sister, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, they are all given to you. Do you boast of your learning, Tom? What would you have known if you had not been taught? Do you boast that you are clever, Tom? Who made you so? Who but God, your Father in heaven, who has also given you all the good things you have? Tom, never again boast of what you are, or have, or can do."

"Well, but," said Tom, "I've got into such a bad habit of it, I don't think I can leave it off."

"Well, but," said the small voice, "you can ask for help and strength to do so." "So I can," said Tom ; "and so I will." Tom did so, there in the wood, where no one saw him, and no one heard him, but God. God heard him.

Gracie went home with her nurse, after in vain trying to find Tom, and she told her mamma "dat Tom's boat was downded, down in the deep, deep water; and dat Tom had had no stawbells, and no buns, and no noting, and dat Tom had hided hisself."

So when Tom came home, an hour or two after, there was no need for him to tell what had happened.

When he kissed his mother that night, he said, "Mamma, it is all my own fault, I see it is. But you will help me to do better, will you not, dear mamma?"

"Yes, Tom, I will help you; but you must ask for better help than mine." "I have done so, mainma, and will do it again."

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May your Father in heaven hear and bless you, my son, and give you the aid of His Holy Spirit. Good night."

Tom looked as if he were going to cry again he was very grave; at last he whispered, "Good night," and kissed his mother, and went to his own little room up-stairs.

I think that if one of the holy angels was looking down upon the quiet earth that night, he must have seen a boy kneeling by his bedside for a long time, and he must have heard words of prayer from his lips, and he must have been very glad, and have told the other holy angels that a boy on earth was praying to be forgiven for Jesus' sake, to be made a better boy, to be kept from sin, to be made fit for heaven. And I think that then the holy angels must have joined in singing one of their sweet, glad songs of joy.

PERSONAL SERVICE.

THE service of God among us has grown more and more a service by proxy. Judge ye what I say, and if there be but any measure of truth in it, let the truth come home to your soul. Do we not observe even in the outward worship of God, at times, a great attempt towards worship by proxy? Do we not often hear singing the praises of God confined to some five or six or more trained men and women who are to praise God for us? Do we not sometlmes have the dreary thought, when we are in our churches and chapels, that even the prayer is said and prayed by the minister for us? There is not always that hearty union in the one great prayer of the day which there should be whenever we are

gathered together. The thought suggests itself continually to the thinking mind, "Is not much of the devotion confined to the minister, and to those few who pass through the service ?" In fact, we have actually degraded ourselves by applying the term "performance" to divine wor ship. "Performance!" A phrase begotten in the theatre, which certainly should have spent its existence there, has actually been brought into the house of God, and the services are now-a-days "performed," and the worship of God is gone through, and the thing is called the " doing duty" of the minister, and not the taking delight and the enjoying of a pleasure by the people. Do we not observe, too, tha in all our churches there is too much, now a-days, of serving God in acts of benevo

lence, and acts of public instruction, through the minister? Your minister is supported; you expect him to discharge your duty for you; he is to be the means of converting sinners; he is to be the means of comforting the feeble-minded-; in fact, all the mass of duties that belong to the church are considered to belong to one man. Oh that this were rectified! Would to God that our people could all feel that no support of ministers can ever rid them of their own personal responsibility!

Look at the early days of Christendom -the church's pride and glory-when the purest air and the most refreshing dew were upon her mouth; then was the day of personal service. The moment a man was converted to God in those days, he became a preacher; perhaps, within a week, a martyr. Every man then was a witness-not here and there a bishop, or now and then a confessor-but every Christian, whether he moved in Cæsar's household, or whether he moved, like Lydia, in the pursuits of humble commerce-every believer had a part in the service, and sought to magnify the name of his Master. Within but a few centuries after the death of Christ, the cross had been uplifted in every land; the name of Jesus had been pronounced in every known dialect; the whole earth was, at least nominally, evangelized.

