start. As to the general finances, Mr. Spencer urged that occasional donors should become annual subscribers. The present wants of the general work are £2,000, to wipe off arrears and to enable the Committee to develop the work of the Mission at home and abroad.

Mr. S. GURNEY SHEPPARD, the Treasurer, in submitting the balancesheet, said many would be surprised to know that £2,400 is all that the travelling public, shareholders, and others have subscribed to the Mission during the year. "We must have more cash," said Mr. Sheppard; and, later in the proceedings, he helped to answer his own appeal by a gift of £100. Mr. T. A. Denny gave a like amount, and altogether a good sum was given or promised.

In a graceful and hearty speech, the NOBLE CHAIRMAN thoroughly secured the approval of his audience, whom he addressed as "Fellow Railway-men." As boy and man, he said, he had been in and out among the railways for nearly thirty years. Whether on the plate-board of the locomotive (where he had ridden many hundred miles), in the brake van, or in the signal box, he felt very much at home. Now that he was a Railway Director he was able to look at the thing from both points of view. The sympathy expressed in the letters from Railway Managers shows that they appreciate the value of the Mission. Christianity will make men better engine drivers and platelayers and guards and porters than they were before, and the directors of railways are shrewd enough to recognise this. In commenting on the Mission operations, Lord Aberdeen spoke of the great importance of circulating good and pure literature. Our young men, he said, are exposed to terrible temptations from literature of the opposite character, and we must fight against the evil. A man convicted the other day of selling evil literature was only fined 103.; why, he would have had more if he had picked a man's pocket. "I would rather," exclaimed the Earl, "shake hands with a man who had picked my pocket a dozen times, than the man who should attempt to sell me an objectionable book." This evil is not always brought prominently before us, but we must not ignore it.

The speech that followed from Canon WILBERFORCE* was one of the most powerful we have ever heard, even from his eloquent lips. He began by a reference which "brought down the house," and the frequent applause was almost as overwhelming as the rush of oratory from the Canon. The noble chairman had spoken of a Railway-man warning a train of approaching danger by means of a broken lantern. Said the Canon, "I can point to more than one instance of men entirely changed in life by the influence of the Mission, and who are setting such an example that they are not broken lanterns, but electric lights." He told a pathetic story of a plate layer, converted through the blue ribbon movement, who was run over by an express train, and who, as he lay dying, could sing

"Fade, fade, each earthly joy;

Jesus is mine."

After an extremely eloquent passage, in which he extolled the power of the simple Gospel as contrasted with human philosophies, the Canon passed to a consideration of the temperance question, noting with much satisfaction the fact that so large a percentage of the members of the Mission are abstainers. He was extremely severe on "that strange hemaphrodite compromise called moderate drinking," and lodged a protest against the temptations of the railway refreshment-rooms. "I say to every man and woman here, if you want to have a longer life, a clearer brain, a steadier hand, a sharper eye, a better temper, a nicer complexion; if you want to make your husband love and stick to you, or to make your wife care for you, and to have the respect of your wife and children, sign the temperance pledge." While expatiating on this subject the Canon vehemently denounced the proposed compensation clauses of the new Local Government Bill, and declared that if they should become law it would not be long before they were repealed. Every statement of this sort was cheered to the echo, and the fiery Canon left the meeting to catch the Southampton train amid a tempest of applause.

After this, the testimonies from the selected delegates seemed rather tame, but their four-minute speeches were nevertheless deeply interesting. The speakers were Mr. Macfarlane, Glasgow; Mr. Butler, Salisbury; Mr. Drew, Swansea; Miss Crossle, District Secretary for Ireland; Mr. White, London; and Mr. Tringham, Hereford. Then Mr. T. A. Denny wound up with some words of very pleasant and cordial approval of the work, making another appeal for continued support. The Mission certainly ought to get that £2,000 for which the Secretary pleaded.

"GO TO THE BEERSHOP."

