A Letter to the Young.

WEARING THE CROSS.

Y DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS, I am truly sorry to see that the habit of wearing a cross about the neck is becoming still more and more common. The practice used to be confined to the Roman Catholics, so that, whenever a cross was seen suspended from the neck or the waist, it was taken for granted that the wearer was a member of the Church of Rome. Now, however, I deeply deplore the fact, that there are multitudes of professed Protestants who have adopted this badge of Romanism; and the Romanists rejoice in it as an indication that Popery is vastly upon the increase in this our so long highlyfavoured England.

But permit me, my dear young friends, to say a word or two to you upon the subject.

You are aware that the Roman Catholics wear the eross not simply in remembrance of Christ, but as a substitute for Christ; for they verily bow down to the cross; they kiss the cross; they carry about the cross as an object of worship. They think that they are safe, and that they need fear no harm where the cross is. Not merely do they carry the cross, but they make the sign of the cross, as they pass or enter their places of worship; as they pass or re-pass their so-called altars, they bow or they make the sign of the cross; if of a sudden they are thrown into danger, or as they enter the sea to bathe, they immediately dip their hand into the water and make the sign of the cross upon their breast. I have repeatedly seen this; and yet, perhaps, a minute or so before or after, the very persons thus professing reverence to Christ have been blaspheming His great and holy name. This is akin to the practice of those whom possibly you have heard, as I sometimes have, add to the oath they have just taken, the words, "God forgive me for swearing!" This is adding sin to sin, by one blasphemy following another; for is it not indeed "taking the name of God in vain ?" and the Most High has declared that He will not hold them guiltless who do so.

Moreover, I have not only heard the most blasphemous language used in Ireland, under the very shadow of the cross; but have known the most dreadful deeds to be done in like manner.

Hence it is clear that the cross-wearing or cross worshipping, upon the part of the Romanists, is not only idolatry-for it is doing what God has declared in His second commandment shall not be done but it is hypocrisy likewise, because it is a pretending to do that in which the heart, mind, and affections really take no part.

But perhaps you will say, "Oh, I have no such thought in wearing the cross." Then why copy so bad example? Why in any way follow that which is evil?

May be you do it as an ornament? Then it is pride that actuates you; and need I remind you that pride is among the most heinous of sins, and is what God perfectly abhors?

Possibly you really wear it in remembrance of Christ. How many times a day, when you look at your cross-that little piece of ivory, ebony, silver or gold-do you think of Christ? Now let conscience speak, for this, you know, must and will speak in sickness, danger, the article of death, and at the judgment. Instead of thinking of Christ and His sufferings, have you not commonly and for most part thought, "Oh, how pretty it is! how nice I shall look! what a set-off to my dress it will be! and how it will be noticed and admired ?" Oh, my dear young reader, see you not how this very habit of cross-wearing leads to the actual practice of sin? Why, to be consistent, instead of wearing the cross as a chaste and attractive ornament, in order that thereby you might be reminded of, and constantly ponder upon, the sufferings of Christ, you would wear that which was unsightly and horrible-a piece of rough wood, stained with blood and gore, as symbolical of the agonies and cruel death of the Man of Sorrows.

OLD JONATHAN.

OMNISCIENCE OF GOD.

GOD takes notice of every particular man, as if there were none else; and yet takes notice of all, as if there were but one man. We cannot live naturally without God; how, then, can we live happily without Him?-Evans.

FAITH AND HOPE.-Faith and Hope cannot be separated; they are like the two cherubims over the mercy-seat. God often gives a small measure of faith to a great saint, and great faith to a little Christian, that each may esteem the other above himself.-Luther.

LESSONS FOR SCHOOLS AND
FAMILIES.

By the Rev. S. A. WALKER, M.A., Rector of St. Mary-le-port, Bristol.

LESSON CLXXII.-Matt xx. 29.

Our Lord was on His way to Jerusalem, and His necessary course in going from Samaria across the Jordan was through this city, which was eight miles W. of Jordan, and eighteen miles N.E. of Jerusalem. Concerning Jericho, observe,1. Near this city the Israelites crossed the Jordan. Josh. iii. 16. 2. It was the first city taken by Joshua. Josh. vi. 20, 21. 3. A curse pronounced on any who should rebuild it. Ib. 26. 4. This curse afterwards literally fulfilled. 1 Kings xvi. 34. Concerning this part of the history of Jerusalem,

1. God had a purpose in His dealings with Jericho.

1. He would thus early show the Israelites that He was with them.

2. The people of the world are taught that they cannot hinder God's people on their way to the promised rest. 2 Thess. i. 6, 7.

