was purchased by a Race-course company. Another advowson was bought by an eminent Jockey for £1500, being £5 less than he had previously paid for the "Spotted Dog" in the same parish. A Bill has recently been introduced into Parliament for putting an end to the possession of advowsons by private persons, and transferring the patronage to the Crown. Mr. Albert Grey, an eminent Church Reformer, moved an amendment to the effect that no alteration of the law would be satisfactory which did not give to the people a veto on the selection of the patron. Good Mr. Grey apparently does not see that from his premises Disestablishment logically follows. If the people have a right to a veto, why not to the choice of a pastor? And if that, why must their selection be limited to men of the thirty-nine-articles pattern? If the majority in a parish are Baptists or Methodists, why should they not have power to appoint a Baptist or Methodist as their minister? The amendment was rejected, and the Bill referred to a Select Committee.

AN APPEAL.-Rev. C. T. Johnson, of Longton, informs us that trade in that district is very bad. Children are kept from the Sunday school, and adults from the services, through lack of clothing. Mr. Johnson will be happy to distribute to deserving Christian families any leftoff clothing which may be sent to him

267

by any of our readers. His address is 60, Trentham Road, Longton.

PUNCTUALITY.-A great mechanical genius, named Ramsden, was notorious for breaking his promises. George III. knew him well, and his habit. He ordered an instrument of him, and told him to name his own time-only to keep it. The work was finished. Ramsden drove off with it to Kew, saw the King, and received from him this curious compliment:-"I have been told, Mr. Ramsden, that you are considered to be the least punctual man in all England, but you have brought home this instrument on the very day we appointed-you have only mistaken the year." We have some correspondents who bid fair to merit the same compliment. Their information comes to hand by the 16th, but it is the 16th of the wrong month. We should like the news of the churches and not the antiquities. J. F.

OUR COLLEGE.-The Treasurer begs to acknowledge the following sums received on account of the Building Fund:

Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Roberts, Junr.,
Sydenham

£ s. d. 100 0 0 10 10 0 10 0 0 500 5 0 0 500

Leicester, Archdeacon Lane
Leicester, Dover Street
Burnley, Ebenezer
London, Church Street
Queensbury
Loughborough-H. Godkin
Loughborough-B. Baldwin
London-Rev. J. Clifford
Loughborough-Mr. and Mrs. Barson 1 0 0

EXEGETICAL STUDIES. By Paton J. Gloag, D.D. Price 58. Edinburgh:

T. and T. Clark.

A SERIES of sensible, scholarly discussions of difficult passages of the New Testament. Among the subjects treated of are "Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost," "Our Lord's Blessing to Peter," "Baptism for the Dead," "Paul's Thorn in the Flesh," "Women Veiled because of the Angels," "The Spirits in Prison,' etc. We have read several of them, and in every instance were pleased to find that the writer's view accorded with our own. A plain proof that he must be right!

ANIMALS' OWN TALES, interpreted for

his nephews and nieces by Uncle Will. London: Bible Christian Book Room. A DELIGHTFUL little volume, which we heartily commend to all uncles and aunts,

5 0 0

2 10 0

1 1 0

parents and grandparents, as a present to children. The Hedgehog, the Cuckoo, the Donkey, the Yellow-Hammer, and the Swan, are all made to tell their own story; and this they do in such fashion that we should enjoy looking at the faces of eager interest presented by any group of intelligent children to whom these Tales should be read. Buy the book, and see for yourselves.

ALFRED SAKER, Missionary to Africa: a Biography. By E. B. Underhill, LL.D. Price 2s. 6d. Published by the Baptist Missionary Society, and Alexander and Shepheard, London.

A MOST interesting record of the life and labours of a man of apostolic zeal and piety. It does one's soul good to come in contact, if only through the pages of a book, with so much Christian simplicity

of character and whole-hearted consecration to the service of our Lord. O that thousands of our young people, in perusing this volume, might catch something of the heroic and self-denying spirit of the noble man it brings before us!

GOD'S MAN AND MAN'S MAN. Is there hope for the unrepentant after death? By Rev. R. Fountain. Price Fourpence. Winks & Son, Leicester.

WE have conscientiously read through this pamphlet of 40 pages, hoping to obtain some light on a dark subject, but cannot say that our toil has been rewarded. Whatever gifts the author possesses, lucidity is not one. Several times we have been sorely in doubt as to his meaning. From a passage on page 34 it seems as though he believes that we existed before our birth into this world; though, as he says, "we cannot remember it." But the idea, though Platonic, is so odd, that we are afraid of misrepresenting the writer by suggesting this as his opinion. We therefore hold our peace, and refer any one who wishes to know what Mr. Fountain really thinks to the book itself.

