The houses into which we went being precisely the same now as they were nearly or quite a century ago, we could but feel the deeper interest from the recollection, that TOPLADY had frequently been a visitor there, in his capacity as a parochial minister. In those identical rooms he had read the Word, exhorted the people, bowed the knee, and pleaded with the Lord on their behalf. "Oh," thought we, "if these walls could speak, to what cries and importunities on behalf of poor sinners would they bear testimony."

We

longer in this to us deeply interesting spot, but our time was limited. had now some ten miles to drive to Fen Ottery, and then to add to that another fifteen before we could again take the train at Collumpton, in time to reach Plymouth that night. Moreover, it is quite necessary to allow abundance of time to the South Devon to do their work. A worse-managed line for keeping time we never reinember to have travelled by, except the Waterford and Kilkenny, where on one occasion we saw the driver and stoker Within a few yards of the church- take refuge under a shed to escape a yard gate stands a very ancient inn- shower of rain; upon another occasion so ancient that it is said to have been have known sundry passengers to alight built before the church itself. Accord- to shove behind the train, in order to ing to the landlord's account, Divine bring it up to the station, the steam of service was formerly held within its the engine being exhausted; on anwalls. In one part stands a species of other occasion (after remonstrating old church screen, and here and there with the guard for attempting to draw very ancient tracery. Over the broad sundry goods-trucks behind a passenger and old-fashioned fire-place is a me- train with so weak an engine) having mento that speaks anything but well to divide the train on the journey, for the honesty of Broad-Hembury. leaving one-half on the line whilst the Arranged the whole length under the other was taken on in advance; at mantel-piece is a quantity of counter-length finishing the journey three hours feit silver, from sixpennies to half-behind-time, and dashing through a crowns, amounting in all, as the land- pair of gates, as though closed in lord said, to upwards of nine pounds. despair of the train's ever arriving. We should love to have lingered (To be continued.)

ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, BEDMINSTER.

(From the "Bristol Daily Post.")

for the most part, after New Testament saints; but he should be glad to see the new church, instead of being called St. Luke's, called St. David's, that the Old Testament Scriptures might be thus brought forward as well as the New Tes

On Tuesday evening 16th ultimo a pub- | sion, he remarked that our churches were, lic meeting was held at the Temporary Church, Prince's street, Bedminster, "to report progress on the above building, and adopt measures for its completion." The chair was taken by Capt. J. B. Knocker, R.N., of Dover; and there was a large congregation.

A hymn having been sung, and prayer offered by the Rev. S. A. Walker.

tament.

The Rev. D. A. DOUDNEY then said the first thing he would have to talk about The CHAIRMAN, in a few introductory was money, a subject which he hated, and remarks, said he was extremely happy to yet he quite forgot himself on a previous find himself, on such an occasion as the occasion by saying that he sometimes present, in the position he then occupied, wished there was no such thing as money, because he could testify to the great love because, but for it, hecould not have afand regard which he entertained for the forded them, as in God's Providence he had minister whom God, in His providence, been enabled to do, an opportunity which had seen fit to set over them, and who they had wonderfully availed themselves had been for many years a dear friend of, of proving their interest in his humble of his. He (the Chairman) felt it an labours, and their attachment to himself. honour to be enabled to give a helping They had given him-and he returned hand to that wondrous work. In conclu- them his warmest and most sincere

a very humble one, and plainly furnished. She expressed great pleasure in assisting him and Mr. SPURGEON, to whom she had sent similar amounts, and added that "My sister died two or three years ago, and left me sundry property, and I determined that I would not save it, but do what good

can with it whilst I live;

