Jackson was unanimously elected to the office of District Supt. for Stockport. He kindly accepts the position, and addresses the following characteristic letter to the Hon. Sec.

16, Huntsman's Brow, Heaton Norris, Stockport. Dear Cousin,-Your kind and welcome letter to hand. I am very sorry that Stockport has got so very quiet with regard to our dear society; but I sincerely hope before long we shall brighten up a little. I am sure I feel very highly honoured by you inviting me to the post of District Superintendent for Stockport. In fact I cannot think whatever has induced you to do so, but I will gladly accept, and thank you very much indeed for it, for I long to see our dear society flourish again in Stockport, and if my fellow-officers and members of Stockport will rally round me, it will be my earnest endeavour to bring Stockport again to the front; but of course, without the aid of our officers here, it will be very little that I shall be able to do. I sincerely hope they will all be ready and willing to step forward again and put their shoulder to the wheel. If you have time I want you to make me a list of all the branches which are in the Stockport District, and the names and addresses of the officers in charge, so that I can look them up. If you will do this for me it will be a great help, and I shall deem it a great favour. Yours truly, Supt. CHARLIE JACKSON, Stockport.

"LONGSIGHT STAR" BRANCH. Dear Uncle Gilbert,-You will think I have quite forgotten you, but I have been so busy since the new branch opened, that I have not had time to write a letter, so think you will excuse me. I am glad to say that our new branch is progressing wonderfully, and that we have had some very good meetings. Major Sparke's members seem to be some of the right kind, as they are very earnest and willing in this good and noble cause. We are thinking of having a garden bazaar in aid of the funds of the B.O.K., and the following have already promised help-the Misses Tristram, Thorpe, Longden, and Smethurst. I hope other branches will do the same; I think it is a good way to get money for our dear society that it may not go down but grow larger and larger every day, and then we are sure of victory at the end. Trusting in God we are sure of success. Hoping that all my 35,123 cousins will help the funds of the B.O.K., I remain, with best love, Major ALBERT EDWARD TRISTRAM, A.G.

Our Treasurer, I know, will be pleased to see Major Tristram's letter, and I join heartily in the hope that others may follow so good an example. Now I must say good-bye for another week, and hoping to have lots of letters on fishing, I remain your affectionate

UNCLE GILBERT.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.-Jas. W. Edgar (Manchester), pledges sent; H. W. Mears (Bradford), thanks for piece, very welcome; W. M. Wright (Stockton-on-Tees), incident very suitable. I suppose you want the extra copies for yourself and friend to be those containing your incident when published; Rupert F. Hatherley (Newcastle), glad you have joined us, Rupert, and thanks for the stamps; M. A. West (Brighouse), J. C. Collier, Nellie Howarth, Annie Pascoe, thanks for contributions; John W. Batey (Carlisle), so glad you are well enough to write, but I am sorry to say the piece you have selected has been sent before, but try again; John Willie Walter Webster (London), curious enough we have had the very same suggestion made before; Annie Crompton (Leeds), you see we have made a start this week with the pictures wanting words, so there is nothing now to hinder you from competing; A Poor Reader (Hammersmith), I quite agree that we give a good deal for the penny in the C.O.P., which nothing but a large circulation would justify; Henri Finberg (Paris), if you will send me the name and address of your bookseller, whether English or otherwise, our publishers will make it easy for you to obtain the paper regularly; with your father's influence you might get many of the pupils to write for us. No, it is of no consequence-the pieces may be in any language, as we have those who will translate them. I agree with you it would be good practice; J. H. Hunt (Eccles), the Scripture Clock Prize I hope to announce next week,

PRIZE COMPETITION.

[V.G. means very good, G. good, and M. moderate. Those marked V.G. are almost sure to go into the paper when there is room, even though they do not obtain prizes; G. may possibly go in; but M. stands a poor chance.]

