glad heart, and rest in the love of God. His "sacrifice" is all-sufficient ; let us avail ourselves of it, and sing, with Toplady, "Not the labour of my hands "While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyelids close in death, "I SHALL BE SATISFIED." WHERE is the satisfaction to be found? In the busy haunts of the world; in the concert room; at the theatre; in the giddy dance? No! Then where is it to be found? Listen, and I will tell thee. "I shall be satisfied when I get a house of my own, and land well stocked with every necessary." Such were the words which fell from the lips of a poor man, as he stood looking upon a noble mansion and the surrounding park, and acres of broad land. "If I had but a nice little cottage; I ask not for grandeur, but I should like enough not to be obliged to work unless I choose." Years rolled by, he attained his objects; but was he satisfied? No! Man is ever longing with the internal thirst for more-he still lacked something. The craving for more, the unrest of the soul, was there still. Ask the rich man if he is satisfied. He will tell you "No:" but when I am a millionaire, then I will give up speculating, and retire from the business of the world to enjoy myself, and spend the remainder of my days in peace and comfort." But when the coveted million was amassed, was he satisfied? No! The promised peace was but transient-the comfort was oft broken in upon by thoughts of injustice done in obtaining his wealth. There was no settled peace -that like Christ gave his disciples was not found there. Ask the worldling if he is satisfied. He will answer "No!" there is some pleasure yet wanting, something coveted that cannot be gained, something aspired to that is beyond his grasp. He will tell you of blighted affections, of hopes that have been crushed in the bud. Even in the flutter of the dance, in the mid-night revel, will conscience be quieted-is perfect satisfaction gained? No! there is a thorn to the rose-the sting of the serpent-hidden under all pleasures. At night, when alone, the cold aching void is felt, the smile is gone; the gay retort, the witty speech are hushed, and the craving returns with more force than ever. The intense longing that earth's pleasures cannot satisfy comes with an overwhelming feeling of misery that would, as it were, crush the soul beneath its weight. "Are you satisfied?" Ask the student that pursues his studies in yonder college. Again the answer is "No! I have one more examination to pass, one more degree to attain, and then I shall have reached the summit of my ambition; the height that I aspired for will be gained. I shall then be perfectly satisfied, and shall spend my life in diffusing light and knowledge through the world. Distant lands shall hear of my fame, and the laurels shall crown my brow." But the examination is passed, the degree is taken, and still satisfaction is as far off as ever. Say, fair maiden, art thou satisfied? Thou, with thy loving spirit and impulsive nature, as the smile wreathes thy lips, and joy-dreams tinge the future with a golden hue? "I shall be," she answers, "for my life is a happy one, and my future a joyous one." Ah! fair one, how soon mayest thou learn that the cloud can shadow thy golden sky, that the storm may gather and the rain drops patter on thy unsheltered head. Come with me, reader, to yonder cottages, and ask that sufferer, tossing wearily upon her bed, if she is satisfied. See the joyous smiles lighting up the worn features ere the answer comes. "I shall be satisfied," she says, "when I awake in Thy likeness. This pain is nothing, because I am perfectly at rest upon my Father's bosom, and presently I shall sink, as a wearied child, to sleep, to awake with Him to perfect peace." Reader, are you satisfied? Have you the perfect peace? If not, never rest until thou canst say, "I shall be satisfied when I awake in Thy likeness." Fleet. L. V. MUNN. BREAKFAST was not quite ready, and while waiting, Mary took up a paper for a minute, and her eye fell upon these words: "A good quaker was wont to say, 'I expect to pass this world but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, to my fellow beings, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.' Mary read the paragraph twice over, and it made a deep impression on her heart. She took her seat at the table, thoughtfully; and she wondered, as she glanced up at the already wearied face of her mother, whether she had not let many golden opportunities slip never to return. She could not go that way again. But here was a long, bright holiday she had proposed to spend in selfamusement. Indeed, she had kept herself awake an hour or more in planning the day's enjoyment, intending to fill it as full as she could. Now, these words, " I shall not pass this way again," haunted her mind, and