The frequent letters and pastoral care of Baxter produced an effect in Margaret of which she at first had no idea, and he no thought. Profound respect for his character, reverence for him as her pastor and spiritual teacher, admiration of his abilities, and, not least, gratitude for his thoughtful and tender ministries to her in her trouble, produced a feeling of another kind. A personal love was kindled in her breast. At first it lay hid within her heart; but it gradually gained possession of her, so that her health suffered severely. Baxter, unlike most men in similar circumstances, had seen nothing to awaken his suspicions. He was taken entirely by surprise, therefore, when one day a lady friend of Margaret's sought an interview with him and made known the secret.

Baxter was more than double Margaret's age, and he had both spoken and written strongly in recommendation of single life for the ministers of the Gospel in that age of frequent persecution. What would his brethren say? What would the world say? His answer was, "That since he had passed his youth in celibacy, it would be reputed madness in him to marry a young woman.

He little thought that Margaret was at the door listening for his reply. She could not take a denial, so, entering the room, she made her own appeal. "Dear Mr. Baxter, I protest with a sincere and real heart, I do not make a tender of myself to you upon any worldly account, but to have a more frequent converse with so holy and prudent a yoke-fellow, to assist me in my way to heaven, and to keep me steadfast in my perseverance, which I design for God's glory and my own soul's good.”

What could he say after that? The appeal was irresistible. He did the only thing he could do, and it was the right thing, and the best every way-he surrendered. He was convinced that with a good conscience he could not despise so zealous a proffer, springing from so pure a fountain of love.

Baxter was shortly after called to London on matters in connection with the restoration of Charles II. His pieces, known as "Poetical Fragments," were written to Margaret during the courtship, but they contain no allusion to earthly love, though they are not wanting in many passages of true poetry. Margaret and her mother followed, where the elder lady died of a fever. In less than two years Baxter and Margaret were married, the former being in his forty-seventh year. They never returned to Kidderminster, for the operation of the St. Bartholomew Act of Uniformity excluded him from his charge.

But

Margaret possessed a competent income, so Baxter was relieved from pecuniary cares. if he had a fortune with his young wife, he had a greater fortune in her. No marriage could have been happier, no husband more affectionate, no

wife more kind and devoted. But they did not live for themselves. As is well known, Baxter preached and wrote as opportunity served, and Margaret was a true sister of mercy to the sick and poor.

Several years they lived at Acton. Baxter and his wife attended the parish church, and when the law allowed, he preached twice a day in his own house. Crowds attended his ministry. The incumbent of the parish, who held three or four appointments besides, was angry that Baxter and his wife made his profligacy a reason for their not communing at the parish church. His resentment led to Baxter's apprehension and a sentence of six months' imprisonment. It was altogether illegal, but he submitted.

Even their enemies must have admired the heroic devotion of the young wife. She would not be separated from her husband, so she shared his confinement, and brightened the gloom and cheered the tedium of the prison with her sunny presence and loving ministry. Of this incident Baxter writes in his "Breviates of Mrs. Baxter's Life":

"When I was carried to the common gaol for teaching the people, I never perceived her troubled at it. She cheerfully went with me into prison; she brought her best bed there, and did much to remove the removable inconveniences of the prison. I think she had scarce ever a pleasanter time in her life than while she was with me there."

The trials and changes of her married life served to develop the Christian character of Margaret Baxter. There was a danger then, as there is an opposite danger now. Then, Christians often looked after their own vineyard to the almost total neglect of that of others. Not so Mrs. Baxter. Her husband's feeble health and frequent suffering called for her watchful care, but beyond her own household, she took care of the "household of faith," and the poor and needy around her. But their spiritual necessities had her first consideration. After a residence of three years at Totteridge, the Baxters removed to London. The parish of St. Martin's contained a population of 40,000 beyond the existing church accommodation. Mrs. Baxter hired the rooms over St. James' Market-place, and had them converted into a meeting-house at her own expense. Eight hundred people were assembled one Sunday morning, listening to Mr. Baxter's sermon, when certain sounds were heard as of timbers cracking. With admirable presence of mind, Margaret quietly left the meeting, procured a carpenter, and had props placed under the joists. The noise disturbed the worship, but a terrible accident was prevented, and no one was hurt. A permanent place of worship was afterwards built, but Baxter was too prominent a figure to be allowed to labour unmolested. The

