Rev. Bishop Gregg, and the occasion was used as an opportunity for presenting a parting token to Miss Fanny Webb (one of our most hearty workers, who is leaving the neighbourhood), and also to Mr. Holmes, our most kind. Treasurer. The devoted Secretary of our Sunday School (Mr. F. Webb) has been much cheered by the addition of three more Sunday School Teachers, Miss Baker, Miss Taylor, and Mrs. Howard, and with hearty and united effort we look forward to marked progress in the future. The Services continue to be taken by Messrs. Tully, Storey, Horton, King, Kemp, Meade, Webb, and (on Thursdays) Bishop Gregg.

**

*

TUE BROOK-/Christ Church).-Our Services are being taken by a clergyman of the Anglican Communion.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD.-(Christ Church.) -A special course of sermons was preached in Christ Church on Sunday evenings during Advent, and on the last Sunday evening of the Old Year a suitable address was given by the Rev. G. J Lacell, from Dan. xii, 13, in the course of which he gave, according to his usual custom, an outline of the work here. and of the events which had taken place in connection with it during the year. At the close of the evening service a special and informal one for "prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" was held to which a goodly number remained.

Upon the first Sunday in 1885 the Rev. G. J. Lacell preached in the morning upon the motto which he had been led to select for our congregation for this year. "Watching, Waiting, Working" (Prov. viii, 34; Mark xvi, 30). Watching for Jesus. Waiting on Jesus. Working with Jesus. In the evening the address was upon "The race set before us," and was based on Hebrews xii, 1.

We begin the year with 91 members of our branch of the "Bible and Prayer Union," 200 members of our "Children's Scripture Union," and 115 of our "Temperance Union."

Married in Christ Church by the Rev. G. J. Lacell, December 13th, 1884, John Watson to Mary Ann Hall, both of Hemel Hempstead.

January 3rd, 1885, James Durrant to Lucy Bridget Rowe, both of Hemel Hempstead.

Our new Parsonage House is making satisfactory progress, the building having been roofed in. It is expected to be occupied by Midsummer. The architect is Mr. W. A. Fisher, and the builder is Mr. E. Horn, both of Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead.

In about March next we hope to hold our first Sale of Work, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to defraying expenses connected with our Church here. Should any of our readers be disposed to help us by gifts of work (not necessarily needlework, or executed by ladies) or money, such gifts would be gladly received and gratefully acknowledged by Mrs. Lacell, New Road, Hemel Hempstead.

LISCARD (Christ Church.) According to our usual. custom we met at midnight of the old year for a retrospect of the mercies received during the year, and to re-consecrate ourselves for future service.

We were agreeably surprised at the numbers who gathered --and the recounting of God's past providences towards us proved as profitable as the motto for the new year, "None other foundation than Jesus Christ."

On Thursday, January 8th, we had our fourth annual tea meeting. Our hearts were lifted up with gratitude to see the room crowded beyond its resources. A very substantial tea was provided by the ladies of the congregation, and ample justice was done to it.

After tea the chair was taken by the Rev. Wm. Mules (of Warrington), who was supported by the Rev. B. H. Ward and Mr. M. L. Jones.

An enjoyable programme of vocal and instrumental music was kindly discoursed by some friends, including the Misses Leitch, Ash, Jones, and Redman, and Messrs. Hardie, Taylor, Jones, Gee, and Birkett.

During the evening some valuable words of encouragement and advice were given by the Revs. Mules and Ward, also by Mr. Jones, and an old and valued friend, Mr. Copeland, who has returned to reside here. By the meeting it was felt that a great incentive had been given to the church; the earnest went away strengthened and energized, whilst the apathetic were prompted to work in the future.

Already the meeting is rendering its fruits in an improved attendance of our own members, and the addition of new blood for which we are devoutly thankful.

We earnestly crave the prayers of the church, generally, that God will use us and enlarge our coasts.

WARRINGTON.-(Emmanuel Church.)-On Wednesday night, December 31st, a Watch-night service was held in Emmanuel Church, and was well attended. The Rev. W. Mules preached from the text, "Now is the accepted time." At the close of the sermon the congregation engaged in silent prayer, and after the mid-night hour had struck, the benediction was pronounced. As the congregation left the Church the motto cards for 1885 were distributed, the motto being "Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I” (Psalm lxi, 2.)

A public concert and entertainment by the members of "The Christian Association" was given in the Schoolroom, Old Road, on Monday, the 5th January, the Rev. W. Mules presiding. The chairman briefly spoke of the objects of the association, and afterwards invited persons present to give in their names as members. He said money was wanted to defray the expenses and to extend the work they had in hand, by promoting the spread of pure literature, free tract distribution, &c. Mr. Riley ably accompanied the singers throughout, and gave a pianoforte solo, with his usual proficiency. The pieces rendered by the choir were all well executed, but special mention may be made of the "Psalm of Life," and the anthem "O praise the Lord." Miss Ray earned an encore for her song Do they miss me at home," and in response gave 66 Roses underneath the snow." A song by Miss Gandy "Waiting at the gates of Heaven," two songs by Mr. Maddock, and one each by Messrs. James and Walter Ray were well received. A Lancashire ghost story by Mr. Ray, and a reading by the Chairman, added to the interest of the meeting, while a humorous sketch entitled "Uncle Benjamin's Legacies," provoked considerable amusement and was well rendered. Votes of thanks were accorded to the chairman and to Mr. Riley, and the meeting was brought to a close by singing the national anthem.

