Chapter M: E. S (1)

_Corby._

"THOU, GOD, SEEST ME!"

"George," said a big boy, winking hard at his curly-headed little comrade, "you may pick me some of those apples. Your father has fallen asleep over his book in the study." George raised his fearless, honest eyes to the older lad's face, and replied, "My Father is father's Father too, and He neither slumbers nor sleeps" (Psa. cxxi. 4). George's Father was the all-seeing God.

A VISIT TO THE IDRIAN MINES.

After passing through several parts of the Alps, and having visited Germany, I thought I could not return home without visiting those dreadful subterraneous caverns, where thousands are condemned to reside, shut out from all hopes of ever seeing the cheerful light of the sun, and obliged to toil out a miserable life under the whips of imperious task-masters.

Imagine to yourself a hole in the side of a mountain, about five yards over. Down this you are lowered in a kind of bucket to a depth of more than one hundred fathoms, the prospect growing still more gloomy, yet still widening as you descend. At length, after swinging in terrible suspense for some time in this precarious situation, you reach the bottom, and tread on the ground, which, by its hollow sound under your feet, and the reverberations of the echo, seems thundering at every step you take. In this gloomy and frightful solitude you are enlightened by the feeble gleam of lamps, here and there dispersed, so as that the wretched inhabitants of these mansions can go from one place to another without a guide; though I could scarcely discern, for some time, anything--not even the person who came to show me these scenes of horror.

From this description, I suppose you have but a disagreeable idea of the place; yet let me assure you that it is a palace, if the habitation be compared with the inhabitants. Such wretches my eyes never yet beheld. The blackness of their visages only serves to cover a horrid paleness, caused by the noxious qualities of the mineral they are employed in procuring.

As they, in general, consist of malefactors, condemned for life to this task, they are fed at the public expense; but seldom consume much provision, as they lose their appetites in a short time, and commonly, in about two years, expire, through a total contraction of all the joints.

In this horrid mansion I walked after my guide for some time, pondering on the strange tyranny and avarice of mankind, when I was accosted by a voice behind me, calling me by name, and inquiring after my health with the most cordial affection. I turned, and saw a creature all black and hideous, who approached me, and, with a piteous accent, said, "Ah! Everard, do you not know me?" What was my surprise when, through the veil of this wretchedness, I discovered the features of a dear old friend. I flew to him with affection, and, after a tear of condolence, asked him how he came there. To this he replied that, having fought a duel with an officer of the Austrian Infantry, against the Emperor's command, and having left him for dead, he was obliged to flee into the forests of Istria, where he was first taken, and afterwards sheltered by some banditti, who had long infested that quarter. With these he lived nine months, till, by a close investiture of the place in which they were concealed, and after a very obstinate resistance, in which the greater part of them were killed, he was taken, and carried to Vienna, in order to be broken alive upon the wheel. However, upon arriving at the capital, he was quickly known, and several of the associates of his accusation and danger witnessing his innocence, his punishment of the rack was changed into that of perpetual banishment and labour in the mines of Idria.

As my old friend was giving me this account, a young woman came up to him who at once I perceived to be born for a better fortune. The dreadful situation of this place was not able to destroy her beauty; and, even in this scene of wretchedness, she seemed to have charms sufficient to grace the most brilliant assembly. This lady was, in fact, daughter to one of the first families in Germany; and having tried every means to procure her husband's pardon without effect, was at last resolved to share his miseries, as she could not relieve them. She accordingly descended with him into these mansions, whence few of the living return, despising the splendour of opulence, and contented with the consciousness of her own constancy.

I was afterwards spectator of the most affecting scene I ever beheld. In the course of some days after my visiting the gloomy mansion I have represented to you, a person came post from Vienna to the Idrian bottom, who was followed by a second, and he by a third. The first inquiry was after my unfortunate friend, and I, happening to overhear the demand, gave them the first intelligence. Two of these were the brother and cousin of the lady; the third was an intimate acquaintance and fellow-soldier of my friend. They came with his pardon, which had been procured by the general with whom the duel had been fought, and who was perfectly cured of his wounds. I led him, with all the expedition of joy, down to this dreary abode, presented to him his friends, and informed him of the happy change of his circumstances. It would be impossible to describe the joy that brightened upon his grief-worn countenance, nor were the young lady's emotions less vivid at seeing her friends, and hearing of her husband's liberty.

Some hours were employed in mending the appearance of this faithful couple; nor could I, without a tear, behold my friend taking leave of the former wretched companions of his toil. To one he left his mattock, to another his working clothes, and to a third such utensils as were necessary for him in that situation. We soon emerged from the mine, where he once again revisited the light of the sun, that he had totally despaired of ever seeing again. A post-chaise and four were ready the next morning to take them to Vienna, where, I am since informed by a letter from himself, they are returned. The Emperor has again taken him into favour, his fortune and rank are restored, and he and his fair partner have now the pleasing satisfaction of feeling happiness with double relish, as they once knew what it was to be miserable.--_Selected._

["What a happy deliverance!" say you. Ah! but it is only a faint emblem of that deliverance which Jesus wrought. These people were delivered from sufferings which would only have been for a short time, but Jesus died to deliver His people from the wrath to come--the fire that shall not be quenched.

