Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

THE ENGLISH CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF NOltTH WALES. The fourteenth annual meeting cf the English Con- gregational Union of Noith Wales wa,, commenced un Tuesday in Wrexham, and the gathering was well attended. At twelve o'clock a meeting of the out-going Lsecutive Committee was held in the schoolroom of the Penybryu Chapel, when the usual business was transacted. At three o'clock the fourteenth annual assembly was held in the Penybryn Church, when Col. !\rJleB J l 1 Barnes, J.P., ireqided. Among those present were Revs. L>. Burford Hooke, Londun R. Lumley, Trevor; Dr. Goodrich, Manchester; Mather, Barmouth W. Oliver, M.A., Lunilel?yll ather. %AT F. C l ar k son, Loi,, d ori LAI. 0 vv rexham W. E. Clarkson, London; M. 0 liVaiiB, V, rexham; Thomas Rugbff, Llansant- SrRid Dr. Roberts, Wrexham E Thomas, Greenfield T. Palmer Jones, Connah's Quay Robt. Roberts, Khos T. Powell Williams, Bwlciiyffridd David Lloyd, Corwen; E. Barnes, M.A.Chester; D. H. Shankland, Llantysilio; J. Davies, Mostyn W. Jones, Chester Joseph Davies, Buckley T. S. lioss, Rhyl; J. P. Kingsland, Jonathan Evans, Welshpool; J. V. Stephens, Buckley Walter Lanceley, Holywell; Albert Lee, Somersals Leeds D. Walters, Manchester; J. J. Poynter, Oswestry; J. Machreth Rees, Penygroes, &c. Miss Moore, Mrs Lloyd, and Mrs Lever, Colwyn Bay; Mrs Thomas, Greenfield; Messrs Edward Davies, Berwydd, Mont. David Lloyd, Sarney W. Lloyd Parry, B.A., Mold; P. Harding Roberts, Holywell A. Evanp, Llandudno Thomas Huxley, Malpas:F. L. Rawlins, Rhyl; Richard Roberts, James Lever. Colwyn Bay John Jones, Colwyn Bay T. Lewis, M.A., Manchester Brindley, New- town J. Parry-Jones, Oswestry; G. arside, T. Sauvage. F. Allmand, J. Stevens, Benjamin Jones, George Younjf, C. Stokes, W. Stokes, Wm. Thomas, J. Pilchard, Wrexham, &c. Rev. T. Lloyd, Colwyn Bay, secretary Mr C. Dodd, local secretary. The Rev. Edward Thomas, of Greenfield, having conducted devotional services the Assembly proceeded to the fii-ist fuiness on the agenda, which was Re- ception of ministers and churches, and transfers to ministers leaving North Wales." Tbe ministers received were the Rev. S. R. Jones, of Gwersyllt and Rhosrobin, to whose services Mr Rawlina and Mr John Rogers bore witness the Rev. W. Morgan, of Mold the Rev. Walter Lanceley, of Holywell; and the Rev. J. Maelor Morgan, of Penmaenmawr. Transfers were granted to the Rev. Jonathan Evans, foimer'y of the Albion Church, Chester College, who bad removed to Welshpool, and the Rev. D. Walters. The next item was the Chairman's address. Col. Barnes said the chairman had no address, because in the first place he had not been very well during some months patt, and in the second place, they had had such a fir,t-rate address from the Rev. Mr Hooke. at Barmouth, last year, that very little was left to be said either by himself or by future presidents. (Laughter.) He had, however, one or two things to eay, which he would lay before the assembly in a few disconnected sentences. He thought he could not avoid saying a few words about what had recently passed in the House of Commons. He thought they must say that a very important point had been reached in the existence of the State Church in Wales. (Hear, hear.) He was of opinion although he looked for the time when there would be a Free Church of England in Wales, that it had already done much good, but when it was free, it would do still more. (Applause.) There was plenty of work for all to do, and he thought there were a great many hard workers in the Church in Wales, while they could hear of those who were unworthy the name of clergymen. They knew what a noble work had been done by Archdeacon Howell, of Wrexham. He merely mentioned his name because they were met to-day in Wrexham, and they would rejoice that he was going to Gresford where there would be less work and where he would be able to devote himself to other duties. Continuing the Chairman said that he believed that Nonconformity was the State Church of Wales in the sense that it was not established by law. but established in the affections of the people, but while they believed in their principles, they would not run down the State Church, he was always sorry when any invidious dis- tinctions were drawn between the different bodies. Both Nonconformists and the State Church were doing good woik. (Applause.) He was sorry to find that next year the Union would suffer a grovious loss in respect of the amount received from the Church Aid Society, which had not been supported as it ought to have been. The result was that the Society had had to make a reduction of 25 per cent, in its grants. The Chairman then spoke of the success which had at. tended the Congregational College at Oxforci-M.Liis. field-(al)plause)-and said that Dr. Fairbairn, tne Principal, was received with great cordiality by all the heads of colleges and the professors generally. He hoped there would be a college at Cambridge also. In Wales, the colleges at Bangor and Aberystwith were doing excellent work in spreading technical knowledge, and lie supposed the Cardiff College was doing the same. (Applause.) Professors were going about the county teaching the daiiymaiils how to make butter, and already the instruction had been so advantageous that butter at Welahpool had gone up 2d per lb. (Laughter.) The Independent Hall at Bangor was doing cood woik. The chaiiman then