VALEDICTORY TEA-PARTY. ADVANTAGE was taken of the passage of the Rev. W. Cocker through Liverpool, on his way to Canada, to get up a valedictory tea-party in his honour. For this purpose, Hope Hall, a spacious room, and central alike to the town and the circuit, was taken, and sundry means to render the undertaking successful were adopted. On Friday, April 27, the event, eagerly anticipated and anxiously prepared for by many, took place, when about 300 persons took tea together in the rooms underneath the hall. The tea was admirably served by the keeper of the hall, and social enjoyment seemed to be a bodily presence which every one present embraced. Socially considered, it was "good to be there.' After tea the assembly adjourned to the hall, where, after devotional exercises, the Rev. W. Baggaly took the chair, supported on the right by the guest of the evening, and on the left by our honoured friend, the Rev. George Scott (Wesleyan), of Newcastle-on-Tyne. The President's speech was pithy and practical, giving a fine key-note to the subsequent addresses. The Rev. J. Stokoe then read a report, in which he traced the rise, progress, power, and prospects of the Canadian mission; adverted, in terms of fitting eulogy, to the Revs. J. Addyman, Dr. Crofts, and J. H. Robinson, as its worthy superintendents; and ended with the earnest prayer that Mr. Cocker, his wife, and little son might be safely conveyed over the restless waters of the Atlantic to their Canadian home and missionary work. In the expression of the prayer at the close of the report, a sympathetic feeling ran, as on electric wires, through the assembly, and then relieved itself in an outburst of hearty and lengthened applause. The meeting was afterwards addressed by the Rev. J. Hargreaves (Wesleyan), in a speech of great catholicity, fraternal feeling, and manly humour; the Rev. W. K. Moore, M.A. (Scotch Free Church); the Revs. G. Scott, W. Cocker, and A. M'Curdy. The good fellow in history who exhibited a stone, as a specimen of the mansion he had for sale, was as likely to succeed in his object as any extracts, however select and expressive, from these speeches, to convey an adequate idea of their variety, pathos, and practical bearing as a whole. At times the meeting was characterized by the fire and fervour of a love-feast, and, again,

by the energy and enthusiasm of a missionary meeting. Particularly under the tender and touching observations of Mr. Scott and Mr. Cocker, who, within twelve hours of the time they were speaking, had to embark for Canadathe one as President-elect of the Wesleyan Canadian Conference, and the other as Superintendent of our Missions -a deep and hallowed feeling pervaded the hearts of the congregation. Votes of thanks to the ladies who had collected trays for the tea, and to the chairman, spoken to by the Revs. E. Wright (Methodist Free Church), W. Hall (Primitive), J. Buck (Sailors' Mission), and J. Haslam, M.A., were then passed, and the Rev. W. G. White, who, with the Rev. W. J. Fennell, took part in the service, pronounced the benediction.

Next morning, at half-past eight o'clock, the pilot-boat left the Prince's Landing-stage for the China, which lay at anchor opposite the Tranmere Ferry. Several friends were there to say farewell to the departing ministers; and the Revs. W. Baggaly, A. M'Curdy, and J. Stokoe accompanied them to the steamer, and saw them safely ensconced within their berths. Very soon the mail-bags arrived, and were stored away, to carry no tongue can tell what varied tidings, painful and pleasurable, to multitudes of anxious hearts on the Transatlantic continent; and then the China was already in motion. Speedily visitors got into the pilot-steamer, and there we were, sailing side by side with the noble steamer, just starting for Boston ! It was a glorious morning. The sun shone with orient splendour, the sky was bright and beautiful, and the air was fresh and balmy. Our friends stood upon the poop of the vessel, stretching their eyes and waving their hands. I have heard brother Cocker eloquent in his utterances, but that morning I saw him eloquent in his looks! His big heart was evidently full, and it required his own stalwart self-possession to keep down the tide of swelling emotion. The last act I witnessed was the lifting of his little son shoulder-high to take a final look of those who now melted into a distance that extinguished vision. And so we parted-who can tell for how long?