3. The capture of Jericho typified the success of the Gospel. 2 Cor. v. 4.

4. Cursed are they who would restore what God hath destroyed. Gal. v. 1-10.

2. God's way of taking Jericho is remarkable. Josh. v. 13-15. 1. The ark of God was to be carried round it seven days. 2. Seven priests wearing rams' horns were to follow.

3. All the men of war were to follow the ark before the priests.

4. The seventh day they were to march round seven times, and the priests to blow the trumpets.

5. At Joshua's command the people shouted on the seventh day.

6. All this typified how God's conquests were to be made by the preaching of the Gospel always, but especially on the Lord's day. Acts xiii. 14; xvi. 10; xvii. 2; xviii. 4; xx. 7. 7. God's servants can only fight under their Captain. Josh. vi. 4; Heb. ii. 10.

3. There was a school of the prophets at Jerusalem in the days of Elijah and Elisha. 2 Kings ii. 5.

1. They told Elisha that Elijah would be carried to heaven. Ver. 5.

2. There the water was found bitter and the ground barren. Ver. 19.

3. Elisha called for a new cruse with salt. Ver. 20.

4. He cast the salt into the spring and healed the water and the land. Ver. 21.

Is not this the Word and Spirit of Christ, which should heal the corruptions of man and his world? Mark ix. 50.

4. Jericho was a city next in size to Jerusalem, and there was much travelling between them, but the road was infested with robbers.

1. Our Lord made use of that fact for His parable. Luke x. 30. 2. His hearers knew that many "fell among thieves" there. 3. The man robbed was a Jew, his preserver a Samaritan; had the case been reversed, no kindness would have been shown. 5. Zaccheus the publican was resident in Jericho. Luke xix. 1. 1. Our Lord often travelled that road, but He did so fearlessly, for He had nothing to lose. 2 Cor. viii. 9.

2. But He came to make sinners rich. Rev. iii. 17, 18.

3. He came to show the vanity of earthly riches. Luke xix. 8. LESSON CLXXIII.-Matt. xx. 30.

We have here a miracle performed on two blind men as an instruction and encouragement to us, showing our state, need, and Christ's power and will.

1. Two blind men sat by the wayside.

1. Being blind, could not earn a livelihood by labour.

2. Thus spiritual blindness incapacitates. Ps. lxxxii. 5; Eph. iv. 17, 18.

3. They sat there to excite the compassion of others.

4. Thus the spiritual blind are slaves of the world. Rom. xi. 10.

5. They made public their affliction for their purposes.

6. So the spiritually blind exhibit their folly. Rev. iii. 17.

2. They heard, however, that Jesus passed by.

1. The Spirit taught them that Jesus opened eyes. Jno. ix. 39. 2. That that was His appointed office. Isa. xiii. 6, 7.

3. They felt perhaps that Satan had thus afflicted them. 4. He is the author of spiritual blindness. 2 Cor. iv. 4. 5. They felt that it was the effect of sin. Jno. iii. 19, 20. 6. That God had inflicted it for judgment. Ps. Ixix. 23. 3. They cried out to Jesus for mercy as the Son of David.

4.

1. They knew the value of prayer in their distress. Ps. xl. 1. 2. They knew that Jesus was the Son of David. Chron. xx. 30. 66 Have 3. They knew they were unworthy, for they said, mercy on us, O Lord." Ps. li. 1, &c.; Luke xviii. 13. The multitudes tried to prevent their prayer.

1. The world does not understand God's people. 1 Jno. iii. 1.

2. It tries to put stumbling-blocks in their way. Chap. xviii. 7.

3. It would prevent their giving glory to Jesus. Jno. ix. 24, 29. 4. Even good men would sometimes discourage them. 1 Sam. i. 14, 15.

5. But they were in earnest, and would not be hindered.

1. The children of God will not yield to difficulties. Daniel vi. 10.

2. They will not obey men in the things of God. Acts iv. 18, 19. 3. They will not let God go till He bless them. Gen. xxxii. 26. 4. They are taught to pray and not to faint. Luke xviii. 1. 6. Jesus stood still, moved by their importunity.

1. How great is the power of earnest prayer! Jas. v. 17, 18. 2. He had said, "Whatsoever ye ask believing, ye shall receive." Chap. xxi. 22.

