AMONG the subjects discussed at the last meeting of the

Convocation of Canterbury, was the proposed formation of a Provincial House of Laymen. There are some who have advocated the introduction of laymen into Convocation itself; but it is urged that such a step would be contrary to its constitution and tradition. A committee of the Upper House appointed to consider the question of a new body, acting in concert, now brought up its report, the points of which were adopted with some slight modification. The first clause affirms that "it is desirable that a House of Laymen be formed for the Province of Canterbury to confer with Convocation." It is proposed to have ten members appointed by the lay members of the London Diocesan Conference for the diocese of London, six in like manner for the diocese of Winchester, and six for the diocese of Rochester, and four for every other diocese, ten official members being nominated by the Archbishop of Canterbury. This would, it is estimated, give a Lay House of about 121 members; and the suggestion is, that it shall be opened by the Archbishop, that it shall meet only when Convocation meets, and that it shall be dissolved with every dissolution of Parliament. The resolutions embodying this proposal were subsequently transmitted to the Lower House, and by them referred to a committee.

THE Convocation of York had the subject of Deaconesses under discussion.-Dr. Howson, the Dean of Chester, whose views are well known, brought forward a motion :-"That the establishment of a ministry of women in general harmony with the system of deaconesses in the Primitive Church and adapted to the condition of modern times is an urgent need of the Church of England." This found support, but was finally set aside by a large majority in favour of an amendment proposed by the Dean of York in more general terms, to the effect that the extension of the ministry of women is an urgent need, and that a committee be appointed to consider how it may best be developed, and retained under due control. In the course of the discussion, it was stated that there were 4,800 deaconesses on the continent, who were employed at fifteen hundred stations, scattered in various countries, but only fifty deaconesses were connected with the Church of England. The Dean of York laid stress on the necessity of avoiding the separation of women, as in France, into two classes-religious and worldly. Whatever view be taken of the proposed order, in contrasting statistics the ministry must not be forgotten which is daily rendered by thousands who bear no ecclesiastical title. Another resolution moved by the Archbishop of York, affirmed "that it is important the clergy should take an active interest in questions affecting the homes and health of the people." On a subsequent day the Bishop of Manchester drew attention to the best means of bringing Christian truth before those who do not usually attend places of worship. He deprecated the idea that mission-rooms could take the place of churches, and said, with less stiffness and formality and better preaching, more churches would be crowded. The words of many sermons were too long, too learned, and also beyond the hearers in thought and idea. The sermons, moreover, were very often not on subjects which interested the masses of the people. They were upon some abstruse points of theology, or some defence of or attack upon ritual. These were things upon which the masses of the people did not think. They did not touch the people in any points of their daily lives. The Bishop of Exeter had observed to him the other day, "How many souls has not the preaching of old sermons lost us!" Canon Body defended the use of old sermons and of dogmatic teaching in the pulpit. The Bishop of Carlisle said that the religion of children was the key of the whole position. Further discussion ensued, but no formal resolution was put.

progress he has observed in England, are hopeful. One point on which he touched was the sanctified use of wealth in this country. "In America," said Mr. Moody, " our rich men have nearly all been made poor. As a consequence their wealth is too much for them, and there is nothing to compare with the great numbers of wealthy men and women who in London devote the whole of their leisure time to the service of God and their fellow-men. Why, the other day the heir to one of the greatest fortunes in London, whose name I do not wish you to publish, stood outside our meeting and held a cabman's horse the whole time in order that the cabman might take part in the service within. Nor was that at all an isolated incident. Titled ladies and wealthy ladies moving in the first society have gone down into the lowest slums in the districts in which we have been holding our meetings and taken care of the children and nursed the babies while the mothers spent an hour in our hall. In some of the places they opened a crèche, where they each took turns in minding the babies while the mothers were at the services. Nor is it only the wealthy who have shown such energy. About a hundred persons have followed us from place to place-camping out, as it were-and have taken lodgings in the immediate vicinity of our halls in order that they might be able to work night and day and bring in the people. That is one of the great advantages you have here. You have more people with leisure. Among those who helped us very materially were converts who joined us at Cambridge. There never was a place that I approached with greater anxiety than Cambridge. Never having had the privilege of a university education I was nervous about meeting university men. But I think I had a better time at Cambridge than I had in any other provincial town, and many of the graduates who were brought in there rendered noble service in our London campaign. Some of the best cricketers in Cambridge-some of the best in England, in fact-have been with us heart and soul."

