that looks like charity. You will think I am throwing stones; if I do, every one of them hits myself first. I know all about the little mean deceptions we practise upon ourselves when our hearts are very small.

"To a very poor woman in London I feel that I owe an everlasting debt of gratitude for lessons of cheerful contentment she unconsciously taught me many years ago. I was a young married woman then, and had come to live in London, in the very heart of the great city. I was taking my first lessons in fog, dirt, noise, and distraction. Till then I had lived in the country, and loved it with the ardent love of childhood and youth. I was a most rebellious scholar; I loathed and hated the place, and I was nearly a stranger in it; I thought it would be impossible for me to bring up my little girl amongst black houses and dirty streets, with never a flower for her little hand to gather, nor a bird's song for her to hear; I used to sit and look over the roofs of the opposite houses, at the floating clouds, and the bit of blue sky, and cry like a child. Great London was to me like a huge cage with iron bars-so did I torment myself, and was almost wickedly discontented with my lot.

"In this state of mind I became acquainted with a very poor woman, who lived with her family in one room, in a small court in Shoreditch. On my first visit I found her washing; she had been confined only four days, and could not afford to pay any one to do it for her, and she said she could not bear to be dirty. She had several children, and her husband, who worked on the wharfs, had not regular employment. I never met with a person more richly endowed with Christian cheerfulness and contentment. She was ever grateful for the smallest thing, and would always say, 'a thousand thanks to God and you ma'am.' She never begged,

she never complained, yet as I left her house I used to feel that she had nothing to be grateful for. I often returned from hers to my own comfortable home utterly ashamed of myself, and determined to number my mercies. When my worst fits of misery came upon me, I used to pay her a visit to take a fresh lesson of content, if not of thankfulness. Good woman! She died in the first visitation of the cholera to this country, leaving her little motherless family to feel her irreparable loss. I had a pleasure in helping them for her sake, and have a pleasure in the thought that I may one day meet her again, not in that Shoreditch court, but in the courts above, to thank her for the good works she did to me.

"I have a neighbour now, who is always

putting me to shame by her generosity. The only name that properly represents her is Mrs. Greatheart. She is poor, always ailing, has bad legs, and bad head-aches, and seldom knows the pleasure of living in a comfortable body. Her husband is deaf, and suffers acutely from a cruel disease, but his spirit appears to dwell continually in the atmosphere of praise. Praise the Lord' are the words most frequently upon his lips, and not upon his lips only, for he truly does praise Him in his life. Whilst contending with all these difficulties, she preserves the most delicate cleanliness in her person, and in her crazy dwelling, where every article of metal shines with a polish that vies with the little bit of looking-glass on the wall. Neither her daily labour nor her infirmities prevent her often sitting up at night with an old sick deaf neighbour, for whom she washes gratuitously, and spares from her own little comforts to add to hers, and all this without compensation, talk, or display, all springing from the fountain of her largehearted charity. She has had many troubles, and in the school of suffering she has learned the secret of sympathy. As for myself, I should always be found on the debtor's side of the book, if she kept an account. Her first fruit is sure to come to me; basins and baskets full are smuggled in by contrivance, and I have to manage a kind of payment with as much delicacy as if she were a duchess, lest I should wound her feelings. I can never repay her adequately, because I cannot make the sacrifices for her that she makes for me; she gives out of her poverty, I give out of my comparative abundance, but we are friends, and that is the payment in full to her."

And so the letter runs on, full of loving descriptions of the poor, yet betraying a wisdom in winning and retaining their affection, which would make many hearts happy if they but knew how to secure it. To all such enquirers Mrs. Sewell's book will be an invaluable and practical guide.

Christian Home Life. A Book of Examples and Principles. London: The Religious Tract Society. 1864. 12mo. pp. 216. This very useful work is, we believe, the production of an esteemed minister of our own body. In a series of chapters the author has described the influence which the Bible ought to have on our home life; how piety is to be cherished in the family; the close connection between home piety and home happiness; and how the character of children may be formed. The

topics of family worship, the Lord's Day at home, and social intercourse, are discussed with great judgment. The style is calm, elegant, very thoughtful and earnest; the graver portions being fitly illustrated by examples, and references to the family life of men eminent for their holiness and worth. We can warmly recommend this tasteful volume to our readers, and especially to such as are just entering on the duties and felicities of domestic life.

Man and Apes. A Lecture. By WM BOYD MUSHET, M.B. &c. London: Elliot Stock. 1864. 8vo. pp 43.-This lecture is an excellent reply to the lecture of Dr. Hunt recently reviewed in these pages. It is Mr. Mushet's opinion that there is no trait in the negro's nature that is peculiar to him alone, and which may not be found in other varieties of man.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES.