referred to the music in the churches. He {ointed out that in High Churches people were attracted by the music. He did not think it completely fulfilled the object of public worship to go simply for the music, but he thought that if the music were improved and reople attracted, the preacher would be able to give a lesson which would be profitable. He was in favor of the people taking more part in the service, and thought too much was left to the minister. He considered the introduction of a simplified form of Liturgy would be a good thing. He urged that the churches should inculcate the necessity of liberality in giving, and in closing contended that it was the duty of those who attended churches at the seaside during the season to contribute liberally, because it was for them that the churches in those places were supported. The chairman then closed by forecasting the wot k of the following day, and prayed that God's blessing might rest upon the deliberations. (Cheers.) THE ANNUAL REPORT. The Rev. T. Lloyd, the secretary, then read the Executive Committee's report. The report com- menced by speaking encouragingly of the work done by the Aided Churches (and only t'lese churches lire referred to in the report.) During the year help has been given to twenty-eight churches to the amount of JE495. It may be interesting to know that these churches provide accommodation for upwards of 5.100 worshippers, together with schoolroom accom- modation for upwards of 1,600, making the total number of sittings about 6,750. The value of the property belonging to fifteen of these churches amounts to R14,310 in seven cases the cott of build- ing is not known, and in two cuses the buildings are rented. Ten of the churches have debts amounting in the aggregate to C2 533 of this sum considerably more than one-hait is owing on the churches at Penmaenmawr and Colwyn B-ty-21,150 on the former and jM30 on the latter. The churches I:ave a membership of 876, an increase of thirty-f;»r upon last year. The average attendance at the evening servicEs ha3 been about 2,000. The number of scholars in the Sunday Schools is 1,663, with 183 taachers." The churches and congregations hc.d con- tributed by subscriptions and children's cards £80 to the Union Funds and JE38 to the London Society. The report then proceeded. The financial position, when your Ctmmiitee met in January, was con- sidered to he in a more favorable condition than it had been in recent years but the resolution of tho Committee of the Church Aid Society to reduce the grants hy 25 per cent., has made tq very anxious. This will mean a Ices to our funds of over £100. We are very loth to reduce the grants to the North Wales Churches, believing that in many cases they are already too low to enable our ministeis to live without unnecessary anxiety." The Committee had made an appeal for help to the ministers and churches. Two ministers had left North Wales for other spheres—the Rev. David Walters, Mold, to become the pastor of the church at Chorlton-cum- Hardy, Lancashire, and the Rev. E. Garmon Robert?, Adwy and JohnBtown, to become the pastor of the church at Preeshenlle, Salop. The Rev. J, P. ICingsland had resigned the church at Upper Bangor, and was seeking another field of labor. The Com- mittee regret these losses. During the year, however, the Union had gained many more than it had lost. The Rev, S. R. Jones, Waunlwydd, Mon., had he. con.e the first pastor of the promising young churches at Gwersyllt and Rhosrobin the Rev. W. Morgan, A.T.S., Saunderafoot, Pem., has settled at Mold the Rev. M. O. Evans. Pendref, Bangor (Welsh), an old friend of the North Wales Union, has become the pastor of the church at Chester-street, Wrexham; the Rev, Jonathan Evans, Albion Church, Chester (Welsh), had settled at Welshpool; the Rev. J. M. Morgan, Bangor College, had been ordained pastor of theChnrchat Penmaenmawr; and the Rev. W. Lance- ley, Tattenhall, pastor of the church ot Holywell. The report stated that the work of the churches was of three distinct claeses-those in agricultural dis. tricts. those in mining districts, and those in watering places and summer resorts. Each class had its pecuhar difficulties. As long as the land laws remain as they are, the young people would leave the rural districts for the large towns. Hardly doc.s a young man begin to serve the Church where he was born before he went to seek his fortune in some great centre of industry. In mining districts it was ex. pected that the churches would gather strength and become more and more self-supporting. This was the case in most of the watering places. In Carnarvon- shire aid was given to Bangor, Colwyn Bay. Pen- rnaenmawr, Trefriw, and Trevor. The Church at Bangor has suffered severely by the removal of Beveral of it* oldest and most faithful members. At Colwyn Bay and Penmaenrnawr there has been a alight increase in membership. The church at Colwyn Bay had paid 2100 off the debt, and the church at Penmaenmawr has put in the cliapel a roDeh-needed heating apparatus and paid for it. At Trefriw, the relation of the English Church to the Welsh Church was such as to make it very difficult to ascertain its real condition. The report said In Denbighshire we have aided Adwy, Johnstown, Gwersyllt, Rhosrobin and Cefnmawr. The churches at Adwy and Johnstown began the year under the pastorate ot the Rev E. Garmon Roberts, but since Mr Roberts left, the connection has been severed. Both churches