The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-11-08 00:00:00

WESLEYAN CIRCUIT MEETINO.

Weymouth Circuit seems resolved to use all means
in order to get • revival and • fresh start. A debt of
£2OO is somewhat to be regretted if it were not owed
by Wesleyans, who are said almost to thrive on debt,
partly on account of the increased stimulus it gives
them in seeking to pay it off. But they have also
used the very evident means of reducing their expenses,
for one minister only is appointed, instead of two, as
formerly, and the local preachers, who will have to
work harder, take kindly to the prospect.
An unusually good meeting was held on Wednesday,
, and it was after a tea and • gathering of society, at
which the country branches seemed, if we may judge
from the speaking, to have gathered in good spirit to
the help of the centre in St. Edmund-street. The
public meeting was presided over by Mr. J. A. sherteo,
circuit steward, supported by the tier. W. Andrews,
the new minister, Rey. George Banyall, Mr. J. Otter,
Broadwey, Mr. Symonds, Broadwey, Mr. Masters,
Mr. Blin, ecc., and the friends owned • special provi•
dance in the Bev. Alexander Macaulay, en-president
of the Conference was also there, ready to give an
unusually interesting character to the platform.
Tee CHAIIIMAN spoke of the great pleasure he had
in meeting the members, and did not want the present
one to be entirely occupied with finance., for they
had something higher to do than providing funds.
Acknowledging that a balance of £2OO stands, yet debt
was nothing now, and he showed how the debt had
been increasing sod decreasing in a kind of ebb and
flow since 18&5. Having 250 members of society, the
present debt was not much divided amongst them, and
they most adopt the old Cornish motto, with which they
had on a former occasion decanted their pillars—
" One and AIL^ Now let them try to get upon this
meeting the blessing of God, without which
" Our beet concerted sobsenes are vain,
And never nen succeed.'

Mr. Burl gave an encouraging speech, wherein he
referred to the glorious (Frattoeuical Conference
where gathered 100 delgeates, representing 5,000,000
society member ,1 and 20,000,000 attendanta at
Wesleyan Chapels, and with joy he reminded us that
though there had been numerous separations among
Methodists, none wee on account of doctrine; brit all
au question' of church government.
Rev. G. RANYILLL gave encouraging instances of
revival, and energy, from his experience in Barbados',
and _

kfr. Orem, of Broadvrey, delivered an Inapiring
speech, claiming for the country branches a fuU share,
for, said he—" iii. our tea and our meeting," and he
Imp awed on them the love and oars of God as shown
In the text—" The Lord's portion is His people. '
The Het% W. ANDS.' 8 and Mr. &Dioxin.
Broadwey, having briefly addresaed the meeting, the
Ex-President the Rev. ALIXANDIR MACAULAT said
oe was pleased with the beautiful chapel, nice lIChOUI.
7uom, and good company, and said twould take a
teener eye than his to discover a better circuit
Methodism has spread because it hag been aggrewive
and uneelfieh ; let the town supply men for the
country, and the country for the t.wu. Class meetings
were another cause of success ; nome people think the
dam meeting they get into a little heaven, and
it out of thinking e 3. (Applause.) In the COW sa of
an excellent speech, he said the debt of 400 be rathe
slighted ; at the first thanksgiving service he gave £3,
mod e II his library t tha-, an! people thought
Elm cracked; but at another he was able to give £9OO.
God, he did not think, wee honoured by little gifts,
yet a friend of his gave 10s. t • Methodist Chapel ;
Ms wife said that "That 10s. is gone for nothing,"
but the man was converted, and afterwards gave
£I,OOO aa • thank-offering f3r 30 children and grand-
children, and not a black cheep amongst them.
Erb...4og them to stand up firmly, he said—" When
asked fo go to doubtful plaret, say straight out 'I am
a Methodist,' and you will be respected; but, if you
crave t 3 be excused for your religion, they will give
you a kick, and you'll deserve it." (Applause.)
Mr. MASTIRM expressed hip pleasure and spoke of
the good done in the Park chapel, which over and
over repaid for it. building.
Votes of thanks to the Chairman and to Mr.
Macaulay were passed, and the latter in responding
said nothing would give a b3tter introductien through-
out the world than a Methodist ticket. A young
man had sent up ss. to London for directions how
to make his fortune, and one of the pieces of advice
given him eras—' Join the We.leyans." (Laughter.
lie pointed out the true spirit in which tarry should
join, and the blessing that would come.
Mr. Hutchings WY &lel heartily thanked, in con-
nection with the tea.
Several hymns were sung, Mrs Cole presiding at the
haranoaluw.