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THE most imposing effort of the movement was certainly the great Conference of the London Churches, arranged by Dr. W. Evans Darby, at St. James's Hall, London, at which Mr. W. T. Stead submitted his great scheme for a National movement, and an International Pilgrimage of Peace headed by the Anglo-Keltic peoples. This scheme mightily appeals to the imagination and sympathies of all who desire the peace of the world, and if it be wisely and persistently carried out, it may materially aid in giving popular support to the Czar's Conference when it meets, as, happily, it will do in any case.

THAT excellent, consistent, and earnest advocate of Peace, The News, observes :-"The Tzar's Peace Proposal will do something if it only calls the attention of the European States to the horrors of war. If armaments could be reduced to a minimum, nearly all taxation might cease. This is its least evil. Beside the sacrifice of life and blighted homes, the chief element in the curse of war is found in the angry and vengeful spirit it nourishes. We are thankful for the testimonies called forth by the meeting in St. James's Hall from leading politicians. Mr. Balfour well said: 'If the scheme effects for mankind even a fraction of what is hoped from it, it is surely worthy of universal sympathy.' But we must beware of words-and only words. The Kingdom of God established is the only

ASTOR, LENOX AND THO FOUNDATIONS.

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sure pledge of Peace in the world. The resolution passed at the meeting was admirable as far as it goes."

ONE and only one note of discord have we heard in connection with Peace Sunday, and that comes from a distinguished Prelate, of all persons-the Archbishop of Armagh, Lord Primate of Ireland, who, speaking at a public meeting at Armagh recently, said he did not desire a Peace Sunday to be observed in his diocese. No one had deeper reasons to feel the horrors of war than he had personally, but he very much questioned whether all the blowing of trumpets and cry for disarmament was of great use in the present condition of affairs. They all knew what disarmament meant in the case of England. It would mean the pulling down of the Fleet, a dreadful and dangerous thing, and he thought that people should take care that a Peace Sunday did not end in a War Sunday. But was it not Dr. Alexander who, at the time of the Matabele War, in a sermon at Westminster, taught the strange doctrine that when British interests clashed with the Sermon on the Mount, they were to be paramount, notwithstanding what was said about " doing these sayings of Mine," and "building on the rock"?

THE response of the country still continues. Further great meetings have been held at Brompton, Bunhill Fields (London), East Finsbury (London), Great Ayton, Halifax, Harrogate, Hayward's Heath, Kettering, Kingston-on-Thames, Lancaster, Leominster, Manchester, Newcastle, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Scarborough, Settle, Sheffield, Sudbury, Wisbech, and York, and a host of others, of a less imposing character, in smaller places.

As intimated elsewhere, Peace Sunday was largely utilised to adopt resolutions and appoint representatives in any national movement. Dr. W. Evans Darby, as already announced in the press, will prepare a report to be presented to the Tzar and the Foreign Office, and he will, therefore, be glad of information both in relation to the Peace Sunday Meetings and Resolutions, and others from the beginning of the movement, so far as it has not been already furnished. He has already received notices of more than two hundred, the particulars of which have been published in the Daily Chronicle.

HIS Excellency M. de Tatischeff, representative in London of the Minister of Russian Imperial Finance,

speaking at a dinner in connection with the AngloCaucasian Oil Company, at the Holborn Restaurant, on the evening of the 16th ult., said that nowhere had the Tzar's Peace Proposal found more sympathy than in this country, and that fact constituted a new tie between Great Britain and Russia. Frank, amicable, and cordial relations between the two countries meant a powerful guarantee-he might even say an essential element-of the peace of the world. He promised merchants and manufacturers in this country every assistance in his power.