3. He commanded them to be called to Him. Acts xi. 13, 14; 7. He asks what they would have Him to do.

1. It is well for us to ask ourselves what we pray for.

x. 2.

2. Vain repetitions without meaning like the heathen. Chap. [vi. 7. 8. They said, "That our eyes may be opened."

1. They knew that He had come to open blind eyes. Luke iv. 18; Jno. ix. 29.

2. The people of God know their need of sight. Ps. cxix. 18. 9. The opening of their eyes and its effect.

1. Jesus, in compassion, did for them what they asked. 2. When their eyes were opened they saw and followed Him.

Cant. v. 16.

FLATTERY. A flatterer one day complimented Alphonse the Fifth in the following words :-"Sire, you are not only a king, like others, but you are also the brother, the nephew, and the son of a king." "Well," replied the monarch," what do all these vair trifles prove? That I hold the crown from my ances toms, without ever having done anything to deserve it."

A Letter to the Aged.

"IT WAS MY OWN CHILD!"

Y DEAR AGED FRIENDS,-In the most unexpected way we had had an inter

a

and gratitude whilst contrasting one's own condition and circumstances with that of others.

I do believe, my dear aged friends, that among our many, many sins and shortcomings is a want of a true and becoming sense of the goodness of God, in that He hath been pleased to grant to us, and to continue unto us so unin

terruptedly, the exercise of our reasoning powers. Alas! alas! what pitiable objects are those who lack this so great, and yet so common, a boon !

I remember, some time ago, a friend of mine was stopped, and the following question most seriously proposed, "Have you thanked God for your reason to-day?"

Reader, if we had millions of money, and all and everything that this poor world can give, and yet lacked this great boon, namely, the exercise of our reasoning faculties, the whole would be as a thing of nought.

ruption at one of our usual Saturday-night prayer-meetings. It was to my own mind great disappointment. I felt that it was for the first time during many years that that particular attendance was a blank! At the close, however, of our next Saturday-evening meeting, an aged friend remarked to me, as we were retiring, that the previous meeting was over-ruled for good. It had proved to him more clearly than ever how great a boon was our reason. He then went on to say that he knew personally what the want of it was in one of the members of his own family, who had now well nigh reached the age of fifty years! Frequent attempts had that poor sufferer made upon his father's life; various affectionate weapons had he used for the purpose; and at times had cursed him in the most dreadful manner. "But," he added, as a reason for the exercise of pity and forbearance, "it was my own child!"

Oh, dear aged readers, how that last utterance rang in my ears as I walked away," It was my own child!" I thought whatever trial one may have with respect to one's own children; it may be that some are painfully afflicted; some in delicate health; others far, far away, with no prospect of ever again being united in home-life in this vale of tears-what, however, is all this when compared with such a state of things as that just mentioned? Surely that were a trial which must far surpass all others; that a grievance and an anguish far exceeding all,-" It was my own child-my own child!" And yet again we were amazed as we contemplated the all-sufficient grace and the divine consolations of our God. It is delightful to our own heart-and not to ours only, but to many others likewise to listen to the breathings of that aged servant of God at the throne of grace. Few have been-or are-tried more than he, and yet we never heard one pray with more fervour, more love, more gratitude than he. His words are commonly most heart-warming and strengthening and encouraging. At the same time they may well fill one with reproach, because of the want of more love

May God, therefore, of His great goodness, possess us with a grateful sense of His daily mercies, of the very least of which (as the patriarch said) we are not worthy!

I am, my dear aged friends, your
OLD JONATHAN.

HEROES.

HERE is no subject that excites the teinterest of girls and boys more readily than the recital of deeds of daring. Place before them the portrait of a person, or describe to them a scene, real or imaginary, associated with or descriptive of some act of bravery, and the person or the event is carefully remembered. But all great virtues or graces have their counterfeits, and heroism is no exception to the rule. There is a spurious as well as a real form of heroism; and, while we wish to warn a real form of heroism; and, while we wish to warn our young friends against wasting their generous sympathy upon the former, we would urge them to cultivate intimate acquaintance with the latter. misconception as to what constitutes a hero, and the Let us, at the outset, clear the ground of any misconception as to what constitutes a hero, and the kind of action that may with truth be called heroic. To begin, then, an act cannot be dignified with this term that inflicts pain on others. A hero is a man distinguished for bravery; he does kind, brave deeds in a simple, natural manner. He forgets himself in seeking to promote the welfare of others. The greater the weakness or the defencelessness of the person, or the hopelessness of the cause, the higher does his courage rise. He is a giant amongst weaklings, and seems to bear a charmed life amidst general destruction. Like the great Ensample of all heroes, he seeks to save life, not to destroy it. His thrusts at the powerful who misuse their power, and at the selfish who seek to perpetuate abuses which cause unhappiness to thousands, may strike with telling force, but at any rate they are bloodless. Whatever force there may be in his attacks is derived from the moral worth they contain, and the pertinacity with faith that is in him; high principle regulates his transactions with his fellows; he scorns to tell a lie, and is not ashamed to say his prayers or to read his Bible.