The Rev. W. T. Henderson, of Banbury, has accepted the invitation of the church at Devonshire-street Chapel, London.—The Rev. Fitzherbert Bugby, late of Preston, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the New Union Church, Stretford, Manchester. Mr. J. Jackson, of the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon's College, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Sevenoaks, Kent. The Rev. Francis Wills intends retiring from the ministerial duties of Kingsgate Chapel, Holborn, as soon as arrangements are made by the Church to elect his successor.-The Rev. Richard Bayly, late of Newark, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at Scarborough. The Rev. J. Sella Martin has been obliged, on account of ill health, to resign the pastorate of the church at Bromleyby-Bow. He is about to return to America in the hope of being able to labour for the elevation of coloured free men. -Mr. Joseph Joy, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College, has accepted an invitation to become the pastor of the church at Hatfield, Herts.

ANNIVERSARY AND OPENING SERVICES.

CANTERBURY.-The new chapel was opened for public worship on Thursday, March 17th. The preachers on the occasion were the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel, M.A., and the Rev. J. A. Spurgeon. The building was erected by Mr. H. Wilson, of Canterbury, from plans, &c., furnished by Messrs. Searle, Son, and Yelf, of Bloomsbury-place, and has won the admiration of all who have seen it. In addition to the chapel-which is nearly sixty feet by forty

-there is a noble school and lecture hall, vestries, class-rooms, and every other convenience for public worship and the instruction of children. The fineness of the day brought crowds of people to the service from nearly all parts of East Kent. A large number of ministers came to manifest their sympathy with the Rev. C. Kirtland and his friends. The collections at the opening services amounted to £162 13s. 10d.

UPTON-ON-SEVERN.-The Baptist Chapel and school-room having been closed for seven months, for enlargement, were opened on March 17th, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. Charles Vince, of Birmingham. The pastor, the Rev. John Parker, and the Rev. Stephen Dunn, of Atch Lench, took part in the services. The congregations were very good, and the collections amounted to £25. We are pleased to be able to add that nearly every sitting in the chapel has been engaged.

The

CORTON, WILTS, March 25th. chapel was re-opened after repairs and alterations. A sermon was preached by the Rev. J. Penny, of Clifton, and a public meeting was held at which addresses were given by the Rev. J. V. Toone, the pastor, Rev. W. C. Jones, and Messrs. Hardwick Llewellyn, and Stent, of Warminster. The whole cost of the repairs, except £13, has been defrayed.

DISS, NORFOLK.-The twenty-sixth anniversary of the settlement of the Rev. J. P. Lewis took place on March 25th. A public meeting was held in the new chapel (now happily free from debt), when the interest of a large audience was sustained by addresses from the Revs. F. Basden, J. T. Wigner, J. Warren, G. Gould, and others.

EYTHORNE, KENT.-On Good Friday

the annual services in connection with the ancient Baptist church in this place were held. In the afternoon, the Rev. C. Stovel, of London, preached, and in the evening delivered an interesting and eloquent lecture on Roger Holland, and the last of our Smithfield Martyrs."

66

BLENHEIM CHAPEL, LEEDS.-On Good Friday, services in connection with the opening of Blenheim Chapel, Leeds, were held, and attracted numerous gatherings of friends from the neighbourhood. The new buildings consist of, a chapel capable of accommodating 600 persons, a school-room in the rear 53ft. by 30ft., a lecture room, and various other apartments. The site is a commanding one, occupying a prominent angle at the corner of Blackman-lane, in Woodhouse-lane. It is contemplated eventually to bring it forward about fifteen feet; the extension of the chapel will increase the accommodation to upwards of 900 persons. The Rev. H. S. Brown, of Liverpool, preached to a crowded audience. The collection at the conclusion of the service amounted to over £50. In the afternoon, the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Brewer, gave a short address, and called upon Mr. Arton Binns, the chairman of the building committee, to submit a statement of its proceedings. The total cost of the land, buildings, and furniture is little over £5,000, towards which about £4,500, is already paid or promised, leaving a balance of about £500, to be raised at the opening services and at a bazaar. Speeches were afterwards made by Mr. Holroyd, Mr. Paul (architect), Mr. Thomas, Dr. Crofts, and Mr. Brown. In the evening the Rev. J. Makepeace, and the Rev. W. Best, B.A., delivered addresses suitable to the occasion.

HOUGHTON REGIS, BEDS.-The new chapel was opened on April 7. The Revs. W. Robinson, of Cambridge, C. Bailbache, and J. H. Hinton, M. A., preached. The Revs. D. Gould, H. Leonard, M.A., and T. Hands, took part in the services. Dinner and tea were provided in the school-room, to the latter of which a large number sat down. The sum of £45. was collected.

PRESENTATIONS.

ASCOTT, OXON, March 15th.-The Rev. W. R. Irvine, an elegant writing desk and Bible. Mrs. Irvine a tea and coffee service.