Edith F. Watts (Manchester), V.G.; George Rees (Swansea), V.G.; Emma Orme, V.G.; James E. Firth (Oldham), V.G.; David Orme, V.G.; Ernest W. Orme (Cheadle), been sent before, Ernest; A. Lord (Rossendale), G., beautifully written; Mary A. Newhouse (Birkenhead), V.G., Mary, but not quite good enough for the printer -try again; Emma L. Davis (Swansea), V.G.; John B. Smith (Oldham), V.G.; James W. Edgar (Manchester), G.; James Simpson (Liverpool), G.; E. F. Watts (Manchester), V.G.; May Howe (Cheetham Hill), V.G.; Mabel Brady, V.G.; Rosie Pascoe, V.G.; James Trevor (Oldham), G.; Mabel Spencer, V.G.; Emma L. Jones (Liverpool), G.; Maud Lomas (Manchester), V.G.; Bertha J. Watts (Ashton-under-Lyne), no source given, Bertha; Alice J. Madeley (Barrow-in-Furness), G.; Ada Rigby, V.G.; Lilly Watson (Liverpool), V.G.; Cassie Howe, V.G.; A. E. Edwards (Liverpool), V.G.; Ernest Davies, written on both sides, Ernest-note the rule; Herbert Taylor (Rochdale), G.; Mary Johnson (Southport), V.G.; Edith Blackburn (Rochdale), V.G.; T. Steel (Liverpool), V.G., and very nicely written; Ernest Airey (Rishton), V.G.; F. Hawkesworth (Sheffield), G.; Florence Burgess (Oldham), V.G., and very nicely written, Florie; James Butterworth (Rochdale), V. G. for a little boy; try a shorter piece next time, James; Pollie Jackson, G.; Mary H. Thornton (Mirfield), V.G.; Lillie M. Pochin, G.; Edith M. Clement (Nelson), V.G.; Gertrude M. Rawnsley (Barrow-in-Furness), V.G.; Robert Hargreaves (Haslingden), V.G.; W. Broomfield (Newcastle), V.G. Contributions from the following competitors have been sent before :-Maud Roberts, A. Henry Pochin, William Newton, Thomas Gisborne, T. Steel, Samuel Conday, Matilda Bles, Bertha Parker.

NONE are sent into the world to wile away the time, but to employ every moment for the good of themselves, the elevation of mankind, and the glory of God.-THORNTON,

B. O. K. Cots.

Prayeq of the Band of Kindness.

(FOR USE AT BRANCH MEETINGS.)

COMPOSED BY SUPT. CHARLIE JACKSON.

Oh, Heavenly Father, we heartily thank Thee for gathering together such a number of our friends to support our good yet simple cause, and for the great benefits which we have already received of Thee; beseeching Thee still to pour upon us the abundance of Thy blessings, and give us success wherever our efforts are put forth. Mercifully grant that the seed which we are now sowing may bring forth good fruit in every part of our dear country. Forgive each one of us all our sins, and lead us in the narrow path of life. Bless our leader, Uncle Gilbert, and all who are supporting him in this good work. Bless every member of our Band of Kindness. Give them strength and courage to keep their pledge. Bless all Thy dear children, especially those who are trying to serve Thee. Help us to bear our cross and the trials of this life, and grant that we may wear a beautiful crown in Thy glorious kingdom, for Jesus' sake. AMEN.

"LONGSIGHT STAR" AND "PLEASANT" BRANCHES OF B.O.K. -Uncle Gilbert-Dear Sir,-The last meeting of the above branch for the season, will be held on Wednesday, July 16th, 1884, at 58, Stockport Road, Longsight, and will commence at 7.15 p.m. The members are beginning to get their songs, recitations, readings, &c., | ready for this great occasion, so that they will be able to say everything quite right and without a mistake. We have now 690 members in the "Longsight Star" Branch and 12 officers, viz: 1 Major, 6 Captains, and 5 Lieutenants. The "Pleasant" Branch is progressing very favourably, and we expect it will be as good a branch as any other in a few months.-We remain, your faithful and loving nephews, Major ALBERT ED. TRISTRAM, Longsight Major WILLIAM J. SPARKES, District, B.O.K.

Manchester Bible Flower Mission.

