Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

pecially the Jerusalem Mission, the remnant of scattered Judah and outcast Israel, and upon the Gentile world.

3rd. Where circumstances will admit of a morning service, let the congregation be assembled, and, in addition to the appointed prayers and a suitable sermon, let all who are devoutly disposed partake together of the Supper of the Lord-or, as may be more convenient, let the whole congregation meet in the evening for public worship, and let an appropriate discourse be preached.

4th. Let the Ministers of the Lord meet on the following day, with their brethren of their own communion, in earnest prayer for themselves, their flocks, the whole body of Christ, and the world at large; and then especially consult together upon the most effectual means for hastening the coming of the Lord's kingdom, and particularly for the continuance of such a general concert for prayer, that the year may proceed according to this devout commencement.

May the Lord accompany these means of grace, or such others as may be adopted, with his abundant blessing! Oh! may it indeed be a season of special refreshment from the presence of the Lord!

Let this be the prayer of all who read this paper; and as the new year is now approaching, it would be a great kindness if those who approve the object, and have influence over the press, would republish and circulate this invitation, which any one, into whose hands it may fall, has full permission to do.

Peace be with all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity! Thus prays their affectionate Brother

and Servant in the Lord,

JAMES HALDANE STEWART.

St. Bride's, Liverpool.

THE BARGAIN.

[We met with the following in a Scottish periodical : it is well worth the attention of our readers.]

"May I trouble you to show me that dress-cap with blue trimmings in the window?' said a lady-like person as she entered a fashionable lace-shop.

The proprietor, with a polite bow, handed the lady a chair, and producing the cap alluded to, recommended it in the usual set phrases.

'Pray, what is the price?' inquired Mrs. Mowbray with a dissatisfied air, after viewing it in every imaginable position, and scrutinizing its materials and workmanship with the most patient minuteness.

The price is seven shillings, madam,' answered the shopkeeper, rubbing his hands.

'Seven shillings!' exclaimed Mrs. Mowbray ; 'why, I have seen them marked up at a score of places for six, and at the bazaars they are cheaper still.'

'Excuse me, madam, replied the shopkeeper, 'not such a cap as that, I think. Observe the fine quality of the materials, and the neatness of the workmanship. It is a first-rate article.'

'Oh yes, I see,' rejoined Mrs. Mowbray ; but the caps to which I allude are quite equal to it in every respect. The fact is, I do not particularly want it; but if six shillings will do, I will take it.'

The shopkeeper hesitated. 'I suppose you must have

it then, madam,' said he with a saddened countenance, 'but really I get no profit by it at that price.'

'Oh,' said Mrs. Mowbray with a bantering air, 'you shopkeepers never get any profit, if we are to believe you. You mean to say you do not pocket quite fifty per cent. by it.'

The shopkeeper, with a faint effort to smile, shook his head as he neatly folded and wrapped up the delicate article, and Mrs. Mowbray having counted out the six shillings, he politely thanked her, opened the shopdoor, and bade her good-day.

'There, Jane,' said Mrs. Mowbray as she entered the parlour on her arrival at home, 'What do you think of my purchase?' holding up her new acquisition. Is it not a love of a cap? Guess what I gave for it.'

Jane examined it minutely, and guessed the price to be seven or eight shillings, the materials and work being, as she remarked, so very good.

'Only six shillings,' said Mrs. Mowbray triumphantly; the shopkeeper asked seven, but I succeeded in getting it for six; and (putting it on, and walking up to the looking-glass) I assure you I am not a little pleased with my bargain.'

'Well,' said Jane, 'it is a wonder they can afford to sell such a cap for the money; the materials alone, I should think, would cost as much as that.'

'It is a wonder,' replied Mrs. Mowbray indifferently, as she turned herself round before the looking-glass, and inquired of her sister how it suited her face, and whether the colour of the ribbon were adapted to her complexion.

A loud double knock at this moment was heard at the door, and Mrs. Mowbray, taking off the cap in the greatest trepidation, remarked that she would not for

the world that her husband should know of her purchase, as her last month's millinery bill had been very heavy, and Edward would be displeased at what he would term her extravagance.

The cap was safely deposited before Edward had entered the room; who, throwing himself on the sofa, declared he was fatigued, and should be glad of a cup of tea.

'You are late, my dear, this evening, are you not?' inquired Mrs. Mowbray.

'I am later than usual,' answered Mr. Mowbray; ‘I have been attending a committee-meeting of our benevolent society, which detained me some time.'

'Your benevolent society is always detaining you I think,' said Mrs. Mowbray somewhat reproachfully; ' benevolent societies are very good things no doubt, but I think you have quite sufficient to do, both with your time and your money, without attending to any such things. What can we do for the poor? It is very well for those who have nothing to do, and plenty of money to spare; but I cannot see how persons with so limited an income as ours have any business with benevolent societies.'

'Well, my dear,' replied Edward, 'I have thought on the subject sufficiently to entitle me to a decided opinion; and I am sure if you had been with us to-day, and had heard the instances of the good we have already effected, you would not hold so lightly the exertions of even such humble individuals as we. I hope I am neither neglecting my business nor my home in these efforts, and I am confident you will rejoice with me when I tell you that we have good reason to hope that we are making some impression, however little, upon the vice and ignorance which have so long made those lanes and alleys

at the back of our house a nuisance to the neighbourhood.'

'Of course, my dear,' said Mrs. Mowbray, 'I wish always to sympathise with you in any of your efforts to do good.'

'We have some funds in hand,' remarked Mr. Mowbray, and I have promised our committee to visit the poor families myself to-morrow, to ascertain their individual circumstances, and the best means of serving them. Let me add, my dear,' said he coaxingly, 'that I hope you will accompany me, and share with me the pleasure of inquiring into their necessities, and endeavouring to alleviate their distress.'

Mrs. Mowbray would willingly have conceded to her husband the monopoly of this pleasure; but, after making a host of objections and excuses, which were successfully combated by him, was at last brought to acquiesce in his wish, and promised to be in readiness on the following afternoon to accompany him on what she nevertheless deemed a Quixotic expedition.

The next day Mrs. Mowbray was reluctantly ready on her husband's return from business, and, roughly attired for the occasion, they started on their exploratory tour.

Leaving the main thoroughfare, with its genteel dwelling houses and glittering shops, they turned down a little by-street, at the end of which they found themselves in the midst of a huge nest, as it were, of courts and alleys, which presented a striking contrast with the gaudy street they had just left. Mrs. Mowbray was so shocked at the sight of such wretchedness, that she hesitated to proceed, till re-assured by her husband, who well knew the locality, and had often visited the poor families there before.

« ZurückWeiter »