I.-LONGFELLOW'S DAILY LIFE. HE rises early, takes a comparatively light breakfast, and if the day is not rainy sets out for a walk, which takes up an hour or two, according to his inclination. His gait is firm and hearty, and as he walks he holds himself perfectly upright. He does not ramble two mornings in the same direction, but varies his route daily. Every day or two he calls on his printers at the University Press, and receives or returns proofs of his works, if he has anything in type, which is mostly the case. Little, if any, of his poetry, as published, is written on the spur of the moment. "The Divine Tragedy" is said to have been rewritten after it was nearly all in type. During late years he has been in the habit of publishing his poems in the magazines, and having obtained a sufficient number, adding a few new ones to them, and issuing them in book form. He brings his "copy" to the office of the University Press, which is only half a mile or so from his own residence, written in lead pencil, in a small backland, very much like the average newspaper man's style of handwriting, clear, and mostly free from interlineations and erasures. His magazine poems are always revised and corrected, or at least altered more or less, before their publication in book form; so the reader rarely encounters one in exactly the same shape as in the periodical. II. JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. MR. JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL, when writing, discards the table, but seating himself midway between it and the fireplace in a broad easy chair, he employs for the purpose of a desk a stiff piece of pasteboard, resting it conveniently on his knee. His essay or poem is always mapped out clearly in his head before he reduces any of it to writing. He puts it together, so to speak, joint by joint, until he has the skeleton completely articulated, and then he fills it out. His handwriting is characteristic, and his "copy" is unpopular with printers because of the changes, the interlineations, and erasures he constantly makes, although the handwriting itself is fair and uniform. He goes through his proofs after the manner of a clergyman supervising his son's college efforts, and makes many and often general corrections. The publishers used to send him proofs of his matter after the plates were cast, but he made such havoc with his revises that they were forced to discontinue such unprofitable conclusionjumping. His famous and widely read “Biglow Papers" have been very much altered and corrected since their original publication. He is a hard reader, and with him this means a profound book student, for he rarely reads books purely for amusement or superficial instruction. His classical knowledge surpasses that of any man around Boston, not excepting Longfellow, and his reading of Dantean literature has given him an acquaintance with it that is believed by many to exceed Mr. Longfellow's. III. TENNYSON AT HOME. HERE is a little story told by General Schenck. He was travelling with his party in the Isle of Wight. Their guide was extremely attentive, showing with true insular pride the mansions of the various noblemen, with their splendid grounds, and dwelling with special emphasis upon the number of retainers kept by each. At last, coming suddenly upon a picturesque cottage, whose climbing vines and nicely kept lawn proclaimed the taste of the owners, the visitors inquired who he might be. "Only a very plain country gentleman, sir, as comes down 'ere now and then, an' lives very quiet like; nobody you would know anything about, sir! I believe 'is name is Tennyson!" and the cicerone hurried on. "Tennyson's cottage! Oh, stop! we must have a look!" chorused the lady travellers. The carriage was stopped, but the driver was utterly unable to comprehend the sudden interest. Mayhap you know him?" he said interrogatively; and his ignorance was so delicious that the ladies delighted themselves by drawing him out. They declared they had heard of Mr. Tennyson in distant America, and insisted that he, who lived so near, must know something about him. "It may be summat up in Lunnun, but down 'ere, sir, he makes no show at all, sir; he lives mostly alone." Then, as if to stamp Mr. Tennyson's utter insignificance, he uttered, He keeps only one man, sir, and he sleeps out of the 'ouse." Such is fame! 66 Scraps from the Editor's Waste-Basket. I. PARLIAMENT AND THE CHURCHES.It was our fortune, good or ill, to be in the House of Commons on the memorable night in which Mr. CALLAN woke thunders of indignation by declaring the ruling of the Chairman of Committees "an insult to the common sense of the House." We shall never forget the