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Two Sabbaths have elapsed since the termination of the opening services, and the congregations have been good. Since the Conference we have had additions of members every week, and the offertory has gone steadily up. We have at least three times more persons actually meeting in class than before Conference, and we have had twelve inquirers, ten of whom are meeting in class, and promising to become good members. The Church is seeking after holiness, as our excellent President recommended us to do; and some have already found the blessing. The Sabbath-school has benefitted by our quickened life and increased activity. Our aim is to double our membership and income during the year, and we have faith that God will enable us to accomplish

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Wesley visited this village on March 27, 1774, and upon the spot where he stood a small chapel was erected. At the Division in 1797 the Society numbered forty-four members, forty of whom, including the trustees, went with the new body, thus retaining possession of the chapel, which was incorporated with the Nottingham Circuit. The Rev. J. Revill was the first preacher appointed to this circuit, and the day after his arrival in Nottingham he came to Stapleford. In his memoir of Mrs. Revill, he says: "I left Sheffield for Nottingham, August 19, 1797. The day after my arrival I was sent to a place called Stapleford. After dinner, Mr. Thomas Bartholomew (one of the Wesleyan preachers) came to the house where I was, and called our friend to the door to ask him if they were determined to take the new itinerant preachers in. He said they were, and he went his way; but before, I got to the chapel word was brought me that if he (Mr. Bartholomew) must not preach in the chapel, he would preach at the door." From this, however, he appears to have been dissuaded, and he retired with his congregation to a small room a distance off. The Society held possession of the chapel for a few years, when they were turned into the street by one of the trustees. The cause of this strange proceeding is still remembered in the village, but it had nothing whatever to do with religious disputes, and is really unworthy of report. It strikes us at this distance of time with surprise that one trustee should have had so much influence, and regret that be should have used it thus. The 'old chapel,' as it used to be called, became Wesleyan, and the Methodist New Connexion Society was reduced to seventeen members; but these remained faithful to their principles. One of the members opened his house for preaching, and shortly afterwards another lent his barn for the same purpose, and here they continued to worship until they were

in a position to "arise and build.” They managed to erect a comfortable little place, costing about £200; barnlike, it is true, still a great deal better than the barn referred to. Great determination and perseverance had to be exercised in this effort; all who were able had to put their shoulders to the wheel, and evidence of heartiness is still seen on the front of the building in a great number of initials (cut in bricks) of members and friends who subscribed to the undertaking, initials of names of men of honoured memory-Posnett, Farrand, Wallis, Harrison, Kirkby, Salt, and many others. The sum of about £30 was collected in Stapleford. Nottingham came forward liberally. The inhabitants of the village, considering the friends there to have been badly used, came forward, giving money, labour, carting, and material, which accounts for the building being erected for the small sum of £200-a debt of £65 being left. In this chapel the Sunday-school was commenced, and bands of devoted men and women went forth to the neighbouring villages of Sandiacre, Stanton, and Chilwell, there to commence other Sundayschools and preaching, and they succeeded in each village; but for various reasons Sandiacre and Stanton have, years ago, been given up. While labouring thus in the vineyard they kept in mind the claims of home, so started a club to afford help in cases of sickness and death, styled "The Stapleford Sick Friendly Society," meeting in Providence Chapel, which has been of immense service to many, and is likely yet to be so to others. In 1817 a preacher's house was built at a cost of £180, which was, however, a few years later, given up. In 1829 a scheme for a new chapel was projected, and, meeting with a hearty response, was successfully carried through, the new edifice being opened in September, 1830. The cost of the land and chapel was £660, about £415 remaining as a debt. Other portions

of land were afterwards bought, partly to serve as a burial-ground and partly to prevent other buildings being erected too near the chapel. The old chapel was used as a Sunday-school. Great labour and self-denial were required on the part of the members before the work previously narrated was accomplished. Subscriptions were solicited and collected by pious women, and those who had not money to give, gave the labour of their hands; while the men of the Society did labourers' work of any description, with a persistent energy which spoke volumes for their zeal. For eight years the Society worshipped in this chapel, and then it had to be enlarged at a cost of nearly £600. The enlargement did not prove a very happy thing, though it seemed the best thing to be done, at the time. For many years the friends had to contend with a heavy debt (about £800), but by persistent effort and strict economy it was at length reduced to a manageable sum. Year by year a little was done to reduce the debt. In 1861 a beautiful and commodious schoolroom was built, at the cost of about £600.

