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not yet supplied. This "Covenant and Sacramental Service" is Part IV. of Mr. Macdonald's intended book; and if the whole is equal to this part (which we do not doubt), it deserves wide circulation, and will be of signal use. Lessons on the Life of Jesus. By Rev. W. SCRYMGEOUR. [Hand-books for Bible Classes.] Edited by Drs. DoDs and A. WHYTE. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark.

Too strongly we cannot write in praise of these Hand-books. Taken as a whole, sufficiently copious to stimulate inquiry and direct to independent conclusions, they are yet so brief and handy as not to tax the time or means of any student. The volume before us is quite equal to those that have preceded it. The lessons are taught in simple and attractive style, and for those who desire more copious information, valuable notes are appended, showing where it may be obtained.

Picture Truths. A Series of Practical Lessons on the Formation of Character from Bible Emblems and Proverbs. By JOHN TAYLOR. London: T. Woolmer. Price 18. 6d.

A VERY excellent book indeed, and cannot fail of its purpose to warn, guide, restrain, and bless the young. Its lessons were originally prepared for use in a large elementary school, and in many ways were made a blessing. We are glad indeed that Mr. Taylor has collected and published them in so attractive a form as that in which they now appear, and we do not doubt that the blessing attending them will be extensive and permanent.

The Little Preacher. By Mrs. PRENTISS. London: Hodder & Stoughton.

1883.

THIS is a German tale of considerable merit and interest. It narrates the family life of an industrious carpenter, whose eldest son he wishes to bring up to his own trade, but who shows no aptitude for it. By many singular providences he receives a University training, and becomes a devoted and useful clergyman. The various characters which fill in the foreground of the narrative are graphically depicted and skilfully placed, while the design and tendency of the book are all that can be desired. Parents, no less than young men and maidens, may gain practical good from its perusal. Mrs. Prentiss will be remembered as the authoress of that favourite book, "Stepping Heavenwards.” The New Handbook of Sunday-school Addresses. Edited by Rev. R. TUCK, B.A. London: E. Stock, 62, Paternoster-row.

THIS handsome book is designed for the use of Sunday-school teachers, and those who are called to work for Christ among children in Church and home as well as school, by whom it will be found admirably adapted to the end proposed. The addresses are chiefly founded upon Scripture passages, and show, with remarkable force and never-failing interest, how all Scripture truth may be brought home to the mind, heart, and life of our young people. Mr. Tuck has produced a "hand-book" for teachers full of suitable topics, and as diversified as they are intensely practical. There is no kind of meeting for the young which some of these addresses will not suit, while the counsel offered in the introductory essay to those who speak to children is so wise and timely, that we could wish all such speakers had it engraven on the memory and burnt into the soul.

Margaret the Moonbeam. By CECILIA LUSHINGTON. London: T. Fisher Unwin. Price 2s. 6d. Second Edition.

A PRETTILY-WRITTEN story for the young. Its heroine, "Margaret," an orphan, is especially fond of the moon, and so gets her name of "Moonbeam."

Her chats with her uncle, with whom she lives, about the moon are interesting and instructive. The tale is full of beautiful and apt quotations from the poets, with which Margaret's memory is copiously stored, and which she never tires of repeating. The volume is "got up" with rare taste, and is splendidly printed. We do not wonder that a second edition has been demanded, and congratulate Miss Lushington upon the charming way in which she blends elegance with usefulness in her very entertaining works.

Voices of the Good Shepherd, and Shadows of the Great Rock. By the Author of "Morning and Night Watches." London: J. Nisbet & Co. 21, Bernersstreet.

A REALLY elegant, edifying, and comforting book, presenting, in striking order, the gracious sayings of the Good Shepherd, without human comment, and those precious truths, which form shadows of that Great Rock, which is Christ, under which His loved ones may peacefully repose. The arrangement is intended to supply suitable truths for daily use during a whole month; those which relate to the Good Shepherd being adapted for morning, and the portions which illustrate the Great Rock forming evening studies. Truly it is a Scripture text-book for morning and night; and devout and sorrowing Christians who are in special need of the sweetness and strength of "the Word," will come to these pages with bounding hope, and find there divine safety, comfort, and rest.

