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Poetry.

God. How about this? One fact must suffice. A part of London contains 180,000 people, and, of these, not five thousand attend a place of worship! Reader, what do you think of THAT? I beseech you to think and pray about it. But, perhaps, it may be well to confine our view to a very small section of the modern Babylon, and consider its deplorable moral condition as revealed by stern facts. It contains 1,800 persons under sixteen years of age. Whole families live in one room. About 1,540

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never enter a place of worship. Two hundred and fifty are professional beggars. More than half of the population indulge in intoxication. Fortytwo shops are open on Sundays, and nineteen public houses ruin the happiness of the people. Such a state of things betokens solemn responsibility somewhere, and well will it be for you and me, dear reader, if we are doing our duty to the poor and to God.

Succeeding papers will reveal the writer's personal experiences in London.

Poetry.

HOPE-A NEW-YEAR'S CAROL.

"Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts."-Psalm xxii. 9.
"Wir heissen euch hoffen."-Goethe. (We bid you be of hope.)

LIKE an angel Hope waited and watched for our birth,
And gave us our earliest welcome to earth;

Keeping ward in the bosom where infancy lies,
She beamed on us there through the kindest of eyes.

When a father was pleading our names in his prayer
Her tones trembled out on the still evening air,

And she bent o'er our pillows of childhood and bliss,
To touch our red lips in a mother's warm kiss.

Ever since, like the marvellous cloud and the flame
Which beaconed the tribes o'er the wide desert plain,
She has guided our way when the day has been bright,
And faithfully burned through adversity's night.

There are none of us all but can say-she is here,
While joyfully hailing the blessed new year;

So we'll join to the music of songs and of bells

Deep thanks of the heart that sweet Hope with us dwells.

Not a phantom to lure and then leave us forlorn,
But twin-sister with faith, of the promises born;

By this Hope good and true, as an angel of God,
Our way shall be led like the paths we have trod.

In all sorrows to come, and for griefs of the past,
Her wine and her oil shall be poured to the last;
For with life and with love from the Master on high,
She binds the deep wounds of the ready-to-die.

When physicians have left us she still will abide
More faithful than friends who may weep at our side;
We shall lean on her bosom to heave the last sigh,
And leave her and lose her but when we shall die.

So with beautiful Hope let us enter the year,
She whispering music of comfort and cheer,
While her radiant hand shows the pearl of the gates
Where love with a welcome for all of us waits.

Chapel House, Castle Donington.

E. H. J.

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Brief Notices of New Books.

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Whittaker's Almanack for 1870. Price 18. 350 pp.-Whoever has not provided himself with an almanack for the new year, let him not hesitate a moment to give this his preference. It is unquestionably the best we have ever seen. Unwearied industry, comprehensive inquiry, careful condensation, and fulness of knowledge are abundantly displayed throughout this marvellous work. It is really a prodigy of information. Its title might well be, 'Inquire within upon everything." Art, commerce, divinity, law, politics, science, etc., are amply reported in its pages. It is the Britishers' Year-book of Reference. We have tested its accuracy on some points within our knowledge, and have found it as reliable in its information as it is complete, and as thorough in its details as it is comprehensive in its range. Some special attractions may be noted. There is a carefully rendered account of the statistics set forth in the Report of the Committee of the Council of Education for 1868, which at the present time is likely to be of use. Business men will value the commercial summary for 1868-9, the Abstract of the new Bankruptcy Act, 32 and 33 Vict., c. 71, and the story of the rise and progress of railways; the politician will be instructed by the parliamentary summary for 1869, and the statement of national income and expenditure; whilst that singular creature, the "general reader," who is supposed to have no special vocation, and an illimitable power of mental digestion, may revel in the account of all the saints in the calendar, the "diary of the year," scientific inventions and discoveries, "British possessions," and so forth, ad infinitum Indeed, we may in this case safely venture on that very "original" critical utterance-" This is a book no home should be without."

