Chapter M: A. Chaplin

_Galleywood, Chelmsford._

BIBLE ENIGMA.

A king of Israel.

A king of Moab.

Absalom's general.

The son of Ham.

A river.

A son of Jacob.

A king of Israel.

A priest.

Abram's brother.

A precious stone.

A king of Bashan.

Something sent to various kings by God.

A servant of Ahab.

An animal mentioned in the Bible.

WINNIE LANGMAN
(Aged 10 years).

_Battersea._

BIBLE SUBJECTS FOR EACH SUNDAY IN NOVEMBER.

Nov. 4. Commit to memory Ps. cxxvii. i. Nov. 11. Commit to memory Ps. cxxvii. 2. Nov. 18. Commit to memory Ps. cxxv. 2. Nov. 25. Commit to memory Ps. cxxv. 3.

BRIMSTONE OR SULPHUR.

"_The Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire._"--GENESIS xix. 24.

Sulphur is one of the most inflammable substances known, and will melt in fire but not in water. The meaning of the word "sulphur" is, the burning or fiery stone. This substance is obtained in most parts of the world, but is very abundant in volcanic regions. It doubtless helps to feed those terrific fires of the earth which occasionally burst forth in all their fury, pouring liquid lava upon the valleys beneath, and overwhelming cities in destruction. The smoke which issues from the craters of volcanoes is impregnated with sulphur; indeed, this substance is often found encrusted round the mouths of these burning mountains.

Italy and Sicily produce the best sulphur in a native state, and in very large quantity. This is imported into England, is refined, and in its respective processes produces the roll brimstone, rock brimstone, and flowers of sulphur, all so well known in commerce. Sulphur also exists in some of our mineral springs, as that of Harrogate, in Yorkshire. It is found in the combination of several metallic ores, such as pyrites or sulphuret of iron, and sulphurets of zinc, copper, and lead. In some of its forms it exists in some plants. This may be proved by leaving a silver spoon in mustard; the colour of the spoon will soon be changed to a blackish tinge. It is the presence of this principle in assafoetida which causes it to smell so disagreeably. Silver put into the same pocket with sulphur soon loses its brightness.

Sulphur is applied to a variety of purposes. It is largely used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, and forms about a tenth component part in the manufacture of English gunpowder. As a medicine it is very useful.

There appears to be an allusion to its appropriation for gunpowder in Revelation ix. 17, 18. Many eminent expositors of the Revelation agree in supposing that the flashes of fire, attended by smoke and brimstone, "whereby men were killed," which seemed to proceed from the mouths of the horses, were really the flashes of artillery. The heads of the horses alone would be seen through the sulphureous smoke, while in reality the flashes and smoke proceeded from the cannon. The whole appears imagery of a battle scene, and is thought to refer to the Turks, who first turned to account the invention of gunpowder in carrying on their wars.

"The Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire" (or burning brimstone). As these cities were situated in the vale of Siddim, which, as the sacred writer informs us, was full of bitumen pits, many learned men are of opinion that it does not detract from the supernatural character of this awful visitation to suppose that the wonder-working God saw fit to employ natural agencies in effecting the purposes of His will; and it is thought that, as sulphur exists in the neighbouring hills, it might have been ignited by lightning, and poured down like rain upon the vale below. The quantity of pitch already existing in the vale would be set on fire, and thus the cities would be destroyed, and the character of the valleys thereby changed.

Be this as it may, the statement of the sacred writer is clear, and we may safely interpret it as implying a shower of inflamed sulphur or nitre. At the same time, it is evident that the whole plain underwent a simultaneous convulsion, which seems referable to the consequences of bituminous explosion. In accordance with this view, we find the materials, as it were, of this awful visitation near at hand, for, at the present day, sulphur is found on the shores of the Dead Sea, which occupies the site of the cities of the plain; and the Arabs obtain enough from the cliffs to make their own gunpowder. Irby and Mangles collected on the southern coasts lumps of fine sulphur, from the size of a nutmeg up to that of a small hen's egg, which it was evident from their situation had been brought down from the neighbouring hills by the rain.

H. H.

A BIRTHDAY WISH.

Life is before you, friend of mine;
What it may bring we cannot divine;
The path outspread is all untrod;
Unknown are its windings to all but God.

The sun will shine with its gladsome ray,
And sometimes clouds overshadow the day;
Your heart may be lifted with joy untold;
But remember the same is not yours to hold.

At your bidding it comes not, nor does it stay;
But when One speaks it flies away;
And why is this? That One is Love,
And seeks to lead your heart above.

Were earthly happiness all your own,
You never would wish a heavenly throne;
So joys are given, they come, and end,
As seemeth best to our Lord and Friend.

Then let us entrust them to His care,
And of thinking them ours to keep, beware;
Let us seek in the gift the Giver to see,
And trust to His love and wise decree.

Should sorrow and sadness our path attend,
And dark seem the way to our journey's end,
Let us look above to the Hand that guides,
And trust His love whatever betides.

No sorrow is sent with purposeless aim,
But each has its destined end to gain;
He loves us so dearly, and shed His blood
To lead us up to the throne of God.

And think you that He would afflict His child
With needless pains in this desert wild?
No; though all that's sent we can't understand,
Let us never distrust the guiding Hand.

His wisdom is perfect, His love divine,
And changeth not with the flight of time;
To the trustful heart that resteth in Him
He has promised joys that never shall dim.

A quiet peace surrounds its path,
Surpassing all that the worldling hath;
May this be yours in that winding way;
May it lead you up to the "perfect day."

LEWARN CLAYTON.

INSECURITY OF PALESTINE.

