that it have a warming apparatus and to act as treasurer, and to contribute good ventilation. By all means use towards completing the entire scheme. such wood in the seats as shall not Mr. Earp promised a contribution likerequire paint. A little varnish may be wise. I trust they will be warmly tolerated as a ready means of keeping supported by your body. the place clean, and as easily removed by a scrubbing brush when a new coating is required; but paint ought not to be used in any building which is intended chiefly for the use of the most indigent poor. Forgive the length of this communication, which has been written with a sincere desire to serve your movements in this city, and believe me to be, Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, GEO. GOULD. CHILWELL COLLEGE. If this plan be carried out the endowment of the chapel would remain for its present uses, and all questions which would be raised as to its appropriation, were a new chapel to be MR. EDITORerected on another site, would be at rest. The advantage arising from this consideration must at once commend itself to every man of business. I do not know that I need add more than that it will give me much pleasure to render any assistance in my power for the working out of this scheme. The congregation at Priory Yard cannot undertake it, because it would be too costly for their poverty; but they ought to be helped by their brethren in the faith in an attempt to get into a more public situation, and I trust they will be. Eighteen hundred pounds, at the outside, would, I have reason to believe, accomplish all that I have suggested. The General Baptists can easily raise that sum if they once think it desirable to do so. But let me, in conclusion, say that it is indispensably necessary that the money be raised before any steps be taken to carry out my suggestion.. Thus, let the money be raised to secure the proposed frontage. To put it in a round sum, let £500 be raised at once: not that it is intended to spend so much on the site, but that there be enough to complete the purchase without delay. And then when the chapel is begun, let the money be in the treasurer's hands to pay the builders according to the terms of the contract that may be made with them. As soon as the money contributed was expended I would stop the building, and wait till Christian liberality enabled me to proceed. In these final suggestions Messrs. Wherry and Earp concurred with Mr. Taylor and myself, and I am happy to add that Mr. Wherry kindly promised Dear Sir,-At the Annual Committee Meeting held at Birmingham, I obtained its consent to make certain alterations in the interior of the Colthe beds from the rooms used as studies. lege, so as to admit of the removal of These alterations, under the supervision of a sub-committee, were completed just in time to enable the students, on their return for the present session, to occupy their new quarters. The few visitors who have already with them. We have not only a suffiseen the alterations are highly pleased cient number of comfortable studies and sleeping rooms to accommodate those now on the funds, but the means of receiving others should the annual income increase. Having offered to procure the money spent in the alterations, or to advance it free of interest, I have solicited contributions by private letters and appeals. These have been so promptly and liberally responded to that my task has been positively a treat. It was once my intention, after procuring a few promises, to issue a circular soliciting donations towards the object; but my success so far induces me to send this communication to the Magazine, for the satisfaction of those who have already contributed, and as a means of persuading others to assist in the effort. The expense of the improvements, for which I feel responsible, is nearly £70. To this must be added the cost of what the sub-committee recommended-the heating by hot water, about twenty guineas more. I append the names of contributors with the sums they have given, and most respectfully request further donations, by cheques, or by The injunction, "Speak evil of no man," applies to ministers as well as to other men. The minister is more than a man-he is a brother in Christ; a member of his spiritual body, where if one member suffers all suffer. He is a fellow-officer in the sacramental host of God's elect, and he has a right to expect that our aid will be given to him, and never to those who oppose him because he speaks the truth. And yet too often is the law of love transgressed by ministers in reference to their brethren. How often do we criticize each other's performances with little charity. In our weekly ministrations few sermons are so constructed as to bear scrutiny, and fewer still are so delivered as to escape censure. Our training is such that we notice these defects more than others, and by injudicious remarks we may remove serious impressions from the minds of hearers. How often are the persons, character, and conduct of our brethren made the subject of censorious criticism. If they show themselves indiscreet and imprudent, or, in other words, if they show themselves men of like passions with others, instead of spreading over their faults that mantle of charity which can hide a multitude of sins, how often are their excellences overlooked and their imperfections exposed. Oh, for that grace which will enable us to bridle the tongue, especially when the wicked are before us! In many of our churches