so much excitement. Many a friendly look was cast on them, and hearty shakes of the hand given, with many denunciations of the rascally persecutors.

Turnabout and the game-keeper were standing at a distance, with a few kindred spirits. Hardened as they were by such transactions, they did not care to draw nearer till required. At length the case was opened and the names called out.

The Bench was fuller of magistrates than usual; those interested in the game laws were all there. But two others, not mixed up in the matter, either by instruction or accident, attended that day, who were not often there.

The game-preserving part of the Bench, seeing so many persons present, and the apparent excitement, and moreover, there being two other magistrates present, they could not but abstain adjudicating on a case in which they were so directly interested.

The informer gave his evidence with all the hardihood belonging to his class. But the close-sifting cross-examination of the Bench, brought out such a mass of prevarication and false-colouring as excited their disgust. The animus of the prosecution was further exposed, by a number of respectable witnesses, who had come unsolicited to give Thomas Bloomfield's family an excellent charac

ter.

The magistrates dismissed the case with severe reproofs and cautions, and with an intimation that it would be a matter of consideration whether Turnabout should be prosecuted for perjury.

The result of the trial made a deep sensation in the neighbour hood. The tide of censure set in strongly against the informer and and the keeper, while, on the contrary, commendation in abundance was heaped upon Thomas Bloomfield and his family. For though the act which was the germ of the judicial proceedings was that of James Bloomfield, yet the family name and character were so much mixed up with it, that they would gain or lose as the act might be deemed good or bad.

This prescriptive law of social life is so well established, that we do well to heed it. In guarding our families we are taking care of ourselves. Reputation runs and works out its congenial course in defiance of obstructions. After all there is something in a name. For names have often a sympathetic origin, and they may long remain after they are appropriate, like linen marks when the garment has changed hands, and is worn to a rag.

Thomas Bloomfield's family had grown into repute, although the reputation was confined within narrow limits, and a humble sphere. There was nothing in Thomas or his wife to push them into notice. Mary, the wife, was a woman of superior mind. Its capacities were larger than its stores; but her acquirements were ahead of her pretensions and her class; and she possessed them as much through the flow and gentle pressure from without, as from her own direct efforts to obtain them. When it happened that any person called to speak to her of that class which in common parlance, is called, "her betters" or she had to appear in such presence elsewhere, she was

sure to leave a favourable impression, and thoughts that clung with an indefinable attraction to her person and character. Much might be said in favour of her figure and person. If she could not

be said to be handsome, without any drawbacks, she certainly was a long way off the line that divides the proximate shades of the ugly and beautiful. She was quite of womanly stature, and stout in proportion, with an admirable symmetry of mould. Though there was breadth, openness, and cordiality in her countenance, yet it was surrounded with an air of reserve, which forbade undue familiarity. Her manners and general bearing were marked with an unobtrusive dignity that left the belief that she belonged to a higher class of society. She lived in and for her family. There she should be seen to be valued. She was no gossiper; seldom out of her own house. Hence, though the more frivolous thought her rather proud, all held her in respect,

The three children were trained up under the same influence; how they were valued and treated by others will be seen as we proceed with our narrative.

Connexional Affairs.

GREAT MISSIONARY MEETING AT EXETER HALL.

MR. EDITOR,

DEAR SIR,-Permit me to remind the Members and other Friends of the United Methodist Free Churches, through the medium of your Magazine, that our Great Annual Missionary Meeting will be held in Exeter Hall, on Monday, April 25th. The arrangements made by the Committee are such as, we believe, will render the Meeting, under the Divine blessing, equal in interest to any which has yet been held. The Revs. James Caughey; Dr. Cooke; J. Guttridge, President; S. S. Barton, Foreign Missionary Secretary; and other Members of the Connexional Committee, have engaged to take part in the proceedings.

As the Meeting is not merely local, but Connexional, in its character, and is necessarily attended with considerable expense, I hope that many of our country friends will favour us with their presence on the occasion; and that those who have the means, but cannot be present, will kindly favour us with contributions on its behalf.

Remittances forwarded to my address will be promptly ac knowledged.