are, very wisely, anxious to secure pastors, but your committee is of opinion that every effort ought to be made to work Adwy under a joint pastorate with some other church, and the church at Johnstown in like manner. It is important that the work at both places should be taken up promptly and with energy. Gwersjllt and Rhosrobin are very promising. Ex- cellent help is rendered to these churches by the churches at Cliester-street and Penybryr, Wrexham. To the church at Cefn the year has been one of special activity. A new school-room has been built, and the chapel has been completely renovated at a cost of I'ooO and re-oper.ed free of debt. Another very gratifying feature is that the church has decided to do without a grant from the Ur.ion in the future The Church is at present without a i^stor, but it is hoped it will not remMnso long. In Fnntahire aid ha been "S. iven to Greenfield and Ba?itlt. Mostyn. and Ffynou- grcew, Holywell, Connah's Quay and Flilit, atid Nor. thop. The visitors report that Mr Thomas is doing solid work at Greenfield ar.d Bagillt. The former church is in a healthy condition. There ia a great oeal of energy in it, and the people seem to be alive. Aheir chapel is rented, r-nd they are liable to be turned out at a moinent'd notice. They are trying to pur- chase the building and the land. At Bagillt some of í the chief supporters have left the neighbourhood, but there is great hope of this litt!e church, though very weak at present, for there are many young peop:e connected with it. The membership has slightly in- creased. Mostyn and Ffynnngroew churches are doing good work. Mostyn is still very flror, but they have raised £40 towards the debt. The Ffynongroew church has secured land to build n place of worship, and have collected a good sum towards paying for it. This is not before a building is needed, for the con- gregation worships now in a room belonging to a public-house. At Holywell there is a great improve- ment of late in the c otivregatiot), and there is an in. 1 crease on last year of five in membership. Oie good feature in the work of this Church is the interest taken in the training of chikhen in Temperance principles. There is a Band of Hops of about 200 strong. C.'unah' Quay has given your Committee considerable anxiety, but we seem to have been led to take the right step in appointing the Rev. T. Palmer Jones to take charge of it. The chu-ch at Flint also has invited Mr James to take the oversight of Fiint Here there is a number of young men who will be, if they can be trained, a great strength to the Church in the future. Northop your Committee would like to see again under the care of the Church at Mold. It is very weak, and there is no prospect of its ever being much stronger, but there ar* a tc-w faithful Nonconformists in the village and for them the Church exists." In Merionethshire Barmouth, Corwen, and Dolgelly were aided. In Montgomery- shire—Berwydd and Cefnfaenor, Sarney and Pentre'r- beirdd, Kerry. Llandysilio, and Llansantffraid had been assisted. Berwydd and Cefnfaenor were without a pastor so were Sarney and Pentre'rbeirdd. But the churches were anxious to secure ministers for both pastorates. Very good reports came from Kerry, Llandysilio, and Llansantffraid. The report stated the Rev. David Walters, the former secretary of the Union, having resigned, the Rev, T. Lloyd, of Colwyn Bay, was appointed secretary and editor of the magazine. The report also contained the follow- ing paragraph :—" Your Committee desire to express their very earnest hope that the Churches, and especially aided churches, will exercise increasing caution in their selection of pastors. Again and again since the formation of the Union ha.o the need arisen for the Committee to urge this upon individual churches, and in ita judgment the time has come when the Union must carefully consider the matter. Some of the younger and smaller churches expose themselves to great danger when the union must carefully consider the matter. Some of the younger and small churches expose themselves to great danger when they are tempted to invite somo one t/1 their ministry, who is not fully equipped for the work, they inflict an injury on themselves on the person they call, and on the church at large. If the minister is to keep the respect of his congregation, and especially to retain the young, he must receive the best training possible. An ill-educated teacher cannot, in these days of intellectual unrest, meet the demands which are increasingly made upon the minis- try. Mr F. L Rawlins, the treasurer, presented the statement of accounts. The year commenced with a balance of 222 9s lid in hand. Subscriptions and donations amounted to 2201 18s 9d church offerings to 247 16s 2d; Church AiJ Society, 9310 with other items making ut)26498sld. After making the usual payments a balance of £10 3i lid remains to the good. The Rev. D. B. Hooke, of London, moved the adoption of the report and statement of accounts. After alluding to the pleasure it gave him to be among his North Wales friends once more, he referred to the circumstances which rendered it necessary for the Church Aid Society to curtail its grantp. They had bad to sell out £4.000 of its reserve fund, and other matters caused a deficiency of 97,300. It was there. fore necessary that the grants should be curtailed. All similar societies had been affected, and he thought that the support given to General Booth's fund- (hear, hear)—ought not to be allowed to interfere with home work. (Hear, hear.) He was glad. however, to be able to say that the union grants to North Wales would not be curtailed. (Hear, hear.) Mr Parry-J ones, in seconding, criticised the Church Aid Society, and was prepared to move a resolution rpgretting the action of the Society. He wished ti) point out that the whole Congregational body was not refe.