who died at Broughton, in Hampshire, September 10th, 1769, at the age of 80; having preached there to one congregation 60 years, first occasionally as a deacon for 30 years, and then as their pastor, 30 more. His uncle, Mr. Henry Steele, had previously been pastor 40 years over the same church, which is one of the oldest Baptist churches in the country, dating its origin from the year 1656; being from the days of Oliver Cromwell, under whose enlightened rule for a brief space of that period, men could unite in visible fellowship without fear of being hunted to prison or to death for so doing.

Miss Steele was born in 1716, and died in November, 1778. Her life, although its surroundings were in many respects of the happiest kind, both providentially and spiritually, was one of much suffering and some heavy sorrows. She was the subject of very delicate and enfeebled health from her youth, and frequently a sufferer in her sick room from the effect of an accident that occurred to her in her childhood. Her betrothed was drowned whilst bathing, on the very eve of their intended wedding, and the death of her father, to whom she was devotedly attached, was a severe trial to her. For some years prior to her own decease she was confined to her chamber, her body often racked by pains, but her mind full of peace and holy joy; and with the words, "I know that my Redeemer liveth on her dying lips, she gently fell asleep in Jesus, at the age of 61.

The hymn given above is not one of those written by her that most frequently find a place in our Selections, but it is quite equal to any of her other compositions, the best of which are only second to those of Dr. Watts in poetic excellence. In expressions of fervent, adoring love to the Blessed Saviour, and earnest desire to realise a sense of interest in Him, and fellowship with Him, they rise quite to an equality with the most admired of his. The circumstances under which her hymns were written

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give a tone of sadness to them, and her song is more that of the nightingale than of the midday soaring lark; very tender and sweet, but not so joyous and exultant as that of some others of the sweet singers of our Zion. Her melody is in happy accord with the former part of 1 Peter i. 8, "Whom having not seen ye love," but does not quite reach in its notes to the "joy unspeakable and full of glory of the latter part of that most precious verse. Her hymns express the faith of admiring affection, earnest desire and humble reliance, but not that of confident rejoicing and strong assurance. She was favoured, however, to realise the triumph of faith in her dying chamber, and her beautiful hymns, written under the tender chastenings of her loving Heavenly Father's hand, have been, and will continue to be, a comfort, a solace, and a valued vehicle of worship to many thousands of the living in Jerusalem; for nearly all evangelical hymnals contain some of them. The following are among the most frequently met with :—

"And did the holy and the just."

"Come, ye that love the Saviour's name.'
"Dear refuge of my weary soul."

"Father of mercies, in thy word.”
"He lives, the great Redeemer lives."

ELIZA WOODS.

IN an unfrequented part of the county of Surrey, not far from Esher and Claremont, lies the hamlet of Claygate, familiar to the readers of these pages as the scene of the pastorate of our brother, J. Woods, than whom few ministers of the gospel are held in warmer Christian regard. His little chapel is well attended, and encouraging results accompany his labours. We regret to record that he has recently been called upon to part with his beloved wife, concerning whom the following facts will, we are sure, be read with interest.

Our deceased sister was born on March 10th, 1821, at Friston, in Suffolk. Her parents were godly, and early took her to the chapel, where our venerable brother William Brown, who still occupies the pulpit, had recently commenced his ministrations. To his influence, under the gracious and sovereign power of the Holy Spirit, the rise of true religion in her soul is to be traced. Though she made no open profession for some time, she was early a lover of the house and people of God.

In 1842 she was united to her now bereaved husband, and, for fourteen years, resided with him in their native place. In 1856, however, they were directed in a remarkable manner to Claygate a change which led to many sorrowful separations. Parting with so many dear old Suffolk friends was like rending their hearts asunder. To add to their sorrows there was no congenial place of worship near their new home, and they, indeed, felt as strangers in a strange land.

In 1861 a chapel was built for the accommodation of a church of the faith and order they loved. Here, Mrs. Woods was shortly after baptized; and, on her husband's some time after accepting the pastorate, she quietly assumed the position of the pastor's

wife, which she filled humbly and unostentatiously, but with rare and patient fidelity to the time of her decease.

For many years she was a great sufferer, but always endured her pain with fortitude, and even cheerfulness, remembering that it is ' through much tribulation that the eternal kingdom is reached by the heirs of glory. During the last sixteen months, the malady from which she suffered-asthma-gradually increased its hold upon her. Attendance twice at the house of God on Sabbath days became an impossibility—and often she was precluded altogether, which was the cause of great grief to her.

She was called home on Thursday, December 23rd, 1880. Her dying

utterances were calm and full of trust in the merits of the dear Redeemer.

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee."

