you carry halfpence in your purse, to make believe with. A capital plan that," he continued, addressing their companion, who had hitherto been silent; "a good plan that, Ambrose."

But Herbert disclaimed such a practice. There was money in his purse, he said; but it was not his own. He had received it that afternoon from his employer, to pay a tradesman who lived near his lodgings. He ought to have called with it the same evening; but it would be too late now, and he must do it the first thing to-morrow.

They

His two companions winked significantly at each other; but said nothing. presently called for more wine, and took care to ply the infatuated youth with fresh bumpers, until his cares and his reason were alike for a time drowned. It was the first time Herbert had been really intoxicated; but not the first time, by many, that he had looked "upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright" (Prov. xxiii. 31).

Of the rest of the proceedings of that evening Herbert had but a very imperfect and confused recollection, when, at an hour past midnight, he was led by his friends to his lodgings, and laid his throbbing head on his pillow. In the morning, with returning consciousness came that sinking of spirits which belongs pre-eminently to the drunkard, and that dread of consequences which no bravado can beat off from the conscience of the evil doer. He first, instinctively almost, felt in his pocket for his purse. It was there safe. He pulled it out, and counted its contents. Wonderful! So far from being diminished, it contained more by several pounds than on the preceding evening. Herbert sat down and pondered. He had an indistinct remembrance of reeling from the tavern, accompanied by his two boon companions; of passing along two or three well-known streets, and then being led unresistingly up a dark passage which he had never before explored. Then he recollected something of a large room, brilliantly lighted, and crowded with guests, who seemed inclined to dispute his entrance until he was introduced in form by one of his friends. rattling of dice, the sharp exclamations of the players, the muttered oaths of the losers, with many other kindred circumstances, convinced Herbert that he had spent some time in a gaming house; that

The

he had lent money-not his own-to his friends; that he had staked it on his own account, and, strange to say, had won! These conjectures were confirmed beyond question when, as he was proceeding to his employer's counting-house, he met one of his last night's companions, who congratulated him on their mutual good luck, and proposed an early repetition of the visit. Poor Herbert !

In a small village in the south of England, is a neat cottage, inhabited by an aged couple, who are said to have seen better days, and by a middle-aged mantheir son. Deep lines of sorrow are marked on all their countenances; but on that of the son, there are also strong indications of premature old age. Little communication passes between the villagers and these strangers; but there are sharp ears, nevertheless, which have heard, and busy tongues which do not hesitate to whisper, the following tale :

"The old folks," say they, "were well to do in the world once, far away from here; and their son was sent to London to be a merchant. But he went on very badly, and was turned out of one or two situations; and at last was caught robbing his master -such a drunken, extravagant, gambling, dishonest fellow he became. So he was tried, and transported across the seas for fourteen years, though his poor father begged hard for him to he forgiven, and would have parted with all he had, so that his son might not be exposed and punished. Then things went badly with the old man: he lost heart, and came almost to ruin, only that he had an annuity, or something of that sort, coming in, that could not be touched. So they sold off everything, and came to live here; and when their good-for-nothing son came home from transportation, they brought him down here too. And oh, to see how kindly they treat him!"

This is the village story; and it is nearer the truth than many village stories are. That returned convict is Herbert-the boy who could not bear to be laughed at-who had not the courage to say "No!"

Dear young readers, be warned by this example, and "let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Never fear to be singular-never dread the mockery of the foolish and sinful, because you will not go in their ways. It is better, far better, to

be laughed to scorn by men, than to be frowned upon by God: and He has said, "Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished;" that "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck,

shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" and that "As righteousness tendeth to LIFE: so he that persueth evil pursueth it unto his own DEATH," Prov. xxix. 1; xi. 19-21.