FROM DEAN & SON, Fleet-street, E.C., we have received a One Shilling packet of new halfpenny Chromo Picture Reward Books; two of the newest series of their sixpenny cloth-bound books for rewards, entitled The Soldier's Friend, and Martin Luther's Friend; also three volumes of their sixpenny "Rose and Lily Series." These are amazingly cheap, and perfect gems in their way. Nothing equal to them, as books for children, has ever come into our hands before. They are truly marvels at the prices charged. The halfpenny ones, for example, contain, with the two covers, six coloured pictures each, which, in design and execution, would do credit to Kate Greenaway. The tales in them, and also in the larger books, are sound, entertaining, and instructive, and may, therefore, be safely placed in the hands of any child. The sale, at this season, ought to be enormous; they will delight every family that secures them.

MORGAN & SCOTT, of 12, Paternoster-buildings, E.C., have published their 1883 volume of The Herald of Mercy. Price 18. It is profusely illustrated, and has many simple but charming tales for children. The Christmas fireside will be all the brighter for its presence.

Memoir.

MR. JOHN EVANS, OF LOUGHBOROUGH.

OUR late brother was born at Ballidon, in the county of Derby, in the year of grace 1807. When he was but a boy, about eight years old, his father removed to Sheepshead, a thriving village about five miles from Loughborough. While there his time was occupied in the summer months in tending and watching sheep, and at other periods of the year he assisted his father in erecting stone-wall fences on various farms in the locality. His life at this early period was one of heavy toil, and often of exposure

to piercing winds and nipping frosts. But, despite of adverse circumstances, he bore up bravely and taught himself to read the Bible and other books, an exercise in which in after years he found great pleasure and profit. His parents attended the services of the Established Church, and he was baptized and confirmed according to the usages of that Church. Though young when confirmed, he had a lively sense of right and wrong, and realised the importance of the promises which he made in the confirmation service. He afterwards became a scholar in the Sunday-school, and remained connected with it until he was about fourteen years old, at which period he was led to attend the preaching services conducted in the village by the Wesleyan Methodists. Their earnest, pointed, and practical preaching laid hold of his heart and conscience; revealed to him his guilt and danger, and led him to cry out, "What must I do to be saved?" Nor had he to cry long, for the same agency which had been instrumental in exciting the desire for salvation, led him to the Lamb of God, and in looking upon Him by faith he found pardon and peace. He now united himself with the Methodist Society, and soon became distinguished as one of the most devoted and useful members of the Church, and was in due course appointed a teacher in the Sunday-school, class leader, local preacher, and trustee. He was called by the Circuit authorities to begin his work as a local preacher at the early age of eighteen, and he continued to exercise his preaching powers with much acceptance for half a century. He gave himself with diligence and devotion to the work of preaching. By the careful study of God's Word and such religious books as were accessible to him, he sought to become an instructive and edifying preacher of the Gospel, and he succeeded. He was particularly interested in the doctrines peculiar to Methodism, and could state them very clearly, and furnish from the sacred Scriptures cogent proofs and illustrations of all that he sought to teach. His manner was ever serious, and his aim always practical. His diligence as a student of Holy Scripture and of theology secured for him a prominent position in Sheepshead and the surrounding neighbourhood; he was looked up to as an authority on all matters connected with Methodism, and his counsel was often sought by inquiring youths, and never sought in vain ; for his disposition was as kind and obliging as his judgment was sound. He lived for others, and not for himself; and while his health remained good he was instant in season and out of season, always abounding in works of faith and labours of love. After residing in Sheepshead till about the year 1846 he removed to Loughborough, and after a while entered into business on his own account as a needlemaker. He was very industrious and attentive to his business, and achieved a gratifying measure of success. In 1853 he sustained a severe loss in the death of his first wife, and some time afterwards married Miss Jarrett, who became a true help-meet to him and a mother to his children.

Sometime after his removal to Loughborough many of the Wesleyan societies became much disturbed by reason of the expulsion of Messrs. Everett, Dunn, Griffith, and Bromley from the Wesleyan Ministry. A desire for such changes in the government and administration of Methodism as would secure to the laity a larger share of influence in all

