Scot's Lane Chapel, Salisbury, May 26, 1858.-Incidental expenses formerly raised by means of quarterly collections; produced about £16 to £18 a-year. From Lady-day, 1857, weekly offerings have been substituted, collected by means of five boxes fixed in the lobby and passages. The money is secretly deposited that is, no names are given; no one knows what another person contributes ; and it is solely for incidentals. They produced £32 28. Od., or nearly double the previous average.

The friends of the Rev. E. JONES, Ipswich, lately determined to pay off the debt of their beautiful chapel, opened last October, by weekly gifts of 1d., 2d., 3d., 4d., 6d., 1s., 2s. 6d., 5s., 10s., and 15s. respectively, to the promised amount of £700 in twelve months. Hitherto this promise has been redeemed.

A wealthy family contributed under £10 last year, for pew-rent and incidental expenses its minister's income was deficient. Casting aside, as ungenerous and paralyzing, the custom of pew-rent for the pastor's support, its members are contributing a personal weekly offering to ministry and expenses of worship, which in the year will exceed £14.

On Wednesday, June 2nd, a meeting of fifty-one Deacons and Delegates of the WILTS and EAST SOMERSET CONGREGATIONAL UNION was held in Trowbridge, to take into serious consideration the subject of Church Finance. To secure full and free expression of opinion, deacons and delegates alone were present. The Rev. J. Ross delivered a statement on "The Weekly Offering; or, New Testament Rule of Church Finance." Questions were put to him on various points, and several most interesting facts were stated by gentlemen present, sustaining the views advanced. One holy fervent desire appeared to influence every heart,-how most successfully to perform the sacred functions of their office, for their ministers' comfort, their churches' prosperity, and their Saviour's glory. The meeting was perfectly unique, and such as to be fervently desired in every county in the land.

The minister of a poor rural congregation said his people had, during ten weeks' practice of the weekly offering, raised more than treble their average amount for that period under the former method, besides manifesting a far more lively interest in the ways of God.

A gentleman stated privately, in confirmation of the value of laying up in store weekly for sacred purposes, that he has done so from his youth, never being without a sovereign for a needy object. His brother also has done the same.

Progressive as are some, and satisfactory as are others of the above, as compared with ordinary cases of church provision, who can doubt that if the members of these churches laid by personally, on the Lord's day, a due measure of the week's receipts, as the last-mentioned gentlemen do, the value of their gifts would increase as greatly as that of the blessings promised by God to his holy and faithful people? For brass I will bring gold; and for iron I wil bring silver; and for wood, brass; ard for stones, iron." JOHN ROSS.

66

12. In all little pleasures which may occur, to put yourself last.

13. To try for "the soft answer that turneth away wrath."

14. When we have been pained by an unkind word or deed, to ask ourselves, "Have I not often done the same and been forgiven ?"

15.-In conversation not to exalt yourself, but to bring others forward.

16. To be very gentle with young ones, and treat them with respect.

17. Never to judge one another harshly, but to attribute a good motive when we can.

USE PLENTY OF GRAVY. MR. DIXON, in a late number of the Scalpel, in an article on "Diet," assumes the position that "the use of oil would decrease the victims of consumption nine-tenths, and that

this is the whole secret of the use of codliver oil," quotes the following summary of observations on this subject, made by Dr. Hooker :

1. Of all the persons between the ages of fifteen and twenty-two years, more than one. fifth eat no fat meat.

2. Of persons at the age of forty-five, all, excepting less than one in fifty, habitually use fat meat.

3. Of persons who, between the ages of fifteen and twenty-two, avoid fat meat, a few acquire an appetite for it, and live to a good old age, while the greater portion die with phthisis before thirty-five.

4. Of persons dying with phthisis, between the ages of twelve and forty-five, nine-tenths, at least, have never used fat meat.

Most individuals who avoid fat meat, also use little butter or oily gravies; though many compensate for this want, in part at least, by a free use of those articles, and also milk, eggs, and various saccharine substances. But they constitute an imperfect substitute for fat meat, without which, sooner or later, the body is almost sure to show the effects of deficient calorification.

HOME.

