"Strangely, my soul, art thou array'd By the great sacred Three, Another hymn says :— And lest the shadow of a spot He took the robe the Saviour wrought These are the adornings of God. Thus we have Faith-the adornings of God. And all these are brought unto us by her royal hand. Now read the 21st and 22nd verses of the Seventh chapter of the First book of Chronicles. Open your Bible. Read for yourself. Of Ephraim the holy penman is writing; and he says, "And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath slew because they came down to take away their cattle. And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him." Thus Ephraim had "four sons dead in one day;" and, although THE FAITH which the Lord gives can never die, nor fully leave the soul until it enters into glory, yet, the fruits of faith-these four sons-as regards their exercise and enjoyment, are many times cut down, and their fruit, and flower, and fulness all seem gone. In succeeding chapters I hope to return to the original text; and treat upon the trial of faith. To my friends I present grateful thanks, and I entreat of them, individually, collectively, and perseveringly; ask them to aid me in circulating these words of Biblical and experimental truth in all corners of our world. Delusions in experience and deceptions in doctrines are rife and rapidly spreading everywhere. I have no faith in any experience but that which is in the Bible. For this Bible experience, for this Bible salvation, I have contended many, many years. I am still at it. Philosophers and creedsmen despise me. But, the feeble flock of slaughter are sometimes fed by my instrumentality. Satan knows it. He tries to kill me, and to set all the world and the church against me. Brethren! pray for me, speak for me, and remember I am your servant in the truth CHARLES WATERS BANKS. MRS. INGALLS OF THE BAPTIST BURMAH MISSION AMONG THE BUDDHIST PRIESTS. [Extract from a Letter from Providence, R. I. April 3, 1867.] WE were pleasantly entertained this morning by Mrs. Ingalls, widow of the late missionary of that name, for many years connected with the Baptist Burmah Mission, herself also an active labourer in that field. She came to our office, accompanied by President Sears, of Brown University, and while here related many interesting experiences of her Mission labours, and made frequent reference to the valuable aid P afforded her by the "Pain Killer," which is, she says, frequently called by the natives the "God Medicine,” and sometimes worshipped by them. One instance I will endeavour to give you, as nearly as possible, in her own words. . . . . . One stormy day I was sent for to visit one of their God-men, or high priests, who had been severely wounded, the messenger saying that he was killed. I told him it was no use then for me to go, as my medicine could not raise the dead. But he persisted, saying, “The God Medicine would not surely fail to do him some good." My native preachers, who better understood the extravagance of their language, urged me strongly to go, feeling that God had, in this way, opened a door to the Gospel, in answer to our many prayers. But I still hesitated, fearing for the reputation of my medicine, which had become a powerful aid in giving me access to the natives. But at length, trusting the result in the care of my Master, I yielded, taking in my hand a bottle of the "Pain Killer," the charm that had opened this door, I followed my guide through the monastery into the inner or most sacred place) none but priests are allowed to enter here, and a woman never), where lay the wounded man upon the ground, a ghastly object, covered with blood and apparently dead. I knew something of the dangers that surrounded me, and notwithstanding my trust in Him who said, "I will never leave nor forsake you," could not wholly divest myself of fear. Standing beside the dying man, I said to the monks or priests who had followed me in, or were there before, that my medicine could not raise the dead, nor bring back the departed spirit, and that if I failed to restore their friend they should not condemn the medicine. Still, I would do all in my power for the wounded man; but, to begin with, I must have some bandages. They had none, and could not get any. I pointed to the altar curtain; but that could not be touched even except by the high-priest. It was the sacred yellow cloth. I started to leave, saying it would be useless for me to remain, as I could do nothing without means. But they would not let me go. The God-man must be saved, and I might, for this pur pose, use the sacred cloth. I speedily laid profane hands on it, and shortly converted it into bandages, with which, saturated in "Pain Killer,” I bound up the wounds of the still insensible man. I then asked for a cup, in which to prepare some of the medicine for him; but the sacred silver cups of the gods, used