Reader, have you been brought to Him? Can you say, "He loved me, and gave Himself for me"? or are you without hope of eternal life? Oh, that you may seek to win Christ, and be found in Him!--ED.]

ANSWER TO BIBLE ENIGMA.

(_Page 66._)

"_Thy will be done._"--MATTHEW xxvi. 42.

T imaeus Mark x. 46. H arp Genesis iv. 21. Y ear Leviticus xxv. 4.

W hale Job vii. 12. I nfidel 2 Corinthians vi. 15. L atin Luke xxiii. 38. L aban Genesis xxix. 10.

B ehemoth Job xl. 15. E phraim Genesis xli. 52.

D og Exodus xi. 7. O nyx Genesis ii. 12. N oon Solomon's Song i. 7. E pistle 2 Corinthians iii. 1.

HARRY FREDERICK FORFEITT
(Aged 10 years).

_Thong, near Gravesend._

AN ENCOURAGING SUNDAY SCHOOL GATHERING.

The twelfth annual meeting of the Sunday School, Devonshire Road Chapel, Greenwich, was held on February 8th. The singing of a hymn was followed by the reading of Psalm xix. by Mr. Boorne, the Pastor, and prayer by Mr. Joseph Whittome.

Mr. Boorne, in his remarks, referred to Pharaoh's desire to keep the children in Egypt, even if the God of Israel compelled him to let their parents go. But they also had to come out from bondage.

He said a phrase was sometimes used to hinder the planting of Sunday Schools, namely, "that they are often only a nursery for the Church." His opinion was, that a Sunday School might be put to a much worse use. He thought it a good and desirable thing when it was so; and scholars taught of God, as well as by their teachers, passed from the Sunday School into the Church.

The Secretary and Acting-Superintendent, Mr. Samuel Boorne, then read the report. He noted four encouraging facts. The increase of numbers--twenty new scholars, making 140 in all. That the infant class, the _feeder_ of the school, was increasing. The manifest interest taken in their school by many of the scholars, for, though it was twelve years old, some of the original scholars were still connected with the Bible Classes. Her Majesty's Jubilee year was commemorated by the gift to each child of an ornamental card, on which was printed the Coronation Oath, taken by Her Majesty on her accession, to preserve the Protestant liberties of her country. It was put into a gilt frame, and was much appreciated by the scholars. The collecting cards for the Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society, issued this year _by request_, and always a voluntary effort on the part of the children, resulted in L6 10s.

Mr. Marshall, of Clifton, then interested many by his pleasant and solemn remarks. The _possibilities_ for the future represented by such a gathering of boys and girls formed a fitting theme. He hoped there were none present who would be the means of breaking their parents' hearts. A page from the life of a youth who really did do it, and who traced the beginning of his evil doings to _drink_, was pointed and solemn, Mr. Marshall saying it was his conviction that children should never be allowed to acquire a taste for so dangerous a luxury. He said he was a total abstainer himself, and did not think--and probably the audience agreed with him--he looked any the worse for it.

His concluding words will be remembered. After fifty years' experience of the love and ways of God, he testified to young and old that there was no happiness in anything but the knowledge of God in Christ. It surpasses and eclipses all. "He will do everything for those who are His."

He then addressed a few words to the teachers, advising them to stick to the Word of God. The Holy Spirit was able to teach even children. He once baptized a girl of fourteen, of whom he could say he _knew_ she was a vessel of mercy; and why should he keep her out of the privileges of the Lord's people? He would not hesitate to baptize a child of ten if he or she gave sufficient evidence that they knew something of their own sinfulness, and something of the Lord Jesus. "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"

Mr. Wilmshurst then began his address by reminding his young friends of the many happy Sundays they had spent together. What pleasant gatherings they were! He had not forgotten them, if they had. But now he wished to speak of a most _remarkable_ gathering of people. He referred to the four hundred men who gathered to David in the cave Adullam (1 Sam. xxii. 1, 2). The remarkable points were these:--

First, they were all remarkably _poor_--"in debt"--and bankrupts in those days were liable to be taken for bondmen, or slaves (see 2 Kings iv. 1). We are all in debt to God, and have "nothing to pay." We add to it hourly, and unless the heavy debt is paid by us (which is _impossible_), or by Another, we shall be shut up for ever in prison with Satan and his angels.

Secondly, these men were remarkably _discontented_--discontented with Saul, the reigning king, his service, and his rewards; and they came to David, an uncrowned king, with no apparent advantage to offer them. True type of those who, like Moses in a similar case, have "_chosen_ rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."

Thirdly, they were in remarkable _distress_. So are all those who come to King Jesus--a distress which others cannot understand, and often cannot account for. "What must I do to be saved?" is a strange trouble to many.