AN American gentleman who came into our office the other day said he had travelled over all the lines throughout the country during the ast year or so, and that, when he felt the want of a drink of water, and asked the porters or others where he could get one, he was invariably told that he could get what he wished in the way of drink over at the beershop. This gentleman was so saddened by the constant repetition of the same answer to his question that he has asked us to urge Railwaymen not to direct people to the beershop. We do not think & Christian man, and certainly not a teetotaller, would give this advice to the travelling public. It is not a part of the duty of Railway servants to give information respecting food and raiment, but it is a good thing to be able to help a passenger with any advice he may require, as long as that advice is good. We throw out the suggestion.

* We shall reprint the Canon's speech in pamphlet form.

TAKEN HOME FROM GREENOCK.

"YEA, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." This was the blessed experience of a dear sister here, who passed away to be for ever with the Lord, after a short but severe time of trouble, borne with Christian resignation and patience, on March 27. Miss Crawford was one of our oldest and most earnest lady workers. She joined our Mission on the occasion of Mr. Clarke's first visit to Greenock, on October 18, 1885; and up till a few weeks before her death, her happy face had been seldom missed from our little gatherings. One of the first members of our choir here, she has gone as our first representative to take her place in the grand and glorious choir above, and her cheery voice, that joined so often with ours in singing to God's praise, is now, we believe, mingling with the hosts of the ransomed ones in singing the songs of the redeemed in glory, where, as she herself expressed it a few days before her departure, she will be ready, "waiting and watching at the beautiful gate," for the Railway-men and their wives with whom she was so long and happily associated in the Master's service.

On the day of her departure, immediately before her death, she sung the first two lines of "Rock of Ages," "Jesus, Lover of my soul," "Oh! to be nothing, nothing," and "When my final farewell to the world I have said." In this way she showed to all around her that death had truly been swallowed up in victory. The funeral took place on March 30, her remains being followed to the cemetery by a deputation from the Railway Mission, who placed a beautiful wreath, with a suitable inscription, on her grave, as a token of the esteem in which she was held by all the members of that Association.

In Memoriam.

AGNES J. CRAWFORD, DIED MARCH 27, 1888, AGED TWENTY FIVE YEARS.
And now she's gone; her weary race in life's dark round is run;
And earth has lost a happy face, and heaven a soul has won.
We mourn. Ah! no; it is not so; no shade should cloud the brow;
Why should we weep o'er such a sleep? She's throned in glory now.
As on her pale face, one by one, we gazed that mournful e'en,
And thought on all that she had done, and all that she had been,
Upon her bier the silent tear came trickling down somehow:
'Twas wrong to weep to see her sleep. She's throned in glory now.
God's strong right arm will ne'er relax its hold in time of need;
"He will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed."
'Tis His to stay or take away, 'tis ours to bear and bow;
Man sees but part, God knows the heart. She's throned in glory now.
The world's cold storm on her frail form will beat and break no more;
Through waters dark, her fragile bark has reached the golden shore.
Oh! happy place, where ne'er a trace of care can cloud the brow;
She is not dead, though lowly laid, she's throned in glory now.
Oh! blessed Saviour, safe in Thee; oh! joy not death can dim;
He calls our loved ones home that we may closer cling to Him.
Away among the angel throng, the crown upon her brow,
She is not dead, though lowly laid, she's throned in glory now.
She is not lost, we'll meet again; she is not dead, though gone;
A few short years at most, and then we'll know as we are known;
And knowing this, that all is well, let us in meekness bow,
With Him of whom she loved to tell. She's throned in glory now.
WM AITKEN.

"WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?"

1. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Acts viii. 37. 2. And that He died for your sins? Gal. ii. 20.

3. Then has He not done all that He could do for you? Mark v. 19. 4. Do you realise that all you can do for Him is (1) to repent; (2) to believe? Mark i. 15.

5. Do you truly regret and repent of your past sins? Luke xiii. 3. 6. Repentance, however, does not only mean regret for the past, but includes the desire to avoid sin in the future. Do you, therefore, intend to obey God in the future, so far as He helps you to do so? Matt. iii. 8.

7. Then may you not honestly say you "repent"? Job xlii. 6.

8. Can you not also say that you accept and believe the facts above mentioned (whether you quite understand them or not), just because God says so in His Word? Mark ix. 24.

9. Then may you not honestly say you "believe"? Heb. x. 39. 10. If so, have you not done all that it is possible for you to do for Him, little as it is? Eph. ii. 8, 9.

11. Christ having done His part, and you having done yours (all you can do-viz., repent and believe), surely God must now do His partviz., forgive you, for Jesus Christ's sake? 1 John ii. 12.

12. Then may you not confidently say you are "converted," that you are "born again," that you are "saved," and that you have "eternal life?" 1 John v. 13.

HALLELUJAH! Romans xii. 1, 2.

AN ABERGAVENNY GUARD tells us that he is anxious to induce many more of the men in his district to take in and read THE SIGNAL. Good! We want to get into the hands of every Railway-man in the three kingdoms; and if the effort is made by all our present readers, our already extensive circulation will soon be consider. ably increased. Our friend the guard says that although no branch of the Railway Mission exists in Abergavenny, the interests of Railway-men are looked after by the Y.M.C.A. Perhaps we shall have a branch there ere long.

*

ANOTHER WELSHMAN, a signalman at Tredegar, writes to the effect that THE SIGNAL has found its way into that station. We thank our correspondent for his kind words, and join him in his hope that our monthly visit "will be the means of leading many to a better and nobler life." By reason of the demands upon our space, we are unable to insert in full the information our friend conveys.

THE MARKED TEXT.

“ISABEL, this is the key of your mother's wardrobe," said a father to his motherless daughter, and only child, on her eighteenth birthday. “Take it, and, at your leisure, look over your sainted mother's things. You are at an age now to value them."

With these words the father, a great scholar and "bookworm," left the room. Isabel was soon busy looking over her young mother's possessions. She could just remember being taken as a tiny child to kiss a sweet, pale lady in bed, and next day being told her mother was in heaven; and, as she looked on the long-unused things, she yearned to have that fair mother by her side, for she was often lonely and cheerless. Suddenly Isabel came on a well-worn book, bound in red morocco, with a silve clasp. It opened at once about the middle, the place being marked by a bunch of dry and colourless flowers. She saw directly that it was a small Bible, and that it opened at a place where was a verse strongly marked in red ink. That verse was, "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted; " and by the side was written, "My little motherless Isabel."

"It is almost like my mother speaking to me from the dead," Isabel said, solemnly; "she must have known I should find this some day;" and eagerly she kissed the page again and again.

The young mother had known that some time her daughter would pro bably find those words, watered by her dying prayers. And richly God answered those prayers, for that well-worn Bible soon became her child's greatest treasure. From it she learned the plan of salvation, and from it she drew heavenly comfort and joy that lighted up and brightened her solitary life. So true is it that "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth ; but the Word of our God shall stand for ever (Isa. xl. 8).

THE DEVIL OUTDONE.-The usual chapter of this story is crowded out by the lengthy report of our Annual Meetings. Other matters also must be deferred till next month.

THIS Paalm deals with the subject of God's Word. It is the theme of all its divisions. It will be noticed that there are twenty-two sections, each headed by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This is most suggestive, if we consider that the alphabet forms the foundation of all knowledge. We cannot learn except by commencing at the beginning, and we all begin with our A B C. And may we not say that to understand God's Word is the foundation of all spiritual knowledge? Here it is we learn His mind and will. And, further, the alphabet contains within itself all the earthly wisdom with which we can become acquainted, inasmuch as its letters form the words by which it is expressed and made intelligible. So the Word of God contains within itself all spiritual wisdom, and apart from its teaching we can know nothing of divine things. Let us remember this, and as we desire to grow in the knowledge of God, be most earnest and diligent in our study of the Divine Oracles.

We can touch but briefly upon the salient features of the Psalm, but we hope our readers will follow up the thoughts suggested in their private meditations.

