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done for Christ, "to whom our more than all is due."

After some time spent in devotional exercises, the very enthusiastic and interesting meeting was brought to a close with the Benediction.

F. JEWELL.

LONDON FIRST CIRCUIT. A SUCCESSFUL "Circuit Bazaar" has just been held with the object of removing all circuit, society, and trust debts, and of making certain improvements in the various chapels and schools, which have become necessary.

To accomplish this object £300, at least, will be required. Already about £240 have been realised, and by the sale of the goods left over from the bazaar, and by a few more subscriptions from friends generously disposed towards the circuit and towards Connexional interests in London generally, it is expected that by the April quarter-day the amount aimed at will be secured. When the effort is completed a detailed statement will appear.

LONDON SECOND CIRCUIT.
WEST KENSINGTON.

THE annual sale was held on February 12 and 13 last. The results are considered so satisfactory as to afford us great encouragement, and of sufficient importance to warrant their publication in the "Connexional Outlook." The sale was conducted in the schoolroom, decorated as well as possible for the occasion, and was opened by Rev. Dr. Ward, Rev. W. D. Bainbridge, and other friends.

The goods were arranged on one large stall, attended by several friends, under the direction of Mrs. Ward, who, although confined to her home for three weeks by severe illness till the day before the sale, was yet courageous enough to be at her post. Refreshments and flowers, &c., were arranged on another stall; in themselves attractive, they were rendered much more

so by the presence of a bevy of charming young friends, who took charge of them.

Part of the school was reserved for a "waxwork" exhibition, under the efficient care of Rev. W. D. Bainbridge. Being quite a novelty, it proved a great attraction, drawing many who afterwards became purchasers at the stalls. A bran tub for the children, and music at intervals, completed our programme. The attendance was so large as to completely fill the school on both days, giving ample employment in each depart

ment.

The following figures will give the best explanation of results: Total sales for the two days, &c., £39 16s. 10d.; profit on remnant sale in May, 1882, £9; total, £48 168. 10d.; total outlay, including purchase of materials for sewing meetings, &c., £11; leaving a net profit of £37 16s. 10d.; which, after reserving £2 168. 10d., was distributed as follows: Society and Trust Funds, £7 10s. each; Building Fund for a new chapel, £20.

This is a material advance on last year, and fills us with hope for the future. The success of undertakings of this character is dependent to a great extent upon the experience and ability of the promoters; both of which qualifications we are fortunate enough to possess in a large degree in Mrs. Ward, who has laboured unremittingly since coming to London for the general good of our little struggling interest here. She has been heartily seconded in all her efforts by Mrs. Cass and other devoted workers. The presence of Dr. Ward after his long and eventful absence was a delightful surprise and stimulus to all. Such unity of action and purpose could only result in one thing, viz., success. Many may smile at our enthusiasm for such small results as our figures represent; but when we tell them we have but recently emerged from a literal struggle for existence, and that we have no better place of

worship than a small iron structure nine years old, not one square yard of the roof of which is watertight, as our winter experiences too sadly prove, they will join with us in thanking God for results so encouraging. We look upon these as the beginning of better days; seeing we have been able to place aside a sum, however small, toward anew chapel, which we so sorely need. The origination of the "Connexional Outlook" was a most happy thought of the Editor, for here we see how it fares with our brethren," who tell us of their trials and successes and the help they receive from noble hearts and generous hands. When we appeal to these latter, as we hope shortly to do, for our new chapel, do you think, dear Dr. Ward, we may hope for a share of their bounty?

JAMES A. McLAREN.

RIDGWAY MEMORIAL CHAPEL,

HANLEY.

A NEW Organ has been placed in our chapel here, at a cost of £160. It has been built by J. Stringer & Co., Hanley. It is enclosed in a pitch-pine case, designed to suit the general character of the building; the front pipes are decorated in gold and chocolate on a French-gray ground, and form a handsome addition to this elegant little place of worship. The organ consists of two manuals, compass co to G; and independent pedal organ, compass ccc to E; and contains sixteen stops and three double-acting composition pedals. In tone the organ answers every expectation, and competent judges pronounce it a splendid instrument. Though the need of such an organ has for a long time been a felt want to this growing congregation, the friends determined not to go into debt for it. A few months ago the matter was entered into with spirit; a sale of work was held, a subscription list opened and generously responded to; consequently the organ

was opened free of debt, and about £40 will be handed over to the trustees, to reduce the heavy debt on the estate.

