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was opened on Sunday afternoons for religious worship, under the auspices of the Town Mission, for the especial use and instruction of the class of people of whom we are speaking. They accepted the invitation to come: the place of meeting was soon filled. A course of lectures on the Bible, delivered to them by the Rev. A. Wallace, was published in a cheap form; this class of people bought up the edition in a few days. In the summer time the preachers addressed them out of doors, in a kind, familiar, practical way: they came and listened, and not a few went away instructed and profited. Another autumn came, and again the Mechanics' Institute was opened. The service became increasingly popular, and for more than six months the place has not been nearly large enough for the multitude who have assembled. The expectations of the promoters of these services have been more than realised, for it is impossible that so much good seed can have been scattered without some fruit springing up. The winter course terminated at the beginning of June; the address being delivered by the Rev. David Sim, on "Miracles an evidence of the Truth of Christianity." On the following Sunday, the Open Air services began; the Rev. Henry Dowson gave the opening address: subject, "The great Salvation." We allude to this subject in the hope that the course pursued in Bradford may be followed up in other towns similarly circumstanced.

HAWORTH, YORKSHIRE.

Upwards of twelve months since, Mr. H. J. Keats accepted a unanimous invitation from the First Baptist Church meeting in West Lane chapel, Haworth, to become their pastor, and having statedly laboured there for six months, with faithfulness, affection, and success, was publicly recognized on Tuesday, May 18th. The Rev. H. S. Brown, of Liverpool, described the nature and constitution of a christian church; the Rev. W. Fawcett, of Halifax, asked the usual questions and prayed; the Rev. T. Dawson, of Liverpool, delivered the charge, from 2 Tim. ii. 15; the Rev. H. Dowson, of Bradford, preached to the church and congregation, from Phil. iv. 8. The Revs. W. Varley, of Slack-Lane, J. Foster, of Farsley, P. Scott, of Sutton, T. Hanson, of Haworth, and B. Shakspeare, of Millwood, also took part in the services. Obituary.

MRS. WILLIAMS.

Died, at Glasgow, on the 26th of April, after an illness of only a few hours, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of the Rev. John Williams, Baptist minister, of that city. She was born at Pembroke Dock, South Wales, February 14th, 1820. She was the child of parents who were both members of a christian church, and who trained up their children in the due respect of religious ordinances and attachment to the house of God. From early childhood she was quiet, dutiful, and seriously inclined; not, how

ever, till she was about nineteen years of age did she become the subject of true religion. Her conduct after her baptism was in entire consistency with her profession. She loved the house of God, and was regular in her attendance. She took much interest in the Sunday school, and was one of its most efficient teachers. On the 29th of December, 1840, she was united in marriage to him who now mourns her loss, and in the following February left England with him for Jamaica, and entered on the responsibilities of a missionary's wife. During their short stay on that island, her uniform kindness, and the interest she took in the religious improvement of the black and coloured population, greatly endeared her to the people of her husband's charge. She returned to this country in consequence of Mr. Williams's ill health, in February, 1843; and since then continued up to the time of her death to labour with him in the gospel. By her mild and kindly behaviour, she commended herself to the esteem of all who knew her. The writer of this notice had the happiness of knowing her from early life, and can truly say, that those who were most familiar with her loved her most. The suddenness and severity of her last illness prevented her from giving any dying testimony to the power of divine grace, and the consolations of the gospel; but if a holy life be the best evidence of an interest in the love of Christ, and the possession of a heart renewed by the Holy Spirit, that evidence her friends have seen. She was intered in the Southern Necropolis, Glasgow. The Rev. J. Paterson, minister of Hope-Street Chapel, conducted a service in the house, prior to the departure of the funeral procession, which was unusually large. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."

MRS. SALLY PALMITER.

Died, at Hartsville, New York, April 2nd, 1852, at the residence of her son, Silas Palmiter, Mrs. Sally Palmiter, in the 87th year of her age. She was born in the State of Connecticut, where she became hopefully pious at an early day. During the same part of her life, she ever manifested a strong attachment to the cause of Christ. She was a worthy member of the Seventh Day Baptist church in Hartsville at the time of her death. In 1828, sister P. became insane, and was as much so as could well be imagined until 1837, when some of her christian friends met at her son's residence where she then resided, and, fasting, spent the day in praying God that her reason might be restored. During the meeting, she remained in her usual standing attitude, until they were about to close, when, unexpectedly (as "Peter was at the gate"), she clapped her glad hands, shouted " Glory to God," exhorted them to continue in prayer, saying, "Deliverance is come," prayed with them, soon became perfectly sane, and remained so until within a few days of her departure, as we humbly trust, to that world where there is no distracted vision. T. W. B.

THE CHURCH.

"Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."-Eph.ii.20.

AUGUST, 1852.

SILVER AND GOLD.

BY THE REV. JAMES SMITH.