The Hive. Vol. II. Elliot Stock.-This well-known and acceptable periodical is not only what it professes to be, a "Storehouse of Material for Working Sunday School Teachers," but also an efficient and trustworthy guide in the art of using that material in the best way. For such as are not acquainted with the Hive, we may say that each number is divided into four departments. The first investigates questions relative to the "Teachers' Work ;" the spirit in which it should be undertaken, the pattern to be copied, and the encouragements to faithful labour. In

the next, the teacher's chief instrument, the Bible, is the subject of discourse, exposition, and illustration. There are

brief articles on the old MSS. of Scripture, jottings on difficult texts, and descriptions of the trees, customs, etc., of the East. Then follow outlines of lessons for the class, and sketches of addresses for the school, most of which are ably done, though some of them might have been rendered more suggestive and concise. And finally there is a page for the "Review of Books" and "Answers to Questions." This last has occasionally a dash of intolerance and severity (see p. 24) that is quite uncalled for, and is very likely to provoke other feelings than those of "love," and other works than such as are regarded "good."

The Cottager and Artizan for 1869. Price 1s. 6d. Religious Tract Society.We have here an admirable book for circulation in the homes of the labouring population of our land. The illustrations are striking, appropriate, and attractive, chosen with taste and executed with skill, and will instantly force the unwilling attention of young and old. The type is bold and clear. The topics introduced are those specially interesting to cottagers and artizans. The series of papers, "How to help the Doctor," will, if thoroughly read and practised, greatly diminish many doctors' bills, and go far in many cases to annihilate them. Workers for God, visiting from house to house in our villages and towns, will find this book a real and welcome ally in their beneficent enterprise.

The Ecumenical Council: D. Jones, B.A. Price 4d. Elliot Stock.-This lecture, delivered by the pastor of New Park Road chapel, Brixton Hill, to his congregation, is a timely statement of the chief facts connected with the assembling of the Pope's Council, Dec. 8, 1869. The articles of faith that (as it is supposed) will be added to the creed of the already overburdened Roman Catholics, are briefly stated, and some good suggestions are given as to the duty of Protestants at the present time. It is faithful to truth, and yet spoken in love. The tone is healthy and inspiriting. We commend it to all who seek a cheap, short, and useful account of the last phase of Roman Catholicism.

Correspondence.

THE CENTENARY YEAR.

TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir,-The Centenary Year of the Connexion has come. On the 6th of June, 1870, we shall be a Hundred Years old. So rare and remarkable an occasion could not be suffered to pass by unnoticed. How should it be? The humblest mortal that ever drew breath in the obscurest corner of the earth would desire to celebrate his attaining the age of a hundred years. It could not be that a religious denomination in which fidelity to principle and gratitude to God were still found, should omit to observe appropriately its own Centenary. It cannot but be, I believed and must still believe, that the observance will be hearty, earnest, enthusiastic, and that it will become universal.

An opportunity offers for special service for God in the churches which will not occur to any of us again. Coming to us once for all, bringing blessed remembrances with it and inspiring thought, it goes never to return. Our churches will be open to influence now as never before in their history, and probably never again in our time. All share in the honours, and will share in the joy of the Centenary. Everywhere it will be possible to fire the soul and quicken the pulse with the stirring memory of a hundred years. Everywhere as the story of the past is recalled the heart will glow with new fervour in the Lord's work, and the hand will open with larger and more liberal gifts for the Lord's treasury.

In this double jubilee, let the oppressed go free! It is resolved, and four Associa tions (Loughborough, Louth, Derby, Sheffield,) have endorsed the resolve, to liberate two Denominational Societies from the bondage of most inadequate and limited resources, the Home Missionary Society and the Chapel Building Fund. It is a worthy resolve, and the liberality of the churches will doubtless nobly fulfil it. If private and local burdens are to be unloosed, if individual churches are seizing this rare opportunity to bestir themselves to gain freedom from oppressive debts, yet public and denominational interests will "These things not, cannot be overlooked. ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." It cannot be that on this memorable and extraordinary occasion a prudent, calculating, self-regardfulness; however wise and reasonable, will confine the sympathies and limit the efforts of any to the smaller circle of their own separate and individual churches. The occasion is a Denominational, occasion, the celebration

must be Denominational too. The Centenary Fund will be a perpetual and public memorial of our thankfulness to God, and our respect for the memory of the fathers; and it must be a pleasure and joy to the churches to aid with most zealous effort and dutiful affection in raising this Denominational Monument.

