confessed, when he was dying, that he was about to take a leap in the dark. This is the best that agnostics like the Marquis of Queensberry can hope for or promise to their disciples. May the Lord preserve our children from the teachings of all such men, whose wisdom "is foolishness with God" (1 Cor. iii. 19). Against such a know-nothing system we hope to wield our pen, and warn our readers, the young especially; and we trust that we shall have the prayers and help of all who love the Lord and wish well to their fellow-creatures.

Reader, remember that an "agnostic " is a know-nothing as to God and the future-a polite phase, this, of the soul-destroying infidelity which is spreading so rapidly in our midst. Let us seek to spread "the truth as it is in Jesus."

WHAT THE BISHOP OF MEATH SAW IN MADRID. Norwich, October 12th, 1882.

SIR,-The following extract from Light and Truth, contributed by the Bishop of Meath, in the early part of the present year (during a visit to Spain and Portugal), will, I think, prove interesting to your readers, as an example of the kind of teaching still prevalent in dark, benighted Spain, and what we might expect to see in this country also, if ever we are again brought into bondage by the apostate "Mother of Harlots and abominations of the earth;" and which seems not impossible, if we go on at the rate we are now travelling, but which may God forbid ! I am, sir, yours faithfully,

E. HARWARD SMITH. "On leaving the church, Pastor Fliedner brought me to the door of a Roman chapel, in an adjoining street, and pointed to a notice that was nailed upon it in a prominent position, so as to catch the eye of every passer-by. On examining it, I found engraved upon it the outline of the sole of a shoe, and an address to the faithful, stating that this outline was the exact measure of the sole of the blessed Virgin Mary's slippers; that it had been declared to be so by Pope Alexander XXII., and that his witness had been subsequently confirmed by another Pontiff. It was further announced in the notice that all who should kiss the engraving and repeat an Ave Maria, would thereby secure for themselves or for their friends an indulgence from Purgatory of three hundred years! What an example of the teaching which these poor people receive!"

THOUGH now thy heart be full of fear,
Jesus will bring His mercy near.

LETTERS FOR THE YOUNG.-No. XXXII.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND,-Yesterday, as I sat in chapel, a thought of you came across my mind, and I felt determined to write to you again, for since I read your last two letters to me, I have been encouraged to hope there is something good in you towards the Lord God of Israel. Oh, dear friend, salvation is a wonderful thing indeed-yea, salvation is a glorious blessing. Salvation from the solemn consequences of sin and guilt, into which we are all brought through the fall of our first parent Adam, is a greater mercy than mortal tongues will ever be able to express or heart conceive. Oh, how far from God is the human heart gone! It reads in the Psalms, "The Lord looked down from heaven, to see if there were any that did seek after God; and, behold, they were all gone out of the way; there were none that did good, no, not one. They were all corrupt and become abominable.'

All men, in the state in which they are born, are vile and hateful in the sight of God, and all their "righteousness is as filthy rags," and "they go astray from the womb, telling lies." Oh, how exposed to the wrath of God and eternal damnation is the unrenewed sinner! Well may the great Redeemer say as He did to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God;" and, again, "Except ye be converted, and become as a little child, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Oh, the solemn thought of being shut out! You have many times helped us to sing this hymn-—

"When Thou, my righteous Judge, shalt come

To fetch Thy ransomed people home,

Shall I amongst them stand?

Shall such a worthless worm as I,
Who sometimes am afraid to die,
Be found at Thy right hand?

"I love to meet among them now,
Before Thy gracious feet to bow,
Though vilest of them all;

But can I bear the piercing thought--
'What if my name should be left out
When Thou for them shalt call?'"

This, my dear young friend, is the language of the soul seeking salvation. He is brought to feel it is a bitter thing to sin against God; and that to die without God, without being "born again, will leave him without hope in that solemn hour.

The weight of eternal things was laid upon my mind in a solemn manner when about nineteen years of age, at which time I

was greatly bent upon the pleasures of sin, especially song singing, and it was a trial indeed to forsake it; and, after I felt the guilt of it, I many times became ensnared, which so troubled my mind that often I have sought out a lonely spot, where no human eye could see me or ear hear me, there to pour forth my prayer to the God of mercy and goodness, that He would indeed have mercy upon a poor guilty sinner like me, and deliver me from the power of sin, and save my soul with an everlasting salvation, and give me grace to walk in His ways and serve Him in righteousness and true holiness. At that age I was sorely tried and tempted by the great arch-enemy of souls, "who goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." I have crept into hovels and barns, stone pits and gravel pits, under walls and hedges, into woods and plantations, and into remote corners of the fields, to call upon the great God who made heaven and earth, that He would have mercy upon and deliver me from the power of a tempting devil, and hold me back from the fulfilment and desires of my own wicked heart.