While we are in the habit of looking at all spiritual blessings as in the hands of Christ, and entirely at his disposal, to be received from him, and used by us to his glory, it appears to me that we are not sufficiently impressed with the fact, that temporal things are equally so. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." He claims all the living creatures as his: "Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. The world is mine, and the fulness thereof." And our beloved Redeemer taught his disciples to look upon their heavenly Father as claiming, caring for, and feeding them. "Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them." So also the precious metals are his, and are claimed by him. Hence, to encourage the Jews under their comparative poverty when building the second temple, he said, "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts." Every shilling, every sovereign, is the Lord's. He may lend to us, but he still claims the whole as his own. We are at best but stewards, entrusted with a little of his property, for a little time, and for a specific purpose. Let us meditate on this subject for a short time; the Holy Spirit may condescend to make it a blessing to us. It is a scriptural, and, consequently, a holy subject; therefore, it may be profitable.

"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts." It must be the Lord's, for he created it by his power, he concealed it in his earth, he has discovered it just when and as he pleased, he disposes of it to whom he will, he still claims it, makes use of it, and it is either made a blessing or a curse to its present possessor. "The Lord maketh rich." The rich man's heart is in his hands, his life lies at his mercy, and he is held accountable for the use he makes of the wealth entrusted to him. Here the Lord raiseth up the poor from the dust, and puts him in possession of wealth; there he strips the wealthy of what pampered his lusts and fed his pride, and sends him to the cottage of the poor. No man has an absolute right to any of the property he possesses; at best he has but a life-interest in it, and not always that. What, then, have the rich to be proud of? What cause have the wealthy to boast? The more silver and gold we possess, the greater our responsibility. It is a means of usefulness, but it may become a cause of condemnation. Well, then, may the prophet say, "Let not the rich man glory in his riches." Let not the poor, then, envy the rich. Let not the Lord's people look too VOL. VI.

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much to the wealthy, when they want silver and gold to carry on the Lord's cause. Let us all devoutly hear the Lord say, "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts."

Is the silver and gold the Lord's? Then let us look to him for what we need, either for ourselves or his cause. We must use the means that are put in our power, but we should always look above the means to the Lord himself. If I want anything, whom should I ask for it but the owner? as the Lord, therefore, claims the silver and gold as his, I will look to him first, ask of him first, and entreat him to dispose the minds of his stewards to do his will in this particular. I fear we all look too much to men, to circumstances, and to second causes. Let us endeavour to correct this mistake, and in future let us first ask of God, and then apply to man.-Is the silver and gold the Lord's ? Then let us expect to be held accountable for the use we make of it. We are not at liberty lavishly to spend it on dress, furniture, or pleasures,-on ourselves, our children, or near relatives, while God's cause and God's poor are in want. Many a Lazarus still desires to be fed with the crumbs which fall from the rich man's table. Many a rich man will give pounds for a picture, who will not give a few pence to the Lord's poor. Many will squander hundreds upon gilding, adorning, and enlarging their own dwellings, who say they have nothing to spare to build, enlarge, or beautify God's sanctuary. Many spend more upon themselves in one day, than they do upon the cause of God in a whole year. Can such realize their responsibility? Do they look upon themselves as stewards? Do they believe that they must give an account of themselves to God? Do they consider their silver and gold is the Lord's ?—Is the silver and gold the Lord's ? Then let us honour God with it. He commands us to do so. He assures us that it is the way to thrive. Hear his own faithful word, "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase; so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." He that honours God with his property, will enjoy it if he does not increase it. He that hoards when God's cause needs will lose; while he that gives will secure what he has and increase it. As it is written, "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth to poverty."-Is the silver and gold the Lord's? Then let us be willing to part with it when God calls for it. Does he send a poor christian to you to ask for assistance? See God's hand in sending him, and obey God's word in relieving him. Does he send some minister of Christ, or the collector of some one of our great societies, to you? Give as if you were giving the Lord's money, and not your own. Give cheerfully. Give up to your means. Give with prayer that God's blessing may accompany what you give. Give and feel relieved of a part of your responsibility. If the Lord send a check, be sure you cash it. If he send one of his children, be careful to treat that child kindly. Coming for money soon puts some people out of temper. But if you are cross, sour, or unlovely in your carriage toward a christian, ponder well our Lord's own words, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matt. xxv. 40). Jesus takes what is done to his people as done to himself, whether it be kindness or unkindness; and he especially observes what treatment his ministers and his poor people receive, and sympathises with them. May we never forget this; but may it be deeply engraved on our hearts, be constantly before our eyes, and so influence our conduct in every day life. Is the silver and gold the Lord's? Then let us beware of setting our hearts upon it. Money itself is harmless; yea, it may be a blessing. But the love of money is the root of all evil; and yet there are

