of the young readers.

That stronger faith where it is weak, and warmer love where it is cold, may be our own experience, is the prayer of a young one." May it be the daily prayer of all who are on the heavenly road. Pleased with the result of the first insertion of

enigmas, we have given two this month for the exercising our young friends in the Holy Word of God, and may the blessed Spirit, whilst they are so doing, give that Word entrance into their hearts with saving power. Answers to be sent by October 15.

THE Committee affectionately draw their friends and co-workers' attention to the advertisement in this month's issue announcing the anniversary services, on the 23rd inst., at Soho Baptist Chapel, Oxford Street; a chapel so well known, and omnibuses from all parts constantly passing the entrance gates, that it is earnestly hoped there may be a large attendance. As this is read, kindly make a note-" Mission services, Tuesday, October 23rd, at Soho Chapel."

The Committee are again desirous of sending out another box of useful articles to India, and those friends willing to help could give their parcels to either of the Secretaries at Soho, on the 23rd, or forward them to Mr. Wakelin, 30, Robert Street, Hampstead Road, who will be happy to receive the same. One parcel is hereby acknowledged, kindly sent by Mrs. Allan, late of Leicester.

Some months since an appeal was made on behalf of Mr. Doll, jun., and his work in the Tinnevelly district. Several friends handsomely responded, Mr. W. H. Evans collecting the amount of £10 13s. 9d., and Mr. Leonard Brook forwarding £5. To both gentlemen the Committee desire to express their thanks.

Brother Doll, in recent reports, states that the work of the mission generally is very satisfactory and encouraging. He is ably assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Doll, jun., Mr. and Mrs. Jacob John, Mr. Abel Michael, and various teachers, who preach and teach and sow the seed beside all waters; and who is to tell what the harvest may be, under the blessing of God?

ST. THOMAS'S MOUNT STATION.

The Sunday services have been conducted as usual, and well attended, and the preaching of the Word has been listened to with much attention and profit by the church members. Cottage prayermeetings are held on Wednesday evenings in the houses of our church members, and are well attended. There has been an apparent increase of numbers at all the services, and it is earnestly hoped that the weak and insignificant church in comparison with the great mass of heathens around may be quickened by the power of the Holy Ghost both in number and usefulness.

The preaching of the Gospel in the streets, bazaars, and adjacent villages has been carried on with the usual diligence and zeal. Jacob John says he, in company with his wife and teachers, went out to Palaveram on a mission trip, and preached in the bazaar. "There was a very large gathering; it was a glorious scene; our group attracted the attention of the people. After preaching we distributed about two hundred tracts in Tamil, Telegu, and English. We then visited SurgeonMajor and Mrs. Parker, who are Christians, and help us with their subscriptions; the lady was very kind, and gave us refresh ments. We then visited Mr. and Mrs. Williams and Mr. and Mrs. Heron, who still seem determined to profess the Lord and to join in the fellowship of the church. We did a nice work all to the glory of God."

POONAMALEE.

At this station our zealous brother Abel Michael is still labouring. The glorious Gospel of the ever-blessed God has been

proclaimed in the bazaars, streets, hamlets, and bandy-stands in the station; the good seed has been scattered also in the adjacent villages, as well as in some of the distant villages which surround our stations. On the whole, good congregations have heard the preached Word, and that attentively and seriously. In one or two places opposition has been met and carelessness manifested.

The church members have been visited, Sabbath-school and Sabbath worship regularly held and well attended.

The week-day prayer-meetings in the houses of the church members have been regularly held and well attended both by Christians and heathens,

The day-school continues to do well; a small girls' school has been opened: there are at present eight girls and thirty boys.

TINNEVELLY.

Our friend and brother W. A. H. Doll is assiduously at work in this district, and reports good work being carried on. Mrs. Doll (his wife) has written another interesting letter to the Secretary. Subjoined is a copy:

"To the Secretary of the Strict Baptist Mission, London.

