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"PAY JOHN WILLIAMS."

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felt her pulse, looked at her tongue, and said she must take some salts, and went away. When they had gone, Georgie began to cry more loudly than before. "What is the matter, Fred ?" demanded Mite.

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'My name is not Fred, I tell you!" screamed Georgie.

"Never mind, I always forget your name, so I call you by anything I can think of. But tell me what makes you cry.'

“Why, I am sick, and I thought the doctors were coming to see me!"

"Bless my stars!" exclaimed the old lady, "sure enough, I was not the one that was sick! I meant to have remembered and told the doctors that they came to see you; but I forgot it when they looked at my tongue. I'll run after them, and call them back!"

So, away went Mite, and was gone ever so long. When she came back, she said she could not find the doctors anywhere, and everybody had forgotten where they lived, so that no one could go after them. "I'm sorry," said Mite, "but it can't be helped, for you know we live in the Land of Short Memories." Then Georgie cried still more bitterly. 'I wish I could go home," he said. "I am sure I shall die here! I wish I could go home! I would never forget to mind mother again!"

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As soon as he had said this, he heard a familiar voice pleading, "Ma, mayn't I go for Georgie's medicine? I won't forget to bring it!"

Georgie turned slowly in his little bed, and saw his sister May. Next, his eyes rested on his mother, who looked pale and thin, but sweet and smiling. "O Ma, have I come back to you ?" he cried, with a sigh.

"We hope so, Georgie," replied his mother. "You have had a bad fever, just like May's, and been very sick, but you soon will get well now."

Did May die, because I forgot her medicine ?"

"No. Father came home and got it for her; she is well now, and has helped take care of you."

"Mother," said Georgie, very earnestly, "I am going to try not to forget things any more!"

And Georgie did try. When he became well, and was sent upon errands, he always thought of Mite, and the gruel, and the doctors, and the Land of Short Memories, where he went in his fever-dreams, and he was cured of the very bad habit of forgetting his duty. S. S. COLT, in St. Nicholas.

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We find the following item reported from a prayer-meeting which took place not far from Boston, U.S. A man whose credit was not the best, and who was somewhat noted for his failure to meet his obligations, arose to speak. The subject for the evening was, "What shall I do to be saved ?" Commencing in measured tones, he quoted the passage, "What shall I do to be saved?" He paused, and again more emphatically asked the question, "What shall I do to be saved?" Again, with increased solemnity and impressiveness of manner, he repeated the momentous inquiry, when a voice from the assembly, in clear and distinct tones, answered, “Go and pay John Williams for the yoke of oxen you bought of him?”

The remainder of the gentleman's address was not reported. All present appreciated the fitness of the unexpected word in season, and were saved from hearing a lengthy exhortation from a swindler's lips.

The incident has led us to think that there are a good many people who, before they make much progress in walking in the way of salvation themselves, or guiding others therein, will have to "Go and pay John Williams," or John somebody else, the money that they honestly owe them. There is no man shrewd enough to pursue a course of dishonesty and trickery, and still retain the favour of God in this world, or a good hope of glory for the world to come. It is best to settle up, and pay up, and then it will be in order to talk in the prayer-meeting.

MEMORIAL STONES.

ON Whit-Monday afternoon, the ceremony of laying the memorial stones of our New Chapel took place in splendid weather, and in the presence of a large assemblage. The new chapel is to be fifty-eight feet long by thirty-six wide, and is of the Gothic order of architecture, the front built of pressed bricks with Ancaster stone dressings. There will be an end gallery over the two front entrances, and two vestries near the baptistery at the other end of the building. The open benches, which will form the sitting accommodation, will be of white deal, stained and varnished, while the aisles will be laid with ornamental tiles. The edifice will seat 450 people. Mr. Keeting, of Nottingham, is the architect, and Messrs. Poxon, Rice, and Fullalove, are the contractors.

At the service the Rev. E. Stevenson presided.