we have ex-pastors whose warm friends and admirers will call upon them to officiate at funerals, weddings, and the like. In such cases, what is the duty that these owe to the pastor? I answerLet them look over the whole matter carefully and prayerfully, having the honour of Christ, the peace of the church, and no selfish ends in view, and then let them act towards the pas Preachers and Preaching. tor as they would wish him to treat 377 salutary, and as well suited to secure the salvation of souls? Doubtless God has called ninety-nine sober-minded men to preach the Gospel, where he has called one peculiar man. If so, it is by their instrumentality in the main that the cause of Christ is to be carried on, and sinners saved. Did not good sense and eminent fitness in things characterize our Saviour and the religion He taught, rather than oddity and eccentricity? Would not the churches of Christ have more dignity, and exert a more salutary and saving influence, by educating the young to pay greater deference to the ordinary and divinely appointed means of grace, than by attempting to gratify Of all the perils of which Paul speaks, their desire for novelty and entertainthose which stung him most were ment? a desire which, the more it is "perils among false brethren." Doubt- fed, the less is it satisfied. Though less many of these were professed the young might be less highly pleased, members of Christ. Let us never by would they not be more contented? intimation or inuendo seek to bring Though fewer were attracted by huinto disrepute the measures of a brother because they may not be in every respect like ours. man means, would not more be drawn by the Spirit's power? We do not object to peculiar ministers in their places, but do protest against a growing depreciation of, and discontent "PECULIAR" MINISTERS. with, the ordinary ministry of the "WE want a peculiar man at our Word, as God has appointed it; a deplace." Yes, and in the next town preciation and discontent which have the people want a peculiar man, also. been greatly fostered by the novel There is a growing demand every- reading and popular lecturing of the where for peculiar ministers. Even day, and which are sadly affecting the the older churches, that have had the stability and spiritual usefulness of the reputation of being staid, and not car-churches. ried about by every wind, have caught the idea. They have found out that they must have a peculiar man for their young people. And the tastes THE Rev. William Tennant once took of the people have become so various that it does require a singular man to meet them all. THE DUMB SERMON. much pains to prepare a sermon to convince a celebrated infidel of the truth of Christianity; but in attemptBut what is to be done with minis- ing to deliver this laboured discourse, ters who are not peculiar; men of he was so confused as to be compelled common sense, sound judgment, and to stop and close the service by prayer. sound learning; sober, prudent, pious This unexpected failure in one who men; men who are able to teach had so often astonished the unbeliever others, and are suited to be wise coun- by the force of his eloquence, led the sellors; whose character and influence infidel to reflect that Mr. T. had been, are unequivocal? We are aware that at other times, aided by a Divine an eccentric man, who is given to say- power. This reflection proved the ing odd and strange things, is more means of his conversion. Thus God amusing and attractive to the young; accomplished by silence what his serand that common sense and refined vant wished to effect by persuasive taste are not commodities that secure preaching. Mr. Tennant used aftergreat eclat in the religious world. But wards to say his dumb sermon was ought it not to be considered whether one of the most profitable sermons that the influence of the former is equally he had ever delivered. Sabbath Schools. LITTLE IN SIZE BUT GREAT IN USEFULNESS. The little girl had been failing rapidly for several days. One afternoon, when she seemed brighter, she begged that her father might be called. He came. Then looking up to him with her bright but sunken eyes, she said "I want to go to the brook once more. May I go?" In a large building not a long way from where this is printed there is some very beautiful machinery. In a small building on one side is a steam engine which has the power of twenty horses, and this moves all the machinery. We go inside the large He could not refuse; and, without building and look carefully at the curiup, folded ous contrivance, and we see a little saying a word, wrapped her iron thing, about the size and length of her in his arms, and carried her out a baby's little finger, fixed in a particu- through the yard, across the green lar place, and we notice that when one meadow, down to the brook that wound part of the machinery comes against its quiet way over sand and pebbles, this little thing, the motion of the among the alders that skirted the whole is changed, and in a moment or meadow. He sat down in the shade two it comes back again, but as soon where the little girl could see the as it touches the little upright baby-water and the bright play of light and shade of light between the alders. She finger the motion is changed again. And this goes on all the day, and all watched them a moment, and then the week, and all the year. Do you turning away her wasted form, she said earnestlyknow that this little upright bit of iron is quite as important in its place as the twenty horse engine on the outside? More than this, for if the engine were away the machinery would only stand still, but if the little upright bit of iron were away, the power of the engine would smash the machinery into a thousand pieces. A light which a little child puts in the lantern of a lighthouse may save hundreds of human lives and millions of property. A little deed of love to the sick and suffering may be a ray of sunshine in a dark hour, and a soft answer which a very little child can give, may turn away a storm of anger. PRAY, FATHER. 