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only, but ignorance likewise, and, further, that he has made his way most honourably, and that his success has not hardened his heart, but he is still a genial, generous, and even munificent man, there is yet one enquiry more, upon the answer to which our verdict as to the character and upshot of his life-battle must depend: Has he, in the midst of all these conflicts, remembered or forgotten his highest, because his eternal interests? If you object that this is too theological a view of the battle of life, my reply is, that I have not come here to discuss a merely secular question; I have come to speak to you, not as traders and operatives, but as men, and, in speaking of the objects of our life- battle, I should be dishonest if I made no allusion to the greatest of all victories-the crowning conquest of this mortal strife,-the wrestling, "not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world." Can we honestly say that any man has fought the battle well, who has not fought his way to spiritual light and spiritual liberty; who, though he has gained a corruptible crown, has lost an incorruptible; who, though greeted by the plaudits of the world, will never hear the approval of his God? No; if this be your case, you have fought "as one that beateth the air." "It is but lost labour that you rise up early, and late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness." "You are walking in a vain show, and disquieting yourselves in vain ;" and, " though you are labouring in the very fire, yet are you wearying yourselves for very vanity."

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In this struggle we must expect difficulties: it would not be a struggle otherwise. This is no sham fight, but one of tremendous reality. Every earnest, energetic man must feel ashamed of the unmanly complaints which he so often hears. you expect that life is to be all smooth and comfortable? then you must be a superlative simpleton. Whatever be our position we must make up our mind for difficulties, disappointments. drawbacks, for many things not very easy to bear. Your work is hard, you say; be very thankful if that is all. If what you have to do is merely a simple, straightforward piece of work, whether intellectual or mechanical, then, however heavy it be, you may go to it, and ought to go to it, with a lightsome and gladsome heart. Never say of this grievance and of

that, "I won't stand it !" There is generally much more common sense and much more va'our in saying, "I will stand it, and, by stauding it, overcome it."

In this conflict it is highly important to remember those now well-known words

Learn to labour and to wait." Yes, to wait as well as to labour. One of our early besetting sins is impatience. We are not content with the sure and steady march, we must run ourselves out of breath; that is no way to win the battle. There are various species of fast men: there is your fast man of pleasure; there is also your fast man of business. He is determined to live in a certain style, and to enable himself to do so he dashes wildly into speculation, exposes himself to the most terrific dangers, and, if he has any conscience (which, however, is very seldom the case) to a most unhappy state of mind. But he must have a handsome house, furnished in the top of the fashion; he must have costly plate and costly pictures; he must give grand dinnerparties and balls, and vie with people of substantial means. Moreover, he must drive what he calls his trap; for it is such a nuisance to travel by those vulgar omnibuses with their cargoes of vulgar people, picked up promiscuously from the great unwashed. He must have horses and dogs, and a stylishly-dressed tiger. His drawingroom is resplendent with sumptuous ornamentation; and he is, above all, proud of his wine cellar. Well, if you must have these fine things, win them by patient and honourable work. "He who has not bread to spare," say the Spaniards, "should not keep a dog." The man who lives beyond his means, relying upon the problematical results of his speculations, is driving tandem to beggary, and, what is worse, he is exactly in that critical position in which he will be irresistibly tempted to act dishonestly; nay, he has already acted hishonestly; he is living on false appearances; he is a peripatetic lie; other men are tempted by the devil, but he tempts him. If you would fight your life. battle well, you must, if pos sible, owe no man anything but love; you must be able to look every man bravely in the face, conscious of your independence; you must live within your means, and be content to creep if you cannot go, to walk, to limp, to hobble on as best you may, half a mile an hour, if you cannot defray the charge of riding. No man can fight on stilts; you must stand on your own legs

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I have now endeavoured to show the propriety of the metaphor which forms our motto, to show that life really is a battle I have endeavoured to point out the chief objects which men have, or ought to have, in view while engaged in this moral strife,a secular object, an intellectual object, and, if they can be separated (which I scarcely think they can), a moral and a spiritual object. I have endeavoured to show how these objects are to be secure the difficulties and dangers that reider their acquisition doubtful,-the principles and the conduct which render their acquisition sure. these remarks should prove useful in directing, warning, cheering you, my friends, while fighting your life-battle, your fellowsoldier, who has this evening addressed you, will have great cause for joy: 1 heartily wish you all success in the struggles on which you have entered. With all manliness and fortitude, patience and perseverance, prudence and honesty,

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may you prosecute your secular conflict; with all cheerfulness and hopefulness, all painstaking and determination, may you go on achieving conquest after conquest in the rugged but rich domains of knowledge; but, above all, do fight the fight of faith, do lay hold of eternal life! And when the struggle shall have ended, and you take your armour off, may this be your peaceful review of the past, your glad anticipation of the future: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not unto me only, but unto all them that love his appearing." On, my brothers, on! The powers of darkness and of death oppose us, and laugh defiantly at us poor struggling mortals; but we shall master them; we shall tread them beneath our feet; we shall yet be "more than conquerors through Him that loved us;" we shall shout our triumph in the gates of heaven; and then we shall have fought right bravely and right well the battle of our life.