awakened quite a new train of thought. What if that mother's cheek should grow paler and paler, her cough deeper, and her thin hands be finally folded away for ever on her silent heart. The thought was startling and terrible. O what bitterness of regret she would feel that she had lightened her burdens so little; For this day, at least, she would do what she could. "Mother," she said, when breakfast was over, "you have been looking for a spare day to run over to Graften, and see Aunt Mabel, and now is your chance. I mean to take the helm to-day." she continued, pleasantly. "Not to-day, Mary, of all days, when there is so much work to be done." "Yes, mother, that is just the day. I have nothing else to do but to take your place. You shall see to-night how well I have filled it." Mary's persuasions prevailed, and the mother spent a long, bright summer day visiting with a beloved invalid sister, to whom her visit was indeed a joyful surprise. It "did good like a medicine," to both mother and sister, while the gain to Mary herself was a hundred-fold greater. THE VIRGIN MARY. "The time draws near the birth of Christ." Though crafty priests in thee would find And so assert themselves the span To thy meek bosom came the King Thou art of us, His flesh of thee, No mother has our risen Lord 'Tis glorious through the Living Word, EDWARD HALL JACKSON. I. THE ALMANACK AND DIRECTORY FOR 1877 is now ready, and the list of contents is given in the advertisement. It should be distributed amongst our young members and our senior scholars, as well as in all our families. Last year friends were good enough to circulate it in our schools by the hundred. That is worth doing again. The texts are not arranged at haphazard, but to illustrate a special subject for each month, and the whole expound the one topic of Christ Jesus and His salvation. I have aimed to make it more useful as a Directory than complete as a Record. Give it a kindly welcome, and it will do good. II. WHAT ONE CHURCH CAN DO!— A beloved and revered brother writes"Your address to the churches has stirred me to write as follows:-The church in Stoney Street, Nottingham was the principal instrument in conveying the gospel of our Saviour to, and causing the chapels to be built at, the following villages:Arnold, Basford, Bulwell, New Basford, Carlton, Hucknall, Hyson Green, Lenton, Mansfield, Old Radford, (Ruddington chapel erected by my grandfather, for which cause he was ejected from the house and farm which he had occupied more than sixty years). You will see from the Year Book the position of the above churches. I was present at the opening of each chapel. III. HOME MISSION COLLECTIONS.We have glad tidings from many quarters in response to our appeal. "Received with cheers," says one. "Will do our utmost, and will do it at once," says another. "Date already fixed," writes a third. The churches are alive to the necessity of universal competition, and both small and large churches are bent on doing their best. The good Lord of the harvest send Now prosperity. IV. THE CHRISTMAS TREE AND BAZAAR for Westbourne Park chapel is to be held in the school-room of Praed Street chapel on the FIRST THREE days of the New Year. Anything and everything from anywhere and everywhere may be sent, except beer and tobacco, gunpowder and opium. Will our friends send early, lest in the abundance of Christmas hampers, etc., being sent about the country, their gifts should not arrive in time for the sale. Reviews. ROWLAND HILL; HIS LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND PULPIT SAYINGS. By Vernon J. Charlesworth. With an Introduction by C. H. Spurgeon. Hodder & Stoughton. It was fitting that Mr. Charlesworth, who has been so long and so closely associated with Surrey Chapel, should give the life of its far-famed founder and first pastor this new setting; and not less fitting was it that Mr. Spurgeon, who in many respects reminds us of "Rowland Hill," should introduce the book to the public. We have read the sketch with delight, and heartily wished it had been fuller. There must be much more somewhere to be told of a life so industrious and fresh, so daring and energetic, as Rowland Hill's! He was a genius consecrated to preaching Christ to men. He went by the directest way to his work, and succeeded. He was a truly great man, and no one can live even for an hour in his company without stimulus. His sayings are racy and humourous, genial and practical; and the anecdotes in which he centres are full of kindliness, shrewdness, and good sense. Our readers will relish a run through this book as they do a brisk and blood-oxygenating walk on a bright frosty morning in the crisp air. THE MINISTER'S POCKET DIARY AND VISITING BOOK FOR 1877. Hodder and Stoughton. FORMS a neat, portable, and most useful help-book to the