-red to in the report. There were a much larger number of churches and hearers than were named there, for only those churches which received aid were named. He hoped those churches would help the Union in its good work. There was great en- couragement from within, and all the discouragement came from without. The resolution was then carried. GRANTS. I On the motion of the Secretary, seconded by Mr Rawlins, the following grants were agreed to Carnarvonshire—Bangor, E30 Co'wyn Bay, 230 Penmaenrnawr, £34 Travoi-, ;225, and Trefriw, £12. Denbighshire—Adwy, E15 Gwersyllt, 1:20 Rhos- robin, E15 Johnstiwn, £15. Flintshire-Bagillt, S20 Greentield, S20 Mostyn, 220 Ffynongroew, £20; Flint, 220 Connah's Quay, 232 Holywell, £30. and Northop, £ 10. Merionethshire—Barmouth, jE32 Corwen, £30, and Dolgelly, 925. Montgomery- shire-Berwydd and Cefnfaenor, 220 Sarnev and Pentre'r beirdd, £24; Kerry, £15. and Llansantffraid, £15. It was also agreed that if at the end of the year the funds permitted the following additional grants should be made Kerry, 25 Berwydd and Cefnfaenor, 210 Sarney and Pentre'r beirdd, 26. THE OFFICERS. The following are the officers for the coming year Chairman, the Rev J. J. Poynter, Oawestry. Vice. chairman, Mr C. R. Jones, J.P., Llanfyllin Treasurer, Mr F. L. Rawlins, Rhyl Secretary, Rev Tl -.OP. Lloyd, Colwyn Bay Financial Secretary, R?v It Lumlpy Auditor, Mr A. Evans. The Bank, L'andudno. Committee—Representative members Carnarvon, Rev Geo. E. Catkin, Llandudno, and Mr W. Jonep, Penmnenmawr. Denbigh shire, Rev E. M. Edmunds, Ruabon, and Mr Charles Dodd, Wrexham. Flintshire, Rav. T. P. James, and Mr Mostyn Williams, Rhyl. Merionethshire-Rev. D. Lloyd, Corwen, and Mr H Miles, Cambrian House, Dolgelly. Montgomeryshire -Mr Rd. Jones, Newtown. and Mr Wm. Jones, Church-street. Welshpool; Revs. F. Barnes. B.A., Chester, W. Oliver, M.A., Wrexham, J. W. Clark. Chester, D. B. Hooke, London, E. H. Evans, D. D., Carnarvon, M. O. Evans, Wrexham, Josiah Jones, Machynlleth, Thomas Jones, Eisteddfa, W. Jones, Chester, W. E. Jenkins, Shrewsbury, D. Oliver, Holywell, T. S. Rosp, Rhyl, D. Roberts, D.D., Wrexham, J. Thomas, D D, Liverpool; Messrs Geo. Atkin, J.P.. Rockferry, T. Barker, J.P., Llandudno. W. Crosfield, J.P., Liverpool, J. G. Hop?, Cnester, I. Oliver Jones, Liverpool, J. Parry-Jones, Oswestry, W. J. Parry, Bangor, W. Lloyd Parry, Mold, J. Prichard, C. C., Wrexham, R. Robel t. Pwllheli, T. H. Waterhouse, Holywell, Frank Allmand, Wrex- ham, J. Hughes Jones, Aberdovey, Geo. Garfide, Cefr, P. H. Roberts, and John Rogers, Gwersyllt. The Rev. E. Garmon Robel t. moved to reduce the number of Chester members of the committee from four to two. He did this a* a protest on behaif of young Wales, and considered the Union should con- sist of members from inside Wales. The Rev. F. Barnes, and Mr Hope at once offered to withdraw. Mr P,ki ry-J ones pointed out that out of 50 members of the committee, 40 were Welshmen, and out of 1:600 subscribed to the Union £100 came from Welshmen. He did not think that, as Welshmen found one-sixth the income and had four-fifths of representatives, there was any ground for complaint. The Rev. Garmon Roberts withdrew his motion and said if Welshmen were more considered in the matter, then the contributions would increase. The Executive C'ommiltee had recommended the name of the Rev. Mr Morgan, of Chester, as a member of the Committee, but it was agreed that Chester was sufficiently well represented and the name was not added. REPRESENTATIVES. The Rev. J. J. Poynter and the Secretary were appointed to represent the Union on tin Council of the Church Aid Society the Rev. E. M. Edmunds on the Council of the Congregational Total Abstinence Society, and the Rev. T. S. Ross, Rhyl, on the London Missionary Society. MOTIONS. On the motion of the Rev. M. O. Evans, it was agreed that rule xi., sec b. should read "That every church assisted shall secure the concurrence of the Executive or Reference Committee before call. ing a pastor." On the motion of the Rev. E. M. Edmunds, it was agreed after considerable discussion that rule x; sec. f. should read No representative of any church receivinsr aid shali vote upon the grant of his church Mr Thomas Sauvage (<'efn), proposed the following resolution-" That rule x. be alfc/rtd to read—"the Executive Committee of the Union shall consist of the chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, secretary, and auditor, and not more than twenty-five members, of whom fifteen be nominated by the District Unions, being three fiom each county, the remainder by the annual assembly." A lively discussion followed, and in the end Mr Sauvage withdrew his motion, stating that he was satisfied with having ventilated the subject. The assembly then adjourned. At seven o'clock the annual sermon was preached hy the Rev. Alfred Goodrich DD.. in Chester-street Church, from John xiv., 6. The Rev. T. S. Ross (Rhyl), conducted the opening part of the service, and -it the close a united com- munion service was held, when members of all