building was afterwards, at the suggestion of Dr. Tillotson, used as a place of worship in connection with the incumbency of St. Martin's. Margaret shared her husband's open-hearted charity, if she did not partake of that asperity which marks some of his controversial writings, and not the slightest trace of sectarian narrowness disfigures the beauty of her Christian character.

How different a character was Margaret's now from that of the former Margaret Charlton, the vain, dressy damsel of Apley Castle! And how her piety was mellowed and brightened since the time when she almost refused to be comforted! She was the same Margaret, strong-minded and perhaps a little self-willed, but "polished after the similitude of a palace." There was not less selfscrutiny, but more faith and hope and love.

She had no children to rise up and call her blessed, but her works praised her, and her husband blessed her, while her inward experience of Gospel truth made her path to shine with calm and holy brightness. There was scarcely a cloud

or a fear on her mind.

She drank in the doctrine

of the cross, and rejoiced in hope of the glory of God.

At the age of forty-two she died, her reason impaired and her death hastened by the injudicious use of medicine. Baxter had to walk the last ten and a half years of his life, the victim of painful disease and bitter persecution, without the cheery presence of his Margaret. But at length his Master called him to his reward, to his "everlasting rest." The whole Church owes a ceaseless debt of gratitude to him, for his example and his writings; but while we think of him, plying his busy pen amid constant weakness and suffering, or recall the life like statue which ornaments his beloved Kidderminster, pointing with steady finger to that "rest for which he longed, let us not forget the chaste and loving Margaret, his "ministering angel," nor fail to honour her for her heroism, her fidelity, her high Christian principle, which made her the fitting wife of so good and great a man.

The "pitcher" was, in all its phases of life, ever in active use. It went to the well, and came back from the well, many times a day, and never came back without its precious draught of living water. And in this long and useful service, it sustained wounds and marks of a useful and active life.

And the magnificent "vase," with its beautiful colours and devices all round, like phylacteries of old, and with its vine leaves drooping like frontlets over its brim, and with its rich-cut crystal coverlid, congratulated itself, on its purple-velvet mantleshelf, and was heard to say, "I am so thankful I am not as others of my kind; I bask here all the day, am admired by the friends of the house, have no flaw or fracture in my whole body, and am not even as that poor cracked old crockery jar, below stairs, or at the keeper's lodge !"

And, meanwhile, the poor old "pitcher" had gone once more on its errand of mercy to the well. It was so humble, it went down to the lowest deep, where the water came bubbling up in the depth and the darkness. Its contents were poured into many a cup of cold water-each having its blessed mission and its consequent blessing-and yet it thought nothing of itself, and was very lowly.

Verily, I say unto you, that poor bruised and broken vessel, without fringe, without phylactery, and with all its scars and wounds of useful service, went down to its house and lowly habitation with a character and fame more worthy than the other; for he that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted!

INGDOMS arise, and kingdoms fall

K Throughout the ages as they run,

And ancient dynasties have all Grown old and perished one by one; Strewing around their wrecks sublime Upon the surging seas of time.

As in the ages that are past,

So, too, in those that are to come, The mightiest empires shall at last Obey the inexorable doom.

"T is God's decree that day by day

What man has wrought shall pass away.

And is it so? And is there then

No kingdom that shall still endure? No Zoar wherein fleeing men

From ruined homes may rest secure? Shall nothing through earth's wide domain That man has founded, still remain ?

