Tom winced under the rebuke. Ned told William all about the trouble. "What shall I do ?" he asked. "Ned, there are two ways you may take to settle this thing up: one is the way down the road, and the other is the way over the stone wall." "What do you mean by that, William ?" "Why, I mean this-you can say nothing, and go down the road to your house; that at first is the easier way, but it won't pay in the end. The way over the stone wall is the harder at first, but it is much better at last." All the while Ned's eyes were asking questions, wondering what William meant. for the wall was old; but it was the idea of "owning up' that made climbing the wall about the hardest job Ned ever had in this line. His mind was made up, though, and on he went. In his determination he made out to get over two stone walls between him and the woods. Farmer Jones was cutting brush in the woods, as William had said: and his face, red with heat, looked something like the sun when it sets behind the trees. As Ned came up, the farmer stopped cutting, and wiped the sweat from his face something as the wind clears the sun of fog in August. way?" William went on-" I mean that Ned thought, "This won't do. Farmer Jones is somewhere behind If I don't begin, I certainly shan't that stone wall," pointing to the finish my business." He cleared meadow. "He is just across the his throat, nervously pulled down field, cutting brush in the woods. his jacket, allowed his heart to give I passed him there a little time ago. one more thump, and up he spokeNow, it will cost you something to" Mr. Jones, I didn't come to talk get over that stone wall, go to the farmer, own up, and say you'll mend the window. However, the way over the stone wall is the better way, I know, for it is right, and what is right is best;" and here William brought his crowbar down with emphasis, as if he were punching in the soil a period to his sentence. Ned stopped a moment. "I'll do it," he said; 66 you are right; and prompt as a soldier, he started for the stone wall. about father's potatoes or the dry spell. I'm sorry, sir, but I broke a window in your barn while throwing stones at the martin-house and that also I ought not to have done. I'm sorry, Mr. Jones, and I'll mend the window to-morrow." "There!" thought Ned; "I have got over the stone wall." Farmer Jones looked down, then up, and then I do not believe he "knew which way to look. Boys did not generally treat him in this way. They called him "crusty," and as the neighbourhood was a rough one, they would often treat him roughly. It was a little hard getting over those round, mossy, loose stones, A smile was on his face; Ned saw it, and it looked more like the sun than ever. "Ned, that's honest in you, and I'm sure it pleases me. Oh, don't worry! That's all right. I'll mend the window." "No, sir; I broke it, and I want to mend it." "Do you?" answered Farmer Jones. "Well, if you insist on it, do it; but I am satisfied." "Thank you, sir." "It's all right, Ned. And, Ned, go on this way all through life, and ever be honest. God will bless you." Ned turned away, and went across the meadow again. As he went he said to himself, "William was right. The way down the road may be easier at first, but I believe the way over the stone wall is the way, after all." MODERN MISSIONS IN THE LAND OF LUTHER. THE German Mission was commenced by Pastor Oncken in 1829, and the first Church, consisting of seven persons, was formed in Hamburg in 1834. The history of the Mission has been from the first peculiarly interesting, and one might almost add romantic. For many years the severest persecutions were encountered, missionaries and members alike being incessantly subject to imprisonments, fines, or confiscation of property, and frequently in danger of violent death. Happily, in the providence of God, this spirit of intolerance has (largely through the indomitable spirit of our brethren) given place in Germany to perfect civil and religious liberty; and as the Mission has already extended into the adjacent countries of Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Poland, Turkey, and Russia, vast fields are thrown open to us for the preaching of the Gospel. The need existing for this work, it is almost impossible to overestimate. The general and increasing desecration of the Lord's day is well known, and demands on our part the most strenuous efforts. Nor is this all. In some districts two-thirds of the population are still under the delusions of the Romish Church, while even in the Lutheran churches the preaching is often nothing but the most wretched Rationalism, combined with some of the worst errors of the Church of Rome. Although Germany