and a stool, and a candlestick," than that they should have left "the preaching of the word of God to serve tables." A few have confessed to us that the mistake of their life has been too soon and too eagerly cavilling with "divers errors and strange doctrines" till faith in the Old Book waned, and their religious life became so enfeebled till at last the spark of Divine grace was extinguished, and they had no desire for the assembly of the saints. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee." "Lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." SEARCHING FOR THE PRODIGAL. One morning we received a pressing message to search the whole town and neighbourhood to see if we could find a young man-who had "wandered far away o'er mountains coldwandered far from home." We found him in the sick ward of a large Infirmary. We knew him when the morning flowers of his youth yielded a sweet perfume. "He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow." "Once he was pure as morning dew, As he knelt at his mother's knee- No face so bright-no heart more true, "Ah," he said, with deep feeling and falling tears, "I made a great mistake and soon went wrong when I began to think lightly of my dear mother's class-meeting; I foolishly listened to others who ought to have known better. I can trace my downward steps from the day I neglected prayer and class-meetings to the wretched state and place I am now in. We hold back the pen from recording all his confessions. He was spared to return to his home, physically wrecked, but deeply penitent, and although his end was not bright, we hope it was safe. "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." MAIMED FOR LIFE. We said to a friend who called on us one day, "You must have met with a serious accident to be maimed as you are!" "I did," was the reply, "though not so serious as you may suppose : thousands of times I have thanked God for the loss of that limb." Explain! "I will! The mistake of my life was the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, for the love of money is the root of all evil. Through this I erred from the truth and was pierced through with many sorrows. Once I was an active member in the church, and a zealous local preacher; did not mind the number of appointments, or long journeys. But as business increased and prospered, I neglected my appointments and thought it was not right to ride the horse on Sundays to preach that I worked in the week, though I could easily let him rest on the Monday. I made a serious mistake when I turned aside on 'Lucre Hill' to see the silver mine, went too near the brink, fell over and got maimed for life. It was on my own premises, and by my own machinery that I lost that limb. In the sick ward of the Infirmary at I repented and wept my way back to the foot of the cross. I have thanked God scores of times for the loss of that limb. I deeply regret the break in my religious life, and often fear that my backsliding may have prevented some from coming to Jesus." "It is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body be cast into hell." MINISTERIAL MISTAKES. 66 66 Well! Brother? our fast and bosom friend in the ministry, what is the matter with you? what is the meaning of all these pamphlets and letters? Reform, reform," we read, connexional rules and regulations wrong, and especially the executive." We thought as we were then in the full swing of revival services and nightly witnessing conversions, that "Life is too short to waste Quarrel or reprimand," and urged our friend to "preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." He was the son of a prophet, endowed with more than ordinary gifts, and aptness to teach; he never doubted his call to the work, and there were marked evidences that his labours were not in vain in the Lord. The father of the Connexion showed him the greatest kindness and tried to keep him in the work. The mistake of his life was when he tendered his resignation, and he thought so too, when we met him some time after, with blistered hands and care-worn countenance, battling manfully to master business difficulties. He was no idler and we deeply sympathised with him when domestic afflictions and commercial failures fell heavily on him. We know nothing of his career across the sea; we hope it has been peaceful and prosperous. The mistake of B-'s life we think was when he resigned the work of the ministry among us. It was never our pleasure to listen to any who could with greater ease and fluency preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. The people walked many miles after dark, through wind and rain, over moor and bog, to hear him preach in (not Blackmore) Chapel situated in one of the most obscure byways of the Connexion. We know that within its walls, our friend had the happiness of pointing scores "to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.” Unfortunately for him he was tinged with a restlessness and perhaps too ambitious; so in a few years he severed his connection with the people to whom he was greatly indebted. He was baptized; held for a short time the pastorate of a Baptist Church; things did not go smoothly or prosperously. He tried the New World, and there studied the law instead of the Gospel, and report said he displayed great forensic powers in the courts of justice, changing from this, he tried the medical profession. But it was not long before his strength was weakened in the way and he passed over to the great majority; finding that he did not lessen his sorrows or labours or accumulate wealth by resigning the Bible Christian ministry. At our last district meeting an influential layman and also a representative at our London Conference said, "Can you tell me what is become of Mr. -. He was my spiritual father, and there are many leading and influential friends with us on the I.W. who were converted under his ministry." I replied, that I knew scores in heaven who were won to Christ through his instrumentality. Our friend further said, "What a terrible mistake Mr. made when he gave up the ministry. Shall I meet my spiritual father in Heaven ?" We answered that the most successful years of our ministry were spent in happy toil with Mr. His home was full of sunshine and joy, his first wife one of the meekest and sweetest of Christians. She brought him a good dowry. We have thought the mistake of Mr. ——was an inordinate desire to accumulate money solely for the honour and position it would give him among men. When he turned aside to plant, and build, he soon won municipal honours, and was rapidly climbing the pinnacle of fame. He sadly erred, when he thought a little "wine necessary for his stomach's sake," till at last he mingled with those who seek mixed wine: and in a few years he became a wreck morally and commercially. It was a pitiable sight to see a friend whose early life had been surrounded with comfort and whose labours had been signally blessed to others, at last driven from pillar to post; using questionable means to secure a livelihood, and selling copies of Billy Bray and other books that were given him to pay the rent of one little room. He died of paralysis in the town of An old friend of his was not called in time to witness the closing scene. He tried hard when dying to repeat "Rock of Ages." Thank God for that. A medical gentleman of met the funeral expenses, and one that loved him long and well, performed the funeral rites. Enough on the "mistakes of life," we "scarce can see for weeping" The errors and sad mistakes of others remind us how needful it is for us all "to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." "For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace." Rebibals. CARDIFF. DIAMOND STREET.