only in their religious rites, and never touched by hands profane, were the only cups to be had. To save the God-man I might use one of them, though not one of the priests present dared take and give it to me. I reached and took one, however, and prepared in it, and gave to the unconscious sufferer a strong dose of the "Pain Killer." Weary now with my exertions and the excitement, and faint, I asked for a chair; but there being no such article in their temple I overturned one of their wooden idols, and rolling it near the wounded man, sat down upon it, amid the horrified looks of the surrounding priests, who seemed momentarily to expect the vengeance of their gods to smite me. The man soon began to show signs of returning consciousness, and seeing me seated upon a prostrate idol, holding the "God Medicine in my hand, he unable yet to speak, made a sign with his hand to his companions, who, in obedience, bowed all about me in the attitude of worship. Feeling that my time had now come, I addressed them, telling them it was not I, nor the medicine, that had done this, but the ever-living God of heaven and earth, who had thus made me an instrument, in his hand, in restoring to them their friend; and I then preached unto them Christ crucified, unto some a stumbling-block, and to others foolishness, but unto them that are called-of whatsoever nation or people-" the power of God, and the wisdom of God." From this time her influence with the priest, as well as with the lower castes, was almost unbounded, and her opportunities for doing them good proportionately increased; and for this she felt herself greatly indebted to the "Pain Killer." Six years afterward, when leaving Burmah for a visit to her native land, these priests and many of the natives, came to take their leave of her; and this priest, at parting, took her hand, saying apologetically to his followers (for by their rules no priest may look upon, much more touch, a woman, without defilement), "My mother first gave me life, but this, my God-mother, restored it to me again!"-Yours, &c., A. O. H. "SAFE! SAFE! SAFE!" MY DEAR BROTHER,-My dear wife departed this life on the 21st February, 1867. It would be useless to fill pages with the history of her life though it would be very interesting, for up to the age of sixteen hers was one of trials, affliction, and sorrow. From then, until the Lord was pleased to meet with her, she was taken up with the world and the pleasures thereof; but having placed herself under the protection of a kind uncle and aunt, who feared the Lord, their influence brought her under the sound of the Word. She had cause to bless the Lord many times for placing her in such a position, for she said it was the means of keeping her from many of the sinful pleasures of the world. Eventually she was led to Zoar chapel, Great Alie street, where the Lord was pleased, in a most gracious manner, to call her by His grace, and to reveal Himself unto her as a God, pardoning iniquity, transgression, and sin; and to give her an earnest desire to follow Him in the ordinances of His house. She was baptized by Mr. John Austin, in 1834, and added to the church. She has finished her course, fought the gone home to be for ever with the fight, gained the victory, and Lord. She was taken ill on the 5th of February, and becoming worse, we deemed it best to send for her medical attendant. When he came, he did not think her case dangerous, and considered with care she would soon recover. But speedily getting worse, she had to take to her bed. On the following Monday, we called in a physician, and he gave us no hope. On Tuesday there was a slight turn, and we thought for the better, but when the doctor came he said the change was not sufficient, that we were not to deceive ourselves, for he could give little or no hope. Shortly after this, her voice began to fail, so that she could not finish a sentence. She said she wanted to say a good deal to us, but she could not speak. She tried to repeat a hymn, but could only say, "Long to be." I said, "Do you mean, She wanted to repeat another verse, but could only say, “Oh! glorious!" I said, She looked at me and said, "Yes, yes, that is it." She exclaimed, "My Rock, Rock, Rock!" I said, "Do you find Him the same now?" 66 "Oh! She said, "Oh, yes! precious, sweet, sweet!" And frequently would she say, Safe, safe, safe; sweet, sweet! After dozing for a few minutes, she said to her son, "I have been dead twice!" He sug gested she had been dreaming. She looked up at him and said, no; real, real!" She said, "I thought I should be gone before this ; but no; no; no; not yet." Upon one occasion she wanted to say something to our dear children, as they stood around her bed; but I could only catch the word, "Follow." I said, "Do you mean you want them to follow in the same path?" One of the dear girls asked her if their weeping disturbed