The Express.
London, England, 1868-12-17 00:00:00

UNITED lINODOM .841.11 01P HOPE UNION.

Last night the =mud soiree of tho members
and friends of this society, of which Mr. 8. Morley, M.P.,
is president, took pima at the Freemasons' Tavern, Groat
Queen-street. Prior to the public meeting, tea, coffee,
and refreshments were served in the great hall. Mr. B.
Witirwourn, M.P., presided at the meeting; and amongst
those precast were the Venerable Arebdeacon Sand-
ford, Bev. 8. WAR (Principal of Hackney College),
Rev. D. Burns, M.A., ftev. G. M. Murphy, Dr. &add,
do. The objects contemplated by this society may be
briefly stated. They desire to form new Bends of Rope,
said assist, as far ea means will allow, such as are at pre-
sent in existence; to employ authors of acknowledged
talent In the production of works adapted to the present
state of the movement ; to circulate sword publications
on the linked ; to employ agents qualified to interest the
young, and to organise, on aright bale, local Bands of Hope.
From • statement which was read by the Rev. G. W.
M'Cree, secretary, it appears that the progress of the
movement during the peat year has been gratifying and
full of promise. There has been an evident desire on the
Fart of ministers of all denominations, schoolmasters,
superintendents, and teachers in Sunday-schools, and
every other class of Christians, to afford increasine support,
both pecuniary and moral, to the society. It dust be
admitted, however, that there is still urgent need for
greater real and liberality, in order that the movement
may surmount de obstacles which retard its consummation.
The committee, therefore, urge the importance of an im-
mediate and large increase of the funds placed at their
disposal. Every day shows them new spheres of labour,
which they might, and would, at once occupy, if the ne-
cessary funds (for agents, deputations, conferences, and
publications) were placed 111 their bands. Were the income
of the Union doubled, it would not exceed the present de-
mands upon the committee for the occupancy
of fresh spheres of exertion and the adoption of
accessible modes of extending the movement throughout
the country. Applications for sermons, addresser, con-
ferences, and aid of other kinds, are incessantly coming
from every Fart of the metropolis and the provinces, and
it is only in consequence of the small income of the Union
that the committee are prevented from doing what they
desire, and their friends and fellow labourers recommend.
• band of juvenile collectors, assisted by older friends,
has been organised, and during the year they have ob-
tained the sum of 1101. 11s. &I. The number of publica-
tions sold during the last year has been 42,961 pledge
cards, 31,899 melody books, 3,750 recitations, 1,086 tune
books, besides a large number of tracts, tickets, certifi-
cates, dc. The income for the year has amounted to
1,2331. Ile. 4d., while the expenditure has been 1,2321.
Os. bd. In conclusion the committee express unabated
confidence in the scientific truth, exalted lhumanity, and
religious sanctions of their principles, and their ultimate
diffusion and victory. After the reading of the report,
several friends of the Union delivered adsresses in aid of
its objects. During the evening a choir, composed of
members of the Red Lion-square Blind Choral Clam, sang
a selection of pieces under the direction of Mr. G. T.
Pyne, Mr. H. Chapman presiding at the pianoforte. The
proceedings appeared to afford great gratification and in-
terest to a large and attentive audience.