It is not

Nay, but

guinea, which amounts to the magnificent sum of fourpence three-farthings a week. A prosperous City solicitor subscribes the same amount. A manufacturer engaged in a very profitable business, employing hundreds of hands, subscribes two shillings a week. A City merchant, who rides in his carriage and lives in a stately mansion, is equally munificent. Another, who is a member of an eminent firm, is content with the regulation guinea, or fourpence three-farthings a week. A wealthy corn merchant gives ninepence a week. Another noble-hearted man of business, who makes over twenty thousand pounds a year, gives the regulation guinea, or fourpence three-farthings a week. We could multiply such examples almost ad libitum. If the subscription list which we have examined is a fair sample of the liberality of the Christians of the present time, the leaders of the religious world would do well to arrange for a day of humiliation and prayer for the deliverance of their flocks from the demons of avarice and selfishness, who seem to have almost their own way in the churches just now." The Rev. Hugh Price Hughes, at the Primitive Methodist meeting the next night, referred to this outspoken article approvingly. He then quoted from Mr. Wesley's sermon on the "Danger of Increasing Riches," the following heart-searching appeal: “I am pained for you that are rich in this world.' Do you give all you can? You who receive five hundred pounds a year, and spend only two hundred, do you give three hundred back to God? If not, you certainly rob God of that three hundred. You that receive two hundred, and spend but one, do you give God the other hundred? If not, certainly you rob Him of just so much. Nay, may I not do what I will with my own?' Here lies the ground of your mistake. your own. It cannot be, unless you are Lord of heaven and earth. I must provide for my children.' Certainly; but how? By making them rich ? Then you will probably make them heathens, as some of you have done already. 'What shall I do then?' Lord, speak to their hearts, else the preacher speaks in vain. Leave them enough to live on, not in idleness and luxury, but by honest industry. And if you have not children, upon what Scriptural or rational principle can you leave a groat behind you more than will bury you? I pray consider, what are you the better for that which you leave behind you' What does it signify, whether you leave behind you ten thousand pounds or ten thousand boots and shoes? O leave nothing behind you! Send all you have before you into a better world! Lend it, lend it all unto the Lord, and it shall be paid you again." No one spoke oftener or more forcibly at the May meetings this year than did Mr. Hughes. His weighty utterances at the Methodist Free Churches' meeting on "the grave peril to Christianity at home and abroad arising from the revived medieval sacerdotalism of a large section of the Church of England" should be seriously pondered. He said "I am told that I must not to-night put my harp upon the willows, and it is a place were I very rarely do put it; at the same time, I must confess that I am greatly distressed and alarmed, too, by such sermons as that which Canon Liddon preached in St. Paul's Cathedral only last Saturday, in the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury and about a dozen bishops and many of the superior clergy, and an immense concourse of people. At the consecration of the two new bishops Canon Liddon stated that 'the Episcopacy is organically necessary to the structure of the visible body of Christ, necessary not merely to its bene esse, but to its esse;' that is to say in English, for many of these priests prefer the Latin tongue to their own, that the existence of bishops is essential not merely to the prosperous existence of the Church, but to the very existence of the Church, and without bishops there is no Church at all. He goes on to say that they believe that 'upon a true Episcopal

succession depended the validity of our chief means of communion with our adorable Lord, the Eucharist.' Now, I do not hesitate to say that that doctrine thus asserted is the deadliest poison that has ever been poured into the veins of the Church. For what, in plain English, does that assertion mean? It means that every minister upon this platform is an impostor; it means that all our churches are shams and delusions; it means that our Baptist brethren, the magnificent Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the Reformed churches of the Continent, and all the Lutheran churches-in one word, three-fourths of the whole Protestant world are put by Canon Liddon outside the pale of the Christian Church altogether, and yet he and many with him are established and endowed by the State to fling these deadly insults at us. Everybody who knows anything about ecclesiastical history is well aware that these doctrines lead by a straight and direct road to the clerical despotism of Rome, that they are the ultimate justification of the massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day, and of the fatal Syllabus of the last Pope; that they were the direct occasion of the civil disability from which our forefathers so grievously suffered, and that they are the immediate cause of the bitter Continental hatred to Christianity that is so painful a feature of our own time. These are the doctrines which alienate the educated classes and the working classes also. These are the doctrines which have made the Frenchmen of our own time hate the very name of God; and if they are allowed to go on unrebuked, and with the full sanction of the State for twenty-five years longer, we shall see a powerful and passionate party of Atheism in this country as we already see in France." The practical conclusion, the speaker urged, was that "all unnecessary differences and divisions" should be buried. "I have long been persuaded," he went on to say, "that this most deadly revived clericalism ought to be confronted and resisted at least by a united Methodism." Right noble words did he speak on the subject of Methodist Union, but slightly marred some of his hearers we know thought by what they considered his unworthy sneer at the Bible Christians. Mr. Hughes said at this meeting, "I believe the Bible Christians are [in favour of union]—at least they ought to be with so magnificent a name." And at the Primitive meeting he varied the reference thus: "I am certain that the brethren of the New Connexion are ready; and I will venture to answer for the Bible Christians, if they deserve their name." No doubt, if an explanation were asked for, it would be said that the reference was a huworous one, but such humorous references it is not usual to study or repeat. Still, we fain hope it was, humorous and not venomous, as we heard a charitable brother say was his opinion.

