AMONG HEROES AND MARTYRS. 41 AMONG HEROES AND MARTYRS; OR, STUDIES FROM THE KING'S RECORDS. No. II. ENOCH. ERE is the likeness of a hero who never trod an earthly battle-field, and yet was, in the highest sense, a warrior who fought the good fight of faith, and was in all things more than a conqueror through the love of his heavenly Friend. His portrait bears this beautiful motto, "He pleased God;" but his life is not pictured out like Abel's, simply because its chief features cannot be depicted either by pen or pencil; but the King's recorders have given us his history in their own wonderful way. They tell us that Enoch was a husband and father, that he lived for many years, that, when he was sixty-five years old, his son Methusaleh was born, and "after that he walked with God three hundred years." We are not told when he first was called to walk with God; but so he was distinguished in that early age of apostacy; and we know that, at least for 300 years, he trod the path of holy communion with God, as one of our poets sings By faith in Christ I walk with God, With heaven, my journey's end, in view; Supported by His staff and rod, My road is safe and pleasant too." "He walked with God”—that is the grand, broad outline of his life-story. It cannot be set forth in a painting; it cannot be fully explained by words. "O taste and see that the Lord is good," the Psalmist says; for only they who taste can see His goodness clearly, and only they who walk with God can understand what the mysterious saying means. Yet we will try to find out a little of the meaning of this record; and, while so engaged, may some of us, at least, thankfully discover that we also are walking with this divine Companion. Looking at the words, we may notice how they read. It is not said God walked with Enoch. That indeed would have been true; but it a greater and stronger person than ourselves insists on walking with us, we may not be able to refuse his company, however much we may dislike it; but when we walk with an individual, we do so because it is according to our own desire. Thus Enoch walked with God, because he loved to have His company. He was gladly and heartily willing to feel the presence of his Lord, for Enoch, like John, could say, "We love Him because He first loved us." And when we hear that two persons have walked together for a long time, we conclude that they agree very well, for we should soon get tired of walking with a companion with whom we were often quarrelling, or whose words and ways were very disagreeable to us. "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" And very many people are not agreed with God. "He is angry with the wicked every day;" and they, being enemies to Him, say in their hearts to God, “Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways." Such certainly do not walk with the Lord of all; but Enoch had been reconciled to God, through faith in that dear Saviour who then was promised, and who in due time arrived as the great Peace-Maker between sinners and the holy Law-Giver who will by no means clear the guilty. How much Enoch knew of Jesus and His salvation we do not know, but he believed the divine promise, and felt that his Maker was his Friend. Then people can hardly walk together. long without talking to each other, and those who travel much together often engage in very confidential conversation, especially when other listeners are away. Just so, we may be sure, there was com munion between this good man and the God with whom he walked so long, for "the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and they will be sure to open their hearts to Him, being glad of the privilege of making known their sorrows and joys to Him who can always help and bless. Oh, yes; theyspoke to each other often. Jehovah spok to His servant in commands, and promises, and words of love, and His servant answered with prayer and grateful praise. There was sweet fellowship between God and man, and, consequently, Enoch became more and more acquainted with God, and grew in knowledge and in grace. He could have said what the poet wrote so long afterwards of the same almighty Friend "With Him sweet converse I maintain; Great as He is, I dare be free; Here was a good journey, and how did it end? The record tells us "he was not, for God took him." He was not seen or found of men. He did not die. " "God took him." But those three words are true of all who believe, for believers never really die. What we call "death" is to them falling asleep in Jesus. God “takes them from the evil to come," while the wicked are driven away in their wicked REMARKABLE INTERPOSITION IN PROVIDENCE. HE Protestants in Ireland were happily preserved from persecution, in the reign of the cruel Queen Mary, by the following singular providence. Mary, resolving to persecute them, appointed Dr. Cole (who was one of Bonner's bloody agents) a commissioner for this purpose. He arrived at Chester with his commission, and the mayor of that city, being a Papist, waited upon him, when the Doctor, taking out his box, said, "Here is a commission which shall lash the heretics of Ireland." The good woman of the house, being a Protestant, and having a brother in Dublin, named John Edmonds, was greatly troubled at what she heard; but watching her opportunity, whilst the mayor was taking his leave, and the Doctor complimenting him downstairs, she opened the box, took out the commission, and in its place laid a sheet of paper, together with a pack of cards. The Doctor, not suspecting anything, put up the box, and arrived with it in Dublin in September, 1558. Then waiting upon Lord FitzWalters, who was then Viceroy, he presented the box to him, which being opened, nothing was found therein but the pack of cards and the blank sheet of paper. All present were startled when the Lord Deputy said, "We must procure another commission, and in the meantime let us shuffle the cards." Dr. Cole, returning to England, was delayed by contrary winds for some time, and while waiting, very happily for the Protestants, news came that Queen Mary was dead. By this circumstance they escaped a most cruel persecution. The above relation is confirmed by historians of great credit, who add that Queen Elizabeth settled a pension of £40 a year upon Elizabeth Edmonds for having saved the lives of her Protestant subjects. A PLEASANT GATHERING. 