NEW ZEALAND.

From our Brother Bowron.

FROM the far-off land Brother Bowron wrote some time ago, "I wonder what I have done to Brother Parker that I have not had certain numbers of the LOCAL PREACHERS' MAGAZINE." I wrote, in reply, that I had sent them. He writes me on the 13th August last," that they have all turned up, though out of due course." I asked him to give us something for our Magazine. He replied: Well, my brother, I will give you a few Sketches of New Zealand and its life, when I get a little time.”

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He says: "We have just passed

through one of our severe winters, but although the snow fell two or three times, it melted away before noon; such are our most severe winters. It suits me well, and Mrs. Bowron has never had any winter cough which used to disturb her in the old country, and she is delighted with the change.'

God's Providence seems to have followed our brother into his distant home. He had made arrangements, and everything was packed up for the journey, to bring his young daughter over here to undergo an operation; but he thought he heard, not an audible voice, but God did speak; "Don't go," and laid His hand upon the father and daughter, and they were both taken ill and unable to leave their beds, and the vessel sailed without them; but as soon as the vessel was gone they both got well, and it was found that it was not necessary that an operation should take place; and to use his own words, "Here she is, well and busy, doing her work; and I am writing to my Brother Parker."

What are we to say to these things? There was over there, "Don't go." From this country there was a telegram sent, "Don't come;" but it would have arrived too late, if God had not interposed and laid them upon a sick bed and as much as said, "You shan't go.

Brother Bowron says: "I have

plenty of work, no Sundays idle; but my old sermons, I thought, did not take here, so I relegated them to the flames." I suppose our brother's new stock will partake of the richness and freshness of his new country, and if ever they should be published, may I be alive to read them!

My letter was enclosed with one to Brother Sims; and in addition to his preaching he says: "I get more work than I can do, in connection with the Sunday Schools, Bands of Hope, and Juvenile Missionary Gatherings, &c." So our brother is not a drone, but a real worker; may he be long spared and made abundantly useful. PHILIP PARKER.

NEW HONORARY MEMBERS. Mr. James Clegg, Huddersfield. Mr. C. W. Keighley, Huddersfield. W. Smith, Esq., Nottingham. Mr. Thos. Parker, Nottingham. Mr. J. W. Walton, Witton-le-Wear. W. O. Smith, Esq., Barnstable,

NORTHAMPTON 1st BRANCH.

THE annual meeting was held on Monday, October 3rd, 1881, in Gold Street Chapel. There was a public tea in the afternoon, the trays being presided over by the ladies of the congregation and friends. A goodly number sat down. Subsequently a public meeting was held, Mr. D. Sherwell in the chair. Before the commencement of the meeting, the Rev. J. B. Charles made a feeling allusion to the loss they had sustained in the death of Mr. Vincent Mathews, who, as many of our readers know, died suddenly, whilst on his way to Gold Street Chapel. Deceased was a man much respected by the brethren, and was also a member of the Local Preachers' Mutual Aid Association. Mr. Sherwell, after expressing his pleasure at being with them, read the report. The local branch numbers 32, eight of whom are honorary members. £38 16s.

has been paid to sick members during the past year, and £22 to superannuated members. Collected during the year from benefit members, £16 10s., and from honorary members and subscribers, £24 3s. 4d. The offertories at the services on Sunday amounted to £8 9s. 9d. at Gold Street, and £6 15s. 83d. at Regent Square. Mr. Sherwell expressed his sorrow that their worthy secretary, Mr. Lenton, who had been with them at their annual meetings for so many years, was absent to-night through illness. Mr. Cooper addressed the meeting in a happy strain, and was followed by Mr. Gibbins, of Harpole, who detailed his experiences at the central meeting of the Association at Sheffield. Rev. Mr. Walker expressed his sympathies with the objects of the Association, and thought it was a shame to Methodism that any of their members, especially those who had been local preachers, should have to go to the parish for relief in their old age. The Chairman said the Society was carried on after the manner of an insurance society, and that its funds, to the amount of £12,200, were invested in Government Consols. Mr. Pinney mentioned another highlyrespected brother who had died during the past year-Mr. Pickford, of Moulton. Mr. Belson gave address, and was followed by the Rev. J. B. Charles, who said he was a local preacher once, and was almost sorry he left their ranks. He hoped the brethren who were engaged in the work would feel the responsibility of their office, and he impressed upon them, especially the younger members, the necessity of preparing their sermons carefully, and never to preach without they had carefully thought out their discourse. Messrs. Wilson and Perkins gave addresses, and the meeting terminated with the customary votes of thanks.