MRS. S. LOCKWOOD,

OP COWBERSLY, NEAR HUDDERSField. The length of a christian's life ought not to be measured always by the number of years which he is privileged to spend in connexion with the christian church, but by the advancement which he makes in piety, and the amount of spiritual good which he is the means of accomplishing. If we measure life by months and years, the religious career of Mrs. Lockwood was comparatively short: though short, however, it was characterized by pious consis. tency, and a uniform, deep, and practical, though noiseless, solicitude for the furtherance of the cause of Christ.

She was first brought to the knowledge of Christ, by the Divine blessing upon the labours of the Rev. W. Colcroft, in the year 1840, and was the same year baptized and added to the church at Golcar, over which Mr. C. was then the pastor. Shortly after her union with this church, a church was formed at Milns-Bridge; and as it afforded her, on account of the shortness of the disstance, an opportunity of worshipping God and meeting with his people more frequently, she immediately sought fellowship with the newly-formed church, in connexion with which she remained to the end of life, a pious and useful member.

The writer could enlarge upon her exemplary and uniform kindness to her pastors, her love to the house of God,-her scrupulous observance of family devotion,her close study of the Bible,-the peacefulness of her disposition,-and the modest humility which invariably characterized her movements, but it would give greater length to our sketch than the pages of this Magazine can allow.

During the last few years of her life, she was called to pass through a succession of heavy and painful afflictions. She was the mother of nine children, the eldest of whom was a clever and amiable daughter, who at all times, but especially during Mrs. L.'s

afflictions, was a great help and comfort. In the autumn of 1846, this comfort was taken from her by the hand of death. About the same time, the family was thrown into distress of mind by the loss of a large sum of money, which was the fruit of their own careful industry. In the Spring of 1847, her husband, after a protracted illness, also died, leaving her a widow with eight young children. At the time of her husband's interment, she was so ill as not to be able to leave her bed, and though occasionally relieved and able to attend the house of God, yet she was never afterwards really well, but often extremely afflicted.

It would be no credit to any christian if, under such visitations, he did not feel. Trials are sent to be felt, and our departed sister felt her's, and felt them keenly; but, in the midst of them all, her piety supplied her with a peaceful fortitude. She regarded them as the wise arrangements of her heavenly Father; and though the writer visited her very frequently, he does not remember that she ever uttered a single murmur. During her last hours, she evinced a deep concern about the welfare of her eight children, who were shortly to be left in a state of orphanage; but after calling them to her bedside, and instructing them how to proceed in the management of the house, and giving them the most solemn admonitions, she meekly surrendered them to the "Father of the fatherless."

Through the whole of her life she was a woman of few words, and she sustained this character even in the hour of death. She said but little, and that little contained nothing approaching the rapturous. But she was much in silent, ejaculatory prayer, and she manifested a firm but lowly confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. And on the evening of Lord's-day, September the 2nd, 1849, in the most patient, and prayerful, and hopeful state of mind, she fell asleep in Jesus, aged 44 years. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."

BE NOT WEARY.-When Mr. Whitefield was last in America, he one day dined, with Mr. Tennent and other ministers, at a gentieman's house. After dinner, Mr. Whitefield adverted to the difficulties attending the gospel ministry; lamented that all their zeal availed but little; said that he was weary with the burdens of the day; declared his great consolation that in a short time his work would be done, when he should depart and be with Christ: he then appealed to the ministers if it was not their great comfort that they should go to rest. They generally assented except Mr. Tennent, who sat next to Mr Whitefield in silence, and by his countenance discovered but little pleasure in the conversation. On which Mr. Whitefield, tapping him on the knee, said, "Well, brother Tennent, you are the oldest man among us, do you not rejoice to think that your time is so near at hand, when you will be called home?" Mr. Tennent bluntly answered, "I have no wish about it." Mr. Whitefield pressed him again; Mr. Tennent again answered, “No, sir, it is no pleasure to me at all; and if you knew your duty, it would be none to you. I have nothing to do with death; my business is to live as long as I can as well as I can-and serve my Master as faithfully as I can, until he shall think proper to call me home." Mr. Whitefield still urged for an explicit answer to his question, in case the time of death were left to his own choice. Mr. Tennent replied, "I have no choice about it; I am God's servant, and have engaged to do his business as long as he pleases to continue me therein. But now, brother, let me ask you a question. What do you think I would say, if I was to send my man into the field to plough; and if at noon I should go to the field, and find him lounging under a tree, and complaining, 'Master, the sun is very hot, and the ploughing hard; I am weary of the work you have