Oh, dear friend, how true it is, "The heart of man is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked," ever prone to sin and folly! But the fear of God being put into the heart, will ultimately preserve the soul, through the blood and righteousness of the glorious Redeemer Christ Jesus, from the damning power of sin. It is written, "By humility and the fear of God are riches, and honour, and life." What can we want beside? The Scriptures are filled with many great and precious promises to the man who truly fears the Lord.

My dear friend, matter still flows fast, but time and space will not allow of my penning more this time. Your dear father appeared pretty well on Sunday. Our anniversary was on the 15th. Mr. D. Keevil preached. We sang our old favourite, "The Resolve." Yours to serve in the fear of God,

Milton, October 23rd, 1876.

JAMES GARDNER.

It is a vain tempting of God to cast ourselves upon an immediate provision, with neglect of common means.-Bishop Hall.

FEARFULLY and wonderfully am I made, and designed for nobler ends and uses than for a few days to eat, and drink, and sleep, and talk, and die. My soul is of more value than ten thousand worlds: "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"-Flavel.

ORATA. In the SOWER for December, 1882, page 347, fourth line from instead of "at Lewes," read, near Lewes; page 348, line twenty-two > instead of "September," read October.

EXCELLENT PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FOLLOWING MINISTERS (Carte size).-Messrs. Boorne, Buysee, Davis, Dye, Frost, Hammond, Harbour, Hewitt, Hull, Knill, Kemp, Lawson, Lewis, Mockford, Row, Smart, Sinden, W. Smith, Vine, Welland, Whitborn, Whittle, and Dr. Doudney. Price 1s. each, or 10s. per dozen, from E. WILMSHURST, Blackheath.

EDUCATION.-Warkworth House School, Cambridge, conducted by J. P. WILES, M.A. (late Foundation Scholar of Trinity College, and 14th Wrangler, 1872). The course of instruction includes the ordinary English subjects, the French language, Mathematics, and Classics. Pupils are prepared for the University and the various Public Examinations. Boarders have the privilege of attending a place of worship where the truths of vital godliness are faithfully preached. For terms, references, &c., address, Warkworth House, Cambridge.

EDUCATIONAL.-Parents seeking a superior school, where their sons will receive a thoroughly sound Education, combined with kind and careful Christian training, should apply for prospectuses to Mr. G. P. PEARCE, A.C.P., Pennington Hall, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells. References kindly permitted to MR. HULL, and other parents of pupils. Admission at any time.

ESTABLISHMENT FOR YOUNG LADIES, The Elms, Bampton, Oxon. Conducted by the Misses PEMBREY. Prospectuses and References on application.

LADIES' SCHOOL, VINE COTTAGE, LONGFORD, near COVENTRY.-Principals, the Misses ORTON. The Year of Study is divided into three terms, commencing January, May, and September. Terms and references on application. The next Term will commence (D.V.) January 23rd, 1883,

FURNISHED APARTMENTS can be had on moderate terms, close to Mr. Hull's Chapel. Address, Mrs. TOPHAM, Royal Hill House, Ebenezer Road, East Hill, Hastings.

A DRAWING ROOM, SITTING ROOM, AND BED ROOMS (FURNISHED) may be had near Mr. Hull's Chapel. Terms moderate.— Address, MRS. WINTER, 38, All Saints Street, Hastings.

HUBBARD'S EMBROCATION (No. 1) FOR THE PEOPLE.Sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government. Protected under the Trade Marks' Act (38 and 39 Vict., ch. 91.) Enacted by the "Queen's Most Excellent Majesty," 13th August, 1875. The Genuine "Hubbard's Embrocation" bears the Registered Trade Mark, to copy which is felony. A speedy remedy for Rheumatism, Lumbago, Sprains, Sore Throats, Bronchitis, Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, &c. The ingredients are purely vegetable, and it possesses properties which render it invaluable, as is proved by its having retained the favour with which it was received twenty-five years since, and by its having gradually acquired a wide reputation as a household remedy. It is an honest remedy, well worthy of the voluntary testimonials with which the public have favoured it. Being the best counter-irritant, it can be used with confidence in those diseases for which the Medical Profession recommend counter-irritants and rubefacients, such as Rheumatism, Sprains, Chest Colds, &c..