"_They that sow in tears shall reap in joy._"--PSALM cxxvi. 5.

The farmer in Palestine had frequently to sow with an armed man attending him, to prevent his being robbed of his seed. A similar state of danger appears still to prevail. Tristram, in his "Land of Israel," says:--

"In descending the hill from Bethany we saw an illustration of the wretched insecurity of the country, in a drove of donkeys laden with firewood for Jerusalem. Each ass was attended by a man armed to the teeth with pistols, sword, and a long gun; and in one little valley--the only one beyond Bethany where there was any cultivation--each ploughman was holding his firelock in one hand while he guided the plough with the other."

A HEROIC SCOTCH STUDENT.

"A ship ashore! A ship ashore!" was the cry which rang through the streets of St. Andrew's, Scotland, one fearful winter's day some years ago. This thrilling cry roused every inhabitant. Citizens, University students, and sailors, rushed with pale faces and rapid steps along the street towards a bay to the eastward of the town. Standing on the shore, the crowd was terror-stricken and paralyzed through beholding a vessel stranded on a sand-bank but a few rods from the beach. She was shrouded in surfy mist; the waves dashed furiously against her, and broke over her decks with irresistible fury. Yet, through the thick air and the driving sleet, the people on the shore could now and then catch glimpses of the doomed crew clinging, with the clutch of despair, to the rigging of the wreck. There were many bold, brave men in that sympathizing crowd of spectators, but none who dared to venture through the mighty surges to save those ill-fated sailors. It seemed, indeed, to the stoutest heart, too mighty a task for mortal man to attempt. All could sympathize with the wretched ones; none but God, they thought, could save them.

But there was one heroic soul in that eager, wistful crowd who thought that man, with God's help, might snatch those perishing men from the door of doom. He was a young man--a University student--strong in body, but still stronger in spirit. "Bring me a rope," he cried; "I will try to save them." A strong rope was brought, and fastened about his waist. Followed by the prayers of many and the good wishes of all, this chivalric youth struggled, with desperate courage, through the terrific surf into the deep water beyond. Then, with the strength of a young giant, guided by the skill of the experienced swimmer, he slowly worked his way towards the vessel's side. He had nearly reached it when his friends, alarmed by the length of time and slowness of his progress, began pulling him back. Then his courage rose to the sublimest height of self-sacrifice. He forgot himself. He would save the men clinging in desperation to yon vessel's shrouds, or perish in the attempt. Grasping the knife that he carried between his teeth, he cut the rope by which his kind-hearted friends were drawing him to shore and safety. He buffeted the rough waves successfully. He reached the breaker-swept deck of the stranded sloop. After a word of cheer to the crew, he took a fresh rope, plunged anew into the surging waters, and swam back to the beach. But four days of starvation, unrest, and exposure had robbed those poor creatures on board the wreck of both courage and strength. Not one of them dared attempt to escape by means of the rope. What! then must they perish? Nay, not yet. The brave student will risk his life again in their behalf. Many speak harshly of their lack of pluck. He pities their weakness; he rushes into the surf once more, struggles through the crested waves, boards the sloop, and brings off a man to the shore. Six times he makes the perilous trip, and saves a human life each time. The seventh time his charge is a boy, so weak and helpless that he loses his hold upon him twice, and twice he dives for him into the seething depths and brings him up. Finally, he reaches the beach with a limp, corpselike lad--the last of the rescued crew.

The crowd, which had hitherto watched the gallant young hero's movements with breathless stillness, now break forth into a loud, triumphal cheer, which neither the roar of the wind nor the thunder of the waves can drown--they recognize the presence of a genuine hero.

The name of this noble young scion of true chivalry was John Honey, one of the college friends of the celebrated Dr. Chalmers. His efforts on that memorable day cost him his life--not directly, however, for he lived a few years, but the seeds of a mortal malady were sown by his humane exertions on that grandest day of his life.--_Great Thoughts._

DUTIES OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

It is the duty of brothers and sisters to take a delight in each others' society, and readily to share their comforts with each other. The kindness of the heart beams in a sister's smile, and speaks in a brother's praise. The heart must be sadly corrupted, if the remembrance of the scenes that passed under a father's roof ceases to interest. It is the duty of brothers and sisters to admonish one another for their faults. There are failings in the temper and defects in the manners which are concealed with care from the eyes of the world, but which are apparent amidst the freedom of domestic life. If follies are not checked at home, or by strangers, they will grow into habits. The indolence from which the young were never roused has kept them all their after days in poverty, and the pride which was never repressed has rendered them odious. Never let affection make you blind to the deformity of sin.

It is the duty of brothers and sisters to sympathize tenderly with each other. The heart is so framed that it requires the aid and comfort of sympathy. How soothing to a sufferer's heart are the attentions of a sister, and the word spoken by a brother in season! Let sisters consider how much the persuasive language of mildness and affection is adapted to transform the roughest and most impetuous temper into meekness and wisdom, and that their remarks may direct a brother's attention to sentiments full of beauty and feeling, which he has overlooked.

Brothers and sisters should vie with each other in promoting the comfort of their parents. Every one should cultivate respect for their parents' authority, compassion for their infirmities, attention to their wishes, and be solicitous to give them all necessary aid, and reverence, and love, undiminished as they witness the decline of their faculties. How delightful it is to hear parents say of their children, "I cannot tell which is the kindest to me." What peace such children are preparing for themselves when their parents shall have passed away!--_Portia._

THE CHILD AND THE EMPEROR.

It is related of the late Emperor of Germany that, when passing through a pretty country village once, he stopped to visit the village school. Taking up an orange, he said to the children--

"To what kingdom does this belong?"