Fourthly, they had remarkable _desires_. They wished to find David, to dwell with him, and have him for their leader and captain. And David himself was a fugitive, hunted by Saul--poor, powerless, and hidden away in a cave in a mountain, where, probably, it was very difficult to find him. So there are some (only a few compared with the number of the people of the land, like David's four hundred) whose hearts are set on finding Jesus. They wish to be near Him always. He (like David) is difficult to find. He must be usually searched for "as for hid treasures" (Prov. ii. 4), but when found, He becomes their Captain.

Fifthly, these men had a remarkable _reception_. They had no good characters--nothing to recommend them--but they were received. So Jesus also "receiveth sinners and eateth with them." As the Pharisees despised Jesus for keeping such company, so Saul and his servants despised David. Jesus says, "Him that _cometh to Me_ I will in no wise cast out."

The reception of the four hundred was also remarkable because they were _uninvited_. But here the type fails. Jesus _has_ invited those who "come" to Him (see Matt. xi. 28).

Sixthly, the men made remarkable _soldiers_. Their doings are recorded in 2 Samuel xxiii., and the doings and victories of the good soldiers of Jesus Christ are to be found in Hebrews xi. David's soldiers did not live _idle_ lives in the cave, nor do Christ's soldiers have peace always. They have to "fight the good fight of faith" with "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God," and the bow of _prayer_. They fight, however, with their Captain's eye upon them (see Psa. xxxiv. 15).

Lastly, they were remarkably _rewarded_. When David came to the throne, they were put in positions of honour. The visible reward of Christ's followers is yet to come (Dan. vii. 22, 27; Matt. xix. 28; Luke xxii. 29, 30). He has promised also to give them "manifold more in _this present time_," as well as "life everlasting" (Luke xviii. 28-30).

The prizes were then distributed by the Pastor, and after a concluding word of prayer, this encouraging meeting was brought to a close.

E. M.

THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS.

(MATTHEW vii. 24-29.)

This is a wilderness of sand,
With driving winds on every hand;
How many build their houses here,
Nor seem the coming storm to fear!

There is a sure Foundation-Stone;
May I be builded thereupon!
Then shall I stand the last dread shock,
Safe on the Everlasting Rock.

BIBLE ENIGMA.

The name of a river.

A place where all Jews were commanded to depart from.

A king to whom the children of Israel sent a present.

What did Abimelech take with him when he went up Mount Zalmon?

What did the Lord say the strong shall be as?

A mighty man of valour.

One of David's children.

Name one of Jacob's sons.

A brother of Tubal.

One of the cities which the children of Reuben built.

A mountain.

What did Jesus say a disciple should be called?

That which was to be burned always.

A place where David dwelt.

One of the cities which the children of Gad built.

Of what tribe was Hiram?

What did the Lord say should not cease while the earth remaineth?

The name of a thing declared to be a mocker (spell it backwards).

One who slew, in the valley of salt, eighteen thousand.

That which remains to the people of God.

A place where the children of Israel provoked the Lord to wrath.

A wicked king.

The place where the father of Gideon dwelt.

One whom the Lord blessed.

A bird that found no rest save in one place.

The initials and finals will form a prayer.

ALICE COLE.

_Basingstoke._

THE law of love requires us to sacrifice our own comfort to promote the happiness of others.--_Albert Barnes._

OUR BIBLE CLASS.

MENTAL EYES: DARKENED AND ILLUMINATED.

(MATTHEW vi. 22, 23.)

Light sometimes means that which _gives_, sometimes that which _receives_ or _reflects_, light; as the sun is the light of the world, and the windows through which he shines are the lights of the room and the house. Our eyes are the lights, or windows, of our body. Through them we look out upon the world around us; and light, knowledge, and pleasure come in to us from what we see, as well as what we hear.

Jesus here refers to the eyes of the mind--the understanding. How often, when a difficult matter has been explained, we say, "Oh, yes; I see it all now!" and yet the eyes behold no new object. We mean that we now _understand_ what puzzled us so much before.

Thus, in these two verses we are told about _minds_ that are darkened, and also about _understandings_ that are enlightened with the light of life.

"If the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" If the windows are bricked up, no ray of light can force an entrance, even at noonday, into the darkened rooms; or, if the casements are thickly curtained, or closely shuttered, how dark the house must be! So sin of some kind--pride, prejudice, or superstition--darkens the sinner's understanding, shuts out the light of heavenly truth, and lulls him to sleep in the arms of the wicked one--the sleep of death.

People often tell us that we can do something to enlighten our own understanding. We can unfasten the shutters, or draw back the curtains, and let in the light. Alas! unless the grace of God has reached us in its almighty power, we do not _want_ the light. Our deeds are evil, and the light that makes them manifest is hateful (see John iii. 18, 19). The thief, the murderer, the coiner of bad money, and all who are knowingly guilty of wrong-doing, love darkness, secresy, and concealment "rather than light"; and this is our "condemnation," as fallen creatures--we love the darkness, and we shun God's holy light. "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated [or estranged] from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart" (Eph. iv. 18). Such was _our_ state by nature. What are our feelings now?