THE Wesleyan Methodist Conference met this year at Burslem, under the presidency of the Rev. Frederick Greeves. The report of the numbers connected with the Society, according to the returns of last March, stated that there were 2,440 junior society classes, with a membership of 41,821; and there were 410,366 full members of society, with 35,272 on trial. The net increase on the year in the membership of the Church was 3,281.

A REMARKABLE revival is in progress in the Cevennes The Rev. W. Gibson, recently describing what he had seen at Auvergne, stated that no fewer than one hundred persons had been converted to God, and out of those seventy were men. In France there is great difficulty with the men. The women are willing to listen, but the men refuse to listen. At these meetings, however, men were found ready to testify to the saving grace of God. The movement began in the prayers of a few.

WE recently gave some account of the Flagellants of the middle ages. Our readers will be surprised to hear that rites similar to those then followed are still practised in New Mexico. Not far from Albuquerque is one of the strongholds of an order of the Jesuits called "Las Flagellants" or "Las Penitentes." The "New York Observer," describes a scene in one of the little adobe churches of the district. The edifice was filled by the devotees and curiosity seekers. After singing and other exercises a procession was formed, escorting three young men to a hill called The Calvary,' about a mile away. A heavy cross, weighing some 200 lbs., was placed upon the shoulders of one of the men. Behind these was irregular line of disciples armed with every kind of instrument which could be devised-swords, daggers, chains, barbed wire, even the cactus being utilised. With them they beat, stabbed, bound, and gashed themselves.

an

Behind them a tall Penitente, straight as an Indian, walked, playing a sort of flute. As this strange motley procession neared the hill, taking an hour in the journey-the tooting, the chanting, the wild chorus grew more intense. Here the doomed man was fastened to the cross, which was then planted in the ground. Again and again was he made to feel the pressure of the thorns, and the tight ropes with which he was bound caused intense agony. The shouts of encouragement were fainter as his pale, haggard face, with blood running down his waist, betrayed that he was near unconsciousness. Shrieks, moans, and terrific cries were kept up till the sufferer fainted. Then he was taken down, and water was dashed upon him until he revived. There have been four cases in the last six years where the crucified man died after being taken from the cross; such a result being courted and desired as leading at once to Paradise and glory." We are reminded of the Sun Dance of the Sioux Indians; the old and the new world blend in such observances.

WHILE the Baptist Missionary Society is making a noble effort to extend its work north of the Congo, to a point where it may co-operate with other agencies on the central Lakes, the highway is being prepared for the messengers of the Cross. Perpetual tenure of the land occupied at Stanley Pool has been secured by agreement with the International Association, and another site has been obtained for a station three hundred miles farther into the interior, at a nominal rental. The general testimony of Mr. Stanley, who is again in England, is favourable to the prospects of civilisation. Meanwhile, the American Baptists are moving to take their part in the risks and labours of evangelisation.

THE border lands of Sierra Leone show that contact with civilisation is no sure cure for the ills of savage life. The town of Mabang, including the Wesleyan Mission premises, has been plundered and burned to the ground by a so-called war-party. Many of the people escaped, but some were taken captive, and some slain. "Our people at home," writes one of the missionaries, "have simply no idea of the state of utter disorganisation from which Western Africa suffers, or of the consequent insecurity of life and property, as soon as we get beyond the narrow fringe of territory which is under British jurisdiction. Settled government, one might almost say, there is none. Soosoo fights Soosoo; Timmance, Timmance; and both either, or towns belonging to any other tribe, that promise easily-got booty. It is, in fact, a constant Donnybrook Fair on the widest scale, where the shillelagh is replaced by the gun and cutlass, and broken heads by burning villages, and murdered and enslaved men and women, and little children. What is called war,' but which in reality is nothing but the most fiendish murder for the sake of slaves and plunder, is going on constantly, close up to British territory, by men in British pay, some of them, and the captives are driven along roads constructed by Government. A gang of fifty slaves passed by Mabang quite lately, and was only heard of because they turned upon their drivers, and killed some of them."

