great object of meeting with joy the favoured happy beings, whom his fidelity has instrumentally saved.

Thoughts like these will prevent us from being proud of our gifts, and cause us to use them with a trembling anxiety to do our best for the honour of God and the welfare of souls.Dr. Daniel Danna, on the "Importance of Seriousness to the Christian Minister."

BE NOT DECEIVED, OR BE
CONSISTENT.

Ir "honesty, which is the best policy," were universally practised, we should not have so many bankruptcies, and religion would not have its character so awfully tarnished. Preachers would render an untold benefit to the cause of truth and righteousness, if they would speak clearly, lovingly, pointedly, and faithfully on this highly-important, but much neglected duty; they would thus awaken many slumbering debtors. "I thank God," said one of this class once at a love feast, "that my name is in the Lamb's book of life." "And I can bear testimony," said one who followed, "that our brother's name is in my book also." He had not paid his debts. We pity those who, like pious Job, are suddenly brought into poverty and trouble; but what apology can be made for those who are false, idle, or extravagant? (Rom. xiii. 8.)

shrouded in the mists of misery, or clouded by the opacity of sorrow and misfortune.

GREAT MEN.

ALMOST all great men who have performed or who are destined to perform great things, are sparing of words. Their communing is with themselves rather than with others. They feed upon their own thoughts, and in these inward musings, brace those intellectual and active energies, the development of which constitutes the great character. Napoleon became a babbler only when his fate was accomplished, and his fortune on the decline.

Phenomena of the Months.

JUNE.

THE average temperature of each day in the month of June during fifty years shows a variation of only five degrees during the whole month, namely, from 57 to 62 degrees, the latter figure being only one degree less than the highest average of any day in our English summer, and the former figure representing the lowest average of daily temperature we ordinarily experience from the beginning of June to the middle of September-more than fifteen weeks. Seven days in June have an average temperature of 57 degrees; six days an average of 58 degrees; six days 59 degrees; four days 60 degrees; four days 61 degrees; and three days 62 degrees. The rainfall in June, 1868, was two and a quarter inches less than the average of the preceding seven years-an exceptionally dry season.

The sun rises on the 1st at nine minutes before four, and sets at four minutes after eight; on the 15th it rises at sixteen minutes before four, and sets at sixteen minutes after eight; and on the 30th it rises at eleven minutes before four, and sets at eighteen minutes after eight. The total variation in the length of daylight is about eight minutes in the mornings, and fifteen minutes in the evenings; from the 19th to the 23rd the variation is only a few seconds daily.

The moon is new on the 10th at eight minutes before four in the morning, and full on the 24th at twentyone minutes before two in the morning. On the first Sunday it sets before four in the afternoon; on the second Sunday it sets at three minutes before eleven at night; on the third Sunday it is four hours high at sunset, and sets before two in the morning; and on the fourth Sunday it rises a little after half-past ten at night. The moon is near to Jupiter on the 6th ; Venus on the 10th; to Mercury on the 11th; to Uranus on the 12th; to Regulus in Leo on the 14th; to Mars on the 15th; and to Saturn on the 22nd. Mercury on the 1st sets two hours after the sun; but so rapidly does this interval decrease that on the 21st they set within two minutes of each other. Mercury is in conjunction with Venus on the afternoon of the 17th.

Venus is an evening star, setting thirty-four minutes after the sun on the 1st, and nearly an hour after it on the 30th.

Mars sets an hour after midnight on the 1st, and at sixteen minutes after eleven at night on the 30th.

Jupiter rises about half-past two in the morning on the 1st, and at fortynine minutes after midnight on the 30th.

Saturn is visible all night, rising a little before sunset, and setting after sunrise, until the 10th. It sets at twenty-two minutes after two in the morning of the 30th.

Hotel, Cannon Street, Lord Mayor, chairman.

There are no less than 103 meetings published in this guide, and thirty-six special sermons by great preachers. The United Methodist Free Churches had sermons in most of the London chapels, on Sunday, April 25th, on behalf of their Home and Foreign Missions:" and the Wesleyans for their foreign missions, in their principal chapels, on Sunday, May 2nd. The London Missionary Society, in many chapels, Sunday, May 16th. Several churches were opened for collections, on Sundays, May 2nd and 9th, for the Bishop of London's Fund.

The philanthropic Earl of Shaftesbury, we find from this guide book, occupies the chair at no less than eleven meetings. The see of Canterbury, it is evident, is now filled by an active man, for we find the Archbishop of Canterbury preaching sermons, or occupying the chair, six times at these special gatherings.

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Meetings for religious and other good purposes, have been held in various places. EXETER HALL," however, with its world-wide fame, has been as usual the great centre for these gatherings. THE UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCHES" led off here in the mission work, by a good meeting held on the evening of April 26th, followed by the BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY on the 29th; "THE WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY" on May the 3rd; CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY on the 4th; "THE LONDON CITY MISSION on the 6th; "LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY on the 13th. These great missionary societies have done and are still doing a great work. Whether the work done is at all in proportion to the means used and the agents employed is a question.

On Wednesday, May the 5th, "THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY" held its meeting. Whatever doubt there may be in some minds respecting the utility of missionary and other as it societies, there can be none In a regards this noble institution. Protestant country, he would be bold indeed who should object to the circulation of the Bible. If the gift of tongues has ceased, God has supplied

this lack by raising up this society to translate His book into the various dialects of earth, and men can read now in their own tongues "the wonderful works of God."

