PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1521, 17 August 1912, Page 9

PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.

The following statistical returns of tho Primitive Methodist Church were presented to tho recent conference at Norwich.— Members of society 210.CG7 .Members', increase 118 Members who havo died 3,022 Travelling preachers '. 1,104 Local preachers 10,110 Class leaders 11,207 Sabbath-schools • 4,811 Sabbath-school teachers 58,795 Sabbath-school scholars 467,516 Connexional chapels '1,605 Other chapels and rooms J7B Hearers 600,6110 Value of Church.property .£5,231,800 Debt on Church property .£1,163,817 ' HOW LffNG SHALL THE SERMON BE? Tho "Sunday at Home" does not think the desiro for extremely short sermons to be so universal as ono might bo led to believe. The men in London who preach tho longest sermons are, almost without exception, tho men who havo the largest congregations. Dr. Campbell Morgan customarily preaches for three-quarters of an hour, or longer, nnd keeps tho rapt attention of tho crowded area and galleries during tho whole of this time. Scarcely less lengthy is Dr. Dixon, of tho Metropolitan Tabernacle, and Dr. I.en Broughton at Westminster Bridgo Road. Dr. Jowott, now of New York, is apt to preach for fifty minutes. It may bo said that these . men havo exceptional gifts, but, as an American observer pithily writes, "Is it the length of sermons men object to?"