129, Warwick Street, Pimlico, London, S. W.

Your's truly,

R. BUSHELL, District Secretary,

MR. EDITOR,

CHAPEL DEBTS.

SIR,-Allow me, through the medium of your excellent and widely circulated Magazine, to offer a few thoughts for the consideration of the members and friends of our Connexion, on a subject which for some time past has greatly exercised my mind, and one in which I think that a Connexion assuming the name of Free Church ought to be deeply concerned,-I mean our Chapel debts. I feel confident that no one will dispute the desirableness of having our places of worship free from debt; but the question is, how is this to be effected? Some may tell us, while they urge the plea of poverty, and consequently their inability to do anything themselves, that the rich should do it; but I think that all ought and all can do something for its accomplishment. For my own part, I should like to have a hand in the work. When David put the question to the Jews in his day, when about to build the temple of God, "Who among you is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord ?" the people were unanimous, and contributed willingly, and rejoiced that they had done so; and it only requires now, in the present case, the same spirit and effort, and the work would be done. The plan that I would suggest is a very simple one, and which if adopted throughout the Connexion, would answer the desired end, and one that comes within the power of almost the poorest in the Connexion. My plan is, let each member contribute one halfpenny per week towards a Chapel fund, which small contribution, according to the present number of members, would amount to £6923 18s. 4d. per year; the halfpenny to be collected from each class weekly by the Leader, or some other person appointed to the office. A Connexional Committee should be appointed, consisting of President, Secretary, Treasurer, and as many more as the Annual Assembly might deem proper; the Committee to have full power to manage the Fund. A Committee should also be formed in each Circuit, to consist of the Itinerant Preachers, and one member from each Society in the Circuit. The money thus collected to be paid to the Circuit Treasurer every Quarterly Meeting, and thence sent to the Connexional Treasurer, to be immediately applied to the discharge of the debt of some Chapel or Chapels; the Chapel or Chapels thus freed to pay the overplus of seat rents (after paying the necessary expenses incurred in carrying on the worship of God) into the Chapel fund; and I think that in five years our Chapels would, (I mean Connexional Chapels,) all, or the greater part of them, be free. But it may be objected, as hinted above, that some of our members are not in a position to do this. Allowing this, there are others who, without making any sacrifice, might contribute one penny per week, sixpence, or a shilling, or even more; so that the amount might be realized. The writer cannot boast of wealth, belonging only to the labouring class; yet he is willing to contribute to the utmost of his ability; and I believe that if such a plan were adopted, the good effects would be almost incalcuable. It would effect a twofold, or threefold object; not only freeing the present Connexional

Chapels, but preserving a powerful lever to influence the Trustees of such Chapels as are not Connexional to settle them according to the provisions of our Model Deed, and also assist in building Chapels in places where they are much needed. As a true Cornish man, I think that all that remains to be done is to act on, and act out, the Cornish motto, " One and all," and soon we shall sing in reference to our Chapels.

"The year of Jubilee is come."

CALLINGTON.

Review and Criticism.

The Christian in Complete Armour; or, a Treatise on the Saint's War with the Devil. Wherein a discovery is made of the Policy, Power, Wickedness, and Stratagems made use of by that enemy of God and His People, &c., &c. By William Gurnall, A.M., formerly of Lavenham, Suffolk. Carefully revised and corrected by the Rev. John Campbell, D.D. London: WILLIAM TEGG.

THIS is a work such as it seldom falls to our lot to notice. "Gurnall's Christian in Complete Armour" is one of those invaluable theological treatises which the "giants" of former days bequeathed to posterity, and which will live as long as the language in which they were written. Until the appearance of the present edition, copies of the work were very scarce, and brought a great price. We are, therefore, gratified that Mr. Tegg, with his wonted enterprise, has brought out this remarkably cheap reprint, which, we doubt not, will be in great demand. To a rich imagination, Gurnall added a profound acquaintance with the deep things of God, so far as they are subjects of human experience, and was not ignorant of the devices of the arch-enemy the frustration of whose designs against God's people was the great object of his labours.

