DEAR BRETHREN,-It is with sincere gratitude to Almighty God that we have so many tokens of the goodwill of our ministers toward us and our cause. The following was received this morning (Dec. 18).

"MY DEAR SIR,-I have sincere pleasure in sending you a Money Order for £1 1s., my subscription to the Local Preachers' Mutual-Aid Association. Be kind enough to acknowledge receipt.

"I often fear that in London and the large towns of the kingdom the days of the Local Preachers are numbered; but I gladly indulge the hope that, in country circuits, there will be, for many years to come, a soul-saving band worthy of their noble ancestry. Things are strangely altered since I, at seventeen years of age, first had the audacity to attempt to preach.

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With affectionate regards, "I am, yours truly, "WESLEYAN MINISTER."

Things are strangely altered since the time above referred to, but we had not then what we now have, viz., A Local Preachers' Mutual-Aid Association. There was more work, but no care for the workmen.

GEORGE SIMS.

Most of our readers, we believe, look forward to the annual utterances of our old men. Ten of these have died during the year. From these we have heard the last expression of gratitude for Mr. Wild's gift. The youngest of these old men who have died was 73 and the oldest 85 years. Their average age being about 77 years; and the total amount given to these veterans from the fund was £746 178. 6d., the lowest amount taken by any one was £26, and the highest £160 12s. It is a good plan of our General Secretary to record the age and the amount received by each up to the time of death. The largest amount taken, £160 12s., embraced a period of 802 weeks.

We will now proceed to notice what some of these old veterans have to say in acknowledgment of Mr. Wild's gift.

the prayer-meeting. I do wish my brethren would take in our LOCAL PREACHERS' MAGAZINE, I find in it food for the mind.

No. 39

I beg most gratefully to acknowledge the usual boon of 10s., as the annual Christmas Gift, left to his aged brethren, by James Wild, Esq. My heart swells with joy to find others, here and there, are joining the ranks as honorary members; and my prayer is that their lives may be spared to serve the best interests of this country for many years to come. The preachers have long known the sterling liberalism of Enoch Baldwin, Esq., M.P.-Yours, T. F., 80 years of

age.

No. 40

I beg to acknowledge the 10s. you so kindly sent me, the Christmas Gift of our late brother Wild. I was much moved when the 10s. came, having once been in company with Mr. Wild at Hamersmith, he kindly asked me to his house.

I have been the subject of great losses and much affliction, or I should not have applied to our God-like Association for help. I have been a local preacher 45 years, and a member of our Association 30 years last July..

GENERAL COMMITTEE. MINUTES of Committee Meeting, held at our Office on Monday evening, January 10th, 1881:

Present: Bro. C. S. Madder (President) in the chair. Bros. J. Carter, Milsom, Sunman, Clapham, Amphlett, Wardley, Harding, Parker, Cropper, Wright, Sims and Johnson.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Bro. Milsom. In the enforced absence, through ill-health, of the Hon. Sec., Bro. Johnson was requested to take the Minutes.

On the motion of Bro. Johnson a unanimous vote of sympathy was ordered to be conveyed to Bro. Chamberlain.

The Chairman gave a short account of his visit to the North of England

with Bro. Benson, the latter of whom had met with a severe accident. The Committee were glad to be informed that he was recovering as speedily as could be expected.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The monthly abstract was read, showing receipts £178 10s. 6d.; payments, including bills, £235 2s. 7d.

The total receipts from branches since the audit in May were £1,932 19s. 4d., and the payments through them were £1,642 3s. 7d., besides working expenses.

There had been added during the month 22; died, 3 members and 2 wives; sick, 114; superannuated, 160.

On the motion of Bro. Harding, the volumes of our Magazine for 1878, 1879, and 1880, if in stock, were voted for the Penge Library.

The President read letters he had received from friends, one of whom (a Churchman) had generously sent £5 to our funds.

Bills amounting to £12 1s. 6d. were presented, and ordered to be paid.

CASES FROM BRANCHES.

J. P., of L., aged 65, applied for superannuation; local preacher 46 years. A tailor by trade, but unable to work except earning a few shillings occasionally; suffers from bronchitis ; wife dead; has five children, none of whom can help him. Recommended by Local Secretary and Circuit Minister. Resolved, That he have 5s. per week.

J. C., of W., aged 84 years; local preacher 60 years, applied for superannuation. Has 2s. 6d. per week from the parish, out of which he has to pay 1s. for rent; has no relations to help him and can earn nothing. The Local Secretary says, "The branch strongly recommend the case and hope the Committee will allow him all they can." Resolved, that the brother have 6s. per week.

At this point the President was compelled to leave, and at his request the Ex-president took the chair.

T. R., of W., aged 83, an annuitant since October, 1869, at 4s. per week, now asks for more. Has been a mole catcher, and had for many years more than 30,000 acres to look over annually, but now can do nothing.

Nearly lost his life six months ago by the bursting of a blood-vessel. Lives in lodgings, paying 2s. 6d. per week for lodging and washing. Still preaches; wife dead; seven children, all married with families, one a widow with five children requiring help. Resolved, That he have 6s. per week in future.

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J. P., of K., aged 73; an annuitant from January 1872 at 2s.; advanced in May, 1875, to 4s.; now asks the Committee to allow him. 28. additional. He is ill and can do nothing. Local preacher 46 years. Local Secretary says, The 4s. is all he has to depend upon, and in addition, his daughter who lives with him is an invalid and unable to earn anything. He hopes the Committee will do all they can." Resolved, That he have 6s. per week.

The next meeting to be held at Bro. Wright's, Frimley Villa, Plumstead, on Wednesday Evening, Feb. 9th, at half-past five o'clock,

The meeting closed with prayer by Bro. Amphlett.

DEATHS.

Dec. 13, 1880. James Cunliff, Lincoln Branch, aged forty years. He died resting on the atonement of the Saviour. Claim £8.

Dec. 18, 1880. Martha Gray, Framlingham Branch. Her end was peaceful and happy. Claim £3.

Dec. 21, 1880. George Roberts, Brigg Branch, aged seventy-four years. The circuit minister says, "He was

one of the best men he ever knew. A local preacher, leader of two classes, and teacher in the Sabbath school. He spent much time in visiting the sick. It may be said, he was always in the front ready to do his part in every good work, yet free from ostentation. An humble, earnest, warm-hearted Christian. No one was more highly respected by all classes, and all denominations. When his end came he was found ready, and rejoiced in the prospect of going home." Claim £8.

Jan. 2, 1881. Mrs. Bott, Wellington Branch, aged sixty-one years. No particulars. Claim £4.

Jan. 3, 1881. J. Pitts, Witney Branch, aged forty-six years. No particulars. As this brother had not been a member twelve months, what he had paid was refunded.