... Bristol-Mrs. Hewitt, hm, £1 1s; Mr. Mark Whitwell, hm. Newport Pagnell A Friend, don. ... ... 2 5 0 ... Deptford and Greenwich -Mr. Cockle's contribution to ... ... ... ... ... Bristol-E. F. Esq 8s 6d; C. J. W. Esq. 2s 6d; per Brother ... DOD ... ... ... Lincoln-Mr. Chas. Duckring, don. 2s 6d; Mr. John Norton, ... 21 71 Keighley-Edmund Layoock, Esq.. £5; Collected at Exley ... ... ... Congleton-Special Effort-Mr. T. Robinson, £1; Mr. G. ... ... 20 4 5 0 10 0 £78 19 5 37 3 3 |