never saw you before in my life. I merely meant a little fun." Moreover, who doubts that you are a respectable character provided you have an unbrella? And what respectable man, when you overtake him on the way and speak to him, will refuse to hold conversation with you if you have an umbrella? No one. The respectable man sees you have an umbrella, and concludes that you do not intend to rob him, and with justice, for robbers never carry umbrellas. O, a tent, a shield, a voucher for character is an umbrella? Amongst the very best friends of man must be reckoned an umbrella. G. Borrows' " Wild Wales," vol. iii. pp. 19-21.

Á REMARKABLE DREAM. SOME time ago, my sister, who was then for many years a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Society, dreamed that she was standing in company with Mr. J., an intimate friend of ours, and a Wesleyan local preacher, near a dark cavern, in which she could hear the roaring of an immense fire, as it were the flame of a huge blast furnace. Mr. J. drew near its opening and began conversing with a man there imprisoned; and after a short conference he returned to her leaving the prisoner behind. She asked him who it was, with whom he had been conversing. He said that it was a nephew of his, by the name of John-he had been a wicked man, and now he had to suffer for it. Two years had passed away before she disclosed her dream to our friend Mr. J., when she did so, without saying at first the name of the person with whom he conversed at the entrance of the cave. The name was still fresh in her memory, although she knew of no such person in existence. After his earnest entreaty, she said, "His name was John." For some moments he was silent, and appeared in great concern, when he replied, “I had a nephew by that name, and I fear, poor fellow, he is not in heaven, for he died without hope."

solicitor a man of observation and extensive practice. After speaking of the brevity of life, the conversation turned upon contention. In the course of his remarks, this gentlemen said that, throughout his experience, he had seldom, if ever, found either party satisfied who went to law. Whether the cause was lost or gained, there was always dissatisfaction. This appeared to be remarkable admission. Again, he said, he had ever found it more difficult to bring about a reconciliation between relations than among strangers. This seemed also a remarkable testimony from one who had such opportunity of testing the opinions thus expressed. It directly brought to mind the saying of the wise man, "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and their contentions are like the bars of a castle." Again, says Solomon,The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water therefore leave off contention before it be meddled with."Old Jonathan!

UNCHARITABLE THOUGHTS. It would be a great mistake to suppose that the great rule of Christian love can be broken only by outward acts and behaviour. On the contrary, St. Paul speaks of charity as that which "thinketh no evil." But men, too often, do think evil" of their brethren. They note their failings and imagine more; not for the purpose of praying for them and correcting them, but to draw a secret satisfaction from the thought. They are vexed at the successes of others, and not un pleased at their failure. They attri bute bad motives to their good actions, and aggravate in imagination their faults. They conceive an ill-will against some one, and are fond of rehearsing, as it were in their hearts, imaginary quarrels and contests with him. And thus, without proceeding so far as hatred, which is murder, they break the bonds of love, which is the necessary badge of Christianity, and destroy the grace of charity, without which, knowledge and almsgiving, and eyen an unflinching faith itself, are nothing. Bishop of Lincoln's Sin fulness of Little Sins, pp. 78, 79.

LAY PREACHERS IN CROMWELL'S ARMY...

In general, soldiers who should form themselves into political clubs, elect delegates, and pass resolutions on high questions of state, would soon break loose from all control, would cease to form an army, and would become the worst and most dangerous of mobs. Nor would it be safe, in our time, to tolerate in any regiment religious meetings, at which a corporal versed in scripture should lead, the devotions of his less gifted colonel, and admonish a backsliding major. But such was the intelligence, the gravity, and the self-command of the warriors whom Cromwell had trained, that in their camp a political organisation and a religious organisation could exist without destroying military organisation. The same men, who, off duty, were noted as demagogues and field preachers, were distinguished by steadiness, by the spirit of order, and by prompt obedience on watch, on driil, and on the field of battle.-Macaulay's History of England, edit. 1858, vol. i. p. 125.

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THEKE was a minister in Scotland anxious about his soul, and he vowed to God that if he would give peace to his troubled heart, he would speak to every one he met with about Christ. The Lord gave him peace, and he kept his vow. He rode a white pony, and at last so accustomed did the pony become to his stoppages, that, whoever the rider might be, whenever the pony came up to a human being it stopped. God only can tell how many souls such a man would have for his hire. Harlan Page made it a rule never

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A SECRET FOR MOTHERS. MR. and Mrs. Ashton, with their numerous family of sons and daughters, came to the Lord's table an unbroken circle. I never witnessed the blessed sight without asking myself, "What secret family influence has been owned of God by these precious results?" One day I said to the youngest daughter, a child of twelve years, "Do you ever forget Jesus?" Oh no!" she replied, 66 we can none of us at home ever forget Him; for mother speaks to us of Jesus every day. He is ever with us." Omothers, take to your hearts the precious secret of that family's bliss. The mother, ever abidling in Jesus, made his name a household word; His presence evers acknowledged, ever felt British Mes'senger!

