Widnes Examiner. — 1898-04-15 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

WESLEYAN FOREIGN MISSIONS.  The annual foreign missionary services in connection with Bold-street Wesleyan Church were held on Sunday and Good Friday. Missionary sermons were preached on Sunday, morning and evening, by the Rev. William Potts, superintendent minister. Collections were taken at each service on behalf of the Wesleyan Foreign Missionary Society. On Good Friday morning, a missionary Service was held in the church, commencing at 11 a.m. The preacher for the occasion was the Rev. Jabez Bridge, of the Hull Mission, and a re'urned missionary from West Africa. At night, a wellattended public meeting was held. The roceedings were presided over by Mr. John Hartley, and he was supported on the platform by the Revs. Jabez Bridge, William Potts, G. Harbottle, and W. G. Triggs. and Messrs. William Silcock, and John Taylor. After a hymn, and prayer by the Rev. W. G. Triggs, The Rev. W. Porrs in introducing Mr. Hartley, said they were exceedingly glad that Mr. Hartley had consented to take the chair. He did not think there was anyone in the circuit who had a better right to it, through his long amclation with that sanctuary and the aojoining school,. . _ _ _  The'Cliarn.meN called upon the Rev. G. Harbottle to present the report. In doing so Mr. Harbottle said the rmorts for 1897 were not yet to hand, and they most therefore take the 1898 report. The total income was £127,858 7s. sd, which was £129 13s. 51, in advance of the income of the previous twelve months. The debt of £963 83. 101, had been reduced to £834 153 31 The total amount subscribed by the V.T.srriagton circuit was £192 14s. lid. In addition to that the Women's Auxiliary raised £l4 14s 9i. (Applause.) In the mission field they had 230 central stations, and 370 missionaries and assistant missionaries. Other paid missionary servants numbered 2,859, and there were also 5841 unpaid aeente. The accredited church members num. bered 44,573,and there were 9,895 on trial. The scholars attending day and Sunday schools numbered 88,542. Their missions in Germany had been transferred to the Methodist Episcopal Church of America. In Italy they were maintaining their missions in groat efficiency. He was sure none of ttPm would like the Wesleyan Missionary Society to withdraw from such a Roman Catholic country as Italy. After referring to the work in Spain and India, the rev. gentleman proceeded to refer to China. He remarked that the present difficulties in China had boon precipitated by missionary work. It was owing to the murder of a missionary there that the German Emperor seivd a port, and that hastened the action of Russia. He felt that these changes which were happening in China must have an immense influence on the progress of the work of Goi in that land. In conclusion he expressed the wish that the collection would be as good as on the missionary anniversary last year. The amount subscribed in that circuit during 1897 was £243 Is. TJ. which was £1 103. in advance of the previous year, but by retrenchment in expenditure they had been enabled to send £5 103, more to the Mission house. (Applause.) Speeches were afterwards delivered by the Chairman and the Rev. Jabez Bridge and others.