was a man in make and build not unlike | visions, I shared them with my comthe thick-set orator, his voice was similar though his appearance was more savage. Job was a bull-dog, Kidd was a bear; but I could not help thinking that the bear was tamer and less fierce than the dog, however appearances might go against him. The idea, too, of Job thundering against political oppression, and aspiring to a share in the administration of the affairs of the state, when he was a tyrant to his wife and family, and could not govern himself, seemed grotesquely absurd. I was musing on such inconsistences as I went along, and gradually coming round in my thoughts to home, when I was startled from my reverie by a voice calling me from behind to stop. A young man of about twenty-five, with a polite sort of manner about him, asked for the pleasure of my company, as we both seemed to be going the same way. Of course I was as glad of a companion as he was. He was well-dressed in a fashionable style, but the clothes were much the worse for wear, and the hat had certainly seen better days. There was a jaunty, careless air about him that seemed artificial; when he spoke gaily and with much pleasantry about walking and riding, and being independent of lumbering slow coaches, I thought there was a quick restlessness about his eyes, which showed he was thinking about something else, and thinking about it with an earnestness that amounted to anxiety. But we got, as I fancied, into each other's confidence; and as we went along talked of ourselves. I told him my story, and he confessed himself delighted to have found a brother in adversity. He also was going to London on the same errand. He had been a draper's assistant at a large town in the north, and his employer had failed. and he had been looking elsewhere in a vain for a situation, and was now going up to London, as a last resource, to try his fortune there. From the easy and facile tongue which he possessed, I thought he would be sure to succeed. "Well," said he, "we are brothers in misfortune and brothers in ambition, we may as well be brothers in the way." "With all my heart," said I, and so we made the agreement to share our fortunes on the road. It was now growing dusk. The long shadows of the trees in the fields had lengthened and disappeared, the west began to glow with purple and gold, and a star flamed like a torch of celestial splendour amid the fiery glow. We sat down on the road side for our evening meal, and as I alone had a stock of pro panion. He spoke to me of the beauty of the evening in a way that quite enraptured me. There was just as much refinement and taste about Mr. Shaftner (for that he said was his name) as there had been coarseness and vulgarity in Kidd Weldon. Yet I confess that his face always looked like a masked one, for from underneath the smiles that played over his countenance, a concealed eager and anxious face within seemed to peep forth in those restless, uneasy eyes of his. After the darkness came on, my companion picked the way to a barn, where we were to rest till sunrise, when we were to start again upon our journey. As we were threading our path to the lodging. house, I thought I could see more and more of the concealed face, and less of the mask. I was not at all pleased with the thought. We found a very nice clean litter of straw in the barn, and lay down upon it to rest. Being tired out with the much walking of the day, I soon fell asleep, and went back to my old chamber at Guysmore in my dreams. I was awakened suddenly in the night by a cold breeze blowing straight on my face. I rose, and found the door wide open. I wondered how this could be, as we closed it, and even fastened it inside before we lay down. I felt about for my companion, but I could not find him. I called him by name; he did not answer. I walked slowly all about the barn, and felt for him with my hands and feet, but it was plain enough he had gone. I went outside, the stars were shining brilliantly from the sky, and the wind was still, but I could see no one, and hear no footsteps. I shouted "Shaftner," the echo of my voice from a small plantation repeated faintly, "Shaftner," and that was all I heard in reply. The truth flashed across me that my companion had robbed me and gone. It was so. My bundle was gone, my pockets had all been rifled. I was penniless. It was useless attempting to follow the smooth-tongued thief. I returned to the barn, and lay down and slept until the morning sunlight came shining in through the crevices of the door, and the holes in the wall. I walked about ten miles without anything in the shape of breakfast, save a handful of spring water, when I came to a wayside inn, standing back a short distance from the road, with a square space before it, in which, at one side, stood a trough filled with water, and, on the other, a pole with a sign swinging on the top of it, on which was painted a shepherd and shepher dess, each with crooks and short petticoats, CLAUDE CLIFTON'S STORY OF HIS LIFE. tending sheep. I learned from the stout landlady that a person of the dress and features of Mr. Shaftner had breakfasted there about two hours ago. I told the landlady, Mrs. Alliban, my story; she pitied me, and said I must be faint, and offered me breakfast, which I thankfully accepted. In conversation with her, I learned that they had a large garden which wanted a week or two's work