Christian pastor, acting at once as an assistant in regard to the work that has to be done, and a record of it when it is done. Besides the Calendar and usual Almanack for the year, it has some wellselected texts for use in visiting the sick; a place for the names and addresses of members to be visited, and for date of visitation; columns for registering texts of sermons preached; persons baptized, etc., etc. An active pastor will find it exceedingly useful. THE POPE; HIS CLAIMS STATED, ILLUSTRATED, AND REFUTED. By J. H. Wood. Leicester: Winks and Son. IT is the best brief resumé of facts and arguments on the question we have seen, and ought to be circulated by tens of thousands. CHURCH REGISTER. MIMI'S CHARITY; and Its Reward after MIMI'S CHARITY is a French story set in good English; and forming a beautiful and attractive commentary on the principle that the keeping of God's commandments of neighbourly love and help, brings an abundant and often an unexpected reward. FAIRY is based on the familiar, but to young minds the always exciting incident of a shipwreck, and the recovery and recognition of a lost daughter by her rejoicing father. Pure in tone, saturated with kindliness of spirit, and rich in deep human interest, these tales will be healthy reading for our children and young folks. As Christmas and New Year's Presents they will prove very acceptable. MY BROTHER PAUL; or, a Real Hero. Religious Tract Society. JUST the book for the winter evenings now at hand. It is full of incident, thrills with "hairbreadth escapes," rings with the eloquence of the seas, and is quick with the movement of kindly and generous feeling. The Religious Tract Society is one of the foremost friends Young a 481 England has, and deserves the confidence and support of all interested in the welfare of the rising generation. THE KINGDOMS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH. Part I. By S. G. Green, D.D. Sunday School Union. THIS volume is prepared by the careful and practised pen of Dr. Green, so well and favourably known to Sunday school teachers, and is specially intended for use in Sunday school work. The information is pertinent and full, well arranged and clearly expressed. Our fellow-worker in the schools will not find more valuable book-aid in their tasks than this book contains. WE give the heartiest commendation to the following publications of the SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, so suitable for this season of the year. The Sunday School Teacher's Diary for 1877 is the best pocket-book the S. S. T. can carry. The New Year's Addresses to Senior Scholars, to Teachers, to Parents, and to Sunday Scholars, are attractive and appropriate. The Annual Volumes of KIND WORDS and CHILD'S OWN MAGAZINE are even better than formerly-and that is high praise. We have also received the Class Register, Illustrated Almanack, and Christmas Fare Church Register. Information for the Register should be posted on or before the 15th of the month, to 51, PORCHESTER ROAD, WESTBOURNE PARK, W. CHURCHES. CONINGSBY.-We have decided to have "Christmas Tree" during Christmas week, for the purpose of removing our chapel debt, and should very thankfully receive any contribution of articles useful and ornamental, from those who sympathize with necessitous and struggling country churches, and have it in their power to help in this way. The DERBY, Osmaston Road. A grand Bazaar was held in the lecture hall, Oct. 18th, and three following days. Bazaar was opened by Mr. Alderman Longdon, J.P., and was in aid of the debt of the Branch School Chapel at Pear Tree, the total amount realized being £515. This special effort was undertaken in consequence of a challenge having been thrown out by a gentleman at the last anniversary meeting, that if £300 of the debt were obtained within twelve months, he would give £50; or, if £600 were raised, he would increase his gift to £100, and thus clear off the entire debt. After payment of expenses a balance of about £200 will remain ; and as the challenge has been extended so as not to expire until October, 1877, it is the intention of the Osmaston Road friends to make a further effort to raise the additional £150, and thus secure the second fifty pounds. HEANOR-NEW CHAPEL.