THE ANNUAL STOCKTAKING OF THE METHODIST CHURCHES.-There will not be, it appears, any large increase of members in these churches this year. The Wesleyan returns at home are almost complete. There is a net increase, as at present reported, including every district at home except Lincoln, of 3,022. The number of new members added, exclusive of Devonport and Lincoln districts, is 47,540. The loss, through deaths, emigrations, and other causes, and general "wear and tear,” is serious, not to say alarming. The deaths are about 5,000, and if the emigrations have been as many as the deaths, to other causes than these, the loss of three members out of four is owing. In this fact is to be found the motive and reason for the most searching inquiry into the spiritual condition of the churches, and of the causes of these all but incalculable yearly losses. A large proportion doubtless continue in attendance at public worship among their old friends, but it would be instructive, possibly humiliating, if we knew how

many found a home in other churches, and how many lapsed into utter indifference or into open and flagrant sin. 47,000 or 48,000 new members is a very large proportion of the whole, nearly one-eighth in fact. But this large number of new members are few, when we think of the increase of the population. And the most painful reflection of all which these figures awaken is, that the proportion of active, useful, and devoted members in the churches is exceedingly small. If each Andrew only brought "his own brother Simon," and each Philip some "Nathanael," what a different result. Our hearts have again and again been gladdened during the last few months by reports of gracious and extensive revivals, in which thousands upon thousands have been won for Christ! Probably one half of the new members have been saved in revivals! If the converts to the truth under the regular ministry amount to between twelve and fifteen thousand-a moderate estimate surely-we have, by all other means, including the direct personal efforts of nearly 400,000 members for a whole year, only about 10,000 new followers of Christ, i.e. every forty church members only gain one new convert, or leaving evangelists, the regular ministry, Sunday-school teaching, out of view, the result of the personal and united efforts of more than eight members for a whole year is the addition of one to their number, and for every five thus gained, four of the workers are lost at the same time to the church from other causes besides death and emigration. If each "one" only gained another "one," how changed would be the condition and prospects of the Church of God! How many are the idlers in the Lord's vineyard! How many "starless crowns! " Or if there be no "starless crowns," then to how many in the Church will the Saviour say at last, "Depart! I never knew you."

And it must not be supposed for a single moment that these remarks do not apply with equal force to the other sections of Methodism. The net increase of the Primitive Methodists is only 1280, and more than one-half of this increase is on the Colonial stations. The Free Churches' increase is smaller, though their mission work has been greatly blessed, and we hear the New Connexion will only about hold its own. We await our returns with some anxiety, which has been increased since we have noticed that the Wesleyans in Cornwall and Devonport Districts report a decrease of over 800, and so far as Cornwall is concerned there is a small decrease both among the Free Churches and the New Connexion.

THE REGISTRATION BILLS for England, Scotland, and Ireland have become law, and the "Seats Bill" has been read a second time in the House of Lords. The Peers unwisely, ungraciously struck out the clause in the Registration Bill for England, which the Commons very properly inserted, though not included in the original Bill, to the effect that the receipt of parochial medical relief should not disqualify anyone from voting in Parliamentary elections who was otherwise eligible. This places the working class population in the country in a disadvantageous position compared with their brethren living in or near large towns where the best advice and medicine can be obtained through those noble institutions the hospitals free of charge. We are told that in some counties twenty-five per cent. of the voters will be disqualified. We are not surprised at the irritation and anger that this foolish action of the Peers has caused. The inconvenience and the injustice will be only temporary, as an amendment of the law will not be difficult in the first session of a new Parliament; but the incident is one that will be remembered. The annoyance is all the greater, because it is just one of those cases of injustice which, even temporarily, cannot benefit the class to which the wrong-doers belong or any other section of the community.

Brief Notices of Books.

A Compendious History of American Methodism. By ABEL STEVENS, LL.D. Woolmer. 5s.

"THIS is an abridgment of the Author's "History of the Methodist Episcopal Church," and a charming book it is. It is more fascinating than any romance. One of the most wonderful stories of grace, and in some respects the most wonderful, is here told in a worthy manner. Methodism in America has vastly outgrown the Methodism of the mother country, and there have been, if possible, not more devotion or heroism, but more marvellous incidents occurring in connection with the successful prosecution of the work. American Methodism has outgro wn British Methodism largely for the same reason that Primitive Methodism in this country has outstripped our own denomination. The rapid growth of the population in the Midlands, where the Primitive Methodist denomination originated, and its easy extension into the North, which has been under the same law, is one of the chief causes of their rapid growth, and the all but stationary, and in parts declining, population in the West of England where our Connexion had its rise, and to which our labours were for a long time chiefly confined, goes a long way to explain our comparatively slow growth. But the growth of the population of England is slow compared with its growth in the United States. That has been by leaps and bounds. And then there has been no State Church rooted in the affections of large masses of the people to contend with. With God's blessing, natural causes will help us to account for the extraordinary development of American Methodism. If we add another word let it be this, a striking excellence of this book is its graphic descriptions of the agents; their portraits are done so well, their individuality so well maintained, that not only are the chief leaders instantly recognised, but we are able to single out each man from the multitude with the utmost ease.' 99

The Apostles of Fylde Methodism. By JOHN TAYLOR, Author of Reminiscences of Isaac Marsden.