Christian churches were invited. The Rev. M O. Evans, pastor of the church, presided, and he was assisted by the Rev. W. Oliver. M.A. There was a large congregation. WEDNESDAY'S MEETINGS. I At 9.15 a devotional meeting was held in Penybryn I chapel, when the Rev. E. M. Edmunds, of Ruabon, presided. There was a fair attendance. The second sitting of the Assembly took place at Penybryn Chapel, whex the Rev. J. J. Poynter took the chair, in the absence through temporary indisposi- tion of Col. Barnes. After the singing of a hymn, prayer was offered by the Rev. W. E. Jenkins, of Shrewsbury. THE REV. ANDREW MEARNS. I The Chairman moved-" That this Asspmbly re- cords its best thanks to the Rev. Andrew Mearns for services to the English churches during his secretariat of the Church Aid Society, and its cordial good wishes to him in his new position." (Hear, hear.) Mr Mearns had been at the former meetings of the Union, and the wisdom of his counsel wa? always appreci- ated. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. D. Walters seconded the resolution, which was carried. THE NEW OFFICER. The Rev. T. S. Ross (Rhyl), moved a resolution of welcome to the Rev. W. F. Clarkson, B.A., upon his appointment as secretary to the Church Aid Society. He had already given a sample of his quality, and the fact that he had been unanimously chosen to fill the post, showed the estimate in which he was held. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. F. Barnes (Chester), seconded, and said when the post was vacant Ie mentioned Mr Clark. son's name to several friendq, m? he rejoiced to find that he had been unanimously elected to the post. j i w hich Secretary heartily a?p?t-'d the resolution, j which was then agreed to. THE NEXT PLACE OF MEETING. 1 It was agreed to hold the next year's meeting 01 tne Union at Welshpool subject to consent of the church there. If it was found that that town was unavailable, the choice of a place of meeting will rest with the Executive Committee. A MONETARY MATTER. I « 1 1 I A resolution standing in Mr Dodd s name clec;ireci that of the f75 obtained in respect of the Llanwddyn should form a nucleus of a building fund, al]d that £ 10 shou'd be voted to Cefn. In the teinpoiiry absence of Mr Dodd, the Rev. M. O. Evans move!, iind the Rev. W. E. Jenkins seconded, the lesoiution, which was agreed to. THE MAGAZINE. I The Secrstary, who is also the editor of the North I Wales Congregational Magazine, called attention to it. lie urged that its circulation could be increased with advantage, and complained that he could not get news of the churches, particularly from Montgomeryshire and Merionethshire. The Chairman said that in Shropshire, where as in Aorth Wales the magazine had paid, a successful feature had been introduced by publishing the por- traits of the distinguished men who served the churches in the county. All distinguished men were good looking-(laughter)-and he came second in Shropshire. (Renew d laughter and applause.) He I was sure there were so idai,y distinguished men in North W ales that tho circulation would go up by leaps and bounds. (Laughter.) He also mentioned that in the Shropshire maguzine there was a local. essay, and it was the opinion that the local produci tion was better than that which came from London (Laughter.) I The matter then dropped. I COLLECTORS. I On the motion )f the Rev. J. Vincent Stephens, of IBucklcy, sec,ded by the It ev. E. L Buckley, seconded by the Rev. E. M. E dmunds, a I number of gentlemen were appointed collectors in the counties in the Union. I RAJFITK BY DA. GOODRICH. Dr. Go'diieh then read his paper on "The Preacher's Sjf; How it affecti his preaching." He commenced hy saying that Congregationalists did not treat the work of the ministry as a hospital into which the halt and lame could be placed. They recognised that the preacher must be a complete man in short he must be a go d man. Some thought that a poor man could with a little care be made a good preacher. This was a mistake, as was also the opinion held by some that in preaching a man was covered with it as with a garment. The fact was that preaching was a stripping away of clothes. Nowhere was the real man more completaly revealed than in the pulpit The preacher should be at least a good man, and it would be all the better if he were an able man. But it was the life of the preacher which was all important and affected his whole life, This was illustrated from nature. Dr. Goodrioh said, Coor Goes not exist in the object, but in ttie sub- ject the green is not in the grass, but in you." (Laughter.) Not only did the life of the preacher aff-ct his audience, but it affected his style, and he contended that if a preacher would have good style and good uliltei-, he must himself be good. Preachers were ambassadors of Christ, and they rnuit have a care that they discharged their duties with dignity, and in the words of Principal Caird he would say, What you speak must not only be true, but rue to you." In closing the reverend gentleman emphasised his theme that the preacher's own character made or marred his work. The paper, which was an able one, was heartily applauded throughout. THE REV. W. OLIVER. A letter was read from the Rev. W. Oliver, M A., paster of the Penybryn Church, Wrexham, who wrote f'om The Manse, Holywell. He said he much regretted that lie was laid up, and consequently could not attend the meetings of the Union, to which he he had