"To the vegetable kingdom," answered a little girl.

"And this?" continued the Emperor, holding out a gold coin, which he had taken from his pocket.

"To the mineral kingdom," was the answer.

"And to what kingdom do I belong?" he said, expecting the little girl would answer with her former promptitude, "To the animal kingdom." But after a pause and many blushes, she replied--

"To God's kingdom, sire."

Thereupon the Emperor, greatly moved, and with a tear in his eye and much solemnity in his tone, replied--

"God grant, my child, that I may be counted worthy of that kingdom."

OUR BIBLE CLASS.

THE GLORY OF CHRIST.

(JOHN xvii)

In the large, upper room of that house at Jerusalem, where Jesus had eaten the Passover with His disciples, and instituted His own new feast, "The Lord's Supper," He had been speaking, and they hearing, most wonderful truths. "Arise, let us go hence," He had said (John xiv. 31). Yet He arose not, and they lingered still, held fast in solemn wonder while He spoke the parable of the vine, and warned and encouraged them concerning their future course when He had left them. And then, having assured them that He had overcome the world, and bidden them rejoice in Him, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and prayed for Himself, for them, and for all His people to the end of time.

A wondrous prayer! He was just about to enter into His deepest sufferings; yet He says not a word of pain or sorrow. "The glory that should follow," "the joy that was set before Him," fill His heart and tongue, and all His prayer breathes of that reward--that crown of all His labours--the everlasting life of all His beloved ones.

He thought of His ancient glory, "the glory which I had with Thee before the world was" (ver. 5); and that glory was connected with His dear people, as we read in Proverbs viii. 23, where Christ, speaking as Wisdom, says, "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was"; and "Then I was beside Jehovah, as One brought up with Him: I was daily _His_ delight, and _My_ delights were with the sons of men" (ver. 30, 31).

"The sons of men," as yet unborn; but "His gracious eye surveyed them" as they should in future days appear, and He was then their "Elder Brother," "the First-born among many brethren," and in His image Adam was formed as a man, "a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honour," and the lord of God's earthly creation (Psa. viii.). And Jesus looked on to the glorious time when all His people, though they have fallen, and become sinners, shall be purified and fully saved, and be "presented to God without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." It _was_ His glory, before time, to think of this; it _shall_ be His glory, when time is ended, to see all His desires fulfilled, and all His wishes accomplished.

Next, Jesus thought and spoke of "the glory His Father had given Him" (ver. 24)--given Him in the world, in the sight of His people. In Revelation xiii. 8, He is called "the Lamb that hath been slain from the foundation of the world"--slain in pictures and shadows; "the firstling of the flock" that Abel offered; the paschal lamb, and all the numberless sacrifices slain of old by God's command, pointed always to the Lamb of God; and He was glorified when His people, in by-gone times, like Abraham, "saw His day," His coming, and His work, and were glad in His salvation.

And Jesus prayed that all whom His Father had given Him might behold His glory. When? Not only in heaven, but here. As we read in Paul's wondrous description of this sight, "we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord" (2 Cor. iii.), do not simply gaze upon it as on a lovely picture, but are transformed as we gaze--are changed, until we become like our Lord, and bear His image, and reflect His glory, as the face of Moses shone when he came down from God on Mount Sinai, and he did not know it until he found the Israelites could not look at him unless he veiled his face, for true holiness makes us humble and lowly, and

"The more His glories strike our eyes,
The humbler we shall lie;
Thus while we sink, our joys shall rise
Immeasurably high."
And if now we see Him thus by faith, we shall see Him as He is, and be
like Him for ever.

"Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall;
Join in the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all."

But the prayer of Jesus began with the earnest request for another kind of glory--"Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee." "The hour" for which I came into the world--"the hour" of deepest woe, yet most glorious victory. Glorify Thy Son by strengthening and sustaining Him, that He may glorify Thee by accomplishing Thy will, and destroying the works of the devil.

Was not the prayer answered? Hear the dying Saviour cry, with a loud voice, on Calvary, "It is finished!" and we behold Him gloriously conquering in the very moment of His death, and departing to receive the Victor's crown, and the grateful worship of all the redeemed, as they sing, "Worthy the Lamb that was slain!"

Lastly, Jesus says of all His glory, "I have given it to My people, My followers, My friends" (ver. 22). "My glory, My joy, I share with them." He is "anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows" (Psa. xlv. 7); but to every "good and faithful servant" He will say, "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Is His joy, His glory, ours? Do we delight in His salvation? Do we desire to follow Him, and, like Him, do good to others? Do we long to see God's kingdom come, and His will done on earth as it is done in heaven? If so, He has given us a share in His glory, and we shall meet with all His saints around His throne on high--

"And with one heart, and voice, and soul
Sing His redeeming grace."

Then will His glory be complete. Oh, that we may behold and enjoy it, too! Amen.

Our next subject will be, _Gleanings from the Book of Ruth_.

Yours affectionately,
H. S. L.

THE PITCAIRN ISLANDERS AND THE QUEEN.

Captain John Lewthwaite, of Maryport, has just returned to England, bringing with him a present for the Queen from the inhabitants of Pitcairn Island. Captain Lewthwaite is master of the _Cairmont_, of Glasgow, and on his homeward voyage from Vancouver Island he called at Pitcairn. He found that the descendants of the mutineers of the _Bounty_ had received papers containing particulars of the Queen's Jubilee. They said they were anxious to make Her Majesty a Jubilee present, and in the absence of anything more valuable they decided to send some straw hats of their manufacture. They also sent other goods made of straw, which they manipulate with a great deal of skill. The presents were handed to Captain Lewthwaite by M'Avoy, the Governor of the island, and grandson of one of the mutineers. The box containing the presents has been lodged with the Vicar of Peckham Rye, who acts as agent for the islanders, to forward to the Queen.