WITH the proceedings of any political party as such, the Peace Society, being non-political in the partisan sense, can have nothing to do; but in proceedings which have any connection with the practical applications of its principles, it must of necessity be interested. The recent meeting of the Liberal Federation at Birmingham is of interest, therefore, because the only resolution which did not bear upon purely domestic matters, moved by Rev. J. H. Jowett, seconded by Mr. P. W. Bunting, and supported by Sir Wilfrid Lawson, was as follows:-"That this committee gratefully welcomes the invaluable opportunity offered by the proposals of the Tzar of Russia for assuring a real and lasting Peace, and, above all things, for fixing a limit to the progressive development of armaments," which renders the armed Peace of to-day a crushing burden, more and more difficult for the nations to bear,' and it earnestly hopes that instructions will be given to the representatives of this country to use their most strenuous efforts to bring the deliberations of the Conference to a practical and satisfactory conclusion."

THERE is a remarkable article in the January number of the Quiver by "A Maid of Honour," who reproduces conversations which she had with the Queen at Osborne on the subject of Peace. It will not, of course, be pretended that the recollections were the exact words used by her Majesty, but having regard to the character of the magazine in which they appear, there seems no reason to doubt their genuineness.

SOME time ago The News announced: "The London correspondent of the Birmingham Post said he had learnt that the German Emperor had written an autograph letter to the Queen, expressing a strong personal wish to see the peoples of the two countries bound together in bonds of close friendship, and adding a declaration of his intention to do all in his power towards the achievement of that happy object. The letter, it added, went on to announce the Imperial writer's projected journey to Palestine, and in substance said that he would visit the holy places with thoughts of Peace and friendship for all mankind, and specially for the noble nation under the rule of his "admired and beloved grandmother."

WE have always considered ourselves lineal descendants of the great American, Elihu Burritt, whose work was finally and formally incorporated with the Peace. Society, and we have therefore foliowed with much interest the progress which has taken place in the direction of his pet scheme-Ocean Penny Postage. It is, indeed, true that the dreams of one age become the alities of the next. On Christmas Day, the new

system of Imperial Penny Postage to India, to Natal, to Cape Colony was inaugurated, although Canada, having prepared her new stamps, allowed them to be used at the beginning of the month, and the Cape, owing to the absence of agreement with the home Government regarding the ocean mail contract, had to defer her enjoyment of the boon until the matter could be satisfactorily settled.

SOME of the other colonies yet lag behind, and a curious method has been adopted to bring them up to the scratch. "By the happy thought of an enthusiast for Imperial penny postage," says the Chronicle, "a letter was to be sent from London on Christmas Day to every Member of every Parliament in Australasia. The contents of the envelope will be a statement of the case for the adoption of the reform in Australasia, and also three penny stamps to cover the surcharge of postage payable by the receiver."

UNHAPPY Crete is at last on the highway of freedom, which her friends have so long and earnestly desired for her. Her liberation was celebrated on the 6th December, and on the morning of December 21st, Prince George of Greece, the new Governor, disembarked from a French battleship at Suda Bay, amid warlike salutes. At the arsenal he was received by the admirals, commanders and staff of the warships of the four Powers, whose Commissioner he is. Carriages were then taken for Canea, where, on arrival, the Prince went first to the cathedral, when a Te Deum was sung, and thence to the palace, where the admirals delivered up to him the government of the island. At this moment the international squadron lying off Canea hoisted the Cretan flag, which was also run up on the palace. A salute of twenty-one guns greeted the new colours. After this ceremonial the Prince received the consular body, the officers of the international troops, the Cretan Executive Committee, the municipal authorities of Canea, Halepa, and Suda, and the Cretan and Turkish notables.

ON the following day the Prince issued a proclamation, announcing his assumption of the government of the island, in which he says:-"I am fully alive to the responsibilities of the task and the difficulties of the mission, but I rely in the first place on your patriotism to enable me to carry this European mandate to a favourable conclusion by satisfying your desires. I shall exert all my efforts for your wellbeing. I shall take every care that you shall be well governed with justice and impartiality, and that all of you without distinction shall enjoy that security and true liberty which are assured alone by the power of laws and useful institutions. I am convinced of your respect for the laws, and for the authorities entrusted with their application, and I feel confident that you will forget the former struggles, and that without distinction of race or religion you will live together in Peace, the children of one beloved country. I invoke the aid of all for her weal, not doubting that you will show patriotically that Crete well governed and prosperous will march in the path of progress, thereby assuring the precious support of the Powers. Cretans! May God bless our united efforts for prosperity and for the accomplishment of your just aspirations."