WHAT is the most beautiful thing which the sun shines upon? A happy home. Is that a drunkard's home? No. A rich home? No. A poor man's home? No. A country home? No. A city home? No. It is a Christian home, wherever found. This is the happy home, where God's love is the sunshine, and a thankful, humble, peaceful spirit fills the air like sweet scents.

A young man once left the paths of virtue, and fell into wickedness. "But, oh," said he, "I was never, never happy; for whereever I went and which way I turned, an angel met me in the way. That angel was the image of my Christian home, and it for ever reminded me of my father's counsels, my sister's love, my mother's prayers, my innocent boyhood. I could not get away from it." And at last it brought the wanderer back.

BEXLEY HEATH CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL. An interesting meeting was held here on Monday, 26th April, to offer thanksgiving to God for the liquidation of a large portion of the heavy debt, which has encumbered his church: its amount (£985) haying been reduced to £225, in the short space of

about a year. The Rev. C. Gilbert occupied

the chair, in the absence of the Rev. John Adey, the present pastor, who was prevented from attendance by illness. The following ministers took part in the service: the Rev. Messrs. Collins, Hodson, Lucy, Simpson, and Verrall. A resolution of thanks to the

Rev. C. Gilbert, was then unanimously passed for his disinterested kindness in using his influence with wealthy Christians and benevolent societies, to give so nobly to the liquidation of the debt.

DAMERHAM, WILTS.-On Good Friday, a social festival was held at the Independent Chapel in this village, for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to the Rev. Samuel Williams, who for seven years has laboured at Cripplestyle and Damerham. The chapel was crowded to excess. W. Tice, Esq. of Soply Park, acted as chairman. The meeting was addressed by the Revs. S. Knell, of Throop; Morgan Williams, Fordingbridge; A. Mist, of Ibsley; Francis Baron, of Ripley; Oswald Jackson, of Ringwood; E. A. K. Welch, Esq. M. D. of Downton; and Thomas Coote, Esq. of Fenstanton. memorial consisted of a purse of gold, and Barnes' "Commentary on the New Testament,"

The

GREAT CHESTERFORD.-The anniversary of the Congregational Chapel, Great Chesterford, Essex, was held on Thursday, June 10th, when the Rev. J. Keed, of Cambridge, preached an excellent sermon from Isa. lx. 13, to a full audience. A public tea was provided at five o'clock in the town barn, which was tastefully decorated with flowers, evergreens, and mottoes, when 250 friends sat down. In the evening, after singing and prayer by the Rev. G. Burgess, of Linton, Cambridgeshire, J. Levitt, Esq., was called to the chair. The following gentlemen gave encouraging and animating addresses :-the Rev. Messrs. Ayrton, Gillson, Perkins, Reed, and Burgess. A vote of thanks to the chairman, ministers, and ladies who presided at the tea, was moved by Mr. E. Kent, and seconded by the Rev. P. S. Rutter, the esteemed minister of the place. The interesting proceedings terminated with singing the doxology and prayer. Good collections were made after the services. On Friday, after an address from Mr. Rutter, the children in the Sabbath-school had their annual treat of tea and cake.

LONDON ROAD CHAPEL, LEICESTER.--The dedication services of this new and spacious building, erected by the Rev. R. W. M'All's congregation, commenced on Wednesday, April 28th. The Rev. Dr. Raffles preached in the morning; the Rev. S. M'All in the afternoon; and the Rev. J. Sherman in the evening. On the Monday following, upwards of 600 sat down to tea, after which a crowded public meeting was held; Richard Harris, Esq., presiding. The Revs. J. Sibree, of Coventry; T. W Aveling, and J. C. Galloway, of London; E. G. Cecil, of Notingham; H. Toller, of Market Harborough; J. Stevenson, T. Lomas, J. Malcolm, W. Kelly, W. Crompton, W. Woods, of Leicester, T. Mays, J. Twidale, T. Jowett, F. Islip, T. Johnson, J. Mason, J. N. Robjohns, J. Dale, G. R. Miall, R. Massie, and other ministers and

gentlemen, also took part in the deeply inter esting services.