There are now one hundred and twelve persons on the island, two-thirds being women. They use no strong drink, tobacco, or money. Some time ago a harmonium was taken out to them, and Captain Lewthwaite says one woman plays it remarkably well.

A MAN that cannot mind his own business is not to be trusted with the king's.--_Saville._

PRIZE ESSAY.

LESSONS TO BE DERIVED FROM THE HISTORY OF DANIEL.

The principal lessons to be derived from the history of Daniel are--faith, moral courage, patience, perseverance, and the value of prayer. Daniel's faith was steadfast in God, for, in spite of all opposition, he stood firm to his purpose. This also shows his moral courage, in standing alone before his God when all others were against him. He truly manifested the feeling, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." Envied and persecuted by many, he knew that God was for him if men were against him. It is a dreadful sin to conspire against a child of God, for Christ will say to such in the day of judgment, "Depart from Me, ye cursed." And again (Mark ix. 42) He said, "Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea." Daniel knew, too, the efficacy of prayer, for he was taught by God Himself; and where God gives faith and a true spirit, He is sure to call it into exercise. Daniel possessed an excellent spirit, and was preferred by King Darius, who did not worship the true God, and was prevailed upon to establish an idolatrous decree. But Daniel openly prayed to God. This showed his confidence in Jehovah's omnipotence and faithfulness, and he was enabled to leave all in His hands, feeling sure that all things would work together for his good. It has been wisely said that "not one spark of real saving faith can be kindled in our hearts but by God Himself," and if He does this, He will give us the supply we so much need. As a weak limb often grows strong by exercise, so will our faith, if it be of God, be strengthened by the very effort we make in stretching it out towards things unseen. Daniel's chastening afterwards yielded "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" when the angel Gabriel was sent to tell him he was greatly beloved, and that he should "stand in his lot at the end of his days." Oh, what comfort this message must have brought to poor Daniel! Happy shall we be if the Lord speaks thus to our hearts.

LAURA CREASEY
(Aged 14 years).

_Sydney House, Sleaford, Lincolnshire._

[Good Essays have been received from Charles Southon, Kate M. Bond, Alice J. Wells, E. W. Cray, Martha Ramsay, Sarah Hicks, E. B. Knocker, and E. R. Harris.]

[The writer of the above Essay receives a copy of "Cowper's Poems."

The subject for January will be, "What is the Most Desirable Thing to Possess in the Spring-time of Life?" and the prize to be given for the best Essay on that subject, a copy of "The Life of Whitfield." All competitors must give a guarantee that they are under fifteen years of age, and that the Essay is their own composition, or the papers will be passed over, as the Editor cannot undertake to write for this necessary information. Papers must be sent direct to the Editor, Mr. T. Hull, 117, High Street, Hastings, by the first of December.]

DEEPER than the love of home, deeper than the love of kindred, deeper than rest and recreation, deeper than the love of life, is the love of Jesus.--_Hamilton._

NOTHING is easier than fault-finding. No talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character is required to set up in the grumbling business. But those who are moved by a genuine desire to do good and benefit their fellows have little time for murmuring or complaint.

Interesting Items.

THE length of the Thames from source to mouth is 220 miles.

THE greatest height yet reached in a balloon is seven miles and a quarter.

IN 1707 it took two days and a half to get to Oxford, a distance of fifty-five miles.

THE number of Bibles sold by the British Bible Society up to 1881 was 100,035,933.

TWO millions and a half is the number of persons who are said to be slaves to Sabbath toil in America, and they generally receive no more than six days' wages for seven days' work.

ANNA SWAN, the Nova Scotia giantess, who, with her husband, Captain Bates, the Kentucky giant, was an earnest member of the Baptist Church, is dead. She was seven feet nine inches in height.

A GREAT improvement in Sunday observance in the army and navy has, it is said, taken place. But there are old officers, like the gallant admiral, who deplore the fact that "the service is going to the dogs," because there is not so much pipeclay used on a Sunday as there was when they joined the service.

LORD SUDELEY, of Toddington, near Cheltenham, has the following fruit trees planted in his grounds--Gooseberry trees, 93,000; plum trees, 20,083; black currant trees, 167,000; apple trees, 2,919; pear trees, 852; damson trees, 8,845; cherry trees, 532; red currant trees, 10,000; raspberry trees, 25,000; cob nut, 100; strawberries (acres), 52. In addition, 100 Scotch firs and 10,000 poplar trees.

THE HAMPTON COURT VINE.--This noble vine is more than a hundred and fifty years old, and nearly as many feet in length; its stem is thirty-two inches in circumference. In a good season it will yield more than two thousand bunches of fine grapes, weighing on an average seventeen ounces each bunch, or, in the whole, nearly one ton. They are of the finest black Hamburg kind, and are said to be reserved chiefly for the Queen's table.

RUNNING AWAY WITH A RITUALISTIC CRUCIFIX.--It is stated that a crucifix adorns the eastern end of Bourn church. Many of the parishioners are opposed to certain Ritualistic practices, and have shown their disapproval by leaving during divine service. During the week the church is left open, and on Monday, September 17th, a young lady entered and took away the crucifix. The lady, having secured the crucifix, proceeded to Bytham Station, and thence to Essendine. Arrived there, she went into a friend's house and had a cup of tea. In the meantime, the Vicar and the young lady's brother started in pursuit, discovered the missing ornament, and brought it safely back and replaced it in the church. The event has created great excitement in the village, and we understand that legal proceedings will be taken.