looked forward with so much pleasure. The Chairman in a few kindly words expressed the sympathy of the Union with Mr Oliver in his illness. andwith the church in Wrexham which was deprived of his ministrations. THE GROUPING OF CHURCHES. This was the subj ret of an able paper read by the Rev. Albert Lee, Ph.B., F.R.G.S.. of Leeds. He approved of the system adopted by the Wesleyan Methodists, and contended that where there were two or three weak churches it wcild be better both financially and pasturally. There was an objection to lay preachers in some churches, but he thought this ought to be overcome for the sake of the work. He was anxious that the latent talents in the Com- munion t3hould be utilised for the great end in view. The grouping was one of much difficulty, and much care would have to be exercised in working out the plan. The paper was followed by a discussion, in which there was no single voice raised against the plan of grouping weak churches. Dr. David Roberts recognised in the proposal an adaptation of a principle which had long been applied in Wales. He was glad to see that the English were fond of taking the best which Wales afforded they took their butter, their mutton, and their preachers from them. (Laughter.) The Rev. F, Barnes said the grouping system had been adopted with much success in Cheshire. He hoped the Welsh friends would do the same, and that they would succeed even better than they had over the border. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. Garmon Roberts (Preshenlle) did not think that to an earnest man, distance was much of an object. While he had charge of a group of churches, he preached three times and walked eleven or twelve miles every Sunday, and be appealed to the Assembly to say whether it had done him any harm. (Much laugter.) He afterwards kept a pony, and, thanks to the liberality of the farmers, he was able to do so for 2" 6d per week. (Laughter, and hear, hear.) With regard to the money question, when he was in Montgomeryshire he was paid R75 a year, and this he found ample. He had r. ceived a gift of books after preaching in Liverpool, and he commended the example to the richer churches. He suggested that the town ministers should visit the country churches, and warned the Assembly not to think that any sort of preaching would do for the country. There was a great deal to be done for them. but there was much in them also. The Chairman said that in the proposed exchange of town and country pulpits, the objection came not. from the pulpit but from the pew. Mr John Roberts (Gwersyllt) was strongly in favor of grouping, and thought the proposal for the exchange of pulpits should be encouraged. The Rev. T. S. ltoss said in the New Testament there was a verse which described the st tie of the church as it was in apostolic times and as it should now be, And aU that believed were together, and had all things in common." He believed the ministers would be very willing to help the viilage chuiches, but the objection came from the pew. For selfish reasons alone he would De glad to visit other churches, for then he would be relieved from having to prepare three marvellous sermons a week. (Laughter.) He condemned strongly the lethargy of the churches, and said in all there was much talent which could be, and ought to be. directed towards the creatiol1 of a mutual ministry. The Rev. F. W. Clarkson entered here, and was warmly applauded. At the request of the Chairman, he interposed, and asked the representatives of the chu ches to state their objections to the system of grouping. Mr Sauvage thought one objection was to the way the minister's services were divided. The Rev. T. P. Williams (Bwlciiyffridd) said that the system of the Wesleyans would not woik unless there was a superintendent minister. The parson and his curate would steal the fl Jck unless it was carefully watched. The Rev. F. W. Clarkson said he had had the advantage of having reaa Mr Lee's paper just then, and he found, as he expected, that there was very little left for him to say. He found that there was a prejudice in favoi of an ordained minister, and that was much to be regretted. (Hear, hear.) Among his letters that morning was one which had been of great int-rest to him. It was from a minister in Seaford, in Sussex. It was the only Nonconformist place of worship in the place, which was becoming a seaside resort, ar.d he was glad to find that the Congrega- tionalists and other Nonconformists there had agreed to unite and form one strong church, (Loud cheers.) He hoped the system of grouping would be continued, and that it would grow in popularity, for the welfare of the churches demanded it. (Applause.) The Rev. Mr Ingall (Birmingham), at the request of the Chairman, spoke upon his experiences of the system in Warwickshire, and said that while there were some smail churches, which were so remarkable as to merit their independence, on the whole, the system would lead to good. The discussion then closed. VOTES OF THANKS. I The Secretary moved a vote of thanks to the Wrex- ham churches for their hospitality, and to the fiiends of other communions who had entertained the visitors. Mr James Lever, of Colwyn Bay, seconded, and it was carried. The Rev M. O. Evans responded on behalf of the Chester-street Church. He said he was nof, a paity to the invitation because he was not a Wrexham man, as he had now become. It had given the greatest pleasure to receive the