Yes; there's a Kingdom all unseen

Whose power shall nevermore depart;
God is its founder, Christ its King,

Its place is in each Christian's heart ;
And glorious temples it can boast-
The temples of the Holy Ghost-

Temples that living stones compose,

With Christ Himself Chief Corner-stone: Temples that God the Father chose

Wherein to place His glorious throne; Precious, elect a meet abode And habitation for our God.

No shouting of triumphant hosts,

No blare of trumpets, roll of drums,
No outward show, no jubilant boasts,
Tell to the world that Kingdom comes.
There is no cry, "Lo! here, lo! there
Christians, 't is in you everywhere.

Founded on righteousness and truth

That Kingdom stands, nor knows decay; Abiding in eternal youth

When earthly realms have past away; Its conquests spread throughout all time, In every age and every clime.

There is a Kingdom still to be

When earth and time are past and gone, We pray for, wait for longingly,

When Christ shall come, and on His throne
As King in all His beauty reign
Triumphant o'er that blest domain.

Hasten, O Lord, that gloriors day
Which all Thy people long expect,
Accomplish speedily, we pray,

The number of Thine own elect,
When all Thy saints shall reach their home:
Father, we pray, "Thy Kingdom come."

A PLEASANT SUPPRISE. PIRITUAL as well as physical destitution was at one time, and is still to a certain extent, a prominent feature of the coasts and islands of Ireland. But for many years the efforts made by the Coast Society have been gradually successful in removing the burthens, and lightening the darkness in which the poor inhabi tants have been dwelling. Not long ago, a clergyman who had been very active in the work in the west of Ireland, met a young man in the capital. He was well-to-do, and holding a good appointment. To his surprise, the clergyman recognised in the young man one who had, some years before, been an attendant in the Society's school, which had been situated off the coast of Mayo, on a small island. Many similar instances could be adduced of the practical results consequent upon the self-denying and persistent efforts made by the Society, concerning which we will now give a few particulars, gathered from the reports of the superintendents which have been forwarded to us.

THE SCHOOLS ON THE COAST.

Take the county of Donegal for instance; there we find that the Ballyturrin School is doing a needful and very

successful work. But for the school thus established the children of these poor farmers would be without any Scriptural education, and perhaps without any knowledge of their religion at all. In addition to this, the first aim of the schools, a good secular education is bestowed, and thus the children are firmly grounded in the Gospel truths, while fitted to become respectable and useful members of society. Testimony is not wanting that even those whose religious tenets do not agree with Church principles, are benefited, and many have gone forth into the world, and are now holding good appointments after leaving the Coast schools. The work is being done in a quiet and unobtrusive way, but, adds the report, "not the less effectually on that account." The Island and Coast Society is endeavouring to bring home to the people the blessings of education, and we trust that all who are interested in the welfare of the sister isle will unite in supporting one of the most useful agencies for her welfare.

THE RAILWAY MISSION.

We daresay every one who reads these lines has travelled, whilst some maybe are daily travelling upon one or other of the many railroads in the United Kingdom or abroad. Yet how few of the millions thus engaged annually on business or innocent pleasure bent, realise the hardships and the dangers encountered by the railway servants who manage and work the lines and locomotives. The incessant strain

upon the attention and the great responsibility, with exposure, age the engine-drivers prematurely; and consider the risks run every hour by porters, shunters, and platelayers! There are thousands of people on our railways -employés, we mean-who are daily employed in attending to us, and they are a hard-working class of men. Has it ever occurred to any reader to think how many grades of railway servants are employed about each train? There are thirteen grades-porters, guards, drivers and firemen, etc. All those are in daily risk of sudden death, in the course of daily duty. The soldier is not so constantly facing death as the engine-driver and shunter. Shall we not, then, endeavour all the more to teach these men the path of their soul's safety, and lead them to the light? We should all be prepared for the call, but none of us are so liable, humanly speaking, to sudden death as the railway men. It is for us, then, to support the Railway Mission, and to see that every effort is made to impress the great truths of the blessed Gospel upon the heart, so that duty may be well and fearlessly performed, with the conviction that if fatal accidents do happen, eternity will not be suddenly entered upon without preparation.