But what has befallen us now, my brethren? The results of the labours of the Church through a space of years-what are they? They dribble into utter insignificance when compared with the triumphs of the apostolic times; and my own conviction is, that next to what I fear is the great cause the absence of the Spirit's influence-next to that, and perhaps first of all, is the absence of personal agency in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ, whereby the Spirit is manifested in the diversities of His operations. What conqueror or mighty warrior could expect to win a campaign if his troops should vote that one in a hundred should be supported by their rations-that one in a hundred should go to battle? No, ye legions, you must every one of you draw swords. Every heart must be stout, and every arm must be strong; the line must not be composed of here and there a warrior and an interval between, but every man must march forward, with the spirit of a lion and the strength of God, to do battle against the common enemy of souls.

We shall never see great things in the world till we have all roused ourselves to our personal responsibilities.-C. H. Spurgeon.

ACCESS TO GOD.

HOWEVER early in the morning you seek the gate of access, you find it already open; and however deep the midnight moment when you find yourself in the sudden arms of death, the winged prayer can bring an instant Saviour near; and this wherever you are. It needs not that you should enter some awful shrine, or put off your shoes on some holy ground. Could a memento be reared on every spot from which an acceptable prayer had passed away, and on which a prompt answer has come down, we should find Jehovah-shammah, "the Lord hath been here," inscribed on many a cottage hearth and many a dungeon floor. We should find it not only in Jerusalem's proud temple, David's cedar galleries, but in the fisherman's cottage, by the brink in Genesareth, and in the upper chamber where Pentecost began. And whether it be the field where Isaac went to meditate, or the rocky knoll where Jacob lay down to sleep, or the brook where Israel wrestled, or the den where Daniel gazed on the hungry lions and the lions gazed on him, or the hillsides where the Man of Sorrows prayed all night, we should still discern the print of the ladder's feet let down from heaven-the landing place of mercies, because the starting-point of prayer.—James Hamilton, D.D.

HUMILITY.

Ir was a sweet observation of Luther that for the most part when God set him upon any special service for the good of the church, he was brought low by some fit of sickness or other. Surely as the lower the ebb, the higher the tide; so the lower any descend in humility, the higher they shall ascend in honour and glory. The lower this foundation of humility is laid, the higher shall the roof of honour be overlaid. A humble heart is an aspiring heart. It cannot be contented to get up some rounds in Jacob's ladder, but it must get to the very top of holiness. Verily heaven is for that soul and that soul is for heaven, who sets up for its mark the perfection of holiness.-Thomas Brooks.

1

DEPARTURE OF THE SAKER AND THE THOMSON FOR AFRICA.

REV. A. REV. Q.

BEFORE these lines reach the eye of our readers, the Rev. Alfred Saker will be on his way to Africa to resume his arduous and self-denying labours among the savage tribes of the Cameroons river. When, nearly twenty years ago, he began to preach the Gospel among them, they were utterly ignorant of the arts of civilized life. They wore no clothing. Their houses were built of mud. Their customs were cruel, sanguinary, and superstitious. Their language had never been reduced to writing, and was entirely unknown to every European. They were literally without God and without hope in the world. On settling among these wretched people, Mr. Saker's first step was to build himself a house. This at first was of timber; but the missionary, having taught some of them to make bricks, has now a house more durable, not liable to be eaten by ants or blown down by tornadoes, and he is now intending to build a chapel of the same material. Mr. Saker next proceeded to learn the language. This could only be done by taking down the words from the lips of the speakers. It was a long, wearisome task, attended by many mistakes in the early part of the work, owing to the ignorance of his informants, or to their fears lest what he should acquire would be turned to their injury. But perseverance conquered; and now Mr. Saker has not only reduced the language of the Duallas to writing, but prepared a vocabulary, an outline of the grammar of the tongue, translated schoolbooks, and above all the word of God. The entire New Testament can now be read in Dualla, and also some of the books of the Old Testament. Then Mr. Saker obtained type ard press from England, and taught a few of the natives how to set up type and to print books. Thus these translations are read from a printed page. are used in public worship, and in the native schools.