43 A PLEASANT GATHERING AT MOST interesting and encouraging A meeting took place on December 26th of the Sunday-school established in connection with this place of worship. Though the school has not been in existence five months, the friends not having until just recently any means of accommodating even a small number of scholars, and though most of those chosen for the work entered upon their duties with some misgivings, being new to the work, yet the unanimity of feeling, and hearty co-operation of all, has been such that results far exceeding the most sanguine expectations have been realized. The gathering of the 26th enabled the friends to obtain a clearer idea of the nature and extent of the work than they had hitherto possessed, and it is with much thankfulness that we bear testimony to the kindly feeling shown, and the practical sympathy manifested by them. When Boaz entered the harvest field, he accosted the reapers with the friendly salutation of "The Lord be with you!" and they were so much of one spirit with him that they replied, "The Lord bless thee." Breathing the same spirit, and animated with the same love, a goodly number of friends assembled to witness the proceedings, and to encourage and wish the teachers "God speed" in their labour of love. At half-past two the children assembled, to the number of 120, and proceeded to places appointed for them in the chapel. Punctually at a quarter to three, the President, who is the Pastor (Mr. T. Hull), gave out the first hymn, and thus inaugurated a new and important step in connection with Ebenezer Chapel. Never before had a band of children, on such an occasion, raised their voices in praise to God in this place of worship; and, as one looked upon 120 eager upturned faces, and heard them sing in all earnestness many hearts were moved, and secret prayer went up that God would raise up a seed to serve Him here, and a generation to call Him blessed. At the close of the hymn, the President earnestly entreated God on behalf of those assembled, and addressed the children, teachers, and friends as none but one whose heart is in the work, and has a deep interest in the welfare of the children, can do. The kindly encouragement given to the teachers was particularly acceptable, and made them to feel, what he has made them to feel again and again, that they have the sympathy and prayers of their Pastor and friend. The first quarterly report of the school was then read, and proved a most interesting item in the proceedings. A pleasing feature of the meeting now followed. Three presentations were made, to the great surprise of the recipients. The arrangements for this had been so well conducted, and the secret so well kept, that neither had any knowledge of what was intended, and they were much moved in consequence. Firstly, Miss Locke was presented with a handsome edition of D'Aubigne's "History of the Reforination," in a neat book-slide, by the members of the Young Women's Bible Class; secondly, Mr. Ellis received an inkstand, with stationery case, subscribed for by the members of the Young Men's Bible Class; and, thirdly, Mr. White, who conducts the first class of boys, received a handsome book-slide from them. These testimonies of regard and esteem are most encouraging, and valued as most precious gifts. Following this, the principal event of the day took place, namely, the giving of prizes. It is pleasing to state that 116 received book prizes-books carefully chosen with a view to aid and assist the work of the Sundayschool. It was a pleasing sight to see them file past the President and senior deacon, with their bright, happy faces, and it made many feel glad that they had contributed to make them happy. Short and interesting addresses were delivered by Mr. R. Funnell (senior deacon), Mr. Trimming (superintendent), and the Pastor, the children singing several hymns, bringing the afternoon's proceedings to a close. An adjournment now took place to the school-room, where preparations had been made for the children and friends to take tea. The children soon settled down steadily to work, and did most ample justice to the good things provided. The arrangements were excellently carried out by devoted friends, and we believe all felt very grateful to them for the great trouble taken. At length the end came, the last piece of cake was asked for, the last cup of tea demanded, and, thoroughly content, all joined heartily in the hymn at the close. After tea, the children again resorted to the chapel, where another hour was spent in listening to short addresses, and the singing of several hymns. On assembling in the school-room once more, some views of places of great Biblical interest in the Holy Land were shown by the superintendent, a short description being given with each, the whole affording great interest to both children and friends. Before the proceedings closed, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. J. Trimming (superintendent) for the manner in which he laboured to bring about the gathering, and helped to bring it to a successful