"DEAR SIR AND CHRISTIAN FRIEND,I wrote a letter to you in March last, and hope it has reached you. I send you now a further letter for the information of our friends at home.

"The superintendent of our mission not being able in December last to visit our mission stations in the Tinnevelly district during the Christmas vacation, he thought we had better go to Madras and spend the vacation with him and family, as I was very ill at the time from dysentery and fever, and felt the want of proper nourishment and medical attendance. My husband, who was on a missionary tour at the time, had just then returned home with fever, having got wet in the rain, and mercifully escaped with his bandy and native workers in a swollen river. Oh, how thankful I felt to God our Father for this!

"We waited for a few days, then got ready, and left for Madras. We travelled during the night for two reasons-viz., that we might get in time to the railway station, and that we might avoid the heat of the sun. Just picture to yourself a platform made of wood and bamboo frame

work, some ten feet long, fixed on two rough wheels without any springs; this platform covered over with bamboo mats in a concave form supported with bamboos as a shelter from the heat by day and dew or rain by night; it has no windows. On this platform is placed a quantity of straw, and the bedding placed thereon. We both, with some of our traps, finding room in the bandy, which is drawn by a pair of bul locks, proceeded on our journey to the station, forty-five miles distant from Christian Pettah. We were attacked once by robbers, and once our cart upset, but, I am thankful to say, without sustaining loss or injury.

"We soon got to Madras, where we found our dear mother, Mrs. Doll, sen., very ill, who, thank God, has been again spared to her dear family. The doctors who saw us at Madras strongly advised us not to return to Christian Pettah, but that we should select some other healthier station. During our stay at Madras our health, under the Lord's blessing, improved wonderfully, and we were able soon to return to our work.

"It will be interesting to you to know that I was present, with my husband, at the Mount and Poonamalee school treats, given from the Christmas gifts sent from our mission friends at home. I am sure, my dear friends, you would have enjoyed the sight. Groups of Indian native chil dren seated on the ground, taking their dinner of curry and rice, stew, soup, and vegetables, all spread on leaves sewn together so as to form a large plate or dish for each child, with a small earthen vessel to drink out of, instead of mugs or glasses. After eating the above, they had an equal share of fruit-plantains, guavas, peas, and cocoanuts. Then they presented us with garlands of flowers and berries; a custom, it seems, with the natives of India, as a mark of respect to Europeans, or their superiors. The native preacher's wife (Mary Ann) at the Mount has also a caste girls' school, which is separate. The girls of the other school also were present; pleasant and intelligent girls they appeared to be, and have nice voices, as several hymns were sung by them. After this, clothes and jackets, &c., were distributed to the poor native Christian women of the mission church, with which they seemed greatly pleased and thankful for.

"From my short experience I may be permitted to say that in India it appears

necessary for a missionary to visit each village sometimes, and they all require encouragement, advice, and assistance occasionally, although this entails a deal of toil, discomfort, and anxiety on the missionary, who, notwithstanding his exposure to dangers and diseases, must do his work with much self-denial and discomfort to himself, remembering Christ's example for his encouragement.

"After personal conference with the superintendent of our mission, he has permitted us to change our residence to another station, on account of the unhealthiness of Christian Pettah, the want of suitable accommodation there, the absence of proper food, and the very great inconvenience and expense of obtaining our supplies from a distance. After prayer, inquiry, and such, we settled upon going to Palamcottah, which is now one of our stations; and I believe we have been directed to this town by the Lord to whose service we are devoted. Since coming here we have opened an English Sabbath-school by the special and earnest request of the parents of the children. My husband has made another tour, when I also went out with him. About the Sabbath-school and our mission tour I shall write again, if the Lord will.

Earnestly begging your prayers on behalf of ourselves and our work for Christ and your mission,

"I am, yours faithfully,
"M. A. DOLL."