"Rock of My

Was often on her lips. Ages"-is it not beautiful? dear," observed her husband to her, "I believe you are going to heaven." Quietly, but with no hesitation, she answered, "Yes." For her children she had always evinced the most affectionate solicitude, and when they were gathered round her bedside to say farewell, she entreated them not to neglect the house of God. As they watched and waited, she further said, "O Death, where is thy sting," and a strange bright look came upon her countenance, which death did not remove, for her coffined face wore it to the last. The Master remembered His promise. He came again, to receive His blood-bought disciple to Himself, and His presence divested dying of its terror. The disciple was glad to see her Lord.

It was her dying wish that she might be interred by Mr. W. J. Styles, of Keppel-street, who, accordingly, attended on January 5th, for that pur

pose: and delivered an address in the little chapel, based on John xi. 11. The remains were then conveyed to the churchyard, where they were simply and solemnly committed to the dustin sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection." On the following Sabbath, the funeral sermon was delivered by our esteemed brother,

William Collins, of Ripley, from Rev. xiv. 13. The discourse was impressive, and expressed much sympathy for the bereaved family. Friends from far and near were present to testify to their regard for the beloved deceased, and her esteemed husband, and the home circle she held so dear. JOHN HOPEFUL.

STRICT BAPTIST MISSION.

WE have pleasure in again bringing the claims of the above mission before the notice of our readers; that those who have been supporting it in the past may be encouraged, and that others who have not yet given it consideration, may be induced to do so. Our zealous brother Doll-our appointed missionary at St. Thomas's Mount, Madras-is assiduously at work. He labours hard for the cause of Christ. May he be long spared to prosecute the labours so near and dear to his heart. He has his own little church at Chintadrepettah to preach for, and attend to its affairs; and he still retains the honorary position of our Mission Superintendent.

From

his recent reports it is recorded how, in company with his two assistants— Jacob John, and Vencatasawmy-he makes periodical visits to the villages adjacent to Madras, preaching and teaching Jesus Christ, and Him crucified; sometimes having to answer hard questions, and upon other occasions to explainin the simplest way possible often (to us) absurd ideas of things; and we echo the words of our brother, "O may the Lord carry the words spoken into the hearts of these hearers." On other days we find our superintendent visiting the schools, firstly, at Bullock Lines, and examining the children in their spelling, dictation, and arithmetic; this school is under the care of teacher David, and Mr.

Doll still makes honourable mention of him, and high commendation of his services. Secondly, the caste girls' school, ably conducted by Rachel, the wife of Vencatasawmy. Here the girls were learning from their Telegu lesson books, and some were busily engaged working with their needles and cotton, on pieces of print sent out from England. The examiner states " I am happy to report, this school is doing well under Rachel's care and tuition.' Thirdly, the Nazarethpooram school, which sadly needs renovation. There appears, according to the tabular received, an average attendance of twenty-five. One day (the report states) "the place was so saturated through the rain coming in, it was found impossible to hold the school." The committee would be gratified if our friends here would enable them, by their contributions, to erect these poor people a suitable shed to meet in. It is by securing the children in the day school, that we hope the teachings they receive from the grand old Book on the Lord's day may be made a blessing to them, and that their hearts may be inclined by the power of the Holy Ghost to accept the word, which is able to make them wise unto salvation. Our sister Rachel is not only a teacher of the day and Sunday-school at Bullock Lines; but is engaged in Zenana work, already referred to in previous issues. This is a branch of Christian labour much to be encouraged; for it is only by this means that houses can

be entered, and the poor women spoken to about their soul's eternal welfare. Our superintendent desires to bring this part of our mission work prominently forward, and says: "This is an important branch of our work: it carries the message of love and mercy to the female inmates of caste Hindoo houses, closed to all but those of her own sex; by this means some of the caste women, whom I have frequently found putting out their heads from their houses to hear us while preaching, may be taught from God's word, and thus by the influence of His Spirit be brought out of nature's darkness into the blessed light of Christ's gospel." Will our friends enable the committee to instruct our superintendent to employ Christian women to aid in this branch of our work, and strengthen the hands of Rachel? Our missionary at Poonamallee, Abel Michael, is still going from place to place preaching the truth, and distributing handbills of the word of life; an extract from his report states, "I went to Keelcharry, read a portion of scripture, and spoke of Christ; about fifteen men and women heard me very attentively; one man, a heathen, came near to me, and said, that he was only waiting until his old mother died, to join himself to Christianity, and to be baptized.' Will our younger readers think of this? and bless God they have no such hindrances to meet with in coming to confess the Lord, by walking in His divine and holy ordinances. Another extract says, "In two different villages, mentioning their long names, I addressed over 200 souls. A severe type of fever was raging in one of these places, and all the inhabitantsnearly-are victims to it. I spoke faithfully. One woman came near me, and received a handbill, saying with much apparent earnestness that she will become a Christian. The Lord knows her heart." These extracts give an insight into our brother's work. But there is an earnest cry sent from India, that a co-worker should be engaged to assist at this

