It

Minnie was sobbing and crying on the freezing heath, her brother was dancing and enjoying himself heartily in the dancing room. The fiddler, one of the boys, grew obstinate and refused to play. was dull work for him to sit in a corner and scrape away while the others were dancing so merrily. So the party broke up quite early. Herman was accompanied home by several other boys, for his father was also the keeper of the village inn. His mother met him at the door, with a demand for his sister. Shocked that she had not got home, he could not say a word. But several children had seen her walking towards the heath, and instantly search was made for her in that direction.

Every house, shed, barn, and hedge was searched-in vain! The parents sent to friends in the neighbouring village, whom they were accustomed to visit with Minnie; but the messenger returned with no cheering intelligence. The whole town was now aroused. Every one shared in the anguish of the parents, for Minnie's sweet temper made her a general favourite. The men, each with a lantern, and drawn out in lines in order to make the search as thorough as possible, searched the heath far and near. Poor Minnie! she neither saw the glancing lights, nor heard the loud shouts, nor the long-resounding horns.

Was she dead?

Heavy and dull, over the dreary heath, came the sound of the village bell, striking the hour.

"'Tis Minnie's death-bell!" cried the mother, falling into her husband's arms, and weeping in bitterness of grief. What she most dreaded she seemed to behold,her Minnie lying alone on the damp, cold grass, while the last breath came through her chilled, quivering lips. But the next moment she sprang to the search again with redoubled efforts.

They had now reached the border of a little wood. Dark and still stood the low firs, like crosses in a graveyard, with the dim light from the lanterns glancing over them. The parents found a group of peasants standing still in front of the wood, towards which they looked and motioned without speaking, as if something fearful lay therein.

"But what's the reason you don't go on?" asked the magistrate.

"We found drunken Charley there," answered a young man. "It was dreadful!

His face was all eaten up! I wouldn't go in there again for all the world."

The others were no less disposed to shun the dreadful thicket. But the parents, thinking only of their lost Minnie, plunged fearlessly into its gloomy depth. It was thoroughly searched with no result, except the certain knowledge that she was not there. Nothing was left but to give up the search in that direction and return home.

Through the middle of the village was a swift brook, now swollen with rain and melted snow. Perhaps, in crossing the rude bridge, Minnie had made a misstepand fallen into the water. The stream was dragged for a long distance, but nothing was found. It was a sight of dreamy splendour, the lights glancing and gleaming on that black and swollen stream, beneath which, it was feared, sweet, blueeyed Minnie was lying cold and lifeless.

But at length the church bell, in gloomy, hollow tones, proclaimed the hour of midnight. One by one the villagers gave up and went home. The parents only, though death-weary from toil and anguish, continued the hopeless search. It was nearly midnight when the magistrate at length pursuaded his wife to go home for a little rest.

III.

"Wretched boy!" cried the mother, hoarsely, as she caught sight of Herman, the cause of all this sorrow, lying fast asleep. "Can he then sleep so quietly while his poor sister is dying of cold and fear, all through his fault? Keep him from my sight. Can I ever love him again !"

"Don't speak so harshly," said the father, in a soothing tone; "he meant no ill, and his sleep is only the natural consequence of weariness; for, like us, he has done his utmost in the search. See, his pillow is wet with tears, and his eyes are red and swollen."

The mother made no reply, and cast herself, sighing, on her bed. But she could not sleep. Visions of lost Minnieever floated before her. Now she saw the poor child wandering in sad plight on the stormy heath, and now sinking down to die. She trembled at every gust of rain that dashed against the window. Every terror of the awful night to which her child was exposed cut deep into the mother's heart.

Hark! what little wail comes from be low, and pierces the stillness of the house!

With one spring the mother is on her feet, and the startled father, waked suddenly from his troubled sleep, sees her running in all haste towards the door.

"What is it?" cried he.

"Minnie's here at the door?" said the mother.

Both hurried to the outside door, and eagerly drew the bolt. It flew open. The wind blew the snow into their faces with a shriek and sudden swoop; and there was nothing more. The parents looked despairingly at each other.

But

"It was her ghost?" said the weeping mother. "She is dead, she is dead!" Sadly they returned to their room. soon the wail began once more, and grew louder, till it ceased in a heavy, sudden report. The magistrate, who had listened carefully, now begged his wife not to be troubled by it.