her. She answered, "No, not in the least." Her mind appeared to be freed from all earthy things, and to be entirely taken up with heavenly things. She looked at me, and said, you have done all you can do ; you can do no more." I said, "You are in the hands of a good Physician." Her answer was, "Yes, yes." She affectionately embraced myself and dear children, as well as other dear friends in the room, recognising all around her till within five minutes of her parting breath. She then said, "Praise! safe! happy, happy!" And turning on her side, gently passed away, so gently that I scarcely knew she was gone. She is gone; but gone to her rest, But with Jesus ever to reign. And o'er those bright mansions she roves, THOMAS BATTRAM. Seek the growth of faith, and seek it in God's own way; pray over the Scriptures, hear them, read them, meditate on them. A WORD FOR PUBLISHERS AND AUTHORS, OR, THE BARK AND THE BRINE OF THE BEECH TREES. OUR Word Book comes from the Saxon Bocce, that is, "a beech tree." Any compact writing was so called, because the ancient Germans wrote upon the bark of their beech trees. Books may be called "little beech trees." Paternoster Row may be said to be an immense "forest of beech trees." Some of these little trees are sent to us, in order that we may examine them and speak of them in the best way we can. Reviews of Books are frauds committed upon the advertising department in many cases. Authors and publishers, who wish us to examine carefully the bark and the brine of their beech trees, ought to send to our advertising agent an advertisement of their production; but our tables in our study have heaps of books and papers for review, while our advertising columns have no notice, not of one in every dozen books sent to us. All such books we are supposed to "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest ;" and when we have well eaten all the bark, and drunk the brine of these many beech trees, then we are to tell all the world how we like them, and whether or not we can recommend them. As one of the oldest reviewers on the land where these beech trees grow in great abundance, we feel authorised to announce our intention, if ever we get into the Commons' House of Parliament and with the new Reform Bill, one can hardly say what changes may take place-therefore, if we have a seat some day in the House, we should certainly introduce a bill, making it quite lawful and right, that whenever an author or a publisher shall think fit and expedient to send to any editor a copy of a new work, requesting such editor to read, examine, and carefully criticise the said work, and also requesting that the said editor shall write his honest thoughts upon the character of the book in question, and by inserting such review in his magazine or paper, give the book all the benefits of his judgment and all the advantages of his influence-it shall, we say, be lawful and right to accompany every such new book, and every such request for reviewing such new book, with a fee, commensurate with the time, talent, and outlay required in composing and in publishing all such criticisms and reviews. Why reviewers should not be paid we know not; but certainly we think it is one of the customs which need a reform. Until we can get it, however, we must just go on as we have done, doing the best our time and means will allow ; and a good large bundle of these beech trees are now before us. Brief descriptions of them are hereafter given. Green's Biblical and Theological Dictionary, published by Elliot Stock, is a neat and useful companion to the Bible. The Young Man Setting out in Life. By W. Guest, F.G.S. London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder. Christian fathers and praying mothers in sending their darlings out into the world, will, of course, counsel them not to forsake the throne of grace, not to forget the Bible, never to neglect those means which are provided in the ministration of the Gospel. Too powerfully, too affectionately, too solemnly, these things cannot be urged upon the attention of our young friends; and as a faithful monitor, Mr. Guest's handsome little book will be highly appreciated by all who would guard their children or themselves against the thousands of dangerous evils which crowd upon the young man, and the young woman, too, when first setting out in life. Mr. Guest writes his book from four sources-from his heart, most affectionately; from his head, intelligently; from his own observation, cautiously; and from the testimony of other authors, confirmingly. From this four-fold storehouse of knowledge a book for young men has been, we think, beautifully produced. The Dreadful Prayer-meeting. This is a four-page tract; it is issued at the request and cost of a mother in Israel, who, with many others, considers it a brief but wonderfully striking record. It is no fiction; it |