disgraceful scene of violence, disorder, and rebellion that followed. "Public-house brawls," according to all we have heard of them, are models of quiet and orderly procedure compared with the tempest of noise and wild confusion produced by this unwarrantable insolence. And that, however, was only one of a series of " scenes" enacted by the Irish impracticables, concluding (let us hope) with the "famous" twenty-six hours sitting. The Great Parliament of the nation is obviously in great peril of becoming a great nuisance, and if a strong hand and some real work are not speedily provided, will degenerate into something worse than a vestry meeting at Little Peddlington. New regulations will not cure this Irish disease. Biggar and Co. will laugh at abstract resolutions, and seek "Home Rule" by making the presence of the Irish in the House an unbearable annoyance. The fact is there are no politics now, and somebody "finds mischief still for idle hands to do." The disorder comes more of lack of serious purpose and real occupation than of aught else; and the remedy will be found, not in tape, red or black, but in business, plenty of business, engrossing work for everybody. Churches and Senates cannot be kept in order by anything short of real, earnest, and pressing business. THE II. THE CHRISTIANITY OF STREETS.-It is high time the churches paid some attention to the " open-air" preaching going on in different parts of London and in our large towns. Three instances, one after another, have just come under our notice in which God and His gospel for man were mis-represented in the most ghastly style imaginable. "The forgiveness of sins" was so preached as to make it appear a premium on wrong doing. "Eternal damnation" was bawled out without a quiver of tender feeling, and as though consignment to "the flames of hell" were the essence of God's "good news." Common sense was outraged, and hearers who came to listen went away to scoff and blaspheme. The "outside populations" judge of the teaching inside our chapels and churches by this open-air caricature, and Christian agencies are used to alienate men from Christ and goodness. This needs altering. The best men we have will be obliged to take this work in hand, and a wise and sustained effort will have to be made to "drill" young converts before they are suffered to go out leading detachments against the foe. We must look after the Christianity of the streets. III. WESTBOURNE PARK CHAPEL.We are sure that the interest of the churches in Westbourne Park Chapel will justify us in calling attention to the advertisement of the Opening Services. We hope to see friends from all parts of the denomination on TUESDAY, THE SECOND OF OCTOBER, to hear Mr. Spurgeon and Mr. Stowell Brown. Let our friends arrange their visits to the metropolis so as to give us the extreme gratification of their presence and aid. The details of the other opening services will appear in the October Magazine. Cheques, Bank Notes, and Post Office Orders, will find a hearty welcome from the Editor of this Magazine at 51, Porchester Road, Westbourne Park. We need your largest and most generous help now, so that the work of the Lord may have a good start in this our New Home. IV. THE LAY ELEMENT IN WESLEYANISM is at last recognised. It has been done in a tardy and hesitating manner, but at length it is done. The Spirit of the Times has scored a victory over the dominating ministerial power of the Conference, and no doubt it is the first of a series yet more extensive to be recorded. The division between ministers and laymen is artificial, unreal, and unscriptural, and, notwithstanding the revival of sacerdotalism, must be abolished. The Wesleyan ministers have held out as long as they could, but they have now surrendered, and will doubtless find that the surrender will be the triumph of order, progress, and strength. V. THAT MAN who was found guilty the other day of the capital offence of writing for favours without enclosing a stamp has escaped punishment, and is at his "old game" again. If any of our readers should by any chance see him, a contingency we are aware of incredible remoteness, will they give him in charge instanter ? Such a violator of the laws of courtesy and goodness must be captured and imprisoned beyond the seas. Reviews. THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES: A HANDBOOK ON THE LIFE OF ST. PAUL. By B. P. Pask. Sunday School Union. THIS Volume has been written for Sunday school teachers, and it is no more than fair to say that it fully deserves their confidence. The work is admirably done. The best authorities are used. The information is full, quite abreast of the learning of the time, and is treated