-The foundation and memorial stones of the new General Baptist Chapel and schools were laid on Tuesday, Nov. 7th. The chief stone (on behalf of the church and congregation) was laid by S. Bennett, Esq., of Derby, who was presented with a handsome silver trowel bearing an appropriate inscription, and who gave an appropriate inscription, and who gave a donation of £20. The next stone (on behalf of the teachers and scholars) was laid by Mrs. Dusautoy, of Derby, who also gave £20. There were then six memorial stones laid by Mr. G. Slack, of Derby, Mr. S. Bakewell, of Kilbourn, Mrs. J. Bircumshaw, of Heanor, Mrs. Jas. Bircumshaw, of Langley Mill, Mrs. T. Bennett, of Derby, and Mrs. T. H. Bennett, of Derby. The congregation, friends, and school children, headed by banners, formed a procession at the Town Hall, and marched to the spot where the building is being erected. The Rev. T. Goadby, B.A., of Chilwell College, gave a most appropriate opening address. The stones were then duly and truly laid, after which the friends, etc., met at the Town Hall, where a good substantial tea was provided. S. Bennett, Esq., presided over the public meeting in the evening, which was well attended, and a very spirited one. Amongst the speakers were the Revs. G. Hill, B.A., W. Wild, T. C. Johnson, and W. B. Bembridge, Esq., of Ripley. The total receipts for the day amounted to £124; and on the following day the school children, 220 in number, marched in procession round the neighbourhood, after which seventy-three of them laid bricks, as memorials, by which means £4 7s. was realized, making a total of £128 7s. for the two days. children then partook of a good substantial tea, which was provided gratis. The building will cost over £1250. T. Bakewell, Esq., of Derby, is the architect and builder. The HUCKNALL TORKARD, Notts. - Our bazaar, held in the Public Hall, on behalf of our new chapel, was in every sense a complete success. We have received about £240. The Mayor of Nottingham, Mr. Alderman Manning, and Alderman Barber, J.P., Messrs. J. S. Wells, J. Nall, Revs. E. Medley, and the pastor, J. T. Almy, took part in the opening proceedings. We are exceedingly grateful. To God be all the praise. KILBOURN, Derbyshire -Anniversary sermons were preached, Oct. 22, by Mr. H. A. Blount. Congregations and collections good. On the following day a tea and public meeting was held. During the afternoon a few remaining things (left from the Easter bazaar) were exhibited for sale, which were soon disposed of, the proceeds of which was added to that already in the bank towards erecting a larger place of worship. LONDON, Borough Road.-Anniversary sermons were preached, Oct. 22, by the pastor, Rev. G. W. M'Cree. In the morning, on "The Mission of the Christian Church," Phil. ii. 12; and in the evening on "The History, Persecution, and Claims of Nonconformist Chapels." LEEDS, Wintoun Street.-Anniversary services were held, Nov. 12. Sermons by Rev. T. Tapley Short and G. Hinds The annual tea meeting was held next day. Twenty-seven trays, at six shillings each, were given by friends. The reports for the year indicate a move onward in each department, although we have been weakened by a good many removals. The receipts for all purposes, home, denominational and philanthropic, amounted to £309 3s. 7d., and after all disbursements had been made, a substantial balance remained in hand to start the new year with. The pastor (Robert Silby) presided, and took a survey of "Our Position, Progress, and Prospects." Addresses were delivered by Rev. W. T. Adey, on "Difficulties in Christian Work;" Rev. N. H. Shaw, on "Conscience in Christian Work;" Rev. J. W. Butcher, on "Faith in Christian Work;" Rev. J. Hillman, on "The Present Need for Christian Work;" and Rev. S. B. Reynolds, on "Freedom in Christian Work." Our new organ, now being built, is to be opened at Christmas. We've a lot of money to raise by that time. We shall have a Christmas Tree. The pastor hopes that all his friends who read this notice will send a small contribution towards this object. MACCLESFIELD.-The first Sunday in November being the anniversary of the pastor's settlement, the Rev. J. Maden delivered a special discourse to a large congregation. Pleasing references were made to the prosperity of the church during the year. The number of members has been largely increased, and there has been very rapid growth and great improvement in the Sunday school. The chapel has been finished and painted, and is now so neat, beautiful, and chaste in appearance, that it will take rank with the best ecclesiastical buildings in the town. It is gratifying to hear that the church has raised over £1000 for various purposes during the year, without any special appeal to the sympathies of the people of the town. £150 have been spent in additional heating apparatus, painting, etc. Re-opening sermons were preached, Nov. 12, by Mr. J. S. Gill, of Todmorden. Collections and subscriptions upwards of £120. MARKET BOSWORTH. - Nov. 1st, an effort was made to clear off the remaining debt incurred by the recent renovation of the chapel. A public tea took place, the trays being gratuitously provided. After tea the Rev. George Needham, who has recently settled over the church of which this is a branch, delivered his lecture on "Mary Queen of Scots." The friends realized what they needed with the exception of about £10. |