Observer, Sept. 15, 77.

"You have no right to say that, James. The change is in yourself; but you may be sure of this, no respectable young men will seek your company if you are in the habit of wasting your time and your Sundays as you now do.'

"Respectable,' he sneered; 'I hope I am as good as any of them; they are only mill-hands, as I am.' "Yes, that is so, and as I am, far as that goes; but there is a difference in mill-hands as in everything else; you were once just as respectable as the best of them; you were a good and useful member of society. I looked to the time when, as your happy wife, we should serve the Lord together.'

"The silent tears fell from her eyes on to her folded hands as she spoke.

66

'Seeing this, James Conder remembered how a year ago he had seen her weep over his faults; he hoped by giving her a similar promise to the one given then he might yet win her; but the conditions-well, he would afterwards think of that.

"So, with his old tenderness, he gently said, 'Don't cry, Margaret; don't, my dear lass; only say you will marry me; say at Christmas; I'll make you as happy as the day is long. I will, indeed, and I'll be a different man; you know I love you better than anybody in the world.'

"Except yourself, James,' she said. 'No, I shall never marry you; I don't respect you enough to marry you.'

"Very well, then,' he answered rudely; 'I shall go to the bad, and you will be the means of it; how does that agree with your religion?'

"That is a mean thing to say, and only a coward would say it to any woman. It but lessens my respect for you, and will not move me from what I feel to be right in God's sight; I want to be useful in God's cause; I want to go to heaven when I die; if I married an unconverted man I should not do what I wish; how could I? You would be a hindrance to me; so I have determined to walk I will say good-bye, now, James,' she added, rising, and offering him her hand.

alone;

"Brave little woman; and where, may I ask, is her late admirer?-selfish fellow.'

"His handsome face was his passport to a pretty girl's heart, who saw no very particular harm in James Conder. So he married her in a short time after his last conversation with Margaret. She, poor thing, is sadly altered; it is said she sits nursing her baby, waiting for its father, till past midnight nearly every night. The end is clear; poverty will be down on them, like an armed man; and the once hopeful clever young fellow will find a drunkard's grave. The workhouse will most likely receive his wife and family.'

"It would be a good thing for the world if all women were as true to themselves and their Saviour as Margaret, and, like her, dedicate all they have, even their loves, to God; good for the church, good for their own homes, and good for the world at large."-By the Author of "The Lancasters and their Friends."

CONVERSATIONS BY THE VERNON

FAMILY.-No. XV.

MARIAN: In a land so peculiarly under the Divine cognizance as Canaan was at this time, we can scarcely conceive of a famine taking place without God having some special end in view.

WALTER: As far as Abraham was concerned it was so strange that he should be driven forth from the land almost as soon as he had received the promise of it as an inheritance !

JAMES: Even as respects Abraham, I have no doubt a good reason could be found; but we should remember that the Canaanites were still in the land, and that God had a controversy with them on account of their fearful wickedness. But Eva has something to say.

EVA: Yes; as to the effect of the famine upon Abraham. If Paul needed a thorn in the flesh to preserve him from being exalted above measure, might not Abraham need this visitation to preserve him in lowly dependence upon God.

CLAUDE: It was a great lesson to teach Abraham in the outset, that the land, rich as it was, depended for its productiveness entirely on the care and bounty of his heavenly benefactor. Such is the lesson it was calculated to convey. Whether his descendants profited by it to any extent is another thing.

HAROLD: Jacob and his sons had a bitter experience of the same kind.

EVA I cannot but think that the lesson would have its due effect on Abraham; his heart and mind appear to have been so receptive of divine teaching; and so ready to trust all his interests in the hands of God.

MARIAN: Yet, how woefully his faith failed him when he got down into Egypt.

HAROLD: Oh, Marian, you are so ready. MARIAN: Ready to do what, Harold; was it right or wrong to deny that Sarah was his wife?

EVA: Abraham scarcely did that, Marian. We must guard against excitement in speaking of such a man as Abraham.

MARIAN: Yes; I am ashamed of my warmth. I must leave it with James to say what he thinks about the matter before us.

JAMES: With all veneration for Abraham as the "Father of the faithful" and the "Friend of God," I fear he cannot be held guiltless of great and culpable weakness in leading Pharaoh and his people to believe that Sarah was not his wife.

CLAUDE: I am glad you weigh your words so carefully; yet the implication is very severe.

JAMES: Honour and truth require that in forming our estimate of such a character as that of Abraham, we should distinguish most carefully between what is evil and what is good; lest the prevailing piety and general rectitude of the man should blind us to what is morally wrong.

WALTER: Then, in spite of the fact that Sarah really was Abraham's sister, are we to understand that Abraham was guilty of uttering a falsehood when he told Sarah to say she stood in that relation to him?

CLAUDE Thus challenged, I would say that where truth is intended and made to answer the purpose of a lie it cannot be far from bearing the character of a falsehood. But I fear that Abraham,

in addition to his untruthfulness, displayed both cowardice and selfishness in the course he pursued. EVA: Do you think so, brother?