doing at it, and if I would stay and attend to it, she would find me board and lodging, and pay me something handsome when I had done. This seemed a good suggestion; it would enable me to gain a few shillings, and relieve me from the inconvenience of arriving penniless in the great metropolis. I cheerfully agreed to undertake the work, and to set about it at once. When Sunday came, I went with Mrs. Alliban, and her buxom blooming daughter to the parish church of Corleigh. It was an old-fashioned edifice, built as some of the village churches are, in utter contempt of all the principles of taste and architecture. Originally the edifice was of stone, it had been repaired with brick and timber, and even lath and plaster. The windows were dusky green; a small stained glass window with apostles' heads, arms, legs, &c., all mingled together in inextricable confusion (the window had been broken and put together again) was all the ornament of which the church could boast. There was a damp earthy smell in the church as of graves, and tablets all round told how many generations were sleeping below us. The sermon was preached by a fine looking, baldheaded old man, and it was about entering the kingdom of God, through much tribulation. He showed, with some little eloquence, that the kingdom of nature, the kingdom of life, and the kingdom of heaven, were only to be entered by suffering and toil. The sermon came home to me, and did me good. Just when it was about over, a face I thought I knew attracted my attention at the other end of the church. It was my companion's, who robbed me of all my wealth. I could not rise and seize him, indeed, I somehow felt no desire to do. There was a fascination in his masked face that made me almost powerless. I kept my eyes on him, and he his on me, all the rest part of the sermon. When we knelt down to pray at the close, I hid my face in my hands, and so lost sight of him. On rising up, he had disappeared. I began to doubt the evidence of my senses, and felt half disposed to think I had been the victim of a too lively imagination. As I went back to the "Shepherd and Shepherdess," I acciden 63 tally dropped the prayer-book Mrs. Alliban had lent me. On turning round to pick it up I caught a glimpse of that same face peering over the hedge within a hundred yards of the spot where I stood. I immediately made for the place where he seemed to be lurking. He was gone. The banging of a gate that led into a wood at some distance off, told how skilfully he had eluded pursuit. There was service at a Wesleyan Chapel not more than a mile from Alliban's. I went there in the evening, but saw no more of Shaftner that day. I was to go off by coach the next morning to London. My exchequer was replenished, and I had finished the garden earlier than I was expected to finish it. The first thing I heard on coming down stairs was that the house had been robbed in the night, and all the valuable property down stairs that could be moved off was taken away. No clue could be obtained to the discovery of the place where an entrance had been effected. The doors were all unlocked and unbolted from within; the windows closed just as they had been left. Suspicion fell upon me. The ostler swore that I was in league with Shaftner, who had been prowling about for days, and that I had let him in. I declared I was perfectly innocent, and, but for that young man of whom he spoke who had robbed me, should have been in London before now. It was of no avail. A constable was fetched. I was marched off to Corleigh, and placed in a small brick tower with a roof upon it, something like an extinguisher, and there locked up for the day and night. The constable came to me iu the middle of the day and told me that the coat that I had left hanging up in the room where I slept (one that I had purchased only two days before) had been searched, and that some articles that were missing were found there. I was surprised to hear this, as I remembered distinctly that, when I took the coat off on Sunday night, I emptied the pockets of everything they contained. Though alarmed somewhat by this intelligence, my conscience was easy, and consequently I did not mind the lock-up a dungeon in the day time, and at night I slept as soundly as if I had been in my own bed at home. When the morning came, the constable unlocked the great heavy door with a great heavy key, and told me I should have to pass through my first examination at about ten o'clock that morning. I felt a little trepidation and nervousness before the Justice, but managed to tell him my story pretty consecutively. He said in reply, "you speak like an honest lad. I know some parts of your story are true, for I know Mr. Graceford of Laurelton Villa, very well, and I know Guysmore, and what you say of both is quite true. But I know nothing of you, and you must wait until I can receive a reply from Mr. Graceford, to whom I shall write concerning this matter, before we can proceed further in it. If the particulars of your story about yourself are true, I should feel bound, even if you were proved to be guilty of this robbery, to mitigate your punishment, as you have evidently been led astray. At present the articles found in your very possession, so to speak, and the manner in which admission was gained into the premises, are a sufficient ground for a suspicion of your complicity in the affair, and you must return