great clock struck nine. Some of the other children lived nearer to the school than little Ruth, and she could not run so fast as they could, but she was always there in time, and often the first of all. She could not run so fast as they did, because she was weak for want of food; her little face was almost as white as the crimped border of the cap that pressed closely round it; she could not learn so fast as some of the stronger children; but she always tried to remember; and, best of all, she remembered the words of the Holy Bible. She had lost her own father; the father she had now was not her own father, and he took no care of her, nor of her little sister, nor yet of his wife, who was their mother. But no hunger or want kept little Ruth from -her school. It comforted her to go, because there she learned to know and love that blessed Saviour who has said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Another of those bright September mornings came, and little Ruth made haste again to be ready by nine o'clock; she had had no breakfast, but she made no complaint; she had said her morning prayer beside her little bed, and now her poor mother had dressed her for school. "Good bye, mother," said little Ruth; and shutting her mother's door, she came stepping down the long dark staircase at the top of which she lived, her little figure lighting up the gloom. As Ruth came down the stairs she heard a low moan as of some child in pain; she listened and heard it again. A door at the bottom of the stairs stood a little way open; Ruth had often seen a poor widow woman with a sick child who had come to live in that room; so when she heard that moan again, she looked into the room, and there she saw the widow's child lying on her wretched bed.

" Are you ill?" asked Ruth. "Yes, and my pain is so bad; and I have no one to be with me!" "Won't your mother come?" asked Ruth. "No, mother's got a day's work, she won't be home all day! I wish you would stay with me!" "I must go to school," said Ruth; "but I will ask moOther, when I come home, to let me stay with you a little." "Oh, do! and make 'haste! do make haste! I don't like to be alone."

Little Ruth hastened on her way to school, merry boys and girls ran past her,

she could not run so fast as they did; but the bright September sun shone warmly on her, and she thought of the lady who would come that day to the school: then the chimes began their cheerful peal, and little Ruth began to run, and so making haste she reached the wide stone steps, and went in at the school-door, and took her seat before the last stroke of nine. Lessons went on till the great church-clock struck ten; lessons went on again till it struck eleven; then Miss Wilson, the lady who visited the school, came in, and called the second class to her. Little Ruth brought the Bibles from the closet, and then took the place that was always hers by that lady's side. Patience was in the same class, but she did not look happy, like little Ruth, when the blessed words were read; neither could she answer any of the questions; she looked upon the ground and seemed to feel no interest in anything. When the lady went away, she smiled on little Ruth, and said, "You have answered well to-day;" and Ruth looked up at the face of her friend, and the colour came into her pale cheeks; but Miss Wilson had seen before how pale they were, and she guessed that her little favourite wanted food. Then Miss Wilson turned to Patience, and said, "Oh, Patience, will you never love God's Holy Word ?" Patience did not look up or answer, and the lady went away; she did not know that poor Patience also was hungry and weak for want of food, no one on earth seemed to know or feel the sorrows of that poor sorrowful child.

Ruth-went home from school at twelve o'clock, but she could not stay with the little sick girl till she had asked her mother's leave; so she only just looked in to tell her she was come back; when the poor sick child saw her again, she said, "Oh, I am so glad you are come! what a long time it was you kept at school! Oh, I want something so bad! I can't eat this bread mother left me; it's so hard-it hurts me when I try!" "I have not had any food to-day!" said little Ruth. "Oh, dear!" said the sick child, "what do you do when you have no food?" "I tell Jesus!" said little Ruth. "Who do you tell?" "Jesus !" said little Ruth. "Who is Jesus?" asked the poor child. "What! don't you know who Jesus is?" said little Ruth. "I thought that every body knew that, except the heathen. He is our Saviour!" "Does he give you some food?" asked the poor child. "Oh,

yes; he often sends us some food when mother has nothing; but I must go to mother now, or she will scold." "Do ask her to let you come and stay with me," said the poor child. "Yes, I will," replied little Ruth; and she went up the high staircase to her mother's room. When Ruth went in she saw on the table a can of steaming soup. "Oh, mother, is that for us ?" she asked. "Yes, to be sure it is: Miss Wilson sent it in this minute."