which they are followed up. He has a reason for the

Then the true hero is never doubtful as to the source from whence his power proceeds. It comes from God-God working in him; and this solemn He is but the soldier trying to carry out the order of his Captain; the child seeking to know more of his

thought saves him from boasting and self-conceit.

Father's will; the physician trying with such skill and medicine as he possesses to heal some of the sores from which poor humanity suffers.

It is true that some men have passed for heroes without showing any of these signs of real courage, and in the list there may be many that our readers have already placed in that position. Boyish sympathy is quickly excited by a dramatic story which appeals to the imagination; and he does not stay to inquire into the object, or to consider the consequences, of some daring act which brings his favourite to the front. Soldiers have ever stood high on the master-roll of our national heroes; and,

while we would never grudge honour obtained often at so much peril, or cease to extol the courage that, under God, secured for us the personal and national liberty we happily enjoy, we must protest against the fashion of associating deeds of heroism entirely with the battle-field. We would never forget, nor wish our children to forget, those gallant boy-officers who into the deadly fray with the old determination and

led on their men at Alma and Balaclava, and bounded

courage they had shown at school only a year or two previously when engaged at football and cricket; but are not less brave, who have overcome immense we know boys in the more peaceful walks of life who difficulties, and who have done noble deeds without causing pain to any one else.

and written about the first Napoleon, viewed by

Again, notwithstanding all that has been shid

the standard just now described, we cannot regard him as a hero. Ambitious, self-sufficient, infatuated, and cruel, yet gifted with immense ability, he appears before us as a colossal monster, before whom all nations, kindreds, and peoples were expected to fall down and worship. With nearly the whole world at his feet,

he thought he was invincible. It was not till some years afterwards, when a prisoner at St. Helena, that he recognized in his adversity a higher law at work in the world than had been clear to him in his prosperity, when he compared his power with that of the "despised Nazarene," who with a dozen illiterate fishermen had revolutionized the world.

Another kind of spurious heroism is supplied to us by the trashy sensational prints of the day, to say nothing of a worse kind which is sowing its poisonous seed broadcast over the land. It is bad enough when men and women, unlike any we have ever met with, are represented as doing impossible things, and talking in a manner that no one in their senses would ever think of talking. If it does no more harm, it unfits all who are led captive by such rubbish for the common duties of life; but it is when villainy is permitted to succeed, and the villain, instead of being punished, is represented as a hero; when Vice is covered with a gorgeous mantle, so as to assume something of the beauty of Virtue herself; when

dishonesty, loose-living, and blasphemy are set forth as only venial offences, and common to all men; when the line between modesty and shamefacedness is removed-it is then that we have most to dread its influence. To fill the minds of our lads with absurd notions about the exploits of apocryphal highwaymen, smugglers, and such like monsters, is painful enough to any man who wishes well to the rising generation; but to tamper with truth, honour, and virtue, is atrociously vile, and cannot be too strongly condemned.

This subject of heroes and heroism is so important that it may be profitable to pursue it further. If we do so we shall try to look at it from a boy's point of view, for we must be excused for grudging his generous sympathy being wasted upon shams, when so much that is ennobling lies within his grasp.

Although not ignorant of the lives of worthies,

ancient and modern, we know of none like those whose histories are recorded in the Bible; and, in an age like the present, when we are surrounded by so many influences calculated to dwarf our sympathies, another glance at a few of them may revive the desire in the oldest amongst us to be again employed in some kind of Christian work in which we found so much pleasure years ago; and, although the facts recorded are true, there is, we believe, enough of enterprise and courage to arrest the attention and to excite the emulation of those who

are standing upon the border-line that separates

romance from the sterner duties of life which lie before them.