is nominally a Protestant country, in many cases there is the grossest apathy on the part of the people to religious truth, the majority of whom may be said indeed to have no religion. It is therefore more than ever imperative that throughout these vast districts we should make known, in all their purity, the simple truths of the Gospel. The signal success and steady progress which have attended this Mission may justly be regarded as evident tokens of the Divine favour. When with the little company of seven who met behind locked doors in 1884, we contrast the present Church membership of over 22,000, with 109 churches, and over 1,260 preaching-stations (especially remembering that these large accessions have taken place during years of severe and long-continued perscution), we cannot but exclaim, "What hath God wrought?" The "little one has become more than " a thousand." The number of missionaries and colporteurs employed is 200; but every member, on joining the Church, undertakes some specific Christian work. To this principle, under God, the marvellous progress of the work may be largely traced. Of the converts, about 25 per cent. were formerly adherents of the Church of Rome. Sunday schools were established in Germany by Mr. Oncken in 1823; there are now 134 schools, with 7,107 scholars, and 540 teachers. The special claims of this work upon the sympathies of British Christians are various. As the land of Luther and the birthplace of the Reformation, Germany must always possess a deep interest to all lovers of a pure and simple Gospel. It was on British soil that Mr. Oncken was brought to a saving knowledge of the Redeemer; and from Great Britain he went forth to declare amongst his fellow-countrymen the unsearchable riches of Christ. In the providence of God, Britain has become thus specially connected with this work, and on these as well as other grounds, the brethren feel that they may justly press their suit. The inexpensiveness of the Mission should also commend it to our support and sympathy. There is no expensive machinery to sustain. The salaries paid to the missionaries are only small, ranging from about £15 to £60 a-year. In helping this Mission we are not, in any sense, pauperising the churches, but simply helping those who help themselves; for during the past year the German churches (although the members are nearly all poor) have raised amongst themselves the large amount of £10,969. Pastor Oncken has never personally received anything from English funds, but from the profits of his publishing business has largely advanced the necessary cash rather than dismiss any of the missionaries from their posts. He is now able to advance no further; and unless increased funds are forthcoming, important stations will have to be relinquished, and several new and promising fields, that have recently been opened, must forthwith be abandoned. The question remains, How can the Mission best be helped? Friends can render valuable help in a variety of ways; and such help, promptly rendered, will be of especial service. We respectfully suggest the following methods as likely to yield satisfactory results: 1. In some places friends who have become interested in the Mission render substantial help by undertaking to collect funds either in their own church or neighbourhood. The number of such helpers might be multiplied indefinitely. The individual amounts thus collected might indeed be small, but they would form a grand total in the end. If every reader of this article would give 1s., 6d., or even 3d., and persuade as many persons as he could to give a similar amount, all pecuniary difficulties would quickly disappear. Many will readily give 58. or 2s. 6d. who would refuse if asked for larger sums. formation of "Ladies' Auxiliaries" is also suggested. The 2. Pastors and deacons can greatly help by occasionally alluding to the Mission at the monthly prayer-meetings or in sermons. Where the use of chapel or schoolroom would be granted for the purpose, the Rev. F. H. Newton, of Leeds (the travelling representative of the Mission in Great Britain), will be happy to arrange for an address on the early history and present position of this extremely interesting work. 3. Where a church or an individual, or several such conjointly, will undertake to furnish annually the amount of a missionary's salary, the missionary so supported will send over regularly a translation of his journal, that his supporters may be supplied with an account of what he is doing. To all subscribers the English "Quarterly Reporter" of the Mission will be sent. If desired, contributions can be specially devoted to any of the following objects:"Sunday