Wilson, whose zealous and laborious exertions have been mainly instrumental in bringing about this improved state of things. With this view they bought, and, at the annual tea-party held on the 16th instant, presented to him, a beautiful silver watch and guard, with appendages. The tea party was the best attended of any that has yet been held at Horsforth. At the meeting after tea the chapel was crowded to the door, and many were unable to gain admission. Mr. J. G. Heaps, of Leeds, was called to the chair, and very efficiently discharged the duties of his office. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Nettleton, Moss, and T. Heaps (of Leeds); Moore, Fawcett, and Pollard (of Bradford); J. Whitaker (who made the presentation), Stead, Riley, Craven, Rathwell, and Webster (of Horsforth). The speakers dwelt on the necessity of at once enlarging the present chapel, or building a new one, and no doubt some plan will be determined upon for realizing so necessary and desirable an object.

A recognition service for the new converts will be held on the 28th instant, of which an account will be sent to the magazine.

for his valuable exertions in connection with the meeting; to the ladies who served tables, the speakers, the choir, and others. The chairman was very specially thanked, as was meet, for his presence on the occasion; for a handsome gift of £10; for an equal sum received the previous year; and for a conditional promise of £50. The proceeds of the meeting, together with collections after sermons, and donations, including that of Mr. Love, amount to £75. To prevent misconception, it should be stated that a small proportion of this sum is to be applied to extinguish a circuit debt. Whatever might be said in praise of the liberality which has yielded so rich a harvest, will be instantly felt by every reader who knows Alnwick.

In connection with the above, it may be stated, that our friends at Newton had an excellent tea meeting in their chapel on Christmas evening. Mr. Abel Scholfield took the chair, and speeches were delivered by Messrs. Crothers, Allan, Drysdale, Ellerthorpe, Robinson, Carr, and others. The chapel was well filled, and every one seemed to be gratified with the proceedings. T. D. CROTHERS.

ANNIVERSARY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL, PICKERING, YORK CIRCUIT.-My dear Sir, I am happy to inform you that on Sunday, January 17th, the Rev. T. W. Ridley delivered two very powerful and eloquent sermons, in connection with our Sabbath school anniversary, to very large congregations. In the evening the chapel was so exceedingly crowded that numbers who sought were unable to gain admittance.

On Tuesday, the 19th of January, the annual tea meeting was held, when about 130 persons sat down to an excellent tea, provided under the management of Mrs. Fletcher and Mrs. Mason. All the fancy provisions, of which there was a very large display, were gratuitously furnished by the friends of the school.

After tea, we held a public meeting, when the chapel was again crowded. The opening devotions being ended, our esteemed friend Mr. Thomas Bird was called upon to preside, who, after an appropriate speech, called upon the Rev. J. Nassau (Primitive), Mr. W. Rickaby, the Rev. E. Wainman, Mr. Garbutt (Wesleyan), the Rev. J. Earnshaw (Independent), and the

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Rev. T. W. Ridley, to address the meeting. All the speeches were of a very high and telling character, especially that of the latter gentleman, which was said to be superior to anything that they have had of the kind in ormer years.

On the following day the scholars assembled in the chapel at 4 o'clock, to be gratuitously supplied with an excellent tea.

At 6 o'clock the tables were again arranged, and between 70 and 80 of the teachers and friends again partook of the social cup. The tables being cleared away, a second public meeting was held. After singing and prayer, the Rev. E. Wainman was introduced to the chair, who after entertaining the meeting a short time, called upon the secretary, Mr. W. Sharp, to give a report of the school, and afterwards upon Mr. R. Boak, Mr. T. Jackson (Wesleyan), Mr. W. Mason, and Mr. G. Ward, who responded with very humorous, interesting, and profitable addresses. This anniversary has been on the whole very successful, the proceeds being above £3 in advance of last year. E. W.

Yours affectionately,

PRESENTATION TO THE REV. JOHN TAYLOR. The Christian public of Belfast have given a fine expression of their estimate of our beloved friend, the Rev. John Taylor, late superintendent of the Irish Mission, for his successful and arduous labours in promoting the cause of education in that town. It is only just to state that the presentation owes its origin and completion solely to public feeling. Mr. Taylor originated and superintended six or seven day schools in Belfast, giving instruction to between three and four hundred poor children, most, if not all, of whom were previously living in total ignorance and neglect, and many in extreme wretchedness. The following address conveys the sentiments which the chief men of the city of Belfast cherish for our worthy brother.

TO THE REV. JOHN TAYLOR.

REV. DEAR SIR,-When the ecclesiastical policy of your church required your removal to another field of ministerial labour, it was not without deep regret that your numerous friends in Belfast contemplated this event as a personal and public loss. The eminent

services you had so long rendered to the cause of education amongst the youthful poor in the most neglected portions of the town justly claimed and secured their admiration and esteem. They could not but appreciate the mental ability, the devoted, energetic zeal, and the untiring assiduity, which enabled you, under frequent discouraging circumstances, to originate, organize, and sustain several invaluable schools, developing a system of instruction peculiarly suited to the communication of knowledge and sound principles to the infant mind.