with a cautious use of what is called "the historical imagination," which, in too many cases, degenerates into making a history of your own where no other exists. Notes on "special" points, maps, tables, etc., are freely supplied; and, in fact, you only need to be a "live" teacher with such a work as this before you in order to interest and instruct your class. Students of the life of St. Paul will be grateful for Mr. Pask's work. THE BIBLE, ITS STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT. By G. B. Johnson. S. 8. Union. A BRIEF and able statement of the true function of the Scriptures, and a most interesting and instructive chart illustrative of the progress of revelation in the Scriptures. Teachers of Bible classes and young students of the word should get this little book at once. THE PREACHER'S ANALYST. A Monthly Homiletical Magazine. Stock. THE peculiarities of this serial, judging by the first number, are (1.) that it supplies analyses of printed sermons; (2.) that it supplies references, like those in Darling's Cyclopædia, to published sermons by other authors on the texts of those sermons of which analyses are given. The authors are men of high repute, but we cannot say that the analytical work is well done. Men who value the "bones" of sermons will find a large and miscellaneous stock in this magazine. But, in our judgment, one really living sermon is worth a whole bag of "bones." THE EXPOSITOR. July. Hodder and Stoughton. THE July issue of the Expositor commences a new volume, and therefore we Church Register. CONFERENCES. CHESHIRE meets at Audlem on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Business in the morning at 11.0. Devotional meeting at 2.30. Rev. R. Kenney, at 3.0, to read a paper; or, in case of failure, the Conference Secretary. has held office in it. She has also secured the fullest confidence and highest esteem of those who have had the management of the institution, and retires with the best wishes and earnest prayers of all who know her for her future comfort and W. E. welfare. W. MARCH, Sec. EASTERN meets at Sutterton, on Thursday, Sept. 20. Rev. S. S. Allsop is the preacher. WILLIAM ORTON, Sec. The LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE will be held at Allerton, Central, on Wednesday, Sept. 19. A paper in the morning by Mr. J. Bramley on "Conference Reform." Morning service at 11. Home Missionary meeting in the evening. W. SHARMAN, Sec. LONDON (SOUTHERN) CONFERENCE will be held at Praed Street Chapel, on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Business at three p.m. J. WALLIS CHAPMAN, Sec. MIDLAND meets at WIRKSWORTH, on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Service at 11. The Rev. J. Parkinson will preach. Business at 2.15 p.m. A paper will be read by the Rev. W. Wootton, on "The Relation of the Church to the Congregation." PRESENTATION TO MISS UNDERWOOD, EX-MATRON.-On Thursday afternoon in the Association week a goodly number of the students, past and present, met in one of the class-rooms at Archdeacon Lane chapel for tea. Miss Underwood was also present by special invitation. After tea J. Clifford, in the name of the students and a few subscribing friends, presented Miss Underwood with a purse containing fifty sovereigns; a suitable address, which is being engrossed and framed, was also read by the Rev. R. P. Cook. Miss Underwood has won the ardent love of all who have passed through the College during the time she LEICESTER LOCAL PREACHERS' HELD its ninth annual meeting at Sheep- CHURCHES. PINCHBECK.-We intend holding our Bazaar for the MINISTER'S HOUSE on the second Monday in Oct. Will friends help in this most necessary and desirable work? Goods or money may be sent to Mrs. Squier. SHORE, TODMORDEN.-Our Centenary was celebrated, Aug. 11, 12. About 400 attended the Saturday tea. The historical paper was read by the pastor, Rev. J. K. Chappelle, and is to be published. Addresses were delivered by Revs. J. Horsfall, T. Gill, J. Maden (former pastor), W. Underwood, D.D., W. Gray, W. Chapman, W. Sharman, J. R. Godfrey, and J. Edmonstone. Dr. Underwood preached on the Sunday. The whole of the services were highly successful, and will long be remembered by the friends of this ancient cause. TARPORLEY.