WOLVES AND TELEGRAPH LINES.--It is believed in Norway that wolves are frightened away by telegraph lines. While a vote was pending on a grant to a new line, a member of the Storthing remarked that, while his constituents had no direct interest in it, they would support the grant because the wires would drive away the wolves. It is stated as a remarkable fact that since the first telegraph line was established, twenty years ago, wolves have never appeared in its neighbourhood. Wolves, it is known, will not enter a roped enclosure.

IN connection with the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, a hospital ship was launched from the yard of Messrs. Fellows and Son, of Great Yarmouth, on September 29th. She is 100 feet in length, and of 152 tons register. She is to be fitted up as a hospital ship, for the treatment of accident and illness among the fishermen of the North Sea. She is named the _Queen Victoria_, and Her Majesty, who takes much interest in the Mission, subscribed L50 towards the cost of the vessel. The launch was witnessed by a large number of people. The _Queen Victoria_ is the same type of vessel as those already in the Mission service.

A NEW ALPINE RAILWAY.--A railway from Visp to Zermatt is about to be built, an undertaking that has for a long time been considered impracticable. From the year 1891 travellers will be able to reach the El Dorado of Alpine tourists in about two hours and a half from the main line in the Rhone Valley, and step out of the railway carriage almost at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn. The line is already marked out, and follows pretty closely the present bridle path. It is to be narrow gauge, without cogwheels, and will cross the Visp torrent five times. The curves will be rather sharp, and there are to be six small tunnels. The capital for building the line is said to amount to six million francs, and work is to be commenced this autumn. The length will be twenty-eight miles, and as Zermatt is 3,160 feet higher than the starting point, the incline will be over two per cent.

AN ANCIENT DOCUMENT.--According to a telegram received from Lloyds' Signal Station at St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, a letter, supposed to have been written 103 years ago, was picked up on the beach, at Rock End, on October 3rd. The following is a copy of the document:--"Office of Ordnance, 11th July, 1785. Gentlemen,--His Majesty's ship the _Trusty_, being ordered to be paid off at Portsmouth, you are, by the Board's directions, to cause her powder to be taken on shore, and lodged in His Majesty's magazine, under your charge.--I am, gentlemen, your humble servant, AUG. ROGERS, Secretary. Respective Officers, Prondy's Hard, W. A." There is a memo, on the back of the letter--"11th July, 1785. Aug. Rogers, Esq. _Trusty_ paid off."

THE number of preserves in Austria alone, not counting those in Hungary, is stated at 15,764. and on these there were shot, in 1887, 32 bears, 113 wolves, 24 lynxes, 9,490 stags, 60,252 roebucks, 7,709 chamois, 2,998 wild boars, 26,411 foxes, 9,729 polecats, 1,055 otters, 2,672 badgers, 333 marmots, and no fewer than 1,439,134 hares. Wild rabbits are scarce in this country, and are not counted in the general record, but 27,797 were shot in Bohemia, where there are most warrens. The totals for feathered game are--4,498 grouse, 1,300 wild geese, 102,748 pheasants, 1,336,934 partridges, 34,448 quails, 12,652 woodcock, 7,614 snipe, and 28,914 wild ducks. The birds of prey shot were 561 eagles, 38,610 owls, 1,365 horned owls, and 106,353 hawks, kestrels, kites, and vultures.

THE RABBIT PEST IN NEW ZEALAND.--The United States Consul at Auckland, in a recent report, describes the extent to which New Zealand has been economically injured by rabbits, and the cost incurred in endeavouring to exterminate them. Nothing, he says, could so overrun a country since the locusts in Egypt. The rabbits have so eaten out the ranges that the capacity for maintaining sheep has greatly lessened, and the flocks have fallen off in numbers. At the Stock Conference of 1886, it was stated that rabbits reduced by a third the feeding capacity of land, and the weight of fleeces had decreased by 1 lb. to 11/2 lb. each. The number of lambs decreased from thirty to forty per cent., while the death-rate increased from three to thirteen per cent. Since 1882, when the Rabbit Act became law, Government has expended L7,000 on Crown lands alone, and it is estimated that during the last eight years private persons have spent L2,400,000 in extirpating rabbits. The methods generally in favour were fencing, poisoned grain (generally phosphorized oats), and ferrets, weasels, and stoats. Large numbers of men have been hired from time to time to make war upon the rabbits, and it is said that these "rabbiters" encourage the vermin in every way, and have been caught killing the stoats and ferrets. The bonus system has been found objectionable and expensive. Notwithstanding all that has been done, in some localities the rabbits have continually increased, and the damage has continued. It is hoped, however, that as the country becomes more populous, and the large tracts of land are occupied and cultivated, the numerous herds of rabbits which now roam over the land will disappear.

ONE THOUSAND MEN DROWNED.--It is reported from China that the whole of the new embankment of the Yellow River, which was commenced last autumn at the spot where the old embankment gave way, has been completely swept away by the summer floods. It is said to have cost about L2,000,000 sterling (9,000,000 taels). As the floods rose, it was seen that the strain was becoming dangerous, and Li Hang-tsao, the high official in charge of the work, was sent for in hot haste, but before he could arrive the whole bank went down before the flood, and of the eight thousand feet of river wall lately completed, not an inch remains, and the waters are pouring unchecked through the immense gap into the Honan province. From eight hundred to one thousand labourers, who were on the bank, were also swept away and drowned. It is reported from Peking that all the officials concerned are being severely punished.