As the language was mastered the missionaries were able to speak to the people

in their own tongue; a congregation was gathered, the Sabbath observed, and the word of God preached. It pleased God to bless their labours, and many have been baptized, and a church of Christ has been formed. The committee in their annual report thus sum up the results of the self-sacrificing labours of their esteemed missionary :-"He has planted on a barbarous coast and amidst a savage people, a Christian colony, whence civili. zation and the Gospel may spread. He has taught them some of the arts of civilized life, has reduced their language to a written form, has translated and printed the whole of the New Testament and portions of the Old, as well as prepared a vocabulary, a grammar, and several primary schoolbooks. A Christian church has been formed of fifty members, in addition to many who have been cheered in their last hours by the hope of eternal life. This has been accomplished in the midst of perils by sea and land, amongst savages thirsting for his blood, or by their spells hoping to destroy his life."

Mr. Saker has not been alone in this work. From time to time others have gone to his help. The names of Merrick, Thompson, and Newbegin, are fragrant still. They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. Of late years Mr. Diboll and Mr. Peacock have taken part in the work. Mr. Saker will find on the spot Mr. Robert Smith, Mr. J. Fuller, and Mr. Pinnock (the two latter brethren from the island of Jamaica, the first-fruits of the mission there as messengers of Christ to the heathen), besides three or four native brethren, all entirely engaged in preaching the everlasting Gospel. The mission has also extended. Stations have been formed at Bimbia, Amboises Bay, John Aqua's Town, and Moretonville, besides the first and principal one at Bell's Town, on the Cameroons river.

Mr. Saker is accompanied not only by Mrs. Saker and his two children, who will contribute their time and strength to the advancement of Christ's kingdom, but also by Mr. Q. Thomson, who has long desired to devote himself to the service of Christ in

Africa, but till now has been prevented by the Society's want of funds. His long cherished desire is at length accomplished. For some months past he has been labouring as the pastor of the church at Inskip, in Lancashire, and our readers will remember how nobly this little church came forward to assist in the removal of the anticipated deficiency. Under his ministry they have enjoyed much spiritual prosperity. They part from him with the deepest regret; but have all along been aware that their youthful and devoted minister would, at the earliest opportunity, leave them for the mission-field abroad. Their prayers and affection go with him, a rich and fruitful inheritance.

Previous to the departure of these dear friends, a very interesting farewell service took place at Bloomsbury Chapel, on the 20th of last month. Addresses were given by the Rev. W. Brock, the Rev. Č. M. Birrell and Dr. Underhill, and the brethren

Saker and Thomson gave a touching account of the motives which actuate them and the feelings with which they go forth to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to the heathen. Mr. Brock led the prayers of the congregation, imploring the Divine blessing to rest upon them, and his Almighty presence to accompany them in their errand of love. On the following day, the church at Inskip met to commend their youthful minister to God's care, and to express towards him their love and sympathy.

Thus these dear brethren go forth with the good wishes of many, with the fervent prayers of the Lord's people, and with the entire confidence of the Society. May favouring winds waft them safely to their destination, and gales of grace quicken into spiritual life the seed they sow. They sailed from Liverpool on the 24th September.

GENERAL.

We are sorry to say that the "dull season" of the year is not yet by any means past. Scarcely anything of a political character has occurred during the month to excite even the smallest interest; and if it had not been for the famous Muller affair, and for the news from America, the newspapers would have found it hard work to fill their space. The Muller affair has indeed occupied attention enough, though whether Muller is the real murderer of Mr. Briggs remains still in question. In regard to America, the hopes of the friends of the North have been raised by various important military successes; though the political position, arising out of the approaching presidential election, is at the present time uncertain enough.