Mr. Doll, jun., in his report, states: "On Sabbath-days the Divine services and Sunday-schools have been held regularly at the stations of Elavarasananthal,

Elliarapunnie, and Madputhoor; cottage prayer-meetings held and the Word of God preached in the adjacent villages; and the teachers and preachers have done good and faithful work. Our day-schools at these stations are doing satisfactorily; they have been examined by the Govern ment inspector, and have earned a small grant. At the station of Christian Pettah the Gospel has been regularly preached in the adjacent villages. The attendance at the Sabbath-day services and prayermeetings has been very good. The dayschool is progressing steadily, and teacher Samuel Assurvathan is working zealously. The health of this station has been very bad, and a good many of our Christians have suffered considerably from fever and dysentery, and some five of them have died bearing good testimony of their faith and interest in Christ the Lord. The mission wants are daily increasing. We need more help than before. I would earnestly ask the Committee and all those interested to do their utmost to interest others to try and win some one else to help in the work. God alone can bless our efforts; it is He who moves the heart to unselfish labour, and our constant prayer is that He will so move the hearts of Christians at home to give to this mission cause that the hands of the missionaries and their assistants may be strengthened, and that lack of interest may not be the hindrance in the way for the extension of the glorious work. Our hope is in God, and our prayer is to Him that He will graciously bless all our churches with the true missionary spirit, so that we may be strong to do the Lord Christ's work."

BRIGHTON.

SERVICES to commemorate the fifty-ninth anniversary of the Church of Jesus Christ worshipping in Ebenezer Chapel, Richmond Street, were held on Tuesday, August 28th. The pulpit was occupied in the afternoon by Mr. P. W. Williamson, of Shepherd's Bush, who read for a text Jer. li. 51. We were invited to consider--(1) The merciful provision of God for His

people: "The sanctuaries of the Lord's house;" (2) The impertinent interference of Zion's adversaries: "Strangers are come into the sanctuaries;" (3) The saddest aspect of this condition of things: "Shame hath covered our faces." The pulpit was occupied in the evening by Mr. G. W. Shepherd, of Dorset Square, London, who discoursed from Ps. xlii. 6, 7. Considering the words (1) as reflecting the experience of a child of God, the preacher drew attention

to (a) The circumstance detailed: "O my God, my soul is cast down within me; (b) The consolation resorted to: "Therefore will I remember thee," &c. ; (c) The correspondence instituted: "Deep calleth unto deep," &c. Considering the words (2) as exclusively applying to Christ, the preacher thus divided the verses :-(a) The suggestiveness of the complaint: "My soul is cast down within me;" (b) The solidity of His comfort: "Yet will I remember thee," &c.; (c) The suitableness of His condescension: "Deep calleth unto deep." The latter considerations were only hinted at, time forbidding elaboration. Both the preachers made grateful reference in prayer to the long-continued goodness of God towards this portion of His vineyard, and lovingly commended its present pastor, deacons, and members to the care of the covenant-keeping God of Israel.

The afternoon congregation was gratifying. The attendance at the tea-table was hardly up to the average. The evening gathering was a large one. The collections were satisfactory. Pastors and friends from other churches in Brighton, and out of Brighton, cheered us by their presence. We hope that days to come will show that the services were attended with particular blessings from on high. The Lord has been with us, the Lord is with us, the Lord will be with us; blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen. S. GRAY.

ALDEBURGH CHAPEL is a branch of the Aldringham cause, raised through the indefatigable labours of our esteemed Brother Bland, of Ipswich; and, on Bank Holiday, August 6th, the friends held their anniversary service. By three o'clock the chapel was filled, and, with some meltings of love at Emmanuel's feet, we sang that glorious hymn of praise and prayer-"Descend from heaven, Immortal Dove;" then, pausing at the sacred volume ere we met at the mercy-seat, we joined with David at Ps. cxxxviii. to think of Him who never fails to think of us, and, as the first verse fell upon our ears, the soul responded, "Yea, Lord, we will, as Thy Holy Spirit aids us now, but better far when our worship is unfettered with the infirmities of a mortal state." The Divine blessing sought, E. Marsh, of Laxfield, preached the Word-the Lord helping him to declare a full, free, and finished salvation by the suffering and obedience of Christ. We could but rejoice in such a Saviour, and sing the oft-sung words of the immortal Watts :

"Behold the glories of the Lamb
Amid the Father's throne;
Prepare new honours to His name,
And songs before unknown.”

