years-that a few weeks since, in consequence of intercourse with T. Coop, of Wigan, he had been immersed, and had been made glad by finding brethren who take the truth alone as their guide and with whom he could heartily co-operate. He had resigned connection with the Methodist preaching plans, finding that the presentation of the whole truth would not be permitted. He avowed his intention to labor for Christ all his days. He saw that in and around Bolton he had a hold upon the people, and there were openings of considerable promise. His family being in Bolton, he could not separate himself from them so as to deprive them of proper oversight and attention. He

would labor in that district and visit other parts as the way might be opened. He did not ask any church, committee, or meeting to engage to support him though he would willingly accept the co-operation of the brethren, by the committee or otherwise-but the work he would do, with the blessing of God, and being set for preaching Christ he would do it, if necessary working with his own hands.

THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE reported that T. Parris intended to remain in the field, but he preferred, and intended, to arrange with some one church or district, and not to spread his labors over a wide range. Also that J. B. Rotherham desires to labor during the ensuing year in connection with the committee, it being understood that he deemed it necessary that some place be selected as the centre of his operations and as the home of his family.

Resolved-That the Evangelist Committee arrange with J. B. Rotherham as to his services during the year.

Resolved-That the Evangelist Committee co-operate with W. Hindle as may be found requisite.

It was reported that Bro. Rae, who had been assisted by the committee to labor in Manchester, &c. had engaged himself in Bulwell, making his own arrangements with the church there.

THE LOCATING OF EVANGELISTS brought into notice the whole of the applications for evangelistic aid. After

careful consideration it was

Resolved-That D. King be recommended to work from Birmingham as a centre during the ensuing evangelistic year, and

Harbinger, Sept. 1, '65.

to respond, so far as possible, to the invitations from Lincoln, Manchester, Wolverhampton, and towns in the neighborhood of Birmingham, &c.

Resolved-That J. B. Rotherham confer

with the committee, with a view to his visiting two or three districts, and the subsequent selection of one as the principal field of his labor during the year, and that he begin with Bristol and Bath.

Resolved-That this meeting having had its attention drawn to the desirability of sustaining evangelistic effort in the neighborhood of Bolton, recommend W. Hindle, if he continue his labors in that locality, to endeavor to work in harmony with the church in Bolton, and to that end, if ne cessary, to invite to his aid the elder brethand sanction of the committee. ren of the neighborhood, with the advice

H. EXLEY having stated his intention to leave this country for America, in order to meet again his aged parents, for the improvement of his health, and with a view to the advantage of his family, the warmest regret was expressed and he was earnestly solicited to return. Though giving no promise, he left considerable hope in the minds of many present that his removal from this country would only be temporary.

Resolved-That in consideration of the

valuable services of Bro. H. Exley, and in view of the journey before him, the committee be instructed to present him the sum of £25, and also a letter of commendation.

Resolved-That as W. Thompson can spend a few weeks longer in this country, he be requested to give his services to Brighton and Piltdown.

Resolved-That in consequence of the favorable opinions concerning B. Ellis, of Chelsea, the committee be requested to confer with him in reference to evangelistic work, as circumstances may require.

Resolved-That this meeting having heard through Bro. King from Bro Franklin, of Cincinnatti, that two reliable evangelists are ready to come over to this country, expresses its gratification at the intelligence, and its desire that arrangements may be set on foot which may result in their paying the proposed visit; and that for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements the matter be entrusted to our Evangelist Committee.

Resolved-That a list of the addresses of

the churches be printed and circulated.

Resolved-That G. Y. Tickle be on the Trust-deed Committee, in place of the late J. Davies.

Resolved-That it is desirable for the Evangelist Committee to urge the brethren

Harbinger, Sept. 1, '65.

to promote the effort to raise £1000, as a thank-offering for evangelistic purposes, before New Year's Day, 1866.

Resolved-That the next Annual Meeting be held at Nottingham, on the second Tuesday of August, 1866, to begin at two o'clock P.M.

Resolved-That the thanks of this meeting be given to the sisters, for their laborious duties in providing for our wants;

also to the chairman and secretaries.

The number of brethren from distant churches was not so large as usual, but this will not be understood as indicating want of interest, but as owing to London not being at all central for the churches.

815

by H. Exley, on Monday-B. Ellis, W. Hindle, and D. King, on WednesdayW. Thompson and T. Parris, on Friday. Out-door meetings were addressed by J. B. Rotherham, W. Thompson, and R. Mumby. The social meeting on Thursday evening was edified by Bros. Inwards, Pitman, Evans, Tickle, Hindle, Parris, Exley, Hurt, Corrie, T. Johnson, Thompson, and King. Hearts were warmed, prayers were earnest, and praise hearty, and declarations were made as to the beneficial influence of the meetings by those who had not before enjoyed such occasions.

Harbinger, Sept. 1, '65.

317

BANBURY.