In 1875 a member of the congrega. tion made a proposition for the extinction of the debt, which was speedily accomplished, and several years ago the scheme for the erection of a new chapel was set on foot. This scheme, being strongly pushed to the front by our last two superintendent ministers, the Revs. A. McCurdy and J. Medicraft, and the good advice and counsel they gave, has in some measure tended to bring about this very happy result.

The new sanctuary, which is to cost not less than £2,000, is being erected on the spot occupied by the old chapel, which has been pulled down. It is designed by Mr. A. H. Goodall, of Nottingham, and will be a noblelooking structure. It is being erected in red brick, in the style known as "Decorated Gothic," the sides and

back, as well as the front, being faced with the best pressed bricks, with stone dressings.

The chief features of the front elevation are the two main entrances in the centre thereof, having stone arches, shafts, moulded bases, and carved capitals, over which is a large and beautiful five light traceried windows, with buttresses and pinnacles at each side. At each angle of the front are placed the staircases to gallery.

Three vestries are provided at rear, and will be easily accessible from the school as well as the chapel. The internal fittings will be of pitch pine, and varni-hed. Accommodation will be provided for 600. The whole will be warmed by Holden's (Sheffield) hot-air apparatus, and special attention will be paid to efficient ventilation, and altogether the place will be worthy of our Stapleford Society.

The memorial stones of the new chapel were duly laid by the beforementioned persons, and the mallet used by each of the impromptu masons was made from wood felled by Mr. Gladstone during one of his visits to this county.

At the ceremony there were present the Rev. H. Piggin (formerly a member of this Society), Revs. A. Leach, W. Hookins, J. E. Hodge, M. M. Todd, D. Bailey, and G. Gibson (Wesleyan). A sealed bottle, containing two Nottingham papers, a circuit plan, and other interesting matter, was deposited under the principal stone, by Mr. J. Harrison, secretary to the trustees. Each of the stone-layers was presented with a beautifully-bound copy of the Connexional Hymn-book, in the name of the Society, by the Rev. J. E. Hodge.

An address, in exposition of the principles and policy of the Connexion, was afterwards delivered, by the Rev. H. Piggin, and after the collection the Benediction was pronounced, and the proceedings closed. Tea was provided in the High-street schoolroom, a very large number

sitting down. A public meeting was held in the evening, and, in the absence of Councillor Acton, the Chair was taken by Joseph Orchard, Esq., of Long Eaton.

The collection at the stone-laying, &c. amounted to a little over £800, which, with £500 we have in the Bank and over £200 promised, together with the amount we hope to raise at the opening services, give us a fair prospect of opening the place free from debt. PETER SCATTERGOOD, JUN.

LONG EATON.

ON all hands, in this (Nottingham) circuit, schemes of chapel building and improvement are being discussed, or are in different stages of progress, and the friends at Long Eaton have been by no means behind other places in enterprise. It is only about nine years since their present beautiful sanctuary was opened for worship, but as at that time they had no accommodation for the Sabbath-school, the body of the chapel was only partially pewed, in order to admit of the school being held there. Sixteen months ago, however, a home was provided for it in the commodious lecture-hall, which, together with a fine suite of class-rooms, was built for its use. To complete their schemes, the friends determined a few months ago to pew the body of the chapel throughout, and to make other improvements which were deemed necessary. An orchestra has accordingly been built, in which a grand organ has been placed; two vestries have been added, the communion (which was formerly used by the choir) has been suitably furnished, and the entire building has been renovated and beautified at a cost, including the organ, of about £800. Mr. A. H. Goodall, architect, of Nottingham, has superintended the alterations. The organ has been built to the specifications of S. W. Pilling, Esq., of Bolton, by Messrs. Brindley and Foster, of Sheffield, at a cost of £425.

