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least amongst his gifts was the President's Box. While it had been in his care it had never been "To let." It was introduced to all visitors at his own home. The first thing he did for the old men was to preach from the text on the Box, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." He hoped that the new President would do good service in his year of office, and that God would bless him abundantly in his work.

Brother Johnson here took the chair, and stated that the brethren would not expect any lengthened remarks at that period. He was but comparatively a young member; but he thanked them heartily for the honour they had conferred. He seriously questioned where they would get another President like the last to travel five or six thousand miles at his own expense. But he was surrounded by good colleagues. His heart was entirely with the objects of the Association, and he would endeavour to imitate the example of his predecessor in making its objects known, His happiest friendships had been formed amongst Local Preachers; amongst whom he had been numbered for twenty-three years. He had known what the dreary part of a Local Preacher's life was. He, like others, had read hard books, and dry books; had written late at night and early in the morning; but he had known the joys of the Local Preacher's life too, and he felt that there was no higher joy than to preach the Gospel to his fellows; and he could heartily sing

"Happy, if with my latest breath,

I may but gasp His name;
Preach Him to all, and cry in death,
Behold, behold the Lamb."

Bro. A. R. Johnson moved, and Bro. Dr. Aldom seconded, That our best thanks be given to Bro. C. S. Madder for the efficient manner in which he has discharged the duties of the Presidency. This having been carried with acclamation, Bro. Madder responded, declaring that the thanks did not all belong to him. He was thankful for the confidence of his brethren. He had not done all he

wanted. He had not done all he might had he had the co-operation he had expected. But others had helped. Bro. Benson had gone all over Eng. land with him. Bro. Milsom had been with him to Plymouth, and Swindon, and other places in the South. Bro. Rose had gone with him to various Circuits; but they had all done the work for Christ's sake.

The President announced that the Rev. David Barley, the Superintendent of the Carver Street Circuit, was present, and the brethren would doubtless like to hear a word or two from him.

The Rev. Gentleman was warmly greeted; and he congratulated the President on his position, and expressed his sympathy for the brethren in their work. Had he known he would have been called upon to speak, he thought he should have stayed at home, but he was gratified in looking round the assembly and remembering that they were all men of God, doing service for the Master. He had known the cares and anxieties of the Local Preacher's life. He had known what it was to be in business at seven in the morning; and for three months in the year not to leave off work till long past midnight, especially on the Saturday, and then on the following day to have to preach in a neighbouring village. On one occasion he had fairly broken down, but the lady of the establishment where he was brought him some coffee to revive him. But while he knew the trials, he also knew the joys that Local Preachers had. The Master was pre-eminently with them. One occa sion was conspicuously present to his mind. He had been preaching in the morning in a "strait jacket," and he had to stay and preach to the same congregation in the evening. Trembling like an aspen leaf, he entered the pulpit, and opening the Hymnbook, the first words that caught his eye were

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It had been his privilege to take part in the Services of the Association at its meeting in Hull. There were not many whom he knew in the flesh, but he was heartily glad to welcome them all; and it seemed to him that if there were any who were particularly dear to the heart of God, it was the wornout local preacher, who was laid aside from active service; who, in necessity, was calmly waiting for the dawn of the eternal day. He was glad to hear that the President, looking to the rules, had the objects of the Association steadily before him, and was determined to prosecute them. Who could find fault with the Local Preachers' Mutual-Aid Association? He was glad to know that it was not drooping or dying out; and he trusted that it would have yet greater vivacity and power. They were in the true apostolic succession; souls were saved through their instrumentality, and he trusted they would continue to all time, and at last sing the praises of the Lamb before the Throne of God.

Bro. Milsom proposed, Bro. Madder seconded, That the best thanks of the meeting be given to Bro. Benson for his services during the year. This was carried unanimously, and Bro. Benson responded.

Bro. Madder proposed, Bro. Durley seconded, Bro. Rose supported, a vote of thanks to the Treasurer for his services. This also was carried unanimously, and Bro. J. Carter responded.