On Sunday, May 2nd, the Rev. Dr. Leifchild, of London, and the Rev. Dr Alexander, of Edinburgh, preached; and sermons were preached during the week by Dr. Alexander, and Rev. G. W. Conder, of Leeds. The attendance throughout was most encouraging, embracing many ministers, and members of other Christian denominations, and the collections amounted to over £250.

The chapel contains 1,256 sittings, and has a school-room behind, capable of receiving 400 scholars. The total cost, including all appurtenances, freehold, &c., will be about £3,400; the amount contributed hitherto, including the collections at the opening, is about £2,000; the English Congregational Building Society has aided the undertaking by a grant, amounting in the whole to £250, a portion being conditional on the further reduction of the debt. The mode of voluntary weekly contributions, received in fixed boxes at the doors, has been substituted for pew-rents, and the promoters of the erection are encouraged to anticipate that many will be induced to attend who had hitherto lived in entire neglect of religion.

ORANGE STREET CHAPEL, LEICESTER SQUARE. On Monday evening, the 3rd of May, a very numerous meeting of the church and congregation was held in this chapel, to take their farewell of the Rev. Edward Jukes, previous to his removal to Fish Street Chapel, Hull. The proceedings having been commenced with singing and prayer, the following mementoes of esteem and affection were presented to Mr. Jukes: 1. A copy of "Bagster's Comprehensive Bible," in a handsome oak case, together with a purse containing £42 5s., the gift of 128 members of the church and congregation, whose names were affixed to a suitable address inserted in the volume. 2. A valuable timepiece, the gift of the female teachers in the Sunday-school. 3. A silver card-case, the gift of the male teachers; and 4. a beautiful ebony inkstand, the gift of the children in the girls' school. The frends who addressed the meeting referred with thankfulness to the fact, that the ministry of their pastor had been owned by God to the converson of many then present, and in the edification and comfort of both the aged and younger members of the church ; and that while those to whom his labours had been thus blessed could not but feel deep grief at the separation, it was some consolation to know that Mr. Jukes was to be removed to a more important sphere of labour, and to extended means of useful

ness.

PORTSEA.-The Rev. Robert Wright Carpenter, of Hackney College, has accepted an unanimous call from the pastor, deacons, and members of the large Independent Church, assembling at King Street Chapel, Portsea,

to become their co-pastor, in conjunction with the Rev. Thomas Cousins, who has laboured among his beloved people for twentyeight years;-four years as the junior colleague of the late venerated Rev. John Griffin, whose praise is still in all the churches, and twenty-four years as the sole pastor of the church. Mr. Carpenter commenced his stated ministry on the first Sabbath in May,

under very encouraging and auspicious cir cumstances. We trust that the blessing of the great Head of the Church will rest ahundantly on the united labours of the elder and younger pastors, and on their beloved flock. A special prayer-meeting for this allimportant object was held prior to the evening service, on the Sabbath when Mr. Carpenter commenced his work.

The Devoted Minister. A Memoir of the Rev. D. Wilson, of Cumnock. Houlston and Co.

THIS Small volume presents a beautiful portrait of the Presbyterian pastor of Scotland, in the olden time. It is a striking exemplification of the power of character both in the church and in the world.

THIS is a very valuable tract, on 'a subject always important, but more especially so at the present time. It sets forth, with force and brevity, what a revival of religion is, and how it is to be obtained, with illustrations of its means and manifestations, from the great Pentecostal revival. We greatly commend it. Russia and the Jesuits. From 1772 to 1820.

By HENRI LUTTEROTH. London: Seeley. EVERY publication ought to be welcomed, which tends to illustrate the character and proceedings of the Jesuits, who are to be viewed as the common enemies of evangelical Christendom. The present pamphlet is a very valuable contribution to the materials necessary to perfect the world's indictment against the order.

Evangelical Meditations. By the late Rev. ALEXANDER VINET, D.D. Edinburgh : T. & T. Clark. London: Hamilton & Co.