with the constable and still remain in custody." I was taken back to the lock-up, and my heart almost sunk within me when the key was turned upon me again. I feared my mother might hear of my position, and be troubled about me. But committing myself and her to our Heavenly Father, I became more cheerful and hoped for the best. Three days and three nights was I imprisoned in that miserable round tower. My situation was so pitiable that even the constable, obdurate and stern as he was said to be, spoke to me compassionately, and assured me that I should soon be set at liberty again. Janet Alliban, looking as ruddy and rosy as the morn, brought me food three times a day, and said how sorry she was that they had suffered themselves to be suspicious of me, for she felt sure I was innocent as a lamb. When the fourth day came the constable opened the door with a smile on his face, and said "You're to go out today, young man." And so I did. Mr. Graceford had written to Mr. Westbourne, and had pleaded hard for me, pledging his word of honour as a gentleman that I was innocent, and wishing Mr. Westbourne to express to me his sorrow that he was absent from the Villa during the time of our domestic calamity, and to assure me that my mother should never want any comfort he or his family could afford. The sincerity of Mr. Graceford's good wishes was still further shown by the enclosure of a cheque upon his London banker for five pounds, which he requested Mr. Westbourne to hand over to me. Next day I was the object of universal sympathy and congratulation in the neighbourhood; and with the hearty farewells of all the Allibans (Janet shed tears), and half Corleigh standing about the inn and along the turnpike to see me off, I bid adieu to the "Shepherd and Shepherdess" from the top of the coach; and when the guard got up behind and said "all right," and the coachman cracked his whip, and the horses set off prancing and pulling by turns in high glee, and the crowd standing round shouted hurrah! I thought to myself, well, now at last, I am fairly on my way again to the far-famed city of London. Reviews. PREMILLENIAL THOUGHTS.(Second Notice.) | briefly and concisely the reasons, to his By a correspondent. THE estimable author of this little volume is Mr. Ingham, the minister of our church at Halifax. Though the title does not well indicate the subject, still there is some propriety in it for the subject treated of refer exclusively to our state before the Millenium. own mind unanswerable, which have led him to his present views and conduct; for his own justification, and for their conviction; and having taken them to his stand point, there he leaves them to think and judge for themselves, and to act as those who must give an account. Mr. Ingham claims for his views an important place in the early history of the Christian Church, as well as apostolic sanction; and in some cases the express teachings of Scripture itself. We now give a digest of the work itself, for the The book is altogether a book for these times, a thoroughly practical book. It deals with the bible, and the believer's conscience. The writer believes, and therefore speaks, and speaks not dog-information of our readersmatically, but in the fear of God. Anxious supremely to acquit himself in the sight of God as a faithful servant, and in the next place to put before all his readers I. The weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper; Mr. Ingham believes that the Lord's Supper had an important place in the worship of the first christians-that it was one of their principal means of grace | the service of song in the house of the -attended to on every Lord's-day, and Lord ought to be converted men-he also not merely as an appendix to a service believes that chanting was the ancient but the principal object for which the mode of singing practised by the Jews in saints came together. His evidence for their synagogue worship, and by the all this we cannot recount-nor quote the primitive christians in their assemblies. testimony of historians to the uniformity of the practice in the times immediately succeeding the apostolic period-nor the opinions of many eminent ministers of the Gospel, who have written on the subject in modern times. Let the reader examine and judge. II. On weekly contributing to the support of Christianity. I Cor. xvi., 1 2, is pleaded as the authority for this. This will be felt by many to be a grave question as it will involve, to carry it out, a new financial arrangement in our churches. Still, for the poor, it is unquestionably the best mode of contributing, as they can give to the cause of Christ in littles and frequently, an amount which they cannogive in any other way. And for the mort affluent it would have its advantages. Ie would connect giving with every Lord'st day-make it a religious act-and if the spirit of the passage was at all acted upon giving would be in proportion to the blessing received (as God has prospered), and thus lead to a vast augmentation of the funds of every church, and to a liberal universal and systematic support of Christianity. III. On a Plurality of Elders or Pastors in every church. Mr. I. refers to several scriptures which show that the first churches had a plurality of elders or pastors; and he affirms that it cannot be proved that a single apostolic church had but one pastor. It is easy to see that any church would