be that so much good 'seed of the kingdom' should perish!"

The success of these pioneers was as the source of a great river, as a spring forming the rivulet, which in its onward flow gathers volume and force from many other springs and brooks, until its streams fertilize its course and beautify the landscape, in its widening progress to the distant sea. They were reappointed at the opening of the Palace, with six other members of the City Mission staff, and instructed to do good by every means in their power to the people approaching and leaving its attractive display; and also to aid foreign brethren whose endeavour it was to extend the blessings of Christian instruction to strangers from many nations.

Their posts of duty were chiefly in the Park, and we can bear witness to its peculiar interest. It may to some appear a small matter to distribute little books and handbills with a liberal hand, and to converse with all comers; but to do this wisely requires tact, temper, and moral courage, with much information and readiness of reply. A gentleman, for instance, upon leaving the building, accepted the tract, "A Walk though the Crystal Palace," and after glancing at the first page, tore it in pieces, with an angry remark to the giver. "You ought to have treated that tract as you have the Exhibition," was the cool reply-" have gone through it, before forming an opinion as to its contents." "It's all lies," was the retort. "One thing is certainly true," answered the

CONVINCED AND RECLAIMED.

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distributor, "it states that the Palace is open; so there is one truth in it, and others of its statements are equally capable of proof." "What! the supernatural in the Bible true when the book itself is based on scientific and historic falsities?" "Yes," was the firm reply, "logically, and if you please experimentally true. Come let us seat ourselves under yonder tree, and I will do battle with your difficulties." The offer was accepted, and for more than an hour the conversation deepened in interest, especially when it was made clear that the omnipotence of Jehovah was pledged to the keeping of His promise, "I will put my Spirit within you, and write my laws upon your heart."

After parting from the gentleman, who had arranged for another conversation, an illustrated paper was offered to a young man, the Newgate cut of whose hair indicated his character. "Thank 'ee, mister," was the civil utterance; "likes pictures; don't read nuffin; niver was taught larnin' in all me life." "Do you ever go to church?" "No, sir, niver in me life; only three weeks, when I was in jail. I em out now, a-trying to take summut; wants a feed and a place this 'ere night." 'I can send you to a Refuge if you would like to be good. God is angry with the wicked." A look and a spring

of delight gave effect to his exclamation, "Do, gov'nor, do; I wants to be good." An address was written on a card, he went at once with it and was received.

One of a large group of foreigners accepted the tract, “Le Chemin du Salut,” and all turned back to ask One of them in broken English enquired,

for more.

'Is it Protestant? Is it Catholic?" "It is the old and true Christian religion," was the reply. After speaking with his friends, he said thoughtfully, “This country was catholic, one bad king did make it Protestant." The answer was instantly given: "I know the king you mean, he was a catholic, he did quarrel with the Pope. The Pope did give him a great title and honour. He died a catholic. He did not write this book I take from my pocket which is the religion of England. It is in French; I will give it to you; then you will know our religion." The Testament was accepted, and with polite expressions they passed on.

Quite a company of shopmates, pianoforte makers, next gathered round the evangelist, fairly seizing the tracts. "You would soon give up this business, young fellow," remarked one of them, “if you read the books I have at home." "That if," was the prompt reply, "is the difficulty; I might not do so." "Why not? you should read everything." "Well, then I might read a bit of each and throw them aside. Let me ask you this question: If you invited me to dinner and gave me bad meat or cheese would you expect me to go on eating?" "You would be a fool if you did," he replied. "And a greater fool still," was the earnest retort, "if I corrupted my mind and heart by reading bad books. It is written

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here (producing his pocket Bible), 'Thy words,' the words of God, 'are pure, making wise the simple.' Read them and you will increase in wisdom and goodness." "Capital!" exclaimed several, and one of them offering his hand said, "I hope, sir, you have done my friend good; his books are all about the rights of man and the wrongs of the Bible."

"You gentlemen are as wayposts," observed a lady who returned the tract, "Glad Tidings for all People." "I received one of these at the other side of the Park, and think the teaching excellent." Well, the lady was right, as these "wayposts" pointed many to the highway of holiness which leads to the celestial city.

Among the multitudes which passed in unceasing throng were the gay and careless. These heard the utterances of Wisdom, and were exhorted to cry, "My Father, be Thou the guide of my youth." Many of the King's enemies, who paused to scoff, received hard thrusts from that "sword of true Jerusalem blade," the word of God. The profane and many who were sinners heard in loving accents of Him the Saviour, in whose name all such have access to the Throne of boundless mercy. The bereaved and the sorrowing passed by, and were glad to be reminded of Him who bindeth up the broken in heart; while not a few children of grace, whose desire, "Thy Kingdom come," was strong and increasing, rejoiced in spirit at this open testimony of Jesus. And thus it was that these "handposts" gave safe direction from

the unerring Guidebook to thousands who passed by, among whom were not a few from "foreign climes and lands remote." This was an abounding labour, as we who took part in it, and were charged with the responsibility of writing the report, can testify.

But it is time to pass into the "Palace" to gaze upon the treasures that man values, or can with all his gifts produce: gems of fabulous worth are there, and gold and silver cunningly wrought; trophies showing the triumphs of manufacturing skill, and creations of beauty by sculptor and artist abound; while things precious, rare, and wonderful are scattered in rich profusion. Upon one of these we fix attention because its intrinsic worth is "beyond price," and because more labour has been bestowed upon it than upon any other object. The Book of books has ever won its way by conflict, and yet it may appear strange that at the first Industrial display it with difficulty secured a position simply as an "exhibit." The British and Foreign Bible Society anticipated no difficulty, as it seemed to them that they had a wonder of intellectual power to display to the world, a book in one hundred and seventy languages and nearly two hundred and fifty dialects! Great influence however had to be used, and three months had passed away before a "niche" was found for it, and that in an upper gallery. We well remember the welcome with which the last specimen of the world's industry was received by the foreign exhibitors, they flocked