after two in the morning, and ten minutes after three in the afternoon. "ALL THY WORKS PRAISE THEE, O LORD." "The strain upraise of joy and praise, Alleluia. To the glory of their King Alleluia. And the choirs that dwell on high Shall re-echo through the sky, Alleluia. They in the rest of Paradise who dwell. The blessed ones, with joy the chorus swell, Alleluia. The planets on their heavenly way, The shining constellations join, and say, Alleluia. Godescalcus (A.D. 870). Mutual-Aid Association Reporter. PRESIDENT'S LETTER.-No 10. MY DEAR BRO. SIMS,-Since I last wrote to you I have been to Swaffham, Saham Tony, and Thetford, to re-. mind the good Methodist folks of the wants of our poor old men, and they very liberally responded to my appeals. They have promised to do better for the future. I have no doubt if all our local secretaries would only work like my dear Brother Hardy, things, even in Norfolk, would soon look better. He is always at work. We shall not soon forget the kindness of the Rev. Geo. Buckley, and the great interest he manifested in our Association; also the Mayor of Thetford and his good wife, who did a great deal to make our visit a happy and successful one. The Lord reward them. A few kind and loving hearts have responded to my wishes, and it gives me great joy to be able to send you another list amidst all the struggling circuits of our beloved Methodism. Mr. Abraham Birtwell, Claytonle-Moors. Mr. Lloyd, Liverpool. Mr. G. C. Durrant, Watton, Norfolk. LETTER FROM BRO. BOWRON TO THE GENERAL COMMITTEE. CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND, Jan. 25, 1881. MY DEAR BRETHREN,-It is now thirteen weeks since we left the old country, and a wide circle of kind friends whom we do not expect to see any more until we meet in that world where the tear-drop never falls, and the parting pangs are felt no more. I have this day, for the first time, ventured to read over the enduring memorial of your affectionate regards, and notwithstanding the distance of time and space, I can no more stay the tears from falling than I could that evening when we shook hands and said farewell. Believe me, dear brethren, I had no expectation of receiving this costly expression of your kindness; certain it is, I have no claim on the ground of merit. What I may have said or done on behalf of the Mutual-Aid Association has its roots in what I conceive to be a selfish motive, for verily there is a luxury in doing good. While we are searching after and promoting the happiness of others, we invariably find our own. From the beginning of the Association our object has been one, viz., to shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, and feed the hungry. I feel" there is a beautiful magic in words." Whose pen executed this beautiful thought I know not; to me it sounds like a resurrection of lost times. Places, persons, sayings, and doings of other days which seemed buried and forgotten start into being and assume new forms of life. Here I am compelled to pause, for the eye gets dim and watery at the remembrance of such friends as James Wild, Thomas Cuthbertson, and a host of distinguished names who have left us to sow precious seeds on the sands of time, while they reap the golden grain on the broad harvest fields of Eternity. Our monthly meeting and annual gatherings were generally refreshing seasons, and full of stirring incident. We never can forget the kind friends who received us, and studied only our comfort during the days of our sojourn among them. Be sure I shall not forget the third Sabbath in June, when you assemble in Sheffield. That noble branch never failed to respond to our loud calls for help, and I am persuaded that with such men as Bro. Cole it never will. I feel persuaded you will have a glorious soul-stirring meeting. If I had wings strong enough and fleet enough I would sweep over the fifteen thousand miles of sea, that I might be present with you once again on such an occasion. I hope my Bro. Chamberlain will present my kind regards to all the dear friends of the Association, and tell them that it is only a piece of cumbrous clay which keeps me away from your annual meeting. I thank you, dear brethren, for these expressions of your kindness. I value them more than perishing gold, and be sure this album will be handed on from sire to son for generations yet to come. The good people here are crying aloud for preachers. I tell them to wait patiently and I will introduce sixty to their notice, from whom they can make their selection. I have just told Mrs. B. I should give you an invitation to come, as on former occasions. She gave me a significant move of the head, and with a tremulous accent said, "Will they come?" "Who knows?" "One thing leads to another." I am, dear brethren, Affectionately yours, W. BOWRON. [Other communications will appear next month.] TO THE HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL PREACHERS' MUTUALAID ASSOCIATION. March 