appointed me, and am overdone with the heat and burden of the day. Do, master, let me return home, and be discharged from this hard service?' What would I say? why, that he was a lazy fellow, that it was his business to do the work that I had appointed him, until I should think fit to call him home."

CHRIST THE TRUE BENEFACTOR.- Various are the dispositions of men, and men follow them without enquiring whether they are good or evil. Sometimes, it is true, is one to be found whose inclination is to do good; but of those who are thus kind, the benevolence is rarely under the direction of the Law of Right. In conferring a benefit on his fellow, man generally leaves unconsidered, the possibility of transgressing the law of God. A deed of benevolence, it is true, is consistent with truthfulness; but with men generally, this is only an accidental, not a much-desired characteristic of such deeds. The world's good men are generous rather than just: they love their fellows, not God; and so their deeds are kind, not pure. Such was not the Lord Jesus Christ. His chief object was, in his his love to men, to glorify his Father. Consequently, the law of his Father was the instrument he used wherewith to bless men. He was full of grace, or active love to man; but the only manner in which he would be gracious, was by putting a new law into their hearts: the Law of God-the Law of Truth. It was an entire changing of the nature of a man, a regeneration of him, to induce him to enquire first of all, "What will God have me to do-what is right that I should do." This mode of blessing mankind characterizes every lesson and every deed recorded of Christ. The Law of Truth was on his lips and in his heart; he was full of grace-he was also full of truth!

ANTI-STATE-CHURCH ASSOCIATION.

On the 6th of February, a Meeting of the Council of this Association was held, preliminary to the Triennial Conference, for revising the constitution, which is to be held this year. It was, of course, purely a business meeting. The arrangements made will be found stated in an advertisement on

our last page. We trust that our own Denomination will sustain its Anti-StateChurch reputation by a vigorous representation. The Triennial Conference was arranged to prevent the Association becoming a clique, or self-elected corporation, and has perfectly answered that purpose. There is not a movement of the day more important

to sustain than this. God is, apparently, in his providence, hastening the issue. Mr. Noel's secession, the Bishop of Exeter's proceedings, the abominations of the Ecclesiastical commission, the grasping obstructive character of the Church,-indeed, innumerable circumstances are combining with the Association to open men's eyes to the monstrous absurdity of a State - Church. We believe the time to be rapidly hastening when the mass of good men will wonder how their fathers could have thought a State-Church a more reasonable expression than a Round-Square; or how their piety could put up with civil force, or civil patronage, or civil superiority, in the church of the living God.

YOUNG MEN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

The committee of this important auxiliary to the Baptist Missionary Society, have held, during the winter months, numerous juvenile meetings in London, the object of which has been to create a deep conviction amongst the young of the misery of the heathen, to promote systematic and intelligent effort, and to cultivate and draw forth a missionary spirit. Many of these meetings have been of the most interesting and important kind, and have been each attended by between 500 and 600 young persons. In addition to these meetings, at most of which dissolving views were exhibited, lectures on various subjects connected with christian missions have been delivered monthly in the Mission-house, by the Revs. W. Brock, John Aldis, J. B. Brown, B. A., and D. Katterns, all of which were very numerously attended. The results of these meetings have been peculiarly cheering, and we cannot but indulge the hope, that many Sunday school teachers and other youthful Christians have retired from them with increased thoughtfulness, and with increased desires to further the great work of christian missions. In order to encourage Sunday school children in their efforts to benefit the heathen, the Young Men's committee published 10,000 copies of a little work, entitled "The Heathen World," by Mr. G. E. Sargent of Eyethorne, a copy of which they presented to each scholar connected with the Baptist chapels in London. At most of the schools a missionary prayer-meeting was held on the first Sabbath afternoon in the year, at the close of which the books were presented by the superintendents. We have much pleasure in adding, that such an interest is now being excited amongst the young, that we cherish the hope that the 150 day and Sunday schools connected with the various Baptist Missionary stations will, at no distant date, be entirely supported by the children in our schools. A contribution of a farthing per week from each scholar would more than effect the object.

