seats available for school desks, or tea tables; consequently presenting every facility for day school, tea party, or lecture hall. The trustees may be congratulated on their choice of the designs of Messrs. Clegg and Knowles, architects, Manchester, as presenting everything that could be wished without lavish expenditure; not less fortunate were they in committing the work to Messrs. Robert Neill and Sons, who have executed it in a style of workmanship worthy of that eminent firm; and though in every respect thorough and excellent, yet it was finished a month before the specified time. The entire cost will be about £2,700, towards which the following subscriptions have been promised, and the greater portion paid :— Mr. and Mrs. Derbyshire, £105; Mr. Councillor Jenkinson, £100; Mr. Councillor Harwood, £75; Mr. J. H. Brookes, £50; Mr. John Turner, Mr. J. Jenkinson, and Mr. R. Hankinson, £25 each; Mr. Robert Gladstone, Mr. James Woodhouse, Mr. E. Wood, Mr. Alderman Pilling, and Messrs. Lockett, Sons, and Leake, £10 each; Mr. Councillor Morris, Mr. F. Thompson, Mrs. F. Thompson, Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. James Percival, Mr. R. Greenhalgh, Mr. G. Jenkinson, Mr. A. C. Derbyshire, Mr. W. P. Burnley, Miss Burnley, Miss Butterfield, and Mr. Moss, £5 5s. each; Mr. Councillor Muirhead, Mr. J. Rathbone, Mr. R. Stevenson, Mr. J. K. Foreman, Mr. TRycroft, Mr. John Burnley, Mrs. John Burnley, Mr. John Brooks, Mr. Derbyshire's children, Mr. G. Bradbury, Mr. John Neill, and Mr. John Wainwright, £5 each; Mr. John Dean, Mr. Thomas Gaythorpe, and Mrs. Hopkinson, £3 3s. each; Mr. Milling, Mr. Henry Green, and 1st Class Males, £3 each; Mrs. R. Stevenson, £2 10s.; Mr. W. Hardman, Mr. W. S. Haines, Mr. G. Hall, Mr. T. Earnshaw, Mr. Samuel Grundy, Miss Hopkinson, Miss Kendall, and Miss Gaythorpe, £2 2s. each; Miss Manthorpe, Rev. W. Longbottom, Mr. C. Phillips, Mr. J. Jenkinson's children, Mr. N. Jones, Mr. Brindley, Miss Esplin, Mr. J. W. Millwood, Mr. John Renwick, Mr. W. J. Roberts, and Mr. C. Sampson, £2 each; Mr. C. Farmer, Mr. R. Platts, Mr. F. Thompson's children, Mr. Thomas Wilson, Mr. R. Bailey, Miss Kay, Miss Inman, Miss Hayward, Miss Mills, Mrs. Percival, Mrs. A. C. Derbyshire, Miss Wilson, Miss Ella Wilson, Mr. A. F. Brown, and Mrs. Swain, £1 1s. each; Mr. J. Davis, Mr. G. Richards, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Rothwell, A Friend, Miss F. Hall, Mr. Gyte, Mr. and Mrs. Wagstaff, Miss Richards, Mr. W. Mann, Mr. John Webster, Miss Hunt, Mr. Donalson, and Mr. Odgen, £1 each; Mr. Stevenson's children, 15s.; Mr. A. Burley, and Mr. Eger, 10s. 6d. each; Mr. Charles Spence, Mr. Warburton, Mr. Henry Richards, Rev. Edward Thomas, and Miss Yates, 10s. each; Miss Speakman, 78.; Miss Holmes, Miss Blunt, Miss Campbell, Mr. Dearn, and Mr. C. H. Meaden, 5s. each; Mrs. Lowe, Mrs. Charles Spence, and Mrs. Harrison, 2s. 6d. each; Miss Elby, 2s.; Proceeds of Entertainments, £37 10s. 7d.; Proceeds of Bazaar and Christmas Tree, £308 5s. 7d.; Canvass of Neighbourhood, £8 12s. 5d.; Proceeds of Ladies' Sewing Meetings, £7 19s. 8d.; Proceeds of Tea at School, £12 7s. 5d.; Grant from School Fund, £12 10s.; Interest on money lent, £18 48. 4d.; Amount in Purses laid on Stone, £40 2s. 7d.; Collected at Stonelaying and received at Door, £7 188. 9d.; Grant from Whit Week Fund, £10.-Total, £1,137 10s. 10d. After the great efforts made by our friends in the first subscription, some anxiety was felt as to the pecuniary result of the opening services. Our devoted and liberal friend, Mr. Derbyshire, being unwell, and knowing the uncertainty of life, resolved that his aid should in no case be wanting at the opening, and therefore handed fifty guineas to one of the treasurers, to be given on the occasion. Death did, indeed, enter his family at the time, but took away not the parent stock, but a blooming, promising youth of thirteen, who went to view the school the Sabbath before the opening, worshipped with us in the evening, heard a sermon on "Behold! I come quickly," and then scarlatina did its work; but his beloved father was spared, though in bereavement, to attend the opening services. May his valuable life long be spared to us! On Sunday, November 6, 1870, the first opening sermon was preached by the Rev. William Longbottom, the late superintendent of the circuit, under whose administration the foundation stone was laid. The discourse was an able exposition of the first and great commandment, and the collection £31 2s. 04d. Our venerable friend, the Rev. Robert Henshaw, addressed the children, parents, and teachers in the New School, in the afternoon, when £4 12s. 6d. was contributed. Dr. Stacey preached in the evening a discourse coming home to the hearts of the people, on "The name of the Lord is a strong tower," when £27 178. 