The interesting meeting which was largely attended was brought to a close by all joining in singing the Doxology, and by the chairman pronouncing the benediction.

During the day the sum of £13 0s. 1d. was collected.

From the September report from Madras recently to hand, we extract the following from our esteemed brother Doll, which we venture to think will be perused with interest :

"Let me ask our associated churches to pray for an outpouring of the Spirit of God upon our fields. Brethren, pray for us. Let me also ask you to help us with more men and means; at least one man for the present for Poonamallee. Such a man would be a boon at that station, for there is abundance of work there, and Abel Michael is working there single-handed in evangelistic work. Silent and slow is our work, but it is a grand achievement. How is this work to be accomplished? No doubt the Divine declaration is Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of Hosts,' is our guarantee. But

we lack more means; increased contributions, new subscriptions. With all importunity I urge our claims. Thankful indeed would I be if the sympathies of more of our churches at home were enlisted in our good work. From our Report for 1880, I understand that there are sixty-five churches in the metropolitan districts alone, which are at one with us in doctrine and discipline, and that from not more than eighteen, however, are contributions sent to us. Will not the beloved pastors of those churches on whom this matter mainly relies give heed to the earnest appeal of our committee. Beloved brethren, if you long for the salvation of souls as men that must give an account; if you are intensely anxious about the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom; if you love the doctrines of free and invincible grace, and drink in the spirit of Jesus, then your sermons will be fired by a missionary spirit, and such a spirit will pervade the songs and prayers of God's house, and there will be seen and experienced the liberal support this Mission demands." T. L. W.

Spiritual Life. An Address delivered at the Autumnal Session of the Baptist Union, on Wednesday, Oct. 26th, 1881. By HENRY Dowson, President of the Union. London: Yates, Alexander and Shepheard, 21, Castle-street, Holborn. Price 2d.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland-as with hardly sufficient warrant it is styled, the brethren in Scotland and Wales having each a separate Union of their own-has this year done honour to itself by making choice of Mr. Henry Dowson as President for the passing twelve months ending April next. For he is a grave and godly man, not a buffoon, either in the pulpit or out of it, possesses by the grace of God, a large share of personal religion, is sound in the fundamental principles of our most holy faith, and is moreover, a scriptural communionist, and therefore of the same order of Baptists as the Apostles of our adorable Lord, and the churches they founded, which but few of the churches and ministers connected with the Union are. He is a man of approved

worth, having been known in the Christian ministry as an able and highly respected preacher of Christ's gospel some forty-five years, and is now about the mature age of threescore and ten.

Mr. Dowson signalised his entrance on the duties of the Presidency last April, by delivering an able address on "The First Principles of Divine Truth ;" a most valuable and edifying dissertation, which no intelligent, spiritually-minded reader can peruse without feeling his soul lifted nearer to his God by the perusal. On the occasion of the Autumnal Session of the Union, Mr. Dowson delivered an address on "Spiritual Life," in connection with the assemblies and operations of the Union." This address has been published as was its predecessor, in a pamphlet form, of which a friend has sent us a copy with a request to review it in the Gospel Herald. Both addresses, however, having been already widely circulated in newspaper reports of the meetings of the Union, description or commendation in these pages is not greatly needed. It is well these

addresses are issued in this more compact and durable form, for they are worthy of being thus preserved. Candour, however, compels the admission that the second address is not equal in all respects to the first. Not equal in fulness and freshness of gracious utterance; nor altogether, as we conceive in correctness of expression. Being, moreover, limited in its scope to the "assemblies and operations of the Union," the subject is treated in too narrow a manner for the address to be so generally useful as it might otherwise be. There are nevertheless fine passages in it. Take the following as an instance :

"The living body has Christ for its living Head; the temple of Grace consists of living stones; Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone. Everything connected with our risen Lord is instinct with life. We have the living Word; the ministry; the gifts which come from the throne of Christ for the enrichment of His church; the supremacy and government of our enthroned Lord; the quickening power of the Holy Spirit-for we are born of the Spirit; the benevolent and appointed ministry of angels; the conversion of sinners, and the triumphs of the Cross in all lands. Life breathes everywhere; and all without, even amidst the activities of life, is the stillness of death."

The writer is speaking of the living power of Christ as the source of spiritual life in accordance with the words of our Lord, "Because I live, ye shall live also."

But let our friends get the pamphletsfor they should be read together-and judge for themselves, a groat in stamps sent to the publishers, with the name and address of the sender, will no doubt secure the return of both by post.