The conscious purity of motive, and the large measure of success which, under God, crowned your self-denying philanthropic efforts, must doubtless form the chief elements in your reward; but, if the approval of your fellowcitizens, who witnessed these services, can in any wise augment your satisfaction, that approval they now most cordially tender; and as a slight token thereof, entreat your acceptance of the Purse of Gold and the Piece of Silver Plate they have now the pleasure to transmit.

With earnest wishes for your longcontinued health and usefulness, and your perpetual happiness,

We are,

Rev. dear Sir,

(On behalf of many sincere friends),
S. G. GETTY, Mayor of Belfast.
EDWD. TUCKER, Secretary.
Belfast, 1st February, 1858.

To this address Mr. Taylor sent the following appropriate and graceful reply:

GENTLEMEN,-I beg hereby to acknowledge the receipt of your favour, comprising a Silver Salver with inscription, a Purse of Gold, and an address, signed, on your behalf, by his Worship the worthy Mayor of your town; and, in attempting to thank you for such an honourable and substantial notice of my labours, I feel that no language I can employ will be able fully to express the emotions of my heart. Such was the excitement created by your address, &c., &c., both on my mind and on the mind of my beloved partner, that not only language, but even tears, essayed in vain to become the adequate exponent of our feelings. That divine Providence should have led me into such a field of usefulness, and have crowned my efforts with a success which has called forth such a testimonial of your approbation and

esteem, is to myself a matter of surprise and an occasion of overwhelming gratitude.

The enterprise in which I embarked was altogether unexpected unpremeditated by myself. And when, on reading those graphic descriptions of the moral, educational, and sanitary condition of Belfast, written by the late lamented Rev. William O'Hanlon, I had no conception that I should ever attempt to meet the educational deficiencies therein deplored, much less had I any idea that my efforts would attain the magnitude, or be productive of the results subsequently witnessed. It is only due to you, however, as my supporters, to say that, without your co-operation and assistance, it would have been simply impossible for me to have sustained the enterprise. As a stranger amongst you, I had difficulties to contend with for a season which were known only to myself; but with a liberality becoming the Christian, and with a warm-heartedness characteristic of your country, you spontaneously stepped forward to my aid, and whatever the results may be, you are fairly

entitled to share with me the honour of effecting them.

Your generous gift I value certainly, for its intrinsic worth; but that valuation is indescribably increased by the character of the donors, and the spirit which has dictated the presentation. I prize your affection and esteem as a something above and beyond any material form of expression; and, as this testimonial of affection and esteem is for service rendered to the public, it will ever in my eyes be a 66 thing of beauty;" while a consciousness of having tried to benefit the poor and improve the condition of your country -a remembrance of the happy hours spent in the work, and a hope that the good effected will live in the days of your brighter future, will not only make my reminiscences of Ireland a luxury, but be a stimulus to me in future difficulties, a consolation in death, and a "joy for ever." Thanking you for your former sympathy and co-operation, and now for your valuable, or rather invaluable, present, I remain, yours affectionately, JOHN TAYLOR. Cracken Edge, Dewsbury, Feb. 6, 1858.

THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane; and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."-Matthew xxvi. 36,

THE word Gethsemane appears to be composed of two Hebrew words,

(geth), a press, and ¡w (semen), oil; which words joined together mean an oil-press. The Garden of Gethsemane, therefore, was the Garden of the Oil-Press. This garden was situated at the foot of the Mount of Olives, over against the east side of Jerusalem. The Mount derived its name from the fruitful olives which grew on its side and summit. Probably, there was anciently an oil-press within the area of the garden; and when the olives were gathered they were taken to this convenient spot, and pressed for use. In the days of our Lord this garden was a place suitable for retirement, and to it he

was accustomed to resort for meditation and prayer. It was here he endured that terrible agony in which his soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death, and in which mental agony he sweat as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. May we never forget the agony, nor neglect the blessings procured by his sufferings and death.

It is interesting to know that, to this day, the memorable spot presents traces of its ancient character. Here is still an inclosure where olive-trees exist, but so large, and so antique and time-worn in their appearance, that they may be some of those very trees beneath whose shade the Redeemer was wont to meditate and pray. A modern writer observes, respecting the garden-" It is about fifty paces square, and is inclosed by a wall of no great height, formed of rough loose stones. Eight very

ancient olive-trees now occupy the inclosure, some of which are very large, and all exhibit symptoms of decay, clearly denoting their great age. As a fresh olive-tree springs from the stump of an old one, there is reason to conclude that, if the old trees have been destroyed, those which now stand sprang from their roots. But it is not incredible that they should be the same trees. They are, at least, of the times of the Eastern empire, as is proved by the following circumstance: In Turkey every olive-tree which was found standing by the Moslems when they conquered Asia, pays a tax of one medina to the treasury, while each of those planted since the conquest pays half its produce: now the eight olive-trees pay only eight medina. Dr. Wild describes the largest as twenty-four feet in girth above the root, though its topmost branch is not above thirty feet from the ground. Mr. Bove, who travelled as a naturalist, asserts that the largest are at least six yards in circumference, and nine or ten yards high -so large, indeed, that he calculates their age at 2,000 years."