Ruth had not told Miss Wilson about their having no food that day; so when she saw this can of hot soup, she knew it was her Saviour who had put it into Miss Wilson's heart to send it to them. The poor babe was asleep on the bed; but Mary, Ruth's little sister, was standing at the table crying to be fed. Then the mother got a basin, and poured it full for Mary. There was meat, and rice, and potatoe in the nice hot soup; and poor little Mary left off crying directly she had her spoon and began to eat. Then the mother poured out a large basin for Ruth, who stood quite patient by the table. Ruth waited a minute with her food before her.

"What are you waiting for now ?" asked her mother; "I have nothing more for you." "No, mother; but that widow's child is laid in bed; she says her pain is so bad; and her mother's out working, and she wants me to sit with her." "Poor thing!" said Ruth's mother; "well, take your dinner, and then you may go a little while if you like." "She has no food, mother, but a hard bit of bread, and she says she can't eat it, because it hurts her." "Oh, and so you want to be after giving

her some of yours, do you? here, give me your basin then, and you take this jug." And Ruth's mother, pouring some more soup into the broken jug she had taken for herself, gave it to Ruth. "There, take care how you go, that you don't lose it now you have got it," said the mother.

And Ruth, holding the jug in both hands, went slowly and carefully down stairs. How happy was she now-in her hands she held the food she so much wanted; and the poor sick child, left all alone, was to share it with her and be happy also! As she got near the bottom of the staircase, she stepped quicker in ber haste; then, pushing open the door, she went in, saying, "See here, Miss Wilson sent us some beautiful soup, and mother's given me some for you!" "Oh, dear, how nice!-how glad I am!" said the poor child. "Have you got a basin ?" asked Ruth. there's one in that closet, and a spoon too," said the child.

"Yes,

Ruth found a small yellow basin and spoon; she broke up the child's dry bit of bread in the basin; poured some of the hot soup over it; folded her hands, and asked a blessing in the name of Jesus; and then the two children dined together. The warm nourishment brought the colour to the white cheeks of little Ruth, and soothed the poor sick weary child. "How good you are to me!" she said to Ruth. "I feel better now; I think I shall go to sleep." Ruth put away the basin in the closet again; the sick child had closed her eyes, already almost slumbering; and the little ministering girl went back to her mother.

CONFORMITY TO THE DEATH OF CHRIST.Christians, true christians, I say, living in the world and with the world, allow themselves to be insensibly encouraged by its example to follow their own wills, instead of obeying the stern and yet sweet voice of the gospel, which calls them to glory in the steps of their crucified Lord and Master. The flesh recoils from this daily crucifixion. We will not accept the cross, and we dare not reject it. We turn our eyes from it, that we may be freed from the alternative either of bearing or rejecting it, and the christian life of the most of us is spent in a constant study to regulate itself with christian fidelity, without being conformed to the death of Christ. We are not to seek the cross, but by the cross to seek the glory of the resurrection, which is found in no

other way. The cross for the sake of the cross, never; the cross for the sake of Christ, always. But what have you done, then, I demand of this generation, so fond of ease and such an enemy to suffering, what have you done with this word of the Master? "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Your cross! Do you know, my brother, that you have one, a cross, a cross which is specially yours, as really assigned you by God, as was that of Golgotha to Jesus Christ? Adolphus Monod.

A VERY COMMON MISTAKE. Many Christians imagine that now since they have believed, they must draw their comfort from some different source, or in a different way from which they did at first; they turn their whole attention to

themselves, their experience, and their graces: forgetting that the true way of nourishing these is by keeping their eye

upon the cross, they turn it inward, and try to nourish them by some direct process of their own devising.-H. Bonar.

NOTES OF THE MONTH.

POLITICAL.

On the

Parliament has been at last prorogued, after having been busily engaged for some weeks in passing, notwithstanding the strong opposition of Mr. Gladstone and others, the new Divorce Bill. The Jew Bill of Lord John Russell had been withdrawn some time before, and an attempt to admit Baron Rothschild to the House by an Act some years old-which, it was supposed, might be made to include his case-has failed, in consequence of the Committee appointed to consider the proposal having declined to report in its favour. whole, however, the cause of Religious Equality has not lost anything during the past session. The Burials' Act Amendment Bill has been passed; so has the Irish Ministers' Money Bill. Bit by bit the more grating roughnesses of our Establishment are being smoothed by friction with the common sense of laymen and the reasonable demands of the advocates of Religious Liberty, till before long the conflict threatens to become one of simple Voluntaryism and State-Churchism.

