Слике страница
PDF
ePub

the miracle of all my possessions, more wonderful than the wishing-cap of the Arabian Tales; for they transport me instantly, not only to all places, but to all times. By my books, I can conjure up before me, to vivid existence, all the great and good men of old; and, for my own private satisfaction, I can make them act over again the most renowned of all their exploits. In a word, from the equator to the pole, and from the beginning of time until now, by my books, I can be where I please."

This picture is not overcharged, and might be much extended; such being the miracle of God's goodness and providence, that each individual of the civilised millions that cover the earth, may have nearly the same enjoyments, as if he were the single lord of all.-DR. ARNOTT'S Elements of Physic. H. M.

PROVIDENCE.

THE ways of providence are often to us dark and perplexed, so that we are ready to imagine that good can never result from what appears to us to be directly contrary to our interest; and we are often tempted to think that those very providential feelings of God, which have for their object our present and eternal welfare, are rather proofs of His displeasure, or evidences of His vindictive judgment. All these things are against me, said poor, desponding Jacob; whereas, instead of being against him, all these things were for him; and by all these means was the merciful God working for the preservation of himself and his family, and the fulfilment of His ancient promise, that the posterity of Abraham should be as the stars of heaven for multitude. How strange is it that our faith, after so many evidences of His goodness, should still be so weak; and that our opinion of Him should be so imperfect that we can never trust in Him but while He is under our own eye! If we see Him producing good, we can believe that He is doing so, and that is all. If we believe not, He abides faithful; but our unbelief must make our own way extremely perplexing and difficult.Dr. Adam Clarke.

VARIOUS.

THERE is a certain magic or charm in company, for it will assimilate, and make you like to them, by much conversation with them; if they be good company, it is a great means to make you good, or confirm you in goodness; but if they be bad, it is twenty to one but they will infect and corrupt you. Therefore be wary and shy in choosing, and entertaining, or frequenting any company or companions; be not too hasty in committing yourself to them; stand off awhile till you have inquired of some (that you know by experience to be faithful), what they are; observe what company they keep; be not too easy to gain acquaintance, but stand off and keep a distance yet awhile, till you have observed and learnt touching them. Men or women that are greedy of acquaintance, or hasty in it, are oftentimes snared in ill company before they are aware, and entangled so that they cannot easily get loose from it after, when they would,-Sir Matthew Hale.

THE Common blessings of God are not dispensed without a directing Providence. Nature works not without the God of nature.-Caryl.

LET no company or respect ever draw you to excess in drink, for be well you assured, that if ever that possess you, you are instantly drunk to all respects your friends will otherwise pay you, and shall by unequal staggering paces go to your grave with confusion of face, as well in them that love you, as in yourself; and therefore, abhor all company that might entice you that way.-Lord Strafford.

IT must be owned that we are not able to account for the method of Divine Providence in many instances; and whosoever is not abandoned of all modesty, must readily acknowledge that it is reasonable it should be so. -Bradford.

WHEN Diogenes saw a house to be sold, whereof the owner was given to drink, "I thought at the last," quoth Diogenes," he would vomit a whole house."-Sir Walter Raleigh.

Phenomena of the Months.

DECEMBER.

THE sun rises on the 1st at forty-six minutes after seven, and sets at fiftytwo minutes after three. He rises at nine minutes after eight on the 31st, and sets at fifty-eight minutes after three. The days shorten twentythree minutes in the morning and six minutes in the evening; total, twentynine minutes during the month.

The moon is full on the 5th at fourteen minutes after five in the afternoon. New moon on the 21st at seven minutes after five in the afternoon. She is nearest to the earth on the 23rd, and most distant from it on the 11th.

Mercury is a morning star, rising on the 2nd one hour and forty-seven minutes before sunrise. On the last day in the year, the planet and the sun rise nearly together. He is near the moon on the 20th, and at his greatest distance from the sun on the 26th.

Venus is a morning star, rising on the 7th at one hour forty-one minutes before sunrise. On the last day of the year fifty-three minutes before the sun. She is near the moon on the 20th.