"It is nothing but the great oven door grating on its hinges," said he; "I heard it with perfect distinctness."

The mother was soon convinced that it was nothing more. They would not lie down again, however, but began to get -ready for another search.

Meanwhile the day broke, gray and gloomy. Here and there might be seen a villager slowly crossing the street. It was yet hardly light when a loud shout drew every one to his door.

"What is it?" was the question from all lips, while every heart gave the foreboding answer," It is Minnie's corpse!" But it was only a woman who had picked up a little shoe on the heath as she came into the village. It was at once recognised by the parents as little Minnie's.

Certain now that she had not fallen into the river, for the shoe was found at a long distance from it,-the search was again begun with redoubled energy. Soon the other shoe was found, sticking fast in the mud.

"Where can the child have wandered ?” exclaimed a neighbour of the magistrate; "I am sure we searched the whole heath last night without"

He suddenly stopped, and, pale as death, pointed to a little heap of clothes a few paces in advance. For an instant all stood still, then slowly went up to that little heap, with hearts beating qufck and fearfully. It was indeed Minnie, lying curled up under the shelter of a little knoll. Was she dead?

Tenderly they drew the apron from her head, about which it was closely drawn, and

spoke her name. What a start and shock it gave them when, in answer, she opened her eyes, and, after one wild look, smiled in their faces! She was soon lifted from her damp, cold bed, and carried towards her home in the arms of one of the peasants. The crowd received them with joyous shouts, and the news spread like wild-fire through the village.

Happy, happy the meeting of parents and child! Joyous the up-springing of the mother's heart while her darling was pressed closely to it! The magistrate's house was unable to hold all the people who crowded there for a sight of the child, who had lived through such a dreadful exposure. Meanwhile she was dressed in dry, warm clothes, and her matted, tangled hair was combed and neatly brushed. She soon looked as well and pretty as ever, and seemed not a whit the worse for the stormy, dreary night on the open heath.

Minnie could give no very clear account of the way she had passed the night. Yet it is certain that she must have kept in motion till near morning, when some animal frightened her, and she lay down and drew her apron over her head, just as she was found. It is indeed wonderful that her tender limbs bore up so long against weariness and the pelting storm. God's angels kept watch over her.

And Herman, who had so faithfully sought to retrieve his fault, his mother lovingly embraced him, and forgave him all. It was a good lesson for him, and ever after when harsh quick words sprung to his lips, the thought of the night when Minnie was lost, would check them before they were uttered.

After being fondled and petted by every one, Minnie was laid in her own warm bed, and soon fell fast asleep. She seemed as well as ever, save for a little paleness. Neither cold nor cough had she, notwithstanding her long exposure to the rain and

snow.

But six months more had hardly passed, before the Autumn turf was laid upon her little grave. She had died of fever. So it goes in the world. The flower which the frost has spared, may be crushed under some heedless foot, or beaten down by the hail.

Little Minnie, sweet and lovely, is now a sweeter, holier child in heaven, among thousands more who await and welcome all who come to its pure and blessed fields.

ACCESS TO GOD.-However early in the morning you seek the gate of access, you find it already opeu, and however deep the midnight moment when you find yourself in the sudden arms of death, the winged prayer can bring an instant saviour. And this wherever you are. It needs not that you ascend some special Pisgah or Moriah. It needs not that you should enter some awful shrine, or pull off your shoes on some holy ground. Could a momento be raised on every spot from which an acceptable prayer has passed away, and on which a prompt answer has come down, we should find Jehovah-shammah, "the Lord hath been here," inscribed on many a cottage hearth, and many a dungeon floor. We should find it not only in Jerusalem's proud temple and David's cedar galleries, but in the fisherman's cottage by the brink of the Gennesaret, and in the upper chamber where Pentecost began. And whether it be the field where Isaac went down to meditate, or the rocky knell where Jacob lay down to sleep, or the brook where Israel wrestled, or the den where Daniel gazed on the hungry lions, and the lions gazed on him, or on the hill-sides where the Man of Sorrows prayed all night, we should still discern the ladder's feet let down from heaven-the landingplace of mercies, because the starting-place of prayer. And all this whatsoever you are. It needs no saint, no proficient in piety, no adept in eloquent language, no dignity of earthly rank. It needs but a simple Hannah, or a lisping Samuel. It needs but a blind beggar, or a loathsome

lazar. It needs but a patient publican, or a dying thief. And it needs no sharp ordeal, no costly passport, no painful expiation, to bring you to the mercy seat; or rather, I should say, it needs the costliest of all; but the blood of the atonement, the Saviour's merit, the name of Jesus, priceless as they are, cost the sinner nothing. They are freely put at his disposal, and instantly and constantly may he use them. This access to God in every place, at every moment, without any personal merit, is it not a privilege?-Rev. J. Hamilton, D.D.