mise, the four shillings per week as long as the money collected for that purpose shall last, and if we do so with our present amount the money will very soon be expended; and then to be compelled to reduce the augmented allowance for the want of funds will indeed be a discredit to us and our noble institution. Four shillings per week to keep a man and his wife, and sometimes a sick and afflicted daughter, for this object we require the money. I do again appeal to the Christian sympathy of our brethren on behalf of our dear old men. Remember what the Saviour said, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it uuto me." Now, if the Saviour spoke these words in reference to the least of his disciples, what might we expect he would have said in reference to those whom he had called, and qualified to preach the everlasting gospel, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” His gracious word of comfort is, "Let not your heart be troubled, ve believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I'g go to prepare a place for 'you.'

to cry,

of

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"Though we pass through tribulation,
"All will be well,

Ours is a full salvation,
All, all is well."

How much owest thou, my Lord ? is a question we should all, in the fear of God, put to ourselves. There is such a thing as making a sacrifice for God. I am sure we have all felt it is more blessed to give than to receive. But can we devise any plan likely to succeed in order to raise the remaining balance of the President's £2000? I think we can.

is the Lord's, The Bold and the silver

66

on a

thousand hills. Then, if the gold, and the silver is the Lord's, how much does he receive back from us, his stewards? Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first, fruits of all thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."

The Jews devoted to God more than one-fifth of their annual income,

and who were the persons to give? Every one, poor as well as rich. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God has prospered him." 1 Cor. xvi. 2,00

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This, dear friends, would be storing for God and giving to God. Set apart what you feel you owe to Him; have a box or a drawer, or a corner of a cupboard to place away an offering, if it be only one penny per day or one shilling per week; but do it from a deep sense of duty, and do it punctually, and never let it be borrowed on any account; tell your children, that is the Lord's money. J

When our annual meeting was held in the beautiful city of Bath, I was appointed by the Committee of Management to reside, during our stay, with a good Christian brother belonging to the Established Church. He showed me a drawer in his desk; that drawer, he said, is the Lord's drawer, where I keep the Lord's money, and as the Lord prospers me so I put into the Lord's drawer. Whenever I want a shilling for the poor, or a guinea for the cause of God, I have only to go to the drawer for the amount I require.

with prayer by the Ex-President, the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed.

Arrangements were made to obtain the settlement of an outstanding claim.

The Treasurers reported that they had bought £500 consols, at a total cost of £448 15s., with money from the President's Fund.

The number of sick members was 65, and of annuitants 95. One death had occurred in the month.

A letter from Brother Pogson, of Huddersfield, was read, in which he said, "I enclose you a cheque for £5 2s. 10d., the result of my penny preaching from May 14 to October 1.

Allow me to say that, from the little experience I have had in asking for a penny, I am convinced that if one good brother in every circuit would adopt Brother Wade's plan, our funds would soon enable us to place all the old men in comfortable circumstances. In every place I have been told, You do right, Brother Pogson, to care for the old men, for if any class of men under the sun are worthy of support, it is the poor old local preachers in the decline of life who have spent their best energies without fee or reward.' I hope that some of our brethren will take the hint."

A brother at Sheffield, whose membership had lapsed, applied for re-admission. It was ordered that he be reinstated as a free member on paying £2; or, that he enter under Rule 27.

Brother J. F., of L., aged 75, who a short time since was voted 3s. weekly, was advanced to 4s. He has been a local preacher ever since 1811.

The Honorary Secretary called attention to the fact that several aged annuitants were receiving less than 4s. a week; and as we had received so much of the President's Fund, he urged that steps should be taken to inquire into the claims of the brethren,

with the view of raising all who needed it to that amount. It was resolved unanimously, That the Honorary and General Secretaries prepare a list of the annuitants with a synopsis of their cases for the next meeting.

The following letter was read from an old disciple, Brother F. of L.: "But for the state of my health, I should have addressed a line to you before this date. I wish to express my gratitude for your kindness, and desire you will convey to the General Committee my warmest thanks that they have allowed me an annuity of 3s. per week, which will be a comfort to me in my declining days. I often pray that the blessing of Him who is the fountain of love and goodness may rest upon both the contributors and recipients of our excellent institution; and that many more through it, when my poor lisping, stammering tongue. lies silent in the grave,' may be able to praise the Giver of every good and perfect gift."

Bills to the amount of £40 98. were ordered to be paid:

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A long conversation was held on the best means to be adopted for the holding of public meetings as soon as possible. The establishment of such a meeting in every branch as an annual event was strongly urged.

Some minor matters were settled, and the brethren separated with the remembrance of another pleasant meeting at Deptford.

The next meeting will be held at Brother Bowron's, 14, Churton Street, Pimlico, on Wednesday, November 8.