SHORT HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

By George Smith, LL.D., F.R.G.S. Price 2s. 6d. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark.

ON the whole a very good book. If, however, we could have had the ear of the writer before publication, we should have said, "Condense the matter of the first forty-six pages into six. We have our Bibles, and can read there about Abraham and Paul. You will want all

that space further on for the statement of many interesting and important facts not generally known about both Mediaval and Modern missions." For instance, a chapter of eight pages is devoted to a discussion of the missionary influence of Abraham, whilst no mention is made of William Knibb. or of the Baptist missions in the West Indies; and the only account of our own mission in Orissa is condensed into eight lines. The tours of the apostle Paul are narrated at length, whilst the doings of the great Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, including its wonderful work in Fiji, are dispatched in twelve lines. Still, there is a great deal of interesting information in the book, especially relating to the middle ages, and the dawn of modern missions, and on this ground we cordially commend it.

PRIMER OF CHRISTIAN EVIDENCE. By

R. A. Redford, M.A., LL.B. Sunday
School Union.

WE have been rather disappointed in this book. The author is an accomplished Christian scholar, master of his subject, and of course says many wise and good things. But the style strikes us as too hard and dry for the class for whom it is intended-Sunday school teachers. One cannot help contrasting it with Whately's "Easy Lessons on the Christian Evidences" a little book full of most important thoughts, closely packed, and yet really interesting and a model of clearness. But until another Whately appears we must make the best use we can of such a volume as the one before ussound, judicious, rewarding careful study, but certainly not attractive.

CONFERENCES.

LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE-Held

at Shore, June 4.

The Secretary preached in the morning Rev. J. Hubbard opened the service.

In the afternoon, the President, Mr. J. Horsfall, gave a brief address, which was well received.

Reports shewed 68 baptized since January, and 25 candidates.

After a brief conference on the Local Preachers' Scheme of the Southern Conference, it was resolved to recommend

the local brethren to the sympathy of the churches, and to advise the Association to publish their names and addresses in the Year Book.

A cordial welcome was given to Rev. J. Hubbard, recently settled at Heptonstall Slack; and resolutions of sympathy and good will, and hearty wishes for future blessing, were passed in relation to the removal of Rev. B. Wood from Bradford to Southport; and the retirement of Rev. J. Parkinson from the Queensbury pastorate; and a resolution

on the "Sunday Closing" question was cordially adopted, and forwarded to Her Majesty's Government.

The following appointments were made: Home Mission.-Representatives, Revs. J. Dearden, W. Gray, and D. McCallum, with Messrs. J. Lister and J. Preston.

Foreign Mission.-Revs. W. March, W. Dyson, and J. K. Chappelle.

Board of Reference.-Revs. W. Gray and D. McCallum.

The Arbitration Committee was reappointed for three years.

The Treasurer's cash statement was presented, and from the balance in hand the sum of £10 was voted to the College property account.

A resolution was also agreed to requesting the Secretary to visit the churches on the Annuity Fund business, the delegates meanwhile doing what they can to interest their friends in the matter.

Day fine-attendance good-Conference pleasant.

The Autumn Conference to be at Lineholme. Rev. D. S. Williams, of Bradford, to preach; and brethren Dyson, Hambly, S. Atkinson, and J. Crabtree to speak at the evening meeting. W. GRAY, Sec.

MIDLAND assembled on Whit-Wednesday at Barton-in-the-Beans. Attendance unusually large. After devotional exercises, Rev. A. C. Perriam preached from Judges iii. 20.

The business session, presided over by Rev. C. Springthorpe, was opened by Rev. T. Stevenson.

Revs. O. D. Campbell, M.A., of Broad Street, Nottingham, and R. J. Beecliffe, of Castle Donington, were cordially welcomed.

Home Mission.-Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A., with Messrs. E. Barwick and G. Payne, were chosen members of the the Committee for ensuing three years.

Foreign Mission.-Revs. E. Stevenson, T. R. Stevenson, and W. Bishop were chosen members of Committee for ensuing two years.

Board of Reference.-Revs. T. Goadby, B.A., J. Salisbury, M.A., and Mr. Jas. Hill were chosen members for ensuing year.

Rev. W. H. Tetley read an interesting and exhaustive paper on "Differences and Divisions in Churches, and how to deal with them." He was thanked, and asked to send it for insertion in the Magazine.

