to be had this being the best, if not the only thing to stop the bleeding. Messengers were sent everywhere to obtain ice, which they found great difficulty in doing. At last they did succeed in getting a small piece, the last piece to be had in the locality. At this time also the strikes were on, and the ice that otherwise could have been obtained was not forthcoming. Everyone was experiencing the same difficulty in getting ice; still with this application the bleeding stopped for that day, and hopes were entertained that he would pull through. But on the next day, Sunday, the bleeding came on again, and again the search for ice had to be made. Application was made at the local hospital for a supply of ice, but no, they had not been able to get any for themselves for three days. At last, almost in despair, a messenger succeeded in getting (as a great favour) a small quantity from a little shop where ices were made for sale. This finally stopped the bleeding, and the patient began to recover. He continued for the following three months and a-half to sit up for a time in the bedroom, where he would write letters, and attend to accounts and other matters of business. The doctor was in great hopes of soon getting him downstairs again, which certainly seemed within the bounds of possibility. But his hopes were doomed to disappointment, for about the beginning of November he took a chill, and a severe attack of bronchial catarrh set in from which he did not recover, but passed away very peacefully on Wednesday evening, November 29th, at half-past ten o'clock. He had expected for some time to depart, and had often remarked, "I am in the Lord's hands;" and, "The Lord's time is the best time." While he was so very weak his mind wandered at times, and during these periods he would go back to his earlier days and think he was presiding at a meeting or making a speech, which latter he actually did in a wonderfully clear, strong voice. He would also preach during his wanderings, though always in a perfectly correct and scriptural manner. One sermon which was worthy of being held in everlasting remembrance was on the subject of "Baptism," and another was on the "Second Coming of the Lord." This last being always his favourite theme, and he lived in hopes of being still on earth when his Lord should come again. This hope, however, was not realized, but instead he will come with his Lord, when the Second Advent takes place. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the family grave in Gravesend Cemetery, on Tuesday, December 5th, in the presence of a vast assembly of people; the funeral service being first conducted in Zoar Chapel, which was in a very special sense connected with him, the minister who officiated being Mr. Mitchell, of Chadwell Street, Clerkenwell. The service was most impressive, the whole chapelfull of people rising to their feet as the coffin was carried into the building and placed on the platform before the pulpit. A large number of choice wreaths and flowers were sent from friends both far and near, and the last rites at the cemetery were solemnly and impressively carried out. We leave our dear one in the keeping of the Holy Spirit, knowing that the day will surely come when by His power the sleeping dust will again arise to new and glorious life. "In sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection." It now remains for those who are left behind to seek to follow in his footsteps, to emulate the noble example he has left, and to enter at last into the same joy which is now his. His last most earnest and touching prayer to God was uttered two days before he passed away, and therein he expressed the great desire that all his loved ones might meet in an unbroken circle around the throne of God. That it may be so is the heartfelt desire of the writer of these concluding pages. "Only good-night, beloved, not farewell, A little while, and all His saints shall dwell Good-night, good-night, good-night." MEDITATIONS BY I. C. JOHNSON. DOCTRINE. A FEW years ago the writer overheard the criticism by two aged ministers upon a sermon that a talented young preacher was delivering. One of them said to the other, "All bone, Sir! It is all bone!" By which I understood him to mean that the discourse was too doctrinal to please him. It was hardly fair, perhaps, to condemn a young preacher on hearing a solitary sermon. It did appear to me that there was a spice of envy in the remark, at the young man's zeal and ministerial gifts. Be that as it may, a Gospel ministry should be made up of a variety of parts. There should be instruction for the enquirer, warning for the impenitent, and comfort for the distressed. It should possess a trinity of features. Doctrine, experience, and practice. True doctrine lays the foundation; upon this grows up rich experience, and out of both comes godly practice. A religion without doctrine is like a body wanting vertebræ; a flabby sort of thing, without solidity or stamina. Religion without experience is a mere skeleton, wanting flesh or substance, and a body |