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therefore we cannot unite with her. Many other reasons I might have given. Let these suffice. I know full well that in occupying this position, and saying what I have said to-night, I shall lay myself open to many charges. Men who, with honeyed words upon their lips, can manifest the real lack of charity which excludes all Nonconformists from the one fold of Christ's Church, will doubtless charge ne with being very uncharitable. Those who are members of a political Church, a Church made what it is, and continued as it is, and that cannot be altered from what it is but by political action, may call me that terrible thing, a Political Dissenter. But these things will pass unheeded by. I tell you what it is, brethren. The time has come when it is needed that we speak out. The rapid progress which this semi-popery is making amongst us calls for more earnest devoted Christian outspokenness. It seems to me as though a most determined effort is being made to induce Nonconformists, and especially Wesleyans, to amalgamate with the Church of England, One gets up and in persuasive tones declares that John Wesley lived and died not only a Churchman, but a Churchman holding the views that now distinguish the modern Ritualists, and from it the conclusion is deduced that Wesleyan Methodists ought to be Churchmen and Ritualists too. Another, not so wise and prudent perhaps, but animated with the same design, tries to frighten the Methodists into the Church, and when he cannot succeed, says, (and I give my authority for the statement: it is Mr. Barlow, J.P., a leading Methodist of Bolton, in Lancashire): "Well, your John Wesley is burning in hell, for his schism from the Church of England." Yes, depend upon it, there is a battle yet to be fought in this England of ours; a battle in which, when once it is begun, we shall have to draw the sword, and throw away the scabbard. Be it ours to be prepared for it; prepared by an intelligent apprehension of the great principles involved in the conflict; prepared by a knowledge of the skilful use of the great weapon, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God: prepared by lives of holy, unselfish devotedness, to the great cause we hold so dear; prepared by loving sympathy with him whom we delight to follow as the Captain of Salvation. So prepared, we will fight the good fight of faith, praying always with all prayer aud supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. And so fighting, we shall come off more than conquerors through him who loved us and gave himself for us.

Mission Work in Philistix.

ACTS VIII. 26-40.

REMARKABLE and immediate blessing attended the Spirit-taught and

directed preaching of the Apostle Philip in this neighbourhood, which seems to have been placed upon record to teach Christians to be always ready to make use of present circumstances in leading others directly and individually to a knowledge of their Lord and Master; and although Gaza, Askalon, Ashdod, Ekron, and many other places in the Philistine plain, are familiar to most readers of the Old Testament, yet in modern times no one seems to have taken sufficient practical interest in the spiritual welfare of its inhabitants to establish any permanent mission in the neighbourhood.

Gaza is a town of some 16,000 inhabitants, and in the surrounding districts there are sixty towns and villages; while to the south-east, along the borders of Egypt, nearly 50,000 rather lawless Arabs form their camps in about 7,000 tents. Yet in modern times no systematic effort has been made to preach the gospel to them.

This large population professes the religion of Mahomet, with the exception of a few families belonging to the Greek Church. An Evangelical School has

however been opened within the last few months at Gaza for boys, taught by a young Syrian from Antioch, and attended by some thirty-five pupils, nearly all of whom are Mahometans.

But no provision has yet been made for female education in the neigh bourhood, and another wide field is there opening up for English Christian motherliness, prudence, principle and tact. Several ladies of private means are carrying on work of this kind very successfully in different parts of Syria. A recent lady traveller well remarks: "What praise do not such devoted women deserve for the energy and self-denial they exert? Far away from their own circle of relationship, their sole wish is to raise to better things a population immersed in ignorance; but this is rendered still more affecting by their locality in a land where once shone in its fulness the grace and mercy of our God and Lord." And elsewhere: "I often think of the reproach contained in the reply of the poor Bedouin woman, who on hearing the simple principles of Gospel faith as unfolded to her by Miss W., replied, 'No one ever told us of these things.' Age had prevented her joining those she belonged to in their daily wanderings, and the hours went slowly by in awaiting their return, and the solace of their talk May God grant a blessing on those words then spoken to her, and seemingly received with a reproach that they had never reached her ears before-to be a consolation and a hope which would bear her above her trials of dreary solitude! This reproach causes a fearful responsi bility to rest upon ourselves." See "A Lady's Ride through Palestine and Syria." S. W. Partridge & Co., 1872.