THE treaty of Peace between Spain and the United States, signed by the Commissioners in Paris, on Saturday the 10th ult., is not difficult to understand. It means the final extinction of Spain's colonial Empire. There are a number of small provisions and conditions, but the outstanding terms of the treaty are these: Spain relinquishes all sovereignty in Cuba, and hands it over to the United States; cedes to the United States the island of Puerto Rico and such other other islands in the West Indies as are under her sovereignty; cedes the island of Guam in the Ladrones; cedes, also, the archipelago known as the Philippine Islands. To Spain this is a mournful end to a long drama, and gives tragic significance to the removal, the following week, of the ashes of Columbus from the Cathedral in Havana. To the United States it is the beginning of a new era, in which her moral as well as her material power will be sharply tested. She entered upon the war with Spain proclaiming that she did so in the interests of humanity. In this she may have been honest, but the achievements, so far, have only been material aggrandisement; her moral purpose will now be put to the proof.

THE Message of President McKinley to Congress at the beginning of December was marked by several interesting paragraphs. Referring to Great Britain the President said :-"Our relations with Great Britain have continued on a most friendly footing. It will give me special satisfaction if I shall be authorised to communicate to you the favourable conclusion of pending negotiations with Great Britain in respect to Canada. It is the earnest wish of the Government to remove all sources of discord and irritation in our relations with the neighbouring Dominion. The trade between the two countries is constantly increasing, and it is important to both that all reasonable facilities should be granted for its development."

BUT the victories of war have disastrous consequences, as is seen in the new maritime policy announced:-"The annexation of Hawaii, and the changed relations of the - United States to Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines," said the President, "compel the prompt adoption of a maritime policy by the United States. There should be established regular and frequent steamship communication, encouraged by the United States, under the American flag, with the newly-acquired islands. It is our duty to furnish the people of Hawaii with facilities, under national control, for their export and import trade."

THE Message next emphasised the importance of a permanent increase in the army, and expressed unqualified approval of Secretary Alger's suggestion in that respect. "There is no question," the Message said, "that now, and probably some time in the future, a hundred thousand men will be none too many to meet the necessities of the situation." Earnest approval, too, was expressed of Secretary Long's recommendation for the construction of new battleships.

The final banquet of the British and American Joint High Commission, at the conclusion of its labours, was, says a message from Washington, dated December 20th, a most brilliant affair. The walls of the banqueting hall were covered with the flags of Great Britain and America, and immense wreaths of holly were hung at intervals. On the menu cards the flags of the two nations appeared, while the orchestra played American and British airs. The toast of the Queen and President McKinley was responded to by Lord Herschell with well-worded references to the good understanding between the two countries. The guests were received by Lady Laurier, who wore a gown of white brocade trimmed with green and pale pink velvet by Lady Davies, whose gown was of blue brocaded silk; and by Miss Cartright, who appeared in a red gauze over red silk, trimmed with black velvet.

On December 21st Sir Wilfred Laurier and Sir Louis Davies returned to Ottawa from Washington. The Premier, it is reported, spoke enthusiastically of his treatment by the Americans, but he declined to discuss the prospects of a treaty. It is believed, however, that a treaty has been negotiated for the settlement of the Behring Sea fishery question and other subjects of friction in the past, but that no reciprocal trade arrangement is probable.