May be obtained through any Chemist or Medicine Vendor throughout the United Kingdom, 1s. 6d. and 2s. 9d. per bottle. GRIMWADE & RIDLEY Wholesale Agents, 69, St. Clement's, Ipswich; and W. TROUGHTON, 101, Beaufort Street, Chelsea, S.W.

Testimonials may be had on application to W. HUBBARD, Pakefield House, Lowestoft. Respectable Agents wanted. Liberal Commission allowed.

THE LATE EDITOR OF THE SOWER AND GLEANER included in his list of books a choice selection of works of truth, which will be sent post free to any one ordering to the amount of 4d. and upwards. The attention of Ministers, Sunday-school Teachers, and all lovers of truth, is called to these works, as calculated to be made a blessing if widely distributed. Stamps, or a Post Office Order, payable at Shefford, should accompany each order. Address, MISS KENT, Day School, Clifton Road, Shefford, Beds.

*

See LITTLE GLEANER for December.

CLIFTON SELECTION.-Large Type: a, cloth, sprinkled edges, 2s.6d., or per dozen, £1 4s.; b, roan, 3s., or per dozen, £1 10s.; c, black leather, 3s. 6d., or per dozen, £1 148.; d, French morocco, gilt, 3s. 9d., or per dozen, £1 178.; e, whole calf, gilt edges, 5s., or per dozen, £2 10s. The smaller print, 1s. 3d., or 128. per dozen, cloth; 1s. 6d., or 15s. per dozen, roan; ls. 9d., or 178. per dozen, purple leather; 28., or £1 per dozen, French morocco, gilt; 2s. 6d., or £1 48. per dozen, morocco gilt. Carriage free, from MISS A. KENT, Shefford, Beds. We trust every one of our readers will order a copy. The work cost the late Editor much labour, and is published at a very low price, that its spread and usefulness may thus be increased. It is intended for private as well as public use.

CLIFTON HYMNAL FOR THE YOUNG.-Price 6d., 8d., 10d., and 18.; 45s., 55s., 70s., and 85s. per 100, free to London, or to any station of the Midland or Great Northern Railways. A carefully selected Book of Hymns, with many originals, by the late Editor of the GLEANER and SOWER.

CLIFTON TUNE BOOK, Second Edition, with additions, containing a selection of favourite tunes, with a number written expressly for this work. Suited to Clifton Hymn Book, Clifton Hymnal, and all Hymn Books. Price 1s. in cloth, 1s. 6d. in leather. Post free, from MISS KENT, Shefford, Beds.

Second Edition, cloth boards, price 2s. 6d. Handsome morocco, 68.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE SEPTIMUS SEARS.

This work contains an account of his Early Life, Call by Grace, Afflictions, Spiritual Exercises, Ministerial Labours, &c., &c., with a BEAUTIFUL PORTRAIT ENGRAVED ON STEEL.

This Memoir is an interesting and valuable work.

London: HOULSTON AND SONS; Miss KENT, Day School, Shefford, Beds; E. WILMSHURST, Blackheath, S.E.; or of any Bookseller.

WORKS BY THE LATE J. C. PHILPOT, M.A.

Price 1s.

Letters by the late Joseph Charles Philpot, M.A., formerly Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford, and for twenty years Editor of the Gospel Standard. With a Brief Memoir of his Life and Labours, and a Portrait on Steel. Price reduced to 3s. cloth; 5s. half calf; 8s. full calf. Memoir of the late William Tiptaft. Second Edition. stitched; 18. 4d. cloth flush; 1s. 6d. cloth boards; 2s. 6d. half calf. Meditations on Matters of Christian Faith and Experience. First and Second Series. Price 3s. cloth; 4s. 6d. half calf, each Series. The True, Proper, and Eternal Sonship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Price 6d. sewed; 1s. cloth.

The Advance of Popery. With a Preface by Mr. Hazelrigg. Sixth Thousand. 1s. stitched; 1s. 6d. cloth.

Sermons by Mr. Philpot. Reprinted from "Zoar Chapel Pulpit.” Price 14d. and 2d. Two or more Sermons post free.

The above works may be obtained, post free, from Mrs. PHILPOT, 6, Sydenham Road, Croydon.