The

On Monday, January 19th, the monthly public meeting of our Band of Hope was held in the Schoolroom. programme included recitations, &c., by W. Jackson, Miss F. Dickens, H. Teare, and Ada Jackson, a song by Miss M. L. Paul, and a reading by Mrs. Howard (the Secretary). The entertainment was, as usual, varied by melodies sung by the band of Hope children. Miss Brown kindly presided at the harmonium.

It is intended (D.V.) to hold our Congregational Tea Party on Monday, January 26th, and we hope to give particulars in our next issue.

Official Entelligence.

APPLICANTS FOR THE MINISTRY.

Applicants for the Ministry in the Reformed Episcopal Church in the United Kingdom, otherwise called the Reformed Church of England, should apply (for the south) to the Rev. G. J. Lacell, Rector of Christ Church, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, or (for the north) to the Rev. W. Mules, Vicar of Emmanuel Church, Warrington; or (generally) to the Rev. C. Snosswell, A.K.C., Vicar of Christ Church, Braintree, Essex. Before an applicant can be accepted a personal interview with the Bishop is in all cases necessary. SUSTENTATION FUND.

The Treasurer acknowledges the receipt of the following:

Mr. A. D. Latcham, per Bishop Gregg
Southend, per Miss Horsey

Hemel Hempstead, per Mr. French..
Ditto Collected by Miss Mayfield

£ s. d.

4 13 I

I 7 3

0 16 6

£7 I 10

All contributions for the Sustentation Fund should be sent to Mr. H. Davies, 27, Sandstone Road, Stoneycroft, Liverpool.

PRACTICAL SYMPATHY FUND.

We are indebted to "English Churchman" (a member of the Established Church) for the suggestion of a “Practical Sympathy Fund" whereby it has been proposed to raise by next Easter a sum of £500 as an expression of practical sympathy with the Protestant and Evangelical work of the Reformed Church of England. Sums of £5 and £25 have been offered conditionally upon the whole amount being raised by next Easter. The amount is not a large one, neither would it be difficult to raise if our exact principles and position were thoroughly understood; but the gauntlet which all movements must run is in this world one of misrepresentation. We have received, and do receive much encouragement often where least expected; but it would be needless to deny that our greatest difficulties have at times arisen where we should have expected greatest help.

Our aim is very simple: viz., To provide an ecclesiastical refuge in the present distress for Evangelical and Protestant church-people driven out of their churches by ritualism, or left to perish by neglect. During the short space of about seven years, one of our churches, though poor, has locally raised over £10,000, and another some £5,000 for this work. The means which we adopt is the Gospel rather than the Law. We have adopted a revised book of Common

Prayer which does not teach Baptismal Regeneration, the Real Presence, or Auricular Confession; and in our pulpits we endeavour to set forth "the Gospel of the Grace of God" as the only remedy for man's condition.

We wish the most hearty success to the Church Association, and all other Agencies and Ministers, who desire, and try to advance the cause of Christ on the lines of the Protestant Reformation, and we surely shall not appeal in vain to those who love the old paths of Evangelical truth when we ask them, in our efforts honestly to do God's work to assist us, and thus to "Come to the help of the Lord against the mighty."

manner.

We feed on Christ only after an heavenly and spiritual And the mean whereby Christ is received is faith. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance, neither is it to be in this Church, reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.

(John xiii, 35; 1 Cor. x, 16, 17; 1 John iii, 23; iv, 11; Matt. xxvi, 26, &c;. Mark xiv, 22, &c. ; Luke xxii, 19, &c. ; I Cor. xi, 23, &c. ; John vi, 35, 47, 48, 53, 63; Acts iii, 21). [By "Transubstantiation is meant that the substance of the bread and wine is changed or transferred to the substance of Christ's Body and Blood. By "Consubstantiation" is meant that the bread and wine remain as they were, but that Christ's Body and Blood are there at the same time and together with (con) the bread and wine; some asserting that Christ is present in, with, and under the elements, as the heat in a hot poker (this is their illustration) is present with it. In order to puzzle the weak, there are

some now who, while professing not to believe Transubstantiation or Consubstantiation, yet assert that Christ is present "supralocally and hyperphysically," and under such really meaningless terms deceive the hearts of the simple. The Romish Dogma of Transubstantiation had no existence as such until the Council of Lateran, 1215 years after Christ. By the decision in the "Bennett Judgment" in the Established Church of England (A.D. 1870), the following Teaching was legalized in that body, viz.: The Presence, the Sacrifice, and the Adoration of Christ present in the Holy Communion. The words as used by Mr. Bennett on which the trial mainly rested were "The three great doctrines on which the Catholic Church has to take her stand are these: (1) The real objective Presence of our blessed Lord in the Eucharist; (2) The Sacrifice offered by the Priest; and (3) the Adoration due to the presence of our blessed Lord therein."