"Oh, send your flowers, your garden's sunny treasures—
Cull more, yet more, to gladden sorrow's eye.
'Ye do it unto Me,' saith One who measures

Rich gifts to those who stay the rising sigh." SINCE the last report was issued a new branch of work has been undertaken in one of the Manchester Barrack Hospitals, permission being courteously granted by the military authorities. The ladies were so encouraged by their first visit that they have continued them, taking as many flowers as possible, and giving to each patient a tract or paper, and sometimes leaving books or magazines of general interest in each ward. They have also provided small hymn-books, and a hymn in which the men join is usually sung before leaving the wards. Life is very dreary in a barrack hospital, any break in the monotony is kindly welcomed, and we cannot but believe that the words of the hymns, the texts accompanying the flowers, and the messages of the tracts appeal to the men's hearts with an especial force. Two grants of tracts for distribution among the soldiers have been kindly made by the Tract Society. A large Bible has also been given by a lady to each ward, and we are thankful to find that both tracts and Bibles are read. Any gift of books of general interest, old or new, old copies of the Graphic, &c., will be gladly taken by the visitors to the hospital and there eagerly read.

One Thursday last summer, when flowers were very plentiful, one of the members of the Flower Mission took two basketsful to a narrow street in a poor part of the town. She knocked at one door and offered some flowers to the owner of the house, who refused them at once. The visitor repeated her offer, saying, "You won't refuse a little present?" And the woman replied, "Oh, no! I'll take them, and thank you. I thought you were selling them."

During this conversation some children had clustered round, and quickly spread the news down the street. Soon nearly every door was open, and the women were on their doorsteps waiting till their turn for the roses should come. The visitor drew attention to the texts, telling them that beautiful as the roses were, the texts told them of things still more beautiful. Her words were willingly listened to, and several women asked for flowers to take to sick neighbours. When the baskets were empty and the visitor took her departure, many were the hearty thanks that greeted her as she went along her way. By arrangements with the railway companies the carriage of all flowers bearing the Flower Mission label is half-price. These labels may be had from either of our Secretaries-Miss Hoyle, The How, Prestwich, or Miss Fox, 112, Lloyd Street-and on Thursday mornings. at 56, Peter Street, Manchester.

"Children's Own."
(ORIGINAL.)

Children in the woodlands gay,
Happy all the livelong day;

I love to see them full of mirth,
Little sunbeams of the earth.
Daisies they delight to gather,
Roaming wild amongst the heather;
E ach young heart is filled with joy,
No sorrow comes joy to destroy.
Smiling 'mid the lilies coy,

O ver in the meadows fair,
Where sweet perfume fills the air,
N odding violets everywhere.

BY ELIZA HARCOURT, Liverpool.

Young Heroes.

In a long list of cases of saving life from drowning, which have lately been investigated by the committee of the Royal Humane Society, are three in which mere children, whose ages range from nine to twelve years, have gained the usual rewards for risking their lives to save those of others. One plucky little fellow, S. G. Pile, aged nine years, has been awarded the medal for the following act :-"A child named Wyatt fell off the pier at Preston, near Plymouth, on the 18th of August, and had drifted about seven yards in twelve feet of water, when Pile plunged in to the rescue with his clothes on, swam out and reached the child, and swam back with it to some steps, where they were both assisted out. Another little fellow, W. W. Hayne, aged twelve, has been awarded a testimonial for saving a child, named Humphreys, aged four, in the river at Llanlerys, on August the 20th. The latter fell off a bridge in the river, near a whirlpool, when Hayne swam out fully clothed, and brought him ashore.

A similar testimonial has also been

awarded to a girl, E. S. Deacon, aged twelve, for saving A. Finch, at Blackpool, near Dartmouth, on August the 20th. Finch, it appears, slipped off the rock and became unconscious, when Deacon jumped in fully dressed, and succeeded in holding her charge above water until assistance arrived.-From "Band of Hope Review."

Sent by L. HACKING, aged 10, Darwen.

THERE are at present in the Old World and the New World more than 100,000 railway locomotives. Their total force is equal to 30,000,000 horse-power. The technical "horse-power," however, is really equal to three average horses, and each horse to about seven men.