pledged to raise the money. It would have been a subject of deep regret if the scheme had proved a failure whilst it was only the President's; but to fail now it has been adopted by the Association, would be a calamity indeed.

Nine months have passed since the annual meeting, and the amount raised is under £800. The question naturally arises-How is it? Is the cause one that does not commend itself to the Methodist people? Certainly not; for it is appreciated; and supported just as it is known. What, then, can be the reason? We should disguise

the truth if we did not say, it is the apathy, and the apathy alone, of the local preachers.

Every thoughtful person would expect that if not every member, or even every branch, took the matter up heartily, surely a majority would do so, and that those branches especially, which have drawn largely on the funds would occupy the first rank.

Oh! for some stirring words that would arouse the members of the Association to activity in this matter. Brethren! Awake, arise! Shake off this apparent indifference. Show your strength. Let the church feel that you have influence. Shall it be said that 2000 local preachers cannot raise £2000 for such a noble object? "Never!-a thousand times never !!"

Let the next three months be well employed; get up a meeting in every branch where one has not been held already. Let donations be solicited from every person of influence in every circuit. Let every one of us make the cause our own, and success will be sure to crown our efforts. Yours truly,

THOS. CUTHBERTSON.

ROCHESTER BRANCH. THE annual sermons in aid of the funds of the Association were preached on Sunday in the following places of worship: United Methodist Free Churches, Star Hill, Rochester, Middle Street, Brompton, Frindsbury, High Street, Gillingham; Bartholomew's Free Church; Rochester United Methodist Free Church, John Street, Ordnance Place, Cross Street, New Brompton, Lower Rainham, and Hoo

Street. On Monday, a public tea meeting was held in Middle Street Chapel, Brompton, when upwards of 170 sat down to tea. After the tea was cleared away, the public meeting was commenced by the singing of an appropriate hymn. The Rev. Wm. Miller engaged in prayer. The chair was taken by Mr. Norris. The Secretary read the report of the Rochester Branch for the past year. Mr. Wade then addressed the meeting on the working of the Association, which has paid since its formation to sick members, £9,993 5s; to annuitant members, £10,070 Os 10d; for deaths, £4,083 2s; total since 1851, to June last, £24,146 7s 10d. The Rev. E. Tebb next addressed the meeting on the opposition to lay preaching in the early history of Methodism. Mr. Jameson followed on the usefulness of local preachers, referring to such men as Bunyan, Dawson, John Nelson, Hick, and a host of others whose memory is blessed for ever. The Rev. W. Miller, in an eloquent speech showed that local preachers are a necessity-they supply a link which connects the people with the regular ministry, and thus prevents the church from falling into error. Without them the back streets and lanes of our large towns, the villages and hamlets of the land would never hear the glad tidings of salvation, and the ranks of the itinerant ministers are filled from the local preachers. The great Dr. Bunting himself was once a local preacher. The Hymn of Christian Brotherhood was sung with thrilling effect. Mr. Hobson next spoke on the importance of doing all that ought to be done in God's cause by preaching His word, and supporting those who labour in word and doctrine when they cannot help themselves, after having spent their time and talents in the cause of God and the good of the church. Mr. Rickon depicted the local preacher from the commencement of his preaching, through the mud and snow, storm and rain, dark nights and lonely roads, long journeys from early dawn on the Sabbath morning till midnight witnesses his return to his home. Votes of thanks were given to the chairman, to the deputation, and to the ladies who

had so kindly provided the tea. The Rev. E. Tebb offered prayer, and the Doxology having been sung, the meeting separated highly delighted with the very interesting gathering which had taken place.

GENERAL COMMITTEE.

THE monthly meeting was held at Brother John Carter's (one of the Treasurers), 4, Earl's Terrace, Kensington, on Monday, March 13, 1865.

Present: - Brothers J. Carter (chair), Wild, Coman, Wade 2nd, Parker, Creswell, Jameson, and Chamberlain.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Brother Wild.

The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed.

The monthly abstract showed that £1,576 9s. 5d. had been received since last audit from the branches, and that £1,364 13s. 5d. had been paid to them for sickness, annuities, and deaths. Besides which, various sums had been paid, by order of the Committee, for working expenses; the balance in hand from all sources being £137 Os. 1d.

The number of sick was 77, of annuitants, 102, of deaths in the month, 2, and 1 member's wife.

The honorary secretary was requested to inquire into and report on the steps to be taken for the appointment of new trustees in the room of our deceased brethren.

Brother Jameson reported that he and Brothers Hobson and Wade 1st had attended the annual meeting at Rochester, which was a very successful one on behalf of our funds.

A letter was read from Norwich, cordially inviting the Association to hold its annual meeting in that city, on 11th June and following days; on which it was unanimously resolved that the meeting be held there accordingly.

Bristol.-J. R., aged 62, a local preacher occasionally for forty years, regularly for fourteen years, applied to be admitted a member. Ordered, that he pay an entrance fee of £7. London.-Bro. W., aged 60, also applied, and his entrance fee was fixed at £5.