Another sentence, and I shall finish. I designed this tea-party to have a secondary, as well as a primary object. The latter I have already explained

the former needs a word. As the Conference will terminate my connection with this place, I was anxious that the circuit should combine to sweep off any little drawbacks in the shape of society deficiencies; for I love the people, who are as eager to pay as to contract obligations. It was certain that if a valedictory tea-meeting was got up simply as such, to pay its own way would be all that would be contemplated; but why not go for something wider in its range? We therefore started for 200 trays at 5s. each, and the proceeds to be given to Bethesda, the Park, Chatham Place, and Bevington Hill, on a principle which need not be explained. One gentleman gave one-fifth, Mrs. Ellison collected forty-one, and these were nobly supported by others, equally generous, amounting to over 190, collected by Mrs. Davies, Mrs. J. Kerridge, Mrs. Quayle, Mrs. W. Shone, Mrs. Fennell, Mrs. Braud, and Misses Green, Helliwell, and Mellor. Several gentlemen rendered praiseworthy help, whose names I would gladly mention but for the fear of omitting any. Altogether, the meeting was as happy in its pecuniary results as in its social and religious aspects. J. STOKOE. [Want of space prevented the publication of the above in our last number.-ED.]

A VOICE FROM THE WEST.

DEAR DR. COOKE,-Knowing that you personally take an interest in our cause at Bristol, and that a similar interest is generally felt throughout the Connexion, I venture to utter A VOICE FROM THE WEST, which, through your kindness as editor, may reach every hill of our Zion.

Our church here is small and feeble, although we have a chapel that, for its size, may compete in beauty with any in the community. Doubtless more than one cause has tended to retard our progress in this populous city; yet, perhaps, since Bristol became a circuit, the greatest obstacle to its prosperity has been the heavy pecuniary burdens it has had to bear, and the unceasing secular efforts it has had to make to keep up its very existence, notwithstanding the very generous aid it has received from Connexional funds. This is not difficult to comprehend. A church always in difficulties, though not powerful to attract, will be powerful enough to repel; for many who would willingly join a prosperous cause

shrink away when they hear of appeals to the purse being frequently repeated, while those who bear the weight of responsibility have their hearts saddened and their energies crippled. This state of things must not continue. The Lord has other work for us to do than to be always scheming how to pay debts. The last Conference made the munificent offer of £250, on condition that the circuit raised an equal sum, so as to lessen by £500 the debt on the trust estate. The local effort was commenced under the direction of the Rev. H. Downes, who headed the list with a generous contribution. Since the Conference of 1865 we have added to the list of subscriptions, so that it now reaches about £140, and from instalments paid we intend to pay off a small portion of our liabilities before Conference. But we have had to contend, also, with a heavy circuit debt. That, however, was removed by a spirited effort at Christmas, combining a tea-meeting with a Christmas-tree, by which £47 was realized. The way is now clear for a larger effort, and it is resolved to have a bazaar in autumn next. Now, a bazaar in Bristol must not be small to command attention; and the larger it is, so much the better for the circuit and the Connexion. What, then, do the Bristol friends want? They want help. They want prayers to be sent up for them everywhere, that they may have a true and great revival. And they want gentlemen to help them in this effort as gentlemen can help. But they want, also, the help of the ladies. Will the ladies kindly respond to this appeal, by sending some of those works in which they excel? All honour to them, we believe they will; and they never deceive those who trust them in a good work.

MOSELEY STREET CHAPEL, BIRMINGHAM.

OUR Moseley Street friends have for some time felt themselves placed at considerable disadvantage in the town by not having better chapel accommodation to offer to their friends, and to the public generally. Some few months ago several of the friends met for the purpose of considering what could be done in the matter, and the determination come to was that they would clean, colour, paint, and effect certain alterations in the pews and gas apparatus. Almost immediately after this the work was committed

to the hands of suitable agents, who completed it to the entire satisfaction of the friends in the course of five weeks. The re-opening services took place on Sunday, March 18th, when sermons were preached, in the morning, by our esteemed superintendent, the Rev. T. Smith; in the afternoon, by the Rev. F. G. Galloway (Independent), and in the evening, by the Rev. J. Stacey, D.D. The collections amounted to £15 7s. 9d.

On Monday, March 19th, a public tea-meeting was held. The state of the weather was against us; but, notwithstanding this, we had a good attendance. Our worthy friend, Mr. J. Halmshaw, occupied the chair; and the meeting was addressed by the ministers of the circuit, with the Rev. J. Forest (Wesleyan), and other friends. The proceeds of the tea, for which trays had been collected, were £8, which, added to the sum raised on the previous Sabbath, was £23 78. 9d.