Mars rises on the 6th one hour and thirty minutes after sunset. On the last day of the year he rises in daylight. He is near the moon on the 8th, and in opposition to the sun on the 27th.

Jupiter sets on the 8th two hours thirty minutes before sunrise, and on the last day of the year three hours

forty-two minutes a.m. He is near the moon on the 3rd, and again on the 30th.

Saturn sets on the 8th four hours fourteen minutes a.m., and on the last day two hours thirty-eight minutes a.m. He is near the moon on the 2nd, and again on the 30th.

Partial eclipse of the moon on the 5th, partly visible at Greenwich. It begins at three hours twenty-eight minutes p.m. The middle of the eclipse will be at five hours eight minutes p.m., and the end will be at six hours forty-nine minutes p.m. in longitude 70 deg. E. of Greenwich, and latitude 22 deg. N.

On

High water at London Bridge on the 1st, forty-eight minutes after nine in the morning, and twenty-two minutes after ten in the evening. the last day of the month, twenty minutes after ten in the morning, and fifty-five minutes after ten in the evening.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.

1st. Princess of Wales born, 1844. 14th. Prince Consort died, 1861. 14th. Princess Alice died, 1878. 29th. J. Wickliffe died, 1384.

MUSIC IN NATURE.

I LOVE thee, Twilight!

O'er the harp of thought thy passing wind
Awakens all the music of the mind,
And joy and sorrow, as the spirit burns,
And Hope and Memory sweep the chords
by turns,

While Contemplation, on seraphic wings,
Mounts with the flame of sacrifice and
sings.
Montgomery.

Mutual-Aid Association Reporter.

A WORD TO THE MEMBERS OF DISTRICT SUB-COMMITTEES. MY DEAR BRETHREN,-The Arguseyes of our Association are upon us. As one of the leaders in the van of this fresh impetus I fear that our

efforts may have been impeded because our duties are undefined. I would, therefore, meekly suggest to the first person named on the list for each district-see Magazine for August-the absolute necessity, at once,

of calling his coadjutors together to confer as to the best means of establishing new branches, and animating old ones throughout their respective districts. The ex-president and myself have communicated with every superintendent minister in our two districts. And we hope, with the substantial aid of our beloved colleagues, to do good service to our noble Association. Bee-music in swarming-time is exhilarating; but give me the hum of the honey-hunter as he flits from the flower to the hive. We love to hear the carol of the conversation during our annual gatherings, but the claim to such a privilege shall be proved by a continuous upraising of the voice on behalf of our aged brethren all the year round. Time is short! Our opportunities are narrowing. Each Sub-Committee will have to give account of its stewardship at the next annual meeting. Brethren, be up and doing! Yours in the best of bonds, Aylesbury. JOHN ROSE.

FAVERSHAM, KENT.

From The Mercury.

The anniversary services in connection with the Faversham Branch of the Association were held on Sunday and Monday, September 16th and 17th. Sermons were preached on the Sunday in the Wesleyan Chapels at Faversham, Boughton, and Greenstreet, by Messrs. G. C. Amphlett, J. Rose, and M. L. Clapham, whose discourses were instructive, practical, and impressive.

The public meeting on Monday evening, held in Preston Street Chapel, was presided over by the Rev. C. H. Bishop, and addressed by the deputation and the Rev. John Watsford, of Melbourne, the Australian delegate to the Methodist Ecumenical Conference, lately held in the Wesleyan Chapel, City Road, London.

Mr. Amphlett gave a good description of the principles of the Association, and won the sympathy of the meeting in behalf of the sick and aged local preachers, by many touching statements and appeals.

Mr. Rose, with a speech full of metaphor and humour, delighted the

audience, and prepared the way for a good collection.

The Rev. John Watsford, who has been a missionary in Fiji for eight years, gave a most interesting, instructive, and thrilling account of the superstition, degradation, and cannibalism there, and the almost miraculous triumph of Christianity over such bewildering and repulsive heathenism.. The effect on the congregation was most powerful, as the venerable missionary poured forth the strongest facts with an eloquence of matter and manner, that few present had ever heard surpassed, if equalled.