SOME interesting glimpses of life in Central Africa are afforded by letters from the Nyanza Mission. Here is a picture from the quarters of King Mtesa, drawn by Mr. O'Flaherty. The king's favourite daughter fell ill, a troop of priests and doctors attended her in vain, and she sent for the missionary. She was believed to be dying, but received him with piercing cries. His skill was the means of saving her, and the fame of the cure travelled far, bringing him many cases. Among others, "there came a princess, one of the king's daughters, with a train of maids. I was sitting in my baraza, talking seriously to three chiefs -one a mighty one-who had visited me in the early morning. The large baraza was crowded with their united retinues. Immediately at the sound of the words Princess! Princess!' the crowds divided, and the princess and her maids walked up to the chair on which I was seated. She said, 'Philipo, I know you have much to do and little time, so I hope you will not refuse me my request, which is that you will teach me and my maids to read the Word of God, and to know the religion of Jesus Christ.' Having dismissed our guests, I invited the princess into our house with her train. I taught her the whole day. She astonished me that she showed no signs of fatigue. She breakfasted

and dined with us. Next morning early she brought a present of plantains, and remained the whole day; the third and fourth days likewise. Her seriousness of manner, the extent, variety, and range of her questions, made me feel not only that she fully understood my teaching, but that the Spirit of life had touched her heart. Like a thirsty African soil, her soul drank in the lessons of grace."

THE Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society continues its work of healing. Its last report from Kashmir is full of interest and encouragement. "Itineration," says Dr. Neve,

66

has been a very interesting feature of this year's work. Preaching and the healing art have, hand in hand, visited many of the small towns in the district. In the Wizier Garden at Islamabad, under the Chenar groves at Bijbehara and Pampoor, by the broad placid river at Sopir, in the visitor's bungalow at Baramulla, the busy portal of the Happy Valley, in the stately pleasure-gardens at Vernag and Atchibal, by the sacred tank at Bawun, below the great mosque at Eishmakam, among the walnut trees and orchards of sequestered mountain villages, have the message of Divine love, and the ministry of living care been brought to the sick and to the ignorant. The rock has been our pulpit, the over-arching boughs our groined roof, the shaded lawn our consulting room and church, the turf our operating table, and heathen pilgrim houses our hospital wards.”

THE "Quakers of Alaska" is a name given to the 17,000 Eskimoes who occupy the coast-line north of the Aleutian peninsula. Many have adopted not a few of the modes of dress and life, and also the worse vices, of the white men. A large portion of this people are, however, both physically and intellectually, greatly superior to the Eskimoes of Labrador aud Greenland; they have thus far sternly kept themselves aloof from all intercourse with the whites, and are so industrious, peaceable, sober and virtuous as to have won this sobriquet. They live in well-ordered and sometimes large and populous villages. The Moravians are commencing missionary work among them.

THE village of Whitley, on the Northumberland coast, was not long since the scene of a gathering for devotional purposes which may be referred to as typical of the newer methods which are finding place in the routine of the Christian year. The meeting originated with the Bishop of Durham, who was present, with about seventy clergy. It was under the conduct of Canon King, professor of Pastoral Theology at Oxford. Two days were spent in quiet intercommunion, for the promotion of the spiritual life, and the discussion of the practical questions connected with it. Men of opposite views united in the sense of a common need, the central truths had first place, and a tone of devout earnestness prevailed. Such meetings for refreshment of spirit are now not unfrequent. They may be found good for other classes of workers. Convocations, congresses, synods, conferences, committees bring all their business details, if not elements of debate and controversy. It is well sometimes to rest and realise the greatness of the truths we hold.

BISHOP JACOBSON, who resigned the see of Chester at the end of last year, has passed away after a lingering illness. In early life he was a Nonconformist, but after being educated for the Dissenting ministry, went to Oxford and entered the church. According to the "Times," his rule of his diocese was marked mainly by two characteristics—namely, its paternal character, and his large though unknown munificence to the poorer clergy. He lived most unostentatiously, had been little in London, and was nearly always in his diocese. He took his part in the business of the Northern Convocation, and in one of the sessions last year the Bishop of Carlisle spoke of him as the most religions man he had ever known. Dr. Jacobson was the author of various works, and a contributor to the Speaker's Commentary.

THE sympathies of a wide circle have been evoked by the untimely death of the Rev. E. B. Reed, well known as one of the secretaries of the Bible Society. He was sojourning in Switzerland, and in returning from an excursion by a path not accounted dangerous, slipped, while talking to s companion, and fell over a precipice.