A Page for the Young.

KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.

A TRUE STORY.

The glowing sun of a midsummer afternoon poured through the curtainless windows of the little village school, and small curly heads drooped like delicate flowers in the languid air. Among them all, little Katie's sunny ringlets tell the lowest; and if you had lifted the golden veil, you would have seen that the weary eyes had forgotten to con the line of long hard words in the worn spelling-book, and that the silken fringes of the drooping lids were pillowed lovingly upon the sweetest little cheeks in the world. Yes, in the heated air, soothed by the lazy drone of the hungry flies, and by the restless hum of young student voices, Katie had fallen asleep.

She was dreaming, too! She was dreaming of a little brother, darling Charley, who in the bright spring-time-when the violets were opening their sweet blue eyes after their long sleep-had strayed away from earth, and passed through those gates of glory always open for the entering of little feet. And she dreamed that she clasped

him to her lonely heart, and begged him never to leave her again. And amid the greatness of her joy she sobbed aloud, and started to find Bella's soft arm around her, and to hear her whisper

"What is the matter, darling?"

Before poor Katie could well collect her thoughts to answer, the school was dismissed, and she heard the teacher exclaim, "Hurry home, children, or you will be caught in the shower."

But Katie could not hurry, and as she walked slowly out of the door, again little Bella's sweet voice cried, "Poor Katie, are you sick ?"

Then Katie poured into the sympathising ear of her little friend all her troubles, and finished by saying, "I could not bear to find it only a dream; I feel as if I must see Charley once more!"

"Where do you think he is?" asked Bella.

"In heaven, I know," replied Katie; "and mother says he cannot come back to us, but we can go to him some time;" and her sobs broke out afresh.

"Why don't you go to him now?" cried Bella.

"I don't know the way," said Katie. "I was very sick when they took him away in the little coffin, and I don't know where they went."

"Are you sure they went to heaven ?" said Bella eagerly.

"Oh, I know it!" said Katie. "Then," said impulsive little Bella," then I can show you the way: I saw where they put your little brother." The glad light in Katie's tearful eyes, was beautiful to behold.

"Will you, will you show me, Bella, now -this very afternoon ?"

"Yes, indeed," cried Bella; and with clasped hands, unmindful of the gathering gloom, these little pilgrims set forth on their journey to heaven.

Once on the way, a doubt oppressed Bella. "Are you sure, Katie, that you can get in ?"

"Ah," said Katie, with sweet assurance, "how Charley would run to open the door!" and her cheek flushed with anticipation.

"Do you suppose Charley is very happy?" urged Bella.

"Very," said Katie emphatically. "And what does he do all the time?" "Plays with the angels with such lovely wings," cried Katie with great animation. "And they pick up stars that lie all over the floor of heaven, and play with them. And the rainbows, I suppose they keep them all the summer; and how Charley used to love rainbows! He cried once because,"

"Dear me," said Bella in great dismay, "it rains, and we are so far from home; what shall we do?"

"But we are almost to heaven, arn't we? Let us hurry and go in there."

"Yes," said Bella, "I see the door." "Where? where?" said Katie breathlessly.

"There!" responded little Bella, pointing to the rising ground and iron door of the village vault.

"Oh," exclaimed Katie, with intense disappointment, "is that heaven? Oh, Bella, it is like a great grave;" and her little lip quivered reply.

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very bright and beautiful on the other side."

"Perhaps it is," said Katie, more hopefully.

But now the large rain-drops began to fall very fast, and a thunder-storm in all its sublimity burst upon the little travellers. The burdened west gleamed like an ocean of flame, and the floor of heaven resounded to the solemn tread of the mighty thunder. Still the little children, with clasped hands and pale lips, pressed on, and their angels, who "do always behold the face of our Father," watched over them lovingly, and they walked secure in the heavenly company.

At last the busy, pattering feet reached the gloomy entrance, and Katie's sweet, hopeful lips were pressed close to the cold door.

"Knock," cried Bella; and with all her strength Katie did knock; and a hollow echo was all her reply, while the dead within heeded not the call from the fresh, young, hopeful lips, and the little brother, with folded eyes, and pale clasped hands, heard not the sweet imploring cry.

"Charley, dear Charley, it is your sister, your own sister Katie; won't you open the door ?"