During the year we have had the services of Brethren Evans, Exley, and Rotherham, and also for the last two Lord's days Brother Thompson. The labors of these brethren have been appreciated by us, and we hope that as a church we have been bene. fited. Eight persons have been immersed and added to the church, a school has been commenced on the Lord's day, in which we have an average attendance of about forty children, and about twelve brethren engaged in teaching. We have been ma. king vigorous efforts to get a comfortable meeting-house and school room. We expected that it would have been begun be. fore this, but from circumstances which have transpired we delay it a few months. During the year having had brethren with us for short periods, we have been convinced that efforts to be of real permanent service must be continuous. Just as a brother is gaining the confidence of the people and gathering a company, his labors have terminated, whereas had those labors been continued for six or twelve months the church would have been increasingly instructed, young converts would have been more established, and the effects of their labor would have been more evident. Being convinced of this, we feel it our duty to make an application for the services of Brother Exley for six or twelve months.

The brethren who have visited us preached the gospel regularly at Bloxham, a

large village three miles from here, and at Wardington, where there has been a small church for years. JAMES NORTON, EBENEZER WALL.

BRISTOL.

We are deeply thankful to God for evangelistic agency. It was by this means that we were first brought together as a church.

We have also derived great benefit from it since our organization, and as an acknowledgment of our debt, we have decided some months since to set apart 15 per cent. from our gross contributions for the Evangelistic Fund. We do not feel at liberty to promise any particular amount at the commencement of next year, but pledge ourselves to give cheerfully and willingly as the Lord in his providence may enable us.

Our schedule shows but little progress. We have been compelled to exclude some from our fellowship, while others have left from various other causes; but the principal opposition which we have to encounter is from the sectarianism with which this city abounds, wherein is developed much that panders to the eye and ear, as well as to early prejudices. We believe, however, that we exert an influence for good upon the parties around us, for numbers of them acknowledge the correctness of our position, though they neglect to enjoy our liberty.

We have received occasional help from Bath, which was very acceptable; yet we think it highly desirable to have evangel. istic help, if only for a month or two, as our own resources are very scanty.

WALTER TAYLOR, JOSEPH DERRICK.

318

BIRMINGHAM.

you

that since we last

We rejoice to inform had the pleasure of addressing you the work of the Lord has to some extent prospered in our hands. Our last year's report showed 223 members, additions by immersion 50 and by persons previously immersed 8. This year we report 280 members, 59 added by immersion, and 16 previously immersed. In the course of the last year 25 were separated from the church, this year 14 only have in like manner been removed. After deducting the total number of removals, including 5 by death, the present number of members is 57 more than last year. The decrease of separations, notwithstanding the increase of the church, may fairly be regarded as an indication of increased solidity.

The opening of our new chapel in September last has brought under the sound of the truth a larger number of hearers than we formerly obtained in hired halls, and we name this as an encouragement to those who are endeavouring to erect chapels.

Our last letter reported the commencement of Bro. King's labors in Wednesbury, which have resulted in the planting of a church there numbering some 14 members, though it has been reduced by removals occasioned by the "lock-out" in that district. A number more have been immers. ed, chiefly through our teaching, but have not yet seen it right to unite with the

church.

The removal to Wolverhampton of our brethren, the Turners and Dawsons, has hastened and helped the planting of a church in that important town, which last year was among "the things hoped for." And the labors of brethren King, Turner, Parris, T. Johnson, Carnduff, and Dow ling, have been so blessed that some 29 members now give promise of stability and

increase.

The church in Walsall has not increased and is not very promising, owing to the impossibility of obtaining a place of meeting which hearers can reasonably be expected to attend. Still the truth is circu. lated in the neighbourhood, and as the church is unable to provide teaching, it is supplied from Birmingham every Lord's day.

These facts are named because last year we asked that an evangelist might be sustained in the district for the purpose of cooperating with us in extending the truth to neighbouring towns deemed ripe for the harvest, and as indicating that we were not mistaken in our views as to the suitability of the field. We did not then ask evangelistic aid for Birmingham with a view to increasing our obligation to the churches,

Harbinger, Sept. 1''65.

Two of the above named places, and generally the third, are supplied every Lord's day, so that considering our contribution to the Evangelist Fund and the payment of travelling expenses of preaching brethren to neighbouring towns, as well as time spent by Bro. King in those towns and the help given by him to more distant parts, we do not regard the church in Birmingham as much indebted to the general funds for evangelistic labor during the past year.

a

It may be proper to observe that the above figures do not set forth the extent of our labor and progress, inasmuch as many who are not yet with us are largely A small under the influence of the truth. church some two miles from our chapel has recently sent us resolutions declaring its entire adoption of the Christian name and order, and asking co-operation, and chapel just erected in a parish of 16,000 inhabitants singularly deficient of chapel accommodation is offered upon reasonable terms for the use of a church to be composed of those sending the resolutions and such of our members as reside in that locality. In the event of this offer being accepted we shall have to provide preaching for this new and important opening. About 50 of our members reside in that direction and are willing to be transferred, if so recommended by the church; so that it is not unlikely that shortly a second chapel with commodious school accommodation may be opened. In view of the foregoing, and the fact that Bro. King has been largely instrumental in bringing about these results, and is intimately acquaint

ed with all the circumstances in relation thereto, we earnestly solicit that you will recommend him to devote as much time as more urgent obligation may permit to the development in the district of that work in which he has been so actively and beneficially engaged.

We again submit for your consideration the subject of district evangelisation, which we hold to be of great importance, and suggest that some eligible town be selected in which an evangelist should be located as the centre of operation, around which churches may be planted, and which shall co-operate in promoting the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom.

We are happy to propose the reception into the co-operation of the churches at Wednesbury and Wolverhampton. We also propose that the Annual Meeting of