-The bazaar in aid of the fund for building a new minister's house, which had been started during the lifetime of the late minister's wife, was opened on the 9th August by the Rev. R. Foulkes Griffiths, of Nottingham. Under the auspices of sisters Aston, Bate, Collins, Walley, Dickinson, and Sherlock, who formed the committee, numerous sales were speedily effected, and during the two days £250 was realized-very much more than was expected. A pleasing feature on Mrs. Aston's stall was the quantity of Nottingham goods and needlework contributed by members of the Stoney Street church. The indefatigable secretary, Mrs. Roger Bate, and family, were kept away by the medical authority owing to scarlatina being in the house. The old manse was built under the superintendence of the quaint Rev. Mr. Gaythorpe, in 1830. The Rev. Isaac Preston commenced his Sunday work here on Aug. 26, after enjoying a month's holiday. WINDLEY.-On Wednesday, Aug. 15, the friends connected with this cause were formed into a separate church by the Rev. C. T. Johnson. The service was a very interesting one, and will be long remembered by the friends present. MINISTERIAL. CRACKNELL, REV. J. E., gave notice, at a meeting of the church, South Shields, July 30, of his intention to resign the pastorate before another winter. The Rev. W. Hanson, Secretary of the Northern Association, presided, and expressed his unabated interest in the church, and his sorrow at the prospect of Mr. Cracknell leaving. Addresses were delivered by the deacons, superintendent of the Sunday school, and several young men, who feelingly alluded to the kind manner in which their pastor had always sought their moral and spiritual welfare. The following resolution was unanimously adopted :- "That the church deeply regret that the Rev. J. E. Cracknell has seen it his duty to resign his pastoral office; and, in accepting his resignation, wish to express their high appreciation of his Christian consistency and ministerial labours, and their earnest hope that he may be guided to a sphere of equal usefulness in a more congenial climate." GRIFFITHS, REV. R. F., AND STONEY STREET, NOTTINGHAM.-On Sunday, July 29, anniversary services were preached by the pastor, Rev. R. Foulkes Griffiths; and on Monday, July 30, a tea meeting and sale of work was held, which was followed by a public meeting, presided over by E. Gripper, Esq. (Chairman of the Nottingham School Board), to welcome Mr. Griffiths to the pastorate. Addresses were delivered by Revs. R. Dawson, B.A., T. Goadby, B.A., J. Stevenson, M.A., R. Foulkes Griffiths, and Mr. A. Goodliffe. The meetings were of a very interesting character, and we trust they may prove the inauguration of a bright future in the history of the church. PRESTON, REV. ISAAC.-Owing to weak health Mr. Preston has been compelled to terminate his pastorate at Halifax. On Sunday, July 29, he preached a farewell sermon to a crowded congregation. On Monday a public tea was provided, and a purse of £35 was presented to him by Mr. Daniel Wilson, on behalf of the church, and a large portrait album containing an illuminated address, was presented by Mr. B. Mellor. The Rev. B. Dale, MA., presided, and addresses were given by the Revs. I. Preston, T. Michael, and Messrs. J. Holt, S. Atkinson, E. Haley, all bearing witness to the usefulness of Mr. Preston's ministry. Mr. Preston has accepted the pastorate of the church at Tarporley, Cheshire. TAYLOR, REV. W., preached a sermon, July 29, in Wintoun Street chapel, Leeds. Mr. Taylor, who was formerly pastor of this church, is about to remove to Australia. At the close of the service a public lovefeast was held. The attendance was large, and the meeting one of unforgetable interest. Subsequently the officers of the church waited upon Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and presented the sum of £8 17s. 6d. which had been contributed by a few friends as a token of love and esteem for their past services. SCHOOL SERMONS. ALLERTON, Central.-Aug. 5th, the scholars were addressed by Mr. W. Jones, of Bradford. Rev. J. Bentley, pastor, preached the sermons. This was the first day of his ministry at Allerton. The collections realised £50 1s. 6d. BARTON.-Aug. 12. Preacher, Rev. J. Lewitt. Collections, £31 10s. BAGWORTH.-July 15. Preacher, Rev. E. H. Jackson. Collections, £19 3s. DESFORD.-July 29. Preacher, Rev. E. Stevenson. Collections, £11 3s. MANCHESTER.-Aug. 12. Preacher, Rev. G. E. Ireland. Service of Sacred Song in the evening, entitled "Moses." Reader, R. H. Seaborn, Esq. Conductor, Mr. King. PETERBOROUGH.-Aug. 12. Preachers, Rev. T. Barrass and Mr. Pentney. Colls., £19 10s. LONGFORD, Union Place.-Six, by E. W. Cantrell (at Salem Chapel). LONDON, Commercial Road. - Six, by J. Fletcher (one a Wesleyan). LOUTH, Northgate.-Four, by E. H. Jackson. LONG SUTTON.-Two, by G. Towler. QUENIBOROUGH.-Six, by J. Shepherd-five from Thrussington. LEAKE AND WYMESWOLD.-Eight, by W. Morris. NETHERTON,Ebenezer.-Two by W. Millington. MARRIAGE. SCOTT-PADFIELD.-July 21, at the G. B. chapel, Commercial Road, London, E., by the Rev. J. Fletcher, Mr. Julian Bernhard Scott, to Miss Artuleas Tryphena Padfield. |