LIGHTS ON THE LINE.

Let us glance again for a moment at the manner in which the Mission work is performed at Camden Town, Southville (Wandsworth), Stamford Hill, and other places daily. At the Mission Halls are held Readings, Bible Missions, Educational classes and prayer meetings at certain times to suit the men. There is scarcely a rest-day in the week. Some get "off" on Sundays, and those who do cannot get to church, perhaps in oily clothes, in time. There are many Christian friends who can help by visiting, and personal encouragement, and we are happy to state that great and increasing success is attending the Mission Halls. The treasurer of the Railway Mission is Mr. S. Gurney Sheppard, 28, Threadneedle Street, E.C. The success of the Mission is already great, and is increasing. "A short time ago," we are told, there were only a few Christians in the yard" at a certain station. Now there are many; and in four months no less than sixty men have been influenced for good, and have embraced willingly the truths explained to them. Surely such good work deserves every encouragement which it is in our power to give.

'FAITHFUL IN A VERY LITTLE."

One Sunday morning the attention of some red Indians in the heathen territory of Alaska, N.W. America, was attracted by a sight most novel and curious in their eyes: a little company of strangers, Indians, like themselves, were on their knees, speaking with one accord, and then standing up to sing. These were Christian men who had been sent from Fort Simpson to cut wood in the forests of Alaska, and they had resolved, at the risk of offending their heathen neighbours, to hold a Christian Service every Lord's Day. The natives around, men sunk in the most degrading depths of idolatry, and, as yet, unreached by any Christian mission, began to inquire about the strangers' religion, and some were even expressing a wish to lead "the new life," when there came a travelling missionary to hold services for a short time at a Fort not far off. He took up the cause of this poor benighted people, and raised a collection among them, in which several white friends joined, for the building of a little wooden meeting-house for their use. Some of the items in the subscription list-on which seven Indian tribes were represented-were quaintly touching: "Sarah, two blankets, blue and green; George, George's wife, George's boy Sam, five dollars, etc. But the missionary had to return to his distant work, and what was to be done? Three of the Christian wood-cutters obtained permanent work in the neighbourhood, and between them they carried on a dayschool, which sixty or seventy Alaskans attended, and Sunday services where the congregation always numbered

two hundred at least. Forty of these soon renounced heathenism, and many more gave up the most horrible practices of their dark creed. And when, a little later, a Presbyterian missionary visited this infant Church, he wrote: "As I landed I heard the school bell ring, and found twenty scholars, mostly women, in the little meeting-house. A mother and her three children were of the number. As they took their seats each scholar bowed the head in silent prayer, then all sang in English," What a Friend we have in Jesus!" "These people," says a traveller who lately visited Alaska, "are crazy to learn, but they are badly off for books, having only four small Bibles, four hymn books, three primers, thirteen First Readers,' and one wall map. Last night I heard an Alaskan girl sitting on the beach spelling out English words of one or two syllables. I found that, unable to obtain a book, she was learning from a scrap of newspaper." In a burying ground where, not long ago, these Alaskans buried with shocking rites the bodies of their dead, may now be seen flower. wreathed marble head-stones, bearing such words as these: "There is hope in his death," "Jesus, take my hand, and lead me to the Father," "He died trusting in Jesus." Little thought those few Christian foresters of the wide and eternal blessing that would follow when, in their simple service on that their first Sunday morning in a heathen land, they confessed their Saviour before men.

NAVAL SCRIPTURE READERS.

