THE BOOK FREELY GIVEN.

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esteem it a privilege to continue to visit the Exhibition upon the Saturday and at other times (when duties will not be interfered with), and to distribute the printed truth you may collect for that purpose, having resolved to assist in this good work to the utmost of my power, as openings may arise."

"Fune.

"To-day there is news both good and bad for you. The good news is this:—About six o'clock yesterday I left the building, and met my little son outside, who had brought me about two hundred tracts for distribution in the tents. My heart was cheered at finding how much is now being done in the name of the Lord for the souls of men who come to the world's fair. In the Brompton Road, not two hundred yards from the building, is a British and Foreign Bible depôt, where all Bibles published by the Society can be had at cost price, over the entrance of which is written in twentyeight languages the words 'AND NOW HEAR WE

EVERY MAN IN OUR TONGUE WHEREIN WE WERE

BORN.' In the Cromwell Road, at the most important corner of the Exhibition, a beautifully ornamented building has recently been erected, divided into seven compartments, in each of which a man stands with an immense supply of books of the Bible and tracts at his side. In front is a board with this soul-stirring inscription upon it-'Here the Word of God is freely given in seven languages;' and over each department

is the name of the tongue in which the book is given— Hebrew, Swedish, German, English, French, Italian, Spanish. People of all nations flock by thousands to receive portions of the Divine Word, usually complete books, like the Acts of the Apostles, which I sent you. The English passers-by have each a small packet of cards given to them; these cards have on one side some striking question, such as, 'What think ye of Christ?' and corresponding passages from Holy Scripture on the other, e.g., 1 Tim. i. 15; 1 Peter iii. 6; 1 Cor. xv. 3; Heb. ix. 26; Rom. v. 6. This is an individual effort, though subscriptions are received towards the books. Next door to this place is an iron church, called 'Gospel Hall,' in which sermons are daily preached in various languages, and prayer-meetings held. The incense of praise should rise from our hearts, because our Heavenly Father has inclined His people thus to care for the souls of men. May His glory this year go forth from our island to the ends of the earth!

"The bad news is a change which has passed over the field at the western end of the building. The whole of it, which was marked out for building plots, has been let for booths and tents of various dimensions. Publicans have taken quite a number of them, and obtained licence to sell spirits and beer, while several have made arrangements for dancing and singing. So this will be a fair of a low description kept up during the time the Exhibition is open, and will no doubt prove a curse and

A PRODIGAL PAINTER.

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a snare to many of our country people and to foreigners. At the end of one very long booth a low dirty man was painting a large canvas sign. The waiters of the establishment, consisting chiefly of youths and girls, were standing round, with admiration upon each countenance. I went in and called for tea, and while they were bringing it made the acquaintance of the artist; he had painted the name and sign, and was displaying his powers upon the unicorn and lion. Such animals, after the pictures inside the Exhibition! Our talk was about high art at first, then about John Bun'yan's picture gallery, the Holy Bible. On speaking to them of one picture, the Prodigal Son, the artist stated almost with tears, that he was a prodigal, having once been a member of a Baptist Church; but that accursed drink had ruined him. The words were commented upon, 'Thou hast destroyed thyself, but in Me is thy help.' Suitable advice was given with my address, and an invitation to call at any time. The young

woman who brought tea seemed much pleased with the 'Sinner's Friend,' and another tract given to her with words of counsel. After a few minutes she came back and said, 'Please, sir, the lady that serves the beer, would be glad of the "Sinner's Friend;" she is crying, and says that her husband died with one just like this in his hand, and that he used to read and pray out of it.' Upon leaving she beckoned me into the bar 'parlour.' She is a very low woman, with seven rings upon

her fingers, nearly all of them men's rings. She was glad to converse about religion, though her darkness of soul was truly distressing. The landlord, who had been keenly watching the proceedings, accepted an illustrated paper, and spoke pleasantly; so this place is also open for our testimony.

"The keepers of our depôt are more friendly than ever, and their friendship will be of increased value in this new effort. How true and how gracious is the arrangement 'that all things shall work together for good.'

"In one of the other tents there were about thirty poor foreigners, so poor and ragged that you would wonder how they got over here, and why they came. Addressing them in a cheerful tone, I enquired how many could speak English? Several replied at once, whereupon were offered about fifty tracts in different languages, which they eagerly distributed amongst themselves. One of them, a French upholsterer resident in England, said that he rejected all creeds as the inventions of priests. In reply, I stated the simple plan of salvation, and then gave several copies of Comment savoir que la Bible est vraie.

"Progress is being made among the foreign exhibitors. The Spaniards were much pleased with the Bibles, and the 'Rock Scorpion' has introduced me to the Turk in the Ottoman court opposite. He is a Mahometan, and expresses reverence for Christ; but the Cross is an offence to him. He can read in English, and accepted

PRIZE MEDALS, 1862.

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a New Testament. In the German courts I have been so fortunate as to make friends with a young Prussian who can speak English well, so I have now at my command three interpreters; does not this sound important?

"This month has commenced with large expectations, and with many will close with disappointed hope. The Jurors have been very active for some weeks past, and

now they are examining exhibits in their various sections very closely, in order to make their final awards. The spirit of rivalry is strong, and I am expected to speak admiringly of all products; but, as every man's friend, it is quite a relief when able to express ignorance so profound as to be incapable of forming an opinion. In this case it is easy to wish every rival a medal, or at least a certificate of merit. In the machinery annexe the other day, the approach of the Jury stopped conversation