The news from India is by no means reassuring. Delhi still remains in the hands of the mutineers, and the mutiny has extended till it embraces a large portion of the north of India. The loss of life has been fearful. No doubt remains of the murder of Mr. Mackay, and of Mrs. Thompson and her two daughters. Several others of our missionary brethren have also been in imminent danger.

The conspiracy of Ledru Rollin, Mazzini, and other exiled patriots to assassinate the Emperor of the French has turned out to be what we suspected from the beginning -a baseless invention. The Times itself has been compelled to acknowledge that even the case for the prosecution is not one on which an English magistrate could even remand a prisoner ! We trust that there is no foundation for the rumour which has, however, been for some time afloat, that it is intended to demand of the British Government the extradition of these exiles, or their surrender to the Government which has been mean enough to seek their destruction by this miserable farce.

All our readers have heard before now of the election of Mr. Bright for Birmingham. We rejoice to welcome him once more to the House of Commons, where we trust he will be speedily joined by Mr. Cobden and Mr. Miall. We hope that Mr. Bright's health will enable him without danger to discharge the duties which the hour demands.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

The Exeter Hall services are over. They have been well attended to the last. It is

intended to renew them with the approaching autumn, and it is even stated that Saint Paul's Cathedral and other public edifices are to be opened for similar services.

The Australian correspondent of the Freeman states that the Attorney-General, on behalf of the Government of Victoria, has announced his intention of introducing a bill for the abolition of all State aid to religion within two years from the present time, and that there is every probability of the measure being carried.

The papers have announced the death, at the ripe old age of eighty-three, of the venerable Dr. Dick, author of "The Christian Philosopher," and many other works. Dr. Bloomfield, the late Bishop of London, has also fallen a victim to age and infirmity,

HORTON COLLEGE, BRADFORD.

The annual services connected with the commencement of the new session were held on Wednesday August 5th, at Westgate chapel. In the morning, at the general meeting of subscribers, the Rev. Dr. Acworth presided. A devotional exercise was conducted by the Rev. C. Williams, of Accrington, after which the President read the report. This document entered at length into the proceedings of the Committee taken up to this time, with a view of removing the Institution to a more suitable locality. It appeared that a generous offer of land at Apperley Bridge had been made to the society on advantageous terms by Robert Milligan, Esq., but that no arrangement had been concluded. After the reading of the report, however, it was resolved to postpone its publication for a month, in the expectation that at a special committee meeting which is convened for the 2nd of September, and which will be one of a very important character, something definite and final will be decided. The remaining part of the report was occupied by statements in respect of the management and studies of the house. Twenty-one students enjoyed the advantages of the Institution during the last session, and the present number is the same, four having entered upon ministerial work, and four having been admitted for the ensuing year. testimony was given to the christian conduct and theological soundness of the students, as well as to the acceptable character of their pulpit labours. The reports of the examiners were unusally full and satisfactory. The financial statement showed a deficit of above a hundred pounds, the figures, as nearly as could be given by Mr. Stead being, receipts, £1,010; disbursements, £1,120. It was, however, stated, in subsequent conversation, that several subscriptions and collections were still expected before the closing of the year's accounts;

High

in addition to which, a confident hope was expressed that the friends of the institution would not allow an adverse balance to remain on their books for the first time in more than twenty years. In the evening, after a devotional service, conducted by the Rev. James Edwards, of Nottingham, a sermon of remarkable pathos and beauty was addressed to the students by the Rev. Francis Tucker, of Camden-road chapel, London, from 1 Cor. ii. 2-"For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified." A collection was afterwards made for the institution; and the Rev. H. Dowson concluded with prayer the services of the anniversary.

CAMDEN ROAD, LONDON.