The Puna de Atacama Dispute between CHILI and ARGENTINA is now, it is to be hoped, in a fair way of settlement. Referring to this boundary dispute, the President of the United States, in his message to Congress, stated that he was happy to say that the arrangements for Arbitration by Her Britannic Majesty had been perfected. Reuter's correspondent at Valparaiso, under date November 18th, forwarded the text of a Protocol agreed to by duly accredited representatives of the Republics of Argentina and Chili, appointing a Conference, to be constituted in Buenos Ayres, to effect the demarcation of the limits referred to in point 1 of the Agreement of April 17th, 1896; and, it added, "in case an agreement should not be reached at the last sitting, the Government shall immediately submit this matter to the decision of the Arbitral Tribunal referred to in the other Agreement of this date," which it may be remembered was reached after the appeal of the Peace Society to the Governments of both countries.

The following is the text of the agreement entered into by the respective representatives relating to the Arbitral Tribunal :-(1) To appoint a Tribunal composed of three persons, one Chilian, one Argentine, and the United States Minister-Plenipotentiary to Buenos Ayres, to proceed to fix boundaries between the Republics of Chili and Argentina in the part comprised between latitude 23 deg. and 26 deg. 52 min. 45 sec.

(2) The decision of this Tribunal shall be communicated immediately to the Governments, in order that they in their turn may communicate the same to the Bolivian Government, and that they may proceed to erect the boundary marks that may be necessary. (3) This Tribunal shall meet forty-eight hours after the Governments shall have received the notice referred to in the other Agreement signed on this date, and it shall decide unanimously or by simple majority on the third day after the holding of the first sitting. (4) In the event of the Tribunal disagreeing, the fact may be stated in the minute signed by the umpire in his character as such, but without giving cause of disagreement.

PEACE SUNDAY.

DR. DARBY IN LANCASTER.

PEACE SUNDAY was recognised in several places of worship in Lancaster and District on Dec. 18th. The deputation to the local Peace Society was Dr. Evans Darby, the Secretary of the Peace Society in London. In the morning he preached at the Centenary Congregational Church, when a resolution was unanimously passed urging the Government to support the Peace Conference in securing a truce of God amongst the nations, and appointing the pastor (Rev. H. W. Smith) as the representative of the Church in supporting the objects of the Conference. In the afternoon Dr. Darby first addressed the Women's P.S.A. in the Co-operative Hall, and later spoke to the men of the Centenary Brotherhood, by whom a resolution was also adopted. In the evening he preached to the Primitive Methodists. At 8.15 a public meeting was held in the Palatine Hall, under the presidency of the Mayor of Lancaster (Mr. Alderman Bell). There was a good attendance. The Primitive Methodist Choir, under the leadership of Mr. J. Stewardson, led the singing and rendered two anthems. The Mayor was supported by Dr. Darby, Revs. H. W. Smith, T. Wilshaw, and J. Baxandall, Messrs. E. B. Dawson, J. Brash, H. Brown, G. Bowness, T. Barrow, W. Barrow, C. Tennant, W. Milner, W. Hamer, G. H. Weekes, T. Parrington, C. Lord, &c.

The Mayor said that in occupying the chair on that occasion he was sure they would readily understand that he was not there as a member of the Lancaster Peace Association, but because it was usual for the Mayor of Lancaster to take the chair at that annual meeting. He came there seeking for information rather than being able to give any; but he was sure that all English men and women were very anxious that Peace should be maintained. (Hear, hear.) Of all British interests he thought Peace one of the most important. They did not differ upon the desirability of Peace, but as to the best way in which it was to be maintained. Some people thought that science would do more to bring about Peace than anything else; he meant that, with the wonderful weapons they now had, the great slaughter which war would produce would eventually bring about Peace. Others thought that partial or universal disarmament would bring thts about, He was not one of those who went in for Peace at any price. He was inclined to think, although many might disagree with him, that the recent trouble with France would not have been settled as it was if we had not had a powerful navy. Perhaps recent occurrences had gone to prove that, if the army had not been in an efficient condition, it might have been worse for this country. However, there was one thing upon which they could all agree-the action of the Emperor of Russia in endeavouring to bring about partial disarmament. (Hear, hear.). They gave him credit for the best motives-that he was very anxious to bring about what he had set himself to do. (Hear, hear.) Some of them might think that, if human nature remained as it was, universal Peace might be only a pleasant dream, and although he himself hardly thought it could be carried out, he hoped it would be.

