leaves all that is good and peaceful and comes to a great sorrow; like one who leaves great glo y and joy, and goes down to poverty and grief, even as He did, and then died away in one tremulous sob, as though all hope of joy and peace were fled! Hal sat with clasped hands and uplifted eyes, hardly daring to breathe, lest he should lose some of the strain; listening eagerly for it to rise again, as he was sure it must. And it did; coming in such a rapturous, glorified gush-such a sweet, melodious response, with the voice of a conqueror ringing through it all, that Hal began to cry from very thankfulness.

At that instant a form seemed to descend from the fretted roof. Could it be one of the cherubim? No; it had the face of the statue in the shop, only ten thousand times more lovely-a loveliness that in itself was almost fearful to look upon, so transcendent was it. Hal dropped upon his knees with awe, yet feeling he had nothing to fear in this presence, so full of tender, loving pity was the face. A soft glow filled the whole place, and enveloped all the stranger's form but his face, as with a shining mist. A voice, in whose accents pity and love were blended, fell on his ear: Little one, which would you have-this crown of life eternal, the reward of those who are faithful here below, or this which I will ?" In his hand he held a golden crown; plain and simple it looked, but behind it stretched away a shimmering vista where angels were singing; the music of harps innumerable fell upon his ear; there was a throng of chosen ones around the throne, but clearer than all else was a bright angel face that looked down lovingly at him-the face of his

show you

own dead mother! Then his rapt eyes turned from the beautiful vision; with a wave of the hand the stranger seemed to cleave a way through the churchyard, blocks of houses, all that intervened, and Hal saw the shop with the statue in front; the crowd of happy people buying toys for still happier little ones; piles of snowy candles-everything nice, glistening in the gas-light; very pleasant it looked. Then the stranger turned to him, and fixing his eyes on him said, Little one, which dost thou choose-to be with them, or me? One more look

66

at the pleasant scene and the beautiful shop, and Hal turned from them all, and in a voice trembling with the fervour of his happiness, said, "With thee, O Lord!" A heavenly burst of music swelled out upon the air, grand and triumphant, and Hal, with angel's wings, soared away to that land where we in the body cannot follow.

Would it spoil my story, little readers, if I should tell you that Hal's vision was all a vagary of his little brain, and that when the people came out of the church they found a little dead frozen boy there, with his hands clasped, eyes upturned, and a sweet smile on his lips? The crown, dear little ones, is something you may all possess if you strive for it. It is not beyond the reach of the humblest of you. And now, little readers, which would you have-earth's glittering treasures, that for awhile are bright and tempting, but which at last turn to dross,

or

Hal's crown? Hark! I fancy I hear your little voices coming from far and near to me, soft and low as the summer wind, or the rustle of an angel's wing, saying softly, "HAL'S CROWN!"

ASSURANCE OF FAITH AND OF HOPE.

ASSURANCE of hope is a settled, unshaken, well-grounded, immovable persuasion and certainty that I, as an individual, have thus believed that I

am in Christ, that God is my reconciled Father, that I shall never come into condemnation, and that my heaven is secure. The assurance of faith is a universal duty The-that of hope a gracious privilege. one is possessed by every believer-the

other is a sovereign gift to a part of the flock. By the one I believe that God is true; by the other, that He is my God. By the one I see Christ to be an Almighty and a willing Saviour; by the other, I am assured that He will save me in particular. By the one I lean on Christ as my only and all-sufficient supporter; by the other, I am made certain that I have actually done so, and hope without wavering that I shall eternally rejoice in Him. One is opposed to unbelief, the other to despondency. One connects with Christ, the other reveals the connection. They stand to one another as the blossom to the fruit; or as the deed to the possession; or as the sentence of acquittal to enlargement from restraint. One may coexist with many fears, the other "casteth out all fear."

How is faith to be cultivated? Plainly by converse with the object of faith; by looking unto Jesus; by dwelling more on Him than on ourselves; by going out of ourselves to fall into His arms. More definitely, as the promises of Scripture are the vehicles by which Christ is offered to us, it is the contemplation of these promises which brings Him into our believing hearts. Those who have had most abiding assurances of God's love, are those who have been most in meditation on the written assurances of that love. It is in the study of authentic and valid title deeds, that we are most certain of our rights. The great propitiatory work, above all, is the object which should be held before our eyes for the removal of doubts and fears.— J. W. Alexander.

