THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CENSUS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1764, 31 May 1913, Page 9

THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CENSUS.

" MANIFEST SIGNS OF HOPE. The following article on the English' Wesleyan Methodist census appears in tho "British Weekly" of April 17:— Our contemporary, tho "Methodist Recorder," published last week the yearly returns ot" membership to be laid before tins district synods of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Another decrease lias to he reported, but it is not nearly so serious as was expected, and there are manifest signs of hope for tha future. Tho decrease amounts to 505 members, tho smallest falling off in tho last seven lean years. It is almost covered by the heavy and calamitous loss at tho Deptford Mission.' The aiiml;t>r of districts showing an iiucreaso of full members is 13, as against 9 last year, and 10 in 1911. One districtBristol and Bath—exactly balances its increases and decreases, and '21 show doorcases. The most progressive districts are Sou/11l London, Exeter First, North Wales, Birmingham, and Shrewsbury, and the chief decrease of 511 is in tho Third London District. First North Wales shows an increase of 220, and South Wales a decrease of 119, This that tho steady leakage in' Wales has come to an end. Tho gratifying feature of tho returns is tho increase in members on trial of 511, and the niarktd increase in tho juniors of 1807.. The number of candidates for tho ministry is 132, or 13 moro than, last year. This is most gratifying, and'wo have great pleasure in copying the words of the "Methodist Records'": "We aro sure there is no work that will furnish better results than, that among the young, especially their training for full relation with the Church. It is tho most encouraging feature of the year's report. It is significant that this revival of iiijc.ni- 1 borship among our young people is coincident with the president's campaign . of Young People's Conventions, and with tho parallel movement called tho IJtuguo of Worshipping Children." Wo are moro than ever confident that when tho churches turn themselves seriously to their work amongst the young wo shall hear no moro of decreases.