A committee has been appointed to secure a successor to the Rev.C.F.Groom, who completes his three years' ministry at the Park-road Wesleyan Church next August.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES

The Rev.C.F.Groom, pastor of the Park-road Wesleyan Church, will, owing to exceptional circumstances conclude his ministry in Rushden on Nov. 3rd, and will be succeeded by the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne (Dilston-road). Mrs.Thompson, who is the sister of Mrs.Button, of Park-road, Rushden, was visiting the town recently and was taken ill, and, under medical advice, is not allowed to return to Newcastle for the winter. Mr.Thompson has been invited to the Queen's-road Circuit, Northampton, next September, and Mr.Groom has kindly offered to take Mr.Thompson's place at Newcastle. Mr.Thompson will, therefore, undertake the pastorate of the Rushden Church from Nov. 10th. The officials at Newcastle have thanked Mr.Groom for his thoughtfulness, and, further, have invited him to continue in the circuit as pastor of Wesley Hall. At a meeting of the financial Committee of the Higham Ferrers circuit last night a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr.Groom, and reference was made to the excellent work he had done.

Local Appointments

The first draft of the appointments of Wesleyan Methodist ministers for the year beginning Sept.1st has been issued this week. The appointments are subject to further revision.

In the Higham Ferrers circuit the Rev.J.W.Eacott remains as superintendent and the Rev.D.Pughe continues at Irthlingborough. The Rev.R.B.Woodward removes from Rushden to Woodville and Swadlincote circuit, and he is succeeded at Rushden by the Rev.Robert H.A.Morton, from Brynmawr, South Wales.

Former Rushden ministers are appointed as follows:- the Rev.W.Newby remains at Birmingham (Smethwick), the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson continues at the Devonshire Park Mission at Buxton, the Rev.A.L.Fillingham, B.Litt., stays a fifth year at the Newcastle-on-Tyne Mission, and the Rev.C.F.Groom remains at Wesley Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne.