to toil on through conflicts and trials, dark tunnels of unbelief, and deep cuttings made by sin; yet they had to testify that not one promise of His word had failed. He would like to say a word about the workers, through whose energy, zeal, earnestness, and self-denial, to a great extent, the success of this work was due. He knew of nothing that so inspired a leader or missionary than to know that his supporters had faith in him. They had been crowded out on Sundays, but, better still, God had owned and blessed His word to the salvation of many. The Sunday-school work was quite undenominational. Bible truths were only taught, and God had wonderfully blessed the efforts made. They had 500 scholars on the books, and 36 teachers. The average attendance of children was 450. They had nearly 300 members belonging to the Band of Hope, and a good work had been done in that direction. Here they were specially reminded of the great loss they had sustained in the death of its honoured and beloved secretary, loved by all who knew him, but especially by the children. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts had amounted to £143 123. 1d., and the expenditure to £142 5s. 54d., leaving a balance of £1 6s. 7 d. Addresses were afterwards given by Messrs. Taylor (shunter), Stokes (engine-driver), and Gentry (ignalman). Ned Wright also delivered one of his quaint addresses. During the evening several sacred selections were successfully rendered by the choir.

EXCUSES.

S it not astounding and terribly sad that there should be so many people who, when spoken to about the importance of preparing for eternity, and the unwiedom of putting it off, wil admit and agree with all that is said, but reply that they "do not pretend to be saints," or will make some sich paltry excuse as that they have "no time," or that they mean to do it "some day," though they have not done it yet, and perhaps they will not even do it then? To such persons the following queries are addressed in the name of God. 1. You believe in the supreme authority of the Sacred Scriptures, don't you? (2 Tim. iii. 16.)

2. You understand that they reveal God's scheme of salvation, which is briefly as follows: God created man for a happy existence on earth. Man fell through sin, and consequently mankind and the earth are under a curse. God offers a way of redemption from the curse, through Jesus Christ, and ultimate restoration to even a much higher and more glorious condition than that from which man originally fell, to every soul who will turn from his sins and love and obey Him. He also warns those who reject His offers that their doom will be an eternity in hell. This is correct, is it not?

3. Though perhaps you "do not profess to be a saint" now, do you hope and intend" some day to be a Christian"? (Acts xxiv. 25.)

4. Is it true that you have no wish or intention to be lost and go to hell?

5. And that you have every desire and wish to be saved and go to heaven?

6. Is it true that though you propose "some day" to serve God, you have (or pretend you have) "no time" to do so yet; or whatever your excuse may be (it cannot be called a "reason,' as it is the direct opposite of reason), anyhow you have not decided to begin NOW? (John v. 40.) 7. Is it your idea firet to attain your own temporal desires, and afterwards, when you have succeeded in this, then do you propose serving God?

8. In fact, if God will first do what you want, then you think you will do what He wants. First, God is to serve you, and then you may (or may not, as the case may be) serve Him. Is that it?

9. In other words, it appears to come to this: You are first trying to outwit God, by getting all you can of the good things of the world in defiance of His will and then you propose to rectify matters by outwitting the devil, by getting all you can of the good things of God, in defiance of Satan's claims on you! Don't you see the madness of such a course, seeing that in the first place God is not mocked, and in the second, the devil is far more wideawake and experienced than you are?

N.B. Of course, you don't like to admit this; but the question is not whether you like to admit it or not, but whether it is true.

10. Now, on carefully weighing matters, do you believe that God is able to order our temporal affairs for us? (Job xlii. 2, R.V) 11. And to give us success in them? (2 Chron. xxvi. 5.) 12. Or to thwart us in our objects? (2 Chron. xxiv. 20.)

13. Do you believe, truly and honestly, that He does exercise this power?

14. If God says you shall not succeed in your objects, you see it will be no use striving, don't you? (Job xxxiii. 12, 13.)

15. Don't you think it would be wise first to be reconciled to God, and then to ask His blessing on your efforts? (Matt. vi. 33; Pe. xc. 17.) 16. But perhaps you fail to see that you can serve God in your ordinary occupation, and that it is here that God specially desires and first calls for our service? (1 Cor. x. 31 )

17. It is most important to understand this matter properly. You love your family with a pure love, don't you? and you find that quite compatible with honourable occupation, do you not?

18. Can you not also see that in a great measure you actually conduct your occupation for the direct benefit and for the sake of your family, because you love them, though you are not always thinking of them?

19. Then can you not carry on the same honourable occupation for the sake of the glory and honour of God, and because you love Him, though you may not always be able to think of Him any more than you can always think of your family? (Rɔm. xii. 11.)

20. That will not alter your actions in your occupation if they are now honourable and right, it will only elevate and purify and change the motive you have in performing those actions. Do you realise this?

21. Then how can you say you have "no time " to serve God when you may spend just as much time at your occupation as formerly, and be serving Him all the while? Do you not see what a devilish deception this excuse is ?

22. Will you try and realise that, when once a man is converted, every transaction, however important or however trivial, may and should be done just as much to the glory of God, just as much in the Spirit" (Gal. v. 16), as going to church or praying? (Rom. xii. 11.) 23. And that, to the true Christian, there is no difference between secular and spiritual matters, but that all events, whether connected with business or household or any other, just as truly affect our spiritual life for good or evil as Bible reading or praying; and that all temporal events are merely seedlings, which always must and always do, one way or other, affect us spiritually, and therefore mature into spiritual events. Do you realise this?

21. Don't you also see that we cannot serve God in spiritual matters without also serving Him in temporal matters, and, therefore, both must become sacred before we can really please Him? (Matt. vi. 24)

25. Don't you also see that it is impossible to the natural heart, which is born in sin, to serve Him at all, and that is the reason why a definite changing (called conversion in Matt. xviii, 3) is essentially necessary? (1 Cor. ii. 14.)

26. You do not want to be lost, and you do want God's blessing; but how can you expect it, or even ask for it, while you are in open rebellion (however respectable, quiet, and apparently inoffensive that rebellion may be)? Will you not at once humble yourself, and seek reconciliation and forgiveness? (Is. lv. 6, 7.)

But if you are determined to continue to neglect this great salvation, and refuse to be definitely reconciled to God in the only way possible, there are certain points you are urged to remember? (Heb. ii. 3)

1. All excuses are useless. You may excuse yourself, but God will never excuse you! As Mr. Moody says, "You may excuse yourself iato hell, but you will never excuse yourself out again." (Rom. i. 20, 21.) 2. Never presume to pray on any subject until you have prayed and received an answer to the only prayer an unconverted person can possibly utter acceptably-viz., “God be merciful to me a sinner." (Is. i. 15.)

3. If you have been a regular attendant at church, &., and are not Jet converted, never venture again to go to church and pretend to worship God unless you mean to do His will. Don't add the sin of mockery to that of disobedience and rebellion, thus greatly increasing your condemnation? (Is. i. 13)

4. "No time" is merely the excuse, no intention" really the reason!

5. Perhaps in self-vindication you say you are honest, respectable, moral, industrious, benevolent; that you belong to a church, and support charities, and that you have been baptised, take the Lord's Supper, &.; but remember, all these things are nothing, NOTHING, worse than nothing, because mockeries, superstitions, and idols, unless you are CONVERTED from being a sinner to be a saint-unless you have given up your will and accepted the will of God. What does it matter how moral and benevolent or respectable you are, or have been, if you are lost? (Mark viii. 36.) The question is not whether you are this or that temporally, but it is just this, are you or are you not converted and serving God? If not, you are just as surely lost, and will just as surely go to hell, as the biggest drunkard or thief living! Those who are converted, and only they, have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life, but all others will find their docm in Rev. xx. 15. In conclusion, very carefully dwell upon Deut. xxx. 19, 20.

HASTINGS MISSION has received a remarkable answer to prayer, for particulars of which we refer our readers to the report on another page. Miss Gardiner and the friends at Hastings will not now allow their hands to hang down, but will, in gratitude to Him who has so signally honoured their faith, go on earnestly in their good work. Toilers in other places will be stimulated in their efforts, and, possessing "like precious faith," will wait upon God for necessary supplies. And all our readers, we are sure, will join us in thanking the generous donor, who, though figuring in the list "Anonymous," is known to the Master, and will one day hear the welcome "Inasmuch."

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THE LATEST DATE we can allow for the reception of matter intended for our January issue is Saturday, December 13. We cannot guarantee the insertion of anything which may be sent us after that date.

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OF "THE UP AND DOWN LINES" Picture, we are getting through another large edition. It is an admirable and instructive picture, full of Bible truths most ingeniously and happily arranged. We are anxious to get many more orders for it before the close of the year. If you have not already purchased one, do so now; it will greatly help you in the study of the Scriptures, historically, practically, and prophetically. And for those who want to teach others, and have not much time to search the Scriptures, the guide book which we give with it is a valuable help to find leading and telling passages adapted to all conditions of life and experience. This picture should have a place in every Railway-man's home. Send on your order at once to this office, or through any bookseller. Price of the picture, including guide book, only 1s. post free.

THE SIGNAL ALMANACK is a very great favourite. Very kind things have already been spoken of it. Should be in every Railway-man's house.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS LETTER to Railway-men now ready; 33.64. per 100 copies, post free.

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OUR MOTTO CARD for 1889, price 1d., now ready, and much in demand.

THE BIBLE AND PRAYER UNION TABLE also ready, 1d. each; the possession of this constitutes membership of the Union.

THE ANNUAL VOLUME OF THE SIGNAL will be ready early in December; post free, 2s. 6d. Please order at once, as we have bat a limited number.

I put my hand on his shoulder and appealed to him to believe it; then the light broke in. Will our friends take this simple hint ?

We have truly a great deal of worry when in uniform, but it is cheering to know we have a paper just adapted to the wants of Railway-men. The article "As Thy Day," is a very good one, and bears out my experience of the keeping power. THE SIGNAL these last four month: has been put in the hands of fifty more in my district, many of whom have been reading freethought papers. Freethinkers can now see what this has done, for some are now in trouble. Christianity teaches a safer path. God is with us. The cry often is, "We cannot get the men to the meetings;" but let us be united, and God will answer prayer. One man, who was a professed atheist, came to our excursion, and we made him so happy that he has renounced his infidel views, atteneded our meetings, and takes THE SIGNAL regularly. The day was a wet one, but we had plenty of singing, prayer, and testimony.

Another way of doing a good service is by going after men, and bringing them to the meetings. A fireman whom I invited was brought to God on his second visit. Our leader recommends this plan to the members; it may be of use to others. Our meetings are never published, but the Lord has set His seal upon them. A GOODS GUALD.

THE SERVICE OF SONG FOR RAILWAY SERVANTS "SCENES ON THE LINE."

By the Teetotal Engine-Driver, T. HOUGHTON. Send for a Copy, 3id., post free; 50 Copies, 8s. 1d. Carriage Paid. JOHN BROADBENT, Music Publisher, 47, Dacie Street, New Woitley, Leeds, Yorks

TEMPERANCE NOTES.

THE GERMAN EMPEROR, it is said, has entirely given up wine and beer drinking.

EDINBURGH is to be the centre of a great Temperance demonstration in January next.

SOMERSET FARMERS have this year largely sent their apples to the jam factory instead of the cider-press.

IN LOCKHART's fifty cocoa-rooms in London, pledge-books are kept, and last year upwards of 5,000 pledges were taken.

AT GOVAN, Glasgow, there are some model houses for working-men. Of the 180 men residing in these, 58 are abstainers.

No LESS than 210,000 persons have petitioned the King of Sweden, praying for the absolute prohibition of the liquor traffic.

CARRUBBER'S CLOSE MISSION, Edinburgh, in which Temperance plays a conspicuous part, has held over 10,000 consecutive meetings.

MR. WILLIAM FORBES, the well-known Temperance advocate, is endeavouring to form a London Young Men's Temperance Association. MONEY in lieu of beer is to be given by the London City Guardians to their abstaining officials-to the men, £3 annually; to the women, £2. THE NATIONAL TEMPERANCE LEAGUE has received permission to address a circular on Temperance teaching to the pupil teachers under the London School Board.

SIR A. BLACKWOOD, Secretary to the Post Office, was led to become an abstainer because of his having so often to sign sentences of dismissal of postmen through habits of drinking.

MR. BARROW, the new Mayor of Birmingham, is an abstainer. He announces his purpose of respecting his principles in all entertainments he may provide during his year of office.

REV. PROF. BLACKIE says that the true battle of liberty was fought by many a poor degraded soul in weaning himself from drink, and in resisting the awful tempting power of the public-house.

LANCASHIRE, the birthplace of the Temperance movement, spent nearly twelve millions last year in strong drink. In return the country has 83,300 paupers to maintain, at a cost of £883,000 a year.

A LIVERPOOL PAPER inserts the following dreadful advertisement:"£200.-Free Wine and Spirit Vaults; busiest thoroughfare in Liverpool; Walker's patent lamp; directly opposite large market; grand drinking neighbourhood."

THE LATE EMPEROR FREDERICK had a great dislike for stimulants. Sir Morell Mackenzie says that he always mixed his wine with water, and so little did he care for the flavour of wine that after drinking any he would always take a little plain water.

IN a vigorous Temperance campaign at Paisley recently, extending over a week, the majority of the speakers were ministers; and one of their number declared that he could overcome all the obstacles to the spread of Christianity save intemperance.

DR. M. CAMERON, of Glasgow, says there is not a publican in the whole of that city who would say he was proud of his trade. On the contrary, they are so ashamed of it that at the licensing courts they never call themselves publicans, but "portioners."

REV. R. J. LYND, a Presbyterian missionary in the East, sends home an account of the spread of intemperance in the Holy Land. In Jerusalem there are 130 places for the sale of intoxicants kept by Christians, and which are attracting all classes of the community.

AT NEW CROSS (L.B & S.C) the Temperance folk are having good meetings. Members pay a penny every meeting night (Wednesday) for four weeks, then provide a tea, with a meeting afterwards. Several pledges have been taken, and there is hope of doing a good work during the winter months.

A CENSUS of the householders in the Norwood (London) district on the question of the Sunday closing of public-houses has been taken. Over 2,000 voting papers were distributed and collected, 1,725 being in favour of closing, only 210 against, the remainder either being neutral or returning the paper blank. Only twelve publicans had made returns, seven being in favour, three against, and two neutral.

A CAMBRIDGE Correspondent writes:-We commenced our Temperance work for the coming winter with a tea at the Mill-road Coffee Tavern, on Nov. 8. After the tea, and also on the following evening, Mrs. Durrant, of London, gave earnest practical addresses, which resulted in a gcod

number of pledges being taken. We had full meetings, and are thankful to say that sixty-one men in our branch of the R.M.C.A. are now abstainers.

LORD LEIGH, Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire, responding at a luncheon to the toast of his health, proposed by Mr. C. Flower, a brewer, said that if he was in better health than usual, he had to thank Mr. Flower's father for it. A few years ago he complained to the late Mr. E. F. Flower that he felt rather gouty, and his advice was that he should abstain from all spirituous liquors. He acted upon the suggestion, and for the last five or six years he had tasted nothing stronger than water, and he could assure them that he never felt better in his life. It is not often that a brewer makes converts to teetotalism, while the recommendation is surely a cheap and most effectual specific for gout.

HERR COHEN, who has recently paid a visit to Canada, contributes to The Alliance News some of his impressions in regard to the Temperance cause in the Dominion. Public-houses, he says, close at seven on Saturday nights, and are not open at all during Sunday. The doors of these houses are compelled to be open, thus rendering visible from the street all that passes therein. There are no semi-private entrances, as in England, for the benefit of those who would not be seen going through the front doorway. Then there is an absence of barmaids-" decoy ducks," the Professor truly terms them. They manage public-houses in Canada, at any rate, better than we do at home.

WEST BROMPTON RAILWAY MISSION workers have lately started a Gospel Temperance Union in order to grapple with the drink question and advocate temperance principles among the men on the District Railway. The first meeting took place on Thursday, Nov. 15, when we had a crowded hall and a splendid lady speaker. No less than forty-three signed the pledge, and most of them joined the Association. It may be well to state, for the benefit of Railway-men and their families living in the neighbourhood of Hammersmith or Fulham, that meetings are held every Thursday evening at 7.30; and with attractive speakers, dissolving views, &c, we shall endeavour to make the meetings interesting and profitable. J. W. G.

ESOP'S FABLES teach many valuable lessons. Here is one which may do good service in Temperance meetings:-The rats once assembled in a large cellar to devise some method of extracting the bait from a steel trap which lay near, having seen many of their friends and relatives snatched from them by its merciless jaws. After many long speeches and the proposal of many elaborate but fruitless plans, a happy wit, standing erect, said, "It is my opinion that if with one paw we can safely keep down the spring, we can safely take food from the trap with the other." All the rats present loudly squealed assent. Then they were startled by a faint voice, and a poor rat, with only three legs, limping into the room stood up to speak. My friends, I have tried the method you proposed, and you see the result. Now let me suggest a plan to escape the trap. Do not touch it."

A DISSIPATED YOUNG MAN was converted at one of Mr. Moody's meetings in America, and time afterwards met one of his former associates, who was overjoyed to see him, and asked him to celebrate their meeting with a drink in one of the neighbouring bar-rooms. But the young Christian refused, saying, "I have a Friend with me."-"I didn't see anyone with you."-"You can't see Him, but He is here."--"Bring Him in with you."-"No; He never goes into bar-rooms."-" Then let Him wait outside."-"No, no," was the final answer. "My Friend is Jesus Christ; and if I go in with you He'll not wait outside for me." How many temptations would a Christian be saved from if he only considered whether Christ would go into certain places which are sometimes considered innocent and harmless!

THE BISHOP OF RIPON, in an address in connection with a working men's club, said there were two sides to every question, and in the present day men were asking how they could keep the high and lofty sentiment of life strong, and at the same time govern their lives by the laws which were constantly being revealed by science. From the standpoint of strict law there was a capital cause in Temperance, and its splendour lay in the fact that it could occupy a double platform. It could say to the world, "Do you want dry arguments? Do you want the logic of facts?" We can give chapter and verse, and show that it is absolutely fatal for a man to allow these appetites to invade his frame, to degrade his body, to degenerate his mind, and demoralise his heart. We can show that this is one of the great causes of the impoverishment of nations. We can show that it is antagonistic to thrift, and that peoples and communities would be wealthier far if only they would learn the simple lessons of self-control.

REV. MARK GUY PEARSE, in a speech at the annual meeting of the Wesleyan West Central (London) Mission, alluding to the obstacles to Christian effort caused by drink, said that the workers had learned tha they could not fight the devil in London without total abstinence. I London could be made sober, the devil would be winged-not dead, bu brought very low. Lust would be impossible without drink. He quote the case of a boy of sixteen who was converted at Wardour Hall, and wh prayed all the week that his mother might not get drunk on the Sunda so that he might be able to tell her what he had heard at the hall. I thanked God that the boy's prayer was answered-those who had hap homes had need to think of it-and that his mother kissed him spon neously, which she had scarcely ever done before. Yet a week later, the Sunday, he admitted that he had had no breakfast. The fift shillings he had given his mother were all spent in drink on the Sa day. How mighty was the hold of drink! How hard it was to loos grip! People signed the pledge, and soon the amendment was app in better looks and better dress. But, alas! many fell back. O th Christians were out and out!

THE "GLOBE" TRAIN.

EVERYTHING on the other side of the Atlantic is done on a grand scale. In very many directions, the enterprise of Americans and Canadians has far outstripped that of the mother country. The picture given on the opposite page illustrates one out of many instances in which is shown the go-head nature of our cousins-nay, of our brethren; for we write now of Canadians, subjects of our Queen and living under the same flag as ourselves. It is a boast of the Yankee that his country can "beat all creation" in most things; in one particular, however, he is beaten by The Globe Printing Company of Toronto. The Globe is the leading newspaper in Canada, and is published daily and weekly. By arrangement with the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada. the paper has since March of last year ran a special train of its own, every day, from Toronto to London, a distance of 110 miles. The start is made from Union-street, Toronto, at 3.55 a.m., and London is reached at 6.40, stoppages being made at several places on the road. The fact of London being an important railway centre, from whence lines diverge to distant parts, secures early despatch and delivery of The Globe throughout the Dominion. Here, then, is an enterprise without parallel in the wide world a newspaper running its own train daily. Railway-men will be interested in the fine illustration we have been able to secure, as the train is shown to perfection.

We have wondered when the time will come when THE RAILWAY SIGNAL will be in a position to emulate its contemporary. True, we get upon all the lines, upon nearly all the trains, and into most of the stations; in this way are we doing work for the Master. And if we have been the means of leading into better ways some of those who drive and conduct trains up and down this country, and thus conferred benefit upon the nation-for every man saved from sin becomes a blessing to his kindred-if we have done this in the past, we shall, God helping us, continue to do so, even though we are unable to follow in the task of The Globe Printing Company of Toronto.

HASTINGS REJOICES OVER ANSWERED PRAYER. On Thursday, Nov. 15, we had our half-yearly tea, and we want to send a note of praise through THE SIGNAL for the Lord's goodness to our branch of the Railway Mission. The five stations were well represented, and our friends crowded in in such numbers that it became a question how to seat them at tea! The tables were very prettily arranged under Miss. Gardiner's excellent management, and the abundance of lovely flowers and button-hole bouquets for each guest gave a very bright aspect to the scene.

Tables being cleared and seats re-arranged, the meeting was opened by Rev. F. Whitfield giving out the hymn "Over Jordan," which we heartily sang; and at his request Rev. H. B. Nihill led the meeting in prayer, asking for the Lord's blessing and presence. A few very earnest words followed from Mr. Whitfield, expressing his deep sympathy in the work, and urging all to make their choice now for God, and enter into the glorious blessings He was offering to all who through faith in Christ come unto Him. The choir then sang very effectively "All we like sheep have gone astray," and Miss Gardiner rose with words of welcome and encouragement, announcing first the regular meetings held each week in connection with the Mission, and mentioning a Tuesday evening meeting to be begun on Nov. 20, through the kindness of Rev. A. Jamieson, at West St. Leonards, as a branch of the Hastings Mission.

Miss Gardiner then took her audience not a little by surprise, telling of the gracious answers to prayer the Lord has given. On her return from abroad she had definitely laid before us the need of a Railway Mission-hall, and had calculated that the cost of building and furnishing would not be less than £1,000. She asked for pointed prayer that the Lord would manifest His will, and open the way for such a strengthening of the work. The first response had been the promise, from a relative, of a clock, if ever the hall should be built. A few days later, when taking tea with a friend, the conversation naturally turned to the sibject dearest to her heart, the Railway Mission, and she spoke of the need of a building entirely for the use of the Mission. Her friend then said, "Thank you for telling me; I will help you." Miss Gardiner said on this her thoughts ran rapidly from £5 up to £50, and then sank again to £25 as the probable donation. Judge, then. of her surprise and joy when £500 was handed to her towards the building, on the sole condition that the name of the giver should never be divulged, though the gift itself might be mentioned on the night of the Railway tea. It is not difficult to imagine with what cheering the announcement was received; it is, however, impossible to de cribe the manner in which the audience gave vent to their gratitude. Miss Gardiner requested as a favour that she might at once let Mr. Malpas, the station-master, into her secret, and this was granted. A little later than this. one of the Railway-men offered her 23. 61. as a tiny gift towards the £1,000—each gift equally acceptable to Him who measures not the offerings of His children by their money value, but by the willing heart that offers the gift.