BANBURY, March 25th.-The Rev. W. T. Henderson a handsome time-piece; Mrs. Henderson, a tea and coffee service; on the occasion of their removing to Devonshire-square Chapel after fourteen years' residence and ministry in Banbury.

WESTON-SUPER-MARE.-The Rev. E. J. Rodway, a handsome tea service and a purse of sovereigns.

ELGIN, N.B., March 2nd.-The Rev. J. Macfarlane, a mahogany book-case from members of his Bible Class.

ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION SERVICES.

HIGHGATE, April 7.-Services were held at Southwood-lane Chapel, in connection with the settlement of the Rev. John H. Barnard, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle College. In the morning, the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon preached. At the evening service, the Rev. J. Corbin, of Hornsey, Thomas Bousfield, Esq., the Revs. George Rogers, Josiah Viney, S. Manning, S. S. Hatch (the former pastor of the church), Mr. Gracey, and the Rev. William Brock, jun., took part in the services.

CHELTENHAM.-A public service on the settlement of the Rev. J. E. Cracknell as pastor of the Church at Cambray, was held on April 11. The Rev. Thomas Haynes took the chair, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. Messrs. McPherson, of the Scotch Church, Dr. Brown, E. B. Smith (Wesleyan), W. G. Lewis, J. Sargent, and the new pastor.

Bow.-Services in connection with the settlement of the Rev. J. H. Blake, as pastor of the Church meeting here, were held on Thursday, March 31. The Revs. W. A. Blake, of Shouldham-street, C. Wollacott, J. A. Spurgeon, W. Stott, G. W. Fishbourne and other ministers took part in the service. The Rev. W. P. Balfern presided.

MISCELLANEOUS.

GOODSHAW, LANCASHIRE.-The foundation-stone of a new chapel was laid on Good Friday by H. Kelsall, Esq., of Rochdale, to whom a silver trowel was presented. The Rev. J. Jefferson, of Southport, the Rev. B. Evans, D.D., of Scarborough, L. Whitaker, jun., Esq., of Haslingden, Revs. C. Williams, Accrington, R. Evans and J. Stroyan, Burnley, P. Prout and N. J. Stuart, Haslingden, took part in the services. The chapel is to accommodate 750 persons, and will have side and end galleries. The cost, exclusive of land, heating, architect's commission, &c., will be about £2,200. Considerable interest was felt in the services, and at the close it was announced that about £160 had been added to the building-fund by the day's proceedings.

Somerset. Hants.

Applications respecting grants to widows should be addressed to Mr. G. Blight, 33, Moorgate-street, and a postage stamp should be enclosed when an answer is required.

LEIGHTON BUZZARD, March 17th.-The foundation-stone of the new chapel, Lakestreet, was laid by the Rev. Joshua Russell, of Blackheath. The Revs. G. H. Davies, of Houghton Regis, W. D. Elliston, the pastor of the church, Edward Adey, II. C. Leonard, M.A., of Boxmoor, D. Gould, of Dunstable, and Thomas Hands took part in the services. At half-past six o'clock the Rev. W. Chalmers, M.A., of the Scotch Free Church, Marylebone, preached. About £70 were received by the Treasurer during the day.

LYDBROOK, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. On Good Friday the foundation-stone of a new chapel was laid by Dr. Batten, of Coleford. The Revs. T. Watkinson (the pastor), P. Prees, Cinderford; M. S. Ridley, Lydney; W. Nicholson, Parkend; J. E. Cracknell, Cheltenham; Messrs. W. Rhodes, Cinderford; C. Roberts, Ross; Mr. Tyndall, of Woodside; Dr. Batten, Mr. Rudge, and Mr.Hancorn, addressed the mecting.

STAFFORD.-The foundation-stone of a new chapel was laid on Easter Monday, by

J. II. Hopkins, Esq., of Birmingham. The Revs. W. H. Cornish, pastor, W. Jackson, S. B. Brown, B.A., and other gentlemen delivered addresses suitable to the occasion.

EMENDATIONS OF THE AUThorized VerSION OF THE BIBLE.--As many of our ministerial and learned brethren are known to possess numerous manuscript emendations of the Authorized Version, we have much pleasure in stating to them the fact which has just come to our knowledge, that an amended edition of the Authorized Version, the labour of many years, is now preparing for the press. The author has expressed to us his conviction that its efficiency would be materially increased, by the emendations collected by our brethren, which he is prepared carefully to consider before sending his first sheet to the press. It is a peculiarity of the forthcoming revision that it gives the authority for each emendation, and this important accompaniment would be requisite in each case of assistance. Any suggestions sent to us will be handed to the author; but, to be available, they must be sent with the least possible delay. References should be given to the books, volumes and pages, in which the criticisms are contained that they may be verified.

RECENT DEATHS.

MR. SIMON WILKIN.