We are shown the blessedness of the sincere or whole-hearted servant, whose purpose it is to keep the Word of the Lord. The Psalmist longs to be of this company. Note well that respect unto all the commandments of God is the qualification for praise, and this can be attained only by the help of God. The young man's rule of life is the Word by means of which he can cleanse his way. If it be hid in the heart, it will preserve from falling into sin. This points to the moral apprehension of truth as distinguished from the merely intellectual acquaintance with it. Prayerful meditation will assuredly lead to delighting in the Word. Many read the Bible as a task, and find nothing but a task in doing so. Our advice to such is meditate. Spiritual eyesalve is needed to see the hidden truths contained therein. We want the anointing from above in order that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God. The resolve to delight in the Word expressed in the previous section has resulted in that Word becoming a delight to the soul-and not only a delight, but a counsellor.

The Psalmist feels the earthward tendency of his desires, and seeks for & quickening Word. Note the importance of a right understanding in order to fit one to speak of the Word. How many begin to speak before they have themselves learned of God? Not only does the soul need to be quickened, but also to be strengthened. The Word is both life and food. The importance of a definite choice is dwelt upon as committing the soul to a definite line of action.

The Christian is always a learner in the school of God, and "to the end" he will need to be taught the way of His statutes. Hence he seeks understanding, and the propulsion of His grace to cause him to go in the right path. Purpose to keep God's Word always leads to avoid. ance of evil.

The faithful soul is sure to suffer reproach; but trust in God's Word will bring comfort and salvation. True liberty is enjoyed only by the obedient man. Lawlessness is the greatest slavery. When the heart is filled with Divine knowledge, the Holy Spirit brings the Word to the memory in limited portions to comfort and sustain in time of difficulty. And so even in the wilderness the Christian can sing as he journeys home to Canaan.

The Lord's portion is His people, and His people's portion is Himself. We see in this section (Cheth) how intimately connected are thought and action. When the Lord's mind is clear it is ours to render a quick obedience. The Psalmist felt the need of the communion of saints. Those who fear the Lord speak often one to another.

A true father corrects an erring child. And even so does our Heavenly Father afflict us for our soul's health. How often have we had to thank God for laying His hand upon us when we were straying from the path of obedience. Experience has proved that in very faithfulness to us God has chastised us. Yet always in tenderness. In prayer and meditation the soul finds salvation from the many forms of temptation with which Satan endeavours to harrass and destroy. The Name and Word of God are a strong tower and sure foundation.

Heaven and earth agree in proclaiming the faithfulness of God's Word. The Universal Order delights in its obedience to His ordinances, and the heart of the true servant beats in unison with it.

When the heart is possessed by the Word, the mind is instructed, and obedience to its precepts is true wisdom.

Because of the difficulties of the path, the Christian needs a light to shine upon it, showing the way. This he finds the Word to be, in which are instructions for all the circumstances of life. A settled purpose to be obedient gives settled peace.

Self confidence is not only unbecoming in the believer, it is also the

greatest folly. Only as held up by God's almightiness is he able to stand in the evil day, and havir done all to stand. The true servant will never act with independence, but will seek to know the mind of his master and endeavour to carry out to the uttermost his perfect will. He is much distressed when he sees the indifference shown by others to his master's will and desires to be saved from the power of lawlessness. The heart purified by the Word is competent to appreciate its absolute purity and holiness, and delights in the knowledge of its abiding character.

It is both suggestive and interesting to notice that the Shepherd.king realised at all times his need of the Shepherd's care. Near to His side in the only place of security.

OUR QUESTION CORNER.

EVERYONE is aware that, when a point of knowledge is fixed in the mind, it is easy to imagine everybody else can acquire that knowledge by a little effort. This is our case. We did not consider we were propounding a difficult problem in the question asked last month; we thought the answer we had in mind would quickly suggest itself to Bible-readers. Strange to say, however, but three such answers have reached us. While we must regret this, on account of the natural feeling of disappointment our friends will experience, we are sure none of them will grudge the pains they have taken to find the three wonderful titles which Paul applied to God. The reply we wished to receive is this::-"God of patience and consolation" (Rom. xv. 5). "God of hope" (verse 13). "God of peace" (verse 33). JAMES MURDOCH, Signalman, Haghill Junction, City of Glasgow Union Railway; E. FORD, Signalmau, Bishopstoke Station; and A. SHELDON, Buxton, Derbyshire, are the friends whose minds got upon the same line as ours.

JAMES DENTON, Signalman, Manningtree Station, whose letter we have been delighted to read; and J. H., Signalman, Hull (H. & B.R.), suggests 1 Tim. vi. 15 a the right answer; but they also mention 1 Tim. i. 17 as an alternative, though the first-named rightly says four names are applied in that verse. The first of these two passages is chosen by C. G. (no address); T. E. MUGGERIDGE, Booking Clerk, Anerley; DAVID JONES, Goods Guard, Abergavenny; M. M., Hereford (with the alternative of Heb. xii. 9, 22, 29); W. ROBERTS, Fireman, Plymouth; and R. A. RICE, Stow Bedon. Now, in regard to this verse, we must remind our good friends that there are only two titles given in it; the term "potentate" is not a title.

Besides the two friends named above, the following point to 1 Tim. i. 17 as being correct, overlooking the fact of four titles being given therein :W. WINTER, Signalman, Bagworth; A. E. HAMLET, Foreman, Bristol (G.W.); W. H. W., Signalman, Aldershot; S. C. FELGATE, Booking Clerk, Kelvedon; W. WARNE, Signalman, Bodmin ; S. LOWNDS, Stoke-onTrent; W. TUCKER, Signalman, Bampton; H. J. TURNER, Signalman, Ryeford (who says he never took in a SIGNAL before last month); and J. HENSMAN, Brakesman, Bradford.

F. ALLVIN, Signalman, New Holland, selects 2 Cor. i. 3. But we find no more than two titles here. Still, our brother's hint is good—namely, to read conjointly this chapter and Psalm xxxvii. H. PARRY, Driver, Longsight; M. E. C., Hereford; and W. CALDER, Station-master, Hamilton, N.B., also fix upon the same verse.

G. BEETON, Signalman. Ealing, in sending Eph. i. 2, 3, 17, remarks:— "We have here revealed to us a family union: God our Father, Christ our Elder Brother. And as God our Father is also the Father of Glory, we claim to be heirs, through the sacrifice of our Elder Brother, of our Father's eternal glory."

Heb. xii. 9, 23, 29, has been chosen by A. B., Hereford; E. BUSHY, Signalman, King's Sutton; and H. TETT, Guard, Exeter. About these Fassages we have two things to say. The first is that we do not think "a consuming fire" can properly be designated a title. Next, as many eminent Bible scholars question whether the Epistle to the Hebrews was written by Paul, we do not consider ourselves competent to decide the point, and would not have used Paul's name if this Epistle had contained the answer.

W. A. VENNELL, Hagley-road Station, Birmingham; and Signalman PLATT, Wisbech, send Heb. vii. Will our brethren kindly look again, and then we think they will find that the titles therein given all apply to Melchisedec.

Finally, we have Rom. xvi. chosen by Mrs. MARTIN, Buxton, Derbyshire. Several of our correspondents again mention the pleasure and profit derived from searching for the answers, and express their gratification at this new feature in THE SIGNAL. The comments, too, which accompany many of the replies, are not lost, even though they may not appear in. print. Our endeavour being constantly in the direction of most usefully serving all our readers, we are pleased when we learn that any effort has been successful. And though but three correct replies have reached us, we have more faith in the perseverance of Railway-men than to believe any one among the unsuccessful will be daunted by failure. Therefore, we shall anticipate a still larger number of replies to

THIS MONTH'S QUESTION.

The Old and the New Testament each contain a warning against friendships, both of which bring trouble. Quote the two passages. Replies should reach us by June 21.

From S. J. VICKERY, Tiverton, and T. STROUD, Shunter, Wimbledon. replies to the April questior reached us too late for insertion in May,

soul

stand and still en - - dure? te- dious, toil - some years?

TIME FOR REST NOT YET.

THE time has not yet come when Temperance advocates can lay down their weapons and claim victory. While on all hands are to be found evidences of conquest, the amentable fact remains that but slight impression has been made upon the vast drink system of the country. Concerning ourselves, as an organisation whose avowed object is to ameliorate the condition of our fellows, we rejoice in the knowledge that wherever a branch of the R.M.C.A. exists, there also is a centre from which all the influence is on the side of Temperance. Still we have much before us, if we purpose vanquishing the most powerful adversary to the spread of the Gospel and the bringing of our mates to the Saviour. The need for persistent effort lies broad in our way; every Christian

throne.

we

man and woman must do their part, if ever victory is to be achieved.

Year by year our eyes are opened to the position of affairs, as the publication of the National Drink Bill sets out, in detail, the amount spent upon intoxicants. For many years the late Mr. William Hoyle made a careful analysis of the returns, and even secured their appearance in The Times-thus scoring a by no means small success. Since Mr. Hoyle's death, the work has been continued by another veteran Temperance reformer. Dr. Dawson Burns, and we have now the figures for 1887. As might have been gathered from our opening remarks, these figures are not encouraging to those who desire to see a sober people. Dr. Burns tells us that last year we spent £124,953,680 in drink-an increase upon 1886 of £2,048,895. There bad, for the few previous years, been a steady decrease in the sum spent; now, however, the balance is on the wrong side.

True, the population has increased; but surely we are justified in assuming that the energy of Temperance men ought to be a set-off to this. Never were Temperance principles more widely taught than now; never were the evil effects of drunkenness, and the subtle influences of moderation, more extensively made known; yet, sad to tell, for last year at any rate, the tide of liquor-buying has risen above the mark. Dr. Burns considers he has found at least one reason for this in the extra drinking consequent upon the Jubilee celebrations; this may be, but we doubt it.

We shall not further follow the analysis, or enter at greater length into the matter. The bald facts given will, we trust, stimulate the zeal of every Christian Railway-man-first, to secure his adhesion to the side of total abstaince; then to urge him on to win others that way. It is cheering, how. ever, to find the major portion of the London Press deploring the state of things revealed by the Drink Bill. This is a sign of the times none can overlook: for let but our newspapersthrow their weight into the scales, and we shall have a factor the potency of which will do much to lessen the consumption of intoxicating drinks. We com. mend the following from The Echo as arguments none can controvert:

"The figures are terribly suggestive £3 7s. 6d. per annum for each man, woman, and child in the United King dom. Knock off the abstainers and the children, and we have an expenditure for the rest of £5 per head, or an average of 2s. per week each. Those who are engaged in the drink traffe point to the large number who derive a living from it; but the argument has no weight with those who know the facts. There is hardly any great industry in the country which employs so little labour in proportion to the amount which is expended upon it. The man who now spends £5 annually upon drink, and who from this time forward spends that £5 upon other articles, may reckon that he thereby expends, as regards that £5, three or four times the proportion upon labour that he has spent hitherto. The fact has been demonstrated beyond cavil again and again. As to the utility of the expenditure upon strong drink, the abstainers cover the whole field of argu ment. At the very least they enjoy life quite as much as those who are jointly respon sible for the National Drink Bill. The facts and figures cited by Dr. Burns may well make us pause before we con sent to give the liquor dealers status which they never before possessed."

8

This last sentence refers to the Licensing Clauses of the new Local Government Bill, which clauses are now arousing intense excitement, and engendering opposition, throughout the entire community.

KING'S CROSS.-Miss Doswell paid us a visit on May 9, when we had a good time. Inspector Cunnington was in the chair, and Inspector Faller ("Happy Jim") and others took part in the service. Miss Doswell's address was a faithful call to render up all for Christ. The ordinary meetings are well attended. J. G.

CARMARTHEN.-We are still going on fairly well here. The attendance is not what it might be; the members who commenced the class are the only ones who regularly attend. I trust that we shall do better in future, and that the young men employed on the Railway here and at Carmarthen Junction may be induced to attend. T. P.

THREE BRIDGES.-God's blessing has been upon our work since the year began. Whitely Hill Sunday-school, started with fourteen, now numbers twenty-six; that at Black Corner has forty on the book. Some of our young men have taken up the cross, and are working for the Lord. J. C.