Under the Presidency of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, the Royal Naval Scripture Readers' Society spreads the tidings of the Gospel amongst the seamen and marines of the Royal Navy. The Readers affiliated to the Society are permitted to enter the ships with the sanction of the chaplains, when there are chaplains appointed. But in many of the smaller vessels there are no clergymen to teach and preach the Word, and it is in these circumstances that the Scripture Readers find their harvest, though the evidence at hand distinctly shows that the efforts of the Readers are welcome even in the first-class ships which carry chaplains. Sailors are often represented as a care. less class of men, but the progress made by them, and the grateful manner in which they welcome these efforts for their spiritual benefit, will convince doubters that they are easily brought to have a regard for eternal things. Unfortunately the number of Readers in the service bears a very small proportion to the men afloat, and The attempts are being made to increase this number. society lately despatched a Scripture Reader to Alexandria, and sympathising friends are requested to aid the good cause. Rear Admiral Campion is the secretary, and may be addressed at 4, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross. There are 60,000 men in the Navy, and it is absolutely necessary to make an effort to assist them. We are glad to learn that the habit of drinking is rapidly disappearing from the service.

A FAITHFUL "FRIEND."

An interesting glimpse of Church life and Christian work among the Society of Friends is given in records lately published (under the title "A Young Man of God") of one Stanley Pumphrey, whose last years were devoted to Christian ministry in connection with that religious body. His youth and manhood were spent in trade as an ironmonger; and the description of the struggle which it cost him, conscious as he was of superior mental gifts, and a distinct call to preach the Gospel, to remain for many years, in the path of secular toil at the call of duty, is deeply instructive for any who may be similarly tried. During these waiting years, while finding many oppor tunities of public speaking for Christ, he made the men in his employ a special charge, and fully won their love and respect. At length his way was made plain wholly to give himself to Christian ministry. Left a childless widower of thirty-one, with a small secured income, he yielded himself to a settled conviction that he was called to labour among the Christian churches in America.

Cordially encouraged at the Friends' Monthly Meeting in Worcester, where he dwelt, he sailed from Queenstown, September 25th, 1875; and during the five folowing years travelled 600,000 miles, including a short visit to England in 1877. He found in Canada, New England, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Western Iowa, Kansas, Tennessee, 614 meetings of Friends, 440 of which he visited, his Christian sympathy and earnest exhortations being everywhere gratefully received. Many of the Friends' meetings are centres of missionary work among the coloured tribes, especially in the matter of schools; indeed, so much have the Indians themselves been stirred up concerning the teaching of their children, that the Chickasaw tribe spend 46,000 dollars yearly on education, the largest average per head of any state in the world. In somewhat grotesque contrast comes in our traveller's experience of an outlying district of settlers, where school was held four months in the year, and the schoolmaster inquired of the English stranger, "Is it a king or queen that rules over thy country? What is her name?" adding, naïvely, "Thee sees we don't know much, but we wish to learn." "Our meeting for worship with the Wichita was very solemn," writes Stanley Pumphrey. "The Indians, much decked with finery, stood or squatted round the room, children with well-combed long black hair filling the centre. Wahloop and Black Beaver offered fervent prayer, and gave short addresses, the latter concluding, 'Why are we now so few? for our sins, my brothers; now I see our children well taught I hope again; let none say it is too late, or too soon, to turn to God."" The simple biography before us gives us a pleasing picture of the readiness of the Friends to give the right hand of fellowship to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. One of its most striking incidents is Stanley's earnest effort to help the Moravian Church to remove the heavy burden of debt (£4,254), which in 1874 pressed upon its mission fund. Very touching is the record of the young Quaker's visit of sympathy to the mission secretary, the Rev. H. E. Shawe. "It is on my mind," the former quietly remarked, "that the Lord will give me £2,000 for you. Shall we kneel down together and ask Him?" He collected so perseveringly among friends of his own Church, that by the following year these two Christian brethren were once more on their knees together, thanking God with deeply moved hearts for an overflowing answer to their prayer. To the deep sorrow of many of his fellowservants on both sides of the Atlantic, this true man of God was called home in 1881, in his forty-fourth year, to the perfect service in the Master's presence, to which he ever looked forward as one of the brightest joys of heaven."

A STEP FORWARD.