Church courts was one of the results of these expulsions. Various meetings were held and efforts made to secure this result. The agitation extended to Loughborough, and a number of the brethren who stood in the front rank of those who desired changes in the polity of Methodism were expelled from the Loughborough society. Among the number who were thus treated was Brother Evans. The expulsions in Loughborough were followed by the establishment of a Wesleyan Reform Society, which Mr. Evans at once joined. For several years the Wesleyan Reform Society in this town, and several congregations in the surrounding villages, were maintained and the work of the Lord carried forward. But the attempt to perpetuate an Independent Methodist Church, having no relation to a Conference, did not answer the expectations of those who were most active in promoting its establishment; and towards the close of 1856 the attention of the principal friends was turned towards the New Connexion. Copies of the rules of the said Connexion were obtained and carefully read. Then a deputation was sent over to Notting ham Quarterly Meeting to propose terms of union with our friends of the Nottingham Circuit. And soon after this the Loughborough Society became a part of our Connexion. Mr. Evans, whose sympathies had, for some time, been going out towards our body, greatly rejoiced when the Society at Loughborough resolved to join the body, and at once cast in his lot with it; took hold of our distinctive principles with his head and heart, and held them with an ever-increasing appreciation till the hour of his decease.

In the year 1875 our late brother was stricken with paralysis, and was deprived of the further use of his right arm and leg. Assured by his medical adviser that the effects of the stroke would be permanent, he at once determined to retire from business, and patiently wait for the call of his Lord. It was a privilege to visit him at this period, and very pleasant to witness the spirit of meekness and resignation which he exhibited. His devoted wife was unremitting in her attention to his wants, and he fondly hoped that she would be permitted to wait upon him to the end of his earthly course. But this was not to be, as some time after he was laid aside, Mrs. Evans, whose health had for some time been failing, was suddenly taken ill on January 24, 1880, when attending to the ordinary routine of her domestic duties, and in little more than an hour passed away. Mr. Evans was deeply affected by the loss of his beloved wife For many years she had lived for him and his children. She was a true helpmeet, and her husband cherished a profound respect and a warm affection for her. To have lost her under any circumstances must have been painful to him, but it was doubly so when, in consequence of his affliction, he so much needed her loving sympathy. Her death rendered another change necessary, which at his advanced age was very painful. He had to break up his dear old home and remove from Loughborough. Soon after his wife's death, he went to reside at Beeston with one of his daughters, the wife of Mr. Lacey, and with her he spent the remnant of his days. These, with few exceptions, were days of severe affliction. All that skill and affection could do to relieve him was done; but the nature of his affliction was such that no hope could be held out to him of a 48

VOL. LXXXVI.

radical cure.
not a word of murmur or of distrust ever escaped his lips.

But though he suffered much and for a lengthened period,

As his sufferings increased, so also did his experience of the consolations and sustaining power of the Gospel. He witnessed a good confession, in the midst of acute sufferings, to various friends and relatives who visited him. To them his utterances were as a means of grace, and they are embalmed in their memories as things most precious and sacred. Addressing one who stood at his bedside a few hours before his death, he said, "My boy, I am not afraid to die; death has no terror for me. I am ready to go, as soon as my Lord calls me." A sudden attack of severe pain coming on brought the conversation to an end. But soon after he was able to offer up short prayers, which he did with much power and resignation. Lord, make short Thy work with Thy servant, if it be Thy will.” “Lord, help me, help me." His last hours were very peaceful. His mind was clear and calm, his faith steadfast, his hope assured, and he died with the words of the Apostle on his lips, "I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day." He died on May 25, 1882, aged 75 years.

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A considerable number of tributes to the excellence of our late brother's character were sent to the family soon after his death, but their insertion here would unduly extend this memoir. With an extract from a letter of condolence sent by the Rev. J. Rossell, Wesleyan minister, who was his bosom friend in early life, this notice must be closed: “We were brought to decision about the same time, and some time afterwards our names were placed on the same circuit plan. Mr. Evans' piety was unmistakable, commencing in entire consecration to Christ. He walked with God; his love for souls, his diligence in the discharge of duty, and the regularity with which he attended the means of grace, were admonitory to many of us, as well as encouraging. I never knew him neglect an appointment, or trifle with sacred things. Holiness to the Lord' was his motto, and although seriously cheerful, he was cheerfully serious, and many of us were benefited by his consistent piety." A. M'C.

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Our Connexional Outlook.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA. THE Rev. E. Gratton, writing on September 24, after referring in terms of satisfaction to the tea-meeting, an account of which appears in our November issue, says:—

Of course much of my time has been taken up in getting settled, in unpacking, and putting matters straight, in meeting the various committees, examining the Church roll

and the list of seat-holders, finding out the residences of the members of the congregation, and inquiring into the state of the finances. The friends who sympathise with Gospel Temperance work have been called together, and we have reorganised a Band of Hope and Temperance Mission; it will be affiliated to our Connexional Mission. The same pledge card will be used, and the same melodies will be sung. One of our rules is that a

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