66 Pray, father!" "Oh, I can't, my darling," he said hastily. "But do pray, father, do pray," she pleaded. 66 No, no! How can I? No, no!" thin hand upon his arm, "Father, I'm The strong man's head was bowed, and there went up from that brookside such a prayer of repentance, and confession, and supplication for forgiveness, as must have thrilled with joy the angels in heaven. He unclosed his eyes; the little one was dead! Her freed spirit had fled on the wings of joy and faith to tell the Saviour, "My father prays !” A LITTLE Indian girl, seven years old, was wasting away with consumption. She had heard the missionaries preach, THE VALLEY OF JEHOSHAPHAT. had been a constant attendant upon Sabbath school, and for some months THE efforts the Jews have made, and had given good evidence that she was the suffering, losses, and humiliations a lamb of the Saviour's flock. Her they have borne for the purpose of father, a proud, hard man, had once sepulture in the valley of Jehoshaphat, professed to be a Christian, but for some time had been a backslider, whose case was regarded as almost hopeless. form a singular feature in human history. No other nation has ever thus struggled, not to live in their own land, but to be suffered to lay their dust therein. Many descriptions have been sepulchral slabs. Each stone is small, made of this marvellous place; but I so as to lead to the conclusion that the confess none of them afforded me a bodies were buried perpendicularly. notion of its actual appearance. Wan- The slabs are almost on the level of dering alone past the fountain of Siloam the ground, and of equal height, s0 and the avid bed of Kidron, there sud- that it is literally one large pavement denly opened on me a perfect moun- of death-an appalling, almost an overtain of graves-a hillside paved with whelming sight. Christian Work. THE RESCUE SOCIETY each morning and evening. Special conscience of each inmate, and to lead pains are taken to reach the heart and her to entire personal consecration to the Saviour and His service. WAS established twelve years ago; the Earl of Shaftesbury is the president; its vice-presidents are Lord Cholmondeley, Rev. Canon Champneys, Samuel Gurney, Esq., M.P., and Cap- determined by the age, circumstances, The term of remaining in a Home is tain Trotter. Its offices are at 85, and capabilities of each inmate. For Cheapside; Mr. Daniel Cooper is the the Family Homes, are eligible young energetic secretary; and to him and his assistant, as well as a resident persons who have lost one or both matron, come almost every day, all parents, or who have both parents the year round, poor creatures, in tear- living, should those parents be of loose character. Friendless girls from the ful earnestness, pleading for immediate deliverance from their miserable con- from the Homes are either restored to country are particularly eligible, and dition, and admission into one or other friends or placed in service. Young of the Society's "Homes." women of good character, who are not As to the "General Objects," the able to go to service from want of Society admits both those who have clothing, are sometimes provided with gone astray, and those who are un- outfits. Clothing is also given occafallen. Applicants are eligible from sionally to friendless servants who all parts of the country, and are ad- have recovered from illness in hosmitted at all times. Destitute young pitals, and have been compelled to women of good character, desirous of pawn their apparel. Others less desemigrating, are assisted in obtaining a titute, having a good character, obtain free passage and a supply of clothing. a Free Registry at a Servants' Home, Young women, subject to temptations and, if necessary, receive in one of the and danger in their situations, are pro- Homes a few weeks' domestic training, tected. The Society has twelve "clas-preparatory to going to situations. sified" Homes, over each of which The thoughtful and comprehensive a Christian and motherly matron is character of these provisions is very placed. striking. The inmates of the Homes are al- During the year ending 31st March, lowed to see their friends once every 1865, the number of admissions were two months, and to write once a month, 737, of whom 547 had been led into or oftener if necessary. They are evil, and 235 were of pure character. instructed in every department of Of these 236 were placed in situations, household work, together with knit- 14 transferred to other institutions, í ting, sewing, laundry work, &c. The sent out as an emigrant, 33 placed in younger part of each family are chiefly hospitals, 126 restored to friends, 76 occupied in learning to read, write, left of their own accord, 4 married from and do simple arithmetic. The in- the Homes, 12 dismissed, 6 died, 1 mates attend public worship on the otherwise assisted, and 235 remain in Lord's day. There is family worship the Homes. |