The next Association is the Centenary Association. But six months have to pass and it will be upon us with all its important engagements. It is desirable that the Fund be at least half completed when the Association meets. Will the churches everywhere now at once take up this pleasant task? Collections, subscriptions, donations, it will be easiest to obtain during the Centenary Year. Now the time favours, and the whole field is clear and open. Now all things are possible to faith and enterprise. Now, therefore, while the year is dawning, let every willing heart and every ready hand join everywhere with one accord in the work of raising, with gladness and song, this memorial of affection for the fathers, and of gratitude to our fathers' God.

With heartfelt pleasure, my dear Mr. Editor, in your acceptance of the honours of Editorship, and sincere congratulations on your prospect of liberal support and distinguished success.

I am, very faithfully yours,
THOMAS GOADBY.

Derby.

THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD. TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir, -Your letter of the 6th inst. is duly to hand, and I must say I am sorry you ask me to make your "pleasure greater" by appending my name to the communication I sent you a day or two ago on the above subject, and so, by anticipation, giving me to feel a part of the castigation which is possibly in store for me; however, as the question appears to you, as well as to others, "of considerable importance, and demands careful and candid discussion," I feel bound to risk the pain of being misunderstood.

In this advanced age, some, or perhaps all of the following queries may seem quite unnecessary, possibly absurd. Yet it is a fact that in the church vast differences of opinion exist on the main question involved, and some of them must be away from the truth.

1. Will some one please define the words, Church and World; and shew whether it is, or is not possible, for true

union to exist between any integral parts of the two bodies denoted thereby?

2. Is a marriage between two persons, one of whom is of the "World," and the other of the "Church," sinful?

3. If it be proved that mixed marriages are sinful, and detrimental to the church's life and light, ought there not to be some preventive or deterring measures applied by the church at once?

4.

What should these measures be?

5. Is the church to take 2 Cor. vi. 14, and Eph. v. 11, as the mere advice of the apostle, or as the command of the Lord?

6. Is a church right in agreeing that the kind of marriages herein referred to, are sinful in God's sight, and fraught with danger to the individuals, to the family, and to the church, and yet, after passing censure, accepting them as events to be endured, and made the best of?

7. Would a rule to the effect that any member of a church contracting such an alliance, by the simple act cuts himself or herself off from fellowship with the church (dispensing with the need of a public or private prosecutor), be unjust or unscriptural?

To these questions I will only ask liberty to add, that I presume an easy way of disposing of the whole seven, and all that is in them, will be to turn to Judges xvii. 6,

only WE HAVE & King," and I judge we wish individually and collectively to serve and obey Him. Yours faithfully,

THOS. H. Cox.

GENERAL BAPTIST CONFERENCES. TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir,-Will you allow me, as a subscriber to your Magazine, and a General Baptist in doctrine, (though not identified with your section of the Baptists,) to ask if it is usual, and also in strict accordance with our principles, for those who are not members of our churches to vote on denominational matters at the Conferences? Dec. 8, 1869. F. G. MASTERS.

THE SABBATH AND THE SALE OF BOOKS.

TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sir,-Will any of your correspondents inform me whether it is scriptural or unscriptural to sell books, magazines, &c., in our churches and Sunday schools on the Lord's day? Can Sunday school teachers consistently tell their scholars that it is wrong to buy and sell on the Sabbath, when the very thing is practised before their eyes in the Sabbath school? J. H. MATTHEWS.

Church Register.

BOURNE.-On Dec. 8, the General Baptist Chapel in this town was re-opened. The interior is entirely new. The accommodation is increased by the erection of side galleries. The seats are very commodious, and the decorations are chaste and elegant. The designs were drawn by Mr. Horsfield, of Halifax, and the work was executed by Mr. Story, of Bourne. Rev. J. T. Brown preached Dec. 8, and the Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., Dec. 12. Collections over £63.

LINCOLN Chapel Anniversary. · The sermons were preached by the Rev. T. Goadby, B.A. The debt on the chapel, vestry, and school-rooms, is now extinguished. A cordial vote of thanks was passed by the church to the Rev. J. Cookson, M.A., for his unwearied efforts to free the sanctuary from pecuniary burdens. An interesting work of grace is in progress, and a number of young men have recently been converted to God.