OBITUARY.

an

February 14, 1881. Mr. B. North, for many years a devoted friend of Local Preachers, and a liberal supporter of the Mutual-Aid Association, in connection with the High Wycombe

Branch. Not only was he always ready with his own subscription of five pounds per annum, but by preaching and lectures has raised considerable sums for us. He died in his 71st year. Thus our friends pass away when we seem most to need them. Who will fill the vacancy?

GENERAL COMMITTEE.

THE monthly meeting was held at the office, No. 24, Bedford Street, on Monday, 10th October.

Present: Bros. Durley (chair), Amphlett, J. Carter, Jameson, Chamberlain, Sims, A. R. Johnson, Wright, Captain Smith, Wardley, Cropper, Parker.

Prayer was offered by Bro. Captain Smith.

The minutes were read and confirmed.

The monthly abstract was read, showing receipts £101 10s. 3d.; payments £331 6s. 6d.; New members, 12; deaths, 8, and 1 wife; sick, 105; annuitants, 167.

Total receipts from branches since the audit in May last £1,094 12s. 10d.; payments to branches £1,149 8s. 1d.

Bro. J. E., of D., aged 68; who has been receiving 3s. weekly since July, 1879, having become unable to earn anything from chronic rheumatism and bronchitis, and our help being all he has to live upon, was voted 6s. a week in future.

Bro. W. C., of A., aged 70 years; an agricultural labourer who used to earn 11s. a week, but is now unable to do anything for a livelihood, having lost the use of his left arm, applied for help. He has been a local preacher for 39 years, and is much respected in the neighbourhood. Resolved, That this brother have 6s. weekly.

Bro. G. H., of K., aged 58 years; a local preacher 43 years; also applied. He has been a miner; he lost a leg some 16 years since, and has gone since then to his appointments on crutches; he earns nothing, but the parish allows him 2s. 6d. a week, He is a widower; has 6 children, but none able to assist

him. Resolved, That the brother have 5s. a week.

Letter read from Newark, respecting the formation of a new branch there. The letter was referred to the president with a request that he would attend as a deputation, or send some brother or brothers from Sheffield.

The entrance fee of a brother over 70 was fixed at 10 guineas.

The like amount was fixed for another brother aged 69.

Reports of sub-committees were received, considered, and approved. Reports were also received respecting future meetings in our behalf.

The General Secretary was requested to write to Bro. Williamson, who has been so long laid aside by affliction.

Also to Bro. Plant, with a hope that we may shortly see him again.

The Treasurer mentioned Mr. Wild's Gift; the following resolution was passed. Resolved, That a circular be drawn up and sent to each member of the committee asking for contributions to Mr. Wild's Gift, in order that the £1,000 required may be speedily raised; so that each annuitant may receive 10s. at Christ

Preacher 55 years in the Ripon, Knaresbro, and York Circuits. While able to preach he was a clear exponent of the Word of Life, and retained the vigour of his intellect to the last, leaving a clear testimony that he was going to be with Jesus.

Sept. 12, 1881. William Fowler, Leicester, 1st branch, aged 57 years. Happy in Jesus. Claim £6.

Sept. 16, 1881. Robert Moulton, Chatteris 2nd Branch, aged 69 years. Trusting and resigned to the last, testifying that he was "Safe in the arms of Jesus." Claim £8.

Sept. 23, 1881. Mark Clipsham, Sleaford Branch, aged 63 years. His end was peace. Claim £8.

Sept. 23, 1881. George Cutting, Diss Branch, aged 68 years. He fell asleep in Jesus. He had been an Annuitant 384 weeks, and received £57 198. Claim £2.

Sept. 25, 1881. John Murgatroyes, Shipley Branch, aged 87 years. He was much respected and loved by all who knew him, and died happy in God. He had been an Annuitant 394 weeks and received £82 2s. Claim £1.

Oct. 2, 1881. Vincent Matthews, Northampton 1st Branch, aged 64 years. Death suddenly overtook him when on his way to Gold Street Chapel for the morning service. When about half way to the chapel, he passed to the higher service of heaven. He was a good man, a faithful leader, and an acceptable preacher, for more than 40 years. Our loss is his gain. Claim £8. Oct. 5, 1881. Robert Sykes, Hull Branch, aged 74 years. He died in peace. Claim £6.

Oct. 6, 1881. George Scarsbrook, Oxford Branch, aged 76 years. His mind was unclouded, faith unshaken, and his confidence in the life eternal full and clear. Claim £8.

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