-The good work referred to last month still continues. On the 24th January Mrs. Dorothy Sturges commenced a special mission, and during three weeks held three services each Sunday and two each week day. They were largely attended, and several of them were extraordinary for spiritual power. Since the 24th December 210 persons have declared themselves on the Lord's side, of whom about 150 are Sunday scholars. Much and special prayer for the Sunday-school preceded this glorious ingathering, and now that God has so graciously answered prayer immediate steps have been taken to preserve the gathered fruit. Every teacher will speak personally to the converted children at his or her class every week; two meetings, one for girls and another for boys, will be held weekly, and new classes formed. For some time past much anxiety has been felt for the senior classes. Most of them were approaching the age when nothing but conversion would be likely to retain them in the Sundayschool; bnt now our cup of joy is full-they are nearly all converted. MISKIN STREET.-Mrs. Sturges yesterday (February 8th) commenced evangelistic services in our new place. The morning service was not specially remarkable, but the afternoon service for the young witnessed a great breakdown. Thirty-eight, mostly scholars, and nearly all the senior ones, remained for prayer after the service was closed, and all professed conversion. In the evening we had a crowded attendance and six more penitents, and at Diamond Street there were three also. It was deeply interesting to hear the newly converted scholars and their teachers sing some of Sankey's hymns outside of the door of the New School Chapel just before the service to attract people to come inside. These little missionaries at once commenced to sing, and may they yet preach the Gospel. J. C. HONEY. soon. Chapels. ELTHAM.-For an account of the opening of this neat and substantial structure see Bible Christian Magazine for March, 1885, page 30. Considering the historic fame of this suburban village, together with its growing population and contiguity to the greatest city in the world, the chapel was not opened a day too Very praiseworthy and successful efforts were made to put the trust estate in a satisfactory financial position. The opening report just alluded to shows a balance deficient of £648 15s. 5 d., but the actual debt when the building account was closed was £845 16s. 3d. The difference between the balance shown and the total liability is accounted for in the following way:-150 had been received from the Connexional Chapel Loan Fund, which, though entered on the side of receipt, had to be placed also with the borrowed money as so much debt; and the "anticipated profit " on the sale of the old chapel was entered also as an item of receipt at £200, whereas the amount really received from that source was under £150. This explanation will be sufficient for the readers, who may feel sufficient interest to institute a comparison between past and present records. It is now a great pleasure to me to be able to state that encouraging results have attended the strenuous efforts of the church, congregation, and other generous helpers in this good work. At first the liability to be grappled with assumed somewhat alarming proportions, but by the cultivation of a spirit of unity and a strong desire for the conversion of the unsaved, coupled with a cheerful and grateful bearing in all our arrangements to meet all current monetary claims, our way has been opened even beyond our expectation. Some particulars of our last anniversary services will, we doubt not, be gratifying to friends more immediately concerned, and at the same time indicate our present position and prospects. On Sunday, January 18th, 1885, two practical and impressive sermons were preached by Br. J. C. Sweet to attentive and appreciative congregations. On the following Thursday, January 22nd, the annual tea was served in the chapel at 6 p.m. At 7.30 the public meeting commenced, under the presidency of E. K. Hett, Esq. (Episcopalian). After reading a portion of Scripture, the chairman gave an admirable address, marked by great intelligence, large catholicity, and ardent spiritual fervour. The report was presented by the pastor, and was considered highly encouraging. The total receipts for the year ending December 31st, 1884, amounted to £112.10s. 9d., made up of the following sums.-Balance from 1883 £26s. 4d., seat rents £10. 18s., anniversary £11 10s. Id., special efforts £32 18s. 4d., vestry fund £54 10s., and other income 8s. The total expenditure £103 os. 9d., made up of the following sums:-Interest £29 45., debt paid off £15 16s. 3d., entire cost of vestry £54 10s. Other expenditure £3 10s. 6d. This leaves a balance in hand of £9 10s. The vestry and tea room were opened for use in August, 1883. Mr. A. J. Thomas undertook the treasureship until the total cost should be met, and for his valuable services he is entitled to our heartiest gratitude. From the foregoing figures it may be seen that the trust estate by the removal of debt and the addition of vestry, &c., is largely benefited. This monetary success is the result of a deepening spirituality, and a growing converting power cherished by the members of the church. The congregation is gradually improving, and the church membership is nearly doubled in less than two years. Several conspicuous cases of conversion have been witnessed to the great joy of the church, and to the amazement of some notorious unbelievers. The Sunday-school is hopefully holding on its way, and the Bible-class has so increased that it is with difficulty its members can be crowded into the vestry built for its special use. It must be added that much of our comfort and success in working is due to the diligence and deep interest manifested by our church officers, the brethren, T. Owen and C. Capes, society stewards, J. Hart and I. Haines, chapel stewards, and A. J. Thomas, conductor of the Bible-class and circuit steward. Without exception, as far as can be ascertained, the elders and other members of the church have combined in their efforts to promote the work of God. Our watchwords are “Salvation, consecration, victory." To God be all the praise. Thoughtful and stirring addresses followed the report from the Revs. J. C. Sweet, E. J. Penford, F. W. Bourne, and T. G. Vanstone, and the anniversary was pronounced the best yet held. Including £3 from the chairman, the monetary result was satisfactory, and when the meeting closed, all appeared stimulated for more vigorous service in the future. The present liability on the trust estate is £700 borrowed money, mostly at 4 per cent., and £110 owing to the Connexional Chapel Loan Fund-total £810. K |