Mr. Whitfield called on H. Soltau, Esq, of the China Inland Mission, to address the audience, and after a hymn had been sung, Mr. Soltau offered prayer, thanking God for this signal token of His blessing on the work, and asking that the remainder of the money needed, and the ground, might also be given, and that His blessing might reach and rest

upon every Railway-man and his family in this district. He then called our attention to the story of two cripples in the Word of God, each illustrating the sinner's need and the Saviour's power. The first was Mephibosheth (2 Sam. iv. 4), the crippled son of Jonathan, called for by the king, adopted into his family, enriched and seated at his table. There were cripples present who felt their helplessness-crippled by sin, and captives of Satan. The King of kings was asking to-night, "Where is he?" and saying, "Send and fetch him." He is inviting to His table all who will come to Him. The second story was in Luke xiii. 11--16, the woman who could in no wise lift up herself. For eighteen years she had only been able to see the ground, bowed down by suffering and the oppression of the enemy. Jesus speaks the word of release, sets her free, and she rises erect and glorifies God. This He is willing and ready to do for each one. Mr. Soltau concluded with some striking illustrations, and the story of Silwood, the cripple of Keswick, whose beautiful testimony to the power of Christ's love has stirred the hearts of so

many.

After silent and audible prayer, the proceedings closed, while the choir sang the hymns, "Behold I stand at the door and knock," and "Let the Saviour in." A large number remained to an after-meeting, and the company finally separated about ten o'clock, with thankful hearts for the happy gathering and the conscious presence of the power of the Lord throughout the evening.

The overcrowded school-room was in itself sufficient testimony to the need of a larger building, and we would rejoice if our praying friends will send in a few bricks or slates to hasten on the work. We will send them word when the hall is built, and give them a hearty welcome if they will join us in the dedication of it to the Lord. H. E. S.

MR. H. E. WALTON AT TEBAY.

THE general wish of the members of this branch is to testify our gratitude to God that our prayers have been answered through the instrumentality of sending us the right man-Mr. H. Eliot Walton. His visit during the first week in November has proved a great blessing to all concerned, and our Mission is now aroused to real spiritual activity. His Bible-notes, as penetrating the depth of God s truths and setting forth link by link how perfect is the whole chain of creation and redemption, is most delightful and encouraging, not only to those who are living and working for God's glory, but also as drawing the unsaved to a knowledge of a loving Saviour who suffered a lingering death to save the whole world. Mr. Walton's short and pointed prayers, free of excitement, have established a good example in Tebay, as it can hardly be denied that long and very excited prayers (emanating too much from feelings) are often a greater impediment than a help to the extension of God's kingdom.

Increasing meetings were held in the Temperance-room at the Market place until Sunday, Nov. 4, when an afternoon and evening service was held in a large room at the railway station, which was crowded. The evening meeting was attended by our good Vicar, Rev. E. Overton, whos whole heart is with the work.

At the close of the week's special services a tea-party, public meeting, and supper were held in the large Market Hall on Tuesday evening, Nov. 6, presided over by our Vicar, and ably addressed by Mr. Miles MacInnes, M.P., and Mr. Walton. Letters of apology from Mr. Cropper (director) and Mr. Cattle (district superintendent) for non-attendance having been read, Mr. MacInnes said it was not without some difficulty that he had made it convenient to accept the invitation of Mr. Brinnard (station-master) to attend, but was now glad that he had done so. In a very expressive address he pointed out that they had met there to talk about matters concerning eternity, which was a personal matter between each one and his God. As a Railway Director, he felt a deep responsibility ia aiding this important Mission, because it had a great deal to do with promoting efficiency amongst the servants. The real object of the Mission was to induce men to believe on Jesus Christ with the heart and confess Him with the mouth. And while thus professing to take care and be consistent, he did not know a greater stumbling-block to Christianity than the inconsistency of professing Christians, adding, "By their works ye shall know them." He went on to say that it was often the case for people even younger than himself to look back with regret that they had done that which they ought not to have done, and left undone that which they ought to have done; but there was one thing certain, that (while sorry for this) they would never regret coming to the Lord in early life. In conclusion, he urged all to be very careful about the nature of their companionship, either in marriage or otherwise; not merely looking at the pecuniary part of the question, but in every case considering how far such and such an undertaking would be beneficial to their souls, always remembering that good old text, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."

As a result of the special mission, several weary and heavy-laden found rest in Christ; many were led to approach conviction, and Christians were edified. Meetings are regularly held at 4.45 p.m. on Sundays in the large waiting-room at the railway station. Thanks for the Christian zeal of our station-master (Mr. Brinnard) and secretary (Mr. Murrow), who are preparing a plan of a good number of persons who have con. sented to assist in conducting the Sunday meetings. S. G. S.