'He does not hear you Katie, it thunders so,' " said Bella. "Let us wait a littlewhile;" and they waited.

Soon there was a lull in the storm, and again Katie, strong in faith, knocked at the dreary door, and her loving cry," Charley, dear Charley !" echoed sadly back.

"Do you hear anything?" asked Bella, with parted lips,-" is he coming?"

"No," replied Katie, "I thought once I heard his little feet, but it was only the rain."

"Perhaps," suggested Bella, with large imaginative eyes, "perhaps he is playing with the angels a great way off, in a beautiful garden."

"Oh," sobbed Katie, " hope he will. not love the little angels more than me!"

"Knock once more,-just once," whispered Bella. With wavering faith, again the little soft hand pleaded for entrance, and a tremulous voice cried piteously, " Charley, darling, dear, sweet little brother, please open the door to your own poor Katie. Don't love the little angels better than me.. Oh, Charley, Charley!" She threw herself upon the ground, and sobbed in an agony of grief and disappointment.

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bitter doubt that had crept into her young confiding heart, exclaimed,—

“Oh, mother, I have been knocking at the door of heaven, and Charley would not let me in!"

Dear grieved little Katie ! refusing to be comforted in this thy first gre t sorrow. It may be, that ere the violets come again, "God's hands will beckon unawares," and with a better guide thou shalt find indeed the door of heaven. Then knock, little pilgrim, and thou shalt be heard amid the hallelujahs of all the heavenly choirs. Back shall roll the blessed portals, and Charley shall lead thee with eager wings to the feet of Him who loves little children, while the song of angels shall be," Of suck is the kingdom of heaven."

Entelligence.

NOTES OF THE MONTH.

POLITICAL.

The Elections are now all over, and before this page reaches the eye of its readers, the New Parliament will have met. The impression thus far appears to be, that Lord Palmerston's government has been considerably strengthened by his appeal to the country; though there seems to be no doubt that he will have to advance much farther than he has yet done in the path of Reform, if he would retain the confidence of his present supporters. Altogether, the House appears to us to be one with which progressive measures will find favour; though the absence of such men as Mr. Bright, Mr. Cobden, and Mr. Miall, with several others, from its debites, will give great advantage to the anti popular party Mr. Bright's defeat at Ma chester is to be especially deplored, as ungenerous treatment of a faithful servant, who has wasted strength, and almost life, in its cause. Sir William Clay, also, the leader of the AntiChurch-Rate party in the House, has been defeated in the Tower Hamlets.

We are glad to hear that his Anti- Church-Rate efforts are to be taken up by Mr. Trelawney.

The Queen has had an accession to her family. On the 14th instant, her Majesty's loyal subjects were informed by the usual demonstrations from the Park and Tower guns that a fifth princess, and ninth child, had been added to the Royal House. Every parent throughout the kingdom will rejoice with their beloved Sovereign in the kind Providence which has hitherto guarded her life and health, and made her the mother of a family of nine, while she has had to mourn the loss of none.

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trust that they will give an impetus to the cause of religion and humanity throughout the world.

Many of our readers will rejoice to hear that the esteemed Secretary of our Missionary Society, E. B Underhill, Esq., who has been in India for the last two years, has arrived in England. He and his family are in good health.

Mr. Phillippo, of Jamaica, has also arrived on a visit to this country. He comes on account of his health.

REGENT S-PARK, LONDON.

On Tuesday evening March 31st, a soiré was held in the boy's school-room, in connection with the male and female Bible classes, presided over by the Rev. William Landels. The meeting, which was of a highly interesting nature, was held at the conclusion of the second session, and was thought by the members of the two classes to be a favourable opportunity for the presentation of a suitable testimonial to mark their sense of the efforts of Mr. Laudels for their welfare. At half-past seven nearly 200 persons, consisting principally of members of the classes, assembled. The arrangements, which were under the management of a committee of members, were most admirable. After about an hour spent in partaking of refreshments and social converse, prayer was offered by Mr. Landels. Mr. Dixon then rose and said: Our object in meeting here this evening is to show our esteem for you, and our appreciation of your services, and this is what we have to say. He then proceeded to read an address, tendering Mr. Landels the thanks of the classes, and stating that they had sought to embody their gratitude in the form of a testimonial, of which they begged his acceptance. As he concluded the address the door was flung open, and three members entered, bearing in their

arms an elegant cabinet, and placed it before him amidst great cheering. After the cheering had subsided. Mr Landels, in a hearty, cordial manner, returned thanks. The cabinet was a handsomely carved walnut-wood cabinet, tastefully decorated with fret-work, from the design of one of the young men. It contained a choice selection of books, amongst which wereAlford's Greek Testament, 3 vols Macaulay's History. 4 vols. ; Macaulay's Essays; Sir James Stevens's Biographical Essays; Hugh Miller's last work, &c. An ivory medallion, with an inscription, was inserted. The meeting was closed with suitable addresses from Mr. Reid, Mr. Ball, Mr. Holman, &c.