The great "Baptismal Regeneration" controversy is by no means over. Dr. Winslow, of Bath, in a sermon which has been reported, has placed himself by the side of Mr. Noel, and has severely condemned Mr. Spurgeon. Mr. Landels, and, we are informed, also Mr. Brock, have both preached sermons, in which they have manfully placed themselves by Mr. Spurgeon's side. The pith of Mr. Landels's sermon is in the following passage; "Can any one, who candidly considers these quotations from the Prayer-book, wonder at our perplexity, when we find Evangelical clergymen, who do not believe in baptismal regeneration, declaring their unfeigned assent and consent to such language, and regularly using it, moreover, on the most solemn occasions-even giving thanks to the Almighty for having done what, according to their own belief, He has not done? Is it a wonder that with all our charity we can find no explanation of their procedure consistent with high

minded integrity, and with unflinching fidelity to the claims of Christ? We do not say there is no explanation, but we confess our inability to find one. We do not condemn, but they must excuse us if we say that we cannot understand them. Would they not deem us uncharitable, we should like to ask-and we hope they will so far forgive us as to pardon the question-Brethren, do ye so cordially approve of the language of the Prayer-book that ye would use it if you were free? Were ye ministers of a Free Church-a church which recognizes no authority but that of Christ-or did the church of which ye are ministers leave you free to use the baptismal service or not-does it so accord with your views of Christian truth, that ye would use it from choice? Do ye not wound your conscience a little in order, I do not say that you may be ministers of a church whose worldly emoluments are so large, and which presents so many splendid prizes, but of a church whose prestige adds to your influence and opportunities of usefulness, forgetting that ye ought not to do evil that good may come? Alas! we have a partial answer to these questions in the demand raised by some of your members for a revision of the Prayer-book-that very Prayerbook for which in your controversies with us ye are so ready to contend. There may be another explanation, but the only one which occurs to us is the fact that ye are not free. Ye receive the State pay, and ye must pray and profess to believe, as the State prescribes. Ye have sold your Christian freedom for your ecclesiastical emoluments, and are in bondage, not only to your own people, but to all classes in the State, even to the Dissenter whom ye patronise or despise. As tax-payers and voters, we are, we blush to say it, your masters among others. Through our

representatives we have our share in determining what articles ye shall believe, and what prayers ye shall use. Nor can we relieve your consciences, until your various task-masters shall be sufficiently agreed to make the alterations for which some of you pray. Yet blame us not for your bondage. There is a way to freedom of which ye may avail yourselves now. Some of our number have tried, and have found it, though rough, so bracing and healthful, that they cordially commend it to you. Would to God that you would avail yourselves of it! Cease from your unholy alliance with an earthly power. Cease from calling any man master in matters in which ye should recognize no master but Christ. Let not a regard for emoluments, or prestige, or influence, or usefulness, or anything else, rob you of the liberty which belongs to the meanest servant of Christ. We love and esteem you now for your work's sake, while we lament your thraldom. Then we shall bless you for the testimony ye have borne to the supremacy of conscience; and rejoice in your courage, for having dared to claim for yourselves the freedom wherewith Christ makes His people free." Mr. Spurgeon, in a published letter, has answered Mr. Noel's challenge by withdrawing from the Evangelical Alliance. Another letter Mr. Spurgeon addresses "to the Christian public" for the purpose of showing that the charges he has brought against the Evangelical clergy are neither novel nor singular. To do this he quotes passages in which they have been maintained from the works of the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, the Rev. W. Robinson, the Rev. W. Thorn, Mr. J. C. Fisher, the Revision Society, the Rev. T. W. Teasdale, M.A., the Rev. S. Minton, and the Rev. Thomas Davis, of Roundhay. Mr. Spurgeon concludes by saying:-"Dear friends, this is but a sample of the whole; and I confidently appeal to the great heart of the British people against the charge of Inventing a rash or groundless accusation. To the Most High God I leave my work in this matter. He knoweth that zeal for His truth alone urges me to pursue my present path, involving me as it does in all the pains which contumely and hatred can inflict."