Oh! that some large-hearted, true, godly women, with means at their com mand, might but hear their Master saying, "This is your place: cultivate Gaza for me!" Trained native female teachers, with some knowledge of English, may be obtained from Jerusalem and Beyrout, who may be employed in school work and visitation.

Procrastinating hopelessness has paralysed many of our efforts for Pales tine, although 1840 years ago, He, who came from heaven to preach glad tidings to the poor of this very land which he claims as his own, commanded his disciples to look for immediate results to their work of faith and labour of love, saying, "Say not ye, there are yet four months unto the harvest; for I say unto you, LIFT UP YOUR EYES, AND LOOK ON THE FIELDS; FOR THEY ARE WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he would thrust forth more labourers into his harvest."

An English missionary would be quite safe at Gaza, but should have a native catechist to work with him. Three Englishmen have resided at Gaza for eight years, in charge of the telegraph between Alexandria and Constantinople, who are friendly to mission work. They report that they have found the town healthy, though rather hot in the height of summer for two or three months, when they usually sleep in tents near the sea. But, doubtless, as elsewhere, some more satisfactory way of securing ventilation may be discovered. Provisions are good and cheap, house rents low, and necessary expenses about half what they are in any ordinary English town at present.

W. D. Pritchett, Esq., of Bishop's Stortford, on whose heart has been laid the soul needs of Gaza, has been, for the last four years, travelling as a volunteer distributor of the Arabic Scriptures, through the less known camps and corners of the land, beyond Jordan, from Damascus southwards into Egypt, through the ancient kingdoms of Og and Bashan with their many ruined cities, and in the wild countries of the Ammonites, the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines. By one who has had ample opportunity of observation, he is said to be one of the best practical economists in money matters; and his own services in the proposed Gaza mission will continue to be gratuitous.

His proposed coadjutor says, "I know the people sufficiently well, together

with their habits and customs, to feel quite at home with them. Not having experienced a day's illness during the three years and a half I have spent in Syria, and having laboured among the people with an acceptance that is in every way encouraging, the path that Providence has planned for me is not to be mistaken."

Help for the GAZA MISSION may be sent to the care of Messrs. H. Gaze & Sons, Tourist Directors, 142, Strand, London.

Reviews.

John Ploughman's Talk. Passmore and Alabaster.

OUR friend" John Ploughman" has now become the familiar acquaintance and counsellor of a vast host. His book has just reached one hundred and ninety thousand, and the sale is still brisk. It has been translated into Dutch and Swedish, and has had a large circulation in those languages: it has also been republished in the United States. It has been the lot of few writings in modern times to be so widely sold; we trust its homely precepts and plain speech will do good among the people for whom it was written.

What we saw in Egypt. Profusely Illustrated. Religious Tract Society. A CHEERFUL, chatty account of Egyptian ways and wonders. As you read it you seem to be listening to the late experiences of some friends of your own, and you are thus led to feel an unusual interest in the adventures related. These are common-place enough certainly, in these days of travel, yet the book has a freshness about it which will secure its being read by young people, and they cannot fail to derive instruction as well as pleasure from its perusal.

Uncle Max, the Soldier of the Cross. A German Tale. By Mrs. GEORGE GLADSTONE. Religious Tract Society. A LITTLE story about cross-bearing. "Uncle Max" is a deformed cripple, and, like all such afflicted ones, is tenderly sensitive to scornful or contemptuous remarks upon his personal appearance. As a true soldier of the cross, however, he learns “to suffer and be strong in the strength of Christ." The story is very interesting, and the various characters sketched are life-like and instructive.