The following is a summary of its contents: Great organ, CC to C, sixtyone notes, six stops; swell organ, CC to C, sixty-one notes, six stops; pedal organ, CCC to F, thirty notes, two stops; with five couplers, and five composition pedals.

The services in connection with the opening of the organ and the re-opening of the chapel commenced on Saturday, August 4, when S. W. Pilling, Esq., gave a grand organ recital. His programme comprised a number of classical selections, which were rendered with consummate skill and perfect taste to the delight of a large audience. On the following day the Rev. T. T. Rushworth, superintendent of the circuit, preached to good congregations, while, in the afternoon, a novelty in the form of a musical service was held. Selections of sacred music were rendered by W. Gadsby, Esq., of Ilkeston, and a suitable address was given by Mr. Rushworth. Mr. Pilling presided at the organ.

On the following Sunday two excellent and stirring sermons were preached by the President of the Conference to large congregations, and on the next day the services were brought to a climax by the inevitable teameeting. After tea had been served in the lecture-hall, the friends adjourned to the chapel, where a meeting was held under the presidency of Mr. I. Stephens, of Beeston. Addresses were given by the Rev. M. M. Todd, and by Messrs. Goodbarne, Swift, W. Winfield, and other gentle

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school. The services, I am pleased to add, have been successful throughout, and have been characterised by deep spiritual feeling. M. M. T.

Long Eaton.

OLDHAM CIRCUIT.

WERNETH.

THE new year opened very graciously here. "The Lord of Hosts is with us," and sinners have been kneeling at His footstool almost every Sunday evening. We expect Him to save, and He honours our faith. All hands have been set to work. The teachers have visited the homes of all the scholars with good results. A strong Vigilance Committee has been formed with the view of making a house-to-house visita. tion in the neighbourhood of the chapel, and to do all needful mission work, and lest "Satan find some mischief still for idle hands to do," others who cannot do mission work, have commenced to prepare for a sale of work to be held in the new year.

A Floral Service was held on August 5. The scholars, headed by the minister and superintendent, on the following day, marched from the chapel to the infirmary, each scholar carrying a bouquet; these were distributed among the inmates. Hymns were sung in all the wards. The little sufferers in the children's ward seemed to forget their pains, while a little girl (scholar) sang a solo for them. This she did with pleasing effect. The scene was a very touching one. All the inmates appreciated the visit very much. We might often bring comfort to the hearts of the sorrowing and suffering br little acts of this kind, remembering the Master's words: "I was sick, and ye visited Me."

THE

METHODIST NEW CONNEXION

MAGAZINE.

MRS. LOVE, OF DURHAM.

THE death of one occupying so high a position in the world as that lately filled by Mrs. Love would be certain, in any case, to make a deep impression on a wide circle of friends. In Durham, and the district immediately surrounding, a profound sense of solemnity seemed to possess the minds of all classes of the people when it was known that the end, which for several days had been anticipated, had really come. And probably not less deep was the impression made upon our entire community, for Mrs. Love's widespread beneficence had endeared her to the whole Connexion. It seems well, therefore, that a brief account of her life should appear in this Magazine, which conveyed intelligence of her death within a few days of its occurrence. It has been prepared mainly from materials furnished by her private secretary, Mr. Arch. Thompson. Mrs. Love lived to a good old age; she was nearly as old as the century, for her birth dates back to February, 1800. Her parents were Christian people, but by the death of her mother she was left, at a tender age, to the care of her bereaved father. Happily he was eminently qualified to be both father and mother to his child, and to train her for the service of Christ. Mr. Isaac Pearson was a prosperous and esteemed manufacturer and merchant in North Shields. He had a goodly presence, a comely and intelligent countenance, a well-informed mind, a sympathetic and genial disposition, with a heart full of love to God and kindness towards his fellow-men." The training and example of such a father could not fail to exert a beneficial influence on the susceptible mind and early habits of his daughter. She was led in early life to make choice of that better part which would not be taken from her. The daughter became, like the father, a devoted and self-denying member of the Methodist Church.

November, 1883.

41

VOL. LXXXVI.

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