THE public had been led to believe that they had received all that was available of the M.S. of the celebrated Vinet, but they will rejoice in discovering from the present volume, that something good was still in store for them. We are inclined to think,

THE present volume is selected from many sources, scattered throughout many countries, and written through several centuries. While the title of the book serves to give special prominence to trial, the volume will be found to abound also in consolation. It is rich in excellent matter, exceedingly varied, and withal most beautifully printed. Leaves from a Minister's Portfolio. By the

Rev. D. FRASER, A.M. London: Nisbet & Co. Montreal: Dawson. THE present volume consists of short papers on religious subjects for seasons of leisure, more especially the afternoons of the Lord's day. They are laudable for brevity, and intended to supply hints, suggestions, and outlines, rather than complete forms of truth. The volume will be prized by the religious public, as embodying a multitude of valuable thoughts.

Eternal Truth; or, Vague and Vital Chris

tianity. By the Rev. GEORGE MORRIS. London: Seeley.

WE greatly approve the spirit of the present volume, in which the trumpet gives a certain sound. The work originated in a remark of the Bishop of London, in which he warned his hearers against resting satisfied with a

vague Christianity," -a creed made up floating and indifferent ideas, baseless, and shifting, or a creed that brings with it possession in the head, no corresponding influence in the heart, and produces no evidence of its vitality, by works of faith and labours of love for God and man. Such a volume is, at the present time, peculiarly seasonable, since it is calculated to correct abounding errors, and to arrest the progress of pestilent heresy. It is pervaded by a spirit of great earnestness, and a profound regard for the pages of inspiration.

MY DEAR E.-You have probably been waiting with some anxiety to hear what I have to say upon revivals of religion. This, I confess, is a subject on which you have a right to expect the maturest thoughts, that I have been able to gather from reading, observation, experience, and reflection. But I must not conceal from you, that I approach it with the deepest solicitude. There is not, within the whole range of ministerial and pastoral duty, a more important topic, nor one where wrong advice would be more hurtful to the cause of pure and undefiled religion.

This anxiety does not arise from the slightest doubt that there are 66 times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord," in which the churches are greatly quickened, and sinners are simultaneously awakened, convicted, and converted. I have no more doubt that God does thus pour out his Spirit, than I have that he gives showers in summer, or snow in winter. But the more I see and hear of revivals, and the more I reflect on the subject, the more difficult does it appear to me to lay down general rules for the guidance of young ministers in conducting them; and the more wisdom does it seem to require to so cooperate with the Holy Spirit, as in reaping the harvest, to gather the most fruit unto life eternal." You may be too fast, or too slow, and you may do too much or too little; you may call in too much help from abroad, or not enough; you may have too many meetings, or too few; may lay too much of the work upon your church, or not enough; and may be too hasty or too slow in the admission of converts. After all that can be said, you will be in constant danger of erring on one side or the other. Your only safety lies in "asking wisdom of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." Still the results of experience are worth

something, and it would be wrong for a father, in a series of letters like this, to withhold these results from a beloved

son.

In conducting a revival of religion, the pastor has his proper sphere of action and responsibility, and the church has its sphere. Certain duties devolve upon him, which he cannot lay upon the church; and certain other duties rest upon the church, which it cannot shift off upon the pastor. In what I now have to say, I shall confine myself to the former class of duties, reserving such thoughts as I might offer upon the duties of churches for their proper place in another series of letters, should I live to write them. What you want is advice, of which you can avail yourself in the discharge of your own duties as a labourer in the vineyard of Christ. I cannot engage to answer all your questions, even to my own satisfaction; but I will do the best I can, within the limits to which I must confine myself. To do anything like justice to this one branch of the subject would require more than a volume. They are hints and conclusions, rather than full and well-reasoned answers, which I send you.

Your first question is, On what ground are those seasons of great and general religious interest, called revivals, desirable? And here you tell me, that some good men rather dread than welcome them. Their objections are--that they do not like these periodical excitements; that the churches ought always to be awake and active, and that if they were, the Spirit would never cease to strive with sinners; that there are spurious as well as genuine revivals, in which vastly more hurt than good is done; and that they greatly prefer the nightly dews of Hermon, ever fresh and ever sparkling, to occasional showers, however copious, which leave the streams