DISTRESS IN JAMAICA. WHO of us does not think of the Mission in Jamaica with the deepest interest, and none the less that for twenty years the negro churches have sustained their own pastors and the means of grace? This indeed has not been accomplished without much liberality and great self-denial, both on the part of the emancipated people, and the brethren who have remained with them to assist in their elevation and spiritual welfare. Little or no help have they received from their former masters. Not unseldom the legislation of the House of Assembly has been adverse to their interests, while taxation has been imposed for objects injurious to the wellbeing of the labouring poor. Still they have nobly endured, and except in times of extraordinary difficulty have done much for their own advancement and spiritual improvement. At various times this has received a check from the prevalence of some epidemic, such as cholera and small-pox, or from extreme drought; and such is the case at the present moment. For two years scarcely any rain has fallen, so that the crops

have been destroyed by the parching heat, and the provision grounds have failed to supply the people with food. This would be a sufficient calamity in itself to excite our deepest sympathy; but the American war has added greatly to its severity. In ordinary years a very large proportion of the flour and salt fish used in Jamaica comes from the United States. The supply of breadstuffs has now greatly fallen off. What comes to hand is greatly increased in price. From the same cause clothing has become very much dearer. The dress of the people consists almost altogether of cotton under various forms. But cotton goods, even of the commonest sort, have increased in value 200 per cent.; so that what was formerly only fourpence a yard is now selling for a shilling. This great rise in price is partly owing to the customs' duty imposed upon cotton manufactures. It is fixed at 12 per cent. on the value. When Calico was worth only fourpence a yard, the duty was therefore one halfpenny a yard, and that was thought to be a heavy impost. Now the duty is three half-pence a yard. Thus, both food and clothing are very dear; and to add to

the distress of the people, employment on the estates and plantations has greatly declined. This is of course accompanied by a decrease in wages. So the result is brought about, that when the people most need employment and wages to obtain articles of necessity both fail them. With high prices they have smaller means to obtain what they want.

Now the effect of this is twofold. First, the people are starving, ragged, and naked; and secondly, they are unable to attend public worship for want of decent clothing, and their pastors are plunged with them into the depths of poverty. But this is not all. With want and starvation, crime has greatly increased. The gaols are filled to overflowing, and the governor of the island has to propose to the Legislature the building of new prisons, and the infliction of severer punishments. The character of the crimes shows that they arise from want. They consist of petty thefts, robbery of provision grounds, and larceny. At the same time begging, formerly rare in Jamaica, has become the practice of multitudes.

Under such circumstances it is no surprising thing that the house of God is badly attended, that spiritual progress has come to a stand, that the ministers are suffering as well as their people, that schools are being broken up, and the schoolmasters dismissed. Such distress calls both for sympathy and help, and we are glad to tell our readers that the committee of our Missionary Society have called attention to the matter, and are willing to be the distributors of the gifts, whether of clothing or money, that the Christian people of this country may send.

It will be interesting to our readers to have a few extracts from the communieations which the committee have received.

The Rev. John Clark, of Brown's Town, writes as follows:

tudes are suffering from want, little removed from starvation. Our congregations (I cannot speak of all parts of the island, but of this particular portion of it), which for nearly thirty years have been crowded, frequently to overflowing, are diminished one half. Contributions are so reduced that we cannot pay our way; exclusions are so numerous as to cause the deepest anxiety; conversions, I fear, there are none. In consequence of the excessive droughts and prevailing epidemic, spiritual distress and depression are aggravated by poverty and affliction. Our prospects for the young are gloomy in the extreme. Parents do not send them to school. Brother D-has had to give up his schools; my teacher at F has left and gone to as the people would not pay the small fees; and the Education Society has withdrawn the five pounds they had, for two years or so, kindly given. All the reports I have from Kingston, Spanish Town, &c., are discouraging, and withdrawal from the means of grace seems to be universal over the island. What is to become of the people, I know not. In fine weather and good roads we have from 150 to 300 people instead of 1,000. As to income it has sorely fallen off."

The Rev. John Clarke, of Savanna la Mar, says :

"We had two weeks ago eighteen cases on the calendar from our circuit court; ten and twelve are being sent to prison from our petty courts almost weekly. Assaults, housebreaking, robbing of provision grounds, prevail as they never did before, and the governor in his opening address to the House of Assembly recommends a return to flogging and the treadmill to put a stop to the dire evils that afflict the land. I might give you sheets filled with quotations from letters from many of our brethren to show you that the disease affects the whole island; but I suppose most who write you will tell their own tale of distress and painful apprehension."