CLAUDE: My dear Eva, how could it be otherwise, when, in seeking to preserve his own life, he left his wife among strangers without the safeguards which a husband's name and protection should have thrown around her.

JAMES: We should, perhaps, remember that high and chivalrous respect for womanhood has never been an Oriental virtue. Polygamy has always destroyed the sentiment of mutual helpfulness that belongs to the conjugal relation, and, with it, the delicate regard for female honour.

EVA: Between the patriarchs and their wives, however, the conjugal tie appears to have been stronger and more endearing than it was among the other families of the earth.

JAMES I have no doubt the corrupt state of society influenced Abraham very greatly. He knew his wife was too beautiful not to attract attention, and he, no doubt, reasoned that if they took his life, any protection he could afford her would be at an end.

CLAUDE: HOW strange it is that a man who had received such special proofs of God's favour should have failed so completely to commit his way to Him under circumstances of such peril and anxiety.

MARIAN: And how gracious that God should deal with him, in the matter of protection, just as if Abraham had put the fullest confidence in His love and power.

EVA: Still, how much more natural and pleasing it would have been if God's interposition had followed as an answer to Abraham's faith.

JAMES Less natural if more pleasing, dear Eva, for in that case the picture of our poor frail humanity even in its best estate, would have wanted those darker but over-true touches which mark it as stamped with imperfection.

WALTER: I am almost afraid to mention anything else against Abraham even in that view of it; but, did not the acceptance of so many presents from Pharaoh, for Sarah's sake, add to Abraham's sin?

:

JAMES I fear it did; but as God threw His mantle of pity and forgiveness over these many faults, probably as arising out of one false step, it may be as well for us to pass them over without further comment.

MARIAN: But how was it, James, that Abraham, after receiving so many proofs of God's power and readiness to deliver him, in Egypt, should fall into the same error in Gerar, twenty years afterwards?

JAMES: You may not have to go far for an answer, dear Marian. Listen to your own heart and daily experience! Are we not all very forgetful every day of our heavenly Father's unfailing kindness?

HAROLD HOW was it that Sarah was so beautiful at sixty-five years of age?

CLAUDE: You may well ask that, Harold, for in reading the account we are made to feel that the wife of Abraham, at nearly three-score and ten, was radiant in beauty.

Observer, Sept. 15, 77.

Egyptian women, who, both in ancient and modern times, have been generally ugly, would be a very handsome woman.

EVA: Compared with all other women on earth, the descendants of Sarah have been of surpassing beauty. To mention the name of Jewess is almost to conjure up a picture of human loveliness, as far as outward form and feature are concerned.

HAROLD: Well, I am very glad Abraham and Sarah got safely out of Egypt. We shall have to go back with them to Bethel at our next conversation.

Intelligence of Churches, etc.

BIRMINGHAM.-During the last half of August, eleven have been immersed and added to the church in Charles Henry Street, Geach Street, or Great Francis Street.

CHELSEA. Since our last report the Lord has continued to bless us as a church, and the seed sown has not been sown in vain. Six have given themselves to Him in the obedience of faith; and two have been received to our number who were already immersed into His name. J. BANNISTER.

AUSTRALIA.-Exchanges, dated July 2, record recent additions by baptism-Hindmarsh, six; Ade laide, eight; Melbourné, eleven; Christ Church, Nee Zealand, seven. From Auckland T. H. Jennings writes "The brethren in Cook Street have been made to rejoice during the past month by witnessing the confession and immersion of five persons. Three more are to be immersed to-night. Br. Lewis he been labouring at Albertland seven weeks. Four were added during his visit.”

Obituary.

DURING the past month death has twice visited us. Two of our brethren have been taken from us, and are now sleeping in Jesus. BARTLEY ELLIS, sent, passed away on the 29th ult., having endured a long and trying illness with exemplary patience. Through many years he had loved the Lord Jesus, and his confidence was firm and his hope bright in his last hours. He greatly desired once again to see hi beloved son, and this was given him the day before his death, when he came from Manchester to spend a few hours with him, returning for the Lord's day. Like a shock of corn fully ripe he was gathered into God's garner at the advanced age of seventy-five. WILLIAM ARSLETT, aged nineteen, also died suddenly on the 10th inst., after a lengthened period of fre quent suffering. He was gathered into the Lord's family from our Sunday school, and has lived a consistent life for eight years as a member of the church. In every period of life the Lord calls whom He will Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching. J. BANNISTER. Chelsea.

BIBLE READINGS FOR CHURCHES. SEPT. 16.-Psalm cxlvii.

Mark iv.

23.-Psalm cxlviii.

Mark v.

30.-Psalm lxxvii.

Mark vi.

Ост.

Mark vii.

7.-Isaiah xxix.

DEC 1877

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H. EXLEY sends a card from Liverpool, dated Sept. 21st, intimating the landing of himself and wife, that day, from America, on their way to Southport.

AMERICAN BOOKS.-The following are sold out; notice will be given so soon as they can be again suppliedCommentary on Romans, by Lard; Commentary on Acts, by McGarvey; Gospel Preacher, by B. Franklin ; Christian Baptism, by A. Campbell.