2d. was collected. On the following Sabbath, the Rev. J. F. Goodall, who was stationed in this circuit a few years ago, and greatly endeared himself, preached in the morning, on "The barrel of meal that wasted not," and the collection reached £23 12s. 4d.; and in the evening he expatiated on "We preach Christ crucified," with power and freedom, and £26 18s. 8d. was added to the contributions. The labours of all the brethren thus engaged were highly appreciated. The Lord was with his servants. On Wednesday, November 16th, the tea meeting was held-perhaps the most successful in the annals of the Connexion; and because it is desirable to say how it was made so successful we must describe the process. A tea meeting that raised over £143 is perhaps without compare, yet we are willing that every circuit in the Connexion should surpass us. May we say, "Provoke us, dear brethren, to love and good works; stimulate us; bring your noblest deeds and put them side by side with our poor nothings, and shame us to do more for a loving Saviour and a lost world." But £143 at a tea meeting-how was it raised? No part of biography is more useful than that which exhibits the process by which great minds have been formed; and no statements of church work are more valuable than those which detail the successive steps by which satisfactory results have been reached. Two words, Liberality and Labour, explain the result of our great tea meeting. First, our esteemed and long-tried friend, Mr. Councillor Jenkinson, who laid the foundation stone by proxy (his son, Mr. Joseph, officiating, by desire of the trustees), announced that, independently of what he gave at the opening services, he would give forty trays (£10) to the tea meeting. Mr. Councillor Harwood and Mr. John Burnley, in a friendly way, stimulated each other to offer a like sum; Mr. R. Hankinson followed in the same good way; from Mr. Derbyshire's munificent contribution ten guineas were allotted; then lady collectors were appointed to beg for trays, and after much travel and toil, through all kinds of unfavourable weatherfor the excellent woman is not afraid of the snow-they obtained more than FIVE HUNDRED TRAYS. The following were the sums announced at the tea meeting: Collected by Mrs. Hankinson and Mrs. Harwood, £82 9s. 6d., as follows:-Mr. Derbyshire, £10 10s.; Mr. Councillor Harwood, Mr. Hankinson, and Mr. John Burnley, £10 each; Mr. Toulson, £3 3s.; Mr. J. H. Brookes, £2; Mr. John Brooks, £1 10s.; Mr. and Mrs. Ford, £1 11s. 6d.; Mr. A. C Derbyshire, £1 5s.; Mr. Whitworth and Mr. Burton, £1 1s. each; Mr. Fox, Mr. Barker, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Milne, Mr. Whiterow, Mr. Lightbourne, Mr. Brett, Messrs. Butterworth and Hall, Mr. J. L. Bury, Messrs. Hine and Marsh, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Woodhouse, Mr. Warren, Mr. Foreman, Mr. Holland, Mr. Milling, Mrs. Horden, Mr. Astley, Mr. Hill (Bury), and Mr. Lings, £1 each; Mr. Chapman, 10s. 6d. ; Mr. Jackson, Mr. A. Talent, Mrs. Stephenson, Mr. Edge, Mr. Courtneidge, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Bolderson, Mr. William Ellis, Mr. Wagstaff, and Mr. Jackson, 10s. each; Mr. S. Jones, Mr. James Eyres, Mr. Gilbert, Mrs. Beadles, Mrs. Rothwell, Miss Florence Woodhouse, Master Herbert Woodhouse, Mrs. Richards, Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. J. Davies, Mr. Proudlove, Mrs. Hopkinson, Mrs. Foster, and Mr. Gyte, 5s. each; Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Warriner, Mr. Hodgson, Mr. John Millward, Mr. L. Weser, a Friend, a Friend, and Mr. Earnshaw, 2s. 6d. each; Mr. Hyde, 2s. ; Mrs. Parker, 6d. Collected by Mrs. Jenkinson and Mrs. W. Jenkinson, £50 16s. 6d., as follows:-Mr. Councillor Jenkinson, £10; Mr. J. Jenkinson, Mr. R. Neill, junr., and a Friend, £5 each; Mr. Councillor Jenkins, £3 3s. ; Mrs. Haines, £1 10s.; Mr. Burnley, £2; Mr. Hall and Mr. Percival, £1 58. each; Mr. Councillor Farrer, Mr. J. Neill, Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson, Mr. G. Jenkinson, and Rev. Henry Piggin, £1 each; Mrs. Bradbury, Mr. J. Moss, Mrs. Chadwick, Mr. G. Wood, Mrs. Moss, Mr. Lawson, Mr. J. Dean, Mr. Flather, Mr. R. Farrer, Mr. Winterbottom, Mr. H. Smith, Mr. Dobson, and Mr. Richmond, 10s. each; Mrs. Kay, Mrs. Brindley, Mrs. Robertson, Dr. T. Bullock, Mr. Greenhalgh, Mrs. Gaythorpe, Mr. Frost, Mr. Atkinson, Mrs. W. Jenkinson, Miss