"THE 'Fylde,' or 'Garden,' is the name given to that tract of country which lies between the rivers Ribble and Wyre, in North-West Lancashire." "This book is not a history of Fylde Methodism. It is a series of biographical sketches of the men and women who made the Church what it is," and very vivid sketches they are. Chief of them is William Bramwell, but several others excite hardly less sympathy and admiration. The entire sketch of James Roskell, the converted soldier, we should like to transfer to our pages. "One day during his last illness his old friend, John Bleasdale, of Thornton, went to see him. He found him confined to bed on the ground floor of his cottage, with but a handful of fire and a scanty supply of food and fuel, for he had given all the rest away.

"Thou should not give everything away like this,' said John, half reproachfully.

"It's all right, John,' said the dying saint. The Lord is good to me. My barrel of meal and my cruse of oil have never failed yet, and they never will.'

"But thou gets imposed on, and let's folk run away with what thou needs,' said Bleasdale.

"Never mind, John,' he replied. I've just enough. I'm going to headquarters to report myself, and I shall have rations enough to see the end of my journey.'"

POST FREE for 6 stamps or Large Edition (bound in cloth), Is. 3d., from the

AUTHOR.

CONSUMPTION

AND ALL LUNG DISEASES.

By G. T. CONGREVE, Coombe Lodge, Peckham.

The Nature, Progress, and True Treatment of this Scourge of England.

The following Cases are selected from the THIRTEENTH SERIES.

CASE REPORTED HOPELESS.-CASE of MR. SIMS, of
MIDDLESBOROUGH.

My correspondent in this case was not the patient himself, but MR. JOHN BELL, Grocer and Draper, of SOUTH ESTON, MIDDLESBOROUGH-himself a patient, and who has recommended my treatment to many--and this is what he says concerning Sims, in a letter dated November 18, 1884 :"He came two miles to see me on Sunday, and says he is as good a man as ever, and has been at work two months. At the time I gave him a small bottle of your medicine he was in bed, and had lost all hope of recovery. He was told by five doctors that his lungs were going fast, so that he gave his working clothes away, thinking he should want them no more. But that small bottle did him good, and encouraged him, by the aid of friends and your liberal allowance, to persevere, with the happy result before named."

ADVANCED PHTHISIS.-CASE of MR. JONES, TALYWAIN,

PONTYPOOL.

The EDITOR of the "CHRISTIAN GLOBE," referring to this case, says:

"We communicated with a Mr. Arthur Jones, of Talywain Station, Pontypool, Mon., with reference to a letter of his, and he in every particular bears out the statements therein conveyed as to the benefit received by his brother after he placed himself under Mr. Congreve's charge. Mr. Jones' brother was attacked by Phthisis-and he was at death's door. He attributes his recovery entirely to Mr. Congreve's medicine and advice."

CHRONIC BRONCHITIS.-CASE of MR. SHAKESPEARE

BENNETT, of MIDDLETON, AND OTHER CASES.

This patient commenced my treatment in September last, when suffering greatly with Bronchitis -the breathing being the most distressing symptom. He gradually improved under my advice, given by letters in October, November, and December. On the 12th of January his wife writes:"I have the pleasure to inform you that my dear husband, thank God, is very well. He has found so much good from you he would like your photograph to hang up in our house. Nothing has equalled your medicine."

Speaking of other cases in the neighbourhood, Mrs. Bennett says:-" An elderly woman, known to us here, vomited a large quantity of blood. The doctor said Consumption would follow if not arrested. I advised her to try your medicine. She did so and found relief at once, and has been able to continue her work. There is also a Mr. T.. of Oldham, who is taking it with good effect. The second dose gave him relief. May you long be spared," &c.

CASE of a LITTLE GIRL at COCKENZIE, near PRESTON

PANS, N.B.

R. B. D., writing concerning a little girl, says:—

"She was five years old when attacked with measles; inflammation of the lungs followed, which left her with severe cough and expectoration, to the deep anxiety of her parents. Through the kindness of Mr. Weatherburn of Berwick-on-Tweed, advising us of your treatment, we have reason to thank God she is now quite well."

CONSULTATIONS

AT COOMBE

LODGE on TUESDAY,

THURSDAY, and SATURDAY MORNINGS ONLY. EVERY PATIENT SHOULD READ THE BOOK BEFOREHAND. Mr. Congreve is publishing ene recent case every week in the "Christian World," and about twenty-five other Weekly Papers.