THE REV. J. BATEY, owing to the decease of his wife, has felt himself compelled to resign the pastorate of the Daybrook branch of the church at Broad Street, Nottingham. He has accepted a cordial invitation to take charge of a new interest at

Newtown, Upper Norwood, and commences his labours there with the new year.

REV. R. INGHAM, of Halifax, has received a unanimous invitation to the pastorate of the church, Infirmary Street, Bradford, and has "engaged to render them such assistance and superintendence, during the next six months, as other engagements will allow."

BAPTISMS.

COVENTRY, Gosford Street.-Dec. 5, seven, by H. Cross, making forty in all since the opening of the new chapel.

DEWSBURY, Nov. 30, two, by N. H. Shaw, in Mirfield Chapel, kindly lent for the occasion. LEICESTER, Friar Lane.-Nov. 3, five, by J. C. Pike.

LONDON, Praed Street.-Dec. 1, seven, by J. Clifford.

PETERBOROUGH.-Nov. 28, three, by T.

Barrass.

Marriage.

WALTON-MARSHALL.-Dec. 4, at Vale chapel, near Todmorden, by the Rev. J. Fletcher, Mr. Samuel Walton, to Miss Ann Marshall, both of Vale.

Missionary Observer.

SACRAMENTAL COLLECTIONS FOR THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF MISSIONARIES.

THE Committee of the Foreign Mission beg to remind their friends that the first Sabbath of the year is the time appointed for making Sacramental Collections simultaneously in the churches. The amount required is about one hundred pounds. It is most desirable that this should be raised apart from the ordinary funds of the Society. In no case is it contemplated that the poor of our churches should suffer by the Sacramental Collections. All that is asked for is, that an extra effort be made on that day, and that the surplus over and above the usual collection be given to the fund. Should the first Sabbath of the year be found an inconvenient time to any church, it is suggested that the collection might be made on the first Sabbath of February or March.

It is requested that all Sacramental Collections may be remitted direct to the Financial Secretary, the Rev. J. C. Pike, Leicester. Attention to this request will prevent confusion in the accounts, as it is particularly wished to keep the receipts for the Widows and Orphans Fund distinct from the ordinary receipts of the Mission.

ARRIVAL OF MR. AND MRS.

BROOKS AT CALCUTTA. WE hasten to announce the cheering intelligence that our esteemed friends Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have reached India in safety. They weighed anchor at Gravesend on the 11th of August, and reached Calcutta on the evening of November 16-a few days over three months. Their voyage was agreeable as well as expeditious. Mr. Brooks writes "I am thankful to say we are all well, and looking forward with interest to meeting the brethren and sisters again."

Mr. Brooks's letter, giving an account of the voyage, was not received in time for the Magazine, but it will appear in the January number of the "Orissa Mission Herald." We mention this, that our friends may be on the look out for the next Quarterly Paper.

THE CRY FOR HELP.

A FEW weeks since Mr. Buckley wrote to a brother minister in this country

"Surely if our friends had faith as a grain of mustard seed, and love to the Mission in the same small degree, this

THOMAS HILL, Treasurer.
J. C. PIKE,
H. WILKINSON, S

}

Secretaries.

great mountain about the funds would be removed, and be at the bottom of the sea in an instant. We are sometimes tempted to ask, Are the Committee and the churches tired of Orissa and the Mission, that our cries for help are unheeded? I cannot believe it of many, but a generation is rising up that I know not."

The letter containing the above inquiry has been forwarded by the said brother to the Editor of the Missionary Observer, with a note to this effect

"Despair of help seems to be taking possession of their hearts, and will affect their spirits. Can nothing be done? Prepare a rousing appeal for the January Observer."

It was the intention of the Editor to have acted upon the kindly injunction, or rather the earnest entreaty of his friend, and to have prepared an appeal to the supporters of the Mission upon the question of funds; for if the funds are only forthcoming, the men, and the women too, are not far to seek; but meanwhile a letter was received from our widowed and almost broken-hearted sister, Mrs. J. O. Goadby. The letter was not intended for publication, but we

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