ACCIDENT—On Thursday, the 3rd inst., as Mrs. R. Brightwell, aged 80 years, was walking across her house she caught her toe in the matting and fell against the drawers and fractured her hip. Mrs. Brightwell is the oldest Wesleyan in Rushden, and many years since, before there was a Wesleyan Chapel in Rushden, used to go to Higham Ferrers to worship. It is somewhat strange that Mrs. Brightwell's mother at the age of 84 years met with a similar accident.

The Independent Wesleyans have for some time felt the want of a more powerful instrument to lead the singing than the old harmonium, and they have determined to purchase an American organ, and toward providing the funds a sacred cantata was given on Monday evening, after a public tea to which about 70 sat down. The proceeds of the tea and service were for the Organ Fund.

Northampton Mercury Saturday January 11^th 1890, transcribed by Susan Manton

Funeral Sermon at the Independent Wesleyan Chapel—The Rev. T. G. Harper preached a sermon on Sunday evening from Revelations XIX, 8 “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints”. The sermon had special reference to the life and death of Mrs. Robert Dickens, who was one of the oldest members of that church, being one of the first to join during the Reform Agitation in 1849.

THE WESLEYANS—This body commenced their occupation of the Public Hall on Sunday last. There were good congregations at all the services. Mr. S. Pack, of Higham Ferrers, conducted the service in the morning, Mr. Miller taking the evening one.

In the afternoon the service of song, entitled "The Pilgrim's Progress" was nicely rendered by the choir, assisted by friends, the Rev. Mr. Chamberlain, of Irthlingborough, presiding and giving the connective readings. Miss Agnes Groome presided at the American organ, further assistance in the accompaniments being rendered by the following friends:—Mr. O. Claridge, first violin; Miss M. Ellis, second violin; Mr. H. Jaques, viola; and Mr. J. S. Clipson, violoncello.

SEWING CLASS TEA—The Independent Wesleyan Sewing Class held a tea on Wednesday last at Mr. Wrighton's, Crabb-street, to which the teachers of the Sunday School and a few friends were invited. A fair number sat down. The tea was followed by an entertainment in which Misses Lack and Messrs T. Bromage, E Wrighton and G. W. Button took part. The Rev. T. J. Harper presided. Games were indulged m till the close.

FORTHCOMING BAZAAR—Monday and Tuesday of the coming Feast Week will witness the culmination of an enterprise that is being steadily and heartily carried forward by the members and friends of the Independent Wesleyan Church. As will be seen from an advertisement in another column, a bazaar and fancy fair will be held in the school buildings connected with that place of worship, and arrangements are being made which promise well for the realisation of the object in view. This is to try and raise the sum of £250 still owing on the organ, and also further reduce the debt on the church property. At the same time the event appears likely to prove one of the chief attractions of a busy week.

The Rev William J Mackness, formerly of Liskeard, Cornwall, was yesterday week publicly recognised as the pastor of the Independent Wesleyan Church, Station-street West, Coventry.

Mr Mackness, who was received into the Independent Wesleyan Ministry at the Rushden Conference four or five years ago, is the son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Mackness, of Queen-street, Rushden, and is well-known and highly-respected in the Wellingborough circuit, in which for some years he was a lay preacher.

At the recognition meeting, Mr John Clark, Rushden, presided. Addresses of welcome were given by Mr T Beaufoy (senior Church representative), Mr I Farren (Coventry Free Church Council), the Rev A Wilkes (Primitive Methodist), Mr James Jaques, of Rushden (Wesleyan Reform Union), the Rev A T Hallam (Congregational), Mr Jelley (Sunday School Union), the Rev W H Higgins (Baptist), and Mr Joseph Mackness, of Rushden.

The charge to the church was given by the Rev E Bromage, of Sheffield, and the charge to the pastor by the Rev R Shorten, of Rushden.

The Rev W J Mackness appropriately replied.

Knotting Green - The Wesleyan Chapel was filled on Wednesday evening by an interested congregation on the occasion of the annual meeting. Master Eric Colwell (Rushden) presided, and an attractive missionary programme was given by young people from Rushden. The collection was in advance of last year.

A Handsome Marble Clock was presented on Sunday last to Miss Elizabeth J. Strachan by the teachers of the Independent Wesleyan Sunday school on the occasion of her approaching marriage. An inscription appears on the clock as follows:—"Presented to E. J. Strachan by the teachers of the Rushden Independent Wesleyan Sunday School on her marriage. August 15, 1910."

RESIGNATION—Mr. E. Carter, of Rushden resigned his position as treasurer of the Park-road Wesleyan Church, at a meeting of the church this week. Mr. Carter's resignation was received with regret and sincere thanks for his excellent past services. Mr. Carter is shortly leaving the town.

The Members of High-street Independent Wesleyan Bible Class had an outing on Wednesday, driving to St. Neots in two brakes.

An Entertainment in connection with the Young Leaguers’ Union was held on Wednesday in the Queen-street schools, Mr. F. J. Knight presiding. Miss Brazier sand "My ship" and "Wake up" (encore, "A little bit of heaven"). Miss Lingard sang "There’s a land" and "An old-fashioned town". Mrs. C. Cross gave two recitations, "Our American cousin" and "Little Orphan Annie" (encored), and Miss Nellie Groome recited "The matinee hat". Master J. Wildman gave a cornet solo. An amusing sketch was ably presented by Mrs. H. R. Patenall, Miss Frances Groome, and Miss Elsie Groome. Mr. Cecil Heygate gave a clever conjuring exhibition. The accompanists were Miss K. Denton and Miss Brazier. Refreshments were served.

The Ninety-Sixth Anniversary of her birthday was reached yesterday by Mrs James Bull, who lives with her daughter, Mrs W Stapleton, in Little-street. Two of her sons, the late George and Charles Bull, were well-known county cricketers. Besides many relatives in the Homeland, there are others in America. Mrs Bull is the oldest member of the High-street Independent Wesleyan Church. She still has an excellent memory of her early days.