The Volume comprises a very comprehensive and able discussion of the various parts of the Christian's Armour as detailed by Paul in Ephesians vi. 10-20.. Ability and piety are conspicuous on every page; and we hesitate not to say, that the Book contains more solid matter than a dozen modern treatises on doctrinal or practical divinity; every Christian minister should have it.

We add the following paragraphs, as examples of the author's power and fecundity of illustration.

INCONSISTENT PROFESSORS OF RELIGION.

"A scab on the wolf's back is not so dangerous to the sheep, because they will not easily be drawn among such company; but when it gets into the flock, among professors that feed together, pray, hear, and walk in fellowship together, now is the fear it will spread. A loose erroneous professor doth the devil more service in this kind than a whole troop of such as pretend to no religion. The devil gets no credit by them. There are many errors and sinful practices which have long been upon his hands, and he could not put them off, till he found this way to employ some professors as his brokers, to commend them to others, and disperse them for him; and if such do not ensnare and defile others by their unholy

walking, to be sure they grieve their hearts and put them to shame in the world. O how Christians hang down their heads on the scandal of any of their company, as all the patriarchs were troubled when the cup was found in one of their sacks! And it is no small matter to make sad the hearts of God's people. In a word, he that keeps not up in some measure the power of a holy life, renders himself useless and unprofitable. Would'st thou pray for others? A heathen could bid a wicked man hold his peace, and not let the gods know he was in the ship when the storm was on them. Would'st thou speak a word of comfort to any mournful soul? O how unsavoury are comforts dropping from such a mouth! Would'st thou counsel another? Thy friend will think thou dost but jest, whatever thou sayest in commendation of holiness; he will not believe that thou thyself dost think it good, for then thou would'st take that thyself which thou commendest to another." pp. 304.

ACKNOWLEDGE GOD IN TEMPORAL MATTERS.

"The worldling that goes not through his closet by prayer, into his shop in the morning, when he enters upon his business, no wonder if he returns not at night by his closet in thankfulness to God. He began without God, it were strange if he should end in Him. The spider that spins her web out of her own bowels, dwells in it when she hath done; and men that carry on their own enterprises by their own wit and care, entitle themselves to what they think they have done. They will sooner sacrifice (as they to their net and drag,' Job. viii.; Habak. i. 16) to their own wisdom and industry, than to God. Such a wretch I have lately heard of in our days, who being by his neighbour excited to thank God for a rich crop of corn he had standing on his ground, atheistically replied, 'Thank God! nay, rather thank my dung-cart.' The speech of a dung-hill spirit, more filthy than the muck in his cart; but if thou wilt be a Christian, thou must acknow ledge God in all thy ways, not leaning to thine own understanding;' and this will direct thee to Him, when success crowns thy labours, to crown God with the praise." pp. 313.

Sermons by Richard Hamilton, LL.D., D.D. Author of "Missions : Their Authority, Scope, and Management." "Nuga Literaria," &c. &c. First Series. Second Edition. London: HAMILTON, ADAMS, & Co. SELDOM has it been our privilege to give a more hearty welcome to a volume than that which we accord to this reprint. For its author's talents and piety we had a profound respect, and rejoice, now that he has gone to his rest, that those productions of his sanctified intellect which he committed to the press, are likely to be perpetuated.

Richard Winter Hamilton was, notwithstanding the flippant criticism of Gilfillan, one of the most remarkable men of the present century. He had a brilliant imagination, great reasoning powers, and an intense attachment to the essential doctrines of Christianity. His disposition was genial; he had a keen sense of the ludicrous; and, sometimes, indulged in a louder laugh than was deemed fitting by persons of graver temperament. Though Calvinistic in his creed, he was no bigot, but loved all who loved Christ, and frequently occupied the pulpits of other Denominations. Prejudiced by his Wesleyan friendships, he, for some years, stood aloof from the Protestant Methodists (now United Churches) of Leeds; but when he discovered his mistake, he had the manliness to intimate that he would be happy to serve them when asked. The hint was taken; his services were solicited and cheerfully given, and, from