Next Conference.-Place-Burton-onTrent. Date-Oct. 21. Preacher-Rev.

269

O. D. Campbell, M.A. Paper-"Amusements in relation to the Christian Church." Writer-Rev. W. Bishop.

Votes of Thanks were accorded to the morning preacher, and to the Barton people for their entertainment.

Collection for Conference expenses, £5 198. 4 d.

At the Evening meeting a resolution in favour of the Government Franchise Bill was passed. Brethren E. Stevenson, R. F. Griffiths, and T. R. Stevenson delivered stimulating addresses. Thus ended a most enjoyable visit to the "mother of us all."

ROBERT SILBY, Secretary.

SOUTHERN.-The Summer meeting will be held at Berkhamstead on July 9th. Business at 10.45 a.m. Paper at noon by G. W. M'Cree; Subject "Stones in the way." Discussion to follow. Dinner at 1 30, price 18. 6d.

In the afternoon the friends at Berkhamstead have arranged to take their guests for a drive to Asbridge Park. Tea at 5.30, price 6d. Public worship at 7.0 p.m.; preacher, Charles Clark,

Special arrangements have been made with the Railway Co. to issue return tickets from Kilburn at 28. 5d., and from Broad Street at 3s. 1d.

ROBERT P. COOK, Secretary.

WARWICKSHIRE met at Polesworth, April 21st. Attendance large.

The Rev. Leo Humby, of Netherton, and the Rev. George Barrans, of Stafford Street, Walsall, were cordially received.

An able paper was read by Mr. Harrison (President of the Walsall Sunday School Union), on "The relation of children to the kingdom of God." A spirited discussion followed, and Mr. Harrison was warmly thanked.

Reports from the churches were very cheering. Gross gains 86, gross losses 56; candidates, etc., 85.

In the afternoon the President (Rev. A. Hampden Lee) gave an address on "Our Work, with particular reference to Preaching."

Home Mission.-The application of the Longmore Street church, Birmingham, for temporary assistance was unanimously recommended by the Conference.

Baptist Union.-After addresses and appeals made by the Revs. S. H. Booth and W. J. Avery, it was resolved to take the matter of supporting the Funds of the Union into careful consideration. The two brethren were heartily received.

In consequence of the Rev. Ll. H. Parsons resigning the office of Secretary, the following resolution was unanimously carried: "That the Conference, in accepting the resignation of their secretary, Rev. Ll. H. Parsons, of Leicester, desire to record their high appreciation of the ability with which for many years he has fulfilled the duties of that office, and to express their sincere gratitude to him for the deep interest he has taken in all that concerns the good of the churches comprised in the Conference." It was also resolved to present him with an address at the Autumn Conference.

The Rev. A. Hampden Lee, of Walsall, was requested to undertake the duties of Secretary.

LOUTH, Eastgate.-The annual members' meeting was held May 29th. Progress was reported in connection with every department of church work. During the year there has been a considerable gain in attendance at the services, and a clear increase of nineteen in the membership. Total receipts £282 138. 8d. The church is grateful, active, and hopeful.

STALYBRIDGE.-The third anniversary of Rev. C. Rushby was celebrated on May 13. An enthusiastic tea meeting followed. The membership was reported larger than ever before in the history of the church. Net profits of the tea, £13 58.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

CREWE. The first Sunday school anniversary was held May 25 and 26. Rev. R. W. Roberts (Presbyterian) preached in the afternoon, and the pastor, W. Lees, in the evening. Congregations good. Public meeting on the 26th. R. Pedley, Esq., in the chair. Revs. R. Skelly (of Nantwich), A. W. Potts (Congregationalist), T. Naylor (Free Methodist), U. F. Griffin (Baptist), and R. W. Roberts took part. The children and the choir helped largely. Collections £7.

GOSBERTON.-72nd anniversary. — On May 18th Mr. W. R. Wherry, of Bourn, preached two sermons to large congregations, and gave an address to parents and children in the afternoon. The singing of the children formed a very enjoyable part of the services. On the 19th, after the scholars' treat, a large company sat down to tea, after which upwards of 600 people assembled in Mr. Proctor's park, and spent a very pleasant evening. Collections £15 16s.

HEPTONSTALL SLACK.-School sermons May 18th. Preacher, morning and evening, Rev. J. Fletcher, of London; afternoon, Rev. J. Hubbard. Collections over £60.

HINCKLEY.-The anniversary services were conducted on June 1st by the Rev. A. T. Prout, of Birmingham. Congregations large. Collections £26.

HUGGLESCOTE. S. sermons, May 11th. Preacher, Rev. C. Payne, of Louth. Collections £69.