Saul of Tarsus, as a Pharisee, was learned, intelligent, and moral; but how dark, how blind, he was in those days! Jesus, God's beloved Son, was the Object of his hatred. The altogether Lovely One had no beauty at all for him, and the children of God he viewed as enemies whom he felt bound to conquer and destroy. How great his darkness was--the darkness of prejudice and pride!

Chiniquy, the Romish priest, of whom some of us have heard so much, was blinded by _superstition_ for many a year, and even the light of the Bible, as he read and studied it, could not remove that darkness till God Himself said, "Let there be light," and made the night of superstitious error flee away.

Then minds are blinded as was Balaam's of old, and the Pharisees, to whom Christ said, "If ye were blind"--that is, if they had not heard His words, and seen His works (see John xv. 22, 24)--"ye had not had sin"--you would have been _comparatively_ free from blame--"but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."

They hated the light they had, and closed their eyes against it. As the proverb says, "None are so blind as those who will not see."

But "God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness [at the world's creation], hath shined in our hearts," wrote the Apostle Paul (2 Cor. iv. 6), "to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

The once blinded Pharisee could see now, and how different were all his feelings! His own righteousness was cast away. Jesus was precious to his heart, and Christians were his "own company," his beloved friends.

No darkness is too dense, no barrier too strong, for almighty grace to remove. Has the Sun of Righteousness arisen in our hearts? How may we know? Jesus tells us (John iii. 21)--"He that doeth truth cometh to the light." God is Light, and His Word is a light that makes all things manifest. It shows sin, how black it is. It reveals the hollowness of the world, the glory of Christ. It points out our dangers, our disease, our wants, and our foes; while it sets forth the remedy of all our ills, the great Refuge and Deliverer who can save unto the uttermost all who confide in Him.

Do we try ourselves by the Scriptures? Abraham compared himself to "dust and ashes"--worthless. Job said, "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee, wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job xlii. 5, 6). David, king of Israel, said, "I am poor, and needy." Are we anything like these saints of God? God says, He "will give strength to those who have no might," will "fill the hungry with good things," and for His own name's sake will bless those who feel themselves unworthy of His favour. Do these promises suit us? Are we glad that God's mercy is so free? And do we, like the Psalmist, "esteem _all_ His precepts concerning all things to be right, and hate every false way"? (Psa. cxix. 128.) If so, we are children of the light, and, while we examine ourselves, we shall pray God to search and try us, and lead us in His everlasting way.

Jesus said, "He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness" (John viii. 12), yet they who fear the Lord, and obey His beloved Servant, may, for a time, have no bright shinings on their pathway (Isa. l. 10), just as sometimes a change of wind, or some other cause, may make a sudden darkness overspread the sky. But day-darkness generally passes off again before long. So "light is sown for the righteous," and the glad harvest shall certainly be reaped, for "the path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Prov. iv. 18). The morning twilight in nature may be dim and clouded, but when once the sun has risen, the light grows clearer and brighter till noon is reached; but then it begins to decline, and evening gradually comes on. But the spiritual day _ends_ in noontide glory, the _everlasting ending_ of all sorrow, sin, and fear; and to His people the Saviour says, "Thy sun shall no more go down, for the Lord shall be thy everlasting Light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended" (Isa. lx. 20).

May He "open our eyes, that we may behold wondrous things out of His law." May the "Sun of Righteousness arise upon us, with healing in His wings," that "in His light we may see light," and follow Him who has "redeemed us from all evil" to the realms of endless day.

Our next subject will be, _God's Independence of All, and His Declared Need of Some of His Creatures_. Compare Psalm l. 12, with Matthew xxi. 3, and other passages.

Yours affectionately,
H. S. L.

THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN.

The Word of God records a potent test
By which a true possessor may be known--

The _Pharisee_ will smite his fellow's breast;
The grace-taught _publican_ will smite his own.

PRIZE ESSAY.

WHO ARE THEY THAT WILL STAND PERFECT IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT?

Those who will stand perfect in the day of judgment are those who, by the grace of God, have been enabled to trust in, and wait on, the Lord for salvation from sin and its consequences; for, by the Holy Spirit working in them, they see their sin, and feel the anger of God.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jer. xvii. 9); and, when we see and feel a little of our wickedness, we despair, and Satan begins to torment us, and say, "You are too wicked to go to heaven." But Jesus says, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out" (John vi. 37); "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. xi. 28).

Jesus says "heavy laden," showing that, no matter how wicked, how laden, His word to all those who are weary of sin, and "heavy laden" with sorrow for sin, is, "Come, and I will give you rest"--rest from Satan and his temptations, rest from the world and all its busy cares.

His rest is so different from all other, for He says, in John xiv. 27, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Those who will stand perfect are those who have been chosen by God as vessels of mercy, for Peter says, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."

Then, when sprinkled by the blood of Jesus Christ, they are perfectly free from sin; as the hymn says--

"There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;

And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains."

And this is how God's people stand before Him--

"Dear, dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed Church of God
Be saved to sin no more."

And when the final judgment is pronounced, those whose names are not recorded in the book of life will hear those awful words, "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. xxv. 41). But if our names are written in God's book of life, how sweet to hear, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. xxv. 34).