The Secretary (Mr. A. Humphreys) read the report—

"In the Faversham Branch we have 12 benefit members and 12

honorary members.-Benefit members' subscription, £6 18s.; benefit members' entrance fees, 10s.; honorary members' subscriptions, £12 10s. 6d.; other subscriptions, £3 9s. 6d.; public collections, £14 19s. 2 d. Total amount forwarded to the general committee, £38 17s. 24d.—Amount paid to annuitants, £25 16s.; to sick, £6 10s. Total received from general committee, £32 6s. Members on the funds-Superannuated, 2; sick, 1. -Review of the eight years of the existence of this branch;-Benefit members' subscriptions, £58 19s.; honorary members' subscriptions, £48 11s. 2d.; other subscriptions, £35 Os. 6d,; entrance fees, £28 6s. 6d.; collections in chapels, £86 15s. 11d.; total, £256 17s. 113d. Superannuation allowances, £148 14s.; sick allowances, £34 15s; total, £175 9s. There are 256 branches of the Association; in amount paid to the general committee, Faversham stands fourteenth, and in amount received from general committee 29th.

"The funds of this Association are managed on the most economical and humane principles, the cost of management being practically nothing (there being only one paid agent), and the grants to applicants for annuities being according to their necessities and not (in all cases) according to their desires. Every benefit member, when sick, can claim the sick allowance; but in order to become an annuitant positive necessity must be proved, and the

case is dealt with on its merits; otherwise cases of destitution would be very inadequately relieved.”

This was the most successful anniversary of the Faversham Branch, the collections amounting in the aggregate to £21 3s. 74d.

11, MILL BRIDGE, SKIPTON, Nov. 8th, 1881.

[ocr errors]

DEAR SIR, Stimulated by the friends in the Keighley Circuit, we decided to have a collection throughout this circuit on behalf of the Local Preachers' Mutual-Aid Association. It was named by one of the brethren at the quarterly meeting, and our kind superintendent, the Rev. J. Osborn, gave it his hearty support; it received the sanction of the meeting, and was put upon the Plan to be made on the 24th Oct. In order to make it a success, six local preachers from the Keighley Circuit volunteered their services for the day. Handbills explaining the nature and object of the collection were freely distributed in the various chapels, but unfortunately the weather was very unfavourable, it was a thorough wet day, which accounts for the collections being so small. We have pleasure, however, in handing you £16 Od. 9d. as the result of the day's servics. Yours truly, E. TEALE.

OBITUARY.

Mrs. Plant, the affectionate wife of our Bro. David Plant, Esq., one of the trustees of our Association, died Nov. 3, 1881. She was a good woman, and feared God above many. Her heart and hand were ever ready for every good work. She took a great interest in the Dorcas Society, and was not only an hon. member of the Local Preachers' Mutual Aid, but an active collector for our funds. Her sufferings during her affliction were often great, from which she would pray, in submission to the Divine will, to be delivered. The fear of death was gone, and she looked forward with delight to a glorious resurrection. So our friends are taken from us 66 by one."

one

GENERAL COMMITTEE.

THE monthly meeting was held at the office, 24, Bedford Street, W.C., on Wednesday, 9th November.

Present: The President, W. B. Carter, Wardley, Parker, Turtle, Madder, Chamberlain, Clapham, Sunman, Amphlett, Milsom, J. Carter, Wright, and Sims.

Prayer was offered by Bro. Madder (Ex-president).

The minutes were read and verified. The monthly abstract showed, New members, 34; deaths, 3 members, and 1 wife; sick, 98; annuitants, 169; receipts, £446 9s. 3d.; payments, £429 1s. 11d.

The total receipts since the audit in May from the branches were £1,541 2s. 1d.; and the payments through them were £1,578 10s. Od.; besides payments for working exshowing penses, £180 14s. 1d.; rather a heavy balance on the wrong side of £218 2s. There was a good balance in hand, but the consideration of investing a part of it was deferred till next meeting.

A letter was read from Brother Williamson reciprocating the Committee's good wishes for him and his, and stating that his health being somewhat improved he was able to go out in a bath chair occasionally.