Life and Sermons of Daniel Smart, Minister of Providence Chapel, Cranbrook. London: E. WILMSHURST, Warwick-buildings, Paternoster-row. Cranbrook: Miss Smart, Dearn Villa.

The "Sermons" are fourteen in number; the "Life" of the good man who preached them extends from his birth in 1808 to the present year, he being still in the land of the living, and able to preach, although unable from failing sight to read a single line. He ministers to a large congregation, which gathers from miles round to hear him at Cranbrook, where he has preached the word seventeen years. He began to preach in the year 1832, so that he has been nearly fifty years in the solemn and important work. The incidents he relates connected with his call by grace, call

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to the ministry, and subsequent career are interesting. The "Life" comprises fifty pages of the volume, the "Sermons,' more; so that with the addition of an excellent photograph of the author, the book is not dear-the price being 2s. 6d. cloth boards, or 4s. 6d., leather gilt edges. The "Sermons" are plain and homely, full of experimental teaching, with many a quaint and telling sentence interspersed. The way to heaven is clearly set forth, and the path that leads to the regions of endless woe, very plainly described in these discourses; so that the sinner is faithfully warned, and the heaven-going traveller instructed as to the narrow way and how to avoid the many dangers that beset him on the right hand and on the left. Here is an extract in proof :

"Well, now, sinner, I have shown thee what is wrong; now let me show thee what is right. And you will see on which side of the line you stand for eternity. I think of that part, If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His.' What is His spirit? Meekness, humility, and love. Sinner, come to the light. Are you adorned at times with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price?' Do you hold the truth in a pure conscience? Are we watchful through grace, about our words and actions before men ?"

Plain words, but solemn and searching, simple and truthful, as is the book all the way through. Unadorned in composition, but very honest and faithful in expression, not at all times possibly in the most enticing language, but always in accord with the teachings of the Spirit, and the experience of tried believers.

The Biblical Museum. A Collection of Notes explanatory, homiletic, and illus. trative of the Holy Scriptures; especially designed for the use of Ministers, Bible Students, and Sunday-school Teachers. By JAMES COMPER GRAY. Old Testament Section. Vol. 10, containing "Daniel and the Minor Prophets." London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternosterrow. 1881.

This remarkable work is now completed by the issue of this the fifteenth volume of the series, ten of which are devoted to the Old Testament, and five to the New. Hardly anything more can be said in praise of the work than what has already appeared by way of commendation of it in the pages of the Gospel Herald as volumes were issued, quarterly, from the press. We

cannot do better therefore on the present occasion than give the following brief summary of the contents of the completed work taken from the prospectus, (a) Critical and explanatory notes on every verse throughout the Bible; (b) 1,200 outlines of sermons by preachers of all ages and all countries; (c) 21,000 marginal quotations on a vast variety of subjects in illustration of Scripture truths; (d) 3,600 Scripture references; (e) 6,000 Authors quoted and referred to as providing additional help, and suggesting further reading. This may give some idea of the vast amount of labour involved in the compilation of the work, and of the treasure it will undoubtedly prove to every Bible student who may become its happy possessor. The volumes are well got up, in handsome binding, at 5s. each, which may be had separately. Sets may be had in superior bindings at advanced prices, in which form they are not sold in separate volumes. If any of our young friends wish to make their pastor a present of an acceptable and very useful addition to his library, at this season of the year, let them make choice of this very valuable work as the form in which to make it, if from any cause he be not already in possession of it. Every minister and every Sabbath school teacher should have these volumes by their side, for they are exceptionally well adapted to be helpful in preparing for the work of the pulpit or the class. And every earnest and thoughtful reader of his Bible will find

it a great advantage to have these wellfilled pages, so laden with instructive and useful matter, at hand to refer to.

Le Nouveau Testament. Elliot Stock.

This is the New Testament in French, illustrated with woodcuts, in a very portable form at a very low price. The translation is from the Greek, by Segond, a new version, the merits of which are highly spoken of in their last report, by the British and Foreign Bible Society, with a reserved opinion as to its possible improvements. Being only able to read in "the tongue which we were born," nothing can here be said on that question. Any of our readers, however, who understand the language have now an opportunity of into obtaining the newest translation French of the New Testament for a mere trifle.

Le Voyage Du Cretien. Elliot Stock.