The Rev. T. Goadby, President of Chilwell College, spoke on the principles of General Baptists, and described the articles of faith to be preached in that chapel. It was a great honour to be associated, as they were, with a movement which had gone on from very early times. As to their belief, they had been singing, only a little while ago, what was really their creed as General Baptists -that they believed in Christ as their one foundation stone-their trust, and hope, and joy. That was their broad creed; but, to enter more into detail, they were called, in the legal phraseology of the country, Protestant Dissenters of the General Baptist New Connexion. In the first place, they were Protestant, since they, in common with the Church of England and many other religious bodies, declined to accept the supremacy of the Church of Rome or of the Pope. They were Protestant Dissenters as they did not conform to the rites and ceremonies of the Church by law established; while they were also Baptists, thinking, as they did, that the sprinkling of a few drops of water on a child was not the sacred rite of Baptism ordained in the Scriptures. Mr. Goadby next went into the history of the New Connexion of General Baptists, and concluded by observing that while they were in all essential points of the Christian faith at one with the whole of Christendom, they had also specific beliefs which were represented by the term General Baptist. Mr. James Hill, of Quorndon, and Mr. T. Hooley, of Long Eaton, next laid the memorial stones, handsome silver trowels, provided by Mr. Pridham, of Long Eaton, being presented to them by Mr. Day, the senior member of the church. Under the stones were deposited copies of some of the local papers, and of General Baptist literature, together with the history of the church. The stones having been declared well and truly laid. Mr. Hill and Mr. Hooley briefly addressed the meeting. The Rev. F. Todd then gave the history of the church, saying that it had its origin in a meeting held in 1861 in a room which had been used as a carpenter's shop. The large number who attended greatly encouraged the promoters, and the present existing chapel was built, though not until 1877 were they formed into a separate church from that at Sawley. They now had eighty-six members, a Sunday school of 150 children with twenty-six teachers, and a flourishing Band of Hope, whilst in the increasing attendance at the Sunday and week-day services there were signs of even greater success in the future. They rejoiced that the building had become too small, and laid that stone thanking God for the past, and taking courage for the future.

The Rev. G. W. M'Cree said they were there that day because the blood of martyrs had been shed to gain them the inheritance of liberty of conscience which they enjoyed. They were there to build their own sanctuary, and to endow their own ministry. They plundered no man to enrich their funds. They were there also to inaugurate divine worship according to simple and scriptural forms. Prayer was offered by Rev. W. G. Roughton.

Subsequently a tea party was held in the large hall near the chapel, and in the evening a largely-attended public meeting took place in Zion Chapel. Mr. Hill took the chair, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. G. W. M'Cree, T. Goadby, B.A., E. Stevenson, J. W. Williams, W. H. Tetley, J. J. Fitch, G. W. Roughton, and C. Springthorpe. Collections were made at each service, over £150 being realised towards the building fund.

Scraps from the Editor's Waste-Basket.

I. LINE UPON LINE; HERE A LITTLE AND THERE VERY MUCH.-The following has been sent to us, with a desire that it may find a place in the June Magazine. We think we have seen it before: and half suspect we had something to do with its paternity. Still, we are always anxious to oblige, and so send it to our printers. Though the suggestions are, of course out of date, yet they afford a glimpse of what was thought necessary in former times.

"It is, we are aware, a daring and hazardous 'imagination' to suppose that a General Baptist will ever be otherwise than courteous;" but then the laws of courtesy are not always so luminously written as to make doubt impossible. The man who did not like to trouble his host with a letter announcing his arrival, lest it should seem like a request for elaborate preparation for his advent, was not wanting in the spirit of courtesy; and he who, being pursued by invisible but biting foes under cover of the leadership of the god of sleep, left the house with his visit only commenced, and without saying a word concerning his departure, because he could not "name" his stinging disturbers, had in him the making of a perfect gentleman.

Still, as a rule, it is wiser, and really more courteous, to tell your host the time you expect to arrive, and to give some intimation of your expected exodus.

A lady may be kept waiting for half a day if she be not advised of the auspicious moment when you are likely to descend upon the scene; and busy as you may be, still remember that Emerson says, "Life is not so short, but that there is always time to be courteous." Of course if any gentleman is prevented coming to the Association he will at once either write or send a telegram to explain his non-appearance.

No doubt care will be taken in the allocation of guests to suit any special necessities and weaknesses that may exist: but in any case where lovers of the companionable "weed" find no shrine erected for their sacrifices, they will know the way to Nature's grand temple, and restrict their devotions within her ample area.

And in all things we may remember that "behaviour is the very first sign of force," that "manners are stronger than laws," and that "self-command is the main elegance."