professors who are in love with money. They love to get it, love to talk of it, love to keep it, but they cannot bear to part with it. They seem to love money more than they love Christ, they certainly love money more than they love the poor, the house of prayer, and the missionary cause, for if they did not, with the money they have, the poor in the church would never want, the house of prayer would not be in debt, and the funds of the missionary societies would not be so low. Oh, love of money, what mischief hast thou done! What misery hast thou produced! What dishonour hast thou cast upon the gospel! What grief hast thou caused God's ministers ! What power hast thou given to Satan! What multitudes hast thou sent through the house of God to hell! What a curse hast thou been to God's church!-Is the silver and gold the Lord's? Then let us praise God for it when he gives it. It always comes from his hand, but not always with the love of his heart. If we inordinately. desire it, he may do by us as he did by Israel of old, of whom we read, "He gave them their desire, but sent leanness withal into their soul.' A full purse does not always bring comfort with it. Better often is a little, with the fear of the Lord. But if the Lord pleases to give us wealth, let us thank him for every penny. Let us construct a ladder of gold and silver, with which to reach to his throne. Let us bless a giving God, and stand prepared to bless a taking God too. The way to enjoy our wealth, is to feel that we are unworthy of it, to view God as the giver of it, daily and hourly to praise him for it, and to make a good use of every part of it. Is the silver and gold the Lord's? Then let us bow submissively to his wise and holy will if he keeps us short of it. He may see that it would be too powerful a temptation for us. He may see that we should not know how to use it so as to improve it. Unquestionably, if we are christians, there is mercy in his keeping us short of it. "The Lord maketh poor," and if he has made us poor let us not repine; but if he has given us food and raiment, let us be therewith content. We may fancy how much good we should do if we had wealth; but it is one thing to have the heart without the means, and another for the means and heart to be possessed together. Better have the will without the wealth, than the wealth without the will. Many have boasted what great things they would do if God would only trust them with the means; he did trust them, and they did nothing. Are we better than they? No, in no wise; there must be special grace given with silver and gold, or they will prove a curse and not a blessing. Many in poverty have walked close with God, but in plenty they have wandered from him. Depend upon it, that wisdom, mercy, and love, have combined to keep you poor, and they have done so just because it is best for you. Is the silver and gold the Lord's? Then let us ask God's blessing upon it, for "the blessing of the Lord maketh rich." He promised Israel, saying, "I will bless thy bread and thy water:" and why not bless our gold and silver? Whatever has God's blessing attached to it will do us good. A little with God's blessing will go a great way. Many receive money without gratitude, keep it without prayer, and use it without a sense of responsibility. This is decidedly wrong, for it dishonours God, it depraves the mind, and gives Satan an occasion against us. Finally, is the silver and gold the Lord's? Then let us make a good use of it. Let us use it to circulate God's word. To send out Christ's missionaries. To build sanctuaries for the Lord's people. To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and make the widow's heart to sing for joy. Jesus thought so little of it, that he trusted Judas, the only thief among the apostles, with it. He kept the bag, there was no sin in that; but he loved that which was put there in, there was sin in that. Let us not hoard what we should use, or lay up what we ought to

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lay out Let us not waste, but frugally employ as Scripture directs. He that uses what he has well, may expect to be entrusted with more. if we do not manage a little as we ought, it is not probable that God will give us much. The best men have often been kept short, but it did not make them unhappy; Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none," but he said it without one sigh of regret, or without one anxious wish. He would use it if God gave it, he would give what he had if God withheld it.

Beloved, let this subject have its proper influence upon our minds. Never, perhaps, was it more necessary. It will be sure to do us good, if we rightly employ it. Whatever we have is the Lord's. It is lent us for a time. All that is temporal will soon be taken away from us again; for "naked came we out of our mother's womb," and naked shall we soon leave this world. What we use for God's glory, and the good of souls, will be remembered with pleasure, and will be rewarded by the Judge of all; but what we have unduly hoarded and left behind us, will say not what, but leave the future to decide! "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household of faith." Let us not imitate the wicked and slothful servant, who went and digged in the earth, and "hid his Lord's money.' Let us receive all as from God,-let us hold all as belonging to God,-and let us use all for God. Let us live daily in prospect of eternity. Let us commit the keeping of our souls to God in well doing. Let us do what good we can while we live, and thus endeavour to leave the world better than we found it. Yea, let us so live, so act, and so die, as reasonably to expect our Lord and Master to say to us, "WELL DONE, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things."

Cheltenham.

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MISTAKEN KINDNESS.

Kindness is a sweet-sounding word, and when brought into act it is a very lovely thing; without it what a miserable world would this be. Loving-kindness is an attribute of God; and there are humble imitations of it in those creatures of his power over which it stretches its sheltering wings. But human kindness is a feeble thing at best, and in its actings often runs wild, and inflicts an injury where it intended to do good. It may be profitable to point out some instances of this for warning and direction. Human love and kindness are too valuable to be neglected; yet they are plants which require pruning and training, in order that they may bear appropriate fruit for the good of others.

How much mistaken kindness is discovered in connection with parental relationship. The little one comes into the world utterly helpless; its helplessness appeals to love, and love readily responds to the appeal. It is reared on the lap of kindness, all evils are carefully warded off, and all its wants constantly supplied. But the little creature soon discovers that it has a will, as well as wants. Must this will be opposed or submitted to ? Must this little one be allowed to be its parents' tyrant and its own tormentor? These are questions asked very early, and they must be answered practically. The case is not one of theory, but of fact, stern fact, with many inevitable and solemn consequences connected with it. Mistaken kindness says, "Don't torment the child; let it have its way for once." Real kindness says, "Make it submit, and thus make it happy." If the first counsel is followed, most probably the child will grow up peevish

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