A SHARK STORY.--Sir,--The following story may be of some interest to many readers of your valuable paper. The sailing-ship _Grassendale_ (registered 1,800 tons, and classed A1 at Lloyds'), with a crew of about thirty-five hands, on its voyage from Sydney to San Francisco, met with great numbers of sharks, about twenty of which the crew killed. One shark, in particular, had a quantity of young ones with her. By some means the little ones were frightened, and swam into its mouth. Naturally the crew were curious, and tried to hook it, which they eventually did. When they cut it open on deck, imagine their surprise to find no less than forty-two little sharks, measuring from twelve to fifteen inches in length, all alive, and capable of swimming as well as ever--a most remarkable incident, not heard of before, even in America, being, to all appearances, a shark's wonderful way to shelter their young. This information the writer has received this week direct from his brother, who is chief officer of the said ship, and he can, therefore, vouch for its truth.--Yours truly, H. H. WHITE. Rye, October 10th, 1888.--_South Eastern Advertiser._

THE BLIND WIDOW.

"_Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days._"--ECCLESIASTES xi. 1.

Recollecting the feelings of discouragement and sadness which often oppressed my mind during the first months of our employment as district visitors and Sunday School teachers in a retired village, and the many instances affording cause for joy and thankfulness which occurred during the latter years of our residence there, I am led to record one of them, with the hope of encouraging my fellow-labourers in this interesting occupation.

One of the first cases which came under my own observation was that of a blind, aged widow, who lived a few steps from the church. Her husband, who had been dead at this time about seven years, had led an ungodly life, and had fallen a victim to the habit of intemperance. She was left with one son, who was a lad at the time of his father's death, and was soon after bound as a parish apprentice to a good neighbour, a blacksmith, with whom he afterwards lived as servant. I think he was a good boy. He had remembered and taken pleasure in what he had learned at the Sunday and National School. He was constant in his attendance at public worship, and showed much dutiful affection and attention to his widowed mother. In his spare hours he took care of her little garden, drew water, and tended the nursery of beautiful geraniums which adorned her windows; and when he could, he would come and read aloud to her on Sundays out of the Bible or some good book. All the poor widow's happiness centred in Henry. It was her delight to do all she could for him; and many a time have I seen her, blind as she was, bestowing her cheerful labour in making his shirts as white as snow. She had one other son, older than Henry, who had accompanied an uncle to the West Indies, and as she had never heard of them since, she thought they had very likely both of them died in that climate, so unhealthy to English constitutions.

Mrs. Worthington was, I think, naturally an amiable woman. Many sorrows had subdued and broken her spirits, for she had once lived near London in very good circumstances. Though in some degree acquainted with the leading doctrines of Scripture, and believing them to be true, she was, it seemed, quite destitute of any hope towards God, or true faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, as her Saviour and her Friend. To use her own words, "she had long ago given up herself for lost." When I asked what led her to do so, she replied that she knew she had not led a good life, and that some neighbours had told her it was no use for such a person as she was to think of going to heaven. In this sad state she was lingering on in a painful earthly existence, without one hope of anything better beyond it.

There was a kind woman who lived in the next house who, when able, would lead her to church and back again. There she paid attention, and thus had many interesting Scripture histories stored in her memory, for she had never learned to read.

At length, with her own consent, it was agreed that some one should read the Bible to her every forenoon. She listened with earnest attention and much interest, and at length found, to her great joy, that she was not excluded from hope in the mercy of that gracious God and Saviour whose loving-kindness and tender mercy towards a lost and fallen race it reveals and declares. She discovered with delight that she was one of those very characters that had moved His heart to pity, and for whose redemption and happiness He had sent His only-begotten Son into the world, and spared Him not, "but delivered Him up for us all," that He might make satisfaction for fallen sinners, and lead such back as reconciled children to their Father and God. She received the gracious message with a sense of her own extreme need of its blessings, and welcomed it with her whole heart, as sent to her by the God of love.

I think the first word of promise which was fixed in her mind was the engagement which God makes, in Luke xi., to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him. She felt that her mind was dark, and her heart cold and dead towards God. She wished it were otherwise, and prayed for the Holy Spirit. It was delightful to observe the heavenly light dawn in her once benighted soul, and to behold the altered state of all within. Humility, thankfulness, hope, and love all appeared in their loveliness, and in various ways did she give incontestable evidence that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.

I remember calling one morning, and finding her much out of spirits. On inquiring the cause, I found that, it being the wake season, some of her former friends and acquaintances had visited her. It was their conversation which had grieved her, consisting very much of scandal and detraction, and she was greatly distressed at being obliged to hear it, and felt that she had done wrong by listening to it, so truly had her mind become conformed to the principles of the Gospel of peace.

Before her change of heart she was much disposed to murmur, but when enabled to apprehend the love of God to her, her spirit was filled with gratitude to Him for all His undeserved mercies; and however depressed her circumstances on earth might be, she had the comfortable hope of eternal bliss in that world where all tears will be for ever wiped away, and there will be no more want and pain, for "the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters" (Rev. vii. 17).

One morning, to my great sorrow, I found her very ill. She was suffering from an attack of paralysis, which took away the use of her left side, and very much affected her speech. She was suddenly rendered almost helpless. At first she was greatly distressed, knowing that her own means were insufficient to pay any one to help her, and that the only alternative was a removal to the workhouse, a prospect which to her mind was full of terror and disgrace. It became, however, quite needful, for there was no prospect of amendment; and in about a fortnight she was obliged to quit a home endeared to her by a long residence, and the honourable independence with which she had occupied it, for though often obliged to take only bread for her breakfast and supper, she invariably paid her quarter's rent. Her faith in Christ, however, soon gained the ascendancy over her natural regret and sorrow, and she received this painful dispensation as her Heavenly Father's will, and submitted to it with quietness.

