esteemed president, the Rev. T. Rider, who announced the opening hymn, the 910th. The Rev. James Ogden then offered an appropriate and solemn prayer. Another hymn, the 60th, followed, announced by the Rev. T. D. Crothers, the secretary. The fervour with which the last verse of this

hymn was sung was remarkable, and gave assurance of overshadowing power and blessing.

The Principal, Rev. Dr. Cocker, having been called upon to introduce Dr. Cooke, said nothing could be more out of place than would be any lengthy remarks from him before the address which they were assembled to hear had been delivered. Nevertheless, he thought it fitting that a word or two should be said, either by him or some one else, in regard to their much esteemed and now venerable friend, Dr. Cooke, who had left his home in London that morning for the purpose of instructing and edifying them that afternoon. It happened that he had been desired to perform that preparatory duty, and it was to him a very pleasant task. He deemed it an honour, really an honour, to have the opportunity of introducing to that assembly, such as never gathered within the walls of the College before, one of their most distinguished-indeed, the most distinguished minister of their denomination. (Applause.) Dr. Cooke must have been highly gifted by the God of nature, and bountifully cared for by the God of Providence in his early life, for he had become a distinguished pulpit orator when he (Dr. Cocker) commenced his ministerial career, and that was not yesterday. (Applause.) It was so long ago as that, and forty-seven years had passed away since he entered the ministry. He was then known as the eloquent-not Dr. Cooke-but Mr. Cooke; the D.D. came in course of time, and they had been glad to see it associated, worthily associated, with his name for so many years. When he heard Cooke and Hulme (applause)

and others in his early days, he looked up and wondered whether it would be possible to make any distant approach to those distinguished men, He was thankful that after the lapse of so many years the Doctor survived, and with sufficient vigour to justify him in accepting the invitation which their Committee so cordially gave him to come and give the first inaugural address in connection with a service of that kind. Since the days to which he had referred, Dr. Cooke had become an eminent theologian and an able author, and he was a leading authority throughout the Methodist Churches of the world. (Applause.) He could do no more than express the pleasure and satisfaction it gave him to see the worthy doctor there. (Applause.)

Dr. Cooke, who was very cordially received, said he felt highly honoured in the position he occupied. He did not know that the Connexion could have conferred upon him a greater honour than it had in electing him to discharge the duties devolving upon him that day. Reference had been kindly made by Dr. Cocker to his abilities and works, so eulogistic, indeed, that he almost wished himself out of the room whilst listening to them. He must make some allowance for his kindness of heart. He never knew he had done anything like the person he had heard described. From the beginning he went forward trying to discharge his duty, and whatever he had done-he had but an humble opinion of it-he ascribed to God's goodness. Dr. Cooke then proceeded to deliver his able and instructive address, which dealt with the history, advantages, and claims of collegiate institutions, and contained a variety of counsels and encouragements to the students before him. As the address in its substance will probably appear in an early number of the magazine, it is fitting that I should leave it for the judgment of your readers, bespeaking, however, their special atten

tion to its excellencies. The Rev. Dr. Watts united with the President in bringing the service at the College to a close.

4

In the evening an excellent tea was provided in the schoolroom of our Broomhill Chapel, and afterwards a meeting was held in the chapel. The Rev. T. Addyman conducted the opening devotions. Alderman Ramsden, of Halifax, Secretary of the last Conference, presided, and discharged the duties of chairman with his usual ability. After congratulating the meeting on the ceremony of the day, which he hoped would be repeated and perpetuated, he referred to the business of doing good as work in which we had now to meet a keener competition than formerly. Other religious communities were actively employed. No ministers were more laborious and painstaking than those of the Church of England. The men of the future would have to compete with such labourers out of the pulpit as well as in it, and they could hope to succeed only in proportion to their efficiency and earnestness.

The Secretary, in giving a short explanatory statement or report, expressed his hope that the arrangements which that day marked the opening of the yearly session would have their intended effect in widening and deepening the sympathy of our people with the institution.

On the motion of Dr. Cocker, seconded in few but emphatic words by Mr. C. T. Skelton, of Sheffield, a respectful and cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. Cooke, with a request that he would consent to the publication of his address in the Connexional magazine. Dr. Cocker thought the address was admirably fitted to awaken in the students a spirit of earnest consecration, a resolve to excel in the work to which they were called, He compared the place which the college now occupied in the affections of our people with the place which it had at first. Those who

sought to establish such an institution for ministerial training had had to encounter strong opposition. "We want burners," exclaimed one who in the early stage of its history had doubted the utility of the college. It was Abe Lockwood ("Bishop of Berry Brow").