II. "RITUALIST IC MEANS OF GRACE.' The manhood and womanhood of Derbyshire is supposed to be developed and maintained by such directions as the following, found in the Belper Monthly Magazine for the season of Lent:

10. "Dress more plainly, especially on Fridays, during Lent." Possibly that advice might be given to some of the ladies of Derbyshire and other counties without any limitation as to Lent; and with some advantage to the world and the Church.

72. "Take more care of all sacred books and pictures, wiping the dust off them." Of course the dust may stay on them at other times, and generate disease and death to any extent. Still it is a good thing to put dust into its right place once a year.

73. "Use cold instead of warm water; as a very decided act of humiliation and self-denial." Think of the martyrdom involved in that act, and dare to face it if you can!

81. "Look less into shop-windows, especially on Fridays." That commandment is not exceedingly hard, is it?

16. "Eat and drink a little less daily." That is capital advice for most people, and we endorse it; for it is certain we all drink too much, and there are many of us who eat more than is good for us.

Here is another item that is far too narrow. 19. "Take less of strong drinks of all kinds." We say take none. is the safest course.

77.

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"Have you ever consulted a priest about your soul, or faith, or practise, on any point, since last Lent? If not, resolve to do so." 75. "Double your penances."

This is how things are being done in our Protestant (?) Church: in other words, it is the way England is being taken over to Romanism. When will Britons arise and protest against such a process as this being carried on in the name, and with the funds and edifices, of a Protestant people!

III. INDIAN FINANCE.-The expenditure in the Afghan war for 1879 was put down by Sir John Strachey at £3,216,000 within one month of the close of the year, and when the money actually spent amounted to nearly double that sum. It is only a blunder of three millions! made on the eve of the dissolution of Parliament, but disclosed afterwards. We set down the simple facts, and beg our readers to keep them in mind. The explanation has to come. We wait for it.

Reviews.

THE EXEGETE AND HOMILETIC MONTHLY.

Edited by Dr. Kernahan, M.A. R.D. Dickinson. Price 6d.

THIS is not, by any means, a mere collection of outlines of sermons, but a periodical containing articles of a high class, expository of the Bible, and of Biblical subjects. The contributors are not restricted to this country, but embrace both German and American Biblical scholars of the highest repute, such as Steinmeyer, Schaff, Lange, Taylor Lewis, Haley, and Peabody. Almost every page affords evidence of accurate and extensive learning, hard work, true exegetical principles, and large serviceableness.

PUNROOTY: OR, THE GOSPEL WINNING ITS WAY AMONG THE WOMEN OF INDIA. By Clara M. S. Lowe. Morgan & Scott. Price 2s. 6d.

Ir is by books such as this, the missionary fervour will be increased, new missionaries created, and the work of the Lord advanced among the heathen. It is a story of faithful toil, and of real success. The women of India deeply need God's elevating and emancipating Gospel, and the women of England ought not to rest till they have it. The circulation of this volume will do real service to the Lord's kingdom.

WHAT IS TRUTH? By William Morris, M.D. Stock.

THE old question of Pilate is applied to the subjects of God and man, and an answer is given, very briefly and with commendable conciseness. The evidence on behalf of special propositions is cited, that against, is directly ignored. More is obtained from some passages of scripture than they contain; and much is left in others unexpressed. Objections do not exist. The book will be acceptable to those who agree with its conclusions, and to those who do not take the trouble to hear all sides.

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recently been contributed to the hymnology of the Church of Christ. As a collection it is extremely cheap, containing nearly 700 hymns for fourpence, in paper covers, and for eightpence in cloth.

DR. HAYMAN, BIBLE WINES, AND THE TEMPERANCE BIBLE COMMENTARY. By Rev. D. Burns, M.A., F.S.S. National Temperance Publication Depot, 337, Strand.

THIS is a dissection of certain articles which appeared in the "Church Quarterly Review," and the " Clergyman's Maga

zine," and it is done with the keen incisiveness and perfect mastery of his theme which all who know Mr. Burns would expect. It is a trenchant rejoinder, and we should not like to be obliged to answer it.

WHAT LORD BEACONSFIELD HAS DONE.

By "Vindex." Heywood. Price 6d. THIS is the land of short memories. England is not wanting in the charity that covers a multitude of faults; and sometimes there is not even justice enough to erect a stone to show where they are buried. This is not always good. Beaconsfieldism has done so much it ought not to be forgotten. We therefore hope our friends will keep the memories of the six years of Tory Rule fresh and green, and advise them to distribute this pamphlet far and near. It is a capital resumé of the New Toryism.