7th, 1881. DEAR BRETHREN,-I am sure you will all have read with much pleasure the very noble promise of our Treasurer (John Carter, Esq.), to give one hundred pounds, on certain conditions, towards increasing the Capital Fund, the interest of which is devoted to giving our dear old annuitants an extra sum at Christmas. The reason will be generally understood, viz., that the present fund is insufficient to give 10s. to each. Since the last committee meeting, I have thought the matter over, and as it seems to me, our annuitants are certain to grow in number, and byand-bye another effort will have to be made on behalf of this Christmas fund. I beg to suggest that the present Christmas fund remain as it is, that the gifts be distributed annually as far as they will go, to the oldest of the annuitants (as at present), and that an effort be made at once, so to increase the ordinary fund, that the next annual meeting will see its way to grant 8s. per week to the most necessitous cases. My appeal therefore to you, dear brethren, as honorary members, is this, that we each make an effort to double our subscription this year, leaving to those who can afford it, to make larger contributions-and very many can. I take it to be unwise to have separate funds in our Association, if we can do without; but if we can considerably increase the weekly allowance, we shall be doing more service to the annuitants; and I think I can already hear the cheer there will be at Sheffield, when the vote passes for 8s. a week. I am, dear Brethren, WESLEYAN METHODIST LOCAL PREACHERS' MUTUAL-AID ASSOCIATION. Notices of Motion for the consideration of the ANNUAL MEETING, to be held in SHEFFIELD, commencing Monday, June 20, 1881. 1. To make a rule requiring the Trustees to send a copy of the report and balance-sheets yearly to the Conference, or annual assemblies of the bodies whose local preachers are eligible for membership in our Association.-Thomas Chamberlain. 2. To add a clause to Rule 29, which shall make all annuitants exempt from the payment of subscriptions.-J. Milsom. 3. To divide the Sick and Funeral Fund from the Annuitant, or Benevolent Fund, and to provide— a. That a certain proportion of the dividends from investments be paid yearly (say one-half) to each fund, so separated. b. Or, that the said investments be equally divided between the said funds. c. To provide that the working expenses shall be divided equally, and so paid by each fund.-Thos. Chamberlain. 4. To provide for a sliding scale of payments and receipts by the members, as follows, viz., members paying as now, to receive as now; members paying 4s. per quarter to receive 10s. per week; members paying 6s. per quarter to receive 15s. per week.J. Milsom. 5. To add a clause to Rule 59 requiring a two-thirds majority of votes given, before any alteration of the rules can be made.-Thomas Chamberlain. 6. To increase annuities to 8s. per week. 7. To omit "or Independent " from Rule 2.-A. R. Johnson. . 8. That Rule 29 read as followsA subscription of fifteen shillings per annum shall be paid by each benefit member. The payments to be made quarterly, in the months of January, April, July, and October. 9. That Rule 36 read as followsThe allowance to members in sickness shall be 10s. per week for the first twenty-six weeks, and 78. per week for the succeeding twenty-six weeks. Any member relinquishing his sick pay, and afterwards claiming relief within six calendar months, shall receive a continuance of the same weekly amount that he was receiving until the number of weeks be fulfilled as above. Should the affliction of any member assume a more permanent form, the general committee shall have power in such cases to allow a weekly sum, not exceeding 58. If a member relinquish the last-named weekly amount under this Rule, an interval of twelve months must elapse before he can claim the full sick pay of 10s. per week. Such alterations to commence in the month of January, 1882.-J. Rose. 10. That Rule 55 be rescinded.E. Benson. 11. Rule 42 to read: The General Committee shall have power, in cases of extreme poverty, to allow the widows of local preachers (deceased members of the Association) a weekly sum not exceeding 3s. 6d.-F. J. Littlewood. 12. The following alterations in the proposed Trust Deed are suggested by the Manchester Branch, viz. In line 24 of the preamble to leave out the words " or Independent." In line 39 of third column, after "Chairman and Secretary," to add "and two members of the Committee." In line 25 of fourth column, after "sickness," to insert "extreme temporal necessity." 13. Rule 3 to read, “The objects of the Association shall be to afford relief to its members in sickness, extreme poverty, and old age, also to provide a sum of money payable at death, and to give relief to the needy widows of deceased members." 14. Rule 19. The words "in London " to be struck out. 15. To add to Rule 48. "No member retained under this Rule shall have any claim to superannuation allowance." 