The workhouse was about nine miles from our village. It was a well-conducted one, and favoured with the visits of some Christian friends and a good clergyman. The matron was a kind person, and treated our blind friend with much consideration. Her son visited her as often as he could, and paid her every dutiful attention, so that her home there was, I think, more comfortable than the one she had left. I never saw her afterwards, but I occasionally heard of her. She was almost entirely confined to her bed, but quite able to enjoy and profit by the kind visits and Christian conversation of some persons who visited the workhouse. She found her God was present with her there, and He fulfilled to her that beautiful promise made to His people of old--"Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you" (Isa. xlvi. 4).

A. E. H.

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE OF A SHIPWRECKED CREW.

Two seamen, named John G. Crone and James R. Wilson, late of the Scotch barque _Henry James_, arrived a short time ago at the Liverpool Sailors' Home, and gave information of the loss of that vessel, through which they underwent an extraordinary experience.

The _Henry James_ struck a coral reef near the island of Palmyra, in the Pacific Ocean, and became a wreck. In an hour the crew had to abandon her, experiencing the greatest difficulty in getting away. The shipwrecked people only saved what they stood in, even the ship's papers and the captain's instruments being lost. They were in a sad plight. One boat containing provisions was swamped and the food lost. The captain nearly lost his life by being thrown into the sea. Fortunately a box of matches was got ashore dry, and with these a fire was lighted.

The island of Palmyra was found to be uninhabited, but a search next day revealed a number of small huts made of boards and leaves. The island is about nine hundred miles from Samoa. The mate, who had saved his sextant, volunteered to go in a small boat to Samoa to seek for aid, and a boat was accordingly manned, the mate having for his companions the boatswain and three seamen. These poor fellows were three weeks in the open boat, in a tropical climate, and their sufferings were very severe. They traversed about thirteen hundred miles, and some days before arrival their food and water gave out. Their sufferings were then terrible, and when they reached Apia, their condition plainly showed what they had passed through. Had their voyage been lengthened but a couple of days, it is likely all would have either gone mad or perished from starvation. The shipwrecked people on the island were in the meantime living on wild birds, birds' eggs, and on cocoa-nuts. They had no arms with them, and the only means of catching the birds was by sticks, the men having to get within reach of the birds before they could be caught. In the first days the only water the people had was what they caught by spreading out the leaves of trees. The matches at last got wet, and the poor people could not make their accustomed fire. A powerful telescope glass then furnished a burning glass, and enabled them to get fires once more. Altogether they were on the island six weeks. At the end of this time the mail steamer _Mariposa_ called at the island, and rescued the people from their island imprisonment. The party included two ladies (passengers) and six children.

The Board of Trade have awarded a piece of plate to Captain Hayward, of the _Mariposa_; a gold medal to Mr. Hart, first officer; and a silver medal and a sum of L2 each to seamen Barpark, Erving, Allan, and Driscoll, in connection with the rescue of the castaways. Captain Hayward, who was bound to San Francisco with mails and passengers, voluntarily incurred the risk of a heavy fine for breach of contract, and set off with the above-named crew in an open boat, and rescued the unfortunate people.

BIBLE SUBJECTS FOR EACH SUNDAY IN DECEMBER.

Dec. 2. Commit to memory Ps. xc. 2. Dec. 9. Commit to memory Ps. xc. 4. Dec. 16. Commit to memory Ps. xc. 10. Dec. 23. Commit to memory Ps. xc. 12. Dec. 30. Commit to memory Ps. xc. 14.

HE WENT WRONG, BUT HE FOUND MERCY.

On Sunday afternoon, August 26th, 1888, Mr. Carr, of Leicester, gave an interesting address to the scholars attending the Zion Sunday School, Trowbridge. After singing and prayer, Mr. Carr took "The Prodigal Son" as his subject, which he explained in a most interesting manner. He said:--

"Once upon a time there were two brothers. One of them ran away, but he got into no end of trouble. But while he was so wretched, something occurred with him, and by-and-bye he was brought back in peace to his father's house, and was happy for ever afterward.

"Most of you know that this is the outline of the parable of 'The Prodigal Son,' and I am going to try and tell you the details of it. I shall divide it into four parts. The first one is _Ruin_; the second, _Repentance_; the third, _Return_; the fourth, _Reception_. He was ruined. By grace he repented, returned to his father, and was joyfully received by him.

"First, then, _Ruin_. Now, there are steps leading to ruin. You find the prodigal was happy at home at first. Like Adam, in the garden of Eden, God gave him a great many good gifts, as He has given you. He has given us life, hearing, eyesight, and intellect. The prodigal had a large portion of good gifts, but what did he do? He wandered away from his father, and went into a far country. Do you like to be away from home? Remember this--if you do, it is the first step to your ruin, as it was with the prodigal. He took his journey into a far country, where he was far away from his father; and so we, in our natural state, are far away from God. Do you ever think what a dreadful thing it is to be far away from God? The prodigal wanted to be far from Him. But when there, at a distance from his father, he had no God to go to in his troubles. He doubtless did not like the text, 'Thou God seest me.' If you are like this, remember that every sin you commit is written in His remembrance book. But the prodigal made up his mind not to trouble about that. Have you thus done so? If so, you will have to trouble about it some day. There is a day coming when we shall all have to stand before God, and it is a dreadful subject for those to think of who, like the prodigal, are now at a distance from God. Therefore, we see that _Distance_ is the first step.