On the 21st of July, a large and interesting public meeting was held for the recognition of the Rev. F. Tucker, B.A., late of Manchester, as pastor of the newly-formed church in this place. The Rev. Dr. Steane presided, and delivered a very appropriate introductory address. A number of ministers, both Independents and Baptists, were present, several of whom took part in the devotional engagements of the evening, viz., the Revs. Messrs. Brock, Harrison, Leechman, Fleming, White, Reed, Gittens, Marten, Salter, and Hatch. George Hadfield, Esq., M.P. for Sheffield, was also present, and addressed the meeting as one of Mr. Tucker's Manchester friends, bearing the most ample testimony to the high estimation in which he was held by all who knew him, and the great grief which his removal had caused them. A statement was then given by Mr. Cartwright (on behalf of the committee of management) as to the origin and progress of the cause at Camden Road, with its present position and prospects, and expressing the sincere gratitude of the committee to God for the termination of their difficulties and anxieties, and the happy accomplishment of the great object they had so long sought and prayed for, as well as for the evident tokens of success which presented themselves as to the future,-at the same time acknowledging the kind support they had received, which had enabled them to meet all expenses and pay £100 of the debt in the two first years. The chapel, it was stated, was erected in 1843-4, by the Baptist Metropolitan Chapel Building Society, at a cost of £5,000, half of which rested in the shape of a mortgage on the building, to be paid by the church and congregation, the chapel being placed in trust for the Baptist denomination, and that the society and committee now ceased to have any further control or responsibility therewith. Tucker then addressed the meeting at some length. The introductory services, singing, reading, and prayer were severally conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Marten, White, and Leechman; and after Mr. Tucker's address, the Rev. J. C. Harrison offered prayer, the Rev. Andrew Reed gave out a hymn, and the Rev. W. Gittens offered the closing prayer.

Mr.

APPLEDORE, DEVON.

About twenty-seven years ago, nine or ten persons, chiefly poor women, formed the Baptist church at Appledore. From that time to the present this little church has experienced what is the common lot of christian societies- prosperity and adversity. The Rev. Charles Vernon, now of Bloughton, near Salisbury, was their first pastor. He laboured gratuitously among them during the earlier years of his ministry, and his efforts were much blessed. Of the members who first formed the church

only six remain. At present there are thirty-eight brethren and sisters in communion, thirteen of whom have joined since September, 1855. The school numbers 120 children. In the congregations, and in the whole aspect of affairs there is much reason for gratitude. It has long been felt, however, by the friends of the cause that better and more convenient premises are absolutely needed. The work of providing new premises has been, therefore, earnestly taken up. The sum of £400 is already subscribed; in addition to which, Henry Lee, Esq., of Bristol, gives the plans, and C. Smale, Esq., of Bideford, the deeds. On Wednesday, July 8th, the first stone of a new chapel was laid by John Darracott, Esq., senior deacon, whose donations towards the object amount to £300. The following amongst other ministers were present: the Rev. Thomas Winter, of Bristol; Stewart Williamson, of Exeter; David Thompson, of Torrington; S. Newnam and R. May, of Barnstaple; and J. B. Little, of Southmolton. The Rev. Thomas Winter delivered a very appropriate address, and several other ministers took part in the service. A tea meeting and public meeting were held in the evening. Mr. Lee presided. dresses were delivered by the Revs. Thos. Winter, Stewart Williamson, S. Newnam, E. Hands (pastor), and several other friends. The contributions of the meeting were very liberal, and the spirit manifested was most cheering and hopeful.

SHEPTON MALLET, SOMERSETSHIRE.

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On Tuesday, July 28th, a place of worship for the use of the Baptist denomination was opened in this place. Hitherto there has been no chapel, and the friends have been obliged to hold their services in a cottage, but the number of attendants increasing, and the necessities of the case becoming apparent, some property was obtained, consisting of a house and garden, the freehold of which was purchased for £70, and it has since been vested in trustees for the use of the Baptist denomination; the total cost of the purchase and the necessary alterations being £135. Towards this, the friends at Wells, Shepton Mallet, and the neighbourhood, have subscribed £65, leaving a debt on the place of £70. The opening services were held with hopeful prospects of success. In the afternoon, a prayer-meeting was held and an eloquent address delivered by the Rev. G. McMi

chael, B.A., of Bridgwater, after which a tea-meeting was held, when about 130 friends sat down, and in the evening an excellent and appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. T. Winter, of Bristol. The other brethren taking part in the services were the Revs. T. Davies, of Paulton, G. Pulling, of Croscombe, and Benjamin Davies, of Wells. An effort of this kind in this neighbourhood has long been desirable, and this endeavour has been originated, and will be sustained until the cause is more advanced, by the friends of the Baptist church at Wells, and they desire the sympathy, prayers, and benevolent co-operation of the christian public, as a portion of the debt (£70) still remains unliquidated, which, though small in itself, would press heavily on the church at Wells. Any friends who may feel inclined to aid in a good cause can forward their donations to the Rev. B. Davies, Baptist minister, Close-hall, Wells, Somerset.

