bidding the brook will overflow its banks in an incredibly short time; we are therefore under no concern. At the same time, it is our duty to report our condition to our friends. The seaside months are always the worst for all our funds, for while they are taking rest away from home the most thoughtful are apt to forget the demands of charity; we would therefore suggest to our readers that, whether they are at home, or on the sands, or among the heather, they should say to themselves, "There is Spurgeon with more than two hundred orphans around him, and his stock is running short; I must aid him, for he has quite enough to do to manage so many institutions, without having to look out for funds."

Our friend John Ploughman requests us to give notice that he is preparing his Penny Sheet Almanack, and hopes to have the patronage of our readers. We decline to say much by way of recommendation, for we know Mr. Ploughman too well to praise him; but we hope our readers will examine his Almanack for themselves.

The Interpreter has now reached its ninth part, and we thank those friends who have encouraged us by their high encomiums. We are doing our best, and are glad that our work is valued by those for whom it is intended. We wish their number had been greater.

The Jubilee Singers had a grand reception at the Tabernacle, every inch of available space being occupied, and hundreds being turned away from the doors for want of room. The melodies which in the bad old times were the favourites of the poor slave were rendered by our emancipated friends in a manner altogether unique; we have never heard anything like it; it was pure nature untrammeled by rule, pouring forth its notes as freely as the wild birds in spring. The people were charmed. Our intercourse with the choir was a very pleasant one: we were struck with their simple, earnest, child-like piety. They are travelling for a noble object, they deserve the help of all Christian men, and wherever they go we hope they will obtain a hearty welcome. They cleared about £220 for their University buildings by their one effort at the Tabernacle.

The students of the college have reassembled, and are all happily labouring at their studies. Our venerable tutor, Mr. George Rogers, celebrated his golden wedding, Aug. 28, amid the hearty love of us all. Few such men are to be found. Patriarchal in age, but juvenile in spirit, full of wisdom and free to dispense it, living to do good, and doing it abundantly.

Under God's blessing this eminent man has been the cornerstone of our College from its commencement, and at an advanced age remains so, being blessed with unabated energy, and enjoying the unbounded esteem and love of us all. We know of no better living specimen of the old-fashioned Nonconformist; he is essentially Puritanic, both in theology and spirit; and, though an Independent, he no more resembles a modern Congregationalist than cheese resembles chalk. It was a happy circumstance which brought him under our eye, a still happier providence has continued his life and vigour to this time, and the happiest fact of all is that he and his excellent wife are both among us in peace. At the time we write we hear that the young men of the College are getting up a presentation, which will have been made before this month's magazine is in our readers' hands. All honour to our vener able friend.

Messrs. Brass have obtained the contract for our new College buildings, at the estimate of £9,200; the land will cost £1,200 more; and after allowing for fittings, purchase of library, architect, extras, and so on, we have need of about £5,000, or rather less. For this we are asking in that quarter which has never failed us, and never will. "The silver and the gold are mine," saith the Lord of hosts. The house is purely for the service of God, in the training of young ministers, and we feel sure that he will provide for his own household. He will issue his royal orders to certain of his stewards, and they will hand out the precious metal from the treasury.

On the 21st of August the boys of the Orphanage had a treat at our friend Mr. Priest's farm, Lower Morden. This faithful lover of the orphans received the children; friends from Melton Mowbray supplied the pies (alas, our beloved helper, Mr. Tebbut, has gone home), and Mr. Dougharty carried all the party in his vans. All these friends deserve our warmest gratitude, and we hereby render them our best thanks.

Mr. Dobson, of our College, has settled over the Baptist church at Deal. We hope that our friends who visit that quiet watering-place will encourage him.

Having lately visited Eastbourne, we are pleased at the healthy appearance of the work in the Iron Chapel, under Mr. Babbington. The friends will have uphill work for a while, but the town is growing, and when the debt is somewhat reduced the church will be in prosperous circumstances. How we wish that persons

with means who visit this delightful town would aid the struggling church. The same remark may be made in reference to Ventnor, where a chapel is most pressingly needed by the friends who have gathered around Mr. Wilkinson.

Mr. Marsden, of our College, will settle at Mansfield. Mr. Buckingham has removed from Belfast to Bannoxtown. Mr. Ward, of Rye, has sailed for America.

We are expecting a visit from our friend Mr. McKinney, who has settled in the United States.

Mr. Groombridge has written us a most encouraging letter from Chin-Kiang; we trust that he may have many years of successful labour among the Chinese.

Mr. Rolls has had a hearty recognition at Bushey, at which Mr. Rogers presided, and the other tutors, and Mr. Medhurst assisted. We look for great results at Bushey from Mr. Rolls's earnest work.

Our venerable friend, Mr. Cornelius Elven, of Bury St. Edmunds, has closed his long and useful life. He had completed

an honourable ministry of fifty years in his native town, and passed away amid the respectful regrets of all the inhabitants and the deep affection of his church. He was a man of large and loving heart, with a vivacious mind and interesting manner of utterance. He was our friend in our youth, and preached for us in London in after days. He used with a merry laugh to tell the story of a lady who came to hear us at New Park Street, but putting her head inside the door, and seeing the vast form of Cornelius Elven, she retreated, exclaiming, “No, no, the man has too much of the flesh about him, I cannot hear him." Peace to his memory. We weave no fading wreath for his tomb, but we catch the gleaming of that immortal crown which the Master has placed upon his brow. He was a good man, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.

Baptisms at Metropolitan Tabernacle by Mr J. T. Wigner:-July 21st, ten; by Mr. J. A. Spurgeon:-July 28th, ten; July 31st, twenty-seven.

Per Mr. Davis

Two Christians (Colombo) D. J. L.

Mr. D. Tolmie

Mr. L. McIntoch

M. G....

A Friend (Dover)

A Friend, per Mr. C. Pedley

Mrs. Snell

220

Mr. Vickery

0 10 0

0 120

500

Weekly Offerings at Tab., July 20 30 29

27 30 29

Mrs. Harris...

Mrs. Lambert

Profit of Excursion of Bible Classes

0 5 0 050

6 12 6