16. The following as a new Rule. "Any member who, by unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances, other than personal affliction, shall be brought into extreme poverty, may apply for relief through the secretary of his branch, to the general committee, according to Form No. The grants to any brother under this Rule not to exceed £2 in the same year. "Form of Application. 'Extreme poverty. No. 'Dear Brother,-Being brought into extreme poverty in consequence of I apply through you to the general committee of the Local Preachers' Mutual Aid Association for their early and kind consideration of my case.-I am, yours truly, &c.' "No relief to be granted until full particulars of the case are laid before the Committee, signed by the secretary and one other member of the branch."-A. Andrew. 17. In Rule 15 to add," and within twelve months after membership ceases."-G. C. Amphlett. 18. That each member of the Committee be responsible for ten pounds (£10) for the time he holds office, which would be some guarantee for the safety of our Funds.-W. Garrett. GENERAL COMMITTEE. MINUTES of Committee Meeting, held at Bro. Candler's, Brixton, on Monday evening, March 14, 1881. Present: Bro. Madder (President) in the chair. Bros. Amphlett, Candler, Carter, Clapham, Durley, Johnson, Plant, Sims, Wardley and Wright. After singing hymn 972 and reading by the President of 17th Psalm, Bro. Durley engaged in prayer. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The monthly abstract was read, showing total receipts since last audit, £2,646 5s. 11d.; payments, £2,273 2s. 11d. New members during the month, 39; deaths, 5; sick, 124; annuitants, 162. Bills for payment, inclusive of Secretary's salary, postage, coal, and directory, amounting to £44 11s. 9d. were presented, and ordered to be discharged. CASES FROM BRANCHES. R. W., of L., aged 68, local preacher 30 years; was by trade a travelling hawker. Suffers from sciatica; wife aged 76; has five children, and one son allows him 2s. 6d. per week; is highly recommended by the Secretary of the Branch and Bro. Turtle. Resolved, that he have 48. per week. J. B., of S., aged 75; local preacher 36 years; was a platelayer and railway porter; he receives 3s. a week from a club. Suffers from diabetes; has been on our Sick Fund since 1879, and is now in receipt of 2s. 6d. per week; wife aged 72; has seven children, one of whom pays his rent. Resolved, that he have 4s. per week. G. R., of H., aged 65 years; local preacher 49 years on one plan; was a hosier's warehouseman; suffers from hard and difficult breathing; wife, aged 60, suffers from broken health; has seven children, but none of them can help. The case is recommended by the Ministers of the Circuit, the Circuit Steward and the Doctor. Resolved, that he have 4s. per week. J. L., of W., aged 72 years; local preacher 50 years; has been an annuitant since 1876 at 3s. per week; applies for increase. He has been a farm labourer, but his mind is entirely gone, and has no income beyond our annuity and the interest of a cottage, amounting to £4 per annum. His wife is dead; he has one daughter afflicted, and one son, who works. on the road occasionally, but can do nothing for his father. Resolved, that he have 6s. per week. R. C., of G., aged 70; local preacher 40 years; by trade a cooper, but has now a very small income. Wife aged 60; twelve children, some of whom help occasionally, but have large families of their own. Resolved, that he have 3s. per week. A letter was read from Rev. James Pettinger, of Cawston in Norfolk, offering pulpits in his Circuit for first Sunday in April if deputation is sent. Resolved, That the Secretary apply to the members of Committee and other brethren who are in Norfolk to avail themselves of this kind offer. Letter was read from Sheffield respecting the forthcoming Anniversary, stating the arrangements which have been made for the various public meetings, Bro. Daws was elected on the Com Feb. 8, 1881. William Dawson, Shipley Branch, aged 67 years. His end was sudden, but he was ready. Shortly before his death he said to a brother local preacher, "I cannot tell how it is, but for some time I have been living as it were on the suburbs of glory." No claim. Feb. 13, 1881. George Rhodes, Ripley Branch, aged 69 years, of heart disease. Claim £4. Feb. 14, 1881. William Fareham, Barnsley Branch, aged 63 years. No particulars. Claim £8. March 10, 1881. James Humphreys, Bristol Branch, aged 79 years. Looking forward to the peace and rest beyond the grave. Claim £8. CASH RECEIVED BY THE GENERAL TREASURER TO MARCH 15TH, 1881. Free Subscriptions. £ s. d. Benefit Members. £ s. d. High Wycombe-Mr. B. North, hm. £5... Bungay Penrith 1 6 0 0 12 0 3 11 0 Ripon Mr. Bacon, 58; Mrs. Tillotson, hm. £11s; Mr. Thetford ... ... Easingwold-Mr. H. Hawking, hm. £2; Mr. J. Rookledge, hc. 10s; Mr. W. Teasdale, hm. £1 1s... ... ... ... Kington |