Simon Wilkin was born at Cossey, Norfolk, July 27th, 1790; his parents were both members of the Baptist Church, St. Mary's, Norwich, then under the pastoral care of the late Joseph Kinghorn. His family had for many generations been connected with the cause of Evangelical religion, as he was a lineal descendant of Lord Say and Sele, through his son Colonel Nathaniel Fiennes, (both staunch supporters of the Puritan cause under Cromwell) and also of Dr. Thomas Jacomb, one of the ejected ministers, and author of several well-known works. His mother's brother the Rev. Robert Jacomb was afternoon lecturer at Salter's Hall, in conjunction with the eminent Hugh Worthington, and afterwards for many years Dissenting minister at Wellingborough.

Mr. Wilkin's parents died when he was quite young, and left him under the guardianship of Mr. Kinghorn, whose kind and gentle nature elicited all the affections of his charge, while his calm and dignified placidity held the boy's exuberant spirits in check, and thus a mutual attachment was formed which increased as years passed on, and lasted through life.

During the twelve years spent under

Mr. Kinghorn's roof, his young ward had the opportunity of watching the home-life of one whose character has rarely been equalled, and of entering as he gradually became capable of doing so, into the plans of his action and the operation of his mind; of marking how wholly he devoted himself to the avocations of the position in which he was placed, how every power of his mind was laid out for his Master's glory; how in a word, he was determined to spend and be spent, in the great work for which he had been set apart. Next to his devotion to the Church over which he presided, that to his ward was most conspicuous. His first care was to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord-" seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness," was the burden of his instructions, still more of his example. It was, however, remarkable that Mr. Kinghorn with all his aptness to teach in public, always found it difficult to bring the subject of religion before others privately. It cost him a great effort to speak of the Saviour to his young friends, yet the very greatness of the effort often made his remarks in themselves all the more pointed and striking. One of the earliest remembrances that Mr. Wilkin retained of this kind, was a conversation with regard to prayer, which Mr. Kinghorn always considered should be the spontaneous effusion of the child's heart, and not a taught form. In the course of it he pointedly asked him whether he ever prayed, and the child's answer not being very satisfactory, he made the simple rejoinder, "Well Simon, remember what's worth having is worth asking for." This opened a new idea on the subject of prayer, that it was asking God for what we wanted, an idea which surprized by its very simplicity; and thus the remark never lost its power nor ever failed from the memory.

Mr. Kinghorn had the pleasure of seeing his young charge early brought to a knowledge of the truth; he was baptized and added to the Church in his eighteenth year, the instructions and example of his guardian being mainly blessed to that end. Nor was Mr. Wilkin less indebted to him for the conscientious care with which he discharged his duties as tutor, an office for which his great learning and extensive general knowledge eminently qualified him. He soon succeeded in eliciting his pupil's innate love of learning, and no pains were spared to fit him for that position in society which he was about to occupy. To a liberal English education, a thorough knowledge of the Classics and of several Modern Lan

guages was added, as well as a considerable acquaintance with Hebrew and with Mathematics; he also devoted himself very considerably to the study of Natural History, under the guidance of his early friends, Messrs. Joseph and William Hooker, the former long since deceased, the latter now Sir William Hooker, of Kew.

On the attainment of his majority and consequent introduction to his property, he gave a proof of his attachment to the cause of God and to the ministry of his revered guardian, by becoming a very large contributor to the erection of the handsome chapel, which was then built to accommodate the great and increasing congregation; and by giving his constant support to the various means of usefulness connected with the Church, and to the religious and benevolent institutions of his Denomination and his country. He also devoted his leisure and resources very largely to the encouragement of science, Entomology being the branch which especially engaged his attention; he had collectors in various parts of the country, constantly adding new or rare insects to his cabinet, which soon became one of the best private collections in the kingdom; it was afterwards purchased by Mr. Vigors, the naturalist, and subsequently passed into the possession of the Zoological Society. Mr. Wilkin became early acquainted with Sir James Edward Smith, the president of the Linnean Society, of which he soon became a fellow, and by him he was introduced to the eminent circle of men connected with science and literature, of which that naturalist was himself the centre. He formed a local Entomological Society, which held its meetings at his residence at Cossey, and also established in his own grounds a botanical garden of considerable extent, and of great interest.

In the year 1816, a sudden reverse of fortune removed the subject of this memoir from the circle in which he had been enjoying the pleasures of social intercourse, and mutual co-operation; and with a resignation which shewed the depth of his religious feelings, and a determination which gave proof of the energy and elasticity of his character, he adapted himself to the strangely altered position in which he suddenly found himself placed.

After a brief interval he entered into business as printer and publisher at Norwich, where old friends and new, soon collected round him, and his Christian character and literary attainments insured him the esteem and friendship of the many excellent men who were prominent in the religious and philanthropic movements of