Dr. Darby moved the following resolution :

This meeting of the inhabitants of Lancaster, presided over by his Worship the Mayor, rejoices that, in the good Providence of Almighty God, the Emperor of Russia has been moved to propose to the Powers a Conference, "for seeking, by means of international discussion, the most effectual means of ensuring to all peoples the

benefit of a real and durable Peace; and, before everything, of putting an end to the progressive development of the present armaments." They assure His Majesty of their hearty sympathy with his proposals and their beneficent objects; aud they earnestly urge Her Majesty's Government to appoint representatives to the Conference who will do their utmost to ensure its efficiency, and to secure the results which the peoples of Europe, suffering from the "crushing burden" of militarism. which they have more and more difficulty in bearing, are hoping for and confidently anticipating.

In the course of an eloquent address he said that a few months ago nobody would have anticipated that such a resolution as that would be possible; and the feelings which animated them were those of intense gratitude. Although they had differences of opinion they sympathised with the earnest words of the Mayor; and all would be Christian and humane enough to desire the Peace of the world as urgently as His Majesty the Emperor of Russia. After being disappointed because the Anglo American treaty was not ratified they had the pleasure of recording the fact that this step had been taken and a treaty creating a permanent Court of Arbitration formed between Italy and Argentina, and they had the further pleasure of reading the Rescript of the Tzar, which began a new chapter in the history of the world, whatever might be the results of the Conference. The message surprised the people not because it was original in its contents but because of the source from whom it came. The criticism the Rescript had undergone had chiefly referred to the motives prompting the Tzar. They were told that it was a deep diplomatic game on the one hand, whilst another set of critics sympathised with the proposal of the Tzar but thought it was not practicable. These criticisms could not be both true. He did not think it was right to throw doubt upon the word of a gentleman; and if they read the Rescript the Tzar explained that the reason he made the proposal was because he believed the nations of Europe were over burdened by warlike preparations. The Tzar did not ask the different countries to dismantle their ships and disband their armies, but in a common-sense way asked the Powers to meet and try to come to an agreement. It had been urged again and again that Russia was not sincere, because she was building ships now. He was not there to defend Russia, but he believed in looking at a question honestly and from both sides. If Russia had a deep diplomatic game to serve why did she begin by alienating the other Power in alliance with her. She could have had the French flect at her disposal, but preferred to continue the peace of Europe. The fact was that before the Rescript was issued Russia had let the contracts for ships costing ten millions of money, and had arranged to spend fourteen millions more. These ships were a sequel to the increase in the British Navy which was proposed by Mr. Goschen. The other powers followed suit, and were spending millions in order to improve their warlike footing. He had had a conversation with Mr. W. T. Stead, who had just returned from a visit to the Tzar. A prominent official at the Foreign Office told Mr. Stead before starting that he would believe in the Tzar's sincerity if he stopped the remaining fourteen millions being spent on more ships. Mr. Stead put the question to the Tzar whether he would countermand the order for building the remainder of new vessels if the Conference of the Powers agreed on stopping further armaments. The Tzar looked at him with astonishment, and said, "Of course. The very first thing I should do would be to see that the money should not be spent! Why, the object of the Conference is to save that fourteen millions, and the millions of other nations, too, if we can. (A palause.) The immoral scramble for China was responsible for a lot of the war spirit. Russia rightly desired an ice-free port, and if England were in the same position as Russia she would think she had a heavengranted right to take possession of any port which suited her purpose. The European nations must be careful, or they would bring upon themselves the "Yellow Danger"-the millions of the East might march Westward. The Tzar recognised the loss the nations suffered in having to keep on a war footing four millions of men, besides an army of parasites living upon the regular army. These had to be maintained by the industrial classes of Europe, at an annual cost of £663,000,000. Besides this, they had the National Debts of the various countries, amounting to between £5,000,000,000 and £6,000,000,000. During the last thirty years these debts had increased by £2,000,000,000. These burdens might produce revolution