be better cared for and more thoroughly instructed if several men of God instead of one were labouring for this object. One man cannot excel in everything. There are diversities of gifts, and the church as far as possible, ought to have the full benefit of the gifts of the different members. The great objection to this is, that the church cannot support a plurality. It is not necessary that all or of the pastors be entirely devoted to their work. Some apostolic pastors laboured with their hands, nay, it is maintained by some that all apostolic pastors did this. But objections should be but little thought of when apostolic example is before us. A plurality then prevailed, and no instance of a single pastorate can be found. any IV. On the Conducting of Singing in Divine Worship and on Chanting. Mr. I. maintains that all who take the lead in Christians, or on the soliciting of aid toV. On the support of Christianity by wards the support and extension of Christianity from those above who are believed to have given themselves to the Lord; and yet, receiving, offered assistance from the unconverted. subject the writer shall speak for himself. On this "The principal reasons for approving of the course mentioned at the head of this article are-1st. That the scriptures are believed to have devolved on Christians the duty of supporting and extending Christianity.-2nd. That the Scriptures are believed to warrant, our reception of kind assistance by whomsoever offered. -3rd. That the solicitation of aid in support of religion from those that are in open revolt against God, is opposed to reason, and derogatory to Christianity.— And 4th. That the church and the world sustain injury by the unsanctioned coalition. These reasons are amplified at some length, and many objections to the practice pleaded for are noticed and fully answered. The book concludes with an appendix Jerusalem, or on having all things comon the community of goods practised at mon. The writer believes that the account in the Acts of the Apostles, of the Church having all things common, does not describe a literal community of goods, or one common stock, but the abundant liberality and love of the Church that was practically manifested. On the whole, we greatly admire the book, and believe it to be calculated to lead churches into a more spiritual state. ON THE LOSS OF TEETH; and on the best THIS small, well-written, treatise contains Correspondence. ON WEEKLY OFFERINGS. DEAR BROTHER, -I am glad the subject of "Weekly Offerings has been brought before the denomination in the the Magazine by your Melbourne correspondent. It seems to me that the particular conclusion at which we arrive will very much depend on our constitutional temperament, and our previous habit of giving. If of sanguine temperament, we shall probably hail the "Weekly Offering " as the panacea for our financial difficulties; if of conservative temperament, we shall likely prefer the present way. So far as I can judge, the scriptures leave the matter entirely to our sanctified judgment. In Scotland, the general rule is to adopt both methods-pew rents and collections on entering at every service. And, unless the congregations are large and wealthy, it not unfrequently happens that the income will not cover the expenditure As illustrative of the "Weekly Offering," I shall refer to a Baptist church in Edinburgh which, having no chapel, met in a hall. Collections at each service, on entering, was the usual source of income. The minister was talented, the membership upwards of 150, the audiences from three hundred to seven hundred, the hall in a good locality The expenditure was about £200; but there was scarcely a quarter without deficiency. Every year at least extra efforts had to be made to reimburse the treasurer. And the experience of churches similarly situated is the same. So far, therefore, as observation of Scotch churches go, I am not sanguine of the permanent success of the "Weekly Offering" system. I am afraid it is the spirit, rather than the mode of giving, respecting which the churches need enlightenment. At same time, if it can be shown that pew-rents are a barrier to the prosperity of the churches, and that the "Weekly Offering" removes that barrier; I hope we shall have courage to adopt the better plan. But before changing from the old to the new, the churches should carefully inquire into, and rigidly examine the locality, numbers, wealth and ministry of those churches which are elevated as illustrative evidence of the success of the "Weekly Offering." Yours, in Christian fraternity. J. MALCOLM. SABBATH SCHOOLS. And now through faith in Christ, I can say Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, I once was lost, but now am found, "Dear Teachers, the time has come that I must leave those who have been careful to instruct me in the path that leads to life eternal. It is a great trial to me to leave the School, and those amongst whom some of the happiest hours of my life have been spent, but I must give place for others to be taught the truths from which I have reaped so much benefit. "Dear Teachers, words cannot express the gratitude I owe to you for the kindness you have manifested towards me. Though I cannot repay you, the Lord will reward you for your work of faith and labour of love. And may you, with our dear Pastors, be made the honoured instruments of turning many from darkness |