Midland Churches: A History of the Congregations on - General ...

Mr. D. Matts.
Mr. J. W. Oliver.
Mr. H. Payton.
Mr. J. Retchford.
Mr. Hy. Solomon.
Mr. G. R. Twinn.
Mr. S. B. Whitfield.
Mr. W. Woodward.
In many ways <strong>the</strong> time had come, and events were ripe for <strong>the</strong> forma-
tion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> larger and more comprehensive Union, which was not long in
making itself a felt power in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Midland</strong>s. The Rev. Robert Hammond
Cotton, <strong>of</strong> Liverpool, who had recently left <strong>the</strong> Baptist Church, began his
duties as <strong>the</strong> regular missionary for <strong>the</strong> Union in March, 1868, and con-
tinued <strong>the</strong>m until May, 1869, when he resigned, with a view to a settled
pastorate. The Union's earliest efforts were given to maintaining regular
services at Alcester, Spon Lane, and Walsall. By degrees o<strong>the</strong>r work
was taken in hand for longer or shorter periods, with <strong>the</strong> gratifying result
that as <strong>the</strong> years have passed on <strong>the</strong> ' M.C.U.'-to use its familiar appela-
tion-has become <strong>the</strong> recognised and trusted authority in its district for
<strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong> Christianity in connection with <strong>the</strong> freedom which rejects
subscription t~ any articles <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ological belief.
So far as <strong>the</strong> funds at its disposal have allowed, <strong>the</strong> Union has given
yearly financial help to many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> smaller congregations affiliated to it.
Like <strong>the</strong> Tract Society, <strong>the</strong> Union generally has a united service anu
a sermon by an appointed preacher, on its annual meeting day ; occasionally
<strong>the</strong> administration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord's Supper has also formed a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
day's proceedings.
Secretaries.
Rev. Charles Clarke, 1865-1867.
Rev. Hy. Enfield Dowson, B.A., 1865-1867.
Rev. David Maginnis, 1867-1869.
Mr. W. Ridout Wells, 1867-1869.
, Rev. Hy. Wm. Crosskey, LL. D., 1869-1881.
Rev. Henry McKean, I 878- I 88 I.
Rev. Wm. Carey Walters, 1881-1883.
Rev. Charles Clarke, 1886-1887.
Rev. Saml. Fletcher Williams, 1887-1888.
Rev. James Crossley, 1888-1890.
Rev. Rd. Thos. Nicholson, B.A., 1890-1892.
Rev. John Briggs Lloyd, 1892-1893.
Rev. James Crossley, 1893-1894.
Rev. Addison Alex. Charlesworth, 1894-
Treasurers.
Mr. S. B. Whitfield, 1865-1879.
Mr. W. B. Greenway, 1879-1883.
Mr. Charles Harding, 1883-1887.
Mr. Alf. Wm. Worthington, B.A. ; J.P., 1887-1896.
Mr. J. Archibald Kenrick, 1896-
On Monday, g March, 1891, <strong>the</strong> Union nlet for <strong>the</strong> first time after its
transformation into a ' PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY,' <strong>the</strong>se words having from
that date formed part <strong>of</strong> its title. The Assembly as <strong>the</strong>n constituted,
now consists <strong>of</strong> :-
(a) The ministers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> affiliated <strong>Churches</strong>,
(b) Three lay representatives from every affiliated Church,
(c) Life members, being donors <strong>of</strong> As, or upwards,
(d) Annual subscribers,
(e) Ministers resident in <strong>the</strong> Province, without active charge, duly elected
by <strong>the</strong> committee.
There is now 110 doubt whatever as to <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> this move, which
is apparent in <strong>the</strong> greatly increased attendances at <strong>the</strong> annual and autumnal
ga<strong>the</strong>rings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Assembly, and in <strong>the</strong> general interest manifested by <strong>the</strong>
Province in its welfare,
Prior to this change, <strong>the</strong> annual meetings were held at <strong>the</strong> various
places iilcluded in <strong>the</strong> Union, <strong>the</strong> first in 1866 being in <strong>the</strong> Church <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Messiah, when <strong>the</strong> Rev. John Gordon preached from Romans I., 14, I am
debtor both to <strong>the</strong> Greehs, and , <strong>the</strong> Bnrbariatts, Both to <strong>the</strong> wise and to <strong>the</strong>
unwise. b
The annual meetings, from 1891, have been held in Birmingham, its
central position being found <strong>the</strong> most convenient for <strong>the</strong> large majority
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> attendants.