station. "The field," says our corres

pondent, at Poonamallee is a very extensive one, and there is plenty of work for a second missionary.""". Truly the harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few." At this place, also, a school is held by teacher Davabaranum, number on register 32, all belonging to non-caste, some paying fees. On Saturday mornings our missionary attends to teach them their Sunday lessons. Thus far our foreign missionary enterprise is being carried on, and will be, we trust, under the care and guidance of our covenant God, and by the increased supplications, sympathy, and support of our churches. To those who have helped in the past we would say, "Be not weary in well doing;" and to those who have not subscribed to our funds, we affectionately ask them to take to heart the following weighty and earnest appeal from Madras:-"We need more than ever the prayers of our churches, we need more agents, and more means. Brethren help Us brethren pray for us. Call upon other churches of ours, who have not yet joined the mission, to come forward to our assistance. May the Lord of the harvest influence their hearts. Ask pastors of our churches to preach on the subject, present it in their prayer meetings; and in every way interest our people in the work of our mission. Let them be reminded that the success of our mission depends on their cooperation with us, and we may confidently anticipate that with the blessing of our heavenly Father, good results may be realized by both people and missionaries."

We wish most particularly to call the attention of our readers to the state of our funds. According to our last year's balance sheet, it appears we expended during the twelve months £360 19s. 9d., and only received £289 16s., or, in other words, our expenditure exceeded, by £71 3s. 9d., our income; this is an important fact: it speaks for itself, and needs no comment. Do, dear friends, think on it, and help us by your contributions

We crave for many more annual subscribers, so that we might better judge of our financial position; but subscriptions or donations of any amount will be most gladly received and acknowledged by the financial secretary, Mr. Josiah Briscoe. Last year's report with list of subscribers, treasurer's statement, list of officers and committee, also an account of the annual meeting, held in November last, will be sent to any address, post free, upon application to either of the honorary secretaries, Mr. J. Briscoe, 17, Arlington-square, Islington, N.; or Mr. Thomas L. Wakelin, 2, Inkerman-road, Kentish Town, N.W.

The secretaries will also be pleased to furnish any superintendent of our Sunday-schools with collecting cards for securing quarterly subscribers, or otherwise, through the instrumentality of the members of senior and Bible classes. T. L. W.

GERMAN BAPTIST MISSION. The Quarterly Reporter of this mission for January, 1881, is to hand. It contains some interesting items of intelligence from various stations, and a brief account of the origin and progress of a Baptist chnrch in Hungary, which, formed in 1874 of five members, numbered 185 in September last. These, with others who had either deceased or walked no more with the church, made a total of 240 individuals in fellowship since 1874. The good brother, H. Meyer, who has been the instrument in the hand of the Lord of raising this interest, thus describes some of his early trials and difficulties:

"For nearly two years I laboured alone, endeavouring to sow the seed, with many sighs and tears, without result, until it pleased the Lord to bring two married couples to a knowledge of the truth, and to constrain them to make a confession of their faith in the Lord by baptism. Our proceedings were reported to the British and Foreign Bible Society (whose agent at Buda Pesth I then was),

and, in February, 1875, I was required to remove to another field of labour, or to leave the society's service. Negotiations in the matter ended in my taking the latter course, not without much struggle and pain on my part. I could not see how I could carry on the blessed work of the Lord in any other way than I had done. At this crisis, the ten who were then in fellowship as a church resolved to pay the rent of our meeting-house; as, also, for a room where my dear wife and myself might reside; for our other necessities, I trusted to the Lord, that He would supply our wants. By the end of that year I had baptized in Pesth and its vicinity on a profession of their faith, thirty-two persons."

Other interesting particulars are given, which show that "in dark benighted Hungary" the gospel of light and truth is making progress by the instrumentality of this brother, who now receives a small salary from the American Baptist Missionary Society.

Nothing is said in this Reporter respecting the health of the venerable founder of this Mission, Mr. Oncken; a few lines from him, or respecting him, would, doubtless, be very acceptable to his numerous friends in England, and is what they certainly have a right to look for in the pages of the German Baptist Mission Reporter.

A financial statement is given for the year ending June 30th, 1880, from which it appears that the sum of £1,165 8s. was contributed during that period by friends in this country to this mission. A sum, amounting to about £820 English money, is set down as "salaries" paid to thirty individuals in Germany and elsewhere, in sums varying in amount from about £7 10s. to £60 each; these, it is presumed, are pastors, missionaries, teachers, or evangelists. For various expenses incurred in this country the sum of £373 8s. 2d. is put down, and for expenses at Hamburg about £85. Reporter, and printing expenses are set down at £60; results from sale of Reporter, and advertisements therein,