J. P.

THE PORTRAITS OF

THE LATE REV. DR. WALKER

(Rector of Cheltenham), and

HIS SON, THE REV. E. C. WALKER

B

(Late Curate of Whalley Range, Manchester).

ARELY indeed, if ever, has it fallen to the lot of a journalist to record the deaths of father and son, at the same time, engaged as both were in the same great and glorious mission. Such painful duty, however, had to be performed last month. As the readers of our previous issue will remember, the passing away, within a few weeks of each other, of the beloved Rector of Cheltenham, the Rev. Dr. WALKER, and his young and promising son, was notified in these columns. The former was called to his rest, in the midst of a sphere of ardent labour and great usefulness-the latter, after having but a few weeks entered upon his ministerial career. The dispensation is most solemn and equally mysterious, proving to us, poor finite creatures, how short-sighted we are, and how little able to comprehend the movenents of Him "who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will," and who, when on earth, said, - What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." In the light of a better and a brighter world, that which is here dark and obscure will be perfectly cleared up to the entire vindication and establishment of the wisdom, goodness, and truth of the Great Jehovah, and to the eternal satisfaction and everlasting well-being of His redeemed and glorified people.

NEWS FROM AFAR.

HE unwearied labours of the Roman Catholics, and their untiring exertions on behalf of their own religion, may teach sleepy, lazy, covetous Protestants many an important lesson. Would to God that they took pattern in this respect from those who in error "compass sea and land to make one proselyte," and who deny themselves in many ways to advance the interests of their pernicious religion! Popery lays the axe to the root of civil and religious liberty, to the advantages of education, and to the spiritual benefits of the free use of the. Word of God; and thus is an enemy to God and man. A few years ago, two ladies from England were located near Dublin, and, wishful to scatter a little good seed, provided themselves largely with portions of Scripture, bound in cloth, and sold at a very small cost by the Religious Tract Society. In one of their daily drives near Dublin, they saw a nicelooking rank of cottages, and, ordering the carman to stop, they went up to the dwellings one by one, and left in each a portion of God's Word. The houses were about twenty in number, and some short distance from the road. As the last was given, the ladies made their way to their vehicle; but, before they got up to it, a little lad ran after them, who had followed them as they went from house to house. He said, "They're all burnt-every one of them, ma'am-not a leaf left. We live in the last house, and we are Protestants, and I made sure they'd burn them." As soon as the boy said this, he ran for his life back into his home, but he gave a wink, as much as to say, "Now you know more than you thought of." The following extract from the very interesting life of the late Mrs. Thompson, whose mission to Syria was so signally blessed, just proves the oneness in practice, and the unchangeableness in principle, of the Roman Catholic religion. Many in our day have the foolish idea that Popery is very different to what it formerly was, but Popery only wants the power to be what she was, and what she will ever be. People may deceive themselves about the character of Popery, and may fancy it is changed, but that it cannot be; and, moreover, facts prove it is unchanged, as the following extract from a letter, written in 1860, by Mrs. Thompson, proves:"Our school at Mokatara has given us considerable anxiety during the past year. In addition to the interruption of the summer holiday, when the children are employed in stripping the mulberry trees, fattening the household sheep, gleaning grapes, and gathering the olives, the French nuns from Dier El Kamar commenced operations. They waited

upon the Sitt Jumblatt for her patronage, which she declined, saying that the English were her friends. In the holidays the parents sent down to request that we would re-open school as soon as possible. On sending a confidential person to make necessary arrangements, he found the French nuns had applied for our school-house, and offered the owner to double any sum we might now give or offer, though our contract had still a month to run.

"We authorized our agent to pay down a year's rent in advance, and the owner, though tempted by the offer of a larger sum, said he did not like the Jesuits, and would rather let the English have the school as before. It was quite surprising how much these zealous fanatics had achieved in a short time. The priest came over from Dier El Kamar to aid in enlisting children into their schools, and the Sisters (of Mercy) had induced several young women to give in their names as probationary nuns. He ordered all the people who had Protestant books to bring them to the church. They did so. But what was their indignation to see him collect them in a heap, and burn the Word of God! Many were very angry; but the priest told them to come to church on a given evening, when he would show them that he had good cause for what he had done. The church was darkened. The priest told the people to look one by one into the hole in a little box, where he said they would see the fate of those who became Protestants. They did so, and in this (which was, no doubt, a camera obscura) they saw the school children, with their hands folded, and others carrying books, thrust into a yawning gulf of fire, by devils with swords and pitchforks.

