Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-04-13 00:00:00

WESLEYAN METHODIST MISSIONS,

Last evening, the annual meeting of the Wesleyan
Methodist Mission Society was held in the Brunswick
Chapel, Moss-street. Mr. R. A. Macfie occupied the chair.
The church was well filled, notwithstanding the inclemency
of the weather. Among the gentlemen on the platform, we
observed •the Reps. F. A. West (ex-President of the Con-
ference), W.W. Stamp, G. Scott, T. Vasey, M. M. Wilcox,
H. M. Harvard, J.N. Crankshaw, G. Follows, G. Bowden,
J. Bowman, A. T. James, C. Spensley, G. Osborne, and
Messrs. J. Farworth, S. E. Healey, E. Healey, A Stead,
J. Crowe, E. Davies, and Crook. The meeting was
opened with praise and prayer, after which
The Chairman, in some lengthened remarks, alluded to
the Catholic principles upon which that society was
established. They prayed for a similar society in other
churches, and -he would say that that was reciprocated by
other churches. They were one in the missionary work. In
allusion to the labours of the missionaries, he said, he found by
the report that he- preached in all manner of places, in
churches not decorated as some in this country. He re-
gretted to see that some of the English and other peoples,
were giving their churches into the hands of architects
who were endeavouring to introduce paintings and images
into the churches. (Hisses.) It was the business of architects
to build places of worship, and not temples. It was one of the
greatest evils that chu' ches were thrown into the hands of
professional men. Let them tell those men that they were
thankful for their help, but it was their business to follow
instructions. (Applause.) He then alluded to the com-
parative smallness of the subscriptions from the district of
Liverpool, and, ou the whole, the contributions were not
such as the committee desired. The great cry of
the report which he held in his hand, was that
there were too few labourers la the field, and yet
few societies were mere largely blessed with conversions.
When the chairman had concluded his remarks he called
npon the
Rev. Mr. Wilcox to read the annual report, by
•which it appeared that there were connected with the
society 493 central or principal stations, 3,903 chapels and
preaching stations, 693 ministers, and assistant missionaries,
including 23 supernumeries, 985 other paid agents, as cate-
chists, interpreters, and day school teachers, &c. ; 11,703
unpaid agents, as Sabbath school teachers, t.c. ; 121,479
full and accredited church members, 8,234 on trial for
church membership,' 113,601 in day and Sabbath schools,
and eight printing establishments.
Mr..lclealey read the statement of accounts, by which it
appeared that the total contributions for the year were
£4,128, being an increase on the previous year of £432.
The income of the parent society, he mentioned, was last
year £129,000, being an increase of £6,000 on the previous
year. (Applause.)
The Rev. 11. P. James, of Howe, was called upon to more
the adoption of the report. He moved a resolution to the
effect that the report just read be adopted, printed, and ,
circulated., and that that meeting devoutly and cordially
acknowledged the multiplied evidence of the Divine approval
of the operations of .that society. ,
The Rev. George Smith seconded the resolution, after
making a very able speech.
The Rev. George Ooshorne supported the resolution, and
at the conclusion of his speech, he advised all those who
might be waited on by candidate for parliamentary
honours, to ask them whether it was quite right that the
British Power should be exercised on behalf of Heathen
worship in India, and if the prestige of Great Britain
should be exercised to maintain customs which could not
be spoken of at that or any public meeting, and
whether they thought that Hindoo lads in a
school, maintained at the government expense,
had not a right to be allowed to read the Bible if they
wanted to do so ? He would have no force, all he wanted
was liberty.
The Rev. Calvert Spensley, late missionary for Natal,
and the Rev. Thomas Vasey, of Leeds, addressed the
meeting.
A collection was then taken up.
A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, on the
motion of the Rev, F. A. 'West, seconded by Mr. R. S. Crook,
and, the meeting was then dismissed by prayer.

Wiria is the difference between a blind man and a sailor
in prison ?—One can't see to go, and the other can't go to sea.
Pedagogue to pupil—" Is there any way you can change
father into uncle, in English ? " " I don't think of any, '
replied young Hopeful, " unless you can get him to marry
aunt. "

A landlord observing a guest sitting so near the fire as to
endanger his clothes, cried out, " Sir, you will burn your
stockings !" " Why, " replied the stranger, "do you not
say my boots ? " " Because they are burnt already."
To SHIPPERS AND EXPORTERS.— A most profitable
article of export, to warm climates especially, tire the Self-
cleansing Charcoal Filters, patented by Messrs, Saunders
and Co., of 16, Parker-street, Liverpool—in fact they are
invaluable wherever there is bad water. S. and Co. allow
a liberal discount on export and wholesale orders.