RESIGNATION. NEW-PARK-STREET, LONDON.

Our valued and ever punctual correspondent, Mr. James Smith, has been obliged to resign his charge in London, in consequence of threatened danger to his lungs; the air of London, according to the united testimony of different medical men, will not allow him to preach there longer with safety. Mr. Smith's general health is excellent, he never having been laid aside from pulpit duties for one single Lord's-day since commencing them in 1826; but he must seek some drier and less relaxing atmosphere. Our brother has been greatly blessed at New-Park-Street, aud the separation will be painfully felt on both sides; but Providence requires it. Mr. Smith continues his labours there till Midsummer, having, at present, no place in prospect. All our readers know Mr. Smith as a preacher, his very acceptable contributions being a fac-simile of his preaching. We

shall be thankful to hear of his being guided to some important sphere of usefulness.

SHEPPARD'S BARTON, FROME.

This chapel, erected in 1707, having been for some years falling into decay, became at length unsafe, and, as increased accommo-. dation was desired, it was taken down, rebuilt, and considerably enlarged. The new edifice was opened on Thursday, the 7th of Feb., by the Revs. W. Jay of Bath, and James Hamilton of London. Dinner and tea were gratuitously provided for visiters, of which a hundred partook. After dinner, a very interesting narrative of the early history of the church, compiled from the old church books by John Sheppard, Esq. senior deacon, was read; and addresses were delivered by the Revs. Jas. Hamilton, C. J. Middleditch, Chas. Stanford, J. Sprigg, A.M., and R. Morris of Clifton. On the following Sabbath, sermons were preached, in the morning, by Dr. Murch, formerly associated with John Foster as pastor of the church, and subsequently president of Stepney College; and in the evening, by Mr. S. Manning, the present pastor. The collections amounted to about £50.

ENLARGEMENT OF THE BAPTIST CHAPEL,
WILLENHALL, STAFFORDSHIRE.

On Wednesday, Dec. 26th, 1849, a tea meeting was held in the National School in this town, kindly lent for the occasion by the Rev. G. H. Fisher, M.A., the incumbent of the parish. The room was tastefully decorated, and between four and five hundred occupied the tables. After tea, Mr. E. Jones, the minister of the above place of worship, took the chair. On the platform were the Revs. R. Davis and Watson Smith (Independents), J. Voller, J. Williams, D. Wright, T. E. Mycherly, and J. Davis. After appropriate and impressive addresses, a subscription was started upon the spot, and proceeded with great spirit, until it reached the handsome sum of £190. The inconvenient crowding into this place of worship has rendered this step imperative. The enlargement will furnish additional sittings for about two hundred persons; the estimated cost is about £400.

THRISSELL-STREET, BRISTOL.

Mr. Robt. Tubbs, late of Ashdon, Essex, having accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the Baptist church, ThrissellStreet, Bristol, entered upon his labours there the first Sabbath in January.

YORK-STREET CHAPEL, MANCHESTER,

The church meeting in the above place, have very cordially invited Mr. Richard Chenery, late of Ipswich, to the pastoral office among them. He has accepted the invitation, and entered upon his labours with the commencement of the year.

BOOTLE, LANCASHIRE.

Mr. D. Joseph, of Horton College, Bradford, has just accepted an unanimous and cordial invitation to the pastorate of the church at Bootle.