On the motion of Bro. Amphlett, a letter of condolence was directed to be sent to Brother Plant, on the death of his estimable wife.

On the motion of Bro. Turtle, a like letter was ordered to be sent to Brother Dyson (one of the Trustees) on the death of his son.

Bills for rent, printing, and stationery, £14 15s., were ordered to be paid.

Cases from branches were then considered and determined upon :An annuitant applied for an increased allowance, but the application not having come through the Secretary of the branch, the case was ordered to stand over for his opinion thereon.

Brother S. A., of C., aged 71, a local preacher 35 years, is a miner unable to work; he has a wife aged 74. They have had five children, all of whom have large families, which prevent them helping their parents

much. He was in former years in better circumstances, and saved a little money, but that is now all used up. Four shillings a week was voted to him.

Brother J. S., of N., aged 70, a local preacher for 50 years, is a journeyman shoemaker, earning 7s. 6d. to 8s. weekly, and has no other source of income. He suffers from dyspepsia. His wife, aged 67, is an invalid, with bad eyes, and subject to epilepsy. He has one daughter, who pays his subscription to our Association. The local Secretary has known him for 40 years.

Half-a-crown a week was voted to

him.

Brother M. C., of W., aged 72, a local preacher 24 years, is an agricultural labourer, and does a little at times, when able, for which he receives a little pay. He has also a small dole out of some parish land of 60s. a year, or thereabouts. He is a widower.

Resolved, That the brother have 3s. a week at present.

Brother J. J. R., of N., aged 73, a local preacher 48 years, a member of our Association from 1852. Is an engineman, unable to work, from chronic bronchitis. His six children allow him about three shillings a week. The local Secretary says that he has been a laborious and acceptable local preacher, occupying their best pulpits.

Four shillings a week was voted to him.

Brother J. K., of P., aged 74, a local preacher 46 years, is a farm labourer, now out of work. He suffers much sickness from a sunstroke, hernia, a broken elbow, and maimed arm, and a lamed knee. He has a wife, aged 49, and four children, one of whom is at home. He went out from home harvesting, but all the money he brought back was required for rent on his return.

Five shillings a week was voted to him.

Sister B., of T., aged 72, is the widow of a brother; she is almost blind, and the parish allow her 2s. 6d. weekly.

Half-a-crown weekly was voted to

her.

Another half-crown was voted to Sister F. B., of F., who also receives 2s. 6d. weekly from the parish.

Brother Milsom was authorised to endeavour to form a new branch at Wellington.

Several letters were read and duly considered.

Bro. Chamberlain reported, That the Deed of Trust was engrossed and signed by one trustee, and the other trustees had had notice to do so as soon as possible. He also reported that the wish of the Annual Meeting for the insertion of the names of all the trustees could not be complied with.

The President stated that Brothers Cole, Turtle, and himself, had arranged to visit Newark, and asked for Rules, &c. for distribution among the local preachers.

It was stated that arrangements are being made for various public meetings.

Brother Turtle stated that friends at Leicester had written for instructions respecting next Annual Meeting.

Brother Amphlett reported that the deputation had had a successful time at Faversham; and the collections were larger than before.

The next meeting was fixed to be at Brother A. R. Johnson's, 101, Long Acre, on Wednesday, 14th December. Brother Parker closed the meeting with prayer.

DEATHS.

Oct. 11, 1881. Mary Petts, Bakewell, 2nd Branch, aged forty-three years. She died fully trusting in Jesus her Saviour. Claim £4.

Oct. 16, 1881. Thomas Archer, Scarborough Branch, aged fifty-six years. He died resting his entire hope on the love of Jesus. Claim £6.

Oct. 18, 1881. William Trustram, Southwark Branch, aged fifty-eight years. He had a firm trust in Christ his Saviour, and in God his Father. The last word he uttered was "Father." Claim £8.

Oct. 19, 1881. Philip Haddrell, Melksham Branch, aged eighty years. No particulars. He had been an annuitant ninety one weeks, and received £24 14s. Claim £4.

Oct. 21, 1881. William Mead, High

« ПретходнаНастави »