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CONDITIONAL IMMORTALITY.-Will the Editor favour his readers with the result of his observations concerning the discussion, going on in the religious world, upon this subject? Lincoln, C." We are not aware that our readers, to any extent, concern themselves as to our views thereupon. Perhaps, for the present, it may suffice to say that the result most clearly before our mind, at this time, is the conviction that a vast amount of good paper has been wasted, that numerous writers on both sides abound in worthless arguments, that the tracts and papers, for the greater part, are useless reading; and that there is a lamentable tendency, pro and con, to unduly exalt special hobbies.

THE PAPER ON EVANGELIZATION is reprinted, in America, in the Christian and also in the Apostolic Times. The Christian says "We commence this week the publication of a paper by David King, of England. ... It will give us a view of preaching from the standpoint of

TE

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Observer, Oct. 1, '77.

THE NEW MOTOR-KETTLEDRUMS.

IN America considerable commotion prevails, just now, as to a New Motor to supersede steam. A large amount of money has been subscribed and expended upon constructing a powerful machine, by the operation of which a huge vessel may be propelled from New York to London, at very little cost and by the consumption of only one quart of water. The force thus controlled and employed is not steam, nor electricity; what it is Mr. Keeley keeps to himself, rightly enough, as the secret which shall pay him most handsomely. Some people, who ought to be able to judge, declare the thing all right; while others, not less competent, treat it as humbug, and expect ere long to have the laugh over those who have put money into the concern. On its real merit we have no opinion. But, certainly, it should not be rejected on the plea of newness and wonderfulness. It is not so long since we lit our halls with oil and candle, and laughed at, and even persecuted, men who told us that buildings and streets could be illuminated by gas. The steam giant has not been so long arrested, and made to do our hardest and swiftest work. Electricity, in its applications, is of to-day; and none of us know what mighty forces God has in nature, not yet discovered by man and capable of control when we come to know them. Let the world look out for New Motors.

But God is also the author of spiritual forcesthe gospel, for instance, the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. Now in this region we are not left to discover New Motors; the gospel must do the work or it will remain undone. We have had the apostles and prophets, of the dispensation of the Spirit, to teach us how to apply the truth to the hearts of men- "preach the word," in season and out of season, to individual hearers and to multitudesdeal with the unconverted, not as with worshippers, but as unconverted, whom you have to prepare for a place in the temple of God, where the sacrifice of praise is offered by those who have been buried into the death of Christ. So did the apostles and other inspired preachers of the apostolic age; and the call to us is to be imitators of them. But their ways are abandoned on every hand, and failure prevails.

That being the case, preachers anxiously look for New Motors. America, too, is pointed out as the land of discovery in this direction. Mr. Moody comes, draws his tens of thousands, better preachers and teachers, men who can do a profounder and deeper work, rush to his feet, fold their arms and watch in wonderment to discover the new force which has attracted so

many and accomplished so little. Well, what have they found? Anecdotal talk, such as the Saviour and His apostles either could not or would not use (that they did not is certain). But that was not the Motor, though without it, possibly, the large crowds would not have been gathered nor retained. What else was there? An American Organ, and a Sankey who could make the people sing! Moody and Sankey have gone, but their would-be imitators are numerous, and small organs and harmoniums are plentiful. Evangelists, entering on new ground, set up the instrument and discourse the language of praise by an "Evangelistic choir," composed of unconverted persons, or partly so, and in such proportion as the claims of music and other considerations demand.

But is a reasonable measure of permanent success thus realized? No! The success, in the most successful instances, is very limited and seldom permanent. But is not this musical motor capable of more powerful application? If organ-power is to some extent influential, why not add kettledrums? "You are becoming quite profane" says an organist. Not at all! Justify, if you can, your mixed Evangelistic choir and its organ, and on the same ground, seeing the greater efficiency to draw the people, we plead the expediency of employing a full band. What, drum, and fife, and fiddle? Why not? Mere fastidiousness to hold to the one instrument and exclude the rest.

Yes!

It

But what has produced this writing? The fact that the writer has been to church-to St. Luke's Church! One of the white-robed priests, in sermon brief and poor, asked, "What has this great concourse assembled here, on Monday evening, for?" He replied, "You have all come to Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.' That, of course, was not correct. Though we live under the shadow of St. Luke's Church we never go there to praise God. was not the gospel that drew us there, but the New Motor-Kettledrums; and so it was with a large portion of the assembly (the priest's assertion to the contrary notwithstanding), as was evidenced by their conduct together with the regret expressed from the pulpit, that the people do not thus gather within those walls to hear the gospel on Sunday. But, then, on Sundays there are no drums. But to be more precise, we received an invitation thus

"Sir Henry Cole takes the liberty of calling attention to the announcement of the Weekday Musical Services, and expresses a hope that Mr. and friends will attend one of them; and, if it meets with approval, will support the continuance of them. An answer will oblige.

FIRST SERVICES.-Singing of Psalms and Hymns by the whole Congregation, accompanied by Trumpets,