STOKE-ON-TRENT.-We are still at work here. Many rich blessings have we experienced. The Master has been present to encourage and bless us-praise Him for ever! We pray God to help us, as His children, to let our light shine before our ungodly workmates, that they may be encouraged to leave the service of Satan and to love the Lord Jesus. E. P.

KILMARNOCK.-We have made a fresh start, and are holding our meetings in the third-class waiting-room, kindly granted to us by Mr. Mathieson, our Superintendent. We held our first meeting on April 1, when there were about eighty present; at the close, two professed to have found peace in believing. We have great reason to thank God for His presence and power, which has been felt at all our meetings since the start. W. McC.

MANSFIELD. We have much cause to be thankful to Almighty God for His continued help in the work here. Although our meetings of late have not been quite so well attended, still we are looking up, and praying that souls may be won. God has been calling very loudly just recently, by taking one of our fellow-workmen from our midst very suddenly by death. We pray that His warning voice may be heeded before it is for ever too late. R. H.

FOLKESTONE.-We have just had a visit of three days from Mrs. Gates, which has been especially blessed to believers. On the last evening she spoke on the Lord's Second Coming, and the power of the Spirit was felt among us. We have reason to thank God and take courage, when we see the increased numbers who attend the Mission since we have had a hall of our own. We ask the prayera of God's people for more conversions among the men at the four stations here. E. M. PLYMOUTH.-On Sunday, April 15, Brothers Wilcox and Knight gave short addresses, and in the evening conducted a service in the Buckland Hall. On April 22, Mr. Smith gave an impressive address. Miss Hingston gave a beautiful exposition of "The Way, the Truth, and the Life," on April 29. Brother Burnett presided on May 6, which was our day for testimony; it was a very blessed service. On May 13, Mrs. G. Harris gave a very stirring address. May we all be stirred up to greater diligence.

ELY. Our second anniversary was held on April 29. Mr. Cox preached in the afternoon, in the general waiting-room; and Rev. T. Hitchen at night in the Wesleyan Chapel. Both services were seasons of much blessing. On May 1 we held a tea and public meeting in the Wesleyan Chapel, attended by a goodly company. Several of the members spoke of the benefits derived from their connection with the Mission, and their determination to commence a third year of its work in right good earnest.

R. B.

MELTON CONSTABLE.-Praise the Lord for prayer answered. In our last report we said that some who attended our meetings were almost persuaded; now we have joy in saying that some have come out on the Lord's side. On Sunday, May 6, Mr. Mumford (of Norwich) conducted the evening service; the Lord so blessed the word that three professed to find peace in believing. On the ensuing Wednesday about a hundred Railway-men and friends took tea in the mission-hall, after which we had a good hearty meeting. Mr. Mumford presided, in the unavoidable absence of Mr. Marriot. Rev. A. Wilkes and a good number of Railway. men testified for the Master, and exhorted those present to accept Him. The day following tea was provided for our Sunday-school children, which, with the evening's amusement, was heartily enjoyed. S W.

NEW CROSS (S.E.R). We thank God for the help we receive from Christian ministers and City missionaries, and for the way the Lord has provided in our president for the teaching of His precious word. Our meetings increase in numbers, and we feel sure that the good seed sown will redound to God's honour and glory. We had a very happy evening on May 1, when the Railway Mission choir from Tanbridge came, and with their string band gave a cantata entitled "The Victories of Judah." The readings were given by Rev. D. Suffling, of St. James', Hatcham. We are having some good open-air meetings. J. D.

METROPOLITAN.-Mr. Eliot Walton has just concluded a week's mission at the Finchley road Hall. We can praise God for much blessing received. Each night souls were brought to the Lord, and Christians quickened into newness of life. The Countess Anna von Bglandt and Mies Burford rendered valuable assistance in solo singing. Mr. Stoney took the chair at the praise meeting on the concluding evening, and several gave testimony to change wrought in heart and home by the saving power of God. To Him be the glory-great things He hath done. E. T.