Oh, that we may be found at God's right hand, perfect in Christ's righteousness, singing and praising God through all eternity! "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father: to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev. i. 5, 6).

"But can I bear the piercing thought--
'What if my name should be left out
When Thou for them shalt call?'

"Let me among thy saints be found
Whene'er the archangel's trump shall sound,
To see Thy smiling face:
Then loudest of the crowd I'll sing,
While heaven's resounding mansions ring
With shouts of sovereign grace."

GRACE ANNIE OSMOTHERLY
(Aged 12 years).

_45, Cutmore Street, Gravesend, Kent._

[We have received many tolerably good Essays for this month, among which the following claim special notice--E. B. Knocker; Lilly Rush; Margaret Creasey; J. E. Wright; P. Rackham; Jane Bell; Florrie Rush; Claude Rush (aged 10 years); Laura Creasey; E. Wightman; E. B. West; D. Newbury; B. M. Dennis; A. M. Cray; W. E. Cray, &c.]

[The writer of the above Essay receives a copy of "The Life of John Newton."

The subject for June will be, "What Marks do the Lambs of Jesus Christ Bear?" and the prize to be given for the best Essay on that subject, a copy of "The Dairyman's Daughter." 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 May.]

KINDNESS TO ANIMALS.

The following lines are printed on a board over a watering-trough in Holloway, Bath:--

A man of kindness to his beast is kind, But brutish actions show a brutish mind. Remember, He who made thee made the brute; Who gave thee speech and reason, made him mute. He can't complain, but God's all-seeing eye Beholds thy cruelty and hears his cry. He was designed thy servant--not thy drudge. Remember his Creator is thy Judge.

HE acts but a fool's part who aims at heaven, but lives at random.

Interesting Items.

THE DEEPEST RUNNING STREAM.--The deepest running stream that is known is the Niagara river, just under the suspension bridge, where it is seven hundred feet deep by actual measurement.

SABBATH-BREAKING.--On Sunday afternoon, March 4th, at Sheffield, a little boy, whose name was Thomas Haigh, was drowned in a dam, caused by the breaking of the ice. He was sent to the Sunday School by his parents. Instead of going there, however, he and another boy went to what is known as the Little London dam. The ice was not safe, but they ventured on it, and ultimately both fell in. Haigh was drowned, and his body has not yet been discovered; the other escaped. Children, beware of disobedience and Sabbath-breaking.

GREAT SNOWSTORM IN NEW YORK.--Every one declares it to be the worst storm they have ever known. Saturday, March 10th, was a balmy, spring day. On Sunday evening some cold rain fell, changing at midnight into a freezing sleet. On Monday there was a veritable Dakota blizzard. The air was filled with snow flying before the wind at the rate of sixty miles an hour. It was impossible in the street to keep the eyes open, and almost impossible to walk. Those who did venture out of doors were to be seen clinging to trees for support against the gale, or turning breezy corners upon their hands and knees. Vehicular traffic was totally suspended. Huge snow-ploughs, drawn along the tramways by a score of horses, had to be abandoned in the streets. The tram-car drivers unhitched their teams of three horses, and left the cars wherever they happened to be. Unbroken drifts, as high as the hips, or even in some cases up to the shoulders, filled nine-tenths of the shop doors along Broadway. The storm is believed to be without a parallel. It extended all along the Hudson River and around New York.

DEATH OF THE EMPEROR WILLIAM OF GERMANY.--Berlin has been a city of mourning, and Germany a nation of grief, in consequence of the death of the Emperor William, who closed his long, eventful, and successful life in his palace there, Unter den Linden, about half-past eight a.m., March 9th. Just before he died, when Dr. Kogel, the Court chaplain, repeated to the Emperor the words of the Psalmist--"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me," the Emperor observed, "That is beautiful." His last words are said to have been those with which he replied to a question from his daughter, the Grand Duchess of Baden, as to whether he was tired, and would like to rest. "I have no time at present to be tired," responded His Majesty. Sometimes, when his thoughts were wandering, the dying monarch would think of his afflicted son and successor far away on the Mediterranean shore, and murmur, "Fritz, lieber Fritz." The Emperor was a man who acknowledged God, and God prospered his work, as in the case of the Franco-Prussian war, for instance, although many of his enemies sneered at that acknowledgment. A special funeral service was held on Saturday, the 10th ult., in the mortuary chamber of the late Emperor, at which the Dowager Empress, the Grand Duke and Duchess of Baden, the Crown Prince and Princess of Sweden, and other Royal personages were present. The deceased monarch lay in the same position as that in which he expired, having a crucifix on the breast, and holding an ivory cross in the right hand. [What Popery!]

THE BERLIN TELEGRAPH OFFICE.--Friday, March 9th, will long be remembered as the busiest day on record at the Central Telegraph Office of Berlin. The pressure was great on Thursday, when 29,878 telegrams, aggregating 799,926 words, had to be sent off. But this record, was eclipsed by the following day, no fewer than 36,615 telegrams, containing together 1,115,551 words, being despatched to all parts of the globe, and in different languages. All the Government telegraphists fit for duty had to be called in to meet the pressure, and all the available instruments were worked. It was a fortunate circumstance that the Berlin Bourse was closed, as this enabled the authorities to make use of the instruments there for the work. During the busiest hours of the day, no less than 346 telegraphists were at work at the same time in the great instrument room of the Central Telegraph Office, and 230 instruments were operated.

