were erected in their stead. It proved that what was said by a certain class of people was false. The other week, in Manchester, there were placards posted on the walls announcing a lecture to be delivered by a sceptic on

66

Christianity played out." He ventured to say that the title was false, and that Christianity would never be played out. An unmistakable sign of that was the success which had attended the meetings of Moody and Sankey. He did not think that any other mission, political or social, would have brought such an amazingly large number of people to the Free Trade Hall, three times a day, as Messrs. Moody and Sankey's services had. And they might depend upon it that down deep in the human heart there was a strong affection for the true piety and blessedness of Christianity; and even many who had not accepted Christ's religion had the conviction that it was the one thing needful. As he saw the thousands gathered together at the services in Manchester he thanked God for the sight. No! Christianity was not played out; for as their places of worship became too old, or small, they built more commodious structures, and thus were continually pressing forward. He was very glad to see Mr. Green once more; it was a pleasant thing to look upon his sunny face and hear his sunny speech; he was quite cosmopolitan, and could not be shut up at one place. They liked to see him at Georgestreet best, but it was to his credit that he had sufficient sympathy to take in the various denominations, and dispense his help all round; and he (Mr. Medicraft) trusted that he would always be able to make the places he was connected with verdant, watering them with his liberality.

The motion was put and responded to heartily.

Councillor Green briefly replied, and the sale commenced in carnest.

The stalls were five in number, and of these three bore evidence of the

The

taste and skill of the decorators. The portion of the room set aside for the display of drapery-the congregational and teachers' stalls-was specially attractive, the stands being open, with semi-circular roof covered with red cloth, and draped with crimson and gold hangings, while along the front were grouped bannerettes, nestling in which were parchment coats of arms of exquisite design and pattern, and suspended from the edge of the roof were snow-white shades. The scholars' stall was in line with the above, and was the centre of attraction to the junior portion of the visitors. decorations of the refreshment bar were suitable and tasteful, it being sheltered with white hangings, which were suspended from rafters done up after the Gothic style. From this "home to the hungry" we turn right about face, and before us stands a thorough crockery shop-the young men's establishment-over which are the words, in bold type, "God bless our young men." Taking the bazaar as a whole, we may say that the most fastidious person could scarcely fail to find something- -or many thingstempting in the charming display which met their gaze on every hand.

The whole affair was carried out very efficiently, and very few articles remained unsold when the bazaar closed on Monday night.

The following were announced as the receipts:-Donations, £66 8s. 64d.; Entrance, £17 18s. 8d. Sales: Thursday, £34 138. 11d.; Friday, £37 16s. 4d.; Saturday, £22 11s. 3d.; Monday night,' £14 14s. 9d.; total, £194 3s. 53d. There are a few donations not yet to hand, which will make the amount £200, and this, with the £420 already raised, will make a good beginning towards the £1,000 or more required for the new chapel.

HURST.

ON Saturday, February 10, a sale of work was held at the School, Queen-street, Hurst, the object being

to purchase a quantity of books for the Sunday-school library, to defray he expenses incurred in alterations and repairs, and to help the funds of the Church. There was a large attendance.

After the singing of a hymn, and prayer, the Rev. J. Gibson made a few observations. He spoke of the sale as a united effort on the part of the Church and school, but it was not regarded as a great affair. At the close of the year they expected to have another bazaar, with a view of raising a larger sum of money than they were now attempting to raise. The Hurst Circuit had decided to ask at the next Conference for a second married minister to reside at Hyde, and the bazaar which it was proposed to hold afterwards would have for its object the furnishing of this minister's house, as well as the meeting of the expenses on the present minister's residence. They had determined to conduct that sale in a right spirit. At the last Conference a resolution was passed protesting against the introduction into the Churches of doubtful and injurious methods of raising money, especially the practice of raffling, &c., and earnestly exhorting their friends not to raise money by means which were not in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel. Mr. Wm. Grundy, of Dukinfield, was an old friend, and had been a former scholar, teacher, and worker in the school, and had spoken of those days as some of the happiest of his life.

Mr. Grundy then opened the bazaar, touching, in a brief speech, on his connection with, and interest in, the schol, and in everything which concerned its welfare.

Mr. John Ashworth (Dukinfield) moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Grundy, and made some interesting remarks on the subject of religious education.

Mr. William Thorp seconded the

motion, which was carried, and the sale commenced.

There were three stalls. At the first Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Buckley, Mrs. Kershaw, and Mrs. John Wallwork presided; at the second Miss Moss, Miss Firth, and others; and at the refreshment stall Miss Thornley, Miss Buckley, and others.

Tea was served in one of the classrooms, and there were amusements, including a museum of antiquities, &c., under the charge of Mr. Cairns and Mr. Wm. Moss; a "fine art gallery," bran tub, &c. Mr. Wm. Clough gave recitations to large companies. The sale resulted in the clearing out of all the goods, and £47 was soon realised.