Brother Carter reported that the total net receipts at the Pimlico meeting were £73 Es. 8d.

A letter was read from Brother Cuthbertson, urging further action in behalf of the £2000 fund.

After some discussion, a sub-committee was chosen for that purpose, consisting of Brothers J. Carter, Jameson, Parker, and the Honorary Secretary. The first meeting to be held on 5th March, at Brother Jameson's.

Orders were drawn on the Treasurers for £49 18s. 1d. on account of magazine and general expenses.

Some minor matters were considered and determined on, and the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.

The next meeting will be held at Brother Salisbury's, 51, Penny Fields, Poplar, on Wednesday, 12th April.

OBITUARY NOTICE.

DIED on the 16th February, 1965, Ann, the beloved wife of Brother Wm. Neatby, of Barnsley, in her 57th year. She was an exemplary Christian-endearing herself to all who knew her. To her dear husband she was in the highest sense of the words " an helpmeet." Her last illness was of so severe and painful a nature as to cause occasional aberration of mind; yet in her more lucid moments she expressed an unshaken faith in Christ, and departed this life in "sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection."

DEATHS.

J. J. H.

Subscriptions previously an

nounced

£ s. d.

....688 10 4

Burton-on-Trent-Collected by Mastr. P. Bagnall, 17s 6d; Do. by Mastr. W. Rice, 9s... Stow Mills nr. Stow Market

A thank offering to the Giver of all good for mercies received during the past year, by Mr. J. Ford Shipley-Collected by Bro. W. Dawson : Mr. J. Cawthra, 1s; Mr. W. Dawson, 1s; Rev. T. Dunn, Superintendent of Shipley circuit, 2s 6d; Mr. George Hargraves, 10s; Mr. T. Crabtree, 5s; Mr. G. Bishop, 2s; Mr. M. Brook, 8d; Mr. J. Crabtree, 1s 2d; Mr. W. Cawthra, 5s; Mr. J. Studley, 1s 2d; Mr. W. Atkins, 6d; Mr. J. Sugden, 8d; Mrs. Mr. Chapman, 1s; Cockshott, 2s 6d; Mrs. Daw

1 66

110

son, 1s; less expenses, ls ... 2 6 2 Salisbury-A gift from an aged

Brother

Shepton Mallet-A friend, per Bro. Clifford, £1; Bro. Goodenough, £1 Croydon-Don. by Mrs. Leighton, of Sutton Spalding-Don. by Mr. W. B. Wilson.... Bromsgrove-Proceeds of collecting boxes, £1 15s 9d; Mr. Field, don. 5s Kingswood-Collected in Zion Chapel, Kingswood,

£2

2s 7d; do. Warmley Tower, £1 15s 1d; Fish Ponds, £1 4s Staple Hill, £1 3s 6d; Crews Hole, £1 2s; Bitton, £1; Redfields, 19s 2d; Hanham, 17s 8d; Soundwell, 15s 5d; Longwell Green, 8s 1d; Cock Road, 2s 6d; Warmley, 2s 1d; White's Hill, 1s 8d; Jefferies Hill, 1s 7d; Bethel, St. George's, £1 8s 2d.

100

Manningtree-Don. by J. W. Long, a young local preacher 0 26 Chelsea-Proceeds of tea and public meeting in Westmoreland Street Chapel, Pimlico, as under :-Collections, £8 15s; 34 trays given at 5s each, £8 10s; tickets sold, £5 2s 6d; less expenses, £6 5s 8s-£15 19s 1d. W. W. Pocock, Esq. £10; D. Plant, Esq. £20; J. Corderoy, Esq. £2 2s; J. S. Budgett, Esq. £2 2s; J. Cuthbertson, Esq. £2 2s; Mrs. Hanley, £1 1s; Mrs. Sunman, 10s; Mr. Madderson, 10s; Mrs. Oakshott, 10s£38 17s. Per Mr. Simms, as under: A thank offering, £5; W. Johnson, Esq. £1 1s; Wilson, Esq. £1; W. Ford, Esq. £1; Mrs. Law, 5s; Mrs. W. Ford, 10s; Not 20 miles from Hyde Park Sq. 5s; Miss Shepherd, 4s 6d; small sums, 9s 6d-£10. Per Mrs. Bowron, as under: Mr. Tout, 10s; W. Taylor, Esq. £1 1s; S. Hibbert, Esq. 10s; Mr. Perry, 10s 6d; Mr. Bussell, 5s; Mr. Downton, 5s; Mr. Farn, 10s; - Bowyer, Esq. £1 1s-£4 12s 6d. Mrs. Brice's box, per Bro. Parker 14s 1d; Mr. Seagrave, annual, £1 1s; Mrs. Seagrave, do. £1 1s; Mr. Savage, do. £1 1s Kington- Collected by Bro. Cooper, 10s 6d; do. by Miss Anson, 10s; do. Miss Lloyd, 7s 9d; do. Mrs. Davies, 5s; do. Mrs. Griffiths, 7s Devizes-Bro. D. Burgess, don.

.........

73 5 8

203

1

0 0

£788 6 2

Windsor, March, 1865.