EPPING BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.--On Wednesday, February 1st, a lecture was delivered by Mr. William Hazelton, of College Park, Lewisham, entitled, "Wit and its Uses." The lecture was listened to with great interest. Pieces were sung by the teachers and scholars, conducted by Mr. G. Nokes. The chair was taken by Mr. C. Cottis. There was a good attendance, and collections amounted to over two pounds. On Tuesday, February 14th, the children, with their teachers and friends, had their annual tea, after which short addresses were given by the teachers, and recitations and singing by the children. The prizes, consisting of books, were then distributed by the Superintendent, Mr. William Cottis; and singing the Doxology and prayer brought a very pleasant meeting to a close.

SIDDAL, HALIFAX.--On Shrove Tuesday, the annual tea in connection with the Strict Baptist Sunday School took place, when about 160 sat down to tea. The meeting was presided over by the respected minister, Mr. D. Smith, who gave a short address on "Stealing." A few suitable recitations by the young children followed. Mr. H. E. Greenwood gave a short address on "Prizes," and said how necessary it was for young people to have something to aim at, and also on the value of a good name. Mr. James Moss, Superintendent of Hebden Bridge Sunday School, exhorted the children to obedience to their parents, and related instances where disobedience had been punished in a remarkable way. Mr. Thos. Smith, Mr. Jos. Smith, and Mr. M. H. Robinson also gave short addresses. Mr. John Smith presented the certificates for attendance and good conduct, and gave excellent counsel to the recipients. After the singing of the Doxology, a very encouraging meeting was brought to a close.

SOUTHSEA.--SALEM STREET SUNDAY SCHOOL.--The annual distribution of prizes took place on Sunday, February 12th, 1888. After the opening services, Mr. Lowe spoke to the scholars respecting regularity and punctuality, trying to impress on their minds that these things would be a good recommendation for their future life. He also gave a hint that teachers should set the example. He then spoke of love as being the mainspring to win the affections of the scholars, for if love will not, the reverse will not do so. He also spoke affectionately to the young men present. He felt surprised that they came so regularly to school. He was brought up to the Sunday School, but as he grew older, he left and sought worldly amusements; but, as he remarked, being a vessel of mercy, God sought him out in His own time. He felt there was nothing in the school to attract young men, but if they were seeking the one thing needful, they would not desire such amusements as those by which many congregations seek to draw the minds of youth. Mr. Hitchens, the Superintendent, then remarked that it was twenty years since he first became connected with the school, and that he had seen many changes during that period; but still he could say, "having obtained help of God, he had continued until the present day." Then came the distribution of prizes. One received a book about the sagacity of animals, and his teacher also gave him a Bible for his good attendance and punctuality, as he did not remember him being away once through the year. The service was ended by singing and prayer.

E. A. HITCHENS.

CIRENCESTER.--PARK STREET CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOL.--Dear Mr. Editor,--I am one of the readers of the LITTLE GLEANER. We take a lot of them in our Sunday School, and the girls and boys like them very much. I have been pleased to read about the treats which have been given at other Sunday Schools, and thinking other children like reading about such things too, I send you an account of our Christmas treat, held on January 26th. If you think it worth putting in the LITTLE GLEANER, I shall be very pleased to see it there. Ours is not a very large school, there being only about fifty; but I think it is very nice to go there. Mr. Barnard tells us that some of the ministers who give us an address tell him that ours is a very nice school, for they go to some schools where the children are not so nicely behaved and attentive as we are; but I expect we are not any better than we should be. But I must tell you about our winter treat. We have a summer outing as well. About last October, some of the lady teachers and friends who attend our chapel, knowing that the poorer children of our school would be glad of some warm clothes for the winter, got some money together and bought flannel, serge, and stockings, and had a sewing meeting every week, and made shirts, dresses, flannel petticoats, and skirts; and by Christmas time they had a big box full of all these sorts of things, which were brought and given away at our treat. The children began tea at four o'clock, after singing grace. We had a beautiful tea, and we each had an orange given us; and then, after the visitors (and we had a chapel full) had had their tea, we sang a hymn, and then our minister, Mr. Barnard, gave a nice, interesting address. Several of us recited pieces, and after some more singing and one or two other friends had spoken to us, the best part of the evening came for us children, for Mr. Barnard gave us our prizes--some beautiful books. Mine was a lovely one. Then the big box was opened, and the garments were distributed; and after a vote of thanks to the ladies, and to Mr. Barnard for presiding, the meeting was closed with prayer. I enjoyed myself very much, and I think every one else did. I have not had much practice in writing letters, as I am only a little girl, ten years old, but I have sent you the best account I can of our treat. I remain, your young friend, MERCY RISELY. P.S.--Perhaps you don't know me, but I have seen you ever so many times at our chapel.