thanks the most striking and the most practical proof since his connexion with that place, for scarcely eighteen months, of how they valued the simple Gospel of God, and how they estimated that kind and wonderful Providence which had brought them together. About eighteen months ago he was talking with his beloved brother now present, about what was and, moreover, as I am of a bilious temto be done in the interim between the perament (would there were a few more commencement and completion of the of a bilious temperament), I find it new church. He felt most deeply that he necessary to live very plainly, and, therecould not remain silent, or be only occa- fore I give away my surplus income." sionally engaged during that time, and (Cheers). He thanked her and thanked therefore between them, under the provi- God, and she then gave him £10 more, dence of God, a temporary church was and said, "I will send again after Christproposed, and they went into the items mas." What did they say to the poor with reference to the expense. The ori- after that? Let them never ask the Lord ginal estimate for the temporary church for much, but rather let them ask Him was somewhere about £150, and he cheer- to give them an open heart. He would fully engaged to be responsible for that ten times sooner see a person with an amount, and his brother engaged to come open heart without the means to do all up once a quarter from Plymouth on pur- his open heart dictated, than to see one pose to preach a collection sermon, in with plenty of means who would button order to meet the cost. But instead of up his pockets (laughter). He had £150, the building, with the incidental received two checks for £25 each, from a expenses, had cost £350, and that amount London tradesman; and a check for £20 he was happy and grateful to say had from a hardworking baker there. Were been discharged (applause), through their not these evidences that where the Lord kind and generous contributions, and it gave the heart they were not to despise had been discharged, moreover, without the poor? He would not refer to the his brother being necessitated to come up circumstances from which the church to preach a collection sermon, but he had originated; he had told them at a former now come to thank them. The Lord had meeting that it originated in prayer. The indulged him (the speaker) very graci- gentleman who had proposed the church ously in fulfilling the long cherished was the late John Holmes, Esq., through desire of his heart: "unto the poor the whose agent, Mr. Inskip, £3000 had been Gospel is preached:" He permitted him, paid. The other donors were-Richard Sabbath after Sabbath, to minister to a Drake, Esq, John Drake, Esq., John Cox, poor but to a warm-hearted congregation. Esq., and William Cox, Esq., £500 each; Any other brother might have the rich, but the trustees of the Kent fund, £2000; give him the poor, for he was very much the Lord Bishop of Gloucester and Brismistaken if they did not do as much with tol, £25; W. H. Gore Langton, Esq., their comparatively empty pockets as the M.P., £150; the Incorporated Society of rich did with their long purses (applause). London, £500: the Diocesan Society, If he were to enter into details as to those £100. Beyond that they had subscripwho had contributed to the fund, they tions amounting to £2247 19s. 7d., and would be led to exclaim, "What has God he would show them in round figures the wrought!" He had received two regis-principal towns which had contributed tered letters, each of which contained five to that amount. Bedminster, £281, in£5 notes, from Miss -- of and cluding £107 collected by Mr. Ranger, a when he went to shortly afterwards member of the congregation-that he expressed his desire to a friend to amount had nothing whatever to do with make Miss -'s acquaintance, and to the £350 of which he had before spoken, thank her for what she had done. His and which was raised for a totally differfriend proceeded with him towards the ent object; Bristol, including £102 colhouse, expecting to find it a large build-lected by Mr. Green, another member of ing, or a mansion; but when they en- the congregation, resident in Redclifftered the village, he was referred to an unpretending house in an insignificant row. He said to himself, "Surely £50 did not come out of that house. He found Miss a plain, homely dame, the house

street, £493; Clifton, £339; London, £184; Bath, £57; Manchester, £62; Ireland, 31; America, £15; from various parts of the country, £863 19s. 7d.; postage stamps, £91. These amounts had

complete the building for consecration, and £1,350 to complete the tower and spire. He proposed to issue cards to members of the congregation, with the view of their soliciting subscriptions within the next six weeks.

The Rev. S. A. WALKER, in a lengthy speech, proposed, "That this meeting has heard the report setting forth the present position of the funds for building the new church at St. Luke's, Bedminster, and desires to record its gratitude to Almighty God for the abundant blessing which He has graciously vouchsafed upon past efforts."

been raised by 20,000 appeals which, been overlooked that the foundation cost had been made, and in answer to which £1,000. What was wanted was £1,000 to he had received from a single penny stamp to £25. The total amount raised had been £10,222 19s. 7d. They might very naturally say "That is a very large amount, how is it you want more?" He explained that the £2,000 was to be contributed by the trustees of the Kent fund, on the understanding that that amount and another £2,000 should be appropriated towards endowing the church, to ensure to the minister for the time being an income of £120 a year, which was the only reliable income he would have inde. pendent of the pew rents. It was said that the church was an expensive one, and was too good for Bedmidster, but he said it was not. It had been said that they ought not to have such a church for the poor, but he said they ought, and by consent of the trustees he would place the motto outside the building in a prominent place" Unto the poor the gospel is preached." (Applause.) A Tractarian was in the church on the previous day, and he (Mr. D.) hoped that that was the last time a Tractarian would be seen there, for he would rather see the church razed to the ground than that a Tractarian should minister in it. The plan of the church was selected from 25, at the suggestion of Mr. Holmes, the largest contributor, and was the cheapest of all of them. It had

Dr. FRYER Cordially seconded the motion, which was affirmed nem con.