M. Campbell, Mr. Pendleton, Mrs. Sampson, Miss Esplin, Mr. Rowley, Mr. Howarth, Mr. A. Burley, Mr. Froude, Mrs. Parker, and Mrs. Bailey, 5s. each; Miss Braddock and Mr. Huckforth, 2s. 6d. each; Miss Cooke, 2s.; Mrs. Bailey, 1s. 6d. Collected by Miss Ella Wilson and Miss Musson, from the Teachers and Scholars, £10 5s. 6d., as follows:-Mr. S. Foster, £1; Miss Musson, 15s.; Mr. H. Williamson, Mr. S. Davidson, and a Friend, 10s. each; Mr. F. Ryecroft, Mr. J. B. Blakeley, Mr. J. Archer, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Henry Shaw, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Sampson, Mr. Wood, Mr. Hyde, Master J. Stevenson, Master W. H. Derbyshire, Master G. T. Lee, Master A. Bradbury, Master A. Wood, Master R. Brooks, Miss Burnley, Miss Gaythorpe, Miss Stead, Miss S. Wilson, Miss E. Wilson, Miss M. A. Stevenson, Miss Yates, Miss Talent, and Miss Kay, 5s. each; Master J. Daley, Master James Brooks, Mr. W. Howarth, Mr. G. Proudlove, and Mr. J. W. Millward, 2s. 6d. each; Small Sums, 8s. Oh, the power of littles! Oh, the wonders wrought by the agglomeration of atoms! Despise not the widow's mite. Some of the smaller sums were doubtless contributed with the greatest sacrifice and selfdenial; but God is not unrighteous to forget their work of faith and labour of love. The tickets were not left to sell themselves, but distributed among a number of persons charged to sell them, and no less than 695 tickets were sold. The energy displayed in the manifold preparatory arrangements reflects great credit on the committee, more especially its embodiment, the secretary, Mr. John Burnley, who spared no labour to make the meeting a grand success. If ever we were called upon to sing unto the Lord a new song, surely this was the occasion, and there was one to hand never before printed-the composition of a true poet a poetical paraphrase of the sixty-seventh psalm. God be merciful, and bless us With the riches of His grace, And the sins which sore oppress us Sweetly pardon and efface; Shine upon us from above, Fill our hearts with light and love. That His truth to every nation Of the earth may be made known, To the wide world plainly shown Sing to Him with joy and gladness, Then the earth with plenty teeming Shall bring forth a large increase, God shall bless our house and store, Flock ye nations to adore Him, For He comes the earth to bless, And to reign in Righteousness. Beautifully was it sung by the crowded congregation assembled in the chapel, after the feast of material things to share in the feast of eloquence and music. The Rev. R. Henshaw prayed that the blessing of God might rest upon us-on the new schools, on the church, on the nation. Our chairman, Henry Atherton, Esq., delivered a brief introductory speech, full of Methodistic feeling and fire. The report was read by Mr. A. C. Derbyshire, secretary of the building committee. The Rev. John Innocent made his début in a few excellent remarks on religious education. The Rev. John Medicraft entertained the meeting with an imaginary balloon ascent, pointing out from the supposed elevation some things which we do not see, an invading army, blazing villages; some things which we see and do not want to see, drunkenness and crime; and some things which we see and are thankful to see, Christian churches and schools; and after soaring away for fifteen minutes, accomplished a safe descent. Rev. W. Longbottom followed in an excellent speech on passing events, illustrating by the collapse of the French Empire, the ultimate downfall of successful villany. Mr. Charles Shaw vigorously denounced the ambition which was deluging the earth with blood, and severely reprehended the policy which seemed to affirm "Might is right;" he also adverted in suggestive terms to the coming future of Sabbath schools. The following hymn was then sung, and, because it is so appropriate to the times, we give it in full: We are living, we are dwelling, To be living is sublime. Will ye play, then, will ye dally, God's own arm hath need of thine. Worlds are charging to the shock. For the truth's sake go abroad; Strike! let every nerve and sinew Tell on ages-tell for God! The Rev. II. F. Marshall gave an interesting address on the design contemplated by the new schools; and the Rev. J. Le Huray received an enthusiastic welcome from his old friends, and delivered a characteristic speech. The singers discoursed sweet music at intervals; and by sundry votes of thanks moved, seconded, and acknowledged by the writer, Messrs. R. Hankinson, J. Burnley, J. J. Harwood, J. II. Brookes, W. Jenkinson, and J. Percival, this delightful meeting was brought to a close at a seasonable hour. And now, with new premises amid a dense population, may we be knit together in love, and aided to serve our generation according to the will of God! Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us! "Oh, send the day-spring of Thy grace abroad! Oh, be Thy people with Thy beauty Direct the efforts of our hands, O God, HUDDERSFIELD CIRCUIT. OPENING OF A NEW ORGAN THURSDAY, the 10th of November, was a red-letter day in the history of our Lindley Church. On that day hopes long deferred were realized. and hearts gladdened by the sight and sound of our new and magnificent organ. For a long time it had been felt that the old instrument deserved and demanded superannuation. It had rendered good service for many years, but organs, like everything else, wear out, and this was no exception to the general rule. It was admitted, even by its best friends, that the time had come when it must withdraw from public life into the retirement it had so richly earned. Having come to this decision, the next step was to secure an instrument which would be at once adequate to the demands of our service of song, and an ornament to the splendid building in which it would stand. Different opinions were entertained as to the price that ought to be paid. The more cautious argued that on no consideration ought it to cost more than £350. Some bolder spirits, stronger in faith as to the ability and liberality of the people, contended that on no account ought it to cost less than £500. The bolder counsels prevailed, and a few months ago the new instrument was ordered of the Messrs. Conacher, of Huddersfield, the cost not to exceed £500. Having ordered the organ and voted the money, the next step was to raise the one and pay for the other. We knew at the outset that to do this every nerve would have to be strained, and every stone would have to be turned. We knew, too, that the people had a mind to work, and felt confident that we were quite equal to the task we had undertaken. We commenced with the determination not to give up until we had accomplished our purpose; not to be satisfied unless we placed the organ in the chapel free of debt. The effort was started by our well-known and highly-esteemed friend W. Sykes, Esq., of Green Lea, who generously promised £100; Alderman Binns followed with a promise of £40, and Alderman Pilling with £25. The choir pledged themselves to raise £50; the Ladies' Sewing Meeting, £80; and the Young Ladies' Sewing Meeting, £30. The village was divided into districts, and canvassers appointed to visit all the members and friends. Never were beggars more kindly received and more richly rewarded. Begging is not generally a very enviable errand; but in this instance it was a privilege and pleasure. Duty was a positive delight. Instead of being met with black looks and mournful tales, we were greeted with smiling faces and open purses. People volunteered to give before they were asked. Some whom we never contemplated waiting on sent to say they would be glad of a visit, and of course we were too obliging to deny them. At length the long looked-for day of opening arrived. Such was the excitement occasioned, that a stranger passing through the village would have imagined it was a fête day. Long before the appointed time streams of people were flowing from all parts to the chapel, and, by the commencement of the service every available seat in the building was occupied. The chair was taken by W. Sykes, Esq. Mr. Berry, the High Street organist, presided at the new instrument with a skill which exhibited its splendid qualities to best advantage, and sustained his reputation as a first-rate musician. Several anthems were sung with great taste and ability by the High Street choir, and short and genial speeches were given by the Rev. C. D. Ward of Bradford, J. Ogden of Halifax, and the circuit minister. The only drawback to the evening's enjoyment was the unavoidable absence of Alderman Pilling of Bolton, and G. Woodhouse, Esq., the architect of the chapel and the designer of the organ. Both these gentlemen are natives of Lindley, and are much and deservedly respected here. On the following Sunday the services were continued. Sermons were preached by the superintendent of the circuit and the resident minister. The musical part of the services was rendered very attractive by the efficient services of our own choir, assisted by a few friends. The congregations were very large, especially the evening one, when the chapel was literally packed. |