N.

CLAYTON WEST, BARNSLEY
CIRCUIT.

We have been holding a fortnight's special services, preceded by a week's prayer-meetings. The services and meetings have been characterised by heartiness, sincerity, and a good, rich spiritual feeling, with the minimum of noise and excitement. We have had a good attendance all through, and last Sunday evening our effort was wound up with a rich love-feast. The chapel was crowded, and the power of the Holy Ghost was upon us. Many who were present will not soon forget the service. At the aftermeeting eight decided to accept Christ: two were married women not often seen in a place of worship, as were two or three young men. In all, forty have professed to realise pardon of their sins, this including two young men who have lived drunken, reckless lives for some time, one of whom, after a day's spree, came to our service, scarcely knowing how he had been led to do so. Another interesting case was that of two young women who, having left the service one week-night, returned and came direct to the penitent form, determined to decide for Christ. I believe they found the Saviour, to the joy of their hearts, though the writer did not in this instance direct their efforts after salvation.

About twelve are persons attending other chapels, and our prayer is that they may be a means of strength at home. May the God of all power and grace keep those new-born souls unto the day of final salvation; and may we, with them, at last be found faultless before the throne of God, with exceeding great joy!

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WILLENHALL, WOLVERHAMP

TON CIRCUIT.

HERE the Church is growing most delightfully. God is doing a blessed spiritual work in our midst. The soul-saving power is being felt, and many who had no regard for the house or people of the Lord have been drawn to our meetings and added to our numbers. By the advice of our late pastor, the Rev. R. C. Turner, we started a Bible-class for young men a year ago; there were then ten members, and now it numbers about thirty. So greatly profited have they been, that they have presented to their teacher a beautiful Bible as an expression of their grateful love; nearly the whole of them have joined our Church-fellowship, and several have begun active work for Jesus. We are also conducting mission work in the streets, and, in response to our persevering invitations, many now attend our chapel who were entire neglecters of public worship, and our seats are well filled. Cordial love prevails among us. It does one's heart good to hear, in our meetings for fellowship, the testimonies borne to the power and preciousness of religion; and our prayer-meetings are seasons of great sweetness and strength. A new class for females has been very successful, for it now numbers twenty full members; and at the Monday class our average attendance is forty. The spirit in which it is conducted is lively-short singing and pointed experience; and we leave the meetings feeling indeed that God has been with us. May He continue to revive and bless us ! W. W. NEESHAM.

MOUNT ZION, WOLVER-
HAMPTON.

On Wednesday, February 7, a goodly number of our friends here assembled in our Mount Zion Schoolroom, and spent a most enjoyable evening together.

The occasion was one of unusual interest. Our excellent and beloved

friend, Mr. John Bibb, had completed his fiftieth year of membership with our Mount Zion Church. Mr. Bibb is a tower of strength in our midst, and having nobly stood by our cause in this town through thick and thin for the long period of fifty yearsnever for a day deserting it or losing interest in it, but labouring unweariedly for its well-being, most cheerfully and liberally contributing to its support, and loving it with a growing love as the years have gone by-the celebration of the jubilee of his Church membership was as appropriate as it was pleasant.

The subjoined report of the meeting is from The Evening Star, published on the day following :

:

"Last night an interesting meeting was held in the schoolroom connected with this place of worship, when the members and friends of Mr. John Bibb's class assembled to celebrate the jubilee of his membership in connection with the Church. Tea and dessert, provided by Mr. Bibb, having been partaken of, the Rev. D. Brearley, who presided, made some appropriate introductory remarks. Short addresses were then delivered by Messrs. A. Agar, F. Handley, T. Loach, jun., S. E. Hill, A. Wilkinson, T. Saunders, T. Woolley, and Price Lewis, who congratulated Mr. Bibb upon his arrival at the anniversary of the fiftieth year of his membership, and spoke of his many acceptable labours as trustee, treasurer, superintendent of Sunday-school, lay preacher, sick visitor, &c. Mr. T. Loach, sen. (the oldest member of the class), afterwards presented Mr. Bibb with a beautiful timepiece as a small token of the esteem in which the class hold him. Mr. B. Fletcher also read an address. Mr. Bibb, who was received with round after round of applause, feelingly replied, and stated his determination still to continue working in the Church of his early choice."