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.-It is a childish cavil wherewith, in the manner of justification, our adversaries do so greatly please themselves, exclaiming that we tread all christian virtues under our feet, and require nothing in christians but faith; because we teach that faith alone justifieth; whereas by this speech we never meant to exclude either hope or charity from being always joined as inseparable mates with faith in the man that is justified, or works from being added as necessary duties, required at the hands of every justified man; but to show that faith is the only hand which putteth on Christ unto justification; and Christ the only garment, which, being so put on, covereth the shame of our defiled natures, hideth the imperfections of our works, and preserveth us blameless in the sight of God, before whom otherwise the weakness of our faith were cause sufficient to make us culpable, yea, to shut us from the kingdom of heaven, where nothing that is not absolute can enter.Hooker.

NOTES OF THE MONTH.

POLITICAL.

The Indian news is decidedly more favourable this month than it was when our last number appeared. At the most recent dates, reinforcements were arriving,-Sir Colin Campbell had entered on his duties as commander-in-chief, -Lucknow, though not relieved, was stated to be safe, as Generals Havelock and Outram would speedily reach it,-and preparations were being made for an attack, which was certain to be successful, upon Delhi, the headquarters of the mutineers. Altogether, the news is reassuring, and we may now hope that a few months will see the end of this disastrous mutiny. It will be gratify. ing to many of our readers to learn that Mr. Gregson, one of our missionaries at Benares, has joined General Havelock's force as acting chaplain.

The mutiny has furnished the chief topic for political addresses in every part of the country. Since our last, Lord John Russell, Mr. Gladstone, the Duke of Cambridge, and many others, have uttered their

views more or less publicly.

Doubtless

India will form the chief topic of Parlia mentary debate next session: it is probable that the government of the East India Company will be severely canvassed and energetically attacked.

The Indian Relief Fund has reached the magnificent sum of £150,000.

The Cholera has been raging fearfully at Stockholm. Up to the 6th Oct., 696 cases had occurred, of which 338 were fatal. It has also broken out at Lisbon. There have been some few cases likewise in England. A circular of warning and advice in reference to the matter has been issued by the General Board of Health, Whitehall.

News from the United States inform us of a dreadful commercial panic in the chief commercial cities of the country. A vast number of commercial houses and banks have failed. The influence of the paniccaused, doubtless, by overspeculation-is severely felt in this country, where the Bank of England has raised the rate of discount to the almost unprecedented rate of eight per cent.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

A general "Fast-Day" has been held since our last, for humiliation and prayer in reference to India. It was almost universally observed. The most remarkable service of the day was that conducted by Mr. Spurgeon at the Crystal Palace, where the largest audience that has assembled in modern times to listen to the exhortations of a minister of the gospel was gathered. Altogether, there were upwards of 23,000 persons present: and the sum collected in the building on account of the Indian Relief Fund amounted to £475 16s. 11 d., in addition to which the Crystal Palace Company contributed £200, bringing up the collection to £675 16s. 11 d.

In India there has also been a day of special prayer. We are glad to observe that the Governor-General's Form of Proclamation is a great improvement upon that adopted at home, where even yet the antiquated and objectionable form of "Command," &c., is adhered to. As a model of such a proclamation, we present the Governor-General's, taken from the Calcutta Gazette:"In the presence of the heavy calamities and sufferings which by the acts of wicked and bloody-minded men have fallen upon loyal persons of every class in. many parts of the Queen's dominions in India, the Right Honourable the GovernorGeneral in Council desires to invite all Faithful Subjects of the British Crown to join in an humble offering of Prayer, Supplication, and Confession of Sins to Almighty God, and to implore a Blessing upon all measures taken for the Repression of Rebellion and Crime, and for the restoration of Peace, Order, and Contentment throughout British India. To this end the Governor-General in Council proposes that Sunday, the 4th of October, shall be observed in each Presidency as a day of Special Prayer. For all congregations subject to the spiritual authority of the Bishop of Calcutta, his Lordship will be requested to prepare a Form of Prayer suited to the occasion. By order of the Governor-General in Council."