This is our friend Bunyan's Pilgrim in the language of our neighbours across the Channel. Well printed, profusely illustrated with capital wood engravings, it is just the very book to put into the hand of a child beginning to learn French. Besides the pictorial illustrations of the text, which appear almost on every page, there are ten larger engravings relating to Bunyan himself, such as his house at Elstow, his trial, chair, prison, &c. Every young prattler in Gallican will be delighted with the book. Its price is very low.

SUFFOLK AND NORFOLK BAPTIST HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE fiftieth annual meeting was held at Laxfield, on Tuesday, Nov. 1st. In the morning of the day the ministers and representatives of the churches of our association met in conference for several hours. The appointed subject being "The present state of the churches, and what means can be taken to advance their welfare and usefulness. The secretary, Mr. S. K. Bland, read a paper introducing the subject, which it was afterwards resolved should be printed and circulated amongst the members (to which we hope to refer at a future time.) Many thoughtful words of

thankfulness, confession and counsels were exchanged, and with fervent prayers the season was felt to be one of profit.

In the afternoon, the Scripture was read and prayer offered by the senior minister, brother Brown, of Friston, and a very excellent sermon, preached by brother Chas. Hill, on "The Lord the Spirit," being an exposition and enforcement of the necessity, sufficiency, and certainty of the work of the Holy Ghost in the salvation of

men.

A goodly number of friends partook of the social tea, and in the evening a well attended public meeting was held, presided over by the treasurer, brother W. Hough

ton, of Ipswich, after whose appropriate opening address, brother S. K. Bland presented the report for the year with an outline of the history of the mission from its (Its establishment and early progress is alluded to in the memorial notices of Mr. Collins in this number).

commencement.

A list of at least 150 villages was shewn, where the Word had been more or less constantly preached and prayer meetings maintained with quite one hundred more occasionally preached in: a number of these had grown into self-sustaining churches, centres for the diffusion of the light of truth around, and although many of the stations had been only temporarily occupied-the effect of the light had not been destroyed. During the past years of the Society's work, five central stations, with their groups of surrounding villages had been aided, and in great measure sustained by grants amounting to an average of £250 each; seven more to £130 each, and twelve others to upwards of £50 each, besides numerous small grants-these were all situated in the county of Suffolk except one-Pulham, just over the borders in Norfolk. The mission was still fairly sustained, and the work of village and open air preaching maintained with considerable vigour, indeed the reports from many of the brethren respecting the year just closed gave evidence of most encouraging blessing on their labours, and fully bore out the statement made, though never published, by brother Collins, a few years back, and which will now be read with peculiar interest. It is as follows:

"These important labours in our villages which have been so diligently and prayerfully conducted by our brethren, have been among the greatest blessings God has given to our countrymen. Not only in the comfort and peace, carried to their own homes, and to their children, but as our local population is every year draining off to foreign countries and to distant districts in our own kingdom, they carry with them the light and gladness of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Home missionary labours have been therefore among the most important works of our churches, while in all our large towns the churches have been very largely fed and increased by the God-fearing from our villages. The drain upon our village churches, which has been going on somewhat rapidly of late years, is becoming

most seriously felt, so much so it will be with difficulty for many of them to sustain the ministry. Farms are carefully reserved for churchmen, and all business matters as far as they can, are far too exclusive. These things are trying, and must be seriously felt. Our churches have been too sleepy and careless, leaving nearly all to the minister; the day of trial is at hand, and we fear great sorrow will follow."

The meeting was well sustained throughout with much interest. Brethren Gill of Grundisburgh, Smith of Beccles, Debnam of Horham, Palmer of Norwich, Broome of Fressingfield, Denmee of Hoxne, and Marsh of Laxfield, taking part therein with instructive, cheering addresses.

We have only room for one report, but it is a full one, and characteristic of the patient, earnest, and often very toilsome labours of many whose labours are surely not in vain in the Lord.

"Pulham St. Mary,

"Oct. 24th, 1881.