"The next one is _Dissipation_. He wasted his substance--put his gifts to a wrong use. Have we wasted the good things which God has given us? If so, it is the road to ruin.

"After he had thus wasted his substance by riotous living and falling into bad company, there came another step, namely, _Destitution_, which we all have come to spiritually, and ere long we who have life, health, bright eyes, rosy cheeks, and busy hands, shall be going to the grave. By-and-bye we shall have spent it all, and we shall be nothing but a heap of dust and ashes.

"But you find that, when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine, and he began to be in want. He then fell into disgrace, and went to a citizen of that country to see if he could help him. He went into the fields to feed swine, and he had not a friend to speak to--none to help him. The hand of God had gone out against him, and all his friends forsook him.

"That is just the state of the ungodly. But when he was in the very heat of this ruin, something happened to him. He was brought to _Repentance_. What was his first step to repentance? He was brought to himself--that is, a right understanding was given to him. What had the prodigal a right understanding about? About himself. Sin had made a madman of him, but now he began to consider the extent of his misery. How many of you have considered what you are in the sight of God? You may be dead before next Sunday. Where would you be? In heaven or in hell? The prodigal began to consider what his sin had done for him. He said, 'How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!' He knew he was perishing; and we are, if Christ has not saved us.

"The first step was, a right understanding. Now comes the second step, knowledge of the extent of his misery, thirdly, a felt sense that he was perishing; then, fourthly, a wise resolution--'I will arise, and go to my father.' He had been trying to make himself more respectable, but found he could not, but that he must go to his father just as he was. Thus he was brought to himself. Grace did this, and if grace works in us there will be a willingness to go to God. Either you want to be near to God, or, like the prodigal, you want to shun the very thoughts of God. We are either on the road to ruin or salvation. What did the prodigal say to his father? 'Father, I have sinned.' He knew he was a sinner, and that he had sinned, and he confessed his unworthiness. He said, 'I am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants.' He was brought to repentance, and he made up his mind to return to his father. But his father was a long way off--too far for him to see him. But his father saw him while he was yet a great way off, and had compassion on him. He did not say, 'I see that naughty boy that wandered from me, and got into so much trouble and sin, and now I will punish him.' But he had compassion on him, and did not say a word about his wicked ways. 'He ran.' Now, look, here was the prodigal creeping to his father, but the father 'ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.' No doubt he had a dirty face, but the father did not wait till his face was clean. Just as we are as sinners, so the prodigal here was in all his rags. He said to his father, 'But, father, I am a vile sinner. I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight.' Thus he told his father just what he was.

"Now then comes the fourth part--_his reception by his father_. When his father met him he took no notice of his sins, did not answer him a word, but he said to his servants, 'Bring forth the best robe.' That was the robe of righteousness. Here were manifested the riches of divine grace. The prodigal had nothing but sin and grief, but now his father gave him a better robe than he ever had before. His first robe was not the best. It was one of creature-righteousness, but now he had lost it; and when he was brought back by grace he had a better robe given him. A robe of righteousness is better than one of creature-righteousness. The best robe was brought forth, and a ring was put on his finger. A ring is something which has no beginning nor end, and the ring is a most blessed emblem of eternity. It has neither beginning nor end. And a ring denotes love--love of the giver to the receiver. This ring denotes a Father's eternal love. His father loved him, all the time the prodigal was sinning against him, with an eternal love. And they put shoes on his feet--shoes of the preparation of the Gospel. They were shoes that would wear well. The saints have a rough road to travel, and therefore they need shoes of iron and brass. Then the fatted calf was brought and killed, and they had a great feast and were merry, and we do not read that they ever left off. There is no end to the rejoicings over repenting, returning sinners. Oh, that we all may know what it is to be redeemed by grace! This parable teaches us man's ruin, Christ's redemption, and a Father's eternal love."

M. G.

JOHNNIE'S CHRISTMAS.

[This, and three other pieces of poetry, including the one given last month, were written for a boy who recently died. After long and severe suffering he was seized with a fit. He held up both arms, and, as the struggles ceased, he looked up and said, "Come! Come!" His mother asked him if he thought he should go to heaven. He replied, "I'm sure of it. Jesus told me He would take me, and He wouldn't have said it if He didn't mean it."--ED.]

Hang out the toys for the little ones;
Pile up the raisins, and take out the stones;
But nut, and pudding, and Christmas tree,
Says little Johnnie, are not for me.

If the children frolic I have to start,
With a bitter pain at my silent heart;
And my throbbing head is afraid to move
At sound of the voices which most I love.

It is nice to feel, though sitting here,
That mother is with me, and baby dear,
For some of my little friends have lain
On a hospital bed, in lonely pain.

Oh, God, my Friend, Thou art surely kind,
And we, poor sinners, are weak and blind;
Little we think, and little know,
Of the love that suffered for human woe.

We hail Thy birth with a gladsome song,
But Thou hadst sorrow life's journey long;
And Thou hadst power Thyself to free,
Yet chose to suffer for things like me.

Oh, come to my heart this Christmas Day!
I am weak and weary, and far away;
Since help and mercy are Thy delight,
Oh, come to my father's house to-night!

Bring rest for my mother, and joy for me;
My head will not throb as I listen to Thee;
And my heart, though too weak for a footfall below,
Will bound, without aching, Thy coming to know.

Thou callest the children, and I am a child;
Thou callest the guilty, and I am defiled;
They gather about Thee in joyful array;
Oh, put me among them, Lord Jesus, to-day!

Put one of my hands in that right hand of Thine,
And hold out Thy wounds to Thy Father divine;
He would not, He could not, say nay unto Thee,
And I should for ever Thy diadem be.