"Do you not take the word in its completeness?" he, the doctor, replied; "have you any objection to the testimony, 'He was a burning and a shining light'? Our object is to secure both the burning and the shining." "All right," said Abe; and it had been all right. Dr. Cooke made an interesting reply, and agreed to the request, in which, it is right to say, the students distinctly concurred. He said he believed that the college had been made a very extensive blessing already, and he anticipated that it would prove of yet greater service to the Connexion.

The President next moved the following resolution, "That this meeting, whilst regarding personal religion as the first essential qualification for the sacred office, has a deep sense of the importance of ministerial culture, especially in view of the increasing intelligence of our times." In a speech of great vivacity and vigour, he showed that culture is not pouring into the mind an amount of knowledge, but training the mental powers so as to give them expertness in the use of materials.

The progress of general education had been great and rapid. The boys and girls of our congregations were educated as they were not a few years since. If ministers failed to improve their own minds, the young would not hold them in the respect due to their office. The young especially must feel that their teachers were above them. The ideal of ministerial fitness would combine the culture of Matthew Arnold with the energy of Moody or Spurgeon, or both. Let them strive to gain the intellectual power and polish together with the mighty force of spiritual ardour. He

thanked God some who had gone forth from the college had both. He regarded the meetings of the day as an augury of good and of blessing.

Mr. J. W. Greaves, of Bradford, in seconding the resolution, said that the beautiful order recognised in the Apostle's exhortation would live through all ages, "Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge." There must be the faith which renews, then moral force, after that education or intelligence. The power of selfcontrol secured sovereignty over all temptations and all circumstances. Renan, in distributing prizes the other day, said if the French people were uneducated, they would be like an unworked gold mine. They should strive more and more to provide a ministry able to raise the community to a higher level.

The next resolution was proposed by the Rev. J. Medicraft: "That in endeavouring to fulfil their responsibilities for the supply of ministerial candidates, great care and discrimination should be exercised by the guides of our churches, so that none but duly qualified men should be brought forward and encouraged." It was only men who practised self culture, he said, who could profit by collegiate discipline. The "guides" must look out for young men who listen eagerly to sermons, who like lectures, who pore over books, who love study for study's sake. It was useless to send those to be cultured who did not culture their own minds. What were the three things wanted in candidates? They had heard of the three R's.; let him speak to them of three G's. They wanted men of grip, gush, and go-grip, men who have firm hold of the truth, and are determined to keep hold of it; gush, men of sympathy, thorough sympathy with truth and with souls; go, men who could not be "held in with bit and bridle" from zealous endeavours.

The resolution was seconded by the Rev. Dr Watts. There was, he

believed, a science of theology, and the students should have worked into them the glorious principles, the sublime truths of our holy religion. They were not to seek for fire without culture, or for culture without fire; they could and should have both. John Foster had said that arguments might be wrought in fire as well as in frost: he thought much better. Referring to the introductory address in the afternoon, he expressed his gladness. at the "new departure," and his joy in hearing the wise counsels which had been delivered.

On the motion of the Rev. J. Ogden, seconded by the Rev. G. Packer, the hearty thanks of the meeting were given to the Rev. T. Addyman, and the Broomhill friends for providing tea and otherwise contributing to the success of the gatherings. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, moved by Mr. Addyman, seconded by the Principal and supported by the Secretary, was carried unanimously and with enthusiasm. It need scarcely be said that the foregoing resolutions also were unanimously adopted.

In closing this hasty report, I am pleased to think of the proof it affords that interest in the cause of ministerial culture and equipment is spreading among us, as only when such interest becomes general can we safely take some steps in advance which have long been contemplated. It is greatly to be desired, for instance, that we could raise the standard of entrance examination, and likewise, that threeyears of preparation, rather than two, should be afforded to the majority of students, the third year to be reckoned, as our rules allow, as the first year of probation. To these and other needed improvements, "things before," I hope we shall continue "reaching forth," aided in doing so by the steady enthusiasm of all who best know the value of knowledge and cultivated strength.

T. D. CROTHERS, Secretary.
Stalybridge, Aug. 14.