Next in importance to the societies already named, we may place "THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION," and “THE RAGGED SCHOOL UNION." Two powerful and crowded meetings were heldThe Sunday School Union held their meeting on the evening of May the 6th, and the Ragged School Union on the evening of May the 10th.

One important meeting held in Exeter Hall, Messrs. Bagster have not down in their list. "THE NATIONAL TEMPERANCE LEAGUE" held a capital meeting on Thursday evening, May the 6th. Time and space forbid us noticing any more of these societies, but we are happy to know, whatever ignorant and ungodly men may say to the contrary, they are a power for good in the nation,-yea, to the world. Their line is gone out into all the earth."

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We must leave other events which have, or are passing by us at the present time, and call the attention of our friends to coming events, in reference to our own Association. The triennial meeting will be held in

London this year, when alterations can be made in our rules. As it regards one proposal, it would be an affectation of indifference, which we do not feel, did we not say we hope it will be carried. We mean the proposition by Brother Watson, "That every benefit member should take their Own Magazine." This appears so reasonable, that were it not that we have proof to the contrary, we should have supposed it impossible that any brother could be willing to reap the fruits of the association, who had never helped to sow the seed. He must be poor indeed who cannot lay by a halfpenny a week to purchase this magazine.

We have every reason to believe that the meeting to be held in London this year will be a good one. Mr. McArthur, who takes the chair at the public meeting on June 7th, is the popular representative of the borough of Lambeth, and a true Methodist. Numerous chapels are to be opened for collections, on Sunday, June 6th. Let us expect above all, that the brethren may be baptized afresh with the Holy Spirit, and return back to their fields of labour resolved that they will

"Their every sacred moment spend
In publishing the sinner's Friend."

WEST WYCOMBE.

DEAR BROTHER,-I have pleasure in forwarding to you an account of a meeting held in the Wesleyan Chapel, West Wycombe, for the benefit of the Local Preachers' Mutual-Aid Association, on Wednesday, April, 21, 1869. In the afternoon, a very nice tea was provided by the kind friends of the place (all gratuitous); and although the number present was rather small, yet all appeared to enjoy themselves.

At seven in the evening, the public meeting was opened with singing and prayer; after which the chairman, John Rutty, Esq., who had kindly engaged to preside, gave us, in his usually kind and attractive way, an abstract of his labours as a local preacher for (I think) a period of

thirteen years, with which the meeting was evidently well pleased. I had the pleasure of taking his name as an honorary subscriber for a guinea a year.

The meeting was next addressed by Brother James Hussey, who is also an honorary member, subscribing £1 1s. a year. He has been long, steadily, and acceptably engaged in the discharge of the important duties of the local ministry, &c. His remarks were interesting, and much to the point.

Bro. Rose (Aylesbury), who kindly came for the purpose of helping us, next engaged our attention, and, in a very kindly spirit, strove to sustain the spirit of the meeting.

Then came our warm-hearted Bro.

B. North, West Wycombe, who, after entertaining us with a few of his merry remarks, gave us a practical proof of the interest he takes in the well-being of the Association by laying on the table the sum of £9, the greatest part of which he had received from those to whom he had applied.

After a short speech from Bro. S. Weller, of Wycombe, and a few words from Bro. B. Howland, the meeting was brought to a close by a very cordial vote of thanks to all the kind friends who had been engaged in furthering the objects of the Asso

GENERAL COMMITTEE. THE monthly meeting was held at the residence of the General Secretary, on Wednesday, 12th May.

Present: Brothers Durley (chair), Creswell, Jameson, J. Carter, Chamberlain, Wade 1st, and Coman.

Brother Coman opened the meeting with prayer.

The minutes were read and confirmed.

Brothers Durley and Carter were appointed to make all necessary inquiries and arrangements for providing the public tea, and for a dinner for the brethren whose homes would be too far from the place of meeting. Brother Coman was appointed to

assist the Secretary and Committee in the general work of preparation.

The monthly abstract showed an increase of seven members. Dead, three (no claim for one of these); sick, fifty-three; annuitants, ninety-five. Total receipts since last annual meeting, £2082 4s 3d.

The Treasurer reported the purchase of £100 consols, according to a previous resolution.

Several letters were read, and many minor matters were discussed and settled.

Brother W. G. of B., who had been on the permanently disabled list for some time, was allowed an additional shilling per week.

The entrance fee of a brother in his fifty-sixth year, was fixed at two guineas.

Letters were read and considered from Northampton, Leighton, Swaffham, and Cleckheaton.

Arrangements were made for the audit of the accounts.

A sub-committee, consisting of the officers and Brothers Jameson and Wade, was appointed for settling any needful business until the next meeting, which will be held in the vestry of King's Cross Chapel, on Saturday, June 5th, at five p.m.

DIED.

March 24, 1869, John Varly, of Huddersfield, aged 43. Claim £6. His death was sudden : conscious part of the time, and happy.

April 21, 1869. William Hateley, of Birmingham, aged 61. Claim £6. He died very happy.

May 5, 1869. John Thurston, of Gloucester, aged 69. Claim £6. He died suddenly.

St. Agnes

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per Bro. J. Pollitt

Mansfiel

Free Subscriptions.

Benefit Members.

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