THE JESUIT AND THE BIBLE.

There were not many passengers on board the vessel in which I was going to Belgium, which rendered our intercourse more intimate. While I was conversing with two elderly persons from Holland, I saw a respectable looking young man, passing backwards and forwards, who seemed to listen to what I said. In the afternoon, as I was seated among some bales of goods, the same young man placed himself beside me, and made some remark as to the fineness of the weather.

"Yes," I answered, "it is a proof of the goodness of God to us; but to be sensible of His goodness is a far greater blessing. Has not a Christian double cause for happiness, since all he receives comes from the hand of his Father?"

He answered, "The captain and I were just now speaking about you. The captain said he never saw any one look happier, and he thought you must have some especial cause for it. I wish, sir, I frankly confess, to be told what your secret is; for, in truth, I am not free from anxiety."

He then proceeded to relate how he had gone from place to place, in order to practise his profession as a painter, and yet all his calculations had been disappointed. He was a native of Belgium, and a Roman Catholic. "But," he added, with a sort of contempt, "all my religion has given me no consolation. What do you think is the use of all these rites and ceremonies? They are wearisome, and that is all."

"My secret," I answered, "which is not one in reality, is of a very different character. The Bible, sir, by the mercy of God, has rendered me happy, not only for this world, but, above all, for eternity. Perhaps you never read it?"

"The Bible, sir? Do you not know it is denied, and even forbidden, to us Catholics? I have heard, indeed, that some priests allow their parishioners to read it, but they are very few; and the truth is that, if any of us were to read the Bible, he would be forced to do penance, and to give the Book up to our priest. I have never read it, I own."

"Here is a part of it," I said, producing my New Testament. "This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

"The Gospel!" said the young man, with surprise. "Is it all contained in that small Book? I should never have supposed it."

"This small Book," I said, "contains, in our language, all that God has said to us by Jesus Christ, and costs only one franc" (tenpence).

"Only one franc! Is it possible? I will have one, and read it, you may be sure. I promise you, as soon as we arrive at Brussels, the first thing I do will be to get that Book."

"But, sir, you say that your priest will not allow you to read it?"

"No, sir; our Church does not permit us to do so. But if you wish to know my own views, I must say I feel sure that we are prevented from reading the Bible only because it is exactly the reverse of what our priests tell us. They say that the Bible is obscure, and not easy to be understood, and that, if they comprehend it, it is different with the common people. But I do not believe this, especially after something that happened to one of my friends, which I will tell you.

"You know, perhaps, that Belgium is full of Jesuits, and the people dislike them. A certain abbe, who was only a Jesuit in disguise, was confessor to a friend of mine, who, like many others, had been guilty of some imprudence, and he confessed it to this same priest, who imposed rather a heavy penance on him, particularly requiring him to make a rich offering to Our Lady [the Virgin Mary]. Well, on his way home, my friend met one of the colporteurs, who sell Bibles and other religious books. He bought one, and began to read it, and the result was, that he discovered, as he told me, that he must seek the forgiveness of his sins from God, through the Saviour, and that to make an offering to the Virgin for his faults was at once to lose his pains, his money, and his soul.

"Three months had passed, when the priest met my friend, and asked if he had done all he was directed, and especially, if he had made the offering. My friend answered, 'I have got a Book which has shown me that God alone forgives sin, and that to give money for a fault is to mock the Holy Spirit.' 'That is the Bible,' exclaimed the Jesuit. 'Wretched man, from whom did you get it? Unless you give it up to me this very day, woe be unto you!' My friend refused, and there is no sort of annoyance or vexation which the priest has not made him suffer. However, he was firm. But hitherto, I confess, I cared very little about the matter."

"Then," said I, "you remain in ignorance as to whether God loves you or not?"

"I am not worse than others," he replied; "and since God is good, I do not suppose He hates me."

I explained, with all simplicity and freedom, the glorious doctrine of the salvation of God in Christ, and I saw that no thirsty traveller hastens to springs in the wilderness more eagerly than this young man seemed to turn and hearken to the record of divine love. At length, with much earnestness, he cried out, "Sir, how wonderful is the love of God to man! We did not deserve that He should give His Son to die for us. This was surpassing love. The thought of it overpowers me."

"Will you not, then," I said, "read the Bible, which tells us this glorious news?"

"Be assured that I will read it," he answered. "In less than a week I will have one like that which belongs to my friend. It is twice as thick as that lady's work-box, but this one Book contains all that God has said to man; and the print is so clear."

"But if some Jesuit should see your Book, he may take it from you."

"Shall I tell you what I will do, if any one of them meddles with me?" he said. "I will read some of its excellent contents to him, and ask him what he thinks of them. Then I am sure he will not come again, unless he takes a liking to them; and then he will not hurt me."

C.

A DIVINE PROVIDENCE.

The late Mr. Edward Parsons, of Leeds, frequently supplied the pulpit of the Tabernacle, Tottenham Court Road, London.

Walking out one Monday morning, he was accosted by a stranger, who expressed a wish to accompany him. On arriving at a certain house he said, "This is my home, sir. Will you walk in and rest yourself?"