Bro. Wright proposed, Bro. Dr. Aldom seconded, Bro. Cossons supported, a vote of thanks to Bros. T. Chamberlain and A. R. Johnson for their services during the year. This motion was passed unanimously, and Bro. A. R. Johnson responded.

Bro. Madder proposed, Bro. Alderman Dowsing seconded, and Bro. Milsom supported, a vote of thanks to Bro. Sims, which, being also unanimously carried, Bro. Sims duly acknowledged.

Hymn 679 was sung, and the President pronounced the benediction.

The Afternoon Session was opened by singing Hymn 500, and prayer was offered by Bro. Waddington.

The Minutes of the Morning Session were read and confirmed.

Bro.Berry, of Faversham, presented the following letter: Botanical Gardens, Geelong, Victoria, Australia,

March 18, 1881.

To the President, Fathers, and Brethren of the Wesleyan Local Preachers' Association, England. Greeting.

Dear Brethren,-We have recently been privileged to have amongst us one of the members of your body whom it has been our delight to honour, and who by his presence at our Aggregate Meeting in Sandhurst, and by his earnest labour in our pulpits during his stay, has greatly endeared himself to us, and whom we have asked to bear to you this expression of our sincere affection.

Brother Benjamin G. Berry, in compliance with that request will, we hope, be spared and enabled at your next Aggregate Meeting to assure you of our deep interest in the work with which you are identified; the eagerness with which we devour the reports published in reference to it; and the endeavour we are making to follow in this colony your example.

Many of our number, while in the dear old land, which we love still to call HOME, were members with you, and although some who were very dear to us have gone from you to the Home above, and also from us to the same blessed rest, others yet remain to transmit to posterity the savour of their names, and to stir up the young men who replenish the ranks to acts of self-denial for the glory of God and the comforting of His saints.

Permit us, then, dear brethren, to express to you through and by, as our representative, Bro. B. G. Berry, our great love to you; and at the same time to say how delighted we should be at any time to welcome to our hearts and homes any brother who may be deputed by you to attend our Annual Meeting, or who may under other circumstances visit this colony.

On behalf and by request of the Wesleyan Local Preachers Association of Australia in Aggregate Meeting assembled, I am, Mr. President, and dear Fathers and Brethren,

Affectionately yours,

JOHN RADDENBERRY, President.

The consideration of this letter was postponed.

Bro. Thompson moved, Bro. Benson seconded, that the Magazine be continued as heretofore. This resolution gave rise to a great deal of discussion, and Bro. Cossons moved an amendment, which was seconded by Bro. Garrett, that the Editorial staff be increased by the addition of Bros. Dr. Aldom, J. Milsom, A. R. Johnson, and J. Lockwood. Bros. Redman, Berry, Milsom, Harding, Ruddock, Madder, Beavan, Lockwood, Hardy, J. Carter and Daws took part in the discussion, and the amendment was carried by a large majority. When put as a substantive motion, it was carried unanimously.

The Scrutineers reported the following elections as members of Committee: H. K. Atkinson 135 votes; J. Neal, 127; Captain J. Smith, 122; S. M. Johnson, 121; J. R. Redman, 111; E. Benson, 100; A. R. Johnson, 97; Alderman Dowsing, 91; M. L. Clapham, 76; J. Towne, 63.

Bro. Rose moved that the best thanks of the meeting be presented to the editors for their past services. This was seconded by Bro. Wright, and carried unanimously. The vote was acknowledged by Bro. W. B. Carter.

Bro. A. R. Johnson then read the "Notices of Motion," and suggestsd that No. 5 should be taken first, as it bore upon all the others. This having been adopted, Bro. Milsom moved, in place of Bro. T. Chamberlain, in whose name the notice stood, "That a clause be added to Rule 59 requiring a majority of two-thirds of votes given before any alteration of the rules can be made."

The 59th Rule is as follows: "The Annual Meeting shall have power only to alter or rescind any of the Rules of the Association at each third meeting after the year 1872. And no motion for altering the Rules shall then be entertained unless notice thereof shall have been given to the General Secretary six month's previously."

The motion was seconded by Bro. Redman, and Bros. Perkins, Benson, Hume, Laycock, J. Carter and Berry took part in the discussion, and the

motion was ultimately carried with two dissentients.