amongst the people. Europe was in a cul de sac, the only true way out of the difficulty being the Tzar's Rescript, which was simply a re-echo of the manifestoes issued by the Peace Society in recent years. Lord Rosebery broached the question a few years ago, but the Japanese War prevented it coming to a point. The nations knew that the present system would lead to a cataclysm, and men knew that they did not pay their debts by smashing the furniture in their own houses or the furniture of their neighbours. The proposal, instead of a dream, was most practical and necessary, and to the Churches he would say it was thoroughly Christian. It was the work of Providence, and the Lord of Hosts would perform it, whether Russia was the instrument or not. (Loud Applause.)

The Rev. J. Baxandall, in seconding the motion, said that Christian people were a long way behind the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whose Sermon on the Mount embodied universal Peace. (Hear, hear.)

The resolution was carried unanimously, and the meeting terminated with the Benediction.-Lancaster Guardian.

OTHER MEETINGS OF THE SECRETARY.

A VERY important meeting in support of the Tzar's Proposal, was held at Hayward's Heath, in the Assembly Room, Bolton Road, on Friday evening, December 2nd. The following notice is taken from the Mid-Sussex Times, wherein a full report is given. The meeting was presided over by Mr. W. Stevens (of Cuckfield), who was supported by Miss E. Robinson (of Liverpool), Dr. W. E. Darby (Secretary of the Peace Society, London), the Rev. J. Taylor (of Lindfield), Mr. R. H. Penney (of Brighton), etc.

In opening the proceedings the Chairman read a letter that Mrs. Southey had received from Mr. G. E. Terry (Minister of the Hayward's Heath Congregational Church), who in it regretted his inability to be present, and in well-expressed terms shewed his heartfelt sympathy with that meeting and the Tzar's Proposals. Dr. A. H. Newth also wrote that an important professional engagement prevented his being present at the meeting, which had his entire sympathy.

At the close of the Chairman's excellent address, Miss Robinson moved :

That this meeting heartily approves of the proposal of the Tzar of Russia to hold an International Conference to consider "the most effectual means of ensuring to all peoples the benefit of a real and durable Peace, and above all of putting an end to the progres. sive developments of the present armaments." That this resolution be forwarded to the Marquess of Salisbury, with an expression of the earnest hope that Her Majesty's Government will give its cordial support to the proposal, and that its representatives will endeavour to bring the deliberations of the Conference to a practical and satisfactory conclusion. That a copy be also forwarded to the Tzar of Russia.

She alluded to the Indian Frontier War, the Soudan Campaign, the Hispano-American War, etc., as events discouraging and depressing to the advocates of Peace, and said they were filled with amazement and delight last August when they read that one of the greatest potentates in the world had proposed that which the friends of Peace had been pleading for a long time, and whose voices had been unheard and ridiculed. Then followed an eloquent plea in support of the Tzar's Proposals, which was interrupted by frequent applause.

Dr. Darby seconded in an able speech, which was received with equal heartiness.

The resolution was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks was accorded the speakers and Chairman, on the motion of the Rev. J. Taylor, seconded by Mrs. Hind-Smith, and supported by Mrs. Southey. The Chairman considered their thanks were due to Mrs. Southey for organising that meeting. (Applause.)

Peace Sunday was anticipated by the Secretary in a visit to Colchester and the neighbourhood for the 11th December.

On the Saturday afternoon he had an interview with the special Committee appointed to arrange a Town's Meeting in Colchester, who desired to confer with him about details. This movement is in the good hands of Mr. S. F. Hurnard, J.P., of Lexden.