The Captives. By EMMA LESLIE. Sunday School Union.

This

ANOTHER tale by Emma Leslie. time the scene is laid among the ancient Britons, at the time of the Roman dominion and the uprise of Christianity. The authoress always tries to impress the youthful mind with right principles.

The Kindling Fire Counsels for Young

Christians. By P. W. DARNTON,
B.A. James Clarke and Co.

A LITTLE book, but a wise one. Young believers are honestly admonished and earnestly instructed by Mr. Darnton in the duties required of them as followers of Jesus, and members of his visible church on earth. The treatise is so very small that it is likely to be read, and is also the more likely to be circulated among the class needing such counsels.

The Inner Circle; a Memoir of Helena Maud Stephens. G. J. STEVENSON.

A LITTLE memorial of a young Welsh girl who by faith entered into the higher life. It is a pleasing account, and deserves to be read by all young people who desire to know the highest joys of the life of faith. It costs only twopence.

Hayslope Grange; a Tale of the Civil

War. By EMMA LESLIE. Sunday
School Union.

HANDSOMELY bound, tastefully illustrated, and interesting and profitable in matter. The hero of the story sides with the Parliament and the Puritan party from motives of patriotism, and is therefore banished from the Grange by his father, who is a sturdy Royalist. His sufferings for principles are at length rewarded, and the story winds up most happily.

English Medieval Romanism. By the Rev. HENRY J. ALCOCK, M.A. James Miller, Berners Street.

66

THE design of this book is to show what Romanism now is by what it once was. This would be an unfair argument but for the fact that Romanism everywhere and at all times is essentially the same. It can put on different appearances, indeed, according to times and circumstances, but that is one of its essential characteristics. Its claims are unaltered, and it has never disavowed any of its former principles and decrees. Its portrait is here taken from its full-grown age, prior to the Reformation, and chiefly in the light of its own documents, by which the greatest fidelity of description is secured. It is a moral likeness, rather than doctrinal or political, and that in which Romanism is least known. Nor is it the moral, or rather immoral, influence of its teaching upon the people, so much as upon the teachers themselves, that is here exposed to view. And if it be now what it ever was, and the same effects may be expected from the same causes, what a fearful insight is given into the innermost recesses of the whole system. By their fruits ye shall know them." There is no need for Romanism to be tried by any other test than this. As moral truth advances, it inust decline. We have no fear, therefore, of its gaining a second empire. We agree with our author when he says:-"I do not hold the gloomy views of many men infinitely wiser than myself respecting the present state of things. The Bible Society has done its glorious work too effectually to permit the return of a national Romanism, whatever may be the oversights of men in power. The snug little talks of Dr. Manning and his button-holing members of the aristocracy, who never had the advantage of a scriptural education in their youth, has produced, and yet may produce, great evil. But the heart of the middle classes, the true strength of the country, is sound, and in my opinion the middle classes will take care that matters do not pass a certain limit." Certainly, if Romanism, which has always grown better in darkness than in light, can rise to its former dimensions with the Bible in the hands

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Jesus, his Life and Work, as narrated by the Four Evangelists. By HoWARD CROSBY. Henry Heath, No. 110, William-street, New York.

THIS is an elegant volume, with good type, and well-executed engravings. The principal incidents in the life of Jesus are carefully arranged, and faithfully narrated. It is more, however, a life of Jesus of Nazareth than of the Christ of God. It is more moral than doctrinal, more sentimental than spiritual. There is less of his teaching than of the circumstances by which it was suggested. Many find their highest religious exercises in the contemplation of the life of Christ; we prefer to view it as part of the great scheme of redemption, and preparatory to the great central truth of his atoning death. The facts of the life of Christ should not be considered, we think, apart from their design. They are recorded, not as mere matters of history, but as vital and unchangeable truths. We should like to have seen more of this, amidst much that is devout, instructive and good.