The Rev. B. Millard, of St. Ann's Bay, writes :

"The general state of trade is very bad. The labour market is overstocked. Hundreds of people cannot get work, and the scarcity of ground provisions throughout this district, together with the want of rain (save the last week in May), renders the pressure the greater. The general cry is everywhere, Money is scarce; clothing is enormously high; living is difficult.' One consequence is that our means to carry on the schools will lessen, and the difficulty of parents to clothe their families will be increased."

The Rev. W. M. Webb, of Stewart Town, a native minister, says :

"Sin abounds on every side, and the love of many in the churches seems to be

waxing cold. Whether from want of money, or from want of clothing, or from want of both, perhaps from want of all, our chapels are very scantily attended. The only Sabbath upon which we may count for a pretty good congregation is the Sabbath of the Lord's Supper. There is no doubt many of our poorer members have not the necessary clothing to appear even decent in the house of God. You may judge of the state of our finances. The day-school now has sadly de

creased in numbers. The one at Gibraltar I have closed for the present, until I can see my way clear to support it."

These passages will suffice to show the nature and extent of the distress which now presses on our brethren in Jamaica. We are sure the sad condition of the people will excite the deepest commiseration in our readers, and we trust an earnest desire to help in its removal.

GENERAL.

We referred in our last to the strange story of persecution that has come to us from the South Seas.

We are glad to hear that the directors of the London Missionary Society have been in communication with her Majesty's Government on the subject. The other missionary societies have also joined in a memorial respecting it. They base their protest against the arbitrary proceedings of M. Guillain, first, on the fact that the Christian teachers, native and European, employed by the London Missionary Society in the Loyalty Group, commenced their labours at least ten years before the assumption of French authority in New Caledonia; secondly, that at the commencement of their labours the native population were in the lowest state of degradation and barbarism, and that their present social and religious improvement has been effected by the blessing of God upon the labours of the missionaries; and thirdly, that all acts of trade and commerce on the part of the missionaries are strictly prohibited by the society they serve, and cannot, therefore, in any degree interfere with the colonial interests of France. We are happy to know that Earl Russell has taken up the matter in the promptest and heartiest manner; indeed, before receiving any communication from the missionary societies he had brought the affair under the notice of the French Government.

A story of persecution comes to us from Russia. There-in Southern Russia-two

young men lately ventured to leave the Greek Church, and be "baptized into the death of Christ. Both of them were converted through intercourse with our brethren and reading the New Testament. One of them is a Wallachian, the other a Russian; the former was a servant in the family of one of our brethren, the latter was apprentice with another as a shoemaker. Persecution followed immediately on their confession of Christ; the master and servant were both arrested, but were afterwards released on bail; but the shoemaker and his apprentice fared worse; the former was only released on bail after three months' imprisonment, and the latter is still incarcerated! Three others were also put under arrest, though not imprisoned, for being present at the baptism. The administrator of the ordinance left directly, and the police could not find him, as he was not a resident in the place. Later intelligence states that one of the three spectators has been imprisoned, and the others expect it daily.

Our readers will find on another page an account of the distress that has fallen upon our brethren in Jamaica. Private letters which have reached us fully confirm the statements that are made in our article; and the case altogether is one that calls for the most active sympathy and help. We have no doubt our brethren will receive the help they need; but what is wanted is that the help should be, not only liberal, but prompt.

The following paragraph-copied from The Freeman-we commend to the attention of our readers who have votes:-"Mr. Frederick Calvert, Q.C., brother-in-law of Sir H. Verney, Bart., M.P., has just issued an address to the electors of the Borough and Hundreds of Aylesbury, in which occur the following passages:-I am obliged with great regret to abandon the hope, which I had ventured to entertain, of becoming one of your members. I have been asked by electors of the Liberal party whether I will vote for the "unconditional abolition of church-rates."

I am, as I have already informed you, in favour of material alteration in the law respecting church-rates; but I cannot support a bill for their unconditional abolition. I have therefore given my answer in the negative. The question was put to me on behalf of a numerous body of electors, who, but for this one point of difference, would have readily endeavoured to promote my election. I find that they are most anxious to have candidates who will assert their views upon this important subject. I am grateful to them for the strong inclination which they have shown in my favour, and in deference to their wishes, I shall relieve them from any embarrassments which a canvass on my behalf might possibly produce. I take this early opportunity of informing you that I am no longer a candidate for the honour of representing you in Parlia

ment.""