Having done so, his host told him he had a design in thus treating him, and then related the following remarkable facts:--

Many years before, himself and wife had come from Scotland to London, where, as a mechanic, he had for a time full employment; but when his work became slack, he was obliged to part with some of his furniture and take a smaller house. His circumstances growing worse, his health also failing, he was obliged to part with more of his furniture, until he found himself, wife, and family driven to reside in a wretched cellar in St. Giles'.

One day, being without food, or the means of obtaining any, he resolved the next morning to drown himself in the New River, and accordingly started to carry out his terrible intention.

It was the Sabbath morning, and as he passed through Tottenham Court Road, on his way to the New River, a little before seven o'clock, he observed a throng of people entering the Tabernacle. In a sullen mood he joined these early worshippers.

Mr. Parsons was in the pulpit, and gave out his text, which was--"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Jacob, will not forsake them" (Isa. xli. 17).

It seemed so truly for him that the poor, starving man could not help remaining through the sermon.

At its close Mr. Parsons inquired, "Have you put the God of Jacob to the test?" The poor man at once said to himself, "I have not put the God of Jacob to the test"; and consequently, with a half-resolution to do so, he returned to the miserable cellar.

There sat his wretched wife, and there were his starving children, crying for the food he could not supply. A short period of pensive sadness, and then he said to his wife, "I think we might read a chapter."

Poor woman! The remark opened up the well-spring of her heart, and she burst into tears. The thought of her early religious training at once rushed on her mind. She looked for their Bible, but it had been pawned. She, however, found part of an old copy, out of which her husband read a chapter.

"We have not put the God of Jacob to the test. Shall we pray?" said he. This more surprised the poor wife, but at once they knelt down, and did then "put the God of Jacob to the test."

Still the whole day passed without their being supplied with food. The next morning, however, the postman, who very seldom entered that poverty-stricken street, brought the man a letter from a former fellow-workman who had heard of his ill-health and loss of work. The letter contained information concerning a large firm in London which had an extensive contract, and was requiring a number of hands, and advised that he should apply to it for employment. It also contained a one-pound note as a loan, which he immediately employed in obtaining food for his family and in delivering his best coat from the pawnbroker's.

He then applied to the firm named, and obtained employment, and, being a clever workman, his services were secured for a permanency. At length he was appointed foreman, and, after a few years, was made a partner in the business, and eventually, his former master retiring, he gave up the business to him.

With grateful acknowledgments to the Lord, he then told Mr. Parsons that he had also been enabled to "put the God of Jacob to the test" with reference to the wants of his soul--that he had been led by divine grace to seek and find salvation; so that he could set to his seal that God was true, and that, "when the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, the Lord will hear them; the God of Jacob will not forsake them."

R. F. R.

TWO WAYS OF DESCENDING.

There are two ways of coming down stairs--one is, to fall from the top to the bottom; and the other is, to come down step by step; but both will take you to the bottom. So also there are two ways of reaching hell--one is, to fall into it by the committal of one great and terrible sin (comparatively few do this). The other is only too general--to go downward by the steps of _little_ sins. Beware of the treachery of _little_ sins.

E. BARNE.

COUSIN SUSAN'S NOTE-BOOK JOTTINGS ON THE LIFE AND WORK OF FATHER CHINIQUY.

DOUBLY FREED AND DOUBLY ENRICHED.

"_Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that also which is to come._"--1 TIMOTHY iv. 8.

When some notorious Canadian robbers were arrested, Chiniquy was chosen by several as their confessor, and he constantly attended the prison, instructing them, and trying to teach them how to die.

But, after all his efforts, a terrible fear that they were not converted _would_ come over his mind, and doubts of the real efficacy of Popish ceremonies to prepare a sinner to meet God troubled him so much, that he made a final attempt to rescue the doomed men after sentence of death was passed upon some of them. His tears and prayers were successful, and the Governor of Canada changed the death-doom to life-long exile in Botany Bay. They, with a number of other prisoners, were therefore transported to the penal settlement, and good Father Chiniquy gave each penitent he visited a New Testament when he took leave of them.

Forty years passed away, and Mr. Chiniquy, the Presbyterian minister, was lecturing on "Romanism," in Australia, when he saw an elegant carriage driven up to the house at which he was staying, and a venerable gentleman, alighting from it, knocked at the door. He went himself to open it, to save trouble, and the stranger asked, was Father Chiniquy there, and might he see him privately?

"As I am Father Chiniquy," was the reply, "I can at once answer that I shall feel much pleasure in granting your request."

He led the way upstairs, and, when alone, the stranger asked--

"Do you remember the thieves who were sentenced to death in Quebec, in 1837? Well, dear Father Chiniquy, I was one of those criminals.... My name was A----. God has blessed me in many ways, but it is to you, under Him, that I owe my life, and all the privileges of my present existence.... I come to bless and thank you for what you have done for me;" and, with tears of joy and gratitude, he threw himself into his benefactor's arms.

They knelt together to thank God for His mercy, and then the visitor continued his wonderful story.