Ethel's Strange Legacy. By Mrs. CLARA

LUCAS BALFOUR. S. S. Society. A VERY improbable story, of which we fail to see the moral. It is the old affair of a queer lodger turning out to be a rich uncle, and saving a distressed family.

Little Books by John Bunyan. Grace abounding to the chief of sinners. Blackie and Sons.

MANY times have we read this remark able autobiography of John Bunyan. It is calculated to be a great blessing to those who are sorely tempted, especially while they are seeking peace by Jesus Christ. The charming simplicity and deep sincerity of the narrative hold you bound as in a spell, and to those who have been in the same distress it will be eminently consolatory.

The Holy Bible, with Explanatory | Notes, References, and a condensed Concordance. Illustrated with more than Nine Hundred highly-finished Engravings. Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, London and New York. A MARVELLOUs book, crowded with illustrations, and those of the best kind. It bears the palm as a Family Bible. The artistic talent displayed in the engravings must have cost the spirited publishers an immense sum, and we wonder how they can afford to sell the work at the price at which they offer it. There are notes to it, but the illus trations are the grand feature, and they are incomparable. This is the Bible which we select to give as a present to newly-married couples, and we would give every wedded pair a copy if our purse were but long enough.

Matthew Henry's Commentary: in Nine handsome Volumes. Nisbet and Co. THIS is a noble edition of Matthew Henry, in large type, and beautifully bound. It is out of sight the cheapest edition published. No words are needed from us as to the value of Matthew Henry's work; it is still the best commentary in the English language for general readers, and he who studies it will see new beauties in the sacred word. If every other book must be taken from us but one, we would hold on to Matthew Henry's Bible to the last. Students who apply to us and send a stamped envelope for reply, shall Ibe put in the way of getting it at the lowest rates.

Eda May; or, the Twin Roses. By A.

D. BINFIELD. Sunday School Union. A NICE book for little girls. The contrast between a spoilt and selfish child, and a dear, self-denying little maiden, is for ibly shown, but it is a pity that the excellence commended is made to appear more as a natural amiability than as the work of the Spirit of God in the heart.

475

Four Lectures delivered at the Town
Hall, Folkestone, by Rev. William
Sampson, upon the Ritualistic Contro-
versy. Simpkin, Marshall and Co.
Price 3d.

THESE lectures are trenchant blows from a well-wielded hammer. If there were a Sampson in every town, there would soon be wailing in the temples of will need to invoke the help of Saint the Philistines. The Folkestone priest Michael and all angels, especially those from below; for his hold upon the same part of the population must be terribly remarkable for the absence of all bittershaken. Mr. Sampson's lectures are ness, and the presence of great earnestness he is at once courteous and courageous; he smites terribly but not unfairly. We can hardly wish ** more power to his arm," but we congratulate and thank him most heartily. May his shadow never be less." We have made an extract, which will be found on another page of this month's magazine.

Arthur's Victory. By A. E. WARD.
Sunday School Union.

A VERY good and pleasant story. Arthur
passes through the vexations and annoy-
ances of school life into the greater
trials and temptations of the world of
business; and, though these last are
many, and very bitter, he is sustained by
faith in Christ, and at last is more than
conqueror through him that loved him.

Loser and Gainer. By SARAH DOUDNEY.
Sunday School Union.

ing. That all "sin brings sorrow," is
A VERY pleasant tale, full of good teach-
proved beyond a doubt in the sad expe-
rience of the hero and heroine of this
story. They sin and suffer, but happily
they repent and are forgiven. The
young reader is never for a moment left
in doubt as to where he must look for
help to walk in the more excellent
way."

Notes.

THE Annual Meeting of the Orphanage was a joyful occasion, and the amounts brought in sufficed to float the Institution, nor into very deep water or large funds,

but into a sufficiency for a few weeks. For the rest, the Lord will provide. We owe many thanks to donors of goods and books, and if any are omitted from the

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