Schools," "Colportage," "Chapel Building," "Debt," or for "Persecuted Brethren." If no particular object is specified at the time of remittance, the amount will be added to the general funds, and administered at the discretion of Pastor Oncken and the Committee. Will our readers not help this good work? **Contributions towards the funds of the Mission will be gladly received and acknowledged by M. H. Wilkin, Esq., Treasurer, Hampstead, London, N.W.; or by the Rev. F. H. Newton, 45, St. Mark's Road, Leeds. NEWS OF THE CHURCHES. A NEW chapel has been opened in | ston, Yarmouth; the Rev. G. Wilthe Lewin-road, Mitcham Common, son, of the church at Dawley, Streatham, London, for the ministry Shropshire; the Rev. F. J. Bird, of the Rev. J. Johnston.-A new late of Chilwell College, of the chapel has been opened, in connec- church at Mile End, Chatteris, tion with the London Baptist Association, at Lower Norwood, Surrey. The Rev. W. J. Grant has been publicly recognised as the pastor of the church in Fowld-street, Kilmarnock; the Rev. S. Hawke, of the church in Carr-road, Nelson, near Burnley; the Rev. R. L. Macdougall, of the church at Gorle Cambridgeshire; the Rev. D. V. Devon; the Rev. H. Abrahams, of Holbeach, and Gedney, Broadgate, the church at Redruth, Cornwall; to Pinchbeck, near Spalding; the the Rev. J. J. Irving, of the church Rev. H. C. Bailey, of Bristol College, at Swadlincote, Derbyshire; the to Padiham, Lancashire; the Rev. Rev. W. Wood, of the church at W. Skelly, of Spaldwick, to Gratton, Market Harborough; the Rev. D. Northamptonshire; the Rev. T. Sharp, of the church at Twerton-on- Churchyard, of Hanley, to SellyAvon; the Rev. J. M. Stephens, park, Birmingham; the Rev. G. B.A., late of Sheffield, of the church Barran, of Portmahon Chapel, in Bewick-street, Newcastle-upon- Sheffield, to Bridlington; the Rev. Tyne. W. Dyson, of Old Basford, Nottingham, to North Parade, Halifax; the The following reports of MINIS- Rev. W. J. Acomb, of West BromTERIAL CHANGES have reached us wich, to Astwood Bank. The Rev. since our December issue: - The H. Crassweller, B.A., has resigned Rev. W. Whale, of Stoke Green, Ips- his pastorate at Cross-street, Islingwich, to Middlesborough, Yorkshire; ton, London. The Rev. Spencer the Rev. W. Pilling, of the College, Murch, on account of ill-health, has Manchester, to Hillcliffe, near resigned his pastorate at Hay-hill, Warrington; the Rev. W. Yemm, Bath. The Rev. J. Horn, for the to Measham, Derbyshire; the Rev. same reason, has resigned his charge W. Hughes, of the College, Man- of the church at Idle, near Leeds. chester, to Barnes-street, Accring- The Rev. J. Jones has resigned the ton; the Rev. W. V. Smith, of pastorate of the church at WellingRegent's-park College, to Cowl- ton, Salop. In consequence of the street, Evesham; the Rev. J. sudden destruction of the iron Edwards, of Pontypool College, to chapel at Chadsmoor, Cannock, Forge Side, Blaenavon; the Rev. Staffordshire, the Rev. T. Williams W. Thomas, late of Forge Side, to has been compelled to relinquish Glasgoed, near Pontypool; the Rev. the pastorate of the church. The J. S. Stanion, to Providence Chapel, Rev. J. Burnham has resigned the Hounslow; the Rev. W. A. Hobbs, pastorate of the church at Fivehead late of Bengal, to Somersham, and Isle Abbots. The Rev. E. P. Hunts; the Rev. H. Phillips, B.A., Barrett, of Poetfields, Hereford, has of Glasgow, to Whyte's Causeway, resigned his charge at that place. Kirkcaldy; the Rev. J. T. Jones, of The Rev. C. Barker has resigned Gilfachgoch, to Tabor, Brynmawr; the pastorate of the church at the Rev. J. Stephens, M.A., late Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts. Presbyterian Minister, of Berwickon-Tweed, to Highgate-road, Lon- We regret to announce the death, don; the Rev. T. Puntis, to Wel- on November 7th, of the Rev. low, Isle of Wight; the Rev. W. H. John Barnett, of Blaby, Leicester, Rolls, of Bushey, Watford, Herts, at the age of eighty; also of the to Horsforth, near Leeds; the Rev. Rev. John Brooks, of Shotley J. Kendall, of the College, Man- Bridge, Durham, on November chester, to Chapel Fold, near Dews- 11th, at the age of sixty-five; also bury; the Rev. W. Owen, of Keyns- of the Rev. Dr. Albrecht, of Mirfield, ham, near Bristol, to Hemel Yorkshire, on the 9th of December, Hempstead, Herts; the Rev. E. at the age of seventy-two; also or Francis, late of Poona, India, to the Rev. T. Berry, of Athlone, Stogumber, Somerset; the Rev. D. Ireland, at the age of seventy-one ; Macrory, of Derryneill, County also of the Rev. T. T. Gough, late Down, Ireland, to Coleraine; the of Clipstone, Northamptonshire, at Rev. A. J. Robinson, of Fleet, the age of sixty-eight. |