At the evening service the chapel was again well filled to hear a lecture by Mr. S. K. Bland on "Sacred Allegory, or Picture Teaching." Report the lecture in full, we cannot; to give it in fragments would mar the beauty of the whole. It was full of instruction and interest; and, as the sublimity of the Divine Teacher's method of setting forth eternal verities by the simplest pictures was told forth, the sacred Word stripped of its allegorical shell, and the kernels of glorious truth laid open before us in such a masterly manner by our brother, we afresh poured forth the prayer of the Psalmist- Open Thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." The lecture was delivered with great pain and weakness of body, our Brother Bland being very unwell; but he evidently in a great measure forgot himself while doing his Master's work. We sincerely pray the

THE eighth anniversary of the pastorate of our highly esteemed brother, Mr. John Box, over the baptized church of Christ meeting as above was commemorated on Tuesday, September 4th. There was a fair gathering of friends in the afternoon, who were instructed and edified by a sermon from Mr. John Hazelton founded on the words "He must reign until He hath put all enemies under His feet (1 Cor. xv. 25). The respected preacher looked all the better for his recent sojourn by the seaside, and appeared improved in health and spirits, but intimated that his old difficulty in regard to shortness of breath remained; also, that several friends having called upon him that morning, which period of time he had hoped to devote to meditation and arrangement of thought for the present exercise, had prevented him making that due preparation for the pulpit without which he was always undesirous of entering it. Perhaps friends will note this, and try to make their calls on their ministers at other times than the morning-the very best part of the day for meditating on the Word of God, and studying for the profit of hearers.

A goodly number of friends assembled at the tea-tables, and the evening meeting was well attended, Mr. Box presiding. After a hymn of praise had been sung, the

chairman read Titus i.; and Mr. Parnell, of Carmel, Pimlico, offered earnest and appropriate prayer. Mr. Box then addressed the mecting in a feeling and affectionate manner. He said it was his privilege to stand as pastor of that church, having the friendship of his brethren in the ministry, who were united with him in heart and hand in the cause of Christ; also to live in the esteem and affection of his people-to maintain a place in which for a number of years requires great grace on the part of a minister. They were a working people at Soho, and between five and six hundred pounds per annum was raised among them for various purposes, exclusive of his own portion. He was glad to see so many friends from other churches to encourage him on the present occasion, but desired to look still higher -to be approved of the Lord, aiming to preach the Gospel in all faithfulness to all classes of hearers. He had been at Soho nearly ten years, having ministered to them nearly two years previously to his public ordination as pastor. Many tokens of affection had been received by him from the people during that time. Removals somewhat numerous had taken place during the past year, and nine members had died, thus occasioning seats to be empty formerly filled-the losses in membership from these and other causes had somewhat exceeded the additions during the past year. He had reason, however, to believe the Word was blest, and that a good work was going on among them. was happy in being associated with good and faithful deacons, who, although several lived three or four miles away, attend as constantly as they can. He had received several congratulatory letters that morning from friends in the country unable to be present; and a note in the vestry awaited his arrival this afternoon, begging his and Mrs. Box's acceptance of the choice plants now on the table before them, from a few young friends. He highly valued all the expressions of regard his kind and loving friends had given him, and felt he needed much their sympathies and prayers.

He

Congratulatory and otherwise appropriate addresses were given by Messrs. R. E. Sears, Alderson, Brown, Dearsly, and Anderson. A collection was made on behalf of the "Freehold Trust Fund," respecting which Deacon Falkner made the annual statement; and the happy, very pleasant meeting ended by all uniting