"MY DEAR BROTHER,—I am glad to inform you that, through the mercy of God, I am somewhat better, although my chest is so bad I am obliged to have help for the Lord's-day. Our excellent brother Elsey, whom you will see at Laxfield, I hope, is a great help to me; for he reads and expounds the word of God very sweetly, and prays earnestly. In complying with your request, you have led me to review my pathway, during many years past, and you cannot tell the interest I have found in considering the many villages I have, for years and years, incessantly laboured in, with God's approbation and blessing, and out of which the cause at Pulham has been raised. People still come from the greater part of these villages, and many of them are manifest seals to my ministry. These villages number as under:

"Weybread, Billingford, Thorp Abbotts, Rushall, Brockdish, Mendham, Syleham, Harleston, Tivetshall, Scole, Needham, Pulham Market, Pulham North Green, Starston, Dickleburgh, Shimpling; sixteen villages in all. Three out of these I now occupy; but with great labour and difficulty, because of my age and my infirmities; these three are Starston, Dickleburgh, and Shimpling. I commenced my ministry in the year 1836, and came to Pulham in 1840. I had only ten or a dozen people to preach to at first; but the numbers

quickly increased, so that the place became too strait for us. Brother Wright, of Beccles, was applied to for help; and we asked him if it was possible for us to have a chapel built, to contain the numbers of people. He at once came to the help of the Lord; and after examining all things appertaining to our case, promised us a building for God, on the condition we could raise, by some means, among ourselves, £50. This somewhat alarmed us, for how we were to come at a sum like that, we could not imagine. At last, we resolved, with much prayer, in God's strength to go forward and do our best. Just at this time the new line was opened from Norwich to London.

I went up

with our chapel case, in an open carriage all the way from Norwich to London, with many more persons, like so many cattle, having no covering for our heads. I succeeded well in London, meeting with great kindness and many friends. I preached for brother Dickerson and brother Nunn, also at brother Wells's tabernacle, and other places, and came home with a very good sum of money. While I was working, my Pulham friends were working, and we in a short time, to our astonishment, got the £50 required. Our new chapel was soon got up; and through kind friends, in process of time, it was paid for. So that there is not a penny upon it in shape of debt. The cause here from the first was taken up by the Home Mission, and all the friends of that society have ever helped us to the uttermost. Our neverto be forgotten brethren Collins and Cooper together with others, were always ready to render us the needed help, at every call, both from the funds of the Home Mission, and also of the Suffolk and Norfolk Asso

ciation. We owe our present standing entirely to these sources, the means by which God has wrought for His glory, and the everlasting good and welfare of very many precious souls, at Pulham St. Mary. If I had my health, wit, and nerve, I could at your meeting "a tale unfold," in respect to the villages I have here set down. God bless the meeting, and all who may assemble there. So prays your affectionate brother, B. TAYLOR.

MOUNT ZION CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOLS, HILL STREET, DORSET SQUARE, N.W. ON Tuesday, Nov. 1st, the forty-fifth annual meeting was held in connection with the above God-honoured institution.

The sky was dull and overcast, and the wind cold and searching, as we made our way to the old spot. This made us, however, the more appreciate the warm and comfortable accommodation of the school rooms, where, as well as in the vestries, tables were placed for a goodly company to partake of tea. By a little past the stated time, every available space was occupied, and some fifty or sixty of our friends had to be accommodated in the chapel. Thus we had an encouraging omen of a good meeting, which the evening promised to be.

The chair was taken by our well beloved pastor, who, after hymn 942 had been sung, read Psa. civ., and engaged in prayer. He then gave expression to the pleasure he felt in meeting the friends and supporters of this institute once more, and at seeing such a goodly company present, and after further remarks called upon Mr. C. C. Harris, the secretary, to read the report. There were many points of special interest in an altogether interesting report; among which was the fact stated that the past year's labour had not been without evidence of God's blessing; some of our scholars having been enabled to come forward, and declare themselves on the Lord's side. Also that the lecture delivered by our pastor, on the subject, "From David to Daniel," and beautifully illustrated by dissolving views, exhibited by the secretary was greatly appreciated, and resulted in a profit to the school of £11 4s. 6d. Also the statements concerning the quarterly service held in the chapel and number of certificates obtained by and presented to our scholars in connection with the Sunday school Union_examination. The annual excursion on July 26th, to Hendon: the attendance at teachers' prayer meetings; the condition and use made of the library, which contains 503 volumes; the statistics of the school, showing that the books contained the names of 286 scholars aud 24 teachers, &c.,and not least interesting was the financial statement which showed receipts £88 10s. 8 d., expenses, £87 2s. 10 d., leaving a balance of £1 78. 10d. in treasurer's hands.

the

Mr. Robt. Sears moved the adoption of the report, and spoke to his subject, "The Holy child, Jesus."-Acts iv. 30.

Mr. Anderson seconded the adoption of the report, and addressed the meeting from 1 Sam. iii. 8, "Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child."