At the corner of Gravel Lane, in Southwark Street, in the busiest part of transpontine London, stands a large building for the reception of homeless boys. The institution has been removed from Deptford, where Mr. Fegan has hitherto been carrying on his work, but it had so outgrown the original proportions that removal was found necessary. The result has been the movement up to Southwark. There are obvious advantages in this new arrangement, and no doubt, now that the new scheme has had a fair trial, it works well. Visitors can more readily reach the Home, and employers need not travel to Deptford to find lads they require in their business. The change is manifestly for the better, and the premises are worth inspection. The interior is well arranged in five floors, of which the uppermost is the kitchen, according to approved modern usage, with the dining-room etc., adjoining. Underneath are the sleeping-rooms and baths, and the next floors are used for various trades, store-rooms, and schoolrooms. From half-past five in the morning until half-past nine at night there is more or less activity in this hive. The days are well divided, and lessons, with religious services and recreation, are judiciously alternated as experience has dictated. The lads are taught printing, shoe-making, and other useful trades, and are recruited from the vast assembly of homeless wanderers in the great metropolis. Many a "missing" lad has been found employed in the

Southwark Home, while the friendless ones obtain employment and situations. The boys are allowed out of bounds for a certain time, and though the experiment of permitting them to "run loose" was regarded as a bold one, it has at any rate proved successful, and the privilege has not been yet abused. A half-holiday is given on Thursdays.

THE RECRUITING GROUND.

We might adduce numerous interesting cases illustrative of the manner in which the Home is kept constantly filled. Many lads finding that their parents cannot support them, come "tramping" up to London in the hope of obtaining immediate employment. Others have been deserted, and left to find any way they could out of the world or in it; but it is encouraging to read that nearly every one of the boys have made some effort to do something for themselves. It appears otherwise with the runaways or "missing" boys, who have run away for comparatively trifling causes, and found idling, have been taken in, and restored to their relatives. The "Little Wanderers' " Home at Greenwich, and the Convalescent Home at Rotherfield are kindred institutions, which also deserve attention. A very touching anecdote is recorded by the Superintendent as having occurred at Greenwich. He was asking a little fellow about his relations. The lad said he had none. "And no friends?" continued the Superintendent. Please, sir, I 've got you!" was the confiding answer, and this speaks volumes for the manner in which the waifs and strays are cared for. We need scarcely remind our readers that the expenses of the work are great, and some assistance is urgently needed. Any contributions may be sent to 95, Southwark Street, S.E., and a visit to the Home will repay any one desirous of personally looking into the working of the establishment.

A GOLDEN REAPING.

We have lately had accounts of religious intolerance from Austria, but on the other hand it is satisfactory to peruse the record of the spiritual awakening in Germany, particularly in Baden. Some time since we noticed that the work of Dr. Somerville had been attended with much success in the midst of an unsympathetic population, and the Young Men's Christian Association has since then increased its influence and members. The efforts are still being increased. There is great room for improvement, no doubt, but when we look back upon the last few years we have much cause to be thankful for the steady progress made. Though there be few believers, the destroying hand will not be extended over the cities, and the gathering in of the faithful is reported to be satisfactory and encouraging to the labourers in the great harvest field, who are already reaping fruit in good

measure.

"ALL THE WORLD SENDS PATIENTS."

We have received an appeal from the secretary of the Seamen's Hospital, late the "Dreadnought" which appears to us deserving of attention by all readers of THE QUIVER. For many years the old line-of-battle ship was a well-known object in the Thames, but the removal of the patients became necessary, and now, in a wing of Greenwich Hospital, rented by the promoters of the hospital, however, the seamen are lodged. It may, perhaps, be imagined that the Government interests itself in this almost national undertaking, but it does so to a very small extent. The duties of management devolve upon local inhabitants, who seldom have too much time to spare, and the onus of maintaining this universal institution falls upon English charitable sympathisers. There are many hundreds of foreigners resident in London, cwners of ships, and who make large sums by the instrumentanty of the sailors. They have no responsibility concerning them when ill, they may say, but surely it is only humane to assist the servant who has been taken ill or injured in your service! The United Kingdom, of course, figures