This paragraph is very suggestive. Aylesbury Liberals have done themselves honour by declining to be represented by a candidate who professes to be a Liberal, yet is not liberal enough to vote for the "unconditional abolition of church-rates."

DOMESTIC.

ST. CLEMENTS, NORWICH.-A most gratifying and substantial mark of esteem was paid on Wednesday evening, December 28th, to the Rev. T. A. Wheeler, on his retirement from the pastorate of St. Clement's Chapel, and his departure to a similar sphere of duty at Bristol. The proceedings commenced with valedictory tea meeting, which was attended by between 500 and 600 people. In the course of the evening a valuable collection of books and a purse containing 100 guineas were presented to Mr. Wheeler, but it should be stated, in addition, that presentations had been previously made to Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler by rivate friends, and by the Sunday-school eachers and children connected with St. Cleent's Chapel. The teachers presented a gold Watch, valued at over 20 guineas, and the hildren expended their subscriptions in the urchase of a beautiful book of lake scenery. Andrew's Hall, in which the farewell Meeting took place, was decorated with banners streamers. The chair was occupied by r. J. H. Tillett, who opened the proceedings ith kind and appropriate remarks. ther speakers were the Revs. J. Alexander, Venimore, J. Hallett, G. Gould, J. T. Figner, P. Colborne, F. S. Turner, and essrs. J. Fletcher, A. J. Chamberlain, ooke, and Reeves. Mr. Wheeler acknowged the presentation, which was made by e chairman, in a deeply interesting and ffecting speech.

The

BROWN-STREET, SALISBURY.-After an interval of some months the Baptist Church at Salisbury is now, by God's blessing, under astoral care. The Rev. S. Newman, late of Barnstaple, entered on his pastorate there on

the first day of the new year; and on the following Wednesday a tea meeting of the church and congregation was held for the purpose of welcoming the new pastor. The meeting was the largest held in the place for some years, and it was of a very pleasant and unanimous character. Mr. S. R. Atkins, a deacon, presided. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Clench, Thorn, and Bestland, deacons, and by Mr. J. Keynes, superintendent of the Sunday-schools, all welcoming the pastor in a very hearty manner, and stimulating the church to work and sustain the work of winning souls to Christ. Mr. Newman then, in a very clear and interesting speech, reviewed his position as a minister of the Gospel, and towards the church as a pastor and as a Nonconformist minister, urging all to hold fast the truth and the blessings we now enjoy, though_bought by the blood of our forefathers. Brief addresses were then delivered by Messrs. Pritchard, Moore, Lapham, Bailey, and Wheeler. The expressions of welcome were very cordial and unanimous, and Mr. Newman enters on his pastorate under encouraging circumstances.

BANBURY, OXON.-Meetings in connection with the public recognition of the Rev. George St. Clair as pastor of the church, Bridge-street Chapel, Banbury, were held on Tuesday, January 10th. The afternoon service was commenced with reading and prayer by the Rev. H. A. Nash, Independent minister, Banbury. The introductory discourse, on the principles of Nonconformity, was delivered by the Rev. W. Barker, of Hastings, who also offered special prayer. The charge to the newly-elected pastor was delivered by the Rev. J. Angus, D.D., of Regent's-park College; and a sermon to the church and congregation preached by the Rev. W. T. Henderson, of Devonshire-square Chapel, London, the former pastor of the church. Tea was provided in the schoolroom, which was tastefully decorated. A large party (including many friends from the villages around) joined in the social repast. After tea a public meeting was held, presided over by Mr. W. Cubitt, senior deacon of the church. meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Angus, after which interesting and congratulatory addresses were delivered by the Revs. G. Tustin, F. F. Medcalf, T. G. Hughes, W. Barker, W. T. Henderson (Baptists); J. Bishop, T. Nicholson (Independents); G. Warner (Primitive Methodist); R. Edmonds, Esq. (Wesleyan), and suitably and feelingly responded to by Mr. St. Clair. The engagements of the evening were interspersed by the occasional singing of a short anthem adapted to the occasion.

The

CHARLOTTE CHAPEL, EDINBURGH.-The above chapel, after having been closed for several months for various alterations and repairs, was re-opened on the 1st of January