LOVE MEMORIAL CHURCH.

DARLINGTON MISSION.

In spite of torrents of rain, which fell at Darlington yesterday afternoon (July 25), a numerous company assembled in Victoria-road, to witness the laying of three memorial stones of the Love Memorial Church, which is being erected to perpetuate the memory of the late Mr. Love, of Mount Beulah, Durham, who was ever one of our most ardent supporters. The edifice, which is now in course of erection, is situated in a commanding position, a short distance from Bank Top railwaystation. The building, which is in the early French-Gothic style, is of brick, with Brusselton stone dressings. Underneath the chapel, which will seat about 700 people, is a Sundayschool. On the ground floor, and also on the gallery floor, are vestries. The chapel floor and galleries are supported by massive and handsome castiron columns, manufactured by a Darlington firm. The cost of the church is estimated at about £3,200, -one-third of which sum has been subscribed by Mrs. Love, of Mount Beulah. The site for the church was purchased some time ago at a cost of £700. The whole of the ground purchased is not covered by the present structure, and should it become necessary to erect additional schools, a portion of the land at the back of the existing building may be utilised. Mr. A. H. Goodall, of Nottingham, is the architect, and Mr. Dougill, of Darlington, is the contractor for the work. It is expected that the church will be completed by Christmas.

In consequence of the train by which Sir Joseph Pease, Bart., M.P., travelled from town, being due at Darlington a short time after the hour appointed for the proceedings to begin, a commencement was made a few minutes before Sir Joseph arrived. Amongst those present we noticed the Rev. Thomas Rider, President; the Rev. Dr. Cooke; the Rev. Dr. Stacey; the Rev. J. Carter; the Rev. J. Chadwick; the

Rev. W. W. Howard; the Rev. Geo. Wheatley; the Rev. W. Stephen (Pastor); Mr. and Mrs. Robinson Ferens; the Rev. J. Robinson, the Rev. H. Hope, &c. The hymn, "All hail the power of Jesus' name having been heartily sung, the Rev. J. Robinson engaged in prayer. The first memorial stone was "well and truly laid" by Mr. R. Ferens, for Mrs. Love, who was unable to be present on account of the unpropitious weather. The Rev. W. Stephen intimated, as Mr. Ferens was discharging the duty allotted to him, that Mrs. Love had in addition to her contribution of £1,000, sent another £100 to be placed upon the stone. This announcement was received with general cheering. Mrs. Ferens, at the invitation of Dr. Stacey, who presented the trowel to her, laid the second memorial stone for herself. Mr. Stephen stated that Mrs. Ferens had concluded her task by placing £25 upon the stone, and Mr. Ferens had already subscribed £250 towards the church. The applause which greeted this statement having subsided, the Rev. Thos. Rider addressed a few words to the assemblage. By the time his address was concluded, Sir Joseph Pease had arrived, and the hon. Baronet, whose arrival was the signal for a hearty round of applause, was at once invited by the Rev. Dr. Cooke to lay the third memorial stone. This being done, an adjournment was made, as the rain still continued to fall, to the Baptist Chapel, in Grange-road. When the edifice was well filled,

Sir Joseph Pease stepped forward, and said that he had to thank them on several grounds for having so kindly asked him to participate in the interesting proceedings of that day. He felt when their minister, on behalf of the congregation, asked him to take a part, that it was a very kind compliment to himself, because it premised that to which his rev. friend on the right had alluded, that they had one great common bond-the bond of

Christian unity and fellowship-which induced them to think that he should be interested in being with them that day. Then he had next to thank them for the consideration they had extended towards him. He found it very difficult to leave London before that morning, as they would see in the newspapers the House was engaged till early that morning in looking after a measure which he hoped was fraught with a considerable amount of good to our commonwealth, and more especially to the agricultural interest of this country. He felt it was his bounden duty to do his best to help the Government in doing all they could to ensure the agriculturalists of the Kingdom a return for the capital invested by them in the soil. He had come there full of interest for the cause in which they were engaged, but without any definite programme before him as to the remarks he should make. He was very sorry that he had missed the presence of that excellent and venerable lady, Mrs. Love, who had been prevented from taking a part in the outdoor proceedings that day. He had been well acquainted with Mrs. Love's husband in his active business life for many years. He lived to a ripe old age, and left a good memory behind him, having during his life done a great deal in furthering the interests of the community with which he was associated, and in promulgating that Christianity which was common to them all. It had been a great pleasure to him (Sir Joseph) to witness the labours of Mrs. Love in doing so much with the means placed by a good Providence at her disposal throughout the colliery districts of this county, and in other places, in providing buildings to promote the worship of Almighty God. There was another friend of his, whom he had not met, and whom he was sorry to hear was only in poor health-he meant Mr. Ferens. Anybody who had laboured in business life, or in political life, with Mr. Ferens, knew what