THE LATE REV. E. C. WALKER (Crate of Whalley Range, Manchester).

We have a pleasing contrast in the following anecdote:-One day, after accompanying our friends as far as the river, we rested under a shady booth near the mill-stream. Two respectable men were seated near the bank, and we entered into conversation with them. One of them was a Roman Catholic, and on my asking him had he read the Testament, he put his hand into his vest and pulled out a very

small edition, telling me it was his constant companion and comfort. Taking the book into my hands, I saw the name of one of our young pupil teachers. He stated that his wife had for some time attended the women's Sunday class, and at his earnest request the teacher had lent him the book, saying she could not give it, as it was a gift from Mr. MOTT. I ought to return it,' he said, but I know not how to part with it.' Of course, he now possesses one of his own."

Amid deep discouragements, these are the bright spots that cheer God's people in their work and labour of love, and happy is it for those who, from the power of grace in their own soul, are desirous to circulate God's blessed Word, which, in the hands of the Spirit, is "able to make men wise unto salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus."

L.

THE CROSS OF CHRIST.-The cross of Christ is the key of Paradise; the weak man's staff; the convert's convoy; the upright man's perfection; the soul and body's health; the prevention of all evil, and the procurer of all good.-Damascene.

THE SPIRE OF ST. MARY REDCLIFF. DEAR OLD JONATHAN,-Though an entire stranger in person, never having seen you at all to my knowledge, nor hitherto had any direct communication with you, yet you must allow me thus to address you. for the sake of associations awakened by your number of the present month, containing, as it does, a view of the beautiful Church of St. Mary Redcliff. This has been sent me by a good friend, whom I have scarcely seen the last forty years, but whose writing I rejoice to recognize now and then, and who must be aware of my interest in that splendid temple, knowing that I lived near it a short time, long ago. The completed spire, a feature quite new to me, will, I trust, long escape the visitation of any electric shock, which it seems so eminently to invite; and I hope that any calamity from such a cause has been provided against, so far as human foresight and skill could do so, by the careful application of a lightning conductor and protector. Looking at this pictured edifice, I am sensibly reminded of an incident witnessed by me, while, in 1828, occupying a residence at the centre of the Crescent facing it, and within a dozen houses of the spot now covered by your own Church of St. Luke. It was midnight, a terrific thunderstorm was raging, and I had retired to my upper room, when the then stunted portion of Redcliff Church spire, just before me, was suddenly and very brilliantly illumined by a streak of forked lightning, which issued from a cloud near, in a S.E. direction; and I distinctly saw the streak become concentrated into a large luminous ball against that side of the top of the building, and then disperse in a hundred small portions of fire, disappearing in several slanting directions downward, somewhat in the manner of a discharged rocket, but much more rapidly. I did not hear of any special injury upon that occasion, so probably there were iron safetypaths for the electric fluid, which seemed to trace out a variety of ways towards the earth, aided perhaps by the tower pinnacles and flying buttresses. It was a grand spectacle, the recollection of which recurs to me whenever I see the Church or its representation; and I hope no apology, is needed for now mentioning it, as an association which might be permitted to bear a lesson-yea, surely I may say many lessons-just now, when we have had unusual frequency of thunderstorms; and yet our hearts are still so slow to understand, so slow to believe, all the testimony of Jesus Christ: "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." "Watch, therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Matt. xxiv. 27, 42).

There are now before me (taken out of my Bristol drawer) two other views containing Redcliff Church: the one published in 1746, dedicated to "Joseph, Lord Bishop of Bristol," showing the base of a former spire (that form of identity familiar to me, but now so completely capped), and including the announcement that " This magnificent Fabrick was founded by Simon de Burton, 1292"; and the second view, taken on "Pile Hill," published in 1831, displaying the Church in prominent relief against the

66

fires which resulted from 'dreadful riots" in Bristol on Sunday, 30th October in that year. How much could be written on the suggestions now arising! The Church-one of eighteen which Bristol then contained, between which I wandered for two years without a settled place; the Hill-a simple pasture, over which my daily path led towards a neighbouring village; the fires-which I witnessed from the vicinity of the French prison at Fishponds; the time-the interval-the changes-but I must forbear, and hasten to subscribe myself,

Yours in sincere Christian fellowship,
A WILTSHIRE WAYFARER.