D. BREARLEY.

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EGYPT AND ITS INHABITANTS.

THE Common name of Egypt in the Bible is Mizraim, a word in the dual form, indicating the twofold division of the country into an upper and lower region-the Nile Valley and the Delta. Egypt is also called in the Bible" the land of Ham" (Ps. cv. 23, 27), and "Rahab," the proud or insolent (Isaiah li. 9). According to Ezekiel (xxix. 10), the whole country extended from Migdol to Syene, and we may take these limits as defining its extent in the present day, for Migdol has been identified with Tell Es-Semut, East of the Suez Canal; and Syene, in the South, with Assonan, on the borders of Nubia, a little below the first Cataract of the Nile. Its total length is about five hundred miles, it has a superficies of about 9,582 square geographical miles, of which only 5,626 square miles, or thereabouts, are fit for cultivation. Anciently 2,735 square miles more may have been cultivated, and now it would be possible at once to reclaim about 1,295 square miles. Looking at its dimensions, we see that, with Palestine, Greece, Rome, and Britain, it ranks among the very small countries that have had a wonderful influence on the rest of the world.

It is probable that Egypt has undergone but little change in its physical aspect since the days when Joseph was made "ruler over all the land of Egypt," or since those in which Moses led the Israelites from the land of their bondage. Though encompassed by great deserts on each side, and though no rain falls in it, it is yet one of the most fertile of countries. This fertility is due to the overflowing of the Nile, which is caused by the rains that fall in the tropical countries where that river has its rise.

This overflow commences in June, reaches its greatest height in September, and ceases about the end of November. Egypt, it has been truly said, is "the gift of the Nile." The fertilising mud May, 1888.

17

VOL, LXXXVI.

deposited by the yearly overflow, and its quickening waters, led everywhere over the soil by means of canals and ditches, have from the remotest ages created a long ribbon of the richest green along the banks; in many places, especially in Upper Egypt, not more than two miles across, and seldom more than ten, including the river, which is from 2,000 to 4,000 feet broad. A few miles north of Cairo, however, the magnificent stream, after a course of over 4,000 miles, entering a wide, low plain, which from its resemblance to the triangular Greek letter Delta (A) has received that name, presently divides into the Rosetta and Damietta branches, which determine the shape of the cultivated land by their course; though fertility extends east and west beyond them, as far as their waters are led by irrigation.

The Nile, on account of its fertilising power, was anciently wor shipped. It was regarded not merely as a sacred river, but (like the Ganges by the Hindus) as actually a God. Sometimes divine honours were paid to it, and perhaps the Jewish infants that were thrown into it by order of the Pharaoh that knew not Joseph were intended as offerings to the river God. The water of the Nile was considered the best for drinking that could be found anywhere. It was so feeding that the priests were forbidden to drink it, and there is a story to the effect that when the soldiers of a Roman general asked for wine, he exclaimed, "What! do you ask for wine when you have got the water of the Nile to drink?" It is only recently that the cause of this peculiarity of the Nile water has been discovered. Professor Ehrenberg, of Berlin, has found, by means of the microscope, that its mud deposits are studded with masses of living animalcules. Now, as the presence of mites in cheese is thought by many to improve its taste, so the presence of these unseen animalcules enriches the water of the Nile.

Egypt was amongst the earliest countries that attained distinction in art, science, and the other refinements of civilised life. Menes, the first king mentioned in the fragments of Egyptian history, is said to have lived 2,000 years before Christ. Manetho, an early historian, mentions thirty-one dynasties, or families of kings, who, he says, successively occupied the throne of the country, before it was conquered by the Greeks. It is, however, untrue that there were so many in regular succession. Manetho's successive dynasties are now known to be erroneous. Some of them consisted of contemporary monarchs, reigning in different parts of Egypt. Except those of the fourth and twelfth dynasties, there are scarcely any monumental or other records left, and hence there is great difficulty in determining the chronology. About the middle of the list of dynasties was that of the Hyksos, or shepherd-kings. They

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