issue. Indeed, the success which has attended the school from the beginning is, under God, in no slight degree attributable to his energy, perseverance, and prayerful solicitude. Both children and teachers feel they owe him much. The proceedings terminated with singing a hymn, and the distribution of an orange to each scholar. We beg to add that, through the kindness and liberality of friends, all expenses are cleared, leaving a balance of nearly thirty shillings to commence the New Year with. [When we consider the difficulties which formerly stood in the way of the establishment of a school, and how God has, in answer to many earnest prayers, removed them, given us a place wherein we can gather the children, and inclined the hearts of a goodly band of united and devoted friends to meet them for the purpose of instructing them in the letter of divine truth, we can but say, "What hath God wrought?" And we trust that many of the dear children who shall read and hear the Word of life here, may be brought by the Holy Spirit to sit at the feet of Jesus, and prove to be witnesses for Him before an ungodly world.-ED.] A BRIEF MEMOIR OF FANNY JONES. HE subject of the following brief memoir was born at Leigh, in Lancashire, on August 21st, 1864. From her earliest years she showed her love to God's house and people, When only four years old, she would, on the Lord's Day, run to her drawer and fetch her clothes, and asked to be dressed to go the second time to the house of God. After some years she removed with her parents to London, and there attended the ministry of Mr. Styles, where, from her attentive behaviour, she was called the " young listener," going to both Sunday and week-day services, so that hers was not only a Sunday attendance. She was also fond of learning and repeating choice hymns, considering it a waste of time to read about anything but the best things. Her words and actions were not like those of a child. About four years ago, she began to attend Gower Street Chapel, and shortly A BRIEF MEMOIR OF FANNY JONES. afterwards joined the school, where she soon became known for her earnest attention to eternal matters. She was present nearly every time when there was public service, especially at the week-evening prayer-meetings, and always remained to witness the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. She manifested great attachment to her teacher, and chose those of the scholars for her companions who were sober-minded, and who valued better things. Some time back, being very unwell, and being confined at home, she told her mother in the course of conversation that the Lord had shown her that she was a lost sinner before Him, and He also had graciously blessed her with pardon, through faith in His precious blood; and she felt she would rather have His presence than all this earth calls good or great. For some three years she generally began the Sabbath morn by singing hymn 482, Gadsby's Selection, commencing, In heaven my choicest treasure lies." She was present, witnessing the celebration of the Lord's Supper, on Lord's Day, November 5th, when she left her usual seat, retiring to the back of the gallery, saying that she felt overcome with the solemnity of the service, for she felt it was not man's, but God's ordinance, and that it would be the last she should witness on earth, as she felt she should be feasting at the Lord's table above before they sat down there at His table again; and most remarkably it has so come to pass. On the following Saturday, on returning home from business (where she had only been one week), she complained of being unwell; and on Sunday, November 12th, she grew much worse. She then said to her mother, "I am very ill, and do not think I shall get better, but I am very, very happy. Do not fret about me. If I do not get better, I wish to leave myself in the Lord's hands. He knows best what to do, and is working all things for the best." The disease, typhus fever, now 45 made rapid progress; but in her lucid moments she repeated, "Oh, what a terrible thing to have no right thoughts of eternity until you are ill or old! What could I do if I was not pardoned, and all settled betwixt God and my soul? I have been very much blessed in my soul for some time past. The Lord Jesus has permitted me to lean upon His loving breast, and oh, it is so sweet to feel Him near, among the fiery trials I have had to pass through, without and within! Christ and I are not strangers to each other. I did love to worship at His feet with my dear Sabbath-school friends." At another time she repeated the third and fourth verses of hymn 329, Gadsby's Selection, which were very sweet and comforting to her heart. During the last few days of her life she spoke but little; and, when asked if she was in much pain, she replied, "No; I am so very happy!" and, looking up, she said, "It is so bright and glorious! Don't disturb me any more than you can help. It is like I have felt at some of the prayermeetings with my dear old friends. Tell them it is all so bright and joyful." She continued with but few sensible intervals until Friday, November 24th, when her happy spirit returned to the God who gave it, and so entered into eternal rest and peace. May our last end be, through grace, as peaceful and happy as was hers! THE best portion of a good man's life consists of his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love. THE answer of a devoted clergyman, when questioned as to his growth in grace, was, "I trust I am somewhat poorer than I was.' "" THERE seemeth to be a superfluity of books. But shall no more books be made? Aye, make good books, which, like the rod of Moses, shall devour the serpents of the enchanters. |