NEWPORT, MONMOUTHSHIRE.

The church and congregation meeting in Commercial-street, in this town, under the ministry of the Rev. W. Aitchison, having found their former chapel too small for the increasing congregation, and also otherwise inconvenient, have erected a new structure on the same site, which will afford greater facilities and accommodation, and be more in accordance with the modern development of architectural taste. The new chapel now completed is in the Byzantine style capable of seating about 1,000 persons. The accommodation includes vestries, heating apparatus, and schools for 300 children. The total cost, comprising lighting, heating, and a new organ, will amount to about £2 300. Of this sum, about £700 remains to be paid, the people having chiefly by their own voluntary contributions raised the residue. The chapel was opened for divine worship on Wednesday, March 25th, when two excellent sermons were preached to large congregations by the Rev. J. Aldis, of Reading, in the morning from Acts xvii. 23, and in the evening from John v. 2, 9. Between these services a public dinner and tea were provided, which were well attended. On the following Sunday, able sermons were preached to crowded audiences, in the morning and evening by the Rev. N. Haycroft, M. A, of Broadmead Chapel, Bristol, from 1 Kings vi 14, and Luke x. 41, 42, and in the afternoon by the Rev. T. Davies, president of the Baptist College, Haverfordwest, from Matthew xviii. 1-9. The proceeds of the collections, &c. at these services amounted to about £100.

TWERTON, BATH.

On Good Friday, April 10, the well-built, commodious, and lofty rooms, erected for the use of the Sabbath school in connection with the Baptist church at Twerton, were publicly opened. On the morning of the day a goodly number assembled in the building to seek the divine benediction on the engagements of the day. In the afternoon about 150 sat down to a public tea. and in the evening a public service was held in the chapel. Thomas Thompson, Esq., of Bath, took the chair. The Rev. E. Clarke, the pastor of the church, gave a history of the school, tracing it from its commencement

up to the present time. From the statements he made, it appears that the school has the priority of all other schools in the parish by seven years; that about 3,000 children have been instructed in it; that four ministers of the gospel have been raised up from its ranks, three Baptists and one of Lady Huntingdon's connection; that about 700 Bibles and Testaments have been distributed through its agency; and that upwards of sixty scholars have become connected with the Baptist church at Twerton. The school now numbers upwards of 160, and in the week, the minister meets a Bible class numbering considerably upwards of 100. Mr. Thomas, Mr. E. Hancock, Secretary of the Bath Sunday School Union, and the Rev. H. Webley, Baptist minister of Corsham, also addressed the meeting.

VERNON CHAPEL, PENTONVILLE.

A most interesting meeting of the schools connected with this place of worship was held on the evening of Easter Monday. William Heaton, Esq, occupied the chair. A large number of friends of the schools took tea together, after which the public meeting was held: the Chairman, the Rev. S. Wills, D D., the Rev. Owen Clarke, the Rev. Francis Wills, the Rev. J. H. Cooke, the Rev. James Fitt, and other gentlemen, addressed the friends present. The report read by the secretary stated that upwards of 2,300 children had during the past twelve years received religious instruction; many had joined the church; some had gone abroad and become missionaries of the Cross, while others had been called to glory, leaving behind them a pleasing testimony of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; one or two instances were mentioned as having occurred during the past year. The school contains about 250 children. The school has been suffering from a small debt which the friends are most anxious to clear off; it was stated that Mr E. Clarke, of 12 Southampton-row, the superintendent, would be happy to receive donations or subscriptions.

FAREWELL MISSIONARY MEETING.

On Wednesday evening last the members of the Young Men's Association in aid of the Baptist Missionary Society, met in the library of the Mission House to take leave of the Rev. James Allen and Mrs. Allen previous to their sailing for Ceylon. There was a large attendance, and after tea, Dr. Angus presided. The proceedings were of a deeply interesting character, and were rendered additionally so, by the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Underhill, and the Rev. J. Davis, of Ceylon, who were cordially welcomed on their return from the East. The meeting was addressed by the Revs. J. Russell, John Leechman, M.A., and J. Davis, and Messrs. E. B. Underhill, James Harvey, B. L. Green, W. Dickes, and W. Heaton. The principal sentiment of the evening was spoken to by the two lastnamed gentlemen, and expressed good wishes and prayers for the departing missionaries. To this sentiment, Mr. Allen

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