a thoroughly upright, honest, straightforward, and good man he was in every cause. Now, let them look to what they have done. His part had been a very simple one, and he should carry away bright mementoesof it. The great object they had in view that day, and the great object they had in view in the future, was the promulgation of a belief in that love which brought "glad tidings of great joy" to all people, and which in all ages of the world had been at the root of all important political advancement, the foundation of that and other like buildings. Whether of our national constitution or of our individual comfort, or domestic happiness, there was only one sound foundation on which men can build, with a view to their wellbeing hereafter. His friend had paid some very kind compliments to the Society of which he (the hon. Baronet) was a member. They were raised up, as he believed, and as his friend believed, by the hand of God, in a very peculiar and very remarkable age in the history of this country-at a time when there was a large amount of religious life and religious inquiry. But they had preceded by something like one hundred years the rising up of another sect of religious reformers, under Charles and John Wesley. Those excellent and able men promulgated those revival doctrines, certainly the revival of Christianity in this country, in a very remarkable degree. He thought that the history of our Christianity was a wonderful history. It ought to be so, for it was directed, as they believed, by the ruling of the great God who loved us, and gave His Son for us. In many ways they found that various views were preached and spread, and various things inimical to Christianity were spread as they watched the years roll on, and times, and education, and other circumstances altered. But he thought if there ever was a time when it behoved Christians of all denominations to adhere together, to forget

minor differences, and push forward those great fundamental principles on which they were united, it was at the present time. There were a great many people—far too many-promulgating doctrines which seemed to him, not only soul-destroying, but doctrines under which no community could possibly thrive or live in decency and order; people who looked upon mankind as merely coming up for to-day, and going down like the beasts that perish, who use life here as a beast lives, and who sometimes use their lives worse than beasts. Therefore he thought that it was very important they should unite in such ceremonies as those which involve the admission that there are great principles which underlie all denominational differences, and which ought to unite them together in the great cause against those who believe "there is no God," for the fool said that in his heart three thousand years ago, and he still continued to say it in his heart in spite of all he saw around him of the greatness and goodness of God in the material and in the spiritual world. Another cause, it naturally followed, they were all interested in, and they believed was for the great good of all mankind, and of this country in particular, was the spread of education. Reading, as he came down in the train, some papers recently laid before the House of Commons, he learnt that in 1867 and 1868 there were only 1,300,000 children presented annually for examination at schools, and last year 3,500,000 were presented. When they knew that endowed school after school had been reformed, and made universally applicable for the education of the middle classes, when they knew that the tests which stopped so many from entering the Universities had all been swept away, so that they were now open to the Wesleyan and the Quaker, and not as they used to be, only for those who subscribed to the thirty-nine articles, they were cognisant of the fact that there was a

great spread of education and intelligence, which was, on the whole, for the benefit of those who received that education. The object they had in view that day was to promulgate that which was common to them all-the salvation which came from God through our Lord Jesus Christ, which must be received in pure and simple faith. How often had they followed to the last resting-place those whom they had loved on earth, and-blessed be God-how often had they been content to feel that they had died in that sure and certain hope, which we all desired to entertain, of a future life. They well knew that if there was anything from which consolation and support could be derived in the hour of death, it was from religion. He had united in the work of that day with great pleasure, believing that the building which they were erecting would be of essential service to the town, which was his native place, and was, of course, very dear to him. It would add to the many places of worship which had already been built to the glory of Almighty God, and it would, as years rolled by, and as generations of mankind pass away one after another, help the generation of the time to assemble and undergo preparation for that eternal worship in which they desired to join before the throne of God, who had ransomed us by His own precious blood. In conclusion, the hon. baronet again thanked them for their kindness and courtesy that day, and resumed his seat amidst loud and continued applause.

Sir Joseph, in acknowledging a vote of thanks, said he earnestly hoped that members of all denominations would contribute towards the erection of the building. For his own part he should be glad if they would kindly accept £20 from him.

A hymn having been sung, and prayers offered, the meeting terminated.

A goodly company afterwards par

took of tea in the schoolroom behind the chapel. The tables were provided by the ladies of the congregation, and were presided over by Mrs. Stephen, Mrs. Roulston, Mrs. Webster, sen., Mrs. Webster, jun., Mrs. Garthwaite, Mrs. Hope, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Robson, Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Hildon, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Eden, and Mrs. Toole. A table provided by the young ladies of the congregation was presided over by Mrs. Wilkes.

In the evening, a public meeting was held in the Baptist Chapel, Grange-road, Darlington. There was a large attendance. Mr. T. D. Stephinson, of Willington, in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor of Darlington (Councillor Robinson), took the chair, and he was supported by Dr. Cooke, the Rev. R. Fanshaw, the Rev. G. Wheatley, the Rev. H. Hope, the Rev. E. F. Denton, the Rev. J. Carter, the Rev. W. Stephen, the Rev. H. Kendall, and the Rev. J. Waite. Several stirring addresses were made, and a most successful meeting terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman.-Northern Echo, July 26.

HYSON GREEN, NOTTINGHAM CIRCUIT.

NEW CHAPEL AND SCHOOLS.