The estimated outlay on the chapel is £125, towards which the Ladies' Sewing Meeting has raised upwards of £30, and the following are the names of ladies who have undertaken to collect or give £5 each besides :--Mrs. Halmshaw, Mrs. Cooke, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Godfree, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Layland, Mrs. Watton, Mrs. Perrins, Mrs. Bullock.

Others have already paid in sums varying from 10s. to £3, and the teachers have done well towards raising the necessary money. When these sums are forthcoming, as, according to arrangement, they must in course of several days, there will not be more than £10 wanting to meet the whole of the expenses incurred, and this we hope shortly to obtain.

When we remember that our friends at Moseley Street have within the last eighteen months spent £180 on their school premises, £160 of which has been raised, besides raising nearly £125 on behalf of their chapel, I am sure all who know the Moseley Street friends will conclude that they have done nobly. Our earnest prayer is that at Moseley Street there may speedily be an increase of spiritual power, and a great ingathering of precious souls for Christ. A. HILDITCH.

PRESENTATION OF ADDRESSES
TO MINISTERS.
THE zealous pastor of Pepper Street
Methodist New Connexion Chapel

(the Rev. J. Orme) being about to be removed to a fresh field of labour, his period (three years) in the present circuit having almost expired. His ministrations have always been charac. terized by energy and Christian devotedness, winning for himself the love and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. The Rev. G. Packer, the junior minister of the same place of worship, also leaving for another sphere of action, and during the twelve months he has been here, has earned for himself an enviable reputation for his usefulness and ability, in spreading abroad the cause of God. A society meeting was held in Pepper Street chapel, for the purpose of presenting the ministers with addresses, which we give below. They speak for themselves, and need no comment. They are neatly engrossed, with beautifully il luminated capitals.

At a society meeting held in the Methodist New Connexion Chapel, Pepper Street, Chester, 31st May, 1866, it was unanimously resolved, "That this meeting cordially acknowledges the zeal and assiduity displayed by the Rev. J. Orme in the management of this circuit, and hereby records its appreciation of his usefulness and attention as their pastor, during his three years' residence in Chester; and trusts that his health may long be spared to enable him to advance the holy cause in which he is engaged, fervently hoping, by the blessing of God, he may still be the means of winning many souls to the fold of Christ, and at last have an abundant entrance into his heavenly kingdom."

At a society meeting held in the Methodist New Connexion Chapel, Pepper Street, 31st May, 1866, it was unanimously resolved, "That this meeting desires to convey to the Rev. G. Packer its high apprecia tion of his services as the junior minister during the past year, and cordially acknowledges the warm interest displayed by him in all matters relating to the well-being of this circuit. The heartfelt wish of all is, that God in his infinite wisdom may see fit long to spare a life so likely to prove valuable to the Connexion, and trusts that the fruits of his labours may be seen in the advancement of the church in whatever circuit he may be called to labour.”

MISSIONARY MEETING AT

SOUTHPORT.

ON Whit-Sunday the little church recently formed at Southport celebrated their first Missionary Services in the new chapel, Manchester Road, when the Rev. W. Baggaly, of Stockport, preached two sermons. Both services were moderately attended.

On the Monday evening a public meeting was held. The chair was occupied by W. Halliwell, Esq., J.P.; and there were also present the Revs. W. Baggaly, J. Stokoe, J. E. Millson, A. M. Stalker, W. Jowett, and J. Woolner.

After singing and prayer, the Chairman addressed the meeting. He said the New Connexion, though not large in numbers was large in spirit, in generosity, in Christian sympathy, and in Christian exertion. One of the most important duties of a Christian community was not to forget their own country; for, though idolatry and unbelief existed in other lands, the same evils also existed in our own. The Christian principle was the most civilizing of all principles. Philosophy might do much for the intellect, but Christianity elevated the soul. He concluded a most eloquent speech by appealing to their Southport friends for such help as they were able and willing to give.

The Rev. J. E. Millson (Independent) was then called upon. He said he desired to express his kindly feeling towards the congegation and to the body to which they belonged. His sympathy had ever been given to the great work which the New Connexion were earnestly carrying out, and he wished that evening to have fellowship with his friends of that Connexion, in their noble efforts to spread abroad the knowledge of the glorious Gospel of Christ. In this age it was of the utmost importance that Christians should be still more closely joined together, for the adversaries of the faith were now so numerous and formidable. He reminded his hearers, however, that Christian fellowship existed in the same proportion as there was fellowship with Christ.