LONGTON.-School sermons on May 18. Preacher, Rev. W. March, of Todmorden. Collections and donations £40 108. REMPSTONE.-School sermons May 12, by Rev. T. Watkinson, of Nottingham. SPALDING. A Flower Service was held on May 18th. Rev. J. C. Jones, M.A., gave a suitable address. Bouquets by

children, and other friends, were arranged in front of the platform. Mr. Atton, the superintendent, gave prizes to the six successful competitors. After the service the flowers were sent to the sick.

STOKE-ON-TRENT -The school sermons were preached on May the 25th, by Mr. S. D. Rickards, of London. Collections with donations £36. On Monday evening Mr. Rickards conducted a children's service, which was much appreciated.

BAZAARS, &c.

LONDON, Praed Street.-A sale of work commenced on Monday, June 9th. After a hymn, and prayer by Rev. R. P. Cook, Rev. W. J. Avery made a statement, and Dr. Clifford, in declaring the bazaar open, said, he had often thought that if he had been of the other sex, he should have gone in for woman's rights, and should have protested with his utmost energy against the exclusion of women from opportunities of speaking for Christ, and certainly against the denial to women of the privilege of Christian work which had greatly characterised the past. The object was to meet the "household expenses" of the church. The sale was continued on the Tuesday and the Wednesday. A concert and entertainment enlivened the proceedings. Amount realized, over £120.

WALSALL, Vicarage Walk.-On May 13 and foilowing days, a bazaar was held in the Temperance Hall, in aid of the funds of the new schools. Opening ceremony by the Mayor (Alderman J. H. Smith), supported by ministers and gentlemen of the district. Among the attractions were an Air-Gun Shooting Gallery, Scientific Experiments, Art Exhibition, etc. Proceeds nearly £180, bringing the total towards the new schools to over £600. Another sale of surplus and additional goods will probably be held about Christmas time.

WOODHOUSE EAVES.-On June 2nd and 3rd a bazaar was held in the schoolrooms, the object being to provide a fund for re-roofing the chapel, the building of an organ chamber, together with other necessary repairs, at an estimated cost of £250-£50 being already subscribed. The Revs. T. Stevenson, of Leicester, E. Stevenson, C. W. Vick, and Mr. T. W. Marshall, of Loughborough, were present. The bazaar was opened by G. Anderson, Esq., Mayor of Leicester. Proceeds, together with donations from several friends, £100, leaving £100 still to be raised.

MINISTERIAL.

271

REV. A. H. LEE has just been elected a member of the Walsall School Board.

REV. L. J. SHACKLEFORD.-Farewell services were held at Ripley, on June the 8th, and a tea and meeting on the 9th. Mr. Shackleford had presented to him by his Bible class, Dr. Ellicot's Commentary, Sermons by Maurice, and a recent work by Dr. S. Cox; by private friends with an Album containing photos; and by the church and congregation with a purse of £20. Mr. S. leaves for New Zealand on July the 3rd, amid regrets at his departure, mingled with best wishes for his happiness in his approaching marriage, and with prayers for success in his new and distant sphere.

FLEET.-Three, by C. Barker.

ILKESTON, Queen Street.-Four, by A. C. Perriam.

LEICESTER, Dover Street.-Seven, by W. Evans.
LONDON, Church Street.-Three, by R. P. Cook.
LONGTON.-Seven, by C. T. Johnson.
LOUTH, Eastgate.-One, by C. Payne.
MANSFIELD.-Ten, by J. Parks.
NANTWICH.-Two, by Price Williams.
NOTTINGHAM, Old Basford.-Thirteen, by J.
Maden.

PETERBOROUGH.-Two, by T. Barrass.
STALYBRIDGE.-Eleven; Dukinfield, one; by
C. Rushby.

STOKE-ON-TRENT.-Six, by S. Hirst.

WALSALL, Vicarage Walk.-Three, by A. Hampden Lee.

WHEELOCK HEATH.-Six (two from Crewe) by R. Pedley.

WHITWICK.-One, by W. Slater.

MARRIAGE.

REEVES-LINNETT.-May 28th, at Lombard Street chapel, Birmingham, by the Rev. E. W. Cantrell, Thomas, fourth son of the late Wm. Reeves, to Frances Ellen, youngest daughter of Edward Linnett, both of Birmingham.

OBITUARIES.

EVANS, MRS.-The beloved wife of Rev. W. Evans, of Leicester, was born at Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, Aug. 22, 1841. She became while young a sincere disciple of Christ. At