The Rev. G. D. DOUDNEY, incumbent of Charles Chapel, Plymouth, next proposed, "That this meeting, as the best evidence of its gratitude for God's past mercy, pledges itself to adopt all available measures to raise the sum necessary to complete the building."

The Rev. D. COOPER appropriately seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted.

The trustees of the permanent church and the committee of the present church having been thanked for their services, and a hymn sung, and prayer offered, the meeting separated at ten o'clock.

LETTER TO A BACKSLIDER.

BELOVED, I write to you in sympathy, I walked together as two "agreed." love, and sorrow. Sympathy, because Come and take a walk with me now into one worm knows the grovelling of another; love, deeper than the depths, for it comes from above: and sorrow, stinging, bitter, cutting. Do you ask for what? Shall I tell you? Ah, let God answer in His own words, Thou art gone back.

Now, beloved, before you go on, may it be given you by God the Holy Ghost to spread this letter where Hezekiah spread his, before the Lord. Greater dangers threaten you than they did him; for the heathen king only wanted his kingdom, but the king of Armageddon wants you; if grace enable you to take it to Jesus, and agonize over it in prayer for a little moment, who can tell but while you are yet speaking the windows of heaven will open, and a shower of blessing descend-even upon you.

Many and many a time have we

the past-this way-where the Lord (as we thought) first met you, and revealed Himself to you as a God who will by no means clear the guilty. Do you see that spot? It was just there you wept until you could weep no more, and said, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me." Have you forgotten the peace that followed? the peace that flowed like a river? Has it passed away from your memory, that night to be much remembered, when (as we fondly hoped) there was joy in heaven over the angels of God?

Turn with me into another path; there was the meeting-place between God and your soul-there you would take your Bible and hold converse with Jesus, and in the simplicity of early love talk to Him without reserve, and tell Him all your joys and sorrows as a

little child would tell its mother. You did run well, who did hinder you? Shall I tell you? The world, that great bait of Satan. He came very plausibly at first, showing but a very little of the cloven foot. He began to flatter you, until you got in love with yourself, and conceit took the place of humility. Then came the worldly companion in whose counsel you first walked, then stood; ah! will it next be, sat? The sober, serious book was laid aside for light reading; to the one in whom from a child you had confided, you became reserved. When warned of coming danger, you began to question the expediency of total separation from the world, while a spirit of self-justification and self-satisfaction all betokened that the backward path had began.

Backward! and was it ever forward? That is the question which a few years will answer, when my body shall perhaps have mouldered to dust, in one of those churchyards where we have often held sweet converse together. He who reads the heart alone knows whether yours has ever been renewed. The thought is solemn-awful; for perhaps it has all been a delusion. You may have been only a way-side hearer, or even with joy have received the word, and yet endure but for awhile. Or are you one of those hearers who received the seed among thorns? Well, there is but one hearer among the four whose work will bear the fire at the last great day, he who received the seed into good ground;

and we know by God's own word that such shall never perish. May you be that one, beloved.

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"Remember Lot's wife," said Jesus; she looked back upon the world, and perished; and her name stands upon record as a beacon to every backslider. "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways." "Hedged up with thorns are those ways; hedged up by angry God, who "will make a wall that she should not find her paths" (Hos. ii. 6). How solemn! Hedges and walls of man's devising we may cope with, but when God plants the one and builds the other, woe be to the poor sinner inclosed thereby! And suppose you should die thus, as the unsaved backslider must die? Your dying bed made up of thorns, piercing the fainting body and burning temples, making a dying effort to escape from the thorns, and falling bleeding against the wall which God has placed around you. Conscience all alive like burning coalsfierce, raging, accusing, maddening conscience.