The Rev. J. Stokoe was the next speaker. He spoke of the vast number of heathens and Mahometans in the world, and hoped that Christians would exert themselves in God's cause more than they had done before.

The Revs. W. Jowett and A. M. Stalker briefly united in sympathy

with the meeting, and their good wishes for its success.

The Rev. W. Baggaly was then called upon, and addressed the meeting at length. He alluded to their missions in Australia and China, and to the intended appointment of a missionary for Southport.

A collection was then made, after which the meeting terminated.

The collections in all amounted to £8 12s. 7d., which, with amounts previously collected and contributed by the scholars, after deducting expenses, forms a total of £17 16s. 14d.; and this, compared with last year, shows an increase of £10 17s. 114d.

W. H. J.

PRESENTATION.

LIVERPOOL.

A MEETING was held in the schoolroom of Bevington Hill Chapel, Liverpool, on Thursday evening, June 28th, to take an affectionate farewell of the Rev. W. G. Fennell and Mrs. Fennell, who were about leaving for Bury Circuit. After tea (which was gratuitously provided by a few of the ladies connected with the place), the Rev. D. Round (the newly-appointed superintendent of the circuit) opened the meeting with singing and prayer. J. Wade, Esq., was called to the chair, whose pleasing address greatly contributed to the interest of the meeting. Mr. Harrison, with an appropriate speech, presented to their esteemed minister, the Rev. W. G. Fennell (on behalf of the meeting) the sum of £10 10s., who acknowledged the kindness he had been favoured with during the year, and thanked the friends for this additional and unexpected expression of the same; and assured them that he would have pleasing reminiscences of the past, that they would live in his affections in the future, and that his sincere desire and earnest prayer would be for their prosperity. Addresses were subsequently given by Messrs. Brittain, Preston, P. Shone, Hughes, and W. Shone, who spoke in kind terms of their esteemed minister, with best wishes for his happiness and usefulness. The Rev. D. Round and Mrs. Round were also heartily welcomed by the friends, who were much delighted with their early visit, and he, in an affectionate address (followed by singing and prayer), brought the proceedings to a close.

A WELL-WISHER.

TESTIMONIAL.

BOSTON CIRCUIT.

ON Tuesday, June 26th, the members and friends of the New Connexion Chapel, Boston, invited the Rev. J. Howard to a social cup of tea on the occasion of his removal from them, as an expression of their esteem for him as a Christian minister, and their appreciation of his labours during his two years' residence amongst them. The meeting after tea was presided over by Mr. J. Leafe (circuit steward), who, in his opening remarks, made reference to the contrast in the state of feeling represented by that meeting, with what existed when Mr. H. first commenced his labours amongst them. Then all was anarchy and strife; now, he was thankful to say, all was order and peace. The meeting was subsequently addressed by our aged and valuable friend, Mr. J. H. Bailey; also by Messrs. J. Newton, J. Chester, H. Broughton, and Mr. Thos. H. Bailey. Whilst the last-mentioned gentleman was speaking, a very splendid tea and coffee service was brought to the platform, and Mr. Bailey, in appropriate terms, presented it to Mr. Howard, as a testimonial of the church's esteem and affection. There was one thing, he proceeded to say, connected with this testimonial which he was quite sure it would be gratifying to Mr. Howard to know, and that was, the cheerfulness and unanimity with which it had been subscribed for. The testimonial was not the gift of a few—

it had been subscribed for by 150 of the members and friends connected with Zion. The service was electroplated, of the very best quality, and of elegant design, and bore the following inscription:-"Presented to the Rev. J. Howard by the members and friends of the Methodist New Connexion, Boston, June 26th, 1866." Mr. Howard, on rising, acknowledged the testimonial in a few appropriate sentences. This mark of their esteem and affection, he said, was quite unexpected, not having had the slightest apprehension, when invited to the meeting, that anything of this kind had been contemplated by them. He was only amazed to think that not a whisper of this affair should have reached his ear until that moment, although the secret was known to 150 persons. After briefly reviewing his two years' labours amongst them, and contrasting their present position with what it was at his entrance into the circuit, they must all acknowledge—so he thought-that there was much ground for fervent gratitude to God. Although about to leave them, and appointed to a very distant circuitthus precluding the opportunities of frequent personal visits, which would have been to him most gratifying-he hoped still to share in their affectionate remembrances and fervent prayers. The meeting, which was numerously attended, then broke up, but not without a final shake of the hand with one for whom all felt it to be most painful to part.