ON Thursday afternoon, July 19, the memorial stones of the new chapel and schools to be erected in Archer-street, Hyson-green, were laid in the presence of a very large number of spectators. Our Society in Hyson Green was commenced in 1826, mainly by a Mr. Anderson, an active Christian worker, who kept a day-school in the village. A class was formed, which met in a room in Pleasant-row, Mr. Anderson being the leader; and a Sunday-school was commenced about the same time in a room in Forest-row. The village, which in 1800 had one house only, was at this time rapidly increasing in population, and had been so for many years. The friends desired and needed a chapel, the rooms being

too small, and the Circuit helping heartily, in 1828 Lenton-street chapel was built, and two years ago, this chapel being found too small, a scheme was set in motion for the erection of a new building. The site is in Archerstreet, which runs through from Radford-road to Noel-street, and the entire cost of the new chapel and school, with incidental expenses, will amount to £2,500, towards which sum the trustees have about £750 in cash and promises. It may be added that whereas eighteen months ago the society numbered but 27 members, there are now considerably over 100, with 230 Sunday school scholars. During the building of the chapel religious services are being conducted every Sunday at the Grand Stand on the race-course. Mr. A. H. Goodall, Market-street, is the architect, and the contract has been let to Messrs. Cuthbert Brothers. The new building will be of brickwork, faced all round with copper mould bricks, the dressings being of Coxbench stone. The style chosen for the erection is Italian, freely treated. The schoolroom, 13 ft. in height, and well lighted, with class-rooms, &c., occupies the ground floor, and is to accommodate some 350 scholars. Over this is the chapel, which, with galleries all round, and organ chamber behind the rostrum, will provide sitting accommodation for over 600 adults. Two vestries are placed under the organ gallery. Communication with the gallery will be by means of three staircases. The main chapel entrances will be by easy flights of steps from Archer

trowel to Mr. W. B. Baggaley. The second and third memorial stones were laid by those gentlemen, after which

Mr. BAGGALEY expressed the great pleasure he had in being present that afternoon. He was desirous of testifying his deep personal interest in this work, and of representing in some humble way the Congregationalists in the town-more especially the Congregationalists of Hyson Green. As far as the Hyson Green Churches were concerned, there was no spirit of undue rivalry, nor any animosity or envy at all. They could all heartily rejoice in each other's successes, and he was there to say how pleased they were at the movement in which they were engaged, and to express their deep pleasure and trust that God would bless them abundantly in their work.

Mrs. Rose next presented a trowel to Mr. W. Litchfield, of Long Eaton, who laid the fourth stone. A like presentation was made to Mr. C. Walker by Mrs. G. Cuthbert, and the work of laying the fifth stone was performed. Mr. WALKER placed on this stone sums of £17 10s., collected by Mrs. Walker, and £9 108., given by the contractors: whilst he had also received a cheque for £50 from Councillor Morrison.

Rev. T. T. Rushworth, who received a trowel from Mrs. Litchfield, laid the next stone; other stones being laid by Mrs. Wheeldon and Mrs. W. Leatherland, who respectively received trowels from Mr. Leatherland and from Mr. Bailey.

The Rev. T. RIDER (President of the Conference), after tracing, in the manner usual on such occasions, the rise and progress of the Connexion, and stating the reasons for our continued separate existence, said that their reason for engaging in these enterprises was not simply to carry on an ecclesiastical propaganda, but they desired to honour and glorify the Master in the salvation of precious souls. Whilst they claimed to be the rivals of none, they tried to be true servants of the

Lord Jesus Christ. They ought to spread that righteousness which exalteth a nation. There men and women and children, young men and maidens, would sing the songs of Zion, and bow together at the throne of Grace. They erected this house of prayer in the firm belief that it would be the birth-place of many, many precious souls, and a spiritual home where a noble, earnest, manly piety might be developed and nourished through the preaching of the truths of the ever-blessed Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He trusted that God would bless the efforts of His people in connection with that place, that the building would be brought to a successful issue, and that there thousands of precious souls would be saved.

After votes of thanks, the proceedings were brought to a termination.

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Subsequently a tea-meeting, very largely attended, was held in the Congregational Chapel, the whole of the trays" being gratuitously provided. There was afterwards a public meeting in the same place, the Mayor (Ald. Lindley) presiding, supported on the platform by many gentlemen who had been present at the laying of stones. Mr. C. Walker having made a detailed statement, addresses followed from the Revs. T. Rider (President), T. T. Rushworth, A. Leach, W. Hookins, D. Bailey, R. Silby (Baptist), and John R. Nicholls (Congregationalist), Messrs. George Goodall, James Bailey, and others, the proceedings throughout being very enthusiastic.

The choir, under the able leadership of Mr. Butler, gave several anthems in excellent style, Mr. Ford Whitehead presiding at the organ. Votes of thanks to the ladies who had provided the tea, to the speakers and singers, and also to the trustees and deacons of the Boulevard Congregational Church, for having so kindly given the use of the place, were passed. A collection was made at the close, realising the sum of £14, towards which the Mayor contributed £5, besides £100 previously promised; the entire results of the day being the noble sum of £307 17s. 6d., which far exceeded expectation.