CANNON STREET.-Just a few lines. We have not written for so long a time that you may possibly think our efforts for the extension of the kingdom of God have ceased. But it is not so, praise God. There are some very busy in the vineyard; some who appear to be idle; and some who have become wanderers from the fold, and cause the enemy to point the finger in derision. There is at least one among these who we believe is longing to return; but there is another quite sceptical. May God deal mercifully with them, and set their feet upon the rock again. Our Sunday meetings are still held, though occasionally amidst a little persecution.

M.

LINCOLN.-We are still getting on well, being frequently favoured with some good speakers and a good attendance. We had a social knife-andfork tea on April 14, when our esteemed treasurer and his wife paid us a visit. About 150 sat down, the tables being presided over by Mrs. Gurney Sheppard and other ladies. After tea we had some singing and some capital advice from our Treasurer and Rev. J. Watney. The former gave us two more practical addresses on Sunday; then on the Monday morning he kindly met some of the workers who were at liberty, and fully entered into the details of our work and plans for the future, giving us what we sorely needed-good sound advice. F. W.

PORTSMOUTH.-We waited patiently for the Lord, He heard our cry, and, according to His faithfulness, have supplied us (through the medium of an unknown lady friend) with a new mission hall, the Railway authorities lending us the ground. The new hall is (D.V.) to be opened on May 27, by Mr. Walton, who will conduct a nine days' mission. Earnest prayer is going to our prayer-answering God, and we believe that sinners will be converted to Christ, backsliders restored, and believers quickened. We will give thanks unto God, for He has taught us that all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." J. B W.

WISBECH.-Miss Jackson commenced a week's mission on Good Friday. Over 300 sat down to tea in the Public Hall. and at the meeting afterwards between 400 and 500 were present. Mr. Poyster, a friend of Railway-men, took the chair. Several testified from the platform to blessing received through the mission; and Miss Jackson put before us the Crucified One, just waiting to save. Miss A. J. Peckover and Mrs. Pollard also spoke. On Easter Sunday Miss Jackson conducted three services. Several decided for Christ on that day and during the ensuing week. Our room is not large enough for such meetings, and we cannot get all the men to attend chapels. When our new station is built, we hope something will be done; the men would gladly pay rent if a room was built for them. Had we been possessed of a larger place, we believe much more good would have been done during Miss Jackson's visit.

NEWCASTLE.-We are still pushing the Gospel plough along. Hallelujah! We are having good meetings and grand congregations. On Sunday, April 22, we held a meeting of old friends, when Mr. T. Meyland, who has just passed his examination for the ministry, preached an excellent sermon on the plan of salvation. On the next Sunday our Mission was favoured with a practical and homely discourse on Paul as a tent-maker, showing in a beautiful way that we need not leave our employment in order to serve the Lord. The preacher was Rev. T. Kilpin Higgs, M.A., of Hanley Tabernacle. On Sunday, May 6, we had what few Missions have-two preachers; but the service was conducted by Brother James Mather, who preached a powerful sermon, in his usual hearty manner. On May 13. Mr. A. Edge delivered a plain but practical address from the words, "Ye will not come unto Me, that ye might have life." May we come like the Prodigal Son, feeling the need of that life.

RICHMOND. We are moving on, if slowly, and are glad to record a deepening interest in the work, and a steady increase in the numbers who at ead our monthly meetings in the Railway Mission-hall. Our friends on the line are such apt and willing spokesmen, that we never look outside the Association for our speakers; those who have kindly come from other branches of the Mission to help us in this way have always spoken a sound Gospel, and left a faithful testimony behind them of its power to save. On May 9 we held our first Gospel Temperance meeting, when Inspector Roberts (South Ealing), Driver Stokes, Platelayer Vickery, Police Serjeant Clarke, and P.C. Gamble took part. Thomas Cave, Esq., J.P., occupied the chair. We were somewhat disappointed that so few attended from our own stations, but we remember that great results have generally had small beginnings, and we will not "despise the day of small things." Our Monday singing class and the monthly meeting will close in June until the autumn. J. N.