THE SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN'S REPLY.

"And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."-Matthew xv. 27.

On this passage Dr. Thomson has forcibly remarked in his Exposition:-The reply of the woman to Jesus is the best that was ever given to him by any individual during his ministry. She discovers sagacity and presence of mind; enters at once into the distinction made by our Saviour; follows out the figurative language, and draws a fair and candid conclusion in favour of her own request. Allowing the comparison of Jews to children, and Gentiles to dogs, as just, she dexterously points out a privilege which humanity and custom had established. For though it was not seemly to rob the children of their food in order to bestow it on dogs, yet it was customary to give to the dogs the crumbs which had been left by the children; and this was all that her humility ventured

to solicit. For when Jesus said, "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs," her instantaneous reply was, 66 Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."

This was an admirable answer, and it exhibits such presence of mind and acuteness as, on another occasion, we should term witty. It displays a bright and elevated idea of the benevolence as well as the power of Jesus. For as no harm could arise to the Jews from an act of mercy to a Gentile, she had confidence in the benevolence of Jesus. Upon the whole, it is evident that our Saviour appeared on this occasion to hesitate, merely to give the woman a favourable opportunity of showing to his disciples her superior knowledge, her high but rational and wellfounded faith, and the important and beneficial effects of importunity and perseverance. He accordingly said, "O woman, great is thy faith! Be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that hour."

1. From this passage we may learn that it formed a part of the plan of God, in the establishment of the Christian religion, that it should be presented to the Jews before it should be offered to the Gentiles.

2. In this arrangement there was no predilection shown to the Jews, nor any indifference to the Gentiles. It respected a question merely of time, and was adopted on account of its wisdom and superior advantages even to the Gentiles.

3. It was wise that Christianity should be first given to the Jews, because they already believed in the only living and true God; because they acknowledged his attributes of almighty power, and perfect wisdom and goodness; and because they were in possession of the prophecies which predicted the coming of the Messiah, his character, and actions.

4. It was proper to appoint the Jews, after they themselves were converted, to convert the Gentiles; because they were better qualified for that office than the Gentiles.

5. It was wise to select the Jews as the first teachers of Christianity, for another reason; that it might be evident that the revelation given to the Jews, and the revelation given to Christians, formed, though separate, yet connected and essential parts of the same Divine plan.

6. It was agreeable to the goodness of God to adopt means which would propagate Christianity most rapidly and effectually.

7. It was the Divine purpose also in this instance to show, by example, the irresistible efficacy of believing and persevering prayer. Here was one of the finest illustrations of the duty of asking, seeking, and knocking, and of the blessedness of receiving and enjoying. To such earnest importunity and unbounded confidence, the promise was made of unlimited supply: her wants and wishes were the only bounds of the fulness promised and granted. "Great is thy faith, O woman. Be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." Reader, go thou and do likewise.

THE TEN VIRGINS.

THERE is one point that requires to be settled, if possible, because it regards the decorum of the parable: Whether are the ten virgins represented as proceeding to meet the bridegroom, when going to the residence of the bride, or when returning in the company of the bride to his own house? It has been taken for granted that the ten virgins were attendants on the bride, and were waiting at her residence till the cry was heard that the bridegroom was approaching, when it was their duty to go out to meet him. But there is an objection against this opinion which appears insurmountable. Such an act would have been inconsistent with the sentiments and manners of the Jews, as well as of other oriental nations, and we may add, not consistent with our own. It may be said, that it is asserted in the passage that the virgins went out to meet the bridegroom, and, therefore, we must con

Iclude that the bride was not with him. To this we answer, that in the Persic and Syriac versions of the New Testament this difficulty is removed. Thus, after the words went forth to meet the bridegroom, it is added, and the bride. Now, though we cannot receive this addition as authentic, we are not prevented from concluding that it was inserted by those who lived in Syria, and who would not have introduced it if it had not been intended to explain an established or well-known custom. But, independent of this argument, it is clear from the parable itself, that the place at which the virgins sought admission was the bridegroom's house; for he is represented as the only person who answers their cry, and exercises the authority of excluding them. We may also add, it was at the bridegroom's house that the marriage feast was held. We infer, then, that the ten virgins, who probably corresponded with our bridemaids, are represented in the parable as watching for the return of the bridegroom with his bride.Dr. Thomson's Exposition on a portion of the Gospel of St. Matthew, p. 482.

CHRIST'S ENTOMBMENT.

Ir was of the greatest consequence to the cause of Christianity that Joseph and Nicodemus undertook the charge of performing the funeral rites. Had the apostles of Jesus performed this office, the allegation of the Pharisees, that they stole his body, would have been rendered less improbable. Had none of his friends discharged this duty, Jesus would have been buried among the malefactors; no care would have been taken to watch the sepulchre, and there would have been no witness of the wonderful events which accompanied his resurrection. Nor would the prophecy of Isaiah have been fulfilled which declared that the Messiah should have his grave with the wicked and with the rich; that is, near Calvary, where the malefactors were buried, and in the tomb of the rich Joseph of Arimathea. Thus everything was ar