On Sunday morning Dr. Darby breakfasted at the Friends' Meeting House, COPFORD, with the adult class, who had been invited to meet him by Mr. Walter Barritt, Aldham Hall, and

subsequently addressed them on Peace and Disarmament. At the usual meeting which followed, by request, he gave an address on the same subject. In the afternoon he preached at the Wesleyan Chapel, COPFORD, when a resolution on the subject of the Tzar's Rescript, addressed to the Colchester Free Church Council, was adopted; and in the evening he lectured in the Friends' Mission Hall, Mr. Stirling in the chair, when resolutions were adopted, addressed to the Premier, the Tzar, and the leaders of the Society of Friends.

On Thursday, December 15th, Dr. Darby lectured to the Paddington Liberal and Radical Association, on Disarmament, in their Hall, 252, Harrow Road. The President of the Association occupied the chair. An interesting discussion followed, and resolutions supporting the Tzar's Proposals were unanimously and enthusiastically adopted.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WISBECH LOCAL
PEACE ASSOCIATION.

THE annual mecting of the Wisbech Local Peace Association took place on Monday evening, November 28th, in the Public Hall, where a fairly large audience assembled and listened with close attention to the remarks of the various speakers. The Lord Lieutenant (Mr. Alexander Peckover, LL.D.) presided, and was supported on the platform by Dr. Spence-Watson, of Gateshead, the Revs. W. J. Spriggs-Smith (Vicar of Terrington St. John), J. Thomas, A. W. Edwards, and J. L. James (March), Miss P. H. Peckover, Miss A. Peckover, Miss W. Peckover, the Misses E. and M. Chapman, Messrs. A E. Clarke, J. F. Tyars, W. Poyser, J. Robinson, J. L. Near, E. Sweet, and others.

The meeting opened with the hymn "It came upon the midnight clear," after which the Chairman read a portion of scripture and the Rev. W. J. Spriggs-Smith offered prayer.

The Chairman, who was received with applause, said that he had so often appeared before them as Chairman of the Peace meetings that they would not expect to hear much from him. They had a very eminent speaker there that evening in Dr. Spence-Watson, and they were all anxious to hear him. (Applause.) His (the speaker's) convictions about Peace were as strong as ever they were, they hardly could be stronger. He had received letters from the Rev. I. Elsom, and from their excellent friend Mr. John Cockett, who would have liked to have been there.

Miss Chapman next gave a sweet rendering of "He shall feed His flock," from the "Messiah," accompanied on the harmonium by her sister Miss M. Chapman.

The Rev. A. W. Edwards moved the following resolution :"Resolved that this meeting welcomes with joy and thanksgiving the proposal of the Emperor of all the Russias to hold an International Conference to consider the limitation of National armaments, to seek means of warding off the calamities with which these armaments, by their steady development, are threatening the whole world, and to adopt measures for the maintenance of general Peace, and it respectfully and earnestly urges the British Government to give its cordial co-operation to the Emperor, and do all it can to ensure the success of the Conference."

Dr. R. Spence Watson seconded the resolution in a very able speech, full of facts and figures, and temperate yet forcefull argument, which covered the whole question of armaments and disarmaments at present occupying all men's thoughts and conversation, especially referring to the Tzar's Manifesto.

Mr. E. Sweet next gave a fine rendering of the song "Nazareth," for which he was warmly applauded.

Miss P. H. Peckover, in a short address, said the report had beon for some months in their hands, and they would have noticed that during the last year they had increased in numbers. Their Association now numbered 6,423 members, which was about 90 more than at the end of last year. She spoke in a very hopeful way of their work locally, and referred to the Tzar's Manifesto. The Rev. J. L. James proposed a vote of thanks to the speakers and singers, which was seconded by the Rev. J. Thomas and carried, Dr. Spence Watson responding. Upon the motion of Mr. W. Poyser, seconded by Mr. A. E. Clarke, a similar motion was accorded to the Chairman, and he having briefly replied, the proccedings concluded.