To use the words of the Times newspaper, "The issue of the trial was on all points in Mr. Bennett's favour." Since this decision, the following practices have been conditionally sanctioned by law in the "Ridsdale Case : " viz., the use of Wafer-bread; the setting up of Crucifixes in Churches; and the Eastward Position, i.e., the sacrificial position of the Priest at the "altar," so as to give expression to the sacrificial doctrine sanctioned by the Bennett Judgment. Against such doctrines and practices which are not distinguishable from those of Rome, the Reformed Church of England strongly and scripturally protests.]

A

Bible Searching.

PLAN known as "Bible Searching" is adopted amongst young persons in some places with excellent results. A certain letter is named some days previously as the subject of the Bible Searching. This letter is to be the first letter of each text to be found. The text having been read aloud, some 30 seconds are allowed in which to find it. When found the finder stands up, and to those who are successful a ticket is given. The following texts (beginning with "N") are those given recently in one of our Sunday Schools, with the subjects prefixed :—

God: No man hath seen God at any time-Jno. i. 18, I Jno, iv. 12.

Satan Now the serpent was more subtle, &c-Gen. iii, 1. God's Deliverance of His People: Now Moses kept the flock, &c-Exod, iii, 1.

God's Guidance: Now after the death of Moses... God spake unto Joshua-Josh. i, 1.

God's Keeping: Now among these were, &c-Dan. i, 6. God's Punishment: Nevertheless the men rowed hard, &c-Jonah i, 13.

God's Praise: Not unto us, O Lord, &c-Ps. cxv, 1. Christ's Birth: Now when Jesus was born, &c-Matt. ii, 1.

Christ's Burial &c. Now upon the first day of the week, &c-Luke xxiv, 1.

A Christian Worker: Now there was at Joppa, &c— Acts ix, 36.

II.

How to Work: Not slothful in business, &c-Rom. xii,

Present Dangers: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, &c -1 Tim. iv, 1.

Future Glory: Now unto Him that is able, &c-Jude 24.

THIS

Have Patience.

HIS, according to Mr. Pitt, is the first essential quality of a great statesman. He must be able to bide his time. To wait in quietness the coming of events that he knows must come. He must be wise enough and strong enough, not always to rush things.

"There is a time for every purpose under heaven ”—and he must be able to discern that time. Sometimes that means an energy and push that nothing can turn aside. And sometimes a quietness and patience that nothing can seem to arouse. It is no time for quiet waiting when the grain is cut and clouds are gathering for the fast approaching storm. Then, as Grant said, "You must push things." But when the snows of mid-winter are lying on grain fields, just as clearly, "pushing things" is entirely out of place. That is the time for patient waiting.

And when we come to the New Testament idea of Patience we find it is a most comprehensive one. Hence the Apostle says "Let Patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing!" And as in itself considered Patience is the inark of a great soul, so in the New Testament line of view it is the index of a great Christian. He is the patient man who has planted himself on the Truth of God, does the work that is given him to do, and then calmly waits the result. "Having done all to stand," is the great lesson he is seeking to learn.

St. Paul puts it very grandly when, in speaking of the calm heroism of Moses' life, he says, "He endured as seeing Him who is invisible." The thought of God was upon him; the vision of God was before him, in all he did and wherever he went. He worked out the great problems of his life under the inspiration that it gave. It held him calm and true in his course. It lifted him above the annoyances that each day brought with it, and made him victor over all the trials of his lot.

It is the need of each one of us to-day. Faithfulness in work; patience in waiting; calmness under wrong. And alike these come from the secret of Moses' life. Patiencewithout prompt and determined effort when such is needed, and enduring labour when that is called for-is but the sluggard's endurance of that which he lacks the spirit to amend or to throw off. But patience that has done all, and then "stands" in quiet waiting for results-this is indeed patience after the mind of Christ. It is an all comprehensive grace.

It crowns the believer with the glory of the Master's spirit. It saves the ship from many a wreck, the army from many a hopeless defeat, the enterprise from many a failure. Had not Wellington known how "having done all, to stand," he would never have been crowned the victor of Waterloo. Patience plucked the victory from the hand of an arbiter that had given the cause against him. And in all "enterprises of great pith and moment," we need the steady support which this grace alone can give; and nowhere do we need it more than in the Master's work for His Church. We are sent to school to "the kingdom and patience of Christ." And blessed is that man who learns the lessons that are to be taught him there. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life.”