A vote of thanks to all who had taken part was carried; and the little sale, somewhat hastily begun, and very happily brought to a consummation in which everyone rejoiced, closed with the doxology and prayer.

BAZAAR AT LITTLEBOROUGH. Our chapel at Littleborough was opened more than a year ago. It was inconveniently and perhaps unavoidably burdened with a debt of £750. Rochdale and its district have not yet shared in the commercial prosperity which is beginning to be felt in many parts of the country. With a good local trade this new interest would not have been weighted with so large a debt. It is, however, doing well in all respects, and has a bright prospect of doing better year by year. There is no other chapel in the neighbourhood where our new cause has been planted; and it is the most rapidly advancing district of Littleborough. Our friends have made their first attack on the debt. They are but few: our membership is only fourteen. At the bazaar effort all have worked patiently and assiduously, and the result is that the debt will be reduced by £150.

The bazaar was held on Good Friday

and the following day. There were present at the opening the ministers of the town, who in their addresses spoke of the district we occupied as a needy and favourable one for our work, and they heartily wished us growing success. Our faithful friend, Mr George Bolton, in opening the bazaar, made a singularly appropriate speech. He expressed his admiration of the sustained and zealous labours of their friends at Zion, and his confidence that by their patient continuance in well-doing the debt would certainly be removed in due time, and that we should have a useful and prosperous cause. Our friends at Rochdale and at Mount Gilead rendered cordial and cheering assistance; all worked peacefully and zealously, and all were gratified and grateful to God that £150 were raised by a Church which numbers fourteen members. J. E. WALSH.

LEES BAZAAR, MOSSLEY
CIRCUIT.

THE effort in aid of "A Grand Bazaar," to help very materially to reduce the debt of £1,550 upon the trust estate, was commenced about the beginning of last August. The friends took up the matter most enthusiastically. They seemed determined to give, and work, and beg, to the very best of their ability. Truly it might be said, "the people had a mind to work."

During the winter months, in addition to having the usual" Sewing Tea Meetings," a number of generous friends gave teas on Saturday afternoons, which were numerously attended, and which proved a great source of profit to the Bazaar Fund.

Two instances of practical sympathy with the movement are worthy of special mention. The friends belonging to our little Society at Alt kindly invited the friends at Lees on two separate occasions to go over and have tea with them, intimating that they were not only prepared to provide the

tea, but also willing that the whole of the proceeds should be devoted to the Bazaar Fuud. The meetings were largely attended, and were of a most pleasant and profitable character. By this means the sum of £11 was raised. This, Mr. Editor, is an example of practical sympathy of one Church with another which is well worthy of imitation. Surely it is carrying out the Gospel precept, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works."

Another matter deserving specia! mention is that "old scholars," who are now in Russia, India, Australia, and other parts of the world, have shown that they have not forgotten the Church and Sunday-school of their youth, by sending contributions in money and goods.

In connection with an enterprise in which most of our own friends have done their very best, it is a difficult matter to mention some names without giving the names of all who have taken part in the good work. Perhaps the best way is to mention none specially, and so let all alike share in the success and honour. I may, however, venture to say that the "Chinese Town " was designed by Mr. James Butterworth, one of our own young men, who was assisted by a large number of other young men belonging to our Church in carrying out the work. Mr. J. C. Atkins and Mr. J. Derbyshire have been most indefatigable as secretaries; while Mr. T. H. Atherton has worthily acted as treasurer to the Bazaar.

The following is an account, abridged, from one of our local papers, of the opening ceremony, &c. :

GRAND BAZAAR AT ZION SCHOOL.

On Easter Monday a grand bazaar and fancy fair was opened at Zion School by H. Mallalieu, Esq., J.P., of Delph, before a large assemblage. The object is for the clearing off a debt of about £1,000 on the chapel and schools. The bazaar is held in the

upper schoolroom, and as the visitor enters through the doorway he might almost fancy he had been transported in a short space of time from "Modern Athens" to the home of the Chinaman. The metamorphosis is most striking, and is a very good representation of a street one might see in Nankin or Pekin. On the east and west sides of the room are arranged two buildings, thirteen yards in length, which are built in the form of a highclass tradesman's house. The lower storey depicts an open shop front to the street, in the windows of which are displayed the goods for sale. The upper storey is a verandah surrounded by a panelled front, with pictorial scenes with which the Chinese so delight to decorate their dwellings. The openings of the verandahs are hung with yellow curtains and beautifully-decorated lanterns, whilst the background is filled in with exotic and other plants. There are six pillars to each range of buildings, ornamented with yellow tracing, which supports a projecting cornice decorated in brick, red and blue. These cornices run the whole length of the building, and have a fine appearance. At the north end of the schoolroom is a building designated the temple of "Long Life." The gardens of the more wealthy Chinese abound with small buildings of a similar character, to which they give typical names of the above description. The structure has a panelled front coloured brown, with diamond trellis-work in blue and red. It is surmounted by a double roof, corrugated and coloured yellow. On the right hand side of the building is a most cleverly executed waterfall. Falling from a good height the water makes its way down a miniature glen, and is highly picturesque. On the left of the temple there is formed a lake, in the centre of which is a rockery. Proceeding from this is a fountain at play, which greatly enhances the effect of the surroundings. The garden is protected by a