visitors, and be liop,d that better things were in store than they had ytit tas'erl of (Laughter.) He was a stranger himself in Wrexham when the Union last met in the town, and he remembered the hospitab'e way they were entertained, and he was pleased his friends had not forgotten to entertain strangers. They had enter. tained angels, and if they had enter t .ined them un- awares t'iey wou'd kuow them th-y left them. (Much laughter.) Mr Stevens, in the abselc of the Rev W. O'iver, expressed the pleasure it had been tu entertain the visitors. His only regn t was that it had not been for a longer period. (Applause.) The Rev Robert R >bett*, Rhos, moved a vote of thanks to Dr Goodrich and the Rev Albert I.ee. With regard to the first he was much pleased with it, and intended to go away a better man. (Hear, hear) Mr Wm. Prichard, J. P., Wrexham, seconded, and the Rev D B. Evans, of Holywell, supported it in a practical and forceful speech. Both Kentlemen responded. Before the close of the business the Secretary desired to express his acknowledgment with Mr Charles Dodd, the local secretary, and the members of the L >c:il Committee for the a'd rendered him. (Applause.) THE LUNCHEON. I At two o'clock luncheon was supplied in St. James's Hall, when Mr G. W. Taylor presided. There were nearly 100 gue3t=, and the repast, which was supplied by Messrs Stevens, of Hope-street, was in keeping with the reputation of this well known and experienced firm. The Chairman proposed, in appropriate terms, the toast of The Queen," which was received with great cordiality, and the National Anthem was sang. The Chairman then addressed the eue.'t\ He ex- ,4-?ve Iiin t) I-)e p-e..3cnt on that pressed the pleasure it nave him t > be present on that occasion, ani thanked the c,-)-tim:t'ee f:)r honor it had done him in asking him to pre-?id'j over the luncheon. The work uf the Union was a gcod one, and he wished it God speed, for al- though the Welsh tmgue was and always would be beloved, yet the importance of the English language could not be overlooked, and the Union was wise in preparing for the wants of the population in the highest things. Ha did not by any means despise the Welsh language—(applause)—for he agreed with Archdeacon F.krrar that the :bi-lingual question was a positive advantage. (Applause.) He referred to the equality of religion in Australia, where there was no State Church—(applause)—and he hoped that opn Wales would be in the same happy state. (Cheers ) After alluding to the fact that thirty years ago the Rev. F. B. Brown had been his pastor, he em- phasied the importance of a religion. life, and closed bv making an appeal on behalf of the funds of the Union. The Rev. F. B. Brown briefly addressed the meet- ing. He said he was glad to meet Mr Taylor after so 1;)iig an interval, and referred t) the absence of those whose faces he remembered with so much pica- sure in Chester-street Chapel. He rejoiced to think that many of them, Mr Rocke, Mr T. E. Minshall, and Mr Rawlins were in active religious work in London. Mr Lloyd Parry, B.A., of Mold, delivered an ad. dress in which he contended that between the school- master and the minister there was a strong alliance. He rejoiced that in the Intermediate Sch tOls religious t aching was to be admitted. The Secretary moved a vote of thanks to Col. Barnes for his services as president during the past year. The Rev. J. J. Poyiiterj~89conde-l, and it ¡w: carried.' Mr J. Prichard proposed the health of Mr Taylor, which after a graceful reference by the Rev. M. O. Evans, was cordially drunk, and Mr Taylor re- sponded. The proceedings then terminated. THE PUBLIC MEETING. In the evening a public meeting was held in St. James' Hall, under the presidency of Col. Barues, and there was a fair attendance. After the singing of the hymn Awake, awake, 0 j Zion," the Chairman opened the proceedings by ap-,)Iogising for not havina, u apologising for not having attended the other meetings that day, but he explained he had caught a chill, and was obliged to rest. He regretted that he had not heard the papers of Dr. Goodrich and the Rev. Mr Lee that morning, and he was also sorry that he was unable t,) attend the luncheon. He was glad to say that the meeting- of the Union had been very suc- cessful. (Hear, hear.) Proceeding, the Chairman said there appeared to be a growing vitality in the Nonconformity of Wales, and he hoped the Estab- lished Church in the Principality would stir herself up to keep abreast cf the good work done by the Free Churches. He hoped all churches, both Established and Free, would strive to do all the good they could. Referring t) the curtailment of the grants by the Church Aid Society, which he regretted, he thought the rich churches should help the weak, and this could only be done by the Society being more efficiently supported with funds. With regard to the Welsh Nationalism which was exhibited in the Assembly on Tuesday, he pointed out that as five- sixths of the money came from Chester, Shrewsbury, and the Border Counties, he thought those who found the money should have a voice in its expenditure. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. F. B. Brown said it was a pleasure to be on the platform with two of his pastors-his dear friend and present pastor, the Rev. M. O. Evans, of Wrexham, whom they all loved and esteemed—(ap- plause)—and with Mr Clarkson who had been his partor in Edgbaston for seven years. The rev. gentleman referred to the weakening of the country churches. One reason of this was the leaving of the young men to large towns and to go abroad. It was also true that some landlords objected to let their farms to Nonconformists and to Liberals. (Shame ) He trusted this would be amended, and hoped that work would be done and the funds of the Church Aid Society would be enlarged to meet the new demands. The present day was one of change of method in church work, and he would not say, for it was not wise to say it.that the past days and old methods were better than the present. He did not think it was so, and showed there was much to encourage Christian workers, but at the same time he complained that by many the Lord's Day was not g iven to the Lord, and public worship was not appreciated by many. There was still work to do, and he spoke with approval of a pamphlet entitled Blessed be drudgery." In that book it was said that although ideals were not often realised, they could idealize the real, and it was the duty of Christians to place ideals before them. It was the duty of all to make the world what it ought to be. Instrumental strength was necessary, but it was useless except there was in it the living power of Christianity. (Cheers.) Mr G. W. Taylor, who was cordially received, said he felt pleased to have been present at the luncheon in the afternoon. It was an important representative gathering, and he rejoiced to find commercial mer, in the present days of fierce competition, devoted time to take an interest in matters which elevated the soul. There was a danger in the rush of business of neglect- ing the higher interests, and to neglect them was to make a shipwr ck of life. He regretted that there were signs of intollerence between Christian bodies. He was sure they were condemned by the best men and wo'nen on both sides. (Applause.) While being true to their own denominations, which was only righl,-(hear. hear,)—he thought it was their duty to recognize the good in all. He congratulated the meeting upon the religious work done in England, and pointed out that it acted as an example and stimulus to the Britons beyond the seas. (Applause.) The Rev. J. Machreth Rees (Carnarvon) said he was, as Dr. Rees, of Swansea, said, a Welsh Welsh- man, and he did not know why he had been acked to speak, unless that he was a Congregationalist from mature conviction, and a Welsh Welshman. (Laughter and applause.) The present time in Wales was a time of awakening, and the development of the intellect apparent in the country was not going to be allowed to rest. Now old religious forms and hallowed phrases were examined, and many men were like the sailors of old preparing to drop anchor and wait for the day. There was also an awakening on the part of the Church of England, but he regretled that there was a spirit of persecution in that church, and he knew in some places that no Nonconformists need apply for a farm or a situation, and persons had been warned not to give a night's shelter to a Noncon- formist preacher. (Shame.) After referring to Welsh nationalism, he urged that independency com- mended itself to the genus of the Welsh nation, but whether it would be of advantage to growing Wales depended upon present effort to win the people. There must be a higher standard in the pulpit, and he hoped the days of platitudes and ignorant declamation in religious men wan over. (Hear, hear.) He strongly urged that the members of the Church should be acquaintod with iti history, for he feared there were Independents in the country who did not know the difference between a State and a Free Church. He hoped that in the future attention should be paid to the characteristic; of the Welsh in any work that was undei taken on their behalf. After the collection had been taken the Rev W. F. Clarkson, secretary of the Church Aid Society, ad. dressed the meeting. He said it was his duty to represent to the tich churches tie need of the poorer ones, and he also went to the poorer churches and ex- pressed the sympathy and co-operation of the richer ones. Many viilagd churches had thrilling annals, and they deserved the kindly sympathy and help of the brethrer. He acknowledged with thankfulness the increased zal of the clergy of the Church of England, but he could not conceal the fact there were two religions-one which was of the priest which put God far away in the background, while the other was free, and taught that any man could come to God without the intervention of anyone. ( applause.) If the clergy of the Church of England would only use argument, to try and stamp out dissent, it would be aliright. but there had been boycotting in England long before Captain Boycott was tabood in Ireland. (Applau-e.) He thought the coming cenEUS would reveal the extent of the migration of young life from the country into the large town?. This being so it was necessary to put into the country churches strong men, who would mould that young life when it was most plast:c, (Hear, hear.) They hoped that the drift would not always be to the towns, for with alterat'ons in the land laws and social conditions, the exodus would be stayed. (Applause ) It was the duty of the strong town churches t) help the weak country ones, for they had no right t ) waste their virtues upon themselves. In closing, he ap- pealed strongly for additional funds for the S ciety he represented. The meeting closed with the usual votes of thanks. ————— »