We are glad to see that the Special Services for Working Men, in connexion with the Established Church, at Exeter-Hall, are to be resumed this month. The Bishop of London preaches the first, and the Bishop of Gloucester the last, service of the series.

REGENT'S PARK COLLEGE.

The annual meeting of this college was held on Tuesday, Oct. 13th. From the report we learn that six of the students had settled with churches in a satisfactory manner, and that two new students had been admitted on probation. The reports of the examiners were interesting and satisfactory, especially that of Mr. Webster, of King's College, London, who examined in the New Testament, and, though a Churchman, bore the most gratifying testimony both to the success of the students and the efficiency of the theological train

ing. A second tutor, Dr. Davies, has at length been appointed, an arrangement on which we cordially congratulate the institution, both on account of the valuable aid they have obtained in Dr. Davies, in whose return to England we sincerely rejoice, and because we are satisfied that our colleges need, as far as their funds permit, a full staff of tutors. In some branches of instruction, New College and our own will afford reciprocal assistance. The meetings throughout were well attended. In the morning the Revs. W. F. Burchell, S. Bird, of Hatfield, J. H. Hinton, and Dr. Hamilton, engaged in the service. After dinner, Dr. Angus, Dr. Halley, and the Rev. Mr. Kincaid, of Burmah, addressed the friends present. And in the evening, S. R. Pattison, Esq., F.G.S., presided, and the resolutions were moved and supported by the Revs. T. Pottenger, F. Clowes, J. C. Harrison, C. M. Birrell, and G. Lowe, Esq., F.R S., J. N. Harwood, Esq., Thos. Gurney, Esq., and John Hill, Esq.

COLEFORD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

The Baptists of this town having long felt the inconvenience of too small a chapel and the absence of any school-room for 500 children, the foundation-stone of a new edifice to seat 800 was laid Oct. 7th, 1857, by J. Batten, Esq., one of the deacons, and the donor of £300 towards the undertaking. The afternoon service was interrupted by heavy showers; singing, reading, and prayer, by the Rev. T. F. Newman, of Shortwood, and an appropriate speech by Mr. Batten were alone possible. In the evening 800 sat down to tea in the old chapel; after which a public meeting was held, presided over by Mr. Batten, Addresses were delivered by the Rev. John Penny, the minister of the place; Mr. Nicholson, of Lydney; Mr. Goold, of Cinderford; the Rev. C. Spurden, of New Brunswick, and the Rev. T. F. Newman, of Shortwood. The meeting was large and enthusiastic, the building being crowded in every part, and the contributions and promises were found at the conclusion to exceed £1,250. The new chapel, designed by C. G. Searle, of London, will be built in the Norman style, of the best Forest stone, with Bath stone facings and mouldings; the contract is taken at £1,660, and the additional expenses of lighting, warming, boundary walls, &c., will, it is calculated, bring that amount up to about £2,000. The old chapel will be used as a school

room.

CULLINGWORTH, YORKSHIRE.

In 1837 the Baptist Chapel in this place was erected at a cost of £1,200. The opening services, which were preached on the 11th October, 1837, realized along with subscriptions, £550, leaving a debt upon the place of £650, (a large sum for a few and generally poor people.) It had been so far reduced that, soon after the commencement of the present year, it was determined that the twentieth anniversary should be the last one. Mr. Harvey, of

Northwhich, who was the pastor at the opening, preached two sermons on behalf of this object on the 11th instant, when collections were obtained, which, along with the subscriptions of friends, more than met the amount required. In consequence of the debt being thus removed, on the Monday following the members and friends had tea together. After tea, there was a public meeting, Mr. Harvey was called to the chair. The meeting, which was an interesting one, was subsequently addressed by the Revs. J. H. Wood and J. Thornton, of Haworth; Mr. Parker, of Shipley; Mr. Dineen, of Keighley; Mr. Briggs, Mr. Craven, and Mr. S. Whitley, of Bradford; and Mr. Green and Mr. Sutcliffe, members of the place.