Notice No. 1, also in the name of Bro. T. Chamberlain, was then moved by Dr. Aldom, and seconded by Bro. Harding. "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." Bros. Milsom, Raper, Courtnall, Neal, Daws, and Benson took part in the discussion. Bro. Beavan moved an amendment to leave out the words from "To" to Trustees," and insert in their place the words, "That it be an instruction to the General Secretary." This was seconded by Bro. Raper, and eventually carried. When put as a substantive motion, it was carried with a few dissentients.

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Bro. Milsom moved Notice No. 2. "To add a clause to Rule 29 which shall make all annuitants exempt from the payment of subscriptions.'

Rule 29 is as follows: "A subscription of 12s. per annum shall be paid by each member. The payments to be made quarterly, in the months of January, April, July, and October."

Bro. Hovey seconded the motion, and the question was argued by Bros. Neal, Durley, Garrett, Thompson, W. B. Carter, Madder, Rose, Mitchell, Sails, Bennett, Towne, J. Barratt, and Hardy. Bro. Milsom replied, and 33 voted for the motion, but a large majority voted against it, and it was consequently lost.

Bro. Towne closed the sitting with prayer.

TUESDAY'S SITTING.

ON Tuesday morning the President took the chair at half-past nine. Hymn 659 was sung, the 27th Psalm was read, and Bros. Laycock and Cossons engaged in prayer.

The minutes of Monday afternoon's meeting were read and confirmed.

Bro. Milsom read a letter he had received from Bro. T. Chamberlain.

By permission of the chairman, Bro. Amphlett moved that the following petition be signed by the President, and forwarded to the Right Hon. A. J. Mundella, M.P.

"To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled.

"The humble petition of the Aggregate Meeting of Local Preachers of the Wesleyan Methodist Local Preachers Mutual-Aid Association, representing 2,867 benefit members, and 792 honorary members, assembled at Sheffield, June 21st, 1881,

"Sheweth

"That your petitioners believe that the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sunday is a special source of intemcrime. perance, immorality, and Your petitioners, therefore, pray your honourable House to pass a bill stopping such sale during the whole of Sunday, and your petitioners will ever pray."

The motion was seconded by Bro. Alderman Dowsing, and unanimously carried.

Bro.

Acceding to a special request, the consideration of where the next Annual Meeting shall be, was entered upon, and Bro. Parsons gave a cordial invitation for the next Annual Meeting to be held at Leicester. Collier supported the invitation, as did Bros. Turtle and Towne. Bro. Rose moved, Bro. Gibson seconded, that the invitation be accepted, and it was carried unanimously.

Bro. Madder moved that the question of Ways and Means be considered before the notices of motion were further entered upon. Bro. Rose seconded this. Bro. Amphlett moved that the order of the day be considered. This was seconded by Bro. Cossons, and carried by a large majority.

Bro. Milsom moved the 3rd Notice, which was in the name of Bro. T. Chamberlain, "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 onehalf) to each fund, so sepa

rated.

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.

The motion was seconded by Bro. Beavan. Bros. Cropper, Towne, Benson, Thompson, Hardy, Aldom, Harding, Garrett, and Madder took part in the discussion, and the motion was rejected by a large majority.

Bro. Dyson concluded the sitting with prayer.

The brethren adjourned to the chapel to attend the Sacramental service. It was commenced by the singing of Hymn 433. Prayer was offered by Rev. John Adcock, after which Hymn 430 was sung. An address to the brethren was then given by Rev. Henry Hastling, chairman of the Sheffield District. Hymn 897 was sung, and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered by Revs. H. Hastling, D. Barley, John Pearson, George E. Young, J. Adcock, and J. Thornley.

The service was concluded by the singing of Hymn 912 and prayer.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

THE afternoon session was begun by singing Hymn 672, and Bro, Harding engaged in prayer.

The minutes of the morning meeting were read and confirmed.

Bro. Andrew moved that as time was rapidly passing, the remaining motions be made and voted on without discussion, but not finding a seconder the motion fell through.

