betterment of an inferior class of London women.  I spoke before this meeting, by request, and was, so far as I now recollect, the only male person present.  It is the custom to use the instrument in connection with the singing in this meeting, but I asked them to refrain on this occasion.  An orphans’ home is also conducted, having members of this congregation as its managers.  It is a very busy church, and for being busy and diligent it is to be commended, but I believe there is too much organization.  But here, as elsewhere in Britain, there are many very commendable things about the brethren.  I have already spoken of system in their proceedings.  They outline their work for a given period of time, specifying the Scriptures to be read, the leaders of the meetings, and who is to preach on each Lord’s day night.  Then, for the sake of convenience, these schedules are printed, and they are carefully followed.  This is far ahead of the haphazard method, or lack of method, at home, where brethren sometimes come together neither knowing what the lesson will be nor who will conduct the meeting.

Whatever may be the faults of these disciples in the old country, it must be said to their credit that they are kind and hospitable to strangers, and make a visiting brother welcome.  The talent in their congregations is better developed than it is here, and their meetings are conducted in a more orderly and systematic manner.  They are more faithful in the observance of the Lord’s supper than many in this land.  The percentage of preachers giving their whole time to the work is less than it is here, but the number who can and do take part in the public work of the church is proportionately larger than it is here.

I will now close this chapter and this volume with the address of Brother Anderson, chairman of the annual meeting held last year at Wigan: 

DEAR BRETHREN:—­In accepting the responsible and honorable position in which you have placed me, I do so conscious of a defect that I hope you will do your best to help and bear with.  Please speak as distinctly as possible, so that I may hear what is said.  There may be other defects that I might have helped, but please do your best to help me in this respect.

I heartily thank you for the honor conferred upon me.  Whether I deserve it or not, I know that it is well meant on your part.  We prefer honor to dishonor; but what one may count a great honor, another may lightly esteem.  The point of view is almost everything in these matters; but if positions of honor in the kingdoms of the earth are lightly esteemed, positions of honor in the kingdom of God have a right to be esteemed more highly.

We are met in conference as subjects of the kingdom of God, as heirs of everlasting glory, having a hope greater than the world can give, and a peace that the world can neither give nor take away.  To preside over such a gathering, met to consider the best means of spreading the Gospel of Christ among men, is a token of respect upon which I place a very high value.  The fact that it came unexpectedly does not lessen the pleasure.