Oh, beloved, may the Lord enable you to cast yourself and your idols at His feet, and to say with Israel of old, "Take away all iniquity, and receive me graciously." Then shall the answer of peace come speedily and blessedly, "I will heal thy backslidings, I will love thee freely; for mine anger is turned away from thee." Your friend as ever,

DANGEROUS INFLUENCE OF BAD EXAMPLE. IN 1782 the Royal George, a vessel carrying 108 guns, and one of the finest in the navy at that time, was being repaired at Portsmouth. For this purpose she had been laid over a little on one side, but so little was danger apprehended that the admiral, captain, officers, and crew, amounting to about 900 persons, continued on board. The workmen, finding it necessary to do a little more than was expected, and, to come at a small leak, held it over a little more than was intended, and more, perhaps, than the commander knew. However, while Admiral Kempenfelt was writing in his cabin, and the people between decks, a sudden squall threw the vessel entirely over on her side, and her port holes being all open at the time,

she filled and sunk so quickly, that, as one of the survivers expressed it, he had only time to cry to his brother, "She is going down," when down she went, and the admiral, and about 1000 persons who were between decks, went down with her. Now, it is mentioned in the accounts, of the loss of this fine vessel, that when she went down, there was such a whirlpool caused by the plunge of so great a body into the sea, that a small vessel, a victualler which floated near it, was actually swallowed up, and several small crafts at a considerable distance were in imminent danger of sharing the same fate. Here we have an illustration how every sinner tends to draw all within the reach of his influence into his own vortex of destruction.-Trench.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT-TEMPERANCE.

But as long as the Shulamite is in this tabernacle, he will have the appearance of the band of two armies; and these the contrary the one to the other. The flesh will war against the Spirit; and, thanks be to God, the Spirit will also war against the flesh, and overcome it. Although it be necessarily distasteful to the flesh, yet the child of God is called to temperance; and in the power of the Spirit, he is temperate. "Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things" (1 Cor. ix. 25). If in the mastery of temporal things this is necessary, how much more will it be so when eternal and spiritual things are in the question. Therefore Paul kept his body under subjection, knowing its lust and enmity; lest after having preached to others the gospel, with its Divi e direction to temperance (Acts xxiv. 25), he should after all be disapproved in this matter. Paul knew he was on the rock, and in the 9th of Corinthians he sets no bad example, and makes no boast of lack of assurance of salvation; but he stirs his readers up by a display of holy jealousy lest he might suffer any loss in the excellent things which should adorn a Christian's life.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."-Gal. v. 22, 23. THE grace of temperance, the result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, is likewise a deeply important and comprehensive subject. Man has so perverted from its right use everything that God has given him, that by nature he puts bad for good, and bitter for sweet. It is on this account that God's rule to observe temperance with regard to all created things, though the best and only path to happiness, involves at once in our disordered imagination the idea of restraint. The pride of man rebels at the thought of any clog being put upon his freedom of action. And so the ways of God and His truth must always entail a mortification upon the weak and sinful flesh both before and after regeneration. Yet the precept to temperance should in reality prove no constraint upon God's creatures. It is but the way, pointed out by the Giver Himself, to enjoy in the most perfect manner His own gifts; a principle which is seen, acknowledged, and felt to be reasonable by the new, but never by the old heart. Nor will temperance be confined as a regulating principle to this world only; but wherever creation extends there must the temperate use of things created be seen. The work of the Spirit will last for ever. It is begun here and carried on, in order to be perfected above. There is not one grace too many, or of less importance than another. Together they make up a whole. Take one away, and the whole is marred. The grace of teinperance begun in us here, will be completed in glory. In those abodes of bliss we can suppose that all the inhabitants guide themselves by the blessed instincts of their divine nature, and that perfect temperance is manifested in all that they do. And, further, that the language which expresses such a course of action is so far from implying a constraint upon their spiritual desires, as to amount to a continual invitation and encouragement to

"Drink endless pleasures in." "Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abunda itly, O beloved.”

The comprehensiveness of this grace will be seen from the fact that it regulates the walk of the Christian among, and his use of, all the things of this world. The other graces of the Spirit point, as it were, directly to our duty towards God and man; this, while involving a like responsibility, points to our duty with regard to things. And in this therefore is the glory of God also concerned. How wonderful, beloved, that our God should deign to take notice of our state, and of every little act that our state requires us to perform.

He does not say, "So far

can I go with you, but the rest must be done without me, or regard to my glory, which it can never reach." No, it is not so. Having descended so low as to reach us, He goes with us into all the little acts of life. There is nothing in the creature or his acts that is of any

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