terrace front, panelled with honeycomb work, the principal colours being drab, brown, and blue. The attempt to give a representation of a Chinese garden scene has been most successfully carried out. At the south end of the room is the refreshment pavilion, similar in construction to the temple. From the beams of the schoolroom there is a profuse display of bannerets and lanterns, the general en semble of the scene being most unique. The shops are filled with such an array of merchandise that could the worthy Dominie Sampson be present he would no doubt exclaim, "Prodigious!" There is from the penny toy to articles fit to adorn the rooms of an emperor. In fact, the ladies appear to be vieing with each other in pre-eminence of display, and it would be invidious on our part to point out any particular stall where all have done so well. The goods are marked at strictly moderate prices, and will no doubt command ready sales. The shops are named after several Methodist New Connexion Mission stations in China. Stallholders:

Stall Tientsin.-Mesdames Nicholson, C. Shaw, Stead, Clegg, Barrowclough, Pemberton, William Shaw, B. Brooks, Warhurst, S. Lees, Graham, and Miss Helliwell.

Stall Lao-Ling.-Mesdames George Atkins, Swindells, Edwin Buckley, Wood (Salem), John Richardson, J. B. Halliwell, Z. Jackson, W. Lawton, Isaac Cocker, Nuttal, and Hannam.

Stall Shantung.-Mesdames A. H. Lawton, Parkyn, Freeman, Rhodes, Shaw (Smithy Brow), Yates, E. Hall, Morden, Stanfield, E. Schofield, and T. Wrigley.

School Stall Yang Hsin.-Mesdames A. Halliwell, Derbyshire, Bridge, Hegginbottom, H. Lawton, A. Ogden, J. Butterworth, Heywood, W. Mayall, and Misses Bibby and M. Mayall. Refreshment Stall Chan Hwa.-Mes

dames T. H. Atherton, J. C. Mayall, J. Hadfield, and Miss Freeman.

The proceedings commenced by the singing of an appropriate hymn. The Rev. T. Rider then read a passage of Scripture from Exodus, and the Rev. W. J. Townsend offered prayer for the success of the bazaar, which had for its object the greater honour and glory of God.

The Rev. S. T. Nicholson announced that H. Mallalieu, Esq., J.P., of Delph, had kindly consented to open the bazaar, and spoke in high terms of that gentleman's liberality.

Mr. Mallalieu, who was received with much cheering, said he sincerely hoped there would be a continuation of the work they had in hand until it arrived at a successful issue. When he looked at the circulars they had issued, and saw the movement supported by the mayor and aldermen of one of the most prosperous and progressive populations in the United Kingdom, supported, too, by the foremost magistrates and gentlemen of the district, he could not help feeling that he was unworthy to occupy his present position. However, the cause of the Church and of education prompted him to comply with their requisition. In his own early days he had received lasting benefit in connection with that place. He was indebted to those present, as well as those who had passed away to a better world, for many benefits, and he had much pleasure in acknowledging his gratitude to them. In his boyhood's days the people living in Lees and surrounding places had to encounter difficulties unknown in the present day. They, however, had left a monument behind them, and its effect was visible in the grand assembly of that morning. The only college in which he had studied and was trained was in connection with the body with which he was now connected and had the honour to address. He received kindness from that body at a time when friends were few and books were

scarce. The benefit was lasting. His labour had been lightened. Their great work that morning was not only the spiritual development in their church, but the development of the financial department as well, for the two should go hand in hand. The work of the Church could not go on successfully unless the financial department was in a healthy state. For generations the work of that Church had gone bravely on; their forefathers had built that place; they had struggled hard, toiled hard, in that district. The opposition that crossed their path was great. Circumstances were against them, but their forefathers had stout hearts and willing hands, and in spite of all obstacles they had nothing but love and goodwill for all around them. There was an incumbrance left them, but by cooperating that incumbrance could be removed. Things were more favourable to them nowadays than in the days of their forefathers, when Nonconformity was menaced in many ways by public opinion and public measures. He trusted that the result of the bazaar would clear off the debt remaining on their premises. If all present did their duty there was no doubt the debt would be cleared off by the bazaar. They had a Sunday-school, well officered, which provided for the spiritual wants of the district; they had most efficient day-schools, which provided for secular wants; and the combination presented there of spiritual and secular instruction of a most excellent character ought to fill their minds with the utmost satisfaction. The speaker then alluded to the disadvantages under which they laboured in the past, and contrasted them with the advantages of the present time. What they needed most particularly was a systematic method of pecuniary support which would carry on the progressive work of the Church. Their efforts then would not be disappointed; the Church would flourish, and not be in need of bazaars. If all would give