FOREST-HILL CHAPEL, SYDENHAM.

This new and elegant chapel was opened for public worship on Tuesday, Sept. 22nd. The introductory prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Thomas, of Pontypool College. The dedicatory prayer was presented by the Rev. G. Rose, of Bermondsey. An able sermon on "Proprieties of Christian Worship was then delivered by the Rev. W. Brock. In the afternoon a public meeting was held. A. T. Jay, Esq. occupied the chair, and suitable addresses were given by the Revs. Dr. Thomas, Dr. Spence, of Poultry Chapel; J. Davis, of Rochester; S. Green, C. J. Middleditch, J. Bigwood, &c. In the evening an eloquent sermon was delivered by the Rev. W. Landels, on "The Greatness and Condescension of God." This edifice is another example of what may be done by the combined energy of a few people, as was very beautifully alluded to by the chairman of the public meeting. The idea of erecting this structure was conceived only about a year ago, and since that period the work has been done, as Mr. Brock affirmed, "without extravagance on the one hand or meanness on the other." There remains only a small debt, which it is hoped the christian public will speedily enable the committee to discharge.

ZION CHAPEL, HEREFORD.

Public services were held in this place on Thursday, Oct. 8th, and following Sunday, in connection with the re-opening of the chapel after repairs, the opening of new school-rooms, and the public recognition of the Rev. W. Bontems as pastor of the church. On Thursday morning a sermon was preached by the Rev. James Smith, of Cheltenham, who preached at the opening of the chapel twenty years ago. In the afternoon between two and three hundred people sat down to tea in the new rooms, and were afterwards suitably addressed by several friends. In the evening a recognition service was held, when T. Nicholson, Esq., of Lydney, presided, and the Revs. James Smith, W. Collings, of Gloucester, and T. Wilkinson, of Tewkesbury, took part. On Sunday, the 11th, the Rev. T. Wilkinson preached. The cost of

building and repairs is about £200. About one-third of the sum required has been collected or promised, and the friends of the cause at Zion hope to be assisted by the christian public in raising the remainder.

BURCOTT, BEDS.

On Monday, October 19th, the third branch chapel in present connection with the First Baptist Church, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, was opened at Burcott, when two strikingly appropriate, and most excellent and impressive discourses were delivered by the Rev. John Adey, of London. The devotional excercises were conducted by the late pastor and by the present pastor of the church. The history of this Leighton Church illustrates and confirms to some extent the theme of one of the Rev.gentleman's discourses, "A little one shall become a thousand," for not only are there three chapels at present regularly supplied by the church, but most of the surrounding congregational churches-now independent-owe their origin to the blessing of God on the long past self-denying labours of devoted men allied to the mother church at Leighton.

BUTE DOCKS, CARDIFF.

The foundation stone of a new Baptist chapel, Bute Docks, for the church and congregation connected with the ministry of the Rev. George Howe, was laid on Thursday, October 1st, by George Sully, Esq. The Rev. George Howe gave out a hymn and read suitable portions of scripture, after which, the Rev. E. Probert, of Bristol, offered prayer. An admirable address was delivered, by the Rev. N: Haycroft, M.A. The Rev. W. Aitchison, of Newport, concluded with prayer. the evening more than 700 persons met together to take tea in the new schoolroom and in a tent adjoining; after which a public meeting was held, presided over by S. D. Jenkins, Esq., mayor of the town. The Revs. W. Aitchison, N. Haycroft, E. Probert, A. Tilly, W. Owen, R. T. Venell, S. Young, together with R. Cory, J. Davies, and Foster, Esqs., delivered addresses on the occasion.

In

OLD BUCKENHAM, NORFOLK. The new Baptist chapel in this populous village was opened for divine worship on Tuesday, September 15th, when three sermons were preached, those in the morning and evening by the Rev. C. Elven, of Bury St. Edmund's, and that in the afternoon by the Rev. T. A. Wheeler, of Norwich. The opening services were continued on Sunday, September 20th, when three sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Green, of Yarmouth. The old chapel, which was private property, was erected in 1831, and measured thirty feet by sixteen. The new one measures forty feet by thirty, and is sufficiently high for the erection of galleries. The prospects of usefulness are of the most cheering character. A debt, however, remains at present of more than £150.