Bro. Milsom then moved, and Bro. Wright seconded, that we sit till six o'clock, then adjourn for half an hour, resume business at half-past six, and continue sitting till business is concluded.

Bro. Rose moved as an amendment, that we sit till six, and resume business at half-past nine to-morrow morning. This was seconded by Bro. Durley.

When put to the vote 33 voted for the amendment and 31 against. When put as a substantive motion 33 voted for it, and 40 against.

Bro. A. R. Johnson then moved that we sit till half-past five, resume business at six, and carry on for a reasonable time, if not then finished,

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that we resume at half-past nine tomorrow morning. This having been seconded was put to the meeting, and carried by a large majority.

The subject of Ways and Means was again introduced, and it was resolved that it be at once considered before the "Notices of Motion" be resumed.

Bro. Rose then moved, and Bro. Madder seconded, "That the following names of brethren form a subcommittee in each district of Methodism, with power to add to their number, and with whom the General Committee may from time to time communicate, with the view of facilitating the matter of Ways and Means,' and thereby securing the greater financial success of the Association." (Names read.)

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Bros. Berry, Collier, Cossons, Laycock, Redman, and Milsom took part in the discussion. An amendment was moved that the President, Treasurer, and Secretary of each branch should form a sub-committee for their own neighbourhood, and in the discussion which ensued, besides the brethren already mentioned, Bros. Dixon, Learoyd, Amphlett, Webster, and Leathley took part. Eventually the following list of names was agreed upon, with a few dissentients.

First and Second London Districts -The London Members of the General Committee.

Bedford, Northampton, and Oxford Districts-Bros. Benson, Madder, Rose, Perkins, Milsom, Nash.

Kent District-Bros. Berry, G. Johnson, Kingsland, Richardson, Crouch.

Norwich and Lynn District-Bros. Chamberlin, Daws, Cossons, Bennett, Jermyn.

Portsmouth District-Bros. Jarratt, Herring.

Devonport District-Bros. Dingley, Elliott, and the Camelford Secretary. Cornwall District-Bros. Triggs, Cock, Cardell, and Williams.

Exeter District-Bros. Brooke, Gould.

Bristol District-Bros. Stephens, Beavan, Raper.

Bath District-Bros. Fussell, Line, Bush.

Coleman, Hockey, Lancaster, Dent, Rice.

Macclesfield District-Bros. Hammond, Goodwin, McKee, Allen, Halden.

Liverpool District-Bros. Swasbrick, Ford, Marshall, Pickering, Lloyd, Hazlehurst, Mason.

Manchester District-Bros. Andrew, Twemlow, Leach, Taylor, Rose, Stockton.

Bolton District-Bros. Goodacre, Gaskell, Barlow, Shufflebotham.

Halifax and Bradford DistrictBros. Laycock, Redmund, Garrett, Hawkins, Ruddock, Waddington, Haigh, Sykes.

Leeds District-Bros. Mawson, Tomlinson, M. Atkinson, E. Braimbridge, A. Learoyd.

Sheffield District-The President and Bros. T. Cole, Turtle, Hume, Littlewood, Hovey, Thompson, Marsden.

Nottingham and Derby District— Bros. W. B. Carter, Towne, Rowland, Scoffield, Collier, Barber, Slu

man.

Lincoln District-Bros. Salmon, Haigh, Mawer, Hallam, Burkett, Smith, Wyatt, Oldgate.

Hull District-Bros. Dowsing, Mitchell, Andrew, Tomlinson.

York District-Bros. J. Webster, G. Wain, J. R. Hill, B. Pawson, J. E. Wood.

Newcastle District-Bros. Lawson, Clarke, Scott, Lee, Golightly.

Carlisle District-Bros. Palmer, Westmoreland, Beck.

Whitby and Darlington Districts— The Treasurers and Secretaries of the branches.

Bro. Milsom moved, and Bro. Redman seconded, that the President appoint a Secretary to correspond with these several branches. Agreed.

Bro. Milsom then moved Notice No. 4, "To provide 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."

The motion was seconded by Bro. Parsons.

Bro. Cossons moved as an amend

Birmingham District-Bros. Clay, ment, “That before any action is

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