The Wesleyan Conference has just issued its address "to the Methodist Societies in Great Britain." It congratulates them on "the gratifying progress which has been made in the erecion and enlargement of chapels, and the extinction or reduction of chapel debts." The day-schools continue to flourish and increase; but the Sabbathschools do not yield the results which might fairly be expected. The Jubilee of the Missionary Society, of course, has been the great feature of the year, and, besides "eliciting a widely-diffused manifestation of Christian benevolence," it has been "the means of improving the spirituality and stimulating the activity of the churches. Who oan forget the Jubilee love-feasts?" But, in spite af all this, "the spiritual state of our churches oppresses us with an amount of perplexing anxieties which no language can adequately express." The diminution in the total number "in society" cannot be explained away or accounted for, and the Conference has "nothing new to recommend." "The means which, under God's blessing, originated Methodism are the only means which will perpetuate Methodism." The "great want of the day is an intelligent, ardent, uniform, and practical godliness in all the members of the church." "No aggregation of unconverted men dan ever make a true church." The Address concludes with a declaration of the unshaken confidence of the Wesleyan Methodists in the Bible as the divinely-inspired word of God; their trust in

that "full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, ob! tion, and satisfaction for the sins of the who world," which Christ by His death made upon t cross; and their solemn determination to pres constantly all those leading and vital doctrines the Gospel which peculiarly distinguished original Methodist preachers.

Many of our readers will be glad to hear that autumnal meeting of the Baptist Union is to held at Birmingham on the 12th and 13th of th month. If we may judge from the programm the proceedings will be both interesting and in portant, and all that will be needed to make t meeting thoroughly successful will be a large a tendance of ministers and delegates. We sincere hope that this will be secured. The churches Birmingham gladly accept the responsibility a privilege of entertaining all delegates during t time of session.

DOMESTIC.

HAMMERSMITH.-The union between the churc in this place and its newly-elected pastor, the Re Philip Bailhache, late of Salisbury, was public recognized on Thursday evening, September 15t) The Rev. Samuel Green, a member of the churc presided, and, after reading the Scriptures ar prayer by the Revs. John Offord, of Kensingto and J. E. Richards, of Hammersmith, opened t meeting with a few pertinent remarks. The Re W. G. Lewis, of Bayswater, foliowed Mr. Gre in a brief and lucid address. Mr. Otridge, deacon of the church, then stated briefly the c cumstances which had issued in the settlement Mr. Bailhache; and Mr. Old, formerly a deac of the church at Salisbury, now of Camden-roa London, bore testimony to Mr. Bailhache's di gence and success in his sphere of labour in th: town. Mr. Bailhache added a few words as to h views and feelings in accepting office in his preser sphere. The Rev. L. Waterhouse, superintende of the Hammersmith Wesleyan circuit, the offered special prayer for minister and peop! words of affectionate counsel were addressed Mr. Bailhache and to the people by the Rev. W Crowe, a member of the church, and forme pastor at Worcester; after which the Rev. Rob Macbeth, pastor of the Independent church at 1 Broadway, Hammersmith, and senior pastor the town, spoke a few words of cordial welco to Mr. Bailhache in the name of all the congreg tions and churches in the neighbourhood. Af prayer, offered by the Rev. Charles Graham, Shepherd's-bush, the Rev. Clement Bailhache, Islington, and Wm. Heaton, Esq., in br speeches, brought the services to a close. T features in the meeting afforded great pleasure all present-one, the kindly references made to t late pastor of the church, the Rev. John Leec man, LL.D., and the other, the terms of respe and kindness with which the church at Salisbu was spoken of, together with the intimation giv by Mr. Bailhache that that church is likely sod to be settled with a pastor.

ST. MICHAEL'S, COVENTRY.-Public services connection with the ordination of the Rev. Bentley, as the pastor of the church meeting St. Michael's Chapel, Coventry, tock place Tuesday, August 30th. They commenced in morning with a service in the chapel at elev o'clock. The Rev. W. A. Salter, of Leamingt read the Scriptures and prayed, after which t Rev. Charles Vince, of Birmingham, delivered able introductory discourse, founded upon E iv. 11. Mr. Bassett, senior deacon, then read statement of the circumstances which had led