HATCH, NEAR TAUNTON.

The annual services in connection with the removal of the debt upon the new house belonging to the Baptist church in this village were held on Wednesday July 22nd, and were more than usually interesting and successful. In the afternoon an excellent sermon was delivered by the Rev. H. Addiscott, of Taunton, from John xxi. 17, after which about 150 friends drank tea together. In the evening meeting the chair was occupied by Mr. Robert Baker, of IsleAbbotts. A statement of the cash account was read by the Rev. I. Teall, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Addiscott, of Taunton, Chappell, of Isle-Abbotts, and Hallet, of Blindmoor. A sum of nearly £20, was paid into the hands of the treasurer, and if present effort be continued the noble edifice will be free from financial incumbrance in two years. During the evening meeting a most elegant sugar-basin, in electro-plate, of the finest quality, was presented to Mrs. Teall by the scholars of the female Bible-class as an acknowledgment of her services as their teacher, and the concern which she has manifested for four years, for the spiritual interests of those committed to her charge.

OLD BUCKENHAM, NORFOLK.

On Sunday, July 19th, afternoon and evening sermons were preached by Mr. Green, of Great Yarmouth, in behalf of the Sunday-school in this place. The service was held in a large booth erected for the occasion. The congregation in the afternoon was estimated at 1,000 persons. The following afternoon a tea-meeting was held, when 300 persons sat down, besides ninety Sabbath scholars. Subsequently a public meeting was held, attended by nearly 600 persons, when addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. P. Lewis, of Diss, P. Woodgate, of Carlton Rode, G. Williams, of Great Ellingham, J. Green, of Yarmouth, and H. Sparham, the minister of the place.

The collections and donations at the meetings were very good, and, after paying the expenses of conducting the school, the surplus will be added to the funds for the payment of the new chapel, now in course of erection, and which will be opened for worship in a few weeks.

POLE MOOR, YORKSHIRE.

On July 27th, a meeting was held in the Baptist chapel at Pole Moor, to originate a movement for the erection of a new place of worship there, the present place having become too small. About 300 persons sat down to tea. After the tea a sermon having reference to the occasion was preached by the Rev. W. Walters, of Halifax, from Psalm 1xxxiv. 4, and at the close of the sermon a long list of persons enrolled their names as subscribers to the intended new chapel. The estimate cost is £1,200, above half of which was given and promised at the meeting. The friends at Pole Moor need a larger chapel; they are doing nobly themselves and deserve the kind sympathy and aid of any christians whose help they may solicit.

LEICESTER.

The Rev. J. C. Pike, of Quorndon, has resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church, Dover-street, Leicester. A large number of attached friends being anxicus still to have the opportunity of sitting under Mr. Pike's ministry, earnestly requested him to continue his labours in the town. Upon obtaining his consent to do so, at least for a time, they have engaged the spacious room known as the "New Hall," in Wellingtonstreet, where they now meet for Divine worship.

ISLE ABBOTTS.

The annual tea-meeting of the day and Sabbath schools in connection with the Baptist church, Isle Abbotts, near Taunton, Somerset, of which Mr. John Chappell is pastor, was held on Wednesday, Aug. 12th, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. J. A. Spurgeon, of London, in a commodious tent, to about 1000 persons in the afternoon, and to 1500 in the evening. At five o'clock 800 persons sat down to tea.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES.

Mr. William John Wilson, of Whitehaven, has received a cordial invitation from the church at Middleton Teesdale, Durham, and entered upon his labours the first Lord's-day in August.-The Rev. W. A. Popley resigns the pastorate of the Baptist church, Lymington, at Michaelmag next.-The Rev. W. Bull, B.A., late of the Baptist College, Bristol, has accepted the invitation of the church at Sutton-inthe-Elms, Leicestershire, and entered upon his labours August 30.-Mr. S. Hutcheson, late of Middleton Teesdale, is now residing at Renfrew, and is open to invitations. Communications may be made with the Rev. J. Paterson, D.D., Glasgow.