TEXT AND QUESTION BOOK OF SCRIPTURE

TRUTH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. By W. Woods. Yates & Alexander. Price 1d. CATECHISMS are antiquated, no doubt, but not, therefore, useless. Where they can be used they are likely to be useful according to the degree in which they are short, simple, deal with principles, and use the language of the day. Mr. Woods' Catechism has these advantages.

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Church Register.

Information should be sent by the 16th of the month to 51, Porchester Road, Westbourne Park London, W.

DENOMINATIONAL LECTURES.

WITH the view of deepening an interest in, and increasing familiarity with, our history and principles as Baptists, it has been arranged, at the "fraternal meetings of General Baptist ministers in London," for a course of lectures to be delivered during the forthcoming winter at each of their chapels, viz., Commercial Road, E., Borough Road, S.E., Church Street, N.W., Praed Street, Westbourne Park, W., East Finchley, N., and Worship Street, E.C. J. Clifford, LL.B., will lecture on "The Origin and Growth of English Baptists," Rev. J. Batey on "Baptists and their Distinctive Principles," Rev. W. Harvey Smith on "Bunyan and the English Baptists," Rev. W. J. Avery on Baptist Martyrs," Rev. J. Fletcher on "The Baptists and Dan Taylor, Rev. J. F. Jones on "The Baptists and Missionary Enterprise," Rev. G. W. M'Cree on Baptists and the Abolition of Slavery," and Rev. Dawson Burns, M.A., on "The Baptists and Temperance Reform." It was agreed to make this early announcement in the hope of thereby suggesting a similar arrangement amongst other churches of our denomination.

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CONFERENCE.

EASTERN CONFERENCE. The halfyearly Conference was held at Bourne, April 21st. A sermon was preached in the morning by brother W. L. Stevenson, of Isleham. Mr. Roberts, of Peterborough, presided at the meeting in the afternoon.

It was reported that, since the last Conference, 92 had been baptized, 32 received, and that 21 were candidates.

A hearty welcome was given to brother CHARLES PAYNE on his return from America, after an absence of eight years.

In compliance with the request from Sutton St. James, it was agreed to regard the church there as separate from Tydd St. Giles; but as we consider the isolation of small churches as most undesirable, we earnestly advise the church at Sutton St. James to seek a union with some stronger church.

It was agreed that brethren J. C. Jones, M.A., and William Orton, should represent the Conference on the Foreign Missionary Committee during the next year, and that the same gentlemen, with brethren

Barrass and Jolly, should be the representatives to the Home Missionary Society.

It was also agreed to recommend to the Association (providing the will of the donor admit) that the books purchased with the money connected with the Pegg Scholarship be, as far as possible, formed into a circulating library for the use of the former students of the Institution.

It was unanimously resolved, that the members of this Conference express their gladness at the result of the late elections, and especially at the national condemnation of the unrighteous policy that has recently prevailed in the government of the empire. That they also record their grateful sense of the eminent services rendered to the nation by the Right Honourable W. E. Gladstone, and their desire that he may have a large share in directing the future policy of our rulers; and that they also unite in the earnest hope that such measures will be passed by the new Parliament as shall recognize no religious difference in the Burial of the Dead, and as shall remove, as far as possible, the hindrances put by the State in the way of the Religious Equality of Her Majesty's loyal subjects.

A report was given of the Assistant Preachers' Association, and it was agreed to request Mr. W. R. Wherry, the president, to read a paper on the subject at the next Conference.

The next Conference is to be held at Peterborough, on Thursday, Sept. 16th. W. ORTON, Sec.

The meeting announced to be held at Peterborough, on Monday, June 7th, 1880, in connection with the "Assistant Preachers' Association of the EASTERN CONFERENCE," is unavoidably postponed until Sept. 16th, 1880, when it will be held in connection with the Eastern Conference to be held at Peterborough on that date. JOHN W. BROWN, Sec.

DERBYSHIRE BAPTIST PREACHERS' ASSOCIATION.-The half-yearly Conference at Weston-on-Trent, May 18. Good attendance of preachers' and friends. Reports from churches very encouraging. The meeting was held in the Wesleyan Chapel (kindly lent for the occasion), and addresses on "The Preacher and his Work" were delivered by brethren T. H. Bennett, C. Smith, and I. Wilson.

J. SMITH, Sec.

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